Chapter 1: Not So Great Outdoors
Chapter Text
Reality Collides: The Ezekiel Chronicles
"Well, it seems that's the end of another era." A young man stared as he finished what would be another of his works online. By finishing the last chapter of another of his fanfic works, stretched after another exhaustive time working hours to the final masterpiece of his work. "Well, I'm glad that I used this train trip to finish this."
The sound of locomotives over the rails was something that he kept relaxed, and seeing the window and how much the environment around the trip gave him a good excuse to a pause before going back to work.
A good trip as the train hornet made the young man enjoy even more taking good time for himself.
"Well, what I should do now? Another fanart of Steven Universe? Maybe Adventure time? Did I get a commission request?" The young man took his cellphone with him and tried to check his social media to see if there was another request or even another freelance project for him to get the money and funds for his things.
But at the time he was checking the cellphone, a sudden call came from his laptop.
"Hmm?" The young man stared surprised until he found who was calling towards a video call, and by smiling himself he pressed the accept button showing the figures of two adults in their mid 50's. "Hey mom, hey dad."
"Ezekiel." Both parents said as the family seemed happy to see each other. Until the mother who showed a bit of concern decided to ask "How is your trip around Canada going?"
"It's doing great so far. I have been around Vancouver for a few days. And even took a lot of pictures." Ezekiel replied, by passing over the social media his entire album of photos.
"I'm glad you are enjoying your trip. But I hope that at the moment you get home, your studies will be good enough for you to try your college application." The restrictive father pointed out which made not just the boy sigh and roll his eyes, but the mother slap behind the father's head. "Ouch, what is that for?"
"That's for you keeping being a teacher before being a father too. You know our little boy is going to do a great job and get accepted. Why are you so restricted to him?" The mother gave a sweet smile as she didn't understand why her husband was so silly.
"You too also put your teacher position before our son. AGH" The father murmured but it was enough to make the mother slap his head by "accident" again. Which made him roll his eyes.
"Well, my studies are fine. But I think what will be my most difficult challenge will be my social interaction… since I never went to school" Ezekiel knows that even if his two parents usually care for him, and even if knows many subjects and studies… his social skills would be need a lot to deal with. And going into college in that state may have some drawbacks.
Both parents stared at each other and looked at their son with apologetic expressions.
"I know it will be hard for you to deal with the future of your education son, but we did our best to make you homeschooled, and also give you the freedom you pass your time with your hobbies." The father even as showing his cold response, the expression on his face still showed a good remark of guilt among the feelings of coldness on the exterior. "We didn't have conduction for you to have a good education at a private school, and God's forbid be if I let you my only son go into a public school…"
"…" Ezekiel remained in silence, knowing that his father hated public schools because of one simple reason that has traumatized his whole family with it… the lack of security over the schools which caused one member of his own family to be a victim among the dozens of others because of the breaking of a guy who got feed up with his bullies…
"I'm not saying it's your fault Dad… and I know that you both wanted to protect me after what happened with Richard. I miss him too… But still, I wish I could have friends to help me with this issue." Ezekiel decided to end the subject, knowing that his parents would remain overprotective towards their only boy. It was for the best of him just accept their worries, and live the way he does. It wasn't that bad though. And he couldn't complain much. He loves what he does. "Well gotta go now. I will give you a call when I reach the final stop. Love you."
"We love you too Zeke." Both parents gave a slight wave before the call was over... making the homeschooled boy sit in his seat, and place his headphones on him.
"Well, that was it. Let's watch another episode of my file of shows… hmm… let's see, Adventure Time, Steven Universe, Total Drama… Which one should I choose? I already watched all of their episodes many times…hmm… Well, since I'm in Canada, I should enjoy a good classic of dodgebraw." Ezekiel clicked the buttons and enjoyed the screen showing another good episode of Total Drama… as the way he would enjoy his afternoon.
"Ezekiel wake up." He felt someone shaking him over and over until his eyes went wide open enough for him to stare at what would be a grown-up man wearing farmer's clothing. "It's already 5 a.m. and the person who will take you to that show is coming to get you today."
"Oh, that's right. Thanks, Pa." The boy woke up quickly and went directly to take his aqua green beanie with him. Quickly the boy went downstairs of the yarn, leaving the man staring at the boy with an amused expression.
"That boy… I hope he doesn't get into much trouble." The father sighed as he stared at the couple of papers around the yarn the boy was sleeping on it. Seeing the many drafts and concluded little draws that the boy was doing at that moment. The father rolled his eyes. "He and his drawings. Well, at least he is happy and out of danger… An imaginative mind, but at least a good story nonetheless…"
On the other part of the farm, the farmer's son came towards the bathroom around the farm, he wanted to take what would be probably the last good bath he would take for a long time, since the same day. The show awaited so much as to take him.
"Man, it has been 2 years. And I still have the same dreams of them… I wonder how my parents are today… okay, I need to stop this… I cannot be tied over the past, because I have to accept that I'm not coming back… It sucks, it does, and I miss them, but there is nothing more I can do… I'm the new Ezekiel, I'm here… living a new dream… I'm in Total Drama total drama." Ezekiel stared at his reflection, knowing at that moment, that he already accepted the outcomes of the new life he had. And with a new shower and with baggage done… He was ready to leave. "It's my new life, my new projects, and dreams… and I want to be famous."
By carrying all his luggage, he already prepared everything to be done in the morning. Waiting for the driver of the show to carry him to the actual place was something he couldn't help but feel anxious about. So he decided to go over to his kitchen and eat something before leaving.
Walking towards the kitchen he found a very simple and humble woman, who was doing a simple task as the dishes. Leaving the brown-haired boy came near her.
"Hey ma. Good morning." Ezekiel granted the woman who was smiling by doing the chores, but the surprise look on her face, made her turn her head towards the boy who seemed to be almost ready to leave.
"Oh Ezekiel, good morning. Have you slept well before you leave today?" The mother smiled sweetly, but in the corner of her eyes, she seemed to get a bit of something contained inside of her, possibly a bit of envy or jealousy. "I remember the time when I was far younger than you. And I had to be on a trip with my family to the woods, where we had to explore around the caves near Niagara Falls, it was a crazy experience, but one thing that I will always cherish in my memories."
The moment the boy got over the table to have his usual breakfast, he saw that her mom had his pancakes with Canadian bacon on them, and with a good Orange juice nearby, the same way that his family had been planting for years.
Ezekiel munched his breakfast while he passed the time listening to her, nodding to himself after he carefully listened to his mom mumblings about the times she was a kid and she always did some little adventures by herself and her family, and seeing from another viewpoint. He always wondered how was possible for someone like his mom to change so drastically and contain herself so much.
The answer while being sexist, was also a bit of wholesome… His dad… Both his parents changed after meeting each other, and some of their changes became mostly for the best, but still, both of them had some kind of flaws. But nobody was perfect… And even Ezekiel was terrible in the first season, most people liked Beast Ezekiel in the future.
"Anyway, I read some of the papers you left while you wrote chapter 11… You seriously were planning to go for that route? I never thought it would cause so many problems in the future. But from my perspective after reading this chapter. Someone screwed up big time. Seeing him changing ages like that wasn't healthy." The matriarch of the family commented as she watched her son devouring the remaining of his pancakes. Receiving a happy nod from her boy.
"Yep, the moment the secret is out of the bag, it will be downhill for him, but it will be great for his growth in the future… But it would be best if he would hire a therapist after all this." Ezekiel couldn't help but give hints to his mom, since he was doing was trying to replicate one of his favorite shows into a book. He spent almost 2 years crafting and developing every single chapter. It took him a lot of time, but the rewards after he finds a way to publish it would be fantastic. He just hopes total drama would help him to achieve that.
Was it strange that he was looking forward to the next 5 seasons?
(The Total Drama Island)
At the dock, a man in his mid-thirty smiled at the camera with a grin, "Yo! We´re coming at you life from Camp Wawankwa! I'm your host, Chris McLean." He paused to let it sink in before speak up, "Dropping season one of the hottest new reality show on television, right now!"
Chris walks down the dock as if he was on a stroll, "Here's a deal, 22 campers have signed up to spend eight weeks right here at this crummy old summer camp." He halts his stroll in front of the camp sign, "They'll compete in challengers against each other then have to face the judgments of their fellow campers." Chris paused for a bit, "Every three days, one team will either win a reward or watch of their team member walk down the dock of shame and take a ride on the loser ship, never coming back...Ever!" He grinned, gesturing the dock.
(Campfire site)
"Their fate will be decided here at the dramatic campfire ceremonies," Chris thumbed at the campfire site, "Where all but one camper will receive a marshmallow." He grabbed a stick with a marshmallow and take a bite before tosses away, "In the end, only one will be left standing and will be rewarded with a cheesy tabloid fame and a small fortune," Chris pulls a treasure crest out of nowhere before whispered to the camera with a light chuckle, "Let's face it, they will blow it off in a week or so."
(Dock)
Chris returned to the dock, "Every moment will be caught on one of hundreds of cameras situated all over the camp. Who will crumble under the pressure? Find out here right now…" He takes a deep breath as he pointed at the camera with a grin, "TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND!"
(After the theme song)
"Welcome back to Total Drama Island." Chris beamed, "All right, it's time to meet our vic...*cough* eh, I mean campers. We told them they's all be staying at a five star resort," Chris chuckled, "So if they seem to be pissed off, that's probably why." As if it was on cue, the first ship was pulled up and Chris turn to face the first camper with his infamous grin, coming out from the boat with a luggage was a rather short girl with brown hair in a side pony tail. She had braces and thick glasses which Chris recognized which camper was the first."What's up, Beth!"
The farmer girl suddenly squealed as she tackled Chris in sequel, causing him to give her a weird look.
"It's so incredulous to meet you!" Beth then blinked as she noticed something about the host of the show. "Wow, you are much short in real life."
"Uh… Thanks?" Chris muttered with his raised eyebrow, not liking the commented made by the first contestant. But then he glanced to see a giant bulky looking dude wearing a white cap, a dark green shirt with white highlights on the neck, sleeve, waisline with the shirt having an orange D on the center of it as well as short jeans and sandals. The Jamaican walking up to him with a duffle bags and greeted him, "DJ."
"Yo, Chris McLean. How's it going?" DJ gave a Chris a high five before glancing at the scene, "Hey, you sure you got the right place here? Where's the hot tub at?" DJ asked the host, only to hear him confirming that it was the right place, "Hmm...Look a lot different on form…"He muttered, carrying his bags to other side of the dock while glancing around.
Another boat came up to the dock and from this one was a goth girl, she wore a black shirt that exposed a small bit of her belly as well as lacking the neck area with blue and green sleeves. She wore a black and midnight blue skirt with a long black boots and dark gray stockings that went all the way up of her head. She had black eyes, teal lipstick and black hair with teal streaks.
"Hey, Gwen." The host greeted the goth girl receiving a sigh in response.
"You mean we're staying here?" Gwen jerked her head at the rundown cabins.
Chris chuckled, "Oh, yeah! By the way, my crib is this trailer with A.C."
"I didn't sign up for that!" She growled.
"Actually, you did." Chris smirked, proudly showing the contracts before Gwen grabbed it and tored itself apart, "...Good thing about lawyer is… that they make a lot of copies." Chris gave a victorius smile as he watched Gwen growling again before picking up her bags.
"I'm not staying here!" She narrowed her eyes, but that didn't phase the host since he likes to always have the final word.
"You sure? That mean you have to swim back since your boat just left." Chris pointed towards the boat who honked as it left the island. Leaving the poor goth girl unable to leave.
"Great…" Gwen murmured with sarcasm as the next boat pull over with a boy wearing a pink vest that showed off his chest, showing he had an eight pack, along with a cowboy hat with some blond hair coming out of it, a bead neck, short blue jeans, and sandals. When the boat reached the dock, the teen jumped off the boat with his suitcase being thrown on the dock.
"Wassup, Chris. It´s an honor to meet you, man!" The party boy greeted the host with fistbump.
"Geoff-ster! Welcome to the island, man!" Chris smiled as he gave the contestant a fistbump which it was already a great sign of him liking the camper on the show.
"Thank, man!" Geoff grinned, smiling in optimist of the new show he is going to participate.
Gwen was getting sickened of seeing both party boy and sneaky host talking together.
"If they say 'man' one more time, I'm gonna puke." Gwen whispered to DJ and Beth, earning some concern looks from them.
"Everyone, that is Lindsay." Chris looks at the dock again before introducing the new camper to other campers. The fifth boat showed a beautiful looking girl with a super model-like body. She is a blonde bombshell with a bandana around her head. She wore a red top under a brown sleeveless shirt with some of her belly exposed, a short orange skirt and brown feel boots with stars on them. Walking towards them and waving to everyone with a smile. Chris took the opportunity to whisper nearby the camera. "Not too shabby, eh?"
Lindsay walked towards at the host and then have something to point out.
"You look so familiar." The blond girl pointed as the host grinned at her.
"I'm Chris McLean." Chris proudly said his name, but then he noticed that the newest camper just blinked and stared at him with a confuse expression on her face. Which made him try another approach. "… the host of this show?"
"Oh, that's where I know you from." Lindsay pointed as she was now feeling excited which made the host looks dumbfounded at her.
"Um… Yeah…" Chris blinked as he was having an understanding that maybe all the applications of some of the people who wants to participate was in fact true, so he would need to find a way to deal with this kind of difficulty for the sake of the viewers.
Lindsay walk towards the group while some before murmured about her not being the bright light on the bulb.
The next participant was a girl with long light black hair, gray eyes. Wearing a dull red shoulder less top with straps around her neck, short-shorts and black open toed high tops.
"Heather." Chris greeted as he could see Heather walking forward, with a scowl on her face as Beth walked up to her.
"Hi!" Beth greeted, a little bit of spit coming towards to Heather making her recoil and snarl in disgust. "Looks like we're your new friends, for the rest of the next 8 weeks!"
Before any words could be said, a punk rock music was heard over the next boat coming towards them. And at the moment the next camper came, it was shown a boy wearing black low-cut hair with the top of his head being in the style of a mohawk that was dyed greed. He had a unibrow and piercings on his face, nose and ears. He had a small black beard and wore a spike collar, a black shirt with a skull on the center and bone white sleeves and highlight around the waist. He also had blue jeans and red and white sneakers.
"Duncan! Dude." Chris introduced the punk as Duncan who approached the host with anger on his eyes and raising a fist.
"I don't like, surprises." Duncan said to Chris threatened with a scowl, palmed his fist.
"Yeah, your parole officer warned me about that, man." Chris chuckle completely unfazed by his actions. "He also told me to give him a holler anytime and have you send back to juvie."
Duncan took a long breath through his nose before simply accepting the fact he was there.
"Okay, then." Duncan then took his bag and walked towards the end of the dock which he meet the group and eyed Heather for a bit. "Meet you by the campfire, gorgeous."
"Drop dead, you skeez." Heather told Duncan in a rude manner. Heather was already feeling the desire to kill someone on that point. She walked towards Chris. "I'm calling my parents. You cannot make me stay here!"
Chris response was simply grinning towards her and show the contract with was enough to make Heather angry. Meaning that she can't leave any time until it was the time she was eliminated.
The next boat approached with a honk which made everyone turns their heads watching the newest camper not coming from the boat, but actually riding it, by using water ski. He was using a red track suit, a red and white headband, brown hair and eyes, and basketball shoes.
"Ladies and gentleman! Tyler!" Chris introduced the sportist guy who waved but then ended up causing him to lose his grip on the handle of the rope and for him to flip throught the water at high speeds, hiting the dock and crash right into the pile of luggage with one bag splashing the lake.
Everyone winced at Tylers wipeout with Heather being the only one to get splashed by the water causing her to look down at her footwear.
"UGH, MY SHOES!" Heather yelled as water dripped off her body.
"Wicked wipeout. Man!" Chris yelled to Tyler who fist rose up from the luggage pile and gave a thumbs up seeing that he was fine. DJ and Geoff grinned at each other and also giving thumbs up… Gwen rolled her eyes as she was already feeling tired to be there. And that was the first day.
Chris chuckled a little before he heard a loud breathing behind him. The host turned around to see the next camper behind him. A skinny ginger with a few beard hairs and glasses over green eyes. He wore a blue shirt that had a picture of a burger on it and a bright green highlights on the sleeves and neck area. He also seemed to have a light red long sleeved shirt underneat. He had dark green pants and white shoes with blue and green strips and he was carrying a keyboard and a suitcase.
"Welcome to camp, Harold." Chris greeted the skinny teen. Harold didn't respond since he was looking around the area to make sure if he got the right idea. But his silence was doing enough to start creeping out the others.
"What's he looking at?" Beth asked to the other campers, only to get shrugs as response and a few shivers.
"You mean this show is at this crappy summer camp and not on some big stage?" Harold asked which Chris already knowing what the nerd was going to say next, so he nodded at him. "YES! That's more favorable to my mad skills."
Chris shuddered a bit as Harold walked towards his fellow campers before another boat coming towards them. Which was the conestant number 10. A boy carrying a guitar case and wearing a backpack. He had a black hair and green eyes and wore a light green shirt with a black hand print in the middle with came sleeves. He also had a black pants and green shoes with dark green stripes.
"Contestant number ten is Trent." Chris enunciated as Trent came towards him with a fist bump.
"Hey, good to meet you man." Trent replied as he gave a sequel of fist bump two times. "Saw you on that figure skating show. Nice work, man."
"Hey, thanks man." Chris said to Trent as he went to go meet up the fellow campers. Chris was proud in one of those works. "I knew I rocked that show!"
"I saw that." Beth said as she understood which show they were talking about. "One of the guys dropped his partner on her head. So they got an immunity that week."
"Lucccckyy." Harold said as he looked at Beth. "I hope I get dropped on my head."
"Me too!" Lindsay said as she also planned to use anything to have an opportunity of immunity, while the other looked weirdly at the nerd and the blonde staring at them if they are a crazy bunch of mad people or just stupid.
"So, this is it…" Trent said as he looked around over the other 9 camps, and smiled as he counted the quantity of the campers excluding himself from being the number 10. And seeing clearly each contestant specially Harold sticking his finger in his nose he got weirded out. "Aaaaaalll righty, then."
Trent then stood himself next to Gwen and gave her a grin. Gwen scowled and looked away at first, but when Trent looked forward, the goth girl found herself smiling and peaking at the boy next to her. Actually enjoying his company.
And then the next boat passed by, and with this one appeared a girl with light blond hair tied up in a long point tail and green eyes. She wore a light blue hoodie that showed off a small bit of her stomach and jeans that went halfway down her was also carrying a very big surfboard.
The boat left her on the dock which she grabbed her bag but without taking out her own surfboard nearby her.
"Hey, whats up?" She asked the host with a calm smile on her face.
"All right, our surfer chick, Bridgette, is here." Chris introduced the surfer girl in front of him, with Geoff in particular smiling quite a bit at her arrival.
Duncan looked at the surfboard and snorted, he looked at Bridgette and said in sarcasm. "Nice board. This ain't Malibu, honey."
"I thought we were gonna be on a beach." Bridgette explained her reasoning as she brought the surfboard with her.
"We are!" Chris gestured his hand to the surrounding beach. Everyone looked to see the beach of the camp was littered with trash as a seagull caught in trash as dragged away by the tide of wave.
Bridgette sighed at the poor quality of the beach. "Great." She said sarcastically as she noticed that she didn't like the outcome.
"All right! That makes-" Chris was in the middle of the sentence until he got hit on the head by Bridgette's surfboard as the light blond walked over to the other ten campers. "Owww, darn it! That hurts!"
"Hey guys." Bridgette greeted her fellow campers.
"Hey!" Geoff grinned as he quickly introduced himself to her. "I'm Geoff!"
"What's up." Bridgette asked as she turned to Geoff causing the few campers nearby her ducking to avoid getting hit by the board like Chris a few seconds ago.
"Dang!" Harold said as he narrowly avoided the board. "Watch the board, man."
"Hi! I'm Beth!" And by sheer ignorance of not knowing the outcome of presenting herself towards someone with a surfboard on her hands. She introduced herself to the surfer girl.
"Hey." Bridgette said to Beth while turning to the shorter farmer girl causing everyone to duck again to avoid get hit by the surfboard.
"Okay, we've all met surfer girl." Heather had enough to activity of avoiding being hit by the blond surfer, so she rolled her eyes and made a point, as she finished wringing out her hair. "Can we get on with the show, please?"
"Looks like someone missed their double cappuccino macchiato this morning," Duncan smirked as he saw the type of girl Heather was. So he knew how to provoke then in the easiest way as possible.
"Get bent." Heather glared at the delinquent which was exactly the response he was expecting from her.
"Our next camper is Noah." Chris said with a toothy smile, as he saw the kid stepping onto the dock.
The kid was a skinny boy with slightly dark skin, brown hair, and brown eyes. He wore a red sweater vest over a collared short-sleeved shirt with a white long-sleeved shirt underneath. He had olive green jeans and shoes with darker green and white strips.
"You got my memo about my life-threatening allergies?"Noah asked as he walked forward.
"I'm sure someone did." Chris told Noah while pointing two fingers at him. Totally implying that he didn't care about the contestant healthy problems.
"Good. Is this where we're staying?" Noah asked while pointing to the crappy campsite, his tone was very sarcastic.
"No, it's your mother's house." Duncan told Noah while cracking his fist, already eager to have a brawl with the nerd who seemed to be snarky. "And we're throwing a party."
"Cute. Nice piercings original." Noah said sarcastically, not at all threatened by Duncan. "Do them yourself?"
"Yeah!" Duncan then harshly grabbed Noah's lip and pulled out a needle. "You want one?"
"Uh no thanks. Can I have my lip back please?" Noah asked, still not threatened by Duncan. Which the delinquent rolled his eyes and let go Noah's lip with the camper's expression unchanged. "Thanks."
"What's up, ya'll?" A loud voice got everyones attention as they looked to the next boat and saw the next camper coming at them. As they all saw a black girl with a beige shirt with a kumquat pattern across the chest area. Her black hair was in a thick and big ponytail and she had hoop earrings, jeans, and brown flats. Harold gasped as he admired her. "Leshawna's in the house."
The newest camper stepped on the dock and came directly at the host just to give a high five.
"How's it going? Feel free to quit now, save yourself the trouble cause I came to win." Leshawna said confidently before walking up to DJ and give a high five him as well. "Oh, what's up my brother, give me some sugar, baby!"
Harold then popped up next to Leshawna and looked her over a bit. "I've never seen a girl like you in real life before."
This caused a reaction that mostly people with a good sense would see it coming.
"Excuse me?" Leshawna asked with her hands on her hips.
And without thinking twice to rethink his words. Harold dug even further his own grave.
"You're real big," Harold said while spreading his arms apart from each other for emphasis. "And loud."
"What did you say to me? Oh, no you didn't!" Leshawna then stomped up to Harold while she glared at him with hatred of 1 thousand suns, ready to tear apart the stupid boy who didn't think the right words to say the girl who just assumed that he called her fat. "You have not see anything yet! I'll show you big, baby!"
DJ, Bridgette quickly went to hold Leshawna back as Harold dind't think he was being challenged by the black girl.
"Oh yeah, you want some of this? Well, come on then!" Harold full of confidence made a Kung Fu pose as he was ready to fight for his life.
"All right, campers! Settle down." Chris scolded the teens causing them to back up and stop their fighting. Leshawna finally let up and stopped trying to attack Harold, which the boy smiled sheepishly at the girl who was still peeved over him.
Once the conflict was over, another boat came up to the dock and dropped off not one but two girls. They were boht dressed the same black and white stripped tops, pink short-shorts, pink shoes, and even had the same style with their black hair being in both even had black eyes and wore the same pink lipstick. But despite the same cloths, their body types were completely different. The girl to the right was white and rather pudgy in all areas of her body while the other girl on the right was skinny and tan.
"Ladies! Sadie, Katie." Chris introduced the group the duo of sisters. "Welcome to your new home for eight weeks."
"Oh my gosh, Sadie look!" Katie said in an excited an peppy tone as she looked around the area. "It's a summer camp."
"Okay! I always wanted to go to a summer camp." Sadie said with the exact same excitement and peppy tone as her sister. "Eeeh!"
…
(In the boat)
"We are almost there." A profound voice coming from the boat captain called the boy who was just finishing drawing something on his paper. The said boy was nobody other than Ezekiel who was preparing himself around the trip. Quickly he made sure that everything he brought with him from the farm was there. And looking at the island far away was so much different from the show. It was far bigger than he ever expected than ever he ever thought in his life.
The nervousness crawled inside of his body, but at the same time, the excitement to meet the people he watched the cartoon for so many years. Knowing the plot of the episodes and even the character of every single one of them… It made him nervous in many ways.
"Okay calm down… they are people, the same way you are… You have good sense, even if you know about their lives. You shouldn't act as Sierra… Ezekiel may have been a weird sexist, but you are not him… You are you." Ezekiel mumbled to himself as a mantra. Still showing nervousness. And at the moment the dork was near the boat. He took a deep breath. "Just remember why you are in this show. And have fun. Yeah… let's go."
(The dock)
Another boat came by and dropped off a boy wearing a dull green hoodie, a dark green winter hat, blue jeans, and shoes matching his hoodie. He had gray eyes and brown hair that went down to his neck. Shaved face.
"Ezekiel!" Chris introduced the newest camper. "What's up, man?"
Ezekiel raised his hand, which Chris high-fived, then he lowered his hand which Chris gave a down five, and raised his fist to make a fist bump which Chris gladly did it.
"It's awesome to be here Chris. I watched your badminton movie, the ending made me cry." Ezekiel commented and Chris smiled proudly at the young man.
"I know, that movie will give me an Oscar I know that." Chris felt proud as he saw a potential fan among the contestants. "From your application, I saw that you are aware of how things will go. So you should have no regrets after you step on this camp.
"I have no reason for that. I said like the video. I came here to have a good time and meet friends. So it doesn't matter what, I'm going to enjoy here." Ezekiel replied which walked towards the group, and slowly stopped, as he saw every single person in front of him… They looked exactly like the show, but knowing that he was smaller than many of them, his nervousness went back in full force. But then he walked towards the giant Jamaican, knowing that from the entire group, he was the kindest.
"errr… what's up?" Ezekiel raised his hand to give a high five, which DJ smiled at him and gave to him which made him a bit better and more comfortable around him.
The next boat dropped what would be the next camper which was a boy with brown hair, blue eyes, and had a bit of a chipped tooth. He had a beige shirt with darker sleeves, waist, and neck with a red and blue horizontal strip around the center and also had a blue jeans and green shoes with cream colored bottoms.
"Cody! The coaster, the Code Meister!" Chris hyped up this camper as he and Cody shared a high five.
"Dude psyched to be here, man." Cody said before strutting over to his fellow campers, specifically the female campers. "I see the ladies have already arrived. All right;" Codyd then walked past a few of the girls and then went back to them, specifically Leshawna, and was about to say something before Leshawna put a finger over his lips.
"Save it short stuff." Leshawna told Cody with a smirk promising that he would feel pain if he mess up, so he quickly backed away from her.
Next up, landing on the dock with a loud thud, was a rather bulky girl with a mole on her face, hazel eyes, and her black hair in pony tail. She wore a blue sleeveless top with dark blue gym shorts along with gym socks with two horizontal strips near the top with one blue and other dark blue and dark blue sneakers with white bottoms.
"Eva, Nice." Chris called, as receiving in response a permanent scowl on her face, she remained quiet but walked towards her fellow campers. "Glad you can make it."
As she approached the campers, Cody held his hand out for a high five only for Eva drop her bag on his feet.
"Ow!" Cody yelped, holding his aching foot while hopping on the other. "What's in there? Dumbbells?"
"Yes." Was the only answer the body builder said which made the whole group of campers shut their mouths and looked at themselves.
Most of campers looked nervously at Eva, and surprisingly both Duncan and Ezekiel looked at DJ.
"She's all yours, man." Both Duncan and Ezekiel said in the same time, which made both blinks toward each other, and making the gentle giant uncomfortable. Noticing that not just one, but two of them saying at the same time made him feel even more weirded out from the bulky girl who was ready to crush some bones.
"WOOOOOOHOOOOO!" A loud cheer was enough to make the nervous giant have a sigh of relief as everyone drop their attention to the next boat, which they would arrieve a rather large boy with black eyes and blond hair wearing a white T-shirt with a blue maple leaf on it, moss green jeans, and white and yellow shoes. "Chris! What's happening? Hahahahaha! This is awesome! Wooooohooooo!"
"Owen!" Chris revealed the name of the larger camper, who was very hyped over the competition and sharing the good enthusiasm. "Welcome!"
Owen quickly took Chris into a large bear hug, a cracking sound could even be heard from there, with the host of the show now wincing in response of such strength.
"Awesome to be here, man!" Owen said, as his hype didn't lower not even for one percent. "Yeah! Man, this is just so…"
"Awesome?" Gwen finished for Owen with her arms crossed but knowing that the hiped man wouldn't detect her sarcasm.
"Yes! Awesome! WOOOOOOOO!" Owen cheered before looking at Gwen. "Are you going to be on my team?"
"Oh I sure hope so." Gwen said sarcastically while twirling a finger around.
"WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!" Owen once again cheered loudly, and even the other campers couldn't help but also feel hyped from the enthusiasm from the large boy.
"Are you guys finished?" Chris grabbed the attention once again, wanting to continue the show at that moment.
Owen noticed that and decided to let go of the host. "Sorry dude. I'm just so psyched!"
Owen said as his smile never left his face.
"Cool." Chris said after straightening up his clothes. The host then directed his attention towards the next boat coming. "And here comes Courtney."
Now arriving was a girl with light brown skin with rown hair that went a little over her neck, she has black eyes. Wearing a gray top over a beige shirt along with skin tight green pnts and dark brown open toed shoes.
Chris took Courtney's hand and helped her off the boat.
"Thank you." Courtney said to the host before walking over the campers on the other side of the dock. "Hi, you must be the other contestants. It's really nice to meet you all."
"Wait until the end of the season 5. I want to see if she was going to say that again." Ezekiel remembered how different Courtney became from the show, since the actual show brought the worst of each contestant. Since aliances, betrayals, sues and all the crazy plots created by the seasons, Ezekiel still have to think how much terrible Courtney must have suffered during the seasons.
Feeling nervous, he took his winter hat off and started scratching his head, feeling the pressure of being part of the first episode of the entire show. The young boy still watched one of the iconic scenes of Owen being... well... Owen towards Courtney. Since he took her had and shook with such strenght.
Then at the next boat, Courtney was in a mid sentence when she was interrupted by being awestruck. The boat showed a boy that could onl be described with one word. Handsome. His tan skin making a good combination with short hair, a well fit and maintained body, flawless dark hair, and blue eyes. Wearing a dark green shirt and worn out jeans and dark green sandals.
"Here comes Justin... it's funny that they look like a bunch of thirsty people for him, and they didn't even meet Alejandro yet." Ezekiel still scratching his hair noticed that someone was staring at him. It was DJ.
"Are you okay dude?" DJ asked as he noticed an uncomfortable shift of manner seeing the young boy scratching his hair. "Do you have lice?"
"Nah, I'm fine. I just scratch my hair when I'm feeling nervous, and I already can feel the pressure." The homeschooled boy replied as he could see the reasoning of the jamaican dude, which in the next action made him sigh in relief and give a tumbs up to him.
"That's good to know little dude, and trust me, I'm feeling nervous too. So you don't have to feel anxious." The giant gave a tap on the little boy's shoulder, and which made Ezekiel place his snow hat over his head once again.
Both of them talked and they didn't notice that some of the girls fainted towards the new participant smile, which Chris was proud to annunciate his name.
"This is justin." Chris introduced the handsome teen as he stepped onto the dock. The host shared a fist bump with Justin as he said. "Welcome to Total Drama Island."
"Thanks, Chris." Justin smiled before looking around the area he was at. "This is great."
"Just so you know, we picked you based entirely on your looks." Chris informed Justin as he walked over to meet the other campers.
"I can deal with that." Justin shrugged, not offended by the statement. Since he already guessed it was the reason.
Owen smiled at the new camper as he still looked awestruck. "I like your pants."
"Thanks man." Justin smiled at the compliment, but kept walking towards the other campers who remained looking at him in admiration.
"Cause they look like they're all worn out." Owen chuckled nervously, as he kept staring at the teenager walking, he seemed to be in showing a side that he didn't know he had. "Did you buy them like that?"
"Uh, no." Justin shook his head in response. "Just had them for a while."
And with that, Justin left Owen who complimented, not before slapping himself on the head for being stupid.
Chris still trying to ignore the akward interaction, he decided to go for the next camper.
"Hey everyone!" Chris got the attention of all the other campers as he introduced the next camper on the island. "Izzy."
Everyone watched another boat came by with the girl standing on it having orange hair, orange lip and geen eyes. She had a grass green top that completely exposed her belly as well as bracelet on the right wrist. She had gren shorts with light green skirt tied around her waist.
"Hi, Chris!" Izzy waved towards the host as she walked forward. "Hiiiiii! Whoa!"
Izzy walked but by mistake, Izzy ended up tripping right off the boat and ended up hitting the bottom half of her jaw against the dock.
"Oooooohhh." Ezekiel winced as he kept opening and closing his jaw as he imagined how it must felt on that moment. He quickly walked towards the end of the dork to help the fallen person.
Tyler also felt the pain as he concluded with one sentence. "That was bad."
"Guys! She can be serious hurt.!" Courtney ran towards to the other end of the dock to help Ezekiel take Izzy out of the water. By grabbing Izzy's hand both helped the orange girl to get onto the dock. Izzy used that moment to shake all the water off them like an animal.
"That felt sooo...good!" Izzy was back on her feet quickly and didn't seem affected by the pain she just felt before, she was hyped since she was using her hyperactive voice. "Except for hitting my chin. This is a summer camp? That is so cool. Do you have paper Mache here? Are we eating lunch soon?"
"That is a good call!" Owen agreed with what the orange haired girl had just said, which made Ezekiel just smile and shake his head.
"Alright everyone. First thing, we need a group photo for the promos. Everyone on the end of the dock!" Chris gave a call which made the group started gathering away. While Ezekiel walked towards the beach. "Ezekiel the dock is the other way."
"Oh, sorry Chris." Ezekiel said as he launched all his luggage, his winter hat, and his hoddie over the sand which made him run back towards the group. "I will be on my way."
Chris rolled his eyes, but seeing the homeschooled boy finally went back around the group. He went nearby towards the front of the group since he was the smallest of them all. Chris smiled as he took the camera and aimed at the campers who were smiling towards him to take the photo.
"Okay! One, two, three...Oops! Okay, forgot the lens cap." Chris then removed the lens cap off the camera, and aimed it at the campers once again. "Okay, hold that pose. One, tw- oh wait, cards full. Hang on!"
"Come on, man." Leshawna rolled her eyes at Chris. "My face is starting to freeze."
"Got it, okay!" Chris once again imed his camera at the group of campers and this time ready to that the photo. "Everyone say Wawanakwa!"
"WAWANKWAAAAAAAA!" The time everyone was saying the name of the island, the dock under them collapsed as Chris took the picture of everyone falling into the water.
"Okay guys." Chris smiled towards the wet campers. "Dry off and meet at the campifire pit in 10."
(Campfire)
"That is Camp Wawanakwa, your home for the next eight weeks." Chris waved at the scene, "The campers sitting around ou will be your cabin mates, competition, and maybe even your friends." The campers glanced at each other. "You dig? The camper who manages to stay on Total Drama Island the longest without getting vote off will win 100,000 bucks."
"Excuse me," Duncan smirked, as he pointed his thumb towards Heather. "What will the sleeping arrangements will be, because I'd like to request a bunk under her."
Heather looked in disgust as she gasped. "They're not co-ed, are they?"
"No." Chris shook his head, making multiple girls as Heather relieved to not share their dorms with the boys. "Girls get one side of each cabin and dudes get the other."
"Excuse me, Kyle." Lindsay spoke up, calling Chris the wrong name. "Can I have a cabin with the lake view since I'm the prettiest?"
"Okay, you are." Chris said causing Lindsay to smile to someone agreeing with her. But Chris narrowed his eyes towards her. "But that's not really how it works here and it's Chris."
Ezekiel rolled his eyes as the most iconic and most annoying scene repeated itself once again from the show. Katie and Sadie claiming they can't live without each other, which for many fans opnion was one of the stupidest scenes ever made from the show.
"This cannot be happening." Gwen complained exactly the words from the homeschooled boy's mind. Still having the difficulty to accept everything happening around her.
"i know your pain Gwen... I really do." Ezekiel thought as he was seeing the complaining of the campers was indeed tiring and worth of a headache. "But that's the first episode for you. Nobody knows how much innocent they were since the first season. And in comparisson to all the seasons until the season 5... Would they still complain about the start of season 1?"
"Awww come on guys!" The optmistic Owen, the first winner of season 1 of Total Drama showed the good point of view into appreciating the good things, even from the misfortunes of the show. "It'll be fun, it's like a big sleepover!"
"At least you don't have to sleep next to him." Tyler whispered to Gwen as he pointed at Duncan who was currently and harshlt nogging a dear.
"Alright, here is the deal." Chris called everyones attention towards him. "We're gonna split you into two teams if I call your name out go stand over there. Gwen, Trent, Heather, Cody, Beth, Lindsay, Katie, Owen, Leshawna, Justin, and Noah."
All people called by Chris moved to where he has pointed. Once they were in place, Chris picked up a green banner and launched towards them. "From this moment on, you are officially known as, the Screaming Gophers."
At the moment they unfolded and revealed of a logo of a gopher fiercely screaming on it.
"Yeah!" Owen cheered as he looked at the banner he was helping carry. "I'm a gopher!Wooooo!"
"Wait, what about Sadie?" Katie asked, not wanting to be on a different team without her best friend and sister.
"The rest of you over here." Chris directed the remaing 11 campers. "Geoff, Bridgette, Tyler, DJ, Sadie, Izzy, Courtney, Ezekiel, Duncan, Eva, and Harold. Move, move, move!"
"But Katie's a gopher," Sadie yelled as she was the only one who wasn't starting to move to where Chris instructed. "I have to be a gopher!"
"And here comes the drama again," Ezekiel rolled his eyes, as he walked towards the group following the group of boys who walked towards the line. While Courtney did her best to console Sadie from not being able to be into the other team. Specially since the duo of sisters kept shouting at each other as they are going to miss themselves from being depart of each other... "Why are they here anyway?"
"Tsk, both dunderheads is really getting into my own nerves" A voice was enough to be heard by the homeschooled boy, and by looking behind him, was literally the one person who have the same intimidation factor, also the same class of badassery in some ocasions, and also a mistery towards his own kindness... the punk who came from juvenue, and one of mvp characters of the entire show. Duncan. "What are you looking at greenbean?"
Ezekiel noticed on how the delinquent was already annoyed, but he couldn't help but also feel empathy towards him, since being on there personally was different than watching the show from the television. It was even more annoying to deal with the duo of sisters.
"I want to ask if you have a pair of headphones. Because I think my ears are bleeding out from constant nagging of the twins." Ezekiel tried to not be nervous. Since it was his first day on the show, and he needed to create the aliance between the group the quickest as possible.
Duncan stared at the homeschooled boy, staring at him surprisingly. But then a scream from the sisters crying loudly was enough to make both flinch and cringe from their noise.
"If I had to I would have used instead, so tough luck brat." Duncan said as he tried to cover his ear from ringing, and by staring at the boy, he could see him nodding at him.
"Though so, it was worth a shot to try." Ezekiel sighed as he accepted on how screwed the group was, and while he turned his back towards the delinquent, he didn't see Duncan grinning from enjoying to see someone having the same thoughts as him.
Once the remaining 11 campers were in the place, Chris pulled out a red banner and tossed it over the other team. "You guys will offically be known as... the Killer Bass!" Harold and Ezekiel both caught the banner and opened it up with the show logo of a fierce looking bass.
"Ahhh... a killer bass." Ezekiel repeated, as he could see the logo with more detail, and he couldn't help but enjoy his team. "Not going to lie, holding the flag of a team like that is really cool."
"I know right?" Harold comented as he also looked at the logo and smiled. "It's like... amazing."
"All right, campers, you and your team will be on camera in all public areas during this competition." Chris informed everyone of that particular detail. Since they are on a reality show, they should be expected to be watched pretty much 24 hours every day.
(Confession)
Confessional - Chris
"You will also be able to share your innermost thoughts on tape with video diaries anytime you want." Chris explained as he sat down in an outhouse with a camera attached to the door with flies buzzing around. "Let the audience at home know what you're really thinking. Or just get something off your chest."
Confessional - Gwen
"Um, okay..." Gwen began before looking right into the camera. "So far this stinks."
Confessional - Ezekiel.
"To be honest, I just want to use here before someone has a good idea about farting this place," Ezekiel commented as he took off his hat and started scratching his hair. "Being homeschooled without having any social interaction than my father and my mother, it's a scary experience. I just hope what Chris said is true, that I would make good friends on this show."
Confessional - Lindsay
"Um, I don't get it." Lindsay said while turning around and standing up, her butt right in front of the camera. "Where's the camera guy?"
Confessional - Loon
A loon could be seen inside the confessional putting on lipstick before it let out a quack as it saw the camera attached to the door.
Confessional - Owen
"Hey everyone. Check this out." Owen said with a serious tone and face. "I have something very important to say."
Owen was silent for a momment before farting and starting to laugh.
(Outside)
"All right. Any questions?" Chris asked the campers only for them to remain quiet. "Cool. Let's find your cabins. Gophers, you're in the east cabin, Bass, you're in the west."
"weeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssst." Ezekiel whispered to himself while he did a W with his two hands, while he recalled one of his favorite jokes from one cartoon show about an adventurer kid in the middle of the sea.
Luckly nobody saw him doing it, but the way he chuckled to himself, not noticing that the camera was also recording on that moment, but he was too happy to actually care of being recorded for remaking one good scene.
The two teams quickly headed to their assigned cabins with the boys heading into one half and girls in the other.
At the Gopher cabin, Heather was the first girl of the Gophers to reach the girls had, after examining everything she decided to ask.
"Bunk Beds?" Heather quickly complained as she knows how much annoying the entire show will be. "Isn't that a little… summer camp?"
"That's the idea genius." Gwen rolled her eyes at Heather before passing by her.
"Shut up, weird goth girl!" Heather gçared at Gwen which the goth already dropped her stuffs and started unpacking.
Without noticing there was a boy who came nearby her.
"You're so smart." Cody complimented, which made Gwen scoffs and rolls her eyes. "I feel that."
"Shouldn't you be on the boy's side?" Gwen sighed before harshly ask, which made the boy smile sheepishly, a second before gets launched himself outside of the cabin passing by Leshawna who was happily walking on the cabin, but cringed at the results of his land over the grass.
Trent was happily walking until Cody got to eat grass in front of him. But after a second he resumed his happy walk towards the cabin.
Chris simply walked but was enjoying every single moment of their interactions. Before Lindsay stepped outside of the cabin and looked at Chris.
"Where are the outlets?" Lindsay asked at the host. Since she knew that she would need them for one important reason. "I have to plug in my straightening iron."
"There are some in the communal bathrooms," Chris informed her by also gesturing his head towards the bathroom area. "Just across the way."
"Communal bathrooms?" Lindsay asked trying to repeat the words the host had just said, but then she tilted her head. "But I'm not Catholic."
"Not Communion, Communal." Chris corrected the teenage model. Whic she still didn't understand what was the difference.
"It means we shower together. Idiot" Gwen explained to Lindsay as she sat down on the steps to the cabin.
Lindsay's eyes got wet and her lips trembled, until she let it out her outburst.
"AW NO COME ON!" Lindsay shouted her complaints which made Gwen cover her ears as the boys nearby her cabin came to watch Lindsay freak out.
"I'm glad we're in our own cabin with just guys. Know what I mean?" Owen laughed but only he realized his mistake after hearing just the silence between his roomates. He realized the double meaning of his own words, and now he quickly tried to correct himself. "I mean no! I didn't mean it like that! I love chicks. Hehe, I just don't wanna sleep near them. Atata-uh I mean…"
"Excuse me, Chris?" Geoff called out the host. Since he was helping Bridgette to get on her own cabin. "Is there, uh, a chaperone of any kind in this facility here?"
"You're all 16 years old, as old as a counselor in training at a regular summer camp." Chris told all the teenager's around him. "So other than myself. You'll be unsupervised. You've got half an hour to unpack and meet me back at the main lodge, starting… now."
"Cool." The party boy smiled, until a shout loud enough to make all the campers stares at the gopher's cabin in surprise of the panic shout.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" The group came to the door until they found it was Lindsay who shouted. Being above a stool, and refusing to even touch the floor.
"Man that white girl can scream." Leshawna commented somewhat impressed.
Lindsay shouted and pointed in the direction of what would be a cockroach who was having a good morning activities.
"WHAT IS IT?" She asked in a disgusted and horrified tone. "KILL IT, KILL IT."
DJ looked down and when he saw the cockroach walking on the floor, his panic mode activated and he highly jumped towards one of the nearby beds… breaking it at the same moment.
"That…was my bed." Gwen lamented in a disappointed tone, as she could see DJ still shaking in fear above her now broken bed.
Many of the campers screamed as they tried to either climb up the beds or even try to kill the little insect who was too fast for them, the crockroad was about to leave the floor, until from the right side Duncan came by lifting the axe, and on the left was Ezekiel who was now aiming his bow towards the roach.
"Hello little fly." It was the last thing the homeschooled said before Duncan and him proceed to do an overkill.
The results of the overkill was made when campers saw what would be the remainings of the insect. A half cockroach which in the above part was with an arrow stuck on the body with the half head cut.
"That's a new way to kill a cockroach." Gwen had to admit, she was impressed. As Tyler came to see what happened from the other side of the door.
"Awesoooome." Harold loved a good overkill, even made by the delinquent and a boy who came with a bow with him.
Tyler approached Lindsay who was above DJ which both of them had the same fear of same insect who tormented them.
"If one of them appears once again, you can call me. Okay? Because…" Tyler offered his helps until he gave a pause and with a long sniff with his nose. Until he confiantly answered. "Listen. I also know how to do that."
Lindsay smiled, as she felt like love for the first time on the day, as she smiled at him, Tyler also felt the same feelings that the little blond shared with him. Both smiled and stared at each other.
"Wow, I always thought love in first sight happens in the movies and cartoons." Ezekiel commented, knowing Tyler and Lindsay ended up together for a few seasons, or from what they interaction were over the seasons.
Duncan scoffed and rolled his eyes.
"Of course they always fall for the jocks." Duncan replied which made Ezekiel look at him, and then after reflecting a bit, he couldn't help but imagine the delinquent was telling the truth.
Since the incident was over, the boys of the killer bass team finally left the East side, and went back to resume their activities.
At the Bass cabin, Ezekiel as the other boys got inside of the cabin, they saw sets of bunk beds set up. There was also a wood-burning stove, a carper, some drawers, and a few lanterns.
"Wow." The farmer boy whispered as he got inside for the cabin, by watching the scenario from the television was one thing, but actually having the opportunity to camp and having a bunk bed experience by the first time, he couldn't help but feel thrilled. "Awesome."
"Well, at least these beds looks solid and ready for us to take a lay above them." Geoff came next as he already feeling more optimistic by seeing the beds, but also enjoying someone having a great time. "So who wants to bunk bed with me?"
Ezekiel turned to Geoff and smiled at him nodding towards him.
"Alright, little dude. Want the bunk of the top or the bed of the bottom?" Geoff said, not complaining about the cabin since one of the parties he had ended him sleeping on the middle of street.
"Can I have the top? I never have sleepy in one of these before." Ezekiel requested which made the party boy raise his eyebrow to the insinuation of the teenager in front of him, but decided to just smile and nod, which made Ezekiel get excited and launch his luggage over the top of the bunk bed.
"Awesome, someone want to share a bunk bed with me?" Harold smiled, but since the silence over the group made him pout and look against him. "Really?"
Tyler and DJ were looking outside of the door, but then they turned back to the nerd who seemed to be pouting.
"Sorry I was distracted, what was the question again?" DJ asked which made Harold sigh and try once again.
"If someone wants to share the bunker with me?" Harold tried once again which made made both of them think about.
"Well I don't mind dude. Which bed you want?" Tyler asked quickly, after seeing that the only remaining cabin partners was the nerd or the delinquent, and seeing that he commented to the goth girl about who would want to be sleeping next to Duncan, he preferred to not risk it.
"Awesome" Harold by seeing an honest response, was happy and excited over having a bunk partner, which made the nerd expert launch all his stuffs on the top of the bed. "I will take the top.
Tyler sighed in relief with himself, as DJ just shrugged and walked towards the delinquent.
"Hey, wouldn't you mind if I take the bottom bed? I have a fear of heights." DJ honestly commented which made Duncan raise his eyebrow to him. But shrugging he placed all the luggage he had, and all the boys prepared themselves to settle down.
Duncan then released the axe nearby his bed and then looked at the teenager with a few arrows and the bow with him. "Nice shot dude."
Ezekiel turned his head and saw Duncan actually impressed by him using arrow.
"To be honest, the roach wasn't even moving, and I was 3 feet away from it. I was actually surprised that I hit on the body, just 1 centimeter away and I would have missed." The homeschooled boy replied, which made Duncan hmm but nods his head towards him.
"But hey, it was awesome man, I didn't know you can use bow and arrow like that." Geoff said which made Harold and DJ agree with him.
"Yeah dude, you have massive skills like me. I know how to fight with nunchucks." Harold decided to boast about himself, until Duncan snorted.
"Bullcrap." Duncan coughed under his fist which made Harold glares towards him.
"Wow." Ezekiel commented sounding impressed, just like the way he did on phobia factor episode. "Show us."
"Wait right now?" Harold commented surprised. Which made the group of boys stare at him.
"Yeah dude." Geoff commented now being interested into the boasting of the nerd. "We still have time to do our things before going to the main camp. So show us."
"Unless you are lying." Duncan decided to make fun, but seeing Harold taking of from his behind pocket the actual nunchucks he shut his mouth, and stared in surprise.
"Alright guys. Give me some space, let me show you my awesome skills." Harold said as he started spun his nunchucks and firstly he started with one hand, then he passed towards his other hand. Until the group of boys stared in awe on the nerd actually nailing it how to use it perfectly. Until the last second, all of the boys winced when the nunchuck hit the jewels of the nerd who gave a silent scream in pain.
"Ohhhh" The group of boys mumbled as they held their precious friends with their hands.
"Okay, I was going to make fun of it, but the nature itself did that for me. But still 7 of 10. At least we know you are telling the truth." Duncan commented, and while he wanted to make fun of the nerd, he was still wincing in the pain of imagining himself to be hit in such terrible place. He just hoped that nothing like that happens to him.
"Yeah I agree with Duncan, you were nailing just fine. But I think you need to calm down the speed a bit, until you get used to stop using it. The finally needs to work." Ezekiel agreed with the delinquent, and DJ and Geoff nodded their heads. "At least that was indeed one awesome skill, but you still need to train until it's perfect."
"Okay." Harold said with a tiny voice, still wincing in pain. And it took a few minutes for the same nerd to get up and feel himself good as new.
Which made the group of boys finish their touches on their beds.
"And now for the flag." Ezekiel and Harold placed the killer bass flag on the wall, by being tied to the wood, which made a good symbol of their commitment to the team they are.
"Awesome…" Ezekiel commented as he walked towards the door, and looked at the cabin which looked a bit more different from the show, but he wasn't always focused on the details of the background, maybe he was overthinking it. But he couldn't help but admire the place he will be sleeping from now on. "I bet that this is the best cabin of the entire show."
"It seems everything amazes you shrimp," Duncan said as he was still laid over his bed, rolling his eyes by seeing how the smallest member of their team seemed to be impressed by just a simple camp. "You don't leave home often don't you?"
"Actually I have never left the farm," Ezekiel explained, which made the entire cabin be in silence. Ezekiel by watching the show many times knew who each character was, and he knew that kind of information was good to explain his story and already to give and earn the trust of them. "I have been homeschooled my whole life, and I never had the opportunity to leave the farm at all. So being here is kinda whole new life experience to me."
"You shitting me." Duncan blinked as he stared at the young boy who was taking out his hat, and usual hoodie and placed above his luggage.
"You mean, you never went into summer camps, or neither school to develop skills like me?" Harold commented horrified to see someone who actually never had the possibility to actually go towards to talk and be awesome like he is.
"Nah, my ma and pa did their best to actually protect me from a bad experience of public school… I mean, it was a tragedy they tried to avoid me to receive as my other member of family. But like that I never actually talked to someone else than my ma and pa… oh, and you guys." Ezekiel said confidently, but he became a bit uncomfortable from the massive silence of the cabin. "Guys, that's okay. This new experience is so awesome for me. And I'm living the moment like never before. Like possibly going into a party after the show."
"Really, man?" Geoff commented in disbelief and the teenager nodded, making the party boy look at him with not just concern, but actual pity. "You never went into a big party?"
"Never went into one, I just saw them in television. Is it true that some parties are so crazy that usually ends up in an adventure like the movies?" Ezekiel always wanted to ask someone about a thing like that, and by seeing Geoff as someone who always had a great time doing parties, he could end up with maybe not the answer he was expecting since Total Drama was a show for television.
"OH HELL YEAH!" Geoff shouted as he came nearby to the brunette boy and touched his shoulder. "Me and my friend Brody once we had a party so hard that, I remember once waking up in the middle of street. And I was sleeping walking."
"That was crazy, but isn't…" DJ commented as he was thinking about how crazy could have been but he didn't imagine the answer he got from Geoff.
"I woke up 20 kilometers from the city I had the party at."Geoff finished which made the entire group of boys stares at the party boy like if he was a kind of monster.
"Dude, that's crazy." Duncan laughed which made the other campers agree with him.
"There is no way that you could possibly walk back." Tyler gave the fact, that everybody on the room nodded their heads toward the party boy who chuckled.
"I know, I had to ask a taxi driver to take me on my best friend's house, it was a crazy night. That wasn't even the craziest party I had, once my uncle had a bachelor party and it was so crazy, that I'm sure that I even should talk about this in television." Geoff impressed the whole group which they nodded their heads understanding the meaning behind his words. "Still good memories… But hey, little dude. It's crazy you never went in one."
"Nah, that's fine. I'm still a teenager, I have time to go one someday. But thanks for telling me that Geoff, I hope someday I would go into a crazy party like that." Ezekiel couldn't help but love the experience, knowing a bit of more the facts of the characters who never showed over the episode from the television. It was an amazing experience for him.
"Oh, that's not a problem then. I can call you guys into the next party I'm going to do after the show. Everyone here is invited." Geoff was chill into calling his cabin mates over the next party, since everyone around was chill and that statement actually made the entire group excited.
"NICE, OHOOO. I CAN'T WAIT FOR IT." The entire crew cheered, the first day of the show has been neat until the moment. They just hope that the entire day would be like that.
(Main Lodge)
Once the groups were finished and half hour has passed, everyone was lined up in the mess hall waiting to be served their food. The one serving the cook was a very strong and bulked up man, a man who seemed to have served the army a few years before taking the job as chef from the show. The man's who named himself Chef Hatchet.
"Listen up, I serve it three times a day," The chef called the attention with his gruff and harsh tone, as he was moving his bow with a tray and having somewhat the food of what would the campers look weirdly of what kind of crappy food they would be served on that moment. "I serve it three times a day and you'll eat it three times a day! Grab a tray, get your food, and sit your butts down NOW!"
Beth and Harold approached Chef as they started staring at the yellow goo he was serving to them, as the same thing which sembled as minced meat on their breads.
"Excuse me." Beth said as she looked at the rather… questionable food in front of her. "But will we be getting all the major food groups?"
Harold decided to agreed with Beth since he wanted to give a good point, since he thought Chef would be a reasonable person who would actually care of the campers.
"Yeah, cause I get hypoglycemic real bad if I don't get enough sugar." Harold decided to try to reach the pity from the former military, but instead he gave him more reason to be pissed off.
"YOU'LL GET A WHOLE LOT OF SHUT THE HECK UP!" Chef yelled right into Harold's face which made him regret to even speak his mind on that minute. And he decided to follow the Chef's order.
"Have a cow." Owen joked to Noah who smirked, but that wasn't unnoticed by the Chef.
"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Chef yelled as he glared harshly at the two boys. Both of the boys flinched in response. "Come closer fat boy! I didn't hear you!"
"Oh, I didn't really say anything important." Owen said quickly, this time shutting himself to not make the chef even madder from being there.
"I'm sure you didn't!" Chef commented by letting Owen go, this time… He then looked at Noah. "You! Scrawny kid, give me your plate."
Chef wanted to give the little boy more punishment for giving him even more the food he prepared. Since Noah silently gave the plate for him, Chef threw down some extra minced meat on his burger, but on the next second the food seemed to have anti gravity and went back on the scooper, just only for Chef to throw it back on Noah's plate.
Leshawna looked at Eva who was silently waiting for her turn. "Yo, what's up girl?"
Eva simply stared at her, but didn't respond anything, she just took her food and went away. Which caused Leshawna glares at her.
"Oh, it's gonna be like that, is it?" Leshawna noticed the other girl was giving her the treatment of silence, and she hated it because people would just ignores her because they think they are better than her.
"NEXT!" Chef yelled which made Leshawna flinch as she was dragged back to the reality.
Lindsay and Gwen were the next in the line, and since the blonde bombshell looked at the food, she tried to use a good excuse to not eat the food.
"Excuse me my nutritionist says I shouldn't eat any white sugar, white flour, or like dairy." Lindsay said as Chef stared at her unimpressed as he took a fly in the air and crushed it like like nothing. His patience was almost on his limit.
"I don't think that's gonna be a problem." Gwen told Lindsay while looking at her food in disgust. Even then she noticed that her burger started to twitch.
"Cool." Lindsay lamented, as she took her try away, with the other members of her team.
Gwen knowing that it would be a bad idea, she still had to do it.
"Ok, I hate to be predictable and complain on the first day but I think mine just moved." Gwem regretted saying that since Chef took a hammer and splattered the meat of her burger on his face, and some on her face. Gwen forced a smile. "Right! Okay, then."
Ezekiel watched Duncan complaining about the food actually almost looked exactly from the juvenile, and seeing it was his turn next.
Just at the moment the little boy stared at the giant bulk looking angrily at him, and he was staring at his own tray, he couldn't help but ask.
"Is that an MRE?" Ezekiel wanted to see if was the truth, and from the looking of surprise from the Chef's face, it seems that he caught him off surprise.
"Yes, it is… Smoked Meat with Mustard Sauce." Chef answered at Ezekiel, who finally could see the color semblance.
"Ohh, okay." Ezekiel took the tray and turned his back to the chef, which seemed to ruff in response, and go back to serving food.
The entire group of campers were looking or even trying to eat their food, but seeing Ezekiel to place part of the white yellowish goo over the burger, the group stared at him like he was crazy.
Ezekiel gave a first bite… And he couldn't help to imagine, it was more sour than he expected. Maybe he have exaggerated over the mustard but it wasn't the worst food he ever had. At least he knows what he was eating.
"Err dude." A voice was enough to bring attention from Ezkiel to stares at Geoff in surprise. "Why did you place that thing over your burger?"
"That's mustard sauce." Ezekiel replied, which made the entire bass team, blinks at him. "And damn, the sauce is very sour. Be careful to place above the burger."
"Really?" Tyler commented, as Bridgette was almost ready to eat her burger. But on the next second, she stopped. "I can't believe this thing was mustard."
The killer bass table, decided to place just a bit of the white goo over their burgers, and they couldn't help but feel that it became 30 percent less horrible than the time they started eating. Bridgette was between choosing the burger and the mustard, but with a sigh, she went directly on the mustard and started eating the sour sauce.
The gophers on the other side of the table, who were behind Ezekiel on the line also were eating their burgers with mustard on the top, which still was disgusting. Sadie was staring sadly at the table of the killer bass, since it was the only way to keep an eye contact with her sister.
At the moment it passed and they remained eating. Chris walked with his iconic smile.
"Welcome to main lodge." Chris smirked, placing his arms behind his back.
"Yo, my man." Geoff looked up from his tray, "Can we order a pizza?"
The party boy then regretted since a cleaver flew past Geoff's head and cut into the doorway above Chris's head.
"WHOA! It's cool, G! Smoked meat and Mustard is cool!" The party boy tried to make amends which Chef growled, making most of campers cower.
But most of them nodding agreeing with Geoff.
"Your next challenge begins in one hour." Chris smiled, chuckling from what he is seeing. He then proceeded to walk outside, leaving the campers with what would be for the challenge.
"What do you think they'll make us do?" Katie asked DJ in a nervous tone.
"It's our first challenge, how hard can it be?" DJ shrugged with a calm tone and expression, not worried for one fraction.
"Ohhh, your sweet little child." Ezekiel thought as he could see how DJ would regret into saying that. "You are going to have a veeeeeeery long first, second and third season."
ONE HOUR LATER
Soon enough, all 24 campers found themselves in their swimsuits, standing near the edge of the island's 100-foot-high cliff.
"OH (BLEEP)!" DJ shouted regretting every single word he said.
Chapter 2: Not So Great Outdoors Pt2
Notes:
Authors Note: Well, I planned to give you all a little surprise, 2 chapters in one go. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.
Chapter Text
Most of the campers looked down the 100-foot-high cliff with either fear or even some excitement. They all wore swimsuits and looked at Chris, who stood by a crate with a chicken picture.
"Okay!" Chris said he wanted to make sure he had all 24 teenagers attention. "Today's challenge is threefold. Your first task is to jump off this 1000-foot-high cliff into the lake."
Bridgette looked down the cliff without fear and saw that there were indeed two areas. The area consisted of a large, wide zone surrounded by a smaller circular area.
"Piece of cake." Bridgette smiled and confidently said.
"Wait fooooor it." Ezekiel informed Bridgette, who was about to inquire, that Chris had decided to reveal the remaining details of the challenge.
"If you look down, you will see two target areas." Chris explained while pointing to the different zones inside of the water. "The wider area represents the part of the lake that we have stocked with psychotic, hehehe, man-eating sharks."
Everyone looked down and flinched when they saw the fins of sharks appearing in the large zone area.
"Also, inside that area, there is a safe zone." That's your target area, which we're pretty sure is shark-free." Chris finally gave the explanation for the areas. Which didn't help their anxiety at all.
"Excuse me?" Leshawna responded to the host's final words by asking Chris to excuse her. Who seemed to take it as a signal to continue?
"For each member of your team that jumps and actually…survives, there will be a crate of supplies waiting below." Chris gestured to the beach at the bottom of the cliff, where everyone could see two stacks of crates waiting below. "Inside each crate are supplies that you'll need for the second part of the challenge… building a hot tub. The team with the best one gets to have a wicked hot tub party tonight. The losers will be sending someone home."
The group stared at each other until Chris pointed at the Killer Bass team. "Alright, Killer Bass, you're up first.
"Hey Eva." Ezekiel, who was seeing someone going in front of him, walked beside the bulkiest woman, who just raised her eyebrow at him. "Can you do me a favor and be the last?"
Eva found the favor a bit odd and narrowed her eyes at him.
"Why?" She asked why the boy seemed to be nervous and even gulped.
"I'm excited to do the challenge, but I think it would be for the best if everyone gets down. Knowing Chris we must have the advantage… so in case I stall too much time or froze in one place… Can you just launch me on the safe zone?" Ezekiel decided to be polite and not say anything that could trigger the anger of the female bodybuilder.
Eva then looked at the boy weirdly, but also in surprise; by remaining calm, she nodded her head.
Their musings are interrupted when Owen laughs optimistically.
"Hey, don't sweat it, guys." The big guy reassured everyone over the cliff. "I heard that these shows always make the interns do the stunt first to make sure it's survivable."
"Oh yeah, we totally did that." Chris nodded as everyone tried to avoid his gaze.
"Was it Chef, wasn't it?" Ezekiel asked, which Chris smiled like a kid who got caught taking the cookie from the jar.
"Yep, it was hilarious, and I even added on the episode." Chris shamelessly replied, which made the entire group stare at the host like he was a maniac.
Now knowing what was probably one of the reasons the Chef was so pissed towards them.
"It's really no big deal, just an insane dive into a circle of angry sharks." Bridgette tried to reassure herself. So she takes a dive as everyone runs up and looks at her diving into the safety zone. Bridgette came out and waved to everyone, showing that she was fine.
"AWESOME! I'm next! Cowabunga!" Tyler yells as he takes a run off the cliff with his chest puffed up with pride and runs at the cliff before leaping off with a yell, but the high dive ends with his groanings of pain. His body fell on one of the buoy's towers before he slid into the safety zone.
"Woooooo! Hahahah!" Geoff cheered and laughed as he dove down the cliff next; his hat was still stuck in his head.
Duncan remained in silence with his arms crossed, ready to take the jump. Ezekiel stared at him, and one scene remained similar in his mind.
"Duncan will resurrect an old favorite. The single scoop strawberry cone with chocolate dip." Ezekiel thought, as he could see the delinquent just stepping outside the cliff and falling down. "JUST LOOK AT THAT CONCENTRATION."
"..." Duncan remained with his arms crossed in complete silence until he hit the safety zone.
DJ walked up trembling near the cliff as his fear of heights was finally hitting him in full force, his every instinct telling him to back out.
"Fear of heights hitting you hard?" A familiar voice spoke out as the owner walked near him to the cliff's end, and the giant jamaican stared at the small boy, who was also staring at the cliff with no small degree of trepidation.
"Yeah, since I was a kid." DJ confessed, since he never liked anywhere that isn't the ground.
"It's okay to be afraid. People never understand the true meaning of courage anyway." Ezekiel calmly said it, which brought the attention of the giant.
"What do you mean by that?" DJ avoided looking at the cliff and stared at the homeschooled boy, who simply tried to reassure the giant.
"You remind me of Courage, the cowardly dog." Ezekiel smiled, but the name itself made DJ stare at the boy confused and a bit offended. But Ezekiel's smile got even bigger. "There isn't a dog more cowardly and yet the most courageous dog who has tons of heroic feats."
"I don't understand." DJ didn't forget the fear of being nearby the cliff, but he was feeling intrigued by what the homeschooled talked so great about a dog who is a coward. "What does a dog have that makes it so special?"
"That dog has saved his family hundreds of times, even facing challenges more frightening than others." Ezekiel addressed the issue directly. And DJ got baffled from the revelation. "The initial reaction was always the same as the first. Scream in fear until his lungs passes out… But all the challenges focused into trying to go after to something, which was the most important of that simple little dog… His owner is Muriel. And one quote that he always says when he is going to save her, even if he has to deal with whatever crap the world is going to launch at him, is "The things I do for love."
"The things I do for love." DJ seemed to be understanding little by little what Ezekiel was saying to him.
Courtney walked a few seconds to try to warn them to go quicker to make the other teams pass or they possibly would be disqualified, but the talk of how the little boy was talking about the definition of courage by being contradictory by a coward dog… She couldn't help but also feel touched by wanting to know more about it. So Courtney remained nearby the cliff with the duo.
"Ever imagine if it was your loved one who was jumping off a cliff this high?" Ezekiel asked, which made DJ stare at the situation wide open.
"Momma." DJ kept looking until he saw someone offering him a hand.
"Do you want to hold my hand while we jump together?" Ezekiel said, "Do you want to hold my hand while we jump together?" DJ was trembling but comforted himself by holding his hand.
"Okay, now let…" Ezekiel was almost convincing DJ to jump with him until he got surprised by strong hands holding his shorts.
"JUST GO, YOU COWARDLY DOGS." Eva shouted until she pushed both boys towards the cliff.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Both DJ and Ezekiel screamed until they noticed a third voice shouting in fear, which they had no idea who it was until Ezekiel's eyes went wide open in such surprise. It was Courtney who was also falling with them and screaming in fear.
Ezekiel was awed by the view of the fall, from the whole island to the safety zones approaching, even if it was the scariest butterflies on his stomach.
Instinctively, the trio who were falling decided to hold their legs with their hands and take a deep breath, doing a cannonball. This action was sufficient to enable them to dive into the water with confidence. Ezekiel, who opened his eyes, noticed that DJ was almost going into a panic underwater, but seeing Ezekiel doing a classic dog swim, DJ did the same thing until the duo got out of the water.
"Ahhhhh." Both DJ and Ezekiel took a deep breath when they finally reached the surface, both staring at each other in such frenetic rapid breath.
Ezekiel felt a wide smile spread across his face as he couldn't resist shouting out.
"WOOHOOOOOOOOOO. THAT WAS AWESOME." Ezekiel shouted as he had never felt so alive, the adrenaline rush affecting all the parts of his body. And he felt so happy to be doing a thing he never thought he was going to do. Ever again. "DJ, you did it."
"What?" DJ said he was confused, as he was still feeling scared as any kind of kid. But Ezekiel gave a tap on his back.
"You became courageous." Ezekiel said proudly, but that made DJ stare at him like he was insane.
"They pushed us onto the cliff." We didn't do it by our own decision." DJ said it as he was stating a fact, but Ezekiel shook his head.
"The fact we survived. And we have to face our fears, even if we are scared as (beep) to accept and deal with the fear, even if it was by accident. Makes us courageous." Ezekiel spoke with pride, causing DJ to smile slightly. "Now let's get the boat and take our crate."
The duo was almost ready to get out, but a shout came when a person came out of the water.
"EVAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA." A female pure hatred shout from Courtney was enough to be heard, which made both boys flinch, as they saw the grey swimsuited girl stare angrily at the top of the cliff. "HOW DARE YOU TO DO THAT?"
Both DJ and Ezekiel stared at that scene and decided that it wasn't their place to ask, and neither would like to risk their lives to try to understand what happened.
(Confession Eva)
"I was aiming to push both of the tiny bean and the coward giant; I didn't think I pushed them so strong that I accidentally pushed the tan bossy girl as well." Eva commented as she stretched herself, which seemed to be a recording from the future. "But they survived. And maybe with that we can win the challenge."
Ezekiel and DJ helped Courtney get out of the boat since the trio got together in their fall. And when they managed to get to the beach, it seemed that each crate was important and that they should take one for the challenge.
"Yes!" Harold cheered as he jumped down and performed the splits.
Which made the entire group of men feel the same pain just by seeing Harold hit the water, crotch first. And Bridgette and Courtney turn their faces away from the view.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Harold's shout was so loud that even the birds had to fly away from the terrible pain he was feeling. Even the sharks had to wince from seeing how the pain over the nerd also took over their bodies; it was something difficult to watch. Even making the sharks acknowledge that they wouldn't have attacked him if he was outside of the safety area, since they were sharks, not monsters to attack a man who wanted to kill his future children.
Harold exited the boat, prompting the entire group to attempt to assist him. Surprisingly, after receiving another dose of painkillers, the nerd appeared to be completely fine.
"Dude, is your crotch made of steel?" Ezekiel's question drew everyone's attention. "It's the second hit in the nuts you have, and you seem to be totally fine."
Dunca, DJ, and Geoff looked at Harold, and they couldn't help but nod their heads towards him— someone hurting himself on the nuts twice on the same day and still being fine? He wasn't normal.
Harold was about to reply when a shout came down with a jump of 3 people.
"Finally they are here. I was asking myself why they are taking so long." Courtney huffed angrily until she noticed that Izzy didn't have jumped. "What happened?"
"One of the twins dunderheads complained so much that Chris got annoyed and asked who would want to exchange with Katie… And Izzy offered herself." Eva grunted as she noticed that her entire team was down.
Courtney stared angrily at the bodybuilder, but she contained herself as she took a deep breath and counted the group around her.
"Wait, there is all of us down here… So that means?" Bridgette analyzed the situation, which made Duncan grin.
"We have all the crates and possibly won a perfect victory on the first phase of the challenge." Duncan declared, which made the whole Killer Bass team cheer in a victory, which made Chris smile by looking down.
"Well, Gophers, it seems the Killer Bass team has 11 points, and now you have two options. To all of you: jump to make a tie and disable the Killer Bass to achieve the advantage for the next challenge. Or quit and leave the advantage to the team with the possibility of a victory on their hands?" Chris was enjoying the drama around; he could see the ratings getting up from the first episode. Having a touching scene being broken by the impatience of a team member and also pushing another member, which not just makes the scene more dramatic but also, by pure coincidence, makes the team have almost a guarantee over the advantage for the prize.
"Nice! Okay, guys." Trent spoke up as he turned to his teammates. "Who's up first?"
"I'm sorry." Heather said firmly as she crossed her arms and shook her head. "There's no way I'm doing this."
"Why not?" Beth asked, looking slightly worried.
"Um, hello, national tv." Heather said as if the answer to the question was too obvious. "We already lost the challenge; I'm not going to get my hair wet for nothing."
"You're kidding, right?" Gwen asked while looking at Heather in disbelief.
"If she's not doing it, I'm not doing it." Lindsy uttered those words as she and Heather exchanged smirks.
"Oh, you're doing it." Leshawna spoke in an aggressive tone, directly addressing Heather.
"Say's who?" Heather crossed her arms and glared back at Leshawna.
"Says me." Leshawna responded, gazing intently into Heather's eyes. "There is no way that I'm going to let them have the advantage and lose the entire challenge 'cause you got your hair day, you spoiled little daddy's girl."
"Back off, ghetto-glamour, too-tight-pants-wearing, rap-star wannabe." Heather insulted Leshawna right back in her face.
"Mall shopping, ponytail-wearing, teen girl reading, peeking in high school prom queen." Leshawna responded without lowering her voice.
"..." Heather then smirked after being in a moment of silence. "Well, at least I'm popular."
Everyone watching that flinched, knowing that the tension could be cut with a butter knife, and some were even enjoying the idea of a catfight. Except the handsome teenage boy who preferred to stare at himself over his own mirror he brought with him.
"Do you think anyone from the Gophers will jump?" Tyler asked his teammates after having a good time drying himself from the water.
"That's clearly illogical. Since we have our entire team jumped… or specially pushed towards the water." Courtney commented and stretched herself; she was feeling sore from the fall she had over the cliff, and she gave an indirect to the buffed woman who remained in silence and put on her clothes. "We have a total of 11 people who did this madness; there is no way that they would make everyone go down here."
"Well, the fewer people they jump, the fewer crates they will have, so that would give us not just the advantage, but all the needed material around here." Geoff commented as he stared at the crates, and every single one looked heavy. "Man, these things are heavy. Do you think they would give some sort of carriage for us to take this with us?"
"Perhaps that would be the reward." Duncan logically agreed, since he just understood what kind of challenges would be from now on. "Knowing Chris now, we already can say that he is a creatively sadistic bastard."
Duncan, Tyler, and Courtney were debating what possibly would be their victory, while a bit far away the woman bodybuilder Eva was focusing on getting ready herself, until she saw from the corner of her eyes the boy who asked the favor before the jump and a nervous giant Jamaican nearby him.
"Hmm. Eva." The boy called her, causing her to raise her eyebrows toward the duo. "I know Courtney must have lashed out at you for pushing her off the cliff… But I came here to thank you for your help. If it weren't for your help, we could possibly have lost the first part of the challenge, and you have no idea we would need the advantage."
Eva remained in silence until she finally could say her answer.
"You're welcome." Eva was direct with her reply, but then she turned her back and left the duo alone. But after nobody saw her face, the cameras showed a positive smirk of happiness on the way she helped her team to the possible victory.
DJ and Ezekiel shrugged as they went back towards the crew; Sadie and Katie were both being dorks together and having a good conversation between themselves. Harold and Geoff were still looking up to see if there was someone who actually would jump from the other team, and until then, nothing must have happened.
"Did we take this long to jump?" Ezekiel asked Bridgette, who just used her hand to give a more or less feeling. He was about to ask another thing until… A shout was enough to get all the Bass to look at the cliff top.
"YOU'RE JUMPING!" Leshawna yelled at Heather aggressively.
"MAKE ME!" Heather didn't realize her mistake until it was too late, since Leshawna took her entire body and launched the spoiled girl off of the cliff. Heather screamed with all her lungs until she got down into the water inside of the safety zone. Currently she came off; Heather hatefully stared above the cliff. "LESHAWNA, YOU ARE SO DEAD!"
"Hey, I threw you into the safe zone, didn't I?" Leshawna yelled down to Heather, which made the entire group of Killer Bass stare at each other.
"Do you think they will push each other to force themselves to tie against us?" Ezekiel walked towards Courtney and Bridgette, who seemed to be thinking about the same question.
"Well, at least we have the entire team down here, so maybe we have a chance." Bridgette tried to act positive, which made the homeschooled boy smile.
Then after the next second, Leshawna jumped herself over the cliff, which landed her safely over the safe zone with Heather.
Then Lindsay came down, waving her limbs around frantically as she fell down the cliff. Next was Gwen, who also screamed as she fell into the water, who was followed by Cody. And after him, Izzy was laughing hysterically as she fell down the cliff. She was thoroughly enjoying the experience herself.
After Izzy came, she confidently took a dive into the water, just for fear of everyone landing outside of the safe zone. Everyone yelled at Justin to swim away from the sharks until the impossible happened. Currently the sharks appeared near him; they stopped swimming until they saw the water dripping off his body and his sparkling eyes and smile. Which made the sharks enamored with the teenager and helped the handsome boy to pick him up and gave him a ride to the shore.
After that, everyone's jaw slackened.
"You are mistaken, Duncan. It wasn't the jocks." The delinquent turned his head when he saw the homeschooled boy looking surprised and also with a bit of disappointment. "They always fell for the handsome guy."
Duncan recalled his quote over the afternoon and seeing the handsome boy smiling towards all the girls who were enamored with the eye candy idol. Duncan slapped his forehead.
"Oh, I will be damned; I stand corrected." Duncan commented that he understood that it was always an unfair competition against someone who makes all the girls enamored.
Beth stared at the cliff, and the height was too big for her; she was so afraid that she backed away.
"I can't do it." Beth said as she slumped down, which made Chris smile at her.
"Afraid of heights?" Chris commented, which made Beth nod at him. Chris smiled at her. "That's alright, girl; unfortunately, that also makes you a chicken. So, you'll have to wear this for the rest of the day."
Beth stared; currently, he brought a box he was standing next to and pulled out a rubber chicken hat and placed it on Beth's head.
"Really? Oh no." Beth discovered that now she was messed up, and with Chris finally finding a chicken, he decided to rub salt on her wound.
"Bawk bawk bawk!" Chris mocked while doing a chicken dance before pointing to an escalator that was on the cliff for some reason. "That means the chicken's path is down that way."
Beth stared at the entire team, even the ones who fell from the cliff.
"I'M SORRY!" Beth shouted as she decided to take the cowardly escalator way.
Leshawna, Heather, and Lindsay stared towards above the cliff.
"Oh, she didn't." Leshawna looked in disbelief, while Heather and Lindsay couldn't help but scoff.
"That is, like, so lame, right?" The blonde girl asked Heather, who couldn't help but agree in both anger and disgust.
"Fully lame." Heather commented, but still she saw Leshawna and Cody doing a chicken dance to mock Beth for being a coward; she couldn't help but snicker at that attitude. The little farm girl cost them the tie, and now the other team would have the advantage.
"So that means?" Harold noticed that one of the team chickened out, and he stared at the other boys of the Killer Bass team.
Duncan grinned and hit his palm with his fist, showing a huge victorious smile.
"WE WON!" Ezekiel and Geoff shouted as Sadie and Katie cheered and screamed by jumping happily at the results of their jump.
Courtney and Bridgette hugged happily, while Ezekiel, Duncan, Harold, DJ, and Geoff shared high fives. The first day is the first phase of the challenge as their victory.
The screaming Gophers, staring at the celebration, noticed that indeed they had screwed up a good part of their chances.
Chris saw the celebration of the victory for the Killer Bass team, so he decided to give a final warning for the Screaming Gophers boys.
"You have the choice to quit jumping right now, but know that each person who does so will have one less crate to help the team build up the hot tub for the challenge. "No pressure, guys." Chris commented until he saw the relief on their faces. He then snickered. "Okay, there's pressure!"
"Let's do this!" Trent passed by Owen and gave him a high five. Trent then jumped off the cliff and landed in the safe zone. And after him, Noah came by jumping off by himself.
"Ok campers!" Chris addressed everyone below using a megaphone, while Owen stood by the edge of the cliff. "The Killer Bass won the first part of the challenge. But the Gophers have one last person to jump, and the more quantities of crates they have, the better."
Down below, the Screaming Gophers were all shouting to the fat boy to jump off the cliff, since they would need all the materials possible to make the challenge.
"JUMP! JUMP! JUST DO IT, OWEN. DO IT!" Heather shouted between the group, who was doing their best to convince Owen, since he was with fear, and doing his best to take a deep breath before strapping his floaties around his arm and backing away a bit to give himself a running start.
(Confession - Owen)
"Oh, I was pretty darn nervous." Owen gulped as he remembered the feeling of how it went before his jump. "See, the thing is, I'm not that strong a swimmer."
(Confession - Geoff)
"I'm looking at this guy and thinking, there's no way he's gonna make it." Geoff said while looking right at the camera. He was telling in disbelief and confident with himself the possibility of the largest camper to die.
(Confession - Gwen)
"I actually thought, if he jumps…" Gwen looked sadly and in concern at the camera, showing that the possibility of the worst outcome for her teammate until her cold nature came back again, and with her sarcasm, finished the sentence. "He's gonna die."
(Confession - Ezekiel)
"I'm calling right now… *whistle*" Ezekiel said as he raised one hand and let it near his lap. And like a cartoonish whistle, while his raised hand was slowly moving towards his other hand until both were meeting, and then he raised both his arms wide open like a huge explosion arc. "SPLASH. OH *BEEP* GIANT WAVE… I wouldn't be surprised if one shark were stuck in the tree."
"Take a good run at it, buddy." Chris encouraged Owen as the big guy turned around after getting enough distance. "You got this!"
"I'm going to die now." Owen said with resolve, looking forward to where he was going to dive. "I'm going to freaking die now."
Owen stood frozen in place for him to have the last final seconds to be in peace with himself and be ready to give his jump. His entire team looked at him in anticipation.
"Come on, big guy." Leshawna said as she hoped that the last member of Screaming Gophers would actually jump. Hoping that he would work up the courage to jump.
Finally, Owen clenched his teeth and fists and narrowed his eyes at the edge of the cliff, so he gave a battle cry, surprising Chris as he passed by the host, who looked shocked to see him actually jumping.
"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Owen shouted as he finally did it, and he could see the target on where he should aim. Trent and Noah were looking above them happily until they realized that the big guy was going towards them like a meteor. And they realized how screwed they were. "OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH CRAAAAAAAP."
SPLASH
At the moment Owen hit the water, it was like an explosion came towards him in the air, with water reaching up almost halfway to the top of the cliff. When the water came back down, all the campers could be seen spread out throughout the beach, completely soaked. One shark was stuck on the beach, while the remaining one was holding itself on the tree nearby.
"Yes! Yeah!" Owen soon emerged from under the water and started pumping his fist in the air. "Oh, yeah! Who's the man?"
The entire group of Screaming Gophers cheered as the big guy managed to help them to have another crate on their teams. And even the Killer Bass couldn't help but cheer up Owen, who managed to do the best dive of the day.
"Damn, this was much more fun." Ezekiel remarked, viewing the situation from a different angle and experiencing it firsthand, that he had never felt as wonderful as he did in the Total Drama universe. This was just the minimum of what would be a 8 weeks of pure madness…
"That was awesome!" Chris shouted with his megaphone, enjoying what would be the greatest first episode he ever created so far. "Now the winners! The Killer Bass!"
The entire Bass team cheered as they managed to see the biggest advantage they have now, the carts, which would help them to travel faster to the next part of the challenge.
Trent got up on his boat, but he was staring at the big guy who was looking around for something.
"What's wrong?" He asked, which made Owen continue looking through the water around him.
"I, uh…" Owen awkwardly began. "I think I lost my bathing suit."
He said it loudly enough, which made the entire group of campers show their remarks of disgust.
"Now, Gophers, since you have 10 courageous individuals who survived the jump, you can select 10 crates." Chris had his signature smirk as he approached the groaning team.
"Great." Heather already had a few names on her mind for who she should send home on the first day. While she would have preferred to lose by her choice, she went to the damned water by force, and yet she still lost the game.
(Confession - Heather)
"Knowing Chris now, we already can say that he is a creative, sadistic bastard. So I know that in the future, if I am threatened with being eliminated, I must have the support of possible pawns to help me achieve the top three... But my question is, I wonder... Who is desperate enough to try everything to achieve my victory?"
Heather narrowed her eyes, trying to find two perfect paws around her team, trying to verify who would be willing to follow her orders without any question. And by seeing a familiar chicken hat on the corner, Heather grinned.
"She is perfect." Heather commented by walking slowly towards the farm girl, who seemed to be disappointed with herself. Meanwhile, the other members of the Screaming Gophers are making all the necessary preparations to manually carry their crates. Heather already developed a brilliant plan for her first pawn. Coughing and trying to make her voice show the utmost concern, she called the farm girl, who was feeling alone and outcast. "Beth, are you okay?"
"Hu?" Beth looked around and found the black-haired queen bee walking towards her. "Huh, hello Heather. Yeah, I'm doing fine. I'm just trying to have some time alone."
"Are you still upset because you have to give up jumping?" Heather still tried to use her concerned voice, and she smiled internally when she saw how vulnerable Beth was feeling at that moment. "If that would make you feel better, I also didn't want to jump from that height… I was forced by that brutus of Leshawna. So you don't need to be too harsh on yourself. You are not going to have my vote if we lose today."
"Really?" Beth asked in a hopeful tone, which the queen bee nodded her head to with all her sincerity.
"Of course? Our team was already fated to lose this challenge; currently the other team jumped with all their members; some were even pushed against their will. But we are not like that. Don't worry, you will have my protection." Heather smiled kindly, which made the glass girl show some tears of gratitude.
"Thank you, Heather." Beth went and hugged the spoiled rich girl, which made her gulp her anger at being hugged by someone she doesn't like.
"That's fine. But now we must think of a plan. We cannot let you go away because of a choice you just had. For me, you made the smartest decision." Heather gave a half compliment, which made Beth even happier. "So we need to find a way to make someone else receive all the votes."
"But how can I avoid being eliminated? Since most people can possibly blame me if we lose this challenge." Beth sniffed but tried to look hopeful to Heather, who just gave her signature smile.
"Not if you show your hard work. If they perceive you as a well-mannered and helpful girl, they will be more inclined to support you. They will try to find another person to vote it out today. Don't worry, I have a plan. You just need to follow my orders, and I guarantee that you will be in the top 3 with me." Heather showed her determination and confidence to the little girl, who just started looking up at her.
"Do you think so, Heather? That would be so great— me and you as the top 3." Beth was feeling excited, which Heather gave a smile for, but from the camera, they could see a smirk appearing on her face.
(Confession - Heather)
"Too easy, one down… one to go." Heather smiled as she placed her makeup on her face, enjoying how she was having control over one of the competitors.
(Confession - Beth)
"I can't believe Heather is willing to help me out. She is so nice and great. She will save me from the problems I did today. I hope what she said is true… I don't want to go home soon." Beth smiled with hope in her eyes. She was filled with a deep desire to have a great friend by her side. "Wait, so that means Heather is my friend? THAT'S GREAT. MOM, I HAVE A NEW FRIEND."
"Heather, are you sure that carrying your crate will make the others fine with me helping you? Wouldn't that make them suspicious of you and have you possibly vote out from the show?" Beth asked worriedly, as she was doing her own best to push the crate. She was sweaty and already losing most of her strength while the black-haired girl was using a fingernail polish to make herself more presentable on television.
"I know you are concerned, Beth. But you don't need to worry about me, Beth; I have my ways to make sure to not be voted out today." Heather smiled, trying to make it sound like she was doing a favor for the poor farm girl. "Now if you excuse me, I will find a way to take you out of this situation. Now keep moving this crate. And make sure the others notice you are doing your best."
"I'm trying." Beth commented as she kept pushing the wooden crate, which was enough to make her walk around the others who were having the same difficulty.
Leaving Beth alone carrying her crate. Heather decided to act and walk in the opposite direction, just to see most parts of her team were having a terrible time using their strength to keep moving the crates. A bit on the sidelines, the queen bee just found out a bunch of poison ivy around the floor. Which gave some kind of an idea… But now she would just need a victim. From the time she was walking, it took a few minutes until she realized the two people were having the most difficulty moving their heavy crates.
A skinny bookworm, who was sweating but also having a long time complaining of every single effort he was doing on his place. He was joined by a familiar blonde bombshell who was still struggling to push her crate.
"Hmm… Hello, scapegoat." Heather smiled as he approached the duo.
"AHHH." Lindsay shouted as she looked at her fingernails. "I broke my nail; this day is the worst. Please, someone, take me from my suffering."
"Oh, look at that, the little princess is having a problem outside her castle?" The booksmart Noah sarcastically rolled his eyes but still tried to figure out how to move the crate. "This crate weighs approximately 45 kilograms, so I would need to find a good way to move it, probably by making it as a backpack of sorts. But that doesn't seem plausible. If I use the elasticity effect, maybe I could move it in one shot."
The mumblings around the bookworm weren't something that interested Heather, since she had already chosen him as possibly her target; she just smiled and waved at the duo.
"Hello, I see that you guys are taking so long." Heather tried to sound gentle, but then she narrowed her eyes. "I came here to tell you guys to hurry. You are way far behind."
"Ha, you ask like you had to even lift your crate. Please, Yoko, do me a favor and disappear. I'm going to do it at my speed." Noah wasn't going to buy it, knowing that Heather was planning something; he knew that he would probably be a target, but he needed to be certain what her strategy would be. But she wasn't going to outsmart him… In the mind games, he was set to surpass that simpleton.
"Oh hey, Melery. I'm still having problems pushing this giant box. And now I just broke a fingernail. It appears that this day couldn't get any worse." Lindsay said as she sighed, already wanting the day to come to an end.
"Well, whatever. I already said what I need to say. See you at the camp." Heather scoffed as she turned her back and walked away. She walked a few meters away from the scene. It was a good time for her to put her plan into action. "Yoko, huh? Well, let's see if you are going to enjoy being the scapegoat, you little insect."
Heather stared at the bunch of poison ivy leaves on the ground, and by having a stick nearby her, she brought one of the leaves and placed it calmly on the purse she was using. Smiling evilly, she was ready for the setup of her strategy.
In the far ahead over the Scream Gophers side, the only people who were having a well-managed way to carry their crates were the group of boys Justin, Trent, and Owen, while some who were pushing or even using ropes to help them to pull their crates with force were Izzy, Cody, Gwen, and Leshawna. But still, one girl who was wearing a chicken hat was sweating liters trying to keep up with everyone.
"Are you okay?" Cody inquired, feeling uneasy after hauling his crate for several minutes. "I thought you wouldn't need to carry a crate since you gave up jumping."
"I'm doing fine." Beth replied as she tried to clean up her sweat, but her entire shirt and blouse were wet from all her sweat, and it wasn't helping her very much. "I need to carry this and show that I can help... I don't want to go home."
"Woah, woah, woah. Take a deep breath..." Cody alarmed as he tried to help the farm girl into breathing deeply to help her to calm her entire mind since she was too focused on trying to show her usefulness. "Calm down,"
Beth nodded her head, as her entire body was screaming for her to stop, since the crates seemed to be so heavy, and she didn't want to make the others lose because of her cowardice.
"Nobody is blaming you for giving up the challenge. We were already facing significant challenges." Cody clarified, knowing that her entire situation was risky, and he would rather not upset her by using the wrong words. "I mean, they really got lucky since one of their teammates pushed three of them at the same time." Can you imagine if some of them weren't there when she pushed? We could have tied or even possibly won."
"You really think so?"...
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Suddenly a terrifying scream was enough to make the group nearby the shout stop carrying their crates by the surprise scared scream. Until the group looked toward the voice until they found who was the person who was screaming. "My face, my wonderful and beautiful face...RUINED."
The entire group walked towards the model, who was covering his face.
"What happened?"
"It seems that a fly just bit Justin in the eye while he was staring at himself in the mirror." Trent said as he tried to see the damages done by the fly, and by seeing the eye starting to get red, it was already a bad signal. "This can't be good, man. I recommend you go to the medic after we are done with the challenge."
"My beautiful face." Justin lamented as he couldn't even look at himself in the mirror. So he closed one of his eyes and gritted his teeth to continue carrying his crate and finish the challenge as fast as possible to go take care of his beauty once again.
As the time passed, Chris, as he promised, the Killer Bass were giving the carts, which allowed them to easily pull their crates back on the camp. That action significantly boosted the morale of the entire team. Since the entire team was in silence but walking happily with something, it helped them towards their crates.
Ezekiel recalled how thrilled the Screaming Gophers were since they won the challenge; they even had started to sing.
The team Killer Bass preferred to walk as the crew started to know more about each other. Since the duos for each cart were Bridgette and Courtney, Harold and Tyler, Katie and Sadie, Eva holding a cart by herself, DJ and Ezekiel, and Duncan and Geoff. It was a great time to have an excellent talk while on the trip towards the camp.
"Zeke?" A voice called, which made the boy, fully dressed with his usual clothing and winter hat, look to his side, just to see the big jamaican gold hearted boy looking at him. "Can I call you Zeke? I was unsure if it was acceptable to use that name. I'm sorry."
"Nah, that's fine. You are free to do it. So?" Ezekiel smiled as he knew that since everyone is happy carrying their carts, everyone is having a way easier time in comparison to what has happened on the actual episode of the show.
"I must have said that while it was one of the most terrifying things I ever experienced in my whole life. I'm glad you were by my side and decided to help me try to jump. If I hadn't jumped, we could have tied, and who knows what Chris must have done if it was a tie." DJ was honest since he felt almost guilty for he couldn't have helped the whole team out. "And I still wish to learn more about the story of the coward dog you were telling me this morning."
Courtney, who was in the cart in the front, actually decided to listen too, since she was also a few fractions of a second away from giving up on the challenge, but she got interested in hearing both boys talking about what would possibly be a fantasy story created by someone, and yet it got her curious. And that curiosity caused the accident that led to their victory over the show.
"Oh, you mean Courage? Sure, I have tons of stories of his legend. If you want, I can share some with you before you go to sleep." Ezekiel smiled, but then he saw the frown on the big jamaican and nearby him, the group of boys started snickering from the way he told. And that made Ezekiel look confused toward them. "What's wrong?"
"You made it sound like a bedtime story." DJ asked as he pouted at him, which made Ezekiel stop his track. "I'm not 8 years old."
"Yeah, want some warm milk before sleeping with that bedtime story?" Duncan made fun of it, which made Ezekiel roll his eyes as Geoff, Harold, and Tyler were snickering.
"Dude, Courage stories can be scary, but they usually end happily." Ezekiel explained, which made Duncan raise his eyebrow, and Courtney looked behind her in surprise. DJ looked at Ezekiel horrified from the revelation but also relieved. "Trust me, DJ, you can learn valuable lessons with those stories."
"Oh yeah? Then give me one example of a horror story, then." Duncan made a challenge, and the entire group of teenagers looked at the homeschooled boy waiting for his answer.
"Okay…" Ezekiel accepted the challenge and thought of dozens of episodes, and which one of them would have been unforgettable from how traumatic and yet interesting the plot was ever done. Then he coughed in his hand and turned to the delinquent, who had nothing more than a dead-eyed face and a deep voice, which surprised everyone. "Retuuuurn the slaaab."
Duncan felt shivers on his back from the way he said it. The entire group remained silent, focusing on the homeschooled boy. And Ezekiel decides to give a little hint as to where the story will lead.
"It seems that I caught your attention. I may not have much time to explain until maybe a campfire, but I can give you guys the story of… Courage the Cowardly Dog against King's Ramses Curse." Ezekiel's smile made DJ gulp, knowing that if he didn't listen to the end of the story, he would have a nightmare. "In a farm, in the middle of Nowhere. There is a family of three. Muriel is the kindest old lady in the entire world. Her husband: a grumpy, greedy, and envious bald man with a hat named Eustace. And a little dog with Pink fur named Courage"…
And then the story has begun…
Heather passed a few minutes before returning in the direction she came; while she was in a hurry, she accidentally bumped into one of her teammates, a skinny bookworm who was still forcing himself to carry a heavy crate.
The force of her bump was enough to make each of them fall over on the floor. And at the time Heather got up, she looked furious.
"Watch where you are going, stupid." Heather snarked.
"For your information, I was going ahead; it was you who bumped behind me. You should give yourself an eye check." Noah rolled his eyes, not noticing something being pushed inside of his T-shirt.
"Whatever, you have been a smartass for your own good far too many times. You better watch out, book boy," Heather scoffed before glaring towards him with animosity, which leaves the sarcastic boy scoffing at her.
"Gee, I'm really scared. Now if you excuse me, I have more important things to do than lowering to your level." Noah rebutted, which made Heather's eyes twitch.
"Oh? Okay then." Heather narrowed her eyes and decided to ignore him and go towards the blonde bombshell. "Lindsay, it seems you are struggling a lot. Do you want me to help you carry your crate?"
"Wow, would you really do that to help me?" Lindsay gasped as she looked surprised to see someone willing to help her carry the heavy box on her hands. "Thank you, thank you. This has been a nightmare for me for so long."
"Don't worry about it." Heather smiled, knowing that her objective was accomplished. "Let's just hurry up and go after the others.
Heather gave a provoking smile towards the book boy, who just shrugged and ignored them both, who quickly went faster by working together.
Leaving someone behind, both Lindsay and Heather worked together quickly to come near the group of Gophers who were still struggling to go in the direction of the camp.
"What took you so long?" Leshawna saw Heather approaching the group, but then she realized that the spoiled girl was actually helping someone with her own crate.
"I went far behind to help Lindsay carry her; what do you think?" Heather spat as she tried to hold the heavy box with the help of the blonde. Lindsay was still experiencing fatigue due to the heavy weight on her. "The bookworm didn't want my help, so he said he would be fine."
"Well, that's actually considerate of you." Gwen asked with her eyebrows raised but frowned when the queen bee scoffed at her.
"Please, I want to win this challenge, and if we lose because two people were far behind and unable to help us to make the hot tub, I would make their lives a true hell." Heather glared at Leshawna and Gwen but decided to continue carrying the box with Lindsay. All her teammates were unaware that she had already placed two pieces around the game, and only those who watched would understand the true scheme she had devised.
"And in the end… inside of the world-renowned museum. Eustace's voice screams could be heard from inside of the slab, as the final part of the curse was saying the constant nagging: WHAT IS YOUR OFFER?" After Ezekiel concluded his speech, the entire group eagerly absorbed the entire story, and Harold was forced to reveal the truth.
"I have to go change my clothes when I get to the cabin." Harold said this, causing some of the campers to look at him with disgust.
"I have too as well; that shit scared me good, and I have forgotten to go take a leak." Tyler commented, as he was so fascinated and terrified of the story, that made Courtney and Bridgette stay be away from them…
"Err… I also did in my pants." Katie's words caused Sadie to gasp in surprise.
"Yeah, me too." Sadie and Katie smiled at each other, while Courtney thought that her entire team must be filled with several weird people.
"Dude." Duncan whispered. "I have to say it would have been far scarier if there was some gore or more scares. But that was indeed impressive and hardcore."
"I don't know what to say." DJ commented he was trembling in his place but holding his fist tight. He was with mixed feelings. He was terrified of the story; he was happy that in the end Courage saved his whole family, many times… And he kind of felt cathartic since Eustace was a jerk and deserved the end he got.
"Yeah, and I have dozens of stories like that. Some are sad, some are scary, and some are beautiful with good messages. Ezekiel was proud to tell one classic story of one of his favorite shows of all time… He still feels the pain of being inside a world where nobody ever heard about it or in a place where Cartoon Network never existed.
They finally arrived at their destination after more than five minutes of wandering around.
"Well, we are finally here." Ezekiel said as the entire group of campers reached the middle of the camp. And at the comfortable pace they walked by using the carts, it was clearly a good advantage to have more time to open the crates and develop a strategy to construct the new hot tub.
"Well, I don't see the other team nearby; how long do you think it will take for them to reach us?" Bridgette asked, making Courtney leave the cart and walk towards to take off the crates from the cart.
"Depending on the speed we were walking and with the possibility of them giving pauses to rest themselves before continuing to carry their crates? My guess would be 1 hour or 2." Courtney decided to take a wild guess as she helped the blonde surfer to carry their crates and leave them on the floor.
Harold tried to lift his crate, but it was so heavy that he couldn't even lift a single centimeter from the cart. Tyler, who was on the other side, not seeing his teammate on the other side of the crate, raised it with such speed and force that it hit Harold's chin, making his head raise from the impact and his body fall from the cart, groaning in pain. Tyler looked around to see if he heard something, but then he just shrugged and launched one of the crates on the floor, not seeing that it was Harold's body that got smashed by the weight of the crate.
Geoff and Duncan snickered and ignored the poor nerd struggling to get out of the biggest wooden box above him.
It didn't take long for the whole Killer Bass team to let all the crates on the floor. Which was in the right timing since Chris was smiling at them with his iconic smirk and sadism.
"Welcome to the camp Killer Bass, now that your whole team is here, I guess it's time for you to open your crates." Chris decided to explain the next part of the challenge, making the whole group shrug and place their hands over the crates. "Ah ah ah ah. You are not going to open your crates with your hands."
"Then, genius, if we aren't opening the crates with our hands, how do you think we should do it?" Duncan scoffed, like he found it so absurd Chris was making them not open their crates.
Chris smiled, and that smile was something that made the entire Killer Bass team uneasy.
Confessional - Duncan
"I remember the guard of the juvenile telling me that one day I would regret asking how I should do things... Mark, sorry for breaking your nose. You were right all along. (beep) dammit.
After what would be 10 minutes of pure strength toward their teeth, Chris smiled toward the camera.
"You must use your mouths to open your crates." Chris made an announcement to the entire Killer Bass team, encouraging them to use their mouths to open every single crate they had. Chris looked towards the camera and whispered to it with a wink. "I created this rule."
Every single crate was like torture for each camper, who used all their strength until every single one of them got opened.
"Ugh, I can feel the taste of wood in my mouth." Sadie made this comment while her best friend's and another mother's sister gasped in surprise.
"Oh, me too, that's an awful taste." Katie also complained, which made the whole group roll their eyes towards the duo.
"Yeah, yeah, we know; every single one of us got a taste of wood in the mouth. That's why all of us used our mouths to open the crates." Duncan expressed frustration but then proceeded to examine the crate he was holding. "Huh, nice. Hey dudes, check this stuff out."
Duncan showed the tools as he pulled out the hammer and the pool liner. As Ezekiel opened his, he showed a piece of paper and the motor and water filter. He then looked closely until his eyes went wide open.
"JACKPOT." Ezekiel shouted as he raised the piece of paper. "I got the instructions manual."
"Nice." The whole team smiled, now knowing that they wouldn't need to use their minds to build the whole hot tub, and having the manual in their hands, the challenge would become far easier to deal with at that moment.
"Great, let me have this so we can start building it." Courtney smiled as she already offered her hand to Ezekiel, who already gave the papers to her.
"Woah, woah, woah, calm down, princess." Duncan uttered these words as he approached the pair, explaining his unconventional situation. By giving the tan girl a nickname, he successfully irritated her. "Who died and decided to put you in charge?"
"What did you just call me?" Courtney glared at the delinquent, showing that she wasn't going to step down from her rebellious attitude toward her.
"You heard me right, princess." Duncan smirked, knowing that he had found a way to provoke the girl, who was bossy toward the whole group.
"For your information. I'm the only one with C.I.T. camping experience here. I'm the best possibility to take the leadership and help with this challenge." Courtney confronted the delinquent, ready to argue, but they just raised their voices.
"What is C.I.T.?" A single voice asked, which made the duo stare on their side and see the winter hat boy looking at them confused.
"You're kidding, right?" Duncan asked until he remembered the morning from what he was told in the boys' cabin. "Oh, right, you really don't know."
"What do you mean he doesn't know? Is he truly unaware of this?" Courtney said in disbelief, but what shocked her most was the fact that the person in front of her tilted his head.
"In reality, I received my education at home on a farm." The sound of innocence coming from Ezekiel was indeed enough to make the prideful C.I.T. in training shut her mouth and taste it, like she just managed to eat her whole foot. "I hope I haven't asked something that offends you. But initials usually make me confused, and I don't know what C.I.T means..."
Duncan smirked; seeing the girl who was bossy finally shutting up was a beneficial way to control everything, but then he realized that the whole team was nearby watching that scene.
"Is he telling the truth?" Eva inquired. Eva asked, surprised to see the shrimp camper who asked her for help didn't seem to have any kind of interaction in a school.
"Yeah, from what he told us, he lived on a farm until now, and this show was the first time he had the opportunity to see outside." DJ nodded his head as he placed a suitable amount of wood on the floor. "We were shocked because he was the most excited to be here."
"Yeah, he got so impressed by my incredible skills." Harold said proudly, but then he remembered a bit of the pain over his crotch. "Well, I still need to train a bit more, though."
"But how would that work? He doesn't have someone like Katie to talk to him?" Sadie asked, already showing her fear of not being able to have her best friend on her side. This was a terrifying experience for Sadie.
"I would die if I didn't have Sadie on my side. How could he live that way?" Katie agreed with her bestie, which made Tyler facepalm. However, she managed to bring more materials and supplies for the hot tub.
"Guys." Geoff called the group around. "While I agree, we may find Ezekiel's homeschooling shocking. We have to focus on the challenge."
"That's right," Courtney affirmed, nodding to the home-schooled boy. "C.I.T." specifically stands for "counselor-in-training."
"Definitely 'in-training,'" Duncan scoffed to the side.
Eyes narrowing, Courtney was about to rebuke the delinquent when Ezekiel snapped his fingers. "Ohhh, you mean that's like camp counselors from the movies?"
Courtney smiled as she turned to Ezekiel. "That's right. Counselors help the campers out with any problems they have or if they need help."
She cast a side-eye at Duncan. "At least with the people who admit they need help."
Duncan tsked. "Then you definitely need more training if you think ordering people around makes you a counselor."
Courtney's jaw tightened, hands clenching into fists. Duncan simply rolled his eyes, amused at her anger. Ezekiel cringed at the animosity between the two but still put himself between them.
"Let's put this issue on the back burner for now, okay? If we fight the situation out now, we'll only make it easier for the Gophers."
Courtney's and Duncan's gazes met, and though neither wanted to back down, Ezekiel's logic was sound. The homeschooled teen sighed with relief and turned to the rest of the Bass.
"So, what do you think we should do then?" Sadie spoke up, directing her question to Ezekiel.
Surprised by the address, his mind began to race. Eyes flickering over the resources in front of them, a plan formed just as fast.
"Let's split into teams of two to work on each part of the hot tub. For example, I and DJ can hold the wood, you and Katie can bring water buckets, and maybe Bridget and Courtney could use the tools to fix the hot tub into place?"
The group thought it over.
"I'll take care of holding the wood in place," Eva declared. "Your arms wouldn't be able to take the strain."
"I'm pretty strong myself, too! And we're going to need muscle for this job!" Tyler declared, quickly sharing a bro-fist with Geoff.
"And that leaves me with the buckets and the twins. Could be worse." Duncan turned to the brunette, deep in thought. "Well, Counselor?"
"This… this is actually a very reasonable plan! Everyone is where their skill sets would suit them best and work with others!" Courtney's expression was open with surprise, but also relief that she hadn't been alone in planning this. She also didn't notice Duncan getting a peek at her expression with interest.
Ezekiel nodded with a thumbs up. "Then let's get to work!"
"So what about the rest of the campers?" Katie decided to ask since the good part of the group would already be doing their parts of doing the hot tub.
"Me, Harold, and DJ will organize and sort the materials. This approach eliminates the need for us to randomly gather materials from the crates. And like a sturdy jigsaw, we could place piece by piece until it's perfectly built." Ezekiel made this suggestion as he observed the guys in blue and green shirts approaching him.
"I like this idea. Furthermore, I can bring many with me since my size will help me carry more material." DJ smiled as he already went toward the wood and the other crates and started bringing the objects.
"I'm fine with that." Harold nodded his head, since it wouldn't need to be needing to make much effort, but doing an excellent work together with the others will accelerate the process perfectly.
"Perfect, now that everyone knows their positions, focus on our skills; this way we could end the challenge with an excellent pace." Courtney never felt so relieved, seeing that the whole team's organizing by itself was indeed a great way to start the challenge.
"ALRIGHT KILLER BASS, LET'S GO." Geoff was already excited, and with a clap of hands, the entire crew walked towards their stations and prepared the work.
"Finally we got here." Gwen said after reaching the camp with her teammates just to see what would be the killer Bass team already with a half hot tub done. "Oh, you have to be kidding me."
"They are already half done with the hot tub." Beth asked in worry since she saw the entire crew of Killer Bass working together in groups of duos, which the Screaming Gophers noticed that the entire team was using their flow of work.
"Oh, look at that. Finally, the Screaming Gophers arrived at the challenge. And with the other team halfway done." Chris smirked, which made most of the other team irked in anger.
"We know." The entire crew of screaming Gophers commented, which made Chris smile even wider.
"Well, in the same way I explained to the killer bass team, you guys must open the crates with nothing else than your mouths." Chris got the satisfaction of seeing the anger and disbelief towards all the participants who came with their crates with nothing else than exhaustion and impatience.
"I didn't come here to carry all this weight just to then use my mouth to open this stupid crate." Heather rolled her eyes as both the goth girl and the big black woman stared at her unimpressed.
"That's that you didn't even lift a finger to carry your crate. You let someone else take the crate for you." Gwen commented as she scoffed, knowing how terrible of a teammate Heather will be.
"Oh, hello? I went far behind to help Lindsay to carry her crate." Heather then made a point that Lindsay was still feeling sore from carrying all that weight. Heather hated to be sweaty from all the walks just for the point of just opening the crates with her mouth.
Before the group would even start to get into a fight. They then heard chris coughing with his fist, which made everyone stare at him.
"Well, if you are not going to open the crates, then know that you are wasting your time, since the other team looks halfway done and there are just a few hours before the night and the challenge is concluded." Chris remained professional, not actually caring about the feelings of the other campers since he usually liked the drama, but he wanted to make the others start the challenge as soon as possible because that way the show would have to go on. "So you better hurry."
"Well, guys, we have to start from somewhere." Trent decided to act positive, and like Cody, Owen, and Izzy, they decided to try to open the crates without complaining.
"If you guys want, you can use ropes to knot around the lid and then use your strength on your teeth to open the crate by pulling the rope." Izzy gave an idea as she tried to do the same. But would that be enough for them to accomplish in time?
"So that's how I managed to participate in the Kung Fu summer camp." Harold said as he managed to place another bunch of nails to DJ, who was staring at him with wide eyes open.
"Dude, you went to 12 summer camps?" DJ asked in total disbelief, while Ezekiel stared at him with the utmost surprise.
"Yep, I learned a lot every single year. Therefore, I am confident in my ability to demonstrate a wide range of skills here. Harold proudly puffed his chest.
"Well, a true meaning of jack of all trades." Ezekiel said, which made the brown-haired nerd smile proudly. "But you know that jack of all trades is also the master of none."
And just like that, his ego deflated.
"That wasn't actually bad, Harold." Ezekiel said this as he wanted to prove a point. "Jack of all trades is a wonderful wildcard. Nobody knows what you can do next. And the fact that no people know would be your best advantage."
"What do you mean by that?" Harold asked curiously, while he still was upset about people saying he wasn't the master of his skills; being called a wildcard somehow still stroked his ego.
DJ nodded his head and decided to explain.
"Having skills that the other team doesn't know means you can always surprise them, so it's best not to brag about them, as that warns them of their impending defeat." DJ chose his words carefully but also confirmed with the homeschooled boy, who nodded his head.
"Yeah, in the movies, guys who always brag about themselves always have the biggest targets on their backs. So being a wildcard is wonderful because people don't know what you are going to do next. The next time you catch them by surprise, they won't be able to defend." Ezekiel made this point because he remembered that people generally dislike boasters. But they always love someone who surprises them with unpredictable skills. "Being a wildcard is awesome, but you must know how and when to use the skills."
"Well, I can understand that." Harold nodded his head as the trio carried more material for Eva, who, with all her strength, remained in position, and Tyler, even as he was physically adaptable, was still having some struggles with his clumsy hands, but the fear of seeing Eva's angry eyes made him remain on his spot, rock solid.
"Do you need some water, guys? I can try to bring something for you guys to drink." Ezekiel inquired as he observed Tyler, who was perspiring profusely, and Eva, who remained composed yet focused.
Eva blinked her eyes, and with a nod, she decided to accept the help.
"I accept it." Eva was using all her strength to remain in the same position for what would be like an hour, and even replacing every single piece of wood to be sure to be stable was very difficult, and a good water would be appreciated at that moment.
"Can you bring me some too, dude?" Tyler asked which, and the homeschooled boy gave a thumbs up and proceeded to tell DJ and Harold that he would be leaving.
By having Courtney and Bridgette use the tools, each step of the hot tub was firmly constructed. Courtney smiled as she saw that everyone was working together for one simple objective. The objective was to win the first challenge.
"Courtney, let's prepare the stairs." Bridgette called the tan girl, and the C.I.T. turned her head and saw Eva and Tyler already stretching themselves after a long time holding the wood. Seeing the hot tub looked solid, Sadie, Katie, and Duncan started to bring the water by turns, which would help each of them to quickly place the water inside.
Harold and DJ both assisted Geoff, who was reading the instructions, in placing the motor inside the hot tub and ensuring it remained properly positioned to initiate the hot tub's operation.
"Alright. Team." Courtney clapped her hands as she saw Ezekiel coming with what would be bottles of water to help the team to refresh themselves. Taking one and offering a gratitude smile, she looked at the entire team. "It looks perfect. We did it."
Each Killer Bass team enjoyed seeing the results of their teamwork with a bottle of water in their hands. They found it a refreshing way to rejuvenate themselves after a demanding challenge. Duncan and DJ gave high fives, while Katie and Sadie hugged themselves in victory on their hands.
Ezekiel, being the last one with the water bottle, gave a gulp as he cleaned up his sweat. That day was indeed exhausting in many ways. But now, he came to a conclusion.
"Because of one accident… It led us to victory." Ezekiel whispered to himself, knowing that he would be the one to change the canon, but who would leave the show first? He wouldn't dream of being on fire, like the actual canonical version of him did by being sexist and too naïve.
The Gophers, who were tired of pushing and carrying crates, were on the other side of the camp. The group still worked together until they managed to make the whole hot tub into an excellent place and time.
"Okay, it seems all the structure is halfway done. Now we just need to finish it and fill it with the water, and then place the motor to make it perfect." Trent smiled as he saw every single one of the 10 members of the Screaming Gophers working together as one to try to win the challenge. Wait a second… weren't they supposed to be 11? "Err… guys? Has anyone seen Noah?"
"Oh, you mean Noir? I saw him scratching himself a lot behind us. I think he is still scratching himself." Lindsay blinked her eyes and placed her finger on her lips, trying to remember the details, and from the expression of everyone in the camp looking at her strangely, she couldn't help but ask. "What?"
"Great, now we have to go back; if he was still in the back, he must still have one crate with him. Why didn't you guys find out about it sooner?" Heather asked angrily as she was placing blame on Owen and Trent, who were doing their best to avoid gazes with her.
"It seems that you are taking on a bit of a problem. WOAHHH, what happened to your eye?" Chris was happily approaching the Gophers until he found a deformation in one of the eyes of the handsome Justin, who seemed still afflicted with his self-image being damaged like that.
"Please, don't look at me; I'm a monster." Justin looked away, trying to look away from the camera.
"A fly bit Justin on his eye. He still needs to take care of it." Trent commented, which made Chris nod his head towards him.
"Geee, I turned my back for a few hours, and this is what happens…that's AWESOME." Chris smiled widely as he saw the clothes the camera was giving towards the eye candy dismantle himself. "Anyway, I have to say that your hot tub is looking fine, but now that the Basses managed to finish theirs first, you have 20 minutes to finish yours or they win the challenge today."
Chris smiled as he heard the groans of the Gophers, who seemed annoyed that their time was running out. And with that he moved his ATV in the direction of the beach, trying to find the last camper and why it took him so long.
"Great. Now we better finish this before Chris comes back to end the challenge." Gwen pointed out that the boys had decided to team up to pursue the skinny bookworm, who was still quite far behind. And the hours were getting shorter and shorter.
Currently the group of boys ran in the direction towards where the last camper was; they found something perplexing: the crate unmoved and Chris Maclaine on the floor laughing with his back on the sand. At the moment the group turned around to see in the water, there was a person who was taking a bath in the water. And surprisingly, the same boy seemed to be with his entire body scratched with insufferable pain and itchy torture.
"What's going on?" Cody approached the boy, who was clearly annoyed by what had happened, and asked, "What's going on?"
"I tell you what happened. Toxicodendron Radicans is what happened." The skinny boy replied as he came outside of the water, while his entire body was red from all the scratches he gave to himself, and any kind of movement would be like torture for him to move.
"Err… what?" Owen commented, which made the nerd boy roll his eyes.
"Poison Ivy." Noah angrily stated, as he, even with all his pain, couldn't help but still scratch.
The boys gaped at Noah, not able to know what to do in that moment, but Chris was still laughing and having a great time.
"Hehehe, I can't believe that happened. Well, gophers, you better hurry up, or you all are going to lose the challenge and have to send someone home." Chris smirked as he could see the annoying look of the bookworm Noah.
"Dude, I think you should try to check it out later." Trent tried to make sure Noah would need some kind of help, but the annoying face from the bookworm seems to indicate that the guy in front of him knew about that.
"I know, I specifically gave a note about my potential allergies, which can be fatal for me, but it seems nothing will change… Let's just go and end this challenge." Noah knew that something was up; currently, he found his back was itching, but then when he found a poison ivy leaf left on his t-shirt, he knew someone played him. He simply lowered his defenses.
"So what do you think is going to happen now?" Dj asked after passing a delightful time watching the whole group of Gophers working together as they tried to finish the hot tub as quickly as possible. Still failing to correct some little details from placing the wood into the wrong place and, at the same time, fulfilling the inside of the said hot tub.
"I don't know." Duncan shrugged as he himself cleaned his own sweat from all the work the Killer Bass did in their own time.
"We did the best we could, everyone." Courtney, seeing that their hot tub was actually perfect, couldn't help but feel nervous and anxious, but she tried to remain confident and show the whole team of Basses that they did their best. "Everyone did their parts correctly, and while I believe there is a slight chance of them winning. We did a calculated risk."
Harold sat on the stairs while he gave himself into his tiredness and sleeplessness. Ezekiel remained on his own spot, and while there is a high chance of their victory, his nervousness was so extreme that he couldn't help but scratch his hair.
The whole Killer Bass team kept in their positions as they kept watching the Screaming Gophers doing their own work. Even if some of them went far back to recover one of the crates.
Now it was a matter of time; Katie and Sadie watched all the movement of the whole team approaching as the final crate finally reached the camp.
"Quickly, before the time is over?" Trent commented as the whole group of boys used their mouths to try to open the crate. And at the moment the entire group managed to open the crate… One unfortunate guest finally arrived again.
"Alright everyone, it's time to evaluate the hot tubes." Chris smiled as the entire group of gophers stopped, and then noticed there was the most important part of the hot tub wasn't able to be coupled towards the wood… The motor, which can make the water warm.
The look on the Gophers face was enough to make the Killer Bass have some kind of hope towards their victory.
As the moment Chris appeared in the middle between the hot tubs… It was the time…
Firstly he went in the direction of the Gophers' team, and gave a deep inspection… Trent, Beth, and Leshawna were looking anxiously, while Noah was still scratching himself. Heather also had a bit of itchiness in one of her hands, but she wasn't scratching for many obvious reasons.
Chris narrowed his eyes and decided to click his tongue.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk. Well, it looks solid. But the water could be warmer." Chris gave an impression of moving his hand from side to side, making the Gophers disappointed with themselves.
Chris turned his back and went in the direction of the Bass and went to check every single detail. Bridgette, Geoff, DJ, Harold, and Courtney gulped their saliva as Chris narrowed his eyes and noticed the bubbles passing with the steam around the hot tub.
"This hot tub looks sensational… It seems we already have a winner." Chris smiled as he looked at both of the teams until he raised his left arm, raising it in the direction of the bass. "The Killer Bass."
The moment Chris said their team name, all the Killer Bass team raised their arms in a joyful cheer. They did it. The Gophers couldn't help but feel disappointed with themselves.
"The Bass, you are safe from the elimination, and you will be able to enjoy this awesome hot tub for the rest of the summer, bonus." Chris pointed at the camera while the whole Killer Bass team couldn't help but give hugs and high fives to each other. Then Chris turned his head in disappointment toward the gophers. "Gophers, what can I say? I wouldn't like to be in your place. After this disappointment, I will see you at the campfire this night."
"We did it, guys." Geoff said it as he raised his hand, and every single member of the Bass gave a high five and finally got a bit of air to breathe in relief. "We survived for 3 days."
Duncan and Eva grinned, DJ raised both of his fists in happy victory, and Tyler tried to do a backflip but ended up with his face planted on the ground. Ezekiel smiled in relief; Harold gave a victory pose by doing a karate kid parody. Courtney smiled proudly; Katie and Sadie hugged Brigdette, who seemed to be also happy for their victory.
Heather, looking towards the group, saw that every single one of them seemed bothered for not being able to have the victory. Beth looked sadly at the fact that it was her fault for not being able to win the game and be free from elimination. But even if her hand is itching like hell, Heather still has a plan in motion to make her have a solid position on the Gophers.
(Main Lodge)
The moment the group was back in the main lodge, Chef already prepared a porridge with unknown substances for them, but gladly Bridgette found something she could eat without knowing it was meat or something that looked like meat. Sometimes ignorance was a blessing in disguise.
The side of the bass had the moral high ground since they became the winners of the challenge by a perfect score, while the other side of the lodge, the Gophers, were in silence, staring towards their food.
"Well, who do you think they will vote it off?" Katie asked the Bass, and the only response she received was a shrug from everyone at her table.
"We don't actually know. It can be possibly anyone." Courtney commented as she tried to eat the terrible food Chef did for them.
"Hello? We appreciate that if we decide this by ourselves, we don't want you bosses interfering with our decisions." Heather called out to the group since they were on the other side of the table.
"Pfff… I just wish that this Heather would leave this show as soon as possible." Bridgette was already annoyed by how the other team's nagging was consistently from the queen bee, and every single hour she was grateful for not being on the same team as her.
"Don't even try, Bridgette; on television, usually the villains always find a way to remain in the game until the final three." Ezekiel commented as he forced himself to eat his porridge, a disgusting food, but something he always wanted to taste just to see if it was that terrible; he wasn't disappointed.
"Well, at least I know someone has faith in me. Especially the weirdo." Heather called them from the other side, which made Ezekiel notice something… And he wasn't the only one.
"Okay, guys..." Courtney whispered as she called the entire group. "This is a terrible place to talk just between us with the whole Gophers hearing us… for us to have good strategies for the next challenges, I think it would be best if we just found a place just for us to talk and do our meetings."
Ezekiel nodded his head, but then he noticed a point that he needed to tell.
"I think that's a great idea, but just to make sure the show would approve, we must ask for some interns to actually place a camera in the same place so the watchers can see us talking and having our time over there. If the public can see us talking, then I think Chris would allow us to do that." Ezekiel pointed out, since many reality shows love when teams have leaks over the public, while the groups plan around the game, the viewers always have the perspective of knowing the truth every single day. Because of the cameras.
As the ideas, both made by Courtney and Ezekiel, seemed really appealing, every single member of the group decided to give some ideas for help to find a place that can allow them to make their plans as a team while not being heard by unwanted people.
Like a personal place for the entire group to chill, excluding their cabins since most of the time boys and girls cannot be at the said cabin, so creating somewhere for the Killer Basses would be a start of a big strategy that can probably make a difference in the future. Nobody knows for sure.
As the Killer Basses morale seemed high because of the ideas they were developing, the other side of the main lodge, the Screaming Gophers, seemed to still be tense, with only one girl who seemed annoyed by having to hear the loudly happy team.
"Can you believe this group?" Heather commented, as she rolled her eyes, annoyed by the group who couldn't stop talking about things that weren't their business.
"So who do we vote for anyway?" Beth gulped as she tried to go straight to the point, knowing that she possibly was on the possible way to elimination.
"Well, I would vote for the white chick brat." Leshawna said as she pointed to the queen bee, who narrowed her eyes dangerously.
"And why, pray tell, should I be voted off?" Heather crossed her arms, knowing that she was already seeing a possible target in the future.
"I think currently you should go away; everything will be calmer in our group." Leshawna expressed her anger directly to Heather.
"Well, I can say the same about you." Heather glared back as the duo of angry girls was already ready to jump into each other's throats.
"Guys, I think we should be reasonable about this issue of voting off." Trent tried to placate the fight between the girls, who seemed to cross their arms and huff away from each other.
"I don't understand why this issue. It's obvious that we should vote for the one who couldn't jump over the first phase of the challenge." Noah, as he was still recovering with his entire body being red from all the itchy and scratchy things he did on his entire body, accused the farm girl, who was the primary reason the team must have lost.
Beth wanted to protest and tried to open her mouth, but thankfully, not just one but two teammates managed to raise their heads in the bookworm direction.
"Hey, even if she didn't jump, she managed to help to carry the entire crate quickly to the camp." Cody was the first who defended Beth, knowing that she literally did her best to make up for not jumping. "She helped all that she could."
"I have to agree with the geek." Heather pointed out the farm girl, who seemed relieved to have a backup. "She not only carried my own crate, but she didn't complain about it and managed to do it way faster than what you did, Mr. I got so itchy that I didn't carry my crate at all. We lost the second part of the challenge since your crate had the motor to make the hot tub actually work."
Noah narrowed his eyes; something didn't add up on that accusation, but still he gritted his teeth because of the itchy body he was having at that moment.
"So you are saying this is my entire fault?" Noah asked, which he was starting to get suspicious over, if the queen bee did something to him.
"Well duh, I offered my help to carry the crates, and you just dismissed me. It wasn't my fault since I helped Lindsay carry her crate." Heather scoffed, while she hid one of her hands, which the itchiness was starting to take the best of her, but she gritted her teeth, not wanting the boy in front of her to notice that.
"So just because I was the last, and I didn't receive any help. I should be the first to be voted off?" Noah asked in disbelief as he tried to look around at the entire group of Gophers, who seemed to be unsure of what to do.
"Well, that's obvious." Heather chuckled, mocking the bookworm. "In case future challenges would be more physical, we would prefer a person who actually can carry things on their own.
"And in case of intellectual challenges? I know that I can outsmart any of you in any possible intelligence challenge in the future." Noah rebutted, but then he noticed something he understood, and it was too late. He saw the affronted look from the other campers, while the queen bee seemed to be pleased that her trap finally got him. "Oh crap."
Noah came to understand that he was constantly under duress. And nothing he could say would avoid being voted off on the same day... he just lost.
Night has fallen on Camp Wawanakwa. All the members of The Screaming Gophers were sitting on the stumps at the campfire site with Chris in front of the metal barrel. Many members of the team looked at each other nervously, not knowing what would happen next.
Noah knew that right now he must have fallen into a trap, and Beth gulped her saliva, as she hoped that someone who defended her would have helped her to not get voted off on this day.
"Screaming Gophers." Chris got everyone's attention as he spoke in a serious tone. In Chri's hand was a plate holding 11 marshmallows. "Marshmallows represent a tasty treat that you enjoy roasting by the fire. At this camp, marshmallows represent life."
Gwen and Trent looked at each other, unsure of how things would go after seeing that anyone could leave that night.
"You've all cast your votes and made your decision." Chris said while holding up his plate of marshmallows. "There are only ten marshmallows on this plate. When I call your name, come up and claim your marshmallow. The camper who does not receive a marshmallow tonight must immediately return to the dock of shame to catch the boat of losers. That means you're out of the contest, and you can't come back… ever."
Most of the Screaming Gophers tensed up as Chris said that. "The first marshmallow goes to… Owen." Owen smiled and gave a big smile as he walked up to Chris, who pierced a marshmallow onto the party dude's stick.
"YEAH, BABY." Owen cheered as he was pretty pleased to be safe at that time. Chris, enjoying the tension, decided to continue saying the names.
"Trent, Gwen, Cody, and Leshawna." Chris called out the next four, who were all happy, and walked up to Chris with sticks with the host attaching marshmallows to them.
"Justin, Izzy, Lindsay, Heather." Chris called the next four campers, who eagerly went to get their marshmallows.
In an instant, only one marshmallow remained. Two campers remained. Beth and Noah.
"Campers, this is the final marshmallow of the evening." Chris's statement heightened the tension between Beth and Noah. The farm girl's face started to sweat as her heart was racing like a speed of a car. while the bookworm was indeed worried, especially with this itchiness still taking better hold of him, he couldn't help but to continue scratching himself at that moment. Chris raised his hand, causing both of the remaining campers to drop their sticks as their eyes focused on who the host would point to.
After what would be like an eternity, Chris was enjoying the suspense he was creating until he decided it was enough to mess around with the campers.
"Beth." Beth didn't believed at the moment she was called, but she smiled so widely that she actually jumped from her place and quickly grabbed her stick and went to go get her marshmallow as Noah discovered the reason of why he was leaving, until he saw something…
Heather was scratching her hand, as her hand was starting to become red.
Noah's eyes widened as he discovered all the puzzle pieces.
"You…" Noah said as he narrowed his eyes, earning a smirk from the queen bee while the whole group had no idea of what happened. "You know what? see if I care. Good luck because it seems I was her first victim… well played… Let's see if you can replicate this behavior with everyone from now on.
The whole screaming Gophers looked at each other, trying to understand his words, while Heather smirked and rolled her eyes. She managed to have a loyal pawn, and that was what mattered.
Noah took his things and walked to the dock of shame and stepped into the boat before leaving the place.
"I can't say I was outsmarted, but they just lost the one with brains on the team… But I swear that this is going to have a payback… you just messed with someone who actually thinks Heather… You better hope I don't have a chance to get you back, because if I do… you are going to regret ever messing with me." As the boat carried him away into the unknown, the bookworm pondered in his mind.
Chris, watching Noah leave the island, couldn't help but say to the rest of the team.
"The rest of you, enjoy your marshmallows." Chris told the remaining members of the Screaming Gophers as they started to roast their marshmallows over the fire. "You're all safe… for tonight."
(Outside of the camp)
Ezekiel finally got out from his cabin while he was using the usual shorts that he used to jump from the cliff, and now he walked towards the only thing that he never thought he would ever have an opportunity to actually get inside of: a hot tub.
He usually always saw it in the movies or even in the cartoons, and now it was the first time he was actually going to enjoy a hot tub with the other winners of the Killer Bass.
"I wanted to make almost equal like the first episode, with only a tie to make sure that we wouldn't lose badly… But who knew that, by accident, we actually won the whole challenge, and we have our own hot tub?" Ezequiel smiled, as he pondered on how the canon was screwed up because he refused to follow the example of the canon Ezekiel who was voted off by his terrible mistake… It was lucky that Eva managed to launch him, DJ and even Courtney over the cliff… It was a reason for what he should be grateful for.
"Hey Zeke, are you going to get inside of the hot tub too?" Suddenly a voice came nearby him, and it was Geoff who first called him by a nickname like that.
"Yeah, it's actually the first time I ever got inside of a hot tub, so I'm actually nervous and excited." Ezekiel couldn't help it, but he was telling the truth since he never, in both his lives, would ever get inside of a hot tub like that.
"Duuuuude, we need to make you get out more often from your farm." Geoff whistled, now knowing that it was time to show the ways of the party for the smallest boy of the island. "Well, since it's your first time, why don't you take the honors?"
"Really? Are you sure?" Ezekiel looked surprised, but seeing the big smile of the hat party boy, Ezekiel didn't think twice. "Alright."
And from going slowly, the homeschooled boy never thought he would have an experience like that, enjoying for the first time something he always saw on the television… And since the start of his first day… He never thought that he would both love and hate the experience he had today. It was a pure addiction to adrenaline with causes and consequences. One thing was from watching on television and knowing they were cartoons… Another thing was about how they live on the island and know that indeed all of this was real, and you have to survive and play the game until you become the winner.
But still… Ezekiel never felt so alive than that moment… And seeing the teams approaching him to cheer their victory with him… He can say… it was the best day of his life.
Chapter 3: Interlude 1
Chapter Text
(Outside of the camp)
The party around the hot tub was something that never showed much around the final scene of episode two of Total Drama. Ezekiel always remembered the final scene of the Screaming Gophers cheering among themselves before doing a celebration dance in front of the Killer Bass. In the end, Courtney made a vote to show her competitive side.
Normally people would think the Killer Bass would have done the same thing... But the truth was something surprisingly different. And Ezekiel was the first difference when it came to entering the inside of the hot tub.
"Okay, here I go." Ezekiel slowly went after he placed his foot inside the hot tub, and never did he feel so surprised to feel the warm water hitting him in the middle of the night. From both lives, he wasn't someone who had the luxury of diving himself into furniture like that, a product that usually would be thousands of dollars. "Ohhhh God, that was sooooo good."
Ezekiel felt the wave of bubbles around his body, and his entire body relaxed, like releasing a pressure that he never thought he had during all these years. And especially on that day.
In the next second, Courtney and Bridgette walked towards the hot tub, and one by one they went inside it, and from their reaction, they seemed equally pleased as the farm homeschooled boy.
"Ahhhhhhh." Both Bridgette and Courtney sighed in relief while Ezekiel slowly placed his head towards the water. And the trio enjoyed the good warm water around their bodies until DJ came next, which ended with the giant Jamaican finally getting a well-deserved moment with himself after a full, terrible day. "Damn, that's so good."
Ezekiel got out of the water and gave a satisfied sigh, with all his hair wet from the warm embrace of water around his body and the relaxing massage the bubbles were doing towards his being.
"Well said, DJ. This is the dream." Ezekiel remembered a good series's quotes he watched, and he couldn't agree more on saying it. The giant nearby couldn't help but nod his head. "Man, who knew today we would have a hot tub?"
DJ smiled since he remembered that he asked himself about the hot tub over the morning at the start of the show. And now it seemed that everything was so peaceful around it was a blessing in disguise. The girls remained quiet and enjoyed a good time relaxing over the sound of the hot tub doing their massage. Courtney couldn't help but be happy.
"I'm glad that this nightmare is over, and we have a good time to enjoy this until the end of the show." Courtney smiled as their prize was now being treated as a good bonus.
"Move over." Then a grumpy voice was enough to make the group look at the bulky woman, Eva, with her swimsuit, walking angrily towards the hot tub.
At the moment Courtney was going to protest, Ezekiel already gave a good space to let her pass.
"Hey Eva, over here." Ezekiel smiled as he pointed at the space in which the bulked woman angrily got inside of the hot tub. But at the moment she felt the warmth of the water and a good massage, the right position of the bulkier woman finally gave a good, well-relaxed hum...
She didn't let out a sigh of relief, but the humming of her tone, as she closed her eyes, was enough for the group to see that she was enjoying herself.
"Hey Eva, thanks again for the help. Can you believe it? We won a perfect win since we didn't have anybody quitting. While it was an accident, a misfortune managed to win us an awesome prize." Ezekiel indeed showed good positive vibes while Courtney glared at the bulker. Ezekiel noticed that and decided to help to make amends. "While I don't think Eva is going to apologize, it's better we leave this accident in the past and focus on what we did this afternoon. We worked well together."
Courtney frowned...but sighing, she accepted that it was the truth; it was a good outcome since nobody quit on the jump. And even if she despised Eva at that moment, the time Eva held the wood for, like, an hour without complaining was something admirable for someone so committed to winning, just like her.
"I hate to say it, but you are right." Courtney accepted the facts as they were; the ends justified the means on that day. "And as a member of this team, I thank you for your cooperation, Eva."
At the moment she said it, the group waited for the reaction of the built, weightier woman, who seemed to be with her eyes closed and deeply silent. It took 10 seconds, and Courtney was getting frustrated and was ready to discuss it with the bodybuilder. But then something surprised them...
"Zzzzz." The anger-problem girl, who seemed to be always mad and ready to break everything, was just sitting on the hot tub... sleeping.
"Oh." Courtney looked surprised, as DJ and Bridgette looked closer at her, who seemed to be so serious, even in sleeping, but her body seemed more relaxed.
"Wow, she must have done everything she could today, and now her body finally gave in to all the effort she made today." Bridgette noticed, as he could see, that for someone constantly using her body to hold the wood, she indeed gave 100% of herself.
"It seems so..." Courtney, from being outraged, actually smiled at that, noticing that everyone did their best on the challenge, and she even giggled from seeing that. "From seeing a fearing beast to acting like a docile, sleepy animal was something new to see."
Ezekiel also noticed Eva did the best she could to help the team win, so he also found it necessary to say.
"Have a well-deserved rest, Eva; you became the MVP of this challenge," Ezekiel said, which made the whole group in the hot tub stare at him surprised.
"MVP, you mean the most valuable player?" DJ asked, and Ezekiel smiled in response, while the group seemed uncertain if that was true.
"Well, I wouldn't agree that Eva was the most important participant in this challenge, but I can't deny that she helped us to win," Courtney said while not agreeing because of her pride, which made Ezekiel have a good idea.
"What about we make 3 MVPs of each challenge? This way we don't say which one was the best, but we can make the other 2 members also the best, which would show an appreciation of the team." Ezekiel suggested that that way it wouldn't create jealousy since it was 3, which would be the top, so that way everyone would have the same chance of being the best of the said challenges.
"Well, that's not a bad idea, actually, and since you already pointed out that Eva was one of the MVPs, we can try to decide with the group which other ones were the most valuable of the challenges today." Courtney nodded her head, since that way, it would show that she also did a good job of pointing at herself, but she didn't want to express herself like that. But also it got her another person in mind. "Like you, Ezekiel."
"What? Me?" Ezekiel blinked. He was really surprised by such a statement from the C.I.T. girl, who nodded her head, but also the group around her nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, man, you tried your best to help me to overcome my fear of heights, and it allowed Eva to push us to the safety zone." DJ pointed out, which made not just Ezekiel surprised, but also Bridgette continued.
"You also gave a very good idea of how we should organize ourselves and helped Courtney to plan for how to make the hot tub we are using now." Bridgette also made a good point.
"And to be fair, even when you finished your job, you also wanted to help everyone by carrying water and giving to each of us and supporting us," Courtney concluded, which made Ezekiel happy for them thinking so highly of him.
"Wow, I don't know what to say." Ezekiel was touched by the sincerity of his team, and knowing that even if it was a reality show, he could see that one of his most desirable objectives in life was being fulfilled: he was starting to have friends. "I dedicate this title to everyone. We won together, and because of this, we have this hot tub until the end of the show."
"So now that we have 2 MVPs, we have one spot for one more. So who do you guys think we should make the MVP?" Bridgette asked as the entire group started to ponder, but then a voice from behind her surprised everyone.
"My vote is on the princess." Duncan was listening to the entire conversation, and to the surprise of everyone, he wanted Courtney to also be MVP. He then explained. "While we have a lot of disadvantages, I saw how relieved you were when someone else offered help and you decided to accept the role as co-leader. You wanted to be a leader but also wanted people to help you out. I won't say that you aren't bossy... but from what I see, you are kind of a leader in training when you want to step down and help others behind the curtains."
"I also vote for Courtney." Ezekiel agreed before even Courtney realized that Duncan provoked her but also gave his honest opinion on how she helped the team. Even working at a terrible start, she still acted like she needed to learn how to be a leader, and she was willing to help and step down to help the others, which indeed improved the opinion of the delinquent. Ezekiel knows that she is a very competitive character, but he knows that sometimes Courtney's heart is in the right place... So Ezekiel wants her to remain like that.
Courtney remained quiet, as she was both proud of herself and also happy from the said compliment... even if it was half-hearted and annoying for a delinquent, still, it still made her happy.
"Well, I would have preferred to vote myself as MVP because of my awesome skills." Harold gloated to himself, while the entire group of boys rolled their eyes. Even Ezekiel.
"Well, if you mean doing a split while diving in a pool full of sharks and hitting crotch first, then yes, it was an amazing skill." Ezekiel decided to say, which Harold winced at, still remembering the pain. Which Ezekiel also added. "Man, I don't know if you want to have kids, but if you keep hitting yourself like that, there is no way you will have one in the future."
DJ and Geoff winced as they couldn't help but agree with the homeschooled boy.
"Or if he is a masochist and he is into that." Duncan decided to also raise another point, which made the entire group of boys stare at Harold in alarm, and the nerd blushed and grew angry in alarm.
"NO, NO, I'm not a masochist." Harold decided to defend himself. "I wasn't able to protect it, and accidents like that happen all the time."
"Yeah, but I think you should be more aware and protect that part because while you are not MVP today, we know that you can always take the hit, and you have our sympathies," Ezekiel commented as Duncan, Geoff, and DJ lowered their heads as a way to say their prayers towards the fallen soldier who was being beaten without mercy...
"AMEN." The group of boys said it, while Harold stared at them like they were a bunch of crazy people.
"Whatever, when are you guys going to leave?" Harold decided to ask impatiently, but then a groaning from the bulky woman was enough to make him shut down, like the entire group of Killer Bass.
"Shhhhhush." The group in the hot tub shushed the nerd, who nodded his head. Courtney gave a glimpse around and saw that everyone wanted to take a turn.
"Maybe we can do change in turns," Courtney suggested that it should be fair to everyone to be able to enjoy the warm hot tub.
"Yeah, but the question we should think of is, should we do it in 30 to 30 minutes or 1 hour to 1 hour?" Ezekiel asked a question that made Courtney think about it and then glanced at the group outside of the hot tub. Which was good enough to make the others look at themselves and come to a decision.
"Well, I wouldn't mind waiting for 1 hour, as long as I would also have 1 hour." Harold accepted, to which Duncan just shrugged.
"Yeah, me and Katie would enjoy a very good time enjoying 1 hour." Sadie smiled, as Katie did the same thing. Since everybody would have time to enjoy the hot tub in groups, that would be the perfect opportunity for everyone to have a great time.
"Well, but who will go to wake Eva when the one hour is over?" DJ asked, which made the entire group look at the female bodybuilder in peace with herself.
"Usually the person who asks this question would be the one who suggested himself," Ezekiel said, which made DJ gasp in fear, but Ezekiel raised his hand. "But I think for the sake of our safety and our hot tub... We should not wake her up and leave her be until she wakes up and decides to leave by herself."
The group looked at each other, and seeing that it would be for the best if they did that, they nodded their heads, satisfied with the suggestion, and DJ could finally breathe in relief. Now learning that he should be aware of what he is going to ask in the future.
"Well then, by the way, we brought some juice boxes; want to take some?" Geoff was holding a tray with his carefree nature since the entire group actually had a weight off their shoulders, and the dynamic of the entire group seemed friendlier than in the morning.
After a few rounds of juice boxes and a good time relaxing in the hot tub, the silence was comfortable, and the sunset was enough to show that sooner or later, the Screaming Gophers would suffer their first elimination, but from the time the Gophers were voting against themselves. The Killer Bass was enjoying a good time with a good topic on the first day.
"So I have something bothering me during all this morning." Ezekiel decided, since everyone was around the hot tub, the farm boy decided to be sincere in the way he wanted to know more about his team. "You all seemed disappointed to be here on this island in the first place... Didn't you know that we would be in a summer camp reality show?"
"Wait, you know?" DJ asked as he looked at Ezekiel, who nodded his head. The entire team of Killer Bass looked at him with his eyes wide open.
"Yeah, it was in the fine print of the contract." Ezekiel shrugged, which made the entire group look at him in disbelief. "I mean, heck, if you guys had watched my video presentation, you guys would be scared of how committed I was when it comes to coming to participate in this show."
"Wait..." Of all the people who interrupted Ezekiel, Courtney was the first who managed to say it. "Does the contract have fine print?"
"Yes... I mean, if sometimes I have to achieve my dreams, I have to be aware of all the contracts I'm going to sign..." Ezekiel justified, which made the entire team tilt their heads, and leaving Ezekiel gave more awareness over the group. "Let me give one example: did you know that if at the end of this season, if the winner of the show manages to be a no-winner, we are obligated to participate in season 2 automatically?"
"WAIT, WHAT?" The entire group shouted, which made Eva roar in anger while she remained asleep, which made the entire group freeze until the silence was enough to make the female sportist go back to her dreams.
"Shhhhhhh." Ezekiel shushed the entire Killer Bass team, which made them more aware to listen to him. "It was in the fine print of the possibility that if Total Drama Island became a success but at the end of the show we don't have a winner... we would go into season 2, which they are going to create almost immediately while making us participate again."
The silence answered the question of Ezekiel, which made him facepalm himself. But it wasn't a surprise for him, since it indeed would cause terrible results and outcomes later, but maybe after warning them now, it would also prepare them for what was going to happen in the future.
"Well, so that means that the more time I pass here, it means that I can pass time on probation, so when the possible season 2 is over, that means that I would be out of Juvenile, so that's an advantage for me." Duncan grinned excitedly, now knowing that if he wasn't going to win, that meant that he would try to make sure the winner would lose, so that meant more time outside of the juvie.
"So that means that independent of whether we win or not, we would have a second chance in season two and still become famous," Katie asked hopefully, which made Ezekiel nod to her, and Sadie was squeaking in happiness, which everyone was so ready to be part of the show.
"Wow, I never thought we would have a possibility like that. Was that everything on the contract?" Bridgette asked, which made the homeschooled boy nod towards her. "You are the first person who reads the entire contract."
"You must be crazy to even try your chances, even after reading the entire contract," Duncan asked ironically, but Ezekiel shrugged.
"I'm a homeschooled boy who never had a life outside of the farm, with a desperation of having friends and finding a way to make my dreams true... Like I said this morning... I'm having the time of my life here." Ezekiel, even as he looked more like a kid than a teenager, actually showed a very good perception of himself that made the entire group silent.
"Sorry to bother asking, dude, but you said fulfilling your dreams, but what is the dream you have?" Tyler asked as he approached the hot tub, and Ezekiel smiled at him.
"Well... I'm writing a few book projects... so my dream would be to publish some of them and be recognized as a good writer." Ezekiel smiled as he told the entire group that every single one of them now looked interested in the boy. "Yeah, I even have some chapters on my computer at home and a few chapters of my projects like Steven Universe, Adventure Time..." Ezekiel gave a good pause but then grinned at the next bomb, which would surprise everyone. "Courage the Cowardly Dog."
"What?" The entire group said in surprise and unison, which made Ezekiel proud of himself for making the entire group know the first taste of what would be the well-developed story he told them that morning.
"You created Courage the Cowardly Dog?" DJ became not just scared but also awestruck to have met the story he heard that morning, and the inspiring character he listened to being courageous even as the coward he would be was a story created by the same person who told him that?
"Now that you told me, it makes sense." Duncan nodded his head. "Usually I hear many horror stories, not even in my right mind or during my time in Juvenile. I heard about the curse of an Egyptian who would use locusts to kill people... Well done, kiddo."
"Oh, that's nothing... If I wanted to make you cry in sadness, I would have told the story of Courage the Cowardly Dog and the Tower of Doctor Zalost. I made my dad cry hearing that story, with both happiness and sadness at the same time." Ezekiel smiled since he knew some of the most wholesome and yet some of the saddest episodes of his favorite show, and creating them on paper would still be enough to make people feel heartfelt... he would just need to have the right music, and then everything would be perfect.
"Duuuude." Geoff said he was aware that the girls now seemed interested in hearing something about that since crazy mopping stories were something that girls usually would like, maybe even him sometimes. He isn't going to admit it in front of everyone, but he will remind himself to give it a try to read that story.
"Pfff, pass." Duncan rolled his eyes, not wanting to give a chance to hear any sobbing, ridiculous story, even if a part of him would be curious about that.
"Well, suit yourselves. For Courage, it doesn't need to be a chronological story... unless it is after he meets his most iconic villains, each of them has their uniqueness, and I know many would love to be surprised by their appearances." Ezekiel recalled how creative the ideas of Katz, Le Quaq, Fred, The Big Toe, and Cajun Fox were. Heck, some of them were even his favorites in childhood.
"That sounds interesting, Ezekiel, and did you create other stories as well just to publish?" Bridgette asked as she remembered there were two other kinds of stories that she heard coming from him. "Something about Universe and Adventure Time?"
"Yeah, Steven Universe I'm still working on the chapters, and probably I think it will be the first book I want to publish," Ezekiel replied as he understood her confusion, and to be honest with himself, he wanted so much to write all the seasons the same as the canon, but with some differences, trying to avoid some of the failed attempts of episodes that ended in backlash. "I have written 11 chapters so far, and I think that if I time my time right, I can have the whole draft of the book finished by the end of this show."
"Ohhhhhh." Katie and Sadie said in interest, as she was feeling excited to see what the book would be about, but then Ezekiel decided to change the topic.
"Well, while you guys are interested in knowing what I would do with 100 thousand dollars, I'm also interested in knowing what you guys would do with the same money." Ezekiel may have watched the whole time as the characters did such crazy challenges, and he knew what the 2 of them would do if they managed to win. Owen would throw an awesome party while his mother created a heavy, expensive buy for cheese, and Gwen would focus on her studies in college, which would have been a great idea in some cases, but he would have loved to know what would happen with them in the future.
"Well, if I win this season, I know I would pay my bail to get out from the juvenile, and if I have some money, I would buy some awesome stuff like a new house for me to have my independence." Duncan smiled proudly since he already had a good idea of what to do with his life.
"Are you for real?" Courtney asked as she looked at him in disbelief. "While I think it's reasonable for you to pay for your bail to get out from the juvenile, a house isn't cheap to afford; you would be out of money so quickly that you would need to find other ways to find money and possibly end up in juvenile again."
"Oh yeah? So what would you spend the money on, princess?" Duncan said as he smiled at seeing that the nickname he created for her irked her in ways never imagined.
"First off, stop calling me princess. Second, I would use my money as part of investing in my studies, as I would try to pay for my lawyering school, and I would also make some investments towards a good way to return and make the money work for me." Courtney said that she had plans for how she wanted to win a good part of the money, but she also noticed Ezekiel looked at her. "What?"
"Ohhh, sorry, it's just... I didn't think that you wanted to be a lawyer." Ezekiel confessed, which made her narrow her eyes at him. "It's just, we aren't here just for the money; we also wanted to have a part of fame and be famous among the public as well, and to see a contestant who was famous become a lawyer would be like..."
"A 180-degree shift?" Geoff commented, which made Ezekiel snap his fingers.
"Yeah, that." Ezekiel smiled as he clearly showed his points towards Courtney and made her realize where he was going.
"You may have a point, but to be a lawyer isn't as simple as you think. Sometimes any publicity would be good publicity, so if I worked on my studies and presented myself as the winner of this show, everyone would know that I would be a successful winner of the show but also a lawyer, and when people would try to find a lawyer and would hear my name, they would be elated that I'm both of them, and I wouldn't need to pay a lot for my publication." Courtney said as she explained her way she could use the fame in her way, which made Ezekiel open his mouth in understanding.
"Oh, so that means that if you win,. I know the first person I would call if I got in trouble." Duncan teased, which made the C.I.T. scoff while she rolled her eyes.
"Don't get over your head. When I get the case, I'm going for the win, so you better have good money to pay me, because I will not take cheap cases that would end up in failures." Courtney jokingly played, which made the others around the group look at her in surprise. Maybe it was the free stress from the day or even the hot tub, but Courtney was also more playful with her team, which was also a great time.
The group stayed in silence for a while, until DJ reflected a bit and decided to tell his dream.
"Well, the first thing I would like to do it's to take both me and Momma to visit our parents on Jamaica, since it had been always difficult for both of us to visit my family since my dad died... But also, I always have a dream about creating a franchise of restaurants and working together with my momma; her cooking is always divine, and she always does her recipes with love." DJ always has been proud of his mom; he always tried to be kind and sincere, and he wanted to make himself and his mom successful.
"Really? I think Chef needs to learn a thing or two with your momma." Tyler decided to make such a joke, which created a few chuckles around the group.
"I hope he doesn't watch the episode, because if he does, then, my friend, you are screwed when he gets you." Ezekiel knows the full capabilities of a chef, he knows how to cook well, and he is a full military veteran, so he is giving garbage to them for one simple reason... Still, it was so funny to see the jock realize his mistake when his entire face got pale. "Chef is a former military man; he has the authority of one... He is doing the hell and heaven military movies strategy... I didn't know it was a real thing here."
"Hell and Heaven?" The group questioned until Duncan realized that since he also watched a lot of movies, even horror movies, he also watched military movies to make fun of those. "Are you saying Chef is making us eat garbage so that when it comes to eating any kind of edible food, we would be more grateful and enjoy the little piece of paradise we would have before going back to hell?"
Ezekiel nodded his head, which made Duncan slap his head.
"Beep, he is good," Duncan confessed as the others understood his explanation of Duncan and realized that, yeah, Chef was playing cruel mind games, and he successfully managed to make them understand it. "So every time we have a chance of having good food, we must enjoy it as far as we can... and every time we have the opportunity to eat something we like, we are going to act more crazy and would do everything to eat good food again."
"Is that even legal?" Bridgette worried, since the idea of being tortured like that wasn't pleasing, and for her nightmare, Ezekiel landed a nail in her coffin.
"It's on the contract. It says that we have to strive to the limits of our body and mind in trying to achieve our successful prize, so they treat this as a mental challenge since the day we started this." Ezekiel pointed it out, which made Harold faint from knowing that it would be a nightmare. "So DJ, what kind of food does your mom treat as her best dish?"
The group tilted their heads at the question, but DJ felt a smile coming to his face.
"There is something my mom called the La Wakalabomba. It's..." And from the time DJ was talking, he was explaining every single detail on how he and his momma would make such a fried dish, which sounded so delicious and yet so...
"Err... DJ, not to offend you, this food looks awesome, but don't you think these dishes are so caloric?" Harold, while he could understand the ideas of the good recipes a good person like DJ would make, after hearing a lot of it, Harold would already hear his medic shouting at him for eating too much salt and spice, and possibly his body would be screaming for shutting down.
"I don't think so, Momma. Recipes are for people to grow up strong and big, just like me." DJ shrugged as he didn't bother to see what the problem was, and before someone would make fun of the idea, Ezekiel decided to also explain a point.
"And also, nobody should always go to a restaurant like that to just have all kinds of meals every single day," Ezekiel explained, noticing that was a terrible idea and how terrible people were for simply ruining DJ's dream because of their stupidity. "If the food is like that, you could eat at least once per month or once per week. Not like a routine..."
Harold hearing the explanation made him happy, and he could understand the point.
"Yeah, that would make sense. My nutritionist always told me to eat more variants of food but be aware of my blood pressure, but you are right. Well, count me in when you get your restaurant DJ. I won't be there every day, but once per month I would like to eat what kind of food the Jamaicans can do." Harold liked the idea and was already creating a good bond of friendship, even with the annoying delinquent who was just chuckling.
"Well, if it's too much for you, I just don't understand why people worry about food; it's just food. They can't kill you. Who cares?" Duncan rolled his eyes, while DJ, Geoff, and Tyler seemed chill and nodded their heads in agreement with his opinion.
"I wouldn't count on that, Duncan." Courtney, as she has been a good student and knows possibly something more than the others, decided to explain. "Sometimes people complain because of the heart failure of their family. Knowing that the probability of people having one sickness would do everything they could to shut down the establishment."
The group looked at Courtney, who just seemed to be more aware of what was and how terrible people would be. Seeing that they were looking at her, she tried to compose herself.
"What? I'm studying to become a lawyer, and I have been reading the news lately; it wouldn't be a surprise how many places were shut down from little things." Courtney scoffed as she could see her entire team looking weirdly at her.
"Is that true?" DJ asked as he looked concerned for his dreams.
"Well, it may be, but people would always try to make prejudice into their health," Ezekiel commented, which caught the attention of the group. "You can make them sign a contract saying that they are aware of how they can be aware of the risks if they don't have a healthy, balanced diet, or what would be the cause if they keep always eating without being aware of their health. And since contracts can prevent many suits from happening around. You can learn from this show about how our contracts found a way to bind us into doing whatever Chris wants around this show."
Just by that comment alone, the Killer Basses stared at each other with weird and afraid looks in their eyes.
"When you say that, you make us look like today was..." Bridgette said that she was afraid to answer the rest of her assumptions, but Ezekiel nodded to her, which she was afraid of him doing.
"Like DJ said, probably the first challenge was always the easiest one." Ezekiel pointed out that he could even describe what was written in the contract. "We are in a summer camp of a reality show, and we just jump around a cliff into a river infested with 3 sharks. Who knows what can happen in a few weeks? A dangerous adventure towards crazy and deadly animals? A fight against ourselves? Eating any kind of garbage and toxic things for their entertainment? Yep, everything was in the fine print."
The group didn't know that things would get even worse from that, as the entire group looked horrified and stared at the boy as if he was a madman.
"How did you know these things?" Sadie gulped as she was hugging her own best friend tightly, and Katie did the same thing in return.
"Well, did you guys watch the last reality show Chris did?" The group nodded at Ezekiel, who just decided to drop another bomb. "Even after the person who hurt herself in the head and got immunity over a week didn't win the reality show. So what makes us think that it was a good idea for us to be hurt at all? Or should we hope for the best and be prepared for the worst when the time comes?"
The entire group remained in silence, knowing that it was indeed a hard pill to swallow, knowing that now it's a different type of life by playing the reality show.
But after that, every single one of the group decided to relax and enjoy their party over the hot tub and drink their juice boxes, but now with new thoughts in mind.
"So what about you, Bridgette?" Geoff asked the surfer on the team about her point of view. "What would you do if you got the 100 grant of money?"
"Well, nothing much. A good part of it I would invest in helping the NGOs of sea creature protectors. Since a good part of the sea creatures are on the verge of extinction, like sea turtles, sharks, and even the dolphins." Bridgette commented, and a good part of the group nodded their heads to agree with the surfer.
"Well, it's very honorable. But adult dolphins get what they deserve. They had it coming." Ezekiel thought to himself he would never let it go about how bastardly the dolphins can be against their species. A lesson that he will never forget from WTF 101. "But I think I should let Bridgette live her dream... I wouldn't like to see one species I spent years helping doing some crazy, terrible things like killing their babies. It was messed up. Maybe I should tell them when it comes to eating challenges, boys vs. girls. If DJ heard the truth about dolphins, he would eat them without thinking twice."
(Confession, Courtney)
"And from that point, every single one of us started to share our ideas on what to do with our prize money. From investing in the future like DJ, Ezekiel, and I to people who need the money for a good cause like Duncan, who wants to pay for parole to be free; Bridgette, who wants to help the sea creatures; and surprisingly even Tyler, who told us that he wants to use the prize money to pay for the physical education equipment of a school where his father works. And for people who just want to spend all their money without control. Like Katie and Sadie say, both of them would pay for fancy purses and even a sports car... which wouldn't be enough money for them to afford such a thing. And even to Geoff, who wants to expand the money into a huge party. Harold said he would use the money to invest in advertising his skills, but I still didn't see anything. So I would like to pay good money to see what he was indeed capable of doing." Courtney commented politely but also rolled her eyes when she pointed out the idea of the party boy of the team. "It was a good way to learn and develop teamwork in the future. And to be honest, Ezekiel may be right about us trying to enjoy this show to develop our friendships."
"Alright, time is over; now give us some room to have the hot tub." Duncan talked after he went to check what time it was.
"One hour already? Wow, time flies." DJ commented as he got up and took a towel to clean himself.
"I agreed. But I have to confess I felt lighter after a hard day of work." Courtney confessed as she was the next to get out of the hot tub.
Bridgette and Ezekiel came next as Duncan went inside of the tube, just to enjoy himself, and the groaning of pleasure he had by the whole day was enough to make him relax and let his body finally take a rest.
"Man, that's life," Duncan said as he saw the reason why Eva was so happy to slip into the relaxing water massage. He also would have slept if it wasn't for the fact the others were also there.
Harold went next, as he sat nearby Eva. Since she was mostly docile from being asleep in the hot tub, he felt it was safe in that place, but he also loved the rush of danger... that's what he usually said to himself.
Katie and Sadie went together as the duo giggled between themselves. They loved the reward, as everything seemed to be so perfect for them; they were now together as they were supposed to be, and the space inside of the hot tub was almost full.
Tyler felt uncomfortable as he got inside, and now that the rest of the team of Killer Bass was inside the hot tub, since nobody would want to wake up Eva, the group tried to enjoy their own time there like their teammates.
And that has been their way to develop their friendship, by talking and enjoying their relaxing in bubbles with hot water.
Until they watched the other team passing by, the Screaming Gophers returned from their first process of elimination and made them come back to their cabins over the shameful defeat day.
Ezekiel glanced, remembering exactly how the first episode of the show ended. Leshawna, who would have done the victory dancing that made Owen and Noah follow her example, probably rubbed salt into the wound of the Killer Bass, and Courtney swore that she would win the entire show. Now it ended completely the opposite. The entire team of Killer Bass watched the Screaming Gophers walk toward their cabins in silence and without the desire to talk to anyone.
Neither of them opened their mouths since they didn't want to make themselves a new target. But also it would keep in mind that someday, it would be their turn to come back to their cabins in defeat. Which was still a hard pill to swallow, so with that in mind, they made the most of the night more normal, and their conversation about their lives would be resumed for another hour to exchange places... Until the whole group got tired and decided to get up for their beds... How?
Eva was the first one who just got out of the hot tub, which made most of the members jump from her sudden awakening. Eva by getting up. Her skin was so wrinkled that her body seemed to be like a retired bodybuilder, but surprisingly for them, she didn't seem to be angry or stressed. She just got up from the hot tub and calmly looked at the other members of her team in the hot tub.
"I'm going to bed." Just like that, Eva didn't say much, but from the tone of her voice, she looked relaxed and ready to sleep more.
"Wow, it's already this late?" Geoff suddenly stretched himself; he looked in the sky as the entire place was followed by the beauty of the night, filled with stars. "It must be 2 a.m. or something."
"How would you know that?" Tyler said he could also feel tired around the place, but it was so relaxing that he wouldn't mind staying for a few more minutes.
Geoff shrugged in response to the jock, who then sniffed before both again went back to relax. The remaining Bass relaxed until every single one of them stared towards the sky, which, even on the worst first day of many... that victory had a good taste and a good show of the stars around the sky...
"Wow, they are beautiful," Bridgette said as she was awestruck by seeing the beauty of nature. Not noticing that she was near the party boy who just bumped into her. "Oops, sorry."
"That's fine... I have to say, this would beat any show any time... maybe a good party under the stars would also be awesome. Not much light, good music, and everyone having fun by seeing the sky like that."
"Stars, they are shiny. They glitter in the night sky. Like really shiny diamonds. Shining upon the future." Harold whispered to himself as he developed a haiku from observing something like the beauty of nature. But he didn't notice that Ezekiel and Tyler were also listening to him.
"Woah, that's so deep," Tyler commented, surprised by seeing someone saying something complicated and yet sounding like poetry.
"Man, did you do it on the spot?" Ezekiel watched many shows from his former life and even had good movies that taught him amazing lessons, but seeing Harold say a Japanese poem on the spot was something that showed another talent Harold had around the show.
"Yep, I like writing haikus; they are a good way to show the wisdom and the philosophical side of each of us." The nerd replied as he sniffed, before once again glancing at the sky. "Sometimes nature itself is the inspiration and the muse for each of us."
Ezekiel remained quiet... as he liked Harold on the show, it was the first time he saw him being more... human, not like he knew, but something he learned from himself now... maybe that's the difference between watching the show and living it.
Neither of them remembered when they went to their beds on their bunks. But after a long period and a lot of adrenaline in their system. It seems that the Killer Bass team went into their peace of dreams, knowing that they would have a few days before the next challenge.
As a good time of the morning, even before the sun rises in the sky. It was clear that the internal clock of some campers was able to hit on that morning. People who passed most of the time waking up before the sun rose had a routine. Some have the decision to remain in bed and try to sleep for a few more hours, to enjoy their time of freedom without dealing with worries of the future.
But also someone who just woke up and found that it was indeed a good time for him to be alone in the morning.
Ezekiel lived on a farm with his parents, and he learned a lot about waking up a time before the sun rose to the sky. And for that time, the homeschooled boy decided to take something that he would usually do when nobody would be around.
It was one of the heaviest things that he had to carry away from home, but it was something that he knew that he should always have in case he would want time for himself. A good typewriter that he has been using since his mom decided to buy it for a good decoration inside her house. But with time the internet wasn't that very good, and computers were still having problems with a good text program. Ezekiel found that a good classic sometimes was the best thing he could come up with when he wrote his own story.
Knowing that the typing sounds and the dings around the way he would write would disturb the sleep of everyone around him. He decided to carry the same heavy typewriter with him until he was a bit away from both cabins.
And with the time to place himself to sit on the floor and having the typewriter in front of him, Ezekiel finally could see how silently peaceful the camp was on the said morning.
How the smell of the air and the nature around him were something that he could even enjoy as experience and inspiration for what he was going to write in the future. With solitude, a good time for himself, and a good distance to not disturb anyone. Ezekiel placed the paper on his typewriter and now finally could enjoy his time for himself.
"Alright, chapter 12—Giant Woman." Ezekiel smiled as he recalled one of his favorite episodes of Steven Universe and how one of his favorite fusions ever was made. "Around Beach City, around a great time around the white sand, a good time for a perfect game between strategy and also a good fun of creativity. Pearl and Amethyst are enjoying a good time playing chess while having to deal with one difficult obstacle obstructing their strategies. A water balloon launched by Steven."
As a good time for writing around by himself, Ezekiel was doing his best to remain most of being faithful to the episodes he watched since he recalled them from the memories. While he still struggles in some parts of the dialogue, he usually hopes that it was exactly what happened around the actual events happening in the same book he was writing.
At the time Bridgette felt a good time relaxing, but the part of her own back was starting to hurt since the bed bunker she was using was making her uncomfortable to sleep, which would take a few days to get used to.
So when she felt that she couldn't take more sleep. She decided to see that it was time for her to look around and see the camping and possibly see if somehow she would be able to clean a part of the beach. That was the first thing she thought would put her mind at ease.
At the time she decided to leave, she noticed the sound of a ding, which made her ears. It wasn't loud, but she could recognize such a familiar sound from somewhere. So she looked around, and then, to her surprise, she found the same winter green hat of someone who seemed to be having a great time typing on what would possibly be a typewriter, which made her look surprised that he was able to bring one with him in the first place.
She slowly approached and tried to stay away from his line of vision, since she was trying not to be spotted by what the brown-haired boy was doing at the moment, since he was in his zone of writing in the first place. From seeing a few papers on the floor, which surface would guess that they were pages for what would be one of his works? She couldn't help but be curious.
She stealthily went a bit far behind him and decided to go into a nearby tree. And she couldn't help but be surprised by something she didn't expect to witness at that moment.
"Steven got excited as he was above the goat, which he named Steven Junior, and seeing that the girls were tempted, maybe it would need time for their fusion... Steven decided to sing the song". Ezekiel felt the buzzer hit and had the time he needed to place the paper to write the lyrics of the song. "~All I want to do is see you turn into a giant woman. (A giant woman!) All I want to be is someone who gets to see a giant woman."
Bridgette then looked surprised that Ezekiel started singing the lyrics of a song, which she couldn't help but be interested in. What was the book he was writing about? She recalled him naming the work Steven Something, and now he was even placing lyrics of a song? And it was indeed creative; now that she was seeing firsthand, the homeschooled boy was singing for himself.
"~All I want to do is help you turn into a giant woman. (A giant woman!) All I want to be is someone who gets to see a giant woman." Ezekiel smiled as he kept writing the lyrics and still had a good time imagining what it was exactly like in the show. "Walking around every single part of the tower and the adventure, Steven kept singing to his friends about the idea of them working together. ~Oh, I know it'll be great, and I just can't wait! To see the person you are together with. If you give it a chance, you could do a huge dance! Because you are a giant woman."
Bridgette approached to learn more about the song, and she couldn't be helped as the singing was catchy, even if it was something silly and the voice didn't fit right; somehow everyone could sing the song right. She could imagine a kid singing this song, and it would be perfect.
"~You might even like being together. And if you don't, it won't be forever. But if it were me, I'd really want to be a giant woman. (A giant woman!)" Ezekiel smiled as the time he was finishing the song he decided to finish it exactly like the episode went. "~All I want to do is see you turn into a giant woman. BAHHHHHHHH! As Steven finished singing, he was suddenly interrupted by his adoptive son, Goat Steven Junior, who just wanted to give a climax to the song. Alright, a glass of water break would look nice now."
Stretching himself, Ezekiel decided to organize the pages of his work before leaving the typewriter on the grass. Bridgette seemed to be content to discover more about the process of creative writing about one of her teammates.
And when she thought she was alone around there, she noticed the sound of someone leaving the bushes, which made the blond surfer look surprised. A person she didn't expect to be awake on that morning. A goth who seemed to be also surprised by spotting someone who was doing the same thing as her. At the time, they both looked at each other.
"Err..." Bridgette tried to find the right words for what she was going to call the girl who was at the same place as her.
"Gwen." The goth girl replied as she noticed that the blond surfer tried to remember her name. "And you are Bridgette."
"Yeah, but I mean I want to ask, what are you doing around this morning?" Bridgette even knows that she doesn't remember the name of the other contestant. She was more curious about what she was thinking.
"If you mean watching one of your team members writing something on his typewriter, then yes, I was. And it seems so are you." Gwen stated as she pointed at the blonde who seemed to scratch her arm and look away.
"Well, yeah, I was more trying to look around here, but Ezekiel seemed to be writing another of his works," Bridgette commented as she saw the look on Gwen's face. "He wants to use the prize money to publish his work."
"Well, I'm surprised," Gwen commented in a tone that the surfer didn't know if she was being honest or sarcastic. "He seemed to be very expressive in doing his chapter of Steven Universe."
"Yeah, that's the name." Bridgette snapped her fingers now that she remembered the name of the work until she looked in the face of the goth before she coughed in her hand and allowed Gwen to talk. "Please, continue. How far did he go?"
"Well, he just talked about the characters until now: Pearl, Amethyst, Garnet, and the one who seems to be the main character, Steven." Gween started to tell the most basic info of how the chapter started and the possible mission to take the battles of earth and the sky. "To be honest, Pearl looks like a prickly and uptight girl, while Amethyst looks like a rebellious teenage girl. I still don't know much about Garnet, and it seems that she is not going to appear until the end, but Steven is like... a kid of 7 years old."
"Wow, you got all of this in just the explanation of this chapter?" Bridgette asked as she could see the look of a bit of shame towards the goth girl.
"Well, it's not like I have anything better to do today. I had my bed broken yesterday, and I couldn't sleep well, so I was here trying to relax, and the loud narrating and typing from the kid has me intrigued. Also, I was bored." Gwen shrugged, and she had to confess that it was nice to have some entertainment. "Yesterday was insufferable, so having something to distract me was a good thing to adapt around here."
Bridgette looked at Gwen, and she couldn't help but smile sheepishly as the reason why she kept listening while writing the chapter was because she was curious about how Ezekiel did his work.
"Well, I was having a problem with sleeping, so I wanted to try to clean the beach a bit, and seeing Zeke doing his work alone got me curious, since yesterday he told us one of the stories he told us yesterday. He said he wanted to publish this story in a book, and now that I'm listening to him sing, I'm hooked and want to know what the book will be about." Bridgette had to confess that the story of Courage the Cowardly Dog can be nice but something she wouldn't want to read anytime soon, but seeing Ezekiel also telling that he has other works. It made her think that if in the future Ezekiel published some of his works, she would be interested in reading them if the book was good.
"So you also are curious about Opal," Gwen asked as she could see the confusion on the surfer's face after mentioning the name. "The giant woman."
"Oh, that's her name? Wow, all their names are after a type of crystal..." Bridgette commented that she was surprised to see the pattern.
"More like gems, but they named their team the Crystal Gems, so yeah." Gwen agreed with the blond bombshell, and they were about to talk more until suddenly they heard footsteps and decided to hide.
"Alright, let's come back to the action." Ezekiel cracked his fingers as he decided to keep writing his work, not knowing that he was being watched all the time.
What usually took a few more minutes later became one hour.
"And Steven was finally there, waiting for exactly that moment when Pearl and Amethyst were ready to fuse..." Ezekiel was writing his chapter when suddenly he started to see the door being opened from the Screaming Gophers' side, which made Ezekiel stop his work. And give a sigh and a stretch of his arms. "Well, I think it was the right time to stop."
Gween and Bridgette were listening closely for the moment they were curious about, the fusion of two gems to become Opal, and how it would fit their imaginations. Just for them to get dragged to reality to see them being unable to listen to the rest.
"OH CO...Hmmmmm." Bridgette was about to shout her disbelief, but Gwen quickly placed her hand over the surfboard's mouth. They both tried to hide away from the unaware homeschooled boy who seemed to be walking towards the duo of campers.
And from seeing the person getting out, it was the guitarist from the boys' side, Trent, who was followed by the geekster Cody. The girls now know that they will have to wait for another opportunity to know what will happen next.
"Hey, dude, how long have you been awake? Do you need some help with carrying that?" Trent asked curiously, as he could see the rival team member carrying a typewriter at that moment.
"Nah, I'm fine, eh," Ezekiel shrugged as he was already used to the weight of his typewriter. But she smiled at the gentle way Trent tried to help some stranger. "But thanks for the offer anyway."
"Wow, I never thought I would see one of these. Why are you holding a typewriter, dude?" Cody asked as he pressed some keys over the writing machine, and the sound was indeed addicting as well. When the bell was heard, Cody was really happy to hear such noise. "Awesome."
"Yep, it is. It's from my family. I use it to write to pass the time. I always wake up early, so since I have nothing to do, I just write something to pass the time." Ezekiel explained, as the duo seemed great, just like the first season... well, even if they had a few flaws. But still, they were great guys... well, are, since the future hasn't happened yet.
"Awesome. What do you usually write, dude?" Trent smiled as he followed Ezekiel as he headed towards the cabin of the Killer Bass.
"Well, I have some work; usually I work in a bit of fiction. But my friends on the Killer Bass all know one of my projects... I can tell you later. I need to place this inside quietly; I don't want to wake up the others." Ezekiel warned the duo of boys as he slowly tiptoed inside, leaving the boys alone but okay with the hat boy walking inside the cabin.
Cody slowly turned around and saw the duo of girls, Bridgette and Gwen, walking towards their cabins, and while their faces looked nothing more than frustrated, they still ignored the warnings and decided to pose and try to be chill.
"Hey babes, did you girls sleep well? Because I think I'm UGHHHH WOA." Cody pointed both his hands like two guns as he tried to see if his hookup line would go well, but he was interrupted as the duo of girls took both his shoulders, and working together, they launched him away from the cabin. "AHHHHHHHH."
And just like that, Cody found himself eating dust once more.
Trent saw the look of anger from both girls and decided to take a step back. Which made both girls walk away from the cabins and go around to explore the communal bathroom together.
"So close..." Bridgette mumbled as she knew that now she would have to wait until Ezekiel told her when the chapter was done so that she could read from the beginning. "I'm still curious about what kind of dance it would be."
"Well, I haven't felt this frustrated since I was watching the ending of my favorite movie, and my young brother gave me the spoiler in the middle of the cinema," Gwen sighed, which made Bridgette look at her in sympathy.
"Oof, sorry your brother had to destroy the movie for you." The surfer commented, but she was surprised that the goth girl was shaking her head.
"No, that's fine. I was frustrated that the ending of the movie was horrible, so my brother saved my time. Worst ending ever. But still, I was frustrated by the expectation I had to wait until my brother told me the ending." Gwen accepted that she now was in the same way as she felt from that time. "I just hope to not be disappointed."
"With Ezekiel? Nah, I think he will nail it. Since you were listening from the beginning, what did you think so far?" The surfer asked as they decided to keep developing the great friendship between rival teams.
At the side of the boys. Trent was aware that those girls were red flags, and it was a terrible idea to have any kind of interaction between them at that moment.
"Ugh..." Cody groaned as he felt his face bruised, and he even spat some dirt away from his tongue.
Trent was about to help his comrade when he heard the door opening. Finding Ezekiel getting out of his cabin with careful walking.
"Alright, I think I'm ready to go." Ezekiel smiled at Screaming Gopher members until he looked at Cody, who was still having difficulty getting up. "What happened?"
"I don't know. It was just two girls who looked frustrated, and Cody greeted them... but they looked really angry. So they launched him." Trent gave a summary to Ezekiel, who seemed to be even more intrigued.
"I just don't know what happened. I just said, If they have slept well, I was going to try a hookup line." Cody scratched the back of his head as he cleaned up the dust off his face.
"You should let it flow naturally, dude," Trent explained as he could see that the girls at that moment didn't seem interested. "Also, the girls looked very angry this morning. So, good advice: if you see a girl with that face, the best thing you should do is give her a good space."
Ezekiel placed the finger on his chin as he tried to imagine who would be the duo who seemed to be angry towards the geekster Cody... While the first obvious answer would be Gwen, what intrigued him was the second person who seemed angry at that moment.
"Probably Heather. I wouldn't be surprised if Heather already made Gwen and Leshawna enemies this quickly." Ezekiel thought as he could see the duo having a huge discussion and then proceeding to almost beat the crap out of each other, and when Cody tried to see if he could have any luck with any of them, they both teamed up to make him eat the dust... literally. "If from all my experience watching the first season was... Heather would make sure that everyone is angry with her."
That was the most logical answer; however, he had no idea that his theory was wrong all the time.
(Main Lodge)
The breakfast happening around the main lodge once again showed that the chef didn't care about the opinions of the campers, since what he said was true: what they were going to eat was some kind of a combination of porridge with beans and even a little cracker to make sure there would be at least some crunchy texture.
Needless to say, nobody was satisfied with such a bad breakfast in the morning, but the decision was to simply accept eating Chef's food or starve to death. Which was so tempting at that moment.
After eating, the groups finally had the time to enjoy their time looking around the camp and even the island.
Ezekiel, Tyler, and Harold decided to walk around the camp.
"And that's how I managed to break 4 bones over my leg." Tyler finished his story, and at the same time, both Ezekiel and Harold looked at the jock in disbelief.
"Are you telling me that you simply broke your leg just because you went to the bank?" Harold didn't know how such a thing was possible, but someone must be very unlucky to manage to do something crazy like that.
"I mean, no offense, Tyler, you looked clumsy, but to manage to fall 10 floors of stairs just because you went to take a coffee in the waiting line? I think that's a whole new level of clumsiness." Ezekiel agreed with Harold as they both heard Tyler laugh at their reaction.
"Yeah, I think it's something genetic; my grandpa and my mother had the same clumsiness. And somehow we always ended up escalating incidents like that to us. But I think that's how we got so strong towards the pain." Tyler was even labeled as clumsy. He always found positivity around the time he lived, so he found a good way to describe his positive energy and get ready for the next time when something like that happens again. "And that's not even the craziest one that happened to my family. I'm still trying to figure out how my grandpa managed to take down 3 airplanes while he was in the bathroom inside of one."
"Really?" Both Harold and Ezekiel commented as they found themselves even more interested in hearing the crazy things happening around that family.
"Yeah, from what I remember, he just took a WOAHHHH." Tyler was happy to explain the story until he fell towards a hole, which made the duo jump away from him. And when they saw Tyler hitting one floor, just for them to roll towards the next floor, and then in sequence it was for the next 5 floors. Every single time Tyler felt, both Harold and Ezekiel cringed from imagining the pain the jock must be suffering at that moment. The silence was there for a few seconds until they finally heard a response. "I'm okay, but guys, you must check this out. There is a cave over here..."
(Outside Camp)
"Ahhhh, another day in this hot tub. Man, I'm never going to get tired of this." Geoff stretched his arms as he felt the good and relaxing vibes from the massage he was receiving from the same object the whole team built.
"You said it, man." DJ also was enjoying the good time, as the duo seemed to pass around and get a good time to talk over the team. Until the duo suddenly saw Katie and Sadie running towards them.
"Guys, you have to see this. Tyler fell into a cave, and they are calling everyone from the Killer Bass to come quickly." Katie said as she looked animated, which made both the hat party boy and the good Jamaican boy stare at each other and follow their curiosity.
"What about the others?" Geoff asked as he followed the girls...
"They are already there; now let's go." Sadie commented as the group followed her and Katie towards the holes covered with branches and leaves. Without thinking twice, the chubby camper took the branches and leaves carefully while making the hole be shown to the group. "From what they said, it must be here."
Katie was the first to carefully go down there, jumping the lower levels, and next came Sadie, who was struggling to not hurt herself from the fall, followed by DJ and Geoff, who did their best to make sure that they would land without hitting their faces.
(?)
By the time the quarter managed to walk around the cave, they finally got to see the whole group waiting for them, as the view of the cave itself showed a good space and had a natural beauty that most of the caves would have, without any animals to disturb them.
"Oh great, you all are here," Courtney commented as she finally clapped her hands to take the attention of the others around. "Alright everyone, it seems that Chris was serious when he said the crew placed a camera around every single corner of the island because there is a camera on that angle as well. So that means that this place is alright for us to be here."
"Yeah, but the point is, why are we here anyway, princess?" Duncan rolled his eyes as he took his trusted knife and decided to clean his fingernails with it.
"I'm already going there, and stop calling me that." Courtney rolled her eyes, as she was getting annoyed from the same banter with Duncan over and over again. "From the time we were eating yesterday, it seems that our conversation could be heard by the other team. So we needed to have a place on our own to debate future team strategies or even find a way to be away from the island and just have time for ourselves around the island."
"So this place is the spot we are going to use for that?" Tyler commented as he was still stretching his body since he was still sore from falling over the hole. "Well, I'm glad to help, but aren't you a bit excessive when it comes to it?"
"Aaaaand done," Ezekiel said as he finally placed the last nail with a hammer, which made the group then look towards him and Harrold, who seemed to be placing the flag of Killer Bass and ignoring their conversation. "What do you think of Harrold?"
"Awesome, I couldn't find a better place to do it." The nerd smiled proudly as he could see the cave now belonged to the Killer Bass, placed in the center of the wall. "I've got an awesome name for this place."
"Hey, are you guys listening?" Courtney called the attention of both of them, which made both Ezekiel and Harold nod their heads towards her. Before finishing their final touches.
"I hereby nominate this place to the aquarium." Harold, by placing his hand on his chest, declared as he placed the final nail towards the center of the flag, which he accidentally hit his tomb with the hammer. "OUCH."
"Seriously? The aquarium." Eva commented as she walked near the duo, which made both of them stiffen, but after looking behind their backs, Eva's usual scorn was replaced by an unamused face.
"Oh hey, Eva, wow, you look... calm today?" Ezekiel asked as he never thought to see the usual bodybuilder girl looking unamused but like someone far more tolerable in the morning.
"Had a good night of sleep. Now, I want to know what the point of us being around here is, anyway." Eva asked, but the fact that she wasn't using her angry tone but a more relaxed tone made Ezekiel see firsthand that she was peaceful. "Also, a good hot tub massage was anything I liked in the mornings, so I had a refresh before doing my exercises."
"Ohhh," Both Ezekiel and Harold commented, as the duo seemed to be happy to see what would be the angriest member of their group more tolerable; it was something that Ezekiel never thought he would see in the whole show.
"Well, since we are the Killer Bass, I think having our place called the aquarium just for us to hang out would be the best name for the place." Harold felt proud as he commented on the strategy and then pointed out what he was thinking.
"So more like a secret base then," Ezekiel confirmed the idea of the nerd, who seemed to smile widely at the idea.
"Well, this place has a lot of space... and the silence is very welcoming. If I do my workout here with my MP3, I think I would enjoy passing the time around here." Eva seemed to be interested in the idea, which made both of them look surprised.
"Well, nice to know that you are already warming up to the idea of this being our base, Eva, but we still need to discuss a few more details." Courtney, already annoyed at being ignored by the group, decided to approach and talk directly with the boys. So she decided to take both boys by their arms and dragged them both to the center circle of the group before taking the lead of the conversation once again. "Well, alright, team, let's start developing future strategies to make sure we win the next challenge."
Courtney was happy that now that everything was happening, and since they found a good plan to finally talk as a team, she was ready to take the leadership...
"Okay, hold on. Who decided to put you as a leader of this team?" Duncan, as the batter of her existence, once again decided to be against her decision to take the leadership. "While I appreciate you helping yesterday, princess, you still didn't show you what you have to take the lead of this team."
"Oh, so who do you think would be the best to lead the team then?" Courtney already was feeling annoyed at the delinquent being against everything she proposed; she asked as she crossed her arms.
"Well, what we need is someone who knows the ins and outs of playing the rules. So that's how I came. I can lead this team easily." Duncan grinned, but as Harold was about to be against it, he received a glare from Duncan, who made him cower and step back. "And also, a good intimidation helps to make the team on the trails when they decide to do something stupid."
"Guys, I think it would be the best if..." Bridgette tried to intervene but was interrupted by both the delinquent and the C.I.T. arguing with himself.
"You? Ha, don't make me laugh. I prefer to die than be led by you." Courtney said as she approached the delinquent.
"Guys, maybe you should stop." Tyler tried to interrupt but was kicked in the nuts by Courtney, who seemed to want so much blood from the delinquent.
"Oh, that can be arranged." Duncan narrowed his eyes as he was ready to strangle the girl for being annoying since the first day.
"STOP. STOP, ALRIGHT?" The duo suddenly froze when they could see that it was the homeschooled boy who was shouting and making both of them stop. As the rest of Killer Bass seemed unaware of what to do, it made Ezekiel already know how much the drama would go, and it was the second day of the show, and not the second episode. "This team doesn't need a leader, don't you guys see? While a leader would be a good idea to help... What is the point of a leader without actually having the full cooperation of his team? Don't you guys see how well we did yesterday? We need to work as a team and not individually."
Courtney glared at Duncan, and the feeling could be said to be the same for the delinquent, but then both of them looked at the hat boy with one thought in their minds.
"So what do you propose?" Both Courtney and Duncan asked Ezekiel, who finally sighed.
"Since both of you want to take leadership, why don't you both have a council of three?" Ezekiel asked, which made both of them blink before waiting for him to continue. "Since Courtney wants to take responsibility, she can represent the girl's cabin, while Duncan can take responsibility for the boy's cabin. Now, it may sound crazy, but for the third person, you would need someone to be the voice of reason and make both of you work together and maintain the focus on one thing. Working together as a whole."
The duo looked at each other as the whole cave was in silence, which made the whole group of Killer Bass stare at the homeschooled boy, who seemed to be satisfied to make the fight not happen, so he closed his eyes to appreciate the silence for a second...
"You." Both Duncan and Courtney commented without waiting for a second, which made Ezekiel stare at them incredulously.
"Are you crazy? Being between you both every time you discuss is not healthy; there is no way I w..." Ezekiel was just there to help the group; he didn't think of himself as a leader, especially having a lot of responsibilities dealing with the Total Drama show. He just wanted to participate and enjoy his time making friends.
"Sorry, shrimp, but you offered the idea, so whoever offers it means that it's suggesting himself. Juvenile's rules." Duncan said as he was pleased to see the pale face of Ezekiel looking at him.
"Are you crazy? For being a council, we would also need to elaborate on meetings and discuss teams every single time. I would like to end..." Ezekiel tried to come up with excuses to make himself not worth it, especially about all the work the trio would have to come up with to deal with such game plans... but seeing the face of Courtney smiling evilly didn't reassure him at all.
"That's also a great idea, Zeke. I will be glad to suggest a schedule, and that way we can work together." Courtney went for the kill as she also looked at the whole team, who seemed to be interested in knowing how it would go. "I make a motion for Ezekiel to also be a third party for the council to decide the plans and rules of the team. Who is in favor?"
Ezekiel noticed the group smiling, and he simply shook his head, almost begging for them to...
"AYE." Geoff, Eva, Bridgette, Harold, DJ, Katie, Sadie, Tyler, and even Duncan shouted with glee, which made Courtney cough into her hand and be professional.
"Who is the opposite?" Courtney had to be fair when it came to decisions like that, and seeing the homeschooled boy affronted made her day.
"YOU GUYS SUCK," Ezekiel shouted, which the whole team took as a good victory for them.
(Screaming Goophers Boy's cabin)
"WOOHOOOOOO." Owen smiled as he clapped at Trent, who just managed to finish giving his last chord on the guitar. "You rocked, Trent."
"If you say so, big guy." Trent smiled, happy that he could be passing a good day relaxing after their defeat from the day before.
As the duo managed to continue to pass the time to relax, suddenly they heard someone being launched from the door, which made both Owen and Trent cringe. A geekster who seemed to have his face on the floor of the boy's cabin.
"Are you okay, Cody?" Owen quickly went near the little geek, who was still with his head spinning.
"I'm alright; I just got surprised to know that Lindsay has a really strong throw." Cody tried to joke, but he winced in pain as his face seemed to be fully bruised.
"Bro, you need to stop trying to make the girls throw things at you." Trent decided to step in, for the sake of helping the boy who was still doing his tries on the girls.
"I just don't know what I am doing wrong. I'm training hookup lines, trying to be cool, and even sniffed their hair just once." Cody lamented, but suddenly he noticed that both boys were looking weirdly at him. "What?"
"Dude, I know I'm not a romance expert, but even I know that it's creepy when someone goes sniffing the hair of someone... especially if it doesn't have food in it." Owen was the first one to explain that the attitude of the geek was wrong.
"Yeah, Cody, I think you should stop trying to be... what was the word again?" Trent tried to find a polite way to not call Cody a stalker, which could be a terrible way to view the poor boy who was trying to look for affection.
"Intrusive?" Owen doesn't even know where he took that word from, but he remembered the time his mom tried to tell him not to be too intrusive into the neighbor's fridge.
"Yeah, that one." Trent snapped his fingers as he was pleased to know that he did it in a way not to make Cody look bad or feel bad for himself. "Listen to me, Cody, to make the girls interested in you, you should be yourself. And not try to go after them all the time; you must let things happen naturally. Trust me, Cody, the moment you show your true self and let things happen naturally, you will find the right girl, who will be interested in you."
"Do you think so?" Cody asked as he gave himself high hopes before sighing and deciding to go to his bed. "Man, I'm just making a fool of myself. I tried to go after the girls of the Killer Bass cabin, but it seemed that the place was empty."
"Really?" Owen asked as he noticed from the outside there wasn't even the slightest signal of the opposite team. "Now that you said it, I can't see anyone from the other cabin."
"Do you think something happened to them?" Trent asked, as he saw something else missing, what would be the winning prize from the challenge of the day prior? "Hey, did you notice that their hot tubs were also missing?"
"Really?" Both Cody and Owen asked if they could see something missing too. Which made the trio of Screaming Gophers wonder. "Where did they all go?"
(Aquarium of Killer Bass)
"ALRIGHT, CAREFUL, CAREFUL," Eva commanded as the whole group of Killer Bass seemed to be working together to stop another floor with the awfully heavy hot tub. It seemed to be needing the whole team working together, and having Eva and DJ as the main pillars of strength to make sure that it wouldn't hit hard on the floor and possibly break it.
"My hand is numb; I can't feel it," Harold shouted as he was feeling his strength diminishing, but he then felt a kick on his butt, which made him go straight.
"Keep holding, or I will make sure you will not feel anything under your belt." Duncan narrowed his eyes, as he was sweating from how heavy the prize was. Needless to say, he now understood why the carriages helped them to carry the crates and with the crates to share the weight because it was too heavy for them.
"Almost there," Courtney instructed until the whole team managed to land the prize they worked so hard to build, and with that, everyone smiled as it was untouched. "Alright, perfect."
"WOHOOOOO." Geoff was the first person who decided to jump inside of the hot tub to make sure that everything was nice. And from the warm water, he finally could once again enjoy the massage he needed in the morning. "Man, there's nothing better than this prize."
"Give me some space." Eva also was the next to get inside of the hot tub, and with that, she felt the relaxing bubbles around her body, leaving her happy to have another relaxing method to do after a good workout.
And with that, the Killer Bass found their favorite spot from the show... which they would need a lot from for the rest of the season. It was a good first day of relaxing...
Until the next challenge comes up in 2 days. Ezekiel looked outside of the cave, thinking how brutal Wakemarathon would be... and he hoped to be ready for whatever was coming next.
Chapter 4: Awake-a-thon
Chapter Text
"Last time on Total Drama Island." The camera turns on to show Chris standing on the dock going over a review happening on the show on the last episode." 22 campers arrived and learned they'll spend the next eight weeks at a crusty old summer camp. The campers were faced with their first challenge: jumping off a cliff into shark-infested waters. And while one of the teams, with a little hesitation, managed to do a perfect victory, a member of the other team was forced to wear the dreaded chicken hat and, with that, gave the advantage to the other group. Friendships and alliances were made, and Noah learned that he should be careful with his own words because by being sabotaged by his own team, he managed to bring the safety of Beth, and with that, he laid the foundations of her loyalty to the woman who made him leave the show. And with that learning that being the smartest boy without good teamwork would make him bye-bye on the dock of shame. Who will be voted off this week in the most dramatic campfire ceremony yet? Find out tonight on Total. Drama. Island!"
To say Ezekiel passed most of his mornings waking up early just to keep writing the next chapters of his works would be an understatement. He liked the good nature and the natural light appearing around the sky, and the good silence of him being alone early to enjoy his time and also find inspiration around the camp.
It became something he liked to do every single morning. And his typewriting was a good way to pass the time.
tec, tec, tec, tec, ding
Ezekiel moved the bar of the typewriter to go back to its place and keep writing... And by the time he kept writing, he heard some steps approaching him...
It was Chris Mclaine wearing buffy shorts and a good airhorn and looking ready for what would be a good run for his life—a good marathon, which made Ezekiel understand what was coming next.
"Morning, Chris," Ezekiel commented as he remained focused on typing his work. "What time is it?"
tec, tec, tec, tec, ding
"Morning, Zeke, it is almost 7 in the morning." Chris smiled evilly as he was already pointing his airhorn in the air, and with that, the airhorn went off, which immediately made Ezekiel flinch as he could see the chaos the episode would start.
"Wow, already starting the call this early? Does that mean the challenge will happen soon?" The homeschooled boy asked as the evil show host nodded his head to him. "Why do I feel that I'm going to have a good disadvantage from it?"
"That my boy Ezekiel would be telling, but you are right." Chris acted mysterious by not revealing which kind of challenge the campers would suffer, but Ezekiel woke up earlier than he should, meaning that he was already at a disadvantage in the challenge where he would need to be awake all the time.
"Well, sucks to be me." Ezekiel sighed and lamented, which Chris chuckled at from his little interaction.
"DO YOU THINK I HAVE THE FACE OF A FARM GIRL?" There was a shout from the Screaming Gopher cabin, which made both Ezekiel and Chris stare at the window where Leshawna was grumpy for being awake at that time.
Chris stared at Ezekiel, who just raised his finger, then let it drop.
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Ezekiel, even if he was a farm boy, raised and homeschooled inside of a farm, decided to not be offended by such a remark. "I'm going to place my typewriter in my cabin, and then I will be back here.
"Sure, do that, Zeke." Chris smiled as it was a good scene to have seen on camera; the television will love how a farm boy now is going to be aware of the offensive dark-skinned girl who couldn't control her mouth.
At the time Ezekiel was about to take his typewriter with him, the group of campers were already getting out from the cabins and were already forming a group around the host. So he ignored the stares of the group as he finally managed to place his typewriter, and then he found 2 of his backpacks nearby...
"Hmm... that's an idea." Ezekiel mused as he decided to put his plan in motion. "It's going to be difficult, and this would also be a disadvantage in the late game, but this plan is going to be my ace in the sleeve."
At the time he got out, his back was feeling the good weight of a full backpack, while in front of him, there was the light of an empty backpack. By being with the other contestants. Neither of them seemed to be happy to wake up that early to see the host in such a cheerful mood. He even saw Eva bopping her head with her MP3, which was something that she kept as her most treasured object.
And here he was to see one iconic scene of Cody not knowing what was inside of his damn mind to try to touch something that wasn't his. And Eva glanced at Cody slowly approaching her MP3; she didn't try to bite him and growled... no... it was different.
"Touch it, and you die." Eva simply said that with her arms crossed, which made the geek stop in the middle of the act and step away from her. "Good."
"What?" Ezekiel noticed that it was different from that time since he clearly could swear that Eva was... calmer than she should be.
"Morning! Hope you slept well!" Chris smiled cheerfully as he could see the annoyed faces of the whole camp staring at him. Forming a lineup.
"Hi. Chris." Heather treated the host as if she seemed to not be affected by having a bad time sleeping. She seemed completely fine for the challenge that they were going to do that morning. "You looked buff in those shorts."
"I know." Chris smiled as he winked and pointed at her. And he was ready to explain the challenge of the day. "I hope you're all ready because your next challenge begins in exactly... one minute."
Chris looked at his watch to explain it would need one minute to start the challenge and was enough to take the attention of all the campers, especially the ones who seemed to be still sleepy.
"Oh, excuse me." Owen raised his hand to get the host's attention. "I don't know if that's enough time to eat breakfast."
"Oh, you'll get breakfast, Owen," Chris told the big guy, still having the iconic sadistic smile that Chris always has when he wants to screw everyone over. "Right after you complete your twenty-kilometre run around the lake!"
At the time, Chris said that most of the campers looked unamused. Especially Eva, who was with her arms crossed.
"So you want us to run twenty kilometres before eating anything?" Eva scoffed angrily as she could see the smiling face of Chris, which made her tighten her fist, but with a calm, deep breath, she let it go... "You're enjoying our suffering, aren't you?"
"A little bit." Chris smiled as he looked at the clock. "You have 40 seconds."
Ezekiel stared at the scene and blinked, not once, not twice... but something inside of his mind clicked...
"Something is different... Eva didn't go berserk?" Ezekiel thought as he wanted to see what was going on.
CONFESSIONAL - COURTNEY
"Okay, is Chris already making us run around just so later we eat the crappy food like every day? I don't think that's enough motivation. But I don't know why, but I could have sworn that Eva would have been throwing a fit." Courtney commented as she clearly remembered the events happening since the first day. "Since the first day, Eva has been controlling her temper better. As long as you don't interrupt her time in the hot tub or touch her MP3. She is a mature girl as long as you don't do those things. I don't know, but I think I wouldn't have liked to deal with her if we hadn't had the hot tub."
"Okay, runners!" Chris called them out as the group of campers, Gophers and Bass, were lined up ready to start their long run. "On your marks...get set...go!"
When Chris said the word, the whole group of campers already started the competition of the day, with each of them keeping up their own pace. It didn't take long until the good sun would give the campers a powerful heat, making it difficult for them to keep running.
But some campers, like Sadie, Katie, Gwen, and Harold, preferred to walk instead of run since it would be better to not waste their energy on such stupid things.
"Is there still a long way to go?" Harold wondered aloud, but after seeing a good group of campers running nearby them.
"Is there a way for you to shut your mouth?" Gwen decided to answer the question with another one. Which made the nerd close his mouth and decide to keep quiet around the run.
Heather preferred to keep walking, as she could see some other campers far away from her.
CONFESSIONAL - HEATHER
"I don't run," Heather confessed. But then she gave another point. "And there is no way in hell that I would run with heels."
Heather walked, annoyed, until she heard the loud sound of a dog licking the water, and when she looked around, her eyes went wide open from seeing such a bizarre scene.
Owen was on all fours, licking the water of the puddle she was walking in.
"I can't take a breath. Lick must be a sickness condition," Owen said as he was trying to remain strong, but the tiredness was enough to win and make him face down with arms wide open on the puddle.
"Yeah, it's called Gluttonous Fattiticuous; go treat yourself." Heather placed both her hands on her hips as she pointed out the absurdity the fat guy was suffering at that moment. While Leshawna was already at her limit near the tree.
"And what is your excuse, you crazy brat, skinny without a sense of humour... huff huff..." Leshawna was trying to insult the Korean girl, but then the heat was too much for her as she started to pause and then stop insulting. "Whoa, I'm too tired to argue at this moment."
And at that time, Chris, using his little motorcycle and a megaphone, was going to add salt to their injuries.
"COME ON, GUYS, SPEED UP. IF YOU DON'T MANAGE TO GET TO BREAKFAST IN TIME, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO EAT IT." Chris sang as he quickly passed most of the campers while leaving Heather even angrier.
"UGH, I hate this guy so much." Heather tightened her fists, and she managed to pass the puddle by using the fat boy Owen as her path, and she didn't even look at the suffering boy who was being used as a stepstone for her.
(Main Lodge)
It didn't take so long until most of the members of Screaming Goophers and Killer Bass managed to find themselves in.
"Thank God it's over," Courtney said as she, with Geoff, DJ, and Tyler, placed themselves nearby somewhere to sit.
"I can't believe they managed to make us run around this challenge before eating something," Eva said as she was already with her feet on the table.
"Eva? Whe...how..." Courtney said she was confused about seeing the bodybuilder already enjoying a bit of her rest on the main lodge.
"Passed you when you were looking around at the stupid Chris driving his stupid motorcycle," Eva grumped as she was still angry about the host doing that humiliation on them, but she held herself together. "I'm going to take a long time in the hot tub after this."
"Hmm, do you mind if I also go? I'm already tired of this challenge." Courtney asked as she couldn't help but agree with the bodybuilder, a gal who knows that if they have an advantage to rely on, they would use and abuse such an advantage.
"Suit yourself," Eva replied, as Ezekiel also got inside the same main lodge, which made him see that Eva was calmer than in the actual episodes of the show, and while a part of him already could guess the reason for that, he cannot help but be shocked and surprised that it was indeed a huge difference to have a calmer Eva, since now she could be an even stronger potential challenge to the other campers.
But deciding to follow his way of life, Ezekiel just smiled and let the show go on. Who knows who could be potentially eliminated today in case the bass loses again, since the reason why in the canon was because Heather took the opportunity to touch Eva's MP3 and waited the day after to make Eva suffer the consequences of her berserker mode.
Ezekiel, knowing that the game was going to start to get worse from there, decided to sit among the Killer Bass...
"Welp... that was easy." Ezekiel smiled as he was still sweating a lot from the exercise, especially after releasing a heavy backpack above the table, which made his teammates stare at him in surprise, but then, before they even asked about what happened, Ezekiel slowly narrowed his eyes, knowing how the challenge would go. "Too...easy..."
The tone of his voice was noticeable to Duncan and DJ, who were nearby him, and with that, they also could understand the meaning behind his words.
"What do you mean by that?" Bridgette asked as she sat nearby them, and before Ezekiel replied, Duncan sat as he understood what was happening.
"I have to agree with Zeke; something is up. On the first day of the challenge, they made us jump towards a pool infested with sharks... Running miles before breakfast sounded too ordinary for a challenge; something is up." Duncan was streetwise enough to see something was up, and from the tone of the voice of the homeschooled boy, he also could see some red flags of the challenge.
And by explaining the way the last challenge went, the group of Killer Bass then looked at each other.
"So you mean that this is possibly an advantage challenge? And the whole team to appear first is going to have the advantage on the next challenge?" Courtney could see the way the challenge would have gone, and by seeing the possible pattern, both Ezekiel and Duncan stared at each other and became silent... because one didn't know the answer, while the other didn't want to explain further what was going to happen.
"So what is our plan for dealing with this?" Bridgette asked, which made Duncan, Courtney, Ezekiel, and Eva look at each other.
Ezekiel knows the answer; however, he didn't like to be the one to explain it to his team. He didn't have a choice.
"I think it would be for the best if we had someone already in mind to vote it off," Ezekiel commented while the others had someone in mind but didn't have the courage to tell. So an idea struck inside his mind. "Maybe we should also be honest with the person we have in mind to vote off, making them aware to give their best performance; that way, if they surpass our expectations, we can vote off the worst person who made a mistake today. It would be the best time for them to prove themselves."
Duncan became quiet while Courtney also became thoughtful with the idea; however, Eva narrowed her eyes.
"And who do you think should be the one who deserves to leave?" Eva was already glaring, as she had in mind that people would try to stab her in the back.
"If you think it's you, Eva, you are out of your mind; you were one MVP from the last challenge." Ezekiel immediately noticed that she was starting to get annoyed, and even if Ezekiel knew about Eva's temper, from the first challenge, Eva became a good piece to help them achieve victory.
The sudden comment made the bodybuilder blink, as her silence was enough to show her surprise.
"Yeah, you were asleep at the time we decided on the best trio of MVPs on the challenge." Courtney agreed as she pointed out and explained how the conversation of the hot tub was...
Eva, who was listening with her stubborn semblance, suddenly gave a slight smile of relief before coming back to her usual scornful face. So as the whole group became quiet, it wasn't Ezekiel who was the one who gave the suggestion.
"I have one good idea who was the weakest link of the team. A duo of stupid girls." Duncan said, as he already could see Ezekiel glancing at him, the delinquent wasn't kind with his words. "They have been a pain in our asses since the start of the show."
"Duncan, while I understand that those girls can be pretty handful without being together, and possibly a burden for us to carry, we shouldn't do that without her c..." Bridgette was about to cut the idea from Duncan but suddenly was surprised by Ezekiel.
"I will tell them both." Ezekiel made sure to be known to the whole group, which Courtney and Bridgette looked at the hat boy staring at the door. "What Duncan said may be harsh, but there was a truth behind it: they are too dependent on each other. And for them to truly compete on this show, or even grow up as a person, they must learn in this game that there will be a time that they are going to be a part of it, even if they want it or not."
"Well then." Duncan smiled as he tightened his fist. "So we warn the duo of twins that they are at risk of being eliminated today, and if they don't prove themselves, they are going to be on the verge of elimination."
Courtney remained in silence, but looking at how her team had the possibility of winning or losing, she must always have a backup plan, but the idea of warning the person who was on the verge of elimination and incentivizing them to prove themselves to be better was a good way to make sure that she would remain in the competition, and she would be the one winning.
"Usually it would have been best to eliminate the strongest members because they would become a threat in the future." Courtney gave a counterpoint, as she somehow believed someone would betray her at any moment.
"That's a stupid idea." And at that time Ezekiel surprised Courtney by saying that. "While it would be the best to make you the strongest, it would always be the best to rely on your team. We won last time because we worked together, and the Screaming Gophers have a drama between themselves. I would prefer to eliminate the strongest of the other team instead of our strongest members because it's best to win against the enemy you know the strength of losing to an enemy you have no idea about their strengths."
Ezekiel's comment made Courtney, Duncan, and Eva stare in surprise by that point since the boy even decided to make a good example.
"Movies of competitions that have great success had some of the best endings when two childhood friends went to the finals to show their strong developments, as the rivalry was awaited during all the time, sure that the arrogant antagonist that most people want to see lose is appealing, it would create a better cheer over the finals when all the public is divided on who to cheer on, dividing friends and rivals until the end." Ezekiel knows good movies and shows that ended up with that kind of climax.
"And you got that right, Ezekiel." Suddenly a voice could be heard from behind him, as the whole group of campers stared at the one host who was smiling widely at them. "Usually having the chaos as a drama also works many times, but in some great movies, as in one of my badminton ones, I acted with a good friend of mine and used our friendship to make a way for both of us wanting to win with all costs. We did a great final, and let me tell you a secret... the last throw was improvised, and we both really wanted to win."
Ezekiel looked at Chris and was surprised to hear such a comment, learning from even the crazy, sadistic Chris Maclaine that one of his acts, improvisation, was something out of your mind.
"And what are you doing here, Chris?" Courtney asked as she narrowed her eyes, as she saw that the host was listening to their conversation.
"Well, I'm here to wait for the other campers, nothing more than that. But your conversation about giving some incentive was a good strategy and a good way to start a drama, so I say keep it up because the audience will love to see how the duo of twins will react and how they will do in the rest of the challenge." Chris smiled, as he clearly could see the suffering the whole team would have when dealing with such a horrible challenge he had in mind. "Oh, and look at that, it seems the twins are finally here, with DJ and Geoff."
And like Chris has said, the whole group of Bass, with also some of the Goophers like Heather, Beth, Gwen, and even Izzy. Sadie and Katie were tired after the long walk, and they decided to drop themselves over the table. The other Gophers were on the other side of the Main Lodge, making Ezekiel glance at Courtney and Duncan...
The duo remained quiet, but they directed their heads towards the twins.
"Katie and Sadie," Ezekiel said as he used the most serious tone, which not only brought the attention of the twins but also the Jamaican and the party boy. "We need to have a serious conversation right now."
"Ohhhh, what is it?" Sadie asked as she got excited to hear someone talking directly to her. "What do you want to talk about? Is it about Justin? He is so lovely."
"Yes, he reminds me of the time we met that British boy in the mall; he was so cute. Oh, oh, we need to go to the mall after the show." Katie commented that she was feeling excited, and Sadie was also happy with the idea.
"Yeah, as the time we ca..." Sadie was about to concur with her best friend when Ezekiel didn't even want to beat around the bush since he was already annoyed.
"You both are on the verge of elimination," Ezekiel said, and just like that, the girls froze and looked at him in horror, as DJ and Geoff didn't even have a good reaction as well. "Since we don't know that we can win, you both were chosen since from the last challenge you both became the primary option to be voted off in case we lose..."
"Wha...what..." Katie stuttered as Sadie had her own eyes watering from such words.
Before the duo starts crying. Ezekiel pressed further.
"So that's why we want you both to do your best because you both have something to prove... and in case you both fail the task, it will be between you both who will be voted off," Ezekiel said with the most solemn tone, as a good part of him felt the pain of seeing the faces of both Katie and Sadie. "I'm sorry, but the power of friendship just works when you both work together to be stronger and not when you become so dependent that you would be useless without each other."
With that, Ezekiel left the chair and decided to walk to the bathroom, while Duncan had to whistle by watching this scene, and Chris was smiling like it was the best day of his life.
"Wow, cold and sharp speech, maybe I should add this one in case I become an antagonist in my next movie." Chris loved the way the homeschooled boy gave the carrot and the stick to both twins, and he can already see the viewers of the show showing empathy for the twins but also giving to Ezekiel for speaking facts.
CONFESSION EZEKIEL
"Did I feel bad for speaking the truth to the duo of annoying siblings who couldn't live without each other?" Ezekiel stared at the camera as he was scratching his head in reflection. "No, I didn't. These two need to understand that it's okay to depart for a few days or weeks without each other. Because these two became so annoying for not being on the same team... they cried without each other, they shouted without each other... they don't even go to the bathroom without each other... I swear, if there was a case of them ending up peeing on Poison Ivy, the duo would be doing it without thinking twice. They are not stronger together, but they are both weak alone... It's not worth the burden from them both."
Ezekiel explained the facts about what happened.
"I tried, I tried to be patient, but they don't realize that on this show, everything is a big deal... for the sake of the drama, they wouldn't think twice about how to make them both depart from each other." And with that, Ezekiel pressed the flush, and the static went off.
At the time Ezekiel came back, there were both Katie and Sadie, who were holding themselves together and crying loudly, much to his exasperation and also for a few members of the team. DJ looked sadly at him but became quiet, while Tyler tried to help the girls, but both of them just slapped him on the face and started to cry even louder.
"It seems that they cannot learn their lesson." Ezekiel sighed in disappointment. But with a resolute mind, as he knew that it didn't matter since sooner or later neither of the twins would grow up until each of them departed from the other, Sadie did have more opportunities the first season as she was alone, and she grew a bit of her character; however, with such terrible skill and with Courtney without patience, it leads the chubby camper on the shame boat towards the well-rested island, but she didn't grow a character and became irrelevant in the future.
Ezekiel would have worded it better, but a part of him, as a watcher of the show, never actually cared for both of his siblings, but being near them made him agree more with Duncan when it comes to launching both girls to the lions... So Ezekiel found it ironic how he preferred to eliminate Sadie and Katie way before the season than see them get lost in the forest trying to have the terrible fight of siblings and being spoiled brats who would just make amends on the time the team loses.
Looking for the other side, and seeing that indeed most of the Goophers were staring at him from the choice of words he just said, he knew that sometimes doing the meddling work was a chaotic spot, since most of the time he would receive the blame and the judgment of the others, but sometimes for people to grow up, they needed to understand that being a teenager is fine, but in the competition, people wouldn't care if you are the best friends with someone if you don't have the drive to win.
By opening one of his backpacks, Ezekiel took from inside what would be a sketchbook, which made the Kille Bass group stare at him in surprise. And a good pencil in his hands, Ezekiel decided to distract himself from the bad thoughts on how the boredom would get to him and a good way to relax himself from the pressure of waiting for the whole team in silence.
"Oh hey, Zeke. Is that a sketchbook?" DJ asked as Tyler also approached to see curiously what the hat boy was doing at the moment, and at the time he nodded to him as he turned a few pages, which revealed some of his works. Some of the works were a complete version of a cartoon style, but each of them being like a well-sketched pencil drawing made the Jamaican awestruck from seeing it. "Woaa, dude."
Tyler quickly looked, and he was also surprised to see how the boy managed to create great creations, which Ezekiel called, inside of his mind a fanart from some own customized works he created the way he remembered.
"Dude, look at this one, a group of chicks using weapons," Tyler said as he looked at the art style of some of the girls, one using a spear, the other a whip, and the other two gauntlets. "This trio looks awesome. And also a boy is using a shield."
"Oh yeah, they are my creation; they are from Steve Universe," Ezekiel commented as he was about to draw some doodles, but seeing the Killer Bass approaching to see it, he didn't mind it.
"Wow, Ezekiel, this is pretty nice work," Courtney commented that she could see that some of the fanart looked clean and also well made; without sensualizing them, it was more like they were in a combat way, and every girl looked badass.
"Thanks, Courtney, I have been doing a lot of preparation to make them as ready as I can imagine. She is Pearl, that one is Amethyst, and the tallest of them is Garnet, and this little boy is the main character, Steven Universe." Ezekiel presented to his friends around every single character, as Duncan scoffed but didn't show that he was impressed by the work. Even Katie and Sadie let out sudden cries, being interested to see more of it and being happy to be distracting themselves from sudden bad thoughts.
Bridgette took that as an opportunity to see how Ezekiel viewed the Crystal Gems and hoped that it wouldn't have been those well-puberty-matured images, and to her surprise, every single one of them was gorgeous, but their most humanized way also showed a good, well-structured part of being a mineral, like a gem... She loved to see the little boy fanart named Steven since she always thought Steven would have been bound with a hat, but seeing a little chubby kid of 7 years old made her smile even further... On the next page, she saw the name of someone that she wanted so much to know.
"What about that one? The one with four arms?" Bridgette asked as she then looked at the actual drawing of her for the first time. The long hair, the way her forehead and chest somehow lighted on the shadows, and the way that she was holding a freaking bow with a different kind of arrow. The clothing... that art was gorgeous.
"Oh, that's Opal," Ezekiel said as he showed the art he did about the character, which made the whole group awestruck once again, and this time Bridgette now had something she was happy to know... she knew who the giant woman was... And now she can use it as her main point of imagination when she has the opportunity to finally read Ezekiel's work... if he gives his permission to her to read.
CONFESSION- DJ.
"It was awesome to see how dedicated Ezekiel was to achieving his first book. He showed so much of what his plans were around Steven Universe, and he told me there would be a lot of drama with some wholesome moments, and it made me want to read it once. But then I saw his sketches of Courage, and he is the most adorable beagle I have ever seen in my life. And the Muriel, Momma, if you ever saw it, it would be almost like you looking at yourself in the mirror, but she is Scottish, but I can see how much Courage loved her..." DJ said as he happily commented on the confession, and then he gave a nervous smile and sweated a bit from thinking a bit more. "But also some of his scared shouts made me a bit scared. When Ezekiel said Courage shouted a lot, he even showed how many drawings he had on his scarred face, and there was one section dedicated to villains that he made me look away from because it would be too much for me, and seeing Duncan actually stare at Ezekiel and almost freak out showed how much darker the villains were. So I'm glad he did it. Eustace looks exactly like I imagined, so I guess he had it coming. But anyway, I can't wait to see more of it."
DJ commented as he didn't notice someone suddenly opening the door.
"BUGA WUGA WUGA WUGA GUGA."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." DJ jumped as he also farted on live television, while it showed Duncan laughing from seeing the cowardly Jamaican scream in fear of his life. "IT'S NOT FUNNY."
"HAHAHAHAHA. OH, IT IS. Now I can see why Eustace does that; it's hilarious." Duncan said as he left the confession bathroom, and the Jamaican narrowed his eyes.
"Oh, that's going to have a payback," DJ swore as the static took place again from the confession.
An hour has passed since most of the campers who were in the main lodge remained mostly bored and fighting the tiredness from their bodies. Some of them were with their heads lying on the table as they were on the verge of sleep, waiting for the other teammates to appear and put an end to the challenge many sought it would have.
Chris was enjoying his time by filing his nails and humming a song.
Most of the campers seemed to be tired of waiting for the other campers at that moment until, like a blast, the door was opened with Owen crawling like a zombie.
"Finally, food. Feed me, feed me." Owen went on the table, and when he collapsed, it was enough to break the whole table as the group of tired Screaming Goophers gave some space for the chubby happy camper to have some room.
"Oh boy, we made it..." Leshawna appeared completely exhausted, as her entire body went to her knees and she started crawling inside of the lodge. And with that, the whole Screaming Goophers inside the main lodge.
"Wow, why did it take you so long?" Courtney looked both concerned andimpatient. She could see Harold holding his chest like he was almost having a heart attack. "We don't know if we lost the challenge if you were the last one who came."
"UGHH AHHH, I think I'm having a palpitation," Harold said as he used both his hands to clutch his chest as his eyes got wide, and the group of Killer Bass didn't know if he was being dramatic or not.
Gwen, as she was listening,suddenly got a thought on her mind.
"Hey, wait a minute. If they lost, that means we won the challenge!" At the time Gwen used the logic, she felt very happy to explain to her group, and at the time she said that the Gophers quickly cheered, happy with their first victory.
"Whoa there! Hold your horses, guys." Chris then decided to step in, which made Ezekiel, Duncan, and even Eva glance at each other thinking the same thing... It wasn't that easy. "That wasn't the challenge!"
"What did you just say?" Gwen's eyes twitched as she looked at the host weirdly. The group of campers went into a whole marathon with empty hands.
At the time Chris walked in the direction of a giant purple curtain, which made Tyler suddenly realize one thing.
"Hey guys, is it just me, or did this curtain just appear from nowhere?" Tyler pointed it out, but then he received a slap on the back of his head from the delinquent, who rolled his eyes.
"No, idiot, you were knocked out when Chris came here and explained that there was something behind the curtains and didn't explain if it was a reward or something like that," Duncan explained as he pointed out Chris, who seemed to be ready. "What kind of torturing challenge Chris may have in mind behind that curtain?"
"Who's hungry!?" And with that, Chris then pulled back a certain way, revealing something that made most of the campers, if not all of them, have their eyes sparkling and drool like they were a bunch of starving animals. A buffet table was completely stacked with foods of great quality, which made them think they had died and had woken up in heaven.
CONFESSIONAL - GWEN
"After a whole week of brown sludge, I almost cried when I saw that buffet," Gwen admitted as she pointed out how they have to eat the most disgusting kind of food made by the chef himself.
CONFESSIONAL - OWEN
"And then I saw it, the buffet table. It was beautiful." Owen said with his voice showing that he may have entered into an oasis while he felt like the richest man on earth. "There was turkey and Nanaimo bars, and baked beans and maple syrup!"
"Sniff Ha... can I have a minute?" Owen shed some tears as he felt emotionally touched by seeing the good food once again in his life.
The brunch around the Main Lodge was something Ezekiel never thought he would have seen in his life. He was always curious about how the characters may have enjoyed the buffet from episode 3 of Total Drama, and from looking at that angle, he could see what he was missing.
Duncan, DJ, and Geoff were eating like a bunch of animals, like they desperately needed to feed themselves from the prey, while Harold, even as skinny as he was, was eating rice and beans in such a way that Ezekiel thought he was watching a nerd trying to replicate the cultural art of anime eating rice bowl style. Harold was using a fork to push down rice at an angle like the plate was on his face.
It wasn't pretty. Neither did Owen make it easier since he was eating all the food like a bottomless garbage disposal.
But from all the food Ezekiel was looking for, there was one thing he was aiming for: breads and desserts. It would be risky, and it would be a mess... But Ezekiel knew that he would need it.
Grab slices of cake, cups of mousse, cinnamon rolls, and a few breads. It was enough to fill his empty backpack.
"Why are you placing the food in the backpack, dude?" Tyler noticed the hat camper hiding the food from the others, which made Ezekiel stare at him, but not before thinking about what to say...
"Well, we finally had a great time eating a lot of good food. Don't you think it would be best if we saved it for tomorrow in case we needed it?" Ezekiel quickly pointed out one of the advantages of eating the food of Chef Hatchet. "If tomorrow we start eating military food again, at least I have backup food in case I want something nice to eat."
"Ohhhh, that's smart, dude." Tyler nodded his head as he decided to take some bread and place it in his pocket, which Ezekiel smiled at since it was a good strategy in case they would need it in the future. But now he filled his backpack for later. Ezekiel finally could enjoy the good food Chef Hatchet did for them, enjoying the days of paradise in case hell took a break.
.
.
.
"Uuuuuuuuugh..." With the passing of time, the group finally went to the final point, where the entire buffet was completely eaten. Almost everyone was either groaning or holding their completely stuffed stomachs.
Chris, satisfied to see how his evil plan has been working well so far, decided to start the true reason for the buffet after the exercises.
"Ok, campers!" Chris called to everyone, and the group winced when he used the megaphone. "Time for part two of your challenge!"
"I thought eating was the second part." Owen groaned with his mouth full and with food stains on his face. And while the Scream Gophers looked at the host of the show confused, the Killer Bass then glanced at each other, knowing what they suspected and feared was about to happen.
"What more do you want from us?" Gwen asked as she was feeling her stomach dropping from all the food she ate.
"Weird goth girl is right." Heather admitted it while groaning to herself. "Haven't we been through enough?"
Chris looked annoyed but decided to reply to Heather with a bit of sarcasm.
"Um... Let me think about that...No!" Chris said with a giant smirk on his face. Knowing that he was going to enjoy the next part of the challenge. "It's time for ... The Awake-a-thon!"
"The what-a-thon?" Owen asked as he looked confused about the name of the challenge.
"Don't worry! This is an easy one!" Chris said as he went down from the table and decided to explain the rules. The sound of the megaphone could still amplify his voice to make all the campers hear. "The team with the last camper standing wins invincibility!"
Gwen then realized what the plan of the host was, but she decided to ask just to be sure.
"So, what you're saying is the 20k run and the turkey-eating frenzy were part of your evil plan to make it harder for us to stay awake?" Gwen asked, finally understanding what the actual challenge of the day was.
"That's right, Gwen!" Chris happily admitted.
"Man, he's good." Gwen had to say, the host was certainly good at planning.
Leshwana nodded her head as she felt terrified from seeing how devious the host of the show could be.
"Alright campers, to the campfire pit!" Chris instructed everyone as he started to leave the main lodge. "Move, move, move!"
And while the group seemed to be walking, they knew that they were in a deadly trap. DJ was about to follow them.
"Hey DJ, can you help me to carry this?" A voice was enough to make him snap from his concentration, just to see Ezekiel trying to raise two backpacks. "I think I can't handle this alone."
The Jamaican camper shrugged, but at the time he took one backpack, he felt that it was heavy, like 20 pounds of weight.
"What is inside of this?" DJ asked as he used a bit of his strength to carry it, offering his other hand. Ezekiel smiled as he gave the other backpack, which was lighter than the other.
"Oh, it's something you are not going to believe," Ezekiel said as he stretched himself. "I don't know why, but I had a feeling that I would need it."
DJ nodded his head as the duo passed towards Gween and went to the fire pit.
"So," Trent walked up to Gwen while holding his stomach. "How long do you think it'll be before everyone's out cold?"
"Possibly an hour," Gwen tried to guess, but at that moment, Owen passed by, groaning loudly with some drool escaping from his mouth... "Or even less."
And from the time it started passing by, the Killer Bass team looked at Ezekiel as if he was the craziest person alive...
Courtney, Eva, and DJ looked in disbelief, not finding the right words to say.
"No way," Duncan said as he started laughing.
"That's so cool," Harold said loudly as he had to admit that nobody ever thought about it.
"DUUUUUDE." Tyler shouted in disbelief, as Katie and Sadie couldn't even help but be surprised.
And on the Gophers side, all the other team was surprised and in disbelief.
"Is he for real?" Heather asked in disbelief as she couldn't help but find another weirdo in the show. "Should even this be allowed?"
"Didn't he carry the weight on the running with him?" Owen asked Trent, who nodded his head.
"Yeah, maybe Chris allowed it because of that." Trent had to confess that he was surprised.
"I should have expected that," Gwen commented, but with a good smile on her face. "A good plan, I thought."
Bridgette agreed; she was still surprised, but she shouldn't have been. It was a genius plan.
Ding
Ezekiel pushed the metal bar on the left as he continued to use his typewriter above the log where he was supposed to sit.
"With a time like this? I can have a loooooooooot of work done. This may be the best challenge ever." Ezekiel said as his many blocks of papers with already written chapters of Steven Universe, Adventure Time, and Courage the Cowardly Dog were nearby him. Seeing his friends staring at him, he couldn't help but smile at them. "You guys want to read?"
The sun, which was around the sky, finally decided to act as a good way to indicate the hours, and by passing by quickly, the hours since the marathon until that moment were reached in red letters.
12 HOURS LATER
All 21 campers were hanging around the campfire site. Most of the Screaming Gophers looked exhausted with bags under their eyes. On the Bass team, the morale seemed to be the opposite.
"Noooo," Harold commented as he was shifting for another page. "Marceline owns the house Finn and Jake live in?"
"Yep," Ezekiel smiled as he continued pressing the keys of the typewriter, while the good part of the Killer Bass team seemed to be distracting themselves from reading some of the works made by the homeschooled boy.
Since it was like the group was sitting and talking as well, the idea to keep their minds distracted gave an advantage towards the awake-a-thon.
Chris smiled as he appeared to show their progress.
"We're now twelve hours." Chris's voice softly spoke up as the camera gave a view of all the campers struggling to stay awake. "So far all 21 campers are still wide awake."
"Woohoo!" Owen cheered with heavy bags under his eyes as he tried to stay awake with his usual happiness and enthusiasm. "I can do that in my sleep! Woohoo…" After a few seconds, Owen proceeded to pass out on the ground with a thud, the Gophers falling to 9 awake members.
CONFESSIONAL – GWEN
"The Awake-a-thon was definitely the most brutal thing I've ever done in my life," Gwen said with a sigh.
Gwen let out a loud yawn as she looked down at the ground, feeling like complete crap.
"This is the most boring thing I've ever done in my life," Gwen said with Trent sitting next to her. By seeing some of the killer Bass team reading the sheets of paper and even showing their reaction while the others were talking in cheerful mode, she couldn't help but envy them. "I should have brought a book to read."
"Yeah, that was a smart plan. But it could be way worse." The guitarist let out a yawn before looking at Gwen.
"Oh yeah?" Gwen questioned as she looked at Trent. "How?"
"I could be stuck here without you to talk to." Trent smiled at the Goth girl and said that.
Gwen couldn't help but give a small smile at Trent's words, a small hint of pink coming to her cheeks.
All the while Heather watched with narrowed eyes. Knowing that now she needs to think quickly.
CONFESSIONAL – HEATHER
"So my strategy is to get two other campers to form an alliance with me and take the final three," Heather explained as she put a finger to her chin. "Beth is already in my hands since she showed the utmost loyalty. I can ask her to jump, and she would jump without thinking twice. Now, I just need to solidify one more member... But the only question is, who can I find that is either desperate or dumb enough to do whatever I say, like Beth?"
Heather watched around until a voice caught her attention.
"What are you doing?" Gwen asked with a raised eyebrow as she and Trent looked to see Lindsay trying to stand on her head.
"Trying…to get the blood to rush to my head," Lindsay answered with a smile on her face. "Heh… I think it's working."
"Can I try?" Beth asked as she walked next to Lindsay.
"Sure!" Lindsay encouraged.
Heather looked at both Lindsay and Beth with a grin.
"Perfect. Great job, Beth." Heather smiled as she walked towards the duo who seemed to be trying to do the same thing. Heather walked towards the duo. "Hey, girls."
"Oh hey, Heather? Want to join us?" Beth asked while Heather rolled her eyes.
"I prefer to pass. But thanks for inviting me." Heather used her rude tone, but seeing Beth eager to please her, she decided to add a bit of smooth tone before going back to her strategy. "Lindsy, Beth, can I talk to you for a second?"
"Sure!" Both girls said in unison… both standing on their heads.
As they left the group of the Goophers, Heather crossed her arms as she smiled at the plan working so well in her favour.
"Well, girls, I have a plan to bring me and two more girls to the final 3. And since Beth knows about this, I also choose you, Lindsay, to reach the final 3." Heather played her cards right, since Beth nodded her head as a good minion, and Lindsay was feeling awestruck by the idea that she was going to be in the final three.
"Really?" Lindsay seemed to be so happy she couldn't help but ask.
Heather nodded as she felt satisfied with her plan completed.
"You should know that this is a very big deal. I am placing my trust in you, and trust is a two-way street." Heather said solemnly as she could see the girls eating out of the palm of her hand. "So you'll do everything I say, then?"
"Sure!" Lindsay squealed loudly, "WE'RE GOING TO THE FINAL THREE!"
Heather cringed from the loud shout, and Beth, who also heard the scream, paled.
"Shhhhhhh." Beth said she was afraid and looked around to see if the group was looking at them. "Lindsay, please be more quiet; they cannot know we are doing this."
"Why not?" Lindsay asked while Heather raised her eyebrow.
"Last challenge I messed up, and I don't want them to keep targeting me until I get out. If they keep finding an excuse to try to vote for me, I will never be able to be in the final 3," Beth said, exasperated. Which made Lindsay and even Heather understand how desperate Beth was... "I got lucky, really lucky. If it weren't for Heather and Cody defending me, I would have been the one leaving."
Heather remained quiet.
CONFESSION - HEATHER:
"Okay, that girl needs a life. Come on, while I'm in full force participating in the competition and I plan to crush down to the victory, all I just did was simply let her carry my crate and defend her just to send the bookworm away." Heather said in disbelief, as she knew the words she just said. "I mean, I don't care how her life would be when she loses the prize, but come on, we are also here to try to be famous, and there must be a limit on how desperate the person must be... and I'm not going to teach her how to have a life, oh no, no way. Take me out of this."
CONFESSION - BETH:
"I don't want to go home this early. I have so much to prove... and the nightmare I had yesterday of me dragging down my team again didn't help me at all... I want to be in the final three, and this is my only chance." Beth said as she sweated from the future. "How things will go until there?"
The trio of girls went to their places to continue the challenge, while the whole group of Killer Bass was still in their conversation...
In the next hour, nothing seemed to happen.
"Ughhh, okay. I think I'm going to have a break now." Ezekiel said as he then took his other backpack, which, by opening, made the Killer Bass look surprised. "Ah, a cake break is always a good idea."
"Did you just bring food?" Courtney asked as she stopped reading the sheets and was enjoying a good time talking with Tyler.
"Oh yeah. I forgot." Tyler slapped his face, and then from his pocket, he took bread and started eating. "Man, that was a genius plan."
"Yep, me and Tyler noticed that we may come back eating the usual camp food, so we just took some reserves in an emergency... so like right now, my body craves sugar," Ezekiel said as he started eating the cake. And making the others groan. Either for still being full from eating or for the fact they would return to eating Chef's food when the challenge was over.
Eva glanced; she was currently sitting next to both Bridgette and Geoff while listening to heavy metal music on her MP3 player. The athlete decided that she had had enough, so she stood up as she put her MP3 in her pocket.
"I'm going to the bathroom," Eva told everyone as she headed toward the bathroom area. But as she walked, her MP3 player fell out of her pocket.
Heather watched this happen, and a smirk came to her face. But before she even got up from her seat. There was a shout that made everyone alert.
"YO, EVA, YOUR MP3 FELL ON THE FLOOR," Ezekiel shouted as he was eating his cake, which made the bodybuilder girl freeze, and then quickly check on the pocket, and to see that it was the truth, she glanced at the floor, which, for such a relief, she went back and took it from there. But at the time she was going to leave... She went to the homeschooled boy and gave him a crushing hug, much to his panic and dismay. "Ughhhhhhh."
"Thanks, you have no idea how important this is to me." Eva released him as she heard the sound of bones snapping and immediately left the area to go to the bathroom.
"Pain, pain... gratefulness is pain," Ezekiel said as his own feet were twitching and his entire body was on the floor.
Heather scoffed. As she found, nothing would have been that easy.
24 HOURS
The night has filled the island as the red letters finally reached the 24-hour mark. On the Screaming Gophers' side, Owen and Izzy had all fallen asleep, with everyone else looking exhausted and ready to fall anytime now. All except Justin, who was standing firm, unmoving, with his chest puffed out and his eyes wide open.
On the Killer Bass side, the whole group is still awake, but different from the beginning, most of them look deeply annoyed by one specific thing.
Tec, tec, tec, tec. Ding, wrap.
Duncan, Eva, Courtney, and Tyler were already covering their ears from the constant annoying sound of the typewriter constantly typing the next word.
"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE. I WANT TO DESTROY THIS ABOMINATION." Duncan said as he really tried to go towards Ezekiel, who seemed to be constantly typing and being in his zone. The dark circles under his eyes showed how deeply he was doing so much for the next project. And the delinquent wanted to destroy the bane of all the annoying sounds.
"DUNCAN, STOP," Courtney said as she was doing her best to not be annoyed, and she and DJ used both forces to hold the delinquent away from the hat boy. At that moment the group seemed to be on the verge of fighting each other; a sigh was heard from the said boy.
"Ahhhh, thank God it's over. I'm going to have a break." Ezekiel said, which made the group of Killer Bass finally achieve peace. "I'm going to the bathroom."
"Finally, with that annoying sound, I couldn't even...sleep..." Duncan said as he was finally achieving a conclusion that made not just him, but some of the other members of the team realize... "*BEEP*. I forgot we shouldn't sleep. WE NEED IT TO STAY AWAKE."
And before the group would even try to reach Ezekiel to ask him to come back, a voice that appeared from the last person they wanted to hear on that night was from the host himself.
"Congratulations, campers!" Chris said as he watched the completely exhausted and sleep-deprived campers from next to the metal barrier. "You've made it to the twenty-four-hour mark. Time to take things up a notch!"
"Fairy Tales!" Everyone then watched as Chris pulled a sheet off of what was revealed to be a large stack of books.
"Oh, he's not serious!" Gwen complained, as that was one of the last things she wanted right now.
"Well, I have one special for you all." Chris smiled evilly as he went nearby to the Killer Bass group and quickly looked at one of the blocks of paper; he found the one he was looking for. "This one was written by your team member yesterday, and when I was watching the security cameras, I slept like a log for a few hours after he read it for a grammar review. Let's start with this one... Courage the Cowardly Dog, and the Sandman sleep."
"Oh no." The whole group of Killer Bass, who was staring at Chris, now got on his hands one story, which could be a killing factor to anyone who was going to listen to it. And with Ezekiel in the bathroom, their source of protection is now against them.
Chris then cleared his throat and got ready to read… Only for a harp to be heard, everyone watched and laughed as Chef Hatchet came up next to Chris wearing a pink sheep costume. Chef growled as Chris and a few others laughed at him until the host cleared his throat again and started reading from the book.
"In a farm... in the middle of nowhere. There was a family of three, which everyone knows who it is. Muriel, who was using her nightie to sleep, was enjoying a good time with her constant snoring. Eustace seemed to be sleeping, unaffected by the constant snoring... but our lovely purple beagle, Courage, was pulling his eyelids to try to see if he could sleep with that constant noise... and from another side of somewhere, there was a giant sandcastle, where there was a man dressed in purple and a black mask, constantly counting the sheep jumping over his bed... 632,000,498, 632,000,499..."
"Sadie, we cannot sleep first." Katie tried to help her sister to remain awake, but the chubby camper was doing her best to remain awake. Sadie just stared at Katie, who was on the verge of crying.
"It's too late for me... Katie, please be strong, for both of us." Sadie gave a sad smile as she closed her eyes for the first time.
"Noooooo." Katie was about to lament when she was the next victim of the impactful weight of tiredness and sleep.
The story ended up getting quite a few yawns from some of the campers. It even managed to get a member of the Gophers out. Cody, who proceeded to lie asleep on Owen's butt, started to dream about the Sandman having problems sleeping and how the idea of stealing someone's sleep was good enough for his imagination to fly... but... only to be woken up by Owen farting. But he was still out.
When Ezekiel came back, Chris was in the middle of telling his work. Later Ezekiel had to conclude.
CONFESSION - EZEKIEL:
"Courage the Cowardly Dog and the Sandman Sleep was a creation I had for people who suffered from insomnia. Since there was a time my pa was having problems without a reason why he couldn't sleep... The ending may surprise you on how little personal things were the factor on how to help us to sleep well at night." Ezekiel commented as he was feeling proud of his work. "Still a low blow, Chris."
More time passed as more and more campers kept falling like flies. Ezekiel tried his best to keep writing, but suddenly he started to see double... He shook his head and once again shoved another dessert in his face to keep eating just to recover his energy. And by eating bread, he was prepared for what was coming next. But no other campers were as ready as him.
It got even worse when Chef, now dressed up like a ballerina, started dancing around with Chris playing The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy on the radio as Chef threw some sort of sleep-inducing sparkles on the other campers, with these sparkles managing to knock DJ out as he tied himself to a tree…causing the tree to fall.
40 HOURS…
CONFESSIONAL – COURTNEY
"I figured that if I kept moving, I could outlast all of them," Courtney explained her strategy of constantly running in place. "I just had to keep my eye on the ball."
"Courtney," Courtney was focused on doing her exercise, but the voice broke her concentration. "Carbs, you need carbs."
Then she found in the hands of Ezekiel an offering of bread to her, which made her raise her eyebrow at him.
"I'm at my limit. Good luck in winning for the team." Ezekiel said he wasn't able to keep it going, and just like that, the long plan of stalling their chances was finally crumbling.
And with that, the Killer Bass lost another member, now making them the remaining four of their team. Duncan, Courtney, Eva, and Geoff. All of them seemed to be losing their energy quickly and were too bored and tired to do anything else.
The Screaming Gophers also weren't having a good time either, since Heather decided to elbow one of her alliance members.
"We need to talk about our strategy." Heather tried to remain positive and in control of the challenge, but the moment Lindsay fell from her seat, it showed how much was at stake, especially when she looked at her other member, Beth, who was knocked out with her legs in the air. "Beth?"
"Ok, favourite song?" Gwen asked as she and Trent continued to sit next to each other. To both pass the time and help each other stay awake, they kept asking each other various questions.
"She will be loved." Trent thought about it for a moment before answering. And with a smile on his face before asking his question. "Favourite colour?"
"Midnight blue." Gwen didn't even have to think about this one.
"Ooh, mysterious. I like that." Trent said with a little grin on his face. Gwen smiled but soon yawned, causing Trent to quickly put a hand on her shoulder. "Aw, don't fall asleep. Okay, quick. Favourite movie moment?"
"You're going to think it's cheesy," Gwen told Trent.
"I promise I won't," Trent reassured the girl.
"The kiss at the end of that road trip movie." Gwen averted her gaze a bit before admitting it to the guitarist. "You know, the one with the guy and the three girls?"
"I know the one." Trent laughed a bit, with Gwen even joining in on the laughing with Trent. "You like that movie?"
The moment would have been sweet… had a now naked Owen not sleepwalked past them. Both of their eyes slowly widened as they looked to where Owen was lying and saw only all of his clothes scattered about. They then watched as Owen, still sleepwalking, headed into the woods.
CONFESSIONAL – OWEN
"Did I mention that I ate the entire dish of baked beans and maple syrup?" Owen sheepishly asked. "Funny thing about baked beans, they make me sleepwalk."
"Heheh, how cool is that?" Trent couldn't help but smile as he and Gwen watched Katie and Sadie sleeping right next to each other. The two best friends fell asleep at the exact same time and hadn't even rolled away from each other in their sleep. "They even sleep together."
Duncan, Courtney, and Eva stared at the duo, knowing that the duo were the first who were asleep from the challenge. They couldn't prove their value around the challenge. So, therefore... the results were clear.
.
.
.
Gwen and Trent had a good time spending time together. From talking about how tired they were to the point of even talking and learning about the stars.
51 hours.
The night seemed to never come to an end. From the time Owen sleepwalked and went on his journey around the island. And inside of the camp. Trent and Gwen were staring at the young model Justin, who seemed to still be using his iconic pose and smiling like nothing happened.
"Look at him. He's like a statue." Gwen commented as she and Trent looked in amazement at Justin, who was still standing tall and firm with wide, unblinking eyes. "He hasn't moved in over…fifty hours! Hello? Yo!"
"Yip! Yip!" Trent yelled and made wild movements to try and break Justin's concentration. "Yip, yip, yip, yip, yip!"
"Amazing." Gwen couldn't help but be impressed by the unbreakable wall that was Justin. "Look at the concentration."
Gwen decided to touch the face of the model, who just shook his head and slowly opened his eyelids. Surprising and even making his team members gape.
"He painted his eyelids! I saw it." Eva pointed at Justin, who was just confused at the moment he woke up.
"Get out! Oh, I've got to see this." Chris then ran over to Justin to see the situation for himself. Justin smiled nervously as he blinked a few times to show the makeup on his eyelids. "That is so crazy and incredible! But you're still out, dude." Justin slumped down a bit as the Gophers were down another member.
And the time passed once again, from night to day to day to night. Some of the losers of the teams Killer Bass and Scream Gophers were allowed to go to the bathroom from time to time and go to the main lodge just to eat Chef's food once again, just for them to remember paradise on that island isn't what they would get. And with their routine once again. They went back to the challenge just to see who would win.
85 HOURS
Lots happened during the last few days of staying awake. Duncan made Harold pee his pants by sticking his hand in warm water, Cody was hugging a possum while he was asleep, ending with him being attacked by the little animal, and the still sleepwalking Owen swam up a waterfall with salmon. The only remaining campers were Gwen, Trent, and Heather of the Screaming Gophers and Duncan, Eva, and Courtney of the Killer Bass.
Gwen let out an incredibly loud and long yawn. "I'd kill for a coffee right now." Gwen groaned out, feeling miserable.
"What's the matter with you people?" Chris asked as he walked to everyone as if taunting Gwen, holding a coffee. "Come on, fall asleep already!"
Just then Gwen crawled up to Gwen with the goth tugging his pants. "You've got to hook me up, man," Gwen begged for any form of caffeine. "I'll even eat the grinds! Anything!"
Chris pulled away from Gwen as the host looked to the remaining campers. "Alright, you six stay with me." The rest of you go get a shower, for heaven's sake. You stink!" Everyone did as they were told as Heather, Gwen, Trent, Duncan, Eva, and Courtney followed Chris with all the other campers heading out to either take a shower or pass out somewhere else.
Chris took a long, mocking sip of his cup of coffee as the remaining six campers sat down on the stumps. "I didn't want it to come to this. I said that to Chef Hatchet last night. I said, 'Chef, I don't want it to come to this," Chris explained from behind the metal barrel. "But darn it, these campers are tough." And so… I've come up with the most boring, sleep-inducing activity I can find."
CONFESSIONAL – GWEN
"Oh, come on! What now?" Gwen yelled before crossing her arms. "Okay, you know what? Bring it on!"
CONFESSIONAL - COURTNEY
"I got to the point my legs started to cramp, and I couldn't possibly move," Courtney said as she was still munching another bread. "But if I continue focused and if Chris doesn't read one of the most annoying books, like History of Canada, then I think we can win this."
Chris then grinned as he pulled out an incredibly large red book. "The History of Canada." Chris narrated in a soft voice before opening up and revealing a pop-up of a beaver. "Chapter One: The Beaver, National Symbol and a Dam Fine Hat." Duncan, Courtney, Eva, Gwen, Heather, and Trent all groaned at Chris for that statement.
CONFESSION COURTNEY
"Beeeep," Courtney cursed as she threw her arms in the air while knowing the outcome of such a terrible book.
86 HOURS:
"And of course, those were the little sparks of the discussions that later became the War of 1812." Chris, when he first started reading the book, was enjoying himself torturing the kids, but with the passage of time, his voice became monotonous from how boring the book was.
And with that summary, Eva and Heather were out.
Courtney was blinking as she kept trying to keep moving her legs.
"Come on, come on. Just for a few more hours. I know I can do it." Courtney whispered to herself, but it seemed that her body was giving her language, since in the next second, Courtney noticed something was wrong. "That's strange, it seems the floor is going to my direct..."
slam
"Oof." Both Duncan, Gwen, and Chris winced as the CIT girl just got knocked out from body exhaustion.
And it wasn't long before Treen was seen falling off his stump. "Trent! Noooo!" But despite Gwen calling out to him, Trent fell flat on his face and was out cold. "Don't leave me…"
Chris kept reading, but Gwen and Duncan didn't let up. Chris stopped reading for a second before checking his watch. "Time for a bathroom break!" Chris told the last two campers still awake. "Any takers?"
Duncan, doing his best to hold himself up from all the pee he could give, still smiled and tried to remain strong.
"Hey bro, I held until now; I'm sure I can still hold for the entire day." Duncan tried to remain courageous, but Gwen smirked as she gave a very solid point.
"Okay, but you still can take 10 more chapters of the book?" Gwen smiled as Duncan knew it would be a terrible idea. So he quickly went to the bathroom.
"You have 5 minutes." Chris smiled as Duncan looked pale from all the pressure he had been holding for so long. And with that, walking into a death trap. "As long as you don't mind being occupied."
"Alright, but stay away from the cabin," Duncan said to the cameraman, who nodded his head to accept his condition.
And from the time Gwen was almost on the verge of giving up in 5 minutes, suddenly the cameraman gave a letter message describing what happened. Duncan slept while sitting in the bathroom.
"It seems Duncan launched himself into Morpheus' arms, and now we have a true winner of the awake-a-thon: GWEN." Chris said at the time Gwen launched herself on the floor, as her entire body went to dreamland. "The Screaming Gophers are the winners."
(Aquarium)
The whole group of Killer Bass was with low morale since the last challenge made them the first loss of the show.
Katie and Sadie were in deep cry since both of the girls knew what was going to happen. And they couldn't help but be in the last hours together, hugging each other.
Duncan was still asleep in the hot tub since it was the recommendation from the bodybuilder herself. Courtney and Eva still want to be awake before enjoying a good nap on the massage bubbles from the hot tub.
Tyler, DJ, Harold, and Bridgette were in silence, unable to say any word, because the decision was clear: both of the girls were the first to sleep and couldn't prove themselves to the others.
Courtney was on the verge of saying something rude; her body was sore, and she was having a headache. Eva was on the point of screaming at the annoying twins to shut up. But then the sounds of a flag were enough to break the silence of the other campers.
When the group looked on their side, they found out that the Killer Bass Flag was not stuck on the wall anymore, but it was now in the hands of Ezekiel.
"I know that is a harsh decision to make it the final point where we are about to eliminate both of you. But I think we as a team shouldn't break ourselves apart... While we are still competing, I believe we all should remain friends, even after this show ends." Ezekiel always wanted to be friends with everyone, and even if Katie and Sadie were annoying twins, he learned something important about them as well. Not just terrible with a marker and the flag in his hands, he gave the marker to the chubby girl while he spread the flag open. "So as a signal of great honour, and to prove that we are Killer Bass until the end. Sadie, you have the honour to be the first person to sign your name on this flag."
Sadie remained quiet, but seeing that the little teenager was being truthful to her, she gave a weak smile, and she decided to write her name on the flag. The first killer bass who signed the name.
Courtney nodded her head, touched and happy that a situation like that was solved by that.
As a good example, Courtney took the marker and also signed her name. Later every single member of the Killer Bass followed the example, and different from the original flag... When they signed their name, even Duncan, who had to wake up just to sign it... The team could see how a flag also became the proof of their teamwork.
It was a great sadness that a member of that team must go... But now with that flag in hand, that would be a good memory of the competition, wouldn't it? Only for money. But alliance and friendship, in a path to make all of them famous.
"Alright, while we are still here. We must decide to prepare our plans," Courtney said as she suddenly saw Ezekiel raising his hand. "What is it, Zeke?"
"I would like to suggest something for our group, especially Katie." Ezekiel started while he brought attention to the other twin, who seemed still sad to say goodbye to her best friend and sister. "If things get too much for you, and you are on the verge of a breaking point. I would like to suggest a secret word for us to use. That it would mean that you wanted to be eliminated in the challenge we lose."
At the moment, Ezekiel said that everyone turned to him.
"WHAT?" The Killer Bass shouted in disbelief, and Ezekiel raised both hands.
"Hey, hey, hey, hear me out, okay?" Ezekiel commented, and at the time everyone went calm again, he decided to explain. "These two challenges we got in less than a week were nothing more than a nightmare. So my point is... when things get too much for me or for anyone around here. We should develop a word that means we had enough of the challenge, enough of the competition... And back out. No drama."
...
The silence was enough to explain that they were in deep thought.
"I mean, I wouldn't be surprised that in the future they would push our limits or even our morals. So in case that happens, it would be terrible for the team to lose because someone gave up, and not giving the heads-up for the team, since the team was going to lose because someone quit, wouldn't it be better if we just prepared ourselves to lose and got ready for the next challenge?" Ezekiel pointed out a reasonable point, as even some of the Bass considered the idea.
"But what about if we win, even if that person would quit and not get eliminated?" Katie decided to ask as she was tempted to just quit because she wouldn't want to leave Sadie.
"I think it would be fair to eliminate the person when we lose on the next challenge. Since the person wants to quit first, I think it would be best if we gave them what they want." Courtney decided to answer that question since she could understand the idea of giving the quitters a chance to leave and making the team just drop the challenge and focus on the next one.
Ezekiel smiled, as Courtney understood what his point was.
"If Katie wants to quit, we could just drop the challenge and be ready for what's coming next." Harold could see the point.
At the time Katie was about to jump on the idea, Sadie tightened her grip, which made Katie flinch.
"No, don't do that," Sadie, for the first time, instructed her sister, which made Katie stare at her in shock. "While it's good for us to be together, I still want you to win. So don't make my sacrifice in vain, and while I love you, Katie... I wouldn't quit it... Not just after you lose. So wait until you get to the point where you can't take it anymore."
Katie just heard Sadie giving the instructions, and Sadie was just telling them in a low tone just for her sister to hear.
"Don't give up because of me... Give up because of you. You are the smart twin, so be the smart one." Sadie instructed as she gave a final hug to her tanned sister. "I love you, and I will miss you, so please don't screw this up for us."
Katie sniffed, but nodding her head, she hugged the chubby twin. She could see Ezekiel looking at them and, in silence, looked away.
"So what is the secret word we should develop in case we want to give up?" Bridgette asked as she was still feeling tired from the last challenge.
"Well, it's something we can work with later," Ezekiel said, as he felt that at some moment there would be enough for people who wanted to leave without being judged.
"Well, that seems a reasonable idea and something that we can implement around the game." Courtney nodded her head as she understood that soon some players, even from her team, would decide something like that. So it was best for them to plan for cases like that to happen.
It was an afternoon of hugs and goodbyes for one of their members.
Night - Campfire Pit.
"Killer Bass, that's terrible you managed to be here for the first time. You got so close to winning, so close yet so far." Chris smirked while some of the Killer Bass groaned in anger. "Like I said to the Screaming Gophers, marshmallows represent a tasty treat that you enjoy roasting by the fire. At this camp, marshmallows represent life."
Sadie and Katie held hands together, as the duo knew that the time was coming.
"You've all cast your votes and made your decision," Chris said, like in the last episode, while holding the plate of marshmallows. "There are only ten marshmallows on this plate. When I call your name, come up and claim your marshmallow. The camper who does not receive a marshmallow tonight must immediately return to the dock of shame to catch the boat of losers. That means you're out of the contest, and you can't come back...ever."
The team remained quiet as they were too tired to care since they had the longest challenge, and they didn't even have a mind to process what was happening.
"The first marshmallow goes to Duncan." Chris smiled as Duncan still had dark circles in his eyes. "Bridgette, Courtney, Eva, Ezekiel, Harold "
And by each name Chris was calling, every single member of the Killer Bass was excited to have a marshmallow and the guarantee of another day.
Remaining 5 members, Chris smiled as he then called.
"Tyler, DJ, Geoff." Both names of the boys who jump from their seats, and even with the dark circles around their eyes, everybody knew what was coming next. "Katie, Sadie... This is the final marshmallow of the night."
Katie and Sadie watched that little sugary treat that resembled a monster since it was time for one of them to leave the show. The suspense created as the sound of drums in the background made all their hearts beat in shock, and both closed their eyes.
"Katie." Chris smiled as the time came, and Katie let out a whimper and shed a few tears. Her sister Sadie smiled at her and gave a final hug.
"Please be strong; I will be waiting for you. But only come when you know you can't handle any more." Sadie said, while Katie still cleaned her face with her hand. The Killer Bass team was in silence and sadness. "Hey guys, that's fine. Sure it was quick, but it was a good experience... I just wish I could have done more."
"Your boat awaits, Sadie." Chris smiled as the chubby camper gave a few sniffs before giving a hug to Chris. "You 10 are saved and have a good night of sleep. Because tomorrow will be the next challenge."
"WHAT?" The whole Killer Bass team shouted in disbelief. Even Sadie, who was almost going to leave the boat.
"Didn't I tell you, since you all spent more than 86 hours on the challenge? This night would be the last of 3 days off you guys would have. So you better prepare yourselves for tomorrow." Chris smiled as Sadie gave a final smile before accepting to go on the boat.
"SADIE." At the time, the boat was leaving. Katie shouted as the chubby twin looked to see her whole team waving at her. "HAVE A NICE TRIP. WAIT FOR US, WE ARE GOING TO WIN THIS."
"ALRIGHT, GIVE YOUR BEST." Sadie smiled as the whole group of teammates received their first defeat. The camera showed for the last time the twin who started to cry, but this time in the hope that her friends would win the whole competition. "I miss them already."
"To Sadie, the first Killer Bass member to leave, we are not going to let her down." Courtney smiled as she noticed that the morale of the Killer Bass was on fire; with bloodshot eyes, they wanted revenge for losing a member. "And for our team, we are going to crush them down on the next challenge."
Eva, Duncan, DJ, Tyler, Ezekiel, Katie, Bridgette, Geoff, Courtney, and Harold. All of them are not going to let their defeat be cheap; they are going to win it double if necessary. That was something they swore.
"TO KILLER BASS," Geoff shouted, as the whole team screamed in cheers. To show that the next time. Tomorrow would be a different game.
In the night.
"ZZZZZZZZZZ." A loud snore was enough to make most of the boys just wake up from their sleep.
"What the beep? Who is snoring loudly like that?" Ezekiel asked until he realized who it was.
"Dammit, nerd," Duncan gritted his teeth, as he was feeling angry already.
"Oh no, not tonight." Ezekiel understood what was about to happen. "Guys, we need to make a trip to the aquarium.
DJ and Tyler looked as if they were confused about what was happening. But nodded without question.
.
.
.
"ZZZZZZZZZZ." A few minutes later, there was Harold, sleeping in a blanket... in the cave known as the aquarium, where he could snore without disturbing anyone... A good night of sleep for every single member of Killer Bass.
"Now that's a good way to start the day." Ezekiel smiled as the whole camp went back to sleep. With a good moral for the next morning.
Chapter 5: Dodgebrawl
Chapter Text
"Last time on Total Drama Island." The camera turns on to show Chris standing on the dock going over a review happening on the show on the last episode. "The Screaming Gophers got their first victory in the awake-a-thon. When Duncan had a good night of sleep on the toilet, giving the Killer Bass their first loss. Ezekiel used all the cards on his sleeve, and even in the end couldn't manage to take the victory from Gwen's hands. Heather created the first alliance on Total Drama Island by accepting Lindsay as her newest member, as Beth showed too much devotion to be not eliminated from the show... Freaky... The Killer Bass team discovered that in dire circumstances it would be best you find good scapegoats to make their team dynamic remain strong, which was a good jab when it came to the annoying twins Katie and Sadie who didn't stop their annoyance since the first episode. They had a chance to prove themselves which they failed spectacularly... This leads Sadie to be the first eliminated from the Killer Bass, but not without good proof of their friendship and teamwork by putting their names on the flag of Killer Bass. A good way to show a good friendship... And with the partiture of Sadie, the Killer Bass finally showed their killing intents, they are up for blood, and you all should take the front seats. Who is going to try to destroy the friendship and powerful teamwork of Killer Bass now that they are swearing revenge on all the Gophers who would have the terrible decision to wake up from bed this morning? And who would be the next participant who would walk towards the humiliating Dock of Shame? Stay tuned for the most exciting campfire ceremony of them all. On here on Total. Drama. Island!"
(Main Lodge)
The main lodge was with a mixed environment around the breakfast. The Screaming Gophers were with their morale high, chatting happily while eating their food.
But on the other side in the nearby table, the Killer Bass team was in silence, with a completely serious face.
Katie still shed some tears from having a terrible night of sleep without her sister and best friend. It was a painful feeling to have in the morning. But with Bridgette, Tyler, and DJ comforting her, she was still able to remain strong...but for how long? She doesn't know.
Courtney was massaging her legs and still flinched from her face bruised from the impact of the fall. Her legs felt like jelly, and she knew that she would need to find a way to use them since this show could be heartless.
Duncan was still tired from the last challenge, but he wasn't showing any sign of exhaustion... He glanced at both the C.I.T. who was massaging her muscles, and the homeschooled boy who was just touching his food.
Ezekiel remained quiet, knowing well that the morale of his team wasn't the best at the moment, but taking a glance at Eva, who was doing a workout of her biceps...
He glanced at the cheerful spirit of the Screaming Gophers...
Their joy would soon be smashed to smithereens.
"Good morning campers" Chris appeared as he was in his cheerful mood."Duncan, what happened? You look a bit awful?"
"I'm fine," Duncan rudely replied. "Just feel my face numb, but it could have been a lot worse. What do you want?"
Chris smiled as he then glanced around.
"From seeing all the campers here, there is still missing a Bass," Chris commented as the group glanced around.
"Did someone wake him up?" Courtney asked, and DJ nodded his head.
"Yeah, he is taking a shower, and kept mumbling about the sleepwalking something," DJ commented as at the time the group watched Harold open the door, and walk towards the Killer Bass table.
"Duuuuude, did anyone see me walking last night?" Harold asked, and Ezekiel, Tyler, and Geoff stared at each other.
Tyler was about to reply but Duncan tapped his mouth to reply instead.
"No, we were sleeping, where were you?"Duncan grinned, as he was enjoying the show that was happening on that morning.
"I just woke up in the A..." Harold was about to explain where he was until Courtney coughed loudly which made the nerd suddenly realize the place he was going to say. So he quickly corrected himself. "There... but I don't know how... wait... did I was snoring loudly yesterday?"
"Yes," The whole group of Killer Bass answered in unison which made Harold nod his head.
"Okay, makes sense. I always sleepwalk when I start snoring loudly." Harold explained that he was satisfied with the conclusion and got to sit with his friends and teammates.
The whole group looked at each other in confusion, while Duncan tried to hold his laugh.
(Confession - Harold)
"This was a symptom I discovered at home, every time I snore loudly, I wake up in the random locations. I'm so glad that this time I woke up dressed, because some of the time, I cannot control what I dress as sleepwalking. My sister once had to wake me up in the middle of the park, and I was dressing like a ballerina." Harold explained in the confession that at the time he should be ashamed of such things. "I don't know why, but my siblings always find amusement when it comes to me waking up after my sleepwalk. I think the tiredness on the last challenge made me sleepwalk again. So I hope we don't have a challenge like that again."
"He-hey, everyone! Chris got the attention of everyone as he gestured at the door opening up, revealing the gothic girl who was with both her arms down and walking like a zombie towards the table. "It's Gwen."
And at that statement, the whole Gophers cheered loudly as they kept applauding.
"Yeah," Lindsay said happily, but then she went nearby to Justin to whisper. "Why are we clapping?"
The Killer Bass remained quiet, even as Courtney narrowed her eyes, but then she felt something tightening her leg, which made her look on her side... It was both Duncan and Ezekiel who were focusing on making Courtney keep her cool.
But not just her, Katie glared so much, even as her eyes were red... Tyler gulped because he wasn't sure if was from crying, or from bloodshot eyes.
"I'm so tired... I can't feel my face..." Gwen stated not just on the second later she faceplanted on the table.
Heather turns to Beth and Lindsay,
"So let's go over the rules one more time. Number one, I am the captain of this alliance, so I get to make the rules. Number two..." She waited for them to give her answers.
"Breaking the rules can result in getting kicked out of the alliance?" Lindsay asked, just to be sure if she got it right, and Heather approved.
"Number three, you can borrow any of our stuff without asking, but your stuff is out of limits, I still don't get what usually would want to borrow my stuff," Beth said as she pointed out to Heather, who just blinked...
"Well, I would usually take makeup, perfume, shampoo, or even clothing which would fit," Heather commented as she had in mind that if Lindsay had some stuff that she would find good for her to use, she would use and abuse from such privilege.
"Well, you can have it if you want. I'm more from a farm, so I don't a very good makeup, I usually just take the few versions that were on sale in the mall." Beth commented which made Heather blink from the perspective of Beth.
Heather cringed with the idea of using all the old stuff and the idea of using the clothing of Beth would make her feel humiliated.
"Aww you poor thing." Lindsay got emotional from seeing such a terrible lifestyle. "I would have nightmares about living in such a terrible state."
Heather noticed that was a lose-lose situation with Beth, so she needed to do something.
"Alright, alright. Here is the modified version of the rule. You and Lindsay can borrow stuff from each other, in the same way I can borrow things from you both. But my stuff is off limits okay?" Heather corrected the last rule, which made Lindsay pause, and think about it... and seeing Beth was in a terrible spot, she then smiled.
"I liked this rule. I would have offered my makeup to Beth, but thanks for thinking about that Heather." Lindsay smiled as she gave credit to the leader of the alliance.
"Really? Would you do that for me?" Beth asked as she sniffed. Happily, she found trustful friends to be on her side.
"Yes," Heather said tiredly. But then she narrowed her eyes. "But to be sure that you are not wasting product from Lindsay, we will be watching you closely to see if you are using it right."
"AHHHH, YOU ARE THE BEST FRIENDS A GIRL WOULD EVER WANT." Beth smiled so wide, that she hugged both Lindsay and Heather, and while Lindsay felt so happy, Heather cringed from being hugged by Beth.
(Confession - Heather)
"I'm doing that because it was the best way to make both girls be on their leashes, and that way I would have their stuff, while mine is protected. I'm just glad that I didn't have to appeal for threatening and manipulating the alliance like that. But Beth needs to learn how to use makeup. If she wastes all the lipstick Lindsay has, how would even have some for me?" Heather explained as she scoffed, and then facepalmed at the idea of how terrible a situation she would be. "She really, really needs a life. I'm just glad that Lindsay would help her out with that, the dumb blond and the nerd. A great duo in the future."
"Now let's have some fun," Heather said as both girls seemed to be happy with the idea. "Hey, fish-head! Way to kick out one of your useless players, the chubby one was a good riddance! Ready to lose another of your teammates?"
*crack*
Heather who was smiling cheerfully, suddenly saw something that she may regretted...
All Killer Bass team were in deep silence, but with their eyes, it was as if looks could kill... Heather noticed that she provoked a river full of piranhas.
"Okay campers, listen up!" Chris clapped his hands, which brought the attention of everyone again. "Your next challenge begins in ten minutes, and be prepared to bring it."
The Killer Bass were the first ones to get up and immediately followed Chris, but each Gopher could see that they had shadows in their eyes. Even DJ who seemed to be the kindest, seemed to be unable to take that provocation slightly.
(Gym)
10 minutes later, all the 20 campers made their way to the gym-like area set up on the beach. There were bleachers on both sides with the walls made of glass and Chef wearing the official referee's uniform with a whistle around his neck. Sitting in a high chair between bleachers.
Duncan, Geoff, and DJ cracked their knuckles, Eva and Tyler cracked their necks, Ezekiel cracked his fingers one by one, Courtney stretched her shoulder with a slight crack, and Katie and Bridgette stretched themselves but didn't show any crack sound. Harold sniffed and spat on the floor. It was disgusting, but he proved a point.
All the team was ready.
The Gophers didn't know why but there was an ominous aura on the court...
Until Chef used his whistle to bring attention to all the campers, who were in silence. Chef as a referee walked between the campers, while he examined every single one of them... The silence but killing intent from the Killer Bass made him grin widely as he then glanced at the Screaming Gophers who seemed not aware of what was going to happen. So he shook his head in disappointment.
"What a massacre," Chef mumbled to himself, as he was going to enjoy himself a little too much in the next few minutes. So he went behind Chris who was smiling because he knew how the episode would go, and he was eager to see a bloodshed like that, so he tossed a red rubber ball up and down in his hand.
"Today's challenge is the classic game of dodgeball," Chris said while he could see the glimpse in the eyes of the Killer Bass, while the screaming Gophers just realized the trap they were in. "The first rule of the dodgeball, if you get hit with the ball..."
Chris then threw the ball in his hands at Courtney, but she caught it before hitting her gut. "You're out. But if you catch the ball like Courtney did, the thrower gets sent out and the catcher gets to bring in another team member out on the court."
The Killer Bass were in silence, while the Screaming Gophers noticed something was wrong, the rival team wasn't saying a single word. And the silence itself was getting on their nerves.
"Okay now Geoff, try to hit me," Chris said as he picked up another ball and threw it to Geoff. "If you are holding a ball, you can use it to deflect a ball, but if it knocks the ball out of your hands, you're out."
"So wait, what do I do if the ball comes at me?" Lindsay asked as she was still trying to understand the rules of the game.
"You use the 5Ds," Ezekiel said which some of his teammates, and even the Screaming Gophers looked at him confused, but Chris had his eyes sparkling as he understood which movie reference Ezekiel was talking about. "Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive and Dodge."
"You said dodge twice," Gwen said as she rolled her eyes, but she then saw Geoff launching the ball to Chris who used the rubber ball to renounce and it went in her direction. And immediately hitting her head... "Ohhh... okay, I get it why is called dodge twice."
"Ohhhhhhhh," Lindsay said, as she could see why the 5Ds as well, she forgot the numbers 2,3 and 4, but numbers 1 and 5 she now understand it. "I gotta to Dodge."
Chris walked next to the chair Chef was going to be the referee...
"Alright sports, you have one minute until game time. You'll have 5 people on the court each game. If you catch a ball, you can bring in whoever you want. It's best of five and you get a point by hitting all five people with the ball!" Chris then used a different accent which made the whole group of both teams look at each other in confusion. "And just for you know, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story is a classic. You all should watch it at least once."
Ezekiel snickered as he walked towards the team to talk about the strategy.
And looking at both Eva and Duncan, he already can guess what's going to happen.
"I want to lead the team." Both Duncan and Eva said in unison. And it was what it took to make a huge discussion and argument, so it was best for Ezekiel to disarm their strong personalities.
"GUYS." Ezekiel then brought attention to both Eva and Duncan. "I want to lead the first team squad, to see their strategy and determine who were their strongest player. Give me Harold, Tyler, Katie, and Courtney for the first game."
And with that logic, both Eva and Duncan stared at each other, and then at the homeschooled boy again.
"Why? From what I saw, you took the nerd, the princess who doesn't seem to be her 100 percent with her legs still like jelly, and one of the twins... I understand the jock but why the rest?" Duncan said as he raised his eyebrow. Since Ezekiel always seemed to have ways to help the team, starting with that was out of the ordinary for the kid.
"Well to be honest. I've always wanted to play dodgeball after watching shows and movies about it, but I never got the chance of it. So I think throwing the first game just for fun would be good for not just me, but to make the team seem to be doing something good. Second, we can see which would be the strongest of the other team, so you two can observe and then find the right strategy to finish them off." Ezekiel explained as he then pointed out at the other team. "And third... you both are too strong together, so let's just use it to destroy them, without mercy. So let's not fight who would be the best leader. But how are we going to destroy the Gophers... because Heather just *beep* me off."
Duncan and Eva looked at each other, and with a silent nod and narrowing their eyes together, they gave a handshake. And with that, Ezekiel would lead the first game, while the other teams, Eva and Duncan would play together.
Ezekiel left the duo alone, and Duncan decided to explain his strategy.
"I have a strategy I picked up during my first visit in the juvie, it's called Rush the New Guy... and it's like this," Duncan commented as Eva listened quietly and hummed as she could see why it was important.
"Got it, we are going to use it. You are going to be the next team leader, so don't screw this up." Eva could see why Duncan wanted to be the team leader, so she decided to give her approval to him on that. But at the time he would screw up, she would beat the crap of him.
At the time the group got inside the court, Ezekiel went to talk with Harold.
"Harold, just to be sure, dodgeball is a game of abilities, launch the ball, catch the ball, and dodge the ball, be honest, Is there something you can use to maximize any of those abilities?" The hat homeschooled boy said at the nerd, who kept silent until one idea popped into his head.
"Figure-skating," Harold came to a conclusion, which made Ezekiel stop on his track... And then smiled widely.
"Oh you wild-card bastard," Ezekiel said with such a smile, that Harold could see himself able to prove his abilities. "Focus in dodge, we are a bait on the first challenge. But with that in mind, we know what's going on in the next challenge. Let's go."
Both Ezekiel and Harold walked towards Courtney was still feeling her legs unable to work properly, and she looked annoyed at both of them.
"I appreciate that you want to bring me here Zeke, but why did you decide to do it? We are going to lose one point to them." Courtney said grumpily as Ezekiel decided to be honest.
"Like I said to Duncan and Eva, I never played dodgeball before. So I've always wanted to try at least once... So I'm going to throw the first point just for the sake of having fun, but that way I choose you guys, because I wanted them to be caught by surprise by Eva and Duncan, I want them to feel comfortable with their false sense of security..." Ezekiel explained as he then glanced at Heather, Owen, Lindsay, and Cody. "And to be honest, to know if they have some people we should prepare ourselves against too."
Courtney glanced at the rival team, and she could understand what Ezekiel wanted... he wanted to make a bait team just for the next points, they would massacre everything...
And that thought alone was something that made her smile.
"Okay, now I understand. Well, I think that should be fair. I'm not in the best condition to play dodgeball, but it is just for fun. I think we can try it out." Courtney smiled, and Ezekiel nodded to her.
"Thanks." Ezekiel smiled, and with Tyler and Katie now on their side, it seemed the team of 5 was finally ready.
Heather also noticed something was wrong. As she looked at the team Killer Bass seemed to be excited for the game, but she realized that the strongest of their team wasn't even participating.
"What's the matter fish heads? Already throwing away the points? Because it wouldn't be funny to win another challenge..." Heather even as her gut feeling was telling her was up, she still wanted to provoke them. "Afraid to send the stupid twin with the fat twin tonight?"
Tyler got angry, but Courtney hold his hand, and with a stare made the jock remain quiet. Because when he looked on his side, the tan twin, was livid.
"Teams ready?" Chris asked as both seemed to be excited to see how the game would go. "The best of 5 wins, now I want to see balls flying."
And at the time Chef started using the whistle, and Beth was clapping her hands to cheer for her team.
Neither Gophers nor neither Bass, saw Katie being the first to take the rubber ball from the floor and launch it fast enough before Heather had time to process. Hitting directly on the head, and making the brat girl fall before her team to take the rubber ball.
Everyone was in silence, as all the campers stared at Katie who was breathing harshly, and staring at the fallen girl with hatred.
"That's for talking badly of my sister," Katie said as Chef whistled and pointed at Heather who was out of competition.
"WOHOOOOOOO." The killer Bass cheered from seeing the first point going already for the Killer Bass.
Heather got up, with her eye in a dark circle, and she looked at the Killer Bass in anger. But unable to do anything, she had to go back to the seats of Screaming Gophers.
Chef whistled again to resume the match.
Cody got the first ball, and this time proceeded to try to hit Tyler.
Tyler jumped as he then narrowed his eyes to the geek, who smiled sheepishly. With his entire body spinning, Tyler decided to use all his strength to launch the ball, but he committed a terrible mistake... he launched it in the direction of the Killer Bass group who was sitting... Especially on the strongest team member... the same team member who was narrowing her eyes and growling like a shark.
"OUCH." Duncan saw, that it was going to be terrible for the jock. "Welp, rest in peace dude."
"TYLERRRRRRRR." Eva snarled so loudly, that it made the jock gulp in fear. "Wait for me after this challenge."
"Oh no," Tyler whispered as he felt that nothing could make his day even worse.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Until he heard Owen with a rubber ball and with all his strength launch a ball into his tummy. And with a strength of 5 bulls, made him on the glass wall.
"Ahhh, my gut," Tyler said as his entire body went down.
The referee Chef whistled. Pointed out that Tyler was out, and Owen made a point for his team.
The screaming Gophers cheered loudly. While the Killer Bass gave a seat for Tyler... on Eva's side.
"Later we will talk..." Eva mumbled, as Tyler gulped, and was very afraid.
"Mommy," Tyler said, as he was very afraid of what was going to happen in the future.
And once again Chef whistled to resume the match.
Ezekiel had the rubber ball... And he was excited to see how he would play. Would he be good at a launch? an average? Who knows? It was a time like this when he watched cartoons and movies...
So he launched the ball into Leshawna's leg, which made her jump away. And then she took the ball and launched at him. So the homeschooled boy docked on the side. And with that, he was already participating in the game.
He smiled. He glanced at Courtney took the ball and launched the best as she could, but her legs were already giving in. So she dropped herself down.
"Dammit," Courtney said, as she could see the ball going towards her. But then she felt herself being pulled by the leg by both Harold and Katie. "Thanks guys."
Katie and Harold now saw Owen once again with the ball. Which made them glance at each other. Until Harold stepped himself further. And used his head to lead Katie to be away from the field. He looked at the big guy and an idea popped into his head.
By pressing his two feet on the ground, and making a gesture of tai-chi, he raised his hand and pointed at Owen, and then at himself. And he was making a gesture to make the fat boy from the Scream Gophers attack him. It was a challenge.
And Owen who saw that challenge, narrowed his eyes, and went full force on his attack. And one by one, the balls flew in the direction of the Killer Bass nerd.
And while many of Killer Bass were afraid for the poor nerd, Ezekiel smiled widely... Because it was time to show Harold's wicked skills.
Harold jumped with a split in the air, and then he spun his body on the floor like he was doing a breakdance, and by jumping he gave a moonwalk as he dodged another ball. And when Owen used another strong ball launch. Harold gave a matrix iconic scene which made everyone stare at how that dodge was from another level...
Ezekiel watched that scene... being on his side while doing this, was 10 times more awesome than the episode.
(Confession Duncan.)
"*beeeeeeeeeep*"
(Confession DJ.)
"*beeeeeeeeeep*"
(Confession Geoff.)
"*beeeeeeeeeep*"
(Confession Eva.)
"*beeeeeeeeeep*"
(Confession Courtney.)
"*beeeeeeeeeep*"
(Confession Tyler.)
"*beeeeeeeeeep*"
(Confession Katie.)
"*beeeeeeeeeep*"
(Confession Ezekiel.)
"Harold, you did a moonwalk in a dodgeball match and you didn't get hit, dude. That was AWESOME."
Courtney and Katie smirked... Since the whole group now had all the balls on their side of the field. Harold managed to bring all the balls to them. And with Ezekiel, now the trio had more chances to hit someone.
So Courtney, Ezekiel, and Katie went at the same time, and by surprise, two balls went in the direction of Owen who tried to jump but got hit by surprise, and Leshawna who got near him. While Cody jumped away from the ball that Katie launched at him.
Chef whistled as the Killer Bass team cheered from seeing now 2 other members of the Gophers being defeated.
The first match has been crushing around the groups. It was a match between 5 against 2.
Lindsay felt afraid as she was trying to launch the ball, but Ezekiel ducked, he then took the same ball and launched at the blondshell who remembered the 5Ds of the dodgeball, so she screamed as she dodged by jumping away.
Lindsay felt happy for finally dodging the game, but then she felt something hitting her leg. It was Courtney who managed to hit her with the ball...
Chef whistled and now making the game become 5 against 1.
The pressure was high, and Cody was cornered, he needed to think something to compete against the Killer Bass... So a plan happens in his mind and shows the tricks under his sleeve. Taking the ball from the floor and using his thumb to aim at Courtney, he spun the ball in the air a few times, before launching it at the C.I.T girl, who just tried to dodge, but the curve effect made the ball go and attack her on her back.
"Ahhh," Courtney went down from both her legs didn't keep much, and one simple hit was able to make her down.
Chef whistled as he pointed at Courtney making her elimination.
Katie, Ezekiel, and Harold looked at each other, noticing that the last member of the Screaming Gophers would be a challenge for them to overcome.
Katie launched her ball, but the boy ducked away, and with that, he came up with one idea in his mind. He used his t-shirt as a static shock on his rubber ball.
Ezekiel noticed what Cody was planning, so he decided to prepare himself.
And when the rubber ball got full of electricity, he launched directly at Katie. Who quickly noticed going in her direction. She ran away afraid... While Ezekie was waiting for the right timing... Until he jumped in the middle between Katie and the rubber ball.
It was the time he got the ball on his gut, and he even received a bit of charge of electricity from the static shock. Making him fall...
But at the smile of the geek boy who seemed to have taken down 2 Bass... his smile dropped when Ezekiel got up, while still holding the dodgeball between his arms.
The whistle of the chef was enough to make an annunciation of the first match going to the Killer Bass. The Killer Bass celebrated the victory. The team went together to decide their next strategy.
"Alright Zeke, did you have fun?" Courtney smiled as she felt it was a tough challenge, but she didn't expect to have won the first match. But now seeing the homeschooled boy still feeling a bit of pain giving a thumbs up. It seems that he had enough. "Alright, so we have the actual team here?"
Duncan and Eva nodded as they came forward.
"Owen and Cody, they were the strongest of their team," Eva explained as she pointed at how some of their members got defeated. "Also, the string bean got some moves."
"Yeah, dude, that was an awesome dodge. How did you do that?" Duncan had to give to Harold, who showed he was the best dodger over the whole team.
"Figure skating," Harold explained, as the team smiled like sharks. And the moral of Screaming Gophers would be down, quickly.
"Alright, Harold. Take your sit and watch the show. Maybe in the future, we can need a sub, and you would be perfect to bring the balls to us." Duncan smiled as he and Eva nodded as the motion of their plan would come into motion.
Ezekiel smiled, as finally, he was going to witness a scene of the episode of total drama... he always wondered what would be the Rush new guys' strategy combined with Eva's strength.
1 hour later. (Confession - Ezekiel)
"Never in my life I have witnessed a demonstration of such cruelty, violence, hatred force into a rubber ball being launched like that... For people who expected the Screaming Gophers any kind of consolation, or mercy? From Eva... well... I hope you guys like the idea of this episode ending up a bit quickly." Ezekiel said as he still looked awestruck from what happened, and he even took his hat off. "I wish I would pity the Screaming Gophers. I wish to... but this was AWESOME. THIS EPISODE IS THE BEST ONE EVER."
Now the next team groups on the sides were on the field.
Representing the Screaming Gophers: Justin, Beth, Owen, Trent, and Izzy.
And on the Killer Bass side: Duncan, Eva, DJ, Geoff and Bridgette.
At the time Chef whistled. The screaming Gophers were the first ones to take the ball... While the Killer Bass remained quiet, and still...
"Something is wrong," Heather observed as she then saw Owen launching his ball, and the Killer bass dodged, and another member did the same, Izzy, then Justin, and finally Beth... It took a while to notice that at the times her team was out of balls, her eyes went wide open.
The Killer Bass showed their grins, as they were with desire of blood. And Eva using all her strength, which was followed by the other members of Killer Bass, launched 5 balls directly on Owen... and with that... the giant has fallen.
Owen blacked out, as he opened his eyes, and saw double of his teammates.
Chef whistled to annunciate another point for the Killer Bass.
Heather got a bad feeling at that moment... and she just realized that it was too late to make some changes.
The next second, it was Beth, who tried to jump away, she was massacred so hard that her glasses went off from her face.
Izzy tried to be strong as she closed her eyes, but the impact of all the rubber balls was enough to make her be launched on the other side of the glass wall.
Trent took one ball to try to deflect them, but one of those balls... was aimed at his crotch, and he went on his knees before being massacred in the belly.
It was now the beauty boy who just watched his entire team eliminated, and gulping dry saliva, he saw Eva walking towards him.
"Now that we are all here at this point. I have a question for you pretty boy... in the face or the crotch?" Eva smiled like a devil, as her entire squad behind her raised their rubber balls aimed at Justin.
"IN THE CROTCH, IN THE CROTCH." Just said as he tried to protect his face from the rubber balls.
"Did you hear that, guys? He wants in the crotch." Eva smiled, as she then used all her strength to aim at Justin's jewels, and with that making all the air from his entire body leave.
And when he thought he was going to be relieved from the game, suddenly four balls went directly into the face.
"OUCH. The final attack needs a replay." Chris pointed as the camera then went back on the video, showing the transaction of all 4 balls hitting Justin in the face, from his pain of being launched at the crotch for then attacked on the face, and Chris happily and sadistically decided to play with the video. "Play, then come back, then play again, then come back. And now Slow Motion."
Justin's face felt so much attacked by the whole group that it was sure that his beautiful face was going to be feeling awful later.
"MY FACE, MY BEAUTIFUL FACE," Justin shouted as he went into the fetal position, and Heather rolled her eyes.
"Oh wake up baby. We just lost a match." Heather sneered, as the whole Killer Bass was cheering loudly.
"PERFECT WIN GUYS," Courtney said as the group hugged. "One more victory and we are free for the rest of the day."
"Alright Harold, it's time to show your value again," Duncan said as he glanced at Eva who nodded her head evilly. "This time we are not going to use my strategy. But we are just going to use dodge and destroy."
Harold drank his water bottle and got curious about the plan.
"Alright, I'm in." Harold smiled as he felt excited to show his skills once again. And Ezekiel could see everyone happy and excited to see how it would turn out.
"We gotta do something," Heather said as she wasn't able to think of a better plan. "Owen, Cody, Trent, Justin you are going with me."
"NO, I DON'T WANT TO GO IN," Justin said as he tried to look at his reflection, but the damage made by the rubber balls made him cry in pain. "Don't look at me, I'm horrendous."
"Oh cry me a river. Just show them who is the best pretty boy." Leshawna said as pushed the model down to the group. Who lamented to have woken up from his bed.
Heather raised her eyebrow, thinking Leshawna was the one who was going to offer herself, but never inside of her mind, she would see the black girl pushing the poor kicked boy to go back to receive more pain... Heather snickered into seeing that side of Leshawna.
"Alright, if we are going to lose. Then let's just make them lose some of their team members too. Owen, Cody, when you launch the ball, make sure to hit the target." Heather gave the commands, and the group seemed to be ready to play.
The final round.
Eva, Duncan, Harold, DJ, and Geoff from the Killer Bass side, while Heather, Cody, Owen, Trent, and Justin from the Screaming Gophers.
"Harold, for the sake of our victory we need you to provoke them and dodge every single ball... Do you think you can handle it?" Eva asked as she could see Harold stretching himself.
Harold sniffed, and with his eyes narrowed, he smirked at her.
"Sure," Harold said confidently, as the Chef was ready once again to start the match.
And with the whistle of the game, the match was set, and the game started once again. But this time, Eva, and Duncan took their balls, while each member of the group gave some space to Harold to use his skill.
Heather, Owen, and Cody got their balls and were ready to start. Until...
"Hey... are those fake?" Harold suddenly commented as he pointed in the direction of Heather, who paused at the time she was going to launch the ball.
"What are fake?" Heather asked as she narrowed her eyes. Until she saw Harold using both his hands to gesture to his chest, and with that she dropped her mouth in disbelief.
"Yeah, looking from this angle, they seemed kinda not natural to me." Harold just shrugged, as it got Heather to grit her teeth and her eyes twitch in anger.
"WHAT YOU MEAN BY THAT?" Heather furiously shouted, as she was ready to aim at the nerd, who suddenly just tried to act himself.
"I don't judge, but it seems you use fake t..." Harold said casually but was interrupted by a ball launching at him, which he immediately dodged by spinning like a ballerina. "SORRY, I THINK THEY ARE FINE IN YOU... EVEN IF THEY WERE FAKE."
"ROARRRRRRR." Heather roared as she took the balls from Owen and Cody, and launched at Harold, who danced around by spinning around the attack, and when Heather finally noticed what she had done. She realized that she was played by the nerd... And with the bodybuilder and the delinquent cracking their knuckles. "Oh no."
And like a missile, she was launched away on the glass wall. And with enough force to even leave a crack on the wall.
Owen tried to catch the next ball, but it hit him directly in the face.
After that, Cody used his spinning ball, but Harold decided to dance around it, by jumping with a split and then doing a then making his body like dead, as he went down. And using his body to go up without using his arms. Cody realized his mistake, when Duncan launched the ball on his gut, making him spat in pain.
And now once again, it was the whole group and Justin.
"Oh no. Please, have mercy." Justin said as he was on his knees... But then he saw like the devil approaching him.
"Mercy is for the weak." And with that, Eva launched the ball with such force, that Justin got knocked out, making him limbless.
The chef whistled as the final match was decided.
"The winners: The Killer Bass." Chris raised his arm at the victorious team who every single one of them celebrated. Hugs and High-fives were shown as they all seemed to be happy with their victory. "Screaming Gophers, you had tried, but helplessly got massacred."
Chris pointed out that Justin was in a fetal position trying to be not looked at by cameras.
"I recommend you get a shower and prepare to choose who is going out today." Chris pointed out, while he could see the winners still happy with their victory. "Well, that's a very short challenge, but a good one nowadays."
The Screaming Gophers left the field, while some of the Killer Bass remained there.
"Hey, Chris." A voice called for him, at the time the camera turned off. It was the hat boy Ezekiel. "Can you tell me when you are going to disassemble the field? I want to play more later with some guys, without you know... Having the elimination at stake."
"Well, it always depends on the interns, so they always take 1 or 2 days to disassemble everything before the preparations for the next challenge."Chris shrugged off, while Chef got out from his position of the referee and dressed himself as chef again. "For someone who played dodgeball for the first time, gotta say it was average, but you had good timing."
Ezekiel smiled.
"Yeah, but we didn't have time to practice with Patches O'Houlihan," Ezekiel commented and Chris laughed loudly.
"Kid, gotta say, for someone watching cartoons and movies, you know how to entertain others. Always be yourself okay?" Chris means it since the shows he hosts usually end up with many people getting crazy.
"Alright." Ezekiel left, and Chris and Chef went back to their business.
(Aquarium)
The whole group was reunited around the cave they proudly named Aquarium, Eva got the satisfaction of the victory as she kept using her dumbbells to work out her biceps.
Ezekiel was typing as he planned for another chapter of Steven Universe.
Duncan was playing with his knife.
DJ was happy as he was sitting nearby and observing the nature inside of the cave.
Tyler was playing with his yoyo but got himself tied again, but usually, DJ would come to untie him all the time.
Harold was training with his nunchucks to make himself not hit himself on the jewels.
Geoff Bridgette and Katie were on the hot tube, enjoying a victory relaxation.
Courtney came with her swimsuit to use the hot tube but decided to say something first.
"Alright Bass, I cannot express how proud I am of everyone, but now I would be glad to annunciate the MVPs of this challenge." Courtney found it was the right time to make the team have their morale high.
"Hands down, Harold, Duncan, and Eva" Ezekiel got up as he pointed at the trio of the match, who seemed to be the ones who created the final scene of the episode.
Courtney stopped as she was going to say, but then nodded her head in agreement.
"I was going to include you, but Harold indeed showed his value on this challenge. You got us by surprise with dancing around the rubber balls."Courtney had to give at the blue shirt nerd, who smiled proudly at himself.
Harold was smirking until he received a strong slap on his back. By the delinquent himself.
"Ouch," Harold said loudly as the delinquent narrowed his eyes.
"Don't start getting cocky, just because you are an MVP of one challenge, doesn't mean that you will always be safe, every challenge is unpredictable. So not even me and Eva are going to be smugging because we won just one challenge." Duncan pointed out as he showed the intimidation at Harold who remained with his mouth shut. But then Duncan smirked. "That said, awesome dude. You know how to dodge."
Harold smiled as he gave a high-five to Duncan.
Ezekiel smiled from seeing something he never thought was possible. In the first season, Harold and Duncan would have become nemeses, but seeing them interact like comrades, really made him realize that maybe, the Killer Bass were the best team, but nobody realized their value.
Since it was the time for them to eat... He cannot wait to play dodgeball with his friends again.
As the group was leaving the cave one by one. Tyler was about to leave happily until he felt a strong grip on his shoulder. Making him yelp... And when he turned himself to the person who was holding him. He became palled from seeing the face of a demon in a woman's body.
"Hello Tyler, I want to have a nice conversation with you," Eva said as she tightened her grip, and Tyler didn't even have time to register what happened.
It was the longest 10 minutes of pain he had on his entire life.
(Main Lodge)
Ezekiel gulped hard his meal, The Chef indeed did make a strong military food, and surprisingly, it even had a sugar cube for the drink they were going to have.
So Ezekiel noticed that all his team members were having difficulty eating lunch, but one was simply scribing a piece of paper. The cowboy hat Geoff was doing a doodle.
Ezekiel glanced and noticed he was doing a dog, which was simply sketch and lines.
"Hey dude, that's not bad."Ezekiel smiled as Geoff seemed bored and a bit disappointed with his drawing.
"Hmm, it's not that great man," Geoff commented as Ezekiel approached him.
"No, it's good, man." Ezekiel then went to place his finger on the sketch to point all. "Maybe though, add some shading around the shadows to meet the neck. Make sure it's obvious where the light source is coming from. It'll help give the drawing more volume and depth."
Geoff just shrugged and decided to follow the advice by correcting what Ezekiel pointed out. And the next time raised his paper sheet.
A dark realist wolf was shown, which made the party boy happy and proud of his work.
"Woaaah, that's awesome."Geoff smiled as he could see the progress he had made. He tapped the back of the hat by who was still eating the food nearby him. "You are a great teacher Zeke"
"Nah, just gave some points into how to make art better. It's always helpful when artists help each other by giving tips and helping the others to progress." Ezekiel dismissed the idea of teaching since a bad memory came to his mind about his parents in his former life and the aunty who was deceased from a brutal incident in the public school.
Geoff saw his reaction and decided to drop the subject. But he couldn't help but be curious, but it wasn't his place to ask.
"So what do you plan to do later dude?" Geoff asked as Ezekiel smiled with one idea in mind.
"Well, Chris told me that the crew of interns is going to dismantle the dodgeball field tomorrow or after tomorrow, so I want to ask if you and the guys want to have a match again. No fight, no risk, just as the guys having a friendly match of dodgeball." Ezekiel pointed out as Geoff tipped his chin in thought. And with a smile on his face, he nodded his head.
"Alright, count me in. It will be awesome if we play some sport and then relax on the hot tube tonight."Geoff felt excited, as he could take time to enjoy a time with the boys. "So all of us the boys?"
"Yep, I asked the girls if they were interested. But Eva said that she would be focusing on doing the workout, so she would say maybe next time. Courtney is still recovering her leg, and Bridgette and Katie politely refused to play." Ezekiel explained as he wanted to be fair with his teammates. "Harold, Duncan, Tyler, and DJ said they have nothing better to do tonight, so they accepted."
"So we have a guys' night?" Geoff asked excitedly.
"GUYS' NIGHT OHHHHHHHHHHHH" Ezekiel said loudly as he raised his right arm and waved.
"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Geoff did the same thing as the duo seemed excited about the night.
"CAN YOU BOTH SHUT UP?" An irate voice was enough to interrupt the duo who were happy. And at the time they turned their backs, they saw one angry Heather annoyed by both of them.
"Well, let's take our stuff and enjoy the day before the guys' night." Ezekiel said as he got up which Geoff immediately did the same
"GUYS' NIGHT OHHHHHHHHHH" This time Geoff liked the way it sounded and started doing it, which was followed by Ezekiel and both left the main lodge.
After closing the door, there was a bowl of food launched at the door.
At the other table, the group of Screaming Gophers were in silence when they decided to plan their next elimination.
"Ugh, I can't believe it, we got demolished by those fish heads." Heather snarled as she still felt her face sore from receiving the first shot from them.
"Well, that's what happens when you provoke them, they seemed to be wanting to focus their hatred on you." Leshawna smiled, as she could see Heather fuming, so she decided to make it even more fun. "Fake tits"
Gwen would have laughed if she wasn't that tired and her face still sleeping on the table.
Trent raised her head and placed it into a pillow to make her more comfortable by sleeping on the table.
Beth and Lindsay gasped as the provocation made by the black girl, and Heather... She was with skulls in her eyes. Leshawna and that stupid ugly nerd are on her list of victims, they are going to pay for this humiliation.
Heather gritted her teeth and remained quiet.
"Anyway the fake tits got it right, we got demolished without mercy, so now we must choose who is going to leave tonight."Leshawna smiled as she could see the prick girl angry, so she decided to point out the situation they were in.
The group was in silence until a voice could be heard from the blasting door.
"I QUIT," A shout was strong enough to make all the Gophers stare at what would be the remaining of Justin who had his entire face covered in bandages."That's the second time my beautiful face was compromised from this chaotic show. I cannot take it anymore."
Heather and Leshawna looked at each other. Both girls rolled their eyes.
"Aww man," Owen said as he lamented eating the bad military food from Chef. "Are you sure that you want that? You still look fine."
Justin's eyes twitched as he shed some tears.
"I cannot risk it, Owen, this place is crazy. And I miss my beauty spa. So I want everyone voting out for me to leave this place. And I mean it." Justin commented as he sat with them. "I cannot eat more of this junk, and I think I have a better place for me at the moment I get out from this show."
The Screaming Gophers were quiet, but Heather was satisfied that she wouldn't have to deal with the stupid drama from the boy model. It was time to let him go.
At the time Geoff and Ezekiel went inside the cabin, Harold was writing some kind of paper, when suddenly he jumped startled.
"OI, don't scare me like that," Harold said as he tried to hide his paper, which Geoff looked curious about.
"What are you doing with this paper?" Geoff asked curious as he tried to see. But Harold gave a step back to avoid being seen.
"Ah, it's nothing too much, just... Math homework, yeah, I have been trying to make my mind shar..." Harold tried to find an excuse but it was interrupted.
"Harold, we know that you write poetry," Ezekiel said loudly which made Harold glare.
"It's a Haiku." Harold corrected, but from seeing the smile from his friend, he noticed he had been played. " Oh, I mean..."
"Dude, it's fine." Ezekiel raised both his hands, as he nodded to Geoff. "Everyone here knows you do that."
Harold palled from hearing what Ezekiel had said, but then Duncan got inside with Tyler who seemed to be covered with bruises and a black eye.
"Dude, what the hell happened to you?"Harold asked as he found a good excuse to avoid being caught with his hand on the proverb cookie jar.
"Eva did it," Duncan said laughing. He pointed out as the jock winced from pain. "She beat the crap of him when they were alone after the meeting."
The whole group of boys snickered while Tyler rolled his eyes.
"Not cool, guys," Tyler commented as he huffed himself with his arms crossed.
"So what was about you writing poetry?" Duncan said as Harold flinched as he thought he was free from that.
"It's a haiku." Ezekiel corrected. "A Japanese style of poetry, which Harold has actual talent for it. So what was it about?"
"Ah, nothing to worry about. Just the philosophy of life and living on this ..."
"Is it about girls?" Duncan asked which made Harold facepalm himself, from being unable to hide that. Which made the delinquent laugh. "Oh come on dude, poetry? Seriously?"
Harold was about to defend himself, but then he was interrupted by DJ.
"Momma told me my dad was a great romantic guy, who managed to win her heart by doing amazing poetry related to Jamaica and her cooking. She said she loves to recite when she misses my dad, God Bless his soul." DJ commented which made the group stare at him, but suddenly they went with their heads down to pray for respect.
"Amen," Harold said as he raised his head. "Alright, it's about a girl. But please don't ask w..."
"Leshawna." Ezekiel interrupted Harold who turned his head angrily and in disbelief.
"STOP DOING THAT, AND HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT?"Harold shouted both in anger and also in panic, for everyone to be able to read him like a book.
"Hmmm... Nope." Ezekiel places his hand on his chin to think about it but then decides to reply sarcastically which makes the nerd look dejected. "Harold, my friend, my pal. I wrote a lot of stories, some chapters were even romances... I know that you have been trying to take attention from Leshawna since day one."
"Really?" Duncan said as he looked amused. "Leshawna and him? That's gonna be funny."
Harold was about to get angry but Ezekiel called his attention.
"Ignore him, what you need to do dude is to not try to hide from us, we are going to notice, and we respect your decision to have feelings for her," Ezekiel said as he looked at Geoff. "Isn't that right?"
"Yeah dude, you can trust us." Geoff smiled as DJ nodded his head.
"Also you aren't the only one who has crushes around this camp. Isn't that right Tyler?" Ezekiel then decided to place the jock in the fire who was surprised by that statement.
"Hey hey, what you mean?" Tyler's sweat from the hat boy placed him on the radar of the others.
"He is talking about you having fallen for the blonde dumb from Gophers." Duncan understood who Ezekiel was referring to, which made Tyler stutter.
"No, I mean maybe... What if so?" Tyler tried to deny but then he couldn't help but confront his teammates.
"Dude, that's okay. We are not judging, heck, I think you got a great choice for a girl." Ezekiel explained as he walked towards Tyler. "Dude, she is into you, at the moment you appeared after Duncan and I killed the cockroach, she has been in love at first sight."
"Lucky bastard." Commented Duncan as he corrected himself. "Okay, we got two love birds on the team, so what if they try to sabotage us?"
The group was in silence until Ezekiel just shrugged.
"Who cares?" The homeschooled boy replied to the delinquent. "If they try to sabotage because of this crush, you can just eliminate the ones who made a mistake, it wouldn't be a big deal. What is what worst kind of possibility is sabotage because of jealousy."
Ezekiel pointed out which made Duncan raise his eyebrows.
"Elaborate" Duncan commanded as Ezekiel walked towards Harold and Tyler.
"I believe that stupid couples always happen when they are in love. But the most dangerous toxic kind of stupid people were the ones who sabotage wrongly because of jealousy. Like, rigging the votes, faking an injury, or even already hurting their teammates because of that." Ezekiel pointed as he already saw some shows, heck he even pointed out how Harold was stupid because of jealousy, and how it bitten his ass... "I think the best thing we can do for not to make these fools have jealousy of us... Is that if we form a pact."
Duncan looked confused but then he just shrugged, while Harold looked at Ezekiel in disbelief.
"What kind of pact?" Harold had to ask since pacts between men usually would be extreme.
"You already said the girls you have a crush on and possibly in love. Meaning that you can trust me, I will not meddle or try to make your relationship fail. I will support you in case it works. And if fails, I believe you will have a better chance with another girl in the future." Ezekiel said as he could see Harold and Tyler's eyes sparkle, and their smiles became very natural.
"Would you do that to us, dude?" Harold asked as he couldn't believe that a friend was glad to give his support.
"Sure, is there anyone here who wants to confess your crush? Geoff? Duncan?" Ezekiel asked which made both the delinquent and the hat boy look at each other.
"Pass," Duncan said but he gotta give the hand to the hat boy. "But when I find someone you are going to be the first person to know."
"I will hold yourself that." Ezekiel smiled, while Geoff decided to be honest with his friend.
"Well, you know Bridgette?" Geoff asked which made the whole group of boys nod their heads to him. "I think I'm starting to like her."
DJ, Ezekiel, Harold, and Tyler were happy.
"Oh, that's awesome dude. I know that you are going to be a great couple together." DJ said and Ezekiel nodded his head to them.
"Yeah, but remember that she is also a person, and you must try to not make her jealous of you. Remember what I said." Ezekiel had to point out. One scene from World Tour made Geoff and Bridgette's relationship become an obstacle, from all the jealousy she had for him, and then Alejandro came to play a master romantic manipulator.
Geoff nodded his head, and then Duncan decided to ask the young boy.
"And what about you Zeke? Don't you have someone you want to jump to?" Duncan smirked as the farm boy paused.
Ezekiel remained quiet, and thought for a few seconds... but then he just shrugged.
"Nah, not really," Ezekiel replied which made the whole group of boys stare at him surprised.
"What? Seriously?" Geoff asked surprised, while every single boy looked at him in disbelief.
"I mean, sure, every girl here is unique, but I wouldn't do that to you guys if you like them. And also I don't know every single one of them truly, so I wouldn't say I'm in love if I haven't even had a relationship in my life before." Ezekiel was honest, he never had a girlfriend in his life, not even an online one in his past life.
"Pff, come on Zeke, we know that you and the farm girl were meant to be with each other," Duncan said it, but suddenly he regretted it as he could see Ezekiel pausing, and then narrowing his eyes at Duncan, as he heard the most stupid thing he ever heard on his life.
"Did you mean that just because Me and Beth are ugly that means we are meant to be with each other?" Ezekiel said quietly, but from the tone of his voice, all the group of boys stared at Duncan who just said a stupid thing.
"No, no. I didn't mean that, I said since you both are farmers..." And Duncan somehow made it even worse.
"WOW, JUST WOW," Ezekiel said as he raised his arms wide open. "So just because we are farmers, we should be together, wow Duncan, just wow."
"OH OH WOA WHOA WHOA WHOA." Geoff, DJ, Tyler, and even Harold gave a step back as they raised both their hands and gave some space.
"Dude, that's messed up," Geoff commented, as Duncan realized that he said some stupid stuff.
"Okay, okay, my bad. Sorry, it went wrong." Duncan said as he felt like a jerk, which the group looked at each other, Ezekiel gave a deep sigh.
"Duncan, you are my friend. But please, just because I'm ugly, doesn't mean that I don't want to have a hot or cute girlfriend, and just because Beth is ugly as well, doesn't mean that she wouldn't end up with a supermodel. You never know how love works. It's unpredictable, and stereotypes aren't something that shouldn't come from you. Not you, like we did on the first day." Ezekiel explained as he made Duncan remember how the girls always looked at Justin who was the hottest guy, but Lindsay would go after Tyler who was love at first sight.
"Okay, I will try to not mess up like this again," Duncan said as Ezekiel gave his hand for a handshake. "So Zeke, what would be your type of girl?"
"Well, I don't know much... But my pa always taught me to be kind, protective, and strong for a girl I would end up with, while he sounded sexist, he meant it with his heart that we should treat our loved ones like a queen. So I think for me... I would love someone who would support me, help me in all my struggles, be free with me with all my creativity, and be acceptive of what adventures life would give to me as we have been on this crazy show." Ezekiel commented, that he knows for sure that his speech would be on the television. So he decided to be honest. "I don't know if could be an Olympic athlete, a girl in tune with nature, the possibilities are endless. And when this show is over... There would always be the next one in the future. So maybe who knows, I would fall in love off-screen. But that's how love it is... it's unpredictable, and I'm excited to see how crazy it would become in my life."
The boys who listened to Ezekiel explain what he thinks about what a good girl would be... were quiet, as they learned a lot from a boy who had never been in a relationship before. What the kid wanted was someone to become indeed his life partner, whenever challenges would be.
And that was indeed a crazy thing to learn...
"Well, the talk was good. But there is a dodgeball game we have to enjoy. LET'S GO BOYS. OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Geoff noticed that the talk was into something deep, so he wanted to help everyone from the group be fine again. And with that in mind, a good game of dodgeball would be awesome to play with.
"YEAH. OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" All the boys from the Killer Bass decided to follow Geoff who was shouting an iconic should Ezekiel taught him by accident, and it seemed that it was going to stick, as a good way for the group of Killer Bass to demonstrate their excitement from now on.
(Campfire)
For the second time, the Screaming Gophers were at the Elimination Ceremony. In Chri's hand was a plate with 9 marshmallows. On that night, the total number of members of campers would become 19 and the Gophers would lose another member of their team.
"Campers, you've already placed your votes and made your decision," Chris told all the Screaming Gophers who were in front of him. "One of you will be going home. And you can't come back. Ever. When you hear me call out your name, come pick up a marshmallow."
All the Screaming Gophers stared at each other, as if the suspense would become part of the show, but from their looks, they all kept staring at the boy who was still using an ice sack to place on his face.
"Owen, Gwen, Cody, Trent." The four mentioned campers smiled as they all went to get their marshmallow. "Heather, Beth, Leshawna, Izzy."
And more and more campers went to have their sweat marshmallow. Leaving only two of them, Lindsay and Justin who were waiting for the last marshmallow.
Lindsay felt her heartbeats rising, as she thought something was wrong. She thought everyone was supposed to vote for Justin who wanted so much to quit the show, but suddenly she felt her hand being held tight.
"He is creating suspense, it's me, relax," Justin said with his casual smile, even if was a bit ugly from all the ball hits he received on the face.
Lindsay felt inside of herself a huge relief. As she was looking at Chris who was going to make the final decision.
"The final marshmallow goes to..." Lindsay tried to remain calm, while Justin tried to remain strong until the final voice came to say who was the last camper. "Lindsay."
Lindsay got up and gave a quick hug on Justin who smiled in relief.
"Well Justin, it seems your time has come, sadly the sugar eye wasn't enough to save you this time," Chris commented as the model who was on the verge of freaking out the whole morning, finally found peace in himself.
"It's fine Chris, I can finally take care of my beautiful face again. And relax a bit more. I deserve a break from all this craziness." Justin even as his face was purple from the impacts, his white smile still sparkled, as he showed an inner beauty, which made the animals pause and stare at him in admiration and love. "Wow, I never thought I had this in me. Anyway, time to go."
"Well said it Justin, now for the Boat of Losers, Justin," Chris said as the beautiful boy, left the island once and for all, and with that, Chris sighed. "Well, there goes the sugar candy, but it was a good episode nonetheless, and I still get paid. BONUS."
(Court)
"Oh come on, get hit already," Duncan said as he smirked with a powerful throw he did to the nerd who jumped away from the ball.
"Nice try." Harold provoked, as he felt the adrenaline rush. Using the martial pose of the kung fu movie star, he used the thumb on his nose and made a kung fu pose. "Come on, come on."
It was a rivalry between the boys. The teams were set, Duncan, Ezekiel, and DJ, against Tyler, Geoff, and Harold.
No prize, no punishment. Just fun and a good rivalry on the guys' night.
As the friendship of Killer Bass would get even stronger.
Chapter 6: Interlude 2
Chapter Text
"Well, I don't know much... But my pa always taught me to be kind, protective, and strong for a girl I would end up with, while he sounded sexist, he meant it with his heart that we should treat our loved ones like a queen. So I think for me... I would love someone who would support me, help me in all my struggles, be free with me with all my creativity, and be acceptive of what adventures life would give to me as we have been on this crazy show." Ezekiel commented, that he knows for sure that his speech would be on the television. So he decided to be honest. "I don't know if could be an Olympic athlete, a girl in tune with nature, the possibilities are endless. And when this show is over... There would always be the next one in the future. So maybe who knows, I would fall in love off-screen. But that's how love it is... it's unpredictable, and I'm excited to see how crazy it would become in my life."
That quote alone was something nobody expected to hear from the homeschooled boy. And the ripple it created from that scene. Since in the time the boys were talking about relationships.
Outside of the cabin, hidden on the left side, a pair of green eyes sparkled, and not the next second an orange-haired girl who was in silence raised both her eyebrows... As she immediately caught some keywords from what the boy said...
"Was he talking about me?" Izzy wondered in silence, from the time she went to spy on her teammates and the rival team. And the constant strength the Killer Bass is having after the first loss... "Hmm, maybe I shouldn't have moved from the Killer Bass"
Izzy went to hide between the bushes and then acted like herself once again.
Izzy, an expert in nature, a former military soldier elite, IQ of 188, and she still couldn't decipher one amusing puzzle.
"Ezekiel..." Izzy smiled amused... She would keep that in mind since she also liked the idea of how unpredictable things would be. "You are right, let's see what the future holds?"
In a very far region of Vancouver, a gymnast was doing her warm-up stretches, before giving her a try to the Olympics.
"Sky, come here. You need to see it, the Killer Bass is annihilating the Screaming Gophers." A mature voice made the young aspiring athlete do a very good acrobatic towards the sofa and with his older sister, she got her eyes watching the television.
"Oof" Sky said as he could see Duncan, Eva and Harold being ruthless... "I pity Cody and Owen, they tried their best, but it was a fair game... Excluding Harold's provocation, it wasn't necessary the trash talking to Heather."
"Well Heather had it coming, she just made fun of Sadie, and Katie headshot her without mercy." The older sister commented as he pointed out the final competitor. "Ohhh, poor Justin... He is going to leave the show."
"Yep, it may be too much for him. But at least people will talk about him preferring to take care of himself." Sky nodded her head in approval. "I think that's good for him."
"Yeah, but I cannot deny I will miss his beautiful abs." The older sister sighed dreamily as the group stared at the finish of the game.
"OHHHHHHHHHH."Geoff and Ezekiel saying OHHHHHHHH in hype made the older sister do the same while Sky rolled her eyes. "Oh come on sis, it's awesome, give it a try."
"GUYS' NIGHT. OHHHHHHHHHHH." Geoff and Ezekiel shouted on the screen which made both sisters follow after them, and the seconds of the hype were so fun that it made the sisters laugh happily.
"See? I told you." Sky's sister smiled as the aspiring athlete rolled her eyes.
"Okay, it was fun. Now let's go back to tv..." Sky said as he stared at her sister.
.
.
.
Then the conversation between the boys on Killer Bass made both sisters surprised and even shocked.
"Wow," The older sister commented as she could see Sky also without words. "Never thought he had such high regard for himself. He views himself as ugly and yet he seeks a girl with more qualities than actual beauty. I would say he was making fun of Beth hooking a supermodel, but from the look on his face, he believed Beth was going to take a beef stake. Better to record this. If it happens I'm going to blog to everyone."
The older sister left the aspiring athletic girl alone staring at the show, surprised by the speech of the homeschooled boy...
"Olympic Athlete... Was he talking about me?" Sky stared at the screen until something hit inside of her *BURP*
In a house in the middle of a forest, filled with all the vines and flowers around there.
A family is watching the television by the fusion of technology and mother nature.
"Hmmm?" A very pale girl watched the television with her eyes wide open in surprise.
"Is there anything wrong sweetheart?" A lovely voice came from the mother who was sitting on a couch made of logs and leaves, staring at the girl who seemed to be glancing at the screen.
"It's about that boy Ezekiel again... Mother Nature has told me."The father who was dressed in a combination of a suit made of vines and leaves replied as he stared at the amusement in his little girl's eyes.
"MOTHER NATURE" Dawn gasped in betrayal as she glanced the nature spilling the beans once again... And with an amused look from both their eyes. "Father, it's fine. It's that boy..."
"Has two auras on him..." Both parents concluded, as they also felt from watching in curiosity something that mother nature liked to watch the family puzzled of.
"Yes..." Dawn commented, as she never thought that a person in her existence to be able to have two auras in the same body, and the theories for both her and her family were countless...
.
.
.
At the time the family heard Ezekiel finish his speech, the entire family had their eyes wide open... And as the sound of wind and moves of leaves... The father and mother looked at their daughter in shock.
"He knows about your existence." The druid's father commented as he could see the aura from the television, it wasn't a lie, the way he described it was because he knew about the existence of Dawn and possibly other future competitors.
"Mother nature." The mother stared at the leaves and for her response... The leaves moved away from the tree..." of course you knew..."
Dawn remained in shock, as she saw that the camper who was homeschooled and never saw outside of the farm... She felt there were so many secrets to be hidden in his aura... But the only way to know the truth...
"I need to see him." Dawn got up, and she stared at the tree which gave her a backpack... "Right... I need to wait until the end of the show, then I'm going after him."
Both parents stared at their beautiful daughter, who seemed to be on a personal mission, guided by Mother Nature herself... And looking at the aura of the boy again... They can see the future of that boy would bring chaos but also happiness around... A kindred spirit.
(Campfire)
Cody remained quiet, as he saw every single member of the Screaming Gophers depart, leaving him alone while the bonfire still lightning the darkness around the beach.
Cody was disappointed with himself. From the corner of his eye, he saw someone coming to sit on the sand, and glancing in the direction of where the boat had left. A tan girl who seemed to be glancing sadly at the ocean far ahead of her.
Seeing that the girl seemed to be alone, he decided to come nearby and sit with her.
"Hey," Cody replied trying to act casual, as he saw the girl glancing at him but didn't reply. "A good night to stare at the ocean right?"
Katie remained quiet but looked at the boy who was trying to have a conversation with her, so she decided to be polite.
"I guess so..." Katie replied as the conversation became awkward from there... Katie then glanced at the geek boy but sighed. "Look, I know what you are trying to do, but I want to be alone for a while..."
Cody became quiet, but then he glanced around and sighed.
"You miss your sister right?" Cody asked while the tan girl nodded her head to him. "Look, I get it, it's fine to miss someone close like her, and trust me, I know that she is happy for what you did at the Dodgeball match today."
Glancing at the geek, Katie rolled her eyes.
"Heather should learn to shut her mouth," Katie mumbled as she kept staring at the coast, missing her sister, and a tranquil time.
Cody chuckled at such a reaction.
"Well, while I won't say she doesn't deserve it, that was the fasted headshot I saw in a dodgeball match." Cody complimented, as he brought attention to her. "I played so many matches in elementary school, and it was the fastest I could see someone go for the kill."
Katie smiled, as she giggled from remembering how furious Heather was at the time she got out from the game.
"Yeah, it was... well, you weren't also bad." Katie complimented back, while the geek boy rolled his eyes while chuckling.
"If you mean, half bad that you didn't even manage to get a member of my team out, then I can accept the compliment." Cody sarcastically made fun of himself, which ended up with Katie laughing at his reaction. "I can't believe that your team destroyed mine so easily in 3 to 0."
"Oh, don't be so harsh on yourself. You managed to get Courtney out." Katie commented, which made Cody smile, but then she added. "But also she overworked herself yesterday so she probably had legs of jello this morning. But still counts."
Cody's smile grimaces.
"Well, way to cheer up a person," Cody said which made Katie giggle from his reaction. "Still, I can't believe someone figured out the electro ball. Usually, it would take a few tries to figure out the timing."
"Welp, not for my team," Katie said proudly. She always remembered that she could count on them, and they always would get her back... She smiled as she looked at the horizon... "It was a worthy try Cody... but your team had it coming."
"Wow, way to push someone down." Cody found a way to make Katie laugh, and it was effective since the tan twin was laughing harder.
"Stop, you're making it hard to breathe." Katie laughed harder as the geek seemed to be enjoying the conversation.
By being in silence, he waited for Katie to recover her breath... and a minute later, it became a very comfortable silence.
A good night in the bonfire, watching the waves, with a hot girl, then Cody's eyes went wide open when he realized what his mind processed.
Gulping, Cody tried to force his smile and found it was a good opportunity to give it a try, he streetched himself looking away, trying to reach Katie, but she got up without noticing, making Cody fall on the sand, surprising Katie from the sudden fall.
"Oh my gosh, are you okay?" Katie asked while Cody was still with his face planted on the sand...
"Just my bruised pride," Cody replied as he got up with his face covered in sand. "Blergh."
"HAHAHAHAHAHA," Katie laughed as she felt happy to see someone cheering her up, and by seeing the poor geek trying his best, she couldn't help but smile at him. "Thanks, I needed that."
"Glad to help," Cody tried to disguise his humiliation as keeping cool. Which made Katie offer her hand.
"Let's clean up your face. You look like a sand statue." Katie giggled, as Cody rolled his eyes.
"Aye Aye captain." Cody followed Katie as the duo went near the water, and with a good splash on his face, even if with the salty water, Cody felt his face clean again. "Alright, good as new."
"Yep." Katie smiled, as she sat on the dock... which was followed by Cody.
The duo remained quiet, in a comfortable way...
"I miss her, Cody." Katie resumed her thoughts which made the geek show his true nature.
"You want to talk about it? I'm a good ear, and I would always be glad to hear someone when they need an ear to talk." Cody was genuine as he gave his smile, this time more natural than being forced.
Katie smiled, as she began talking about the good times she had with her sister, both enjoying a good time together.
(Nearby the Cabins)
The next morning, Bridgette passed a good time forcing herself to gulp a terrible breakfast quickly, since she had a good plan for what she was going to do after breakfast.
A few miles away from the cabins, in an area covered with bushes and logs. Bridgette got a good and relaxing place to focus on something it was on her hands...
A few groups of paper sheets clipped with a paper clip...
"Okay, Steven Chapter 7 - Bubble Buddies, let's see what you got to do today, Steven?" Bridgette commented as she stared at the paper which seemed to be an interesting chapter to read... "Ohhhhhh, a new girl in the area. She looks smart. Can't wait to read more about her."
Bridgette was giving a slight read until she noticed someone approaching from the bushes, and at the time she saw who it was, it was a more rested goth girl. Gwen seemed to have noticed the surfer ignoring her and kept reading the papers on her hand.
"So the writer boy gave you access to read his work?" Gwen asked while Bridgette raised her eyebrows...
"Yeah, after the time challenge of wake-a-thon, Zeke allowed us to read some of his work in case we were bored," Bridgette commented politely, as she glanced around to see if Gwen had been followed. "I'm surprised about how you know this place, I found it, this morning."
Gwen sat nearby and decided to close her eyes.
"Well, it's a great place to rest and be free from everyone around. I'm surprised you didn't disappear with all your team like most days." Gwen commented since the disappearing of the Killer Bass in some part of the day always has been something that her entire team was curious about.
"Well, today I wanted to have a me time. And since I wanted to read about Steven Universe, Ezekiel let me borrow all the chapters of his work for today." Bridgette said as she glanced at the group of papers. "I'm following the chronological order, so if you want to read Opal chapter, it's that one."
Gwen glanced at the group of papers, but then she just shrugged.
"Well, I have nothing better to do today. So let me read the first chapter." Gwen asked as the surfer took the one edited from the homeschooled boy himself.
The time they are enjoying good literature around the camp, not caring if people are going get worried about their disappearing of the day.
(Screaming Gophers Boys' Cabin)
Trent the time he got up, he used the good time to use his hair brush to make sure that the style of his hair would get right. And by that, he even brushed nine times just to be sure.
The guitarist who was saddened to see another comrade get out from the show shook his head and focused optimistically that it was a new day and a good time for him to enjoy a good break.
Glancing at the corner and seeing Owen still snoring happily for maybe dreaming about food, he smiled to see a friend who was enjoying the time at the camp, just like him. Even if he ignores the farting sound from the fat camper, and decides to leave before the smell would affect him.
Another day, and 2 days to not worry about the next challenge of the show.
Indeed was a good time for a shower, until he got to see Cody who was doing his best to try to make sure his hairstyle was okay, eating breath mints like crazy, and even doing his best to make sure his T-shirt was fine.
"Hey Cody, what's up?" Trent smiled, which made Cody look at his friend from the Screaming Gophers.
"Oh, hey Trent," Cody said as he tried to check to see if his shoes were with the knots tied, and seeing if something was wrong. "Oh nothing much, but I think I'm going on my first date today."
(Killer Bass Cabin)
"First date?" Both Courtney and Duncan said in unison as they couldn't proceed on what was going on since the tan twin was looking sheepishly at them who were at the door of their cabins. "With whom?"
"Yeah, well me and Cody had a very fun time on the campfire yesterday, so I asked if he was willing to go with me to the beach where we did the first challenge. And he said yes." Katie said as she was excited and brushing her head, while both Duncan and Courtney were listening in disbelief.
"Cody? You mean the geekster wimp who was smelling the hair of the goth around from the Gophers?" Eva opened the door as she then glanced at Katie who flinched from that statement.
"Yeah, but I think if I tell him to not be a freaky guy, he would do that. And he was really funny yesterday... wait a minute... WHY AM I GIVING SATISFACTION TO YOU ALL? YOU ARE NOT MY PARENTS." Katie realized how the conversation was getting out of hand, and then she realized that they weren't her relatives so they had no power over her.
"Yeah, but we are your friends Katie." Then a voice coming from the boy's cabin, which appeared to be Ezekiel followed by Harold, Tyler, and DJ were staring at her in concern. "But since you believe you have the situation over control. I believe in you, but please don't share the locations of the Aquarium or not even let him get inside the hot tube, we don't know if Chris is going to take this from us if that happens, so please don't let him use it okay?"
Duncan, Courtney, and all the other Bass stared at Ezekiel who was being honest for the tan twin, and with her smile, she nodded her head to him.
"Don't worry, now if you don't mind me, I'm going to take a shower and prepare myself. He said he is going to be here in one hour." Katie smiled as she hushed herself towards the communal bathroom.
At that moment the group was alone in silence. Ezekiel smiled until he sighed...
"Okay, we need to put the fear of God on Cody, does someone have an idea?" Ezekiel asked which made the entire group of Killer Bass smile widely now. Knowing the true intentions behind one of the pillars.
"And here I thought we were going to drop that... I'm glad you have reason shrimp." Duncan smirked as he then glanced at the group of girls. And had an idea... "I think I know, one way."
.
.
.
One hour later, Cody was ready to leave the Screaming Gopher cabin and take Katie to go to the beach... And at the time he was going to knock on the door. Courtney slammed wide open.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Courtney said as she opened the door from the inside of the cabin's girl.
"Courtney? I came here because Katie called me for a date." Cody said as he raised his arms in surrender, as he gave a step back sweating. Still, then he was cornered by the big Jamaican man, then a jock who was slamming his fist to his palm, a nerd who was using nunchucks with one hand as he stared at him dead in the eye, a hat boy cracking his knuckles, and a homeschooled boy who was holding his bow and arrow aimed at his head.
"Okay, so where is your ID?" Ezekiel asked, and that question got confused by Cody, who just replied without a beat.
"I didn't bring," Cody replied but then he regret it when Harold used his nunchucks to hit his ass. "AHHH."
"He didn't bring? Oh, get your ass up against that wall." Ezekiel ordered as DJ used his strength to make Cody place his hands on the wall, while Ezekiel inspected the geek who was starting to get intimidated. "Your problem is that you think you know it all, young Thundercats. You got joins on you?"
Cody felt in fear as he was being inspected by all the boys of the other cabin, and decided to quickly reply in fear.
"No," Cody answered, but then DJ turned the geek to see the group of boys staring angrily at him.
"YOU SMOKE THAT *BEEP*?" When the group of 4 boys and Courtney said in unison, Cody felt his body tremble and he thanked God he was in the bathroom before because it would have been a terrible leak on his underwear.
"NO," Cody said in a panic.
"Are you trying to get Katie high to smoke that *beep*?" Courtney asked until the nearby door from the boy's cabin got opened by a blast. Revealing Duncan who had his knife out.
"Oi, what's going on here?" Duncan said as the group gave some space to the delinquent pass.
"Cody is here," Courtney said loudly, as she looked at the boy who coiled in fear and like he was acting like a little mouse.
"Why the hell he is here in the first place?" Duncan said angrily as he stared at him like a drunken boy.
"He said he is going to bring Katie on a date." Geoff pointed out, making Cody stare at the group of Killer Bass like they were sharks waiting to eat him alive.
"Is that true?" Duncan asked as he walked nearby Cody who even his glaring was making the geek sweat like a river. "Do you know how to fight?"
That was a question Cody was not prepared for.
"Do you want to fight me? Huh? Huh? Even Harold could beat the crap of you with his nunchucks." Duncan said as he pointed out at the nerd who was using the nunchucks as a pro kung fu master. And somehow making Cody gulp drily.
"Duncan, Duncan. Enough." Ezekiel said as he took his bow and dropped his guard up. "You have to excuse Duncan, he has PTSD while being at the juvenile."
"I JUST GOT OUT FROM THERE, AND I WILL NEVER GO BACK THERE EVER AGAIN," Duncan said as he started playing with his knife, which somehow made Cody even more palled than before, and he was even feeling like somehow he was going to die on that moment. "I'm not going back, hey, what's wrong with you?"
"I-I-I-I-I" Cody stuttered as Courtney then looked into his eyes.
"Alright geek, let me tell you something, Katie just had to deal harshly with the idea of her sister not being part of the show. And we know that you have a weird quirk of smelling the hair of the girls creepily." Courtney said as Cody gulped and Duncan pointed the knife at him.
"Oh yeah, at the time we find you have been doing that with Katie, we are going to cut your hair off. Maybe even more." Duncan smiled which made Cody freezes in panic.
"Duncan, don't point the knife at him," Ezekiel said calmly until Duncan turned his head and pointed the knife at him.
"Hey, don't disrespect me," Duncan said as he looked at Cody who was shaking. "Hey geek, you seemed afraid, what's wrong? You don't like techno?"
"Duncan, you better stop." Courtney kept saying that it was making Duncan play more and more with the geek.
"Come on, it's not difficult, it's just techno, there is dubstep, there is trap. There is..."
"ENOUGH," Ezekiel shouted which made Duncan stop, and then gave space to Ezekiel to stare at Cody once again. "Listen, have fun with Katie, but bring her here until sunset. If she ain't here until sunset. We are going to hunt you down. With all my arrows you can count, Duncan with his knife, and Harold who is a master of Snake Style."
Cody shook but the last one got him confused. Until he regretted hearing the next words.
"Good to break necks with it," Harold said as he had in one of his hands a thin stick, and with his left hand he broke it which immediately made Cody give space and looked a Courtney. Who was staring at him like the leader of the group?
"Are you a virgin? Don't play with me are you a virgin or not?" Courtney then took him by his shirt and Cody mute like a mimic, nodded his head. "Good, keep it that way, you are not going to score today, you hear me?"
Cody nodded his head quickly, as he then saw Courtney and the guys pointing out a direction.
"She is on the main lodge since we said Eva needs her help with dumbbells, now go, and don't make us come back at you," Courtney said, and Cody immediately ran away from the bunch of lunatics of the other team.
A few seconds later, by seeing the geek getting away...
pff...
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." The loud laugh from the entire group of Killer Bass would be recorded and that scene would be remembered as one of the best intimidation scenes of the entire reality show.
"Man, it was so funny. Did you see how scared he was?" Tyler commented as he could see the geek going to remember that from all eternity.
"Duncan, that was brilliant." Courtney cleaned up the tear in her eye. It was funny to show such an intimidation tactic for someone inconvenient like Cody.
"Well, I usually would pity Cody," Ezekiel commented, which made the whole group stare at him in surprise. "But if he persists and shows us wrong and he is the right one to Katie, then I would be glad to tell you I'm wrong about him. But I think he got the message."
"Momma would become disappointed in me if I let something happen to my friends, and to say this was fun. I can agree one hundred percent." DJ said as he got the satisfaction of giving the boy permission to date one of his friends. But what kind of friend he would be in case the little geek who tried to flirt with all the girls didn't learn his lesson from him and his friends?
"Well then, probably when Katie watches this episode in the future, she will be upset at us. But we needed to make sure he didn't have second intentions." Courtney explained as the whole team nodded in agreement. "Well, great job Killer Bass, now that we have everything settled, let's go to our usual activities. Who is going to the Aquarium?"
"Well, I want to go there. Someone needs to be sure the water of the hot tube is changed and flowing just fine." Geoff said that he desired to have a very nice time relaxing on the hydro paradise the team has.
(Main Lodge)
"Ah, ah, ah." Cody gasped as he finally got on Main Lodge, where most of his team members stared at him confused.
"Hey Cody, are you okay?" Beth came to ask the geek who suddenly was gasping and trying to take his breath.
"Killer Bass *gasp* crazy *gasp* knife *gasp* bow and arrow *gasp* nunchucks... ah, ah, ah." Cody said in deep breaths as he tried to contain his fears, but it was difficult when he got a whole group of psychopaths wanting to kill him.
Beth stared at him confused until the duo heard a loud shout.
"HEY CODY, OVER HERE," Katie called, which made the geek suddenly recover from his shock, at the time he looked at the iconic pink swimsuit, which made Cody blush from seeing her curved and well-tanned body. At the time she got near him, she then raised her eyebrow. "Hey, where is your swimsuit? I thought we were going on the beach."
Cody then realized as he was using his casual stuff, and then inside of himself facepalmed.
"Oh, that? Sorry, I thought we were going to just walk on the sand... but wait for a few minutes, and I will be in my shorts. just wait here okay?" Cody said in a panic as he quickly left the Main Lodge... with the group of Screaming Gophers and two of Killer Bass members staring at him confused.
"What a weird boy," Eva commented as she kept doing her workout, which made Katie pout.
Beth stared at the scene and scratched her hair.
"BETH, COME HERE." Then a shout was enough to make the farm girl turn her head and see Heather and Lindsay with what would be a bunch of makeup products. Heather who was with her arms crossed staring at the sheepish farm girl. She then rolled her eyes. "You still need to learn how to not use lipstick in excess during most of the time. Pay close attention to me. I'm going to do it just this once."
Beth smiled as she nodded her head to Heather who rolled her eyes but smirked as she was using the lipstick from Lindsay as a way to teach Beth how to not waste a good makeup product.
Neither girl noticed or cared about what happened to the geek boy a few minutes before.
After the event of making fun of the probably perverted Gopher, the Killer Bass crew decided to resume their daily events, and when they least expected, one hour may have passed. Courtney passed a good part of her morning to organize her clothes, and let her legs rest for a few moments before going back to her activities.
"Well, at least we solved one problem. But still, I need to find something to do for the day." The C.I.T. girl commented as she decided to look around and see if someone was willing to pass the time with her. Seeing that she was alone. She thought that maybe having a good shower would be a good start before she walked around the camp and planned something to do.
Taking her towel, and a good bag with clothing, she was already on the way to the communal bathrooms. At the time she went on there and found that it was empty, she was already happy to be one of the to use at that time of the day... until the shower in the boy's bathroom started and then a voice started singing.
Everything Stays ✨ Full Length Version ~Male Cover~ Jacob Sutherland (youtube.com)
Let's go in the garden
You'll find something waiting
Right there where you left it lying upside down
When you finally find it, you'll see how it's faded
The underside is lighter when you turn it around
Everything stays right where you left it
Everything stays
But it still changes
Ever so slightly, daily and nightly
In little ways, when everything stays
Courtney paused as she then noticed how beautiful and sad the song was, never heard something like that before, so it was an original song, and yet it was so impacting, and hoped to hear more about it. Until the next verse appeared.
Go down to the ocean
The crystal tide is raising
Waters' gotten higher as the shore washes out
Keep your eyes wide open, even when the sun is blazin'
The moon controls the tide, it can cause you to drown
Courtney decided to follow the rhythm of the song and before she noticed, she was already singing the chorus.
Everything stays, right where you've left it
Everything stays, but it still changes
Ever so slightly, daily and nightly
In little ways
When everything stays
Courtney sniffed, as she cleaned a tear from her face, while she quickly heard the locked door of the boys' bathroom unlocking which made her hide inside the girls' bathroom.
"Courtney?" Ezekiel asked as he opened the door, and saw nobody was there. And thinking about one second he looked confused. "Hmm? Strange... I could swear I heard Courtney singing. Well, never mind."
Courtney remained quiet, as the time Ezekiel turned the shower once again, she decided to do the same in the female bathroom, and by surprise, she looked in the direction of the other shower.
A boy who created art, and stories, and even sang his songs... It was kinda too much for her to process, how much the kid has been creative on everything around him. She could be sure that if Ezekiel had been in the animation area, he could have made all his works into cartoons, and the songs sung to him would have been memorable.
"Alright, let's see... Love like you, ending for Steven Universe." Courtney listened to Ezekiel proceeded to explain the name of the song and even prepared his voice. "Ah, AH, AHHHHH... Okay, let's see... Plam, pan, pam pan, pan pannnn. "
Steven Universe - Love Like You - Cover by Caleb Hyles (youtube.com)
If I could begin to be
Half of what you think of me
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love
When I see the way you act
Wondering when I'm coming back
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love like you
Courtney who was carefully showering herself kept listening to how dedicated the boy was by singing that song, and singing like it was second nature to him. And then he was even using his mouth to try to make some instruments, but it sounded terrible, but it was enough to make him concentrate himself.
I always thought I might be bad
Now I'm sure that it's true
'Cause I think you're so good
And I'm nothing like you
Look at you go
I just adore you
I wish that I knew
What makes you think I'm so special
Courtney's eyes went wide open as she proceeded to listen to how powerful messages the song was, and she never thought Steven Universe would have such an amazing song like that. Which made her interested in who would be singing this song in the book Ezekiel was writing.
If I could begin to do
Something that does right by you
I would do about anything
I would even learn how to love
When I see the way you look
Shaken by how long it took
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love like you
Love like you
Love me like you
At the time the singing stopped, Courtney kept sniffing as her own eyes were in tears. At the time she kept taking a shower. Ezekiel left the communal bathroom just to pass the time to enjoy himself for the day.
"Awesome, let's see what are the plans for the day?" Ezekiel commented as he dressed himself up, and had a good time before lunch. He could call the boys to hang out in the hot tube again, and the group would be chilling all day. "Yeah, that sounds about right."
(Nearby the Cabins)
"Woah, a Pink Lion?" Gwen commented as she kept reading, not noticing that hours had passed, while the duo of Bridgette and Gwen seemed to be in a marathon of reading the chapters of the story. And from the way the story was narrated, it was something the duo kept reading and got even addicted and curious about developing ideas. "Do you think it's related to Steven's mom?"
"I don't know, It's possible since Lion seems to be kind and even obeys Steven when he wants." Bridgette replied, as she was also reading a chapter related to the Lion 2, "It seems on this one Connie is also here. I'm guessing that she will become a current character."
Gwen smiled, as she could see a cliche, but it was one of the things she liked in some of the romance novels she read before.
"Well, let's hope to see more of her in the future." The Goth girl replied as she then ignored the time of sunset going down... It was a worthwhile time to pass into reading something. "You guys got lucky into reading all this stuff early. Because I think most of the people would have to wait until he publishes everything to read the entire book."
Bridgette paused her reading. And thinking about it, she couldn't help but smile as she nodded to Gwen.
"Yeah, to be honest, I think I would become more bored around here if wasn't for my curiosity into knowing what happened with Steven on that day, and after reading this. I'm interested in reading Adventure Time, from what Ezekiel told me, it's a silly idea of brotherhood between a kid and a dog," Bridgette described the synopsis as Gwen didn't seem interested in the topic until another key word made her stop her reading. "From a reconstructed world after the post-apocalyptic world war."
Gween then stared at the surfer who seemed to be smug from seeing the goth now curious about another work from her friend.
"Damn, does that boy ever have a written block?" Gwen asked loudly, which made Bridgette shrug.
"I hope not, because we wouldn't have more chapters to read. Now quiet, I'm curious about what a dog-copter trailer is about." Bridgette shushed the goth of Screaming Gophers, who seemed to be looking at her weirdly. "I KNOW WHAT I SAID, NOW GO BACK TO READING,"
'Alright, alright." Gwen rolled her eyes, but she smirked at the time she went back to read another chapter of Steven Universe.
(Screaming Gophers Boy's Cabin)
Trent sat on his bed, as he practiced with his trusted guitar, a new music appearing inside of his mind, and a few cords for him to try. Enjoying a good break from the entire day, and with the possible good date his friend Cody was having.
After getting himself surprised in the morning by his friend in a hurry to change his clothes and take his swim shorts with him to enjoy the beach, Trent shrugged, thinking about how much he needed to practice on the day to remain sharp and skilled on his instrument.
Owen was there to give moral support, and even applaud him when it was time to sing a song for him.
And with the night already in the air, Trent then heard Cody getting inside the cabin. And while he looked exhausted, he had a very dumb smile on his face.
"Oh, look who came here, how was the date, Romeo?" Trent smiled as he could see Cody looked dumb but also happy to have a nice day.
"It was great..." Cody smiled, as they walked in the park. The swim between the duo, and even the time they talked about the jump every single one of them had to do on the first challenge. It triggered some memories. But then he remembered the sunset time and how the entire crew of Killer Bass were a bunch of crazy bloodthirsty people. "Well, excluding the fact that every single one of the Killer Bass team made me terrified, it was almost perfect."
Trent raised his eyebrows, and even Owen laughed near him.
"Oh, you are afraid Cody? You don't need to worry, all of them are friendly. From what I see, they looked very kind and gentle." Owen smiled, but he didn't look at how the eyes from Cody twitched in disbelief.
Trent noticed that Cody would say bad words, so he decided to intervene by asking questions.
"Don't want to discourage you, but I can understand, Eva, Duncan, DJ, Geoff, and Courtney. But when you said, everyone. I mean, how Harold can terrify you?" Trent asked and Cody stared at him.
"HE GOT A NUNCHUKS AND THAT THING HURTS A LOT. Also, he seems to know snake style and he said it's great to break necks... I prefer my neck intact, thank you very much." Cody explained as he clearly could see that the nerd had something up, but not just him, the entire team looked terrifying as they seemed to be ready to devour him if he made a mistake. "I mean, sure that I sniffed Gwen's hair once, but it wasn't like I was going to do with every single girl I meet."
"Did you sniff Gwen's hair?" Trent asked in disbelief, while Owen looked at his friend a bit weirded out.
"Err... wasn't that a bit too much?" Owen asked which made Cody facepalm.
"I know, it was freaky, and I should feel disgusted by me, but come on. I wasn't made of stone, but I'm not going to do that anymore. Not with all the threaten the Killer Bass did to me." Cody said as he gulped drily the idea of how he was so scared of the rival team. "I mean, Katie made my entire day awesome. And it seems that it was the first genuine time I was myself. So I would like to do that with her again... even if I had to be intimidated by her team again."
"That's the spirit, Cody. But let's be sure, you won't do more hair sniffing, or try to act weirdly as you did in the first week okay?" Trent had to be sure that, with one wrong move his friend would just be heartbroken, but from the tone of his voice, he could be broken when the other members of her team got their hands on him.
"Yeah, yeah. I know. I'm going to stop doing that, let's just focus on other things." Cody said as he took his keyboard from his backpack. "Want some tune for a song?"
Trent smiled at his friend, and with that, a duo prepared a song together to pass the time.
A very good time to pass between friends, and 3 days of break they needed so much.
Chapter 7: Not Quite Famous
Chapter Text
"Last time on Total Drama Island." The camera turns on to show Chris standing on the dock going over a review happening on the show on the last episode. "The Killer Bass finally showed the reason why they are killers. From such provocation of Heather, she learned to not annoy a team that was thirsty for vengeance for losing a team member. Especially to Katie who took the hardest of her leave. In a game of dodgeball, it was a massacre that would be told in the history of Total Drama. A lesson of an unusual trio created fear inside the Screaming Gophers. The entire day had, pain, strategy, friendship with the enemy, and even love advice among the group, especially an orange girl who has been listening to the conversation of the Killer Bass... In the end, the eye candy Justin had enough of the rough challenge of the reality show and decided to run away and cry for his mama, into giving up and going directly to the Isla Del Losers. Population 4." Chris flexed his muscles and he pointed at the flashbacks showing the good scenes of the episode. Showing Bridgette and Gwen reading the sheets created by Ezekiel, Justin being hit by the balls many times, Heather having regrets of provoking Katie, and Izzy listening to Ezekiel talking about love. "Who is going to sink? Who is going to swim? Discover now, here on Total. Drama. Island!"
(Aquarium)
The morning of the next challenge was up. Knowing that most of the time, the idea of who would win was getting more and more difficult to guess. Since it was the time Ezekiel, Geoff, Bridgette, and Courtney were on the hot tube while Harold was sitting nearby, the group was happy while on the morning, since in the mornings, they even managed to get from Cheff after breakfast a bit of juice boxes, which was a great thing to have on that terrible food time, every day. The Killer Bass knew that Ezekil still had managed to hide from wake-a-thon a few candies, and even a slice of cake... That was in case he would need for an emergency, in case of pure desperation from eating the Chef's food... even in case the cake would be rotten with the time, but that was a risk he would take... and nobody from his team blamed him for that.
And the time around the Aquarium showed the best things that mostly would take time to process, like how Harold was the best beatbox DJ they ever known. And he went from Cinema Camp, Magic Camp, and then a Parody of Payday thievery camp which Harold calls the unlocking locks camp whatever he says. Thankfully Duncan and Ezekiel were able to humble him down a little. Because while he has indeed many, important skills in some ocasiations, it would the best if he remains shut in secret.
The good thing is that the Killer Bass were able to use their time as a hobby in the Aquarium and enjoy themselves. Once Geoff Challenged Bridgette into standing on her hands for 20 minutes like she said, and Courtney was glad to be on the clock counting to make sure the best was on.
A good night of Celebration of Killer Bass... and it was very fun to see Cody bring Katie on time, which made the whole group of friends laugh at how they intimidated the poor boy... they know for sure that
But now the group was around enjoying a few moments before the challenge happened. They knew it would be on that day... But that doesn't mean they couldn't be chilling for a while.
"Boom Bomm Ptsy. Boom Boom Boom Boom Psty." Harold started doing a beatbox, while Geoff and Ezekiel were nodding their heads to the beat. "Boom Bomm Ptsy. Boom Boom Boom Boom Psty."
"Ch-ch-ch-chillin' " Ezekiel and Geoff sang at the same time.
"Chillin' in the hot tub" Geoff said he was enjoying the warm massage.
"Ch-ch-ch-chillin' " Both Ezekiel and Geoff sang again while Ezekiel showed a juice box,
"Drinkin' juices, lookin' good" Ezekiel showed his purple box of grape juice.
"Ch-ch-ch-chillin'" Both Geoff and Ezekiel sang as the girls rolled their eyes.
"Paper bag it, do it right" Geoff took a paper bag and placed his juice box inside of the paper bag.
"Ch-ch-ch-chillin'" And for the final lyrics, Ezekiel drank his juice and smashed the box.
"Because the Killer Bass is going to win TONIGHT...
"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Both Ezekiel, Harold, and Geoff raised their hands in such optimism at their victory, while in the end the whole group, even the girls laughed at how confident the homeschooled guy was. "Hehehe... Chilling."
BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
"All right, campers! Enough beauty sleep! Time to show us what you're made of!" Chris's voice was heard from the loudspeaker following the blare of the alarm. Looks like it was time for the next challenge to begin.
Suddenly an alarm was enough to make the whole group stop their relaxing time, just to look at each other, knowing the time has come.
A little later, most of the campers were seen sitting in stands in front of a stage that Chris was standing on. There were two sets of stands for each team with everyone from the Bass there and with all the Gopher members in their stands. "Are we gonna see a musical?" Lindsay asked with her usual ditzy smile on her face. "I love musicals. Especially the ones with singing and dancing. Heh."
"Gwen!" Trent got the attention of the goth girl as she approached and patted the space next to him. "Saved you a seat." Gwen smiled a little and thanked Trent as she sat next to him.
Cody approached the duo who seemed to be sitting together, and at the time he was about to sit next to Gwen when a voice called for him.
"CODY OVER HERE," Katie called his attention, and he could see there were empty seats in the front row, and the two places one for the side of the Screaming Gophers were almost nearby the Killer Bass seats.
Cody smiled as he passed by the guitarist Trent and Gwen who was about to be annoyed by seeing him following her... but after seeing Cody passing by her, she couldn't help but raise her eyebrow.
"Since when did the Bass Tan twin and Cody know each other?" Gwen asked curious, to which Trent chuckled.
"On the same day of the dodgeball challenge, they even went to the beach the next morning. And now they have been like that most of the time." Trent commented as Gwen saw Cody smiling cheekily at Katie suddenly he looked up and found the Killer Bass team, staring at him and judging. Which made him sweat a little, but give a tiny smile on them.
Gwen watched some of them snickering when Cody wasn't looking. So which made Gwen have a satisfied little smile.
"Good for him," Gwen commented with honesty, she was happy to not deal with the creepy boy, but now having him being intimidated by the others, while he has a possible date with the than girl, she was happy for both of them.
"Yep." Trent smiled, as the time he got comfortable with the smile of the Gwen. It seems that the day wouldn't get any better...
Heather watched the duo from far away... And when she heard a kiss she looked to her right and found Lindsay giving a kiss to launch at the Jock who seemed to be happy to take it.
"What are you doing?" Heather asked as she narrowed her eyes.
Lindsay looked at Heather and then smiled.
"Oh, I'm waving at Tyler..." Lindsay said happily while Heather couldn't help but be annoyed.
"From the other team?" Heather asked as she looked at Lindsay and wanted to make a punishment to her by breaking the a... wait a minute... "Did I tell you to not have a relationship in the alliance?"
Lindsay tilted her head...
"Why would you ever say that?" Lindsay then asked which made Heather realize one of her mistakes.
She was about to make sure to not have that on the alliance... but she found out that it was too late for that... she could see in her eyes, that she was lost in love.
"That's great you found someone, Lindsay." Beth was happy as she could see herself dreaming about who would be the one she would marry.
And just like that, Heather realized it was too late.
"UGHHHHHH." Heather groaned as she facepalemed, but then Beth gave some slight taps on her back. "Just please focus on going in the final three before you go into kisses with him okay? I cannot take you both at the final 4."
Lindsay who was smiling suddenly froze... and realized that it was true, she couldn't protect the boy she had a crush on for so long... or she would lose her spot on the final three...
"You are right. I'm going to focus on the challenge, tomorrow when we are not on the challenge I can go on a date with him." Lindsay nodded her head, which made Heather stop, and then glance at the blond bombshell again, rolling her eyes.
"It's not what I asked for, but that's better than nothing," Heather commented, as she looked at Beth. "Please tell me you are not in a relationship. I found Lindsay, then the geek boy, and now the gothic girl is all hooked up, who is going to be next? Leshwana? I think this show has too much romance."
Beth who was daydreaming suddenly woke up and then listened to Heather who was looking tired from dealing with this problem, so she shook her head.
"No, I don't have anyone yet. But I'm going to focus on going at the final three first." Beth commented as she looked determined to go through hell and win all the challenges she could. And that comment made Heather smile.
"At least I can count on you, Beth," Heather said, as she finally felt that she was in control again, but she wanted to know why Chris had called them in the first place.
Chris's voice spoke up as the host finished setting up the mic.
"Welcome campers to our brand new deluxe state-of-the-art outdoor amphitheater!" Chris explained exactly what the stage they were on was. "Okay, this week's challenge is a summer camp favorite. A talent contest!"
"Yes!" Owen stood up from his seat and raised a fist in the air. "Awesome!"
"Each team has eight hours to pick their three most talented campers." Some of the other campers cheered at this as they were eager to get on stage and show what they could do. Some like Gwen and Eva didn't seem to care. "These three will represent them in the show tonight. Sing, dance, juggle. Anything goes, as long as it's legal." Chris directed that last part right at Duncan who snapped his fingers in response. "by our resident talent scout, former DJ, VJ, and rap legend, Graaaaaaand Master Chef, who will show his approval via…the Chef-o-Meter." A wooden spoon with Chef's face on the end of it appeared on a TV screen that was set up near the top of the stage. Ten bars on the spoon blinked green a few times to show how the meter looked. "The team that loses will send one camper home tonight. Good luck." And with that, Chris left as the Bass and Gophers split up to try and figure out who exactly would be performing tonight.
At the time Chris left, the Killer Bass team walked away from the Screaming Gophers, not just before Katie waved at Cody before leaving, and Tyler smiled one last time after seeing Lindsay again.
When the group started walking, Courtney glanced at her team, and couldn't help but be proud.
Courtney after spending so many days with the team, knew that every single one wanted to share some of their best... and surprisingly being around the Aquarium, allowed her to see Katie dancing, which wasn't that impressive, but she kept hearing from Katie that if Sadie was there, it would have been better... DJ is also a good dancer, but she doesn't know if would fit the challenge... Duncan, well, Courtney paused and glanced at him again... the delinquent who usually would like to make problems, was more enjoying the time around, she never saw a talent he had, but she could guess that it wouldn't be a good idea... Tyler, had been playing with his yoyo, and she saw that it wouldn't be great for the show, but at least it was good for a good laugh, especially since even Tyler was laughing from his clumsiness... Bridgette, oh God, she remembered the time she made that stupid bet of being upside down for 20 minutes... She still is furious about the time she vomit on her shoes. Geoff deserved that punch last night.
Talking about the devil, Geoff showed a bit of skill in playing with the skate, it was simple tricks which would be interesting to see... but if was to do above the stage, it would be a terrible idea...
She hated to admit it, but she wished that some of the team would have at least one of Harold's abilities, since from the first episode, he may have not told or bragged as much as he wanted... but showed... he showed a lot, air skating, martial art, audio and cinema knowledge, hell even pick locking would be good for Duncan to learn... not that if she would be interested into seeing that delinquent robbing safes. But still was a skill.
Ezekiel was also a jack of trades, from writing, doing art, and even writing lyrics... His voice isn't something that people would say he would be a rockstar or a popstar of a boy band, but hell, she loved the way he sang the songs he wrote... because he showed passion... he loved the songs he sang... even on the morning he and Geoff were on the hot tube, the chillin' song was something that would be stuck in her mind next time she wants to relax on the hot tub.
Courtney was lacking options, and she knew that she would be one of the contestants... But... the time she played violin, she always thought it was good for amateur competitions, not that she always admits since she was a kid... but she thought that she needed to spice a bit her talent, she needed to make sure that she would be perfect... She glanced at Ezekiel and one idea popped into her mind.
She and Harold were two solid choices, but it was only missing one... Which is one Courtney hesitated to ask...But maybe it was her only option since that person has been MVP from 2 challenges.
"Alright everyone, we got this, but we cannot let this get over our heads, we need to make sure everything is perfect. Harold, did you decide which talent you are going to bring on this challenge? It must be something quick and take a lot of attention." Courtney decided to ask the nerd who had been reflecting on his choices...
"I could do a beatboxing," Harold said shrugging which made Courtney smile from a solid option of her teammate that it would cause a good amount of points.
"Good, this would be enough, now I'm going to play violin and that would make two solid choices." Courtney smiled, the team is going great so far.
Which made the group then pause, and stare at her with their eyebrows raised.
"Princess, while I think that's good to place the nerd on the team, I think you using the viol..." Duncan was about to say the problem of Courtney using the violin but she raised her hand to interrupt.
"I know that it may not impress Chef, but there is one thing that I want to try first. If that doesn't work, I can vouch to be eliminated on the next challenge if I don't surpass the expectations."Courtney said as she wanted her team to believe her. And by saying that, the group decided to accept her request.
"Well. There is one spot missing, and I doubt Mr. Dodgeball here is going to impress anyone with his yoyo. So it would be unfair if we lose and have to send him out." Eva commented that she usually doesn't care about situations like that, but she had to point out Tyler was still on trial by fire.
"We are not going to lose," Courtney said but on the next second, she hesitated...until she asked. "Eva, would also be on the team?"
The bodybuilder girl remained quiet but then huffed.
"Hmph, took long enough to finally ask. But yes, I'm in."Eva smirked as she cracked her knuckles... Courtney sighed as the whole team now smiled happily.
"Okay, that's settled then..." Courtney clapped as her whole team seemed happy with the decision. "You guys can enjoy the rest of the day, while me, Harold, and Eva will be focusing on the challenge today."
Everyone took the suggestion for granted and immediately left, but at the time Ezekiel was about to leave, Courtney held his shoulder.
"Ezekiel, do you have a minute?" Courtney decided to ask the green hat boy. If she was going to do it. She has to do it right.
(Screaming Gophers side)
With the Gophers, all of them except Trent were gathered up in front of the cabins with Heather standing in front of them and blowing a whistle. "Okay. I'm the team captain, so here's how it's going to work." Heather announced to everyone while holding a clipboard.
"Wait," Gwen spoke up while holding a book of some kind. "Who said you were team captain?"
"She did," Lindsay said as she pointed to Heather. "Just now."
"Lindsay, Beth, and I took a vote and I won," Heather informed everyone with the two mentioned girls nodding their heads.
Gwen simply rolled her eyes before crossing her arms. "Threatening them to vote for you isn't exactly democratic." Heather glared at Gwen as Trent came up to the goth girl while holding his guitar.
"Hey," Trent whispered to Gwen as he revealed a muffin to her that he was hiding behind his back. "Snagged you an extra muffin."
Heather continued to glare at Gwen before she finally noticed Trent and softened up her look. "Trent. You're cool with me leading this project, aren't you?" Heather asked the guitarist with an innocent tone.
"Right on." Trent shrugged, not caring. "Go for it."
"Good." Heather nodded in satisfaction with Gwen sighing. "Beth, Lindsay, and I will be the judges."
"Whatever." Gwen rolled her eyes before sitting down. However, she did smile a bit as Trent sat next to her and handed her the muffin he smuggled for the goth.
First up to showcase a talent was Owen who grabbed a two-liter bottle of pop and quickly started to chug it down. "Are you gonna audition?" Trent asked as Owen was already halfway through the bottle.
"Doubtful." Gwen immediately said. She was hardly a fan of getting up on stage and showing off to people. While yes, she was a reality show right now but that was different. "I heard you the other night by the dock. You're really good."
Owen then finished the 2 liters in record time and proceeded to show his teammates what he was capable of. "A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z!" Just like that, Owen had burped the entire alphabet.
Cody and Trent all stood up and cheered loudly for Owen with the big guy smiling with pride.
"Yes!" Owen cheered as Trent came up and high-fived him.
"That was excellent, man." Trent complimented as Owen put his hands on his hips.
"Well, you're not going to do that in the contest" Heather scoffed, more disgusted than impressed at Owen's display. "That's disgusting."
"You know how hard it is to burp the entire alphabet in one go?" Trent defended Owen as he wrapped an arm around Owen's shoulder.
"I can also toot Beethoven's 5th!" Owen said as he bent down and stuck his butt out.
"NO!" All the girls shouted as they wanted to be away from Owen to do craziness into pointing his butt towards their direction, while Gwen decided she had enough for the moment. Heather narrowed her eyes as she questioned the goth walking away.
"Where are you going?" Heather questioned the goth as Gwen kept walking away.
"Anywhere that's not here," Gwen answered, not looking back at the scene. She wasn't going to be part of that...
But at the time Gwen walked a few steps away when she decided to go to her reclusive spot... where she found not just that place wasn't only occupied, but the blonde surfer who goes there to read with her was laughing like she couldn't even breathe.
And nearby her was the green hat boy who wrote most of the chapters she and Bridgette were reading every day.
"And the best part was... Jake then looked at Finn and said, Duude, I think you are WAY OFF." Ezekiel explained as made a serious motion, while he changed his tone. "And Finn looked at his brother and asked, Am I? Or Am I WAY ONNN, and that moment the train got inside of the tunnel just to show the lights again, showing the skeleton of the doctor Finn was suspicious... *GASP* SON OF A... *PHUMMMMM*, the train used the horn at the right time of the human boy cursing."
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." Bridgette laughed harder, as she cleaned up her tears. Gasping into recovering her breathing.
"Yeah, that's a birthday Finn will never forget," Ezekiel said as he finished telling the joke. Mystery Train was always has been his favorite adventure time episode, since the first time he watched as a kid, he always loved to laugh at that iconic scene.
"Poor kid, I can't wait to read the entire chapter later. Zeke." Bridgette smiled, seeing that he had been a good friend in sharing his projects and ideas, it made her comfortable in dealing with all the problems around the camp.
And at the time they were still talking, when they both noticed someone nearby, and when they saw Gwen staring at them, Bridgette smiled at her.
"Oh hey Gwen, happy to see you here." Bridgette smiled as she saw Ezekiel focusing on organizing his sheets of paper. "I told Ezekiel that we have been reading some of his work here, so he came here to check this place."
"Hmm, this place is very good, peaceful, and with a good part for concentration." Ezekiel looked around and found a tree that it would be good be a good spot for reading. "So that's where you were for 2 days straight?"
"Yeah." Bridgette smiled sheepishly. Making the homeschooled chuckle, and by seeing the goth girl approach them, he raised his eyebrow.
"From what Bridgette told me, you were reading Steven Universe, I'm surprised to see someone other than my friends reading my work." Ezekiel was direct as he was polite, he never thought Gwen would be interested in reading his work... possibly Adventure Time chapters focused on Marceline, sure. But never Steven Universe.
Gwen approached, as she held her diary tight.
"Yeah, it was fun to read, and I liked Amethyst since she is a free-will rebel which would annoy Pearl most of the time." Gwen described the way she saw one of the characters, and while some would say it was a criticism, Ezekiel chuckled at her answer.
"Yeah, she does. But nobody is perfect. Because if every pork chop were perfect we wouldn't have hot dogs." Ezekiel commented, which made Gwen and Bridgette realize that he just quoted chapter two of Steven Universe. "But if you are interested in reading more, you can ask me. I would love to hear about good criticism and opinions and especially the theories of what you guys are thinking and what's going to happen next."
"Err... sure," Gwen commented as she noticed that the duo seemed to be very relaxed from the day. "Err, aren't you guys supposed to decide who is going to make the presentation of the challenge today?"
Bridgette and Ezekiel looked at each other... as the duo seemed silent, but then just shrugged off.
"It was already decided at the moment we left the place," Bridgette commented as Ezekiel nodded his head. "It's really easy when you know the talents of everyone."
"Yep, Courtney said she was going to use the violin, Harold is going to do a beatbox, and Eva is going to do juggling." Ezekiel already said which members were going to participate in the challenge, which one name made Gwen raise her eyebrow.
"Eva, juggling?" Gwen repeated slowly, as the duo nodded their heads and understood her confusion.
"Yeah, it got us by surprise too. She started doing lifts with her dumbbells, and the next moment she started launching in the air and juggling. And the next second later. Ezekiel and Harold were being launched at her to do a juggling with them both." Bridgette commented which made Gwen glance at the green-hat boy...
"It was Duncan's idea, and it was funny. Never saw someone doing a juggling with a person before, and Eva nailed it." Ezekiel commented as he could see Gwen rolling her eyes. "What about your team? Did they decide who would go today?"
"I don't know, and I don't care. Since Heather is the leader, she can check with her papers that I wouldn't care." Gwen commented as she wanted a bit of peace, but then Ezekiel tilted his head.
"So she dismissed you right?" Ezekiel asked which made the goth girl raise her eyebrows. And made Ezekiel has his eyes wide open. "Wait...so you didn't even try to show something just for her to criticize and then dismiss you for the rest of the day?"
Gwen remained quiet which made Ezekiel pinch between his nose.
"Seriously?" Ezekiel commented and Bridgette tilted her head.
"Hey, what would be the problem? Is not like she would care. I wouldn't even want to show my talent to her." Bridgette defended Gwen which Ezekiel nodded.
"That is a smart choice, but not a wise one... Would you leave your back exposed to someone like Heather without her dismissing you?" Then the question was made by Ezekiel, who raised a solid point... "It's best to have her dismiss you to get out from her radar than have run away and worse... Be on her radar."
At the time he said that Gwen noticed the meaning behind his words. Heather may be planning something, so she needs to be aware of that...
"Great, just great," Gwen commented as she looked at them both and decided to turn her left. "Alright, nice talk, but I gotta go back."
(Screaming Gophers side.)
Ballet music was heard as everyone looked at Heather with an impressed expression. The 'leader' of the Screaming Gophers was currently wearing a ballerina outfit and was performing a beautiful dance. Her foot work light and her movements are smooth and perfect. Heather then finished off by jumping high and landing while doing the splits.
Everyone clapped in response as Heather stood up. "Thank you," Heather said to her teammates before turning her eyes to Lindsay and Beth and clearing her throat harshly.
The two girls caught on quickly with Lindsay saying. "Oh, I vote for Heather to be in the contest!"
"I second that!" Beth said immediately after.
"Guys, that's so sweet!" Heather said with faked surprise. "Okay, so I guess I'm in. Why doesn't everyone take five?" Everyone then walked away to take a break, but before Lindsay could leave Heather took her wrist and pulled Lindsay towards her. "I need you to do something. Can you keep a secret?"
"Oh my gosh." Lindsay nodded at Heather. "My sister got diarrhea once on a date and I had to bring her toilet paper because the restaurant was all out and she was stuck in the bathroom and I've never told a soul." But Lindsay soon realized everyone she said…as well as the camera in front of her that recorded and taped everything the dumb blond had said. "Uh…oops. Sorry, Paula..."
At the time Heather was about to say something, she then saw an annoyed goth girl walking towards her, but without her diary but more like a sketchbook.
"What are you doing back here?" Heather narrowed her eyes, as she could see the goth annoyed as much as her, but something was on her hands, a sketchbook.
"Here," Gwen replied as she gave the sketchbook to the queen bee girl, who seemed to look at her with her eyebrow raised. "Here is my talent."
Heather looked unamused at the goth girl but then focused on the content of the said book... It was art, from using coloring pencils and even paintbrushes... Heather looked at the girl nearby her and had a serious look on her face.
"Okay, these look impressive, but I wouldn't bet these would make the difference on the talent show today, so screw off." Heather waved with her backhand and turned her back to the goth who seemed annoyed to even grit her teeth.
"Jerk," Gwen replied as she turned her back and walked away.
Lindsay tilted her head and decided to back to ask the question.
"What was the secret you wanted me to do again?" Lindsay asked, and Heather rolled her eyes.
"I wanted you to follow her because I thought she was up into something, but forget that, she isn't a threat right now. So lets the goth have some of her time alone doing whatever creepy stuff she wants." Heather commented as she pointed out another important point. "We have more important stuff to do, mostly to find the final talent of our group..."
Heather said as she pointed out the plans for the talent show... But she wasn't aware, that near the wall, Gwen was in silence and listening closely...
"That was close..." Gwen commented as she narrowed her eyes, if she wanted Lindsay to follow her, that meant that she wanted to know everything she was hiding which meant... Gwen looked at her diary... knowing that if Heather had her hands on it, who knows what kind of stuff she would do with it? Gwen gritted her teeth and decided to remember this. But now she can relax that she isn't on Heather's radar... yet...
Gwen walked away as she was finally glad to be free from that vermin who wanted to make her life a hell, Gwen knew that she would need to plan a payback.
(Killer Bass side)
"One more time Courtney," Ezekiel commented, as the morning passed, Ezekiel found a time when Courtney asked for a bit of help. There were a few tears in his eyes, but he pressed. "You are almost there, you can do it."
Courtney drank a bit of water, showing that her face was tired and her fingers hurt as well.
And nodding once more... Courtney gave another try.
.
.
Harold drank another glass of water. As he focused once more on the beats he created himself.
"Ptsy, put, boom, boom, pow, pow, ugh, yeah yeah. " And with the whole focus on doing his best, he noticed a duo walking from the girls' cabin, it was Ezekiel who was in tears.
Courtney got out of the cabin with a victorious smile.
"I'm ready," Courtney said with her determined smile. "Thanks again for letting me use your song, Zeke, I know that this will make everyone cry."
"Oh, I know..." Ezekiel commented as she cleaned up his face. "It's perfect, I just hope in the future this song will be loved so much that would allow me to hire someone to do the instrumental behind the song. A Piano and a Ukelele would fit so much this song, but your violin nailed it, Courtney."
The brown-haired girl smiled, as she felt satisfied with her results. And at the time she was so excited to show her trump card on the show of talents, the duo just stared at Harold who just looked at them confused.
"Err, what's going on?" Harold asked confused as he then pointed at Ezekiel who was still with his eyes red. "Are you crying?"
"Yeah." Ezekiel didn't deny it. And smiled proudly at Courtney. "Courtney decided to take one of my songs and she will make a whole presentation today. So I think we have another great chance today."
"Awesome." Harold sniffed, as he smiled, as he felt himself ready as well. Two members of the Killer Bass were ready for the challenge, while there was just one more member to be...
"There you are." Then the third member of the trio appeared, as Eva was dressing herself into a half top, which showed most of her abs, and black baggy pants, which made the group stare at her.
"Damn," Harold said as he couldn't stop looking at Eva's abs. "These abs could be used to grind cheese with it."
"Yep, it does," Eva replied as she huffed loudly and made the nerd stop staring at her. "Thanks for stopping looking at it. Now, are you both ready?... Are you crying?'
"YES," Ezekiel said annoyed, rolling his eyes. "Courtney is more than ready, can we stop asking this?"
"Fine." Eva rolled her eyes and then glanced at the C.I.T. girl who seemed cracking her neck.
"Yep, we don't have to worry anymore. We are more than ready." Courtney smiled, and that smile showed a good mystery... she couldn't wait to show everyone how the show of talents would be memorable today.
(Screaming Gophers side)
"Are you sure this is safe?" Heather asked with a bit of a concerned tone as she and most of her teammates watched as Beth twirled around a pair of batons…that were on fire.
"It's okay," Beth reassured everyone as she kept twirling. "I've been practicing." Everyone simply chose to hide behind a table as Beth threw both batons into the air…where they proceeded to go a bit out of control.
"Run!" Owen yelled as he and everyone else, including Beth, ran away from the sight with the two Batons landing where Beth was standing. They exploded and created a crater where the braces-wearing teen once stood.
"I kinda missed the catching class." Beth sheepishly told everyone.
"Uh guys," Trent spoke up as he pointed at a nearby bush with a small smirk on his face. "The bush is on fire." Everyone looked at the flaming bush… until Leshawna went to the cabin and emerged wielding a fire extinguisher. To put an end to the fire quickly. And leaving Heather pinching between her eyes, and a sheepishly looking Beth.
"Ugh, what are we going to do? We cannot make a good presentation with this, how are you even going to catch?" Heather asked as she pointed at the flaw of the presentation of Beth until Izzy came up while still doing her dance.
"Why not make her purposely not catch?" Izzy asked as she noticed the group staring at her.
"Say what?" Heather asked, and Izzy then pointed at the barrels near the cabins, filled with water.
"You can make it like an explosive ending, which would surprise everyone from the fire," Izzy smirked as her own eyes showed a good sparkle of interest, which made the whole group stare at her weirdly, but then she sighed. "Or you can do the lamest ending which would make the batons fall on the water and like a little steam grow up and do a good effect."
"YES." The Screaming Gophers group said in unison, which Izzy sighed in disappointment.
Heather felt confident, as she could see Beth also nodding her head.
"I can aim on the air perfectly, my instructor said I can aim it greatly if I don't focus on catching, so it will be fine." Beth smiled as she could see the expectations of Heather on her.
"Alright, it's going to be me, Trent, and you Beth. Don't disappoint me." Heather said as she placed both her hands on her shoulders, before leaving the group.
Just then Gwen came back to her teammates, she quickly looked at the hole in the ground and chose to keep walking.
"I won't even ask,"Gwen said as she made sure that she didn't want to know, but then Cody appeared and couldn't help but ask.
"Woah, what just happened?" Cody could see the bushes, what remained of them, and a hole in the floor, and the group turned their heads to Beth who was giggling nervously. "Wow, I didn't know we had a pyromaniac in the group."
"She isn't," Heather commented, which Izzy scoffed, Cody noticed that there was a story around, and maybe it would be for the best if he stayed and listened for a while.
"Okay, I'm a good ear, I can hear what happened," Cody commented, and Beth decided to explain her presentation. Leaving Gwen happy to be away and use that opportunity to leave, she may want to go inside the Screaming Gophers cabin, but with Heather who was nearby them? No chance, she decided to go back to the Main Lodge, at least she could see someone from the Killer Bass, and try to find a way to stall a bit of the time before she would go to swim to cool off a bit.
(Main Lodge)
"Okay boys, watch this," Duncan commented as he took his knife and proceeded to do the famous or most likely infamous song. "Oh, I have all my fingers, The knife goes chop chop chop, If I miss the spaces in between, My fingers will come off, And if I hit my fingers, blood will soon come out, But all the same I play this game, cause that's what's it's all about!"
With the song Duncan proceeded to keep stabbing the table while missing his fingers all the time, DJ closed his eyes with his hands, Geoff was staring at Duncan who was confident with the game, and Tyler was with his mouth dropped wide open.
"Oh! Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop! Chop! I'm picking up the speed, And if I hit my finger, Then my hand will start to bleed!" Duncan proceeded to go even faster as the time when he finished he took his hand off and placed the knife in the middle of the table.
"Woah, that was awesome Duncan," Geoff said as he was a bit palled from seeing Duncan so confident in playing with his trusted knife.
"Is it over guys?" DJ said as he couldn't take his hands from his face covering his eyes.
"Yes DJ," Duncan rolled his eyes and raised his hand which seemed completely fine. "Now, I will be glad to take your 20 bucks from each of you."
"Dammit," Tyler facepalmented, but sadly he gave up the money he used to bet against the delinquent.
The boys seemed to be having a great time talking around together and playing games. Gwen rolled her eyes. Duncan using his knife and playing the knife game was indeed interesting, but still, the insanity of the camp was around everywhere... But probably sooner or later she could have a good time to enjoy a good break, maybe after the challenge is over.
"Hey Gwen," Then a voice called her attention, which made the goth get up and walk outside of the Main Lodge and turn her eyes to see not just Trent wearing his shorts, but Cody and Katie who seemed to be happy with their swimsuits as well. "We are going on the docks, possibly go enjoy the water, and we want to ask you if you want to come."
Gwen looked at her diary... And now that she managed to save her secrets... The time she waited to have a good break finally arrived... She would have preferred it if was only her and Trent, but seeing Cody focusing more on Katie, would be a good distraction for her to be alone with Trent for a while.
"Sure." Gwen quickly responded with a small bit of an enthusiastic tone. The goth quickly realized what she said and how she said it and quickly put her brooding look back on. "I mean…whatever. I'm just going to change my clothes. And then I can go."
Gwen at least could smile, at least the day finally felt more tolerable.
(Docks)
"So you are not actually, Sadie's sister?" Cody asked as he looked confused, which made Katie giggle from his reaction.
"Nah, but she has been my best friend since childhood, we acted like peanut butter and jam, we were been like sisters of two different mothers, and surprisingly she calls my mom her mom, the same way I call hers as my mom, and they seemed to be always accepting like that," Katie commented which made Cody nods his head and understand the meaning from her words. "When I told everyone from Killer Bass, they seemed to not care... if she was my sister or not, but I think she has been so much my best friend, that I think I adopted her like my sister. And most of the time I miss her."
Cody remained quiet and nodded his head to her.
"I'm sure that she is happy to see you holding up like that." Cody was honest when he told the tan girl who seemed to try to not cry, but it has been difficult every single day without her.
"Well yeah, I mean, I would have laughed hard if I saw Sadie launch a ball and hit directly on Heather's head. I never thought I was that good." Katie commented and Cody chuckled from her tone of voice.
"There you go." Cody smiled, as he could see that this day was getting better and better. He doesn't know who is going to win the challenge, but he doesn't care... since he is enjoying the present so much that he seems perfectly fine with the outcomes of the challenge.
And nearby them, a few meters away from the dock, Gwen and Trent were enjoying the time together as well.
"Sometimes, I just need to get away from everyone here, you know? I mean, it's like they're all driving me crazy." Gwen ranted before looking at Trent with a small smile and even a bit of a blush. "Well, almost all of them."
Trent smiled at how Gwen opened up to him, in the same way he couldn't help but share his sentiments.
"I can agree that sometimes our team may be a bit too much, but looking at how most of us seemed to be having a great time together, we may not be in a five-star resort, but from what I see, the other team seemed to be enjoying everything around this camp." Trent saw how the union of the Killer Bass seemed to be like watching a different polar of his team, and he was fine with it... But then he pointed out at Cody and Katie who seemed to be enjoying their time together. "Look at them, they seemed to be appreciating the little times the best as they can."
Gwen smiled, into seeing an interesting way on how the romance of someone like Cody, who looked almost like an annoying sibling to her, was being respectful with the girl nearby... she found it weird for him to hold himself a bit too much and restrict himself. Maybe that's because he finally got a chance with a girl... and he is nervous to screw up... She doesn't know.
But it seems that it was a good thing happening around to not just him... but to all of them. She just hoped that it would remain like that until a few challenges away.
(Killer Bass side)
"So are you ready?" Tyler asked the nerd who seemed to be preparing his vocal cords, and being sure that he wouldn't mess up... it was a lot of pressure, but he nodded his head towards the jock.
"Uhum." Harold nodded as he looked at Tyler who was still smiling in the direction of the Screaming Gophers. "Tyler?"
"Ops, sorry dude. But I cannot take my mind off Lindsay... when her team stopped preparing themselves, she went behind me and we hooked up in the middle of the woods, it was so many kisses that I felt I could melt." Tyler smiled and sighed happily from having realized his dream to have a nice girl in his arms, and Harold couldn't help but tap his back.
"That's awesome dude," Harold replied as he could be happy for his friend who seemed to be so happy to conquer the heart of the person who he said in the private talk with the boys.
"Now it's just missing you dude, did you tell Leshawna that you like her?" Tyler commented, which made Harold freeze, and then try to look away. "Dude, today is serious, you need to create courage and tell her..."
"I'm fine, I just gave 5 more haikus on these 3 days. I'm sure that if I go on this pace in 2 weeks I'll finally be able to have her heart." Harold commented as he proudly was...
But then a voice came near him...
"But you never know if she will be there in a few weeks Harold," Geoff replied as he looked worried about his friend. Both he and Tyler were concerned and wanted to press further to make Harold go directly to talk with the black girl.
"Why are you both insisting on that?" Harold said as he looked in disbelief until DJ came nearby him and proceeded to have a few of his haikus which were hidden in the boy's dorm.
"Because we saw you approaching slowly and trying to get territory, but you never know what can happen today, with Screaming Gophers they aren't exactly like teammates like us. And slowly Heather is taking ground." DJ commented and by the time Harold was about to reply he was interrupted. "Momma always said that it is always best to trust your gut and go while the iron is striking hot. So just do it."
Harold remained quiet, but then realized that he may be stalling too much time... so it was now or never.
At the time Harold left, the Killer Bass team remained quiet and sad, until everyone looked at Ezekiel, who was also sad.
"It was for the best, if he doesn't do that right now, he would be regretting to be too late," Ezekiel commented as he turned his back. "Thanks for helping me out with this."
Neither of them replied, only nodded since they knew what happened... which was still too shocking about what happened before.
1 hour before:
"~Hi Zeeeke." Ezekiel was having a good conversation with DJ when both o were at the boy's dorm, and when they suddenly heard a voice from the last person they wanted to hear... "I have to say I loved the decoration of this place?"
DJ narrowed his eyes, and before he was about to ask rudely for her to leave...
"DJ, stay at the door, and close it, but also make sure that nobody gets inside," Ezekiel said which surprised both his friend and the person who came to visit at that important hour... The giant was about to ask what he was planning but Ezekiel raised his hand and pointed at the door. "I'm going to be fine, just stay at the door please."
DJ tilted his head, and narrowed his eyes a bit, but not before being in silence and leaving the two alone.
"Hello, Heather." The homeschooled boy took his hat and started scratching his head.
"Aww, you look so cute without your hat, if I c..."
"Please, Heather." Ezekiel raised his hand and interrupted the queen bee who seemed to be acting in a way that he watched in the show. "Seduction will get you nowhere, I want you to be direct and quick, what do you want from me?"
Heather's eyes sparkled since she noticed that she had been read like a book, so she then nodded her head and decided to go directly.
"Very well, I heard that you managed to take a few candies from the stupid awake-a-thon challenge, so I want to know if you can share some with me?" Heather proceeds to ask innocently and Ezekiel immediately knows what she planned.
"You want Candy to bribe Owen to vote for someone from your team in case you are going to lose? Got it. Trent or Leshawna?" At the time the homeschooled boy pointed out what she needed, and yet also asked who would be the person she would try to vote it out? That was something Heather was caught off guard.
"Trent? Why would I want to vote Trent out?" Heather asked, which made Ezekiel nod his head to her.
"Okay," Ezekiel understood who would be her next victim, and since was something related to the Screaming Gophers, then it was something he shouldn't care much. So in the next second, Heather was surprised by a few slices of cake. "I think these are about to get expired, or were a few days ago... don't know and don't care, desperation times call for desperation measures."
Heather was surprised to see the boy giving the candy right away to her.
"Just like that?" Heather couldn't help but ask, which made Ezekiel nod his head to her.
"Just like that, but remember Heather, everything has a price," Ezekiel said as he sat on his bed, which made Heather understand what the boy meant.
"What do you want?" Heather couldn't help but ask... knowing that the person in front of her didn't seem to be an ordinary player... she then realized from seeing the way he acted, the way he acted against her... she then realized... he was expecting her.
"I'm doing you a favor... so in the future, I will ask you a favor in return..." Ezekiel replied but at the time Heather was about to ask, Ezekiel raised his hand. "It may not be now, it may not be this week, or even this month... but someday I will be needing you to pay up a little favor for me."
Heather noticed that the Bass in front of her wasn't kidding, and from having the candies on her hands... she may needed it to use it against someone she would see as an enemy... and having this kind of resource was important to her.
"Fine... one favor." Heather said and Ezekiel smiled.
"Good, wish you good luck on the challenge today," Ezekiel replied and Heather stomped her way outside.
DJ got inside quickly and stared at Ezekiel.
"Explain," DJ commented and Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Screaming Gophers drama shouldn't be ours, so I prefer to give her what she needs to keep her distracted with her team while avoiding our team to be on her radar... So that would give us the time until the converge to still be solid on the game." Ezekiel explained the plan which DJ has an understanding but also has one problem.
"Yeah, but she still will come after you when the problems with her team are over." DJ pointed out, and Ezekiel smiled.
"That may be the case, but there is one thing she doesn't understand... she may be playing Chess right now..." Ezekiel said as he looked from the window Heather slowly walked away... "But at this moment the game always has been Checkers. So at the time she overthinks too much, she has no idea about the big picture in front of her."
DJ may have not understood the meaning of those words... but Heather who was walking away to her cabin, knew well what happened.
"I made a deal with the devil and I didn't realize." Heather realized that she may have sold her soul to someone who had played the brain behind the whole team, and she underestimated that team once again... she thought if she attacked the glue of the team, she would destabilize the entire team... but see the glue was the master mind of the whole teamwork? And the one who reads her like a book?
A player who had been playing the game since the beginning. And someone who knew how to keep her in check.
She hated it... she was played... but at least now the price was fair... since she could finally have her revenge.
After staying a few minutes alone DJ and Ezekiel were in silence until the homeschooled boy placed his hat back on his head.
"So what are we going to do now?" DJ felt that at the time Heather left their cabin, the nice conversation they were having turned into an awkward silence between them both.
"To avoid Harold throwing the challenge tonight. We gotta tell Harold to confess to Leshawna right now." Ezekiel got up and with a somber look on his face, he knew they needed to do something for their friend.
DJ looked at him in disbelief.
"Do you believe that he would give up or sabotage our group because Leshawna is going to be eliminated today?" DJ asked as he couldn't believe someone would be stupid into doing something like that.
"When people are in love, they do stupid things..."Ezekiel replied, making sure to prove a point. "My pa once got trapped inside of a cave with my ma for 3 days because he wanted to take the biggest gem in the cave to give her as proof of love."
DJ remained quiet, as he could see that the young teenager wasn't even kidding.
"I think it's for the best if we have Harold not regret confessing today, because if he doesn't right now. He would need to wait until he gets eliminated. And who knows if Leshawna moved on until then...
DJ remained quiet but then nodded his head.
"You are right, we gotta do something. But I want you to register, that I hate this." DJ commented as he crossed his arms angrily.
"Trust me, DJ... You have no idea how much peeved I'm right now." Ezekiel commented and the gentle Jamaican stared at Ezekiel in surprise. "Heather came here thinking that she could trick me or even manipulate me, but she has no idea who she provoked. At the time she eliminates Leshawna, I know Harold will not let her get away with this."
And from the tone of voice, DJ couldn't help but also smile... A payback is coming for the queen bee.
SHOWTIME
"It's the TDI Talent Extravaganza!" Chris voice boomed throughout the area as the man himself walked onto the stage. The moon shined in the sky as everyone who wasn't competing sat in the bleachers with the exception of Harold, Courtney, Eva, Heather, Beth, and Trent.
"Welcome to the very first Camp Wawanakwa…Talent Contest. Where six campers will showcase their mad skills and desperately try not to humiliate themselves. First up for the Screaming Gophers…is Beth."
At the time the Screaming Gophers cheered for the farm girl who was dressed like a parade marching band, and she started to spin her batons.
The movements were fluid and comfortable which started to make the group stare in awe... And then Beth decided to light the batons in fire, which made the spectacle even better.
The show looked amazing yet dangerous until it was time for Beth to finish, she glanced behind her and found 2 empty metal barrels, which she took a time spinning the fire batons until it was time, to launch in the air, and pray to whoever was listening to her.
Thankfully with the good curve in the air, the batons went directly to the barrels with water, making the fire on the baton extinguish leaving a little steam in the air.
The silence was met until everyone from their seats cheered from watching a good show. While Izzy rolled her eyes.
"Awesome presentation Beth, never thought you would rock tonight with this," Chris said happily as Beth seemed excited and nervous to know the results. The Chef-o-Meter gave 8 of 10. "And you already started with a good solid 8 for your team."
Beth jumped happily, as she could see Heather nodding in approval to her. Which made her jump in joy and go back to her team.
Confession - Izzy
"A good presentation, however, she didn't manage to catch the baton, or she couldn't make an impressive finally. Less 2 points." Izzy said in a voice that tried to imitate Chef Hatchet's voice. And by using her left hand she spun one of the batons Beth used on her presentation. "That girl has talent, but she should have stayed on the catch classes."
With her wrist, she made friction with the baton and lit up, which showed a fire inside the bathroom.
"Or she should have made a good fire ending to make at least a 9 for us..." Izzy said as she sounded disappointed from seing the performance of the farm girl. And for the first time in front of the television, Izzy didn't sound like her energic or crazy version of herself...but a serious girl who seemed to be judging her teammate. "Well, I think being captain of the cheerleader squad makes us top-tight when it comes to presentations like that."
"And now, representing the Killer Bass, EVA," Chris called as the whole Killer Bass cheered loudly, happy to see their bodybuilder girl, who was stretching herself...
At the time the song started, it was a song that seemed to be a fusion between Russian song and circus music. That was the signal to Eva to take the dumbells and start to do some workouts with them...
Everything seemed normal, until Eva decided to launch the dumbells in the air, as she started to do some push-ups and make a combination of juggling and workouts.
Everyone from Screaming Goophers has their mouths dropped, while the Killer Bass decided to do something to spice it up. Duncan took a fire extinguisher, DJ got a chair, and Geoff took an axe, and the trio launched in the direction of the bodybuilder, which made the group of the rival team scandalize.
But Eva took it all, she took every single item and with the dumbells, she made a juggling with all of them.
It took a whole 2 minutes for finally, Eva to finally decide to spin and with her hands she took the fire extinguisher and the chair, using her arms, she took the dumbells in the air, and then when the axe came down, she used her teeth to catch it...
Showing that Eva came to win the whole game...
"WOHOOOOOOOOOOOO." The killer Bass went into a frenzy, as the Screaming Gophers shouted in cheers as well. It has been an awesome presentation.
"DAMN, GIRL. Eva, when I said people could do juggling, I never thought you would be the one who would give us a spectacle." And not just Chris, but also the Chef-o-meter agreed with him, by giving a 9 out of 10. "And it seems Chef agreed with me... you can go with the Bass now, the lead is already yours."
Eva smirked, as she went to her team who seemed happy to be in the lead.
"So, with two down and four acts to go, it's the Kille Bass…Killing everything ahead. Next on deck…Trent. Take it away, my bro."
Trent then walked onto the stage with his guitar and a stool. Setting the stool down, Trent sat down on the stool and got ready to play his guitar. "This song goes out to someone special here at camp," Trent told everyone before he started to play.
They say that we've only got summer
And I say that's really a bummer.
But we'll swim in the sun and have lots of fun…
It'll just be the two of us…
Nothing to do…just hang…
So let me say only this…
Stick around…for just one kiss…
Trent then finished up after playing his beautiful song and everyone from both teams couldn't help but clap for him. "Nice work! I like your style, dude." Chris complimented as he came back onto the stage with the Chef-o-Meter appearing and giving Trent a full ten out of ten. "And so does Grand Master Chef!" Everyone kept clapping as Trent waved to everyone and the cameras. "All right, quit hogging my light, buddy." Chris then pushed Trent away before looking into the camera again. "Three down and three to go, is the Killer Bass also doing a 10 of 10? Let's find out with Harold."
The blue shirt nerd Harold walked around on the stage, and while the Screaming Gophers had no idea what was coming... The Killer Bass was already smiling. Because when Harold goes down to business, he goes far and beyond with his Beatbox. Everyone watched as Harold beatbox at a pro level into the mic. Not stopping for a second he kept up his beat while making rapid movements. And when it was over.
"Booyah," Harold said confidently into the mic to end his beatbox solo.
And then the Killer Bass exploded in cheers, as the rival team seemed to be awestruck and in disbelief... Heather herself was staring with her mouth dropped so hard that at the next second, her eyes were in flame...
Confession - Heather.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT NERD HAS ONCE AGAIN MADE A COMEBACK, THERE IS NO WAY I CAN BEAT THAT..." Heather shouted as she glared at the camera. But not before closing her eyes and trying to catch her breath back. "Okay, Heather calm down... You just need to defeat him in the future. I'm going to keep my eyes on him from now on... That nerd is a manace. A far too strong player... Are all Killer Bass a powerhouse of skills?"
Heather couldn't help but ponder the worst idea possible...
"Are they?"
"Wicked beatboxing dude!" Chris complimented as he came out. The Chef-o-Meter then appeared and gave Harold a winning score of 10 out of 10. Which made the scores go between 19 for the Killer Bass and 18 for the Screaming Gophers. "I have to say, I was expecting some disappointments, but this also seems great. The ratings are going crazy. Keep up for the next talent. Heather."
Heather walked around the stage, and while she glared so much at the ginger who managed to smile wide and then wink to... Ohhhhh.
Heather saw it, she saw the nerd and that fat woman who seemed to be smiling at each other...
"Ah karma, I'm so glad that you are on my side." Heather smiled evilly, her plan for the night was going to be so sweet, hitting two for the price of one... Her revenge is going to be so sweet.
But then she prepared herself if she was going to lose... She is going to lose with Style, and not let herself be a shame on the public.
"Music please," Heather commanded, as she imagined one of the times she was a teenager, practicing, practicing, until perfection, plie, jump in the air. Repeat. She had talent as a kid, but talent is just a tool when you overwork to the extreme. She was born to greatness, but that, she worked hard for that. Mistakes happen, but always adapt, and always win... That's the motto she grew up with.
The Screaming Gophers the first time they saw Heather doing ballet, they were impressed. But now seeing the bee queen doing a perfect demonstration with music. It was indeed like watching a good show.
Confession - Gwen
"I hate that girl, but she's good... She dances Ballet like Pearl danced into a fusion..." Gwen commented as she rolled her eyes. "All that Heather needs is to be up-tide, smartass, and stick in the...mud... Oh great, Heather is Pearl, why didn't I see that before?"
Confession - Bridgette
"It's just me or Heather danced like Pearl? Because I have to say, I hate that girl, but she knows how to dance well." Bridgette asked loudly, as she tilted her head in deep thoughts. "If wasn't for the fact Ezekiel wrote Steven Universe years ago, I would have said he inspired Pearl on her... But I think she is more like an evil Pearl oh, oh... I think Ezekiel will like this idea."
"That was lovely, Heather! Who could imagine that you could make an even better version of Chef's dance from a few days ago? Let's just see how Chef's think about this?" Chris smirked, knowing that everyone was killing it on the episode, and it was going to be the best episode ever. The chef-o-meter dinged nine times. "9 of 10 which now made 27 for the Screaming Gophers."
"Hmmph!" Heather turns her nose up in the air as she walks off the stage. Internally she smirked with herself, she would have preferred a 10, but losing would also be fine for her.
"THAT WAS AMAZING HEATHER" Beth shouted as she hugged the queen bee who was annoyed.
"Beth no hugs," Heather ordered which made the farm girl freeze and immediately release her... Heather sighed and said to Beth who seemed to think she did something wrong. "I just don't like hugs, got it?"
"Okay," Beth nodded her head, learning another thing from her friend. "But you were amazing,"
Heather gave a victorious smile.
"I know, talent always works better when you work hard to improve it. And if that is not enough, always adapt, Beth, never forget." Heather commented which made Beth nod her head in understanding. "Good, now let's see if the Fish Heads can beat me."
"I hope not," Beth said sincerely, since it has been a struggle after struggle in many challenges, and the pressure gets higher and higher.
"And now, for the final attempt of Killer Bass, the C.I.T. girl in person, Courtney." Chris made the final presentation, as the whole Killer Bass cheered and hoped that Courtney would gain a 9 to win the whole challenge.
And at the moment Courtney walked on the stage, she was with her violin in her hands.
"This song is a creation made by Ezekiel, the ending song of Steven Universe..." Courtney made a dedicatory of the song, which made Ezekiel smile, while Bridgette and Gwen stared at the stage in surprise... But also the Killer Bass team who know one of the works, but never heard the song before.
Ezekiel smiled... As he knew how it went on this morning.
.
.
.
"You heard me what?" Ezekiel asked surprised, from seeing Courtney saying that she was in the shower a few days ago. At the same time, he was singing some of the most iconic songs of both Adventure Time and Steven Universe.
"I heard you singing the song about being bad, but knowing it was true. It was a beautiful song." Courtney commented as she coughed in her fist, to try to be the most polite possible...
"Okay, thanks for the compliment, but I want to know why you brought up this?" Ezekiel raised his eyebrow, and Courtney could see the reason why he was suspicious...
"I want you to teach me the lyrics of the song while I try to replicate the song on the violin," Courtney said with a straight answer, knowing that Ezekiel was now shocked by the sudden request... And before he could even reply. "I'm going to say it's your work, so don't worry about it. But I think if we have a chance to win this contest... I must give my all, so I think your song would be perfect."
Ezekiel remained quiet... as the silence was the only thing coming from his mind... and Courtney was even trying to guess if he was going to accept it or not...
Until Ezekiel finally comes to a decision...
"It's Rose Quartz who created this song..." Ezekiel commented and Courtney tilted her head in confusion. "It's a confession song about a mother who screwed up so much, that she fated the life of her son towards a spiral of problems, and she couldn't be there to warn him or to save him."
Courtney looked shocked, as Ezekiel raised his hand.
"What Steven's mom did could be treated as the most despised, selfish, idiotic plan that affects many lives. Even if was for a good cause, she didn't know the mess she created for Steven... so that's why she sang this song... Because she saw that she is the worst... and she couldn't help to imagine Steven is her only hope, of something that she would never be... and she loved him because he is far beyond that she would ever be." Ezekiel avoided telling the spoilers of what he planned to write in his chapters, but he emphasized what Courtney could see that it was such a weird story behind the song. "So at the time you sing this song... I want you to remember the feelings that she had... she is guilty of many things... and she knows that she screwed up... and Steven may never forgives her... but she sings because he is her only hope..."
Courtney then noticed Ezekiel who has been so a creative and optimistic boy, said the lore of one deep character that she may now know that nobody should until the revelation... And yet he trusted her on that.
"Okay, I will not let you down," Courtney said, as she was prepared to sing one of the most beautiful songs, and yet knowing the story behind it, one of the saddest that she will ever know.
"Follow my lead," Ezekiel said as the duo started practicing.
If I could begin to be
Half of what you think of me
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love
When I see the way you act
Wondering when I'm coming back
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love like you
At the time Courtney sang, even with the violin in her hands, the melodic song of a star was being born, Chris stared at that moment and his eyes looked in disbelief, at the great voice of Courtney singing and with the good violin song to play a song created by one of the campers?
He grinned like he won the lottery, seeing that song was going to be played so many times on the internet, or even when the producers could try to milky the productions from the show alone. Chris never thought that usually, an episode would show embarrassing stuff it turned out a real show of talents, and oh boy, there are many talents in the episode itself, He never felt so proud of his decision on the episode.
Everyone from Killer Bass was awestruck with how much feeling Courtney was singing that song, as she played perfectly with the violin. Like following her voice.
Ezekiel got up from his seat and waited.
"Come on Courtney, now. Do it." The homeschooled boy awaited the most sang favorite part of the song which the fandom always loved and was the firmament of the top 10 songs ever made on Steven Universe.
I always thought I might be bad
Now I'm sure that it's true
'Cause I think you're so good
And I'm nothing like you
Look at you go
I just adore you
I wish that I knew
What makes you think I'm so special
Courtney sang, and oh boy she sang, like all the feelings that she had, like she was the mother herself, who gave up everything just to have hopes on the only son she had... And Ezekiel was right, the song itself was powerful since her tears came from singing that part.
And not just her, but most of the campers couldn't contain the tears. And now it was the final part of the song.
If I could begin to do
Something that does right by you
I would do about anything
I would even learn how to love
When I see the way you look
Shaken by how long it took
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love like you
Love like you
Love me like you
Courtney expressed her all on that song, and by the time she finished it... she sniffed and cleaned a few tears... but at the time it was done... Ezekiel was the first one who applauded... which lasted after every single member of the Killer Bass, and finally the members of Screaming Gophers. Courtney smiled proudly at how her hard work paid off.
"Courtney. That was phenomenal, who knew you and the green hat Ezekiel managed to do an amazing work like that." Chris smiled as he suddenly the time The Chef-o-Meter then appeared and started pinging immediately. "And Chef is also showing his appreciation because you just got 10 off 10. The winner of the challenge is the Killer Bass."
And just like that, another perfect victory came in the hands of the Killer Bass, while making some of the Screaming Gophers a bit disappointed.
"And now Screaming Gophers, it's time for you to choose the worst participant, and we will meet ourselves in the campfire soon," Chris commented as he could see the serious faces of the members of the Gophers after being defeated Twice in a row.
Confession - Heather
"I knew that a situation like that would happen. But I needed was just four votes against Leshawna. I already have Lindsay and Beth's, Izzy is crazy, and Owen, just a pice of cake." Heather smiled as she finally got her revenge...
Confession - Owen
"Hehehehehe." Owen laughed with his face covered in the frosting of an actual piece of cake in his hands. "Piece of cake."
Harold smiled as he walked with the winners. He felt that his day couldn't get any better.
"Harold..." Then it was like all dreams could become true... sometimes the harsh reality comes to destroy them... "We need to talk fast."
The boys looked at each other and understood what was going on... while the whole group of girls looked at them confused.
Ezekiel wanted to talk with Harold.
"Let's go." Ezekiel didn't even let the ginger nerd reply and turned his back and walked fast.
"Go." Geoff tapped his back, and with a nod from the other boys, Harold didn't know what was happening. But decided to go the fast as he could.
The duo seemed to be walking at the place where the campfire would be made, and it would take at least 10 or 20 minutes for the votes would finally come up.
"What do you want to talk about Zeke?" Harold could see that his friend was in a hurry, and from the way that he was feeling offering... both of them were out of form into actually running...
Never in his life, he would hear those 8 terrifying words.
"Leshawna is going to be voted out tonight." Ezekiel didn't beat around the bush, since he didn't have time for that, so he isn't going to sugarcoat it. "Heather has 3 votes against her, and she decided to use both Izzy's and Owen's votes to make Leshawna go tonight. DON'T ASK ME HOW I KNOW THIS, JUST TRUST ME."
Ezekiel raised his voice which made the nerd feel that his entire life was crumbling down.
"But..bu..but..." Harold stuttered as he couldn't comprehend what he should do.
"Let the Gophers have their drama, focus on yourself. Focus on what you are going to do." Ezekiel gave a light slap which made Harold snap from his thoughts. "You are talented into haikus, and you already hooked her heart... because I'm seeing the hikes on your neck dude."
Harold noticed there was a little mark of lipstick on his neck. Which made him smile a bit, but also looked worried.
"You have 20 minutes, to do the best Haiku you could ever give to her. Remember dude, make it memorable." Ezekiel commented, as he then gave the nerd a paper and a pen... Harold could see them as his final message for the girl who has his heart. "Do your best bro."
Harold looked at the pen, and on the paper again... And noticing the boat was finally approaching the island... He knew what to do.
(The camp fire site)
A little later, all the Gophers were at the campfire ceremony. Chris's plate had only one marshmallow with Leshawna and Heather left sitting on the stumps without one. "Kudos to you all for an incredible night of entertainment." Chris complimented as the rest of the Gophers enjoyed the marshmallows they were given. "Music. Dancing. Juggling. There is only one marshmallow left on this plate. Leshawna. You have been in a tough spot for the first time. And Heather. You're full of surprises. " Chris said as he looked impressed by the way she danced. "I'm surprised to see you here after a very well done work you did."
"Oh please." Heather rolled her eyes and stuck her hand out. "Just give me my marshmallow already."
"What do you mean by that brat?" Leshawna said as she narrowed her eyes, but then a marshmallow went directly at Heather's hand which made Leshawna gasp in horror. "Oh no you didn't,"
"Leshawna, I'm sad to say that you didn't even have the opportunity to defend yourself," Chris said to the black girl who has been a spot of sunshine around her friends and a torn on her enemies. Mostly heather. "But from the votes, it showed that participating in the challenge matters. The last marshmallow it's for Heather. Time to catch the Boat of Losers, girl."
Leshawna looked betrayed as most of around of her friends looked shocked as well, but Gwen narrowed her eyes to the group of people who voted for Heather.
Leshawna never thought it would have ended up like that, but she had to accept that she was kicked out, but before she left she then heard the brat white girl giving one last remark.
"I'm going to tell your skinny nerd that you miss him already." Heather mocked as most of the Gophers, especially Gwen, glared hard at her. Leshawna glared daggers at her.
"Okay fake tits, I will see you on the other side." Leshawna gave a last remark, not just before leaving with her luggage... Ignoring the eyes twitching from the queen bee.
Leshawna tried to give one last look around to see if she could see him, but surprisingly there was a silhouette far away, which made her smile sadly and wave at him... Dropping a few tears, she sat down on the boat... just to find a little paper nearby...
Curious the black girl stared at the content.
Hear my heart beating
I'll stay with you forever
Keeping a promise until we be together.
I've loved you so long
you've become the lyrics
to my favorite song.
The black girl wept, from how a skinny man, managed to melt her heart so easily, with gentle words and a good silver tongue... She missed him already.
Harold watched the whole scene of the campfire near the beach... he knew he had to accept the outcome... So he gave a sad smile, but at the time everyone was walking away... Heather came near him with that smug smile, which Harold learned how to despise...
"Welp, too late lover boy..." Heather mocked as she gave a final laugh and left Harold fighting his fists so that his fingers made crack sounds...
And the whole group of Screaming Gophers noticed for the first time... a nerd hated someone so much as Harold did.
Confession - Harold
"I can accept that Leshawna is away, she lost fair and square in the game of manipulations..." Harold said as he was calming himself by breathing loudly. "But that fake tits didn't just provoke a Killer Bass... no, she provoked a White Shark, which is known to be one of the to..."
Harold was about to explain a good very informative knowledge to the others, by even raising his finger... but suddenly he interrupted himself... and in silence, he stared at the camera...
"No... if you want to know why, go study yourselves... or keep watching, because you will know."
Confession - Gwen
"If that evil little cow thinks she is getting away with this, she has another thing coming," Gwen said as right now she's never been so determined to make someone pay. Knowing that she wanted her to find her weakest spot, and use against her it was so low that she wanted to take the queen bee down.
Harold walked away from the beach and was going towards the Aquarium to sleep there... until a hand approached and touched his shoulder.
"Did you say you brought a red ant farm with you?" Gwen asked as she could see Harold was determined to make a payback as well.
"Yes," Harold confirmed making Gwen grin. "Why?"
"I want to place them on Heather's face when she is sleeping." Gwen smiled as she could see the face of the nerd shadow... but then he gave an unimpressed look.
"Pff... too lame," Harold said as he ignored her, which made Gwen look offended.
"Excuse me?" Gwen asked as she couldn't believe what the nerd had told her...
"You can have the ants, but I need to find a jar to place the queen since she is ready to breed more eggs... but ants aren't compared to what I'm planning to do," Harold said as he then pointed at one tree...
Gwen looked at the corner of her eyes until she had her eyes wide open.
"But how..."
"Apiculture Camp. That's everything you Gopher should know." Harold said mysteriously, as he took off his shirt and a lighter, and prepared a revenge plan that Gwen couldn't help but feel excited.
Later that night, Heather woke up with dozens of red ants crawling and biting her face.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Heather screamed as she ran towards the door, until she opened it without looking one of her feet stomped a wasp nest, which immediately created a chain reaction of dozens of wasps going directly to the queen bee and using their wrath to make Heather scream in more pain and despair.
Everyone from the camp woke up in alarm, while Gwen was happy in her sleep.
"Goodnight Heather." Gwen smiled innocently, while Harold was in the boys' dorm with a revenge smile on his own.
"Music for my ears," Harold said as he blew the candle and made the whole darkness and have the sleep of the righteous.
Ezekiel stared at the ceiling of the cabin, as he gave one final thought...
"You should have known that we are playing checkers Heather, not chess..." And with that, the homeschooled boy had a good night of sleep.
Chapter 8: The Sucky Outdoors
Chapter Text
"Last time on Total Drama Island…" The camera turned on as Chris went over what happened last episode. "A talent contest brought out the best in our campers. It was awesome! The Killer Bass and Screaming Gophers Clashed showed the best talents that everyone would ask for. Gwen remained quiet and observant when it came to Heather showing her true face around other contestants. Even showing the best of their skills the Screaming Gophers just lost by a few points which showed how close they were to the victory. Heather didn't know that she had to make a deal with the devil to manage to save her butt by convincing the rest of the team to vote off Leshawna. And Ezekiel showed that in the fact that to be able to upbeat a snake, you must also become one. Harold had to confess his love to Leshawna and give a very heartwarming goodbye... But by being provoked by Heather, I never thought I would say this, but Harold explained how Whiter Sharks are terrifying. Did you know adult great white sharks grow to a maximum size of approximately 20 feet in length, weigh up to 6,600 pounds, and are estimated to live for 30 years? Or how the great whites play a special role in the ocean as a top predator by keeping prey populations such as elephant seals and sea lions in balance? No? Neither did I but I got curious about it... But anyway, who will be the next one to walk off this crappy dock? Will the Screaming Gophers finally manage to break their pathetic losing streak? Find out tonight in the most dramatic marshmallow ceremony ever! On Total. Drama. Island!"
(?)
By the time he opened his eyes, all he could see was dirt... Rocks and snow around the windows inside the wreckage he was in… a boy who was feeling so weak, at the time he opened his eyes, the cold and from the look of his arms and legs… the blood filled most parts around his body. The earth was what made him try desperately to breathe. But the darkness around the tunnel was enough to give him pieces of what happened.
He was happy enjoying another episode of his show when suddenly a loud brake sound was heard and the trembles were enough to not scare only him, but also a lot of people nearby him…
The horns of the train were enough to show it was desperately time, and when it got inside the tunnel… derailed inside, but not before creating a loud crash, and with that everyone inside of the cabin was moved from such impact…
A second later, the fear of what was happening, the adrenaline but also the fear of the tunnel trembling… And on the next second… the tunnel closed… with all the earth going down over the train… getting inside of every single window… and with the pressure… Wrecking everything…
The boy stared at his laptop and cell phone… Broken from the crash… And the only tunnel seemed to be trembling even more…
"heeelp…" His voice was weak since he didn't have the force to move his arms or legs… and his vision started to get blurry, as the oxygen was enough to be dragged out from the tunnel… In answer to his pleas… The dirt moved even stronger as the tunnel crushed down… and with that enabling him to breathe ever again… he was buried with the others… while he showed still a few signs of living…
"Please…" That was the last thing the boy remembered when he closed his eyes.
*GASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSP*
Ezekiel gave a deep breath as he woke up from such a nightmare… his breath was fast, and his heartbeats were going crazy… The homeschooled boy felt a good pressure after 2 days of relaxing from the last challenge… However, there was one single challenge his nightmare attacked him with so much force… Being buried alive…
"Phobia Factor is coming." Ezekiel thought to himself, as he felt his panic attacking him… nightmares like that weren't something that he had often… but that one was always the one who ticked him off, a lot.
He just hoped that he would have enough strength to pass such a terrible challenge.
(Main Lodge)
Courtney, Eva, and Bridgette were talking as they seemed to be discussing what would be the next challenge over the show. Katie was smiling on her table, while she seemed to be waving at Cody, who was also smiling and enjoying a good time with Trent and Owen.
The good time over the morning seemed like any other.
Until the door opened which revealed the Killer Bass boys talking nonchalantly like any other day. Harold was still talking like his usual self, Duncan was explaining other things while he was showing his knife. DJ was a bit terrified but also talking, and Geoff was smiling widely like planning to go ahead with their conversation. Tyler was still playing with his yoyo, and talking with the others as well... And Ezekiel was happy with them while he had a black eye...
Wait what?
Eva, Courtney, Bridgette, and Katie turned their heads to see one of their team members with a black eye on his face.
"Zeke, what happened?" Courtney asked as she was looking at the homeschooled boy in disbelief.
"What?" Ezekiel asked as he looked around his body, to try to see if there was something wrong. "Did I miss something from my clothing?"
"Not that dumbass. Your eye, why do you have a black eye?" Eva said as she looked closer, and noticed that there was one thing which would cause like that. "It looks like someone punched you."
"Oh that, yeah, someone punched me in the face," Ezekiel said, and simply sat, while he looked happy and calm.
"Zeke, who punched you in the face?" Bridgette asked, as she looked at him in concern and she wanted to demand answers of why that happened.
"Nah, it's not something you should be worried about. What is done is done. And there is nothing more around that." Ezekiel said as he looked happy with the outcome.
"Yep," Harold said as he sat happily on the seat.
"Damn Right." Duncan agreed, and DJ and Geoff also followed in agreement.
"Yeah, nothing more to worry about," DJ said as Tyler placed his yoyo on the table.
"It was a man talk, and now that is done, you don't have to worry about it," Tyler said, but he chose poorly his words when Eva took him by the collar and raised to her face.
"What did you say? Men talk? What do you mean by that?" Eva said as Tyler sounded a bit sexist and Ezekiel slammed both his hands on the table.
"Enough, like I said, it's over. End of subject. I'm fine, we have to focus on the challenge today. That's what it matters." Ezekiel was directly on the point, and when Courtney was about to ask, Duncan raised his hand.
"Nope, you better drop it. Like jock has said, it was a man talk, you girls wouldn't understand." Duncan wasn't afraid of Eva as she was growling at him and that remark of sexist, but he rolled his eyes. "It was a talk between us. You can have your talk, but this was something just me, DJ, Harold, Geoff, Tyler, and Zeke would understand, so drop it off, and let's focus on the challenge."
The girls stared at Duncan who seemed to be resolute over the choice of words. Not seeing Harold and Ezekiel giving a slight nod to each other.
1 hour before (Aquarium)
"YOU DID WHAT?" A voice shouted as it echoed around the caves of the Aquarium.
The only people who seemed to be in that place were nobody else than the boys of the Killer Bass, and from one of them, it seemed to have more far reasons to be angry.
"I did what I had to do," Ezekiel said as he looked seriously at the nerd who seemed to be angry at that moment.
"WHY DID YOU GIVE HEATHER SOMETHING WHICH WOULD HELP HER TO ELIMINATE LESHAWNA?" Harold snarled in fury and Ezekiel stepped on his foot and stared at the nerd in coldness.
"BECAUSE SHE CORNERED ME YOU MORON," Ezekiel shouted as he glared at Harold couldn't comprehend what was happening. "I'm not stupid to see that she has been manipulating everyone around her team to do exactly like she wants, but you want to know one thing? She came to me, I didn't go to her. She went after me because somehow she found out I have candy, which she used to bribe the one who literally would love anything else to eat than Chef's food. To win against a snake, I had to act like a boss of a mafia. I needed to have the upper hand to make sure she wouldn't come after us. And now she owns me."
Harold listened to Ezekiel explain as the homeschooled boy kept deep breathing and took his hat to start to scratch like his anxiety was attacking him.
"Sure, what I did was a dick move, was a low blow, was something only a jerk would do. But you forgot one thing, Harold. She now knows that you love her. How Heather did found out I don't know. But I'm glad that we managed you to confess to Leshawna that you like her. Really, from the deep of my own heart. I'm glad that you confessed to her after that crap happened." Ezekiel said as he tried to calm down, and from seeing the anger on the nerd's face, he could see how is it going. "I didn't lie to you, I said to not ask me how I found out, because we were running out of time. And I'm going to tell you this if was between you or Leshawna... I prefer to choose a friend I know than an acquaintance that I don't know yet."
Harold gritted his teeth, as he glared at Ezekiel in anger.
"So that's it, you told me to confess to her because you knew that she was going to leave the show, just like that? Do you think I'm going to forgive you just like that?" Harold said as he stomped on the floor, as he was still angry with his friend... Not much as before, but he still has some questions...
"Yes, because I know you, tell me, Harold. If you knew Leshawna was going to be voted off on the last challenge... tell straight to my face, that you wouldn't sabotage yourself to make the Screaming Goophers win." Ezekiel hated to use that fact, but knowing his nerd friend, he had to...
Harold remained quiet, as he could see that the words indeed affected his judgment... So scoffing Harold turned his back and walked off.
"Ah screw this." Harold tried to go away, but then he was blocked by both Geoff and DJ who was with their arms crossed and acting like a barrier. "Let me pass."
"Not so fast ginger head," Duncan said as he walked towards Harold. "You two had a lot to talk about, and we are going to stay here until you both finally finish off this conversation."
"THERE IS NOTHING MORE TO TALK ABOUT, LET ME GO," Harold said as he tried to pass the barrier, but he was surprised that even Tyler grabbed by his shoulder and directed at the homeschooled boy.
"Oh, there is... you have no idea how much talk we need to do right now. You don't need to answer that question, since your actions replied for you." Ezekiel said as he took out his blouse, his hat, and his t-shirt. "We still need to talk."
Geoff and DJ stared at each other not knowing why Ezekiel took out his shirt... Harold knew it didn't have any escape from that situation, so he decided to glare at his supposed friend.
"Fine, what else do you want to tell me?" Harold narrowed his eyes, and he wasn't even impressed to see the boy looking skinny just like him.
"It annoys me the fact that you don't see how much we cared for you. At the moment Heather left, I could have pretended that I didn't know anything, I could have lied to you, I could even have told you it was all Owen's fault since he likes to eat food, or even made Heather steal food from us. But I didn't do it. I wanted you to not miss your chance, to make Leshawna fall for you. Because you were stalling too much time for her. And if you pretended just for one more day... She would have gone without knowing about it." Ezekiel spoke the facts, as he walked towards his friend, and even pointed a finger at you. "What I did, I don't regret it. Because let's be real... I don't have a guarantee that I could win this show. Would you have?"
"Of course I..." Harold tried to scoff but then he felt Ezekiel's hands grab around his shirt.
"Don't pretend Harold. Because on this show, skills aren't the only thing we can have... there would be a time alliance and backstabbing would happen quicker than you would ever imagine, especially with Heather on the field. She was already too strong on the other team, it was only a matter of time until Leshawna was out. But even if she managed to be the last Goopher on the show, do you think we the Killer Bass would show mercy to her every challenge just that she could pass time with you?" Ezekiel spoke as the other boys from the Killer Bass had their eyes wide open, and for the next second, they became sharp as they could see where Ezekiel was going with his point... Even Harold could see it... "We are a team, we are friends, but everyone wants to win 100.000 dollars... And Leshawna also wants 100.000 dollars, not just us..."
"Okay, okay, you are right... but... It's my Leshawna." Harold said as he was still hurt, even with the fact that he got it from his friend, he couldn't be angry with the facts in front of him... they were playing the game, even if he was angry with his friend for doing something like that... he doesn't blame them since they came for what they come in the first place.
Ezekiel gave a smile, as he even felt happy to hear that from his friend.
"Well, I'm glad you said that. Because while I cannot guarantee you will win in the game, at least you won in the game of love." Ezekiel commented as there was the same saying from losing in the game but winning in the love, and the other Killer Bass couldn't help but agree. "Now, that's settled... Punch me."
"What?" Harold blinked, as he saw his friend then asking something so weird like that.
"I want you to punch my face. As you think I still deserve some sort of punishment for breaking your trust, which I never had... I think at least I should get a punch in the face for being a jerk." Ezekiel gave his reason, and while Harold and even DJ, Tyler, and Geoff looked unsure what to say. Duncan grinned with his teeth wide open.
"Now we're talking. Alright, ginger head, you heard him. Sometimes friendship means that we have to punch them in the face if they screw up. And he is giving you this chance. Don't mess this up." Duncan slapped the back of Harold who then looked shocked about that.
And even before he replied or said something, Ezekiel raised his hand.
"But before you do it, I want to be clear on one thing. Not half as hard, not some arbitrary percentage. I want you...punch me... as hard as you can." Ezekiel clarified as pointed his finger to the nerd, and then to his face. "Try to not break my nose and we are cool."
"Why?" Harold asked as he had no idea why the homeschooled boy had asked him for such a specific task.
"Because I don't think you are man enough for Leshawn..." Ezekiel didn't even finish the sentence, and Harold gave the biggest swing he had his whole life, and he punched so hard, that Ezekiel went down instantly.
"EZEKIEL" DJ and Tyler shouted as the duo went to take the boy who went down on the cave floor. While Harold took a few seconds to realize what he had done.
"Wha...what" Harold stuttered as his own fist looked in pain, and which showed a little mark of cut.
"DAMN DUDE, THAT WAS AWESOME," Duncan said as he raised Harold's arm in the air like he was a boxing champion. "A punch like that could knock out anybody. Damn, now I know what I'm never going to say nearby you. That punch was awesome."
"Zeke, are you okay?" Geoff asked loudly in worry but got relieved when the brown-haired boy raised a thumb up.
"Argh, it hurts," Ezekiel replied as he felt one of his eyes feeling a lot of pain and started to swell up. "But now I'm fine. Are you okay Harold?"
Harold blinked... as he glanced at his fist... and then the silence of the others, the anticipation of the discussion being finally over... And the nerd came to a decision and nodded his head.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Harold commented as a good weight from his chest was out. That punch was something he needed to have done. And knowing that possibly everything was recorded... Leshawna would be proud of him.
"Awesome, just for the note, I take that back," Ezekiel commented as he was with his damaged eye closed from the punch, but he was happy with how things turned out in the end. "But there is also one thing I need to talk to you, actually, to all of you."
Harold remained quiet, as the others walked towards him, Ezekiel looked at every single one of them.
"I have been loyal to the pact I did since from the day I said. Every time you said you love a girl and wanted to be happy with her, I gave my all support. But the real action and attitude must be done by you all. Harold managed to go after Leshawna because we worked together and insisted he do it. So I'm still loyal to all of you." Ezekiel commented as he glanced at the boys, who were unsure of to what say in response. "Some of you may have come to this show intending to have these 100 thousand dollars. But for me, I had nothing to lose, I was just a boy who wanted to write and draw my own stories, but I was always alone with my parents. I had no friends, and coming here, I already won too much. Because you Harold are my friend, you DJ are my friend, you Duncan, Geoff, Tyler, Katie, Sadie, Eva, Courtney, Bridgette... All Killer Bass has been my friends... I don't regret what I did, because it was to guarantee another victory for the Bass and make another friend to remain on this show. I will do it again. Let the Gophers kill themselves, and let the Killer Bass reap all the victories."
Ezekiel spoke with his heart... because what he felt was true, because his plan was clearly to make sure the Killer Bass were solely victorious before the merge. That was his objective.
(Campside nearby the forest)
"Campers, today's challenge will test your outdoor survival skills." Now both teams could be seen gathered up at the campfire site as Chris gave them instructions about today's challenge. "I'm not gonna lie to you. Some of you may not come back alive."
Many of the campers gasped only for Chris to laugh from seeing the panic in their faces.
"Just kidding. Hahaha. All you have to do is spend one night in the woods. Everything you need is at your team's campsite in the forest. You just have to find it. Oh, and watch out for bears. Lost a couple of interns in pre-production. The first team back for breakfast wins invincibility!" Chris then launched a map and compass for each team. To ensure find what would be needed to survive in the forest. blew an air horn and pointed over to the woods. He had also handed "Well, off you go!"
Heather was the first to get up and walk, already painful enough she didn't need to add bears to the list of things to look out for. She gave a glance in hatred to both Harold and Gwen, before marching angrily as a team leader.
"Who needs to worry about bears when we have an Eva?" Duncan said as he pointed a thumb at Eva who proceeded to just shrug and crack her neck.
"Never fought them before. But I think it would be smart not to do unnecessary fighting." Eva said as she glanced at the other team members, who seemed to be fine with her point. Eva may be strong, but it's best to not also temptate fate.
"I had a little encounter with a bear once." Owen bragged confidently as all of his teammate's eyes were now on him. "Let's just say his head looks real nice up on my mantle."
"Ooh! This one time, I saw a bear eating our garbage!" Izzy told a story of her bear encounter to Lindsay as Owen walked away. "He had old spaghetti noodles hanging from his big, huge teeth! It looked like blood and guts! It was so gross. And we thought he was eating the neighbor's cat Simba, but it turns out he was just lost for a week…uh, you didn't eat spaghetti, did you?" Lindsay, feeling sick to her stomach, shook her head with Izzy smiling again in response. "Good! Let's go!"
Lindsay simply gulped as she reluctantly followed her team into the woods.
(Screaming Gophers)
As the Screaming Gophers walked through their assigned path towards the campsite, Heather was in the front walking as far away from everyone as possible without outright separating from them. She was very angry at the way she found herself waking from a few days ago.
"Oh they are going to pay for that, I swear." Heather declared as she looked annoyed from seeing the one who she thought was a nonthreat now managing to make her very angry. "I couldn't even enjoy a day of peace."
Trent looked worried at Gwen who seemed to be in good humor on that morning.
"Gwen, are you sure that it was wise for you to do that with Heather? She looked like she wanted to kill you." Trent usually is a chill guy, but seeing Heather with murderous eyes pointing at the goth girl, he started to get worried about her.
"That's fine, wasps stings are going to be less painful in a few days." Gwen felt kinda vindicted as she couldn't help but glance at Beth and Lindsay who seemed to be trying to reach Heather who was still angry at her. "Also, it seems that the queen bee was playing behind our backs… and she shouldn't have provoked someone who had a crush on Leshawna… I think it was a sweet revenge she would enjoy it."
"Yeah, but please be careful, you never know what is going to happen later." Trent cared for the girl, so at the time she just smiled and was assured that everything was going to be fine, he could at least be at peace with that.
(Killer Bass)
As the Killer Bass headed towards their campsite, Katie gasped as she excitedly pointed to the bush of fruit.
"Blueberries!" Katie smiled as she proceeded to go in the direction of the bush, Ezekiel who was the last one in the group stared at the tan girl who seemed to be so happy to find it. "I just love blueberries."
Ezekiel nodded as he started at the group that was going in front of them.
"Okay, so take all of them and bring them with you. We don't want you to be left behind and you get lost in the middle of the forest." Ezekiel instructed as he took out his blouse and gave it to her. "Try to catch every of them, because who knows if we are going to need something to eat for later."
"Oh… that's right, the challenge." Katie nodded her head as she saw the boy who was still with a dark eye, "Err… are you sure that you are okay? Because it seems that you may need an ice…"
"Ice would have been nice, oh, that rhymes," Ezekiel commented as he shook his head. "But I didn't have time to have one… so I need to wait for tomorrow to help to treat my eye. But come on, we don't have much time."
"Got it," Katie commented as she tried to go the fast as she could. Ezekiel watched the group going in the direction, that he would follow them quickly.
Confession – Ezekiel
"I know Katie and Sadie may be sometimes like Duncan said dunderheads, and I'm glad that I was the last one of the Killer Bass to go behind them all because from the look of Katie, she would have eaten the whole blueberries and she would get lost in the forest without our notice…" Ezekiel said as he placed a good ice sack on his eye, and making groan in relief. "Ahhhh, sweet relief."
"You are ready to go?" Ezekiel asked and the tan girl nodded her head happily. "Good, let's go, they are not far away. They went ahead and turned on the right."
Katie smiled, as she followed Ezekiel who was holding a good bow on his hands.
"Err… Zeke, where did you get the bow?" Katie asked in surprise, which made Ezekiel stop, and look at it.
"Oh, I got a hunch that I was going to need it in the first place… never doubt about your instincts. You never know if you are going to use them later." Ezekiel shrugged, as he remembered also one good information which he snickered. "Duncan also took with him the axe, which means that we may have some extra tools when it comes to this challenge."
"Hmm… isn't that cheating?" Katie asked worried, which Ezekiel thought for a few seconds… and then shook his head.
"Nah, as long we use it for the sake of entertainment or in case Chris forgets to be specific on the rules if we entertain enough while using our tools. Everything is fair game." Ezekiel explained as he could see Chris McClain smiling from where he was watching.
"Ohhh…" Katie nodded as she then noticed a group of people who were far away. "Oh look at that, I think that's them. BASS, WE ARE HERE."
The group suddenly watched both Katie and Ezekiel coming towards them, and Courtney and Eva looked at both of them with their eyes narrowed.
"Where have you two been?" Courtney asked angrily as she placed both her hands on her hips.
"Katie found some blueberries so we took all of them to bring in case we would need food for tonight," Ezekiel replied as they saw Katie grinning with all the fruits she found at the start of the forest.
"Woah, awesome, now we have a bit of food," Harold commented as he was happy and even took one of the little fruits which tasted delicious. "Man, it was the best food we had in days."
"Great job tan twin." Duncan nodded his head, as he could see that he approved someone thinking ahead, and making Katie happy on the team. "But I don't think this is going to be enough for all of us. So we may need to have more food."
The reality made Katie's smile drop, and Ezekiel nodded and cracked his neck.
"Well, I'm going fishing, it's the safest way to get food since it has more chance to bring food than hunting. Also, we have to be fast to eat it when is done since the worst it can happen is bring a bear over here." Ezekiel commented as he prepared some of his arrows to take some fish with him.
"Are you sure that it's going to work? Fishing with arrow and bow?" Geoff asked as he raised his eyebrows.
"No, it's for the case we encounter a wild animal and I would need to protect myself," Ezekiel explained, as he wanted to be armed in case some shienegam related to bears would happen to him.
"Hey, let me go with you," Geoff said as he proceeded to take off his hat. "We can use my hat as a net, and try to catch them easier like that."
Ezekiel paused, and then glanced at his green hat… and a good smile appeared on his face.
"Geoff, you are a genius," Ezekiel said as he raised his hand for a high five. And Geoff didn't waste his time. "Alright let's go."
"Hey, you are going to need extra arms. Let me help with you two." Tyler called as he took his sports jacket with him, which would also be used as a fish net.
"Alright, just bring enough for us to eat, and like Ezekiel said let's just try and not encounter a bear at all please." Courtney raised her voice as the duo walked away and went in the direction of the river.
"Aaaaw, what's wrong princess?" Duncan asked Courtney with a smirk. "Afraid of a little bear?"
"Yes, I MEAN NO!" Courtney immediately denied it as she snapped her head towards Duncan and glared at him. "I just don't want anything to break our winning streak is all. Ok? And also we don't want anybody hurt. We can't have anything slowing us down."
"Just chill would ya." Duncan said, and as usual not threatened in the slightest by Courtney's glare. "If any bears come along I might just project ya~ but also Eva can punch directly on their belly, and we can use that as a good time for everyone to escape."
"Ugh!" Courtney grunted out, completely disgusted by Duncan's words. "Can we just hurry it up now?"
Duncan silently snickered as Harold gave a thumbs up and DJ high-fived him. It seems the challenge was going to be easy for them, just like it always has during the other challenges.
(Screaming Gophers)
After their hike was complete, the screaming Gophers were now in a mostly open area of the woods where different supplies were waiting for them such as a tent and sleeping bags. Owen put his hands on his hips. "Uh…" The big guy let out nervously. "There's no food here."
"This is a survival task," Trent informed Owen as he looked over a piece of paper that was previously attached to the supplies they had. "Look at the instructions."
"I wonder if there are any bears around today," Owen asked as he walked up to Izzy with a smile on his face. "Wouldn't it be funny if we made some bear sounds and then they came?"
"Ha! That would be so funny." Izzy laughed and agreed with Owen.
"ROOOOOOOOAR!" Owen let out in a deeper voice. "I'm a bear!"
"Would you please shut up? I'm trying to read here!" Heather rudely yelled at Owen making him flinch as the mean girl looked over the instructions she took from Trent. "It says we're supposed to find our own food." Heather scoffed and looked around the campsite and still saw a complete lack of food. "I still don't see it."
"I think they mean in the woods." Trent pointed out as he pointed towards the woods around them. If this was a survival challenge it would mean they would have to, well, survive off of the things they can find around them baring the tent and sleeping bags.
"I'll go!" Owen offered as he started walking into the woods. "I'm good at finding food!"
"Well, at least this will be a good week for my diet." Heather sighed as it looked like she would have no choice but to accept whatever food Owen could find in the woods.
(Ezekile, Tyler and Geoff)
"Alright, it seems this river is full of fish, so we have great chances of catching some for us." Ezekiel smiled as he could see many fishes jumping directly towards them. And Geoff who seemed to be using his cowboy hat, was having a great way of capturing some 2 or 3 fishes with him. Tyler was doing a great job capturing at least 5 with him.
"Man, this fish is jumping on the jacket." Tyler smiled as he could see the proteins everyone was going to have for tonight.
"Yeah lil' dude, this is going to be awesome for we have a great dinner tonight." Geoff, Tyler, and Ezekiel enjoyed a good time fishing as he then glanced at the black eye the homeschooled eye was having. And even flinched from thinking about it. "Hey Zeke, I gotta say what you did with Harold was insane."
"Yeah, you asked Harold to punch you in the face after what you gave to Heather." Tyler had to confess that it was a messed up thing to do, giving an enemy a weapon for them to use, but Ezekiel asked to be punched in the face as a way to prove his loyalty to his friends.
"Ah don't tell me you wouldn't do the same if I did the same thing with Lindsay, Tyler." And at the moment Ezekiel said that the jock shut his mouth... knowing that the boy wasn't kidding when he said that."She didn't do that to her because she has an alliance with Lindsay, but if you both were in the same position as Harold and Leshawna wouldn't you do the same? If I ask you to punch me, as hard as you can. Wouldn't you do it?"
.
.
.
"Without thinking twice." Tyler lowered his head, admitting that he would have done it and he would be angry with Ezekiel if he had done that with the babe he had hooked up on the show... "And you are right."
"And Geoff, wouldn't you do the same if Bridgette had been a Screaming Gopher and Heather would want to vote her off." Ezekiel rolled his eyes, while Geoff immediately shut his mouth. Noticing the silence over his friend Ezekiel sighed exasperated. "Dudes, you know I would never go against our pact. I would help you to achieve your maximum potential over winning the challenges if I have to, but I'm not perfect, and I'm not invincible, Heather went to our cabin a few days ago... what would you think I would do if she gets me alone and tries to threaten me or blackmail me? If she wants to play the little games she has on her team, whatever, she can do it. But for my team. I would fight tooth and nail for it. Don't even doubt about it."
"Little dude, you need to get out more of your farm," Tyler said as he sighed in sadness. "I feel sad that you see all of us as friends, and you would go to such extremes for us. You know what? When this show is over, I'm going to take you to my city, maybe take you to do some sports with me and my family. Heck, I can even bring you to see some hockey with my family."
"Really? That would be awesome." Ezekiel smiled, as Geoff seemed to be also happy, and decided to nod his head.
"Yeah dude, maybe we can have a party in your city Tyler. I think I can bring some friends and we can go out all night to enjoy a good time." Geoff smiled as he could see that the team he formed was indeed becoming friends with him.
And that's how the good time of fishing made the trio even happier for the challenge.
(Screaming Gophers)
Currently, at the Screaming Gophers campsite, all the Gophers were simply sitting around the campfire they built. All except for Owen who was still out finding food. And speaking of food, that was something the Gophers really needed right now as most of them were groaning with growling stomachs. "Ugh, I'm so hungry…" Heather let out as her stomach practically roared.
"I think my stomach ate my stomach…" Izzy painfully groaned out.
"Yo!" Suddenly a new voice popped up and everyone looked to see a guy carrying pizza. "Who ordered the pepperoni, and extra cheese?!"
"It's for the camera crew." The man working the camera said as his hand was seen waving in front of the camera. "Over here!"
Heather gasped and glared in response.
"No way." The mean girl said. If they couldn't get the luxury of that kind of food, then neither should the camera crew.
Just then the bush nearby started shaking and the Screaming Gophers saw something that would fix all their food problems.
"I am man!" It was none other than their teammate Owen carrying a bunch of decently sized fish tied together on a rope. "I bring fish!"
"Are you kidding me?" Heather let out in complete disbelief. How could a fat oaf like Owen manage to catch that many fish? It should have been impossible.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Gophers walked up to Owen and voiced their compliments to him getting them a good amount of food with Izzy quickly taking one.
"Oh, I love fish! I love fish!" Izzy then sank her teeth into the raw fish making everyone watching gasp and cringe in disgust. Izzy quickly realized this and took her teeth off the fish. "I… I guess we should cook it first."
"How do you know how to fish?" Heather demanded to know how Owen was able to catch that mighty haul of aquatic creatures.
"My grandpa taught me," Owen told everyone before turning around and bending. "I caught a shark once; it bit me in the butt. Check it out."
Owen then pulled down his pants to reveal said scar making most of the Gophers back away in disgust. All except Izzy who stared right at it. "That is so awesome!"
(Killer Bass)
As time passed, Courtney with the other members of the Killer Bass, seemed to be doing their best to prepare a good part of the camp, Duncan and Eva were at work building a fire pit, by using the Axe Duncan brought with him to cut the wood brought by Harold, DJ walked around with Katie to see if they can catch up more fruits and berries around. Bridgette and Courtney were doing a good job setting up the tent.
"GUYS LOOK HOW MUCH FISH WE MANAGED TO BRING," Tyler said loudly the group couldn't believe that it was enough to feed the team with 2 fish for each.
Duncan, Eva, and even Courtney seemed to be happy to see that it was enough and with a good administration would be for the whole night. Bridgette looked sad and tried to look away.
"Hey guys, look what we found," Katie said as she smiled with even more dozens of berries, some herbs, and even a carrot, DJ brought a bunny with him as well.
"Oh, awesome," Duncan said as he nodded his head towards the duo. "We have both fish and bunny meat, we are going to eat like kings and queens tonight."
"NO." Both DJ and Katie said which made Duncan stop... And DJ protected the little bunny with his life.
"This is my new pet!" DJ told everyone as he held the rabbit closer to him. "I'm callin' him Bunny!"
Duncan looked at the bunny and then looked at the fish, he then shrugged.
"Alright, but you are the one who is going to clean his pop when does." The delinquent shrugged off and the group of Killer Bass now seemed to be ready for the whole challenge.
"Well, everything looks great so far..." Courtney smiled as she felt proud of her team for another challenge going to be easy. "Well, there is also the tent which still needs to be done."
"Hey, let me help," Geoff said as he seemed it was a good opportunity to talk with Bridgette, which left Tyler and Ezekiel to be let the things nearby.
"Welp, it seems this is going too well," Tyler commented as he clearly could see that everything was fine. "The sky is fine, the camp is almost done..."
"Yeah, it's not like is going to rain tonight..." Ezekiel commented, and at that moment he paused himself. In the same way, Harold, Duncan, Tyler, DJ, and even Geoff paused mid-preparations.
"UGHHHHHHHHH." The boys of the Killer Bass groaned at the same time.
"Why did you say that?" Duncan said as he facepalmed.
"Sorry, I didn't know it was going to escape, it got easily out of my mouth," Ezekiel replied as he quickly went ahead to bring some leaves.
The C.I.T. girl tilted her head, as Harold took a bit of his time to also help Ezekiel bring all the leaves they could.
"What's going on?" Courtney asked, and Eva in silence went to help the group of boys to quickly take more leaves and even some branches to help.
Duncan stopped doing the fire since he wanted to help the homeschooled boy as well.
"First rule in the nature princess. Never say is not going to rain in the forest. Because that would increase the chances of actually raining." Duncan commented as the group seemed to be speeding up.
"That's ridiculous, we are in a good nature, and the sky is without clouds, there is no way it's going to rain," Courtney said as she rolled her eyes, but at the time she said that, the whole group who have been taking leaves, groaned even louder.
"Congratulations Princess, now you confirmed it's going to rain. And now we need to prepare a tarp for the whole tent." Duncan said annoyed, as the group seemed to be now focusing multi multi-tasking from all the problems.
"Hmph." Courtney rolled her eyes but still watched her team in amusement.
And it took hours until all the camps were formed for the whole teams.
(Screaming Gophers)
"Okay. The fire's hot. Fish are grilling. Tent is tenting." Owen listed off the things going on in their campsite with all the Gophers looking pretty relaxed right now. All except Izzy who wasn't even with the group right now.
"Nice goin', man." Trent complimented the big guy. "Fish looks awesome."
"Thanks, man. I owe it all to Grandpa." Owen said as he recounted all the times he and his grandpa went camping, fishing, or hunting together.
"So, you and your grandpa fought a bear once?" Trent asked pretty curious about that story.
"Heck yes, it was the scariest day of my life," Owen said as he proceeded to tell his teammates the story. "We were out in the woods when we came upon the great beast. I tell you; he was ten feet high if he was afoot! And then he roared his terrible roar! [imitates roar] We grabbed our shotgun. We knew it was either him or us. It was nothing personal, just the law of the wild. And then, bam! One shot was all it took to feel the great beast. We took his blood and marked ourselves to honor him. It was a good death."
"Yeah right." Heather rolled her eyes, not believing Owen for even a second. "There's no way you took down a ten-foot bear." Heather then looked around and noticed a distinct lack of a certain orange-haired girl. "Hey, has anyone seen crazy girl?"
"I think she had to pee," Lindsay said as she remembered Izzy saying she had to use the bathroom…quite a while ago.
"That was over an hour ago!" Trent immediately stood up with a concerned expression as he called out to their missing teammate. "Izzy! Izzy?!"
"Izzy the Gopher, where are you?!" Owen called out loudly to the orange-haired girl. Just then a bush started shaking causing everyone to relax. "Hehe, good. We thought we lost you there for a minute-" But everyone gasped in fear as they all saw what emerged from the bush. It certainly wasn't their missing teammate but a big brown growling bear. "Great Pyramid of Giza!" Owen started running around in a panic as the rest of the Gophers backed away in fear with Cody even peeing his pants. "We're all going to die! We're gonna get eaten alive by a bear! Oh, the horror! Somebody help us! I want my mommy!"
At this point, Heather got annoyed by Owen's screaming and tripped the big guy before pointing at the tall tree nearby. "The trees! Climb into the trees!" All the Gophers were quick to do so before the bear got to them.
(Killer Bass)
Everyone was working so fine, Duncan preparing the fish on the fire, DJ feeding his bunny for having a good night of sleep, Ezekiel and Harold were sitting watching the stars forming in the sky covered with trees, Courtney watched amused Eva once again defeating Tyler in the arm wrestling. Katie was looking at nature and missing her good best friend and Geoff was having a good time finishing the tent with Bridgette.
Geoff smiled as he looked at the surfer doing her best to help make everything ready for the night, and then he decided to use a pickup line to flirt with her.
"Wow, you pitch a tent like a guy…" Geoff commented as he then looked at Bridgette who raised her eyebrow in anger, and the sound of crickets was enough to make all the Killer Bass men stare at Geoff, who was blinking and realizing what he said.
(Confession - Duncan)
*FACEPALM*
(Confession - Harold)
*FACEPALM*
(Confession - DJ)
*FACEPALM*
(Confession - Tyler)
*FACEPALM*
(Confession - Ezekiel)
*FACEPALM* But he hit his hurt eye.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Ezekiel screamed in agony from the painful hurt he had on his face.
(Confession - Geoff)
"Wow, you pitch a tent like a guy…" Geoff replied the same words he said sarcastically as he realized how dumb it was by saying in the first place, and then facepalmed himself into knowing that he screwed up.
Harold noticed that there was nothing Geoff could say to salvage such a situation, so he did what a good man would do.
"You mean Guy Ching Chao? The expert of survivalist and creator of great styles of arming tents from nature?" Harold lied about the person who was, which made Bridgette raise her eyebrows in surprise.
"Ohhh, I remember him. Man, his documentary about him making a gym by using nothing but rocks and mud. It was nuts." Tyler also appeared to the rescue of the party boy who looked at them gratefully.
"Yeah him, I mean, he is a complete professional, but I think you have great potential." Geoff had used the best he could and made Bridgette glance at the tent, but then give a slight smile to him.
"Oh, cool, thanks," Bridgette said as she turned her back, not seeing Harold and Tyler glaring at the party boy who looked so grateful for their help. But when she turned back at them, the group were all smiling at her. "I just learned from the ONG I was helping when I was a kid. They always taught the basic stuff. But I think I can manage to do better."
"Yeah," Geoff said as he could see his friends looking at him, with one thought on his mind, and he promised that he wouldn't screw up again.
"Anyway, dinner is ready. Let's eat fast. Or some bears will appear." Duncan made fun of it, and Ezekiel glanced at the bow and arrows in case they would need it.
It's never too much in case you would want to save yourself against predators.
"Don't even start with that Duncan, let's eat quickly, and let's not leave anything, I don't want some wild animal making us lose the challenge." Courtney rolled her eyes, but she noticed that it was never too much to be safe than sorry.
An hour has passed, bellies full of fish and berries, and the Killer Bass were simply passing the time by sitting around the fire.
"HOOT! HOOT!"
Bridgette flinched and breathed heavily for a bit in response to the owl. DJ, with Bunny in his arms, was quick to reassure the girl and calm her down.
"Be cool," DJ said to the surfer girl in a calm tone. "It's just an owl."
"Sorry." Bridgette apologized as she rubbed her arm. "I just get freaked out in the forest."
"This reminds me of this really scary story I heard once," Duncan said, getting everyone's attention.
"Awesome," Geoff said, already wanting to hear this story. "Tell it, man."
"Are you sure?" Duncan asked with a bit of a smirk. "Because the story I'm thinking of is pretty hardcore."
"Ooh, we're so scared." Courtney sarcastically said with a roll of her eyes.
"I have to agree with Duncan, we are in the middle of the night. And it's not like a good time to make people have nightmares tonight." Ezekiel tried to be polite but then Tyler just ignored.
"Relax dude, it's just a story. Nothing to worry about. If things go wrong you can tell one your stories." Tyler smiled as he wanted to be scared on that night, and Ezekiel glanced as he looked that his friends seemed to be excited to hear a campfire story.
"You know what? Go ahead Duncan, I'm going to tell a story to try to make people at least have a good night of sleep later." Ezekiel didn't want to make fun of it... neither wanted to tell one of his scariest Courage the Cowardly dog stories because the next challenge would be something that he would be dammed if Katie and Lindsay would hear Freaky Fred's story a week before the Phobia Factor challenge.
Duncan looked at Ezekiel and then nodded his head.
"Alright." Duncan simply shrugged. "But don't say we didn't warn you. One night, a lot like this one…"
And so Duncan got to tell his story. And what a story it was as soon enough a majority of the Bass team was shaking in their boots with the only exception being Ezekiel who seemed to be amused by the story.
"So suddenly…they-they heard this tap-tap-tapping on the side of the car." Duncan continued to tell his story, enjoying the looks of fear on most of his team's faces. "The girl started to freak out, and by this time, even the guy was getting a bit scared. So he turned the car on and he stepped on it. When they got back to the girl's house, she opened the door and screamed! Because there, hanging from the door handle…was the bloody hook. They say that this killer is still alive, wandering these very woods. He could be just about anywhere. Maybe even right here!" Duncan then suddenly pulled out a meat hook attached to his hand causing everyone, to scream with a majority of the team hiding behind DJ.
"Muahahahahaha!" Duncan laughed evilly as he put a hand to his head in response to everyone's fearful reactions.
"Duncan!" Courtney yelled as she walked up to the delinquent. "That was so not funny!"
"Well, you all asked for it," Ezekiel said as he cleaned the sweat on his face. "I'm never a fan of hardcore gore stories, but that jumpscare was spot on."
"I'm glad you liked it. I have to keep up my game when it comes to you telling stories." Duncan said as he started laughing. "I just wish it was all on camera!Oh wait, it is! " Duncan laughed before pointing to the camera recording them.
"You are so vile." Courtney glared hard at the delinquent. "Do your parents even like you?"
"I don't know, Jumpy McChicken," Duncan answered with a smirk. "I haven't asked them lately." Just then a wolf howling could be heard making Courtney flinch in fear and end up leaning into Duncan who took the frightened girl into his arms. Duncan smirked and looked to Geoff, Harold, and even Ezekiel to give him a thumbs up.
"Anyway, now that you all felt a good heart attack... it seems that it's my time to defuse such a scare, so I need to tell a wholesome story... something that would make you happy... so here... I'm going make you cry." Ezekiel said which made the whole group stare at each other.
"But you said..." DJ was about to reply to him, but Ezekiel interrupted.
"I know what I said. So let me prepare myself. *cough* cough *cough" Ezekiel did his best to cough everything he had in his throat before he closed his eyes and then did his best to do an impression of a deep voice. "My name is Dr. Zalost. And I'm about to tell the story of that stupid dog that changed my life. In a town... in the middle of nowhere... I Doctor Zalost, came to a project and I need someone to invest in it..."
.
.
.
And the time Ezekiel continued to talk about his tale, every single moment, the group seemed hooked, as Ezekiel raised his body and acted like he had been in his character since from beginning.
"Err, boom?" Ezekiel told the moment the poor beagle was tied in front of the cannon and yet he managed to pay for the tip and with that find the answer.
"*tsss* That moment the wick stopped the fire, and it made my own eyes in fury. YOU CHEATED. *Boom Boom*" Ezekiel did that scene but while it sounded a lot funny, the tension of his wrath was enough to make DJ jump.
"RUN COURAGE RUN," DJ shouted as he could imagine Courage in a bad position to run away from the depression cannon balls.
And more and more, Ezekiel told the tale, nobody wanted to interrupt. Since it showed how important it was knowing how depressing would be mortal.
Until it comes at the final moments.
"Hehe... Rat, give me a hug." Ezekiel said as he gave a good happy hug. "Ahhh, ah ha."
"Ah Courage, isn't that the coziest picture did you ever see? Muriel asked as the little beagle couldn't help, but show his smile and yet funny laugh, as his teeth were covered with the remains of happy Plums... Hahahahahaha... The end..." Ezekiel finished telling one of the saddest and yet wholesome stories that ever saw in his world, and he knew that his friends would be feeling the same... since Katie, Courtney, and even Eva were sniffing from seeing such a happy moment. DJ was crying but gave a good hug to his bunny who seemed to be also enjoying a good experience. Tyler and Harold were trying to hold back their tears, but it was so easy to guess that they had been crying the whole moment. Geoff was also sniffing.
"Bro, that was awesome," Geoff said, as he then glanced at Duncan who was with his back turned from everyone. "Duncan, are you fine dude?"
"Yeah, I'm okay," Duncan said as he tried to force himself to be tough... But a little sniff was clean and he was also feeling emotional.
"Well, I think with that it's good enough to have a good night of sleep... Good night everyone." Ezekiel said as his voice looked weak, and his eyes seemed to be starting to get a bit better, but he still wished to have an ice sack to help him deal with that.
The group stared at each other, and looking at night, it sounded clear that it was the right time to sleep.
(Screaming Gophers)
The Gophers were dealing with an actual bear it ended up chasing the whole team up a tree.
"So what do we do now?" Trent asked while sharing a branch with Gwen and Heather.
"Don't look at me," Heather told Trent.
"It was your idea to climb the trees," Gwen stated that it was Heather's fault they were in the position they were in now.
"Well, why don't you ask the bear-hunting expert?" Heather yelled as she looked up at the person who claimed to have killed a bear far bigger than the one terrorizing them right now. "Hey Owen, what now?"
"How should I know?!" Owen yelled while clinging onto the tree for dear life.
"What you mean dude, you said you killed a bear!" Cody pointed out Owen's story of him and his grandpa killing a bear once.
"I was being theatrical!" Owen stated.
"This is all your fault!" Heather yelled harshly at Owen while glaring at the big guy. "If you hadn't been growling like that, we never would've attracted him to our site!"
"Excuse me for living!" Owen cried as he started to bang his head against the tree.
"Hey, hey, hey. Ease up on the guy." Trent tried to get everyone to both calm down and stop yelling at Owen. "He did bring us all that fish."
At the same time, the bear invading their campsite started sniffing at the cooking fish and salivating into finding the good smell of food.
"Hey! Lay off our fish!" Heather yelled at the bear that was still eyeing her team's fish.
"It's probably already eaten, Izzy!" Lindsay cried out as she held on tight to the tree.
"Then it shouldn't be hungry anymore!" Heather claimed causing everyone in her team to gasp and look at her in shock. "What? This is survival of the fittest. She should've just peed in her pants like Cody."
Cody looked down in shame, not knowing what to do at that moment. They looked at the beer going always around the camp.
In the next hour... it seemed that the fish was going to get burned, but the Bear somehow managed to take it off and immediately eat them.
"OH COME ON," Heather shouted as her fury seemed to have attracted another bear, who slowly was walking towards the camp. "Another one? Great, just great."
"Thanks a lot Queen Bee," Gwen said annoyed as she could see how much terrible things were getting on their side...
Until by some miracle, one of the bears tilted its head towards the other one, as the other one seemed to be playing with it... until the next moment the bear looked annoyed, and roared to the sky.
And the first bear who was in the camp for hours, jumped and immediately ran off in fear towards the tree.
"OH NO, IT CAN CLIMB," Cody shouted as he felt pissing himself again from such fear.
"GIVE ME SOME SPACE, GIVE ME SOME SPACE." Then a familiar voice was enough to make the whole group stare at the bear who was climbing the tree...
"What? Did that beart just talk?" Heather asked in confusion as suddenly the bear got sit nearby Lindsay and Beth. The Gophers looked at the bear in confusion…until a few gasped as they recognized the voice the 'bear' had just spoken with.
Everyone watched in surprise as the 'bear' at the time it sat on the branch, reached for its head…and pulled it off. It turned out, the bear was simply Izzy herself in a bear costume.
"Oh my goodness, I did not see that coming!" Owen laughed as he slid down the tree. He's never been happier to see Izzy before.
"Okay, I'm so confused right now," Lindsay said as she and everyone looked at the orange-haired girl.
"What are you some kind of freak?" Gwen asked as she glared at Izzy.
"I thought it would be funny!" Izzy laughed.
(Confession - Izzy)
"Okay, okay, that was so funny," Izzy stated while still wearing her bear suit. "Like 'Oh, it's a bear! Oh no!' and like 'We're all gonna die now! Help! Help!' Hahahaha! And I'm like 'Rah! I'm gonna eat you!' Ahahahaha! Like I could do that! There's no way, okay?"
(Killer Bass)
From the whole group who had a very wholesome and yet emotional story made by Ezekiel, most of the team seemed to have a great time with a good night of sleep... but one of them had a few needs to do at that moment.
"What's wrong?" DJ asked the surfer girl as he felt her constantly shifting around. "Need to go to pee?"
"Like crazy." Bridgette nodded as she looked out at the tent to the dark of the night. Even with the good fire around, she was still afraid to go alone in the wild. "But I'm too scared to leave the tent."
"Yeah, me too," DJ said as he was feeling a bit afraid until they both heard a groaning behind them.
"Ughh, fine... You both are lucky because I also want to go." Eva said which made both Bridgette and DJ a bit relieved that now they have a new option to go on the forest. "Let's just go."
Seeing now they have a bit more of a powerhouse to help them, Bridgette womaned up as DJ seemed to be happy as well and both decided to go after Eva.
"You go to that side, and me and Bridgette are going to go there," Eva instructed as DJ looked a bit nervous. "You are easier because you do it faster. Now stop being a coward and do it."
"Yes ma'am," DJ said as he went into the nearby tree... While Bridgette and Eva had to do their necessities in the bushes.
Even with the strange animal sounds around, Bridgette was trembling a lot, but Eva scoffed.
"It's just noise. Be on guard, but don't be afraid. Just do it and let's go back to the tent." Eva gave her authority voice and Bridgette nodded her head to her...
And surprisingly, nothing has happened. Which was a good time to relieve herself... At the time the trio seemed so happy to be able to go back to sleep... suddenly the trio felt a few raindrops coming, and on the next second, they quickly went under the tent as the fire was extinguished with the rain...
Good timing for the Killer Bass, to feel happy and safe and with a good night of sleep... Since most of the animals would prefer to be quiet on a raining night.
And after closing her eyes. Bridgette finally could dream about the story of a sad Doctor in search of happiness, and a cowardly beagle who managed to eat all the cream over the happy plums...
A very good night of sleep.
(Screaming Gophers)
The night was chaotic, as their only way of safety was the tree they were going to sleep with. And the rain made it even worse for them to try to sleep. As when they looked down, the bear was just there, sitting and feeling the rain pouring over it. Showing that it enjoys a good stormy night.
And Heather was feeling that the day was becoming the most annoying of her life.
MORNING.
With the Screaming Gophers, they were in better shape than they could have been. Due to the bear, which was gone thankfully, they all ended up sleeping in the tree they were using to escape the bear and that left them with aching backs. "Oh! I think it's safe, guys. The bear's gone." Trent told everyone after cracking his back.
"And the map," Gwen said as she held up a completely soaked map.
"Kay, I don't know how raccoons sleep in trees, because I'm so stiff." Izzy, still wearing her bear costume, said while cracking her back.
"They must be really limber." Owen guessed as he stretched out as much as he could.
"You know what, crazy girl? I don't wanna hear another word from you or the bear hunter here." Heather yelled as she glared at both Izzy and Owen. "If you two hadn't been acting like bear bait all night, we could have actually slept in our tent!"
Just then a bird flew by them tweeting leading to Owen, Izzy, and Heather all yelling. "SHUT UP!" At the poor bird.
(Killer Bass)
The morning rose over the group, as some stretched themselves from the good night they had over the camp. Bridgette woke up like she had the best night of sleep in days, and the others couldn't help but enjoy more nature.
"Wow," Ezekiel could see how beautiful nature was around since the good birds were flying and it gave a very good impression of nature itself. Everything was so perfect, that Ezekiel could also find good inspiration towards a few stories he had in mind.
Until suddenly he felt someone trembling in the place.
"Babbabababab." Ezekiel turned his head to see Katie who was happy suddenly getting pale, as she was starting to tremble in fear
"What's going on?" Duncan asked, as he noticed as well, that Katie seemed to be paralyzed in fear. "Dunderhead talk to me, what happened?"
"It seems that she is afraid of something." Courtney stared as she snapped her fingers to try to snap the attention from the tan twin.
Ezekiel turned his head in the direction Katie was looking, and suddenly he immediately noticed what she was afraid of. And immediately took his bow and arrows.
"BEAR," Ezekiel shouted which brought the attention of all Killer Bass who stared in the direction Ezekiel was aiming his bow.
The reaction was immediate since everyone tried to go away and give some space away from the bear. And the bear stared at the blueberries which the tanned twin seemed to be enjoying so much to eat.
"ROAR." The bear roared as it immediately went in the direction of the paralyzed twin, but at the time it was going to wreck the little skinny girl.
A bodybuilder powerhouse gave a body tackle on the left side of the bear.
"STAY BACK." Eva roared as she gave a command and pushed Katie away from the danger zone.
Ezekiel took the time to shoot a few arrows to hit the face of the bear, but all he could manage was to hit the bulky body of the animal, and the thing he feared was true, the arrows didn't do any damage to the angry animal. It only made him even angrier.
"ROAR." The bear snarled as it went in the direction of the homeschooled boy, but at the moment it tried to attack, suddenly something stabbed on its side… It was an axe Duncan had launched with all his strength. The bear growled as with its own body managed to make the axe drop to the floor. And from the looks of it, it went berserk.
"OH HELL NO." Eva took the opportunity to tackle the bear and with her fist, she gave a powerful swing to make the animal go directly at the tree… And Eva took the next second to go quickly and give one more punch, and another one, and another one. Making sure it would be enough to kill it."STAY DOWN, STAY DOWN."
Eva roared as the bear seemed to be strong and bulky enough to use its body to protect itself, but the tree behind it wasn't that powerful, since the rain managed to make some slight damage… and with the pressure of the punches… it started to crack and slowly was enough to make the whole tree starts to fall.
Eva, watched the tree failing down towards both her and the bear's direction… and with good speed, both prepared to be way…
"Courtney WATCH OUT," Duncan yelled as the group saw the C.I.T. girl was about to get crashed by the trunk… but suddenly Courtney felt someone pushing her…
*crash*
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH *BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP*" Then the entire Killer Bass team stared in really shock and terrified faces… Eva was on the floor, and the tree trunk was smashing her right leg.
"EVA." The whole team screamed in fear, as the group did their best to try to raise the trunk a bit, just for a few seconds being able to move the damaged leg of the bodybuilder who seemed to be suffering in painful shock.
"*beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep*" Eva repeated the curses as she could see her leg twisted from such painful impact, and her leg being unable to move…
Courtney stared at the entire scene… and the bear who caused everything used the time to run away in panic… Which the girl couldn't believe.
"You saved my life," Courtney mumbled… as she glanced at the bodybuilder who was still in terrible pain. Shaking her head quickly, Courtney said determined. "BASS, LET'S GO TO THE CAMP, EVA NEEDS MEDICAL HELP. NOW."
The team didn't have to hear twice, DJ, Duncan, and Geoff did their best to have to carry Eva the most comfortable way, as Courtney and Ezekiel stared at the map. Harold looked at the compass and planned a good route. Katie was crying into being so terrified of seeing a scene like that.
But the team is going to move on… leaving all the camp behind if necessary.
And so once the campers on both teams took down their sites, the race was on. Both the Killer Bass and Screaming Gophers headed back to Wawanakwa as fast they could so they could be the first ones and win the challenge.
Chris was seen putting wood into the fire pit for the elimination ceremony that would be taking place that night. Just then the host heard some voices and looked to see none other than the Killer Bass coming to him first.
"CHRIS, CHRIS, WE NEED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, EVA IS DEEPLY HURT," Courtney shouted as she didn't even care if her team was the first to appear.
Chris who was smiling suddenly saw the twisted leg of the bodybuilder, and noticed the good thing wasn't…
"Oh boy, that's going to be tough," Chris commented as he saw the painful face, from the contestant, and looking clearly on how twisted leg and seeing the painful face of Eva… he had to come to a quick decision. "Oh damn, this leg seems to be broken in more than 3 parts… You need to go to the hospital Eva."
"Oh no. NO WAY." Eva shouted angrily as she could feel that she still had the will to fight. "I'm fine. See? OH *BEEP*"
Eva tried to move her twisted leg but the cracking sound made her shout a curse in pain, which made the whole team stare at her horrified.
Just then the Screaming Gophers appeared and gasped when they saw the Bass already there.
"Oh no! They beat us here!" Heather raged at losing four times in a row! She then turned to glare at Owen and pushed him down. "This is all your fault!"
"Not so fast Goopherinos. It seems some serious issues are happening right now… The Killer Bass won, however, it seems one of the competitors seemed to be unable to continue the show for a while." Chris commented as he sighed knowing that technicalities he hated to use it. And seeing Eva still being stubborn, he didn't want the show to receive any sues, on the first season. "All right, Killer Bass, Eva is going to the hospital, which mean while your team won a good prize, you will receive 2 in price of 1."
Chris tried to be cheerful and looking at the faces of the Killer Bass, they are neither happy...
"Well, for you Killer Bass, the first prize is going on an all-expense paid trip to… the Tuck Shop."Chris remained happy as some of the group nodded as it was indeed a good prize, however, Eva was still snarling in pain from all the sacrifices they had to make… "And for the Second Prize… Sorry Eva, but you are going to have to go to the hospital and take care of your leg, which means there is going to be a new spot for the Bass today… so I recommend that you Bass choose wisely who is going to be part of your team… Because Eva is going to be eliminated tonight."
"THAT'S *BEEEEEEEEP*" Eva shouted angrily as she wanted to strangle the host of the show, but she couldn't as she felt like being held by every one of her team.
"Listen here, Eva," Chris said in an annoyed tone. Since he is tired of sugar coat a serious situation. "I'm doing this because I know how bad this twisted leg can be, so you better treat yourself right now, or have a great chance of losing your leg. It's take or leave."
And this time it made an effect, as Eva suddenly realized that she was indeed powerless at that moment, and possibly the future challenges, she couldn't help anymore.
Eva was about to break down… But then she felt a hand holding her.
"Eva...please, listen to him," Courtney said as she looked solemnly at the bodybuilder. "You are already an MVP and our strongest player. But you saved my life… please go to the hospital. 100000 dollars isn't worth of your leg, you value more than that."
"Yeah Eva, please. Listen to Chris." Katie said as she started crying. Noticing that it all happened because the bear attacked her. "You are a hero, please, got treat yourself."
And just like that, the whole team, one by one is doing their best to convince Eva, that her health worthies more than the show…
Eva, gritted her teeth… as she couldn't help but accept…
"Fine," Eva said in defeat… But she then looked determined. "I'm going to treat my leg, and when I get better. I'm going to come back."
Eva said in determination, while the group of Killer Bass looked unsure, Ezekiel smiled.
"I believe in you." Ezekiel could see the grin of the bodybuilder girl, who just messed up the hair of the boy.
"Alright, so you boys protect them while I'm away," Eva said as she saw Chris who seemed relieved that he avoided a good sue for the future. Eva then glanced at the group of Goophers, and each of them seemed unaware of what to do, even Heather who rolled her eyes but deep inside she was smirking to avoid elimination and somehow the Bass lost a valuable player. "Hey guys, do you mind if I choose her to be on the team?"
The Killer Bass looked at Eva who pointed the finger… and for the first time, every single one looked confused for the girl who she pointed off… The Goth of Screaming Gophers… Gwen.
"What?" Ezekiel asked in confusion since he never saw the reason behind her choice…
And neither his team nor the rival team from the show... That's how Eva played… To surprise everyone.
And with that, another episode of Total Drama Island came to an end.
Chapter 9: Interlude 3
Chapter Text
"Alright, so you boys protect them while I'm away," Eva said as she saw Chris who seemed relieved that he avoided a good sue for the future. Eva then glanced at the group of Goophers, and each of them seemed unaware of what to do, even Heather who rolled her eyes but deep inside she was smirking to avoid elimination and somehow the Bass lost a valuable player. "Hey guys, do you mind if I choose her to be on the team?"
The Killer Bass looked at Eva who pointed the finger… and for the first time, every single one looked confused for the girl who she pointed off… The Goth of Screaming Gophers… Gwen.
"What?" Ezekiel asked in confusion since he never saw the reason behind her choice…
And neither his team nor the rival team from the show... That's how Eva played… To surprise everyone.
And even with the hesitation of some of the members, the happiness of some... Heather mostly, Gwen now would become the newest member of the Killer Bass... meaning all their stuff would need to be moved to the other cabin.
"Alright, everyone. I'm calling a boat for Eva will come to get her to treat her leg. While you all must prepare for Gwen to move for the other team... Did you get it? Nice, great job, now shoo, shoo." Chris said as he himself was quick to not even let them reply to his questions.
And with the defeat on their hands now... all the members of Screaming Gophers left the place... leaving a bear-disguised girl... staring at the floor, and with a thought on her mind.
"I... made a mistake?" Izzy's tone didn't show her chaotic nature... but some sort of serious voice... "Heather is too strong now. I need a backup plan."
(Aquarium) 1 hour later...
Gwen for the first time in her life never thought to see the group of campers walking around the cave where it would have been their base of operations since from the beginning.
"DJ, help me with the Dumbbells," Tyler called as many members of the Killer Bass were quickly preparing the things to make sure one of their members would be prepared to leave.
"Her clothes are already in the bag," Bridgette commented as she also placed a chocolate bar in the bag of the bodybuilder.
"Damn, this thing is heavy." Harold was doing his best to raise what would be a bag from the floor.
"Harold that bag is empty," Courtney said as she rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, but this is a deluxe 10 layers of letter bag. It may be 13 kilograms by itself."Harold said as Geoff went nearby and helped him to carry the bag.
"Wow, he wasn't kidding when he said the bag is heavier than it looks," Geoff commented as the duo opened for Tyler and DJ placed all the dumbells for Eva who had everything she needed to go back home.
Courtney raised her eyebrow but then rolled her eyes. And when everyone did make the preparations...it seemed that everything was ready.
"Alright, from what Chris said. Eva's boat will come soon. Tyler, and DJ, carry these bags to the dock. Harold, did you charge her mp3 so she won't get bored on the trip?" Courtney asked as the nerd nodded his head.
"Yep, but if she asks you did it. I don't want to die if she finds out." Harold said as he gave the mp3 to the C.I.T. girl who nodded to him.
"Got it. Ezekiel and Duncan are with her to make sure that she will be fine until the boat arrives." Courtney commented as she walked in front of Gwen who was still trying to process everything."And what about you? Are you going to do anything? Or are you going to stay there like a statue?"
Gwen gave a step back, as she then rolled her eyes.
"Fine. What do you want me to do?" Gwen asked Courtney could see Katie still having a bit of difficulty carrying Eva's bag of clothes with Bridgette.
"Giving them a hand would be a very good step. We are running out of time, and while I don't know how you Screaming Gophers do around the camp. We have a friend that needs to be taken quickly from the island to get her medical check as soon as possible." Courtney commented, as she turned her bag and went to help Harold to carry another bag of letters. "DAMMIT, YOU WERE RIGHT HAROLD, HOW DOES THIS BAG WEIGHTS 10 KILOS? IT'S JUST EMPTY LEATHER BAG."
Gwen saw Courtney shouting angrily and decided to give her a step bag... When suddenly she saw a water bottle on her front... And it was an apologetic tanned girl. Katie smiled nervously.
"Don't mind about Courtney... she usually is like that when she is overstressed... and this morning gave stress to all of us... Eva broke her leg by saving her from the tree... And we want her to not be late for her surgery." Katie commented as she could see the gothic girl was looking unamused about the C.I.T. girl's action...
"Was it really that bad?" Gwen asked as she saw Bridgette starting to carry the weight of clothing. And the surfist girl nodded her head to Gwen.
"Yes, it was... " Bridgette commented, as she couldn't blame Courtney for acting like that. Because this happening to their friend was like a hit to their stomachs. "We need to prepare everything for Eva to have a nice trip to the hospital, and later we can use the prize Chris has told us to go to the Tuck shop... but Eva needs us at this moment. Let's go."
Gwen saw that Bridgette wasn't kidding, as she saw the whole Killer Bass group was indeed doing their best to prepare everything when it came to one of their members... No drama, no fights. Everyone working together as one... maybe that's why Killer Bass didn't feel stressed or had a lot of fights among themselves. Even in the Main Lodge, they seemed to be always cheerful and friends with each other.
Maybe that's why they always have an advantage over her team... a team that always has internal conflicts and sizes of who should go with or against Heather who is controlling the team.
(Docks)
"Alright, Chris said the boat would come here in the next ten minutes," Ezekiel warned as he could see Eva grumbling over the annoyed pain that she had felt over the moment. Sitting in a wheelchair, the bodybuilder still needs to go directly to the hospital, or by some miracle the Isla Del Losers may be some professional medics to treat her injury and make her have a nice relaxation over her inability to be on the show.
"Hmmm," Eva murmured, not liking to be the one to leave because of her stupid broken leg. "That bear... next time I see her, I'm going to destroy every single part of her body."
"Err... Eva. I don't know if the bear that attacked us was either male or female." Duncan said as he rolled his eyes, but then seeing the grinning face of the bodybuilder, he didn't like the look from her.
"Oh don't worry. I will make sure it's her the next time I see it." Eva smiled evilly which made both Duncan and Ezekiel glance at each other, and their hands went slowly to their crotches, and gulping nervously.
"Ooookay?" Ezekiel tried to move on to another subject. "I'm just surprised that you chose Gwen of all the Screaming Gophers, why did you do that?"
Eva remained quiet but then glanced at the ocean as a way to rethink the decision she made.
"Hmm... I don't know, maybe it was my own gut telling me to trust that decision. From all the other team members, nobody seemed to be helpful in actually being in my place... Also, I saw the way the Queen Bee looked at her, I think she was the one who worked with Harold to make the queen Bee scream on the 3 in the morning a few days ago... It was hilarious." Eva chuckled which Ezekiel could see from that... "If someone was willing to work together with Harold, I think we could give her at least one chance."
Duncan and Ezekiel remained quiet as both listened to her reasoning.
"I don't like this," Duncan said as he felt the idea of a Screaming Gopher being part of their team. "For me, anyone from the Screaming Gophers shouldn't be trusted... From a team like that, it would be a matter of time to make backstabs. Specially to the BEE-ATCH."
Ezekiel raised his eyebrows... especially a part of him who knew how in the future seasons Duncan would have acted around the goth, and how that caused so many tragedies and so many messed up endings for all his friends... indeed from each season, many of his friends were in the deephole... but from all the changes Ezekiel saw since at the start of the show... Maybe with his help... he could prevent many of the outcomes wouldn't be that bad like it happened over the generations of total drama.
"I believe in your judgement Eva," Ezekiel commented with all his heart. Since he knew Gwen was from all the episodes he watched, knowing the ups and downs, and how it led to where it always comes to be... So he then glanced at Duncan. "We should at least respect Eva's choice... we don't have any idea if she was a Bass inside of a Screaming Gopher team. Can't we should at least give a chance to her?"
Duncan remained quiet, but seeing that his friend and the strongest player seemed to trust the gothic girl, he couldn't help but drop it.
"Alright, you both convinced me. But the first time she plans to stab in our backs, we say bye-bye to her." Duncan said, as he could see the other members of the Killer Bass finally got the stuff from Eva, and even Gwen who seemed to be bringing the bag of clothes with Katie and Sadie... he snorted but gave trust in both Ezekiel and Eva's point.
"GUYS, OVER HERE," Ezekiel called as the whole team brought the items and made sure everything was perfect.
Eva grumbled while he couldn't help but remain in her seat...
"I appreciate your help guys. Wait, what about my MP3?" Eva asked in alarm, but then Courtney already placed it in her hands.
"Charged and ready for you to listen. Focus on your recovery." Courtney commanded, as one of the leaders of the team, that she wanted Eva first to take care of her health. "Later when this show is over, I want to pay you a coffee for once again saving my life."
"Pff, that's fine, we are a team, and nobody should have gotten hurt. Not even me... I'm still *beep* because of that stupid *beep* bear and that *beep* tree... But hey, we still won the challenge. So please do me a favor, and celebrate our victory by eating everything in that Tuck shop. I would kill anyone for some chips." Eva said as she smirked in satisfaction, and her smirk became an actual smile when Harold and Tyler gave the chips for her have a more comfortable trip on the boat. "Thanks guys... Firstly when I thought I wanted to be in this competition, I thought just by being the strongest player would be enough to show my point... But having met you all, I can say that every single one of us is awesome in any way. It may not be a 5 stars resort... But it was a time I will treasure..."
Katie and Bridgette started to shed some tears, as Geoff took his hat off... Ezekiel did the same, Tyler and Harold looked sadly, and Duncan and Courtney nodded their heads in appreciation.
"You are an Ironwoman Eva," Duncan said as Eva smirked the compliment. "We will try to not lose without you here."
"Don't you even dare. If something like that happens, I swear I will get out of that hospital and I will come here to make you all go back to shape." Eva snarled, but the group smiled at the way Eva showed her way of love... but still she let out a tear. "I didn't want to lose... not even like that, but I swear, I will recover my leg, and if I find a way, I will come back. Just wait for me."
The Killer Bass mood seemed to be down, but Ezekiel gave a little hug to his friend.
"I know you will. I have faith you will make an impact when you come back." Ezekiel said as he even messed with her hair like a little revenge, in exchange for receiving a false growling from her... but then a smirk...
And just like that, the boat appeared... and with the help of the group... Eva left the island.
(Tuck Shop)
At the time the group was in front of the Tuck shop...The morale of the team seemed to be low as it was after the bodybuilder and a good friend left the island...
Ezekiel noticed the look of his team and decided it was enough.
"Okay guys, enough is enough," Ezekiel said as he couldn't take it anymore. "Eva would be *beep* off if we remain looking pathetic like that. She had to leave the island because she was injured, so I'm sure that at the time she comes back to the island. Just to watch the final challenge... She would go around to kill that bear."
Ezekiel could see Duncan and Harold smirking at the joke he just said. While the group seemed to nod.
"That's right. We are not here because we lost the challenge. We won, even if that meant we lost a good friend... But she would be angry if we didn't value her time as MVP once again. So let's place her as MVP one last time." Courtney nommed the bulky girl as once again the strongest of the team.
And Gwen raised her eyebrow as all the Killer Bass nodded their heads in agreement.
"I'm sure the bear is praying to whatever animals pray for never seeing Eva ever again, or he would be dead for sure," Tyler commented as Ezekiel, Harold, and even DJ smirked from that.
"Maybe he will have nightmares of Eva going after him?" Harold asked while Duncan shook his head.
"Not him,' her', she promised that she would make sure the bear would be female." Duncan corrected, as Katie and Bridgette chuckled as Geoff, Harold, Tyler, and even DJ placed their hands on their crotchs.
Ezekiel smiled, seeing the morale returning at the group who deserved the prize.
"I don't know what to say. But I think, between fighting a bear or having Eva angry at me... I think the bear would be kinder and kill me quick?" Geoff made a remark that made everyone, even Courtney laugh at how the group feared more their friend Eva than the actual big animal.
Gwen watched the group in amusement. The team seemed to be acting like a whole once again.
"Alright everyone, we already joked a lot about this. But we still need to nominate the other 2 MVPs of the challenge." Courtney in a better mood decided to act like the usual day after challenge. The team seems to be already accepting the fact. "So we had Ezekiel, Geoff, Tyler, Katie who brought the food on the challenge, we have Ezekiel and Duncan who helped Eva to attack the bear with his bow and arrow and axe."
"I would give Katie and Geoff the title of MVP, they went ahead and started the challenge with ideas to bring food around the group," Ezekiel commented as he could see his friends once again looking at him weirdly.
"Dude, are you crazy? You and Duncan and Eva deserved the MVP, you all went against a freaking bear." Geoff refused the title and Katie nodded her head.
"Yeah, and I froze and the bear almost got me. It was..."
"Don't even say it's your fault," Tyler commented as he interrupted his friend. "That bear got us by surprise. But at least everyone is alive. So don't blame yourself, it was the bear who attacked us."
Katie sniffed, as the crew then decided to come up with a good decision.
"Okay, let's place Geoff for giving the idea of how to catch the fish, and Ezekiel and Eva for trying and protecting the crew. All in favor?" Courtney asked which made all the members agree, except Gwen who was watching their modus operand, and Ezekiel who did hesitantly since he didn't think it was enough for being MVP. "Good, now let's make a meet on the campfire and take everything from Tuck Shop and party the victory as Eva deserved."
"YEAH OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Geoff and Ezekiel high-fived and opened the door while they shouted their favorite quote as they wanted to celebrate it.
There were a lot of groceries that indeed would make their entire night better. Candies, desserts, snacks, soda, juice, fruits... Everything they wanted, and the team wasn't going to waste it. They are going to take everything. Grabbing some bags they took with them and managed to bring the whole place empty... Less than one single item...
Ezekiel was happy to see the whole team taking item by item... But he then saw Courtney, who froze in her place... and looking at one item in hesitation, a green jello with a candy worm inside of it.
Ezekiel could see from the show Courtney was in denial, but looking closer at her... that wasn't something like angry... but someone who got traumatized by it.
"Courtney, are you okay?" Ezekiel called her attention which made Courtney snap herself up, and make her look at the boy who was staring at her.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I think everything is fine, and we can already start the party." Courtney forced her smile as she tried to ignore the green jello which she hated most...
"Okay, just to be sure, I'm going to take this green jello away from you," Ezekiel said as he went to the green jello and left the C.I.T. girl alone but with a more relieved smile.
"Thank you." She whispered but then remained in control of herself. "Alright, the party."
(Campfire)
"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Geoff cheered as Tyler managed to pull up a nice trick with his yoyo, after hundreds of attempts, he finally managed to pull up a trick he always messed up before.
The party was a success, since from the time they were there, they started with the marshmallows to make the ceremony of the marshmallow to make the partiture of Eva legit, but they let a reserved marshmallow for her... as the symbol of her also not being eliminated.
Then it comes about who could eat most between the group. Courtney almost vomited because she had her eyes bigger than her stomach, but it was a funny celebration around the group.
Gwen was sitting with Bridgette and Katie, as a new way to start a friendship. Gwen was like a fish out of water... or a gopher inside of the water tank, it was something out of her comfort zone, but Bridgette who has been good friends with her for God knows how long... she seemed to be interested in talking and debating the stories around the group.
Bridgette and Courtney would be the best option when it comes to Steven Universe, Harold, and Duncan when it comes to Adventure time, even if Duncan refuses to admit it a bit. But when it comes to Courage the Cowardly Dog, there isn't a person from the Killer Bass who doesn't know about the horrific yet memorable stories of how the pink dog had to deal with his fears.
Ezekiel walked toward the trio of girls who seemed to be explaining the rules to Gwen.
"We want to maintain the location of the Aquarium as secret, so nobody from Screaming Gophers should know about it. Since it has most of our stuff over there, but also the hot tub... And risking the idea of Heather knowing where it is, who knows what she could do if she tries to sabotage the hot tube." Bridgette explained, and telling the keywords, Heather and sabotage, it made sure Gwen nodded her head in understanding.
"The Aquarium is the best place for us to leave the camp, and just use there as a way to do our hobbies and enjoy ourselves from the craziness from this island... Having to deal with the idea of Harold and you doing a prank on Heather. Who knows what she could do at the time she finds out?" Katie explained, which Gwen can comprehend and now found a new place to write in her diary... and be on time with herself.
Gwen nodded as he then saw Ezekiel approaching the group.
"Also, when the show is too much for you. You can say the secret word... this word is going to make you understand that you had enough, and you want to quit the show... everyone on the team will vote you out because we want you to remain loyal to yourself, and if these challenges come to things that would break your principles, and would make you see that it was too much. You can back out, no drama." Ezekiel explained as he pointed at the group to another point of working with the Killer Bass... "We are not just teammates, we are friends, and we care for each other... So please, never make fun of it."
Gwen remained quiet, as she saw the homeschooled boy leave...
"He really values you all," Gwen commented as she looked at Bridgette and Katie with their heads nodding in seriousness.
"Yeah, he lived almost his entire life on a farm, being homeschooled by his parents. And this reality show was the first time he had the opportunity to see the outside world." Katie commented, making Gwen have her eyes open in surprise and in shock.
"Yeah, and he never had friends... so we try to always be the best friends he could have. Because I think if he wasn't around... I think this place would have been much more different." Bridgette commented as she gave a slight glance at Ezekiel going at Courtney's direction...
Gwen remained quiet and then stared at the homeschooled boy... for someone who doesn't have anything before... what he is having now, must have been the time of his life.
Courtney remained in her place, enjoying the food and drinks until a good plate of green jello was still on the other seat far away from her... She still gave nervous glances, but she was about to ignore it... Until Ezekiel took the green jello dessert and with his strength launched on the ocean.
Surprising Courtney and some of the campers.
"Hey, what happened?" Geoff asked as Ezekiel just shrugged.
"It smelled rotten. Had to launch away." Ezekiel lied, which Geoff shrugged and went back to his snacks... But Ezekiel could see Courtney sighing in relief. "Are you okay Courtney? Are you scared of something?"
"Nah, it's nothing. I'm just thinking..." Courtney noticed such a question and decided to change the posture and tried to misguide the homeschooled boy... But there was something that she didn't count for...
"Why green jello?" Those words made Courtney's eyes go wide open, as she could see her friend asking her, not in curiosity, but out concern of for her well-being. "I saw you frozen at the jello..."
"It's not the jello, but I just don't like green jello." Courtney denied her fear but Ezekiel placed his hand over her shoulder.
"Hey, you don't need to tell if you don't want to, but please don't pretend you aren't traumatized because of it... I just want to know why... Why did it hurt you so much?" Ezekiel looked up at Courtney, even as Strong and annoying as she was on the show. There was also one thing the fandom always tried to understand. The girl who could fight so many things, and yet didn't tell why she hated green jello so much... But at the time he met her, and spent so many days with her, as a friend, seeing her like that made him concerned... The same look he had every day he had his nightmares... "If that makes you feel better... I can tell what is the thing I'm afraid of most."
Courtney paused, but at the time she nodded her head...Ezekiel knew it was the time.
"EVERYONE, COME HERE PLEASE," Ezekiel shouted was enough to make the group of friends stop what they were doing, and seeing Ezekiel with a serious face calling the group to the firepit. Was enough reason for making himself listen and everyone focus on him. "I'm about to tell you one thing, and I just want you guys to hear it just this once... You having fear of everything isn't something to be ridiculed about it... Hell, I even created Courage the Cowardly Dog because of it... Because everyone has fears or something to be afraid of... This time I'm not going to tell about a Courage the Cowardly Dog story... But I'm going to tell you why I have a deep fear of being buried alive..."
At the time Ezekiel said that Gwen's eyes went wide open as she found someone who has the same fear as her...
The Killer Bass looked at each other unaware of what to say... And Ezekiel closed his eyes and tried to relieve a confused memory... One not about him, but about Ezekiel himself...
"I still have nightmares about it... But 2 years ago... I was playing Hide and Seek with my pa... Hide and Seek was a favorite sport me and my dad has always been doing to pass the time when we were bored on the farm... And usually, I would always find great spots to find myself in... The tallest of the trees I could cave a hole in just hid inside. Use a scarecrow to swap clothes just to make myself in its place...and many different ways."Ezekiel explained the places he could have hidden himself and how his father managed to find him. Some of the ideas indeed surprised his friends on how creative and even crazy he would have been... But there was the time to tell how some terrible places made almost him dead. "But there was one place I found... It was a hole near the hill near the orange trees... And it was perfect for me to hide in..."
The group remained quiet, as some were getting on the edge of their seats.
"I made a terrible mistake in forcing myself to get inside, since the day before it was a rainy day... And with a little of push, and some little rocks going side by side...was enough to cause a little landslide..."Ezekiel sighed as he could hear the gasps of horror coming from his friends... "The pressure of the earth was enough to make my arms stuck and my body immobilized, and all the earth crawling around my body, that even got inside of my mouth... It was difficult to breathe... And all the shouts I tried to call for my ma and pa, was muffed by the dirt and the hole closed...I thought I would die, alone, without friends, without my dreams being achieved... Without nobody knowing..."
The description of the horrifying experience Ezekiel had at that moment, made even the stoic and toughest of them all breakdown, nobody wanted to show their faces... as Ezekiel remained calm and continued his story.
"The last thing I remember was me closing my eyes, but not before opening once more to see my pa desperately caving the hole to get me out from there... He shouted my name and the next time I opened my eyes, was to be in my bed... with my parents sleeping near me... To this day, I fear being buried alive again..." Ezekiel remained calm as he glanced at the terrible moments of both his lives... being on the train or playing hide and seek... both of them got somehow a connection on how he ended up who he is until this day...
"Dude..." Geoff tried, he really tried to find some words to say, but he couldn't.
What would you say to a survivor to almost died from something like that?
"It's a miracle that you are alive," Bridgette commented and Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Yep... maybe you guys think about why I try to always write my stories, and try desperately to make this team work? Because I want to be friends with you all, and maybe in the future... I wouldn't have the same feeling to think I'm dying lonely..." Ezekiel commented, as he opened a sack of marshmallows and placed it into a stick... as part of the firepit ceremony of elimination... "That's why I would never judge someone to have fear, whatever would be, even the silliest things... I just want to hear the why, or what happened to make you have such fear of it..."
At a time like that, Ezekiel tried to ignore the same feelings he always felt to relieve those memories... was horrifying to know...
And the team was in silence, still processing how the person who always wanted the best of them... suddenly had a near-death experience that would make any of them have nightmares for nights.
And everyone hesitated to say something until Duncan groaned and decided to kick the sand,
"Ah, screw this... I have a fear of Celine Dion Standees in the stores." Duncan took the courage to admit it, which made Ezekiel turn his head to see the delinquent admitting his fear in front of his friends.
"What?" Geoff and DJ asked as Tyler seemed to be trying to hold his laughter.
"Dude, that's a cupboard," Tyler said as he couldn't believe why someone would be afraid of that...
"Not until I tell you why I'm afraid of them..." Duncan commented which made Ezekiel approach him, and wait for him to get the courage to tell the reason... "I remember clearly when I was 7 years old. My uncle is a detective and was doing an investigation of what would be a massacre of nazists, or possibly a cult happening around the place... And I wanted to visit my uncle on his work... but I didn't know I was walking into a crime scene."
Ezekiel's eyes went wide open, as all the Killer Bass looked terrified to know what may have happened to the delinquent boy.
"It was a bit dark so I tried to reach out the light... but something I managed to turn the light, and when that happened a cupboard of blood Celine Dion Standee went down, maybe it was from the wrong position, or maybe it was because the van wasn't turned on until I turn the lights... But me as a 7-year-old... I just saw a picture of a bleeding woman falling in me... since that day, displays from her face made me still smell the blood and she somehow keeps following me..." Duncan summarized as the whole team looked at Duncan horrified, not only with that but imagining how terrible a kid would have suffered dealing with a messed up day of childhood, which could traumatize anyone who had to deal with the tragedy of relieving a crime scene like that. "My uncle said I was lucky to never see a body, but the image of like that would be stuck in my head forever... and it seems that has been the truth."
"Damn..." Harold commented... Until he also got the courage to tell his fear. "I have a fear of ninjas... because when I was a kid, I always liked to try to learn martial arts... but there was a group of kids in my school, who wanted to bully me... so every 3 months, they would dress themselves like ninja and would wait for me outside of school and near my house, to beat me up... And the worst part is that everything I tried, they would always find a way to beat me up..."
And from that... The Killer Bass team shared their fears... the reason why they feared them... Gwen was because of a horror movie that she watched as a kid... and she found out that the killer could have been any ordinary person with a happy life with family, while the victim was suffering the same fate as his wife by being buried alive... that traumatized her...
DJ had a story about how he was afraid of Snakes... he was once sleeping under the tree near his house in Jamaica when he thought a vine was approaching him... it wasn't a vine but it was a snake that was falling to the floor... which made him run away crying to his momma...
Tyler told about the time at 10 years old when he was in his sports class outside of his school when a chicken was running in his direction... but the problem was... the chicken was headless... and being alive, traumatized him because when he started to run away, the headless chicken tried to go after him... and that made him afraid of chickens until this day.
Bridgette said that she is afraid of being alone in the forest because, at the time she was on the ONG, she passed most part off... one of the members got lost in the forest, and almost died because she couldn't take care of herself inside of the forest, and the wild animals almost killed her... she hated the idea of being alone in a forest with anything that it can attack you...
Geoff has a fear of hail... one time he was in the backseat drive of his uncle's car... when a big hail hit his city and was enough to demolish most of the proprieties... he discovered how lethal they were...
Katie shared her fear of ugly hair... and everyone could swear that Sadie would also have the same fear...
One by one, as the group started to share their fears... until Courtney remained on her spot...
"It's only missing you, princess," Duncan commented, which Courtney, felt a bit pressured... but seeing the face of her friend Ezekiel... and how his story mattered... she decided to tell the truth...
"Okay, I'm going to describe what happened to me... It was when I was 13, and there is something I always loved to eat when I was younger... Lemonade Mellon Jello. It was a recipe of my granny and by far the best jello anyone would even want to eat... I loved to eat since I was 5." Courtney decided to explain, and Ezekiel had his eyes wide open in surprise when Courtney started her story... "But, when I was on that time, and I was already eating it with all the gusto I had with happiness... My dad came running to the door and opened it by shouting... my granny had a car crash accident, she didn't survive."
The whole team had their eyes wide open from that statement.
"That news alone was to make me want to vomit... but, I ate wrong and the jello went in the wrong hole... And I started choking." Courtney commented as Ezekiel could clearly understand the reason she despises the food. "From the time I was eating the jello my granny loved to do... and hearing about her crash accident and choking at the same time? I hate it... with all my heart, oh God I hate it. I hate the feeling of having the same flavor in my mouth, as the wrong move almost made me die... I..."
Courtney was about to be angry about it, and with the tears in her eyes... but then her eyes went wide open when she felt someone hugging her... It was Duncan who was hugging her by the back. And Ezekiel was hugging her in the front... Both knew that what Courtney had was something so messed up, and not an excuse to be making fun of it... Courtney felt her own eyes getting wet and she couldn't help but cry loudly at how horrifying an experience it was...
And the Killer Bass, one by one went to give her a hug on their lider because she needed to have on that moment.
The party was done with all of them getting comfortable watching the firepit until a voice came from behind them.
"Hey, would you guys mind if we sit with you guys?" Trent called as they saw Cody, Owen, Izzy, Beth, Lindsay, and Heather behind him.
"What do you guys want?" Courtney asked, as she raised her eyebrow and looked at each of them in judging.
Before Trent even answers... Heather rolled her eyes.
"This fat boy farted the whole cabin, so now we need to be stuck outside from the rooms until all the smell gets out," Heather said as she narrowed at the group of Killer Bass. And then glanced at the newest member. "How is it to be like a fishhead? I think it suits you better."
Gwen rolled her eyes, but Cortney was about to reply and refused to let them get near...
"Sure," Ezekiel said as the other members looked at him nearby. "But we ate all the food we could bring, so sorry but we don't have anything to share."
"Really?" Owen said as he looked sad with that outcome, and Izzy tapped his back sadly.
"Yep. But come on, grab a seat. And let's watch the firepit... we already had to deal with all the drama we could from yesterday and this morning... We are looking at the firepit, and telling our deepest fears... Mine always has been buried alive..."
"Really?" Trent asked in surprise, as he decided to sit and get over the conversation... "I hate mimes, a lot."
Courtney was about to roll her eyes. But then she felt her hand being grabbed, and she looked at Ezekiel who narrowed his eyes to her... which she remembered... everyone has the right to have fear... even her. The how or why, just them would know... it's not for the others to know...
Confession - Gwen
"So suddenly, everyone's having this big share-fest by the fire." Gwen began explaining what happened at the campfire after Ezekiel and Trent decided to share their fears. "Like Beth went on and on about how her mortal fear is being covered by bugs, even Heather admitted she's afraid of sumo wrestlers."
"Walking through a minefield," Lindsay spoke up on her fear. "In heels."
"Flying, man," Owen said with a fearful expression. "That's some crazy stuff."
"Hah, I would never go up in a plane." Izzy turned out to share her fear with Owen. "Never."
"Third Season says different Izzy." Ezekiel thought to himself, as he could see the wild chaotic girl still using her best of skills to try to marinate Owen.
"I'm scared of hail," Geoff spoke in a low tone, as he looked into the campfire. "It's small but deadly, dude."
"Bad haircuts." Katie decided to share her fear... and later Lindsay decided to change her fear to making bad haircuts...
"Oh God, I want so much to tell Freak Freddy's story to both of them. They would know that the worst fear of than bad haircuts would be no hair at all." Ezekiel sighed, as he could see how Lindsay managed to mess with Heather's life as a final way of vengeance, and it was awesome.
"Having to diffuse a time bomb under pressure."Cody thought about it and decided to share his fear...
"Oh, I know how it could be way worse." Ezekiel decided to have some fun.
"How?" Cody asked as he raised his eyebrow.
"Having Chef Hatchet as your main technician to give you instructions on how to diffuse them..." Ezekiel smiled as he could see Cody's pupils shrink.
"God, please, don't even joke about it," Cody said in panic which made the group chuckle at his reaction.
Courtney looked as the group stared at them...
"Green Jello." Courtney got enough courage and admitted, while some of the groups were staring at her in disbelief.
"Really?" Trent said as he was about to chuckle, but then all the Killer Bass glared at him, even Gwen which made the guitarist suddenly stop, and understand that there was a story behind it, and he shouldn't make fun of it.
"Yeah, like the same way I have on Celine Dion music store standees," Duncan said as he raised his fist towards Trent. "Do you have a problem with that?"
"No, no. I'm fine." Trent raised his hands, as he was about to ask if that was true, but seeing the look of Gwen shaking his head, he got the message to not dare to make fun of it. "Was it really that bad?"
"YES IT WAS." The whole group of Killer Bass shouted as they gave a position of the fear of Duncan, the fear of Courtney... and the Screaming Gophers noticed... how protective they are over their members... even the delinquent.
"Ohh, I love Celine Dion." Lindsay excitedly said before looking confused. "What's a standee?"
"Hey, baby... it's a full-size cardboard photo of Celine Dion... and trust me, Duncan has all the right to be afraid of them... one in specific." Tyler decided to appear near the blonde girl and gave a slight hug, which Lindsay smiled and hugged him back.
"Okay." Lindsay got a good smile, as she felt her strong bodyguard being nearby her to protect her.
That night was indeed something that Ezekiel learned most than everyone around... He learned more about his team, more about his friends... And even more himself... And he couldn't help but be happy with the life he is having right now...
And he feared what Chris was going to do with them in Phobia Factor... God save them all...
Ezekiel closed his eyes, as he wanted to have a very good night of sleep.
(?)
"Ezekiel, wake up..." A singing soothing voice called for the boy who was with his eyes closed... "It's time to wake up... I need to talk to you..."
Groaning, the homeschooled boy opened his eyes a little, just to find himself staring at an orange-haired girl in front of him...
Opening his mouth a little, and blinking slowly, Ezekiel then closed his eyes again...just to suddenly his brain process who the person was. And make his entire body wake up.
"IZZY WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Ezekiel shouted as he tried to cover himself with the blanket of the bed... However at the time he raised the blanket... There wasn't any... And then by looking around... He noticed. "This isn't the Killer Bass cabin."
"That's right." Izzy smiled as she pointed around and Ezekiel discovered that they were inside of a cave.
"Are you out of your mind Izzy? You kidnapped me."Ezekiel said in alarm as he desperately tried to find a camera, knowing that at the time they would be seen like that, Chris and the entire world would...
Until Izzy interrupted his thoughts...
"There isn't any camera around here... You don't have to worry about it." Izzy stated, which made Ezekiel freeze... But in the next second his body relaxed. "It's more like a personal meeting... I committed a terrible mistake."
Ezekiel froze...and then looked at Izzy, as would have been a crazy girl in front of the whole show... But to the fandom of the real world who watched most of the seasons... They knew Izzy wasn't always what she showed...
"How did you find out?" Ezekiel's tone isn't in fear, nor in worry for himself, but in acceptance and concern about what the girl in front of him is going to do next. "What sort of mistake?"
"You know what mistake I made Ezekiel. I kept observing many things." Izzy changed her posture, but a mix of her happy grin and her serious face showed that she wasn't going to play around. "My first hunch was about when you talked to Eva on the first challenge, asking for her to be the last... Then you brought a freaking typewriter in the second challenge... On the third, you seemed to be insistent on bringing the nerd who suddenly became an Over Power player from the camps, like a coach who found a prodigy on the games..."
Izzy little by little brought facts which Ezekiel listened with acceptance...
"And then Owen needed a motivation to vote for someone else... And you were the only one who would have cake in time of need... Heather looks at you wary... And finally, you are the only one who brought a bow into a challenge which would bring us in the middle of the wild..." Izzy explained as she sat nearby Ezekiel, as she looked at him, not in intimidation, but in pure amusement. "You knew the challenges before they even happened."
"Yep," Ezekiel commented, knowing Izzy has been sharp like she always has been on the show...
"Are you from the future?" Izzy asked, which made Ezekiel have his eyes wide open... And that was enough to make Izzy grin in victory. "I KNEW IT. Wow, a time traveler. Can you tell me what is my future? Like after the show?"
Ezekiel looked around. And saw that there was a little fire pit, and the place he was sleeping was a group of leaves...
"Izzy, if I tell you that. I know that it will disappoint you..." Ezekiel sighed, as he could see that Izzy by what all the videos of fan theories had talked about her... Even though he believed that the chaotic girl was one of the best players on the show, he made a lot of mistakes. "Starting from today's challenge you dressed up like a bear, and you made bear noises that would attract the bear into the camp you all are... just for the sake of proving Owen lied... and you had the entire fight skill that would easily kill a bear if you want... but you didn't do it."
Izzy's smile dropped, as she then narrowed her eyes, and before she could even argue Ezekiel raised his hand...
"Izzy...you created a persona for yourself who likes Explosions... But the said person is the one who got you voted out from the show... Trice" Ezekiel noticed that it was time for him to do the same with the force of chaotic nature. And from her eyes widening to him. He got her attention. "You are a girl who is proud of your acting, and you managed BIG, you did 3 or 4 movies before the show aired on season 3... But you got so much stress from work and Hollywood taking so much of you. That you got infamous to make the living of the others a hell... And that made you retire from your acting career..."
Izzy's eyes went wide open and her face paled.
"No..." Izzy whispered as she heard what would be the worst outcome of her dreams crumbling.
"Then your only outcome was you going spying around the other members of the show and selling the info to the news..."Ezekiel commented as he continued and stared at her. "And then the government took you again because of a new operation they wanted your help with, and you still owned money for them... How much money do you owe them?"
Izzy stares away, as she can't help but be ashamed of herself...
"100 thousand dollars," Izzy commented and Ezekiel raised both his arms wide open in disbelief.
"YOU WERE A MOVIE ACTRESS, WHY DIDN'T YOU USE THE MONEY TO PAY THEM?" Ezekiel shouted in disbelief as Izzy herself has no freaking idea.
"I DON'T KNOW, THAT'S FUTURE IZZY'S FAULT," Izzy shouted as she couldn't believe how her future went downhill... She stomped her feet on the floor. "I can't believe it... All my work to fulfill my dream of being famous... Crushed just like that?"
Ezekiel remained quiet, but with a sigh, he nodded his head...
"Yeah, just like that...you had an awesome future Izzy, but you need to find ways to know to have a break to relax yourself. You let your personas get too out of control on the show. And that bites you hard on your ass." Ezekiel replied as he noticed Izzy tried to remain strong but still could hear a sniff from her. "But taking that out, you are a genius player."
"You think so?" Izzy commented as she couldn't help but try to recompose herself.
"You managed to find loopholes inside the contracts to make you always come back to the show. Like the one you are going to put out in a few challenges." Ezekiel gave a reason Izzy started to smile wide like her true self.
"So are they coming?"Izzy commented as she could see the contingency emergency plan in case she desperately needed to remain in the show.
"Yep, in the cursed Skull Island... You used the loophole to escape and come back to the show." Ezekiel affirmed which Izzy laughed as one of her plans worked well..."But remember, while your explosive nature is interesting and awesome...sometimes you need to tune down, or the said explosive nature is what got you eliminated from the show 3 times..."
"Ohhh..." Izzy said as a part of her hated to hear that... The logical and wise part of her, couldn't help but to accept the words of the boy in front of her..."Ezekiel, are you single?"
Those words made Ezekiel look at her in surprise... but then he decided to reply with sincerity.
"I don't know if you are trying to seduce me or manipulate me like you are doing with Owen or being sincere...Because I think you both would be a great couple together." Ezekiel commented, which Izzy shrugged and nodded to him.
"Fair enough, Owen is a sweetheart, and is a good person, but he has many flaws... oh God, how many flaws... But he is a sweet bear, who can keep up with my insanity." Izzy smiled while Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"Yeah... 'insanity'" Ezekiel made both his hands do quote marks which made Izzy laugh.
"You are really good... but hey Ezekiel... can I ask you something?" Izzy decided to drop her act, but with honesty ask a question that was deep in her mind.
"Sure." Ezekiel sat as he had no idea what time was at that moment.
"Why did you decide to tell me? Because from my perspective you can be using all your knowledge to win the prize of 100 thousand dollars." The chaotic orange-haired girl couldn't help but tilt her head towards the boy.
Ezekiel remained quiet... But then stared around.
"Well, because I think you are the first person who would guess right. And needed an ear to vent about yourself." Ezekiel reflected as he looked at the firepit. The flames around the sticks and the cracks were what he thought it would be relaxing to keep watching. "Not Kaleidoscope, neither Explosivo, and not even Brainzilla. Just you, the one who loves acting, the one to act like a fool just to outsmart the wisest... The one who seemed to be without friends... Like me before starting the show."
Izzy remained quiet... Because she was in shock, and her mouth couldn't even open from what he said.
"I came here to the show because I really need friends... And that's why I treat the Killer Bass like that. Because I never wanted anything bad to happen to them..." Ezekiel commented as he even glanced at Izzy again. And started to stretch himself. "Maybe on the first episode, you were still part of the Killer Bass, even if was for a few hours...I think your true self would have fit much better with us than actually to try alone against the Gophers..."
Izzy remained quiet, processing everything Ezekiel had said...
"So Owen." Izzy decided to ask the final question which Ezekiel already answered her.
"He won... He got in hands the 100 thousand prize... But he decided to bet it to try to reach the big picture...And lost..." Ezekiel commented as he prepared himself to leave...
"What is the big picture?" Izzy asked as Ezekiel gave a final glance to her.
"A prize of 1 million dollars," Ezekiel replied, which Izzy immediately felt her jaw slack...and her entire brain crashed from that info. "If you read the contract the same way I did. If something happens to the final prize... Chris would have a good reason for making us do season 2 of Total Drama."
Izzy remained quiet...but then couldn't help but be grateful... So she then smiled and smirked.
"Thank you for telling me that Ezekiel." Izzy walked nearby to the great player who she could see as a rival and equal... So she decided to reward him. So she came closer to him and started to whisper to him...
Ezekiel's face remained unchanged until his eyes went wide open, and his face started to blush like a tomato... Izzy found a personal victory.
"The way back of the camp is on the left side, turn the fourth tree and go straight, you will find the bathrooms on there. I'm still going to manipulate Owen to make him win the prize money since he is a sweet guy. But I meant what I said, Zeek... And I will let your imagination do the work. Hahahaha."Izzy laughed as she left Ezekiel inside the cave...
And the poor homeschooled boy couldn't help but clutch his legs and cover his face with the hat.
"My initials?" Ezekiel whispered as he couldn't control a good part of his hormones going crazy at that moment... Puberty... Maybe he should have chosen that for the Phobia Factor... "DAMMIT PUBBERTY. I HAVE TO DEAL WITH YOU AGAIN?"
Chapter 10: Phobia Factor
Chapter Text
"Last time on Total Drama Island," Chris smiled as he pointed out the flashbacks of not just the episode prior, but also a few good interesting scenes after the challenge. "The campers had to put their survivor abilities to the trial by fire, by spending the whole night camping in the middle of the forest, the teamwork of the Killer Bass team was enough to make a comfortable night for them, Duncan's mad ghost storytelling skills showed that Ezekiel isn't the only one who can be a storyteller since he freaked out the Killer Bass, haha, Ezekiel has to tell one story that made Duncan cry, I saw that Duncan. HAHAHA. Izzy played a prank on the Gophers by dressing up as a bear, but passing too much time making the real bear showed up and the Gophers spent the night up in a tree, which sucked for them. Cody peed in his pants and then it rained. Who knew tempting fate would cause such a thing? Oh yeah, the Killer Bass. The next morning showed one of the biggest plot twists in the story of Total Drama Island since the real bear attacked the team of Killer Bass, and while it showed an epic showdown between Eva and the bear, in the end, Eva had to save Courtney but got her leg broken because of it. Alright, this summary is getting longer and longer."
Chris complained as he waited a few seconds to show the flashbacks and then went back to narrating.
"Killer Bass had to come up with a decision, and Eva is forced to leave the show to go to the surgery. And to the surprise of everyone, Eva chose Gwen as her substitute. And now the Gophers have fewer members on their team, while the Killer Bass has a new participant to get used to living in the Aquarium. Nice pun haha." Chris enjoyed the script he has done the way to described the summary. "The celebration of the party showed secrets and traumas of the Killer Bass, that even the happiest of them all, could show how it was being in the clutches of the death. Yup, the challenge was rough, all right. And if I have anything to say about it, today's will be even more brutal. I lament… for them. For the sake of everyone watching, this is a trigger warning, so prepare yourself, because I'm so excited about this. What fresh horror have we planned for our campers? Find out next on Total DRAMA ISLAND!"
MORNING
It was now three days after the last challenge. From the time everyone has told about their fears to each other. And the Killer Bass getting used to their newest member. There was one topic among the group who were eating at the table of Killer Bass. And from the group looked totally in disbelief while Duncan couldn't help but laugh.
"SHE SHAVED YOUR INITIALS IN HER…" Duncan screamed as he was ready to make fun of it.
"I KNOW WHAT I SAID," Ezekiel shouted as his face looked like a tomato, and he even used both his hands to cover his face in embarrassment. And then saw everyone from the Main Lodge staring at him. Even the Gophers. "Err… guys, can we tone down? I don't want to shout about it again. And like I said, it's just a dream."
While there were a lot of conflicting reactions from the Killer Bass…
"Duuuuuude. That's the dream, Zeke." Harold commented as he raised his hand to give a high five, but the homeschooled boy glared at his friend, who noticed that he wasn't comfortable with sharing. So dropped his hand. "But never thought your subconsciousness would see her like that."
"Yeah, but thinking about it, that crazy girl would do it if she liked you," Duncan commented as he stared at Izzy who just shrugged and went back to talk happily with Owen. "But it looks like she had the big fat fish caught. So sorry to tell yah dude."
"That's fine." Ezekiel raised his hand, properly covering the lies of what happened in the cavern where he was captive a few days ago. "It was just a dream. I'm sure that she will be happy with Owen. I mean, he is awesome."
"Why do you say that?" Courtney said as he coughed on her first. "First off, while I find it interesting you boys want to share with us your thoughts since the last men talk you had… there are things that it's TMI."
"What's is that?" Ezekiel asked as he tilted his head…
Courtney was about to facepalm, but then she remembered Ezekiel lived on a farm and composed herself.
"It's the abbreviation of Too Much Information," Courtney explained that the green hat boy opened his eyes and took a way to understand it.
"Ohh, got it." Ezekiel smiled as he raised his thumbs.
Making Courtney to sigh.
Confession – Courtney.
"Alright, sometimes Ezekiel is the smartest and most creative member of our group… But sometimes I had to treat him like a little brother and I had to make some explanations for him to understand the big city… Sometimes the real world isn't about movies or cartoons." Courtney said as she pointed out the camera. "And sometimes I like to act like the big sister role, it makes me correct some bad habits he has, and try to make sure Duncan wouldn't be too bad an influence on him."
"Now, second off…" Courtney said as she tried to make sure her posture was fine and decided to remain polite. "Do those dreams happen very often?"
Ezekiel's eyes went wide open, as it sounded a red flag to him…
"No…? That's the first time…" Ezekiel said slowly, as he heard Courtney groaning, and even the other girls nearby her. While the boys nearby him started to chuckle."What's wrong?"
"You just got caught by a trap," Geoff said as he was giving some space.
Harold gave space, and DJ smiled widely as he wanted to see that, Tyler was looking at Lindsay far away, but with his side glances, he already could guess what was going on.
Duncan was smiling like Ezekiel was screwed with no way to go back.
"What do you mean?" Ezekiel asked, which Courtney and Bridgette sat near him, side by side.
Confession - Bridgette.
"You know? Sometimes Ezekiel is like a little kid, his parents may have explained how life works around the farm, but I don't think they have enough understanding to explain how puberty works. So… me and Courtney gave him the talk." Bridgette explained as she showed a good smirk which she was so happy that she wasn't the one taking. And she was sure that all the girls who also sees the homeschooled boy like their youngest brother, needs to know about something called birds and bees.
"Oh no…" Ezekiel faceslamed his face on the table, as the boys were chuckling away. The girls on the Killer Bass tried to be as quiet as possible to not make the other table hear their conversation.
"It's normal to feel this way when you are a nearby a girl you like Zeke," Bridgette commented as she pointed out and gave a slight glance at Izzy. "I mean, she may be a bit chaotic… but I think that's fine, but please don't do anything crazy in the bathroom."
"I'm not hearing that." Ezekiel pulled his hat to cover his ears. And pretended to be sleeping.
"What you got Ezekiel is puberty, which later you will have a change of voice, and maybe need a few more hygienic products. And I'm watching you, Duncan. Don't let him do whatever you guys do when…" Courtney was already snapping on the delinquent but he smirked and raised his hands.
"Alright princess, I think he had enough… Maybe he already knows what puberty is from the cartoon and shows." Duncan chuckled as to see the homeschooled boy dying of embarrassment.
Ezekiel took his hat off and glared at Duncan.
"There will be a character in one of my stories, and I swear, he will suffer and be named after you," Ezekiel swore revenge on that, while everyone from Killer Bass was laughing at that talk.
Gwen still was trying to get used to it… it was a totally different vibe being with the Bass than being with the Gophers. And yet she couldn't complain it. It was a bit more peaceful, and she was also smirking at the way she saw Ezekiel embarrassed.
"Now that we talked about puberty, we also have to talk about the other stuff." Courtney took a paper and a pencil which made Ezekiel stare at her in betrayal.
"Starting with the need for the use of condoms," Bridgette commented, as Ezekiel stared at her in horror.
"About the STD which stands for Sexually transmitted diseases." Katie decided to join, just for Ezekiel's dismay, and for the entertainment of the guys. Making Courtney's nod while writing down.
"What to do when you get a girl pregnant." Gwen decided to join the ideas which Ezekiel stared at her in disbelief and in betrayal.
"Et tu Gwen?" Ezekiel said as he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Alright girls. You know I may not have sisters… but now I can see that you took the whole nagging, embarrassing, and annoying sister's role, really well."
The girls giggled, which made the guys start to laugh. And making Ezekiel stares at the group of boys and girls in anger.
"This will have payback, know this," Ezekiel complained as he felt his body being the most annoying backstabber of his entire life. Second Puberty, a torture that he never thought he would have again. "Can't we just eat?"
The Killer Bass chuckled, while Ezekiel preferred to eat the terrible food instead of dealing with his friends at that moment.
However, a certain host had some drastic changes in plans. A whistle got everyone's attention as they saw Chris come into the mess hall and look at both teams at their tables.
"Campers!" Chris announced with his usual grin on his face. "Your next challenge is a little game I like to call…Phobia Factor! Prepare to face…your worst fears!"
Ezekiel remained quiet because he already could see what was going to happen...
"We're in trouble," Gwen said as she knew this challenge was going to be truly brutal. Ezekiel couldn't help but nod.
"Now for our first victims…Heather!" Chris announced as he took a bunch of cards out of his pocket. "Meet us at the theater!" Heather took a long sip of her coffee as Chris announced what she would be going through. "It's…Sumo time!" At hearing this Heather's eyes shot open as she spat out all her coffee…on Trent.
Beth, Cody, and Lindsay all gasped as Chris made the next announcement right at Gwen and then Ezekiel at the same time. "Gwen, Ezekiel. You, me, the beach. A few tons of sand." Gwen's eyes shot wide open similar to Heather as the goth loudly gasped.
"*BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP.*" Ezekiel shouted as he glared at Chris. "Don't you dare… Don't you *BEEEEEP* DARE."
Chris smirked, as he showed a shovel… And Ezekiel felt like his eyes losing sparkle, and feared the challenge… The Killer Bass couldn't help but glare hatefully at Chris.
"Relax. It's sand, not earth… but it will not be that different." Chris said as the group saw, Ezekiel trembled… but then returned to his seat.
"Wait, how did they know those were your worst fears?" Lindsay asked in a confused tone after Chris listed the fears of not just one, not two, but three of the campers.
"Ugh." Gwen groaned as she laid her head down on the table. Bridgette was quick to sit next to the Goth and rub her back to comfort her. "Because we told them."
Lindsay still didn't quite get it, while Heather was still in shock.
"At the campfire last night." Trent further elaborated on the blond bombshell.
"Wait," Lindsay said as she tried to piece things together in her mind. "They were listening to us?"
"It's a reality show, Einstein." Gwen irritably rolled her eyes. "They're always listening to us."
"But that's like…eavesdropping!" Lindsay gasped out in discomfort that all of their conversations were being listened in on…despite the fact that Chris said they would be monitored 24/7 on day one.
"Chef." Chris didn't care as he looked at the chef and his friend, and called for him. "Didn't you prepare a special meal for Tyler this morning?"
Chef was smiling sadistically as he was using the fryer, and the moment he took off the metal basket… it was a perfectly sculpted fried chicken. Tyler looked at it in horror but decided to have the courage to give it a try.
He cursed himself to share his fear in live television. And hesitantly decided to slowly give a first bite on the head. And with a crunch, he took the head of the fried chicken…
The silence was around the Main Lodge, until from nowhere a living chicken head appeared from the hole of the fried food. And made Tyler shout in terror.
"Alright, campers. Better finish breakfast in the next five minutes." Chris announced to everyone as he held up his wrist and showed off his watch, specifically the time. "Because once that's up, it's time to confront your fears and become better men…or chicken out and give the audience something to laugh at!"
After the time Chris had given anyone, it was time for probably the most intense challenge yet of Total Drama Island. First up was Beth and her fear of being covered in bugs. For this challenge, Chris had set up a medium-sized inflatable pool filled to the brim with worms. Everyone was there to watch and either cringed in disgust, nearly barfed, or in Owen's case, fainted at the sight. DJ vomited behind Geoff feeling disgusted to see it.
But to everyone's surprise Beth stepped up to the pool of worms and simply shrugged at it before diving in. Beth didn't even have an ounce of fear in her eyes when she went it and everyone watched in shock as the braces-wearing girl swam from one end of the worm pool to the other and emerged from it and ended up covered in worms.
"And Beth sets the bar way up there!" Chris commentated as Beth's teammates cheered for her. Even Owen managed to recover and cheer for Beth…only to faint once again a few seconds later. Heather walked nearby Beth as she looked a bit disgusted but couldn't help but ask.
"Beth, what happened? You said you were always afraid of insects, why do you look so in peace with the worms?" Heather asked as she raised her eyebrow.
"That's fine Heather. I'm a farmer, so I always have to deal with the dirt and have to use worms to make the earth well for the plants. When I meant insects I was talking more about cockroaches, beetles, wasps, and even ladybugs. I got really lucky." Beth said proudly as Heather couldn't help but nod her head in satisfaction.
Next up were Katie and Lindsay for the Killer Bass and Screaming Gophers respectively. The two shared a fear of bad haircuts so Chris ordered them to get into the mess hall where Chris had a matching pair of ugly wigs for them. Chris was about to put one on each girl's head…only for Owen to grab one of them and put it on his own head. The big guy then danced around a bit before hitting a wall and falling to the floor, allowing the host to place the ugly wigs on Lindsay and Sadie's heads.
Owen remembered the flashback of him and Izzy saying that they never wanted to fly, and Izzy agreed with him… Just a few days later both of them were treated to an incredibly old and rusty plane that looked like it should never be allowed to be in the air for a second. Its wings were held together by packing tape. Owen and Izzy gasped as the door to the plane opened and revealed Chef to be the flyer, while dressed as a flight attendant.
The two aerophobics very reluctantly stepped into the plane. Chef didn't give the two a chance to back out as he closed and locked up the door and quickly got the shacky plane into the air, treating Owen and Izzy to one of the most terrifying flying experiences ever.
With Harold, the ginger was simply walking into the bathroom with a magazine in hand and was about to head to a stall to do his business. However, Harold soon stopped and carefully looked around as he heard the sound of something opening close by.
Before Harold knew it, ropes were lowered from the ceiling and the ginger witnessed as three ninjas made their way into the room and blocked off Harold's path to the bathroom stall. But similar to Beth when she did her challenge, Harold wasn't even fazed by the ninjas. He tied his pants back showed his nunchucks And decided to remember everything.
"I was bullied by kids dressed as ninjas since I was kid… and no matter how much I trained that time, they always would win… but this time, I have trained so much. That you dare to challenge me today." Harold took out his shirt off. And decided to spin his nunchucks at maximum speed. Faster than he ever did before. He trained every time he could on the Aquarium, and now he was ready. "To win the challenge I must fight my biggest fear… and by meditating since the start of the challenge… my friends need me."
The ninjas stared at him in surprise as he placed the nunchucks around his neck after surprising all of them, and doing a dragon style of kung fu.
"COME ON, COME ON AND GET ME. I DON'T HAVE FEAR ANYMORE." Harold roared as he went to beat the crap out of the ninjas who suddenly became his prey
The loud shouts of pain and sounds of impacts being heard from the outside were enough to make the public watch one ninja without a mask trying to run away by crawling, but the next moment he felt terrified as someone was pulling his leg, and he screamed as he was being dragged back to the bathroom…
Chris looked surprised at seeing Harold with some punch marks on his chest and face, but he seemed well-spirited. At the time Chris went to see what happened in the bathroom, he found a mirror broken, and three ninjas on the floor. Knocked out. And guaranteeing the first point of the Killer Bass.
Next up was yet another Screaming Gopher in Heather. Everyone could be in the stands of the theater where the talent show occurred and watched as Heather was facing her fear. On one end of the stage was a shaking Heather and on the other was a sumo wrestler so she crouched by reflex, while the sumo wrestler didn't know what it hit him, but at the time he went over Heather he stumbled on her, and that made him fall outside of the theater and his body was like a ball that he went bouncing away, which made the Screaming Gophers another point.
Heather sighed in immense relief and fell onto her butt and successfully earned her team a second point.
Meanwhile, the plan Owen and Izzy were in flew above everyone with their screams being heard.
Chris then showed a camera pointing directly at Bridgette who was sitting in a log while feeling alone…
"Bridgette started her 6 hours isolated in the forest, feeling very confident." Chris decided to happily narrate what is happening.
Bridgette looked left and right and tried to remain composed and tranquil.
"I'm not afraid… 6 hours in this place is easy peasy," Bridgette commented as she didn't see any animal approaching her, so she smiled happily since the experience from the last challenge, it usually wouldn't have much difficulty around on the day… but she didn't see the little squirrel approaching her leg near the log. So it decided to greet the human… Surprising Bridgette by kicking the poor animal and launching it in the air.
That squirrel got a dive as Chris was happily burying both Gwen and Ezekiel… And differently from the actual show… Chris went far beyond… A stone resembling a gravestone was placed in front of the hole with a timer on it set to five minutes. He made them both get inside 2 glass coffins, but inside of it, he placed dirt and earth with rocks inside of it… And fulfilled half of the coffin from the inside, to make them both have almost the same experience of Ezekiel telling the story about how he almost died.
Ezekiel and Gwen stared at Chris like he was a demon, and the host of the show didn't even smile, which would be the opposite of what he would do.
"I did half of it because that would make it the challenge more real, don't worry about it. It will not be on your neck, so you still have space to breathe." Chris said as he was giving a bit of mercy towards the duo, but yet both of them stared at him like he was a monster.
The Killer Bass team was looking horrified, as they never thought Chris would be so cruel to do that with both of them… Every single one of them was so worried, that they even went near the coffins. But suddenly near the coffin of the Goth girl, Trent was there first and giving Gwen a walkie-talkie.
Inside the hole was a glass coffin with Gwen lying down inside with a walkie-talkie.
"There's enough air for an hour," Trent told as he was looking down at her and reassured the terrified goth. "You only need to do five minutes."
"As long as we decide to dig you up." Chris joked as he placed more sand on top of Gwen's box.
"Not funny Chris!" Gwen snapped at the host.
"Sheesh." Chris rolled his eyes a bit. "Take a pill."
"I'll be listening the whole time," Trent told Gwen as he held up his walkie talkie which was connected to the one Gwen had. "Just yell for me if you panic and I'll dig you right up."
Heather glared as he walked near the guitarist.
"Hey, what are you doing by helping the fish head?" Heather commented as she glared down at the goth who was too terrified to even say something.
"Yeah, I have to agree with Heather. What are you doing near our teammate?" Courtney asked as she was staring at the boy using a walkie-talkie. "Well at least you brought contact, have one to spare for us and Ezekiel?"
Trent looked at the group, as he then smiled sheepishly. This made Courtney's eyes twitch and the Killer Bass group started to get mad and wanted to demand the walkie-talkie.
"GUYS." Ezekiel finally shouted from the coffin he was in, which made everyone stare at him. "I'm fine, I'm going to be fine. This is my personal hell… I need to do it… so do me a favor… everyone who finishes the challenge, come and get us okay?"
"Don't worry dude, I'm going to stay here. I will take you both after the 5 minutes." Trent reassured the homeschooled boy, but he already saw the future.
"Everyone who finishes the challenge, come and get us RIGHT?"
"RIGHT." The Killer Bass answered their teammate, while Trent was shocked at being ignored…
"Don't worry about them. They just trust their teammates. So they will come to be sure we are okay. But stay here okay?" Gwen asked and Trent smiled and gave his word. Gwen finally sighed and said grimly "Goodbye cruel world…"
Ezekiel stared at his friends, as Chris decided to bury the homeschooled boy. He was in silence, but he could see the worry on his friend's face… and he couldn't help but also feel terrified… But he went there… was buried, without saying a word.
A few minutes passed and in the theater, it was DJ's turn to face his fear. Once again everyone was gathered up at the theater with DJ on stage. In front of him was a table that had a little terrarium on it that contained a snake that was only a few inches long. DJ was shaking a bit as Duncan clapped and encouraged him.
"Hey, you can do this, buddy!" The delinquent cheered the gentle giant on.
DJ continued to stare down at the tiny snake which was actually smiling at him. Both were completely still until…the snake blinked. "Ahh!" DJ squeaked in fright as he backed away. "It blinked!"
"It means she likes you!" Katie reassured DJ.
"It's the smallest snake ever, DJ!" Courtney called him, "Don't worry you can do this. This isn't the same one who was on the tree…"
"Yeah, but it's slimy and scaly! Slithery!" DJ listed all the reasons why he hates snakes.
"It's is not venomous, calm down, and remember Courage," Courtney told DJ in a still stern but a little bit more of a soft tone. "And you need to conquer your fears at some point. If you can't do it for your team then at least do it for yourself."
DJ took in Courtney's words. She was right. He couldn't live with this fear forever. And from all the stories he heard from the little beagle, fighting a curse of an old pharaoh, fighting a man depressive to the point to try to make everyone depressed, to the point to even fight a demon inside of a mattress… Courage was so cowardly, and yet an inspiration to always be followed.
"The things I do for love," DJ commented as he then looked away from the snake. And taking all the air out of his entire lungs. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."
He released the most terrifying scream he could give, which made everyone watch it in disbelief. So taking all the courage he had within him, DJ closed his eyes and slowly put his finger inside the cage. After a second or two, he felt the snake slither onto him, and…it wasn't that bad. Opening his eyes, he brought the snake closer to him and couldn't help but admit it was a little cute.
Everyone cheered as DJ earned another point for their team Courtney crossed her arms and nodded her head, proud of one of the achievements, until a thought appeared on her mind.
"DJ, you did it. Now go back to the beach, NOW." The C.I.T. girl commanded as the whole group of Killer Bass noticed what she meant by that.
"GOT IT." DJ jumped from the stage and quickly went after the buried glass coffins. And he hoped that the Screaming Gopher had accomplished his word.
(12 minutes ago Gwen)
Back on the beach, Gwen was still buried under the sand with three minutes left on the timer and Trent lying down right next to the fake grave with his walkie-talkie.
"You still alive in there?" Trent spoke into the walkie-talkie. "Only three more minutes."
"And then you'll dig me up, right?" Gwen quickly asked, her tone frightened and showing how freaked out she was.
"I promise," Trent reassured the goth in a calm tone.
"I need some kind of distraction!" Gwen told Trent while taking deep breaths. "Tell me a story! Um, why do you hate mimes so much?"
Trent sighed but decided to explain. If it would help calm Gwen down, then he would do it 100 times if needed. "My mom took me to this carnival once when I was four." Trent began telling the story. "So I could see the elephants. I was stoked!"
"Yeah?!" Gwen fearfully let out as all she could see from her point of view was the sand she was buried in. She really needed this distraction.
"I was so busy watching them that I lost her for a minute." Trent continued. "I called out, but when I turned, all I could see was the horrible white face with black lips pretending to be me! I screamed and tried to run, but every time I turned around, he was there, doing this creepy fake run-and-scream routine!" Just then Trent felt someone poke his shoulder. Looking back, and doing a classic invisible box routine, Trent came face to face with his worst fear…a mime.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Trent screamed, dropping his walkie-talkie, and quickly started running away with the mime quickly chasing after him.
"Trent?" Gwen asked as she didn't hear the voice of the guitarist anymore… And the feeling of the earth around her body really freaked out… "TRENT, WHERE ARE YOU?"
Her body felt like she was frozen, and then she tried to maintain her calm… taking the maximum deep breaths that she could feel… She remembered how Ezekiel felt in his story, and the situation she was in was easier than the version Ezekiel was in… but still, the feeling of the mud and dirt touching her skin, really made her mind gets in panic… she prayed for someone to come after her… and quickly.
Trent ran but was being followed by the mime as well they both passed by Chris and the other teams, being far away from the beach and in the wild. The host called Trent with a megaphone.
"Come on Trent, you just need to talk to him, he came here just for you," Chris told Trent as the guitarist and mime passed by him again. And Trent ignored him and ran away from everyone followed by the mime. "Cody, now it's your time to shine."
Cody stared at Chris in surprise. At that time, Cody remembered how he said that he feared disarming a bomb by pressure, and Ezekiel joked about Chef being the one giving instructions, which made Cody freak out.
The next moment, many trash cans were tied together as it resembled a time bomb of nastiness… prepared to be disarmed in front of him. The countdown of the beeps already made the geek start to freak out. And he was looking in fear about what he should do.
"That's right Cody, this trash bomb is going to detonate in exactly 10 minutes. All you need to know is how to disarm it, it's right in this instruction manual." Chris smiled as he gave a blue paper to Cody who was terrified to see the host. "WHAT? ARE YOU KIDDING? I cannot do this."
"Then, it's better to find a place to hide… But also, here is also a little surprise for you." Chris smiled evily as he pulled a headset which made Cody looks at him confused. "Try this one. You are going to love it."
Cody hesitantly followed the idea, until he placed it on his ear.
"Bzzz… HELLO MAGGOT." The irate Chef Hatchet's voice shouted as made Cody jump from his place. "You better read the instructions really carefully, or I'M LITERALLY GOING DOWN AND BEAT YOUR ASS, AND MAKE YOU CRY FOR YOUR MOMMA."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH." Cody shouted as Chris happily decided to walk away. "Wait, are you not going to wait to see it?"
"Me? Oh heck no." Chris said as he waved at the geekester. And pointed at the bombs nearby him. "That's a real bomb dude."
And with that, he ran away… Leaving Cody with a time bomb, and an irate Chef shouting at him.
"CONCENTRATE YOU MAGGOT," Chef shouted from his headset. "I'M SPINNING THIS AIRPLANE IN THE AIR AND I STILL CAN HEAR YOUR EXCUSES FROM HERE. NOW GOT SOME GUTS AND DISARM THE BOMB."
"Okay," Cody said as he was trembling in his place.
"IT'S YES CHEF SIR," Chef shouted angrily which made Cody quickly correct himself.
"YES, CHEF SIR," Cody shouted in fear, while he looked at the time bomb like a nightmare in his life.
Trent tried to hide himself, but suddenly the mime pulled himself up, making him jump away and start running again. Desperately he tried to run away, but he was still being followed by him. And at the time both of them stopped. Trent saw the mime doing the classic invisible wall.
"THERE IS NO WALL ON THERE YOU MADMAN. STOP BEING CREEPY." Trent shouted in panic, but nothing he said was enough to make the mime stop. So in time of panic… Trent looked at the dooks and decided to use the only way to survive… the water. At the time he was followed again in the docks, Trent jumped without thinking twice. And looking at the mime who stopped in his place. Trent smiled victorious. "OHOOOOOO, HAHAHAHA, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM MIME, DON'T YOU KNOW HOW TO SWIM?"
Trent smiled happily until he saw the mime taking a deep breath and preparing himself to jump in the water.
"NO, NO, NO, STOP… Err… Your makeup is going to get destroyed." Trent pointed out, which made the Mime stop and rethink about what he should do… Nodding as understanding, the mime walked away in defeat. "YEAH, YOU LOSE. PALLED FACE, SUCKER."
Trent managed to get another point for his team. And Chris enjoyed the show as he started clapping for Trent's personal victory.
"I liked what I saw Trent." Chris happily said as he saw the mime passing by him, which made him freeze and shrove from the freaky guy passing him. But then he took a remote control and decided to have another personal satisfaction to see the others suffer. "But unfortunately, things aren't going to be that simple for our comrade Geoff."
Geoff seeing that his team was finally doing well themselves, decided to take a little time to rest a bit on the beach chair and close his eyes to maybe have a nap… Thinking there was no way of Chris bringing a hailstorm at him, it was piratically impossible.
Little did he know, that there was a remote cloud being controlled by Chris… At the time he was taking a sunbath, suddenly saw a cloud covering the son which woke him up in surprise. And then from that little cloud, little pieces of ice started raining down on him.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, OUCH, OUCH, AHHHHHHHHH" Geoff decided to run away, trying to find something to protect him from the hail. But everywhere he went, Chris controlled the cloud to go after him.
At the time he passed the Screaming Gophers, Lindsay was happy to see something so cute happening in front of her, so she pointed at the little cloud.
"Look that little cloud, it's following him, awww." She gushed to see something so cute happening from the suffering of the others. "Like a cloud pet, I WANT ONE TOO, COME HERE LITTLE CLOUDY."
At the tombstones of sand… 12 minutes already passed, until DJ took a shovel and quickly went straight to one of them. And neither of them were with holes.
"WHERE TRENT GO? WHY DIDN'T HE DIG THEM AWAY?" DJ shouted in panic, as he went directly from Gwen's buried side. ignored the walkie-talkie and started to dig. "GWEN, ZEKE, WAIT A BIT, I'M TAKING YOU BOTH OUT."
DJ gritted his teeth as he saw his friend Geoff passing by him, and with focus on his mind and with all the strength of his arms, he managed to dig enough to surprise Gwen who stared at him.
"DJ? Where is Trent?" Gwen asked as she was trembling in fear, and was both in anger and relief. Not knowing how to feel at that moment.
"I have no idea, I came here as soon I finished the challenge, and when I found you both still buried, I went the fast as possible, now let's dig Zeke, he is still there," DJ said in panic as he gave the shovel to the goth, and he started to take the sand with his own hands.
Gwen noticed the panic in his eyes, and she also felt the same concern, since that challenge was almost like the remake of the way he almost died.
"ZEKE. WE ARE HERE, WAIT FOR A LITTLE BIT." DJ shouted as he started digging in despair. Gwen followed by using all the strength of her arms to take the sand until the glass box was there… And for their horrors. The glass was scratched from the inside, and some cracks were in one of the parts of the said place…
And by opening the glass coffin… both saw the look of horror… Ezekiel's eyes lost the sparkle, his body trembled like was cold… and from the time both touched his hands… there were even some marks of cuts on his fingers… Relieving a trauma like that was something Gwen never thought would come up on that stage…
"Aq... ..aqua…"Ezekiel stuttered as both of them looked at his face… someone who always was cheerful and happy… was looking as if he was on the verge of dying in shock…
"What is it, Zeke? Talk to me, man." DJ hugged the poor boy who returned the hug, as he dropped some tears on his face.
"Aquarium, take me to the aquarium…" Ezekiel finally got his voice back, and immediately said what he wanted, he wanted to be away… from everything, he needed to be on their secret base.
"I'm going to take Zeke to the Aquarium and go with the others. And find out WHERE THE *BEEP* HAS BEEN THAT *BEEP*" DJ shouted angrily, which made Gwen nod her head and look with shadows in her face.
Confession – DJ
"Momma taught me to never swear… to never be cruel, but Trent made Ezekiel revive his worst day and made Gwen scared in that coffin for 12 minutes…" DJ said as he narrowed his eyes. "He is going to get pranked so hard when the Killer Bass knows what he did… Ezekiel and Duncan were right, taking out Gwen, never trust a Gopher."
"Ezekiel wait for a bit. We are almost there." DJ said as he carried Ezekiel trembling on his back. The homeschooled boy tried to regain compose, but it was failing miserably.
It didn't take long until the caves of the Aquarium were reached, and the giant Jamaican was able to let the little boy sit on the floor of the cave, near the hot tub, which at the moment DJ could see, Ezekiel wasn't fine, he was far away from fine.
"Zeke, I'm here. You are not alone." DJ said, as Ezekiel remained quiet and was staring at nothing… as if nobody was there.
(Coffin -Ezekiel 15 minutes ago.)
The moment he was inside of the coffin he felt that he was in hell… since the feeling of earth managing to touch his skin again, and from the vision being blocked with the darkness around his eyes. The silence of nobody could hear him… It was a feeling that nobody would ever imagine.
Ezekiel tried his best to relax his body, by closing his eyes, and trying to focus on his breath… But at the time he closed his eyes… It felt like he heard the sound of the train derailing and the sound of the landslide appearing again. The moment he opened his eyes, he was once again looking at the destroyed train, with his eyes covered with both earth and snow.
"AH AHHHHHHHHH." This time Ezekiel screamed as he tried to move away the dirt and the snow around his face… but somehow at the time he moved himself, the landslide once again fell over him, and this time he felt like he was trapped in that hole once again, playing Hide and Seek.
But he tried to move his body once again, using everything on his body to try to breathe.
"I WANT TO LIVE, I WANT TO LIVE. NOT LIKE THIS. PLEASE GOD NOT LIKE THIS." Ezekiel screamed, as he desperately fought against the earth, as the voices around his head, shouting for his name, sometimes were from his parents… from his past parents, from his new parents… from DJ, from the Killer Bass… "I WANT TO LIVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE."
Ezekiel felt his fingers bleed from how much he scratched and wanted to get out… But still, his eyes were losing the spark… his body was getting tired, and his breath was getting heavier and heavier…
It was supposed to be 5 minutes… But it looked like it had been hours…
"ZEEK, WAKE UP." Then suddenly a shout was enough to make him open his eyes, completely tired… and looking in front of him, there was the duo looking at him horrified…
(Aquarium)
DJ looked horrified as he saw his friend closing his eyes… But in the next moment, he started to hear the sounds of a person crying… like a child who just got hurt really bad.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Ezekiel screamed with all his longs, as he felt his nightmare became real, and he was once again in the verges of death, but suddenly felt something different…
DJ was hugging him… hugging him with all his heart… And trying to not cry at that moment… Because Ezekiel was already crying… from all the fear, pain, and being alone… But this time he wasn't… his friends were there for him.
"Thanks…" Ezekiel mumbled as he felt a bit of sparkle return from his own eyes…
DJ remained quiet. Because there wasn't a word he could say to make few better for him… that man had to deal with his trauma again, what he could say about it? He just needs to be there for him… that would be enough.
Duncan remembered the time he told the story as he was a kid, and it led to a moment when everyone from the Kille Bass was concerned but still hoping for Duncan to go against his personal trauma. For the first time, as looked right in front of him and saw that a few 2 yards away…was a cardboard cutout of Celine Dion, but for fear of Duncan, the full-size picture of the singer… was covered with fake blood. Which made Duncan start to grind his teeth…
Duncan was frozen in place as Courtney spoke up.
"It's fake blood, it's not real Duncan, and she pretty. She's nice." Courtney reassured the delinquent in a gentle tone.
"Just one hug and you're done," Chris said with the snap of his fingers. He pointed at the version of the horrific Halloween bloody singer. "Does the delinquent have enough courage to return to the crime scene with a standee following him?"
"SHUT UP," Duncan said as he felt like he was staring at his nightmare… "T-That looks really…real, man."
Duncan spoke to Courtney with a fearful tone.
"Hey." Courtney put a reassuring hand on Duncan's shoulder. "It's okay if you can't do it. It's your trauma… your personal hell."
Duncan took a deep breath as he looked between Courtney and the standee of Celine Dion. Letting out a deep sigh, Duncan saw a version of himself, reviving the same childhood, in the music store… seing the same standee with only blood covering her body…It has been one of the most traumatic days he ever had… until he remembered what his uncle told him at the time he went back home.
"There are times like this that would shake even the most courageous of us… You should be glad to be afraid of that… that means you know when would be a line too far for what humanity should go… the biggest worry for a man like me would be the day that you wouldn't be afraid or sick of something like that… Sometimes being afraid is what makes us alive… but, having courage to challenge the fear and outcome it by creating the Courage, would makes feel rebels against our fear…" The detective told the little boy who was still using his little jacket with a dog stamp on his back… the little boy who liked to see delinquents around, and found his uncle wearing a skull tattoo around his arm… "I know that in the future you will go rebel against everyone, you took it from my side of the family… just remember that in times of need, you have to rebel against your own fear."
Duncan opened his eyes… and looked at the same monster who had been making him feel panic since childhood, he took a deep breath and looked at Courtney…
"All right…I'll try." Courtney cheered Duncan on as the delinquent took a deep breath… ran full speed towards the cutout and proceeded to pick it up and hug it. Still bothered by the slimy fake blood, but his team cheered as Duncan earned the Bass their fourth point.
Courtney suddenly ran up to Duncan and enveloped him in a hug.
"Duncan! You're awesome!" Courtney cheered for him as Duncan wrapped a single arm around her.
"Ha! I did it!" Duncan said with a smile, now feeling like a new man. The one who conquered his demons.
Courtney then leaned in closer to Duncan…but then realized what she was doing and quickly separated from him as the rest of the team came up to Duncan and cheered for him. Everyone was enjoying themselves happily until they suddenly saw someone approaching them… it was Gwen who was covered in dirt, and her eyes looked way tired, and really angry with something.
"What happened Gwen?" Courtney asked in worry, as the whole team looked at her who hugged herself.
"DJ took us from the coffins… but it's Ezekiel… he's not fine. He is the opposite of fine." At the time Gwen said those words… the whole group stared at her horrified. And before they would say something. "He is in the Aquarium, DJ is taking care of him."
"We gotta go," Tyler said loudly, as he was about to run away, but Duncan and Harold took him by both his arms.
"You stay here. You guys need to finish your part of the challenge." Duncan said as he strongly advised to not go against the challenges. "We already sacrificed too much, you guys need to finish the challenge. But what about the guitar boy? Didn't he take you both out?"
"No, Trent wasn't around. And I have no idea where he is…" Gwen said as she looked defeated… and for the first time, she felt pressure, because everyone in that circle, looked murderous…
Duncan didn't say a word, but he quickly went directly to the Aquarium, Harold went after him to try to reach his friend and see if the group of boys could work together to make the little Ezekiel back as he was before.
At the beach, Trent smiled as Chris was using the remote control to make the hail cloud keep firing hail around the cowboy hat Killer Bass, and he couldn't help but be interested in how that would go. So he gave a few ideas.
"Can you make the cloud go lower and fire with more power?" Trent asked as he was enjoying seeing the team rival member getting a personal hell just like he did with the mime.
And Chris was enjoying playing with the cloud, by sitting in a chair and enjoying the suffering of the others, but even himself couldn't help but to confess.
"You are a cruel man. Huh? But… I can." Chris accepted his suggestion, which made the cloud go in Geoff's face and his entire body was attacked with the hail, shouting in despair and pain.
"AWESOME, THAT'S SO COOL." Trent felt happy as he enjoyed how some challenges were creative when it came to dealing with the sake of entertainment. But suddenly he felt something crossing over his mind, like the feeling he had forgotten about it. "Yo, ever had that feeling that you were forgetting about something?"
"Sometimes," Chris commented as he was still distracted by the cloud, and how Geoff was going to lose his points if he wasn't able to find protection in the next 2 minutes. "I usually ignore it, and that feeling goes away. Hehehe. Check this out, I'm going to bury him with hail."
"Bury?" That was a keyword that clicked Trent's mind until he remembered that he was supposed to dig out both Killer Bass members a few minutes ago. "OH NO, GWEN."
Chris saw Trent leaving that place to go after the goth girl and the homeschooled boy who were probably in a panic since he wasn't there.
Inside the forest, Bridgette was alone, as she tried to focus on the beauty of nature.
"Okay, okay, okay. Bridgette, you can do it. Just more…" Bridgette had to take a look at her watch to make sure that she would be fine. "4 hours and 15 minutes."
She was feeling confident in herself, but she saw a crow trying to catch her attention.
"Oh no way. Don't even start it. I'm not going to get scared of that, I know it's part of the production…" Bridgette tried to argue with the animal until suddenly…
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*
The loud explosion was enough to make Bridgette jump in her place.
Trent and Chris were already on the graves were placed.. and to his surprise both places were dug, so that meant Gwen was safe… so they were the ones who took her out, maybe in time.
"What was that?" Trent asked Chris, who seemed to be smiling like a man who won in the lottery.
"I'm going to guess, but it seems, Cody just blew himself up." Chris stared in the direction of the sound.
And in the middle of the forest, there was what remained of Cody, totally covered in trash, and even a watermelon above his head.
"YOU USELESS MAGGOT, I TOLD YOU TO CUT THE BLUE WIRE, AND NOT THE YELLOW WIRE," Chef shouted from the headset, which Cody felt his entire body start to walk around to try to reach help for himself.
"Ughhhhhh. Someone there? Help. Anybody?" Cody called for help, but nobody was there… just Chef who was getting annoyed.
"YOU USELESS PUNK, STOP BEING A SCARY CAT AND LAY DOWN AND REST," the Chef shouted as Cody felt his entire body get heavier, and with that got knocked out from the pain.
"Useless kid," Chef said, as he looked at both Izzy who tried to look scared, and Owen was completely terrified from flying and having the worst experience of his life. "We are almost there, need to practice my landing."
"OH NO," Owen shouted in fear. While Izzy tried to look terrified as well.
Trent and Chris were looking around as they wanted to see if Geoff was able to finish his task, but after still being followed by the cloud, and not even going at the water like Trent did to save himself… Geoff was declared a loser on that point…
But at the time was over and the cloud finally diminished… When Geoff got out from the painful hail, having even some red marks around his body…he glared at both of them.
Trent and Chris gave a smile when suddenly Trent looked around and saw Duncan going in one direction, and being followed by Harold, both with a thunderous look on their faces.
"Oh hey, boys. Thanks for..."Trent didn't even have time to finish because Duncan who was covered in fake blood gave a punch to the gut of the guitarist which made him go to his knees.
"Don't… talk...to us…" Duncan said firmly, as Harold also wanted to beat the guitarist, but decided to go faster.
"Let it go, Duncan, Gophers don't deserve our time," Harold said as he looked at the hurt cowboy. "Geoff, Gwen said Zeke is feeling terrible, probably PTSD, let's go."
Those words made Geoff stare at his friends in worry, and quickly with a nod, he decided to run with them, without being able to glare at the duo of demons of the host and the boy who watched it for his pleasure.
"Ughh…" Trent was still feeling the punch in his gut.
"Ouch, I'm so glad that wasn't me," Chris said as he was smiling happily to avoid being hurt on live television. This scene would be really valued in the summary of the next challenge.
After that, the sound of a plane was heard and Chris watched as the plane Owen and Izzy were on landed with the two mentioned campers quickly jumping out and kissing the ground. Earning two points for the Screaming Gophers.
Now the score was 5 for the Screaming Gophers. 5 For the Killer Bass.
Confession – Bridgette.
"The truth is… I want to thank the production for forcing me to fight against my fear… I'm proud of myself." Bridgette smiled at herself after finishing her challenge. "Now I have fear of nothing."
After finishing the 6 hours. Bridgette couldn't help but jump on her place, happy to don't have to deal with such a tragedy as one of her coworkers at the ONG had to deal with in the past, and she now felt happy to win one irrational fear she had before.
At the time she went back to the Killer Bass, every single one of them looked with seriousness.
"Guys? What happened? Gwen? Are you okay?" Bridgette asked as she suddenly saw the gothic girl still trying to remain strong, but was still having difficulty.
"I'm fine, but we were supposed to be inside of the coffins for 5 minutes… we just got dug 7 minutes later. It was 12 minutes of torture." Gwen commented as she tried to compose herself. "I'm fine… but Ezekiel, he's not."
Bridgette's eyes went wide open, as she was about to say something, but Courtney interrupted her.
"The boys are with him right now. We just need moral support to win this challenge, then we are free to go." Courtney commented as she used her neck to make Bridgette follow her… "Trent disappeared, he was the one who was supposed to take them out… but it seems my instincts were correct by calling DJ to take them both out…"
Bridgette's eyes looked at Gwen, as she tried to be alone for a while, and narrowing her eyes… she noticed that everyone from her team was bloodthirsty… they knew Trent messed up badly, but how much, they didn't have any idea...
And with that, Katie and Lindsay met up in the washrooms…
Both girls stared at their reflection as Lindsay felt so happy.
"We did it," Lindsay said as she raised her arms in victory, and Katie felt so happy that she was also freed from that curse. "We passed the entire day like that. Are you ready?"
Katie smiled happily as both of them managed to get rid of their terrible wigs.
"1,2 AND 3" Both girls took off their wigs and stared at each other.
"Ahhhhh… I forgot how you are beautiful." Lindsay commented as Katie also felt emotional from seeing the beautiful blonde hair of Lindsay.
"Wow?" Katie commented happily as she also gushed for her. "You too."
"Help…" Then it was a familiar voice, which made Katie stare outside of the washroom… and see the terrible victim of the trash-bomb which made her terrified.
"CODY." Katie quickly went to help the poor boy, who was still with all the trash around his body and smelling badly. "Ewww, don't worry. We need to take you to have a bath… Let's go."
"katie…" Cody said still stunned from the impact of the bomb. But somehow he felt relieved, to finally have help.
The Killer Bass boys went directly to the Aquarium, just to find DJ sitting and watching Ezekiel who was without a shirt, and without shoes, but already sitting and trying to recover himself on the hot tube. The boy felt like he was sleeping through the massage bubbles.
"DJ, how is he" Harold called as the giant Jamaican stared at the group In surprise.
"You guys made it… I hope the challenge wasn't as terrible as it happened to Zeke… Dude, the glass coffin… this challenge was messed up." DJ said as he decided to give them a summary of what happened.
Word by word, the boys looked angrier every second while listening to how the situation was for both Gwen and especially Ezekiel.
"Trent is dead…" Duncan commented as he looked with skull shapes in his eyes…
"Duncan, it's not worth it," Harold said firmly, and the group stared at the nerd in surprise. "That's why Courtney commanded DJ to find them both and dig them out… I wasn't there so I didn't know where they were… If I knew about them being buried I would have come the sooner I got out of the challenge."
"Well, at least if everyone does their part right, we just need 7 points to tie with them. We have more members so that would be easier for us to win…" Duncan commented as he was sure that his team would win.
"I wouldn't say that." Harold decided to comment which made the group stare at him. "If we tie we lose."
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?" Courtney shouted angrily as the group was there to see Tyler was feeling confident with himself, and Chris seemed to still be smirking his usual smile.
"That's because to be a fair game, we used the percentage system. This means that while 7/8 members of the Screaming Gophers managed to win against their fears. Which made 87 percent of the points… the Killer Bass with 6 of their 9 members managed to pass, while Geoff suffered a defeat in his challenge. Which is 67% of your victories… Which means, one more mistake, and your team loses." Chris explained as most team of Screaming Gophers seemed to be in cheerful mode.
Trent tried to smile at Gwen, but then saw the hatred look from all members of Killer Bass as he flinched himself…
Heather noticed that…
Confession – Heather.
"Lindsay told me what happened after this sicko challenge, Trent to betray the goth girl and the little boy like that? I have to say, I'm surprised… Never knew what it had in him." Heather smiled evilly, as she could imagine how betrayed the goth girl was… and maybe the boy who she owns a favor, she could use that favor to vote him out and be free from her debt…
"Now Tyler, all you have to do… it's to stay inside of this place… with this little chicken right here." At the time Chris opened the box and showed the chicken with her little chicks… Tyler felt himself palled…
"You can do it Tyler." Bridgette tried to cheer the jock up. And from looking at the chicken she was still with her head intact. "She doesn't have a broken neck. You got this."
"Yeah, because the producers said it would be too much for the kids and for the PETA to show a scene of animal cruelty. So we decided to not do it…" Chris said as he kicked the floor in disappointment. But seeing Tyler in the fetal position "Anyway, you are not helping your situation like that."
"Tyler, you can do this. You just need to make sure to pass 3 minutes… Everyone had to suffer from their fears, so you are not alone in that…" Courtney commented, and Chris smiled at her.
"Oh, that's good for you to think like that…" Chris smiled as he saw Chef Hatchet finally bringing a plate which Courtney suddenly realized one thing…
"Oh no…" Courtney saw it… from under the tray, Chef and Chris revealing 5 little plates of green jello staring directly at her.
"It was difficult to get in contact with your parents… But they managed to tell us the special recipe of your grandmother Lemonade Mellon Jello. And I have to say, it's fantastic… really worthy to die for." Chris joked, but then he saw everyone from the team glaring at him. "Okay, okay, sheesh. Tough crowd."
"I can't believe it my parents gave the recipe to you," Courtney said annoyed, and she looked fearfully at the little plates of the gelatinous treat.
"Oh yeah… all you had to do, is eat 3 of them in 1 minute… They are small so you can do it easily." Chris commented simply… But Courtney felt like the whole weight of the past was staring at her…
Tyler looked from his fetal position… seeing Courtney staring at the dessert in fear… her sweat appearing on her face, and her entire body trembling… Tyler stared at the chicken, the demonic animal with feathers… and then saw Courtney slowly trying to reach the spoon… And even as the jock as he is… he knew that he couldn't make it… But from seeing Duncan, and hearing about Ezekiel… and now seeing Courtney… they have traumas… they have demons that nobody should make fun of… and the aftermatch could be disastrous for any of them…
Tyler closed his eyes… and then made his decision.
"CONDORRRRRRRRRR." Tyler shouted with all his lungs. This made Courtney stop, and the Killer Bass in the area stop… and turn their heads towards Tyler who just shouted the forbidden word… The Screaming Gophers stared at him confused, but from the look of the Killer Bass team, something big just happened.
"Tyler…" Courtney said horrified, while the jock jumped away from the chicken and looked at Chris… Katie, Bridgette, and even Gwen gasped at seeing Tyler saying a word that nobody thought was needed.
"We were going to lose anyway, there was no way I was going to deal with a chicken. But you already have the trauma of being choked from that, you don't need to worry about it. If we are going to lose, it must be by me and not by pressuring you." Tyler commented as he remained strong and smiled at himself.
Courtney felt her lips tremble, and a little tear coming from her mind.
"Thank you." Courtney hugged the jock who smiled proud of himself. She was thankful for the decision a friend of hers did it. And then staring at Chris Courtney cleaned the tear, and proudly said. "Alright Chris, we give up. The Screaming Gophers can win this challenge."
Chris was surprised to see such a decision, but then sighing he turned his smile up.
"The Gophers win invincibility this week. Their losing strike finally coming to an end." Chris commented that he was happy to see a big entertainment end like that. "It seems that some challenges couldn't end with a big climax, but that's okay. Now, as commanded by the production, no animal was cruelly murdered in this episode, the trigger warnings towards this show include gore and even self-depression inside of a confinement. All the campers have signed the contract allowing them to participate in any kind of challenge. So here you have our disclaimer."
Chris quickly read the paper to make sure he wouldn't get sued from the episode alone.
Trent went to try to see Gwen. But the glares he was receiving from anyone made him step back. Lindsay went to go after Tyler… which made Katie look sadly at her… The Killer Bass stared at the jock who seemed to be proud, and yet sad to now have come to that decision.
"Hey Tyler," Lindsay said as she was happy to win the challenge… But then she saw the sad look on his face. "What happened?"
"Tyler, you have until tonight… please, enjoy it," Courtney said as she was still holding a plate of jello and a spoon… She turned her back and walked directly towards their secret base.
Tyler sighed… and hugged the blonde girl.
"Babe… there is a thing I have to tell you," Tyler commented… as he knew it would be difficult to say to her… but the truth would hurt… since he said the word that he would make himself eliminated.
(Aquarium)
At the time the group walked inside the Aquarium, they found the boys watching Ezekiel sleeping on the hot tube…
"What happened?" Duncan asked as he saw Courtney with a sad face… "Did we lose?"
The group nodded their heads, and Duncan got a bit annoyed.
"Tyler said Condor," Courtney commented which made the delinquent narrow his eyes… "Because he didn't want me to rush myself to go after my trauma… it was to eat 3 green jellos in 1 minute… And he was already nearby a chicken…"
Duncan had his eyes opened in surprise… and seeing Courtney still trembling with the plate and spoon in her hands…
"Like the one you are holding right now?" Duncan asked, surprising Courtney who just noticed the food in her hands…
"Oh… I didn't notice them until now…" Courtney commented as she saw Duncan trying to reach them. "No...please… Now… I want to do it, but… can you guys wait for me?"
The Killer Bass remained quiet, but with their heads, they nodded at the girl who seemed to be taking her time… to raise the spoon and in a few minutes… Courtney got the courage to take the first bite.
Courtney doesn't even remember which day of the year was the time she heard the news about her granny's accident… she just remembered how old she was… But after so many years… tasting the recipe of her grandmother again… made her tear up…
"My favorite," Courtney commented as she took another bite, but still as slowly as ever. And the team smiled at the little personal victory of the C.I.T girl.
Slowly they are still surpassing their fears.
Didn't they know… But Ezekiel opened a bit of his own eyes, and seeing his friend defeating her own trauma… he couldn't help but smile proudly at her… and then go to sleep once again.
THAT NIGHT
It was time for yet another dramatic bonfire ceremony. Once again, it was time for the Killer Bass to send one of their own home. However everyone from the Killer Bass made a unanimous decision, Tyler was there without fear, without nervousness… the same could be said by Geoff who was looking sad at his friend… The whole Killer Bass was in a somber mood, but the jock was there standing proud of his choice.
"There is only one marshmallow left on this plate," Chris said with the two remaining campers looking unphased at the host of the show. Which made him roll his eyes. "Oh come on, couldn't you guys at least pretend that this isn't a unanimous vote?"
"Sorry Chris, man, but we had the entire day being a hell for all of us. Can you just give me the marshmallow so we say goodbye to our friend? Please?" Geoff asked, as he usually would have been more sportive about it… But since he got hailed on in from many places, even on his head… He wasn't in the mood to play games…
"Okay, spoilsport… Geoff." Chris commented as he launched the marshmallow to the cowboy hat boy.
"You will get that chicken on the next time," Duncan commented as he was clear that his friend did that by both wanting to save the C.I.T. girl and he wanted to avoid the fear he has. "And nobody would have the courage of what you did. You are awesome dude."
"Thanks," Tyler commented as he felt terrible to leave the island like that. So he gave a final hug to every single member of his team, and got the boat of the losers…
The group stared in sadness as the boat got a few meters away until they started hearing Tyler's shouts of fear coming from the boat.
"Just because you quit, doesn't mean you aren't going to fight your own fear Tyler," Chris commented as he stared at Courtney. "You did a great job finally defeating your fear, Courtney. You would still lose, but at least every single one of you managed to go against your own fears. And you all should be proud of that… Especially you three. Ezekiel, Duncan, and Courtney… it's not easy to overcome a trauma like that. So you have my kudos. But don't think you will get a pass on the next challenge."
The Killer Bass glared at him but remained quiet, and one by one decided to leave Chris alone on the beach…
Confession - Lindsay
"I will never forget the time we passed together Tailor… I mean, Tyler." Lindsay said as she kissed her palm and blew up to the camera. "See you later."
And with that, another episode of Total Drama Island came to an end.
Chapter 11: Aftermatch
Chapter Text
*deep breath*
*thumb*
*release breath*
That was the sound of nearby the Killer Bass' cabins. Ezekiel was without his green hat and his usual green blouse… On his hands his usual bow, and near his feet, a hand made arrows…
*deep breath*
Ezekiel took his arrow, and prepared to aim at the tree… By concentrating on his deep breaths, he focused on nothing more than just hitting a tree at a good distance.
Releasing the arrow, the stick flew with all the speed it could, and made directly on the tree he was aiming for.
*Thumb*
The sound of the arrow hitting the trunk, was what it needed to make the homeschooled boy lower down his arms.
*release breath.*
Ezekiel has been doing that as the only way he could concentrate… And try to not think about the challenge of the last day… Since the time he got out of the glass coffin… he has been sleeping and trying to find a way to control his own chaotic mind… But nothing, he didn't desire to write another chapter of his stories, and he wasn't in the mood to try to draw art or even a fanart.
That challenge just broke him.
"Hey…" Then a voice called his attention, which made him turn his back and see Duncan and Courtney walking towards him. Which Ezekiel remained quiet, and took an arrow to aim at the tree.
*deep breath*
*thumb*
*release breath*
Duncan glanced at the tree which seemed to be pierced by dozens of arrows. Seeing that Ezekiel didn't go there to take them out of the tree… decided to go to take it for the boy. Courtney went near the brown-haired boy, who was giving a pause to see Duncan take the arrows from the tree.
It would have taken a lot of attention if wasn't for the fact it was 2 a.m., the sky was still dark, and the silence around the forest was frightening.
"Couldn't sleep?" Courtney asked as she could see Duncan taking the arrows one by one… Ezekiel remained quiet… the C.I.T. passed a minute to see Duncan bringing the quantity of arrows for the boy to take one of them again, and decide to shoot all over again… "Want us to stay here?"
"...please," Ezekiel replied with a whisper, and Courtney and Duncan looked at each other, before sitting on the grass while seeing Ezekiel take a deep breath… and then launch an arrow… The trio of pillars of the Killer Bass remaining at 2 a.m… And with the time being quiet, Ezekiel decided to start the conversation. "I'm sorry about what happened."
"What do you mean?" Duncan said as he watched Ezekiel pull the cord and release the arrow to reach the tree…
"This challenge was my fault. I shouldn't have talked about the trauma of our lives and what our fears… I didn't know Chris would go this far to relieve our traumas." Ezekiel said with honesty, he hated the idea of how he decided to make the things try to follow the cannon… But such a decision really went to bit on his ass, and he felt that his friends may have thought about the same thing.
"Okay Zeke, first off…" Courtney got up and went in front of the home-schooled boy with her bossy attitude which made him stare at her. "Don't go with this crap idea on your mind. Since it's not your fault. It's Chris, he got our talk from the campfire and decided to go hard on us. He used fake blood on the standee for Duncan, took the Recipe from my family to make me eat it in a minute, and placed earth inside of a glass coffin to make sure your body would have the feeling of your own trauma from your past. It's not your fault."
"I have to agree with the princess, and thankfully she made DJ go after you and Gwen or you would still be suffering for how long," Duncan explained his point as he could even glance at Ezekiel who was taking his arrow to shoot at the tree. And then Duncan tightened his fist and looked with despise as one thought crossed his mind. "And you were right to not trust that stupid guitarist… he left you both way passing your time as you both should."
"Duncan, I know that you are angry… hell, even I'm angry myself. But we should have expected something like that would happen… That wouldn't have happened if we left someone there to watch the time clock, he got surprised by his fear, and he couldn't be there all the time." Courtney tried to come up with a defense against the Gopher who just left their teammates buried alive…
"That's not what Geoff said," Duncan commented which made both Courtney raise her eyebrow, and Ezekiel pauses from using his bow. "Lindsay said Trent was helping Chris to make the pet cloud go after Geoff, and he was even suggesting him which made Chris smile…"
"So he left both of them, to have fun with Geoff dealing with his challenge?" Courtney asked as she grind her teeth. And her own fury started to appear in her eyes. "I should have taken the walkie-talkie from his hands."
"Relax princess, he will get what he deserves. He made both of our own get buried for 12 minutes. He is going to get what he deserves." Duncan said as he could see Ezekiel giving a loud sigh and then looking at the duo.
"Duncan, while I appreciate your idea to make avenge on us. What would the Killer Bass do in a case like that? Take the biggest fear of Trent and transform it to another level. Like, what? Making every single member of the Killer Bass paint ourselves as mimes and proceed to follow him?" Ezekiel rolled his eyes, but suddenly he noticed that neither of the other pillars was saying anything, when he turned his head to see… he noticed that he should have let his mouth shut because he could see the vicious smiles from Duncan and the evil grin of Courtney.
"Ezekiel, you are a genius," Duncan said as he patted the back of Ezekiel and didn't even let him say otherwise. "I'm going to grab everyone and I will explain the plan."
"I think I have enough makeup for everyone, Bridgette maybe has some white ink to place in our faces as well... I think even Gwen would be on this idea. Now, keep relaxing Zeke, we will do the plan in the next hour." Courtney smiled as she quickly left the homeschooled boy alone with his bow again…
"That was sarcasm…" Ezekiel commented, not feeling even in the mood to argue with the duo… they wanted to make Trent traumatized, and Ezekiel was with his mind too chaotic to actually care about the well-being of the others…
*deep breath*
*thumb*
*release breath*
Ezekiel was about to take another arrow, when he suddenly looked at the tree he was using as the main target… and found a hand placing something in front of the said trunk.
Slowly he decided to take part to see what was happening there… and the time he was in front of the tree, Ezekiel's eyes opened in surprise, at the different type of bow he had ever seen, one that he had just seen specifically only in the Olympics on television.
"Did you like it?" A voice said behind the tree…
"Izzy?" Ezekiel asked surprised, as he recognized the familiar voice from behind the tree…
"Sat in the front of the tree, because we cannot have the camera see me." The voice replied and Ezekiel quickly took the bow and sat in front of the tree… "So, did you like it? It's a compound bow I made by hand."
Ezekiel took a long look over the bow in front of him, and seeing that it was like the movies and the professionals using such a bow to give more precise shots, it was something that he never thought he would be able to see.
"It looks awesome." Ezekiel couldn't help but compliment. He could hear the giggle of the chaotic girl behind the tree.
"Good, you can have it," Izzy replied as Ezekiel could hear her sitting on the other side of the tree, and with a good sigh, she couldn't help but ask. "PTSD?"
"Yeah, relieving the day I almost died by being buried in a landslide," Ezekiel answered her question, and for the first time, he felt that he could be without restrictions. "I knew that this challenge would bring our fears, and I wanted to see my team fighting their fears…but to Chris go to that level. I couldn't imagine it not even years from the future."
"Well, sometimes lying about yourself is good. That's why I just followed Owen's fear and decided to act like I had fear of it… It was very easy with Chef focusing on shouting in Cody's ear… I bet he pissed his pants trying to diffuse the bomb."Izzy joked as she couldn't help but laugh in glee to see the geek suffering from his own fears.
"Yeah, he probably did." Ezekiel gave a weak chuckle… since he saw Katie commenting how Cody felt so defeated and needed desperately a shower. But then Ezekiel saw his own hands, and couldn't help but to confess. "But I wished to fight against that. To be peaceful with me while I have to pass minutes on that coffin… I knew it was fake… and yet, my mind feared like it was the worst day of my life… again and again."
The silence crossed around, as the sound of the winds was enough to make some tree leaves make a beautiful sound of nature…
Ezekiel remained quiet as he was still feeling the backlash of the idea of wanting to deal with his trauma like that, and possibly scaring his friends all the long way…
"The white room torture…" Then Izzy replied, which made Ezekiel raise his eyebrows in surprise. "When I was working at RCMP, we had an instructional video about telling how terrible methods of torture crossed around the entire world. And when a video showed about a specific room… Visually, the prisoner is deprived of all color. Their cell is completely white: the walls, floor, and ceiling, as well as their clothes and food. Neon tubes are positioned above the occupant in such a way that no shadows appear. The cell is soundproof, and void of any sound, voices, or social interaction. Guards stand in silence, wearing padded shoes to avoid making any noise. Prisoners cannot hear anything but themselves. In terms of taste and smell, the prisoner is fed white food—classically, unseasoned rice—to deprive them of these senses. Further, all surfaces are smooth, robbing them of the variability of touch sensations."
Ezekiel heard the definition of such a torturous way, and he couldn't help but be terrified that, the concept of living there would be pure insanity. Izzy tried to remain calm while explaining such a thing, but still, Ezekiel could hear hesitation in her voice. She looked really afraid of talking about that.
"When I heard about this and the possible after-effects of such torture, it terrified me… because imagining going inside of such a room, you could possibly become insane, or even worse, lose your own identity and the concept of who are you…" Izzy commented as she tried to look optimistic and crazy like she always has been. "I mean, I can try to make myself many identities… but still, I love who I am… and losing that, I would feel like I wanted to die."
Ezekiel remained quiet, as he then heard the sound of leaves.. with a groaning of the girl behind him.
"Well, I think now you know what my real fear is… so that's great to share about it… about your PTSD, I recommend going to a psychologist, trust me, it did wonders for me when I was working in the same operation as Chef Hatchet. We both needed psychologists after a mission we did together…" Izzy showing the fact that even she needed a psychologist, showed how PTSD was indeed a serious problem. So by giggling like she usually does on the show, Izzy once again used her usual tone. "Also, it's good to know that you tried to fight your fear, you Killer Bass were crazy into going against your traumas like that. And I'm supposed to be the crazy one HAHAHAHA… be well Ezekiel."
After that, the sound of jumping could be heard and the trees moving in an unknown order, leaving Ezekiel alone with the bow… and his new thoughts in his mind… after a few seconds, the boy couldn't help but smile…
"Thanks… I will." Ezekiel replied as he took his new bow with him, a professional compound bow and with the few arrows on his side… He really wanted to try to see how different from the one he had on the farm.
Using a good distance, as he was before. With his eyes closed, he took a deep breath, and by placing one of his arrows around the cords of the gift bow, he stared at the aim of the professional weapon, with one release, the arrow was shot much faster than before, and the different sound of the cords releasing made him blink in surprise.
*THUMB*
The sound of the arrow hitting the tree was louder than before, and that made Ezekiel hum in surprise, as he finally released his breath.
"Woah." Then a sound made Ezekiel straighten his back and look in surprise to see the whole group of Killer Bass watching him use the bow and arrow in such an impressive way.
"Wow Zeke, where did you get that?" Duncan asked in surprise, looking at the bow on the brown-haired boy, it was far more modern than the traditional one he had been using half an hour before. "Weren't you using the wood bow before?"
"Oh." Ezekiel looked at his hands, and then by glancing at the trees… he decided to tell the truth. "It was in front of one tree…"
"In front of a tree?" Courtney asked as she tilted her head, and Duncan raised his eyebrow in disbelief. "Are you for real?"
"Courtney, it's almost 3 of the morning, do you really think that I would go inside somewhere and take from someone?" Ezekiel gave an interesting point, which Courtney thought about it and had to concede. "And I also have no idea about why was there, but it was… well if someone complains that is missing a bow. I give them back okay?"
"Okay, at least you are responsible. But still, very impressive shot." Courtney smiled as she could see the semblance of Ezekiel being lighter and not being fulfilled with the terrible thoughts of the aftermath of the challenge. "So… how are you feeling?"
Ezekiel paused, and stared at all his friends looking at him in concern… and from the talk he had with the chaotic Gopher… he couldn't help but smile like his usual self.
"Like crap but I'm going to manage to go through… If I get that 100 thousand dollars, I'm going to use the first part for my therapy." Ezekiel smiled and joked which made the whole team smile and laugh with the joke.
"Yeah, I think that's a good call… the one who had the prize should pay up for a good psychologist to treat this… Because I think it's going to get worse from now on." Bridgette commented as the whole team seemed to be agreeing with the surfer.
"That's why Condor is for… when it comes about a time it would be too much for us. Don't hesitate to use it. Tyler did this because he knew it would be too much for him, but also wanted to protect Courtney from the pressure." Duncan explained as the group nodded their heads to him. "There will be a line that maybe we should have a choice into crossing or not… but if you think that it's the best to remain your morals and principles… then say it without hesitation alright?"
The group nodded their head, and with that thought in mind. Ezekiel had to sigh, and rethink some decisions in the future… trying to not get frustrated or even panic to relieve the same nightmare over and over again…
"Now, what about the prank we are going to pull up?" Gwen who was hesitant and even tired to be awake at that time, couldn't help to ask about it. "Who is the person you guys want so much to prank?"
"Trent." Then the sound of the group made her eyes go wide open and made her wake up instantly.
"He left you both buried and didn't even think about giving us the walkie-talkie to check if you are both fine, if we knew he ran away to entertain himself with Geoff's challenge, we would have let at least 4 of us stay with you both just to make sure you were both fine."Katie then decided to explain what happened as Geoff was still glaring his eyes behind his hat… the painful ice little rocks really made him aware of how he wanted to pay someone a revenge.
Gwen's eyes narrowed as her teeth gritted.
"He got scared of the mime, but then he just forgot me?" Gwen's eyes turned in the shape of a skull as her fury was enough to describe what she was feeling at that moment.
"Yeah, he forgot about us, making us suffer the little feelings of my almost death… You shouldn't have received the same challenge as me." Ezekiel commented as he took another arrow and launched to the tree which was loud and powerful. "Damn, this bow is awesome."
"Uhu," Harold commented as he looked amazed by it. "Try to use many arrows at the same time, like in the movies."
"Wasn't that going to damage the cord if I do that?" Ezekiel tilted his head, looking confused for his friend suggesting that, by using the bow which was a gift from Izzy…
"Only if you do it many times. But I think if you care of the bow, and doing the right maintenance, it could be used once in a while." Harold commented that the group remained quiet, and Ezekiel shrugged, having at least 10 arrows in his hand, he placed them on the cord… and decided to give it a try.
*deep breath*
Ezekiel pulled the cord, and at the time he used most of his strength to make sure was stabilized, and his eyes were on the aim… By releasing the cord, the arrows flew like bees in the same direction which surprised the whole Killer Bass team, by seeing such thing.
*Thumb**Thumb**Thumb**Thumb**Thumb**Thumb**Thumb**Thumb**Thumb**Thumb*
Like a good picture in a movie, the arrows penetrated the tree.
The group looked in awe to see such an impressive display.
"Woah dude, that was awesome," Geoff commented as he tapped Ezekiel's back. Which made Ezekiel release his breath and then agree with the cowboy hat party boy.
"Yeah, you took the words out of his mouth." Ezekiel smiled… feeling happy to see such precision and strong bow… for the next challenge he was going to need it.
"Alright everyone, let's start our prank. Gwen, if you would like to give the honors…" Courtney smiled as she took the makeup and offered it to the goth girl…
Gwen remained calm, and even remembered the words she wrote in her own diary… but after such a day, Trent didn't only mess up with her, she saw the look from the broken boy, she saw the scratching glass coffin… she felt she wanted revenge… and oh boy how she wanted on that moment.
"Alright. Let's do this." Gwen smiled as the whole team smiled like they became a group of sharks, and Gwen couldn't help but feel part of the family this time.
Chris continued watching every single detail of the last episode as he started to develop the script for the next episode of Total Drama, by seeing the keywords he could bring attention to the last challenge, and how he could make it very interesting for the next episode.
With a good time by himself and a good drink of coffee on his trailer, he enjoyed the luxury of having to enjoy his trailer 3 days before another challenge where he could push the campers to their limits.
"Okay, the joke I did about Courtney's grandmother can be potential for me to have some glares of the Killer Bass for a while, even about the seriousness of me saying Tyler still needs to deal with his fear after quitting the show." Chris watched all his scenes, just to make sure his hair was right and he was beautiful like always. "Still it was a fun episode…"
The sound of the telephone was ringing, which made Chris narrow his eyes. There was only a group of people who would be annoying him at that time of the night.
"What?" Chris asked as he could see that it was the producers deciding to probably be a pain on his ass… "If is about a complaint you ca… wait what? You liked the way I supported the Killer Bass to go beyond their traumas and give motivation for them growing up?"
Chris raised his eyebrows in surprise, since most of the ideas he had the producers were being a pain in his ass, and they couldn't stop complaining about censure and his sadistic nature.
"Well...thank you… Wait, what did you say? They are now offering a pay-per-view system over the show? THAT'S AWESOME." Chris shouted happily, as he couldn't help to be so proud of it. Pay-per-view means 2 things… The show became a huge success that everyone who is addicted now wants to see more about every contestant and wouldn't need to edit a special program for them. With that popularity, it also means, merchandise. "Please tell me we have merchandise… Wait… we already run out? What was the product? Shirts of Killer Bass and Screaming Gopher Flags? That looks a bit lame, but successful, hey, what about we make a shirt with both flags but each flag with the names, and a risk on the names of the eliminated? Yeah, I know I'm a genius… oh, you don't need it… that much? I'm so happy, have a great night everyone…"
At the time Chris finished his call phone… He got the best-satisfied smile he could ever have… he got a raise and 3 more contracts… It seems Total Drama is going to have another season, and he is eager for it.
Now he just had to enjoy turning on his television at the trailer and see if the pay-per-view was already working. If the pay-per-view works that great, they can turn it into bonus feature episodes to sell on DVD and that would be another great hit.
And from seeing the Boys' cabin of the Screaming Gophers… Chris noticed there was something different on there… why there was crowded on there? Where is the sound?
Until…
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." The terrifying scream from one of the campers was enough to make Chris go near his own television to see in detail what was happening, and oh boy, what a first way to make an impression. And laugh towards the suffering of Trent like heard the best joke ever told.
(Screaming Gopher – Boy's cabin)
Trent was having a very peaceful as a group of people opened quietly the door of the cabin, and slowly, almost soundless, every single one of the silhouettes tip-toed towards the sleeping boy who seemed so happy to be in peace.
The shadows glanced at each other, as one of them approached into their positions. Some went outside, while one of them remained on the place, and carefully caressed his face… slowly, as peaceful as it is…
And at the time the drowsy guitarist opened one of his eyes, to see Katie with white makeup and black lipstick and shadows on her face… It clearly made him wake up.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Trent quickly went up from his bed and just saw that Katie wasn't the only one, Duncan and DJ were also there, and for fear of Trent, they were all using Mime makeup. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."
Trent immediately jumped from his bed and quickly went to slam the door with his body, and in panic left the place.
Cody and Owen woke up by the scream Trent had made.
"Katie?" Cody asked as he was still tired and his vision blurry…
Katie waved at him in silence and even gave a soundless blow kiss to the geek who was still confused about what was happening. Cody stared at Owen who was still trying to understand what was happening, but after a few seconds, they decided to shrug and go back to sleep.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Trent screamed as he started to run away, but suddenly Bridgette and Geoff were all wearing black, and white clothing and their faces were all with makeup, Geoff even was without his hat… Running like the same way Trent which made him scream even in more terror. "THAT'S A NIGHTMAREEEEEEE."
Suddenly Trent saw Harold using the same makeup, who was running in his own direction, but suddenly the nerd made an impression that his face was slammed into the wall. While nearby, Ezekiel was drinking an imaginary coffee...Seeing Trent in panic, he made a motion that he was carrying an imaginary bow, and by taking an imaginary arrow he pulled the cord.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Trent jumped as he quickly went in the other direction. "The docks, I need to go to the docks."
Trent went faster than he imagined, and he even managed to go to the place… until he found someone was sitting there…
"Gwen," Trent ran in her direction, as he wanted to see if she was fine among the demonic mimes who were possessing the campers. "Are you okay? Did you manage to escape them?"
The goth girl remained quiet, as Trent noticed something was wrong.
"Gwen, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left you there…" Trent tried to apologize, but the more time the silence passed… he felt something was terribly wrong… "Gwen?"
Trent felt his face pale, and sweat through his entire body… By seeing the goth girl, not look in his direction, but at the time she got up, and finally turned to see her face him. Her entire face was covered with makeup, and making herself one of them.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Trent shouted as his entire body couldn't contain the shock, and got shut down…
Trent fainted as his entire body went on the water…
At the time Trent woke up he was on his bed. Wet from the swim he had after he got from fainting. Seeing that nobody was there, and his friends Cody and Owen were sleeping peacefully… Trent finally could sigh in relief.
"Nightmares, man," Trent felt himself calming down…
But the peace couldn't last long.
"WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?" Heather slammed the door with a slam and at the time Trent looked at the Queen Bee, her entire face was covered with products and green mascara for her beauty of sleep…
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Trent screamed so loud that the entire camp could hear the panic from the guitarist who dared to hurt both of the fish's members.
And from such sweat vengeance, the Killer Bass couldn't help but laugh before sleep… With a new objective in their minds…
It was the first night… He will learn to conquer his fears… or they will traumatize him… whatever comes first. Next time he messes up, they won't be this merciful.
"I can't believe you signed the pay-per-view," Sky said as she couldn't believe her eyes, seeing her sister seeing the channel which was the focus of Total Drama cast… Her sister has been watching it since 3 a.m. "You need a life..."
"Of course I need. But after seeing the last episode? I wanted to see how Duncan and DJ are going to make Trent suffer… that dude messed up badly." The sister of the Olympics pointed out as she tried to reach one of the cameras in some parts of the cast. "Well, it seems that they aren't in their bedrooms, and nobody is in the Aquarium… where is… Oh, there they are… Wow, all the Killer Bass were reunited behind the cabins…"
"Hmmm?" Sky raised her eyebrow as she could see the team talking among themselves, but then she saw Ezekiel taking a lot of arrows and placing into a bow… A bow that she remembered seeing at the Olympics… "What he is going to do?"
And at the time Ezekiel shot the arrows to go directly at the tree… Her mouth got wide open from seeing that.
*Burp*
"Woah, that was a good aim…" The sister said as she ignored her sister's burps, she had no idea why suddenly Sky tended to burp at such inconvenient moments. "Oh, they seemed to plan revenge on Trent, what are they about to do?"
"Please, I hope that's not illegal. And unfair, I like how the Killer Bass are playing fair and winning the games with honor." Sky commented as she remembered how she admired Eva for being the powerhouse and yet the protector of the team… The bodybuilder needed to go quick on the surgery, or she would risk losing her leg. And that has been Sky's nightmare… being unable to participate and continue being an athlete.
"Pff, with Courtney and Ezekiel as pillars? Of course, Duncan wouldn't do it." The sister rolled her eyes, but from seeing Gwen holding makeup on her hand… and the smile from all Killer Bass. "Oh, this is going to be epic."
"I hope so…" Sky said as she went nearby to her sister to watch the videos, now refusing to say that her sister was right.
.
.
.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." The loud laughs could be heard from the entire neighborhood. It wasn't just the sisters who were watching that moment, but it seemed all their neighbors were enjoying seeing the guitarist running in panic from a fear that he hadn't conquered.
"Oh come on, it's just Heather, Trent." Sky's sister commented as she was making fun of the poor guitarist. "Well at least you are really a screaming Gopher, so SCREAM GOPHER, SCREAM."
"SCREAM," Sky shouted in agreement with her sister, as the duo seemed to be enjoying a good experience with the boy who made the hell of two of their favorite characters last longer.
"Dawn, sweetie, did you manage to drink tea at this hour?" The father was tying the knot of his suit, and looking well for the beauty of nature giving him her blessings for another good night of work. He seemed to be ready to go on another patrol at night and help the rangers of the forest to have a peaceful time to enjoy their work of working for the forest.
"Yes, father. This has enough to make me have good energy to watch for 2 hours…" Dawn replied as she was enjoying the good time before her father would go to work.
"Good, Mother Nature made me sign this pay-per-view for us to watch around when we get home. Your mom went ahead, so she may be cooking something for the teachers around the caves. So we will be out for the rest of the night and will come back in the afternoon." The father explained as he pointed at the tree near the door. "Mother nature told me that it would be an interesting time to sign it, and to enjoy ourselves… I still feel pity for the boy who had to suffer an almost death…"
"I know father," Dawn commented that a good part of her felt the pain of mother nature being used in such a cruel way. "Mother nature is telling me to watch it because Ezekiel is doing his best to vent his fears and insecurity over the trauma he just had…"
"Then do it…" The father said as he looked at the television. "I have to confess that firstly I wasn't that interested to have such thing in this place… but now I found a very interesting way how the groups develop themselves around nature. Now, I gotta go…"
"Have a nice trip, father," Dawn commented, as the sound of the door closing, and her eyes were watching Ezekiel sitting nearby the tree… "Mother nature, who is it?"
The silence of the leaves was enough to make the aura reader girl nod her head in agreement.
"It was a good idea… Having Izzy talk about it was the best decision… she was the one who managed to make him feel like himself again… So maybe, he would find a way to make himself calm…" Dawn took another sip of her tea… As she glanced at the events of what was going to happen. "What are they planning?"
Dawn remained quiet until the sound of a water drop made her raise her eyebrow.
"What do you mean it's a surprise?" Dawn looked in confusion, as she decided to keep watching the pay-per-view.
.
.
.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." The sweet laugh of the nature aura reader could be heard from the garden and even the trees near the house… And from the trees… The owls seemed to be laughing as they hooted from also knowing the events said by Mother Nature.
"I'm going to kill Chris." The rough voice said as he kept working on the ground… His rough face showed nothing more than anger for seeing such a terrible thing on television. "He shouldn't have gone so far."
"Now now honey." The female voice caught the attention of the said man, who turned his head to see a very well matured woman, helping to carry the oranges. "While I think we should beat the crap of the host of the show, we should have faith in our little boy, Ezekiel overcome difficult challenges, and even fought a bear with his team… I'm sure the Killer Bass will have his back like always."
The father remained quiet… as he still decided to plant even more vegetables to help around the farm… Since after the show started, the family has received a lot of good calls and orders for them to plant and sell their oranges across Canada…
"Yeah, at least we didn't need to do that talk to him, and I'm so thankful for that." The father sighed in relief and even chuckled to see the reaction of his son dealing with the mature talk.
"Me as well, those girls really knew how to make him feel wanting to die of embarrassment." The mother smiled as the duo remained walking and working together to fulfill their quota.
"I'm still wondering if was really a dream. I mean, that Izzy girl really could have done that…" The father commented that suddenly he felt the good force of a shovel on his head.
"Oh look at that, a man who shouldn't be thinking such things near the wife… Now, go take the milk of the cow, and fix the roof… Man of the house." And with that, the mother walked away with a smirk on her face…
"I should have kept my mouth shut…" The owner of the Orange farm lamented as he took the shovel and went back to work… But not without looking at the horizon one last time. "I may not have been the best father to teach you how things work around this word Zeke… But I hope you find the happiness you truly desire on this show… and with the friends you have right now… At least I know that I can work in peace."
The sound of his voice was the clear show of Pride a father had for his son… after knowing the painful decisions everyone had to come across… It was the right time to go against their fear…
"Should I have the courage to give a try to see a public school? Or should I refuse and not relieve losing another member of my family again?" That was the last question the patriarch of the family had to ask himself, before going back to work…
The show clearly has changed his life… and different from the cannon… this time was for the better.
Chapter 12: Up the Creek
Chapter Text
"Last time, in Total Drama Island," Chris smiled as he pointed out the flashbacks of not just the episode prior, but also a few good interesting scenes after the challenge. "The campers were forced to conquer their deepest fears. Not all of them succeeded, but others surprised by taking the courage needed to fight their own traumas. There were betrayals of trust, emotional speeches, and even people dying inside. In the crucial moment, Tyler saw his teammate Courtney hesitating towards a trauma that had been hunting her forever. So he took the courageous moment to sacrifice his chances of winning by saying the forbidden word of the Killer Bass, saving Courtney from dealing with her own trauma by pressure. Showing that he was the roaster of the Killer Bass, hehehe… But he had to deal with the chickens on the way back. Will Killer Bass recover from such a traumatic experience? Will Trent be able to receive forgiveness from the team that wants his head on a spike? Try to find out on this epic show named TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND."
The next night prior the next challenge around the cabins felt a bit more different than the others. Since Harold decided to pass another time with nothing more than a piece of paper and a pen... and waiting for the inspiration to write another haiku...
His fights against the ninjas over the Phobia Factor made him reflect how on a way to describe his personal victory over his own past.
But at the time he tried to reflect on the challenge as a whole... It was very messed up, since now he could see how his friends had to fight not against simple fears... But demons that have been tormenting them since traumatic events. Nobody felt the same after dealing with such a terrible challenge... Well, except for Katie, also felt terrible to see the aftermath of the sadism... But the only good way the team made a good therapy as a whole, was to Prank Trent at the 4 in the morning...
Harold snickered to see the guitar boy, looking ware at them, like he had been paranoid about something that he wasn't aware that it really happened... He would love to tell this story to Leshawna. He bets that she is going to love it...
A good inspiration for him to write a victory haiku for his team... And with a good glance at Geoff who seemed to be walking with...WHAT THE HELL?
"Geoff, what the hell is that?" Harold asked as he looked at the shaped heart arts and crafts on the hat party boy.
"Oh, that?" Geoff said as he looked proudly at his work. He showed to the nerd with glasses who had his eyes wide open. "This is a neat gift I'm planning to surprise Bridgette with..."
"No..." Harold said as he got up. And quickly snatched the objective from Geoff's hand. "No, no, nope, not a chance."
"Hey, what do you mean no?" Geoff said as he could sew Harold taking the object and walked inside of the boys' cabin.
Duncan was lying on the top of the bunk bed, Ezekiel was reading one of the chapters he wrote, for doing a grammar review... DJ was petting his little bunny as a way to make himself enjoy the peaceful night before the stress of the challenge the next day.
Until Harold came inside the cabin, with the object in his hands and an impressive look in his eyes.
"Harold, give me back," Geoff called for him as the group stared at Geoff looking annoyed at Harold who was holding the gift in his hands.
"Not until you destroy this monstrosity. Duncan lighter please." Harold called for Duncan who was just still lying on his bed.
"Have fun," The delinquent said as he took the lighter out of his pocket and passed it to the nerd who was ready to burn the object.
"NO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Geoff shouted as the Killer Bass boys stared at Harold holding the heart object and Geoff even used brutal force to take it from him.
"Alright, alright. What's going on?" DJ asked, seeing how Harold wanted so much to destroy something...
"This." Harold quickly went to DJ and gave the gentle Jamaican the reason for why such a fight... At the time both saw the inscription.
"I hope you think of me whenever you drop loose change into this." DJ gave a slight read... Until his eyes went wide open, and seeing even the details, he cringed... Hard.
"Hey... It's not that bad." Geoff pouted, but from the look on DJ's face, it seemed that it was a bad idea.
"Please tell me that you weren't going to show that to Bridgette," DJ asked as he gave the object to Duncan who had his eyes wide open.
"DUUUUUUDE. I saw some people doing that in juvie. That got them beaten up because of it." Duncan laughed as he could see such a terrible object was even reason to make such a terrible decision.
"I have to agree with them, Geoff... This thing may be an artwork of people who were in first or second grade." DJ commented which once again made the party boy feel depressed from doing that.
Ezekiel got interested and saw that familiar object which was exactly for the... Ohhhhh...
"Let me see." Ezekiel got out of bed to see if was exactly terrible like he remembered from watching the show... it was worse than he remembered"Damn, you didn't cut the photo with only you both, you just ripped the picture. Look, there is even a DJ arm on that... This is creepy."
"Like I said... Burn it." Harold insisted that he took both the object and the lighter. And gave it to Geoff who was staring at it with his lips trembling... "And don't give me that look, this is an offense to love gifts, and deserved to be burned..."
"Alright. I'm doing it." Geoff stared sad, as he took the lighter and immediately burned the gift he was planning to give to the surfer... It took a few minutes for the fire to be controlled since everyone was smashing it until it became dust...and leaving Geoff helpless. "Now what?"
The group remained quiet until Harold cleared his throat.
"Now little grasshopper... If you are going to give a gift to Bridgette. Then you are going to do it the right way. Now let's start with the brainstorm." Harold commented for the first time, not only Ezekiel didn't know the meaning of that word."I mean planning and gathering ideas before you do anything."
"Ohhhhh," Dj, Ezekiel, and Geoff commented as Harold had already papers on his hands.
"Now, tell me what Bridgette likes. And I swear I'm going to use my nunchucks to beat you if you just say that you don't know her at all." Harold said in a warning tone which made Geoff blink and stop... From even answering...
"Err... She likes surfing, and... She is vegetarian, also she likes sea creatures." Geoff commented as the group stared at him with unamused looks. "Also she is very talented..."
"Like a man..." Duncan commented which made the group chuckle from the joke and made the party boy groan from his dismay.
"I know, I know. I screwed up. Can you help?" Geoff asked for help until he got a paper in his hands.
"Sea shells. If you want to do something, then grab all the seashells that you can see..." Harold commanded which made Geoff look weirdly at him.
"Like, right now?" The cowboy hat boy stared the the nerd who seemed serious at that moment.
"Hmmm let's see... Who was the one who managed to hook up with the sexiest girl on the show?" Harold asked loudly, as the group pointed at the nerd who was smirking smugly at Geoff. "You don't need to go fast, you need to do it right. So if you want to do arts and crafts. Then do something with a surfer theme. No photos, no pasta, no hearts... Just a good object that a surfer like Bridgette would love. I'm going to gather the glue. Now, chop, chop."
Geoff nodded his head and left the cabin in a hurry... Which made Ezekiel glance at Harold with his eyebrow raised.
"You didn't need to boast yourself like that. You just hooked up with Leshawna because we insisted to you to go talk to her..." Ezekiel commented and Harold nodded his head.
"Yeah, you all guys did. But also I wanted him to trust me since me and Tyler managed to hook up, oh, and Katie. But I doubt if they saw what Geoff did, they wouldn't try to destroy this child-cursed object." Harold commented as he glanced at the remains of the horror. "If Bridgette saw this, she would shout in horror."
Duncan, Dj, and Ezekiel stared at the floor... And from seeing that gift... They concluded...
"Yeah, you are right. That thing was horrible." The group agreed with the nerd as nobody wanted to support him from making such a terrible mistake.
On the next minute, Bridgette knocked the door and opened it.
"Hey guys, I was hearing some shout from Geoff over here. Is everything alright?" Bridgette asked as she then looked at the black mark on the floor. "What happened?"
"Just Harold Holdiny decided to do a magic trick to Geoff which scared him off..." Before anyone could reply, Duncan snarked as he pointed at Harold who was using the lighter and paper in his hands.
Bridgette raised her eyebrow to the nerd as she wasn't amused by that.
"What?" Harold raised both his arms in alarm. "He said I couldn't do a fireball trick, and I just did... I didn't say it would have worked. But I did it anyway."
"Okay, but please quiet down. Me and the girls are going to sleep soon, so I suggest you all do the same... Tomorrow is a challenging day." Bridgette said as she rolled her eyes and closed the door. "Good night boys."
"Good night." The group said in chorus until they all sighed in relief.
"That was close," Ezekiel said as he jumped to his bed to go back to his reading.
"Tell me about it," Duncan said as he got the lighter back from Harold. And the nerd went back to his bed as well.
At the time Geoff went back to the boy's cabin, his hat was full of all the sea shells that he could bring… But seeing that everyone was sleeping, his body was already tired as well…
"Well, I hope this would be enough." Geoff went to his bed and quickly closed his eyes.
Tomorrow would be a long day for everyone.
(Beach - Tomorrow Morning)
It was now challenge time. All of the Killer Bass and Screaming Gophers were gathered except for Beth who just went to the bathroom before knowing about the challenge.
On the beach were several canoes with half of them being Gopher green and the others Bass red.
"Bass, Gophers, today's challenge is a true summer camp experience." Chris began explaining the challenge of the day to everyone. "A canoe trip. You'll be paddling your canoes across the lake to…Boney Island!"
Chris spoke about this in a spooky tone getting many of the campers to raise an eyebrow.
"When you get there, you must portage your canoes to the other side of the island, which is about a two-hour hike through treacherous, dense jungle," Chris explained the challenge which made not just Ezekiel raises his eyebrows, but Geoff looks at him extremely confused.
"We gotta pour what?" Geoff asked, confused as to what Chris told them to do with their canoes.
"Portage."Chris corrected with Geoff still looking confused due to not knowing what that word meant. As even a fly passed inside the ear around the party boy, just to cross the other side, which made Chris look at him in disbelief. "Dude, walk with your canoe."
Geoff let out an 'Oooh' as Chris blinked at him. As he went on to further explain the details of the challenge.
"When you arrive at the other end of the island, you'll build a rescue fire that will be judged by me. The first team to paddle home and return their canoes to the beach is the winner of invincibility! Move, campers, move!" The campers were about to head to the canoes on the beach only to be stopped by Chris as he explained one last detail. "Oh, wait! One more thing I should mention. Legend has it, if you take anything off the island, you'll be cursed forever!"
Suddenly thunder was heard causing nearly all the campers to flinch as Owen laughed.
"Yeah, haha! A cursed island! Whoo!" However, no one seemed to share Owen's enthusiasm and simply stared silently at the big guy.
"Now, get in your canoes, and let's have some fun!" Chris instructed as the campers actually headed off this time with Owen cheering again.
Just then a toilet flush was heard and suddenly Beth came into the scene and stopped in front of Chris with some toilet paper attached to her shoe.
"What'd I miss?" The braces-wearing girl quickly asked, and Chris immediately refused to explain the whole challenge to just one person.
"Canoes." Chris pointed in the direction of the beach with Beth quickly taking off.
Confession – Cody.
"While I think it would have been a good idea to make a partner with Trent, there is no way I'm going to that now," Cody explained as he made an X with both his arms. "Katie told me Trent is on the line of fire because of the last challenge, and he messed up bad… really bad, really really really bad. Gwen even told me that she would have preferred to stay one night with me instead of trusting him ever again. It kinda hurt a bit, but hey, at least now I have a girlfriend. And the others are happy for me."
At the beach, campers were quickly pairing up such as Cody and Izzy and surprisingly Heather and Owen. Trent was waiting for the other groups to walk by, and at the time Gwen was the first of the Killer Bass to walk down the stairs to the beach when she stopped to see Trent looking up at her with a smile. Gwen narrowed her eyes and stomped way down until she found the foot of the guitarist and with force stomped which made him jump on his feet.
"Ouch," Trent said as Gwen ignored him and went to the red canoe with Courtney who was smiling at her.
Trent looked at Gwen and his expression went down… At the time he was about to walk, he bumped into a pink shirt party boy, who just remained frozen there.
"Oh, sorry," Trent asked, as Geoff did not even give a reply and passed by him. Noticing that nobody from the Killer Bass seemed to be talking to him, he tilted his head. "Did I do something to make everyone mad at me?"
Lindsay looked at what, she was about to say, but Heather immediately placed a hand on her mouth.
"No, no… It's a mystery to even us." Heather replied as Owen tilted his head, and was about to say something but Heather gave a slight elbow which made him flinch a bit. "Why don't you go with Lindsay? She will be with great help."
Trent looked confused, but just shrugged off and followed the suggestion. Heather smiled and went to Lindsay's ear.
"Let him dig even more his grave, he doesn't know how badly he messed up." Heather smiled as she found her next scapegoat in her unfortunate times.
Lindsay gasped.
"He isn't aware of how Zeke got broken from almost dying again?" Lindsay gasped in fear which made Heather tilt her head.
"Dying again?" Heather asked as she raised her eyebrow. "And since when do you call Ezekiel Zeke?"
"Oh, that's because Ta… I mean Tyler always called him that, and I even called him Zeka, Ezake, and he was fine with it. So I think Zeke was fine. But oh yeah Tyler talked to me in his free time and explained that Zeke once was playing hide and seek and suddenly a landslide covered him as a whole, he almost died buried on there." Lindsay explained the details before running to help the guitarist prepare to go on the canoe.
Heather remained quiet… but suddenly her smile went wide open.
Confession – Heather
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, I can't believe it, I have a meat shield, I have a meat shield." Heather laughed happily as she almost felt like she won the lottery. "There is no way in hell that the fish heads will forgive Trent for doing something like that. I have to applaud you, Trent… You really sank your chances of being with the girl you like. And you made the whole team as your enemy. You made them hate you more than hate me. So you have my gratitude… Don't mind me to use you as my shield, would you? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA."
Izzy was fine, she was happy to know the day for her trump card to be used… now she would need to make the whole team of Screaming Gophers lose the challenge, and look for how the Killer Bass were concentrated… it wouldn't need much, she saw the red canoe a few meters away, with the familiar green hat boy, who now was on his back the bow she made by hand, and there was a quiver which had some possible arrows for in case they would need weapons.
Cody was sitting behind her, so she decided to have a bit of fun with him.
"Follow my lead, did you know that I have some indigenous blood in my veins? Including the tribe can convoke me at any moment." Izzy decided to tell a bit of her story, which made Cody try to move the canoe but couldn't do it right.
"Err, awesome Izzy, but, can you help me to carry this?" Cody asked which Izzy looked at she wasn't even carried, and by shrugging her arms, she went down to help the geek who seemed a bit too weak to carry even a canoe. "Thanks,"
"Not problem, my face palled friend." Izzy gave a mock salute which made Cody start using the canoe with her.
Harold and Katie went down the stairs while Duncan was waiting for both of them.
"Hey, there is one canoe that would need three people. Would you mind if I partner with you both?" Duncan asked Harold and Katie looked at each other, and both smiling and nodding, the delinquent was already with the ride he was going to receive. "Great."
Bridgette watched the groups moving to make partners and noticed Geoff was still in silence and staring at Geoff in the distance.
"Geoff, are you okay?" Bridgette asked, which made the party boy get out of his trance.
"What?" Geoff asked, and the surfer looked at him with a bit of concern.
"You were staring at the Screaming Gopher's side for a while," Bridgette asked, which made him blink, and sigh.
"Oh, sorry… it's because I got bumped into someone I didn't want to see his face for a while." Geoff commented as he tried to regain his composure. "Hey, would you like to be my partner?"
"Sure. I was going to ask you that." Bridgette smiled as the duo walked towards their canoe, and Geoff was feeling something itching on his hair… But he just ignored it.
At the time DJ got down, he noticed Ezekiel was placing his arrows and even his bow above the canoe.
"Err… Zeke, do you think it's really necessary to bring your bow and arrows?" DJ tilted his head, which made the Killer Bass team who were on their canoes also have a look at Ezekiel trying to move the canoe.
"In an island named Boney Island?" Ezekiel answered that question with another question, and the Jamaican had to pause for a second… before he realized that Ezekiel was right.
"Do you think you have enough arrows?" DJ asked in worry, to which Ezekiel simply shrugged.
"I don't know. I carried until my quiver was full. So I hope that's enough." Ezekiel gave the only answer that he could come up with.
DJ seemed to be a bit skittish as he tapped the canoe with his foot Ezekiel grabbed a life jacket out of the aquatic vehicle for both of them.
"Yo, man. Do canoes flip over a lot?" DJ quickly asked as that was something he wanted to know before getting into this thing.
"No, I think those were kayaks," Ezekiel told DJ making the brick house breathe a sigh of relief as he caught the life jacket Ezekiel threw to him. "Why?"
"It's because I have a bad story with water before," DJ replied as he prepared to be with Ezekiel who seemed surprised.
"Well, we just got launched from a cliff in a safe zone infested of sharks. So I think it would be difficult to top that." Ezekiel shrugged as he pointed out something that DJ remembered. "And we both survived… so I think it wouldn't be that bad if we just got some splashes. After everything he has been put through… Anything he has done in the past was easy peasy."
"Yeah, you have a good point." DJ nodded his head and got enough courage to go inside the canoe. "Okay, let's get going."
"That's the spirit." The homeschooled boy smiled, as both started to paddle away from the beach…
Geoff and Bridgette prepared themselves to leave, as did everyone from the groups as well. Heather was carried by Owen who seemed to be in a hurry, even though he slammed her body on the canoe before pulling it to put in sail.
DJ held onto the canoe tightly as he was gaining balance to stay at the canoe and finally be comfortable. Ezekiel gave him an Oar as the duo seemed to be happy and in perfect balance with the canoe.
"We already passed with difficulties DJ, so relax. We are going to be fine." Ezekiel smiled as he placed both his bow and quiver tied to his back and ready for in case they would need it.
"If this canoe's a-rockin', don't come a-knockin'!" The two watched as the canoe Owen and Heather were in pass by them…only for Heather to get sick of Owen antics and smack the back of his head with an oar. "Ow, that smarts!"
Soon enough, everyone was in their canoes and was in either pairs of two or three. Chris was on the beach and aiming a gun into the air. "On your marks…" Chris counted down as he put his thumb on the trigger. "Get set…"
"HEY CHRIS." Suddenly a voice shouted which made the host of the show, stop.
"What?" Chris called as Ezekiel pointed to the sky where his gun was aiming.
"Isn't it better for you to look in the direction where you are aiming your gun?" Ezekiel called which made Chris narrow his eyes at him.
"For you know Ezekiel, I'm a specialized expert in shooting things, and I'm sure that the…" Chris was reprimanded until he looked above him, and his eyes suddenly blinked… Until he found out that something was flying around the direction of his gun… "I would have missed that bird… pff yeah, if I hurt that hawk I know PETA would come to my ass… now, where I was anyway. Oh yeah."
*BANG!*
Chris changed the direction of his gun and immediately shot in the opposite way of the hawk, but still scaring the poor animal away.
"Paddle!" Chris shot his gun to signal the start of the challenge and all the teams quickly started paddling their canoes in the direction Chris instructed. And at the time he was alone, he gave a deep sigh in relief. "That was close. That would have made some awful lawsuits."
As the teams were paddling, many of them passed the time with conversation. Cody was hearing every single story coming from Izzy who seemed so energetic about it.
"And that's how I became the leader of the Infantile squad when I was at the military summer camp at 10 years old. Needlessly to say Chef's Hatchet was really mad at me when that happened." Izzy explained as she was laughing while Cody was covering his crotch.
"So you not just knew Chef's Hatchet before, but you and 4 other children were trained by him as well? And you kicked his balls?" Cody asked as he was with a mixture of surprise, disbelief, and awe from Izzy managing to do crazy stunts like that.
"Yep. That's why every time he sees me in the Main Lodge, he is always protecting his lower regions because he never knows when I will attack him there again. Ahhh, good times." Izzy sighed with happy memories, while Cody couldn't help but have one question in mind.
"You served in the army as a child and you have been on there until the show?" Cody asked as he felt pity for her. "Where were your parents?"
"Oh…" Izzy's smile suddenly froze, as she cleared her throat. But a bit uncomfortable... "Well, my mom was also part of the squad from Chef's Hatchet, so while one time they had a little fight, they stopped talking with each other for years… I think was because of the fact he shot her in the chest in a sparing match… and she is still angry at him."
"WHAT?" Cody shouted as it was enough to make Izzy zip his mouth.
"Shhhhhh, it's a touchy subject for both my mom and Chef… After that, I got transferred to an RCMP summer camp for a few months before I left there and went to high school." Izzy commented as she shrugged off the rest of the story. "I think high school was way worse than the military… Trust me, being a team leader is more brutal than actually learning how to use weapons."
And with that, Cody whimpered and started to regret asking those questions.
Around the time Trent was looking and seeing Courtney and Gwen talking happily with each other, he tilted his head as he couldn't understand the reason why everyone from the Killer Bass seemed to be avoiding seeing him at all… Even after the nightmare he had, he was feeling a bit paranoid when it came to them being in silence. They would need only the makeup and the group would be the mimes from his nightmare.
In the next second, he was surprised to see Lindsay resting on his lap.
"Hey, would you mind if I take a tan in here, right?" Lindsay asked as Trent gave a good smile.
"Oh babe, I wouldn't mind at all." Trent smiled as he gave place for the blonde bombshell, but the tone of the voice made Beth Grit her teeth angrily.
Confession – Beth.
"Are you kidding me?" Beth said as she narrowed her eyes. And looked at the camera. "That boy literally made the girl who had a crush on him buried alive and he forgot to take her out. And now that he is getting the silent treatment, he just goes for a girl who has a boyfriend? Tyler do me a favor and punch on his face when he gets eliminated next."
"Can you believe the audacity of him?" Gwen commented as she started paddling which described everything that happened from the time she was walking downstairs. "I mean, he smiles, fine do whatever you want. But he didn't even go to talk to Geoff nor Ezekiel and say that he was sorry for what happened."
Courtney remained quiet as she understood why Gwen was venting herself to her. Trent didn't seem apologetic for what happened to them, so it was clear that Gwen was mad... hell, Duncan and DJ, and even Tyler wanted to beat the crap out of Trent for what happened. And God forbid if she and Bridgette and even Eva would have done to him for doing something so stupid. Maybe that's why Ezekiel didn't trust him in the first place.
"Well, Ezekiel wanted us to be the ones to take you both out... Can you imagine if we had trusted him to take you both? How long it would have taken?" Courtney had to agree with the goth... that was messed up on so many levels.
"There were times I was counting how long it would have been... DJ got us out in 12 minutes... I don't know if Trent would have made us wait 20 or even half an hour... And that scared me... because 5 minutes was already chilling, 12 minutes was a nightmare... if was 20 minutes or even 30..." Gwen commented that Courtney remained quiet... knowing that the girl was still feeling terrible for it... "I think I'm still a bit broken when it comes about to think of that... I don't know how Ezekiel did it."
Courtney remained quiet, but then she glanced at the homeschooled boy who seemed to have a great conversation with DJ, that even DJ was playfully placing both his hands on his ears and trying to stop Ezekiel.
"It's dr Gerbil's world. It's dr Gerbil's world." Ezekiel was laughing as DJ wanted to beat himself with his Oar.
"SHUT UP, I GOT IT," DJ shouted annoyed as both started to laugh at the idea...
Courtney smiled to see the duo happy and making fun of the trip.
"It's because Ezekiel found some good friends who would be willing to take his back... He feared to die alone, but I think after he got on this show. He never felt alone anymore. That's why we are here to help him. Because we are his friends. His true friends." Courtney emphased which brought attention to Gwen who hummed an understanding. "And gotta confess, if Bridgette and Eva wouldn't have vouched for you... I wouldn't have trusted you. But for seeing how much you passed with Zeke... You belong with us."
"Thanks." Gwen smiled as Courtney seemed to be a great leader to help the team with their problems. "Now, can you tell me what is between you and Duncan?"
"WHAT." That was the shout that made all the campers jump in surprise from their canoes. And a good talk Gwen would like to tease Courtney in the future.
Geoff and Bridgette seemed to be fine going across the water, as the duo seemed to be comfortable in silence. But suddenly Bridgette tilted her head.
"Hey Geoff, can I ask you something?" Bridgette decided the conversation.
"Sure, what's up?" Geoff smiled as he felt nice to have a conversation with his partner who was still confused about one thing.
"Yesterday, I heard some noises about you and the boys talking, and when I got there. I saw a mark of burn on the floor, Did something happen?" Bridgette asked which Geoff realized about the talk he had with the boys in the morning.
"Oh, if you are talking about the failed magic trick Harold pulled out, trust me, don't believe in them when they said I ran away… I went to the beach to some water to extinguish the fire." Geoff commented as he took his hat off.
…
That comment alone made Bridgette raise her eyebrow…
"Wouldn't have been better if you went near the bathrooms to take the water?" Bridgette asked which made Geoff stop… and then his head went down.
"The plan sounded better in my head," Geoff replied which made Bridgette laugh from the bad idea the party boy had… And the laugh was enough to make Geoff smile.
The surfer gave a glance at the hat and noticed there was something inside.
"Hey, what's inside of the hat?" Bridgette commented, as she quickly took his hate, and gave a slight glance… And then when she found what it was she couldn't help but smile happily. "Oh, it's a murex seashell."
Geoff's eyes went wide open as he glanced at the big seashell which was itching on his head for a while. And looking at the reaction of the girl nearby him, it seemed he found something that the surfer liked.
"Do you like seashells?" Geoff asked as he could see Bridgette smiling at him.
"Yeah, my cousin was the one who got me to enjoy surfing, so we spent most of our childhood looking for seashells. He got a massive collection, and he showed some you could hear the entire ocean." Bridgette commented as Geoff seemed to be nodding from the way she described her story with seashells. And her intelligence of how to treat them well.
"Harold, you are the best." Geoff thought as he promised himself that he would give a high five to the nerd at the time they would finish the challenge.
In the canoe Cody and Izzy were currently in, Cody learned so many stories about Izzy that he was in the process of filtering, some stories sounded too stupid to be true… and others were too absurd that they actually could be true. He was debating if the camera or even the microphones were recording or even cutting the moments where Izzy would bear most of the watchers in some time… But he was there, listening… Because he was starting to think… that Izzy wasn't the person most of the guys were thinking at the start of the show… She seemed crazy, but every move she made was calculated for some objective, and from the stories… he started to make a careful look at Izzy who was still smiling like she was planning something. But to disguise that, he did his best to share a few stories of himself.
"And then they have an arrow pointed to my face, Duncan acting like a crazy dog, Courtney with the desire to rip my parts, and even Harold who was promising to break my neck," Cody told the time he went to pick Katie and the reaction was to see Izzy laughing so hard that her legs went up.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA, So you pissed your pants? I bet you pissed your pants." Izzy laughed as she wanted to tease the boy who was blushing in shame.
"Oh come on… it was a freaking bear… and you were authentic, you and the real bear made me not control my bladder." Cody pouted which made Izzy snicker from her fun.
"Okay, okay, my bad… but it was really funny. I was like Roar, and you were like AHHHH my bladder. I'm pissing myself. HAHAHAHAHAHA." Izzy laughed as Cody pouted at her.
"You're mean," Cody said playfully and Izzy giggled to herself.
"Alright, alright, sorry for scaring the piss of you. But it will be funny to see the episode in a few years." Izzy said optimistically which made Cody facepalm with his oar and even hurt himself with and make Izzy laugh even louder. "AHAHAHAHAHAHA."
"Rar, rar, rar. Okay, you had your fun." Cody said as he rolled his eyes, and suddenly noticed the mist crossing around… "Hey, did this were here before?"
"Nope," Izzy said gleefully. As she could see from the mist and pointed the direction with her oar. "On that direction is the Boney Island. So, not touchy things mister touchy."
"OH COME ON, I'M STOPPING DOING THAT," Cody said in an outburst that made many campers stare at him, which made Izzy laugh even harder. Making rolls his eyes, and gives a quick smile. "Alright, let's go crazy military junior."
The group saw Cody just ignoring them and Izzy being well, Izzy. The group went back to their own decisions.
"It's the leader of Infatile unity." Izzy corrected as she smiled with to have someone to share her stories and lies, and still being a good ear… "Paddle."
"Yes Ma'am," Cody said as both paddled in the direction of the island.
And within a few minutes, all the other canoes soon reached the shore of the cursed island.
"Okay. Did you see that skull?" Izzy excitedly said the only camper not to be frightened by Boney Island one bit. "How cool is that?! It's like this place is haunted or something!"
Just then the sounds of some vicious creatures were heard coming from within the jungle of the island making most of the camper's flinch. Courtney nodded to Gwen who seemed to have the same thoughts as her.
"Let's just get this over with," Gwen commented which made both teams quickly get to work.
Everyone who shared a canoe picked up the canoe they were sharing and quickly took off into the jungle in the direction Chris pointed out to them on the map this morning. The scenery seemed to only get darker and grimmer as they ran forward. There were skulls all over the place either on the ground or staked on spears. Many trees seemed to be bitten down with the stumps having large teeth marks on them.
Just then, halting the progress of both the Bass and Gophers, was a large tree falling right in front of them. Everyone flinched and looked around to see what caused this and a few spotted shaking bushes and some large glowing eyes peeking out.
"I think I saw something," Cody whispered as the shaking bushes got more violent. Something finally then emerged from the bushes and everyone was treated to what looked like beavers…but were the size of bears and had tusks on them. "Monster…beavers!"
Everyone screamed in terror as the monster beavers all looked at them with rather…hungry expressions.
Confession - Chris
"A remnant of the Pleistocene Era, the woolly beaver is a day-active rodent indigenous to Boney Island," Chris explained what the deal was with those monster beavers. "Oh yeah, and they're meat eaters."
At the time that happened, it was the time the Killer Bass team went from one direction while the Screaming Gophers went into the other direction. And the time it was the time for them to run.
(Killer Bass)
The group started to run in panic, while DJ was holding the canoe by itself, and Ezekiel was running for his life. But by taking the new bow he got from Izzy, he knew it was the time to do something.
"Guys, go ahead," Ezekiel said as he took his bow and arrow and prepared to do some instant shots.
The group stared at the homeschooled boy who decided to take the arrow and already placed it to his compound bow and quickly decided to aim and one of the beavers, who was staring angrily and hungrily at him…
"Okay, if we take something from the island we would be cursed… so if we kill something from this island, would we be double cursed?" Ezekiel didn't shoot as the thought passed on his mind… And seeing the animals were in his direction. He decided to see if there was something… anything… And by some miracle, he found, a big wasp nest… And knowing that one arrow wouldn't do anything… He proceeded to take 6 arrows from his quiver and do something while the animals were approaching his group. Aiming to not pierce the wasp nest. But to make a huge shake on the tree which would be enough for a provocation.
*deep breath*
*aim*
*THUMB**THUMB**THUMB**THUMB**THUMB**THUMB*
And with that, 6 arrows penetrated the tree nearby the next, and the shake was so much that it was enough to make the wasps furious and with that get out from the said nest…
"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES NOW.* Ezekiel's first part of the plan was done right, but now he provoked an animal that would hunt down anyone who just messed with their nest. Ezekiel decided to hide the arrows inside of his blouse, as the monster beavers noticed the buzzing sound of their most dangerous enemy.
*BZZZZZZ* BZZZZ* *BZZZ*
Confession - Chris
"Eletricvital Wasps, a native creature which produces amazing honey, trust me, they produce honey, and they are some of the most lethal creatures around Boney Island. Someone who provokes them is the one who wants to have a date with the death." Chris explained what the deal was with those monster wasps, creatures that not even the beavers would dare to mess with... "Oh yeah, and they're also meat eaters."
The Killer Bass ran as if their lives depended on it… Since they heard Ezekiel decide to provoke a nest of wasps, it was a success that even the beavers quickly went to both fight and run away from such terrible creatures.
It was a distraction, and they didn't want to be the target of the said wasps, so they quickly ran away.
And the Screaming Gophers didn't have weapons to protect themselves, they resorted to running away from the beavers that tried to attack them. A bear who was enjoying itself a good scratch on its back in a tree was humming happily until it found a bunch of teenagers running away from the native animals of Boney Island…
The bear stopped to process if he saw things, so it took his glasses to place on its eyes, to see if that was true to see humans going around the island after what would be years.
They then thought they got them to leave them alone when they walked into a small pond that had a bunch of rather large nests surrounding them…
"No way out," Owen said as he felt despair appearing for the first time, and looking at the beavers approaching, it seemed that the end was coming sooner than they expected. But by some miracle, the beavers stopped following them… And turned their backs to the Screaming Gophers, they finally would have time to sigh in relief.
"Look, they are going away." Trent smiled as he felt relieved…
But Owen also had a question that would be perfectly used at that moment.
"Hey, would someone over here have an extra underwear to share?" Owen commented as he smiled sheepishly at the group who seemed to laugh at his joke, but then he shook his head. "No, it's serious… Hahaha."
And then with a nervous fart… Owen committed a terrible mistake… By waking up a bunch of prehistoric geese to start chasing them.
"OKAY, IT'S FOR SURE THAT I'M GOING TO NEED UNDERWEAR," Owen shouted as the group ran back in the direction of the beavers, but now this time they were being followed by the prehistoric birds.
The bear who was with its glasses to make sure if the humans were real, finally had the time to see them once again… Blinking in disbelief… the same bear decided to break it and go back to it's scratching once again.
Cody noticed they needed to do something, so suddenly an idea came to his mind.
"Wait a second," Luckily for them, Cody was the one to save them as he brought a loaf of bread with him. "Found it."
"Ohhh, where did you get that Cody?" Izzy commented as she found it interesting the geek boy had something to be prepared for in the haunted forest.
"I was planning to ask Katie for a romantic picnic while both our teams were doing the fire challenge," Cody commented as the group stared at him in disbelief. "Okay, It's a bad idea since this place is trying to kill us all, but come on, a boy has to try."
"Well, I would love to have a romantic dinner here," Izzy said as she smiled widely, and the group stared at her like she was insane. Except for Owen and Cody who seemed to know that she was telling the truth, and Cody knew about her military background.
"Of course, you do, you crazy girl," Heather said as she rolled her eyes, and Cody threw the bread to the floor for the prehistoric birds which got them to leave them alone.
At the time they went to the splitting pathway, the Killer Bass found that the sound of the wasps, could not be heard anymore, and the whole team could sigh in relief.
"Phew, that was close," Ezekiel commented as he stared at everyone looking at him. "What?"
"Dude, are you insane? You not just risked yourself, but you made a whole nest of wasps go crazy in our direction." Duncan commented as he looked not just annoyed, but showing a bit of worry in his voice.
"I know, I know. But I had to risk it. It was the only way to make the beavers leave us alone. So for me, it was best to make both animals clash with each other and let nature go it's course than actually trying to kill and be cursed forever." Ezekiel said as he himself was giving deep breaths. "It was crazy that we survived. So let's focus on winning this challenge and go back to the camp. Pronto."
"Okay, but don't you dare to do something crazy like that again," Courtney ordered and Ezekiel rolled his eyes. "I mean it. Your safety is also important, so let's survive together."
"Alright, alright, now which side should we go?" Ezekiel said, as he tried to recall from the episode, which one would be the safest to go.
"I think we should go for the left." Courtney pointed as Gwen felt the pressure, over the canoe. "Ops, sorry."
"Well, I think the right one would be the best." Gwen pointed in the direction of the right way, and Geoff and Bridgette decided to agree.
"Yeah, I think it's the best to risk on the right," Geoff asked, and Ezekiel decided to nod his head. And the Killer Bass once again went in the direction of their instincts.
The Screaming Gopher followed the trace of Killer Bass until they found the pathway the Bass chose to go on the right, and Trent decided to tell the group to go to the left.
Things seemed to be going well for them as there was nothing in their way to disturb them. At least until Trent suddenly started to lower into the ground.
"Whoa. Guys, uh, don't wanna panic here, but I'm shrinking!" Trent yelled to everyone as they all looked to see where Trent ended up. A pool of quicksand.
Confession – Trent
"Right. How am I supposed to know what quicksand looks like?" Trent questioned with a frown. He raised his arms in disbelief. "It looks just like sand."
Confession - Chris
"Hahahaha! Can you believe they fell for that?!" Chris started laughing hard at the fact that Trent actually ended up getting into the quicksand. "Haha, I set it up, but I didn't think anyone would walk into it! Haha, that's just great! Ahahahahaha!"
"Uh-oh…" Trent let out as everyone gasped as they watched the guitarist sink further down into the sand.
"Trent's stuck!" Lindsay screamed as she and Beth set the canoe she, Beth, and Trent were carrying as she went after Trent. "I'm coming, Trent!"
"No don't!" But Trent's words were in vain as Lindsay soon found herself sinking in the quicksand right next to Trent.
"I'm stuck too!" Lindsay gasped as she looked at her sinking body. "I so didn't see that coming."
Everyone quickly looked around to see if there was anything they could do. Just then Cody spotted something as he let go of the canoe he and Izzy were carrying, with they both set it down on the ground as Cody ran off. Everyone watched as Cody climbed up a tree grabbed onto a vine and used it to swing down to the quicksand pit to try and grab Trent's hand…only to miss and slam right into a tree.
Luckily the vine came back over the pit with Trent quickly grabbing it and climbing himself and Lindsay out and landing safely on solid ground. Everyone cheered as Cody, who was in a bit of a daze, walked over to the now-safe Trent and Lindsay.
"Whoa. Hey, thanks, bro." Trent held up his hand for Cody to high five only for the still dazed Cody to miss. "You're a lifesaver."
Cody then shook his head to get his senses back and asked Trent. "I am?"
Lindsay then came in and hugged Cody. "My hero!" The dumb blond happily said before letting go of Cody. "Where did you learn to do that?"
"You know, I watch a lot of movies," Cody explained making Lindsay giggle a little bit.
Confession – Cody
"I know that Katie said to be aware of how Trent will receive a lot of backlash from what happened at the last challenge. But I couldn't let both of my teammates die." Cody defended himself as he drew a line when he knew that even the Killer Bass wouldn't be so cruel. "I mean, I hope they are not going to get angry when they find out that I saved him, and he may want to talk to me more."
The Killer Bass were all making good progress with their hike. The woolly beavers continued leading them to where they needed to go and they were able to avoid most obstacles in their path. For example, not ending up in any quicksand. And with Ezekiel going in front of the DJ, he could see something strange around.
"Guys, let's try to avoid the plants with thorns around here, we don't know if they can be poisonous or not. So be ready to say if you just…" Ezekiel was pointing out until one scene that he expected to see in the show happens once again.
"AAAHHHH!" Suddenly Geoff was screaming in pain as he fell to the floor. "My leg! I'm down! I'm down! Oh, it's so unfair! Why did this have to happen now? Oh! Why? Why?!"
"End up like him," Ezekiel commented as he sighed in disbelief.
"Geoff!" Bridgette called out in concern as she went to check on him.
"What the problem dude? Got a thorn on the leg?" Ezekiel asked Geoff who was nodding his head at his friend.
"I can't feel my leg dude!" Geoff yelled as he tried shaking his leg around to wake it up only to be met with pain. "Never! I can feel it hurt! Hurting so much."
"Okay, so you are only feeling pain but also numbness in the entire region of it. Does anyone know how to take venom from the system?" Harold asked as Bridgette looked and noticed that there was one thing that she should do.
"I know," Bridgette commented as she took the shirt of the party boy.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Geoff said as he shouted in pain, but then he felt the thorn being taken away. "AHHHHHHHHHHHH."
And what Bridgette did was the procedure of taking the venom of the plant by sucking out and spitting on the floor.
The Killer Bass remained away as they looked disgusted at what the surfer was doing until she took Geoff's shirt, and a water bottle, and used it as a way to clean the injury and made an improvised bandage with the pink shirt.
"Okay, this is the best we can do for a few hours. When we get to the camp we should check if you need medicine for that." Bridgette commented as he looked at the little thorn and quickly launched back to the plants.
"Ahhhh," Geoff sighed in relief, as the pain finally got away. But still, a part of his leg felt numb from the terrible torture. "Thanks Bridge… you are a lifesaver."
"Thanks… I learned that from my friends who like to defend the rights of the animals, we learned to use that in case of one of us would get bitten by a venomous python."Bridgette commented proudly as Geoff seemed to be getting up with his leg.
"Okay, I can't feel my leg. But the pain is going away. So I think I still can go." Geoff commented and Gwen rolled her eyes.
"Look, I know that this is a touching moment, but we should be ahead of the Screaming Gophers, so let's end this challenge and go back to the camp," Gwen commented as she rolled her eyes, and Courtney nodded her head.
"Yeah, Duncan. I think it's time for you to stop slacking around and go help Bridgette to carry the canoe since you have been making less effort than anyone." Courtney raised her eyebrow and Duncan realized that he got busted.
"Dammit," Duncan snapped his fingers from seeing his plan didn't work, and now he had to help the man of one leg work. "Fine. Let's just finish this."
Confession - Geoff
"I didn't know if I was gonna make it," Geoff said which was followed by a sharp inhale. "It was touch-and-go. But Bridgette really managed to save my skin on there. She is awesome."
Confession – Bridgette
"I've seen surfers get eaten by sharks before, but this?" Bridgette said with a look of horror on her face. "This was horrifying! Thank God I learned from my friends how to treat venom bytes and how to take it from the system. Who knows what would happen if was a lethal dose?"
Confessional – Ezekiel
"And that's why you shouldn't be near to thorns of unknown plants around a haunted island. You never know what it can do to you. People say it would be a simple splinter. Maybe, but ever heard about little mosquitoes whose bite could be so lethal that you need to go to the hospital?" Ezekiel commented as he pointed to a fact. "That's why you should be wary of little things, you never know that that a little spider could kill a man… And Geoff needs to learn to wear pants when he is in the middle of the forest."
Confessional - DJ
"The man just...kept going!" DJ said with the utmost respect for Geoff. "Using only a leg or not, the dude's got heart."
Killer Bass managed to go to the safety location, and a few minutes before the Screaming Gophers came. The team seemed to be happy as they had one good trick on their sleeve.
At the time the Screaming Gophers got there, the Killer Bass team was already with a fire growing up.
With Chris monitoring them from a helicopter up above, the two teams were quick to try and get a big enough fire going. On the Gopher's side, Heather was rubbing two sticks together to try and get a fire going while Leshawna was banging rocks together. While Killer Bass was with their fire almost permitted by Chris.
How'd they do that so quickly?" Heather looked as if she couldn't believe how fast the team was working. Until Duncan silently answered Heather's question by pulling out and igniting a lighter he had with a smirk on his face.
"No rule against carrying lighters," Chris said as the camera went over to him in his helicopter. "Edge, Killer Bass."
It didn't take long until the whole group of Screaming Gophers were looking for more wood to make their fire stronger, and Beth was walking around the area between the bushes. There was something that made her eyes sparkle. Something that she never seen before. A Tiki statue carved in stone, something that impressed her… She wanted to have it as a lucky charm… without knowing the consequences of bringing such a forbidden item with her.
Cody was having a good time with Katie as both seemed to be talking, and even Cody who was drinking a good soda can he brought from his pants… Katie looked at him weirdly, and she couldn't help but roll her eyes, as he tried to look cool, but was still the same dorky that she liked to pass the time on the beach.
"Hey, Cody." And then a voice made Katie cringe, and frown upon the boy who seemed to be chilling about. "I want to once again thank you for saving my life."
Katie paused, and then gave a slight glance to Cody who was smiling sheepishly at him… But she smiled and kissed his cheek, before leaving the place, and not even looking at the guitarist who was looking confused.
Cody watched how the cold shoulder she gave to Trent was almost like placing ice on their underwear because damn, he shrives from seeing the cold glare Katie was giving to Trent at that moment.
"Hey, Trent. No problem." Cody decided to be polite, and saw Trent giving a look on Gwen from a far distance… and with a soda can in his hand, he couldn't help but sigh. "Dude, can I be honest with you?"
"Yeah sure man," Trent commented as smiled positively, Cody had to be the bringer of bad news.
"I know that you may have feelings for Gwen… Trust me, I do…" Cody commented as he placed a hand on his chest. "And I even confessed that I had at the time we started the show. But you also gave me a tip to not keep insisting and act naturally as myself… But bro, you messed up…"
"What do you mean?" Trent said as he raised both his eyebrows.
"You left someone who almost died in a landslide to suffer PTSD in the Phobia Challenge… And everyone from the Killer Bass hates you." Cody went real to his talk as he made Trent look at him confused.
"What do you mean? Gwen didn't seem to have suffered that bad, and they took her out before I could manage." Trent said as he raised both his arms to defend himself.
"Dude… You have to know… that…" Cody was about to say that it wasn't Gwen who suffered the most, but at the time he was going to say that, they both heard Heather clearing her throat towards the due.
"Are you both happy in your little boys' club? Good, because if you both didn't see, we are in the middle of the challenge." Heather wanted to interrupt both boys, because she knew that she needed someone that she could use as a meat shield, and the geek boy seemed to want to spill the beans, and she didn't want that.
On the Killer Bass side, the whole group gathered the much wood as possible, that even was needed. Geoff little by little felt that his leg could be used to try to help… But he needed to keep jumping like a bunny to make sure that he would be fast enough to help them all… Even if he had to fall and get up with the help of DJ and Duncan sometimes.
At the time Courtney looked, she felt a bit disappointed with it…
"I don't think that would be big enough," Courtney commented DJ was about to command the Killer Bass to bring more wood, but suddenly a voice came nearby.
"No, that's enough." Ezekiel's voice came when the group came to see the homeschooled boy bringing something like a tiny orange ball with him.
"What do you mean we have enough?" Gwen commented as Ezekiel took that little ball with him and decided to explain.
"I saw Izzy preparing something like that… And I have a feeling in my gut that this would cause a lot of fire. It's made of tree sap and sand. So let's give it a try." Ezekiel said at the same time, as Izzy was smiling wide open to him. "STAY BACK, FIRE IN THE HOLE."
At the time Ezekiel placed the little ball on the firepit, everyone from the Killer Bass jumped away, which made an explosion the size of a little house, and made Chris stare in surprise at the fire that remained on the Killer Bass' Side.
"Very well done Killer Bass, but if you want to come to copy me… you need to learn from a professional like me." Izzy giggled maniacally as she also gave instructions to her team. "STAY BACK EVERYONE, THIS IS GOING TO BE BIG."
At the time the Screaming Gophers saw the explosion from the Killer Bass and saw that Izzy had a ball even bigger than the version of Ezekiel, the group didn't think twice, they ran away from the giggling maniac pyromaniac Izzy.
Izzy launched the ball on the Screaming Gophers firepit… and it was like a nuclear explosion, the fire was enough to make Chris almost get hit by the helicopter.
"Woo-hoo-hooo." Chris enjoyed seeing both explosions and the good fires around the rescue… But he still needed to say who was the winner… "We have our fire-building winner… Point for Screaming Gopher."
At the time the explosion finished, Heather couldn't help but ask Izzy.
"Where did you learn to do that?" Heather asked the girl soot-covered girl who was still smiling widely.
"Ah, I spent a summer training with the reserves," Izzy explained as she got up to her feet, and decided to give even more details. "Yeah, I got into some trouble there and, like, blew up a kitchen by accident, which is why the RCMP is, like all over my ass. I am so totally AWOL."
The Killer Bass stared at Ezekiel who was still cleaning the residues of the sap over his hands.
"Yep, such a little thing can be very lethal. At least we managed to finish this challenge. Now let's go." Ezekiel said as the Killer Bass got their canoes and decided to go back to their race.
Noticing that the whole Killer Bass would need something to make themselves faster, and from the look of their own team, some felt that they wouldn't have a chance to run away against the group…
"We need a new plan to make us go faster…" Courtney commented as the team was preparing themselves to paddle until a new voice called their attention.
"You guys could get someone to swim behind the boats and push them." Suddenly Izzy, someone from the opposing team, spoke up to the Bass. "I did that once for this huge like, sixty-foot yacht; the whole crew had to flutter kick for like, eight days to get to shore. And like, four of us got eaten by sharks. I didn't, hehe, not me. But it was really insane. Okay, later!"
Cody realized something was wrong until Izzy looked at him and gave a little wink, which made him realize what she was doing… She was trying to make the team lose on purpose.
"That might work!" Geoff, now able to stand up on his own, said with a smile on his face. If someone strong enough could swim fast enough, they might just be able to barely make it in first.
"We need someone big enough to push all the canoes back." Bridgette put a hand to her chin in thought before she smiled as she looked at the Bass's brick house. "DJ, you're the only one who's strong enough."
DJ remained calm, as he looked at the whole group, who was preparing themselves to have their canoes united, and with all the things his entire team did with him… And all the challenges they were put through together.
"I can do this." Everyone looked to DJ as he spoke in a completely serious tone. "I have to."
Confession – DJ
"It was all up to me. Once I had a bad story related to me jumping in the water which caused me to suffer humiliation and even a name after that event… But for the time I was on this show, I survived through a cliff to a zone with sharks, then got into a marathon to still be awake, and then a hardcore dodgeball game, then a talent show, and then surviving in the forest for a whole day, and finally going against my deepest fear..." DJ said to the audience at home with a determined look on his face. "I needed to swim like a Killer Bass should and no wedgie flop was going to stand in my way. We are going to win this challenge. Or my name is James Mcnelson… and it isn't"
"That is one…brave man," Geoff said while pointing at DJ. The party dude's respect for the Brickhouse was at an all-time high at seeing DJ willing to put his fears aside to help his team once again.
As it turned out, this was probably faster than using oars. All of the Killer Bass canoes were stacked onto each other with all of the team riding on the top of the stack with DJ pushing them forward. And with the oars on each side, both Killer Bass helped DJ even further by combining all their efforts to make DJ go even faster as they all paddle together…
"COME ON, COME ON," DJ screamed as he was using all the strength he had in his legs. And with that, he pushed them so fast they were easily catching up to the Screaming Gophers. They didn't just catch up. They passed them! All the Bass were cheering DJ's name.
Although DJ seemed to not know how to stop when they reached the beach, they proceeded to fly off a rock like a ramp, fly over Chris, and crash on the other side of the beach. But hey, they were still the first team on the beach! "The Bass are the winners!" Chris announced leading to the Bass all cheering for the victory.
When the Gophers reached the beach, most were quick to glare at Izzy. The one who advised the Bass that allowed them to win. Cody looked at Izzy in concern… as he saw a plan she was doing at that moment… But he couldn't ask why, since she was giving a knowing smirk, and a giggle like it was similar to what she was asking to hold a secret.
Campfire - That night
Night had fallen on the camp. Once again, it was time for the ever-tense bonfire ceremony where tonight the 7th camper would be leaving Total Drama Island. Forever.
"And now, the always anxiety-inducing marshmallow ceremony," Chris announced while holding a plate of eight marshmallows. "When I call your name, come and get a marshmallow. Beth. Trent. Cody." The three campers smiled and went to go get their marshmallows with Trent and Cody pressing their marshmallows against the others as if to toast with them. "Owen. Heather."
And with that, there were two campers yet only one marshmallow. Izzy and Lindsay.
"One last marshmallow," Chris said with a grin as he tossed the marshmallow up and down in his hand. "The person who doesn't get this marshmallow will walk off the Dock of Shame and take a ride on the Boat of Losers. Who's it gonna be?"
But before Chris could name the camper that was staying, a helicopter was heard and everyone looked up to indeed see one flying above them with a searchlight shining down from it and onto Izzy. "Izzy!" A voice called out from within the helicopter. "We know you are down there! You are under arrest!"
At the time Cody heard such words, his eyes went wide open, and stared at Izzy who winked at him. From all the stories and even her sabotage… she knew the military would have come to find her… And now she was planning her escape.
"Well, it was good while it lasted. See ya!" Izzy said before standing up and pointing up at the helicopter. "YOU'LL NEVER GET ME ALIVE!"
Everyone then watched as Izzy laughed manically as she quickly ran away, the helicopter in hot pursuit of her.
"Well. That wraps that up." Chris said as everyone watched the scene with shocked looks. "Night everyone."
At the time the groups went back to their cabins, Geoff proceeded to find a good sedative to help him go to sleep, as tomorrow his leg would feel better... The last thing he did was to give High Five to everyone in the boy's cabin... Since their challenge, everyone did their best, and Harold deserved the high five to help over Bridgette.
Bridgette went to her bed... and smiled to see the Sea Shell Geoff gave to her... it was something that reminded her good childhood with her cousin, and it was good to listen to the sound of the ocean from the sea shells. She smiled as the days of camping seemed to be getting better and better.
Cody reflected on all the stories Izzy has told him about... And he couldn't help but wonder which one of them was actually true... and he was too afraid to ask Chef if he indeed shot Izzy's mom, which still seemed a touchy subject for both of them... But also seeing Owen a bit depressed to not see the crazy girl around him... The big boy seemed to have a crush on the chaotic girl, which Cody doesn't blame him...But he is not sure if Izzy sees Owen the same way he sees her...
So by shrugging off, Cody decided to ignore and think the whole day wasn't ready... it was best to guard her secrets since she seemed to trust him. His team seems to be getting smaller and smaller... And by glancing at Trent... he isn't sure if reality is going to hit the guitarist in the face if he isn't aware of how angry the rival team is with him... And yet, Cody decided to go to sleep and have nice dreams with Katie.
Ezekiel placed both his bow and quiver on the corner of his bed... and looked at the ceiling as he was thinking about the same thing...
Izzy must be on the Playa del losers now... And seemed to be having fun in her chaotic way until the merge happened. By closing his eyes... Ezekiel knew that the Screaming Gophers were now cursed as Beth was hiding her Tiki in her bag, an unlucky amulet that she would think was to attract luck.
And with that... another night of heavy sleep from exhaustion to all the campers just happened. With their prayers, the next challenge wouldn't be harder...
Poor little souls.
Chapter 13: Paintball Deer Hunter
Chapter Text
"Last time, on Total Drama Island…" Chris flashed his perfect white teeth at the camera as he began the recap. "Both teams set out on a canoe trip to deadly Boney Island. Stories were shared, gifts were given, and people were running from dangers and suffering a possible poison thorn which made them handicapped. There were winners. And there were losers. Also known as, The Gophers. The last marshmallow was set to go to either Izzy or Lindsay, but the RCMP swooped in, and bam! Izzy hightailed it out there! Hahahah, man, I knew the girl was nuts, but I didn't know she was totally insane! However, one Gopher may have secretly done something even crazier when she brought home a creepy stick statue voodoo thingy from the deadly haunted island. Will Beth live to regret her souvenir? And can my teeth possibly get any whiter? Find out here on Total. Drama. Island!"
The cabin of Screaming Gophers was never the same after the trip around Boney Island. Since the night after dealing with the exhausting crazy girl Izzy, slightly weird things have happened around the camp.
On the first day, Heather's bed suddenly cracked while she was sleeping. The fact she woke up with her face on the floor made her mood sour for the whole day. The Killer Bass didn't care at all, since the girls never interacted with each other all the time.
Lindsay's product expired and the blonde girl didn't check it before applying it to herself... The second day made her scream in panic after her skin had a bad reaction from the lipstick she applied... Which made her lip deformed...
The entire day Lindsay had been screaming in panic and running around, for the entertainment of the viewers on pay-per-view.
Beth and Lindsay prepared the shower for Heather twice, and somehow whenever she went the water in the shower was scalding which made her scream in pain and horror.
Heather was mad, and Beth and Lindsay also suffered from the shower which suddenly went cold and scalding...
"Okay, this camp is trash," Heather said as she felt her skin pinkish from the hot water, and from the look of Lindsay and Beth who were still trembling from the cold shower but also with a few pink marks on their skin. "This place is in ruins."
And the girls around aren't the only ones who are feeling like that. Since Owen stumbled on the wooden stairs it cracked with his weight. Cody learned how a boy with 130 kilograms can overcome his fear of disarming a bomb... Now he felt on the verge of death like Ezekiel did. And he couldn't help but be in a fetal position every time he imagined Owen jumping on him...
That is until Katie pats his head and says that everything is going to be alright. That was a good thing for him to be grateful to have the tan girl by his side...
Trent also tried to use the shower. But the water pressure was enough to make the metal pipe separate itself from the wall and directly hit him in his face.
Little accidents made everyone wary about what was happening around the camp.
...
"Alright I talked with Chef and he said that the interns will come here to fix the showers this afternoon" Courtney and Gwen came to the group of campers, Heather was still annoyed but at least she could have a good shower the next morning.
The Killer Bass team has no idea what's happening. But it was lucky that nobody from their team seemed to be hurt from terrible showers.
With good satisfaction, the campers decided to resume their whole day...
The day of the challenge, when everyone thought it would have been the best time for them to prepare themselves for whatever craziness Chris would come up with... and since most of the days before the challenge starts... It always starts with a good morning, with the sun already up and with even animals like bunnies crossing around nature...
But suddenly the sound of a helicopter startled all the animals, as it appeared that it was nobody other than Chris who was still wearing his usual helicopter pilot uniform. And with that passing around the camp to scare all the campers once again...
"Oh! Hit the deck! They're coming, man! They found us!" Duncan shouted in panic, as his eyes went wide open and he immediately woke up from his dreams. And he with his white underwear jumped under Ezekiel's and Geoff's bunker... This left both Harold, DJ, and Geoff looking at the delinquent in confusion since they also woke up from the loud sounds.
Heather yawned as she started to get up from bed.
"He really just loves ruining our mornings. Well, whatever, Beth, Lindsay, go warm up the shower for me." Beth and Lindsay were still feeling sleepy, as both also felt still sleepy from the terrible wake-up. Until they heard Heather clapping her hands loudly. "Girls, now. Or we would be without our shower, we need to be the first ones to take the morning shower before the challenge, because there is no way that I'm going to be at the challenge smelling like that."
"Okay," Beth said as she got down from the bunker, with only the three on the female side of the Gophers, and from all the time she had been around the camper, Heather and Lindsay had been her best friends, and even Heather who can be a bit demanding, she also learned a lot from her. "I'm going to use my hand to check if the shower is fixed..."
"Good idea Beth, do that." Heather complimented as she was feeling uncomfortable on her back. Sleeping on these days has been dragging too much of the Queen Bee...
"Err... Heather, can I use the bathroom first? I need to go to urgently..." Lindsay said as she was almost with the desire to jump on her place...
And Heather looking at Lindsay who was feeling like she was about to explode... rolled her eyes.
"Fine, but you better be quick," Heather commanded as she could see Lindsay smiling happily and was about to leave. "Say Beth to also use it before I get inside of the shower."
"Okay." Lindsay smiled as she ran away. Leaving Heather once again trying to wake up.
Heather remained quiet and watched both girls leave to do whatever they wanted before she went to take a shower before everyone else... But still, something has been bugging her since the last challenge.
"Ugh... this team has 6 members now, and there are 9 fish heads... Each challenge is taking more and more from my team and I don't know when the merge will come... if it will be when we have 5 or 4... or even 3 members... This team is fated to lose..." Heather thought as she watched how every single challenge, even from the defeats... to their victory meant nothing to them... It was like she was outplayed by the other team... and it now made her realize her chances of being in the final three were less and less acceptable... "I need to use contingency plans for determined cases."
Ezekiel was still trying to find a good balance before going back into writing another chapter of Steven Universe.
Going back from Boney Island made him even practice some moves that he could draw Opal doing with her bow and arrow... And now that Izzy wouldn't be around until the merge. He missed someone with whom he could speak with honesty. Someone he could share his secret of being the one knowing what is going to happen in the future...
But now, he isn't sure what to do... Since Beth took the cursed item from the haunter island... He could see how everything was wrapping up around the Gophers, and such a curse was starting small... Because from the way Ezekiel saw it... Today's challenge would be the one in which Cody gets mauled by a bear in the cannon, but since most of the events happening and the quantity of the Gophers... it may be possible that Cody wouldn't suffer the said fate... He hoped so.
*Deep breath*
*THUMB*
*Release breath*
At the time Ezekiel was preparing to launch another arrow, the sound of the helicopter was enough to make him lose his concentration and made him target on the floor...
"Okay, Chris coming to the camp by helicopter... why am I not surprised?" Ezekiel said as he turned to see the helicopter flying above him and even crossing to the other side of the cabins. "Yeah, I'm glad I woke up earlier than dealing with this."
It didn't take long until Ezekiel found a line of girls waiting in front of the washroom, and every single one of them was holding their pee... And Beth and Lindsay were the guardians of the said place.
"What's going on?" The homeschooled boy asked which made the Killer Bass girls look at him in anticipation.
"IT'S HEATHER, SHE HAS BEEN HOLDING THE BATHROOM FOR HERSELF SINCE THEY WOKE UP," Courtney shouted as she was furious over the duo of girls who couldn't do anything since they were already there...
Gwen, Bridgette, and Katie were also on the verge of killing someone at that moment, but all came down when Ezekiel titled his head...
"So why don't you go to the boy's bathroom?" Ezekiel asked which made the girls stare at him in disbelief. "The interns who fixed the shower yesterday also gave a good clean up... And that is the best time to use it before Owen appears... Trust me, every time he goes on there is like a bomb from Mushroom War..."
The girls of the Killer Bass got the reference, so they immediately took the idea and ran straight to the bathroom, while Beth and Lindsay tilted their heads to him.
"It's not pretty," Ezekiel commented as he left the girls alone... It didn't take long until he found the boys dressing themselves up, and with him leaving his newest bow on his bed. A few minutes later, Chri's voice appeared from the loudspeakers.
"I hope you're ready for the most challenging challenge yet," Chris announced to everyone. "Breakfast in three minutes at the campfire pit."
A little over three minutes afterward, both teams were seen gathered up where Chris told them to be with the host of the show standing in front of all of the contestants.
"Are you ready for today's extreme max impact challenge?!" Chris yelled to everyone, really hyping up the challenge for today.
"We are ready!" Owen cheered while raising his arms.
"Incoming!" Chris yelled as he held up a box filled with cans and proceeded to throw one towards Bridgette. Bridgette flinched, but at the time she was about to get hit luckily Duncan came to the rescue and caught the can before it could hit her. And with one grip, the can of beans opened it up.
Chris then began throwing the cans of what the campers learned were beans to all of the contestants. "This is breakfast."
"No." Heather said with disgust as she looked at the can. "Breakfast is crepes, croissants, even Chef's crappy burnt eggs."
"Beans, beans, they're good for your heart, the more ya eat, the more ya-" Owen happily sang before Heather threw her can at the big guy's face.
"Today's challenge is about survival," Chris explained before pulling out something from behind his back. A paintball gun. "We're going hunting."
"Now that's more like it." Duncan said with an eager smirk.
"Isn't that a paintball gun?" Harold asked as he pointed to the green gun in Chris's hands.
"Why yes Harold," Chris said as he aimed the paintball gun at Harold and shot the ginger with it. "It is."
"So we won't be killing anything?" Bridgette asked with crossed arms.
"Negatory," Chris confirmed making Bridgette smile. "This is the first ever paintball deer hunt. I'll announce the teams once we get into the woods. So…finish breaky."
Just then a loud burp got everyone's attention and made them all look to Owen who already had a bunch of emptied cans around him with beans staining his body. "Aaaaah…" Owen let out in satisfaction. "Got any more?"
"Have mine," Ezekiel said as he launched his own can to the gluttonous boy. "I'm not hungry."
About 25 minutes later, the teams were all gathered up near the woods with Chris having a trunk next to him as well as a rack with paintball guns set up on it.
"And now for the team breakdowns," Chris announced as he took all the Bass red guns off the rack. "The Killer Bass hunters are…Courtney, Harold, Duncan, Geoff, and Bridgette. Locked and loaded with bass blue paint."
Chris then threw the four guns to the hunters for the Bass.
"And using orange paint are the Gopher hunters," Chris said as he grabbed the green guns off the rack. "Heather, Cody, Owen, Lindsay."
"Whahoo!" Owen cheered as he and the three other Gopher hunters caught their guns. "This is awesome man!"
"You also get these stylin' glasses and wicked camo caps!" Chris said as he reached into the trunk and pulled out said items. "The rest of you are now deer. Here are your antlers, noses, and little whitetails." Chris pulled out a headband with deer antlers attached, red deer noses, and belts with a little deer tail attached.
"Wow, I'm glad that I don't have to wear that." Heather scoffed as she took the hunter cap and glanced at Beth who was now holding the deer costume with uneasiness.
"I bet that there will be consequences if we don't use the costumes?" Ezekiel was not chosen to become a hunter, which for him was a very fair option since he never held a paintball gun, nor any kind of gun at all... So it wasn't his expertise... so if that means that he would be a deer, that wouldn't mean that it would get even more humilant.
"That's right. Take these off and your team is toast." Chris said as he proceeded to put the deer gear on Ezekiel. And he also got the shades the hunters got.
Chuckling was then heard from behind Ezekiel witch the homeschooled boy turned around a saw Owen grinning at him from behind. "Why are you laughing?"
"Oh, nothing." Owen continued grinning as Ezekiel narrowed his eyes, as he was giggling at the tail Ezekiel had. "Bambi." Owen then grabbed Ezekiel's tail and pulled it back and proceeded to snap it by letting it go.
"You know that I have a bow and arrows right?" Ezekiel gave the rhetorical question which made the smile of Owen drop. "You better be a good shot, tubby!"
Ezekiel said those words, and Duncan started laughing.
"Okay, that was good," Duncan said as Owen left Ezekiel alone, who scoffed. "Also..."
"If you are going to make fun of it, I know how to prank people," Ezekiel warned Duncan who grinned at him.
"Alright, alright, alright, spoil's sport," Duncan said as he went away, leaving Ezekiel with the definition of pot-calling kettle black on his mind.
Confession – Katie
"I don't know what everyone's complaining about," Katie said with a smile and proudly wearing her deer stuff. "I think these look great in me... I think Sadie would also look cute on this... *Gasp* maybe if I ask Chris to let me take these costumes and bring them home I can bring a spare one to Sadie. She is going to love it."
Cody saw Katie dressing herself as a deer, and his eyes sparkled at seeing such a tanned beauty in a way like that... He felt his face blush at the time she smiled at him and even showed her tail to him...
"Are you going to be fine dude?" Trent asked which made Cody jump from his place.
"Oh, hey Trent," Cody called the guitarist, who seemed relaxed from seeing the boy happy to have the gun. "Well, I'm more of a dodger than a shooter, but I think I can manage some points for our team."
"Well, I hope you have fun... I wish I could have gotten the paintball gun, but for me, it's not going to be difficult to hide in the forest." Trent said optimistically until he saw a group of Killer Bass staring directly at the two. "Oh, it seems the group of Killer Bass is staring at you in seriousness. Maybe you should be careful around them."
Trent left which made Cody glance around and found that all Killer Bass was staring not at him, but at the person who just left.
"It wasn't me who should be afraid, Trent." Cody sighed as he could see that probably this challenge was going to suck. And he has no idea how to deal with it. "Are we even going to win?"
A few meters away Heather watched Beth getting ready to leave until someone touched her shoulder.
"Ah, Heather," Beth said as the Queen Bee was using her full hunter set.
"Okay, you need to stay at the front part of the start of the challenge." Heather gave the instruction which made the farmer tilt her head.
"But... wouldn't that expose me to the others to hit me?" Beth asked which made Heather roll her eyes.
"Not when me and Lindsay will be protecting you." Heather gave the plan and even whispered the details which made Beth fear the consequences.
"But isn't that illegal?" Beth asked which Heather scoffed.
"He didn't specify the strategies. So that means everything works. Even the outside boundaries for hunters... But I think the deer cannot leave the forest. Just the hunters." Heather explained the points which made Beth nods her head at the boss of the alliance.
"Got it... I will be waiting for you both." Beth commented which she waved and left herself with Trent.
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Lindsay asked Heather, as the chances of winning the challenge would be minuscule. And even with Heather hesitating, it showed to the blonde girl that even the Queen Bee had no idea.
"I don't know, but that's our only option... Since from the way Killer Bass are looking at Trent... they are going to send the whole hunter squad after him... It's our only strategy to survive and win the challenge." Heather was sincere, that even she couldn't be in control of how things worked... she was glad to have a Pariah to take all the heat, which meant Beth would be saved from the target... "It's everything we can do."
(Killer Bass - Deer)
The deer of the Killer Bass team, Ezekiel, DJ, Katie, Gwen, and Katie, were now all seen walking through the woods. Chris told them the deer had a 15-minute head start to get into the woods and hide.
"This is easily the lamest thing I've ever done in my life," Gwen complained as she wasn't interested in suffering such a stupid challenge around.
"Well, at least they gave us a head start." Ezekiel tried to show positivity since Gwen wasn't that thrilled about being a deer in the game.
"I don't know about ya'll, but I'm outta here!" DJ then did something that surprised nearly everyone on his team. The brick house got down on all fours and started prancing away just like a real deer would. Making Gwen and Sadie's eyes widen.
Ezekiel looked amused since he acted exactly like the episode.
"Well, I think that's also my time to leave... See you later, and good luck." Ezekiel said, as he turned in the East direction and ran the fast as he could.
(Screaming Gophers - Deer)
Currently, the Gopher deer, Beth, and Trent were also walking through the woods and making the most of their head start with all of them, which the duo seemed to not be too happy about being the deer.
Beth remembered the words from Heather, so she smiled sheepishly.
"I think I have to go that way... Good luck Trent." Beth said quickly as she proceeded to hide in the bushes, to which Trent just smiled and walked away from the farmer teenager... After a few minutes alone. Beth looked again, and sighed in relief, to just walk around and find a rock for her to sit on. "I hope Heather is right."
(Killer Bass – Hunters)
"Alright team," Courtney called the team and Duncan, Harold, Geoff, and Bridgette looked at her. "I know that most of you want to go firstly to Trent, to possibly use all the bullets you have in your guns... but I also want to advise to leave at least some bullets in case we find Beth around... Another victory for our team would be good."
"So you don't want to make us separate ourselves to try to find both of them faster?" Harold asked as the group looked also in surprise.
"Well, to be honest... no," Courtney answered as she raised her own paintball gun to the group. "Every single one of us wants to keep harassing Trent for what he did, he hasn't apologized to us yet. So if he is still going to play the ignorant, let's use most of the bullets on him."
"I wished Heather would have been the deer... but shooting at Trent would cheer my mood today," Bridgette commented as Geoff tipped his hat. "What about you Geoff?"
"He made hails going directly from my head... this is personal," Geoff said as he was going to track the guitarist like a dog looking for a bone.
"Alright. I think we can use the V formation, to make a good way to spread the point of view, and with that, if we find him, we can call everyone to focus our bullets on him." Courtney smiled, as Duncan was chuckling with his teeth getting sharp.
"Oh, this is going to be fun," Duncan said as he could see the destruction going around the person who deserved it.
"Alright," Harold said as he showed his hand, for then Geoff came and placed his own hand above his, and Bridgette, and then Duncan, and finally Courtney did the same, they all grinned as they brought their hands together before raising them up in the air.
Chris proceeded to speak to everyone through a megaphone. "Start your paintballs!" The host told everyone as he was about to give the hunters the go-ahead to start hunting their fellow campers. "Game on!"
(Screaming Gophers - Hunters)
"Alright!" Heather smiled as she took her own gun, and smiled with Lindsay. "Let's go find Beth and protect her. And if we have luck, shoot someone from the other team"
Heather and then Lindsay watched Owen splash some yellow liquid onto himself.
"What are you doing?" Lindsay asked with a confused tone.
"Masking my scent so the deer don't smell me coming," Owen said as he prepared to go into full hunter mode.
"Tell me that isn't…" Heather's face turned green as she cringed in disgust, with Lindsay still looking confused, as the queen bee figured out what Owen was doing exactly.
"Pee?" Owen finished Leshawna's sentence with a nod of his head. "Yes. Yes, it is!"
"Eeeeeww!" Heather and Lindsay said in unison.
"We're hunting other campers. You stupid" Heather facepalmed as she told the big guy while backing away from him. "You don't have to hide your scent."
"You mean I collected all this pee for nothing?" Owen complained before throwing a jar of collected pee away with Heather and Lindsay running away screaming so it didn't hit them.
"YOU SICKO," Heather shouted as she run away the fastest as she could.
It didn't take long until both of them found someone sitting near the rock. Heather smiled as she could see Beth did exactly as she ordered.
"Good, you are here." Heather smiled pleased, as Beth still looked unsure about what was going to happen.
"Well, what about now?" Beth asked as she was sitting on the place, and she had no idea what she was going to do.
"I don't know about you, but I'm going to the dining hall, I'm starving. And I refuse to eat beans for breakfast." Heather said as she refused to be just guarding Beth, without any food to help them concentrate. "I'm going to bring chips, want some?"
"You don't like the barbeque version," Lindsay commented and the Queen Bee rolled her eyes.
"Then I would grab the other flavor. You want the barbeque one?" Heather asked annoyed, but in answer of that, the duo Lindsay and Beth nodded their heads happily at her. "Okay, Lindsay stay on guard, and protect Beth, we cannot let her be shot."
Confession– Heather
"Ok…my first contingency plan is to make sure that I still would have the 4 votes in my favor to all the people I would want to eliminate," Heather said as she pointed with 4 fingers. "Having Trent as a meat shield would also include that sometimes I would need to send the fat boy one day. But now, I just have one plan in case we are going to lose... But I still need to make sure Beth and Lindsay would stay in my side...They would be lost without me... man, why my friends are so dragging?... wait, I don't mean they are not my friends. How you can edit this out? STOP RECORDING."
(Screaming Gopher - Owen the Hunter)
"The hunter is a finely tuned machine. His senses heightened by the thrill of the chase." Owen was currently putting his focus to the max. He narrated his hunting journey for himself as he kept his eyes peeled for any Bass members wearing antlers and tails. Sniffing the air, Owen spotted something and quietly tiptoed over to it. Hiding behind a large enough push, Owen peaked and saw DJ still embracing his inner deer as shown by the teen munching on some grass. "Suddenly, our hunter spots a magnificent buck in the clearing. If he's to succeed, the hunter must demonstrate patience and control."
Just then Owen failed this second step as he snuck next to a bush closer to DJ…and proceeded to fart. Both Owen and DJ's eyes widened at this as DJ quickly looked around to see where the source of the noise was coming from.
Owen managed to keep it down long enough for DJ to simply forget about it and start munching on grass again as a bird proceeded to perch the top of his antler hat. "The hunter moves in, aware of every proton in his environment." Owen started quietly narrating again as he got ready to shoot the Bass deer in front of him…only for a large snake to slither onto the big guy making him stand up from his hiding place. "Aw crap!" Owen yelled as he threw the snake away from him.
Needless to say, DJ noticed this and quickly started to run away like a deer would. "Haha! It's on, DJ!" Owen gripped his gun as he started chasing after the brick house. "Your butt's a hamburger and I'm one hot barbeque!"
And chase he did. No matter what, Owen refused to let up on DJ. The big guy never took his eyes off the brick house and tried to take shot after shot of him with DJ managing to avoid the hits so far. "You're my burger now, DJ!" Owen yelled while panting. And like a true hunter, Owen refused to let up on his hunt for DJ.
Even after hitting his jewels against a rock, being led through a bunch of thorn bushes, and getting chased by a bunch of raccoons, Owen refused to let up on DJ and continued to chase after him and continued to shoot at him and unfortunately missed.
But things seemed to be looking up for Owen. Quite literally. Owen had managed to chase DJ all the way up the 1000-foot cliff the campers all went up for their first challenge. DJ was chased to the edge of the cliff with nowhere left to run. Beads of sweat went down DJ's head as Owen was right in front of him and aiming the paintball gun right at him. "You're mine now deer!" Owen said as he looked right into DJ's eyes.
With his gun pointed right at DJ, Owen put his thumb to the trigger…and nothing happened. Only clicking sounds were heard no matter how many times Owen pushed it. Owen grew nervous as DJ's nervous look soon turned into a glare.
"Um, the hunter knows that his prey will stay there for a moment, paralyzed in…uh, fear?" DJ didn't do anything Owen said with his narration as the brick house stomped right in front of Owen. "And respect? The deer cannot best the hunter."
DJ now looked down at Owen as the big guy nervously laughed and tried to back away from DJ.
"Hey, dude. C'mon now. Let's talk about this." That was the final word until the only thing DJ did was pick up Owen and throw him down the cliff, at the time Owen hit the water, just like the episode 2 of Total Drama Island, it happened a giant wave towards the beach… DJ looked at the damage he did with the fat boy and happily started running down the cliff.
Owen wasn't the only Gopher having a pretty rotten time. Heather had to wait under the stairs leading to the dinning hall. Until Chef Hatchet gets out from there wearing his swim shorts, and a float around his waist, and the Chef from such a terrible show seems to be whistling happily about the idea of going to swim while the group of brats would be enjoying another messed up challenge.
At the time Chef left the place, Heather went quickly from the place she was and went straight to the kitchen to find the chips she was going to bring for herself and her friends...
Heather paused...
"They aren't my friends... they are part of the alliance, nothing more than that," Heather commented to herself, as she took it from the shelters, the quantity of 5 chips, which would be enough for them to get going around the forest. And like a bullet, she opened the kitchen window, and closed it without Chef having any idea about her,
(Killer Bass - Ezekiel)
Walking around the forest being a deer wasn't something that Ezekiel would have in mind. But since he was bored and had nothing better to do... So he planned to make some traps to make the challenge more interesting.
The snare traps the trees and bushes and uses nothing more than vines to make the rope and the leaves to make the disguise...
"Man, that would be so funny if someone got caught by this." Ezekiel smiled since it wasn't a hunt if there weren't traps around... Making the traps for both deer and hunters would make the game more interesting.
"Hey, it's nice to see you here."Then a voice called, which made the excited Killer Bass smile and frown deeply.
The unamused face of the homeschooled boy was enough to say that he wasn't happy to find nobody else than Trent...
Confession - Ezekiel
"From all people to find me... In around all the giant forest, is it Strange that I would be happier to find Heather instead of him?" Ezekiel said as he looked annoyed at the camera, but also he took a good minute to calm down... "I know that a part of me still says that maybe I have been exaggerating, like all my team. Maybe one hour or someday I will find strength in my heart to forgive him... But his free-spirited smile really got on my nerves... Does he ever feel sorry at all?"
Ezekiel turned his head away and decided to ignore the teenager who kept calling hey.
"Ezekiel, wait, please. Come on man, talk to me... Everyone from your team is ignoring me or even being hostile." Trent decided to follow the homeschooled boy who was just walking even faster to ignore his voice. "Come on, speak to me. You are the only one who Gwen knows who passed the challenge with her."
And with that, Ezekiel stopped. And turning his head slowly, he decided that he had enough.
"That's it?" Ezekiel replied, but this time Trent saw that the boy in front of him was looking with all the anger inside of his heart. "It's all about Gwen? Not even caring about how me and Geoff had to suffer because of you?"
Trent stopped, and his worried face then became complete as he could see a few steps approaching him as well.
"Ezekiel, don't even try," Gwen called as she could see Trent and her face showing nothing more than anger. "Don't waste your time with someone like him."
Trent almost smiled if wasn't for the fact Gwen showed no feelings about seeing him around. Her eyes were cold like ice.
"Come on, Gwen. I'm sorry about leaving you both alone, I was caught by a surprise attack." Trent explained but neither of them seemed to be moved by that.
"Well, what about your suggestion to make Geoff's hail cloud go lower and hit stronger on his face?" Gwen asked which now made the guitarist flinches from the question.
"Well, that I cannot defend myself, it was my bad, but I was just kidding with him. It doesn't seem to be that bad." Trent scratched his head sheepishly but that made not only Gwen's mad, but Ezekiel became absolutely peeved.
"It doesn't seem that bad? THAT BAD? DUDE, YOU LEFT ME TO HAVE FLASHBACKS OF MY ALMOST DEATH YOU MORON." Ezekiel shouted with such anger that Trent's eyes went wide open. Gwen tried to place her hand on his shoulder but Ezekiel refused. "YOU HAVE ONLY MIME FEAR, I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE UNDERGROUND, ALMOST BIT THE DUSK, KICKED THE BUCKET. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW IS THE FEAR OF DEATH? AND THEN GETS IN PANIC BECAUSE OF HAVING ALMOST THE SAME FEELINGS AGAIN BECAUSE YOU WERE THE DOUBLE OF THE TIME YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE? AND WHEN YOU COME HERE TO HAVE THE BALLS, THE BALLS TO ACTUALLY SAY SORRY, WAS BECAUSE GWEN WAS THE REASON WHY YOU ARE SORRY, AND ME AND GEOFF DIDN'T SUFFER THE SAME OR EVEN WORSE THAN HER?"
The more the time passed the more Ezekiel shouted, which made Trent even palled from receiving the reality check in his face...
He remembered Cody warning about a person suffering from PTSD and from the looks of the team. The person who wanted to hurt Trent so much was... The pink shirt, cowboy hat teenager, who wanted so much to hurt him...
At the time Trent was about to say something. Suddenly he felt a cold object aiming directly at him...Slowly turning around, he saw a delinquent boy who was with his paintball gun aimed at him.
And behind him, the other members of the team have all their weapons aimed at him.
"Err..." Trent felt nervous about seeing the entire team staring at him with all their weapons, and nothing more than unamused expressions on their faces.
Ezekiel noticed how things would end. So he decided to make something clear.
"Hey guys, did anyone watch The Godfather 1?" Ezekiel asked such a random question... But at the time the Killer Bass nodded their heads to him, since was a known classic movie...Until everybody realized what Ezekiel meant... In one single scene, a person is surrounded by people with guns.
Trent started to sweat cold and tried to even look for Gwen, who just simply ignored and followed the green hat's example and left the prey for their hunters.
Trent palled as Geoff walked in front of the group with their faces showing their true intentions... Trent didn't even have time to react or run...
They Sonny Corleone him.
It was such a dramatic scene, that Chris made sure to place it on the episode with even an Italian opera song Parla Piu Piano, and in slow motion...
The blue ink goes through the body of Trent and with the coldest look from Duncan, Bridgette, Courtney, Harold, and Geoff...
Every single paintball was like hitting his clothing even his face... And every single one of them hurt it like they don't have mercy on him.
Balls of torture hit his body...
He went down... And Geoff slowly walked as he pointed the gun to his face.
"No, not in the face," Trent begged, as Geoff simply tipped his hat like it was a fedora, and gave the mafia style of execution... And without mercy shot the guitarist 5 times in the face.
At the time that happened, the Killer Bass group remained quiet. And then walked around, from the knocked-out camper.
(Screaming Gopher – Cody)
At the time hunting was not as successful as the geekester hoped, since he was walking for hours, and he didn't have any success, trying to find any deer to help his team… Every time he looked around the bushes seemed to be in vain since he couldn't find any kind of track toward the Killer Bass team.
By walking around, he then found something interesting… Like all his prayers could be answered, he found a target that he would be aiming his own gun… The fluffy tail was the perfect signal that he found the deer he was looking for.
Aiming his gun carefully he was prepared to shoot toward the bushes where his prey would be caught by surprise…
Until the person who got out from the bushes was nobody less than…
"Katie?" Cody asked loudly which made Katie dressed like a deer look around and find Cody who was ready to shoot at her.
"Oh, Hi Cody. How are you? Did you manage to catch any deer yet?" Katie smiled sheepishly, making Cody lower his gun aiming at her.
"Nah, didn't have any luck… but you are still a deer thought," Cody suggested which made Katie gasp playfully at him.
"Me? Oh dear… can't I do something to escape my terrible fate of being hunted by such a dangerous and cute hunter?" Katie asked which made Cody tries to look away with a blush on his face… until someone snatched his gun. "Ha, got you."
"Okay, give me back… deer aren't supposed to hold guns," Cody said as he rolled his eyes, and offered his palm to make Katie giggle and give the gun back to the Screaming Gopher Hunter.
"Okay, Okay. It was fun while it lasted… so what's your plan? And don't think you are going to shoot me without my consent. Challenge or not, I still like my skin." Katie said which made Cody sign in defeat.
"Oh come on, can't you have a guy trying at all? Your team probably is massacring Trent at this hour…" Cody commented which made Katie giggle by then blink at him playfully.
"Maybe.. if you just…" Katie was pushing Cody weakly but from one wrong step… Cody wasn't aware that they both triggered the snare trap by accident. "WOAHHHHH."
Both Katie and Cody found themselves upside down on the tree…
"OH COME ON…" Cody shouted in disbelief, as he and his girlfriend were upside down...
(Owen – The Hunter.)
Owen could be seen back on dry land with his entire body dripping with water. He was wet, tired, cold, and most likely hungry. But still, he insisted and didn't give up.
"You can leave the hunter with less ammo than he thought he had. You can throw him over a cliff. You can even leave him with a case of the crabs." Owen emptied a small crab out of his shoe before throwing his shoe to the ground and raising his arms. "BUT YOU CAN NOT…BREAK HIS SPIRIT!"
Rustle
Owen's eyes immediately locked onto an area he heard rustle. Hiding in the bushes, Owen's eyes locked onto what he saw. The Bass deer Ezekiel walking all by himself. Whistling the iconic theme of Godfather...
"Fresh meat." Owen rubbed his hands together as he grinned at his next hunt.
So as quietly as he could, Owen stalked Ezekiel. He had one paintball left and he had to make it count. So the big hunter kept his distance while keeping a close eye on the delinquent and his movements. Soon enough, Owen found himself up a tree and looking down at Ezekiel as he stopped to take a drink from the river, and even wash his face.
"This is the shot of the day." Owen narrated quietly as he watched Duncan take a sip of water with his hands. "With one paintball, hunter and prey's mutual destinies will be fulfilled."
*Pffffffttttt!*
Owen flinched a bit as he found himself unable to contain a fart. Ezekiel quickly noticed the sound and clearly looked around.
"Farts… OWEN!" As Ezekiel called the hunter's name, Owen found himself farting some more. "Nice try farting machine! You could have had me… But that's what you get by eating beans in the breakfast… Makes you regret even trying to camouflage, right?"
Ezekiel then ran away leaving Owen to release another fart that blew the leaves off of the tree he was on...and then fell into a puddle of mud. At the time Owen went down, his fart once again could be heard…
Owen thought he couldn't get even worse than that… Until his arm got stuck into a snare trap, and with the strength of the vines and the tree itself, was enough to make Owen get stuck in the tree again, but with leaves across his mouth…
Yes… his day could get even worse.
Heather, Lindsay, and Beth spent most of their time walking around near the starting line, while they were enjoying their time together eating very nice flavors of chips, which could probably leave traces from their crumbs…
"Thanks again for bringing food, Heather. This challenge has been so boring that we have to be sitting around." Beth commented and Heather rolled her eyes.
"We aren't sitting around, we are moving from location to others, and using our strategy to stall the time until this challenge is over… I can't wait to go to have another shower and then go to bed. This day has been a pain in the ass." Heather explained, and she couldn't help but hear something moving around the bushes… "Wait, someone is approaching."
"WHO?" Lindsay screamed as she accidentally shot in the direction of the bushes… The sound of the paint bullets hitting something clearly showed that there was something… and at the next second… the trio of girls regretted it, since from the bushes a very angry bear raised and stared at the trio with nothing more than hatred and desire to devour something.
"RUN," Beth screamed in panic, which resulted in the trio starting to run away from the bear who was roaring and ready to kill someone at that moment.
The bear ran with all its might, and the girls separated themselves into trying to make the bear confused… And for such struck of luck… The strategy worked… Beth ran behind the trees, while Lindsay jumped in the mud…
Heather ran directly to where the challenge had started, which Chris was about to call the ending of the challenge… But at the time she was almost approaching him, she suddenly stumbled into an empty glass jar, and at the next second, she was on the floor… She found a semi-empty yellow jar… which suddenly was balancing near her body…
Heather's eyes went wide open when she realized which yellow liquid belonged to… And with some irony of destiny… the jar dropped on the left side, which was the direction of her body…
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." The scream Heather shouted at that moment, was something that made all the birds, bunnies, and squirrels flee away, and even the bear suddenly stopped, and realized that there was an aura assassin nearby… "OWENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN."
And like a banshee, the bear suddenly stopped, and decided to turn its back and leave…
Chris watched that scene like it was the best movie in the entire world.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." He couldn't help it… It was perfect. I saw a perfect ending like that, but it was time to finish the game. "Attention human-wildlife and hunters! Please report back to camp! It's time to show your hides and tally up the scores!"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Chris let out as he paced back and forth. Currently most of the Bass and Gophers, with the exception of Cody and Katie. Were all lined up back at camp. Owen was currently covered in mud and bruises, Heather was raging in her place, and the smell of pee was over the right side of her body. Both she, Lindsay, and Beth were without any ink… but Trent was something different, he was in the infirmary with a few bandages around his face and arms, since most part of his body was covered with blue ink. The Killer Bass side was satisfied with their results since nobody from their team seemed to have any ink around their bodies.
"Stealing from Chef. Eating chips in the woods. Being haunted by bears. Getting peed from a jar, have a parody version of one of the best mafia movies ever made... Do you know what I see here? I see a very undisciplined group. I see a disgraceful mess. I see a massive waste of paint products. And I have to say…that was awesome!" Chris then started laughing perking up a few of the campers. "Epic chase scenes, massacring shots, and just so much happening all at once. Wicked TV guys. People who are watching this will surely go to make a signature to pay-per-view."
"PAY-PER-VIEW?" The whole group of campers said in alarm, as it was the first time the group ever heard about such a possibility.
"Yep, we had done pay-per-view a week ago, and our ratings have gone to large proportions, this is going to boost our sales to products we are selling to everyone," Chris said happily, as the group, even Ezekiel had their eyes wide open, Chris just admitted that they are selling merchandise of them. Or most probably from the show.
"Hey," Harold spoke up as he noticed the lack of two Bass. "Where are Katie and Cody?"
That brought the attention until a growling sound was heard, which made Heather, Beth, and Lindsay step back, revealing Chef holding both Cody and Katie with sheepish smiles on their faces.
"Found those two making out in the tree… they were upside down, but still they were making out," Chef said grumpily as he dropped those two on the floor.
"Oh, this is too much," Gwen smirked at the scene. She was happy to see Cody and Katie blushing from embarrassment, by being carried by Chef Hatchet. And from the look of all the campers staring at them.
"Cody," Owen said in between laughs. "You sly dog, you!"
"Err, hehe… What can I say… I'm a ladies' man... OUCH… Sorry babe." Cody was trying to act cool, but Katie narrowing her eyes, gave a quick punch to his kiwis, making him go in the knees and ask forgiveness…
"Apology accepted." Katie smiled, as she was daydreaming about how happy she was at that moment.
"Well, since only one member of the Screaming Goopher seemed to be all covered with ink... It seems we already have our winners." Chris then turned to the Killer Bass who all cheered in response. "You're off to a hunting camp shindig!"
At the time the Killer Bass was cheering happily, Chris then turned to the group of Screaming Gophers.
"Gophers, I'm going to see you all at the bonfire ceremony tonight," Chris commented as he showed his deep disappointment in the team. "Again."
(Aquarium)
The Killer Bass team seemed to be in cheerful mode, everyone was happy for another good victory in their minds… But also there was one subject that needed to be discussed.
"Err… guys, I know I don't want to be that kind of guy… but who you guys think Screaming Gophers are going to send it out?" Harold asked as both the group seemed to be using deodorant and even using a towel after using the hot tube from such a challenge.
"TRENT." Most of the members of Killer Bass said in unison, while Ezekiel remained quiet and reflexive towards such a possibility.
"I usually think we would have been too far… and he got all the punishment he deserved… But I think just for the sake of himself to start over again… I think he should just quit, go back home, and ask for forgiveness…" Bridgette pointed since she knew the boy screwed up badly. "If he stays on the game by himself, then it was stupid because even if we should forgive him, it would take time, and him just being here, it does not make it easier for us…"
"I agreed with her, his stay on this island already expired… maybe if he watches all the episodes and how he screwed up, that would show him to not be that ignorant person who smiles too freely without knowing the consequences of his actions." Duncan pointed it out, as he himself couldn't defend the guitarist, and neither did he want to do it.
"But what about Heather? She should be eliminated at some point." Courtney gave a point but Ezekiel refused…
"Not that if she has Beth and Lindsay on her side… with her, the group already has half of the votes and could eliminate anyone with just one more vote," Ezekiel commented as he also looked at Katie. "Also Cody is another possibility to leave."
"Cody? WHY HIM?" Katie asked in alarm which Ezekiel pointed at her.
"He didn't manage to tie the game, but also, I think Heather wants Trent to remain in the game," Ezekiel explained and the whole team looked confused at him. "Since she could use the same strategy as she did today… she deliberately quit the challenge today because she knew that most hunters of our team would try to hunt him down… So that means…"
"That she wants to use him as Pariah," Courtney concluded, showing that everyone was now wary of the next plan of the Queen Bee… "What about now?"
"Well, to be honest, I would say that it was a good game… since most of us are still angry at him because he didn't apologize… sincerely. Damn, now I understand how the Donut's Witch felt at that moment." Ezekiel realized why one witch took Jake's powers away from him…
"Err… Zeke?" DJ asked which made the homeschooled boy snap from his thoughts.
"Oh yeah… I mean, there is a chance that Trent would eliminated… but also a good chance of Cody being the one eliminated." Ezekiel was sincere. And from seeing the sad face of Katie into learning that, he couldn't help but move his head to the exit… "Go, just to be sure, pass The time with him in case this happens…
Katie sadly nodded her head, and in the next minute, she ran in the direction of her boyfriend… Leaving the Killer Bass looks sadly over the facts…
"It sucks that this has to happen," Harold said as he knows how Katie feels at that moment. Nobody around the island wanted to see their loved ones out of the show, which would make him reflect and miss his chocolate lover once more.
And in a time like that, the group went to eat, with a few thoughts on their heads and a bit of heavy chest as well.
THAT NIGHT - CAMPFIRE
"I mean, seriously. How many challenges in a row?" Heather complained to her team over their losing streak. The girl was now cleaned up from the smell of urine and the glare that she had for the fat boy who was smiling sheepishly at her. "Can we already start this? I need another shower because this day has been a torture to me… And I want to hunt down a fattus creature."
"Err...he...he…" Owen laughed nervously, as Heather glared him down, making him whimper.
Cody felt happy to see his girlfriend visiting him before the votes… and he couldn't imagine who would be voted off… Since Heather has 3 votes, and Owen is intimidated by Heather as a way to pay his debt because Heather was going to beat the crap out of him if he doesn't vote on the same person… So he couldn't help but feel pity for his friend, maybe if he voted in Owen and made him feel the pressure of Elimination… Heather would be kinder to him…
Confession – Cody.
"Heheheh. Okay. I know I got captured by a snare trap, but I'm feeling good about this." Cody said with a confident tone. "Besides, Heather has been furious around Owen, so I think one little vote on him would save him from elimination and also would make me avoid voting for Trent since he probably was going to leave tonight."
"There are only five marshmallows on this plate," Chris told everyone as he held up the plate full of marks of safety. "When I call your name, come up and claim your marshmallow. The camper who does not receive a marshmallow must immediately return to The Dock of Shame, catch the Boat of Losers, and leave.-"
"Beth. Lindsay. Heather, Trent." Chris quickly listed off the four Gophers who would be staying and threw them marshmallows. Cody suddenly realized something was odd… Trent not being the one who was on the verge of elimination?
Cody found himself…worried. There was one marshmallow and only two campers without marshmallows. Cody…and Owen.
"Campers, this is the final marshmallow tonight. And to make things more serious… it was a vote of 5 against 1," Chris told everyone which made Cody suddenly feel a shrive on his own spine, and slowly looked to Trent, who turned his head away… Heather, Lindsay, Beth he could understand… even Owen since there was pressure against Heather… but Trent? Cody didn't understand why that happened… And it was at the next moment, that he knew his fate… as Chris was silent for an incredibly tense moment before announcing who would be staying. "Owen."
"YEAH BABY," Owen shouted as Chris launched the marshmallow to the fat boy who gleefully opened his mouth to eat it...
"Cody. The Dock of Shame awaits, bro." Chris told me as the geek boy seemed to be slowly moving away from the team… Heather was in serious face, she wasn't grinning, neither wanting to provoke him… Lindsay and Beth were sad… even Owen felt sad to see his departure… Cody refused to see his face of Trent at that moment… from all the time, and his own conversation with him… it probably felt like it meant nothing…
Confession - Trent
"While I know it would have been easier to vote in myself... I cannot give up this game... I still want to win this game. Sorry Cody, but I was the only one from our team who got shot over this challenge, and you were kissing the girl on this challenge." Trent said as he was cleaning the blue ink from his face, and still gave his silly free smile. "No hard feelings okay?"
Cody probably would have prayed for God may have forgiveness and to have mercy on Trent's soul… because he knows at the time Katie discovers this… she won't have either of them…
Cody accepted to leave the game, and with a few tears in his eyes, he said goodbye to the island… and got himself inside the boat, for a place that he didn't know where it was...
He was not mauled by a bear... but the pain he felt for leaving the show wasn't smaller than the time he was betrayed by his whole team...
And with that grim remark comes the end of yet another episode of Total. Drama. Island!
Chapter 14: Interlude 4
Chapter Text
(Main Lodge - Kitchen)
In the middle of the night, Chef was preparing the MRE for the next morning... To even kill the food who dared to pick a fight with him.
Using his grill to hear the painful screams of the food was music to his ears... He doesn't know why the food acts in such a way, but he finds fun when he does that...
Being on the terrible job of doing most of the food and hearing complaints from the brats, and even being a test subject of the sadic friend he has... He sometimes thinks that his friend is being too unfair to him...
Then suddenly a loud sound of the telephone was ringing in the kitchen which he immediately picked up.
"Hatchet speaking," Chef said loudly as then at the next moment his eyes went wide open. "Are you serious?... They want me to do what?... Does Chris know that?... He doesn't know? Why? ... Oh, ohhhhhhh... Yeah, this is going to be fun... I accept the challenge... I will find 2 contestants that would be my bet on the next season... I have a former protege in mind so I think she would be my best bet. Thank you so much for the opportunity."
And at the time Chef turned off the telephone, he sighed happily with the newest opportunity in his hands... A bet to see who would be the winner in the next season... And if the people he chooses win the game... He would receive a huge raise in his salary and even a promotion for the future seasons of the show...
He doesn't know what the producers are planning. But he isn't going to waste the opportunity he has on his hands... all he has to do it's to convince Izzy and one more member to work for his victory...
It seems the future is looking bright for the Military Chef Hatchet...
(Killer Bass)
Inside the Killer Bass cabin, there wasn't anything the group could say in such a situation, since Ezekiel's prediction was correct, and Katie passed the last few hours with her boyfriend before the elimination...
Seeing Trent, Owen and the trio of bees coming back means that the worst outcome happened... Katie ran towards her own bed to cry for such fate...
Bridgette and Courtney sat nearby to stay for the girl who lost another person in the game... and this one hurt the same way as the nerd who was sitting on the stairs in front of the cabin...
Gwen went inside the cabin at the time the Screaming Gophers returned... Knowing that the cheerful and optimistic boy from their team wasn't returning with them. With her diary in her hands, she knew what she was about to write.
The boys from Killer Bass were also helping by being supportive of Katie who was still crying for her boyfriend...
Ezekiel sat on the stairs, seeing the nerd who was still in thought about what was happening...
"First Leshawna, now Cody..." Ezekiel murmured as he looked to his side... "I wonder if in a few days, Owen would be next..."
Harold sniffed as he himself wondered about the number of victories the Killer Bass has... Showing that every victory for their team would also mean saying goodbye to someone from the other team...
The duo remained quiet... Suddenly a door from the female cabin of the Screaming Gopher side was opened... And from all the members to appear at that moment...Heather approached their direction...
Harold was about to say something rude but Ezekiel got up from the stairs and opened the door...
"Guys, Heather is here..." These 4 words were enough to make the whole group get up and remain alert... Except for Katie who was still crying with the pillow in her face.
"You have a lot of nerve to come here after the elimination, Heather," Duncan said as he already could see the person who Heather is but nobody from the Killer Bass would ever be prepared for what she was going to say.
"Oh shove it, metalhead... Who cares if I use Lindsay and Beth's votes to eliminate someone from the team? If I remain on the show, everything is fair... And I'm not the only one who did that." Heather raised her hand to see her fingernails, and with a sideglance, she looked at the girl on the bed. "I'm just here to tell Chris now surprised everyone by telling the difference of votes... Can you guess with how many votes the little Cody got to go home?"
The team narrowed their eyes, as Courtney scoffed in disbelief.
"What does even matter, since you already have 3 votes to whoever you want out, and you find a way to intimidate Owen or bribe him to vote as well... So who cares if Cody was out by 4 to 2?" Courtney commented as she wasn't in the mood to deal with the annoying brat girl at that moment.
"Well, then Trent didn't get the memo since I didn't ask him or even talk to him to vote Cody out..." Heather waited for that opportunity to give the expose...and from the look of all the faces of the Killer Bass, the Queen Bee managed to accomplish what she was aiming for. "5 votes against 1, I didn't know they stopped being friends... Since they were a bit close at the start of the show."
Bridgette was about to call Heather for her lying, but suddenly the girl who was crying on the bed, rose up, with her eyes red and tears ruining her maskara...
"He did WHAT?" The tan twin shouted as she stomped in the direction of the door, but suddenly was caught by Courtney and DJ. "LET ME KILL HIM, LET ME KILL HIM"
Heather smiled as she slowly got away from the Killer Bass cabin, with the fuse blowing up... She can be safe for another 2 challenges which could be possible for the merge to happen. And there isn't a lie in what she said. She spoke the truth, and she was grateful to Trent for using himself as her meat shield.
"Wow, never thought someone would have the courage to backstab a friend like that at this point of the competition," Sky commented as she could see how betrayed Cody felt when Trent also voted for Cody and with that eliminated from the program...
"You tell me. I have to say, for someone who received a Godfather execution... Trent is courageous to continue competing." The big sister sat near the sofa as she brought some snacks for them to see how Katie would deal with the news... "I feel sorry for Katie... Cody wasn't supposed to be eliminated like that."
"The problem is that Heather already has 4 votes to whoever she wants to vote," Sky commented, which implied her opinion. "I think Chris went too far by explaining it was 5 votes against 1..."
"It was for to create drama... Also, I think Cody deserved to know that Screaming Gophers are backstabers... I can't wait to see the pretty boy get what he deserves." The older sister answered as she took a few chips and munched... "Heather has now control of Screaming Gophers. 3 votes against 2. I think Owen will be next on the elimination table."
"I hope not. Owen doesn't have to be eliminated like that." Sky said as she looked at the channel with the charismatic boy on the show.
"Would you say that after you stumble on his pee jar and soak yourself with it?" The big sister snarked but even after that quote... The duo of girls remembered the time Heather got herself in such a terrible situation... And they shrived in fear.
"Okay, I know Heather is a bitch, but not even her deserved to be soaked in his pee..." Sky said, imagining herself like that would give her nightmares.
"Do like me and blame the curse Beth brought to the island... Because there is no way in hell if that wasn't the curse" The sister commented which Sky agreed.
"I suppose so... I hope Beth doesn't suffer much backlash the moment they find out they were cursed because of her." The Asian sisters remained on their sofa... Having a few snacks and watching Katie receiving such bad news...
Neither of them liked to see Katie losing another person she liked in such a way...
"Do you think she will say Condor?" Sky asked and her sister just shrugged... "She is on there without her sister and she already gave some help to their team... But I think after Cody's departure she can break any second and give up on the challenge..."
"She might do that... But there is... Wait, isn't that Heather? Why she is walking on the Killer Bass cabin?" The big sister was amused until she watched the queen bee going to the Killer Bass cabin... Changing the channel until the duo stared at Heather... "Wait... She is not..."
"He did WHAT?" Then the screech came the tan twin and in the next second the duo of sisters watched the group of girls and even some of the boys trying to hold the tan twin with her eyes burning with hatred. "LET ME KILL HIM, LET ME KILL HIM"
...
"Sky..." The bog sister commented as the aspirant Olympic athlete turned her head... "Please tell me that Heather didn't just sell out Trent betrayed Cody..."
"She just did..." Sky commented as the duo remained quiet... Until... "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, DEAD MAN WALKING"
The sisters laughed as they never thought Heather would be so quick to actually tell what happened to Cody.
"Okay, little by little Heather is becoming my top 5, she really knows how to adapt and how to make the game go in her favor." The sister had to give credit when is due... "Heather is resilient, and she may be on the final three..."
"That if the Killer Bass didn't eliminate them first... So when do you think the merge will happen?" Sky said as she grabbed a soda...
"Probably after more 2 or 3 challenges... It would be fun to see Screaming Gophers lose all three because of the curse...But I think Beth will tell Heather at some point." The sister replied as they giggled. "I know Heather it's a tsundere for both Beth and Lindsay, it's so funny to see it..."
"Yeah, it kinda sucks that at some point they are going to break... Depending on how Heather will react to Beth cursing everyone will determine if their friendship will survive." Sky replied as now they saw Katie shouting and crying while all the Killer Bass went there to console her and try to make her calm... However, at that moment she saw the familiar green hat boy walking towards the Screaming Gopher cabin... "Wait, now is Ezekiel who is walking towards the other team's cabin..."
"What is he planning to do?" The sister asked, since now the duo got on the edge of their seats...
(Screaming Gopher - Girl's Cabin)
"Done, now I have a few days and a few challenges without a target on my back," Heather said satisfied as she went back to her own bed, and saw both Beth and Lindsay already doing makeup for their time to sleep on the show. "I hope you both let something for me too."
"Yes, we did," Beth answered, pointing at the products above her table.
"Good, now we can relax after such catastrophic defeat. We just need to survive a few more challenges before the merge happens." Heather decided to explain her plan to both her allies, but at the time she was about to explain the details, someone knocked on the door.
*knock*knock*knock*knock*
Heather frowned her eyes, and with slow steps, she walked towards the door... At the time she opened, she was surprised to see Ezekiel walking in without any permission.
"Okay, which one of you took something from Boney Island?" Ezekiel said loudly which made the trio of girls freeze in the places... especially the farm girl who was wearing glasses at that moment.
"What the hell are you talking about, weirdo?" Heather glared at the homeschooled boy, but he replied with the same glare...
"You came to our cabin telling important information about the betrayal, so to repay that I'm going to explain to you, all the signals of the bathroom being destroyed, the beds breaking on the Screamin Gophers' side, and even you who just managed to have the first golden shower of the show..." At the time Ezekiel said the two words, Heather wanted to strangle the boy in front of her, but she was interrupted. "These are the facts that something is way off... this isn't a simple accident... someone cursed your cabin. This is the only thing I will tell you, as your payment for telling the truth."
Beth palled, as Heather raised her eyebrows in surprise, and Lindsay looked terrified.
"If there isn't anything else you are going to say, then you may l..." Heather was pushing the green hat boy in the direction of the door...
"WAIT," Suddenly a shout was enough to interrupt Heather and Ezekiel... Beth took something under from her pillow and then showed it to both of them... Ezekiel narrowed his eyes while Heather had her eyes wide open. "Do you mean that this thing has made us lose all the challenges until now?"
"I don't know, I'm stating the facts of your beds needing more maintenance, and the shower being broken twice after tonight... I don't know who used it after you guys came back from the challenge, but one of you used the shower again and it broke once again." Ezekiel said as he pointed at the tiki. He knew the idea of exposing such a secret before the next challenge would have been a terrible idea... But since Heather decided to not hide information from his team... he decided to pay the favor. "So you brought the curse upon your team, now my job is done. This is a payment for you exposing Trent. From how you are going to free yourself from the curse, it's not my job to tell you."
"WAIT..." At the time Ezekiel was about to leave, Heather held his shoulder, making him stop... "You said like you know how to lift the curse..."
"I do..." Ezekiel replied shortly, as he took his shoulder from the Korean hands. And at the time she was about to scoff Ezekiel continued. "If you think just placing the Tiki back on the island, you are terribly wrong... There are a few other steps that you should do before the curse is lifted."
"Such as?" Heather asked as she raised her eyebrows...
"You took something from the island... you should give something personal as a repayment for doing that." Ezekiel explained the logic, knowing that sometimes doing the opposite would be the only way to fix the mistakes you have made. "Create an altar as a way to pay tributes for the haunted island... such things like that. In the Hawaiian curse, you had to dance the Hula around the altar... But we are not talking about Hawaii. But Boney Island."
Heather remained quiet, as the idea of going back to that cursed Island made her spine shrive, not in a good way... She glanced at Beth who was trembling and even with some tears in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't know... I didn't know..." Beth cried as she looked at the Tiki who became the unlucky charm bringing the despair over the Screaming Gophers, and Lindsay stepped away from Beth, but with a sad expression on her face...
"What are we going to do?" Lindsay said as she could see her friend Beth was getting despaired... And Heather was biting her lips in conflict with what she was about to do...
"Ah, screw it" Heather then decided to do something she knew that she would regret later. "What do you want?"
Ezekiel stopped... and looking in the faces of Beth, Lindsay, and even Heather... he discovered that they were indeed willing to do anything to lift the curse...
"..." Ezekiel remained quiet, and then with a thought of his mind... he concluded. "I want one more favor from you, and one favor by each of you two."
Heather's eyes went wide open... knowing that somehow accumulating favors to the boy in front of her sounded too easy to be true... it sounded way too fishy...
"Okay." Lindsay was the first person to agree which Heather facepalmed...
"It sounds fair. I'm in." Beth smiled and once again Heather was on the verge of beating her face into the wall...
And now Ezekiel looked up, to see the queen bee now having a thought spot and what would be her decision... but looking at Lindsay and Beth already agreeing without knowing him, she was trapped... again...
"Fine, you won... I owe you 2 favors." Heather admitted she couldn't win... she was against someone who had more pieces than her...
"Good..." Ezekiel nodded his head, and with his eyes looking sharp he decided to explain the details. "We will depart in 3 days."
"3 days?" Heather asked and then narrowed her eyes in anger. "Why we can't go sooner?"
"There is no way Chris would allow us to get out from the island without the crew preparing the cameras around Boney Island again... for the sake of the entertainment, he would record everything, even our almost death on the haunted island. So the only way was to make sure he knew that we were going to the island, while he did the challenge... " Ezekiel pointed out some facts. Since he knows that some episodes of Total Drama wouldn't waste such an opportunity. "That way it would be a recording of two videos for one episode."
Heather had her eyes wide open, as Ezekiel knew the ins and outs of how the show was made... which also gave a very logical reason for how the boy was aware of everything around the game...
"So that means that we are just going when Chris has the team of cameras and people recording us going to undo the curse?" Heather repeated as the boy summarized which she hated to admit, but it sounded exactly the conditions on how Chris would allow them to rid the curse... "Fine, 3 days..."
"Good... Now, let's this be the last time we have a conversation like that Heather... Don't look for my team or me like that ever again. I mean it." Ezekiel narrowed his eyes before closing the door slowly... and at the time the queen bee saw the boy leaving the cabin...
She sat with her hands on her face.
"*beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep*" Heather cursed, as she thought she was safe from the target on her back... but now she regretted ever opening her mouth at the time she visited the Killer Bass... Now she is in debt of Ezekiel twice... and with Beth looking nervous, the same way Lindsay...
She was afraid for her friends...
(?)
The travel around the sea was something the geek boy wasn't very interested to be engaged with… Since at the time, he left the island… Cody didn't turn his head off… looking at the island for what would have been the greatest time he passed there… The girl who actually saw for what he is… The tanned skin that made him enjoy a good time on the beach, the cheerful smile that made him wake up from his sleep with the optimism of the day…
And the first kiss that he had with her… even if was something that it would be in the show… it was something that he would cherish in his memories. And now after leaving the show, he couldn't help but miss her… every single minute of it.
With now the idea of going home, back to the mansion where he would be with his parents… at least he would say to the students of his class, that the journey and adventure he had on the reality show, has been one thing that he would treasure for the rest of his life.
The time he passes, as a few hours would have been enough for him to land on the shore… But suddenly… the trip looked to be far too short in comparison to the last time he came… He didn't remember that it was that quick…
"We are here." The voice of the captain said as the geek boy took his luggage and turned his head off… And instead of being a dock from where he got in the first place… it was different… It was a paradise island. "Welcome to Playa de Losers. Where all the eliminated contestants are transported for the rest of the episodes."
"Wait… this will be the place I'm going to be? I thought we would go home." Cody asked in surprise, as he saw the captain dropping his bagages on the docks, and pointing at the beach which looked a bit more paradise than the camp he was living in…
"Yep. Have fun with the other contestants." The captain said, but not before kicking the but of Cody and dropping the geek into the beach in the middle of the night.
"Ughhhh…" Cody groaned as his cheeks seemed to be in pain from the rude captain… "Creatine…"
Cody took a time to look around, and see that it was indeed beautiful, a spot in the sand, in the middle of the night with all the stars in the sky… The word paradise would have been described better than the word playa de losers. This should have been the hotel 5 stars that the group must have signed the contract for.
But yet… Cody would have exchanged that to still being on the side of Katie, still trying to win the challenges, and even eating the crap food of Chef, just to be on the side of his girlfriend.
"CODY, OVER HERE." Then a shout made him snap from his thoughts, and at the time the geek turned his head, he saw something he wasn't expecting. Izzy smiled cheekily, Sadie also smiled but she looked less chubby but in exchange, it developed little muscles around her biceps and legs… And Eva was still in the wheelchair but somehow she looked still like the same.
Cody walked towards the trio, who were waiting for him…
"Hey... Izzy?" Cody asked in surprise as he saw the ginger winking at him. "How did you manage to escape RCMP?"
"A good magician never reveals her tricks." Izzy smiled proudly at herself, as she could see the boy getting confused from her amazing escape.
"Wouldn't you be in problem if they find you here?" Cody asked worried which Izzy giggled madly.
"Oh Cody, that's the thing... I'm the problem." Izzy laughed Sadie and Eva looked at the crazy girl with their eyebrows raised, but not before staring at the Screaming Gopher boy who was still in the process of accepting his defeat.
"It's nice to see you here Cody." Sadie smiled as she went to give a hug to the boy, but the strength on her arms was enough to make him tight and almost lose his air.
"Argh... yeah, it's nice to see you too Sadie... can you release me please?" Cody tapped her arm, which made the girl stop hugging and making him get down... on the floor with his face.
"Ops, sorry... I'm still trying to get used to this." Sadie said with a sheepish smile...
"I can notice..." Cody said as he cracked the bones of his back, to make sure that his back went to the right place... "You look different."
"That's because she has been in my workout regiment since the day I came here," Eva answered for the Asian twin... and Cody suddenly stared at the gentle and cheerful Asian actually bulking a few of her muscles. "She begged me to train her at the time I got eliminated."
"Why?" Cody asked which Sadie sniffed and tried to hold her tears...
"It's because of Katie... The time I saw the bear attacking the Killer Bass, I was so afraid that something would happen to Katie... so at the time Eva came here, I wanted to be like her... I wanted to be the one who could protect my best friend." Sadie said determined, Cody smiled as Katie had said... Sisters from different mothers. "Also, I want so much to strangle Trent for what he did with you and Ezekiel."
Cody had his eyes wide open from that statement.
"I said to get in the line," Eva ordered, which Sadie sighed and gave a step away from Eva. "Tyler was the one who called dibs from the way he looked at Lindsay, you being eliminated like that, and what he did with Ezekiel and Gwen... Oh, I want so much to have 5 minutes to speak with him..."
"I don't know if I should be touched or scared from the way you said that." Cody's eyes shrank which the bodybuilder ignored... But the crazy military girl just giggled.
"Well you could touchared... or Scauched. Depends on which country you speak." Izzy snickered and Cody raised his eyebrow to her... "I saw the video of the group scaring shitless of you. And seeing Ezekiel, Duncan and Harold intimidating you was the funniest thing I watched in my life."
Cody's face palled as he could see the girls smiling cheekily at him.
"Just to be clear, I'm not going to say sorry for them. I approved what they did to you." Sadie commented as she remembered how she loved seeing the geek struggling since she always supported Katie and she knew how Cody had been annoying in the first episode... But after that, the more time he passed with Katie, the more good traits she could see in the boy, and the funnier it became to see the boys scaring shitless of him. "Also if you get my sis preg, I will be happy to castrate you personally."
Cody flinched, while Eva smiled with her teeth like showing a good sharp on it.
"Now now geek boy. I will not beat you up... Sadie will be glad into doing it..."Eva smiled as she could see the rich boy sweating. But then she gave a key to him. "Jokes are funny in due time. But I think everyone needs a good night's sleep... Here is the key to your room... The staff will help you to get there... Also... Every room has a television and recorded episodes from the show. They installed pay-per-view, so channels 40 - 45 are focused on the live cameras of the camp."
Cody stared at the bodybuilder in surprise... And quickly grabbed his key...
And one by one they left... Leaving only Izzy and Cody...
"One piece of advice Cody..." Izzy commented as she cracked her neck. "There is one abandoned room numbered 22th... It was the former room of Eva, and she destroyed it after Phobia Factor... And... I also helped it when I just watched it, in an honest view as a watcher...Trent is on the verge of committing social suicide because I saw how Ezekiel got out of the challenge... And before you ask if was that bad, you should see it."
And with that, Izzy turned her back, and left the Screaming Gopher boy alone... with the interaction he had with the girls... he couldn't help but want to see one more thing...
It didn't take long before Cody found his room, and like a well-expensed hotel, it looked fantastic, like the times his parents took him to visit some hotels in other states or countries... And with a good television and cable already in front of the bed...
Going to the channel from the pay-per-view... there isn't much he was trying to see around those channels in the middle of the night... just one little thing... The Killer Bass Female Cabin... Cody blinked, in tiredness... didn't even go to take a shower to prepare himself to sleep. He just looked at the channel, where all the girls from the Killer Bass were sleeping... even one in the corner who seemed to be whimpering and sniffing on her sleep...
Cody sniffed... But with his television on... he could hear the constant sounds of the sleeping girls... And that was enough for him to take his blankets, and before closing his eyes... just wish one last thing.
"Good night Katie... I hope to see you soon." Cody whispered before his eyes took him to the land of the dreams.
On the next morning, Cody heard the sound of a rainstorm happening on the playa de losers, the sound of the winds traveling around the trees, and even the window being attacked by the raindrops... It made him wake up wary about what was going to happen on the island. So the first thing he did was turn on the television to check the channels if the camp was having the same problems as the island he was... To his surprise and happiness, the camp seemed to be intact, as the campers looked fine to wake up to pass their time.
Cody would have smiled to see Katie's face again... but at the time he saw it on the screen, he palled... the tan twin who always would be cheerful and happy, was now with her eyes in fury and teeth grinding in anger...
"Oh God, she does know..." Cody concluded, seeing the Killer Bass walking around the Main Lodge, some were talking about the ideas of what the next challenge would be, and plans to talk about what they were going to be doing for the day... And the girls actually trying to cheer up Katie who wanted so much to kill Trent... Cody doesn't need to be a genius to understand that she is angry... like the way he thought she would be, but how she discovered it was a mystery.
*knock* *knock* *knock *
"Cody, are you there sweetheart?" Then a familiar voice was enough to make the geekster turn his head and go to his door. It didn't take long for the boy to open it and see the ghetto black girl Leshawna, the eye candy model Justin, the book smart Noah, and the crazy Military expert Izzy who were on the other side of the door. Leshawna smiled as she saw the boy after so long. "Good to see you awake. We are going to the dinner hall to have breakfast, wanna come?"
Seeing his team once again was a surprise, and since his stomach was grumbling after not eating anything since the last night... Cody smiled, and with that, he could appreciate the place, even if the rainstorm was happening outside, the service from the place could be compared to a good club that his parents go to once per year.
A good swimming pool, a clean beach, and even services like 5-star food, drinks, and even spa service for everyone who just got eliminated.
The tables around the dinner room were giant, and there was a lot of space, but from the time Cody got on there... There was a good circle around three tables near each other... The Killer Bass eliminated members who were enjoying good pancakes with everything they ever desired. It was Canadian bacon or American bacon, bacon and eggs, orange juice, and even some toast for their joy.
It was a paradise in comparison to the breakfast they got inside of the camp.
Saying that he didn't miss the good food after weeks of eating the same military food would be a lie. Sadie, Izzy, and Leshawna giggled at the time a tear dropped from the geek's eyes and from the pleasure he was having missed pancakes...
"Wow, I kinda forgot how good edible food tastes like." Cody joked, and in response, the group nodded their heads. And after such a terrible time dealing with the show, having a break like that was actually nice. And looking at everyone around, it seems that everyone was enjoying their time on the island. "So what you guys have been up to around this rain?"
"It started a few days ago, but I heard in a few days there will be a lot of sun here. So it's a good thing for us to pass the time watching television, Noah is reading a few books, Justin using the mirror, and Eva and Sadie are doing their workout, which became a costume around here." Tyler appeared as he brought his own plate with pancakes... "Lindsay would have loved the spa service around here."
"Well, everyone around here watched all the episodes of the show?" Cody couldn't help but ask loudly, which made Noah stop reading his book and then look at the geek who was still curious.
"Yes we are, we wanted to see how long Heather would go before everything she planned would blow to her face," Noah said as he pointed at the big television around the dining hall. "We are betting on when she was going to leave, but every challenge has proved how Heather adapts around the challenges and manages to survive for another day... Which is annoying."
"Tell me about it." Leshawna snarled but then regained her composure. "I mean, that skinny white brat got me, she played well... But she deserved everything my lovely skinny man did to her... It was the best laugh I had in months."
"Yeah, to see Harold work together with Gwen was indeed a very good way to punish that Korean snob." Noah rolled his eyes but even with that, he clapped at least once for the performance.
"Well if y..." Cody was about to reply when suddenly Sadie broke the table in anger.
"WHAT A BITCH, HOW DARE SHE?" The angry shout of the chubby bulky asian twin called the attention of the whole group to jump on their seats...
"What just happened?" Cody asked as he saw his friends sighing exasperated.
"CodyLuver4Life." The former members from both Killer Bass and Screaming Gophers replied as Sadie turned off her PDA and went back to her training, angrier than ever.
"Wait, I have a fan?" Cody asked in surprise but from the look on the other competitors... It was not a good sign.
"More like a crazy fan and a hater for Katie," Leshawna explained, making the geek boy have his eyes wide open in surprise but also in terror. "She has been spamming how much she hated Katie around the blogs and even called her names for the whole time."
"What did the Wako user say this time?" Noah rolled his eyes, as he was prepared to know the possible craziness of the fans over the show.
"She called Katie a whore, saying that she must use her body to confuse Cody's mind into giving up the game..." Sadie replied, to which Noah flinched, and even Leshwana looked horrified before showing anger on her face.
"OH NO SHE DIDN'T," Leshawna said as she got up from her seat. "I'm going to the computer for a while. I need to show this brat her place."
"There she goes," Noah commented, knowing how crazy things would turn that way.
"How could someone say that to Katie? She has been so great for me, and I like so much to be on her side." Cody said as he was terrified by that.
"That's what fans and haters are for. Having them can be both a blessing and a curse. But having a crazy fan and a crazy hater is the worst of two worlds... Just to be sure I would make a restriction order against her." Noah advised as he saw Cody confused by both reactions of Leshawna and Sadie. "Leshawna took it personally when the user said that both your relationship with Katie was such as lame like Harold hooking up with Leshawna... That triggered a bitter fight between 10 users against CodyLuver4Life..."
"Wow, that user is crazy." Cody felt palled, as he knew that in the future he would need to support Katie all the time.
"Crazy isn't half of it," Justin replied as he grumbled too. "She dared to call me ugly online and tell me that I was wasting your potential of best member of the Killer Bass, and Eva just made her like Gwen because now she could be slut away from you..."
"That girl is a psycho..." Cody concluded but then he heard someone cracking their fingers.
"Oh, I hope she is..."Eva replied as she and Sadie cracked their knuckles, and with a scowl on their faces. "That way we can beat the shit out of her and claim it's self-defense."
Cody looked at Tyler, who was in silence but at the same time afraid of the outcome of everything.
"Guys, while I understand that Sierra should get her punishment in the future, let's not focus on what an internet user is saying. She is literally a user against many who support Katie. It will always be a losing fight." Izzy replied as she was happy to take the breakfast and enjoy a good time...
The people who were sitting around suddenly realized what Izzy had just said...
"Wait... You said her name is Sierra?" Cody asked Izzy who nodded her head happily.
"Yep, you may need the real name for the restriction order... And before you ask, I made a fake account and made friends with her just for the sake of knowing her personal info..." The orange-haired girl explained which made Justin and Tyler look at her like she was crazy.
"Doing that isn't illegal?" Tyler asked which made Izzy nod her head.
"Oh, it is... But she has been using fake names and passing herself as some people to call your parents to take your personal details about your life just to publish online, Cody ... So..." Izzy then told about how the crazy user has managed to take some of their secrets... Which made every one of them mad... Even Justin.
"Okay, that girl has problems, she needs therapy. Or to go to jail." Justin may have known about such things happening to people like him, but to be such extreme... He was both envied and horrified at the geek boy who was sweating a lot.
"What am I going to do?" Cody said that he could potentially be targeted by the crazy girl and how that would affect his relationship with Katie...
"And done, let's see if that psycho will learn her lesson after messing with us." Leshawna said as she cleaned the dust on her fingers..."She was so adamant the Codikins belonged to her, that I told her 100 reasons why Cody would never be with her... And the other users are making fun of her because of that."
Cody and Sadie looked at the black girl who was happy to sit back on her seat.
"Thanks, Leshawna." Cody thanked me as he could see that such a user is going to be a pain in the ass if they don't care of it quickly. So in case Courtney wins the game, he could ask his parents to hire her and even some other lawyers to help make the user stop bugging their lives.
"No problem sweet boy. She messed with us, now she needs to take the heat... And I'm surprised that she was also blaming Trent for backstabbing yah... That was something the users would defend her..." Leshawna started eating her breakfast... As the sweat flavor passed on her mouth. She looked at Cody... "I gotta say, Trent is going down into a spiral of bad decisions."
"Yeah, I know... I thought he was going to leave yesterday so I did my vote to Owen to show my support... But..." Cody got sad that the person he thought would have been his friend had decided to do that to him.
"You didn't expect him to vote in you... And to be fair, if I were him, and had such a massacre of paintball history on television... I would have accepted and voted myself out." Noah mused as he opened his book. "From all episodes, we learned the Killer Bass is pretty vindictive with their own team members, and Trent has the biggest target on his back since he messed up with one of the pillars..."
"Pillars?" Cody asked as Eva grunted before Tyler came to explain.
"Ezekiel, Courtney, and Duncan. They are the three pillars of the team since they work together as team leaders and come to decisions to help the team work better." Tyler explained as he pointed out how each of them had to come to decide important decisions. "And Ezekiel had trust issues with Trent before even the challenge started... and the fact that he dropped the walkie-talkie really made him drop the ball... Courtney was very angry at the moment that he planned to be cooperative with only Gwen."
"Yeah, not one of his best moments." Cody scratched his head and remembered how much Katie was with the guitarist, especially on what he did with Geoff and Ezekiel. "Maybe I should watch the episode to be sure how terrible it went."
"Trust me, Cody. While I found it Ezekiel was a rascal for what he did to me and Harold, what happened to him was something that I wouldn't wish to even my worst enemy." Leshawna snapped her fingers as she tapped the table with her fingers. "If I was in his position, I would have beaten Trent so much that he would be wishing to go home."
"Oh come on, are you still mad at Ezekiel for giving the cake to Heather to bribe Owen?" Tyler rolled his eyes, as Eva used her wheelchair to go near the group.
"Well, not anymore. I got it that he did that because he wanted his team to win and I would be angry with Harold if he threw the challenge for my sake, but I won't lie that the little rascal deserved the punch he asked for it. He has guts, and I respect him for that. But it's an iconic scene that I will always watch when I want to see someone punched in the face." Leshawna joked, making the whole environment lighter than before. "Harold has good friends. And sometimes I wished to have the green hat boy and my skinny nerd in our team instead of dealing with the Korean queen bee."
"Well," Cody nodded his head in understanding. "Katie said Ezekiel was like glue for their team when everyone thought that their team would be torn apart... he somehow managed to make it work."
"That's because he did..." Eva and Sadie said in unison.
"To be honest, I wish to have been in the game a bit longer to show my value... but seeing how the crazy challenges come around every single time... I feared for both my team and Katie." Sadie commented as she now looked calmer than before...
"I have anger issues, but after entering the game... I thought creating friends would be an obstacle to ignore and focus on winning the game... The little green hat seemed to have looked right through me and taught me to value the others for their own skills as well. I never thought Harold would have become MVP almost as much as me. That taught me to never underestimate anyone who I can look at as a competitor." Eva replied as she looked at her own leg. "I swear that if I somehow go back to the game, I'm going to beat the shit out of that bear and then I will take all the guitarist teeth off, from what he did with my team."
The group of losers had their eyes wide open for seeing Eva showing her true anger, as her own face looked demoniac, and she wanted nothing more than revenge...
Cody gulped as he had no idea what to say at that moment. So he looked for Izzy who was making piles and piles of pancakes to enjoy her good time playing with her imagination.
And now he realized that he would be staying with them until the end of the show... how crazy his life has turned him into...
(Killer Bass - Boy's Cabin)
A few days passed until it was another time for the challenges... Ezekiel was always the first person to wake up from the boy's cabin, and looking at how the boys seemed to be sleeping most of the time... Seeing that his friends would be focusing much on the challenge of the day. He had to prepare himself for the trip he was going to make...
Seeing the floor was one thing that disgusted him and even made him facepalm... He decided to walk up towards the top bunker where Harold was sleeping peacefully.
"Harold, wake up," Ezekiel whispered, sighing pushing the need to wake up and still drownzy after the last night. "Harold, your dirty underwear is on the floor again..."
"Hum?" Harold asked as Ezekiel pointed at the floor, and slowly woke up... and the first reply he would have was having his eyes wide open in panic. "It's not mine..."
Ezekiel facepalmed, and was about to explain, until suddenly Duncan woke up to do his own matinal workout. Doing push-ups to keep his body still in shape. Duncan didn't seem to notice at first…until he sniffed and his eyes shot open at the rank smell his nose detected and saw a pair of Harold's dirty underwear right below his face.
"UGH!" Duncan gagged loudly as he backed away from the pair of underwear.
This caused the other guys to wake up with DJ and Geoff laughing and Harold simply winced at looking at Duncan who found out about his underwear as well.
"Not cool, Harold man!" Duncan yelled while glaring and pointing at Harold for leaving his dirty clothes on the cabin floor…again. "Not cool!"
"Those aren't mine." Harold denied as Duncan stood up.
"Oh right!" Duncan continued to yell as DJ and Geoff got up from bed. The delinquent was starting to get sick and tired of Harold always leaving his dirty stuff on the cabin floor. "You're always leaving your gitch lying around!"
"No, I'm not!" Harold yelled back as he crossed his arms. "Gosh!"
"Uh, yeah you are, dude." Geoff backed Duncan up as he and DJ walked next to the delinquent.
"You have like, absolutely no proof," Harold claimed as he got up and pointed at the three guys in front of him.
And at the time anyone was to reply, Ezekiel decided to make it the end of it.
"ENOUGH," Ezekiel shouted which made everyone stop arguing. And with his fingers pinching between his eyes... He gave a deep sigh before telling Harold. "Harold we are on live television, if someone saw you doing that, that's proof enough that they will expose you... and if people on television saw that, Leshanwa also could have seen that."
And using Leshawna's name, everybody in the cabin knows that the nerd would tremble in fear of her knowing that.
"If Leshawna finds out that you have a costume into letting your dirty clothing in the floor, she would be *beep*, so I want you to be honest with me... do you know how to do laundry?" Ezekiel asked and cut Harold before he replied. "It's not shameful to admit you don't know, if you have problems not knowing we can teach you how to do it right."
"Pff, I know..." Harold scoffed but then Ezekiel, Duncan, DJ, and Geoff glared at the nerd who immediately dropped his act. "Okay, okay, usually is my mom who would come to my room and take my clothing..."
"Well, she is a saint," Duncan said as he crossed his arms... And Harold was a bit offended, but he was complimenting his mom, so it wasn't that bad. "Okay, I will let that pass, if you have problems with the basics of cleaning your underwear. You can take it to the shower, use the soap, and pass on the dirty area, you can take your shower while you clean this *beep* at the same time."
"Just like that?" Harold asked as he raised his eyebrows, not knowing that it was that simple.
"Well, it's for extreme cases, Momma said to always use the most practical way to do the laundry, but the way Duncan taught is the more efficient in the short run, but it will mess up your underwear in the long run," DJ replied as he himself has some dirty clothing on him. "Tomorrow I'm going to clean up my shirts and pants... I can teach you how to do the laundry. But I recommend you do what Duncan said because it looks disgusting."
Harold nodded his head and got up to take the dirty clothes...
"Okay, thanks, guys. Sorry about that." Harold apologized to the group who seemed to be relieved to take out the bad habit of the nerd who refused to admit his mistakes. "I'm going take this and take a shower."
And at the time the Bass nerd left the place, Duncan was giving an exasperated sigh and rolled his eyes.
"Thank God that he admitted it... I was this close to planning a prank to pull on him." The delinquent looked at Ezekiel who was going down from the bunker.
'Well, every time we can use Leshawna as a point to make him behave himself is a good way to show that he is wrong and that he needs to grow up... At least we dealt with such an issue." Ezekiel stretched himself before taking his bow and arrows... "Also Duncan, I love doing pranks, but let's just not make pranks in the days of challenge... we need our team to be focused, so we can plan some pranks to do around when we have free time tomorrow or other day."
Geoff and DJ also seemed interested in the proposition of the homeschooled boy...
"Oh, look at that, the golden heart child has a devious side." Duncan was impressed Ezekiel rolled his eyes, and from his backpack took what would be many tiny orange orbs created from tree sap and sand... good thing he would need for his own adventure.
"Oh come on Duncan, I love to laugh, but like a good prank, we shouldn't focus much on our friends, so that would be unfair..." Ezekiel explained that he didn't like the idea of Harold being hurt, and bulied from the rest of the show...
"Well, and what if wasn't our friends like Trent?" Duncan had a devious smile which made the other boys then has sparkle in their eyes...
"Then let's go full war, then." Ezekiel shrugged, knowing that he didn't care for Trent anymore... What he did with Cody clearly affected Katie in such a way, that he stopped caring for the guitarist. "Try to see if Harold is up too... He was the one who pranked Heather, so he may have some new ideas."
"Makes sense..." Duncan nodded in acknowledgment, but then he saw Ezekiel tying himself with ropes, and even preparing his quirv for something. "Dude, what are you doing?"
Ezekiel stopped, and by checking himself if he was ready for the trip... he seemed satisfied with everything he had,
"I'm going to take a walk," Ezekiel explained which made the trio look at him in disbelief.
"You are way too prepared for just a walk," Geoff commented as the green hat boy just shrugged.
"It's a very enthusiastic walk," Ezekiel replied, which made the group look at him weirdly. "I will be right back."
And with that, Ezekiel has left... leaving a group of his team confused about what he was doing at the moment.
"Sometimes I think this boy is getting crazier and crazier," Duncan commented as he went back to his push-ups, now without the disgusting interruption from the terrible underwear...
(Beach)
At the beach, Heather tapped her foot impatiently, as Beth looked nervous about what they were about to do...
"Where is he? If he stood up, I'm going to strangle him." Heather was getting angry with waiting for the boy who proposed to return the cursed item.
"You didn't have to come, Heather, you can stay with Lindsay at the camp and I can go alone with him..." Beth said in a worried tone, knowing that she screw up a big time and now her best friend had to suffer the idea of themselves going back to the haunted island... And luckily at the time she was about to receive a reply from Heather, Ezekiel passed the stairs of the beach...
And to the surprise of both Heather and Beth, Ezekiel was well equipped with his bow and arrows, and even a big piece of frozen ribs he was carrying on his hands.
"Sorry for the wait, it was difficult to trick Chef into going away from the kitchen and taking this from the refrigerator." The homeschooled boy explained as he placed the ribs above the canoe. Heather and Beth stared at him in silence. "These Ribs were also a part of a tribute for the animals since they like to eat meat, it can be used as a good way to stall time for us to run..."
Heather and Beth remembered the bevers and the gooses... which made both of them gulp loudly about the possibility of encountering them...
"I hope you girls are ready to go... because I can guarantee that it will take some hours before we come back here... Someone does need a bathroom break before we go?" Ezekiel asked as he placed himself above the canoe... leaving both Heather and Beth staring at each other... Heather was about to reply, but Beth was raising her hand as she was shaking to go to the bathroom.
Heather sighed as she rolled her eyes...
"Okay, you may go Beth... but do it quick," Heather ordered Beth went happily to the bathroom... And now Heather may be thinking about the whole days of challenges that she was going to do... and how at the end of the day... she must come with a painful decision...
Chapter 15: The Wicked Palette
Chapter Text
"Last time on Total Drama Island…" Chris began with his usual smirk on his face. "competitors became hunters. And the hunted. Owen's game was way off. And when he finally caught wind of his prey, he totally blew it. And Cody passed time with his girlfriend while they were upside-down from a neat trap. And in a shocking turn of…events, hehehehe, sorry, sorry I just, hehe, I just can't say this with a straight face. Trent made a terrible mistake in finding the wrong words to tell the heart of the Killer Bass team, which in the end led to the best reference of the most perfect Mafia Movie ever made. I had to pay a good money to make the soundtrack would be similar to the Godfather movie. I swear the guitarist will flinch every time he hears the movie soundtrack or sees a paintball gun ever again. Heather, Lindsay, and Beth found a new friend, who turned out to be a terrible bear… But the panic made them run away in such a hurry that the curse of Boney Island once again attacked Heather by slipping a pee jar from nobody other than Owen… Needless to say, the bear was afraid of what Heather could do to him after being soaked on that nasty stuff. I swear you just can't write this stuff! And ultimately it was the Screaming Gophers who once again had to suffer through another bonfire ceremony. In the end, it was Cody who got to go from a betrayal made by nobody else than Trent, 5 against one vote was indeed something that no camper would like to ever receive…. But now with the merge almost approaching… How long it will come? Who knows? But one final scene from the pay-per-view… Heather told the Killer Bass about Trent's betrayal, and Katie swore revenge.. and in time of empathy… Ezekiel paid the same coin by exposing the curse… Now Beth, Ezekiel, and Heather had to cross to Boney Island to undo the curse. The Gophers are still the underdogs. Can they bounce back? Can they get rid of the curse? Find out tonight on Total. Drama. Island!"
Around the camp Wawanakwa, the day seemed just like any other, the blue sky, and the good environment with nature. The animals were happy, exploring the nature around them, the trees were showing good green as the sound of a fart was enough to make many animals leave immediately due to the terror of the sound and to save their lives from the smell.
Trent woke up in a fall from his bed since his friend just farted so loud that it made him wake up. Thankfully he wasn't on the top of the bunker bed, but also on the down bed, he just glanced around and saw that... he saw the lack of presence of the other members of his team... Now would be only him and the big guy who just farted... He knew that what he did may not have forgiveness from his friend, but he went there to go at the game until the end. And it was difficult to find a way to keep playing when his team kept losing all the time...
It was like they somehow were cursed or something... He couldn't help but think it would have been tempting to ask Owen and Cody to vote him out, but he needed to keep trying and possibly find a way to keep in the show. He felt somehow this time would be his lucky day...
And that was what he needed to have a good smile and go directly to the bathroom which Harold was just finishing to take a shower...
At the time the sound of the shower was done, Harold was happy to take the stain off his underwear, he was glad that the boys were so comprehensive to him, and he learned that he may need to be more honest with his friends. Especially since they want him to not make him look bad in front of Leshawna... It was great to have some friends nearby and nothing would mess up with his cheerful morning... Until he opened the door, and the happy smile on his face turned into a deep frown upon the guitarist who was about to get inside the bathroom.
Trent saw the hostility in his eyes, knowing that somehow the group was still angry at him... At the time he was about to say something. The nerd ignored him and holding his now wet clean underwear he went back to his own cabin.
Trent knowing it would have been pointless to talk, decided to go to the shower and have time to take a bath... Maybe this time the show wouldn't be broken the time he would use it.
The temperature of the water was fine, the pressure didn't explode the valve or anything that would mess up his bath... Using his shampoo he needed to clean up his black hair...Sighing happily Trent felt relieved to take a good moment to enjoy his privacy and take a good time for himself...
(Main Lodge)
"Where is Chef and the food?" Duncan said as he felt annoyed because by the time they were supposed to have breakfast, Chef Hatchet wasn't there, and the kitchen was looked with a metal door which nobody knew was there in the first place.
And noticing that he wasn't alone in that regard, DJ, Geoff was checking the metal door blocking the kitchen...
"Strange, I don't remember seeing a door like that," DJ commented as he knocked the cold metal from the door, which even echoed on the other side of the kitchen.
Duncan was looking impatiently as he kept tapping on the table but then saw Courtney and Bridgette walk into the main lodge with the same energy as Duncan.
"Did you get any luck?" Duncan asked as the C.I.T. girl and the surfer sat at their seat with a bit of hunger in their stomachs.
"They even place bars on the windows of the kitchen. What is their problem? It's the third challenge that they made us hungry for breakfast, what are they going to do today?" Courtney said as she was feeling annoyed by another challenge that would require them to not eat their breakfast. "Last time they wanted us to eat canned beans for breakfast."
Bridgette also felt something was off, seeing that the Chef himself not appearing and the secrecy of what was inside the kitchen was making them more curious about it.
"I don't know. Usually, Chef would be shouting at us for getting late to have the food. But at least he would be here. What happened to him?"Bridgette asked as she herself could feel her stomach having some complaints around...
But then she just glanced around to see there were a few people not in the main lodge...Seeing DJ and Geoff also staring at the door curiously. The ideas surrounding the future challenge would also make her wary but also curious about what's going to happen.
Minutes passed until the door was open, and Gwen was with a good smirk on her face, and Katie was giggling uncontrollably. Lindsay walked with Owen who was almost starving and desiring to eat anything at that moment.
"Food, food..." Owen's body was in a trance as he walked and realized something was wrong. 'Where is Chef? Where is the food?"
"Bad luck big guy, Chef is not here and there is a big metal door locked..." Geoff explained that he then saw a big man almost double his size had his eyes shrink and then went straight to the door... And knocking like a despaired man.
"YOU MANIACS, BLEW IT UP. OH DAMN YOUUUUU. *BEEEEP* YOU DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL." Owen shouted as his eyes showed endless tears, and he tried to lick the door, and DJ and Geoff took that moment to turn their backs and not see what the fat boy was about to do.
Bridgette who was watching that scene in amusement and disgust, then saw Gwen and Katie who seemed to still be smiling from something.
"You both took a bit long. What happened?" Bridgette raised her eyebrow and seeing Gwen and Katie that happy, there was something going on and she wanted to be part of it.
"Oh, you need to wait and see," Gwen commented as the giggles of the tan twin evolved to almost uncontrollable laughing.
Duncan, DJ, and Geoff turned their heads and now found something that made them interested to know.
"Trust me, it's going to be funny, but where are the others?"Gwen asked as she saw that from the Bass, there were two members missing.
"Ezekiel went for an enthusiastic walk as he said, and Harold must be wearing his clothes," Geoff explained to Courtney, Gwen, Bridgette, and Katie stopped her giggle, and the girls tilted their heads.
"Enthusiastic walk?"Courtney asked as she never heard someone say something like that before.
"That's what he said, princess. Sometimes I think this island is making him weirder and weirder when the time passes."Duncan scoffed as he rolled his eyes. Seeing that somehow the island was affecting the members of his own team, he sighed in tiredness..."I don't blame him, this damn Island is making everyone insane little by little."
"But it's weird that he decided to do a walk and until now didn't return."Bridgette also commented since she knew Ezekiel wouldn't be wasting time around in the time of challenge.
DJ and Duncan paused, as they glanced around and just looked at the door opening, revealing Harold all clothed again...
"Hey Harold, did you see Zeke around?" Duncan asked loudly, and the blue-shirt nerd glanced around before shaking his head.
"Nah, the last time I saw him was this morning with you guys." And at the time Harold said that the group started to glance at each other.
"Do you think something happened?" DJ asked which made clear that the group started to worry about a member of their team suddenly disappearing.
Lindsay who was staring at the group who were gathering to even go outside walked towards them.
"Hey, are you talking Zekia?" Lindsay asked the wrong name which made the Bass team stare at her in questioning look. "He went with Beth and Heather to Honey Island to try to undo the curse..."
"Honey Island? Curse?" The questions made by both groups of Killer Bass were something Lindsay didn't know that she just opened the Pandora box...
(? - Heather, Ezekiel and Beth)
"I can't believe I have accepted doing something crazy like that," Heather complained after minutes of paddling with the farmer's teenagers, the trio traveled on the waters since the morning without telling anyone where they were going... The only person who knows about their trip is Lindsay who chooses to remain on the Island for the sake of helping to win the challenge of the day... And Chris who possibly prepared the cameras and the crew to travel around to follow the trio of campers in their journey to undo the curse. Beth was also feeling her skin sweat, as it was something done from the hard work of paddling, but also from the scorching sun in the sky... Thankfully they had some water bottles just in case of felt dehydrated, but also used the water nearby to place on their faces to refresh from the heat.
"That's strange, today is so hot," Beth complained, as she never thought it would have been nice to bring one Lindsays product to make herself and Heather ready for the trip. Heather got her eyes rolling the same way...
Ezekiel sighed in exasperation, knowing that going into a trip alone with the duo of Screaming Gophers screamed red flags around his mind all the time, but he couldn't help it, he didn't want to see his teammates involved in such a delicate subject as a freaking curse around the island. He watched the show many times, and many people from the fandom had theories if Beth was freed from the curse or not... The banishment of France and the loss of her prize money would be such a terrible way to lose the money.
Ezekiel remained quiet, but noticing how the heat was indeed affecting him as well, he took out his winter blouse and his green winter head away...placing under his shoes was something that he could remain with him, and still with the equipment nearby him, he knew that there isn't an ordinary day on Total Drama, there always would be a catch. Even if Chris isn't involved with it, somehow there is something that always would be.
"Ugh, can't this thing go any faster?" Heather complained as she herself was getting annoyed from the delay since she wanted so much to make the problems over with and if somehow a miracle would happen, she would manage to come back to win the challenge with her team. Even if that sounds impossible, they already lost too much.
"Hold on, Lady Raincorn." Ezekiel paused as he raised his oar with him, which made Heather raise her eyebrow at him weirdly. "If you think that we manage to get in time of the challenge, you better forget, because we are not sure if they are doing the challenge at this moment. So you better give up."
"What did you just call me?" The queen bee crossed her arms as she looked unaffected by the insult.
"Lady Raincorn, the wife of one of the main characters of the story I'm writing." Ezekiel ignored her as he focused on paddling with his oar, and didn't look behind to see not only her, but Beth also tilting her head to him. "She is a long rainbow unicorn... She is the wife of a magical dog who can change sizes. Best friend of a Princess of a Candy Kingdom..."
"Pff, I failed to see why you compare me to..." Heather rolled her eyes but nothing she would expect from a farmer like Ezekiel would make her blink her eyes in surprise.
"She only speaks in Korean... Almost everyone from the show can understand her, less the main character who is a boy of 11 years old, so he still has problems understanding her." Ezekiel then said which made Heather blink and stare at the boy with both surprise but also in annoyment.
"Oh, that's so cute." Beth felt interested in knowing more about it, while Heather just was adamant about one thing.
"Why Korean?" Heather asked as she didn't like the sound of someone wanting to force a character from her ancestors.
"Why not Korean?" The sudden question and the shrugs from Ezekiel made Heather soften her glare at him. "The joke is mostly of the kid being the only one who doesn't understand the language, while his brother who is her husband, and the princess who is her best friend are always aware of what she says... It's fun on that way."
Heather blinked... as she noticed that the homeschooled guy said it, not in the desire to sound racist but to find a fun way to represent her native language and country... Which made her scoff but also drop the subject.
"Alright Mr. Writer, how long it would take for us to reach the island?" Heather sarcastically asked, and Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"The same long we took when we went on the first time. Seriously Heather? You want to be nagging right now?" Ezekiel replied as he suddenly felt a shrive... the heat they were feeling at that moment, dropped, and was slowly getting colder with the time. "Strange... It's still sun, but it's getting colder around here."
Beth who was paddling also noticed that somehow her arms were getting colder, and Heather who was bored into going to such a terrible island, also felt that her body was also feeling cold so suddenly.
"What the..." Heather asked until then she saw that a good part of the water was being shadowed by a huge cloud, and by slowly raising her head, there was a big cloud that was marking a direction towards one single place...
"We are almost there..." Ezekiel said as he felt suddenly that the shadowed part of the water, and a bit far away... the water seemed to be more in a cristalized form... he looked in disbelief until he realized what just happened... "Please tell me this isn't what I think it is..."
Beth tilted her head until she continued to paddle in the direction of the crystalized mark until suddenly the impact was enough to make the canoe stop and all three luckily went outside of the canoe in above the crystalized part of the water... Which showed to be solid frozen in that area.
They have arrived a few miles away from the cursed Boney Island... and now they have to take their canoe and walk onto the island. The air, once stagnant, began to ripple with an unnatural energy. Dark clouds gathered overhead, swirling into an ominous vortex that cast an eerie shadow across the desolate landscape. A bone-chilling wind whispered through the skeletal remains of the twisted trees, carrying with it the ancient murmurs of a curse awakened.
Heather got up and stared at what would be the terror of the island which seemed ten times worse than her first experience of the challenge. Beth was trembling for two reasons, one was the chilling cold air filling the area outside of the island... Second, the fear of how the curse of the object she took from the island now wants to have her soul as payment. Her teeth were making her braces shake from both terrible ideas that they came towards the challenge.
"*Beep*" Ezekiel cussed, knowing that now they were into a challenging way worse than he would ever expect to see... Never in his mind, he would see an island covered in snow after just a few days away from the island. "We have to go there."
"Oh hell no." Heather said as she pointed at the cursed island, "Let's just go in the shore and leave the Tiki on there and get the *beep* out of here."
"Yeah, what Heather said." Beth nodded her head in fear, and she could see that even Ezekiel was hesitating.
"That's a good call, Heather, seriously, I would go for it..." Ezekiel nodded his head in approval but somehow Heather knew that there was a bit on there. "But, do you think that it would work if we do that?"
"You are the expert, you should know," Heather said as she was feeling angry but also was feeling the coldness of the snow finally approaching all of them... Using her arms she tried to take out the canoe by herself, but she noticed that both Ezekiel and Beth helped her to take the canoe out of the water.
"I know that usually, we should bring the object nearby where it was taken out from the first place. So it could be the place where we were doing the fire in the last challenge or somewhere in the forest. But I have no guarantee that we would reach the same results if we just do the ritual in front of the island." Ezekiel said assuredly, which made Heather bite her inner lips in anger. "Are you willing to risk it?"
Beth could see Heather without a response to that question... So knowing that everything was her fault she decided to step in.
"I'm going there," Beth said determined which made Ezekiel and Heather stare at her. "It's my fault and I think I should be the one to undo the curse."
Heather was about to protest but Ezekiel went ahead.
"That's a fact Beth, but you have no idea on how to do everything, you need to create an altar, make the fire, and give a tribute. Doing that alone on the island alone would be stupidity. So you need protection." Ezekiel said as he took the bow with him and the quiver as well. "Heather can stay with the canoe and we can go there to do it and we run the fast as we can..."
"Oh hell no," Heather said as she stomped her foot on the ice floor, which made her freeze and realize that she could be walking on thin ice... But thankfully the ice looked more solid than water... She composed herself. "There is no way, I'm going to be left alone on the island. I'm in... I hate this, but I'm not going to let you both leave me alone."
"Well, we need to get there the fast as we can. So you have any idea, Lady Raincorn?" Ezekiel asked and Heather rolled her eyes.
"Stop calling me that and let me think..." Heather commanded as she looked at the ice floor and how good miles away would be from the island... And with the possibility that there would be snow in the Boney Island... She then smirked. "Actually I think I got one idea."
(Main Lodge)
"EZEKIEL IS GOING TO BONEY ISLAND?" Courtney and Bridgette shrieked as the boys looked thunderous.
"That's unbelievable, why did he want to help Heather at all?" Gwen said annoyed, since she never saw the interaction between the duo and now somehow the green hat boy decided to help the girl who was his enemy. "Especially that it's your team's fault to bring the curse to this camp."
"But he said he was doing it because he knows how to undo the curse in exchange for us owning a favor for him..."Lindsay explained which made DJ and the other guys have their eyes wide open. "He said it was also a thanks for Heather warning you guys about Trent on Mody's elimination."
"Cody." Katie corrected as she was serious and stopped laughing. She was feeling exasperated to see how the situation ended up like that.
"Err... guys, not to want to be that guy, but you said we are cursed?" Owen who was still feeling his stomach groaning, felt a bit terrified from hearing about the curse coming on the camp.
"Yeah, Beth seemed to take something from Boney Island and that was the reason why you guys were so unlucky during these days." Harold gave a simple explanation as he himself had no idea how to respond to the reason why his friend did that.
"Oh..." Owen deflated, as he nervously chuckled and felt a shrive on his spine, maybe the curse was the reason why his pee made Heather want to strangle him so much...
"Maybe it was because he was tired that our team was also affected by the bad luck? Since the showers got broken and even some of the places we were nearby the Screaming Gophers also affected our luck as well?" Geoff asked which DJ felt terrified by the idea.
"I don't know, but don't you think Ezekiel going alone with both Heather and Beth into that haunted island would be dangerous?" DJ raised his point which made Courtney and Bridgette think about wanting to help. But Duncan was the first one to take the action.
"That freaking idiot. I'm going there right now." Duncan didn't even wait for his team to say something. He walked hurriedly to the door but at the time he opened it, he saw a smirking face of Chris.
"Good morning campers. I'm glad you are all excited to see the next challenge that's going to happen in 2 hours." Chris said as he could see Duncan trying to pass by him. "Woah hey, what's going on?"
"I don't have time for that Chirs, I'm going to take a canoe and get out from here," Duncan said as he was passing by the host of the show, but the next words made him stop.
"If is about Ezekiel, Heather, and Beth going to Boney Island. Then I have to tell you that it's a bad idea for you to go alone there..." Chris said in a serious tone, which made the delinquent stop and glare at the host who was happy to be there.
"You knew about this?" Duncan snarled at Chris who raised his hands up.
"Woah bad doggy. I'm here to tell you that the Island is crazy, I sent some of my interns to place cameras around Boney Island, and there was a chaotic climatic change there. I watched the video cameras on there, and it's snowing there." Chris warned Duncan as he pointed out one important fact. "Also he got permission to do that, but you guys don't, and if any of you don't do the challenge of the day, your team will be disqualified and you can already say bye-bye to one of your members."
"It's not funny Chris," Duncan said as he glared hatefully at him, which Chris gave his annoying smirk.
"For me it is, so you better get your team together and prepare yourselves because the next challenge is going to be the best but also the worst experience you guys will ever receive with your whole lives," Chris warned the group every single Killer Bass looked in alarm and in concern about their member into the dangerous Island the group were before.
"CHRIS, THE FOOD, WHERE IS CHEF, WHERE IS THE FOOD?"Owen shouted, grabbing the host of the show by the collar and shaking so much, that Chris was feeling nauseous in the air.
"Stop shaking me," Chris said loudly and the starved camper released him immediately. Taking a few seconds to compose himself and check his own hair... Chris glared at Owen before explaining it. "Chef Hatchet and the food is well secured since this will be part of the challenge. Now I recommend you back off and wait until the challenge is ready."
Owen has his lips trembling and in the verge of crying, but the host of the show doesn't care about it.
Gwen scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"So you once again made us get starved on the breakfast for a preparation of a challenge to make us do crazy stuff just for the sake of eating?"Gwen glared at Chris who just smiled at her.
"That's actually not a bad idea, but, today's challenge is going to be a bit different, but one thing that I'm going to enjoy so much." Chris gave a wolfish smile as he could see the others squirm from his smile. "I will see you guys in two hours right here..."
At the time Chris left, Duncan was about to ignore it and go back to the beach, but a strong hand grabbed him. Turning his head he saw Courtney with a determined look on her face.
"Just drop it," Courtney said which made the delinquent even more furious, but she interrupted him before he was going to say something. "Ezekiel got permission from Chris so that means he had a plan to travel on the island. But also he gave a good favor to sabotaging the Screaming Gophers by taking Beth and Heather with him."
"Are you serious right now? You want to win that much?" Duncan asked both in disbelief and annoyed.
"Yes, because his work would have been in vain..." Courtney stomped her foot, and seeing Duncan angrily she gave a sigh and tried again. "Look, at the time he gets here he is going to get an earful from all of us."
Duncan remained quiet, but then giving a good glance at the C.I.T. girl he scoffed.
"You are a terrible influence on him."And words like that made the hell break lose.
"EXCUSE ME?" Courtney said in outrage her eyes flamming in fire. "What you mean I WAS THE BAD INFLUENCE IN HIM? You are the one who is taking him on the bad decisions."
"ME? Excuse me princess, but this has all your influence in it. You are the one who treats this game seriously just for the sake of winning." Duncan said as he stared angrily at her. And Courtney got nearby and with anger, she wanted to strangle the delinquent.
"My influence? You are the one who always does the craziest and chaotic thing when it comes to the challenges."Courtney shouted and their arguing became one iconic moment since a few meters away, Gwen, Katie, and Bridgette were watching in amusement.
"50 bucks they are going to hook up until the end of the show," Bridgette said as Katie rolled her eyes.
"It's a sucker's bet," Katie replied and Gwen nodded in agreement.
"They look like a married couple," Gwen said amused since she could see Harold, Geoff, and DJ chuckling and thinking about the same thing...
The feelings around the Main Lodge were mixed, with the anticipation of the challenge, concern for Ezekiel and Beth and Heather...mostly Lindsay would be concerned for the latter, who had to deal with the haunted island...
Owen still feels terrified by the curse Beth has brought upon them. What possibly would cause another...
*Baam*
The door was opened, making Duncan and Courtney who were shouting against each other suddenly stop, and glance at the person who just appeared... Duncan slowly blinked as Courtney raised her eyebrow and her mouth dropped...
Bridgette tilted her head but also her mouth was opened in shock.
Geoff who was talking with Harold suddenly stopped, while the nerd also froze and stared at it in disbelief.
DJ looked and then pinched himself to see if he was dreaming.
Lindsay tilted her head in confusion and Owen looked like he saw a ghost.
Gwen and Katie smirked as they were waiting for the right moment.
"Good morning everyone." Trent greeted the group who was staring at him, and noticing that nobody was eating he tilted his head in confusion. "Does something happen with the breakfast?"
Duncan tried to remain serious, he swore he tried... But seeing Trent like that was making him hold his laugh. The same could be said for all members of Killer Bass... Because...
"TRENT THE CURSE GOT YOU," Owen shouted which made the guitarist stare at the big guy confused.
"Curse? What are you talking about?" Trent asked until Lindsay gave a pocket mirror for him to see his reflection, everything seemed to be fine with his face... Until he realized one thing... "Wait. Why my eyebrows are pink?"
"Err... It wasn't just the eyebrow..." Lindsay commented as she gave distance with the mirror, which Trent had his eyes wide open in horror to see his entire hair was pink.
"What the *beeeeeeeep*. " Trent shouted in disbelief as the Killer Bass team couldn't take it anymore... And laughed at the misfortune of the guitarist who had no idea on what happened.
Katie and Gwen gave a hidden fist bump, as the duo laughed until their hearts content.
(Boney Island)
"AHHHHHHHHHH." That was the shout of Beth who was holding herself on the canoe with her whole life. While Ezekiel and Heather were using the oars to push and get speed by using the canoe to slide over the solid ice like a bobsled.
The force both were doing and even taking good teamwork, the speed force was enough to make the travel to Boney Island faster than they ever thought.
"We are almost there. Keep pushing." Heather commanded as Ezekiel was hitting the floor with his oar. Until they got a vision of where the sea would end and there was a lot of snow covering the floor of the cursed island."Alright, we are going to jump right here, on three we are going to use the canoe speed to make it continue sliding on land. One, two...Three"
The trio used their oars to hit the solid ice at the same time which was a good timing to make the canoe lift just a few centimeters from the floor.
From solid ice to the fluffy white snow, the trio were at a fair speed which made their objective even easier than they ever expected.
"Alright we are already on the island, let's keep up the speed," Heather said as they were still sliding, but with a bit more resistance since they weren't more in solid ice, they had to keep using the oars to keep pushing with more force to have enough speed.
Seeing the dangerous island that once tried to kill them at the moment they got in there for the first time becoming covered in whole snow and ice shades around... That was something the trio and neither people who were watching at the pay-per-view ever expected to see in the first place.
"Keep pushing. And don't distract yourselves, we never know if we had those mutant diabolical monsters around here." Heather commanded, while Ezekiel could see her as a bossy girl, her concerns were valid.
So the green hat boy took his quiver and compound bow near his legs just in case he would need it.
The resistance still made them slow down... But it was way faster than they started than the first time.
"If we find the two paths again, we go on the right, it's the safest from them both. It's longer but the best to go." Ezekiel's instructed and Heather nodded her head.
"Alright, Beth, you check for the way. If you see the path, you inclinate your body for right." Heather instructed the farmer girl who nodded her head in determination.
There were skulls frozen from all the places, even the spears were like ice-shaped spears covered in both snow and ice. And the threes with their covered leaves holding the snow around, were paller than the first time they got in... Still, it was easy to see from their constant movement with the canoe, sliding around... But then the time they continue to look for the way... Suddenly a tree also started failing in their direction.
"WATCH OUT," Ezekiel exclaimed as the trio moved their towards to push to a side and make the canoe slide a bit away from the tree... Almost hitting them... Ezekiel feared that moment, and by the time they were moving, they heard the loud quick steps of the animals... "If the tree fell down, that means."
"MONSTER BEAVERS AGAIN," Heather shouted as she pointed in the direction of now red-eyed creatures, and from their fur, every single one of the beavers was now with white fur covering their bodies. "OH GREAT, NOW THEY ARE ALBINO BEAVERS NOW."
Heather shouted and their furs seemed to be double in comparison to the first time the campers went on the boney island.
"HOW THEY CHANGED THEIR COLORS? IT WAS ONLY A FEW WEEKS." Beth shouted as she feared winter creatures now would go after them... Now Ezekiel felt the time that he should prepare his bow and arrows... Now having placed a little surprise on the tip of his arrows, there were the orange inflamable natural little explosives that he took care of having some in emergency of returning to this cursed island, and now it would be the best idea to do it.
"Alright, I'm going to release the ribs, that would give us more time to keep sliding." Ezekiel without thinking twice launched away the frozen meat which from the time they were using the canoe was enough to be enough to be enjoyed by wild animals around... Luckily for the trio, the Albino Beevers went in the direction of the bait and was enough to make the group still sliding towards their objective.
"Where did you get those ribs?" Beth asked loudly as Ezekiel pointed out.
"Today they were remodeling the Kitchen so they had to unfreeze some of the meats, so I took the first opportunity to catch the meat... I think they are now placing a metal door in the kitchen." Ezekiel explained and while Beth looked confused, Heather realized the reason why that happened, her time stealing food from the Kitchen now it will be more difficult.
"I found the split paths. Let's turn right." Beth smiled hopefully as Heather and Ezekiel helped her to use the weight of their bodies to turn in the direction of the safe path, making one of the obstacles easy to deal with... "Now everything is perfect, we can do this."
*THUNDERCLAP*
And at the time the hopeful smile came from the farmer girl, suddenly the trio who were in the middle of snow and sliding like they would never stop... they jumped in their seats scared by one single sound. As swiftly as the snowstorm materialized, it transitioned into a torrential rainstorm, defying the natural order. Raindrops, glowing with an ethereal light, fell in a rhythmic symphony, echoing through the eerie silence. The waterlogged ground groaned beneath the weight of the mystical deluge, and the once-dry terrain transformed into a swampy labyrinth.
The curse's escalation reached its zenith with a sudden shift to a thunderstorm of unprecedented magnitude. Lightning arced across the sky, not in jagged bolts but in serpentine patterns that painted the heavens with a haunting glow. Thunder resonated with an otherworldly cadence, echoing through the twisted landscape and hinting at a power far beyond the understanding of mere mortals.
"HOW IT STARTED TO RAIN LIKE THAT? WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF SNOW?" Heather shouted in disbelief and anger, while Ezekiel also feared on how chaotic the island would have become for the sake of the curse... They were being tested... and the climatic changes would make it much more difficult to deal with the rest of the journey.
(Main Lodge)
Two hours later, the remaining campers returned to the Main Lodge, but by the time they got back, the tables were covered with fancy sheets and with a good presentation of what would be trays above them... The quantity of trays was the same for each camper who was on the challenge.
8 trays on the table with a flag of Killer Bass, and 3 trays on the table with a flag from the Screaming Gophers side.
The starving looks on each camper's face showed how well Chris's methodic and sadistic smile made the group even more wary about what was going to happen to them.
Owen was on point that he would eat something urgently, even wood if he had to... So now it would be the show time that he has waiting for so much to do.
"Welcome campers for the next challenge. What are we about to have it's a challenge that would bring you all the primal and animalistic feelings that most of the humans felt at the time they were born... The desire to eat..." Chris dramatically explained as she pointed to the table and even a special one that he was going to be sitting around. "It's Wicked Palette time."
"Wicked what?" Owen asked as suddenly his stomach roared in such force that echoed throughout the whole Main Lodge... and like some internal communication, the stomachs of other campers also grumbled in hunger, and with the desire to eat anything at that moment.
"No stress..." Chris commented as he pointed at every camper to sit at their tables. "This challenge would require the strongest willpower that you would ever have... since, it's a challenge that we are going to bring 3 irresistible foods, if you succeed at not eating anything, you will be rewarded with a delicious prize."
"So the challenge would be a try not to eat?" Gwen asked as she felt her stomach hurt, and seeing Chris smiling at her, she then discovered his plan. "Oh, you are the devil."
"Thanks. I try." Chris smiled as he could see the group salivating. "Also there is another thing, For every food you try, you also must eat one bite of the punishment food, which I advise you to don't be stupid into doing that... Trust me, you are not going to like it," Chris explained as he could see the cold sweat coming from some campers, especially Lindsay, Owen, and even DJ. "For each member who managed to resist the temptations or even if you got the punishment food and managed to eat all of it... You guys would get a point and also immunity from the elimination happening today."
By saying those words, the campers felt happier to have a better chance to eat something good, but also being freed from the possibility of being eliminated on the day.
However there was one question crossing their minds, and Chris already predicting it decided to confirm their suspicions.
"The participants who are unavailable at this moment will not have immunity from today's challenge, so for their risk, you better win this," Chris explained which made Lindsay in dismay, and the Killer Bass glance at each other in concern. "Now, who is hungry?"
And the music for his ears, the stomach of the campers was the perfect sound for knowing this challenge was going to be the best he thought about it.
Confession - Owen
"I cannot wait for food... I'm starving, look at me." Owen said as he pointed to the chubby feature he has around his body. "I didn't eat anything in hours. HOURS... I swear, I'm about to eat everything in the next few minutes, and I don't care how terrible the punishment would be... I want to eat it."
Confession - Owen
Now covered in vomit, showing the possibility of the camper being around there when the challenge was over and his eyes looking traumatized...
"WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?" Owen shouted as he tried his best to not vomit again, and looked at the reflection of the bad decisions he made. "WHY DIDN'T I WAIT IT UNTIL THE END?"
Every camper was sitting on their respective seats, and glancing around between nervous but also hungry about the challenge they were about to participate in.
"Alright, everyone." Chris smiled as he sat on his personal table with a very good tray waiting for him to open and enjoy the challenge. "You can now open your trays while I will describe the food you are about to salivate... You have to wait for me to finish my dish to then we go on the next tray. I hope you guys are ready... now you can open it."
The first dish: Under the first gleaming silver cover was a mountain of succulent, slow-cooked BBQ ribs. The rich, smoky aroma filled the air, and the contestants could practically hear the sizzle and crackle of the perfectly glazed meat. Their mouths watered, and the tantalizing scent seemed to play tricks on their senses.
Owen felt his mouth create a river as he could see the smoky smell playing with him...
"Now, who would like to have a very succulent, slow-cooked BBQ ribs? Combined with a very sweet creamy and dreamy butter and great herbs to make it so irresistible to ... OWEN." Chris was describing the delicious food until he saw the fat boy without thinking twice, he was eating the first dish like he was making love with it... And the campers who were trying to resist the temptations of starvation, they suddenly saw Owen doing such horrendous thing, that some even closed their eyes to not witness that.
Confession - Bridgette.
"And because of that, I thank God I'm vegetarian. Because I would have been traumatized to never eat meat again, but since I'm already vegetarian, I wouldn't need to be that disgusted... but Owen should at least use a napkin. That was horrible." Bridgette explained as the static showed the challenge already started hard. "If most of the foods would be meat ones, I think it will be easy for me to resist."
*buzzer sound*
"It seems that Owen already got his first buzzer... so that means that he would need to eat one bite of his punishment food," Chris said annoyed, but he already expected that... So he cleared his throat to continue the explanation. "The barbecue sauce comes with many expectancies, so be prepared for the smell and the tender desire to eat it."
And the view of the food was one thing that most of the campers couldn't help but see their stomachs begging to eat at least one bite... And Owen, who seemed to be happy to finish his ribs already, felt like a kid who just drank a cup of water when thirsty.
"Alright, can't wait for the next tray," Owen said as he rubbed his hands in excitement.
"Err, big guy? You know that it's trying not to eat challenge right?" Duncan said loudly as he himself would have fallen from its temptations if wasn't for that disgusting view of Owen eating ribs in such a manner.
"I'm starved. And I already lost it... So I'm going to eat the punishment with one bite..." Owen said with his determination in his head, and Chris couldn't help but giggle from the nativity of the fat boy.
"Well, if you guys are so happy to stare... Let me... hmmm, oh, that's wonderful." Chris started to dig the food by himself, and the campers could hear him eating while it wasn't as disgusting as Owen did, it was still annoying because of how the teases the host was doing for everyone on the show.
"Okay, you are vegetarian, you are vegetarian," Bridgette commented to herself, as she stared at the brown smoking treasure staring at her, the liquid of Barbecue Sauce was indeed dropping in front of her, but she still said her mantra-like she is a fortress on that moment.
"Are you okay dude?" DJ asked as he glanced at Geoff liking his lips.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Geoff tried to remain positive, as he felt his hand almost approaching the ribs, and he quickly took it off the table. Seeing DJ looking at him in concern he gave a nervous laugh. "Hehehe... I'm strong, I can take it."
"I'm literally shaking with indecision right now," Gwen said as she could feel her trembling, and looking at how delicious it sounded from both Owen and Chris, she was half tempted by the first dish. "It's going to be a long challenge."
"It smells really good," Courtney whispered, as she could see the cruelty of the challenge, and having a dry gulp, she felt like her stomach was howling to eat something, anything at that moment.
"Ribs look so amazing," Harold said as he was almost feeling the taste in his mouth. "I really want to eat it, Chris."
"Then do it Harold. It's even better the taste." Chris said as he finally finished a few ribs and cleaned his face. And Harold held himself together to stop himself from eating it... "Alright, it seems you guys started strongly... unless Owen, I did expect that... So now we can start for the next tray."
Killer Bass: 8 / Screaming Gophers: 2
The first tray was a very difficult challenge for the Killer Bass... Only Owen from Screaming Gophers had failed the first challenge of the show... but now with another tray being brought by Chef who was wearing a more fancy suit... he glared at the campers who dared to make fun of him, and stopped them to even trying to make a joke.
"Now for the next tray... Creamy Mac 'n' Cheese with 4 types of cheese." Chris said as the group watched in disbelief, a bubbling cauldron of creamy mac 'n' cheese. The golden, cheesy crust beckoned to the starving contestants, and the gooey strands of pasta seemed to stretch endlessly. The scent of melted cheese and buttery goodness hung in the air, tempting even the most disciplined eaters.
"*beep*," Bridgette said as she herself wanted to eat something... and the creamy cheese was calling for her name.
"This type of Mac'n'Cheese was something I thought wouldn't be good, but the person who made it insisted I was going to love it, so I have to give it a try... There are 4 types of cheese marked around the description, but I decided to ignore it... And from the smell of it... I know that I'm going to have a great time with this." Chris smiled as he finally gave a conclusion about the dish, and he started digging into it... "Oh, GOD. YES, This is perfection..."
Owen says Chris finally ate the food, didn't waste time, and decided to enjoy Gouda cheese, Blue cheese, Provolone, and Monterey Jack... It was a paradise of cheeses and something that he never thought he would have for a long time.
Owen got so struck by the food that his mouth was drooling in pleasure, and he wasn't the only one... Chris was loudly exclaiming about the taste, the texture, and the delicious torture the other campers had to endure.
"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE," Lindsay shouted as she took a fork and decided to give a bite herself... And at the time her tongue touched the marvelous combination of Mac'n'Cheese, she felt her entire body melt like she was floating in the pleasure of good food... And didn't stop it, until she finished her dish.
*buzzer sound*
*buzzer sound*
The loud buzzer sounds made the campers stare at the group who was so focused on eating something tasty leaving the guitarist looking at his own team in dismay.
"Come on guys, I know that this food looks delicious, but we have to win the challenge today..." Trent said as his own stomach was feeling hateful against himself, for not also thinking about eating food at that moment. "You guys may lose the good opportunity to get the immunity of the challenge today. And we can send Beth for bringing the curse to us..."
At the time Lindsay was happy to eat her food... She froze... and then gave an indignant glare towards Trent who still looked ridiculous with his pink hair... So she had a plan in her head...
"Why don't you taste it, Trent? It's so amazing that I would have another one right now, you gotta try that." Lindsay said as she raised her fork with food in his direction.
"Hey, what are you doing? You can have the food, just drop the fork." Trent said in alarm as he gave a few jumps away from the blond girl.
"It seems that today is going to be another easy victory for us right boys?" Duncan smiled as he could see the torture happening on the other table, but then he just heard some strange noises on his side... And to his dismay... Trent and DJ were already down with their desires. "DUDES,"
"Sorry Duncan, it's too strong," Geoff said as he could melted from the sweet cheese that he was having at that moment.
"Yeah, it tastes so good that I can imagine it was momma who made it," DJ commented as he felt the amazing cheese food getting inside of his stomach.
*buzzer sound*
*buzzer sound*
And with that two marks appeared on the members who will have to eat the punishment food. Bridgette could see the sounds of pleasure coming from her teammates, and she was slamming her head on the table so strongly, that she wanted to feel pain at that moment. And from Chris's expression, he is slowly eating the Mac'n'Cheese which would mean it would take a few more minutes of torture, and the campers seemed to break in any moment... Begging whoever was watching them to make their tortures end.
"Come on guys... Just one more food... After this one, we can win." Courtney said as she felt her mouth salivating, but she was using the power of her mind to make herself strong... Harold was about to bail, but the C.I.T. girl slapped him in the face. "GET YOURSELF TOGETHER MAN."
"Right, you are right." Harold still with a red mark on his face, shook his head, and ignored the hunger and loud sounds of his stomach.
The Killer Bass is doing that not just for themselves, but for their team member who is endangering himself over the next island, and some even were praying for his safety.
(Boney Island)
"THIS RAIN IS IMPOSSIBLE," Beth said as she was freezing and paling from the chaotic environment happening in the place... Her hair was even turned into ice, and she was feeling most of her skin becoming blue.
"We are almost there... I can see the beach from before." Ezekiel instructed as he himself felt his winter hat soaked, and his own blouse freezing from the ice around him...
"Come on..." Heather said as she was also on her limit, and from the thunderstorm and rain pouring around them, the trio was exhausted, hungry, and freezing.
But what it took the longest 20 minutes of their lives, they finally reach the beach where Beth found the cursed item... And by some miracle, the thunders and bolts of lightning just stopped at that moment, and from the strong rain... finally ceased... To show the sun once again... But this time, the sun was covered with a cloud... which was a permission of the island giving time for them to finish their objective.
"Okay, we may have a break from the rain and the snow, I think that's the best time for us already do the altar and prepare the bonfire," Ezekiel instructed as he got off from the canoe.
"Which isn't a bad idea, I would love some heat at this moment," Heather complained, but she finally could place her feats into a solid rock. There were a lot of rocks and wood on the floor after the tempest around the Island... which would be the perfect material for the altar. "Are you sure that we need to make an altar?"
"We need to do this," Ezekiel said as he took a few solid logs and even some rocks, and was followed by Beth. "Beth, make it resistant, and strong enough to hold the Tiki. I'm going to make a bonfire."
"And we would need to have a big bonfire, and quickly," Heather said as she found some rocks, and logs but also some vines which made her have one idea. "Beth, there are some vines, use them to hold the rocks and the wood together."
"Alright. I think I know how I want to make it." Beth smiled as she quickly went to each place the duo seemed to be so concentrated over the altar that they turned their backs for one minute.
*BOOM*
The explosion made both Beth and Heather jump in the distance and stare at one dead tree on the floor now lit up from the explosion, and with the few marks of the snow melting away. Ezekiel was with his compound bow in a safe distance, and now with a smile on his face... The tree trunk would be a good use for the now the bonfire.
"How did..." Heather stared at him in disbelief, but then she saw Ezekiel showing the same orange ball Izzy had used on the challenge and a Lighter Duncan who also used to make the fire on the next challenge. "You are crazy..."
"To survive in the show, you sometimes must do the craziest ideas... You would be surprised at how crazy ideas would work." Ezekiel didn't take that as an insult. He just told her the facts, for people who watched the show of total drama, all seasons and generations... That was one of his personal rules at the time he gave his signature to participate in the show.
Heather looked at the boy weirdly, but noticing that they had fire now, she really needed some heat to help her at that moment.
Ezekiel also felt happy to have something to warm himself up... knowing that he didn't kill a tree but using one already on the floor was a good way to make himself a good conscience that everything was working fine for their objective... he just prayed for the time of Hawaii curse from Ridonculous Race, would be similar as the way they are trying to undo the curse.
"Got it... I think it's perfect." Beth said as the duo looked at the improvised altar with a little hole, a place which would fit perfectly the little Tiki. The rocks combined with the wood made it like it would be similar to adventure movies.
Both Heather and Ezekiel looked at the construction with surprise and interest, as it also had another stick point which had enough space for another artifact.
"Okay, it looks perfect Beth. Now your gift for the island." Ezekiel explained as he then glanced at the farmer girl who was taking from her pocket... A lipstick which made Ezekiel glance at the Queen Bee...
"Lindsay found out that Beth never had any makeup, so she gave the lipstick for her. So it's the first lipstick she ever had."Heather explained which made Ezekiel understand and nod his head in approval.
"Makes sense. Let's just hope it does work." Ezekiel explained as the duo watched Beth calmly close her eyes and pray for the island not to cast its curse on them...
Beth carefully places the makeup she got from her first friends...and slowly places it in the perfect place, hoping for the wrath of the Island to finally come to an end...
And slowly... The darkness around the clouds became clearer and the sun slowly got away from the clouds...
And Ezekiel gave a relieved sigh, and Heather felt the satisfaction of their problems finally being over. And Beth felt herself freed from all her worries...
She was freed from the curse...
"Finally some sun..." Heather commented as she could see the time they would be away. They already have the boat ready for their trip back home. And even if the water was frozen solid at the beginning, they could have a good speed to paddle back to camp and eat something. "Let's go back to camp. I can't believe I'm going to say that, but I can't wait to eat Chef's food today."
"Of course," Beth said as she was already prepared to push the canoe for Ezekiel and Heather. "Let's get back to camp."
Ezekiel looked around with a smile on his face. He placed back his bow on his back. And helped Beth to push the canoe on the solid ice. Without looking back, Ezekiel was happy to finally break out of the curse of an island and that way make sure that Beth wouldn't suffer the terrible effects of the curse in the long run...
It took a minute for the group to have enough speed to use the solid ice as a slide and go directly to the water. Just for the sake of paddling back to the island, and having a good journey and a light mind of their conscience... Ezekiel was happy to finally finish his part of the deal... He knows that in the future the favors he will need for the sake of playing smart the long game.
He just hoped that his team would be fine...
(Main Lodge)
"Wow, this was fantastic. I have to say, this chef rocks..." Chris said loudly as Chef who had a loud white mark of a hand on his face, groaned in anger as he placed the final trays around the tables... There was something odd about the looks of the campers, but the Chef remained quiet and finished his job of placing all the food on their tables. "Wow, she knows how to make Chef behave... Anyway campers, here is your final challenge a Sweet Potato Pudding and a Mango Cheesecake."
At the time the trays were opened, there were two descriptions of what just happened... Owen immediately devoured with one bite, by placing his mouth on the table... Katie's sweat dropped as she was feeling so sweaty and almost on the verge of breaking it... DJ titled his head, since those foods were familiar, but also a great choice he would have in his childhood... And Geoff already knew that he couldn't take the prize food... So he just decided to eat it anyway.
"GEOFF." Courtney and DJ shouted as the hat party boy didn't listen to them, and when the sweat touched his tongue, he never felt so happy to eat something so good. He didn't regret it.
*buzzer sound*
"And there is also another one who got himself caught from the desire of eating something delicious like that. And looking at Owen..."
"Hummm... I'm way ahead of you." Owen felt satisfied after eating the final piece of the dessert and was so happy that nothing could mess up his day.
*buzzer sound*
"And there goes Owen," Trent said with a facepalm, knowing that soon for the sake of Owen's survival, the elimination votes would just come up for probably Lindsay, Beth, and Heather. So he would just need to resist one more food... And he would win the immunity... But his stomach was hurting so much, that even the sweet smell of the food was driving him crazy.
Gwen was almost giving up... From the look of the food, she would kill to have anything to eat... She was glancing at the pudding and cheesecake, and she could swear that suddenly she saw both of them creating eyes.
"Gwen... Gwen... eat us... eat us..." The desserts were calling her name, and their desire to be eaten... The goth blinked and shook her head, just to see the image of the food blinking at her. "Why don't you eat us?"
"Err..." Gwen looked at her food, and suddenly she felt a slap on her face. "What... what? What."
"You just got knocked out..." Katie commented as she herself was staring at her food fearfully. "I was hearing you mumbling in deep voices like you were playing with the food... And I think it was the time to wake you up."
"Thanks, Katie," Gwen said as she smiled at the tan twin... And the food in front of them was really something that they never imagined to have to fight against... even their strongest will was on the verge of breaking... "Please Chris finish your food."
Chris was eating the dessert slowly, and the sounds of moan of delight at the food were making DJ gulp at the desserts which looked so familiar to him, but seeing his friend also who was enjoying eating it... He decided to give it another bite.
"No, DJ, don't do it," Bridgette commented, but the Jamaican was on his limit, and ignored her...
By eating it... DJ felt that the dessert was delicious but also familiar to him, it was like it came from his country, and from the person who cooked for him... Until his eyes went wide open in shock.
*buzzer sound*
"Wait a minute... Chris, where did you get the food?" DJ said in alarm, as he could see the evil smirk from the host, who just finished eating the delicious Jamaican dessert in front of the other campers.
"Congratulations, Gwen, Courtney, Harold, Bridgette, Katie, Duncan and Trent. You all resisted the temptations of the most terrifying and willpower challenge until this day... Now I'm here to bring you all a big surprise. You all are free from elimination in case your team loses, and we have a special reward for you all... Now, you can bring her Chef Hatchet." Chris smiled as he proceeded to stay up, as the Chef walked calmly carrying a big cart of food, which even Interns were carrying the other carts of food to place over the table... "Now here comes the surprise, we tried to find recipes to make this challenge the tempting is it was... so we gave a call to some people... but there was one person who not just gave the recipe, she offered herself to be the chef of this challenge, because she wanted you all to try her food in case she would cook for her boy..."
DJ felt his heart stop, as he felt the sweat all over his face...
"Coming directly from Jamaica, DJ's Momma." And at the time Chris annunciated it... A woman wearing a scarlet chef uniform, and even with an apron of yellow, black, and green colors with white letters written 'Momma's in control', she was holding a good kitchen knife, and her iconic flowered hat appeared on the television, and the dismay of the son who was seeing her after so long.
"MOMMA," DJ called loudly, as he went to hug his momma, but suddenly he was slapped in the face. "Ouch."
He looked at his mom in confusion, until she pointed to her lips, which DJ just realized that there was still food on his face... and he remembered that he lost the willpower to help his friends... And from seeing her eyes narrowing and slowing shaking her head, he felt his heart wreck... the look of a disappointed mother... it was the best if he desired to die at that moment.
"Ouch," Geoff said as he could see how strong that woman must be, even Duncan would have made fun of it, but looking at her sharpened eyes on him, he preferred to not make fun of it. The boys gulped at the presence of such an intimidating woman with a knife in her hands.
Gwen, Courtney, Katie, and Bridgette smiled and were awed by how the Jamaican mom showed how she could have authority over the boys...
"Anyway, I thank you so much for your participation Cl..." Chris was about to comment, but the woman raised her hand which made him stop.
"Call me Momma, or DJ's mom." The Jamaican woman walked towards in front of Chef Hatched who was still trying to glance away. "Next time you decide to use paprika at the wrong time, you will not get a slap, you will receive a past roll in your face."
"Yes, Momma," Chef said, knowing that even with his military patent he would never hurt someone's mother, but also somehow the way she stared at him, made him gulp fearfully.
"Anyway, thank you for giving your participating and doing that for free... Your help made this challenge very fun to watch, and I cannot wait for how you are going to surprise everyone around..." Chris smiled as he went back to his table. Knowing that day he was going to eat like a king, and truthfully, DJ's momma didn't come to play, she went to show her skills. Because at the time 6 trays appeared on the table, he was already excited to know what was prepared for him. "Now we can open..."
At the time the trays were in front of the starving campers, who seemed to be on the verge of despair... their eyes watered... at the view of something so beautiful, and DJs watched with wide surprised eyes and even regretted the banquet that they are going to have it.
"The Caribbean Fusion Feast." DJ's Momma explained as every single camper who managed to hold themselves felt a shrive of pleasure of the name of the feast... "It's a thing I do for each decade for my family. For the people who managed to go until here without eating anything. You have Jerk Chicken Skewers, Coconut Rice and Peas, Ackee and Saltfish Empanadas, Plantain Paradise Platter, Mango-Pineapple Salsa, and for the finale... Momma's Special Rum Cake."
At the time she started to explain the names of the foods... Every single member of the winners couldn't believe their eyes and immediately began to eat the feast.
Duncan, Harold, started with the Jerk Chicken Skewers
Tender and flavorful jerk chicken skewers, marinated in a blend of aromatic spices and herbs, deliver a kick of Jamaican heat to the platter. The smoky essence of the grill mingles with the tropical breeze, transporting contestants to a Caribbean barbecue paradise.
Bridgette as a vegetarian knew that she would love the marvelous food from DJ's mom, by going to the Plantain Paradise Platter. A medley of ripe and fried plantains, served alongside a zesty tamarind dipping sauce, offers a sweet and savory side to the feast. The caramelized plantains provide a delightful contrast to the savory elements on the plate. Then later she went directly for the Mango-Pineapple Salsa, A refreshing mango-pineapple salsa adds a burst of tropical sweetness and acidity, creating a vibrant and colorful topping for the jerk chicken skewers. The fruity notes balance the bold flavors of the Caribbean Fusion Feast.
Katie started with Coconut Rice and Peas: A bed of fluffy coconut-infused rice and hearty kidney beans, seasoned with thyme and scallions, adds a comforting and authentic touch to the feast. The sweet and savory combination complements the other elements on the plate.
Trent was also having a great time eating his food, Ackee and Saltfish Empanadas were something that he never thought he would love to eat first: A fusion twist on traditional Jamaican flavors, flaky empanadas are filled with the classic Caribbean pairing of ackee and saltfish. The golden pastry encases the succulent mixture, creating a delightful handheld treat.
After eating everything, Courtney and Gwen let out pleasure sigh of satisfaction after eating the most delicious dessert that they hadn't had for a while. And one DJ looked away guilty... The momma's special rum cake. A slice of DJ's Momma's special rum cake takes center stage. Moist, decadent, and infused with Jamaican rum, the cake serves as a sweet homage to the island's culinary traditions. Each bite is a celebration of the rich cultural tapestry woven into the cuisine.
That was paradise, and Chris was in a food coma from all the awesome and delicious food he ever had for free... He loved his job.
The Chef and the interns were also satisfied with helping the Jamaican woman to cook, as they also could have time to eat their food as well, and nothing could be said against the amazing cook that woman brought on the challenge.
DJ felt defeated... knowing that this type of feast would just happen when every 10 years because while he and his momma loved to cook... doing a feast like that would bring a lot of stress, so that's why she would only do that in special occasions... and DJ felt disappointed for not make his momma proud of his determination... He just wished that nothing could be worse than that...
Owen just saw all that food, and he went to his knees... and looked vague at the space.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO." The fat boy shouted as he saw that the good feast was away from him, and he couldn't eat it, not even a tiny bite...
Lindsay felt also sad for not having the right to eat the cooking since it looked so appetizing... Geoff had to take off his hat because he may have been a bit guilty of starting to be the weak link and making his friend lose the right to eat his mom's food... that would be a powerful punch in the gut...
Chris got up from his seat and now it was the best part of the show.
"Killer Bass, Screaming Gophers. From the challenge since the beginning. The number of people who failed towards such temptations became the equal number. Geof and DJ, you ate the food you are not supposed to eat, Twice... Lindsay while you just ate Mac'n'Cheese once, Owen passed the whole challenge of eating the foods on the table... Which makes you all Killer Bass: 20 / Screaming Gophers: 5... So now it comes to the punishment food, and the second part of the challenge." Chris smiled as he could see the evil smirk from Chefs and the solemn face of DJ's momma sitting on the table of the Killer Bass... And with 4 trays... which DJ felt like a bad Omen, and Geoff gulped dryly at what was about to happen. "For people who had great food, and don't wish to throw up... We are going to open it... and Chef will explain the punishment food, while I will get the hell out of here."
"Was it that terrible?" Gwen asked, and at the time Chef opened it... it showed a yellow pancake... a strong yellow pancake... and on the side a little bottle of yellow liquid... which made Gwen's mind process, her mouth almost gag. "No, no way. I'm out."
Duncan, and Harold, quickly jumped from their seats, and not wanting to lose their food, they ran away the fast as possible. Katie almost vomited on that place... Courtney and Bridgette looked horrified and couldn't help but express their opinion...
"EWWWWWWWWWWW." Both said as they looked at DJ and Geoff who looked like saw a ghost... And Chris already went outside of the Main Lodge, because he would prefer to watch the video when he isn't full of food and ready to vomit...
"Alright maggots... This is fresh dirty pancakes... it's recently made with our interns, and to be honest I don't want to imagine how they taste like, they are nasty... So here are the rules. For one bite you have it and swallow it without vomit for 5 seconds will make one extra for your team... Eat it as a whole, you will have 10 points and you will get immunity from elimination." Chef Hatchet explained as he slowly took one of the yellow liquid bottles, and placed it slowly in front of Owen. "Hope you like it, hunter..."
Owen for the first time, felt his face becoming green... because while he ate many nasty things... that would be the first time he would actually eat something made by... pee...
"This must be illegal in some way," Trent said in alarm, but suddenly he saw the contracts in the hands of Chef Hatchet.
"It's on the contract... now if you are not going to help your team... then shut the hell up," Chef shouted, which made the guitarist stop talking.
Owen stared at the yellow food, and even the yellow liquid above it... And knowing that he himself dug his own grave... he had to finish what he started... So he took his fork... and with a powerful trust on the table, made the remaining people stare at the chubby camper closing his eyes, and gave a bit bite of the food, all the pancakes soaked in yellow to his throat...
Owen for the first time gagged... almost vomiting all the food he ate... but striving in displeasure, and even against all his might... he gave a loud swallow, and with that made DJ and Geoff lose their cool, and their stomachs. They went outside to vomit all the food they had taken before. And Trent who was on there, almost threw up for seeing such a bad view..
After eating it... Chef took his clock, and waited carefully at Owen who looked defeated, and like he was sick... And after 5 seconds of silence, Chef nodded his head.
"Alright fat boy, you passed it, you got 10 points for your team and are free from elimination tonight." Chef nodded his head, but by the time he turned his head, Owen ran quickly outside to just vomit everything he just at in the last 3 minutes.
His eyes focused on the last 3 contestants who were still looking afraid but also disgusted from seeing such a scene.
Trent looked at that scene in disbelief so he looked at the blond girl who was with her eyes closed.
"Come on Lindsay, you need to eat the whole pancake to have 10 points before they start giving their bites." Trent shook Lindsay who refused to see.
"Ew, no, ew, no, there is no way I'm going to eat that. It's pee..." Lindsay said as she was pushing the plate away from her.
Trent looked left and side so he came up with a good idea.
"Hey, he was just kidding, this isn't pee, it's just apple vinegar which looks similar to urine." Trent lied which made Chef, Geoff, and even DJ look at the guitarist with their eyes wide open and raised their eyebrows with the knowing look. Even DJ's momma with her disappointed look shook her head in disapproval. "What? We need to win this game."
"Really? So it's all a lie?" Lindsay said as she looked at the plate in front of her, while she doesn't like much vinegar, it would have been far better than actual urine...
"Yeah, it's just vinegar, come on, give it a try," Trent said quickly as even took a fork to cut a piece to make Lindsay have a taste...
At the time Lindsay placed it inside of her mouth, she felt her face contorting, the citric acid and the sourness in her mouth. Made her contort in pain.
"OH MY GOD," Lindsay shouted as she felt Trent keep pushing more and more bites into her mouth. Making her start gagging... Everyone in the room was looking at that scene in horror, as possibly every viewer of the show was becoming horrified to see something like that. The yellow pancake was shoved until none was on the plate.
"Done," Trent said, as Chef looked at that scene, but by the rules he placed the clock near the blond bombshell who was trembling, and with her face green...
"1,2,3,4,5... I will be dammed. But the girl didn't vomit. Okay, you all got more than 10 points." Chef said as he was both impressed and disgusted by the way a person used his teammate to have more points.
"Yeah." Trent smiled and raised his fist in victory...
"Also girl... he lied to you, it's really piss." Chef Hatchet made sure to make Lindsay understand that she was manipulated and in the moment. Lindsay froze and stared at the plate in horror. And slowly turned her head to the pink-haired boy, who was smiling sheepishly at her...
The innocent and smiling blond had skulls in her eyes... But her body was in shock at that moment, so her mouth got full of vomit, and she splashed all the contents of her stomach on Trent's face... Making him scream in terror just like her as both ran away outside from the main lodge...
Confession - Lindsay.
"DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIEEEEEEEEEE." Lindsay with her face covered in vomit, was stabbing a picture of the guitarist's face with a kitchen knife... "I SWEAR IF THIS *BEEEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEEEEEEEP* *BEEEP* still is on this show. I'M GOING TO RIP HIS *BEEEP* AND *BEEP* BECAUSE THIS *BEEEEEEEEEEEP* AND THAT'S FINAL."
Chef stared in amusement at the pink-haired boy leaving the place with a girl still vomiting on him, and he stared at the duo who seemed to still be afraid to do anything.
"Alright boys. It's your last chance, if you guys don't manage to get at least 6 bites, then your team will lose the challenge." Chef explained as he could see the anticipation and the fear in the boys' eyes. He was smiling from seeing their fear, and he wanted to see the outcome of the challenge.
The Jamaican giant looked to his side, to see the only person who was afraid of, his pillar and biggest motivator. And the face of sweat and fear on her face made DJ heartbreak... Because she never wanted that for her son... But DJ did it of his own volition, and for the sake of his team to win... He needed to also eat everything, and Geoff as well.
The Killer Bass had won so many challenges before, and seeing that they made a mistake, they wouldn't just risk their victory, but also the possibility of their friend also going to elimination because of them...
Both of them looked at the yellow pancake... And seeing that it was the only way to do it... It was the time for their punishment.
"Momma, you can wait outside, you wouldn't like to see this." DJ stared at his food, and the Jamaica mother knew that it would traumatize her to see her baby boy doing something so terrible like that. So she left the place immediately...
Now that they were alone... DJ slowly took his fork, and Geoff followed his steps, and with the piece of food in their forks, they even glanced at each other.
"Cheers." Both said in unison and gave a try to place on their mouths.
"What the hell have you been eating and drinking?" DJ said as he felt the utter disgust of eating the yellow pancake.
"Protein shake with some vegetables, a lot of lemonade, and even some energy drinks," Chef said as he could see their faces contorting with pain, giving some dry cough and flinching in pain for each bite.
"I'm so glad Momma isn't here," DJ said as he was feeling his stomach cursing him for being stupid, or even his own being promising payback for not being a good boy to his momma, it was like the worst thing he ever eaten on his whole life. "UGH."
"Okay, just one more bite." Geoff was feeling his stomach rebelling against himself, and he was sweating a lot, he felt that soon he would vomit, so he needed to be fast. "Come on body, just more this once…"
"OH GOD," DJ shouted as he felt the part of the pancake touching his uvula, and he was on the verge of vomiting… "Please, come on… hold it, for 5 seconds."
3 Bites, something it would take 5 minutes… it turned out to be an hour inside of their own heads… It has been relatively torture inside of their own bodies.
"Why? WHY DID I DO THAT?" Geoff shouted as he finally placed his head on the table, after eating the third bite of the pancake still warmed with the yellow liquid…
"Now, you need 5 seconds boys." Chef smiled evilly, and with the clock on their side… the challenge has been torture from the beginning to the end… And by every second, it seemed like a minute inside of their stomaches… They wanted to vomit the fast as they could, but they had to remain strong… And it was almost impossible at that moment. "1,2,3,4,5…"
DJ's face became palled, and Geoff was with his face green like vomit, and each second was immeasurable inside of their own hearts…
And when the final second was done. Chef took both their arms and raised them to the air.
"AND THE WINNER OF THE CHALLENGE IS THE KILLER BASS," Chef said loudly, and at that moment, both DJ and Geoff vomited… as a conclusion of the said challenge.
(Camp in front of the cabins)
One hour had passed over the challenge, and the Killer Bass team was still trying to not look straight at DJ and Geoff who seemed to be traumatized from their bad experience of the challenge. DJ's momma was there to give her own son support for himself, drinking something to clean his stomach and even for Geoff who was finally happy to have something to take the bad taste of his mouth.
On the Screaming Gopher side, Owen was still in the fetal position for eating the worst idea of food ever made and losing the amazing dishes for being unable to control himself. It was a mistake, but now it was everything over. Lindsay was hunting Trent around, but the poor boy was hiding in the bathroom.
Chris was smiling satisfied with the victory and the decision to not be on the Main Lodge for the punishment challenge. And when everything was on the verge of getting bored… The group finally heard footsteps which made everyone stare in the distance, and for the happiness of Lindsay and for the Killer Bass team. They found, Ezekiel, Heather, and Beth walking towards their direction… Exhausted, with starvation on their faces. And with impatience as well…
"EZEKIEL," The Killer Bass went quickly to the homeschooled boy, who sat on the place and laid with his back on the floor.
"Heather, Beth." Lindsay quickly went to her friends who were also looking terrible. "Are you both okay?"
"Yeah, we are fine," Beth commented as she felt happy to come back to the camp. "You have no idea how crazy it was… Everything on there was frozen, and then there was a rainstorm with a lot of lightning bolts. It was terrible to go there."
Beth explained quickly that Lindsay was feeling confused by how fast she was talking. But then she felt her face being hugged by the farmer girl.
"Is there any food? We haven't eaten anything since morning. Please tell us you have something for us…" Beth begged as Lindsay didn't know how to say that…
Heather was annoyed, but she didn't have the strength to say anything. She was hungry and she needed anything to eat…
"Well, guys." Then Chris came with a smile on his face. "I have to say that you guys lost the challenge of the day… But since you all went into a very big adventure, which will potentially be awesome to edit later for the episode… I will make an exception… You can have a nice feast where DJ's momma is here to prepare for you all."
Ezekiel blinked, as he then recognized the black woman nearby DJ… his momma was on the island…
"What did I miss? What kind of challenge it was?" Ezekiel still weak in strength asked… The group stared at him before replying. But DJ's momma stopped everyone.
"No, no, no. You can all talk while you three can eat. There is no way that I'm going to let you all starve like that. Now let's go to the kitchen. Chef probably must have cleaned up." DJ's momma commented quickly… And a reason like that made their whole stomachs rumble in agreement…
.
.
.
"So that's how it ends…" Ezekiel explained how their whole morning went, from their challenges and struggles to making the Island accept Beth's sacrifice… The Killer Bass team were palled from seeing how a curse made the whole challenge of what would be less difficult, to go into a level of even the sky would be against you…
Lindsay, hugged Beth as she cried emotionally to her her best friend doing such sacrifice, and Heather, nodded her head proudly on how their journey came to finally have a good dinner… Heather was enjoying the feast like it was the best food she didn't have for weeks… Since the awake-a-thon, this has been the best food she had so far. She had to give the Jamaicans a thumbs up on how amazing the Caribbean food was.
"Okay, Ezekiel, while I admit what you did was touching, and very courageous. YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT." Courtney said as she pulled his ear…
"Ouch, ouch, ouchhhhh." Ezekiel tried to fight against, but his team was looking angrily at him… "
"You got us worried for hours. You could at least have brought anyone with you to give you help." Courtney said as the team nodded their heads to him, but Ezekiel shook his head.
"No, I can't… As I said, this isn't our problem, it was theirs." Ezekiel stomped his foot and remained serious. "I did that as a way for them to explain to us the counting of votes. And having a curse like that around the camp for so long would create terrible consequences in the future."
"Like what?" Harold said curious, that even Chris tilted his head interested as well…
"Who knows? Curse islands can be unpredictable, it can make the whole life of the cursed person unlucky, to a point that even a tiny accident could ban them from a country." Ezekiel shrugged, which made everyone look at him weirdly. "I know, it can be exaggerated… But any of you are willing to risk it?"
And with that, everyone got in silence and agreed with the green hat boy.
"So what about the challenge… how was it?" Ezekiel asked, which DJs and Geoff looked ashamed, Owen looked disgusted and Lindsay looked murderous…
.
.
.
"THE PUNISHMENT FOOD WAS WHAT?" Beth and Ezekiel shouted in horror, while Heather for the first time… in so long, let it out a laugh, a laugh that made Owen terrified of her.
"Hahahahaha." Heather laughed even causing tears from her eyes to get out… And the campers looked at her angrily, but she raised her hand. "That's what you get fat boy. It's not funny when it's with you, isn't it? Now I can see it's true, Beth, we got rid of the curse, we are free now."
And at that moment the campers realized… the pee jar incident… They have to say, that Heather was saved, and to make fun of that situation would be a fair way to make fun of it.
But that smile would come to an end… when Lindsay explained the results of the said challenge… The Screaming Gophers lost… and the only people up for elimination were Beth, Lindsay, and Heather...
Confession – Beth
"So in the end, even if we managed to break the curse and come back to the island, it means that me and Heather and Lindsay are the only ones we have to vote to leave the show?" Beth said as she looked sad, and seeing that everything couldn't be fixed. "Dammit… what Heather can do now? She promised us that we would be top 3… but from my mistake that wouldn't happen…"
That Night at Bonfire
The fire seemed to be burning extra hot tonight, which was a good thing for Heather, and Beth since their experience on the Boney Island was still left some cold on their fits and bodies. The Gophers were still sad that most of them were already with their marshmallows. Owen was sad that another member of his team had to go… Trent was sad that at the moment Heather and Beth saw the look on his face, they laughed so much that Lindsay joined them, but not before kicking his balls with still anger from their attempt and still losing… She now has a big grudge against him… Like most of the campers… The Gophers were once again seen at the bonfire ceremony.
"I've got three Gophers sitting in front of me tonight. Since the other two are with their immunity from the challenge. I only have two fluffy bits of sweet safety in my hands." Chris said while holding up his plate of two marshmallows. "So good luck. The tension now it's on the limit... When I call your name, come up and get your marshmallow. Lindsay."
The blonde girl looked uneasy for her two best friends, and while Heather looked serious, Beth looked guilty knowing the outcomes of the results… Since it was a plan she had before the votes...
And with that, there was a single marshmallow on the plate. The campers remaining without one being Beth and Heather.
"Heather, Beth. It's down to you." Chris said as Beth shook violently and crossed her fingers on both hands with Heather and Beth with their eyes staring at the last marshmallows. "Whoever doesn't get this last marshmallow must immediately walk The Dock of Shame and leave on the Boat of Losers. Forever."
The tension in the air was practically visible as the two girls never tore their eyes off the marshmallow on Chris's plate. Heather remained quiet, as Beth was trying to not cry... "The final marshmallow goes to…" Beads of sweat came down from Beth's forehead while Heather tightened her fist so much that her knuckles started to go white. This dramatic tension kept up until Chris made the announcement. "Heather."
Heather gritted her teeth… As Beth started to cry…
"I'm so sorry for not coming for the final three Heather… But I thank you so much for teaching me and taking care of me…" Beth got up, and quickly gave a tiny hug before releasing it… since the queen bee never liked to be touched…
"Just go…" Heather got up, gave her back, and walked away… Lindsay stared as she also shed some tears, and gave a wonderful hug with her farm friend…
Beth and Lindsay crying and being happy… until Chris pointed at the boat…
"Alright, Beth, time to leave," Chris said, which the farm girl, couldn't help but give a nod, and with a good glance to her team, and even a tiny giggle from seeing the ridiculous pink hair of Trent, before leaving.
"Tell once again Heather I'm sorry." Beth accepted her fate… as a way to undo the curse, she also felt it was needed to sacrifice herself…
Confession – Heather.
"SHE IS NOT MY FRIEND." Heather roared as her red eyes showed the tears that she had been shedding after hearing that everything she worked for, my idea for the final 3 was now trashed. "She has been a stepping stone, someone I would mentor, to use as my pal, someone I know her secrets, and sometimes she knows mine, passing a lot of time together as a trio… OH *BEEP* She is my friend, and I already miss her… *beeeeeeeeeep*"
10 minutes ago…
-Heather.
"I feel that this may be a terrible mistake from me… but whatever…" Heather said as she took a piece of paper where she placed it with big letters… HEATHER on it…"I hope none of them vote in me…"
Ezekiel was dragged out from the cabin, where the team was waiting patiently for the Screaming Gophers' return.
"Why are we here again?" Ezekiel asked until Katie smiled and pointed at Trent who was now using the different colors on his hair and eyebrows... "Pff HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA."
And with that, another contestant of Total Drama Island has left, and with the merge approaching, who knows who would survive for the next challenge.
Chapter 16: Bonus Chapter
Chapter Text
Day 1:
"ACHO" The sound of the sneeze was enough to make Lindsay get up from her bed in surprise... And seeing on her corner, she was Heather who was trembling and her face showing signals of cold..."Dammit, even after that dammed trip, we still got sick."
"Heather, are you okay?" The blonde girl asked as she saw the effects of the sickness coming at the snobbish brat girl...
"It's just a cold, it's not your problem," Heather said coldly, as she covered herself around the blanket and was feeling too terrible to even move. "Stupid snowing rainstorm cursed island."
Lindsay looked sadly, as she felt bad to see her friend like that, even as annoying as her friend could be. She could see that she cared for Beth, and imagining not just her who must have been sick, she thought about the possibility of Beth also getting sick.
"Well, at least we have 3 days for you to recover, do you want help to take you to the Main Lodge?" Lindsay asked, noticing the half-korean camper was still having difficulty getting up.
"...please," Heather asked for help, knowing that her headache was annoying her, and she was feeling the need to eat something. But the cold made her too weak to even move by herself.
"Don't worry, let me help." Lindsay got down from her bed and slowly decided to help her only friend she had at the competition, missing Tyler and Beth was already making her feel lonely, but now seeing Heather was still with difficulty taking care of herself, she couldn't help but to try to at least make the queen bee go to eat something.
(?)
His body was cold, he was trembling from the cold, since his face was showing a few signs of fever, and headache already affecting him...He was feeling too weak at that moment, and somehow he suddenly found his hand feeling wet... Wet?
Ezekiel slowly opened his eyes, until he realized that he was in an open area, near the beach. And by spinning he saw that his bunker was alone.
"Woah, WOAHHHHHH." Ezekiel shouted as his body movements made him splash on the cold water, with his clothing as well... The feeling of pain was substituted with confusion and anger. And the anger intensified until he saw the culprits who were laughing happily at that moment.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA," Duncan, Geoff, DJ, and even Harold dared to work together into a single prank against him... Their laughing just made Ezekiel's fever get worse but his pain was replaced by hatred, and then his face became serious... "Good morning Ezekiel."
The quartet greeted the homeschooled boy, as he swam towards the beach, and with his face showing no reaction... they were still smiling cheekily at him...
And before anyone would open their mouths... Ezekiel interrupted... Not in anger, but in boredom and coldness...
"Allow me to impress upon you the severe mistake you have made. For years my conduct has been largely benign. And yet, without provocation, you have severed our détente and forced me to unleash upon you the vengeful flames of a thousand suns."Ezekiel was calm, but then the Bass boys suddenly saw the look of hatred upon them, as Ezekiel raised his finger towards the sun, making every single one of them look at each other, not knowing how to react... Seeing Ezekiel getting angry with every second that passed. "You shall curse your mothers for the day of your birth. So, go now, GO."
Ezekiel pointed in the direction of the camp, as his own shout scared DJ who went behind Duncan and noticed that the little boy was not kidding with them. And from the evil smile coming from his face, he knew they screwed up.
"And begin your life of fear, knowing that when you least expect it, the looming sword of Damocles will crash down upon you, cleaving you in twain and as you gaze upon the smoking wreckage that was once your life..."The more Ezekiel talked, the more Harold was pissing his pants, and DJ was gulping in fear, while Geoff had no idea what the boy was talking about, and Duncan raised his eyebrows to not understand the metaphors Ezekiel was talking to him... But then he said one sentence that it gave shrives on their spines. "You will regret the day you crossed the WRONG MAN."
And the group watched Ezekiel give a few more steps...
"THE PRANK WAR IS DECLARED," Ezekiel shouted as he quickly went to his cabin, and brought his towel with him to have a shower to take the cold his body. And somehow deal with the terrible sickness he was having.
The group watched the homeschooled boy leave the place and was unsure of how to respond to it...
"I think he is very angry," Harold said as he could see the look of the other boys.
"No, really? How did you find out? The way he made a speech about destroying us? Or the declaration of the prank war?" Duncan said in sarcasm, which he could be impressed to see the green bean trying to take all of them... "Well, just to be sure, I'm going to prepare some backup pranks in case he goes crazy. Also, I think it's every man for themselves. Or do you guys want to team up?"
"I don't know if I want to be involved man," Geoff said as he was feeling unsure on how to respond on the revenge of Ezekiel. "I'm sure that if he does one simple prank he would stop."
"No dude, you don't understand," Duncan said as he pointed at the cowboy hat boy. "He is up for blood. I think he is going to take this prank war seriously. So just in case, I advise you to prepare yourself, or even team up. Because we have no idea how he is going to attack..."
"I also think he is going to attack us," Harold said as he was preparing himself and looking around. "But just in case, let's make it fair then, teaming up against Ezekiel would be a bit too much, I mean, he came from a farm... how bad he can be?"
"But you also have to remember Harold, Ezekiel is a writer, he created many chapters of Courage the Cowardly Dog, steven Universe, and Adventure Time. He can use his imagination to make anything happen to us..." DJ said as he was in fear. "But I don't know if we should team up... I mean, doing a prank war on these 3 days can be fun... I just hope he doesn't scare us too much."
(Main Lodge)
The time Heather got in front of Chef Hatchet, she saw the look on his face, which showed the typical food in front of her wasn't suitable for her needs, but since she endured so many terrible things on the show, she was used to the disgusting food in front of her...
"Girl, you look awful, whiter than that, you are going to look like a ghost," Chef said the comment which made the still-covered girl snarl at him.
"Can I just take the food? Achoo" Heather said impatiently but she couldn't stop sneezing, which made Chef clean up his face angrily...
"Okay, I'm going to pretend that didn't happen, but you... Should drink a lot of liquid," Chef said as he took a 2 liters water bottle and gave it to Heather. "You should eat, drink a lot of water and then go to bed."
Heather raised her eyebrow at Chef who just said the basic instructions for people who are sick with a cold. But she had a headache to deal with, so in exchange, she just nodded her head and groaned until she placed her food on the table.
A few tables away, Gwen was with her eyes narrowed but also showing a bit of amusement on there.
"What is happened with the Vampire queen?" Gwen asked Bridgette who suddenly glanced in the direction of the Screaming Gophers table, seeing the queen bee actually showed big signs of sickness. But then she blinked at the person who asked that...
"Err... It's kinda strange you being the person asking that, I thought you would be the one to refer to yourself as Marceline." The surfer girl mused at seeing Gwen as her gothic style was addressing Heather as being a vampire. And Marceline is Gwen's favorite character from another of Ezekiel's works.
Gwen paused and then stared again at Heather, there was another reply at that moment.
"Oh hell no, there is no way she would be Marceline," Gwen said in an outburst, as she then saw Heather looking at them both.
"What y... Ah.. ah... Achooo. What are you talking about?" Heather said annoyed. But then she glanced at Lindsay giving some tissues to her clean her nose...
Both Bridgette and Gwen stared in surprise at how awful Heather must have been feeling at that moment. Since she was sneezing a lot, and even some nauseous green coming from her nose.
"Nothing." Both Gwen and Bridgette said quickly as they went back to their food, but now wary of the sickness the queen bee was having at that moment.
Heather grumbled and went back to her food...
Gwen felt relieved as she wasn't part of the Gophers since she would have as her roommate the sickened queen bee. Imagine how terrible would be if one of her teammates would feel sick like that...
Until she realized one thing...
And at that moment, the door was opened, revealing a very worried Katie and Ezekiel who seemed to be in the same state of sickness as Heather and a very pissed Courtney.
"They really have the balls to do that?" Courtney said as she couldn't believe how immature to actually make a bunker going across the beach and dispatch Ezekiel like a boat...
"Courtney, that's enough. The war was declared..." Ezekiel replied as he brought the attention of Katie and the other girls. Seeing Bridgette and Gwen already on the table, was a great time for him to explain. "Just to be sure, I want you all to pass the nights on the Aquarium."
"What do you mean by that? What happened?" Bridgette asked as she could see the unease look from Katie and Courtney.
"The guys decided to make a prank war, and I was the first victim..." Ezekiel explained, taking out the keyword that he was the one who declared war... But even before the girls would even protest in outrage, Ezekiel already had something in mind. "I'm giving you all heads up because tonight the boy's cabin is going to reck... Oh, I swear to God, they will know to not mess with me..."
Ezekiel's determination made the girls glance at each other in surprise, since even sick, Ezekiel could show why he shouldn't be taken lightly...
"So what are you going to do?" Katie gulped as she felt kinda afraid to ask, and looked at the boy who was without his green hat since it was soaked... He could see clearly for his angry expression, that he meant everything he was going to do.
"A stink bomb I named El Mongo and La Muerte," Ezekiel answered, as he was a huge fan of both Ed, Edd n Eddy, but he also was a huge fan of The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy... He once when he was a child, he tried to replicate the recipe from both shows at the time he was a child... Without having school... He once tried to do it to a neighbor who was just a teenager who kept playing loud music at midnight... He thought the effects on both shows were exaggerated... until he created it... And one bomb was enough to make the entire neighborhood get affected by the smell... The street was affected by it... And the annoying neighbor had to move himself from that house because he couldn't take the smell. "I once made it to try to repel an infestation of moles... I made the whole farm stink for 3 days."
At that moment, both Courtney palled, as Gwen gulped into imagining how putrid the smell would be for their cabin. Bridgette was both curious but also disgusted to imagine what would be the prank the homeschooled boy had in mind... And Katie palled, as she also could imagine not just the cabin of the boys, but in consequence the cabin of the girls would also be a victim.
"So you think it would be the best if we grab our stuff?" Katie asked hopefully, and with Ezekiel nodding his head to hear, was enough to make that as a sign.
"I also made a whole backpack of my stuff and left it in your cabin too, can you also take it to the aquarium as well? I don't want to see all my drafts smelling like a mix of dog shit, skunk oil, mayonnaise, garlic, durian and..." The more Ezekiel described, the more disgusted the girls felt, and terrified of the possibility of what Ezekiel was about to unleash on the boy's cabin.
"Ezekiel, there is no way that they are going to let you free after you do that?" Courtney tried to act reasonably, but suddenly she saw Ezekiel sneeze...
"Oh, trust me, Courtney... This is me just giving my weakest prank... It's just a little scare for what they did this morning." Ezekiel said that... he just turned his back and went to Chef. From the look of the military veteran, he seemed to be already recognizing that he was feeling sick. "Morning Chef, sorry but you can see..."
"I know, you and the snob brat seemed to have received the effects of dealing with your trip. I have to say, it's the craziest climatic change I've ever seen, so here are your 2 liters water bottle, and you need rest and liquid." Chef interrupted as he gave the meal to the homeschooled writer, but then he saw the shake on his head and raising a paper he gave to the cooker who raised his eyebrows... "What is that? Fish oil? Durian on the microwave? Rotten Cheese?... what are you asking?"
"I'm doing the mother of all stink bombs... the boys of my team just made the first hit on the Prank War, and I'm going to show them, why war never changes." Ezekiel just said those words and suddenly could see the smirk growing evil on the face of the veteran warrior. "Would you like to be the judge of this internal war?"
"Kiddo... I would be honored." Chef had to admit that sometimes he would be bored on the days when there weren't challenges over the camps, but now a declaration of Prank War? He just saw a kid who is asking all the smelling rotten stuff, and from the way he can see... He had experience with gas bombs... But he never actually tried to use non-lethal bombs and what would be the suffering of the others in the same experience he had when he had militaries doing pranks, which caused terrible consequences. "So these ingredients..."
"You can see me making it... I will attack at 23 hours." Ezekiel said the military precision hour, which Chef nodded his head, pleased to see what a kid with a cold and fever would do for a group of boys who have no idea the problems they are going to get with.
Killer Bass, Boy's Cabin... 22:55.
The night was sure, and the paranoia at the quartet of boys who made the mistake of making a simple prank on Ezekiel were now more vigilant since the group was checking if their beds were touched, or even checking their own clothing and luggage... They wanted to make sure nothing was done with it.
And to their surprise, everything was spot on... Less Ezekiel's stuff, and somehow that made the group a bit more afraid of what was going to happen. So in times like that, Duncan had water under his pillow. DJ had a few plans to try to find a way to protect himself against pranks...
Harold was if he could find some nom lethal pranks when it comes to revenge...
Hot sauce, a barber cream from Chris' trash, a father, some simple jokes, but yet, Ezekiel didn't appear in any moment... They hadn't seen him since the morning when he swore his revenge...
"Guys, I think we should make some preparations, one must be on hold to try to protect the others, I will take the first hour." Duncan planned to be sure that somehow the group would need to sleep, so they decided to work together because they weren't sure how Ezekiel would attack.
"I think you are right, maybe he isn't going to attack us... He maybe must be joking." Geoff said optimistically, but even a part of himself is crapping on himself... They saw Ezekiel holding a bow, and he could potentially cause good harm to them if he wanted...
"Geoff, I like your optimism, but even I know that Ezekiel is going to attack us..." DJ commented as he could see the fury in the little boy's eyes, he wanted revenge... and he was afraid to have committed such a mistake...
"Guys, everything is going to be fine, with us taking turns, there is no way Ezekiel would attack us at the same time," Harold said as he was feeling around with the other boys, he was sure Ezekiel wouldn't be crazy to attack all of them...
Until they all saw Ezekiel opening the bedroom with a clothes peg on his nose. And a paper bag in his hand, the said paper bag was tied up, but the boys could see a brown liquid dropping from the said paper, flys around the paper bag like they were attracted to it, and even the smell of death appearing in the air... And like slow motion everyone realizes what it is, and before Duncan catches his water gun, Harold tries to move away, DJ screams like a little girl and Geoff blinks in confusion... Ezekiel launched the paper bag in the air, aiming to be directly in the middle of the cabin... And turning his back, he closed the door shut.
And Chef smiling evily, used his body as weight and wall to make the boys unable to open it again...
The boys watched the paper bag slowly going in the direction of the center of the cabin... Harold and DJ tried to see if they could catch it, but slowly they couldn't be able to approach as the gravity was pulling the paper bag to the center...
"Oh sh..." That was the last words before Duncan realized the outcome of the first prank.
(Screaming Gopher cabin)
The fart mixed with a humid sound was enough to make the whole boy's cabin tremble like an earthquake, and not just the Killer Bass cabin felt the presence of the said earthquake. But even the Screaming Gopher's side felt something strange.
Trent got up from his bed and looked around to Owen.
"Dude, did you fart again?" Trent said as he was used to the chubby boy farts, but somehow something was strange, he didn't feel the smell of the terrible disaster Owen had traumatized the whole team.
"It wasn't me." Owen defend himself, he was also got surprised by the loud fart which sounded like him, but he felt something was also odd... And then he felt a little sniffer in the air, which immediately made him wrinkle his nose. "Oh damn, someone must have eaten rotten food, because it came from outside and it's also coming here."
Trent gave a slight sniff, and he himself almost got gagged... Thankfully both Screaming Goopher had a protocol in case of Owen's farts, and they both used the car deodorant Chef gave them on the time Owen had a disaster with the beans... It was their lifesaver.
(?)
The horrifying smell was enough to appear on Chef's nostrils and even he vomited from smelling the worst smell he had in his life. And looking at the sick boy who just turned his back and left the place... Not wanting to be caught in the aftermath of the first prank... The war was declared, and the boy diabolically created a powerful stink bomb, which he knew the interns would cry at the time Chris asked them to start cleaning that up. And he would be dammed if he dared to open the door... Chef knew that the smell coming after opening the door would lose his entire stomach.
So after doing a quick run at his kitchen... Chef remained quiet... until a part of him, suddenly scoffed... but then he tried to hold his laugh... But he couldn't help it... Just to imagine the horrifying gags the boys would have around that armageddon of stinkiness... There was just one thing to do.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, OH MY GOD, I LOVE MY JOB. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA." Chef said as he knew he had to call Chris, this was the potential of something funny to do... just for that day, not a challenge. But entertaining just for themselves. "Chirs, pick up, please pick up... Hey Chris."
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU TWO DID THAT." Chris laughed loudly, as Chef Hatched also started laughing as well... Something like that would be treated as gold on Pay-per-view. "I'm watching their faces Chef, and oh boy, this is going to be in slow motion for the editing, you should watch it."
"Oh, this is something I can't wait to see it." Chef smiled, as he knew that this was going to be the best moment for him to enjoy himself on the show. "Hey, I was thinking of doing a military challenge in a few weeks. Do you mind if I scare them mentally? Or do a lot of challenges I have in the military?"
"Sure, why not? But you must make them all suffer, to make the drama go crazy, but also to make some hilarious moments like that." Chris commented, and Chef nodded his head.
"Maybe we can use the scenes of this Prank War to entertain between my challenges, that way it would be torturing but also funny for the public just to know what will happen on these 3 days." Chef offered the idea, which Chris sounded very pleased to hear.
"Sure, that would sound like a fun idea. But oh boy. I think we could spice up the thing... I'm going to call the interns, and tomorrow there will be more supplies for the pranks... Just for the boys on Killer Bass cabin. Is there a chance of the girls also being involved?" Chris asked hopefully.
"I'm afraid not, the little boy from the farm is with bloodshot eyes. I saw that when I saw one of my squad going rampage, and from what I heard, the girls are going to be on Aquarium for the war going into full scale." Chef knew that it would disappoint Chris, but he wanted to be a fair judge on the prank war, when 2 parties were made enemies, he wanted to make sure that the war would be epic.
"That's a pity, but well. We have to work with what we have. So we need to bring the best supply of jokes and pranks as possible. I want to see the Killer Bass boys in their own jugulars, and one winner on this prank war." Chris said excited to know how it would end.
"Me too Chris, me too," Chef said with a grin, seeing what would be the start of a blood war of who would be the top dog of comedy... But now he had a question... How would it go tomorrow? That's something he knew that he must try to sleep, with possibilities of entertainment appearing on his mind.
(Killer Bass, boy's cabin)
The entire bedroom was covered with green goo, with the most awful, disgusting and putrid smell ever made by mankind, the flees were flying around, enjoying their new homes, as the boys who witness such a cruelty, devilish, and even worse act of making they could see... DJ was gagging to vomit, but the vomit inside of his stomach was refusing to get out of his body. Geoff was lucky since immediately he vomited on the floor, his eyes were closed since they were burning from such a terrible smell.
Harold's glasses cracked, from how the terrible smell was able to even chemically destroy part of his glasses, but he immediately tried to use his inhalator in extreme cases like that, since he left it in his back pocket, he was able to save it from the terrible smell. And with good timing, he did it like a hero would do, he gave a powerful deep breath with it, and ran desperately to outside to open the door.
Duncan's face contorted in disgust, and his hands tightened on the pillow, showing how painful that smell was on his nostrils. He was gagging and even vomiting around, because that assault, was really a declaration of war. Seeing Harold running in the direction of the door, felt like an eternity, seconds turned into hours after taking such a stink bomb.
And when the door was opened... The group of Killer Bass boys ran in the direction of the fresh air. And like a sweet relief the group went outside to vomit and have their sweet relief.
Thankfully the Screaming Gophers didn't open their doors, or most of the smell would have gotten also inside their cabins as well.
"What the *beep* was that?" Geoff said as he took his t-shirt and shorts off, and even his trustful hat was still with that terrible smell.
Duncan may have gotten into huge pranks, or even done terrible vandalism when he wanted to make such a prank towards to someone... But that stink bomb, made him realize... that homeschooled boy, must have a lot of time to himself, and to develop such a terrible smell like that, he was not even aware of what the hell Ezekiel must have used to make such a terrible stink bomb...
"They girls," Duncan said quickly, and DJ immediately went inside the female bedroom, just to see the empty bedroom... Even the bunkers from the girls weren't even there... Harold, Geoff, and Duncan came to see the inside, and then they realized. "Oh you cleaver *beep*, he must have warned the girls about it and prepared himself for this prank... I gotta say. This was indeed a big attack."
"I think we should work together," Harold said as he looked desperately, seeing that not just his shirt was smelling terrible, but every single one of their clothes was now reeking the smell of rotten stink bomb. "He is strong, we cannot do this alone."
"I think he is right." DJ agreed, for someone like Ezekiel already giving the first prank in the first night, before even going to sleep... That shows that his vengeance speech wasn't a bluff, he wanted to destroy them.
"Okay, okay. I have to confess, the shrimp got us on the first attack... And what attack was that." Duncan admitted, that he usually would have been working better in solo, but seeing someone didn't think twice about up the game, he must see now that it was time to make a team in the beginning. "The war was declared, so we are going to take baths, and sleep. Tomorrow we are going to plan our prank for retaliation."
The killer bass quartet now has a new enemy among themselves, a person who showed the first attack, and now they must rely together to find and give a comeback towards the farm boy... They have no idea where he is...
A few trees away from the Aquarium, inside of a hollow oak tree near the top and near the branches... Usually, the wood woodpeckers would have made a lair... Ezekiel tightened himself with only a blanket, without a pillow... He was still feeling the consequences of having suffered climatic changes on the trip to Boney Island... He was drinking water from the bottle Chef had given to him, but it was difficult to move his body since he was hiding inside of a tree near the top.
One of his most professional spots to hide and seek. He had a surprise attack... But tomorrow he must see the best to not just take but also plan a new surprise comeback to his friends. They are going to pay him for that stupid wake-up prank. So he is going to show them
(Aquarium)
The girls tried to adjust themselves to their secret location, since the time they passed hours moving away from the bunkers and were able to take their own stuff to the cave, they wondered how the Killer Bass cabin would end up the next time they would appear on the Main Lodge, however, Gwen had other plans, since a good part of her curiosity took part of her, and she planned to take a good shower before going to sleep...
Courtney was enjoying a good time reading something before sleeping. Thankfully Ezekiel isn't the only literature that she would have a good opportunity to read, a good book she brought from home also was a good option, and she never had the time to read since the boys were loud sometimes and she wanted to have a little comforting silence.
Bridgette also enjoying the hot tub, and Katie already sleeping. It was a very peaceful time for her to have a good reading before going to sleep. Until her nostrils felt something coming towards the outside of the cave, and the smell was faint but horrible, and it was getting stronger with time. Until she started gagging.
"What the ..." Courtney pinched her nose to make herself unable to smell, and tried to look where the smell came from... And to her surprise, was Gwen who came quickly inside the Aquarium, and used even a few wood planks to make their path... "Gwen, why are you smelling like that?"
Gwen came quickly to her backpack and she never thought she would be so grateful to have spared a deodorant for herself. Spraying around her body, and even on her face. The fresh spray smell to cover the terrible odors and trying to even suffocate herself with the clean smell than the ones she did before coming back to the Aquarium.
"Ah, I finally can breathe again," Gwen said happily, as her entire face was mixed between green of nausea and white from palling too much. "I was in the shower when that happened."
"When what happened?" Bridgette asked as she also was pinching her nose, not trusting that Gwen actually was cleaned.
"When the Killer Bass dorm became a combination of dumpster, sewer, and horse poop at the same place," Gwen said as she narrowed her eyes at the disbelief looks from both girls. "Ezekiel wasn't kidding, what are you smelling now it's just 1/10 of what our cabin must be smelling at this moment. And from seeing Harold, Duncan, DJ and Geoff running for the shower to clean themselves... I have to confess, I prefer to see Owen fart on my face 3 times instead of being inside of the boy's cabin at this moment."
"Wow, it's really that bad?" Bridgette asked, which Courtney also couldn't believe it. But seeing the goth girl narrowing her eyes like it was the most serious issue, she couldn't help but be terrified at Ezekiel's warning.
"Tomorrow when we go to Main Lodge you three are going to be the judges... I don't know why, but I think this smell is going to be on there for days." Gwen pointed out, and then she glanced at Courtney. "Whatever you do, do not let the boys get inside here, my smell just came from being nearby them for a few seconds. Imagine how the Aquarium would reeks if the boys stayed here, even after the shower. They are going to need more than 3 showers to take out the smell."
Courtney and Bridgette glanced, and for that moment, they gulped... Not wanting to know how the next pranks Ezekiel would do in this war.
Second Day: (Main Lodge)
Heather felt like her head was killing her, but in comparison to the day before, she was feeling at least 20 percent better. Since she didn't do anything else than stay in bed, she only just got up in time to eat, drink, and go back to sleep... That was the only time she was feeling her health getting better with time.
Lindsay tried to remain calm and help Heather whenever she needed... since now it was only them two. She still glares whenever she sees Trent passing by... and nothing that the guitarist would say or do would make her forgive him, she knew that she isn't the sharpest tool in the shed... but even she wouldn't be so low to lie to anyone about dirt food whenever happened, or even force feed someone to eat such a thing...
At the other side of the main lodge, the girls looked horrified, still traumatized from the aftermath of the first prank happening in their cabin.
"I can't believe it," Katie said as she couldn't comprehend how that happened. "How still smells so badly?"
"The question is... How the smell still feels the same after the first time I smelled yesterday." Gwen corrected the question, as she never thought a stink bomb would have been so powerful, that the interns from the show are taking turns of 30-minute shifts to try to clean up and not die of asphyxiation. "From the way they are cowering in fear, I think the cabin will be like that for days."
"When he said it took a week to remove the smell from a farm, I thought he was exaggerating, but to see how this stink bomb was... I almost threw up the food I ate yesterday." Courtney had to confess, that sometimes the kid she treats like a little brother has some scary ideas. "Thank goodness that we aren't his target."
"Did you see the boys?" Gwen said as she still trembled just to see how her nostrils were still attacked by their smell. "They said they took 3 baths, and yet the smell is still stuck on them... How they did not lose it?"
"Because I used skunk oil and skunk juice on my stink bomb." Then a voice was enough to make the whole group of girls turn their backs and see what would be a picture of a ghost... But then their eyes realized one thing... It was their friend, but he wasn't looking well... "The only way to take the smell out would be having tomato juice bath for a whole day at least."
Ezekiel's face was palled, he had a lot of mucus dropping from his nose, and his face was covered in sweat, the girls noticed... Ezekiel isn't fine.
"Ezekiel, what the hell happened to you?" Bridgette looked in shock, seeing that the same person who came before them was feeling even worse than the first time they saw him...
"I'm just with a cold..." Ezekiel commented, but neither of the girls believed in his statement. "In a few days I will get better, hopefully."
The girls glanced at each other, not sure how to respond to his words... They just hoped that this stupid Prank war would end quickly... Oh, how naive the girls were...
Five hours later...
"IT'S MADNESS, PLEASE STOP THIS MADNESS," Courtney shouted at Ezekiel after witnessing how the whole day of the pranks has been, she thought it would have been less extreme in comparison to the day before.
But how wrong she was, everything started with Duncan finding a few candies around, and deciding to cover them all with hot sauce he found in front of the boy's room, just for the sake of Ezekiel picking up the wrong one by mistake and eating it without thinking how burned his mouth would become.
But then DJ had a similar idea, and thinking about how Chef had free time to watch the war from away, he left the kitchen wide open, which was a great time for himself to make very nice rum cupcakes, and inside of it, he placed well nice laxatives where it was placed nearby his bed.
Harold found a few soda cans and had a devilish smile on his face, so he had used some chewed gums at the time he was on the show, so after forming a big ball of chewed gum, he placed it inside of the soda can, to make it looks like ready to drink... Not knowing how disgusting it was from the inside... And his prank would be known just after the episode would be watched... He would gloat about his own victory around his friend.
But all that backfired when Ezekiel noticed the group was working together. So the only thing he did when he saw the candies on the main lodge... He just wrote a note and passed the time writing his next chapter on Aquarium.
Harold was his first victim since the note Ezekiel had on the papers was...
"Choose whatever candy, less the blue paper one... I placed a neat prank on green bean, so you better eat it in front of him, or you are dead meat." Harold raised his eyebrows and noticed that it was possibly a prank of Duncan. So he just shrugged and decided to hide the blue paper one in his pocket, and had a few ones in his hand...
And then Harold had the brilliant idea to even give DJ and Geoff one of those candies to make it more believable for Ezekiel to also eat it.
At the time the group was in the Aquarium, the girls were holding their breaths since they wanted to talk to Ezekiel, and since he was feeling a bit tired... he still had work in progress...
"Hey Zeek, we saw that we may have gone overboard on you. So I want to apologize for our behavior." DJ said honestly, even if he was still a bit mad with Ezekiel literally made their whole room and their bodies stink for the whole day. He wanted to make sure it was believable. "So we want to make a truce and offer you some candy."
Ezekiel even if he was with a fever and a headache... slowly glanced at the group who was still nervous, wondering if he was going to fall for it...
"Sure," Ezekiel took the blue paper candy and watched the trio who was still smiling at him... even Geoff let out a chuckle, which made the other duo stomp his feet to make him stop... The green-hat boy narrowed his eyes in silence. Like he was expecting something.
"What's wrong Ezekiel?" Harold asked as he noticed that he was suspecting them all, so he immediately nodded at the other guys. "If you don't believe it, then we are also going to eat it, just to prove we are telling the truth, we are also going to eat some."
Ezekiel nodded his head in silence, as he saw the group opening their papers and immediately placed the cand on their mouths...
*Cough* *Cough*
Ezekiel had a cough on that moment, but that time of trying to take out the phlegm from his chest was enough to make the boys immediately regret to actually doing the terrible mistake of eating the candy.
"AHHHHHHHHHH." Harold was the first one to spit fire from his mouth, while DJ had to contort his face from the painful and surprising hot source taste from the candy. It was disgusting, and Geoff immediately had to go to the hot tube to drink the water inside of it... not knowing that most of the water was used and he was drinking washed bath water...
The girls looked at that scene in disgust and even saw the boy Ezekiel had his eyes wide open a bit far too fake...
"Wow, when Duncan told me these candies would make you guys want to die, I thought he was joking." Ezekiel let out such a sentence, which made the trio look at Ezekiel like they noticed the acting.
"YOU AND DUNCAN WERE WORKING TOGETHER?" The trio of boys shouted angrily and in disbelief, and Ezekiel let out a dark chuckle.
"First rule on a war prank...always have a backup, and never drop your guards." Ezekiel smiled as he coughed even more with the sickness he had... Seeing that the trio would be not just hurt by the prank, he wanted to finish the conversation mysteriously. "Courtney take good care of my tipe-writter. I'm going to go for a walk."
Ezekiel took the good time, to even force his body to quickly go away from the cave, while the girls watched that scene in disbelief, but even then, the boys felt angry with the betrayal of their comrades. And they immediately left the Aquarium. To plan their revenge...
All it took, was Ezekiel to make a fake note and one prank was demolished.
"Thanks for the counter prank, Eddy." Ezekiel had to admit, that one of his favorite shows in childhood taught him well how to manipulate the group to attack themselves... And now the only thing he needed to do was... just to be on his secret spot once again... "I just hope this cold will get done, or I will not be able to participate in the next challenge..."
And like how Ezekiel Planned... Harold, DJ, and Geoff got back at Duncan, not knowing how his plan backfired... One moment he was grinning madly and even explaining the plan to the boys, who were unamused for his prank, then Harold offered him a soda can... and DJ a cupcake...
And the delinquent never thought he would be passing hours inside of a bathroom, vomiting and pooping at the same time...
Betrayers, that's how Duncan saw, and now he was on solo again... And this time, he was going for their own throats. When he went to get his stuff, he noticed Geoff was holding his favorite knife and placed it above the boy's cabin... That made Duncan see red since nobody would touch his knife without permission... And from seeing Geoff taking it just to throw it on the roof? It was a personal war, and he made sure to use all farting cushions, all the hot sauce, and even barber cream to attack every single one of them...
Duncan made a combo of kick me paper behind Harold's back, which Trent not knowing what was going on was happy to oblige the request and gave a quick kick and immediately ran... Harold did not know why the guitarist did that, Owen was the second person who kicked him, since it was the rules of the kick my paper... And then Lindsay, and Heather who wanted a little revange kicked Harold's balls from his back. Leaving him on his knees.
Then, Geoff who wanted to take out his hat to just take a shower, didn't know that Duncan used the good time to place super glue inside of his hat, and at the time the cowboy hat party boy placed his hat, he felt something humid and tried to take it out... Until he found out that his hat was stuck to his head.
Katie came to watch in a few hours later... what just happened, and it was like a war movie but with the absurdities or pranksters. Geoff tried to use paper rolls to attack Duncan, but he used a combination of firecrackers and fart cushions to make some explosives and immediately made Geoff knocked out from such a prank.
DJ trembled in fear, as the group was in front of Killer Bass Cabin, not knowing how to counterattack Duncan, who was on Rambo Mode. And he wanted revenge on his team.
And Courtney, far away from everything, couldn't help but exclaim to Ezekiel who was moving himself away... Not only from the cabins but a bit even more further than the main Lodge, in the opposite direction of the Aquarium... And she wasn't going to stop until she made it Ezekiel saw that everything was not just crazy, but even he was risking his own health since he should have been resting on his bed... Or even in a sleepbag on the Aquarium.
"IT'S MADNESS, PLEASE STOP THIS MADNESS." Courtney shouted as she saw the boy even falling on his knees, "Ezekiel you are not fine, stop this war, and go get some rest... You don't know that you are in terrible danger?"
And on that time, all the cameras nearby could see Ezekiel freezes, and turned his head to Courtney who Immediately noticed Ezekiel was angry.
"Who do you think you are talking to?" For the first time, Ezekiel felt like all the weakness of his body refused him to quit, but his anger made him have internal strength that he even forgot he had. And quoting one of the best quotes ever made in history, he was going to claim for himself... "I'm not in danger Courtney. I AM THE DANGER."
And with that, Ezekiel went even faster to a place, where the C.I.T. girl remained in shock at the words of the said homeschooled boy, and now tilting her head, imagining if he was telling the truth or not. But then she just saw a glance at where the homeschooled boy was going, and she blinked her eyes, trying to see if she wasn't dreaming... But at the time she just saw Ezekiel nearby to a catapult... And a giant water balloon... She felt terrified of where he was aiming it...
Ezekiel was in the hands of the lever... he knew that something should have been done... his sickness somehow damaging him way more than it should... So in the final act... he was going to put a stop to everything.
"The war was nice, and while I couldn't do much... But I know how to start, and how to end with a prank war..." Ezekiel commented, as he took from his pocket, a black bandana, courtesy of Chef, and even some war paint... Using a white marker, he just needed to write a single letter... #1 PRANKSTER on it... And now he was in front of the giant water balloon, one that he made sure to ask Chef if it was possible to even make a water balloon like that... And thankfully Chris himself was the one who requested a factory... Ezekiel just used white paint, to make the right letters... And now, the final piece of the prank was complete... "And you know who else knows how to end a war? MY MOM!"
And with that shout, Ezekiel pulled the leaver and launched the giant water balloon in the size of the camp's cabin... A water balloon with letters in white. MY MOM is in it...
Ezekiel wasn't going easy... He was going full Muscleman on the boys. Showing a good act of mercy... and destroying all their will of fight...
Courtney saw the biggest shadow going towards the camp... and in slow motion, she saw the water balloon hit exactly the Killer Bass Cabin... The boys didn't even have time to process what happened. But their eyes just saw the shadow going directly to the cabin, and with a splash, not just the boys, even Katie was also a victim of the attack... Even the Screaming Gophers also suffered from the surprise flood which attacked the floors of their own cabins.
"AHHHH." Lindsay jumped in her bunk bed. Heather just turned her head and remained sleeping, ignoring what would possibly be the loud shouts of pain and screams... She was a bit too sick to even care about what was happening.
Owen on the boy's side quickly went up on the bunk bed, cracking a part of the bed while doing it... Trent had to take his guitar and even clothes to place on the bunk bed above the one he was sleeping on.
"Woa... these guys are really going full war... I never thought it would end up like that." Trent had to confess that he was scared that the group didn't even focus on doing the pranks on him, so he was just happy to be lucky... Then staring at the day happening, he just smiled to himself. It was the 9th day of the month, which he thought was the sacred number once again saved his skin...
Owen stared at the water flow slowly going away... And was happy to not get in the middle of such a war... Ezekiel was nice since he said he didn't want either of his team to be involved in that... Who knew sometimes being a neutral party was a good chance to not get screwed over? At least he was happy to have a few good talks with Ezekiel. Knowing that the homeschooled boy was actually funny and have even some funny jokes about food.
He just hoped that the war would be over...
The remains of the attack... that was what Katie saw, she was also hit by the flood of big water waves that she ever saw in a freaking water balloon... She had both admiration and fear every time Ezekiel would talk about pranking... Since then, all the boys from Killer Bass have been on the floor on their knees... Coughing water from their lungs, and one by one, she saw the fear look in their eyes.
"Okay, that's it... I'm done. I quit." DJ said as he felt palled from seeing the results of the prank... A giant plastic remaining ballon covers the whole Killer Bass cabin... Even the interns had to get out of the place, wearing swimming suits, and oxygen masks, because the cleaning was terrible, but with that water flow... It also helped their work... But the impact of the water hitting their bodies, made them get launched by the windows... So it was good and also bad... Bad for them, but good for the viewers.
Harold was gapping like a fish, and he could see his own underwear floating around with the other clothing... He tried to get up, but he slipped and felt the good splash in the water on his face.
"That sounds like a good idea. I think that's too much, even for us." Harold felt defeated... And he decided to follow DJ's steps...
Geoff was knocked out, and thankfully his hat was unstuck from his head with minimal damage... Just a part of his hair was now part of his hat... He was defeated by the person whom he immediately regretted pranking on the day before.
Duncan was with his face covered with cream barber and water coming out from his mouth...
It was time to give up... They lost the war...
Playa del losers
"Woahhhhh," Cody said in awe, as the other campers, even Justin had to drop down his mirror to see the results of the prank war...
Izzy watched Ezekiel going into full war and even doing his preparations to save himself around his team... She felt herself with her heartbeats getting faster, and even a goofy smile on her face, as she felt a tingly inside of herself, and she crossed her legs... But then she got up from her seat.
"I need to go to the bathroom." Izzy grinned as she immediately left the group staring at her in surprise... But then just shrugging from her usual act...
Tyler looked palled in comparison to how cruelly his little friend and the heart of the team managed to massacre everyone by using a stink bomb, a fake letter, and a water balloon... He was thankful that he wasn't there, because looking at the aftermath of the war... He would have become an easy target.
Noah whistled as he could see how a single boy dominated the whole team. And the speech Ezekiel had made on the first day, was pure literature. Noah read so many versions of literature, even some of Machiavelli, and then had the big guns to create a war in full scale, he has to say, watching that from far away was the best kind of entertainment he had for a while.
Sadie watched in horror and in worry on Katie, but seeing that Katie was just wet but fine, she sighed in relief... The dumbbells she was holding on that moment almost went on Leshawna's foot, but thankfully the chubby girl was quickly in hands and saved the black girl another pain.
Leshawna voiced her thoughts.
"DAMNNNNNNNNNN, THAT'S A MOMMA JOKE IN ANOTHER LEVEL." Leshawna felt horrified for two reasons, her boyfriend was annihilated by a boy, and second off, the same boy made an inverted momma joke, instead of saying your mom, he said his own mom... Now the entire group who would make momma jokes now had to reflect on possible people who would make jokes about their own mothers, taking out the weapon of insult to other public.
Eva saw the war battle, and she was even having some entertainment to see her friends having some action... Still, she showed a bit of concern because, since the time the homeschooled boy came from the haunted island, he was showing signals of sickness and no signal of getting better. She looked at her broken leg and felt that the pain wasn't there anymore.
Soon, she felt her leg wanting to free itself from the casted prison, and she must train herself harder when she gets full recovery.
Beth who was also showing a few signals of sickness in her bedroom, didn't have the strength to watch the vídeos around the camp, thankfully she would watch the recorded camera in the future. But the time she looked at Screaming Gopher's camera, she watched both her best friends in their bedrooms... And missing her friends, the farm girl took a few meds before going back to sleep... Hoping to get better the next day.
The third day of the camp showed that peace was once again on the island. Chef gave victory at the green hat boy and had good laughs with Chris while everyone on the camp finally could have their time resting in peace.
The Killer Bass team passed the whole day having a break and sleeping inside the cave...
However each day passing, Ezekiel was showing more and more signals of sickness... Until he felt his chest hurt and with a huge cough, made the whole team stare at him fearfully...
Ezekiel dismissed the thought, just hoping the next day of challenge, he would have become better to deal with...
But when the next day came...
Ezekiel felt his body so weak, and the cold becoming so dangerous, that he felt his own chest almost killing him...
The day of the challenge... The group would need to go full of pain... He doesn't know if he can take it... But he hoped that he could at least survive for another day.
Chapter 17: Who Can You Trust?
Chapter Text
"Last time on Total Drama Island…" Chris began with his usual smirk on his face. "A journey happened for the sake of the lives of the campers, Ezekiel, Beth, and Heather left the island to return the cursed item to Boney Island. But the curse itself proved that it wasn't going to let them off the hook that easily. Climatic changes, rainstorms combined with snowstorms, it was chaos. In the meantime, campers who remained on this island had to fight one of their primal desires of human beings... Resist to eat the best delicacies. There were the temptated losers who had to take the punishment food, and for the irony of the destiny, DJ was destroyed when he discovered the main chef was indeed his Momma, have to say, I still want to give some calls in case she does delivery. Anyway, the people who resisted got a banquet and immunity for elimination, while the people who ate the food, had to eat the Dirty Pancakes... In the end, when the journey to Boney Island was in end, Heather and Beth discovered that in the end, only the trio who sought the be the final 3 now had to leave one of their members... And Beth as a good way of self-awareness, gave a sacrifice, without noticing that Heather was voting on herself as well...In the end, Beth is the girl going to the dock of shame, leaving the queen bee without one of her loyal subjects and friends... Did the trio break the curse? Did Trent will be able to be forgiven by Lindsay for deceiving her to eat dirty pancakes? Find out tonight on Total. Drama. Island!"
"Also for the public who is watching the pay-per-view. At the end of the season, we will make a DVD box with all the highlights of the nom-edited moments. I know what you want to see... So prepare your wallets, because the best moments and deleted scenes will be added to the DVD box; " Chris gave the final announcement and with that, he snapped his fingers, before the intro started.
(Main Lodge)
At the time everything was done, the Chef made a huge mess glob around the plate and even placed a straw above it.
"Today's breakfast, it's a divine casserole mixed with Caribean Style. I name it Caribean Stylish Meal." Chef said proudly of his work, while Gwen rolled her eyes…
"You mean, the rest of the food from the last challenge?" Gwen said sarcastically which Chef didn't like the tone of her voice.
"THAT'S RIGHT, IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THAT? OR DO YOU WANT A DIRTY PANCAKE?" Chef shouted and Gwen immediately felt fear for both Chef and the worst pancake she could imagine in her life.
"SIR, NO SIR." Gwen felt afraid of the yellowish pancakes so she even gave continence to Chef who also saluted the girl and let her go back to her table.
At the mess hall, both teams were either enjoying or getting their breakfast. Breakfast was whatever was left over from the cooking challenge. Some were silently enjoying their breakfast, and DJ was feeding some of his breakfast to Bunny.
And in the current table of Screaming Gophers, Heather was still trembling, however, a good part of her cold finally diminished to a level that she could still remain in the game. She used tissues to clean her running nose, and Lindsay got another blanket to cover Heather again.
"I'm fine Lindsay, you don't need to over-stress about it." Heather was tired of being covered in a blanket, and since she was almost near 70% she could guarantee that she would be able to still compete and win the challenge on the day. "I hope the stupid curse finally left and we can win the stupid challenge of the day."
"Are you sure that you don't want a blanket, Heather?" Lindsay asked in worry since she knew that most of her friends and even the boy she had a good crush on and time in the game were now in their homes, and she missed them since then… And now it was only her and Heather, the only friend she has… And even if Heather sounded bossy and even scary sometimes, she saw that somehow she got a bit warmed up for her and Beth… She doesn't know when it started, but she cared for her friend and she believes that Heather also cared for her.
"a…a…a…achoo!" Heather suddenly sneezed as she cleaned her nose, getting annoyed by the cold. "Dammit Cold."
Over with Duncan, the delinquent was currently at the coffee machine and was getting some coffee into his mug. But as he was doing this, Duncan stealthily grabbed another mug that was on the shelf and pit-pocketed it. Right as he was about to walk away, Courtney got in front of him with glaring eyes. "I saw that!" The CIT loudly whispered to the delinquent having been the only one to witness Duncan stealing the mug. "How can you just steal a mug?"
"Cause it's cool looking and I don't have one," Duncan whispered to Courtney before smirking. "Hm. Didn't have one, that is."
"But you might get kicked off!" Courtney harshly said to Duncan and tried to persuade the delinquent to put the stolen mug back.
"Awww, and here I thought you didn't care about me," Duncan said to Courtney with an amused smirk. Honestly, it was hard to believe how much she was into him. And the more she denied it, the more obvious it was.
"Look, we're on a big numbers advantage here and I don't wanna lose that lead." Courtney tried to justify her reasons as she compared the small number of Gophers to the large number of Bass. "Especially if it's because you feel like going all criminal on us."
"Pfft whatever." Duncan rolled his eyes at Courtney's excuse. "You dig me."
"UGH!" Courtney groaned out in frustration as she stormed off. All the while her face sported an undeniable blush. "Why do I even bother?!"
As Courtney sat down at the Bass table, just planted her face down on the table in frustration as a voice spoke up.
Amidst the jovial atmosphere, the door to the Main Lodge creaked open, drawing the attention of the campers. Ezekiel stumbled inside, his usually energetic demeanor replaced by a weary and haggard appearance. His steps were slow and unsteady, his shoulders slumped, and dark circles marred his eyes.
The campers exchanged concerned glances as Ezekiel made his way to the dining table, his movements labored and hesitant. He sank into a chair with a heavy sigh, his breaths coming in shallow wheezes. His once vibrant complexion now appeared pale and clammy, a sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead.
"Hey, Ezekiel, you alright, man?" Duncan, the tough and outspoken member of the team, spoke up, his voice laced with genuine concern.
Ezekiel managed a weak smile, though it faltered as a cough wracked his frail frame. He raised a hand to his chest, his breath catching in his throat as he struggled to suppress the hacking coughs.
"I-I'm fine," Ezekiel wheezed, his voice hoarse and strained. "Just... just a little cold."
But the campers could see through his facade. The telltale signs of illness were evident – the flushed cheeks, the trembling hands, the ragged breaths. It was clear that Ezekiel was far from fine.
As Ezekiel attempted to eat his breakfast, his appetite waned, his stomach churning with nausea. The food seemed to lose its flavor, the once enticing aroma now turning his stomach. With each passing moment, the pneumonia tightened its grip on Ezekiel's weakened body, draining him of his strength and vitality.
Despite his best efforts to conceal his illness, Ezekiel couldn't hide the truth from his teammates. As they watched him struggle, their concern deepened, realizing that their friend was in serious need of help. And so, with determined resolve, the Killer Bass rallied together.
"Dude you're not fine," Geoff said as he examined close the boy who was trembling...
Heather who was away noticed that the same cold that she had on her, the green hat boy was feeling much worse than what probably have been the first day of cold they both had. That boy was far from healthy.
"I'm okay, I'm just going to rest a bit until the start of the challenge." Ezekiel waved, as he looked at Courtney and Gwen staring at him in deep concern. "Don't worry, I'm not going to do something stupid today."
"You better not," Courtney commanded, as she saw Bridgette and Katie placing their hands on his face.
"You're burning in fever," Katie commented as Ezekiel tried to fight against her, but he was feeling too weak from actually doing it. The group in front of him was now even more worried about him.
"Ezekiel, I think we have to talk about this," Bridgette commented as she glanced at the other campers. "Did you ever go to the hospital before?"
"I don't think he did Bridge… Ezekiel lived on a farm for his entire life, he may never had the medicine before." Geoff commented as he pointed out one of the main concerns, the cold the boy was feeling, was becoming much more dangerous than before.
"Ezekiel, what are you feeling right now?" Courtney asked but Ezekiel was being overwhelmed by the whole group and he couldn't take it anymore.
"Guys, STOP," Ezekiel shouted as the whole group looked at him in concern, DJ and his tiny bunny were also very worried about that… his breath was very forced and he couldn't help but see that even his body was on the limit… and he couldn't help but get into a low point… that he even could see the trembling on his hand… And at that moment, Ezekiel knew what to do… "Condor."
And just like that, the Killer Bass gave a very satisfied sigh of relief, which they could see that Ezekiel was reasoning with the fact he needed to take care of his health…
"BUT." And with that, the group looked at the green-hat boy narrowing his eyes. "I'm going to throw away the towel just because of this sickness, I refuse to be voted off if you guys didn't give you all on today's challenge. If we lose fair and square, I will be glad to get out from here… But if you guys try to sabotage today's challenge. I will never forgive you all."
Ezekiel said those words and the Killer Bass glanced at each other, fearfully in the situation they were going to be in… But Ezekiel didn't mind at all, he knew that he needed to go to the hospital, but his pride refused to go if not for having one last challenge, one that he knew his friends, he knew who he could trust… And he trusted in them to keep their word that even if they would lose on today's challenge, they would give their all… And that's why he trusts them.
(Outside Area)
The camera then suddenly shifted to another location on the island with Chris walking in front of it with a frown on his face. "Hi. Chris, here." Chris introduced himself in a seemingly saddened tone. "Sometimes teams just don't get along. So the producers and I thought the best way to work through the group friction would be…to exploit it for laughs!" Chris' face suddenly broke out in a grin as the host rubbed his hands together. "This is gonna be awesome!"
About an hour after breakfast, the 9 Bass and 4 Gophers could be seen gathered up at the dock with Chris in front of them. "So, last week's challenge exposed a few camper issues." Chris pointed out that Lindsay, Heather, and even almost a good part of Killer Bass were staring at the still pink-haired Trent who seemed to be too distracted to notice the tense atmosphere around the area. "And I'm sensing a little something funky floating in the Bass pond, too," Duncan smirked and lightly nudged Courtney with his shoulder which resulted in the CIT pushing Duncan down to the wood they were all standing on.
"So, this week's challenge is going to be centered around building trust," Chris explained as Duncan stood up and straightened out his clothes. "Because all good things begin with a little trust."
(Confession – Gwen)
"I trusted Trent once," Gwen said to the audience at home. "He left me and Ezekiel buried alive on the beach. Never should have trusted a Gopher."
(Confession – Lindsay)
"I trusted Lent before," Lindsay said as she tried to remain calm. But her anger took the better of her. "But he made me believe those… ugh… peed pancakes were vinegar, and shoved them in my mouth."
"There will be seven major challenges that will have to be completed by two or more members of your team." Chris further explained the details of the challenge today. "Normally, we like to have the campers choose their partners, but not this time! More fun for me!"
A little later, the teams and Chris were gathered up in front of a cliffside. Thankfully, it was one that wasn't even close to being as big as the main 1000-foot-tall one. "Okay! So for the first challenge, you'll be doing an extreme freehand rock climbing adventure!" Chris explained the first challenge of the day as he pointed to the wall the campers would be climbing. "Ezekiel woah, boy, what happened to you?"
"Just a cold Chris, nothing to worry about," Ezekiel lied, as he was still feeling weak from the sickness, but then he found Chris just shrugging and decided to continue telling the challenge.
"Anyway, Ezekiel and Duncan will play for the Bass. Heather and Trent for the Gophers." Chris instructed as he told the names of groups… Duncan glanced at Ezekiel who just realized what would be the first challenge… And he knew that he didn't have the strength to help Duncan, so it would need to be him.
Trent smiled as Heather rolled her eyes, while there was a sparkle in her eye… Chris then pulled out two items that everyone would need to use for the challenge. "Here's your belay and harness." Chris then threw the items to the campers with Duncan catching his and Ezekiel's gear and Trent catching her and Heather's only for the queen bee to offer her hand to the guitarist.
"You know Trent," Heather decided to use her silver tongue to make sure that she wouldn't be the one doing the challenge. "I'm still feeling terrible from the coldness, could you do me a favor and let me hold the ropes?"
"Sure, I don't see what is the problem." And Trent smiled innocently, not knowing the queen bee did that on purpose. "Let me hold you up."
"You won't be holding her up exactly," Chris informed the four participants of the challenge as the host gave the exact instructions of how the challenge would go and how to use the gear. "One camper pulls the slack through the belay as their partner climbs. If the climber falls, the belay will stop them from crashing. The catch? Both the side and the base of the mountain are rigged with a few minor distractions like…rusty nails...slippery oil slicks...mild explosives and…a few other surprises."
"Wicked!" Harold said as he and everyone else looked to see all the obstacles Chris had pointed out.
"The person on belay must also harness their partner up. It's all about trust, people." The host of the show reminded everyone. "And remember, never let go of the rope. Your partner's life depends on it."
"Man, this is going to be awesome, I never have tried this before," Ezekiel told Duncan as the delinquent was putting the harness on the brick house. "Have you taught you that on the juvenile?"
"Oh yeah," Duncan confirmed. The delinquent had climbed quite a few walls before and after going to juvie. Heck, his audition tape was him trying to escape from juvie by climbing over the wall. "They teach you how to climb walls in prison all the time."
"I bet you made an application video by doing that." Ezekiel joked, and Duncan even seeing Ezekiel actually telling the truth, still smirked at him.
"You have to catch the attention of the others? How better than making a video of running from prison?" Duncan shrugged, and Ezekiel started to laugh, but then the homeschooled boy started coughing painfully, making the delinquent stop and see the boy raising his hand.
"I'm okay," Ezekiel took a breath and spat on the floor, and Duncan saw… green mucus on the floor…
"Dude this isn't cold, it looks like…" Duncan could see the face of the boy was still palled, but he was going to the end with this challenge.
"I'm ready Chris," Ezekiel said loudly, as he could see that he didn't want to hear the rest of it…
Which made the delinquent roll his eyes, and then ask one last question… "Did the prank we pulled at you cause this?"
"…" Ezekiel remained calm… because he refused to answer that question, and the last thing he did, was to walk directly at the wall.
"There, you're all hooked up." Over by the Gophers, Heather had just finished putting on Trent's belay and harness…with a second and a third rope attached, Trent raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"What's these other ropes for?" Trent asked in surprise at Heather as he asked this.
"It's a backup line. To make sure that you will be safe without me making much effort as well." Heather simply told Trent with a smile on her face.
"Really? Wow, never thought you could do that. You are really awesome Heather." The pink-haired boy smiled as he could see one member of his team willing to think about his safety.
"Yeah, I heard that before," Heather smirked as she looked at her nails, she wanted so much to help her team to win...
(Confession – Heather)
"It's all his fault for making me choose between Lindsay and Beth, meat shield or not… He broke my alliance." Heather claimed with a ticked-off look on her face. "I have got a doctorate in revenge and humiliation."
Chris announced it was time to start the challenge. So both the guitarist Gopher and the farm boy Bass started to use their strength to try to move quickly to the top. Ezekiel was handicapped for the fact that he didn't have much strength in his body. So his strategy would be, steady and calm, to make sure that he would at least get to the top.
Being careful around the rusty nails, and scaling little by little. Ezekiel knew that such surprises would happen sooner or later. Trent was also going firm, as a good way to show strategy he was also being careful around the rocks… And at the time both of them managed to get firmly, suddenly some explosives went off and blew both the homeschooled boy and the guitarist off the wall… The Killer Bass team shouted in horror as Ezekiel was falling until suddenly something held him off and made him go back to the wall.
"GOT YOUR BACK ZEEK," Duncan shouted as he was fast on his reflexes, seeing that any chance the shrimp boy was ready to fall down, he would use his strength and speed to make him go back at the wall.
"Thanks," Ezekiel called as the whole team sighed in relief… Suddenly a female scream made the group turn their heads in the direction of their side.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh." Trent was shouting on such a high note that people could misguide the pink-haired boy for a girl… And when the team looked at the guitarist, they found out, that the same person who was shouting in pain, was safe and sound… Because he was being held… By a Mega Wedgie… Everyone flinched at the sigh of the painful wedgie, while Lindsay didn't seem phased at all.
Duncan smirked.
(Confession – Duncan)
"Sometimes I wonder if God truly exists… and this is one of the moments which answer that question for me," Duncan said pleased with himself, as he kissed two of his fingers and raised in the sky as a signal of peace.
"Why?" Trent said as he looked at Heather in fear and hurt betrayal.
"Don't worry, it's the only way you make you safe. It's guaranteed that you won't fall on the floor." Heather said solemnly, as she blinked at Lindsay who giggled, Gwen held her laugh as to see the interaction on how Heather was making a fake apology. "Don't need to rush, we can do this the whole day."
"The whole day?" Trent said as he looked at her in fear, and even if he hated to admit, he didn't fall much, even if that wedgie hurt like hell to him, it seemed Heather was telling the truth. "I just hope I don't fall then."
"Oh please do, oh please do, oh please do." Heather and Lindsay were chanting, and Gwen, Courtney, Bridgette, and Katie smirked and even started to do it as well. It seems the group of girls has one thing in common, their pure hatred towards the guitarist.
"I promised surprises." Chris was suddenly in front of the camera and held up a squirt gun. But it wasn't filled with water. "Habanero pepper sauce, anyone?"
Chris then aimed the squirt gun at Heather and proceeded to douse the mean girl in spicy sauce. "AH!" Heather screamed as she was completely covered in pepper sauce and quickly started rubbing it out of her eyes…letting go of the harness. "What the heck, Chris?!"
However, at the time the group saw if Trent would actually fall, they couldn't see it, since even with Heather without her hands, the triple rope was stable enough that her using her body by herself was what made Trent still hold firm on the rocks… So the group couldn't help but sigh in disappointment.
"Muy Caliente," Chris said in satisfaction as he revealed his shining, literally, teeth to the camera.
Chris then aimed the pepper sauce gun at Duncan and sprayed the delinquent…only for Duncan to be unaffected by it due to wearing sunglasses for protection and even started catching the sauce sprayed at him in his mouth. "Ah…" Duncan let out a satisfied sigh after swallowing some of the sauce Chris sprayed right into his mouth. "Is that the best you can do?"
"Is that the best we can do?" Chris asked in a hushed voice to the man behind the camera.
A few minutes had passed and Ezekiel was even slower with the pass of the time… Looking for every aspect of the rock, it was clear that there was grease and oil around the shapes, and from the attempt both he and Trent tried to pass around it… They both slipped through the rocks and lost their grip, which was enough to make both fell a few centimeters.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Trent shouted surprised Ezekiel who was without any strength… And he looked below him, and noticed that everyone was cheering for him to keep going…
*COUGH.*
"No, *COUGH*, come on, not like this." Ezekiel coughed as his entire chest felt burning, and he was seeing blur, which was a good time to stop. "Okay, I'm going to stop for 2 minutes. Calm down body. Don't push to your limit."
The Killer Bass was cheering, not just for seeing Trent get more wedgies, but for Ezekiel, not for him to win, but to finish the challenge well…
Trent gritted his teeth, as even if the safe ropes would actually make him solid on the wall, still the pain from his underwear was too much for him, he could feel his bellow burning in pain… And then he also rested for a minute or two… and then both went again to pass the challenge… head to head, pain by pain… And then when everything seemed to be over.
And when a hand was on the top of the cliff… It showed that the guitarist managed to win the first point of his team. A minute later the homeschooled boy also got to the top.
"OHOOOOOO, YEAH, WAY TO GO DUDE." Everyone who was under the cliff saw that both Screaming Gophers won the point, but also they just saw someone who was in sickness managed to scale a freaking cliff as well… It was the point that everyone was cheering for them… Some would say it was for Trent to gain the point… But others can say that Ezekiel did his best, and got them a better way for him to go home in case his sickness get worse.
Ezekiel was breathing harshly as he also felt proud of himself. Going beyond his limit. He saw cartoons related to things like that, and he could swear that the sickness was getting too much for him, because he just saw a glimpse of a blond hero with a polar bear hat on his head, and his iconic blue shirt, sword, and green backpack.
"Mathematical." The boy who was something Ezekiel had known since childhood smiled at him and gave a thumbs up...
"Yeah, mathematical," Ezekiel said as he knew that he was imagining things.
"Dude, are you okay?" Then a voice made Ezekiel snap from his thoughts and glance at the guitarist who was also on the top.
"No, I'm not," Ezekiel said with a weak smile, and coughed hard, to show yellow mucus coming from his lungs.
Trent gave a step away... And he isn't sure how to respond to that...
(Main Lodge)
Part two of the challenge took place in the main lodge. On one half were Bridgette and Geoff for the Killer Bass. On the other half were Lindsay and Trent who were supposed to be on the second challenge as well, to represent the Screaming Gophers. Spotlights shined down on both teams as someone came flipping from the Bass side of the lodge and landing behind a podium with Chris himself coming up from under it and making it look like he was the one to perform the stunt. "And now, round two!" Chris said as he grinned at the camera. "The extreme. Cooking. Challenge!" However, Chris couldn't be taken seriously as the stunt double proceeded to crawl away with everyone putting their eyes on him as he left the lodge. "Each team must choose who cooks and who eats."
"Err… Chris, why am I here again?" Trent asked while Lindsay smiled sweetly and innocently, since he was still tired after taking the last challenge, there was supposed to be another one to participate in this phase of the challenge.
"It's because your team has only 4 members and we have to choose you randomly to see who would fit for this challenge," Chris explained which was a reasonable reason for Trent.
(Confession – Chris)
"I lied, it's because Trent's almost entire team wants his head in a spike, and I will not even talk about the Killer Bass's anger at him, that dude needs it's too optimistically ignorant for his own… Poor soul." Chris commented as he gave the truth to the entire audience, and in the end, he couldn't help but laugh at the boy's misfortune.
"Ooh, Todd!" Lindsay said excitedly to Trent, getting his name wrong in the process. The dumb blond happily clapped her hands and said. "I'll be the cook!"
(Confession – Trent)
"Okay. She's no Steven Hawking, but hey, it's cooking. I already am tired from the last challenge, so it's nice to not overwork myself, and hey..." Trent said with a calm and cool tone. "How bad could she screw it up?"
"Today you'll be preparing Fugu sashimi, the traditional Japanese poisonous blowfish," Chris explained to the four campers as Chef brought in a fish tank containing two blowfish. One for each duo. A gong was heard as Chris grabbed a pointing baton and pointed it at a screen that showed all the organs of the blowfish. "The Fugu Blowfish contains enough lethal toxins to kill thirty people."
Chef grinned as he tapped the tank containing the blowfish making them puff up and release their spikes. "Fishes!" Chef began as he grabbed the blowfish by the tail and tossed one to each team on a cutting board. "Meet your maker!"
"They must be sliced very carefully to cut around the poisonous organs," Chris instructed as he pointed to the organs the presentation had labeled deadly and toxic. "The poison paralyzes the nerves and there is no antidote. So no worries."
Trent was indeed worrying, panicking really, as he grabbed Lindsay's shoulders and looked right at the dumb blond. "You have taken biology, right?" To Trent's relief, Lindsay nodded allowing the guitarist to breathe a sigh of relief.
(Confession – Lindsay)
"I said I took biology." The blond bombshell commented as she took a good glance at the fish which was in her hands. She then looked at the fish like it was a little hope for her future. "Can you do me a favor? Make it painful for him? Because he did something awful to me little fish, can you avenge me?"
"Begin!" Chris announced as both of the girls on each team started to prepare the rather deadly fish.
After about 45 minutes, both teams were told to stop preparing their sushi. With Bridgette, the surfer girl had made a rather beautiful display with her sushi that looked like it was made by a professional chef. With Lindsay…the dumb blond had practically mashed the organs of the fish together and made a smiley face on it with ketchup.
The first to try the fish was Geoff. Bridgette pushed the plate over to him and the party dude hardly hesitated to pick up a piece of the sushi and insert it into his mouth. After chewing it to get a taste for the blowfish and swallowing it, Geoff smiled as no effects of the blowfish's toxins seemed to come over him. And it was delicious to boot! "Excellent!" Geoff complimented Bridgette with a double thumbs up.
Chris and Chef nodded in approval before looking over to the two Gophers as Lindsay presented her rather…ugly dish to Trent. Trent winced as he looked over the dish, especially when he compared it to Bridgettes, and hesitantly picked up a fork and scooped some of the probably underdone fish in it. Inserting it into his mouth, Trent quickly chewed and swallowed the blowfish in order to get it over with.
"…" Trent was silent as everyone looked to see what the guitarist's reactions would be…until he suddenly started punching himself and screaming. After that, it seemed everything was fine but soon enough a loud gurgling sound came from Trent's stomach as the guitarist found himself falling to the floor. Geoff and Bridgette saw the scene unfold in front of them, however, neither of them seemed to be worried or even amused about what was happening… However, Geoff gave a quick glance to Bridgette who was relieved to see that she didn't make someone from her team suffer such a terrible fate.
Trent's skin started turning blue as he tried to stand and look at Lindsay and said to her in a slurring voice. "I thought you said you passed biology!"
"I said I took biology." Lindsay corrected him as Trent fell to the floor again. Everyone quickly started wincing in disgust as the barf started leaking out of Trent's mouth.
Geoff took his hat off and closed his eyes, as a good giving his prayers for the soul of the poor guitarist who was going to die.
"It's cool," Chris reassured everyone as they all went to check up on Trent. "Give him twenty-four hours and he'll be up walking and breathing, good as new."
"That's a pity."The trio thought in unison while they looked at the guitarist who let out a tear in his eyes while the barf was still getting out of his mouth. Just then Chef came up to Trent dressed in a nurse's outfit. Bridgette, Geoff, and Lindsay were quick to look away from the scene and heard Trent's raspy screams.
(Infirmary)
Trent tried to move away from the paralysis, however, the only thing he could do was see Chef Hatchet approaching him with his nurse outfit and a violet liquid syringe… And something inside of him screamed danger in many ways…
"Ahh, ahh, ahh." Trent tried to say something, but Chef had his eyebrow raised and smiled as he gave a good glance at the injection he was about to give to the guitarist, the antidote to the paralysis…
"This won't hurt a bit," Chef said as he was grinning evilly. And tapped the syringe quickly. "It will hurt a whole lot."
(Outside Camp)
"Good news. The third round involves three more challenges. It's the three blind challenges." Chris announced to everyone with all members of both teams present with the exception of Trent. Bridgette and Geoff were now in dry clothes and were present as well. Both with their relaxed faces, since the time they finished the challenge they went to have a swim in the shore. And we're happy to finally refresh their minds and spirit. Most gave a confused look in response as Chris further explained. "It begins with the blind William Tell, followed by the blind trapeze, and culminating in the treacherous blind toboggan."
Chris then went above DJ near, placed an arrow over his head, and began to explain the challenge "Like legendary marksman William Tell, you'll be knocking the arrows off your partner's head with apples!" Chris revealed making a few of the campers look at him in confusion.
"Err...if I'm not wrong, shouldn't be the opposite?" Courtney asked and Chris shushed her immediately.
"Calm down. And continuing, the shooter also will be blindfolded." With that explanation, DJ dropped both his arms as he looked in fear as the other campers got scared and carefully stepped away from DJ, Chris then held up a slingshot with the apple aimed at him, but at the time he gave a shot, the Jamaican boy was hit in the crotch with the apple, making him on his knees."And as the name of this and the other challenges say, the shooter will be blindfolded! The person who knocked off the arrow first wins!"
"Ahhh, nuts... Now then, for the Gopher team…Lindsay and Owen!" Chris said as he felt bad for missing the target, but not bad at all for seeing the Jamaican in pain. He then announced making the pairs, leaving Lindsay to jump happily and Owen to raise his fist in happiness to participate in the challenge. "And for the Bass…Courtney and Katie!"
"Err… who is going to shoot?" Katie asked worried, since she was afraid of being the person to launch the apple. "Usually Sadie is the best shooter that I know."
"Well, let me do this." Courtney accepted the role of being a shooter since was a good way to avoid being hit by an apple, but also she promised that she would try her best for the sake of the boy who was just staring at them… She really wanted to sabotage the challenge, but for the sake of her self-pride and for her friend, she was going to try to hit the target.
A few minutes later the two teams were ready to start shooting. Owen and Katie had arrows placed on their heads as well as wearing goggles for added protection while Lindsay and Courtney were blindfolded and had slingshots in their hands and apples nearby them to start to shoot.
"Okay!" Chris quickly started the first blind challenge. "Let's rock and roll!"
The two girls quickly started shooting apples at their partners. Lindsay kept shooting Owen's large body with the stilling however Owen felt himself chuckling since his big body was protecting from the pain… Katie received two apples on her face. Which shouted in pain.
"Ops, sorry. Was too low?" Courtney asked loudly she did it strategically to make sure her body would get used and with a bit of better angle she would manage to hit the target…
"Yes, a bit higher," Katie commented, as she instructed the C.I.T. girl, which slowly passed a bit too much above her, so she sighed happily that it didn't hit her. "A bit lower this time, but not too much."
"Alright," instead of Courtney who said that it was Lindsay who was also following the instructions from the tanned girl. And just like that, by sheer luck, an apple flew in the direction of Owen's face, but with a little curve, it managed to hit straightly at the arrow, and with that dropped it.
And with that, the group was shocked to see the blonde girl managing to hit the bullseye. The big guy laughed and Lindsay took off her blindfold.
"Did I win?" Lindsay asked as she then saw the spoils of her victory. "Yeah, I did it."
Lindsay shouted happily, as Heather gave a good hug to the blond and another point was for the Screaming Gophers.
Courtney took her blindfold, and stared at the results in disbelief… But one good part inside of her was happy… She really tried, and even if she managed to lose, she knew that Ezekiel would need to go to the hospital soon… From all the time he lived on the farm, how many vaccines he didn't take, or how important would be a checkup for him, he needed to go to the hospital, pronto.
Ezekiel, nodded his head accepting the defeat of their points. He was surprised by how lucky Lindsay was. But seeing Courtney didn't get stubborn as Sadie did in the cannon... At least his team wouldn't need to be all that hurt… Just him.
"And now, the blind trapeze!"Chris was quick to lead the Bass and Gophers who weren't seeking medical attention to the next challenge. This one took place over a pond where a trapeze was set up. "To avoid serious injury, the trapeze has been set up over this pond…which is full of jellyfish."
Everyone gasped as they looked down in the water and saw many jellyfish in habiting it. Chris then threw blindfolds at Lindsay and Gwen and continued with his instructions. "You two will stand blindfolded on the platform until your partners tell you when to jump."
"And then?" Heather inquired.
"Then hopefully they'll catch you," Chris said making the queen bee flinch a bit. "Or that's gonna be one heck of a painful swim."
Lindsay was about to protest but Heather stopped her right away.
"It's better not to question ah ah achooo…" Heather said as her sneeze was taking the best of her. "The guitarist boy is in the infirmary, and would you really trust someone as big as Owen to try to catch you in a trapeze?"
That question alone made Lindsay close her mouth and nods her head to the queen bee...
Chris gave a few further details of the challenge as well as choosing Lindsay and Gwen's partners, Heather and Harold respectively… Katie walked around the group which showed something that surprised not just himself, but also the other groups as well.
"Hey, I just found another bunny around," Katie said as she started snuggling the little bunny which made DJ look at his pocket, and surprisingly the Bunny who he has been with him during so many challenges raised its head, to see the new animal getting nearby them.
"Aww, that's so cute, we found a new friend for Bunny." DJ was happy to see the little friend he had now could have a good friend to keep by his side. The giant Jamaican looked at the tanned twin and decided to ask. "Did you decide the name?"
"I was thinking, Buggsy," Katie said as Ezekiel blinked in surprise since it looked almost similar to one iconic Warner brother's famous rabbit, so maybe it was an internal joke, but he wasn't going to complain.
Ezekiel noticed that DJ not participating in any challenge, it saved Geoff and Bridgette from witnessing the trauma of seeing the cruel world of animals… maybe because with his presence, the innocence of the giant Jamaican wasn't going to receive such a trauma… Because he would have feared to know his reaction to watching the same episode where everything was recorded…
Nobody from the fandom asked if he watched the episodes while he was on his journey trip with his momma before declaring bankruptcy. But he could have imagined that maybe his momma and Geoff did everything they could to make him not watch that specific scene.
And then it was the time for the challenge.
It was the Bass' turn first and Harold was currently swinging on the trapeze by his legs with his arms out and ready to catch Gwen. "Okay Gwen ah," Harold commented as he saw the goth girl nodding her head to him. "Jump NOW."
At that moment Gwen was ready to make a jump, but one of her hands refused to let it go from the wood, feeling afraid of being betrayed like that. And with that the timing from the jump was wrong, and Harold sighed in disappointment.
"If we are going to win, you've gotta trust me," Harold commented as he could see Gwen trembling in fear. "You know that I have experience in trapeze medal for jumper of moonlight scotters."
"Okay, okay, you are right," Gwen commented as she knew that sometimes Harold likes to brag about his skills, but when it comes to action, he shows that he indeed has experience… So she felt that her fear was misleading her trust in one of her friends. "DAMMIT, I'm sorry, now I'm ready."
"Okay, 1...2...3…" Harold calculated the timing and was ready to catch the goth girl who had been his friend after being on his team, for someone who passed the same as Ezekiel, he isn't going to betray her, a Killer Bass until the end. And seeing Gwen was ready to jump he shouted with all his force."JUMP"
Gwen didn't hesitate on the second time to do as Harold said and thankfully by the experience the ginger had on his summer camps, he grabbed Gwen's hand leading them both to swing safely above the jellyfish pond.
At the sigh on another point for the team, the group was happy for another point, but also a bit worried about how Ezekiel is still stubborn to seek help or go to the infirmary.
"Okay, Gophers. Your turn!" Chris announced through a megaphone as Bridgette and Harold returned to the ground and rejoined the rest of their team.
"Okay, just follow my signal." Heather counted down as she was in the same position Harold was in earlier and was prepared to catch Lindsay. She learned from seeing the ginger boy doing it, so she knew she could also do it as well… So she just needed to calculate the timing and know that her friend would trust on her... "One! Two! Aaah, ahh, ahh Achoo."
And Heather realized her mistake, as Lindsay was about to jump on the wrong timing.
"No, NO, DON'T DO THAT," Heather shouted because of her sneeze, Lindsay jumped in her direction, and the timing was wrong, so the queen bee did something she knew was stupid. She got a bit of an impulse and launched herself in the direction of the blond girl, to push her outside of the pond… In exchange, the whole Killer Bass team cringed to see Heather falling into a jellyfish-infested pond. Everyone winced as Heather screamed from the many stings she was experiencing. But after a few moments… Geoff took off his hat… The group looked with solemn looks on their faces, and Harold closed his fist and placed it in front of his mouth.
"Prum prum prummm, prum prum prummmm." Harold proceed to play an imaginary trumpet, playing TAPS, to honor the girl who just went inside of the jellyfish tank just to make sure the blond Lindsay felt horrified into seeing Heather still shouting in pain… And with that, Chris took a tissue and cleaned the tears on his face.
"She was so young… So bossy and snobbish brat, but yet she was too young to die like this." Chris said solemnly while the Killer Bass had their faces down in silence in honor of the Screaming Gopher who was still screaming in pain.
"SOMEBODY HELP ME," Heather shouted angrily, as nobody was paying attention to her.
"Sometimes I still can hear her voice," Ezekiel commented, while they all growled coming from the queen bee, and Lindsay was crying like a widow…
"WHY, WHYYYYYYYYY?" Lindsay screamed as she cried, and the electricity and the painful noises from Heather were what made the group lament the sacrifice and the death of the girl who had just now gotten out of the pond.
"I hate you all," Heather said as she had the jellyfish stuck on her head.
(Infirmary)
"I can't believe it I did that, this stupid cold messed up the timing I was OUCH." Heather was complaining until the jellyfish gave an electroshock which hurt the camper who had it stuck on her head. "NASTY STINGING JELLYFISH OW,"
At the time Heather got on the Infirmary bed she was still angry with what happened.
"I was supposed to catch Lindsay. And that girl shouldn't have jumped at the time I said to not jump. She should have guessed it was a sneeze and not my signal to jump." Heather said angrily to herself, as she couldn't believe that she let herself do such a stupid idea to save someone and get herself hurt in the process...
At the camp infirmary tent, there were currently three occupants. One was Trent who was lying down on a medical bed on life support with foam coming out of his mouth. The was the nurse himself Chef. The muscular cook.
"Got anything for removing jellyfish?" Heather asked Chef for anything regarding jellyfish removal… while she was being stung by the said creature. And when Chef nodded his head to her, she gave a thumbs up and laid herself on the bed to wait for the removal.
(Outside the camp)
"And now, the final leg." After Heather went to the infirmary, Chris led everyone to the area where the seventh and final challenge of the day would take place. The scores were tied two to two. This would be for the win. "The blind toboggan race."
"Each team will have a driver and a navigator." Chris began to tell the rules of the tie-breaking challenge. "The driver steers while the navigator shows directions. Oh yeah. And the driver will be blindfolded!" This caused a few members of the team to gasp making Chris chuckle. "Not many of you left, huh? Keep losing you guys. Hehe, oh well. Alright, the Gopher team will be…Owen as navigator and Lindsay as the driver." Both the chubby boy and the blond girl smiled happily, since they became the best duo over the whole challenge, as they were the last members of their own team… "And for the Bass…Ezekiel will be the navigator and the driver will be DJ."
One hill climb later both teams were waiting for the Chef to hand them their toboggans…with the muscular cook putting grease on the bottom of them to increase their speed. As he was doing this, Ezekiel spoke up to DJ who was still nervous looking at Ezekiel.
"I know what you are thinking." Ezekiel commented as he himself felt tired from walking all that hill, and now he would only have the pressure to direct DJ who was afraid to even talk about it."Do you really want to lose for the sake of my own health?"
DJ was about to reply, but seeing the look on Ezekiel, he was too afraid to upset him, but instead refused to give an answer…
Ezekiel sighed in disappointment, but then just gave a little paper to DJ's hand… And that paper made the Jamaican palled and look even more terrified.
"Just do it," Ezekiel commented, which DJ nodded his head, and prepared himself. But not before eating the whole paper and swallowing it in one go.
DJ put his blindfold on as both teams got ready to slide down. With DJ and Owen in the front of their respective toboggans and Ezekiel and Lindsay holding onto their teammates, they all waited for Chris to give the signal. "On your marks. Get set…" Chris then blew an air horn with Chris and Chef each pushing a team's toboggan down the hill. And thanks to the grease Chef put on, they were quickly gaining speed with a little help from gravity.
For the first part of it, it seems that the Gophers had the advantage as Lindsay surprisingly told Owen about the places to go, even giving some wrong directions, but the wrong directions led them towards bushes…Lindsay was getting in panic from how fast their cart was, since the combination of the weight of Owen and the grease placed on their toboggans… It was so fast, that Ezekiel could see they getting faster with time.
"Alright, right, right, left, right," Ezekiel instructed, as DJ like a machine followed the direction of the bushes, and even decided to take a shortcut, which led the Bass to end up sliding on a rock that acted like a makeshift ramp and sent them up into the air.
"Ooh, what's going on?" DJ said in panic, but Ezekiel remained focused and couldn't even appreciate the adrenaline now.
"A shortcut, now prepare for the impact. DON'T QUESTION IT." Ezekiel shouted as he could see DJ was about to ask, but then like following his orders, DJ remained calm, as Ezekiel held the giant Jamaican for his life.
"Okay, now that's the part I have been waiting for," Ezekiel said as both boys proceeded to land in a river. On the bright side, the toboggan floated. On the downside, they quickly drifted towards a waterfall. "Okay, hold tight DJ, because if this works, we are going to be on first." Thankfully, like Ezekiel predicted… when they fell there was a big branch waiting down below that the two Bass landed on and proceeded to catapult them forward.
Lindsay was in a panic, while Owen was also having fun but also feared to have no idea what is happening, and somehow they still had the good suddenly appear next to them out of nowhere.
"Okay DJ, we are almost *COUGH,* *BEEP* *COUGH*" Ezekiel could feel the climax reaching the race, but the pressure of the speed was too much for him, and his lungs once again started to hurt so much, that he was losing his breath…
DJ immediately raised his blindfold and saw his friend already on the limit, and knowing the race was about to end. He took out the blindfold and used it to go directly at the directions on his own.
The race was getting close and intense. Especially when Chris started setting off some left-over explosives he had set up on the hill. And then a big explosion was enough to make both the Screaming Gophers and Killer Bass teams pass the finishing line… However with the Screaming Gopher's who passed with Lindsay and Owen first.
The Killer Bass saw the moment DJ got with his toboggan and without the blindfold, the whole team noticed one thing… DJ just disqualified himself because he was without the blindfold. But not just that, but the navigator Ezekiel, was coughing so much, that at the time he spat on the floor… it was still a green mucus, and the pain around his chest was so much… That Ezekiel didn't have strength anymore…
"MEDIC, MEDIC," DJ shouted as Ezekiel finally accepted his defeat… from the moment he made a promise to DJ in that little letter…
(In case I lose control of my coughs, take out the blindfold, and take me to the infirmary… P.S., destroy this letter by eating it.)
Ezekiel didn't hear Chris enunciating the victory for Screaming Gophers, which he had to confess they deserved the victory, but sadly he isn't able to remain in the game… So in his final moments of consciousness, he dropped a tear because he knew that he wasn't going to remain on the island anymore.
All he could see was black...
(Infirmary)
The time Ezekiel opened his eyes, he noticed that he had an oxygen mask around his face, and weakly looked around to see Chef who was still cleaning his medical utensils…And nearby him, he could see the sigh of relief of Harold, Courtney, and Duncan who were watching him.
Ezekiel knew that they were worried about him, but he couldn't confess but also felt sad for not being able to continue in the game.
"You are finally awake, do you have any idea how much we got worried about you?" Courtney said as Harold gave a water bottle for Ezekiel to drink…
"How long was I out?" Ezekiel asked, which made Courtney huff and Duncan looked sadly at the boy.
"2 hours. Chris said the Campfire Ceremony is going to be in one hour because he is calling a boat to appear immediately to catch you." Harold commented as he pointed out there was only one reason why Chris would be in such a hurry.
"You got pneumonia, Zeke. You need to be treated, and from what Chris told us, they said you are going to be treated at the same place Eva was. So you better stay down, and let us take all your stuff." Duncan commented as it was an order, knowing that even Courtney narrowed her eyes to him, Ezekiel could see that a part of her eyes was red, showing that she had been crying in fear…
"Pneumonia Ezekiel, do you have any idea how dangerous this is? You could die if you don't treat this right away." Courtney said as the harsh words made the homeschooled boy flinches… And also a part of him feels guilty…
"I know…" Ezekiel said weakly… but he couldn't help it… "But I wanted to give my all for this challenge, just for a last time, even knowing that I would lose. I just wanted to make sure I tried my best, even with this on my lungs."
"Dammit, that cursed island," Duncan said angrily, but Ezekiel shushed him.
"Duncan, this isn't a curse… it's the common sense, if my body got hot, and then cold, then wet mixed with cold, with bad isolation, nearby hypothermia, I wasn't the only one affected by it…" Ezekiel commented as he could understand what happened… "It's my health that wasn't ready for sickness on the show… But I don't regret it."
Courtney, Harold, Duncan, and even Chef, remained quiet, as they saw Ezekiel staring at the void in the air, knowing that sooner or later it would have been his time… He just wished he could have gotten a few more episodes… But sadly he couldn't.
(Campfire - Afternoon)
For the first time around the show, the group was around the bonfire and Chris as a host of the show had a good laugh, but this time he was with a serious look on his face.
It was now time for nine Bass to turn into eight. The fire burned hot as all the Bass were gathered up at the campfire with Chris holding up a plate of eight marshmallows. "Who wants a treat?" Chris smirked asked as he showed off the plate of marshmallows. "A tasty goodie that represents exemption, security, and peace of mind. I'll remind you all since it's been a bit since you were here. If you don't get a marshmallow, you have to walk the Dock of Shame and you can never come back. Ever."
The group remained quiet, as some of the campers had their eyes red... Since knowing the time to say goodbye to not just any member, but one of the pillars of the team.
"Let's see…" Chris said as he picked up three marshmallows. "One for Duncan, one for Bridgette, one for Courtney." Chris threw the marshmallows as some opened their mouths to eat in the air, towards the names he just called out with the campers happily taking them. "DJ, Geoff, and Harold, well done my brotha's."
"Gwen," Opened her mouth to eat as well, but the group then stared at Katie who remained with her stoic look, petting her new bunny, as DJ also had his own… Both nearby together…
And Ezekiel was with his eyes closed the whole time… accepting that nothing he could do would change what happened… And to be honest with himself… He would have done the same thing all over again. So he was proud of himself.
That left only one marshmallow. Either Katie or Ezekiel would be going home in the afternoon, but since was an emergency case, and the case Chris also discovered Ezekiel's condition… He noticed that the whole group was there, and all his stuff was already in the boat for his trip… "I have to say that I lament for the case you got yourself in Ezekiel, but the entire team became unanimous when it was related to your own health, and pneumonia would lead to terrible lawsuits for our show, but I know you had good sense, so I know that you already accepted the outcome." as Chris picked up the eighth and final marshmallow. He launched for the final member of Killer Bass which showed the final decision of the host. "And the final marshmallow goes to…Katie."
The entire group watched Katie opening her mouth and getting the marshmallow in the air, while Ezekiel remained calm, and got up silently…
"The boat is taking a turn, so you have 5 minutes to say your goodbyes," Chris said solemnly since this episode would be one of the highest episodes, but also a dangerous remark that without one of the best contestants, the show would also lose part of the audience… But for the sake of the health of one of the members and avoiding the lawsuit… They had to deal with the lesser bad of that situation.
"5 minutes it's enough," Ezekiel said, as he took out his hat, everyone had seen the home-schooled boy since the first episode in many weeks. "You guys have no idea how much I won after participating in this show. Since this episode is related to trust… Then I'm going to trust you all why my parents home-schooled me. Since I was a kid, I feared what my father had trauma about schools… My aunt was a teacher when she was invited to apply for a job in the United States, into a school which a few months later became the target of a terrible tragedy of school shooting."
At that moment, the Killer Bass team got horrified into knowing a part of the history Ezekiel never told about them, a dark secret which made Duncan and Harold paralyzed in shock, while the girls gasped in fear and sadness…
"My aunt had nothing to do with those bullies, but she became a victim of trying to protect one of her students..."Ezekiel explained, one of the darkest secrets around why his life has been inside of the house, and learning by himself. "My father was sexist because he blames himself for not being there to protect her in the first place… He believed men were strong because it was his mission to not let my aunt die for a problem that shouldn't have been hers, I don't blame him, he is a sexist because he thinks that he has no one else to blame but himself… My mom and my dad did their best to raise me on the farm, however as you can see, my body wasn't able to fight the sickness so now I have to go to treat myself… and I'm scared because I don't want to die."
The more Ezekiel talked the more the Killer Bass let it out their tears… Showing their immense sadness and respect for the farm boy who came on the show…
"When I got here… I had nothing, just a name, a sketchbook, a typewriting machine, and a dream…" Ezekiel commented as he felt a bit of the pressure of his chest, but in comparison to before, this time was slightly smaller. "To make friends… but, I never thought I would actually create a family on here. We passed good laughs, cries, fighting, a war… and a team that I will be proud to call I'm a member forever… I'm a Killer Bass until death, this team has been my treasure, my prize of 100 thousand dollars. So please, don't be sad that I'm away… But be happy to know that when I will always be your friend, and you can always trust me…"
The sigh of seeing his entire team crying was something that he wasn't prepared for… Even Chris was trying to remain calm, but Ezekiel smiled at the host.
"Chris, you are the best host of all reality shows, don't ever let anyone talk the opposite of that, this show united friends and created a good drama, the person who hired you for that knew that he chose the right person. And I had fun while participating over here." Ezekiel knew that Chris was an egomaniac, but this time seeing Chris crying true tears, was something new for the boy. Since he was talking as not just a player, but as a fan of the Total Drama Island since he was a kid on another life… He loved the sadistic style of Chris and how many iconic moments he created… And thankfully he was able to say that to him personally.
"Just go, Ezekiel," Chris said as he pointed at the boat that finally arrived.
And when he approached the boat, he saw Chef was still there in a nurse uniform.
"Permission to show my gratitude sir?" Ezekiel said as he was also a big fan of Chef, and the former military man felt pain in the chest at seeing a good boy finally leaving the show. He couldn't help but sniff.
"Permission granted," Chef said trying to remain strong, but then he felt the boy hugging him, which made his eyes tear up.
"I always wondered how great military movies were, and you acting as our Chef was the best Military experience I ever had, even if I hated some part of it… It was everything as I thought it was… Thank you, sir, it has been an honor to meet you." Ezekiel commented, feeling Chef let out rivers of tears, and immediately Ezekiel knew it was the time that he needed to go in the Boat of Losers, and giving one last wave and with the painful pressure on his chest and weakness…
The best member player of the show, but the heart and spirit of Killer Bass left the show… Leaving the campers and the host Chef in tears into one of the saddest and heartbreaking goodbyes of the entire season.
…
Another episode of Total Drama Island.
Chapter 18: Interlude 5
Chapter Text
(?)
"Woah, El Mongo and La Muerte." The old sister of an Asian gymnast whistled to see what the green hat boy could do against the boys of his team, they launched the first prank, so he made the declaration of war... But to see Ezekiel using a stink bomb in so late of the night? For the color of green liquid, she felt so disgusted that she could imagine how terrible it was just by looking at the television... Pay-per-view showed the reactions of the Killer Bass boys, and it was the most terrifying thing and funniest which she had ever seen in her life. "Hahahahahahaha."
*Burp, BUUUUUUUUUURP.*
Then a lot of burps could be heard from the nearby old sister since she was aware that something strange always happens at that hour... Every time when something big happens on the show, Sky always starts burping around. And the more she asked her sister, the more she denied...
"Sky, what is it this time?" The old sister said annoyed by the fact, but she was surprised to see her sister actually holding two soda cans and even offered for her. "Ohh, I thought..."
*Burp*
"Never mind." The old sister ignored as Sku just shrugged, thinking it was already used in their routine. "What do you think about this stink bomb, sis?"
"It was a signal to never provoke Ezekiel when he is sleeping." Sky snarked which made the sister laugh at how the boys got served for the first prank... But then the sister seemed to be worried. "And Ezekiel seemed too sick to start a prank war just like that, I think he should rest and let it after the next challenge."
"I think that's the problem is, he cannot stop, not after the speech he gave over the boys..."
(?)
"Oh my." That was the reaction of the matriarch of the family watching around the night, seeing that the boy managed to use everything to create what would be a bomb of pure stinkness around a single cabin.
Dawn who had been looking at the scene could hear from Mother Nature herself, that even some animals from the forest felt awareness of such terrible smell and now they treated it as a possible marked area by a predator because not a single animal would like to stay inside of such terrible place for...
"Oh my gosh, the DJ's bunny," Dawn said in a hurry but after seeing the leaves falling and even the sweaty breeze around the house, she sighed in relief. "Oh mother nature bless you, Katie..."
"I have to imagine that your father would be impressed upon hearing that stinkiness would be a powerful weapon to repel dangerous animals," Dawn's mother replied as she looked impressed to see how a little paper bag managed to cause so much smell and how the boys were suffering the consequences of their actions. "That would teach them a lesson, the little Ezekiel is still sick from cold after his trip to Boney Island."
"Do you think he will get better soon?" Dawn asked in a worried tone, knowing that from the way Mother Nature told the blonde girl, the boy was overworking himself with his sickness, and if he is reckless in taking care of himself, nature cannot help much if the boy isn't following the instructions of resting well and drinking much liquid...
"I don't know sweetie, I just hope that he would not go to that extent. He needs to take care of himself... But the question is, where he would sleep if he isn't staying inside the cabin?" The mother asked and she then heard her own daughter staring at the wild nature...
"I just hope where he sleeps would be comfortable, and Mother Nature would protect him," Dawn said as both mother and daughter hopped for the safety of the little boy against the members of his own team.
(?)
"Okay, I need that quote in a T-shirt, I want 3," Jane said as she never thought she would be intimidated by Ezekiel being badass, even sick he showed that he shouldn't be underestimated. And from them seeing Ezekiel walking towards... "OH MY GOD, IS THAT A GIANT WATER BALLOON?"
"Oh my God, he is going to blow everything with water," Sky said as she also couldn't believe the size of the prank, and the letters showing the name of the water balloon. "My Mom?"
"HERE COMES THE BOOM," Jane said as she then saw the huge explosion of water traveling in both cabins and with that, the war was over. "There is no way the Killer Bass quartet rise again, Ezekiel is too powerful."
*Burp*
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but Ezekiel is a beast, if I was on his team, I would follow him wherever he goes, because DAMN, that boy knows how to attack." Jane was impressed, seeing the little boy timid, become so overworked, and grow up so much around the camp during a few weeks, it was like he had been on his nature... They saw him using a bow and arrow like a hunter, but also a war strategist. It was another of the golden moments to have on pay-per-view.
"I just hope Ezekiel is going to be okay, in a few days it's going to be the challenge, and he doesn't look so well," Sky asked as she felt worried about the little boy, even as she had to confess has grown up her burps the times he surprised her, she couldn't help but to blush at the time he looked determined to do the things, but also wanted to see the challenges and being fair to make sure everyone would do their 100%. A leader, a team player, and a great friend to have around.
But seeing him getting sick has been one of her worries... She just hoped that he would get better soon.
(?)
As Ezekiel slowly regained consciousness, he found himself in a sterile hospital room bathed in the soft glow of morning light filtering through the curtains. The room was spacious yet impersonal, with white walls adorned only by a few nondescript paintings. The faint scent of antiseptic hung in the air, mingling with the gentle hum of medical equipment.
Lying in a crisp white hospital bed, Ezekiel felt disoriented and weak, his body heavy with exhaustion. The rhythmic beeping of a heart monitor provided a steady soundtrack to his surroundings, a constant reminder of his precarious state.
A gentle knock on the door preceded the entry of a kindly nurse, her smile warm and reassuring as she approached Ezekiel's bedside. She introduced herself as Nurse Claire and explained that he was in a Canadian hospital receiving treatment for pneumonia.
Over the next two days, Ezekiel's room became his sanctuary, a haven of healing amidst the bustling corridors of the hospital. Nurse Claire and the medical staff tended to him with care and compassion, administering antibiotics to combat the infection ravaging his lungs.
Each day brought a new routine of treatments and medications, unfamiliar territory for Ezekiel who had never before set foot in a hospital. He dutifully swallowed pills and endured intravenous drips, trusting in the expertise of the medical professionals guiding his recovery.
Despite the discomfort and uncertainty, Ezekiel found solace in the small comforts of his hospital room – the softness of the pillows beneath his head, the soothing warmth of blankets cocooning his weary body. He watched the changing light outside his window, a silent witness to the passage of time and the promise of healing.
As the days passed, Ezekiel's strength slowly returned, his coughs subsiding and his fever breaking. With each dose of medication, he knew that there was still a lot he could do to recover to 100%, but at least in comparison to the first day he was doing the challenge with sickness, he could at least tell that he wouldn't need to be on the medical room forever.
"It seems that you are awake today Ezekiel." A female voice was heard and the brown-haired patient gave a slight glance and showed a tiny smile on his face. Seeing that she brought another of his antibiotics for him to swallow. "I'm going to tell you this, as a fan of Total Drama Island you did great in making the whole Killer Bass team give them all, it made the episode great and one of my favorites. But as your nurse what you did was irresponsible and idiot, trying to do a challenge while having pneumonia symptoms, you worried not just your friends, but your parents as well."
"Good morning Nurse Claire." The homeschooled boy greeted the nurse who slowly gave an examination of his heartbeats and checked if his infection was still causing a lot of problems. And looking at the exasperated nurse who prepared to give him another round of medicines. The homeschooled boy couldn't help but sigh.
Ezekiel's parents were the people who firstly were called in the time after their son's elimination, and from seeing both of their reactions just to find out Ezekiel needed emergency treatment, they had to cross around many states until they reached the hospital nearby the ocean which came to nearby Camp Nananakwa.
Ezekiel glanced at the woman he knew was his inspiration for Ezekiel since was a kid, the green grass and orange blouse with a dark turquoise hat that looked similar to the homeschooled boy, and her dark brown hair covered her eyes, even if she was in her amidst 40s, she looked like she was on her 30s, something that most fans of the fandom of Total Drama Island would be shocked to see a woman like her being the actual mother from Ezekiel who seemed to have that appearance...
And the man himself, the person who has been watching his son growing up, and from being a naive boy to going on a journey and becoming a man... The patriarch of the family, a strong man who had dark grey hair on his head, a well-shaved goatee, turquoise suspenders, but also a jeans jacket... A man who shows that he is in his almost 50s. But the age didn't seem to bother him...
The first thing he had to deal with was the look of his parents, it was the strong hug both his father and mother had to give him... it wasn't a scolding, it wasn't shouts of anger, but more like a relief at the family was happy once again.
The farm child had to deal with so much, from jumping a cliff in a safe zone around the sharks, to fighting a bear, to being buried alive and forgotten, to crossing in a journey and fighting the curse of the bony island itself... Ezekiel had done so much more in comparison than his counterpart before him, and yet he couldn't help but be disappointed to not go even further... Since he was so eager to know how was military training made by Chef Hatched himself, he could have asked which war the veteran soldier must have been part of, or even been sure that Duncan wouldn't have gone too much overboard with Harold or vice versa...
But now this pneumonia has been bugging him since the time he left the show... And he could only find solace in the arms of his family, who had been worried sick about him. Especially the events of some episodes.
Needlessly to say there were moments both his parents loved and hated watching the show, moments like the Killer Bass working together as a team, or when the challenges seemed to be going way overboard on camp...
"I want so much to punch Chris for what he did to you son," The father said as he stared angrily at his own son. "That bastard didn't merely take your team's fears, he made to face their traumas. It was a one-sided challenge, pff, those stupid Gophers didn't know what you guys passed."
Ezekiel watched his father ranting about how Chris had been a sadic while he felt the team was robbed in so many ways.
"Curtis," The mother scolded her husband, making him pause, and glance at his own son in an apologetic face... And as a mother, she couldn't help but glance at her own son with pride. "You have done great Ezekiel, you not only made a good team, but I loved all the members of Killer Bass, they are so full of energy and have an incredible dynamic. Ah, I can't wait to call them to visit the farm to see them by myself."
"Just make sure to let the chickens away from Tyler boy." The father said as he could see his son staring at him. "I'm serious Martha, I heard stories about the trauma he had as a child, and there are also some kids who also had to deal with the same trauma... Because I remember that one of my own uncles had to cut a chicken head, and the headless body ran around the farm for minutes... From my perspective at that time, was that it was indeed horrifying to see a dead body coming after you."
Pointing out that something his family would always give, Ezekiel missed the good time with his family. So at least the time of their visit would be something the were happy to have after so long...
And while he was on the time recovering, he wasn't aware of how the public was affected by his last episode.
(?)
Nobody can refuse that both sisters cried so much after watching the last episode... An episode of trust showed not just the best of the campers, but how the worst conditions could affect the body of even the best among them. Sky hugged her sister as she also imagined how terrible has been for students of her school. For focusing most of her time after class activities to train gymnastics, she didn't have much time to develop friendships with the other students... Just the group of her own team and some of her classmates.
It was a fact that how some of the students had suffered from bullying around the school, but to create a such conclusion that indeed their neighbor country managed to reach the breaking point... parents would be scared to let their children into an environment that had such possibility to happen.
"I'm checking on the internet, and it seems that I found the news... A massacre happened in Montana, resulting in the death of 35 students and a teacher who used her body as a shield to protect a survivor, the origins of the teacher was described on the news as a Canadian farmer who went to visit the country and give herself a dream to try to give education to the others." The old sister who had tears in her eyes could see how terrible was to imagine the call on the telephone, just to hear Sky somehow got inside a massacre, it was a nightmare for every sibling who was there to protect them. She trembled as she tried to gain her composure, but it was failing to see the homeschooled boy leaving the show, the sickness of pneumonia was indeed too much for him. And maybe leaving outside of his farm also became a double-edged knife... He wanted to meet the outside but also had to deal with the risks.
Jane stared at her young sister, who was crying from seeing the camper leave, but also from the speech that kid gave to not just his friends, but to the entire fans of the show, he wanted to be there to have a life that he didn't have before, and now he had to leave it because his body couldn't take it the results of a dangerous journey. It was a terrible outcome from the island, but also logical, the problem was... he didn't do what Heather did when she was also sick, she used her opportunity to rest and recover herself little by little. But Ezekiel had to start a prank war since it was the only way to make himself prove a point.
The Killer Bass boys didn't know that their prank was one of the things that escalated the homeschooled boy's cold to pneumonia, and now they are worried if Ezekiel is okay in the hospital. The only thing they would have to do is now to pray for his recovery and have the possibility to remain optimistic around watching the show.
But from seeing the pay-per-view, the morale of the Killer Bass team was affected by such a blow, that she didn't know they would recover quickly after seeing one of their pillars leave the show.
Jane hugged Sky, as an instinct of overprotective sister, not wanting such terrible tragedy happening to her own sister. When the boy told on television his father was sexist, she was about to judge the father, but seeing the reason behind it... She couldn't blame him, since he does that whenever he could... Yes, the father may be a jerk and an idiot for being sexist... but she wouldn't blame him for saying his words because he believed in his heart that he failed what older brothers and sisters who cared for their young siblings would fear most...
She had sympathy for Ezekiel's father, and she must admire Ezekiel's mother to have the courage to still be nearby the father, she couldn't judge why, since from the way Ezekiel acted, he cared for both his parents, and values and respect all his teammates... He was probably her favorite camper on the show with Owen as well, probably they were the breath of fresh air into all the negativity and boredom of the island, someone who kept friendships and optimist but also did their best to make the show entertaining for the public.
The Asian girls remained together, just hopping to hear the good news about the recovery of the brown-haired boy who had to leave the show.
(?)
The forest was in silence, knowing that the family who had been watching another episode of the chaotic television show were in silence, as in grief, since most of the episode showed the possibility of who they could trust... But it came to a sacrifice of 2 creatures of the sea, and a camper whose condition showed that he couldn't be riskier than it was, someone who had to survive the travel from Boney Island, but do his best to not destroy nature itself or hurt it's animals.
Dawn let out a few tears since the aura reader couldn't capture much information about the person she was so curious about, someone with two auras, however with a story that made her realize that even in the conditions that she was in, she knew some of the reasons of why people wouldn't want to go at school anymore since the society around the schools showed that it was a different kind of nature as well... One that Mother Nature couldn't protect her, and the other students.
Danger lurking around schools was something not a parent would want to talk to their children... The patriarch of the family who passed most of his work around the forest working as a ranger to help the people who cross the forests, wasn't a schooled boy in his time as a child. Since he spent the time being a hermit with his parents, they had to keep moving around until they found responsibilities to helping everyone around the forest, then he found his wife who also desired to make a business in the forest, a restaurant which people and even animals would want to eat... they are a family loved by the nature, and they wanted their daughter to follow the steps of their parents who also cared about the nature...
And seeing how a forest made of cement showed the dangers lurking around since kids... the human being, is one of the most dangerous animals that the family would even be scared of... From seeing what kids would do to make a child get to its limit and without thinking about the consequences... Create a tragedy for many families.
It was an emotional goodbye, since the parents nodded their heads in respect and even shed a tear at how honest the boy was over his friends and even to the host and chef, the boy didn't want to win the prize but won everything he ever wanted.
Dawn was grieving hard since it was a tragedy to see a kind camper show all his potential among his friends in exchange for giving part and risking his health to win just an argument over a mistake his friends had made...
But also she couldn't help but cry for the Fugu blow-fishes who sacrificed themselves for the challenge... While she values Bridgette and Lindsay, it is still painful to watch their sacrifices... But a good consolation was the fact Lindsay had respect for the little blow-fish, asking for revenge would depend on the will of the dead animal, but knowing from mother nature, the kindness of Lindsay to ask nicely, did make the sacrifice of that little creature of the sea has a meaning, and with a happy spirit, the Fugu did happily his last act of will, being dead but bringing the most pain it could.
The druid family didn't want to explain how they felt around the challenges, but still seeing the determination of the Killer Bass to give them all, even hoping they could lose, they needed to take that loss, or the consequences of being sick of pneumonia without treatment would have been devastating.
"Usually I always would opt for more natural ways to recover." The father commented but as he explained to his daughter another point. "However, viruses are not something to be underestimated and the creation of humankind to try to fight them would be one of the best primally options when it comes to terrible diseases like that. I would recommend to go at the hospital."
"Does the mother nature have something to fight pneumonia?" Dawn asked, but the answer of the mother nature herself made the little blonde girl gasp in fear. "Oh no."
"That's why the decision to go into the hospital would be the best option. And if Mother Nature tells me that you have been with such a terrible disease, I will not think twice to bring you to the hospital to be treated, is that clear?" The matriarch of the family commented as she herself agreed with what would be the point of the father.
"Yes Mother," Dawn commented as she herself couldn't help but pray for the recovery of the boy with two auras... since a person who has a heart with such desire to live and be happy with his friends... it was a sparkle of hope that she would love to meet him by herself. Talking and learning from the boy of two auras and learning what happened to him made him so interested in the show, but also wanted to know the story behind his auras being different than most.
(Hospital)
"How has been the farm?" Ezekiel asked, since they had been talking about the show for a few minutes, and the conditions he left for going to the show, the farm of his family seemed to be in normal conditions, and while they are very hardworking as a family, there was still the process of they couldn't sell their own fruits because of their lack of clients...
"We have been working non-stop since the day you left. The demands appeared after you managed to make a good impression on everyone, it was so much work that I had to hire at least 6 people from a region nearby us. And it's really hard to take by crossing around the neighbors without them shouting congratulations for your feats son." Curtis replied, and he could see the boy smiling happily at the way he worked. And seeing how his boy had become a man... "This show, when I thought it would have been chaotic and terrible to the contestants, I never imagined how that bastard of Chris would go so low to make you all relieve your traumas, you guys got robbed. And I want to punch Chris so much in the face."
Ezekiel stared in surprise to see his father thinking like that, but then a loud clear cough made both boys stare at Martha who was with her arms crossed.
"What your pa means... you have done way too much for the sake to prove everyone you are a great boy, you have been growing up, and I feel it was like yesterday the time you came to my bed to sleep after we watched a little show that scared you by mistake. But then you became a man who would step down and stare at whatever comes between you and your friends... You my baby boy..." Martha was talking about how proud she was, but she got so emotional that she just went to hug her own son.
"Ma, please, ma... nooo." Ezekiel, even as he loved his mom, also felt a bit of embarrassment towards how his mom treated him like a baby... it was a nice feeling, an honest hug that he missed, even in times of defeat... He felt happy to receive once again a hug from his ma.
And like a good moment, there was a knock on the door, revealing what would be a man dressing in his white coat, and staring at the clipboard and checking the boy's vitals.
The trio remained quiet, as the doctor seemed to be checking and they waited for what would be his own conclusions.
"Good, very good." The doctor contemplated in amusement as he checked the condition of the boy who was still on the bed... And the farmers waited until the conclusion of the check-up. "Well, I have great news and good news."
Hearing the options seemed to be just good from beyond, they felt relieved about what he was about to say.
"Let's start with the good news then doctor," Ezekiel said, as he was still in his 40% recovery, he felt way better than the time he was on an island, so he needed good news for that part.
"Very well, the good news is that you came in time before you got into a critical condition, if you had been stubborn for three more days for the next challenge, then you would have been obliged to stay in bed for 4 to 6 weeks... Since you got here from a few days ago, you just need 2 more weeks to recover yourself completely." Hearing the doctor saying that he was on time was indeed something good to hear, and the conditions to recover himself in 2 weeks? That's indeed very good news.
Martha and Curtis felt so relieved that the happy mother even shed a tear of joy, and the man sighed in relief.
"That's so good doctor, and what would be the great news?" The mother of the homeschooled boy asked which the duo was also expecting something better than knowing that his condition would be easily solved from now on.
"Well, I'm going to describe the meds Ezekiel would need to take and the schedule he would need to take it since he has permission to be discharged," The doctor made the trio be happy to hear the great news since now the boy could leave the hospital in case that he can go back at the farm, "But also, the television company who made a contract with your son, they said that after completing the discharge... he will take a helicopter to go directly to a 5-star resort."
"Do you expect me to believe Ezekiel would go into an actual 5-star resort? Do you think I'm an idiot?" Curtis noticed that the great news looked way too good to be true, and noticing the doctor staring at him, made him even more furious.
"They expected you would react that way, but to make you appease of your thoughts, it wasn't the host of the show Chris Mclain who told me this, but the producers who were the ones who control the show by themselves." The doctor replied as the only way to make the trio appease and the father relaxes from such an accusation. "It's a private island named Playa Del Losers, it looks like a paradise island with a resort 5-star, which it seems Chris wanted to create just to make the remain campers after watching the show pissed from having to deal with the rest of the competition since they could have the option to lose..."
Ezekiel's eyes went wide open, as it was the signal that he was telling the truth, the one place that it had been the reward of the people who lost the challenge... And a good place for him to keep watching his friends and relax himself.
"That sounds like something Chris would do," Martha commented as she placed her hand on her husband's shoulder... knowing that he would need to trust them one more time.
"Well, at least he couldn't hurt you while you are there." The patriarch of the family said as he himself looked at the boy who nodded his head with his eyes wanting to go. "Alright, do I need to sign anything?"
"Oh, not at all. We are going to prepare all the paperwork and prepare the schedule with the medicines Ezekiel would need to take in time, and I mean it. You should always follow by letter the time." The doctor narrowed his eyes at the boy who nodded his head in understanding. "Good, you may go back to your talk..."
And with that, the doctor left the room, making Ezekiel staring both his parents who were unsure of what to say.
"I'm going to be fine, ma, pa... I think I deserved a vacation from the show. Since those challenges weren't easy. I think I deserve a reward." And just like that, the cheerful boy was back, which made the mother smile proudly, and the father nodded his head but hid a smirk.
"Yes, you do... Now..." The father gave an evil smirk since he decided to have some fun. "So you dreamed about Izzy girl."
And the groaning in embarrassment of the homeschooled boy was enough to make the room followed by chuckles and giggles from the parents of a boy who wanted so much to be in a coma into dealing with them...
.
.
.
The hour passed so much quicker when they were talking about the show, and even moments about Ezekiel explained to his parents, but also some information that they shared was funny.
"I can't believe it you used El Mongo and La Muerte to attack your whole cabin. I can imagine the suffering the person would need to clean all that up." Curtis commented as he himself hated to remember the putrid smell which not only killed some of the terrible animals on the floor but also made the whole farm stink for a whole week. It was a blessing and a curse that stink bomb. "And I think your team will freak out every time you say stink bomb."
And with that sentence, the mother laughed from smirking about their terrible reactions, since the war was done and she was proud of the outcome... But she was sad that her son wasn't in the condition of doing a prank war at that moment. And like Ezekiel staring at his mom, he probably guessed what was up her mind.
"I know that I may have overworked myself and managed to make my cold to become worse... But that's fine, everything was fine in the end, and I have faith that the winner of this challenge will get a very well-deserved prize." Ezekiel said as he could see his mom already helping himself to get dressed... Even as weak as he was... He was still losing a bit of his balance since he had been on the bed for 2 days... And with the help of his mom, she placed a turquoise winter hat... One that looks similar to hers. "Thanks, ma."
"Not a problem dear... So who do you think is going to win the show?" The matriarch of the family asked curiously, since in Killer Bass team had so many strong team members, and was difficult to decide.
"I don't know ma..." Ezekiel had to confess, while he knew Owen had won in the cannon show, from all the changes around the show... He has no idea how it would turn out the final three... So it would be complicated to determine who deserved to win. "It could be anyone, even..."
"Trent?" Curtis asked which made Ezekiel raise his eyebrows too. "I got say, he got lucky to stay here so far because it seems the whole island wants him in pain."
"Well, I don't condom that he shouldn't get unpunished... but I think that maybe that's enough?" Martha asked as she couldn't help but feel a little hint of pity and sympathy towards the boy who messed up terribly. "I mean, he deserved some of the things he did... But he isn't a bad person... but his oblivious nature makes him..."
"A total idiot." The patriarch said in agreement, which Martha had to nod her head. "I saw him doing the betrayal on Cody because he thought it was obvious Cody was going to be eliminated but also thought he was too distracted on the game... I mean, it's a game, but he was too naive to not see how everyone was angry with him... And don't get me started with the yellow pancakes."
"Please, don't talk about it... it's a sacrilege to all pancakes I did in my life, now I cannot make banana syrup pancakes or even lemon pancakes without reacting to Chef making them with piss..." Martha said as she groaned in discomfort and the idea was nauseating to her.
"Or apple vinegar." Then the husband joked but then shut his mouth when she glared at him.
"Fuck you." And just like that the mother shut the father up, and then sighed in disappointment. "Lindsay asked a blow-fish to avenge her, and half of his team wants vengeance... But still, I think he should think before doing something reckless like that."
Ezekiel could see his ma being worried about how his team was treating the camper, and he couldn't deny, he never expected that Trent would be able to do such things on the show, and he was willing to watch the episodes from a viewer's perspective... like his former life... Once again watching how was total drama, but this time a new edition...
But still, he needs to be sincere with his mom...
"The problem ma, everything could have been solved if Trent just gave sincere apologies to Geoff and me, he most of the time tried to apologize but most for the sake of Gwen..." Ezekiel explained as he could understand from what his mom was telling, and he understood her... he really does. "It hurts for Geoff when he had a haze cloud attacking him so low, and I had to pass that with Gwen... I just wanted to hear him being sincere with his apologies..."
Martha listened and from the way she saw her son, and how much he passed... she understood why the team wanted so much to attack the guitarist, she also wanted to strangle that oblivious idiot for doing such stupid things... But as a mother, she thought about how his parents would have reacted to seeing such terrible scenes and how shunned the boy would become in the future... She had fear or even nightmares about what if her little Ezekiel did something stupid and the show would have attacked him and made him bottom of all jokes... She never wished that for anyone...
And she just hoped to never happen to her...
And by seeing the crew appearing with the paperwork... The family of farmers didn't have much time... Martha gave a kiss on her boy's cheek, and a last hug until a few weeks... And with a tear in her eyes, she is going to miss her baby once again...
Curtis walked near his son and gave taps on his back, he knew how his son grew up during a few weeks... And now the world may know how incredible he has been... Since the last year, they didn't have anyone other than themselves... And now, it was the time for the little bird to take his wings and fly away from the nest... And with a final hug...Curtis wasn't much on telling the feelings to his son...
"Remember, protect the girls, even as the strongest they are, even if they are dozen of Evas, use your body and mind to protect them... Because you will not feel guilty for not being able to do anything. So don't let anything bad happen to your friends on the resort okay?" Curtis even as he said such a sexist sentence... Ezekiel knew that he meant well because he knew that while his words were messed up, the intention of his words was genuine... He cared for the others. And didn't want to his son make the same mistake as he did.
"Okay." Ezekiel nodded to his father, and with a final hug... Ezekiel was ready to leave the hospital, with the medications and with the schedule to be sure to have it for the treatment. Even with his body still a bit weak, they were kind to bring him with a wheelchair to the helicopter... And he knew that at the time he would see his friends again... he would finally have a bit of peace... "Playa del losers, here I come."
And the sound of a helicopter was the only thing he heard as the view of the hospital was away, and now he was heading towards a new direction... for his well-deserved rest
(Playa Del Losers)
The Playa del Losers, a tranquil beachside resort nestled along the pristine shores of a remote island, provided a temporary haven for the eliminated contestants of the reality show. Despite their newfound freedom from the competition, tensions lingered among the remaining contestants as they grappled with the aftermath of Ezekiel's hospitalization.
After watching the last official opposite of the show, the concern among the Killer Bass members was something that drove them to madness... Since what Ezekiel did would be treated as loyal and courageous, it also meant that he was being irresponsible and an idiot.
"When he gets out from the hospital, oh he is going to hear a lot from me," Eva said as she had to respect Ezekiel for going beyond his limits until the end, but the fact of how dangerous the challenges were, and even in his own conditions, indeed worried the body-builder teenager who was feeling annoyed for knowing the fact his belongs came to the island while the boy himself had to be taken on the hospital, and nobody had news from him during days.
"I'm sure that he is going to be fine." Cody to give some consolation for both Eva and, but also for Sadie who had been her ideal weight, she wasn't skinny like her tan twin, but she wasn't bulky like Eva who had been training her non-stop... She became on her ideal weight between chubby but also compensating with muscles... She had no idea why, but she could have sworn Justin who was admiring himself suddenly lowered down his mirror just to see her walking away...
But now, Cody feared for his life, because...
"AHHHHHHH, CODY, THAT'S HORRIBLE, WHAT IF HE IS DEAD?" Sadie hugged Cody as she cried non-stop, but her size and body strength little by little were crushing the geekster making him choke from suffering and the pressure of the hug.
"He is going to be fine, Sadie, but please release me, I need air," Cody said with his tired voice, the Asian twin noticed that once again she had crushed the boy who was supposed to be her brother-in-law in the future.
"Ops, sorry," Sadie said as she still couldn't control her strength, but clearly showed her concerns around the fact they didn't have any idea on when Ezekiel would receive the discharge, or if he was going to still be in the hospital after the end of the show...
"Yeah, but there is nothing we can do..." Tyler who had been realistic with the outcome, respected how Ezekiel wanted to get eliminated but in the most important way, he wanted to prove himself for the last time that he still could try to win the challenge for his team... It was stupid, it was, but it was something Tyler also would have done, so he couldn't blame Ezekiel for what he did.
Against the backdrop of swaying palm trees and azure waters, the eliminated contestants lounged on sun-kissed loungers and sought solace in the gentle lull of the ocean waves. Some attempted to relax, sipping tropical cocktails and soaking in the warm embrace of the sun, while others paced anxiously, their thoughts consumed by the welfare of their fellow competitor.
As whispers of Ezekiel's condition circulated among the group, a somber mood settled over the Playa del Losers, casting a shadow over the once carefree atmosphere. Despite their best efforts to enjoy their respite from the competition, the specter of uncertainty loomed large, a constant reminder of the fragility of life beyond the confines of the reality show.
"I can't believe that little boy went full on the whole challenge with a sickness like that," Leshawna commented as she also feared something so simple as sickness could have been mortal to anyone. "My grandpa just had a cold once, and just like that, it turned out to be even worse, and with time became pneumonia, and on the next day..."
Leshawna cleaned a tear since it wasn't a happy memory to have a loved member of the family die of a sickness...
"I can't believe it would have evolved like that." The farmer girl Beth who finally managed to recover from her sickness couldn't help but feel guilty over the situation, the boy offered himself to protect and help to get rid of the curse from Boney Island, but since the time the trio got out from the said island, Beth, Heather and Ezekiel were attacked by a terrible cold... Which Heather and she managed to recover by drinking a lot of water and resting on their beds... However, Ezekiel couldn't do the same.
"It's not your fault Beth." Leshawna offered her hand over the shoulders of the farmer girl who was still glancing at the floor... "The boys from Harold's team decided to make a prank on the poor boy who just wanted to rest... and that escalated into a prank war, and in the end, everybody lost... in the end, the war was over, but what costs, that was the answer of it... Ezekiel now is recovering in the hospital, and the best we can do is hope that he will recover himself and meet us on this island."
"That's why parents always should make children do check, and some even make sure to get the vaccination for colds, or even for other sickness which the body should get better to prevent the outcome. But since Ezekiel is at the hospital, he must be stabilizing himself by taking antibiotics to make sure the virus won't get stronger... And we would probably receive the news in a few days." The bookworm explained that he himself was in favor of vaccines, since having 8 siblings, he knows how a little sickness could be like a plague, if you do not take care well, it can spread in the house and even be lethal to people who aren't prepared.
Justin nodded his head as he went to see his own reflection, trying to not be stressed over the fact that a sickness would damage his hope. Dreaming of being a supermodel, he saw how cruel the life of models would be if they didn't care about their bodies... Sickness related to foods, and mental sickness over the pressure... He always tried to avoid the bad habits and tried to remain with the balance to survive with his beauty intact... However, this should show how unpredictable and chaotic life can be...
"Anyway, did someone have seen the crazy ginger around?" Noah asked and he glanced around, not seeing the crazy girl messing or scaring him, but now she seemed to be more serious and quiet... which somehow led it to be more terrifying than her former self...
Leshawna raised her eyebrow and was about to ask, when suddenly amidst the subdued chatter and solemn reflection, a sudden disturbance shattered the tranquility of the beach resort. The distant whirring of helicopter blades sliced through the air, drawing the attention of the contestants as they turned their gaze skyward in curiosity and apprehension.
With a deafening roar, the helicopter descended upon the front part of the island, kicking up a swirl of sand and sea spray in its wake. As the dust settled, a figure emerged from the helicopter, its silhouette illuminated by the golden glow of the setting sun.
"What the hell?" The campers glanced at each other until the silhouette revealed nobody other than the person they were
To the astonishment of the contestants, Ezekiel stepped onto the sandy shore, his presence a beacon of hope amidst the uncertainty that had clouded their minds. Despite his recent ordeal with pneumonia, Ezekiel stood tall and resolute, even if he was showing a bit of weakness, he was still proving his resilience and determination to overcome adversity.
"Hey, guys..." Ezekiel said weakly but with a sweet smile on his face... Seing Eva, Sadie, and Tyler who were already emotional, and Cody, Leshawna, Noah, and even Justin relieved... He knew he had such a scare for everyone. "Don't think you are going to get rid of me so easily..."
"ZEKE." The Killer Bass members shouted happily as the group went to hug and shout at the irresponsibility of the boy, but he immediately warned.
"Woah, guys... Calm down... I'm still in 40% percent... I'm with my schedule to take all my meds at the right time, so to make sure that I still would be okay, I need to follow the schedule by the letter." And with that, the trio paused... as they looked unsure of what to do... but then the boy just rolled his eyes... "Ah screw it, come on."
And happily, with tears of relief and joy streaming down their faces, the contestants rushed to greet Ezekiel, enveloping him in a collective embrace that spoke volumes of their unwavering bond and solidarity. The Screaming Gopher eliminated members were watching the scene with relief and happiness... In the same way, Cody was happy to see a friend of his girlfriend who cared for him, he was happy for his survival... But still, he looked around to try to find Izzy who seemed to not be around. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the Playa del Losers, Ezekiel's return marked a new beginning for the contestants, united in their shared journey of redemption and camaraderie.
(Ezekiel's Suit.)
Okay, Ezekiel had to admit, he was far too impressed.
The Playa del Losers bedroom suite, meticulously crafted to exude luxury and sophistication, stands as a testament to the opulence and extravagance befitting the esteemed contestants of the reality show. Nestled within the confines of a lavish five-star resort, the bedroom suite serves as a sanctuary of comfort and indulgence for the eliminated contestants seeking respite from the rigors of the competition.
As one enters the suite, they are greeted by a grand foyer adorned with intricate marble flooring and ornate chandeliers that cast a soft, golden glow throughout the space. The walls are adorned with exquisite tapestries and framed artwork, showcasing scenes of tropical paradise and serene landscapes that evoke a sense of tranquility and serenity.
The centerpiece of the bedroom suite is the luxurious king-sized bed, draped in sumptuous silk linens and adorned with plush pillows and duvets, inviting weary contestants to sink into its embrace and surrender to the blissful embrace of sleep. A canopy overhead adds a touch of romance and elegance to the space, while sheer curtains billow gently in the breeze, offering privacy and seclusion from the outside world.
Adjacent to the bed, a sleek and sophisticated sitting area beckons guests to unwind and relax in style. Plush armchairs and ottomans upholstered in rich velvet provide the perfect spot to curl up with a good book or enjoy intimate conversations with fellow contestants, while a polished mahogany coffee table serves as a focal point for entertaining and socializing.
The bedroom suite also boasts a lavish ensuite bathroom, complete with a decadent marble bathtub and separate glass-enclosed shower adorned with luxurious fixtures and amenities. A spacious vanity area offers ample storage and countertop space, perfect for grooming and pampering rituals, while plush robes and slippers await guests, promising ultimate comfort and indulgence.
To ensure the utmost convenience and comfort for the contestants, the bedroom suite is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and amenities, including a flat-screen television, DVD player, and sound system for entertainment, as well as internet access and a dedicated work desk for staying connected and productive during their stay.
From the moment they step foot into the Playa del Losers bedroom suite, contestants are enveloped in a world of unparalleled luxury and refinement, where every detail has been meticulously curated to ensure a truly unforgettable experience. With its timeless elegance and unparalleled comfort, the suite serves as a fitting tribute to the enduring legacy of the reality show and the esteemed contestants who have graced its halls.
But not only that... It seemed that some parts were even organized with his material and work, his clothing was on the wardrop, his papers and chapters, and sketches were organized on a table with his typewriter machine already above the table, near to simple computer where he could do his research to help him to find creativity ideas and inspiration...
"They did everything?" Ezekiel asked loudly by himself since it was time for him to be alone and stay in bed to relax... but then he heard someone answering his question.
"No, I did." The voice was iconic which made Ezekiel stare at the ginger military girl, who he seemed to be happy, but then he saw the darker corners of her eyes which seemed to show that she had been crying. "You are a masochist, did you know that? I don't understand..."
Ezekiel tilted his head to the once happy and crazy girl who tried to act like a fool, but he was one of the few who saw the true nature of Izzy, seeing her like that, crying and saying such things, he could guess the reason of why he said that. But he didn't reply that...
"Why? Why did you have to risk your health like that, you knew your team would lose... Why?" Izzy said as she couldn't comprehend... the smartest girl who had 188 I.Q. And yet she couldn't see what the boy was planning... But then she just got hugged by him...
"I'm so glad to see you here Izzy... I'm okay, I'm fine..." Ezekiel hugged the military girl... the person who needed a friend who knew her since from the beginning, a person who could comprehend her strategy and who she really was... And from that hug... he knew that she needed so much... Because the wet drops coming behind his back, proved that the crazy person indeed needed someone to help her to deal with it...
He was happy to have great friends... And now was the time to enjoy his vacations with them... For his own health.
Chapter 19: Basic Straining
Chapter Text
"Wait, so let me see if I got this straight... You escaped RCMP and you went across the abandoned shores of Lake Huron, which inside has a cargo of maple syrup and cheap plastic souvenir beavers made in China." Ezekiel commented as he listened carefully to the explanation made by the ginger girl who was drinking coffee and eating some cookies...
"Yep," Izzy smiled as she could see the confused glance and decided to tell the continuation of the story. "And then the idea struck in my mind, and then presto. I created a product combining the two, and I named Izzy Happy Sap, and now I'm selling online which created a huge demand..."
"Probably because of your popularity around the show," Ezekiel said as he was surprised to never have seen an episode like that or someone explaining what happened to that event... "And what are you going to do after you sell everything from the cargo? Did you just know the recipe for maple syrup, try to reach a factory in China to replicate the beaver model?"
"Yep, yep. Had to create a contract of liability to make sure they wouldn't tell the recipe to anybody, while it was difficult to find a good factory in which plastic was cheap but also safe for drinking my Sap." Izzy was happy, seeing the time traveler boy who understood all her plans actually was surprised and listened to the business strategy made by herself. "I have plans to make my first billion dollars until the end of the season."
"Well, that's good... did you pay a lawyer to help you to pay the fine from RCMP?"Ezekiel was surprised to know about how the ginger's life was going so well, so he had no idea why she had so many problems in the cannon universe...
That was until he saw the face of the ginger who froze and giggled sheepishly...
"Eh he he he..." Izzy gave a nervous smile which made Ezekiel stare at her in disbelief.
"Wait, did you just forget to do it?" Ezekiel asked in disbelief, but seeing her nervous giggle and sweat made him sigh in disbelief. "Well, at least tell me you paid your taxes after you got a very stable income," and once again came the silence which Izzy was now blushing... "Please at least tell me you were planning to pay your taxes."
"Ehehe..." Izzy is as smart as she can be, even with the high IQ that she showed around plans over plans... "I forgot?"
Ezekiel facepalmed. Knowing that officially even the smartest of the people can somehow make dumb decisions.
"Well, at least now I know how you got bankrupt in the future, and even after your acting career you had to keep selling our secrets to Sierra." The homeschooled boy was happy to finally talk about the future with someone, even though Izzy could be unpredictable in the game, he felt that her loyalty and friendship were real, and she could feel the same.
"Okay, fine. I'm going to hire a lawyer to help me with my case over RCMP..." Izzy said as she rolled her eyes and decided to walk towards the phone in the next room.
"And..." Ezekiel called loudly which made the ginger crazy girl groan...
"And a professional who can help me to pay the Taxes, happy now?" Izzy said as she walked to the other room, where Ezekiel lay on the bed with a softer smile on his face.
"You have no idea," Ezekiel replied, even knowing that seeing Izzy annoyed by doing her obligations was the first time into done it, but he felt a slight pleasure in seeing her snarky like that. Even as the time he hadn't passed an hour, it still took a little time to realize that he had been surviving with Killer Bass for so long...But now a suite, something that he didn't have a luxury in both lives...
Even if the time he has been in that world. He still missed the time when the internet was way faster, and cellphones and tablets were far better than they were...
Or he missed the time he used Photoshop to draw his fanarts and even the time he liked to write fanfics to publish to the public...
Still, those 2 to 3 years have been very crazy... But at least he has someone to talk to about it.
.
.
.
"Wait, wait, do you mean the show became so big that we had 6 seasons and even a reboot? Wow, that means a new generation of campers to Chris and Chef to torment." Izzy laughed as she made some calls, she was able to have her leash loosened because now she wouldn't need to risk too much her income and becoming bankrupt, and since her stress and worries about being recorded on live television, she was free to have that personal talk with the boy who knew the future.
"You have no idea. *cough*" Ezekiel smiled, as he was enjoying a good cup of coffee... but not before doing a weak cough and almost spilling the liquid on his lap. "Dammit."
Izzy offered a paper to the boy who accepted happily.
"That's what happens when you get into a full tempest around a cursed island," Izzy said, making Ezekiel roll his eyes in front of her. "Hey, it was your idea to break the curse for a member who isn't for your team, that means you know how the curse would have affected the life of Beth."
"I know, I know... But that curse attacked her in such a way that wouldn't believe what happened."Ezekiel had to explain his point, and Izzy was in silence expecting him to explain what happened... And with a sigh, Ezekiel decided to tell... "She just managed to get herself and Lindsay banished from France..."
Izzy had her eyes wide open, as she looked confused, and then like a machine tilting she had no idea what Ezekiel had said...
"Lindsay set off the alarms of Mona Lisa, which immediately put them in jail... So to bail their way out, Beth had to give the prize money and never stomp her foot in France ever again," Ezekiel gave the details on how the farm girl managed to have the unluckiest moment ever made in life... And from seeing Izzy in a state of shock, he knew it was a serious issue. "That's the curse of unluck, since Beth didn't break the curse at all,"
Izzy remained quiet, still processing the new information around, and then a scoff came out from her lips, which immediately she couldn't contain anymore.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." Izzy laughed all her heart countain... She never thought someone would have been so stupid and so unlucky to be banished from a country like that. "Please tell me you are kidding."
Ezekiel chuckled, since nobody from the fandom could deny that it was indeed ironic, for someone like Beth to do the whole Total Drama Action, just to lose her money and be banished from a country.
"I wish I was, but I have to tell you that curse isn't a joke, and while it is hilarious that such an idea happens to her... I pity her because I think until this day she wouldn't have broken the curse, and her life would have gone even worse from there..." Ezekiel while he was smiling at the joke of the show, couldn't deny that as a winner of the show, Beth didn't deserve to lose her money like that, and possibly Brady would need to break up with her because of her criminal scandal... That's what the fandom has debated on a forum in the life he had before.
"Hmmm, so that's why you wanted so much to break the curse. Because you pitied Beth, and you waited at the right time to talk to them. Heather played in your hands." Izzy said as she was satisfied and impressed with how the boy in front of her played so well.
"I gotta say that I don't know how Heather and Beth became friends, since in the past, Beth was supposed to hate her and Lindsay cursed Heather so much that it would make a sailor blush," Ezekiel explained as he had no idea into what must have caused such a thing.
"Hmmm, probably for the fact the future has changed and how desperate Beth was on the episodes. Since you are here, you could watch from the beginning and see how it turned out everything." Izzy explained as she also started to check the clock, seing that soon it was going late, and seing the paper schedules of the remedies Ezekiel was going to take, a grin appeared on her face.
"Makes sense..." Ezekiel nodded his head. He then glanced at Izzy before knowing what she had in mind. "Do you have questions..."
"And some of them you may are not willing to answer." Izzy was smart, and knowing the time traveler boy, he knew many things, but he wasn't going to be stupid to tell her, since there are reasons why. "So what's your plan after elimination?"
"Participate in season 2," Ezekiel said clearly and Izzy raised both her eyebrows at him. "Total Drama Action, this will be where our futures can be changed for the better, a show to determine the winner of 1 million dollars."
"And what about me?" Izzy asked as she hoped Ezekiel would shed light on the plans she has doing...
"Well from your interview on Aftermatch, you were approached by Chef and he made a proposal of alliance but you refused, so he had no choice but to go after DJ," Ezekiel explained, and he could see Izzy staring at him in disbelief.
"DJ? But he is a huge softie... There is no way he couldn't have stayed long." Izzy made a point, and Ezekiel agreed with her.
"He didn't, his guilt made him quit the show which led the others to cry because he was the only person who took care of the food and made them happy."The turquoise winter hat boy now explained the situation to Izzy who just raised her eyebrow in surprise.
"So I take my decision to reject Chef's offer came back and bite my ass?"Izzy predicted as the way she knew Chef holds a grudge sometimes.
"Yeah... You were eliminated from the acting challenge, and you lost to Duncan..."Ezekiel knew that this would be like a water bucket on Izzy's pride, since she always acted like a fool in front of the show, for many seasons, and yet learning that she lost in the challenge where she had the best advantage?
"They WHAT?"Izzy said as she stomped her foot angrily, as she never felt so hurt in her pride.
"Duncan made a noire drama style, and he nailed in the drama which made Chef and the others cry with that scene..." Ezekiel told one of the reasons why she lost... "You tried to act a semi-dramatic scene by doing an old lady persona who seems to be a mafia boss old lady but still showing signs of craziness..."
"THAT WAS THE PERFECT COMBINATION," Izzy shouted as she couldn't believe that one of her ideas was destroyed by the acting of a simple Noire Drama. "How good Duncan was at that moment?"
"He is the nephew of detectives, so he is aware of mystery and investigation drama... he was in his element." Ezekiel didn't sugarcoat what happened to Izzy, and from seeing her expression to show not just anger, but hurt for something like that to happen to her...
"Dammit, so they wanted not suspense, but drama to make them cry? Oh, I'm going to make them cry." Izzy said that she never felt so determined to put her pride in being an actress at stake.
"Calm down Izzy, you need to not let the stress of your pride get over your mind... Because you became so much stressed over your acting career, that this was what led to your exposure... You cussed a cameraman for 2 whole minutes and made yourself exposed on the internet and television..." Once more Ezekiel explained how Izzy's action caused terrible consequences in the future of the ginger girl, and even being the voice of the reason was difficult to deal with the unpredictable girl like her.
"Okay, okay I got it." Izzy raised both her arms in the air and gave a deep breath to calm herself down... "It's just so unfair, I love acting and I know that I can make myself a star, and yet losing the acting challenge?"
"Izzy you must understand, it happens, Sometimes we have bad days, but we never should let that affect others, people are doing their work. And while you may have lost the challenge, you had 4 movies and were in a good acting career, but you need to know when to do a break and to not lash out at the others..." Ezekiel said this time firmly, trying to reach the mind of the proud ginger who was having difficulty accepting it. "You have to admit that even great movie stars sometimes make terrible decisions, and when they do, the consequences are cruel and would lead to that.
"So what I should do in case I'm on the edge of freaking out?" Izzy asked as she had no idea what she should do... But like a good hope, she smiled as she saw Ezekiel with a smirk on his face.
"Well, I have a perfect plan... all you need to do it's this..." And with that, Ezekiel passed the time talking with Izzy, both of them planning how to develop better their future...
"So I think that's it..." Izzy noticed she had been around in that suite for 5 hours, talking, having fun, and enjoying the company of someone who could see her true self...
"That's what looks like," Ezekiel said opening the door, as he could see the wild ginger girl giggling as her eyes were soft and resolute.
"Thank you for sharing my future, I know that my plans will keep going very well, I just hope Eva isn't going to get really mad with what I'm about to do," Izzy said as Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"She probably would, but she will warm with time, so I wish you success with Owen, you two look amazing together. Have a good night Izzy." And with that, Izzy gave a glance at the boy before closing the door.
Izzy looked at the door closed, and how usually the boy talked to her, willing to help everyone, even as crazy as she was...
"I wish you could say the same of us, we could be incredible together," Izzy commented as she sighed but with a focus on the future. "Maybe later, now I need to focus on coming back on the show, and then give a chance to Owen... well, he is cute, it wouldn't hurt to give him a chance. Thank you again, Zeke..."
Izzy had left the place, and Ezekiel was finally on his time alone in the suite, he was afraid to turn on the computer to check the emails and the possibility of knowing what the events of all the episodes coming and what the forums and the fandom would be writing about him? He had to confess that kind of thought was something that would make him scared.
So he would take the courage... to pass by the computer and go straight to his bed.
"Well, I think I have time to marathon all the episodes," Ezekiel used the remote control to turn the television on because he would feel better checking the computer on another day... So at that moment, he decided to make the recording of the episodes, there was a list of episodes that he would watch... Starting from the first episode...
And with the same introduction of the show... Ezekiel waited to see how the opening would be different since Ezekiel wasn't tied with Noah... So he smiled as the song and nostalgia once again hit him, just like in the past.
Cameras and stage lights pop throughout the forest knocking a gopher out of the ground and a squirrel out of its tree. We zoom through the island passing Chris knocking over his coffee
Dear Mom and Dad I'm doin' fine,
You guys are on my mind.
The camera reaches the mountain peak diving into the water as Owen swims by letting loose a fart just as Geoff is laying back on his surfer board before falling over from the stank with Bridgett surfing past him.
You asked me what I wanted to be
And now I think the answer is plain to see,
I wanna be famous.
A hawk swoops down picking up a dead fish from the water soaring into the sky accidentally dropping onto a peaceful Dj surrounded by adorable animals who soon bite him when they see the fish causing him to run off screaming in terror as Duncan laughs and Courtney rolls her eyes.
I wanna live close to the sun,
Go pack your bags, 'cause I've already won,
Everything to prove, nothing in my way
I'll get there one day.
Cause, I wanna be famous!
Heather and Leshwana slap fight on a raft unaware of the waterfall nearby as it falls downward as Harold is practicing karate. Izzy swings by on a vine crashing into Harold knocking them into the confession booth knocking Lindsay out. Ezekiel was in front of the Main Lodge while he was reading a bunch of papers, and when he walked he passed over Lindsay without realizing it was her, inside the main lodge, Chef sticks his arm into a pot of green soup smirking into the tied up and Fearful Noah, his unlucky taste tester.
Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na!
I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be famous
I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be famous
Katie and Sadie swoon as Justin looks at himself in the mirror while Beth twirls around her batons tossing the flaming stick into the air. Gwen and Trent look at each other before Cody gets between them smiling with an arm around each of them the campers Chef and Chris sit around the campfire whistling to the tune of the song.
"Wow, so that's what happened while I was doing the grammar review in Adventure Time on the next day? I need to apologize to Lindsay when I see her again." Ezekiel looked eager as he could see how different the show become, since if they could do the opening once again, Gwen would be looking at Trent with hatred, as some of Killer Bass...
And with that, the first episode was in the air... And Ezekiel felt like a child once again watching Total Drama Island for the first time. A good marathon time for Ezekiel, before going to sleep...
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
"Zeke, zeeeeeke, wakeeee up," A soothing and happy voice called for the boy who still remained with his eyes closed and insisted on calling for him, bringing attention to make him wake up.
"Izzy, I'm sleeping." Ezekiel ignored the voice and turned his head away.
"But you have to take your medicine, it's on your schedule." Izzy once again called him, and this time he woke up more alert and was happy to see the medicine and a glass of water.
"Oh thank God, I almost forgot..." Ezekiel didn't think twice as he looked at Izzy in gratitude. "Thanks for reminding me Izzzzzzzzzzzzz... ah, ah ah..."
Izzy smirked as she managed to bring attention to her... She was holding the pill of medicine and the glass of water, however, she decided to be on the theme... By wearing a sexy nurse outfit.
"Well then, be a good boy, and let me treat you, my patient." Izzy smiled as she sounded soothing and calm with her voice, and she was enjoying to see Ezekiel blushing like a tomato. "I still need to reward you for all the help. So say ah,"
"Ah, ah, ah..." Ezekiel was blushing as he was stuttering from the wild girl who was dressing and being that near to him. And then she placed the pill on his mouth, and slowly made him drink the glass of water. And with a smirk on her face, she knew she did her job right, as by the time Ezekiel finished the drink he looked like he was on the verge to freak out.
"Why are you dressed as a nurse?" Ezekiel said as he tried to compose himself, but seeing that his entire body was betraying him, he failed miserably.
"Well, you need to take your meds, and I have memorized the schedule, so I think while I still have time to be here before me and Eva go back to the show, I think you need to be taken care of... So why not be on the theme?" Izzy gave her silly smile while deep inside Ezekiel knew that she was loving every second to make attacks on his puberty. "And if I tell you I'm without my pant..."
"Izzy, thank you for your work, now you can go," Ezekiel said loudly as he pointed to the door, and with a silly salute, Izzy giggled as she walked outside from his room... And Ezekiel groaned as he felt his pants tight. "Damn you puberty."
And that's how his life would be until the last episode of the season...
Later that day he more normal in comparison to what he would usually do in Camp Wawanakwa, on a time of the morning, Ezekiel had a good breakfast with his friends while trying to not flinch too much from Eva's scolding about how he had been irresponsible and how she shouldn't have overworked himself if at the time he was sick, she promised him that at the time he would be on his 100% she would personally give a training routine which would make him has a better health to deal with the challenges again...
And the boy would have been happy if wasn't for the fact Sadie was crying of happiness of being freed from Eva's torture routine...
"Shit..." Ezekiel thought as he could see that Sadie must have suffered a lot since she looked stronger and better fit from being alone on the island during all those weeks.
"And you better be 100% healthy, because when you are done, you are going to be way stronger than Tyler," Eva said as she walked at him, even with the cast on her leg...
"HEY," Tyler shouted as he felt offended by Eva making fun of his own strength, but with the smirk from Eva, he knew he couldn't say much. He lost 25 arm wrestling against her, and it was very humiliating, so he needed to go back into shape.
Ezekiel looked at Eva's leg, and from the way she was walking normally without any painful expression on her face.
"Eva, how is your leg?" Ezekiel asked, but then he could see Eva smirking at him.
"Ready to run a marathon, I just need the right moment to take the cast out." The bodybuilder replied, and from the way Ezekiel looked at it, he knew she was telling the truth.
"Great," Ezekiel was happy to see how his team had been around, and little by little, more members from the show appeared to have breakfast... And on that morning, they also had one more thing.
"Hey guys, it's the morning of the challenge. Let's turn the TV on pay-per-view and see how the others are doing." Cody said as he called the group to appear in the main room of the resort... And one by one, the members had their meal ready to see how the campers would have to deal with the day of the challenge...
And Ezekiel, just hoped that his friends would do well in the Basic Stranding... In one of the episodes, Harold became infamous for cheating on the votes, and Courtney for becoming a crazy girl after such an event... He prayed that all the work he did for his friends would be well together, wouldn't have problems after his departure...
(Pay-Per-View)
"Last time on Total Drama Island…" Chris began his usual recap of the episode. "The teams were given three challenges that tested their trust in their teammates. The rock-climbing challenge revealed more than just Heather's grudge against Trent, Ezekiel even as his health compromised, refused to throw the towel that easy, and made his team give their 100%. Also, Trent got the bad end of a blowfish courtesy of Lindsay, what a nice payback. Some other campers got dropped on their butts and in the end, Ezekiel's cold was revealed to be pneumonia, so he had to go to the hospital in the most touching way. Leaving the entire Killer Bass without one of their pillars. Will Killer Bass find the inner strength to remain in the game without one of their leaders? Stay tuned for the most dramatic bonfire ceremony yet on Total. Drama. Island!"
"And Cut," Chris called as he then checked if everything was right, seeing that the crew would make the editions for what he would plan for the rest of the day. Since the episode would be aired at Midnight if possible. He was still being recorded for pay-per-view. "Do we have news of Ezekiel?"
"They said he received discharge today, and he is already on Playa Del Losers." One of the cameramen shouted and that news made Chris grin and smile even further.
"That's great, let's make the recording of another take, but this time explaining to the public, this way they will be relieved into knowing one of the pillars of Killer Bass is now in a less critical state. Do you have the camera on?" Chris took a sip on his water bottle and made sure to check if his hair was right.
"Alright, in 5,4,3,2,1…" One of the cameramen gave the signal and Chris once again made the intro.
"Last time on Total Drama Island…" Chris began his usual recap of the episode. "The teams were given three challenges that tested their trust in their teammates. The rock-climbing challenge revealed more than just Heather's grudge against Trent, Ezekiel even as his health compromised, refused to throw the towel that easy, and made his team give their 100%. Also, Trent got the bad end of a blowfish courtesy of Lindsay, what a nice payback. Some other campers got dropped on their butts and in the end, Ezekiel's cold was revealed to be pneumonia, so he had to go to the hospital most touchingly. We received the confirmation from the hospital that he has been discharged and now he is not in a critical state, so you don't need to worry about him, he is fine. But leaving the entire Killer Bass without one of their pillars. Will Killer Bass find the inner strength to remain in the game without one of their leaders? Stay tuned for the most dramatic bonfire ceremony yet on Total. Drama. Island!"
"Cut." The cameraman shouted, and Chris knew it had been perfect. Now the next challenge would be more interesting with his partner making the life of the others into hell.
As the sun rose up above the horizon, casting long shadows away from the tranquil shores of Camp Wawanakwa, a heavy pall of melancholy hung over the Killer Bass team and their cabins. With the departure of Ezekiel, their fellow teammate and friend, still fresh in their minds, these three days had been difficult to deal with the atmosphere tinged with a sense of loss and longing that seemed to permeate every corner of the camp.
In the wake of Ezekiel's emotional farewell, the remaining members of the Killer Bass team found themselves grappling with a tumult of conflicting emotions – from grief and regret to anger and resentment. The once close-knit camaraderie that had bound them together now seemed fragile and frayed, tested by the harsh realities of the competition and the weight of their collective loss.
As they gathered around the flickering flames of the cave of Aquarium, Duncan, Courtney, Geoff, Harold, DJ, Katie, Bridgette, and Gwen sought solace in each other's company, their faces etched with a mixture of sorrow and determination. Despite their differences and past conflicts, they knew that they needed to band together in the face of adversity, drawing strength from their shared experiences and mutual support. It has been that way since Ezekiel became the glue that tied the team together.
Nobody had the desire to laugh or make a joke, nobody knew how to express a good time since what had been someone who had always made sure everyone had a great time, from reading, from talking and even drawing…
Geoff tried to focus on drawing some scrubs, but even with the idea of being abstract… he used more shadows and the tips his friend managed to explain to him… The same dog he found not great before, became far more realistic from learning from a boy who never dared to go to a school before… The irony is that he didn't suspect of why he hesitated when someone called him a teacher… Since his aunt died for being a teacher in a school… If he could come back in time, he would have slapped himself in the face for being too stupid with words…
DJ was trying to relax in the hot tub, but while the relaxation was a preparation for the challenge they were about to have together, a piece of worry was always appearing in his mind. He was one of the most cowardly of the group, and yet Ezekiel was the one who made him turn his cowardice into pure courage, from the inspiration he had of that little dog… He still thought about it, if wasn't for that boy, he knew that they would have lost the challenge…
Harold was sitting near the hot tub, without any desire to do anything… He didn't have the inspiration to write a haiku, or even practice martial arts… The thing he must have been on his mind was still worried about if they were going to receive any news about the conditions of Ezekiel. He just hoped it wasn't too late for the treatment.
Duncan was just staring into a knife…One of the pillars of Killer Bass was looking at the reflection of his face, from the harsh words he received from Courtney when they did the first prank, to the serious tone of voice Ezekiel gave about his story… He had stories on the juvenile about nerds who came to the maximum penalty because they didn't dare to off themselves, and Duncan as he has been always a delinquent, scammed people to buy his father's hair as a pet or even made public structures vandalism… But he never killed a person before, and he was always away from that kind of people in the juvie… Because from the stories he heard, they were just simple, nerds or even weird people who couldn't take bulling until a point… and when their main target made them cross the limit… Then there was no way back, and all the mess was just done… Duncan reflected on how sometimes innocent people would lose their lives because someone pushed them to the limit. Sometimes he reflected if he should have at least helped some of the weird kids to have something funny to laugh about school, because he didn't know if there was one of those kids who would be on their limits as well…
Courtney was trying to read a book, trying to absorb all the words to distract herself from the worry on her mind... The C.I.T. camper had always treated all the challenges competitively since she had a flaw that sometimes she would go overboard... She remembered because of such feelings, she would have gone on the verge of elimination in case her team lost... she admitted that she was tempted to not jump from the cliff on the first challenge. But after dealing with such challenges and terrible weeks on the show, if she could have gone back in time, and slapped herself in the face... Because if it wasn't for Ezekiel and Eva, she hated to admit that she would have lost... She always thought that with her leadership everything would have gone perfectly and without problems, but then she learned Duncan hates to follow bossy orders, and it would always cause conflict with her in leadership... Ezekiel was the harmony and the reason they named themselves the 3 Pillars because he was the balance... And thanks to him, they have the double of campers on their team, they are a perfect team, but as a friend, she wanted him to be healthy, because... Who knew a kid who never had friends before, could have taken her as a sister role model, just like the others... And she couldn't help but think the same about him... She missed him.
Bridgette tried to surf, trying to be on the water to make her refresh her mind, with the hope Ezekiel would receive the treatment and be cured of pneumonia quickly, it was unfair that they pressured him to say Condor, but it was necessary because his condition could have become critical and they didn't want him to deny the fact he needs treatment, it hurts to listen to those words, the fact her father sounded so jerk but so kind at same time, she never meet him, but she felt pity towards on why he view life in such terrible way, and from the way he secluded his son to live inside of farm, where Ezekiel explored his creativity to his limit, a father who seemed to be suportive to his son to draw and to write, but still stupid to never taking him into an hospital before... Without knowing Bridgette received a wave making her lose her concentration and making her annoyed... She missed her friend.
Gwen was in her Diary, writing her thoughts about how the last challenge was brutal and how the next days made the whole camp feel like she was in the Screaming Gophers before, her morale was low, like all the members of her team, and knew a boy who wrote so much and drew as well could have made the group work so well together, and how he was one of the first who welcomed her to the team, like he knew they could trust her, at the same time she could trust them... Ironically, her trust was well founded on the last challenge... But one of their best friends was now out of the game, and she feared that his condition would be terrible at the hospital...
Katie felt empty since another member of her team was not around them anymore. Starting with her best friend and sister of other mom Sadie, then her boyfriend the weird and cute geekster Cody, and now a good friend who has always known how to talk, and how to support them... Sometimes it makes her wonder, how far she reached, and when was the time she should throw the towel... First, she was playing because she wanted her and Sadie to be in finals, then she decided to remain in the game because she found love, and then she remained in the game because she thought it was still fun... But now, she is not having fun anymore... Maybe it was the time to give up...
Katie was about to tell the others when they heard feedback coming from the loudspeakers. They were expecting to hear Chris announce the next challenge…but, "Listen up, you little cockroaches!" That was not the voice of the host Chris McClain. No. It was the voice of the gruff and buff cook of the camp Chef Hatchet. "I want all campers to report to the Dock of Shame at 0900 hours!" Most of the campers that were listening looked at each other with confused expressions as to what and when 0900 hours was. "That means now, soldiers! Now!" Everyone flinched as they made their way to the Dock of Shame as quickly as they could to not face the wrath of Chef.
Later at the Dock of Shame, all the campers were gathered up as per Chef's order with Chef himself also there. But he wasn't in his usual outfit. Chef Hatchet was no longer in his usual chef's uniform and was wearing something a drill sergeant would wear.
"Line up and stand at attention!" Chef yelled to everyone making most flinch. His yelling made all the worse by the megaphone he had. "You call this proper formation?! Knees together!" Chef smacked Geoff's legs with a wooden stick to get the party dude to pull his knees together. "Arms down!" Chef smacked Duncan's arms to get the delinquent into proper formation. "Eyes forward! Head up!" Chef then proceeded to smack pretty much every part of Harold.
"Oh, this is gonna be a fun day," Gwen whispered sarcastically to Katie who just nodded her head...
But soon after that Chef was right in front of Gwen and yelling at her point blank with the megaphone. "What did you say to me, soldier?!" Chef roared loud enough that it blew Gwen's hair back.
"Um…nothing?" Gwen said with a bit of fear in her voice. The goth couldn't lie, Chef was intimidating as heck. And to think he already looked like he could kill someone when he was just being a cook.
"And you'll continue to say nothing until I tell you that you can say something!" Chef firmly yelled to all 12 campers in front of him."I'm going to tell what I'm seeing."
Chef looked at the Killer Bass 8 members, every single one of them with no desire or patience to deal with the chef at that moment. And Screaming Gophers who was just there to deal with another challenge. Chef Hatchet knew the reason for the low morale of one team.
"I see a team without one of the three generals," Chef said in military terms but the way he said Killer Bass team could comprehend what he meant. "I know what is like to lose a comrade in combat, but that's what war is about. You lose soldiers but you never should lose your squad."
The Killer Bass remained quiet while Heather rolled her eyes.
(Confession - Heather.)
"Well it seems the curse of the island is really broken because my luck just seemed to be getting better, I recovered from my coldness, and the most dangerous player on this show had to go to the hospital because of sickness complications," Heather commented as she looked at her fingernails. "I'm sure that he will find a way to make me two favors I owe him, but at least I can feel relieved about not watching my back all the time. Nice recovery Ezekiel, and I want you to stay the most far away from me."
"A general who always cares about his squad, and he would be ashamed to see a squad acting like a bunch of maggots."Chef snarled as he pointed out how terrible the moral of Killer Bass was feeling, and how Ezekiel would be ashamed of seeing the group in that state. He made them have their eyes wide open and glare at the military soldier in anger, especially Courtney and Duncan "Good, good, it seems the other two generals woke up from their pathetic state, now you and you..."
Courtney and Duncan remained serious about what Chef was about to say but then glanced at Heather who was still with her arms crossed. But then she saw the glare of Chef which made her intimidated, and that made him choose her as well.
"Today's challenge will not be an easy one. In fact, I do not expect everyone to come out alive." Owen chuckled in response, thinking Chef was messing with them, only to be met with a hard whack to the head. "You three have been selected to lead your own squad. Killer Bass 1 Killer Bass 2, And Screaming Gopher Squad. You acting as generals must have what it takes to be the example and lead your team to survive from me."
Duncan and Courtney their eyes wide open as Heather glared at the unfairness of what she was about to receive...
"My orders are to make sure that all of the babies in front of me drop out of my boot camp except one squad. The last squad standing wins immunity for their team! But you as generals should take responsibility for your actions as well, so every time one of the members of your squad makes an offense on the challenge, the whole team is punished and the general is punished by double."Chef explained the rules which made the Killer Bass team gasp in surprise, while Heather glared at Lindsay, Trent, and Owen... Knowing that if someone did something stupid she swore she would make them pay.
"Killer Bass 1 led by Courtney, followed by Bridgette, Gwen, and Harold. Killer Bass 2 is led by Duncan, followed by Geoff, DJ, and Katie. Screaming Gophers led by Heather, followed by Lindsay, Trent, and Owen."Chef explained as he gave more explanations. "Each member who quits, the rest of the squad must go without him or her, and trust me, every challenge will be a military experience."
Chef was enjoying seeing the intimidated campers who could feel fear in his presence... So he had one final pleasure.
"I want to see if I will be able to make someone say a bird name today... It starts with the letter C... Do you fish have any desire to say it? Because you better not even think about it… Because I talked to the producers, and I got permission to all my challenges alone, you are forbidden to say and I repeat your quit word…" Chef Hatched warned Killer Bass, which made Katie feel conflicted at that moment. And Duncan as delinquent as himself, decided to ask a stupid question.
"Oh, yeah? And what if we do?" Duncan immediately regretted when Chef gave an evil grin at him.
"The generals should be responsible for their squad, so if someone makes an offense, the general also should take the punishment… Meaning, instead of being the person who said the word, it's going to be BOTH GENERALS OF THE SAID TEAM." Chef shouted and Duncan had his eyes wide open and Courtney gasped in disbelief.
"You cannot do that," Courtney said in disbelief and in fear, but seeing Chef grinning evilly at her, she knew he actually could. And she hated the idea.
"But if that's not enough for you…" Chef said which made the group look at him asking what could be even worse than that. "Your last general, Ezekiel, would be disappointed at you all losing face in the challenge, since he just got discharged from the hospital and probably is watching you all by Pay-Per-View."
The moment Chef had said about their friend's condition, it felt like a huge relief coming towards the Killer Bass team.
"Oh that's great," Geoff said until he felt another hard whack this time on the stomach. "Ouch."
"Uh…what happened to Chris?" Heather asked after the reveal of such news, she wondered about the host who hadn't been seen all day and frankly, Heater would rather deal with Chris than Mr. Psycho Chef any day.
"Rule number one!" Chef went back to speaking with his megaphone as he ignored Heather's question. "You will address me as Master Chief! Have you got that?!"
"YES MASTER CHIEF!" All the campers said in unison. Now with the Killer Bass with a better morale, since knowing one of their friends was now out of the hospital, good news indeed for the team who have been down recently.
Satisfied, Chef nodded his head and explained more rules. "Rule number two! When you are ready to give up, you will walk to the end of the dock and ring the bell. Your squad will have to continue without you… If a general decides to quit, then the whole squad fails." Chef pointed to the end of the dock where a big bell was waiting for whatever loser dared to ring it. "Which brings me to rule number three! I'll have to get one quitter before the end of the first day! And that day will not end until someone drops out! Now get your butts down to the beach, soldiers! Now, now, now!" All the campers quickly ran off in a panic so they wouldn't face whatever torture Master Chief had in store for them if they didn't follow orders. Once again feeling like the commander of his own squad in the army… He felt so good. "Let's see who will quit first."
(Confession– Gwen)
"Okay, whoever's sick, twisted idea this was to put him in charge of this challenge, I have to say…I'm a little bit impressed." Gwen had to admit as she looked at the camera with a smirk.
The teams were now in front of the beach with the Killer Bass standing next to two red canoes with the Gophers having a green one next to them. Chef was standing in front of them all as the former explained how this would go. "Listen up!" Chef yelled to get all the camper's attention on him. "Each squad will hold a canoe over their heads! I catch you taking your hands off the canoe, and you will be eliminated. And no one eats lunch until someone drops out. Canoes up!"
Both teams did as they were instructed as all members of the Bass and Gophers lifted up their respective canoes with relative ease. "Pfft! This isn't that hard." Owen said that this really wasn't all that challenging.
"Piece of cake," Geoff said confidently.
THREE HOURS LATER
The ones who thought this wouldn't be so bad were soon eating their words. For three hours straight they were forced to lift up the heavy canoe, in 95-degree weather, with absolutely no food for their incredibly hungry stomachs. And to make it even harder, Chef was currently lying on top of the Bass' canoes, while the man himself Chris Mclain finally appeared before everyone and made himself comfy on the Gophers' canoe.
The squads didn't have enough strength to hold them off, since it was 4 for each canoe and they couldn't take much more… Courtney's arms were on fire, while Owen's stomach was begging for food.
"Come on, you sissies!" Chef yelled to the campers below. He could see many of their arms shaking from the strain of lifting up both the canoe and either Chef and Chris as well and he heard many of their grumbling stomachs. "It's only been three hours!"
"Looks like they missed lunch today," Chris said with a grin as he heard Leshawna's stomach growl under him.
"Mmhmm. Guess they just weren't hungry!" Chef nodded and soon went back to yelling at the two teams. "Unless someone wants to quit now."
"I QUIT." Then a surprise shout, made the whole group of campers stare at the trembling and hungry Katie who was releasing her arms immediately.
Duncan, Geoff, and DJ took that as an opportunity and the trio released the canoe at the same time, making Chef lose balance and fall on the sand. At the time Chef got up, he didn't show any anger, or neither outrage from what happened to him, he recovered his composure like a soldier, and waited for the tan girl to walk towards the bell just to ring it, making all the other campers release their canoes…
Katie was sad, hungry, and with the desire to quit the game, but she wasn't able to do it. Still, Chef Hatchet went near her.
"Listen here. You have nothing to be ashamed of." The buff chef told her in a reassuring tone…before yelling at her point blank with the megaphone. "Except being a little baby that let your squad down!" He yelled with such volume and pressure that he actually ended up knocking Katie down before turning to the rest of the campers. "As for the rest of you, head to the mess hall! Lunch is served!"
For the first time, the team felt happy to receive a small mercy for the one who sacrificed to make them eat.
(Main Lodge)
All the campers were lined up ready to finally get something to eat. "All right, maggots! Open your ears! You've got ten minutes to eat before night training begins! Get to it!" Chef said swiftly and loudly as he presented…trash cans to the campers.
Many of the campers complied over the night training, feeling tired and exhausted enough after lifting a canoe for a whole day, while Gwen raised her hand. "Um, excuse me? Master Chief?" The goth spoke up getting Chef's attention. "Where's the food?"
"You're looking at it." Chef chuckled as he gestured to the trash cans.
Owen was the first to step up and remove the lid of the trash can to see what was inside. "This is the leftover garbage from this morning's breakfast," Owen stated as he looked at the garbage inside.
"Darn right!" Chef yelled as the other campers cringed as they looked over the garbage they were being served. "When you're at war, you take what you can get!"
Meanwhile, Chris grinned and nodded in approval as he saw some of the campers, mostly Owen, actually take some of the garbage for food. "Well, I can see you've got this under control," Chris said as he looked up at Chef. "I'm off to craft services. Coming?"
"Serve me up some of that," Chef said as he followed Chris to go and get some actually good food. Leaving the campers with only trash to eat.
As some like Heather and Courtney refused to eat the garbage, while Duncan had something else entirely.
"Ah screw this, there is no way I'm going to eat trash, squad let's make a surprise raid on their food tonight." Duncan, even as he was treated as general, knew that he and his team had some pride and wouldn't do something stupid like that. He would act exactly the delinquent that he always aimed for.
"What are you doing?" Courtney said in horror as she thought she had mistaken what he had said.
"Princess, there is no way I'm going to lower my level to that, I'm a delinquent and not a soldier boy, I'm going to make my squad have some privileges. Are you up?" Duncan smirked as Courtney glared fiercely at him.
"And what if they get you? You wouldn't only be punished, but my squad as well, don't you have consideration?" Courtney said as she feared what Chef had in mind if they somehow captured him.
"Then let me take the whole blame, if things get terrible, then I ring the bell and let you control the challenge, and if that's not enough you can bail," Duncan said as he knew that it may come to bite his ass, but he wouldn't let Chef make his life hell.
Courtney remained quiet, and then with a nod of her head, she remembered the talks she had with Ezekiel and Duncan, they were the trio of pillars, and when someone was down into one idea, the other 2 would also do it as well... Duncan never had let her down before, so she knew it was their moment to strike. That night they would have the good food they deserved.
(Afternoon)
The afternoon of training began. And that training was…dancing along with Chef to the song Thriller. Chef had a radio playing the song as he danced on top of a wooden platform with Edward beating his tail against the wood in rhythm with the music.
And the campers, per his instructions, copied his dance moves as best they could. There was no sign of when they had to stop…until Duncan went up to the radio and turned it off. Everyone sighed in relief as Chef glared down at Duncan. Courtney quietly called out to him as Duncan crossed his arms at Chef and said, "One of us drops out, we're done for the day."
"We're done when I say we're done!" Chef yelled at Duncan as he looked right into the delinquent's eyes. "Now drop and give me twenty!" Duncan rolled his eyes and just decided to start doing push-ups as Chef turned to the rest of the campers. "Anyone else got anything they want to say?"
"Uh, yeah," Gwen said with a raised hand while crossing her legs together. "Can I go to the bathroom?"
Apparently, Chef's answer to that was to have Gwen clean the bathrooms for the whole day.
After that whole fiasco, everyone was once against gathered up at the main lodge with both teams at their respective table. "For your next challenge, you will complete a three-hundred-word essay about how much you love…me" Chef explained getting a few deadpanned looks from the campers. "Anyone who falls asleep or fails to complete the challenge will be eliminated!"
Two hours had passed before a timer went off. It was currently 8 p.m and the campers were looking with signs of tiredness, But time was finally up for completing the essay and Master Chief came in and quickly started looking over everyone's essays. He nodded in approval as he read over them seeing both the correct word amount and bathing a bit in his ego at the nice things said about him. If only because that's what he ordered them to write. And when picking up Duncan's essay, "I love Master Chief Hatchet because he is very very very very very very very very very very very very very very…this is just one sentence with five pages of very's in between!"
"It's three hundred words exactly!" Duncan stated that he technically followed the requirements of the essay. "You can count them if you want."
Chef growled as he slammed Duncan's essay down in front of him, but then looked at the other members who finished the review of the essay, he snarled at the delinquent but got his control back.
"You are pushing my patience soldier, you better be careful about what your actions will cause to your whole squad." And with the last warning he turned to the others who completed the essay. "You guys will receive one last mercy from me. You can have your dinner on the trash cans again, and report to the playing field at 0500 hours."
Chef left the mess hall which made Duncan and Courtney stare at each other, and with a knowing they would be in silence... They followed Chef who was also going to have dinner.
"I hope you are ready because at the time we do this, there will be no way back. We are going to do it until the end." Duncan gave a last warning, to Courtney who was determined and with her own stomach hungry for food.
"I have eaten terrible food for weeks, and the last time we ate something good we had to resist to hunger for hours, I think we deserve a reward for this, and working together we still can do this." Courtney followed Duncan but she was being held by her hand, and Duncan while he tried to act serious, couldn't help but smirk happily at how she trusted him.
That moment they knew that even without their friend, they still work together, like a duo. A power duo.
And where could these two possibly find some actual quality food on this island? Quite simple. The place where Chris and Chef got their food. The craft services tent! "Slowly. Slowly. Crawl." Duncan quietly whispered to Courtney as the two hid inside some bushes they pulled up from the ground to use as disguises so they could sneak up to the tent.
Luckily, when they got there, Chef and Chris were busy talking to each other so they didn't notice Duncan and Courtney crawling in and stealing stuff from the fridge.
"I made a terrible mistake, and then she got so angry that she beat me with a bucket of fried chicken," Chef explained as immediately Chris laughed so hard that it made both Duncan and Courtney slowly crawl into the fridge, but still with curiosity on their minds.
"So like mother and like daughter. I have to say Izzy must have been tough for you." Chris laughed, and both Duncan and Courtney paused and slowly took piece by piece of food. Even if the story is good, they cannot be captured, it is a suicide mission so they want to make their effort worth it.
Once both Duncan and Courtney made it back to the cabins, they decided to throw a bit of a party with everyone from both teams involved. Everyone was more than happy to quickly indulge themselves in some real food and pop for the first time in weeks!
The operation raid was a success, and Courtney felt like she had fun, like when she does things together with her team, and by helping Duncan raid the fridge, she's been a little…out of control. She couldn't stop giggling and bouncing up and down. It was as if she was on a sugar high. Which probably was true as she was stuffing her face with cookie sandwiches. She was actually about to reach for one more until Bridgette stopped her. "Okay, I think you've had enough." The surfer girl smirked at the CIT.
But Courtney quickly took her arm back from the surfer and giggled madly, unable to keep still, as she swiped the sweet sandwich away. "Hehe, oh no! No! Just, just one more. Mm!" Courtney then stuffed the dessert into her mouth and swallowed…and was quickly met with a gurgling sound coming from her stomach which was followed by a burp. "Oh…yeah…yeah that one was a mistake." Courtney quickly ran out of the cabin where she proceeded to lean over the railing throw all her stolen food up and send it to the ground.
As she did this, Duncan grinned as the delinquent walked up to her. "So the Princess has a dark side." He said as Courtney finished unloading her sweets and groaned.
"It's not like I have a dark side... I like to follow the rules sometimes, but after working together as a team, I learned how having friends could help me deal with all kinds of problems, even if I had to lead my squad to possible problems. I have to confess that this has been the most exciting thing I ever done in my life." Courtney confessed that she never felt so alive...
"Well, that's life. I may be a delinquent, but after hearing the story from Ezekiel, I at least know what type of criminal am I." Duncan said which made Courtney freeze and stare at Duncan in surprise. "I'm a vandal who likes to make fun... but I will never kill anyone, that's a line I will never cross, I'm not a monster. I break rules for fun. Like vomiting in public places."
"Okay. That was so gross." Courtney groaned out as she held her stomach. Looks like she still had some limits to her and it was best she not try and break them less that happens again…or worse. But the CIT soon went back to smiling like crazy as she said. "But it was like, once I did something bad, it was so much fun, I just wanted more!"
"Well, you could always gimme that kiss." Duncan offered as he wiped some chocolate off of Courtney's cheek. "That would be pretty bad."
Courtney playfully scoffed as she ruffled Duncan's mohawk. "You're still not my type," Courtney said with a smirk.
"Fine." Duncan shrugged as he faced his back to Courtney. "Enjoy a peanut butter-less life."
"Thanks." Courtney put her back to his. "Enjoy prison."
"I will," Duncan said…right before Courtney grabbed his face and placed her lips against his. That's right. Finally, the CIT had taken up Duncan's offer to kiss him and the delinquent didn't resist one bit and leaned into the kiss. After a few moments, Courtney separated from him and walked off leaving Duncan in a loved dazed trance.
"There you go." Then was a voice that made the duo freeze and stare at Geoff, DJ, and Harold raising their thumbs up to Duncan who scoffed but looked proud at the girl who was now in his arms. And possibly with Ezekiel and the other Killer Bass members watching them. It was a nice time for both of them.
Katie remained away, as she watched happily to the groups who were having fun, and even enjoying some great food, she was enjoying a good time alone.
"I know what you are doing." Then Gwen said which surprised Katie and before she would even try to deny. "Don't worry, it's going to work."
With that answer, Katie smiled as she cried in relief, she was happy that she didn't need to say it, the team already guessed what she wanted. Like all the time she and Sadie thought about the same thing. So she knew she must have faith.
"Well, at least we have another victory." Surprisingly Heather could guess as well, she would have exposed the issue to Chef, but now she was so pissed with both the host and the military commander, that she decided to let herself enjoy good food. Cookies, caramel, and cake, it was a good life for her. And with another member of the other team in pair of the elimination, she could be happy with what she has.
Trent and Owen were enjoying their time by eating some chocolate and having the only time of rest before on the next day being a terrible exercise...
At least nothing Chef could do would make themselves worse...
(The next day...)
HE DID IT, HE REALLY MADE IT EVEN WORSE.
"So... someone was smart enough to try to take my desserts from the fridge..." Chef said angrily as he was feeling way angrier than before, decided to show a sadistic side of the military. And in his head, had a gas mask. "Well then, we have a new special military training for you all. I hope you enjoyed all the good food yesterday because you are going to lose everything."
"Oh yeah?" Duncan said as he rolled his eyes, but seeing the gas mask was giving a dread feeling. "And how are y...oh no... please..."
The evil chuckle from Chef gave everyone a bad feeling in their stomachs, and then he raised his arm... a paper bag, one that made Duncan's, Geoff's, DJ's, and Harold's eyes shrink in fear and in terror.
"The next military training is... Resistance is a terrible gasses." Chef's cheerful smile made all the boys from Killer Bass get to their knees "May I present you something some of you are familiar with, El Mongo and La Muerte."
And from the name alone, the entire Killer Bass team knew the consequences of their actions, because now, it became torture for them.
"Everyone gets inside for 10 minutes. Anyone who leaves it before this time is eliminated." Chef smiled as he could see every single Killer Bass team afraid of him... "Anyone wants to say a bird name now?"
It was cruel, it was sadistic... And now, they are in a trap... But they remained quiet...
"Well, let's begin then." Chef made the whole group walk inside of a special cabin, just made for that moment. Big enough to fit all the 12 campers... And Duncan, Harold, DJ, and Geoff were on the verge of madness.
"Come on Master Chief, you know that you are the best cook in the whole world." Duncan forced his smile as he tried to make the Chef laugh. "I mean I always admired commanders. And you have been done well so far."
Heather raised her eyebrows, as she had no idea why the delinquent who had been against Chef so long now was almost on his knees and kissing his foot.
"Come on Master Chief, have mercy on us," Geoff said as he himself wasn't going to take it... not 10 minutes of that... "We can clean the bathrooms, we can even quit on spot... Please, don't let us suffer that."
"Well..." Chef thought for a second... But not before taking both Duncan and Geoff and launching inside of the cabin.
"NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO." Both shouted in despair, while Harold was about to run away, but he was caught by the T-shirt and was launched to the group of cowards, and his shouts also were heard from inside the cabin...
"The PTSD on those boys will make this challenge even more fun," Chef said which made DJ so afraid, but receiving a glare from the gas mask, and gulping, he had to do it... He had to wait for the bomb to be launched before he quit. So he accepted his destiny, as a punishment for making his friend sick... it was their fate.
And when the Killer Bass boys went inside... Chef looked at the girls from Killer Bass, who were also trembling in fear.
"Get inside on there..." Chef just said an order, and Courtney gulped as she immediately felt her stomach turn upside down... She knew the after-effects of that stink bomb, but just the boys received such an attack, and now they are going to receive the same thing.
The Killer Bass were walking to their death sentence.
The Screaming Gophers just followed them, without knowing what's going to happen...
Gwen stared at Heather who had her eyebrows raised, and for the first time, she envied the Korean's innocence from the terrible torture of what was about to happen.
"Hey guys, what are you doing?" Trent tried to cheer up, but then he saw the boys covering their faces, and crouching on the wall... Trying their best to not look, Harold quickly found a fissure in which he found a way of safety for himself, maybe it could be his salvation, or it couldn't let him die that quickly...
The girls of Killer Bass also tried to find a good way to protect themselves by following the example of the other campers… While Owen and Trent, Lindsay and Heather had no idea what was happening at that moment.
Until Chef was in front of the door, and with the same paper bag, dropping brown liquid, and flew above it… And it was the countdown that made it 10 times scarier.
"5,4,3,2,1… Fire in the hole." Chef said as he launched the paper bag in the air, and Heather realized too late what was about to happen, Lindsay blinked in surprise, and Owen opened his mouth in surprise, Trent had just realized the true fear of what was about to happen…
*BOOM*
Like the second time, the bomb destroyed every single smell in the room, from the liquid fart to even the green liquid around the entire cabin, the effect was… all the liquid exploded to every single camper around the cabin. There wasn't a competition anymore… Now it was pure instincts of survival.
Chef hammered some wood to make sure the door wasn't going to open that early, since he wanted to make every single member know about why he was known as Master Chief, and from making them unable to get out or quit on that time…
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." The despair cries and shouts were music to his ears… to dessert thieves, they now know that they shouldn't mess with a military man… An old dog can always learn new tricks, and this bomb is what the definition of a war bomb is, so he was proud to learn the recipe.
"Now the countdown for 10 minutes begins," Chef smirked, as he could hear from the outside, the shouts, the vomit, the cries of agony… And now he knows that this challenge was fun for him.
(Confession – DJ)
"Momma, I want to go home," DJ said as he such in a terrible state, all covered in green goo, as he was like in the fetal position and traumatized to be passing the same torture all over again.
(Confession – Lindsay)
"I'm ruined, all my beautiful smell, all my work into making myself beautiful, ruined, I cannot breathe without vom... *BLURGH*" Lindsay cried as she felt the green stink liquid all over her face and hair, she sniffed just once and vomited in the confession bathroom.
(Confession – Duncan)
"Once was too much, but TWICE? This should be treated as a war crime. WHY THIS IS EVEN LEGAL IN CANADA?" Duncan freaked out as he was trembling in terrible nightmares.
(Confession – Gwen)
"It's far worse than I expected, I swear, to however provoke Ezekiel, and Chef Hatchet, is going to get a kick in the balls. I swear." Gwen said as her eyes were twitching and a good part of her blouse was covered in vomit.
(Confession – Courtney.)
"Okay not to myself, breaking rules is fun, but if is related to Chef, be prepared to vomit a lot. He is sick… And Ezekiel, WHY YOU CREATED SUCH STINK BOMB?" Courtney shouted as she felt her body and mind breaking from how much suffering she was suffering from that challenge.
(Confession – Owen)
"PLEASE, PLEASE, DON'T EVER LET THIS STINK BOMB IN THE HANDS OF MY COUSIN MAX, HE COULD USE SUCH A WEAPON TO TRY TO CONQUER THE WORLD," Owen begged as most of the viewers had no idea what happened to Owen, but seeing him covered in the green goo. His own tears revealed some traumatic events. "Max, I'm warning you, don't even think to weaponize this stink bomb. Or I'm going to tell Aunt Celly."
(Confession – Trent)
"Not cool, NOT COOL. THIS IS *BEEP* UP. NOBODY DESERVES SUCH A BOMB."Trent crossed his arms, trying to calm down, but the terrible smell which was going to take days to take it out, was going to be painful and he had no idea who could be the monster who created the bomb itself.
(Confession – Heather.)
Heather was foaming from her mouth, and gagging from how terrible the smell was, and she was in a state of shock… Unable to say anything.
(Confession – Bridgette.)
"When I first heard about Ezekiel telling this bomb should be taken seriously, and how we should sleep at Aquarium, I thought he was just making fun of it… But now, I know that he has protected us… From our ignorance, when we thought the cabin was just smelling awful, we should be wary… No… he protected our innocence since now receiving this bomb… I think *sniff* *sniff* AHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Bridgette tried to act maturely, but how terribly the bomb had damaged their psychology, it felt like they were 5 years old again, and now they wanted to cry their tears out.
(Confession – Harold.)
"Vishnu is trying to persuade the prince that he should do his duty and to impress him, takes on his multi-armed form and says now I've become death the destroyer of worlds." Harold felt his face looking at the space, showing one of the most known speeches from the world… Making a mention of that same moment. "That bomb was what Oppenheimer tried to warn us."
(Confession – Geoff)
"I think it would be so easy to take out my skin and place it in the car wash… Maybe that would be the easiest way to make this smell go away…" Geoff said as he was now without his hat, without his pink shirt, and neither his pants… He was smelling so bad, that he wanted to see that suffering away.
"In 5,4,3,2,1…" Chef then opened the door which made everyone get out of that place in despair. Trying to have a fresh breath outside of his torture chamber… His smirk grew inside of the mask after seeing the remains of all the food which was on the floor, all of them vomited, and that made his day sweet; "Congratulations on passing 10 minutes inside of the cabin soldiers."
"You said we could get out before 10 minutes," Gwen said angrily as she didn't care about feeling intimidated by Chief Comander.
"Yes you could, but you didn't break the door, and neither the walls for that. So that means you would stay inside." Chef smiled as he could see the terrible state of the soldiers now… But that wasn't over. "Now follow me, the true final challenge is here… I want to see who of you are going to the end…"
The group wanted to protest, but now the glare of the Chef made them flinch and they didn't have any options other than to accept…
And so began the last leg of Chef's boot camp training…hanging upside down from a tree. Geoff, Courtney, Gwen, and Duncan were hanging on a branch from the left side of the tree since Harold, Bridgette, and DJ just got out from the challenge because their heads couldn't take the blood pressure on their heads. Owen, Trent, Lindsay, and Heather are on a branch on the right side. Nobody from the Screaming Gophers must have given up on the challenge yet, and they have become solid through the challenge.
"What you are experiencing is an ancient form of torture," Chef explained as he paced back and forth in front of the tree. "By now, the blood has begun rushing to your head." Chef started to list the effects of this torture as Duncan started to not look so hot. Also being followed by Geoff who was feeling the same. "The next stage is nausea, followed by dizziness and a flushed appearance as the blood begins to pool in your eyes. You may experience fainting spells."
Duncan proceeded to face that last one and ended up falling off the tree and to the ground with a rather dopey expression on his face. "Duncan!" Courtney called out in a concerned tone. Bridgette went over to check on the delinquent and saw that he didn't seem to have any injuries on his body. "It's okay!" Bridgette reassured her CIT friend. "He's alright!" And at that moment Geoff fell down like a sack of potatoes.
Courtney breathed a sigh of relief as she reached her arm up to grab the branch she was hanging from for extra support. Gwen liked the idea and did the same, but then gave a slight smirk to the C.I.T. It's almost the time.
Heather seeing the strategy of the C.I.T. decided to follow the example and grabbed the branch with their hands. Trent did the same, and Lindsay was having fun without needing to worry about the blood going to her head. Owen tried to do the same but couldn't quite make it. "Come on…I…can't…reach!" In his effort to reach the branch with his hands, a fart ended up escaping the big guy making him laugh.
"Okay, that's it." Heather let out in disgust. "I'm done!" Heather then proceeded to flip a bit and landed back on the ground, perfectly on her feet. This was quickly followed by Owen landing right on top of her. Heather's screams were muffled by Owen's blubber, good thing too, as Owen quickly got off the queen bee. "Off of me, you big ox!" Heather's words were heard once Owen got off her.
"Sorry." Owen apologized…At that moment, Courtney started giggling, and her giggle was also followed by Gwen found that scene funny as well.
Looking at the source, everyone says that Courtney started giggling and laughing uncontrollably. "Stop laughing this instant!" Chef ordered the girls from Killer Bass as he was starting to get annoyed by their laughs
"Sorry." Gwen and Courtney were giggling until Gwen lost her balance and went down and with that pulling Courtney was immediately caught by surprise, and with that, the last members of the Killer Bass team were out of the challenge.
"What a shame, what a shame," Chef said in disappointment. "A whole member of your own squad made you lose the challenge. Pff,"
"I expected more out of you, soldiers," Chef said to Courtney with a disappointed tone. The CIT and the goth were the ones of the campers here Chef actually expected nothing but 100% focus from when it comes to the challenges. And then suddenly they lost control of laughing fit and made themselves lose the challenge? Disgraceful.
Courtney then stood up, all the while she never stopped laughing and looked up to Chef after clearing her throat. "Master Chief? Heh. I just have one thing to say to you." Courtney said while trying her best to keep it under control.
"And what might that be?" Chef asked with a professional tone.
"You really…need to take…a chill pill." Everyone gasped at what Courtney said right to Chef's face with the CIT laughing like crazy and Chef practically fuming as his face went red with anger.
"Hehe, yeah!" Duncan cheered Courtney on for her words and attitude. Man, that girl was hot when she was like this. Even more so than usual. "Now that's what I'm talking about!"
At the time both girls lost the challenge, Trent and Lindsay were happy that the challenge was finally over.
"Soldiers, I'm proud that you both managed to overcome such terrible military training." Chef had called them both and gave them a salute. "Congratulations, soldier. I'd go to war with you anytime."
"Err… thanks Chef, I will have that in mind," Trent said as he wasn't sure if he wanted to do that ever again.
"You do that soldier…" Chef said as a single tear went down his eye. "You do that!"
"What is war?" Lindsay asked as she followed Heather, who was happy to see that another challenge was in their favor… Thankfully everything was over, and she could finally relax, and deal with the terrible smell of dog poop and skunk smell, it was the most disgusting smell that ever existed in her life… And she hated the person who ever had the brilliant idea to create and give to Chef.
(Aquarium)
"I know that it may look terrible, but I think it's time for us to decide between us who should go," Courtney said as she already could see Katie who had a firm nod on her. And from a plan, they need to make it real. "I know Katie you are the first person to give up, so you are already nominated. Is someone else?"
"I hate to be that guy…" Harold said as he raised his hand, but he then pointed at both C.I.T. and the delinquent. "You two also should be on the line of fire."
"What?" Courtney gasped in surprise and Duncan narrowed his eyes. "Why?"
"5 words… El Mongo and La Muerte." Harold proved a very good point since made all the boys shrive in fear, and Duncan gulped his eyes and nodded his head to him.
"Okay, you have a point. I should beat the crap of you, but that's a very good point." Duncan commented as he accepted the accusation. "My first prank started the Prank War, and Chef learned from Ezekiel who was better at pranks than us. I made him sick and then we got revenge, happy?"
"But what about me?" Courtney asked in disbelief, but then she was staring at the camera, but Harold just winked at her, which made her sigh and accept. "Okay, I think my laughing fits messed up the end of the challenge. Alright, does anyone know for whom we should vote?"
"Yes…" The Killer Bass said in unison and the votes were already done in the afternoon.
(Campfire That night.)
"Well Bass, didn't take long for us to meet back here again," Chris said as night had fallen on the camp it was time to yet again send a camper home and bring the number of campers down to 11. Holding up a plate of seven marshmallows, Chris once again explained the rules. "I only have seven marshmallows on my plate. And these marshmallows represent the campers that will continue to be campers. Here. You've all cast your ballots in the confession can. If I do not call your name, you must immediately go down to the Dock of Shame, catch the Boat of Losers, and go home. And you can't come back. Ever."
"Harold," Chris called the name and the nerd was happy with the outcome. "DJ, Bridgette, Gwen, Geoff,"
Every single member of the team was excited to hear their names and get their marshmallows, leaving three members of Killer Bass… Katie who was the first to give up, Duncan who planned the fridge heist, and Courtney who made a throw fit and provoked Chef when she shouldn't.
"Courtney." And with that, Duncan was happy to see the girl receiving her marshmallow as she cheered for surviving another day.
"Well ain't this a predicament," Chris said as he tossed the last fluffy white treat up and down in his hand. "Two campers. One Marshmallow. Who's gonna get it?"
Duncan blinked as he felt the pressure of being the last, and he hated to have a feeling like that… Some of his friends who were on the verge of elimination must have suffered the same ideas and the possible outcome…
Katie closed her eyes and crossed her fingers, as she waited so much for that moment.
"And for the final marshmallow goes? DUNCAN." Chris called the name of the delinquent which made Duncan shout out happy that he survived. Courtney went in front of him and kissed him on the lips… While Katie smiled sadly for both of them. "Well Katie, it seems your twin is not going to be alone anymore."
"Yeah, I think so. Thank you for that Chris." Katie smiled as she hugged the host and was careful to not touch his hair, which he was thankful for. And Katie smiled as she hugged and kissed every single friend in the check. "Thanks, everyone, I'm going to check how Zeke is doing."
"Have a nice trip, tan twin. We are going to miss you." Duncan gave a hug and played with her head, and with that happy smile, she quickly went to the Boat of Losers, and with a new direction of seeing her boyfriend and her sister.
"I did everything I could on this game. And now I'm going to see my Cody, wait for me honey, I'm coming for you." Katie kissed in the direction of the camera… And just like that the episode just ended.
(Playa Del Losers)
"Well played everyone… I'm proud of everyone," Ezekiel said as he went back to sleep… Seeing the not-edited episode made him watch from his bedroom, and taking so long… He was happy to know they planned Katie's elimination like professionals, and now she can be reunited with them. "Cody is going to have happy weeks with Katie around. Good night my friends, see you in the last episode of season 1…"
And just like that, Ezekiel closed his eyes, enjoying another great time on Playa del Losers.
Chapter 20: X-treme Torture
Chapter Text
"Wait, I have fan mail?" Ezekiel asked as he could see Izzy bringing what would be a large bag with what would be dozens if not at least a hundred of letters for the homeschooled boy.
"Well, everyone has at some point. But I have to say mine was more like RCMP trying to track me down, but my lawyers are doing their best to make them drop the charges and leave me alone. But I also found some interesting fan mail, there is a girl named Lauren who said she likes me when I scared everyone, and she enjoyed watching the show because of the screams," Izzy smiled as she even showed the letter was written with red ink. Which Ezekiel could guess who the girl was.
"Oh, that's scary girl, a future camper from the reboot of the show," Ezekiel commented as he could tell the girl was already scary enough, and he had no idea how to deal with her, so the best way to do it was just to stay far away and let her be free into doing whatever she wants.
"Oh, so that's her? I think she is very interesting." Izzy commented and Ezekiel nodded his head to her.
"Yeah, she is, you can find her very entertaining seeing her doing the terror on the show, but I wouldn't like to be nearby her in the same room, she would have my vote on the top 5 best campers on the reboot, but I wouldn't like to be on the same show as her." Ezekiel had to confess, he finds Scary Girl, Damian, Wayne, MK, and Prya his top five on the reboot season of Total Drama.
"Hmm, that's a very solid point, so maybe we can find some interesting campers on the fan mails? Can you identify some of the names on these letters?" Izzy said as she made a look around all the letters and even helped Ezekiel organize the letters with him... It has been fun to see how both of them talked about the future when it isn't even related to them.
"It will take some time, but I can identify them by their first name, I don't know much of their middle name or last name, it's a worthy shot." Ezekiel shrugged until the duo heard the door knocking. "Come in."
At the time the door was opened, Ezekiel saw Cody, Katie, and Sadie getting inside with what would be jars of juice and even some hot dogs.
"Hey, we were cooking something near the pool so we wanted to make sure if you would like something to eat, so we brought it for you, Zeke." Katie waved as she got inside, and was greeted with all the letters on the floor. "Ohhhhh, wow, look at that quantity of letters."
"Damn, Ezekiel," Cody said in surprise and nodded with respect. "I remember getting some dozens of letters on my own, but I think this is way more than I would ever see someone having."
"Yeah, it's a bit overwhelming, so Izzy and I were organizing the quantity and making some preparations for me to read later. I'm not going to take too long into doing it, so I'm going to read some of them before sleep..." Ezekiel could understand their surprise, he never thought he would be so overwhelmed by that quantity of letters.
"If you think like that, you also should check out your email account." Izzy smiled as she could see Ezekiel tilting his head to her, "The person who created the blog about you placed your email account on there for the fans."
"Wait, there is a blog about me?" Ezekiel asked loudly and Cody, Sadie, and Katie groaned painfully and annoyed. And Izzy nodded her head.
"Yep, everyone on the show has a blog now, it seems they were created by the same fan," Izzy answered the question... from the way Ezekiel looked at the annoyed look from both Katie, Sadie, and Cody... He has a clear idea of who could possibly be...
But maybe for later, now it was time to organize the letters and have a good time with his friends.
"Alright, Sadie, LAUNCH AWAY." A voice called the happy Asian twin having two frisbees in her hand, she launched with a reasonable strength from the roof of the resort.
*deep breath*
The bows were aimed, and their eyes were sharp, it was a good instinct and reflex test, to show how sharp they are in that kind of challenge.
*release.*
*thumb* *thumb*
Two arrows immediately hit the frisbees in the air, making another good entertainment for the guys who were enjoying their morning breakfast.
"OHOOOOOOOOOO." Tyler shouted as he went after the frisbees… And with two nailed arrows craved on that. "Another tie,"
Ezekiel sighed as he cracked his neck, staring at his side, was Izzy who had her eyebrows raised at him. Smirking with an air of superiority.
"Okay, that means 10 to 8 for you, but just because you have more experience than me," Ezekiel grumbled as he raised a chocolate bar to her.
"It's a pleasure to make a bet with you. Next time if you want to get your ass handed at you, you just can ask me, and I will be gentle." Izzy smirked as she gave a backflip and with a good distance, she made the perfect swim to the pool.
"Show-off," Ezekiel said as he rolled his eyes. But with a smirk on his own, he had to say the experience on Playa Del Losers has been very fun for him, even if he had to pass most of the time resting, taking medicine, and doing slight training to keep himself sharp as he trains with his bow and arrow…
"Dude, I have to say, that's 5 losses against Izzy during these 2 days. Don't take it badly, you went awesome since you almost got her this time, but she still scored perfectly." Cody approached as he gave a towel to the boy who was still getting used to the resort, Katie was smiling sweetly and Sadie was giggling to see Cody failing to cheer someone up.
"I know, I got it. But I'm having fun, and I'm learning a lot about using bow and arrow with her." Ezekiel replied, since not just him, but also Cody knows about the fact Izzy has been an elite of military special forces, so it was fun to learn from a professional about the art of hunting and archery.
And since the arrival of Katie at the resort, Ezekiel was very satisfied to see the newest couple around, Cody has been the bottom of so many jokes. That it was a bit unfair that he lost the world tour the way he did, and in the end, didn't end with a good girl, so seeing him now with Katie was a good development for both of them. Sadie herself changed in ways Ezekiel never thought it would happen, and now at the time she comes back, everyone is going to be caught by surprise.
Seeing the twins improving like that was what made Ezekiel realize that indeed they have lives and even personal stories to share.
Passing a great time together with the losers of Screaming Gophers, Noah would still read another famous piece of literature written by a famous author... And he has to say, sometimes Noah can be funny with his sarcastic remarks. But sometimes he is a pain in the ass...
Well, Ezekiel is still learning how to talk with him. Especially with his interest in helping Ezekiel proofread and make a grammar check on his chapters... That actually made Ezekiel warm up with the sarcastic bookworm.
Justin is just an eye candy. But when it isn't about the game, you can see him showing a very good character and a kind heart... Ezekiel had a spit-take when Noah joked about the model giving a lot of glances at Sadie when she was doing her workout.
"So he has a type," Ezekiel commented as he could see the model ignoring Eva the pick of bodybuilding, but giving a semi-glance on the former chubby Asian, but a more defined stronghold.
"Yeah. It's the discovery of the century, at the time the fangirls discover Justin likes Sadie, they are going to the gym and try to do Eva's working out regime." Noah explained while Cody was making a few drinks for the boys. Tyler was helping by breaking the Ice... With his head, nobody asked him not to do that.
The boys were having a great time.
"OH THAT FUCKING WHORE." Then a loud shout was enough to make everyone jump in surprise, and when they turned their heads, was a very lived Leshawna, Sadie was pissed and Katie was with tears in her eyes.
"Oh no, " Cody whispered as he feared the worst. "Did you argue with the same troll again?"
"When I grab my hands on this girl named Sierra, I'm going to rip off every single of hair she has, you are not going to believe what she said to your girl." Leshawna snarled as she placed her finger on the balcony. "That troll dared to share some secrets of Katie online, and even call her names that I swear that if she called me that. I would beat the crap of... SON OF A BITCH, I'm going to check my account right now."
Ezekiel watched that moment with many mixed feelings, from fear of seeing Leshawna that angry, to annoyed Sierra had been starting to appear way before season 3, to even disgust to imagine how low Sierra would go for Cody.
Cody sighed as he felt sad to see his girlfriend like that.
"Don't worry babe, hear me out, this girl Sierra is a crazy girl, and she has an obsession with me. But don't worry, I asked my family's lawyer Raimond, and he said that with all the blog and forum posts that she is doing, I can make a restriction order for both of us."Cody assured Katie who was still in his arms, and he even whispered a joke to her. "And I doubt that this girl would have the courage to try to take on Eva and Sadie, and probably the entire Killer Bass team."
The last comment made Katie giggle since she knew it was true. Knowing how Sadie and Courtney and even Eva would beat the crap of that girl who just thought she wouldn't be good enough for her Cody. But she was assured now, knowing that she had her boyfriend, and the troll didn't have what she had. And by that is a victory for her.
So she slowly kissed him on the lips, making the geek boy have a great time.
"Ugh, go take a room. We are working here."Noah groaned as he himself wasn't interested in seeing the mush kisses while he was trying to concentrate on helping someone with their editing.
Ezekiel rolled his eyes as he could imagine how would be his reaction when Duncan, Courtney, Geoff, and Bridgette made out all the time. But he remained quiet. Since he was having fun doing that.
The group seemed to be more cheerful now since Sadie was squealing to see Katie happy again. And Eva was already swimming around, even with her cast leg, Ezekiel knew that Eva was ready to go back to the game. And he was so excited to watch the episode because he knows, Eva will make a big difference in the game when she gets back. He is going to miss her and Izzy since those two have been very fun to be around the playa del losers, but also they have been great friends...
"Ezekiel." Then a voice called for the homeschooled boy who had been distracted for so long, and the moment he looked around, he just saw Eva holding a glass of water. "2 p.m., remember to take the pill."
"Oh, already? Wow, time flies."Ezekiel said in surprise, as he immediately was happy that his friend was keeping him on the schedule, Eva sometimes appeared with the medicine and forced him to remember to take it. Or Izzy appeared in his bedroom with a sexy nurse outfit which made the boy have the desire to be in the bathroom for a while. He still blames the puberty for Izzy teasing him. "Thanks, Eva."
"Hmph..." Eva nodded her head and checked Katie who was happy with Cody and even having good kisses together... And then seeing Leshawna stomping in her direction... The bodybuilder raised her eyebrows. "Sierra again?"
"Can you believe that girl? She is now making me comparisons on how overheated I'm, and I swear if I find her, I'm going to beat her so much that her own mom wouldn't recognize her." Leshawna commented as she went near the group who were trying to have a good time together."And now she is saying that I'm fat, I bet that this girl is so despaired that even the asylum wouldn't want her."
"If you want help with that, I can punch her in the face." Eva offered her help since the constant harassment towards one of her teammates and her boyfriend has made the bodybuilder desire to talk with her, with her fists.
Ezekiel noticed that more and more things had changed, but some changes were made like a warning for possible red flags. Which was a good thing, if everyone knew how crazy Sierra was, even Chris wouldn't be stupid to let her participate in the show.
Leshawna sighed as she looked at one beautiful drink that would make her day. And saw Noah looking at the papers, and Ezekiel who was just giving a slight glance on his drink. Ezekiel little by little started to accept the actual shienegans of the other losers of the show since it has been a good time for them to enjoy their time, relax, and even do some hobbies around the Playa, and when they get bored they could watch the pay-per-view of their friends, seeing what they are doing.
With all that free time and with the help of Noah, it seems that his own work has been edited, all the progress Ezekiel had on Camp Wawanakwa has now tripled since he didn't have any of his worries about being spotted by Heather or someone who could potentially sabotage his work, and now that he established himself on the playa del losers... He had finished what would be his first project... He finished the first Courage the Cowardly Dog project, the season 1 overall into a whole book of 26 stories of the first season...
It took him 2 years 6 months and 2 weeks, to make those 26 chapters, and while Steven Universe may be still in progress, he is still on chapter 25... It was the time to write about Lapis Lazulli. And then he had a big conflict with the story he was making...
Jasper...
While he loved Steven Universe, they mistreated her badly from the show until the Future... Rose Quartz is Pink Diamond and makes the love devotion of Jasper to the despair while playing blame into everyone around, just for then get turned a despaired antagonist into using the toxic fusion with Lapis it was something that would be very powerful dramatic on the start, but that was shot on its foot because Jasper didn't deserve what she did... She was written to be a dick...
So now, Ezekiel was the creator of Steven Universe... and from doing that, he had a question inside his mind... Should he follow the written on how terrible Jasper became from someone who should be feared, for then becoming a jerk that she was a victim of Steven's mom from the start?
...
And with that thought... Ezekiel came to a decision, he is going to rewrite Jasper, for her first introduction would be impactful like the way she started, but at the end of the season, it would be different because of one simple reason... Jasper and Spinell were victims, and while Spinel got the redemption and love of the fans, Jasper also should have gotten that because of how terribly Rose Quartz hurt everyone.
"But how I should write Jasper?" Ezekiel commented as he started drawing the bulky and strong orange gem, who was looking very powerful, imponent, and yet so cool.
"What are you drawing?" Then a voice was enough to make Ezekiel turn his head, to see Eva start using her dumbells again for her own personal workout, since her talk with Leshawna became boring, she focused her time on doing workouts and also using the pool and the hot tube to made herself relax more often.
"Oh, nothing much. Just a new character for the Steven Universe book." Ezekiel explained as he could see the bodybuilder raising her eyebrows at the image...
"She looks tough, what is her workout regime?" Eva asked which made Ezekiel tilt his head to her.
"Err... she was the leader security guard of the main leaders of the universe, so I don't think much about her workout regime but I have to say she knows how to make a good fight against Steven." Ezekiel decided to explain as Eva seemed to notice the strength of the woman gem on the paper.
"Hmm... I like her, I can see her doing a great service as a bodyguard... And I would have loved to see her doing her working out regime. Girls need someone to remind them they can be stronger." Eva mumbled while Ezekiel had his eyes wide open, and staring on the corner he was seeing Sadie enjoying her time talking but also doing a few exercises to keep herself in shape.
"Yeah, she may start a jerk, but when you know her reasons and her motivations, you cannot help but like her..." Ezekiel said as he gave a glance at the paper and then to the body-builder... and now he found a perfect inspiration... From the cannon to the world he has been living in, he could see their eyes, they looked almost the same, but differently, Ezekiel learned so much about Eva, that he just found the basis on how one of the iconic antagonists would have her own transformation arc into something awesome.
He now knows how to make the perfect way to convert Lapis, Jasper, and Peridot to squad B of Cristal Gems. And he can't wait to write about the perfect ending for the first book...
"I think that's enough for now," Noah concluded as he once more finished another bunch of papers. What made the turquoise winter hat boy nod his head to him...Since it became the hours they had been working, it was a good time for them both to have a break and decide to enjoy what the rest of the day could offer to them.
Since now it wasn't the day people get worried about who could be eliminated next, Ezekiel was aware that his friends would be aware when would be the time for him to take his antibiotics, so he was even more relaxed since he felt that he may have done well for all his journey until there. So he decided to be happy with the time he had and go back to his own room...
After a few minutes Ezekiel left, and Beth came nearby slowly as she looked fearfully to meet the homeschooled boy.
"Is he gone?" The farmer girl asked as she tried to see a slight glance of the writer who just left the bookworm alone.
"You mean Ezekiel? No, it's just a magic trick, he actually is right behind you," Noah replied as he pointed behind Beth, who immediately jumped on her place in fear in surprise.
"Oh no, I'M SORRY." Beth turned her back just to see that there wasn't anyone behind her, and she then turned her head to Noah who just shook his head.
"I was being sarcastic, he actually went to his bedroom, to probably have the rest of the day to rest." Noah rolled his eyes at Beth who just seemed relieved from receiving such good news. "You should stop being scared of him."
"I can't help it, it was my fault that he got pneumonia in the first pl..."Beth was about to say it was her fault when Noah raised his hand.
"I'm going to stop you right there," Noah replied as he rolled his eyes. "I'm not an expert on what probably happened, but from your trip to Boney Island to fight against the most chaotic climatic changes ever happening in television, there was the guarantee that you three would have got sick, no immunologic system would be strong enough to take both heat, then snowstorm and then a rainstorm in the middle of snow. Just for that trip alone, you all should have taken a vaccine alone."
"But, but..." Beth stuttered which made Noah sigh annoyed.
"Also he doesn't blame you and neither Heather for what happened, that's life, shit happens, all you just need to do it's accept and move on." The bookworm boy explained and the next moment he closed his book.
"Do you think so?" The farm girl asked hopefully and Noah decided to ignore her.
"I know so, but don't let this be a way for me to act kindly towards Heather, she made me a scapegoat on the first day, and I'm still planning my revenge to take on her in the future. But at least she isn't sick." Noah just replied and with that went away, leaving Beth a bit unsure on how to respond to the comment of the bookworm.
Beth remained quiet until suddenly she heard a whistle.
"Hey Beth, we are doing some hamburgers, do you want one?" Cody called for the girl who was still in the pool, and from seeing the group of campers who just wanted to have a great time on the playa, she nodded her head happily, which was something she knew Heather and Lindsay would have loved into staying in such an awesome place. But sadly they should remain in the camp.
But hey, at least she will be cheering for them, knowing that they will win the reality show... right?
The next day.
"So you still didn't check your emails?" Izzy asked amused as both Ezekiel and her went down to watch the Pay-per-view episode of the total drama show, and from seeing the ginger girl who was still curious about the reason of what was passing on Ezekiel's mind...
"Well, I had a good time reading a few mail letters and I lost track of the time... But there was something else that was bugging me." Ezekiel hesitated, as he could see the curious glance from Izzy at him. "There are 4 letters from publishers who seemed very interested and even offered their services to make a first sample of one of my books."
"Oh? That seems very great." Izzy grinned happily, but then she noticed his face shadowing, which was also a bad sign..."What is the but on there?"
"But, from my time in the future, we cannot accept every single offer from a company that I never saw the name of before, scams from ghost companies happened a lot in the future, and we developed many safety protocols to deal with this kind of situation, so I may need a lawyer to identify which publisher is being honest, and develop a contract to make fair for both our parties." Ezekiel wasn't stupid, seeing how stupid decisions were made on the internet, and how simple lies could have turned out into scams that would make people who got recently on the business fooled in such simple ways.
"Did this happen a lot in the future?" Izzy asked as she was surprised to know a bit more about how little events caused so many rules around the way the public would deal with contracts and even online, showing how simple things went into a whole mess because of people with bad intentions.
"Well, you would be surprised," Ezekiel said as he just shrugged, and tried to find a simple way into solving the issue.
"Well, why not talk with one of my lawyers? They can check it if is legit or not." Izzy shrugged as she didn't mind since the idea of her lawyers were getting part of her money, she would like to see them working their asses off, since the way she need to deal with taxes and even RCMP. "At least they can also recommend a lawyer to help you in your case."
"That would be nice," Ezekiel nodded his head, since having the help of a lawyer to check the contract and possibly make a counteroffer to start just a publishment of his first book, he wanted to at least make it special for everyone who would have the desire to meet it.
With that, the duo came back to talk about their usual morning and plans until they managed to appear in the main room where everyone was sitting and excited to see the newest episode of the show. Having pay-per-view was indeed a good thing for them since they could watch the whole episode with all the details and see in live who would be the next person eliminated.
"Hey, sweatheart," Leshawna called for Ezekiel and Izzy who seemed to be excited to see how everything went...
And hope that the challenge won't be too difficult for everyone...
Extreme is what would be the theme for the episode.
"Last time on Total Drama Island…" Chris began his usual recap of the episode. "The last 11 surviving campers were put through Master Chief's Hatchet brutal boot camp. But through the unfairness and harshness of boot camp, Duncan decided to make a fridge heist with not just only the collaboration of the second pillar of Killer Bass, but also having some kisses with the Miss Righty girl, showing a rebellious side... Top 10 moments, however since nothing comes without consequences, Chef Hatchet knew how to make them live torture, or especially relieve some of the Killer Bass boys, about why not make fun of someone wearing a gas mask. That was nasty. In the end, Trent and Lindsay brought victory towards Screaming Gophers, while Katie had to say goodbye to all her friends, at least the tan girl will have a nice time with her sister or BFF, and her boyfriend. Whatever..."
Chris enjoyed the time showing the flashbacks and even was lying around in a beach chair and eating Marshmallows.
"Anyway, this week everyone will be forced to EXTREME. Who is going to chicken out? Let's find out in TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND." Chris said as he smiled at the scene being cut... "Alright, let's go get my plane, this is going to be fun."
And so it began, the delightful time of everyone enjoying a good night of sleep, even in the morning the good nature around, showed the camera circling around all the cabins, with some beautiful sound of flute around... As next showed a bear who just found the secret compartment for the marshmallows on the camp... Seeing that nobody was there to spot it, the bear decided to steal it from everyone...
Some were sleeping, Owen was still snoring from all the good bars of chocolate Duncan and Courtney managed to take from Chef's on the last challenge, Harold was sucking his finger on sleep, Duncan was listening to music, Gwen was drawing something on her bed, and Bridgette was smiling at the seashell she just got from Geoff again, they both passed the last day walking around the beach and collecting some seashells.
And when everyone was having a great morning to enjoy... The loud sound of an airplane was heard, which made some of them cringe annoyed, and in fear about what Chris may have in store for them.
Duncan groaned as he noticed that his good time of peace was over.
"Harold, wake up. Stop sucking your finger, Leshawna may be watching you."
"Oh *beep*." Harold fell from his bed, which made Duncan snicker but also rolled his eyes. "Okay I'm up, what is this noise?"
"Chris McLean," Duncan said as he saw both DJ and Geoff waking up and getting ready. "Alright boys, here comes the next challenge."
"Yeah, let's see how this day will go." DJ agreed and gave everyone their clothing... it wouldn't take long until everyone appeared in the middle of the camp, some were with tired eyes since was way earlier than they would normally be awake.
But then the loud noise became even louder, and the bear who was robbing the marshmallows had a bad feeling and immediately fled from the place while leaving some packages of the sugar dessert on the floor.
"I'M COMING," Chris said loudly as he was using his newest airplane to approach the campers, which they imagined what he was planning. To land in the middle of them.
"RUN AWAY," Courtney shouted as everyone jumped from the airplane which made a very good land but still moving.
"YES!" Chris cheered as he was driving the airplane on the floor, with a happy and excited face. "I can't wait to get my pilot's license. Oh,"
At the time Chris had said that, he accidentally crashed upon an outhouse revealing a bear who stole their marshmallows, it tried to hide the packages, but some hole revealed some marshmallows falling behind the bear in front of the camera, showing how the bear was actually 'crapping' marshmallows.
At the time Chris landed and stopped the plane, he smirked as his own visor lifted automatically.
Once Chris had successfully managed to both land and stop his plane, the campers all walked over to the host as he opened the window and pulled out a megaphone. "Just flexing your muscles for today's…Extreme sports challenge!" Chris announced with the last part being through the megaphone and causing the campers to wince a bit. Many of them have bags under their eyes.
"This week, you'll participate in three challenges," Chris explained as he took out a sheet of paper and read from it. "First up, Extreme sofa bed skydiving!" Announcing it through the megaphone, Chris began explaining the challenge as a door to the plane opened revealing Chef in a sky divers' outfit with an old and moldy sofa bed below him on the ground. "Contestants will plummet, uh…skydive to a waiting sofa bed target below." Everyone watched as Chef jumped down on the sofa bed only for it to close up once he hit it, all the campers wincing as they heard the buff chef's muffled screams. "Of course, you'll be skydiving from five thousand feet. And using these." Chris then threw out two parachutes making the campers gasp when they heard how far up they would be when they jumped. "Our lucky contestants are Trent and Gween!"
"Yes," Trent said excited to have a chance to talk with his former teammate, while Gwen groaned annoyed for the fact that she had to interact with the guitarist again. "Of course, why not? Do you know what they say in Mountain Black Cobe? The way to hell has the best view from heaven."
"Can we just be done with it?" Gwen said as she rolled her eyes, she didn't want to interact with Trent, even as her inner fear of jumping that high from the challenge was suppressed by her desire not wanting to be in the same plane with Trent. And since knowing Chris, she couldn't exchange with team mates.
"Not so fast Gwen, because on the next challenge of the is…Extreme rodeo moose riding!" Chris announced as he gestured to where Chef now was and saw the camp's cook in front of a wooden pen containing a large moose. "Contestants will rodeo ride the great Canadian bucking moose for eight seconds or get hooved into a giant pile of socks from the lost-and-found." Everyone looked and put on a face of disgust as they saw a large pile of socks with flies swarming it and just eating up the free stink. Everyone remained quiet and felt disgusted by who could be possibly the unfortunate people who would do the challenge. "And the lucky people would be Heather ridding for Gophers. And Harold riding for the Bass."
"Sweet!" Harold cheered. Knowing once again he would enjoy a good extreme challenge, Gwen just shook her head from the enthusiasm of Harold for doing such crazy challenges.
"He doesn't look too bulky to me," Owen claimed as he went up to the moose's pin and peaked in on the moose. "Hi, beautiful." Owen was then quickly met with the moose punching Owen in the face with one of its forelegs.
"Did you get a camp into riding animals?" DJ asked curious, since Harold usually would have a lot of summer camps, and some random techniques that would be helpful.
"Actually no, but it would be awesome to try something new every day." Harold for the first time said something he wasn't an expert on, and that somehow made Duncan, Bridgette, and even Chris surprised.
"Oh, that's going to be a good episode." Chris smiled, as he already could see that it would be either epic or hilarious at the time Harold would ride the moose.
"Pff." Heather scoffed as she of course had to deal with the annoying nerd. "At least this challenge will be easier than most."
"Well, calm down fake tits. You don't know if I will be able to win against you." Harold commented which made the girls from Killer Bass snicker, and Owen and Trent looked shocked by the way he said it.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?" Heather said as her eyes went ablaze again, and she remembered why she was so angry and annoyed with the nerd in the first place.
"You heard alright fake tits, we will decide the challenge when it's over. So prepare to lose." Harold smirked as while he sounded cocky, his strategy was actually to attack Heather psychologically and have control of her emotions.
"You will be dead at the end of this day, mark my words," Heather said as she was about to leave, but Chris laughed.
"Alright, I like the tension and the drama, but let's talk about the last challenge. The final challenge…Extreme sea doo waterskiing!" Chris announced what the fifth and last challenge of the day would be as he pointed over to an area that didn't actually have any water and was just a lake of mud. "Contestants will water ski a race course grabbing as many flags as they can before crossing the finish line. While a member from the opposing team drives the sea doo."
"How can we water ski without water?" Heather questioned as she looked over the muddy area.
"It's really hard. Check it out." Chris continued to speak through his megaphone as he pointed to the area. They all saw Chef on dry land start up a sea doo…and then quickly proceeded to wipe out uncontrollably and crash into a tree, even knocking it down. "Awesome! DJ, you'll ski for Killer Bass."
"Okay, I think I can handle this challenge." The kind Jamaican nodded his head, knowing that it wasn't that dangerous in comparison to the other challenges, so he knew his team wouldn't count on him.
"And Lindsay for the Screaming Gophers," Chris told the Gophers dumb blond while still using his much-beloved megaphone.
"Kewl!" Lindsay was happy about this as she struck a pose. "I can model my new bikini!"
"Now for the cool swag!" Chris then began announcing what everyone was really anticipating from this challenge. The reward. "Whoever scores the most challenges gets bragging rights for the night, saves their butts from elimination, and wins a tricked out Multi Massage Mobile Shower."
Everyone looked on in amazement as Chef played music on a harp in front of a beautiful, high quality, and most importantly, clean mobile shower. "Can it be?" Heather asked as she stared at the wonderful washing area with sparkles in her eyes.
"Oh, it be," Chris confirmed with a nod.
"It's so…beautiful…" Courtney said in amazement. She swore a single tear escaped her eye as she looked at it.
"A shower?" Owen said as he stuffed his face with marshmallows. The big guy wasn't really excited about the reward. They already had showers in the communal bathrooms. To him, this just seemed meaningless. "How 'bout something good?"
Just then Heather was back to her usual self as she got right into Owen's face with an intense glare. "Listen to me, you marshmallow-eating goof!" Heather yelled right at Owen causing him to flinch and jump…and start choking on the marshmallow he was eating. "We are going to win that shower if it's the last thing we do, got it?" Owen then started to loudly gag and choke making Heather flinch and run away. Harold was quick to come to Owen's aid as the ginger gave a karate instance, and with a good karate chop, he hit Owen's back as hard as he could and successfully rocketed the white treat out of Owen's esophagus. And to make it even better, it ended up hitting Heather in the back of the head.
"Okay, gang. Chow for breaky, then report back in twenty minutes for…" Chris then started up his plane, getting exhaust fumes in a few campers' faces, as he spoke through his megaphone once again. "The Extreme Sports Challenge!"
(Main Lodge)
Later, everyone was in the mess hall and quickly eating their food before they would have to go through a living hell today. Especially Owen as he finished plate after plate of food. And when he reached his final plate, he didn't even notice something was on it as he stuffed it all into his mouth before handing his dirty plate to Chef. Owen then released a burp causing the thing that was on his food to land on the stack of plates Chef was carrying. "Sweet grub, bro!" Owen complimented Chef before walking away.
Looking at what Owen burped up, Chef picked it up and saw it was some sort of note with a red heart in front. "For the girl with smoldering eyes?" Chef read what was in the note before tossing it aside.
Gwen, Courtney, and Bridgette watched that scene and couldn't help but giggle.
"Wow, Harold is losing his touch," Gwen smirked as the girls nodded their heads towards the note.
"Well, maybe he is missing Leshawna a lot, I won't blame him, since he saw you and Duncan having a few kisses around." Bridgette joked as she saw Courtney blush in surprise at that statement.
"And what about you?" I heard you and Geoff are always going around on the beach to find seashells to collect.
"Well, I won't deny that this has been a great experience, just two of us, walking around the beach, passing the time cleaning it, and collecting seashells." Bridgette blushed on how sweaty and lovable was the party boy who always wanted to have a good time with her.
"Great to see you both having a great time with your boyfriends, I bet even Katie is enjoying a great time with Cody right now," Gwen said as she rolled her eyes, and then both girls nearby her noticed one important fact.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Gwen, we didn't mean it." Bridgette knew that Gwen had a terrible experience with the boy she had a crush on, and now she had to deal with him on the challenge of the day.
"Yeah, we didn't mean to, but don't worry. Someday you will find the right person." Courtney assured the goth friend, who didn't like the idea. "After the show, we will take you into a Girl's night."
"I like the idea. GIRL'S NIGHT OHHHH." Bridgette then shouted like Geoff when he had the same idea as Ezekiel, and at the time she looked at both girls staring at her weirdly, and she pouted. "Oh come on, I always wanted to do that when I saw Zeke and Geoff shout like that."
Both Gwen and Courtney rolled their eyes, but with their smirk, they already made plans to walk together after the madness show.
But at least when they saw Harold's Haiku, they now have a funny story to tell the future.
(In the plane)
The twenty minutes Chris had given every one to eat was over and it was time for the first challenge to begin. Everyone from both teams was at the beach with the Bass and Gophers having their sofa beds ready to push with Duncan laying back on one with Courtney on his lap. Meanwhile, Trent and Gwen, the ones who would be sky diving, were equipped with their parachutes and some helmets as well.
"Now, remember!" Chris reminded everyone while in the cockpit of his plane and still wearing his X-Wing pilot costume. "Ground teams can wheelie the sofa beds wherever they want in order to help their comrade with the landing."
"Wait, so you mean, me and Lindsay and Owen have to move around that heavy sofa bed on where Trent is going to land? While all the Fish heads can have an easier time moving their sofa to where the goth will go?" Heather said in disbelief and Chris smiled widely at her... and she angrily decided to draw a line in the floor. "Welp, it was nice to meet you Trent, I hope you enjoy your last moments in the air with the goth girl because it's your last chance to impress her before you have your face crashed into the floor."
Trent raised his eyebrows as he then rolled his eyes, Gwen would have gotten angry with Heather if wasn't for the fact it was a well-played insult. So she tried to hide her smirk. Heather would be a more interesting companion if wasn't for the fact she is insufferable, but at least it isn't the same thing since she isn't her target anymore.
She looked at the guitarist who now was wearing a red winter hat, which made her raise her eyebrow in surprise since she had just known one person who wore a winter hat on the show until that day.
"Alright everyone, let's go," Chris called for both Gwen and Trent who were ready to go inside the plane.
"Don't worry Gwen, we got you," Duncan raised his thumb which Gwen smiled relieved, but Trent narrowed his eyes at the delinquent. But that wasn't unnoticed. So Duncan gave a middle finger to Trent as Courtney chuckled from seeing Trent glaring at Duncan. "If you want more of this, there is also this one."
Duncan raised his other hand and to his surprise, Courtney gave a help to raise both her hands and give a flip off to Trent, who rolled his eyes and got inside.
"Wait, everyone was supposed to do that?" Lindsay asked Owen who just shrugged in surprise, and Heather sighed in disappointment.
"You will have the opportunity to do that in the future, Lindsay." Heather knew that Lindsay was still very angry with Trent, and since sometimes she can be with her head in the clouds, she gets easily disappointed when she gets the wrong timing to waste an opportunity like that.
DJ, Harold, and Geoff would have done the same thing, but they decided to focus on a strategy. And seeing the plane finally taking flight, it was their time to debate what they could do to help their friend.
"Okay Harold, do you have some predictions on where Gwen was supposed to land?" Geoff asked as Bridgette managed to bring a map to make the nerd have a red marker in his hands.
"Well from looking at the speed of the wind, and how Chris said they are going to fly by 5 thousand feet. It means Gwen would probably take a while to jump so our best bet would go for the South. "Harold decided to make some lines and even circle what would possibly be a good area for the jump.
"But there is also one important fact genius," Duncan commented which caught the attention of everyone on the team. "Gwen is Trent, so who knows how long her patience will last until he opens his mouth."
"*Beep* Okay, I think we need to move right now." Harold cursed at the fact he didn't think about such a possibility. So immediately he commanded the whole team, who nodded their heads and started to carry the weight of the sofa bed with them.
(Plane)
The sound of the plane crossing around the sky was enerving, the sound of the motor pulling them to 3 thousand feet, and the view of the island getting smaller and smaller with time.
"So..." And to make things worse for Gwen, Trent wanted to start the conversation. "It seems Duncan is very overprotective of you."
"Are you serious?" Gwen said as she raised her eyebrow at him. "Well, my whole team is overprotective of me, since I'm on the same plane as you."
"Come on Gwen, please talk to me. I made a terrible mistake and managed to hurt you and your team." Trent sighed as he approached nearby Gwen, but her eyes narrowed at him. "I didn't know Ezekiel had a terrible past, and how the haze cloud potentially hurt Geoff, since he was a chill guy. But, don't you think me being executed with paintballs was enough?"
Gwen looked at the guitarist and closed her eyes, and a good part of her wanted to forgive Trent and wish things were like before the Phobia Factor... however, another part of her wanted to forgive him but forget about him and move on forever. At that moment, she wished both Ezekiel and Geoff would be nearby her and ask if was the right thing to do. Then it came to her heart what she should do.
"Ezekiel's coffin..." Gwen mumbled as she kept staring at the clouds, and even at the time she was terrified of the challenge... what she felt after that day... "The first time I saw it after we dug him out, was the fact the glass was shattered from scratches and there were some red marks... Ezekiel scratched that coffin until his fingers bleed... I saw his eyes, and how he was feeling devoid of life, like he was almost into giving up from his life, it was pure despair..."
Trent had his face in shock, and after hearing how terrifying the experience was from Gwen's perspective, he didn't know how terrible it was.
"I felt fear, panic, and even anger for being left behind, but when I saw Ezekiel in that state... I felt like I took it easy in comparison to him, he was the person who never had a beef with anyone on the show, even he went to help Heather and Beth to their curse, and suffered a collateral effect from it. And when you left him behind, you could have at least given your walkie to someone from Killer Bass, they would have prioritized the rescue, but you created not just anger Trent, the Killer Bass loath you." Gwen went further and didn't show any sign of anger, but the face Gwen showed at that moment, was something which hurt Trent... disappointment. "Geoff had to pass a whole day isolated inside of the cabin as he tried to use a cream and some band-aids to recover from the ice tiny cubes which were so strong to hit on his face, leaving red marks..."
"Gwen I..." Trent tried to apologize but the goth raised her hand.
"Please, at least be honest, don't say you are sorry when you don't mean it... Try to reflect at least, or see on the television about what you did... Because if you are really sorry. I can accept your apologies, in the same way the Killer Bass, but please, stop pretending everything is alright because it isn't." Gwen said as she stared at the red winter hat. "Katie loathes you because the vote on Cody's elimination was unanimous, and you as his friend could at least vote for someone else. Geoff wants an honest apology for what you suggested to Chris since it was something horrible to do with another camper. And everyone in Killer Bass, especially I know Eva who is watching this, she would rip your head off from what you did to Ezekiel, I was angry with you for being abandoned... But now... I don't even want to have anything with you... someday I will forgive you Trent... but please, forget me and move on."
Trent remained quiet, but then he couldn't help but at least have one simple question in mind.
"So you and Duncan..." Trent asked which made Gwen raise her eyebrows at him in disbelief.
"Please tell me you are kidding," Gwen asked in disbelief, but at the moment the answer was silence she facepalmed. "Oh my GOD."
"I saw the way you look at him." Trent defended himself which made Gwen angrier.
"Well Duh? He and Courtney have an amazing relationship, just like Bridgette and Geoff, Harold and Leshawna, and now that they are having a great time together, I had to deal with the fact the boy I had a crush on, was being stupid over jealousy." Gwen said angrily as she was ready to lash out at Trent.
"Hey, I'm not jealous." Trent tried to deny, and Gwen was about to shout at him, Chris had kept to his word and flew them 5000 feet in the air before opening the door and letting the two look at the island from above. The island they would soon be falling to with the aid of the constant force of gravity making them fall faster and faster if they couldn't get the parachute open.
The two looked completely terrified as they looked out of the plane as Chris held up some forms to them. "If you could just fill these out…!" Chris asked as Trent and Gwen looked confused.
"Really?!" Gwen shouted at the host while gesturing a hand down. "Now?!"
"What is this contract for? Didn't we already sign everything?" Trent pointed out as he remembered signing all the stuff before he got to the camp.
"Yeah! But these are for organ donation!" Chris explained that the forms he had were for something completely different. "I have this cool cannibal challenge I wanna pitch to the producers, and that'll go a long way toward budgeting free props!"Trent and Gwen only looked more horrified as Chris looked down and saw they were above the beach. "Here comes the drop, boys!"
Gwen looked at how host Chris was enjoying that moment, and how furious she was with Trent and his paranoid jealousy over nothing, she then decided to follow the example of her friends.
"You know what? *beep* you Trent." Gwen raised her middle finger at the guitarist and decided to jump from the airplane hoping for the best as she knew she would do something stupid, but she refused to spend one more minute inside the plane with the person who just acted in jealousy, even knowing she tried her best to make him just forget about her, but still 5 thousand feet would cause the first reaction. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."
Trent and Chris stared at each other as Gwen's voice was diminishing from the distance... And from seeing Gwen already jumped from the place. Trent gave another glance at the island.
"I think I just can't do it." Trent then felt himself unable to jump on that moment.
"Come on Trent, it's very easy, all you have to do, it's just jump and pull the cords..." Chris smirked, pointing out Gwen already jumped. "You already jumped from the cliff of 1 thousand feet."
"Yeah, but we jumped in the water, now this time we are 5 times that," Trent said as he was feeling more nervous than he was before. So in the meantime, Chris would have gotten annoyed. But he smirked widely.
"So you are just chicken out?" Chris smiled as he suddenly took something from his pocket and looked at Trent who had his eyes wide open. "Because, I still have a chicken hat from the first challenge, and you have to wear it for the whole day."
"Oh come on, are you for real? It's a life-and-death situation. And nobody would be stupid to risk their lives like that." Trent raised both his arms and talked to Chris, who just rolled his eyes.
"Well, Gwen just jumped from the airplane, so if you don't have any more options, it's just you stay with the hat for the whole day, or you jump off the plane... your choice Trent." Chris made the final decision, and Trent gave one last look, before closing the door from the airplane. "Well, you choose life instead of risking it... But still, Bawk, bawk bawk."
Chris imitated a chicken as he changed the winter hat from Trent, and replaced it with the chicken hat.
Confession - Trent
"Dammit," Trent said as he rolled his eyes, as now he was wearing the iconic chicken hat, and now had to deal with it for the whole day. "Oh come on, It's not like I want to jump, but I thought there would be a limit on when things would get too far. So I gave up. I don't want to get my body hurt."
"COME ON! COME ON! COME ON!" Gwen yelled as she pulled the color-coded strings in the correct order and prayed this wasn't some fake parachute. Luckily for Gwen, the parachute did what all parachutes do and opened up, releasing the chute, and slowing her descent to earth.
But the goth's heart was still racing. She was still falling rather quickly and was praying the entire time down that her teammates would catch her with the sofa bed. After what felt like hours of falling to her, Gwen was able to spot her team on the beach already moving the sofa in her direction.
"She is falling, to the right, right," Duncan commanded, as DJ, Harold, Geoff, Bridgette, and Courtney were working fast, and tried to follow the direction of the goth, and when she thought she was about to hit the floor. Duncan opened the bed sofa, making Gwen land safely at the bed sofa.
"Ah, ah, am I alive?" Gwen said as she then never felt so happy to survive such a terrible disaster. Gwen immediately left the unstable furniture but she couldn't help but laugh from the adrenaline. "This was crazy."
"Yeah, I would have hated it if was me," DJ commented as he sat in the bed, not knowing that it triggered before the sofa bed suddenly folded back into itself and turned into just a sofa with DJ trapped inside. The Killer Bass then proceeded to walk away whistling simply.
Just then Chris descended in his plane to where he was above the beach and spoke to everyone with his megaphone. "Gophers lose, Bass wins!" Chris announced to everyone as he flew over them. "One-Zero!"
"Wait, so that means Trent didn't lend on the target?" Bridgette asked in surprise, while the others got curious about it.
Heather by hearing that, rolled her eyes angrily.
"Seriously? Where did that stupid boy toy go?" Heather asked loudly, as she saw Owen sleeping on the bed sofa, and since they didn't move the sofa away, she preferred to not even try to make a waste of effort... But she was mad to not even see the boy making an effort into trying to go to the camp...
And when Chris came out from the airplane, from the disbelief of some, but to the fun of others, Trent was already feeling like covering his face with his hands and having a chicken hat on his head.
Heather, felt like she was going to have a migraine, and Owen was still sleeping on the sofa... Lindsay tilted her head.
"There is something strange with Thomas," Lindsay commented, as she had no idea why or how the guitarist was somewhat different from the day before. "Did he do something with the hair?"
"The hat, Lindsay," Heather rolled her eyes, as she then looked at Trent with an unamused expression. "Well, congratulations Trent."
"Can we just move on?" Trent groaned, Heather decided to just drink the water bottle as Lindsay tilted her head.
"Nah, it's not the hat, it fits him, are you sure that it isn't the hair?" Lindsay just asked a simple question, but Heather immediately spat out the water and couldn't contain her laugh.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." Heather's loud laugh was heard, as Trent narrowed his eyes and grumped, and walked away annoyed. Heather looked at Lindsay and gave an approving smile. "Okay, that was good, you are learning. Never thought it had in you."
"Thanks, but I was telling the truth." Lindsay naively commented, which made Heather laugh even louder, and the Killer Bass tried to hold their laugh.
"Ha, ha, ha. Very funny." Trent commented as he walked away from everyone, especially the Killer Bass, who was chuckling.
"Bawk bawk bawk!" Duncan couldn't help it, it was the best opportunity to make fun of a chicken like Trent, and Courtney even decided to follow his example.
DJ shook his head in disappointment, while Geoff didn't even care about making chicken noises, because he didn't care for the guitarist. Gwen looked annoyed and disappointed at the guitarist, who just decided to turn his back and walk away...
Geoff wasn't making fun of him, and Trent could have just solved everything on there, by simply saying he was sorry for Geoff, a simple honest apology could have helped Trent. But not opening his mouth to simply ignore the team, made himself ignore the advice Gwen had given to him...
With everything that happened, he knew how Geoff and Ezekiel felt, but why he refused to apologize, was something that Gwen wondered about before, but now she had to kill that thought and cut her last tie with him before moving on. She already forgave him, however... her team may not have done the same...
"Okay, cowpokes! Let's start…the rodeo moose challenge!" Chris said as he showed good excitement over who was going to be the first camper who would challenge the moose.
"Alright, I'm ready to take the moose." Harold was happy and even cracked his fingers to show how serious he was against the challenge. "Since Moose are part of the deer family. They can be pretty fast and nefarious."
"Well, thanks for the lesson Harold, but I don't think that it would save you," Bridgette commented as she rolled her eyes, and even the moose snorted from that fact.
"Hey, you never know what you can learn about animal facts... Like, I'm surprised that you like adult dolphins." Harold commented something that made Bridgette stare at him inquiring what he was talking about. "If you heard about how they treated their babies, you would have preferred the sharks and orcas instead of such blood-cruel animals."
"Harold, you are talking about dolphins, they are not like that." Gwen raised her eyebrow until she noticed the nerd was talking seriously.
"Welp, don't say I didn't warn you." Harold stretched himself as Gwen just looked amused, and then gave him a piece of paper. "What is... oh, one of my first haikus on the camp. Wow, never thought I would see it here."
"We found in the main lodge in one of the plates," Gwen commented as Harold nodded his head.
"Okay, makes sense, maybe it fell from my pocket since I was checking how many I did for Leshawna since the start of the show..." Harold nodded his head, and with gratitude, he already went above the moose... Gwen and Bridgette took that good opportunity to stay back, but then a voice was heard.
"So, you still do those useless things?" Heather scoffed as she found it funny to see a loser trying to act romantically and lose face in front of a million people on television.
"Well they aren't useless, fake tits, I managed to hook up with Leshawna," Harold smirked which immediately made Heather narrows her eyes angrily. "Maybe you are just envious because you never received one before."
"Pff, as if I would like something stupid like that," Heather rolled her eyes, but she approached to be near the moose and she stared angrily at Harold. "And you better stop calling me fake tits, you ginger mamma boy, or I'm going to make you regret to even be born."
"As if I have fear of you. Bring on fake tits." Harold narrowed his eyes, as both stared at each other angrily.
And with a safe distance, Bridgette looked unsure to Gwen as she had a bad feeling.
"Shouldn't we help Harold to make Heather away?" Bridgette asked the Goth who just shrugged.
"Well, it's not like the challenge would start, I mean, how bad it can be?"Gwen made the question and what she didn't expect was something that immediately would shock her mind.
"Hey, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING YOU STUPID MOO..."Heather was caught by surprise as the large animal approached its head at her, and before she had time to complain...
"Hey stop moving Whoah."Harold tried to make his grip on the animal but he inclined in front, which was an absurd timing calculated by the animal.
*Rip*
*GASP*
Gwen and Bridgette gasped in shock, as they never thought to see something like that. Heather herself where also paralyzed for never expecting this... In the same way... Harold will never forget this...
The moose just ripped Heather's top and left the queen bee's bust exposed in front of the nerd, which the nerd trying to reach the wood bar... Managed to catch one with his hands... While the other... just missed the target, which managed to catch into something smooth and yet firm...
One of Heather's boobies...
Time went in slow motion as both Heather and Harold were shocked at how the Moose made them into a position neither of them wanted...
Bridgette and Gwen had their mouths dropped shocked, as they went after Harold to make him go back to his place before the challenge started...
But it was too late, The Chef who was nearby the gate, accidentally opened the moose and gave a final smirk before going crazy with Harold too lost in concentration from his recent accident.
Heather didn't even have time to jump away, as the Moose went like a bull and pushed the queen bee away.
And Harold didn't even have time to register what happened... He was in such a catatonic phase that at the next second he just flew away from the moose and got everyone's attention before the moose bucked him off and sent him flying into the socks. When he popped out, he had a mouth full of dirty/sweaty socks.
"And he is already out," Chris said in a confused tone
"Oooh that sucks. Wait a minute can we rewind that and fast forward it in slow motion" Chris said as he examined the whole scene in slow motion, and Harold flying past him like a dead fish. But the host's focus wasn't on that.
"Oh my god are you kidding me? Look at me. Can we please get a decent budget together for hair and make-up? I look like I just fell out of bed sheesh." Chris said as he looked at himself in the footage and circled with a pink marker to prove his point...
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."Heather shouted from despair as not only her breasts were shown on live television, but also touched by the last person she ever would imagine to do it.
Confession - Harold.
"They are real..." Harold whispered in front of the camera, as he felt dazed and in shock at how at the end of the challenge it was... he was awareness of what time it was at that moment, but the only thought that crossed his mind, was. "Her boobies are real."
(Playa Del Losers)
"THAT WHITE FUCKING WHORE." Leshawna shouted so angrily that everyone had to give space to the black girl who was furious to see such a scene happening live. Ezekiel's mouth dropped, as Izzy blinked in surprise as well.
Eva had to restrain Leshawna from trying to trash the entire area since it was proved to be accidental, but there was also a fact... Harold grasp one of Heather's tits, and that was something Leshawna was very furious about, not only because the moose made the nerd just look at them, but even making him touch them...
"Dude," Tyler had no words could say at that moment, since anything, anything could make it worse, and nobody would be stupid to...
"Well, it seems Heather upped your game." Noah snarked, and Tyler stared at the bookworm like he was crazy...
And Leshawna had bloodshot eyes which made Noah regret those words. Leshawna took Bookworm by the hair and slapped his face ten times on each cheek, which made everyone, even Justin flinch from how stupid Noah had made a terrible mistake to provoke someone like Leshawna.
Cody was just checking his DPA when suddenly he saw something in the Total Drama forum...
"Oh, oh..." Cody murmured as he looked at Katie, and Katie giving a side glance on the DPA had her eyes wide open.
"Oh no..." Katie whispered as Leshawna stared at both of them.
'What?" Leshawna showed her impatience until she saw the title of the new blog post... "OH, THAT FUCKING WHORE, I'M GOING TO BEAT THE SHIT OF HER."
"What, what's going on?" Ezekiel got terrified of seeing Leshawna that angry, and he decided to check on Cody's DPA... And he had his eyes wide open from such a post. "Oh Sierra, that's just petty."
Ezekiel said as Izzy looked at the post, and couldn't help but chuckle.
The tile was obvious...
HeatherXHarold, the Moose Romance.
Sierra just named a new ship for the fans of the show to support a new shipping around the show, and poke fun at Leshawna who isn't on the show on that episode.
"URGHHHHH, I'M GOING TO DESTROY HER ONLINE." Leshawna stepped angrily as she went to the computer in her bedroom, leaving a lot of the losers staring at each other in surprise.
"Do we all agree that Harold is dead when he gets here?" Noah said as he was massaging his cheeks from the beating he got at that moment.
And nobody had an answer to how to respond to that. Even Ezekiel never thought that would escalate in such a way in comparison to the fandom, and it was clearly shown Moose having some amusement into that. How an animal desired to cause such chaos, and now he managed to make Leshawna desire to kill someone.
Does the Killer Bass will lose the challenge like the cannon?
(Camp Wawanakwa)
Heather quickly went to exchange herself and place another top, thankfully Chris said it would be the best time for them to get in the commercials, and she was now pissed...
At the moment she didn't even dare to look Harold in the eye, she was beyond furious, and the culprit was right in front of her.
"You better be protected by PETA, because I'm going to destroy you," Heather said angrily, as she didn't want to ride the moose, she wanted to kill the animal who just made her pass shame in international television. She has no idea how big that scene would become to her career, and now she wants to hurt the animal as much as she can.
The moose narrowed its eyes and scoffed like calling her to bring it on.
And then Heather went above the Canadian animal, and both of them had anger in their eyes, they wanted to hurt each other so badly.
"Sweet mother of– Aah!" Chef didn't even get to open the gate as the moose crashed right through the gate with Heather holding on tight, refusing to let go. Even giving a headlock on the Moose which each of them are trying to beat each other.
As Heather was doing her challenge, the boys from Killer Bass went near Harold who was still in shock at what happened. Each of them raised his hand to give a high five and helped Harold in his frozen state, by raising his arm as well.
"DUDE, YOU GOT THE TITTIES OF YOUR ARCH NEMESIS," Geoff said as he was proud of the nerd who just managed the impossible, now he has a story that would be told by his grandchildren, and he has to tell about the time on how a nerd got hands on the boobies of a girl who was in the reality television.
"Dude, that was crazy. How do you feel dude?" Duncan commented proudly at Harold who was still in stuttering mode.
"They are real," Harold answered and Duncan gave taps on his back.
"Of course they are dude... You are my her..." Duncan was about to tell how proud he was of Harold until the duo heard a clearing throat behind them, which made both the delinquent and the party boy have their spines shrives... And slowly saw the angry look from both the C.I.T. girl and the surfer who were glaring at both boys. "Err... Harold wake up dude, you have Leshawna as your girlfriend wake up."
Immediately both Geoff and Duncan tried to make Harold come back to reality, but nothing they did was working, and while inside of them there was pride on how Harold had the dream of the boys, they were also fearful from the angry looks of their respective girlfriends behind them.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH, I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, YOU STUPID ANIMAL." Heather was shouting loudly as the Killer Bass was still trying to wake up Harold...
Confession - Gwen.
"I can't believe it happened like that, Harold is so shocked at what happened that nothing we are doing is unfreezing his brain, if nothing works, we have to eliminate him, for the sake of his relationship with Leshawna." Gwen came to explain the situation on the confession boot and looked unsure of what to say. "That moose did that on purpose, it was pure accident Leshawna, but I think you need to deal with this issue."
"So, we have a tie!" Chris announced as he drove around the next and final area where the challenge would take place. This was it. The score was tied two to two. One last challenge. Whoever won this would be taking home the gold and the shower while the losers would be losing a team member today. Skiing for the Bass was DJ and Skiing for the Gophers was Lindsay. "Whoever wins the extreme sea doo waterski challenge… wins invincibility!"
"I'm ready!" A familiar voice called out to the Gophers. Looking, they all saw Lindsay in a green bikini top and bottom with the suit highlighting her supermodel-worthy body.
Heather wasn't that excited about the challenge, knowing that they would probably lose, but then she just saw one of the Jetskis were empowered by a powerful turbine.
'What's going on?" Heather asked loudly, as Owen was trembling in fear as he was wearing a helmet on his face.
"Well, since Owen is the only member of Screaming Gophers who didn't participate, I decided to make things more fair, and empowered the jetski to make it able to carry Owen at the normal speed." Chris gave an explanation which Owen gulped on how the turbine was tied to the jetski with duct tape. "Alright DJ, get ready for the challenge."
DJ gulped loudly, as then a sound of splash was heard from nearby him, and from that a gasp which brought the attention of the others. Harold finally got out of his trance, after receiving a cold water bucket on his head.
"What happened?" Harold asked as the Killer Bass members finally managed to take the ginger nerd out of the trance.
"You touched Heather's tits, and then you just froze in such a state. I think it was too much for even your brain to process." Duncan explained as he went near Harold. "Great job dude."
And when the whisper was said, and Duncan came back to his position, he narrowed his eyes, Courtney was also in an angry state. And for her satisfaction, Harold finally got the reality check he needed.
"Oh no, Leshawna is going to be very angry," Harold said as he placed both hands on his hair. And he had no idea what he should do. Luckily for him, Bridgette and Courtney dragged him away from the challenge, into trying to do some damage control from that.
"We know it was an accident, but you shouldn't let this get into your head Harold, what Leshawna will say if she sees that?" Courtney pointed out which made Harold happy to have some backup to try to fix this...
And Dj was preparing himself for the challenge, while Owen was gulping from the monstrosity that was the Screaming Gophers Jetski.
"Here's the road rules…oh wait, there are no rules!" Chris revealed with an excited grin. "Which means this is gonna be awesome!"
After a few minutes of preparation, Chris was happy with his arrangements, and with his green flag, he was ready for everything.
"And GO." Chris gave the green flag a wave, and Owen carefully touched the accelerator of the jetski, it automatically moved on its own, making Owen and DJ surprised by speed and instability.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Both Owen and DJ shouted in fear, as it was passing around the entire arena, and DJ was trying to not look because of how terrifying the challenge had been...
"DJ dude, catch the flag," Geoff called his friend, but it seemed both DJ and Owen were shouting loudly and weren't able to listen to the cowboy hat boy.
"Owen, control the Jetski, you are the pilot of it, you must control it," Trent called from away, but also like Geoff his voice wasn't heard from the constant shouts of fear from both campers.
Miraculously, DJ just caught 3 flags but had no idea int how that happened. But Chris was paying attention.
"DJ is with three flags, now all Owen has to cross the finish line or he will be disqualified," Chris explained what was happening, and both DJ and Owen had no way of controlling the crazy turbine.
Confession - Owen
"I know sometimes I fart when I'm nervous... but in a case like that, that jetski... I couldn't help it," Owen slightly farted as he had bad memories from that event. "It escalated in such a terrible way."
The turbine overheated itself and showed a few sparks before getting in flames.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH," Owen screamed in fear as suddenly his own body betrayed him, and with a loud fart... The flames became so big, that the speed doubled from the natural turbo coming from a combination between machine and man.
"WHOAHHHHH." DJ fell down with his head on the mud and was carried towards the finish line, which Owen hit into the rock and his body flew in the direction of a bear who was ready to eat the marshmallows... But without having a notion of danger which was ready to hit it... A 100-pound boy falling at high speed... Immediately knocking the bear and all the good marshmallows which were on the floor.
"Err... Oh WOHOOOO, Marshmallows." Owen found his own prize, as the bear was knocked out from the terrible day it was having, and Owen was having the food of the guests.
"Well, DJ managed to cross the finish line with 3 Flags, now Screaming Gophers, you all just need 4 flags to win," Chris explained the details, and Duncan nodded his head, and cracked his neck because he was sure that the challenge wouldn't be difficult.
"Are you sure that you got this?" Heather gave a final question to Lindsay who made herself presentable and with an assured smile.
"Don't worry, I was a cheerleader at school, and we always did a jetski in the summer break. I can do this." Lindsay smiled as she even checked her own makeup, and that made Duncan frown deeply at Lindsay, who he was sure was going to win the challenge.
And so the second half of the challenge began. Skiing for the Gophers was Lindsay with Duncan driving her. If Lindsay got even one flag, the Gophers would win. So the delinquent was gonna make sure Lindsay didn't lay a finger on a single flag.
"Ready, set, ride it like it's sweeps week!" Chris started the challenge with the wave of a flag like before. "Go!"
Unlike DJ, Lindsay actually got control of the challenge and managed to stay on her skis as Duncan took off. The delinquent was given the same path as Owen who crazily waltzed around the mud, so when Duncan reached the ramp, he tried to throw Lindsay off but to everyone's surprise the dumb blond actually managed to do a flip and catch the flag. "Flag one!" Chris announced leaving the Gophers to cheer.
Duncan did everything we could think of to throw Lindsay off, but…
"Flag two…three…four…and five!" Duncan growled as Lindsay caught the fifth and final flag in her hand. "Lindsay has snagged all five and is racing home for the win! Duncan had an epiphany! He has to cross!"
"Says you!" Duncan yelled as he let go of the bars of the sea doo and was about to let it go out of control and not steer it. "Yeeeeeeah!" However, Duncan ended up crashing right into a rock and was flung right off the sea doo and into a tree with Lindsay keeping up the momentum she had and crossing the finish line with all five flags. Securing a win for the Screaming Gophers.
Lindsay cheered as Chris pulled up nearby on his ATV. "She won?" The host asked with an expression of disbelief on his face. Chris then smirked as he spoke into the walkie-talkie he had that was connected to the spears. "Gophers win!"
All the Gophers looked at the sparkling new shower and all cheered for their victory while the Bass all sighed and slumped down. They lost the chance of a good shower, but at least they had the hot tub. "Duncan!" Courtney called out to her boyfriend in a concerned tone as she ran up to the tree he was trapped in. "Are you ok?!"
"Well let's see I just got humiliated by a dumb blond chick on national television," Duncan told her in a sarcastic tone. "So yeah I'd say I'm fine all things considered." Despite his predicament and their losing, Courtney couldn't help but chuckle a bit.
"Well, at least you tried your best," Courtney said as she tapped his back, and seeing Lindsay getting out flawlessly without even a dirt of mud, she couldn't help but be impressed. Lindsay was skilled in that category."
"Yeah, she was… but now we had to deal with who is going to be eliminated. That's the third time." Duncan was getting annoyed for losing the challenges, but Courtney kissed his lips which made him calmer.
"Don't worry, I kinda expected that, the morale of our team got sidetracked as many of our team wanted to be eliminated. Katie wanted to give up, and Ezekiel had to make him go to the hospital. But now Harold is in deep trouble if he doesn't go to Leshawna and deal with this issue with her." Courtney explained as everyone watched Heather happy to finally have a great shower service, which was enough to make her happy for the rest of the show. "And look at them, they now just have a shower, while we have a hot tube, and scored many good prizes. Their time will come, sooner or later."
"Hmm… if you say so, princess." Duncan sighed, as he had to say goodbye to one of the members of his team. "So, what did you and Harold talk about"
Courtney gave a sweet smile, and just smiled at him.
"We firstly forced him to take a long shower, but in comparison to the last challenge, the smell of sweaty socks isn't that bad. But still, Leshawna would get uncomfortable… But also, I cannot say it because that would be telling, and if you have to find out, because I won't give you the secret into how to apologize to me." Courtney acted mysteriously, and Duncan somehow knew that Harold would be forced to not share such a secret with him now.
After seeing Courtney happily leaving the area, Duncan discovered how difficult would be into a relationship.
"Dammit," Duncan said as he was disappointed in that.
(Campfire)
"As you know, Killer Bass, that's the third time you all lost your challenge, and differently than the first one, these last 2 challenges you lost even giving all your effort. So you must try to gain focus to remain in the game… But anyway, if you do not receive a marshmallow, you will be forced to walk the Dock of Shame, and you will never ever return to camp." Chris recited the usual rules of the elimination ceremony. The only one not sitting by the fire was Harold who, due to his stink, had to hang out by a nearby tree while a female skunk tried to hit on him.
Chris then picked up two marshmallows and threw them to the first two campers that were safe. "DJ, Bridgette, you guys are safe. The surfer and the Brickhouse cheered as they caught their marshmallows. "Geoff and Courtney you're also good!"
Both the CIT girl and the Party Boy were happy about getting their own marshmallows.
"Muchos luchos, compadre!" Geoff said happily, and now there were two campers on the final votes… Knowing that Harold would be eliminated, they tried to make it the fair as possible, at least Harold and DJ voted on Duncan to make it more simple and fair without them getting suspicious of the elimination.
Harold was now still waiting for the time he was going to leave the place, but the skunk female was still looking at him with dreamy eyes.
And so we were brought to the most tense part of all ceremonies. Two campers, Harold and Duncan, and one marshmallow of safety. "Okay, that leaves Harold," Chris stated as the ginger was sitting on the tree, already anxious for him to get out of the island and try to do damage control on his relationship. "For having caught in bad sheets from having a Moose who wanted to hook you up with Heather.
"Can we just end the game?" Harold shouted from the distance, but Chris ignored him.
"And Duncan who bailed even bigger." Chris went on causing an expression of rage to come to the delinquent's face. "Because Lindsay left his circling the drain in a shameless–"
Chris was cut off by Duncan walking up to the host and grabbing him by the collar. "The chick was determined," Duncan told Chris through his gritted teeth.
"Which is why you're safe," Chris told Duncan in a bit of a frightened tone as he handed the last marshmallow to the delinquent. This seemed to calm Duncan down as he took the marshmallow and walked next to Courtney with the CIT planting a kiss on his cheek. So that left Harold as the eliminated camper. Taking the megaphone Chris called Harold for his elimination. "Harold, sorry dude. You're done like dinner."
"Finally." Harold jumped from the tree and almost hurt himself in the crotch, but thankfully, he managed to sit with his ass on the floor, it still hurts. "I'm okay."
"Yeah, now go Romeo, or Juliet is going to kill you when she sees you." Gwen, gave a quick hug to Harold, while Duncan gave a high five to the nerd, in the same way DJ gave a hug to the ginger who was happy to have made so many friends on the show.
Geoff gave a fist bump, which Harold did happy. And Courtney gave a slight hug.
"Remember what I said, everything is going to be fine if you do that." Courtney gave the instructions, and Harold nodded his head to her.
"Thanks again, Courtney." Harold smiled as he took his own things and already left on the boat.
"I wish you good luck, Harold," Bridgette said as she helped to clean up his glasses.
"It's going to be fine," Harold said in false bravado… "I hope so."
"You are the hero Harold. And I salute you." Duncan said as he never thought someone would have such luck to manage to do something like that on national television, Geoff also saluted like a soldier, but not a second later. They both heard a growling sound behind them… Which was their respective girlfriends. "HAVE A NICE TRIP DUDE."
Both Duncan and Geoff said loudly, as they watched Harold leaving the show… and with that, one of their MVPs…
"I don't know how you managed to take the smell like that," Chris said as he was feeling terrible by the smell, but the group just stared at it, and just shrugged.
"That's not that bad, we took it way worse." Duncan, Geoff, and DJ said while the girls nodded their heads.
"I blame Ezekiel and Chef Hatchet for that," Courtney said as she never wanted to suffer from that stink bomb ever again, and seeing that it was just dirty socks, she scoffed at how easy was to deal with that smell.
Confession – Courtney.
"He is going to be fine, and while on one hand, I'm sad to lose one of our strong players, with 2 MVPs, at least I won't get to worry about him crushing the competition in the future," Courtney said with sincerity. "Still, I'm going to miss him. *Sigh* Why every time we lose a team member it gets harder to not get nostalgic at the good times we have at the start of this show?"
Confession - Heather
"Clean up, clean up. I need to clean up all my body. From the shame I'm having right now, that stupid nerd didn't just see it, he touched me, ughhhhhh… I need to clean up myself again." Heather said as she was covered in the towels, and while the good massage from the shower was pleasant to her, the fact her tits were touched by someone who was calling it fake was something that made her feel dirty. "I'm going back to the shower."
Heather doesn't realize how a fangirl just managed to make one iconic scene into something Heather will have a migraine for thousands of days. Trent had a whole day wearing a chicken hat, but was mostly ignored by the other team… Lindsay was happy for giving another victory for her team, Owen was enjoying a good marshmallow, while the bear who just woke up in the middle of the mud, was trying to look for the marshmallows, but now they were empty… Leaving the bear animal to release a tear in sadness…
And the Killer Bass without another good member of their team...
They just hoped the merge would happen soon…
And it was sooner than what they would expect.
Chapter 21: Brunch of Disgustingness
Chapter Text
To tell them that it was the most absurd thing they ever could see in their entire life would be understanding. Since at the time both sister Sky and Jane were watching the last episode of the famous Total Drama Island, they had many theories about what could happen... But... A moose was the cataclysm of Harold finding out if Heather's boobs were actually real? That was so absurd because it was probably an adult comedy movie scene. Harold was with his hands full... Literally.
And in national television, or possibly international events.
"Oh my God, Leshawna is going to throw a fit," Jane commented as she immediately watched in disbelief, knowing the black girl camper who had a very interesting romance with Harold and they didn't even kiss yet... but now Heather not just got her boobs exposed, but Harold had the unluck or luck to actually grab one of them? That was unreal.
"I can't believe what's happening. This will be the talk of gymnastics tomorrow, I bet even the teacher is going to talk about this event." Sky commented as she even had to make herself unsure of what was going to happen to the poor boy. "I have a classmate who was saying Harold is provoking Heather because deep inside he desires her, and the deep snarls and hatred from her were also a sign of flirt, we thought she was talking bs, but now... she is going to gloat herself from this..."
"Oh my God, this is going to be a ship war..." Jane commented as she saw her sister tilting her head to her. "It happened before when me and my friends at the high school found a very good best-seller book... And the fact that it created a whole shipping war on the school, was cringy in our memories now, but it was chaos when it happened at that time."
"And now from all the boys... Harold now has the main target of the shipping war?" The little sister asked her big sister, who nodded her head. "I was surprised that it wasn't Duncan or even Owen since they are some of the most popular."
"Well, you also forgot about Ezekiel," Jane commented when suddenly she heard the burp sound from her sister. "You really need to check your stomach, it gets annoying that every time we talk about Ezekiel you start burping on my face."
"Sorry... But still, this is difficult to process." Sky commented sheepishly as she couldn't imagine how difficult would be the center of a shipping war.
"Some would say that this is a great dream of the boys, but that's not easy. From what I can tell, remember that user who is a fangirl of Cody? And she trashed Leshawna on her blogs, that even some users were totally against her and made them the bottom of their jokes? I think one of those users was Leshawna, can you imagine the anger she must be feeling when she watches this episode from where the girl who managed to make her eliminated now had her titties grasped by the boy who confessed to her? It's going to be a ship war for sure. And I think there isn't going to be a winner."
"Oh, this is going to be difficult for them, I can see this is going to create a lot of drama after Heather's elimination." Sky agreed with her sister, that the situation can be described as terrible right now, since the fans are now in chaos, tomorrow would be the chaos, or it could happen after the end of the episode. "Still it seems Heather is now with bloodshot eyes, I think she is going to kill the moose."
"I don't blame her if it was me, I would go berserk, I mean, the moose just took her shirt and made Harold fall over her, this situation can be described as the chaotic as possible, there is no way this moose would have done that I wasn't in purpose." Jane now glared at the moose, one of the most prestige animals in Canada, now she was wary of them because imagining that a pervert animal would take her shirt. It was humiliating at best. "BEAT ITS ASS HEATHER."
"Seriously Jane?" Sky looked surprised at her sister, since from the start both of the girls hated the queen bee, but with time they warmed up to the idea of the queen bee having actually very good loyal bees to protect her, even if she is an ass some times, she actually showed a little of heart inside. But that situation was too much.
"Well, it's her or the pervert moose, who would you cheer for?" Jane shrugged at her sister, which made the gymnastic little sister pass a second to think. Until she came to an obvious conclusion.
"BEAT ITS ASS HEATHER, STING ON ITS EYES," Sky shouted as the girls would want the same thing Heather, and make the moose make the situation worse for everyone.
"I can't believe my eyes." The druid's father said as he cleaned the dust of it, since working so much on the night shift from the day before, he was ready to have breakfast and enjoy himself watching the pay-per-view before going to work, one of the good advantages of the said system of the show, they have early access of the challenges before the entire episode being aired at the time he goes at work.
It was a good time to spend with his daughter and wife, since it was the day off from the mother, since the whole family is in tune with nature, they can talk and learn many things directly with mother nature, but only his daughter has the power of reading minds and read auras, one of the abilities that only his mom developed. And surprisingly, he remembered the words of his own mother.
"Beware of moose, they are very difficult creations of mother nature since their own mood could be described as easily to anger, but also for their nasty pettiness around vengeance, some of them were so terrible that made me with all my patience to try to not strangle them. Leave them with mother nature, and the future will bring at them like Karma, so be calm, and let them be."
Those words were described, as he could see his wife covering her chest and glaring at the television screaming.
"MOTHER NATURE." The matriarch shouted as she felt attacked from seeing such a horrible scene, and the worst part, Dawn had her eyes wide open and gasped in horror. "LOOK AT YOUR CHILDREN, THIS WAS UNECESSARY."
"What horror, Harold is in shock, his aura is such a mess, he has no idea what to do now," Dawn commented as she then saw the moose clearly launched the nerd on the dirty socks. Which made Dawn narrow her eyes and shake her head. "That wasn't fair, I'm disappointed, neither of them provoked it, and yet he made the chaos by pettiness... Mother nature, I'm disappointed."
That day watching the events of the episode, they have a notion that possibly Harold needs to find a way to recompose himself, or he would clearly need to find a way to help their mate from the episodes before.
"Please help and guide him Mother Nature, or he could drown himself in trouble from your children." The father gave a little prayer because if it was him he knew that even with Mother Nature's help his wife would want to punish him hard, and it was clear how troublesome the poor boy would have been, but thankfully he felt that his prayer was answered because from the slight leaves and some flowers of jasmine fell down from the said tree... Which made the father have his eyes wide open and his mouth jaw opened... Mother Nature shared a secret because he found that both his wife and daughter didn't pay attention to her words. So before leaving for work, he did his best to take all the jasmine flowers with him, because this isn't something that his precious daughter needs to know, and his wife would freak out what Mother Nature prepared for the nerd boy.
And the animals still ask him why he likes to talk about the show with them because everything on the show is absurd and yet he cannot stop watching. But now, he had to hold this secret while he tried to compose himself and prepare for work at the evening.
(Playa Del Losers)
"Are you sure that you want to stay guys?" Ezekiel asked as he felt himself worried for his friends, "Because Harold probably is smelling terrible, and he is going to take a day or two to take out all that terrible smell, and I'm the only one who knows what terrible smell looks like."
"If you are talking about the stink bomb, please don't remind me, I was horrified to see all my friends like that, and I was surprised that nobody recorded me vomiting at the time the crew went to meet me when that part of the challenge was over," Katie said, as Cody gulped drily, but still the couple were holding hands together, and if she was going to stay so does him. "But I think after dealing with my friends after E.M.A.L.M. (a nickname she created for the stink bomb, since was easier to make the initials the entire word.) Harold would need support."
"Oh yeah, you have experience with the aftermath of the stink bomb, so yeah, I can see that, but Eva, are you sure that you want to see him?" Ezekiel asked unsure, since the bodybuilder had no idea how terrible the smell Harold would be, to even a skunk to have a crush on him.
"Don't worry about me, he needs protection in case Leshawna wants to have something or someone to hit, Sierra has been a rock in her shoes, and now there is a huge fight around the computer, I'm just glad that you didn't look at it yet," Eva grunted as she saw how some absurd things the fans around forums managed to be so ruthless and stupid when it comes about possibility of relationships. Still, she was surprised to see Ezekiel hesitating into going on the internet, which was good, but also strange, since the time she came on the Playa Del Losers, her email box was filled with emails that she didn't imagine get so many, wishing recovery and even complimenting her to save the campers... it even had some childish scanned paper drawings of her actually carrying a tree, and some of her beating a bear, children were creative, and even made her had some smirk in her painful moments. She glanced at her leg, and now she felt like that cast was just a shoe for her, she walked like nothing was wrong with it. She even got used to the itch some time, but she waited...
Ezekiel hesitated because he had been avoiding seeing his email box since the time he appeared, he enjoyed reading all the fan mail letters, even if was strange to see troll letters coming from some haters as well, it was weird to see such people judging him, telling the parts they liked of what he did, and what they hated... and how he was too week to keep going and etc... just troll fans, he had many from his fanfics on his past life, this was expected. But the difference in the digital world, it's like... one was receiving a bag of fan letters... but checking an email box after weeks into a reality show? He wasn't sure if he received a few, dozens, hundreds of emails, that if someone had leaked it on the internet... And knowing Sierra, maybe she had...
Fan letters, he could use them as proof to the police since they have the address from the place they sent... Email is most like a place without law, and people would go hardcore without thinking about consequences, digital writers feared harassing the internet in his past life... does the past before social media make fan emails better than the dark future of the internet? He doesn't know, but he was procrastinating to see the emails, but he need to have the courage to read them... He promised to Izzy that he had to...
Ezekiel nodded to Eva, as she, Katie, Cody, and Ezekiel waited to the shore, the slow boat coming towards their direction. They were ready to receive the boy who came from the terrible challenge on the show. And slowly coming in their direction, the uncomfortable smell finally was reaching their noses.
"GET OUT BEFORE MY BOAT GETS YOUR SMELL." Suddenly the group heard a scream, and on the next moment they saw the captain of the loser's boat kicking out Harold from the travel Camp Wawanakwa, and at the time he hit the shore, the group could feel the terrible smell coming from the dirty socks...
The captain launched all the luggage of the nerd before quickly using his boat to go back far away from the terrible smell, cursing at how the nerd had been annoying and finally, he could enjoy the fresh air once again.
Ezekiel and Katie went to help Harold get up, as Cody and Eva twitched their noses, it was a bad smell, but from how Ezekiel and Katie helped the nerd to get on his feet and carry his stuff... It seems they really know how that smell actually is irrelevant to them.
"Thanks, guys, I'm surprised to see you all awake, so what is this place?" Harold was surprised to see a different place instead of actually going to a city where he would be greeted by his mother and siblings, but instead, the boat just brought him to a resort.
"Well, welcome at Playa Del Losers," Ezekiel said as Katie gave a hug to the stinky boy. "This place makes you second guess why you didn't get eliminated sooner."
Harold sniffed and then glanced at Eva who walked to help carry the luggage and help him, even if her nose was twitching. Cody was holding his own nose.
"Nice to see you here Harold." Cody greeted as he was holding his nose and his voice sounded pitchy.
"Let's get going string bean, you must be tired and you need a shower, quickly," Eva grunted, as the nerd rolled his eyes.
"I know, but I already passed an hour at a show. I even ran out of the soap on there." Harold said as it was supposed to be way worse, but at least he was with his friends.
"Trust me, Harold, here are many spa products, that will help you out. I think tomorrow you are even going to smell like a model, Justin told us that the products here were very high quality."Katie commented as the group walked around the resort. "Here is the key to your room, and it seems like Chris's promise here is like a 5-star resort."
"We have a pool, hot tub, barbecue grills, and every suite has access to all the recorded episodes, and we have channels with the pay-per-view to keep watching the others," Cody explained as the group looked around.
"And before you go and talk with Leshawna, I think you should rest, and take a shower. Believe me, you may not want to see her right now." Eva commented as the group finally reached the floor where the nerd was supposed to have time for himself. "Tomorrow you can try to talk to her."
"Yeah, maybe is for the best, I really want to see her, but hey, at least I'm happy to see you all again. And you look more healthy Ezekiel, are you doing fine?"Harold asked which made Ezekiel make a so-so gesture to his hand.
"60 to 70% better. A cough here and a cough there, but I'm taking my meds and resting a lot. So in a few weeks, I will be recovered." Ezekiel replied as Katie gave a hug to Harold before he opened his door.
"Sadie and Tyler are sleeping in their rooms, so tomorrow you will see them. Have a good night." he opened the door and gave a hug to Katie and the other members of his team, and with that, the newest loser of Killer Bass found himself in his new suite... "Well, better to take my clothes off and take a shower first..."
Harold took time to appreciate the view around the suite he was in since it had been a very luxurious place for him to stay, like an elegant 5-star hotel, which made him feel relaxed, but also nervous about the worries he had over the morning. He knew that his friends probably would need his awesome skills until the merge, but sadly this time his skills couldn't save him from the surprise attack made by the Moose, which made him know about the truth related to Heather's boobs, and possibly with the idea of Leshawn... Leshawna?"
"Lesh..." Harold was about to say the name, but he was interrupted by the awestruck view of the same brown sugar hot girl who had been with him at the camp, she was waiting for him... on his bed, wearing nothing but a towel.
"Ah, ah..." Harold was in shock, as the well-curved thick woman passed by him, and the first thing she did was try to remain serious.
"You stink," Leshawna said as she narrowed her eyes to him, she was near him, and he was still awestruck by her presence. He froze at that moment. "So how does it feel? Touching her tits? Does it feel like this?"
Harold then felt both his hands releasing the luggage, as the girl he romanced for days before held tight to his hands, and immediately placed them above the girl leading to an experience he never thought of before, both his hands now were holding her bust, which made him catatonic.
"They were firm like this? They were smooth like this? Or do you want tight like this?" Leshawna dropped her towel and made Harold hold her assets which now the Nerd had no idea what was happening at that moment. He felt his entire face blush, as he couldn't control what was happening to him. "I want to see if that white brat snobbish slut can top what I'm about to do with you. Let's see if Sierra bitch can mess up with what I'm about to make. And see if a motherfucker of a moose can make Heather accidentally surpass me... I'm about to ride your world and mess it up."
"I'm scared and aroused at the same time," Harold said as he was trembling on the place.
"Let's go to the shower, you need to take this smell, and I'm going to have fun doing that every single second," Leshawna smirked as she kissed his lips, and slowly brought the nerd to his bedroom, without notice on the table nearby the bathroom door there was a vase of jasmine flowers nearby...
"When I said to up your game... I was being sarcastic, I didn't say for you actually try and make noises like a bunch of rabid animals... I was trying to sleep." Noah cursed as his eyes had black eyes from his lack of sleep, it wasn't because they were all night, but because of the loud noises they made that night, it made him unheard of the things they said, and it made him impossible to sleep.
"Well, sucks to be you," Leshawna smirked as she gave a slight flip off in front of the bookworm as the nerd who was with a very happy and enamored face, both of them enjoying a very good coconut drink.
Their friends stared at the duo who seemed to be fine even after the events of the last episode, they thought Leshawna could have gone full getho against Harold, but somehow they made peace... or something that made her have the above hand of the circumstances.
"That's so strange," Ezekiel commented to Cody who was trying to read his emails, until he found something around the Total Drama Island Forum.
"Not until you see this," Cody commented as he showed his PDA to the homeschooled boy, and when they found the emails and even the picture of the last post from the forum. Ezekiel had his eyes wide open.
A picture of Leshawna showing the middle finger and kissing Harold in the photo. And on the title saying.
"He is mine SieBitch, back off while you still have face." Ezekiel read slowly until he glanced at Leshawna who was proud of herself. "Wow, you really aren't pulling your punches."
"She deserved it. And now I have my joy of imagining her groaning like an angry animal." Leshawna grinned happily as she showed a little side of pettiness, but she was now chuckling to see the stalker girl biting her pillow in anger... Better than that is...
"Oh, so that's why you asked me to also do the same?" Katie asked and the vindictive smile coming from the black girl also made her nod her head and agree with her point. "Well, it seems a good idea, Cody, baby... can you help me?"
Cody was frozen, not understanding about what was going on... the implications were clear, but still... he was confused.
"Help you? With what?" Cody asked as he then felt the tan twin holding his hands, and whispering something in his ear... And then with a big smile on his face. "Oh yeah, the CodyMeister is ready."
And immediately the duo went above to the suite, to see which lipstick would fit better on the face of Cody around for a perfect picture of them kissing...
Ezekiel watched the craziness the group was around Sierra, and he gulped into imagining how crazy she would become after dealing with such crazy couples. Noah was face-slamming his head on the table trying to sleep. And it seems the next challenge is going to be something the group should have stomachs for it...
At least they have the pay-per-view to see their friends.
(Aquarium)
The morning after the last challenge, the remaining Killer Bass members decided to make a meeting inside their main base, with the remaining group, it was discovered that they managed to get everyone enjoying their hot tube. The relaxation and the bubbles help the group find a way to relax over another defeat around their team...
"We are losing too much, everyone," Duncan stated the facts, as Courtney was staring at the ceiling of the cave, the morale around the Killer Bass has gotten worse and worse with each defeat. "But soon or later the merge is going to happen. So we need to discuss about this."
"What do expect Duncan?" Courtney asked, showing her point as the second pillar of the team. "Ezekiel was forced to say Condor for his own sake and he is now getting his treatment for his pneumonia, Katie wanted to give up but she was threatened to eliminate two members of the team if she said the word, but we managed to vote her out. Now we all lost fair and square on the last challenge."
"I know, but still it sucks that we didn't manage to get one of them out. I mean, there were 4 of them, and one of them, thanks to our friend Gwen here, seems to think I'm trying to hook up with her, and he is ******* me off, and I want to punch him in the face so much." Duncan said that he was feeling frustrated as the member of their team was still walking freely, as it was provoking them for not being able to win against a team of 4 members.
"Well Duncan, every single one of us is mad too, but we got to accept that, sometimes people get lucky, and I have to say he is very lucky for us not get him eliminated, but let's be honest here... at the time the merge truly happens, we know who will be the first one who will get eliminated, even if Heather is annoying and a prick, her friend Lindsay wants Trent's head, and I don't blame her," Bridgette commented, as Geoff remained in silence and rolled his eyes. "You are still mad at him Geoff?"
"Well, a little bit." The cowboy hat confessed as he gave a slight sigh. "On the one hand, he didn't apologize to me directly, but on the other hand, he said the paintball incident made us even, which I kinda agreed... But I'm still a little mad with him."
"Dude, it's not your fault, the man instructed Chris from all people to make your challenge worse. So I don't blame you if you are still p****** off with him." Duncan patted his back, while Gwen looked sad, DJ was still reflecting on something... and had been avoiding talking for a while. "Okay, I think we need to bring this issue."
"What issue?" Gwen commented as she raised her eyebrow.
"I want everyone to be honest here right now... Who wants to say the Condor?"Duncan asked which made everyone have their eyes wide open, and even DJ who was in silence stared at Duncan in surprise. "I'm not mad, and the merge is going to happen soon, so I want you guys to at least tell me if the game is pressuring you too much that it makes the word tempting to say."
The group remained quiet, Courtney glanced around, and Geoff seemed completely stoic, Gwen didn't feel the desire to give up, but then... the group gasped as they found both Bridgette and DJ raised their hands in the air. Geoff who thought everything was fine around the camp, didn't imagine the girl he was passing the time with actually wanted to give up the game, and even a good friend he had since on the first day, was surprised to see DJ wanting to give up as well...
"Bridg..." Geoff whispered as the surfer looked sad as she raised her hand.
"Sorry Geoff, but Duncan has a point, every single challenge one of our members has been giving up for some reason, and the last challenge I have to confess has been way scary than the former ones, we thought jumping from a cliff of 100-feet was scary until Gwen had to jump from a plane in 5 thousand feet," Bridgette commented as she raised another point. It hurt her to tell that to her boyfriend. "We had to deal with many challenges, and I think the challenges will get harder and harder. So I don't know how long I can hold up the challenges."
"I have to agree with Bridgette," DJ commented as he could see his friends sad with the idea of both of them wanting to give up. "Hey, I had a lot of fun being here, and I have to confess that many of those challenges really scared me, but we overcame those challenges, and well, I know that probably I'm not the strongest player on this show, so it would take just a few weeks until somehow would be my time, so I decided to throw the towel when things would get too much... And seeing momma here on the island, made me miss her so much, and I kinda want to see her again."
"Man, I would give my liver just to eat your momma's food right now," Duncan remembered how great was the Caribbean meal he had to suffer so much in starving just for the delight of eating that meal. It made every single challenge worth it.
And just describing the food made some stomachs around roar in agreement. Courtney had really underestimated the food DJ wanted so much to share with his mom, and both of them planning their restaurant around would require a lot of money. Yet DJ wished to give up because of the pressure of the show.
Bridgette salivated, because the vegetarian food made by DJ's momma was indeed one of the best foods she ever had in her life, she never tasted Caribbean food before, and she was able to make something so delicious for her enjoy her time pleasure into eating some that great.
"Yeah... maybe someday when we get reunited again, my momma and I can prepare some good food for us to hang out," DJ smiled as he could see his momma making a great impression on them.
"Well, it seems that we are aware of the members who would want to quit," Gwen said as massaged the temples of her head, they had a point in saying the game was getting harder with time, but still it sucks to see more of her friends leaving the show. "So how are we going to deal with this?"
"Like the same way we do," Courtney commented as she caught the attention of everyone. "Even if the merge happens, we still must act like we do every single day. Even if we are not on the same team, we still should be friends."
"Well... Ezekiel would have said that, princess." Duncan chuckled as he kissed her cheek which made her blush. "But you are right, Zeke would say Killer Bass until death, so I think we shouldn't split ourselves, but still the rules apply to these circumstances. Saying the C word, and everyone will vote you out, no drama."
Geoff, DJ smiled, as he remembered the little green winter hat boy cheering and focusing on their teamwork all the time, Gwen and Bridgette smiled sadly, as they also could have imagined the third pillar cheering them up, even in the case of every loss, he would always find a way to make their morale higher again, showing that it doesn't matter if they lose or not, the fact they should play fair, and be friends until the end was what made the Killer Bass the team they were.
And it was times like this... they missed him so much, a direction and a guide to bring them back to their tracks...
"Well, we have to enjoy one of our days here and enjoy while as we can. Because in a few days, it's going to be tough once again, and we may not be able to see another member of our team." Duncan said as the group couldn't help but nod their heads at the delinquent, they have to enjoy their time... because nobody knows what's going to happen in the future.
On the day of the challenge, everything seemed to be ready for another recording for the introduction of the chapter. Chris made sure to read every line of his own script, while he could hear someone chuckling nearby him.
"So that's the day." A gruff voice with a smirk made the host of the show, also chuckle in a cruel tone, agreeing with the voice. "There is still time to bail out from that."
"Oh, that's where you are contrary Chef, I bet the double or nothing," Chris smirked in such confidence that made Chef also chuckle knowing that this day would be the best day for themselves. "I hope you are ready to lose 50 bucks."
"Oh, that's what I want to see... I made this especially for the coward and for the surfer... You have no idea how difficult was to find those items and cook them up." Chef grinned in such a scary way that it made the interns gulp in fear, knowing about what the duo prepared for the episode. This would be treated as the most sadistic game for themselves.
"Well, that's what I count for... But that's a good episode, for us... HAHAHAHAHAHA." Chris and Chef smiled widely until they couldn't take anymore... They laughed so hard that it released tears from their eyes.
"Errr... sir, we are ready to record," The duo was laughing hard until a voice called for the host, the cameraman, and the crew were ready. Which Chef quickly jumped away, while Chris prepared himself to record.
"Alright let's do this." Chris gave a thumbs up, as he cracked his neck... And by seeing the red light, Chris smiled.
"Last time on Total Drama Island…" Chris began with a bit of an eager grin on his face. "A challenge brought some interesting repercussions, Gwen spoke her mind about what Trent should be aware of the terrible mistakes he made, however because of his jealousy or for the lack of good sense, he managed to make the goth girl give up all hopes she had for the guitarist who should have thought better... Leaving now the boy chickens out from jumping from the safest plane in the world. Wink, now the rivalry between Heather and Harold managed to turn out that a little question related to Heather's bust being real or not, was proved right for our little moose friend who decided to play a prank on both of them, Harold probably is the luckiest and unluckiest man for the entire show, I'm so proud of him. Heather didn't like being touched by accident and swore revenge on the Moose who managed to make such a prank on her... What happened with the moose, just Heather knows the answer... And for the final Challenge, there was a race, a turbo jetski and somehow Owen made his farts on fire, how DJ survived that, nobody knows. But in the end, Lindsay manages to humiliate Duncan with her gymnastic skills... Harold had to leave the show because who knows what his girlfriend will do with him after the episode? And now, let's see what's in store for our campers on this week's episode of Total. Drama. Island!"
"Cut..." The voice of the cameraman was said, which made Chris stare at Chef who raised a thumbs up... The duo were excited for the challenge of the day...
(Main Lodge)
The morning had come onto Camp Wawanakwa and both teams were quick to get up, shower, and do their business. Currently, the Screaming Gophers have 4 members. Owen, Trent, Heather, and Lindsay. Meanwhile, the Killer Bass had six members. Courtney, Gwen, Duncan, DJ, Geoff, and Bridgette.
That left only 10 campers left. In the first episode of Camp 22 campers were introduced to the island. And starting from episode 2, someone from the losing team was voted off, walked down the Dock of Shame, and rode the Boat of Losers away from Camp Wawanakwa for good.
Less than half of that original 22 remained.
And currently, Chris and Chef were seen in the mess hall waiting for those remaining campers to come in for their breakfast. And boy were they in for a surprise. "What?" Duncan had come into the mess hall, with many campers following soon after, he noticed one thing. "No breakfast, again?"
"Oh, don't worry bro," Chris told Duncan as a few other campers passed by the green-haired delinquent. "There will be plenty of food later on." Duncan raised a brow before narrowing in suspiciously at the host and buff Chef but simply decided to join the rest of the Killer Bass at their table. And as he left Chris and Chef began to giggle as quietly as they could.
But they were quickly noticed by those who saw the teenage torturing duo snickering.
Once both teams were seated, Chris and Chef managed to calm themselves down allowing the former to clear his throat and walk out in front of everyone. "Congratulations to the remaining ten campers for reaching the halfway mark in the competition!" Chris announced to everyone getting some smiles from a few of the teens. They couldn't help but be a little proud of themselves for making it so far. "You'll all be on the jury for the final episode."
"We got the power!" Geoff cheered as he pumped up a fist. "Yeah!"
"The two teams will become one next week," Chris explained getting some surprised looks from the campers. The Screaming Gophers and Killer Bass will be no more. Now, it was every camper for themselves. All gunning it to win the $100,000 grand prize. "But first, all the girls will be moved to the Gopher cabin and all the guys will stay in the Bass cabin. This week's challenge is as old as history itself. A battle of the sexes!" Upon hearing this, most of the guys sent challenging looks to the girls with a few of the females sending the looks back and, in Lindsay's case, blowing a raspberry. "After everyone is settled in, I'll announce the challenge. And then, you'll have an, uh…bite to eat." Once again Chris and Chef started snickering uncontrollably getting raised brows from nearly all the campers. Just what sick and twisted thing were those two planning? "Ready for a little good news? This week, no one will be kicked off. It's all for a reward and it's a good one." Everyone cheered and high-fived at this. "Okay, time to relocate. Let's move!"
All the campers then got up with the girls from the Bass and Owen ready to make the move to their new cabins. All the while Chef and Chris started snicker again. As they left, Bridgette ended up walking by herself with her now former fellow female Bass Courtney and walking with Duncan respectively. As the surfer girl went to go get her stuff, Heather suddenly came up to her with a friendly face that seemed completely foreign to the queen bee. "Wow, your hair looks great today." Heather actually complimented Bridgette as she walked next to her. "So natural."
Before Bridgette could say something, Courtney appeared.
"Don't mind her Bridg, let's take our stuff and prepare ourselves." The C.I.T. Bass commented which made the surfer shrug and take her stuff from the cabin. Leaving a very frustrated queen bee...
"What is their problem?" Heather narrowed her eyes but did not realize that Gwen passed by her and heard everything.
"Rule number 7 of Killer Bass guide, never trust a Gopher," Gwen commented as she could see the glaring face of Heather. "And before you ask, no, surprisingly it wasn't you the reason why that rule was created in the first place."
Heather raised a brow, until her eyes went wide open, and realized one thing. They were aiming to eliminate the meat shield... Heather glanced at the boys going inside their own cabins, and she couldn't help but muse on their direction.
"Huh, I wonder how long it will take until they start fighting." Heather mused loudly as she watched Lindsay coming near her, and she forgot Gwen was nearby her... Gwen watched Trent going at the Screaming Gopher... He turned his head to see her, but she shook her head and ignored his presence.
"3 minutes or less," Gwen commented which surprised Heather and Lindsay at the same time. "It's a time bomb, and his time around the show is short."
And with that, Gwen went to her cabin, leaving Heather and Lindsay thinking about their next strategy.
"What are we going to do?" Lindsay asked as she already could see the group of girls wasn't very excited about them getting together into one cabin with them...
"We need to be in low radar. We cannot bring a lot of attention now that they have a main target." Heather explained as she walked to the Screaming Gophers cabin. "If they want Trent's head on a spike, well suit themselves."
"I want his head in a spike too. Do you think they would allow me to be on their side?" Linday was eager and happy to make the boy who made her dirty pancakes an entire hell... And Heather raised her eyebrows because she was surprised with the idea...
"Well, you could try. Since you have a very good reason for it." Heather shrugged, and she could see Lindsay so happy around... Until suddenly she saw Trent being launched away from the cabin where he was going to stay with the boys of Killer Bass... And she didn't understand how Trent did it. But it was like Gwen had told. It was less than 3 minutes.
At the time Bridgette prepared her backpack, she still felt conflict in relation to the future chapter of what was going to happen, since the pressure of the reality show was getting more and more on her nerves, she felt that her time to prepare herself in case she or DJ would find it was the right time to leave the show...
"Knock knock," Geoff commented as he surprised the girl who was about to leave. "Oh hey, Bridgette..."
"Hello." The surfer commented as she felt a refresh of good air in relation to the boy she had a good time with...
"Brigde... I know that you may be having a terrible time dealing with this pressure. But in case things would get too extreme, I just hope you talk to me." Geoff said as he held tight the hands of the blond surfer, as it seemed the time had become slow for both of them... "I'm going to miss you so much."
"I know Geoff, but..." Bridgette commented as she felt the good eyes coming from the boy, his worried tone, and yet his gentle smile, she was also going to miss that feeling. "I will also miss you, but I think someday it would be my time to leave. But don't worry, I will be cheering for you."
"Thanks," Geoff said as the duo seemed so in syntony until the vinyl scratch happened and Chris took Bridgette by her arm.
"There is a long day ahead," Chris smirked as he pulled the girl outside of the cabin... Leaving Geoff in silence with his thoughts.
Until suddenly felt an impact of the guitar case with the last person he wanted to see.
"Hey, dude. Where should I put this?" Trent's distracted himself, not knowing that he made the party boy on the floor because of the accident he brought to him.
"Oh yeah, him," Geoff mumbled as he tried to compose himself. And got up to his feat. "Whatever man, choose a bed and do your thing. I'm going to grab my stuff."
Geoff passed by the door, seeing Duncan and DJ already with their stuff, and even Owen who seemed to be eager to get together with the boys...
Duncan walked to see how the girls' cabin was after the events of such a catastrophe prank war, to see the girl's side of the cabin looked more intact in comparison to the other side of the cabin... there was still remaining of the glorious event of the prank war, which led to one of their most important members giving up on the show for the sake of going to the hospital. And yet, it's strange to see the other cabin and sleep after such events of the war... Duncan looked around, and seeing Trent already there, he just rolled his eyes and didn't want to talk to him.
And by narrowing his eyes to another place, he suddenly recognized one single book... Which was one where Gwen spent most of her time writing on the Aquarium.
"Huh?" Duncan walked nearby to get the book out of the bed.
"What do you have on there dude?" Trent asked curious, which made the delinquent ignore him... "Hey, this isn't yours you sh..."
"I know this isn't, this is Gwen's diary, which she probably forgot above her bed. It's the best to give her back." Duncan shrugged as he walked in the direction of the door.
"Hey, and why should you be the one to give her diary?" Trent made such a question, which made both Duncan and DJ raise their eyebrow towards the person who just made such a proposition.
"And who do you think it should be giving her diary?" Duncan asked in disbelief, and the guitarist remained quiet until Duncan rolled his eyes. "Please don't tell me that you were actually thinking of all the people who should give the diary back to her."
"Hey, I can be helpful." Trent protested as Duncan rolled his eyes.
"Well, your jealousy is clearly helping your case a lot."Duncan scoffed as he suddenly felt the guitarist holding his shirt by the collar.
"I'm not jealous, I just don't trust you the way you look at her," Trent commented as he suddenly realized Duncan chuckling.
"Okay first...you have 5 seconds to release me, or I'm going to make you regret it to even touch me in the first place...Second, the way I look at her? Are you seriously that blind?"Duncan chuckled as he narrowed his eyes. "I'm already with Courtney, you moron."
Trent hesitated, as he was about to replay the comment, but then he felt both his hands being held tightly by the delinquent.
"Times up," Duncan said as Trent realized both his hands were still holding his T-shirt...
And on the next moment, Duncan without thinking twice launched the guitarist out of the boy's cabin. Which made Trent has the same taste of dirt as Cody had in the first episode.
Geoff walked with his luggage, passing by Trent and refusing to take a look at him. At the time he got inside the cabin, Owen felt horrified to see the group staring at him like a bunch of wolves.
"Hey everyone. What did I miss?"Geoff commented as Duncan was placing his DJ equipment set, while the Jamaican camper, tried to reassure the Screaming Gopher boy, that everything was going to be alright.
"Just Trent being a pain again," Duncan said as he then launched Gwen's diary into his hand. "Take this to Gwen at least I know that you are not going to mess this up."
"Sure, be right back," Geoff commented as he then saw Owen following him.
"Let me go with you," Owen saying he was still intimidated by Duncan was not a surprise, since seeing the boy being so angry to launch his friend outside, he really wanted to avoid conflict.
"Sure my man, the more the merrier." The party boy said as he tapped the back of the charismatic Chubby boy, so with a reassuring smile, Owen gave a sigh of relief.
Heather watched in surprise at how quickly the guitarist boy was out of the said cabin, and she had to confess that sometimes this game looked way easier than she expected.
But she isn't going to complain about the gift horse from its teeth. She and Lindsay went to their cabin, just to see the group already with their luggage over their bunkers.
"Hey, we found which bed you both use, so we used the vacant ones while giving you the space you need," Courtney said in a polite tone, which made Heather and Lindsay stare at her in surprise.
"Err... Thanks?" Lindsay asked thanks, as Heather remained quiet and the group in silence already preparing their stuff.
Heather seeing that the group of girls never opened their mouths or even made a sound on the cabin, and the awkward silence somehow made her uncomfortable and annoyed.
"Alright, this is getting creepy, why are you in silence like that? Don't you all have anything to say here?"Heather said loudly which surprised the Killer Bass girls.
"What is there to talk about? We already talked with each other before coming here." Courtney shrugged, as she also didn't feel the desire to talk anything about that moment.
"Well, what about the fact the goth girl was right and Trent ended up being launched away from the boy's cabin." Heather crossed her arms and told the group.
.
.
.
"What an idiot." That was what the group of girls said when Heather finally found a popular opinion and a way to make the communication between her, Lindsay, and the others.
"What do you think it's this time?" Bridgette asked as she facepalmed with the unawareness of the boy who couldn't take a hint.
"2 chocolate bars that he made Duncan Angry," Gwen commented as Courtney rolled her eyes.
"That's a sucker's bet, I'm sure it's related to his jealously towards my boyfriend," Courtney said as she rolled her eyes, Heather noticed that just a simple name managed to make the whole group of girls already talking badly of him.
"Well, at least he didn't force you all to eat pee, shoving in your throat and lying on your face," Lindsay commented which made the whole Killer Bass girls flinch in disgust.
"Yeah. That was horrible. I would have ripped my head off. Yeah, that was unforgivable." Gwen, Courtney, and Bridgette said at the same time agreeing that possibly it was the right start and all of them had a reason to be mad at him.
"What about you Heather?"Courtney asked as the queen bee remained quiet, thoughtfully.
"Well, I don't actually have anything against him, since the time I already executed my revenge into the hiking challenge."Heather shrugged but she then noticed the girls chuckling at her words.
"Oh yeah, the mega wedgies, I have to say, never thought someone could scream like a little girl," Bridgette smirked, as the talk between the girls actually made them have something in common... The focus into eliminating one camper.
*Knock,knock, knock*
The girls stopped their conversation after the knocks which Bridgette shrugged just to come at the time to open the door... And to her surprise, she just saw Geoff once again.
"Oh hey Geoff," Bridgette smiled at seeing the party boy again.
"Bridgette," Geoff smiled as he even tipped his hat to her which made her giggle. "Came here with a mission in hand. Is Gwen over there?"
"Yeah, why?" The surfer asked as she tilted her head, and then at the time she saw Geoff showing a familiar book, she had her eyes wide open.
"We found this on the bed, so we thought it would be best to give it back to her."The smiling party boy gave it to the surfer, who just smiled back at him.
"I know she will be happy to receive back." Bridgette smiled as she gave a quick peak on his cheek, and then both of them got in shock...And with a blush on her face, she went in panic. "Well, I will give it back to her, see you at the challenge."
"Yeah do that, see you later," Geoff said not just a second later Bridgette closed the door... Making the smile of the cowboy hat boy wide open and starts to cheer. "Yeah."
"Great job Geoff." When the party boy who just realized Owen watched the whole interaction, he saw that indeed Owen felt happy for the inner victory of the Killer Bass member.
"Thanks, man, well. Let's go back to our cabin, the boys probably are going to make a little party for us." Geoff tapped the back of the gentle Gopher, but still, he acted very afraid. "What's wrong?"
"Well, I have to confess Duncan scares me a little," Owen confessed as he then saw Geoff chuckling in response.
"Oh it's fine, Duncan is just being overprotective, he is a nice guy once you know him." Geoff smiled at the boy who just sighed in relief. "I understand you are afraid of him, but you don't have to worry, you just need to follow 3 rules and then you are fine with us."
"What 3 rules?" Owen asked scared, but Geoff just shook his head.
"It's just simple rules, 1- When we get out from the cabin and disappear for a few hours, we are just into our secret place, but that place it's just for Killer Bass members, so just don't ask about it. 2-Duncan is a pillar of our team, so he leads most of the time which is great because he has a lot of responsibility so he will try his best to make the team win, so don't worry about it. And 3- If DJ, Me, Duncan, Courtney, Bridgette, or Gwen say the word Condor, know that all Killer Bass members are going to vote on that person, don't try to change our minds, that's the simple rule." Geoff explained simple rules that Owen could understand and for the relief of the chubby boy, he felt way more relaxed now that the rules didn't seem to be unfair.
"It's a very strange quantity of rules, but I can do this." Owen nodded his head, and Geoff placed his arm around his neck.
"That's the spirit, I think you and the group will have a great time. Now let's party." Geoff said as raised his fist, and Owen already enjoyed the new friend he managed to meet on the show.
Not much happened after that event, Bridgette passed half an hour with a blush on her face, while Gwen and Courtney teased her for the peak on Geoff's cheek, Gwen was relieved to receive her diary back. And the girls passed the time preparing themselves thinking about what kind of sadistic challenge Chris and Chef seemed to be preparing for them...
On the other side, as Geoff has said, Duncan really made a little party for the group, including Trent to be part of the party, even if the tension was a bit heavy in the cabin, the group tried to relax and enjoy their time together before going on the challenge. There was a contest of who burped louder, and Geoff surprised everyone with his loud burp... Which made the whole group of boys applaud and Trent had the idea of making him the leader of the cabin... Duncan raised his eyebrow, and Geoff sweated a bit, before tunning down the idea. If there was another person who suggested that, he could have accepted the role, however, for being Trent the one who did it. Geoff decided to ignore him and let Duncan still be the leader of the boy's cabin.
Thankfully the time has come, and the group finally could go to the Mess hall.
(The Mess Hall)
Once the time Chris had allowed everyone to move was up, he had all 12 remaining campers gather up at the mess hall again. They all thought it was finally time for breakfast, but according to Chris, "It's time for today's challenge!"
"Err... Chris? What about the Breakfast?"Owen asked as he felt a bad feeling, which usually whenever Chef and Chris made them not have breakfast, it meant the challenge would be really difficult, from the time he got sleepwalking to even the time he had to lose the delicious meal and have a traumatic experience with pancakes.
However, Chris and Chef once again started giggling madly and by now it was really starting to get on everyone's nerves. "Stop doing that!" Heather snapped as she's had to deal with enough annoying people today after the incident that happened earlier at the girl's cabin.
Chris and Chef finally managed to calm themselves down with the former finally explaining everything. "Let's just tell them…today's challenge is…The Brunch of Disgustingness!" Chris revealed getting everyone's eyes to widen a bit. While also getting a few worried looks due to the name of the challenge. "You'll be getting an eleven-course meal. Each member of each team must finish each dish. You will not know if the next dish is grosser than the last, not as gross, or just as gross. Just that it'll likely be…gross."
While everyone was gulping a bit in worry about what kind of 'food' they would be served today. Most think that what they will be given will hardly count as food. "Tell them what they'll get if they win, Chris!" Chef said in a classic game show host voice.
"The winning team spends two days at a local five-star resort where they'll be pampered, eat gourmet nosh, and be given antibiotics against anything they may have caught while participating in this challenge!" This got cheers and smiles from everyone present. Whichever gender won would be treated to a weekend of pure fun and relaxation. "The losing team will go hungry tonight and spend the next two days here. On Total Drama Island. With Chef." This got worried looks from everyone as the losers would still be treated like they have been for the last few weeks. Didn't help that Chef waved to them with a rather psychotic look on his face.
"We are going to win this challenge!" Heather stated to her fellow female campers. No way was she missing out on a weekend of paradise.
Confession– Bridgette
"I just hope we win to ease some of the tension," Bridgette said as everyone getting along was better than a five-star resort. "I mean, I'll try anything once. Except meat. I can't eat meat."
Confession - Chris
"Ah Bridgette, I'm sooooo glad that you are vegetarian, because this challenge will be perfect for you..." Chris giggled maniacally as he then glanced at the camera. "Me and Chef made 2 little bets on this morning. For who would be the first person to vomit on this challenge, and... Between DJ and Bridgette, who would be the first to say Condor? Hehehe... oh I'm going to break her vegetarian spirit and make her say Condor in a speed record."
Confession - Chef.
"If Chris thinks he is going to beat me in a bet? He is very wrong because for the weak of heart Jamaican, I know how to break him... HAHAHAHAHAHA. This 50 bucks will be the easiest I get." Chef laughed as he already tasted the sweet victory of winning a bet against the host of the show.
"Let's begin the challenge!" Chris said as he clapped his hands with an excited grin on his face. This was gonna be fun to watch. Chef then emerged from the kitchen with a kart full of platters with a covering to hide what the first dish was. "First…some Hors D'oeuvres."
The covers were then lifted up off all the platters revealing…meatballs. "Haha, all right! Meatballs!" Owen cheered with an excited grin. Meanwhile, everyone else was looking at the meatballs with a suspicious look. Something seemed…off about them. And when Bridgette looked at the dish she seemed absolutely horrified. "Bring it on!" Owen then went for it and stuffed all the 'meatballs' into his mouth at once.
As the big guy chewed, Chris pointed something out. "Well, technically, you're right, Owen," Chris stated getting everyone to look at him. "But these are kinda special."
Chef grinned as he lifted up one of them and told all the campers exactly what they were. "It's beef testicle bourguignon."
Everyone gasped at the information as they looked at the dish in a whole new light. These meatballs…were meatballs. "Testicles…" Owen questioned before throwing up all he ate right on DJ. Thankfully Chef was there to provide a new plate to Owen. Which made both Chris and Chef stare at Owen in disbelief.
"From all the members, Owen was the first to vomit?" Chris asked in disbelief, which made a look on Chef, and both just felt robbed. "Wow, so it means a tie."
"Yeah, never thought the fat boy was the one who would vomit first either," Chef said which made the other campers stare at them in disbelief.
"You bet behind our backs?" Courtney said angrily at the dup who just shrugged.
"We need our entertainment as well, so to pass the time we are cheering for you all to manage the win the game," Chris said with a false smirk, which made everyone go back to their plates.
It wasn't going well with the guys. Their reluctance to eat was because…well…they were guys. "Oh, I don't know if I can do this to my bovine brother…" Geoff said as he picked up a 'meatball.'
Trent slowly placed a tip of the meatball in his mouth and tried to eat, while DJ felt so attacked and sad for the most precious part of the bull being attacked like that. DJ even found himself crying a little as he looked at the dish.
"It's the hardest thing a man can do," Chris commented as he looked at the guys struggling to eat the first dish.
Confession – Heather
"Judging by the way the guys were reacting to the uh… dish…" Heather said while still looking a bit uncomfortable about the whole situation. "I knew we could win the round."
Just then the guys looked and gasped as they saw a few of the females tossing some of the 'meatballs' into their mouths with not nearly as much struggle as them. "Oh…okay, gross me right out the door!" Lindsay gagged as she ate her dish with a fork. "But I could totally use a pedicure at that resort. My corns are growing corns."
"What's the matter?" Heather asked after swallowing a 'meatball'. "Mm…you big boys can't eat a little meatball?"
"Come on!" Geoff tried to push his team of guys forward. "We can't let the girls win! Our manhood is at stake!" The boys all nodded and did their best to try and stomach the 'food' but they were still struggling a bunch.
Heather was smiling at the girls who seemed to be winning the challenge until she saw Bridgette who didn't even touch the food.
"What are you doing?" Heather glared, but then she saw Courtney and Gwen already looking at her with a side glance.
"I'm vegetarian it's against my own principles," Bridgette commented as she refused to break her own principle and one of her vows to never eat meat...
Before Heather could even complain, she then heard Chris coming in their direction.
"Oh, that's the problem? Well, we have options for the vegetarian people." Chris commented which made Bridgette turn her head, and the girls on that side turned to see Chris holding a tray with him. "It's called substitution food... It's an option for people who refuse to eat meat, however, each tray will get worse and worse, so it's 9 trays, so every time you think it's too much for you the first option, you are going to exchange the tray for the vegetarian option..."
Chris explained the rules, which made Bridgette happy to have a chance to help the girls, but then she felt a terrible feeling of dread coming.
"Well, if you think you can hold the vegetarian option, then you better do it now." Heather scoffed as she returned to her seat...
"For the first vegetarian plate we have..." Chris smiled which made Bridgette gulp in fear until she saw Chris open the tray revealing nothing more than broccollis. Which made the girl blink in confusion. "Boiled Brocollis."
The entire group of boys suddenly stopped, even the girls who were still struggling to eat the meatballs suddenly went jaw-slacked from such a rule. Until a voice was heard from the boy's side.
"Ugh, disgusting," Trent said which made the boys and girls stare at him in disbelief.
"WAIT, SO YOU MEAN WE HAD TO EAT ALL THESE BULL BALLS, WHILE WE COULD HAVE THE OPTION TO EAT A *BEEP* VEGETAL?" Heather shouted in anger, while Chris smiled from that reaction.
"Yep, so any of you girls want to also have it?" Chris smiled as he then saw that not just Courtney and Gwen, but also most of the boys from the other side wanted to substitute the first dish for the vegetarian option. "Alright, you all can have the first change, which is the easiest one... But I'm warning you, each tray from the vegetarian option will get worse and worse."
The group ignored that, as the group decided to eat the whole Boiled Brocollis at that time, which was a way better option than the bull testicles meatball.
And at the time the group started to eat the boiled broccoli, everything seemed easy and fine... However, there was one member of the boy's side which made the unbelievable.
Trent tried to eat the testicles, but his entire body couldn't take it anymore.
"I can't I just can't." Trent closed his eyes and refused to eat it.
"Then eat the damn broccoli idiot." Duncan narrowed his eyes, and Trent refused to even look at it.
"Well, it seems the boys lost this round. I don't blame you... The first round goes to the girl's team. " Chris said as the group of girls cheered loudly, and the boys looked at Trent with disappointment on their faces."The score now stands at one for the girls and zero for the guys! And now, the next course in…The Brunch of Disgustingness!" Chris said right to the camera to hype the audience up. The first round was already crazy and gross enough. And there were still ten more rounds of suffering to go through. "You guys like pizza?"
Everyone eagerly nodded from both tables. Pizza was something everyone could love! "I could eat pizza any time with anything on it!" Owen excitedly stated.
"Anything?" Chris questioned as Chef brought out two larger platters that contained the next course. Owen nodded as Chris gestured to Chef to reveal the food. "How about live grasshopper pizza with tangy jellyfish sauce and live anchovies?" Lifting up the covers of the platters, Chef revealed that it was indeed pizza…but with jellyfish mixed in with the sauce, grasshoppers jumping around on it, and anchovies flopping on it for dear life.
Owen shrugged as he accepted the challenge, even if he knew that it would be gross, but Pizza was Pizza so it wouldn't be difficult for him to eat it.
"Ew, I hate anchovies." Lindsay groaned out as Chef placed the pizza on each table.
"I'm surprised that you are more groused over the living anchovies than the grasshoppers and jellyfish." She immediately felt the pressure over the next dish, and she felt disgusted from seeing both anchovies and grasshoppers jumping around her slice... And she never thought it would have been that horrible. "I'm going to try the vegetarian version."
"Me too." Bridgette agreed, she was glad that there were vegetarian options for her, even though the more she and her team asked for the option, the wider the smile coming from Chris made her insecure.
"Well then, for the second vegetarian option we have..." Chirs appeared with two trays making their way in front of Heather and Bridgette... And at the time he opened the trays, the terrible smell attacked their noses, which made them hold their noses. "Old, Rancid Boiled Broccoli"
At the time Chris explained the next vegetarian tray, the girls and boys watched with their faces becoming palled, from seeing little mounts of green goo, which made both Heather and Bridgette realize what Chris had explained, from each tray, the option would get worse and worse...
Heather looked hesitant.
"Do you have any cheese to place over it?" Heather asked hoping to cover the disgusting vegetable's terrible flavor, but from seeing Chef shaking his head... Heather looked at Bridgette who held her nose and used her fork to eat every green on the plate. Which made her eyes cry at the terrible taste...
Heather gulped, as she looked at her team... The girls now were torn between eating the vegetable or eating the pizza...
"I just can't, I want the terrible broccoli too." Lindsay launched away the pizza, which Chef smirked as he brought the tray with the second level of broccoli ready for the blonde girl... She also felt intimidated. But she used her best to make sure to eat the terrible taste of the broccoli.
The boys, on the other hand, decided to focus on the pizza.
"I told you brocollis are disgusting, and now Old and Rancid? There is no way I would eat that," Trent said as he looked down at his own food, and the pizza made his stomach grumble, and the content of the balls of bull wanted to get out of his body... "I've got a weak stomach. Uh, be right back."
So he quickly excused himself to vomit outside of the mess hall...
Confession - Trent
When I was a kid, my parents used to hold me down and force-feed me broccoli. They only did it because broccoli's…" Suddenly Trent shuddered from disgust and fear. "Good for ya. "
"I can do this. DJ, I need you to hold me down, while Geoff, you stuff the slice in my mouth. And no matter how much I scream or beg, you have got to feed me that slice." Trent said as the whole group stared at the guitarist in surprise... Duncan smirked as he won the lottery.
"Oh, I like this plan," Duncan said as he himself took the slice. He would be the one who would have the pleasure of doing it. "Let's get started it."
In the next second, DJ was holding Trent with all his strength, while Trent discovered that he had already regretted the plan.
"No, stop! Wait, it was a joke! I was kidding! Ha ha!" Trent gave a nervous laugh, as Duncan smirked at him. So that made him make him threaten the group. "I' 'm warning you, my dad's a lawyer!"
And the next second, Duncan forced the boy to eat the slice against his will, which made his pupils dilate, and look at DJ and called him his mama. Duncan was satisfied with the results as DJ made the guitarist boy feel like a baby in his arms... It was a view that nobody from the Killer Bass would regret seeing it.
Confession - Trent
"It wasn't that bad. I was playing it up for the cameras. You know, to boost ratings. I don't really mind beef testicles or live grasshopper pizza with jellyf– Ooh…" And on that time Trent couldn't help himself and vomit around the entire place, even the animals around felt disgusted and ran in fear.
Each of the boys decided to not choose the vegetarian option, and by holding their noses, they managed to eat completely the pizza slice, and with that guaranteeing their point.
Gwen and Courtney were also able to finish their slices, and Heather cursed every part of her being but she also managed to eat all the broccolis... Now understanding the words said by the host... The options are going to get worse from now.
"Well then, it seems everyone understood the rules and developed strategies for dealing with this. So everyone won a point now... Which the score now is 2 for the girls and 1 for the boys." Chris smiled as he could see the hesitation coming from Bridgette, it was just the start, and sooner or later she would crack before DJ.
Confession - Chef.
"If Chris thinks that he had the worst dishes for the vegetarian... it's because he didn't see my creation for DJ hehehehe." Chef commented as he felt proud of himself. "I created that... And oh boy, I already can imagine his face."
"All right, who's ready for the third course? Spaghetti!" Chris smiled as he then made everyone open the trays, and the first thing they noticed, was it wasn't spaghetti, it was pinkish, and had some different forms... looking like internal organs... "Actually rabbit intestines."
DJ froze, as he felt his heart stop, and slowly looked down and saw his little bunny, which made him look at Chris as if he was the devil
"No, no, no no no no." DJ commented as he immediately looked at the intestines and he felt horrified to imagine eating that... Geoff and Duncan also flinched because they knew the truth about the first bunny, which probably looked at DJ already crying.
"No, no... those poor bunnies." DJ started crying, and Chef smirked widely... while Chris rolled his eyes.
"Well, from the look of your face girls... Are you interested in eating the vegetarian option?" Chris asked as the girls from the other table hesitated not knowing what they would eat at that moment. And before even Bridgette says something he already cut her. "Of course you want Bridge... so let me bring you the third tray..."
And then, Bridgette felt her entire stomach tremble as if it was begging to not do it because slowly Chris was enjoying the torture on them... She felt hesitating, but it was too late, she wanted to win for the girls.
Gwen and Courtney looked at each other, and Heather bit her lips because she feared what was going to...
And on the next second, their fears were founded, since at the time Chris opened the tray, the disgusting putrid smell attacked them as a whole team...
"Old Ranced Boiled Brocolli, That Chef's had on his toes for a whole week," Chris said as the entire group of Killer Bass understood one thing.
"SON OF A *BEEP*" DJ and Bridgette said in unison as they understood from where Chris took this exact pattern of broccoli food.
Confession - Chris.
"Ah, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Who thought listening to Ezekiel doing his grammar review once again helped me to be so creative in making their lives a true hell," Chris smirked as his signature smirked.
The brownish version of rancid broccoli attacked the view of every single girl... Their response immediately by running away from the mess hall to vomit outside... Not even Courtney was able to be strong on her stomach... That was a direct hit on them.
DJ also felt conflicted... Between seeing the death of the same animal species that he had in his cabin, the little bunny whom he has taking care of for weeks. Now he was torn between eating one of the most disgusting vegetarian foods or eating the intestines of his favorite pet.
"Okay, we can plan something." Duncan refused to lose on that challenge, so he formulated a plan to make every single boy from his team blindfold themselves and cover their noses.
"Okay, it's just spaghetti." Geoff was also losing his mind, but seeing that his friend preferred to eat something from Chef's food... he preferred to eat the bunny intestines...
And at the time the girls finally came back from vomiting... They just saw DJ actually eating the rotten broccoli, and Heather and Gwen went back to vomit outside... Bridgette looked between the intestines of the bunny... and the worst possible broccoli she ever thought to taste...
But, her stomach was too loud, so she went back to vomit.
"DONE." The boys said as the group remained like a wall... happy that the worst part was over...
"Very good, it seems now the boys won this round... which made them tied with the girls." Chris smiled as he then snapped his fingers to bring the next tray... It took a while for the girls to finally compose themselves once again... The morale of the group was low because neither of them was doing fine... Lindsay and Bridgette were on the verge of breaking..."Alright, this one is going to be special for some of you... "
And those words seemed to make the campers even more nervous.
"Here we have... Pancakes." Chris smiled as the time he opened the tray, which then made some of the group reactivate PTSD, for a yellow version of pancakes which made Lindsay tremble and almost vomit. "And before you ask, this is the true Apple Vinegar pancake. We cannot use the same punishment food, so we decided to take it easy on you guys."
"Really?" The whole group who were scared of seeing the same yellow pancakes were just glad that they didn't have to deal with the same absurd pancake... Lindsay glared at the guitarist boy who whistled away from her glare.
Lindsay was the first one to take a fork and cut a little piece of the said breakfast... just to place on her tongue... It tasted acidic and bad... But in comparison to what she ate on that day... It was 10% in comparison to the peed pancake.
And the group looked at the blond bombshell finishing her meal, the group looked at her in disbelief.
"It's way better in comparison than that *beep* pancake... Youu... *beep*, I'm going to *beep* your *beep* while you still breathe, and I swear if you don't eat this *beep* pancakes then I'm going to *beep* your *beep* with a *beep* without lube." Lindsay glared at Trent who had his mouth wide open in shock...
The girls remained in shock, and even Heather felt so shocked that she had no idea on what happened to Lindsay...Slowly the blond girl turned her head at them, which made the whole group of girls to rush eat the food.
Duncan watched that scene, and decided to give a few bites... and the taste was terrible, but seeing Geoff and DJ actually eating it without thinking twice... he felt the pressure coming to Trent... Which made him smirk...
Trent could protest all he wants, but Lindsay wanted him to eat the pancakes, so that's what he is going to be forced into doing... And once more the points were shared making them 3X3 on the score.
"4 dishes. Only five more courses left. Bon appetit!" Chris smirked as the group felt disgusted and with the desire to give up...DJ and Bridgette especially, because at that point, one of them was going to crack... but between their desire of going to a spa? Who deserves it most?"
And then by every single tray, things were mixed on the first option, Chef provided the next course to everyone which was a giant ball of chewed-up gum that Chef did by himself. Then was a drink made from skunk stink juice. Lindsay regrets drinking, And Bridgette does her best to drink it and shreds some tears.
Later gelatine was made with bunny bones made DJ cry in despair and choose the optional vegetarian disgusting food which was a combination of spaghetti with beans, and fruit loops, something that made the Jamaican vomit so much from his body being so confused about what the hell he has been eating. Bridgette was also getting more palled from every single vegetarian food...
Next came a French Bunyon Soup, which Bridgette made a strategy to help Lindsay drink the whole soup... And when everything resumed to an end. The score was tied for both teams... And now Chris wanted to go for the kill... It was surprising that none of the duo wanted to give up, but he already expected that... now it was for the final kill.
" Wow, it's still tied up. We're down to the last course in the challenge."Chris said as he could see how each of them was feeling, Bridgette was trembling, her face was green from how terrible the food she ate the vegetarian option managed to attack her so far... From Brocolis to chaotic froot loops which made her never want to taste cereal for a long time... or with pasta and beans... And now she was relieved to see the final dish which meant the game was over... Until she saw, hot dogs... making her sigh in disappointment... the meat in front of her looked tasty, and fearing on what kind of monstrosity the Final Vegetarian food would be... she was very tempted to eat the hot dog... until Chris said what they are made of... "It's delicious dolphin wieners. Hot dogs made of dolphin."
"But dolphins are our friends!" Bridgette whispered, but she feared looking in the direction of Chef and Chris who brought her the final Vegetarian dish...
"Well, there is always a vegetarian option..." Chris commented as he slowly placed the tray in front of Lindsay, and from the smell coming from the inside, she was on her limit. "This is a recipe for a durian locked inside of the refrigerator for 2 weeks. An intern forgot to eat the whole awful food, and now we made this especially for you..."
Chris opened the tray which made once again the terrible smell attack the whole Mess Hall, and at that moment, Bridgette felt her eyes tearing up...
"What will be Bridgette? Are you going to eat a Dolphin hot dog? Or this powerful smelling di..."Chris talked as he offered the hotdog in front of her, or the bowl full of the liquid durian with extract of durian on top, it was a combination of trash with trash liquid which was a straight path for food poisoning.
"CONDOR." Bridgette then shouted in panic, which made the group of girls and even the boys from Killer Bass stare at Bridgette breaking down. Geoff looked broken into seeing the girl getting despaired to give up from the show. "Condor, condor, please... Condor..."
Confession - Bridgette.
"I can't take it anymore. I was so tempted to eat meat, that I almost gave up my principles... and I reached my limit... I can't..." Bridgette cried as she used the toilet paper to clean up her tears.
Confession - Chris
"HAHAHAHAHA, I WON, MONEY MONEY MONEY BABY." Chris counted the 50 bucks on his hands, as he could see Chef being angry for not being able to break DJ, and now he was happy to make a vegetarian regret even eating vegetables for a while. "If you are not going against your principles... Fine, I'm going to adapt my challenge to make you regret it for being a vegetarian in the first place... Hahahaha. I know this episode will be in the top 10. I know."
Courtney and Gwen paused... and pushed the food tray away from them... Giving up on the challenge.
"What? What happened? Why aren't you all eating?" Heather said as she narrowed her eyes.
"We give up," Gwen commented as she could see her glaring at her. "It's over Heather, Bridgette gave up, there is nothing we can do."
"Oh no, I want so much to go to that spa, we are going to do it or..." Heather was about to threaten but then Courtney scoffed.
"Bridgette is going to be eliminated on the next votation." Courtney cut the queen bee who made her eyes wide open. "When we said she gave up. We meant that she doesn't want to be on the show anymore. It's over, there is nothing we can do."
The boys who watched that scene were conflicted... Geoff gritted his teeth knowing this challenge attacked Bridgette in such a way that she couldn't defend herself. Duncan sighed in exasperation and DJ held his tears... it was indeed a terrible challenge... But now, the only thing they needed to do...
DJ looked at the dolphin hot dog and gave the first bite, which the other boys followed his example, and even with the weird texture of a fish sausage, they managed to eat the final meal...
"And the boys won the challenge," Chris said as he cheered for the boys, but some of them were in distress... With Geoff going after Bridgette who needed someone to help her to accept the defeat and make her feel better...
But at that moment, everything went downhill since Bridgette started vomiting on Geoff who just appeared near her... And at that moment, Geoff was covered in vomit felt his entire mouth full of the same disgusting food, and vomited around... which like the domino effect, every single member vomited around the Mess Hall, Cheff who was there to clean up felt his own vomit going to his mouth, and Chris who was happy with the personal victory, felt with the desire to vomit as well, but he did his best to gulp the whole vomit...
In the end, Trent, Duncan, and Owen vomited on the camera...
"The guys are the big winners today. And the girls go their separate ways. Two definitive cliques have been cemented." At the time Chris narrated the events, the boys walked slowly in the direction of the cruise which was perfect for them to enjoy their reward... While at the time the girls went to their own cabin, Bridgette cried as she received hugs from both Gwen and Courtney... And Geoff who shed some tears while he was on the cruise... on the next challenge it would be the time to say goodbye to her... "For now. What shocking surprises are in store for our campers next week as they head for the big merge? Tune in on Total. Drama. Island!"
And with that, another episode came to an end.
Chapter 22: Interlude 6
Chapter Text
Around a house living in a forest. The silence of the leaves, and even the animals showed how impactful was the newest episode...
The sobs coming from a girl in tune with nature showed how heartbreaking was to watch the last challenge, so many innocent creatures, the bulls, the anchovies, jellyfish, and crickets... And what they did with the bunnies, was monstrous. Even if dolphins the part of nature, even if they are crueler than sharks, their demise was something that would appear in her nightmares... Or possibly would be one of her phobias, and she prayed for Mother Nature to not allow Chris into doing phobia factor once again...
Her father was with his eyes closed, and as he could hear from Mother Nature the victim of this episode was clearly Bridgette and DJ. Showing the vegetarian options was nothing that he wasn't unaware of, sometimes as he wandered as a pioneer with his family, they had to eat rotten vegetables and fruits to survive, but it takes months of practice to make your body get resistant to such dangerous meals, time of poverty always brought them beyond the limits, and he always did his best to not make his little daughter suffer the same problems he had in the past.
A rotten durian was always the ultimate challenge because it tastes like shit. He always admitted, and even his parents knew about that.
He knew Bridgette would break because Mother Nature knew how cruel the dolphins were, and even in times of burden, his family was always torn between remaining vegetarian or going to the most cruel and basic rules of Mother Nature: Survival of the fittest.
His daughter Dawn was aware of the rule, so they always prayed for Mother Nature to never let them over such circumstances of the past...
But he was proud of the surfer Beidgette, when it comes to losing his own resolves, to a cruel show like that, she wanted to remain loyal to herself, and while Chris may have broken her spirit making her lose...
She had the moral ground, and Mother Nature had her blessings over her.
His wife also knew about the mother's nature blessing, she knew Bridgette now would be always safe in her forests, and even on the water where she would go... The Mother Nature would always protect her...
Even knowing she wouldn't get the 100 thousand prize, she could do what she loved most, and Mother Nature would have her back. A blessing that just a few had... But now both parents have a daughter to comfort since the last challenge was very cruel to them and to all vegetarians and vegans.
The next morning was fulfilled with silence as Ezekiel, Eva, Sadie, Harold, Katie, and Tyler sat down in the suite room of the jock of the group... Usually, Katie would have brought Cody and Leshawna would have been around, but Ezekiel made it clear that this conversation would have been only for his team... The main focus...
Bridgette...
"To think Chris knew about the insect servant chapter... It's another low blow from Chris." Ezekiel commented that a part of him felt guilty about seeing Bridgette so hurt after saying the word Condor.
"I don't know why she didn't choose to eat the Dolphin hotdog," Harold said as he didn't understand, but he glanced the most of Killer Bass less Ezekiel was staring at him weirdly. "Hey, Dolphins got what they deserved. Since it's adult dolphins meat."
"Why are you saying like it's a good thing?" Katie said as she was feeling uncomfortable and weird by the fact...
"Because adult dolphins are one the most cold-blooded animals in relation to their own babies."Ezekiel answered the question, which made everyone stare in disbelief..."I watched a documentary talking about them... I'm not going to sugarcoat... Dolphins kill their babies because they like doing it."
"WHAT?" Sadie and Katie shouted horrified as Tyler palled and Eva glanced in disbelief.
"Precisely, they sadistically develop their own bloodlust on the babies to make them cruel assassins, to even using their echolocation to find their vital organs and then they..."Harold explained as Katie closed her ears with her ears.
"STOP STOP STOP, I CAN'T HEAR IT ANYMORE," Katie shouted as Sadie went to hold Harold with a headlock...
"STOP RUINING THEM FOR ME," Sadie said as she was making Harold choke with his air.
"You two stop." Eva then said as she made Sadie realize what she was doing and immediately released Harold who finally was recovering his breath.
"Ah, ah... Thanks, Eva." Harold said as he placed his glasses back on his head... "Anyway, I told DJ about them, and possibly as seeing Bridgette breaking. I think he did that last phase more of pity on Bridgette because she needed to rest... But I still..."
"Because she is both a surfer, but she also made her principal to never eat meat, Harold," Ezekiel said firmly, which made the group stare at him. "It was her principle, and she refused to break her principle because of the show. And... I'm proud of her for doing it."
The group stared at Ezekiel in disbelief...
"Remember when I said they would want to break us, into trying to make us go against into our principles? That's why I offered the Condor as a safe word..."Ezekiel walked as he placed his hand on every single arm of his team. He looked happy and concerned about the safety of his friends."It's for cases that it would show that we need a rest, we need to take care of ourselves. And I confess, Bridgette and DJ deserve to be here, even if they couldn't win, it was for the best for we relax here..."
The group nodded their heads as they could understand how it was true, and how much they regretted not losing the show sooner, Harold was satisfied with learning about why their surfer gave up, and it was true how ruthlessly Chris and Chef went hard on them.
He and Leshawna almost vomited upon seeing some of the dishes...
"At least they didn't do the actual peed pancake again," Tyler commented as he made the group nod their heads at him. "Lindsay babe really needed a time out from that, I saw in the forum that everyone felt fear into seeing that rage from her face."
"Would you blame her? I actually liked it when she looked at the girls, I would have done the same thing." Eva grinned as she could see the sparkle inside of Lindsay, usually the blond dumb girl snapping was by far her favorite moment on the show.
"I just want to know why nobody sent that bastard Trent here yet," Tyler said as he snarled at his group. "It's been 4 times we lose to him, and he is like a cockroach, he always survives or finds a way to remain in the game..."
"I have to agree with Tyler here. His jealousy of Duncan doesn't make any sense." Sadie said as she also felt the pain of her team.
Ezekiel blinked, as a good part of himself cringed, after remembering World Tour, how the jealousy of Courtney and how possessive she became of Duncan led to the fallout of one of the most contradictory scenes of all total drama fandom... He saw how terrible it became for Chris making Courtney's life a hell, but thankfully... he managed to prevent that...
"Someone must put the team together and put that stupid guitarist in his place," Eva said as she cracked her neck... She was also one of the participants who wanted so much to punish the guitarist for everything he did.
The group reunited for the sake of thinking of a good way to help Bridgette to feel comfortable at the time she appeared at the resort, even knowing that she would still be broken from her terrible experience on the brunch of disgustness, the Killer Bass losers would do their best to make her stay enjoyable, as they hope everything would be fine from now on...
At the time he was alone in his bedroom, Ezekiel knew that he may have stalled too much time... Knowing that sooner or later he must deal with it, the possibility of the fandom of total drama would go after him...
Still part of him felt like it was like the old days where he lived before, in the future in another dimension, he wanted to know the reviews.
"Why is this so difficult?" Ezekiel asked as he was staring at the old version of the computer that usually he had from his laptop. After the time he was before the show he participated, he created his email just to be sure to see the messages he would receive...before the show he was excited, but after so many weeks inside of the show, he felt anxious about how many trolls or even critics would go over him...
But still, he learned to endure it in his past life, it was the time to do that as well.
At the time he opened his email account...his eyes went wide open... A hundred thousand emails, with thousands of them having a single title on them...
"Please be well Ezekiel" Ezekiel whispered as he opened every single one of them, fans, from boys, girls, women, men, adults, and even children... Wishing their best to the homeschooled boy... Kids even drew little images of him, a pink dog, a boy with a polar bear hat, and even a chubby boy having a t-shirt star.
Dozens of fanart of the cartoons he gave his best to write, some pretty messy like a toodles art, to even a well-describing creation of kids of ten years old kids.
But what made Ezekiel so touched... Was the fan songs, leading to the video section similar to youtube.
"Hey, here is my try of Love like you...
If I could begin to be
Half of what you think of me
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love
When I see the way you act
Wondering when I'm coming back
I could do about anything
I could even learn how to love like you
I always thought I might be bad
Now I'm sure that it's true
'Cause I think you're so good
And I'm nothing like you
Look at you go
I just adore you
I wish that I knew
What makes you think I'm so special...
From kids to girls who tried their best to sing like Courtney on the show, to boys doing their own covers, to actually musicians to play even instruments, to make the song better and better...
Ezekiel forgot which instruments or even how the piano keys were the ones that started the song, and with almost 3 years of his life not even listening to the original song...
He cried, because of how much impact it has had for him to mark a generation, and to bring back to life a song he loved to sing whenever he could as watching on YouTube... But now, the cycle started once again...
For not just a few dozen, but almost a hundred people who made his song, a voice they could always sing...
And that makes him feel grateful... To everyone, who supported him, to even being a fan of him...
"So that's how they felt..." Ezekiel commented as he cleaned his tears... "Rebecca Sugar, Steven Universe is a success, even in the Cartoon Network universe. Your song will live forever."
And Ezekiel felt happy, to see one great show was appreciated and accepted, and the legacy of a Cartoon Network show was made once again.
Ezekiel was proud...
A few hours later...
"It's the time of your medicine Zeke." The voice said as Ezekiel was still focusing into keep writing something he prepared... a letter, for a group he needed so much to cheer them up after a series of defeats in a row... Until he suddenly felt over his lap a familiar girl sitting on his lap, staring with her iconic wide grin, and her ginger hair, at what was the bane of the poor writer's existence... Was the sexy nurse outfit...
"Izzy...why do you still keep wearing this outfit every time I need to take the meds?" Ezekiel blushed as he felt the legs of the ginger 'crazy' girl above his legs, and she was sitting on his lap, he cursed his second puberty making it even more difficult for him to focus even with such a distraction.
"Yes, I do," Izzy commented as she took the pill and placed it in his mouth, by having Ezekiel take the glass of water and drink it, she waited for the right moment until she had a smirk. "I'm not wearing panties."
*Psssss*
Ezekiel spat part of the water as he coughed from the sudden scare, which made Izzy laugh happily before she got up. Thankfully Ezekiel already swallowed the medicine, but still, his letter was messed up with the water.
"Dammit Izzy, now I have to clean up my typewriter. You shouldn't say that to a person who was drinking water." Ezekiel said as he went to the bathroom to bring paper towels to clean up his trustful typewriter.
"Oh come on Zeke, you don't have some doubts about how my tights were near yours, without a fabric mak..." Izzy was teasing until she saw Ezekiel raise his hand in a motion to make her stop. "Alright, enough was enough."
Izzy went to sit on the bed, which made Ezekiel recover his breath, and once again try to focus on doing his letter...
"So after tomorrow..." Izzy commented, which made Ezekiel nod his head at her, both of them had been enjoying their time and talking about life and future projects, they still had time when Izzy's main plan would come into motion, the time she would come back on the show. "Are you sure that you aren't going to tell me the future challenges? If you tell me everything I think I can find a way to be the winner."
"You know that I cannot do that, you have to do the challenges like everyone else... but, please be careful okay?" Ezekiel asked as he knew that the serial killer episode was something that he feared his friends would be in danger... And not knowing how to actually make the flow of the time to save his friends in such a terrible problem...
"Pff, me? Don't worry about it. I have been trained all the time, I can give help and protect others when I want. Especially if I need to use someone to win the show." Izzy smirked as she felt like a winner for the 100 thousand dollars.
"Aren't you rich already? Why need to keep trying to win the prize though?'Ezekiel asked as he then felt Izzy smiling crazily at him.
"Because it's fun, going towards the challenges and then kicking everyone's butts, and then taking the prize while getting the fame of being the winner? That's the best thing happening after getting the money prize," Izzy commented as she prepared herself to leave. "But still, I'm going to miss this place, since I have to deal with the craziness of the show again. Well, gotta go now, I need to prepare my stuff before tomorrow."
"Yeah do that," Ezekiel commented but not before Izzy gave a smirk and walked slowly away to the door, even if she even stopped nearby, and went to correct a shoe near the bed... She lifted her skirt to the spectator and knowing that he was watching her, it was the perfect moment. She then got up and turned her head to see Ezekiel froze in the same state as Harold has when the moose made him touch Heather's titties... Frozen and with a big blush on his face, which was a satisfied result for herself, and happily left the room... Ezekiel remained quiet, as his entire face was blushing, and all the blood went into one simple place... "Goddamit second puberty."
Ezekiel went to the bathroom... for what reason, just he knows.
In the afternoon everyone gathered around to enjoy their good time relaxing and even having a good meal to make the rest of their days, just another reason to enjoy, Katie and Sadie are playing volleyball on the beach, Cody, Justin, and Noah is talking about their time of school, or even talking about hobbies, Izzy was doing some crazy stunts like taking the rope, her bow and arrows, and even some smoke bombs in case that she would need for the future.
Eva was lifting Tyler because he lost another bet of arm wrestling with her, so that made it even more humiliating for him, Leshawna and Harold were talking about their future together, since Harold now had to make a haiku for Leshawna for 10 days straight, just as a way she punished him for the inconvenience, still the time they have together in a shared bedroom was something Noah had to ask to move away from his bedroom.
Now Ezekiel was passing a good time of a break from writing anything, after he prepared the letter, he wanted to give a break of a few days before returning to one of his projects... Now he was doing his other hobby... drawing, especially now that he could use some colorful drawing at the moment.
From doing some doodles to the more focused drawing of Finn the human, then doing Princess Bubblegum, Jake the dog, BMO to even Lady Raincorn.
From the time he was drawing he didn't notice someone actually sitting nearby... he then felt something strange...
"Why do I have the impression someone is watching me?" Ezekiel asked himself as he turned around, and just saw a pair of glasses on the bushes. "Beth? Wow, it's been a while, you disappeared for a long time, what happened to you?"
"Eep... I'm not Beth... I'm Ma...ma...mamiobelly." The person in the bushes with the same voice as Beth tried to make a fake name, which made Ezekiel tilt his head in confusion.
"Err... Beth, while I enjoy creating names and stories related to people and creatures... I'm sure Mamiobelly isn't in fact a name." Ezekiel closed his sketchbook and walked near the bushes. "It has been more than a week since I've been here and I didn't see you until now, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, it's supposed to be me asking that to you," Beth said as she got out from the bushes, and her appearance was with dark circles on her eyes. "I just want to ask why aren't you mad with me?"
Ezekiel had his eyes wide open in surprise, not only for the question but for the fact Beth had been in that state for a long time. That came from a single conclusion, Beth blamed herself for having the curse on the island... He knew that if he said it wasn't her fault, it would also make her still beat herself up from a mistake she made... So he decided to follow along...
"I was..."Ezekiel commented as it made Beth flinch and tried to look away. "I really was angry with not just with you, I was angry with Duncan and the boys for making my cold get worse, to even I got angry with myself for going beyond my limit and trying to do the challenge even in the worst condition I was..." Ezekiel decided to say firmly to clarify how he felt, anger, everybody gets angry and blames someone on some occasions. But knowing one thing... "But I decided my life is more important now, I want to focus so much on my recovery than actually keep pushing my luck and get myself killed."
Beth remained quiet, as she could understand why he said that, but somehow she still felt empty.
"But you want me to blame you, you want me to punish you for losing the game." When Ezekiel said that, Beth had her eyes wide open in surprise like he read her mind... "So that's why you owe me 3 favors now."
"What?"Beth said in surprise which made her lose her composure, but a part of her had sparkles in her eyes.
"If you think you are going to get scott-free from the fact I had to go to the hospital? Nah, nothing is for free, so now you owe me 3 favors, that's your punishment. And with that, you are forgiven." Ezekiel commented as he got up from his seat, and Beth felt like a little weight from her shoulders was lifted. "Also I want already use one favor now. Are you ready?"
"Really? Now?" Beth asked as she was still trying to process what Ezekiel wanted, and before she could even press further Ezekiel raised his hand...
"My favor now, I want you to swear to me that you would never take a foreign object from another island or country without permission ever again." Ezekiel said firmly, which made Beth flinches and made her recoil, "Or even further, if either Lindsay or Heather decides to do the same thing remind them about the consequences of what happened when you took a cursed object from a haunted island. Can you swear to me?"
"I...I..." Beth stuttered as she could see Ezekiel glaring at her until she nodded and raised both her hands. "I swear with all my heart that I'm going to be careful and never take or even touch something from another country or island without knowing and without permission. I swear."
After Beth swore to the homeschooled boy that she would never commit the same mistake again, that made Ezekiel smile.
"Good, because I once saw on the internet a girl who took a forbidden object from Hawaii, she managed to get herself and her boyfriend banned from France after almost destroying some art in the Louvre," Ezekiel didn't explicitly say it was Beth or Lindsay, and he was thankful for the fact there isn't cameras around to catch his white-lie, and seeing Beth palled from knowing such terrible information, that would solidify her safety from the curse. "We were lucky to survive that island with only cold in our system... it could have been way worse, but at least the curse is lifted... and we shouldn't talk more about this... okay?"
Beth wanted to press further about what he knew, but Ezekiel had already taken his time to get up and left the place, without even giving time to Beth reply to him... and strangely, she felt way better than before, but her eyes were so tired that she accidentally slept on the water of pool...
On that afternoon the group was reunited on where they would watch the Pay-per-view together, the girls who were left on the island alone were with terrible morale, Gwen, Courtney, and Bridgette were taking time to comfort themselves, and Bridgette took a day to clean up her stomach because Chef kindly made a stomach wash drink, which literally made they vomit everything they ate from that day, they needed badly to take out every single weird stuff from their body, and the military Chief was good enough to help the girls to once again remain on their feet.
A good chocolate bar in the hot tub really made Courtney's mood stop being sour, and how a few potato chips made Gwen and Bridgette also go back to their tracks...
Everyone from Playa Del Losers was worried about the next challenge since Bridgette was the one who would be voted out from the remaining Killer Bass team. And when everyone was reunited and discussing what was going to happen.
Suddenly a telephone in the room over the Playa del Losers made everyone jump in surprise.
Cody who was near the telephone, felt apprehensive about seeing the telephone ringing especially on that time, since it was the first time happening.
"Hello?" Cody asked until he heard a familiar voice. "Ah, channel 230? Okay..."
Justin who was with remote control managed to change the actual number of the channel which everyone in the room saw nobody other than Chris Maclain staring right at the camera and also holding a telephone.
"Hello Losers," Chris greeted the group of former campers who stared at the screen in surprise. "I hope you are enjoying the stay on the Playa del Losers."
"Yeah Chris, it has been awesome around here," Cody commented as some members nodded their heads agreeing with Cody, but some still rolled their eyes or were wary of what Chris was planning at that moment.
"Awesome, but also I think there is also something more awesome than that." Chris gave his signature grin as Leshawna and Harold stared at each other. Until Chris decided to show a black case on the screen. "An opportunity for two of you to return to the island to have another try in getting 100 thousand dollar prize."
That comment alone made everyone have their eyes wide open, and the people who wanted to have another chance to return to the show. And now most of them had their eyes looking greedy and anxious back to return to the island.
"Glad that this took your attention, everyone, the challenge will be simple... every single one of you is going to be interviewed by me, after the whole interviews, I will decide which two of you are going to return to the show, but also those two will also find out who else returned only after coming from the boat tomorrow," Chris explained the rules made the whole group stares at each other. "Well, who is going to be first?"
"Err... Cody, can I be the first?" Cody who was holding the telephone was surprised to see Ezekiel the one offering himself to participate.
"Zeke?" Cody asked in surprise, and Eva, Katie, Sadie, and even Leshawna stared at him and glared in concern.
"Are you out of your mind? You are still not recovered 100%" Leshawna commented as the others seemed also agree with the black girl, which Ezekiel had an idea of why...
"Oh that you are right, I actually don't plan into actually getting it, I just want to be the first to say I wouldn't do it, but it's good for him to know I'm recovering myself, so don't worry, I'm not going to return on the show." Ezekiel dismissed their worries as he was going to turn down the idea, so that made everyone relieved.
"Well if that's the case, you can have it Zeke." Cody gave the telephone to the green winter hat boy who was staring at the screen.
"Hey, Chris," Ezekiel commented, and the gleam of the eyes of the host of the show seemed to become brighter.
"Ezekiel, nice to hear your voice again, does everyone are still there?" Chris commented as he narrowed his eyes on the camera.
...
"Alright everyone out, I want to make this interview, now shoo, shoo," Chris said as he made motions with his hand, and most of the former campers went out of the room where only the host of the show, and the homeschooled boy holding the telephone. "Are they all gone?"
"Yep," Ezekiel commented as he took a chair to talk to Chris on the telephone. "It's nice to talk to you again Chris,"
"How are you? Are you ready to return to the show?" Chris commented as he already showed a good smile on the screen, but Ezekiel shook his head.
"Sorry to tell you that Chris, but I'm still on my 60% to 70%, I'm still sick, so I cannot be able to go back to the camp. I have to refuse this offer..." Ezekiel was clean to express his knowledge, and seeing Chris's face showing a bit of concern and mostly frustration, Ezekiel could understand the reason. "But if you want, I can nominate 2 possible candidates to help you have something in your mind."
"Oh, really?" Chris said as he raised his eyebrow, as he hoped Ezekiel was one of the best contestants, and having him back on the show would have made the ratings go higher than before. "So what do you have in mind?"
"Eva and Izzy." Ezekiel was straight and clear, which made Chris raise his eyebrows at him. "If you want to bring someone to make the game interesting, have the most unpredictable character, Izzy around, she will make the chaos and will make some crazy plot twists following your game."
"You are not wrong." Chris nodded his head, seeing that the homeschooled boy has been watching television and even writing stories that would intrigue the public, having someone unpredictable can always be interesting to see around the show which would make good ratings. "Why Eva?"
"For three reasons. One, Eva was eliminated from injury while being heroic and saving the team, which would make all the fans who cheered for her would become crazy at the time she returned, second, she is the strongest around the campers when it comes to physical challenges and that would intimidate everyone as it could be against her, she was already MVP many times, so that would make her a very good obstacle for the campers try to surpass her." Ezekiel explained that Chris nodded his head and even wrote down some notes like the interview how it should be... "And their reason...if you want drama, see Trent shit himself at the time you release Eva in his direction like a wild animal ready to kill its prey.."
"Oh?" Chris said as he started to smirk again. "Does she also have a grudge against Trent?"
"After watching what he did, Tyler wants to punch Trent in the face... but Eva... she wants to beat the crap of him, but also there is one more on her target... She became fiercer and I would be in panic in case I would have to fight against her." Ezekiel explained in a way that Chris was smiling widely at him. "And in case you are thinking of Leshawna would cause drama with Heather, sure she would, but in case Heather leaves the show, the drama would be over... but if you make Eva appear, even if Trent leaves the show, Heather would need to think many ways to protect herself to not get on Eva's radar or she would be eliminated."
"Ah, making Eva a main focus and threat to the others, but also showing that she would create a huge chaos into beating the others up... of course, you know Ezekiel, if wasn't for the fact you are a competitor, I would have hired you as a producer to make ideas for the campers," Chris smirked which Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"And have a salary of the intern? Or the possibility of my friends getting more pissed than the ideas you took from my stories of Courage the Cowardly Dog? Pass, but still, I'm glad that you are having a lot of fun." Ezekiel commented as he could see the smirk becoming a smile. "Anyway, I think that's enough for the interview Chris... It was nice to talk to you."
"Same as always Ezekiel, now go and talk to the others, let's see what they have to say," Chris said as he already had some strong names in his mind... the votes were rigged from the start...
Ezekiel was about to go to bed, after having a good shower. hours have passed at Chris's decision to bring two campers back to the show, and since he wanted to be the first one to return to his bedroom, he wanted to enjoy the good time he had... Until he heard some knocks...
"Huh? Who is it?" Ezekiel commented as he went after the door and at the time he opened it... he was surprised to see Eva staring at him with her arms crossed. "Oh hey, Eva. What can I do for you?"
Eva remained with her arms crossed, but to surprise the winter hat boy, she without asking or even warning... she hugged him.
"You already did too much Ezekiel, thank you." Eva hugged him as she tried to not use too much strength, and the hug itself surprised deeply the homeschooled boy until he collected the pieces and understood what happened.
"So Chris chose you to another try... heh... you deserve it. But now that you are here... Can you do me a favor when you return to see the Killer Bass?" Ezekiel asked as he was released from the hug, and with a nod from Eva, Ezekiel smiled, as he immediately went to the table, with a letter ready to give to his friends... And knowing it would be in Eva's hands, he knew that he could trust her. "Please go to the Aquarium and before the challenge, please reunite the group and read this letter for them, okay?"
Eva had her eyebrow raised upon seeing the letter... so knowing that it was a little favor for Ezekiel who suggested she be part of the cast once again... she was more than ready, so she nodded her head, and before leaving, she messed the hair of the boy, even if his winter hat was on the top.
Eva chuckled before leaving the homeschooled boy, knowing that the next day she wouldn't be there anymore. So in the meantime, she felt she was going to miss her time on the playa since she needed to toughen up before returning to the camp, Chris's instructions were clear, she could not tell the campers about her stay on the playa del losers which would bring their attention into losing quicker than they should. And the other instruction was...Create chaos and make her enemies shit themselves, that made Eva grin evilly if was for the sake of the sick entertainment for Chris? She had one boy and one animal that she wanted to pay a visit to.
She was more than ready for the challenge.
The next morning coming across the Playa del Losers, two boats left the place where the next episode of the show would be aired, some of the members watched their friends leaving the Playa, as some were going to miss them, but also cheering for the time they would appear once again on the show.
But some still were sleeping since it was too early to be, Ezekiel woke up from his bed and checked on the clock, soon it was going to be the time he was going to take his pneumonia medicine, knowing that the person who would usually come appear... wasn't there... But instead, there was something on the corner of the table, a medicine pill, a glass of water, a little gift box with a note on the top...
Ezekiel waited patiently until the clock was exactly on the time he needed, so at the moment it was time for him to take his meds, he did it without thinking twice. And by drinking all the water, he gave a slight glance at the note...Ezekiel slowly raised the note, and he could see who clearly the person was...
Hey Ezekiel, guess who is now going to the show again? Yeah, of course you know, I heard from Chris you indicated to me, and even if this happened before without knowing about the future, should I say that? How you can describe the time from the former past that happened before you came from the future?
"Cannon event Izzy." Ezekiel chuckled as he smiled at her letter, already knowing she was way smart, but sometimes even a genius with Ph.D. would have some confusing moments like that, The Big Bang Theory and Back from the Future case an example.
Anyway, still, thank you so much for your support for me... I'm going to try to put my plan in motion and possibly win this game. (Wink drawn) But also...thank you for being someone I can trust too, you have helped me so much, and from your warnings of the future, I know that my future will be brighter, and words cannot express how much your help meant to me... So I left this gift for you only... As a way to show my gratitude, and to make you never forget about me.
Thank you... for saving my future.
Izzy.
P.S.: Enjoy my gift.
Ezekiel had his eyebrow raised as he nodded his head and left the letter on the table, he brought the gift to his hands and opened it happily... However, his entire face became red when he saw 3 things...
1 - A green bra,
1 - A green G String Panties
1 - Photograph of Izzy, blowing a kiss in a compromising position, in her nude glory...
Ezekiel felt his brain toast, as he took out his winter hat... And had just one more thing to say.
"Goddammit, second puberty," Ezekiel said before going to the bathroom.
"And now I would like to annunciate the first Killer Bass motherly reunion. I welcome you all, and I thank you for accepting my invitation." A well-dressed woman, who has a portrait of a lawyer called around the group of women who have been around the main room, and by everyone staring at the well-matured woman, they could swear, the C.I.T. Courtney was a younger copy of the girl in front of them. And on the name tag showed a name that every member of the group could see clearly, Victoria was the name that would fit a daughter like Courtney. "I think since our kids have been friends since the first episode. I think it would be fair if we also meet each other."
"I also have to agree, making a reunion party with us was really a great idea," the brown-haired woman said as she felt well received just like the other mothers who also were around the tag was named Alisson, and a skull and a moon draw. "Also thanks to your children. I know that my sweet Gwen has great friends to help around. And while she was a Screaming Gopher, her experience there wasn't good... But your children accepted her with arms wide open, and I cannot thank you all enough."
The mothers smiled as they could clearly see how the mother dotted the gothic girl, and they had to confess, the girl was very nice and friendly, she was an example to not judge the book by the cover.
And the warm smile around the group was everyone staring at the great table of food in the house. All with a great combination of every single mother bringing something to eat or drink, and with the courtesy of DJ's Momma also on there, the dessert was guaranteed clients for her in the future, since the Caribbean rum cake was what made the mothers don't care if they have diet or not.
"I will need to do leg press for 2 hours to burn this on my body." The ruff voice of the well-muscled woman commented as she already could guess the number of calories she would have to burn at the time she got out from the meeting, but with a shrug, the juggernaut mother ate 2 plates of food anyway. The name tag of Anastasia and a dumbbell drawing as well.
"Hmm, this Mc'n cheese is delicious, who did it?" The woman appeared to be blond with even some gray hairs around her head, but still, the well-free spirit smile, and even still wearing her swimsuit clothing, and a name tag on her chest, with a surfboard drawing... And a name tagged Karen. She was enjoying the tasty food over the table.
"Oh, that's me. My son always says that money won't buy happiness, but my mac'n'cheese always does. You must be Bridgette's mother, am I right?" The woman raised her hand and even walked towards the surfer woman who seemed to be enjoying very good food. Her name tag showed a party hat with Sarah's name on it. "I'm Geoff's mom."
"Oh, I've always wanted to meet you. Since our kids are in a relationship." Karen commented as she gave a slight handshake to the mother of the party boy. "So, why don't you tell me more about yourself?"
In another part of the room, DJ' Momma was also enjoying good food, time and even watching Anastasia, Eva's mom already having a good amount of food to eat to recover her calories just to burn them out later. A time when both women would talk about their time raising their children and how they became so big and strong.
"I just hope my son is alright, that moose was completely an accident." A woman wearing glasses and even having a ginger hair-bun on the head she was still feeling anxious about what was going to happen. The tag on her blouse was glasses and the name Rachel on it. "Harold was in such a lovely stable relationship, and just like that, I can see him being beaten by both Leshawna and Heather."
"Rachel, calm down. It's going to be fine, " Both women said at the same time, one was a tan-dressed woman, and the other was also slim and very well-dressed in an dress Asian, both women tapping her back trying to assure the ginger boy would be fine. The tan woman with the tag and the name Jessica, and the Asian-dressed woman with the tag and the name Jennifer.
"Do you remember the case Katie had to deal with the first freak out?" The Asian woman said as she felt nostalgic, which the other woman nodded at her.
"That was early or after she got lost in the mall with you taking them both?" The tan woman replied which made the other woman groan.
"Please don't remind me, it took me hours to try to find them. But hey, at least your daughter has a boyfriend. You could go mama bear on him, but it seems her friends went first." Jennifer commented as the tan woman laughed even leaving a tear on her eye.
"Oh yeah, seeing him almost piss himself was indeed something our family loved to watch. I even recorded it for future dates." Jessica replied which made the other woman roll her eyes but with a smirk.
"You are cruel," Jennifer commented as both smiled but then returned to help the nerd mom recover from her outburst.
"And then my husband almost broke his arm by sampling tying to fix a bowling ball machine. Tyler had to bring butter from the supermarket 10 minutes from there." The woman who was telling the story of how her husband lost both his shirt and almost his arm at the time the group went bowling. And from seeing the scared face of DJ's momma, she could see that it was indeed something to be concerned about. The woman was dressed in gym clothes, and even had a headband on her head, she had a tag on her clothes with the name Dehila on it... "That's why we always should be ready for all the accidents."
"Your family are bringers of destruction and pain..." Anastasia commented as she stared at a woman who looked affronted... "You are awesome, maybe our family should hang out."
"Do you mean it?" Dehila smiled as DJ's momma had her mouth wide open... but just shrugged as the group decided to make a date for the group would even go to eat or even do some workouts together.
And like every mother, becoming friends in their inner circle. Victoria enjoyed very much meeting every single mother from her daughter's team, she raised a winner, but watching her daughter learn, adapting and improving herself in every challenge, and having some good friends and possibly a boyfriend, while she wasn't that much fan of Duncan, but still seeing him maturing was one of the best aspects that she has been watching on the show.
"Wow, your daughter looks exactly like you." Then a voice was enough to make the lawyer woman stop in her tracks and to see something which surprised her... A woman wearing a dark green winter hat a book drawn on the tag with the name Martha on it, and a blonde woman who had also tags of skulls and a cheese on her tag and the name Sheila on it. The duo who came made Victoria an amused look on her face, but also recognized the name tags and possibly why the duo came after her.
"Ezekiel and Duncan?" Victory deduced as both mothers nodded their heads at her, and were surprised to see the appearance of the winter hat woman. "You must also be surprised to be misguided as Gwen's relative because you almost look like her."
"Oh, I remember my husband telling me that. But I'm not aware if I have a relative with her." Martha commented as she looked at the blonde woman who was also happy to be there.
"Ah, hello... well, I want to thank you both, since it's been a while since I saw Duncan becoming so much more responsible, and even behaving himself more. His parole officer was very surprised by his improvement. And I thank you both for that." Sheila commented that she felt grateful for both mothers having made his son a more behaved son, and even becoming more mature around the show.
Martha smiled, as she could see how happy the parents were and in harmony, the group was into enjoying eating and talking.
"I have to agree. I never saw my son Ezekiel so happy to have friends for the first time, in many years I was afraid of him doing something that would make him hurt... but this show kinda proved my point... that I never saw him growing up so much. And I'm happy to meet the other 2 pillar mothers." Martha commented as both Sheila and Victoria nodded their heads to her.
"Don't say like that, your son indeed was an inspiration. My lawyering company used the opportunity of the show and managed to catch a few laws related to how some schools indeed showed some lack of security, and how sometimes the votes of people willing to stop going to public schools to trying to study from learning at the libraries and even trying to hire personal teachers to help them focus into their studies..." Victoria had to give the hand of the boy, after never going to school, he showed something that she never thought of before. "And I even caught some of my assistants debating on which first book your son would publish first in the future."
"I have to agree. Duncan's brothers want so much to read Courage the Cowardly Dog to see if they are going to get scared like Duncan did." Sheila said happily, and Martha felt like a grown of a good friendship.
"Well it may be any of them, but I'm glad to see that my son finally opening his wings... it will be difficult to see him go, but he is like me... wanting to go free, and when I was on his age, I wanted to be an explorer and do many crazy adventures as well," Martha commented as she was happy to remind the old memories where she would go at the nature and even hunt with her bow. But then she looked at both Victoria and Sheila. "And I have to tell you both, Courtney and Duncan indeed took the role of old siblings on him, because it's funny to see them doing the most difficult part into explaining how life works... even watching television and movies, sometimes I feared he would be outside of the social circle, but I have to thank both Courtney and Duncan to help him to fit in..."
"Well, I wish I could take all the compliments, but it was my daughter's accomplishment, and I have to say, while Duncan may be a brute diamond in some edges... I can see how my daughter is also growing up with the help of her team... Now I'm curious, what did he do to make himself juvenile?" Victoria had to confess that seeing a kind and sweet mother indeed shows a difference between water and wine. And from what she learned, Duncan had many detectives' relatives, so he must be aware of the law.
"Well... it was more he ran naked on the street at the New Year's party, selling his father's hair pieces as pets, and recently before going to the show he did a pool party in the city hall Fountain," Sheila explained kindly which made Victoria's eyes widen in surprise and with a slight twitch, and Martha whistle in surprise.
"I have to say, this kid knows how to entertain himself," Martha commented as she could see the delinquent boy doing that.
Victoria sighed.
"And here I thought he would have done something to go to prison... He is just a vandal like he said... It's easy to deal with that in court, I can eat them out like cereal, however... pieces of your husband's hair as pets?" Victoria asked as she asked in disbelief, and saw the blond woman rolling her eyes.
"His father's hair was a crime. It was terrible, and I was the one to ask him to rid them... but he managed to get money into doing it." Sheila commented as she even showed an old picture from her purse a picture of the old version of the hat, which made both Martha and Victory have their eyes wide open in surprise.
"Are you sure this isn't a squirrel? Because I saw some gray squirrels in my life, and this looks almost like them." Martha commented as Victoria shoved into seeing such horror...
"Okay, you proved your point, this should even be illegal and be treated as a crime." Victoria nodded, as she herself knew that it would take a while, but it seemed that she had a case in her hands.
"Thank you." Sheila expressed her feelings over her husband's terrible taste, she even scoffed. "When we had our children, it was a very nice time to use it, like the time when we were a band to sing children's songs."
"Oh really?" Both Martha and Victoria asked in surprise, and Sheila was happy with the good times both her husband and her, they became a famous band for children known as Banana and Cheese. Not knowing Victoria now has a very good weapon of blackmail for Duncan to behave at her house in the future...
That's the start of a beautiful friendship and family.
Chapter 23: No Pain No Game
Chapter Text
"Last time on Total Drama Island..." Chris began with a bit of an eager grin on his face as he presented the resume of the episode. The bass and gopher teams were disbanded into a battle of the sexes challenge that put their taste buds to the puke test. With bovine testicles, live bug insect pizza, and the most disgusting vegetarian options that could make any vegetarian second guess their life choices. In a battle between rotten vegetables and bunny meat, a bet between who would be the first person to say Condor was on... and sadly for the vegetarian surfer Bridgette, she couldn't take the pressure and finally said the forbidden word, making her the next camper who would prepare herself to make her baggage and leave the show. Thankfully for her, it's not a usual challenge but a reward one for the boys, who set sail on a weekend retreat aboard the S.S. Lap-o-luxury. Heather huffed in outrage but the girls made their choice to throw the towel and console the vegetarian who preferred to remain loyal to her beliefs than actually temptate herself into eating the delicious meat of the most cruel animals on the sea... Well, sucks to be her... *OUCH* HEY."
Chris shouted angrily as he saw a squirrel launching a few rocks at the host, who just snarled and walked away.
"Stupid squirrel. You are going to cut it right? What do you mean no? WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S HILARIOUS? FINE," Chris talked to the camera director who didn't say a word but simply made gestures of laugh and yes or no. "Anyway, will the surfer recover from her broken spirit? Will the girls swear revenge on the boys for taking their luxurious trip? Will the Killer Bass boys forgive Trent for his jealousy of Duncan? For the answers to all these cliffhangers and more, stay tuned to the most exciting episode yet, On Total Drama Island."
As the morning passed, Bridgette was still in the process of recovery from the bad stomachache after cleaning her stomach, it was been a little difficult for her, but thankfully Chef secretly gave her an apple per day to make her digest something with the promise that she would eat the grudge he gave to her, and to be honest with herself, the apple helped her to gulp the bad goo made by Chef.
The tension around the girls has been diminishing slightly since Heather and Lindsay decided to give the cold shoulder towards her, she already accepted that she wouldn't become friends and it would be the time that the sooner she left the show the better...
She tried to think if it was even worth the 100 thousand dollars from the torture she suffered on the last challenge... However strangelly she felt more at peace with herself... Maybe it was because she rather give up the show than go against her principles, or maybe something happened and she wasn't sure of why, but she felt more at peace at the time she woke up recently...
Gwen and Courtney had a good time talking with her, and she had to tell, that even in times of struggles, she was glad to have them by her side... And a positive note, since the boys were out, the trio of Bass girls could do a slumber party, and on the last day... If they found the secret stash of chocolate Duncan hid inside the cave, they would have their own reward while the boys are having much fun with the spa treatment. Heather and Lindsay had their luxurious shower, while the girls had the hot tub just for them...
So it hadn't been that bad for anyone, it sucked the defeat, but they could lick their wounds and prepare for the next challenge without worrying to be eliminated since Bridgette was going to be eliminated.
And over the beach, Bridgette was looking for seashells, Gwen was writing in her Diary, and Courtney was humming a song as she was doing her nails.
Heather and Lindsay were reading a magazine on the beach when a little fly crossed around, and Heather already knowing her friend was in alarm and triggered to attack the insect, got up before something bad happened. Lindsay was about to ask what happened when suddenly a giant horn coming from far away caught the attention of all the girls in the camp.
The cruise which was traveling around the weekend finally appeared as the group of girls deadpanned into seeing the boys getting out.
And while Owen and Trent were so hyped and happy to get out from the cruise, DJ, Duncan, and Geoff seemed more neutral as they held some bags with them. The Gopher boys seemed to be dancing, while the Basses remained their cool, and focused on the weight on their wrists.
The girls remained quiet as Geoff and Duncan slid from the ramp towards the girls, with their fresh expressions on their faces, and bags... Most of the boys looked relaxed and even happy to come across the camp once again, and the girls remained quiet. Courtney rolled her eyes but then she was surprised by the surprise hug from Duncan who had a smirk on his face.
"Did you miss me, Princess?" Duncan said with a teasing tone as the girl rolled her eyes and deadpanned at him.
"Pff as if, how as the cruise?" The C.I.T girl asked as she couldn't help but be jealous of how happy the boys were, even if it had been a well-deserved reward for them... They played fair, but still, she didn't like to lose.
"It was awesome, but not having the other girls around and having to deal with Trent on the cruise for 3 days, made it a bit away from perfection." Duncan shrugged, and from his answer, Courtney already knew that he was thinking of her, and then the delinquent even raised one bag for her which made her raise her eyebrows in surprise. "Here, me and the boys took from the Spa Services, and I think you, Bridgette, and Gwen would need it before we do the challenge of the day."
"That's very thoughtful of you." Courtney was surprised, and seeing that on the bag there were spa creams, shampoos, and even well-made artesian soaps and candles, made her smile from the little dark side of her boyfriend. Making her kiss him on his lips. "Thanks, Duncan, I missed you a lot."
"That's my princess, better to take it to the Aquarium for the others also use it," Duncan commented as he could see Heather and Lindsay staring at them curiously. "Don't tell the Gophers thought, not even the fat boy knows what is inside."
Courtney smirked and nodded her head, as she saw Geoff walking to Bridgette.
"Bridge, I hope this will cheer your day." The party boy was sure to surprise his girlfriend as he even raised the bag for the girl recovering from the last challenge.
The girl stared in surprise as the stetson boy was smiling warmly at her, and with her eyebrow raised, she opened the bag to see something that indeed made her have a genuine reaction.
"I made sure to ask for some vegetarian good food on the cruise, and there is a lot of stuff on there, there is a burrito with avocado, Green Curry, Creamy Goat Cheese Polenta With Ratatouille, and they even made plantain chips with sweet potato chips, it was crazy, so I brought a few for you to enjoy before the challenge," Geoff commented as he gave the whole bag for the girl who was weeping at seeing the boy thinking of her. "On the other bag, there is also a lot of food for the others, and DJ is also carrying some to enjoy the dinner. So I gave this to you as... you know..."
"Last meal before leaving the show?" Bridgette said sadly, and Geoff sadly nodded his head at her, but then he was surprised when Bridgette finally took courage and kissed him on his lips.
"Wohooooo, yeah, way to go, Geoff," Owen shouted happily as DJ and Duncan raised a thumbs up. Gwen was happy for her friend, and even Courtney rolled her eyes but with a smile on her face, knowing that they took too long to make it official. "Oh. Anyone cares for a chocolate-coated cherry blossom?"
Owen decided to also share good food for his friends, and Heather as she was angry with the boys having a very great experience which she and Lindsay deserved... she didn't also notice that everyone got gifts from the boys, even Gwen who knew the bags of food and products of the spa for them to use...
So instead of angry spatting at Owen, she took the tray from his hands.
"I will take this and me and Lindsay thank you very much," Heather said as she wouldn't refuse something for her to eat, especially knowing that Niche of Killer Bass isn't going to share their food with her, maybe with Lindsay, but she didn't want to take a chance.
"So how was the spa?" Gwen asked DJ but Trent also was on his side and decided to speak about their experience.
"It has been an awesome experience, DJ and Owen really used that spa of hands and feet," Trent commented as Gwen ignored him, but DJ raised his elbow, and Gwen had to confess that she was impressed by seeing how well the boys cared.
"Good for you boys," Gwen commented as she didn't have anything to complain about, it sucked to lose, but she had a good time in the hot tube with Courtney and Bridgette. It has been a very good time for them to talk their minds and hearts, and relieve the good memories of how their team was so united before...
"Listen up, campers! As of right now, all teams are officially dissolved. From here on in, it's every camper for themselves!" Until then, the voice of the person they were waiting for finally reached their ears, through the loudspeaker of the whole camp.
Everyone glanced at each other as the Killer Bass crew that the moment that it happened, they would remain united... but was more and more difficult because, since the last challenge, they had no idea how cruel and brutal Chris and Chef Hatchet would go after them... So they still had their own promise that even if they were everyone for themselves, they were still friends...
Even if everyone wants to win... they are still with their guards raised towards anything that would launch at them.
"So what is the challenge now Chris?" Courtney shouted, knowing that Chris would plot anything to break them... but she never thought she would hear what he was going to say next.
"Are you anxious about the challenge Courtney? Then be prepared for what's going to happen next." The loudspeaker voice called as the campers then heard loud horns which made everyone surprised, Heather and Lindsay gasped in fear, as Duncan, DJ, and Geoff looked in disbelief.
"What? But that's impossible." Heather said as she never thought to see something like that, Lindsay recoiled as she wasn't aware of the menacing presence coming from far away.
"Aw man, what is she doing here?" Trent was still in fear, he had a bad feeling coming in his direction, but the boys nearby turned in disbelief, and they started to smile.
"Is that?" Gwen asked in surprise, as Courtney got her smile coming up.
"IT'S HER, IT'S EVA, "Courtney shouted as the whole Killer Bass saw from the horizon a boat suddenly saw the horizon, a mountain of flames coming from the horizon, as the boat came in their direction, as Choir of Russian Culture song was played, the imposing figure, of a girl getting the breezes in the air crossing her ponytail, and still with her leg in a cast...
The presence of the bodybuilder returning for the game created both strong pressure and yet a camaraderie that some campers missed so much.
"Back by popular audience demand, the MVP of Killer Bass, it's Eva!" Chris said through the speakers, which made Killer Bass raise their fists in the air.
"WOHOOOOOOOOOOO," Geoff and DJ shouted happily as Courtney was glad to see one of the first campers who had just been eliminated from the show for the terrible accident of the failing tree coming towards her, Eva saved her life and had to go away to the hospital because of it.
Eva got down from the boat, and her smile showed a resolve but a slight smirk on her face.
"I'm back *beep*es," Eva smirked as the Killer Bass boys and girls went to greet their friend once again. Their powerhouse seemed better than ever. "I spent a long time at the hospital, exercising my body just for the time I returned on the show, I watched every single episode on there... And I have a personal list of people who I'm going to have special attention on it."
Eva growled at Trent who sweat and gave a few stepbacks.
"Eva calm down, what about your leg?" Courtney asked in worry, as while she was very happy to see Eva on the show, and from the fact she was voted by popular demand... she couldn't complain, she saved her life and maybe that's why she was so popular but still, the leg still looked inju...
"Leg? What Leg? This leg?" Eva gave a slight glance at Courtney before she angrily stomped on the floor with so much strength that the cast around the injured leg cracked, and like a glass, crashed and went down... Which made Heather, Lindsay, Trent, and even Owen mouth's drop.
"*Beeeeeep* Eva, that was hardcore," Duncan said as he was very impressed to see one of the strongest players back on the show, it sucked that he would need to fight against her in the future, but having to see her well again and ready for the round two really made the challenge more interesting... Seeing a Killer Bass back to the crew.
"While I'm not complaining to see this amazing surprise," Gwen commented as she gave a high five to the bodybuilder who changed her life for the better, from the team she was before it had been from risky dog fights to even some break of trust, to suddenly move to a team who has been working like a machine, a group of friends, even if there were some misunderstandings, she felt more accepted on that team instead from her former... But there was one question inside her mind. "But didn't you say no one is allowed back?"
Chris gave a pause as he couldn't help but ask in surprise.
"I did?" The speaker asked loudly, as it suddenly showed the images of the same flashback over and over again about how Chris told nobody was allowed to go back ever... "Oh yeah. That. Yeah, I lied."
Some campers rolled their eyes, while Eva had a smirk on her face, and a genuine happiness to see her team once again. She was angry at the time she had to leave with an injury, but now that come back, she is ready for the challenge.
"Well, it's a bit unfair, but since Eva was eliminated from an injury, I think it's fair to come back after she got treated. Welcome back, Eva. How have you been?" Gwen accepted that if she got into an argument with Chris it wouldn't help her case, but from seeing the bodybuilder return for the Killer Bass, even if that means all for themselves. It was good enough to see the person who made her change for a better team.
Evan grunted as her usual noise but with a calmer tone seeing the Killer Bass reunited...
"It would be better if we talked in that place," Eva commented as she made sure that all Killer Bass raised their eyebrows and understood what she meant...
Eva wanted to talk in the Aquarium, the safest place for the Killer Bass to talk among themselves without the interference of the Screaming Gophers. So with everyone nodding at her, Eva felt nice to finally return to the camp with all her luggage.
Heather looked at Eva and couldn't help but raise her eyebrow and point at the bodybuilder.
"She was an audience favorite?" Heather asked and Chris gave a chuckle on the speaker.
"Surprisingly she is one of the top 4 favorites from the eliminated... Sadly one of them is still at the hospital." Chris commented which made the Killer Bass and even the Screaming Gophers realize who he was talking about, Ezekiel, who practically must be the favorite of the public since the first episode, from the tone of his voice, Heather could breathe in relief since she wouldn't be in bad sheets and in the hands of the homeschooled boy... "Also returning to camp, it's Izzy!"
"Oh no." Lindsay and Eva said in unison as they could see the crazy ginger using a vine like a swing, and she went directly at the campers like Tarzan.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Izzy screamed happily as she went directly to the dorks. And giving a perfect landing, Eva had her eyes twitch but decided to ignore it... Knowing Izzy was probably the next one to return, she had to accept it... And wondered if Ezekiel also recommended Izzy to return to the show. "Hey guys! It's good to be back at camp! Even though I never actually left a specific island. I've been living in the woods all this time!"
"But I thought the RCMP hunted you down," Gwen asked in surprise as Izzy laughed at her assumption.
"They tried. But being a wilderness survivor, I was swift-footed and avoided capture." Izzy answers the goth opinion by even taking a fish and showing it to them... It was a fresh fish which she proceeded to eat the head in one chomp, showing the raw meat which remained on her hands... Gwen and Bridgette looked a bit disgusted from remembering the last challenge, Izzy shrugged off and continued to explain. "Once I was safe among my animal brethren, it was just me against the harsh elements."
"Hello, crazy girl? There isn't any harsh element, the place has been warm and sunny for weeks." Heather said as she didn't believe the crazy ginger until the next words made Heather suck dry...
"Not where I was... there was a snowstorm, then a rainstorm, and then it was a scalding sun and it changed on and on during days... until suddenly it stopped... and everything became like an ordinary sunny day..." Izzy said casually which made the queen bee realize from the clues where she was.
"Wait, you were on Boney Island the whole time?" Heather said fearfully as she was freaked out from that cursed place after the curse of the stupid tiki artifact. And then she was surprised when Izzy shushed her with a finger on her lips.
"Shhhhhh, don't say that, or the RCMP will try to look at that place next time they hunt me down," Izzy said as she glanced left and right, but with a cough she recomposed herself. "But luckily, I was able to take refuge in the beaver dam. Yeah, that group of beavers, I befriended the family of beavers who lived there, and together, we foraged for nuts and berries, and got some meat once or twice. Boy, I could use a bag of nachos right now. "
Izzy used that time to make herself act like an animal and even showed her panties on the screen while she used her leg to scratch her ear and head. Showing an animal side which made the girls weirded out, Eva raised her eyebrow at the ginger, as the group saw Izzy howling like a wolf, and then smirking back at the girls.
"Haha. So, what's new with you guys?" Izzy asked and before the girls would comment Chris finally interrupted.
"All right, campers! Report to the amphitheater where you'll learn all about this week's challenge! Ksh. McLean out!" Chris through the speaker again, as everyone gave a glance into each other, while Owen seemed to be completely fine with the next challenge.
"Woohoo! Another challenge! Partay! Hahaha. Gimme ten!" Owen was so excited that DJ couldn't help but smile and even give a ten down to the fatty boy who was running in the direction of the place where the challenge would be...
The Killer Bass members quickly helped Eva settle in on the girls' cabin, since there were a lot of beds, she took one while Izzy took the other, Heather stared as the group of girls who seemed to be so happy to have another member around, while she knew that she would need to step up her game to survive more, but as soon she was about to say something, the group of Killer Bass quickly left the place... Which made her blink for a few seconds and look at Lindsay as she felt the same way.
"Why are they in such a hurry?' Lindsay asked as Heather shrugged...
"They are always like that, leaving at such inconvenient times. What the hell is wrong with them?" Heather asked as she got more and more suspicious of the group, while the game still was everyone for themselves, the fish heads remained like they were all friendly and kissing and that awful stuff... And that was enerving her with the possibility of her need to find a reliable force quickly. But who would...
"Ah, Izzy and Owen, having them as our help to vote to protect us..." Heather came to a conclusion, and while she knew that the crazy ginger would be not a trustful force, having her also as a meat shield could also be good for her, so she needs to work on her to remain low on the radar, and Lindsay tilted her head, not knowing what her friend is about to do.
(Aquarium)
At the time the Killer Bass reunited themselves to their secret base, it showed how relieved Eva was when she looked at the hot tub once again...
"Tonight I'm going to enjoy a few hours on this thing," Eva said as she then glanced at everyone staring at her. "Alright, I watched every single episode of the show from the hospital, so you guys don't need to give me an explanation of what happened. I saw it. You said Condor Bridgette, so the next vote, you know what happens."
"I know," Bridgette commented as the Killer Bass placed their bags of food and even some of the spa products for them to use later, the surfer knew that there was nothing she could do since it was her choice and she was a broken girl after that challenge.
"So you spent all these days at the Hospital, Eva?" DJ asked as the bodybuilder nodded her head.
(Confession - Eva)
"I by contract cannot tell where I was truthfully, to make sure the other campers wouldn't give up immediately and decide to leave the game without a good reason, so I had to tell about the time I was at the hospital and say it took a lot longer to recover... Izzy girl also received the instructions by contract so she came up with the story of Boney Island, so don't fall for her." Eva warned as she finally had her time to use the confession to explain to all the people who watched the show, especially the Pay-per-view like she and the other losers had to, so everyone has their curiosities... "I know you all are curious for one thing, and that's what I'm going to give you all..."
"I spent a long time doing exercise at the hospital to train my leg to make sure that stupid accident wouldn't happen again," Eva grunted as the group stared a her... But then she took something from her pocket. "Also there is someone who was there that wanted to give a message for you all."
"Wait, did you see Ezekiel at the hospital?" DJ asked which everyone had high hopes about hearing how he is. And from seeing Eva nod, it was indeed good news. "Hey, how was he?"
"He is recovering fine. Almost 70%, a few more weeks, and then he is going to be back to his 100%." Eva replied, making the whole group smile and nod at themselves happy to hear the good news. But then Eva didn't finish. "He also asked me to bring this letter for you all."
"Oh, a letter? What does it say?" Courtney asked as Gwen, Duncan, and Geoff approached to try to read the paper. But the bodybuilder growled, making them step back...
"Sorry, space... Okay, let's see... Dear K... You know what? You two read it out loud." Eva was about to read the letter but seeing Duncan and Courtney staring at the paper made the bodybuilder sigh and give the two remaining pillars of the team the letter of the last pillar.
"Thanks. Okay everyone, hear it out." Duncan said as he gladly took the paper into his hands... and started to read the letter... Courtney would also be on his side to read together...
And from one single letter, which says... They imagined every single word said by their friend who was still in treatment.
Dear Killer Bass,
I hope this letter finds you all in good health and high spirits, despite the challenges we've faced lately. It pains me deeply to hear about the struggles you've encountered since my departure. While I may not be physically present with you on the island, know that all my thoughts and support are always with each and every one of you.
I want to assure you that I am doing fine. The medical attention I received has been helpful, and I am on the road to recovery. However, my heart aches to know that my absence has contributed to the downturn in our team's performance. But let me be clear: this setback does not define us. We are the Killer Bass, a team forged in strength, resilience, and camaraderie.
Just as Finn and Jake journey through the Land of Ooo, Steven explores the mysteries of the Crystal Gems, and Courage faces his fears in Nowhere, we too must embark on our own adventure. I wrote Adventure Time to teach us the value of friendship, loyalty, and courage in the face of adversity. Steven Universe reminds us of the importance of empathy, acceptance, and love in overcoming differences and forging meaningful connections. And Courage the Cowardly Dog shows us that bravery isn't the absence of fear, but the willingness to confront it for the ones we care about.
From the first day of this show, many would say that Killer Bass may have strength, but they didn't have harmony, they didn't have true friendship, and anything could lead us to become enemies of each other...
BUT NOT MY KILLER BASS, what people would say if they saw a bunch of random people in one place... I saw something more, I saw friends, I saw couples in a relationship, and I saw a family. Every single member of this team I treat it as my own family. Duncan, DJ, Tyler, Harold, Geoff, you are my brothers. Courtney, Bridgette, Eva, Katie, Sadie, Gwen, you are my sisters. And I refuse to let others think that you all can't work together. And how right I was...
I saw my team doing the impossible many times. Even me who I never thought I would have left the farm and did the craziest things and became more than I ever could be...
DJ, you are proof of how even in fear you could become Courageous, from having a fear of jumping a cliff to a river full of sharks, you jumped 5 thousand feet tall airplanes with parachutes.
Eva, you have been MVP of this team because you deserve it, fighting a bear head-on and winning, is something we know that you would protect this team with... You are the shield of the team and our greatest hero and friend, never doubt yourself of that.
Duncan, if you want a rematch on the prank war, bring it on... but I know sometimes you may be blaming yourself for me not remaining in the game, IT'S NOT YOUR *BEEEP* FAULT. So stop this *beeeeep* and focus back on yourself, focus that you are a pillar and you still need to lead yourself and your friends to victory, if we lose 4 times okay, but we need at least to take a gopher right?
Courtney, I learned so much because of you, you and Duncan had some migraines, but seeing you both together and working together as well, showed me that indeed differences would attract each other, and I hope you know... Always like you have been a song which has so many covers because of how well you sang, you gave your heart on that challenge, and many people do the same because of you, thank you for all my heart.
Geoff, you are an awesome guy, who never changes, and I hope you have a party planned after my recovery because we are going to the guy's night. OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Gwen, sorry to hear what happened to you went it comes to tolerating Trent, and I know the bridge is burned, maybe someday you will learn how to forgive him and become friends with him... And I know that someone in the future will be the right guy for you, someone who can understand how you feel, and someone who will always protect you, even if the limitations are many. You are awesome, and it's just a show, you have thousands, if not millions of people who would be way better than Trent, so please focus on winning and have your mind for the prize.
...
And Bridgette...
I'm so proud of you! You didn't let Chris and Chef break your principles, they may have hurt you, and even used my work against you, but you stuck with your principles until the end, when you get eliminated, I'm sure I will be happy to hug you, because you are awesome, and incredible, never doubts and never regrets that decision. Never doubt yourself, and always trust your instincts.
I know it may seem daunting to face the Screaming Gophers without our full roster, but I believe in each of you and in the bonds we've formed together. Remember the victories we've achieved, the obstacles we've overcome, and the laughter we've shared. We are not just a team; we are a family, united by our shared goal and unwavering determination.
It's during our darkest moments that our true strength shines through. Let this adversity fuel the fire within you, igniting a passion to rise above the challenges and reclaim our rightful place as champions. Believe in yourselves as I believe in you, and together, we will emerge victorious once again.
Stay strong, stay united, and never lose sight of the dreams that brought us together.
With unwavering faith and enduring friendship,
Ezekiel
On that point, every single member of Killer Bass was in tears, showing how deep and honest the letter was to every single one of them, knowing that he didn't need much to tell them... and yet every single word mattered to them most... It was like once was said, Ezekiel was the heart of the Killer Bass... And even if he was far away, the heartbeats were still there... And now they couldn't help but stare at each other proud of themselves, as Courtney finished the letter.
The fire which was diminishing over the Killer Bass was ignited once more, with fuel... and the once sleeping fishes who were powerful in the past, once again stood their ground, like the Killer Bass they were once before.
Bridgette who had been so broken and sad hours before, had sparks on her eyes, and by following her instincts she knew what she had to do...
"Guys, can you hear me out?' Bridgette called the attention of her friends who gave a glance at her... "I need to whisper something to you all..."
And Bridgette at the time she said one by one, their eyes went wide open as they looked shocked at the surfer... And from a look of shock, they tried to hide from the camera their expression, because it was something they never thought to hear from Bridgette...
And what the surfer was planning? The viewers couldn't find out.
(Amphitheater)
At the time Chris was waiting patiently at the campers to reunite on the amphitheater, with some chairs, wooden boxes, and even some cabinets around a place... Seeing the Screaming Gophers the first one to appear, made him excited for the devious challenge he planned to make for them...
And after a few minutes happened and nobody knows where the Killer Bass went...
Half an hour passed and Chris was really annoyed, knowing the Killer Bass preferred to go to the Aquarium instead of going directly at the challenge... He was about to complain when he suddenly heard the Killer Bass approaching...
At the time he was about to retort or even scowl at the other campers, when he suddenly saw in their eyes, on the way they walked... He paused, as he then saw the shadow around their faces... And even red marks on their eyes... They were crying, and he didn't even have time to tease that, because their aura was shifted with something he was surprised to see... Competitiveness faces, faces of someone who would crush anyone who would be in their way.
"What just happened?" Chris mused as he saw every member sitting in their places... the Screaming Gopher campers stared at the late campers in their places, in silence... And Heather realized that silence before... and that kind of expression on their faces... it wasn't a good signal for her...
Heather decided to shut up and didn't want to make herself exposed in their line of vision... Knowing that probably only a stupid person would...
"Hey guys, what's wrong? You seemed awfully quiet." Trent asked which made Heather have mixed feelings between facepalming herself or sighing in relief that now she wasn't the target.
Duncan merely glanced at Trent, as Gwen was sitting on the opposite side of the guitarist, and around her was DJ, Geoff, Courtney, and Eva, protecting all the communication between the goth and the guitarist, they were focused, they were ready...
Trent tilted his head and looked at his friend Owen who merely shrugged.
Chris smiled... he knew when the campers looked like that, he knew this episode was going down. Let's see what kind of massacre is going to happen.
"Welcome to your next challenge! The time-honored game of torture. Say, Uncle! You are all about to be out through the tests of endurance so insane, that some of 'em sent our interns to the emergency room."Chris was happy to see the afraid looks of surprise from some campers, while some seemed to be so focused that they didn't dare to say a word. "If you back down from the challenge or do not last the required ten seconds, you will be eliminated. The winner will not only be safe from elimination but will win this luxurious trailer. Yours to take home at the end of the summer."
At the time the group watched Chef come with a hockey mask and a cleaver on his hands, the group knew that this challenge would be so hard to deal with. And Chris examined every single member on the podium, trying to find his first victim... Duncan would have been the perfect first camper to try... however the looks of the Killer Bass seemed darker and prepared and he didn't want that... no, he wanted... he then stared at Trent and Owen who looked fearful... Eenie Meenie Miney Moe...
"TRENT. You're first up. Let's spin the Wheel of Misfortune to select your torture." Chris said happily as he held his hand on the wheel with all the pictures of possible kinds of crazy torture... The cameras showed the fearful and nervous face of the guitarist looking apprehensive at the direction of the wheel until it finally reached the picture of little turtles.
"Turtle puck shots!" Chris happily explained the name of the challenge as Trent was on his side, and he wasn't liking the tone of the host's voice... "Our interns spent weeks collecting the grumpiest, angriest, crustiest, hungriest old snapping turtles on the island. While you stand in the goalie net completely unprotected, Chef will fire off a turtle slapshot."
Trent remained quiet and fearful as Chris pointed at Chef holding a hockey bat, and was prepared to cause pain with the turtles who were growling and snapping their mouths in the sound of jaws snapping.
The squeaking shoes of the guitarist were heard as Chris pushed Trent in front of the goal, and even as joyful as he was... he still by his own kind heart to give last advice to Trent.
"If I were you, dude, I'd protect my coconuts. This could get ugly." Chris said as Trent immediately did what Chris recommended. "If you can stay in for ten seconds, you'll go on to the second round."
Trent was looking at Chris when suddenly the buzzer was on, and Chef didn't think twice as he launched the ferocious turtles in the direction of Trent, which the guitarists crouched the first one, and even avoided being hit by the second... But he didn't realize that the third one got him from behind and made a powerful bite on his ass.
"AHHHH." Trent then made the terrible mistake of exposing his front at Chef who launched more than 4 turtles one bite him from the shoulder, the other from the belly, another from his neck... and the last one... on his coconuts. "Uhhhhhh..."
Most of the campers flinched into watching that scene, as Chris looked happy and proud.
"And Trent moves on to the next round! Isn't this fun?" Chris asked as he could see the painful face of Trent who was narrowing his eyes at him.
"Yeah, it was a lovely walk in the park," Trent said as he got up from the floor and walked around the campers, some of them were sympathetic, but from the look of Eva, he somehow felt fearful and had no idea on why she looks like she wants to devour his soul.
Chris walked by the wheel as he was already enjoying the idea of torturing his campers again.
"Next up, Lindsay!" Chris started to spin the wheel as Lindsay felt nervous about what kind of torture she would receive... until to her own surprise, the wheel turned into a marshmallow on fire. Your torture is… marshmallow waxing! We're gonna wax every part of your body. If you can take the pain for a full ten seconds, you can go to the next level."
"Oh, I so need this. I've been dealing with nasty razor stubble for weeks." Lindsay jumped happily as she felt in need of a spa treatment, and seeing how she didn't get some, a good wax would help her beauty. She then turned to the Chef who was preparing the wax made of marshmallows. "Try not to wax off my tan, 'kay?"
Chef simply ignored as he launched a big ball of wax on Lindsay's face, as the muffled scream happened from the inside, and then Chef used all his strength to pull the ball of marshmallow from her face... Every boy looked terrified and horrified in that scene, while the girls even cringed from seeing a person suffering a wax with just candy on the face... It didn't look like a professional wax they would have in the spa, and yet. Chef made it look like he did a terrible job.
"Ah! Ow!" Lindsay said as he suddenly was free from the sugar candy wax...
"Ouch. That had to hurt." Trent commented to Duncan who just nodded from seeing that. "I don't think I would've made it through that one."
"I would have fainted..." Duncan commented as then felt a shrive on the spine, and Courtney was smiling at her boyfriend.
"What's the matter, boys? Never had a wax before? Didn't you guys take it on the cruise?" Courtney made a slight tease as Gwen chuckled.
"That's because guys are total wimps when it comes to two things: beauty and pain." Gwen raised her hand and Courtney was glad to high-five her.
Trent and Duncan gulped into seeing that horrifying scene. As Courtney scoffed at both wimps.
Then the sound of the ding was heard and Lindsay came to appreciate the results of the recent wax... and to the surprise of the campers, boys and girls, she never felt happier with the results.
"Oh my gosh. I can't believe how smooth that is. Thanks, Chip." Lindsay said as she felt so happy with the results. Not realizing that she bothered Chris once again by saying his name wrongly.
"It's Chris." Chris who was happy to see the results of his torture, said automatically as he could see the girl like a lost cause.
After returning to her seat, Lindsay smiled sweetly at Heather and Courtney who looked at her in disbelief.
"Does it really work?" Courtney asked, as Heather even touched the face of the blonde bombshell.
"It really did... her skin is smooth like a peach..." Heather commented as she herself was caught in surprise by the unorthodox version of wax.
"Yeah, you girls should try, it's fantastic." Lindsay nodded her head as Heather scoffed.
"I will give a hard pass." Heather refused, as a good idea of wax was tempting, going across the marshmallows to wax her face. No, thank you.
Courtney on the other hand...
"Maybe another day, I don't think it wo..." Courtney was about to refuse when Chris suddenly decided to interrupt.
"Well done, Lindsay. Since you didn't even complain once, you get to choose who goes next." Chris commented as he pointed at the papers with all the kinds of torture over the cabinets of everyone...
"Oh oh oh. Clara should try the marshmallow wax, she is going to love it." Lindsay pointed at Courtney who was in the time to refuse, and the C.I.T.''s mouth dropped as a part of herself wanted to strangle Lindsay at that moment.
"It's not possible, since you already used the torture." Courtney used that as an excuse to nullify the temptation of the blond girl trying to make her use wax... but unfortunately for Courtney...
"Who said we couldn't use the same torture twice? Come here Courtney, you gotta a low-quality high-risk Spa wax for you to have a try." Chris gave his iconic smirk, as Courtney looked furious at the Screaming Gopher who had no idea what she did wrong.
"Humph..." Courtney walked over to the same place where Lindsay did the wax... And inside of her mind, she was counting the seconds that she would give a little payback for the blond girl. "Can we finish this up?"
Chef did the same procedure as the last camper, by launching a big ball of marshmallow wax on Courtney's face, as she screamed was muffed from the inside of the marshmallow, making many campers flinch, Gwen, Bridgette, and even Eva recoil from seeing Chef pulling the wax with all his strength. Making Courtney say the word in pain.
"Ah! Ow!" Courtney said as she was still recovering from the horrifying experience of almost being suffocating in wax on her whole face... And from the sound of dings appearing in the air, she passed on to the next phase.
"Congratulations Courtney, for being able to pass the challenge made by Lindsay, that means Lindsay was the one who lost the challenge." Chris then gave an explanation which caught everyone by surprise.
"Wait what?" Lindsay said as suddenly her sit went down and she got up locked like a prisoner into a wooden stockade.
"Lindsay made a terrible choice in recommending a spa treatment for another girl, she should have chosen Trent or Duncan since both of them looked horrified. But now we have Courtney who also didn't complain about doing such a challenge. Now, Courtney, it's your turn to decide who would go next." Chris smiled as Courtney looked angrily at Lindsay.
"Are you sure that I can't choose Lindsay to do another type of torture?" Courtney asked which the Screaming Gopher Girl palled into hearing the C.I.T. girl wanted revenge on her. But luckily for her, Chris shook his head.
'I'm afraid not, or you would be in her place at the time she would do the challenge." Chris while he would love to see the revenge taking action, he doesn't want to lose time, he wants to make every single member of the team get eliminated.
"Dammit." Courtney snapped her fingers as she facepalmed... until she realized how smooth her skin was... "Holy *beep* she was telling the truth, my face feels smooth."
Lindsay smiled as Chris coughed which made Courtney snap from her thoughts.
"Right... err... oh, okay. I challenge Heather to have a nice haircut." Courtney smiled as Heather palled and then looked furious at the Killer Bass girl. "Sorry, but I couldn't hit Lindsay, so I need to use you as a rebound."
"That, I know, BUT WHY THE HAIRCUT?" Heather snarled as Courtney shrugged at her.
"To make you quit it. Simple like that." Courtney commented as Heather's had her eyes twitching.
(Confession - Heather)
"I don't blame Courtney for using that kind of strategy on me. I would have done the same if I was in her place." Heather said as she crossed her arms, but then she glared at the camera. "Oh, but I'm not going to let that slide. C.I.T? No, she is more like B.I.T.C.H, I'm coming back for you..."
Heather had her eyes wide open as the most cruel version of the barbershop of Wawanakwa, Chef using a chainsaw to try to cut her hair.
"Oh, hell no." Heather jumped away as she accepted her defeat... Still glaring hatefully at Courtney who just shrugged her arms.
"Alright, let's see... Owen, you are next." Chris commented as she proceeded to continue the challenge, by Spinning around the wheel, Owen had an easy time wearing wooden pants, while Chef showed how a little woodpecker would make him fear for his little friend.
Later Geoff was the victim as Chef had to pull his nose hair... Gwen had to give up at the time a giant snake was wrapping her body. The challenge was being called as every member was having to deal with the challenge.
"Eva, it seems your challenge now is...The Grizzly Bear Log Roll." Chris said happily as Eva's eyes narrowed and her teeth ground as there was one simple thought on her mind...
As Eva was in front of the docs, and there was a bear ready to show its skills. The Killer Bass team gulped as they saw Eva in such an angry state... they even gave space for the girl to look at Chris.
"Molotov the Bear performs with the Russian national circus and has been the European log-rolling champion for the past twelve years. To pass, you must last ten seconds on the log while avoiding certain death in the piranha-infested water." Chris loved the idea of showing how dramatic his show would be... Eva has a grudge against a bear, and ironically, it would be the time for her challenge to be related to a bear as well.
Molotov was showing its skill as many campers felt impressed by seeing the bear spinning the log like it was supposed to be on his log-rolling championship... Not even realizing Eva was already on the log... and her eyes were deep looking at the bear...
As the duo were in the middle of the water, around the piranas... Eva was quiet, as the bear was grinning at her...
"And GO." Chris said the timer, as Molotov was starting to spin the log, doing its best during the whole championship. The pride of the Russian circus, which remained champion for 12 years, all he had to do it's to wait for the bulk woman to fall down and the piranas would do the rest of the service, the smile of the bear and the fact it was with it's eyes closed... didn't realize something was wrong... Just at the time of 7 seconds the bear tilted its head... and decided to open its eyes...
The bear almost fell from the log when it realized Eva didn't just span the log like him, but she approached nearby to be face to face with the bear.
"ARGH..." The bear gave a cry when suddenly its fur was caught by the strong grip of Eva, and her furious gave made the grizzle bear almost the call of nature on the water...
"Molotov right? I have a special service for you..." Eva said in such a low tone, that the bear realized maybe jumping on the water full of piranas would have been safer...
"And Eva pass on the next round," Chris said as he was very excited, to see Eva showing her dominance in the game, and seeing that her own team looked terrified and amazed from the anger of the bodybuilder. He had to confess Ezekiel was right, this is going to be interesting... "Remind to call the interns, we need to see where Eva will go... I want a few cameramen following her at the end of the challenge."
Chef nodded his head, as the group watched Eva whispering something to the grizzle bear, and the Russian bear nodded its head like it didn't have another choice.
"Good talk Molotov, I'm counting on you..." Eva said as she stomped the dorks, to which Killer Bass was impressed, while Trent was almost pissing himself.
"Alright Eva, since you passed this phase easily, you know the rules. Who you want to challenge, and what torture would be." Chris asked as Eva gave a slight glance towards the remaining Screaming Gophers, Owen, Trent, and Izzy...
"I want Trent, with lake leeches." Eva grinned as the group stared at the guitarist who just gulped at the moment. "A leech being around his species."
Trent gulped as he felt fear in his eyes...
"Eva, don't you think that's too much?" Then like a miracle, it wasn't Gwen who said that... but Duncan instead. He never thought the delinquent would come to save him... "Wouldn't be easier if he had to pass 10 seconds with you?"
Okay, maybe not, that would have been way worse. Trent felt almost hyperventilating. But thankfully Chris came to save his ass...
"Welp, I should have thought about that, but sadly it isn't on the list... so we have the option of ten seconds in a wooden crate with Sasquatchanakwa. But since you didn't choose that, Chef is already bringing the leeches." Chris called as the grunts of Chef Hatchet could be heard from behind his mask...
And Trent felt like his entire blood was being sucked, and he wasn't even there in the first place.
"Well, how about we..."
"UNCLE." Trent immediately called, which Chris rolled his eyes, but gave a chuckle from his reaction.
"Well, I was about to offer you the chance to say the word, but it seems that wasn't even needed," Chris smirked as Trent was relieved but then caught himself locked in the wooden trap, and was locked like everyone who failed the challenge. Lindsay, Heather, and Gwen... "Well, it seems this challenge is getting better and better. Next."
And so the challenges kept going, Duncan was caught in doing Leeche's challenge, and his focus on winning it was so much that he managed to pass the 10 seconds easily... But then he had to get out quickly from his place.
Next came DJ who had to jump over the skunk jump, when the gentle Giant even if was sprayed with the skunk fart, in comparison to twice the stinking bomb from his friend... That alone was like 20 percent of the stink terror he suffered twice...
It was almost like he caught immunity towards a terrible smell like that. So after passing easily that challenge, DJ challenged Owen to eat ice cream, because he thought it would be something Owen liked to do...
Surprisingly, Owen thought he would win against the brain freeze, however the cold on the brain was too much for him, and Owen was eliminated.
Almost the whole Screaming Gophers team was eliminated and it was time for Izzy to play...
Izzy was the one up as Chef used a couple of electric eels as defibrillators. But when the buff cook shocked Izzy, the orange-haired girl laughed and only asked for more. It went so far that her hair began to stand up due to the electricity.
Due to her not only tolerating it but enjoying it, Chris said to the crazy girl. "Izzy, who's your next victim?" Chris would soon learn what exactly asking Izzy this meant.
"Ooh, ooh, me!" Izzy asked with an ecstatic tone and smile. "With a poison ivy spa treatment!" This quickly got everyone to gasp at what Izzy was asking. Izzy was asking to torture herself.
(Confession - Eva.)
"..." Eva remained quiet as she glanced around the camera, knowing Ezekiel would be watching the challenge, and she knew Ezekiel knew more about Izzy than she knew... Knowing how differently Izzy acted around Ezekiel, it didn't need to be a genius to understand that crazy ginger had her own gameplay... "Stupid ginger... what is her game?"
After receiving a quick call from the producers, Chris turned to Izzy with the answer.
"Okay. The judges will allow it, but they wanna know why." Quite frankly Chris wanted to know what as well. He knew Izzy would try something crazy or flat-out insane probably, but this was a whole new level. Ezekiel warned him about her unpredictable moves of Izzy, and that indeed would make people question her sanity... But still, a scene people will remember forever.
"I just wanna see how it feels," Izzy answered simply. But it didn't make it any less crazy.
"…Alrighty then." Chris simply shrugged and decided to go through with Izzy's request. Since it was fair enough, someone must try these crazy things to warn others what happens after they do it. And since this isn't his skin, let her do it what she thinks is the best for herself.
And so Chef gave Izzy the full poison ivy spa treatment. With cucumbers on her eyes and poison ivy wrapped around her face. And Izzy didn't put up a fight at all during the entire ten seconds it was on. "Time's up," Chris announced after the ding of the timer was heard. "Chef, remove the poison ivy."
"No, no," Izzy said with a calm and relaxed tone. "It feels great…"
"You stuck it out, but sadly, you eliminated yourself," Chris stated before walking away from that girl. At this point, everyone quickly put on a disturbed face as Izzy decided to remove the ivy herself and show off her red and swollen face, her lips now so big she could barely talk. And with that, all that remained were the Killer Bass members. "So who is next?"
And so the challenge went on and on.
Chris didn't know how long it passed... but from Bridgette wearing a t-shirt made by bees, Duncan receiving the same eels as electric defibrillators, Gwen listening to the new-age music torture, and even DJ having to deal with Molotov again...
Molotov recovered his confidence as DJ dropped himself on the river full of piranas, which made the poor bear avoid eye contact with the bodybuilder girl... Courtney also challenged Bridgette to get Chef's haircut, which made Bridgette give up the challenge...
In the end, only remained 2 members... Eva and Courtney.
"Eva, you're up. All right. After twenty rounds of torture, we're down to two steely competitors and the sudden death round." Chris smirked as he was satisfied to see how long the challenge had been, and how many of the campers were giving up, or suffering the challenge... Now all that misses is one single challenge... And luckily for them... The last torture and the one the bodybuilder is going to have to deal with... "Eva, your torture is to stay ten seconds in a wooden crate with Sasquatchanakwa."
"Now this is a thing I want to see..." Duncan commented as he saw the giant wooden crate, from a monster who was making a lot of noise, and the aggressive beatings inside of the wood made every single camper glance in fear about what kind of terrible creature would have to deal with Eva. "5 chocolate bars the Sasquatchanakwa is the one who is going to say uncle."
"10 chocolate bars Eva is going to make it cry," DJ commented as everyone glanced at Eva who was cracking her neck.
"Alright Eva, everything you had to do is get inside of the crate... and if you survive for 10 seconds. Then you are going to be the owner of this amazing trailer and the immunity for the next challenge." Chris said loudly as Courtney then huffed in disbelief.
"Hey, what about me? Should that be a death round?" Courtney said in disbelief, but then she regretted her words when Chris raised his eyebrow at her.
"Do you want to get inside of the crate with the monster of camp Wawanakwa?" Chris pointed with his thumb as the loud roar echoed around their ears...
"Never mind." Courtney dropped the issue as Eva rolled her eyes.
"Let's finish this... Also," Eva gave a glance at Trent which made him gulp. "Later we will have a talk..."
Trent gulped as the whole campers watched Eva getting inside the crate... At the time the clock was ticking, the loud roars and impact sounds could be heard as the crate jumped on the floor many times, the campers had their eyes wide open in fear and in disbelief, as the 10 seconds sounded like it was a whole hour inside... And then suddenly, getting outside. Eva was with a fluffy hat and boots which were coming from the purple monkey feet...
"Too easy." Eva grinned, as Chris then with a big smile on his face, decided to come to finish the challenge.
"Eva wins, and Courtney is out..." Chris said as Courtney huffed, but looking at how terrible the monster had felt, she
couldn't help but smile a bit, it was once again Eva showing her name as MVP of the challenge. "And we already have a winner of the challenge. A big comeback from Eva. She won the challenge, the immunity, and the big prize."
The group watched Eva walking inside the said trailer, the Killer Bass couldn't help but feel a bit of envy towards their friend. But from the terrifying challenge they had on that day, and the challenges Eva just pulled out... Yeah, nobody would want to go against that.
"Party on Eva's trailer tomorrow everyone," Geoff said as the Killer Bass rolled their eyes as they could feel Eva was going to beat Geoff's ass if he actually do that the next day.
"While Eva checks out her trailer full of food and we check out her blood pressure, the rest of you can go to the confessional booth and vote off a camper. Other than Eva." Chris commented as the group who were inside their own wood stockades, had to look at each other, thinking about who could be possibly eliminated.
(?)
As time passed around the forest, a place where the caves were a habitat for many kinds of bats, moles, and one important animal over the forest of Wawanakwa... a grizzled bear that was simply enjoying its marshmallows... it pulled many tries until managed to take the marshmallows away from the said campers...
A perfect time for a bear to enjoy good food while appreciating nature... Then the bear felt something smelling different, as it looked around left and right, until it looked outside of the cave, just to find another grizzled bear... Tilting its head, the bear roared to understand the reason why another bear appeared on his territory...
But that bear simply turned its back and walked away...
The bear felt confused... but simply ignored the intrusion leaving his cave... And now it was the time to enjoy its favorite dessert, a very good marshmallow...
Until suddenly the sound of a match could be heard... And from the darkness of the cave, the bear stared at what would be a terrible monster staring at its face.
"Hello bear, do you remember me?" Eva said as her smirk looked vicious...
.
.
.
The cries and roars of the bear echoed around the forest, and many animals looked at the cave of what would be a predator that came to simply kill the grizzled bear...At the time the roars finished, one voice could be heard...
"And when I put you down... YOU STAY DOWN." Eva said so loud that many animals ran away from the cave... not wanting to deal with the terrible monster who came to Wawanakwa.
Sounds of whimper could be heard from the cave... and with that... the silence terrified the forest more than the roars of the predators...
"Thanks again for your help Molotov, win the next championship for me," Eva commented as the grizzled bear nodded its head fearfully at her, looking at the cave where there was a whimpering bear, Molotov let out a tear and shook it's head as Eva smiled at him and gave a thumbs up, for the bear keep moving forward and keep winning.
Molotov is determined to never encounter such a monster again, but also happy for the monster cheering for him to keep winning. A bear champion needs to keep winning.
(Girl's Cabin)
The girls who were preparing themselves to make their votes at the confession booth suddenly got surprised as someone got inside the cabin again... It was Eva, however different than her usual gym top and clothing, everyone had to give space as Eva got inside the cabin with a big brown fur coat, with long sleeves as well.
"Ohhhh, that's so beautiful, I didn't know you have one fur coat, Eva," Lindsay said as she always loved very good fashion taste, she admired the brown fur coat over the bodybuilder girl, and somehow that really compliments her style of harsh nature and pure raw strength.
"Hmmm? Oh yeah, I just got this Grizzled Bear coat with the trailer, did you like it?" Eva huffed as Heather and Bridgette had their eyes looking in shock, as indeed the coat looked recently made. As the girls got a look of interest at the bodybuilder's new clothing, she also was eating something as well.
"What are you eating Eva?" Courtney asked as she then saw a brown stick in Eva's hands...
"Tender jerky, you want some?" Eva was offered to the girls, which Bridgette immediately refused, and Courtney wasn't hungry.
"Oh, I accept," Izzy said as she got a piece of jerky from the bodybuilder's hands... and gave a sweet bite. "Hmmm... it tastes like revenge."
"It sure does," Eva smirked as the other girls had no idea what this duo was talking about...
(Edition - Booth)
"Wait, she did what?" Chris said as he looked in disbelief at the recordings from the cameraman, showing Eva crossing the forest and going to the bear cave, a few minutes later. Eva walked with a piece of meat in her hands and a new wardrobe which made Chris gulp but also laugh... "Ahahaha, I can't believe it. Well, when she said she had a list, I didn't think the bear was one of them... It's hilarious. Okay, we need to add this scene only for pay-per-view, this will blow the audience when they ask for a bonus feature. I would love to see PETA going against Eva, nobody would be crazy into going after her."
At the time Chris even looked at the interns doing the editing for the scene to appear on the television, he then looked at Chef staring in shock around something.
"Hey, what's going on?" Chris asked as Chef was staring in disbelief...
"The confession booths, you should see this," Chef commented as Chris rolled his eyes, and took his mug of coffee, it was something he was going to enjoy...
"I don't know what you are talking about," Chris commented as he placed the headphones to watch the confession votes and drink his coffee... until the audio and video were enough to surprise him. "Pfffff, WHAT?"
Chris didn't care about the spilled coffee on the floor or the screen... that has been one thing he never thought about before... And that was awesome for him.
(THAT NIGHT - CAMPFIRE)
And the night finally came towards the camp, Chef was over the mountain howling to the moon, as the campfire once again made the perfect ceremony. But this time with a difference.
"Okay. So first up, we ran out of marshmallows." Chris smiled as he was above the barrel, as he was still using his iconic smile as he gave the bad news to some campers who actually cared...
"NOOOOOOOOOO." Owen being the said camper shouted in terror and then started to cry near the campers, Izzy tapped the back of the chubby camper as he tried to find comfort from the said bad news.
"I've reviewed the confessionals and I have to say, never in my whole life got surprised like that... for my entire career, there was hate on this group, which is awesome, but a revelation which made me spit my coffee...While I normally protect your privacy, in the spirit of airing your dirty laundry, I'm gonna go live with your confessionals!" Chris said a good revelation as he showed on the screen something that no camper would think was possible.
(Confession - Heather)
"Since I cannot vote for Eva and for the fact probably the blonde surfer is probably going to be eliminated tonight, I'm still going to vote on that stupid Courtney for making me lose the challenge for using me instead of Lindsay."
(Confession - Trent)
"Well since everyone decided to vote on Bridgette, and Eva is the strongest player, sadly I cannot vote on her, she scared the *beep* of me, so I'm going with the flow and vote on the girl who said, Condor.
(Confession - Owen)
"Well, Bridgette is a cool girl, but sadly she said the word and the guys told me to vote on her when it comes to a thing like that. So see you later Bridgette."
(Confession - Izzy)
"Oh, oh, I'm going to vote for myself. Hehehehe, it's all coming together."
(Confession - Lindsay)
"Well Ava scares me, but I loved so much her long coat so, and Heather told me I should vote for Curtis since she attacked her after got that great marshmallow spa, I'm a bit disappointed with Curtis and I have to agree with her, you saw how your skin was smooth, why did you try to attack us?"
Every camper had a surprising mix over the revelations, Duncan narrowed his eyes, while Courtney rolled her eyes, and when Lindsay asked that question she smiled sheepishly, it was a petty move, but it was for the competition's sake. While some members looked weirdly at Izzy who was voting on herself, Eva was still trying to figure out her game...
But nobody would expect what was going to come next.
(Confession - Bridgette)
"I know that I'm going be voted out... But I refuse to go down without taking you with me Trent. I vote on Trent since he has been on this show far too long."
(Confession - Duncan)
"The rules of Condor says if our team loses the challenge the person who said Condor must be eliminated... Sadly for Trent, technically Eva is still a Killer Bass so that means our team wins, see you later jealous *beeeeeeep*"
(Confession - Geoff)
"Trent, because I have to protect my girl some way. Unless I can figure out who snagged my lucky hat."
(Confession - DJ)
"Sorry to vote in you Trent, but Killer Bass lost 4 times in a row, and maybe it's for the best if you go..."
(Confession - Courtney)
"Wow, this skin really looks smooth. Mom, you need to create a patent for this, because that would be indeed a very good way to beauty products, also if have one, remind me to give a lifetime supply to Lindsay? I kinda feel bad about attacking Heather as a petty move. Oh yeah, Trent, it's time for him to go, he is like a cockroach, I don't know how he survived that long."
(Confession - Gwen)
"Sigh... Trent...I forgive you... just please... let it go. I vote on Trent."
Everyone from the Killer Bass looked at that scene in shock, Trent felt horrified and destroyed by the sudden confession of the Killer Bass... They didn't dare to eliminate their member because everyone was targeting him. Gwen's words were the ones who hurt him most... since she said she forgave him for what he did... but it was like a breaking up moment... She was telling him to forget her and move on...
Everyone from Screaming Gophers looked at Trent, and not even Izzy who usually was with her crazy smile could have remained since from the sudden move, her eyes were wide open and her mouth was opened in shock.
"AWWWWWWW, Thank you so much, Curtis, I'm going to accept it the life supply wax." Lindsay was the first one to say something and Courtney smiled from the sudden forgiveness from the blond bombshell. Heather rolled her eyes, while she scoffed.
"Lots of dirt revealed there, huh? But in the end, it was still six votes against Trent. So, adios." Chris commented as Trent suddenly got up from his seat.
"Hey come on, there is no way that it's legal," Trent said in shock, but Courtney scoffed.
"Killer Bass has its personal rules, and even if we got in everyone for themselves, we are still friends, and everyone is sick and tired of you. Just go." Courtney said the harsh truth as Chef walked towards the guitarist who suddenly was pushed towards the direction of the boat.
"I... I..." Trent tried to find something to say, but Gwen stared at him sadly and simply shook her head... Leaving the dejected guitarist to go take the boat of the Losers...
At the time everyone watched the boat leaving, Courtney and Duncan stared at Bridgette.
"Nice move Bridgette," Duncan said proudly at the surfer, to which she gave a nice smile.
"I know, but next time I'm going to leave. No more excuses." Bridgette said as she even thanked everyone who helped.
"Like Ezekiel said... Killer Bass until death." Duncan said proudly as he let Geoff walk towards his girlfriend...
Every camper watched the surfer and the party boy have their own time, and even kiss themselves from finally having a victory for the Killer Bass once again... A personal victory they always wanted for so long...
Later the group celebrated with a nice meal of Cruise food, while Eva finally had her biggest reward... getting inside of the hot tub after so many weeks without it... She was once again back... and ready for more.
In the end, the Sasquatchanakwa tried to find some clothing to cover his baldness over its head, while in another cave in the middle of the forest, a bald grizzly bear was recovering from the painful reality... it's not a male anymore... after dealing with the blue demon... the bear became female...
Chapter 24: Interlude 7
Chapter Text
The entire forest was in silence, and the animals were trembling, not because of the cold weather happening across the forest of Canada… But the animals, especially the male ones trembled in fear of a name that most animals would run away in case to anger such a monster… Eva…
Mother Nature to reply any comment after the druid parents who just saw one scene of the pay-per-view that would make them horrified and worried about another bear who would make Eva mad…
The father slowly placed both his hands on his crotch, to protect the definition of what makes him a male… While the mother looked disgusted at how Eva was so casual about eating a 'jerky' made of one specific part of the bear… Still, she had to confess that she was horrified and impressed at the same time.
"I'm done with my shower, did I miss much?" Then like a gentle voice, Dawn came up wearing her pajamas, which made both parents surprised by her sudden voice, and staring at the television. Dawn could see Eva wearing a fur coat. "Oh my, is that what I think it is?"
"It's not Molotov's, she said it came with the trailer." The father said quickly as he could see Dawn's innocence towards such an event would traumatize her… so he decided to sugarcoat a little, and tell the lie like Eva did.
"Oh… I'm so glad, I was afraid for Molotov, Eva really scared him, and I was about to get mad at her." Dawn said as she smiled happy to know that she was wrong.
The mother looked at the father who was still holding his little friend, and the mother coughed on her fist, which made the druid realize and disguise his action by taking a newspaper with him.
"Well, now the group is going to start to vote a person off… Probably Bridgette is going to be eliminated." The mother commented as Dawn nodded sadly, possibly due to the fact slowly the Killer Bass were slowly losing so many members, that sooner or later there wouldn't be a group anymore.
But that's how the show goes.
Jane and Sky were with their eyes wide open, for the whole fact of many important scenes happening around the episode, Eva's badass moments know no bounds, as she broke the cast with her strength, defeated a saskwatchanakwa and made shoes and hat with it? And then came with to reunite with the girls by wearing a bear coat and eating a jerky made of a bear penis?
The challenges were everything they wouldn't believe with their own eyes, from turtles that would bite your ass, to even spa treatment with poison Ivy… The girls stared at each other thinking Izzy was crazy but Eva's confession made them realize something, Izzy seemed to be up to something and they had no idea…
And then to the final challenge, Eva won fairly and squarely the trailer, and the girls couldn't be happier for her, a titan who returned to show how strong she was, it didn't kill her it made her even stronger.
Eva came to stay, and she said she had a list, and from seeing how Trent was afraid and the bear now whimpering from the aftermath? Yeah, many shocking scenes happened. But now one thing that would make the girls be on the edge of their seats.
"Okay, I'm curious about what Bridgette will say before she leaves," Jane commented as Sky was drinking her water bottle, since the time they were watching the pay-per-view, they were also doing a workout to pass the time, they enjoyed a good break as the girls could see the campers reunited for the campfire.
"Oh, I hope she would give a kiss on Geoff as a way to settle their feelings, it would be a very romantic way to say goodbye," Sky commented as she could see the surfer and the party boy giving a good goodbye and making the desire of fans happening across the country and possibly the world.
Every vote was being counted with the idea of Bridgette possibly being voted out until…
"I know that I'm going to be voted out… But I refuse to go down without taking you with me Trent. I vote on Trent since he has been on this show far too long…"
.
.
.
"WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO, WAY TO GO BRIDGETTE," Sky shouted as not just her, but a good part of the neighbors were also shouting in surprise, and some were even impressed. "Damn, Bridgette confessing that she was going down but dragging Trent with her? That was a twist move that I never thought to see."
"Oh my God, tomorrow is going to be a huge debate on work, Trent is out, I think this will be the talk of the whole week," Jane commented as she could see her sister even going away. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to check the forums, there is no way CodyLuver4Life is going to miss this, I'm sure that she is going to write a vindication post about how Trent got what he deserved after backstabbing Cody, I can already imagine the trolls and the people going rough on him online," Sky said as she was getting to her computer…
"What about the rest of the votes?" Jane called her sister, but knowing that they were watching the pay-per-view, her sister could watch the edited version later… And from seeing the shocked face of the guitarist, she couldn't help but nod her head. "Sorry for that Trent, but it seems your luck ran out."
"I don't get it, they seemed so determined to eliminate their blond one a few days ago, and then suddenly from nowhere, they decided to eliminate the meat shield today? What the hell is wrong with those fishes?" Heather said as she ate one of the desserts the fat boy brought for them after that stupid cruise trip they went on. "Firstly the boys got everything they wanted, and then they aimed to eliminate Trent so easily."
"Well at least he is gone now," Lindsay said as she didn't show any kind of sadness at seeing one of her former team members leave, which made Heather notice the blonde bombshell staring at herself in the mirror as she was looking more cheerful on that. "Now that he is gone, I can finally sleep eating something without having trusting issues about someone telling me, hey, that's a simple chocolate cake, or hey this is lemon ice cream, or hey this is a legit lemon pancake. And nothing that can be pissed or popped for you to eat."
Heather had her eyes wide open as Lindsay was holding her lipstick so tight that it was almost messing with her hand. And like a very good queen bee with self-preservation instincts, she decided to let that drop.
"Well, and now the same fish heads who eliminated almost all the members of our team, in the end, they are still too strong and they could do everything to eliminate us," Heather commented as she felt pressured by the fact that it was only a matter of time until the fish heads would attack them, and since her meat shield was done for, she needed to act quickly.
Until she was surprised to see an arrow flying from the window.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Heather shouted as the arrow crossed the other side of the female cabin, and straightly aimed at the wood wall of the said cabin... "What the hell?"
Heather narrowed her eyes as she could see the arrow stuck in the wood, and the details of the said arrow were artesian, and around that arrow, there was a paper tied like a message.
"Heather, are you okay?" Lindsay approached Heather who was still feeling cold sweat on her forehead, and a bit of anger from seeing a target across the psycho who launched the arrow at her.
"I want to know who is the sicko who did that, it's better to have an explanation for this, or I swear I'm going to make them pay," Heather said angrily as she went nearby at the stuck arrow on the wall, and seeing the message tied at it she rolled her eyes. "Really? A letter in an arrow? Is this the Medieval Era? Anyway, let's see what it is..."
Heather slowly read the letter with a scoff, but after reading the content of the letter, her reaction slowly changed as she suddenly gave a slight glance at the corner of the cabin, seeing there was a camera aimed at them...
"Lindsay, no time to explain, follow me," Heather ordered as the blond girl tilted her head. Without giving the time for the blond girl to ask about it, Heather already passed the door.
It took 20 minutes for Heather finally reach across the forest, to find a random cave, where usually most of the campers would never imagine or even think about risking their chances of going there after the dangerous camp trips they had on the challenges.
And the darkness happening around the forest didn't help much either, but they finally reached their destination.
"Heather, are you sure this is okay?" Lindsay asked, as from what Heather told in simple words, someone wanted to talk to them both.
Heather remained quiet, as the duo finally got inside the cave, showing a prepared fireplace with some fishes being cooked in that place. And for the fear of Lindsay and disbelief of the queen bee, a ginger person was launching more wood to make the fire bigger.
"So it was you who sent the arrow into the cabin," Heather said as the ginger crazy girl got up and slowly revealed herself in front of both members of the female cabin. "I knew you would be crazy, but to get to a point into almost hitting me. That would take the cake. Izzy."
"Well, it was the only way to bring the attention of you both." Izzy smiled, as she sat on the log before taking a fried fish straight from the fire and enjoying the good nature meat, she already could see them both staring at her weirdly. "From seeing how the Killer Bass sent Trent instead of Bridgette, clearly showed they were flexible towards their own morals."
Heather and Lindsay had their eyes wide open, because instead of Izzy talking while using her crazy tone, or even dumb thinking. What it showed was something way different than they expected. And the ginger girl noticed the reaction of them and started to laugh.
"Oh, so you thought I couldn't say something logical? That's hilarious." Izzy laughed, but then she glanced around and decided to raise her hand to the duo. "There isn't a camera around, so we can talk about everything around here without them recording us and publishing around the show."
"So you were faking it all this time." Heather had her eyes wide open in surprise as she realized something that she didn't expect to hear... The crazy girl was not crazy.
Izzy smiled as she gave a look at both Heather and Lindsay and gave a deep look outside of the cave, offering the fried food to the girls who seemed to be a bit unsure of how to react to her.
"Well, in question related to the show, you should do everything to bring the attention of the public, so for me to have a crazy persona helps me to be on the low radar for a long time. Able to read the fine print of the contract and some loopholes around it, nobody could ever expect me to get this far." Izzy commented as she pointed in the direction outside of the forest. "And from the situation we are in, I would say that I would need to remain crazy to not cause suspicions."
"So why are you telling us this?" Lindsay tilted her head, as she was still afraid of Izzy, but from the tone of voice, she could feel that version of the ginger was safer than the girl she found on the morning.
"Because she wants to make an alliance with us." Heather concluded, but then both girls felt unsure as Izzy suddenly laughed as it was the funniest joke on Earth, "What's so funny?"
"Hehehe, wow, you sound like I needed your help," Izzy said in a mockery tone, causing Heather to glare her eyes at the crazy girl who just raised her hands. "Woah queen bee, I'm not your enemy, but I'm here to tell you the facts. You girls need me."
"Pff, As if." Heather scoffed as she was ready to give up on the idea of being in that place, but then Izzy laughed again. "Can you stop laughing?'
"Hahaha, I'm sorry. I'm going to stop now, haha..." Izzy took a few seconds to recover herself, and then with her eyes getting serious, she stretched herself. "Let me be more clear, you girls need me because Killer Bass will not give up the idea of being a whole team... And before you say it was obvious, no, it's way more than that. The team wasn't torn after the merge, so it's clearly still Killer Bass vs Screaming Gophers, so in any defeat, their objective was simple, eliminating the Screaming Gophers, one by one."
Heather raised her eyebrows in amusement, as she then had collected something from her idea. For the fact they still eliminated Trent instead of sending away their blond surfer. And for all the fact that they wanted so much to eliminate Trent, and without the meat shield, Heather got something in conclusion.
"So you understand now," Izzy commented as Lindsay tilted her head in confusion. But thankfully Izzy simply smiled and tapped the head of the blonde girl. "You girls are going to be the next eliminated if you both stay on the same path during this time."
"So what do you have in mind?" Heather rolled her eyes, as she clearly didn't like the idea.
"Oh, that's easy silly, oh that's even rhymes... ops, sorry, sometimes getting into this crazy persona sticks with you," Izzy commented as she composed herself, and coughed into her fist. "Well, in summary, we just need to play by their rules, and use their rules against themselves."
"Well, pff, clearly that worked well on today's challenge," Heather said annoyed but Izzy already expected that.
"I don't know what happened this morning, but from my point of view, they were flexible this time... Maybe because they really hated Trent." Izzy commented as she shrugged, which made Heather raise her eyebrows. But Lindsay nodded her head.
"I would have voted for him if I had a chance," Lindsay commented as Heather looked betrayed by her friend, but Lindsay had to take it out of her chest. "Eating pissed pancakes, I hated it so much, and he shoved in my face and lied to me, do you have any idea how long that taste of piss was in my tongue? I vomited in the middle of the night."
Izzy who was smiling, her smile dropped as she shivered, and nodded her head solemnly.
"I know how it feels, survival makes us do the craziest thing to survive, but forcing someone into doing that and lying into your face. And one thing I can't stand, it's a liar, so props on you to never forget about what he did, and I recommend to you always be wary of him." Izzy commented as she then looked at Heather who was just surprised to see the change of tone. Making the ginger girl sigh once more. "Listen, we Screaming Gophers are only 4, against 7 Killer Bass, however, if we play by their rules and use it to our advantage, then we get a tie of 4 vs 4."
"Okay, I'm listening, what do you have in mind? What do you mean playing by their rules?" Heather rolled her eyes, but her attention was completely on the girl who was smiling at her, but this time the expression was like a predator.
"Simple, as long as one of us, a Gopher wins the challenge, they must become very hesitant on who they should vote, for unless it's a Condor user," Izzy explained as she then gave two photos to both Lindsay and Heather. "The persons who actually were the most capable of seeing those words were these two. Bridgette and DJ. So having them lose on the next challenge, which mostly Bridgette will throw out because of her speech if I'm going down I'm taking you with me, there is no way that she is going to do that again unless we provoke her too much."
Heather was quiet but she nodded her head and understood the logic of them, ignoring the fact that the crazy girl already got pictures of the people who said their forbidden word...
"So you know much more about them?" Heather asked as Izzy rolled her eyes.
"I know where they even are now... for the time if you guys questioned where all the Killer Bass Members go after the challenges and the day offs... Were usually the fishes would go? Inside of an Aquarium..." Izzy said as the shadows around the fire exposed the smile on her face. "If you hear what about to say... then I guarantee that you are going to be on the final three... As long as you never interrupt my plans, and neither votes Owen... then everything will be just fine."
Heather and Lindsay looked unsure until suddenly they looked around and saw that there was indeed nothing staring at them... no camera, everything was happening off-screen...
"So what do you want us to do?" Heather asked as then she saw the smile of Izzy appearing which gave a look at Lindsay and at Heather...
"I think it's time for you both to stop playing checkers... and finally learn how to play chess," Izzy said as she decided to explain the plan...
"PUSH," Eva screamed as the Killer Bass members pushed what would be a 1-ton trailer over the direction of a role. "PUSH."
"We are almost there. DJ did you make the ramp?" Duncan said as he was feeling exhausted already, and seeing his giant friend also pushing with all his strength, it had been torture for them to do such a task after the day they had.
"Yes, we are almost… okay, there it is," DJ said as Eva, Duncan, and DJ pushed while Geoff was making sure the wheels fit the ramp.
"Alright, it's alright, you can push it now," Geoff called as the group took the opportunity to finally push with all their strength, everyone sweating, but with an effort of 20 minutes, they did it… they finally did it.
"Okay, the trailer is safe now…" Eva commented as she cleaned her sweat with a towel, and finally could see the grasp of the hot tub… "Now my trailer is safe on Aquarium."
"I still don't get why you wanted us to move this trailer of one fucking ton, Eva," Duncan said as he was feeling all sore from the heavy trailer pushing everyone to their limits. The other campers also seemed exhausted from the idea of moving by their own hands such as a big automobile across the forests until they reached their secret base.
"Would you trust your prize house in the middle of the area where anything could happen at the camp, especially with Chris McLean around?" Eva asked as the group got quiet, and then staring at the bodybuilder girl who raised a very good point, they couldn't help but nod their heads.
"Yep," Duncan commented.
"I can see that happening," Courtney agreed.
"Yeah, we can never know what can happen." Geoff talked as Bridgette nodded her head in agreement.
"Just something crazy would happen inside of his mind when it comes to these challenges," Gwen commented as she felt herself exhausted, but thankfully they were already on the secret base, and seeing the hot tub, it was a very good time for them to relax. "Now that we finished the day, I think we should celebrate that you are back Eva."
"Now, that's something I can agree on," Eva smirked as she opened the door of her prize, and saw there was even a minibar section for her to enjoy a good food. "Let me see if I have some drinks and chips. This is something that will be fun to have after we finish the show."
"Now that's a thing I agree with you. Hey, if there is a soda can, bring it to me would yah?" Duncan said as he took out his shirt, and was ready to celebrate a good time with his friends.
"Just this once, skull boy. You better not push your luck." Eva grunted as she brought the refreshments for her team. Reuniting the group that she had missed so much for so long, she finally felt welcomed back just by returning to the cave where everything began.
And the group had finally something to celebrate over the day.
Duncan opened the soda can and raised it to the members of the Aquarium.
"Cheers, for Eva returning to the game, and for Bridgette who accomplished what we should have done since the Phobia Factor challenge," Duncan said as he drank the soft drink the group nodded their heads and celebrated.
A Killer Bass may be eliminated, but she didn't go alone, she brought down someone before her. And that was what will be remarked as one of the top moments of the Total Drama show.
And a good reason for the fishes once again had their morale high again.
A victory was a victory for everyone...
As many people would celebrate a personal victory, in the vast sea crossing the horizon, a boat carried what would be a person who was still trying to process how his entire day has been, from a time he thought everything was going to be fine, to challenges that brought difficulty to everyone, and yet when he thought he could survive for another day, it was different, everyone from an opposite team wanted his head...
It was no mistake that he could feel the hostility coming from Killer Bass, to even time how their words hurt him as the way he departed from the show, he couldn't comprehend how bold they were in breaking their own moral code into doing that.
The last thing Trent remembered was the harsh words of Courtney saying they were sick and tired of him, and the look in the eyes of Gwen, still pierced his soul, he wanted to make it work, however, she completely decided to turn her back at him... Leaving in silence.
It really hurt, that feeling of losing. But at least he would return to his home, and pass the time to get back together...
"We're here." Then the captain's voice could be heard from the cabin which made the guitarist stare in surprise at the island in front of him, instead of a single port in a familiar place over where he took the boat before coming to the show, he was now staring of what would be a giant resort which could make the camp Wawanakwa a complete trash in comparison. The yellow construction which sembled like a hotel, and the good sand on the floor were definitely a good definition of a clean place.
"Are you sure that we are at the right place?" Trent asked as the captain rolled his eyes and launched a few of the baggage on the dork.
"As many other campers asked before, the answer is still the same, yes this is the right place. Playa del Losers. Have fun during the weeks before the end of the show." The captain commented rudely as he even pointed in the direction of the resort. "I don't have much time to chit-chat, so I suggest you get out of my boat right now."
"Okay, okay. I'm going." Trent commented as he carried the rest of his luggage outside of the boat, and not a minute later, the captain already departed with the boat, leaving the guitarist and former camper of the show alone around the docks. "Well, I think that's it."
Trent was thinking about how to move all the luggage that was dropped on the docks, when he heard someone stepping on the woods of the docks which discharged him, and by his surprise, it was Leshawna, Cody, Noah, Justin and Beth who went to greet the guitarist who just reached the playa.
Trent gave a smile to his friends who came to greet him, and seeing them having a happy smile on their faces, means that everything seems to be going to be fine.
"Hey, guys how are you?" Trent asked as he received a hug from Beth, and Leshawna quickly gave a hug and a fist bump.
"Nice to see you here, sugar," Leshawna commented as she greeted the guitarist and Cody who after gave a slight smile to his friend and gave a fist bump to him.
"Nice to see you again, Cody." Trent greeted the geek boy who smiled kindly at him, and even from the fact the guitarist had given his vote on the boy, Cody seemed to be kindred of spirit, since he didn't look bothered after that time he was at the playa del losers.
"Nice to see you too, Trent," Cody replied, carrying one of his suitcases, like all Screaming Gophers on the Playa seemed to be reunited once again to help with their new member on the resort. Justin, Cody, and even Leshawna went to help the guitarist while Noah snorted and decided to go directly for his sarcastic remark.
"Well done Trent, you done goofed," Noah said the remark which the other members other Screaming Gophers gave a slight glare towards the first person eliminated on the show. And even with their glares, he turned to his former team and rolled his eyes. "Come on, you know that I'm not the only one who was thinking of that."
"Yeah, but can't you even let him have a night to sleep? The boy already had too much for a whole day." Leshawna said as she slapped the head of the bookworm boy who just scoffed and scratched the same place which was slapped. As she even gave a slight glance over the guitarist who was still processing everything that happened on the day. "Don't mind Noah, he always has been like that since the elimination he had after the first episode."
Noah looked angrily at the woman who was also another victim of the same bee queen, but he decided to ignore the comment and just focused on the group who carried the baggage to one of the bedrooms of the resort. It didn't take long to Trent finally get into his room, leave all his suitcases around, and be ready to have a good night of sleep.
"Man, that has been a long day. Thank you guys for helping me out with this." Trent smiled, feeling already welcomed over the resort from seeing his team once again, while Noah scoffed from that, the other members seemed to be happy to make the guitarist settle over his own bedroom.
"Well sweetheart, you have a very good time enjoying the vacations you have after losing the show, and if you want you can watch the show from the television which has pay-per-view, making it possible to watch 24 hours all the cameras around, so if you are bored you can watch the other campers from here," Leshawna explained, as the others finally were leaving, Justin gave his beautiful smile while Beth waved for the last time on the day. And Noah even helped to make the bed for Trent before leaving.
Leshawna gave a final hug before leaving the bedroom, with just 2 Screaming Gophers members in the bedroom.
"Well, I think that's it," Cody said as the duo seemed to be alone around the bedroom after a long day from both sides. "Sorry that it didn't end up well for you Trent."
"It's fine dude," Trent said as he shrugged, but was happy to see him again. And for the time he has been with the little geek on the camp, Cody seemed to be acting a bit different than the first time he was from being part of the show, he looked more restrained and more mature. "It seems that being here has helped you out a lot."
"Well, I wouldn't say that," Cody confessed as he knew his friend was still having problems accepting what happened. On the first day, he is on the island, he is devastated by the shocking revelation that his elimination was unanimous, from the idea of Heather using vote Owen to eliminate him, but also Trent by his own free will voted on the poor geek to be one of the campers to be eliminated. "The time I got here, it has been struggling, it took me a few days or even a few weeks to make me familiarize myself with this place, especially at the time I was eliminated when I got official with my girlfriend."
Trent heard the tone of his voice and made the guitarist pause and glance at him... The uncomfortable silence was enough to make Trent scratch his head and look sheepish.
"Ah yeah... you must have watched the episode. Sorry that in the end you got voted out by everyone." Trent while he said it was natural for everyone, Cody knew that his friend meant well, but those words still hurt.
"That time your vote really hurt me, Trent, I thought you would at least vote for someone else because you are my friend." Cody was clear as he said it with honesty, and those words made Trent flinch, but the geekester just shrugged it off. "But it's just water's on the bridge, and I have to tell you, it was a very funny payback Katie gave to you."
"What payback?" Trent asked as he looked both anxious and horrified.
"Your pink hair." Cody simply replied which made Trent freak out.
"That was her? It took days to get them out." Trent said in disbelief as he was very shocked and outraged, but Cody raised his hands.
"Well, didn't you learn to be away from a woman who has bloodshot eyes and desires to have vengeance? To be honest, I thought Eva would have eaten you alive, but she first went for the bear who caused her to get out of the camp for the first time, and I have to tell you. Your leaving by votes has been a miracle in comparison to what Eva would have done to you on that camp." Cody was honest, and the guitarist had to pass the time in silence and appreciate that he was indeed lucky, from imagining what kind of dangerous animal he would have to survive if he stayed on that camp for one more day. And with Cody seeing Trent's reflection, it seems that it was also a good idea for him to explain. "Trent, I've known you since the times we were in camp Wawanakwa and I treat you like a good friend of mine, so I'm going to warn you. All episodes of the show have been here. Taking out the pay-per-view, the edited version of the episodes are there for you to watch... and I know that you want to meet everyone at the camp tomorrow, but please, for the love of God and everything that it's most precious, don't interact with the Killer Bass until you watch all the episode of the show."
"Ah, what are you talking about?" Trent asked as Cody looked deeply into his eyes.
"Trent, I'm telling you as a friend," Cody commented as he had said everything he wanted and he was very tired over that day, but still giving the talk he needed to give for his friend. "Please. Just do it"
Trent was still confused, but seeing his friend determined him to not interact with the other team, he could guess that the hostility from the other team was indeed similar to the time on the camp Wawanakwa, and he always has been confused on why everyone was always angry at him... And seeing Cody acting like that, it must have been something really terrible that he wasn't aware of...
The guitarist remained quiet but then nodded his head.
"Alright. I'm going to sleep, and tomorrow I'm going to be here until I finish the episodes." Trent commented which made Cody sigh in relief and be happy for his friend.
"Thank you, and don't worry. We can bring you some food while you watch the episodes. We got you covered, and I don't want you to get too much of that heat." Cody commented as Trent looked at the geek who just raised his hands. "You better not know that. Me, Katie, and Leshawna already have a troll user on the internet who has been annoying us for too long. And Leshawna is trying to get her banished from the forum of the show. And it's for the best you don't know about it."
"Okay, fair enough. Thanks for helping me, dude." Trent said as he helped Cody to leave the room, and before leaving Cody gave a fist bump with the new member over the playa.
"That's everything I could do to help a friend. Good night Trent." Cody said before leaving the guitarist alone in his own bedroom.
Alone with his own company with the possibility to enjoy the accommodations which the show must have prepared for everyone who just lost on the show, the curtains over the suite, a television, a computer, everything seemed to be so great, and yet... Trent felt that it would have been better if he stayed at the camp, doing the crazy challenges, or even having to deal with the terrible smelling farts that Owen would unleash on the cabin, he missed Gwen, even though she said for him to move on. And he really wanted to, but he felt that he just wished that he could have stayed...
So as alone he felt in the bedroom, nobody watching him, he went to his bed planted his head on the table, and went to sleep, not noticing that at the time he would wake up, his pillow would have shown a bit humid from the tears he had shred in the middle of the night.
Ezekiel watched the pay-per-view, seeing his friends working together to push the trailer prize to the Aquarium indeed he should give a thumbs up for Eva's genius plan. That way Chris wouldn't accidentally blow up the prize by using the cannon for the next challenge. And from the episode itself had made him smile, for seeing the Killer Bass become once again raises their morale. And even seeing Bridgette giving the kamikaze attack into sending Trent to his elimination first while she was flexible into bending the Killer Bass' own rules in her favor. It has indeed made Ezekiel realize how a single letter would make such a difference on the show.
It has been indeed difficult times after his elimination, and a part of him blamed himself for declaring the prank's war while he was with a cold, he wanted to help his team to remain solid... But to see Eva and Izzy back on the show, and with each of them having their strategies and desire to win. The homeschooled boy felt like he was his former self, a homeschooled child who had been raised by teachers in his past life, and ironically refused to go to a public school after a school shooting that led to up killing of his cousin...
It was a grim coincidence, that his past life, and the actual life he had, somethings may nothing have changed, but since it was a cartoon it was always overshadowed by the plot, but real life happens in every single universe. Courage the Cowardly Dog, Steven Universe, and Adventure Time, were shows that marked a generation... And for himself to hold this mantle to make sure that this world not just could only learn about them, but to see them enjoying them... It made him prepare everything... To even finish the cover he had done for his first book.
It was a photograph of Courage staring at the camera afraid, as behind him there was the gentle Muriel who was waving at the camera, and on her side, there was a very grumpy old man with a hat glaring at the Courage with anger... Behind them, there was the same old house from the Middle of Nowhere, and there was one nearby them, in the shadow something like a great form of a dangerous creature which probably Courage was the first who notice and was ready to scream in fear.
And from the art he did, he gave slight marks on the paper written which colors belonged to where... And with a scan, that was everything he needed... To send the final piece to the publishers... And for how long it would take for them to publish his book? Only time will tell. But at least, Courage was going to be a pioneer over the world once more, like the time he was published on Cartoon Network, the era of the old cartoons, a good time of nostalgia hit him from all the great cartoons he loved to watch as a kid. Samurai Jack, Mucha Lucha, Xiaolin Showdown, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Megas XLR, Chicken and Cow, The Laboratory of Dexter, Powerpuff GIrls, cartoons that made generations... It was so many, and so much work to do.
"Someday maybe I will make you all justice, but sorry, I have to focus only on these 3, they have been the biggest works in my past life, and they were the shows that I have the most memories of," Ezekiel commented as he went to check on his papers, Adventure Time just need 7 more chapters, and he could finish the first book, but which some episodes he isn't very interested into writing from the first episode since some were a bit more like filler and didn't give the right attention of bring an impact on how have been on season... 2... Ezekiel had his eyes wide open as he looked on his typewriter. "If I do that, this is going to be one of the most claimed chapters of all time, and which would make the people so crazy for reading the next book, that I can swear Gwen is going to demand me to tell the spoilers, but... It would be a perfect way to make the book so loved, and to make the development of this character to a point that nobody would hate him forever... yeah, it has been one of the best episodes of the whole cartoon universe, and he deserved this. And probably I should ask the company to publish this specific book on Christmas. Simone Petrikov's reveal would be something that would treasure at this end of the year."
Ezekiel planned, and by approaching his typewriting, he knew how to write the final chapter of the first book of Adventure Time.
.
.
.
"You are a bastard, did you know that?" Noah commented as he was fixing his eyes with both amazement and shock and even trying to hide a few tears from his eyes. "It's rare for a book to make me cry, and you just manipulated every single piece of information of this to make this drop bomb, how do you sleep at night?"
"When it comes to Ice King? Laughing and Crying at the same time, he is one of my favorite characters I wrote about. And like they said, heavy..."
"It's the head that wears the crown..." Noah said as he gave a sniff and composed himself, "I always thought he was an idiot, a grown-up man-child... But, now that I read this, it's pure insanity, why did he keep wearing the crown for so long?"
"That's information that belongs to the book 3 or 4," Ezekiel said as Noah had his eyes wide open, making the homeschooled boy smile widely. "I'm going give information at the end of book 1 telling that... and leave the people create theories about why, and when the time comes, it will be tears that will make everyone love Ice King forever."
"He did it for love. But for who? He is unstable of love of a partner so there was no way he had a wife when it was in the middle of apocalypses." Noah came to a conclusion but his entire mind was also trying to figure out, and from seeing the smile on Ezekiel's face, he could see that everything was planned. "So when are you going to publish this book again?"
"This one still needs more 7 chapters to make the first book, so I think it will be done by the end of this year, if I do everything right, Courage the Cowardly Dog's first book make good sales, they said I could make this one being published in probably between November and December, which I'm glad to make sure to ask them if they could publish on Christmas period," Ezekiel explained as he pointed on how everything would depends on the pink beagle book, and hoping for the best it would open the paths for him as a good writer. "And don't worry, since you have been my editor, the publishers told me they are going to give you a free sample of the book as well."
"Well, that's good to know. I'm sure my sister who is into fantasies will love these books. From all the terrible romances that she is reading over vampires, I think she will love to actually read about Marceline." Noah commented as he then gave a raised eyebrow at him. "You do realize this Adventure Time book could create a cult don't you?"
"I don't know, and I don't care," Ezekiel said as he smiled not just with the idea of Adventure time becoming a fever like has been around the world he lived before, but with the idea of making people flip with what he planned to do with the future? "That's because they have no idea what I'm planning with the end of book 1 of Steven Universe."
And Noah stared at the homeschooled boy exasperated.
"I know that you like to work on your books, but we are in a resort did you know that? You should chill a bit, and actually, enjoy this place?" Noah said as he appreciated Ezekiel working on his books, but the fact he had been working for so long really made him stare at him weirdly... "Are you okay?"
Ezekiel raised his hand to deny such a claim, but after staring at the silence for a few seconds... The boy couldn't help but be honest.
"Well yes I'm fine, but... to be honest. I kinda miss Izzy and Eva, they have been always talking to me around and visiting in my bedroom during the time I have to take my medicine, and usually on the break time of the challenges, I don't do much since I watch the pay-per-view and work at the chapter at the same time. It was kinda boring since I don't have much else to do." Ezekiel commented as he looked around and found Cody and Katie enjoying their good time kissing and sharing a good time together. Harold and Leshawna were having a good time enjoying the sunbath, Tyler was playing with a frisbee with Beth, but his clumsiness made him fall from the palm tree, don't ask him how he got on there in the first place. Sadie was holding some Dumbbells and Justin was usually checking himself in the mirror.
"Hmm, I think I get it. You are thinking about something to make your mind keep working instead of thinking about being bored." Noah could comprehend, since he has feeling with such challenges of not being bored around the island as well, and finding that indeed editing the chapters of the works has been a very productive way for himself to not interact much with the others, he has been enjoying to know more of the chapters than the most campers would ever know. So both the bookworm and the homeschooled boy, pass the time thinking about a way to get rid of the boring feeling.
"Hey, how about we play a game?" Then suddenly an idea appeared in Ezekiel's mind and Noah narrowed his eyes immediately.
"If is hide and seek, then no. Last time it was a nightmare playing that game. It took the whole day." Noah said as he narrowed his eyes towards the boy who raised his hands up.
"Hey, it's not my fault if you couldn't find me." Ezekiel shrugged, which made Noah roll his eyes. "I told you guys that I'm good playing it."
"Yeah, you said. But I'm not into mode into looking for someone for hours." Noah said as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Okay, fair enough, maybe in the future we could find something else to do over this boredom," Ezekiel said as he sighed from looking at one of his works being edited. "I think after I finish my first edition of this trio, I would enjoy having a little break over this, I mean, it has been years I have been writing everything. So having a little break to rest my mind would be a good thing."
"Well, that's a beginning." Noah shrugged, which saw Leshawna and Harold bringing two coconuts for the duo of editors to enjoy a good time in paradise. "Welp, at least you are recovering from your pneumonia, and you don't need help to take your medicine on time."
"That's true, but hey, at least the show will be over in a few a few weeks," Ezekiel commented, knowing that their stay around the playa wouldn't be forever, so to see their friends once again before the final episode wouldn't be too far away.
"That's a probability, knowing how this show was crazy, I wouldn't be surprised Chris would have a nasty surprise for us," Noah commented, having Ezekiel nodding at him, and since both of them were having something tropical to drink, maybe it was a good time for them to relax. And with awareness of what the host of the show could do, the duo decided to give cheers on their coconuts and enjoy the tropical time over the Playa.
Cody felt happy, since doing another barbecue for everyone was a good menu for the group, he knew that on the next 2 days, they would enjoy a good rest before they had their heartbeats jumping from anxiety, since the next episode of Total drama would aire in 2 days, Cody always preferred to enjoy the most simple things, having friends, enjoy a good frisbee time with Tyler, kiss his girlfriend in a few times, he can't wait to show his parents about the girlfriend he meets on the show, and for the fact she was very attention to him, it really made him be happy with the choices he had made...
Cody knocked on the door a few times while he was holding a few plates of food for his friend who must be doing a marathon towards over the episodes, so he may want to have some company around. But at the time he saw the door being opened, he felt horrified to see the face of his friend... Trent, who had a terrible look on his face. His hair was messed up, and even his face was sweating a lot.
"Cody, what have I done?" Those were the words the geek boy wanted to his friend say. Since for the time he was on the show, he had no idea how the television caught everything, and when he meant everything, it was everything that the campers didn't even know about themselves. And seeing Trent who always had been kind and a nice guy to see a completely horrified and messed up look on his face. He saw it... Everything... which made him have no other question. "What have I done?"
Cody remained quiet, as he could see that his friend was now on the verge of facing the terrible reality, from that point forward it was going to be difficult for him, but if he was strong and willing to put it together. Then maybe, everyone whom he hurt without intention could find something in their hearts to give him a chance... But until then, Trent looked awful, as Cody couldn't imagine if he had been disappointed or even disgusted with himself, but the only way to find out... Was to talk to him, and maybe that's why he wanted to come alone because he needed a friend at that moment.
And even if was the most difficult times and even if hurt him before, he was still there. To help his friend.
"Let's eat something first, and we will talk about what happened," Cody said as he calmly walked to the bedroom, slowly closing the door to have a talk with his friend, about what happened, and how he really needed to have watched on those episodes. But that would be a story for later.
Chapter 25: Search And Do Not Destroy
Chapter Text
The first thing Trent did in the morning was to comply with his friend's wish and watch the collected episodes from the show until the last episode, knowing that maybe the others were probably overreacting over such decisions that he may have made in the past, it wouldn't have been that bad.
For example, the first episode seemed to be exactly as he expected, everyone seemed to be fine, meeting each other, and he even saw the first good impression he made with Gwen, not knowing where it went wrong. It started with everyone being strangers who later would become teammates, and he even flinched at the moment on Katie and Sadie were annoying when they departed from each other. It was interesting to see the other perspectives on how the Killer Bass boys formed, from the time he learned Ezekiel was a homeschooled boy, who never had friends before, to actually causing a good impression on the boys, in a point that he thought Duncan and Harold would always be nemesis, but to see them before and how it changed for make the whole team as solid as they are, it got him curious.
Then the second episode came in, in which Trent saw something he never thought before, his team would have a good chance to tie, or even to win the challenge, if wasn't for the fact Eva pushed everyone from the corner, he found nice to see Ezekiel giving encouraging words to DJ since he seemed to be good guy, and then Eva pushed them both and also Courtney who seemed curious on that time, but that push is what made the team of Killer Bass had the carts as advantage for the challenge. And he could have seen that there were conflicting powers between Courtney and Duncan, but the revelation of Ezekiel being homeschooled humbled Courtney into trying to find a way to help to lead the team in a way the boy would help, and giving the opportunity, the boy focused into something that it made his team almost win the challenge or tie with them, teamwork, Ezekiel knew the importance of how teamwork was very important to them.
While on his team he finally saw Heather showing some of her venom, into manipulating the odds in her favor to make Noah voted out, maybe that's why he was still annoyed with Heather, since she adapted herself into having Beth on her palm of hands, but Cody also developed a good friendship with her, making her despair more tolerable.
Then it came to the Awake-a-thon, in which for the first time he found the homeschooled boy always woke up early to use his typewriter to do some work, he discovered Gwen also got interested in reading the material, and he wanted to know how Gwen learned about his work. But it seems the show didn't want to show that, and then it came run before eating the best feast they had for weeks, but he was surprised at how Killer Bass was straight to the point, showing who had the most potential of failing the challenge and giving them a chance to prove their value, since it was a signal of transparency and didn't have an internal alliance, different from Heather created on the Screaming Gophers, and the idea of Ezekiel and Tyler to take some food to have with them for the late game was indeed smart play as he never thought about it. And surprise surprise, the wake-a-thon was exactly as he remembered, and he smiled and cheered when Gwen won the challenge… And to see for the first time the Aquarium, and how important and proud Ezekiel was of being a Killer Bass, to make sure that the eliminated would never forget about something that Chris told them in the beginning. To make friends, Ezekiel had a very touching moment as everyone could see how Ezekiel was important to them, and that's where Courtney, Duncan, and Ezekiel became the Three Pillars, something that most call them, and which he could agree, it was a powerful trio.
Dodgebraw was painful as he remembered, he should have seen the signs, every single member of Killer Bass had bloodshot eyes, and Heather's comment made it even worse. The more he watched the show, the more he realized that Killer Bass must have been the favorite team of the viewers, since not much of Screaming Gophers showed around, just Justin's beauty, Beth's despair for alliance, and Heather mothering Beth. He isn't sure why, but he felt that Heather somehow was acting like a tsundere girl around Beth and Lindsay. But then, it came to the challenge, Harold's dodging skills as he bragged before, and then came Eva and Duncan, hush new guy and a powerhouse beast, the concept of MVP was indeed self-explanatory on the way they talked about the trio. It has been a setup, they provoked the Killer Bass, and they killed them mercilessly on the dodgeball. It wasn't a surprise Justin wanted so much to leave the show, it attacked him in a way that he felt hurt the next day. At the end of the episode, it showed Killer Bass boys enjoying a great time together playing for fun, which made him kinda envy seeing how excited the group was having fun.
On the talent show, he knew it had been tight since everyone did amazing on the episode, but to see Courtney asking Ezekiel and even explain one of the plots of his stories, really showed that indeed the homeschooled boy has some good lyricism towards writing a good song, and to have Courtney singing it was indeed a very famous song that he could see happening. Harold's beatbox was also so sick, that he even wanted to have some songs to play with him and Cody, maybe for the future would be a good idea. It was indeed a very impressive display of everyone, and then what took him off guard was the fact Ezekiel gave the candies to Heather to bribe Owen to make his vote on Leshawna, and even convincing Harold to quickly confess to the girl before it was too late. It was a low move by the little guy, and that really took out a bit of his respect on him, to be so dirty like that. But then he could see Gwen and Harold working together to take revenge on Heather who shouldn't have done that to the nerd guy…
And on the next episode, Trent had to retract his disrespect on Ezekiel for playing dirty, since on the next episode he clarified that he thinks of his friends only, and even asking to punch his face with all his strength was indeed something only a crazy person would ask, but indeed to ask that because he cared of his friend, and learned the pact created by the Killer Bass boys… and that's what made Trent realizes, the Killer Bass had a pact into never going into each other's girls, so if Gwen was a crush from someone of the group, he could see that neither of them would try to take out the crush from the other, and from seeing Harold, Geoff, DJ and Duncan nodding their heads, indeed it was like a promise to each other, they would never try to interfere into the romance of the others, and he didn't trust Duncan, but still he seemed to be part of the pact… And then it came on the time they prepared the tents which seemed to have a horror story and a bedtime story as well, he had to confess that it had been scary but also heartfelt, showing how both Duncan and Ezekiel are good storytellers, and having a good night of sleep while his team had to sleep in a tree… And oh boy, when it comes to the bear attack, he never thought Eva, Ezekiel, and Duncan would work together to try to take down a bear, and it showed at the time of their victory, that Eva's elimination was for her own wellbeing, even if was unfair that she choose Gwen… something that he seems to be completely fine with it...
And then it came the Phobia factor, every member of Killer Bass didn't tell their fears, they told their traumas, and a reason why they feared so much, even if the fear itself would have been stupid, the reason behind it was far more darker than he would ever imagine, Celine Dion display covered in blood? Almost dying by eating green jello while hearing your grandmother died? And then playing hide and seek just for a landslide close the hole and make you buried alive? It made his fear of mimes tamed in comparison, but still, it was his personal trauma, so he believed they wouldn't have judged him… But then when it comes to the challenge, Trent saw that the Killer Bass cared for their members, to the point Courtney's anger was justified as he only brought a walkie-talkie to Gwen, promising that he would be there for her. And even promised that he would take Ezekiel from the glass coffin, but hearing Ezekiel repeating to his team to get him out at the time they finish their task? It made him feel like Ezekiel didn't trust him, and he was expecting for him to leave them there…Which he actually did, he cringed at the time he heard Gwen calling him while he ran away from the mime. Since he finished his challenge, he could have gone back to help them get out, however, he got distracted into saw Chris challenging Geoff next, and then came DJ when DJ finished his task and went to get out Gwen, he could feel her anger and disappointment at the time she was looking at the camera, and when both DJ and Gwen went desperately to take out Ezekiel, Trent flinched so hard, and tried to look away but he couldn't, from seeing the crack marks on the glass coffin, blood marks on the hands and on the glass, and the eyes devoid of life? It wasn't a surprise the Killer Bass were so pissed off at him, he made one of their team leaders, and the one who always was positive and supportive to his team get into such a pathetic state, and add salt to their wounds, he even suggested to make Geoff's challenge way worse than before.
Trent felt guilty about seeing how the show portrayed him at that moment, because indeed from their perspective and from everyone with common sense…
"Man, I'm such an asshole," Trent commented as he felt guilty from seeing how murderous everyone from Killer Bass wanted to beat his ass.
In the next episode, it made him worse into seeing Beth confessing that Tyler should punch on his face because he flirted with Lindsay since he made Gwen terrible, and not just her, but he could see Geoff wanting to beat his ass, but he ignored him. Everyone from the Killer Bass was giving the cold shoulder, and he then saw Cody as being Katie's boyfriend, he tried to warn him about him not realizing, and man, how much Trent wanted to punch his face to not realize how stupid he has been for not realizing the red flags everyone from the Killer Bass were giving to him, and knowing that if a simple sorry and a promise that he would make it better would have fixed everything… But it seems Heather had been smarter than him and decided to use him as a meat shield and use everything she could to be on the low radar while Trent would be exposed to their hatred and main target.
But then he learned Cody and Izzy developed an odd friendship, but then it was the time she left the show.
The next challenge, he should have been more careful with his words when he found Ezekiel because it clearly showed that Ezekiel was furious at him, since from the way he told, and not just him, the scenario where the television show played the mafia movie theme song in the time he was massacred over the paintballs, he still flinches by every time he sees a paintball rifle aimed at him, and even after that, Cody was eliminated, but the betrayal look on his eyes, as on the confessionary that he thought Trent was being voted out, and he wanted to help him by voting at Owen? It made him feel sick in the stomach as he could see the betrayal in Cody's eyes, and from a time he knew Katie would have her revenge when she found out Trent voted on her boyfriend at the show.
He should have thought better when Heather used another way to make Owen vote for her, by threatening him since he was the one who did that awful jar… And talking about that jar…
Here he was, watching 2 different scenes into a single episode, at the time Katie's vengence started with him having pink hair on the wicked palette, in one half he watched in disbelief Beth, Heather, and Ezekiel working together after realizing the item Beth's brought to the island was in fact, cursed, and he had no idea on how they found out. And had to fight the craziest ecosystem into that cursed island, and deal with rainstorms, snow, and heat, something that he could understand why all of them were sick on the next day… And on the other half, he could swear that he saw Lindsay having skulls in her eyes when she found out that Trent fucked up, badly. He had to admit, it has been a solid strategy to have the advantage for them, but to see DJ and Geoff working together to eat less than the dirty pancake he lied to Lindsay? And even shove it into her mouth… It made him realize that moment watching television, that it would have been for the best if they gave up on that moment, that would have left at least a good taste in Lindsay's and Owen's mouths, but it was too late, he didn't eat the pissed pancakes, and from the look on their faces, it was bad, the worst thing they ever ate in their lives. And that may be the one reason why Lindsay maybe was angry at him…
On the next episode, who you can Trust, he learned Courtney and Duncan were having an odd feelings of anger with each other, and from seeing that tune down from the time Ezekiel was way sick into that day, not just him but Heather was also in a sick state, but she was doing better than him, he remembered seeing the boy on that state, it was very bad, to a point that he even had to use the code of distress to not worry his friends, but he had to admit that his commitment with the challenge indeed made him respect the boy even more, and then came of the challenge, the confessions of Gwen saying that she never should have trusted a Gopher hurt him, since she was a Gopher before, and then Lindsay who was always a gentle heart girl showing her anger at him, and then it came over the challenge, the sweat and manipulative voice of Heather really tricked him, and the consequences were obvious, the Mega Wedgie, he glared at Duncan when he did that confession, but he couldn't blame him, he kinda earned it. And then hearing Heather and Lindsay chanting to please fall again really made him realize that maybe he has angered psychopaths, or created some. And had to confess that he won against someone who was very sick, he didn't want to know how the challenge would have been if Ezekiel hadn't been sick… Later he learned Chris was making more drama about how many wanted his head on a spike, and saying that he was too optimistically ignorant for his own good… And then yeah it confirmed, Lindsay loathed him, actually more than that, she hopped the fish would have made his pain so much insufferable and avenge her, that was the moment that he broke her. Then came the final challenge, they won because Ezekiel lost to his sickness, so they had to give up and immediately send him to the hospital. And then it comes about the goodbyes of one of the pillars, the true reason why he was homeschooled, and never thinking about a reason about sexism towards what some parents would say, even if some were ignorant, to say they took the blame on themselves of what happened, and how much he doesn't want to die… that's how it hit Trent hard, the boy feared death because he almost died, so the message of why he was so messed up when he got out from the coffin because he relieved his almost death, and that hurt him, as the same way everyone cried to his departure, he felt the guilty of making both Gwen and him suffering such fear. And from seeing that Ezekiel had nothing, as many of Killer Bass, but he could see at the moment they leave the show, they would be good friends.
He indeed envied how great team Killer Bass was, as how harder and harder was to work together with the Screaming Gophers.
On the next challenge, Trent could understand why the Killer Bass looked at Trent like he had been jealous of Duncan since that episode confirmed his relationship with Courtney when they started it was like dog vs cat, but then both of them got together and even kissed. Which made Trent feel like an idiot, both spent most of their time together, and they talked a lot like good friends, but then they became a power couple since they would need to trust each other to continue leading their team, and he was grateful for the food they shared with the Screaming Gophers since it has been a good time, but then, the punishment from Chef was so terrible, that it gave him nightmares, it wasn't a surprise the Killer Bass boys were in traumatic experience into dealing with the infamous stink bomb. And their reaction was proof of how that bomb messed up with their minds and lives.
On the next challenge, he could see the apathy from Gwen as he never realized how ignorant he had been around, from seeing that he didn't properly apologize to everyone, and from seeing Gwen lamenting to the other girls who even had a boyfriend made him cringe from how she didn't view him like that, his chances were practically over on that time. And from seeing Duncan not acting like a boyfriend to Gwen, but like a protective brother who guaranteed that she would be fine, and for the fact he made fool of himself as he received a middle finger from both Duncan, Courtney, hell even Lindsay wanted to do that, he appolog… Oh shit, he didn't even apologize to Lindsay after he made her eat those pancakes.
"UGHHHHH. You idiot." Trent facepalmed himself since even the members of his own team had a grudge against him and he didn't apologize to them.
And then the talk he had with Gwen, it was the moment he stayed on the Playa del Losers, Trent realized, he fucked up badly because the words she said to him hurt even more after his defeat, than the time he was in front of her since he was still thinking Gwen and Duncan were having something, but now, he realized… on how he made everyone hates him… and it comes to a conclusion, that not only the campers but at the time he even gave a break to see the computer, it has been the worst mistake he ever made, from seeing comments on forums, about how disgusting Trent has been into the episodes, on how many called him trash, a stupid man, a jealous teenager who fucked up badly. Emails making fun of him, and even some users who shared embarrassing stories of his past, he didn't know who Codylover was, but she overshared one embarrassing moment he had at school, and he became a joke around the internet, and then he realized that his family and his school also would have watched the show. And there he was, the camper who fucked up so many times that everyone from the team wanted him out.
He became more wanted to be voted out than Heather, which was a low for him.
He almost launched the remote control on the television, when he decided to act as a coward, after Gwen showed her middle finger at him and jumped, and he who should have followed her example decided to take the chicken hat and be a chicken just like Beth had to deal in the first episode.
He was just surprised at how many times his team won, because the first opportunity, Heather and Lindsay wouldn't have thought twice about voting him out of the show.
A brunch of disgust was indeed terrible, and even if the teams were formed between boys vs girls, the Killer Bass preferred to remain friends, as even then, Geoff seemed to agree they were even, but still, it wouldn't have hurt if Trent would have apologized at him, but still, he didn't do it, but from the time the boys would live together, he saw Duncan seeing the diary, it was something that probably everyone from the Killer Bass must have known after seeing Gwen writing on Aquarium many times, and for his jealously it made him being launched away from the cabin, and what made him humiliated was the fact the girls were talking badly at his back, and expecting for him to mess up, which he clearly did. And for his name alone made the girls united into talking badly at him.
From the challenge, he knew Brocolis was terrible, but he was force-fed because he wanted to win, and thankfully Bridgette said Condor, leaving that as a win for the boys.
But even with that victory, the boys didn't stick together, only the Killer Bass remained as a team.
Finally, came the episode where he was eliminated, which everything started with the Killer Bass reunited and with their plans for later, they were prepared to give their goodbyes to Bridgette until Eva and Izzy returned on the show, and a letter from nobody other than Ezekiel was enough to reignite the competitiveness from the Killer Bass, and he saw the look around Bridgette's face, it was the idea about how Trent got eliminated.
And oh boy, he never felt so happy that Eva didn't hurt him, because he saw what she did with the bear and palled himself… he wasn't sure if he should remain angry for being eliminated like that, or be happy for leaving the show before Eva touched him, so he was safe… his pride bruised and he was being humiliated around everywhere? Sure, but at least he didn't feel a painful beat like the creatures who suffered in that episode. It was crazy that Bridgette wanted to leave since she said the word… but her anger and despise for him was much more than her resolution as she admitted that she wanted to take him out first instead of her, so he knew that she would be eliminated… but her anger at him was so much that she bent the rules on their favor… And seeing the votes on him, especially the last one from Gwen, he felt broken on the inside. She forgave him, but for the sake of her well-being, and his own… it was time to let it go.
And with that, Trent watched all the episodes, as his face was covered in sweat, and his hair was messed up.
"What have I done?" Trent mumbled to himself, until he heard the knocks coming from his door, and at the time he went to open the door, he saw Cody who was staring at him surprised. "Cody, what have I done?"
The message was clear… he fucked up badly.
"Last time on Total Drama Island…" Chirs said as the show finally started, showing his iconic shot over the docks in front of the Island, he was ready to start resuming the events of the last episode. "The teams were dissolved, leaving each and every camper to look out for number one, especially to add a bit of more drama and entertainment to the Mix, Izzy and Eva returned for more fun! Also, it seems that a letter coming from nobody other than Ezekiel made sure that nothing would divide the friendship the Killer Bass made by themselves, so with their fire once again ignited, everyone did their best for the next challenge! The campers continued to suffer all manner of abuse in the No Pain, No Game Challenge! And in a death display of log rolling, a grizzly got a piranha haircut, and a fight with our local monster sasquatchanakwa, Eva won the invincibility. And by one forbidden word of the Killer Bass everyone thought Bridgette would have been the next camper to leave, however, Bridgette refused to go down before taking out one camper who had been the bane of their existence, Trent the beautiful guitarist. Leaving the show in total defeat as nobody would ever miss him on the show. Now that the campers are forced to fend for themselves, who will be selfless? Who will be selfish? And who will eat shellfish? Stay tuned for the most thrilling episode yet on Total. Drama. Island!"
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
The morning started as the most beautiful way on the island. Like a bad Omen has finally left the show, the orange skies were showing with birds flying to their migratory season, and over that morning a little squirrel walked outside of his tree holding a very hot coffee, using underwear since the fiasco of one of the challenges, the squirrel used the underwear to make itself comfortable to his matinal activities, scratching its butt, and giving a slight yawn, the squirrel ignored a bird flying above it. As the whimpers of a naked bear and still crying in pain, nobody from that area of nature cared about the sex exchange the bear suffered after the revenge of one of the campers.
And over a few meters away, there was a cave where one familiar trailer which belongs to a wild beast, who should never be provoked... Until a loud bang was enough to be heard, revealing a well-rested Eva who just got out of her trailer with a very victorious smile on her face.
"2 days sleeping on the cabin, and one day sleeping here. I'm glad that I'm restraining myself to not get used to this trailer," Eva commented as the Aquarium was a personal parking lot, and seeing the place was their sanctuary, she still viewed that place like a second home.
The bodybuilder since at the time she stomped her feet on the island again, she knew changes would happen, and while she had to admit that sometimes she had anger issues, she was glad that her friends still loved her from the way she was, even though Duncan, Geoff, and DJ covered their jewels when they heard the bear which lives in the island now is a female, she still chuckles from how terrified they are from seeing her.
Tyler, Noah, Cody, and hell, even Ezekiel must feel for their crotches next time they see her in a bad mood.
Eva walked towards the Killer Bass flag and glanced at each signature a symbol of their pride in being a team. The Sadies name reminds the time she just returned from the surgery... Seeing how angry she was from being obliged into using a cast, she wanted to return to the show, but there was nothing she could do...
"EVA" Then a shout of the past made the bodybuilder glance at what would be the chubby Asian girl who had her eyes covered in tears. "Teach me."
"What? What are you talking about?" Eva commented as her eyes narrowed and she saw an annoying girl who just shouted at her.
"Teach me how to be strong like you," Sadie said as she was still shaking, which made Eva raise her eyebrows at you. "Because Katie was almost hurt by a bear, and in case something happens, I need to save her, she is my best friend and a sister to me, and I want to protect her in case like that happens again."
Eva opened her mouth to say that wouldn't happen again, but then she realized that the show was very dangerous, and anything could happen...
"I want to be strong, I don't want to be useless next time Katie needs me. Please tell me how you got so strong." Sadie said as she was still crying in fear of what might happen in the future... Leaving Eva stares at the chubby girl from the past... And what it took a whole minute, the bodybuilder got her decision.
"Fine, I'm going to teach you how to be strong," Eva commented as she then saw the annoying sparkling towards the chubby eyes, but then her growl was enough to intimidate Sadie. "But know that I'm going to make your life a hell, and I won't let you quit, you already signed your training with me, and there will be no way back."
And then she saw the smile of the chubby girl deflate as she even looked scared.
"Really? Couldn't you j..."Sadie realized her mistake but it was already too late... She got Eva's attention, and the training hell for the half-twin started on that same day...
.
.
.
"I bet that she still has nightmares about that." Eva chuckled as one by one, the members of Killer Bass, on the first day she came on the show, she thought she could trust only herself, but as time passed, and she got the respect of her friends and fans... She smiled ready for the next challenge which was about to happen.
*BOOM*
Until a shot was enough to have her attention since the explosion was enough to even tremble the Aquarium a bit.
And on another side of the island on the shores across the yellow sand, two campers were enjoying their good morning by doing a single activity together, catching sea shells.
Bridgette insisted to Geoff that she would enjoy a good time catching a few sea shells before leaving the show, and from hearing the reasoning, the party boy didn't think twice about helping her.
Their morning was something they both treasured for a while, having a good time surfing the waves and even walking around the beach...
"What about this one?" Geoff showed another sea shell that made Bridgette nod her head at him and placed it on the bag which was enough for the girl to nod her head at him.
"Yeah, this one is perfect." Bridgette smiled as she collected another for their own collection, knowing that they had been passing their time together on the morning, Bridgette couldn't help but appreciate the time she was having with Geoff. "Thanks for passing time with me Geoff."
"Oh, that's not a problem," Geoff said as he yawned for being awake at that hour, but he couldn't blame Bridgette, but the opposite. "I actually wanted to be with you... no, I mean, I think that's a good way to pass the time together. Not that I mean, we aren't cool with the others, I mean… you are hot, and nice, and… I think I should stop saying anything now."
Geoff tried to avoid mumbling something wrong, but the reaction he got from the surfer was not what he expected. To hear her giggling from his mistake.
"Sorry, it's because it's so funny to see you trying your best," Bridgette commented as he could see Geoff giving a nervous laugh, and with that, Bridgette decided to comment. "Thank you for being with me today Geoff, that means a lot to me. I think this would be my last challenge, so I want to pass the time with you… But, did you mean what you said?"
Geoff was caught off guard as he then saw Bridgette holding his hand, and like a pass of a minute, Bridgette didn't want to waste the time, and using that as an opportunity, the lips she had been using to talk, finally reached on the lips of the party boy who didn't see it coming on that moment.
"Yes, I do… Bridgette, do you want to be my girlfriend?" Geoff asked as he then returned to kiss Bridgette who gladly moaned in pleasure.
"Yes," And the surfer returned the kiss as the duo continued their making out.
It was the right moment, to close the day with an amazing time together and nothing could ruin that moment for them...
*BOOM*
With the sound of the explosion, both the surfer and the party boy looked in the direction of the explosion, but on the next second, they simply shrugged and then returned to their making out. Saying to themselves that nothing could ruin that moment for them, and they meant it.
At the sound of cannon fire again, the group watched another cannonball firing, and then they saw something they never expected to see, Chris who was wearing a traditional pirate costume, with a possible plastic parrot on his shoulder, and a megaphone in his hands.
"Arr, maties! Meet me at the amphitheater in five minutes and I'll tell you about today's challenge!" Chris said as he got into the pirate character, using the pirate accent to make sure that he would fit into the challenge he was ready to give to the campers.
It didn't take long until the campers found themselves in the amphitheater, and Courtney and Duncan rolled their eyes as they had to drag Bridgette and Geoff from the beach as both didn't stop making out. But thankfully Eva slapped the back of two members of her team, which made them both flinch and get their heads focused on Chris who was ready to tell the challenge.
"Well, my little scallywags. Have we got an adventure in store for ye?" Chris said as he and Chef were waiting patiently for the campers, as there was a good fabric above a few lumps in the stage. When Chris was excited to explain the challenge, the plastic parrot fell on his shoulder, which Chris sheepishly placed once again to his shoulder to keep on his character.
"What's under the sheet?" Geoff asked curiously, as the others didn't seem phased by the challenge ahead of them.
"All in good time, laddie. Who here has a-hankerin' for a good ol' fashion treasure hunt?" Chris still using his pirate accent, was already giving a hint of the challenge ahead of them. Making Gwen sighs as she rolled her eyes at the idea that the day was going to suck. "Now, this treasure hunt's got a twist, mates. What you're looking for isn't hidden and it isn't treasure."
"If there's no treasure, then what's with the eyepatch and the plastic parrot?" Duncan asked as he looked not impressed towards the acting of the host of the show, and from Courtney nodding her head at him, it seemed the challenge didn't make sense at all.
"Arr, shiver me timbers! Good question, me boy. You're looking for keys to a treasure chest!" Chris said as he took the parrot from his shoulder and launched away while Chef took the white fabric above the treasure chests which made many of the campers raise their eyebrows at him. "Inside each of these chests is a treasure that will pamper you landlubbers and one of these chests will even give you invincibility! Ha har! Now come 'round and pull a clue out of this bucket or you'll have to walk the plank!"
Gwen and Owen looked at each other unsure if he was telling the truth or not, but Eva simply scoffed and was the first person to go over the stage to take her clue. It was a key inside of a water of some type of container. Later she discovered that she wanted to beat someone on that day since she was responsible for taking a key from the Septic tank.
Next one by one, everyone caught the clues, and the results of who would take a challenge to take the key would be.
Bunny - Courtney
Septic tank – Eva.
Tree branch - Geoff
Flaming hoop - Duncan
Skunk burrow - Bridgette
Chef's refrigerator - Heather
Alligator pit - Gwen
Beehive - Lindsay
Snake - Owen
Bear - DJ
Shark-infested water – Izzy
Everyone was trying to figure out where the keys would be in their respective clues, and Chris was excited to see some action. DJ trembled into the idea of going after a bear, which Chris was a bit disappointed since he wanted Owen to be the one having to deal with the bear, or Eva since it would be another interesting rematch between predator and prey.
But his smile went wide as he saw Heather having a clue about a key inside of a fridge.
"Haha, Chef's fridge. Nice. I hear he brushes it daily for fingerprints." Chris joked as Courtney couldn't help but joke as well.
"Is he still sore from the fact the fridge raid happening on his challenge?" Courtney commented and Duncan laughed loudly as Chef snarled at them.
"I don't know, do you still want another stink bomb?" And then with that threat, Courtney and Duncan shut their mouths up, as all the other camper members, who remembered the consequences of such stupid action, the rewards were amazing, but the punishments were cruel as well.
As Chef gave a final glare on Heather, the chef went back to protect his kitchen, showing that it was going to be a very difficult challenge for her in the future. And after a few minutes, Chris was ready to start the challenge.
"All you scallywags, go find your keys and bring them back by six p.m. Eastern Standard Time…" Chris commented as he pointed to his own clock, and then used one of the keys to open a chest. "…to open up your chest and get your loot! Fair thee well, young scallywags."
(Confessional – Heather.)
"I don't know who came up with these lame-o challenges, and memo to Chris. Those pirate tights do not exactly flatter your legs. Savvy?"Heather sighed as she already was pointing out one of the main issues of the show she also was tired of trying to butter the host of the show and was already giving the impression that she hated his way of dressing himself.
(Confessional - Owen)
"Woohoo! I am all about the treasure hunt! Yes! I just took a snake, and snakes are a little concerning, but there's treasure!" Owen felt hyped with the idea of a treasure hunt, but then he glared at the nothing as he showed a bit of freaking out into dealing with snakes, but then he was happy to once again have the idea of getting a treasure.
And then far away near the shore, there was a log standing in the middle of the ocean, where there was a key tied to that area.
"Izzy's first challenge. To grab his key from the man-eating shark-infested lake." Chris commented as Izzy seemed to be thinking about what kind of idea she would come to cross the challenge, and what it seemed an impossible task to someone, Izzy had a crazy smile on her face… As she took a few minutes to bring her own hunting bow, she used an arrow with a rope tied to it, and with good aim, she made the arrow stuck on the wood, Izzy immediately used a good idea to tie the rope at the shore, and by herself, she walked across the rope, as the sharks jumped to bite the ginger girl, but she with a good backup plan, she launched a few fishes far away which made the sharks go after the dead fish, and Izzy like a good gymnastic, she took approached the log, and took the key without any effort.
"Easy Peezy." Izzy smiled as she jumped on the rope and walked past it until she was back on the shore.
In the Main Lodge, Heather looked at the wood clue once again, and slowly approached the kitchen.
"Heather must retrieve her key from inside Chef's bank vault of a fridge without getting caught," Chris commented as the queen bee nervously walked around the kitchen, not seeing any kind of signal from Chef around the area, she was wary of him, and slowly opened the fridge door without taking her eyes looking around the kitchen, since Chef could potentially catch her by surprise… but what she didn't expect was when she opened the door, she didn't look inside of it, which Chef was holding a Cleaver on his hand, and at the time she went to stare at the fridge, Chef was glaring at her, and she slowly closed the door of the refrigerator and slowly got out from the kitchen, with a terrified look on her face.
Bridgette slowly walked to a skunk burrow and seeing a skunk already being owner of the place, she slowly walked to that area, the skunk smell bothered a little the surfer girl, but after dealing with the worst stink bomb of her life, it wasn't the end of the world. But still, she slowly walked to the burrow. Until a skunk walked outside, surprising Bridgette.
"Ahhhh…" Bridgette gasped in surprise, and the Skunk tilted its head at her, but then what took the blond girl by surprise was the same skunk waved its paw at her. Bridgette took that and decided to greet the animal as well. "Ah, hello."
The skunk nodded its head and tilted the head as the little animal looked curious about what the girl wanted.
"Err, not to bother you, but someone placed a key inside of your little lair, did you know about this?" Bridgette never talked with animals before, but she didn't bother to ask, and to her surprise and her gushy feelings was the fact the little stink animal paused and placed its paw over the chin and like two paws placed over each other as it realized what Bridgette was asking about, it nodded it's head at her. "Oh really? Can you bring it for me?"
To her relief and surprise, it seemed the skunk nodded its head at her and quickly went into the hole, and the next minute, she found a golden key in the mouth of the little skunk, which spat it on the floor.
"Aww, thank you for your help." Bridgette smiled happily for the help she got from the little animal, and even if the smell was bothering her for a while, she was already used to it.
And she already got the key she needed.
Heather noticed the challenge way ahead of her, she needed to make a plan to get into Chef's fridge without getting spotted, but then she saw Izzy who already had a key in her hands, jumping a water full of sharks, and seemed so carefree about it.
The first time she met the crazy persona of Izzy, she didn't think that crazy girl planned many things, and from having her unsure look on her face, Izzy gave a crazy smile and marched towards the kitchen.
Heather took that as an opportunity, knowing Izzy was helping her alliance to get in the final three. And still acting like she was crazy. It was really something that she wouldn't believe if wasn't for the time she met the real Izzy in the cave, and knowing that she may backstab her in the future, she needed to find a way to protect herself. But not before using the opportunity the ginger girl was giving to her.
"WHY YOU INSOLENT" Chef gave an attack as Izzy used her hand to protect. And like combat between 1vs1, Izzy was using her martial arts to get into hand-to-hand combat with the chef, which Heather had her eyes wide open, from the craziness she was watching at that moment.
(Confession - Heather.)
"The more I stay on this island, the more I feel that I'm getting crazy," Heather said in disbelief, as inside of her mind she went along with the acting towards Izzy's crazy persona. "I'm telling you that some people shouldn't get out from the mental hospital, and from seeing Chef getting along with that, I don't know whose were more insane."
Heather slowly approached her objective and seeing that Izzy indeed distracted Chef from her operation, the challenge was way easier than she expected.
And reaching the key, and having for herself, she felt that indeed this good new improvement of her alliance would help her out in the future.
"Hayaaaa" Izzy said as she gave a surprise roundhouse kick The Chef was fast enough to protect his head, but what he didn't expect was Izzy to use that opportunity to launch a final punch which made Chef flinch so hard as he fell on the floor... A nut break punch, on his nuts.
Heather flinched as she saw Izzy giggling madly at the Chef who was groaning on the floor.
"Now it's 80 to 90 Chef, you better train hard or I will keep up with you and beat my mom's score," Izzy said as she giggled madly and ran away from the kitchen.
"*Beeeeep* just like her mother" Chef mumbled as Heather quickly ran away from the main lodge where she found Izzy laughing from her fight against Chef.
"Did you see his face? Man, I told him the next time I would have punched him in the nuts." Izzy said as she laughed madly, and Heather had one of her eyebrows raised at her.
"What's your story with Chef?" Heather asked as she wasn't sure how to interact with Izzy after seeing the two sides of her.
"Oh, he was my captain when I was in a military squad, that's everything you must know," Izzy commented as she waved her hand, and Heather preferred to not ask further. "So what's the plan?"
"Well, I already got my key, did you see Lindsay?" Heather asked as Izzy nodded her head at the queen bee.
"Yes, she is helping out DJ to have his key," Izzy commented as the eyes of Heather sparkled, while she frowned.
"Why would sh... Wha... Ugh, never mind, it's her problem. I'm going to walk around." Heather said as she gave a groan but hid a smirk on her face.
"See you later alligator." Izzy waved as the duo departed, and both inside their minds, their acting was good enough while they prepared their plan in motion.
DJ was certainly in for the long haul of this one. He had to track down which bear had a key, but thankfully and strangely odd, there was a furless bear who was still having difficulties walking, the gentle giant scratched his head in confusion until he saw the key around the neck of the naked bear.
DJ tiptoed until the bear until a slight crack made the bear stare fearfully at the person who appeared, by seeing the giant who was as fearful as it was, the bear growled which scared the giant, but before it could move, the pain towards the inner regions of the bear was too much for the bear crouched and whimpered.
"Err, are you okay?" DJ asked the animal which roared in both anger and pain. "Sorry, sorry, I just need the key around your neck, and then I will be happily away from you…"
The answer was a loud roar until DJ could see the bear was both in pain but also sad… And trembling for some reason.
"Ah, it seems that you are feeling cold. Do you want me to bring something to warm you up?" DJ even as scared as he was, couldn't help but feel pity for the former grizzled bear which he had no idea the dangerous monster who made the teddy bear of nature in such pain.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Then from nowhere both DJ and the bear were surprised by the loud shout of a blonde bombshell who screamed which could have triggered the anger of the bear. "Oh my God, you are naked, what happened to you?"
The bear tilted its head in confusion, but the question made the bear shed a tear Lindsay could see the pain in the poor soul.
"Oh no, you poor thing, you shouldn't be naked. I'm going to bring some clothes, an extra side for you." Lindsay said as she felt the social pain the creature would have suffered in nature, no animal should ever be naked.
"Wait, I'm going to help." DJ quickly said, as the bear titled the head but nodded in the hope that the duo would come to help his case.
.
.
.
A half-hour later, DJ and Lindsay managed to bring what would be a few blankets which Lindsay managed to type up to make a Toga for the furless bear which looked at the duo with a happier look on its face, and with a good smile on their faces, Lindsay and DJ gave a low five as it seems DJ took the key from the animal's neck, and seeing the beer clapping happily for having not to deal with the humiliation of being naked, and getting something to warm it up during the breezes and the night, it made the beast grateful of the duo, and without thinking twice, the animal went back to its cave, leaving both Lindsay and DJ happy to accomplish the capture of the key.
"Thank you for the help, Lindsay," DJ commented as he was holding the key in his hands. "I have to confess it went easier than I expected, but I'm glad you helped me out."
"You're welcome TJ," Lindsay commented as DJ rolled his eyes from her problem of getting the names wrong. "I think everyone deserves a good way to become pretty, even her."
"Her? I didn't know it was a female." DJ said as he stared at the blond girl in surprise, which received a nod from her. But then ignoring the former topic, DJ was happy with the results of their work together. "Well at least I have my key now, did you get yours?"
Lindsay paused and then glanced at the wooden clue in her hands. And DJ gave a slight glance in which the symbol seemed something familiar to him.
"Oh. It looks like a beehive." DJ commented as he looked at the blond girl in confusion. "Do you want some help with it?"
Lindsay got happy as she hugged the Jamaican giant who smiled and hugged her back.
(Confession – DJ)
"Lindsay is a very nice girl, and one thing Harold taught about bees is that they can calm themselves when there is smoke on them, and by using the right amount it can repel them away from the beehives. And I have to help Lindsay, I cannot let Tyler's girlfriend get stung." DJ commented as he gave a thumbs-up to the camera. "Don't worry Tyler, she helped me, so I will help her out.
And there they are, with a controlled bonfire under the beehive, as the nerd told how he managed to move a beehive in a way to not anger the bees until Gwen and Harold gave the best revenge prank to Heather, and from the details, DJ was happy to make a bonfire with more smoke but in a way that it wouldn't kill the honey makers.
And by being far away from the fire and the beehive, minutes was enough to make the swarm of bees fleed away from the area, and being confused they went into many different areas, which in a minute was enough for Lindsay and DJ to approach the beehive, and find out the key on there without any bee to sting them both.
Lindsay got so happy that hugged DJ who smiled at her.
They both managed to get their keys.
Duncan looked at what would be a key above a bonfire symbol on the wood clue he had in his hands, and at the time he stared in front of him, a ring of fire with a key in the center of it. Duncan smirked as he blinked at the camera, and with a good stance, he quickly jumped on the ring of fire, doing a flip, and quickly caught the key before he landed on the floor.
"Duncan's tough exterior seems to be helping him with this challenge," Chris commented as he sounded impressed with the skills of the delinquent.
Geoff managed to go directly at the key by quickly climbing the tree, and since it has been near the branches. Geoff smiled at how easy everything was getting but then it was interrupted by a woodpecker, which even by moving slowly the peek of the bird was enough to make him quickly use his hands to scare away the bird. But that went to bite his ass as the bird flew back and nearby to his face, the woodpecker decided to peek on his face. He felt the pain but thankfully was enough to take the key and pull out with force. But accidentally Geoff fell from the branch with the key in his hands. In the end felt a good part of pain in his back, and the woodpecker remained pecking at his face.
"And Geoff seemed to be also not phased with the challenge at all," Chris commented as he seemed to be enjoying the difficulties the boy having. "But now it seems that he got a new friend."
"Meanwhile, back in the communal washrooms, things are starting to… pile up," Chris commented as he saw Eva being in a pickle.
Eva glared deeply at the terrible smell over the bathrooms, and she wanted to do something… But knowing that she would get some kind of punishment if she destroyed the bathrooms, like all the campers would use her trailer's bathroom in case she destroyed their property, Eva tried to calm herself down, by placing her favorite song on MP3, and a plunger on her hands, she was going to use all her strength to bring the key by force.
From seeing a purple snake in front of him, Owen tried to use all the knowledge he had from being a hunter with his grandpa, but a fear of a dangerous snake attacking him still intimidated the big guy, as the purple snake seemed hostile, Owen slowly tiptoed behind the snake who seemed to be staring at nothing.
Slowly at a good pace, Owen was near the key, and felt everything was going to work fine in the end…
That was until a fart came out of nowhere, and the snake turned its head to the chubby camper who smiled nervously at the purple reptile.
"Err hello Miss Snake, wouldn't you mind if I have this key?" Owen said nervous, and the answer was an immediate bit on the belly, which Owen quickly screamed as he took the key but felt the sharp teeth of the snake on him. "MEDIC, MEDIC."
And while the Killer Bass were all focused on their challenges, DJ was enjoying the walk back to the cabins with Lindsay.
"So what do you think it has on the treasure chests?" DJ asked as Lindsay passed a few seconds thinking.
"Oh. Maybe it's a spa coupon that would make us have a good day on the saloon, or it could be new clothing from a fancy store. Or even some makeup products for us to use around." Lindsay said as she was feeling excited about having a key on her hands.
DJ chuckled as he thought about it.
"Maybe it can be anything, could be a few coins, or it could be chocolate coins, or even a visa or even keys for a car or house. Momma would love to have a good prize like that." DJ commented as he felt nostalgic about one thing, and Lindsay gasped as she was also excited.
"Oh, chocolate coins, I loved eating when I was a kid," Lindsay said in her genuine tone which DJ chuckled from the way she was.
"Yeah, me too. Momma always made good chocolate recipes, even chocolate coins for when I was a little boy." DJ commented as Lindsay froze a bit.
"Err… your momma, isn't the one who did those pancakes is she?" Lindsay asked in hesitation which made DJ have his eyes wide open.
"Oh no, no, no noo. Momma would never do something terrible like that, she told me it was Chef who did those… ugh, momma did the food before that, like the banquet that the others ate as they didn't eat the food." DJ explained which made Lindsay sigh in relief but then her face became in a somber tone. "Oh, what happened?"
"Well, since that day, I didn't quite remember the food I ate on the time I was hungry, the only thing I remembered was those awful pancakes, and how Trent shoved them in my mouth and lying to me… After that, the only thing I could see was… everyone eating good, and that food looked so amazing, and I couldn't eat any," Lindsay said as DJ felt a punch in the gut and an arrow on his conscience, and for the fact, Lindsay shed a tear? It really hurt him like it did on that day. For not eating the food that his mom rarely would make again, a feast like that which was special, and some of the campers didn't have the opportunity to taste it.
"Hey, don't worry about it, Lindsay." DJ smiled as he could see his mom would have approved that. "Tell you what, at the time we finish this show, I'm going to invite Tyler to eat my momma's food, and you are invited as well, that way we all can eat the good food of my mom."
"Really?" Lindsay said as she saw the smile of the giant Jamaican and smiled back at him. "Thanks, TJ."
"It's DJ," DJ corrected her as he rolled his eyes, but a good part of his conscience… a little seed was planted, a seed of nostalgia and homesickness, growing up with the desire to go back home…
Exactly like the trio of Screaming Gopher girls planned to do it.
Gwen was having difficulty being between two hungry alligators and with each step, she was having towards the alligators' pit, with nothing more than a rope ladder bridge, with 2 of the middle woods being almost on the verge of falling off… The goth was having difficulty dealing with the constant jump of the alligators which were trying to bite her.
And between them, there was a silver grail which Gwen could see the golden key inside.
She knew at that moment that she was going to have a rough day.
Minutes passed as the floor was flooded with the green water and the terrible smell over the toilets, Eva was at the limit of her patience until suddenly an idea appeared in her mind.
She walked outside of the pipes, and with a bottle of soda and a few mints she had from her trailer, she opened the bottle and placed all the mints, and shook with a good force until she pointed from one of the open pipes, and let the explosion of soda and mints explodes the pipes and immediately from the outside of the washrooms, brown liquid with a smell of mint carried a golden key which Eva smiled victoriously from her challenge.
And the smell over the washrooms was less bad than before, so it was a bonus for the others.
Courtney looked at her wooden clue, just to find that probably was the easiest challenge she ever had in her whole life. A little bunny nearby with a golden key, she smirked since two members of the Killer Bass managed to domesticate 2 bunnies, one belonged to DJ, and the other to Katie probably was taking care of where she was.
The challenge was going to be easy p…
*ROAR*
The little sweet bunny roared with teeth that could promise pain to whoever approached it…
Courtney paused, then stared at the camera, and then back to her clues… she sighed as she rolled her eyes…
"*Beep* I should have known… Alright bunny, if that's how you are going to act, then this is going to be on the hard way." Courtney said as she narrowed her eyes…
From the camera, there was a sound of a fight, a chomping sound as it was also sounds of kicks and punches, and in the end resulted in one thing.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHH." Courtney ran with the key in her hands, but also a good part of scratches and painful marks around her body.
But in the end, it was a personal victory for the humans once again.
At the time everyone was done with their services, and enjoying a good part of their days, suddenly Chris's voice could be heard over the loudspeaker.
"All right, campers. Meet me at the campfire in ten! And bring your keys." After hours passing so quickly, the campers could finally have their good time to finish the stupid challenge.
The campers were back to their places, as some of the Killer Bass seemed to be talking normally between each other, as Lindsay, and Heather were back into their usual place of isolation and talking over each other.
"So what's the intel?" Heather asked as Lindsay glanced around and talked to Heather.
"They have no plans to vote out anyone else, it seems that it's going to be Bridgette tonight," Lindsay said as she could see Heather having relief on her face, and this time she was going to be prepared for any unexpected events.
"Okay, the important is always being aware of what to do, staying low on the radar, and focusing on getting the immunity," Heather commented as she gave a slight glance at Izzy who was having fun with Owen who seemed to be drowsy from the snake bite, but the military girl was already with a good tea to recover the system of the chubby boy who would be thankful later.
"Yarr. It be time to claim your treasure. Who's fortunate enough to bear the precious key, come forth with it!" Then Chris came with his annoying pirate accent which made the group stare at him who had his foot over the treasure chests, and many of them felt excited about knowing what they could reach.
Each camper was ready to be surprised at what key treasure they would receive.
Duncan was the first person who used the key to open the chest, as a good part of himself was expecting something good for him to enjoy the camp, at the time he opened the chest he looked in disbelief as he took out a soda can and potato chips.
"Is this the best you can do?" Duncan asked in disbelief.
And Chris nodded his head with his iconic grin which once again made the campers disappointed.
It was a signal to the other campers to not expect anything special from the chests, which immediately made them disappointed.
One by one, the campers went to open their chests, until DJ looked surprised at the time that neither of those chests were able to fit his key.
"My key isn't working in any of these chests," DJ commented as Chris chuckled in his place.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot to mention that some of the keys don't open up any chests." Chris smiled as he could see the Jamaican boy sigh in disappointment.
Heather then opened one of the chests and to her surprise, there was a fruit basket with a letter with a marshmallow symbol on it showing the invincibility. She wanted to gloat herself up, but then she saw Izzy's eyes looking at her and slowly shaking her head, as a way to make Heather understand the meaning, acting in low radar was a must.
Izzy opened her chest and found two bottles of carbonate soda which made her eyes sparkle from something she could use for later.
Gwen who had to fight the alligator got a leg lamp, which she was between to trash it away or giving to her little brother as a gift to make sure to never once again challenge her into appearing in a crazy show like that.
Lindsay got an accordion, which she felt genuinely happy about, seeing something that she never had an opportunity to play before, so having something to give to her parents or to use it as a way to pass the time doing silly things, she would love to waste her time into playing that instrument.
Eva opened her chest and at the time she found what would be a perfume, she glared at the host as her eyebrows were raised.
"Really?" Eva asked unphazed as Chris chuckled and decided to give a propaganda of the product.
"Eva will be able to cover up that foul stench with a can of New Cleaver Body Spray. Cleaver. It cuts through the stink. For warning, this cover-up can reduce only 30% the smell of El Mongo and La Muerte," Chris commented as all the remaining members of the Killer Bass who had experience with the stink bomb looked impressed.
"Ohhhhhhh," Courtney, Bridgette, Geoff, and DJ said in unison as Eva stared at the group in surprise, she watched the events of the stink bomb, but to see them impressed with a reduction of smell by 30%? It showed that anything would have been better than the stink bomb.
"Hmm… I think I will hold this for the future," Eva said as the group applauded her, which made her smirk.
Bridgette got a metal toaster which she actually found interesting for her to use on the breakfasts, all he had to do she would need some bread for when she got home.
Owen got a calligraphy set and he had no idea what kind of object is that, but any kind of prize made the experience great, so Owen was happy with his own treasure.
Geoff got a few balloons filled with helium, which made him happy by doing funny voices and getting a lot of laughs from the other campers.
When Courtney finally had to open her own chest, it surprised her when she opened and there was a red flag and a plastic skull on the chest.
"What the?" Courtney said in disbelief as Chris smirked as he approached Courtney.
"Uh oh, it seems we found the red flag. And the death mark." Chris commented as the campers stared at the host with both surprise and disbelief. "It's an auto-elimination chest,"
"WAIT, WHAT?" The campers shouted in surprise as they could see Chris smiling towards the campers who seemed still looking at him in disbelief, especially Courtney and Duncan who were glaring at him.
"Like I said, you never know what kind of treasure chest you will get," Chris smirked as he could see the irate faces and even the concerned faces of the campers. "From all the random keys, you never know if your treasure chest is cursed, so that's how we decided to make this interesting, the person who gets the bunny challenge, would be eliminated on the same day."
"But you can't do that," Bridgette said as she was already the person who was going to be voted out from their distress code word, and from seeing that she wouldn't be eliminated on that week, that seemed.
"THAT'S UNFAIR. I WANT RECOUNT, YOU CAN'T DO THAT." Courtney shouted angrily as Duncan also snarled at the host of the show who chuckled at their reaction.
"Sorry Courtney, but even as your personal rules, you cannot win the decisions of the challenge. So better to take your stuff and…" Chris was enjoying seeing the faces of campers glaring at him, especially with the plot twist he managed to place over the game, as he managed to hit greatly one of the pillars, which meant everything was on cont…
"I will give my immunity reward to her." And then a voice interrupted Chris and made all the other campers pause and slowly turn their heads at Heather who was with her usual scoff, and Chris felt his eyes twitching from the sudden twist.
"Did Heather just…" Bridgette asked Geoff who nodded his head at her in silence, still the group was surprised, that even Eva had her eyes wide open from such a move.
Courtney stopped her rating as she looked at the queen bee in surprise. Even Duncan couldn't find the words in what to say at that moment. And at the time anyone was about to say anything, Heather scoffed.
"And before anyone says anything, I'm just doing this because I already want to go back to the cabin, you guys already have someone to vote it off for tonight," Heather said as she gave the immunity card to Courtney who was still speechless, but then Heather stared on her eyes. "This is a favor I'm doing for you, and I'm going to take a favor from you in the future, it may not be today, nor tomorrow, but someday I'm going to get a favor from you."
And with that, Heather left the area, while Lindsay followed Heather as she was still making sounds with her accordion, Izzy was away from the cameras, while her smile was wide like a cat who ates a canary, and the Killer Bass members, had no idea into what to say on that moment. Especially Chris who was still with his eyes twitching, and finding that one of his plot twists of the challenge was now messed up with the idea of someone giving immunity for another person…
It was clearly an episode that nobody will ever forget, neither the campers nor the viewers who were watching the pay-per-view in shock…
What will be the favor Heather will ask Courtney? Nobody knows, but they are going to be anxious about knowing in the future. Debates and ideas would be discussed in the forums and schools, teams of fans would be between Heather's favor or against her, nobody knows how the decision of the giving the immunity to another person would be, and Chris learned a lesson that he will guarantee that he wouldn't commit the same mistake.
All for the sake of future episodes of Total Drama Island.
(On that night – Campfire)
"And now the moment we've all been waiting for. The moment of truth. Marshmallow time! You know the routine. Whoever doesn't get a marshmallow, it's curtains for you. But it seems from all the campers who managed to bypass the elimination chest, it means that each of you survived." Chris commented as a good part of him calmed himself down, and was already with the marshmallows on his tray. "Courtney, Duncan, DJ, Lindsay, Gwen, Eva, Owen, Izzy and Geoff. Sorry Bridgette, but you already know that you are out. You have an appointment at The Dock of Shame and a ticket for The Boat of Losers. Let's go."
"I'm going to miss you so muuuuuuuch." Geoff inhaled the helium to make a funny voice, as Bridgette giggled from seeing the party boy looking sad at her, but even using the funny voice to cheer her up.
"I'm going to miss you too Geoff," Bridgette said as she gave a final kiss to the party boy, but not before Chef walked towards her. "Alright, alright, I'm going."
Carrying all her luggage and suitcases, Bridgette gave a final wave to her friends, who nodded sad at her, but since that is how the competition works, they always should be aware that they must focus on winning the game.
From the way Chris looked frustrated about not eliminating Courtney from the challenge, the group must focus on winning the challenges from now on, or the consequences of the next challenges would make all their experience into living on this terrible island, a paradise in comparison on the future challenges Chris would come up for the future.
And while everyone was still dealing with their treasures, Courtney and Duncan glanced at Heather who just ignored their gazes and went back to have her deserved shower.
And in the shower, Heather gave a slight smirk of victory on her face…
"One down, 9 more to go," Heather said as she never felt so refreshed into eliminating one of the Killer Bass while having the moral ground, it made her victory sweeter.
And with Izzy and Lindsay working with her, the Killer Bass won't know what hit them.
Chapter 26: Interlude 8 - Mother and Family
Chapter Text
Nestled in the heart of a lush Canadian forest, where the air is crisp and the silence is only broken by the gentle rustling of leaves, lies an extraordinary sanctuary for the weary soul: the Elysium Spa Retreat. This haven, a harmonious blend of Canada's finest spas, is a masterpiece of tranquility and rejuvenation.
As you approach the retreat, the first thing that strikes you is the architecture—a seamless fusion of modern design and natural elements. The main building, inspired by the Nordik Spa-Nature, is a grand structure of wood and glass, allowing the beauty of the outside world to flow into the interior spaces. The lobby welcomes guests with a warm, crackling fireplace, and the scent of eucalyptus wafts through the air, hinting at the sensory journey to come.
The grounds of Elysium are a testament to the serene beauty of the Canadian landscape. Modeled after the Spa Scandinave Blue Mountain, the outdoor thermal experience is a mosaic of hot baths set against the backdrop of towering pines and spruces. Steam rises in delicate swirls from the water, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the healing warmth. Cold plunges and waterfalls are strategically placed, offering a refreshing contrast that invigorates the body and sharpens the mind.
Winding paths lead to secluded treatment cabins, each one drawing inspiration from the Ofuro Spa. These intimate spaces are designed for privacy and comfort, with large windows that frame the natural surroundings. Here, guests can indulge in a variety of treatments, from hot stone massages that melt away tension to invigorating body scrubs that leave the skin glowing.
At the heart of Elysium lies the Post Hotel & Spa influence, evident in the luxurious accommodations that offer rest and respite. Rooms are appointed with plush bedding, soft lighting, and panoramic views of the majestic mountains. It's a place where guests can retreat after a day of pampering, enveloped in the quietude of nature.
The culinary experience at Elysium is a journey in itself. Fresh, locally sourced ingredients are transformed into exquisite dishes that nourish the body and delight the palate. Dining areas overlook serene water features, and the gentle sound of flowing water complements the gastronomic delights.
Elysium Spa Retreat is not just a place; it's a journey through the senses. It's where the harmony of nature meets the art of wellness, creating a story of relaxation and renewal that unfolds with each breath, each step, and each moment spent within its embrace. Here, in this sanctuary, the world outside fades away, leaving only the purest essence of peace and well-being.
As the sun sets, casting a golden glow over the retreat, guests gather around fire pits, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames. The night sky reveals a tapestry of stars, a reminder of the vastness and beauty of the universe. And in this moment, at the Elysium Spa Retreat, one finds a profound connection to the earth, to oneself, and to the timeless ritual of healing that has been passed down through generations.
This is the beginning of a story that each visitor will continue in their own way, a narrative of discovery and tranquility that is as unique as the individual. Elysium Spa Retreat is more than a destination; it's a chapter in the Book of Life that invites you to be written with care, intention, and joy.
And over the said paradise in Canada, there was a group of women enjoying the said place, a group of mothers who decided to have one of the craziest and most impulsive ideas they ever had in their lives. Reuniting themselves around a Spa and having a complete service made by the place. Massage, skin treatment, mud bath, every single thing for their own way to enjoy their lives.
Until the whole group of mothers was inside a mud bath, every single member of the Killer Bass mothers was having such a relaxing day, especially some in particular.
"Thanks again for bringing us." DJ's momma said as stretched herself with the benefits of having a great mud bath, and she wasn't the only one. Eva's mother was cracking her neck as a way to alleviate the tension in the neck and having a spa helped her with all the workouts she had done.
"I have to admit I was envious about the boys enjoying their time on the Spa cruise, I wonder what they have gotten as Spa treatment while the girls had to deal with the disastrous Brunch of Disgustness." Katie's mother commented as Bridgette's mother felt a shrive on her spine.
"Please can we not talk about that challenge? I supported my daughter's desire to be vegetarian, but Chris had been a completely cold-hearted bastard for making that challenge too disgusting for my girl." Bridgette's mother commented as DJ Momma snapped her finger.
"Oh, don't you think I know that? Did you see that jerk Chef did with DJ? he used killed bunnies to make disgusting food for him to eat," DJ's momma commented as the other mothers from the Killer Bass felt sick on their stomachs, especially some who were on the verge to vomit.
"I'm surprised to see how some of our children had iron stomachs in some of those dishes, did you see them eating every single one of those dishes? It was sickening." Geoff's mother commented as she gulped hardly thinking about all the vomit happening over that episode. "And also on the point which Bridgett's breaking on that episode made me feel way too sad for her."
The silence coming from the other mothers really described on how terrible it has been to watch that challenge, thinking about the harsh treatment over the challenge.
"Well at least Bridgette's did something that most of us wanted for a long time, she finally took down Trent, and I'm sure Lindsay is happy." Tyler's mother commented as the other mothers nodded their heads at her.
"Indeed, I felt so sorry for her when I watched that episode, while she is a bit of an airhead she has a good heart, and was being guidable by Trent without Heather's help. It was indeed heartbreaking to see how such a nice girl became twisted with vengeance on that boy Trent." DJ's momma commented that she felt a bit bad for how some of the campers had to deal with the suffering of not eating her good food. "I think I should make a compensation for her, I mean, Chef's and Chris's idea of pancake really made me want to vomit."
"You spoke facts." The bodybuilder's mother snorted as she frowned from remembering that episode. "I usually love to have lemon pancakes with a good salad for the mornings before my working out regime, and that bastard made me stop looking at my ideal breakfast in such a way. I hope someday Eva will punch him in the gut with all her strength."
"Well, I think everyone from the show wants to beat Chris for something he did." Gwen's mother commented as she even had her times around how the host of the show managed to anger the public but especially their children into sometimes wanting to beat the crap out of Chris. "But also I have to say that I'm impressed with how Eva dealt with the comeback, it's astonishing the way she dominated the challenge. Anastasia your daughter surprises me every time I see her on television,"
The other mothers nodded their heads, and even Bridgette's mother nodded a bit fearfully.
"I'm still a bit unsure if what I see was true, but did she really go to the cave t..."
"Yes, she made jerky of that bear's penis, it was obvious, and she took all the fur from the bear and made a coat with it...I'm so proud of her." The bodybuilder mother said in a proud tone which made the other woman pass a good time in silence, but then shrugs, they aren't men, so it's not their problem.
"She also got a trailer, do you know what she could do with it?" Geoff's mother asked as the others seemed interested in what Eva could do with the new prize she had in her hands.
"Mostly would take me and my husband around to train around the mountains, exercises around the country, but I think she could try to her training to learn more about martial arts," Anastasia commented which made everyone on there in shock.
"Martial Arts? But she beat the crap of both the sasquatch and the bear on the island, why would she needs to learn more martial arts?" Bridgette's mom commented as Eva's mom shrugged.
"Probably she may want to enter the MMA world and would take a few championships, I don't know what passes in the mind of my girl, but if that's what makes her happy, I think she is going to be either an MMA and also a gym owner to make the skinny and chubby girls to become strong and powerful like her, she told me I would be surprised to see who was the one she trained after the show." Eva's mom commented as the group had their eyes wide open in surprise, at the idea of who could potentially follow her example and become a fit girl for the future.
"Err... if while I find this idea interesting, and learn about everything, maybe we shouldn't be talking about Chris or the show respectively, we would be stressing ourselves into wasting a good time like this, and I have to say this has been my first time coming to a Spa." Harold's mother commented as the other moms gave a glance, but couldn't help but nod their heads to the request of the ginger boy.
"I remember the time I had to bring both Sadie and Katie around a Spa with me. It has been chaotic, both girls thought pineapple soap was ice cream, and they passed the whole afternoon washing their mouths from biting it." Sadie's mom commented as the mothers chuckled from having to deal with the age of their children making crazy mistakes.
"Oh don't remind me about it." Gwen's mother said as she waved her hand and giggled at the good memories. "I remember the time when my little Gwen and her cousin Ella had a good time together causing a lot of confusion together, once I had no idea about how they managed to get lost in the mall, but the last thing I remember was them eating ice cream nearby 3 destroyed stores, I got so worried that I had to ground them for 2 weeks."
"Did they destroy the store?" Eva's mother asked as some stared at the story in disbelief.
"Them? Oh no, it's just a bunch of kids, although Gwen said Ella is a monster and she is proud of her, I think they were just playing with their imagination." Gwen's mom commented as the mothers thought about it and decided to nod their heads.
"Yeah, I can see that happening." Tyler's mom commented as the other mothers nodded their heads.
"Kids were very imaginative when they were so young." Sadie and Katie's mothers commented in unison as they agreed that the idea of 2 children destroying mall stores would be impossible to happen.
"Well, if you want to know something crazy, I have a niece who got so angry with her brother for pulling her hair that she managed to make his RC toys come to life and scare him every night." Harold's mom gave a slight comment about how the age of mistakes and craziness happened towards the family, which then paused as she stared at the woman looking at her... "Scarlett is an angel, never made problems at my home, and every time she appears Harold gets a bit of rivalry with her, it was so fun to see them banter around trying to surpass each other, she challenged him into going to a magic camp, and he passed with flying colors, he challenges her to win a science fair and she wins the prize of the best science project of the whole school, then she challenged him to go at a kung fu summer camp, and he came with a black belt..."
"Well only thing he is missing is self-awareness summer camp or etiquette because I have to admit it was horrible to watch him on television, no offense." Bridgette's mother commented as she looked at the ginger woman scoffing and rolling her eyes.
"None taken, Harold is my lovely child and I'm proud of him for everything he did, I even get worried about his situation with Leshawna and Heather from the forum I'm asking my children to keep track, but he sometimes is a bit overdramatic and a slacker, I swear that someday I would need to donate for charity just to make sure Harold would do his chores and clean the garage someday." The nerd's mother commented which made the group stare at her in surprise. "But I think after my baby meeting the boys was indeed a good way to make him grow up like a man, I'm just glad that he dropped the bad habit of letting his underwear on the floor."
"Oh yeah, that was a bit disgusting, but the boys set him straight." Geoff's mom commented as the ginger mother nodded her head proudly.
"And now, I can relax into thinking about how each of my children is making me proud, it's difficult to see my sisters always bragging about how their children were better than mine." The woman commented that felt relieved and ready to relax more at the spa. "But I'm glad that Harold when he returns home will become more mature and proud of how many good friends he did on the show."
"Well, preach away sister." DJ's momma commented as she felt happy with how DJ had been in a great team, differently from the Screaming Gophers, the Killer Bass indeed felt in harmony. "I'm just glad the show is getting over. But hey Martha, what's is your first impression of getting a spa?"
"I have to confess, I just watched such a luxurious mud bath on the television, since at the time I had to work around the mud with Curtis and Ezekiel, if you had told me about how to use mud to make myself beautiful I would have laughed in your face." The brown-haired woman as the group knew it was nobody else than Ezekiel's mother, telling about her experiences of mud since she is a farmer was indeed something that would make them raise their eyebrows.
"I have to admit, it's been years since I had the opportunity to go to a Spa treatment, how did you manage to pull off a gift coupon for each of us?" The lawyer known as Courtney's mom took out one of the cucumber slices from her eye and stared at the blonde woman who was enjoying a good time with the mud, the blond woman was nobody else than Duncan's mother.
"Oh, that's a long story, but in resume. I and My husband did a lot of shows years ago and the owner of this spa hired us to sing songs for the children of the parents who would use the Spa, so in exchange for giving me access to the Spa with my friends, Banana and Cheese had to do a lot of shows on the times they were full of children around this establishment." Duncan's mother commented that such revelation had all the mothers over the room had their eyes wide open.
"YOU WERE BANANA AND CHEESE?" Most of the mothers said as they were caught by surprise by such a revelation. "OH MY GOD, MY SON/DAUGHTER LOVED YOUR SONGS."
Who were Banana and Cheese? One of the celebrities of making a lot of children's songs which have been popular across the whole of Canada. The ones who weren't surprised by that fact were Courtney's and Ezekiel's mothers since they had that conversation before at the meeting party for the first time.
"Wow, now that I think about it you really looked familiar." Bridgette's mom had her eyebrows raised by surprise as she had to comment to the former artist. "When I had to do a very important shift when I worked at the beach restaurant, and I had to make sure Bridgette stayed nearby me all the time, your songs made her distracted and made her excited to be on my working shift all the time."
"Harold always loved to hear them before sleep." Harold's mom commented as DJ's Momma nodded her head in agreement.
"One of your songs related to loss really helped my DJ to copper with the decease of my husband. And I will always be grateful for that." DJ's momma commented as the other mothers had some stories to share related to the duo, some were good jokes about how their children were annoyed by it, or somewhere even helpful to educating their children into making them as wonderful kids as they are in the show.
"Oh, that's nothing." Duncan's mother commented as she forgot how it was to be recognized as a celebrity for kids, "I'm not a popstar, usually it was just me and my husband using our van to go across Canada and have so many helpful good songs that we usually created for our children. "I think there was a point when my children missed me and my husband so much that we had to take care of them, and even if they are rebels and some even caused a lot of problems, I know that they have a good heart inside of them..."
The time the Killer Bass mothers had together, was indeed something they never thought they would create great new experiences on their lives, as it seems that day at Spa is going to be memorable for everyone as they learn even more and enjoy the episode happening across the television. Since the place had a pay-per-view and it was the day of the challenge, they will soon be surprised by the events of the Search and Do Not Destroy episode.
The afternoon having the house only for himself, a brown-haired boy wearing a cyan cap on his head, as his style of clothing would be a combination of a geek and a boy who loves rock'n roll, was enjoying a great time on the internet, making some trolling comments towards a girl who stupidly nicknamed herself as a CodyLover, it was hilarious to see the fight she was having around making war against the people who support the relationship of Cody and Katie, and even getting a strong backlash of people who supported Harold and Leshawna, but truthfully the possibility of Heather and Harold becomes a thing in the future was tempting, especially with the new challenge happening.
He was with his computer and television on, as he could enjoy watching a bit the other channels, but he often his sister struggled to take a key between two alligators.
Sometimes he finds it hilarious to see her sister groaning at the unfairness and craziness happening on the show, but sometimes he can't help but feel bad for his sister, from being in a terrible team first to then getting betrayed by a stupid oblivious boy. He would have made sure to be watching Trent like a hawk, but it seems that it wouldn't be necessary. But now he was hoping for his sister to finish the challenge quickly and without hurting herself much.
*knock knock*
And then a sound of knocking on his door made the boy curious about who would be at that hour of the afternoon, so at the time he came to open the door, he saw a few birds flying inside the main room as a girl well dressed in pink and white blouse and skirt, but still looking almost like a princess, as her black hair was with a pink bow over her head, walked by him as she gave a very warm hug on the boy.
"Cody, how is my lovely cousin today?" The girl said as the boy rolled his eyes and gave a quick hug to her.
"I'm doing fine Ella, but seriously, birds at the time I opened the door?" Cody snarked as he used his thumbs to point out the birds which made the princess wannabe gasped in surprise.
"Archimedes, no, shoo, shoo." Ella said as she waved her hands as the little birds flew away sadly out of the open door. "Sorry guys, but Aunty Alisson says no animals inside the house."
Cody watched in amusement into seeing dejected birds passing by the door, as he slowly closed it to make sure there weren't intruders anymore.
"Sorry about them, I hope Aunty Alisson wouldn't get mad if I came to this unexpected visit to say for her to have happy and a good weekend." Ella gave a slight bow as good etiquette to show her politeness at her cousin who went on the coach.
"Sadly to inform you but mom went to a spa with her friends, she said she doesn't know when she is going to return today," Cody commented as the princess wannabe girl had her mouth opened in surprise and delight.
"Ohh, that sounds wonderful, but that's a pity that she isn't here to hug her," Ella said as she went nearby to her cousin who just shrugged at her.
"Well, I think it was good, she needed to pass more time out of home, and since Gwen was on the show, I think she needed to relax a bit, I don't know who is paying for the spa, but it is good for her. Anyway, want to watch TV? Gwen is doing her challenge." Cody pointed as the goth seemed to be jumping carefully at the grail and then fighting for her life to take the key. "OH SHIT, GWEN BE CAREFUL."
"Oh no," Ella commented as she sat on the couch, as they both saw their relative into one of the challenges of the show. To their relief, Gwen managed to get out of the alligator pit, which made them both sigh in relief.
"Wow, this was intense, I think Gwen's got the worst challenge for the key so far," Cody said as he couldn't believe how ruthless the episodes had been around the show, but knowing how the last episode of say Uncle really messed up with his thoughts about how Chris may be the most sadistic person on earth.
"Well, at least she is fine. She is a strong girl, she survived many things." Ella said as she assured her cousin to see how Gwen has been great around the show, while she saw the ruthlessness and craziness over the episodes, she always watched because she wanted to see her cousin doing well...
"Yeah, I think I'm in the mood for popcorn, you want some? I think after watching the episode, Mom is going to be here." Cody went to the kitchen the sweet girl smiled as she looked at the poor birds staring at her with a sad face, she looked sad but she waved sadly at her little animal friends, rules are rules, and she cannot let them inside of her aunt's house.
"Sure Cody, do you want some help?" Ella said as she got up and went directly out to the kitchen, as the birds looked sad, and flew away.
"MAX, HOW GREAT TO SEE YOU BOY. COME ON AND GIVE YOUR UNCLE A HUG." A little deep and happy voice came as a person who is extremely obese, sweaty, balding, and wears glasses came and gave a hug to a little chubby boy who had a purple haircut and was dressed in a grey doctor coat. "How is my little Pharmacist?"
"Uncle David for the last time, I'M AN EVIL SCIENTIST, I'M NOT A PHARMACIST." Max groaned as the big man ignored his rantings which the evil genius and future conqueror of the world rolled his eyes. "But answering your question, I'm doing fine, I came here to visit you and talk to Aunt Amanda."
"Ha Ha Ha, oh look at that, HEY HONEY, LITTLE MAX CAME HERE TO TALK TO YOU," David said as he tapped the back of his nephew who groaned in annoy.
"I hate that nickname, but also Uncle David, I have a request to make, since is for a future project of world domination," Max said as he could hear his aunt walking in their direction, and seeing his uncle glancing at him, he coughs on his fist and decided to go straightly to the point. "I require staying in your house for a few days because one of my projects of world domination managed to have a little miscalculation and I accidentally made my house stink with a stink bomb project."
"What's going on here?" A chub woman who seemed to be wearing a casual pink shirt with brown pants walked, as her blonde hair was messed with water and she probably was dealing with some chores around the house. "OH MAX, IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU,"
Before Max could even reply, he was hugged with a bear-crushing hug made by the matriarch of the family, and the chuckling from his uncle who isn't helping his case.
"Oh look at that Amanda, it seems Max finally gave his supreme fart, and his parents wanted him to pass a few days with us." David chuckled as he didn't see the anger from his nephew at him, but still tapping his head the uncle chuckled from his phase of super-villain. His son and nephew always had a great time together playing. "Sure you can pass a few days here Max, you can use the bedroom of your cousin Owen while you are here."
"IT'S NOT A FART, UNCLE DAVID, IT'S MY ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE CRUELEST AND KNOWN STINK BOMB OF HUMANITY, ONE THAT WILL BRING THE WORLD ON THEIR KNESS AND PRAISE ME AS THEIR EVIL LORD. THE MONGO AND LA MUERTE." Max shouted as suddenly felt his hair being messed up by the aunt who just chuckled at his antics.
"Oh sweetheart, you should see your uncle eating burritos, that was the true el mongo and la muerte," Amanda commented as both couples laughed at their joke Max sighed in exasperation at their stupidity and naivety, he swore that he would show them all, but since they are family, he promised to his mom that he would destroy them for last.
"But Johnny and Gavin are still buying pizza and they will be here in a few moments, but how about I make you a cake while we wait?"
"Ohhh, that sounds a lovely idea, I vote yes for the cake," David commented as he sat on the couch and enjoyed good food, as the boy rolled his eyes and finally was released to have a good grasp of air, to finally reach the relief of being on that enormous bear crushing hug.
Max rolled his eyes, as he felt twitching for a moment, but knowing that the annoying man was always so cheerful that it bugged him, he couldn't deny the hospitability of his aunt.
"I would love a cake, Aunt Amanda, it would be ideal for my future meal," Max commented as he saw the happy and cheerful woman go to hug him once again.
He wished to make world domination sooner, but sadly it was never going to happen.
"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday Leshawna, happy birthday to you," The campers were reunited in the main festive room, to celebrate Leshawna's birthday while they were clapping and singing happily to Leshawna who was feeling happy. The ghetto girl smiled at the cake made by everyone's effort, while none of them were experts in cooking, still whatever they cooked together was better than the blob of food the Chef made for them.
"Thank you, everyone, this has been a birthday that I wouldn't trade it for anything." Leshawna smiled as she blew the candle which was applauded as in the background Geoff was climbing a tree, which everyone ignored as they were celebrating the good time they had with Leshawna.
Ezekiel sat with a birthday cake slice on his plate, as he watched the episode from the beginning, and was enjoying to see the pay-per-view version since it showed the challenge every one of the campers having their challenges. Ezekiel then noticed someone sitting nearby him, in total silence, which the boy turned his head and was surprised to see Trent, but differently from before, his face was bruised, he had a black eye and 2 slap marks on his face, in each side of his face.
"Hey," That was the only thing Trent had said as Ezekiel's eyebrows rose in surprise and curiosity.
"Hello, what happened to you?" Ezekiel asked as he could see the guitarist having with him a bag of ice to place on the injuries of his face.
"Oh, that's nothing, I just went to apologize to everyone about my behavior around the show, and I think it was the right way to ask for forgiveness even if I deserved to be beaten down for it... In some cases, they took that for granted and I have taken the forgiveness of the others." Trent said as he was still feeling his face swollen from the Killer Bass's anger. "Harold has a strong punch. Did you know that?"
"Yep, and when I apologized to him I felt that too. He still a good friend though." Ezekiel commented as both nodded their heads and then glanced at the birthday cake... Ezekiel gave a glance at Trent who was still hesitating to say something, and Ezekiel still remembered the words of his mother, and while in season 2 he had become crazy because of his defense mechanism, he couldn't be angry with him. He messed up badly but looking at him now, he indeed felt sorry for everything. "It's forgiven."
"What?" Trent looked shocked at the sudden words of Ezekiel, as the boy took off his winter hat and smiled at him.
"You are trying to find the right words to ask me to forgive you aren't you?" Ezekiel commented as he could see from the swollen face, the sheepish look from Trent who was trying to hide behind his bruises. "I forgive you now because it seems that you are being honest with what you are saying to me, you are a good guy, Trent, however, you need to be more careful with your actions, even as it looks nice and simple to you, you wouldn't understand the consequences until it was too late. I hope you learned this."
Trent remained in silence but after sniffing and being emotional, Trent felt happy that at least one was a good man and had been on the moral compass to showing him the right way.
"Thanks, Ezekiel, you are indeed awesome, I wish... Wait, WHY ARE YOU AIMING YOUR BOW AND ARROW AT ME?" Trent said in an alarming tone which made everyone from Leshawna's party stare at the duo in surprise.
"You have a number between 1 and 100, choose carefully which number is, and I won't use this blunt arrow on you. You have 3 seconds." Ezekiel commented as he saw Trent sweating a lot and the first thing Trent said was one number which made Ezekiel smirk.
"9!" Trent said as he was ready to jump, however on the next second, Ezekiel dropped his own bow and arrow on the table and then returned to eat... "Huh?"
"9 is it? Why that number?" Ezekiel commented as he ignored the group staring at the duo in surprise, since that was what Ezekiel wanted so much for them to hear. Trent was feeling nervous but sighed in relief for not being the target of one of the arrows.
"Well, it's a bit of a personal story, I had this toy train my granddad gave me as a kid... Right before he died. One of the wheels fell off, so there were only nine. I was devastated. So my mom told me nine was now my lucky number." Trent commented as the group around the room felt sorry for Trent, as it was a good personal history for him to share.
Ezekiel trembled with the word train being heard for a moment, but for himself, he had to hold his nerves and thankfully nobody noticed his shift around the said word. But the first thing Ezekiel said after a few seconds in silence, and the group sniffing from that story. Ezekiel went back to his usual self.
"You have my condolences on your granddad. He must have been an awesome guy." Ezekiel commented as Trent gave a slight smile as he felt happy to talk about someone he knew.
"He was the best, he was a toy maker, once I saw him making a toy by himself, and I even saw him making a wood horse by using only a wood chisel." Trent gave a nostalgic smile which as that way the group couldn't help but felt heart-warmed on how Trent told a good story about his time with his grandpa, and Ezekiel once again using one thing that Harold, Katie, Sadie, Tyler knew very well. Ezekiel always was a person who would find a reason for everything, a good reason to not judge the others, a reason for why the others act the way they act, a reason of why everyone has a story, and each story should never be dismissed. And once again Ezekiel showed why he was the heart of the Killer Bass, sometimes a heart can hold a grudge, but other times it can show forgiveness and kindness. "And that's how he even made a doll house."
"Wow, I can imagine that you still have that train to this day." Ezekiel smiled, as he listened to the guitarist's story, he knew that number 9 meant something very important to him, and what he needed most since on Total Drama Action, was true friends... Justin, Noah, Owen, and even Cody from the cannon, never realized the cry for help that Trent had since the beginning, since jealousy and fear always were in the heart of a person who before was an awesome and kind man. Total Drama Action was the first stage of cataclysm which usually messed up with everyone, from Courtney to even Trent, that season was brutal, but not comparing which was way ahead.
And Ezekiel knew that something most of them didn't understand. Total Drama is and will always be chaos happening on earth, and the competition will always take the best of them, however, it doesn't mean that great moments won't happen, and while everyone loves and wants drama, there was some drama that people get tired of it. Ezekiel knew that once 2 teams were only to start a wonderful show... it would become so broken because they couldn't understand and adapt to the consequences of their past actions.
Ezekiel looked around, seeing Katie and Sadie sniffing, crying over Cody who was feeling happy to see his friend talking about it, Tyler and Harold had a look of understanding, as Justin was only there to look on his own reflex, Beth was crying, Noah was avoiding the girl while rolling his eyes, however, was listening with a serious face on the story behind Trent, Leshawna was having that warm smile as she could see the intentions of Ezekiel wanting to help Trent, Owen was crying while he was feeding his mouth with cake, and the cake little by little was missing its pieces.
"You have no idea, that toy train is my treasure in the same way number nine is my lucky number," Trent said proudly, even as the swollen face made him funny, it was still a good thing that Trent was still the same good guy from the season 1 that most of the fans loves and respect.
"Well it's indeed your lucky number, if you had guessed wrong, I would have shot you in the face," Ezekiel commented in a tone that Trent seemed to know he was telling the truth, and while he was relieved Ezekiel decided to also give one advice. "Try to not be too obsessive about the number nine in front of the cameras, you already have too much hate around the public and then in the future, if they see you getting crazy over the number nine, they will tell that you have lost your mind,"
And just like that everyone froze from that comment, and looked at Trent who seemed to be a little uncomfortable with the idea of how possibly the fans were with their fork and torches, would make anyone pity a man who just screwed up for not understanding what happened around the game.
"Err... I will have this in mind." Trent said as he could feel the stares of everyone over him, and Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"Also, you may want to pass the whole process of getting beaten as apologize all over again," Ezekiel commented as everyone stared at the boy who just finished eating his slice of cake.
"What, why?" Not just him, but Katie and Sadie asked at the same time, which made Ezekiel look at his friends with contempt on his face.
"Because while I understand everyone forgave him, you should understand that the public who watched everything on the television wanted to see this happening, and if they don't see the apology by themselves on the television they are still going to be mad on Trent, so for the sake of him cleaning up his image. We need to do the process all over again." Ezekiel commented as he could see the eyes of Trent shrinking in fear, and internally Ezekiel chuckled from that moment. He as a good fan from the other world, hated the idea of offscreen moments when it happened around and left him with questions without answer. And from the look on the faces of his friends, he knew that he just touched a subject that nobody understood. "Leshawna, would you have forgiven me if I didn't apologize to Harold and asked him to punch my face because I helped Heather to eliminate you?"
With that question, the birthday girl could understand the meaning behind Ezekiel's words, to show her that he meant it when he asked Harold to punch him, having not just her, but everyone as witnesses that he apologized and got the punishment as a way the way he wanted to show he values his friendship, specially to the ghetto girl who was fuming for being eliminated like that, and she got to respect the boy to ask him to be punched by the string bean...
And not just her, but the other former campers could understand the reality of the situation.
"If you want the public to forgive you, Trent, you cannot just ask us to forgive you off-screen, we may do it for you because you are sincere, but the public still will hate you because of what you did," Ezekiel said the harsh words and that made the swollen guitarist now look a bit sad that even with all that help it meant he would still be hated by many, and he wished he could do anything. And as Killer Bass members they rolled their eyes with their smiles on their faces, especially it was that moment when Ezekiel would say the good news. "So that's why at the next moment Chris calls us to appear on the show, it would be for the best Trent to apologize to every single one of us again, and we do the same thing as we did."
"What?" At that moment everyone looked at the homeschooled boy confused, that kind of answer not even the members of Killer Bass could have guessed.
Ezekiel blinked, as he then stared at his group of friends.
"Wait... oh come on guys, you saw that Chris asked us to be here, of course, it must have been for something he plans to do it in the future, probably he would ask us to go to the final episode and give our support on the finalists," Ezekiel commented, jumping the episode of Chris coming to Playa Del Losers since it would be too suspicious if it they knew that Chris would come to visit them. So having them with the idea of Chris calling for them at the final episode would make the group more prepared for the final challenge.
"Ahhhhhhhh," Everyone said in unison, and even Noah nodded his head in agreement.
"Makes sense, just Chris would come up with a sick twist like that," Noah commented as he approached Trent who was still with a bag of ice on his face. "Well guitar boy, it seems that your attempts of reconciliation worked, but you have to get your ass beaten again."
Trent sighed as he knew there was nothing he could do. But nod his head.
"Alright, I would love to do that, I also would need to apologize to Geoff and Lindsay, so I think I could wait until the final episode to apologize to them both, and also I would get my face slapped and a few punches, but hey, that's life, I kinda deserved that," Trent commented as he showed once again hope, and that's what Ezekiel was waiting for.
"Well, to clean up everything Trent, you aren't a villain, but just a little distracted guy without thinking about the consequences, and who knows? Maybe you will find someone good in your life," Ezekiel commented as he could imagine it, while Trent has some flaws, nobody on Total Drama was perfect, clearly, everyone on Total Drama must have been with many flaws to participate in the show, but that's usually the people who had flaws and grew up with the public watching them from real life and this world. His former and his actual world.
"Alright, the emotional little chit-chat was good, but now IT's STILL MY PARTY. LET'S DANCE EVERYONE." Leshawna said as everyone was enjoying a good time and resuming for a few hours. Before the crew would return to watch the episode. They preferred to not watch the pay-per-view because they wanted to give a memorable day for Leshawna, so that's how it has been for the black girl who was dancing with the nerd who was both doing ballet and breakdance at the same time.
A good time for the party.
.
.
.
Ezekiel was happy, he had never gone to an actual birthday party, and experiencing it for the first time was awesome. He just wished to have the experience of going to a kids' birthday party since the little games he watched on the cartoons and movies but being part of Leshawna's birthday was also an amazing experience in his life. He enjoyed talking with everyone, reconciliation with Trent which was what his mom wanted, and knowing that his mom was right, again. It was a good moment for him to enjoy life, dancing, singing, and joking with friends, it was indeed a good moment he was going to treasure in his life.
A few moments before the group reunited to watch the official episode of Total Drama Island.
"Search and do not destroy," Ezekiel commented with himself, interested in knowing how the episode would be, and the group was reunited with him, everyone was going to watch the episode, however with Eva and the elimination of Trent, which possibilities would happen around the show?
.
.
.
That episode was nothing they could ever imagine, even Ezekiel was surprised by so many things happening around them. Tyler and the others were happy with the way Lindsay helped DJ and how DJ was willing to help Lindsay, however, Ezekiel had his eyes wide open to one single thing, Izzy...
The homeschooled boy could see Izzy maybe had something up around the way she was helping Heather and then by watching the scene of Lindsay, his eyes went wide open.
"WOHOOO, THANKS TO HELP MY GIRL, DJ," Tyler shouted as Ezekiel contemplated the difference over the episode and challenge by challenge, he was waiting for something... anything until he saw it. Lindsay talking to DJ, about his momma, and the food... those were dangerous words for someone who wanted to say Condor. The group looked at Trent who blushed in embarrassment, while Ezekiel could see it... It wasn't a manipulation, it was genuine, Lindsay was too kind and naive to be a mastermind, but a girl with a good heart to say the right keywords concerning what happened to her.
"Oh Izzy, you are having much fun with that now that you know who is going to win aren't you?" Ezekiel thought as he smiled at the imagination of Izzy giving support into helping both Heather and Lindsay, she was indeed like the character on the show. Always unpredictable you never know what would be her next step.
The group flinched at the difficulties Gwen and Courtney were having with two dangerous animals appearing before. Nobody thought there would be a dangerous bunny around, and even Katie who had her bunny being fed with carrots in her bedroom, had her eyes wide open in surprise at seeing such a beast fighting against Courtney.
And then almost everyone was surprised by the report Lindsay gave to Heather, to know that her position was secure and how Lindsay was able to gather information, that was something that surprised anyone and even some narrowed their eyes towards their attitude. Ezekiel could see had something up with that, so he kept to himself because it looked like a new episode, and he didn't want to miss a minute of it.
And then came the rewards... Ezekiel had his mouth dropped hard because he knew whose Chest was supposed to be on the cannon. Bridgette who ran away from the bunny and was stuck in the tree... So that key, specific key, was the key of auto-elimination, and that key was the reason almost everyone threw a fit towards the unfairness of Chris...
Until...
"I will give my immunity reward to her..." And at that moment everyone had their mouths dropped, even Ezekiel who looked surprised by the sudden move.
"Is she for real?" Leshawna said in surprise, to never think the queen bee would allow saving somebody on the show.
"I think she is," Trent commented as he also looked surprised at the actions of Heather.
Ezekiel blinked as he could see Chris' eyes twitching which now Ezekiel could understand one thing, that would be the only time that he would allow such thing to happen. So that wouldn't happen again in the future challenges.
"This is a favor I'm doing for you, and I'm going to take a favor from you in the future, it may not be today, nor tomorrow, but someday I'm going to get my favor from you," When Heather said those words, everyone who was at the Playa del losers looked at Ezekiel, who was not just surprised, he was impressed, he crossed his arms and placed his fingers on the chin.
"That's genius," Ezekiel commented as the group stared at him, as Ezekiel processed everything that happened, as everyone was staring at him and waiting for an explanation. Ezekiel smiled as he could see Izzy smirking at the camera her usual smirk, but then he saw a slight wink from her, as he could imagine that she was giving him a message, especially with the idea that now she had an alliance with Heather and Lindsay. "Heather now has Courtney and Duncan at her mercy..."
"Wait what? What do you mean Duncan as well?" Harold asked as he never thought the delinquent would follow orders until Ezekiel pointed it out.
"Heather just saved his girlfriend from elimination, if she has one favor in relation to either or both of them, she could use it once whenever she wants," Noah said as he could see the strategy of the queen bee. "That bitch must have been looking for a person to stack votes with and find a way to protect herself in the future, and if there was a crucial moment, she could use that favor to save herself on the show."
While the others looked horrified with the idea, Ezekiel internally shook his head.
"No... it's way more dangerous than that if Izzy was behind the scenes... she is going to convince Heather to use the favor... in Total Drama Action." Ezekiel talked with Izzy a lot, and even talked about some craziness around the seasons, and Izzy knowing that Total Drama would have a lot of seasons, wanted to give Heather a crazy wild card... And having Courtney and Duncan in her palm of hand with only one opportunity? Why waste it for a show which was 100 thousand prize money, if you could use everything you have for 1 million? "Izzy knows about who is going to win, and she is doing this to make the show even more chaotic and interesting... And now Heather and Lindsay have Izzy, a former military girl who knows how to play with loopholes, "Is it possible for Izzy to help both Lindsay and Heather to get the final 4 with Owen?"
A final 4 with Screaming Gophers, something that may not have happened before on the show since in the cannon it happened the final 3,
"I swear Izzy, if you manage to make Lindsay, Heather, and Owen the final Four with you, I will congratulate you and even applaud you. However, I'm going to make your lives like hell when it comes to the triple dog dare you challenge, because differently from the cannon, you better pray for a killer bass to remain on the final three. After all, if there were only Screaming Gophers on the finals, then... the Killer Bass will show no mercy when it comes to daring someone." Ezekiel thought as he smirked internally, it seemed that now she was playing a little game with him, and he liked the challenge, about who would win the total drama island... He was happy to see new episodes of one of his favorite shows, so he can't wait to see his friends passing the other challenges, and case if Izzy wins until the final 3, he would love to see who would have the courage to accept the triple dog dare you challenge.
To see Bridgette being eliminated, was a bit sad, but also a good way to greet their new friend who was going to appear soon.
At least she would receive the hug and happiness to be around her friends once again, and she would wait patiently at her boyfriend with the hope that he would win the show and gain the prize of 100,000 dollars.
Everyone was happy and amazed by the episode. As the chaos continues happening around the island, like always did.
Chapter 27: Hide & be sneaky
Chapter Text
As the train glides through the Canadian countryside, the view outside the window is nothing short of spectacular, a living postcard of the country's diverse and rugged beauty. The train moves with a steady rhythm, each turn revealing new facets of the winter landscape.
To the right, expansive fields stretch out, blanketed in a thick, unbroken layer of snow that glistens in the pale winter sunlight. The snow-covered ground is pristine, interrupted only by the occasional stand of trees or a meandering line of fence posts, their tops peeking out above the snow. The fields seem to go on forever, merging with the horizon where the sky meets the earth in a seamless blend of white and soft blue.
On the left side of the train, dense forests of pine and spruce trees line the tracks, their dark green needles dusted with a layer of white. The trees stand tall and proud, their branches heavy with snow, forming a natural, frosty canopy. As the train passes through these woodlands, shafts of sunlight filter through the branches, casting long, dappled shadows on the snow-covered forest floor.
Every so often, the train crosses a frozen river or stream, its icy surface shimmering in the light. The rivers are silent and still, their usual babble hushed under a thick layer of ice. Occasionally, patches of open water can be seen, dark and mysterious against the bright snow, hinting at the cold depths below.
In the distance, the majestic Rocky Mountains dominate the skyline. Their towering peaks, covered in snow and ice, rise sharply against the sky, creating a dramatic and awe-inspiring backdrop. The mountains are shrouded in a soft, ethereal mist that clings to the summits, adding to the sense of grandeur and timelessness.
As the train speeds through small towns, the scene changes to quaint, picturesque villages with houses that look like they belong in a storybook. The rooftops are heaped with snow, and smoke curls up from chimneys, suggesting warmth and coziness inside. Snowmen stand sentinel in front yards, and icicles hang like crystal daggers from the eaves.
Occasionally, wildlife makes an appearance. A group of deer might be seen foraging near the edge of the forest, their brown coats stark against the white background. Birds, too, add life to the scene, their bright feathers flashing in the sunlight as they flit from tree to tree.
The train crosses vast open plains, where the wind whips up flurries of snow, creating swirling patterns that dance across the fields. In these moments, the stark beauty of the Canadian winter is fully apparent – a landscape both harsh and incredibly beautiful, marked by the raw power of nature and the serene stillness of the season.
Throughout the journey, the endless variety of the Canadian winter landscape unfolds outside the window, a constantly changing panorama of snow, trees, mountains, and sky, all united under the blanket of winter.
Inside the train compartment, the atmosphere is cozy and serene. The rhythmic clattering of the wheels on the tracks provides a soothing backdrop, punctuated by the occasional whistle of the train cutting through the crisp air. The gentle sway of the carriage rocks slightly, adding to the feeling of tranquil motion. The seats, upholstered in a warm, deep blue fabric, exude a sense of comfort, inviting passengers to relax and enjoy the journey.
The windows are large, offering panoramic views of the stunning Canadian landscape. Outside, the winter scenery is a breathtaking spectacle. Snow blankets the ground in a thick, pristine layer, sparkling like a sea of diamonds under the pale winter sun. Tall pine trees, their branches heavy with snow, line the route, creating a natural, frosted tunnel. Occasionally, a red-roofed barn or a cluster of rustic wooden cabins comes into view, standing out vividly against the white expanse.
In the distance, the majestic Rockies rise, their peaks capped with snow and shrouded in a delicate mist, offering a dramatic and awe-inspiring sight. As the train moves through valleys and over frozen rivers, the view changes but remains consistently enchanting. The ice on the rivers glistens, occasionally showing glimpses of the flowing water beneath, hinting at the life teeming even in this frozen world.
Inside, the warmth of the compartment is a sharp but welcome contrast to the icy world outside. Frost patterns decorate the edges of the windows, intricate and delicate, resembling natural lace. The heating system hums quietly, maintaining a cozy environment and allowing passengers to fully appreciate the winter wonderland without the bite of the cold.
"Come on, COME ON. No, no no, NO, UGH DAMN YOU." Ezekiel commented as he saw a little blue astronaut on the screen being pushed onto the floor and being shot down by a red astronaut. "I told everyone he was SUS, but somebody listens to me? Nooo, they decided to trust him. Ugh, I hope they all die next."
Ezekiel gave a glance around the train, and a good part of himself trembled as he tried to distract his mind from feeling uncomfortable again, but then he glanced at the people who were accompanying him on the train. The growling around his side, made Ezekiel roll his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, I know Molotov, I should have gone for the shields instead, but I had a task to do," Ezekiel said as tapped the back of the said bear who was enjoying eating fish and honey. In front of him, Ezekiel looked at a Coconut holding a headset. "Oh don't look at me like that, It's your fault for being too slow on the wires. Mr. Sus coccunut."
"..."
"Ah, so it was Alejandro all along?" Ezekiel turned his head and saw the robotic version that Alejandro had to use after the ending of World Tour, and from seeing the robot not moving an inch, the homeschooled boy rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, maybe I should have suspected him first, but he was already sent out after you died Mr. Cocconut, now stop complaining."
"..."
"Okay, sorry I'm in a bad mood... This place creeps me out." Ezekiel explained as the bear gave a low growl at him, and that made Ezekiel smile. "Thanks Molotov... I know it's hard, but I need to find a way to fight this little fear... I mean, I died inside of a train like this, the train derailed in the middle of the tunnel and to make it worse the movements made the train flip to the side where the mountain crushed us down... making that train a giant metal coffin for us..."
*Growl*
"..."
"Guys, guys. I'm fine." Ezekiel commented as decided to turn off the game and start watching some YouTube videos. "You have to check out this new video, it's hilarious... and no, I'm not going to look outside... I mean what could possibly hap..."
*metal brake sounds*
"AW SHIT, HERE WE GO AGAIN. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." The sound of the train getting inside the tunnel and the sounds of the train getting derailed again really made his heartbeats accelerate to the point that his vision turned blurry and he couldn't hear what was happening anymore... It was like reviving a terrible nightmare once again. But preparing himself for the impact, suddenly he felt something soft touching him, and instead of the train flip, it just remained on there...
"Hehehehe, hello passengers, I regret to inform you, that we suffered a small accident, we ended up hitting a cream pudding surface, and we will be waiting for rescue." The voice of the conductor called through the speakers, which made Ezekiel look around, and see that it was indeed a yellow soft liquid which fulfilled the train... "I recommend you wall to wait patiently around your seats until the next notification, have a nice day."
"Ugh, well. At least we still have internet." Ezekiel commented as he sat on his laptop, he glanced at Molotov pressing a few keys on his keyboard. "What? Do you want to see the finals of the WWE championship? Okay, sure, there is nothing we can do. I hope Logan Paul loses, now, press on."
Ezekiel suddenly got up from his bed, his eyes staring at the darkness over the bedroom, feeling a bit of cold sweat appearing across his face. Looking at the clock and seeing it has been 2 of the morning and the uncomfortable feeling on his stomach, Ezekiel gave a glance at the corner of the headboard...
"Eating too much birthday cake before sleep isn't the best idea I had," Ezekiel commented as he knew that he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep. "But hey, it was the first birthday party I ever went to in my life. I'm surprised Chris didn't use Leshawna's birthday as an excuse to make her time on the Search and not destroy more unbearable in Cannon. If the challenge of Aligator pit Chris had said it was her birthday gift, Leshawna would have thrown a fit, and everyone would have laughed a lot."
Ezekiel commented as he remembered reading and sighing the contract which they have to say their birthday... Like when he is on 4th of March.
"Oh yeah, maybe Chris didn't care, since Sierra was the only one to remember Cody's birthday before blowing the whole airplane up." Ezekiel mused as he looked from the window, at the darkness happening around the playa. Even as the night at it is, this place has been a paradise to everyone.
Ezekiel glanced at the papers around the desk, since the contract he had with the publisher and already with a date to release, Ezekiel felt happy they were in the printing process of his first book...
His first book, which everything started with a dream to revive his favorite cartoons, he just hoped the results be good for the hook for his other book... Adventure Time.
He made a few changes to some episodes the way he remembered, and some ideas he left out to make it as a filler for another book, he placed his favorite episode, Mystery Train, which is ironic... He loved the episode, but having to experience his own death in his past life, made him have mixed feelings about the episode...
"Well, better to take a stick and see what I can do for the chapter."Ezekiel walked towards the door. Knowing that since he wasn't in the mood to sleep, he needed just a few more chapters to be enough to publish the book.
A child who loves Adventure time, but never takes a stick or a fake sword and starts playing with it is a liar or doesn't have the opportunity to let the inner child experience freedom.
Even as his parents looked weirdly at him on the farm when he did that...
It's the only way he could use to be inspired on combats, sue him, but that's the funny way to get immersed into his stories.
Having Izzy as a friend, Ezekiel learned how to craft the scenes he always has been doing for his book. A fake sword made of a stick, and a fake shield made of a few metal plates.
If he want to train to become Finn the human or Steven Universe, his imagination would be the limit.
Bridgette didn't sleep that night, it has been surreal for the time she was brought by the boat. She thought she would be reunited with her parents, but at the time she got into the unknown place, she was greeted by all her friends, even though the challenge had been crazy for her. A good part of herself missed Geoff... She couldn't help but be happy to see everyone waiting for her, even Ezekiel who seemed to be almost completely recovered from pneumonia.
She had a good time enjoying Leshawna's birthday cake and even had a good talk with Tyler, Katie, and Holyshit, Sadie's had a special training with Eva and the chubby girl got some muscles to show. Since her hug cracked a bit of her bones, what Eva has feeding Sadie she had no idea.
But seeing Cody and Katie sharing some kisses, and even seeing Harold giving special attention to Leshawna has been a way which hurt the feelings of the recently eliminated camper... missing the party boy, the stetson hat from the carefree nature of the boy who she had a great time walking on the beach searching for seashells.
Tears fell from her eyes, as she tried to go to sleep, but nothing mattered to her, as she even couldn't properly sleep, she watched a few episodes to remind herself of the good times around her team. Until one interesting episode came to her mind and had her eyes wide open in surprise.
She watched that episode in amusement, and she was going to talk with Geoff about it when she found it... But still, she smiled warmly at seeing him again. But looking at the clock, it was 6 in the morning. Bridgette decided that maybe surfing would cheer up her spirit a bit. Seeing the sunrise slowly getting up on that paradise resort, may start her to have a new day of her life.
"AHHHHHHHHH HYAH." Then a shout made Bridgette who was bringing her surfer board directly at the water, turn her head away from the dock, she found a boy who was without his winter hat, and blouse, but surprisingly something was tightening on his wrists, and something black also on his legs. The boy was focusing so much on using what would be a fake wooden sword made by a broomstick cut in half.
Bridgette was quiet as she watched the boy using some weird movements with the sword, like a child playing with the imagination, and from her eyebrows raised, she could see who was doing that. Ezekiel seemed to be using the wooden stick to cut the air, and even rolling on the ground, like he was prepared to receive an attack.
Sometimes she couldn't understand what was passing on the mind of the homeschooled boy, as the boy seemed to be completely covered in sweat... But every time he could finish something, he went near the sand to see a notepad and a pen...
"Okay, use a roll on the right to proceed to use a slash in an up diagonal angle. And that way the demonic slime filled with acid would try to attack, but Finn would use the bonfire to heat his blade once more," Ezekiel commented as he huffed and tried to think a bit more about the world he was once again to plan. "I think I could make the slime monster do a surprise attack and extinguish the bonfire...
"Ezekiel," Bridgette shouted as it took Ezekiel by surprise. Ezekiel was so into the character of his favorite show, that he proceeded to do exactly what his character would have done at that moment.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." And Ezekiel gave a high pitch girlish scream which made Bridgette pause, and see the boy who turned his head and smiled at the girl. "Oh hey Bridgette how are you? Why are you up this early?"
"Well, I'm going to take a few waves when I see you there." Bridgette giggled as she saw Ezekiel wasn't even bothered by the scream he did, and she noticed what were the things tied to both his wrists and legs. "Are those weights?"
"Yep, Eva got so angry about my pneumonia getting the better of me, that she said that I need to strengthen my immunity system, and by doing a supreme working out regime... I will never have the courage to do it, because that's suicidal, and I'm not Sadie, I'm using the leg and the wrist weight to help me to be more in character of his writing and make some action scenes. 5 kilograms in each weight, nothing more and nothing less." Ezekiel explained as the girl seemed to chuckle at his antics which he usually has done since the days around the camp Wawanakwa.
"Only you for trying to do something like that Ezekiel," Bridgette smiled, as she remembered the first days of the show, and she and Gwen found themselves waiting for Ezekiel finish to writing the chapter of Steven Universe, as the duo seemed eager to know about what was a going to happen. It has been a random thing to do in the morning, but at least knowing Ezekiel always has been a morning person, made her cheerful into knowing that at least the morning wouldn't be boring.
"Anyway, I'm going to surf a bit, do you mind keeping me company?"
"Sure, I'm going to do a break right now," Ezekiel said as he placed the notepad and pen in his pocket, and followed Bridgette to the docks. "I'm going to sit right here,"
"Sure, I will be right back." Bridgette smiled, as knowing the friends she had on the island, even as the eccentric everyone would be, always showed they were good friends until the end.
And she couldn't wait to see the next episode with them. And see who was going to be voted next to appear on this beautiful resort.
.
.
.
Hours passed by fly, and the good waves indeed made the start of a good morning, not realizing they had been on the shores until 10 a.m., the surfer felt her stomach groaning, and with the smell of good food going to the beach... It was indeed paradise.
Bridgette decided to swim back to the beach and have breakfast before returning to the waves, and she watched Ezekiel still there on the dock, writing on his notepad.
Seeing her approaching, the homeschooled boy stretched his arms and yawned from having been so early into writing.
"Still writing scenes?" Bridgette asked as she carried her surfboard from the beach.
"More like writing dialogues," Ezekiel said as he looked at the good view of the waves. "So how were the waves?"
"They were wonderful, I can't believe it we have this all this time." Bridgette smiled peacefully, surviving on the camp while they had this resort for the losers, that felt a perfect contrast.
"Yep, the playa del losers, if the group knew what they were missing. Only Eva and Izzy knew." Ezekiel commented as Bridgette also raised her eyebrow at him. "Oh yeah, actually there is something I want to show."
"Really?" Bridgette commented...
.
.
.
"Ezekiel this is wonderful." Bridgette was awestruck, from seeing what would be one thing that she couldn't believe, a photo project of Courage the Cowardly book in the printing process. "You finally did it."
"Yep," Ezekiel smiled as their group of friends were happily eating their breakfast, Ezekiel had shown a letter containing a picture of the said book he received from the publisher. "After years of writing, Courage finally can be published in the libraries."
"When you are planning to do the release day?" Bridgette asked as Ezekiel had a good idea in mind.
"I got in contact with the publisher, and they said in 4 weeks. And the book is going to be a success. I know for sure." Ezekiel commented as Tyler nodded his head while Katie and Sadie palled and sweat a lot. "Especially with Freak Fred story which..."
"WHERE?" Both Katie and Sadia jumped from their seats and turned their backs in alarm and panic, which made Bridgette look at the duo weirdly.
Harold seeing that scene approached the surfer to whisper at her.
"Ezekiel once told a story about a freak barber, and Katie and Sadie who had fear of bad haircuts now changed their fears to Freak Fred. They always were jumpy, especially if someone starts rhyming like poetry to them." Harold explained the possible new phobia created by the winter hat boy himself.
Bridgette looked at Ezekiel who just shrugged.
"I wanted to ask Cody's help in developing a theme song for him, and since Katie and Sadie were there, they thought was a good idea," Ezekiel commented as he lamented from the look of the others. "Poor Katie and Sadie, beautiful pigtails, sadly they are slow like snails, and the word they thought they would prevail, sadly, those thoughts. Are Naughtyyyyyy."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Both besties shouted in unison as they ran away from the boy who just got himself into laughing at them.
"Ahahahahaha, now I understand why Duncan does that. It's hilarious." Ezekiel commented as Bridgette scowled at him.
"That wasn't nice Zeke." The surfer commented as even Tyler placed his arms covering his hair.
"Sorry, sorry, but I told them to not be there when I recorded the chapter." Ezekiel raised both his hands and explained as Harold and Tyler looked at the boy in surprise.
And Bridgette also had a question.
"Recorded?" The trio asked as Ezekiel gave a devil smile and decided to whisper something. And at the time the trio listened to what Ezekiel had planned. They couldn't help but laugh loudly.
"And if you guys are laughing. It means that you agreed with what I'm doing." Ezekiel said as the group smiled at him. "I just need the final touches, and I would like to everyone to do it with me...a good chorus to make everything even more terrifying."
"I don't know why, but I think I should blame Duncan for that," Tyler commented as Bridgette nodded her head in agreement.
Harold sniffed as he could see the potential chaos Ezekiel would unleash with that. But everyone who participated in the show would love to be part of this, there is one person who deserved to get pranked like that.
Passing the time watching the episodes of the show and learning about the pay-per-view feature, the group learned about the challenge of the day...
And knowing that the day would take hours, they decided to watch the resume of the episode at night.
"Alright," Tyler called the attention of everyone as the group was ready to sit together. Justin was on the corner cheeking his reflection in the mirror, Sadie and Katie sat together, Cody was enjoying a good drink with Trent and Noah, Ezekiel was eating a watermelon with Harold, and Leshawna was having a great time talking to Bridgette and Beth. "It seems the show is about to start."
"Who do you think is going to be voted out tonight?" Beth asked Leshawna and she shrugged her arms.
"In my opinion, I would love to see that white brat bitch being eliminated. But I have to confess that she is playing smart, and as furious as she can be, she is playing a solid strategy to survive around. But depending on the Challenge, it could be either Owen or DJ." Leshawna gave her opinion, and Beth flinched at the way Leshawna talked about her friend. And she kinda feels pity towards Owen, because while knowing he is a great guy, she wants Heather and Lindsay to win.
Bridgette was torn into thinking about who should be eliminated, but she kinda wished Geoff to be around and pass the time with her on this beautiful resort, and before she could even reply. Trent called the attention of everyone.
"Hey, the episode just started," Trent said as the group was eager to know what kind of episode would be, and how their friends would survive such a difficult show. And at the time they looked at the screen, Chris was there ready to give the summary of the last episode.
"Previously on Total Drama Island..." Chris began as he checked his phone. "The campers searched for treasure and yours truly put in an impressive performance as a pirate. But this was no ordinary treasure hunt. Some campers put their lives on the line to snag their booty. Others had to use their creativity to get their keys, from using a combination of mentos and cola to help a furless bear to have something comfortable to wear while the animal awaits its fur to grow back. But in the end, the campers who went the limit were rewarded with treasures that, in hindsight, probably weren't worth the effort. One is in the case of invincibility, and while other would be the instant elimination chest. And from an act of 'kindness' or opportunity, Heater decided to give up her invincibility to save Courtney from being eliminated from the show...Stupid loophole." Chris mumbled as he was annoyed because someone outsmarted his rules. "On the side of elimination, however, since Courtney is safe from instant elimination, the CIT now finds herself at the mercy of the queen bee since she owes a favor to Heather. And now without someone else to be eliminated, Bridgette has no excuse since she said the contingency word from Killer Bass, the surfer finally left the island on good terms. Now who will be the next camper to say Condor and walk The Dock of Shame? Who will lose their cool? Who will lose their lunch? Find out about the most shocking episode yet on Total. Drama. Island!"
Everything starts as Heather is eating her potato chips as she is enjoying her moments of peace and quiet with Lindsay who felt really happy with her grape soda which she was so eager to drink for so long.
"I'm so happy for them to have included the grape soda in the reward from the last challenge, Heather, it's my favorite soda," Lindsay commented she was so excited to have the grape flavor soda in her hands, as she then felt relaxed for having a little pleasure towards the chaotic reality show. "It's the only thing I was really missing on this island."
Heather gave a glance towards Lindsay who was so happy to have that kind of drink, while she always wasn't in the mood for drinking sugary flavor at the moment and seeing Lindsay, her only friend who had at least one thing to be optimistic around the show as the fights of constant control of their victories every single challenge, Heather knew that she shouldn't trust anyone, but at least the only person she could trust was Lindsay, that even as the naive she could be, or even as stupid and clueless as well. At least she knew that she could trust the blonde girl... Different from someone who seemed to be in way more control than her.
"You can have it, Lindsay, never liked those things, and I also doubt the crazy girl is going to mind the reward basket," Heather commented as Lindsay was drinking the soda with gusto, as it seemed the blond bombshell was indeed taking her time to drink and even politely burp discretely, the queen bee snorted as she rolled her eyes. "And now you must remember that there will be many eyes on us, so be careful in all your actions, we cannot trust around too much, especially the former Killer Bass."
"Well, DJ was a sweetheart in helping me to get my key, and I loved to play with the accordion," Lindsay commented as she finally finished her drink she was happy and ready for the day, while Heather raised her eyebrow as she remembered Lindsay to play half an hour at night, it was fun to see the other girls getting annoyed by that, but since it was the time to sleep, Lindsay decided to do it when nobody is around.
"Well, remember Lindsay, you should be ready, for whatever is going to happen," Heather commented as she knew that Izzy who has been unpredictable gave some interesting points into how they should act if they wanted to be around the group until the final 3, and having Courtney owing her a favor, Heather felt a good part of the safety she has, she exploited a loophole from one of the rules, and she now felt in control of her safety, but that doesn't mean that this would last long. So she needs to use more opportunities like that... So she needs to give her trust to someone that she doesn't know if she is going to betray her or kill her when she is asleep.
Lindsay nodded as she got an interesting instruction from the ginger girl who had been acting crazy around the show. And she would be willing to do that after the challenge, the only thing she needs is to survive the challenge of the day.
(Aquarium)
"I still can't believe Heather gave up the immunity for you," Duncan commented as he felt something fishy happening around the challenge, and for the first time isn't the farts of Owen.
Some members of the Killer Bass were reunited as Eva was using a punching bag that she brought with herself this time, as using a good time to add this new feature around the Killer Bass cave made something interesting, which the guys could have used a good way to see Eva punching something that isn't them, and they would love to see Harold doing some moves and getting hurt by the counter-attack of the punch bag, it would have been funny.
DJ looked at Eva enjoying herself using the punching bag, as Courtney was also in deep thought about what the queen bee would have ahead.
"Probably Heather wants to use my vote to guarantee her safety around the challenges. And sadly I'm with my hands tied, it was to accept her favor or go home." Courtney said as she lamented, she would have gotten furious into finding out that she went home because of that stupid elimination chest, since Bridgette was already pointed as she was going to leave the show, the C.I.T. hated the position she was in now, since she was trapped into doing a favor, whatever Heather would ask for her in the future.
"Well, don't worry, as long we think of a way to make you even we could find a way to take her out as well, but until then let's focus on someone else," Duncan commented as he looked around just to see DJ and Eva, and only one member was missing which made him raises his eyebrow. "Hey, does someone know where is Geoff?"
"He is outside," Eva replied as she continued punching her bag, and Duncan was about to comment something until the group flinched into hearing once again the shout coming from outside of the cave.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, BRIDGETTEEEEEEEEEEEEE, WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?" The sobbing sounds and shouts coming from outside of the cave made the group stop whatever they were doing and then stared at Eva who was rolling her eyes and continued punching the bag.
"I said to him if he starts sobbing and acting like a whinny *beep* I was going to give him a reason to cry, so I said for him to cry outside," Eva commented as DJ and Duncan stared at each other, but since they knew Eva for so long, and how Geoff reacted some times, they simply shrugged and accepted.
DJ was a bit more quiet than usual, as he remained watching Eva doing some punches, and Courtney talking with Duncan, he seemed to have not interested in talking, but that wasn't unnoticed, since Duncan and Courtney were already nearby DJ who seemed less enthusiastic around their hideout.
"Hey DJ, what got you, dude?" Duncan commented as he and Courtney gave a glance at the Jamaican giant who seemed to be a bit gloomy with the idea of something on his mind.
"Well, this morning I was kinda feeling homesick from my momma that I even started to dream with her, and from the way she talked, and even how she cooked... I was missing her food so much that I almost ate my pillow this morning." The giant Jamaican commented as Duncan chuckled until he felt an elbow on his ribs, making him flinch and compose himself. DJ stared at the duo and couldn't help but smile at something on his mind. "A few days ago Lindsay talked to me about how she wished to eat the prize food my mom did for the challenge, and I couldn't help but also miss the food from her."
Just mentioning the food made by his momma, Duncan and Courtney felt their stomachs groaning as a good memory passed on their minds, and even dropped a bit of drool on the corner of their mouths.
The Caribean Food from DJ's Momma was something that made both Courtney and Duncan have a good memory into thinking that sometimes being hungry and patient was worth it.
The Caribean Fusion Feast. It was indeed something only their stomaches could miss at that moment, and weeks of eating the terrible slob from Chef Hatchet made the pain even more unbearable, the Jerky Chicken Skewers, Coconut Rice and Peas, Ackee and Saltfish Empanadas, Platain Paradise Platter, Mango-Pinapple Salsa, and his mom's Rum's Cake.
"Guys?" DJ asked as both delinquent and C.I.T. were lost in their memories as part of their stomaches were trying to remember the flavors and how they felt rewarded from starving for so long.
"Was it that good?" Eva asked as she stopped punching her bag, and looked at both of the pillars who were in food comma without eating a single food. "What a strange couple. So, what are you going to do?"
DJ didn't answer the question, as suddenly there was a call coming from Chris… making the Killer Bass stop everything they were doing… Because it was now for the challenge of the day.
(Dock of Shame)
It didn't take long until the campers, Chris, and Chef were all gathered up at the Dock of Shame. Izzy who was nearby Owen, was also in front of Heather and Lindsay, as both girls were also staring at Chris waiting for him to explain the challenge, Geoff was still sobbing at the time as Duncan rolled his eyes, and DJ was tapping his back to make sure Geoff would regain his composure. Eva was in front of the Killer Bass as Courtney was by her side. Chris was happy to announce the new challenge.
"Today's challenge is a good old-fashioned game of hide-and-seek," Chris explained but then he was surprised by something unexpected…
"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Eva gave a painful and annoying groan which made most of the group look at her in surprise and fear, and Izzy was smiling however both her eyes were twitching at a quick speed that only the person who could notice was if was personally… And from the speed of twitches on her eyelids, it seems the bodybuilder wasn't the first one to give such a reaction.
(Confession – Eva.)
"5 words, I hate hide-and-seek, unless I'm the person hiding," Eva commented as she snarled at the camera. Her mood seemed to be still showing some of her anger problems, but it was because that game was printed inside her feelings. "The person who is watching me on the television knows what I'm talking about, know that I'm never going to play hide-and-seek with you ever again, you hear me?"
(Confession – Izzy.)
"I had a friend who knows everything about Hide-and-seek, he once managed to hide himself for 16 hours under my nose. It was so fun, I found him, I wanted to kill him, we had good laughs, then I threw him away on the water and passed a week without talking to him." Izzy retold her story as she laughed hard, and then had her smile cracked as she narrowed her eyes at the camera as she was still sore for that fact. "I swear that if I'm the seek, I'm going to go crazy and mess this whole island down. But if I'm the person to hide, then I will be very happy. DID YOU HEAR THAT CHRIS?"
(Confession – Chris.)
"Yes, I heard." Chris said as he didn't even finish the first sentence of the plans of the teams, but now he was forced to come to watch the confessions and answer them because both Eva and Izzy forced him to accept their 'suggestion'. "I had no idea on why those girls were so sore around Hide and Seek, it's just a simple game. And I DIDN'T EVEN TELL THEM THE WORST PART YET."
"Anyway, returning from the interruptions… You all get ten minutes to hide before Chef Hatchet comes looking for you. With his military background and an advanced degree in man-hunting, he's uniquely qualified to make this game excruciatingly hard." Chris explained that the television shows the pictures of Chef in his military uniform as also his graduation clothing as he standing there in front of everyone with a proud smile on his face. And behind his back, the buff cook proceeded to pull out a water gun of all things, and started pumping up the pressure on it.
"What's with the water gun?" Duncan asked as Chef aimed a laser pointer attached to the water gun at Duncan's forehead. This made the delinquent from a bored teenager to a person who just realized the danger in front of him.
"The lifeguard chair is home base," Chris explained as he gestured his hand to the lifeguard chair which everyone questioned if it was always there or not. "When he finds you, Chef will try to spray you. If you escape his blast, you can try to run to home base. But if he catches you on your way, he'll douse you."
"Ooh, so we're gonna get splashed by a bit of water!" Duncan sarcastically let out while dancing around mockingly, getting a few chuckles from everyone. "Now I'm terrified!"
Chris, however, gave a bit of an evil grin to Duncan before turning to Chef.
"Why don't you demonstrate, Chef?" Chef gave his own evil grin as he pumped the water gun a few more times…before aiming it at Chris. When Chef pressed the trigger, instead of just a small stream of water shooting out, the water gun shot out water at speeds and volumes comparable to a fire hose. Everyone flinched at the power of the water gun that had knocked Chris all the way back to the cabins. Which made Chris yell from far away after he had his entire body and hair completely soaked. "Not on me, dude!"
"So how do we win this game?" The queen bee asked as she knew that the more chances for her to have a victory the better, and now she is in an alliance with both Izzy and Lindsay, and the idea of Izzy controlling Owen, makes her still a bit aware of the other group of 6 who were still on the game, and with the less opportunity to get herself eliminated the better. Anything could mean victory, but also any mistake could make you leave the show.
"You've got three options," Chris explained as he tried to wring out his clothes and hair the best he could. "One, don't get discovered in your hiding place. Two, run to home base before Chef blasts you. Three, once you've been caught, help Chef find other campers. Do any of those, and you win invincibility. All clear?"
Chris explained as Chef gave a wide smile, inviting the campers to snitch each other and help him to find the people for him. And at the time Lindsay was about to say something she felt a pinch on her butt which made her yelp and turn her face to Heather, who lead her head to one side, and with that, Lindsay gave a sigh of relief.
"You get ten minutes to hide. GO!" With that, all the campers quickly ran off, Lindsay saw Heather going in a direction, and she immediately saw Chef pumping his water gun, she started to scream as she was following Heather in fear.
A few minutes passed as Lindsay continued to scream until Heather stopped at a location and turned her head angrily at the blond girl.
"WOULD YOU STOP SCREAMING?" Heather shouted as Lindsay immediately shut herself down, which made Heather take deep breaths until she looked around.
"Sorry, it's because I was in a panic. I'm so glad that you are helping me, Heather." Lindsay was scared of the opportunity to be left alone, but seeing Heather guiding her somewhere, they would have a chance to survive the challenge. And at the time Heather was about to say something, suddenly they heard some metal clank sounds which made the duo turn their heads in a direction to what was surprisingly a... bush?
Both girls walked slowly until suddenly there was a fake metal door opening which surprised both girls, and from the inside, there was the famous crazy girl, who just looked at both Izzy and Heather happy.
"Hey girls, nice to see you there, you have to check this place." Izzy smiled crazily as both Lindsay and Heather stared at each other, but having no place better to hide, they decided to follow the suggestion of the madwoman as each of them got inside, and the next moment, the metal door made a clanking sound as once more the bush was disguised in front of everything, and with that the hideout for the trio of girls was safe.
Heather looked around, and from the inside, it seemed to be a very improvised construction, which could see only metal plates surrounding them, from different colors, and to her surprise... There were foods and drinks like water bottles and juice boxes inside.
Lindsay's eyes sparkled as she was ready to squeal in delight, but Izzy immediately used her finger to shush the blonde girl.
"Shhhhh, Chef Hatchet can hear any moment, so the best thing we can do it's to be in silence, we cannot raise our voices, because if he finds out about this place, not just he will blast us with the water gun, but he will be way more furious because I robbed his fridge to fulfill this place," Izzy commented as she saw Lindsay nodding her head in acceptance. "Good, I made this place because I thought this would be my secret hideout in case I wanted to take Chef's food again, but since it's for hide-and-seek, I think this is the best place for us to hide."
Heather couldn't help but be impressed and flattered to now know the secret stash of food from Chef's fridge, that would be a good place for her and Lindsay to also take some beverage around since Izzy seemed to be so eager to share.
"Not going to lie, but I have to tell you this place is well done." Heather complimented as Izzy laughed quietly, Lindsay was having a great time as she was eating a few potato chips, since now she was safe and without worry.
"Oh that's nothing, I learned that from a friend who is an expert in hide-and-seek." Izzy waved her hand as she looked around and told the duo about the idea. "Also he advised me to never bring soda inside because it could potentially cause some problems, I don't know why, but he told me to never trust sodas inside hideouts."
Heather and Lindsay glanced at each other, and then just shrugged. It wasn't the craziest thing Izzy ever told to them, but at least they were already starting to get used to the times the crazy girl suddenly showed her true side, but sometimes when they kept talking with her, they didn't know if the true side or the crazy side are the same or not, it's difficult to distinguish which one is which.
"So what about Owen? Do you think he has a chance of not being spotted?" Heather commented as Izzy nodded her head at her.
"Yeah, that's a huge possibility, and since we need his vote for the future, we cannot let them vote him out. So I'm going to distract Chef whenever Owen is, and that way. I could guide him to go to the lifeguard chair. And in case I get captured, I'm going to use it to capture a Bass, especially the ones who need to be voted out." Izzy commented as both Lindsay knew which one was.
"You mean DJ?" Lindsay offered but Heather had a better idea.
"Go for Geoff." Both Lindsay and Izzy turned their heads for the queen bee, and the girl smirked as it seemed that even the military genius was surprised by her suggestion. "That boy is a mess, so eliminating him from this challenge and giving him the temptation to reunite with his girlfriend would make him willing to get out of the show. While DJ is still hesitating to leave, we need more time with him to make him willing to give up."
"That's a reasonable point. I was thinking of preventing Chef from finding anyone, and then using that to only let Chef find Duncan, and that way we can take out one of the pillars." Izzy commented as both girls had their eyes wide open, and Izzy giggled at their disbelief. "However, I wouldn't like to put too much effort into doing that, and possibly showing all my skills on television and the idea of our alliance to be exposed. So yeah, DJ or Geoff, the first one I find would go. That, if I was captured, so let's hope that doesn't happen."
And with that, Izzy opened the door, and left the duo speechless, once again surprised by the prowess and how strong the players were in front of them.
While all the campers were running to find a place to ride, Eva knew exactly what she was going to do. Something so simple, and yet so idiotically difficult to spot made not just her, but the group of losers trying to find that stupid and creative homeschooled boy who decided to do a simple idea into accepting the bet from Tyler. Tyler really deserved the beating for disturbing their whole day into trying to find Ezekiel from a game that he has total control over.
"A simple hide-and-seek they said, it's not difficult to find him, they said. It's just been one hour, he can't hide for that long, they said." Eva grunted as she launched all the boys' sheets to the roof but took two of the sheets for herself and had a hammer and a few nails. She quickly took a few pillows placed inside of one of the sheets and hammered in the corner above the door. She knew one spot that made the whole group of campers get crazy with Ezekiel disappearing for almost the whole day.
Eva quickly went into the girl's cabin, and one of the corners of the bedroom, she made sure to make the right angle, near the door, and using the hammer and nails, she made a simple yet very effective hideout for herself, a ranging net, in an angle which made the lump of her body being part of the girl's cabin, and comfortable enough for her to lay on there for hours. She did the same thing on the Boy's cabin to make sure it would be symmetrically done without creating a suspicion of having something different between 2 cabins.
For a homeschooled boy, that tactic was not just genius, but devilish, because the best way to hide it is under the nose most of the time.
"16 *beep* hours for this spot, I don't know how he managed to do that, but If I win the immunity with this, I know Chef is going to be *beep*" Eva smirked as everything she needed to do now, was to relax and uses her MP3 to pass the whole day enjoying the challenge.
While Eva and Izzy already had experience with great spots they should hide. Heather and Lindsay were having a great time eating and playing the waiting game.
The Killer Bass members were still struggling with the challenge. In particular, they made a single rule for themselves.
Do not hide in the Aquarium, because if the Chef uses that water gun aimed at the hot tub or Eva's trailer, it could potentially cause some damage, and they don't want to infuriate Evar for losing any of them.
Since the group came to an understanding, each of them separated to find their secret spot. Duncan found himself a different cave to hide, while Courtney went to the boat's house, a squirrel was walking around when suddenly a nut fell above its head, which made the creature glance at the tree, and Geoff was into one of the branches, didn't dare to be on the top. As he continued to be sobbing around for a single thing.
"This wood reminds me of her... WUAHHHHHHHHHHHHH, WHY BRIDGETTE, WHY?" Geoff cried which made many annoyed squirrels roll their eyes, and have their chestnuts in their hands to aim directly at the cowboy. But since every time the chestnut hit the party boy, nothing let it out from his trance of missing his girlfriend.
(Confession - Geoff.)
"Any kind of fool could see! S-Something… something, uh… about you! Hey, Bridge! Sendin' out mucho love to… wherever it is that the Boat of Losers takes you!" Geoff felt really affected by the departure of his girlfriend as he started to sing poorly in the confession room, and while he thought everything was right suddenly the door was slammed open. "AHHHHHHHHHHHH."
"You are a terrible singer," Chef said as shot the first victim of his skills. And making the cowboy hat boy look at him in disbelief. Chef chuckled. "The confession bots were never a safe ground, they always fall for that."
Geoff stared at the camera, and seeing Chef leaving, he couldn't help but facepalm himself.
Geoff got out from the confession boot completely soaked, as he didn't notice the emerald eyes staring at him like a Cheshire cat who had just eaten a canary.
"Welp, I didn't even lift a finger on that, poor Geoff, missing someone so much on the verge of making a mistake," Izzy commented as she then looked around, thinking about which place would probably be the best to find the chubby camper Owen, she was now into a mission. To make sure to clean all the tracks Lindsay and Heather left, from hair to even smells, she used her military training to make sure her bush would be invisible and mixed with nature. "Sometimes I wonder why I'm carrying this alliance so much... oh yeah because it's fun to mess with the others. Hahahaha."
To say whatever you want, she isn't the seeker, so that means she is having fun in the game. So while she was trying to find the cheerful Screaming Goopher, she had to keep her eyes all on Chef, so the best strategy was to follow him around until she found traces of him.
Gwen took a part of the grass and by laying on the ground, it made a good lump above the ground covered with grass, as her eyes looked side to side, and satisfied with her position, she finished the disguise by placing her head on the floor, but when she heard a squirrel approaching her, she took the moment to punch the poor animal away from her spot.
.
.
.
DJ looked gloomy since the homesickness was hitting him hard, he wasn't sure if he should continue in the game or not, but since he was still in the competition, he decided to still give his all, so in case he lost the challenge, and there isn't a better option, he could suggest himself to be voted out. He wouldn't need to use the word Condor since he still could keep up with the game, but for how long? He doesn't know.
.
.
.
Geoff was now in bad sheets since he was the first one captured, he needed to find someone before the Chef or he would be on the verge of elimination, however the more he looked, the more he found things that looked like the girl who just left from the last challenge. Getting at the Boat House, the party boy couldn't keep, and once again started to do what he could.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, BRIDGEEEEEEEEE, COME BACK." Geoff shouted as he started crying in the middle of the scariest place on the island, this time the answer wasn't the silence he was expecting.
"GEOFF," A familiar shout as the party boy looked at would be at a shark suspended on the hook on the ceiling. But the shark who shouted his name had a female voice in it. "SHUT UP."
"Err..." Geoff usually would have cried, if wasn't for the fact he was more confused... to see a shark shouting at him was not on his list of craziness happening on the island. "Sorry to disturb you, Mrs Shark, but I'm kinda missing my girlfriend."
"Who are you calling Mrs Shark?" Then the familiar voice came once again as the head of Courtney got out from inside of the said animal.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," Geoff screamed as he saw what would be the head of one of his friends coming from the mouth of a shark, and since the shock was too much for him, the party boy faint which led the C.I.T girl blinked at one of her friends being knocked out.
"Well, at least he stopped crying," Courtney commented as she got herself back to the stuffed shark, and with that secured her position of immunity until the time ran out.
Owen walked around the forest, trying to reach the best place to hide, however, he had one disadvantage which mostly everyone could understand, even his family. They were never good at hiding because of the proportion of their weight, and usually, games like hide and seek would take too much from him. But still, it was a very fun game to play and he enjoyed a very good game.
At the time he was ready to pass another tree, suddenly he felt a hand over his shoulder and pulled him directly to a tree.
"Ahhh, don't hurt me," Owen said as he tried to cover his face, but then he heard a giggle which made him slowly look at the person who was. "Oh, hey Izzy."
"Hey Owen, I was thinking of already going to the safe point to save myself, but then I realized that you may want some help, I can distract Chef while you run at the safe house." Izzy smiled in excitement, and Owen who usually would never thought about the possibility of winning immunity like that was surprised.
"Really, you can do that?" Owen commented as he gave a hug to the crazy military girl who just giggled from his hug. "You are the best Izzy."
"Yeah, I know, so I was thinking into a plan, I'm going to be in the Chef's shadow, and you will be a bit far away in distance, and when I get into a conflict with the Chef, you can sneaky away from us, and go directly at the safe point." Izzy started to explain the plan as Owen slowly nodded his head, and even as excited as he could be, he couldn't help but also feel scared as well.
(Confession - Owen)
"Wow, Izzy is kinda smart, and courageous, she said she is willing to go against Chef to help me, she is so awesome," Owen commented as he couldn't help but feel scared of the consequences. "I wouldn't have the courage to fight Chef, he kinda scares me, and I wouldn't have liked it if he used a water gun at me, I just hope she is going to be fine."
(?)
As the animals start to run away from him, Chef Hatched is on a mission, trying to find and humiliate every single camper who thinks is smarter than him, by using decades of military training, hunting, and all the skills he learned from the difficult challenges of life, he was ready to prey upon every single camper who dared to make fun of his skills, and now he is going to enjoy every single minute of him.
His steps were fierce and strong, and as he was walking he couldn't see that a few meters away by his side there was Izzy who was clearly imitating him, as she was giving the same training as a child, she knew exactly how Chef Hatchet think when it comes about war strategies, since they both had stories together, since from her mother as herself, both knew that some times the Chef who take care of the food can be very predictable oh he is going to point the weapon forward and back.
Izzy imitated him by pointing the finger and making a pout like she was aiming a gun and clearly was acting like a mirror from the Chef who had been aiming his gun, to see if he could find any aim or any movement from the forest. But something on his mind was telling him that he had been followed, so he quickly turned his back, but there was nothing on there, just a red bush in the middle of that forest. Ignoring that bush he continued his journey to hunt down the campers.
Izzy slowly raised her head and saw Chef giving a good distance, then Izzy used her arm to wave at Owen who was a few meters away from her, and nearby a tree. Slowly but exactly as Izzy was telling, Owen was impressed over seeing the girl doing so much for him, and she was being a great help to him.
So at the time, Owen was going in her direction, Izzy returned to her mission to follow Chef and be his shadow until it got the perfect time to strike, and that would be the signal for Owen to get the immunity.
Izzy quickly followed Chef with a grin on her face, from the way Chef walked and even paused, Izzy was having the time of her life because she couldn't wait to watch on the television and even her friends to watch and laugh at Chef Hatchet making fool of himself. Especially since both of them have been scratching their butts as a way to pause. After a few more steps she knew Chef would try to aim at her, so she quickly jumped behind the rock.
Chef knew something was testing his reflexes, but he didn't bother at all, somehow he was going to find them, and his gun was ready for that. The challenge just has started, and if they manage to get hidden from him until 4 p.m., then it would be their victory. Fair and square. But he just started, the things will get more interesting when someone who is lucky or courageous enough to get the safe house first.
So at the time he walked around Chef finally reached the Kitchen, which was the best place for only the suicidal, and people who would challenge him had the courage to appear in the forbidden zone, and he was eager to see the ones who would try to do it...
Slowly opening the door, Chef was ready...
Izzy saw Chef getting inside the Main Lodge, which was exactly what she was hoping for.
"Owen I think that's it, I'm going to hold him off the strong as I can, so please when I get inside go the fast as you can, and try to go to the home base okay?" Izzy instructed as Owen gave a gulp and looked at the distance between the Dock of Shame and the Main Lodge, it wasn't far away, but for a fat boy like him, it would take a while, especially if his body failed at him... "Here, take this water bottle, if your body starts to shut down, drink this and keep running."
"Thank you, Izzy, you are the best." Owen smiled and even gave a good hug to the crazy camper who laughed and tapped on his back...
"That's fine, now, go. I will hold him off" Izzy gave a last smile, while she took a quick step and gave a lot of acrobatic jumps until she landed perfectly passing the little entrance from the window, and from seeing Chef checking corner by corner, from fridge to stove on his empire, the kitchen. She smirked as she slowly crawled from the windows until she got to the ceiling of the Main Lodge. And she just needed the right timing.
As she saw Chef exited the kitchen and entered the main area of the lodge where the campers ate every day. She was ready to give a good strike until suddenly she felt a discomfort around her nose. She saw Chef figured it was a good idea to look around the entire lodge for campers while he was there. He looked up the chimney and under the tables but couldn't seem to find anything. Until… The discomfort on Izzy's nose was too much and she couldn't hold it for too long.
"Achoo!"
Chef's eyes widened as he heard a feminine sneeze…coming from above him. Looking up at the ceiling, he saw none other than Izzy on the ceiling, supporting herself up with the wooden beams
"Oops." Izzy let out a sheepish smile as Chef looked up in surprise, wondering how she got up there in the first place. "I guess you heard that, huh? Heheheh…ayayayaya!"
Izzy then let out a battle cry as she fell from the ceiling and landed right on top of Chef, using him as a springboard and sending him to the ground, Izzy flipped and landed on the opposite side of the lodge and turned her head to glare at Chef.
The camp cook quickly recovered from Izzy's attack and looked at his water gun. He could spray her right here and now…but that would be too easy. And from seeing their story together, he knew that girl would actually find a way to disarm him and use his own gun against him... So Chef proceeded to drop his water gun onto the floor. Izzy completely turned back to face Chef as she saw the challenge he was proposing to her. And the psycho hose beast was itching for a fight. Chef remembered the eager kid from the military training, chaotic and eager for a fight exactly like her mother, the bucket chicken incident was what mostly made what would have been a great friendship between them into a whole mess he accidentally shot her chest in a sparring fight. Since that day, teaching the leader of the Infantile squad to learn discipline, war tactics, and even desire for combat... A girl he knew clearly that even as the many times she knocked from a fight, he couldn't be mad at her, she was one of his best soldiers, and he was once again giving her a bit more discipline.
Losing for her or for her mother, he didn't care, but when it was his victory in battle, he tended to teach them both a lesson. Even though he isn't the same as the prime, he will always be glad to sharpen his skills just for the sake of giving this ginger a lesson.
But Izzy and Chef were perfectly still at first. Glaring right into each other's eyes while waiting for the other to make the first move. Chef cracked his knuckles as Izzy cracked her neck. The tension in the air was incredibly thick…as Izzy charged at Chef.
The orange-haired girl let out a battle cry as she ran forward, making the first attack. But Chef had the reflexes to defend himself as with every single blow and attack Izzy sent his way, the camp cook quickly and easily blocked. Eventually, Chef got the upper hand as he caught Izzy off guard and landed an attack on her that sent her back to the other side of the lodge.
Izzy managed to recover and wiped a single drop of blood that fell from her lip. Chef smirked at her, but Izzy quickly got back into a fighting position and made a 'come on' gesture with her hand. Chef quickly responded to the gesture and was the one to charge at Izzy this time. Similar to before the two traded blows and quickly blocked each other's hits. But when Chef went in for a punch, Izzy surprised him by giving a split, she smirked as she could see Chef knowing what would happen next. Exactly at that moment, Izzy gave a punch to his crotch, which made Chef flinches in pain, but standing on his ground.
"Why you little." Chef even if he was feeling pain in his inner region, refused to let another lose on his record, so he quickly jumped in the direction of the girl who had her eyes wide open by his sudden movement, and both of them started rolling to the ground, trading blows as it became a combination of mixed martial arts, but also combined with military training on the ground.
That battle lasted for a few minutes until Chef realized that it had been taking so long. So in the last resort of victory, Chef gave an arm lock, holding with all his strength...
"Err... Chef, what are you holding?" Then Izzy's voice came into his ear, which made Chef realize something was wrong, and at the time he looked at his arms, he noticed that he had an armlock on himself. Looking slowly at his soldiers who were between laughing and holding her laugh, she decided enough was enough. "Okay, let's make this a tie... Byeeeee."
Izzy immediately ran away as she did the best possible idea, to take the water gun from the floor and launched it through the window, which made Chef notice that he had been fooled by his soldier, he was between a proud commander, to a pissed off military, and he wanted to have her head on a plate.
"IZZYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY." Chef shouted as Izzy quickly ran away she laughed through her run, never thinking that this combat had been way more fun than before.
Izzy was having the time of her life, enjoying the challenges like that and being the hider instead of the seeker, being the person to hide was more fun, because she knew that at the time both she and Owen got on the home base, Chef was going into his supreme hunting mode, and that would something that she didn't want to get. Thank God for the small mercies.
Seeing Owen near the lifeguard chair, only for a few more seconds, she was almost there.
"NOW I GOT YOU." Izzy could hear a shrive on her spine as she heard Chef pumping the water gun, and quickly she needed to act, so by a last attempt, she heard Chef shooting at her, so she gave a low jump, which tackled both her and Owen to the ground, and thankfully both of them touching the lifeguard chair.
"And it seems that both Izzy and Owen are safe." Chris appeared as he could see the person who managed to have the immunity to the challenge.
"WOHOOOOOOOOO, WE DID IT IZZY." Owen gave a crush bear hug to the military girl, who accepted it with gusto and even used her own strength to give a bear hug to him, which made him happy as well.
Chef walked in silence as he glared at both the chubby boy and the crazy girl, and Izzy who knew what that could mean at that moment, gulped, because, from that moment, Chef would now go through the limit.
"Well Chef, it seems you don't only lost one, but two of them." Chris gave a smirk but then paused as the Chef stomped in the direction of the forest... And at that time the silence spoke by itself.
It was the time for the hunt. Poor bastards who would be upon his way, looking at the clock from his Kitchen, he found that it was still 1 p.m, he had 3 hours to find the kids, and he wasn't going to stop, until every single one of them pray for mercy to whoever God they pray, because he by himself wasn't going to give any of it.
1:25 p.m
Chef used every single of his senses to identify his prey, instead of his usual strong steps, this time he slowly crouched on the floor, as he examined every single difference towards the camp, from seeing slight footsteps to even some difference in the ground before. A little mark over the earth, indicating the head of a squirrel who was launched away, the speed and trajectory, Chef slowly walked until he found what he wanted. And gave a strong step.
"OUCH." Gwen raised herself by feeling someone step on her and suddenly felt something aimed at her face... It was the water gun and a very serious Chef who was with bloodshot eyes.
*SPLASH.*
And just like that she felt the pressure of a water gun that made her being launched away from a few meters, at the end of the track, she felt soaked and traumatized, not realizing that nearby her, there was a squirrel that looked vindicated from the punch it got a few hours ago.
2:10 p.m
DJ felt comfortable remaining on the roof of the Main Lodge, he was sure that nobody would find him at that moment. Until he noticed there was a little red spot aiming on the roof, and slowly aimed directly at his hand... Turning his head, he found in his nightmares, Chef aiming his water gun at a right angle and ready to strike.
"Momma." That was the last word he said when he felt the water pressure hitting his body and with enough potency to make DJ lose his grip, and slowly go down from the roof and crash on the floor.
Gwen flinched into seeing the giant fall like a sack of potatoes.
2:50 p.m
Chef used all his knowledge of the field, tactics of the track, and military strategy to identify the speed of the wind, smell, and even lick the floor to see the temperature of the place... Until he noticed one thing with the corner of his eyes... A green hair, which by using the trajectory and direction... He knew where the delinquent would be...
.
.
.
The campers looked horrified, that instead of Chef going after the boy, Chef simply took a few smoke grenades and immediately launched inside of the cave. After a few seconds of smoke explosions, loud coughs could be heard as the bad boy finally got out of the seclusion... Just for the next moment he stopped and used Chef as support. He didn't notice the water gun was aimed straightly at his face...
*SPLASH*
And Duncan was now coughing from a combination of smoke and water from his lungs, which would by far be something cruel as a way to die... But then he felt a pressure on his chest by a stomp which quickly made Duncan spit out all the water and smoke from his lungs. And he opened his eyes, staring at Chef who once again was aiming his watergun to his face.
"You already found me," Duncan said in fear, but then he palled after seeing the cruel smile on his face.
"Yes, but you need discipline." Master Chief's tone of voice made Duncan gulp before closing his eyes as he felt he just received the final nail of his coffin.
*SPLASH*
3:10 p.m
Chef checked around the entire forest, then went cave through the cave, and even examined the Killer Bass Aquarium just to make sure nobody would be hiding inside of the trailer, since none of those places had anyone, he returned around the camp until he looked around to see the boy's cabine sheets over the roof, and blasting the door open to see the beds without sheets, Chef looked everywhere until he saw a lump of the net on the corner, so at the time he gave a slight look, he just found out pillows... And scoffed, probably decoration made by the interns.
After looking at the girl's cabin, Chef saw the beds with sheets and even the same lump net on the corner of the door. Which made him nod his head in affirmation, it was indeed a decoration, so he didn't want to waste his time and return to his hunt. Until he suddenly heard footsteps from outside and turned to see the group who were there helping him to find the other campers. But quickly on his feet, Chef aimed and shot in the direction of his victim.
"WOAHHHHHHHHHH." Then a familiar voice could be heard, it was the cowboy hat camper who he had spotted on the confession boot. "Why did you do that?"
"Reflex. Where have you been?" Chef snarled as the boy scratched his head ashamed.
"I was trying to find the other campers, but I lost control of myself, and then I got a nightmare," Geoff commented as he made the hunter of campers raise his eyebrow. "It was a shark who just ate my friend Courtney, and I was screaming like crazy since I thought the shark could talk."
Chef rolled his eyes, as he couldn't believe what kind of stupid dream was. And Geoff seemed to have taken offense on that.
"Hey, it was pretty real, I mean the boat house was really scary, and anything could be there to scare you," Geoff commented as suddenly Chef paused, and then a few thoughts appeared in his mind... He indeed missed a spot that has been so obvious before.
"The boat house, of course. That was the only place I didn't check yet." Chef slapped himself on the head as he started to run in that direction, Geoff had no idea that he just snitched one of his friends, but since he wasn't aware of what he had just done, as he sat on the stairs... Until he looked to the corner and saw Duncan looking extremely angry at him.
"Hey Duncan what's up?" That was the last thing he remembered before he got a punch in the face.
3:40 p.m
Chef slowly walked inside of the boat house, knowing that any kind of harsh movements would scare the prey and even make them flee from him... He was ready to show that little brat something about what a true military can do, and from checking over the floor, he noticed on the water... a few brown strands of hair on the water... and as the party boy had said, the shark had indeed eaten the girl.
Courtney was feeling happy, her hideout was so creative and there was no way somebody would find her... Until she screamed in fear when the madman Chef came from under the water looked straight at her and aimed the water gun at her face.
"OH SH..."
*SPLASH*
Courtney got out from the stuffed shark as she glared hatefully at the Chef who was pumping more his water gun.
"You cannot do that to us, I'm going to sue you," Courtney commented angrily until she felt at the mercy of the aimed water gun on her face once again.
"Care to repeat that again?" Chef said slowly, but even Courtney had to gulp the fear she had at that moment.
"No no no, I'm going to be quiet." Courtney sweated cold as she saw the Chef scoffing in her direction and marched outside of the boat house... All soaked from the weapon which should be illegal to be sold in Canada, that water gun isn't a joke, it could be used to drown someone if not careful.
At the time the C.I.T girl got outside, she just found that Gwen, Duncan, DJ, and Geoff were all soaked, which made Courtney raise her eyebrow in surprise.
"Why Geoff is with a black eye?" Courtney asked as she could see the boy flinching and looking at her sheepishly...
"Well, you see..." Geoff forgot the reason he was crying before because now he knew the deep danger was about to happen, and maybe if he could just say something and start running would be for the best, "So... you see..."
.
.
.
"YOU WHAT?" Chef listened to the screech from the irritating brat who just found out that she had been snitched, and while Chef knew that he captured some campers, there were some on the ride, and he couldn't help but be surprised by their persistence and strong will.
3:59 p.m
Chef used all the tactics, skills, and his entire knowledge, and yet 3 girls managed to outsmart him into finding spots impossible to discover... Chef had to admit, those girls were good. He explored every corner of the forest, went into each cave, looked at the bathrooms, looked at the rocks, went over the water, and even on the cliff, they weren't there.
All he had to do was now to nod his head, accept his defeat, and commend the girls who managed to win fairly and square over the difficult challenge of hiding from a dangerous soldier.
"Aaaaand that's time," Chris commented as Chef nodded his head, and released the water gun. "It seems there wasn't only Izzy and Owen who got the immunity, but there was also Eva, Lindsay, and Heather who managed to get the immunity in the first place."
"Well, good luck in finding them," Chef commented as he decided to take a chair for himself to sit and rest after the long and harsh challenge.
"Oh, I know where they were." Then a voice made Chef freeze and slowly turn his head directly at Izzy who was so cheerful by knowing something that Chef doesn't know. "I'm going to bring them. Be right back."
Chef felt his eyes twitch, but at least he couldn't do anything at that moment, what happened just happened and he ha... WHAT THE HELL?
"WHAT THE *BEEP*, ON THE GIRL'S DORM?" Chef shouted angrily as he saw Izzy brought out from the girl's dorm, the bodybuilder who had the biggest smirk on her face. "H-how. HOW?"
"Trust me, I got angry like this when the person revealed where he has been hidden, for the sake of your sanity, and to avoid you going rampage, it's for the best if you don't know," Eva commented as her friends looked at her in surprise, fear, and respect, only someone crazy would be able to survive the challenge by hiding in the girl's dorm.
"Okay soldier, I will keep that in mind, you survived all my tactics, so you have my utter respect." Chef had to throw the towel because only someone being able to was invisible deserved to get the immunity, and he threw everything around the campers, and only the best could survive.
And the next moment coming from the forest was Heather and Lindsay who were jumping on their place as the Chef was staring at the duo in surprise.
"Why they were acting like that?" Chris asked as Izzy was chuckling, Lindsay was holding herself, and Heather was feeling uncomfortable.
"We were in a secret spot, but we drank too much water, and now we need to go to the bathroom, now if you guys excuse us. Come on Lindsay." Heather said as she quickly started running in the direction of good relief, and Lindsay who was on the verge of exploding, followed the queen bee of the desire to relieve themselves from the intense challenge.
"Wow, to be able to hold themselves in hours, they must have been good," Chef commented as he noticed Chris nodding at him.
"Yeah, and I was thinking Lindsay wouldn't have found a place to hide, well, living and learning. At least we have our losers of the day. Geoff, Courtney, Duncan, DJ... You 4 weren't able to survive this challenge, so that means one of you four will be leaving the island. So I will see you all at the campfire.
(Aquarium)
"Okay, I'm curious and I want to know. How did you guys get captured?" Eva asked in surprise as she found not just the 4 members they wanted to vote out had immunity, but it seemed that most of the members who were from her team got captured.
Most of them remained quiet, but Courtney was glaring at the party boy who was trying to look away from the girl.
"I wasn't supposed to be caught, but this excuse of a man decided it was a good idea to snitch where I was to Chef," Courtney said as Geoff flinched Duncan even glared in his direction and DJ facepalmed.
"Look, I'm so sorry, I thought I had a nightmare and you have to admit that you talking inside of a shark really took the best of me," Geoff commented as the group rolled his eyes. And in answer to that Courtney gave a kick on his kiwis which made Geoff go down to his knees while holding his precious. Duncan and DJ flinched and looked away.
But a good part of Duncan felt happy that it wasn't him who received such a strong kick.
"Anyway," Eva called the attention of the group, and every member got their eyes on her. "We need to decide who we are going to eliminate. Since all the members who got immunity will not be able to be voted out, we need to decide who would be the person to get out."
The group was in silence, as DJ and Geoff were feeling terrible over the situation they were in, they probably both wanted to leave the show, but also a good part of them wanted to remain in the game, so how to decide that?
"Welp, let's make this fair, like the old-fashioned way, let's determine the MVP," Duncan commented as he saw the group staring at him, and by shrugging his arms, he decided to give a look at Eva. "Let's just talk about which were the best hideouts, and talk about how were you able to be found. You first Eva."
"Pfff, too easy to hide, but a nightmare to search, in the sheets on the corner above the door," Eva commented as the group stared at her in disbelief. "Had someone doing that, and 7 people couldn't find him for at least 16 hours, hiding under the nose this whole time."
"Okay, I believe in you, since you are the only one who had immunity, then you are the MVP already, again," Courtney commented as she coughed on her fist and composed herself. "I was hiding inside of a suspended shark on the boat house."
"Ohhh, that was creative," DJ commented as Eva nodded her head in agreement, while Geoff looked away and chuckled nervously.
"Alright, we have Princess and Eva, I was hiding in the cave," Duncan commented as the group nodded their heads in satisfaction, even some watched Duncan being forced out to get out from the smoke bomb.
"I was on the Main Lodge roof," DJ explained as a good part of him was still hesitating to leave the show, he decided to be honest.
"I was hiding on the floor while using the grass as my camouflage," Gwen revealing her spot made the group look impressed on her. "Well, it didn't work much since I was one of the first to be spot on. Where did he find you, Geoff?"
And then just like that... Geoff flinched and tried to look away, which made the group raise his eyebrows.
"... ssion booth," Geoff commented shyly as the group stared at him in silence, and noticing that nobody heard him, he decided to tell where he had been...
30 seconds later:
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." Duncan couldn't believe he would be laughing in a situation like that, staring at the cowboy hat who was using the said hat to hide his face in shame, while DJ was trying to hold his laugh, and Eva was shaking her head in disappointment. Courtney was furious, and Gwen was between laughing or having an aneurysm. "Seriously? You were in the confession booth crying over Bridgette and Chef spot you?"
"I can't believe it," Courtney said as she wanted to... "Eva, do you mind if I use your punch bag?"
"Sure, suit yourself, I would also have done that if that happened to me," Eva commented, which made the brown-skinned C.I.T. walk angrily at the good and trustful punchbag the bodybuilder had brought for the stressed Killer Bass.
*BUMP*
Geoff and Duncan saw how Courtney was furious at the moment she gave a good punch which made the punching bag fly a few centimeters in the air while the chains were holding it tight but making noise, even Eva raised her eyebrow impressed by the level of strength over the girl who were one of the pillars. Another punch made both DJ and Geoff flinch since the girl who was one of their leaders seemed to want to hurt someone so badly.
"Well, I think based on the worst performance of today, I think we don't need an explanation on who should go," Duncan commented as Geoff flinched, and while a part of him couldn't help but be ashamed of what he did, but at least he was happy that he would go after the girl he loved.
"I think that's fair," Geoff commented as the Killer Bass once again was losing another member.
"You actually did it," Heather commented as Izzy was eating chocolate on the same secret bush they had been hiding from before. While it was a bit tight, it was still very spacious for the trio to eat some snacks and debate the next steps of their plan.
"It was difficult to distract Chef for so long, I almost got caught, but thankfully we managed to let both DJ and Geoff be captured, but sadly Geoff was caught first. It seems that he was crying so loud, that Chef found him in the Confession Booth." Izzy gave a summary of what happened Lindsay was so happy about using her favorite polish nail, and Heather was drinking a juice box.
"Pff HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." Heather tried to hold her laugh, but she couldn't help it at the time the cowboy really screwed up, and which now the Queen Bee once again felt safe towards the possibility of knowing who would be eliminated next ."That boy is next to go, there is no way that he is going to remain here. From looking at both the punk delinquent and the upside C.I.T., they wanted his head."
Lindsay was blowing at her recently painted fingernails, as she was happy to see the trio happy, and with the idea that more and more chances of them getting the final three was possible.
"But we still need to be on the low radar, we need to find someone to vote but without creating suspicion towards us," Izzy commented as the duo Lindsay and Heather mused by the comment... "We have DJ, Duncan, and Courtney."
"Well, there are three of us, why not each of us vote in each of them?" Lindsay commented as the duo looked surprised at the blond girl who was still admiring her fingernails.
"Well, that was the plan, but I'm glad that you also agreed with the idea," Izzy commented as Lindsay clapped her hands happily. And Heather nodded her head in approval, it seemed their plan to divide and conquer was still in motion. The Killer Bass aren't aware of what's happening to them... and when they find out, it is going to be too late.
(Firecamp - Night)
The campers were all gathered at the campfire. Despite the fact half of them got immunity, that doesn't mean the pressure of the votes couldn't happen. And with the bonfire showing a dramatic effect, anything could happen. Owen, Izzy, Heather, Lindsay, Eva, Gwen, Courtney, and Duncan were holding their marshmallows, what only missed was only one.
"Campers, once again we are in this situation with only one marshmallow, the one who wouldn't get it, that person will have to walk down the dock of shame, get in the boat of losers, and NEVER come back," Chris commented as both the gentle Jamaican, and the party boy remained on their seats, with their heads down, and with the desire to return home. But sadly there were the votes who decided who should stay, and who should go.
"The last marshmallow of the night goes for..." Chris commented as the group stared at each other, Eva glanced at the girls and Owen who seemed to be ignoring the event but even with the tension in the air, any of them both could go...
.
.
.
.
.
.
"DJ," Chris said as the giant got the marshmallow being thrown at him, and with a sigh of relief he still continued on the show. Geoff lowered his head, accepting the defeat but also in relief that he was going to leave the show where he could try to reach Bridgette.
And with that, the campers were reunited to see Geoff leave the show, the crowd gathered in front of the boat, as the group helped Geoff to get in there.
"Thanks for the help guys, sorry for not being very helpful today." The hat boy said sheepishly as Duncan rolled his eyes, and Courtney smiled at him.
"Well at least you can find Bridgette, you should have focused more on the game, but we understand your decision," Courtney said in a politelly and more calm tone, which Geoff was glad that she had forgiven him. "Also, one more gift to wish you good luck."
"Oh really? What is UGH." Geoff who was smiling happily suddenly felt a knee on his crotch, which made all the boys flinch and feel the pain of the party boy.
"Never snitch me again. Got it?" Courtney said slowly and in such a harsh tone that Geoff nodded his head in a hurry. "Good, now good luck in finding Bridgette and say to her that I said hi and I miss her."
"Will do, good luck everyone" Geoff commented as his high-pitched voice came from the painful grunt he had, and just like that, the campers watched another member leave the show. And with 100 thousand 100,000 at stake, the show was going to get harder and harder with the time.
The boat left, and the campers stared at the boat once again taking one of the losers away from the island, now everything they had to do was return to their beds and sleep, the challenge had taken most of them...
If they will still have the courage to remain in the game? Only time will tell.
But that's how it is life in Total Drama.
Chapter 28: That's Off the Chain!
Chapter Text
The travel back home was a bittersweet feeling for Geoff because while he was happy for having a chance to see Bridgette again, he had to admit, that giving Courtney's location by accident near Chef Hatchet wasn't one of his smart decisions.
But seeing himself leaving the island with a boat and finding himself staring at the vast ocean, even if his eye and kiwis hurt, he now felt more peaceful into traveling by the boat.
Until the cowboy hat boy suddenly saw a great view of the resort which made him blink.
"Last stop boy." The captain of the boat instructed as he pointed in the direction of the resort. "Playa del losers. And looking over here, it seems it is kinda crowded."
Geoff blinked until he was surprised to see his friends on the island.
Tyler, Katie, Sadie, Harold, Ezekiel and...
"BRIDGETTE," Geoff shouted as he couldn't believe his eyes, as his girlfriend was also happy to see him.
"GEOFF," Bridgette shouted as the party boy jumped into the sea in the direction of the beach. And the surfer ran towards the beach as suddenly both the wet blond-haired cowboy and the surfer who had been waiting for her boyfriend finally were together once more...
And like a very good romantic movie, their lips went together as a way to celebrate their union.
It was like the time had stopped, and everything was perfect, nothing could ruin that moment.
*Tsk tsk tsk*
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Both Bridgette and Geoff shouted as someone sprayed a liquid on them both. "Oh it burns"
It was Ezekiel who was holding a water spray on his hands.
"No horny for you both," Ezekiel said as both were feeling pain in their skin.
"Ahhh, why it's burning?" Bridgette commented as Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"Because I also add pepper sauce on it," Ezekiel answered which made both duo look at him in disbelief. But he wasn't having it. "Oh no, don't look at me like that. You two were the ones who caused this whole mess?"
"WE?" Both Bridgette and Geoff asked as they were still trying to clean up the painful burns on their faces.
"Yes, you both Mr. I missed my girlfriend so much that I was willing to give up 100 thousand and snitch one of my friends," Ezekiel answered as both flinched with the idea. As other members of Killer Bass with their arms crossed. "And just to make sure we are disappointed with you two, we are going to cross our arms and shake our heads at you in disappointment."
As Ezekiel said, Harold, Katie, and Sadie followed his example as the group gave a disappointed look and shook their head slowly which made Geoff look away in shame.
"Ah knock it off, guys. It was an accident." Bridgette defended her boyfriend as she looked at the happy face of her boyfriend, even with a black eye. She still wanted to kiss him but then was sprayed again " Ahhhhh, why are you still doing that?"
"Because I know that you both are going to be doing that a lot. So if you want to romance your boyfriend, go find a room, but if you are going to be outside start making out a lot. I'm going to spray you both with that." Ezekiel said as he narrowed his eyes. Which made both Geoff and Bridgette have their eyes wide open. "So, go get a room and have fun, but I will be watching you both and use this as a way to remind you both that you lost control of your decisions when you get way too much love. Tree Trunks and Mr. Piggy."
"Who?" Geoff asked as Bridgette tried to remember if she ever read about them before.
"That doesn't matter, now..." Ezekiel gave a slight punch on Geoff's arm and a few taps on the back. "It's nice to see you again Geoff."
Geoff smiled, as even though some of his friends were still a bit mad and disappointed at him, he could feel that their happiness was also genuine...
"Thanks, Zeke. I'm glad to be here." Geoff commented as the group helped the party boy to have his accommodations on the playa del losers. And have a lonely time with his girlfriend.
.
.
.
And three days later, it started another episode of total drama.
"Last time on Total Drama Island…" Chris began the recap of the day! "In a challenge of hide-and-seek, campers had to avoid capture by Chef 'It', or join his guerrilla tactics to tag fellow campers. Some had weak hiding spots while others won invincibility through spots never once thought of before, or some which were so obvious that it could be under the nose all this time. Meanwhile in a surprise twist of events, And though still missing his girlfriend Geoff couldn't control his crying and accidentally snitched the location of Courtney, and man, I didn't wish to be him at the moment both Courtney found out about it. There were goodbyes, a black eye, and some hits on the crotch, but in the end, Geoff finally can be reunited together with his girlfriend, ah the young love... So great for the ratings. Will Courtney find a place in her heart to actually forgive Geoff for exposing her? Will the campers be prepared for another challenge for my amusement? Will I be stuck hosting reality TV for the rest of my life? Find out on this episode of Total. Drama. Island!"
It was a sunny day at Camp Wawanakwa. The campers were deciding to use the downtime to have some fun amongst themselves on the beach, launching frisbee to each other as a good way to enjoy a good day before the challenge. Gween took the frisbee and launched in the air in the direction of Duncan's jump and caught easily. Heather and Lindsay were on the dock eating a few candy bars as they took from the secret stash where Chef had no idea about the secret bush made by Izzy. And as they were enjoying themselves an annoying fly was passing around the girls, and both of them were holding a fly swatter.
"Stay in your position Lindsay," Heather commanded as the blond girl narrowed her eyes, as the devious fly kept annoying both girls for so long. Suddenly, a splash was heard, and with the vicious smile of the queen bee... "Got it."
"Yay." Lindsay cheered as she immediately laid her head and was happy to start the day taking a sun bath.
"Finally, a moment of peace," Heather commented as she enjoyed the idea of not caring about what the Killer Bass was doing with Owen since they were all playing frisbee, Izzy was there and catching the said flying disk with her teeth, and acting like a dog. Heather sometimes could feel impressed by how the crazy woman could be a master of acting because in that way they never could see that the girl had been playing with strings during all this time. And a smirk appeared on her face because it would only need 2 more of them, and then Lindsay and she would have a guarantee of the final 3. But she would need to find a moment to dispose of either Owen or Izzy, but that would be a difficult plan that she would need to do...
But Heather is patient, she knows how to adapt, and having opportunities she would not waste any of them. And as the time both were about to eat another candy bar... They were interrupted by feedback coming from the loudspeakers. "Morning, campers!" Chris' voice was heard throughout the camp. "Your next challenge awaits you at the Arts and Crafts Center!"
"Great. And here I thought we would at least have a moment of peace." The queen bee commented as Lindsay sadly nodded her head at her best friend.
"Do you think we can survive another day?" Lindsay asked as she felt the pressure around the show, each challenge has been more and more difficult, and if wasn't for the fact of the last challenge both girls received a big help from Izzy, she knew that she somehow would have lost on the game, since she was terrible into finding a good spot in hide and seek. Usually, child games were difficult for her, since Dodgeball, Hide and Seek, and even cheekers were something that wasn't part of her strength... And she just hoped she could do something useful for both Heather and Izzy.
Heather narrowed her eyes, but wasn't for Lindsay, but something made her sure of this stupid island, things were never as predictable as she would think. And Chris could always turn their lives like hell.
"I don't know, but we must be prepared for it, whenever we want or not." Heater explained as the blonde bombshell gave a final word on what she was thinking.
"I miss Beth..." Lindsay said sadly as the queen bee paused, and stared at the horizon about how a single camper who would have become her first paw, in a moment of despair and necessity made the queen bee look at her and roll her eyes many times before placing her own her wings and teach the girl on how to be strong and work the game as she did...
"I miss her too..." Heather commented as their conversation stopped, and they were going directly to the place of the challenge, hoping for another chance to remain in the game.
(Arts And Crafts Center)
When they reached the arts and crafts center the campers were…underwhelmed, to say the least.
"Welcome to the Arts and Crafts Center." Chris greeted all the campers as he gestured to the area. Which was pretty much just a shack.
"More like the Arts and Crap Center," Duncan explained the area the best, getting a few chuckles.
"Yeah. This place was kind of a dump. It used to be an outhouse, but now it's where Chef parks his road hog." Everyone watched as Chris kicked down the door to the shack revealing a pretty cool-looking motorcycle as well as a whole bunch of mechanic tools and such. "Which brings us to your challenge. Building your own wheels!"
"Hot rods! Yes! Awesome!" Owen was quick to cheer and held his hand out to Duncan for a high five. "Gimme five! Woohoo! Woohoo."
Duncan gave a glance at the Fatboy, and knowing the always cheerful nature of being like that, he couldn't help but roll his eyes and give Owen what he wanted.
"WOOHOOO." Owen shouted as the group rolled their eyes, but had a smirk on their faces, knowing the boy was literally the energy of optimism around the show.
"You'll find all the parts you need in our bike depot." Chris then kinda brought down the hype of the challenge a bit by gesturing to a pile of bicycle parts. Not motorcycle.
"Bicycles…" Owen tried to keep up the hype but one could tell even he was dwindling a bit on this challenge now. "Less awesome, but still good. Right?"
"Bicycles are the healthy way to do exercises, they train your legs and help you to take a few pounds of the body... which I think you should consider a little," Eva commented as she glanced at Owen who seemed to be in such a big weight, that she sometimes asks herself on how the chubby boy was still alive on that way, knowing that his way of eating isn't healthy at all.
"Pff, exercises." Owen scoffed as he rolled his eyes. "I do plenty, like I get out of my bad, walk around until the kitchen, then go to the bathroom, and that's good enough for me."
(Confession - Eva)
"Owen's attitude towards his health... it's not just disgusting, it's downright scary. People like him treat their bodies like a garbage disposal, and it's not doing him any favors. Seeing him joke about it like it's all fun and games, annoys me. We're out here pushing ourselves to the limit, and he's treating health like it like it's a joke." Eva commented as she glared at the camera. And then wondered about something... A slow smile appeared on her head which made it devious... "I think I know how to fix it..."
"No further questions..." Eva said as she looked at her friends who seemed to be holding their laughs, not knowing that Eva's interaction with Owen seemed to be the funniest thing they ever saw in their lives. "What?"
"Nothing," Courtney said as she coughed on her fist to remain concentrated and waiting for Chris to continue his explanation. "Please carry on Chris."
"Thank you... Now. Once you've collected the basics, you can trick 'em out any way you want using props from the Arts and Crafts Center." Chris explained the first part of the challenge. "Best design wins! And…to prove I'm a nice guy, I'll even throw in a bike manual."
Chris then threw the campers a manual…which was covered in mold.
"Eeeeew!" Heather, the one to catch the manual, let out in disgust. "It's furry!"
Heather was quick to throw the old and moldy book away with Izzy quickly catching it.
"Coooool!" The psycho hose beast let out as she examined all the moldy spots the book had. "Mold spores!"
"Freak." Heather sighed as she didn't know if she was acting like crazy as always, or if she actually lost her mind after working so much as a military agent, and that worried more the queen bee with the pass of the time. Out before looking to the guys and saying. "We get first dibs!"
(Confession - Duncan)
"Finally, a challenge I can get behind," Duncan stated with a grin on his face. One could even say he was a bit excited about this. "I used to build bikes back home with my brothers all the time…okay, so I used to steal them from the dweebs down the street and crash them into the school wall, but the point is, this is something I know."
Courtney and Eva looked at the scraps and each of them had an interesting idea for their projects of bikes around, Izzy gave a slight glance, and something sparkled inside of her mind, something that she knew deeply inside of what would be, her instincts telling her something that made her mind glance at both Lindsay and Heather and her smile came as she looked proud of herself.
Owen walked to see the scraps and was already excited about the challenge.
"Hahahah!" On the other side of the pile, Owen and Duncan were gathering up parts with the former letting out an excited laugh as he grabbed some handlebars. "I'm gonna make my dream bike!"
"Oh my gosh, me too!" Walking up to Owen was Lindsay who heard what the big guy said and was also planning on making her dream bike. "Every year at Christmas, I asked for a Sunset Sally bike but never got one."
This story quickly saddened Owen. Not only that, but it also got DJ who understood the meaning of her words, and at the time she left, Owen and DJ felt devastated
"Really?" The big guy even started to tear up a bit. "Santa never brought you, your…Christmas wish?"
"Man that just ain't right." DJ teared up a bit too as he put a hand on Owen's shoulder. Both boys felt sad and on the verge of crying since both boys still believed in Santa, Duncan would have wanted to intervene and tell them that Santa wasn't real, but seeing both boys still believe it, he needed to approach another way.
(Confession - Owen)
"A person who never got a Santa's Christmas wish must have been one of the saddest feelings in the entire world," Owen commented as he cried in the confession booth, which also used toilet paper to clean up his nose. "Why would Santa forget the poor girl to give her a gift? Maybe I'm going to write a letter to Santa this year to give my Christmas Wish for her."
"Guys," Duncan said as the duo turned their heads at him. "I know that's sad, but this isn't Christmas, it's a challenge we have to make our bikes. Now move on."
.
.
.
Heather glanced at the motorcycle of Chef Hatchet, as she really wanted to take a good moment to elaborate a plan to take what would be a wild card to help her win the challenge. Maybe asking Lindsay to help her dismantle the motor would be good enough for her to have an advantage.
So seeing Lindsay talking to Gwen and Courtney, Heather appeared between them.
"Could I just borrow her for a sec?" Heather said before quickly dragging Lindsay to the front of the shack and handing Lindsay a big wrench. "Lindsay, can you help me to take out the motor from Chef's motorcycle? It would take too long but if we work with two people it would make it faster enough for us to have our bikes working."
Lindsay paused, but knowing that her friend needed her, and the explanation of them 2 working together seemed very logical, she nodded her head for the queen bee.
"Great, let's go. Before Chef comes here." Heather said as she went inside the cabin, and with the blonde girl already following her steps, they planned to do it quickly for them both.
At the time both got inside and were already using the wrench, they were greeted by Eva and Courtney who were behind him.
"What you two are thinking you are doing ?" Courtney commented as Lindsay was using the wrench already on the motorcycle Heather narrowed her eyes.
"Well duh, we are going to take one thing for my bicycle," Heather commented as Courtney used her finger to say something but Heather already could guess what she was going to say. "Chris said we could use any props we can find from the Arts and Crafts, he didn't tell us the motorcycle isn't a prop, so anything is fair."
"I was going to say that if Chef finds out he is going to kill you," Courtney said as she lowered her finger, which was also a valid point. She wanted to tell Heather she was breaking the rules, but knowing how the show works and her boyfriend is actually a delinquent, she isn't going to act hypocritical around that.
"Well, that would be a huge problem for me if I cared," Heather said as she used her own wrench and helped Lindsay dismantle Chef's motorcycle the quickly as possible, Courtney and Eva rolled their eyes and took the material they wanted to make sure their bicycles would make them win the challenge.
"Good luck girls, you are going to need it," Eva commented as she scoffed at the idea of cheating on the queen bee, as long that she didn't mess with her own bicycle, she would live, Eva herself also had some plans to make her bike faster than most.
Both Lindsay and Heather gave a final glance before they returned their focus to take the motor...
.
.
.
"Can you believe in them?" Courtney scoffed as Eva glanced at the girl who was ready to make her own bicycle with it. "Well never mind, let's focus on ourselves. Do you have one idea of a bike in mind?"
"I do, and what about you?" Eva asked as the C.I.T. girl smiled at the idea of what she had in mind.
"Oh, I have something planned for this," Courtney commented as both girls separated and decided to give something interesting for Chris to see later.
(Confession - Courtney)
"Well, when I was a kid, I bought my first bike, it was a kit that I had a great time with my parents building it. And with the passing of the time, I always bought kits for me to go around, and I even went to school with them." Courtney said proudly as she felt a good nostalgia regarding the moments she had over building a bicycle. "And to be fair, in comparison to most of the trash around the island, the material was better than I expected. I can't wait to see Duncan's face when he sees that his 'princess' can build a bike better than his."
And so the building truly began. Owen was inflating what would be the wheel of his bike, but then he gave such force that he accidentally let out a strong fart which hit a seagull that was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and the smell was so putrid, the poor seagull fainted... Whistling innocently, Owen decided to kick the seagull away, Duncan was preparing his bicycle while DJ was case building his armor for protection, and the girls weren't far behind.
"Okay, how is it going yours, Lindsay?" Heather asked as she was giving the final touches to connect the wires of the button to start the motor from the front part of her bicycle. All she needs to do it's to make the other half and she would be ready to show the good work she did.
"I did the bottom half. That way I can focus on the decoration of my bike of the dreams, I can't wait to make it so beautiful." Lindsay said happily as she already prepared her pony head and even some glitter to make it ready for everything on the challenge.
Heather rolled her eyes, since having a bike of the dreams in a trash dump like that, would actually mean the bike of nightmares, but she decided to focus on her work, until suddenly...
"Woohoo! Hey, Heather!" Calling out to the girl with a tude was the orange head Izzy…sitting on a completely finished and rather decent-looking bike. Which made Heather have her eyes wide open, she remembered she and Lindsay were the first to take the material, and Izzy was practically the last girl to take any kind of material. "Come with me, kay? I've already built my bike!"
"How did you build a bicycle that fast?" Me and Lindsay were the first to take the material and we just did half of them." Heather asked with a surprised tone as she walked towards the military psycho-actress beast.
"Oh, my brother was a mechanic before he got run over and developed a fear of motor vehicles," Izzy explained with a laugh before patting the handlebars of her bike. "Come on! Let's take it for a test drive! Woohoo!"
Heather glanced at Lindsay, and then back at Izzy, and the crazy girl was using her eyes to indicate the direction of the cameras, so Izzy clearly wanted to give something important.
"Alright." Heather agreed with a scoff. "It's better to be good, or you are in trouble, you crazy girl."
(Confession - Heather)
Heather looked at the camera, all dirty, sweaty, and angry who could swear that she could kill anyone at any moment.
.
.
.
"Never again" It was the only message that she had said but the message was clear, anyone nearby her would suffer terrible pain.
.
.
.
And so Heather took up Izzy's offer. The seat was somewhat bigger enough for the both of them with Heather in the front and Izzy sitting right behind her.
"Sweet!" Izzy cheered as Heather adjusted herself on the bike. "Prepare yourself because this is going to be an awesome ride!"
"You better make it quick because I...AAHHHHHHHH" Heather said with a small glare. Not knowing in the next second Izzy put her feet on the pedals and went as fast as she could. Heather quickly started screaming as Izzy went full speed and sent the two of them forward… pedaling down a steep incline that only sped them up more.
"HEATHER, IZZY," Lindsay shouted as she saw both girls traveling down at a huge speed she never thought of seeing her friend, and a good part of her felt fear because Heather wouldn't be seen again... "Okay Lindsay, remember what they said to you before... in case Izzy doing something you don't understand, ignore it and focus on yourself, she knows what she is doing."
Lindsay had to repeat that during many challenges as the time she thought Izzy would kill her and Heather, but every time she thought something was about to happen, she always got surprised by how she survived the challenge... But now, she was alone, because her best friend was kidnapped.
But she knew Izzy would never do that without a good reason, so she had to trust in herself and finish the challenge...
"Oh no, Heather's bike." Lindsay gasped as she found that half of the bike was undone, and possibly if Chris found out Heather's bike was half-made, it would show that she would be eliminated...
"What are we going to do?" Suddenly someone appeared above on the blonde's shoulder, a slim young woman with silver-like skin, and mid-thigh-length blonde hair with bangs styled in a somewhat messy way, colored in a gradient of periwinkle with noticeable white tips. Her eyes have light blue sclera, white-outlined darker-colored pupils, and deep-purple eyelashes, while her three freckles are white and are located on each of her cheeks and her nose. She also has six white feathered wings on her back and has a light blue halo decorated with small, tiara-like spikes hovering above her head. Wearing princess-inspired clothing which consists of a light periwinkle gown, featuring a darker-colored stripe around the high-frilled collar, darker-colored trimming and details on the short light blue puffed sleeves, a darker-blue star-pattern on the chest, and darker-blue triangular-like patterns on the hem with small diamond-shaped between the mounds. In addition, she accessorizes with a light blue sash worn around her waist. She also wears a set of fingerless pale-periwinkle opera gloves which cover most of her arms, which appear to be skin-tight and act as long sleeves for her dress. For footwear, she wore blue ballerina-like shoes. Angel Lindsay exudes an aura of innocence and purity.
"My shoulder angel," Lindsay said with a bit of comfort, looking at the tiny version of herself.
"Don't worry, Lindsay, we'll figure this out about this bike challenge. We can't let Heather get eliminated!" The angel Lindsay commented as gave a slight glance around the bike of Heather and the other bike for Lindsay as well.
"Did someone just say Bike?" Then another voice appeared on the other shoulder, Devil Lindsay Her thick, blonde ankle-length hair has thin light coral streaks on the thicker, paler-blonde highlights, and it is usually kept into a twice-banded ponytail by two black hair ties, with flipped-bangs that end with a curl. She also has oval-shaped eyes with light yellow sclera, red pupils, thick fluttery eyelashes protruding from them, and silver eyelids. Using a tuxedo tuxedo-jacket with darker-colored lapels and a small white tag on the left side, worn over a high-collared, white untucked dress shirt with small black buttons on the upper front, and small gold cuff links on the elbow-length sleeves' dark gray cuffs. In addition, she accessorizes her shirt with a small black bowtie and black suspenders over her shoulders. And while others would say the shoulder devil would be the opposite, this version didn't show any sign of mischief, but a lot of nativity and silliness." I've always wanted to ride a unicorn!"
"Eer... no devil me, I mean, I want to build my version of Sunset Sally bike," Lindsay commented as both angel and devil shoulders gasped happily.
"YOU SHOULD DO THAT." Both commented as Lindsay giggled from their interaction.
"But Heather's bike is unfinished, and I cannot let her be eliminated," Lindsay commented as both versions of herself went quiet and walked around the shoulder and even on the arm of the blonde bombshell.
"Hmm, that's hard... I wish I was smart like Heather, why don't ask Heather what we should do?" Angel Lindsay asked as the devil Lindsay snapped the fingers.
"Hello? We can't, Izzy got Heather down with her bike, can you think of a better plan?" Devil Lindsay commented as she walked in front of the giant blonde girl. "Okay, don't listen to your angel anymore, you can always listen to me."
"Hey. I can help too." Angel Lindsay glared as she saw the devil version of herself wave with her hand. "Oh yeah? Show us proof of why we should listen to you?"
"Well, I have a very good one. Here, check this out." Devil Lindsay changed her outfit, and instead of using her usual red suit, she exchanged for a very sensual gym leader clothing with pompoms on her hands. And started to jump. "Give me an L, give me an I, Give me an N, give me a DSAY, who we call? LINDSAY, LINDSAY, LINDSAY IT'S ME."
"And how does that help?"Lindsay watched the little devil giving a demonstration of a cheerleader but looked more confused than before.
"No no, she's got a point." Angel Lindsay who also watched the Devil Lindsay cheerleader, made a good point about how committed she was to helping it out.
Lindsay stared at both girls, as she shook her head.
"Okay, thanks for the help you too, but I need to think of an idea to glue Heather's bike together..." Lindsay commented as suddenly not just her, but both angel and devil versions of herself had an idea. "UNITE THE BIKES."
And with a good high five from both angel and devil Lindsay, the blonde bombshell finally got a plan for what to do.
At the time DJ found himself with a helmet and he made sure to test the resistance by slamming his head on a tree, almost disturbing the bird who has a nest in there. Looking satisfied that his head isn't hurt or felt anything on it. He felt protected and safe to start the challenge.
"Do you guys remember the first time you walked on a bicycle?" Then Owen's voice called the attention as Duncan was preparing his own bike, and Courtney was giving the final touches on her.
"Oh yeah, I remember took a fall so horrible that I broke my clavicle, you could see the bone sticking out of my shoulder. I was awesome," Duncan explained as he felt nostalgic from the memories, while DJ looked so terrified with the information that he even touched his shoulder in fear.
"Pff, once I was at such a high speed that accidentally lost control of my bicycle, and when I fell on the stairs with it, I got a short oblique fracture of my tíbula and also I had a posterior malleolus fracture..." Courtney explained as she then realized that both Duncan and Owen were looking confused at her, even DJ from a distance was feeling more confused than in fear until Courtney rolled her eyes. " I got a dislocation of my ankle so bad that it twisted 90 degrees on the side, and I broke one or two parts of my ankle."
"Ahhhhhhhhh." Both Owen and Duncan opened their mouths in understanding, while DJ looked at his feet in fear.
"That was nothing," Owen commented as he decided to tell his version of the past. "Once my arm completely dislocated, it took 3 doctors to hold me while they put it back in place,"
At this point, DJ was grinding his teeth and sweating a lot, while Duncan, Owen, and Courtney sighed happily.
"Awwww, good times." The trio commented as Courtney, Duncan, and Owen laughed while DJ gave up his idea of using a helmet, and decided to make a full armor for himself.
And so bike after bike was made and completed. Nearly all the campers have something ready for the challenge. And after a certain amount of time passed, "Campers! Time to judge your bikes!" Chris announced through the loudspeakers, announcing to everyone that it was time to stop constructing their bikes. "Put your pedal to the metal and meet me at the Crafts Center!"
And so every camper did as Chris instructed. With the exception of Izzy and Heather, all campers gathered up where Chris instructed with their bikes. "Well, campers, we gave you the parts. Let's see what you came up with." Chris said as he walked up to the first camper was nobody other than Lindsay. And from the design, even as it looked aerodynamic, it also had a cute pink horse mask in the front, and a broom attached to the back. "Nice style Lindsay,"
"Thanks. Go ahead. Ring her bell." Chris proceeded to do just that with the bell making the sound most bike bells made. Which made her clap her hands. "It worked. I'm so glad."
Chris ignored the blonde girl at the next person. Which was Gwen. The goth's bike was more bulky than Lindsay's with bigger wheels, a wider frame, and decorations added to it such as a pair of bat-like wings attached to the sides.
"Spooky, yet practical. Well done." Chris complimented before moving on to the next camper, Duncan.
Duncan's bike looked like something out of an apocalypse movie with a skull ornament in front and barbed wire around some of the parts. "Wicked Mad Max-mobile, dude," Chris said while giving Duncan a thumbs up.
Next up was Courtney who had a bike that resembled a Hybrid Bicycle. The seat was high up along with some sturdy wheels fit for all terrain. "Wow, it looks versatile and built up for speed. But it could have more decoration around." Chris stated that Courtney's bike didn't have anything to truly make it stand out.
"Well, I focus more on function than style, if I had more time, maybe I could add more things." Courtney shrugged, as Chris accepted her answer, and went to Eva's bike. And that made him have his eyes wide open.
Eva's bike was a combination of many metal parts, wood, and rocks, but the format of the bike itself was a gym bike with wheels tightened on the laterals, and chains combined with elastic bands.
"Eva, what is that? It looks like a gym bike." Chris commented as Eva smirked like she had something prepared on that mysterious bike.
"That's because it's a versatile gym bike, the more you pedal, the faster this bike will go." Eva simply stated that Chris had something inside of him telling him that this would be interesting to watch.
Next up was DJ and…it was easy to see DJ worked more on his own protection than his bike. DJ was covered head to in makeshift armor, even wearing a medieval-style helmet, and his bike was a four-wheeler of all things. "Dude, seriously?" Chris questioned as DJ lowered his armored-covered head a bit. "This is lame."
"Owen, nice job!" Chris complimented the last bike present which was from the big guy himself. Owen's bike perfectly fitted and supported him. Plus it was a recumbent so it would do wonders on his back. Just then Chris looked around and found that two of the eleven campers were missing. "Hey, where's Izzy and Heather?"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Heather shouted as Izzy was smiling crazily in the direction of the camera, and the good time she was having into scaring the queen bee for life.
Both girls were still going down the hill using the same bicycle the former military girl had built.
"WHEN THIS IS OVER IZZY, YOU ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THISSSSSSS," Heather shouted as Izzy used a rock as a ramp to jump a good distance with the bike.
"Wow, you need a chill pill," Izzy murmured in a low voice that only Heather could hear, but it was difficult to hear while she had been screaming in terror and anger. "The rest is on you Lindsay, you can do it."
Currently, they were doing a wheelie down a hill.
"Oh well. Their loss. Cause this is where it gets good." Chris began to explain making a few of the campers grow excited over this. "We're gonna race these babies, hard!"
"Alright, I can't wait to test this baby," Owen commented as he was feeling happy with his choices. Until Chris decided to interrupt once more.
"Yeah, unfortunately, you won't be riding it, Owen. You'll be switching bikes." Chris revealed a surprise twist that caught everyone off guard. This got many gasped and/or surprised expressions from the campers that Chris couldn't help but give a quick laugh at. "Yeah. Cruel twist, huh? Alrighty then. See you at the beach!"
.
.
.
And so everyone made it with their bikes to the beach. Chris was in his ATV while Chef was in front of a starting line with a red flag and reading a book.
"Okay, here's how it works. Everyone picks a name out of the helmet to see whose bike you're riding." Chris explained the rules of round two as he pulled out a bike helmet full of folded pieces of paper. "If your bike makes it across the finish line, then you get to ride it in the final round for invincibility."
Everyone proceeded to pull out a piece of paper to see whose creation they would be riding.
Gwen got DJ's bike
DJ got Gwen's bike
Owen got Eva's bike
Eva got Duncan's bike
Duncan got Lindsay's bike
Lindsay got Courtney's bike.
and Courtney got Owen's bike
"Now, before we start, has anyone seen Heather or Izzy?" Chris asked one last time to see if any of those two could show up.
Currently, Izzy was pedaling so fast that she and Heather were biking up the river. Heather was shouting in fear and panic, as her entire face and body were covered in mud, while Izzy was smiling widely with a plan that nobody ever thought it before.
When everyone simply shrugged, showing that they didn't know where either was, Chris simply shrugged and decided to get things started. "Okay, racers!" Chris called out as he raised a hand in the air. "On your marks, get set…paramedics on standby…and…tread!"
And just like that, all the campers took off as quickly as they could. Well, all except Owen and Eva who remained in their places, while Owen was trying to pedal but the bicycle didn't seem to move, Eva narrowed her eyes and decided to shout to a delinquent because he didn't explain one thing, where the hell are the pedals?
"Hey! DUNCAN! Where's the pedals?" Eva shouted but Duncan was far ahead, which left Eva with her eyes twitching... But then looking at Owen who was trying to move with the body's builder pedal, she smirked like a shark. "Go Owen, keep pedaling. Faster... FASTER!"
"AHHHHHHHH." Owen was still doing it for a whole minute, but the scary face of Eva was making him try to go to his limit, and it was a nightmare because he wasn't moving.
"Feel the burn fat boy, FEEL THE BURN. Keep pedaling fat boy, keep pedaling." Eva said as she acted like a personal trainer which Owen just wished death than actually doing his new worst nightmare, work out. "The faster you pedal, the farthest you can go. KEEP PEDALING OWEN, FEEL THE BURN."
(Confession - Eva)
"My father once was always enthusiastic when it comes to working out, he always says to use the right weight, and use the body until you feel the burn. That's how I did it, and that's how I taught some people. YOU TWO, IF YOU HEARD ME, I HOPE YOU TWO ARE DOING YOUR WORKING OUT RIGHT, OR YOU ARE GOING TO DEAL WITH ME." Eva shouted at the camera which she knew which two she had snarled to do their exercises. But then smirked. "And while I'm still here... I think I need to make someone learn about the importance of exercise... By making him suffer until the exhaustion."
"I'M FEELING MY ENTIRE BODY ON FIRE. SOMEONE HELP ME." Owen shouted in fear as his entire body sweated. Leaving Eva a very satisfied girl, making the overweight boy know his place, and by glancing at her side. Eva noticed Gwen staring at her in silence.
"What? Why are you still doing on there?" Eva asked as Gwen just shrugged.
"DJ's bike doesn't move an inch because of the sand, and there is no way that I'm going to carry this whole bike to the other side, so I will say sorry to him later," Gwen commented as Eva could understand the point. Which Gwen also pondered. "Hey, maybe the answer to how to make Duncan's bike work is the skull, usually the answer is always the skull."
Eva gave a thought but nodded her head in gratitude to the goth who decided to throw the towel at the giant Jamaican.
Owen felt his entire body sweat, and this nightmare of pedaling or facing Eva's wrath seemed to never come to an end.
.
.
.
When it came to the other campers, they all had various degrees of control over their bikes. DJ firstly was apprehensive, almost on the verge of freaking out, but then noticing Gwen's bike has been stable, and solid, he felt that he could relax a bit his fears and that maybe he had gone overboard into becoming too paranoid about getting hurt. He let out a sigh of relief. More ahead...
"Okay, this is messed up, but yeehaw, this is one movin' ride!" With Duncan, he had to admit it, he was in complete shock and in disbelief. The delinquent let out as Lindsay steered toward him, proud of the work she just did, while she hid a very solid and lack of imagination bike, it was still good enough to keep up that pace with him or be a bit behind the bike where he is leading...
"I know, right!" Lindsay said, a bit proud of herself for making her dream bike and making it a good one.
On the other side, Courtney appeared with a bit of sand on her face and was uncomfortable, but there was one thing that she wanted to say.
"Oh look at that, it seems the delinquent now has total trust in a pony," Courtney commented as Duncan felt a shrive on his cheerful enthusiasm dies quickly.
"Who said I'm enjoying? I'm just saying that this bike is fast, nothing more." Duncan quickly denied it while Courtney giggled.
"Sure Duncan, whatever helps you to sleep at night," Courtney commented Duncan groaned and pedaled faster to leave his girlfriend eating sand and dust. "Blurgh, HEY! THAT'S NOT FUNNY."
Duncan felt satisfied as he continued racing against the others. The group continued their race, while Owen was feeling on the verge of exhaustion and Eva was still trying to figure out how to use the skull.
"Please, somebody just help me." Owen said as his sweat was mixed with the tears from his eyes, it was like torture without end, "Everything is burning..."
Those words made Eva smile at him.
"Good, then I think it's time for you to release the brake." Eva commented as the chubby boy looked at her in confusion. "Do you see that valve which was on the number 12? Spin on the left."
"Okay..." Owen said as he calmly held the valve, and just gave a slight spin to the left... and when it hit at the number 0. All the elastic force over the gym bike trembled and made the wheels spin at incredible speed. And with that, bringing the most exhausted camper in fear. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."
(Confession - Owen)
"EVA IS A DEMON," Owen shouted as he felt his entire face in exhaustion and panic, as all the body expression he had was in pain and fear. "That wasn't a bicycle, that was an instrument of torture, a product created by monsters who wanted to make people who like to eat suffer, and in pain, and burn, and never feel peace. I never want to use that bike ever again."
(Confession - Eva)
"Drama Queen," Eva said as she rolled her eyes, not impressed with how the boy was shouting and crying over how she forced him to do some exercises.
Eva gave a slight glance at the skull and noticed it had a motor on the inside, and with a smirk on her face, it seemed that she found the ignition to make the bicycle work, by pulling the skull, there was a cord which started the motor, and with that bringing the bicycle the full speed which was enough to rival her own bike.
DJ was feeling happy that everything seemed to be fine, and he didn't suffered any kind of accident.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Until he swore hearing Owen screaming as a blur passed by him and crashed in full force.
"Ah ah ah..." DJ saw himself with his face on the sand, as he couldn't understand what just happened... but the last thing he remembered was to see what remained of Gwen's bike, sticks in little pieces around a smashed and ripped cardboard. Seeing that he was safe, with a minor injury, DJ was happy, but in the next second fainted.
Eva was also going in full force, following what would be the force of nature which was her bike, and was grinning happily as she saw Owen screaming in the first place of the race. Needless to say, Owen passed through the finish line first. Soon followed up by Eva, and then Lindsay, and after she was Duncan, and finally Courtney.
Chris drove up on his ATV with a grin on his face. "Well it seems that we have a bike crash demolition since Owen just passed over DJ, and that was AWESOME!" Chris said to the camera with a hyped-up tone. Nothing gets the ratings up like some good old-fashioned race crashes. "But also we have Gwen who gave up before even trying. Anyway a five invincibility race winners! Owen's fun machine, Eva's working out torture machine, Lindsay's Sunset Sally. Courtney's hybrid, and Duncan's Lethal Weapon!"
All bikes were present for this…except for Duncan's and Eva's whose bikes were still zooming around the island with Owen holding on for dear life. And Eva seemed to be in control of it. "How do I stop this thing?!" Owen screamed as he started to close in on everyone.
Eva rolled her eyes.
"Turn the valve back to 12," Eva shouted as Owen quickly obeyed the bodybuilder.
"Okay." Thankfully this did stop the bike, but the sudden stop also launched Owen right off it causing the big guy to crash face-first into the sand…and Chef. "Ochie…"
"DUNCAN, HOW I TURN OF THIS THING?" Eva shouted as the delinquent decided to give help.
"Slam the hood ornament!" Duncan yelled to Eva. Who nodded her head.
Eva quickly did as Duncan said and slammed the hood ornament. Which is different than Owen's, Eva knew about the huge force the momentum was making. So instead of being launched away, she held tightly to the handlebars as even when she went to stop, she rolled a meter away from the bike but remained composure as she got up, in a perfect landing on her own. Cleaning up the sand over her shoulder and walking forward.
"Awesome finish, Owen and Eva." Chris laughed at the big guy's crash before looking at the camera. And Eva walking out of the challenge like a unity."It's time to head over to the TDI Motocross."
And while everyone was passing their time preparing for the next phase of the challenge, Izzy was having the time of her life, and Heather was having the worst day of her life.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Heather screamed as she was feeling in pain from being dragged at the torn bush, having even a squirrel who was on her head, and even had its fur ripped from the torn bush, making it completely naked. "IZZY I'M GOING TO KILL YOU."
"AWWWWW, I LOVE YOU TOO HEATHER. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" Izzy shouted as the duo kept running like there wasn't a tomorrow.
Now it was time for the final part of the challenge. Participating in the last race were Lindsay, Owen, Eva, Courtney, and Duncan. They were all just waiting for the race to start.
"Wow," Owen said to Lindsay as the big guy looked at her bike. "Sweet wheels!"
"I know right?" Lindsay smiled in response as she looked at Owen's bike. "And P.S. I love yours."
"Oh, me too." Owen cheered as he chuckled a bit and squeezed the handlebars. "It's so much fun to ride."
"I'm so glad that we can use our bikes now. I really want to use her for so long." Lindsay said as she hugged her own bike.
"Well, why not take it after you finish the challenge?" Courtney commented as she gave the suggestion on the side of the blonde girl. "I don't think Chris would care about what we are going to do with these bikes when we finish the challenge, and having something to ride on the camp sounds interesting."
"Ohhhh, do you think so?" Both Owen and Lindsay commented happily as the C.I.T. smiled at both of them and rolled her eyes.
Duncan scoffed but glanced at the horse bike.
"Hey Blondy, I have a question. What's the big red button on your bicycle? I didn't press it because I thought it was going to explode." Duncan asked as he had no way he was going to press weird buttons that he didn't know since bad experiences in the past.
"Ohh, well. I don't know, it's just there." Lindsay commented as she got the weird looks from the other campers, and she was being honest, she had no idea what button could do. Since it was done by Heather, and she didn't want to tell the other campers about it.
Courtney and Duncan raised their eyebrows while Owen looked interested.
"Ohhh, do you think that's a muffin button?" Owen thought about it, and he slapped himself for not having such a genius idea. "Aww man, I should have thought about such an idea."
"Ohhh, I love muffins," Lindsay said eagerly as she was tempted into pressing the button, but she then remembered one thing... It was Heather's bike, and as much as she wanted... Heather wouldn't place a muffin button in a bike, especially on all the work they had into taking the motor from Chef's Motorcycle. Then slowly she realized what that button meant... It was Heather's button, and she didn't know what it could do, but she would have to use it in the race. "I will press later."
Owen nodded his head, as Chris drove up to the campers on his ATV and was ready to get the challenge started. "Campers, welcome to the…Moto, Moto, Moto Cross, Cross, Cross Challenge, Challenge, Challenge!" Chris announced, giving himself an echo which simply got confused looks from both the racers and the spectators. "Using your own bikes, you'll race the course, avoiding hidden pitfalls. Cue the death traps!"
Looking forward to the course, the campers saw that there were three main parts of the course. "There's dodging the land mines." Chris pressed a button on a remote to make a few explosions go off. "Maneuvering through the oil slick." After the mines were a large area completely coated with oil. "And finally, jumping the piranhas!" Last up was a large rectangular body of water filled with a bunch of small but deadly fish.
"Oh and one more thing. Campers…welcome to the sudden death round!" Chris revealed making all the racers gasp, with some even putting on a fearful look. "Here's how it works, the last one to cross the finish line automatically gets voted off the island. No bonfire, do not pass go, do not collect a marshmallow. And before anyone gets smart today... No exchange of immunity to save the eliminated."
"Wait you c..." Courtney was about to say something but Chris gave a grin that it would rival the devil.
"Oh yes, I can and I just did. So my recommendation is, be the first to get the finish line and don't be the last crossing it." Chris commented as Courtney felt that Chris intended to get revenge in Heather's favor, and ironically, Heather wasn't there to get the threat made by Chris himself.
Eva ignored everyone as she started to pedal her bicycle, she could see Chris was already giving the preparations to start the race, she needed to make a controlled force, from the challenge if she went too fast she would lose control of her bike, but it was a race, and some the race needs some risk, she gave a few more spins on her pedal, before stopping and waited for the right moment, to spin the valve.
"Racers!" Chris called out as he raised a gun to the sky. "Take your positions…making sure there are no birds this time…..go!" Chris used his hand to give the start of the race.
And with that, the racers were off! Except for Owen who went ahead, nearly all of them were neck and neck. With Owen, the big guy's size and weight did a number on his speed. That and the fact that he had to bike uphill didn't do him any favors. But he didn't have to worry about that for long.
When the big guy made it to the area where the mines were, he quickly triggered one. Owen was sent up into the sky with his bike quickly being destroyed by the explosion. Owen was about to crash into Chef yet again, but the camp cook managed to duck before the goofball hit him…and then proceeded to have one of the tires of Owen's bike land on his head.
Duncan, Eva, and Courtney managed to either dodge the explosions or outspeed them. But Lindsay actually used one to her advantage as one went off behind her and gave her a boost forward. Courtney looked at Owen who was the first to be out, she felt sad the boy would be eliminated from the show since the four campers now were competing to achieve immunity, it meant the group just going a bit further than him, they would be saved from elimination.
"WHOHOOOO." Lindsay shouted as she was feeling so alive from the challenge ahead.
When they reached the oil spill, Courtney managed to get through it by hitting the brakes on her bike drifting forward, and lessening the effects the oil had on her wheels. Her boyfriend wasn't so lucky, however. Duncan's Lethal Weapon was built for speed, and oil was the natural enemy of speed. This led to Duncan quickly crashing into the oil and coloring most of his body black with his bike soon falling apart. Eva was also one who committed the mistake of trying to compensate speed over quality, since at the time she passed the oil spill, she thought she would have control of her bicycle, but then by a slight turn to take control, made the wheels lose the control and then rolls over the ground and with the weight of the bodybuilder also above it, the impacts of sticks, rocks, and metal, weren't good enough to handle the powerhouse Eva, which immediately broke it down in many pieces.
But once again Lindsay proceeded to be a surprising MVP in this obstacle. Doing a wheelie, Lindsay managed to go through the oil in a straight line with the broom attached to the back of her bike absorbing the oil Lindsay passed and creating an oil-free path. Like a horse giving the trails of goodness to whoever went after her path.
Due to Courtney losing speed, Lindsay was able to catch up to the CIT. Both were neck and neck with each other as they approached the last obstacle. The piranha pit. Lindsay's fear took over her... But then she gave a slight glance at the red button...
"YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO." Then a familiar voice called for her, and Lindsay could see a slight glance on not just the angel, nor the devil. But both of them said in unison. "PRESS THE BUTTON."
Lindsay hesitated but obeyed as she pressed the red button on her bike. Just then the engine she and Heather had taken from Chef's bike started off and Lindsay's bike proceeded to outspeed the wind. So much so that the cheerleader captain managed to completely jump over the pit of killer fish.
Meanwhile, Courtney decided to do the sensible thing…and go around the piranha pit.
"If you think I'm going to risk my life to cross a piranha pit, while there is an easy way to pass it? Then you are very wrong." Courtney shouted as Chris facepalmed.
"Ugh... I should have made something to avoid this decision." Chris commented to Chef who nodded his head at him.
Courtney watched Lindsay being so fast that it clearly crossed the finish line.
"And the winner of the race is LINDSAY WITH HER SUNSET SALLY BIKE," Chris commented as the blond girl pressed the brakes and was overjoyed with the results.
"I won... I WON. I WON." Lindsay said as she got out of the bicycle and was jumping happily, while the other campers had to nod their heads in recognition, you can tell whatever they want about Lindsay, but she has good acrobatic skills and knows how to win a race.
"Well, at least I lost the immunity for Lindsay, and not for Heather," Courtney commented as she composed herself. "I feel bad for Owen since he is going to be eliminated."
"I wouldn't say that Courtney." Then a voice made the C.I.T. her feel a bad feeling in her gut. And with the same smirk he had before, she knew it wasn't good news. " Lindsay is safe because her bike crossed the line first, but since Duncan, Eva, and Owen wiped out and didn't complete the race…they technically didn't cross the line at all. Which makes you the last one to cross the line. Which means it's Dock of Shame time, baby."
At the time Chris said that Courtney could see Owen feeling pains of burn and his body twitching, Duncan was feeling dizzy and even hitting himself on the face on the oil spill, and even Eva was with her body laid over the broken remaining of her own bicycle, completely knocked out. The only person who would suffer the consequences was the C.I.T. who just managed to get into the second position.
"NO, YOU CAN'T DO THAT." Courtney said in fury as the campers also felt a bit of injustice happening around, but Chris simply ignored the C.I.T. "Hey, don't ignore me, that's not fair... CHRIS,"
Courtney shouted as Duncan slowly walked behind his girlfriend, who was still in fury and denial... But knowing it was the right moment... he simply hugged her. Courtney felt the wet and dirty oil, but the arms of her boyfriend gave her comfort...
And at that moment, the water and oil finally mixed together... as the tears coming from the C.I.T. came towards the arms of her boyfriend.
"That's not fair..." Courtney commented as another member of Killer Bass decided to be the one leaving the show. Duncan felt it worse because it was one of the most important members, not from the team since she was a pillar, but it was from his life since it was his girlfriend.
"This game was never fair," Duncan commented as he hugged Courtney, as Gwen, DJ, and even Lindsay felt remorseful for knowing such a terrible fate happened to a camper.
.
.
.
In the afternoon, Courtney was still feeling defeated by how unfair the rules were over her, still having a few thoughts about how Chris wanted to eliminate her since the treasure chest challenge, and thoughts giving her ideas into how to make lawsuits for the show to make her have another chance. It has been unfair to her for so long. Terrible place, terrible decisions, but still... she wanted to be part of the game because she knew that she would miss her boyfriend and even her team.
Duncan was still cleaning up himself, but his anger was also known as the time he kicked the trash can many times, Gwen and Eva have been helpful to her since both girls have been helping her pack her stuff and take her suitcases with her.
At the time the girls were already to walk towards the Dock of Shame, the group noticed Heather walking towards the cabin, completely trashed, with bruises, and ready to kill someone.
They would have gotten mad at Heather for disappearing and letting Courtney suffer the elimination, but from the look in her eyes, it seems the queen bee never wanted to do that, as she was on the verge of breakdown. Neither of the girls opened their mouths, but they waited for Heather to say something.
"I...hate... Izzy." That was the only thing they needed to know, and it was the perfect point from the queen bee to give since it shows that he preferred to do the challenge than be dragged into the terrible trap with the crazy ginger-haired girl.
"Well, whatever. At least you are not eliminated." Courtney commented, as she sighed sadly and passed by Heather. "Try to not make everyone furious at you, okay?"
Heather raised her eyebrow as she saw the Goth, the bodybuilder, and the C.I.T. girl passing her, making her blink and question what must have happened.
She didn't care. She just wants to have a shower and be done with the day.
(Dock of Shame)
Walking on the dock of shame, Courtney felt her heart clinches, as she gave a slight hug to her boyfriend who was the first person waiting for her. And the time she was going to say something, she felt something tied to her neck... And when she looked at Duncan in surprise, he smiled at her.
"I made this a long time ago for you. I wanted to give at you for a while, but I was waiting for the right moment." Duncan commented as Courtney saw the wooden craved skull collar. "For you to remember of me when until I get the 100 thousand dollars. Okay?"
Courtney sniffed as she tried to contain her tears, but gave a big kiss to the bad who accepted with gusto, and with that, she went away to see Gwen, who was also sad but gave a strong hug her.
"It will suck without having you around here, take care of yourself," The goth girl commented as Courtney nodded her head and smiled happily at the girl.
"I will miss you too, Gwen," Courtney went ahead and saw DJ with a few tears in his eyes.
"Sorry to see you go, Courtney, it will not be the same without you here." The Jamaican commented as Courtney gave a good hug at the boy with a gentle heart and the cowardice of a pink beagle.
"It will also not be the same without you guys. Good luck DJ," Courtney commented as she knew that little by little. DJ was losing his fire and sooner or later he was going to say the word... but she couldn't exchange places with him, just accept her defeat.
At the time Courtney got nearby Eva, the bodybuilder gave a slow hug but also whispered something in her ear.
"Wait, really?" Courtney said as she didn't expect to hear such news like that, and Eva nodded her head.
"Also, if you find him, tell him thanks about the hiding spot, and to double his weight. Because my working out senses are buzzing, and it was time for him to double his weight." Eva said as her smile came feral, which she had pity because she wanted to see what would be the reaction of Ezekiel into finding out that Eva decided to reward or in other languages, punish Ezekiel for making her look after him for 16 hours.
"Well, I will do. Thank you, Eva, for saving me before, and for being a good friend..." Courtney commented as she gave another hug to the bodybuilder, who smiled at her. "Also keep an eye on Duncan and the others,"
"I always do," Eva commented that it was satisfactory for the C.I.T. who had her moments with the remaining campers.
Lindsay was the first one who was feeling sad, and Courtney couldn't be mad at her.
"I lost a race, and I'm glad to have been against you. I will keep an eye on you next time we race." Courtney smirked as Lindsay with all her kindness gave a hug on her. Which made Courtney smile and hug the blond girl.
Owen who was there, gave a hug him.
"It's funny that you started with a hug with me, and then I'm hugging you before leaving," Courtney commented as she felt Owen become sad and give a sad smile at her.
And then when it came to Izzy, who was still giggling madly, Courtney didn't know what to say. But then when Izzy hugged Courtney so quickly that the girl couldn't register, Izzy finally voiced a whisper.
"Hey, Courtney. Do me a favor and check if Ezekiel is taking his pneumonia medicine right okay?" Izzy commented as it made the C.I.T. girl have her eyes wide open. "And no, I'm not insane, I'm just having fun. You differently than the first day knows how it is."
Courtney didn't know what to say, but then Izzy saluted her weirdly and marched away... Courtney knew that it was best to leave since the camera was aimed at her as well. So by shaking her head, and holding the skull collar in her hands... Courtney finally accepted her destiny and left the island on the boat of losers.
(Girls Cabin)
At the end of the day, while everyone was slumbering trying to reach comfort around the brutal day they had, there was one person who was having the most peaceful slumber of her life. The blond hair was with her eyes closed, but on each side of her head, there were two tiny versions of herself, dressing as cheerleaders. With pompons on their hands, giving their best into one single song.
"Give me an L, give me an I, Give me an N, give me a DSAY, who we call? LINDSAY, LINDSAY, LINDSAY IT'S ME. LINDSAY, LINDSAY, LINDSAY IT'S ME..." Both angel and devil Lindsays chant as the blonde bombshell feels proud of herself showing that she is indeed having the victor's dream.
Ignoring that far far away, in the arts and crafts there was one completely berserk person.
"WHO THE *BEEP* DISMANTLED MY MOTORCICLE?" Chef's voice echoed throughout the whole island but never disturbed the happy chanting inside of the blonde bombshell.
"Lindsay, Lindsay it's me..." Lindsay chanted like a whisper as she went into the world of the dreams, having hopes the next challenge would be as fun as it was on that day.
Chapter 29: Interlude 9
Chapter Text
"Aham, I think that's quite good for today," Ezekiel commented as he finally finished another page of his work, with Noah who had been enjoying eating a pineapple slice and watching Sadie working out, as Katie was dancing with Cody. Everything seemed to be peaceful around the Playa del Losers, even after the events of Geoff and Bridgette finally finding their love once again.
But still...
"Ughh. Can't you two stop? You have been kissing on the pool for 10 minutes." Tyler said as he was feeling uncomfortable at seeing Geoff and Bridgette showing their affection without stopping around the pool. He was even swimming but he was interrupted when he crashed upon the couple. And he waited for a single response from each of them. With his eyes rolling and annoyed by being ignored by his friends, he couldn't take it anymore. "ZEKE."
And for the next minute... the same pattern would happen again.
*Tsk tsk tsk.*
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, WHY?" The sounds of the spice water spray were what became the limit of the restrictions of the couple who just were enjoying their next 3 days around, and with Ezekiel as a guardian of their boundaries, it was the time when even his friends of Killer Bass, and even members of Screaming Gophers had enough of them and wanted them to stop kissing.
"What did I tell you about making out a lot outside of the room?" Ezekiel said as he was with his arms crossed at the duo who were laughing sheepishly at him.
"Not cool guys," Tyler commented as he crossed his arms, and decided to take Geoff with him. "Now come on Geoff, let's play some frisbee."
"Hey, but what about Briahhhhhh." Geoff wanted to spend more time with his girlfriend, but Tyler wasn't going to have it, so he forced the party boy to play with him without thinking twice. That boy needed something to distract himself from the surfer since they had departed from the show for only 3 days.
Ezekiel raised his eyebrows at Bridgette who blushed and smiled nervously. The boy sighed and walked with her.
"I don't know what to do with you, Bridgette."Ezekiel commented as he whistled at Harold who had been carrying a plate of food for everyone, since the food always has been a great thing in comparison to the ordinary food from the show."Get hold of yourself, girl."
"I know, I know," Bridgette commented as she saw Buggsy the bunny jump around the island but not without pausing and giving a slight wave at her. The young girl who loves nature waved back at the sweet animal. But then seeing Ezekiel giving a glance at her, she couldn't help but confess. "But it's just, it feels like an eternity those days, and he really made me happy. And I wanted to be with him forever and ever."
"Yeah, I can imagine," Ezekiel commented as he clearly saw on the future episodes of Total Drama Island on what happened, both Bridgette and Geoff would always makeup, passing minutes kissing, which led to them being the first eliminated in Action, and then become hosts of Aftermatch, which Geoff became a jerk and had a terrible downgrade that many fans disliked him into doing it. But still, they always would find a way to keep together and kiss each other. "Just please, know your limitations, you have room for making out, and what is behind 4 walls it's up to you. But come on, you have friends outside of your mouths, and we want to enjoy the rest of the show on this paradise and have a great time with you two as well."
Bridgette paused... and thought about it, as Ezekiel was indeed wanting to call her attention telling her that indeed she had friends around who wanted to pass the time with Geoff and her, and not leave them both to always kissing around.
"Wow, I must look like a jerk," Bridgette confessed and Ezekiel nodded his head.
"And you were, but at least you saw the reason, now. Let's go watch the Pay-Per-View. Maybe we can find out what it's the new challenge for today on the show." Ezekiel commented as he could see Bridgette thinking about the idea. Since Ezekiel already finished what he wanted, and Noah was having a good time relaxing, he didn't care to watch the episode, until it came the edited version on the night.
Bridgette remained quiet, as she had nothing better to do since she already had a great time surfing, and then kissing her boyfriend, now that the challenge was probably going to happen, they at least would have some debates on what was going to happen, and who could probably be the next eliminated from the show.
And seeing the episode in pay-per-view usually, it's slower than the full edited version, but thankfully Bridgette and Ezekiel weren't alone, since Beth also came, and then Noah who didn't have anything else interesting to do, so it was talk around the room watching the pay-per-view, talking about their ideas while they watched the episode.
Beth got emotional as she saw her best friends talking about how they missed her, and she couldn't help but feel guilty about the curse she had brought to her team and friends, she did what she had to do, but still missed her friends was painful, as she felt the same thing, she missed her best friends who were always teaching her on how to be a more elegant girl and pretty like them.
.
.
.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, GO IZZY, SHOW THAT SNAKE HELL." Noah laughed loudly as he felt vindicated into seeing Izzy bringing Heather to the cliff on her bike, Beth looked horrified at what the military crazy girl had been doing with Heather, and worse, the bookworm didn't stop laughing at her. "Oh I'm going to watch the whole pay-per-view on them, I will watch the edited episode tonight, this... isn't something I wish to miss for a second. Let me check the channel where this camera is... oh there you go. 744, got it. See you later guys."
Beth narrowed her eyes, while Ezekiel and Bridgette gave a glance at each other before simply shrugged and continued the episode.
When it comes to Lindsay being alone... she suddenly starts to talk alone.
"Err, what is she doing?" Tyler asked as he saw his girlfriend talking to nobody around at the camera. Beth and Bridgette were unsure of how to say it, but Ezekiel got covered.
"It seems she is talking with her Shoulder Angel and probably her Shoulder Devil," Ezekiel commented as Tyler raised his eyebrow. "Hey, it's fascinating, the two sides of your conscience, and you probably saw it in cartoons or even movies, which I'm surprised to see Lindsay having them."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Tyler and Bridgette asked, while one sounded offended by what he said, the other asked curious.
"It's because Lindsay is too nice, I never thought she would have a shoulder Devil, but that's a surprise for me to see it on the television firsthand," Ezekiel commented as he mused as he imagined what would have been an extra scene he would have loved to watch when he was on the life before that, imagining on how someone naive and good heart like Lindsay having both shoulder entities, he couldn't help but imagine if Lindsay was the Canadian version of Kronk, and if that was the case, he would have loved into seeing those 3 interacting with each other.
Until the trio of Lindsays came up with a very interesting and appealing idea.
"Combining the two halves of bikes? That's actually a pretty great idea." Ezekiel commented, as he was impressed that in times of need, creativity would be a great idea, and it's good to see Lindsay having her own episode to shine, knowing the actual episode, Ezekiel could potentially see Izzy knowing the outcomes of saving Heather from elimination just like she did with Leshawna.
And from building the bikes, Ezekiel looked surprised and terrified of one thing...Eva's confession regarding Owen.
"Poor Owen, he is her next victim," Ezekiel commented as Bridgette stared at the homeschooled boy. "At the time she decides that you need a workout, then prepares yourself for the nightmares. Thank God I'm just doing my exercises while I focus on my writing. And she couldn't check up on me or Sadie anymore."
Bridgette raised her eyebrow, debating if Ezekiel just jinxed himself or not.
And like he said, when the bicycles were built, it was the time to exchange bikes with each other. It was like a sick irony of destiny since Owen got Eva's bike, and he looked like he was dying, and with Eva's shouts, the poor optimistic chubby guy was in panic and exhaustion, when he spun the valve, Ezekiel had a sense of dejavuu, since it looked almost exactly like the cannon.
And when the race finished almost exactly like the cannon, but with a camper more on the next phase. It was the time for the campers to use their confession.
Owen was the first to do his non-edited version, where he began crying and shouting about how Eva was a demon, which made Ezekiel nod his head and Bridgette and Beth look terrified about Eva.
And then came Eva's confession.
"YOU TWO, IF YOU HEARD ME, I HOPE YOU TWO ARE DOING YOUR WORKING OUT RIGHT, OR YOU ARE GOING TO DEAL WITH ME."
Needlessly to say Ezekiel palled from the threat and cursed himself to open his mouth. Now he needed to make sure to train more around the day because he didn't want to deal with Eva. Especially in case, she would be eliminated from the next phase.
But also a good part of Ezekiel was curious. Without Heather being the winner of the cannon challenge, who would win this time, and who would be eliminated?
"Who do you think is going to win the challenge?" Beth asked Bridgette who seemed to be also wondering about the idea of immunity, while Ezekiel remained quiet because the rules of the next phase weren't explained yet.
"I don't know, but Duncan's and Eva's Bicycle seemed to be the fastest so far," Bridgette commented as Tyler wondered as well.
"Well I hope Lindsay wins since she worked hard, and she is my babe." The jock commented as Ezekiel smiled from the optimism of him.
"Oh yes, I hope Lindsay wins, she is so good in challenges like that, remember the flag capture challenge? She was amazing." Beth commented as Tyler nodded his head at her.
Ezekiel gave a slight glance at the screen, and with a thought on his mind... He couldn't help but muse with one question.
If Lindsay hadn't stopped in the piranha pool on the cannon or listened to Heather, she could have won the challenge easily... But also in the cannon, her outburst was one thing that the fans never thought it would have been being one of the first campers to need censored words for so long.
Either way, it was a well-deserved Lindsay episode...
.
.
.
It was a shocking episode because neither, Bridgette, Beth nor Tyler could have expected to Courtney be forced elimination... However Ezekiel at the moment only remained only Lindsay and Courtney at the race... Chris wouldn't waste his opportunity to say the same words as he did in Cannon. But this time, without negotiation.
It was still heartbreaking to see his friend Courtney break, but in comparison to her cannon version, Ezekiel was happy, that this time, her departure from the show was more fair in being voted out by rigged votes by Harold.
Ezekiel got up from his seat. And turned off the television, and everyone looked at him in surprise.
"Let's not talk about what happened on this episode to the others," Ezekiel commented as the group looked at him in disbelief. "We watched the pay-per-view from the start, and I think they will deserve only to know when they watch the episode. It was their choice to watch the edited episode."
"Fair enough, I don't want to spoil anything, because I'm still trying to process this challenge," Beth commented as she had no idea how Chris could have been so ruthless, and in the end, Courtney was fated to lose.
Ezekiel had so many mixed feelings toward the episode since it has been both great to see Lindsay deserving the victory, but also very sad to see Courtney being eliminated like that.
And probably with so many changes from the cannon, he hoped, and even prayed for the destiny of his brown-haired C.I.T friend wouldn't fall for the darkness which happened on World Tour. And there was one thing he must do, since at least differently than the cannon, she now has friends to give support to her and be by her side.
(?)
To say Sky and Jane were surprised was an understanding, because from all the campers they thought it would be eliminated from the episode. Courtney was in their opinion the one who had the less chance of being out of the show. It was so shocking to find out that between the lines, Chris would have been so cold that it would eliminate someone if they didn't understand exactly what he said.
"Oh my God," Jane commented as Sky was lost for words, they looked at each other and saw Courtney breaking down on television, which by far attacked their hearts. The whisper of her defeat was heartfelt and emotional on how the drama was indeed on the show, and you never should expect to be completely safe, because if you drop your guard for a second in the challenge, then you could be the next eliminated on the show. "I knew that she was going to be out, but not like that."
"I thought she would at least go to the top 4 contestants, but being eliminated easily like that?" Sky agreed with her sister, and seeing such sudden elimination was both revolting and sad at the same time. It wouldn't be a surprise that this episode would be one of the most debated around the show. Since the sudden elimination of a camper who just got saved from the last surprise elimination. "Do you think Chris rigged this, because of his revenge with Courtney?"
"I don't know. But it's Chris, anything could happen. Especially that he warned the rules of the third phase." Jane commented as both sisters couldn't help but grimace from seeing the C.I.T. being the one leaving the show. "Now Duncan is the last pillar, the pressure of the game and dealing with DJ, Eva, and Gwen, it's a huge responsibility on his shoulders now."
"Each episode surprises me more and more, from the fact it has been more and more members of Killer Bass losing, I have no idea who would be the next camper to leave," Sky commented as she was happy for Lindsay to win by herself. "I never thought Lindsay would have been able to win this. But way to go girl."
"It was well deserved," Jane commented that both sisters while being sad for Courtney, were also happy for Lindsay, it was indeed her time to shine and show her skills. "She is awesome when she is serious. And to think I didn't like much of her at the beginning. But I think at the moment Trent messed with her, he unlocked something inside of her which made me care for her, and even for Heather... Now that I think of it."
"WHERE ARE HEATHER AND IZZY?" Both sisters shouted in surprise and went to watch the other cameras of pay-per-view. Until they found Izzy carrying Heather who looked very angry and traumatized... Both sisters remained quiet.
.
.
.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA," Until the whole neighborhood listened to the sisters laughing at the painful adventure the queen bee suffered in exchange for her immunity on the show.
Life was good.
(?)
Dawn watched sadly the events happening around the episode, just like Bridgette breaking on the Brunch of Disgustness and Ezekiel's departure, it has been a scene where Dawn learned from first experience how to be aware of the trickster nature from the host of the show.
Watching television, she could see some of their auras, however, she wasn't strong enough to identify them by watching on the screen. She would need contact with the person for her to read their aura, and one thing she really wanted to know, is what the hell is on Chris' mind, she isn't sure if his aura is black like darkness, or grey of madness, but she knew that some times he likes to create drama like that. And that's both infuriating and yet fascinating.
Something inside of this show always brings attention from the others, even her since she is a nature lover, but enjoying the lessons she learned from the show and all the drama and adventures each camper has on the show.
Indeed, the more she watches, the more she and her family ask themselves what Chris is going to plan next.
The trip by boat sounded in silence, as the sound of waves DIDN'T even reach her ears. Even though the journey seemed long, and even the battles and challenges fought and won sometimes, the biggest loss Courtney ever had in her life.
Thinking about the possibility of what to do at the time she returned to her house, talk to her parents about how her life must have been around the show, even if they probably saw her on television, but she wanted to try to explain to them on their mind about the things that she learned about the island. How she was afraid that her mom wouldn't like her friends, or even not approve of her boyfriend.
Such thoughts once again happened in her mind, and that has to stress her out. Even as she looked at her collar...one craved in wood made by Duncan, she gave a small smile, before getting to focus on their own personal problems, but thankfully if the information Eva told her was true, there was a resort for all of the people who lost around the show, and if was indeed a 5-star resort like she was told before, anything was good for her to refresh her mind and body, from the shameful defeat she got on that show.
But suddenly as the time of the afternoon was over, and the sundown came to an end, the night was starting to happen, and then she was brought into a place that she had never seen before, it was another island as the bodybuilder had told her, and to her surprise, Ezekiel was sitting on the docks, with a drawing book on his hands...
Courtney was confused until Ezekiel stopped drawing and saw the boat approaching the shore.
"Final stop girl, got rest a bit, you deserved it." The captain of the boat was clear as Courtney finally reached her destination, and with control of her feelings and her chaotic mind, Courtney recovered her composure and took the suitcases and luggage that she brought on the show, and placed them on the shore.
But then she felt someone holding one of her luggage, and from the innocent smile of a friend that she hadn't seen for a while, Courtney felt her lips tremble and her eyes tear up.
Ezekiel didn't say a word, but helped her to carry some luggage and place them on the shore, and before they could go to the resort. Ezekiel finally opened his mouth.
"Before we go. Can you follow me a bit?" Ezekiel commented as the C.I.T. girl tilted her head before he led in the place of the beach a bit distance from the shore, without the weight of her baggage and suitcases.
Ezekiel took out his shoes and instructed Courtney to do the same, which she hesitantly did... And a bit nearby on the beach, Ezekiel sat down...
"Ezekiel, what are you doing?" Courtney asked with a bit of impatience but then she saw Ezekiel instruct her to do the same. She sat in front of him.
"Okay, close your eyes," Ezekiel commented as the girl raised her eyebrows, but she then saw Ezekiel closing his, which made the girl a bit strange about what he was doing.
"Okay," Courtney decided to just follow his instructions. She felt the darkness around her eyes and then started to hear Ezekiel's voice as all the focus was on her mind.
"Breath..." Ezekiel commented as he could hear Courtney start breathing, and Ezekiel knew what he had to do, for a friend like Courtney, he knew exactly what was important to do. "Here in the darkness, everything is okay, listen to the waves and let them fade away...here comes a thought... *snap*"
And from a sound snap of a finger, Courtney snapped her eyes wide open, as she saw something that she had never seen before, a world completely blue and serene, it wasn't anything that she ever thought of before. It was like she reached the deep of her own consciousness.
*snap* *snap* *snap* *snap*
And then from the sounds of the snap of fingers, she heard Ezekiel humming a melodic song, it didn't have an instrument, but from the melodic humming, it seemed that stroke deep inside of her mind. And then Ezekiel started whistling, and like the whistle and humming, it seemed like music to her ears... Until Ezekiel finally showed the purpose of why he did.
Steven Universe - Here Comes a Thought (Cover by Caleb Hyles) (youtube.com)
"Take a moment to think of just, Flexibility, love, and trust," Ezekiel commented as he placed both his hands in a meditation state, which Courtney saw him do, she was so confused but immediately followed his actions. "Take a moment to think of just. Flexibility, love, and trust"
Ezekiel turned his head, and Courtney did the same, and to her surprise, she just saw another Ezekiel on there, instead of the same person who she found around the show, this one was different, it was a younger version of himself, and then something that she never thought before, an ugly version of himself, a boy with a green skin with damage without hair, a person that it wasn't human, but a monster destroyed by the humanity, it was horrifying.
"Here comes a thought that might alarm you, What someone said and how it harmed you" At the time Ezekiel sang the song, both of them saw little light butterflies flying across the area, and when they hit the little kid, Ezekiel, the kid felt horrified while the beast was feeling furious and ran away to try to attack the butterfly. At the time one of the butterflies reached Courtney's finger, which made her feel guilty of the feelings that she may be having on her thoughts. "Something you did, that failed to be charming, Things that you said are suddenly swarming."
And then like a little butterfly created hundreds of them, overwhelming everything Courtney ever thought before, it was a scary vision, as they flew like a river overwhelming not just the kid, but the beast who found himself scared by the giant river of little butterflies.
"And, oh, you're losing sight, you're losing touch, All these little things seem to matter so much." And from that river created a light spiral which not just scared the kid, but terrified the beast who just crouched himself and whimpered in fear even shedding a tear at that moment. "That they confuse you That I might lose you."
Courtney looked heartache from that moment, but the tonality of the voice of her friend seemed so calm like he was expecting her reaction to be like that. And every single word of his song was indeed craving on her mind.
"Take a moment, remind yourself, To take a moment and find yourself, Take a moment to ask yourself, If this is how we fall apart" Ezekiel saw both butterflies nearby him, each on his shoulder, as he raised both his hands, the little butterflies went into his hand, as he calmly made the big questions which impacted Courtney from his song, but then he smiled and shook his hands, making the butterflies flew away from him. He smiled happily and gave the answer she was looking for. "But it's not, but it's not, but it's not, but it's not, but it's not."
Then Ezekiel gave a deep breath and she saw both kid Ezekiel and the beast Ezekiel trying to calmly deep breath on the situation.
"It's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay, You've got nothing, got nothing, got nothing, got nothing to fear." Ezekiel pointed at the little Ezekiel to calm himself down and went after the beast version of himself, crossing the river of butterflies, he gave a hug to the beast, who emotionally embraced himself. "I'm here, I'm here, I'm here"
Ezekiel smiled, as Courtney felt it was her time to share the same feelings. As he opened her mouth.
"Here comes a thought that might alarm me, What someone said and how it harmed me." Courtney sang as she followed the same pattern of melody, and then her eyes wandered as her own memories attacked her, from the time she felt defeated as the words of the host of the show seemed to be making fun of her, "Something I did that failed to be charming, Things that I said are suddenly swarming"
And when she was singing she felt her brain explode, as crossing over her mind thousands of butterflies flew outside her head, creating a river even stronger than before. And from that quantity of butterflies, it created a giant version of a light butterfly, that indeed scared the C.I.T. brunette.
"And, oh, I'm losing sight, I'm losing touch, All these little things seem to matter so much, " And at that moment, both Ezekiel and Courtney saw something that only the former could understand who it was, Courtney tried to reach to the version of the butterfly which showed her deep inner thoughts, which was an angrier version of his friend, a C.I.T. girl who was hungry for power, with lawsuits on her hands, wanting to control everything, making Duncan to be a better boyfriend, to make Chris pay for his actions, and that version of Courtney was getting darker and darker, and even crueler with the time. "That they confuse me, That I might lose me"
Courtney then realized Ezekiel sang at the same time as her, and with a smile on his face, Courtney remembered the words his friend had told her. And followed the same lyrics as him.
"Take a moment, remind yourself, To take a moment and find yourself, Take a moment and ask yourself, If this is how we fall apart," Courtney came to a decision, as Ezekiel nodded his head at her, which made both close their eyes and went to have their own hands into meditating position, and then like a breeze of wind appearing strongly, Courtney opened her eyes, as she saw the giant butterfly she created suddenly separated from itself, like different little butterflies and flew away from each other, "But it's not, but it's not, but it's not, but it's not, but it's not"
Courtney took a deep breath, as she then saw the inner thoughts of herself suddenly disappearing like a whisper in the middle of strong waves of silence.
"It's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay" Courtney smiled as she then saw a little child version of herself, a little girl wearing a pink shirt, blue pants, and a white skirt, as she had 2 little pigtails on her hair like the good times she had on the childhood. From the time she grew up, she looked at the good memories, good friends she made, the deepest fear she had, and how her friends helped her to overcome it. "I've got nothing, got nothing, got nothing, got nothing to fear, I'm here, I'm here, I'm here"
Both Ezekiel and Courtney sang as they looked at each other, as great friends would be, a brotherhood they created on the Killer Bass, as she never felt the pain in her chest being released, she now felt free from everything.
"And it was just a thought, just a thought, just a thought, just a thought, just a thought," Courtney took a few butterflies with her hands and gently released them in the air, as she saw they flew away from the horizon and the good breeze crossed on her hair, and her mind finally came into peace. "It's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay"
"We can watch, we can watch, we can watch, we can watch them go by, From here, from here, from here" Both Ezekiel and Courtney sang as they felt relieved from all the inner terrible thoughts they had, and finally with a lot of stress happening on their minds, Courtney felt exhausted and laid her back on the floor, as she then saw Ezekiel doing the same, and both of them watched the butterflies leaving the area, which even as the time they come could cause disasters, by seeing them leave it's a beautiful thing to see. "Take a moment to think of just, Flexibility, love, and trust, Take a moment to think of just, Flexibility, love, and trust..."
Courtney said the final words, until she then had her eyes wide open in surprise, seeing that the night had arrived, and Ezekiel with a happy smile on his face, still in a meditation state. And she couldn't help but be so happy, to even hug the boy in surprise.
"Woah," Ezekiel said, as he got happy about making a difference, knowing that what Courtney would need at that moment, was to find her inner peace, and by being his friend, he knew how much she needed that. And once again, one of his favorite shows childhood taught an important lesson to someone.
.
.
.
"So they didn't know I lost yet?" Courtney commented as Ezekiel helped her to carry her stuff.
"Just me, Tyler, Bridgette, Beth. But I asked them to be in silence and let the others see the end of the outcome." Ezekiel commented as he could see her eyebrows raised. "Hey, it would be unfair for them to let them have spoilers, especially since your departure was so shocking."
"Well, makes sense, even if I hated being eliminated like that, it must have caused a shock to everyone who watched the pay-per-view." Courtney since the time she was there, could see why Eva wanted to give the good news. The entire place seemed indeed a well-paid resort that Chris would like so much the campers to avoid losing on purpose. And speaking of Eva... "Oh yeah, Eva told me for you to double your weight."
"Wait what?" Ezekiel said as he dropped the suitcases, and palled into hearing what Courtney had said. "Doubling the weight? But I have 5kg in each arm and leg, if I use 10kg for each I will be walking like a tortoise, the only thing I would miss is a purple shell and a flying cloud."
"What?" Courtney asked as she looked confused about what the homeschooled boy had told her.
"Nevermind, I'm talking gibberish," Ezekiel replied as he waved his hands dismissing the thoughts of his friend, but then looked that she had just gotten in there, and they reached a good place for the baggage, Ezekiel then looked at the other campers reunited to watch the episode, which was showing the events of the challenge happening."But since you are here... want to play a little prank on them?"
Courtney stopped and mused for a minute...
"I'm listening..."That was everything Ezekiel wanted to hear, as they planned to put their plan in motion.
.
.
.
"Wow look at Owen, Eva is not going to let him off of the hook easily," Katie commented as she saw Sadie feeling pity for her fellow chubby friend.
"She is in the shark mode, it's the mode where she is going to make you cry for doing exercises, and she is going to focus her eyes only on yourself," Sadie commented as she palled from that thought. "Once I had a nightmare of doing push-ups, and when I woke up I was sweating and with my arms sore."
"Wow Sadie, even though I was here for a few weeks, watching you doing those exercises made me sore just by watching," Cody replied as the group watched the second phase of the race happening.
"I don't know what Izzy was planning, but I had a good laugh into seeing Heather screaming," Leshawna said happily as Noah felt he was having the best day of his life.
"Oh, it's get even better." The bookworm replied as a good part of his sadistic side that he never thought he had was happy to see the suffering of Heather happening. Karma is a bitch sometimes.
With everyone talking, Harold was sitting on the couch, enjoying a good bowl of popcorn, while Geoff and Bridgette were having a good making-out session and ignoring the events of the episode. The nerd ginger was so focused on the events of the episode that he wasn't even blinking.
"Hey Harold, can I have some of that popcorn?" Then a familiar voice came to nearby, as Harold without turning his head simply passed the bowl to the person. "Thanks... oh, that's what happened to Owen? Wow, poor guy."
"Yeah. Sometimes Eva scares me, and I'm glad that she didn't place me in the working out session. Even as the amazing skills I have. I wouldn't have enough stamina to survive a single hour of Eva's working out." Harold commented as he then took the bowl back.
*crunch* *crunch*
"Hmm, this popcorn is really tasty." The voice commented as Harold nodded his head.
"Yeah, I'm glad you liked Courtney." Harold happily commented, as then suddenly he blinked... a few times, but not before turning his head. "WHAT THE HELL?!"
Harold's reaction was so loud and so spontaneous that he launched the bowl into the air which made it fall over Noah who was nearby. And from the shout. Everyone turned to see, that on the couch, there was a familiar camper, who placed her hand over her mouth, trying to hold her laugh... Seeing Harold screaming was so funny, that even the other's reactions immediately made her laugh.
"COURTNEY?" Many of the campers who were watching the episode stared at the screen, and at the C.I.T. who let the hell broke loose, and finally had a good moment of laugh... A good day to start her vacation.
She felt that she deserved this. A reward for all the work that she did, and she was glad with how things turned out.
.
.
.
And with the C.I.T. girl watching the episode, looking for all the perspectives of the situation, she could understand that Chris wasn't sure if he was telling the truth if was another person being eliminated.
"Do you think he told the truth? And it wasn't just because of me?" Courtney asked unsure, and while some campers were unsure of what to say, Ezekiel knew the answer.
"If you had passed Lindsay, Chris would have eliminated her Courtney. The rules were clear, and even if they were easy to find a loophole, it still happened, you just lost because you were indeed the last person crossing the line." Ezekiel commented as he knew how the cannon episode would have turned out.
"How are you sure that's what happened?" Justin asked Ezekiel who saw everyone staring at him.
"It's because that's how Chris is... if only 2 people was crossing the finish line, of course, he would enjoy adding a twist on the rules he created, so he made sure to explain the exact rules before the challenge started... Nobody asked about what would happen to the disqualified people from the challenge." Ezekiel commented as the campers had their eyes opened in surprise, "Knowing Chris he always tells the rules that he always finds convenient, but you always should be aware of what kind of loopholes you always can use. And if it's for the sake of entertainment, Chris would love to see it happening."
"So that means Izzy bringing Heather from the cliff," Leshawna asked horrified, to which Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Chris didn't punish either of Izzy or Heather, because if he sees what both girls did on that trip on camera he probably would laugh so much that he would leave them both untouched," Ezekiel commented as the group watched a few scenes of Heather suffering on the crazy smile of Izzy.
"I can't believe it Izzy likes to do this crazy persona on television," Cody commented as Courtney had her eyes wide open in surprise.
"You mean she isn't actually crazy?" Courtney asked as Noah and Cody shook their heads.
"Nah, she is just a great actress, she fooled everyone, ask Ezekiel, she always likes to spend most of the time with him." The bookworm commented as Courtney raised her eyebrow at him, and the homeschooled boy raised both his hands.
"Hey, she is fun to hang out with, and we have been playing archery together, even as she is eccentric sometimes, but who isn't, each of us has some uniqueness for us to enjoy," Ezekielc commented as the boys rolled their eyes, and even Leshawna and Beth chuckled from his reaction.
"Well I supposed, actually she asked me to check on you if you are taking your pneumonia pills," Courtney commented as she then saw Ezekiel give a weak smile at her.
"Whoa, even on the show she is checking on that?" Ezekiel asked in surprise, as he looked at the clock. "Well, next hour I will be taking mine before sleeping."
"Well, at least we... ARE YOU TWO STILL KISSING RIGHT NOW?" Courtney was having a great time talking until she saw that Bridgette and Geoff were pushing her with their bodies since they were making out. Which annoyed the C.I.T.
From the look of the couple, it seems they ignored completely the C.I.T.
*tsk* *tsk* *tsk*
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." And once again both couples screamed as Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"I don't know if Pavlov would be proud of you using one of his positive reinforcement tests. Or would be disappointed to find out that some people are worse than dogs." Noah commented as Ezekiel scoffed as Courtney saw both Bridgette and Geoff stop kissing and having their faces burning from the liquid.
"What is in there?" Courtney asked as Ezekiel gave her a bottle of water spray to her.
"Water mixed with hot sauce, whenever they pass their time kissing too much here, and ignoring our comments, we just use this no horny water spray," Ezekiel explained as the couple was feeling both ashamed and annoyed by the fact that once again they had to deal with this humiliating punishment. "Do you two want to continue in your rooms or you two are going to behave?"
Geoff mumbled some annoyed words, while Bridgette looked away sheepished.
"Fascinating. Could I have one?" Courtney asked interested as both Bridgette and Geoff looked horrified by the idea.
"Sure, enjoy yourself." Ezekiel saw the fearful look on their faces, and with a smile gave it to his friend who now knew they had a lot of problems.
"THIS IS A DICTATORSHIP," Geoff shouted angrily and in panic, while every camper who was watching the episode rolled their eyes.
"Sure, sure," Courtney commented, as she decided to make fun, and sat between both Bridgette and Geoff, and that way controlling both couples for not going too frisky on the night. Oh how much she is going to enjoy that.
Geoff and Bridgette couldn't say the same, but since they are annoying everyone, nobody cares.
It was a great night.
Heather was furious, about everything that she passed on the whole day, being kidnapped by the crazy ginger into a rollercoaster of the craziest shit she ever have in her entire life made her livid, from the times she went downhill from that moment, she thought it would be only a distraction for a few minutes, which in the end took literally hours. And for the cherry on top of the shitty day she was having, she was kidnapped AGAIN, by the same crazy girl.
"UGHHHHH, I WANT SO MUCH TO KILL YOU," Heather shouted angrily in the cave where Izzy was just ignoring her angry rants. While she was making tea for herself.
"Wow, for a person who I just saved the ass for today, you never know about the word of gratitude, didn't you?" Izzy said as she rolled her eyes, and those words infuriated even more the queen bee.
"GRATITUDE?" Heather shouted angrily as the ginger military rolled her eyes.
"Yes, because thankfully for what I did, we finally reached the point we wanted," Izzy commented as Heather paused and glanced at the girl who just smiled at her. "Oh, now you understand. We are now officially 4vs4 votes, which means any kind of winner of the next challenge, we can use our 4 votes to eliminate the next camper of our choice."
Heather then had her eyes wide open, as from all the possibilities, she never thought about such a thing and then narrowed her eyes.
"Why didn't you take Lindsay, or why did you make me do all that crazy shit?" Heather said still angry, which made Izzy laugh.
"For many reasons, one... if you participate in the challenge there would be many targets on your back, Lindsay on the other hand, hasn't any target, so she could only trust her skills to make herself get the victory, and which I have to confess that even I had placed my trust on her, I didn't imagine she had done so well as Owen told me," Izzy commented, which Heather had to calm herself down. "And to our surprise, my gut feeling was right, it was an instant elimination for the losers, and Chris used technicalities to make Courtney eliminated. Which would have been terrible for us if only Lindsay had won the challenge."
"And yet you were crazy enough to take such risks," Heather said as she narrowed her eyes, but Izzy scoffed at her.
"The biggest risk, the biggest reward, and taking down Courtney is one of the best things that could happen to us. We have 2 pillars down, we need just one more, and then take care of Eva, DJ will lose himself because sooner or later he can't cope with the pressure of the show." Izzy deduced which once again impressed Heather, but she was still mad at her for everything.
"I hate you will everything after you made me pull for today, but I have to confess you created a very good point. But mark my words you crazy bitch, when we eliminate the Killer Bass, our alliance is over and me and Lindsay will take you down." Heather commented as Izzy started to laugh.
"Oh Heather, bring it on," Izzy commented as she smiled at the queen bee, since even as crazy as it would be, Izzy enjoyed provoking and having a rivalry with the queen bee, but until then, she had a job to do. "Now, let's pick some tools."
"Now what?" Heather asked angrily, and Izzy narrowed her eyes.
"Knowing Chef Hatchet, we had to pass the night fixing his motorcycle, or whatever he is going to make food for us is going to be 10 times worse than we usually eat on the daily camp, and if he finds out the secret stash of the food I took from him, it will be way much worse," Izzy commented as Heather palled into imagining what kind of food would have been worse than they eat... until she remembered the brunch of disgustness, and her stomach flipped as a good part of her wanted to erase that memory from her life. "So let's fix his motorcycle before he cooks tomorrow, knowing it was you, Lindsay, and Duncan who took some of his dismantled material. We better let Lindsay sleep for tonight, and I'm going to wake up Duncan."
Heather hates Izzy for what she did in the morning, but she hated, even more, to know that crazy ginger was saner than the other campers, and the fact she knows more about Chef Hatched and what he could do to them, made her want to fix that damn bike...
But one single thought of relief was on the queen bee... she was glad that her friend Lindsay was the one who won the challenge.
It didn't take long for Courtney to adapt around the playa del losers, since two days had passed since her departure from the show, and she finally got to enjoy her time relaxing on the island, playing with her friends, enjoying the pool and even watching episodes of what happened around. She had to confess that from the viewers' perspective, there were some mistakes that her team had made, but overall they had a very solid teamwork, and a solid strategy, but the sudden departure of strong players indeed made the team getting weaker and weaker.
But she was proud of how much their team worked together, as she was indeed surprised at how far Trent had indeed gone. Even as he apologized to her and Geoff, it took a kick in his nuts, and for her satisfaction, Ezekiel told her that she had to do that again on live television, and she would be happy to oblige that, but still in the end, all the campers enjoyed those 2 days like a blink of an eye.
Not knowing on the night of the second day...
.
.
.
Ezekiel was having a peaceful night, usually, he didn't like to use blinds on the window, but suddenly something was capturing his attention, many lights hitting on the glass of the window, making the boy try to cover his head with the pillow on his head...Until a familiar sound happened... which sounded far away, but he recognized that sound... A helicopter.
"Helicopter at this hour?" Ezekiel asked as he got up to check the window... And from seeing there was indeed a helicopter flying to a direction, and then a dozen of boats traveling on the sea in the one direction... Ezekiel looked weirdly until slowly his eyes went wide open. "Is that?"
Ezekiel took his remote control and pressed the play to check on the pay-per-view.
.
.
.
*SLAM* *SLAM* *SLAM*
"WAKE UP WAKE UP." Ezekiel's shout was loud enough to disturb and even made some of the campers jump from their beds since the homeschooled boy was kicking and punching the doors desperately. "CHECK THE PAY-PER-VIEW NOW."
*SLAM* *SLAM* *SLAM*
"WAKE UP WAKE UP." Ezekiel kept shouting as loud as he could, making sure to disturb every single person from the resort, some looked scared and others annoyed.
*SLAM* *SLAM* *SLAM*
"What is going on?" Leshawna asked angrily as she opened the door of her bedroom from all the commotion.
"Turn on the TV now. This is serious." Ezekiel said as he desperately kept knocking on the door,
And more and more campers got out of their rooms. Until Courtney got enough.
"What's so important for you to call us at this hour?" Courtney asked annoyed, but the next words she heard from Ezekiel, it was one of the scariest things she ever heard in her life.
"It's Eva... she got stabbed..."
To be Continued...
Chapter 30: Hook, Line, and Screamer
Chapter Text
A few hours early:
"Previously on Total Drama Island..." Chris began the recap as the sun started to set on the island. "Campers had to build their own hot wheels in a motocross challenge to race for invincibility. Without Heather's leadership, Lindsay decided to trust her own guts... and started to talk to herself until she found a very good idea to help her with the challenge of the day. There were big winners and big-time losers! And there was even some wicked like Izzy kidnapping Heather for her own session of traumatic events hehehehe, it was hilarious. But in the end, it was Lindsay who showed that she indeed had skills and should be taken seriously on the show, and Courtney as being the second to cross the finish line, she didn't expect that by being the last person to cross the finish line ended up with her elimination. Courtney ultimately lost the race and the challenge, which meant goodbye Courtney, have fun to being with the losers. Who will be the next winner? Who will be the next loser? Who will renew my contract for the next season? All these mind-robbing questions are revealed in this horrifying episode of, Total. Drama. ISLAND!"
"Cut." The voice of the cameraman was said as the host of the show finally could sigh in relief.
"Wow, this took 3 takes to make, how was my hair?" Chris asked as he checked on the mirror which he gave a grin, and after passing a few seconds, he could see Chef chuckling on his place. And it wasn't a surprise, since both of them came up with a brilliant idea for the episode. Chef approached him Chris smirked at the idea in his head. "To give a few horror movies for them to watch before we do the challenge today was genius. They must be thinking the challenge would be tomorrow."
"Well, it was obvious, since you always did 3 days of rest before the next challenge, doing one on the night of the second day usually would catch anyone by surprise." Chef Hatched commented as both of them laughed happily, as the camera crew and the interns were preparing for the episode happening before editing for the next day.
"I can't believe I'm going to leave this... if something happens with it, I'm going to get mad," Chris commented as he placed one single item inside of a bag, which the military chef rolled his eyes.
"It's just a bottle of hair gel, you can get over it," Chef commented, as both rolled their eyes, but then smirked at each other. "So when are we going to start?"
"At the moment they finish the next movie," Chris commented, as he thought it would be the best episode ever, but not knowing the repercussions of what that episode would be.
(?)
The sound of a chainsaw was able to be heard in the camp. The night had fallen on the Total Drama Island, and Chris had decided to give the movies to the final 8 to enjoy the night. But sadly for DJ, the movies were nothing more than slasher movies, which they are making a marathon being played on an old-fashioned film reel.
Some of the campers really enjoyed it, such as Gwen, Duncan, Izzy, and Owen were having fun watching the movie. And while some campers weren't that founded of horror movies like Lindsay, Heather, and Eva. DJ was a pile of nerves who didn't even have the energy to work up the nerve to actually sit in the chairs set up for the campers, with his hands over his eyes and violently shaking.
"He's coming out of the woods with a big hacky chainsaw!" Izzy commented as she was with an excited grin on her face as the movie showed a killer in a hockey mask wielding a giant chainsaw. "That's so cool!"
"Oh no!" Owen gasped as he covered his eyes with an arm. But the curiosity of the big guy couldn't resist as he gave a little peak. "Psycho killer man's going for the car!"
"Wow, I think my sister Paula had a blouse like that," Lindsay commented confused as a good part of her was feeling scared into seeing a lot of blood on the show as she felt the need to try to distract herself with anything unless than the movie. Heather was in silence while watching the movie almost feeling bored.
Eva ignored their talks while she enjoyed eating the popcorn. Amused by seeing a lot of the scared campers, especially the brick wall who seemed to have fear of anything.
"They're gonna be chainsaw sushi!" Izzy yelled before letting out a laugh, but then she was surprised by the scream of the girl as the chainsaw cut directly and she even let out a horrified gasp from seeing that scene.
"Great Canadian cheese!" Owen yelled out in horror as a girl screamed in the movie. As he threw his arms in the air and went to his knees he saw the hopelessness of the victims of the movie. "Now the car won't start!"
"Oh, man..." DJ whimpered as he tried his best to look away from the movie. But like a train crash, the gentle Jamaican couldn't look away completely... "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." The other campers shouted in surprise at his sudden scream, as Gwen, Duncan, and Heather looked annoyed by it. "DJ."
"Sorry guys, it's because I think screaming would alleviate a bit of the terror in me... which did a little, but I think that's too much for me to handle," DJ commented as Izzy got up from being immersed in the movie.
"RUN!" Izzy screamed at the movie, while Heather and Lindsay stared at the ginger girl, wondering if she was acting or she was indeed feeling inside of the movie, but still they tried their best to keep watching and ignoring Izzy's antics. "The psycho's gonna get ya!"
Nearly everyone watched in anticipation, with DJ finally reaching his limit and was able to look away by ducking his head under his hands, as the psychopath of the movie was finally closer to their target.
"Here comes the blood fest!" Gween gave the warning as the campers watched the blood start to spread in the movie, DJ closed his eyes with his hands, and at that moment Gwen cheered. "Haha, I knew it."
"Sinister, AHA WOHOO." Duncan commented impressed with the scene while Owen looked terrified, both the punk and the goth seemed to be having a great time while Izzy was smiling, DJ was hiding himself, and Eva was still eating popcorn as she rolled her eyes from seeing such a pathetic scene of DJ and Owen feeling so much horrified from a fake movie. Heather was bored while Lindsay was trembling in her place, feeling scared from all the gore, and from the damage of dirt blood on the clothing.
Izzy on the other hand stood up from her seat.
"Aw, the chainsaw psycho's going back to the woods! He's getting away! Yeah!" Izzy commented as the movie finally turned off. The horror fest finally was over. The ginger girl was so excited that decided to jump into the arms of the big man Owen."Good ending! Izzy loves scary movies!"
Owen who was feeling fear and disgust immediately diminished as he saw Izzy in his arms and he felt he should impress her.
"So does Owen." The big guy said as he looked to DJ and Duncan and the two gave thumbs up.
"Oh thank God it's finally over," DJ commented as the sound of the film reel stopped working. "I really hate scary movies."
"Oh yeah? What scares you the most?" Duncan asked as he had a smirk on his face, and from seeing DJ in a very sensible position, there was something he wanted to give as a surprise. "The part where everyone meets a grizzly death? Or the part of... BUGABUGABUGA."
Duncan suddenly placed a Big Green Mask which had 2 painted eyes and a big purple nose on it. And at the time he made the same sound, DJ immediately jumped from his seat.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." DJ shouted as he felt exactly what Courage must have felt when Eustace did it with the poor beagle. And from jumping behind the girls, needlessly to say, Lindsay, Heather, Gwen, and even Eva were laughing at the poor Jamaican who was found staring at the punk boy who was laughing at him.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA." Duncan laughed as DJ was indeed like a poor coward dog, and a simple mask he made on the Arts and Crafts was enough to scare the shit off him.
DJ narrowed his eyes and got up.
"Hey, where are you going?" Gwen asked as DJ narrowed his eyes.
"On the confession booth," DJ commented as the group waited patiently for him.
(Confession - DJ)
DJ looked at the screen with his arms crossed.
"HEY, THAT WASN'T COOL," DJ said angrily as he pointed at the camera, knowing that Duncan was going to see that in the future. "This will have a payback in the future, mark my words, Duncan."
DJ returned to his seat, as he looked angrily at the delinquent who was chuckling and hiding his mask.
"Aw c'mon DJ," Gwen decided to play the nice one and tried to assure the cowardly boy around the campers. "For a slasher flick, it was pretty tame."
"Yeah, there was hardly any hacking." Duncan stated as he waved his hook hand around and this time surprised DJ for the first time with the hook."Not like Bloodbath 2: Summer Camp Reing of Terror!"
"Where did you get that?" DJ asked in alarm while Gwen had another comment in mind.
"No way!" Gwen let out with a big smile on her face at the mention of the horror movie. "That's my favorite movie! I love it when the killer jams the guy's hand into the lawnmower!"
"And now we lost them," Eva commented as this time DJ jumped from his place once again scared, and this time he saw Eva scoffing at him. "Calm down Courage, I'm not going to let a psycho killer go after you."
"Really? Eva," DJ looked hopefully for the bodybuilder who didn't seem phased by anything in the movies. "It's because I get too scared."
"Pff, I don't get scared of serial killer movies," Eva replied as she scoffed around calling the attention of both goth and punk who seemed to be so entertained by the gore movie. "They are pretty tame, and in comparison to an actual sasquatch and a bear, you would be more scared of those beasts."
Duncan raised his eyebrow, as Gwen scoffed, while Heather looked amused, and even Lindsay looked impressed.
"Really? You don't have fear of serial killers with hooks and machetes?" Lindsay asked as Eva finished eating popcorn.
"Pff, serial killers are just humans like us... Here is a movie for you, serial killer appears, you break his legs and arms, and probably the spine, that way it wouldn't move anymore, and everyone is safe and live happily after... the end." The bodybuilder gave a summary of a narrative of a movie in which DJ wasn't sure if he should be terrified of the description of what Eva would do to a serial killer, or being grateful that she was on his team and was a good friend of him.
Lindsay and Izzy, since the former clapped as she liked the idea of everyone living happily after and the latter clapped with the idea of someone actually beating down mercilessly the villain which the movie would be short, but also would be brutal and awesome to watch. Eva raised her eyebrow but smirked that at least someone enjoyed the idea.
Heather, Duncan, and Gwen rolled their eyes.
"If that was the movie, it wouldn't be at least 10 minutes," Duncan commented as Eva grinned and cracked her fingers.
"Oh I would make it a whole 2-hour session with it," Eva grinned in a way Owen gulped and gave a step back, which Eva stretched herself and then checked the fat boy once again. "Hmm... did you do the 10-mile run like I said you should?"
Owen gulped as he sweated in fear of the bodybuilder, since in comparison to the horror movie, he wasn't sure who was the scariest, the psycho or Eva herself.
"Oh, you don't know?" Then Eva said which made Owen flinches, and curse himself for making his thoughts loud for Eva to hear. "Well, let's see if tomorrow you are going to be afraid of a movie horror when I'm done with you."
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO." Owen shouted as he was cowering in the presence of the bodybuilder, and at the time everyone was watching Eva enjoying the fear she had made Owen suffer, by doing exercises. And the worst punishment of all... Cut his food rations to 2/3. Which has been making him try to find a way to eat food, but she was cutting his food, trying to make him eat too much.
Eva then glanced around to see the other campers staring at her.
"What?" Eva just said a question which everyone turned their heads and started to whistle away from when Eva got in the working out mode.
"Well I gotta agree with Eva on this one, it's just mindless guts and gore, if the assassin dies, then the movie is over," Heather said as she wasn't all impressed with the movie she saw on the night.
"Horror movies aren't mindless," Gwen stated as she crossed her arms at Heather.
"Yeah, they're loaded with psychological trauma," Duncan commented as he once pointed at DJ who was still trembling. "Just look at DJ."
"Hey, I just got scared because you are using Eustace's mask, that was a low blow." DJ crossed his arms, as he himself showed that he wasn't on that fear of the movie anymore, but the fact Duncan had been annoying by using a fear that he shared with the coward beagle.
"Whatever." Heather rolled her eyes at watching the whole scene, as she saw Lindsay a bit intimidated by the idea of a serial killer horror movie, but was holding herself together, she checked Izzy by seeing everything in her amused face, it seemed anything was getting more and more suspicious. "Does anyone have any idea what our challenge will be this week?"
"Hmm, we have to wait tomorrow to see if Chris will come up with a challenge for us," Eva commented as the group raised their eyebrows at her. In fact, it could happen since it was on the final day off they had before another challenge came up...
And the group was about to accept that as an answer until suddenly the sound of a boat motor got their attention. As the group walked to the docks, the eight teenagers all stood up and headed toward the direction of the boat. Once there, they saw a surprising thing. Chef was loading up a bunch of bags of luggage and crates into the Boat of Losers.
"Hey yo, Chef!" Duncan called out as he approached Chef, and for some reason, the military man flinched at the sound of the voice and turned at Duncan with a horrified look on his face. "Where's the fire?"
But Chef didn't answer the question made by the delinquent, instead, the buff cook decided to leave the last few bags behind and quickly head to the boat where Chris was also waiting. And with the host also had a face that he was scared for his life, and after a few seconds, the group watched the duo of the host and the cook of the show leaving the island as far as they could.
Everyone simply stood up there, watching the boat leave in simple surprise and confusion on their faces, until Owen saw the bag on the floor.
"HEY DUDES" Owen called out as he lifted up one of the bags Chef had left behind. He tried to call the attention of the boat, however it was already far away from the group. As he lifted the bag he tried to once again call for their attention. "YOU FORGOT THIS."
But at the time the bag was still in the air, a newspaper fell out of it. Owen looked down and flinched as he saw the picture of a big muscle guy wearing a hockey mask. Placing the bag down, Owen picked up the newspaper and read from it.
"Escaped psycho killer on the loose. Be on the lookout for a man wearing a hockey mask with a hooked hand and carrying a chainsaw." Owen explained as the group who were nearby him were looking terrified, less Heather and Eva the former was grinning and the latter wasn't showing any kind of expression on her face.
For most of the campers, that was by far the most shocking and horrifying news they could ever get. A psycho killer on the loose, on the island. And Chris and Chef just left them for dead.
"Hahaha." Izzy changed the expression of horror to a smile. As she laughed at the news. "He's on the loose."
"Oh come on." Heather rolled her eyes as she could hear from her tone of voice of Izzy that she indeed also was playing the actress at the moment, as the queen bee decided to dismiss the stupid idea of the scared campers once and for all. She wasn't frightened about any of this whole thing because of one simple reason that actually made sense. "They wouldn't expect us to fall for this. Scary movie followed by hasty exit followed by strategically placed lame prop?"
"I have to agree with the skinny brat," Eva commented as Heather glared at the bodybuilder. "Both Chris and Chef wouldn't be stupid to leave us behind, because if they do. I swear when I get out of this island, they would be paying for plastic surgery of whatever I was going to do with them."
"Yeah, you do that," Lindsay commented as she was very frightened but she was already behind the tank which was Eva, and since she looked like a wall to protect her from the danger, she kinda felt safe from whatever bad news happened.
"I don't know."DJ whimpered, from being already on the edge, any kind of scare would be enough for him willing to give up... He was already regretting not saying the word that he could have used the challenges before. Even as crazy as it was, he could have gone away for a long time. And how he was getting the fruits of his ignorance. And from seeing Chef and Chris' realistic reactions, he seemed convinced. "They looked pretty spooked."
"Puh-lease." Heather scoffed, still adamant in thinking this whole thing was a setup. "It's all part of their little stunt to freak us out."
Meanwhile, Owen was searching through the backpack that held the newspaper, to check if there was anything important inside of the backpack. And the item he soon saw shocked him and made him truly feel fear over the situation was a simple object. "If this was a stunt, would Chris leave behind his... hair gel?"
Owen then pulled out a bottle of hair gel that had a Chris' face on it. That caused everyone, with the exception of Heather gasp, even Eva had her eyes wide open in surprise but then narrowed. It was indeed a very surprising revelation, while the others were having a loud horrified gasp. Even Izzy felt a part of herself was second-guessing if was indeed fake or if those bastards really decided to leave them both alone. But in the next second, she decided to compose herself, because she saw Heather was still not impressed with the situation.
"Whoat." Gwen let out as fear finally reached her. While she enjoyed watching slash movies of psycho killers on the screen, experiencing the idea of encountering one reminded her of her fear of being buried alive by one psy... oh, now that she thinks about it, she thought Chris was a psychopath and she literally relieved her worst fear... But shaking her head, she decided to comment on what she had been thinking. "This is for real!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." And then a shout which made everyone jump away, from Lindsay who was shouting. "My feet, you are stomping in my feet."
DJ gave a look and quickly was the first to recoil while looking sheepishly.
"Sorry, but this is so real, so let me get this straight." DJ gave a sheepish smile to Lindsay was making a slight massage to her feet, while the brick wall was trembling in his place. "Chris left us for dead and now we're alone while that escaped psycho killer with the chainsaw AND A HOOK, I know what you are thinking Duncan and I'm not going to get tricked by you again... But this psycho is on the loose?"
Duncan hid his hook while he snapped his finger, losing a good chance to prank his friend. But now things looked more serious since the boy was on the verge of panic.
"You need to stop being scared like that DJ, you are very big, being scared like that doesn't suit you," Eva commented as the Gentle Jamaican was still trembling while trying to regain control.
"I can't help it," DJ said as he was taking control of his breath, and while he was in fear many times, he couldn't always rely on the stories of the pink beagle because he didn't have his momma to protect, and that was difficult to try to assimilate the courage the poor animal had to fight whatever comes at him. "Guys, ever wonder if you feel like you have been watched?"
"Duh. It's a reality show." Heather pointed out the obvious as she gestured to all the cameras that were watching and recording them, especially from the idea of pay-per-view and probably would have a lot of people enjoying watching them dealing with that situation of the night. "We're always being watched."
(?)
And far away, inside a hut, there was nobody other than Chris Mclain, seeing the reaction and action of every single camper who he was monitoring from the 4 screens and a control panel in front of him, knowing the people would come either to the confession both, on the docks, or even at the campfire ceremony, each screen had an importance where he usually edits the videos with the camera crew.
And now with the cameras aiming at him, Chris was ready to continue his show.
"Hahaha, Heather's right. And tonight, we're watching to see who can survive a real-life scary movie, with a special guest appearance by… the escaped psycho killer with a chainsaw and a hook!" Chris commented as he gave the introduction of the person who would make sure it would scare everyone around. And even used a fake hook to make sure to create a scary impact on the viewers.
"Cut." The cameraman commented as Chris gave a stretch on the possibility of what would be the challenge.
"Okay, Chef, you know what to do. Follow your script and see if you can defeat everyone." Chris commented as the Chef who had military training was cracking his fingers, and stretching himself.
"The bodybuilder Eva is going to be tough, I think she is going to win the challenge, and I don't want to risk too early, so I will leave her for the last," Chef commented as he placed the costume, as he could see the smirking face from the host. "And no, it's not because I'm scared of her, it's because I know she could hurt me if she takes me by surprise, and when she gets me and finds out it was me... she is not just going to beat me... she is going after you too."
And with that, Chris palled, into thinking that probably the decision of Chef concerning the challenge, wasn't a lie at all.
"Okay, but you need to do it quickly," Chris commented, as he could see the screen of Gwen deciding to say something.
"Okay, look. It doesn't matter if this is real or a challenge. We need a game plan."Chris watched Gwen make a decision and DJ immediately felt himself agreeing with her.
"Yeah, yeah, we need a plan. Any plan!" DJ commented, as he tried to find a way to treasure himself but the more he talked the girls rolled their eyes, even Lindsay who was still with her foot hurt. But he couldn't help it, since any kind of decision would be better than dealing with a serial killer.
"You little frightwigs might need a game plan, but I need a facial." Heather decided to ignore the cowards who had been shaking in their place for so long, while she could see that at least she wasn't going to be alone. "Lindsay let's go."
"Are you crazy?" Gwen said as Heather started to walk away with Lindsay. And Chris was enjoying more and more this experience. "First rule of slasher films, never go off alone."
"Pff, I might actually listen to you if I were in a movie. We're being punked. Also, I'm not alone, Lindsay is coming with me." Heather commented as Lindsay was feeling a bit unsure if was the right decision. "Lindsay, it's not a real serial killer, okay?"
"How can you be sure?" Lindsay said a bit hesitant, which made Heather facepalm and stare at the group who seemed unsure of what to say.
But before Heather could insist that nothing was going to happen, another voice called for their attention.
"I'm also going." Eva's voice was heard, which made the whole group stare at her in surprise. "I need to go to the bathroom, so I could be on guard in case someone would try to act smart on us. And I'm warning you, you better warn us you are coming or I can't control what's going to happen with you if you try to surprise me..."
Heather and Lindsay were surprised, while Heather was with her eyebrow raised, Lindsay on the other hand felt she was in relief, since now they have a strong person to protect them.
"Well then, that's settled," Heather commented before Gwen or Duncan would even try to protest, Lindsay nodded happily, and Eva started to walk away. But since everything is so obvious, from the time they place a horror movie, then throw them into a horror movie. Just another of the challenges which she could take advantage of knowing that the most target person to give up on the show, was the giant who was still trembling in fear. And she isn't going to fall for that. "You're so gullible. HEY! CHRIS! If you're listening, next time, rent one that takes place at a summer camp!"
Chris smiled from seeing Heather's reaction being so genuine, making the challenge even sweeter. So he decided to explain to the camera.
"I tried. But they were all rented."Chris smirked as he returned to see Heather leaving the show.
"If you losers wanna hang around and play "boogie man", go ahead. But I have got a date with exfoliation. Wait for me, Eva." Heather commented as Lindsay was still a bit shocked by her best friend's decision, but seeing that the bodybuilder already was ahead in the direction of the bathroom, they couldn't waste an opportunity. "Let's go Lindsay."
"Okay, see you later guys, try to not get murdered by the psyduck," Lindsay commented as she wished good luck, but after saying the word wrong Gwen rolled her eyes.
"It's psychopath Lindsay. But thanks, good luck as well." Gwen commented as the group finally saw the other disappearing away.
"Then it's official ladies and gems!" Izzy laughed as she put a finger to one end of her neck. "The bossy mean chick, the dumb blonde, and the athlete have sealed their fates!" Izzy then slowly ran her finger through her neck while making a cutting sound with her mouth.
"Wow." Owen let out with a love-struck look sent directly towards Izzy."You're really good at sound effects."
"I say we go back to camp and talk strategy. Who's in?" Gwen suggested the idea as the group nodded their heads, while Duncan shrugged since he didn't have anything better to do. And at the time Duncan, Gwen, and DJ were after the girl. Owen was interrupted as he suddenly felt himself being held tight by the smirking ginger who smiled at him and slowly pulled him away from the group.
Chris watched all the scenes and then used his walkie-talkie with a smirk on his face.
"Chef, it seems I found the first victims," Chris smirked as he was happy to know how the show would play out. And the challenge officially began.
(Forest)
With Izzy convincing Owen, both she and the big guy were probably doing possibly the second worst thing you could do in a horror movie. Be a couple alone in the woods. The absolute worst is just being a dumb pretty girl but we lost the chance to use that trope last week.
"So that's how Owen won the hot-dog-a-thon." To fill the silence of the woods, Owen was telling one of his life stories to Izzy. While talking in the third person for…some reason. "Owen ate two hundred dogs. Well, a hundred and ninety-eight, actually. The judges wouldn't count the last two since they squirted back up Owen's nose. Hahaha!"
"Wicked!" Izzy let out. The orange-haired girl always liked Owen. He was super fun! Even as the firstly she first wanted to use his votes and manipulate him to be always on her thumb, she had to confess that her friend Ezekiel was right, the big oaf had a good charisma that made her interested in knowing more about him. Even if he is a bit disgusting and farted a lot, she would do that as well, so she isn't one to judge him for that, and he has a big and kind heart, and that was what Izzy looked for in a man, maybe her friend Ezekiel was right when he said both would be a good match for each other. How wild, crazy, and fun they were. Just like her! And she'd say Owen fit the bill quite nicely. "Izzy's impressed!" And she too was speaking in the third person, since sometimes she had the tendency to talk like that, but nothing out of the ordinary for the military girl around the show.
Owen smiled at the crazy girl. Her craziness must be contagious because she certainly made him crazy if ya know what he means, but at least she always was there to cheer him up, and even in the cases he would tell everything he knew, she was there to believe in him, and made himself felt more important around the group. Owen really felt like he was scoring major points with Izzy lately. Especially tonight! They might even kick it up to relationship status if he was lucky! But still, something crossed the big guy's mind. The fact they were walking around randomly in the woods.
"Hey," Owen spoke up to get Izzy's attention. "Where are we going?"
"Izzy's walking in the woods." Izzy's answer was straightforward but didn't exactly satisfy Owen.
"Oh. Cool. The woods. Huh... the woods." That didn't sit right with Owen for some reason. Normally being in the woods would be rather normal considering they were at a camp, but tonight was different. "Why does that feel wrong?"
Unknown to the two, a set of eyes was watching them from a nearby bush. His breathing was unheard of due to the wind that passed by.
(Campfire)
Since the night was wild, and they needed a lot of space to run in case something bad was approaching, they decided to stay in an open area to have better chances to run and escape from the possible assassin running after them, and by some miracle, there was already a bonfire to help the group to see the area illuminated.
Gwen was walking around as DJ and Duncan were sitting on the logs as they planned about the next strategy.
"Okay. Rule number one, do not go off on your own. Rule number two, if you do go off on your own, never go in the woods! Rule number three, if you do go in the woods, never ever ever make out in the woods or you will die in the woods! " Gwen passed a good part giving explanations around what they should be aware of the rules of the horror movies, as it suddenly realized that it was supposed to be 5 of them, and not 3. And she noticed there was a ginger and a big guy nearby them. "Where's Izzy and Owen?"
"Breaking rules one through three," Duncan smirked as he knew it was the opportunity for the big guy to score, and knowing the risks and the chances, he wouldn't blame the boy for thinking with his low head instead of the rational one...
(Mountain)
Currently, the two were breaking rules one and two right now. They were on their own and in the woods. Izzy had decided to ride on Owen's back and use the big guy's head as a drum as Owen walked them both up a hill. "Does this feel wrong to you?" Owen panted as he reached the top of the hill. That bad feeling Owen got earlier only got worse and worse as they went deeper into the woods. Something was seriously wrong with what they were doing right now but he couldn't put his finger on it.
"No, your head's good and hollow, so it's got a great beat," Izzy stated as she gave Owen's head a few good beats. True to her word, Owen's head did sorta of sound like the equivalent of something wooden and hollow. "And all your yakking is keeping my mind off the escaped psycho killer with a chainsaw and a hook!"
"Great balls of fire! That's it!" Owen gasped loudly as he threw Izzy off his back. Something that made the psycho hose beast a bit grumpy. But Owen couldn't be concerned about that right now. This was a matter of life and death now! "The psycho killer! Remember how he left the woods to hack apart the couple who were making out?"
"But we're not making out." Izzy was rather quick to point out.
"Oh…yeah." Owen said with a sigh of relief. Still, he couldn't help but be a little disappointed.
…
…
…
"You wanna make out?" Izzy suddenly asked. Izzy could see that the boy was a bit of a sweetheart and wanted a bit of attention, she couldn't help, but give to him an opportunity for the boy who seemed to be eager for it.
"YES!" Owen immediately answered with absolutely no hesitation. Wasting no time, Izzy quickly grabbed Owen by his shirt collar and threw him as well as herself into a nearby bush the two quickly locked lips and started a full-on very heated make-out session.
All seemed well as the couple locked lips…until the sounds of a loud chainsaw were heard. The two had to unfortunately stop their little session and popped their heads out of the bush, with Owen's face covered in orange lipstick. And what they saw was truly a horrific sight.
…The escaped psycho killer with a chainsaw and a hook wearing a hockey mask. Izzy saw the person being buffed and almost as strong as the Chef, and it took her by surprise by a sudden moment of weakness, so as a good military girl who had been trained a lot during most of her childhood... She couldn't help but be caught in the moment, especially with a person behind her.
"…AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Owen and Izzy were incredibly quick to start running away from the slasher villain turned real. But the killer was in hot pursuit of the two teens and refused to let them get away as they all ran…
And ran…
And ran…
And ran…
And ran…
"This feels so much longer and flatter than how we got here!" Owen pointed out that they've all been running in a completely straight line for quite a while with no obstacles or bumps at all.
"That's because horror movies extend the running scenes!" Izzy told Owen as she continued to run forward in the seemingly endless straight pathway. Know that as cliche as it sounds, relativity indeed sucked in times like that.
"Really?" Owen questioned with a raised brow. Quite frankly Owen was impressed with himself for running for so long. "Why?"
"It gives them time to film a good wipeout!" Izzy explained as this whole thing was turning into one giant horror cliché.
And then, as if on cue, Owen proceeded to trip on a rock that just seemed to appear out of nowhere…and tumble down a cliff. "Oof! Ow! Eh! Aw! Oh! Ah! D'ah! Aw! Oof! Ow!" Owen let out as he just seemed to hit every single edge of the cliff which held some random painful object like a thorn bush, a cactus, a goat, a fire hydrant, a second cactus, an explosion, and finally a campfire. "Oh, my spine!"
"Owen, I'm coming!" Izzy called out to the boy she was having some kisses, and if she had passed a few seconds to analyze that she still had all the training she did as a child, she would have thought of a more safe and prepared way to go down while being alert of the possible killer... but instead... she followed suite and jumped down the cliff, following every single step Owen had on his fall…hitting everything Owen hit herself. Luckily the final object she landed on was a rather soft and fat-filled one which broke her fall. Once again, Owen was the cushion to a fall. And this time he succeeded! "Hey, Owen! Hi."
But Izzy wasn't able to enjoy laying on top of Owen for long. Soon after Izzy landed on him, a large shadow was cast on them as they looked to see the psycho killer right in front of them. Izzy was quick to stand up and protect Owen. Izzy had memories of how she trained and fought a lot with her commander and teacher, and even had sparing training with her mother... She could take down easily any kind of person, but she also had to protect the person behind her, so she would need to attack it and protect it at the same time...
But nothing inside her mind, or not even her heart, could have expected the next action of the person who was behind her. The big guy proceeded to do the ultimate mark of a coward.
"Owen's too young to die! Here, take Izzy!" The psycho then witnessed as Owen pushed, while she was trying to protect him no less, Izzy right in front of him.
Izzy felt that everything was in slow motion as she heard the sound of a glass shattering, and a pain in her chest, but not before she felt that she wasn't in a comfortable position to roll, it was unexpected, and at the time she stop, she was a 40cm of the hook which was aimed for her neck. And at that time... Izzy froze...
As Owen ran for his life, Izzy was frozen in fear as the Psycho had in one hand a hockey stick with a chainsaw taped to the end of it. On the other hand, there was a hook instead of an actual hand which was centimeters away from Izzy, but not seeing the angle aimed at the ginger girl. Making it extra frightening was that the hook's tip was dripping with a red liquid-like substance. The psycho then raised his hook above her…
As he was running, Owen looked for anywhere he could hide and take cover. A cave. A hole. Even a random barrel. But Owen did manage to spot something rather surprising to see. A large tent. Owen wasn't gonna question it, however, not with a psycho on his tail. So the big guy entered the tent…and saw Chris inside of it at a desk watching a series of monitors.
Owen froze a bit as he and Chris looked at each other. The big guy swore he and everyone else saw the two head off the island on a boat. But there was no time to question this. There was a freaking killer outside! "Dude! Dude!" Owen yelled as Chris had an amused smile on his face. "There's a guy with a hockey mask and a chainsaw and a hook! And he's after us!" Just then Owen looked at one of the monitors in the tent and saw the psycho was carrying Izzy with his hook by the back of her shirt collar. "Yeah, right there! He's right..." The psycho then entered the tent with Izzy still alive and looking wary at him. "We're frickin' dead!"
To keep the big guy from screaming more, Chris covered Owen's mouth with his hand.
"Owen! Stop screaming!" Chris told the big guy as he removed his hand from Owen's mouth. "it's Chef!"
Gasping, Owen watched as the 'psycho' set Izzy down safely on the ground and flipped up his mask…revealing it truly was Chef behind it.
"Oh, cool!" Izzy started to laugh after learning it was all a hoax. And that moment she never thought of being so glad at seeing Chef in her life, especially at the moment of total fear, it was a setup, And Chef couldn't help but grin a little at how scared he made the kids. "Great costume! Wow, you totally got me. You did. I was freaked out."
She was telling the truth, she had been caught off guard in the worst way possible, and for a moment and the position of the hook... aimed at her neck, she feared for the worst.
"It's a blunt hook," Chef whispered those words which made Izzy never feel so relieved in her entire life, and while Owen and Chris couldn't hear them both... But then Izzy narrowed her eyes as she remembered one single detail...
"You punked us?" Owen asked as he tried to lower his heart rate.
"Yes and no," Chris told Owen with a grin as Chef walked up to Owen and used his hook to paint a red X on Owen's shirt right on the Maple Leaf. "It was your challenge to watch a scary movie and then survive one. And before you ask, that X Chef painted on you means you failed."
Owen breathed a sigh of relief before laughing.
"Did you hear that? He was punking us! It was a joke!" Owen said to Izzy…who was glaring and crossed her arms at Owen. To think he pushed her right into the killer and left her for dead. And she thought Owen was nice and fun! She gave him a chance... and he destroyed it. "Too funny! Hah. I was all 'Aaaaaaah' and then you were all 'Eeeeh!'"
Izzy rolled her eyes as she didn't like to even listen to his voice at that moment, she was holding herself to not jump on the jugular of the stupid fat fool who messed up with her.
"Haha! For the love of Peter Pumpkin Eater. That was some fun going on! Hehehe, am I right?" Izzy kept glaring at Owen. Owen quickly realized what Izzy was focused on. "Oh. You're still on the part where Owen shoved Izzy into the killer?"
Izzy remained quiet as a good part of her fist was holding tight, and internally she was gritting her teeth.
"The good news is you're safe," Chris reassured the both of them as he put an arm around both of their shoulders. "The bad news is you lost the challenge, but now, you get to watch our fake psycho terrorize the rest of the campers. Hahaha, fun huh?"
"Yes! Totally awesome TV viewing!" Owen cheered as he tried to hype Izzy up and get her to stop being mad at him…it didn't work. "Owen's not getting to second base, is he?" Izzy shook her head. "First base?" Izzy shook her head again. "Didn't think so. Is he getting up to ba-"
Izzy punched Owen in the face to shut him up. And while Chris and Chef were outside, she gave a knee on his belly, and a kick on his kiwis, which made the big oaf learn his lesson and cower like a ball.
Outside of the tent, Chris was ready to give a few more instructions to Chef.
"Great work, Chef." Chris complimented the fake psycho killer as he handed him a bucket of red paint for Chef to dip his claw into. "But next time, try to work the hook hand angle a bit more." Chef simply chuckled as he lowered his mask and went off to go terrorize the rest of the campers. He indeed was going to take that advice because he could see from his experience, and from his trained soldier as well... In normal circumstances... Izzy would have died if her neck reached the hook.
Thank God the fake hook wasn't sharp, or his best friend would have killed him... and with all the right of the world. He didn't want to make the same mistake again, and he was glad that he made the right choice to use a blunt hook this time.
(Camp Site)
Back at the campsite, Gwen finished the drawing of all the remaining campers around the area.
"Alright, now that I finished the drawing of everyone we can..." Gwen was about to explain their strategy when she realized there was only her in the area... Not even showing the remaining survivors like Duncan or DJ, at the time Gwen looked around she found a note on the place where DJ was sitting. "I'm taking Duncan with me to the bathroom, be safe. OH DAMMIT, THEY LEFT ME ALONE?"
Gwen ripped the papers, as she was feeling angry with the idea the team didn't take the horror movies as seriously, as even if they were following the rules, at least call her to be also part of it, because being alone in a horror movie is the worst decision ever... Especially for the moments where the group walks away and leaves the person alone, who usually is one of the first members to be capt...
Gwen then felt the hard breathing coming towards a mask, and slowly the goth turned her head, just to see it face a face with a jumpscare.
"WRAHHHHHHH." Chef dressed as the psychopath shouted as Gwen screamed.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Gwen was caught in the moment since she wasn't expected to be surprised in such a way, and seeing the next second raising his chainsaw and a hook, slowly the scream of the goth tuned down... as she looked in disbelief. "Wait a minute... Chef?"
The chuckle behind the mask confirmed as the man used the hook to hold the clothes of the goth.
"You got eliminated," Chef commented as the girl who was an expert in horror movies, never felt so insulted.
"Dammit, whatever." Gwen accepted defeat as she was being carried by the psycho. "I could walk you know..."
"Do you want me to use the chainsaw on you?" Chef growled as it immediately made Gwen shut up, because knowing the Chef, he probably would have used that.
.
.
.
"Well well well, for an expert in horror movies, you got betrayed by your friends and got a sudden jumpscare." Chris gave the smirk on the goth who looked annoyed at that moment. "How does that make you feel?"
"With the desire to punch someone in the face, are you really interested in being my test subject on that?" Gwen said angrily as the Chef grinned and showed Izzy who was smiling crazily but avoiding seeing the big-boned guy at that moment.
"Well, I know how to stop when I'm winning, so I will be focused on the challenge, now enjoy the time with the others," Chris commented as he quickly excused himself and smirked at the Chef who was ready to go after their next victim.
Currently, DJ and Duncan are outside the communal washroom. DJ was shaking like fifty leaves and looking every which way for where the psycho could be. Once the brick house confirmed that there was no one else around, he looked down at the delinquent.
"Okay, no matter what, you do not leave," DJ told Duncan who just rolled his eyes. As he holds his shoulders with his hands and looks deeply into his eyes. "Not if you hear a psycho. Not if you see a psycho. Not if the psycho is slashing you to bits!"
"Dude, you need to calm down," Duncan commented as he was feeling annoyed. "I swear that you are going too overboard, and are becoming more cowardly than Courage."
"Ops... sorry Duncan, it's because I think I'm on the edge...and I swear, that if this is a challenge, then I'm going to say Condor and get out of the game," DJ said as he was reaching on the limit, but then he saw Duncan grabbing him from his collar and stared to his eyes.
"DJ, STOP IT, GET BACK YOURSELF TOGETHER," Duncan said as he was now infuriated by the cowardice of his friend. "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, I KNOW THAT YOU ARE SCARED, BUT REMEMBER YOU HAVE YOUR FRIENDS TO HELP YOU, AND YOUR MOMMA WAITING FOR YOU AT HOME."
DJ at that moment had his eyes wide open as he realized what Duncan meant... he had someone important to return back home to, and he was feeling too cowardly to even give up everything.
"You are right, YOU'RE RIGHT," DJ said as he slapped hard himself on the face. He felt his inner courage returning since he dealt with a lot of challenges and even his inner fears. "You got my back, and probably Eva is here, so that means we are going to return alive."
"That's DJ I know. Nice to see you back." Duncan commented happily, as the gentle Jamaican felt more control over his feelings. "Now go to the bathroom and do it quick, if Gwen finds out that we left her alone, she is going to kill us."
"Alright. I'm going to do it." DJ said with a smile. And passed to the communal bathroom. DJ gulped a bit and entered the bathroom.
"Eva, it's me and Duncan, we are passing here to use the bathroom, so please don't beat us," DJ commented as the brick house felt more controlled by his nervousness, but then noticed that a good part of the area looked empty. "Hello?"
He didn't like the feeling of being alone, but it would help him to finish his business quickly, it got worse when he heard a cracking sound.
"Who is there?" DJ managed to squeak out for he heard a low humming. Looking at the source, DJ saw what was easily the most terrifying thing of all time.
Heather shaving her legs and wearing a bath towel with a green face mask on her.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" DJ let out as he saw Heather shave her hair-covered legs.
"DJ! It's me!" Heather yelled at the brick house as she turned off her razor and walked up to him. "Heather!" This seemed to get DJ to stop screaming and calm down…
Only for the brick house to scream even loud as he quickly ran as fast as he could out of the bathroom…leaving a DJ-shaped hole in the wall. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" DJ screamed as he blindly ran as fast as he could away from the scene. And breaking the door which surprised Duncan who jumped away from DJ running.
"DJ WHAT HAPPENED?" Duncan shouted as he then turned his head to see Heather with a green face mask on her face. And looking at the annoying look on her face, he paused for a few seconds... "Okay, Black Puddle Queen, I can understand why he ran away. Serial Killer is a fear he could overcome, but a mystical creature who can lure the males into the water to devour at the end of a puddle. Yeah... RAN DJ, SAVE YOUR LIFE BEFORE SHE CATCHES YOU."
"That's not funny," Heather growled at the delinquent who blinked...
"Heather? Wow... now many things make sense." Duncan commented as mused himself which made the queen bee even furious. But Duncan gave another look around. "Where's Eva and Lindsay?"
"Lindsay helped me to shave one of my legs, but she got starving, and she was very afraid, so Eva decided to go after her to protect her like a bodyguard." Heather rolled her eyes as Duncan raised his eyebrow at her. "What?"
"Are you sure you are going to risk it by being alone here? I mean, serial killers like people who are alone in the bathroom." Duncan commented which made Heather scoff.
"Please, of course, that's stupid, it's just a fake challenge from Chris," Heather commented before Duncan was going to say anything, she turned her back to him. "If you don't mind, I have an important shower to make."
"Well, suit yourself, but in case you die, don't go haunt me for your fault," Duncan commented as Heather rolled her eyes, but waved back at him...
.
.
.
DJ was in a panic when he saw the monstrous horror he had seen in the bathroom, a witch with a green painted face, which he found out was Heather, a side that he wanted to forget forever, not even his hero would have the courage against her, he knew that both of them would shout and run, that was the most obvious choice to make.
So he ran, ran away from the bathroom, ran away from the camp, ran away from the forest, ran away from the hills, ran away from the wastelands, ran away to even fall from the cliff, and ran away even at the deep of the water. While his screams could be heard the entire time, even the bubbles coming from his mouth showed how much he feared the monster, to run away to the docks, to just keep running until he found himself screaming inside of a tent. Where both Gwen, Izzy, and Owen were.
Until Izzy grinned and slapped on his face, which made him stop screaming.
"Dude, you're safe!" Chris walked towards the brick wall with his usual grin on his face, but the fact that everything was just a challenge, made DJ very relieved of everything.
"I am? Phew." DJ sighed in relief as he even saw a water bottle offered at him, which was brought by a hook, which made him have his eyes wide open. But thankfully Chris intervened.
"It's just Chef!" Chris commented as DJ gasped in surprise at seeing the cook raising the hockey mask and gave a grin at him."He was gonna scare the bejeebers out of you, but apparently Heather beat him to it."
"Bro, did you see her face? That was some serious ugly going on! She looked almost like the Black Puddle Queen," DJ commented as he remembered the sketch of one of the villains of Courage the Cowardly Dog. "Would you have risked being hypnotized by her and then brought at the end of the puddle just to become another food for her?"
"That's a valid point DJ, but that's only the art of makeup, true that it can be horrifying, but she is human... from what I heard," Chris commented as he once heard the homeschooled boy telling one story of the girl, and while he could admit that a hot girl was indeed tempting, the idea of wetting his hair, and then being devoured was a big red flag for him. "But you still bailed before Chef even got a crack at you. Speaking of which, you're up psycho man."
That was everything he needed to hear before Chef placed his mask back and went after the queen bee.
DJ was still trying to recover his breath, until he saw Gwen glaring at him.
"Oh... did Chef get you?" DJ asked and Gwen rolled her eyes and nodded at him. "I'm so sorry, I couldn't help it, I was very afraid today, and Duncan has set me straight. But you saw Heather."
Gwen was between to be very annoyed at the betrayal of DJ, but from seeing him apologizing quickly, and from the fact it was indeed Heather being horrible on that makeup... She couldn't help but grin.
"I'm still mad at you and Duncan, but I felt vindicated into seeing you performing the longest scream in a horror movie. It was hilarious." Gwen commented as she could see DJ flinches a little, but getting a resolution on his face.
"In any case, you can eliminate me today, I kinda deserved it. Especially if I knew it was a challenge I would have said the word." DJ explained as Gwen mused with the idea, and nodded at him. She was mad at him, yes, but she could forgive him for his maturity to ask for an elimination like that. At the time he was going to smile, Gwen slapped on his face, which let him shock.
"Now we are even," Gwen commented as DJ was massaging his face.
With no one here to bother her, Heather was finally able to get through with her shower. So entering a stall, Heather turned on the water put a hand under it, and waited for the temperature to become just right…and then she heard knocking on the stall door.
"Hello? I'm in the shower!" Heather yelled at whoever was out there. She had waited all day for this and wasn't about to let anyone ruin it for her now. But whoever was out there seemed to be determined to tick Heather off as they knocked even more on the door. "Very funny, Duncan. Now get lost!" Convinced it was the delinquent trying to prank her, Heather was about to hop into the shower and just forget him…until the sound of a chainsaw was heard.
This actually got a fearful reaction from Heather. But the queen bee was still sure it was a prank. It was probably just a recording of a chainsaw someone was playing through their phone. "I'm serious dude, get lo-" Heather opened up the door to the shower stall intent on giving whoever was outside a piece of her mind…only to see the Escaped Psycho Killer with a Chainsaw and a Hook. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!"
.
.
.
In the next second, Heather was in the fetal position looking scared for life, while Chris was enjoying every single second of it, as he was ready to scold the traumatized girl who was simply with a towel and naked.
"Maybe if you paid attention to the scary movies, you'd know that A) you never go off alone, and B) You certainly never shower alone," Chris commented as he was making fun of the traumatized girl as he rolled his eyes but remained with his grin. "You started so well Heather, if you still had Eva and Lindsay, you could have survived longer, but the ignorant people who don't believe in horror movies always were the ones who were killed in the most gruesome way."
"That's what happens when nobody listens to reason," Gwen commented as she felt satisfied with seeing the queen bee in an almost catatonic state, she then continued to look at the screen trying to search for both Duncan and Eva and Lindsay. While Duncan is alone and ready to be taken, Lindsay is one important factor for horror movies for being the dumb blonde, but having Eva on there would be risky for the psycho, so that means Duncan would be potentially the next target.
Duncan returned to the campfire, just to find the goth wasn't there anymore. With a smirk on his face, the delinquent already could guess what happened.
"And then there was one," Duncan commented as he wasn't sure if Eva would have survived, but probably he meant about the fact that he was alone around the place. And then he started to hear voices calling for him... Which was the perfect signal he was waiting for... "You and me, psycho!"
It didn't take long until the captured campers who were inside the tent watched Chef Hatchet dressed as Psycho waiting for someone to surprise everyone... Duncan appeared on the camera.
Which made everyone gasp.
"Mother of pearl! He's going to face off with the escaped psycho killer with a chainsaw and a hook!"Owen said as everyone was surprised by the delinquent, ready to face off the killer.
"Oh, this is gonna be fun. Come and get it, goalie boy." Duncan punched his fist as he was eager for a fight, and he called Chef who was ready for combat.
When Duncan reached the dock, he picked up one of the chairs and threw it at the psycho as he approached the delinquent. But with his mighty chain saw, the psycho easily sliced apart the chair. Duncan flinched a bit and quickly threw a canoe, only for the aquatic transportation to meet the same fate. The same goes for a life jacket and surfboard he threw. All sliced apart by the killer's chainsaw.
The psycho was now a mere foot away from the delinquent as Duncan made a last-ditch throw. A fish. And this of all things is what made contact. When the fish slid off the killer's mask and onto the dock, he raised a brow at Duncan through his mask. "What? I ran out of stuff to throw." Duncan stated as the killer simply glared at Duncan before raising up his chainsaw.
Duncan screamed and jumped out of the way as the killer swung his chainsaw right into the dock. And this was just the opportunity Duncan needed. Grinning, the delinquent kicked the hockey stick the saw was attached to hard enough to break it. With his chainsaw gone, the psycho raised up his hook…only for Duncan to cut it off with the killer's own chainsaw. "Thought you could scare me? Ha!" Duncan smirked and laughed at the killer as he held the chainsaw up, prompting the killer to raise his hands in the air. "Let's see who is behind the mask."
A few minutes later, Duncan appeared in the tent as he brought a souvenir with him.
"Someone lose this?" Duncan showed the mask as everyone started cheering for the delinquent to win the challenge. As a battle between the delinquent vs the serial killer, showing Duncan as the victorious.
"Way to go, Duncan!" Izzy clapped, and the way she hated what happened to her, she had to confess that she enjoyed the challenge. And for the fact they exchanged places with the camera, it seemed Lindsay and Eva were safe, but then there was someone else inside the kitchen, Izzy gave a slight glance and was still not thinking straight from the challenge, since she thought everything was a single challenge. "Hey, coolio! Lindsay and Eva are taking on the psycho all by themselves! Oh ho ho!"
At that moment she pointed at the screen, the people stared at Lindsay cowering in fear, while Eva was staring angrily at a person who they had never seen before, it was a big caucasian man with flame tattoos under his neck, and dark blue cut hair, hidden from the same clothes Chef was using as the psycho assassin.
"Wait a sec. If Chef's in here… then who's in the lodge with Lindsay and Eva?!" Duncan asked as he felt terrified by the news until Owen immediately revealed their thoughts.
"Holy Lola! It's the real escaped psycho killer with a chainsaw and a hook!" Owen shouted at that moment everyone saw Eva giving a step upfront and the psycho used the hook to stab her abdomen.
"EVA!" DJ, Gwen, and Duncan shouted as they saw Eva growling and immediately jumped on the assassin.
At that moment everyone ran away from the tent in the direction of the Main Lodge, as some of the group were terrified, and some were concerned about the safety of the duo of girls against an assassin.
"This could be really, really good for ratings…"Chris commented as he ran with Chef but then realized something. "But also really, really bad for lawsuits,"
"The girl got stabbed," Chef commented as he cracked the neck. "Depending on the anger of that woman, I would be more worried about your own safety. So be ready to kiss her feet in case she survives, or you know what she will do to you."
Chris immediately gulped in fear. Lawsuits could be bad... But having Eva turning Chris into a female? Yeah, there was no way he was going to let that happen.
(Main Lodge) Minutes earlier.
"Wow, these brownies were so good," Lindsay commented as the duo both her and Eva found a good solace inside the Kitchen, since it was a good place for Eva to use as a weapon, she could improvise anything that would help them both in case something was missing. "Hey, Ava, aren't you going to eat it?"
"It's Eva, and I'm not hungry." The bodybuilder corrected the wrong name given by the blond girl as she sat in front of the blond girl who remained eating. "And you better finish it faster, because we have been here for almost an hour, and people may start wondering about us."
"Do you think we are going to be fine?" Lindsay asked as she showed a great worry not just for her safety, but to her friends as well. "I kinda felt bad for leaving Heather, but she insisted for me to go with you."
"Hmm, maybe that's because she was afraid for you to get hurt, and that's actually nice to see someone caring about you," Eva commented as then she heard something and turned her head on the window, which was simply a squirrel who was smudging the windows... "Hmmph..."
"Wow, Ava, it seems you are never scared... this idea of a killer coming at us. I usually hate horror movies, because I think I would be the easiest target." Lindsay said as she felt down, which not just that, but even her sister told her about the possibility of all the blonds in the horror movies being the favorite dying in the movies. And she always loved movies with happy endings.
Eva was quiet but then remembered something that she always thought about herself when it came to being scared...
"I'm not afraid of something I can see and hurt. If I can touch and hurt it, I know I always have a chance of winning..." Eva commented as she decided to even grab one of the sweets that was placed on the plate... A good chocolate brownie, made Eva realize more about herself... "I think that's because of my hero in those kinds of movies."
"Oh, there is a hero in one of those types of movies?" Lindsay commented as she wondered who would be the reason why Eva wasn't scared...
"Sarah Connor... For me, she was one of the most badass women of all time, not because of her first movie where she needed to run away from the terminators of the future... But in the second movie, where everyone was telling her she was crazy, and even hospitalized her... she was always working out, training herself, waiting for the time to come and she was always ready." Eva explained that one of the movies that created an impact on her childhood was for a woman who decided enough was enough, and for the reason to protect her family, she would go until the end of the world to protect her son. "She was one of my heroes, where she wouldn't pass the time screaming as she did in the first movie, screaming is a simple action, what you do after screaming is what the game gets real, and so that's why she took the action. And from a scary woman who had no idea what to do... To a badass mother would show the world that she doesn't care... she would save the entire world from the machine's apocalypse, save humanity, and have all the right to say those words... You're welcome."
Lindsay blinked as she listened carefully to the reason why a strong girl would never fear someone... and from seeing that even a person stronger than she had heroes to admire... And she really wanted to tell her one of her heroes in movies... but suddenly something caught her attention, and her entire face froze...
Eva narrowed her eyes at the sudden change of expression on the blonde's face, as he quickly turned her head and got up immediately, staring at what would be the truth of the whole time... A caucasian man, and dressed exactly like a picture of the newspaper. Which made Eva glare and be on guard. The chainsaw was running and making a loud sound which didn't take long until Lindsay reacted.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Lindsay screamed as Eva flipped the table, surprising the serial killer who just used the chainsaw to cut the table in half...
"Crouch down, and don't look up," Eva ordered as the girl immediately followed her orders, and did her best to make herself not seeing about what was going to happen.
.
.
.
Eva remained in position, staring at the man with a hook and a chainsaw... Since the chainsaw stopped, Eva wasn't going to leave her guard down... Both glared at each other for minutes... Waiting for a moment. Eva decided to give a single warning to him.
"Alright, I don't know if you are a challenge or the real deal. But you made a terrible mistake to come here, so I'm going to give you one warning. Stay out of my way, and you will not get hurt." Eva said in her angry tone, which if the serial killer had any kind of animal instincts, it would possibly accept the rational decision to run away while he can... And if he was more stupid than a bear... what's about to happen it's not going to be in Eva's con...
*Stab*
And on that moment, which seemed to be taking minutes in pure silence... Eva felt something piercing her abdomen, and everything froze, as she felt the sharp object being pulled and with that showing blood on the hook... Eva glanced down and saw that indeed not just attacked her, but managed to stab her...
And from that moment, her teeth gritted so much that the person in front of her could hear it... Her eyes glared so much that he couldn't see the pupils of her eyes.
And her entire body was so full of adrenaline... That it was a timebomb just about to explode... which at that moment. The poor bastard... just pressed the detonator button.
"ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR." That was the roar that made the sounds of the whole forest tremble... And whatever creature which lived on there, remains awake until the morning. And the person in front of him seemed to be invoked by a whole demon who glared down at him and couldn't be fast enough to avoid the death sentence he brought to himself.
And Lindsay for the first time, thought about the worst, she was crying to see her friend and bodyguard Eva roaring probably in pain... she then got confused for the next scream wasn't something she never expected.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH, NO NO NO AHHHHHHHHHHHH, AHHHHHHHHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHHHHH, PLEASE SOMEBODY SAVE ME FROM HER, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Lindsay refused to listen, since all she was hearing was sounds of cracking happening followed by immense pain, sounds of punching and wood cracking... it was the most horrifying sounds she could ever hear... And she needed to see it, even if she hated it, she had to.
She slowly opened her eyes and turned to see the bodybuilder giving an arm lock, and with all the fury she had, snap a sound that made the masked man scream in such a painful way.
*Stab* *Stab* *Stab* *Stab*
Lindsay saw that whatever Eva was doing the man was moving his hook to try to make her away from him, but he managed to stab the arm, the back, the side of the belly, and even the shoulder, which even more stabs he was giving... It made her even angrier... It was such a horrifying view, but she couldn't stop seeing it. Eva from that moment had enough and gave an arm lock to the man who was whimpering in fear, and the next second, Lindsay saw Eva bend the arm of the man in many places, which made the monstrous man scream in fear.
Then the bodybuilder took the neck of the man and headbutted trice, which was enough to break the mask and the bones of the nose of the man who was now fearing for his life... And at the time he went down... It was over... because she wasn't going to let him leave...
*CRACK*
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
*CRACK*
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Lindsay saw Eva pull one of the legs of the assassin off the hook and place it over her shoulder and with enough strength, she pulled down the knee and that way bending one of the legs of the serial killer who screamed in pain... Eva refused him to leave. As the man kept trying to kick her... But she refused... she wanted blood... And did the same thing with his other leg...
Lindsay saw it, on how monstrous woman, Eva was... in point to leave the psycho killer with a chainsaw and a hook with arms and legs broken.. Just like she told me how to defeat them...
The blond girl never felt so scared, and relieved in her life... it showed it was over, and she was safe... but she looked sad at the woman who was still taking hard breaths of what happened.
At the time everyone got there, they had the view of the most horrifying scene of all their lives, the whole Main Lodge was destroyed, the tables a mess, the chainsaw was outside of the window, the floor with holes, the serial killer, unable to move as he was cathatonic from all the pain, and Eva... was bleeding from 5 stabs around her body.
The group was horrified to see the state of the bodybuilder, but some couldn't help but be even more horrified seeing the state of the serial killer who seemed to be even worse state than her.
"CALL THE POLICE, AND CALL THE EMERGENCY LINE FOR THE HOSPITAL." Chris immediately called his camera crew and the group rushed immediately to find a way to fix everything. A camper was injured, and many questions need to be answered, and he isn't going to let this bite his ass. If one of the campers dies, the lawsuits would be so much that it would destroy his career and his life. "Chef, how is she?"
Chef quickly went to see the girl, who was still in a frenzy state, and he had seen something like that only happen to soldiers who got a hush of adrenaline.
"I don't know if the pierced stabs were on her vital organs, you need to be quick," Chef said, as he saw the group of interns bringing the first aid kit. "I can make some bandages on her, but it's better if she is checked by the hospital quickly."
"OH *BEEEP*" Chris cursed as he looked around the camera crew. The group seemed to give thumbs up. The police are bringing their helicopter to take the girl for the emergency, and the hospital will be ready for her.
While Chris was quickly in a state of emergency, and even going around to check the interns to see the possibility of the helicopter going faster, Chef was preparing the bandages, and Izzy immediately went to his side, and gave him the support he needed. But at the time the group was approaching Eva, she growled at them.
"Woah, Eva, calm down. We are going to help you. You need to go to the hospital." Chef commented as he slowly tried to approach her, but at the time he was near, the bodybuilder tried to hit him in the face, thankfully for the cook, Izzy was faster and gave full nelson on her.
"ROARRRRRRR." Eva roared as if she was in a berserk state... Which made Duncan and DJ look horrified, and Gwen hurt to see their friend like that, Lindsay was crying in fear from what happened to the person who saved her life, and Heather was in fear, as she had no idea what to do or to say at that moment. Until on the next second, the frenzy suddenly slowed down, and then... Eva snapped from her state and glanced at the whole group staring at her... "What just happened? Why are yo... woah..."
And on that moment, Eva's adrenaline came to an end, which immediately made her entire body weak, and her face came to exhaustion.
"EVA." The group shouted as they finally saw the strong woman losing her strength.
"Keep fighting soldier, we are not going to lose you today," Chef commented, as he bandaged the abdomen, as Izzy helped to bandage the shoulder and back.
"Okay... what happened?" Eva commented as she then glanced on the corner, and noticed the poor state she left the man... "Ohh, that."
"Don't even think about it, Eva." Then a familiar voice which usually means bad news to her, came to her... Chris wasn't using his iconic smirk, but this time a very deep frown. "While I'm happy you made the audience on the right, and this is going to be an awesome episode tomorrow. You got hurt severely. I have no choice but to send you to the hospital. AGAIN."
"Oh, that's b..." Eva was about to protest but then felt hurt in the abdomen and in the areas she overworked herself... And looking like she may have hurt something that she wasn't aware of, she isn't sure if the bastard perforated her organ... So she had to swallow her pride once again... "*beep* again..."
"Yes, Eva. Again, this time we will not prepare your stuff, you are going to the hospital right now by helicopter, and the police will arrest this poor excuse of a human, a good rating bringer, but a scum which would also bring lawsuits." Chris commented as he nodded to Chef, who decided to carry the bodybuilder with his arms. "Take her to the point area for the helicopter Chef, I'm going to deal with them."
Chris commented, as he never thought he would love and hate a challenge so much... Everything was going so fine until the real deal happened, he already guessed what was going to happen at the time he got on the telephone at the time he was on the trailer... But for now...
The campers watched Eva leaving... this time, the situation got offhanded so much... That it didn't even give them time to react properly to even say goodbye to their friend... The strong woman was forced to leave, and they couldn't say goodbye to her.
"Needless to say tonight will not have a bonfire elimination, since for technical failure, one of the campers got injured in point of going to the hospital, which automatically made her eliminated... I wish you all could have said something for her, but since you all were shocked and she is in an unknown state if she was in critical or just bruises, we don't want to risk it." Chris commented as he warned the campers to not go against his word, as he was talking seriously at that moment. "In a horror movie, usually the people who were alive in the end win the challenge. But since Eva got deeply hurt, nobody wins the challenge."
Everyone who was there felt hurt, knowing how horrible a fact that someone risked their life to save others, which left a bittersweet taste in the mouths of many. They are happy to know that the actual serial killer was in fact real and was beaten down like a dog, but they are sad and angry for the fact that one of their friends got deeply hurt in the process...
"Help me..." The person who was on the floor with broken arms and legs begged, but that was enough to infuriate three people who were the angriest of them all.
"SHUT THE *BEEP* UP." Duncan, Gwen, and Heather shouted in unison as the group started to kick the face of the serial killer who had them scared for the whole night, the stupid challenge which some thought wasn't real, was supposed to not be real, but int he end this bastard came to mess with their lives. And Duncan, Gwen, and Heather saw how her best friend was fragile seeing that. She knew that the man wanted Lindsay... And she wanted blood for the person who wanted to hurt her friend.
Frying pans, chairs, and even a table... Anything on their hands was enough to make the life of the assassin of chainsaw and a hook suffer the worst nightmare of his life.
Lindsay watched everything as she hugged DJ and started crying, the brick wall himself, couldn't contain it as he started to do it as well. Owen was afraid and saw the ginger who once was excited before, but after seeing how the situation was, remained stoic and with a cold look on her face... And at the time Owen tried to approach her, she simply turned her back and left... Owen didn't realize how serious it was... so he went and hugged DJ and Lindsay and started to cry as well...
.
.
.
"Alright, she is ready for the helicopter," Chef commented as he then started to see the boats approaching, and even the helicopter appearing in the sky. Knowing that the girl was on the verge of exhaustion, the man had to confess that these teenagers had been more and more surprising than he expected. And that girl was a machine. "Try to keep awake all the time girl."
"Hmmm," Eva grunted, as she tried to remain strong, even as a good part of her was feeling destroyed by the fact that she didn't avoid being hurt, and now she was disqualified from the game, she just got her second chance, and she already lost it on the top 8.
"Alright Eva, it seems they are here. I want you to focus on your health again." Chris commented as the girl who was still feeling too weak to talk only grunted in response. "The medics are going to check you out so you better not die okay?"
And to his relief, the only reply he got was a glare from the bodybuilder, which for him was reassuring. And with the crew of Royal Canadian Mounted Police came to capture and arrest the serial killer. And with that, Chris knew the next day was going to be a long day for him...
(Aquarium)
Everything was chaos, after minutes passed like hours, the group tried to find any kind of reassuring, after such a disastrous event, nothing seemed to be cheering them up, since they just saw the RCMP come to capture the remaining destroyed serial killer of who he was, even as he was crying and begging to be away from the island, and even as his voice was strange and would be made fun of it, for hurting their friends, that was inexcusable, and they were angry at him. They hated him, and they wanted him to rot in jail forever for what he did...
DJ was fragile, and on the edge to the point he almost said the word, Duncan was serious, as he felt guilty for not being able to help a teammate, he managed to Capture Chef, but to fight the real deal? He should have expected that, and he should have been prepared in case he was fighting the real assassin...
Gwen on the other hand, was in pain as she could see the pattern since the heroine always would be messed up at the end of the movie, which in the end would be sacrificing themselves for the good cause, and yet she saved everyone... and now she couldn't even trust around the island for being a possible target of future dangers. If one happened to be on there, what would stop others from coming to try to kill them as well?
Everything that she learned from horror movies, didn't work at all, against real life, it didn't matter if, in the end, she would have died...
In the end, the trio decided to use the hot tub to try to relax their mind, but they were surprised by one thing that they never saw before.
*BUMP* *BUMP* *BUMP*
They saw a person they never would have expected to see on their secret base... Izzy who was with her loose hair in a mess, with sweat on her face, gritting her teeth as she was punching hard the punching bag which was lifting the chains holding it.
"Izzy?"DJ asked as the girl simply ignored as she continued to punch the bag.
"Stupid Oaf, who couldn't even protect himself for a single minute, coward, woman shield holder," Izzy punched more and more while she murmured to herself, as she ignored until she realized that she was being observed, and she gave a fake smile on her face. "Hey guys, don't mind me, I just want to, relax MYSELF."
*BUMP*
The punch was loud as the trio stared in surprise at the ginger crazy girl who was punching the bag.
"Izzy, why are you here?" Gwen asked, as she never thought to see Izzy being on their secret base, especially using the punching bag on that way, it wasn't something she would see every day, and she wasn't with patience on that.
"I'm telling you, I'm relaxing myself. So you better drop it." Izzy said but this time in a serious note, which the group looked also on the edge... So they decided to be quiet, as Izzy continued punching. "Stupid RCMP, I had to hide myself now because they were so petty, I can't wait for my lawyer to pay all my bill so these *beep* would leave my ass."
And the group raised their eyebrow, as it seemed that the more Izzy punched, the more she wanted to vent.
"I gave years of my life to serve them as a child, working many missions to be patriotic like my mom, and all I did was to play a single little explosion in the kitchen and they have to go after my tail for years, oh come on, have a life you sick people," Izzy said as she murmured and then punched hard the bag, as this time the sequence was fiercer. "And then I trained with the best of the best, became leader of the cheerleader squad, while the leader of my infantile squad, trained years to military training to show everything I can."
Duncan and Dj had their eyes wide open from such revelation as the crazy ginger-haired girl kept punching stronger and stronger the punching bag.
"All that for to open my heart, and show a little vulnerability to a single big guy, who I thought it would be nice to have around... BUT THAT BIG *BEEP* HAD THE AUDACITY, AND COWARDICE TO PUSH ME IN THE DIRECTION OF A PERSON WHO COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SERIAL KILLER." Izzy said as she furiously punched so much of the punching bag that it was leaving a mark, which Duncan decided he had enough.
"Alright crazy girl, I know that has to go UGHHHHH." Duncan was about to stop Izzy, but she immediately turned and gave a kick on the boy's crotch which made him on his knees...As he then saw the furious gaze of the ginger girl who refused to be approached, he let out a high-pitched voice. "Maybe not..."
And DJ gave a step away from Izzy who was looking furious. As the girl was seriously trying to focus her anger on the punching bag.
"IT'S MY RIGHT TO BE HERE, I WAS A KILLER BASS 2 HOURS BEFORE I EXCHANGED MY PLACE WITH EITHER KATIE OR SADIE," Izzy growled as Gwen gulped from the reaction of the girl, and Duncan found out that it was better to let the girl stop being angry for then he starts to talk again. DJ was sweating but he couldn't say anything since Izzy was technically right. "I should have listened to the motto, never trust a Gopher, that's all you guys said, they could backstab you and leave you for to die they said, let the group end themselves in the internal war, all the Killer Bass says."
Izzy continued to punch, as she then stared at the goth Gwen, and then gave a sigh.
"Eva chose you to be on the Killer Bass and look where you are now," Izzy said as she looked at the girl who remained quiet. "A secret base with friends who always worked together, a good hot tub, and even as they left you alone to be captured by the chef, you could easily forgive them."
"Do you want to use..." DJ tried to suggest Izzy use their hot tub, but Izzy immediately punched the bag.
"I DON'T WANT TO USE A HOT TUB." Izzy punched as DJ jumped and ran behind Duncan, who was still adjusting himself in his place. "Izzy just wanted to vent herself while she was punching the bag, do you mind?"
DJ became silent, as he looked at both Gwen and Duncan who also preferred to let the girl keep punching the bag until she said it was enough.
"Sometimes I wondered if I made a mistake in leaving the team, and I thought Screaming Gophers would have become an elite force to be great and defeat anything..." Izzy commented as she then decided to point out everything she witnessed. "Never thought they would have been defeated so many times, maybe it had been a great mistake of me leaving the team."
"If I knew that everyone from Screaming Gophers was a bunch of Liars BACKSTABERS, NARCISISTS, COWARDS, I WOULDN'T HAVE EXCHANGED TEAMS, Oh, you are nice Izzy, you are crazy as always Izzy, I WANT TO MAKE OUT WITH YOUT IZZY. ALL LIARS, For them, uses the first opportunity to find danger, to push the person, and to save their excuse of an ass of their lives." Izzy then punched and punched, until she couldn't take anymore. "THAT *BEEP* BOY JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE COURAGE TO APOLOGIZE, EVEN AFTER EVERYTHING HE DID, AND HE THEN HAD THE AUDACITY TO ASK IF HE HAD A CHANCE WITH ME? *BEEP* YOU OWEN."
And with that, Izzy punched so hard that the chain of the punching bag broke, and immediately the sand of the said bag released, leaving Gwen, DJ, and even Duncan stunned by everything that happened. From that moment the group had no idea what to say, or even to do... it was too shocking for them, but imagine what was passing on the mind of the ginger girl. It seems everything was more than chaos.
"29.9 centimeters, and a sharp hook, it was everything it needed to kill me..." Izzy commented as the group stared at the furious military girl who was shedding a few tears in her eyes... She was trying to remain composed of herself, but it seemed that every fiber of her body was giving in..."Not a general, not a commander, not even the most expert of martial artists and gymnastics could save themselves from a sharp knife if someone they trusted pushed them in the direction of the knife... The chance of not being hit was low, very low... I could have protected Owen, he could have just run away, I could defend myself and beat the crap of anyone... But to push me without me to prepare myself... in the direction of a hook? I could have died if he pushed me further..."
...
The silence was defining, something which made the trio unaware of what to say... and from the sobs, they got from the crazy girl... they just saw Izzy go on his knees... and cry... But not before turning her head at them...
"Condor," Izzy whispered the word, showing how much a single person she trusted made her say such a word... And now DJ, Gwen, and Duncan, never thought to see... one person like Izzy act in such a way... a broken girl. "Condor, condor, condor... I don't want to be here anymore. I'm done."
Duncan, Gwen, and DJ looked at each other, as the trio watched what would be the craziest, but also one of the strongest campers, broke down and cried to her heart's content. A moment where she couldn't take it, as life had been almost an end for her, for a prize that she wouldn't need anymore.
DJ may have forgot into saying the distress code, but the group never thought from all people... Izzy would have been the one to actually say it... And for them, they have no right to refuse her choice into doing that... Which was a decision of a broken girl who was still trying to fix the broken pieces of herself into a challenge where she faced the fear of death and the betrayal of a partner... The Killer Bass was going to fulfill the desire of a former member of their team...
That night indeed showed a huge difference in the life of the many... It became an episode that caused a lot of changes in the lives of the campers.
Chapter 31: Aftermatch 2
Chapter Text
To say Chef Hatchet had a crazy night was an understanding, from a simple idea of a horror challenge, to become a fiasco made on live television, and with the possibility of one of the campers being hospitalized because of the lack of security. That was something that indeed would bite in the ass of the show somehow. While Chef is known for being an expert in military fights and had missions around his life, he wasn't 2, neither 3 and most importantly, he wasn't an army... He knew very well the importance of having a squad and having partners to help...
And it seems the good hair rich two shoes, finally understood that somehow his ideas would come to bite his ass, but surprisingly, this challenge wasn't his fault. It was clearly a coincidence... which was by far a cruel joke made by destiny. And from saying that, the serial Killer may be finally having peace when he gets in jail with no chance to get out from there, but from the bones, Eva broke...
Chef remembered a girl who would have been able to do the same easily... But as the cook of the camp, he knew that his kitchen was probably messed up at the hands of the campers, and the main lodge would be in total disaster from what he watched at that time.
As the clock struck 1 a.m., Chef Hatchet made his way into the Main Lodge of the camp. The scene before him was one of desolation and chaos. Tables lay broken and overturned, evidence of the previous night's turmoil. Holes marred the floor, a result of Eva's frenzied attack against the fake serial killer. A few drops of blood showed how serious the situation even became towards the chaotic episode it had...
Amidst the wreckage, one table stood defiantly intact, a lone survivor amidst the destruction. From that table, a figure sat silently, unmoving. This made Chef recognize that silhouette even on the shades of the night, and without the lights to give a better view, the military veteran could recognize the same orange hair and green clothing... It was Izzy, but she appeared different from her usual exuberant self. There was no playful grin on her face, no hint of mischief in her eyes. Instead, she sat solemnly, her gaze fixed on the table before her.
At that time, Chef could see it, a little glimpse of the past, as after a while could have been, on the training grounds, where walls of metal were the security where both he had to train a very important squad which would be beneficial for their missions in the future, a temporary project of the military which showed great success on their missions... But there was still a way he could remember that time when he had to train 15 infantile units, and from that squad... a little girl wearing military clothing with a little Canadian flag on the bag, and a little military cap... sitting around the metal table, sitting solemnly and her gaze fixed...
Chef blinked, as he shook his head to recover himself from that position... he knew what happened, he knew who it was... and that wasn't his first rodeo... and he knew what to do.
In the dim light of the lodge, Izzy seemed almost ethereal, a solitary figure amidst the ruins. Her presence spoke volumes, a silent testament to the toll of betrayal and chaos. As Chef Hatchet observed her, he couldn't help but feel a pang of concern. Something had shifted in Izzy, and he knew that whatever had transpired had left its mark on her soul.
"Hey, kiddo. You okay?" Chef instead of asking what the girl would have doing around his Main Lodge and Kitchen, decided to approach the girl who seemed to be glooming and staring at the center of the table, unable to say a single word. Izzy looks up, her eyes brimming with tears. She shakes her head. This made Chef remain calm, but see once again something happening from the time on before.
He wanted to say something, but then he gave a slight glance around and saw it... a little lens of the camera, which even, as usual, nobody would be interested in seeing it... There were some things that he never wanted to share around television...
By walking towards the camera device... Chef simply took the wires, and pulled out, one by one, until the red dot marking the recording finally turned off... And with that, Chef could finally turn and check the problem.
Izzy was still staring at the table, and Chef turned his back to walk towards her.
Walking in her direction, it was difficult to distinguish from the glimpse of the past and the present for the cook, since each step reminded him the same way he had to approach the same girl. And on the first time, it worked, so why not repeat it?
"INFANTILE SQUAD ATTENTION." Chef didn't roar, he commanded, and at the time his loud voice was heard at the Main Lodge, it was auto-pilot since the ginger girl stood up on her position and gave a strong stomp on the floor, not turning herself to the person who called for her.
"Leader of Infantile Squad Izzy presenting herself, Chief." The usual crazy voice tone around the girl was lacking at the moment, but it sounded the tone exactly from the same person who had on that position years prior. Even as the marks of tears and red on her eyes showed the signals of her crying, she still obeyed the orders given to her.
"At ease." Then Chef gave the simple command, which left the girl to relax her posture, and sat straight on the table... And then Chef does the same thing as he did around the first time he saw his soldier in the past. He walked to the other side of the table, and sat in silence, waiting for the soldier Izzy to speak her mind.
Minutes of deep silence were enough, until the girl who seemed to be looking at the table, decided to speak her thoughts.
"It's funny... from the time I was sitting in distraught like this was when I was just a little child, by our first mission training failed while I was being their leader. Thinking about if I had what it was enough for being chosen as leader." The ginger girl commented with a sarcastic sad laugh, while the person who chose her was in front of her. "Thinking about everything I did which could lead to such failure on that operation... and what every single circumstance I could have done better."
Chef remained quiet as he remembered from the glimpse of his eye, the comparison of a little girl and a grown-up teenager, and yet showing so many similarities around the feelings she had on the past.
Chef usually would have ignored soldiers for stupid things like feelings in relation to war, since war happens to everyone and most had to endure the consequences of life... but teaching that to a child had been one of the most difficult tasks, and that made him learn that showing moments of vulnerability to the ones who he could trust wasn't a bad decision.
"Chef," Then Izzy had the courage to raise her head at him, and with tears in her eyes, decided to speak her mind. "I'm not okay."
"Report leader of infantile squad Izzy," Chef commented in the same he did in the past, and for a glimpse of time, he forgot he was dressing his cook attire, and was now wearing his military outfit, as the same one who made the little girl compose herself to report everything on her mind.
The grown-up soldier gulped her tears and proceeded to tell everything she felt.
"Your leader failed to survive a close combat with the enemy as a member of her squad subjected to cowardice in front of the enemy and did the ultimate betrayal by pushing the leader of the squad to the enemy," Izzy commented as officially reported the military service, but then she decided to describe her feelings. "I was ready for combat, I could have protected him easily, and engaged the close combat since I trained a lot... but that push, I wasn't ready for that... and I... I..."
"Could have died," Chef commented as he found the reason why the girl felt like a storm in her mind. "You would have ignored this, if wasn't for the fact that one member of the camping engaged the true enemy, and not risked her life, but got hurt in the process."
"Yes, sir," Izzy replied as she looked at the table again. "I... I... never felt so betrayed, I thought I was playing nice, and he was a sweet guy... but... but..."
"Moments of danger would determine the true character of the others, soldier, and in times of that, you would learn who truly is a coward, and who is valent. Sometimes, even those we trust can let us down." Chef Hatchet decided to move on from his seat and walk beside his soldier as he sat near her. "Betrayal hurts, Izzy. It's a tough lesson, especially out here. But remember, you're stronger than you think. You've faced worse than this."
The girl who sat there, sniffed as she tried to recover herself, and Chef knew very well how painful must have been for the girl. But still, he knew exactly who she was.
"Do you remember one of the lessons I gave to you when it comes to leading your squad?" Chef asked which he could see the girl not answering him, and even that, he decided to comment. "In war, there is no greater betrayal than turning your back on your comrades, your unit, your mission. Loyalty is the bedrock of the soldier's code."
Izzy nodded her head, as Chef placed his hand over her shoulder.
"I'm... I'm going to be eliminated on the next challenge Chief, I said Condor for the Killer Bass team, and I'm... I'm exhausted," Izzy replied as the veteran could see that indeed the shock of the betrayal, and from much it took from her, made her second-guess every decision she made, so she decided to give up...
Chef felt like a blow on the stomach, since the moment the fat boy pushed his soldier to possible death, he saw his student breaking in front of him, and from the time she analyzed everything, from the distance of her neck and possible sharp objects? If the assassin just pushed the hook... she would have died, and moments like that could potentially cause PTSD, which made him grit his teeth, reminded of a time when he was younger, and had a person who resembled the ginger girl, whoever the hair was more brownish and she wore a black three-quarter length crop top, green sport jeans, dark grey gloves, black shoes, and a brown belt.
The times when things were simpler when both she and her boyfriend would visit him to walk around, train combat, eat some Mexican food, and even take care of that naked mole-rat mascot. Those were the days the group was in the military and had any kind of challenges in their daily life.
There was a time when Chef felt the pressure of the time he went to Vietnam, as a young soldier who had to deal with Vietnam in the final years of war... it has been chaos, and yet the same good friends who saw him on his worst... they gave him one of the most important lessons of his life. And from seeing the kiddo being almost in the same position as him...
"You know, your mother once gave me very important advice..."Chef commented as it brought the attention of the girl who threw the towel... "The greatest generals know when to advance and when to retreat. Rest is not retreat; it is strategic repositioning for the next decisive move."
Izzy remained quiet, as she nodded his head at him, she remembered those words since it had been her main strategy from going on the show and using the loopholes to make her return... And Chef decided to go even further.
"You didn't turn your back to your comrades, you tried to help them, you even helped me to take care of the hurt soldier. You got scared, Izzy." Chef commented as he saw the words reaching not just her mind but also her heart, deep down needed to hear those words more than anyone, even at the time she hesitated and froze in a moment of danger. "But that doesn't define you. You're still the same girl I trained all those years ago. The one who faced every challenge head-on, fearless and determined. Just like I remember."
"Really? Do you remember everything?"Izzy gave a slight look to the commander who trained her, and at that moment, Chef could see sparks returning to her eyes.
Chef at that moment chuckled.
"How could I forget? You were a handful, Izzy, destroying my stoven, my car, my car, my bathroom, my car, MY CAR, AND MY CAR. MY CARRRRRRR."Chef started remembering every single problem that the leader of the infantile squad created around the time he was training them, and most of them were related to chores which always ended up destroying his favorite car... But then looking at the grinning smile from the ginger girl, he coughed on his fist and decided to continue his speech.
And by taking something from his pocket, he decided to open his wallet where there were a few pictures inside, one of them was about his mother, another about his grandma, another was from his best friends, but there was another one. Which he was glad to show at Izzy.
The girl looked at the picture where she found a group of kids in military uniform, as they all stood up proud for the picture, while she was giving a look like a courageous girl ready to take the whole world and beat them up, and Chef Hatchet stood with his chest stuffed in the same view of the little kids... A military squad proud of serving their country, their family, and themselves.
"You were also brave, and resourceful. A natural leader, the smartest kid who followed your instincts. And a soldier that I never have been so proud of training in my life." Chef Hatchet commented with his deep voice, but Izzy could hear from the tone of it, like a commander proud of his soldier and giving a tap on her head exactly like she had in childhood.
And on that moment, Izzy sniffed, but smiled with pride, as she even cleaned up her tears...
"Permission from the Leader of the Infantile squad request for a hug, Master Chief," Izzy commented as the cook with a smirk on his face, decided to open his arms.
"Permission granted soldier." And Chef immediately felt like hit by a cannonball since Izzy just jumped on him to hug... And the military veteran couldn't help but smile towards the soldier he had been part of her life, since childhood. A girl who trained so much for their nation, for him, and for making her parents proud. "Now soldier, since we are off camera, I know that you made some mischief, so tell me, why don't you tell me where have you been after you had to flee from the soldiers while I make some nachos for you?"
From hearing Chef preparing her favorite food, and with the idea of talking with him off camera, Izzy gave her crazy smile and decided to tell him, about the time she became a Billionaire, and how a good friend insisted for her to pay her taxes... While she pouted... Chef never had laughed so loud in his entire life...
It seems that it was indeed good times for the military, just like the old times.
In the Playa del Losers, nobody slept, as Ezekiel shouted and made everyone turn their television, seeing the distraught look of every single camper on the show, saw for a glimpse of what happened, there was a slight video of Eva bandaged, and ready to be taken to the hospital, while there was also what would be a total stranger who was with his broken bones ready to go to jail after being treated his bones...
Nobody had a freaking idea of what just happened, and they would need to wait until the episode of the next day to explain everything about what happened, and while everyone was trying to find the campers, some went to sleep, and some decided to go to the Aquarium...
And at that moment, every single member of the Playa del losers... lost their words, into seeing Izzy losing control of herself, and breaking down crying... it was hard to watch it, to see a girl who was always crazy and ready for everything, to confess that Owen from all people to push her in the probably death.
And from all campers... there was one who was so distraught, but not from fear, but guilt.
"What have I done..." Ezekiel commented differently from the episodes aired on television, from the pay-per-view perspective, it was far worse than he imagined, the reason why Izzy lost her marbles around the show, and how she had a grudge against Owen on the next episode. He knew Izzy would be pushed in the direction of Chef, but he never realized the logical reason why Izzy was so pissed off at Owen to have pushed her in danger. And the worst part... he always had ship Owen and Izzy since his childhood, but never realized that Owen fucked up so badly, that he didn't know who did it worse. Trent or him... but everyone loves Owen, he was always the best guy... "And yet he fucked up badly..."
He didn't tell the future challenges because he wanted all the campers to have a fair chance of winning the show, but in the end... he just discovered that Izzy regretted being a Gopher and wanted to have what he had on the Killer Bass...
And from that thought, Ezekiel wondered, if it was worth it to hold the secrets of episodes to his friends who knew about his identity.
He doesn't know... but from seeing Izzy crying like that, and Eva hurt like that? It was like fate was making fun of him for not realizing that he could have changed everything for the better and yet he chose to not do it. He didn't know that was going to happen, or if that happened while he was in the real world... it was so strange, and yet... that would be the natural reaction of it. Who wouldn't be pissed at the person who pushed them to a person who resembled a serial killer, with the real serial killer on the island?
Should he have told the truth about the real serial killer appearing? Should he have told Izzy about all the challenges? Will any of his other friends recover from that? In times like that, he cursed himself for not being there, if he had been there he would have done something. Anything, he could have taken his bowl and arrow, he would have placed traps, could have told Chef and Izzy to track down the serial killer, since 2 archers and 2 militaries would have been a great way to defeat someone...
Ezekiel had no one else to blame, than himself... for him, to have gotten pneumonia, he gave up the chance to return because he wasn't ready... And now his friend is hurt...Ezekiel looked at his bedroom and found the weights Eva had told him to train on exercises...
"Screw it exercises, I'm going to be wearing weights all the time. I swear. This isn't going to happen again, I will not let my friends hurt like that again." Ezekiel swore to himself, and took out his bennie, and since he wasn't going to sleep... He was going to remain awake and use that time to continue his writing.
With the weight of his wrists and legs... he was going to start to write his fanfic on the typewriter while using weights. And he would just take them off, only when he was going to sleep.
It was the decision he made with his own heart, and as a way to train himself to get better. Because he may not see how Eva got hurt like that, but he will see in the next episode, so he was going to prepare his body for the time that would come, and until then... He had another chapter to be done.
The forest was in silence, as the house that reached the middle of the forest was covered with sounds of sobs and cries...
A patriarch of the family who was at work, felt his heart clinch because Mother Nature told him one truth, his daughter watched the Pay-per-view, he had no idea what happened, and he was sure that the next time he was going to watch the edited episode, he would see what happened. He just hoped that his wife would have the strength to console their daughter...
But somehow, it felt in his soul, that it was going to be a long week for him and his wife because he didn't know why. But something bad just happened, it was on his core, and Mother Nature warned him, about Dawn watching the pay-per-view...
It seemed that not just his daughter, but also his wife shed tears about what happened... And that made the druid patriarch wonder, what the hell happened on the show to cause such tears in his family? How bad it was? Just on the next day, he would find out, and he had fear of knowing the answer.
The sisters couldn't find energy anymore, from the suspense, the horror, and from the tears they saw in Izzy's eyes... It was too much for them, both Jane and Sky had to hug themselves and cry for half an hour to process everything that happened.
The first moment about the challenge, everything seemed to have been okay, and they laughed at some interaction of Owen simply pushing Izzy to Chef, and how she beat him down, they thought it was just a simple idiotic thing Owen just did to a girl... But then when the real serial killer appeared, how did he hurt Eva to the point she got bleeding and seriously hurt? The suspense was too much. And they felt horrified about her elimination because she desperately needed to go to the hospital.
But what broke the girls, was the revelation of why Izzy was so mad, they found out more about her, her military way of life, and why she was so mad at Owen, and they never processed that information before... they thought it was just a simple thing they would forget in the future, but when Izzy told them her thought process... it was impossible to argue with it. Owen could have killed Izzy if it was the true Serial Killer, 29 centimeters was literally a ruler size, and having their lives at risk by someone pushing them to death?
Owen pulled a Trent on Izzy, and that was a sin that most fans would forget or forgive.
"The blog tomorrow is going to destroy him," Jane commented as Sky felt the pain of Izzy, from the fact Izzy said she belonged on the Killer Bass before changing teams, and that was hurtful to hear because it was true. Since she had to change places with Katie and Sadie to be together, if she hadn't done that, she would have remained on Killer Bass and had become one strong power for them.
They always thought Owen and Izzy were meant to be with each other... but after that night, everyone from work and school who never watched the Pay-per-view will notice many shouting curses at Owen for being a coward like that.
Some would defend him for being a good guy... but Trent was also like that, both committed a terrible and mortal mistake... And it will take a long time for them to get in the good graces of the public again.
But now, Izzy deserved to use Condor's word. Since she was an honorary Killer Bass before the exchange, she was broken at that moment.
Nobody blames her for the decision she is making on that night.
"And that's my plan after my departure," Izzy commented as she was finishing her nachos, with Chef already having dark circles on his eyes, but solemnly listening to every word carefully from the girl who needed so much to vent. "Thank you, Chief, for everything."
"It's what I can do for my soldiers," Chef commented as he then glanced around... and now that the cameras were deactivated. "Izzy, since you are a billionaire, I want to make a proposition for you."
Izzy looked at the commander who helped her, and when he usually was in his scummy voice, this time it seemed that he was in serious mode to talk to her.
"I don't know if this show will have more seasons, if will have a green light after today's episode, but in case we would need to bring back the contestants... I would like you to return." Chef commented as Izzy had her eyes wide open, as she remembered the words on how many seasons the show would have in the future. "I got a challenge from the producers, and I need at least 2 campers to at least one of them to win the next season... if I win I want to gain half of the prize, but also I will be able to gain a thing that I want so much... and I would like to ask you to do it."
"You want me to be in an alliance?" Izzy asked, as she got herself remembering what happened to her in the future when she denied the offer from the Chef, about the time she lost against Duncan in acting, which was salt in her wounds... But she remained in control of her feelings. Especially the person who trained her was looking at her in seriousness, and knowing that he could trust her... Izzy decided to make a difference in her life. "I will accept if Ezekiel is in."
"What?" Chef blinked as Izzy got up from her seat, and stared at him.
"You said 2 right? Let me and Ezekiel do it. If we two go there in the next season, we are going to win. And that way you win whatever you want." Izzy commented as the military man never thought to hear from his soldier before, he remembered that girl talked about him in her stories, but to know that she trusted her future on him? "I believe in him... please, give us a chance..."
Chef remained quiet, but thought about the challenges the group had... and indeed the boy was there, like a soldier until the end, even in his worst sickness won a war, showed military strategy, and even created a supreme stink bomb... Chef would have thought Izzy would have trust in nobody after the challenge, but for her to trust that boy. Chef saw something that he never thought before, determination and the desire to continue to fight but stronger than ever.
"Alright soldier, at the moment you find him, tell him about our alliance, and that way we can win the next season." Chef Hatchet smirked, as Izzy gave another hug at him. "Now stop with the hugs soldier, and prepare yourself to rest, it has been a long time and it's 5 a.m. And I refuse to let my soldier not rest after rambling with her commander, now MARCH LIDER OF INFANTILE SQUAD."
"SIR, YES SIR," Izzy shouted happily, but before she was going to leave Chef once again called.
"Ohh... and about the coward who left in front of the enemy, you have my permission to punish him before leaving the island. And I will make my own sort of punishment for him in the future, but for now. You can have some fun..." Chef chuckled as he remembered something from the past when the little girl became the type to punish someone from her squad. "I recall there was a persona you created whenever someone messed up on the squad... what was the name again? Ex. ext. exa..."
"Explosivo," Izzy murmured, as Chef snapped his fingers in recognizement.
"Oh her, yes... have fun." Chef Hatchet commented, as the girl marched outside of the Main Lodge... leaving the military veteran alone with his thoughts... "Fuck...it was a shitstorm."
The cook got up from his seat and walked towards the kitchen, with how crazy everything went... he never thought things like that would have turned upside down drastically, and from a situation like that, even at it happened with one of his squad, he needed to talk about it.
It has been years since the incident, and probably it was still a sore subject to talk about, but he had been avoiding that day for so long, for an accident which happened in the middle of a sparring, he sometimes wondered if was her who didn't forgive him, or if was him who didn't forgive himself for that shit happening, but the damage was done, and he clearly needed to speak to her again.
He glanced at the picture of his wallet, where it showed nobody other than a smaller and skinny version of a person who seemed to be almost bulky but smaller than the Jamaican who was on the island, a blonde and skinny boy, and a girl of brownish and orange hair, all sitting together in military suits on a time they were in the weekend off from a mission. Even as the annoying mascot the boy had it. In the end, the trio worked together in so many operations, and the trio became great friends, but the time he left for Vietnam was something that made him more serious, and even learned about the worst things about humanity.
Chef calmly took the telephone and still remembered the same number he always used to talk to whenever he wanted to speak with his friend... After a few minutes, a person took the phone.
"Kim, we need to talk about your daughter, if you saw the episode, you know why I called..." Chef commented and the voice was in silence for a second... until the same familiar voice commented, something he hadn't heard for years. But was glad to hear her voice again...
"What's the sitch?" The female voice asked as Chef decided to tell everything that happened from his encounter with the ginger girl. Like mother, like daughter.
"It's been a while, McLean. You left them there to rot. Why are you here again? Because of guilt? Because of sympathy? Or is it because you can't stand the blames being sent to you for something you did? You're just doing this because you miss being the good guy in the eyes of others. Who cares anyway? Just find them. Hope you find good news. And pray you don't end up the same way you think they did."
It had been chaos, those words were heard at the time he found himself taking a boat back around to the island, he wasn't alone, and he didn't recognize who had been with him... But one thing he knew for sure... A serial killer had been around that island, and he had left the first boat while leaving all the campers alone with him.
And at the time Chris got there, he discovered there were rules that should be followed, or something terrible was going to happen to him... And to his surprise, the first person he found... Was Ezekiel, from all the people, it had been one of whom he saw in such a horrifying way...
Ezekiel: Find him quickly. ( Dismembered and scattered all over the island by The Man in the Woods.)
Then came Lindsay as the second victim - Backstabbers get what they deserve ( Got her mouth sewn shut alive before getting thrown off a cliff by The Man in the Woods.
Then Sadie: Be aware of the differences (Fed to a pack of wolves caused by The Man in the Woods.)
Then the sugar candy Justin: Don't look at his face (Face cut off before getting his body dumped into a river.)
Beth: Once you see her, don't turn around (Head bashed into a boulder while leaving her mouth in a permanent smile.)
Then Tyler: Everything is okay /To not engage him (Elongated and tortured by a wrack used by The Man in the Woods)
Noah: Mind your business (Strangled with a Rope and stabbed before having his body thrown into a lake.)
Bridgette: Don't start a fight you can't finish (Thrown into a pit of fire, causing her to get burnt to death.)
Geoff and Owen who were fused together: Give him what he wishes/ Give it to him now (Dismembered by the Man in the Woods with a machete and had his head and right arm sewn onto Owen Waterflower./ Knocked out with a bat by The Man in the Woods, then had Geoff's head and right arm sewn on him.)
DJ: Don't ever harm nature (Pushed off a hill by The Man in the Woods. Body was never found.)
Trent: Never interrupt him (Impaled with several meat hooks after catching him with a bear trap, and got his vocal cords flayed out of his mouth.)
Harold: Don't mess with things that aren't yours (Head slammed 2 times into a table then into a TV by The Man in the Woods.)
Courtney: Never deny your wrongdoings (Leg snapped and was hung on several hooks in a dance position on the stage by The Man In the Woods.)
And then... Heather... (Decapitated with a chainsaw before having her head left in the fridge.) "LEAVE THIS ISLAND NOW." It was the shout which made from many hairs, and it was enough for him to finally understand what happened. It was the worst of his fears... and he couldn't do anything...
Until he saw the boat where he was supposed to leave... however... the boat departed with the campers and the survivors, while he was left alone on the cursed island... and at that moment, the ghosts got him...
"Did you really think you can run away this time? And avoid the consequences again? What a fool. This is the punishment you deserve. And you will be locked out of heaven for all eternity."
"NO, NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO."
.
.
.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Chris woke up screaming from the terrible nightmare he had on his bed... knowing clearly that the situation had been way worse than he imagined. And from a single psychopath coming at the island, the damage it had done on the dream was so much that he felt his heart beating way too fast, and his chest tightening in pain and fear...
The host of the show... planned for them to get hurt in a hilarious way, and it was supposed to be just a single scaring challenge. But to have a real serial killer? It had been affecting him, affecting everyone... And for the first time, when the telephone rang... The host of the show walked at it, and instead of his fearful and nervous call around accepting whatever the producers would say. His eyes were with a bloodshot.
"HOW THE FUCK A SERIAL KILLER WAS ABLE TO GET INSIDE OF THE ISLAND? " Chris shouted as the fusion of anger and fear, from all the stress he had, he lashed out to his producers which usually would have been a bad idea, but he didn't care, he wasn't going to take the blame for that. "YOU GUYS TOLD ME THAT THIS ISLAND MOST DANGEROUS THINGS WOULD BE THE ANIMALS AND THE CHALLENGES, SO HOW THE FUCK A SERIAL KILLER WITH A CHAINSAW AND A HOOK MANAGED TO GET INSIDE OF THIS ISLAND?"
"..."
"Okay, okay. I'm calm." Chris said as he composed himself from the stressful morning he had, and from the terrible night he wasn't sure if he preferred to have been awake instead of sleeping. "But yes, I have no idea how it turned out like that. It was a scary challenge, and now we have a situation that was great for the ratings, but if we are not delicate around this, there will be a guaranteed lawsuit for everyone. So tell me, what to do."
"..."
"Okay, it seems, wait hold on. How much was the reward for capturing the serial killer again?" Chris commented as he heard the response of the producers. "Okay, 20 thousand dollars is very good for Eva as a way to pay for her to not continue on the show, and the medical treatment?"
"..."
"Okay, it has been nothing serious, thank God, we have avoided a lot of lawsuits with that, but there were also other things we had to proceed around, the security and the risk of the campers getting hurt again, what are we going to do?" Chris commented as he waited for more instructions, and he was humming from the information. "Okay, we have money to hire interns, so hiring interns from the medicine area will be a great way to add on the challenge... and for the budget, maybe we could hire some cadets in training. Maybe 2 newbie cadets and we can give them teasers and weapons in case we have a danger again."
"..."
"It's everything we could do with the budget... wait, WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE ALL THAT FROM MY HAIR GEL BUDGETTE? YOU WEASEL... WHAT? JUST BECAUSE I SHOUT AT YOU? IT WAS YOUR IDEA TO USE THIS ISLAND, AND NOW YOU ARE BLAMING ME?" Chris turned the game of blame once again, but it seemed that he couldn't do anything, but he had to gulp his pride and accept. "Okay, maybe I can use a little less of my hair gel... but that's because I want to be sure that you will hire the new interns for our security. Fine, I will leave the process of paying her medical bill too. Remember, this isn't only your show that is in line, but my career as well, and you guys need me. Nice, good day..."
At the moment the telephone was off, the host sat down on his own bed, and tried to calm down... it was a risky move, but he secured his career and showed the upper hand. Sometimes he loved the producers for paying him money for a job that he loves, but sometimes he hated them for taking out his money for also not being aware of some shit happening without him happening.
He just wished to go back to sleep, but thankfully someone started to knock on the door of his trailer... And between returning to a nightmare that will scare him for the rest of the day, or remaining awake a bit more, the choice was obvious.
But Chris couldn't help but be surprised to see Chef who didn't also give a single wink of sleep.
"Chef?" Chris asked as he saw the bulk man holding a few suitcases which made him look at the military man in surprise. "Please tell me that you aren't going to quit your job."
"No you buffon, I'm taking a few days off," Chef replied as Chris Mclain blinked at what the cook had said to him. "I'm going to be a few days out of this island, need to see my mother and granny, catch up with some friends, and that stuff. I will be out probably 3 or 4 days."
Chris blinked as the person in front of him didn't say the words he thought he would say.
"But what about the others?" Chris commented about the campers who were on the show, but he could see the annoying face of the Chef, who looked impatient but also did not care about his opinion.
"Order them some pizza, bring Chinese food, I don't care, these kids just dealt with a Serial Killer Chris, they watched a girl being stabbed by a psychopath while she broke his arms and legs, and while she overcame that, it's clear that nobody is fine around this show Chris," Chef remarked angrily as the host of the show flinched from the words which remind him of the nightmare. "I'm not going to cook crap food for them for surviving on the battlefield, sometimes everyone needs a day off..."
"Right," Chris commented, as he could accept that things escalated beyond his control, and for the damaging control he and the producers have been making around it since the last night, it showed that it clearly things got out of hand. "You're right, maybe we need to just tone down, just for this week."
"Good, I'm going to leave right now. And if I were you, I would also take a few days to relax," Chef commented as he could see the host still shaken from what happened, he wasn't sure why, but the tiny wimp man was trying to hold himself together but he was doing a terrible job at it.
"Yeah, I will do it. But first I need to make sure to tell the camera crew about what to edit on the episode, then I will do it." Chris commented as he could see the cook raising his eyebrow at him, which made him roll his eyes. "I'm fine, now go, have your day off or whatever. I want to see you in a few days."
Chef chuckled, but with that, he took his suitcases and left... Leaving Chris to spend a few hours to prepare himself. Takes a shower and carefully uses his hair gel which he will need to administrate in the future. He would need everything to be sure of how things will go.
And by seeing the camera crew, some answers must be answered. Most of the editors were in a rush and watching scene by scene, trying to find the good close scenes, and even checking the sound of the microphones working in their favor. But there was one biggest issue happening around.
"Sir, we have the entire recording of everything around the island from the last 24 hours." One of the members explained as Chris examined around the long duration of what happened around the show. "It's been difficult to edit everything to 21 minutes since there are too many scenes that it would be missing."
Chris looked at the screens, and from all the shitstorms happening on the day before, many things happened and 5 hours looked like an eternity, and from seeing that at the moment that episode would be on air... He needed to make sure to not hide anything because it would be worse if they were found in court, so he made the important decision.
"Do an episode of 1 hour," Chris commented as the camera crew paused, and everyone stared at the host of the show who usually would have his smirk, but this time was replaced with a serious face and a deep frown... "They took my hair gel money, so let's expose everything, showing that we have nothing to hide, and we are taking care of the situation."
"But sir." One of the camera crew stared in surprise and wanted to intervene, but Chris immediately interrupted him.
"The producers already gave a green light, we need to do damage control, now. I need a camera, and someone to help me write the disclaimer script, because the people who watched on the Pay-per-view probably are sharing the news of what happened, so in case we save our face, we need to show that even after the moment the episode was done and the mistakes were made. We are taking care of the situation." Chris said as the camera crew remained in silence but nodded their heads at him, ready to make a round of him explaining what was going to happen.
.
.
.
"Alright, I hope you guys are ready," Chris commented as he sat in front of the camera, with his hair well-made, and even with makeup to hide his tired face on camera. And at the moment the film started rolling, it was show time. "The episode you all just watched was a mere record of the events which happened yesterday. The news regarding Eva was that she is stable, and the damage caused to her body, thankfully the hook missed an artery by millimeters which means the girl is now under treatment and ready to recover... She won't return since she had to remain at the hospital for treatment, but for her capture of the serial killer with a chainsaw and a hook, she got the reward for his capture of 20 thousand dollars, which by fair in my opinion a good reward for her heroism. The Total Drama Island show will pay for her medical expertise and hope that her recovery will be done quickly giving that crazy woman another day to hurt another person. "
Chris used that time to let sink, the information as he took a few seconds to continue explaining the events.
"The campers will not have challenges for a week, since each of them needs a recovery from the events which happened. So in case you are worried about them, the pay-per-view will still be rolling, while the crew and I won't record another episode of the show for a week, since each of us will need to step down and let it sink about the lives who were in danger from the last challenge. From a circumstance that it didn't happen because of me." Chris commented as the camera crew looked at each other, but let their boss speak his mind. "The campers will take it easy until they recover from this, and then we will return to our show like it always has been. And for the disclaimer of the show, you had watched blood, betrayal, broken bones, and potential mental scars for many campers. And this is awesome for the audience and for the show, however terrible for people who almost lose their lives because of dangerous criminals traveling across Canada. Since that, our production has been hiring interns from the medicine expertise, if you are interested in helping the campers while getting experience in dealing with all kinds of wounds and weird sicknesses... you can apply to enter. And about our security, we are hiring Cadets for our national police academy which will be the new security protocol in case of future criminals have in mind to appear in the show... I'm Chris McLain, and I will see you on the next episode of Total Drama Island."
Inside the police academy, the principal's office exuded an air of authority and professionalism. The room was spacious, with walls adorned by framed certificates and commendations, showcasing the academy's prestigious history. A large wooden desk dominated the center of the room, meticulously organized with files and paperwork. Behind the desk sat the principal officer, a stern yet distinguished man whose presence commanded respect.
The principal officer himself was a formidable figure, with a commanding presence and sharp, piercing eyes that missed nothing. His neatly trimmed mustache added an air of gravitas to his demeanor, accentuating his no-nonsense approach to leadership.
"You may be wondering why I called you both today," he began, his voice firm and unwavering. "I have called you two since I received a request application for potential cadets who would be inside of a television show that recently received an intruder who seemed to be a serial killer."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing. "Now they are safe from the danger, but not without one of their contestants suffering some collateral damage, and since they are hiring cadets willing to do crazy stuff for potential grades and a small salary, I decided to choose you two for this operation."
The principal officer leaned forward, his expression serious as he addressed them directly. "You remember the seminar you received and swore upon yourselves at the time you started your training. And with the practical training around the chaotic world of the reality shows, it will give you a great advantage in dealing with all kinds of people."
He paused, his gaze unwavering as he looked at each cadet in turn. "So I have faith in both of you... Cadet Sanders, and Cadet MacArthur. Do not disappoint our academy."
The duo stood at attention, their resolve evident in their posture as they responded in unison, "Sir, yes sir..." Their voices were crisp and disciplined, a testament to their dedication to their training and duty. With a final salute, they awaited their instructions, ready to embark on their mission with determination and professionalism.
Chapter 32: Wawanakwa Gone Wild!
Chapter Text
Chef Hatchet wandered through the quiet streets of the neighborhood, his footsteps echoing softly against the pavement. The houses stood in neat rows, each with its own unique charm, but his eyes were fixed on one in particular. As he approached, memories flooded back, painting vivid images of the past.
As he now seemed to be dressing with a pink social shirt that he usually wears while walking around the city, and his usual brown pants that he used around visiting his family and friends, he walked around to approach a place that he never thought to go again.
The house he sought was a modest yet inviting structure, nestled among a lush garden bursting with vibrant colors. Flower beds lined the walkway leading to the front porch, where pots of blooming plants added a cheerful touch. Tall trees provide shade, their branches swaying gently in the breeze.
The front door loomed before him, a solid barrier between the past and the present. Chef hesitated, his hand hovering uncertainly before finally mustering the resolve to reach out and press the doorbell. The chime echoed through the quiet neighborhood, a stark reminder of the weight of his purpose.
As he waited, his heart pounded in his chest, each second stretching into an eternity. Memories of laughter and camaraderie flooded his mind, intermingling with the shadows of regret and sorrow. Yet, amidst the tumult of emotions, one thing remained clear – he had to face the past, no matter how daunting it seemed.
Finally, the door creaked open, revealing a familiar face framed by the warm glow of the interior. Revealing what would be a grown-up man in his 40s, almost the same age as him, the person in front of him embodies the essence of a seasoned adventurer who has weathered the storms of life with a blend of resilience and charm. Time has left its subtle marks upon him, etching faint laugh lines around his eyes and with very transparent and elegant glasses to compliment his look and gracing his once vibrant blonde locks with a sprinkling of silver. However, his trademark ponytail still cascades down his back, a testament to his enduring spirit of adventure. Wearing a well-adorned black suit with a black bow tie and hands a very well-made mug of coffee.
"HATCH." The man shouted as he showed a good smile a mark of camaraderie, which made the cook grin at the face of an old friend by hearing his old nickname. And still was surprised to get a hug from an old friend, which he happily chuckled from even years without talking, the same charisma and personality of a friend since his teenage days remained with him.
"Ron," Chef commented as he accepted the quick hug that an old friend had given to him, knowing that sometimes he could see from the ginger girl he trained he could see where she got the charisma from, even as acting weirdly sometimes. "How long has been?"
"8 years my friend. Wade thought you have been on a mission for so long... until we watched the first episode of the reality show." The blond man commented with a smirk which made Chef roll his eyes. "From a commander, expert in front lines of missions of combat and rescue to a simple cook? Kim had been laughing her ass off for the entire commercial."
"Ha ha ha," Chef gave a sarcastic laugh as he could imagine that his friend would do that. "And talking about her,"
"Oh, right. Sorry, come in Chef," Ron opened the door and Chef had the view of what was a very cozy house, with yellow walls, a mountain landscape painting on the walls, and a very ugly couch which had been Wade's wedding gift which Chef was sure that he bought for cheap, for a man who liked to buy electronics he had a terrible decision to buy furniture. Chef had memories about the time he passed around there to drink some cans of beer and talk about missions they had around the army.
"Wow, all those years, all the blood, sweat, and tears we left on the battlefield, I think I missed this time around here," Chef commented as Ron smiled and passed around him.
"Yeah, and the retirement helped us a lot, especially with my new invention which managed to make us stable around our retirement," Ron commented as he prepared his tie and showed a picture of a food that made Chef give a deadpan at his friend.
"Please don't tell me it's the Na..." Chef was on the verge of facepalming from a teenage idea his friend had before, but his friend already interrupted him.
"Behold, the NACO," Ron commented as he showed a picture of food made by taking nacho cheese and tortilla chips, mixing it with the traditional fillings of a taco, placing it all within a tortilla shell, and then lifting up the sides to make a bag-like shape.
"Goddamit Ron. Okay, let me see." Chef rolled his eyes as he could see the boy had been not just with this idea in his teenage days, but he was obsessed with making the food work. Chef as the time he was developing a skill to make food come alive, Ron wanted to make something creative while tasting good. And from the picture alone, it sounded like a greasy food that he would eat. "Alright, you convinced me, what's the catch."
"There isn't. I sold this idea for a Mexican restaurant and they said in a few years I will receive the royalties depending on the popularity." Ron commented proud of his work, while Chef rolled his eyes.
"Alright, I will bite, if the food is that great I want one," Chef commented as he gave a punch on the arm of the blonde man who didn't feel any pain but chuckled.
"Alright, I never back down a good food. I can make up for dinner." Ron commented as the duo walked towards the kitchen, just to find a person who seemed to be cleaning up the dishes, and preparing the breakfast for the duo. "Kim, guess who is here?"
'I know..." A woman who epitome of grace and strength, embodying the essence of a warrior and a veteran of war commented as she turned her head to see the visitor of her house, her fiery orange and almost brown hair, once the symbol of her youthful exuberance, now falls in soft waves around her shoulders, a vibrant reminder of the passion and determination that have fueled her journey. She wears it with pride, a crown befitting a woman who has faced many challenges around the battlefield, and on her clothing, she wears nothing more than a silk tan long dress, which shows that a woman who used to be in combat, was now satisfied on the time around the retirement. "Hatch, long time no see."
"Kim," Chef commented as he saw good for a moment, a reflection of what would be a good version of his friend who seemed to be in her prime before, a girl who wouldn't care if she carried the world's weight on her shoulders and have time to go at school, being part of the military squad indeed caused them to become more than just friends but brothers in the army.
"8 years to finally call me. Wow, I must have caused the fear of a God upon you." Kim smirked as he could see the military friend that she had around so many years, and seeing his eyes twitching and making him angry was a bonus that she missed in messing with him.
"WHAT? OF COURSE YOU DID." Chef shouted in disbelief as he remembered clearly like a day on how bad the time they fought after the accident. "You used a hockey stick to beat the crap of me for 2 months."
"All was in the past Hatch, it was an accident," Kim commented as the eyes of the cook twitched he could see the smirk on her face as he remembered in a time like that his friend in the time of military would use that moment to stick her tongue at him. But he controlled his anger, as he could see his friend once more talking like nothing just happened. "How's your grandma?"
"She is fine, teaching a few kids in the junior's league how to do a perfect pitch," Chef commented as he casually sat, and from seeing a good warm cup of coffee, he felt a good sense of familiarity among the time... it was... nice.
"Aww, that's so great, I remember the time she launched a water balloon so strong that it made Ron fall from the tree," Kim commented as her husband chucked the coffee which made Chef chuckle with the good memories.
"Oh yeah, why were you stuck in the tree again? I don't remember if was a bet or there was a cat who was stuck on the tree." Chef commented as he then saw nearby the corner, what would be a little doll house which from what he recalled, wasn't for dolls, but for a family of pets that lived there, and from seeing a family of naked mole rats, he was right about it.
Ron grumbled a few words while he rolled his eyes.
"It was our neighbor's cat which she tried to catch Rufus, my pet, do you remember?" Ron commented as the duo laughed from the good memories, like at the good times Chef Hatchet had missed so much. "But if you want to talk about my mess-ups, why don't we talk about the time you dressed like a pink ballerina."
And now the feeling is gone, which Kim laughed loudly, and Chef was annoyed.
"I had because I was paid to do that," Chef commented as the duo raised their eyebrows. "Trust me, my contract is kinda messed up, but in comparison to the interns, mine is breezy, but I got a good opportunity in my hands. A chance to get a promotion and become an official co-host."
"Why does it feel like you are gambling?" Ron asked as he raised his eyebrows, but Chef already confirmed his suspicions.
"Because it is... The producers wanted me to bet on 2 campers who would win on the next season. And if one of them were my choice. Then my contract would be officially renewed as co-host and I would gain a very good raise." Chef explained as both former militaries stared at him unamused.
"Isn't that a bit unfair to use Izzy? Since we trained her?" Kim commented as Chef rolled his eyes.
"Do you think I care? Ever seen what Chris made me do around the challenges? And while I want to beat the crap of the pretty boy and mess with his hair gel... I cannot because he has great connections and would make the lives of many a hell. So I prefer to win on my own terms. And Izzy is a key to that. That's why I'm betting on her." Chef explains the plan he has and with the possibility of season 2, there is too much to gain, so he needs to play his cards carefully. "But she decided just to accept if another boy of the show did it. The boy named Ezekiel."
"Ezekiel?" Ron and Kim asked in surprise, as they didn't recall her interaction with the boy. Which made them have their eyebrows raised on surprise.
"Yes. And from what she told me, everything just happened because..." And just like that, Chef felt like his younger self, talking about the gossip and histories about their times as teenagers, and plans for the future. But this time was the future of the campers over a reality show... Needless to say, Chef felt like the good times, enjoying a good friendship that he always had with his friends.
How life was good for him.
"Alright, it seems that everything is in order." After spending a lot of hours interviewing some new interns to deal with the possible wounds from the crew interns who mostly do the test of the challenges. It seems that everything is going alright for Chris... Even if his hair wasn't the best as he wanted, it was still elegant as he did his best to be.
And then after almost 1 week, the two cadets he waited for from the Police Academy finally arrived which now made him feel more relieved since he could proceed to continue his show.
"Don't worry Chris, we are thought as nails, we are going extreme to help this show," MacArthur commented as Sanders crossed her arms with a smile.
"Definitely, as long we don't break the law into doing it," Sanders commented as Chris gave side glances to Chef who just shrugged.
"I'm okay breaking a few," MacArthur replied which made once again the cook and the host look at each other and shrugged but tried to hold their laughs.
"I don't know, usually we have the contracts with us, so technically everything is legal and legit, and we can even cause some hurt because accidental problems happen all the time," Chris explained as both cadets stared at Chris in disbelief. But then MacArthur started to laugh.
"Oh my God, I like this job already." The bad cop cadet commented as her friend crossed her arms and stared at her. "What?"
"Never mind, so when are we going to start?" Sanders asked as Chris gave them two blocks of contract for them.
"Just sign these and you can start right away, we are going to have a challenge in a few hours," Chris explained as one of the cadets started to sign the contract while the other had her eyebrow raised. But then by shrugging off, she decided to follow her friend and sign the contract without reading. "Great. Today, you both should accommodate the camera crew staff and the interns and when it comes to the time, you both should do the routes and be vigilant in case someone gets in danger. You both will get a few security gadgets like Walkie Talkies, pepper spray, and tasers, and in case a real serial killer appears on the show, you will have a sniper rifle in the intern's cabin, and aim to kill it. Okay?"
Both cadets had their heads sweating from the last explanation, which made them glance at each other in fear. And accepting the explanation about their shifts, and their equipment, both girls walked out from Chris' trailer with a new job on their case.
"I can't believe that we just got an official job a few months after our first semester as cadets," Sanders commented as her partner laughed with optimism on her face.
"You better believe it, we are the best of our academy, so it was worth the opportunity. And I have to say, this job will be easy since we just need to keep an eye on the interns and the campers." MacArthur commented as she scoffed about the easiest job she had, "I mean, how hard could it be?"
"I feel like we should have read the contract," Sanders commented to her friend while both walked away, and they couldn't hear the laughs that both Chris and Chef were having at the devil's contract they both signed... They would understand that nothing coming from the Total Drama Island show would be easy.
"Last time on Total Drama Island..."Chris began the usual recap...while holding a beaver. "An escaped psycho killer terrorized our campers with his meat-mangling hook and his mega murderous chainsaw. There was a large amount of screaming and some betrayals that caused people to break down in the Aquarium, that was a bad move Owen, good for self-survival, but bad for trying to score the same girl again, and considering that the whole thing was really just a prank. Ooh, ooh, ooh! I love this part! Duncan was the only one to psych out the psycho which was Chef dressed as a serial killer."
And then Chris had a serious and solemn face on screen and decided to talk about the last part.
"But soon after a real psycho showed up, and he went after both Lindsay and Eva, which turned out to be not good for people with weak stomachs, the bodybuilder decided to make a warning for the serial killer who decided to stab her with a hook... And that's when things got crazy, since Eva gave the psycho killer the beating of a lifetime, dignifying her heroine of Terminator, by incapacitating the serial killer, but the stab wounds forced her to bow out of the game." Chris commented as he gave a serious topic around the explanation. "Since her elimination was caused by a serious issue, we hired a staff of security and medical assistance, and we got the news that Eva the survivor will be discharged from the hospital in a few days, she is now having a good recovery... now only seven campers remain. Who will win? Who will lose? OW!"
Chris was cut off by the beaver he was carrying biting his hand.
"Who will need a rabies shot thanks to this ungrateful little-!" Chris cut himself off before he did something he shouldn't say in the television. "Find out on this episode of.."
*BOOM*
A big explosion made Chris pause, and stare at the direction of the camp...
"And how long Owen will survive Izzy's revenge? Find out on this episode of...TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND!"
(Camp Wawanakwa in the morning.)
As the sun rose over Camp Wawanakwa, a sense of tranquility settled over the once-chaotic grounds. Following the harrowing events of the previous episode, Chris McLean, the host of "Total Drama Island," had deemed it necessary to grant the campers a well-deserved week off. With Eva recovering in the hospital and Chef Hatchet taking some much-needed time off, the campers found themselves with a rare opportunity to relax and unwind.
The morning air was crisp and refreshing as the campers emerged from their cabins, stretching and yawning as they welcomed the day. Some decided to have a good nice shower before going to the Main Lodge, eager to enjoy a breakfast free from Chef's culinary experiments. Chinese food, pizza, and other delights greeted their senses, a welcome change from the usual camp cuisine.
Duncan and DJ were playing cards, while Heather and Lindsay were doing their fingernails...
*BOOM*
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." A familiar voice was enough to disturb the concentration of both boys and girls who just stared at the moment one of the boys came out from the cabin with a big guy licking the cream and the remaining cake off his face, but with some scorch marks and burns from his face and smoke from his hair.
"It seems Owen got another cake bomb on his face," Duncan commented as he took one card from DJ's hand, and the giant Jamaican looked at the remaining dignity the big guy had, which was difficult that nobody could find a good excuse to help the boy out... In many words, Owen fucked up... in the worst way possible.
"Yeah..."DJ commented as he accepted everything that happened. From the time he saw Owen before, he was a great guy, however, one of his momma's lessons came to fruition when he saw Izzy at the time she said Condor after the last challenge. "The anger of a broken and betrayed woman, it's something that everyone must fear."
"Amen to that brother." Duncan nodded his head, as he saw how the crazy girl simply flipped the switch, and she made her focus on making the life of the fat boy a hell. "I would have felt pity on him, but 1- I don't want that girl to do something like that to me. And 2 - He asked for it."
Heather who was listening to the conversation of both men, rolled her eyes, but deep in her heart, she knew that there was nothing she could do. It was a good news and bad news situation. While on the one hand, she was happy that she wouldn't have to deal with the crazy mastermind girl on the show, on the other hand... she and Lindsay would need her vote, but it seems that she won't be able to be on the island anymore, so, in any case, she would need to protect Owen's from the challenge after Izzy left the island... Which was something that she didn't want to do.
"Ohh poor Owen," Lindsay commented as she brought attention to her. "Owen had been with those explosions over him for almost the whole week. Do you think he has bad luck?"
Duncan and DJ glanced at the blonde girl, and before they could say it, Heather interrupted them.
"We don't know, Lindsay. But I don't think we should be near him. If that is contagious imagine what could happen to us." Heather commented as she gave a restricted order to her not to interfere or it could make the ginger girl even madder at them.
"Well, I think he should at least now that he has bad luck." Lindsay looked determined and before Heather could refuse, Duncan shouted.
"DO THAT, WARN HIM ABOUT POSSIBLE EXPLOSIVE BAD LUCK," Duncan said with a smirk on his face, while DJ looked at him in surprise, and Heather was narrowing her eyes at him. "Trust me, I don't want to be involved in that, but I'm sure this is going to be interesting for later."
And like Duncan said, Owen started to get paranoid about it, since it made sense for him, that whenever he went to his bed when he was alone, he got a lot of fireworks shots on him, or a little pepper spray bomb which made his entire face burn for hours. And then when he went to eat Pizza, it was full of pepper which made him drink Milk, but he didn't know it was with a lot of hot sauce in it...
It was bad luck after bad luck... Not knowing that behind everything a ginger girl was watching all the interaction with amusement in her eyes...
(Confession - Owen)
"Okay, I have two rabbit legs with me," Owen said as he was holding DJ's bunny with an improvised collar, with the bunny comfortably near his neck. Also, there was a garlic collar around his neck, and on his wrist, there were horseshoes around his pocket. "Garlic Colar, horseshoes belt, and I just need a four-leaf clover to help me with the bad luck... since from Lindsay told me. It's bad luck man, BAD LUCK."
Owen said as he even farted from all the pepper he had eaten and had been uncomfortable for the poor big guy, and at the time he finished, he pressed the flush...
*BOOM*
And at that time, the entire toilet exploded in the bathroom and Owen just looked all covered with toilet water, as it made DJ's bunny jump away, and all the horseshoes and garlic collars fell on the floor... And all remained was a new collar for Owen, the toilet seat which was now around his neck, and the fat boy was now seeing stars.
"Mama, is that you?" Owen said before fainting on the floor creating a loud splash from the toilet water.
"What just happened?" Gwen asked as the group stared at the goth who just finished her time washing her hair and got out of the shower.
"Owen just got another explosion," Lindsay commented as she started to get worried, but nobody seemed to mind at all from the situation.
"Ah, that explains the smoke on the floor." The goth commented as she looked at Heather who was blowing her fingernails to dry the ink. "Do you guys want to eat something on the main Lodge later? I don't know why but it seems this week passed too quickly for us."
Both DJ and Duncan shrugged as they weren't interested in eating at the moment, but they would go for it later.
"Yeah, it sounds like a good plan," DJ commented as they just saw Owen getting out from the confession both with a new collar on his face. "Hey Owen are you okay?"
"I'm fine DJ," Owen commented as he was holding the bunny like it was the only lucky amulet he had. "I just think maybe I won't be able to go to the confession both for a while since it's now all flooded with water."
"Ugh, well it seems now we have to go on there to use only for confessing without sitting." Heather groaned as she knew that she had only one person to blame. "This is going to be a long day."
.
.
.
An hour later, all the campers were currently heading to the Main Lodge to get some breakfast, Gwen was in the front of the line, Izzy was behind her, and Owen was behind her, followed by DJ, Duncan, Heather, and Lindsay...
Izzy was smiling peacefully until she felt someone pooking her shoulder which made her smile into a frown and displeasure, especially hearing the voice of the person who betrayed her.
"Wildflowers for a wild and crazy gal?" Owen said that even if he was still covered with a few scorch marks on his face, and with his clothing wet with dirty water, he brought a few orange flowers to try to make the girl in front of him smile.
"Oh, yeah? As in the kind you abandon and leave for dead in the hands of a chainsaw-wielding psycho killer with a hook?" Izzy rolled her eyes as she sarcastically commented on one of the biggest sins the boy had done to her, as she felt not just betrayed by his cowardice, but she could have died from his action if wasn't for her commander to think into using a blunt hook without sharp edges on it.
"Me? Abandon you? Never! Never ever!" Owen said in such a tone, that made Izzy turn her head at him and look in disbelief, not knowing if the boy was such ignorant not seeing that he almost killed her by his ignorance, or if he was too stupid to imagine what he did was wrong...
She wanted so much to punch him, but then she had a better idea.
"You should smell those flowers, it seems there is something wrong with them," Izzy commented as she turned her back to him.
"Really?" Owen asked as he then sniffed the flowers he picked.
*BOOM*
"AHHHHHHHHHHH." Owen was surprised that everything he touched would come to explode his face, as all the campers stared at the reaction and gave a step away from him, and the next second. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Izzy turned her head, and she just saw that Owen wasn't there anymore... like he just disappeared.
"Wasn't there just a three-hundred-pound bag of joy talking to you?" Gwen asked at Izzy who just shrugged her arms, but then there was a voice above them giving his location.
"I'm only 296." Looking up, everyone saw Owen hanging from the tree they were under by a rope tied around his ankle. "Someone set a trap."
And after saying that in a cue, a wooden cage fell down upon the remaining six campers.
"Or two..." Owen commented as the other campers rolled their eyes.
"Thank you Captain Obvious." Duncan scoffed as he saw there was nothing they could do, and that was the moment Chris McLean got on the scene.
"Good morning, campers! Or should I say… trappers? Ready for today's challenge?" Chris walked with them with a living beaver over his head, he even took a knife and made the question which all of them gasped in surprise. Now remembering that their week off was finally over."Excellent. Then let's chat about it over chow. Shall we?"
Chris then walked away...leaving all the campers trapped until Owen felt it was time to ask his friends.
"He's coming back to untrap us, right?" Right after Owen asks, Chris throws the carving knife he had right at the rope holding the fat boy up, making the big guy fall down onto the cage and causing the door to open. "Good aim..."
(Main Lodge)
And like all good things must come to an end... Everyone had to return to the bad cook that Chef always would cook for them. They were all given bowls of what could be best described as grey porridge. And while Owen was happily eating since neither of them had the taste of peppers on it, everyone else had to return to their torture into eating that terrible food. Some even were struggling to even get their spoons out of the bowl as the porridge was holding it firmly on the silverware.
And when everyone was already trying to eat their food, Chris spoke up and got everyone's attention.
"Camper's, there are only seven of you left on Total Drama Island," Chris announced getting everyone to grin a bit with pride, while one member remained stoic as she knew it was her day to leave the show. To the others, it has been a long journey, since the start of 22 campers, and with time and their struggles, from sweat, blood, and tears, they came to where they are now. "After tonight's dramatic bonfire ceremony, only six of you will remain. We're nearing the end people, so look alive!"
(Confession - Duncan)
Duncan got uncomfortable at the damaged Confession booth which was still flooding with water on the floor, and decided to comment near the camera.
"What are my chances of winning? I'd say they're pretty darn great because anyone who doesn't vote for me from Screaming Gophers is a dead man." Duncan threatened as he got right in front of the camera and glared. "Are you listening to me Gophers? All of you who have been kicked off? If you don't vote for me, I'll find you!"
Duncan said until another big splash almost made him slip on the floor.
"UGH, DAMMIT IZZY, WHY DID YOU DESTROY THE CONFESSION BOTH BECAUSE OF OWEN?"
(Confession - Lindsay)
"What just happened on here? Oh my gosh, the bad luck of Owen destroyed this place? Oh... why did I come here again?" Lindsay commented as she forgot the reason she was on the destroyed confession both, and thinking around and trying to walk around the flooded area made her just simply shrug. "Meh, maybe isn't important... Hey mom, hey Paula, I'm almost winning. I think I will reach the final three. Kisses and hugs for all the family."
"Before I start talking about the challenge. I want to introduce you to all the new members of the staff." Chris commented as the group of campers stared at the two new members marching towards the Main Lodge with their current cadet uniform and equipped with their security material around their belts. "Cadet MacArthur and Cadet Sanders."
Both cadets got into their salute position which made Heather raise an eyebrow and Duncan scoffs.
"Great, and here I thought this place wouldn't be more like the juvenile," Duncan murmured as both Gwen and DJ felt unsure of how to reply to that, but thankfully this time Chris was with his smirk again.
"These two will be responsible for your security when it comes to anything outside of the challenges which aren't planned... like I don't know, dangerous animals who got out from their natural habitat without us knowing, or possibly a serial killer who isn't supposed to be on the island," Chris remarked as the campers froze and understood the meaning of his words. And from the serious tone he gave to everyone, he brought the attention of the two cadets. "To be sure that we wouldn't have any kind of lawsuits we decided to have a better focus on our security and we also have a better group of medical care. All the interns from medicine school we could provide."
Lindsay clapped happily, DJ looked a bit more relived, while Duncan and Heather scoffed since they both knew that Chris was a bit of a cheap guy to pay for little instead of his hair gel, but anything would have been better if wasn't for the fact one camper got to the hospital because of such incident.
Before even the officers say something Chris decides to continue his explanation.
"Now for today's challenge involves making like our province's great rangers and game wardens," Chris informed everyone attention which made them raise their eyebrows. "You'll each have eight hours to trap an animal."
"Got one!" Duncan said as he grabbed Owen's wrist while the big guy wasn't bothered since he was still eating the black porridge.
"A wild animal!" Chris specified as he made the delinquent release Owen in disappointment. "Which you must bring back to the campfire. Unharmed."
This made everyone raise their eyebrows again, which made Chris continue explaining the challenge.
"Rangers and game wardens often have to relocate animals for their own good and the good of campers," Chris explained as Gwen who was having a difficult time eating the Chef's cook again.
"For my good, I might have to barbecue my animal. I'm starving to death." Gwen complained as she tried to get her spoon out of her paste. Which Chris gave a smile.
"Funny you should mention that, Gwen." Chris decided to tell the good news for the campers around the show. "Since the last challenge had been very traumatic to each of you, we want to give you all one last bone before we return to our main usual challenges. I'm going to tell you all that whenever the person who brings their animal, will have a meal of all of your favorite foods!"
And with that, everyone had their eyes wide open in surprise, but before they would ask further Chris decided to be more clear.
"This is for the sake of you all that had to deal with the traumatic experience of one of you being eliminated in such a way and had too much pressure around our back, so this will be the last chance everyone can get a reward. The first person to bring the animal will get the immunity, while the others can still enjoy their time while eating a good banquet before returning to eat Chef's MREs again." Chris explained that now than ever everyone stared at each other and had the same conclusion in their minds.
"ALRIGHT, IT'S ON." Everyone said with a grin on their faces, a week off eating Chinese and Mexican food, and now a last reward without getting any risk of elimination? That indeed made them feel more ready to try their best.
"Good food, here I come," Heather commented as Owen stared at her in surprise.
"Aren't you going to eat that?" Owen asked the queen bee pushing the food for the only person who could eat that kind of food, and even as a disgusting way he could eat it, some people envied how easily he didn't mind eating anything.
(Confession - Owen.)
"I can't believe I'm in the final seven!" Owen cheered as he raised his arms up in the air in a pattern of left and right, even as the whole place was still some fixing, thankfully one of the interns was in the middle of the toilet while Owen continued his confession. "Can you imagine me, winning?! Hahahahaha! That would be awesome! Whoo-hoo-hoo! Everyone else here totally deserves it more than I do, though."
Owen explained that he usually never thought he would be that far, and even as the scorching marks and food bombs happening at him all, he seemed to remain the carefree person, even as the coward he was, he still saw himself as not deserving the money more than the others.
A little later, Chris gathered up everyone at the boathouse to start up the day's challenge. In the host's hand was a safari hat with a bunch of pieces of paper inside.
"Everyone, choose an animal assignment!" Chris then held his hat out to the campers who quickly lined up to take a piece of paper to see what animal they would have to bring back.
"Beaver." Owen read his animal.
"Bear?" Duncan said in disbelief as the others flinched in surprise from what he would need to catch the wild animal.
"Frog," Gwen said her animal.
"Chipmunk," DJ said as he didn't seem worried about the one he had to capture.
"Duck," Lindsay commented as she wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing.
"Racoon? Oh great, headshot." Izzy commented as she felt happy with the choices she was about to make to get good food.
"Deer?" Heather asked as the host shrugged his arms. "Well, at least I didn't take the bear."
"Hahaha, very funny," Duncan commented as he looked at Chris with a question in mind. "You aren't going to let us capture our animals bare-handed right?"
"You do get sixty seconds in the boathouse to gather any equipment that might help," Chris told everyone before holding up his watch and pointing at it. "And the person who doesn't accomplish the challenge, not only will not be able to eat the good lunch made by Chef in his prime. But will also the loser clean the communal washrooms."
Everyone gasped at this. That was probably the cruelest punishment Chris could have given to them. Added in that the washrooms smelled awful because of one single person. The certain 296-pound boy was smiling sheepishly at them.
"Sorry." Owen chuckled as he patted his massive stomach and farted. "I think I ate too much of that delicious paste."
And that was the drive both Heather and Duncan needed, because now losing wasn't an option, and they would do everything to help their case.
"And you can start your 60 seconds, starting...now!" Chris said as the group went quickly on the boathouse to find any potential items that could aid them in the challenge.
From nets, and buckets, to even a sledgehammer. Duncan grinned at the idea of going more offensive in capturing the bear, which made both Heather, Gwen, and Lindsay look at the delinquent with worry in their eyes.
"Uh, you're going to capture a bear with a sledgehammer?" Gwen asked her eyebrow raised, to which Lindsay nodded her head.
"Yeah, they said for we capture the animals without hurting them," Lindsay commented as Heather nodded her head in agreement.
"You may wanna rethink that." Heather pointed out what Duncan thought about it, but that made Duncan have a better idea.
"Ah, thanks for the tip, "Instead of downgrading to something less lethal... Duncan grabbed something more lethal. A chainsaw that he would use for a lot of things, intimidation factor. This made both Heather and Gwen roll their eyes, and from the net, Heather saw something on the corner.
"Lindsay, there is Duck bait in the corner," Heather commented and the blonde girl got excited.
"Really? Oh, that's good." Lindsay said as she took a duck bait and a burlap sack. Which would be helpful to her.
"I got paper towels! Yeah!" Owen was pretty much just happy to pick up anything he could find to help him capture the beavers, a few sticks and a paper towel seemed a good plan for him. DJ smiled and shared with Owen a high five as DJ looked at a little box that he could use to distract the chipmunk to bring to his victory.
"Ten seconds remaining!" Chris informed everyone as he stuck his head inside. And after hearing there was 10 seconds, Izzy decided to bring all the boxes she could find.
"Wait, we can do that?" Heather commented that since Chris didn't explain the rules, it was enough for her to place her net inside and bring more boxes with her in enough time to walk outside. The other campers all got the idea, but the moment Heather got out of the boat house, it was enough time, and all the campers lost their opportunity.
"Time's up," Chris commented as Heather and Izzy decided to open their boxes and see if there was more chance to capture the animals.
(Confession - Heather)
"Okay, this place is a mess," Heather commented as she could see the interns fixing the confession booth from the catastrophe made by the ginger who wanted revenge on the fat boy. "Well, I assume I'm the favorite to win. I mean, look who's left. Weird goth girl, a criminal, a fart machine, a crybaby jock, a psycho explosive beast, and Lindsay. She is the only girl who can understand me. The only flaw she had it's that she was too naive to deal with the challenges, we're not here to make more friends Lindsay, we are here to win." Heather said as she snapped her nail file in two into trying to teach another lesson to her friend. "I just hope she understands that when we get in the final 3."
At the time Heather was with her boxes and examining what was left, she saw Izzy taking a lot of weird things from her box, and throwing them behind her back.
"Okay, buffer thingies, old sandwich, stick, big nesty hook," Heather had to crouch to not get hit by that one as then Izzy had a smile on her face. "Score, tranquilizer gun. Guys look?"
Izzy aimed at everyone with the pistol which made Heather terrified.
"Could you please aim it in other way?" Heather asked and Izzy gave a smile at her, and a wink, and to the surprise of everyone, Izzy gave the tranquilizer gun for her. "What?"
"Do this for me..." Izzy commented as she whispered something to Heather and with others looking in surprise and weirdly at the wild girl, that move wasn't something she would expect. "You needed more than me since I'm going out tonight."
"Wait, are you planning to lose?" Lindsay asked in shock, while Heather remained with her cool since she discovered Izzy's plan from the time the duo went to talk in an area without cameras. And from the idea of losing their advantage, Heather knew that sooner or later she would need to find a way to survive with Lindsay, and from all the strategies Izzy had come up with... She knew she had a chance to go to the finals if she played her cards right.
"Losing me?" Izzy laughed as it caught the attention of everyone. "Oh, Izzy isn't planning to clean up a backstaber's, cowards washroom."
Everyone flinched at Izzy's tone of words, even Owen who flinched most from her angry tone which the boys and girls gave a step back from the fat boy...
"I mean, I don't want the immunity, but I want to eat good food. And I think Heather would need it way more than I do," Izzy gave an explanation and Heather nodded her head at her. Which was good enough to make the weird ginger start laughing again.
And from the boxes Heather brought, she wasn't lucky into find something good to help at all, so having a tranquilizer gun would be the best equipment she would receive.
With their time up, everybody was with the gear they were lucky enough to find and grab.
"Everybody ready?" Chris asked as everybody grinned and shouted yes, which made Chris happy to start the challenge. "GAME ON!"
Lindsay
Lindsay stood at the edge of the clearing, clutching a burlap sack in one hand and a handful of duck bait in the other. Just go out in the woods, preferably a spot with some water nearby, and she was hiding behind a bush.
"Alright, Mr. Duckie, time for some lunch!" Lindsay commented as she smiled happily with a plan on her head.
She carefully sprinkled a trail of duck bait leading into the open sack, then stood back, waiting for the duck to follow the trail. To her delight, the duck skidded to a halt, eyeing the bait curiously. It began pecking at the trail, inching closer to the sack.
"Yes, yes, come to mama!" Lindsay whispered excitedly as she was ready to finally catch it.
But just as the duck reached the edge of the sack, it seemed to sense something was amiss. In a blur of motion, it zipped away, leaving a trail of feathers and a very perplexed Lindsay holding an empty sack.
"Hey! That was supposed to work!" Lindsay stomped her foot on the floor while she looked in disbelief.
Ten minutes later:
Not one to give up easily, Lindsay decided to sneak up on the duck. She sprinkled some duck bait in a small circle, placing the burlap sack open and ready nearby. Then, she hid behind a bush, peeking through the leaves.
"Okay, just stay calm and be quick. Ducks love bait, right?" Lindsay commented to herself, and at the time she felt conflict suddenly two familiar figures appeared on her shoulder.
"Of course they love, do you remember what our daddy always said about his great inspiration for rubber ducks? Daddy would never lie to us." Devil Lindsay commented as she pointed to the most obvious point. The Angel Lindsay nodded her head in agreement.
"I have to agreed, but Ducks are kinda nefarious and tricksters, so we need to try our best." Angel Lindsay agreed as the trio of Lindsays came to the conclusion that capturing a duck was not going to be easy, but they were going to give their all.
The speedy duck zoomed into the clearing, immediately drawn to the bait. It began to gobble up the bait with lightning speed. Lindsay took a deep breath and dashed out from her hiding spot, burlap sack outstretched.
"Gotcha, duckie!" Lindsay jumped until the duck quickly turned its head at her.
The duck was faster. It shot forward, Lindsay missing it by mere inches and tripping over her own feet in the process. She landed face-first in the bait circle, the duck already a blur in the distance.
"Ew, gross! Why is this so hard?" Lindsay commented as she spat the bait and asked at both her shoulder entities, who merely shrugged and stared at the challenge in confusion.
Determined to catch the duck, Lindsay and her duo of shoulder consciences decided to create the ultimate trap. She placed the duck bait inside of the burlap sack and let a stick holding it on the floor.
"This is totally gonna work. I'm like, a genius!" Lindsay smirked as she saw Angel Lindsay wearing glasses and a clipboard, while Devil Lindsay was using the imaginary blackboard which was written MC2 = Banana on it.
"The math matches, let's do this." Devil Lindsay shouted and Angel Lindsay was using binoculars to find the track of the speed devil animal.
"THERE IT COMES." Angel Lindsay shouted as the trio waited patiently for the results of their ultimate trap. The duck zipped into the clearing, immediately drawn to the extravagant pile of bait inside of the sack. It zoomed around, eyeing the contraption suspiciously. After a moment, it darted in, pecking at the bait. Lindsay held her breath, ready to pull the string that would release the sack.
"Come on, just a little more..." The trio of Lindsays whispered as soon, as the duck's full body was already inside of the sack, which immediately the stick to fall off and took the duck by surprise. "AHA!"
Both imaginary consciences from the blonde bombshell disappeared but not before giving a high five to each other, as Lindsay enjoys the spoils of her victory. A duck trapped in her own sack and ready to make her have a nice lunch on the show.
Gwen
With Gwen, the goth girl never thought the challenge would be the easiest of them all, from the fact she just needed to catch a frog, which wouldn't be difficult. With a bucket in her hand, all she needed to do it was to find one, and go to a swampy place. When they did a lot of survival challenges, Gwen found a very simple blue frog which made her happy with the results.
"Oh that's so easy that I can already taste the immunity," Gwen commented as she was having a smirk on her face.
With nothing to worry about, Gwen simply walked up to the frog, with the bucket in her hands to slam over it... the frog noticed the imminent danger so it decided to leap away, with Gwen smirking and following it. And the more she approached the frog, the more it leaped away, until on a moment of distraction, she stomped into a deep puddle which made her go down like a heavy object...
"Oh you son-of a *beep*," Gwen commented as the frog croaked in front of her, and went away... "So that's how you are going to play it? Then two can play this game."
.
.
.
It took her 40 minutes to capture the frog, but not after failing to catch it and getting into deep puddles at least 15 times.
Heather
To say having to track down a deer would have been an easy task, Heather would like to beat the crap out of the person, since it took her more than a mere few minutes. Heather crouched low in the bushes, her eyes locked on the deer grazing peacefully a few yards away. She tightened her grip on the net and checked the tranquilizer gun at her side.
"Alright, Heather, you've got this. It's just a deer." Heather whispered to herself as she could have some focus into capturing the naive animal...
With the stealth of a ninja (or so she thought), Heather began to creep forward. She was just a few feet away when she stepped on a twig.
*CRACK*
The loud sound echoed through the forest. Which made the deer's head shot up, ears twitching in alarm. Heather froze, her net mid-air, trying to blend in with the foliage like some kind of camouflaged predator. The deer stared at her for a moment, then bolted.
"Ugh, seriously? A twig? Come on!" Heather groaned as she stomped at the object which made her lose her target...
Determined not to fail again, Heather decided to outsmart the deer. She set up a decoy: a deer made of twigs and leaves with an apple balanced on its head. She hid nearby, tranquilizer gun in hand, ready to strike.
"Alright, deer, let's see you resist this bait."Heather grinned, as she planned to make sure that this time her brain would show who was the best among them.
Minutes ticked by as Heather waited in silence. Finally, the deer approached, sniffing cautiously at the apple-topped decoy. Heather aimed the tranquilizer gun, holding her breath. She squeezed the trigger.
The tranquilizer dart shot out—and missed, hitting the decoy instead. The fake deer wobbled and then collapsed, taking the apple with it. The real deer looked at the fallen decoy, then at Heather, before giving her a look that seemed to say, "Really?" It trotted away leisurely, not even bothering to run this time.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!" Heather shouted as she threw her hands up in exasperation. "Oh, I'm going to get you... I swear, you stupid animal,"
Half hour later, Heather climbed up a tree, positioning herself on a thick branch directly above a deer trail. She had the net dangling from one hand and the tranquilizer gun securely holstered, ready for action.
"Okay, they always say the high ground wins. I just need to drop down when the deer passes underneath." Heather commented as she decided to act with patience...
Minutes felt like hours, but finally, she spotted the deer walking along the path below. Heather tensed, waiting for the perfect moment. Just as the deer was in position, she jumped.
Unfortunately, her foot got caught in the branch, and instead of a graceful pounce, Heather swung down like a human pendulum, crashing into the deer with a loud sound. Both Heather and the deer ended up in a heap on the ground, the deer was about to leave when both were trapped with the net, and Heather took the time to aim the tranquilizer gun and shot on it's flank...
A few seconds later, the animal went on the side, which left Heather, looking at the effectivenss of the weapon, and made her glances at the gun gave by the crazy ginger girl.
"Well, that went... smoothly," Heather commented as she spat a few leaves, but with a smirk indicating her objective was accomplished.
Duncan
Duncan decided to use the most simple way to capture a bear... By dressing himself as a deer and having a chainsaw ready for the case he wants to intimidate the grizzle bear.
"HEY, WAKE UP," Duncan shouted as he then heard the growling sounds of animals getting up, and the delinquent was ready to walk inside the cave just to find himself staring into something unfamiliar. The bear who was supposed to be very scary was actually a growing fur animal that was dressed in a robe... "Pfff HAHAHAHAHA, what happened to you? You look ridiculous."
That was the worst decision the delinquent could have made because the now female animal got angry and with a desire for revenge that even roared loud enough to make Duncan step back.
"Oh, so that's how you are going to play huh?" Duncan didn't show fear as he took his chainsaw and ignited. "Say hello to my little friend."
And then when he thought he was up for the battle, the bear used the paw to slap Duncan out of the chainsaw... And by releasing it on the floor. It was now the revenge of the animal, which made Duncan sweat a lot and look at the animal in fear...
"Err... buddy, don't you want to talk this out?" Duncan said as he gulped hard... But the roaring of the animal was enough to make him run away. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Duncan thought it was a good idea, however, the dressed bear was holding the chainsaw and was following the delinquent with the objective of mauling him with the chainsaw...
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." The screaming from Duncan could be heard around the forest and the roaring of the bear was still insisting on hurting the person who insulted its dress.
Izzy
Izzy had a lot of knowledge when it comes to wild animals since they were part of survival training she had in childhood, she had the costume to learn their habits and even speak their language when it comes to talking to animals, some times she could find the right things to say, but it has been a long time since she spoke Raccoon, maybe she should catch up to see if her Camel was still sharp.
But finding raccoons was easy, they are tricky yet fun creatures, and finding them looking for food in the trash cans and even in the forest can be easy...
"Alright you trash pandas you asked for it." Then something brought the attention of the ginger girl who just found not just one, but two new cadets who were having a very heated debate about what would be a mecha-version of a Racoon made by little Racoons.
"Oh, it's Tuesday already?' Izzy asked herself as she wasn't aware that crazy animal moments would have happened around on another day which isn't Tuesday. "Err. What you two are doing?"
"Oh hello. I'm cadet Sanders, and this is my partner MacArthur and we are sorry for disturbing your challenge." The dark-skinned cadet responsible for the security of the island commented as her partner was doing her best to fight over the Racoon who was holding what would be a cup of coffee and a donut. "We were in the middle of our break when this... animal took one of our delights that it's our morning donuts."
"GIVE IT BACK," MacArthur shouted as she brought the teaser and decided to fire at one of the Racoons, which immediately made their entire bodies zapp and the chubby security was satisfied with her victory... But it was cut short when the mecha animal fell above her. "Oh oh... OFFICER DOWN."
And that was the moment both Izzy and Sanders cringed at the sight of the battle between a woman and an animal...
"Well, why don't we negotiate?" Izzy commented as she offered the idea, for the cadet which had her eyebrow raised. "Trust me, let me speak with them."
.
.
.
"So how about 1 box of donuts per week and 1 litter of coffee in exchange for them doing night shifts for us?" Sanders commented to Izzy who coughed in her hand.
(ARHGT TAHRA AHRCH) Izzy used the sounds of raccoons to communicate with the recovering mecha of the raccoons which were listening to the conversation.
Until one of them looked angry and replied.
(RIII ARGH IRIIIR ARHC HAACRHC)
"You don't need to translator for that one." Cadet MacArthur said as she stared angrily at them. "Tell them to come back when they are ready to act like an adult."
Not just Izzy but even the partner of law looked surprised by that statement.
"Do you speak their language?" Sanders asked as the cadet MacArthur just shrugged.
"Listen to them it's one of my skills in the past. Now, tell them to scram before I send them out for Disorderly Conduct, and let them have only socks to eat for dinner." MacArthur commented, but Izzy decided to raise her hand...
"Err... if you guys don't mind, I need to have one with me for the challenge," Izzy commented as both security girls realized that one of the contestants needed it which both looked a bit sheepishly at what happened. (RIII RII ARCH ARHC HAARCHRHA AAH AHH)
The group of raccoons remained quiet, and stared at each other... and with one look, one of them nodded its head and walked towards the ginger crazy girl, who smiled at them.
"Thank you guys," Izzy said as she waved at the group of raccoons and then turned her head at the cadets. "Good luck with them, they said they will try the negotiations with you all tomorrow, and they refuse anything less than 2 litters of coffee and 1 and a half box of donuts."
"THAT'S IT, YOU ALL GOING DOWN," MacArthur shouted as she jumped towards the raccoons which they aren't afraid of one woman... And Sanders watched the fight happening with her palm on her face.
"I can't believe this is our first day of job..." Sanders commented until she heard the screaming of a person which made her turn her head and see the delinquent boy shouting in panic while he was being followed by a bear holding a chainsaw and wearing a dress... "Err... MacArthur, I think we have a Code 10-99"
"Bear with a chainsaw?" The chubby security girl asked loudly until she felt a hook on her face which made the woman furiated with the trash-pands. "OH BRING ON. SANDERS, YOU TAKE CARE OF CODE 10-99, THESE RACCONS ARE MINE."
"Err... okay..." Sanders shook her head decided to have a teaser on her hands, and decided to run after the boy in fear and the bear wearing a dress... "I should have read the contract. Why I have a feeling that this will get weirder and weirder."
DJ
DJ, the brick wall usually has fear into going up towards trees, so in a moment of concentration and courage, the boy managed to get up to find a chipmunk in one of the branches, and by pure luck, the gentle giant watched the pure animal smiling and enjoying the nature.
"Hey little fella," DJ commented as it brought the attention of the animal which was simply staring at him. "I have a bit of fear of heights but I needed to talk a bit with you. Can you help me to go to a place? I promise that I will give a lot of chestnuts and peanuts in compensation for your help..."
The little creature tilted its head, and he didn't seem to have any kind of understanding of the giant... But it showed honesty in his actions, which the little squirrel decided to give a try.
DJ smiled as the squirrel was already on his shoulder.
"Great, we can already win ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh." DJ was happy to finally leave the tree when he accidentally fell from the branch which the chipmunk was already prepared with his own personal tiny little parachute. "Ughh... I'm fine."
Owen
"The naturalist is at one with the wild. He is part of it." With Owen, the big guy had managed to find the beavers around the river, and as he approached the dam, he found a good opportunity to get inside of one and see there was a family of 3 beavers inside and ready to have their own lunch. "Making eye contact with his fellow-creatures creates peace, creates brotherhood. We are one, friends. Yes we are one." Owen narrated as the family looked at each other until one of them decided to raise one of its tails.
*SLAP.*
"OUCH. The naturalist doesn't like to see the disharmony happening around the. OUCH, OUCH OUCH OUCH."
And that was the sequence of how Owen got the punishment of 100 tails slaps while he couldn't help but feel immense pain on his cheeks.
"WHYYYY?" That was the last question before he continued to receive the slaps. Until a thought crossed his mind."My bad luck is striking again, NOOOOOOOOO"
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
(Confession - Izzy)
"Remember when I said I once had to become a part of the family of beavers who taught me many techniques of survival in the woods?" Izzy asked the camera from the now-fixed confession booth. "Yeah, I learned their language and I managed to convince them to only slap the face of a possible 296-pound blonde coward if they see one... and I know what you are thinking. Izzy, why not explode a dam as you did with everything else? Oh come on guys, I cannot explode a dam, it's where the beavers live. Explosivo isn't a monster...with the animals."
And on the campsite, there was Chris waiting with a large wooden cage with him.
Until suddenly.
"Hey, OPEN THE CAGE, OPEN THE CAGE CHRIS." The shout of someone in panic made the host have his eyes wide open and saw Duncan running for his life until he got the opportunity to get inside the cage...
And when Duncan thought he was free, there it was the lousy bear crossing the cage with the chainsaw.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Duncan shouted in fear until suddenly the bear felt zapped by something behind it, which the delinquent had his eyes wide open and the bear got knocked down with the chainsaw on the floor.
Duncan quickly turned off the chainsaw and looked at the sweaty cadet Sanders staring at him out of breath.
(Confession - Duncan)
"I'm not a fan of police, but ALLELUIA." Duncan praised the skies for being saved by a cop instead of being captured by one. "Who knew one of the decisions of Chris actually could save our lives? Man, I'm so relieved. I thought I was a goner by a bear with a dress."
Duncan was happy to see the naked bear being knocked out while he had to leave the cage peacefully.
"Nice job cadet Sanders," Chris commented as he felt happy to see both Duncan running away in fear, and seeing a potential danger of a bear with a chainsaw being neutralized. Which was a bonus of comedy and safety from him by the lawsuits.
"Open the cage, open the cage." Then Izzy walked towards the group and seeing Duncan already got the immunity, she was satisfied with the idea of already having a good chance to leave the show in peace. And by seeing the cage open she smiled at the raccoon before releasing on the place. "Alright, now we can have a nice food."
"Oh, you don't have to tell me twice." Duncan smiled as he felt the sweet taste of victory and food already on the table. Better than eating the terrible paste in the morning. Now he was going to eat fancily like he deserved it.
"Well, we already have 2 winners. Don't forget. The last camper to catch their critter cleans the washrooms!" Chris said happily as both Duncan and Izzy felt happy with their results.
.
.
.
An hour later, Duncan, and Izzy were already sitting at a well-fancy table, waiting for the other campers to appear to have a great lunch party before one of the campers left the show.
DJ was one of the campers who appeared by holding the chipmunk since it took a lot of minutes to climb the tree...
Lindsay was next with the Duck she happily captured with her brilliant idea.
And Gwen came later with a bit of mud on her face for a few tries of capture but the frog managed to trick her many times.
"UGHHHH, OPEN THE CAGE," Then a shout was enough to hear, as the group stared at Owen holding a big dam with him and was ready to place the family of beavers with him. "Now there yo... ahhh,"
Owen was on the verge of placing the animals when he suddenly fell slowly and his eyes closed... All the campers looked at the big guy slowly falling down and when they saw his butt, there were 2 darts aimed at him.
The campers and even Chris blinked until they heard a voice calling their attention.
"If you guys think I'm going to be the last person and be the one to clean the washrooms? Oh, hell no." Heather commented as she was having difficulty pulling the wild deer with her with her own strength. "This creature needs to know about the word diet because this weighs almost like Owen."
The beavers who fell down with their dam, and walked at the chubby camper who was still sleeping, couldn't help but mourn the person who just lost the challenge... By continuing to slap his face with their tails.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." Chris watching that scene unfold, couldn't help but laugh his ass off, from seeing such an unpredictable scene, he felt like a kid in a candy store. "And here I thought giving you all a challenge like that would be a bit boring, but I guess I was wrong... It seems the last camper to bring the animal into the cage was Owen... And ironically since he was the one who messed with the washroom on this morning, it's a poetic justice for him to clean up everything."
.
.
.
"Wow. That all looks good!" Chris commented as everyone sat at the table from Chef bringing to the table any kind of great food the people wanted. To surprise Izzy, she had her mouth dropped when Chef managed to make her father's Naco, which by far is one of the foods she missed when she was out at home.
DJ was surprised to see one of the barbecue foods his mom did for him, and he was surprised to see a skilled Chef has been holding up when he wanted.
Duncan when he got his tray for dessert, he was surprised to see a familiar green jello, which was his girlfriend's favorite, and that kinda hit him hard in some ways, but he could tell from the flavor why his princess was so addicted to the childhood, that thing was delicious.
Gwen wanted to eat frog legs, and Chef did as a way she found poetic justice.
Lindsay got a very got her favorite food that she wanted to eat with her friends, a good steak, with french fries and even a good salad to make everything delicious for her.
Heather got a good kimchi, which she was surprised to not have been able to eat Korean food for so long. And she had to admit, for all the torture they had to pass the entire time, she felt satisfied with dealing with the challenge.
Owen by sensating all his friends eating food while he couldn't move a single muscle since he was sleepy, he was drooling from his mouth, and releasing a tear in his eyes... It had been the worst kind of punishment he ever thought to receive in his life...
Izzy noticed that and decided to say enough was enough... She saw the uncountous boy, and with her smile once again back on her face... she decided to finally say it.
"It's all forgiven now, Owen... I hope you have learned your lesson." Izzy said as she tapped the head of the chubby boy, and his only reply was an unconscious fart, which made Izzy rolls her eyes and continues smiling. "I wish you good luck on the show... "
(Campfire)
Night had fallen on Camp Wawanakwa once more. The time for another camper to leave the show, however, the farewell ceremony had been great for most of the campers who could enjoy a last break before the show went back to its normal, but with new features.
Sanders and MacArthur were nearby on the corner with the camera crew, while they watched the campers sitting on their seats, it was time for 7 campers to become 6. And all of them knew which camper should leave... Well most of them.
"You've all cast your votes and made your decision. However, we both know that one of you managed to use the distress code word to leave the show. So when I call your name, come up and claim your marshmallow." Chris informed everyone of the usual rules of the ceremony and was ready to give each of them to receive the marshmallows. "Alright, Duncan you already got the immunity by winning this challenge, Gwen, DJ, Lindsay. You are all safe."
The group who got their names immediately went after Chris to get their sweet candy for them to enjoy a few more days around the island. Leaving now 3 campers on there...
"Owen, Heather, and Izzy," Chris commented as he showed only 2 marshmallows which left the chubby guy who was still being held by a litter and still drowsy, Heather who was scoffing in her place, and Izzy who wasn't with her usual smile, but different from most of the time, she was with her eyes closed, waiting for the final words being said on the show. "Owen and Heather, you both had a little field on today's challenge and I wasn't surprised that both of you would have made the great ending of the challenge that we always wanted... But you two proved me wrong and I'm so happy because of that... So in that case, both of you know there was one quitter of the show already on the board... You both are safe. Izzy, it's time to go..."
Heather got up from her seat grabbed both marshmallows and walked fast to open the jaw of the drowsy fat boy who was eating slowly his own marshmallow.
Izzy smiled at Heather, and with a final wink, she gave a final hug and whispered something in her ears... Heather listened attentively and nodded her head. Izzy smiled happily and walked towards the group.
"Okay guys, it seems that my time finally arrived. GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING." Izzy said as the group stared at her bringing a smoke bomb and like a magician she disappeared in the next second everyone stared at the ginger girl already on the boat of Losers, with all her stuff and with Chef giving a final salute to his soldier, which she did the same while she cackled madly...
But far away the cackle cracked as a few tears were released from her eyes... and she could finally try to find her inner peace again...
Owen was still paralyzed, and Chris wanted so much to tell the bad news. But Heather was in front of Chris.
"Please... I will give him the news when he gets better. I refuse to let anyone help him in his state. He messed up, he clean up." Heather said to the host who blinked but then shrugged.
"You are a cruel girl, but that's a good point. Tell him to clean up the washrooms by morning." Chris commented as he walked happily and pointed at the remaining campers. "You all are on the final 6 everyone. I hope you have enjoyed the last break you are going to have... Because in the next 3 days, things are going to heat up again... So, good luck."
And with that, Chris, smiled as the group looked in concern about what they were about to get on the next challenge.
(Playa Del Losers)
It sounds crazy, but the second time Izzy came on the Playa del Losers, she thought it didn't sound like a great surprise in comparison to the first time, it gave a taste of voice and emptiness at the time she came back to her room. The reception she got from everyone has been pretty nice though, she never thought Courtney and Bridgette would give a good hug which she desperately... Cody, Beth, Tyler, Trent, Katie, and Sadie as well, as even Noah who looked at her showed his sympathies at the time she got on the resort. Harold and Leshawna even made a barbecue for her to eat before she went to her room, which was very nice of them...
And while she even had her dislikes around Justin, he lowered his mirror just to ask her if she was okay. Which had been a good improvement for a liar like him, but from everyone who was on the island, there was one person who didn't come to see her... And she knew exactly where he was...
She accepted the hugs of everyone, but she wanted to bring all the suitcases and baggage to her bedroom... Even as the darkness of the night was a bit uncomfortable, Izzy could see someone sitting in front of her desk near her bed.
The only person missing, and the one who was waiting for her, the same way she did for him.
"Hey," Izzy said weakly, as the boy remained on the desk, not even moving, refusing to even turn to see her. "I did play great didn't I?"
...
The boy remained quiet as Izzy knew that she could have asked a better question... It has passed a few weeks before she sees her friend again, but in the end, she shows that she reached in point of despair and says the words making her lose the game, and even as the strategy she wanted to give her had a better chance to win the game and try for the 1 million, she felt betrayed and wanted to give up...
And from the lack of response... she thought the reason why he wasn't talking to her was because he was disappointed in her. And that made her feel hurt. Until she heard the words that she didn't expect to hear.
"It's all my fault." Izzy blinked and stared at the boy who just got up from the seat, and from the time he approached her, Izzy discovered... Ezekiel was tired, there were circles around his eyes. As the boy walked like his arms and legs were with a lot of weight... "Everything is my fault."
Izzy remained quiet as Ezekiel knew she had been listening. And with a deep sigh, he explained.
"I should have told you about the hook line and screamer episode, saying about Owen betraying you by pushing in Chef's direction and for the fact the real serial killer would go after Gwen but she just kicked on his nose and he became a whiny bitch, giving up into killing the others on that day," Ezekiel explained, as he could see Izzy's eyes getting colder from hearing him. "They showed the episode like a comedy, but never showed the repercussion of the actions...and seeing Eva getting stabbed and going berserk... And seeing you in your state..."
Izzy had her eyes staring at him, and differently than the oaf boy who was so ignorant... The boy in front of her showed a look of pure regret and guilt from what happened.
"I always wondered myself why you didn't fight the serial killer since you always had been the most badass fighter over the show," Ezekiel commented as he didn't let Izzy even open her mouth. "Each episode you always seemed to be in control and having fun into fighting Chef... But you just got angry with Owen and a few episodes later you would have been fine... How stupid I was."
"..."
"It's so logical, it doesn't matter how great you are, someone pushing your back in the direction of a weapon can kill even the main character of movies and shows." Ezekiel gave a bitter laugh as he sounded less and less cheerful than before. "And here with all my knowledge of the future, I could have made the difference, I could told you about the dangers of what was about to happen, and yet I refuse... Because I wanted to be so similar to cannon that we would get the results to go for the one million chance and the season 2..."
"But the cannon line stream of time was already messed up," Izzy commented as she comprehended the words told by the boy who was filled with guilt.
"Yes, it was...I have told you much about the future, but I didn't tell you something about the challenges since I wanted to be a fair game for everyone..." Ezekiel commented and he looked at his friend who seemed to be struggling if she should hate him or not. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I didn't know the hook was that near of your neck, I didn't know that at the end of the episode you got so broken that you wanted to give up everything, I didn't know that you needed someone to help you...I lied to you by omission, and I know that you hate liars, I'm sorry."
And there it was, one single thing that Izzy wanted so much after such a challenge. A genuine apology, between the person who knew the events of what was going to happen, to a person who actually committed the sin of betrayal? At least she knew one of them gave a genuine apology to her...
And after a few seconds of silence. Ezekiel gave a glance into found out that Izzy herself was very tired and there were a lot of thoughts on her mind...
Knowing it was time for him to leave, he walked past her, but at the time he was about to reach the door. He felt one of his arms being held by the blouse. Which made him turn to see Izzy staring at him, holding by one of his sleeves.
"Just promise...you would never push me back in the direction of danger," Izzy said weakly, almost like a whisper, and the boy who saw her showed a crack to break down...
Ezekiel remained quiet, but he replied with all the honesty he could.
"I royal promise," Ezekiel promised as a way that he knew that he would never back down, since from his favorite show. Breaking that kind of promise would result in both trial by fire... or making mathematical equations, but that wasn't something that he should worry about. "I will do more than that... no more secrets."
"No more secrets?"Izzy asked as she looked at the deep of his eyes, and the boy who took out his winter hat and had enough courage to look her in the eye again.
"No more secrets," Ezekiel replied as he knew that his friend knew about part of his past, but whenever she would ask him about the future, their future... he just didn't care about the consequences anymore. The pain of not knowing and repeating the events could have been more lethal than the cannon and the actual people who lived in this world suffered the consequences of the butterfly effect. "Whatever you want to know that I know, I will tell to you."
"..." Izzy remained in silence, and while a good part of her was still fragile from what she heard, she knew that she could trust him...because he was being honest with her, and his guilt was genuine. "Then I don't want to know."
"WHAT?" Ezekiel said loudly as he felt confused and in disbelief from seeing the girl who was just broken before, and knowing that there was everything that he could tell her like before. And yet she just simply refuses it? "What do you mean?"
And his reaction was exactly what Izzy needed, since for the first time started to laugh from the disbelief look on his face.
"I will cut you right there. Because while this serial killer stuff had been fucked up and messed with all of us... the other challenges, were really fun when I didn't know about it. Especially the time I made Heather and Lindsay inside of my bunker you gave the idea." Izzy laughed, as Ezekiel tried to not chuckle, but gave a quiver in his smile. "It was fun, and from the other timeline you told me, Eva was supposed to be eliminated on the wake-a-thon, but the future already changed, many things changed Ezekiel, and while you having the knowledge of the future. I can see why you didn't tell me... it's to enjoy the present."
"..." Ezekiel remained quiet but got more surprised when Izzy gave a little kiss on his cheek which made him wake up...
"I don't want spoilers about the challenges. All I'm going to ask is... just tell me 2 important things in the future that you know will hurt everyone?" Izzy asked, which Ezekiel paused, and for a good time, he knew something that soon would lead to terrible catastrophe and fear for many of the campers.
"Just 2 things on the next season... Leshawna will backstab everyone to talk bad behind his backs, and the Disaster Theme episode." Ezekiel commented as Izzy had her eyes wide open and Ezekiel decided to give an explanation. "One of the challenges almost made everyone drown inside of a submarine, which was the first time you got truly angry on the show."
"Really? Why?" Izzy commented in surprise, even as the time she was tired and weak, she was still curious about knowing about the dangers in the future.
"Lindsay and Justin fought into who would read the safe combination and they got it wet and unable to read..." Ezekiel gave the explanation which made Izzy's mouth drop.
"And I let my life in the hands of those two? What the fuck was I thinking?" Izzy commented as she looked at Ezekiel weirdly. "Are you sure that's my future? Because to trust Justin who is a liar?"
"Well, you..."
"You know what? Never mind. Spoilers," Izzy cut the boy as she finally understood why it was best not to know about the future because knowing would make her with more questions than answers, and she preferred to enjoy life as how it was... A chaotic mess, and she had been enjoying this great experience... And seeing the boy starting to chuckle to even laugh at her reaction, made her smile back.
"Pff... hahaha." Ezekiel laughed, as he could imagine the Izzy from the show reacting like that, and even as broken as she was... she always tried to make things fun and chaotic for her. Maybe that's why many loved her as a character. "You are the best Izzy."
"Yeah, I know," Izzy commented, as she smiled back at him. "Let's make a pact, if we get into a dangerous situation in regard to our future, if is dangerous at such a level that we can't trust nobody but each other. Would you have my back?"
Ezekiel saw Izzy making such a question, and while he could see the girl asking that... a good part of him could still notice something behind her voice. The tone of hope and nervousness, from a girl who needed so much anybody to be with her when she needed it... And Ezekiel did something that he never thought he would do, but did by instinct... He hugged her.
"I swear, I will always have your back," Ezekiel replied, as he could hear the sniff coming from the ginger girl, as she gave back the hug that he needed to receive and also give...
The weight of the knowledge, nobody knows how difficult it was and heavy it is, by knowing that every action has a reaction, and by doing nothing could also mean consequences for those who aren't prepared...
Ezekiel learned that once before was a single show on the Cartoon Network, he remembered that between 21 minutes to 24 hours. Many things must have happened off-screen, and everyone has a story to tell... He should have known since in real life they didn't have the pay-per-view to watch everything...but he has no one else to blame but himself, he knew what was going to happen and yet he didn't do anything to help at all...
And yet she was willing to forgive him... He doesn't know why... But he gave his word that he would never act like Owen did. He was honest when he said he got her back because he would protect all his friends and the people he cared about.
That's why he wanted to be prepared for Total Drama Action and World Tour because he knew the future dangers around. And he never wants to see his friends broken ever again.
And the tiredness had been so much around both of them, that they didn't know that their hug had been done for several minutes...
Chapter 33: Playa Del Losers Shenanigan
Chapter Text
As the first light of dawn crept over Playa Del Losers, the tranquil beachside resort began to stir with the promise of a new day. The soft, golden rays of the sun peeked over the horizon, casting a warm glow across the sandy shores and making the waves sparkle like a sea of diamonds.
The gentle sound of the ocean waves lapping against the shore provided a soothing soundtrack to the waking world. Seagulls circled overhead, their calls echoing in the crisp morning air, blending harmoniously with the distant rustling of palm fronds swaying in a light breeze.
The resort itself began to awaken slowly. The once-empty pool area now showed signs of life as a few early risers strolled by, leaving faint footprints in the dew-kissed grass. Sun loungers, still damp from the night's moisture, awaited the day's occupants, neatly lined up beside the shimmering, blue-tiled pool that reflected the soft hues of the morning sky.
The scent of fresh coffee wafted through the open windows of the dining area, mingling with the salty sea air and the faint, sweet fragrance of blooming hibiscus flowers that dotted the landscaped gardens. A few guests could be seen meandering down the paths, wrapped in robes, heading towards the breakfast buffet where an assortment of fresh fruits, pastries, and hot dishes awaited to start their day.
The calm waters of the bay mirrored the pastel colors of the sunrise, with a few kayaks and paddleboards already dotting the surface as some adventurous souls took to the water for a peaceful morning paddle. The dock, stretching out into the tranquil sea, creaked softly as it adjusted to the gentle ebb and flow of the tide.
In a secluded corner of the resort, away from the other campers, Ezekiel was undergoing a rather unconventional training session with Izzy. The duo had decided to embark on a new type of training focused on flexibility, and Ezekiel found himself in an incredibly uncomfortable position.
Ezekiel was tied up in a complex rope bondage position known as a hogtie. His wrists were bound together behind his back, and his ankles were tied together and then connected to his wrists with another length of rope. This forced his body into an arched position, his back straining as his legs were bent awkwardly upwards. The ropes dug into his skin, each movement causing friction and discomfort.
"Ahhhhhhhh." Ezekiel groaned as he released the painful breaths from his shouts he could see Izzy, dressed in her typical quirky attire, looked on with a mix of excitement and satisfaction.
"Alright, you just need to hold this position for 5 minutes, then we can try the most advanced," Izzy commented as she could see the boy was trying to hold himself together, but the more time he passed on that position, the more pain crossed on his body since he wasn't used to be flexible at all.
"Advanced? Please tell me you are kidding." Ezekiel commented that he could try any kind of concentration technique he would think about, all the cartoons meditation lessons, or even probably movies of martial arts in trying to find inner peace... Which wasn't helping him at that moment. "Izzy, I'm already tied up."
"Yeah, but the best part is when I push your back to bend for a few seconds each minute."Izzy leaned in closer, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint. As she could see the boy already feeling the burn around the muscles, and knowing that this would work. "You asked me to find a way to help you to be more flexible, and that's the only way. It will help you get more flexible. Doing this for a few weeks, I guarantee that you'll even be able to do the splits."
Ezekiel's face twisted in a mix of pain and disbelief. He was aware that Izzy had all the military skills or even the abilities to make all the incredible stunts, but to the point that she was being that sadistically on him, and even using bondage? If wasn't for the fact he was feeling uncomfortable from the pain, the hormones weren't helping him in that moment either.
"... are you sure that you aren't punishing me for not telling you about the hook, line, and screamer?" Ezekiel isn't a fool, and knowing that even if Izzy was a great friend and forgave him for lying to her by omission, he knew that she holds grudges when she wants, he would have if he had the chance, and he never wanted to be on her bad side when she acts with Explosivo, or even when she uses Brainzilla... But it wouldn't offend to ask.
Izzy's expression turned mockingly sweet as she replied in a sing-song voice.
"Me? Noooooooo. It's all forgiven, now, let me hear you cracking some bones." Izzy first started to use her sweet tone, which made Ezekiel realize the whole fake acting, which from an actress doing that on purpose was already answering. But then when she showed her evil grin and her desire to make it work. And from the tone of her voice, Ezekiel realized that he probably should have asked his friend Harold to help with that. "Now, give me an Ahh."
With that, Izzy applied gentle but firm pressure to Ezekiel's back, forcing him into a deeper arch. The tension in his muscles increased, and the ropes creaked under the strain.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."The sound of Ezekiel's screams echoed through the trees, sending another flock of birds soaring into the sky. The contrast between the idyllic setting of Playa Del Losers and the intense, painful training session was stark, creating a scene both humorous and slightly alarming. Izzy's unconventional methods might be extreme, but her enthusiasm was undeniable as she continued to encourage Ezekiel through his flexibility training, oblivious to the startled wildlife and the bemused onlookers.
And surprisingly nobody from the resort woke up from his screaming.
"So this is it. This will be the last edit from Adventure Time before you finish wrapping up for the editors?" Noah the bookworm commented as he glanced into what would be the last group of paper sheets in front of the homeschooled boy... "Also what happened to you? You seemed like you couldn't even lift your arms."
"It's because I couldn't," Ezekiel commented with a painful tone and a bit of annoyance on his face. "I'm still wearing the weights and I kinda decided to do a yoga on this morning."
"Yoga... with weights?" Noah replied in a slow tone, which he could see the glaring from the homeschooled boy, and he could have stopped from there... But it wasn't his nature. "Oh, so you're sore because of that,' huh? I didn't realize pretending to be a human pretzel was an Olympic sport now."
"Yeah, yeah yeah." Ezekiel said as he sat on the seat and was about to see how both of them could edit the papers... But he was seeing Noah glancing at him, and from not doing anything, Ezekiel sighed... "You have 3 more."
"Wow, Ezekiel, your yoga routine must be intense. Next time, try something easier, like wrestling a grizzly bear." Noah commented as Ezekiel remained quiet, but held himself from laughing, he wasn't going to give satisfaction to a person remarking on his pain. "Impressive, Zeke. I always thought yoga was supposed to be peaceful and calming, not a scene out of a medieval torture chamber."
This time Ezekiel had to bite on his lips because he didn't want to make Noah smirk from his comments.
"Okay, last one. You must be the first person in history to need a chiropractor after a yoga session. Kudos for setting new records in flexibility and masochism." Noah commented, which this time Ezekiel had to let it out... Which made the bookworm a smile of victory.
"Damn you Noah," Ezekiel laughed, but the pain was enough to make it hurt even after laughing. "Can we just go back into the editing?"
"Sure, whatever you say Zeke," Noah commented as both decided to resume their activities into finishing what would be the last piece to make sure the book would be ready for the publishers. "Rainy Day Daydream. Is this chapter something related to the actual lore of the story or is this one of the chapters you just made for laughs and slice of life?"
"The latter." Ezekiel commented as Noah gave a glance but then shrugged off.
"Makes sense, since this will be before the chapters 'What have you done', 'His Hero' and the epilogue Holly Jolly Secrets. You are a disturbed man if you publish that chapter, did you know that?" Noah remarked as Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"Are you telling me to not publish the book with that chapter?" Ezekiel commented as Noah scoffed.
"Hell no, that chapter is a mining gold, it will make you have people demanding for more books, I guarantee. I just want to remark to you that no person would have thought about such a plot twist and made people so sympathetic."Noah commented as he was taking a deep look around the chapter... "Raining daggers? Really?"
"Ever had the curiosity to watch one without getting hurt?" Ezekiel asked with another question. "Don't you dare to tell me that it wouldn't look cool?"
"Okay, point. But let's deal with this grammar and punctuation before you decide to write another scene to fit the context." Noah rolled his eyes, as he made Ezekiel enjoy another good afternoon planning for the book.
"You know one thing I miss?" Ezekiel commented as he was doing his best to lift his arm to hold his bow and arrow in the direction of a tree. "All the funny videos, movies, and series from the future that I couldn't watch."
"Oh yeah? Like what?" Izzy asked as she was interested in hearing what kind of videos the future would come around.
"Well, don't you think that it would be a spoiler if I told you about the movies of the future?" Ezekiel asked as it made Izzy raise her finger but then drop it... But Ezekiel laughed at her reaction. "You know what? I will tell you something... Did you know that I hate horror movies?"
"You? Then why..."
"Did I create Courage the Cowardly Dog?" Ezekiel asked which made Izzy nod her head at him. "Because while most of the chapters I create a lot of fear and weird horrors around it. My focus is mostly on the fun and the good ending for everyone. And not something that would lead people traumatized into their sleeping... But in my resume, I hate horror movies. I hate movies that it would lead me to think about the bad taste in my mouth which was a mix of disappointment and sadness for not having a good ending... But there is one horror movie that the producers decided to break all the cliches of horror movies and made one movie that made me happy."
"Which move is?" Izzy asked interested as Ezekiel took a good aim with the arrow and smirked from seeing Izzy now interested in a movie from the future.
"Get out," Ezekiel commented and the crazy military girl tilted her head. "A comedian created this movie, and showed the true concepts of a horror movie for the afro-american people and also was a good entertainment for every kind of public,"
"So in the end had a good ending where the main character is alive and well?" Izzy commented as she already could guess the cliche, but this time her eyes went wide open as she saw Ezekiel laughing hard.
"Hahahaha, man I told you to not go on that house hahahahaha." Ezekiel laughed as Izzy now felt both confused and even more curious.
"What happened?" Izzy now was eager to know about the movie, since the boy seemed to be so satisfied with something that she didn't know.
"I can't tell you, it's a good movie and that would mess up your experience," Ezekiel commented which made Izzy grit her teeth.
"Tell me, or I'm going to make you tell me the whole plot of the movie," Izzy said playfully as she wanted to get the notion of the movies his friend liked, and which one she would watch in the future. Or even recommend her parents to watch it when they go on a family trip together. And seeing his friend already used to the weight of both legs and arms, she was feeling impressed that the boy was focusing so much on the future, that she couldn't help but be curious as well.
"You can try," Ezekiel said defiantly as he shot another arrow on the tree... Which wasn't the aim he was focused on, and it has been difficult for him to hold a bow with all the weight on his arms. But talking has been a blessing for him to distract his mind.
"I will take you that for later. But anyway, tell me your top 10 favorite movies from the future." Izzy asked which made Ezekiel raise his eyebrows at her.
"I'm from 2024 Izzy, there were a ton of movies, and it's difficult to rank my top ten," Ezekiel said which made the girl roll her eyes.
"At least try," Izzy commented which made Ezekiel sigh and think about it.
"Okay, but I'm going to tell all my 10 favorites and they aren't top 10, but they are all my favorites," Ezekiel commented as the ginger smiled happily and curious. "Okay, let me see... Get Out is one of them, Ocean's 8 because I have to say that I loved the way Sandra Bullock acted almost exactly like George Clonney, she took the mantle of the franchise and I loved the movie, Limitless is also a very good one because the plot was very interesting and make you addicted with the possibilities of such ideas being true, The Avengers was one of the tries of making people loves super heroes and the success was so much that it made the company kept trying and some times failing to make continuations and spin-offs of it, Now you see me! Is also a very interesting movie that I love and I know you and Harold would love it as well because it's about magic tricks and they are well made in the movie."
Izzy listened to the opinions and even the mysterious comments which made the girl intrigued about the possibilities of the movies and made her wonder how good they were.
"John Wick, this was one... I'm not going to rank which one because all 4 of them are my favorite, and I won't tell the plot because you need to watch it. Creed which is the boxer that Rocky Balboa was training."
"WAIT WHAT?" Izzy shouted as just telling the person who was the coach was already the big spoiler of the movie for her. "SERIOUSLY?"
"Yep, but don't worry there is a sequel, and let me tell you, it's awesome. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is a phenomenon, it's made by Quentin Tarantino, and it's good and awesome. Everything Everywhere All at Once is by far one of the best ways to bring one iconic actor back to Holywood who deserved the Oscar, and then Oppenheimer which was a great movie in retelling the story of the creator of the atomic bomb." Ezekiel explained the movies of the future he had in mind. It was difficult since there were so many and he couldn't separate much from which time is it. But he could recall all the good times he was watching on streaming and on the movies with his parents when they were on a day off from giving class.
Izzy remained with her mind in blue screen, as Ezekiel rolled his eyes and continued his training.
"What are they doing?" Courtney's curiosity broke the peaceful silence as she watched Harold and Leshawna enjoying a refreshing fruit salad. The resort, Playa Des Losers, was serene and calm, a perfect contrast to the chaos of the competition.
Harold and Leshawna turned their heads to follow Courtney's gaze toward the beach, where they spotted Ezekiel and Izzy in an animated conversation. The pair seemed engrossed in their own world, with Izzy demonstrating archery skills and Ezekiel eagerly trying to mimic her.
"Oh, it's just Izzy and Ezekiel doing their thing," Harold remarked casually, not looking particularly surprised.
"Their thing?" Courtney repeated, furrowing her brows. Leshawna shrugged in response, while Noah, lounging nearby with a book, looked up and nodded.
"Yeah, their thing," Noah explained. "Which usually involves them shooting arrows, crafting makeshift weapons, or attempting crazy stunts that defy logic. For that time they tried to make a mini forge out of scrap metal so Ezekiel could practice being a knight from both his project books 'Steven Universe.' and 'Adventure time', I don't know if that's how writers write their books but it's making progress... It's bizarre but harmless."
Courtney looked puzzled. "And they've been doing this all the time since they got here?"
Harold and Leshawna exchanged knowing glances before nodding in unison. "Pretty much," Harold confirmed.
"Hmm, don't you think there's more to it?" Courtney mused, her eyes narrowing as she watched Izzy pull a goofy face, making Ezekiel laugh heartily.
"More to what?" The group asked in unison, genuinely confused.
"Don't you think they might be into each other? Like a couple?" Courtney suggested, expecting agreement.
"NAH," they chorused, immediately dismissing the idea, leaving Courtney momentarily flustered.
"What?" she exclaimed, bewildered by their unanimous rejection. Harold chuckled, rolling his eyes.
"I mean, I know Ezekiel. He's one of my best friends like all of Killer Bass in general and we know about everything of each other. If there was anything romantic going on, we'd have noticed by now," Harold said confidently. Noah nodded in agreement.
"Exactly. Besides, remember that Izzy was hooking up with Owen not too long ago. Even if their breakup was messy and dramatic, she's still sensitive about her feelings. She's not likely to jump into something new so quickly," Noah added logically.
"Yeah, girl. You gotta understand, those two are like a horse and a zebra. Totally different but best friends. They balance each other out without it being romantic." Leshawna joined in, her tone soothing but firm.
Courtney watched as Izzy and Ezekiel continued their playful antics, laughing and enjoying each other's company. "I'm sure there's more to it, and I'm going to prove it," she declared, her resolve hardening as she plotted her next move.
The group shared a collective eye-roll, but Courtney remained undeterred. She was determined to uncover the truth about Izzy and Ezekiel, convinced that there was a deeper connection between them. Whether or not she was right, her mission was sure to add another layer of drama to the already eventful stay at Playa Des Losers.
.
.
.
"What do you mean you don't see them as a couple?" Bridgette asked, incredulity etched across her face. She glanced around at her friends, Geoff, Beth, Katie, and Cody, who all shook their heads in unison. The group was lounging by the sparkling pool at Playa Des Losers, enjoying the sunny afternoon. The vibrant resort was alive with the sounds of laughter, splashing water, and the occasional call of seabirds.
"Babe, I just don't see it. Ezekiel and Izzy are like fire and ice. They're fun to watch, but they're not exactly relationship material."Geoff chuckled, putting an arm around Bridgette's shoulders.
"Yeah, they're always up to something eccentric and wild. Like that time they used a bonfire to test the range of how an improvised shield could carry them both. It's more of a friendship thing, don't you think?" Beth, sitting cross-legged on a poolside lounge chair, nodded in agreement.
"Wait, what?" Bridgette and Geoff asked simultaneously, their eyes widening in surprise.
"Oh yeah, I remember..." Cody tapped his chin thoughtfully before snapping his fingers.
Flashback:
Ezekiel stood nervously beside an improvised shield he and Izzy had fashioned from a discarded metal disk. "I can't believe I'm doing this with my half-health again," he muttered, watching as Izzy held a small ball of explosive sap.
"Are you sure this will work?" Izzy's excitement was tempered with a hint of caution. The plan had a 60% chance of going terribly wrong, by her estimate.
"I saw this in the future where a kid had to use a minefield to win a race against a whole class. So, I have no idea," Ezekiel replied, referring to an anime he had watched, though he omitted that detail.
"Fine by me... In 3...2...1... Now!" Izzy launched the ball into the air toward the bonfire. Both grabbed the large metal disk and leapt onto the bonfire just as the ball of sap hit the flames.
*BOOM*
A massive explosion sent both Ezekiel and Izzy soaring through the air, screaming as they flew. The other campers turned their heads at the sound, watching in astonishment as the pair sailed through the sky and landed with a splash in the ocean.
Everyone blinked, momentarily stunned by what they had witnessed, before shrugging it off and returning to their activities.
"See what I mean? It's just the kind of crazy stuff they do together. They're partners in mischief, not romance." Beth laughed, shaking her head at the memory.
"Totally! I mean, look at them now." Katie, nestled comfortably next to Cody, added, that she pointed toward the beach where Ezekiel and Izzy were attempting to shoot arrows at a tree. "They're like partners in crime, not lovebirds."
"They're just really good friends who enjoy each other's company. Plus, Izzy's a bit unstable after the terrible act Owen did on the two challenges ago, so I think she would need to heal up, and Ezekiel always seemed to be focused on making friends rather than actually trying to find a partner romantically." Cody, always the voice of reason, added another piece of information that the surfer should know.
Bridgette sighed, glancing back at the duo on the beach. Izzy was laughing as she adjusted Ezekiel's stance, showing him how to aim properly. As he showed his tongue at her, even as he was having difficulties into trying to get used with the double of his weights. They seemed to be having the time of their lives.
"But look at how in sync they are," Bridgette argued, a hint of frustration in her voice. "They have this chemistry, this synergy. Don't you think there could be something more?"
"Nah, babe. Sometimes people just click as friends. Doesn't always have to be romantic." Geoff shook his head, smiling. "Well, I believe when Ezekiel said he will find a very cute and awesome girl to be romantically involved with when he sees the time is right. I just think they haven't clicked."
"They haven't clicked yet." Bridgette said with more emphasis in yet which made the group raise their eyebrows at her."Come on guys, I'm not the only one seeing that."
"You think there's more to it, Bridgette? Like they're hiding their feelings or something?"Beth leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Bridgette nodded. As she couldn't believe she was the only one who could be seeing something so obvious.
"Yeah, I do. I mean, it's not just the way they act around each other. It's the little things. The way Ezekiel looks at her when he thinks no one is watching, and how Izzy always finds a way to include herself in whatever creative plan he was about to do on his book, or even editing with Noah... WHO WOULD USE A WATERGUN TO MAKE SOMEONE DRINK SODA?" She then saw her boyfriend almost raising his arm. "Not you Geoff," her boyfriend lowered his arm.
"Sounds like Bridgette's got a romantic mystery on her hands." Katie giggled, nudging Cody.
"Well, if anyone can figure it out, it's you, Bridgette." Cody smiled, squeezing Katie's hand. Since they knew that sometimes the resort could be boring and everyone must find their source of entertainment.
"You know what? I'm going to find out if there's something more between them. I just have this feeling." Bridgette grinned, her resolve strengthening.
"Good luck with that, babe. But remember, not everything has to be a love story." Geoff kissed her on the cheek.
Beth, Katie, and Cody nodded in agreement, but Bridgette remained undeterred. She turned her attention back to Izzy and Ezekiel, who were now celebrating a successful shot with a triumphant high-five.
As the sun continued to shine over Playa Des Losers, Bridgette's mind raced with possibilities. She was determined to uncover the truth, convinced that beneath their wild antics, Izzy and Ezekiel shared a connection deeper than mere friendship.
"So there was a group of stupid people who would use the weirdest and most dangerous challenges around the internet. What's the name again? TikTok?" Izzy asked, her voice dripping with a mix of incredulity and amusement.
"Yep. One of the primary examples of this is the Tide Pods. They were these little balls of soap meant for convenience in washing machines... However," he hesitated, trying to find the best way to describe one of the most notorious internet phenomena, "since the Tide Pods were colorful and looked almost like candy, kids would sometimes mistake them for candy and put them in their mouths, which could be lethal."
"Holy shit," Izzy commented, her eyes widening. She knew the future was filled with bizarre trends, but this one seemed particularly egregious. "Why do I have a feeling that this wasn't the worst part?"
"The worst part was when the teenagers discovered that and decided to make a little challenge on the filming themselves biting into or ingesting Tide Pods, which are single-use packets of laundry detergent encased in a water-soluble film," Ezekiel explained which made the military ginger blinks at him and stares as if was some kind of joke. "I'm kidding, people died because of that challenge."
"Welp, natural selection," Izzy said with a sigh, echoing sentiments she had heard countless times in her rigorous military upbringing. The idea of such reckless behavior was almost beyond her comprehension.
"That's what most would say... Now, back to my question. Why are you dressed as a sexy nurse again?" Ezekiel's voice wavered slightly as he tried to maintain his composure. Izzy's antics were always challenging, but his second puberty was making things even more difficult.
"Oh, come on. It's just for a few more days. From what you told me, the day after tomorrow will be the last day of your medicine, so I want to have some fun while I can," Izzy teased, her playful grin not lost on Ezekiel, who was blushing furiously. She loved pushing his buttons, especially since she didn't know why, but it felt so good for her.
Ezekiel sighed, taking his scheduled pill and trying to ignore the way Izzy's presence made his heart race.
"Now, good boy, want me to spend more time with you? Did you have fun with my gifts?" Izzy's voice was a mix of sincerity and playful mischief.
"Please... let's not talk about it," Ezekiel raised his arm, the blush deepening on his cheeks. Izzy's teasing was something he both dreaded and secretly enjoyed.
"Okay, it was fun while it lasted," Izzy said, deciding to give him a break. "Today was really fun. Tomorrow, do you want to talk about what we can do about the editors and the news I'm getting from my lawyers?"
"That would be for the best," Ezekiel nodded, getting up from his bed. "See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow, Ezekiel," Izzy smiled happily as she left his bedroom. Ezekiel watched her go, feeling a mix of relief and longing.
Left alone, Ezekiel sat down at his desk, ready to tackle his next task.
"I hope this time I won't mess up. Holding 10 kilograms while drawing is way harder than I expected. Hopefully, I'll finish the cover art for Adventure Time before the episode of Playa Des Losers airs," he muttered, cracking his knuckles. He took a deep breath and focused on his work. Drawing while training with weights was a unique challenge, but it was one he embraced wholeheartedly. The stakes were high, but so was his determination.
"Alright, let's do this," he said to himself, diving into his creative process.
Bridgette walked along the winding paths of Playa Des Losers, her mind racing with thoughts about Ezekiel and Izzy. She was determined to uncover the truth behind their unique relationship. "There's got to be something more," she muttered to herself, glancing around for any signs that might point to a romantic connection.
At the same time, on the other side of the resort, Courtney was pacing back and forth, deep in thought.
"There's definitely something going on," she whispered, recalling the way Ezekiel and Izzy interacted. "I just need proof."
As both girls continued their separate investigations, they unknowingly headed towards each other. Rounding a corner, they nearly collided, each lost in their thoughts.
"Oh! Bridgette, hey," Courtney said, trying to hide her surprise.
"Hi, Courtney," Bridgette replied, quickly masking her own shock. "What are you up to?"
"Nothing much, just... uh, enjoying the resort," Courtney lied, shifting uncomfortably. "What about you?"
"Same here," Bridgette said, forcing a casual tone. "Just taking a stroll."
"Just a stroll? You seem a bit... preoccupied." Courtney narrowed her eyes slightly, sensing something off.
"Oh, you know, just thinking about the relaxing and stuff. What about you? You seem pretty distracted yourself." Bridgette chuckled nervously, not wanting to being exposed by one of her friends.
"Just the usual. Keeping an eye on things, making sure everyone's having fun around."Courtney crossed her arms, her suspicion growing.
"Keeping an eye on things? Like what?" Bridgette raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, you know, making sure no one's up to anything... unusual." Courtney shrugged, trying to act casual.
"Unusual, huh? Like what? Someone sneaking off with someone else?" Bridgette's eyes sparkled with curiosity. As she decided to try to see if she wasn't alone on the quest.
"Maybe. You seem very interested in sneaking off. Got someone in mind?" Courtney's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by Bridgette's directness.
"No, not at all! Just curious. You know how it is around here. Always something going on." Bridgette laughed, a bit too loudly.
"Right," Courtney said, her voice dripping with skepticism. "Always something."
Before they could continue their veiled interrogation, Izzy walked by, dressed as a sexy nurse. Her outfit left little to the imagination, and she moved with a confidence that made both girls blush and stutter.
Before they could continue their veiled interrogation, Izzy walked by, dressed as a sexy nurse. Her outfit left little to the imagination, and she moved with a confidence that made both girls blush and stutter.
"I-Izzy!" Bridgette called out, her voice a mix of curiosity and embarrassment.
"Where are you going?" Courtney added, her eyes wide.
"Oh, I'm just returning to my bedroom, I was with Ezekiel an hour ago," Izzy commented as she waved her hand, but that comment alone let both girls with their jaws drop.
"E-Ezekiel, like his bedroom?" Bridgette stammered. Izzy tilted her head but nodded at the surfer.
"W-What were you doing there?" Courtney demanded, her voice rising.
"Nothing much, why are you..." And then something clicked and Izzy's smirk widened, enjoying their reaction. "Oh, you know, just... helping him out with some things." She winked, causing both girls to blush even deeper.
Bridgette and Courtney exchanged panicked looks, their minds jumping to the worst conclusions.
"You mean... you and Ezekiel...?" Bridgette began, struggling to find the right words.
"Are you... together?" Courtney finished her voice a mix of accusation and disbelief.
Izzy laughed, realizing what they were insinuating. She decided to have a little fun.
"Oh, nothing like that happened," she said, her tone teasing. "But even if it did, who's to say? You know, Ezekiel and I do spend a lot of time together."
Bridgette and Courtney both flushed red, their determination only growing stronger.
"We'll find out the truth," Courtney declared, her eyes narrowing.
"Yeah, we'll prove it to everyone," Bridgette added, her resolve matching Courtney's.
"Good luck with that, girls. But remember, sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction."Izzy shrugged, still grinning. She was having fun into teasing the both girls who looked scandalous into a simple and humble nurse outfit.
"Come on, Izzy. We know there's something more going on between you two. Just tell us." Bridgette frowned, stepping closer to Izzy, she tried now being more diplomatic and trying to find some info around her theories.
"Yeah, we're your friends. You can trust us." Courtney nodded in agreement.
"Well, if you must know... Ezekiel and I have a special bond. But it's not what you think." Izzy sighed dramatically, pretending to consider their request.
"Then what is it?" Bridgette pressed, her frustration growing.
Izzy leaned in closer, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"It's a secret." She whispered to both girls. And then started to laugh.
"You're impossible!" Courtney threw her hands up in exasperation.
Izzy smile went so wide that both girls could see that she was used to hearing such a comment.
"On contrary, I'm Possible, but I'm also Stoppable." Izzy sang as she laughed, enjoying their reactions. "Seriously, nothing happened. But it's cute how invested you both are."
"We'll see about that. We're going to find out the truth, and when we do, everyone will know." Bridgette crossed her arms, determined.
"Good luck, detectives. But remember, sometimes what you're looking for isn't what you find." Izzy shrugged again, unbothered. Not knowing that because of that, both girls wouldn't stop until they got the results they wanted.
As she walked away, Bridgette and Courtney stood there, their minds racing with new determination. They were more convinced than ever that something was going on between Ezekiel and Izzy, and they wouldn't rest until they had the proof they needed.
Bridgette and Courtney spent a good part of the night at the pool, each with a notepad in hand, scribbling down theories and potential points of connection between Ezekiel and Izzy. Their pages were filled with wild possibilities and even the most absurd hypotheses as they tried to piece together the puzzle.
Sadie, who was nearby enjoying a protein shake and doing a few push-ups, noticed the intense focus of the two girls. She had just finished her set when she glanced over at them again, curiosity piqued. Harold and Tyler were relaxing in the warm pool, while Geoff was sipping on an energy drink.
"What's got you two so deep in thought?" Sadie asked, approaching Bridgette and Courtney with a curious smile.
"Oh, hey, Sadie. We're just... working on something." Bridgette looked up, momentarily startled.
"Yeah, just trying to figure some things out."Courtney nodded, not wanting to give away too much.
"Sounds serious. Anything I can help with?" Sadie raised an eyebrow, intrigued by their secrecy.
Bridgette and Courtney exchanged a glance, unsure of how much to reveal. Before they could decide, Sadie casually mentioned.
"You know, it kind of reminds me of that Killer Bass pact the boys made."
Geoff, who had just taken a big gulp of his energy drink, choked, spraying liquid everywhere. Tyler paled, and Harold sprang into action, patting Geoff on the back to help him stop choking.
"WHAT KILLER BASS PACT?" Bridgette and Courtney's heads snapped up in unison, their eyes wide with disbelief and outrage. They shouted in unison at the group who know gave very delicate information.
"Um, well, it's nothing, really. Just a little agreement I saw it on the pay-per-view?"Sadie looked around at the suddenly tense atmosphere, realizing she might have said too much.
"Yeah, uh, it's not a big deal," Geoff finally caught his breath, his face red from the effort. he said, trying to downplay it.
"Totally not a big deal. Just a... um, team thing."Tyler, still pale, nodded vigorously.
"It's just... you know, something we did to stay united as a team. Nothing serious." Harold, ever the nervous one, fumbled with his words.
"Sounds like a pretty big deal to me." Courtney crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing.
"Yeah, if it's nothing, why are you all so freaked out?" Bridgette nodded in agreement, her notepad temporarily forgotten.
Sadie shifted uncomfortably, realizing she had unintentionally stirred the pot. Knowing that she was screwing up the boys, and knowing what there was about it, she looked apologetic at the expression of anger from both Tyler, Harold, and Geoff who was trying to recover his breath.
Courtney noticed and gave a step further which made the boys uncomfortable, while Bridgette frowned at her boyfriend.
"Explain..." Bridgette commented as the boys felt that they would die, or they would remain loyal to themselves... And they preferred to remain loyal...
Until Courtney touched Tyler.
"IT'S A PACT CREATED BY EZEKIEL BECAUSE HE THOUGHT JEALOUSY IN THE RELATIONSHIPS WOULD BE THE WORST FOR OUR FRIENDSHIP, SO HE PROMISED THAT AT THE MOMENT WE CONFESSED OUR CRUSHES AT HIM, HE WOULD SWEAR TO NOT INTERVINE AND WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS," Tyler shouted in panic, which made both Harold and Geoff glare angrily at him. "Sorry guys, she was too strong."
"I just touched you..." Courtney commented as she looked amused by her intimidation skills. "But, there is nothing to do with him and Izzy?"
"No." The trio of boys commented, as Sadie tapped her chin... which made the boys glare at her. "Don't say it."
"Well, he said that he always viewed himself as ugly, but that doesn't mean in the future he could be with a cute girl in the future, someone who could be in pair with his imaginative mind, supportive of his ideas of adventure, a girl who would be Olympic athlete or a girl in tune with the nature," Sadie commented, which made the boys cringe with one of those words... The girls while they had a good grasp on what he said...
And the girls couldn't help but feel bad for him.
"Wow, he sees himself as ugly?" Bridgette commented as she glanced at Courtney who seemed to be a bit with pity as well."I mean, I'm happy for him to have such optimism into believing in himself to find a nice girl for him."
"Well, maybe it's his clothing and his haircut, but I'm sure that he is doing a lot of working out because of Eva's training, so maybe that would help him to recover a lot of self steam himself," Courtney commented, as she then wondered about something. "Harold, didn't you do a summer camp for hairdresser camp?"
"For 2 years," Harold commented as then realized what the C.I.T. girl meant. "Do you want me to give him a haircut?"
"Well, nothing makes a girl more happier than a very good trip on Sallon and having a great haircut," Courtney commented, as Sadie clapped her hands.
"Oh, oh, oh, me next, me next," Sadie said excitedly finding out someone who could help with her haircut.
"Well, about clothing... maybe I could call my mom, she knows some stylists, and since Ezekiel knows how to draw, maybe I could borrow some of his drawings and give a scan to her to do something about it," Courtney commented which made everyone look interested with the idea.
"Cool, that sounds awesome. But how are you going to pay up Courtney?" Geoff asked as the C.I.T. girl thought about it, but then she had a good idea in her mind.
"When he releases his book. I'm going to pretend to ask for some money for him since I have faith that Courage is going to be a good success. So from his money, I will use to buy clothing, and then when he less expect we give the gift to him." Courtney commented as the group thought about it... It sounds selfish, but it was with his money, and they are going to buy clothing for him with his own money.
"Well, that's a pretty solid plan for me," Harold commented.
"I approve," Tyler commented as Geoff shrugged his arms.
"Well, count me in. We could distract him, and you could do that." Geoff was ready to give the plan and kiss Bridgette, who stopped his lips.
"Oh no... you and I will have a lot to talk about later, Mr. I'm going to make a secret pact and not tell my girlfriend until someone else tells me." The surfer commented which made the party boy flinch, and Tyler and Harold gave a smirk. "Oh don't think about it Harold, I'm going to tell Leshawna."
"She already knows." Harold saved himself by telling her about the pact on the next day he made peace with his girlfriend since she watched a scene of Ezekiel once again talking about the pact, Harold didn't tell a lie to her, so he saved his ass, which made Bridgette even more furious at Geoff.
"He did it, and you didn't do the same for me?" Bridgette commented as she could see her boyfriend sweating a lot, which Courtney never thought she would have such a diabolic idea, but for the sake of breaking their bad habits...
"Here Bridgette." Courtney gave something on the surfer's hand, which made Geoff pale even more... the anti-horny spray which Ezekiel did for the sake of them stop kissing.
"Bridgette, let's not jump to conclusions and do things we might regret," Geoff said but it was too late.
*tsk* *tsk* *tsk**tsk* *tsk* *tsk**tsk* *tsk* *tsk**tsk* *tsk* *tsk*
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." The loud sounds of shouts of pain and burning man could be heard, as a girl was angry for being left alone in the dark, while the others winced from the pain of the surfer boy.
"You will have to compensate me a lot for not telling me anything," Bridgette commented as Geoff was washing his face with milk.
"Yes, babe..." Geoff commented as Tyler was chuckling, but then he got a kick in the nuts from the party boy. "Snitch."
"sorry..." Tyler whimpered in a tiny voice.
Courtney watched in amusement but then enjoyed all the information she gathered...
"Well, even with all we gathered... A free spirit, creative which would go for all the adventures, in tone with nature and or Olympic athletic. Wow, Ezekiel had a big picture of a girl he had in mind... And surprisingly, I kinda see Izzy like that." Courtney commented as Harold, Tyler, and Geoff rolled their eyes.
"Oh come on." The trio of boys commented and Courtney pulled her tongue out.
"Wait for us, even if we are not going to prove it, we are going to find the right girl for him," Bridgette commented as she was also sure that Izzy had a lot of secrets that only Ezekiel knew, and funny both of them matched.
"That's right. We are going to prove you all. Mark our words." Courtney said as the duo fist bumped as the boys gave up and went back to the pool to enjoy the rest of their night. While Sadie was giggling from seeing her team dynamic once again. The girls were more determined than ever to uncover the truth.
Ezekiel and Izzy sat cross-legged on the floor of Izzy's bedroom, the aftermath of their flexibility training still making their muscles ache. Papers were strewn everywhere, and Izzy was frantically signing and organizing them, her frustration palpable.
"I can't believe this," Izzy groaned, slamming her face into a pillow before biting it out of sheer exasperation. "Why is the bureaucracy of paperwork so annoying?!"
"Well, welcome to the wonderful world of taxes. It's like a game, but with more numbers and less fun." Ezekiel chuckled, watching her struggle.
"You're not helping, Zeke!" Izzy glared at him, tossing the pillow at his head.
"Hey, at least you don't have to deal with dragons or intergalactic wars. Just sign the papers, and you'll be done in no time."Ezekiel caught the pillow with a grin.
"You're the one who wanted me to be a responsible businesswoman. Now look at me, buried under mountains of paperwork!" Izzy rolled her eyes, grabbing another stack of documents.
"You know, there's a joke about taxes. Why did the scarecrow become a successful tax accountant?"Ezekiel leaned back, a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Why?"Izzy raised an eyebrow, reluctantly intrigued.
"Because he was outstanding in his field," Ezekiel said with a laugh.
"I swear, Zeke, if you tell one more tax joke, I'm going to bury you in these papers." Izzy groaned again, this time more dramatically.
"Alright, alright. No more jokes. But seriously, you're doing great. Just think of it as a workout for your brain."Ezekiel held up his hands in mock surrender.
"I'd rather be doing an actual workout. At least then I get to punch something."Izzy huffed, signing yet another paper. Or at least doing something she knew she was ready to do for her life. "Or even acting, I could prefer to read thousands of scripts for a paper I would act than actually doing this."
"Well, look on the bright side. You would become so popular as a star, that at the moment that you would say your own brand, you already would have a contract with yourself." Ezekiel said optimistically. He knew that Izzy always had a knack for acting like she always does.
"Okay...I sometimes hate you when you are right, but you are right. But seriously, Zeke, you owe me big time for convincing me to do this every year."
"Hmm, okay, I will find a way to compensate the future businesswoman and future actress around," Ezekiel commented which made Izzy laugh at how much faith he has in her.
"I will hold you for that. Deal!"Izzy perked up, a smile spreading across her face. "So, when are you going to publish the book again?"
"The next day Chris is coming here for the episode After the Dock of Shame," Ezekiel explained which made Izzy's eyes sparkle.
"So Chris is coming here?" Izzy commented curious as she got a nod from the homeschooled boy. "Wait, is there a challenge for us?"
"No... it's a total disaster." Ezekiel commented as she saw Izzy had her eyebrow raised in surprise. "All Chris had to do is to ask which person Katie and Sadie wanted to be eliminated... and like a domino effect... everyone said the name by accident."
"No way, really?" Izzy commented as she felt her hair messed up from all the time she was pulling from the exhaustion of dealing with such annoying taxes. "So it doesn't matter what happens, it will be Katie's and Sadie's fault?"
"Yep," Ezekiel commented as he knew that Izzy would be upset if he messed up and spoiled the challenge, however since they weren't in the competition and there was nothing they could do to prevent the catastrophe that would be the episode. They just decided to chill out. "Leshawna was so confused when she got eliminated."
"LESHAWNA? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA." Izzy laughed as she could see the boy having some fun around what happened. "So, while Chris was here on the last time, do you want me to tell you what basically happened around?"
"Well, many things happened in that version of the past. For example, let me tell you about why Courtney got in a berserk state into trying to strangle and possibly kill Harold for what he did to her?" Ezekiel decided to have some fun in telling the past version of the show, which Izzy would never believe how much changes had happened from the interference of a simple dreaming boy who wanted the best for everyone.
Three days passed in a blink for him... Ezekiel was happy to see how much work he had done around to make up with Izzy and deal with plans and dreams... After finishing the cover art of Adventure Time's first book... And he never thought that working with weight would have been so difficult. From walking, to having a shower, to eating, and to even sleeping. To get used to the weight was like asking to get used to more weight around his body.
The scenes he had practiced around had been to make his body more comfortable to train his internal muscles. To aim with his bow and arrow, to even practice with sword and shield... Using a shield in creative ways like Steven Universe would do, or even using a sword like Finn would do, he was happy to see that slowly and step by step, progress was being made. And he isn't sure when he would take out his weights, but he knew the difference from everything of that happened. At least he could enjoy the presence when he just takes it...
"Okay, last pill of my Pnemounia medicine..." Ezekiel said as he finally swallowed... the pain in his chest, and the uncomfortable breath had been a long time since he didn't have them, but since he finally finished all the schedule... He was now free. "Ahhh, I can finally use the pool for long hours again. I'm so happy that now I can relax."
"Ezekiel." Then a voice came from the door, which made the boy tilt his head. And walked to the front of his bedroom and saw there was Courtney, Bridgette, Geoff, Katie, Sadie, Tyler, and Harold who was holding a pair of scissors...
"Yes?" Ezekiel asked as he raised his eyebrows.
"You are going to have a haircut." The Killer Bass crew said in unison which made the homeschooled boy tilt his head.
"Say what?" Ezekiel commented confused...
And that's how it started another crazy day into having friends around Playa Del Losers.
Chapter 34: Interlude 10
Chapter Text
(?)
Nestled in the scenic wilderness of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, along Highway 19, known for its lush forests and stunning coastal views. This location provides a perfect blend of natural beauty and accessibility for truck drivers and travelers. Even as the time marked it would be 2 of the morning. The place seemed ready for whenever a customer would need a recharge before continuing their trip.
Serenity's Truck Stop is a cozy, rustic haven for truck drivers and travelers making their way through the vast forests of Vancouver Island. Situated just off Highway 19, the restaurant is a charming wooden structure that blends seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness. A vintage sign hangs above the entrance, reading "Serenity's Truck Stop" in warm, inviting letters. The parking lot is spacious, accommodating several large trucks and vehicles, with a few picnic tables scattered around for those who prefer to eat outdoors.
Inside, the restaurant exudes a warm, homey atmosphere. The walls are decorated with forest-themed artwork and local crafts, giving it a personal touch. Wooden tables and chairs are arranged neatly, each table adorned with a small vase of fresh wildflowers. A stone fireplace in the corner adds to the cozy ambiance, especially on chilly mornings.
Even later in the night, the movement around the cozy truck stop seemed to be the view of the owner to be a good night of work.
"More coffee Serenity," A client called the attention of the well-mature woman who had been treating every single person with kindness and a good smile. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," The woman who had filled the mug of the truck driver was ready to continue her work when it seemed that all her 5 customers were already eating and preparing for their return across the night for their delivery. And from the possibility that soon would be the end of her shift, and she would enjoy a good time at home with her husband and daughter.
And speaking of them, the chiming bells from the door, showed nobody other than a man dressed in his usual green suit uniform, and a ranger hat, which the customers were already who the person was. Since the man had been working in the forest as a ranger for 2 decades.
"Evening Thorn." One of the truck drivers, said, as the man raised his hand while the others continued their coffee. "Hey, Serenity, I would like a breakfast special."
Thorn watched the owner of the restaurant take a notepad and a pencil while she showed her good smile.
"Hashbrowns or fruit?" Serenity asked gently and Thorn scoffed and knew where this was going.
"Hashbrowns," The customer said in a happy tone, which made Serenity frown and decide to write on her notepad.
"You're having fruit." Serenity replied as she went to make the breakfast which made the customer sulking.
"Awww."The man sulked, as the other customers were chuckling from that interaction.
"It's good for you," Serenity talked as she was being like the mother of the customer, which Thorn couldn't help but chuckle as well. "And what about you dear,"
"Came to finish my shift, and I want to take you home. So just a coffee and a banana bread would be enough." Thorn commented and the woman smiled and gave a kiss on his cheek. "Okay, I will also want an apple."
"That's what I like to hear," Serenity replied as she went to prepare the food for her husband.
.
.
.
An hour had passed, and Serenity closed her truck stop for a clean-up before returning home. Since the usual time of her shifts would be the odd numbers on the calendar, since she is also a responsible mother and wanted to take care of her child, the owner had to give a key to some of her employees which never let her down in case of work shifts. But still, when she does work on her shifts, she always worked from Midnight to 3 a.m. of the next day, being a total of 27 hours per shift.
Since it was to treat the customers and help to take care of their problems. Like her husband who had been in silence for far too long.
"Is there something in your mind, my beloved?" The owner of the truck stop asked as the man took out his hat, revealing on hos distressed he had been in reflection.
"It has come to my mind, that our daughter had been spending a lot of time at home focusing most of her time with the animals," The druid patriarch commented as he could see his wife, giving a nod at him, making him continue his monologue. "From what I could understand, Mother Nature had plans for each of us, I still don't understand what I should do..."
"You have been doing great as a father Thorn, as while I can understand your insecurities about our Dawn, you cannot deny that your buying a television and a computer for Dawn to enjoy her time as a teenager was a good way to let her live her own childhood..." Serenity commented as she smiled at him. "You have been doing your best, but now it's our time to let nature take its course and let Dawn have her own decisions, we can incentive her to have more friends, however, I think the reality show has been what it has dragged her attention, and the desire to have human friends.
"I can see that..." Thorn replied as he touched his beard. But then he couldn't help but have one more request. "I'm just worried about what Mother Nature has planned for her."
"Hmm, so you're suggesting." Serenity smiled, as she could understand from the tone of her husband's voice, which the druid gave a nod at her. "Very well. I'm going to grab my moonlight cards."
"Great, let's hope her future will be good," Thorn commented as it didn't take long until the duo got to the table, and the beauty of the woman of nature he had been in love with for so long went without her apron, and now that both were in synergy and ready to see the future of their beloved daughter. The druid ranger, couldn't help but pray for the future of his daughter being in the hands of Mother Nature.
"5 cards... Past, Present, Future. Three lines of future, Action, Reaction and Inaction. Let the Mother Nature speak for us." Serenity said as she shuffled the cards, and placed them in line 3 cards, and on the last card, Serenity placed one above the card, and another under the card. Making on the table and horizontal T. "Past...The card depicts a solitary owl perched on a branch, surrounded by a moonlit forest. The owl's eyes are wide and watchful, symbolizing wisdom gained through solitude."
"The solitary Owl," Thorn commented as he read the title of the card, which Serenity nodded her head at him.
"Owl signifies the lonely path she has walked, often without the company of true friends. While this solitude has granted her wisdom and a deep connection with nature, it has also left a void in her heart." Serenity commented as both parents nodded their heads in agreement, it was indeed a definition of what was happening to their daughter. "Present. The present card shows a spider weaving a tangled web, with strands extending in every direction. The web appears chaotic, yet intricately connected."
That card alone made both parents have their eyes wide open not just in shock but in cautious fear.
"The Chaotic Spider" Thorn replied as he usually is aware that spiders are related to strings of fate, and depending on the mood of the spider, it could end both good and bad... But when it's chaos...
"The chaotic spider illustrates the present moment. She would stand at the center of a web of possibilities, each strand representing a different path. The strings of fate are pulling her towards an opportunity, but this moment is filled with uncertainty and potential disorder." Serenity commented as she gave a better interpretation of the card, which made now both very hesitant from what would be the consequences of her next actions. "Let's start with the future by inaction, what would happen if our daughter decided to not accept the call of the spider..."
And at the time she flipped the bottom card, Thorn grunted in anger, but also in sadness... because he already could guess what card it was. A lone wolf stands on a snowy peak, howling at the moon. The scene is stark and isolated, with no other creatures in sight.
"The lone wolf, I should have known," Thorn commented as he remembered that card so well... It was one of the cards he got from his own past when he met Serenity for the first time... "If she chooses to do nothing, or if circumstances prevent her from acting, her future would be the mirror of her past. The lone wolf signifies a life of solitude, with only the animals as your companions."
"Very good my dear, you really remembered the interpretation of the card... Now, for the reaction." Serenity gulped as she flipped the top card, which wasn't even much better from the view of the parents. A venomous snake coils around a darkened tree, its eyes glinting with danger. The background is foreboding, suggesting peril and treachery. "The Venomous Snake"
"I know from your look, that isn't looking good," Thorn commented, as the matriarch nodded her head.
"If she decides to wait for too long and not act immediately, she may find herself ensnared in a dangerous and toxic situation. The venomous snake represents the chaotic dangers that await if she hesitates. While she may have a few allies, this path will be fraught with challenges and hardships, far from the harmony she would have desired." Serenity commented as the ranger suck cold breath, and from the look in the eyes of his wife, this one while being better than before, it was still dangerous for her... "And for Action..."
"Please, something good..." Thorn commented as the matriarch decided to flip the last card... And when Thorn saw it... he blinked, but not just once but twice...
Serenity had her mouth dropped as she was still not sure what to say... Because the card she flipped was a half/half card... Which one side was a graceful deer standing in a meadow, surrounded by a herd. The scene is peaceful, with sunlight filtering through the trees, symbolizing harmony and fulfillment. The other side was a lion between lionesses as the king of the jungle seemed powerful and ready to protect his mates, the lionesses seemed to be happy and in harmony with the family they made. "The Harmonious Deer and the Lion's Family Cub."
Both were separated halves and yet they carry the same representation... A big family, but not the way they expected.
.
.
.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME, MOTHER-NATURE?" The birds who were enjoying a good nice sleep, flew away from the nests at the shout of a druid who shouted in extreme disbelief and outrage. And from the silence of the forest being covered in the breeze of night, the druid patriarch wasn't done. "STOP LAUGHING."
(?)
Eva opened her eyes as she once again looked at the ceiling, she was in a hospital room bathed in the soft glow of the morning light filtering through the curtains. The room was spacious yet impersonal, with white walls adorned only by a few nondescript paintings. The faint scent of antiseptic hung in the air, which made Eva grunt annoyed by the smell.
Eva hated hospitals since most of them made her unable to move her body and gave restrictions that she couldn't refuse being against the Doctor's orders... well she could, but she would have to fight the most dangerous creatures that would be able to destroy her whenever they want...
Answer: Her parents...
Both were strong bodybuilders who took pride in their bodies, and strong enough to immobilize her into taking medicine or morphine in case she wanted to fight against the doctor, that was what happened when she broke her leg, and this time when she was being treated with stitches around her torso, thankfully the hook didn't hit an artery, and yet her parents just being there would restrict her from even disobeying the doctor.
The 10 days inside the hospital had been very boring to her, as she couldn't even do any kind of exercise... The worst part, she needed to wait more two weeks to finally get rid of the stitches.
But on the good side, Eva and her parents couldn't complain much, since at the time she was on the show, she managed to win a reward of 20 thousand dollars and a trailer she managed to win in one of the challenges. But having nothing else but television to see, and having her parents come to visit her constantly after their workout regime at the gym... She was getting bored fast.
But her choice was to remain watching the pay-per-view, and even watch from the episode where she saw one of the craziest girls get into a reach of breaking down, and oh boy, she was between feeling pitty about Owen's punishment or laughing until her pass out... If she was there, she would have made Owen suffer so much from doing work out at the point he would cry in fear of seeing her.
But sadly, she couldn't be there anymore, the criminal, unable to move arms and legs, and it's in jail, a place where he deserved to be... The exchange.
Her stay on the game... Eva was very annoyed at the time she got eliminated twice for the same reason as the first. By being too much hurt that she wouldn't be able to continue on the challenge. But at least she could have some entertainment from seeing the new duo appearing as possible bodyguards, and she couldn't help but laugh when she saw Duncan screwing over by provoking the same bear she made a sex exchange.
It had been a very good time to watch television, but she wanted to have a better place to stay, probably on the Playa del Losers, where she could see her friends once again, and enjoy the 5-star resort.
"It seems that you are awake now Eva." A female voice was heard which made Eva glance at the nurse who had treated another contestant of the show, so much that she had another thing to say. "I don't know why you Killer Bass had in mind when it comes to a dangerous situation. Fighting a bear, then going into a cursed island to get cold, then getting into a prank war to develop pneumonia, and then fighting a serial killer. You guys from Total Drama really don't know the limits of your own body."
"Hmm... good morning Claire." The bodybuilder girl commented as she grunted from her bed that she couldn't move. "You don't have to make the same comment every time you cross this room."
"I know, but I think Eva the Unbeatable Iron Woman should need to hear once again how adrenaline couldn't be trusted so much." The nurse commented as Eva rolled her eyes at hearing the name as she couldn't help but feel a bit of pride, in herself. Sure that she hurt a lot. "You got another bag full of fan letters addressing you as such."
"Little girls I guess?" Eva asked and the nurse nodded her head at the bodybuilder.
"What can I say, you made little skinny girls look at you as their hero. I think if you opened a martial arts gym, every girl would want to be part and learn from you how to fight." The nurse commented as the survivor of the horror movie parody episode just glanced around.
"Well, I was thinking about going to the MMA and trying to go for the world title," Eva commented as she would have used the money as an investment for her training.
"Well, with your popularity? You already have a fanbase of girls wanting to be like you." The nurse said as she rolled her eyes at the troublesome contestants, but seeing the teenager who was needing good news, indeed warmed her heart at seeing Eva excited into opening a few letters from the bag... And start reading every single one. With her job done, the nurse Claire was about to leave the room when Eva stopped and decided to ask another question.
"How long do I still have to stay in this room?" Eva asked as the Nurse was about to leave...
"From the doctor's indication and from the call of the producers of the show, you will have to stay here for at least 2 days before being successfully discharged." The nurse replied which was enough for Eva to nod her head, and possibly stay in the hospital for a bit longer.
"It sucked that I couldn't have a say in this, but against my parents. I think there is nothing else I could do." Eva commented as she felt her muscles feeling sore from not doing exercises, and she was so eager to have another training regime for herself... She would want to train her torso and upper body to make sure that she would take stabs without hurting herself. "At least next time when I go to work out, I will see if somebody will be smart enough to try to stab me again."
Eva already took down a bear, and is now a serial killer, what doesn't kill her, makes her stronger.
"Maybe they are right... Maybe I'm an Iron Woman at all." Eva smirked to herself, as she remembered how her friends cared about her...
She missed them...
(?)
"Oh, hey Sky." A voice made the gymnastic asian girl stop placing the books on her locker, and by turning her head, she saw a tanned-skinned blonde guy who was wearing a blue t-shirt with an eagle symbol on it made her surprised.
"Oh, hi Keith, how are you?" Sky commented as the boy smiled at her showing very white teeth, which many girls would have been happy to talk at him.
"I'm doing fine, just wanted to know if you got a partner for the science project we had to give in the final of the semester. And I was wondering if we could..."Keith acted naturally as he tried to convince one of his classmates to become his partner but then a loud sound was heard.
"Sky, did you see the last episode of Total Drama Island?"Then from nowhere, a girl appeared and she pushed the boy away from the Asian girl.
"Oh hi, Erika, nice to see you too," Sky commented as she then looked sheepish at Keith who was surprised by the sudden girl. "Sorry about her Keith, but she has been like that since I told her that I was watching Total Drama Island, and we are already partners on a Science project."
"Ohh," Keith said as he didn't know how to react to seeing a girl already taking the Asian gymnast as a science partner, and he didn't have the right words to say in a moment like that.
"Skyyyy. Hello, earth for Sky." Erika called the attention of the girl who just closed her locker. "Newest episode did you see it?"
"If I saw? My sister recorded the pay-per-view of the whole week. Owen got the worst day of his life."Sky commented as she remembered that her sister and herself had their mouths dropped hard. "Izzy was ruthless, and I was cheering for her victory... But she did say, Condor."
"Do you even blame her?" The girl commented as she walked with her while leaving the boy tilting his head in confusion.
"Not at all, Owen as much as he is a great guy, will be marked forever as a coward bastard for pushing a girl like that. I mean if was me, if I would have survived, I would have beaten him so much and then broken up with him to destroy all his chances." Sky commented as the other girl nodded her head.
"I know, remember on the forum, where there was a user who was a hater or CodyXKatie and HaroldXLeshawna? I saw she was a first fan of this ship but after that episode. The title IzzyXOwen will never happen was proof of how angry the user got with Owen." The girl commented as the duo of girls talked about the show and when Keith was in the corridor alone he couldn't help but ask...
"What just happened?" Keith asked as he could see that on the inside of Sky's locker, there were a few photos of the Killer Bass team and the logo of the Killer Bass as she was showing her support. "No, seriously, what just happened?"
The boy lost his chance, for a girl who would never burps on him...
(?)
"Excuse me, I'm not sure I heard that right Principal Hector." A more mature Asian girl almost in her 30s asked as the principal of her college looked more serious at her.
"The program of your internship had been concluded however from the circumstances around that Company, they are fulfilling an application of bankruptcy, which means the internship and all the employed people would lose their jobs... Which made your internship not concluded." The principal had to clean up her glasses which the Asian girl couldn't believe she was hearing.
"So what's going to happen? I worked 2 years for that company, and they didn't even dare to call me and tell me what's going on?" Jane said as she was with conflicted feelings, she wasn't sure if she was furious on the verge of destroying anything, or so sad that she would break down crying.
"If you read the newspaper on the third page, you will understand." The principal replied and Jane took a slight glance and by the next second, she looked palled and horrified with the view. "Despair is a very dangerous feeling young lady, especially when it's related to money, when they lose it, nobody knows what can happen next."
Jane remained quiet as the principal decided to walk towards the older sister...
"I know that you have been taking care of your younger sister, and you have been doing your best to pay rent for your parents and even enjoy your hobbies." The principal said as the woman remained quiet. "So that's why I'm going to give you a temporary job, helping to organize my office, but I deeply recommend that you try job application. I can only maintain you legally working on this office for a few weeks."
"Thank you so much for your help Principal Hector," Jane said as she started crying and even hugged the old principal who seemed happy to help someone.
"It's the only thing I could do for a good student of this university, but I hope you find a better job while you work here." The principal commented that Jane now had a new journey that she should cross. Trying to find a new job before her sister realizes that she lost her former internship.
(Playa Del Losers)
The cozy lounge room at Playa Des Losers was a hub of activity. The walls, adorned with vibrant beach-themed artwork, contrasted with the plush, oversized furniture that filled the space. A large window let in streams of golden sunlight, casting a warm glow over the room's occupants. The faint sound of ocean waves crashing against the shore could be heard in the background, adding to the relaxed ambiance.
Ezekiel sat in the center of the room, an improvised barber's cape made by a table towel was draped around him, while Harold hovered over him with a pair of scissors. The sound of snaps could be heard as Ezekiel had no place into looking, than the actual view.
"I don't know why I'm always dragged into strange situations like that. Who was the one who gave the idea?" Ezekiel asked as Sadie and Katie were reading a magazine, Geoff was kissing Bridgette, Tyler was playing with his yoyo and Courtney was filling her nails.
"Well, I just think you have been using your winter hat way too much Ezekiel. So maybe a new look would give you more self steam" Courtney commented as the boy raised his eyebrow at the C.I.T. girl who looked once more on the responsible role of the group.
"What do you mean more self steam?" Ezekiel asked as he tried to move his head but Harold corrected it.
"Please don't move, I'm trying to not make a mistake here," Harold commented as Ezekiel could hear Katie and Sadie giggling.
"Anyway, I mean, recently I just found out that you always wear the same blouse and winter hat, so maybe you should have more variance around your style," Courtney commented as Ezekiel looked weird.
"What do you mean about that? Everyone here always wears the same clothes." Ezekiel pointed out, however Courtney was ahead of him.
"Actually we have more than a pair of clothing of the same style and color." Courtney corrected as Ezekiel raised his hand to stop Harold.
"Wait. Hold on, you mean you all always wear the same style of clothing around the whole show?" Ezekiel asked loudly as he thought like any cartoon show, they always would have used the same clothes all the time, just changing from pajamas and underwear.
"Pretty much, it's always a good way to have a spare," Geoff commented, as Harold nodded his head, and even Tyler shrugged.
"I always have the same jacket. I just clean up it before sleeping." Tyler gave the explanation which made Ezekiel stare at his friends like they were a bunch of crazy people.
"You know what? Nevermind. This winter hat isn't the same one I bought on the show. This one is made by my mom." Ezekiel pointed out as Courtney had to bite her tongue from that one. "And okay, I see your point, that I maybe need a new wardrobe, but now you all told me, it seems I'm not the only one."
And that comment caused the reaction he wanted.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?" Every single one of his friends said in a shout which made the homeschooled boy have a moral high ground.
"Come on. I thought you all were doing the same as I did. Imagine the people who watched on the television. Don't you think they would think the same?"Ezekiel commented as every single one of his friends realized the meaning of his words. And it has been fun to see Katie and Sadie palling in shock, Courtney and Bridgette freeze, and then realize that Ezekiel wasn't wrong. "Oh, it's going to be fun to see people asking why am I the only one on the show who was thinking about buying clothes."
"Okay, when the show is over. We need new clothes quickly." Katie said to Sadie who nodded in agreement.
"Okay, you have a point. But thankfully when this show is over we can return back to our lives." Courtney commented as she then glanced around the others, which made them realize that in a few weeks, things would come to an end.
"That if there would be a winner on the show. Because do you guys remember what would happen if nobody wins in the end?" Ezekiel then made the question which brought the attention and the fear of their faces once again.
"Then we would return to another season? I don't know if I could keep up with that." Harold commented as he continued to cut the brown hair of his friend. "I have to finish another year of school."
"Me too, I have an election to win as president of the student council," Courtney asked worried, as she never thought about the possibility of another season. "Even as they said my grades would be enough for me to graduate. I think that would be good for my curriculum."
"Well, let's just hope we would have a winner on this season," Ezekiel commented he felt pity for his friends, so young, and yet they didn't know the rabbit hole they got themselves into.
"Well let's hope. Hey Harold, are you done?" Sadie commented which made the nerd raise his hand to stop her.
"YOU CAN'T RUSH, ART," Harold commented as he continued to cut the hair...
"Err...guys? A little help here." Tyler commented as he made the strings of his yoyo once again tied him up in a position where he was on the floor.
Everyone rolled their eyes, as Courtney glanced at the couple who were kissing each other.
"Are you both still kissing?" Courtney asked, which tone made both blondes open their eyes and break apart before seeing that in her hands was indeed the devilish water bottle spray made by the homeschooled devil. "Wow, you two can breathe. Thank God."
The group laughed at the surfer and the party boy who seemed to be blushing in shame but also annoyed by the people who were holding those cursed anti-horny spray.
"We have self-control," Bridgette commented and for the first time, Ezekiel was the one who laughed the loudest.
"Bridgette, no offense. But you two would be LITERALLY the couple who would be voted out for being kissing too much on the show."Ezekiel jokes by telling the future. Which made the others chuckle.
"Oh yeah, and how can you be sure?" Geoff asked with his eyebrow raised.
Ezekiel smirked and coughed.
"Campers, welcome to the firecamp ceremony." Ezekiel tried to give his best impression of Chris as the group already guessed what was happening. "Tonight we are going to have a special elimination, two campers will be voted out Tonight, which you will..."
"GEOFF AND BRIDGETT," The remaining killer bass said in unison which made the blonde couple stare at them in disbelief.
"You heard the chorus, Geoff, Bridgette, Dock of Shame, both of you," Ezekiel commented as the group laughed at the couple who blushed in disbelief.
"You guys sucked, did you know that?" Geoff commented annoyed, which made Courtney and Ezekiel smile innocently at them.
The group chuckled as the comfortable silence went around the group of friends. And Bridgette and Courtney walked to see around the person who was having the haircut.
"Wow Ezekiel, your hair is looking amazing," Bridgette commented as the C.I.T. had to nod.
"I had to give that to you Harold, his hair made him look more like a person."Courtney complimented the nerd for showing another of his skills. Ezekiel had a look of offended from the girl and she decided to change the subject. "Anyway, Ezekiel. I got curious about one thing."
"Yes?" Ezekiel decided to ignore the last comment since it was Courtney, but something inside of him kinda had a guess on where she was going with everything.
"I heard about the pact you all made with the boys..." Courtney didn't even tell much and Ezekiel already groaned.
"TYLER, SERIOUSLY?" Ezekiel shouted as surprised everyone in the room, especially the boys who didn't imagine he had figured out the culprit.
"HEY, It wasn't me." Tyler tried to defend but then realized both Harold and Geoff staring at him. "Okay, it was also me, but I didn't bring things up. It was Sadie."
Ezekiel gave a slight glance with the eyes which made the bulky chubby twin gulp and smile nervously at him.
"Okay, Sadie brought it up, and then you girls forced Tyler to spill the beans?" Ezekiel deduced but from the nervous smile..."He didn't even last a second right?"
"I just touched him," Courtney said which made Ezekiel give an exasperated sigh.
"I should have known... Next time I will keep that in mind." Ezekiel said as he looked annoyed from forgetting one single fact. Tyler is terrible at holding secrets when he feels guilty of being a buster. World Tour was proof of that."Okay, it seems now I can understand you want to know more about why I created the pact?"
"Not really, from what the others had told me, it made sense that you wanted to focus on the friendship instead of the sabotage among our team," Courtney explained as Bridgette walked beside him. "We didn't realize that scene until we had to check up the Dodgebrawl episode all over again. And we got a view of how you think of yourself."
"I mean, we are glad that you have hopes in Beth finding a good boyfriend and you finding someone, we are just curious about your preferences for girls..." Bridgett commented as Ezekiel glanced at his friends, and Geoff and Tyler were whistling and looking away. Harold had a good excuse since he was cutting his hair.
"Please don't tell me you have the same thoughts as Duncan?" Ezekiel asked which made both girls raise her hands.
"Oh no," Both said in unison. "We believe you."
"Good, because what I couldn't stand is that people would only think that I need to be with Beth just because we are farmers or ugly people," Ezekiel commented as he saw the group staring weirdly at him. "Because I know that I'm not a Justin which just for his appearance would make every single girl be like crazy. And don't lie to me, you all were gapping with your mouths drooling into seeing him for the first time."
And from that accusation, every girl blushed sheepishly, as Geoff raised his eyebrow at his girlfriend.
"Okay, but you aren't ugly Ezekiel," Katie commented as she tried to cheer up his friend. "You just need a remake of yourself, like a new clothing, a new haircut, and be like yourself."
"Yeah, I know that you would attract any kind of girl if you want by being yourself. You just need more self-reflection and more optimism." Courtney commented as the boy rolled his eyes.
"Girls, I get it. I know that, and I'm grateful for your help... I really do," Ezekiel said as he tried to remain calm and happy from all the concern his friends had over him, but there was a truth that he would always know. "But I think it's a thing that I won't ever be sure because I just don't know. I don't know if I will fall in love with a girl that's how I said I think it would be an ideal girl for me, I don't know if the girl would love me the same way, I don't know if I would be used, I don't know if would be real... the only way I could control the romance was only the books I create to rely on, and I don't even know on who to trust in such topics... I just don't know."
The group remained quiet, as the sound of scissors suddenly stopped.
"It's done," Harold said as he took a mirror to show Ezekiel the reflection of his face... And to the surprise of the homeschooled boy, it had been the first time he saw himself without his winter head, hiding the usual long hair he had over the red-neck style of hair. And instead, the hair he had was far shorter, and yet in a wild style... But from the tone of brown, and from the way he looked at the mirror...
And a little song placed inside of his memories... Over a childhood cartoon that also created such an impact around the generations of watchers over television...
It started when an alien device did what it did
And stuck itself upon his wrist with secrets that it hid
Now he's got super powers, he's no ordinary kid
"He's Ben 10," Ezekiel whispered as he felt himself staring at his face showing what would be himself with the most iconic 10-year superhero over Cartoon Network... Benjamin Tennyson hairstyle.
"What did you say?' Courtney asked since Ezekiel whispered something that they could hear. And the homeschooled boy shook his head.
"I said 10 of 10," Ezekiel commented as he didn't believe the reflection he was seeing, the messed wild hair, but from the same color and almost the same shape... Ezekiel never thought he would be looking at the mirror, one iconic Cartoon Network Memory. "Harold, this by far, is one of the best works I ever seen."
"Thank you, Zeke, now I just need to find a good name for the hair..."
"Benjamin Tennyson ." Ezekiel immediately commented which made the nerd pause and glance at the boy inquiring about the reason for the name. "This hairstyle just gave me inspiration to write another book."
"WHAT? ALREADY?" The group shouted in surprise as the homeschooled boy smirked under his smile.
"Yes, this time I plan to focus on a superhero theme," Ezekiel commented as the group glanced at him in surprise. "I have a few ideas and I want to hear your opinion about it... It's a 10-year-old boy, who just found a wishing star, but to his surprise wasn't a star, but a sphere which contain a watch..."
Little did they know that Ezekiel now had in mind to revive another show that never existed in the first place.
"Wow, it seems that I still got it," Ezekiel said to himself as he drew a few arts of the 10-year-old boy who just was using an alien watch to transform himself into multiple versions of Alien. "Okay, I need to select which of them would be good, I know that probably I will be destroying the original plot of the first generation, but I have to confess that taking out Ripjaws on the book would be annoying, but mostly of the episodes he was in were just fillers, and being the only aquatic alien which ability would just use jaws was a bit terrible... Water Hazard on the other hand. Would be the best aquatic alien Ben would need at that time."
Ezekiel contemplated the drawing he just finished... An art of the OG Ben on the left, the Alien Force Ben in the Middle, and the omni verse Ben but following the same trace of Alien Force, that way the trilogy of Ben 10 would be done correctly as the way he imagined...
"They looked so cool. But now I need to think about it... there are the OG, the Alien Force, the Ultimate Alien, The Omniverse, and the God's forbid... the reboot..." Ezekiel commented as he stared at the thought alone of how a show became one of the most iconic shows of Cartoon Network for so many years. "And I haven't watched every single episode of the show like I did with the others... but from all the fanfics I read and from what I remembered watching more the plot than the filler episodes... I think If I create a one-shot book for each Generation, I think it would be enough to revive Ben 10 as a whole... Because if I could, I would rewrite many things from the old characters, especially the Ben 10.000 wife that it was bullcrap..."
Ezekiel wondered as he looked at the typewriter... And from all the work he did, from Courage the Cowardly Dog, Adventure TIme... and the last remaining chapters of Steven Universe's first book...
"I think creating one shot would be good enough to resume the good era of some shows... But I'm going to focus on all the seasons of the cartoons I know most..." Ezekiel said as he took a sip of coffee, but the terrible taste made him gulp strangely. "Ugh... from all the good things of this resort. The coffee on the other hand... I think I preferred the ones from the Wawanakwa camp..."
Ezekiel sighed, since it had been a long time he wanted to drink a very good cup of coffee...
"In times like this, I wondered why ma and pa didn't make a coffee farm," Ezekiel commented as he resumed giving a try to one single project. But while he was in his bedroom, and he was eager to have some work done... For at least the prologue of the first new book... He would be at least able to finish something before turning on the television to watch the next episode of the show.
"You gotta be kidding me," Noah said, his voice tinged with annoyance as he examined the unexpected stack of papers in his hands. Meanwhile, Ezekiel floated contentedly in the resort's swimming pool, relishing the warm water and the relaxing atmosphere. After weeks of being too ill to enjoy the amenities due to pneumonia, he was finally able to indulge in the simple pleasures of the resort: eating ice cream, swimming, and soaking in the hot tub.
While the bookworm was trying to see if he was seeing a prank by looking at the new amount of papers which turned out to be the first chapter of a new book Ezekiel was ready to write.
"Yeah, no. I got this idea while Harold gave me my haircut," Ezekiel explained, grinning. Noah rolled his eyes and facepalmed.
"Yes, I can see it." The bookworm said dryly as he never thought to see someone who had been most of the time not just on the show, but also in his bedroom focusing on nothing but writing. "Are you sure you aren't a machine?"
"I don't know. On the farm, we didn't have much technology, and we definitely aren't in some futuristic world with artificial intelligence doing everything."Ezekiel chuckled as he noticed Noah rubbing his temples. "And I kinda agree with you. I'm planning to write more after I finish my break. Steven Universe will be the last book I will publish before I do my break."
"I have no idea what you have in your mind, but I don't know what kind of target audience you have in mind?" Noah mused as Ezekiel smiled at him.
Kids who will grow up with these books as part of their childhood," Ezekiel replied, a nostalgic smile on his face. As that was one of the reasons why he loved so much the cartoon network shows, and they had a huge fanbase during eons..."When they become adults, they'll look back fondly and read them again for nostalgia, and this would be part of them passing by for other generations."
Noah fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Fair enough. I'll give it a read, and later we can discuss the grammar. At least with you around, I won't have to read the same books over and over again. That's something new."
"CANON BALL!" Izzy's voice rang out as she leaped into the pool, creating a massive splash. Noah quickly grabbed an umbrella to shield Ezekiel's manuscript from the spray.
"That was awesome! I jumped from the 4-floor, and I have to say the adrenaline rush was fantastic. Hey boys how are you?" Izzy exclaimed, grinning widely.
"Izzy, what did I tell you about jumping on the pool while we are in the middle of work?" Noah said as the ginger girl tilted her head.
"I thought you both finished editing Adventure Time," Izzy commented as she was sure the bookworm was relieved from having a break from editing manuscripts.
"We did, but this person whose I refuse to tell the name, couldn't keep his hands off his typewriter for so long and decided to start a new book." Noah pointed at Ezekiel who was enjoying being underwater and just got out with joy, which made Noah roll his eyes.
"Everybody is a critic. Even my editor," Ezekiel commented as Izzy then had her eyes wide open from seeing Ezekiel without his usual winter hat, and now that he was still wearing his weights over his wrists and legs, she just found out that his abdomen lost the extra weight and he was now slim and an inch higher than the time she left the island. "Can you believe him?"
"Pff, yeah," Izzy said forced as she snaped herself from her thoughts, and even gave a nervous laugh which made Noah roll his eyes.
"Whatever, I'm going to take a look at this and see if you indeed found another reason to keep writing, or if you are just bored into doing other things. I mean, I can understand that your routine is only writing and doing... whatever you two do." Noah scoffed as he gave a glance a look on the manuscript which was enough to make Ezekiel and Izzy be free from whatever Noah was planning to do in the future.
"Hey guys, wow Ezekiel, you got a haircut?" Beth came out from the resort and decided to join the group since she was wearing her wine color swimsuit covering her body, and she was amazed to see one of the groups suddenly differently than before. "Who did your haircut?"
"Oh, it was Harold. My friends told me, I would need a change of hairstyle and maybe a few new clothes, which has been hilarious since most of them had many of the same style and color of the clothing." Ezekiel commented which made Beth tilts her head in surprise.
"They do? I thought they always wore the same clothing as I do." Beth commented that Noah stopped his reading and raised his eyebrow at her. But was caught by surprise when both Ezekiel and Izzy shouted in unison.
"THANK YOU. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE." Both Ezekiel and Izzy shouted in unison as the farmer girl blinked from the interaction. And on that time, Ezekiel and Izzy noticed they had said at the same time. "JINX,"
And now with that moment, both suddenly stopped talking, which was the time Noah smiled, while Beth was about to say something.
"Oh no, don't say anything. Jinx is the best moment of silence that I can have right now." Noah smirked as the duo glared at him angrily.
"Okay? Anyway, I gotta say your new hair was amazing. I think I should ask Harold to check my hair." Beth commented as she saw Izzy saluting and then waving goodbye, while Ezekiel rolled his eyes, but waved at the farm girl who just left the trio alone. And with Beth walking away, she could see Izzy and Ezekiel almost like they were best friends. "Hmm... I think maybe Bridgette is exaggerating. I mean, they look great together, but as a couple? Maybe she is right, but I think a chance of that just happening is the same way I get a beautiful boyfriend."
Beth remembered how watching the episode and Ezekiel saying that both of them were ugly, and she had to admit that had been a hurtful truth for her. But at the same time, she couldn't help but be emotional about Ezekiel having faith in both of them, he sounded so sure that she would find someone that it would shut up everyone. And that made her hopeful. She always believed in the way of her heart, and from the time she heard Duncan's comment she wanted to kick his ass, but she was glad that he apologized.
"Yeah, maybe someday I will find someone," Beth said as she went after Harold since he was already having a long day cutting hair from Katie and Sadie, and even doing a little treatment on both Courtney and Bridgette, hair.
In times like that, he now understands why Ezekiel and the boys wanted him to don't brag about his skills, remaining low key, since these abilities showed not just to be a blessing, but also a curse, now that he had to treat every girl on the Playa Del Losers.
A few hours later:
"I hate you," Noah said as he gave the manuscript to the startled Ezekiel who was playing volleyball in the pool with Izzy. In the next hour Leshawna broke the jinx from both Ezekiel and Izzy, the duo had been enjoying a good time in the pool. "How do you do it?"
"Do what?" Ezekiel asked as he raised his eyebrows, with the idea that he probably had an idea of what Noah had been asking him.
"Each book you are writing it's different from the other, I have no idea that you could write so many different styles of books," Noah said as he couldn't believe his eyes as he was looking at the prologue of the book. "This one had nothing to do with the other works you gave me, and yet it is so unique that I could anyone who is a fan of superheroes be interested in that. Hell, you made me interested in where the hell this watch Omnitrix came from, and what these 10 aliens could do."
"Ohhhhhh, it's about superheroes and aliens?" Izzy asked as she took the hand of the manuscript she was already bored from playing volley and she needed something to distract her mind before the episode aired. "Let me take a look, I want to see if they are like the aliens who kidnapped me before."
"You were kidnapped by aliens?" Leshawna who was there looked at the girl in disbelief as she had lost her mind.
"Actually that answers a lot of questions." Both Ezekiel and Noah said in unison which Ezekiel surprised Noah. "Jinx. Got you now."
Noah deadpanned as Izzy laughed and was going to use that opportunity to disturb the egghead bookworm before the show started. Leshawna looked at the trio, as she then blinked...
"Okay, that's it, I think the trio lost their minds," Leshawna said as she got up from her place and walked away. "Better to walk away, because that could be contagious."
Ezekiel and Izzy rolled their eyes, and even Noah did the same from the ghetto girl who had to give the final word, sometimes Leshawna is a cool girl, but sometimes she just needs to relax, and not be scared of everything weird around her.
"Anyway, I heard from you the others want to buy new clothes with you," Izzy commented and Ezekiel nodded his head. "Well, maybe you could order a stylish to make a custom set of new clothes for you. All you need to do is describe the type of clothing you would want and the size you are using, and pay for them in check or use an accountant to pay for you."
"Well, I don't know, I never went to buy clothes for myself, and your idea sounds tempting, but I don't know how much that would even cost," Ezekiel commented Noah was listening to the conversation in silence but also paying the attention.
"Well, you could use the money of the editors who decided to give you in advance before publishing Courage the Cowardly Dog book. I'm sure that with that it could be a start. From this show, you have to say from your book alone you already could raise good money even after not winning the 100 thousand prize." Izzy commented as she started to read the manuscript, and with both Ezekiel wondering.
"Well, that's not a bad idea. I think I could draw something for me to wear based on my work." Ezekiel looked at his reflection in the water, and then he realized something he hadn't seen before. "Wait, did I just lose weight?"
"Well, I wonder too," Izzy commented as she side glanced at Ezekiel who was staring at the reflection and touching his belly as if he had lost the oval shape from the original version of the show.
"Huh, neat... I don't know if this is good or bad, but whatever." Ezekiel commented as he could see that somehow the training Eva had suggested him to do had made a good difference in his life, but how much it would change? Just the future would tell. "Anyway, later you can tell me what you think Izzy."
"I will do," Izzy commented as she was ready to continue to read a new world prepared for her own imagination, made by a person that she never thought she would respect so much for not daring to refuse to use his imagination, in contrary, loved to live on his world and shape it around any way he wanted, and craving a mark of his own story.
It had been a good hour for her to read the chapter, and then grab him by his shoulders and demand more chapters from it... What she can say... She now was addicted to a new type of superhero... A child who had the powers that could be and meet with the most iconic heroes of DC comics and old movies? Yeah, she would want to read a whole book of it.
That's his cross of being a writer... writing an idea so well and now having the responsibility to write everything for the entertainment of the public...
It was the longest 3 hours of Ezekiel's life, and thankfully it was the time for them to watch the new episode.
Chapter 35: Trial by Tri-Armed Triathlon
Chapter Text
"Last time on Total Drama Island…"Chris presented the resume of the last episode of the show while he was over the Dock of the Shame with his arms wide open. "The campers got sent out on safari. They were made like they were zookeepers. Although, some of them might wanna look at other careers. Owen passed not just the whole episode suffering the worst day of his life, while everyone becomes a winner, he was the only one who had the worst result of Karma by being unlucky to not eat the amazing food made for the hunters, but also had the punishment to clean up the washroom which he himself sabotage from his digestive system lack of control. We had Duncan provoke a bear with a dress, and now he had to run and scream like a little girl while the bear took his chainsaw and went after him. Thankfully our new members of the crew proved not just being useful, but also extremely hilarious."
(It showed a video of Sanders saving Duncan's ass by using a Taser to zap the bear, and a video of MacArthur fighting the Mecha Racoon)
"Come on MacArthur, I bet 20 bucks that you would kick their asses... This week, our six remaining campers will get way too close for comfort. Now that there was only 3 members of Killer Bass and 3 Members of Screaming Gophers. Will this challenge break send another member of the good friends of Killer Bass? Will Owen be eliminated after screwing up on the last challenge? Will Heather and Lindsay be part of the final 3? And who will be voted off this week in the most dramatic campfire ceremony yet? Find out tonight… on Total. Drama. Island!"
The morning started around the camp Wawanakwa, the good time for the 3 days of their normality around the reality show, Owen was having a good time having a good dream. Even as he was upset about not being able to eat the amazing food, he was happy to hear Izzy had forgiven him for his screw-up. And while it has been really difficult to clean up the washroom... Heather helped him... Well, she shouted at him to do the work and telling where he should watch.
She is scary, but at least all the cleaning he did, was worth it because he enjoyed the good fresh smell of the washroom... Before dirtying everything again. He couldn't help it, he was used to the food of the camp and he was always hungry. But the smell he had after dirting the washrooms again reminded him of the cheeses he loved to eat...
So much that he was having sweety dreams of cheese. Where he was in the sky made of cheese, with a lot of types of cheeses for him to enjoy. It was his paradise. People usually would be afraid of having a naked dream, but in his dreams, he didn't have anybody to judge him, so he loved the freedom of eating his favorite food, and when he thought things couldn't get better, the sounded like helicopters whirring. And it was Helicopters carrying giant donuts. So much so that he flew in the middle of the donut and got stuck on the sugary delicacy. Everything was perfect.
"What's going on out here?" Gwen said which made Owen just wake up from his dream, and slowly got up to hear the sounds of the helicopter, which made him blink...
"Is that the doughnut-copter?" Owen opened the window as he looked at the possibility of his dream becoming true.
"Ugh…"Heather looked at Owen and grunted as she couldn't believe how that ball of grease managed to go that far on the show, and the worst part was that from the instructions Izzy had given to her. She had to maintain Owen on the game because she needed his vote to remain on the game, and slowly sabotaged the other team, she felt the urge that when it was the right moment she would eliminate him. But until then, she couldn't...
She looked at DJ, and she knew that he just needed one more push... She and Lindsay had always used the homesickness of the Jamaican boy to take him to the verge of saying the word Condor, but that boy had been very lucky and stubborn to remain in the game.
But the queen bee knew, that she just needed one more opportunity.
The campers looked at the host of the show who was piloting the helicopter with his smirk on his face.
"Welcome back to Total Drama Island! Over the past six weeks, we've watched sixteen campers push themselves to the limit! And they get their butts kicked off the island by their fellow campers! Sucks to be you!"
"Noah, Sadie, Justin, Leshawna, Eva, Tyler, Izzy, Cody, Beth, Ezekiel, Katie, Harold, Trent, Bridgette, Geoff, Courtney, Eva again, And Izzy, again..." At the time Chris said that it showed the highlight moments of each camper being eliminated, in which some were outraged, some cried, and some had to leave due to medical problems. Showing the best moments, and some others of the most embarrassing moments.
"Only six campers remain. And after six weeks of bugs, crappy camp food, and even grosser bathrooms, our six finalists are about this close to losing it."Chris landed the helicopter and walked in the direction of the remaining 6 campers on the show, as he showed a good part of his sadistic part, as the duo of cadets marched across the camp and with a surprise for the group. "We strove to come up with the best way to help the campers destress, then decided it would be way more fun to handcuff them together and see if we couldn't push them over the edge."
"Oh look, did the police academy send a care package?" Heather asked as she saw Sanders and MacArthur appear with the handcuffs on their hands, ready to make the campers know what is like to be handcuffed.
"Yeah, they did. They even had your name craved on it with glitter and sparkles." MacArthur commented as she raised one of the handcuffs and to the surprise of the queen bee, there was indeed one with the name Heather and glitter on it. Heather doesn't know if she should be offended, or flattered by the Cadets to actually have to think ahead on such a thing.
"Wow Heather, they made one with your name on it. I wish I had one too." Lindsay commented as she pouted from the envy she had over her friend, and Heather didn't know if she was going to facepalm or have a migraine at that moment.
"Well luckily for you Lindsay, you also have one." Chris decided to give the good news, as he could see the blonde bombshell being so happy and excited that she even started clapping. "Each handcuff, had two names on it, one in front and the other on the back. Each member who has a name is responsible for being stuck with their partner for our challenge of today. All in the name of today's challenge: The Tri-Armed Triathlon!"
"Tri-armed? Like, three arms?" Owen asked confused, as Duncan felt excited about the challenge, the big guy was looking at his arm until he raised and asked the host of the show just to be sure if it was the challenge.
"Yes! Three challenges, three teams of two, three arms per team." Chris answered the question, as he placed both his arms behind his back and enjoyed the nervous look coming from all the other campers.
Heather from her time and seeing there were 2 handcuffs one belonging to her and the other belonging to her only friend on the island.
"Please tell me that we would be wearing 2 handcuffs instead of one," Heather said hopeful as she would at least be chained, but from seeing the smirk of the cadets and from the host himself, she sighed in frustration. "Of course we wouldn't."
"Winning team members both get invincibility from tonight's vote," Chris smirked as the groups looked at each other, unsure of how the groups would be separated as duos, and the possibility of having a guarantee on the top 5 was something tempting to everyone.
(Confession - Gwen)
"Seven long weeks. It has been a long ride around here. Some times were good, and some times were terrible, I found a few weeks ago that my belief in horror movies wouldn't actually prepare me into fighting an actual danger and I just saw one of my friends hurt, and a person that I never thought was sane break down crying on the same night. Sure that I had great times with friends and had a good laugh and I enjoyed the hot tub... but to be honest, I don't know how much more of this I can take." Gwen confessed as she looked at the camera giving a good resume of what just happened since the two episodes before. "I think I can take for a few more rounds on this show, but in case I lose, I don't even care. This show is always getting on my nerves. And the more friends I lose on the challenges, the less exciting is getting for me to continue on the game."
(Confession - Lindsay)
"I can't believe I'm on the final 6, Mom, Daddy, Paula, you have no idea how much I passed on here," Lindsay commented that she felt that she was telling her family about her experience. "I'm almost on the final 3 as Heather told me, and I passed so many things, I ate the worst food I could, cried a lot, and had fear, but also made great friends like Beth and Heather, I'm sure that when everything is over, we three are going to buy a lot of new shoes and makeup because I'm running out of mine recently... Owen is also a good guy and I'm glad to have so much fun talking to him, he is a good friend, but Heather told me to use him as a meat shield for votes when things got terrible. I don't know why... I met Izzy and I thought she was crazy and would hurt me, but she is so smart that I had no idea what she said so many times, she is smart enough to even tell me in short words what I could do, and I have to tell, thanks Izzy for the candy and the fun we had. Maybe I should find lipstick with mango essence because I think that's how it fits her... Oh, never mind... what was I talking about again? Oh right... I'm in the final 6, and I hope to win this. Because if I eat yellow pancakes again... I'm going to break everything."
And when she said those words, the gleam on her eyes, turned in a shadow mark, as she looked at the camera in deep hatred... proving a point that nobody would ever bring again.
(Confession - Duncan)
"This place is torture, man. At least in juvie, we had a half hour of television a day and they kept the lunatics locked up separately. I mean, this outhouse, this is the only place I can go for peace and quiet. Oh, and you do not wanna come in here after Owen."Duncan explained the terrible things that happened around the time on the island to prove his point, he gave a sharp inhale on the place which made a disgusting gag, "Oh, yeah... the only nice thing we had around this camp, for surprising as it was... were the friends we made, I know it sucks for being cliche, but I never thought I would miss the time of the first episode when I just watched Harold prove his kung fu skills only to hit himself on the crotch... or the time I and Ezekiel hunt down a roach which we did an awesome overkill... Or for when we worked together to have our amazing hot tub... After everything we passed. Jumping from the cliff in a safe zone with an area infested with sharks, became tame for me... I miss you, Princess. I will win the big money for us."
(Confession - DJ)
"I'm in the final six! I didn't think I'd make it this far, especially with all these intense challenges. But here I am. I've just got to keep being myself and doing my best. Having only my friends and learning a lot from a little pink beagle, showed me that I indeed could be courageous even in the worst cases of fear... And my mom always says, 'Stay true to who you are,' and that's what I'm going to do." DJ said as he reminded himself of the good parts of the challenges, but then a ping of doubt started to hit inside of his heart. "But I think after I being so long on this game, she could understand that I reached my limit... I had so many opportunities to say that word... but something happened... And I was shocked when Izzy said it, the show managed to even break the most unpredictable camper of the show, and I felt my heart ache to see her on that point... I think she was right, even if she was on the Killer Bass for a few hours, I think it should be fair for her to use that word... I hope you are feeling better now Izzy. And I'm going to try to keep up on the show... I hope so."
(Confession - Owen)
"YEAH, BABY! HAHAHAHA." Owen shouted as he was happy to be part of the final 6 and giving himself a good speech around the confession booth. "PLACE AT THE TABLE! WOOHOO! IT'S PRETTY AWESOME TO BE HERE. I'M SO PSYCHED, DUDE, WOOHOO."
(Confession - Heather.)
"Well, well, well, final six. I knew I'd get here, but it wasn't exactly smooth sailing... from everything I had to do to adapt around this show, I had to sabotage some campers, manipulate some... make a deal with the devil not just once but twice, and to see a despaired girl who was from a lame background to become a girl that I took under my wing and to my disbelief became one of my best friends, with a girl who seriously needs to learn into not becoming too naive, or believe the world was only kindness, I had too much in my plate to teach them both..." Heather confessed the way she would be, she knew that her friends knew that's how she would say that she cared for them. "Beth, I swear if you are not taking care of yourself while I'm here, you are going to deal with me... and please be fine. Me and Lindsay are trying to keep up until the final 3, and then... that's the game me and Lindsay must know... after that, it would be between me and her, and friendship wouldn't be used between us and 100 thousand dollars. I hope you and her understand that because that's what I said when we did the alliance... And then when I win we can go have dinner at the restaurant and you two can help me on how to spend the rest of the 100 thousand dollars. I pay for the dinner... that's what friends are for."
After the confessions, for the despair of some campers, and the disturbed of others, the duos were tied together with their names putting the duo in the handcuffs. DJ is handcuffed with Owen, Lindsay is Handcuffed with Gwen, and Duncan is handcuffed with Heather.
Each of them looked at their handcuffs and the person they were locked with, being now responsible for winning the challenge with their partners. And some are very hesitant about their chance of victory.
"Great, I'm handcuffed to Queen Bee. What did I do to deserve this?" Duncan commented as she could potentially see that it was already a bad start from the challenge.
"Just stay out of my way and let's finish this." Heather rolled her eyes, knowing that the first impression of the delinquent wasn't even good.
"Sure thing, I'll let you boss everyone around while I plot my escape." Duncan joked as he knew it would annoy Heather, but then to make things worse someone else appeared with a smirk on her face.
"Don't get any ideas, Duncan. I've got a taser, a pepper spray and I'm not afraid to use it." MacArthur chimed in as she could see the delinquent now when he realized that he missed the juvenile, Chris found a manner to bring it to the show, which made it even worse.
"Good to know the fun police are here. Literally." Duncan sarcastically remarked as he could see Sanders rolling her eyes. "And you saving me from the bear doesn't change anything."
"I didn't say anything." Sanders snarked, which made the duo wait for Chris to explain more about the challenge.
"First of our three challenges, competitive chow-down," Chris was happy to annunciate the first challenge, which of all the groups, only one clearly had the advantage. And talking about the advantage... Owen immediately laughed as he was feeling happy with the challenge.
"Come on. This is like a dream I had once." Owen said as Heather rolled her eyes, and decided to play a joke with Owen.
"The doughnut-copter dream?" Heather asked which made Owen excited and look at the queen bee with hope.
"You've had it too?" Owen asked as Lindsay tilted her head.
"The doghnut-copter was made of donuts?" Lindsay asked innocently which made Owen shake his head.
"It was a normal helicopter-but it was carrying a giant donut," Owen explained while Lindsay nodded her head in understanding, and Heather wanted to facepalm. "But a helicopter made by Donuts would have been way better."
"Wow, the instructor said it happened once at the academy, and someone named that Code 96-10." Sanders commented while MacArthur was musing about the idea of possibly happening.
"I still said it was *beep* for creating a code and never showing a picture to us," MacArthur commented about the possibility of a real helicopter made of donuts and they didn't have an opportunity to be registered at that time.
And that was the cue for Heather's facepalm.
" Each team will choose a feeder and an eater. Eaters must put their hands behind them, making it more difficult for the feeders." Duncan and Heather glanced at the campers, in the same way Gwen and Lindsay stared at Owen and DJ, knowing that their good chance of winning the first challenge was just slim as null. "One last thing. This is the wimp key. A skeleton key that will open any handcuffs. You'll be offered the wimp key at each challenge to unshackle yourselves from your teammate."
Heather looked tempted to use the idea, but she knew there would be a catch on that moment.
"But… if you choose to accept it, you'll both be eliminated."And then Chris had to ruin it, but to the surprise of nobody, they were expecting that nothing would be that easy.
"Hello? How do we win this thing?" Gwen rolled her eyes as she wasn't refiring about the eating contest, but for the other challenges, since looking for her partner being nobody other than airhead who seemed to be eager and nervous around the challenge. She felt that her chances weren't great.
"Chef's getting platters for each team. The title goes to the team who finishes their platter of delicacies fastest." Chris explained the first challenge, which now was a chance for each duo to see who between them would be the eater and who would be the person to feed them.
"I'll do the chowing down,"Duncan said as he glanced at Heather who was looking at her nails.
"Suit yourself, if you think that you can beat the bottomless pit that it's Owen's stomach, I wish you good luck," Heather remarked as the delinquent narrowed his eyes at the queen bee.
Lindsay stared at her friend and the delinquent not excited for the challenge, and from seeing Owen already jumping on his place excitedly, she gave a slight glance at the goth girl who was watching the delinquent and the queen bee into planning a strategy.
"Hey Gwen, do you want to eat it?" Lindsay asked gently as the girl who saw the blonde cheerleader with unamused, and not eager to participate in the challenge.
"I don't know, what about you?" Gwen replied as Lindsay gulped, but gave the same weak smile.
"I can try, but I don't know if I could keep with the food," Lindsay said with hesitation, which made Gwen raise her eyebrow raised her.
"Okay, let me eat," Gwen said when she suddenly felt hugged by the blonde girl.
"Thank you," Lindsay said as both girls looked at DJ who was smiling nervously, and Owen was so eager to eat anything. "If you don't want to eat, or if the food is terrible, we can slow down and make you stop."
"You really don't want to eat this, do you?" Gwen asked amused as Lindsay gave a puppy look to the goth, which she rolled her eyes, but accepted. "Fine, I will stop if I don't like it."
And with the blonde cheerleader smiling at her, Gwen doesn't know if she should be annoyed or not. But it was a challenge and they had to compete.
At the time Chef came with the trays, the duos found a very unique culinary when it comes to Chef, the chicken was green, and there was a quiche and cheesecake... And Gwen was very hesitant to try to eat.
"Ohhh, cheesecake, and quiche," Lindsay said in a happy tone which caught the attention of the goth who seemed to find something surprising, the desserts seemed to be ordinary.
"Do you want to eat?" Gwen asked, hiding the hopeful tone from her voice, which Lindsay nodded her head eagerly.
"I just hope the yellow is just the usual flavor of it. So please, if it's... you know..." Lindsay was excited, but then a part of her voice cracked... Gwen had her eyes wide open on that tone, which she understood about one thing...
She didn't get over the pancakes...
"Just say it once and I will stop." Gwen could understand Lindsay's fear of food, the food challenges were always traumatic, and Trent really managed to break Lindsay somehow.
Lindsay sniffed but tried to contain herself.
"Thank you," Lindsay whispered as she got ready.
" Ooh! Delicious!" Owen commented as DJ looked at the food, from his point of view, the food looked well made, and since the last reward, every camper knew that Chef when he wanted to make good food, everyone would treat it as food that was brought by the paradise, since in comparison of the ordinary food from the military, it was indeed a hell and heaven situation.
"Doesn't the green chicken look strange to you?" DJ looked as he tried to guess if there was a kind of preparation that would make a chicken delicious but also with a different color.
"Mm, maybe it's lemon-lime chicken," Owen commented DJ had so much time cooking with his momma, and she always had interesting recipes to cook, from hearing a person who ate practically almost anything. He couldn't help but nod his head.
"It could be, but are you sure that you want to eat?" DJ asked and the big oaf laughed as he was slapping his belly with pride.
"I can feel my stomach full with all of this, so bring it in," Owen said happy as the others looked at Owen, and with a challenge like that, it would be kinda useless to try an eating contest with Owen...
And when it was time, Lindsay placed her hands behind her back while Gwen was pulled with one of her arms, the same could be said for Duncan who pulled his arms behind his back, almost making Heather fall from her place. Owen did the same, and if wasn't for the fact DJ was big and strong, he would have fallen from the pull of the chubby boy.
"Oh, this is going to be good," MacArthur commented, as she was enjoying her coffee time, while Sanders was even having some donuts to make the challenge more sweet.
"Want some sir?" Sanders asked Chris, who tapped the finger on his chin before nodding at his employee.
"Alright, you can start the challenge... Now." Chris gave the signal and the duos decided to see who could win the first part of the challenge.
And they started eating. Each of them was doing at their own speed, Heather was doing her best to make sure Duncan ate the fast as he could.
"C-ould we go a little slower?" Duncan said with his mouth full, as Heather raised her eyebrows...
"Well, if you see on your side..." Heather said Duncan turned his head and had his eyes wide open to see DJ at a fast speed, and Owen was with his mouth wide open as he seemed to be not even chewing... until Owen finally started chewing.
"Go Faster!" Owen said as DJ nodded his head and continued to move as fast as he could.
Duncan looked in disbelief, as he then narrowed his eyes.
"Oh, now is on." Duncan gulped his food and gave a nod to Heather who continued to go faster.
Gwen on the other hand was more strategic.
"One, two, three, four, five, open." Gwen gave the instructions as Lindsay opened her mouth and ate eating fast as she could. "Are you okay there?"
"The quiche and the cheesecake are good. Keep going." Lindsay said as she was grateful the food was good, and Gwen was going to a slower pace for her, even as she knew they couldn't eat, at least she was trying her best to be up from the challenge.
"Go faster!" Owen said as he demanded more food, and DJ wasn't being able to keep up with a spoon.
"Sorry momma, but I have to do this." And DJ did one thing that he knew would be unethical in a way to eat the food. And dropped the spoon and decided to use his hand to grab a lot of food and give it to Owen. Why was anti-etic? Because DJ didn't wash his hands for that.
"Now, we are going good," Owen said without caring about the idea of being fed by his partner's hand.
"Mm, I can't... I can't" Duncan who was trying to control his speed, but felt his throat almost choking, couldn't help anymore, and spat the food on the floor. "There is no way..."
"Good. I was almost done with spoon-feeding." Heather said as she was amused to see the delinquent boy looking at dirt from all the food he spilled on himself trying to keep up with the only camper who would eat his own weight in food. "That's what happens when you want to keep up with a human trash disposal."
"Noted," Duncan said as he didn't like the taste of the defeat, but trying to keep up with DJ and Owen was ridiculous.
"Ohh, I think I'm on my limit," Lindsay commented as she felt that her stomach wasn't keeping up with the speed, and that was the signal that Gwen stopped her arm.
"Are you sure?" Gwen asked as she was also feeling her arm tired, and from seeing Lindsay giving a final gulp, and looking dizzy, she decided to give a stop. "Alright, we couldn't do much."
"But it was fun," Lindsay commented, as she smiled at Gwen, who just blinked at the type of answer...even as terrible the challenges would be, she never thought that there were other campers, sans Owen that still enjoy challenges like that.
"Well, at least someone is still having fun on this show," Gwen commented as Lindsay tilted her head.
The duo watched Owen and DJ keep working together, until everything on the tray was cleaned, sans the bones of the chicken which was the signal that the duo just finished everything.
"The winners are... DJ and Owen!" Chris commented as both cadets clapped their hands, Owen was happy chewing the food, and DJ was feeling a bit disgusted from his hand covered with food. Making a person eat food by hand without washing the hands first really irked the poor gentle Jamaican giant.
As the duo seemed to be fine with themselves, DJ finally learned one terrible consequence of his actions, since the stomach of Owen started to rumble loudly which made DJ realize something terrible was about to come. And from the time Owen was farting... He gave a sheepish smile to DJ, which made the boy gulp...
(Confession - DJ)
"The things I saw in that bathroom, and the traumatic experience I had by helping on... that...nobody should suffer that, not even monsters who could lurk in the shadow, they didn't deserve to do what I did. That was the most disgusting experience I ever had..." DJ commented as he had cold sweat across his face, and stared at the sheepish Owen... He couldn't help but whimper. "Why didn't I wash my hands?"
"Did you wash your hands after we finished it?"Owen asked which made DJ who was with his hands on his face look in panic.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."
10 minutes later...
The duos saw Owen calmly tapping the back, of DJ who was trembling, and traumatized.
"We have a 7-11 situation in the bathroom. I repeat, we have a 7-11." Sanders commented which MacArthur tilted her head.
"Hey, I remember that one..." MacArthur commented until she blinked before narrowing her eyes."HEY. THAT JUST HAPPENED ONCE."
"I mean Owen and DJ," Sanders said the chubby cadet looked at DJ traumatized and Owen looking sheepish.
"Ohh... Trauma due to explosive bathroom break. Got it." MacArthur nodded her head, as both cadets were enjoying drinking coffee.
"I don't know why, but I'm so glad that I'm not his partner," Duncan commented as Heather felt a shiver on her spine and a huge relief in her heart.
"Yeah, me too," Heather said in reflex, as the duo watched Chris showing the key once more.
"Last chance for the tempting wimp key before part two!" Chris was giggling at the key the groups were staring at each other, and from the look of the traumatized DJ, they were expecting the giant to say something.
"I'm fine, I'm fine." DJ shook a bit of his head and concentrated on the now. "We won the first challenge, and I cannot back down now."
"So what's the challenge, Chris?" Duncan asked as he then saw Chris with his usual smirk on his face.
" On the beach, you will find three canoes. One for each team. Your challenge is to paddle your canoe while wearing handcuffs," Chris commented as he saw Heather's face getting pale and she was trembling in her place, which Duncan raised his eyebrows in surprise. And Chris was giving an evil chuckle. "All the way to Boney Island."
"OH HELL NO!" Heather shouted as the campers jumped away from the queen bee, as she was both infuriated but also trembling in panic. "I'm not going back there. No way."
"Relax," Chris said as he raised his arms. Knowing very well the reason why the queen bee was the most terrified of the group. "We didn't take anything from the island, which I wish I could have, but from seeing what happened at the climatic changes happening from having the curse for so long, it isn't worth the extra money we would pay for our equipment and for the health care. So the Island is with sunshine and there isn't a cloud in the sky."
And that was enough to make Heather's shoulders drop, and she recovered her breath.
"Heather, are you okay?" Then a voice was enough to make her snap from her panic, and from seeing on her side, there was Lindsay who was horrified from seeing her like that, and the other campers such as Owen and DJ looking at her in concern and even fear...
(Confession - Heather)
"Why Boney Island? Of all places, why there? Last time, it was an absolute nightmare. Freak weather, getting sick, and then Beth had to leave. And Ezekiel... we wouldn't have broken the curse without him. I owe him 2 favors because of that." Heather commented as she knew the terrible outcome of everything, but still, she had to go that far on the show, so she needed to recompose herself. "I don't think I'm ready to face that place again, but I don't have a choice. I just hope I can keep it together."
Heather raised her hand and took a few seconds... to recover her breath and calm the beatings of her heart.
"I- I'm fine, as long it's a sunshine on there..." Heather commented that Chris smiled at her, but then she narrowed her eyes. "I swear, if the sun was too much that it would make me sweat, I will return back to the camp..."
"You can use the key if you want..." Chris said as he showed the skull key, which Heather hesitated... But then gave a deep breath, and closed her eyes.
"Let's just go," Heather said to Duncan, who remained in silence but watched every single moment to notice all the signs she was having.
"Now. Go!" And with that, every single camper went excited by passing over Chris, who was just on the floor being stomped by every camper running in the direction of the boats.
"Alright, let's push this beauty, and let's go," Duncan said as he was pushing the canoe, while Heather was a bit hesitant to push...
"WOHOOOO," Owen said happily as DJ was also pushing which was followed by the last duo.
"Let's go, Gwen." Lindsay was excited, while Gwen rolled her eyes, but did the same thing. With that, the second challenge already started.
Heather and Duncan paddle through the water, with the distant outline of Boney Island looming ahead. Heather's strokes are hesitant and uncoordinated, causing the canoe to waver. Duncan notices and tries to pick up the slack, but it's clear they're struggling.
"Come on, Heather, we need to pick up the pace if we want to win this thing," Duncan said as he gritted his teeth, while he could see the queen Bee who was in front of him was trembling. "What's with you?"
Heather who was trembling, was feeling more and more like they were approaching the island, as her hands were trembling and her eyes were diminishing in tiny dots.
"I can't, I CAN'T, I JUST CAN'T, I CAN'T, I CAN'T," Heather said as she released the paddle above her lap her hands froze and she placed one of them on her face... She was palled as the delinquent could see that the girl was hyperventilating. And from that moment her hyperventilation became so much that she could only hear her heartbeats.
"Heather, Heather..." Duncan said as the words couldn't be reached in the queen bee's mind... But she couldn't hear him. Her eyes and her constant breath made the delinquent try to think about any ways to stop her... "Oh screw it."
Heather was still hyperventilating until she felt an arm crossing her shoulder, and a head over her... She then realized that she was being hugged by the delinquent who was with his eyes closed... And was giving deep breaths at that moment. Heather just started to feel the heartbeats and the slow breathing of the delinquent. And from that, Heather slowly felt her heartbeats diminish, and tried to follow the rhythm of the person behind her, as her fast breath was becoming slower, and slower... Until her eyes closed made her get herself back together.
"Thanks..." Heather commented as Duncan nodded his head at her... "How did you do that?"
"My aunt taught me how to deal with people with panic attacks, she told me there were times when some cases were so much that she needed to help the families of the victims to deal with this kind of terror and stress," Duncan commented as Heather was even releasing a few tears in terror. "Was it really that terrible?"
"It was awful, Duncan. We started off sweating like crazy because it was so hot. But the moment we got to the island, everything changed. A snowstorm hit us out of nowhere. We were freezing, soaking wet... and then it turned into a rainstorm with lightning. We even got chased by an albino version of the carnivore beavers." Heather explained, as Duncan remembered from Ezekiel, and when he told everyone about what happened. They got angry at him for being reckless... But it was the first time Duncan could be hearing from another's person perspective on how awful it was... "It was like Mother Nature wanted us gone. And Ezekiel... he was the only reason we made it. He knew about the tiki and how to break the curse. We were running out of time, and he managed to set up the altar and bonfire. We broke the curse, but what cost... We all got sick. Beth and I recovered..."
"While Ezekiel didn't..." Duncan said as he looked at the reflection of himself. "I gotta say it has been partially my fault, even as he said it wasn't, I did a prank war with him which instead of letting him recover, got to a point that he got pneumonia. And I think if he didn't have the sickness he would have stayed far longer than the others."
"Well, you tell me. I owe him 2 favors. And I'm afraid of what he is going to use for the future." Heather said as he could see Duncan rolling his eyes but also chuckling.
"Knowing him, he would ask you to help in some of his works," Duncan commented as he could see Heather scoffing.
"Yeah, he also told me about a unicorn made by Rainbow which only speaks my family's language," Heather said as Duncan snapped his fingers.
"Wait you speak Korean?" Duncan then realized what would be the other language Heather was talking about, since one character of Adventure Time where Harold was curious about why he chose Korean instead of Japanese, so having a camper being able to speak Korean would make it funny, especially if was the queen bee. "Because if you say so, I can't wait to hear Ezekiel using one of his favors and make you do something Lady Raincorn would do."
"Ugh, another one..." Heather said as she was feeling a migraine already.
"Hey, look on the bright side... We are almost there, and I don't see any ice, and neither a cloud... This time is going to be fine." Duncan said as Heather gave a small glance at the island... And from the comparison to before, it looked exactly like the first time they went there...
"I hope so..." Heather commented... The duo continued paddling.
"Ever since I was little, I've always felt like no one really listens to what I have to say. I'm a person who feels things deeply." Owen commented as he was paddling with DJ who had been in a conversation with him for a few minutes, and while the chubby boy had been a guy with a very great optimism, it was the first time Owen had brought the feelings he had about himself.
"Really? I wouldn't have guessed. You're always so upbeat, man." DJ commented in surprise since he was being honest about how much the big man never seemed to be upset. He always was the person who would be optimist about everything.
"Yeah, that's what everyone sees. The happy-go-lucky guy who's always ready for a joke or a snack. But inside, sometimes it feels like I'm screaming and no one hears me." Owen commented as he continued paddling sadly, as the giant with a gold heart could comprehend many things happening around him. "I mean, I love to be happy, and I love to be cheerful, but I felt like any second I could screw up, and then mess up badly... Well, more badly than before."
DJ could understand what the person was saying since he was aware of one incident that had been marked around him which he wasn't there, but from how the victim was on that night, it wouldn't need to be a genius to understand what he was talking about.
"You are refiring about Izzy, right?" DJ asked as Owen nodded his head, as the awkward silence was the answer to the question made by DJ. "I'm not going to lie, that night Izzy cracked in a way that I and my friends never thought to see Izzy in such a way, and she said she was a former Killer Bass for at least a few hours, so it was enough to convince me she was part of my team, and as a good teammate, I have to tell... You screwed up, very very very badly."
"I know," Owen said as he felt guilty as he continued paddling towards the direction of the horizon. "But I was really scared, what option I could have done in the time I needed to run?"
"Do what Courage would have done," DJ said firmly as Owen tilted his head at him.
"Courage?" Owen asked as he tilted his head. Which DJ nodded his head firmly.
"Yeah, Courage, he was a pink coward beagle, and even in moments of immense fear, when he found monsters, assassins, or even people to hurt him or his family, he would have done the most basic of instructions of being a coward... He would have carried the person he loves, and run away with them and not let them be caught or killed by the monster." DJ said firmly, as he understood that while being a Coward, in all the stories, as much he hated Eustace and loved Muriel, he always would have carried both of them on his arms and back, and would have run away with them. "Your mistake has been pushing a girl you liked in front of Chef. Nobody would have blamed you for being a Coward, but at could at least carried Izzy and run away from Chef instead of pushing her, that was a low blow, and I have to say, Owen, I never thought to see Izzy cry... Whatever thoughts or ideas you had about you and her, it's over, my momma always said one thing that I will have always in my heart. When you make a woman you love cry by a mistake you made on purpose, you can even hook up with her again, but the love she had for you? Will never be the same, so it would be best if you run with a tail between your legs, take your big man pants, and learn from your mistake."
Owen was in shock, as he flinched from the words said by a person who was one of the kindest hearts when it came to the island, and yet his words had hit Owen on the stomach, harder than a burrito with expired hot sauce. Owen dropped his head and decided to continue paddling, while DJ decided to be serious around some point.
The awkward silence had been so much, that Owen couldn't help but muse loudly.
"Wow, your mom is really wise," Owen commented as DJ nodded his head at him.
"The wisest person I know. Her lessons have been helping me so much in dealing with the problems around the island, and I'm proud to learn everything from her." DJ said as he gave a nostalgic smile, and Owen nodded his head at him.
"Yeah, and her food, oh my God, I never thought I would have loved Caribean food so much," Owen commented as he could hear his stomach humbling from desiring another go into Jamaican cuisine, but then he remembered one thing. "It must have been hard for you to not win the challenge where your mom is in..."
"Yes it was, but one thing that hurt me much more was the disappointing look she had on her face," DJ commented as he shed a tear on how that look was indeed hurtful for the kind brick wall, he felt that on that day he had failed so much for his momma, that he felt he deserved to eat the punishment food.
"I have to confess that at the time your mom came to the island, it made me wonder about my parents, how are they," Owen commented as DJ gave a look around, and even around his own reflection on the water. "Sometimes I wonder if they are missing me."
DJ felt even more conflict, as he had seen seeing in a situation that he never thought of before... when it was him and his momma, he always felt that he was the only family they had, he never met his cousins in Jamaica, and he wished to bring take his momma to Jamaica... It was one of the main reasons he wanted the 100 thousand dollars, but the pressure of the show had been so much, and the homesickness and the worry he had over his momma was so much... That he isn't sure if he still has the strength to keep up... He missed her, oh God how much he missed her.
"DJ, are you okay?" Owen asked which made the brick wall snap from his thoughts. "You are crying."
"Huh?" DJ hummed as he touched his face, and he realized that it was indeed true, as his body and heart were releasing all the tears that he had been holding without realizing... "I... I don't know... Let's keep focus on the challenge. We are almost on the island."
"Okay, if you say so..." Owen commented as he wasn't sure what just happened, and the duo continued to paddle in the direction of Boney Island.
The trip across the water had been in unsettling silence, and while Gwen would find it easily a good way to have a moment of silence, she felt curious about seeing Lindsay being one of the people who didn't want to talk in the middle of the challenge.
And from the speed at which both girls were paddling, Gwen knew that she might regret commenting.
"You are very silent," Gwen asked which startled Lindsay so much that she jumped on her place. Which made almost both goth and cheerleader lose their balance around the canoe. "Sorry."
"No, it's alright," Lindsay commented as she gave a glance towards the direction they were going. "It's because I'm just thinking too much."
Gwen raised her eyebrows, as she took a few seconds to process it...
"Try to not fry your brain while doing it," Gwen made a sarcastic remark, which Lindsay blinked for a few seconds, and then gave a deep breath to place her head on the water which almost made the goth lose her balance again. And when she returned with her wet hair and face. Gwen learned that she may not want to make sarcastic remarks around Lindsay again.
"Thank you, I think this actually helped," Lindsay said with a smile, which made Gwen try to say something. But decided to ignore.
"You're welcome," Gwen replied as she could see that the girl still looked in conflict as the duo continued to paddle in the direction of the challenge. "Just speak your mind already."
"Oh, well... It's Heather." Lindsay commented as Gwen rolled her eyes as she knew what probably since the duo had been united during almost the whole show. "I never saw Heather in that way when Chris said we are going to Boney Island again."
Gwen remained quiet, as she usually could understand why the girl was in concern about her friend.
"You two are really close," Gwen commented as she could see Lindsay nodding at her. "It's actually surprising, that she was a jerk at the beginning of the show, but she always warms up and has patience with you."
"Oh yes, I think that since the time we formed the alliance, Beth and Heather became my best friends," Lindsay said happily as she was always happy to talk about them. Which made her realize one more thing. "Ah, and Izzy, she scared me first but then she was really smart, when I thought I couldn't understand a thing, she always would explain to me in a few words in a way I could understand. So she is also a new friend to me. I'm just a bit sad that she had to leave."
Gwen remained quiet, and from the way the girl was at the end of the challenge, both Lindsay and Izzy were the ones who were caught most in the episode. Especially with Eva protecting Lindsay during the night.
"She had her reasons, and nobody could blame her for it," Gwen said as Lindsay gave a weak smile. "To be honest I never thought a cheerleader, a farmer, a queen bee, and a crazy girl (military genius) would have become a circle of friends."
"Well, I like to make friends with everyone," Lindsay said proud of herself, as even commented something about what happened. "Even though I know that I may never be able to read a book, or try to remember other people's names, it takes a long time for me to do that."
"Well, maybe you didn't find the right book to read," Gwen said as she commented about the blonde girl having maybe an interest, but then she saw Lindsay shaking her head.
"That's not it. My parents and my teachers always said this happening to me since I was a child, letters go right to left, and left to right." Lindsay commented as she then made Gwen had her eyes wide open in surprise. "Sometimes I had to take 10 minutes to write something with the right letters. And if wasn't for my classmates I would have bombed on class many times."
Gwen listened to the explanation made by the cheerleader and the last sentence suddenly took the goth by surprise.
"Wait..."Gwen was calm as she then looked at Lindsay as if something happened in her mind. "You..."
(Confession - Heather.)
"Lindsay had Dyslexia for a good part of her childhood," The queen bee was in front of the confession booth as she was still distressed from her trip to Boney Island. "It didn't take long for I and Izzy discover when she told us her symptoms, and I have to say that I was so surprised that even as the girl looked airhead most of the time, she didn't show most of the other symptoms which would be coordination and singing a song. But it must have been really hard for her to keep on the school with that baggage."
Heather just shrugged, as she looked at the camera.
"She may have problems remembering names, so give a bone for her. She has gone further than most of the campers on this show." Heather said as she looked at her own explanation. "Maybe that's why Izzy always found an easier way to explain things to Lindsay."
"I'm so sorry. I didn't know," Gwen said as Lindsay tilted her head.
"Why are you feeling sorry? It's just a thing I have since as a kid. And while I can't read a book, my dad always read books for me when I was a child. And I always loved him telling me a story." Lindsay commented, that even as difficult as she was for her family and friends, she was happy that her father read for her. "He always made CDs of him reading me a good book, which made me love some good ones."
"Huh, that's very nice of your father, what books did he read for you?" Gwen asked as she imagined that Lindsay would come for fairy tales, which she didn't expect what Lindsay would say next.
"Murder on the Orient Express, The Hound of Barkersvile, a Study in Scarlet," Lindsay commented as Gwen had her mouth dropped. "I always love a good mystery case. And Murder on the Orient Express has always been my favorite. Since I took almost the end of the story to find out who were the culprits."
"You found out?" Gwen asked as she blinked... "How?"
"Oh, my daddy asked the same thing. And then I told him my whole plan while using a cane, a pillow, gunpowder, and makeup, and my daddy told me that the idea was so crazy, so stupid... That it just might work." Lindsay said as the goth never thought of seeing another face of the blonde girl before...
A girl that even as she seemed airhead and stereotypical, always had a good heart, and possibly had difficulties like everyone and yet found herself to adapt her problems into being herself...
"Okay, tell me your crazy plan," Gwen asked amused as the girls seemed to be approaching the boney island.
(Confession - Gwen.)
Gwen blinked at the confession both, as she stared weirdly at the camera...
"Her father was right... It was so stupid and so crazy, that it would have worked so fine." Gwen said as she couldn't believe how the little things that Lindsay knew, the fact she thinks outside the box... Could be very clever in the way she acts. "She is a good girl."
At the time Heather and Duncan reached the sand, Heather took a deep breath and checked that it was indeed the same island before the curse happened. So the relief crossing her heart was enough to make her feeling more calm around the challenge.
"See? It's fine, there isn't a curse." Duncan said as the duo took the backpack and decided to open, it to reveal a map on it.
At that time the duo heard the sound of a helicopter approaching them, which showed nobody other than Chris was already in there.
"Welcome to the second part of the second challenge!" Chris commented across a helicopter as the duo opened the map of the island, and on the said map, there was a mark in X in one of the spots over the map. "This time there will be a challenge of resistance since it's a race towards the beach where the bonfire challenge on episode 8. And oh yeah! One of you has to piggyback the other!"
"Oh, you gotta be kidding me." Heather narrowed her eyes, as she then saw Duncan crouching.
"Just shut up and let's go," Duncan commented as the queen bee raised her eyebrows at him. The delinquent rolled his eyes. "Do you want to lose the challenge?"
"Of course not. Let's go before this place gives me nightmares, again." Heather said as she went above Duncan and the duo started to run...
While the duo went ahead, Gwen and Lindsay, and DJ and Owen also heard the explanation given by the host of the show, and they had to think about it...
"Let's go Big Guy," Owen said as he was happy to help his teammate, but then he started to regret it since the big weight was enough for him to almost go down. But taking a few seconds, he got the right position and started walking. "Let's go Wohooooo."
Lindsay and Gwen looked at each other, and Gwen just smiled and pulled Lindsay behind her back, which the duo smiled and started walking in the direction of where the challenge had led them in the first place.
.
.
.
Thankfully for everyone, Chris seemed to have been taking it easy for them, since the direction of the map was in a different type, and had more shortcuts than the first time, since it had been a whole chaos.
"Be careful with those freaking bees. If you see any one of them, just tell me and we run faster." Duncan commented as Heather nodded her head, while she had no idea what he was talking about.
"I didn't find a beaver until now, neither grizzle nor albino. So that's good, really good." Heather commented as the duo went to check every single detail, Heather's sweat was even watering on Duncan's back, but he didn't complain, since that place indeed was giving himself creeps.
It's never too much to be careful on that island.
.
.
.
"Okay I think we are almost there," DJ commented as the duo seemed to be crossing the woods, until suddenly the sound of wood being chopped and then the sound of wood falling in front of them. "Oh no..."
Owen was feeling exhausted, but then his entire face got palled as he heard a familiar sound, and when the big man turned to see beavers about their size, staring angrily at him, Owen almost fainted. "What we are going to do?"
"LIKE COURAGE ALWAYS DOES," DJ said as he got from the back of the giant. And took Owen from the floor, raised over his head, and did what he had to do. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
And with the beavers running after them, DJ carried Owen, not leaving him behind. Like an honest Courageous Coward would do.
"THAT'S HOW YOU SHOULD RUN FROM FEAR OWEN,"DJ shouted as the big man was almost crying in fear.
"OKAY, THANK YOU FOR THE LESSON," Owen said as they both panicked when the beavers ran after them.
.
.
.
"So this is the place where you and Trent almost fell on quicksand?" Gwen commented as she slowly walked around the dangerous trap that Chris would be enjoying for their torment.
"Yes, Boby even went to a tree to use a vine to save us, he was my hero," Lindsay commented as Gwen listened with a thought on her mind.
"Boby, boby, boby... Cody?"Gwen asked as the blonde girl gave a gasp, which confirmed the name that Lindsay remembered at that moment. "Okay, that's good for him to save you. And thanks for telling me about the quicksand."
"You're welcome," Lindsay said with a smile, as Gwen passed a few moments alone as the duo continued walking...
"Hey Lindsay," Gwen called the attention of the blonde girl as she looked at her. "I'm curious since you like mystery stories, I'm curious to know what mystery movies you like."
"Well I always liked stories where I was caught by surprise, so the Unusual Suspects, The Pink Panther movie, and Ace Ventura," Lindsay commented as Gwen had her eyes opened in surprise, from seeing Pink Panther and Ace Ventura she could understand, but Unusual Suspects? It showed that indeed she liked the genre. "Also, my daddy said I'm too smart for my own good in movies since I destroyed his favorite movie..."
"Oh, that's fine Lindsay, maybe you could buy another one for him," Gwen said as she could see her new friend sniffing in sadness.
"No, it's not that, I destroyed everything he liked on his favorite movie," Lindsay said as she noticed Gwen pausing and looking at Lindsay. "I just don't know why people liked Indiana Jones and Raiders of Lost Arc. The man with the hat and whip even if wasn't part of the movie, the bad german nazis would have found the arc, taken to the island, open it up, and all die. Just like the way it happened when he appeared."
Gwen stopped and opened and closed her mouth many times as suddenly she realized what Lindsay had said...
(Confession - Chris)
Chris looked astonished, staring at the camera without a good smirk, as his look was nothing more than terrified, and in a broken state, Chris pulled his hair.
"*BEEP* THAT'S TRUE. *BEEP*. HOLYWOOD, WHY DID YOU LIE TO ME?" Chris shouted as he cried to the skies about one point that he never thought of before. A movie that it had been a national treasure for many fans, and with just a review, it destroyed the favorite movie of many fans. "One of my favorite movies... destroyed, with a single sentence."
Chris doesn't know if he should be angry with Lindsay for destroying his favorite movie, or laugh about his lament on how stupid he was to never find out something so simple.
"I beat 10 dollars that my brother is freaking out right now," Gwen commented as Lindsay stared confused at her. "Nothing, let's just finish the challenge."
"Alright." Lindsay smiled, not realizing that her innocent smile was what caused the broken dreams of many movie lovers from the most iconic archeologist in the world.
The Pandora box was just opened.
.
.
.
After the duos were running towards the beach, Duncan and Heather were the first duo to reach the beach, and Chris was there... staring at the nothing.
"Er... Chris?" Duncan asked as Heather noticed the hair from the host was messed up, which immediately shook and tried to compose himself.
"Ah, Duncan and Heather. It seems that we have the winners of the second challenge." Chris commented as Heather had to raise her eyebrows.
"Are you crying?" Heather asked which the host cleaned up his face, and gave them both a smirk.
"No. Why did you say that? I'm just fine." Chris commented as he was still smiling. "And I will take out your point if you continue asking.
Duncan and Heather looked at each other and raised both their arms.
The next second, Gwen and Lindsay reached the beach which Chris had to cough on his hand to make sure to not scream to not show how outraged he was.
"And for our next duo, Lindsay and Gwen," Chris said as he immediately raised his hand. "And if any of you say something, I will eliminate both of you on the spot. Got it?"
Gwen dropped down her hand, as the next 10 minutes of silence, and Chris was using a hairdryer and water to fix his hair, which thankfully was ready to see DJ and Owen.
"And the winners of the first phase of the challenge got the last place on this one... What happened to you boys?" Chris commented as he managed to recover from his meltdown and was able to continue the rest of the show. And from the other campers who stared at the outbreak Owen and DJ it seemed something big happened.
"Beavers, giant beavers..." Owen said as Heather shivered from hearing the animal which made her remember the albine version of them. "We ran far away from them."
"Oh that's good," Heather commented as the others looked at her. "Don't ask, just... don't ask."
Lindsay looked worried, but Chris decided to shake his head.
"Never mind. Now that everyone is here. Let's prepare for the final challenge. Sit on your tables." Chris commented as DJ and Owen, Duncan and Heather, Lindsay and Gwen decided to choose which table they were sitting at, and above the tables there were some lumps covered with a fuchsia fabric on it.
"And now for the last challenge of today." Chris went back to his usual person and smirked as he pulled a fabric in front of Owen and DJ.
"Ahhhhhhh." Both DJ and Owen screamed in surprise from seeing what would be heads above the table, while Heather and Duncan looked in surprise at them.
"Relax, they are just made of wood," Duncan commented as the duo looked at Chris.
"The totem pole of shame and humiliation," Chris commented as he decided to explain the rules the camera showed a display video from the complete totem since it was taken after the challenge was over. "Your task? Assemble the heads in the order in which your comrades were voted out. Unless you want the wimp key! Time for heads to roll!"
And with that, Chris used a whistle which made the duos finally work together for the last challenge.
DJ was looking around over the heads as Owen just gave a slight glance towards the wooden sculped Justin.
"Nice guy, Justin. Look! Even his wood carving of him is smoking hot!" Owen commented DJ just paused and looked at Owen who didn't realize what he just said. "I mean, it's a good carving! His features are so chiseled." DJ continued staring at him. "I mean, someone chiseled them really well!"
Owen continued chuckling nervously...
"Owen, can you do me a favor?" DJ calmly commented which made the big guy nod his head at him. "When you are about to find out that you said something wrong, don't keep digging yourself down, just drop it and don't justify yourself, it makes yourself look even worse."
"I will do that," Owen said as he nodded quickly at DJ who was looking at the heads on the table. "And thank you for not judging me."
"It's fine, we can say something wrong sometimes, it's just not to keep insisting. It never helps." DJ gave a slight lesson and Owen nodded his head, even as lovable as he can be, he couldn't help himself. "Sadie, then Eva, then Tyler..."
"Wow, you got these already?" Owen asked in surprise, and DJ nodded his head at him.
"Yes, one time, Courtney just wanted us to remember that our work always reached the point of the sacrifice of the others, so we always would put an order on who was eliminated first from the Killer Bass," DJ commented as he, Duncan, Gwen and a few other members of the Killer Bass always had to update which were one who was eliminated... Since their names were on the Killer Bass flag, they used it not only to pride but to remember how far their friends reached in the game.
"Noah is the base," Heather commented as Duncan nodded his head at her, and with Noah being the first head, she still had a bit of a sadistic smile from making that loser to lose control and make himself eliminated so easily.
"Sadie was eliminated on the wake-a-thon," Duncan said as he placed the chubby Asian girl above the bookworm wood head.
"Justin whined a lot on the dodgebraw, he was a model that he was so afraid to hurt himself, that it's disgusting to see." Heather looked disgusted as she placed the head above the chubby girl.
"Eva when she broke her leg by saving Courtney, and Tyler for being the first member of the team to say our Condor," Duncan said as he made Heather raise her eyebrow at him.
"Aren't you going to eliminate yourself for saying that?" Heather commented and the delinquent rolled his eyes.
"Nice try, but you are not going to eliminate me like that, you can only use this word as a way when you really mean it. We are not stupid." Duncan said as he placed the heads above the order.
"Hmmm... Drat, and here I thought I could eliminate you."Heather joked as Duncan looked around and found a head which he clearly saw a face that he missed so much...
And grabbing his trusted knife there was something he needed to do.
"So who was after Bo...I mean Cody?" Lindsay tried to focus while Gwen was separating the heads for the order where she remembered from the flag, she placed the Killer Bass from left to right, Sadie, Eva, Tyler, Ezekiel, Katie, Harold, Bridgette, Geoff, Courtney and Eva. While a part of her was trying to figure out the order of the Screaming Gophers.
But there was one person who she knew who was before the next member of the Killer Bass, and the first pillar going down...
"It's that one," Gwen commented as Lindsay gave a look, and then she had her eyes wide open and then her face went sad at seeing one person that she knew she missed at that moment.
"Beth," Lindsay said as she tried to remain calm and not cry. But then seeing the other duo, Heather and Duncan still working, she gave a serious face. "Hey Heather, Beth's after Cody."
"Why did you do that?" Gwen asked in disbelief as Lindsay pointed in the direction of the other team, while Duncan was holding Courtney's head, Heather was holding the said head which Lindsay had said. Heather passed a few seconds alone, and it went even faster to collect all the remaining heads and went back to pile the totem even faster.
"Because it was her sacrifice that made both me and Heather reach until now," Lindsay commented as she looked at the head of her best friend. "Even as people could see it, she is our best friend, and it was because of her, that she made all your team lose so many times."
Gwen had her eyes wide open. As Lindsay didn't stop.
"We know that after her, Zeca was the next one, which after him, the Killer Bass lost member after member, and while that's sad that happened to him... It was because of the sacrifice of Beth that she managed to take you all down, and it's because of her that I and Heather will reach the final three." Lindsay said as she managed to grab more heads, and her eyes looked more alive than ever, even as she had tears in her eyes. "We are going to reach the final three, for her. NOW LET'S GO."
And for the first time, Gwen decided to grab more heads and continue to pile more heads.
"Let's see what our other team is up to. What's this?" Chris said as he managed to find something around one of the wood heads. At that moment Duncan saw it and acted in anxiety.
"Don't!" Duncan said as Chris looked at him in disbelief and started to chuckle because on Courtney's wood head, there was a mark carved indicating the letters D+C, and around there was a heart on it... Chris started to chuckle louder and Duncan scoffed angrily. "It's not funny, man."
"Most guys kiss girls they like. Dude carves her head. Mr. Tough ain't so tough." Chris decided to make fun of Duncan Duncan gritted his teeth while he was about to punch the host, but without a warning, Eva's head went directly into Chris's face, which made the host get knocked out, and Duncan slowly turned his head to Heather.
"Huh, look at that, Eva can hurt people even after leaving the show, curious," Heather said in an amused tone, which Duncan smirked at her. "Now give me your girlfriend's head, and let's be done with it. I hate this place."
"You don't have to tell me twice," Duncan said as he smiled at the girl who while she was a bitch sometimes, could give respect to someone who was willing to hurt the jerk McLean anytime.
DJ and Owen were trying their best to remember if Justin or Noah was the first person across the elimination. Since it had been so many weeks, that they couldn't remember the order of the Screaming Gophers, while the Killer Bass the order was right. And sadly for both of them, neither could find a good start... So in the challenge, Justin was the first and then the order went a bit confused, from mixing Cody, Beth, and then Izzy, and when the duo seemed to be almost on the Courtney... Owen just realized one thing.
"Oh no. I think Noah was the first one." Owen said as DJ paused, and then made a slight nervous smile... "It seems that we cannot win today."
"It's fine Owen... we tried our best." DJ gave a slight smile, but he couldn't help it. It was like he was not just telling the big oaf... but also to himself. "I'm going to take a shower when we get back to camp."
"Yeah, I think I would like to eat something. Do you think Chef still has the food of this morning?" Owen smiled and DJ shrugged...
"I don't know, but hey, it was a good day," DJ said as he concluded, and from seeing the other team's totem pole, Lindsay and Gwen almost went to the top while having 3 more to go, but Duncan and Heather...
"We have a wiener! Hathun and Dender take it!" Chris said as he was disoriented, and with his head spinning, as the other duos looked at Heather's and Duncan's pole and there it was, a totem pole of all the members, done correctly, (Noah, Sadie, Justin, Leshawna, Eva, Tyler, Izzy, Cody, Beth, Ezekiel, Katie, Harold, Trent, Bridgette, Geoff, Courtney, Eva again, And Izzy, again..., all in the order like the host said on the start of the show). Lindsay clapped happily as the queen bee won the challenge, and Gwen nodded her head at Duncan who was smirking. "That means they have immunity to the challenge."
"Well, that was fun," Gwen commented as she smiled with Lindsay as Owen and DJ also clapped for the duo who won the immunity and reached the final 5.
(Aquarium)
As the look around the cave seemed in complete silence, DJ alone was on his hot tub, musing around every single moment that he passed across the whole show, knowing that soon would be the time for the votation for the next camper being out of the show... And while Duncan and Gwen were somewhere around their cabin or doing their preparations, the giant was alone, staring at the place that usually had been a good spot for everyone to pass their time together, but each time it gets more and more empty...
DJ looked at Eva's trailer which was the prize that she gave her best to own it fairly and square, and then he glanced at the flag... With each member of his team who had sighed across the challenge, and on their side, there was a number of when each of them was eliminated...
And passing a few minutes alone around the Aquarium... DJ came to pass the rest of the time, staring at the flag, thinking about his decision on who he should vote for... Until he finally made a decision.
(Campfire)
Night had once again fallen on the crappy summer camp as the bonfire was burning bright, the cadets were already in their positions to make sure that everything would be smooth for the elimination. And all the six campers were sitting on a stump.
Just then, Chris walked up to his usual spot behind the metal barrel, in his hand was a plate of only 4 marshmallows.
"You've all cast your votes and made your decision." As usual, Chris explained the rules for every single camper who was ready for the elimination. "The camper who does not receive a marshmallow tonight must immediately return to the Dock of Shame to catch the Boat of Losers. That means you're out of the contest. And you can't come back. Ever."
For the first time, nobody knows how the votation went since Duncan and Gwen talked over themselves, however, DJ didn't seem to have talked about who he had voted for. It was 3 Killer Bass and 3 Screaming Gophers, and each of them had one person that they could vote off from the remaining camp, while the other 2 members would use their votes to protect and save them.
"The first marshmallow goes to… Gwen," Chris said as he launched the marshmallow for the goth girl, and staring at the remaining campers, she wasn't sure who could be saved. "Three campers are left, but only two marshmallows. The next marshmallow goes to... Lindsay,"
And Chris launched the other marshmallow which the blonde girl felt happy for continuing on the show, and with only two campers left... Duncan and Heather glanced at each other.
"So it's a tie then? Knowing that we have 3 votes on Owen and 3 on DJ." Duncan said as he rolled his eyes, but then one thing caught the attention of the delinquent.
"It's not a tie," DJ said with so much assurance that Duncan palled at what his friend had said.
"Please don't tell me," Duncan said in disbelief as Gwen looked at the Jamaican in shock.
"And it seems that I won't need to create more suspense around this issue... The final marshmallow goes to Owen." At that moment Chris said that Heather, Lindsay and even Owen were in shock as DJ glanced at the camera.
(Confession - DJ)
"I didn't vote for me... I voted for Lindsay because I knew that she would have fewer votes than me and Owen... I knew it wouldn't be a tie if I did something, and that's what I did." DJ commented as looked at the camera, and gave a happy smile.
And just like that, the duo Duncan and Gwen were in shock, as DJ smiled and gave both his friends a hug... and from his baggage he was feeling ready, even as his backpack there was a bunny who was also munching a little carrot as it was also leaving the show with his owner and friend. Even though his friends couldn't believe it, they had to accept it, his friend decided to leave the show, just like all the others.
It was a very harsh way to say goodbye, but they knew sooner or later the gentle giant would have to leave.
And at the boat... DJ sat as he was petting his bunny.
"Sometimes I wondered how I managed to get that far, even as many challenges it had brought the best of me and also my worst qualities. In the end, I could say that... I know that I made my momma proud. And from the boy who just got inside of this show, I felt like I grew up so much on this show." DJ commented as he smiled warmly from relief, as he felt that his soul was freed with good thoughts in his mind. "I never cheated, I never hurt someone, and I lived up to the times of courage that I never thought I would have. And I can have to say, to quote my hero, the pink beagle Courage. The things I do for love... I voted myself off because I love my momma, I love my friends, and I love myself, and I think it was my time to leave because I lived up to the name of a Coward who became courageous... I will meet you all later, Duncan, Gwen, Lindsay, Heather, and Owen. Good luck..."
And with that, the episode ended... with what would be another bittersweet ending for many people... But with a satisfying conclusion for a Jamaican who knew that his momma would be proud of him.
Maybe he lived up to the name of Courage the Cowardly Dog after all. And when he got far away from the island. He couldn't also quote his hero one more word.
"YES." The Jamaican brick wall raised his arms as he cheered just like his friend quote Courage... And with that many viewers couldn't help but giggle from that final scene as the episode ended.
(Play Del Losers)
"Please." Izzy insisted.
"NO," Ezekiel shouted as he looked impatient and very angry.
"Come on Ezekiel, you are being unreasonable," Noah commented as he pointed out one of the drawings he had over the sketch.
"What's wrong with Water Hazard, he is awesome," Ezekiel said but both his friends couldn't agree with him.
"Yes, but he is overpowered, he is one alien that would have way too much power, and from what you told me, you were planning to do versions of Ben where he is older and more experienced. So it would be good for him to appear later on." Noah explained as Ezekiel knew what he was talking about.
"I know, I know. Ben is 10 years old, and he needs to have equilibrium on power balance and weakness. But why are you insisting on Ripjaws?" Ezekiel commented as Izzy was happy with the drawing sketch of the aquatic fish alien which was able to eat metal. "It's just a sketch of him and wasn't even a very interesting alien."
"Ah come on Zeke, look at him, it's a fish which can destroy any kind of metal, and being on water and having weakness of being outside water like any fish," Izzy said as she was giving puppy eyes dog at him, but Ezekiel was deadpanning towards that.
"He was a prototype of something far more greater than that, and that weakness is terrible, most of the adventure and lore around the book will be on Earth, and I want an alien to control water. To be useful, and crushing metal while it happens to be interesting with teeth, Four Arms it's so strong that it can rip robots apart and even punch toward metal from how strong he was, and Diamondhead also can cut metal because of his sharp diamond body." Ezekiel pointed out the most things that he didn't find of the alien useful, which made Ezekiel really angry about his friends insisting on the idea of a mermaid alien having legs and having a terrible weakness of dehydration being like that.
"Then why don't you just modify him? Like a more believable version of him without being overpowered like Water Hazard as you said." Noah commented as Ezekiel was slamming his head on the wall, and while he wanted to point it out, Noah sighed and decided to comment again. "I know that your lore made Ripjaws more like a Neanderthal version of an aquatic type civilization, so why not make his physiology like a fish which is also able to breathe outside of water in a more natural way? Like a mudskipper?"
Ezekiel paused to slam his head on the wall, as Izzy looked eager about it.
"Ohhh, I like this idea, make him absorb oxygen from the water and place it over his lungs, and with the time he passes outside of the water, with each attack he gets, the water from his lungs would be absorbed and he would need to recharge... And as time he gets older or used way more frequently... He would need less oxygen and he would have more time outside of the water." Izzy said as she was giving ideas for the redesign. "Also since he is a very old specimen as you said... you could make his fish scales able to absorb water and redirect the water to his lungs and separate the oxygen from the water."
Ezekiel remained in silence... as he looked at both his friends who were debating ideas... They had been arguing about Ripjaws for a whole hour, and Ezekiel wanted so much to break anything on that point... But at that time he was just too tired.
"Fine, I will redesign him to make him on the original cast of the book," Ezekiel said as he sat on the couch, ironically he couldn't escape from the original design of the Ben 10 drawings, and he regretted making the sketches of all the aliens from the first season. "Just know that I'm doing this against my will, and I blame you two for that."
Izzy cheered while Noah rolled his eyes, knowing that a book should be good and interesting for everyone, and knowing that he was interested in what his friend would elaborate on the one generation one shot he had in mind.
"But I will also make it modifications in a way I want." Ezekiel then decided to make sure to himself... if people wanted Ripjaw, then he was going to make his own version of Ripjaws. "You want an alien with balance and weakness? Alright, I will give you that, but now I want you two to give me the best 10 ideas you have about powers and weaknesses to modify more Ripjaws, I will use your concept of this way Noah, but now I want more. So give me more."
At that time, the trio decided to brainstorm a better way to make Ripjaws loyal to his design, but also make him fulfill his purpose of neanderthal Fishman who not only crushes metal, and swims, but also does something more.
Chapter 36: Playa Del Losers Shenanigan's 2
Chapter Text
Sadie was thrilled for the afternoon, having spent most of her day eagerly preparing herself to watch the newest episode of the show, since the days of the challenge were the ones which would make the campers reunite and enjoy a good time to see their friends reaching at the final 6, now she was getting excited to see who was going to be the final 5 campers. Harold as the good friend he was, made Sadie feel really happy with the wavy ponytail he did on her, instead of her iconic usual 2 ponytails, the nerd who had spent good hours taking care of the hair of all the girls on the island, managed to make sure that it would be looking great into each girl. And with a new hairstyle on her head, she was ready to do an amazing job.
After finishing her workout, she decided to reward herself with some homemade ice cream. But this wasn't just any ice cream; she was making it from scratch, eager to create enough for herself and her best friend, Katie who was sharing a few sweet moments with her boyfriend, leaning against the counter as they whispered and laughed together, Katie also got a new revamp on her usual hairstyle, since Harold wanted both girls to have more personality to each of them, he made a long butterfly haircut on her since it fit her long black hair which was disguised in two ponytails. Cody was a happy man when he found out another way to love his girl, but since the duo were having fun in the kitchen he got curious, and couldn't help but to ask Sadie one important question.
"Hey, Sadie, are you sure you know how to make ice cream?" Cody asked, looking at the big-boned with muscles who was placing the ingredients in the blender. And Cody by checking which some that felt strange for him he couldn't help but ask.
"Absolutely! It's actually pretty easy once you get the hang of it." Sadie looked up with a grin since she was doing great by using all her experience to make ice cream. "Plus, it's way more fun than just buying it from the store. And also nobody from my family, and even Katie's family complained about my ice cream."
Katie, overhearing their conversation, turned away from her boyfriend and joined them.
"You should've seen her during our school trip fundraiser. She made these amazing ice cream sandwiches that everyone loved." Katie said as she remembered the days they were doing their best to have enough money for the school trip. "We needed money for a school trip, and Sadie came up with the idea to sell ice cream sandwiches. They were a huge hit! We sold out and made enough money for the entire trip."
"It wasn't just me. Katie sewed these adorable chef hats and aprons for us to wear. They caught everyone's attention and made our stand look super professional." Sadie laughed, shaking her head. As even they were a few years younger, she always would say that if wasn't for the help of her best friend and sister of another mother, she wouldn't have done it.
"It was definitely a team effort." Katie blushed, nudging Sadie playfully.
"Sounds like you two make a great team. So, what flavor are you making today?" Cody asked as he was chuckling from the iconic duo still doing the same thing, they always would try to say good things of each other, sometimes it gets tiring, but sometimes it was fun to see them telling a good story. And he was intrigued to see what the Asian twin would be doing.
"I was thinking of making vanilla with chocolate chip mix-ins. It's simple, but you can never go wrong with it." Sadie commented as she shrugged, and Cody nodded his head in understanding. "Also yesterday I left in the freezer a tub of my special salted caramel coconut ice cream."
"Ohhhhhhh, it has been years since I had one," Katie said eagerly as she was already going to the freezer to take the tub which was written Sadie with hearts on it. "Ahhhh, I can't wait to take it a spoon."
"Wow, is that good?" Cody asked as he saw Katie bringing a small bowl for the geek to have a taste of it... And by shrugging his arms he decided to give it a try, and oh boy, his sweet tooth gleamed with joy when he got a taste of that ice cream. "Holyshit Sadie, this ice cream is incredible."
"I KNOW RIGHT?" Katie said as she was enjoying a good taste of the said ice cream, while she could see her best friend still focusing on the work. "Do you need some help, Sadie?"
"Sure! Could you chop the chocolate for me?" Sadie asked, handing Katie a bar of chocolate and a knife. "I'm going to place the heavy cream on the blender."
"Okay." Katie smiled, as Cody shrugged, since they didn't have anything much to do on the day, so working together and learning a thing or two from Sadie who actually knows how to make tasting ice cream was a good idea.
The trio was having fun making the ice cream, laughing and chatting as they worked together. Suddenly, they saw Ezekiel walking towards the kitchen, his face a mask of frustration and annoyance.
"Hey, Zeke, what's up?" Cody asked, noticing Ezekiel's tense expression. But the boy passed by him and simply walked at the counter and without a word slammed his head down with a dramatic thud. The trio exchanged concerned glances.
"Ughhhhhh."Ezekiel just mumbled while the others visibly winced from the groaning of the homeschooled boy.
"Zeke, are you okay?" Katie asked in a concerned tone and the only reply was an even louder groaning. "What happened?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Ezekiel's muffled words could be heard as he refused to raise up his head, which made the others glance at each other before Ezekiel just finished it. "Izzy and Noah found out a sketch of a character that I wasn't happy to write about. And now they insisted to me to write him. And now they are in my bedroom planning ideas for the character while I have a desire to have a meltdown."
"Wow, I never thought writing a story would be difficult like that. I mean, why just not ignore them and don't write at all?" Cody asked as Ezekiel didn't even raise his head but let his answer be clear.
"Because while I hate to admit, they have a point. So now they are passing time writing down ideas while I need a recharge." Ezekiel said as he couldn't deny the point, sometimes writers had to use characters they don't like for the sake of the plot of the story but also for the joy of the readers. The trio then stares at Ezekiel with his arm raised."Can someone bring me something to eat?"
Katie and Cody glanced at each other before Cody made a bowl of ice cream for the boy and put the spoon in his hand.
It was comical to see Ezekiel trying to reach the bowl with a spoon without looking. Since most of the time he was missing the target and hitting the counter instead.
Sadie looked in concern as she was still placing the heavy cream on the blender and Katie was cutting the chocolate.
Until the trio watched Ezekiel manage to have a spoonful of ice cream and place it in his mouth...
The munching sounds were the only thing the group heard until Ezekiel slowly raised his head.
"Holy Grob Gob Glob Grod... This thing is fantastic." Ezekiel quotes the 4 entities of Mars as his tongue tasted the salty caramel and coconut. Sadie smiled wide and Katie giggled. "What brand is this from?"
"They are homemade. Sadie did it." Katie said proudly as Ezekiel blinked and turned at the strong girl who was giggling and placing sugar a bit of salt on the blender.
"No seriously, what brand is it?" Ezekiel commented as Sadie looked hurt from the way Ezekiel said it, which immediately said at the strong-boned girl. "Because Holyshit Sadie, this is by far one of the best ice creams I ever had."
That comment alone made Sadie smile wider as Ezekiel was being honest with what he said. Especially since it had been years since he had tasted Ben&Jerry's, Häagen-Dazs, and Bacio di Latte, those were great ones he had in his past life, and it had been so long that he had a good ice to actually taste it.
"Really?" Sadie asked hopefully, as Cody could see the moody Ezekiel was over, and now it was replaced with the same Ezekiel who always liked to talk about the others.
Minutes passed in a blink, while Ezekiel was drinking a good glass of water after the refreshing ice cream tub, and surprisingly for using weight around everything he does, from eating ice cream to even drinking a glass of water he seemed to be used to wearing weights in both his wrists. Cody was glad to eat the remaining tub since he loves sugar and candy, and Sadie already finished the vanilla with chocolate chips to make it good for the night when the episode started.
Knowing that during the whole episode, Sadie would need to burn all that sugar while doing exercises or Eva would eat her alive. But she was already used to it.
Katie on the other hand was tipping her finger on the counter, which Cody was on his sugar distraction, while Ezekiel seemed to be noticing the unamused look on her face. Katie had already eaten and she was happy for a few seconds but then it felt like she just lost interest.
"Is there something on your mind Katie?" Ezekiel asked as he seemed back and recharged he could see the Tan girl snap from her thoughts and look at Ezekiel in surprise.
"Oh, nothing..." Katie commented as she could see her boyfriend finishing eating and her best friend doing her work. While she couldn't help but show one feeling that most people would understand... "It's just I feel that we have been in a routine. Ever felt the feeling of being bored?"
"All the time." Ezekiel's answer surprised Katie and Ezekiel now felt more relieved than ever. "Especially when I was with pneumonia, I couldn't enjoy the hot tub and neither the pool, the television just had the recorded episodes and the pay-per-view of the show only. And the internet access we have only for our email and the forum of the show... Writing my chapters and doing all the crazy ideas with Izzy was the only way to drive away our boredom."
Katie felt relieved as she could see that she wasn't alone on that.
"I agreed, I wish they could allow us to have telephone access to talk to our parents, I think my mom misses me so much, and Sadie's mom as well," Katie commented as Sadie sat with worry on her friend.
"Yeah, if my mom saw me right now, she'd probably freak out," Sadie nodded in agreement with Katie while letting out a laugh. "She's never seen me like this. All this training with Eva's regime has made me lose a bit of fat but with more muscles. so now I'm the big bone girl with muscles." To emphasize her point, Sadie flexed her arm, accidentally ripping the back of her shirt slightly. She giggled sheepishly. "Oops! There goes another shirt."
Katie looked at the tear and sighed.
"I'll fix that later, don't worry," she said, shaking her head with a fond smile as her friend nodded her head happily, while Ezekiel, who had been silently watching, blinked in surprise.
"Wait, you can sew?"Ezekiel asked as he had never seen an episode of Katie holding a line and pin or using a machine, but knowing how the show only cares about important scenes, he saw first hand what could happen behind the scenes.
"Yep! I'm the one who designed and made the clothes Sadie and I have been wearing for so long." Katie said as she smiled at her best friend who nodded her head and looked at the homeschooled boy with a proud look on her face.
"We have been using this design since 4 years old," Said said as Ezekiel and even Cody blinked a few times, which made the girls proud of themselves.
"So, you made those outfits yourself?" Ezekiel commented as Katie nodded her head happily.
"Yeah. When we were kids, I designed these small t-shirts and tiny shorts for us, and we loved them so much that I kept making them as we grew up." Katie said proudly as Cody and Ezekiel glanced at each other.
"Without changing the size of them?" Cody asked which made Katie giggle, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink.
"Well, I made them bigger to adjust our bodies, but I liked the concept of mini-shirts and mini shorts which made both us look as beautiful as we are right now." Katie giggled sheepishly as Ezekiel nodded his head after learning much more about his friends.
"That explains a few questions, and now I'm interested to ask one in my mind right now," Ezekiel said as he was impressed to know that from that age Katie was the one who designed the clothes. In his mind, he recalled from the total Dramarama the tiny Katie and Sadie were wearing the same clothes, but then it struck his mind like lightning, the tiny shorts and shirt, they fit themselves perfectly as kids, and now they grew up, but never changed their sizes. "Why haven't you tried new designs? From the point of you have made the same style and the way you both look comfortable even on this tiny version, I think you have the potential to try new styles and new clothes for all of us."
"Is it about the comment you said when you were having the haircut?" Sadie commented as Katie blushed in a red color this time, more of a shame, and Cody raised his eyebrows at them.
"You don't say anything, you cannot judge me because you also had the same pair of pants and shirts in your bedroom, I saw it," Katie said as her boyfriend was about to ask something, but looking at the moment it was the best to remain in silence. "And yes Ezekiel, I guess it just never crossed my mind. We liked them so much that it just became a habit. And I didn't think maybe having the same quantity of clothes would make people think we didn't change clothes."
"Katie also made the aprons we wore for our school project. They were a big hit and really made us look professional."
Sadie chimed in, as she recorded the time both girls wore a well designed pink aprons with black stripes and green letters marking their names. "It helped us with the sales of my ice cream sandwiches."
"You're amazing, you know that? Maybe I should ask you to make my clothes in the future," Cody, who had been listening with a smile, leaned in to kiss Katie on the cheek he joked, winking. "Although, I think I'll pass on the tiny shirt and tiny pink shorts."
The reply from the tan twin was just a smile and a big stomp on his foot.
"OUCH. Okay okay, I can accept the tiny shirt," Cody joked as Sadie and Ezekiel chuckled from the sudden yelp.
"Whop-eesh." Ezekiel on the other hand moved with his hands and a cracked whip sound which made him, Katie, and Sadie laugh while Cody pouted from the joke the boy just made. But then had a good smile on his face. "Thanks, girls, I was needing this. But what he said was right, if you were so used to making t-shirts and shorts, why not explore more and try new things? Maybe if people saw how great you are, you could be a great designer."
"Do you think so?"Katie said that she was now looking at her own clothes, and she couldn't help that maybe she could try new ideas.
"Yes, I do... And I think I have one idea." Ezekiel commented as he saw a good opportunity for him to use. "I have a few draws on my bedroom, about the type of style of clothing I wish for me, and it couldn't hurt if you give it a try."
"That's actually a good idea, but I think I would need materials for that, like line, fabric, etc..." Katie said as she felt a little worried about how the plan wouldn't work.
"Like Izzy who had on her bedroom?" Cody asked which made both Katie and Sadie blink, while Ezekiel placed his hand on the cheek while the memories crossed on his mind.
"Oh yeah, when her lawyers had to make a revamp on Izzy's Happy Sap factory, and they wanted her to give a look at what would be all the materials for her to decide which colors should be the factory and also the fabrics for the uniforms of the employees," Ezekiel commented as he remembered on how much stressed Izzy was on that day. "I think that's why she spent a lot of time doing crazy stunts with us because the stress was catching her up."
"Like the time you both used the shield of yours as a catapult to launch you both," Cody commented while Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"You were also there, don't place the blame on me. I wasn't the one who screamed like a little girl." Ezekiel said as Cody blushed, which made both Katie and Sadie giggle from the geek story.
"Oh come on, it was very high... while I cannot deny that it has been fun, it was crazy and dangerous," Cody commented as Ezekiel looked at him with his eyebrows raised.
"Like most of the episodes of the show?" Ezekiel asked and Cody raised his finger to comment, but then lowered down, and looked sheepish...
"When are we going to do that again?" Then the nerd confessed the question which made Ezekiel chuckle... Both couldn't deny, that thing was fun and very adrenaline-addicting.
"When we are bored and we don't have an episode of the show today." Ezekiel shrugged, as the group was preparing themselves to watch the episode of the tri-armed-triathlon, in which anything could happen. He just hoped that the things on that day would end great for him and his friends.
The episode itself had been a lot to talk about since the crew laughed a lot when it came about MacArthur and Sanders, and for Ezekiel, it was hilarious to have them so early on the show, they are like a breath of fresh new air for the campers and for himself, good changes to see how the next episode would go.
From seeing the confessions of each camper, many were sympathetic with Gwen as it seemed she got a reality shock from the Hook, Line, and Screamer, and for more and more Ezekiel isn't sure if in the end Owen, Gwen would be the finalists like the cannon.
Beth was smiling happily to see Lindsay happy on her way to the final three, and Izzy was surprised to see Lindsay treating the military girl friendly and talking good about her, and the mango lipstick flavor really made Izzy think about it and nod her head in approval, she was glad to make a new friend... but the ending though... Tyler gave a glare to Trent every time Lindsay talked about the dirt pancakes.
Courtney was cheering up her boyfriend while the Killer Bass chuckled at the memories of the first episode even Harold laughed at how he needed more practice with the nunchucks and he had to agree with Duncan, all of the Killer Bass agreed, that they missed the first episode, and how fun it was for them to be friends on that time. And from another perspective, after everything they went through... Duncan was right, jumping from a cliff to a zone with sharks? Easy Peasy...
Even the sharks nodded their heads as they agreed. Most of the campers had no idea how they managed to get on the playa del losers, but they got used to them. Courtney was cheering for her boyfriend since she also missed her delinquent lover.
DJ's confession made Ezekiel imagine who would be the next eliminated of the challenge, he was glad that Courage helped the Jamaican during most of the episodes of the season but enough was enough, DJ was reaching his limit, and from the way he described, everyone stared at Izzy who paused but nodded her head solemnly, a show like that could break anyone by surprise, and they wouldn't blame DJ in case he would give up.
Owen was Owen. Even if some campers were still disappointed in his decision, they couldn't help but chuckle at his antics, even the way he is, he is always cheerful and makes everyone roll their eyes with his imagination.
Now for Heather, from the way she described Noah and Leshawna narrowed their eyes, while Ezekiel raised his eyebrow from the way she talked... Heather as rude as she could be, even bitchy about many things, it's still surprising as the way she talked about Beth and Lindsay, indeed what a little action could change completely the way Heather viewed her former alliance from cannon... And Beth was smiling happily at her friend because she was used to the way the queen bee talked. Since that's how she cared about them. Beth nodded her head as Heather ordered her to take care of herself, and everyone could understand her point of view. She promised on the final 3, and in times like that, she would go full competition, which would be the time to temporarily cut the ties and focus on the game.
"I respect her decision," Ezekiel murmured as he could see how it ended, and with his eyes rolling he already knew things would work. "It's not a good idea, but I respect your decision."
And then it came the challenges, Duncan handcuffed with Heather, Lindsay with Gwen, and Owen with DJ... Which partnerships were going to be tested, as even Ezekiel would be interested to know how it was going to end...
And like the cannon, Owen won for the team, but this time DJ was the one who suffered... Ezekiel laughed when Heather felt a shiver on her spine because he knew she was the one who was supposed to be in DJ's place. Lindsay and Gwen seemed to be having fun, while Heather had a point, going against Owen in a food-eating contest was pointless. But Duncan had to give up at some point.
Then it comes the canoe trip, which made Ezekiel and Beth their eyes wide open in shock, which the Boney Island name was enough to make Beth pale, the same way as Heather, and from the panic on the queen bee's face... Everyone from the Playa Del Losers felt kinda sad for the girl...
And both Ezekiel and Beth prayed that nobody would have taken a cursed item from the island... Later they felt horrified to see Heather having a panic attack. Everyone paused as they watched how serious it was, to the point were Courtney's mouth went in shock when Duncan had to give a hug to the queen bee, and slowly managed to make her stop hyperventilating. Sometimes the Killer Bass forgot Duncan came from a family of detectives, and learning a lot from the past, even the worst shit of blood in a paper, he still managed to help a camper. Especially Heather.
Ezekiel lowered his head as he couldn't help but admit that he was caught by the moment, he should have treated better his body but he decided to create a prank war because they had bruised his ego, so in the end he had to give up because his body couldn't keep up with him. Also, the campers chuckled when Duncan offered the idea of Ezekiel asking for Heather to do Lady's Raincorn quotes, which the group was interested in seeing Heather speak Korean.
And for the relief of everyone, there isn't a rainstorm or a snowstorm happening on Boney Island.
Owen on the other hand, gave a very deep explanation about himself that took many by surprise, not realizing that even as upbeat as Owen was, nobody thought about what he truly felt about his life, and he defined a good part of his character, which he feared to screw up... But not knowing that he indeed screw up badly, DJ's words were exactly what Owen needed to hear and have a reality shock when it comes to the fat boy. When he asked what else he could have done, Ezekiel smiled proud of how DJ taught him what Courage would always have done, he would run away with the people he cared about most, and DJ was brutally honest with Owen about how Izzy would never give a chance to him again, Izzy nodded her head in agreement, she would never make the same mistake which would lead her being killed like that. When DJ said for Owen to take his grown-up pants and learn from his mistakes, everyone applauded for DJ teaching Owen how it should have been done. But then the nostalgic talk about family attacked DJ which made everyone feel how DJ must have missed his mother.
Lindsay was surprised that nobody ever thought about it. Nobody was ready for her scene with Gwen, from the joke made by Gwen being followed by Lindsay obeying her made the campers laugh, and the way she described Heather, Beth, and even Izzy as her friends was touching. And Izzy felt kinda bad for leaving the blond bombshell without saying more words or having more time to learn about her, but it was nice to see her getting a new friend, and the campers nodded their heads when Gwen explained that Izzy had her reasons to leave... And with a revelation which caught everyone by surprise except for Izzy who knew before... Ezekiel never realized that possibility if wasn't for Heather clarifying with her words that yes... Lindsay is dyslexic and even as a kid she had difficulty learning names and following orders. Which made Ezekiel slap his head for not realizing it sooner. Gwen also apologized for probably making fun of the girl for so long, but Lindsay just shrugged it off and told on how her parents had to adapt the way she must read books... And Ezekiel had a revelation at that moment... It wasn't only Lindsay, but probably many kids would suffer the same problems she had been getting into reading books. And her father's idea to make improv audio books for his daughter, made him write the idea to make sure to try audiobooks for people who couldn't read a book.
Ezekiel laughed at the faces of everyone when they found out what kind of books Lindsay liked, and to be honest for a person like Lindsay to like Sherlock Holmes and Murder on the Orient Express? It wasn't a surprise that she won the mystery movie challenge on the Total Drama Action, she was in her element. And that made the episode even sweeter for Ezekiel. And to say Lindsay created plans to be so crazy and stupid that it might work, Ezekiel would be curious about how she could have done it. It sounded fun.
So when the groups went to Boney Island, for the relief of Ezekiel, they didn't have the broken pieces of the cursed Tiki, it was just a race for the place where they had a bonfire, which was great. Everyone had their worries about the dangerous animals, but they couldn't help but laugh at DJ teaching Owen how to be a true coward while they were followed by the dangerous animals.
Lindsay and Gwen were having a great time as Cody was happy to be remembered and even got a kiss on his cheek by his girlfriend as his heroic moment, which made him proud. And the more they learned about Lindsay the more they enjoyed knowing how she liked mystery movies.
"Unusual suspects."
"Based," Ezekiel said as he agreed with her.
"The Pink Panther."
"BASED," Ezekiel shouted loudly as another great mystery movie which the campers glanced at him, made Ezekiel stare at Lindsay. Thinking about it, she would have been Inspector Clouseau's daughter.
"Ace Ventura."
"BASED," This time wasn't only Ezekiel but Bridgette and Izzy shouted loudly because they had to agree with Lindsay that Jim Carrey as an animal investigator solves cases even with his eccentricities, which was a good signal of a great movie.
And then Ezekiel blinked when she mentioned that she destroyed her father's favorite movie, which made the others don't understand what she said.
Until Ezekiel realized that she was talking about Indiana Jones, and Ezekiel knew that the Pandora box was opened. At that moment, Lindsay said the same words of Amy from The Big Bang Theory which made him surprised to see Lindsay from all people find the plot holes like that...
.
.
.
And it took 5 seconds until Cody and Harold had a meltdown. Just like Chris on the confession who started crying.
"UGHHHHHHHHHHHH." The nerds moaned as they looked at one of their favorite movies ruined from the simple perspective of Lindsay.
"Wait a minute. The Nazis were digging in the wrong place. The only reason they got the ark was because Indy found it first." Cody gave a point that Harold thought about it, but then another point crossed his mind.
"Actually, they were only digging in the wrong place because Indy had the medallion," Harold explained in detail as he couldn't help but point out another good point which made Cody's eyelids twitch... "Without him, they would've had the medallion and dug in the right place."
Another second passed, until both boys groaned in displeasure, while Katie and Leshawna looked at both nerds having a a meltdown.
"Wait, wait. If it wasn't for Indiana Jones, the ark would never have ended up at the warehouse." Cody snapped his fingers and Harold had his eyes wide open and smiled.
"That's true, he collected and delivered the ark to the proper authorities for filling," Harold said in agreement, which both could feel their mission accomplished.
Sadly both for them, Ezekiel watched The Big Bang Theory.
"Although technically Indy was supposed to take the ark to a museum to be studied, he couldn't even get that done." Ezekiel pointed out which left both nerds having their mouths dropped in shock, and then blinking until the terrible feeling once again hit on their stomachs.
"Noooooooooo..." Both Cody and Harold went on their knees and had the Indiana Jones plot messed with them.
Ezekiel glanced at the duo reaching the breakpoint, which appeared a thought on his mind.
"Should I tell them about how in the future they found explanations that would help to save Indiana Jones?" Ezekiel thought to himself, but then looking at the duo reaching that point and the Kingdom of the Cyrstal Skull was about to be released that year? Ezekiel remembered how many fans of the movie got disappointed and trashed the franchise for what disappointment the future movies of the old archeologist hero became... "Nah, it's from 2013 to 2015 they solved the mystery of saving the Indiana Jones plot, let the fans don't get their hopes too high on Kingdom of the Cyrstal Skull. It will save their hearts from disappointment. I suffered with that Pandora Box opened from that comedy series, so let Canada suffer with him."
"Hey." Then a familiar voice whispered which made Ezekiel glance at Izzy who was curious about it."In the future, they found a way to save it?"
"Yes, they did in 2013 to 2015," Ezekiel commented as he saw the ginger girl raise her eyebrow.
"Aren't you going to save those 2 having an existential crisis?" Izzy asked which made Ezekiel scoff.
"Fuck no, I had to suffer from that revelation in the future, it took me years to move on from that, I'm bulletproof now. And nobody helped me when I was in their place. So misery loves company, if I had to suffer, so they as well..." Ezekiel smirked as he could see Izzy enjoying their talk. "And the internet isn't that advanced that where everyone could research in Google all they want, it took a lot of debate and many people arguing for finally came up with solutions... Which I'm going to be in silence to save them from the disaster,"
"What disaster?" Izzy said curious as Ezekiel raised his hand with four fingers shown.
"The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull doesn't deserve the hype, and maybe Lindsay is going to save a lot of money from the disappointed fans, which while it sucks, it's a sacrifice we must do..." Ezekiel said solemnly as the time he was alive in the other universe, he got into the fandom of Indiana Jones with his mother who was a teacher, from what subject she taught at other schools he had no idea, but from all the material she gave him to study at home, and with her support into learning more about geography, English and even history, he missed the times when she rewarded him by watching classic movies that both his parents loved to watch when they had a day off... Especially from the meltdown both of them were disappointed to see Indiana Jones surpassing the limits of bringing aliens to the movie. The worst revelation of the movie, the boy who is a rebel is Indi's son.
A nostalgic smile appeared on his face, while Izzy looked at him in disbelief.
"Wow, it shouldn't be that bad." Izzy raised her eyebrow and in disbelief.
"It's your money you are using, so suit yourself." Ezekiel shrugged as he then glanced in a direction and noticed something unfamiliar. He just saw Courtney and Bridgette looking at them both. "Err... what's going on with Courtney and Bridgette?"
"Ah, nothing too much," Izzy just shrugged off, which made Ezekiel blink, but then return to see the episode.
.
.
.
"They have been whispering way too much," Courtney commented, as Bridgette tried to read their lips, but failed spectacularly.
"I don't know how they do that in the movies, it's very hard to read lips." The surfer commented as the duo ignored the moaning of pain from both nerds, while their respective girlfriends tapped their backs as they tried to give comfort to their broken hearts and dreams like Chris had...
"Well we have to find out more about them," Courtney gave up as she decided to focus on the television, with both girls already passing days watching closely on how the duo always acted.
"Well, we could wait for the right opportunity. I mean, they seemed acting naturally and we will find a way to prove we are right." Bridgette shrugged as the C.I.T. girl couldn't help but accept.
"You are right... Maybe we could do a better investigation and talk more with Zeke, maybe he is overworking himself and needs something to distract himself and relax." Courtney nodded her head as she even looked at Katie, Sadie, and Ezekiel were eating ice cream. "I'm going to talk to him later."
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Now, I'm going to kiss my boyfriend and enjoy the rest of the show." Bridgette smirked as she was walking at Geoff while Courtney rolled her eyes.
"Okay, if she kisses more than 5 minutes I'm going to use the spray." Courtney smiled as she then returned to the only show they were allowed to use.
.
.
.
The group watched the duos appearing and saw the new challenge of how difficult it was going to be for them. Since it would require a memory test and determine the victory and the immunity.
The totem of shame and humiliation, and how the campers would find themselves confused in trying to remember the right order, some campers who had great memories like Noah, Courtney, and Ezekiel memorized the order, and while Noah and Courtney did by the memory of campers, Ezekiel followed the order of episodes which he remembered clearly from which person was eliminated on the specific challenge.
But the group then blinked and cringed at how Owen couldn't save himself from saying something he could regret.
Justin felt uncomfortable by Owen saying that about him, and DJ came to the rescue and gave a lesson to Owen about not making things worse for him.
Heather and Duncan surprisingly showed a good dynamic as they worked together while Killer Bass rolled their eyes at Heather's attempt at Duncan's elimination from saying their word, and Courtney saw how Duncan looked at her wooden face.
Lindsay surprised everyone in a way nobody expected, Lindsay opened her heart and with a speech like that, there was no way Beth couldn't be emotional and cry a lot. As the campers couldn't help but admire Lindsay's resolve, she and Heather are determined to reach the final 3.
Ezekiel never thought about how Lindsay showed gratitude for Beth's sacrifice, and surprisingly, Ezekiel couldn't help but think that maybe something like that would happen.
If Heather and Lindsay get on the final 3, the triple dog dare you challenge is going to be a battle of resolve, and this time Heather and Lindsay won't have each other's back... And to be honest... He would be lying if he wasn't eager to see that challenge happening.
But in the next episode, nobody knows who could be eliminated.
Courtney, Bridgette, Harold, Katie, and Sadie couldn't help but be amazed by Lindsay's determination and Tyler smiled happy and proud of his girl who wanted to win to show that she could do it.
That speech alone made many who were watching would be eager to cheer for Lindsay and Heather to reach the final three. In the name of Beth and Izzy who did their best to make solid steps while Killer Bass crumbled from the pressure without most of their pillars.
Courtney smiled at seeing how much Duncan cared about her... Everyone who saw Chris making fun of him getting hit by Eva's head was funny, but Heather said that even though Eva was out of the game she could hurt the others and made all the campers laugh. Who knew the Queen Bee had good jokes?
And then the end of the challenge, which everyone chuckled at how Chris couldn't say their names right. And with Heather and Duncan with immunity... It could be anyone who could be eliminated.
But DJ saying he voted on Lindsay because he knew that he would be in a tie with Owen was a very good play, while some of the campers were still in shock. Ezekiel smiled proudly at the speech DJ gave as he was on the boat of losers, and when he gave the sudden move from Courage shouting yes, Ezekiel chuckled at how DJ indeed incorporated the spirit of Courage...
Just a story, which was able to transform his life. And how an idea was enough to change the lives of others. In the same way, Ezekiel felt when he watched his favorite shows. He laughed, he cried and he learned from every single one of them... And he was proud to pass this message on to the others as well...
"Alright, it seems that we came to a decision then?" Ezekiel asked as both Izzy and Noah nodded their heads, it had been a long hour after the episode, and since the group was waiting for DJ to get to the Playa Del Losers, they had to debate the main issue of the alien that it had to be written around the show. And Ezekiel had to make a draw about the new version of Ripjaws.
The new version of Ripjaws was inspired by mudskippers, fish that can absorb less oxygen from water and gradually adapt to terrestrial environments. As Ripjaws matures, he requires less oxygen from water, allowing him to spend more time on land.
"From the key features, we have Oxygen Separation, which one long is specialized for extracting oxygen from water, while the other is the storage lung which acts as a reservoir, and storing water to make him not dehydrate and can be utilized for various purposes in case Ben would act creatively," Ezekiel explained from the words he debated with the duo who nodded their heads at him. "And depending on the months and years of experience, as he ages, he needs less oxygen from water, and having more facility in opening in the land... This is fair since he is 10 years old, and in case years in the future he uses this transformation would make him more experient in using transformation."
From the point of view of Noah, that power was very well balanced, and since Omnitrix was more used as a way of research and exploration across the true peace without war, it was a good way to adapt his weakness as the time they became older and wiser.
"Now mine," Izzy said as Ezekiel nodded his head and continued to explain the good powers Ripjaws would use around the chapters and how it would be more convenient around the lore, like most of the other aliens. Making each of them have strengths and weaknesses.
"Mechanism of defense, he can use the stored water to sharpen and enlarge his scales, to make them more like tools to crush rocks on the water, but if used in another way it could transform them into projectiles. He can launch these sharpened scales as water projectiles for ranged attacks but also leaks the water stored inside of his body like water drops bullets, wasting a good source of water inside of his storage lung. He can also create large fins that can be thrown like boomerangs, adding to his offensive arsenal." Ezekiel commented on the last skill like something possible that no Piscciss Volann could have thought into something like that. Since Ben was a child, he could think of ideas outside of the box, which helped him to become a great hero in the future. "And now for the drawbacks... which mostly likely is the water management. Every time Ripjaws uses his water projectiles or sustains damage, the stored water is consumed.
Water Replenishment: After using his abilities or taking hits, Ripjaws needs to return to water quickly to replenish his water reserves, ensuring he can continue to fight effectively."
"He sounds so much more awesome," Izzy commented as Noah nodded his head.
"Yes, and from the way you are describing, you plan to make his challenges and fights very difficult for him which would explore his weakness like that. Which would show a good conflict for the future." Noah concluded as Ezekiel had to give to both of his friends, they really managed to make one of the most filler aliens to finally reach his potential. And that without thinking of ideas they gave to him which he would probably use on Ultimate Ripjaws... He was already thinking of making a few fanarts of them when they get bored.
"Well, I have nothing else to say, he is on the team." Ezekiel accepted and Izzy was very happy and Noah was satisfied with the results. And with the new project of Ben 10 in the future, nobody will ever imagine what kind of superhero he is going to make. And looking at how much time he would take to make that book... It would be the time he would probably be writing on Total Drama Action.
DJ thought that since the elimination he could return to his momma and have a nice conversation with her, however since the captain had told him that he was supposed to go to a new place with the other campers, it had been a stab in his heart... But somehow the captain showed a good kindness to him and said there was a package that he was supposed to bring from downtown, so he could try to use a public telephone to make a call to his family since nobody would know.
That would make their trip longer, but it would be enough for the giant Jamaican to be happy and get in contact with his momma again.
And hours passed until the boat reached the shore of a city that he hadn't seen for so long. And while it would be overwhelming to anyone who returned from the show. DJ was more focused on one simple thing.
"Momma, it's me," DJ commented as he was holding the telephone in his hands, preparing himself for anything his mother would say to him, and even that wasn't enough for what his mother would say.
"Devon Joseph, I have never been so proud of you." Momma on the other side of the telephone the voice and the maternal love that he missed for so long finally made him release the tears he had been holding for so long. "You did your best, and you did the right thing until the end, and you shouldn't be worried about me, I made great friends while you were on the show..."
DJ felt happy with himself as he showed that indeed he did the right thing, but when his momma told him that she made friends while he was on the show he was surprised as he couldn't imagine that all the Killer Bass mothers decided to make lunch together and meet each other, and that actually made him happy, because if he knows all the parents of his friends, that means that he could call them to visit home or even invite them to go to his Birthday party as the same way he could sleep on his friend's house.
His momma usually only trusted people who she was friends with, and being friends with all the mothers of his friends indeed had been a great thing. Since she said she wasn't alone...
"So from what Eva told Anastasia, you will be in a resort 5 stars until the end of the show..." Momma had told her son about the details about what good things DJ could be enjoying and he couldn't help but be relieved to enjoy some good experience and even see his friends. "Also, if you see Eva, tell her that her mom wants to strangle her until she passes out."
"WHAT?" DJ asked loudly as he couldn't understand why his momma wanted to say that. "Okay, well the captain probably must have taken the package. I love you, momma, take care of yourself."
"Don't worry about me. Have fun with your friends. I know that you have so much to talk to them, and they will be happy to see you again." Momma said as the brick house with a heart knew what was about to happen. "I'm so happy for you have such amazing friends, my son, have fun and rest, you deserve it.'
DJ sniffed as he saw the bunny on his shoulder, which made him smile kindly and then return to the telephone.
"Thank you, momma, I love you," DJ said as a good way to turn off the telephone. He felt so relieved like he dropped all the weight off his shoulders.
Returning back to the boat, the Jamaican stared surprised as he saw more luggage and suitcases than before. Even leather backpacks that looked familiar.
"Wow, someone must be wanting to bring clothes at the trip," DJ commented as he couldn't understand why the captain would want to bring those until someone spoke behind him.
"Those are mine." The voice alone made the Jamaican jump on his place and turned his head to see a person he never thought he would be so happy to see.
"Eva, you are h...okay?" DJ was about to give a hug to his bodybuilder friend until he saw most parts of her torso and arms were covered in bandages, and he hesitated to say hello to her.
"I'm fine, I just have to leave the hospital since they were getting on my nerves," Eva commented as she cracked her neck. "Being on the bed while doing nothing had been a torture for me, and seeing that you guys reached the final 6 while I was laying on the bed annoyed me so much that I broke out from there."
"You broke out from hospital?" DJ said in alarm as he then realized what the words of his momma had said to him, and knowing that possibly he would need to pass the message to her, he didn't hesitate. "Then I think you should know that your mother wanted to strangle you."
For the first time, DJ never imagined seeing it, but he saw Eva flinch from hearing that message.
"I can imagine that," Eva mumbled as she looked at the captain who was ready to start the boat. "We better leave now."
DJ for the first time recognized that tone of voice, it was the tone of I made my parents mad so I better run before they catch me. A part of him smiled, knowing that deep down even the strongest woman he ever known had the same fear as many children in the world.
Anger of a mother indeed could be a universal thing.
But at least the duo could enjoy their rest with their friends, while Eva could pass her recovery by herself.
Everything is fine...
(Camp Wawanakwa ) (Pay-Per-View)
On the next morning at Camp Wawanakwa, the final 5 campers who managed to get so far on the show could understand that the more time passes the more lonely the place gets, since more empty the place would become without their team and friends to enjoy the whole island with them. Once a place that was full of movement, interaction, and energy, now lays the feeling of emptiness and sadness crossing around the remaining members of the show.
Each member felt the pressure of the competition since anything could happen, and they were thankful for whatever entity because the show finally was approaching an end.
Also for another good side, Heather, Lindsay, and even Duncan found good entertainment when they saw the cadets Sanders and MacArthur doing their patrols and acting on command sometimes when it wasn't about them. But for one person in question.
"PLEASE, I GIVE YOU ANYTHING YOU WANT, JUST LET ME HAVE ONE BITE," Owen begged as he approached both cadets who were holding their boxes of Donuts and a bowl of coffee in their hands. And MacArthur was holding a taser gun on the other aiming directly at the fat boy.
"One more step big guy, and I will shoot you for getting belligerent," MacArthur said as Owen tilted his head, and accidentally moved one step forward. "You asked for it."
"WAHWUAHAHAUHSUAHSUAHSUAS." Owen was about to say sorry but immediately was attacked by the taser which made the big-boned guy get electrified by the security who was hired to protect them, not to attack the campers. And when Owen went down with a little steam coming across his body, the pines were released back to the taser gun.
MacArthur blew the taser and placed it back in her belt.
"I love my job." The cadet said as the other cadet rolled her eyes. "Alright, 2 boxes of donuts and 2 liters of coffee for those ingrates, and in exchange, they would cover our shifts on the Weekend nights."
"Well you had a fight against them, and you lost it, it was great that we decided to act like diplomacy and everything went back to normal." Sanders walked as the security guards crossed carrying their donuts and coffee to the woods. While Duncan, Heather, Lindsay, and Gwen who just appeared there at the last moment raised her eyebrow at the scene.
"Owen tried to beg those academy cops for a donut again?" Gwen asked as the group nodded their heads at her, "I should have expected. So what did I miss?"
"Well, just the crying and the begging Owen does when he is despaired for food, and since someone trashed his secret candy stash by implementing you know which stink bomb, Owen got himself vomiting for the whole night while I moved my stuff on the Aquarium." The delinquent explained to Gwen the circumstance of what happened and why the familiar fart sound happened across the night, which made Gwen stares at Duncan by surprise. But he waved her thoughts away. "I was lucky that I was taking a shower when that happened. So I had to be quick and grab the essentials before I would have to wait for a few days until the smell got out from some of my clothes and then wash it at least 5 times."
"I hate how you sound so casual about it." Heather finally voiced her thoughts as both Gwen and Duncan shrugged in response, while Lindsay gave a slight wave at Gwen who gave a slight smile.
"If I have to confess, I was the one who maybe had caused this whole El Mongo and La Muerte sequence, Chef Hatchet learned to make a fatal stink bomb and now could use it to torture us whenever he wants, but at least he isn't aiming at us, as long we don't piss him off," Duncan said as he had no idea on why Owen was being targeted by the Chef, but probably having a secret stash of candy would make Chef infuriated with anyone.
*BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP*
Then an alarm was enough to make the 4 campers stare around until Chris' voice could be heard from the loudspeaker.
"Alright Final 5 Campers, congratulations on being the remaining members of the show, while the next episode of the show will happen in 2 days. I have a surprise for everyone in the amphitheater. So you better find me on there in one hour." Chris' congratulating and giving the news to the remaining five was unsettling and yet worrisome because usually nothing coming from Chris Mclean is good.
(Amphitheatheater)
Chris stood at the front of the amphitheater, a wide grin plastered on his face as the remaining campers: Gwen, Duncan, Owen, Lindsay, and Heather took their seats. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden hue over the stage.
"Alright, campers! Congratulations on making it to the final five!" Chris announced, his voice echoing through the amphitheater. "You've all done an amazing job so far, and while we're preparing the next episode, I thought you deserved a little treat. Today, we have a special surprise for each of you."
The campers exchanged curious glances, a mixture of excitement and apprehension on their faces.
"Surprise?" Owen asked, eyes wide with anticipation. As he was on the verge of despair "Is it food? Is it candy? Please tell me it's candy."
"No, Owen, not this time."Chris chuckled. Knowing how the cadets tased the chubby boy for irritating them to their limits, he was going to love to see the edited version on pay-per-view in the future. But composing himself it was time to explain what's about to happen to the anxious campers."Today, we've got something even better. We have video messages from home! Each of your families has sent a 25-second message just for you."
The campers' eyes lit up with surprise and excitement. They leaned forward, eagerly anticipating the messages from their loved ones. Lindsay was jumping on her place in excitement, while Heather rolled her eyes but a good part of her missed her own mother, Gwen tried to hide but she was happy to know that she would receive a message from her mother and brother, and Duncan smirked, since he didn't see his parents since juvie, and it will be nice to find what his parents had to say about him.
Chris held up his hand to quiet them down.
"Now, here's how it's going to work. Each of you will get to see a video message from your family. We've kept them short and direct, and some were hilarious, just 25 seconds each, so make sure you pay attention! These messages are meant to give you a little boost and remind you of why you're here and how far you've come. But if you didn't manage to pay attention, this will be aired on the commercials on the television, so you may watch it someday on the channel."
"So, we get to see our families, even if it's just for a few seconds? And then we have our families exposed to whatever message they have for us and it will be aired on the television as many times as the show is allowed? "Gwen scoffed as she glared at the host who smirked at her, curiosity piqued. "Damn, you guys are good."
"Exactly," Chris replied. As he couldn't help but be excited to see how they would react to the videos by themselves, a good part of him already could smile evilly just for the thoughts. "These messages are from your parents and are meant to give you that extra push as we head into the final stages of the competition. It's not just about surviving anymore; it's about thriving and showing everyone what you've got."
"Oh my gosh, this is so amazing! I can't wait to see my parents!" Lindsay clapped her hands together excitedly.
"WHOHOOOOO. Let's go Chirs." Owen shouted as Chris chuckled at their acts. And already had the remote control on his hand.
"Alright, campers. Let's start with an easy one... Starting with you Duncan. Let's see what the parents of the bad boy last pillar of Killer Bass had to say. And in 3,2,1…" Chris pressed the button and at the time it showed a man resembling a more mature and bland version of Duncan, with his haircut which would be described as cowlick wearing a green sweater with a green tie, and on his side a blond woman with a short blonde hair red blouse sitting in a couch, while Duncan blinked as he saw a tan woman who looked exactly like his girlfriend, however, the age had caught her up as she showed to have a decade or two older than the girl who he has a relationship. The woman herself was wearing a red suit with a long red skirt and stared at the camera with a solemn look on their face.
"Hello Duncan, we came here because we are allowed to tell you that we love you…" Duncan's mother said which made the father roll his eyes as he was already to point out everything.
"Despite your arrest for the happy nud year stunt." The father, on the other hand, wasn't amused by telling one of the infringements and crimes that the boy had done.
"Or for selling your father's hair pieces as pets." The mother continued and before the father would say the rest of the message. The red suit woman intervened.
"Or for the pool party in the city Hall Fountain. But that's not what we are going to talk about." The woman finally explained Duncan could see that the attitude of command and authority from his girlfriend where it came from. "I have been working around the paperwork and I managed to convince a few friends of mine that since you are participating in the show, they decided to reduce the sentence to make you pay a few weeks of community service instead of being on the juvenile. So you are a free boy now."
"All of this thanks to Victoria." Duncan's mother commented as the father nodded in agreement.
Duncan had his eyes wide open in surprise as he never thought he would be so happy to hear that he wouldn't return on the juvie at the time he got over from the show. Even though it would suck to pay community service, instead of being on the juvie again that was a great exchange.
"But now returning on another thing… You better treat my daughter right Duncan, because if I find out that you destroyed her heart, then no lawyer in the world would save you from all the lawsuits and humiliation that I would be going to do with you, especially if I could make this show's contract into something way worse that it would make you legally their slaves. So do not provoke me." Victoria said those words which made Duncan pale and sweat in fear as he could see the angry face of his girlfriend who would want to rip off his face in case he messed up with Courtney, and already dealing with her was challenging but the pressure of having worst things than juvenile, made him fear for his life… Then he blinked when Victoria smiled at him. "But seeing how much you two grew up as responsible leaders even with the help of another member of the team, I never thought to see my daughter more active and happy than the time she was on the school… so for that, I'm grateful for you. Now, win this game for Courtney okay?"
"You did the right thing, son, even though you have been a criminal." Duncan could see that his father showed a tone of pride and even with the tone of sarcasm he was used to it, but pride had been something very foreign for the delinquent.
"That hairpiece was is what's criminal." Duncan's mother replied that the father looked at his hair, while Victoria raised her hand and both mothers gave a high five… Immediately the video ended with Duncan giving a loud laugh…
"I'M FREEEEEEEEEEE," Duncan shouted as he thought he won the lottery, a better way to describe freedom than laughing loudly, as Gwen rolled her eyes.
"Do you still have to pay community services, I have to confess wow, never thought you did a lot for being arrested," Gwen confessed as Duncan scoffed but was proud of himself.
"What can I say? I'm a vandal, but I at least know my limits, and it was all for the sake of having fun. But you saw my dad's hair, I told him many times that it could be a tiny dog if done right, and he didn't believe me." Duncan commented proudly as Heather rolled her eyes and Lindsay clapped for the delinquent who now isn't going to return on juvenile.
"Well, isn't that nice guys? See? Who says I don't bring good news? Now who wants to be next?" Chris smiled as he then decided to point out at the goth of the group. "Gwen, are you ready? To bad… 3,2,1…"
At the time Chris pressed the button, appeared what would be a green couch with a woman with brown hair and a pink blouse and skirt smiling happily at the camera, while on the other side of the couch, there was a boy with a green wood t-shirt, blue pants and cyan cap which was covering his hair, however, the boy was having an existential crisis at the moment.
"Gwen, we miss you so much that, your brother and I decided to ask a favor from a friend to pretend to be the future you." Gwen's mom said those words made all the friends stare at the goth who rolled her eyes and groaned. "Also your brother gave a very convincing act with his existential crisis, isn't that right Cody?"
"Life is a lie, everything happening in adventure movies is nothing more than a lie, doing nothing wouldn't change anything other than actually doing something," Cody said as he was monologuing about one of the episodes of the show until he felt a slap on his head which made him snap from his thoughts. "What? Wait, is that on? GWEN DO NOT LET LINDSAY WIN, I CAN'T LIVE DOWN MY FAVORITE MOVIE BEING DESTROYED LIKE THAT, TAKE HER DOWN."
"Cody." Gwen's mother said in a warning tone, which made him gulp.
"Sorry, well, take her down gently because she is your friend and also Tyler's girlfriend, but what were we talking about?" Cody turned to see his mother smiling at him, which made him sweat. "It was her idea, Gwen, she called Ezekiel's mom for that."
The mother smiled as she nodded her head in agreement, which was a bomb for some members who were watching the scene.
"What?" Gwen and Duncan said in confusion and surprise until the next scene showed what would be a vision of the table where it happened to be a meal, while Cody was wearing a fake beard a fedora, geek glasses, and a T-shirt written I hate T-shirts as a good way to use ironically a T-shirt. The mother was wearing the same clothes but she was using a lot of makeup to identify she was trying to disguise her age and was wearing a gray wig… In the middle of the table, there was what would be a long-haired woman who just had the same colors of her hair, almost the exact way she had, but it was long hair and the front part was covering the eye. The color scheme was similar, and Duncan could swear that the woman was an older sister or the true mother of the said goth who was just staring in shock from the same view.
"Gwen you didn't even touch your meatloaf," The mother commented as the woman who resembled Gwen rolled her eyes.
"Great, I spent 5 years in Italy to learn more about the history of art and the renascence era, then I had to suffer annoying subway trips around Paris to go to Louvre to learn more about the great artists and when I came home to enjoy the little piece I have of my life the first thing I got when I come up on this house was meatloaf… well at least it's better than the trash I had been eating on the island for so long."The adult woman commented with sarcasm that even Cody blinked in surprise and stared at how she clearly acted exactly like the sister he knew… until she narrowed her eyes. "Are you going to be staring? Anyway, how have you been? Did you get over the fact Indiana Jones 5 was terrible and couldn't be great after the disaster of the Raiders of the Lost Ark?"
Cody remained quiet as he stared at the food he looked as if he had PTSD.
"Why are we still here? Just to suffer?" Cody placed both hands on his head as he melted down in sadness while it cut perfectly back to the mother and brother who were staring at the camera.
"I gotta say she did perfectly your portrait and I can tell why people are asking me if she was my relative. I'm glad that this plan had worked out, right Cody?" Gwen's mom commented as Cody used his finger to spin around his head.
"Cuckoo, cuckoo," Cody said as he made a motion about how their mother got crazy before the video stopped.
At the time Chis pressed the button, Gwen was with her mouth dropped, as Duncan couldn't help but whistle.
"Wow, not going to lie, Ezekiel's mom captured you completely," Duncan commented as Chris was laughing from seeing the face twitching of the goth who was very embarrassed.
"Oh that's hilarious," Chris said as Gwen placed both her hands on her head in disbelief.
"I can't believe that happened," Gwen said as Lindsay clapped happily.
"Wow Gwen you got a message from the future, and you looked so great with long hair, I think you should try," Lindsay commented as Chris laughed louder, and Heather decided to intervene.
"It's not a message from the future Lindsay, it's just an actor who did a short video," Heather explained which the blonde bombshell understood and nodded her head. Thankfully that was enough to stop the humiliation.
"I should have expected my mom would have done that. But at least I wasn't the only one who suffered. I was right about Cody freaking out." Gwen commented as she gave a smile to Lindsay, since her brother could be annoying sometimes, she was glad to see him also having a meltdown.
"Alright, let's go for our next victim, I mean our next lucky camper." Chris corrected as he pressed the button which showed something that most people wouldn't expect.
The screen flickered to life, showing Lindsay's family standing in their opulent living room. The setting was lavish, with plush furniture, ornate decorations, and a grand piano in the background. Lindsay's father, dressed in his flamboyant ringmaster attire, stood front and center, his slicked-back hair and eccentric demeanor immediately catching everyone's attention.
"Hello, my little chipmunk!" he began with a dramatic flair, holding a rubber duck in one hand and gesturing wildly with the other. "We're so proud of you! You had done so great things around the show. Hey, remember the time when you made the whole Indiana Jones fandom cry? Hahahahaha. Ah, good times!"
Gwen, Heather, and Duncan chuckled at seeing Chris pouting from the way the man in front of the screen making fun of the revelation of what Lindsay had done on the last episode, and the blonde girl herself giggled sheepishly, knowing that she may have screwed up…
"Please darling, tell your friends to not ask why you didn't like the movies they love again, alright? I don't think they would survive because of the amazing intelligence you have." The man himself said proudly while some would be against that the man frowned at the screen. "Don't judge her, she is smarter than you will ever understand. Also, honey, I heard there will be a movie of Sherlock Holmes made with Robert Downey Jr. So I'm preparing to buy tickets for the debut on Holywood, Paula and Charlie already are preparing which clothes they are going to wear."
"Lucy, honey… I think it's best if you let us speak with Lindsay as well."Then a voice revealed which made both Chris, Duncan and even Owen have their mouths drop into seeing the blonde's mother, one of the most beautiful women in the world, step forward, her flowing blonde hair catching the light. She wore sparkling plum eyeshadow and dark magenta lipstick, her elegance contrasting with the chaos around her. The father grumbled a bit and let the woman speak for herself. "Lindsay, sweetheart, you're doing amazing! Just remember to stay true to yourself and be careful around those with stronger personalities. We're thrilled that Heather has been such a good mentor to you. We can't wait to see you and invite Heather and Beth over when this is all done!"
"Oh you are right Lily, I hope Beth likes ducks because I think farmers always get on my good side when they talk about which ducks they like most." Lucy gave his cheerful clap which the campers could realize where Lindsay's claps and way of act came from.
Suddenly, the camera shook as one of Lindsay's younger sisters, Charlie, burst into the frame, her long hair trailing behind her.
"Lindsay, we miss you so much! Stay strong and keep being the amazing person you are. And don't let anyone push you around, stand up for yourself, just like you always do!" She punched the air for emphasis, nearly knocking over a vase, which their mother quickly caught.
Paula, Lindsay's older sister, facepalmed as their father accidentally knocked over a stack of toy ducks behind of the video. She sighed but then smiled warmly at the camera.
"Lindsay, keep your head in the game and stay focused. You've got this! Remember, if you ever need to solve a problem, just think it through like we always do. The 100 thousand is almost on your hands, you can do this."
As the camera panned out, their father could be seen trying to pick up the toy ducks while juggling a few more, his grandiose and dramatic nature on full display.
"And don't forget my little chipmunk, we're always here for you! Make us proud!" He tossed a rubber duck into the air, and it landed perfectly on one of the ornate shelves behind him. Which in the end gave a little flip and when it opened it started spitting fire, which in the end made the group jump away from the man which turned the video off.
Everyone blinked, while Lindsay was shedding happy tears, and was ready to win the show.
"Wow, I have to say. I didn't expect that." Chris commented as he was being honest from seeing on even the family seemed to be normal by some standards, and he could imagine Lindsay being part of that family. "Now, Heather you are next."
At the time started the next video, Heather could see her parents above the couch as the room looked elegant, while a bit on the corner there was a lamp… The man on the left was a very elegant and rich man who seemed to be wearing a pink polo shirt with a crown logo on it, and a blue shirt, while on the other side of the couch was Heather's mom who seemed to be a well-matured version of her which seemed to be having a smile on her face, which made Duncan and Chris look at the Korean girl who usually had a frown on her face.
The woman was wearing a combination of caramel pants with a greener blouse on her… Her hair had the same colors as her daughter's while using a short haircut which made her so elegant.
"Hi, Heather Feather. It's Moomsie & Poopsie, we miss you so much." The father greeted his daughter in a cheerful way as his mother nodded her head in agreement. "My golf game has been really off since you have been gone."
While the father had explained that, the campers could see the chair being moved in front of the camera above the chair there was a photo portrait of Heather in a golden frame on it.
"Pedicure seems to be less…" The mother paused for a few seconds before she could find the right words to say. "Spiritual."
"Right, right." The father commented as he crossed his legs, while he then gave a smile to the camera. "But having you having so much fun with your new friends cheers us up. So be free to spend all the time you want with them,"
"They are also invited to come to visit us when you three want to spend a good part of the day shopping." The mother commented as she showed a good smile, and behind them, a man was carrying many shoes, and a group of men carrying a wardrobe. "Also we felt horrified with the terrible experiences you had to pass around the show."
"Well, my father says misery builds character, so you have become more mature my feather, I know you have more friends to pass the time with, so enjoy your teenage days and have fun while you win the show would yah?" The father gave a positive message while suddenly a man carrying the bed was placed in front of the couple.
"Hey, where do you want me to put the bed?" The person carrying the said furniture asked while Heather's mom looked horrified for being busted, while the father looked nervous.
"Whoopsie…it happened again Heather, he said he was sorry." That was the last thing the man of the house said when the video turned off, which made Chris hold his laughter but fail miserably.
Duncan blinked in disbelief, Gwen stared at the screen and then at Heather who had her face red with both embarrassment and anger.
"Wow, that explains everything… Well, almost, I'm curious about the last part." Gwen asked as she then saw Heather stomping her foot angrily.
"Damien, when I get my hands on you, I'm going to break your arms…" Heather said angrily as Lindsay stared at her friend in horror which made the queen bee try to calm herself down. "That little devil probably used an ink bomb in my bedroom and now they had to move all my stuff to the guest room until they fix everything."
"Oh," Lindsay said as Duncan and Chris laughed at Heather.
"Ah, a classic prank," Duncan said proud of the kid but looking at Heather who was staring at him, he placed both his hands on his kiwis because his instincts were calling for him to be quick and protect him.
"You are lucky for thinking fast. But I'm going to turn your community service a hell if I see you on the streets." Heather said angrily and Duncan scoffed at her, but he could sense she was indeed going to punch or kick his crotch… "You cannot hold your kiwis forever."
"I can try," Duncan replied as he saw the queen bee scoffing and returning to her place.
"Sometimes I hate my siblings." Heather snarled as Lindsay tapped behind her back in sympathy. Having friends indeed was great for the Queen Bee at that moment.
"Alright, it was fun, but now we need to do the last camper," Chris said as he was with the remote control on his hand. "Owen you're the last. Let's see."
A the moment the video started, there were two people on the camera, one who was extremely obese, sweaty, balding, and wearing glass, as he wore a blue and sweaty social shirt with a yellow strapped tie, while his weight was too much for the one side of the coach which made the woman on his side who was also chubby to be carried on the other side.
The woman had blonde long hair and pink lipstick on her lips, while her clothes were simply a pink blouse and a purple skirt, which made both look formal…
"Hey Owen, this is your folks. You what is your folks isn't it?" Owen's father and his mother waved as the group was surprised to hear the deep voice of the big man's father. And on the next second, they could see where his way of talking came from since the father himself was misspelling his words. "Oh this is stupid, can we start over?"
The mother on the other hand smiled as she rolled her eyes.
"They say the camera adds ten pounds oh but I don't see it at all. I think you look terrific." The espouse said to the man who pulled his tie from being uncomfortable.
"I see them," Heather murmured when she felt an elbow from her sides, which came from both Gwen and Lindsay and the queen bee rolled her eyes but remained with her mouth shut.
"Son, that episode where you burp the entire alphabet I don't think I've ever been prouder to be your father." The man said as the woman then coughed on her fist. Which made the man compose himself. "But also your mother got very disappointed in you when you made that girl cry, so you better apologize to her okay son?"
Owen nodded his head, as he was feeling happy with the message of how his family wanted the best of him...
"Oh yeah, Max came here to stay for a few weeks and he wants to give you a message." The mother said those words, and Owen's smile froze and then his pupils shrank as he stared at the screen…
The campers and the host of the show saw a teenager with purple bowl-cut hair and wearing a lab jacket. As he looked evilly at the camera.
"Salutations Owen, I Max Mayhem found myself in these terrible circumstances while I tried to replicate the biggest weapon of mankind, which I'm still giving a few tests on the future, which I'm grounded for passing the time with your family," Max explained as Owen felt his face pale into knowing which weapon he was trying to replicate, and the dread feeling was coming for his stomach. "But in the meantime, I was forced to watch this show with your family, and I never realized how proud you made me of you my cousin…"
Owen's mouth dropped as he looked confused at his cousin.
"Yes, sacrificing your minions for the purpose of survival, you took the trust of the crazy girl, and pushed to your enemies as you prepared yourself for the survivor… That's what we evil geniuses do with our minions. And I see a great potential for you Owen, to become evil just like me…" Max said as Owen's face froze and saw the boy trying to do an evil laugh, but failing spectacularly which made the campers roll their eyes. "Well, you could have the few countries that I wouldn't want, but in the future when I conquer the world, you could be a mayor in one of the cities which I don't like. We as an evil family."
"Awww, look at him, Max is really happy for his cousin." Owen's mother commented as the video turned off, which made everyone look funny at what was supposed to be a joke…
Owen on the other hand.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO." Owen dramatically screamed as he felt himself the worst scum of the earth, at a point that made everyone jump away from him. And the big man crawled on the floor and got into a fetal position. "I'm a monster, a MONSTER, I BECAME A VILLAIN LIKE MAX, I DON'T DESERVE TO BE ON THIS SHOW."
"Owen, knock it off," Heather said as she kicked his butt, but nothing happened, as the fat man was crying rivers, as he felt disgusted with himself. Heather glanced at Duncan who just shrugged.
"Come on Owen, it's not real. What do you t…" Gwen was about to say that boy's wasn't to be taken seriously but Owen interrupted her.
"He said he is trying to make the stink bomb."At the time Owen said those words, Gwen and Duncan froze, and then narrowed their eyes…
"Okay, he may be someone to be careful to be around," Gwen commented as she never wanted to deal with someone creating El Mongo and La Muerte again, Duncan would remember that as he could see the big guy being ashamed of himself.
"I thought it was for survival, but I never thought I would become the only person I feared most. Max is the evil genius and the evil supreme, and I do everything I can to stop him."Owen said dramatically while Chris was making sure to let that scene being recorded to the pay-per-view, and even the episodes after to make fun of it…
That boy Max really scares Owen, and he would have a lot of fun with it. So he will remember that name in the future.
"Alright everyone, you guys got the motivation you need for the next challenges. So have fun into those 2 days off, and prepare yourself for what's coming in the future." Chris smiled as some campers had no other thing to say, but to accept what happened. They got a surprise, some got what they wanted and needed, others got humiliated and a reason to be ashamed of…
What will happen in the future, nobody knows.
(Playa Del Losers)
"It was a big surprise when Eva came up with DJ, I thought she would still need to be a few more weeks before being discharged from the hospital." Courtney commented as both she and Bridgette walked the corridors of the resort, going directly to one specific suite in mind."I mean, I'm really happy to see her not being in such a dangerous situation, I mean, it was a serial killer and he stabbed her a lot of times."
"Yes, but knowing Eva, she made a bear into a female, and broke both arms and legs of the said killer, I think that she is the definition of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," Bridgette replied as she walked with her new haircut made by one member of her team, who knew Harold gave so much work for the blonde member of their team to have a great haircut for her, she never thought she would look amazing with curtain bangs, but since Harold had helped his friends, Geoff had his mouth dropped and they kissed so much that it was worth it the hot sauce spray on their faces, it was burning but it was also hot to enjoy their kisses together. But still, the pain remained, but it was worth it at that time. "But I just hope that she doesn't do more of that because it had been a terrifying experience,"
Courtney nodded at her friend, as the brown-haired girl also got a new haircut that she knew Duncan would lose cool, Harold surpassed himself as he made an unravel haircut on her, which made her usual boring hairstyle become wilder and let a good wild and attractive look appear on the usual girl who always sticks for the rules. But knew that if the delinquent saw her with that new look, he would give her the same treatment Geoff gave to Bridgette, she used the whole bottle, not just because she was jealous of her friend... It was because they were 20 minutes making out, non-stop, yeah, that had been the reason and not because of jealousy.
"You don't have to tell me twice, I'm just glad Chris had the good sense and decided to hire police as security guards for the show, while I think that's a bit too late, it shows that at least he cares that nobody dies," Courtney commented as she could see the true reason behind the host idea of doing disclaimer and saying they are going to have more medical assistance and security. "I would have made a lot of lawsuits from risking our lives like that. A serial killer? Seriously? After that challenge, nobody was the same."
"I agree, I'm just glad that everyone is okay now, Eva as much she looked bandaged she seems better than the time she left the island." Bridgette agreed as the duo seemed happy to be in front of a door. "Do you have the keys?"
"Yep, he asked me to take his sketches which are in the drawer near the typewriter." Courtney nodded her head, and Bridgette smiled as she turned her back on the door. "Do you want to help to catch it?"
"Nah, it's just a few sketches, and I think someone needs to tell the others if they think we are snooping around." The surfer replied as she showed it had been a good point since in any kind of circumstances the group could try to say they have invaded his privacy so it would be best to explain to the others before they give any stupid ideas around their minds.
"That's a very smart idea. I will not take long." Courtney said as she got inside the room, and from the time she saw, the bed itself felt a bit messed and even a few blankets were not organized, however when she looked on the desk where the typewriter was the papers were organized, even a few set of papers, paperclips, and even pencil and pens were organized in a specific order. "I can't believe it, the bed was messed but when it comes to work he is well organized and clean. I have no idea what crosses the boy's mind. At least it will be easy to find."
Courtney opened the drawer and there was the set of drawing sketches, Courtney was impressed by how the boy had been focusing on drawing himself on the paper and even made a few different sets of clothing she had her eyebrows raised impressed by his work.
"I can't wait to see if Katie can make something like this." Courtney smiled as she was about to leave when she saw on the corner of the desk, a green gift with a tie on the floor, which made the girl roll her eyes, take the tie, and place it inside the box, but at the moment she opened it, she had her eyes wide open in surprise...
A Green G String Panties, which made her blink, and then she saw a picture of HOLYSHIT.
Courtney's face became scarlet from seeing a nude pose giving a blowing kiss on the picture, and immediately placed the photo inside of the gift closed the box, and let it drop all the sketches on the floor, which she immediately got clumsy and tried to organize then as she walks fast outside of the bedroom.
At the time Courtney got out of the door, she opened with too much strength which made Bridgette jump in her place.
"Courtney," Bridgette said scared as she looked at the C.I.T. girl who was with a face full of scarlet and devoid of emotion. "What happened to you girl?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Courtney said as she decided to prove that indeed her friends Ezekiel and Izzy had something, but not like that, using that kind of information was too personal, and it was shameful for her to share with anyone. She had the right idea, but with that information, how she could tell the others about Ezekiel having a naked picture of Izzy without saying like a pervert or worse, a girl who invaded his privacy? "I'm not going back there."
"What do you mean?" Bridgette asked as Courtney was still with her face blushing madly almost like burning. "What happened? Why are you blushing so much? Courtney?"
Courtney ignored the calling as she was doing her best to make sure to tune down the thoughts she was having across the gift, panties, a bra, and a picture, she knew that they were on the right track, but now she needed to find better clues without making her look like a pervert or someone who invaded their private life.
While Bridgette tilted her head and wanted to ask about what made the girl like that and what made her blush madly, now the curiosity made her look at the bedroom for a few seconds, but the conscience she had in her mind made her shake her head and return to their friends who were waiting for them on the pool, she is curious if Katie was indeed going to do some good work on new clothes for Ezekiel.
But still, she wanted to know why Courtney was blushing so much.
What a crazy morning.
Chapter 37: Haute Camp-ture
Notes:
Okay, I have to confess that I feel sorry for everyone who were reading on AO3 and I have updated all the chapters until now to Fanfiction. It was unfair, so I decided to copy and place everything on here, and not stale time. So in case, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. And enjoy this fanfic as a whole.
Because many things happened. So thank you for enjoying and to read everything.
I will try to keep this place updated more often.
Chapter Text
After everything Lapis had been through, she never thought to find a way to help her recover her wings, as the boy wanted her to go home, he had warned her that it would be an awkward feeling that she would feel at that moment. While Steven licks his hand, covering it in saliva, and pats it on Lapis' gem, causing her to shudder. A brief moment passes, and Lapis' gem begins to glow. A pair of water wings sprout from her back and her eyes return back to normal. As Steven gave a few steps back and his eyes showed stars, Lapis felt her eyes looking at her friend and a gentle smile appearing on her lips.
And for what would have been centuries, without full control of her powers, now she felt the like herself once more. She smiled gratefully for the first friend that she ever had on the planet.
"Thank you, Steven!" Lapis Lazuli said with happiness and gratitude in her heart.
"No prob, Bob." Steven cleaned up his hand on his shirt while he used slang as a good way to show friendship, but that made Lapis stare at him in silence... an awkward silence.
"... It's Lapis." Lapis corrected as she thought her friend knew about that.
"Yeah..." Steven looked awkwardly left and right, as the circumstances could have been better, but he couldn't turn back in time, so they both had to remain awkwardly until the gem who controls the water decided to turn her back.
"Okay. Bye." Not wanting to pass one more second around the planet Earth, Lapis wanted to leave for her Homeworld and finally reach the freedom she always sought for centuries, all because of a misunderstanding made by the Crystal Gems... Now she felt that she would never return... But she would be lying if she said that she wouldn't miss her friend, who was part of the resistance and created so many problems for other gems. But that wasn't her business... She always had been a neutral gem, and she wanted to have her freedom. And that's what matters most.
Steven watched Lapis flying off, knowing that he did the right thing, and he was glad to make another friend... Until the water tower starts to rumble. Being freed of Lapis' control, the water tower starts to crumble and collapse. It was at that moment that he wished to have asked Lapis for a little help to bring him down.
.
.
.
After hours of trying to figure out what the message stone would do, the gems never thought Steven would rely upon the help of his father... While Amethyst was always eager to accept the help of the father figure of the gem hybrid, Garnet was stoic while Pearl was always hesitant, from all the people who would look for help, she would never trust that kind of person... But it seems the circumstances were calling for the time they would need him most. Since Greg Universe was indeed the only person who could capture the sounds and try to convert them into something.
"Video." That was the logical conclusion Greg said which brought the questioning look of the gems, "If is a message there would be two possibilities, if a sound cannot be converted by only vibrations, then there was something more, and audio and video always worked together. So there isn't anything else I could try, I mean, I couldn't make it worse than already is. Right?"
Steven smiled happily, while Garnet accepted the explanation, Pearl hesitated but accepted his help. Once again allowing Greg Universe's mind on the gem's business, while Amethyst and Steven were already eager to help the human father to prepare everything for possibly the message.
Garnet began generating electrical currents from her hands to jump-start the van engine. While Pearl was doing supervision the lilac was already in the driver seat.
"Okay Amethyst, try it now," Pearl instructed as Amethyst contemplated her life.
"I've never started a car with a key before."Amethyst shrugged as she turned the car key and with that, the van started up. Which made the gem laugh satisfied. "Hahaha, that's way easier!"
Pearl nodded her head as she shut the engine hood, which she was with the battery ready. As Steven with the Wailing Stone ready as well. Greg was with his keyboard and synthesizer ready to translate everything.
"Ready with the video cord, Steven?" Greg usually never was able to help the Crystal Gems, even on the time when his wife was on earth, he always tried to make sure everything he would do for her was 100% of his best, and even as the other gems never had much faith in him... He still would give his best, for his son.
Steven was with the video cord staring intently at it, nodding at his father, and plugging the cord into the TV. Greg started tuning his equipment and static began to play on the Television, emitting a strange noise.
" Is that it?" Pearl asked in anticipation while Greg was still tuning his equipment.
"Hold on, just a second." And by adjusting even further, the imagery on the TV becomes less fuzzy, with the Crystal Gems keeping watching in suspension.
"I hear something." Steven pointed as Greg was sweating and he knew it was close, his gut was telling him he was doing the right thing, and when it came to following his gut, and his instincts regarding music, he never failed before.
"Come on! Come on!" Greg said as he kept adjusting until the image on the television finally got clear, revealing Lapis Lazuli. "I did it!"
"Steven!" Lapis said on the screen in anticipation. This not only surprised Steven to see his friend but also the Crystal Gems who looked at the screen in disbelief, especially Pearl.
"Lapis!" Steven called for his friend, while Pearl looked in shock.
"I can't believe my flippin' eyes!" Pearl commented as she looked at Greg who was smiling happy with himself, while Garnet stomped loud enough to take all their attention.
"Everyone, listen up!" Garnet commanded as the whole group stared at the screen in anticipation.
"I hope you're able to hear this," Lapis said as she was transitioning message since she looked both horrified and completely tired. "There's a Gem that's looking for you, she even knew your name. I don't know how, I didn't tell her, I swear! She's on her way to Earth, and she's not alone."
Lapis emphasized what possibly could be one of the most dangerous situations ever since she looked afraid and worried about her friend. As more and more Lapis started talking, Pear and Amethyst looked even more afraid, while Garnet remained quiet, Greg wasn't sure what was going on, but good things probably wouldn't be. And Steven looked concerned for his friend.
"Steven, Homeworld it's not the way it used to be. Everything here is so advanced! I can't even understand it. There's no way anything on Earth can stand up to it. Please, don't put up a fight, It will only lead to devastation!-" And that was the final message made by Lapis Lazuli before the video suddenly cuts off, ending the transmission.
"It's Peridot," A voice said which made the whole group turn their heads towards Pearl who looked concerned. "She must be talking about Peridot."
"She's coming for us!" Amethyst shouted as she got her hands on her hair a was freaking out at that moment, while Steven looked at the screen with another concern on his mind.
"Lapis, she sounds so unhappy..."Steven concluded, since he always believed that his friend wanted the freedom she always sought, but now that she got to her home, she sounded tired and even afraid...
Pearl and Amethyst start to freak out in the background, and Garnet clutches her fists. Until suddenly Garnet sighed in relief, surprising the whole crew.
"We did it," Garnet said as she concluded that freaking out wouldn't solve anything, and the worries that they got on the day, were finally over.
"What?" Pearl asked in confusion as Garnet said slowly to make sure that the other Crystal Gems would understand.
"We got the message," Garnet said even before Amethyst would say anything. She looked at them in controlled rage. "It's "got!"
Amethyst and Pearl remained quiet as Garnet slowly approached Greg who was still confused about what was happening, Greg looked at Garnet's hand in surprise and shook it.
"Thank you, Greg, we would not have received this message without your help," Garnet said with the deep of her heart, as she could see from the future what those words would be meant for him. "You always were helpful when we needed it most. Thank you for everything."
"You're..."Greg couldn't help but try to contain his tears of joy, as he tried to keep strong as he always had been, but he was glad that he could see Garnet giving him one of the things he always wanted from the gems who were on earth, recognition of him. "You're welcome."
Steven looked at the screen, wondering what possibly could have happened to Lapis...
.
.
.
The cold, sterile walls of the interrogation chamber reflected the harsh lights overhead, as the walls were symbols of alien language as even shapes of 4 types of diamonds, one pink, one yellow, one blue, and one white. Lapis Lazuli, restrained by energy cuffs, stood in the center of the room, her eyes filled with defiance and a hint of fear. Surrounding her were Aquamarine, Peridot, Jasper, and the Ruby Squad. Peridot's machine hummed ominously, a testament to the painful extractions it was designed for.
Aquamarine hovered before Lapis, a cruel smile playing on her lips.
"Well, well, what do we have here? A rogue Gem who thinks she can defy Homeworld," Aquamarine, a small, blue Gem with a commanding presence, her wings fluttering with anticipation and enjoying to see the situation she was here."Thinking we couldn't find your secret message you are sending for someone?"
Lapis remained quiet as the little gem was enjoying far too much the position she was in.
"Oh, not going to tell anything? You know that we are the high command from the Diamonds themselves if a word of this could reach towards our Yellow Diamond or Blue Diamond, the results of such insubordination would be you being shattered in the most painful way. But luckily for us, and you as well, you don't need to say anything, " Aquamarine said with an eager smile on her face, which Lapis would feel her fear increasing until a loud stomp was enough to make both pauses.
"Aquamarine stop."At the time a voice was loud enough to make both pauses, it was Jasper who had remained quiet, but as the time she was quiet, her size and her intimidation were a factor that should be treated seriously.
"Are you questioning my orders?" Aquamarine said as she flew in the direction of the orange gem who didn't seem phased by the tiny gem who glared at her.
Jasper ignored Aquamarine as she calmly and boldly walked towards the tied gem who was very afraid of her, but ignoring the stares of the other gems, the orange gem crouched and looked deeply at the water gem prisoner.
"I just want you to tell me once," Jasper said as she narrowed her eyes while the tiny dots of the Lapis Lazuli shrank in the deep commanding voice of the commander in front of her. "Are you an ally of the Crystal Gems?"
"NO, No. I'm not part of any side. I'm a neutral party." Lapis commented as she released a few painful tears from all the scary experiences she had across time, she had been a prisoner inside of a mirror for centuries, and then she became a prisoner once again... But then her eyes went wide open as suddenly Jasper strongly held the electrical chains and with her strength alone, she smashed, which left the blue gem in shock.
The steam coming from her hands. There were still scorching marks made by high voltage but that didn't affect slightly the gems that were so strong on her place. Jasper turned at the group of Ruby's squad staring at them.
"Squad, take this gem to a regenerative cell. She isn't the enemy, it's no use to torture an innocent neutral party." Jasper commanded as the Rubies saluted her commander and even made both their arms create a diamond shape before taking Lapis Lazuli and ignoring the glares made by Aquamarine.
"Is that insubordination?" Aquamarine said as Jasper rolled her eyes and looked at the Peridot. "You are supposed to be following my commanders since I'm the one who is going to lead the invasion."
"I don't care," Jasper replied as she walked towards Peridot and noticed on the screen, that the green gem who was still clicking some keys on the hologram was programming what would be exactly what they were looking for. "You got her memories right?"
"Affirmative," Peridot commented as she always preferred to deal with the brutal and silent woman instead of the lousy and annoying midget who had been sadistic and making both commanders want to poof the gem who couldn't let them work in peace.
"You two are ignoring me? Wait for me to return to Blue Diamond and tell her..." Aquamarine said as she flew in front of the duo of gems who just stared down at her.
"We don't care." Both Jasper and Peridot said in unison, as Peridot smirked towards the commander in front of her.
"You follow orders of your Blue Diamond, while I follow orders from Yellow Diamond, of course, we would clash in times like this, but remember while you can lead the ship to the main objective, you have no right to tell me how I will work. That's my expertise, and that's why Yellow Diamond chose me. You clod." Peridot said as Aquamarine narrowed her eyes, and stared at Jasper who was in silence, which made her smirk.
"Oh, so that's what it is..." Aquamarine commented as she flew near Jasper who was standing in her position. "And what about the criminal here?"
And that comment made Peridot's spin shiver and her circuits freeze. While Jasper slowly looked at the flying gem from the look on her face, it was obvious that Aquamarine was playing with danger. She kept talking.
"If Peridot follows the orders of Yellow Diamond, while I follow the orders of Blue Diamond, you weren't even supposed to be here if wasn't for the fact it was the rebel army from before, White Diamond indeed gave you a second chance, even after the mess up you made..."Aquamarine's voice could be practically sung as Jasper remained in her place, and when was the time to set the final words "Especially since you let Pink Diamond being Shat..."
And that time Aquamarine didn't even finish her word, when a giant Kanabo passed straight near her head and with enough force at the impact which crashed the wall behind her... Which made her blink, and before she could say anything else. Jasper looked deeply into her eyes and gave her a point.
"Let's be quiet, shall we?" Jasper said firmly, as the annoying gem finally shut up, Peridot managed to program the main memories to finally reach the locations.
"Found them..." Peridot said as she showed a screen determination the view of what would be the spheric planet which once brought a war trying to each on that place. A war was once before forgotten while they thought they avenged their comrades... But in the end, there were still rebels who needed to be corrected, and it was their time to take action. "According to Steven, these are the people we should be looking for. However, maybe a direct introduction would bring them to us."
"Well, I like the plan, capture them, make them submit to us, simple, effective, and in case they don't want to surrender, we can just destroy everything," Aquamarine said delighted as she looked at Jasper who was staring at the screen with her eyes narrowed, and before she says something. The big gem walked towards the wall to carry her weapon back. "Well, at least you can have your revenge now. From Rose Quartz shattering Pink Diamond when you were supposed to be protecting her... and for Pea..."
*Poff*
And just like that Aquamarine felt the blunt weapon with spikes hitting her, with enough force to make the commander become like a cloud of smoke, and the weapon fell across the other side of the interrogation room, which Peridot sweat in fear, as the former bodyguard of the Pink Diamond recovered her weapon.
Walking slowly, Jasper ignored the green gem as she took her Kanabo with her, even though the weapon was almost her size, and was a very thick and powerful weapon... The orange gem walked towards the exit... And when she saw the reflection of what would be the white-skinned dressed in blue and orange hair, a gem that she knew well... A servant which her diamond cared so much, in the same way, she cared for all her gems, and even herself.
"Pearl... I'm going to make you suffer for everything you did, you traitor." Jasper said as she left the room, and with that time, many questions were asked... And nobody could answer them...
For now...
End of the First volume.
"What? No, no no no no," Bridgette said, her voice tinged with panic as she frantically flipped through the pages in her hand. She was desperate to find a secret scene, a hidden chapter, anything. But it was in vain. There was nothing more. Her eyes darted towards Ezekiel, who was lounging in the hot tub, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Ezekiel, no, no no, please tell me you have another chapter ready," she pleaded, her voice growing more desperate.
"Nope, it's the end of the book. That's the final chapter of the first book," Ezekiel replied calmly, sinking deeper into the warm bubbles. He was enjoying a rare moment of relaxation, a break well-deserved after two grueling years of work. He never imagined that his time on Total Drama Island's first season would lead to this—completing the first season of 3 books which were based on his favorite shows from the world he lived in before. And now, he was on the brink of starting a new series, resurrecting what once never existed.
As Bridgette stood there, her frustration mounting, she remembered that she had been one of the first friends to read the remaining draft chapters before Ezekiel and Noah did their editing before sending them to the publisher to create the publishment of the said Steven Universe book. She had expected to be blown away, but she wasn't prepared for the cliffhanger. Ezekiel had anticipated her reaction; it was the same anticipation he expected from many when the first book hit the shelves.
"You can't do that," Bridgette said, horrified. She rushed over to Ezekiel and started shaking him, her anxiety spilling over. "There are so many questions I need answered! What the hell are the diamonds? How did Lapis get captured? How did Steven's mom manage to shatter a diamond? And what does 'shatter' even mean? Does that mean she killed her?"
Ezekiel's eyes widened as he tried to stay patient, but Bridgette's grip was making him dizzy.
"Ahhhahahahhahahh," he laughed nervously, his head spinning from her intense reaction.
Realizing what she was doing, Bridgette immediately let go, her face flushing with embarrassment. "Sorry," she mumbled, taking a step back.
"It's fine, Bridgette. I understand your anxiety," Ezekiel shook his head to clear it and finally focused on her. he said, his tone soothing. He took off his winter hat, scratching his head thoughtfully. The blush on Bridgette's cheeks deepened, guilt mixing with her frustration. Knowing the homeschooled boy always scratches his head when he is very stressed or anxious about something. "And I'm not going to lie to you, things are going to get intense because of Homeworld."
"Hmmm," Bridgette said as she felt a bit sad that she was anxious to know more about it...
"Look, if you really want to know what happens next, I can tell you," Ezekiel continued, his eyes meeting hers. "But you have to understand, anything I say right now would be a spoiler. Are you sure you want to know what's going to happen in Book 2? Which probably I will be writing down after a break, I and Noah will edit these and probably this weekend I will send them to the publisher."
Bridgette bit her lip, torn between her curiosity and the suspense she knew she should savor. She paced back and forth for a moment, the silence filled only with the bubbling of the hot tub and the rustling of leaves in the breeze. Finally, she stopped and looked at Ezekiel with determined eyes.
"Okay, maybe not the whole story, but can you at least give me a hint? Something to tide me over until the next book comes out?" she asked, her voice softer now, almost pleading. "Something regard about this arc?"
Ezekiel smiled, appreciating her restraint.
"Alright, just a tiny hint," he said, leaning forward conspiratorially. "Let's just say, everything you think you know about Steven's mom is about to get a lot more complicated. And everything you know about Pearl is going to make you in disbelief, mad, furious, and then accept the reason for what she did."
Bridgette's eyes widened, her mind racing with possibilities. She felt more anxious about knowing why Jasper wanted so much to make Pearl punished if they were lovers if they were best friends, all she knew was Pearl did something terrible, and Jasper wanted so much to have revenge.
"That's it? That's all you're giving me?" she exclaimed, though her tone was more playful now.
"Yep, that's all you get for now," Ezekiel replied with a wink. "Trust me, it'll be worth the wait."
"Fine, I guess I'll just have to be patient," She said, sitting down next to the hot tub and dipping her feet in. Bridgette sighed but smiled, feeling a mix of frustration and excitement. "But you better believe I'll be the first in line when the first official book is being published, and when the volume number 2 comes out."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Ezekiel laughed, grateful for her enthusiasm and support. Settling back into the bubbles, already thinking about the next chapters he had yet to write. "But I know that you would want to read the first drafts of the second book, that's for sure."
"That's right, you know me so well," Bridgette said playfully as the duo laughed. And from times like that, it has been fun to enjoy the peaceful of the morning, Bridgette like the morning she was enjoying surfing, she once saw Ezekiel rolling on the sand while holding a big improvised shield which he and Izzy had done, and from the way Ezekiel was holding the shield, she knew it was related to Steven Universe. "I have to say that I freaked out when I saw you making Stevonie and when Steven used the shield on Lapis's water ball. It was fantastic."
"I know, you literally screamed in excitement," Ezekiel chuckled as he then felt a splash coming to his face. As he slowly spat the water like a fountain, he glared at the blonde surfer who was giggling from his face. "Ha ha ha, I'm going to remember that next time you pass a whole minute making out with Geoff in public,"
And with Bridgette cringing, Ezekiel smirked to his little victory. And he couldn't help but little moments like this make him appreciate more his friends. He remembered Eva's face when she saw Ezekiel didn't take his weights off, even as she showed no face, he could see the look of pride in her eyes, and it had been great to see the Iron Woman being happy to see that not just him but also Sadie was taking her workout seriously. Even as chubby as she could be, she was developing more muscles, and Katie had to work a whole day to make a very comfortable top for Sadie to flex her muscles without ripping her shirt again.
From a good way to see the tan girl enjoying a good time to sewing and having her own hobby, made her enjoy better and relax more around the playa del losers, talking with the girls about what kind of clothing she potentially could do. Katie said it would take a while for her to make a jacket, or how Izzy had so many materials which the ginger woman stressed and said to not ask about, since the factory she had to develop the uniforms and the fabrics around the rooms, and chairs were driving her crazy.
Still, it seemed that everybody was enjoying a good time for themselves. That until the next day, Chris would make the official episode of Haute Camp-ture.
.
.
.
"So it's tomorrow right?' Izzy asked as Ezekiel was lying on his bed looking at the ceiling. Izzy was playing with a paddle ball and her friend didn't mind about it. "The time where they will feature an episode over here, which possibly Katie and Sadie will start a domino effect which will cause an elimination."
"Yep," Ezekiel said as he was enjoying the time of peace before the excitement of once again appearing on television, and the surprised face Chris was going to have when he met the campers once again. "I have to confess that I'm so eager for tomorrow's episode, that probably I'm not going to sleep tonight."
"Want me to knock you down? I have a necklock that probably will make people unconscious for hours." Izzy offered, making Ezekiel roll his eyes, but not doubting the skillset of his military friend.
"I don't doubt that, but I'm sure that I don't want to wake up with my sore throat tomorrow. But thanks for the offer, Izzy." Ezekiel commented as he could see the ginger girl snickering.
"Okay, I was kidding, but anyway… remind me again of the events of what that future would have happened on that episode? I mean, I know Leshawna was the one we screwed up after Sadie and Katie said her name, but what about the events before, what usually happened?" Izzy asked as she launched a ball to Ezekiel's direction in an easy way for him to catch.
"Well the future was way different than the present we are here, instead of Lindsay remaining on the show, it was supposed to be Leshawna, but Chris wouldn't mind, as much he would record everyone talking about what happened to us, what we think about the experience of the island, why we lose, and who we think who is going to win the show, but taking out that, Lindsay was looking for Tyler, which she remembered the name of Tyler but she forgot who he was… It was a funny joke when she was looking around trying to find him while he was nearby her all the time." Ezekiel explained as Izzy giggled from the blonde bombshell's naivety and probably was a good joke made for the viewers. "You were on the pool annoying Noah, Katie, and Sadie, biting their ankles and even doing more crazy stuff like finding a bikini bottom which was yours, and making you swim back on the pool while exposing yourself nude, and even peeing on the pool, please don't do that… now that I think about it, why did you do all that stuff?"
"I mean the water is with chlorine so probably would clean up by itself… okay I will not do it anymore, I don't know," Izzy shrugged as she flinched at seeing Ezekiel glaring at her, but then she raised both her hands in surrender. She spent a few seconds thinking about it. "Maybe I wanted them to fear me with the crazy persona I have been doing since being unpredictable is a good way to keep all of them in check. I don't know about Katie and Sadie but I think it's hilarious to annoy Noah since he is a good friend."
"Oh yeah, making Noah have a headache is really funny, but also could it be from the fact Katie and Sadie didn't manage to separate from themselves and grow up as a person like they did on this version of present? That's a mystery… AH, oh yeah, there is one thing hilarious that you said that makes Noah annoyed for the rest of his life." Ezekiel remembered one iconic moment when he knew Izzy would laugh loudly. "Do you remember the wake-a-thon? Well, if wasn't for Noah being eliminated on the first episode, he would have suffered an even worse fate."
"Really? What is it? And why are you laughing?" Izzy said as she couldn't help but smirk excited from the revelation she was going to receive.
"He kissed a guy," Ezekiel said as he knew at the moment Izzy heard such news, she couldn't contain, firstly the shock, then the disbelief, but then the imagination made all the work for her… "Noah was hugging Cody while both were sleeping on the challenge and was even giving a few kisses on his ear when the time they woke up both screamed loud in panic."
…
"PFAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." Izzy laughed so hard that she even fell from the chair, never knowing how crazy things were in that kind of future. "I can't believe it, I kinda wanted to be mad at Heather for screwing up with the future. It would have been so perfect to watch that on the television."
"Yeah it would, but thankfully for him. Emma will never find out his dark past and the blackmail we could have used on him." Ezekiel commented as Izzy raised her eyebrows.
"Emma? Who is she?" Izzy asked curious as Ezekiel smiled as he decided to tell more about the bookworm's girlfriend he managed to find in the future seasons.
"Noah's future girlfriend, but I think maybe we should talk about this in another week… Taking out the interaction between you and him, there was also the fact Courtney was unfairly eliminated and wanted to make a lawsuit on the show for her being unfairly eliminated." Ezekiel commented as Izzy snapped her fingers.
"Oh yeah, about Harold rigging the votes to eliminate her… I still don't understand why he focused on taking out Courtney instead of Duncan, and it's crazy to imagine him being enemies with them since this present he seemed to be best friends with every one of Killer Bass." Izzy wondered as Ezekiel nodded his head, looking at the ball he had in his hands he knew the answer.
"Jealously could make even the greatest guy into a terrible person and make awful mistakes, one thing I wanted so much was to be friends with everyone and show that even our differences we could be good friends. And it was hard to convince Harold to clean his underwear since it was the reason that started all the pranks which led to that…" Ezekiel said between nostalgic about how the group worked together, and he was grateful that things never became like the cannon it was one of the best changes he did. "Poor Harold passed the entire episode, if not the entire season hiding from Courtney who was having rampages to try to kill him if she could. And the worst, his ego was getting annoying to everyone to start disliking him. And that's sad, because Harold is an awesome guy, but needed good friends to guide him on the right path."
"Like you, Duncan, and Courtney," Izzy asked amused and the homeschooled boy nodded his head in surprise.
"To be honest, I disliked the idea of leading the team when it happened to have a clash of ideals between Duncan and Courtney, but I kinda enjoyed having the responsibility to help the team whenever they needed it. Be a good friend and show that everyone has a side of the story." Ezekiel commented as he pointed out something which made him a bit frustrated. "And to be fair, Base Straining was the episode I was so eager to participate in, I really wanted to have a military experience from Chef, just to see how it was?"
"Trust me, it's not that good, it's actually awful. Take it from me since I had been training with him for years, and leading an infantile squad." Izzy explained but then she passed the next second wondering. "Now that I think about it, I kinda felt nostalgic, and I wanted to get that experience again. Strange, okay I think I understand why you wanted to be trained by Chef in the military training."
"Yeah, it sucked for me to be eliminated in 1 challenge before thanks for my pneumonia. I would have solidified Duncan and Harold's friendship and even his relationship with Courtney as a whole, but I'm so glad and grateful that things ended the way they ended." Ezekiel sighed since that episode was the trigger of one of the most iconic episodes where the future led so many good characters down the dark path, but somehow the future changed by itself which prevented such a mistake from happening.
"Okay, now taking out that, what more happened?" Izzy asked as Ezekiel shrugged not even caring about it.
"It was something related to Trent about missing Gwen if wasn't for the fact Heather had tricked him into kissing her in front of Gwen which made Leshawna create a friendship with Gwen and made everyone vote out Trent," Ezekiel said as both didn't mind about it. "But knowing how Trent had dealt on this present… I think this will be his opportunity to apologize to everyone on live television… which will lead to a lot of funny shenanigans."
"Hmmm, interesting. Well, sucks to be him." Izzy commented and both friends chuckled… "So are you going to rehearse anything?"
"Nah, I think we all should be natural, even you Izzy. Let's act naturally like ourselves and have fun. I mean, in comparison to that future. I'm sure Chris would never expect of everything we did around this place. And I want to be surprised tomorrow." Ezekiel commented as she launched the ball back to Izzy who catched quickly with a good reflex.
"Yeah, it's going to be fun… hey, do you want to fly with the shield again?" Izzy suggested as she was happy to have a friend who always liked to have something fun to do, since all the boring work they had done had to come to an end, it was their time to relax and have fun as well. So not the crazy persona that she usually would put on the television, since the cat is out of the bag… At least she would enjoy his own kind of craziness, the funny kind.
"Hmm…sure, but only tomorrow. Now I'm going to take a shower before sleep. It seems that all the talk we had really took out all my energy, and tomorrow is going to be interesting. Have a good night Izzy." Ezekiel said as he got up and showed a good tiredness on his face, which Izzy had to stretch herself since indeed it had been a long day for both of them.
"You are right, it's getting late. See you tomorrow then." Izzy smiled as she walked outside of the door. "See you tomorrow Zeke."
As Izzy left the room, she had a good smile on her face, enjoying the time with Ezekiel, she always felt interested in knowing so much about the future of what never happened, since they could possibly see the difference of what happened. And with the curious theories of what happened, she was glad that she and Ezekiel didn't have secrets anymore…
And at the time she walked by the corridor, she bumped into Courtney who just froze in her place.
"Ops, sorry Courtney, I didn't see you there," Izzy commented as she then saw Courtney staring at her and slowly blushing… "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm just fine." Courtney shook her head and tried to compose herself. "I'm just curious about why you come from that direction… "Did you were…"
"On Ezekiel's bedroom? Yep. We had a lot of fun tonight, that I'm even exhausted. My hand is kinda sore from playing with a ball." Izzy innocently commented but then she saw Courtney's face frozen and slowly getting even redder. "Courtney? What happened?"
"Ball?" Courtney said weakly as her mind processed all the dirty imagination coming from the imagination of how crazy and dirty the girl would have been to do that with her friend, and the worst part, the same picture of the ginger girl nude from the picture having fun with the friend was driving her crazy.
"Yeah, paddle ball, this one," Izzy said as she launched a paddle ball at Courtney who surprised took it, and then a good part of her mind went into the blue screen until she realized what she meant, she gave a nervous giggle as she was relieved, but now her face looked darker in shame for thinking about it. "Are you with fever?"
"YEAH I AM," Courtney said too loud which startled Izzy but not just before she coughed on her hand, and tried to compose herself. "But I took the medicine, and I'm going to my bedroom. Have a good night Izzy."
"Good night…" Izzy commented as Courtney quickly left the corridor, which made the military girl just shrug and go to her suite, she was going to enjoy a good relaxing shower as well before the next morning the group would have fun doing one amazing episode. "I can't wait for tomorrow."
Last time on Total Drama Island, our campers faced off in the intense Tri-Armed Triathlon, with them being tied with other campers to make sure they would win the immunity of the challenge. Duncan showed a good soft side as he saw Heather suffering a PTSD from her last visit to Boney Island. Lindsay not just surprised Gwen but everyone by telling her condition while showing secrets that we never thought would have happened. *sniff* excuse me. *sniff, sniff*…" Chris had to pause as he had to compose himself by trying to move on from one of the classic movies having a plot hole like that. And with that Indiana Jones got out from his top 10 movies. "Owen opens up about his struggles and DJ gives a lesson on how a true coward should act, showing that even cowards have standards, with a pink beagle showing how it should be done. Feeling homesick DJ came to a realization that it had been his time to go, and by surprising all his friends by voting on Lindsay, he managed to prevent a tie, and sacrificing himself on the elimination, which made the 5 campers still on the game."
Christ starts to narrate once again.
"In today's special episode of Total Drama Island. You've been watching Gwen, Heather, Duncan, Lindsay, and Owen, make their way to the final five," Chris explained Heather left the bathroom while she was being chased by a bear wearing a dress, Lindsay ran in their direction while both cadets left out the Main Lodge in surprise and then chasing the screaming… "It's been a long eight weeks," Gwen ran with Heather while Lindsay and Cadets Sanders and MacArthur followed the bear that was angrily chasing them. "So, we decided to give our weary finalists the day off", Owen was enjoying a swim on the shore while he was covered with leaches, and Duncan was using the fishing rod to catch some fish. "So we could contemplate how far they've gotten and enjoy all the campgrounds have to offer," Duncan felt the fishing rod twitching which he was glad to pull something but sadly for him and annoying for Owen, it had been his shorts. Leaving the fat boy naked. While in the background the cadets, Lindsay, Heather, and Gwen were followed by the bear…
"But what happens to the campers after they walk the Dock of Shame, board the Boat of Losers, and leave the camp?" Chris appeared behind a totem pole, then on a cliff, and then in the woods. "Where are these rejects living?", "How are they spending their time? And who do they think deserves to win the hundred grand? The losers are about to let it all hang out."
(Confession – Chris.)
"And you won't wanna miss a word," Chris said as he was pointing at the camera with his two hands.
"Coming up on TOTAL...DRAMA… ISLAND!" Finally, Chris was on the dock on his jet ski, ready to trip directly to drive on the area, but not without giving his conclusion. He finally was driving his jet ski being followed by the cameramen crew who were driving on the boat with their equipment.
.
.
.
"Alright, we are almost there, make sure to place the cameras and keep track of them, microphones as well. I can't wait to see their surprised faces when we get there." Chris smiled as he was talking with the crew which they were preparing their cameras on the boat.
The crew was getting ready and with Chris already aiming for a good start, he was about to rehearse his introduction on the Playa Del Losers, until the whole crew heard a loud explosion which made all of them jump, even Chris who looked in the direction of the explosion and a line of smoke going in the air.
"What the hell?" Chris said in surprise until he looked above and saw a little dot going in their direction, but thankfully the dot was doing a little curve which slowly was growing more and more.
"aaaaaaaaaAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," And then a tiny sound of a scream was getting louder and louder until Chris could see an object going at high speed it hit the water of the ocean with full force.
*SPLASH*
Chris and the camera crew watched that object create such an impact that made a few waves to counter the actual wave from the ocean. And even strong enough to move the jetski who was lying on the water near the boat.
Chris blinked as the other guys, until they saw from that place, two former campers who took their heads off the water to catch their breaths.
"THAT WAS AWESOME," Izzy said as she laughed at the adrenaline rush they both got. "It's probably the highest we have ever gone before."
"I know, I thought we didn't go for the right angle and we would hit nearby the beach which would be more dangerous," Ezekiel said as he was holding the weights on his body, but also the shield which was heavy to carry but thankfully the water helped him with that problem.
Both of them enjoyed their laugh until suddenly they heard someone sneeze.
"Bless you," Izzy commented as she then realized in the direction where they looked. A few meters away was the boar where Chris and the camera crew were watching in disbelief. "HI CHRIS"
"Chris, hey. What's up?" Ezekiel said as both greeted at the boat where the host and the crew of the show were staring at them.
"I cannot believe this," Chris said in disbelief as he let both campers get up on the boat. Thankfully some crew members even got towels for them. "Ezekiel my boy, you look way different than before the show."
"Yeah, it took me weeks to finally recover from pneumonia, and Eva had been on my neck to make sure that I would improve my health." Ezekiel smiled as he saw the camera preparing the cameras.
"You even got a haircut," Chris said as Izzy finally finished drying herself. "Have to confess that it looks better than you using a redneck haircut."
"So why are you here?" Izzy asked as she smirked at Ezekiel who raised his eyebrow as both knew the reason.
"We were heading to Playa Del Losers because we are going to do the new episode there," Chris said as both faked their eyes going wide open in surprise. But the next part they didn't need to pretend. "Also I found interesting what you two just did now. Can you do it again while we use our cameras to record the scene? Because I know that this will be the perfect opening scene to catch the attention of the viewers."
Ezekiel and Izzy looked at each other... But then both smiled wide open and nodded their heads.
"We are approaching our destined place, as why you don't enjoy the perfect vision of our 5-star resort for all the losers, they were all together enjoying the fruits of their own... *BOOM*" Chris was with the camera pointing at him as he gave a slight pause with his jetski, doing an introduction until the loud explosion which came straightly to the direction of the new island, and the cameras aimed to the sky pointing where there was a tiny dot.
"YEHAWWWWWWWW." A loud shout could be heard, as the camera did the right angle to focus on the tiny dot, while the other camera was aiming at Chris who was looking at the explosion and the people approaching with surprise and disbelief. Until everyone watched once again an object hitting the water.
*SPLASH*
Chris took an umbrella and opened it to protect his hair while the little wave was enough to soak his shorts. And to the surprise of the viewers, the first thing they could see from the water, was in fact the same duo of a homeschooled boy, taking his head out to breathe, and Izzy who was laughing from the adrenaline. Both were enjoying the good taste of the adrenaline rush which made them laugh happily.
"Aham." The duo paused when Chris cleared his throat which made both blink and make Chris look sternly at them. "Do you mind?"
"Oh hey, Chris." Izzy waved at the host while Ezekiel smiled at them.
"Hey Chris, nice to see you again. Welcome to Playa Del Losers." Ezekiel welcomed the host, while Chris felt his eyes twitching, but took a deep breath to control himself.
"Thank you, Ezekiel," Chris commented until he blinked a few times. And then gave a look at the boy. "Ezekiel?"
"Yep." The boy said as the camera recorded the shrimp boy who seemed to have a new haircut, and looked more human with it. Which was ironic for the state of the boy from another future.
"THAT WAS SO AWESOME," Izzy shouted as the cameras pointed in the direction of the actress who knew exactly how to act around the camera, and since they already had plans for the introduction, Izzy was already enjoying the spotlight. "We have been doing Sky surfing for 2 hours, it's a surprise to see you again."
"Sky surfing?" Chris raised his eyebrow as Ezekiel chuckled.
"Don't ask, it's one of the weird games we have been doing since we got eliminated," Ezekiel explained as he was acting like himself, and helping him to carry the heavy shield underwater. "Anyway, Izzy can you help me with this?"
"Sure. I will lead the shield this time," Izzy helped Ezekiel and both were ready to swim back to the beach. "See you guys there."
"Cut." The cameraman said loudly, which both Ezekiel and Izzy stopped and Chris smirked back.
"Alright, that's a perfect shot. I will be driving on the shore. See you guys there." Chris said as he drove with satisfaction and was already guessing that it was going to be one of the best episodes ever.
"Hey guys, can you give us a lift for us?" Ezekiel asked as they got help to get back on the boat, and had someone from the camera crew to give the surprising news to the campers. It would be chaotic.
And just like what it was said… The moment the boat was there, and the camera crew was preparing their cameras to place on the main poll of Playa Del Losers, the remaining losers freaked out and tried to get themselves organized to be recorded on the television again.
Thankfully the camera crew gave enough time to the campers to prepare themselves for the episode, as everyone was enjoying their time, they got in agreement that everyone should be wearing a swimsuit to make sure to give a good experience for the viewers. Ezekiel and Izzy didn't need it since they were the first ones who were using the said swimsuits while they were playing with their new exciting activity. When the time the camera crew was ready to record, everyone decided to just chill and enjoy their hobbies and activities in the main pool of the Playa del Losers.
.
.
.
The camera once again Chris arrived at a different pier with his jet ski, as the comparison to the one who had been before clearly shows a difference, from the shore, the cleaning water, the sand of the beach, and the resorts appearing to be 5 stars like nobody watching in television could ever imagine.
"Like Ezekiel had just said to me. Welcome to Playa des Losers. The all-inclusive luxury resort where our sent after being brutally voted out of the game to lick their wounds and accept their fate as reality show has-beens," The various campers are seen enjoying the amenities, showing the buffet, the palm trees, DJ, and Eva were laying on the beach chairs, enjoying the sun, as the camera even got a view of Eva still with bandages around her torso, but showing a good resilience and not phased from the fact that she had to go at the hospital for the surgery. "When we are down to the two final competitors, their fate will be in the hands of these twenty losers. Now let's talk with our campers."
Chris smiled as he went after the campers, as he approached Eva who was doing her best to relax herself.
"Eva, I thought you were supposed to be at the hospital," Chris commented in a surprised tone but with a smirk on his face, Eva grumbled some words, as she focused herself to take the sun.
"There was nothing better to do at the hospital, at least here I have someone to talk and I can do some leg exercises, knowing that my parents would kill me after I left the hospital by myself." The bodybuilder said as she looked at DJ who was also having a good time taking a sunbath.
"Thankfully there is a treadmill around the gym on this resort, so having a few weights and exercises for her to focus on the leg training was a good way for her to relax," DJ commented as he was showing the kindness that he always had when he knew that he should be worried about his friends, and even with the last contact he had with his momma. He was satisfied to be watching Eva, knowing that possibly Eva's mom would need to keep looking at the bodybuilder to not overwork herself.
"Ah DJ, nice to see you too. What do you think about this place?" Chris commented as the gentle giant smiled in relief and was laying on the chair with gusto.
"I gotta say, this had been a very rewarding experience, I thought this would have been the place when I signed the contract, but I confess that I miss some of my friends on the camp. But soon I will see them too." DJ said in a kind tone and Chris rolled his eyes, knowing that it would always come to that kind of conversation.
Chris decided to call the camera crew and move on to the next camper, as Chris wasn't looking until he got bumped into someone.
"Hey, look what… Holy Mama, Sadie, is that you?" Chris said as he was gobsmacked from seeing what would be Sadie which looked like she lost a few pounds but compensated for that weight by converting on muscles on her arms and back. She was still a bit chubby, but she showed a few tones of muscle across her body, and there was a pink gym top that could be used as a swimsuit, and while in one hand she was lifting weight, the other she was enjoying a very nice ice cream cone.
"Oh hi, Chris." The former fat camper said as she gave a quick hug which made Chris suffer from the lack of control from her strength which made her realize what she did. "Ops, sorry."
"Ugh… I can't believe you… Look at you," Chris said as he was looking at the different girl who came from the second episode, even her iconic two ponytails were changed for a wavy one. Which doesn't seem to be that different. "You…"
"I changed a lot… I have to Eva, Harold, and Katie to be grateful. I wanted to be strong enough to protect Katie in the future and like my friends told me, to not be too dependent on her, so I decided to stop lamenting about myself and do some training. Eva made me have a heavy training session. Harold did my hair and Katie sewed this amazing top. What do you think?" Sadie explained as she could see that even the camera crew were surprised to see the exchange, and the camera even got the beautiful and eye-candy Justin who was always looking at himself in the mirror, moving his arm in a different angle, to give a better look at the Killer Bass Asian twin to be the same person as ever.
"Wow, that's a great exchange Sadie, not going to lie, I thought you would have been the same annoying girl that came on the first episode. And I was about to make a few jokes about you." Chris said off-script, seeing a girl changed in that way made him question if he should have left the cameras on the Playa del Loser for the Pay-per-view system. But it was already too late for that. "Wait, did you say Harold did your hair and Katie sewed your top?"
"Not just that." Sadie nodded her head eagerly, which made Chris raise his eyebrows. "Harold did the hair of all the girls with the exception of Eva and Izzy, I think both of them had pity for him since he had been working on the whole day. And Katie always had made our clothes, since we were kids, so having her use her old hobby to make new clothes for not just me, but Ezekiel asked Katie to make a T-shirt for him,"
"I got so many questions right now," Chris commented as Sadie was giggling, but not before offering the ice cream cone for him.
"You want some? It's pistachio-salty honey. I made it myself." Sadie once more dropped another bomb, and Chris could feel his mouth dry and even the heat of the sun catching on him.
"I'm going to refuse for now," Chris said which Sadie nodded happily.
"If you want there is a tub in the freezer, you can have it when you feel like it," Sadie said as she walked directly to the pool to swim, while Chris nodded at her.
"I will remember that," Chris said as he looked surprised but also satisfied with the curiosity on how a person had changed from the time the losers were there.
Chris decided to go near the grill which Chris had been surprised by seeing Cody preparing the barbecue while Katie was placing sunscreen on his back. Katie showed her new haircut and a well-made black and white strip bikini which showed a signal of independence from being exactly like her best friend Sadie.
"Katie and Cody, how the lovely couple had been doing across this little paradise?" Chris said as the cameraman pointed at the camera at the geek boy turned his back and kissed on tan girl's cheek, making her giggle.
"It had been incredible, it was a very nice vacation from all the challenges we had been doing together, and I gotta say this had been the biggest catch I had in my entire life," Cody said as he raised his eyebrows giving an innuendo meaning while Katie rolled her eyes.
"I was the only one you caught, Codymeister...," Katie laughed as she saw her boyfriend pouting at her. But a kiss on his lips made him grin and return to the grill. "To be honest, one of the hardest things for me was to continue on the show while I missed both Sadie and Cody... It had been day after day I missed them so much. But I was so proud of Sadie for how she worked herself to be so strong that it made me think about doing workouts with Eva but seeing her pales every time she talks about it. It made me quit thinking about it immediately."
"Well, look at the bright side, you don't need to work much, you are perfect like that babe." Cody gave a compliment, as she giggled and Chris whistled.
"Smooth boy," Chris said impressed, and looked at the swimsuit and haircut she had on her head. "It's surprising to see not just you are acting different than Sadie, but you also had a new haircut and this neat swimsuit."
"Oh, this swimsuit? I did while I was seeing my clothes yesterday and while I love my pink dots swimsuit. I wanted to give a bit more love to my little nerd." Katie said as Cody blushed but had a smirk on his face.
"Man, I love this girl," Cody said as he kissed her lips, Chris was enjoying seeing the changes happening, and a few fans or fans were mad at seeing a scene like that. Creating a drama around the fandom.
While Chris was looking around, he just found out that one of the camera crew disappeared, which later he was going to have an earful talk with the member and with a good excuse to fire him if he didn't give a good reason for why he disappeared with one of the cameras.
Chris looked around and had a smirk on his face when he finally found something interesting that he could work with, the familiar homeschooled boy who did the introduction of the episode with him, was in the middle of the pool bar where he and Noah were reading a bunch of papers and probably doing the editing of what would be the chapter of something.
Noah was examining closely as he then had his eyes narrowed in disbelief.
"You are a cold bastard did you know that?" Noah said as he was both impressed and outraged to see the writer with a good smile on his face. "Seriously? That's how you are going to end the first volume of the book?"
"Yep. And please don't tell since we are being recorded right now. Hey Chris." Ezekiel turned his back and looked at the host and the camera crew who approached the duo who were still doing some grammar correction.
"So how have you been? From what I'm catching this is the end of one of your books?" Chris said as he was both interested and intrigued to know more about what the boy had been doing since the time he left the show.
"Yep, Steven Universe is being edited the final chapter before I send it out to a publisher, and with that the first volume of my 3 books is complete," Ezekiel said as Chris looked surprised at him. "I had so much time while I had to take my medicine, that not enjoying much the experience of being in a pool or hot tub for so long, I had to concentrate my energy on something, so I did write a lot…And I got a few propositions from publishers which they said it would help with my first book."
"Oh? Which one is it?" Chris said curious as he knew it was a good time to make an ad for a member of the show, since the boy had been helpful across the show, maybe a little advertising could help the boy to sell some of his books.
"Courage the Cowardly Dog, to be honest, I never thought they were so quick to print 50 thousand books, and they said tomorrow is going to be the official release on the bookstores," Ezekiel said as he commented happily what was the results of his own hard work, and from seeing Chris even surprised to see the quantity and even how they were ready to be published. It made the boy smile further. "I sent one of the first editions for my Ma and Pa, Noah got his yesterday…"
Noah rolled his eyes but didn't say anything as Chris looked in surprise at the boy.
"I like reading, and I had been helping him to edit the chapters since it would be faster for him to print them, and I was bored. So it was a win and win situation for me, he also wrote a book dedication on my book, so I liked to have a personal touch." Noah shrugged as he continued to drink the smoothie. "It makes it worth it to chat more about the book, and I got used to being an editor, so it was fun work for me."
"Makes sense, also this reminds me of one thing. I need to go to my bedroom, be right back." Ezekiel said as he got his papers and made sure that any of them wouldn't be soaked from him going at the water. By shoving all the papers on the backpack and launching it on the floor away from the pool.
Leaving Chris and the camera crew staring in disbelief, while Noah rolls his eyes.
"Trust me, it took us 30 minutes to figure out how to take the papers out of the water without soaking ourselves in the water," Noah said as he saw DJ and Eva seeing the woman still with her eyes closed, the boy couldn't help but ask. "Did you read about Jasper?"
"Yes I did, he made me be the first one to see her design, and I liked the weapon she uses. I don't know why, but I felt it would be an awesome girl to work out or have a sparring with." The bodybuilder commented as DJ and Chris looked curious, while Noah rolled his eyes.
"I can see why. That boy is a machine, almost 3 years and he would publish 3 books in a row." Noah said as he looked exasperated. "I don't know if I should be grateful or scared that he passed most of his time around you and Izzy to make him distracted from writing."
"He is getting healthier," Eva said as a fact, and the crew looked at her and narrowed her eyes. "After recovery, always work out to get yourself in shape. You should be doing that string bean."
"And get your torture you call workout regime? Pass, I prefer to have all my bones intact, and don't have PTSD like the fat boy who was probably having the best time of his life on the final 5." Noah said as Eva scoffed, and turned herself back to relax on the chair.
"Relax Eva, I know that you want to return for your exercises, but also you must be careful with the stitches you have. So why not enjoy the sweet good things like today? I mean, look at this place I would live here." DJ said as Bunny was above his abdomen and finding comfort for itself being patter by the gentle giant.
The bodybuilder complained but decided to follow the advice of the relaxing brick wall. Even as she felt uncomfortable by relaxing. At least she had someone to talk to and have a good way to show she is fine to every fan and her parents that she is doing fine.
Chris was about to talk more when he just heard something that caught his attention.
"It's crazy how it is..." A voice was enough to make everyone pause as they looked in the direction of Harold followed by Tyler and Courtney who looked concerned at him. Chris was surprised to see an unraveled haircut on the C.I.T. girl, knowing Duncan would lose his marbles the time he saw his girlfriend like that. Probably one of the works of Harold exposed.
And talking about the nerd, he doesn't seem to be so cheerful while the jock was slapping his back as a way to give comfort. And Courtney was trying to find the right words to say. But the silent comfort was the best she gave for her friend.
"I just don't know guys, it seems that more and more she looks a bit more distant, and we don't even spend much time together anymore. I just don't understand." Harold commented as Chris approached the camera crew, a bit of drama was tingling Chris's senses and he decided to enjoy the good time to appear.
"Speaking of the Devil, Harold the hairdresser, how the Playa Del Losers has been for you?" Chris said as Harold for the first time flinched and muttered a curse from one skill that he didn't want to be exposed to.
"Shhhhhh," Tyler loudly shushed Chris as he looked around for the sake of comforting Harold. "Harold didn't want anyone learning more about him doing the haircuts, because the first time Harold cut the hair of Ezekiel, most girls of this place asked for him to do their hair, and he spent the entire day doing that."
"I can hear their hair growing up," Harold said not just annoyed but traumatized for overworking one of his skills as well.
"Oh come on Harold. It wasn't that bad." Courtney scoffed as she flinched from his piercing glare at her.
"Say that after I pass the whole day doing haircuts for all of you. It took 3 hours to make relaxation on Bridgette's hair and make a curly haircut without getting any complaints." Harold said which made Courtney giggle sheepishly...
"Okay, maybe we shouldn't have forced you to do all that haircut. And possibly next time we are going to make a better schedule for you." Courtney said as she used diplomacy and made sure to make Harold sigh in relief.
"I would appreciate that. Please next time, not everyone on the same day." Harold composed himself and walked towards nearby the pool...
Chris blinked as he never thought to see the nerd who was always proud of his 'mad skills' finally show one that he probably regrets exposing around.
"Okay, let's change the subject. What you three have been talking about?" Chris wanted to know more about the details of the drama while he wasn't around. And from the way Harold was feeling uncomfortable, he could guess what happened. "Was Leshawna giving you a cold shoulder? What happened with the romance you two developed as the first official couple of the show?"
Harold was about to say something when suddenly a loud shout interrupted everything.
"THAT *BEEEEEEEP* *BEEEEEEP*" And from the surprise shout the editors will have a surprise censorship they have to make. Made Noah, Harold, Courtney, Tyler, DJ, Eva, and Sadie who were near the grill with Cody and Katie paused and saw Leshawna, dressed in her dark grey swimsuit and a long well-made braids hairstyle which Harold passed also a long time doing it for his girlfriend, was nothing in comparison than her anger on her eyes. "That slime parasite dared to tell on the blog that Heather would be better in *beep* than me because I would possibly break Harold's hips from my heavy weight, and Heather since she was a former ballerina was more flexible and would fit better for him because of *beep*, *beep* and *beep*. Is she for real? Does she want to die?"
Chris looked confused as Cody and Katie sighed... And Ezekiel got two books on his hands and a CD case as well...
Bridgette and Geoff finally got on the hot tub while they looned surprised to see Leshawna that angry... Justin was focusing himself looking at his own reflection.
Izzy who was using the diving board to make a loud splash paused, as she stared at how loud Leshawna was angry, probably even forgetting that she was being recorded by the television.
"Wow," Cody commented flinching with the idea of who would be on that low to make such a terrible thing… "Sierra really wants you to get angry."
"What?" Chris was shocked by seeing the ghetto girl being so irate like that, but he also had no idea what was happening, or who was the person who was causing such a thing. But thankfully Cody and Katie walked in front of the host to explain the situation.
"There is a very obsessed fan named Sierra who had been… what is the word again? Trolling?" Katie wasn't sure about the geek terms but thankfully she looked at her boyfriend who nodded his head at her. "Right, Trolling the forums, which she shows her deep anger by aiming at me and Cody since we love each other and we are officially in a relationship… And Leshawna was one of the girls who were supporting me and Cody, but in the end, Sierra noticed Leshawna and decided to focus all the trolling on her, by saying Harold was too good for her, and even the moose incident..."
Harold flinched while Leshawna growled at remembered how Sierra was making her day a hell because of that.
"Sierra got the time of her life, by making the ship of Harold and Heather, which possibly had a very solid fanbase, which irks Leshawna in a bad way…" Cody finished, as the angry girl walked towards the skinny nerd who was looking both afraid and sad at her.
The big ghetto girl didn't take that BS, so she only wanted to destroy that troll once and for all. With a smirk on her face.
"Harold, you, me, your bedroom. Now." Leshawna said as she didn't even let Harold argue, she got him in her arms, and was using force to carry him with her… But not before giving a deep look at the camera. "Say whatever you say Sierra, but let's see if you can top that, you and the skinny white girl. I'm going to give him the ride of his life. It's over. I won."
Chris blinked as Harold couldn't help but mutter.
"I'm scaredly aroused," Harold whispered but a good part of his sadness was away, while he was going to have a better time with his girlfriend, sometimes he was grateful to Sierra for making his passion burn once again between the two.
Chris was in silence, as all the campers while watching the black woman and the nerd going to a suite to enjoy a good time of lust… which nobody wanted to imagine… Ezekiel then decided to compliment the scene.
"If I have a nickel for every time I watch someone being threatened or punished to having *beep* I'd had 2 nickels… Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that happened twice, right?" Ezekiel commented, as the television once captured what would be another treasure quote that would be published in the name of Total Drama Television.
The campers who heard that either nodded their heads and some even laughed at the said question. While Noah and Courtney groaned. The camera went aimed at them.
"Great, now they probably will be doing that for the rest of the night as well. I rather rip off my ears than hear them having coitus like animals for the rest of the night. Is someone willing to share the bedroom for me to sleep tonight?" Noah said annoyed as he wouldn't want to have the same traumatic experience, and Courtney nodded her head as well.
"I agree with you, maybe should be for the best if we share a room with another person," Courtney said as she looked at Bridgette who was enjoying her experience in the hot tub. "Hey Bridgette, can you let me pass the night in your suite?"
"Sure," Bridgette commented as Geoff was taking a picture of the two, and even letting her use his stetson hat. But showing the good curly haircut the nerd had done at her. It was indeed a good show of skills of the boy who is probably enjoying the time of his life.
"Welp, I will be dammed, that boy is a son of a gun," Chris smirked, as Izzy was looking with a big smile on her face and staring at Noah.
"What?" The bookworm said as she was giggling loudly, and the boy stared at Ezekiel who was still holding his stuff. "I think Izzy finally lost the screws on her brain."
"Why don't you ask Cody to share a bedroom with you?" Izzy commented, as the bookworm raised his eyebrows, and he had no idea what the sick plan she had on her mind… But a good part of his own instincts was telling him to refuse whatever she was suggesting.
"Nah, I don't think so," Noah said slowly, which made Izzy pout, and inside of his heart, the boy knew that he dodged a bullet.
"You can stay in my bedroom, Noah." Sadie offered gently as the boy looked at Ezekiel, and the other campers, and Izzy pouted angrily, which made Noah nod his head.
"Alright, it's better than nothing, and probably your suite is on the other side of the resort, which is great for me." Noah nodded his head, and Chris rolled his eyes but enjoyed the good comments on how the episode would be edited on the show.
The cameraman crew noticed Ezekiel having two books in his hands and walked towards DJ who was petting his little bunny, to the surprise of everyone Ezekiel smiled and raised a book for him.
"This book came yesterday, and I was just giving the final touches DJ, and I didn't know how much Courage meant so much to you, but I think there isn't anybody better who deserves it more than you." Ezekiel didn't lie, since it took it a few hours to prepare this gift for the brick wall who looked not just surprised but deeply happy to see it.
"Wait, is that?" DJ had his eyes sparking at the cover of a purple book, in the cover there was a little house made of wood, and there was a family, a husband and a wife, and the iconic pink beagle who was waving at the person who was looking at the cover.
"Go on. Read the first page." Ezekiel smiled as DJ slowly saw something very surprising...
"For a good friend, who knew the faces of fear every single day, and yet took a step further to show courage at the most important moments, I never thought this story would have changed lives, like yours and mine. True courage comes when we face our fears for the sake of the people we love... ( A tiny drawing of Courage with a balloon speech "The things I do for love").
For a friend who knew how important this little dog meant to me, and how it meant for you.
You are Courage DJ, and that makes you special. Because there is no such thing as perfect. You are as beautiful as you are DJ. With all your imperfections, you can do anything.
(A drawing of Courage who was brushing his teeth staring at an ugly barracuda in a bathtub.)
This dedication is for you because I think there isn't somebody who deserves more of this dedication than you, DJ. I hope you like this message and this gift I give to you.
At the end of the dedication, there is a colored art of Courage holding Muriel and DJ holding his Momma in the same way while shouting the same word. "YES," Both the coward dog and the coward brick wall said on the sketch.
By your friend... Ezekiel, and Courage the Cowardly Dog...
Be courageous.
Ezekiel didn't have time to process when DJ gave him a hug which made him almost crack his bones. And the painful groaning.
"Guys, help." Ezekiel tried to call for help, but he couldn't see it. Many of his friends and even the camera crew were in tears and sobbing at how beautifully the message was done by a good friend. "Urgh, DJ, please... Ugh..."
.
.
.
It took a few minutes for to DJ recover his composure and his friends helped the poor boy who felt a bit sore around his entire back, and now he was lying on the chair while his friends were looking sheepishly at him.
Ezekiel was glaring at them, even Izzy who looked sheepishly at him because she didn't help him from the possible cracks which happened around his bones.
"You need to train your back more," Tyler commented as Eva gave a glance at the jock who shrugged. "It's really easy to crack the back, my family had a story with things happening all the time."
"I will keep that in mind... Maybe make Ezekiel hold a weight vest to help him train his back." Eva wondered what made Ezekiel shiver on his spine and glared at Tyler who whistled innocently.
"Alright, guys. That was touching and special, but now Ezekiel, you had brought another book and even a CD case." Chris commented as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Yeah, those two are for you. Since you allowed me to advertise my book, and even I felt flattered for you using some of them in your challenges, I thought you would like to also have a good book with a dedication on it... Just please do it in your trailer, I wouldn't take another person hugging me and trying to crack my back." Ezekiel's comment made Chris give a smile and a smirk while DJ flinched and looked sheepish.
"Sorry," DJ said sheepishly and the boy now having his winter hat back on his head, rolled his eyes but had a smile on his face.
"And what about the CD?" Chris asked as Ezekiel smiled.
"Oh, in case you are really busy reading, maybe having this will make you more interested. It's a record of me telling the story, with sound effects and even music. Thanks to Cody and Harold we had some great chapters on this CD." Ezekiel commented as while Chris looked at the CD with interest, the camera could see the faces of all the campers... All of them had a devious smile on their faces, and Ezekiel's face looked like a pure devil who wanted to screw with someone. "These stories got so immersive that the horror would be even more real and be even more scary than before. I have to agree with Lindsay, I should also focus on people who couldn't read books, so this is my prototype to see if that would make them also enjoy this story. So you have the first prototype of the audiobook."
"Wow, a first edition of the audiobook? Ezekiel, you are spoiling me so much." Chris commented in a mocked tone but failed to see the shadow covering Ezekiel's face and the smile that resembled the devil himself.
"Oh, well what can I say? You deserved it, Chris. This is a gift for all of us." Ezekiel commented as Chris smirked and the camera crew couldn't see all the other campers. From Tyler to even DJ who had an evil grin on their faces. Ezekiel meant with all his heart. It was a gift from all of them. The first chapter of the prototype of the audiobook was the Freaky Fred. The guys couldn't help but imagine how Chris would react to hearing about the barberman...
And nobody had a slight percentage of guilt on their minds.
After a little break, everyone went back to their activities Chris decided to narrate for the part of the show, seeing Ezekiel relaxing his body on the hot tub with Courtney, and Bridgette was having a goof-making out session with nobody other than Geoff.
"As you can see, our campers have made themselves comfortable here at our luxury resort." Chris narrated for the audience as the camera panned over to the hot tub where Bridgette and Geoff could be seen cuddling together and even kissing for long minutes. "Looks like Geoff and Bridgette have been enjoying their time together here."
"Dude!" Geoff cheered after removing his lips from Bridgette. "This resort is off the charts!"
Until he returned to kiss when Courtney looked at her clock.
"8 minutes," Courtney commented as she and Ezekiel took what would be a water spray and aimed at the couple.
*Tsk* *Tsk* *Tsk*
"AHHHHHHHHHHH" The surfer and the party boy shouted could be heard as Chris looked surprised and both Ezekiel and Courtney rolled their eyes.
"Seriously? We had the opportunity to be on television again and you were wasting your minutes by making out this long, again?" Courtney gave an emphasis as both Bridgette and Geoff used the water of the hot tub to clean up the burning from their faces.
"Oh come on, it didn't pass 10 minutes. Why are you so controlling guys?" Geoff said as he felt unfairness coming as Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"You were the one to set up for kissing at a maximum of 7 minutes today," Ezekiel explained as he placed the anti-horny spray on the side. Which made the blonde boy realize what he said.
"Ohhh, right... Sorry guys." Geoff commented sheepishly while Courtney sighed and Bridgette pouted.
"So what just happened?" Chris asked curiously as Courtney gave the bottle of water spray to the host.
"Bridgette and Geoff spent most of their time making out here, and we didn't mind them doing it in their bedrooms, but it was getting ridiculous when they kept kissing everywhere we wanted to just relax," Courtney explained as she pointed at Ezekiel. "That's why Ezekiel decided to nickname them Miss Tree Trunks and the Piggy. And when things get too much for us to a point where they annoy us, we use this solution of water spray with hot sauce, Ezekiel named it anti-horny spray, and we have been creating boundaries for them to do... Whatever they do in their bedroom it's up to them. But when we were at the pool they kept pushing us while making out. We just use this."
"Yep, my Ma did that when my Pa really messed up, so I think it would be a good way to keep them in check," Ezekiel explained as the duo decided to pout and go back to their relaxing time.
"You know what? I'm going around and grab my camera. We should have pictures of this event." Geoff commented that Bridgette liked the idea, while Courtney thought about it. But then smiled for the party boy.
"That sounds interesting." Courtney approved as Ezekiel nodded his head.
And with that the boy went ahead, making Chris and the camera crew turn their backs and look for more people to talk to.
And to the surprise of the cameraman they found Beth enjoying her spa session with the sharks who were having a seaweed mud wrap treatment just like her.
From the look of the girl she also got a new hairstyle which is a pixie haircut.
Passing on that they saw Izzy talking with Katie, Sadie, and Cody.
"And that's why I had to change all the color schemes of my factory." The ginger girl explained as Cody winced, and Katie and Sadie couldn't believe her ears.
"Is that legal?" Katie asked as Izzy nodded her head.
"Yeah, my lawyers told me that I had to change it quickly or there would have been a nasty lawsuit, which is why I wanted to break some necks," Izzy said as she commented with Cody palling.
"Never thought an ex-wife would have been so petty to do a scheme like that for the former owner of the factory." Cody was honest. Thinking about how a divorce would have been in such a terrible scheme to try to bury each other in debt.
"Okay, I can try to come up with a uniform for you," Katie said as she felt moved by the reason the girl being honest with her, if she could help with a way to help Izzy she would be glad since she also provided a few fabrics for her to do her swimsuit and Sadie as well
"Really? Thanks, Katie, you are the best." Izzy expressed her gratitude by smirking while Cody gave a big hug to his girlfriend.
"What can I say, I got lucky, she is really the best." The geek said which made the tan twin blush, but feeling happy for feeling useful and being complimented by her friend and boyfriend.
"Oh shush you, and kiss me, honey," Katie said as she didn't need to say again, to which the boy happily complied.
Then a laugh could be heard as the camera caught Leshawna with a victory smile on her face, and snapping her fingers in front of the camera.
"Did you see that Sierra? That's love, something that you would never catch from the geek boy, he already got a girl, so you knock it off. And, I have the pleasure of telling you that you can't compare me with Heather anymore. I won." Leshawna said with a victory dance, while Harold got out from the resort with a satisfied and happy smile on his face.
Probably the stalker would be fuming in hatred from watching the episode later.
Beth got out from the spa session with the sharks, and each of them passed while waving to Bridgette who waved them back, and Geoff and Courtney looked at the surfer in surprise.
"What? Fin, Fang, and Jaw are great guys. They even allowed me to surf over their backs one day." Bridgette commented as even Ezekiel blinked and looked at Bridgette weirdly, but the group just shrugged.
"Hey guys, what did I miss?" Beth commented as Chris went to walk with Beth.
"Beth, nice hair, what did Harold do for you as well?" The host of the show commented, as the farm girl nodded her head and even looked at her reflection of herself in the water.
"Yeah, and even got I skin treatment which made me feel even more relaxed. It feels like I slept 10 hours, and it was fantastic…" Beth commented as she looked around to see everyone already enjoying their day. "Did I miss much?"
"Nah, you can watch it on the television when it's edited," DJ commented, as then finally the last member of the losers arrived… And for the surprise of Chris… The boy looked all beaten up, with his eye swelling, burned marks, vomit on his chest, and even marks on his stomach…
"Woah, what happened to you?" Chris said in alarm until he saw the missed cameraman who just gave a thumbs up to him. Knowing that something was recorded.
"I couldn't waste my opportunity." The guitarist commented as he talked to the host. "I watched the episodes and I discovered that I messed up so much, that I needed to apologize to everyone, so I went to meet each of them alone, and say I was sorry… And the way they answered… It was a very loud, clear, and painful…"
"Did you record everything?" Chris said as the cameraman nodded his head, and Chris smirked. "Then let's watch some scenes."
(Recordings of Trent apologizing.)
"I hope you forgive me," Trent said that to Geoff, and immediately got a punch on his face, which made him on the floor.
"Apologies accepted," Geoff said while walking away.
"I'm deeply sorry…" Trent commented until he got a punch in the gut when it was made by Courtney who was very annoyed by him.
"You jealously really irks me, but I forgive you. And I know Duncan will forgive you as well." The C.I.T. replied as she smirked with the boy losing his air from her giving a very good punch.
"UGH." Trent felt his kiwis hurt when Katie gave a kick to his precious.
"That was for betraying Cody… But since Cody forgives you. I forgive you too." Katie nodded her head, while Cody was giving thumbs up at her.
"Thanks, sorry for that man," Trent asked weakly at his friend, who smiled at him.
"Sure, I know that it must have felt difficult, but it's still hurt a bit. So that's why I asked Sadie to give you a punch for me." Cody smiled as Trent palled.
"What?" Trent didn't have time to realize what happened when a strong punch made him fly a few centimeters away and get himself on the floor.
"Ops… I think I exaggerated." Sadie giggled sheepishly, while the guitarist was groaning on the floor.
"Ouch, but I didn't say anything," Trent said as he looked exasperated at Beth who placed both hands on her mouth. She had slapped him.
"Ops, sorry, I thought since everyone was beating you up. I should have my time…" Beth said sheepishly, while Trent rolled his eyes.
"Okay, I'm sorry for making Lindsay OUCH, AGAIN?" Trent shouted as he got another slap on his face.
"Ops, sorry, I will wait this time…" Beth said as she looked nervous.
"Okay, I OUCH. OH COME ON, YOU ARE DOING ON PURPOSE." Trent shouted as Beth giggled sheepishly.
"… maybe." The farmer girl said shamelessly in a way that would make the queen bee proud of her pupil.
"...*Gulp*…" Trent gulped as he looked at Eva who was staring at him like a shark wanting to devour her prey. "I want to say I'm sorry for everything I did for your team. And I hope you forgive me."
Eva stared down at him, which made him so afraid of what she could possibly do...Since she beat the crap of a serial killer and even made a bear female… What she could do with him would be any kind of…
"You are forgiven…" Then the reply from the bodybuilder made Trent freeze in surprise, never imagining that it would be that easy. But then he saw the skulls in her eyes. "You are so lucky for me to not even move properly without damaging the stitches on my body. So the next time you mess up like that, I'm going to break every little bone of your body and make you stay at the hospital as long as you live...Got it?"
Trent sweat bullets as he nods his head quickly. Which made Eva turn her back… And when Trent was sighing in relief. He felt a huge slap coming to his face, and launching him away from the beach and hitting the ocean.
And with that Eva sighed in relief.
"I forgave you for what you did Geoff, now this was for Gwen and Ezekiel, so now apologies accepted," Eva commented as she glared at the cameraman who immediately turned off.
"Hey Harold, I want to apologize for what I did with your friends when…" Trent was trying to talk with Harold who was with his back at him, but he didn't know at the time the nerd was enjoying a little of free time for him, he was actually trying to impress Leshawna with his nunchucks skills,
"WATCHA" Harold immediately turned his body with a reflex and the blunt nunchuck hit Trent on the face which knocked him out, "Ops. Sorry, Trent… I didn't see you there. You shouldn't approach a martial artist from behind. What were you saying again?"
"Ugh…" Trent was groaning while Leshawna facepalmed on that scene.
"Choose a number between 1 and 100. You have 10 seconds." Ezekiel was aiming his arrow at his face, which Trent thought it would be like the first time he did…
"Oh yeah, me too, me too. Choose a number between 10 and 80." Izzy smirked as she aimed another arrow but to the fear of Trent there was a ball of an orange sap, in both of their arrows, and a lighter aiming directly at the arrow. At the time they shot at him, Trent would explode.
"Are you two for real?" Trent said in a panic, never imagining that things would change like that.
"7 seconds," Ezekiel said.
"What happened to you?" Bridgette asked as Trent had a few burns on his back.
"I just went to apologize to Ezekiel, but then… OUCH." Trent didn't even have the answer when he got a slap. And before he could reply, he got another one, and then another one, and finally another one. "Why did you slap me four times?"
"One is for Geoff, the second is for Ezekiel, the third is for Gwen which you messed up many times, and the last one was because Duncan asked me to do it," Bridgette commented as she suddenly just saw Trent got a bit of white liquid coming on his hair.
Both looked above and saw a Seagull aiming its butt at Trent.
"Oh come on." Trent raised both his arms in disbelief from having such bad luck or in Bridgette's case was mother nature giving a bit of karma for his redemption.
"Okay, I think that's messed up. So I forgive you." Bridgette gave a few steps disgusted. "Maybe you should go take a shower."
"Yeah, I'm going to do it," Trent said as he went back to the resort.
"Sure, I forgive you, man," DJ commented as he then felt the boy hugging the brick wall, startling him from the way the guitarist acted.
"Thanks, man, you have no idea how this important is to me, you are the first one who didn't do anything to me," Trent said as he was even in tears.
"No problem. I think you already got too much… But my worries would be when you talk with Tyler." DJ flinched with the idea, while the guitarist blinked about it.
"What do you mean? It will not be that bad right? I mean, what's the worst he could do?" Trent asked in optimist when DJ gulped and palled.
.
.
.
"*Beep*" Trent commented, as he was sitting in the kitchen, and he was staring at a plate of pancakes in front of him, while above the table, there was a yellow liquid jar above it. "Tyler this is insanity."
"My grandpa always believed in karma, even in times he survived 3 airplane crashes, he still managed to win the lottery from all the karma he built up for himself," Tyler said as he opened the lid which made DJ want to vomit, but remained strong, as Geoff was there to give moral support… "You did this to my girlfriend, which she didn't do anything to you. I saw all the episodes of her commenting about this *beep* you caused to her… and I swear that if you don't eat this, I'm going to shove them down into your throat the same way you did to her."
"NO WAY, I'M GOING TO GET THE *BEEP* OUT OF HERE." Trent was about to leave when suddenly felt both DJ and Geoff catching him and holding him exactly the same way as in the Brunch of Disgustness episode. "No, no no no NO NO NO NO. PLEASE, ANYTHING BUT THAT."
"I'm sure that she will forgive you when she watches this… Now, be a good child, and take your pancakes… I mean, it's lemon vinegar like you said to her." Tyler said as he soaked the pancakes and one by one, he made sure the guitarist would get his punishment.
(End of the Transmission)
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." The loud laugh from Chris when he watched the record moments on the screen of the camera, was loud enough to see how much Trent's drama got appreciated on this special. "This is gold… no pun intended. But I felt this would be so much value that I need to make sure everything would be on air."
"Sir, we already have enough for an episode, what are we going to do?" One of the cameramen asked as Chris rolled his eyes.
"Tell the producers this episode is going to be a one-hour special. Because there is no way we could waste this opportunity. Trent's redemption by having karma biting on his but, now the viewers are going to enjoy everything around. So do your best to take all the recordings and do one hour." Chris commented that the producers would complain a little, but with Chris showing the rating on such episodes. It's going to make them the best channel watched for a long time.
"Well losers, why don't you all talk about what you think about the time you got eliminated?" Chris asked as Noah rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, I was pretty shocked to be the first camper voted off," Noah commented who was still wearing his white shirt and was back on the bar counter, the brainiac bookworm commented as he raised his hand. "Apparently I wasn't a bossy, manipulative, viper who could use opportunities to cheat and sabotage her own team and dangerous enough to make it through. She not only tricked everyone, but she made me the first one out. Which I'm going to get my revenge on her."
"While I still with a grudge against the way you eliminated me, Chris, I came to a term to accept that complaining wouldn't do anything in my favor," Courtney commented as she even expressed herself while she clinched her hand, but then she gave a deep breath. "But I got help from my friends, and I couldn't complain that as much I would rather still be in the competition, I would be lying if I said this place wasn't super nice."
"Yeah, you needed to chill out more Courtney, and the prank you did on us freaked me out," Harold commented as Courtney and Ezekiel laughed, which Chris blinked in surprise.
"Did you pull up a prank in them?" Chris asked slowly and the C.I.T. scoffed.
"What? Did you think I wasn't fun? Well sucks to be you. I had a good laugh." Courtney smirked at the host who just got his head blue screen from the revelation.
"How would I characterize my experience?" Eva repeated the question made by the cameraman while she was using a fork to take 4 meats from the buffet. "Easy, it sucked… every time I had an elimination was because of my injuries and technicalities, if I knew that I had to fight a bear and a serial killer, I would have doubled my training to make sure I would make them regret to even be born."
Eva growled which scared the crew but then she gave a good deep breath and calmed herself down.
"But I had better control of my anger, and I couldn't complain since I won a very expensive trailer and got the reward of capturing the Serial Killer. So 20 thousand bucks in my wallet was a good way to invest my future training." Eva said as she got a little smirk on her face, showing that deep down she was grateful. "Also I couldn't complain of having good friends around me, and watching Sadie and Ezekiel doing my working out I made for them made me feel proud of them, so I know they are on a good path to being healthy… differently than a fatass boy who is afraid of even lifting a weight."
"Did I get anything out of this experience?" Beth asked as she then gave a small smile which she looked at the camera. "Absolutely, I got my first best friends who did their best to keep me on the game, I had so much fun talking with Lindsay and Heather, they taught me a lot of stuff, even as Heather looked a bit rude, and cruel in some ways… I felt like I somehow managed to make her indeed care about me…"
"She voted on herself to make sure you would try to remain on the show," Leshawna commented as she rolled her eyes. "I gotta say, she was a brat viper for voting me out, but I have to respect a girl who did that for her friends."
"Yeah, and I feel very guilty for bringing the cursed Tiki on the island, and having to make not just me, but Heather and Ezekiel sick as well… But I cried when Lindsay told me that they swore they would be on the final 3, I feel like my spirit is with them. And I will be cheering up for them." Beth said as she felt emotional and even released a few tears. "Heather and Lindsay really cared about me and all I could do was to cheer them when they reach the final 3. It's what friends do for their best friends."
"You got that right," Leshawna said as she crossed her arms.
"Hey Beth, do you want some chicken wings?" Cody called from the grill and the farm girl nodded her head and left the cameraman with a satisfied scene.
"Alright, now it's tied. For the final point," Tyler commented as both Izzy and Ezekiel were with their bows and arrows in their hands, while there was a coconut painted with a target on it. "The person who managed to hit the center wins the challenge."
The jock gulped as the duo nodded their heads, and quickly placed in a place far away from the pool. In a distance where both couldn't hurt anybody. And with that. Ezekiel took his winter hat off, and Izzy cracked her neck.
"You better take off your weights Ezekiel, because there is no way that you will beat me with that kind of handicap," Izzy smirked as Ezekiel glanced at the 10 kilograms in each of his arms… And noticed that she was right.
"Okay, fair enough," Ezekiel commented as he finally pulled the velcro from his weights and after releasing it, there was a loud sound of impact by having 2 of 10 kilograms weight on the floor. Surprising Izzy and even himself. "Wow, my arms felt so much lighter than before. Holding this bow feels like holding a pillow to me."
"Well, let's on 3," Izzy said as she smirked, both taking their arrows and preparing their compound bows. "1,2… 3!"
*THUD*
*THUD*
At the time both released the arrows, the coconut was pierced one at the center of the target while the other was a little above the center.
"Dammit," Ezekiel said as Izzy giggled madly. "You tricked me."
"Hahaha, I can't believe it worked. You should always test and train a bit after releasing the weights Ezekiel, hahahaha. Now I won once again… How many was this time? 20 to 14?" Izzy giggled while the campers were enjoying a drink seeing both playing a game.
"Don't try to trick me, Izzy. It's 19 to 15. I'm approaching faster than you think." Ezekiel said as Izzy rolled her eyes but with a smirk on her face.
"Plllleeeeeaaaasseeee. I have far more experience than you ever had in combat, you are improving a lot, but in bow and arrow? Ha! I'm way better than you." Izzy said as she was dancing the dance of victory, while Ezekiel rolled his eyes and pouted.
"...What the hell just happened?" Chris commented as he looked amused but also confused on that scene.
"It's just Izzy and Ezekiel doing their thing… They do all the time." Most of the campers. Excluding Bridgette Courtney said loudly while Chris decided that it was enough for that time.
"Okay, say cheese everyone," Geoff commented as he caught Harold and Leshawna looking lovely as he was hugging the ghetto girl, and enjoying a good embrace of their time together.
"Woah, wicked picture Geoff," Tyler said as it showed a good picture just like the others. Since the jock tried to make one pose into trying to launch a freebie, but the said disk returned like a boomerang, and Geoff managed to take a picture of Tyler being hit in the face.
And then Tyler was enjoying giving a little surprise for Lindsay, by having Geoff take a picture of him giving a jump on the pool, which the picture was good… But the impact Tyler made on the water, was his face hitting first the water, which was painful, and let him have a red marked face…
The camera once showed Geoff taking a picture of himself with Bridgette while they were both kissing together, and she was using his favorite hat.
One with DJ reading the book given by Ezekiel, while DJ's bunny and Katie's bunny were playing together when an eagle tried to capture them…
Geoff took a picture of an arrow hitting on the eagle's butt which made it cry in pain and leave the bunny feel down, above Bridgette…
A picture of a bunny giving an Eskimo kiss on Bridgette as gratitude, made her giggle.
Tyler played with Yo-yo and made jokes about hitting himself, which accidentally that's what he accidentally did, then a coconut fell over his head… which everyone laughed at, even himself.
Chris thought everyone was suffering a lot… He once got called by Geoff who decided to take a picture of everyone again… The host couldn't help but smile and be part of it.
The cameraman took a picture of the entire losers, and this time without consequences of being pranked… Even if Trent was with his eyes swole, and a few burns… At least now the harmony across the playa del losers once again returned…
"Okay. You've seen how the losers are spending their time." Chris narrated to the camera as he knew that it would give a lot of minutes of content, but now he needed to make sure to continue the actual episode. "Now it's time to find out what they think of the final five."
"Which one we should start?" Courtney commented as she drank coconut and thought about who would be the best person to comment.
"How about Heather? She is the one who usually is the most rude around when it doesn't come around Beth and Lindsay." Bridgette answered the question, which everyone couldn't help but shrug.
"I have to confess that she is a very good competitor." Courtney had to give her that point. "She is very quick to adapt when some problem happens, and when they lose, she always finds a way to make their target well shown while being low radar with not just her, but with Lindsay and Beth as well."
"Yeah, I should have expected that they were using me as the target of all the Killer Bass, it was the smart thing to do… Low blow, but smart." Trent commented as many rolled their eyes.
"Oh bro, don't talk about if you didn't deserve everything that happened. You are forgiven but you shouldn't have acted ignorant." Tyler said as the group nodded their heads.
"I believe Heather has a great chance to win," Beth said as she was happy to talk about her friend, and while many would dislike her or find her just annoyed. "I mean, she did a lot for me and Lindsay, I thought I was so despaired that I could have been used in any case… And yet, she took me under her wing and even made me a great friend with her and Lindsay. So I believe she is very smart and can go to finals with Lindsay."
"Well, that Yoko indeed surprised me by playing a Batman's gambit on me, she knew how to sabotage me, and yet managed to adapt our loss into eliminating someone who would make things worse… I admit it was smart…" Noah commented as the group raised their eyebrows but then he glared at Chris. "But when the time is right, she is going to regret tricking me."
"That's what all they say." Courtney and Bridgette comment.
"Oh, I think she is very interesting. She really is like a sponge, she could interpret all my strategies and the lessons I gave for her, she really is great to be around if wasn't for the fact that she is always scared of me." Izzy commented as she was enjoying a melon barbecue she placed on the grill.
"Do you blame her? You sometimes even on your military commando can scare anyone. Even more when you acted crazy, it was so much that we feared that you could kill us at night." Leshawna commented as she saw her laughing like it was a silly joke.
"Oh come on Leshawna, don't worry, my license to kill had expired. So I have no right to kill someone. Hahahahaha," Izzy laughed as most of the campers gulped in fear, while she just frowned. "Oh come on. It was a joke, Chef would have laughed hard."
"Yeah, only militaries would laugh about it, Izzy," Ezekiel commented as the camera caught Izzy pouting, and Ezekiel thinking about it… With all the experience he had… he knew the exact words he was going to say. "Heather is in her prime, I think from the time she started on this show, she thought she could manipulate everyone into doing whatever she wants… But then she realized how important the allies meant to her, and different than what most people would say… I think that if she didn't have friendships with Beth, Lindsay, and Izzy… She would have become a *beep* so cruel that it would be cathartic for all the viewers to see her going down… While many people would love her as a villain… I think she is way better as an anti-hero and with a great older sister vibe to protect Lindsay and Beth. She has a great chance of winning if she plays her cards right."
…
"Wow," Leshawna said as she coughed on her hand. "I have to tell you the little farm boy was right, she was much more insufferable on the begging on the show, and while she is rude and made me want to slap her face, I gotta confess that there was time I couldn't help but cheer up for her. Way to go girl, defending friends with tooth and nails."Leshawna commented as the group nodded their heads at her.
"She is very rude, but as Ezekiel said, I think she values way more her circle of friends than her own family. I mean, did you watch what her brother did in her bedroom?" Bridgette commented as Harold nodded his head.
"Oh yeah, that boy is a little devil, and I'm curious about what Heather is going to do with her brother when she returns to her house," Harold commented as he then looked around and decided to comment. "And even that she proved her tits were not fake, doesn't mean that they meant anything to me, it was all the fair gameplay. But that moose was a pervert because come on everyone saw it."
"Yeah, that animal was petty," Geoff commented as the girls gave a nod, while Leshawna was getting her teeth.
"I would have his head on my wall because that animal just caused me a lot of headaches, with a certain girl which I will not name on this show, she just made Heather and Harold paired even if was the case both of them hated each other after the event." Leshawna scoffed as Harold blinked. "I mean, what girl would let a man grab her tits by accident and be Lovey and Dovey with him? I mean, Heather is a brat but a rich brat, while Harold is a string bean that passes most of the time in the bedroom of his mama's house. There was no way that it would work."
Leshawna's comment didn't pass much, but Harold winced in pain, while Ezekiel had his eyes wide open, from such a comment. In the same way Izzy and a few members of the Killer Bass, calmly composed themselves, just to let it drop that mistake once…
"Anyway, let's change for another camper?" Cody decided to go to Courtney and decided to use another person. "What about the last pillar of Killer Bass?"
"Duncan," Courtney commented as she felt smaller and happier to see the memories of herself and the boyfriend she had a good time together on the show. "I never would have expected it from day one, but he's really helped me a lot and reminded me how I can have actual fun. He just… means a lot to me."
"Well said," Ezekiel commented as he was also a representation of the Pillar of Killer Bass. And with a good look at the reflection on the water, he decided to once again explain what he thought. "When I first met Duncan, I always thought that he would have been one of the reasons why my parents wanted me to avoid public schools or learn more about the outside. But I saw something in him in the same way around everyone on Killer Bass, I saw a warrior, a person who if he trusts the right people, could be a great leader, and a great friend. He has his flaws of course, but who doesn't? But when he discovered that he wasn't a bad boy, but just a delinquent vandal… he created his own line that he would never cross just for my sake… I think that's a good reason why I always look up to him… he is awesome."
"Yeah, while I usually thought of him being annoying into doubting my mad skills, Duncan also knew how to make me have a better view of myself, into how to act, and when he said he was proud of me sometimes. I felt like he really meant it, and I never thought that a nerd like me and a delinquent like him would work so great together, it made me think of the first day and all the laughs we had together… Especially on the guy's night."Harold said as Geoff got excited.
"Oh yeah, the guy's night was awesome, he was a great DJ, GUYS NIGHT," Geoff shouted out loudly Ezekiel and Tyler felt excited, even DJ who was also knowing what was going to happen. "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." The Killer Bass Boys raised their hands as they chanted something that both Ezekiel and Geoff created, and even more funny was that even the girls of Killer Bass decided to join in… Even Eva. "OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."
"Okay, SETTLE DOWN," Chris said annoyed, as he pinched the middle of his nose, and looked at Beth who decided to talk about it.
"I'm grateful for him helping Heather when she was having a panic attack. I felt horrified to see Heather like that," Beth commented as Noah nodded his head.
"As much I hate her, I was surprised to see the criminal knowing how to make her control her breathing, it was he had experience dealing with that. Maybe it was because of his background of family of detectives." Noah explained as he took a book to read while Courtney glared at the bookworm.
"FORMER Criminal." Courtney corrected as she was proud and happy. "He is a free man, thanks to my mom, and only needs to pay community service which will be easy for him."
"Well with a mother-in-law like that, he better to be on his track." Noah joked when something hit his face… It was a coconut which made Courtney happy with her aim.
"Well, I have to apologize to him, since I kinda looked like a jerk," Trent commented as he knew that the jealousy he had over Gwen because of Duncan made both of them depart and he made a mistake that he would never fix it. "In the same way, I have to say sorry to Gwen… But from the way she said it… she already forgave me, but I had to move on."
"Then do it." Some of the members of the playa commented, as the guitarist closed his eyes, and nodded his head in acceptance.
"Owen?" Katie asked as they went to another camper which she looked happy to comment. "He was much fun."
"Owen's pretty nice… however his obsession with me made me keep a bit of distance from him," Justin commented as Sadie nodded her head at him.
"I like him, but I'm glad DJ taught him that pushing the girl in front of a serial killer was messed up and to stop talking about a lot of things which makes it worse for you." Sadie agreed while she failed to notice Justin smirking and giving his iconic smile which made the sharks faint.
"Yeah, I'm glad I could help him… and I think he is going to have better control of himself in the future," DJ commented as the group stared at the ginger girl, who usually would always be smiling widely and crazy, she was now with her face showing nothing more than resolution and seriousness.
"Owen is a great guy, while I know that he made his mistakes. I know that he has a good heart in him." Cody defended the big guy and everyone looked at Ezekiel, who was contemplating what he was going to say…
"I think he is going to win the game," Ezekiel said simply which surprised everyone with his comment, even Chris who stared at him in disbelief. "Owen is an underdog, and while he committed the ultimate betrayal, he always had a good heart, and from seeing his cousin Max saying that he is proud of him and seeing him freaking out… I think that is a good guy and regrets all the terrible mistakes he made with Izzy…"
…
"Izzy thinks like that." Izzy then commented as everyone looked at the girl who was still serious. "I forgave him, but the experience of almost dying really took the best of me, so much that I had to cry a lot… And I kinda hate crying. But from everything I did, he is still the same lovable goofball who doesn't know how to take care of a crush when the danger is around so maybe after seeing his cousin who is a person who wants to be an archvillain and being proud of him… That's the perfect karma torture that I love to see Owen getting his punishment." Izzy commented not in a crazy tone, but with nothing more than a bored and serious tone which made the campers even more terrified… "The worst kind of punishment is realizing that you become something that you tried to avoid all the costs, so maybe Max being proud of him was a wake-up call for him."
"I know that Owen would freak out every time he sees Max, and I would love to see that duo because I would laugh a lot," Beth explained as she even giggled at how Owen was overdramatic. "It was like a funny comedy movie, about Owen always shouting overdramatic Noooooooooo."
The losers laughed at how the big guy felt when he discovered the way Owen always gave his heart into everything, which with Izzy laughing the tension in the air got even lighter.
"Thanks, Beth, I needed that… So yeah, I think Owen is going to win." Izzy commented as it surprised everyone from the comment. "He is a monster, dealing with all the physical and all the nasty challenges about food, he could take it without breaking a sweat."
"He is an underdog because of that," Trent commented in agreement. "He can eat everything nasty, and didn't mind at all, it was disgusting to see, but also impressive."
"Now let's go to Gwen," Chris commented as Trent flinched, and decided to be in silence.
"I have to admit Gwen is a pretty smart competitor." Courtney was the first to comment as she could see from a personal experience. "Also a great friend, while the days had been getting harder and harder on her, she is an interesting person to keep talking about how awful the show was."
"I saw potential in her since she had a good head on her shoulders. I think it would have been a great addition to our team." Eva commented as she was finally with a weight on her hands, but a cough coming from Tyler made her realize what she was doing which made her curse a few words and drop the weight and cross her arms. "It was strange that I felt she would be better in our team than remaining on the Screaming Gophers..."
"I don't blame you, that team sucked," Noah commented as the group rolled their eyes. "It was a divided team since from the first episode. And while the Killer Bass always focused on teamwork, the Screaming Gophers somehow managed to win the victories by sheer luck and circumstances that made each member of Killer Bass say, Condor."
"I mean, she offered herself to be buried alive for her team. That must mean something" Trent commented as Ezekiel replied.
"Yes, so do I, we did that together because we thought someone would take us out after 5 minutes... 5 minutes..." Ezekiel said as he narrowed his eyes at the guitarist who preferred to shut his mouth. "Thank you again for taking us out DJ"
"No problem Zeke, we should have let one person there just in case." The brick wall said sadly which the Killer Bass sighed...
"Well, we had a lot of fun together," Bridgette commented as Courtney nodded her head.
"Will anyone going to talk about how crazy her mom was?" Leshawna gave a question to which many nodded their heads."That woman wasn't normal, she had such fanatism of her own daughter that she asked a person to act like a future version of her."
"I can't believe Gwen had a brother named Cody. And I could see why she looked at me like I was her younger brother, we are practically twins." Cody commented as he was surprised by the message from the family for Gwen. "Also can we all just agree..."
"If you dare to tell about my MA like a horny teenager I'm going to take my bow and shove so many arrows into your "beep" that you will be bleeding on the inside." Ezekiel interrupted as everyone remained quiet and Cody palled for the way the boy just talked to him.
"Not daring to disrespect her, but she really looks like Gwen." Cody was about to comment Ezekiel's mom was a Milf and he thankfully found the right words to say in a tiny voice.
The other campers looked at Ezekiel fearfully, but Courtney, Eva, and Izzy looked proud of the boy showing dominance on that geek.
"Yeah it's true Zeke, are you sure that your family isn't related to Gwen's family?" Geoff decided to continue the topic with respect which the homeschooled boy shrugged his arms.
"I don't know, I was just as surprised as you are. I didn't imagine Gwen's mother would be that committed to bringing my mom on the message from home and doing a future version of themselves..." Ezekiel commented as he could admit not even in his dreams something like that would ever happen... But after having lived his life, he knows one thing. "But I can see why my ma accepted to do it. She was having fun, and she is good when she wants to imitate someone. There was one time she passed the whole day imitating my pa and I couldn't stop laughing for the whole day."
"I have to admit that she was very good, I could see an adult Gwen talking exactly like that," Harold commented as the group nodded their heads at him.
"Well, Gwen's mom must have helped by giving the right information on how she would act in her house," Ezekiel explained as he then looked at Cody and Harold. "And funny enough, Cody is also traumatized by what Lindsay just had said about the Raiders of Lost Arc plothole. That even on the future version of himself there wouldn't be the salvation of that franchise."
"OH COME ON." Chris, Cody, and Harold groaned as painful that remark was...
"Now talking about Lindsay. I can understand why she had so much difficulty remembering our names." Geoff commented as Bridgette nodded her head.
"Having dyslexia is really a burden to have and for someone who could have terrible grades at school she really compensates with her athletic skills," Courtney commented as she gave a good point. "We really underestimate her, but she managed to win many times for her team."
"She was probably an MVP of Screaming Gophers and we didn't realize." Harold gave a point which made everyone pause, and thinking a few seconds, it showed it was true. "But to see her being interested in mystery stories was indeed surprising for me."
Everyone nodded their head as Tyler decided to comment.
"Lindsay had always been special, she is a very nice and kind girl who did her best to be friends with everyone," Tyler commented as he smiled proud of his girlfriend. "To have her family being supportive like that shows how much she is important."
"Tell me about it, her father is probably rich, did you see him telling her that he is going to take her to see the Sherlock Holmes movie in Holywood? He must have paid thousands of dollars or even a million to have that kind of VIP access." Cody commented as the guys nodded their heads.
"She is probably loaded with money, why would she want to have 100 thousand dollars if her family is rich?" Noah asked while nobody would know the answer...
"It would be for 2 reasons probably... One for being famous since she would be in a television show, or two, that she was looking for good friends to pass the time together..."Ezekiel commented as he gave a look at Beth, knowing that indeed since the end of the first season, the friendship both developed showed how much they cared for each other.
"Yeah, that's true," Beth commented as she nodded her head happily.
"That girl while naive she was... It was kinda hard to explain strategies in a way that she could understand. She was frustrating sometimes, but I couldn't be mad at her for so long. She is really nice." Izzy commented as she had a small smile on her face. "And I didn't think she treated me as a friend before, but now that I think about it. I had a little fun with her. So yeah, she is my friend now."
"Hey Beth, what's your opinion about Lindsay?" Katie asked as the group looked at the farm girl who took her glasses off to clean up on her shirt.
"Well, she is very special to me... She and Heather had been my world on the show, and while we had so many crazy problems the chores and comments made by Heather were annoying at times. I felt like I couldn't have asked better friends... And when Lindsay gave the speech on how she and Heather would be on the final three... I cried because of how much she thinks of me." Beth confessed as Cody tapped her back in comfort. "I know that she can be great and she will do her best to accomplish what she said."
And with that Chris let everyone have a break again. Since everyone was satisfied with what they said around the show. Before wrapping up on the final part of the episode.
(THAT NIGHT)
It was now nighttime at the loser's resort. The ex-contestants were gathered around the main pool Trent swole eyes started to get better as he was playing his guitar as the tiki torches were lit and providing light along with the moon.
"So, who do you guys want to win if you could vote right now?" DJ asked the question that was on everyone's mind.
"Oh! Can I pick Sadie?" Katie asked as she and her best friend floated through the pool on tubes.
"Aww, you'd pick me and not you?" Sadie gushed.
"Duh. You can't vote for yourself, that's tacky." Katie pointed it out like it was obvious.
"Katie, Sadie..." Courtney called their names exasperated as the duo looked at the C.I.T. "He means the people of the final 5."
"Ohhhh," Both twin girls said as they looked at each other confused...
"I don't know, it's a very difficult decision," Katie commented as she felt unsure, which most of the campers would even have to agree with her. "But I would vote on Lindsay, since she had been a great friend to Heather, in the same way their friendship reminds me of me and Sadie."
"Oh, oh, that's true, it would be so good to see them wearing the same clothes together, I would have liked the idea of them being twins just like us." The chubby yet strong woman commented as Katie smiled at the possibility, and everyone rolled their eyes.
"Well, I would vote for Heather, since she had been helping me and Lindsay a lot, she really wanted to do her best to win the show," Beth commented as she was happy to cheer up for the queen bee. "I believe in Lindsay and Heather to be on the final Three, but I think Heather would be the one catching the prize money."
"Well, I believe in Lindsay." Tyler defended his girlfriend, while he was still enjoying a good time on the pool. "I know Heather can go really far, but Lindsay is far more skilled and can surprise everyone when she uses her intelligence."
Noah refused to open his mouth to remark on a joke since Leshawna was glaring at him.
"Well. I think Gwen has a good chance of winning. I believe in her." Cody commented as the group raised their eyebrows at him. "I know that she may be having a harsh time, but she was way ahead of the game, so there is a good chance for her to win this."
"You are just saying that because you and her brother have the same name," Katie commented as she didn't believe in her boyfriend.
"Well yeah, in case her brother is cheering for her at home, I will be glad to take the little brother role as well to cheer her on the show, like Ezekiel too," Cody said as he nodded his head shamelessly, which everyone rolled their eyes but with a smile on their faces. "Also I agree with Cody, she needs to take Lindsay down. Sorry for that Tyler, but your girlfriend made my top 3 favorite movies and had a huge pothole that made me rank way down... And that's a sin for all the geeks to make."
"Oh come on. It's just a movie." Tyler said as he rolled his eyes playfully.
"It's a way of life," Harold said as he stopped them both. "Well, what about you guys?"
"Well, I have to say... Duncan. I already told you guys why;" Courtney commented as the group nodded their heads at her. While DJ had to agree with what she said.
"Duncan? Man, that is one tough dude!" DJ said as the camera panned to him as the bunnies were enjoying a spa treatment. "I saw him wrestle a grizzly bear to the ground."
"Which the same bear he tried to capture in the future with a chainsaw and provoked its dress, and had to run away with the tail between his legs because the said bear took his chainsaw and ran after him?" Eva crossed her arms as she asked at the brick wall and on the next second he sighed.
"I'm so glad Chris hired police to work as security for us. It was the minimum they should have done on that dangerous and crazy island," Courtney said happily, happy that there were the cadets who were there to save all the campers whenever a dangerous beast or a possible assault was happening in the future. "I wish they would have been hired earlier."
"Me too." The campers said in unison.
"I gotta say, I think they are hilarious," Ezekiel commented as he always enjoyed the cadets on the rindonculous race. "It was funny to have some police jokes and the way they acted around Duncan and Heather is hilarious. Especially when cadet Sanders had to use a taser to save Duncan, and MacArthur even tased Owen because he wanted donuts."
"Hahahahaha, yeah, they are hilarious. I think they would have fit on the show from the beginning. But I'm glad they are there for our entertainment." Izzy laughed happily as she then saw everyone nod their heads, while others scoffed.
"Well I agree with Courtney, while I and Duncan have our differences, I think he was the best person to compete. He is cunning and has some strategies, and his experience as a juvenile can help him to survive on most of the challenges." Harold gave a good description as Ezekiel smiled at the way Harold talked about him, from nemesis in the past, to good friends, that was the outcome that he always wanted to have. And he was glad with the results.
Bridgette commented as she had another point to tell.
"Duncan's not as tough as he seems." The surfer commented as she was chilling with Geoff in the hot tub. "He knew exactly how to deal with a person in a panic attack, and from the episode of phobia factor, I could understand why a standee could make a person like him panic. A child crossing a crime scene is traumatic for anyone."
"I'm sure that Duncan is a badass from having all the knowledge of detectives." Harold wondered as he thought about something. "I'm curious if he could tell some stories about his relatives and police cases."
"That would be a good talk to have with him later," DJ said as he was curious but also with a tiny fear inside of his heart.
"I think Owen also should win," Beth commented as Noah rolled his eyes angrily.
"He's a ticking time bomb of noxious fumes." The bookworm said as everyone recalled all the times the fat boy had farted across the show, while some of the Killer Bass just shrugged.
"Smelled worse. It wasn't that bad, Ezekiel's stink bomb destroyed my definition of bad smell, pff Owen just farts not like an atomic bomb... Nah, El Mongo and La Muerte are way worse." The Killer Bass boys and girls commented in a way that made Noah look at the homeschooled boy who just shrugged.
"What? They aren't wrong. I'm surprised that Owen's cousin is trying to replicate my stink bomb, and seeing Owen in panic is kinda fun." Ezekiel commented as he nodded his head with the group. "I also think Owen is going to win. Because an underdog is always a good person for us to cheer for."
"I also think Owen is going to win... Yeah, I know, I know, he made me cry and pushed me in the direction of the Chef who was dressed as a Serial Killer... But I already forgave him... I mean, I spent the whole week he had tortured, talked to the beavers to slap his face many times, saw him breaking down by seeing he is getting similar to his cousin which is hilarious, and even got tased by MacArthur... I mean, if that wasn't the definition of a redemption arc and a future champion walk. I don't know what it is." The military ginger shrugged as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"A poorly written script of a movie made by an unemployed person who doesn't know any better on how to write a script." Noah snarked as somehow a coconut fell on his head. "Okay, who is launching the coconuts on me? This is getting absurd."
"Dude can chug three liters of pop in under a minute. He deserves a hundred Gs." Geoff commented as he pointed in the direction of Izzy who knew that also he would be cheering for the boy who made a good attempt at saying the alphabet in burps.
"I like Duncan's style," Eva commented as she nodded her and giving a good point for people to think about it.
And the guys even debated who they thought would be the best for winning the game. Some agreed with Duncan, others for Gwen, others for Owen, and heck even a few for Heather and Lindsay.
And when they least expected, a little explosion and a smoke bomb were enough to surprise everyone as the host felt happy to make a final announcement.
"Hahahaha okay, losers," Chris said as he walked out from the said cloud of pink smoke from an amateur magic trick. "It is time for the most unexpected twist of all time…tonight you will be voting the next camper off Total Drama Island,"
Everyone was surprised while Ezekiel and Izzy gave a side glance as they were already prepared for everything. So they decided to shrug and let Chris do what he was planning to do.
"Here's how it's gonna work, there are no marshmallows, I'm gonna ask you one by one who would you like to see join you here tonight at Playa Del Losers…" Chris said happily as the other campers felt anxious while Ezekiel was drinking a smoothie. "Katie and Sadie, since you share a brain yet, which later hopefully will not, I will ask you both. Who would you like to vote for?"
Both Katie and Sadie looked at each other, as indeed shared the same ideas and thoughts, even as they were growing up separated from each other and improving themselves, it seems that in fact they always shared the same brain.
"Oh, I think Duncan's birthday is coming, I think we could prepare a birthday party for him when he comes." Said had said while Katie seemed to enjoy the idea...
*PFFFFFFFFF* Ezekiel spat the drink as his eyes went wide open in shock and almost chocked, and Izzy also looked perplexed and in shock.
"Oh yeah, that's true. He is so nice and deserves to have a party, so I'm voting on him too." Katie said as the sound of a bell rang twice. Which made Ezekiel and Izzy stare at each other palled. And everyone gasped in fear while one person in particular was feeling outraged.
From all the people who created the domino effect… they chose…
"DUNCAN?" Courtney shouted in disbelief as the group couldn't hear the bell ring once again, which made the duo of twins flinch. "His birthday is in March. We are in October. Why did you choose to vote on him when you don't know when his birthday is?"
"Oh...ops." Both twins said sheepishly while Courtney glared at the duo… And Chris decided to make it even worse for the C.I.T. girl.
"3 votes for Duncan," Chris smirked evily which made Courtney have her eyes wide open in disbelief.
"What? No…" Courtney said as she felt horrified by the outcome…
"I can't believe that you talked about your boyfriend like that girl. Duncan is going to be pretty mad." Leshawna commented as suddenly the group had their eyes wide open and the bell rang once again. "Oh… crap."
"Okay, Ezekiel it's your turn to vote," Chris commented as Duncan was with 4 votes on his bell…
"I'm going to tell you all, he is going to kill you all when he finds out about this," Ezekiel said as he looked at the parrot who was on the corner… And decided to do something that would make things worse for them. "Well… the person… I… want to… eliminate… and bring here… is…"
Ezekiel said as the group looked anxious as he was giving more pause on what he talked about…
"Come on man say something," DJ commented as Ezekiel snapped from his thoughts.
"Sorry, I was thinking about it and was doing a dramatic pause. Well, I vote for…"
"DUNCAN." Then a voice was enough to make the bell ring and everyone had their eyes wide open, to see a parrot lying around and watching everything.
"Dammit," Ezekiel said as he looked at the host who was smirking. "Please tell me that parrot didn't steal my vote and I can't vote anymore…"
"Sorry Ezekiel, you snooze you lose," Chris said as his smirk was devious, while he couldn't see that Ezekiel was also smiling internally.
"Dammit." Ezekiel snapped his fingers, while the parrot once again decided to say the delinquent's name.
"NO." All the campers shouted in panic while the parrot didn't know what it was doing.
"6 votes for Duncan," Chris said happily while Trent walked at the host in disbelief.
"Chris, that's a parrot. That bird doesn't even know who Duncan is." Trent tried to defend the votes, however, he screwed up at the time he said Duncan's name, which Chris was enjoying the chaotic drama he was creating.
"Parrot wants Duncan." The parrot called for Duncan's name, which Trent was looking horrified, and Chris smiled happily.
"8 votes for Duncan." Trent facepalmed, while Izzy giggled madly while Ezekiel pinched between his nose.
And the delinquent's fate was sealed.
Duncan was being pushed forcefully at the boat of Losers, while he looked between pissed, afraid, and confused, not knowing why Chef even made him carry all his luggage with him…
A few hours passed when Duncan stared at Chris who walked at him.
"And with that, there are only four. Don't miss next week's dramatic almost conclusion of Total Drama Island." The host said as he smiled at the delinquent, and then what Duncan could hear was a parrot…
"Duncan…" The parrot said his name… And with that, another episode of the show ended…
"CUT." The cameraman said as the group and Chris got prepared to take their boat and return to the camp, and enjoy the few days off they had for themselves.
"Goodbye Duncan, enjoy the 5-star resort." Chris gave his smirk as he went to the boat, leaving a very confused and annoyed man on the shore of Playa Del Losers.
"What the fuck?" Duncan commented as he stared in the direction of the resort... And then glared at the place. "They better have a good reason because I want to know what the fuck just happened."
"Duncan seems very pissed," Izzy commented as she was using binoculars from the way both she and Ezekiel were spying on Duncan from the roof.
"I don't blame him, from all the people Katie and Sadie choose, never in my damn imagination they would have chosen Duncan of all people. I was going to be okay if they chose Lindsay, Owen, heck even Gwen I could understand. But Duncan, and the worst part, many campers now will have the backlash..." Ezekiel commented as he was drawing something from his sketchbook, knowing the outcome was so absurd that there was no way he could predict such a thing. "I mean, he was supposed to be eliminated in 2 episodes. But not like this. Katie, Sadie, Courtney, Leshawna, and Trent were going to have a very hard time with Duncan, at least I have my hands clean and using the parrot as a scapegoat."
"Oh yeah, hahahaha, that was hilarious. Creating a dramatic pause. Seriously? Hahahaha." Izzy said in a mocked tone which Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"I had to sound natural without looking suspicious on the television. And I had pinched on you before you were going to say his name, trust me, you don't want to see Duncan angry at you." Ezekiel explained as he got her eyes looking amused at him. "It's not good neither for you, and neither for him. So we need to find a way to cheer him up around the island."
"Hmph. Okay, *yawn* Well, today was crazy, and I had a lot of fun today. I think that was the best episode we ever did." Izzy smiled as Ezekiel nodded his head to her.
"Yep, Chris said this was a one-hour special, it means that there wouldn't be cut scenes, and I'm glad because it meant they can see everything we did while we were on here... I just hope my first book tomorrow will have good sales." Ezekiel commented as he sighed while Izzy rolled her eyes.
"Of course, they will sell. I read it, Noah read it, hell, even Chris read it. And we liked it. You are a great writer Ezekiel, and if the public doesn't know that. It's because they have no idea how much work and effort you put into these books."Izzy said as she patted his back, which made the boy smile gratefully at her.
"Thanks, Izzy, you have no idea how much this means to me..." Ezekiel said as they both hugged together... And then both heard the sound of a crash under them...
Knowing that indeed the delinquent was very angry...
But that is how life was… the total drama life.
Chapter 38: Camp Castways
Chapter Text
"Hey, Duncan." A voice made the delinquent who was drinking a coconut water alone, turn his head, to see one person who actually he was less annoyed to see. The boy who even with his new haircut was still using his iconic green winter hat and one person he would always be glad to call a friend. "Feeling better?"
"Pff, if you mean feeling better by crashing many chairs, slamming the door of those traitors who just took out of my chance of 100 thousand dollars, and then planning my revenge by pranking them while I'm alone on this chair, drinking coconut water?" Duncan commented sarcastically as he rolled his eyes, and then narrowed to the home-schooled boy. "I'm crying in happiness."
"Pff, dude, shit happens, and Chris would always find a reason to torment and create a good drama for the sake of making ratings happen," Ezekiel commented as he could understand why Duncan was annoyed. Because of a misunderstanding Katie and Sadie created a domino effect, which accidentally made Courtney vote on her boyfriend, and then when the parrot came to say his name everything went downhill, even as Trent accidentally said his name.
Duncan indeed did show how angry he was when he got on the playa del losers, by trashing the place when he got on the Playa Del Losers, so many chairs and tables and he even managed to launch crabs and lobsters across the pool whenever he saw Katie and Sadie, which made the girls paranoid to go at the water for a while. Trent woke up in front of everyone naked, since Duncan was in taste of revenge, and had the help of DJ, Geoff, and even Harold to bring the bed of the guitarist and place it in front of the pool.
Which left some campers to laugh, as Trent had to run back to his bedroom and dress himself.
Harold, Geoff, and DJ helped Duncan because they felt bad about what happened, and thankfully they could blame the parrot, while Courtney, Katie, Sadie, and Trent couldn't say the same.
"Well, whatever… you are not going to try to make me forgive them. Aren't you?" Duncan said as he narrowed his eyes at him, and Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"Nah, I'm just stating the facts they are sorry, Sadie and DJ are baking a cake because everything happened because they thought it was your birthday. Katie is making a new T-shirt for you as an apology gift… And Trent is willing to accept the pranks because he felt he kinda deserved for that one." Ezekiel commented as the delinquent nodded his head, and since most of the campers were afraid to be in the same area as him. Ezekiel was the only one who could talk to him without being in fear. "And thankfully this dirt is not on my hands because the parrot was the cause of that shit happening."
"Okay, I get it…" Duncan commented as he lay on the chair and sighed… "I'm still trying to figure out what to do with Courtney."
"Well, she messed up, she knows she did, and is very sorry about what happened. Since you saw everything she really is grateful for what you did for her. And you saw her mother also did for you." Ezekiel stated the facts, as the delinquent couldn't help but sigh in agreement. "And she kinda is desperate to do a crazy thing as a way to compensate you for that."
"Like what?" Duncan asked as he got curious about what his girlfriend would do to compensate for her screw-up.
"Like this…" Then a bored and annoyed tone was loud enough to make Duncan have his eyes wide open and stare in disbelief at Courtney who was wearing a Beaver Mascot Costume. Which had dark yellow fur, and a blue nose on his face… "Norbit the Izzy's Happy SAP's mascot… I think a good way to prank myself and make you laugh would be me wearing this costume for a few days."
Duncan blinked in disbelief, and then he tried not to laugh, but the chuckles coming from his mouth were enough to make him start to laugh.
"Okay, if you stay like this for a whole week, then I forgive you," Duncan commented as he laughed at his girlfriend's expertise, and Ezekiel was happy that at least the duo of boyfriend and girlfriend could be together once again…
(?)
Keith stood just outside the classroom door, taking deep breaths to steady his nerves.
"Okay, Keith, you are going to be fine. All you need to do is talk to Sky and ask her if she can help you with today's homework. I know she'd be interested," he muttered to himself, the words a mantra he'd repeated countless times over the past few weeks. Every time he gathered the courage to approach her, something always seemed to get in the way. But today would be different. Today, he would finally ask her.
.
.
.
Keith walked into the classroom and looked around, his eyes immediately landing on Sky's empty desk. And after what it passed what would be an hour, his heart sank, since the usual desk she would always appear remained empty.
"Why isn't she here?" he wondered aloud, not realizing he'd spoken until Eliza, a girl from the cheerleading squad, looked up from her conversation.
"Hey, Keith, why are you staring so much at that empty desk?" she asked, her tone curious rather than mocking.
"Err..." Keith stammered, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks. "I was just wondering where Sky is. She's usually here by now."
"Oh, right. I hadn't noticed," Eliza replied, glancing at the empty seat. "That's weird. Sky never misses class."
"Oh, she's probably at the bookstore. You know, one of the Total Drama Island contestants published a book, and Sky and some others from the gymnastics team said they'd be going to the bookstore today."One of their classmates chimed in, since most of the class knew about the little group who watches the reality show always debated the episodes around the class, and since some already watched the episode from the day before, it seemed everyone who was a hardcore fan, including Sky who had photographs of the show on her lockerroom, decided to skip class and go to buy a book.
"So she's not coming to school at all?" Keith's shoulders slumped. As even as handsome he was, girls always went to talk to him, it was like a mystery why of all the girls, Sky was the only one who never had too much time to be with him.
"Doesn't look like it."Eliza shook her head. She was also surprised to know about what happened from all the new information as well, she watched the last episode, and she forgot there would be a group of people who would want to buy the first book from the boy who seemed to be the writer of the show.
Keith sighed, feeling the universe's cruel joke pressing down on him once again. He slumped into his seat, staring dejectedly at his unopened notebook. It felt like every time he tried to talk to Sky, something got in the way. He couldn't help but think back to all the other times he'd tried and failed.
1. Keith had seen Sky at her locker and had started to walk over when a group of cheerleaders swarmed her, dragging her off to practice before he could say a word.
2. He had almost made it to her table when the fire alarm went off, and the entire school had to evacuate.
3. He had waited for her to finish talking to a teacher, only for the janitor to start cleaning the classroom and shoo him out before he could approach her.
"It's like the universe doesn't want me to talk to her," Keith shook his head, trying to dispel the memories. He felt like the universe had a twisted sense of humor, and Keith was its favorite punchline.
(?)
The line outside the bookstore snaked around three city blocks, a sea of eager fans buzzing with anticipation under the early morning sun. Sky and her older sister Jane stood near the front, having arrived hours before dawn to secure their spots. Jane, a seasoned reader and admirer of literary talent, was genuinely excited about Ezekiel's debut book, Courage the Cowardly Dog.
"You know, Sky," Jane remarked, as she drank a cup of coffee at that time of the morning and she scanned the crowd, "We've been following Ezekiel's journey since he started on that reality show. It's not every day you see a homeschooled kid from nowhere land a publishing deal. It's inspiring."
And suddenly she heard an awkward burp from her sister who suddenly coughed and then nodded enthusiastically, her eyes flickering towards the bookstore entrance.
"Yeah, he's really something. His stories, his perspective of the way he tells them, and how DJ felt so engaged to actually grow up as a person, I never thought he would be that far on the show, but it seems those stories really made him more than ready for fighting his fears. They're so unique. And now that this book is finally published... I can't wait to read it." Sky commented as she was feeling excited, knowing that would be the debut of Ezekiel as a good writer, and the more she wanted to know about him, his creative process, and how a horror book could also be wholesome, she never found a genre like that.
"Tell me about it, I have to say that Ezekiel yesterday seemed way different from when he started on the first episode. He got a haircut and even became slimmer than in the first episode, which I think after training with Eva he looked healthier. Do you think in a few months he will get more muscles?" Jane asked as she was curious about how the boy seemed to be always wearing weights from the last episode, and from his skill of having an easier time holding a bow and arrow.
*Buuuuuurp*
A loud burp made Jane then turn her eyes at her sister who was with her head blushing a few tones of red, which made the older sister raise her eyebrows. Every time Jane continued sharing her admiration for Ezekiel's literary achievements, she noticed a peculiar pattern.
"Every time I mention Ezekiel's name, you seem to..."
Before Jane could finish her sentence, Sky's face flushed crimson, and she let out an awkward burp.
"Excuse me," she muttered sheepishly, avoiding Jane's amused gaze. Which made Jane finally notice the pattern once again, it took a long time, but it seemed that enough was enough.
Jane stifled a laugh, her curiosity piqued.
"Hmm, interesting. You only burp when Ezekiel's name comes up. Sky, do you have something to share?" As an older sister, she knew when her sister was, but it became quite clear that something was going on with her sister, and now she was interested... To Sky's dismay, she tried so much to hide that information.
"It's nothing, really. Just... excitement, I guess."Sky's cheeks burned hotter, torn between embarrassment and reluctance. She tried to deny it, but from looking at her sister's face in amusement, she felt she was doing a terrible job of deflecting.
"Excitement, huh? Come on, Sky. I've known you long enough to recognize a crush when I see one." Jane raised an eyebrow knowingly.
"It's not like that. I mean, he's talented, sure. But it's not..."Sky fidgeted with her backpack strap, trying to deflect. She could feel that every time she was trying to think about the issue, her stomach always grumbled and flipped which didn't help her at all. And Jane leaned closer to her with a playful grin. It didn't help her case at all.
"Not like you've been dreaming of meeting him, getting your book signed, and maybe getting a glimpse of that free spirit smile he sometimes gives on TV?" Jane commented as she could see the way the boy always talked about it. He seemed to be always having fun whenever the craziness happened to him, even as the challenges were hard, or even in case he was on rock bottom, he always would make sure to give the best speech for his friends for them to always fight together and more important have fun and follows their principles. And that was a speech that always touched her and especially her sister as well.
"Okay, fine. Maybe a little."Sky admitted as she sighed, knowing she couldn't hide her feelings from her sister, it had been a pattern as her sister guessed. "You think that I'm acting stupid, aren't you?"
"Not at all," Jane chuckled softly, squeezing Sky's shoulder affectionately. "Nothing wrong with that, Sky. Just remember, today's about celebrating his book. And who knows? Maybe someday when he goes to sign his books, you'll finally get to meet him in person."
The line inched forward, bringing them closer to the bookstore's entrance. Sky stole another glance at the bustling crowd, her heart fluttering with a mix of nerves and anticipation. Since they were luckily the first one of the line, it was what she wanted, to give a chance for herself to know more about him... Call it a celebrity crush, but she felt that she could at least meet him someday. And not going overboard like some of the crazy fandom girls from the forum that she looked at... CodyLover was indeed a crazy fan who always would try to do everything to mess up with Cody and Katie and Leshawna and Harold since their relationships looked stable, and she promised to herself that she wouldn't go overboard like the others...
But sometimes she thought that everything was useless since her life wasn't like movies, and since he was a celebrity on a reality show, many girls who could be more beautiful than her would try to catch his attention...
All she had to do was to contempt herself with a book and maybe him signing for her someday.
*QUACK.*
Both Jane and Sky almost jumped as they noticed there was a Canadian Duck in the front line, front of them... The girls forgot that the duck itself had been in the front of the line, and when Jane tried to walk further, the duck made a sound that made both sisters surprised and step back...
The duck was there as it looked at the store like it was also waiting in the line... And behind his neck, there was a little muslin bag...
"Ops sorry," Sky commented as the Canadian Duck stared intently at the sisters until turned it's back, let the muslin bag fall on the floor, and using its beak, pointed at it... "Err, do you want me to see it?"
The duck nodded its head, which made the gymnast and the older sister stare weirdly at it, but then by shrugging, Sky opened the muslin bag which revealed to have money and a note on it.
Sky looked at the duck, then at the store, and she could guess what the duck was doing on the front line. But then just to confirm it, she decided to take a look at the paper and her eyes looked surprised at the message.
(For a person who is at the cashier, or a person who is waiting in line, Howard is tasked to bring me the book Courage of Cowardly Dog, since I'm unable to cross around the roads until the right time on the line, I did give him this task because I trust he would find the right store.
The money is in the bag, and I trust in your judgment to make it the right price and give me the change money... Since it had been my allowance for 2 months, I wanted to be sure that it was enough money to buy the book.
Please if you are in the front line, please, buy me the book as well and give me the bag with the book for Howerd to bring me... He is very smart, so he knows when someone is trying to trick him...)
Sky paused as she gave a look at the duck who was using his wing to point at his eyes and then pointing at the gymnast and her sister like it was watching them both... Before Sky continued reading the note.
(He is a very trustworthy family friend of mine, so I know that you are going to do the right thing. And I wish Mother Nature bless you for your help and your good heart. And I will wait patiently and hopefully to read the book made by Ezekiel from Total Drama Island. Please...
From the girl of the forest... the moon child, Dawn...)
Sky blinked a few times, and Jane decided to read once again, which made Sky blink and ask her sister.
"Err... Jane, was this duck here at the time we came?" Sky asked as the older sister tilted her head, and looked at the duck who was waiting patiently at the time of the bookstore to open, there was one truth that they never thought they would ever imagine.
"Yeah, he was here before us," Jane commented as she felt surprised, shocked and in disbelief. "A duck was the first on the line."
"Yeah..." Sky looked at the duck, and she couldn't help it. "It's fair, you were the first of the line. I will buy the book for you to take to her."
Howard quivered its beak, and both sisters couldn't help but wonder how a girl like Dawn managed to make a Canadian Duck cross the city just to find the bookstore and ask them to buy a book for her.
Life was weird.
.
.
.
"Okay, I think that's good for you to go," Sky said as she gave the plastic bag where the duck placed on its beak... She made sure to have 3 of them to sustain the weight of the book while it looked like it would be a long flight. Which the Canadian duck appreciated.
"And it seems it had 20 dollars of change, so make sure to not drop it okay?" Jane commented as she could have sworn the duck scoffed at her. "Hey, don't be rude."
Howard scoffed once again but then nodded in appreciation for the help of both sisters. And with a quick salute, the duck took flight and left both sisters staring at the duck flying in the morning.
"That was by far the weirdest thing I've ever done," Jane commented as she felt happy to have her own book in her hands, and the same could be said for her sister. She gave a slight look at the content of the book inside the store, and she could see why Ezekiel gave so much love and care to the book, there was a page of each story where it's dedicated to each villain, from a drawing of each monster he placed on the first volume, for them to not only use their imagination but also having a graphic view on how horrifying and how many challenges Courage had to deal with his adventure in a farm in the middle of nowhere. "I can't wait to read this at my break from work today."
"Oh yeah, you will be going to work. Sorry for making you wake up this early with me." Sky said as her big sister scoffed at her like the duck did to her.
"Are you kidding? I was excited to see it, it was very much hype, and from the way the campers were so eager, I wanted to give it a try. And I'm sure that this will be interesting. Now that you ditched school for today, you better enjoy this day off, while after tomorrow we are going to watch the new episode, and be ready for what's going to happen." Jane commented as she gave a hug to her sister, and looking at the hour, they both needed to be in a hurry, one to go home to read the book, while the other going to be at her temporary job until she found a better one. "Now let's go, I already dealt with the craziness for a whole day."
"Alright, and from the look of every one of the lines. It seems it will take hours for them to get their own." Sky commented as both sisters felt good luck on their side, and since they were the first one... sand Howard the Canadian Duck, they knew that not only them but also Dawn whoever she was had the good right to being the first girl to have the book from that region...
Wondering who Dawn is, and how strange she must be to make a duck to buy a book for her.
(?)
"Thank you, Howard, your help is very appreciated." The soft voice of the aura reader was enough for the duck to know that she was being honest about her gratitude for him since she had for the little friend of feathers. As the girl of nature placed a little bag of bread crumbs, enough for the duck to feed his whole family for a few days. "I hope this is enough to pay you for all your hard work."
*Quack* *Quack*
"Oh, I'm so glad. Now, I don't want you to waste more of your time, your girlfriend must be worried sick about you. And thank you once again for your help." Dawn smiled as the Canadian Duck nodded its head and quickly flew back to the forest. "And now... it's only me, this book, and you Mother Nature... can you tell me where Howard went?"
The silence of the defining nature made the moon girl remain in silence until slowly had her eyes open from the revelation.
"Oh... it seems that I'm not the only one who felt impacted by the show... especially the case of the coincidence of Howard finding a girl who also had a crush on the same boy as me..." Dawn commented sadly, as she felt herself in a pickle... "Mother Nature, what should I do?"
.
.
.
"What do you mean it's a surprise depending on my decision?" Dawn asked, not sure why Mother Nature was so mysterious, and to make things even more confusing. "Why are you laughing Mother Nature?"
Dawn asked as it seemed the leaves and the wind themselves sounded funny as the way they moved around the house. And from the curious gaze, she knew that she couldn't get her answer... But she knows Mother Nature will remember the person Howard just found like she was fated to meet her someday. And everything she could do was to trust Mother Nature and live her life.
"Okay, I'm going to read the book, call me if you need me okay?" Dawn commented as she went to her secluded bedroom, and opened the first chapter showing a picture of an anthropomorphic red cat who has a sinister and mysterious persona. He looked sophisticated, a calm demeanor contrasted with his malevolent intentions... Indeed it surprised Dawn how a person could make a sweet animal like a cat shows a very villainous and cruel side from making the first chapter named... "Katz Hotel... hmm, let's see what is it about..."
"Holyshit, this Katz is horrifying," Sky commented as she was still reading the first chapter of the book, she never thought a cat who could make a collection of mortal spiders would be something that would creep her out, and from seeing that sport would be simple and yet with a lot of pressure for her to participate, it was just beating the ball with her hand, and hit the wall... "I'm curious about how long I would be able to keep up."
Sky always wondered what would be such a first chapter, and indeed was something that she never realized, the hype was indeed met, and the book indeed reached their expectations or even surpassed, since the first chapter, already had an impact that nobody would ever expect. And Sky really felt a feeling in her stomach, as she couldn't help but admit that indeed she had a crush on her idol, a boy who didn't have much, just a simple typewriter and a dream which she knew that possibly became true...
She already got his book, so maybe someday she would have the opportunity to have him sign up.
And while she lost a day of school, at least she knew what she did was worth it, so maybe someday, if she had a good opportunity, she would like to meet him up. Maybe someday.
"Jane are okay?" A person asked as he asked the girl in the college who was having a lunch break and was in shambles and sniffing without a pause, she was holding a tissue in her hands, as she was reading one of the most beautiful things in her life.
"I'm fine, I'm just reading this book and I didn't know how to react to it. It really catches me by surprise." Jane said as the boy looked at the cover of the book of a pink beagle... And stared at her in disbelief. Jane took a few minutes to compose herself. "The henchmen of nowhere really hit me in my feels, and I'm not even in the middle of the chapter."
The person tilted his head, and he just shrugged.
"Well, suit yourself, I'm going to be eating my lunch over here." The boy commented as his classmate nodded her head and returned to read the chapter.
A few minutes later, the person was eating his mac'n cheese when suddenly the girl in front of him was in shambles and didn't have tears in her eyes anymore. But like a 180-degree change, the boy had no idea what to expect.
"Pfff AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." Jane laughed so hard that the boy jumped on his seat, and stared at the girl who was just laughing without control. "Damn Courage that was savage."
The cafeteria stared at the native descendent losing control of her laughers.
"What the hell is wrong with you Jane?" A boy who came from the back of the cafeteria commented as his voice made Jane stop laughing, and then her face turned into a frown. "Couldn't you keep your mouth shut for a whole hour? You stupid Asian..."
The boy gave a slight remark, and Jade frowned deeply, as the other girls and boys took offense from that comment. And the boy knew that she wasn't Asian but she was a part of a native Canadian, from the Cree Clan who had been there even before his grandparents were born...
And since that boy never cared about what he could say in front of the whole cafeteria... There was something he had in common with Eustace, which made Jane have a smile on her face.
"What are you smiling?" The boy commented as Jane decided to take her sunglasses with her... And take a deep look at the book.
Clearing her throat, she decided to give it a try.
"And you sir, are extremely..." Jane commented as she then placed the book down and looked calmly in the eyes. Placing both hands together as politely can be. "Bald."
...
The boy from the other side of the cafeteria froze, and stared at her as his eyes were twitching like he was going to have a seizure, while the other students there remained in silence... but some of them couldn't help but release their laughs.
"Pff HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." The Asian students shamelessly laughed while the bald boy stared angrily at the girl who was just staring politely at her.
"Oh yeah? Look here you stupid bitch, that's not an issue if you will never find a boy with that bitch attitude." The boy remarked as to even insult her, and while Jane would want to grit her teeth, she once again took her glasses and read once again the book.
"And you sir... are extremely..." Jane commented as she did exactly the same thing, placed both her hands over the table, and stared at the boy. "Bald."
"Ughhh." The boy facepalmed angrily as the whole cafeteria was laughing at him. "Oh yeah? So why don't you go fuck around and leave this college like a whore like you are... I heard they are paying a good price for a cheap girl like you."
The more the boy insulted, the more he wanted to make Jane angry at him... But when he saw her once again reading the book, he was ready to have anything she would say... but not that.
"Are you bald?" Jane asked as she then let the book over the table, and then pointed at him. "YES!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." Which was enough to make the whole cafeteria laugh at the expertise of the boy who got enough and flipped the table which hit some of the other students.
"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? WHO TRASHED THE CAFETERIA?" That was enough to make Principal Hector walk towards the cafeteria and make many point their fingers at the boy who seemed to lose control again. "Igor, this is the last straw, I told you that any time you would flip like that, I have no choice but to call your father."
That was enough to make the delinquent boy pale.
"Please Principal Hector, don't do that, if my father comes here, he will send me to military school," Igor commented in despair, but the Principal had enough of his excuses.
"I have no choice, now you will come with me, and not more buts." The Principal said as he took the boy by the arm which he tried to fight, but the difference in their sizes was enough to make the boy understand that he couldn't escape from his grip. "I know your father had more patience with you than me, but enough is enough. You will come with me, boy..."
After a whole minute, the silence was interrupted by the cheers of the students who were freed from the asshole who had annoyed them for so long. While Jane kissed the book as a gratitude for a good idea. Indeed a book that is a terror but with wholesome and funny endings.
Now she couldn't wait to read the whole book and the next volume when it came.
2 days later, the sisters and the moon child returned to their living rooms and decided to watch the next episode of their favorite show.
"Last time on Total Drama Island." Chris created the presentation as he once again showed the flashback of what would be of the last episode. "In a one-hour special episode, we visited the kicked-off campers at the Resort of Rejects. Playa Del Losers! We learned about how Ezekiel not only recovered but also managed to publish his first book which seems to be a good way to start his career as a writer, Bridgette and Geoff are still going strong... however their friends creating limits to their interaction with their new hot sauce spray... I should have thought about that."
Chris snapped his fingers as he smirked from losing his idea while showing the flashback of everything happening at the five-star resort.
"Katie and Sadie even as they departed and developed very different lifestyles, still shared the same brain. Leshawna created a rivalry with a fan on the forum of the show, which had been a lot of discussion and pettiness into proving how to anger a fan who is annoyed with Katie being in a relationship with Cody and Leshawna proving that she is the girl for Harold..." Chris commented as it showed images of the show while many could see the interactions of each camp. "Trent took the opportunity to humble himself and ask forgiveness from everyone, which they accepted the apology, but not before each of them gave him a slight... or a messed up punishment for the guitarist. I think Lindsay is going to kiss Tyler for what he did. Nice revenge dude, never thought you had that in you."
Chris smirked as he then decided to narrate the rest of the summary of the last episode.
"In a shocking twist, we let the losers vote off one of the final five campers, and in an even more shocking twist, it was Duncan who found himself in Loserville, population: Eighteen. Who will be voted off this week in the most dramatic campfire ceremony yet? Find out tonight on Total. Drama. Island!"
"Welcome back to Total Drama Island!" Chris greeted the viewers, still standing on the dock with his umbrella. Incredibly heavy rain continues to pour down on the island like it has never done so before. "This week, we've prepared a bizarre episode full of surprises. For instance, take this weather. Rain is not an easy thing to control, let me tell you. But we figured the four remaining campers were getting off way too easy. So, we pulled some strings, and voila!" But once Chris finished talking a bolt of lightning struck down right at his umbrella, shocking him. "DAH!"
Cutting over to the cabins, we see Heather, Lindsay, and Gwen sitting at the girls' cabins, all three of them staying dry thanks to the roof. Gwen was drawing something on her paper while Lindsay and Heather were doing their toenails. "Listen up, campers!" Chris' voice boomed through the loudspeakers, getting the campers' attention. "One of the most grueling challenges of any summer camp experience is the dreaded rain day! Where all activities with a remote possibility of fun are canceled in favor of the Craft Tent. The forecast for tomorrow: rain, rain, and more rain, followed by rain! See you all in the Craft Tent tomorrow at 0700 hours."
"Ohhhh, what do you think we are going to be crafting tomorrow?" Lindsay asked as she tried to keep the morale high from the girls who were distracting themselves from the terrible ideas the host of the show planned to make for them.
"Possibly something stupid," Gwen said as she rolled her eyes, while Heather nodded her head.
"Amem," The queen bee agreed with the goth as she herself was enjoying taking care of her toenails. "I doubt they would even care about what we are going to do."
"Oh..." Lindsay commented in disappointment since she would have loved to make something good for her family.
And while in the boy's cabin, there were two cadets who had been using one of the rooms as their own.
The lack of the campers left both cabins with enough space for them to enjoy for the rest of the show.
Both cadets were playing cards as they were having also to deal with the terrible rain happening on the island.
"I still can't believe how Chris and our coworkers managed to make a rainstorm from nowhere." Cadet Sanders said in amusement while she took a card in her hand.
"Well, it has been the most fun we ever had since the police academy...Do you have a 7?"MacArthur asked as the black cadet rolled her eyes.
"Go fish," Sanders replied as the duo looked on the corner where there was a squirrel who had not only the donuts but also the pants of Cadet MacArthur... "Remind me again why we let a squirrel play cards with us?"
"Because I don't trust this guy." Her partner replied as she used her thumb to point to her side, where there was the leader of the raccoons who was staring intently at his own cards, and looking suspiciously at the cadet. "Hey, don't look at me, I'm also losing my pants here."
*Tsj arha aj*
The raccoon mumbled something as the squirrel rolled its eyes and gave a pair of aces at the smirking animal.
"I don't know why or how, but someone is cheating over here." Cadet Sanders commented as MacArthur stretched herself while nobody could see the useless cards she hid in secret.
Indeed that storm day had been crazy for everyone.
.
.
.
Back to their cabins, Gwen was lying on her bed, while Lindsay couldn't help but also feel bored.
Gwen also felt that she would give anything to read something to pass the time. She remembered the time when both she and Bridgette passed hours and hours reading the paper sheets of Ezekiel about Steven Universe and debated on what was going to happen next.
And she thought Duncan and her would be the only ones to represent their own team... But sadly, from nowhere Duncan was eliminated, they didn't do a challenge, and yet they decided to vote off Duncan. And now, she felt like she was the only remaining bass on the show, a former Screaming Gopher.
The only thing she could do at the moment was to survive for more than 2 weeks or less, and it would be over...
But now there are only four...
Herself, Lindsay, Heather, and Owen...
Now that she thinks of it... Where the big guy go?
(Confession – Owen)
"Woohoo! Final four, baby! Yeah! Haha!" Owen loudly cheered with a giant smile on his face. He could hardly believe it, he was one of the last four contestants standing in the competition. He never believed he would make it this far. "You know, I really like the other three. They're solid competitors. We all have a real trust thing going, which is why it's a good thing no one knows about the junk food I'm stashing." Owen chuckled a bit at the thought of all that junk food he had stashed in his mattress…before realizing he said it out loud. "Okay, they'll probably be mad. But not as steamed as Chef when he finds out I was raiding his pantry." Owen chuckled again before quickly covering his mouth realizing he just said that out loud as well. "Oh! Darn it! There's something about this confessional that just makes me to confess stuff."
And so the day went on at Camp Wawanakwa. But also did the rain.
It just kept raining, and raining, and raining, and raining, and it rained some more to an almost unnatural degree to the point where the water level rose so high…the water ended up dragging some things with it.
Now in the morning of the next day, Chris could be seen walking up to Chef, who was carrying around a pot with what looked like rotten potatoes, with a confused look on his face.
"Hey, Chef, you seen the campers?" The host asked as he scratched his head a bit and looked around for any signs of the remaining four competitors.
"No, and I peeled a whole bag of rotten spuds." Chef was just as unaware of the location of the campers as Chris, adding in all of his hard work going to waste.
"Hmm. I can't find them either, and I also couldn't find the cadets. Come to think of it, I can't even find their cabins." Sure enough, just as Chris said, both the boy's and girls' cabins were completely gone…washed away with the mass amount of water that fell from the sky.
And from what happened with the campers... It seems they couldn't prevent the events of Mother Nature over their lives.
Out somewhere on the lake where the island was located, we see both of the cabins floating around in the water. Floating not too far from the cabins…were a pair of bunk beds with one set having the cadets Sanders and MacArthur sleeping inside the boy's cabin, while the bunk beds had Lindsay and Heather sleeping on them, Gwen was sleeping on her own bunk. The campers and cadets were sound asleep and completely unaware of their current situation…at least until they all suddenly rolled over in their sleep and went right into the lake.
Even a family of raccoons were floating toward the water as they used wooden chairs as boats...
Cadet Sanders was one of the first to wake up, and since she had to do the first shift of the morning, she thought it was a good idea to take a shower before getting a nice mug off.
*Splash*
That was the last thought she had when the cadet was the first one to hit the water.
Heather noticed the unfamiliar sound and quickly woke up in fear.
"AHHHHHHHHH" And that was the last comment before her body moved and let her fall from her bunk bed to the water.
"Heather? What AHHHHHH." And from the chain reaction, Lindsay rolled from her bed in surprise and fell as well.
The loud noises were enough to wake up Gwen who suddenly noticed that she herself was unable to control her body and fell into the water.
"WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?" MacArthur shouted as she also had mascara covering her eyes, and at the time she went to the stairs, she immediately fell down into the water. "OFFICER DOWN, OFFICER DOWN."
"Where'd all this water come from?"Gwen asked as she looked around, knowing the entire place was flooded.
"How should I know? Why don't you ask the leeches?" Heather yelled as she lifted her arm out of the water to reveal that a bunch of leeches had somehow already attached themselves to the queen bee so they could drain her blood. Naturally Heather was quick to shake them off. "Ah! Get off me you little parasites!"
Meanwhile, cadet Sanders managed to drag MacArthur back to the boy's cabin, while the glute-strong woman spat all the water on her partner...
"Great, it seems the rainstorm from last night made both cabins move and cross the river... Also, you girls should be getting out quick." Cadet Sanders suggested as she pointed at a fin raising on the water. Which made Heather, Lindsay, and Gwen had their eyes wide open.
"RUN!" Everyone yelled in unison as they all swam away from the incoming shark as fast as they could.
Thankfully they were able to climb up onto one of the cabins to escape the shark. While the said animal jumped to give a bite in one of the bunked beds.
"Quick! We need something big and chewy to shove in its mouth!" The goth girl said as cadet MacArthur got up and stared angrily at her.
"Don't you even dare." MacArthur knew that someone was going to have a bad time if they tried to use her as a shark bait.
"Owen!" Heather called out to the biggest object she knew.
"Ohhh, you mean the fat boy... Yeah, makes sense, where is he anyway?" The cadet asked as the other cadet who was looking around, didn't find anything similar as the fat boy around...
(Confession – Owen)
"So I snuck in and ate the entire soccer team's bake sale. I mean, the wholesale." Currently, Owen is in the middle of a story where he ransacked a bake sale during his childhood. The big guy has been in the confessional pretty much all day as his confessions yesterday led him to confess more stuff, and thus heading to the outhouse before the cabins got swept away by the rainwater. "But I got caught on account of the icing in my hair. My mom made me pay for it out of my allowance, but mmm, those soccer moms make a mean brownie. Hahaha. I'm hungry."
Owen then opened the door to the outhouse…and saw that he was floating around in the middle of nowhere. "Ahh! I'm all alone!" Owen yelled as he quickly ducked back into the confessional. "Adrift at sea! Ahh! Without breakfast."
Back with the other four remaining contestants, their cabin had ended up washing up on what appeared to be a deserted island. Looking around, it certainly wasn't like any part of Wawanakwa they'd seen. From the sand crossing the entire area, it looked like the cabins had gone down somewhere they couldn't identify at all.
"Okay. Is anyone else a little creeped out by this deserted island?" Gwen asked as she cautiously looked around. They didn't know anything about where they were, anything could end up popping up and trying to hunt them down.
Lindsay was the first one to raise her hand, while the cadets gave a slight glance at the area. From the place having tropical plants, even if they were in Muskoka in Canada. It had been way out of the ordinary.
"Puh-lease." Heather commented as she walked near the blonde bombshell. Rolling her eyes as she couldn't believe the way the goth girl was acting, especially after everything they passed over the show. It had been pretty obvious. "Any moron could see that this is one of Chris' cheesy production sets with fake props."
Heather kicked a nearby rock, thinking it was a possible fake scenery, but she then felt a huge pain in her feet, proving herself that she was wrong.
"Urgh, oh!" Heather said, as both cadets crossed their arms and stared at her in amusement.
"Yeah, definitely one of Chris' cheesy sets," Sanders said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Showing they were also caught from the problems where the girls were on…"Because, you know, fake rocks are fashionable these days."
The chubby cadet cleaned up the dust from her shoulders and already took her clothes and gear with all the essentials the cadets had in the cabin.
"Maybe next time you'll learn to differentiate between reality and your delusions of grandeur. Pro tip: real rocks hurt."MacArthur commented as Gwen smirked as the queen bee narrowed her eyes and scoffed.
"Very funny, you two." Heather shot them a glare, rubbing her foot. While Lindsay looked in concern at her friend.
"Just doing our job. Someone's gotta keep the reality in check." Cadet Sanders shrugged as she got to open the box where she went to the boy's cabin to also have her full clothes gear and the essentials for the protection of the campers.
MacArthur on the other hand, is enjoying to see Heather having a terrible day.
"Yeah, and someone's gotta make sure you don't hurt yourself while figuring out the obvious. You're welcome." The glut cadet commented as she could see Heather scoffing. "Geesh, you need a chill pill girl. You guys already passed a lot, and you shouldn't be surprised that problems like that happen."
"So what are we going to do?" Lindsay asked as she could see the goth girl trying to remain calm.
"We need to think a plan about what to do," Gwen commented as Lindsay nodded her head, and tried to stare in the air with a serious face…
"Okay, I need to think…" Lindsay commented as she concentrated, MacArthur noticed the expression on the blonde's face, and she couldn't let it pass.
"Don't worry, trying anything for the first time is hard," MacArthur commented as both Gwen and Heather narrowed their eyes at the cadet who just shrugged. "Come on, that was a gimme."
"Thanks." Then Lindsay's voice interrupted which made the cadet pause… and then realized that she took it as encouragement, which she tried to think about it… "Err… my plan… is, maybe asking you and Summer what to do?"
"Who is Summer?" Then the voice of cadet Sanders appeared which she was now prepared on with her full gear on. And with her munition supply, the duo of cadets was now ready to start their new operation. "Anyway, we are just in a castaway situation, so all we need to do is first, we need to establish a safe perimeter. Check for any threats, gather supplies, and then figure out a way to signal for help."
"Got it," Gwen commented as a good part of herself felt relieved that at least they weren't in a bad situation. "And what if they couldn't find us? Maybe we should create a raft?"
"Sure, but first we need to have something to eat and be warm at night, supplies are always a must first, and the energy could be used to build a raft later." Sanders commended for the idea of Gwen who nodded her head.
"So we need to find food? Like fruits?" Lindsay asked as the girls nodded their heads.
"Yeah, why don't you girls try to find food, while me and Sanders will try to find out if there is danger, wood, and check if there is a boat route to use this beauty," MacArthur said as she showed a flare gun which made Gwen's eyes wide open, and a huge relief on her heart.
"Okay, so we have options, and that's great," Gwen commented as she got up and decided to help. "Lindsay let's go to find something for us to eat."
"And what about me?" Heather commented as MacArthur decided to smirk before looking over her shoulder.
"Try not to kick any more rocks, Heather. We're trying to survive, not start a foot injury clinic." MacArthur left, as both cadets chuckled, while the queen bee looked very angry.
"Yeah, Heather, leave the rock-kicking to the professionals." Lindsay's voice said as it made her best friend look at her in betrayal.
"Even you Lindsay?" Heather asked as she couldn't believe what the blonde bombshell had said while she just giggled.
"Yeah, they are professional, they must have done a lot of times, they must know how it hurts," Lindsay commented as Heather, noticed that her friend didn't mean it, while she couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"Fine, let's just get moving." As they started organizing their efforts, the reality of their predicament set in. They were stranded, and it was up to them to make it through this challenge, together.
(Confession – Chirs.)
"Just to set the record straight, my sets are not cheesy!" Chris pointed out as he crossed his arms offended, getting defensive over Heather's comments. Since he spent a lot of time planning and preparing everything to happen across the challenges. "I had three interns who got a full medical team taking care of them after moving those rocks into place. A whole medical team of interns to take care of only 3 who would have lost their lives. And they don't have too much to worry about. They have cadets Sanders and MacArthur to help them out, they have to get out from that island and come to the camp by themselves. It's on them now."
"So I guess that means Craft Day is canceled. Anyway, I'm starved. Let's eat." Chris shrugged as he smiled. Calling the Chef who looked at the host in disbelief.
"You actually wanna eat this slop?" Chef who knew how picky Chris was over many things, stared at the rotten potatoes and at the host in disbelief,
"Ch, yeah, right. I'm gonna hit the breakfast buffet back at our camp." Chris corrected this time Chef smirked as he could see that his friend was still the same.
"Cool." Chef Hatchet started to chuckle as he pushed his friend on the chest slightly, while Chris also started to chuckle as well, and then pushed Chef even harder with both his hands. "Oof"
This made Chef irritated which gave a big push, which made the host feel down over the trash cans…
(Confession – Heather)
"Mental note. Never sign up for a reality show ever again." Heather told herself that she never wanted to go through something like this again.
"I can't believe that we have to be looking for fruits, and something to eat…" Heather commented as she was feeling annoyed by the fact that she knew something was obvious. "Of course, this is just Chris' lame attempt at challenging our shipwrecked survival skills."
"But what if isn't?" Gwen asked as she looked at Heather raising her finger. "Remember the horror night when Chris couldn't predict that we actually had a serial killer on the show."
Heather, dropped her finger as Gwen pointed out that fact, even as Chris couldn't predict the outcomes of his challenges, not knowing that it could potentially escalate in a way that everybody could get hurt and even go to the hospital.
"Do you think Eva is fine?" Then Lindsay asked which made both girls pause… and stare at the cheerleader who seemed to be holding what would be a rock, and looked in concern from the last scary challenge they had.
"I don't know… I hope she is." Gwen sighed, as she never thought to see a camper being in the hospital, not once, not twice, but trice. Good friends of hers who had to be eliminated over time… "But we couldn't find out if we don't move ourselves and find a way to get to the camp."
"Okay," Heather commented as she was scoffing from the lot of work the girls would be doing since it seemed they were going to be there for a while.
(Confession – Owen)
"Okay. Going to my happy place." Owen tried to comfort and calm himself down as he rocked back in forth in a fetal position while shutting his eyes. "I'm in the doughnut shop. There's an all-you-can-eat-for-a-dollar sale on. Unlimited chocolate milk. D'ah go away!" Owen then started to slap himself, something apparently going wrong in his fantasy. But he was cut off from whatever was going on in his head by a thumbing noise and the feeling of the outhouse no longer floating around aimlessly. "Is that…"
Opening the door to the outhouse, Owen smiled as he saw he was beached somewhere. He didn't bother to look around and see where exactly he was, he was just happy to be on dry land again! "Sand! Sweet mama in a sidecar going ninety!" Owen cheered as he ran out of the outhouse. But as he ran past some bushes…he ended up seeing a giant T-Rex skull and proceeded to scare the daylight out of Owen leaving the big guy to run back into the outhouse screaming.
"This day is really sucking…"
(Confession - Chris)
"The T-Rex skull was my idea," Chris commented proudly on one of the best ideas he ever had on the show. "Did you see the look on his face? That was worth every intern,"
"Alright, I will check on that side, and you will check on that one," Sanders commented to her partner who immediately couldn't find her. "Wha..."
"Hey, Sanders. Look at this house." MacArthur called as the other cadet looked up and ended up finding a pretty large tree house. One that looked about as big as the cabins! "LOOK AT THIS VIEW."
.
.
.
"Okay I have to admit, it helps to find a location and even is stable enough for us to sleep for tonight," Sanders commented from the treehouse after having climbed up the ladder to get up there. So far everything about the treehouse seems to be in good condition. She hasn't been inside yet but so far no wood is old and decaying and the foundation was stable. "I will be searching for the girls, while you..."
"Leave to me to keep a hawk eye, just to check if there is a dangerous animal to taser..." MacArthur showed a grin as she was eager for some action, and from the time they have been working on the show, those challenges or crazy events have been very fun for her so far.
"Roger," Sanders said as she jumped downstairs and went to leave the girls.
"Alright let's explore inside." When MacArthur was about to go inside, as she approached the door a skeleton with a tribal hat suddenly appeared leading to the cadet screaming and tackling the skeleton as she started to beat up the part of the scenario. "You are under arrest for attacking a cadet. EVERYTHING YOU SAY CAN AND WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU BETWEEN MY PUNCHES."
(Confession – Owen)
"Help! I'm all alone! I'm gonna die!" Owen cried out as he opened the door to the outhouse, pleading anyone would be there to answer his call and help the poor guy out. But just then Owen spotted something not too far away that made him smile. "Hey, are those coconuts?"
(Confession – Chris and Chef)
"Will someone please explain to me why there are palm trees and coconuts up here?" Chef asked the million-dollar question of those tropical fruits being in a completely untropical place. "We're in northern Ontario!"
"They were leftover props from the Bigassic Park movie shoot," Chris explained leading to Chef raising a brow at the host. "What? We're on a budget! And we had to pay a lot for the interns to be treated, but with all the bonus we had from the merchandising we were able to find way more tropical props of other movies as well... That's why they were planted instead of being on vases. But also we have avocado, passionfruit, kiwis, guava... Come on, it needed to look real. A movie of dinosaurs will be a great way for us to get money, I know it."
"Okay, okay. You don't need to be anxious." Chef commented as they both rolled their eyes.
Owen let out a burp after he got his fill of the coconuts and even some bananas he managed to find, with only one coconut remaining on his lap. "It's been a grueling nine minutes of isolation, where a human mind is ripe for cracking!" Owen narrated his journey of survival before taking the remaining coconut and looking at it with a rather crazed look. "You know what I'm talking about, right, Mr. Coconut?" Owen then raised Mr. Coconut up and down to make it seem like the fruit was nodding. "Ah! You do! It's just you and me, buddy! We'll hunt, forage, and survive together! But first, I need to pee." Owen then brought himself and Mr. Coconut back to their survival base which was the outhouse. "Can you look the other way, please?"
Back to the track, it didn't take long for the cadet Sanders to guide Lindsay, Gwen, and Heather, each girl brought what would be a lot of bananas, coconuts, and every tropical fruit they could ever find… Needlessly to say the trio of girls was second guessing where they were since that quantity of fruits and tropical trees was abnormal even from the show standard.
"Okay, so this is the place where you two found?" Heather asked as she took off her sunglasses and couldn't help but nod in acknowledgment. "Better than our cabin…"
The group walked until suddenly the entire group paused, to just stare at what would be one of the weirdest things they had ever seen in their lives, even cadet Sanders had to pause and stare at it in complete shock.
Nearby the tree, a giant T-rex Skull was lying nearby the area.
"Woah," Gwen commented as she looked in shock. Heather felt the same, as Lindsay sweat from seeing a giant skull that looked intimidating.
"That's a giant lizard," Lindsay commented, as Sanders stared at the girl in disbelief. "Wait… Is that a dinosaur?"
"Yes." The trio asked, which made Lindsay pale. Which Gwen knows the reason of why she is scared.
"Don't worry, they are probably extinct… possibly all dead," Gwen commented as Lindsay walked nearby, just to be sure. "Hey Lindsay, you never know what it was on there, maybe you should be careful."
"I have to confess, I didn't see it at the time I was looking around, I missed this," Sanders said as she followed the blonde girl, but not before giving the orders to the other campers. "I will follow her, while you both go upstairs and we can plan about what happened from there."
With both Gwen and Heather nodding their heads, the Afro-Canadian cadet decided to follow the blonde girl, who was just checking the bones and then she found something from the other side, which made the duo stare it in disbelief.
"Footprints?" Cadet Sanders commented, which Lindsay nodded her head, and pointed in the direction of what would be the confession booth which made the girls tilt their heads and go straight over there.
.
.
.
Back with the now iconic duo of Owen and Mr. Coconut, the big guy was starting to look like a true wilderness survivor. The sleeves on his shirt were ripped and he had a giant beard and mustache combo on his face with the beard reaching to the maple leaf on his shirt. He also used a thing of lipstick he had for…some reason to paint a smile onto Mr. Coconut and used some grass as hair for the fruit. He also used the makeup to mark on the door of the outhouse how long they'd been there. "Eleven minutes of isolation and Mr. Coconut and I have decided to live in the outhouse. Where it's safe." Owen narrated his survivor story while finishing up the touches on Mr. Coconut's face.
"OWEN?!" Then a voice was enough to make the big fat guy jump in his place, as he suddenly dropped the only friend he created at that time… "Mr. Coconut. I'm so sorry."
Until the blonde boy with a giant beard then stared at the duo of girls who walked in his direction.
"Is my eyes deceiving me? Is… Cadet Sanders and Lindsay, we are saved Mr. Coconut." Owen commented as he brought the object to his shoulder like a good friend, and made the blonde Lindsay smile at the big guy, while the cadet looked at the boy who seemed to have lost his mind.
"Ohh, who is your friend Owen?" Lindsay asked happily as she approached the boy who had just gotten out of the confession booth.
"And what is with that fake beard." Cadet Sanders asked as she then tried to pull it off only to find that the beard was real and attached to Owen's face. "What the hell?"
"Ow!" Owen let out as the girl released her grip and Lindsay took a glance at the coconut on his shoulder. "So that means you both are real and not a mirage. We are saved… Oh yeah, Lindsay, cadet… this is Mr. Coconut, he had been a good friend of mine on this island by… 13 minutes."
"Nice to meet you Mr. Coconut," Lindsay commented as the cadet was still feeling a migraine coming towards her mind. "Anyway, we just found out that we are on this crazy tropical island, and we found a lot of fruits with us."
"Food," Owen commented as his stomach rumbled in starvation. Both girls couldn't help but notice it was indeed the last camper who felt so desolated.
"Explain me again... Why is there a skeleton in handcuffs?" Gwen asked as the chubby cadet was preparing her bed, and surprisingly a few bunk beds were waiting for everyone. And there was also a dressing mirror.
Heather was still eating a chocolate which she just discovered on one of the beds... Which once again confirms her theory that they aren't actually lost.
"Assault against a police officer, he will pass a long time thinking about what he did," MacArthur commented as the skeleton was cuffed outside of the window. "Can you pass me the marshmallows? I kinda need to enjoy this. And fruits aren't my thing."
Heather glanced but by shrugging she just launched the pack of the sugary sweats for the cadet who now opened it happily.
"Ah, what a crazy morning," MacArthur commented as both girls scoffed.
"You don't need to tell me twice," Gwen commented as she looked at the good supply. "While I think we have a good supply of food and a nice place to sleep. I still think we should be doing something like building a raft to prepare ourselves to leave."
"Oh come on," Heather commented as she rolled her eyes, a good part of herself still strongly believed that there was something off on this island. "Of course, Chris planned to make this island a challenge for us to survive?"
"Well, then he is doing a very good job because me and Sanders had no idea how we got dragged into this," MacArthur commented as she rolled her eyes. "Gotta tell you, girl, you have a strong belief and I respect you for that. But you also need to relax a bit... It's not like the worst thing you have ever passed on life."
Gwen paused... As Heather remained quiet... The cadet had brought up a very good point.
"Okay, you have a point. I would have taken this place instead of Boney Island any day." Heather commented that a bit part of her comments and strong belief was because she had hope, she hoped that they were still in a show, and not another kind of crazy island on which she had a very bad experience and even a panic attack on it.
"Well, I was buried alive once... I think I can take a day or a few preparing a plan for us to leave." Gwen admitted which made the cadet nod her head pleased.
"See? That wasn't too hard. And come on, yesterday we had an annoying rainstorm and we had nothing better to do, now we have a place to explore, food to eat, and even drink water from the coconuts." The cadet commented as the queen bee and the goth girls looked at each other.
"Now that I think about it, we are way better here than at the camp," Heather commented as Gwen knew what she was implying.
"Stay here or return to our trash camping... Wow, it sounds like a very tempting offer." Gwen mused as the girls started to laugh.
At the time the door opened, the girls froze for a second but they were relieved to see the cadet Sanders, Lindsay and to the surprise of everyone Owen was there... With a big beard?
"Owen?" Gwen asked as she and Heather looked at the boy who seemed who have better days. "What happened to you?"
"And what is with the fake beard?" Heather commented as she then pulled the said beard, which she became surprised as it was indeed attached to his face.
"Ouch." Owen let out a comment that made the other girls blink, while cadet Sanders just rolled her eyes.
"Don't question it, not even me could understand how he grew a beard in 13 minutes." The sassy cadet said as she and the blond went to the beds and had enough of the morning.
While Owen was with Mr. Coconut in his hands.
"Anyway, now that we are all reunited over here, and we have supplies of food and practically water. We have these options: A- we could make a signal with fire which would bring the attention of boats and helicopters or B- we could build a raft to paddle into the direction where we came from which would be a shot in the dark." Cadet Sanders gave the options which was very solid for both girls who were there to decide.
"I would say we go for the raft," Gwen commented as she could see the options in her hands. "While it's a very solid strategy to make fire. We didn't see an airplane or helicopter around, and neither a boat."
"Well, we could be doing both. Since we were just here for an hour or two, we don't know if we could see the boats or not."Heather gave another point, which once again was enough to make the girls come to a decision.
GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Suddenly, cutting Heather off, what sounded like some sort of monster growl rang throughout the entire island. Freaking everyone on it out.
"What was that?" Heather asked as the group felt once again there was horror across the island.
"It sounds like a dinosaur call," MacArthur commented which made both Heather and Gwen look horrified.
"Dinosaurs?" Gwen felt as if her day couldn't get any worse, now they felt they should be in a hurry.
"Okay. I think option A is no longer an option, let's eat everything and build the raft quickly." Cadet Sanders who was also horrified with the revelation commented as the girls nodded their heads, even Owen and Mr. Coconut agreed with the idea.
GROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The time was essential since everyone was doing their best to focus on building a raft big enough for them. Owen was bringing the wood, while Cadet Sanders and Gwen were tying it up with leaves. Heather was taking care of the supplies of food and coconuts to drink across the trip. Meanwhile, Lindsay departed from the group to gather more leaves and sticks to help.
"Okay, sticks and leaves, sticks and leaves," Lindsay repeated to herself as she crossed the bushes, her eyes scanning the ground for good wood to make a paddle for the others. She ventured further north, focused entirely on her task. Her mind buzzed with determination. "Sticks and leaves, sticks and leaves. I hope I find enough to help everyone. They're counting on me!"
As she moved through the thick foliage, Lindsay's eyes caught sight of Chris and Chef enjoying brunch in a more fancy camp setup. However, her mission was so clear in her mind that the sight didn't register as unusual.
"Hi Chris. Hi Chef," she greeted them cheerfully, still focused on her mantra. Completely ignoring them, as she returned to her own quest. She wandered past them without a second thought, her mind still absorbed in her task. "Sticks and leaves, sticks and leaves. Hmm, these sticks look perfect! And those leaves will be great for tying everything together."
As the duo watched the blond bombshell walking back to the woods, both blinked as they stared at each other. Back at the makeshift brunch,
"Did Lindsay not realize..." Chris looked up from his plate in disbelief. While he saw Chef shaking his head.
"Don't think too much. Give her an hour or two; she'll figure it out." Chef commented as both couldn't do anything about it. Since it seems they have a potential winner over the challenge.
"Fair enough. Now pass me the ice cream, please." Chris smirked as both returned to their activities, enjoying the peaceful moment away from the chaos.
They would have a lot of fun watching the recorded moments of the campers surviving such a challenge.
Returning to the group, Lindsay felt happy to help out her friends. She beamed with pride as she handed over the sticks and leaves she'd gathered.
"Look, everyone! I found some great materials!" Lindsay called as the group nodded their heads in appreciation for Lindsay giving as the help as she could. And even at a fast pace.
"Good job, Lindsay. These will work perfectly."Cadet Sanders gave her an appreciative nod. Since they have been working against the clock, on a desert island, any kind of help matters, as she then looked around for her partner. "Hey, does anyone see MacArthur?"
The campers shook their heads, as they saw the other cadet who was with her hair messed, up and with Mr. Cocounet who had a mark of lipstick on his face. Which everyone blinked when the bad cop cadet sat between them and started to help.
"What?" MacArthur asked loudly, as the group looked confused, while Owen gave a thumbs up to the coconut imaginary friend he created.
(Confession - Lindsay)
"I'm really glad we're making good progress on the raft. Everyone's working so hard, and I'm happy I could find those sticks and leaves to help out." Lindsay sat in the confessional, her face glowing with pride. But then she paused a thoughtful look crossing her face."Oh, and I need to make sure to tell Chef and Chris that they're on the island. " Until she let out a gasp. "CHRIS AND CHEF."
"They're here on the island! They're in danger because of the dinosaurs!" Lindsay said as a part of the panic crossed her face... She needed to find a way to act quickly until suddenly Angel Lindsay and Devil Lindsay had a gong near her head... And with the biggest swing, the gong made noise which made Lindsay gasp even louder. "WAIT! If Chris and Chef are here, that means we never left the island! This is all just another one of Chris's challenges! So that means Heather was right all along, and in case we find Chris again, the challenge is over. Oh yeah, it's all coming together."
Lindsay said proudly to herself while both angel and devil shoulder of herself gave a high five.
Chris and Chef were having good fun as Chef was playing the drums, while Chris was playing limbo at the crew's secret location when suddenly a flare gun was shot which made both stop and stare at what would be the table of food, which was full of food.
Chris' smile remained on his face when he saw the deeply annoyed faces of not just Lindsay, Heather, and Gwen, but also his employee cadets MacArthur and Sanders who were seeing that even after would be a crazy morning and afternoon, it seemed they never left the place.
"Hey everyone, you went faster than I thought. Lindsay managed to tell you all that we have been here?" Chris commented as he could see Gwen walking angrily at him.
"We passed the entire morning thinking we were lost in a desert island, when in fact we had been at the camp Wawanakwa this whole time," Gwen said as she stomped angrily at the look of the Chef who nodded his head at her. "And then you both seemed to be having fun and a day off in expertise of our suffering?"
"Well yeah, but also it was a challenge of survival, and to really the location on where you were… Which by surprise Lindsay won today's challenge and immunity." Chris commented as the girls narrowed their eyes at him.
"I would appreciate it the next time me and my partner would be dragged into their challenge we would get a heads up… Boss…" Cadet Sanders commented, as Chris and Chef blinked… until one of them facepalmed.
"I knew I forgot something, so the interns didn't even tell them?" Chris commented as the military veteran just shrugged unsure. "Well, did you help them too much?"
"WHO CARES?" Heather shouted angrily as she decided to walk away. "I'm tired, just tell me where the camp is for me to return."
"Oh yeah… About that," Chris commented as he chuckled which made everyone know that good things aren't. "The cabins where you usually sleep actually is being built again, so it will take a few days to have them back… so you must find a place to stay, and this secret spot which isn't secret until a certain blond spot us… is full. So I wish you good luck in finding your own place. Now if you mind, I'm going to enjoy my time, see you guys at the campfire."
The girls felt their eyes twitching, while Owen was enjoying the good food which went on the floor after the flare hit the table… The campers and Cadets were unsure of what to say until Gwen groaned.
"You know what?" Gwen interrupted as she threw her hands in the air. "Screw this."
"Yeah, you are right. I'm going to take a shower. I'm feeling terrible." Heather said as she wanted to get clean up and pass the time at the camp where she knew where it was.
(Aquarium)
"Ahhhhhhh, I needed this," Gwen said as she relaxed over the hot tub. She never thought she desperately needed something that much in her life. And she felt that indeed the Aquarium was the safest place for her and her team to be when it came to anything. Surprisingly even with the flood happening across the forest, The campers managed to make a path across the hole to make sure the rain wouldn't affect their secret spot. "If I knew the rain would mess up with everything, I would have stayed here all this time."
Gwen commented, that she never felt so angry about being on the show that at that moment, she knew that she was feeling the pressure of being in the finals, and thankfully the show was getting close to finishing, and she got so far on the show, now she felt with the obligation to have the prize, she would use it like Ezekiel once said, she would pay a good part of the money for therapy, and possibly use the other part to college funds for her.
Living a life of school felt so much better now, even as a good part of her, felt guilty that one of her friends never had the opportunity to have a proper education.
Gwen stared at the trailer of her friend who got eliminated by technicality… And couldn't help but smirk.
"If it was Eva, I knew she would have beaten down Chris and Chef for making her annoyed and suffering a challenge like that." Gwen smiled as she felt the look of the Killer Bass flag staring at her… And it was like a moment she closed her eyes… And she still could hear them having a conversation like the old times.
("Okay, it's ace of spades" Harold commented which surprised everyone on the place.
"Woah, it really is," Katie said as she gave the card to Harold while everyone had their eyes wide open in surprise.
"Pff, there is no way, I mean what is the..."
"You have 5 of hearts," Harold commented as he interrupted the C.I.T. girl who just snapped.
"HOW THE HELL DID YOU KNOW THAT?" Courtney shouted in disbelief, while Harold just smirked at her.
"Magic camp, I spent 3 years doing it to perfect myself," Harold replied as he took a little fabric in his hand, and then with a slight hand, it turned into a picture of himself with a ballerina outfit. "Ta-da... Ops, how did it get there?"
Harold took it back to his pocket while he smiled sheepishly.
"Nice come back Harold Houdini," Duncan commented as he laughed at the comedy act, which Geoff was even applauding from the fun... So the delinquent decided to have some fun. "Now, do a fireball trick."
That comment made Geoff glare at him since the boys created a pact of using the fireball trick as an excuse for the terrible gift Geoff would want to give to Bridgette.
"Ha ha ha. Very funny guys, it's not like AHHHHHHHH." Geoff gave a sarcastic laugh and when he was telling it wasn't funny, Harold took a light fabric and made a fireball consuming it in front of the party boy who jumped in surprise. Making the group laugh at him. "LOW BLOW HAROLD."
Duncan, Ezekiel, and Courtney applauded while they snickered at the pouting cowboy who had DJ, Katie, and Bridgette pat his back...
"Thank you, thank you, you are all so kind." Harold bowed at the applauses, while Gwen couldn't help but close her eyes again.)
Good memories like that were what made her miss more of her friends.
"Please guys, give me strength just for more than 2 weeks, to win this show," Gwen whispered as she never thought she would be the only bass remaining, and the more and more she wanted to survive such challenges.
(?)
"Well, I have to admit that things could have gone way better," Chris commented as the sound of loud rain finally appeared outside of the trailer where he and Chef were enjoying a good relaxing time. "But at least we will have some fun moments to edit around the show."
"You're right, at least we don't have to worry about the crazy challenge since they did it all by themselves. But I think it would have been way better if the cadets didn't were caught on the said challenge." Chef Hatchet commented which the host just shrugged.
"Well, what is done is done. But now, I'm kinda bored over here, so you won't mind if I listen to a CD over here right?" Chris asked as the cook of the island shrugged, and nodded his head. "I didn't have much time to listen to this, so I was interested to know what Ezekiel did from his book, and he said this is the first edition of the recorded book, so I have it for me."
"Isn't the one where he talks about the scary stories? Are you sure that you want to hear that in the middle of the rainstorm?" Chef asked as he raised his eyebrows, which Chris simply scoffed.
"Oh come on Chef, I know his stories are scary, and even some I had inspiration to use it. But I think you are exaggerating, I mean, I'm not the campers. I can take it…" Chris commented as he placed the CD on the Radio player and decided to play it.
"Courage the Cowardly Dog in… Freaky Fred." Ezekiel's voice was heard on the radio as the duo looked at each other as there was a little toybox song behind the said title. And it didn't stop when the voice of Ezekiel was once said, but this time was very different. A bit more, creepy. And he started rhyming. "Hello, new friend. My name is Fred… the words you hear are in my head. And I said my name is Fred and I've been… very Naughtyyyyyy…"
Chris felt his spine shiver. While Chef Hatchet gulps, from the tone of the voice.
.
.
.
"The story I'm about to tell, I tell you, I will tell you well, Is of my dear aunt Muriel, and just how I've been… naughty…" Ezekiel once again rhymed as both Chef and Chris felt so captured with the story, and they felt something very wrong with the man who was rhyming in the story.
"Muriel is the aunt of this freak?" Chris whispered as then he heard Ezekiel voicing Eustace to explain more about the freak person.
"The freak is a barber…" This made the eyes of the host shrink, he placed both his hands over his handsome hair and sweat in fear. "A freeeeeakyyy barber, with his own freaky barbershop, with freaky things happen… freaky BARBER THINGS."
Chris felt his teeth clinching, and even Chef had his eyes wide open in surprise.
"Ohhhhh, I know those types of guys," Chef commented which made Chris press pause…
"You do?" Chris commented as Chef nodded his head.
"I had a hair salon in the 80s, and I heard every kind of story… and if that is what I think it is Chris, you should bail…" Chef commented as he could feel his own back sweating, to make a capture of a crazy person being freaky on the narrative, the military man had to admit, he wouldn't like to find a person like that.
"Nah, I mean, it's fine… It's the first story, it wasn't supposed to be that bad… Let's just keep hearing." Chris commented as he pressed the play.
6 minutes later…
"La la la la la la la… la la la la la la la…" The choir sang while the electric shaver buzzer happening and Courage's scream happened, which made Chef pale and cover his head with the blanket, even though he was bald, he was feeling the pressure over the terrible sound of the freaky barber shaving the fur of the poor pink beagle.
"Damn, that boy knows how to scare people, Chris," Chef commented as he was actually glad to have Izzy planning to add him to his alliance on the next season, while he looked at the host, who just wasn't there… "Chris?"
He looked and found there wasn't a trace of him, just an open door, and a person running away in the rain.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Chris screamed as he ran away from the trailer, trying to find his own security and lock himself on his personal trainer.
(Campfire.)
"I don't care how many days you are going to waste, I want all my barbers having a background check and psychological test, and I swear that if there is one who is too happy to cut hair, I want him fired OKAY? I DON'T CARE IF IS A STORY OR NOT, THERE ARE FREAKY PEOPLE LIKE THAT, AND IF YOU WANT THE BONUS OF THIS YEAR ON YOUR SALON, YOU BETTER LISTEN TO ME... GOT IT? Great... thank you and have a good night." Chris said by telephone, while the campers looked at the host of the show wearing a motorcycle helmet. In a way to protect his hair. When he saw the group of campers and even the cadets who were staring at him, Chris coughed his fist and composed himself to talk to the campers and continue the show. "Now that we solved this whole day, I hope you guys learned your lesson, always make sure your cabins are securely fastened to the ground. Which brings us to yet another dramatic marshmallow ceremony."
Everyone was there staring at what Chris had said, and even Owen who was now shaved with a new shirt and holding his friend Mr. Coconut. Chris was ready to start another elimination ceremony. Which then showed there were 4 marshmallows, which made Lindsay, Gwen, and Heather look at each other in confusion.
"Heather, Lindsay, Gwen, Owen... You all are saved." Chris commented as it gave each camper a marshmallow, but then Owen had his eyes wide open in shock when he realized one thing.
"Oh, no. You don't mean!"Owen realized as he looked at his new friend who just got the worst fate.
"Yep. It's time for Mr. Coconut to walk the Dock of Shame." Chris smirked as he walked toward the fat boy who started to cry. And while in the background, one of the cadets could hear that her partner was sniffing but also glaring in the direction of the coconut.
"What's going on? OUCH..." Sanders asked as she then felt her partner stomping on her feet.
"I did not have a break up with a coconut. Got it?" MacArthur commented angrily at her partner who raised both her eyebrows but then scoffed as she rolled her eyes.
"Okay, I will find an ice cream tub for you to eat," Sanders commented as she then got a big hug from her partner, who was sniffing while Chris was launching the coconut away on the boat of the losers.
"MR. COCONUT! NOOOOO!" The campers watched what would be the weirdest elimination campfire of their lives, and with on how the crazy day went... Everyone preferred to return to their beds and get ready for the next day.
Since most everyone was done with it. Except Owen who was still crying for his friend who would be enjoying a great experience at the 5-star resort.
Life indeed was strange.
Chapter 39: Interlude 11
Chapter Text
(?)
At the time a father gets inside of the bedroom, the dim lighting casts long shadows across the walls, making the room feel like a miniature haunted house. The wallpaper is a dark shade of purple, adorned with patterns of bats and spiders. A mobile hangs above her crib, not with cheerful animals or stars, but with miniature skeletons and ghosts that sway gently, their hollow eyes seemingly watching his every move.
In the corner, a rocking chair creaks back and forth on its own, an old, ragged doll with a cracked porcelain face sitting on it. The doll's eyes follow him, and its mouth is twisted into an unsettling grin. On the shelves, instead of stuffed animals, there are jars filled with plastic insects and faux eyeballs, along with a collection of creepy storybooks with titles like "The Little Ghost's First Haunting" and "Baby's First Nightmare."
The room is decorated with cobwebs, both real and fake, giving it an abandoned look, though his daughter finds them comforting. The floor is scattered with toys, but not the usual kind; there are small rubber rats, a jack-in-the-box that pops out with a scream instead of a jingle, and a puzzle mat featuring scenes from classic horror stories.
Despite the eerie ambiance, the father finds his daughter with her eyes wide open in her crib, clutching a stuffed vampire bat to her chest, a content smile on her face. This room, which would terrify most children, is her sanctuary, a place where her unique tastes and early fascination with the macabre are free to flourish.
"Daddy." The girl smiled as the person who seemed to be very afraid of her presence, knew that beast was his daughter, and even as many could judge her and determine that she was terrifying in any way possible, he couldn't help but smile at her. Even as he felt shivers on his spine in fear.
"Lauren, how are you sweetie, couldn't sleep?" The father asked carefully as the girl pouted and shook his head, and from seeing her father, she knew that it meant a lot to him since usually he was always scared into crossing the door, he was always frightened of everything. And she loved him dearly for that. But then she saw something in his books. "Want daddy to read you a story?"
Lauren had her eyes wide open and nodded her head happily, since she always liked it when her father tried his best to read some horror books that she had in the room, and accidentally the room itself or even the birds outside of the house made noises frightened and let her father to release the sweet screams which it always helped her to sleep happily.
"Okay, Daddy got a new book in his hands." Lauren frowned upon hearing that since most of the books were boring and didn't have... "And it's called Courage the Cowardly Dog."
"Coward?" Lauren asked as it was one word that she liked, cowards always scream, and she love screams, so hopefully that book would be something. "Is it good?"
"From what I saw, many say that it's very scary." The father asked as he gulped, knowing that even if had wholesome moments, he hoped, even if was 10% of hope, the wholesome moments would also stuck on his daughter, since she had been a spawn of evil and terror since so young, and he and his mother wanted her to be more normal. But they couldn't manage to do that, it always drove her into a more terrifying way... so they hoped, and prayed as the contestant of the show that she likes to watch a lot was telling the truth. And showing there was also wholesome inside of the dangerous terrors of life, and if slightly changes for his child would be for the better, he would be doing this, even if he was terrified with the experience.
"Ohhhhh, I want to hear it." The girl giggled as the father gulped... wanting to know if was possible.
"Okay, the first chapter... Courage the Cowardly Dog and A night at Katz Motel." The father knew that he maybe was going to give one last shot into trying to save his daughter, but it was better than nothing.
.
.
.
"And in the end both Muriel drove the way back to their house, while Eustace was still in a cocoon of spiderweb sleeping soundly, with all the ignorance of the world. And when Muriel gave a slight look to her husband, she couldn't help but smile and have one idea. "That's a fancy blanket Grandpa has on. Maybe we should get you one." Courage after all the troubles he had passed over that night, there was only one thing that he could do... "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Courage screamed in terror into imagining his lovely owner wanted him to be covered in spiderweb... The end." The father screamed as a good part of himself felt terrified of finding a motel owner who would use people as spider food, and he had to say that he was quite intrigued and also happy with how the story went... Looking down at the crib, he saw his little monster was snoring slightly, enjoying the good and terrifying dreams which made the father glance at the book once again. "It's strange to find a book where terror had a happy ending or whatever it calls that, but she looks really peaceful for the screams you helped me with the pictures, so thank you. And I hope that you are going to help me to raise this little monster."
The father murmured as he left the creepy door but with good hope in his heart and a daughter who was having sweet dreams of hearing a pink beagle screaming in panic and horror all the time.
A scary girl who just found her favorite book.
(?)
The day has been a typical one for Junior, full of the busy activities of an eight-year-old boy. He had spent the day at elementary school, where he learned new things, played with his friends, and enjoyed recess. After school, he had a fun time playing soccer in the backyard, followed by a delicious dinner with his family.
As the evening settles in, Junior heads to his bedroom to get ready for bed. His room is a vibrant, cozy space filled with the joys of childhood. The walls are painted a cheerful blue, and adorned with posters of his favorite superheroes and sports stars. A bookshelf stands in the corner, overflowing with colorful storybooks, comics, and a few educational books.
Junior changes into his favorite pajamas, a set with bright red and blue stripes that his mom got him last Christmas. He brushes his teeth, washes his face, and then climbs into his small but comfy bed. The bed is covered with a soft blanket featuring tiny green clovers.
The room is lit by a small nightlight shaped like a moon, casting a gentle glow that keeps the room from being too dark. A few toys are scattered around, remnants of his playtime earlier in the day. Junior settles in under the blanket, feeling the comforting embrace of his cozy bedroom.
Just as he's about to grab his tablet for a quick game before sleep, he hears the familiar sound of the front door opening and closing. From looking at the door, he found his father who was wearing a social shirt, but on his hands, there was a bag from a bookstore.
"Hey there son." Dwayne greeted his child excitedly, as the kid seemed to be happy to see his father once again after a long day of work. The father knew that working at the office had been so much a drag, but he found something that he could possibly give a good time for himself and himself. "Look what I got?'
The boy blinked until he saw from the bag, his father bringing to his hands, a purple book which had a picture of a farm, an old woman, an old man and a pink dog on it... And even as the kid seemed confused from the look, he saw the title.
"Courage, the Cowardly Dog?" Junior asked as his father looked happy with his achievement.
"I saw a huge crowd at the bookstore, and everyone was buying this one. Probably this is a new child book, so I thought it would be perfect for us to read together before bed." Dwayne commented as the kid tilted his head, and from the look of the book, it didn't seem to be a very important thing. But he just shrugged.
"Okay, so why are you opening in the middle of the book?" Junior asked as his father waved his hand.
"Oh, I just read that you can start a chapter whenever you want, so it's like mini-stories, just like the fairy tales, I decided to read this one... Courage the Cowardly Dog and the Night of weremole?"
"Weremole?" Junior commented confused as a part of him was trying to think if his father was talking about werewolves, but then he never thought about a children's book having werewolves before, so that made his eyes sparkling.
"Yes, that's what he said... Pff, it must be something related to where the mole was, so it's probably fine, so let's start..." Dwayne scoffed, not realizing that his son was now paying deep attention to the story. "In the middle of the night, on a farm in the middle of nowhere, the iconic family was living there, Courage as the pink beagle was enjoying a good nap on the rocking chair, Eustace was also relying on his favorite chair, while the sounds of the television described the screams of a horror movie which neither of them bothered to watch since the nap had been so tempting for them...
Muriel, a lovely old woman who always enjoyed doing everything with kindness... was enjoying a good moon harvest, where she was taking the delicious carrots while it showed a good glimpse of the yellow moon on the sky."
Dwayne was feeling a bit weirded out by the description of the details of referring to a horror movie but somehow sounded wholesome for him to keep talking about the family, while Junior was listening while almost bored... Until it came something made the boy pay extreme attention.
"And with the night of the yellow moon, lurked a danger that nobody could ever expect underground," Dwayne commented as his eyes went wide open, and Junior could feel something exciting coming up. "Under the ground was a lump digging following the direction of the sweet old lady who just found a little rabbit and greeted the little creature with a sweet carrot... distracting herself from the imminent danger."
"Would you like a carrot? Is that a carrot that you want?" Muriel said as she used her Scottish ascent, and turned her back over the little bunny who was waiting patiently for a little snake of the night." Dwayne commented as Junior was now very interested in the bedtime story since he never thought he would be so excited to know what was going to happen next. "I will get yah a carrot."
"And at a little fraction of a second, the lump of dirt finally reached its destination, which the rabbit never had a chance to react towards a ferocious beast who came underground and with sharp teeth which immediately clutched its jaws on the tiny body, and dragged the boy of what was the food the mole ever wanted... Which left a deep hole. Muriel turns her back around and sees the disappearance of the little rabbit." Dwayne paled, while Junior was with his mouth wide open. While Junior on the other hand.
"COOL." Junior said that he never thought he would see such violence and horror in what would be in a children's book, "What happens next?"
Dwayne looked at his son, he discovered that maybe buying that book wasn't a good idea, but since he was on time to read it... he needed to finish, but come on, what the worst could happen?
.
.
.
"And when Courage thought everything was over, Dr. Vindaloo who was also infected by Muriel came from the basement of the house and clutched his sharp teeth to Eustace who was unprepared for everything and even as the sounds of the biting and the mallet hammering down over the basement, the last thing Courage just heard, was Eustace giving his weak laugh until he was swallowed by the weremole and this time scaring Courage once more. "AHHHHHHHHHHHH, Is there a doctor in this house?" Junior commented as he was finishing the last quote of the chapter. "The end. Wow, that was awesome, thanks Dad, this is the best story I ever read... Dad?"
Junior looked at the corner of his bed, and he found Dwayne sucking his thumb while he was in the fetal position, for this time scared for his life, over the book he ever read...
"Okay, maybe I should check this out... oh, on the first page, there is a summary explaining the level of scary vs wholesome rank in each chapter... And you got the 4 stars' level of scary..." Junior commented as Dwayne facepalmed himself mentally. "Maybe let's try something more wholesome like the book said... well here is the 1 star of scary and 3 and a half stars of wholesome, Courage the cowardly dog and the Cajun Granny Stew. What?"
Junior blinked, as he could understand the reason for that, but even the confused look of Dwayne could be seen, which made the 8-year-old boy shrug and decide to read the second chapter of the said book. Dwayne needed something to laugh at and not make him have nightmares for the whole night.
Sometimes nobody could guess which one is the father, and which one is the son.
(?)
"Dawn, sweetheart, what happened?" Serenity walked after her morning shift of work, and at the time she passed towards the door, she saw her daughter in tears, showing how serious, and emotional her little moonchild must have felt towards something, especially at the time she looked at the book.
"Mother, how could humans be so cruel to Mother Nature... even as this magical tree gave everything they've always wanted?" Dawn commented as the wise matriarch felt in need to comfort her daughter who just got one of the most painful reality outcomes... "It didn't deserve such tragedy."
"Because the humans will always be afraid of something they will never understand." Serenity commented as she gave a slight look at the art of a beautiful purple tree big enough to even appear a face on its face, and the poor pink beagle who was with his knees on the floor, crying for losing such an amazing tree... And from the picture alone she could feel the pain of such tragedy, and how she had to hold herself together to not let it out a tear... It was indeed a very well description of a terrible tragedy. "Tell me about this tree."
"It was the wisest tree I ever read in a book, even granted wish for everything, it was like the true connection with mother nature, and knew that in 3 days it would be cut down... It was painful to read, and I never felt so much anger to a person in my life than I will ever have to Eustace." Dawn commented as her tears sheed from how amazing the aura reader felt towards the book, the feelings on how the book described was like an open window and a connection for every single person, she could feel the feelings that Courage had at that moment, she almost went to the outside of her house to try to scream so loud to shatter the sun... because it was painful to read, and the feelings...
"Do not worry my child, one thing we always believe in our lives..." Serenity commented as Dawn sniffed a few times, and then her eyes narrowed with a resolution. "Mother Nature was a foundation of Karma, and..."
"Karma will always get you back," Dawn said as she tried to find strength to read the rest of the book. But seeing her mother with her book in her hands, she couldn't help but ask. "Can you read the rest for me?"
That question was surprising for the mother, since her daughter could even read their minds, and wouldn't need to have someone to read for her... But knowing how her child was feeling at that moment, she couldn't help but nod her head to her sweet child. And decided to read the whole story from the beginning.
.
.
.
Serenity had to compliment the writer of this book, it showed love, respect, and admiration of how a magical tree could have been the center of great things in life, and how envy, greed, and ignorance could take out once more the beauty of the world. The matriarch herself couldn't stop releasing a few tears, from how painful it had been for Courage to not be able to save such a kind tree, who helped him so much for in the end answer, but not before paying the price. Now Serenity continued to read for herself and her daughter...
"Courage walked towards the tree which still had a few signs of life, "I have the remedy you seek. Pick all the flowers from my branches...and mix them with pure hornet's honey. This is the cure." Courage gave a small smile with hope but then he gasped, as the tree closed its eyes and its mouth disappeared as it died. Courage quickly searches the tree's branches, and pops out of the leaves with pink roses in his paws."YES" Then in a field where a hornet's hive the size of a bus hangs from a tree branch. The hornets can be heard buzzing inside. Courage makes his way toward the hive with the flowers. He looks up at the hive and then sets the flowers down on the ground. He enters the hive from a hole in the bottom. As a butterfly flies across the beautiful field. After a moment, Courage can be heard screaming. From the painful stings of the hornets." Serenity narrated as both flinched from imagining the pain and the horrifying and painful scream Courage had shouted. But they could imagine the pain just from the imagination, such that Serenity hesitated to ask for honey from the bees on the weekend.
.
.
.
"Later that evening, Muriel and Courage go outside to look at the magic tree's stump. From the stump, a tiny pink flower bud is growing. Muriel pats Courage on the head, and the pair smile at each other. Meanwhile, inside the house, Eustace has gotten his punishment for cutting down the tree. His head is now grossly engorged like Muriel's was. "Muriel." Eustace groaned in pain as he was feeling the worst pain of his life "Is the tree growing back yet?" And that's how the ends the story."
"This is what you get Eustace, you deserved it." Dawn wasn't a vengeful person, but what just happened made not just the moonchild but also the matriarch of nature have such a cathartic feeling from seeing such a bad person like that ignorant farm getting the Karma he always provoked upon.
Serenity was surprised at how a story, which was indeed very well told, could bring such emotions towards a gentle and kind girl like Dawn, and from a more mature fortune teller and owner of a restaurant such as herself, even the animals whimpered and mourned from such astonishing tree which seemed to be so kind and wise...
"Thank you, mother." Dawn gave a hug to Serenity, who also felt the emotions of her sweet daughter, and that book alone, she could understand there was a book written with love, with all the emotions a person could ever write... It was indeed an intriguing and curious book.
"Do you want me to read more for you?" Serenity asked her daughter who just shook her head.
"I'm going to have a break from it, maybe tomorrow I will continue reading. Do you want me to help you to cook dinner?" Dawn asked as she showed an inner voice which Serenity was surprised by the tone of her voice... knowing that deep inside, her daughter wanted to spend time with her. Which would be a good experience for both of them.
"Sure, you can help me to bake a pie for dessert. Your father seems to have been in a long day in the forest. And a pie would be a good thing for him tonight." Serenity smiled, as both mom and daughter were going to enjoy a good time for themselves, while both would enjoy the time to absorb and meditate on how powerful the story was when it comes about a wise tree, a kind and coward dog, a sick and gentle woman, and a stupid fool who wanted to destroy what was good for the world. Thinking about what they could have done in the same situation, what they could have asked for the Tree of Nowhere, what would be their wishes, and how they understood a very important lesson that they would always agree with them, and for all the readers of the book they have in hands.
Mother Nature was right, Eustace deserved the Karma he got.
(?)
The bustling noise of students fills the high school hallway. It's lunchtime, and most of the students are gathered in the cafeteria or outside, chatting and laughing. However, in a quieter part of the school, down a less-traveled corridor, there is a small, dimly lit nook near the old storage rooms.
Ennui, dressed in his usual dark attire, slips away from the crowd, seeking solitude. He finds the corner he's come to consider his refuge, a place where he can read and escape the overwhelming noise of the school. He leans against the wall, pulls out his book, and begins to read, enjoying the rare quiet. Hearing the screaming of kids and parents who were terrified by the same book, brought his attention, to something that scared most people and still made interested for them to keep reading, especially children. He didn't know why he decided to wait at the bookstore, but the time he waited was worth it... Since the purple book where a pink beagle would suffer a lot of dangers, fears, and traumas fuel for any kind of reader, it was indeed addicting for a person who usually founds life boring, to have something so soothing for him to read and be in peace.
Moments later, a girl who is also in her gothic attire, with long black hair and pale skin, walks down the same corridor. She has only been at the school for a short time and is already weary of the bustling crowds and the constant chatter. She spots the same nook and, seeking a place to hide from the prying eyes of other students, heads toward it.
As she turns the corner, she stops, surprised to find someone already there. Ennui looks up from his book, equally surprised to see someone else seeking refuge in the same spot but refuses to show any kind of expression.
"Seeking refugee?" Ennui commented in a monotone tone, which the goth girl gave also a slight tone of boredom and sadness.
"Whatever it takes to escape from the sordid suffering of the comments and the crowd gathering of social interaction," The girl replied as she sat on the corner with her backpack, and glanced at the goth boy who was still with the book on his hands. "A book which seems harmless and yet brings the worst fears for anyone who could read."
Ennui knew she was talking about the book he had on his hands.
"A book which could create traumas and feelings that would both warm and destroy the person who seeks knowledge from this," Ennui replied as the girl seemed to bring from the inside of her backpack the same book. "Ennui..."
"Crimson..." The goth girl replied as she sat down and opened one of the pages..."From a person born inside of a farm, and being homeschooled and alone most of the time... I never thought we had another Howard Philip Lovecraft in our lives."
"You are smiling." Ennui pointed as it showed clear that Crimson wasn't, but she discovered the truth that the person nearby her knew that she was... "Even as some endings would be ugh... Wholesome, still the trauma and nightmare fuel was very interesting for give a reality check on this too brighty word."
"Wow... That was the darkest thing I ever heard..." Crimson commented as she took something from her backpack. "What is your favorite story."
"King Ramses' Curse.." Ennui commented as he showed the picture of what would be the definition of the spirit of revenge on egipt. "The ignorance and the chaos brought towards a single piece of advice was very intriguing and made me want to steal the slab to talk and get his autograph. What about you?"
"Shirley the medium, as on the darkest time. Fortune tellers were misunderstood and treated as witches, they were burned for sake of the human ignorance." Crimson replied as the boy closed his eyes and understanding on what she was saying. "Her curses were weak but gave a very powerful message, and I'm interested in learning saxophone just to imagine what she would have played when she gave the curse on the stupid farm."
"That is a valid explanation..." Ennui commented as he then saw something moving from inside the girl's backpack... Which soon appeared its head outside. "There is a rat in your backpack."
"Oh... Rat," Crimson commented as she brought out from her backpack and raised nearby to her face... A black rat looked with more makeup looking goth just like her. "From the last chapter of the book. I found this little one getting out of the sewers and I adopted him... A bringer of black plague before but also a bringer of depression..."
"You need more depressive cannonballs," Ennui commented, as both goths never thought they would find something shocking clicked inside of them... A kinship on the crazy world they are.
(?)
Victoria had a headache from the last in-house trial since one of her stupid coworkers decided punching a lawyer of a rival company was a good idea. From that day it had been very complicated since it needed another lawyer who would do everything on his hands to help his coworker but also having the desire to defeat the person who committed such a mistake because of internal rivalry. But the problem was that the trial was a red flag on its own because it exposed secrets that once couldn't be ignored.
And since the entire company was working their asses into finding a way to make the lawyer save face.
"WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT BEAUTIFUL WOMAN, THAT'S ON YOU... NOT ME." Victoria ignored the shouts coming from the bathroom and walked to her office, but she just saw one of her secretaries chatting together with another.
"I can't believe someone really made a duck a villain, and for the sake of speaking French he even made the name of the villain Le Quack." A voice made the lawyer of the company pause and give a glance of what would be on the book on their hands... One that she found the similarities from one episode where her daughter was part of... "To say a person to use amnesia to heist the houses of his victims sounds both genius and stupid at the same time."
"What are you two doing?" Victoria asked which made both girls jump from their sits.
"Ma'am," Both secretaries said in scare of the woman who gave a deep frown at them.
"I can't believe the lack of professionalism you both girls have. And from wasting your time to not fulfilling the files and cutting the papers, you are not on your break." Victoria said angrily as she took the books from their desks. "And I will keep this for the rest of the day, and if I see you all reading in the middle of the work, both of you will be severely punished."
Not even giving time for them to protest, the grown-up tan lawyer walked inside of her office and closed which she knew nobody could see the smirk on her face.
"Well, I kinda need a break right now, and I don't know when the next girls' meeting will be, so let's see what your son did Martha." Victoria took the opportunity to close the blinds so that nobody from the office could see her. "Humph, Dr. Le Quack huh? Let me see how is it..."
.
.
.
"Police. Police. Madman robbing the house." Courage quickly pressed the keys of the computer as the sound of the screams was heard and even as in panic as it can be Courage went to try to save his owner Muriel once again." Victoria read as she was feeling engaged with the story, even though it sounded absurd fighting against a duck holding a huge mallet...
And Courage launched himself in the catapult while going slightly on the left which even as he missed the window, clearly didn't miss the wall which created a hole with his body mark.
"You have email from the police. I'll read it to you." The computer commented as Courage looked expectantly at the message. "A madman in your house? How horrible."
"At least they answered." Courage commented as he crossed his arms and waited for the rest of the message. The computer continued to read the email from the police. "Where are you?" Courage immediately in good speed pressed the answer while he commented to himself loudly. "Big farm in the middle of Nowhere." Which the computer read the next email of the police..."Oh, you poor thing. What do you want from us?"
.
.
.
"Did you just hear someone laugh loudly?" One of the lawyers commented as the other who was having a long day of his mock trial didn't even know what happened.
The others shrugged, not understanding what had just happened that day since everyone was very busy... Indeed, very busy.
(?)
Cody knew that probably his sister would receive a copy of the book as a gift from Ezekiel, however since the announcement from the boy on the episode, the geek knew the forum would be crazy into trying to achieve the first book from the reality show of the moment.
Before even the end of the show, it had been a great opportunity for every fan of the said show to have one exemplary of a book which made a difference and became one of the reasons why Killer Bass started so strong at the beginning of the show.
A book that made someone Coward like DJ have an idol and someone to mirror.
"I know that I shouldn't start reading from this chapter. But damn, I want to see if it's that scary to the point to even make Tyler, Katie, and Sadie piss themselves." Cody commented as he was sure that his sister Gwen didn't listen to the stories of Courage the Cowardly Dog at the beginning of the show. So he knew that it would be a very fun idea to make a little prank on her in the future. But he just needed to be sure if was indeed that scary. "Well, let's see... Courage the Cowardly Dog and the King Ramses' Curse..."
.
.
.
"Oh HELL NOOOOOO" Cody shouted as he closed the book. And placed away from him on the table. "Okay, not going to lie if was a person I would have fought for that 1 million dollars. But against a demon spirit of egipt? You can have the slab, keep it for yourself, no fucking way I will keep that thing if I get 3 plagues on me." Cody commented as he discovered why the campers were frightened by the story. And he wasn't even the half of the chapter and he quit. "Later I will start from the beginning. And then going from there. That's a lesson for people who want to start the story by going at the scariest first. Heck, that's why there are stars indicating the scale of the scare of each chapter... Let's see. Huh, here, Courage and the King Ramsés' Curse is 5 stars for scary, then Freeky Fred who also is 5 stars, The Demon in the Mattress 5 stars, and Weremole 4 stars as well, okay let's see the first story. 3 stars? A night at Katz Motel... Oh hey, the second chapter is 1 star and a half, so yeah, maybe I will start following the chapters and from that trying to see the next one."
Cody tip his cap to Ezekiel, a boy to came up with those titles and even drawings of such horrific scenes, even though the drawing looked like a cartoon was indeed something that would make people frightened...
"Hey... Queen of Black Poodle, isn't that what Duncan and DJ were calling Heather when she wore a mask on the horror challenge?" Cody asked in surprise as he gave a slight glance at the drawing and he couldn't help but whistle. "What a babe, damn, she looks hot. And the story is 3 stars and a half in scary? Well, it's a bit more than half, sooooo... Let me see."
.
.
.
"NEVER MIND, NEVER MIND, SIREN, SIREN," Cody said as he looked at the picture of a girl showing her jaws... "The sailors were right. The sirens are succubus of the sea."
.
.
.
"But she is so hot tough..." Cody said as he gave a glance and looked to drink his glass of soda. Until from the reflection he saw a girl appearing on the glass behind the window, making him spit and choke with the liquid. And give looks behind him and sees Ella who just got worried about her cousin and opens the window to help him out.
.
.
.
"EVER HEARD ABOUT KNOCKING THE DOOR OR RING A BELL?" Cody shouted angrily as his cousin dressing like a princess looked sheepishly.
"Sorry, I thought nobody was home so I tried to check if the blinders were down," Ella commented sheepishly, which made her cousin even more furious. "Sorry for scaring you."
"You have no idea how scared you got me. I thought a hot siren would come at me to hypnotize me and take my body under the water and eat my flesh." Cody commented as he then saw his cousin tilting her head at him. "I KNOW WHAT I SAID, AND I'M STILL MAD AT YOU."
Cody pinched his cousin's cheek he knows that she is always appolegic when his family does that to her.
"Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry." Ella apologized profusely while having no idea why Cody was so mad at her since nothing he said made sense to her, but it's her family, and she loves him dearly, even as it really hurts her cheeks when he does that.
(?)
"Who wants some Happy Plums?" Martha appeared as she carried with her tray a few mugs which inside there was a sourcream on the top, while inside there was a content that both 3 mothers were so eager to see about one thing they have been so curious about. Between her circle of friends, she was happy to have developed one outside of the farm, since it had been a great time to invite her new friends to come visit her farm and enjoy a very cozy and different trip from their usual lifestyle. DJ's momma was really missing her baby Devon Joseph and she couldn't blame her, it had been a great time for both of them to trade recipes, just as was a surprise to see Duncan's mother, Sheila, but also Alisson who had been asking her a favor into dressing herself like her daughter Gwen, and they had a very good fun on the house.
"So this is the legendary Happy Plums that I so read about it?" Momma replied as she gave a slight glance towards what would be a very simple recipe, but not underestimating the effects of what it did on the book, she was curious if the effects were real.
"Well, they aren't that powerful in comparison to Muriel's, but I think Zeke based my cup plums and transformed them into the legendary happy plums, which I had been trying to find a good new ingredient to give a very good kick, and ironically..." Martha waved her hand as she never thought her little baby's book managed to make so much a success in her book, that some of her friends came to be interested in talking about the success of the book.
"Duncan's brothers went in a bookstore to buy one of his books, and I got caught in them making vomiting noises because of how the old lady Muriel always used vinegar on her recipes," Sheila commented as she never thought to see her children so eager to read a book than the ones which made Duncan almost cry and scared... And she even had a little time making them go to school and have time for herself to read the one special which she always was curious about... Needlessly to say she felt so wholesome and released tears of joy when she read the final chapter, the Tower of Dr. Zalost, in which she always thought that maybe, her children weren't lost cause, and just like the help from Victoria, Courtney and Ezekiel, he son wouldn't need to be on the juvenile or go to prison at the future.
"Did you place vinegar in this?" Alisson asked in surprise, since she knew that her son bought the book from the bookstore, and since she got curious about the emotional episode about Dr Zalost, she confessed that she used a few tissues to clean her tears, from how beautiful and simple it was.
"Apple cider vinegar actually," Martha commented as she smiled at how she always read Muriel into using vinegar on her recipes, that she thought she would try it for fun, but not knowing that indeed it could make a very interesting flavor on the mouth was indeed very a good dessert for someone who never tried before. "I gotta say, when I see Curtis in a bad mood, or Ezekiel who suddenly felt down, this always cheers them up."
"Okay, now I want to try it." DJ's momma didn't think twice as she even used the spoon and the sour cream to combine the flavors. "Wow, the appearance looks terrible, but the flavor, that's woman, Mi have inner luv fi your time."
The women around blinked at the chubby Jamaican chef who seemed to have a great time enjoying a dessert like that.
Which Alisson and Sheila decided to do the same, and even lick their lips with the sweet flavor.
"Wow, never thought plums would indeed bring happiness... The book was real." Sheila commented graciously, while Martha rolled her eyes with a smile.
"Oh stop it, nobody knows how to beat Muriel's recipe, I think Ezekiel didn't write the perfect recipe because he doesn't even know how she did that, and possibly the Scottish people know their stuff." Martha which made both the group of circle of friends enjoy their time together. "Also sorry to hear about what happened to Duncan Sheila, I was really hoping that he could have won the show."
"I know, I know, the votes were kinda rigged since from the idea of Chris creating chaos, I shouldn't be surprised. But at least I know Duncan can enjoy a few weeks before being happy at home, and paying community service." Sheila was happy for her son to return home, and with the good influence of Courtney and her mom, she knew that her baby boy would finally reach greatness. Since she always believed in him.
"Well, now it's up to my daughter to win, since she is the last bass remaining," Alisson commented as Momma nodded her head, and thought a bit more.
"Now that I think about it, where is your husband?" DJ's Momma asked as the farmer woman blinked until she snapped her fingers.
"Oh Curtis, I asked him to bring a lot of oranges for us, I was planning to bake a cake since we are together here, and talk about a good time cooking with you 3." Martha shrugged as Momma took out her fancy hat and her purse.
"Now, I like the way you are thinking. I think it's my time to surprise you with what I can do," Momma commented, as both Sheila and Alisson shook their heads but with a smile on their faces.
It was indeed a good time for the women to enjoy their time.
(Playa del Losers)
Everything started when Ezekiel received a callphone from the editors, knowing that his day would be the start of the news of how was the first sales of his first book, and the first experience of a person who had been a fanfic writer in his former life. He was feeling outside of his comfort zone, not knowing that if his first publishment was a success or a flop, the questions coming up on his mind would be if he didn't sell enough books and didn't bring attention to the target public he had been aiming for...
It has always been different when it was fanfic since the worst he could get from that would be troll reviews or at maximum someone talking to the moderators of the site to banish his account...
But now, it was more about money, and his image... A published gave trust in trying his first book, and he isn't sure if good things or terrible things happened after the first day of publishment...
Ezekiel got inside Izzy's bedroom since she was the one who somehow managed to bring a telephone to be in contact with her lawyers and company... She even helped him to decide which publisher would be the best for him to try his first book...
At each step, Ezekiel felt apprehensive about what would be the results, but in the end, the curiosity won against the anxiety, and he decided to take the telephone...
"Hello? Yeah, it's me..." Ezekiel commented as Izzy gave a reassuring smile at him, knowing that whatever happened she would still try to cheer him up, but she couldn't help to be more happy when she heard Ezekiel had his eyes wide open. "What do you mean it sold out? Wait... Really? All the 50 thousand? Huh? There was a new demand for more. That's wonderful."
Ezekiel couldn't help but feel contempt as he felt emotional... He could swear that nearby him, he could see Courage from his own tears excited stepping on the floor quickly while he showed eager excitement...
"Yes, yes, I'm here. Sorry, I'm just very surprised... So what's going to happen now?" Ezekiel asked as Izzy sat and she was already with her big smile on her face, and with a desire to celebrate, calling all the friends for Geoff to make a party. "Wait, wait, hold on, did you just say royalties? And a contract?"
Izzy looked as she then saw Ezekiel looking very shocked to the point of even heavy breathing.
"How much are you offering?..."Ezekiel blinked until suddenly he released the telephone, which Izzy quickly went to her friend who almost fainted.
"Are you sure that this is the right value? I mean, it was just 50 thousand books, but with these royalties and this contract? It's just the first volume of the book." Ezekiel tried to be reasonable with the publisher but the more he talked the more he sweat... "So you mean, wait, you also want to make a contract for Adventure Time and Steven Universe? 200 THOUSAND BOOKS EACH? But but... Please, don't tell me ho... HOLYSHIT."
Ezekiel felt his legs tremble as he couldn't help but feel his spirit almost leaving his body.
"But why? ... Okay, I understand, still, this has been a great shock for me... And this had been my first book... To reach that value... It's so crazy." Ezekiel commented as Izzy was walking towards her bedroom in curiosity about what made her good friend on his toes. "Thank you... Thank you so much, but if you could do me a favor. Can you publish Adventure Time's books a week before Christmas? Because that way it would make their wait worth it, but also for the last chapter of the book... I know that this may be hard. But could you please?... Thank you so much. Thank you for this, and I wish you a good week."
Ezekiel after finishing the call, simply felt his legs feeling like jelly, and then he stared at Izzy...
"So how much they gave you for the first volume?" Izzy asked curious which Ezekiel felt like he shouldn't tell anybody...But Izzy is a special case because she has an accountant who he needs to get in touch with to prepare for his taxes... And lawyers...
"Izzy, I need to get in contact with both your lawyer and accountant..."Ezekiel commented as he was with so much on his mind. That it was a storm of emotions, and he couldn't understand what he could say anymore... But he took a piece of paper and decided to write it for Izzy... "This is what they offered for the first book of Courage the Cowardly Dog being printed again, and with the royalties I received from the sold-out books from a few days ago..."
Izzy gave a small glance, but she decided to read the paper until her eyes went wide open...
"Are you for real?" Noah commented as he found a very big block of papers, which after giving more than a few glances, weren't drafts like the homeschooled boy would use on his stories, but this were more like. "What is this? A contract?"
"Yes," Ezekiel commented as he then took something that he never thought he would have which came from the paperwork sent by the mail. It took a few days but finally, Ezekiel had everything that he wanted to do at that moment. A checkbook in his hand made the brainiac raise his eyebrows at him... "For all the help you give me, and for all the hours we passed together fixing and editing together... I had to talk with an accountant and a lawyer to find a good way to administrate this but to also reward you for all the work... So please accept this check."
Noah gave a small glance at the piece of paper and then he felt his hands tremble as his eyes even twitched...because seeing a thing like that made him have his mouth opened in shock.
"How much did..."
"Please don't ask, as a person who got the advice of my lawyer and accounter, I should not reveal how much I gain for safety reasons, that's what J.K Rolling, Stephen King, George R.R Martin don't share how much they got, because of safety reasons," Ezekiel commented as he got his winter hat off and started to scratch, but knowing there was a lot of paperwork to do... "Just please read the contract carefully and be sure if that's what you want... You can have the whole night to think about it. But know that I tried to make sure that it's a fair contract... Even as it sounds a bit unfair in some perspectives, the accountant and the lawyer told me that this was a fair value for an editor..."
"And it is... But 50 thousand dollars for only the first book of Courage the Cowardly Dog? That's insane." Noah commented as he raised both his arms wide open. "I didn't even need to participate in this stupid show if I just had one more book to write, it would be the easiest 100 grand that I ever caught in my life. We worked also with Adventure Time, Steven Universe, and Ben 10 as he had been your new project... Are you sure that it's not a scam?"
"It's legit... But I also recommend you read the contract and try to find an accountant, because with that money you need to plan on how to pay your taxes, and that's a crazy way to think about it..." Ezekiel commented as he crossed outside of the door... "But I'm being honest over here Noah, thank you for helping me to edit my book. Your help indeed made Courage create an impact and sold out on the first 3 days after the episode."
Noah remained quiet, as he heard the boy leaving the bedroom, and now the bookworm never thought that being eliminated first made him have a very good experience of vacations but also gain what would be half of the prize money...
"Indeed Karma works in mysterious ways," Noah commented as he looked at the cheque he got. Indeed was a good day.
"Well it went way better than I expected, but I still think he should get more than that," Ezekiel sighed as Izzy gave a few slaps on his back, while she looked serious at the moment.
"Usually editors would only gain from 10 thousand to 20 thousand, and you gave more than double that for him, and you took 2 years to write all the work, while we cannot take his hard work for granted, he helped you most of the edition which you already edited before, so it's fair for you to get most of the part of royalties for yourself," Izzy explained as a serious look on her face, while both were on his bedroom while they have smoothies and with the television on to watch the pay-per-view. "I know that he appreciated you thinking of him, and you making a contract for him to be your editor-chief was a very surprise coming from you."
"Well, I think I should call someone I trust, and Noah indeed was very trustful and a good friend," Ezekiel commented which Izzy cackled.
"Oh, that he is, even as annoying as he can be, I kinda of understand why my future version would enjoy spending most of the time being friends with him, Owen, and Eva, we looked like a very interesting group to interact with," Izzy commented as Ezekiel nodded his head happy.
"Yes, you were a very interesting quartet, and I think Noah will be happy to get that cheque while he was the first one to be eliminated," Ezekiel commented as he made a thought that made him worried. "But we still need to find a way to make him participate in Ridonculous Race."
"Oh? That? I can convince both him and Owen to do that, do not worry my friend Ezekiel, I will find a way to make Noah find his lovely annoying prick girlfriend Emma, or I will kidnap both of them and make them try to get out of the Gulag together." Izzy commented as she was cackling madly, while Ezekiel was rolling his eyes.
"Please, we don't need you to get into more trouble with the law, anyway, the next episode of the show is going to be Are We There Yeti, which Chef now was going to take all the campers and leave them in the middle of the forest and they have to find a way to the pole while being in duos," Ezekiel explained as both him and Izzy passed a few seconds thinking about it...
"That doesn't seem interesting," Izzy commented unsure of what to say.
"It was funnier when Gwen and Heather had mortal hatred between each other, and Duncan was there with Owen to make a battle between boys vs girls, and having the boys and girls tricking each other to catch their supplies for map, food, and etc... was kinda funny," Ezekiel explained as Izzy raised her eyebrow which made Ezekiel rolls his eyes. "And of course in the end Heather and Gwen tricked both Duncan and Owen at night acting as damsels in distress just to make them drop their guards, and in the end, Duncan was eliminated because Chef just wanted...
"So in the end Duncan was screwed independently from each episode right?" Izzy commented as her friend nodded his head at her, which was a very good point.
"Yeah, but now comes the question, how does Chef will cope with the challenge, if he is going to be annoyed to host the show and want to spend the rest of the day relaxing?" Ezekiel asked while Izzy only wandered the same thing about her commander, she was looking at her friend thinking that maybe people were underestimating her commander, and she hoped Chef Hatchet would be different from the other time from the other future, since that time her commander wasn't caring into hosting the show, but now he had a very good opportunity... Since he told her that he wanted them to win the next season because it would make him be promoted... She just hoped that this time, Chef Hatchet would make a better decision.
(Camp Wawanakwa)
"You were WHAT?" The gruff and annoyed voice coming from the trailer was enough to scare a few interns who were running with the equipment for the camera crew.
"Ouch, no so loud Chef," Chris said annoyed as he felt a ring on his ear, as inside of his trailer. Chris was looking at himself in the mirror, trying to look presentable. "I just got a call recently in which they said I will be the host of Best People Choice awards, they want me to give the rewards of the best people across Canada, so I will be out for a few days."
"But the challenge will happen in 2 days," Chef said as he narrowed his eyes which Chris scoffed.
"Pff. That's why I decided to let you do it. Because come on, the last episode happened by itself, just let the campers do something crazy, create an excuse to eliminate them and you can have the rest of the day off." Chris commented as he wasn't even giving faith to the person in front of him. "All you need to do is to make the ratings growing up, do whatever military crazy stuff you do, and then bam, you got the audience and you can eliminate whoever you want. Simple like that."
"It was supposed to be my day off." Chef narrowed his eyes, but then from his annoyed look, he just sighed at the host. "You better bring something good for me."
"Oh, I will. Thanks, Chef." Chris smiled as Chef didn't seem to have a choice, the host prepared himself as both got out of the trailer and Chris was happy to walk towards the helicopter. "You don't need to do much, just what is necessary to make the good ratings."
Chef watched Chris once again taking the glory as he talked like all he did was easy for anyone who could do it. And Chef had to admit, that the idea of launching the campers in the middle of the forest while he takes the day for himself was the first idea which came to his mind. He got really angry with the idea of how Chris thought his job wasn't even important.
"In my prime, I and my squad would have trashed down those good-for-nothing..." Chef commented as he walked towards the main lodge. Where he had his resting place in the kitchen. Which Chris once again looked at the pictures of himself training the infantile squad, but also the time when he was younger and had been on the same squad as his friends..."Pff, my squad would have become their nightmares for the rest of their lives, showing what the military was capable of... I could see those eyes of the ingrates who looked down on my military rank..."
Chef was grateful...because after years of being afraid of talking to his team again, he was glad that even a tragedy would come like a reconciliation they never thought it would happen.
Then Chef blinked...until an idea struck his mind.
Quickly the military Chef grabbed his phone and had a call to make. One that he knew it would make Chris regret ever underestimating his military skills, and proving once and for all, why he was awesome, in the same way as the military who did too much for their country.
"Hatch isn't it a bit strange for you to call us at this time of the day? It's almost 22 hours." A familiar male voice grated as the Chef smirked with one idea on his mind.
"Ron, if I tell you that I need to task the crew back to teach a few good-for-nothing kids the military rocks, what do you think?" Chef asked as the telephone became mute for a few seconds until the voice of his friend came once again.
"What do you have in mind?" Ron commented as Chef cackled, as one genius idea happened in his mind.
.
.
.
"Okay, I got a confirmation from Wade, he said he agreed to give support to us, which will be funny to see the reaction of many," Kim said as she also had the telephone and shared with both military veterans who were having a plan for the television show. "I usually would have scolded you both for something stupid and overkilling. However, since it's some Izzy friends and the person who hurt her... I think it was good enough for us to make an appearance on there."
"Talked like a true mother," Chef commented as he chuckled while on the other side, Ron commented nervously. "Also thank you for passing me his contact, now I know who I want to call when my cable is messed up."
"You know that he hates when you do that. Also shouldn't your show offer you support in something like that?" Kim asked while Chef Hatchet scoffed and rolled his eyes, and before he could even reply... "But I think everyone is ready for the action."
"Well, not all of them..." Ron decided to also comment which Kim became deadly silent, and Chef had a smile growing on his face. "There is also one person missing and we need to get her as well... someone needs to break her out from the prison,"
"Well I wasn't the one who married her in international waters, so it's not my problem," Chef said as Kim sounded very annoyed.
"We just got drunk once and you never let that go," Kim said as Chef smirked at her. That comment was really hilarious because of the event which would be the most hilarious situation he ever was in, and in fact, he would never let that live down. Not just him, but Wade, her mother, her father, and even her brothers jokes about that event.
"That's how a marriage of three works, now why don't you both go take her out of the prison, while I will contact Wade to make sure it was a military exercise and not make her double her sentence... Again." Chef said and before the couple would even protest, Chef turned off the telephone on their faces. And with a nostalgic smile on his face. "And that's why I don't get married, too much trouble. HAHAHAHAHAHA, good times. MAN, I MISSED THIS FEELING SO MUCH. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
The interns and the cameraman got the instructions that on the next day, the episode would have the Chef as a host, and nobody, not even the campers was prepared for what he was going to bring...
Chapter 40: Survival of the Sneakiest
Chapter Text
"Last time on Total Drama Island," The regular recap of the previous episode started…only with one major difference. It was Chef doing it! That's right, instead of the host with the most Christ McLean doing it, the buff cook of a sidekick was taking over the recap for some reason. "Those good-for-nothing campers got swept away by a rainstorm that left them stranded on a deserted island. Meanwhile, the chubby one drifted ashore in his outhouse and made a new friend who has an IQ almost as high as his. Then the gruesome chick the stupid one and the mouthy girl had to be afraid while the two security guards had to plan all around on survival, so in the end the stupid blond came across and found the secret location of our production crew camp. Yeah, it's me doing the recap. You got a problem with that?! Since Chris is off hosting some frou-frou rewards show, I'll be filling in as host. But guess what? Everything will be changing on my watch now..."
Chef commented as the camera saw him opening the wardrop.
"Will the campers survive the challenge I'm about to make today?" Chef took what would be a black long t-shirt, a yellow utility belt, and camouflage green pants, instead of his Chief hat when he used on the challenges before. This time was a dark green beret which was a symbol of the Canadian flag. "Will they learn a lesson from what would mean to be the last top 4? Will they break when I show them what the Military can do with their poor souls? Don't blink, on this most exciting episode of TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND."
Chef said as he took his dark glasses and the camera saw Chef wearing what would be a uniform that nobody could ever see before.
"Cut." One of the cameramen commented, as Chef rolled his eyes and stretched himself.
"How does Chris do this thing?" Chef asked himself while the camera crew looked uncertain, until the Chef walked over the telephone, and his face snickered as his smile became even more evil.
"Are you guys ready?" Chef asked as he could see his eyes sparkling... The annoying pricks had no idea about what was about to happen in their lives, and he decided to have fun like the old times. "Good, I'm going to prepare them for the surprise."
(Wawanakwa Camp - Middle of the Forest)
The sun shined down on Total Drama Island and with it brought the beauty of nature. The squirrels happily squeaked as they went around gathering their nuts, the birds chirped as they flew through the sky, and everything seemed completely normal while every camper was enjoying their peaceful sleep, but instead of being across on the cabins where they usually would sleep like most of their days, this time they were unaware they are exposed at Mother Nature herself since her animals walked towards them, and even passed above them.
Gwen sneezed in her sleep as a squirrel's tail brushed against her nose, and a frog hopped on nearby an empty bed while eating a fly. Lindsay was sleeping peacefully as a bird family made a nest on her feet. An acorn fell into Heather's mouth and she managed to spit it out.
However, when the squirrel came to collect the acorn and hopped near Heather, she suddenly woke and looked around completely startled.
"What?" Who's that? Where are we?" Heather quickly sat up and looked around to see they were no longer in their cabins. She let it out quickly while swatting away another squirrel that got close to her.
Her outburst alone woke up everyone asleep. Owen, Lindsay, and Gwen discovered the outburst made by the queen bee was valid because they were also confused about what happened.
"Where are we?" Lindsay asked as she moved her feet and with that, the bird nest which was on the bed fell from the bunk...
"Chris?" Gwen questioned confused, quickly thinking the host was up to this. Especially after the events from the last challenge.
"MOMMY." Owen tried to find comfort by calling for his momma, however, there was a voice that made everybody freeze.
"EVERYBODY JUST SHUT UP!" Chef's voice screamed as the group turned their heads and saw Chef was sitting in a chair their eyes looked weirdly different than his usual cook attire, or even his military clothing, this time he looked with a black shirt, camouflage pants, a belt, and a military beret. The group looked at him who had a new military attire. "How you got here is not your concern!"
"What happened to Chris?" Gwen asked as she and everyone else got out of the bed.
Chef wanted to shout at the girl for interrupting him, but he gave a deep breath, as he took from his eyes the black glasses. And looked sternly at the campers in front of him.
"He isn't around, he had an appointment somewhere and now I'm responsible for not just today's episode, but also for the challenge for you to the top 4 of the show," Chef said in deep control since he wanted to prove to everyone that he wasn't going to explode, but deep inside of him, he was smirking since the game soon will start to happen.
"Great. Another military challenge for today, aren't you all with new material to make?" Heather asked as she rolled her eyes, but soon she regretted it as she saw Chef snarling at her. "Can you at least say that you look better in this outfit than the last one?"
Chef huffed as gave walked towards in front of them, as he gave a distance and cracked his neck to make sure to scare every single one of them.
"For a top 4 campers, you should know the fact that you all were the best of the best since you surpassed and survived what would be the worst 8 weeks of your life..." Chef commented as he marched towards in a direction as the campers soon heard the sound of a helicopter approaching. Which made everyone confused. "You all should be the elite among the losers who were here before you, and yet you still want to talk like you were somewhat good in comparison to a veteran of war."
Gwen and Heather scoffed but that didn't pass towards in the eyes of the military Chef who narrowed his eyes.
"All I see is a bunch of ingrates who don't understand the concept of true hell, so since you all think that you are the elite. Then let's see if you can compare yourselves with a true elite squad." Chef commented as soon the helicopter approached to land nearby Chef which made everyone their eyes wide open in surprise, as soon Chef saw the confused looks on their faces, Chef smirked as he went the door of the helicopter, "If you think I was bad, if my training was terrible, if my challenges were that unfair, then let me show the real deal. Let me show you all my friends."
Owen, Lindsay, Gwen, and Heather remained quiet as the sweat came from their faces when they realized that Chef brought someone inside of the helicopter, and at the time the door was unlocked, they were surprised that when they thought they would see monsters or even bulk soldiers with a lot of scars...
Instead, what appeared... The first woman in an athletic build and confident posture, though her face carries the subtle lines of experience and wisdom. Her trademark dark orange hair, now with a few streaks of silver, is still vibrant and often pulled back in a practical yet stylish manner. Her green eyes remain sharp and expressive, reflecting the same determination she had as a teenager. Her clothing was a black top, while she had green pants and the beret color as the person who was in the military nearby them.
After her, came a man who exuded a laid-back yet mature demeanor. His blond hair has started to thin a bit and shows signs of graying, particularly at the temples. His blue eyes retain their warm, friendly twinkle, and his face is marked with laugh lines that speak to his easygoing and humorous nature. Chef gave a glance at the man who just got his usual black shirt and grey pants.
"Did you just get a haircut?" Chef asked and the man laughed with a smile on his face.
"I'm just back in action, so nothing like a haircut to make it things serious." The man commented as Chef nodded his head, and slowly smirked at the campers who were still looking at the duo.
When the group thought it was over, then suddenly the door was wide open with a kick which made the campers jump away, and this time they saw something they never thought they would see in their lives. Even the Chef who had his mouth dropped in disbelief.
A woman who even at her age remains a striking and formidable presence. Her dark, raven-black hair, though now interspersed with a few strands of silver, still cascades down her back, giving her an air of both elegance and menace. Her piercing green eyes are as sharp and intense as ever, reflecting a depth of experience and a hint of mischief. But in the look of disbelief of the campers was the fact the woman was wearing an orange jumpsuit and having handcuffs on her hands while Chef looked in disbelief as there were a few marks of hickeys and lipstick on her neck.
"Seriously?" Chef turned his head at the woman who just got out from the helicopter as the couple looked sheepishly away. "In the helicopter?"
"What?" The woman scoffed as she cracked her neck and even with the fact she was handcuffed she was stretching her back. "Do you know how much time I wanted my intimate visit? I couldn't waste my time. Especially with them."
"Shego, I told you that maybe it shouldn't have been a good idea." The man commented as he looked sheepish at his friend, while Kim tried to look professional, but she also gave a humph from seeing the female inmate smirking at them both.
"Oh come on Ronny and Kimmy, didn't you think that I have been a very bad girl? Come on, I know that I could need a little correction right here." The woman who had been dressed in an orange jumpsuit gave a slight bow as she inclined her butt to both her partners who tried to remain professional in their profession.
"Need I tell you both, that your children are probably watching this episode?" Chef said loudly as both parents remembered and then facepalmed from what they had just done, while the other woman rolled her eyes.
"Oh come on, it's a television show of third rate, probably the editors would take care of it. There is no way my children would be watching this crap." Shego commented Chef then blinked and looked at the other members of the squad who had a dry cough which made the woman blink once more, before groaning. "Ughhhh, seriously?"
"Yes...one of them was even part of this show. And she is probably watching you all in Pay-Per-View. And before you say anything more… let's go down to business." Chef rolled his eyes, while the campers didn't know what to say around the quartet who just stood in front of them, and with Chef clearing his throat in the direction of everyone, Chef decided to already drop the bomb. "Let me present you my squad, and my great friends. Kim, Ron, and for reasons of maximum security, codename Shego."
Chef presented as the whole quartet stomped their feats and gave a salute, even the woman in the jumpsuit used both her hands to salute, which made the group stare at them in disbelief, confusion, and fear.
The elite squad was already in front of the campers as Chef Hatchet even got a key to free the handcuffed woman.
"Remember, your clothes are inside of the helicopter, so when I take this out, you go dress yourself..." Chef commented as Shego rolled her eyes.
"Who are you? My General? Pff, yeah, don't worry I will be there in a minute." Shego replied as she looked at each camper, and she couldn't help but scoff. "So this is the top 4? They don't look like much, Hatch, did you lose your touch?"
"The hell I didn't, it's because I made them get easy, just eating crap food, and having some exercise of a challenge... A warm-up from what we got." Chef answered as he gave a glance at the campers and was being loud about it, which made Owen fart in fear.
"Errr, Chef, can you tell us, why this woman was handcuffed?" Heather should have known that she would regret asking because that brought a smirk at Shego who just smiled at her, and that kind of smile, made Heather have a sense of Deja Vu...
"Well, for your information little girl... I am a spy but a former member of this squad like these two veterans. And I have been arrested because *zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz*
At the time Shego opened her mouth, the camera was shifted in the direction of the campers who just had their mouths wide open, as even then they started to sweat a lot, from the looks they had, from horror, disbelief, surprise, and awe.
"Wouldn't you be in trouble if you exposed that on television?" Gwen commented as she felt her face pale and become white from what the spy had said to her.
"Don't worry." Chef waved his hand as he knew what happened. "Her microphone became mute and all the cameras were shifted to you... Wade, you can turn her mic on now."
The group stared at him until suddenly a voice came on the speakers around the forest.
"Alright Hatch, things are working on." A deep voice made the campers stare at Chef who just smirked and Shego was now freed with her handcuffs...
"Oh, I can't wait to use these hands. It had been so long that I was without company..." Shego commented as she even licked the earlob of Kim and Ron who shivered and gave a glance at the spy who returned to the helicopter to dress herself.
"Errr..." Lindsay wasn't sure why, but her face was in shade of red, while Gwen and Heather were also blushing... Owen blinked in surprise.
"What just happened?" Owen asked as the girls facepalmed, while Kim and Ron chuckled.
"Nothing much, just something nostalgic for me," Chef said as both walked nearby them. "Well, you must have been wondering. On what the hell am I planning by bringing my military squad today..."
The remaining 4 nodded their head as Chef decided to walk beside them.
"To be a top 4 meant that every single one of you passed every single feeling inside your heart... Never forget the swear, blood, and tears you all released at the time you had to survive this whole show." Chef commented as the group stared at the military Chief looking resolute. "But now, the time to play was over. For being in the top 3, things will get harder from here. And I will make a comparison with you all who thought I was being unfair, I was being stupid, my food was ridiculous and terrible, and all the underestimating you guys have made about me... You talked about me being a harsh and brute terrible person... No no, what I have shown to you all, was only the first year of what me, Kim, Ron, Shego, and Wade had to pass around our training in the army."
"Alright, I'm ready, what did I miss?" Shego got out of the helicopter and at the uniform made with the same style and similarities as her squad. Both Kim and Ron immediately shushed her. "Wow, talk about rude insubordination."
*Clearing throat*
The female spy glanced at Chef who decided to turn his head directly to the campers who now felt more aware that things would get more difficult from the speech the military man had been giving.
"As I was saying before, I know what you may be thinking," Chef commented as he decided to scoff in front of the campers who were unsure about what to say. "It's just another immunity challenge, there is no way that I would risk my life in a challenge which in the end I could just give up and convince the others to vote for me not being eliminated. Isn't that right?"
Gwen, Lindsay, and Heather had to bite their tongues to not show Chef had read their minds, which would make him even angrier, but what was the worst was the fact the military man was calm, and that doesn't seem to make the situation less scary.
"But after a good talk with my friends, I decided to raise the stakes to show that I know what could bring attention for a prize that you girls would be interested in getting," Chef smirked as he took something from his pocket, and then a sequence of a melody of beeps brought the attention of the trio of girls which they had their eyes wide open. "Campers, let me present you the Mmunicator, which depending on the user has your name in it."
The squad took from their pockets their own Mmunicators, Kimmunicator, Ronmunicator, Shegommunicator, and Hatchmmunicator. Which now made the girls have their eyes wide open.
"Wade, why don't you tell the female maggots the features on the Mmunicator?" Chef smirked as the girls saw a person appearing on the screen, like Chef, however different than Chef Hatchet, the person on the screen looked like the time had been kind to him since while he looked bulky and tall, he had a goatee and long black hair. While wearing a special forces military uniform, but surrounding computers.
"Gwen, Heather, Lindsay, what you have in front of you is a military special forces communicator, which not only is a portable telephone but also has great features better than a PDA or a palmtop computer. Since you can have internet access, video calls coming from important companies, or even video calls from webcams from other computers as well." Wade said as the girls looked at such technology for their teenage days. Chef smirked as he could see Heather and Gwen having their mouths dropped wide open, while Lindsay had her eyes sparkling from such a new prize. "I know that this is the future until in the next decade we will improve to something far better than that, but what kind of teenage girl wouldn't want that?"
(Confession – Gwen)
"I..."
(Confession – Hearher)
"Want..."
(Confession – Lindsay)
"That."
"Which I want to ask you… are you interested in winning this time?" Chef asked as the girls had their eyes staring at each other like hawks, wanting to catch what would be a prize telephone they never thought of before. Only for themselves. "Good…"
"Chef, while I think the girls look nice, I don't think I like this prize," Owen commented nervously, which made Chef smirk at him.
"Oh fat boy, of course, you won't be interested in that, so that's why Ron my friend here came up with the idea that it would be fair and a good motivation for you," Chef commented as Owen looked in anticipation. "Do you like Mexican food?"
Owen smiled at hearing about food and nodded its head.
"Do you like Tacos and Natchos?" Chef Hatchet asked once again which made Owen nod his head rapidly, which made Chef smirk and look at his friend showing a paper bag and giving it to him. "Have a taste of this... This is called Naco, a creation of my friend who created a franchise with the concept of fusing both Mexican foods."
Owen froze and at the time he looked at the paper bag, he couldn't help but feel the warmth and the delicious smell coming from it.
And at the time Owen opened it. He even shed a tear...
"It's so beautiful..." Owen commented but not before eating it in one go. "And very delicious."
Everyone except for Chef looked at Owen weirdly, but since it was a good motivation for him, Chef smirked...
"If you win... You will have a whole month's supply of Naco for you to eat whenever you want." And those words made Owen freeze... And suddenly Gwen, Heather, and Lindsay could see Owen frowning his smile as his eyes sparkled, and even had his game face on... "Good, now it seems the stakes are good enough for you, right?"
All the campers nodded their heads. It seems that instead of risking their lives for a military challenge nothing wasn't the case anymore... Everyone wants to win.
"Alright then..." Chef walked at what would be a wheel, which an intern placed nearby while the campers were distracted, and on that wheel, there were what would be the notes of numbers... "This challenge is a 3 phase... Since you all want motivation to win so much. You will be playing the military games. Hehehehe..."
"Military games?" Gwen asked as Chef glared at her which made the goth shut up.
"Wow, they seriously interrupt a lot," Kim commented as she mused at the Chef who nodded his head annoyed.
"I thought it was always the editing of the show, since in our times every time we interrupted someone we always would get doing 100 push-ups and cleaning up the bathrooms with a toothbrush," Ron commented as he could have sworn to see the goth girl flinches on that moment.
"They lack discipline," Chef said as he then took something from his pocket. "The military games are a very important way to train yourself and squads by comparing against a better team, that way you will learn where you could talk the talk and walk the walk... And before anyone who thinks it's funny to interrupt me again... Let's start the first phase with Hunter and Prey..."
Shego grinned, while Ron and Kim looked amused while Chef took a coin, and the campers didn't like the name of the game.
"I will be going to flip a coin, and if land tails, you will be the hunters, but if it's heads, you are going to be the prey," Chef commented as he flipped...
"Please be the prey, please be the prey, please be the prey." Shego chanted and the top 4 survivors stared at the coin... Praying for don't be... Dammit. "Ahhhh, I love this game so much."
"Well. It landed on heads." Chef commented as the campers could be seen getting even more afraid. "To summarize the game, each of you will have 10 minutes to run away from the hunter who will be responsible for hunting you down... And when the hunter finds a good opportunity for a kill, they could both use, these paintball guns, or these marked pens to leave a mark on you... The person who had fewer marks on the body will have an advantage in the second phase."
The campers blinked, as while the paintball guns didn't seem to be a good thing. At least they also are going to be using the marker pens, which doesn't seem so bad...
That's until Shego and Kim started to giggle, and that made the campers slightly more afraid of them.
"Well is there a question before we start?" Chef asked as the campers were usually unsure of what to say...
"Yes... I got one." Then from an unexpected turn of events... Ron was the one who raised his hand. "Is that the boy who backstabbed Izzy by pushing her into a fatal situation?"
Gwen, Heather, and Lindsay had their eyes wide open while Owen was palling and sweating a lot.
"Wait, what do you mean by backstabbing Izzy?" Shego as Kim raised her eyebrow at her which she dismissed. She never had watched an episode of the show. "The prison didn't have the channel of this show. Now spit it out. What happened to our daughter?"
"Daughter?" Heather, Gwen, and Lindsay had their mouths dropped as they saw Owen sweating more like a river.
"Err... Chef?" Owen asked as he gulped from seeing the trio staring at him like demons.
"Yes Ron, this is the fat boy I was talking about. And the one who made Izzy cry." Chef smirked as Shego had bloodshot eyes. "But don't worry, she made him pay dearly. And it had been a lot of fun."
"Did she?" Shego asked as she was still furious, but then Kim just kissed her cheek, which made the raven soldier freeze and blush a little. "Kimmy, did you really have to do it now?"
"That was the only way to control you. Now, be mature, Izzy is probably watching us." Kim commented as the campers looked weird Shego gave a slight pout.
"Fine, just because I want you to mess me up when things are over... You heard that Ron?" Shego commented as the campers looked very confused.
"Not here to be that person, but what the hell is happening?" Heather asked Chef who rolled his eyes. "I thought she said she has a daughter with Ron and now she is..."
"They are all married..." Chef commented as the queen bee looked at him and before she could say a word Chef interrupted. "Literally, they married with each other, it's a funny story. When we were on a mission in international waters we..."
"LET'S FOCUS ON THE CHALLENGE HATCH." Ron, Kim, and Shego shouted as Chef Hatchet stopped and gave a slight smirk at the campers.
"Later I will tell you when I get in a good mood. Anyway, to make sure the first phase of the challenge happens... Each of you will have a person to hunt you down. You first goth girl."Chef said as he started to spin the wheel. From everything happening across the challenges, Gwen was actually afraid of which person would be the one to hunt her down... And when it landed on the number 1... Chef nodded his head. "Kim, she is all yours."
The ginger veteran nodded her head in silence as Gwen wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
(Confession - Gwen)
"Okay, from what I've seen. I got lucky to take the one who looked the most normal of the group, she was more mature and probably had dealt with their crazy all the time, so I think I had an advantage. So how hard it can be?" Gwen commented as she looked a bit unsure of what to say, but she shrugged off the feeling from what she said, not realizing the fate she just tempted.
"Fat boy Owen, it's your turn... And to be honest, you better pray for being me the one hunting you down, because if any of these three would be the one, you would be screwed." Chef commented as Owen gulped, and from the spin of the wheel...
(Confession – Owen)
"Please be Chef, please be Chef, please be Chef, because I think if I got any of Izzy's family I will get my ass kicked so hard that I will not be able to sit for a whole year. Please if there is anyone who loves me above there, please help right now." Owen prayed to whatever entity could help the fat boy to survive the challenge, especially from all the problems he got after the horror challenge and he learned his lesson, especially since he felt disgusted with himself when his cousin Max said he was proud of him.
And it seems Mother Nature decided to give a break for the poor boy because it landed on the number 2.
"Well, look at that, you are very lucky because it's me," Chef commented the big guy never thought he would be so happy to not get selected from any member of the girl he did a making out session and pushed her in the direction of a Chef dressed as Serial Killer.
"Booooooo." The other 3 commented which made Owen feel a dread feeling inside, especially when Shego gave a slight remark. "Can't you trade with us? Come on, it's just for 10 minutes."
"Chef?" Owen commented in panic which thankfully for him the cook was on his side.
"Nice try, but I made the rules, and you have to follow them. No changes." Chef said as the trio of parents rolled their eyes, and Owen sighed in relief.
"Oh thank goodness," Owen said but not before realizing the evil cackling of the whole squad. "Why do I feel like I'm still going to suffer?"
"That's a feeling before war," Ron explained as he shrugged. "It happens to everyone. Nothing like a good mug of coffee and an hour of working out wouldn't solve."
(Confession – Heather)
"Great now what it just missing was both the inmate momma spy and the goofy blond dad… I can predict with my luck that I will be getting the crazy psycho, and Lindsay will have the goofy blonde..." Heather commented sarcastically which even made her blink and sigh while rolling her eyes. "No offense Izzy but that explains most of the questions I had about you, but also created a lot more which I know I won't like the answer..."
"Anyway, queen bee brat? It's your turn." Chef smirked as she didn't think she would like her odds. And at the time he didn't even let her say anything... The wheel already decided her fate. "Shego, she is yours."
"Heh, I would have preferred the fatty, but I think she could do it." The raven woman glanced at Heather as the girl already sweating from that.
"Now, me, me, me," Lindsay said as she was excited to see the wheel spinning, while Shego raised her eyebrow before she could say anything. Ron already places his hand on her mouth. He used his finger to make circle motions, which Chef rolled his eyes but decided to be very good sport with it.
"And for the blonde one..." Chef did the same thing for the last camper who in the end was marked at the number 4. "And you got Ron,"
(Confession – Lindsay)
"It's so nice for us to meet Izzy's parents, even when I meet Izzy's second mom, which I find surprising for the others looking at them weirdly," Lindsay commented as she mused herself while commenting on the camera. "Daddy's friends even had some women when they went to the parties, and some even had 5 families, but it's kinda crazy that the families never meet each other, shouldn't be like Izzy's and have them living all together?"
Lindsay shrugged, not realizing that she accidentally exposed some of his father's friends who had secret families and neither of their wives knew about it. Until that day.
Which made her daddy cry laughing while knowing that some of the rich families would be cursing him for letting his daughter go to a reality show. The chaotic situation was hilarious for him.
"Oh, that's so great." Lindsay the way she was happy, she immediately forgot the person was about to hunt her. But she was happy to meet a person that she felt more comfortable with. "So you are Izzy's dad? Do you know how she is?"
Ron looked surprised and gave a look to Kim and Chef who both shrugged. The blond man smiled at her.
"Well, she is doing better. From what we saw... She is having a lot of fun." Ron answered the question which made the black-haired wife raise her eyebrows. "Later I will tell you what she had been up to."
"Alright. We already way too much chat on here..." Chef snarled as it broke the concentration of everyone. And then by looking at the clock, he smirked and decided to explain the rules."In the exact 6 minutes and 22 seconds, we will start hunting you down. And by the way... this whole forest has some lines demarking the limits on where you can go. Passing those limits will make you have a paintball shot in the head, and that will also take you an extra point. You can use this 6 minutes of headstart...NOW."
And like a shout, it was every camper by themselves, since all they had to do is survive or get less marks for 10 minutes.
While the squad was cracking their knuckles and preparing themselves.
"So what's the wager this time?" Shego asked as Chef clapped his hands and a few interns who were trembling and carrying paintball guns and a few pen markers for the crew.
"500 bucks for the person who marked most," Chef smirked as the spy raised her eyebrows and whistled.
"Wow, you really want to mess them up." Kim commented as she was very impressed and even carried her hunting knife. "But from giving them a Mmunicator was indeed a very temptating offer. Izzy was still begging to have her own for her birthday gift."
"Which she will be probably cranky when she finds out that one of her friends had a device for their own and she doesn't" Ron commented which Shego had her eyes looking confused. "Yeah, the duo you and me got are her friends, so while I think it would be a bit overboard... It's still 500 bucks, so let's give our own, and later when the show is over we can call them for a dinner party as a way to make up for them."
And with that Shego smirked and gave a kiss on his lips.
"Ahhh, you do know how to make your wife very happy." Shego said as the group suddenly heard the beeps from their communicators and on that time. It was the time for the hunt.
And quickly the camera got a look at how fast the military squad went as they were departing, tracking down their prey.
(Gwen)
Gwen's heart pounded as she sprinted through the dense forest, her breaths ragged and desperate. The sunlight barely penetrated the thick canopy, casting eerie shadows on the ground. She glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting to see Kim hot on her trail, but the forest seemed deceptively quiet.
Suddenly, Gwen stumbled upon a small clearing. She paused to catch her breath, leaning against a tree for support. That's when she heard it—a faint rustle in the underbrush. Gwen's eyes widened in panic as Kim emerged from the shadows, her movements swift and precise. In a second, she felt her eyes wide open when she felt something pressed on her neck.
"Done. Dead." Kim smiled, as Gwen tried to move away but the military woman already grabbed the goth by the arm and twisted it, causing Gwen to flinch in pain.
"Ouch, hey what's the—" Gwen then noticed Kim turned the sleeve and with the other hand was making quick motions with the marker, like knife cuts, and Gwen immediately realized the woman was very serious about the competition. She tried to kick, but Kim took a few steps back, raising her eyebrows, then gave a smile.
"Run," Kim simply said. Gwen knew she was screwed, so she quickly followed her instincts and took off, not needing to think twice.
"Seventeen marks. And I still have seven minutes. Maybe I've been playing too much with my prey..." Kim mused as she counted for 30 seconds before shrugging. "Nah, it's been a while since I scared someone, and I don't want to lose my money."
With that, Kim quickly climbed a tree.
After a minute of running away, Gwen suddenly heard the sound of leaves rustling. She looked around, trying to see if she could spot her pursuer. Finding a piece of stick, she hoped it might help if she got lucky. But then she heard a thump behind her. Before she could react, there was the hunter she didn't want to see…
Kim pressed the marker pen against Gwen's neck, then quickly caught the stick as Gwen raised it. A low kick followed, causing Gwen to immediately lose her balance. Kim demonstrated her expertise by drawing more marker lines across Gwen's legs. When Gwen tried to get up, she saw Kim smiling, almost challenging her to make the encounter more interesting.
Gwen frantically searched for anything to help her escape. Seeing a lot of dust and an anthill nearby, she knew it was risky but grabbed a part of the anthill and threw it at Kim. Kim jumped back, executing a few backflips that left Gwen stunned.
"Do you know it's very dangerous playing with anthills?" Kim asked, cracking her fingers ominously. Gwen took the opportunity to run away once more.
As Gwen sprinted through the forest, she couldn't shake off the feeling of Kim's presence. Her mind raced, trying to devise a plan to outsmart her pursuer. But every time she thought she had a chance, Kim would reappear, reminding Gwen of her relentless skill and experience. It was a harrowing experience, one that Gwen knew would stay with her long after the challenge was over.
(Confession – Gwen)
"That's it. THE MILITARY ARE CRAZY." Gwen said in the end showed a lot of marks across her body, and even on her face, which made her eyes twitch. "Firstly they made us have a lot of garbage food, and then they dropped us in the middle of the forest AGAIN, but this time with an elite squad hunting us down because we just talked badly of his food and his not fake army stories, and this will probably will be the nightmare of us from the time we ever talk to Chef again…"
…
"I gotta say that I'm impressed." Even as Gwen was reflecting sarcastically on the terrible first part of the challenge where they would have been mentally traumatized, she never thought she would be impressed by how much commitment Chef would have made only for them. "This show still sucks, but I'm impressed by how far they would go to give us mental scars."
(Lindsay)
Lindsay's heart raced as she ran through the thick forest, her breathing becoming increasingly labored. The sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. She glanced over her shoulder, fearing that Ron was right behind her, but the forest seemed eerily still.
Suddenly, Lindsay stumbled into a small clearing. She paused, panting, and leaned against a tree for support. Just as she began to relax, she heard a faint rustle in the underbrush. Her eyes widened in fear as Ron emerged from the shadows, his movements calm and deliberate. Before she could react, a snare trap sprung, lifting her off the ground by her ankle.
"Gotcha!" Ron grinned, stepping out from behind a tree. Lindsay dangled helplessly, trying to free herself.
"Hey! This isn't fair!" Lindsay protested, flailing her arms.
"Life's not fair, blondie," Ron said with a smirk. And from the way he got near her, the military veteran already had his marker pen on his hands. "I will drop you down for 20 marks."
"But I don't want to be marked," Lindsay said pouting at the man who just raised his eyebrow.
"And what if I don't mark your face?" Ron asked which made the blonde girl think for a second while she was upside down, but then she nodded her head at him. He approached and swiftly cut her down, but not without securing her wrists with zip ties. "And in this game, you've got to think outside the box. Now arm please…"
(Confession – Lindsay)
"I think it's fair," Lindsay commented as she was with her now arm marked with a marked pen, but still she was pouting like a child who got tricked.
Lindsay sighed as she raised her arm for the man who gladly used the marker pen to cover her arm with 20 lines.
And now the girl was already with her mark of 20 lines on her left arm, she then looked around, and just found that she was alone.
"Run," Ron whispered simply behind her, which made her panic and run from her new head start.
Lindsay didn't need to be told twice. She scrambled to her feet and bolted through the forest, her mind racing for a way to escape. After a minute of frantic running, she stumbled upon a makeshift bridge made of vines and logs. Desperate, she decided to cross it.
As Lindsay carefully made her way across, she heard a snap. The bridge gave way, and she fell into a pit below, cushioned by a net. Ron appeared at the edge of the pit, looking down at her with a triumphant smile.
"Trap number two," he said, checking his watch. "Still got time for one more."
Lindsay struggled against the net, her frustration mounting. "This is so not cool!"
"Cool or not, it's effective… but don't sell yourself too short, Izzy fell for this one a lot when she was a child. It was kinda funny that I even have pictures of her failing for that." Ron replied which Lindsay blinked, and a little part of her felt a bit better, even though Ron wouldn't tell that Izzy always felt for that trap when she had 5 to not hurt the little naive girl. "Now, leg."
Lindsay pouted, as Ron once again started to mark 20 lines across the leg of the blond bombshell. So at the time, Ron looked at the clock, he knew there was time for one more trap.
As soon as she was out of the pit, he cut her free again.
"Now, run," Ron said as he could see the girl once more leaving the place, while Ron decided to open his pocket. "Hey buddies, ready to give a little surprise for the girl?"
The camera just saw little paws rising from the pocket…
.
.
.
Lindsay took off once more, her mind a blur of fear and determination. She knew Ron was toying with her, and it only made her more desperate to outsmart him. After a few minutes, she found herself in a dense thicket. She crouched down, trying to catch her breath and formulate a plan.
The silence was broken by the sound of twigs snapping nearby. Lindsay's heart leaped into her throat as she peered through the bushes, trying to spot Ron. But then when she saw something that she didn't expect… A naked mole-rat appeared waving at her.
"AHHHHHHHHH." Lindsay shouted as she was surprised by the little animal, and she then felt something moving, and nearby her there were other 3 naked mole-rats, and each of them pulled a little stick, triggering something under her… And suddenly, a net shot up from the ground, ensnaring her. She let out a yelp of surprise as Ron emerged from the shadows once again.
"Three for three," Ron said, looking pleased with himself. "Good job everyone."
"THAT'S NOT FAIR," Lindsay said like she was a child trying to do a tantrum, which made the veteran man chuckle at her reaction.
"Ahhh, how much I missed this feeling," Ron said as he smiled from the good times when he made rookies pissed and even his children pouting for failing on such traps. "But don't worry, time's almost up. So you know the drill."
Lindsay pouted, as she placed her arm on the whole of the net, and Ron and the group of naked moles used the marker pen to cross more 20 lines on the body.
"Let me present you Lindsay the third generation of military-armed naked mole-rats, Rusty, Nibbles, Digby, and Sandy," Ron commented as the little naked mole-rats had their marks and already placed 5 marks each.
"Hi," Lindsay said, as she pouted at the man who just finished his task, and even as the trap was over, he knew he needed to cheer the girl up.
"Hey, you did your best, but sometimes bad luck happens." Ron gave comfort to the girl, as he released her from the trap. "If you want I can tell you a few funny stories which would make you laugh."
"Sure…" Lindsay said, as she still felt a bit sore from getting captured around all the time, but she was happy that Izzy's father was very kind to her.
(Confession – Lindsay)
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, I can't believe it, Izzy." Lindsay laughed in front of the cameras while she used a tissue to clean up her tears. "You did use your Seargent's extension phone to call the General Lazy Bones and go back to work. Hahahahahaha, you must have been grounded for a whole year when they told your parents about it."
(Heather)
Heather's pulse raced as she sprinted through the dense forest, the moonlight barely piercing the thick canopy above. The cool night air did little to calm her nerves as she glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting to see Shego lurking in the shadows. The forest was eerily silent, and every rustle and crack made her jump.
Suddenly, Heather stumbled into a small clearing. She paused to catch her breath, leaning against a tree for support. Just as she began to relax, she heard a faint rustle in the bushes. Her eyes widened in fear as Shego emerged from the darkness, her movements silent and predatory.
Before Heather could react, a barrage of paintballs hit her from all sides, leaving stinging welts across her body. She yelped in pain and spun around, trying to locate her attacker, but Shego was nowhere to be seen.
"Think you're safe, princess?" Shego's voice echoed through the clearing, dripping with menace. "Think again."
Heather's heart pounded in her chest as she scanned the shadows. She took a tentative step forward, only to feel a sharp tug on her ankle. She looked down just in time to see a pair of gloved hands yank her off her feet. She hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of her, and before she could recover, Shego was on her.
"Gotcha," Shego hissed, her face inches from Heather's. She straddled Heather's legs, her grip ironclad, and began marking her with the marker pen, swift and precise. Heather struggled and thrashed, but Shego's hold was unyielding.
"Get off me!" Heather spat, trying to claw at Shego's face.
"Feisty," Shego chuckled, easily dodging Heather's attempts to fight back. She grabbed Heather's wrists with one hand and pinned them above her head, using the marker to draw lines across Heather's exposed skin with the other. "But not enough."
Heather's breath came in ragged gasps as she realized how outmatched she was. Shego's presence was overwhelming, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and menace. Heather's defiance began to waver, replaced by a creeping sense of dread.
"You see," Shego continued, her voice low and threatening, "Welcome to the big leagues girl? If you think Hatch had made you in hell? You haven't seen anything yet. I'm having a great time playing with you."
With a final flourish of the marker, Shego released Heather and stood up, leaving her opponent marked and humiliated on the forest floor. Heather scrambled to her feet, her body aching and her pride bruised.
"Run," Shego commanded, her eyes never leaving Heather's. "And since I heard you are a friend of my girl, then I will give you 3 minutes of head start… But remember, I will always be right behind you… Hehehe."
Heather didn't need to be told twice. She bolted through the forest, her mind a whirlwind of fear and desperation. Every shadow seemed to hide her tormentor, every sound amplified her panic. She stumbled over roots and branches, her breath coming in desperate gasps, but she didn't dare slow down.
As she ran, Heather couldn't shake the feeling that Shego was always one step ahead, watching her, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The forest had become a maze of nightmares, and she was trapped within it, hunted by a predator who knew no mercy.
"IZZY! YOUR FAMILY IS CRAZY." Heather shouted as she bolted towards trying to find a way to survive against a psychopath which would explain why the camper who usually would look from crazy to an idiot to a completely psychopath. But then Heather paused… thinking a few seconds about all the talks she had with Izzy, about how sometimes she would just need, one trick… "They will count the number of marks across the body… Ugh, I'm going to hate this, but to have that kind of prize would be worth any risk."
.
.
.
"Okay, I just need to wait for more 2 minutes and I win," Heather commented, as she was hoping and praying for the trick work, as she remained quiet in her place, and when she heard something approaching, she held her breath… But it had been only a squirrel who had been passing a girl all covered with mud and leaves, trying to use it as camouflage nearby to a low joint of leaves near her. "Stupid squirrel,"
"You know, I would have given 7 of 10 for the camouflage, but your voice exposed yourself." Then a voice made Heather roll to see the direction of the leaves, which was exactly near her… And from a lower joint, suddenly Shego appeared with so many leaves that it would have formed a cape, like showing the queen bee a demonstration on how to be invisible between your eyes. "I guess Izzy told you to use mud to make it more believable?"
Heather palled as Shego looked not amused, by seeing then something that seriously annoyed her.
"You even used the mud above the markers? Damn, that's a ballsy move from a girl who would wish death on me… But gotta respect that… You know how to adapt." Shego nodded her head, as Heather felt a slight relief. "But to make sure I will not lose my bet and I still have 1 minute left… I will have to mark your whole body again… Sorry but not sorry."
"No no no NO AHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Heather shouted as the animals ran away from Shego jumping and using all her arsenal to make sure the girl would be marked.
(Confession – Heather)
"UGHHHHHHH." Heather only groaned while she was marked with a few strokes on the body, she didn't say any word… Just groaned in anger.
Owen's hefty frame jiggled as he barreled through the dense forest, panting heavily with every step. His usual goofy grin was replaced by a look of sheer panic as he glanced over his shoulder, half-expecting Chef to appear out of nowhere. The forest seemed to close in around him, branches snagging at his clothes and underbrush tangling around his feet.
"Come on, Owen, you can do this," he muttered to himself between gasps for breath. "Just gotta... find a place to hide..."
He stumbled into a small clearing and spotted a large bush that looked like it might provide some cover. With a determined grunt, Owen dove into the bush, only to realize too late that his ample girth was not going to fit. The branches snapped and crackled under his weight, and he ended up sprawled on the ground, covered in leaves and twigs.
"Okay, bad idea," he groaned, trying to pull himself up. "Think, Owen, think!"
He spotted a nearby tree with a hollow at its base and decided to try his luck. Crawling on all fours, he squeezed himself into the hollow, only to find it was home to a family of raccoons. The raccoons chattered angrily and started nipping at him, causing Owen to yelp and scramble back out, his face flushed with embarrassment and scratches.
"Sorry, guys, my bad!" he called over his shoulder as he resumed his frantic run through the forest.
Just when he thought he might have a chance to escape, he heard the unmistakable sound of heavy footsteps behind him. He turned his head to see Chef emerging from the shadows, wielding a paintball gun that looked more like a heavy machine gun.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't my favorite camper!" Chef bellowed, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Ready for some target practice, Owen?"
Owen's eyes widened in horror as Chef lifted the monstrous paintball gun and took aim. "Oh no, not the paintballs!" he cried, picking up his pace as best as he could. "Anything but the paintballs!"
Chef let out a booming laugh and squeezed the trigger, unleashing a torrent of paintballs that peppered the trees, bushes, and, of course, Owen. The first few hits sent him stumbling, but the relentless barrage soon had him dancing in a desperate attempt to avoid the painful splats of paint.
"Ouch! Ow! Hey, that one was right on my butt!" Owen yelped, trying to shield himself with his hands. "Come on, Chef, take it easy!"
Chef showed no mercy, his laughter echoing through the forest as he continued to fire. "You're like a giant, moving target, Owen! This is too easy!"
Owen tried to find cover behind a boulder, but his bulk made it impossible to hide completely. He peeked out, only to receive a face full of paint. Spitting out the colorful mess, he decided to make a run for it again, his legs feeling like jelly.
"Alright, alright, I'll run! Just stop shooting!" he pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation.
"You think this is bad, kid?" Chef finally ceased fire, allowing Owen a moment to catch his breath. Chef called out, a smirk on his face. "You should be grateful it's me and not Izzy's parents. They'd have you running for days and still manage to catch you!"
"Oh them? Oh man, they must be terrifying…" Owen's eyes widened further at the thought.
"Trust me, you wouldn't last a minute with them. Now, get moving before I change my mind! You have 1 minute of headstart" Chef nodded solemnly, as he gave his paintball gun to fill with more bullets.
Owen didn't need to be told twice. With a final, panicked glance over his shoulder, he took off again, his body aching but his spirit slightly lifted by the knowledge that, as bad as things were, they could always be worse. This was just another day on Total Drama Island, after all.
"TIME'S UP FATTY BOY, I'M COMING FOR YOU," Chef said as he started running after him.
Never mind, this had been a nightmare.
Needlessly to say after the 10 minutes of pure hell for the campers, and when they got back to their spots, most of them looked tired and with all the ink marks across their bodies, nobody could tell they had a hell of a morning. But at least this time instead of being a full experience of hell, Chef or at least the other military members decided to give them slack and gave the campers something to each, like potato chips, chocolate, and even a soda bottle for them to refresh themselves from the nightmare experience coming from each member… and deep inside of their minds it seems Chef Hatchet was weirdly… happy. Like showing a bit more sportsmanship, probably since it had been years he had fun with his former squad.
"Alright maggots," Chef commented as he and the elite squad came up with the papers showing the number of markers the soldiers analyzed by counting body from body how many marks they did. "From having a full count on how many ink marks you all have. Heather, you were really smart in covering a good trace of the ink with mud, and that completely covered and erased some marks which led you to 44 marks. Followed by Gwen who had 51 marks, then Lindsay with 60, and Owen with 95… Hehehehe."
"I know he cheated…The boy is a giant target that everyone could have used to win," Shego whispered while Kim rolled her eyes, but she also agreed. But a bet was a bet.
"Great to see our suffering made you very happy Chef," Heather said sarcastically which made Chef roll his eyes and immediately launched a bag to her direction which she grabbed. "What is this?"
"This will be your advantage of the next challenge," Chef said as he looked at his friend who had something in his hands, Lindsay had her eyes wide open as Ron came and placed it under the floor. "Let me present to you all the third generation of the naked mole-rat squad, grandchildren of their predecessor who helped us so much when we were in our operations in our youth Rufus, sadly is too tired that he retired himself to not participate with us."
Chef, Ron, Kim, and even Shego took their berets and placed them in front of their chest as a minute of silence for their comrade which would help them and probably would be watching the episode when they return from the mission.
Heather looked weirdly at the other campers who just shrugged, but then she opened the back only to see what would be the little group of weird naked mole rats, each of them had a tiny keychain tied to their neck.
"Rusty, Nibbles, Digby, and Sandy" Chef once again commented as the queen bee noticed that each mole-rat had their unique appearance, some having a slightly different shade of pink mark on their naked bodies, and Sandy to prove she was the female of the group had a red laço tied on it's head. "Each of them had a key chain with a number which each of you had from the last phase, so you better have memorized your number, because at soon this little squad run, your objective is to hunt them down and take their key chain with your number in it."
Chef explained what would be another challenge that would be different from whatever torture he had made from the first time he gave a challenge to them... Heather opened her bag and her eyes went wide open and found what would be a little portable device that looked like the ones they were holding, but the appearance looked more like a watch.
"As an advantage, you have a device to track down the keychains, which if you use it right, you will not only be able to locate your keychain but also the others as well," Chef commented as indeed the advantage was enough to make Heather give a slight smirk on her face. "But also inside of the bag you have a smoke bomb which always can make them dizzy, but be warned they have been trained into how to identify them, so you cannot waste your opportunity which you only have one chance with it."
"Okay. Now I'm starting to like this challenge." Heather was now with a very interesting advantage, knowing how she passed a little humiliation but still managed to win an extra step to win a Communicator/PDA. Oh, she was going to love to see how her popularity was across the internet.
"Great, while we have to deal with special forces naked mole-rats, Heather will have all that fancy military stuff to help her win this challenge?" Gwen asked annoyed when the militaries rolled their eyes.
"My children would only need 1 hour, 2 tops to find them and capture them, without even the equipment help," Kim commented as she gave a stare while Chef continued.
"I didn't set up a time limit for this challenge, but there is a catch... The first 2 who managed to catch their keychains will pass to the final phase." Chef commented as Owen gulped, and Gwen narrowed her eyes. Lindsay looked apprehensive while Heather smirked. "Now squad march."
And from the sudden order. The naked mole rats immediately separated and the top 4 blinked in surprise to see the military animals left the entire area. And the next minute they disappeared.
"Now, good luck soldiers, you all are going to need it," Chef smirked as the campers suddenly realized something. The soldiers were leaving.
"Wait, are you going to leave us here alone?" Lindsay asked as Owen paled while Chef simply scoffed.
"Why would you need us now? You all are fed, rested, and ready for your own hunt." Chef commented as the sound of the helicopter was approaching and suddenly a rope later appeared as Kim, Ron, and Shego jumped and went above it while Chef gave a final speech to the campers. "You were the prey, now you all are the predators, good luck soldiers... You're going to need it."
And with that Chef and his whole squad flew away from the helicopter and once more leaving the campers alone with their own objective.
As the helicopter disappeared into the sky, the campers stood in stunned silence. Heather immediately activated her tracking device, while the others watched in a mix of awe and frustration.
"So, what now?" Owen asked, still trying to know what to do.
"I don't know about you, but me, I have a naked mole-rat to capture," Heather said as she smirked and then gave a look at the numbers where it was each number. And she was at such an advantage that she couldn't help but smirk at the group. "It's so sad that you don't have this… Well, good luck."
"Heather wait," Lindsay called which made the queen bee stop… "Can you tell me where is mine?"
Heather blinked, but then she looked at her friend, and if it was any other person, she would have scoffed but since it was her best friend… She sighed and then looked at the advice where the number 4 is.
"It went on that way," Heather pointed in the direction where the track pointed, and Lindsay smiled and gave a hug to her best friend, and immediately tried to go after her own naked mole. When she looked at the goth and the chubby boy, then something clicked in her mind… "If you are wondering where is yours, the number 1 went on that way, and the number 2 on that way."
"Why are you helping us?" Gwen asked suspiciously, which Heather had a good memory of what Izzy had commented before, and a plan that simply had worked for the queen bee so far…
The goth is the last fish. She needs to divide and let the goth continue alone.
"If we finish this challenge quickly I will take a shower, so I will be glad to end this faster, and I will be glad if you two end your challenge fast as well, so the quicker we finish this, the better," Heather said as she continued with her sour mode, she didn't hate the goth girl, and she was always annoyed by the fat boy, so that wouldn't be much to be suspicious about.
Gwen nodded her head, and immediately left the area going after her way, which Owen was about to leave.
"Owen wait," Heather called as the big guy stopped, and Heather smirked at him. "Want some help to catch your naked mole-rat?"
"Oh, that's so great for you to help me out Heather, but why aren't you going to catch yours?" Owen asked which the queen bee already had a plan on her mind.
"Because you can also help me to catch mine you doofus, I help you and you help me," Heather commented as Owen looked a bit unsure, and Heather decided to have another idea. "If I ask Izzy in the future to order her dad's Nacos would you help me?"
"Only if it's right now." Owen suddenly changed his mood and immediately was willing to help Heather.
"Oh that's perfect," Heather commented and she gave a glance to Lindsay's direction and she couldn't help but grimace a little.
(Confession - Heather)
"Okay, I know what people may have been wondering, but come on, Lindsay already left, and I couldn't let the goth alone with the fatso, if I didn't give the direction of their mole rats, Gwen would have planned to work together and that would probably mess up with my chances of victory, so why not separate her from him and use this a victory for us both, and then I rip the prize for myself?" Heather said as she was filling her nails. But then she gave a serious look on the camera. "Sorry Lindsay, this idea just came when you already left, you should have stayed a bit longer. But still, I wish you good luck,"
(Gwen)
Gwen wandered through the forest, her frustration growing with each passing minute. Unlike Heather and Owen, she didn't have a tracker to help her find her mole-rat. The dense underbrush and towering trees made the search feel almost impossible.
"Of course, Heather gets the tracker," Gwen muttered to herself, brushing a branch out of her face. "This is going to take forever."
She continued her search, relying on her instincts and any small clues she could find. Every rustle in the bushes or flicker of movement caught her attention, but each time it turned out to be nothing more than a bird or a squirrel.
"This is hopeless," Gwen sighed, taking a moment to sit on a fallen log and catch her breath. "How am I supposed to find a tiny, military-trained mole rat in this huge forest?"
Just as she was about to give up, she noticed a small, subtle movement near a patch of wildflowers. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw a tiny female naked mole-rat, distinct with a tiny bow on its head, peeking out from behind a rock.
"There you are," Gwen whispered, a smile of relief spreading across her face. She slowly stood up and began to approach the mole-rat, careful not to startle it.
The mole rat seemed unaware of Gwen's presence as it sniffed around the flowers. Gwen crept closer, her steps light and deliberate. Just as she was about to reach out and grab the mole rat, she felt a sudden yank on her ankle.
"What the—" Gwen exclaimed as a net trap sprung up, hoisting her into the air and leaving her dangling upside down. She struggled against the ropes, her hair falling over her face.
From her awkward position, she saw the mole rat standing a few feet away. To her astonishment, the tiny creature seemed to wave at her, its little paw moving back and forth in a mocking gesture.
"You've got to be kidding me," Gwen muttered, narrowing her eyes at the mole-rat. "Bad girl mole-rat! Very bad girl!"
The mole rat squeaked in response, almost as if it were laughing at her. Gwen let out a frustrated groan, swinging slightly in the net as she tried to figure out how to get down.
"This is just perfect," Gwen grumbled, reaching into her pocket to find something sharp. "If I ever get out of this, that mole-rat is going to pay."
She managed to pull out a small pocket knife and began sawing at the ropes. It took several minutes, but finally, the net gave way, and Gwen tumbled to the ground with a thud.
"Ow," she muttered, rubbing her sore shoulder. She glanced around but saw no sign of the mole rat. "Great. Back to square one."
Despite the setback, Gwen was determined not to give up. She dusted herself off and set out again, keeping her eyes peeled for any sign of the elusive, military-trained mole rat that had managed to outsmart her. This time, she was ready for anything.
(Camp Wawanakwa)
Over Camp Wawanakwa, the sun reached at the top of the morning at the rustic dining area where Kim, Chef Hatchet, Ron, and Shego sat at the main Lodge where usually the campers would pass the time eating 3 times per day while looking on the terrible food they would always have eaten on their time. MRE's. Gray, lumpy mystery meat that moved, gray pasta, and a suspiciously gelatinous dessert.
"Bon appétit," Chef Hatchet grunted, taking a seat with a resigned expression. "Hope you're ready for a trip down memory lane."
"So, this is what the campers eat, huh?"Kim eyed the unappetizing spread with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "Had been years since we ate stuff like that.
"Man, this brings back memories. But honestly, it's not the worst thing I've ever had."Ron picked up his fork and poked at the gray pasta.
"This is up there with the worst, though."Shego took a cautious bite of the meat, immediately grimacing. "Man, I kinda remember all the times the squads had to vomit on the first day before taking a long time to get used to it."
"Oh yeah, that brings us terrible memories." Chef Hatchet chuckled, taking a bite himself. "And to be honest, I think it could have been worse than the Chef who did for us."
"Ah, like the time when they made us to eat pigeon mystery meat?" Kim laughed, which made the whole squad, even Chef Hatchet shiver from those memories. Shaking her head. "I can't believe the campers complained to eat this."
"I think my taste buds just committed mutiny decades ago."Shego rolled her eyes, as she finished her plate while she just shrugged off the terrible food that she usually was so used to. "But still I can't believe the food prison was better than this. I think the military had the worst budget,"
"Oh, don't start."The squad rolled their eyes, and in a few seconds, the squad was already with their plates empty, which usually would have been impossible to see any camper to watch it without vomiting.
Just then, Chef Hatchet stood up and clapped his hands.
"Alright, enough of this nostalgia trip. Time for the real deal." The squad looked up in surprise as Chef Hatchet brought out a tray covered with a pristine white cloth. With a flourish, he removed the cloth to reveal four perfectly cooked steaks, accompanied by roasted vegetables and a decadent-looking chocolate cake for dessert.
"Now this is more like it," Kim said, her eyes lighting up.
"Steak? Here?" Ron exclaimed, his mouth already watering.
"Finally, something worth eating."Shego leaned back, a satisfied smirk on her face. "This is what I have been fighting for. The true patriotism."
"And for love Shego." Ron corrected which made the spy roll her eyes, but give a quick peek on his cheek.
Chef Hatchet grinned as he sat back down.
"Consider this as a reward for all the trash we've eaten in the past. And trust me, this is worth it."Chef felt like a veteran, the good memories they had while serving together indeed were shown as a good time he never felt more relaxed. Even as the challenges had been stressing and he had to deal with those bunch of ingrate teenagers. It felt so refreshing to be a military man and with his squad again. He couldn't help but cheer up and have his good friends and squad together. Chef Hatchet raised his own glass, a rare smile on his face. "To old friends and good food."
The group clinked their glasses together, laughing and reminiscing as they enjoyed their meal. For a moment, the hardships of the past were a distant memory, replaced by the warmth of camaraderie and the simple pleasure of a well-cooked meal.
(Lindsay)
Lindsay wandered through the forest with a mix of determination and confusion. Without the tracker, finding her naked mole-rat felt like looking for a needle in a haystack.
"I wish Heather was here to help," she mused, carefully stepping over a fallen branch. "She's so good at this stuff."
She continued her search, her eyes darting from side to side as she looked for any signs of the elusive mole rat. Every rustle and flicker of movement caught her attention, but it was always just a bird or a squirrel.
"Oh, come on," Lindsay pouted, placing her hands on her hips. "Where are you, little mole-rat?"
Just as she was about to lose hope, she spotted a small, tan creature scurrying near a cluster of rocks. Her heart leaped with excitement.
"There you are!" she exclaimed, quickly but quietly moving towards the mole-rat.
The mole-rat, oblivious to Lindsay's presence, continued to dig around the rocks. Lindsay crept closer, trying to be as silent as possible. Just as she was about to grab the mole rat, she felt a sudden tug at her feet.
"What—" Lindsay yelped as a net trap sprung up, hoisting her into the air. She dangled upside down, her blonde hair cascading down around her face.
From her upside-down position, Lindsay saw the mole rat standing a few feet away. It seemed to look at her curiously, tilting its head as if wondering what she was doing.
"Oh no," Lindsay muttered, trying to reach the ropes holding her up. "Not good, not good!"
She struggled in the net, but her movements only caused it to sway more. The mole-rat, seemingly unfazed by her predicament, continued its business, occasionally glancing at her with what Lindsay swore was a smug look.
"Can somebody help me?" Lindsay called out, hoping someone might hear her. But the forest remained silent except for the distant chirping of birds.
"Great, just great," she sighed, trying to find a way to cut herself free. But unlike Gwen, she didn't have a pocket knife or anything sharp. She was completely stuck.
"This is so not fair," Lindsay groaned, feeling helpless as she dangled there. "I just wanted to find my mole-rat."
As minutes turned into what felt like hours, Lindsay's frustration grew. She could see the mole rat occasionally darting around, almost taunting her with its freedom.
"Ugh, this is going to take a while," Lindsay muttered, resigning herself to her predicament. She hoped that someone would find her soon, but until then, she was stuck, a helpless captive of the forest's traps.
(The Aquarium)
As the afternoon happened, usually the cave would have been empty from the lack of the Killer Bass team remaining on the show, but it didn't seem the case since the hot tub was still working. And having a military squad already enjoying the good opportunity Chef made for himself and his friends.
Kim and Shego lounged on either side of Ron, who had his arms comfortably draped around both women. The trio leaned back, eyes closed, letting the soothing heat of the water work its magic on their tired muscles.
Chef Hatchet sat nearby, a plush towel draped over his shoulders as he flipped through a French magazine. His usually stern expression was softened by the relaxation, a rare sight for anyone who knew him.
The bubbling water created a calming symphony, blending with the occasional rustle of leaves and distant calls of night birds. The squad was enveloped in a peaceful silence, each member fully immersed in the moment.
The hot tub's warmth and the quiet company of friends offered a perfect contrast to the day's earlier chaos. For now, there were no challenges to face, no tricks to outsmart, and no plans to hatch—just a shared sense of contentment and the gentle embrace of the hot tub's soothing waters.
(Heather and Owen)
Heather and Owen crept through the forest, following the tracking device's signal. They moved cautiously, careful not to make any noise that might alert the naked mole-rat.
"There it is," Heather whispered, spotting the mole rat's telltale movement near a fallen log. Owen nodded, trying to stifle his excitement.
The mole-rat, sensing their presence, darted into the underbrush. Heather and Owen exchanged a quick glance and silently agreed to split up, hoping to corner the elusive creature.
Just as they closed in, the mole rat sprung a trap. A hidden vine snapped up, tripping Heather and causing Owen to stumble. The mole rat scurried away, leaving the duo tangled in the underbrush.
"Ugh, that sneaky little rodent," Heather grumbled as she untangled herself.
"Sorry, Heather," Owen apologized, helping her up.
"Let's try again. This time, we'll be more careful," Heather said, determination in her eyes. One thing was being humiliated by a military woman expert in stealth, but being tricked by a naked rat? Oh, that's game on.
.
.
.
Heather and Owen regrouped and decided on a new tactic: flanking. They moved in a wide arc, hoping to catch the mole-rat between them.
"There it is again," Owen whispered, pointing to a small mound of dirt where the mole rat had resurfaced.
They moved in slowly, with Heather approaching from the left and Owen from the right. Just as they were about to pounce, the mole-rat dashed into a narrow burrow.
Heather and Owen lunged, only to collide with each other, their hands grasping empty air. The mole-rat's high-pitched squeak seemed almost mocking as it disappeared underground.
"This is harder than I thought," Owen admitted, rubbing his shoulder.
"We'll get it. Let's think of something else," Heather replied, her mind racing with ideas.
.
.
.
For their third attempt, Heather devised a plan to distract the mole-rat. She found a piece of fruit and set it out as bait, hoping to lure the creature into the open.
"Now we wait," Heather said, hiding behind a tree with Owen.
After a few tense minutes, the mole rat emerged, its nose twitching as it sniffed the air. It cautiously approached the fruit, and Heather signaled Owen to get ready.
Just as they were about to make their move, the mole-rat sprang another trap. A small net, cleverly hidden under leaves, snapped up, ensnaring Owen and leaving him dangling from a branch.
"Owen!" Heather exclaimed, rushing to help him down. The mole-rat, meanwhile, escaped once again.
"I'm sorry, Heather," Owen said, his face red with embarrassment.
"I can't believe it, a mole-rat has made us look like a bunch of idiots," Heather stomped her feet, she could even imagine how everyone probably would be laughing at her, and she even worked together with another person to help her to capture… She needed to use her smoke bomb, however looking at how the animals always were smart and even trained with military expertise… she needed once again to think of resources. Until an idea appeared in her head. "Huh, I think I have one last trick in my sleeve."
She looked at Owen who nervously farted which made Heather smirk at the poor creature who doesn't know the smoke bomb she was about to use now this time.
.
.
.
They tracked the mole-rat to a small hole in the ground. And with Owen sitting in on the same hole the creature just got inside, Heather smiled.
"NOW OWEN." Heather gave a command which Owen hesitated a bit, but with all his concentration he released a fart so loud that it echoed towards the tunnels of the hole which immediately made Heather hold her nose with her fingers, while she looked at a nearby hole which the ground even seemed to shake and A moment later, the mole-rat shot out of the hole, its eyes wide with terror. It stumbled, dazed and disoriented, right into Heather's waiting hands.
"Gotcha!" Heather exclaimed triumphantly, holding the keyhole number 2 on it. "It seems now this is yours."
"Thanks, Heather, I will never forget this." Owen quickly got up and gave a crushing hug which made the queen bee couldn't breathe.
"Can't breathe, stop it, Owen," Heather said annoyed that Owen immediately released the girl, which made her with her face on the floor. "Ughh…"
(Camp Wawanakwa)
The sun was beginning to set over Camp Wawanakwa, casting long shadows across the makeshift sparring ring set up near the edge of the camp. Chef Hatchet and Ron stood facing each other, both in relaxed but ready stances.
Chef, with his imposing frame and military bearing, launched a series of quick, precise strikes. Each punch and kick was delivered with the efficiency and power of his combat training. Ron, however, responded with the playful agility of the monkey-style Kung Fu, dodging and weaving with a fluid grace that contrasted sharply with Chef's direct approach.
Ron grinned as he darted around Chef, occasionally landing a light tap that was more tickle than strike, earning a grunt of annoyance from his opponent. Chef countered with a low sweep, trying to catch Ron off balance, but the younger man leaped nimbly out of the way, using his momentum to spring back into position.
The two continued their sparring, the clash of their different styles creating a dynamic and engaging battle. Chef's military strikes were met with Ron's unpredictable, almost whimsical movements. The intensity of their sparring grew, and both men were fully immersed in the exercise.
Nearby, Kim and Shego were engaged in their own bout. The two women moved with practiced precision, their strikes, and counters reflecting years of experience and mutual respect. Their sparring sessions often ended in a tie, and today was no different as they matched each other blow for blow.
Back in the main ring, Chef and Ron's sparring reached its climax. Both fighters, sensing an opportunity, launched simultaneous kicks aimed at each other's chest. The impact sent both of them stumbling back, winded but grinning.
"Not bad, Ron. Still sharp," Chef nodded in acknowledgment, a rare smile breaking his usual stern demeanor.
"Thanks, Hatch. Same to you." Ron, cleaning up the dust but still pleased, returned the nod. "Still sharp like the old days."
As they caught their breath, Kim and Shego finished their session, walking over to join them. The four friends stood together, sweaty and tired but enjoying the camaraderie of their shared practice.
The sparring session had ended in ties, but the bonds of friendship and mutual respect had grown stronger, each member of the squad appreciating the challenge and the chance to keep their skills sharp. It was like they forgot they had been filmed while in the middle of the camp.
(Heather and Owen)
Heather and Owen, now a little wiser, set out to capture the second mole-rat with Heather's keychain. They moved through the forest with even greater caution, keeping their eyes peeled for any signs of the elusive creature.
"There it is!" Owen whispered, pointing to a mole rat scurrying near a cluster of rocks. This time, the mole-rat wasn't heading into a hole.
Heather signaled Owen to stay put while she moved to encircle the mole-rat. She crept silently, using the natural cover of the forest to stay hidden. Just as she was about to pounce, the mole rat sensed her presence and dashed off in a zigzag pattern, evading her grasp.
"Ugh, it's like it has a sixth sense!" Heather fumed as she rejoined Owen.
"We'll get it, Heather. Let's try a different approach," Owen suggested.
.
.
.
Determined to catch the mole rat, Heather, and Owen decided to use their speed and coordination to outmaneuver the agile creature. They positioned themselves on opposite sides of a clearing where the mole-rat was foraging.
"On three, we charge," Heather instructed. "One, two, three!"
They both sprinted towards the mole-rat, hoping to trap it between them. However, the mole-rat was quicker than anticipated. It leaped over a log and darted away, leaving Heather and Owen grasping at empty air once again.
"Dang it, it's like trying to catch a greased pig!" Owen exclaimed, frustrated.
"We need to think smarter, not harder," Heather said, her mind racing for a new plan.
.
.
.
For their third attempt, Heather decided to set up a decoy and trap. She found a piece of bright fabric and laid it out on the ground, hoping to attract the mole rat's attention. They then hid behind some bushes, waiting for the mole rat to investigate.
Sure enough, the mole rat approached the fabric, curious. Heather and Owen tensed, ready to spring the trap. Just as the mole-rat got close, it suddenly veered away, sensing something was amiss. The trap sprung, but it caught only the edge of the fabric, missing the mole-rat entirely.
"Great, we need something even more enticing," Heather muttered, feeling the frustration mounting. She then glanced at Owen's shirt and a lightbulb went off in her head. "I've got an idea. Give me your shirt."
.
.
.
Heather and Owen set up their final trap. They laid Owen's shirt on the ground, making it look like a harmless piece of discarded clothing. Inside the shirt, Heather carefully placed a smoke bomb.
"Are you sure this will work?" Owen asked, slightly worried.
"Trust me, Owen. This will do the trick," Heather said confidently.
They hid behind a large tree, watching as the mole rat cautiously approached the shirt. The creature sniffed around, not noticing the hidden smoke bomb. As it began to rummage through the shirt, Heather triggered the bomb.
A cloud of smoke erupted, enveloping the mole-rat. Disoriented and dizzy, the mole rat staggered around, unable to see clearly. Heather wasted no time. She darted forward and grabbed the mole-rat, triumphantly holding up the keychain with her number on it.
"Yes! Got it!" Heather exclaimed, a victorious smile spreading across her face. "See, I told you we'd get it. And with this…"
"Alright everyone, it seems the keychains number 2 and 3 have been found and activated… The second phase of the challenge is over." Wade's voice came towards from all the speakers, which made all the campers understand when the challenge would be over. And with that, the military squad going to return to greet the winners of the second phase.
"So that's how they captured the Serial Killer?" Shego asked as both her husband and wife gave a summary of what happened from the episode where Izzy got hurt emotionally, from the look on her face, the woman was already cracking her knuckles, but it seemed from learning from her lovers, that everything was in control. "So what happened next Hatch?"
"Well we hired a few cadets from the police academy, which have been a new asset on the show, amateur squad, but since they are rookies, the campers had been their nightmare, not mine anymore." Chef shrugged as he was happy to not worry about the security of the campers, but he saw Kim and Ron looking around.
"So where are they?" Ron asked and Chef rolled his eyes.
"They had a few days off from the last challenge, and it seems one of the cadets had been having trouble from breaking up with a coconut," Chef commented as he got a glance from his friends. " Don't ask, even I don't try to question the craziness on this show, and if I ask more than I should I think I will get insane."
"I hope that's not contagious," Kim commented as Chef rolled his eyes.
"I would be sure that Izzy was the patient zero," Hatched replied which made Kim and Ron raise their finger, but then drop it.
"He got you both there," Shego commented as Ron narrowed a bit of his eyes, and then gave a slap on her ass which made her yelp. "Oh, you little…"
"Now now, remember, kids are watching us," Ron commented while the group walked towards the remaining campers who survived… Gwen looked tired and was already with her body on the bed, Lindsay was sitting while looking sad.
Heather and Owen were happy with they are being the first ones and even the only ones to manage to catch the keychains, which probably the plan of Heather worked well so far.
"Soldiers, congratulations for managing to accomplish the task of capturing the keychains, but that doesn't mean that this will help you all on the final part of the challenge," Chef commented as the naker mole-rats were back on the pocket of one of the military members, while Chef could see the remaining losers who couldn't accomplish the task. "Now this challenge will be about a task of pure will, stamina, and despair for you both, depending on the situation you are in right now."
"What?" Both Owen and Heather asked while Lindsay and Gwen gave a glance at Chef who was smirking, bringing behind his back what would be a ball made of metal.
"Soldiers let me present you a final military game which we like to call...
"Paint bomb tag." Kim, Ron, and Shego said in unison with Chef as both Heather and Owen palled because the object on the bulky military Chief was massive. And there was a timer writing 10 minutes on it."If you ever played tag before, then you know the rules, however, this one has a catch... The person holding this ball is it... But every time the person became the new 'it' had to freeze for ten seconds."
Owen and Heather glanced at each other, while Gwen and Lindsay became slightly relieved to not be part of such a crazy challenge.
"If you look around you will notice that this perimeter had been marked in red lines to form a square, which this area will be the only place you will be able to run... Crossing outside of the area will make you a quitter of the challenge." Chef explained as Gwen, Lindsay, Heather, and Owen noticed that indeed there was a red line mark passing away from the bunk beds, which Owen and Heather were inside of an area of red line. "As you see, this ball has a timer, which is the exact number time limit and it will explode at the end and the loser will be covered in paint, and let me tell you, it will take hours of shower to clean up all the ink on you."
Gulp, both Heather and Owen were bow terrified, while Lindsay and Gwen now felt like a relief they never thought they would have. A pressure of holding a time bomb? This was pure madness.
"As for you the remaining maggots, you should leave now, unless you want to get caught by the explosion." Chef Hatchet ordered, which made both girls get up and follow the military squad while leaving both the big guy and the queen bee alone with Chef... "Now, you fat boy, you will be the one holding the bomb."
"Why me?" Owen asked in panic while Heather felt a huge relief, but not for so long.
"Because the despaired people would do anything to survive. So let's see how you will do it by holding this bomb." Chef narrowed his eyes and then pressed the bomb. "The challenge starts now."
Owen felt his eyes shrink as he then suddenly heard the beep sounds of the second passing by, Heather immediately ran in panic because now she didn't want to be tagged, lose the prize, and worst of all, get covered in ink.
The true game has just begun.
Owen, driven by the ticking clock and his desperation, lunged towards Heather with surprising agility for his size. Heather dodged nimbly, sprinting into the forest with Owen hot on her heels. Despite his weight slowing him down, Owen's determination pushed him to keep pace with Heather.
.
.
.
Heather glanced around, spotting a large rock. She clambered onto it, the bomb still beeping behind her. Owen followed, his determination driving him forward. Heather jumped down from the rock, landing softly on the forest floor, and Owen, without hesitation, followed. They moved through the forest, the bomb's beeping growing louder with each passing second. Heather's mind raced, searching for any advantage she could find. She spotted a narrow stream and dashed towards it, hoping the water would slow Owen down.
Heather splashed across the stream, her feet slipping on the wet rocks. Owen, however, was relentless. He charged through the water, the bomb's beeping growing louder with each passing second. Heather knew she had to act fast. She glanced around, spotting a dense thicket nearby. She dashed towards it, hoping to lose Owen in the underbrush.
.
.
.
Heather spotted a narrow path winding through the forest and made a split-second decision. She sprinted down the path, hoping it would give her an edge. The path twisted and turned, the underbrush closing in around them. Heather pushed herself harder, knowing time was running out. Owen was right behind her, his determination unwavering. They reached a small clearing, the bomb's beeping echoing in the still air.
Heather stumbled, her foot catching on a root. She fell to the ground, and Owen was finally able to touch her and place the bomb on her hand.
"Tag you're it," Owen said as he ran away the fast as he could.
She froze, her eyes wide with panic. Owen backed away, his breath coming in heavy gasps. He had survived another round, but he knew the game was far from over. Which made Heather count 10 to 0 and go after him.
.
.
.
It didn't take long until she found once again Owen trying to hide into a tree trunk, so she smiled and placed the bomb above his back.
"HEY," Owen shouted while Heather ran away.
"TAG, YOU'RE IT." Heather ran away, which made Owen blink and realize the bomb was on his back and he needed to wait for 10 seconds before going after her.
.
.
.
Heather counted the seconds in her head, her body trembling with exhaustion. As soon as her time was up, she scrambled to her feet, the bomb beeping ominously behind her, Owen was approaching her. The forest around them seemed to close in, the tension palpable. Heather glanced around, looking for any way to escape. She spotted another large rock and made a beeline for it, hoping to use it as cover.
Owen followed closely, his eyes locked onto her. Heather reached the rock and climbed onto it, while she looked Owen was still with the bomb in his hands. She knew she had to act fast. She jumped down from the rock, landing softly on the forest floor. Owen followed, his determination driving him forward.
They moved through the forest, the bomb's beeping growing louder with each passing second. Heather's mind raced, searching for any advantage she could find. She spotted another narrow stream and dashed towards it, hoping the water would slow Owen down. Heather splashed across the stream, her feet slipping on the wet rocks. Owen, however, was relentless. He charged through the water, the bomb's beeping growing louder with each passing second.
.
.
.
Heather knew she had to act fast. She glanced around, spotting a dense thicket nearby. She dashed towards it, hoping to lose Owen in the underbrush. Owen followed closely, his eyes locked onto her. They moved through the dense foliage, the bomb's beeping echoing in the still air. Heather's mind raced, searching for any advantage she could find.
She spotted a narrow path winding through the forest and made a split-second decision. She sprinted down the path, hoping it would give her an edge. The path twisted and turned, the underbrush closing in around them. Heather pushed herself harder, knowing time was running out. Owen was right behind her, his determination unwavering. They reached a small clearing, the bomb's beeping echoing in the still air.
Heather stumbled, her foot catching on a root. She fell to the ground, the bomb slipping from her grasp. Owen saw his chance. He lunged forward, and placed the bomb into Heather's hands. She froze, her eyes wide with panic.
"TAG," Owen said as he ran away, while Heather started to curse him for all the problems she was having.
.
.
.
She was exhausted, but after everything she did to track Owen, she managed to finally have him breathing heavily, and then when he didn't realize, it was too late, the time was running out. Finally, Heather saw her chance. She stumbled, making it look genuine, Heather kicked Owen's belly, as she placed the bomb on Owen's face, and at the time he crouched, with the last few seconds ticking away, Owen's face turned to one of realization and defeat. Heather ran away in a safe distance.
Heather stood a few feet away, panting heavily but with a triumphant smirk on her face as the bomb's final beep sounded, signaling the end of the game. She had won.
"Great Canadian Cheese, it's over for…" That was the final words Owen could say before the bomb hit the number zero…
The explosion was so loud that it echoed to the entire forest, while a good part of the area was covered in green ink.
The campfire flickered, casting eerie shadows across the faces of the remaining campers. Owen sat off to the side, scrubbing furiously at the remnants of green paint that stubbornly clung to his skin. Despite his best efforts, faint streaks of green marred his usually cheerful face, making his expression even more despondent.
Heather and Lindsay huddled together, examining the Heathermunicator she had won as a prize with the immunity, Kim was there to give the instructions with Wade also giving support on how to use it. Lindsay watched intently as Heather fiddled with the buttons, trying to figure out its various functions as well, she was happy for her best friend since she promised that she also could use it to talk with her family.
Gwen leaned against a nearby tree, her arms crossed and a look of exasperation on her face. The chaos of the day had worn her down, and she was in no mood for any more drama. She was feeling too much tired of everything.
Chef Hatchet stood by the campfire, his imposing figure framed by the dancing flames. He held a plate with two marshmallows, ready for the elimination ceremony. Behind him, Shego and Ron stood quietly, their expressions unreadable… while they didn't try to flirt with each other by their glances.
Chef glanced around at the assembled campers, his stern gaze lingering on each of them for a moment before he spoke.
"Alright, listen up, maggots," Chef began, his voice carrying a commanding tone. "You all know what happens here. Normally, you'd be voting someone off. But this time, I'm making the call."
The campers exchanged shocked glances. Before anyone could protest, Chef raised a hand to silence them.
"First off, Gwen," Chef said, turning his intense gaze on her. "You underestimated your opponent. Kim had more years of experience than you have been born, and you should have known that. In this game, you need to act alone at times, but when it comes to my military challenges, there are also moments where teamwork is crucial. Do you forget how I separated the Killer Bass as squads? Because a squad always uses teamwork. But you didn't grasp that. You as the last Bass should either have the drive to win or not… And from my eyes, you didn't have the drive to win."
Gwen's face looked in shock, from looking at how Chef pointed out all the mistakes she made, and her face fell, and she looked down, unable to meet Chef's eyes.
"Lindsay," Chef continued, moving on. "Even with your difficulties, you should've known better than to try and track someone without the skills to do so. When you need help, seek it. And falling into a trap multiple times? In a military challenge, you should always be aware of the possibility of traps."
Lindsay's eyes widened in realization, nodding slightly as she absorbed Chef's words.
"Owen," Chef said, finally turning to the big guy. "You've made it far, which surprised many. But let's be honest, it was Heather's plan that got you here. You played well, but today wasn't your day."
Owen nodded, his expression a mix of disappointment and understanding.
"I called you out on your mistakes because you need to understand them. This is why I've made my decision." Chef looked around at the campers, his eyes sharp."The top 3 will only be the best of the best, from determination, from creativity, from sheer will, and from the group… I don't need to tell twice, but Owen and Lindsay, you two are moving on to the final three with Heather."
"Gwen, you're out. You are not a one-woman army, go see your squad again. Take your stuff and get out of the island."The announcement left the campers in stunned silence. Chef turned to Gwen, his expression firm.
Gwen stood up slowly, nodding in resignation.
"I understand," she said quietly, walking away from the campfire. To get her stuff and take the boat of losers.
Chef held out the plate with the marshmallows to Owen and Lindsay.
"Congratulations. You've made it to the final three. Now get some rest. In 3 day's challenge is going to be even tougher. And Chris will be back, now go to sleep and tomorrow will be another day."
The campers dispersed, leaving the campfire burning as a silent witness to the night's events.
"CUT" One of the cameramen commented as the interns and the crew cleaned their sweat, it had been a long day of work, and it had been a good episode so far.
Ron whistled.
"Damn Chef, that was tough," Ron commented as both Kim and Shego nodded their heads in agreement. "So these are the top 3… well, I have to say, they are survivors."
"Yeah, even as the girl Gwen seemed to be lacking the drive, she was interesting. Sadly she didn't make it." Kim commented as Chef gave a water glass to each member of his friends.
"She would have lost the final challenge anyway, Chris was crazy when it comes to absurd challenges." Chef shrugged as Shego drank the whole glass of water. "Alright, Shego time for you to return to prison."
"Hahahahaha, ah Hatch, it's so cute for you thinking you can take me down and force me to return there." Shego smiled but then she felt something hitting her on the neck… And when she took it out… It was a tranquilizer dart and the person who aimed at her was nobody other than her wife. "Oh you b…"
"Don't worry, you will get a visit from us later," Kim said as she kissed her forehead while her spy wife was knocked out…
"It's crazy that it always ends up like this," Ron commented to his best friend who just rolled his eyes.
"It's your wives Ron, and it's your problem. Now let's go catch the helicopter and take her to the prison again." Chef smirked and the group once again went back to their ordinary lives…
While Chris had no idea why the ratings of the episode of that day became the best episode of the season so far.
Chapter 41: Playa Del Losers Shenanigan 3
Chapter Text
The sun had just begun to rise over Playa del Losers, casting a soft golden light across the beachfront resort. The tranquil sound of waves gently crashing against the shore was a stark contrast to the early morning chaos inside one of the suites on the resort.
"Ughhhhhh." Ezekiel moaned as he got a back of ice and placed it on his back, which Izzy was apologizing nonstop…
"Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry. I should have known that when you said don't and stop, wouldn't have meant don't stop." Izzy commented as she looked sheepishly but also remorseful of what happened.
"It's fine, I think that was on me. When I thought I was reaching good flexibility, I should have listened to my body when I reached the limit… which I did." Ezekiel commented with semi-glare, while Izzy giggled sheepishly, leaving the homeschooled boy to sigh. "Ugh, can you do me a favor? Take out my weights? I think every move I'm doing is being a literal pain in my back."
"Sure." Izzy nodded her head as she calmly took the weights of his wrists and legs, and was able to see the boy sighing in a bit more relief. "Do you also need something?"
"Well, since I probably will be on the bed for the rest of the day. I think I will be watching the pay-per-view, so can you take my sketchbook, for when I get bored?" Ezekiel asked immediately the ginger girl already brought his essentials, pencil, eraser, and colored pencil as well. "Thanks."
"Do you want company for the rest of the day? I could be of great help to you." Izzy commented as she was being honest, that she overworked him, and she wanted to make sure he was fine, but Ezekiel shook his head.
"Nah, I will be fine here. But I would be happy if you just brought me some snacks and soda to pass the entire day here. So can you just bring me that? And you can enjoy the rest of the day annoying Noah." Ezekiel commented with a smile, and while the offer was very tempting for Izzy, she still wanted to make up for messing up with Ezekiel's back. And that wasn't unnoticed by him. "Izzy, I'm fine. It's just for a whole day. I can enjoy a day alone watching television. And today's episode, so I will be glad to watch it while drawing."
"Are you sure?" Izzy asked in concern, and Ezekiel rolled his eyes, which made her sigh in relief. "Okay, fine. I will bring you snacks and drinks, but later I will check you up to see how are you okay?"
"Well if you don't believe in me, you can also ask Eva, Bridgette, and Courtney to check me up. Accidents happen, and obviously what they would say it's for me to rest my back for the day, so I'm fine." Ezekiel replied, as he could see that his friend was still concerned about him, but he was already used, to seeing such great friends and even some who would treat him like a little brother, it was overwhelming at times, but it was also a nice feeling to have.
"Alright then… Snacks and drinks coming right up." Izzy saluted as she immediately slammed the door open and went on her personal mission. While Ezekiel shakes his head.
"Yeah, Izzy being Izzy." Ezekiel chuckled as on the next second he flinched from the pain on his back.
.
.
.
After a few hours, Izzy was enjoying a good ball game with Cody, Katie, Bridgette, and Courtney on the pool, even though it was funny she was still wearing the beaver costume of her company, she found it hilarious that Courtney was willing to use Norbert costume, and when Harold noticed there was another costume, he decided to play along, and decided to wear one to make a few jokes with Courtney, the beaver costume Harold was using was a brown fur with a red nose and a unibrow. Ezekiel helped her to name that costume Daggett, saying they were beaver's brothers. Which for her was hilarious, and when she talked to her factory about the new identity of Izzy's happy Sap, her employees loved the concept of her beaver bottles now being siblings, which would also be a great market for the children.
It was a win-win for her since her employees seemed satisfied with the changes she created for her company, now that she is a CEO she is a billionaire and she already got the RCMP in court, and probably in a few months, in case she would be on the season 2 like Ezekiel said, she would already be free, she was already in the moon, and she knew that she would never be in the situation of the other future of herself, so that was a personal victory for her.
Now, she was enjoying the day before they would watch the episode of the night until a surprise shout came out.
"Hey guys, check this out. Chef is taking all the bunk beds and moving to the middle of the forest," Trent called the attention of everyone in the pool who was enjoying a good day of relaxing from the last episode. Noah was doing some calculations on what he could do with his 50 grant while thinking about his plans for the future.
Duncan was enjoying a good sunbath. Sadie was having a great time baking a cake with DJ.
Everyone blinked as the group went to the main room to watch the pay-per-view.
"Where is Ezekiel?" Trent asked as he looked around that not just him, but Harold, Leshawna, Justin, Beth, and Tyler weren't there as well. And it was a surprise to see Geoff in a day without kissing Bridgette, which seemed their spray had been working just fine.
"Beth, Leshawna, and Justin are enjoying the spa while Harold, Geoff, and Tyler are playing foosball and pool in the gaming section underground," Duncan commented as Trent looked surprised. "Yeah, we just discovered yesterday, and it's a good way to keep up against the boredom."
"Huh, that's cool." Trent mused as the group turned together Izzy sat on the sofa with Cody, Katie, and Noah, while Courtney had to open a bit the head costume to have a better view and Bridgette was having a nice drink with Eva who just returned with a slight warm-up.
"And Ezekiel?" Bridgette asked and Izzy sweated a bit.
"He said he wanted to pass the day in the bedroom, since this morning he kinda overwork his back from doing exercises, so he had his back sore. He is having the day resting on his bed, so I brought all the snacks and drinks he would need to pass the day on there. And later I will check him up. " Izzy commented a bit too fast, and chuckled nervously hoping that nobody would see that it was her who messed up into pushing his back too hard on the flexibility workout…
"Hmph… he should be careful with those kinds of training. He is using his weights too much. While I respect his style of training on moving slowly to have better control of his muscles, he still needs to learn to relax more his muscles or there will be some complications… Did he take off the weights?" Eva narrowed her eyes to Izzy who nodded her head at bodybuilder, who looked pleased. "Good, he needs to rest his arms and legs as well, and not just his back."
"Yep, he should take it easy, from all the exercises he is having, I just get tired by only seeing him like that. He kinda needs to chill out a bit." Duncan commented as the other girls looked weird from the way he commented. "I mean come on. He just released a book a few days ago, and now he has 2 other works already going to be published, and he is doing these exercises. Maybe we could call him to play some games while we are still in this paradise of resort."
"That's actually not a bad idea," Courtney commented as Bridgette thought a bit. "We could bring some cards and play, or even try to make something fun for us to enjoy tomorrow night, like, we could make a good activity for everyone to play and enjoy."
"And the C.I.T. showed her side again," Duncan commented as he received a glare from his girlfriend. "Beaver C.I.T. Courtney ready to make everyone have fun."
"Har har har," Courtney said as she narrowed her eyes, but Duncan kissed her cheek which made her blush and pout at him. "Ugh, you are impossible."
"Well, we are an impossible team," Duncan commented as hugged the girl in her costume. Which made him muse a bit. And then he had a good idea as he whispered to his girlfriend. "Hey, we could have one of the pillars of Killer Bass meeting, like me, you and Zeke having a good time talking and chilling out. It would be a good time to catch up."
"Oh, that sounds lovely," Courtney whispered back while the other campers rolled their eyes and decided to debate what the episode would be about.
"Yeah, but now that we are here watching Chef and the crew taking all the other campers. Do you think the challenge will be related to survival?" Beth asked as the others also looked curious about what Chef was about to do.
"I bet Chef is going to take them out and drop them in the middle of the forest, again. I don't know what Chris planning, but I don't like it." Duncan asked as Izzy rolled her eyes, as she knew about the challenge... Or so she thought.
Nobody was prepared for the episode which was about to happen.
(Ezekiel's bedroom)
To say Ezekiel was still having a few pain pinches on his back was understanding, since he passed a good time drawing on his sketchbook, while he looked curious at the television screen, and from seeing Chef Hatchet carrying every camper was something he could imagine, since he probably would be following the concept of the cannon episode.
However, at the time he saw something strange on the screen made him pause and look. Chef wasn't wearing his usual cook outfit, and neither was the original clothing he used on the Basic Straining, it was simpler, a black shirt, and camouflage pants, but also wearing a beret of the military which surprised Ezekiel from seeing a new clothing.
"That's new… does that mean the episode will be different?" Ezekiel asked as he shrugged and gave a look, knowing that probably it would take a few more minutes or hours until the campers woke up, it was something Ezekiel would enjoy opening a pack of potato chips, for him to enjoy with the challenge of the day. "Well, at least now that I'm here I wouldn't need to get worried about the others seeing my reaction, but knowing the events of the cannon. I mean, how different would be?"
.
.
.
Well, Ezekiel had to say that he wasn't surprised by the fact the four campers were scared into waking up in the middle of the forest… however, what surprised him most was the fact Chef appeared more restrained than he remembered, since the cannon version Chef wouldn't just give a damn about them and would make the challenge of them trying to survive by themselves.
What it did change?
("All I see is a bunch of ingrates who don't understand the concept of true hell, so since you all think that you are the elite. Then let's see if you can compare yourselves with a true elite squad.")
"What? True elite squad?" Ezekiel blinked as he then saw something different, at the time Chef said if his military training was bad and unfair, Chef decided to bring his friends. "What friends?"
Then Ezekiel was surprised to see the crew getting out of the helicopter, a blond man wearing the same clothing as Chef, and then a ginger woman who seemed to be also in her 40s who had the same style of clothing but a black top instead of a t-shirt…
"Strange… I don't know why, but they look kinda familiar to me." Ezekiel mused as he tried to take from his memories all the seasons of Total Drama Universe, and yet something didn't seem to fit… It was kinda strange, but seeing a military squad for the first time indeed was intriguing and curious for him to see. And then another woman who seemed palled but also wearing an orange jumpsuit, and then lipstick marks on her?
("Seriously?" Chef turned his head at the woman who just got out from the helicopter as the couple looked sheepishly away. "In the helicopter?" )
Ezekiel blinked, as he never thought about seeing what he meant… But then at the time, he recognized he blushed from the idea getting on his head… Especially with the hormones making things worse for him…The fact she was teasing the couple to even wanting to be spanked really made it worse for the poor boy…
"Wow, it's going to be a crazy episode when it gets edited," Ezekiel commented as he heard the adult blonde man call the woman Shego, which had something that made the homeschooled boy pause… and from her reply was calling him Ronny and the other woman Kimmy, something wasn't ringing a bell to Ezekiel. They looked familiar.
("Yes...one of them was even part of this show. And she is probably watching you all in Pay-Per-View. And before you say anything more… let's go down to business. Let me present you, my squad, and my great friends. Kim, Ron, and for reasons of maximum security, codename Shego." )
"They looked familiar. And their names… Kim, Ron, Shego… Kim, Ron, Shego… Kim, Ron, Shego." Ezekiel tried really hard to remember all the names of the characters on Cartoon Network, but nothing crossed his mind. It was like he knew who they were, but something was missing. Something so important.
And yet, he decided it had been too much to have his mind on that… so he decided to be quiet. And see if Chef could explain more about them, but for the first time, Ezekiel was interested in knowing more about Chef's military background, since the show never showed much about his past.
Then came a revelation of Shego being a spy, and the audio was cut by another person named Wade, which again hit Ezekiel with a thought he heard about it somewhere.
And from the way Shego teased both the couple, it made Ezekiel question himself if the trio was actually in an open relationship. Which was kinda strange to see on the television.
And then came Chef who just gave a speech that would impress anyone who would be watching the television, from his way of view of the military forces, which made Ezekiel understand why Izzy called Chef a good commander because, in times when he wants, he would give a very powerful speech to raise the morale of the squad.
("But after a good talk with my friends, I decided to raise the stakes to show that I know what could bring attention for a prize that you girls would be interested in getting,")
Ezekiel wondered what kinda of prize…
*beep* *beep* *beep beep*
The sound made Ezekiel freeze, and his entire brain stop, and like a snap of fingers, Ezekiel felt his memories coming back, from a show, a specific show which didn't belong to Cartoon Network, but from somewhere coming from no other else from the Disney universe.
A duo of a ginger teenage girl and her best friend who later became a boyfriend blonde who together worked against evil supervillains. While they would be secret agents… And then Ezekiel felt like a vision of what would be a younger version of both her and the blond boy, and the black raven woman looked palled and without the green-skinned woman who was the sidekick and the main antagonist girl of the show…
"Kim Possible," Ezekiel whispered as he dropped his sketchbook… And froze in surprise. Speechless of the trio he just saw. As his mind got so many questions about how, why, and what the hell was going on… But from seeing the show was still going, and Chef was explaining about the communicator which was iconic from the show. But saying it was from a military force? It was too much for him to understand, and yet the show was still going and he needed to pay attention. But in times like that, Ezekiel decided to make a very important decision. "You know what? Fuck it. I'm going to turn off my brain and I'm going to enjoy and watch the episode, and wait for an explanation. In any case, I could ask Izzy since she knew Chef, or probably I'm going to read the memories that he used to break Owen's jaw because there is no fucking way people wouldn't read his book if there was Kim fucking Possible in it."
Ezekiel launched his sketchbook away, took a few soda cans with him, and prepared the snacks to be nearby him. In times of Total Drama Island, it's more fun to embrace the chaos. And since it was a different episode from the cannon? It was like watching a new episode and a possible crossover.
"What's going to be the episode? Survive against the Disney Elite Spy Team? Because if that's the case, they have no chance. Especially with them in the field. I thought we were in the Cartoon Network Universe... wait... Did Disney buy Cartoon Network? Because from what I remembered they bought Fox... wait, does that mean if we go to Springfield on World Tour we would find the Simpsons?" Ezekiel even as he could see Owen being motivated by Ron naco, it was something he was watching firsthand, and he couldn't help but lament not being there personally to ask them such questions. "Ugh, I think I'm overreacting, you know what? I envy them and wish it was me to have a try with such an opportunity, and that sucks, but maybe I should just move on... Best episode of the season, period. 10 of 10. Now let's see how the episode will go."
But then appeared on the question on his mind. As the time he tried to not think about it, his inner fan from his past couldn't help but also have a lot of questions, he was excited and curious, especially with everything Chef had said.
"Wait, did Chef say they have a daughter on the show? Huh, that's kinda weird. Maybe later he will tell us who was…" Ezekiel he decided to shut his brain, not thinking much about it, he was going to wait for an explanation since in Total Drama Island, many crazy ideas could happen for the sake of the drama. "Also, it's weird to see they all have a military background and they aren't spy teenagers from the Disney Universe… maybe I'm overreacting and it's just a coincidence."
"Wow… ShegoXKimXRon, I don't remember watching a season of the show, but isn't Shego the main female antagonist and nemesis from both of them? Huh… maybe they have a story, but sadly it's not my business." Ezekiel commented as he shrugged off, and went to grab a soda can and start to eat his potato chips, "Oh yeah, this going to be awesome."
(Play Del Losers Main Room)
While one of the losers was enjoying turning off his brain and enjoying the episode, one of the former campers had her eyes wide open as the group of the other former contestants had their surprise as well. From seeing what would be the introduction of every single member of the crew, especially one who came from the jail.
"Wow, look at that, Chef brought new people this time. And one of them probably came from jail." Duncan commented to his still dressed girlfriend who was also staring in shock. But then also from the idea of the girl also having an intimate moment. "HAHAHAHA, IS SHE FOR REAL? DID SHE HAVE MAKING OUT SESSION IN A HELICOPTER?"
"Oh my God, that was something that I wouldn't want even to imagine... But looking at them, from the way they look, it seems time had been kind to them in comparison to Chef. I thought they would be worse. But still, that woman Shego, looks like she was very horny and that's very embarrassing, especially for the children they said they are watching them..." Courtney commented as she looked around at the campers who were also in shock but from all of them... One seemed to be blushing so much that it seemed to be clear that something was wrong. "Izzy, are you okay?"
That immediately caused the effect of nobody was expecting.
"Me?" Izzy said in a high-pitched tone while she gave a forced laugh it made many stare weirdly at her. "Pfff. Of course, I'm fine... Hey guys, do you mind if I destroy the television for today? I think we could have one better and I can buy one with the double of the size."
That statement alone made the whole group of friends blink...From her usual crazy ideas, which she sometimes jokes about or even tries for fun, this time took the cake.
"Why would want to break the television?" Katie asked as Izzy waved her hand.
"I just didn't like the size of it. And it will suck because we will not see the episode of today, but it will be recorded. I will probably find the records and destroy all of them. So it will probably take a few months, but it will be worth it." Izzy commented as she gave a crazy laugh... But this time. Everyone could see that crazy laugh was so fake like an amateur laugh.
Duncan smirked.
"Oh I know that tone of voice, it's the tone of, oh Goddammit, my parents are there to embarrass me," Duncan commented as the group stared at Izzy whose smile cracked, and then she frowned at the delinquent.
"Sometimes you should learn when to shut up Duncan."Izzy gave a warning but then immediately remembered that she was trying to mislead the conversation. "I mean... Parents, whose parents?"
Neither of the campers believed in the change of acting Izzy was doing at that moment, from seeing Izzy acting as oblivious, sometimes a mastermind of acting, she was completely flustered and she couldn't have her mind straight, since she was now seeing her parents acting like a bunch of horny varmints.
And no children would ever want to see that on television, not she, and neither her brother Thigo, her older brother Dhigo, nor her younger twin sisters Lizzy and Mizzy who probably were in school. Izzy wanted to strangle her friend Ezekiel… Wasn't supposed to be a boring episode of Chef dropping the campers in the woods? Anything but what she was watching at the moment.
And then her uncle Wade appeared through the speakers, which indeed had surprised her since it's been so long since she heard about him.
"Wow, Chef indeed called everyone," Izzy whispered in surprise, while she tried to hide the view from the others, she was very surprised to see her Commander was in peace with her mom, and from the way she looked, she couldn't help but be happy since it seemed a long fight happened and now she was happy to see them together once again…
Excluding the embarrassment of one of her moms.
And Chef indeed was giving one of the speeches that she always liked to hear him do, to prove that indeed being a military and a top camper meant something, and well at least they needed… Until Izzy had her eyes opened in disbelief to see what the prize of the challenge would be.
"THAT'S NOT FAIR," Izzy shouted in outrage, making everyone nearby jump from her outburst. "I SPENT 3 YEARS ASKING, AND BEGGING FOR THEM TO GIVE ME A MMUNICATOR AND NOW THEY ARE OFFERING TO ANYONE?"
Duncan smirked, and Izzy glared at him, making him raise both his arms.
"Do you know what is that?" Cody asked in surprise, which Izzy was about to comment on until Wade decided to explain what was it.
("Gwen, Heather, Lindsay, what you have in front of you is a military special forces communicator, which not only is a portable telephone but also has great features better than a PDA or a palmtop computer. Since you can have internet access, video calls coming from important companies, or even video calls from webcams from other computers as well.")
And on that moment Courtney, Bridgette, Katie, and Sadie narrowed their eyes while they could agree with Izzy.
"Okay, now I understand why that's not fair," Bridgette commented as the girls nodded their heads, they agreed with the confessions of the campers, they would also have loved a prize like that.
"So, any of the military can have that?" Eva asked while Izzy shook her head.
"From looking at the crazy ginger it seems that she didn't get one. That's why she is so fussy about it." Duncan smirked as Izzy gave a small smile, and then gave a punch on his stomach which made him drop on his knees.
"I told you that you should learn when to shut up Duncan," Izzy said as Cody looked at the ginger woman, and then realized how Chef was so free into talking with his squad as Owen looked so determined to win the challenge for what would be a fusion of taco and nachos.
"Wait a minute," Cody commented as he glanced at Duncan and then at the memories he had talking with Izzy. "Oh yeah, your mother is on there Izzy. It seems that she forgave Chef."
Izzy froze, as she facepalmed, she forgot she revealed the story of her past with Cody, and now it seems the past came to haunt her. And looking at the smug smile from Duncan didn't help it all.
"Yes…" Izzy commented as she knew it would be a matter of time before they would embarrass her. So she decided to go to the kitchen. "I will be right back."
"Wait, so she saying of her mom being friends with Chef was real? Ah… that ginger woman, now that I think about it, she looks almost like Izzy, just her hair looks way different, but I can see the semblance." Sadie commented as Courtney nodded her head.
"Wow, she looks very different than the way Izzy acts, unless when she gets serious," Noah commented as it clearly showed the difference in personalities, and while the freeway style looked more like acting, he could see when Izzy got a serious it could show the same posture of the ginger woman.
("This challenge is a 3 phase... Since you all want motivation to win so much. You will be playing the military games. Hehehehe..." )
"Military games?" The losers asked themselves until Izzy appeared, and to the surprise of many, she was with a paper bag on her head.
"Ohhhhhh, they are fucked." Izzy didn't hold her tongue, which made the group stare at her in disbelief and curious about why she appeared with the paper bag. "Military games are brutal, and neither of them would be ready to take it. Trust me, it's so hardcore that even I get anxious when they try to do something like that."
"What do you mean?" Sadie asked as soon as Chef explained the rules, and how eager Shego was from wanting to be a hunter. Making the twin best friends pale, and the strong chubby girl gulp. "Oh, that's why."
"Izzy, why are using a paper bag on the head?" Trent asked in surprise as Izzy was about to reply when the television decided to answer for her.
("Is that the boy who backstabbed Izzy by pushing her into a fatal situation?
"Wait, what do you mean by backstabbing Izzy? The prison didn't have the channel of this show. Now spit it out. What happened to our daughter?")
"…" Izzy placed both her hands over the face covered with the paper bag, while the entire group of campers turned their heads and stared at the military crazy ginger, who wanted to disappear at that moment. "dammit."
("That was the only way to control you. Now, be mature, Izzy is probably watching us." "Fine, just because I want you to mess me up when things are over... You heard that Ron?")
Izzy groaned, knowing that everyone she knew was watching that, and she didn't dare to look at the other campers, who now stared at her as if she were an alien. And she regretted not destroying the television now.
"How does that work? Isn't the orange haired on your mother? How the other woman is your…" Duncan looked amused, as he knew he was right about the way Izzy was acting, having parents destroy the reputation was a thing that nobody would ever want, especially on television.
("They are all married… Literally, they married with each other, it's a funny story. When we were on a mission in international waters we... "
"LET'S FOCUS ON THE CHALLENGE HATCH." )
"Now you wanted to do that?" Izzy grumbled as she decided to slam her head on the couch and groan…
"Hey, not going to judge, but I'm curious about…" Cody asked while Izzy took out her paper bag from her head and glared at her friend. "Annnnnnd shutting up right now."
"UGHHHHH."Izzy groaned, as Courtney decided to pat her back, while Izzy decided to need some comfort, so she hugged the beaver costume as a way to distract herself. Courtney looked a bit weird still having the costume, but knowing that Izzy was very embarrassed, she decided to let it go.
(Ezekiel Bedroom)
Ezekiel froze as he dropped the snacks, and the soda can slowly spilled the liquid over his body as he was too distracted into drinking it… Slowly his brain was rebooting, combining with a blue screen which never happened in all the experiences of life he ever had, and he thought he was ready for everything. He's turning off his brain to watch the episode…
But to Izzy being a child of Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable and having another mother as Shego?
His brain was forced to turn on and then took a few seconds of loading before getting a blue screen, and then after 10 reboots, it was time he wished to call tech support.
"What the fuck?" Ezekiel blinked, and he had no idea how many times he blinked. But he looked at all the interactions, every time he became friends with Izzy, all the conversations they had, the good moments, and the bad moments. While he knows about some of her stories of the military, or from knowing from the first experience of a cannon version of herself in the future.
"There was no fucking way Total Drama Island would pull up a character like Izzy being the daughter of Kim Possible… wait… orange hair… Triangle clothing bust, green eyes, great martial arts… Unpredictable style of life… to make everything possible, even the crazy stunts. Oh my God, she is the daughter of Kim Possible," Ezekiel looked at then his eyes went wide open, and then the insinuation of something big. "HOLYSHIT, SHE IS A DAUGHTER OF A THREE WAY RELATIONSHIP."
Ezekiel's hormones hit hard at that moment, since from fanfics, to even fanart that happened in his past life, but knowing that it became real of a real version of relationship work, and even showing that his best friend was the daughter of what would be an elite team of Disney Universe? But from what he remembered, they weren't the version of what was from the world he watched.
"They looked way older… so maybe the writers of Total Drama Island created them as to be a reference from the show we watched… And I have to say, wow. Izzy is Possible, how they didn't show that before? Ohhh right, copyright infringement. But I gotta say, man, that explains so much." Ezekiel took his sketchbook and decided to give it a try to try to imagine how Chef, Kim, Ron, and Shego would look in their versions from the Disney Universe. Maybe that would surprise Izzy as he decided to give a surprise for her.
.
.
.
"Oh oh… Heather is screwed… And the same way as Gwen, Kim vs Gwen, and Heather vs Shego? It was like asking for Rambo to hunt them down." Ezekiel commented as he was now very interested in seeing how the challenge would work.
.
.
.
(Play Del Losers Main Room)
And it was like everyone expected. Especially when the hunters decided to make a wager of 500 bucks, which would make everyone pale on how the squad was now smirking like sharks wanting to destroy the campers.
"I'm so glad that I'm not on that camp anymore," Duncan said as his sweat dropped from seeing how vicious both Kim and Shego went against Gwen and Heather, and Owen was getting a merciful machine gun barrage which would be a fair winning for Chef.
The losers winced at how scary both Kim, Ron, and Shego were when they became hunters and decided to give a scare to all the campers, while some laughed at how Ron was so nice to Lindsay, but it was funny to see Lindsay pouting a lot.
"Wow, your father is really nice Izzy," Bridgette commented as she then saw the squad of naked mole rats which trapped Lindsay once again. "Oh my God."
"Wow, they even brought Rusty, Nibbles, Digby, and Sandy," Izzy commented in surprise as the group stared at the ginger girl. "Well at least she is fine…"
("HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, I can't believe it, Izzy." Lindsay laughed in front of the cameras while she used a tissue to clean up her tears. "You did use your Seargent's extension phone to call the General Lazy Bones and go back to work. Hahahahahaha, you must have been grounded for a whole year when they told your parents about it.")
The campers stared at Izzy who just started blushing.
"I was 8 okay? And it was the truth, I never saw him doing anything else than sitting on his desk, he was sleeping most of the time, I swear." Izzy said as she blushed shamefully, and grumbled as she couldn't believe her daddy betraying her like that.
.
.
.
And then it got the second Challenge, which the advantage of Heather indeed surprised everyone. Especially on how the naked mole rat squad was ready to trap everyone.
Izzy smirked as she could see how it was going to be a difficult job for everyone.
Especially she was going to enjoy the disbelief looks from everyone.
(Ezekiel's bedroom)
"Okay, it seems the first naked mole-rat Rufus was being the grandpa of all the squad means that they are indeed a true military version of the Disney squad, so they aren't special agents of the government. But militaries." Ezekiel mused as he saw Heather deciding to unite forces with Owen. "Wow, Heather was going for the kill and preparing for the final 3… And having Owen being on the final two, it was indeed a very good plan."
.
.
.
But what he was surprised, about was how Chef seemed to be enjoying his time with his friends. Not just him, but everyone who was watching the Pay-Per-View could see Chef enjoying his time just like the cannon, but differently from there, Chef was with his squad, and every loser who was watching the television where watching in disbelief.
Firstly the campers watched Chef eating the terrible food with the squad, like it was normal food, and discussing how they were complaining about the terrible food, just like they were having easy. Which was indeed an unbelievable thing to see, and almost outraging. When Chef came with the good food, everyone rolled their eyes, but they couldn't complain, since they also knew how good Chef could cook when he wanted to.
But still, it was strange to see Chef so… happy like that, enjoying a good nostalgia from having his friends back, it was kinda nice. Something the pillars of Killer Bass knew very well. Courtney and Duncan smiled, as the delinquent placed his arm around her shoulder, and they could see something similar like one day gathering the Killer Bass just to chill and talk badly of the show, just like they were doing on the Playa Del Losers. It was kinda nice…
Until the Killer Bass campers were pissed from seeing Chef and Izzy's parents to be enjoying their hot tub. But it had been interesting to see the group not talking, just simply chilling out in their hot tub.
And then the group after watching Heather and Owen working together and gathering the naked mole-rats, the challenge was over, but not before watching Chef having a sparing session with Ron, while Kim and Shego were having a hand-to-hand combat.
"Wow, look at them go," Trent commented as he could see something happening across movies, but watching a sparing session from the military looked very awesome.
"If you mean they trying to kill each other, yeah go ahead." Noah rolled his eyes, while Cody looked at Izzy who was a bit worried.
"I hope Chef Hatchet didn't have a gun this time," Izzy commented in concern as the last time they had a sparring, he accidentally shot his mother. But thankfully the sparing was over which made her sigh in relief. "Well, I'm glad that they are fine."
But thankfully everything was over, and now it came to the last challenge.
And after another dosage of embarrassment from her parents being horny, Izzy tried to contain her blush, which she was fine for her parents being the way they are, but they should at least think of her not embarrassing her in front of her friends or the thousands of viewers on the television.
"I think I need to change my name and possibly move out of town," Izzy commented as she placed both her hands on her face.
"Welcome to the real-life Izzy, where the parents are an embarrassment for their children," Noah commented but then he got a kick on the stomach, and he crouched on the floor. And Izzy gave a glance to Duncan.
"Nope, I'm not going to say anything," Duncan said as he smirked, and Izzy rolled her eyes. But was grateful that the delinquent stopped bothering her.
.
.
.
Everyone had their eyes wide open as Chef smirked at what would be the last phase of the challenge. The Paint Bomb Tag.
"OH SHIT," Izzy shouted as the campers jumped at her reaction, Eva raised her eyebrow and Izzy immediately was going to explain. "This is going to be interesting. My parents never let me play this game because it would always mess with our house and garden. But I once heard that it was the best game to play with groups of 10 people."
"What do you mean by that?" Courtney raised her eyebrow.
Until the rules were explained, and everyone had their eyes wide open. And Duncan whistled.
"Oh that's my kind of game," Duncan smirked, imagining how awesome would see a challenge of a paint time bomb, it would be chaos and hardcore. "Man, why Chris didn't create such awesome challenges?"
"I know right?" Izzy nodded her head, she really envied Heather and Owen. "This kind of challenge would need to make you despaired but also make you cunning and give 100 of yourself, it was like a very good prank game to do."
"Yeah, I think while I dislike the idea of being covered with ink… I think that wouldn't be the worst thing happening to us. And it would be funny to play." Bridgette commented, as she would have imagined a challenge of the merge being like that, it would be chaotic, and probably despairing, but if wasn't lethal, just annoying, it would be way better than what Chris would come up with.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but we are just agreeing that this challenge looked more awesome than dangerous and better than everything Chris would come up for us?" Trent asked in disbelief, and Courtney, Sadie, Katie and even Cody nodded his head.
"Yeah, it's crazy, but from fighting our fears, jumping, and dealing with sharks, bears, etc. I think just an explosion with ink would be more challenging in a fun way instead of terrible for us." DJ commented as Eva nodded her head.
"It would focus on training the best of your body, but also thinking smart into dealing with the opponents, better than hurting ourselves from animals and even Serial Killers." Eva was surprised.
"You know what I think it's crazy. Do you think people will start to get interested in joining the Canadian Army or the RCMP after this episode?" Cody commented as he looked surprised, showing how the military squad was showing the best qualities on the show, it could also be treated as propaganda for the military reservation.
"Possibly, but I don't think they are doing that on purpose." Izzy shrugged. "Me and my siblings already did our part for the military, so we wouldn't go back to service. But it really made good memories come back for me. Hmmm, maybe someday I will ask my parents and Chef Hatchet for us to have this game again at the family barbecue."
"You know that you are crazy right?" Noah rolled his eyes, while Izzy smirked at him.
"Am I? Or am I pretending to be?" Izzy smirked and Noah smirked at her.
"Your parents are making out right now," Noah commented and Izzy immediately dropped her face.
"Goddammit, COME ON." Izzy shouted as she noticed that she had been bamboozled, and leaving the bookworm with his personal victory. "UGH…"
(Ezekiel's bedroom)
And from watching the challenge happening, the group held their breaths, on how crazy the challenge had been, seeing Owen giving his all, and Heather as well. It was a crazy challenge as they could feel the beeps happening. And while the challenge was short. They felt the pressure happening until they watched Owen get covered with the explosion of Ink.
"Wow," Ezekiel commented on his bedroom, while he could understand Heather just won a cellphone for herself. "Heather with a cellphone, that's so crazy, I can imagine what her reaction would be in case if she saw the forum of total drama in the future, she would flip after knowing about Sierra, and what she did."
( Simultaneous reaction )
And then came the final part of the episode, the firecamp ceremony. The campers would already guess Owen was going to lose until they just heard Chef talk.
("Alright, listen up, maggots," Chef began, his voice carrying a commanding tone. "You all know what happens here. Normally, you'd be voting someone off. But this time, I'm making the call.")
This made the losers protest until Chef decided to call out everyone and make Ezekiel have his eyes wide open in realization.
("First off, Gwen," Chef said, turning his intense gaze on her. "You underestimated your opponent. Kim had more years of experience than you have been born, and you should have known that. In this game, you need to act alone at times, but when it comes to my military challenges, there are also moments where teamwork is crucial. Do you forget how I separated the Killer Bass as squads? Because a squad always uses teamwork. But you didn't grasp that. You as the last Bass should either have the drive to win or not… And from my eyes, you didn't have the drive to win." )
Ezekiel's brain froze in time, as he blinked, and then saw something he never thought he would see it. A glimpse of instead of a military outfit Chef. He was wearing a purple social shirt, a purple tie, and yellow social pants, as the same way he pointed in the direction of Gwen, he wasn't saying anything aggressive. But he was being the voice of the reason.
"It was just a glimpse… but, it's him," Ezekiel whispered, as he blinked in surprise. "Reboot Chef."
("Lindsay," Chef continued, moving on. "Even with your difficulties, you should've known better than to try and track someone without the skills to do so. When you need help, seek it. And falling into a trap multiple times? In a military challenge, you should always be aware of the possibility of traps.")
"Wait, what happened to Chef? Who is this guy?" Duncan commented as he never thought to see Chef acting so differently, the delinquent had in mind the military guy would just curse and talk about how bad they were.
"He is pointing out reasonable points on where they failed," Bridgette commented as she was surprised.
The C.I.T. nodded her head, as she was indeed shocked as well, everyone was shocked… Unless Izzy just smiled in secret.
"That's my commander," Izzy whispered to herself, knowing Chef was showing his true side, while he would always show through love, he knew where people could improve it, like the same way he commanded the squad… "Thanks, moms and dad."
("Owen," Chef said, finally turning to the big guy. "You've made it far, which surprised many. But let's be honest, it was Heather's plan that got you here. You played well, but today wasn't your day.")
Everyone never thought Chef would compliment someone, especially Owen, but from seeing on his perspective, it showed that indeed it was true the points he showed, and as painful it would be. Everyone had to accept the fact.
Gwen was eliminated.
Gwen sat in the boat of losers, the motor's hum a constant reminder of her defeat. The night was cold, the sea even colder, with waves that seemed to mock her. She gazed at the dark water, reflecting on her time at Camp Wawanakwa. Memories of challenges, the friends and alliances she made, and the betrayal of a person who didn't know what he did wrong played through her mind, but most of all, she thought of her friends from Killer Bass. She had tried so hard to be the last Bass standing, to represent her team in the final four. But now, she was leaving, her determination having fallen short.
The wind whipped around her, biting and freezing, as if the very elements were echoing the bitter taste of her loss. The moonlight cast a silvery path on the water, but it offered no comfort. Gwen felt the chill seep into her bones, a stark contrast to the warmth of camaraderie she had felt with her team. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the night, the cold, and the disappointment.
As the boat drew closer to the Playa del Losers island, Gwen noticed something in the distance. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw a group of figures gathered at the shore. As the boat neared, the figures became clearer, and she could make out her teammates from Killer Bass. They were holding a banner that read, "Welcome Gwen," and they were cheering, their faces beaming with pride and joy.
Tears welled up in Gwen's eyes. She had expected to arrive in silence, to wallow in her failure alone. Instead, she was met with the smiles and support of her friends. They weren't disappointed in her. They were proud of how far she had come, of the effort she had put in.
The boat touched the shore, and Gwen stepped off, her legs trembling not from the cold, but from the overwhelming emotion. Her friends rushed to her, wrapping her in a group hug. She let the tears flow freely, crying not from sadness, but from relief and gratitude.
She looked weird at why Courtney and Harold were dressing as beavers mascots, but she didn't mind, she felt the good embrace of her friends, even as Ezekiel was yelping in pain from his back, but was nice to see him well, and without pneumonia.
Gwen felt the weight of her defeat lift as she was enveloped in the warmth of her friends. They hadn't forgotten her, hadn't judged her for not making it to the final three. Instead, they celebrated her journey and welcomed her back with open arms. The banner fluttered in the wind, a testament to their unwavering support. And from the fact she lost fair and square, especially against a military elite force, they don't judge her, they celebrate the Bass to finally be happy with them.
As they led her towards the welcoming party they had set up, Gwen realized that she hadn't failed. She had done her best, and her friends recognized that. The last Bass was reunited with her team, where she truly belonged. The freezing night and the mocking waves were forgotten, replaced by the comforting presence of her friends and the warmth of their friendship.
The Killer Bass were reunited at least.
"Okay, now that we are all here. I think we deserve a photograph." Geoff commented as he placed the camera, and everyone was sitting, and making a good pose, sitting nearby each other, not caring where they were. But Gwen smiled. As she felt once again with her friends. The 12 Killer Bass smiled at the camera.
"So now you are not going to overwork yourself?" Duncan commented as Ezekiel's answer was raising a middle finger at him.
"Zeke." Courtney gasped as she glared at him, who looked sheepishly, and then glared at Duncan. "You were the one who taught you that didn't you?"
"Pff, come on, it's a good way to express himself," Duncan commented as the Pillars of Killer Bass were enjoying a good time at 3 a.m., while all the campers decided to have a good night's sleep. The pillars took a few cups of coffee to be ready to remain awake and have time for themselves to reflect. Duncan was enjoying the paradise view of the resort, while he couldn't be bothered by the thoughts he had on his mind. "I'm going to miss this place."
"Yeah, it had brought so many great moments for us," Ezekiel commented as the group shared their funny moments and even joked around on how fun it was to mess around and enjoy every corner of the playa. "So in 3 days, you will take off your Beaver Costume."
"Thank God for that, it's been annoying to pass most of the days being like that," Courtney commented as Duncan chuckled, but then gave a kiss on her cheek. Making Courtney blush.
"You know what? I had my fun enough, you can take off now if you want." Duncan commented that Courtney never thought she would be so happy with her boyfriend being so merciful at her, and she was so glad that she had her swimsuit under her costume, so everything she had to do was only to take out the costume and she would enjoy better the hot tube. By kissing her boyfriend, she left both the remaining pillars by themselves alone. "So, you and Izzy."
"Nah, I wish to, but no," Ezekiel commented as he sighed which made the delinquent raise his eyebrows at him. "I mean, Izzy is a great girl, and she is very fun to hang out with, and probably I pass most of my time with her just like I pass with all of you. But I have no idea how romance would work, especially after she had a traumatic event of dealing with Owen's mess up."
"Hmmm…" Duncan nodded his head, he wasn't blind, and he could see that the boy was having a good time enjoying himself with the nerd and the crazy military girl. But from hearing his opinion, it was an understanding. "Well I would say that you have a great opportunity for her in the future, since from the pact we have, you even dreamed of Izzy shaving your initials on you know where, and when we thought she had a chance with Owen he really messed up. If was me I would have taken the opportunity immediately."
"And that probably would have led you to prison and 2 girlfriends pissed off at you." Ezekiel thought to himself but decided to cough. "Well Duncan, I never had a girlfriend before, even as the time I learned so much from cartoons and movies, even I still have a bit of difficulty in writing a romance, so I'm not sure that it would lead to good things. And I'm not cool like you, or beautiful like Justin, I'm just me… And maybe I may regret not trying it sooner, but I just want to give solid steps, and be sure that she may like me."
Duncan remained quiet, knowing that the boy just got a big fat cheque for selling his books, and he was still trying to look humble in front of him.
"You know Zeke, you just sold 50 thousand books, and then have 2 other awesome books ready to sell out. For me you are awesome. And if that crazy girl didn't see how awesome you are. Then she is way crazier than we expected." Duncan commented as he even messed up the brown hair of the boy who just pouted but smiled at him.
"Thanks, Duncan. For real." Ezekiel commented as the duo watched Courtney appearing with her usual grey swimsuit, and enjoying a great experience of being reunited with the two pillars. "You know, that's a break that I never thought I would ever have. And I'm just glad that we ended up on the way we ended. We shouldn't be ashamed of what happened."
"Pff of course not, you are getting rich, I'm free from Juvie, Courtney was not such a prick." Duncan joked as he got a punch from his girlfriend and flinching in pain. "Oh come on, that's true."
"Har, har, har," Courtney commented, as Ezekiel looked at the stars in the sky… Never once realizing how different things were. From seeing the Killer Bass of the cannon world because a divided and cruel team with each other, this time becoming a group of friends so united, that it had nothing to complain about each other.
Ezekiel felt something inside of him like a person crying, but instead of sadness, it was like a happy cry, for how things were different. And Ezekiel felt that he made it work, everything worked fine in the end.
(Camp Wawanakwa)
Chris strolled back to his trailer, a grin plastered across his face. Hosting the reward show had been a blast, and he relished the thought of a day off from the chaos of Total Drama Island. Leaving Chef in charge for one episode had seemed like a brilliant idea, the perfect way to ensure a low-key, stress-free break.
As he stepped inside his trailer, the familiar surroundings welcomed him. He kicked back, savoring the tranquility, completely unaware of the storm brewing. The sudden ring of his telephone shattered the silence, and Chris answered it with a relaxed, carefree tone.
"Hello, Chris here, what can my awesome life can help you?" Chris asked as he chuckled to himself, he already gave a presentation award, and probably he would get another giant bonus check for all his hard work on the show…
"…" However, the voice on the other end immediately wiped the smile from his face. The producers were calling with unexpected news…
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN CHEF'S EPISODE SKYROCKETED TO THE TOP OF THE RATINGS," Chris shouted as he didn't believe on what just happened, and then he felt his entire face pales. "It became the number one episode of the show?"
"…"
"That's impossible, I just said for him to do whatever he wants… wait, what do you mean a military elite squad? What, is predator and hunting experience? Traps challenge and a time bomb made of ink? Okay I have to confess that it was a surprise and looks awesome. Wait what prize he offered? There was even a prize?" Chris palled from the conversation of the producers, and how they were so happy to even decide to give an extra pay-cheque to Chef, which made Chris' eyes twitch... "Wait, you want more of him at the bonfire ceremony? Why? He did what?..."
Chris's complexion turned ashen as the producers continued, their enthusiasm palpable. They raved about Chef's performance, detailing how the military games had captivated the audience and exceeded all expectations. Chris listened in stunned silence, his mind racing.
The producers were so impressed they were even considering having Chef host more episodes. Chris felt a knot form in his stomach. The idea of Chef stealing the spotlight, of the viewers loving the harsh military challenges, left him feeling uncharacteristically intimidated.
As he hung up the phone, Chris's mind swirled with a mixture of disbelief and anxiety. What had Chef done to make the viewers love the episode so much? He realized he might have underestimated Chef, and now he had to face the consequences of his seemingly harmless decision.
"I need to step up my game," Chris commented, as he took about his notebook and looked at the ideas he had for the episodes, and he had one paper saying which would be his salvation. The triple-dog-dare you, it would be the best episode he planned for so long, he just hoped the campers would have a lot of revenge on the campers. And not being stupid and trying to take on easy on them…
Ezekiel blinked, at the time he got the telephone in his hands, the same telephone where a familiar voice appeared once again.
"Chris, can you repeat again?" Ezekiel asked as he made sure to sound legit, as he could hear the host's voice once again talking to him.
"The next challenge will be about you the former contestants challenging the top 3 into doing whatever you guys want, and doesn't matter if it hurts, or if is nasty and would make people vomit, or even being humiliating, I want you all to be creative to make something that would make the best episode ever which is called I triple-dog-dare you. Which you will all challenge 1 contestant on the wheel to do it." Chris explained once again, as some of his friends saw Ezekiel talking on the telephone once again. And Ezekiel discovered the episode was about to happen…
"That sounds cool Chris, but…" Ezekiel hesitated, and he could hear the sound of the host humming in disappointment. "I think I can make it even better for you…"
"… What do you mean?" Chris asked as Ezekiel gave a small glance on the outside, and saw that nobody from the Killer Bass was more on the show, and since Izzy's plan worked and there was only Screaming Gophers?
"How about this…"
.
.
.
"That was by far one of the cruelest things I ever heard about a challenge." Chris commented as Ezekiel smirked, "I'm going to write it down and make it work right away, oh I can imagine this episode being the best one ever… You once again surprised me, Ezekiel. Can you tell the Killer Bass about that?"
"Oh… I will tell them right away Chris… Now, don't worry, everyone will have the dares ready for you." Ezekiel said as he finished the call… And slowly Ezekiel walked towards the pool, where all the campers saw the boy leaving the main room where the telephone was.
"Hey Zeke, what was that about? Did Chris ask to do something?" Geoff asked, but then he got his eyebrows raised, as Ezekiel was trembling. "Are you okay?"
"Hehehe…" Ezekiel was trying to contain his laugh, but then something snapped inside of him. "AH HA HA, AH HA HA HA HA. AH HA HA, AH HA HA HA HA. AH HA HA, AH HA HA HA HA."
Some of the campers looked at his friend weirdly, and nobody other than Ezekiel knew that he was making Mandark's signature evil laugh. Which for the future contestants had no idea about what was going to happen.
.
.
.
"Wait, what did you say?" Bridgette looked terrified, in the same way, the Killer Bass campers palled from what Ezekiel had just said.
"The time of revenge has come" Ezekiel smirked, as the Killer Bass never thought to hear what he just said. "Screaming Gophers got on the final 3, and made it for the next challenge. We need to make them have dares and to be fair with everyone, to show they can deal with everything we are going to throw at them. So I want you all to have 3 ideas of dares, whatever disgusting would be, hurting, humiliating. I want you all to write it down for you. Katie and Sadie, I know you think twice in the same way, so both of you write 6 ideas since 3 will belong to each other…"
"Just that? We are going to challenge them to do it on live television?" Courtney asked as she was still trying to understand the rules. But then Ezekiel gave a smirk.
"Actually no… We are going to help each other to make it even worse." Ezekiel smiled as Tyler palled.
"Dude, my girlfriend is on there," Tyler said as he was feeling terrified.
"So that's why your challenges must be focused on physical and painful challenges which should be fair for everyone. Guys, we have to make these challenges fair. Because Owen is a machine who can eat anything disgusting. So I have a plan… We are going to work together and see who will break Owen first, and the person who managed to make Owen cry, vomit, and break down will win 1 thousand dollars. I'm paying." Ezekiel said so eagerly which made his friends look at him like he was a monster. But then Ezekiel just smiled at them. "Guys, don't you guys understand?"
"Understand what?" Duncan asked in disbelief, as DJ and Harold looked terrified at his homeschooled friend.
"There isn't a Killer Bass on there. So it means that we cannot hold back." Ezekiel commented as the group raised his eyebrows. "Anyone from the other team will try to make things easier for their friends, but we… as a team, we lost because of them. This whole team, we did our best, we humiliated ourselves, we hurt ourselves, but for sheer lack of luck, everyone from us lost… So why not have just this little petty revenge on them? Showing that even was far away, we could make the Gophers Scream?"
.
.
.
"You know what? I'm with Ezekiel on this one." Eva commented as she narrowed her eyes. "I'm tired of seeing Owen eating a lot of that food, and never doing an exercises. I'm going to make him sweat so much that I want him crying for his momma."
"That's the spirit Eva, let's make the whole top 3 suffer, and play things fairly. So that's why we are going to make it fair for the trio… all three are going to suffer in our hands, fairly and square. It will not be on the resistance from us. But it will be by sheer will." Ezekiel commented as the Killer Bass looked at each other, and even Tyler felt hesitant, but from the point of view of his friends…
"Yeah, you are right. I have faith in Lindsay that she will hold on very nicely. So let's take them down as a whole." Tyler commented as the whole Killer Bass smirked. "But not dirty pancakes."
Which Ezekiel froze, and then nodded his head.
"I agreed, we are not going to replicate the terrible challenges before. We are going to make it more fair but still disgusting." Duncan commented as he shivered into imagining how terrible was to eat such food. And he was happy to never deal with such a shit.
"I don't want to be so cruel," DJ commented as Ezekiel smirked, which made him sweat.
"Don't worry DJ. Remember that there is a way from a cook which would make the people suffer in an equal way." That comment made DJ think about it, and then an idea appeared in his mind.
"Momma once told me about one thing that I should never try in the kitchen… Because it was for my safety, and I had fear of even touching it… But I'm so curious about what would be the reaction of that…" DJ commented as he felt curious, a kid part of him always wanted to give that challenge.
"So we are going to do it?" Harold asked as everyone nodded their heads.
"Yeah, everyone bring your top 3 challenges that are going to make their lives hell, and let's debate on how to make it even worse," Ezekiel commented…
Poor Screaming Gophers, they had no idea how much suffering they were going to have on the next challenge.
Who knew Izzy's plan would backfire so much on the remaining top 3? But that's how Ezekiel predicted… and nobody could save them now.
Chapter 42: I dare you. I TRIPLE *BEEP* DOG DARE YOU MOTHER*BEEP*
Chapter Text
“Last time on Total Drama Island…” Chris returned to the show and was ready to do a recap of everything that happened there. “Yours trully off MC’ing a swanky awards show. So Chef took over as host...ugh...And man, was he brutal to the campers. Not only he make the campers suffer the terrible challenge of the military psychos, but also brought his former squad, which they were nobody other than Izzy’s family, oh boy, I wish it wouldn’t have been my parents to embarrass me like that, but like I always say, do everything for the ratings.”
Chris showed the scenes of Izzy’s parents enjoying their time on the show and even scaring some of the campers.
“The campers had to suffer being hunted down, and luckily Owen didn’t have to deal with the parents of the crazy girl he cowardly pushed into the direction of a ‘serial killer’. Heather once again proved her skills in adaptation to the circumstances happening on the challenges, and came up with a strategy which in the end led her to not only get the immunity but also receive a neat PDA or whatever the military calls that.” Chris commented as he shrugged and showed the highlight moments of the last challenge. “And in the end, the Gothic Gwen had to leave the show because Chef called out all the flaws from the challenge, and by lack of will, Gwen had to take her stuff and took the Walk of Shame, leaving three glutton-for-punishment campers heading into our most exciting challenge yet! Don’t believe me? Then I triple dog dare you to watch this episode of TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND!”
The morning once again appeared on the camp Wawanakwa, as the moment that some of the campers always waited for came, since it took weeks to finally reach a point that surprised everyone. The final 3. Days of pure torture, humiliation, disgusting time living on that terrible island, finally just for more 4 days or less, and then it’s over.
The 100 thousand grand is almost theirs.
“Campers! Welcome to the Semi-Finals!” Chris’ voice boomed through the loudspeakers at to start of this day, which the host knew was certainly gonna be an episode to remember. “Today, we reward our challengers with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. That’s right, genuine food bi-products served with fresh ingredients relatively close to their expiration dates.”
While the remaining 3 listened from their cabins to the announcements, Chef was preparing some of the pancakes to cheer up the final 3, while deep inside of him he had to roll his eyes, since the campers could have enjoyed still more grudge to make sure they would remain sharp on the show. When one of the pancakes he launched got stuck on the ceiling, he scrapped off with a shovel, and nobody other than the cameras could see the products of pancakes appearing directly on the plate.
(Confession – Heather)
Heather was using her Heathermmunicator to distract herself from the camera, while she knew she would use it as a good way to make sure to say something about the final three.
“Whatever. I knew I’d make it to the end. Big shocker.” Heather knew without a doubt she’d be the one who would go until the final three, but she couldn’t also confess something from her point of view. “I’m just glad that I managed to bring Lindsay with me, and I felt like a huge burden had been off my back, maybe I should stop making promises. Because it had been one of the hardest things I ever did on the show. But I’m glad that Lindsay is also my right hand to reach this point… Also, thanks Beth, we did it. We got to the final 3, and with your help, we took down all the fish heads.”
Heather commented as she gave a slight look until something crossed her eyes.
“Who the hell is Codylover? And what the *beep* is Moose love?” Heather raised her eyebrows and decided to click something.
(Confession – Lindsay.)
“WE DID IT, WE ARE ON THE FINAL 3 BETH,” Lindsay said as she was clapping in joy from the inside of the confession, it turns out that she forgot that she was still using the bathroom, a little part of her panties were showing since she was very distracted. And then it came to a conclusion which made the blonde girl nervous. “And now… since Heather said that we could be in the final three. I think that would mean that I wouldn’t have to depend much on her. I mean, she is one of the best friends that I ever made, and I think this time she would want to win with everything she had.”
Lindsay commented sad, as she could understand the point of her best friend, they reached the point they wanted. And now things would remain on the extreme since Lindsay would depend on herself now to go to the next phase. Suddenly Lindsay looked to her left, and then to her right.
“Yeah, you are right… I reached this far because I did my best, so I just need to remember everything I learned from this show, especially of what I learned from Heather and Izzy… I don’t need to only win, I just need to survive to the final 2, and then I do my best to win the show… I need to make someone lose, but who?” Lindsay commented as she wondered loudly. As nobody could see Lindsay had been talking with her shoulders Angel and Devil to give her the support she would need.
(Confession – Owen)
“I wanted to believe it! I dreamt it could be true! And now the day is finally here! ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT-PANCAKES YESSSS!” Owen screamed excited as the show finally reached a thing that he always dreamed of, he showed his true colors himself, that he didn’t care much about the fact he was on the final 3, but he took priorities of having all the pancakes he could eat.
(Main Lodge)
“We’re getting Pancakes! We’re getting pancakes!” Owen sang as Lindsay calmly passed at the Chef to receive her portion of sweat breakfast, and while she was happy to have something good to eat in the morning, she was for the most part with a serious face trying to think about how to survive and the most difficult task… who should lose on the day’s challenge for make her to go to the finals. Heather on the other hand was glaring hatefully as she was ready to kill someone in an instant. Which Chef raised his eyebrow at her, but ignored, her since he had 2 friends who were far scarier than the queen bee, and placed the pancakes for the queen bee to eat. And then coming in the direction of the Chef, Owen with a happy smile on his face. “Ooh. Don’t be shy dude. Four Words. All You Can Eat. You got the pancakes, I got the…”
Chef got annoyed and took one of the pancakes and shoved it on his face.
“Shut up,” Chef said as he rolled his eyes. And saw Owen eating the pancake which was already on his face. “Ugh… I think I’m starting to regret having gone easy on you. Maybe I should have allowed Shego to do the challenge with you.”
And at that moment the fat boy shut his mouth… But the stomach grumbled as begging for more food. Which Chef glared, until he gave in.
“Fine, take all, everything,” Chef grumbled as Owen cheered and made a giant pile of food for himself, while Chef smirked to himself on the inside. “Let’s see if you can hold up everything at the end of the day.”
Heather and Lindsay glanced at Owen but resumed their breakfast.
Cadets MacArthur and Sanders got on the Main Lodge just to greet themselves with the breakfast, a nice mug of coffee and pancakes, even as they were caught on seeing the campers eating whatever terrible food the show served to them, they at least had good food while enjoying the campers suffering with the challenge.
"Well these weeks have been very interesting, isn't that right partner?" MacArthur asked as Sanders nodded her head at her friend. "I have to say that it had been fun seeing these prickies suffering a bit."
"Well we also got caught on the line of fire sometimes, but I have to say that this had been fun, in a weird way." Sanders nodded her head. "At least we can return to the police academy and tell all the craziness we caught on the show. We just need to be here for more one week at least and we are going to return to the academy;"
"Yeah, but from what I gathered today's challenge is going to be awesome, and I can't wait to see it you lose the bet," MacArthur smirked and the black security guard rolled her eyes.
"Ha ha ha, don't even try, this money had my name on it," Sanders replied as both cadets went to resume their breakfast.
(Confession – Lindsay.)
“That’s it… I don’t need to win. I just need to make sure Owen loses.” Lindsay snapped her fingers, and then her entire face paled. “Oh no… How can I do that? Owen is sweaty but he is like a trash can, nothing can bring him down.”
(Confession – Heather)
“I DON’T KNOW WHO THE *BEEP* YOU ARE, BUT I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT DISGUSTING NERD, AND HE WAS A PERVERT WHO TOUCHED MY BREASTS WITHOUT MY CONSENT, HOW A *BEEP* MOOSE IS THE REASON OF WHY I WOULD FALL IN LOVE WITH THAT NERD IF THAT *BEEP* ANIMAL WAS THE ONE WHO CAUSED EVERYTHING,” Heather shouted as a good part of the confession both was trashed, like the toilet seat, and was glaring hatefully to the camera. “Hey fans of my part of the show, do not believe in these stupid lies over this five-rate forum, since it was obviously a lie since the person who wrote it was named CodyLover as a nickname, come on, that wimp has a boyfriend already, and while I like you having a huge debate with the person who probably is Leshawna, yeah Leshawna I know it’s you. But you gotta do a better defense than that, come on, help me out here. It’s your boyfriend’s name and mine who are being in the mud for these lies.”
Then Heather gave a deep sigh and tried to focus on the game.
“Okay, maybe I should take a break from this. I will make it clear once I get my paycheck from this show. Since I’m only against my naive best friend and fatty ginormous. I think we all know who’s gonna win.”
(Confession – Owen)
“Pancakes, pancakes, pancakes!” Owen sang happily while ignoring the part of the trashed set since Heather vented up from the time she looked on the internet.
(Confession – Heather)
“When I win, I’m thinking of my own spin-off series. The World According to Heather, featuring Lindsay and Beth as we debate all the atrocities we suffered across the show. And with luck showing how is to be done in television.” Heather commented as she placed the makeup on herself to look presentable on the show, while she emphasized demonstrating how she cared about her friends.
(Confession – Lindsay)
“If I win the 100 thousand dollars, I think my mommy and daddy are going to make a huge party in the neighborhood where I can invite Heather and Beth, and we could even go to the mall and spend a lot together… Which is fine since that would be what I would spend on the entire year, but it’s still good to make sure we would have fun together.” Lindsay commented as she thought about how she would enjoy spending the money with her friends. “Especially my daddy would be proud of me saying that I would enjoy much more expending my own money which I worked hard to get… I hope he is right.”
(Confession – Owen)
“I’d never win. But if I did, I’d start every day with pancakes!” Owen commented that he didn’t believe much in himself, but he was having a great time living the dream, while he was very hyped for the show. But still enjoying to tell on the confession on how much he loves pancakes. “’Cause they’re like mini sunshines filled with yummy fun.”
(Confession – Heather)
“Sure, eight weeks with these losers is cause for insanity, but thankfully me and Lindsay managed to pull out together and didn’t lose our minds… well, I think Lindsay still has a little part sane, sorry to say that Lindsay, but I saw you talking to yourself a bit and it’s start’s worrying me. Maybe this show is making us lose our minds.” Heather commented as she pointed out a good point as she looked at the camera. But also a sadistic part appeared on her face while she still wanted to trash talk, someone. “And Greenpeace can bag and tag Owen as the hazardous waste that he is.”
(Confession – Lindsay)
“These 8 weeks had been kinda difficult for us. Isn’t that right?” Lindsay commented as she looked at her shoulders, proving a point made by the queen bee, since the girl still uses the shoulder consciences as her guide, but still looked determined to win the game. “I never thought I would be happy sometimes, angry other times, would make people laugh, cry, and even get mad at me or even scared at me. But I think I learned a lot by going on this show. But I swear I would pay a lot of money to have my beauty products back and have a spa session because my skin is getting dry and I’m afraid this will be forever.”
(Confession – Owen)
“But all the all-you-can-eat pancakes in the world wouldn’t be special without friends to share with them,” Owen commented as he lamented the fact that he felt lonely on the show, especially since he always valued friends more than money, so it was getting hard to remain on the game. But luckily he was going to win the show.
(Confession – Heather)
“Sure, Owen’s dumb luck has won a few challenges,” Heather commented as she still was using her makeup, but then she took her Heathermmunicator and decided to open the forum. “but it’s his ability not to be disgusted by anything edible that worries me. Here look at this, there is a forum page of everything disgusting Owen ever ate on the whole show. Did you see that? This is a shoe… A SHOE.”
Heather showed the picture of Owen on the forum of Total Drama Island where it shows Owen eating MacArthur’s shoe, while she wanted to punch the fat boy in the face.
(Confession – Owen)
“You ever notice how much a toilet seat looks like a pancake?” Owen looked intently at the dropped toilet seat where Heather let it loose from her trashing on the confession, and he gave a maniac look on the camera in a way that people could guess what the big guy was planning to do. He laughed a bit as he seemed to be joking, but on the next second, he started licking the toilet seat.
(Confession – Heather)
“And Lazy! Ugh, Sloths could take a cue from Slowen! Did you know the cadets had to use 2 Tasers to get his ass off from sleeping on their cabins? I think the sin of Sloth would take vacations and leave Owen in its place.” Heather said as she shook her head in disgust. While proving another point on the terrible way she viewed Owen on the show.
(Confession – Owen)
Owen seemed to be enjoying the bite of the toilet seat that he gave on the confession, while he chuckled as he looked at the camera.
“I should probably spit this out… Zzzzzzzzz” He didn’t even pass a next second as he started snoring in the middle of the confession, while the camera went off.
(Confession – Heather)
“At least I know about Lindsay, and as I spent most of my time with her, I know that she had very athletic abilities, and managed to win challenges by herself. I will not underestimate her for being very athletic, and also looking at the forum, I discovered Lindsay has still some struggles with her intelligence, and she is always naive and gullible, she sometimes by luck or by her own logic that I will never understand, she would nail in the head of whatever topic that she would find interesting. How she does that, I don’t know.” Heather explained as she gave a good view of how much she and her best friend worked together during the whole show. The good times and even the bad times, but now she had one tool that would also give a good advantage for herself. “But at least on this forum, I could see also a highlight on how she and the goth talked about Indiana Jones, never was a fan of that archaeologist movie, but from the comments I heard on how she destroyed the dreams and their faith on the fandom it brings me joy and pride on how people are trying to convince themselves there is going to be a movie coming up which will save their own pity lives of the movie being great again… Come on, grow up, it’s just a movie. Pfff...”
(Confession – Lindsay)
“I’m really in big trouble because Heather is the smartest and the strongest of the show,” Lindsay commented as she looked worried. “Every time that we would have a problem I knew Heather would also find a way to help it out, she was like always had a plan B for everything happening around, and I don’t have that. Izzy told me that Heather’s greatest skill was that she could adapt to everything around her and she would use everything and anything to her favor. And Owen while he is a sweaty guy, I think I never saw him vomit after eating anything much more disgusting than bull testicles, if is a food challenge again, I don’t think my stomach could take it.”
Lindsay gulped, as she looked wary at the camera.
“From this challenge, I need to take down Owen, because Heather is my best friend, but also I have no idea how to defeat her in a top 3 challenge, and I think I should trust in myself,” Lindsay commented determined.
(Amphitheater)
The amphitheater was dimly lit, the shadows of the surrounding forest creating an eerie atmosphere. The top three campers, Heather, Owen, and Lindsay, stood nervously on the stage, unsure of what to expect next. Chris, ever the showman, strutted onto the stage with a mischievous grin. Behind him, there was Chef who was wearing his usual cook outfit, and nearby them there was not just one, but two cadets who were wearing pink dresses as prize girls.
“I hate my contract,” MacArthur commented angrily as she was feeling now the terrible consequences of signing a contract without reading.
“Well, it’s just for a few days partner,” Sanders commented as she didn’t mind much wearing the outfit, but it was kind of humiliating as they were cadets before, and now by being part of the show they had to wear it whenever outfit which would be going for them. “And thankfully we aren’t going to be dealing with the terrible *beep* that’s going to happen.”
“Yeah, you tell, partner.” MacArthur agreed as the duo of cadets looked at Chris who was with a big smile on his face.
"Campers, welcome to the semifinals. We ran out of insane ways of torturing you, so... we asked the ousted campers for ideas." Chris paused, letting the suspense build. Chris gestured dramatically towards two large wheels on either side of the stage."Turns out they had a lot. They provided us with the sickest, most twisted, and insane dares imaginable in TDI's version of... Spin the Bottle!"
"What is this, five grade? Why don't we just do seven minutes of heaven in a skanky basement closet?" Heather, arms crossed and eyebrow raised, glanced skeptically at the wheels. Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Yeah! Good call! Let's do it!"Owen, ever the eager participant, perked up at Heather's suggestion. His enthusiasm was quickly cut short as Heather slapped the back of his head. "Ow!"
Chris chuckled, clearly enjoying the scene happening as he decided to explain the rules.
"Each player will take turns spinning the bottle from the Screaming Gophers' side. The camper you land on determines the dare you'll perform. You can take the dare yourself and win a get-out-of-dare-freebie or inflict the dare on a fellow camper in hopes of booting them out."
"And if we refuse to do the dare?" Heather smirked as she leaned forward. Her voice tinged with suspicion and smugness.
"Oh. Not a good option. Anyone who chickens out on the Screaming Gophers' wheel will be sent directly to the Dock of Shame, board the Boat of Losers. Do not go to the bonfire. Do not collect marshmallow. And do not get to win $100,000."Chris's grin widened. As he presented the canoe which went down with all the money and nearby there were the two cadets who were faking a smile to bring attention to the money.
"Err... and what about the other wheel?" Lindsay, biting her lip in confusion, raised her hand timidly.
"Hehehe, and that's where the fun will start. After each one of you finishes one turn, there will be my spin, which will make it spin on the Killer Bass dares.” Chris's eyes gleamed with anticipation. He decided to give a drop bomb to the campers. “Differently from the Screaming Gophers, all of you will have to do it. By saying 'have to,' I mean we will even force you to do it. By finishing this dare, you will win three get-out-of-dare-freebies. And before you ask, the only way for you to avoid the Killer Bass challenges is by passing four get-out-of-dare-freebies in exchange."
"So you're saying that if we chicken out on the Screaming Gophers' wheel, we would get eliminated, but if it's the Killer Bass, then we are forced to do it anyway?"Heather's skepticism returned in full force. Her tone was sharp, challenging Chris to explain further.
"That's right. The only way to free yourself from the Killer Bass challenges is to pass four get-out-of-dare-freebies or immediately give up and chicken out on the Screaming Gophers' challenges." Chris nodded, the smirk never leaving his face. As he pointed out the resume of the challenges.
The campers exchanged nervous glances, the gravity of the challenge sinking in. The amphitheater seemed to grow colder, the weight of the impending dares pressing down on them. The stage was set, and the game was about to begin.
And then Chris decided to start the challenge.
“Okay. Who’s ready to humiliate themselves first?” Chris asked in excitement, however, instead of anyone saying something, Heather looked away, Owen tried to look at both girls, and Lindsay was too scared to do anything… And at the ten seconds, nobody moved, and while many would say Chris would be annoyed, it was the contrary. “Ohhhh, so nobody wants to go first? Then that mean everyone wants to start with the Killer Bass challenge? Okay.”
And that was the trigger that made the top 3 stares in fear.
“NO!” The trio shouted but it was too late.
“Spinning the Killer Bass Bottle.” Chris ignored their chants, as the trio looked fearfully at the bottle spinning on the wheel. The sound of the funny music happening around tried to make things less tense until the tip of the bottle showed a picture of Gwen. “Gwen… ohhhh, that’s going to be fun. You three have to watch the most disgusting Brazillian production made on the internet until this day, it’s called 2 Girls and One Cup.”
“2 girls and one cup?” Heather raised her eyebrows looking unamused. “Pff, what would possibly be the reason for a cup being that terrible?”
(Confession – Chris.)
“Okay. So here’s the deal. Chef and I have a little side bet going this time. Whoever pukes first has to puny up a hundred bucks. And funny enough, the cadets decided to be part of it. So the person who loses had to pay up the winner.” Chris said excited as he had a chance to win 300 dollars easily. "And starting with one video which I had no idea about it was until yesterday? Man, I know these campers will suffer a lot. Me and Chef already vomited a lot yesterday, so let's see who can hold on better today, the cadets had no chance, hehehe more money for me."
“To make sure the cameraman crew won’t show this video on television, we are pointing up the television for you three, and you have to watch, while we are right here,” Chris said as he was behind the television, and the cadets and Chef nodded their heads. “So at the time I press play, you 3 can will watch, while the public will be safe from this.”
“Pff, whatever,” Heather commented as Lindsay looked hesitant.
“Bring it on Chris,” Owen said happily as Chris decided to press play on the television.
The slight elevator and suave music happened while Heather decided to comment.
“Okay, they’re lesbians clearly.” Heather narrated as she looked bored, and Owen and Lindsay started to blush. And then on the next second Heather raises her eyebrows but still looks bored. “I don’t know, this is looking tame so… wait…” Heather’s eyes went wide open, while Lindsay had the shock on her face, in the same way Owen was surprised as well. “WAIT.”
Chris, Chef started to chuckle, while the cadets raised their eyebrows in curiosity.
“Wha wha wah what?” Heather said as she started to look horrified, Lindsay started to pale, and Owen had his mouth open slowly in shock. Heather was still looking in disbelief. “Noo, noooo. Ah… AHHHH.”
“Ahh, AHHHHHHH.”Lindsay shouted in disgust as she tried to close her eyes, but she couldn’t. “I CAN’T LOOK AWAY, I CAN’T LOOK AWAY.”
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?” Heather shouted as Chris and Chef were laughing hard because they weren’t the poor souls to be tortured by such things. “OH MY GOD.”
“OH MY GOD. *BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP*” Lindsay shouted as she was terrified of seeing things that she shouldn’t see.
“I’m never going to be able to eat ice cream again. OH MY GOD.” Heather said that she was getting traumatized, and then she was with the desire to vomit, but she was holding it with both her hands.
Lindsay didn’t have the same luck, as she immediately vomited on the floor, while Owen still remained in his position, staring at it like a statue.
And then when it came to the final scene, Heather tried her best to gulp her own vomit. While Lindsay was releasing a few tears from how much she vomited at that moment.
Thankfully that moment was over, and Chris was happy to give 3 get-out-of-dare-freebies for each.
“And that’s how to start a good solid challenge. Now Owen, you’re the first, come here to spin your own team’s wheel.” Chris smiled as Owen remained in his position. “Owen, hello?”
“Owen?” Lindsay touched the big guy, but like a statue he fainted in a paused position, traumatized from the event, but somehow with still a blush on his face.
“Leave to me, girl.” Cadet Sanders commented as she took a bucket of cold water and splashed at the face of the big guy.
*splash*
“Wha.What what?” Owen with his face covered in the cold water, looked at the host of the show looking amused at him. “Hey, Chris.”
“Owen, it’s your time for spinning the Screaming Gopher’s wheel… You know, the challenge.” Chris commented as the fat boy blinked until he realized they were in the middle of the challenge.
“Oh yeah,” Owen said sheepishly as the fat boy decided to go at the Screaming Gopher’s wheel and decided to spin it. While the music in the background lets not just him but the other campers, they have no idea if their team was as merciless as the Killer Bass. And the fat boy feared what would happen to him.
Until the tip of the bottle reached Cody the group was a bit wary of what would be his challenge.
“Your challenge is… Drop a tray of ice into your undies and let them melt.” Chris smirked as Owen realized what would mean, while Heather and Lindsay raised their eyebrows. “You can perform the dare yourself, or dare one of your competitors to do it. Hehehehe. Either way, someone’s placing the ice on their underwear in the next minute.”
Owen palled as he looked down at his little friend, and then decided to look at each of the girls.
“Sorry girls, but I cannot do it. I dare Lindsay to do it.” Owen said with a slight guilt, as Chris smiled and Lindsay looked a bit of fear.
The blonde girl watched both cadets appear with buckets of ice, which the poor girl had no idea what to do until she looked at Heather who nodded her head, and with a sigh, the blonde girl decided to place a good hand on it and leave on her underwear.
“Now that’s one cool chick with a frosty tude. Chillin’ by the cold will and ready to be a nIce competitor.” Chris gave ice puns while Lindsay trembled on her place, while she was even grinding her teeth.
“Ca ca can I I return now?” Lindsay stuttered from the coldness as she practically begged for the time to go to her place, but Chris shook his head.
“Nah, it’s your turn to spin the bottle now.” Chris gave the order, and Lindsay quickly went to the wheel and spun she wanted so much to know what the challenge would be, so she waited for a few seconds while she felt a bit of resentment towards Owen who made her place ice under her undies, and when then when it came with a picture of Justin, Chris decided to give a look on the papers. “Alright Lindsay, the challenge would be… Swim in an inflatable pool of leeches.”
Lindsay and Heather had their eyes wide open, while Owen gulped, and Lindsay looked sadly at the big guy, who just nodded his head.
“I want Owen to take the dare,” Lindsay commented as Owen saw the cadets bringing the quantity of the leaches which terrified him.
“Owen if you want, you can use the get-out-of-dare-freebies,” Chris commented as the fat boy, looked at the quantity of leaches, and from their intimidation, it was very tempting, but he already was on the game, and since he was big, he knew he could do it.
“Nah, I’m fine. I can take it.” Owen commented, as on the next minute. The pool was ready, and Owen showed that he could take it. “Here I gooo.. OH GOD, THE PAIN, GOD WHY, WHY? OUCH OUCH, THAT’S SMARTS, OH GOD WHY? AHHHHHHHHH.”
He stayed in the pool for 1-minute swimming, until the time was over, and he immediately jumped away from the pool, while the cadets and Chef launched the salt and water to make all the leaches go to the floor, while both Lindsay and Heather gulped into seeing how terrifying a challenge like that would be.
“Alright, while Owen is recovering himself, from being dizzy, Heather it’s your turn,” Chris commented as the queen bee was in front of the wheel. “Now, do it your challenge.”
Heather gulped, as she showed it was her turn, and decided to spin the wheel. And at that time the wheel was spinning, and from the look of wary, she wasn’t sure what would be the terrible challenges she would suffer.
Until it came to the photo of the guitarist Trent.
“Alright, the challenge is… Eat hard-boiled eggs while lying down.” Chris commented as Heather raised her eyebrow.
“Wow, that’s kinda easy.” Heather raised her eyebrows and then she narrowed her eyes. “Did you say that if I take the challenge by myself, I will get one of the get-out-of-dare-freebies right?”
Chris nodded. He could see Heather smirking.
“Alright then. I will take the dare.” Heather was being honest, in comparison to the other challenges, this one was kinda of tame.
.
.
.
“Go Heather, Goooo.” Lindsay was cheering for her best friend while Heather was eating 5 hard-boiled eggs while lying down and she needed to eat more 5 to win the bottle.
“Man, how lucky she is, I would have enjoyed eating all that,” Owen said with a bit of envy, but he was happy to see Heather having fun on the challenge.
“Keep eating bratty, this isn’t even the worst challenge yet.” MacArthur was having fun while she and her partner were placing eggs one by one. While Heather was still struggling to eat.
After finishing eating, Heather gave a hard gulp, but gave a fake smile, as Lindsay and Owen cheered, while the cadets looked satisfied with how far Heather went.
“Heather wins the freebie!” Chris commented as a good way to shorten the name of the bottles, and that way Heather was happy to have 4 of those freebies. While a good sense of dread was happening. “Which now it comes the Killer Bass revenge. Since you Heather have 4 you can choose to not take the challenge, Heather.”
“Can I wait what the challenge would be before I decide to use them or not?” Heather asked and Chris nodded his head, and with a smirk spun the wheel. The Killer Bass now was spinning, and when the picture of the challenge appeared, was nobody other than… Ezekiel.
“Ohhhh, Ezekiel… His challenge is… oh my God.” Chris was smirking when suddenly he felt a shiver on his spine and palled.
“What?” Heather and the others asked as they were staring at Chris in fear.
“You had to listen to the record of the first chapter of my audiobook I got from him,” Chris commented as Heather raised her eyebrow at him, while Lindsay and Owen looked hesitant. "And he didn't write he just dares you... he even quoted something... He said... I dare you, I triple *beeeeeeeeeep* dog dare you mother*beeep*, which I think it was a good quote he took from Pulp Fiction, man the boy wasn't kidding."
“Is that a bad thing?” Heather asked as Chef looked at Chris who was trembling from having memories of such a terrible moment but shook his head to compose himself back together, and to quote a movie indeed made him get control back of himself again.
“Well, never mind. Heather, your choice, use the freebie now, or take the challenge.” Chris said forcefully which made Heather could understand a slight trace of panic on him.
“I think I’m good, I can take it,” Heather commented as she scoffed. “I mean, it’s just an audiobook. What could possibly come from that.”
“Do not, make fun of powers that you are not aware of Heather.” Chris for the first time said in a very serious tone, which the queen bee could see that Chris looking at Chef. “Bring the CD player while I will ask the interns if they have an Ear Muffler.”
“Got it,” Chef commented as the campers and even the cadets gave slight looks trying to understand.
.
.
.
“IS EVERYTHING READY?” Chris shouted as Chef slapped the back of his head. Making him compose himself since he had the muffler on his head already. “Ouch… Sorry, anyway. At this point, the audio will play a chapter of Ezekiel’s book, so be prepared to listen to this chapter.”
“Ohhhh, I like it when I hear a story, my daddy always did that, I’m always curious about what would this story be,” Lindsay said as Owen nodded his head.
“Yeah, it would just be us hearing it, like a campfire story, and we wouldn’t need it to listen,” Owen commented as Heather narrowed her eyes.
“To Ezekiel make a dare like that, it seems he wanted to go full well on us… I remember the fishheads talking about his terrifying stories. But come on, to make Chris fearing something it must be something ridiculous.” Heather rolled her eyes, while Chris looked at the poor souls in front of him.
“For the first time on this show… I feel pity for your ignorance. May God have mercy on your souls, because this story will not. Press the play.” Chris commanded as he used the muffler, and Chef nodded his head.
“Courage the Cowardly Dog in… Freaky Fred.” Ezekiel’s voice was heard on the CD player as the campers were now caught on one of the most crazy and terrifying stories made by Ezekiel, and from the first second, it didn’t look so bad… “Hello, new friend. My name is Fred… the words you hear are in my head. And I said my name is Fred and I’ve been… very Naughtyyyyyyyyyyy…”
The trio who were there listening to the story glanced at each other, not sure what to say, even as Ezekiel was rhyming at the moment he was telling the story. And from the tone of voice, the good thing wasn’t.
“The story I’m about to tell, I tell you, I will tell you well, Is of my dear aunt Muriel, and just how I’ve been… naughty…” The campers now were starting to sweat, trying to understand what the hell Ezekiel was planning to make a story like that.
“Is he for real?” Heather asked as she tried to look annoyed, but Chris was looking away, playing cards with Chef while both weren’t hearing the story. And Heather looked at the Cadets who were also intrigued by the story and had no idea they were also victims of the story just made.
.
.
.
“The freak is a barber…” Heather and Lindsay felt their eyes shrink, as they never could imagine a person crazy like that being a hairdresser or a barber, and they felt when dealing with him, they had no idea what kind of freak Fred was, but from the farmer telling, it clearly scared Lindsay. “A freeeeeeeeeeakyyy barber, with his own freaky barbershop, with freaky things happen… freaky BARBER THINGS.”
And it got worse from there.
Lindsay shamelessly pissed herself, while farting so much that she knew that she would need to change the underwear… As Heather was palling so much, that she felt all the fiber of her body hair shivering, as the sound of an electric shaver buzzer.
“La la la la la la la.” And then the choir was made by everyone while the sound of the shaver was happening, which made Heather close her eyes and cover her hair.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.” Lindsay screamed as she was even crying in fear and despair, while Owen trembled and jumped from the stage.
The cadets were back to back, staring around everywhere.
“We have a code black 32. CODE BLACK 32.” Sanders shouted as MacArthur was with her fists raised.
“Freaky person with a sharp object, freaky person with a sharp object, do not let him near your hair. Beat him down, got it.” The other cadet said as the sounds were still making the campers panic…
But thankfully, at the time the story ended. With how Fred was captured, and Courage was with all his fur shaved, with just only a message left.
“With love Fred,” Ezekiel commented as he said the end of the story, and finally Chris looked at the campers and the cadets who were still fragilized from everything happening.
“Alright. You all got 3 more freebies. So that means you can use it whenever you guys want.” Chris commented as the show continued to progress…
For the next challenge, Owen spun and it was made by Izzy, since she decided to take it easy on them and challenged Owen to do a purple nurple to a sleeping bear, needlessly to say the only bear who was still wearing a toga, and at the time Owen went there, he got trashed but still managed to catch a new freebie which makes him has 7.
Next was Lindsay and the person she got was Justin, which the challenge would be wear a chicken head and act like a chicken, Lindsay felt simply more relaxed, as she never thought it would be that easy, but since it was just too wear a chicken hat and act like a chicken with the others, she nailed it, not knowing Tyler would be freaking out on the Playa Del Losers.
“Pff, okay, there is no way I’m going to take another challenge from those Fish heads, I’m going to take the challenge, doesn’t matter which person would take it,” Heather commented firmly, as she spun the wheel, not knowing that Karma would reach her at the time it pointed out to nobody other than Noah.
“Ohhhh,” Chris commented which made the queen bee raise her eyebrows at him. “Noah looks very vindicative… since his challenge is. Spa treatment with Poison Ivy.”
Heather had her eyes wide open, as she realized that the poison Ivy since she had tricked the bookworm and now she would be on the other side of the stick… And while she glanced at the freebies she had, she said she would already take it without thinking twice. And now she was trapped.
“Ughhhhh, fine. Let’s finish this.” Heather said as the at the next minute. She was in the same position as Izzy when she asked herself to make the spa treatment. Chef wrapped the head of the queen bee with poison ivy and also placed 2 cucumber slices on her eyes of Heather, as she was screaming internally from all the painful burn and desire to scratch her face off.
10 long and torturous seconds, which Chef took out and looked at the face of the queen bee had been deformed with red and a few bubbles on her face, thankfully she found a bucket of water and ice, and she placed her entire face on it.
“Well, Heather just got her 8th freebie, and now it’s time for the Killer Bass Wheel once again,” Chris commented as it made both Owen and Lindsay flinch, while Heather wrapped up her face with a towel which took a few more minutes or possibly an hour to make her face to return back to herself. “Let’s spin this thing.”
And then the dread feeling crossed the campers as in the end the tip of the bottle came to Tyler which made everyone try to see what would be the worst coming from the jock.
“Alright, the challenge would be… Eat grape jelly out of Owen’s navel…” Lindsay and Heather felt sick on their stomachs while Owen flinched, knowing that it would be hard fo… “While flying on an airplane.”
“WHAT?” From all people, Owen was the first one who freaked out. “I mean, eating something was always my thing, but are you sure that we need to be in an airplane?”
“Yes, it is Owen, even if you pay for the freebies it also means that you will need to be in the airplane to make the other girls eat it from you, so that means you will need to be on the airplane whenever you want or not,” Chris commented as Owen quickly looked at Heather and Lindsay.
“Girls, can you use your freebies, and let us not take the airplane? Pleeeeease, with pancakes and marshmallows on top?” Owen asked as Lindsay would already say something but immediately Heather stopped her from saying anything.
“And why would we do that? I mean, why would we use our freebies to make you not fly on the airplane?” Heather decided to use her smug vibe, even as internally she was freaking out, in disgust but she saw an opportunity and she was going to take it. “What do you have for us?”
“Us?” Lindsay asked as she realized Heather winking to her best friend, and then a good relief crossed her heart. Even in the top three, the queen bee still cared for her.
“Errr…. Ohh, Chris, can I give my remaining freebies to Heather and Lindsay?” Owen asked as Chris passed a few seconds, but then with a smirk on his face, he nodded at him. “Great, I can give mine to you as well.”
Heather was about to negotiate. But then Lindsay decided to cut her.
“Okay, we accept.” Which Heather looked at the blonde girl annoyed, but Lindsay commented in sequence. “But you need to pay 1 more for Heather, and more 4 to avoid the challenge.”
Heather blinked, as she was surprised by the fact Lindsay knew the logic behind it, and she gave a sigh of relief when Owen nodded at them in gratitude.
While Chris rolled his eyes, he took 4 freebies from each camper, which left Heather with 7, Lindsay with her remaining 3, and Owen with 0 freebies.
And Owen was so relieved, that Chris decided to continue the show.
“Alright Owen, let’s go the next…” Which this time it showed Owe spinning the wheel once more and when it reached Beth’s dare. “Beth’s dare… Rechewing a wad of Harold’s gum.”
Lindsay and Heather saw Owen looking at the glass jar which contained a big ball of chewed gum with interest, until he saw both Heather and Lindsay, he nodded his head in confidence.
“I’m owing a few freebies, so I will take the challenge,” Owen commented while Lindsay looked terrified, Heather felt a good part of herself giving a small tap on her and Lindsay’s backs, since Owen was now going to do the disgusting challenge for them, while they take his prize, and the best of all, they would have enough to survive another dare of those freaky from Killer Bass.
“Great dude, because I hope you are ready because it’s Harold’s chewed gum,” Chris commented as Sanders looked disgusted by it, while MacArthur opened the jar and using for the big guy.
“I know. But it must be pretty special if he’s saving it.” Owen shrugged, as the cadets gave him the chewed gun, and Owen started to savor it, Heather and Lindsay in the same way the host and the crew were disgusted, but Owen made it even worse as he started to savor it and described the taste. “Mmm… Full body. A delicate fruity aroma with a hint of citrus. Hahaha, Robust, yet balanced. Ooh! And crunchy center.”
The description was enough for the camera to point at the photograph made of Harold, who was with his finger on the nose…
That was a hint that made Chef and Chris place both hands on their mouths to make themselves not vomit, MacArthur clenched her teeth trying to hold herself back together, but Cadet Sanders felt so disgusted that she went to the corner and started vomiting.
Chris was happy to lose the bet, while they saw Owen making a bubble from the gum pops, and cheering with his victory.
And Chris placed a newbie to Owen.
“And Owen got a newbie. And a tetanus shot! If you want.” Chris commented as Owen shook his head. And gave the freebie to Heather, and now she had 8 again.
And now it was Lindsay's time…
She spun the wheel which reached Justin, who dared to repeatedly slap herself on the face, and Lindsay looked at her friend.
“You just need one more freebie, Lindsay, that way you can survive the next Killer Bass round,” Heather explained and Lindsay nodded her head.
And immediately started to slap herself, while leaving a terrible mark on her face, and she did it 10 times, which made her feel sore around her whole face.
Heather was next as she reached Beth and Heather hoped that her best friend wouldn’t do anything disgusting or crazy like that.
Unfortunately… for Owen, he just offered himself to being fired out of a cannon and into a pig feces pile at point-blank range while wearing a bucket of said feces.
(Confession – Heather)
“Okay Beth, I know that you are a good friend of mine...But what the *beep* were you thinking when you got this idea?” The queen bee said as she looked in disbelief. “I’m so glad that I wasn’t the one who got this challenge. But well, whatever.”
“Well, now for the Killer Bass challenge.” The trio flinched as Chris spun the wheel once more. Which this time reached Duncan. “Duncan’s challenge is… pass 5 minutes inside of a box with the El Mongo and La Muerte stink bomb.”
This time Owen’s eyes went wide open, the same way Lindsay and Heather froze, from looking at Chef wearing a gas mask, while two cadets raised their eyebrows.
“I PAY UP MINE FREEBIES.” Both Lindsay and Heather gave 4 freebies in panic, while Owen gulped… as he looked at the empty balcony, he didn’t have an escape from that.
“Oh come on, it doesn’t smell that bad.” MacArthur opened slightly the paper bag and immediately looked inside. “HOLY*BEEEEEEEEEP* Blurgh.” And with that MacArthur vomited which made now the challenge between the host himself and the military cook of the show.
Owen looked fearful as the cadets even vomited together, since Sanders saw someone who rarely vomits like her partner do it and then having a small fraction of the terrible smell, yeah, she didn’t have a chance.
.
.
.
“And the 5 minutes start now,” Chris said as he was using a gas mask as well. He was curious about how terrible the smell was, but he wasn’t an idiot to give a try since he was betting with Chef to not vomit.
“Dear guacamole,” Owen said as he took a deep breath, and went inside of the wooden box, with the insides already covered from the stink bomb.
Lindsay and Heather shivered from having terrible memories, which they almost vomited into trying to remember the terrible and traumatic event they had weeks ago.
The campers heard the sounds of Owen trying to get out from there, but Chef had locked the doors. Since it was a Killer Bass Challenge, he was forced to stay there.
Then the 5 minutes were over, and Owen got out from there, as he looked devoid of life. And consequently, both Chef and Chris forgot their gas mask, and by the time the door went open, and they approached Owen, the smell coming from him was so strong, that made both Chef and Chris place both hands together on their noses, and also had almost vomiting on their hands, so they tried their best and luckily gulp down their vomits. It was only the two to make sure one or the other would lose the bet.
“And Owen got 3 more freebies,” Chris said as the freebies appeared in front of Owen, which he simply pushed to Lindsay who looked sad at the big man.
“And now it’s your turn Owen… Let’s spin the wheel…” Chris made Owen hesitantly spin the bottle, and then the tip of the bottle went to Cody’s picture. “Alright, Eat Dog Food.”
And this time the sparkles returned to the big guy’s eyes.
“YEAH BABY. A BREAK!” Owen cheered while both Lindsay and Heather looked at each other in concern.
“Okay! Down, boy!” Chris commented as Chef brought the tray with dog food, which the host decided to ask. “I’m surprised after everything you passed, you think dog food was a good break for you.”
“You have no idea,” Owen commented as he was relieved and as Chris brought the tray in front of him. “My dog digs this food. Time to find out what I’ve been missing! Haha.”
And then Chris, Chef, the same way Lindsay and Heather were surprised, even the cadets looked weirdly until Owen opened his big mouth and gave big bites on the tray, he didn’t use utensils and was eating like an animal as he was eating loudly. And with dog food covering around his mouth.
“Meaty tasting,” Owen said, refreshed and happy.
While Chef and Chris were so disgusted, that Chris couldn’t take it anymore, and vomited on the floor. He got up and raised the quantity of money for Chef who smirked and took it from him. In the same way, the cadets vomited on the floor, and each of them gave their money to Chef, who was now happy with his victory… Until his stomach couldn’t take it anymore and made himself vomit on the floor as well.
Lindsay and Heather also started to vomit.
(Confession – Chris)
“Okay. That was so gross!” Chris confessed as he also started to vomit on the confession, while he felt his stomach hurt. “Is there nothing these freaks won’t do?”
Owen got freed from his debt while Lindsay gave a spin on the bottle, which was a dare of eating Kiss one of Chef’s socks in the guise of a sock puppet play of the princess and the frog. She chose Owen to be the frog while the sock puppet was the princess, which was still weird to see Owen making out with a sock, and that made Sanders vomit, while MacArthur and Lindsay clapped, Heather just rolled her eyes and clapped sarcastically.
Then it got Heather who got Noah’s challenge of Wrestling the alligator which Owen fought and got hurt from trying to survive against the reptile.
And then it came the next Killer Bass dare. Which then spun directly at Courtney… Chris palled as he got a look at the terrible challenge the top 3 were going to suffer, and from the look of the host, the trio looked afraid of what they were going to do next.
“Eat a spoon of El Mongo and La Muerte.” Chris commented as Owen’s eyes shrank, and immediately Lindsay and Heather pushed their freebies. “Well Owen, it seems is up to you again.”
“Oh no…” Owen commented as he looked at Chef who was now wearing the gas mask, and went inside the wooden cabin, and brought a metal spoon of the green radioactive color, he showed it to Owen who just gulped his saliva, and slowly went to reach the spoon, and when Owen quickly gave a bite… His entire body froze and it went into collapse.
Owen had reached his limit.
And like a hydrant, his body cowered and vomited so much that the group had their mouths dropped in shock. From saw everything, dog food, a pink liquid mixed with saliva, and even pancakes coming out mixed with the green vomit liquid.
(Confession – Heather)
“HE IS NOT INVENCIBLE,” Heather cheered as then suddenly it came to a memory of what happened, and she immediately vomited on the confession. That day would be the most annoying day for the interns to clean up that mess.
Owen was in a medical situation as he even got time on life support, Chris and Chef placed the 3 freebies for Owen and Chris immediately started to spin the bottle, which reached Leshawna.
“Walk across a tight rope holding meat above shark-infested waters,” Chris said, as Owen slowly pointed at Heather, which made her surprised to see Owen finally attacking. And she didn’t have any freebie to protect herself.
(Confession – Heather)
“Wow, that was a dick move…” Heather commented as she narrowed her eyes. But nodded her head in the next second “Respect. That would have been something I would have done. Still, he is screwed the time I get my revenge, but I respect his play on this round.”
Heather forcefully went to the rope, and she got scared, especially with the sharks jumping and trying to bite her, with all the meat that she had around her, it was terrifying, but nothing that she couldn’t manage to deal with the challenge. She suffered a lot, and thankfully she didn't use heels at that moment because it would be easy for her to fall and become shark food. But after crossing the rope, she could be happy to relax for a while.
Lindsay was next, which made the next challenge eating a cockroach, and Owen was still feeling his stomach sensitive, so he decided to use one of the freebies which made him have only 2.
Lindsay and Heather discovered now Owen had more chance than them, so they needed to get the freebies back, but now it was the time they were afraid of...
It came to the Killer Bass challenge, in which Chris spun the wheel. This time they reached Tyler again.
“Pass over your body the special sunscreen made by the Killer Bass,” Chris said, which Heather raised her eyebrows. When she saw Chef carrying a tray, there were 3 bottles of sunscreen and each of them had a name on it. “All you had to do is pass 2 minutes with this around your body. And then you will get the freebie.”
“Just like that? Nothing too extreme?” Heather didn’t like what was happening, and Lindsay and Owen were also hesitant.
“Yep, all you had to do is use this sunscreen in your body, and then you will get the freebies,” Chris commented as he tried to remain composed, and since nobody of them had freebies enough, they had to obey.
Lindsay passed the sunscreen from her bottle, the same way as Owen and Heather. And from the time they passed, it looked like sunscreen, but something was strange, it was more sticky…They were afraid to even ask…
And then Chris after passing a whole minute… Decided to open his mouth.
“Also, did any of you watch American Pie? There was one iconic scene, which the Killer Bass based this… Did you know that this sunscreen is *beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep*” And at the time Chris started to explain, Heather, Lindsay, and Owen had their eyes wide open and their mouths dropped in such disgust and terror.
“No no no NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.” Heather ran away from the amphitheater, while Lindsay and Owen ignored it and ran straight to the docks, where they jumped to clean up their bodies. Using rocks, sand, and even seaweed to clean up themselves.
Heather spent 20 minutes in the shower while using anything to clean up where she placed that disgusting cream, which made her vomit in the bathroom and on herself, hoping that her vomit would mask the terrible feeling of the disgusting liquid they placed on their skin.
Owen spun the bottle, and the more they did the Screaming Gophers dares, the more he felt grateful for the easier ones. However, Trent’s idea to eat rancid broccoli, made his stomach hurt, so he decided to give the dare to Lindsay who ate it, but on the next second, she vomited.
Lindsay spun the wheel and this time went to Justin, who challenged them to make a bungee jump from the cliff of the show, and Lindsay dared Owen to be the one doing the dare. But since Owen had a fear of heights, he used his freebie, making him have 4.
Heather’s time was that she had Izzy's challenge, which this time was to get an ink time bomb exploding at her, as Heather decided to accept the dare, Owen was happy that he wasn’t the one getting an explosion on his face again.
Heather had to be in a safety area while she had to hold the bomb and wait for the timer to turn to 0, and at the time it happened Heather was prepared with her eyes and mouth shut, which still was big enough to make her entire body covered with pink ink, which was very annoying to her.
And now it was resumed to Heather with 4 Freebies, Lindsay with 3, and Owen with 4.
Once again was the time to spin the Killer Bass bottle. Which this time went for Harold.
“Eat a bull’s testicles, but also eat a bull’s penis. Cooked of course.” That made Heather and Lindsay’s eyes go wide open, and Owen cowered his legs while thinking about how the poor creature had to suffer this terrible outcome. “It’s a delicacy in some countries, and I’m sure that you will be enjoying a good cultural moment.”
Heather and Owen immediately placed their freebies, while Lindsay tried to run away, but Chef already captured her, and cadet Sanders and MacArthur made Lindsay eat the terrible food. But to her surprise, it wasn’t the worst thing she ate… But still having such a food shoved on her mouth, made her gulp but also vomit on the cadets, which they also started to vomit at them.
"*BEEP*" MacArthur shouted angrily as both she and her partner looked very angry from receiving such vomit on their face. But it was enough to make Chris appear between them.
“Alright, I think we need a commercial break from here. You all are disgusting. You all have 1 hour to refresh yourselves, take a shower, eat anything to help your stomach and be prepared for the rest of the day. Because from the look of this… We are going to take a long time of this.” Chris commented as Lindsay ran directly into the bathroom to clean up her stomach, Owen fainted and Heather looked traumatized.
(Girl's Cabin)
“We need to think of something,” Heather commented as Lindsay was drinking all the water she could to make sure to clean up her stomach, as she was still feeling disgusted by every challenge that she had to suffer. “I have a slight feeling the Killer Bass had a pickbone with us. And I have fear of what other challenges those fish heads are going to give us.”
“I still feel icky because of the food from the last challenge… Why do you think they are doing this to us?” Lindsay said fearfully as Heather was thinking a lot…
“The only conclusion was they were aiming to hit Owen where it hurts. Because you saw that even he has fears of what Killer Bass's challenges were. So that probably would be something that would damage not only us but the only way to hurt the fat boy as well.” Heather commented as she passed a few minutes thinking. “In comparison to them, the Screaming Gophers Challenges felt more lame.”
“Really lame.” Lindsay agreed with her best friend, which made both Lindsay and Heather suddenly remember the first episode when Beth in fear didn’t jump from the cliff. And with a good memory, both the blonde bombshell and the queen bee gave a small smile. Even as it seems their quote was exchanged. “At least we have one hour to recover ourselves.”
“We need to plan something, Lindsay. We discovered that Owen can also be beaten, but we need to work harder.” Heather commented as Lindsay nodded her head.
“Can we form an alliance until the next challenge?” Lindsay asked in hope, which made Heather blink… And give a reply that made Lindsay smile warmly.
“I thought we were already in one. Working together to bring the fat boy down.” Heather commented, Lindsay gave a hug to her. And while the camera showed a good smile on her face. It seems the duo of the queen bee and the blonde girl are still partners. And ready to continue the game.
(Amphitheater)
The one hour had passed, and the campers now looked a bit more hesitant towards the wheel which this time looked something different… There was only 1 wheel… and this time there were pictures of all the campers who lost. But different than most of the part… it’s that there were more pictures of the Killer Bass Campers than the Screaming Gophers… which now made things even more intimidating.
“Welcome back campers. Now that you all rested well, it’s time to make things more interesting.” Chris commented as he had an evil smirk on his face. Which this time made Lindsay, Heather, and Owen pale as Chris had a bunch of papers in his hands. “This time, it will be a combination of the wheels, and following the rules of some of the former wheels as well. You all will receive the dares done by the campers on this wheel, and to get out from these challenges, it now requires 8 freebies. But every time you finish the dares you will get 3 of them… ah ah ah. This time you can give up, but by chickening out, you will lose the challenge and with that the Dock of Shame.”
Heather and Lindsay looked at the wheel in despair, while Owen trembled in fear and started to sweat.
“Alright, let’s get this new phase started,” Chris commented as he once again started to spin the wheel. But this time the top 3 campers felt the despair getting into their hearts.
Lindsay was lucky that she had 6 freebies, and she would need 2 more, to be able to use it in the challenge that she wouldn’t want it.
But for the first time, the bottle tip went in the photograph of DJ.
“Alright, DJ’s dare is to… Eat the most fearful pepper known at Jamaica, the merciless pepper Obeah’s Soul Scorcher.” Chris commented as Chef who was nearby with both cadets got their eyes wide open in surprise.
“HOLY*BEEEP*” Chef shouted as his reaction made the campers look at the reaction in fear, especially since both cadets even sweat it and gasped.
“Wasn’t that kind of pepper talked about it in the pepper spray training?” MacArthur asked which Sanders commented.
“1,444,666 in Scoville Units. And with alcohol and other chemical, it would make a strong pepper spray of the Police Academy.” Sanders replied, as the more the campers listened the worse would get inside of their hearts. “Nobody would be stupid to eat one of those in one go.”
“Well, thanks for the input, Sanders. But we have already 3 volunteers.” Chris gave a smirk, which both Lindsay and Heather palled and got goosebumps, while Owen trembled, and gulped…
“I was curious about what you were going to ask me to do with this pepper, but eat this pepper by itself without preparation with food and not make at least a chicken food with it? DJ’s momma is going to freak out. Hell, even I’m freaking out.” Chef said as he brought with himself wearing kitchen gloves and a kitchen tong, and on the tongs itself there it was 3 peppers on it. The cruel and the merciless Obeah’s Soul Scorcher peppers.
The pepper is a fearsome sight to behold. Its dark purple skin is smooth and glossy, but what truly sets it apart is the eerie, luminescent green glow lines that emanate from within. This glow pulses rhythmically, as if the pepper itself were alive, giving it an otherworldly appearance. The pepper is small, about the size of a golf ball, and has a twisted, almost sinister shape, with tendrils that seem to curl and reach out like the fingers of a spectral hand.
“Someone wants to chicken out?” Chris asked smugly, as the campers were too afraid to even open their mouths. “The challenge is, you had to eat this, and just wait 5 minutes before we give you the supply needed for you to have such a relief. You have no problem if you try to use anything to help you between the 5 minutes, but the only relief you will get is after 5 minutes.”
“So if we ate the pepper we still would be safe? Even if we try to drink water we still would remain on the game?” Heather asked while Chris chuckled.
“Sure, but I won’t recommend drinking water, because it could make it even worse. But sure, it’s on you.” Chris gave a smirk Chef made sure to even give rubber gloves to each of them. “You better wear that, because you never know that you accidentally touched your face with a hand who touched this pepper.”
Lindsay sweated a lot and was about to step back. But Heather held her arm strongly.
“We got this,” Heather commented firmly, as Heather and Lindsay gave a look to Owen who started to sweat but still had a courageous smile on his face.
“Bring it on,” Owen said in excitement. Immediately the trio would soon discover something they weren’t ready for.
Wearing the gloves and making a whole bite of the Obeah’s Soul Scorcher pepper. Chris started the clock as the trio already started eating the pepper. The silence was met as soon Lindsay and Heather started to flinch in pain.
“Oh *beep*” Heather commented as her face started to get red, while Lindsay was having a hiccup crisis, not even Owen was safe since he was also feeling his sweat getting painful across his face, and his breath was making even worse, as he felt the air was spreading the fire inside of his mouth. As Heather felt her eyes shedding tears, and Lindsay coughing while still having a hiccup.
It was a torture for them to pass. They felt like their mouths were melting, and their throats were in closing.
Nobody knows what the sadistic thoughts the kindest of the Killer Bass had when he asked them to do such a torturous challenge.
A minute passed like it was an hour and 3 minutes like a whole day.
“I hate the world,” Heather commented as her face was sweating, and breathing was like death to her. And Lindsay was lying on the floor, crying as the pain was still inside of her.
Owen’s face was totally red, and he was in deep sweat.
“Need. NEED WATER.” Owen said as both cadets gave a water bottle to the big guy, who thought it was a good idea. But at the time he started drinking. He felt his entire face burn and his tongue cry in pain. “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. ANYTHING, ANYTHING TO MAKE THE PAIN GO AWAY.”
Owen jumped off the stage and went to despaired moment to see mud nearby, and with an idea on his mind, he decided to eat it.
Chris and Chef looked a bit weirded out but shrugged as it wasn’t the worst thing they ever watched him eat it.
“Poor little fella,” Chef commented as both cadets raised their eyebrows at him. “I will be right back.”
When the 5 minutes of torture was done, Chris was happy to give the relief each camper deserved.
“Alright guys, it seems that you all survived the challenge, now you all can enjoy the sweet relief.” Chris snapped his fingers, and MacArthur and Sanders brought gallons of milk which the trio desperately started to drink.
“I also brought chocolate ice cream if you guys want,” Chef said cheerfully, and the trio had their eyes wide open, looking at the brown sugary ice dessert, being in a familiar cup from when they watched the video of the first challenge…
It wasn’t a shock they ended up vomiting the milk they had drank into each other. Even Owen which already hit the limit of his stomach.
“This episode is the most disgusting I ever made yet.” Chris smiled as he showed a board that had Lindsay = 9, Owen = 3, and Heather = 3.
Showing the quantities of freebies the group had, and the more challenges that it was about to happen.
The next challenge asked by Harold was to take 10 shots of cockroaches blended together, which immediately sounded an idea so disgusting, that Lindsay immediately bailed out, while Heather and Owen had to hold themselves together and drink each shot…
Owen for a miracle didn’t vomit, but at the time he finished, he fainted, while Heather had to vomit, and then drink the shots over again… Needlessly to say she felt herself losing her mind if she kept doing that. But after finishing it she just saw a little cockroach on her vomit, and then the vomit happened all over again.
Lindsay = 1, Owen = 6 and Heather =6.
Thankfully for the small mercies, some of the Screaming Gophers' challenges managed to help them out, like drinking a slush so quickly to make their minds freeze, and it had been a great contrast in comparison to the cruel pepper challenge made by the others.
Lindsay = 4, Owen = 9 and Heather =9.
The next challenge went directly at Eva which was to be running on a gym treadmill for 10 minutes at a constant speed… they have collar shocks to make sure they would continue at the same speed constantly.
Owen in fear of exercise and trauma of Eva, gave right away the freebies, while Heather had the option of doing the same… Chris didn’t specify which speed was so she decided to help Lindsay by also taking the challenge.
“Alright, your speed must be 6 kilometers per hour, for 10 minutes,” Chris said as the treadmills decided to be in the speed, while both girls looked at each other, but nodding their heads, they worked together, which they should take the opportunity of the challenges they knew they could see as the easy ones.
And to be honest, in comparison to all of the others, just showing physical working out, both girls had to keep running, even if Heather cursed herself to be wearing heels which made it even worse for them.
Both girls had to take a powerful shock as they took out their heels just to return to the treadmill. But still, they managed to take their exhaustion from the working out. And now they were drinking water bottles and recovering their breaths.
“Alright, I’m glad that you all are enjoying the warm-up. Now let’s keep doing our best shall we?” Chris's smirk was on the point that it was infuriating for both Heather and Lindsay, but they were so tired that the only thing they did was flip a finger in front of him. “Woah, rude.”
The girls ignored and went back to their seats.
Lindsay = 7, Owen = 1 and Heather =12.
And then the next challenge was asked by Katie which was to be in a making out session with a dead fish for 5 minutes, but the catch was… Inside the fish, there was hot sauce on its tongue, which Lindsay, Owen, and Heather had a terrible surprise, while Chris almost vomited but the desire to laugh on the faces of the campers who once again were attacked by the peppers made him to himself together.
Heather and Lindsay were screaming curses inside of themselves trying to figure out who in their dammed minds would want to place hot sauce in the mouth of a dead fish, and what the objectives of the Killer Bass into make the challenges very painful and disgusting for them.
Lindsay = 10, Owen = 4 and Heather =15.
Next Sadie as the irony of the Destiny, which made Owen had his eyes wide open as Sadie asked the trio to do a 10-minute gym bicycle session while wearing collar shocks, and the weight of the pedal would be 5 kilograms, which would be a terrible pain after 10 minutes of doing it.
Heather and Lindsay managed to get out from the challenge with a few shocks and a sore on their legs, but Owen was getting electrocuted every 2 minutes, which had been torture for him.
“GIVE UP OWEN,” Heather shouted as she wanted so much to end the day. “The quicker you get out of the show, the faster we can end this terrible day.”
“Hahahaha, thanks for being worried about me, but I still keep doing it…” Owen said that he didn’t understand that Heather wanted to get out of the show, not because she was worried about him, but because she wanted him to leave.
Heather groaned. While Lindsay whimpered in pain.
Lindsay = 13, Owen = 7 and Heather =18.
Then came another challenge made by Geoff which was to drink powdered fruit punch from the communal toilet… Both Heather and Lindsay felt disgusted… But there was also another catch…
“After Owen had used it without flushing,” Chris smirked as Owen then realized something.
“Oh, so that’s why the flush isn’t working on the 1-hour break,” Owen commented as he then saw Lindsay and Heather pushing their freebies to the host who smirked at them. “Oh, so it’s only me who had to do it?”
“YES.” Both Lindsay and Heather commented annoyed as Owen just shrugged.
.
.
.
And just like that, Chris placed a whole fruit punch inside of the communal toilet and used a plunger to mix everything on the toilet, even the little brown things floating around, and with a little straw, he gave it to Owen who gulped his saliva dry.
And at that moment Owen started drinking just a few sips until he tasted a bit.
“Okay, it’s not so bad,” Owen commented as Chris immediately vomited on there, while Owen saw the vomit, he felt his stomach also hurt. “Never mind.”
And with that, the sounds of vomit happened across the communal bathrooms, and the Chef and the cadets were happy to not be in that place to see the disgrace since they felt they already had enough vomiting.
Lindsay = 5, Owen = 10 and Heather =10.
And from another spin happened as immediately crossed to Bridgette, which Lindsay feared that she wouldn’t be able to save herself.
“Be inside the airplane that Chef will be piloting, and have him do 3 air-loops in the air,” Chris commented the blonde girl, was almost afraid, but then she waited in silence, expecting even worse… Until Chris remained in silence.
“That’s it?” Heather commented in disbelief, as she never thought it would have been that easy.
“Here Chris.” Until Owen gave the freebies and looked fearfully at Chef who was smirking at him. “I’m not going back to that metal trap. Fly? Me? Never.”
And then Lindsay blinked and started to sweat with Heather, and the queen bee knew that she would regret her decisions.
.
.
.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH” Both Lindsay and Heather screamed in fear as Chef was making their lives hell, as Chef was doing air loops, doing crazy maneuvers from the airplane he used on the Phobia Factor, and creating many traumatic memories from the girls who just got unlucky to be on the same airplane as him.
(Confession – Lindsay)
“Killer Bass is trying to kill us,” Lindsay said as she was crying on the confession, it had been very traumatic for her to continue on the game. “Why do we still have to keep doing it? This is a torture. Mommy, Daddy, Paula, Charlie. *sniff* *sniff*… This is a nightmare.”
Lindsay = 8, Owen = 2 and Heather =13.
At the time the next spin happened, it reached Ezekiel, and both girls felt traumatized by what the person who made them listen to such scaring horror story about a Freak barber now had once again placed a challenge…
“Ezekiel’s dare is… lick the electric lollipop slowly…” Owen raised his eyebrows interested, while both Lindsay and Heather looked at each other in confusion…
“What do you mean electric lollipop?” Heather asked as she felt that she would regret asking, until she heard the sounds of a taser buzzing which made both the queen bee and the blond girl stare at MacArthur with a sadistic smile on her face, while she placed the turned on taser tied to a stick. The stick had written a small banner… (Jackass Forever). “What the *beep*?”
“Well for a person who likes to watch movies. I can imagine where he got this creative idea from.” Chris commented as he chuckled.
“I don’t want to do it.” Lindsay passed the 8 freebies.
“Oh hell no. I’m also not going to do it.” Heather commented as she gave the freebies, which made Owen the only one who had his mind thinking.
“Well, I think I’m going to accept it… I never tasted electricity before.” Owen commented with an optimistic smile, while he slowly placed his tongue. “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH,”
“Ah ah ah.” Heather decided to use that as an opportunity to make it worse for Owen. “What the hell of a lick was that, it was too quick, Ezekiel said slowly.”
“YEAH, DO IT SLOWLY OWEN,” Lindsay shouted as she was making it clear for the big man to understand the challenge. “Or you can give up now and go home.”
Which Owen nodded his head.
(Confession – Owen)
“I don’t know why, but I think Heather and Lindsay wanted me to stop taking the dares…” Owen spent a few seconds staring at the camera in thought, but then he just shrugged. “Nah, they are just worried, maybe I should keep going.”
*Bzzz* *Bzzz* *Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz*
And to the disbelief of both girls, they watched Owen keep licking the taser and the electricity, while Chef and the cadets were also with their mouths dropped, and Chris pinched between his nose.
“Of course, he would enjoy that. Alright, Owen, that’s enough.” Chris commented as Owen felt like he was with the taser already in his mouth.
“Hmmmm, burning taste,” Owen commented as it showed a good part of his tongue red, probably by all the high electricity he got on his tongue.
Lindsay = 0, Owen = 5 and Heather =5.
Chris was having fun, as it had been a good rest for the campers who had been taking a lot of challenges dead on.
“Alright campers, I have to confess that you guys are crazy. You managed to reach this far. And I’m both proud and disgusted by you all.” Chris said as Chef and the cadets started clapping for the trio who remained on their last resources… “And now that you all need to be together let’s continue the challenge.”
Chris then once again spun the bottle which was enough to make each of them fear for what was going to happen next. But each time it was a member of Screaming Gophers, the crew got more and more relieved of what would be the challenge.
Leshawna had challenged the group to get covered in itchy powder, which the group was uncomfortable with but managed to overcome to get freebies.
Lindsay = 3, Owen =8 and Heather =8.
Beth Challenged the group to get covered in worms just like she did in the Phobia factor. And from the time Lindsay and Heather accepted the challenge, Owen pushed his freebies which made him with 0 once again.
(Confession – Heather)
“Okay, I think I got the pattern, whenever is an insect or weight, it has a great chance for Owen to pass his freebies. While me and Lindsay still have ours… So we must think the right timing to do it.”
The more time passed, the more the campers suffered with the tortures, from doing absurd things like covering themselves with honey and going to pass 3 minutes near the bear. To get tortured by tickles for a whole minute. Noah still was a bit weird, since he dared each of them to get 10 pies launched on their faces which had been very humiliating, but manageable for them to accomplish the dare without much complaining. It had been complicated, and both Heather and Lindsay were mentally, physically, and even spiritually exhausted. But thankfully Owen wasn’t even feeling the best as well. The trio looked at their score and the remaining freebies they had each.
Lindsay = 9, Owen = 6 and Heather =14.
“Alright guys, it seems that you Lindsay, and Heather managed to have 14. Lindsay, you have 9, Owen you have 6, and it seems that we have a few remaining options. I cannot believe you all reached to final point. But I’m glad that you got you there. HAHAHAHAHA.” Chris commented that the more Lindsay and Heather remained in the game, the more they wanted to quit… “But now that the well spent to Gwen, her dare is… Jump from an airplane in 5 thousand feet in a parachute.”
“This is the time I was waiting for,” Heather commented as she placed her freebies to Chris and Lindsay did the same. Owen after hearing the challenge his eyes shrank, and he touched the tip of his fingers and looked sheepishly at the duo of tired girls.
“Err… girls?” Owen asked sheepishly, as both Lindsay and Heather were frowning at him. “Can you borrow me a few freebies for me to not do the challenge?”
Heather and Lindsay glared at the big guy, who just realized they were mad at him.
“No…” Heather said slowly…
“Owen, you are a sweet guy, and very kind… but can you do me a favor? AND GO *BEEP* HOME?” Lindsay said furiously as the fat boy flinched, when Lindsay was angry like that, and even cursing, it meant someone messed up, and he had some kind of feeling that they probably were very angry at him.
“Errr…” Owen was unsure until he got the parachutes from Chris while wearing his pilot uniform… And looking at the fear he had over flying. He couldn’t help but sigh. Now with no other choice but to give the parachute back to Chris. "I can't do this Chris."
Now it seems they finally concluding... Owen just accepted defeat.
.
.
.
Owen walked towards the boat as Chef was already preparing himself to drive him off. While Chris walked towards both Heather and Lindsay who were on the docks, watching Owen giving a final wave at the girls, Lindsay waved back, and Heather rolled her eyes but sighed in relief.
“And then there were two. Tune in to see who will win the check for 100.000 dollars on Total Drama Island!” Chris commented as Lindsay gave a hug to Heather who just got a second, to relax, but then smiled at her best friend. And with that, the final 2…
Two girls who worked together to defeat the Titan of the show.
(Playa Del Losers)
"You guys are depraved," Noah commented as he himself had got out of the bathroom after flushing a few times. "I thought it was to make their lives painful and humiliating, not to destroy the stomachs of everyone who will watch this episode."
"Oh come on Noah, don't tell me that you didn't feel vindicated from Heather getting your dares?" Ezekiel said as he rolled his eyes.
Noah raised his finger to comment, but after a second of silence, he decided to not be against the point.
"I know, and I loved every second of her pain. But I would also have loved to not have vomited that much." Noah said as Izzy gave a tissue for the bookworm to clean himself.
"Well to be honest I kinda felt my dares were too tame in comparison to yours. The eletric lollipop? That was genius." Izzy commented as Ezekiel snickered. "Also, Jackass Forever? Is that a reference?"
"More like an inspiration for the future Izzy," Ezekiel commented as he gave a hint to the military girl who nodded her head in understanding. "Also, I think we needed to be fair with the top 3. Owen is picky just as raccoon. So we needed to reach the point to see who could break him first. And Courtney was the first one which sucked for us. Now she won 1 thousand dollars from the bet. And we managed to break them."
"Yeah. So much that you send Owen back home. Not going to lie, I thought any of those prick girls would have been the ones to give up." The brainiac commented as Izzy giggled and rolled her eyes.
"Oh, now you are underestimating my girls. They passed a lot on this show with me. So they know how to deal with most of the challenges." Izzy commented as she looked at one of the drawings of Ezekiel's sketchbook. "Thanks again for helping me to develop the design of the mascots, Zeke, I heard a lot of positive reviews from the factory as the employees seemed to find cute and hilarious about two brothers being beaver mascots for my Sap factory. They are even developing the logo of my factory to make them similar to the Beaver Brothers."
"Happy to know. I can accept 100 thousand dollars as payment." Ezekiel joked as he got a slight punch on his shoulder. "Ouch... Okay, I will make a discount of okay okay, I'm glad to help a friend."
Ezekiel raised his arms as he saw Izzy ready to punch his shoulder again.
"Yeah, yeah. Can you two stop acting like best friends and we debate more about what the fuck was this challenge?" Noah said as he clearly rolled his eyes and pressed further the issue on Ezekiel. "I never watched American Pie before but even I know that sunscreen was..."
"I suggested the idea, but who made the execution was Geoff, Duncan, Tyler, and Harold..." Ezekiel commented as both raised his eyebrows. "Tyler wanted to be the only one to fulfill Lindday's bottle so that's why we tagged them. The rest even I don't want to know."
"That's disgusting," Noah said as he saw Ezekiel nodding his head.
"Yeah, Harold is probably shouting with Beth right now since she suggested taking the ball of gum he was collecting," Ezekiel commented as Izzy raised her eyebrow at him. "Remember when I asked why he was doing it and he said it's because he was helping his cousin with a science study about developing bacteria inside of a gum?"
Izzy nodded her head.
"Oh right. That's why he was placing the boggers inside of it. To feed the bacteria inside." Izzy agreed with what she had heard and from seeing the muffles of shouting under them..."Wow, Harold must be very pissed."
"She may have done it without his permission. And all those weeks and probably months of collecting it for the project, wasted by getting rechewed by Owen." Ezekiel commented as Noah rolled his eyes as he continued to read the book he brought to distract himself. And with a few seconds of silence, he then raised another question. "How did Gwen know about two girls and one cup?"
"Oh, blames her brother for challenging her into watching it with him." Ezekiel shrugged as both felt a shiver on their spines. "How did you know about the video?"
"Sisters a prank and a lot of grounding from our parents. They kinda deserved it thought, and how did you know about it?" Noah commented as Izzy looked confused.
"Gwen described it for us..." That's everything Ezekiel was going to tell Noah since Izzy knew Ezekiel knew... But she was still confused.
"I don't know about that video, what was on there to be so traumatizing to be on the first challenge?" Izzy asked as Ezekiel decided to whisper in her ear... And slowly Izzy became torn into colors of red and green of disgusting. "Ewwwww"
"We know." Both Noah and Ezekiel commented as the duo seemed to be talking, and then the homeschooled boy looked at the papers over the bed... The contract.
"So did you sign it?" Ezekiel asked as the bookworm nodded his head.
"Yeah, as much I would love to be doing nothing, I think working into fixing books and pointing out flaws is kinda funny to me. So I'm in." Noah commented as Ezekiel smiled and gave a handshake and Izzy gave a hug to both of them.
"Alright, now Ezekiel is hiring and has his first employee, so I'm not the only boss around here," Izzy said as the trio decided to cheer for a personal success while they watched Owen leaving the show.
.
.
.
As Noah left the bedroom, Izzy came up with an excuse which led her to be in Ezekiel's bedroom just for a few more minutes.
"So now that Owen was eliminated. It's going to be between Heather and Lindsay." Izzy commented as Ezekiel took a soda and started to drink. "While you said Heather was going to be eliminated because Gwen and Owen worked together. From what you told me, those challenges weren't as bad in comparison to what I watched today. What happened?"
"Well, I and the Killer Bass wanted to make sure this time the challenge would be fair. And from my experience of the future. We focused on the only 4 things Owen would never go into doing the challenges." Ezekiel commented as Izzy nodded her head.
"His fear of heights and even insects were a pattern on there," Izzy commented amused by which Ezekiel nodded his head.
"In Ridonculous Race, Noah took 5 random spices which would be very spicy and thought Owen was going to take it... It was too much, even for Owen so he had to drink the saliva of a camel and it was disgusting." Ezekiel explained as Izzy nodded that spicy on a certain level could break Owen. "And Eva's style of exercises. From what Eva told me, he is very afraid of her. So using that would also make Owen feel the dares and would also give a fair game to Heather and Lindsay."
"Well, now that the only person who was going to trade the 100 thousand bucks to 1 million is eliminated, do you think any of the girls are going to do it?" Izzy commented as the brown-haired boy nodded his head.
"Well, Chris is going to do it whenever they want or not. But I really prefer if one of those two does it of their own volition because that would give a good chance of showing their good heart. But still, there is a good chance that after that challenge. There will the season 2 like you confirmed to me." Ezekiel nodded his head, the good advantage of being part of the backstage was to confirm holes and questions made by the fandom for so long. "But still I'm going to miss this place..."
"Yeah, me too," Izzy asked as the ginger military girl was satisfied with the answers given by her friend. And while she decided to make one last joke. "So Jackass Forever is real?"
"The last movie of the franchise from what I remember, they did in 2020, and had some crazy challenges, like the electric tapdance which you probably know how it would end," Ezekiel commented as Izzy tilted her head.
"Actually I never watched a movie like Jackass before," Izzy confessed which made Ezekiel surprised.
"Really? Because in a few years, it will happen their third movie which is one of my favorites." Ezekiel commented as the girl raised her eyebrow at him. "Hey, from a selection of years to come it was hard to do a top ten okay?"
"Well? What is your favorite movie of all time then? The one you would watch and rewatch and never gets old." Izzy asked which made Ezekiel scoff.
"Ocean's Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen easily," Ezekiel commented that he never would back down from a good movie, since he loved to watch since as a child.
"Oh, really?" Izzy commented as she sounded surprised, but then with a good smile, she decided to say her as well. "Well, I love James Bond movies. My family loves watching soy movies, especially me and my siblings. We have the entire collection of his movies, since the first actor until Daniel Craig movies."
"Really? Wow, that's neat." Ezekiel commented that a good part of himself could see why since knowing from which parents she came from, he knew that at least some of their personalities and maybe hidden lore still stuck with their children. "Well, I know some funny jokes about James Bond if you are interested to know."
"Jokes? Like what?" Izzy raised her eyebrows, as Ezekiel snicked.
"Oh, well there is one which is my favorite, hear me out... One day Agent 006 went to Q to talk about their mission..." Ezekiel decided to tell the joke to his best friend.
.
.
.
Izzy could say with passion that she spent the entire night laughing, she got herself caught laughing in her sleep. Even as it had been indeed one of the funniest things that she ever heard before.
Yeah... after a crazy and disgusting day, ending with good laughs would be the best for everyone.
Chapter 43: Aftermatch 3
Chapter Text
For so many years, people would always say that both Jane and Sky would have stomach iron, for never once vomited once, in times of challenges made by their classmates or even when they visited their parents and grandparents to eat food and their traditional way of life whenever they could. But still nothing it prepared Sky and Jane for the episode of Triple Dog Dare You. Since there was nothing more than despair, disgustingness, and horrifying experience that would make everyone sick on the next day.
"I can't believe Killer Bass wanted so much to prejudice the top 3 that way," Jane commented as she felt nauseous but even as she tried to vomit, nothing would come out of her mouth. It had been both a blessing but also a curse, since her stomach couldn't help her in case of food poisoning, so she would take it just like her sister, who was also looking nauseous as well.
"I'm not sure I would have handled into taking Ezekiel's Stinkbomb like that, but even eating a spoon of it? I'm surprised that even Owen wouldn't be able to hold it off. Specially he seemed completely fine into rechewing Harold's gum and even eating dog's food." Sky commented as she tried to vomit but the only thing coming out from her mouth was a large burp that she used by drinking water with baking soda, as she knew her stomach was on the verge of blowing up. "I need to burp more."
"There is soda on the refrigerator, bring one for me okay?' Jane said as she was trying to not watch more of the episode but it was so cruel and disgusting that she couldn't help but keep watching it. "I just want to know why they would go that far to the others?"
"Well it's the final 3," Sky said as she let out a huge burp in the kitchen, while the sister almost was on the verge of vomiting but her stomach was forbidding her to even try. When she saw her younger sister bringing the soda bottle that she needed, she immediately drank as her sister continued to talk. "So probably the whole team wanted to make the game fair, because from what I just saw, Killer Bass challenges were the only ones which could make Owen on the tipping of his toes, so probably it would come to them to eliminate the the next contestant."
*BURRRRRRRRRP*
Jane let out a big burp, which was enough to make herself better and more relieved from watching such a disgusting episode, and she was glad that they were watching the episode on the weekend, because if the episode was released in the middle of the week, the teachers and the school staff must have prepared themselves to see the students looking sickned from watching the whole episode of the show, and it was indeed one of the most disgusting things they ever watched...
And they couldn't help but wonder, how far someone would go just for the prize of 100 thousand dollars.
"Everything is fine... everything is fine... everything is fine..." Dawn meditated as she tried to remain calm from watching a few scenes of the episode, but after hearing a warning from Mother Nature about how gruesome the challenges of the show would be, she knew that she would be prepared mentally, or she would suffer such terrible backlash, just like Brunch of Disgustness, and hearing from mother nature, the challenge was even related to some dead creatures which their death showed their concept of even after death, they wouldn't rest until the finish one last task. Which inflicted a heartache feeling on the moonchild.
Her father was very adamant about her watching the newest episode, but after watching so many episodes, and everything happening unfold, she needed to be brave and watch the whole pay-per-view by herself...
.
.
.
One hour later she already regretted it, from seeing how gruesome and horrifying an experience she had ever seen, cockroach shots made her faint after seeing such poor creatures being blended and drunk just like any alcohol, and then the bull's private parts being eaten, and then El Mongo and La Muerte being eaten one spoon, which by far she never thought mother nature would witness such concept of rules of the nature being broken. Owen just lived because of a miracle, from what Mother Nature explained, Owen had immunity from the Komodo Dragon, which had a lot of bacteria around his body, and yet it could take it like nothing... But seeing that even he had his own limits, was something extraordinary, and something that Mother Nature saw as a way of trying to break her own laws.
Things like that shouldn't defy the law of Nature...
"Someone eating El Mongo and La Muerte is like defying the true rules of nature. That's horrible," Dawn then heard something talking behind her, and she was surprised to see her father appearing with a palled face as he walked beside her and sat on the couch. "A terrible combination of skunk oil and rotten mayonnaise and even a few feces of animals could be a terrible combination, but to add some of the other disgusting things that even Mother Nature refuses to share sounds something that even Mother Nature herself felt horrified into watching Owen doing something so stupid like that."
"He was forced to do it," Dawn commented as a way to defend the big guy, but the father shook his head.
"It was the best call to throw up the towel from all the Screaming Gophers challenges and go straightly to the hospital, eating something like that would be very dangerous, and nobody should eat a spoon like that, not even someone so stupid that would be willing to hurt themselves. I mean, WHO IN THEIR DAMN MIND, WOULD BE STUPID ENOUGH TO EAT SOMETHING LIKE THAT?" The patriarch druid shouted as he questioned even Mother Nature someone stupid enough to be willing to hurt themselves that badly. Dawn remained quiet... in the same way, she just returned to watch television with her father, knowing they would still be willing to watch the terrible consequences of their ignorance.
"YOHHH, Jonny check this out." A voice from the telephone called the stuntman/skateboarder who had been enjoying a good time from the little scrapbook of ideas he was planning for some fun with his friends.
"What's up Steve-O, I'm kinda in the middle of my work progress." The said person was drinking an energy drink and watching some crazy videos on television.
"Dude, you need to check out the Canadian main channel, there is a show that it's on pay-per-view and the contestants had to do a lot of nasty and hurtful things," Steve-O called from the telephone as the black-haired man tilted his head and raised his eyebrow. "DUDE THEY STARTED WITH 2 GIRLS AND ONE CUP."
And just by hearing such words... Johnny threw away his papers and grabbed a few beers to enjoy the show.
.
.
.
"GODDAMN THAT WAS NASTY. HAHAHAH DUUUDE. I'M GOING TO THROW UP." Steve-O shouted as the other members of their group of friends made vomiting sounds.
"I have no fucking idea what El Mongo and La Muerte are... And now I want to try it so much." Johny commented in curiosity, as then he saw the next challenge. "HOLYSHIT THEY HAVE TO EAT ONE SPOON OF IT?"
"It's fine. That dude just rechewed a gum with boogers on it. He got this." Bam Margera commented as the others drank a few beers and talked on the telephone together... Until the group watched Owen vomiting."GODDAMN, IT WAS THAT IT TOOK TO TAKE HIM DOWN?"
"Damn. That must be disgusting." Weeman said as he even vomited on the line.
"These guys are nuts." The cast of Jackass watched in amusement the pay-per-view while laughing and vomiting from the craziness.
"Dude, the suncream mixed with Sperm I just saw it on American Pie. And they said it was fake, this one was a big deal." Chris Pontius commented as the other members got goosebumps while others laughed from the look on their faces.
"Man, why didn't watch this show before?" Johnny Knoxville commented as he was laughing hard from all the challenges made by the Killer Bass. "Man, the team Killer Bass must be crazier than us."
.
.
.
"HOLYSHIT THIS IS THE TRUE SHIT COCCTAIL, BLURGHHHHH." Steve-O vomited as the group followed Owen drinking fruit punch from Communal toilet.
It had been a crazy time, but hilarious at the same time.
.
.
.
"Hey guys, do you think you can handle that Jamaican pepper?" Weeman asked as the boys laughed in reply.
"Hell nah, just from looking at their faces. It would be almost like me to want to die." Bam replied as the others would say it was easy to deal with pepper.
"Steve-O, you once sniffed Wasabi, why not try to sniff this Jamaican pepper?" Preston suggested as the other stuntman laughed from the idea.
.
.
.
"Electric Lollipop?" The jackass cast wondered until they saw a taser wrapped in wood, which surprised the whole group... And what surprised them most was the little homage it was shown.
"Look at that, it's a fan... I like the homage." Bam commented as Johnny Noxvile nodded his head.
"Jackass Forever, I liked the sound of that. And these challenges are nasty. And a lot of fun." Johnny commented as he decided to take the name of the show. "Total Drama Island, does anyone record the episode?"
"Nah, but I'm planning to buy the DVD collection they are offering on the website." One of the cast members commented as the others felt pleased to want to share and hang out and laugh from the crazy reality show. "I heard this show is going to be on air in America next week, starting from the first episode. But the Pay-Per-View scenes will be only on DVD."
"Well, we can watch the season while someone can bring the DVDs and take drinks and shoot games while we watch." One of the boys commented as the whole cast decided to do it. To have fun...
Johny Noxville smiled as he had a few papers in hand with a few new ideas for the future movie he was planning to make with his friends.
The jackass 3D.
"Wow, she is sleeping." The afraid woman commented that she never imagined she would be so surprised to see a child she had been so scared off looking so peaceful.
"I'm kinda glad that I didn't need to read her a bedtime story, but wow, when I thought I was terrified, this boy who is the writer of the book really gave his all to make the story so terrifying, even his screams sounded real." The father commented as he could see little Lauren hugging him so sweetly, with one more concept in his mind. "I don't know how he did it, but Laren had been more sweet to us... I think the book did work."
"Yes, it really did. And she didn't need to watch the rest of the episode since I'm about to throw up." The wife commented that she never felt so disgusted in her life. "But I think this audio of him telling a bedtime story would help us to let him tell the story instead of us. Do you think it will be published?"
"Probably, but not going to lie... I'm enjoying reading the bedtime story for Lauren." The father commented which made the wife stare at him with her eyebrow raised. "What? Some stories were funny and wholesome. And I think it's indeed reaching her..."
"Then it's a miracle then... Let's pray for this to be enough to not make our daughter a serial killer." The wife commented as the father rolled his eyes.
"Well, she could be a serial barber Ouch... Oh come on, I know that after this story your brother is going to spend a lot of time with her." The father smiled as he then felt a slap on his arm which made him smirk at her again.
"I can't believe you are still mad at him." The wife rolled her eyes while she couldn't help but scoff at him. "That's really petty coming from you."
"He had it coming. I had a job interview and he painted my hair green... He had it coming." The husband and father commented as the duo suddenly listened to the giggling of a sleeping girl who seemed to be having great dreams...
And both parents could have the misfortune to watch the rest of the episode while Lauren could enjoy the screams while she was sleeping.
"Money money money money money," Courtney said happily as she was fanning herself with the cheque for 1 thousand dollars as Ezekiel smiled at her. "Well I admit that I should be ashamed of myself, and probably our challenges would have placed someone at the hospital..."
"Oh come on princess, don't worry about it. You won fair and square," Duncan commented as he hugged his girlfriend and kissed her. "I never thought you had that in you, and I'm so disgusted as I'm so proud of you..."
Courtney rolled her eyes, but she kissed her boyfriend since he was giving her the whole support.
"And you shouldn't worry about that Courtney. We managed to make them challenged equally, did you see how Owen was taking down most of the challenges of Screaming Gopher like it was nothing?" Ezekiel explained which also proved another good point. "I never thought they would have gone on this challenge for hours. It had been a fair challenge."
"When you say fair, I say disgusting to the point everyone loses," Courtney replied and Duncan rolled his eyes.
"He said potato. And you said tomato. For me whatever it was awesome. I even vomited on the pool, so someone better to clean up." Duncan laughed until suddenly he felt a pinch from both sides. "Ouch. What?"
"You clean up." Both said in unison which made Duncan grin at them challenging. But then his eyes widened when both cracked their knuckles, which made the delinquent quickly run to clean up his mess.
After leaving Courtney sighed.
"I think he is giving me a bad influence." Courtney sighed as she then saw Ezekiel chuckling. "What?"
"It may be... But you are also having a good influence on him as well. You needed to be a bit more free and enjoy a bit more the weird things happening. And Duncan knowing to not push the limits is also a good thing." Ezekiel explained as he gave a tap on her back. "You two are doing great. Just remember that you two are still a good team. A power couple."
"Power Couple? Pff, I prefer the three pillars of Killer Bass, because I think that you were always on the right time when we were into our jugulars." Courtney joked as both pillars chuckled at how things had become.
"Well. Sometimes I think you both needed a couple therapy, so I think you both would be great together." Ezekiel explained as he also decided to do a great joke. "Also, in case Duncan decides to make something stupid like exploding a cottage, he would need to get a beat down from us for even thinking it. Or he would go straight to jail."
"You sometimes make very specific and weird jokes, but sometimes I get scared of how accurate it could be in case we aren't careful," Courtney commented as she then saw Ezekiel rolling his eyes.
"It's Duncan, we should be careful with him all the time." Ezekiel replied and the answer actually got a laugh from the C.I.T. "Hey, want to nag him to make sure he cleaned up everything perfectly?"
"Oh, you are the devil Zeke... I'm so proud of you." Courtney said as she felt that she was having a good influence on the boy. The duo decided to torment the boyfriend, while in the end enjoying a good hot tub night while they wait for Owen to appear for a good party for him trying his best.
"Thank you so much for the reception everyone," Owen said as he felt welcomed by his friends, and the team greeted him when he passed from his time cleaning up his stomach and then getting access to the Playa Del Losers. "I mean, I will miss the camp, but this place is so awesome and the food is amazing."
Cody, Trent, Tyler, Gwen, and Leshawna rolled their eyes while they watched Owen enjoying the good barbecue Geoff and DJ were making for the big guy who desperately needed to eat.
"I always heard my mom to be careful to even touch Obeah's Soul Scorcher. She said that I shouldn't even know what that pepper could do. And now I felt terrified with the results." DJ explained as his little bunny friend was munching a carrot with Bugsy the Bunny from Katie.
"That's cool man, I never thought someone would have such pain like that. Respect for momma who can cook with that food." Geoff commented as DJ gave a small smile. As the duo gave high five.
"I gotta say girl, your team of Killer Bass went hard on this challenge. I almost vomit many times." Leshawna commented to Gwen as the goth was enjoying DJ's official book Courage the Cowardly Dog. She had a curiosity about what Ezekiel had written for so long and thankfully DJ was so kind to let her borrow his book, she really missed the times when a good book was very entertaining to her. And since the nightmares they have during 9 weeks are nothing more than torture on the reality show. She was glad that it was almost over.
"Well we wanted to make the challenges fair to everyone, and from what we saw on the episode, we did the right thing because that way it was hard for everyone, including Owen who mostly would have the advantage on the challenge. Sorry, Owen." Gwen commented as the big guy waved his hand.
"It's fine, I did my best, and I lost fair and square. And I had a lot of fun there. And everyone is awesome." Owen commented as Gwen couldn't help but smile from the free way of life Owen had.
And the group looked fine and even enjoyed a good time... Until everyone looked at Duncan who was carrying a bucket with cleaning products and even a mask... The delinquent gave a glance at the others, especially Cody and Tyler who were enjoying a relaxing time on the pool.
"You better get out, someone vomited on the pool," Duncan said as Cody and Tyler palled and immediately left the place in panic, while Gwen raised her eyebrow at him. "Don't even start. I'm doing that by my own volition and kindness."
"...did Courtney threaten to beat you up if you don't clean up?" Gwen gave a smirk and Duncan glared at the goth.
"No, she didn't," Duncan answered as he prepared to clean up.
"Heh, wow... " Cody knew that tone so he decided to simply cough on his hand... "*Tchupish* *cracking whip*"
The campers laughed as Duncan had enough took the geek and launched him into the pool.
"No no no, not on the vomit pool, not on the vomit... Ahhhhh." Cody screamed as Duncan smiled and cleaned up his hands.
"Someone else wants to make jokes about my relationship?" Duncan glanced around trying to see if someone would try to be the funny one.
Which since everybody shut up, Duncan nodded his head with satisfaction and decided to clean up the pool.
"Also Cody, you shouldn't talk about the relationship of the others, since Katie was clearly the one who used the pants of your relationship," Duncan smirked as Cody got out from the pool with a scoff.
"That's a lie," Cody commented as he shrugged off until Katie appeared from behind his back.
"What's a lie?" Katie asked innocently which made Cody jump from his place and shout in fear... Which was enough to make Duncan start to laugh...
"Nothing," Cody said as he gave a narrow to his friends who were chuckling at his reaction.
Even then the group felt happy with how things are wrapping up as they soon will be ready to return to their homes and return to their lives.
Scarlett sat in her pristine laboratory, surrounded by various scientific instruments, beakers, and books. Her eyes were glued to the large monitor displaying the latest episode of Total Drama Island, specifically the challenge from the episode titled "I Triple Dog Dare You." She had been looking forward to this moment, eager to analyze the strategies and tactics used by the contestants. However, what she witnessed left her in utter disbelief.
The scene showed the Killer Bass team preparing for their next disgusting challenge. Scarlett adjusted her glasses, leaning forward with curiosity as the announcer explained the task. She then had her eyes wide open in disbelief as she saw the host explaining by censure what a suncream would be made of... male genetic material, white liquid genetic material, which made her shiver in disgust.
Scarlett's eyes widened, and she quickly grabbed her notebook, jotting down her analysis. "Semen," she muttered under her breath, her scientific mind racing. "Who on earth would think of such an application? The proteins and enzymes would degrade rapidly in sunlight, rendering it useless as suncream. This is beyond unhygienic; it's biologically nonsensical." Scarlett scoffed as she even decided to make a notion of how terrible such an idea would be, and giving a look at the photo of the jock, she would have thought about the possibility of the same stereotype of a stupid jock who would do that as a prank. "American Pie is such a disgrace of a movie for many reasons. This point is one of the most disgusting scenes of the episode until now."
Thinking of her cousin doing something so trivial and disgusting like that was something that she needed to keep a note of, just in case she would visit her aunt and find a good way to provocation her cousin who didn't manage to get that far of the show, of course of the reasons of hormonal feelings reaching his testosterone in the point of making him lose the sense of rational and become like a single animal? That would be something that she would love to provoke him.
The screen cut to the next dare, where a contestant had to eat a spoonful of a homemade stink bomb mixture. The ingredients list flashed on the screen: skunk oil, feces, rotten mayonnaise, and other foul components.
"Skunk oil, fecal matter, putrid mayonnaise... This concoction would be rich in volatile sulfur compounds, methyl mercaptan, and hydrogen sulfide. It's a biohazard! Consumption could lead to severe gastrointestinal distress or worse." Scarlett had already figured out a few ideas and formulas on what a farmer boy would try to use as a way to make a stink bomb, and even with some thought process, she already had a few theories on how the most infamous stink bomb from the show called El Mongo and La Muerte... which she could translate Muerte like death, but Mongo had many translations, but from seeing Spanish and Portuguese, she could find a very suitable translation that it would makes sense for the name... "The Fool and the Death... such a fitting name. Because I'm just seeing the primary test subject on live television."
Just when Scarlett thought she had seen the worst, the screen shifted to a scene of Owen, one of the contestants, picking up a chewed piece of gum from under a table. He popped it into his mouth and began chewing enthusiastically. That made her stop scribing down... And looked in disbelief.
"Why would Harold allow someone to take one of his chewed gums? Didn't he say he was going to use that to help me with my science project of creating a bacteria environment around nature?" Scarlett asked in disbelief, as she couldn't help but scoff at how her excuse of a cousin managed to mess up... While she couldn't help but imagine that there was a little factor of him not knowing, and not only she would be very pissed but he himself as well. "Well, back to square one, let's see if Harold can make up for this mess up, at least he always does something genius when he is pressured like that. Now seeing this disgusting guinea pig test subject, tagged with the proper name Owen, must now have indigested so many bacterias that it would become a living while he is now nurturing a colony of Streptococcus mutants and other assorted bacteria to study their effects.
Scarlett gave a slight glance and decided to give a slight note to herself.
"Check for a few weeks, to see the effects on how the now living bacteria Owen, and use him as study to make sure to add enough data to win the next science project," Scarlett commented as she first thought her cousin already gave enough help, but now she was intrigued and interested on how pathetic people would be and how desperately they would have become just for the sake to win money... "Ah, if universities didn't need so much money, I would have done a lot of good research to make sure people knew about how fascinating people had been stupid for over money..."
Scarlett lamented, but at least she now had some distraction... Maybe she would rewatch the whole season when she could have access to the DVDs.
Everything seemed to be so strange, from the time Ezekiel felt his time alone, nothing seemed to be normal for him, but from usually his weird dreams, this one felt more lucid. As he was sitting down and saw nobody other than a person who looked similar to Cody, but from the side, he saw a more toned and a little taller version of him, but with a grown wild and tousled hair with a feather tied to his hair, a black shirt which was said "there was no brain here" with a symbol of a brain and a red forbidden mark. And under him, there was what would be a dream catcher.
Ezekiel contemplated a lot of questions crossing his mind until he saw the game the boy was playing on the console…
"Huh, never thought I would see a game of Tekken again." Ezekiel mused as it surprised the boy who jumped in his place.
"Ahhhh, wait… Ezekiel?" Cody looked startled, as he then looked at the boy who was staring at him up from down… Which made the homeschooled boy look a bit in discomfort, and start scratching his hair. "You look so different."
Ezekiel looked at himself, instead of wearing his usual green blouse, he was wearing a T-shirt which was made by Katie, a Black-T shirt with a Star in the middle, in homenage of Steven Universe. And from seeing Cody on that state, and not recognizing it, it must have been a crazy dream.
"Me? I was going to say about you. What are you? A fusion version of Shawn?" Ezekiel commented as he then facepalmed since probably Cody wouldn't know wh…
"WAIT, DO YOU KNOW SHAWN?" Cody shouted in alarm, which made the boy blink at him in surprise. "How did you know him?"
.
.
.
Ezekiel stared in silence, and then looked up and down at the boy… Until he decided to ask a question.
"How is Katie?" Ezekiel asked as the question made the boy tilt his head.
"I don't know, I think she is fine? I didn't talk much to her." Cody asked in a weird way, and Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Okay, you are not the Cody I know," Ezekiel said as he sat on the floor, which made him inquire such a question. "I'm guessing that I'm not your Ezekiel either."
"Yeah, you aren't… You look so different." Cody commented as he then had his eyes wide open in surprise. "Wait, are you also a time traveler?"
"You are?" Ezekiel raised his eyebrows, as Cody immediately closed his mouth shut, and the boy seemed to realize what happened. "Okay, that explains a lot of things… but I think it would be best if we talk while we play videogame. It had been years since I didn't have a good fighting game, so pick up your fighter."
.
.
.
"Wow… so you…" Cody whispered in surprise, as he never realized how to approach such a sensitive topic until the homeschooled boy cut him…
"Died? Yes… after the tunnel crashed, I felt suffocated from earth and snow, and I felt my entire body losing breath and I died into an agonizing death… until I just got out from a hole inside of a hill, which Ezekiel almost died… It was almost like a second chance for me, and I still have memories of both my life as a farmer and one from the future in a dimensional world where you guys are a television show like always." Ezekiel explained to the dream version of Cody who just sighed in recognition of how brutal a life could have been for the poor boy. "Thankfully in 2 years, I met him and learned about his parents… I never thought I would love them as my own, and be so happy to make them proud… I felt 10 times more horrible after everything happening to him, even as the time he became a beast."
"It must have been terrible for you to be afraid of what could happen with your life," Cody commented as he tried to use Jin to defend himself, but Ezekiel always used the combos made by Eddy to make capoeira really hard to defend. It was very annoying. "And here I thought my life was a mess."
"Every life is a mess, Cody, nobody knows the crosses we had to carry for ourselves or the weight of shoulders that we must carry, but what is most important is… to have fun, enjoy all the experiences you had with your friends, and people you love," Ezekiel explained as it made Cody stares at him in surprise. "Okay, I know you find it hard to see a version of Ezekiel being wise, but come on, I'm a writer and an artist who makes a lot of art. I can have some sparks of good moments, like some of our friends."
"Makes sense," Cody commented as he then continued to play video games.
.
.
.
"Wait, hold on… hold on… Seriously? You got a harem?" Ezekiel said as he started to laugh so hard that it didn't matter that Cody got that as revenge for defeating his fighter…
"Yeah, I'm. But it wasn't by my choice, Izzy started it, and then Lindsay and Heather… and Courtney... and now Dawn, I just don't know how it went that far…" Cody commented as he looked unsure of what to say, which made Ezekiel still laugh and chuckle from the reaction.
"Well, gotta say, for the first time I see Cody having 5 girls to be in a relationship instead of you going after Gwen… but thinking of it… I think it makes sense that you want to make Gwen to be happy with her decisions as you explained to make sure that everyone would be saved." Ezekiel nodded in understanding. As the duo continued to play. They had no idea on how long they had been playing the fighting game, but it had been so much fun while they talked about their lives, that it didn't matter who wins or loses, it was fun they both enjoyed.
.
.
.
"Wait, Courtney and Duncan are in a stable relationship?" Cody asked in disbelief and in such a surprise, that he never thought about such a possibility happening. "But but… how? I tried so much to make sure Courtney would be happy and Duncan by himself decided to act like he always does and they got into a lot of fights."
"That's because mostly you were on the other team, and you didn't have much to see from the inside, and help them when they needed… You did your best, but what it got you was the fact you have to manage Izzy, Lindsay, and Heather at the same time since they were on your team…" Ezekiel explained his logic as he made Cody nod his head at him sadly. "I think it went from my help to be the balance between the two that it helped them to not keep clashing all the time… But still, after I revealed the true reason why my parents homeschooled me, Duncan saw a line that he would never cross in his life, and Courtney's mom was there to help him to get out of juvie, so that would mean a lot for him to remain in a stable relationship."
"Wow… yeah, it makes sense… I never thought your life was that hard." Cody commented as he really started to see a new concept of theory of what's happening. "Usually weird dreams happen to me when I'm not wearing my dream catcher, but I'm kinda having fun on this one."
"Me too, time traveler," Ezekiel commented as Cody smirked at him.
"Isekai Ezekiel," Cody commented as the homeschooled writer rolled his eyes.
.
.
.
"Wait, hold on… On the revenge of island, playa del losers is what?" Ezekiel looked not just shocked but horrified by what he heard.
"Plagues, toxic waste, a pure mess up place… Nothing seemed to be working and we had to fix it by ourselves." Cody explained as Ezekiel paused the game and for the first time he looked hurt from hearing such news.
"Wow… that's actually depressing, I had so many great memories of that place, especially when we had so much fun with our friends… That really sucks. Such a place didn't deserve it." Ezekiel commented as Cody nodded his head.
"If I knew such a thing would have happened I would have bought Playa Del Losers, it was a nice place to live, and whenever we could be there, we could have enjoyed… Just me, the girls, and even my friends." Cody commented as Ezekiel passed a few seconds, thinking… And even musing from such a talk…
"Yeah… it would have been awesome." Ezekiel gave a weak smile since he would also have loved to have such an idea…
.
.
.
"Wait, you guys did what on the I triple Dog Dare you?" Cody said as he looked palled and horrified by what he heard from Ezekiel.
"He he he HA HA HA HA HA HA HA." Ezekiel laughed like Aku from Samurai Jack. "That would teach Heather, Lindsay, and Owen to never underestimate the Killer Bass, especially since it was Courtney who made Owen vomit, she got 1 thousand dollars from being the one to do it first. Say that to your girlfriends and ask them if they were willing to go that far."
"You guys… are monsters," Cody commented as he tightened his neck, thinking about what he suffered on his own version of Triple Dog Dare You, but with the laugh of Ezekiel, he felt so much relief that it wasn't his universe version. "I think neither me, Izzy, or Geoff would have the courage to do your challenges, and I even used my freebie to make Izzy avoid taking such a challenge. And Lindsay didn't stop saying sorry for Izzy after a week."
"Really? So it was you, Izzy, and Geoff who were on the Triple Dog Dare you? Who lost?" Ezekiel asked as the geek boy chuckled sheepishly. "Well, you? What was the challenge that made you back out?"
"Well, DJ challenged the cinnamon spoon challenge," Cody commented which made Ezekiel blink in surprise.
"Wow, it's kinda strange since I thought the stupid TikTok challenges would happen a few years in the future," Ezekiel commented as Cody himself nodded his head.
"And maybe DJ's influence is what started it early on, but I don't have the courage to tell him that since he apologized to me after that happened," Cody explained as Ezekiel nodded his head at him, but then he paled even further. "But even I would have freaking out if I was forced to take the spiciest pepper from Jamaica,"
"Yeah, nobody thought Heather, Lindsay, and Owen would have gotten to the point that they would begin to hate their lives and become on the verge of panic, at least it was a lot of fun, and Lindsay and Heather are on the finals," Ezekiel explained as Cody looked surprised from the results. "Beth is unsure of who to cheer on since she is the best friend of them both, and Izzy as well, they look like a powerful quartet."
"Wow, your dimension is truly strange," Cody commented as he couldn't help but muse from hearing such things.
"Well at least you know that your relationship with Katie is very stable and healthy, and Leshawna is provoking Sierra so much that I know that at the time she appears on a world tour, it would be a clash of girls against Sierra, so it will be an ugly fight which I will love to watch," Ezekiel explained as world tour still was a sore subject for Cody but with a good smile Ezekiel decided to ask. "But anyway, how bad your version of Ezekiel became… Since you went back to the past you decided to help him out right?"
Then Cody had his eyes wide open… And sweat rivers as he tried to find the right words…
"Well... you see..."
.
.
.
"YOU LET HIM HOOK UP WITH SIERRA?!" Ezekiel woke up so angry that he was sure that his shout was both real life and a dream since he never thought he would be screaming in such anger… And he knew that version of the dream Cody would also get the shouting of his life from hearing how pissed off he was from letting someone do such audacity. From all people, Sierra. "What did that version of Ezekiel do to Cody to torture him like that? Even if it was a weird dream, he thought at least it would be a weird dream, not a fucking nightmare. So I better get an apology from him in case I ever meet him, that freaking harem boy time traveler,"
"WOW HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, so your dream Cody managed to backstab you in the back for letting your Ezekiel hook up with Sierra?" Izzy laughed hard as she could see Ezekiel preparing his suitcase and bag, in case they would stay only for a few more days. "It's no wonder that the first thing you did on the morning was push Cody to the poll, it was hilarious."
"Yeah, that was still a sore subject for me, thank you again for bringing it back for me Izzy," Ezekiel commented as he was placing his typewriter on the suitcase, as soon as the show was over. "I don't know if the things he said about the future were real or not, but it was kinda an eye-opening for me."
"Well, you just met another time traveler, so that would mean a lot to have someone to talk to and discuss about the possible futures." Izzy shrugged as Ezekiel nodded his head since it had been indeed a good time to share their future versions and talk about what happened in their lives. "But it seems today is going to be the day, where we are going to see the final challenge between Lindsay and Heather, what was the final challenge again?"
"Well, nothing that extreme, in comparison to other episodes, it was very iconic because Owen won, but the challenge itself wasn't that difficult, just taking a flag from the pole, then running in a plank that if you fall you would probably be eaten by sharks, and then a race back to the finish line..." Ezekiel explained that even though sharks were dangerous, it wasn't the craziest thing the campers had ever done, so they wouldn't have a problem dealing with that. "It was just Heather who was sore from having her head shaved that she wanted revenge on Gwen, so she tried to sabotage by making a muffin with laxatives, which backfired for her, but still made Owen win."
"Let me guess, Owen ate the muffin?" Izzy commented as she got a nod from Ezekiel, "Well thought so, and since Gwen and Trent aren't the same from the past version of themselves. It would still be irrelevant to her. And since Heather also was on the finals and didn't cut her hair which I'm so glad because her hair is fantastic, I'm excited to see who was going to win."
"Well, any of them two could actually win, but I think this episode would be kinda boring since it wouldn't have anything else to do just to cheer up them two." Ezekiel scoffed as he realized that even if the girls would win, he would also be worried about the idea that any of the girls would be willing to do the ultimate challenge. "I'm not sure that either of the girls would try the one million challenge, and I'm kinda curious about how it was going to end."
"Well, if you are so bored... why not we make things interesting?" Izzy decided to make a smile that would resemble a predator, but it wasn't able to intimidate Ezekiel who just raised his eyebrows at her.
"Talk to me," Ezekiel replied, as Izzy giggled and decided to make the ultimate challenge.
"How about a bet?" Izzy asked as it was soon an idea that made Ezekiel wonder and think for a few seconds until he got a decision.
"I'm listening..." Ezekiel commented...
As the next episode indeed was going to be interesting...
Chapter 44: The Very Last Episode, Really!
Chapter Text
"Ahh. Morning in Muskoka." Chris voice was heard as the camera panned in on the natural beauty of nature. Everything seemed peaceful and all the sounds the woods provided could be heard. Rushing water, woodpeckers pecking, squeaking squirrels, and bears scratching their butts. "The birds chirping. The loon calling. The majestic gentle sounds of beautiful Northern Ontario." Just then the sound of a very loud horn went off as Chris came into view wearing a party hat. "Welcome to the most dramatic thrilling episode yet!" Chris blew on a party horn to honor the celebration. That's right everyone! This is the very last episode of Total Drama Island! Everything's been leading up to this! "It's been a long eight weeks at Camp Wawanakwa and Total Drama Island is about to come to an end. Today, two campers remain. By sundown, only one will be left standing. That camper will go home with a check for $100,000! Who will it be? The blonde bombshell but having athletic skills and her personality to destroy movie plots, Lindsay? Or the queen bee who was able to adapt to whatever circumstances that happened on the show Heather? Go grab a snack, and have a pee if you have to. Sit your butt down and get ready for… the dramatic final conclusion of… Total. Drama...Island!"
The camera once again panned on Chris as the host sat down on one of the stumps near the fire pit while enjoying a special slice of Finale cake. "Welcome back." Chris greeted the audience as he enjoyed his sweet, sweet cake. "We asked our finalists to record their thoughts in our confessional booth before going into the final round."
(Confession – Heather)
"What was my time here like?" Heather repeated the question asked prior to stepping into the booth. "Nine weeks on this island? It was like being stuck in a never-ending nightmare. I'd rather be trapped in a pit of venomous snakes than endure another minute of this insane show. The challenges were ridiculous, the food was barely edible, and the living conditions were worse than a rat-infested dumpster. But, against all odds, I actually started to care about some of these morons. Lindsay, Beth, and even as crazy as it sounds, Izzy was also part of my circle of friends, even if she terrifies me. But I also couldn't help but respect some of the campers like the crazy goth who managed to get this far... But still, if I could have gone back in time I would have slapped on my past face and shouted at her to read the *beep* contract."
(Confession – Lindsay)
"What was it like being here for 9 weeks?" Lindsay wondered loud as she got a lot of flashbacks while she sounded super excited. "Oh my gosh, being on this show for nine weeks was like, totally intense! I thought it was going to be a talent show, and when I discovered it wasn't everything got intense and so much harder than I imagined. The challenges were terrifying, some made me have nightmares and even hate my life. But thankfully this nightmare is getting over, and I didn't know I had a chance to reach the finals. HI MOMMY, HI DADDY, HI PAULA, HI CHARLIE,"
(Confession - Chef)
"You think it's easy cookin' for twenty-two ungrateful teenagers?" Chef decided to speak up about what things were like for him on the show. "Man, I had better jobs in prison."
(Confession – Lindsay)
"The food Chef made for us was, like, totally awful! It was so gross, I can't even describe it." Lindsay explained as she felt horrified and excited to tell gossip like she remembered the times Chef made terrible food that made her think diet was a good option, but she was so hungry that she needed to eat something. But then she had to eat it, even if she liked it or not. "Everything was either overcooked, undercooked, or just plain weird. I mean, I saw food move around the table a few times... But, you know, I guess it wasn't all bad. It made me appreciate my mom's cooking so much more. And sometimes, I cannot blame him because I did someone get poisoned food... I think his name was Lenny, but he deserved it because he was a jerk. I think I will stop eating pancakes when I get back home... Still, I can't wait to get back to real food!"
(Confession – Chef)
"Least one of these brats was appreciative," Chef stated, thinking about Owen who was the camper who rarely, if ever, voiced complaints about his food. Since he passed almost the entire life eating all the crazy stuff they threw at him, taking out the last challenge. "Slavin' all day at a hot stove."
(Confession – Heather)
"The food Chef made for us? It was like eating slop from a medieval dungeon. Seriously, I've seen dog food that looked more appetizing. *BEEP* Even Owen eating dog food with much more gusto than eating the Chef's food..." Heather complained nearly throwing up at the thought of Chef's food such as the burgers they were given on day one, the paste they were often given for breakfast, and the moldy fruit salad, and she wished she could wipe the brunch of disgustingness from her mind. And the thought of the hell they suffered from the Triple Dog Dare you challenge. "The worst part? He seemed to take some sadistic pleasure in watching us suffer through every meal. I mean, I get it, he's a chef, not a five-star restaurant, but come on. Despite all that, I have to give credit where it's due. When he actually gave me a prized food it was something edible, and don't think I didn't know about what Izzy had told me about him, she told me that he knew how to make a good lobster with butter, so what the *beep* a Chef that can do great food, manage to make us suffer with that disgusting excuse of something to insert into our bodies?"
(Confession – Chef)
"Less rat droppings.' Does this look like a five-star restaurant to you?!" Chef snapped as he's had about enough of these or any teenagers to last a lifetime. "This isn't a place where I cook good food for you all, and I and my squad had to deal with that kind of food for years, so stop complaining brat."
(Confession – Heather)
"The people? Well, they were all a bunch of weird freaks… you grab each stereotype place it into a blender and combine all the crazy recipes, and some garbage and you have this show. I have no idea why was I thinking when I signed the contract." Heather simply commented as she was doing her makeup, while she had a few flashbacks of the crazy and weird moments happening with each camper she met. "But I cannot blame anyone since some of those weirdos were my friends which I just started to add into my internal circle that I didn't know that I had, taking Beth and Lindsay on my wing while learning and being surprised by strategies that I never thought before. I felt like I was going to be in a spider web if Ezekiel had used some of his favors on me, and Izzy gave some tips and lessons that really helped me to get this far... Although some campers were so easy to trick, and some deserved the worst of the punishments for their mess up. I'm not sure if Izzy did kill Owen when he met her again because I knew her parents would have done that. And I'm sure that Lindsay would jump in the throat if she saw Trent once more. Who knows? UGH, THIS SHOW IS DRIVING ME CRAZY."
(Confession - Lindsay)
"The people here… well I met some people who were great," Lindsay said as she smiled into remembering the good friends she had. "Heather and Beth are my best friends, and I also like Izzy so much as a friend that I think I can add her to that list. Owen is so sweet, even as he farts and smells terrible a lot of times, but he is so fun to talk to, Gwen was a great girl, I enjoyed so much to pass the time talking with her and I feel we could be great friends too... I think I made a lot of good friends, even some that I maybe have forgotten the name, also I met Tyler, the person who I just kissed and had a good time with... my boyfriend..." But then her eyes narrowed a bit, like a terrible memory still bugging her. "But... there was someone that really made me shiver on my spine just for remembering that day... Lenny, I never felt so disgusted by what he did to me, he made me eat those and lied to me, it was so awful, that I possibly had nightmares and vomited so much at night... But I'm so glad that Lenny got poison food, and got a lot of pranks, he got his hair pink, used a chicken hat, and Heather made him have an atomic wedgie which was so fun...But taking him out, everyone is so great... wait, what am I doing here again?"
(Confession – Heather)
"The one thing I'll be remembered for?" That was the last question asked of Heather, who made the queen bee think hard, but even looking at her HeatherMmunicator, which was proof of her hard work, made her proud of herself as she remembered everything she passed to it. From manipulating a few campers, for some of her plans working exactly like she planned, and even some that didn't work, she always found a way to survive. "For my capability to adapt to every single situation and survive every single challenge."
(Confession – Lindsay)
"What will I be remembered for?" Lindsay was asked the same question and she thought about the times she thought for a few seconds, until suddenly she looked left and right. "Ohh, maybe that... ohhh, I like that one... Ah... wait, that one? Hmmm, okay, my Shoulder Angel said that it was because of my athletic talent while my Shoulder Devil said it was because of the impact I caused on the show like when I accidentally commented about the Indiana Jones movie which I didn't know that caused a lot of problems like daddy had told me, sorry guys... I hope you forget what I said before."
Once Lindsay and Heather were finished with their confessional interviews, Lindsay, Heather, and Chris could be seen in a field that would be the home to the very last challenge of Total Drama Island. There was a starting line drawn with white chalk and behind that line were two sets of bleachers. Behind one of the sets of bleachers was a large picture of Lindsay and behind the other was a similar picture of Heather.
"Now it's time to welcome the twenty-two campers who did not make it to the finals." Chris made the introduction to the people he just said. All the 20 campers who were voted off the island came into view as they walked towards the two sets of bleachers, a few waving to the final two campers along the way.
Lindsay waved to some of the campers who returned, while Heather rolled her eyes until Beth came to wave at her friend, who Beth gave a slight smirk, when Izzy waved at her and gave a thumbs up, Heather felt a satisfying feeling from how proud she is with herself.
"Would everyone who's walked the Dock of Shame and left camp on the Boat of Losers kindly take a seat in the Peanut Gallery of Failure?" Chris instructed the losers of the show as he pointed to the bleachers. "The side you choose should represent who you would like to cheer on to victory in today's final competition."
And so the past campers all sat down on the bleachers that represented the camper they would cheer on. And to the surprise of some, the Killer Bass who seemed to be a so united team, half of them were on one side, and the other half was on the other side.
On Lindsay's side were Tyler, Izzy, DJ, Owen, Leshawna, Katie, Cody, Duncan, Courtney, Eva, and Mr. Coconut.
And for the surprise of Heather, Leshawna, and the other half of Killer Bass... There it was... Ezekiel, Harold, Sadie, Trent, Justin, Beth, Noah, Gwen Bridgette, and Geoff who were kissing each other.
*tsk* *tsk*
"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, OH COME ON." Both the surfer and the party boy shouted as Ezekiel rolled his eyes as he knew the duo wouldn't stop having a making-out session even on live television.
"Excuse me? Harold?" Leshawna exclaimed as she couldn't believe what she was seeing, but Harold looked sheepishly.
"Sorry Leshawna babe, but me and my friends decided that we need to make an even side for both girls, so I sorted out on this side," Harold commented as Leshawna looked at the boy who was using the same old winter jacket and winter hat. Who just nodded his head.
"Both girls went this far, and I think both had good chances, so we think anything can happen." Ezekiel shrugged as Duncan and Courtney nodded their heads, since nobody from their team was on the finals, it could be anyone. And from the triple dog dare you they managed to do all their disgusting and impossible tasks, it seems that everything could happen. So we are just here to watch the show.
Leshawna narrowed her eyes, but she went back to her place. While Heather looked in surprise to see Ezekiel smiling at her and giving a thumbs up. And waving at Lindsay who seemed to be so happy to see Tyler again. In disbelief of himself, he doesn't know why, but his friend insisted he make a little cardboard collar with his name on it. Not knowing why his friend wanted him to do that so much.
Lindsay and Heather were surprised to see that indeed the people on their sides were even, as she didn't expect to see the bookworm even on her side as well, but from seeing the person just caring more about reading a book than actually watching her doing the challenge, it made her rolls her eyes, as Chris decided to continue the discourse.
"Heather, Lindsay," The host with the most got the attention of the finalists and walked up to the final two. "This is your chance to tell the Peanut Gallery of Failure what you would do with the money if you won, and why you deserve it?"
"Well of course I deserve the prize money, not going to disrespect my friend Lindsay since I couldn't believe that we managed to not just reach the final three but came to the finals, but for me to do the limits of myself just for this disgusting entertainment must make me be the true winner, specially on all the disgusting torture that you all made us pass a few days ago. I'm looking at you Fish Heads, I need the money to pay for a skin treatment to clean up every single fiber of my skin, and a clean up of my stomach, and probably therapy after all this traumatic show." Heather complained and while some rolled their eyes at what Heather said, Ezekiel nodded his head knowing that it would be a fair trade. "Probably would also buy my own show and have Lindsay and Beth as my co-hosts, and we would go to the restaurant which I would pay for the dinner."
Some clapped for it, Lindsay and Beth were the ones who cheered loudly for her friend.
"I hope you can win Heather," Lindsay commented as Heather smiled but rolled her eyes.
"You also should tell your plans for the money Lindsay," Chris commented as the blonde girl spent a few seconds thinking.
"Well, I would use the 100 thousand dollars like my allowance, and I would bring me and my friends to the mall for shopping the whole day. My daddy said a well-earned money is more fun than buying things with your own money, so I'm planning to do that. So I'm calling all the girls and boys who like shopping in the mall." Lindsay commented that immediately made a lot of people who like money or even buy something at the mall cheer for her.
"WOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, LET'S GO LINDSAY." The losers cheered for her, as even some of the Screaming Gophers decided to change seats and go for her side.
"Wow, Lindsay, that was a very bold and charismatic plan," Heather said she was surprised, but knowing that it was Lindsay telling from the deep of her heart, she rolled her eyes and smirked. "I hope you get your purse ready because I saw a Louis Vuitton purse with my name on it."
"Really? They can name their purses with our names?" Lindsay commented innocently which made Heather facepalm, but inside chuckle from the antics of her best friend.
"All right. It's time for the final challenge. The reject Olympic relay race." Chris began to explain the rules of the final challenge of Total Drama Island. Gesturing to MacArthur who was wearing a red tracksuit carrying a falling plunger like an Olympic torch, and she was crossing the other side of the bridge to give to cadet Sanders who was wearing the same uniform, and trying to reach the Olympic tradition, just for later give Chef who was also wearing the tracksuit and went towards the toilet where the toilet water was used to snuff the flame. "Each of the three parts was pitched to the committee, but sadly rejected as an Olympic sport." Chris then pulled out a chicken hat and a cow hat as well. "First, each of you has to put on one of these."
Heather stared at Chris while she was holding the cow hat.
"Oh hell no, there is no way that I'm going to be wearing this on live television, especially on the last episode," Heather said angrily and Chris smirked at her in return.
"Well if you don't wear this you will be disqualified, so you better give the chance for Lindsay now, or you have to wear the hat to win. Your choice." Chris pointed at both options which made Heather annoyed, but already placing her animal hat on her head.
Lindsay placed the chicken head, and she could hear a little scream from the side, which was Tyler shouting in lament about how her girlfriend was now dressed to be the worst creature in the world. But everyone mostly ignored him, while Eva threatened him, which made him quiet.
"Dressed as a cow and a chicken, run to the first location and shimmy up the pole to retrieve your flag," Chris explained as he gestured over to a part of a racecourse that had two long poles with flags on top of them, blue for Lindsay, and green for Heather. "If you don't have the flag, don't bother comin' down off that pole!"
"Both were athletic, it can be any of them," Harold commented as Geoff nodded his head trying to see who could win.
"Next, you will cross a three-hundred-meter balance beam, suspended over a massive gorge, while carrying an eagle's egg," Chris explained as the duo seemed to be blinking towards Chris as they were waiting for something more. "Oh, it seems that you want to know the catch, and you are right, there is a catch, below, your friends, the rare, but real, man-eating, freshwater sharks."
And now was the thing that made both Lindsay and Heather terrified, as everyone had bad experiences remembering their fears of sharks during the whole season. From far away they could hear the sharks chomping down on something in the water, just showing how strong and scary their bites could be.
"The final leg of the race is a long-distance run. Returning to the finish line here. First camper to cross the finish line wins." Chris finished his explanation of the final challenge... And with that, everyone started to cheer up for their friends.
"You can do this Lindsay," Tyler shouted as some of the team on her side cheered for the blonde girl. Lindsay waved to the crowd.
"Come on Heather, you got this," Gwen said as the other members of Heather's team agreed with the goth… The queen bee rolled her eyes, but a smirk appeared on her face.
Both best friends, staring and waiting for the right moment.
"Just because we got on the final 2, know I'm not going to take it easy on you Lindsay," Heather smirked, as she prepared herself while she really wanted the cheque of 100 thousand dollars.
"Sure, I hope one of us can win," Lindsay commented as the girls seemed to be ready for the competition.
"On your marks…" Chris rose up his hand, beginning to start the final challenge of the show. "Get set…" Heather and Lindsay prepared themselves, narrowing their eyes, and putting their best to focus on the challenge, as Chris pointed down… "GO!"
And with that, both Lindsay and Heather started to run away, while some of the campers decided to remain in their positions… Some of their friends and people who they were cheering on, others decided to make things even more interesting.
Heather and Lindsay gave their best to run in the direction of their respective poles and used their best to shimmer to the top, and surprisingly it was like both Heather and Lindsay were on the same pace, but slowly Lindsay was almost reaching the top to catch her flag.
*deep breath*
*THUMB*
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Lindsay shouted as she fell down from the pole since she lost her balance, but she was still able to hold one arm around… "Ouch ouch ouch."
However, her arm felt the burn coming from the time she went down from the pole. And looking on behind… Not just her, but Heather looked in surprise at the sight of what happened on Lindsay's pole… And there was an arrow nailed to the pole. Looking a bit far away, Heather blinked as she saw the familiar green winter hat, and she couldn't help but smirk. A good opportunity to win, she would never waste it.
She was about to reach the flag when suddenly an arrow almost hit her hand. Which made her lose her balance.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." And Heather differently than Lindsay, fell down… And the crash wasn't as bad as she expected… it was like something cushioned her fall.
"Ughhhh, why?" Then there was a voice that made her look down, and see Tyler who had been the unlucky person who had been the one who saved her from her fall… By being at the right time in the right place for her.
But Heather had another problem to take care of, she got up and looked around to see the bastard who launched the arrow at her… Until she realized something that made her eyes shrink… The military girl was trained by 3 or 4 crazy members of a squad, who were smiling and waving at her, and with a compound bowl aiming her arrow at her.
"HI HEATHER." Izzy grated as she was still aiming with her bow. "Sorry about that, but I think Lindsay had a better chance to win… It's not personal, but free shopping is an offer difficult to refuse."
Izzy commented as she was ready to launch another arrow, but suddenly something made her snap her head back, and turn her body just to catch the arrow launched at her.
"Huh… wow, so you really want to do that?" Izzy asked, as Heather and Lindsay who was helping Tyler to get out from the floor, looked at the person who was approaching them.
From the same green winter hat to a green blouse, he decided to take it out, revealing a Black T-shirt with a star logo in the middle. And from still wearing his weights, Ezekiel was not only bringing a bow with him… But was with a big circular metal plate, and an improvised wooden sword with him.
"Yeah, I do…" Ezekiel commented as he took out his metal plate and placed it on the floor, and still aimed his bow at Izzy who was giving a slow giggle.
"He he he, Zeke, zeke, zeke… You are so funny." Izzy commented as she aimed her bow and arrow at him. "Drop your bow now, and I will not shoot you."
"HEATHER, GO. I WILL HOLD HER OFF." Ezekiel shouted, and the queen bee understood what was said, before Izzy would turn her head, an arrow went in her direction, and she used her compound bow to deflect the arrow to the floor.
While Izzy was smiling her eyes were narrowing like a glare, which soon would be a signal of her showing red flags, Ezekiel knew what he was doing…
Heather looked down to see Tyler still in pain, but after rolling her eyes, and sweating a bit, she knew Izzy was going after her, so it was best if she acted quickly, she decided to shimmer the pole once again and try to go the fastest as she could.
Lindsay looked worried about the person who was down.
"Are you okay?" Lindsay asked as the jock was stretching his back and making cracking sounds.
"I'm going to be fine," Tyler commented as the girl nodded her head at him.
"Are you Tyler?" Then Lindsay made a question which made the jock pauses and looks horrified at the blonde bombshell until she saw the little cardboard with a name on it. "T ty ler...TYLER, OH IT'S YOU TYLER."
The jock didn't even have time to react as he felt the warm kiss from Lindsay who gave a sweet hug on him.
And Tyler was feeling on the clouds, as he never thought he would be having a great moment of his...
*Tsk* *tsk*
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," Both Tyler and Lindsay shouted in pain as Geoff and Bridgette smirked at them.
"It sucks, doesn't it?" Geoff commented as Bridgette decided to go further.
"Lindsay, it's nice to see you happy to see Tyler again, but you are still in the competition," Bridgette commented as the duo went down from seeing an arrow passing above them. "And I think that you should take the flag now, or Ezekiel and Izzy are going to kill each other."
"Aren't they a couple? It looks like a couple fighting in my point." Lindsay asked and Bridgette raised her arms.
"THANK YOU," Bridgette commented as then the group saw a few arrows going in their direction. "Never mind, go take the flag while he ran away."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Lindsay screamed as she started going up to the pole again. While Heather was just sliding down with the flag in her hands.
.
.
.
*Thumb* *Thumb* *Thumb*
It was something the cameras caught from that angle. It had been a bow and arrow combat since both were trying to hit eat other... But the duo seemed to have been ready to defend themselves from any kind of strategy they had.
Ezekiel was doing his best to stall time, while Izzy was aggressively approaching him.
Both releasing their bows, Ezekiel took his wooden sword, while Izzy decided to go full comando, by bringing a tactical knife. Ezekiel knew that from a girl who was trained by 4 or 5 people who would make a cast of a spy cartoon show. He had only trained by using his own imagination and rip-off moves he caught on television.
It was like stupidity to do something like that...
Thankfully for Ezekiel, he knew this outcome would happen.
(Confession - Ezekiel)
"Wow, it's been a while since I came here that I even forgot how terrible it smells." Ezekiel coughed while trying to remain polite in return for the confession both for so many weeks. "Anyway, you guys may be wondering, why Izzy and I are fighting into the middle of the final challenge, trying to sabotage both Lindsay and Heather on this challenge. So the explanation is kinda simple. I and Izzy had a bet going on...and our lawyers suggested we not reveal the bet yet, for people get curious until the end of the episode, and make you all curious about it, so I'm betting Heather could win, while she is betting Lindsay would win, so, in the end, is about me trying to stall Izzy as long as I can just for Heather keeps the advantage... But come on, she is a military veteran, and had probably trained with 2 mothers, her dad, and even Chef, and whoever is her superiors who would probably teach her martial arts... But that doesn't mean I don't have some tricks on my sleeve."
Izzy approached him and decided to use a direct attack with his knife, as Ezekiel rolled to the side, but then raised the sword to attack the girl, who just jumped and decided to give a sping a roundhouse kick, and Ezekiel stomped strongly at the tip of the metal plate, which was enough to launch up to his grasp, and by using the right timing, he used his left arm to grab the shield and defend himself from the kick.
That surprised Izzy and she gave a whistle.
"Not bad," Izzy commented as she was still with her leg raised and Ezekiel was feeling a bit of pain in his arm.
"Thanks, I saw Geoff doing that with a skateboard, so I decided to give it a try." Ezekiel smiled as he could see Lindsay already with her flag, and Heather probably with the eagle egg... Until he got another kick which made him almost lose his balance.
"Don't get distracted or I'm going to beat you up." Izzy smiled as she was punching and using the tactical knife to make the homeschooled boy lose his grip on the shield.
"Don't worry Izzy, because I know that fighting you in a direct fight would be stupidity... Well, alone...NOW." Ezekiel knew that he had to stall time with what he had. And he cursed his luck that he had to fight Izzy from all people. So he decided to bring an extra help.
Izzy blinked until her instinct made her jump away from a sudden attack made by another person, who just tried to hit her. But at the time she spun her knife to attack, just to be surprised to see 3 wooden swords going in her direction, which made her hold the attack, but give a few steps back... Izzy blinked for a few seconds until she stared at Ezekiel who was just smirking at her. And then Izzy stared again at the person who attacked her.
Harold was holding two wooden swords into one of each hand, and one he was using on his mouth. And while he still used his usual blue t-shirt and pants, she didn't expect Harold to be using a bandana covering his hair, it had been a different view from him, and while would say it was out of the ordinary, at least it showed a bit of more badassery on people who was looking at the nerd.
(Confession - Harold)
"Ezekiel asked me to help him fight Izzy because she probably must know at least 30 kinds of martial arts or more, and I kinda felt challenged by that, since I also have mad skills, so I want to see how good she would fair in a martial arts against me, but knowing that this was a bet between Ezekiel and Izzy, he asked me for help, so I decided to help him out." Harold nodded his head, as he was still wearing a bandana which made him look in contemplation in the mirror. "I gotta confess, I thought using 3 swords was absurd, but he said he was going to add a character like that in Adventure Time so I gotta ask how a person would be using 3 swords... And Ezekiel kinda taught me how he would have used it in secret training when nobody was looking. Still, it needs a lot to understand the stances, but I didn't imagine it had a very interesting potential. Still, I prefer the traditional katana."
"I can't believe you made me do this. Samurais would never do that." Harold even as he was with a wooden sword being held by his teeth, Ezekiel could hear him clearly.
"Pff, samurais would wish to be using this style. Pirates are way cooler. But come on, it's a new style I thought into place in my book, what do you think Izzy? A two vs one, with a martial artist, and someone who likes to play with swords and shields." Ezekiel commented as he raised both his wood sword and shield, and was ready to attack the military-trained child.
"Okay, 10 for the creativity, also 10 for the absurd I'm just saying... But do you really think that you can take me down?" Izzy scoffed, as she cracked her neck. And gave a few good swings with her tactical knife... "You are just making my hunt more fun for me."
"Well, it's now or never Harold, so prepare yourself, you know what to do..." Ezekiel said as both of them approached Izzy as they were in their combat stances...
And soon, another fight would start.
"OH NO, THERE IS NO WAY I'M GOING TO DO THAT," Sanders shouted as she looked furious at the host of the show who seemed to be with his smirk.
"I know it's weird that you're going to do this on our last show, but all of the other interns have been extremely hurt from all the other episodes when the new intern staff came to treat them, while some before them didn't have the chance and died already. But you two are tough girls. And all you have to do is test out this final challenge to make sure it's moderately safe." Chris commented as he explained the remaining interns after the Serial Killer episode got very hurt and took a day off after their treatment with their medical intern staff. So now there were only two girls remaining, the duo of cadets Sanders and MacArthur. "Also there is on your contract."
"UGH. *BEEP*" Sanders commented as MacArthur gave an impatient frown.
"Oh, stop whining already, it's part of our basic training to take down whatever challenge is in front of us," MacArthur said as she pushed Sanders to the side and decided to show how was done. As she proceeded to keep walking it was easy to pass. "See? Easy peezy."
"Ugh... I knew I should have read the contract, well, fine." Sanders commented as she gave a good space to run, which Chris decided to even make things worse for her.
"Oh, also don't look down," Chris said as Sanders still trembled and sweat from the idea of the terrible sharks under them... So taking a good distance, Sanders had their mind focused, and with a good speed, she remained with a good balance, and crossed the place, and before she could even lose her balance, she gave a good jump to land on the other side... With her still having a lot of sweat and panic on her face. "Well, that looks safe enough."
"*Beep* you..." Sanders commented, as Chris smirked and rolled his eyes.
"You did it Lindsay," Tyler said as the girl slid down from the pole with her flag in her hands. "Now you need to run fast to pass the second part."
"Yeah, go, Lindsay," Geoff commented as he started to kiss Bridgette but then he paused as he saw Tyler holding the water spray... "Okay, okay, we are slowing down."
"You better be. Now let's go." Tyler commented as Lindsay smiled and ran in the direction of the second phase of the challenge. By coming in the direction of the beams where Heather was on the other side, already taking one of the eagle eggs and ready to do part of her challenge.
Later the group started running in the direction of the next phase of the challenge, they were already looking at some campers who were there to watch Heather already taking one of the eggs with her. And starting to cross in the middle of the beam.
"HEY, HEATHER," Lindsay shouted her friend's name, which made Heather almost lose her concentration, but thankfully she was expecting someone to surprise her while she was walking.
"CAREFUL LINDSAY, THIS PLACE IS DANGEROUS, AND YOU SHOULD BE FOCUSED," Heather shouted back as advice to try to continue walking in the direction of the said plank. As soon it made her halfway, nothing would defeat her.
Suddenly loud eagle cries made Heather had her eyes wide open, and she got a bad feeling about that.
"What was that?" Lindsay asked as she was carrying her egg, until suddenly she saw a bunch of eagles attacking her which made her jump in surprise, and felt scared of her life.
"Angry eagle parents?" Chris commented as Duncan couldn't believe what he was saying at that moment.
"Oh, snap, that is messed up!" Duncan laughed as he gave a low five to the host who seemed to smile proudly at his work.
Courtney looked at her boyfriend in disbelief.
"What? You mean you like watching this? They could die!" Courtney pointed out that Heather and Lindsay were now dealing with the scaring eagles while at the end of the pit, there were sharks wanting to eat them both.
" Oh, mellow your yellow babe. This is awesome TV." Duncan explained as he even pointed it out his thumb behind his back. "Remember that we have contingency plans in case angry animals would attack remember? Also, you of all people were cackling madly from winning 1 thousand dollars from being the one who made Owen vomit... I mean, you made him eat a spoon of El Mongo and La Muerte, you scared even Ezekiel, and from the brainstorm we had at the meeting, nobody expected you to come up with that idea."
(Confession - Courtney.)
"Okay, I know what I did was messed up, but I never thought my boyfriend gave me a lot of kisses from suggesting the only thing to defeat Owen, and he laughed a lot on the I Triple Dog Dare You episode," Courtney commented as she was with a cheque on her hands. "Also it was 1 thousand dollars just for an idea to make them quit, I didn't know they would be that crazy to take the challenge... I mean, I was surprised that Owen continued on the game even after eating a spoon of that stink bomb."
Courtney commented, as she suddenly started giggling until she then saw the camera looking at her.
"I'm not a cruel girl, everyone from Killer Bass gave terrifying ideas, and it was our payback... Okay, maybe I liked this awesome TV like Duncan says..." Courtney blushed and said sheepishly. "But we have contingency plans in case the girls are attacked by dangerous animals. Thank God for that."
"Not comment." Courtney blushed as she looked away, and Duncan placed his arm around her neck and kissed her neck. Which made her blush... But then groaning. "Do we have to prepare the Alfa 34?"
"Noah and Beht are already bringing him here, so don't worry. We didn't plan all that for nothing." Duncan commented as the host of the show glanced at the duo with his eyes narrowing.
"What contingency plans?" Chris asked as both Pillars of Killer Bass smirked at the host.
"A secret," Courtney commented as Justin approached Noah who was now wearing sunglasses. Near the gorge.
"You know what you do, or Izzy and Eva are going to beat your ass if you don't," Noah commented as Justin just smirked.
"Don't worry about it. I was born for this moment." The beautiful boy commented as he then saw both girls having difficulty crossing and almost losing their balance.
"GIRLS, CLOSE YOUR EYES," Beth shouted, as Heather looked at the beautiful boy and realized her strategy, while Lindsay immediately closed her eyes. Heather also followed the idea.
Noah ripped Justin's shirt and the beautiful abs showed towards the camera, as the right angle of the sound and the melodic song as he gave a pose, which Lindsay and Heather closed their eyes, and while they were protecting themselves from the view, an eagle was looking hypnotized from such a beauty, not realizing another eagle going to its direction, and that way launching them both on the water, thankfully for them, the sharks were also hypnotized by the view.
Sanders was fawning with her hand. While MacArthur was giving slight glances at the Peanut Gallery of Failure, she could see a glimpse of glance of a little Coconut, which seemed to be in the company of the other girls and boys.
"Sonavah." MacArthur said as she remained stoic and looked at the challenge, she was a bit bored, but seeing the challenge as having contingency plans to save the girls, was something neat, and they wouldn't need to worry about jumping for their rescue from the sharks.
"Okay, I just need to keep looking on the floor. I'm almost on the near..." Heather commented as she suddenly felt something stuck... And she looked on the plank where her heels were stuck in one of the holes. "Oh, you gotta be kidding me."
"Be careful Heather, don't try to move until you got sure of taking out the heels," Beth called as Heather was groaning in anger.
"I know Beth, I'm trying to not look down," Heather was doing her best, as Lindsay looked in fear of her friend. And suddenly Lindsay looked a bit down, just to see the sharks who were still hypnotized by the model.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Lindsay shouted as she felt the fear of her life, and started to run in panic, which made Heather look in panic for her friend, but then she had her mouth dropped wide open as she saw Lindsay simply running in a straight line without losing a balance. And then Lindsay was nearby the next as she was still screaming in fear for her life. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..ahhhh... oh, I passed."
"Way to go Lindsay," Courtney said as the blonde girl placed the egg on the nest. Heather did her best to take off her heels, almost losing her balance, but that was enough to make Lindsay and Beth gasp in surprise, and then Heather knew that she needed to do something. So she decided to take all the ballet memories she had, and use the tip of her toes, after taking all her hells, and at a safe distance, she jumped a Grand Jeté, which made the group stare in surprise at Heather landing perfectly, with such a grace, that in the end Beth and Lindsay clapped, as the others where also there couldn't help but nod their head impressed from what they saw.
"Lindsay, run, Heather didn't place her egg on the nest yet. RUN." Courtney shouted as Lindsay suddenly snapped from her thoughts and decided to give a head start.
Heather also took the opportunity she had also place the egg and ran after Lindsay. Both girls ran from the last race until the finish line.
The boys and the girl had bruises on their arms, as it had been an attack and defense action countless of times, Harold even used another surprise attack, but Izzy took a good knife stance and used a cut that ripped the entire shirt of the nerd. As Harold stared down at his shirt being ripped. He took out and dropped his wooden swords. And from his pocket decided to go full attack on the military girl, by bringing back his nunchucks, and already showing off his skills.
Izzy, saw an opening to attack, and she was hit on her hands by the nunchucks, but since she was used to pain she gave a kick which Harold used his left arm to protect, but he didn't spect for her to use the other leg to jump and kick him on the stomach, and doing backflips.
Harold had his eyes looking in surprise, as he saw Izzy crouching, and one hand scratching her back.
"Monkey Style," Harold whispered, as he then placed the nunchucks on his neck, and made two of his hands doing a claw instance. "Let's see if you can take Tiger."
Izzy was about to accept the challenge, but then she gave a backflip when she saw Ezekiel giving a slash from the floor and going in the airway higher than she ever saw.
"What the *beep* you can fly?" Izzy asked in surprise but then she was surprised by Ezekiel going down with the sword.
"No... just jump good." Ezekiel always wanted to say that, as he tried to attack her, and by doing another roll, and using his sword, it had been the first time he sparred someone with the sword for real, and it had been pure adrenaline that let them keep doing for minutes.
Izzy gave a jump and took the wood sword with her hand, gave a spin by going behind Ezekiel, she decided to tickle him, which made him laugh and lose the guard, which was enough to push him to Harold, who just got surprised, and tried to go away from Ezekiel, but he didn't saw her jumping and kicking them both at the same time.
Making both boys down at the same time.
"Wow, good sparring session boys. I didn't have this much fun, since I was sparing with my moms and dad, but still Zeke, you should try some martial arts. Something which would surprise everyone." Izzy commented as she saw both boys still on the floor. "Well, let's see how far... HOLY*BEEP* OH COME ON, THEY ARE HEAD TO HEAD ON THE FINAL CHALLENGE? I need to see this."
After Izzy ran directly toward to see how the girls were doing, Harold and Ezekiel slowly got up from their defeated state, and both looked with bruises on their faces and arms.
"Zeke," Harold commented as the homeschooled boy grunted in response. "Did we just get beaten in a 2vs1 combat?"
"Yeah..." Ezekiel commented as he cleaned up his face. But then both remained in silence for a few seconds... "If someone asks, this didn't happen."
"Ditto," Harold commented as both forgot they were recorded on the final episode of the reality show, but still their pride of being defeated into 2vs1 was still very sore. Especially for Harold who took martial arts summer camp countless times. But still, they would deny what just happened.
Both girls started running in the direction of the camp, head to head, Heather was almost in the lead, but Lindsay still had a good advantage of being as athletic as she could, anything could happen. They didn't want to temptate fate, so they kept running, as the group saw Chef and Chris already with the red ribbon from the finish line, as the campers were eager to know who could win, and in the end, Heather tried to jump to reach the ribbon...
But from the last second Lindsay ran with everything she could, and when it came on the final frame... Lindsay's body was the one cutting the red ribbon.
"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." The whole group of campers cheered as it seemed the underdog finally reached the finishing line, as the queen bee looked exhausted and even panting from how all the work she did was for nothing, as she stared at the dirty and even staring on the sky, seeing that all her efforts were in vain... And in the end, she just lost.
But then Heather felt surprised when both hands, helped her to raise her on her feet, which was both Beth and Lindsay who were so happy that they gave the queen bee a hug, which even as the loss was enough to make her sad... She was still happy to see her besties again, as she even tapped the head of them both. She rolled her eyes, she hated hugs, but at least she was happy with her friends, and also happy that she would enjoy a good time at the mall buying things.
"We won, Heather, we won," Lindsay said as she was happy for herself and her friend, and Heather tapped the head of her friend.
"Yes, Lindsay, we won." The queen bee smiled at the antics of her best friend, as even though she was naive and even with difficulty in her own way, she couldn't deny the blonde girl was a winner, and still liked to share her things, just like the alliance. Who knew an alliance could have changed the queen bee in such a way, a farmer, a blonde bombshell, and a queen bee, a trio that nobody would ever give faith in it, but it doesn't look so bad for a trio that it could work just fine.
"CONGRATULATIONS LINDSAY." Then another voice came in, which gave a big hug to the trio, Heather rolled her eyes, but while she was a bit with fear and panic whenever Izzy was near... She couldn't help but that she was also another member of the same alliance. "I knew you could win."
"Thank you, Izzy, it was so crazy, but now we all won," Lindsay commented as she hugged the fourth member of the alliance.
A farmer girl, a blonde bombshell, a military 'crazy' girl, and a queen bee... What are the odds that this little group could have gone so far and even managed to win the show? It was something that she wouldn't expect...
Then Ezekiel and Harold walked toward the group of winners Izzy smirked at the homeschooled boy who rolled his eyes.
"Okay, Okay, I lost," Ezekiel commented as he gave a look on Heather who was still wary of him, but then he gave a thumbs up. "We tried our best, but at least from all people to lose, you lost to your best friend, so don't be down, it could have been way worse."
"Oh yeah? Like what?" Heather commented as she definitely wouldn't find a better way to make things worse for her...
"You could have lost to Owen on the last challenge if someone asked you to have your hair cut by Chef," Ezekiel commented as both Lindsay and Heather felt a shiver on their spine, they looked terrified at him, but then Izzy and Beth laughed which made the duo look weird.
"Don't worry girls, Ezekiel made sure that nobody decides to do this crazy challenge, emotional torture, eat disgusting things, or even get in danger of animals. Sure, but willingly to cut the hair or permanently damage a part of our body was out of the question." Izzy commented as both Lindsay and Heather let out a huge sigh of relief.
"Yeah, we from Killer Bass are not a monster, we just had the opportunity to make every single one of you who made us lose on the show have a huge payback, and trying to take down Owen as well as the catch, since we needed to make you three suffer at the same time without having a preference," Ezekiel explained as the girls, even Beth palled from remembering the challenges. "So that's why we decided to start with disgusting, disgusting, fear, disgusting, fear, pain, pain, disgusting, fear, disgusting, fear and disgusting. On that sequel."
"Err... Ezekiel, I'm afraid you've gone mad with power." Beth commented as she looked palled from the process of ideas the Killer Bass had when it came to the roulette of triple dog dare you. But then what made Beth, Lindsay, and Heather even more shocked was Ezekiel simply nodding his head at them.
"Of course, we were mad with power," Ezekiel said as he explained to the girls. "Have you ever got mad without power? It's boring, nobody listens to you."
At that moment, Heather, Beth, Lindsay, and even Izzy who was raising her finger then dropped as her mouth opened and closed many times...
"He's got a point," Izzy commented as she even gave a slight blush on her face.
Lindsay looked at them both.
"Aren't you two dating?" Lindsay asked as then suddenly a shout of someone screaming THANK YOU was heard which most of them ignored, as Izzy and Ezekiel stared at each other... But then laughed.
"Well, we are best friends, so no romance for me yet because of you know..." Izzy commented as she gave a slight point on Owen who was enjoying a good cheer with the other campers, as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Well Izzy had been one of the best friends I have, excluding all the Killer Bass team, so I'm not even sure what she thinks, so best friends," Ezekiel commented as he shrugged off, which Lindsay raised her eyebrow but she wasn't having that. While Heather looked a bit angry at them both.
"So why the arrows? You both shot at us all the time." Heather commented angrily as Izzy looked smugly at Ezekiel who rolled his eyes.
"We were betting on you both, whoever would win, the person who lost the bet would be doing something," Ezekiel commented as he stared at the queen bee. "Me and Harold did our best to stall the time against Izzy, and yet you still lose, so please don't be sore of it, I was the one losing the bet."
"And what did you both decide to bet on," Lindsay asked curious, as Ezekiel who was still with his shirt, raised one of the sleeves.
"I'm going to be doing a tattoo of Killer Bass right here," Ezekiel explained as he pointed at the arm...
.
.
.
"You WHAT?" Courtney was the first one to shout freaking out, while Duncan whistled and messed up with the hat of the pillar of Killer Bass.
"That's my bro. I'm so proud of him." Duncan chuckled as he even gave a high five at the boy until he suddenly was tackled down by his girlfriend who just kept calling him irresponsible and being a bad influence to the others.
(The Last Bonfire Cerimony)
And so here they were, all the 22 contestants plus Coconut around the campfire one last time, Chris walked up to Lindsay who was standing in front of the fire, while Tyler was on her side, and Heather, Izzy, and Beth on her other side, now going to do the last ceremony of the show. And holding a single marshmallow in his hand.
"Here we are. At the last bonfire ever, After nine brutal weeks, it's my great pleasure to announce the winner of Total Drama Island... LINDSAY.!" Chris gave the official nomination which Lindsay raised her arms, as the entire group of campers cheered for the victory of the blonde bombshell.
As Lindsay took the big cheque and gave some kisses to the camera as she also waved her victory to everyone watching her, the group was proud of how a girl managed to win the show by using her friendship, her logic, and even her athletic skills, which most people never thought she would have gone so far, but also managing to win the first season of the show.
"Thank you so much for all your support, and for everyone who helped me to reach this far, also including the person who made me so angry with him... Tito, I forgive you." Lindsay commented as she forgot who Trent was, and for the best of him, he accepted the apologies to not try to make himself look worse on the television or get punished so hard by her... Since she could watch him apologizing and getting his karma, he felt it was the best he took what he could.
"Lindsay, at this time I give you the ultimate symbol of survival." Chris held up the marshmallow for Lindsay to take. "The final marshmallow."
"Thank you Chip... I mean, Chris." Lindsay commented as Chris smiled at the girl finally took a while but she got her name completely right, and from taking on her hands, Lindsay placed it to her mouth... As to savor the sweet victory, and the proof of her grown-up. "It's delicious."
"Alright, Killer Bass..." Duncan commented as Ezekiel and Geoff smirked. "You know that officially the show is over... It's time for one last thing."
Chris blinked as he felt a bad feeling about it, but then when he tried to move away, Izzy, Heather, and every camper who was approaching him was a signal that something bad was about to happen.
"NO, NO, NO." Chris pleaded as he was being carried by Geoff, Owen, DJ, Harold, Duncan, and Trent who decided to give help carrying the host of the show over their heads and heading towards the dock, intending with only one thing... "Guys, my hair! DUDES!"
"One...two...three!" The guys carrying the host yelled as they launched away Chris into the water, and with that, all the campers were laughing and cheering from seeing Chris with wet hair, while Chef was also giving a good laugh to the campers.
Heather was taking pictures of it, just to save herself for a good laugh, Lindsay was kissing Tyler and he was glad the girl could know who he was just because of the cardboard with his name on it.
"I've been wanting to do that all summer!" Chef laughed at the sight of Chris soaking wet in the ocean. Nothing has brought the buff cook more satisfaction than seeing the person getting karma. "How do you like that, pretty boy?! Huh?!"
"Oh Chef~" The singing sound of Geoff was enough to make the cook feel worried about his life, since the boys approached him, which was enough of a red flag to make him start running away.
"Now it makes all those weeks of craziness worth it." Cadet Sanders smirked as she felt vindicated from her terrible choice of signing a contract that she didn't read, but also she was happy the show ended and she had good political training and experience to share with the cadets of the police academy... She was having a great time... "Was a good show wasn't MacArthur?"
"YOU WHAT? OH THAT'S IT, I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN.!" MacArthur shouted as she stomped away from the direction and saw the tiny coconut on the floor, which the glutes cadet walked towards her black partner, and started to sniff with a few tears in her eyes.
"Ugh... I will take an ice cream tub for you." Sanders rolled her eyes, while her partner gave a nod in gratitude.
"So you guys got beaten up by Izzy?" Duncan laughed at both Harold and Ezekiel who gave a semi-glare at him, which made him laugh even louder.
"That was a crazy idea, why did you decide to take the bet anyway?" Leshawan commented as Ezekiel gave a nostalgic smile and decided to be sincere.
"Well, I think it was fun, also I think it would make a very awesome episode if we did everything we did. Also, I don't mind making a tattoo of Killer Bass, like I said before, Killer Bass until death, was the best team I ever wanted to be, and I Wouldn't have traded that for nothing in this world." Ezekiel commented as he gave a good look on Izzy who was also going to help the boys push the cook on the water. Heather, Lindsay, and Beth also recorded the video to place on the forum.
He was eager to know what the others would think and how they would react to the challenge of the 1 million dollars. The last true episode of Total Drama Island... He was so excited and ready for everything. Especially with the talk he had with Chris before the episode even started.
Chapter 45: Total Drama Drama Drama Drama Island
Chapter Text
"Welcome back to Total Drama Island. It's been a long time since you last saw our campers slugging it out for the $100,000 grand prize. Since the competition came to a shocking and dramatic conclusion, our campers have had some time to snack on some real food - no offense, Chef" Chris started the introduction of the show, as it showed the resume of what happened on the episode while he also gave a slight jab towards the cook who was wearing pool float and pink shorts while he was doing steak on barbecue grill, which he raised his arm while he saw the angry look from the Chef "Take a hot shower, get their stuff back, and even peruse their emails from home. There were losers. But there was only one winner: Lindsay."
Chris explained as he showed the picture of Lindsay who was doing a pose that she used on her talent show and posing while giving a blown kiss to the camera Chris decided to show the highlights of the challenge, as the girl doing all types of challenges, being in fear, getting happy, getting sad, getting angry and showing her naive or angry eyes… After all the athletic and disgusting challenges she did.
"The youngest of three sisters, a person who had beauty and charisma, even despite her naivety and easy way to be tricked turned out to be the surprise champ. Without much knowledge despite her dyslexia, but compensating with her athletic and also her eccentric logical skills of thinking outside the box, she ended up with one massive prize. She's planning to bring every single one of the contestants to have a nice time shopping at the mall of Eaton Centre in Toronto, Ontario this winter. But first, they're gonna move their booties for one final poolside rap party, and tomorrow, everybody's heading home. Or are they?" Chris explained as everyone seemed to be having a great time together, however, nobody could guess if that was indeed the last scene they would have from Chris, and now he was ready to show one last challenge for the campers, especially for the winner. "Find out here on Total. Drama. Island!"
After the whole challenge which had been nothing more than a nightmare for some, and iconic moments for others, now every camper was enjoying a good time with themselves, celebrating the pool party as the show seemed to be finally coming to an end, many campers can't wait to return to their lives, as it was a great time to pass with each other.
Lindsay was kissing Tyler as he was wearing his shorts, but to make sure his girlfriend still remembered his name, he had a golden collar that had his name attached to it, he had no idea why the production cast decided to do that for him, but he was thankful for them thinking ahead since it felt it was a very iconic joke that he isn't aware of.
Lindsay was with her 100 thousand dollar cheque behind her, as she was enjoying a good time when she suddenly felt someone touching her shoulder, the blonde bombshell was happy until she saw a face that made her freeze, and made her have a stoic face.
"Hello Lindsay, congrats on your winning." It was no other than Trent who decided to be mature and be polite as he saw the girl still forcing her smile at him. The guitarist knew that he had to say it. "Look, I know that I committed some mistakes."
*COUGH*
There was a loud cough coming from the jock nearby the blond, which made Trent rolls his eyes. "Okay, I committed a lot of mistakes, and I am very sorry, from the bottom of my heart, about what I made you do in vain," Trent apologized as the winner of the show blinked in surprise. "I know that you said you forgave me, but I wanted to be sincere, and your boyfriend and your friends really made me get a lot of punishment, just for the sake I making the mistake. So I want to ask you forgiveness this time with sincerity."
Lindsay remained as she stared at the person in front of her, and from the time he wasn't sure about what to say, she then felt someone tapping her shoulder, it was Tyler who had a happy smile on his face.
"Do it, I will show you something nice later, he is really sorry, and you are going to like what you will see…" Tyler commented with a smirk, which made Trent groan, but gave a grateful smile in return.
"Okay, you are forgiven, Tyson… Trent."Lindsay said the right name as she felt herself smiling happily once again.
.
.
.
While there was a good song happening and Eva eating marshmallows with Chef doing the barbecue, the Chef saw Harold talking with Ezekiel while he had a Biology book in his hands.
"And that's why beavers shouldn't be considered members of the vermin family. Their skeletal structures are like, totally different from rats."Harold explained as Ezekiel was musing while writing down something on the paper.
"Harold, I was just drawing the 2 beavers brothers mascots of Izzy's company… And while I say this looks fascinating from some perspective, I actually want to ask… are you planning to become a teacher in the future?" Ezekiel said as he gave a pause, and stared at his nerd friend that as much he loves him as a great friend when he goes to boast knowledge mode, it gets annoying even for himself.
"Well, kinda..."Harold commented as he paused and looked a bit uncomfortable. "It's because me and my cousin Scarlett always had a little game among ourselves that we always debated about scientific facts and historical facts to make sure that we know more than each other."
"Oh, so that's a game…"Ezekiel understood something that he never thought before, as when he first learned about Harold talking about Scarlett, he almost freaked out from imagining how one of his best friends was relative to a girl who became crazy and almost took control of the island in a few seasons in the future. But then she could see both of them showing their intelligence and trying to look superior in that. "Why didn't you tell me that's kinda of a game? I would have tried to find something interesting for us to debate… And you should also ask if someone is interested in that dude, when you do that alone, it gets annoying. Asking for play is a good way to make the others know that you are not bragging yourself just for the sake of nagging the others."
"Oh really?" Harold commented as he hummed and understood what his friend was saying. "I didn't know."
"It's fine Harold, I'm just glad that I finally understand why you do that, and also… I think your acting mysterious when you showed your dark side on the show, really made people more interested in knowing things. From what I saw on the forum of total drama when you told the most dangerous animal and said for the others to look for themselves, it made people very interested in searching and learning." Ezekiel suggested as the duo walked nearby Izzy who was also enjoying a good time with Chef, talking about the time on how she beat the duo and how he laughed from watching the show. "Sometimes Harold, if you act mysterious and say something like a keyword, and let the people search for it, they will be more interested in searching for themselves, while you still act cool and interesting," Ezekiel suggested, as he knew that his friend had great skills, but sometimes he goes a little overboard and he should get a bit more mature, so that's what he wanted to do for his friend.
"Oh really? Do you think that it could work?" Harold blinked and asked in surprise, as he never thought about the idea of him looking cool doing something like that.
"Harold, you as a wildcard made a good fandom likes you, so you should do a lot of good stuff to keep your fame still around, you have a lot of skills, and that's a good opportunity to explore them to become stable," Ezekiel explained as Izzy nodded her head as she got the duo on the right time.
"Yeah, I'm a billionaire now, and Ezekiel will be releasing his new books in a few days," Izzy commented as Harold looked in surprise.
"Really? So Adventure Time and Steven Universe are going to be published?" Harold looked very surprised but also very excited since the idea of reading the official book written by his friend was going to be a good way to enjoy his time with his siblings and go to school again but this time as a famous boy.
"Yeah, I'm going to be doing a book sign in a few days, probably in a mall near the location we returned from the show. I needed to pass a while with my parents, but I'm sure at the moment I make the book signing, I will be ready to write more for the future." Ezekiel commented as he gave a slight smirk to Izzy who giggled since both of them knew there would be a good future for both of them.
"That's awesome," Harold commented as he then looked at Izzy and narrowed a bit his eyes. "Someday I want to have a sparring with you again. I feel like I could have done more than what I just saw on the last episode."
"Oh, that I don't doubt, but while you still know Karate and Kung Fu, I learned with the best of Canada, so you still have a long way to defeat me… But I'm glad to have someone to fight with." Izzy smirked as Harold narrowed his eyes, and Ezekiel rolled his.
"Alright both of you stop, if you don't want meat or a hotdog, then get out of here," Chef said annoyed as the group walked towards the table of the buffet. As the trio got out, Chef couldn't help but smirk as he was reminded of the days he always had a good time in the military with his friends. "These kids..."
As the camera walked around, Sadie, Katie, and Cody were dancing on the pool, while Justin was flexing a few poses, which Sadie was giggling, as her best friend and sister of another mother was also hugging her boyfriend in happiness.
"As soon as I get home, I'm signing up with three modeling agencies. One for my face, one for my body, and uh, one for my knees." Justin commented as he started to show his muscles as even the camera already took pictures of the pose he was having, one for each category he quoted.
"That sounds great Justin, I'm sure everyone is going to like you, even from all the popularity you had on the show," Cody commented as he remarked on the forum of the show where all the girls talked mostly about Justin doing poses and how great he had been around.
"You do have great knees," Sadie commented which made Justin stop, and then gave with a good smirk, as he tried to look away from the slight blush he had on the moment.
"Thanks, Sadie, and I noticed that you have been working out just fine," Justin commented as Katie and Cody blinked… "You should also give a try in some flexing poses, if you want I can give you some points."
Sadie smiled innocently as she nodded her head, while both Cody and Katie blinked in surprise and looked at each other.
(Confession – Katie and Cody)
"Please tell me that you saw what I saw," Cody commented to his girlfriend who nodded her head at him.
"Justin has a crush on Sadie. *squeeeeeeeeeee*" Katie got so excited that she squealed which made Cody flinch a bit, but was also surprised to see how the duo felt so surprised by that.
"I didn't know Sadie was Justin's type," Cody commented as he felt a slap on the back of his head. "Ouch,"
"Don't judge their love. And I'm sure Sadie will realize that he has a crush on her." Katie said as a warning, and Cody then raised his eyebrows at her. "Okay, I know what you are thinking."
"Oh, do you?" Cody snarked as he pointed out a few things. "From the stories I heard you both told me, the word love clueless on the dictionary had a picture of Sadie on it."
"Okay mister, you had overused your timing talking with Noah, stop being sarcastic." Katie said as she knew Noah was a good friend, but some of his sarcasm was really annoying sometimes, "Dealing with one sarcastic bookworm was enough, I'm not going to accept my boyfriend becoming like him."
"Okay, okay," Cody commented as he rolled his eyes, and they both smiled at the camera.
As the sound of disco appeared on the place, Chef checked his stake he loved the smell, and ready to be eaten, it was just needed the final touches. On the buffet, there were Owen, Izzy, Eva, Ezekiel, and Harold enjoying the quantity of marshmallows they were eating.
Owen was eating a large quantity of marshmallows while Izzy was eating way before him.
"Ninety-five!" Izzy commented as she ate and with the drink she then burped loudly in front of Ezekiel. Which she immediately stops. "Ops sorry."
"It's fine, better out than in." Ezekiel quotes one of the most iconic movies, in which Izzy giggled as also Owen cheered from the loud burp Izzy just made since both were eating a lot of marshmallows.
"Ooh! Woohoo! That was awesome! You are a marshmallow goddess!" Owen commented as he gave bowing motions to Izzy who was still eating marshmallows.
And Ezekiel had a question on his mind.
"I'm curious, how do you guys do loud burps?"Ezekiel commented as he then saw Harold with an eager face on his side, he decided to shrug. "Alright Harold, what's the most logical explanation?"
"In scientific terms, loud burps can be described as the audible expulsion of gastric gases through the oral cavity, resulting from the sudden release of air accumulated in the stomach and esophagus," Harold commented on the scientific explanation which probably made Owen look confused as what the hell the nerd had just told him, and Eva was looking at the boy weird. "The phenomenon occurs due to the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and the rapid movement of air through the upper digestive tract. The sound intensity of the burp is influenced by factors such as the volume and velocity of the expelled gas, as well as the anatomical characteristics of the individual's vocal tract and oral cavity."
"Err… Harold, remember what I said?" Ezekiel commented as the nerd slapped on his head.
"Okay, keywords, soda, drink fast, wait 3 seconds, be straight up, swallow the air, and let it out." Harold gave in simple words, as Owen gave a gasp of realization, and Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Got it…"Ezekiel took his soda can and gave the maximum of gulps he could, until he finished the soda can, and after waiting for a few seconds… Ezekiel got himself in position… "*Buuuuuurp."
It had been a little loud, but in comparison to many of the other campers, that didn't have been that impressive, but still both Owen and Izzy clapped at him.
"Great job on the first try Zeke." Izzy commented as she decided to give her secret weapon, "Besides, with a little practice, you'll be burping like me…"
And then with all her might, Izzy had given the mother of all burps, since at the time she burped, it was like the roar of an animal, which Ezekiel was in front of her, shielding himself with his arms, and standing strong on his ground, while Harold was almost launched away but thankfully Eva was holding him strongly at the ground. Tyler, Lindsay, Heather, and Beth were playing ball in the pool until the giant burp was enough to catch Beth and Tyler with a wave and the wave was carrying both Lindsay and Heather to the other side of the pool, where Gwen was talking happily with Duncan, Courtney, DJ and Geoff who seemed to be so fine into talking and enjoying their time on the pool until they saw the strong burp on their direction. While Owen felt the marshmallows fall from his mouth...
At the end of the said roar made of carbonate gas, everyone stared at Izzy, who just realized that she burped once again on his friend's face.
"Sorry Ezekiel." Izzy apologized but both Ezekiel and Harold raised their thumbs up at her.
"THAT WAS AWESOME," Ezekiel commented until he saw Owen being shocked on that level. "Owen, are you okay?"
"I think I'm in love with you," Owen commented as he held the hand of Izzy who was surprised with the act of the chubby guy, until he started kissing her, which made Izzy with a huge desire to puke.
"Izzy," A voice called out, Ezekiel knew that his mom would hate to see that, but he gave his winter hat to Izzy who immediately started vomiting and running away. "I should have expected that eating that quantity of marshmallows mixed with soda would cause such problems on the stomach."
"I agreed, there was no way that a person would hold up that quantity of sugar without consequences." Harold nodded his head, and Eva agreed since she was also feeling terrible in her stomach after eating 37 marshmallows.
"Was something I said?" Owen asked sadly which made the trio nod their head at him.
"It was more like acting… Owen, you are a great guy, but you kinda forgot one single detail…" Harold tried to approach him in the kindest way possible.
"You screwed up Owen, hard, you pushed Izzy into Chef dressed as a serial Killer, there was no way the same person would would falls for you after that," Eva on the other hand decided to be sharpest as a knife, making Owen flinches.
"Well, you have a heart in a good place Owen, but from what I heard from Izzy, she will only treat you as a friend, but a romance again? Sorry buddy, but not a chance." Ezekiel nodded his head, as Owen sighed and nodded his head sadly.
"That's fair… Hey guys, do you want me to see me burping the alphabet?" Owen commented as Ezekiel and Harold passed a few seconds, but then nodded their heads with a smirk on their faces, and Eva rolled her eyes and walked towards the crowd group on the pool, which was Gwen enjoying her time with the Killer Bass friends.
"Okay, let me hear again in case I didn't hear right," Bridgette commented as she couldn't believe what she just said…
"I just think me and Harold were moving too fast in the relationship," Leshawna commented it made the blonde girl feel unsure about what to say at that moment, but thankfully for her, another person was also there to show her mind.
"So let me try to summarize what we just heard, you, Leshawna, who just had been the first person who form a relationship on the show, and when there was a huge rivalry between you and your troll on the internet, the same you, who decided to take Harold's first time, I can't believe I said that, but anyway, and had the every opportunity to show up to your troll that you two had been great together… wants now to say that you two had been too fast on the relationship." Noah summarized as he explained to the black ghetto in the most sarcastic way, as the girl felt unsure of what to say, and Noah couldn't help but give a last remark. "Wow, and here I thought the others were doing a slow motion on their relationships."
"Look, I know what I said, but it was all on the emotional on there, and Sierra had been always striking on my nerves, and I know Harold is the funkiest, baddest, strangest white boy I have ever met. But, I think we need to slow down a bit." Leshawna commented as she realized that she had been always acting as receptive instead of letting everything happen around her.
Bridgette's eyes softened as she could understand what the girl had been saying, and while she could agree with Noah on how Leshawna had started everything, she couldn't blame her for the fact that they went far ahead and did things that she never thought she would have crossed with Geoff yet…
"I understand, but I think that you may want someone to help you out to reach him," Bridgette commented as she made the girl stare at her. "Harold as much he is a good friend and a very skilled person, sometimes he lets his pride be over his head, and without knowing he ends up annoying us around… Thankfully Courtney, Duncan, and Ezekiel are helping him out on that because I remember how he first started and he kinda freaked me out."
"Yes, I know," Leshawna giggled as the duo felt fine Noah rolled his eyes and decided to give a better remark.
"Well, at least you know where you can start," Noah remarked, as Leshawna looked away, and saw Gwen sitting with Duncan, Courtney, DJ, and Geoff and having a great time together.
"Yeah, that's a good idea," Leshawna commented as she decided to wave at the duo as she went in the direction of the little group.
.
.
.
"I think the best thing about playing this stupid game was meeting you guys," Gwen commented as she was very happy to be around a group of friends that she never thought she would have enjoyed most. As times were hard on the show, the best moments that she could indeed appreciate in her memories, were the times they were all together in the Aquarium and talking about their days, plans and even doing their hobbies on there.
"Ditto," Geoff nodded his head agreeing with Gwen who also was happy with Geoff inviting her to have a good party.
"Yeah, It was awesome to meet you guys." DJ agreed as he gave a high-five to Duncan who nodded his head.
"Yep, I couldn't believe the time when I get out of this place, I will return to my home and bed, and then I will just do a few community services for a few weeks and then I can return to my style of life," Duncan commented that he was happy to enjoy his life of being a delinquent. Until he heard someone clearing a throat nearby him… "Well I also should visit to check the princess and her mom for helping me out from all this mess up we got into…"
"That's my boyfriend," Courtney commented as Gwen giggled from seeing the duo being happy like that. "But I have to agree, there were times I wanted so much to beat the crap of Chris… But I think meeting you all and making me learn to open up more and relax really made me feel with a lighter head, and appreciate the time having new friends."
Gwen smiled as Eva, Leshawna, Harold, and Ezekiel approached after seeing Gwen taking a few photographs with her.
" I can't wait for you to meet my buds back home. This is Marilyn, Pixiecorpse, and Reaper." Gwen commented as she showed the picture of her goth friends, and while some of them looked uncomfortable seeing the picture of them, Ezekiel gave a better look at the pictures.
"They look cool, I'm curious if they also have a dream of going to Transylvania," Ezekiel commented while some of his friends raised their eyebrows at him.
"Yeah, we plan to go there after college, since it would be a good time for us go to there. There is a castle there that it looks very cool for we trip. And that's something that we would be very excited to have as a school trip, but nobody ever wants to go to the cool places." Gwen commented which made the group look confused at her, and at Ezekiel who nodded his head at her.
"Makes sense… Harold, do you know why goths like so much Transylvania?" Ezekiel asked as Harold really wanted to share some information, but he contained himself.
"The keyword it's Dracula is known to being the first goth," Harold commented as the group who were around, opened their mouths in understanding.
"Ohhhhhhhh," The finally could see how Gwen felt happy around, and since she and her friends would be going to where the who would be the first goth or aka vampire, was indeed something that the goth would go behind.
"I'm surprised that you actually knew that Harold. Nice job," Gwen nodded her head, as she would have been annoyed by the nerd doing a lot of talking across something related to what she liked or showing some controversies, but she had no idea what Ezekiel just did, but from resuming the answer to keywords, indeed made her appreciate the conversation more...
Lindsay was using her PDA while Heather was using her Heathermmunicator as both girls traded their numbers and contacts Beth sat as they kept reading their emails and giving more contacts to their parents.
Tyler was nearby them as he was playing frisbee with Trent, since the duo seemed to have resolved their differences, and the guitarist found someone to enjoy a good sport around.
"Aww, look! Maggie, Bree, and Heidi are planning a giant welcome home party for me!" Lindsay shouted happily as Heather raised her eyebrow while Beth mumbled happily.
"Lucky!" Beth commented as she was happy for her friend, but also kinda envied her popularity, but Lindsay didn't care since she was one of her best friends.
"Isn't the trio part of your cheerleader squad?" Heather asked as she since she was around Lindsay, remembered the stories that she talked to her, even in times Heather didn't even want to listen.
"Dusty will be there!" Lindsay squealed happily which made Beth and Heather also squealed excited.
"WHO IS DUSTY?" Tyler shouted in fear until a frisbee immediately hit on his head. And was almost falling into the pool.
"It's the celebrity gossip magazine, you doofus," Heather commented to the jock who was still dizzy but giving a thumbs up before falling into the water.
Tyler was fighting to not drown in the water, and DJ when saw that moment, he knew that he had to do something, so he ripped his shirt, which there was a pool float vest, and jumped into the pool to try to save the jock who was drowning… But since DJ didn't have practice in looking inside the water, he accidentally slammed his head under the water on a nearby wall, and started to drown himself…
Tyler took on that moment to save the king heart giant, and both got out of the pool Tyler had to use DJ's legs as a lever to make DJ spit out all the water from his body.
"So, celebrities magazine?" Tyler commented at the trio of girls, which Lindsay and Beth giggled, while Heather rolled her eyes, but in the end, the trio squealed from their popularity being raised from the blonde bombshell having a chance to have more popularity.
As a group we enjoyed everything, even trading contacts and telling their plans for the future, Ezekiel… as the same others suddenly heard a suspense song playing on the speakers on the playa del losers… Which Ezekiel stared at Izzy… Which had a serious face as well, as both knew it was time.
Everyone paused and stared at Chris holding what would be a heavy grey suitcase, Ezekiel had his eyes wide open, and he saw both MacArthur and Sanders approaching behind him, knowing well what was about to happen.
But the others had no idea what was supposed to happen on that day… And then Chef came to the place where Lindsay had left her big 100 thousand dollars cheque and took it with him.
Until Chris released the big suitcase on the floor.
"Hello, campers!" Chris commented as he felt he never have been so excited in his life, but then the mood was turned down when Duncan already decided to be a stick in the mud.
"Ha, that's ex-campers to you," Duncan commented as he didn't even like to be named on the same thing Chris would call when he had something crazy on his mind.
"Yeah. Your twisted game is over. Remember?" Heather nodded her head as she was so relieved that she didn't have to be on the show anymore, even though she lost, at least she would have as the only memories her friends, as she would ask her parents to make her do their best to pay therapy for make her forget about the show as a whole.
"We'll see about that," Chris whispered to Chef, as the duo started to chuckle at their positions.
"Hey Chris, did you talk with the producers about the thing I asked you?" Ezekiel then asked a question and everyone around the pool raised their eyebrows at him, and Chris smirked with a thumbs up and gave the answer he was relieved of.
"They are talking with your lawyer, and probably with your parents, but from what you told me, it sounds legit. So I would guarantee that in a few days, it would be done. Congratulations Ezekiel." Chris commented as Ezekiel got up from his place, and Izzy herself also got hyped.
"YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHH, YEAH, YES." Both Ezekiel and Izzy gave high fives and she even hugged him as a way to congratulate him.
"What? What's going on?" Gwen asked as Courtney and Duncan were also confused about seeing someone so hyped by something done with Chris.
"Well, I wish you could give the honors Ezekiel, but I'm kinda in a hurry. But in summary… Ezekiel now is the owner of Playa Del Losers." Chris commented as the silence sound was enough to make everyone stare at the homeschooled boy who just got his winter hat which Izzy made sure to clean up… from what she said, but he didn't mind since he would wash it later. But now the group stared at the boy who clearly bought the resort which they passed the weeks when they weren't on the show.
Even the cadets stared in surprise, as Sanders whistled and MacArthur had to nod her read in appreciation.
But then the Killer Bass team went to greet Ezekiel for his new achievement.
"I can't believe it." Gwen commented as she smirked at the duo who seemed to be cheering with the official new owner of the place, "I could imagine you would want to use your money for some investment, but to buy this place?"
"Yeah dude, I can't believe you bought this place." Duncan laughed as he seemed to enjoy this place already and now he knows the owner of the place. "You are going to invite us to come here whenever we want right?"
"That's the idea," Ezekiel commented as the group was very happy that the official place was now given to the new owner since the show was over, and Ezekiel now had a vacation spot for relaxation.
"Well, good job, but you also should be aware of the expanses of this place, like food, water, energy, and from the equipment around as like something who always had any kind of preparations would actually think before doing some stupid purchase." Noah came as he looked at his boss and partner when it came to the books, but looking at the serious face of his friend, he knew the boy actually passed. "You really thought about the expenses…"
"Yes, I did. That's why I asked my lawyer and Izzy's accountant to make some simulations about my options on what I could make with this place, and make this my official home as it will take a few months to renovate everything, make it official, as I have to pass with my parents and the development of what I should be doing with this place." Ezekiel explained as he also pointed out about the transport, what would be the safest and best way to travel if was needed a safe boat, or a better way to come here by helicopter, or even if he needs to learn how to pilot a boat or a helicopter, he made all the checklist of potential problems and ways to solve it the best way as possible.
"That's actually a very reasonable way to make sure that it would work. And as a person who values scholarship, I would have recommended you to focus on your studies… But from what I learned from you, I think from your humble nature, you are doing fine in trusting a good lawyer and an accountant, so I hope that you have a good spot for me and Duncan when we visit you in the future." Courtney, as much as she was worried about the possible problems of what would happen to her friend, knew that in some aspect, she could trust the judgment of the boy, as the Killer Bass already had ideas and asking for invitations for the boy who was just laughing and nodding his head at them, even Noah was fine since he could officially find a spot to be whenever he wanted to be out of his home for a while. And while working as the editor that would help him from all the work he would have done.
The Screaming Gophers members were in shock as everything happened, Heather had her jaw slacked, Beth was kinda of happy, and Lindsay was even clapping her hands celebrating.
"Why? Are you clapping Lindsay?" Heather asked as the blonde girl then stared at her friend in confusion.
"What? Didn't you hear? He said he bought the entire resort, so that means that we all can visit him when we want to rest, and have a good time to relax."Lindsay commented, as Heather opened her mouth, but then sighed…
"We aren't sure if we are invited Lindsay…"The queen bee commented, as she wasn't going to believe that he would be something stupid like that, since they weren't friends, but rivals trying to up each other…
"Actually, I do." Then a voice made Heather pause and stare at Ezekiel who was looking at her, which made her in surprise. "Even as rivals, I am going to permit you all to come to visit me whenever you want. Even Chris, the Chef, and the cadets. Since we all worked together on this show, I think whenever we suffered on this hellish show. We kinda deserved a break, so yeah, when this place is done, everyone can relax whenever we want from all the stress we have in our lives. So yeah. My invitation is open."
And those words alone were enough to make Owen happy and give a bear hug to Ezekiel which almost suffocated him.
"WOHOOOOOOOO, YEAH BABY, THAT'S SO AWESOME ZEKE, THIS PLACE IS AWESOME, CONGRATS DUDE," Owen shouted as the others went there to congratulate and be happy to talk about their ideas about when they could possibly come to visit when everything was over.
But everything stopped when the host once again coughed which made everyone stare at the duo, Chris and Chef, while the cadets who were also talking to Ezekiel and happy for being invited to visit returned to their stations while looking sheepish.
"Well, as much I'm happy with this news, which I'm very happy because I've also got a spot on this place whenever I want, and Chef as well," Chris commented as Chef gave a thumbs up, and who had his friends who could visit Izzy's best friend, they would love a vacation spot to come to visit the boy who Izzy had a good time and being a crazy duo. But then he had to make a frown as Chris decided to explain more about what was about to happen. And Chris who came nearby Lindsay was surprised to see him. He came to congratulate Lindsay. He showed the good flashbacks from the show where Lindsay survived most problems and overcame all the obstacles from the show."Congratulations to our winner! Lindsay, you played hard, you fought hard, you posed hard, and broke fandoms harder! You survived the challenges, and with the alliances you made you managed to beat every other person on this island, and your pockets will soon be stuffed with makeup products."
"OH OH OH, I want some L'Oréal Paris makeup, they always helped me to clear my skin and make me even prettier," Lindsay commented as both Heather and Beth looked at Lindsay while they smiled and rolled their eyes, knowing that's how Lindsay had been since from the start, and she would never change.
"But what I'm about to offer you may change all that. Inside this suitcase is One. Million. Dollars!" Chris then decided to make a twist that almost everyone didn't expect to see coming. As Chef raised the suitcase the light flashed on the gray suitcase showing a good spark from the reflection, and then Chris decided to show one little other secret. "We had our PA's make a cardboard check of this awesome new prize!"
And from that moment, the ground started to shake as it felt tremors of earthquake, but everyone looked at the shadow appearing on the Playa Del Losers, as it then showed a cheque so big, that it was the size of the hotel which was brought on the resort.
"WE WENT THROUGH A LOT OF CARDBOARD TO MAKE THIS!"Chris shouted happily as everyone never thought to see such a big cheque of their lives. And when they thought Ezekiel buying the Playa Del Losers was shocking, to see the size of the cheque was absurd. It was amazing. Even Ezekiel who had the knowledge of seeing the thing from a television was way different than actually seeing it in person, it made a shade to the whole resort. And then Chris returned to talk with Lindsay. "Lindsay, my girl, this million dollars could be yours. All you have to do is figure out where we're about to hide it and bring it back to the Dock of Shame before everyone else does."
And from the explanation of the challenge, it clearly made some of the campers understand what were the rules.
"Wait," Gwen commented as she wanted to know if she got it right. "You're telling us that we all have a chance to win a million dollars?"
"Yep. What do you say, Lindsay? Will you settle for a hundred G's of 1 allowance or one. Million. Dollars which would be 10 allowances in one go?!" Chris gave the sudden question which made Lindsay feel her eyes shrink as she also got in shock.
"Te te t-TEN ALLOWANCES IN ONE GO? OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH. I COULD BUY A MALL WITH IT." Lindsay freaked out as she never thought about the possibility, and Noah was about to retort something but Izzy and Ezekiel placed their hands over his mouth… "I could buy a whole mall for me, and Charlie and Paula had to go all the stores I bought, and then I can call all my friends to buy inside of my mall… Okay, I WANT THE ONE MILLION DOLLARS."
"That's the spirit, Lindsay," Chris commented as he blinked at Chef nodded his head, and ripped the smaller check with his strength, and with the good opportunity for him to make the best last episode of the show ever. One of the interns who was working in the sound department appeared to take the suitcase of money and carried it with him as it was time to make the challenge very exciting for everyone. "Throughout the day, I'll give you all hints from the loudspeakers just to make sure you're not completely lost."
(Confession – Courtney)
"Okay. This just got interesting again." The C.I.T. girl commented that she never thought that she would gain another opportunity to win big money, and while she is very happy for Lindsay, Ezekiel, and Izzy, they were already with good money, so it was the time for herself to also give a try.
"Alright, campers…" Chris rose out his gun and aimed it upward. With a blank bullet to make sure that he wouldn't try to hit a flying animal in a fatal way, as he didn't even care which species it would hit since he was now prepared, and he didn't want another dodged bullet, so he decided to make the best last episode ever. "The race for the one million dollars starts… NOW!"
At the time Chris shot the blank bullet, a seagull was flying unaware that it would be hit, and unfortunately was hit by the bullet, but luckily for him and for Chris, the blank bullet knocked the animal but didn't hit in a fatal way, as Chris smiled with himself into knowing that he did the right call.
"WOHOOOO, LET'S GO GIRLS," Lindsay shouted happily as Heather, Beth, and Izzy ran after the blonde bombshell, as the rest of the campers stared into each other, not sure what to do. While the girls had to take a boat to go directly to Wawanakwa Island and then do their treasure hunt, they didn't care as long as the group would go for their mission.
As the four campers ran off, Chris looked… to see none of the other campers racing off to go get the prize, but most of them were giving a look of suspicion to Chris, or even hard glares, which Chris didn't like the way the show was going.
Until Ezekiel gave a sigh.
"Chris, Chris, Chris," Ezekiel commented as the host gave a space for the homeschooled boy who just stared at him in surprise. "You just came here to make a challenge to everyone after everything that passed on the show, just for the end people would fight themselves in case they would find the suitcase of money, and we aren't even aware that you placed bricks or rocks in a way to trick everyone to participate into the last challenge for one million… Didn't you?"
"Yeah, you got that right," Chris admitted shamelessly as Ezekiel shook his head.
"That's not a way to motivate a people to do it," Ezekiel commented and Noah agreed with the boy. The other campers nodded their heads at the idea.
"I'd love to play another round of "Humiliate the Teens", but I've got a buffet to eat," Noah commented as he took a bite of Marshmallow as Duncan and Courtney scoffed and glared at the host of the show.
"Aw, sit on it," Duncan commented as Eva nodded her head.
"Fine. Suit yourselves. I'm sure Lindsay will be happy to have no competition while she and her friends make the easiest million dollars in TV history." Chris commented as a way to tempt the other contestants into using their greed and envy to go after the quartet of girls who just took a boat away directly at the island.
"Fine," Gwen commented as she didn't care about the money.
"Yeah, right" Justin also was very annoyed with Katie, Sadie, and Cody glaring at the host while everyone was eating their buffet and wanting to enjoy their last day of the show in peace…
And Ezekiel staring at that situation knew he had to do something. So he used both his fingers and gave a whistle loud enough to bring attention.
"Whoa, thanks again for teaching me how to do it, Chef." Ezekiel was impressed into making a whistle loud enough by using his fingers, but then he decided to give a little help to Chris. "Killer Bass, last minute meeting."
The Killer Bass raised their eyebrows as the boy got into the middle of the said resort as he knew what could be the best idea to make them interested.
"Guys, I know that any of you are still angry and felt your pride bruised from the show since Chris had been an *beep*" Ezekiel commented which made the host frown eyes, while the cook and the cadets chuckled from the words and Duncan smirked proudly on how he taught a few ways to curse Chris. "But since today's is the last episode, and Lindsay had to make a choice between 100 thousand dollars or one million, that means Chris challenge would only be focused on making us fight against ourselves over the money, with the probability of losing friendships with the show is over."
Ezekiel explained in a logical way which everyone from the camo felt unsure of what to say, but thankfully Ezekiel wasn't done with it.
"So that's why, whoever wants to give a try on this challenge and go for Wawanakwa one last time, it would be for the best for we say our goodbyes for the island since we are never returning there, and it doesn't matter if it's a 100 thousand dollars or even one million dollars, we should always remain friends, from everything we have been through, from all the good things, bad things, blood, sweat, tears... You all will be my friends and a family that I never thought I would have, so that's why I suggest... Whatever is going to happen, we will always be friends, no matter what." Ezekiel gave a very powerful and emotional speech which made Chef tear up, Sanders released a few tears, and Katie and Sadie even started crying. The Killer Bass always felt it was true since they suffered so much, there was also a good spot that they would wish to say a last goodbye and they knew that they also wanted to remain friends, until the end... After that Ezekiel slowly walked in the corner... With a smirk on his face. "That said... THE WINNER PLANS AND PAYS FOR THE BIRTHDAY PARTIES FOR ALL THE FRIENDS UNTIL THE END OF THE NEXT YEAR"
Then Ezekiel started running with a headstart... And with Lindsay shouting that she will be rich... The Killer Bass felt triggered. And with their competitive side showing.
"I HOPE YOU GUYS LOVE PUNK ROCK," Dunca ran after Ezekiel as Courtney quickly went after him.
"OH NO, I'M GOING TO MAKE A WELL EDUCATED PARTY FOR EVERYONE." Courtney felt her competitive side showing, and since Ezekiel said the winner would make a birthday party and plan for the friends. It would only need to pay 10 thousand dollars for each great party, so paying 130 thousand and having 870 thousand to enjoy? Yeah, Courtney liked the odds. And the downside, even if she loses to either of her friends, she would get an awesome birthday party or a good day at the mall...
Win-win-win situation, which was enough for a whole Killer Bass to go directly to the boats and start the hunt for the suitcase for one million dollars. Soon they found themselves in groups of 3 or four for each boat, and since most of the campers of the Screaming Gophers were also caught at the moment, their greed also played a major factor which made them not being left behind.
"Can I help you guys?" Harold said as he was going inside of the boa which both Courtney and Duncan gave a slight pause.
"Depends…if you find the case will you give it to me? Or you are going to try to catch the whole suitcase for yourself?" Courtney said as she crossed her arms, while Duncan looked with his eyes narrowed.
"…" Harold remained quiet as he tried to think of a possible solution, which he weakly offered. "Could you give me 100 thousand and I decide my own thematic birthday party and you have the rest?"
Both boyfriend and girlfriend, looked at each other until both shrugged.
"Okay, but if more people are trying to help us, then it will be 50 thousand and the thematic party will have to be at maximum 10 thousand dollars." Courtney really would want to say Harold would slow them down, but knowing Harold also was a scooter which had many merit badges as he proved during the show, it would help them out since Harold could also be a tracker for them.
"That's fair." Harold nodded his head as the trio smirked into going in the direction of the Wawanakwa island.
(Confession – Harold)
"Well I could have denied the offer made by Courtney, but I think it would be nice to help the others, and having more hands to look around would be nice for me to show for at least once more my skills, and since Duncan and Courtney are my friends, I know that Courtney would be truth to her word, and to be honest, I find hilarious seeing Courtney whipping Duncan from whatever something wrong he does," Harold commented as he chuckled from seeing one iconic thing that he and his friends are amused into seeing, but then he realized what he said on the television. "Oh, he is going to see it on the television… Uh oh… Well, if I'm going to get pranked, I need to have a good reason for that… Tsupish… *Crack whip sounds*"
(Confession - Duncan)
"With the doofus scooters expert into tracking and with my girlfriend leading us, this money is about to be in my pocket. Or in my duffle bag. I'm not really sure how much space a million dollars takes up." Duncan remarked as his plan felt very solid until he felt as if he was unsure of what to say since he never thought about how much he could carry the money with his clothing.
When a few other boats finally arrived on the island, DJ, Owen, and Tyler gave a high five as Owen felt excited for the team he just made.
"Aww, a guy's only team! This is awesome!" Owen commented that he was happy to see a group of boys working together to get good money since he agreed to share his money in 3 equal parts, as the other two would help to make birthday parties in case they would win their parts as well. So they were excited about doing fine.
"Yeah! Guys rule! While I couldn't go and help my girlfriend to catch her money, I also wanted to give it a try. I've been hitting the weights since I got here. Working on my fiercenessness." Tyler commented as he decided to flex his muscles, but suddenly he didn't see Eva appearing nearby and pushing him away.
"Get over yourself," Eva remarked as Noah walked behind her with a smirk on his face, as the duo kept walking in that direction while the trio looked dumbfounded at how the strength of Eva was enough to push down Tyler so easily.
.
.
.
"He he he, it was very funny on how easily you managed to push Tyler that way," Noah commented as Eva rolled her eyes.
"I saw his training schedule, it's pure disappointment, saw Sadie and Ezekiel pulling more weight on their bodies than this clumsy jock." The bodybuilder commented as she even scoffed. "Probably every time he tried to pull some weight he somehow messed up and managed to hurt himself which made him give up from the training for the rest of the day. But still, he could have used my own training schedule."
"Not going to offend you Eva, but only suicidal would want to try your training schedule."The bookworm remarked as the bodybuilder gave a shark smile at him.
"Question my methods, but never my results, you saw Sadie and Ezekiel," Eva simply said as the boy rolled his eyes, and followed the tank in front of him.
"Yeah yeah, we found two crazy people willing to go to the limit… you must be very proud." Noah said as the duo kept trying to find what would be the gray suitcase.
"I am, and I think you also should be doing some exercises as well, you look like a beanpole," Eva commented and the brainiac simply scoffed.
"And suffer what would be more torture for the sake of having a little more muscles? I saw how much Ezekiel and Sadie screamed in pain from their exercises, pass." Noah said sarcastically as the bodybuilder rolled her eyes, "I'm the brain guy, and I know that I could win whatever challenge would happen with my intelligence alone."
"Keep telling yourself that," Eva commented as the duo continued their search for the prize money.
The time Bridgette and Geoff were on the island they had been having a good time kissing each other, but then suddenly the bane of their existence once again showed it was time to make their lives miserable.
*tsk* *tsk* *tsk*
"OH COME ON. NOT ON THE EYES" Geoff shouted as he felt the pain of the hot sauce water spray coming from nobody other than Gwen and Leshawna, the goth just rolled her eyes but still with a smile on her face. While Leshawna was staring at the duo unamused.
"Sorry, but we are here to focus on catching the 1 million dollars, and since I wanted to make you guys enjoy a good art and goth style of birthday, or in case you two wanted to make something great for us, I think Ezekiel wanted to make things fair by making you two focused on winning the game," Gwen commented as the duo cleaned up their faces, but Bridgette narrowed her eyes.
"We both know that's an excuse for you using the water spray for the first time." The surfer knew that most of her friends would probably want to win the game while doing their best, but when it comes to interrupting them on their kissing, they wouldn't waste efforts in finding and using the water spray.
"True, I never had a chance to do that, and I now understand why Ezekiel, Courtney, and Tyler like to do it a lot." Gwen smiled as the duo rolled their eyes, and walked path across the island… At the time she then bumped into Trent, she suddenly didn't know what to say, but at the time she was going to say something, Trent already walked away. Which made her blink in confusion. "What?"
"Let's get going Gwen," Leshawna called out, pulling the goth girl as Bridgette and Geoff also understood what the black girl had just done, and decided to use that as an opportunity to give a focus… To take Gwen away from the weird question that she had on her mind,
(Confession – Leshawna)
"I don't want to tell Gwen that, but Trent had been avoiding her since the time she got on the Playa Del Losers, so to avoid any weird moments, I have been trying to separate them two the farthest as possible since it seems that's what both needed," Leshawna commented as she snapped her fingers as few times. "That's something I know that both wanted, so I'm doing that for them."
Leshawna glanced at the surfer and party boy who also felt awkward about what to do in a situation like that since Trent had been a cool guy after he apologized, but still, it was a sore conversation to bring up whenever Gwen was around, so they decided to know what Leshawna did was fair.
"Why do you two like to make out so much anyway?" Leshawna commented as both Bridgette and Geoff raised their eyebrows at her. "You both know that you sooner or later are going to get sprayed with water and hot sauce,"
"Well, it's a risk that was worth taking," Geoff commented as Bridgette smiled from the silver tongue made by Geoff. "Also, it would take so long for us to be in the bedroom to make out, that I really wanted her tongue at this exact moment."
"Oh you sweet boy, let me…" Bridgette once again felt enamored with the party boy, until she heard a clearing throat from both Gwen and Leshawna, which made her blush and smile sheepishly. "Geoff, I think we should be focusing on the game, and also, as much I love to be kissing you, they are right, the hot sauce had been kinda annoying at some point. And I think that we can wait for the rest of the day."
"Are you sure?" Geoff asked as he felt a bit dejected, but with a sigh, he could only accept, since it's what his girlfriend wanted. "Okay Bridge, if it's for you, and for the sake of not getting hurt again… I will do it."
"That's my boyfriend," Bridgette said as she gave a peck on his cheek, which she saw the water spray near her face. "Hey, it's just a kiss on his cheek."
"Just checking," Gwen commented smirking, as the group walked away, while they left someone still walking away. Trent gave a slight glance from far away and sighed.
(Confession – Trent)
Trent sighed, as he looked at the camera.
"I know that it may be a shock, but I'm kinda trying to avoid Gwen at all costs, I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable and since she told me that she forgave me and asked me to move on, the other guys gave me an advice of me trying to live my life, and be focused on the game." The guitarist said as he even felt a bit of pain in making that decision. "It hurts, but I think it was for the best since I really messed up with everyone. So I had to try to not make things worse for anyone."
As Justin walked in the direction of trying to find the suitcase, both Katie, Cody, and Sadie walked behind him, as the butterflies had a good effect in helping him to become the most beautiful man on the island… Cody couldn't help but tilt his head.
"I'm always curious, about how everywhere he always walked, the animals were always following his path, and there was always a moment that he could take a perfect picture," Cody asked Katie who giggled from his curiosity.
"I don't know, but it's so funny to see it, it's like all nature loves him and wants to make his moments memorable," Katie commented as she saw Sadie who was also nearby with a giggle which made Justin smile. "How long do you think they will realize they like each other?"
"From what I have seen, it can be a few hours, or it could be months, we never know how this show works, and anything is unpredictable, but at least I got a hot babe with me, and that's a jackpot for me," Cody said as he hugged his girlfriend, which gave a slight smirk and hugged him.
"You can have either superhero or cyberpunk themes, you cannot have both on your birthday," Katie whispered which made her boyfriend drop his shoulders, and look defeated. But he got a kiss on his lips. "But nice try."
Cody smiled as he followed the trio trying to find their prized money.
"Okay girls, It has been a lot of minutes and it seems that nothing is working out, I think it's time for us to separate and try to expand our search," Heather commented as she brought her Heathermmunicator with her. "Lindsay, you and Izzy will go on that way, while Beth and I will go that way. Since you have your PDA, I can message you and vice versa."
Lindsay looked at her portable device, and seeing the ginger woman grinning, she nodded her head and saluted to her best friend.
"Alright, I like the plan. Let's go." Lindsay commented as Izzy ran in a direction, while Beth was alone with Heather who seemed more comfortable in her place.
At the time both Lindsay and Izzy departed away, Beth looked at her friend with a question on her mind.
"Hey Heather, do you think that's a good idea?" The farmer girl asked as the queen bee rolled her eyes and decided to explain the idea.
"I can understand why you are thinking of that Beth, but thinking about how crazy this island can be, having dividing ourselves while we still have communication will help out our chances of finding the good money," Heather explained as she walked on the opposite direction, which later Beth who understood the plan nodded her head and followed the Korean girl, which the duo now had better chances of winning.
And while everyone started to make teams for hunting treasure, there was one person who decided to be alone and far away from everyone who was in the forest.
From all the places that everyone decided to go, there was one place the person who decided to pause from the challenge decided to go first.
A cave in which there was a trailer on it, and from inside that cave, there was a hot tub that seemed unused, and a flag representation of a team which were eliminated during the show… It had been weeks since Ezekiel was at the Aquarium, but still, the good memories and good times reached him as he felt it was needed to have a few more minutes, or even a whole hour passing inside the said cave to make up all the good memories, and came to his resolve.
"I just bought Playa Del Losers…" Ezekiel commented at the cave which had been a good spot for all the Killer Bass passing their good time together, on the laughs, on their cries, their anger, and all the feelings they could possibly have inside of the said place. And from all those days, that secret spot was by far one of the best things happening to Ezekiel during the whole season. But still, he looked around, and it seemed that Chris made all the cameramen retract all the said cameras, and the places where they used to be recording their moments inside of their secret base… It turned out like nothing just happened. And a good place for the little fish head to enjoy his good moments inside of the place he always viewed as a home for him as well. "I plan to buy the whole Wawanakwa island, but from everything I calculated with my accountant, it wouldn't be enough to buy a whole island from here, the possibility would be for me to reach good money after a period. So I just want to ask you to hold on, just for a few years. I promise I'm going to try to buy you before the All Stars…"
Ezekiel vowed himself as he could feel the silence from the said cave, and he couldn't help but chuckle.
"You probably are wondering what was All Stars, and trust me, it's something that you wouldn't like to know," Ezekiel commented as he tried to come up with a way to talk with the place. "I was planning to make a coffee farm around this area, just on the places where it wouldn't make a lot of destruction… in comparison to what we have been doing for so long. So don't worry much about which trees or plants would be killed in the process… This place as much people would complain and hate from being here… It was more probably because of the producers and the show, you could become an awesome place to live if we invest good money in you. But still, this place is one of the best that I would ever be."
Ezekiel commented as he felt the comfortable silence coming from the said cave, and looking at the bow he brought with him at the start of the show, it was the most traditional bow that he had been using years before Izzy's gift.
"It's not a goodbye… just a see you later okay? Just hold on for a few years, and I promise I will purchase you okay?" Ezekiel commented that he never wanted to tell what hardships the said island would suffer in the hands of Chris and the producers of Total Drama, since the revenge on the Island had been something that he felt pity to even imagine from what could possibly become the place, especially from the place he just bought, he needed to act quick to make sure nothing would be destroyed on All Stars, since the end of that season… The Island was submerged from the destruction… And Ezekiel would want to make sure the island would be fine until the end.
Sighing with himself, Ezekiel took his bow with him, and a few arrows which had been around the cave, and with his arsenal back in his hands, he was still using his weights, but that wasn't something that he would care for the moment. He had a show to win.
After leaving the cave, Ezekiel knew that he had places to go and prepared himself for the outcome.
And then so it began, the campers went left and right, trying to find everything they could find as a clue, or any kind of signal for a suitcase they have been trying to find to each spot around, from the forest, campers were with their determined teams, meeting each other, while trying to find out the suitcase, but not realizing there was more chance of them to find it if they separated and go to different areas.
Suddenly Chris felt annoyed from nobody being able to identify where the suitcase had been.
"Okay, this is pathetic, campers! It's been two hours now and no one has even come close to finding this suitcase!"Chris' voice came towards the speakers across the island, and the campers just got one of the clues which would be a good possibility for them to find where it would be the prize money. "So here's your first clue. It's just hangin' around!"
And from that time each camper separated as now they had new information for them to try to look at, the prize wasn't on the ground, but something related to the air.
Justin and Cody were a bit ahead, while Katie and Sadie were behind them, and the tan twin could hear her best friend sighing happily.
"Oh my gosh, Katie. Look at that butt." Sadie commented as she could see her best friend already with a knowing look on her face. "It's… It's perfect."
Katie smiled as she could see her best friend and sister of another mom already with a crush on the model who was also happy walking around with her boyfriend.
As the group of animals walked to see the beautiful sigh of the model, Justin a shining smile which the squirrels which one gave a slight faint sigh, and a bird which was flying by, noticed the handsome man and was so distracted that it hit on the tree.
Then suddenly Justin was interrupted when a cameraman decided to call his attention.
"Hey, Justin, show me some love!" The cameraman called which brought the attention of not just him but Cody who was weirded out by how things happen to Justin all the time. But the model didn't seem to mind, since he gave a lot of poses and even started to flex his muscles.
"Hey Sadie, check this out, the camera is here, try to flex some muscles on it," Justin commented Sadie was surprised and even tried to act a little, but her muscles didn't seem to work fine. "No, try to repeat like me."
Justin went nearby, and gave a pose, which Sadie did the same, and then made another pose, which showed another good muscle the chubby muscled girl followed his path, and the camera captured the duo giving a nice flex.
"That's what I'm talking about," Justin commented as he smiled at Sadie who clueless giggled as he seemed both of them were working together. While Katie and Cody stared at the duo. "Working on the art of posing it's difficult, but I'm sure you can do it."
"Really? Thanks, Justin." Katie smiled as the duo suddenly stopped and returned to their positions… And Cody and Katie kept staring at them and gave a glance at each other.
(Confession – Katie and Cody.)
"Okay, seriously? Didn't they see it was a good time for them to have a nice moment on there?" Cody asked his girlfriend who nodded her head and facepalmed.
"Come on Sadie, you can do better than that girl. Justin is into you…" Katie commented as she felt a headache happening in her head.
"Wow, it seems Heather didn't find anything yet."Lindsay shared her information as Izzy was already above one of the trees.
"Well, from what Chris had said, the suitcase must be in a tree, so I will try to find a good view coming from the trees and possibly will be using a vine to try to find it," Izzy commented as she already was on the tree, and with the good preparation she had from the military, she was ready to use everything she could to track down the prize.
"WOAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Izzy always loved to swing in the vines A.K.A Tarzan style so she used his shout as she was enjoying the good view of the trees passing one by one.
Noah and Eva walked across the forest as he never thought he would be in a situation so weird and so unbelievable to participating in the show once more, but now he must use all the logic he could find and try to circulate the whole area into finding the most probable place to go.
"How many… square hectares… is this island again?" Noah asked as he tried to remember the time he was doing some research while he was out of the show, but he seemed to have forgotten since he couldn't actually care about returning to the show, it seems that his ignorance of lack of knowledge made him blames only himself for not being prepared. "It's hopeless..."
"Just keep looking," Eva said firmly as she was getting used to the annoying prick when Noah usually was, so she decided to press even further. "Do you wanna win or not?"
"COMING THROUGH!" Noah and Eva blinked as they heard nobody other than Izzy swinging passing by them, which made the brainiac once again question his own sanity, but then again it was Izzy who was one of the most unpredictable players on the show, especially since she and Ezekiel had been always with him most of part.
"I should have expected that," Noah commented until they heard Duncan, Courtney, and Harold who were gasping and almost fainting on the floor finally reach that place.
"I THINK I FOUND IT, AWESOME," Izzy shouted as Courtney gasped as she felt herself feeling the pressure of Izzy winning the one million dollars, but that would be unfair since Izzy was already too rich because of her company.
"She sees the suitcase. We can't let her have it!" Courtney commented as she decided to make a despaired move, as she even saw Izzy coming in her direction, at the right time when Izzy was still acting like Tarzan, but what the ginger girl didn't notice, was that Courtney already used the timing to take the vine and go to swim with as a ride as well.
"Hey, get your own vine!" Izzy shouted as the group stared at the duo fight over the space of the vine, while Harold couldn't help but whistle, while Duncan was smirking and cheering for Courtney.
"Yeah, that's my girl!" Duncan shouted as Noah and Eva stared at how the crazy things their team happens to do around the show, and the best they could do, was simply ignore it and try to find the suitcase by themselves.
While Izzy and Courtney were fighting, Lindsay had been sitting near a tree, while she was staring at her PDA and enjoying the good things that she wanted to have, she just found a new dress that she could buy for herself.
Suddenly she heard someone whistling which made the blonde girl turn her head to see Ezekiel holding a bow and arrows with him, and a rope around his arm. Lindsay blinked as she saw Ezekiel taking off his hat to her, and then place back to his head, as he kept whistling a song that only he remembered, the Banana Joe whistle. As he paused, Ezekiel took his arrow and then tied it to a rope, and with a good time, he raised his bow, which made Lindsay raise her head and see a gray suitcase tied to the tree.
Ezekiel aiming on the right angle shot the arrow that hit the rope on the said tree, and with that released the suitcase on the floor. Satisfied with the results, Ezekiel continued to whistle as he waved to Lindsay and walked slowly away from her.
Lindsay waved to Ezekiel as she then shrugged and continued to use the PDA… until slowly her eyes went wide open, as it took a while for her mind to process what happened.
"WAIT EZEKIEL." Lindsay ran in the direction of the boy who just caught the suitcase and now he had a chance of winning the one million prize.
Looking from far away in the sky, Chris saw the whole interaction with disbelief in his eyes.
"I can't believe I just saw that," Chris commented at Chef and the cadets who nodded their heads trying to understand how that just happened since Lindsay was clearly under the prize, and yet she let Ezekiel take out the money in front of her so casually.
"Oh! And then there was that time when you went into the boy's washroom by mistake and totally froze up!"Katie commented as she used the good time having great memories together. Her twin of another mother also nodded her head happily.
"Oh my gosh, I'll never forget that." And since the duo were starting to talk about their lives, Cody knew exactly what was about to happen.
"Okay, and now they're gone," Cody commented as he saw Justin blinking at him, and the geek whispered something for the model. "Trust me, when they start doing that, it's going to take hours, so the best we can do it's bailout quick."
"Oh, good call, I'm almost having a headache," Justin commented in relief since he was happy to have Cody nearby him to also know what it was like dealing with the twins.
"Follow my lead," Cody commented as he gave a loud cough which made Katie and Sadie turn their heads at him. "Hey girls, me and Justin were going to the bathroom, so keep trying to find the suitcase, and at the time we find it, we can wait together on the docks, so whoever finds it, just go on the dock of losers and we find ourselves over there."
"Sure thing Cody." Katie and Sadie commented as they turned back to their conversation.
"See? Like that… They are on the twin zone." Cody commented as he slightly waved as he slowly stepped away while Justin followed his steps.
"Thanks for the help, Cody." The model commented as the duo decided to go in that direction and working together they could try to find the one million suitcase.
As the duo walked, they suddenly walked into seeing Gwen, Leshawna, Bridgette, and Geoff who were kissing each other.
"Hey" Justin greeted as both Leshawna and Gwen who just paused and then the duo suddenly started fawning at him.
"Hey…" Both the goth and the black girl said as they looked enamored for the boy who felt that it was the abnormal thing they would say. On the other hand, the geek blinked, while Geoff and Bridgette didn't mind as they continued kissing.
"Are you guys okay?" Cody asked, as the duo simply nodded their heads but they remained looking at Justin.
"So uh, what areas have you guys searched through?" Justin asked as he pointed in the direction where they came, as they felt completely hypnotized by his beauty.
"We covered the whole western edge of the island," Gwen commented as suddenly Bridgette who was kissing Geoff had her eyes wide open in surprise.
"Oh, and we combed the beach area too, so don't tire those beautiful legs of yours walking over there." Leshawna also commented that it made not just the surfer but also the party boy completely pause and see the girls completely with a crush on Justin.
Cody looked at Justin, but then the duo smiled.
"Thanks, girls," Cody said as both the geek and the model left the quartet.
"GIRLS," Geoff called as she looked at the duo who seemed still looking in the direction of the model. "Did you seriously give the information where we came from?"
"Uh hu." Both Leshawna and Gwen nodded their heads, not caring about the question just made.
Suddenly a slap was enough to make Leshawna feel her face warm, and then glare at the blonde girl.
"Oh no you didn't," Leshawna said as Bridgette glared at the girl in front of her.
"You seriously looked like a love-sick puppy while you had Harold all the time, and just like that, you ignored we were focused on the prize," Bridgette commented as she gave a glance at Gwen. "Gwen I could understand, but YOU? What about Harold?"
Leshawna and Gwen paused as then suddenly they saw Bridgette and Geoff glaring at them both, and then realized that they lost their focus on finding the suitcase, and the black girl bitten her inner lip nervous…
"I tried to talk down with Harold alone, but he didn't seem to listen…" Leshawna tried to defend herself as Bridgette rolled her eyes.
"But Noah told you to talk with Duncan, Courtney, and Ezekiel, they know exactly how to talk about Harold, and while I know that you wanted to slow down things with him, what you just did now was shameless," Bridgette commented as Geoff walked nearby to Gwen.
"And you Gwen, I understand that you wanted to be with someone special, but come on, Justin just gave you a question, and you let it out all the work we just did, come on, where was the focus you had when we started the challenge?" Geoff also schooled the goth which also looked sheepishly on the situation. "Babe, I think we can start kissing when the show is over."
"I agreed, this was getting ridiculous." Bridgette glared at Leshawna who didn't have a good excuse to make, while Gwen looked at her in surprise.
"I didn't know you two wanted to slow down," Gwen asked, but before Leshawna could say something Bridgette interrupted.
"She wants it, Harold had no idea about it, or couldn't understand," Bridgette commented, as the quartet decided to go to a new path.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT," Heather shouted as surprised Beth who was trying to look around the beach.
"What? What?" Beth shouted in panic, as the queen bee narrowed her eyes, and pointed in the direction of the forest.
"Lindsay sent a message that Ezekiel took the suitcase and now he is reading towards the camp, we need to think of something," Heather commented as she was trying to find a plan to make sure they would reach the little menace before he won the competition.
"I found some oars here, and there are a few canoes," Beth commented as Heather gave a small glance at the possibility, and the idea of traveling across the island before he reached the docks would be fast enough.
"Perfect, let's go," Heather commented as they nodded their heads, and with a good plan in their hands, they would do everything to make Ezekiel not able to bring the suitcase to the Docs.
"Okay, now that I found a way to mislead Lindsay, I just need to wait for…" Ezekiel was still holding both the suitcase and the bow as he was waiting for the one thing.
"Attention campers." That was what he was waiting for. "It seems that our favorite homeschooled boy found the suitcase first, and now he is heading north on the forest to bring it to the Dock of Shame."
"Great, I knew Chris wouldn't make it too easy," Ezekiel commented as he looked at the cameras, since had been a good opportunity for himself to prepare… "If they think my El Mongo and La Muerte was bad… they didn't know that I still have more tricks on my sleeve. Like El Dancing Diablos… YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY YAY"
Ezekiel commented as he looked around, knowing that he must prepare himself because the game just has started at the moment he got the suitcase, but since he was going at his own pace… He already has a lot of time to think of his contingency plans. And be ready for everyone going after him.
"OH MY GOD, I'M SUCH AN IDIOT," Izzy shouted as she facepalmed while Courtney, Duncan, and Harold stared at the military girl. "Ezekiel must have his own arsenal over here, while I left my own equipment on the Playa Del Losers, I should have known, now it will be tough to try to catch the suitcase from Ezekiel. So hey guys, what about a truce?"
"A truce?" Duncan asked as he crossed his arms, while Harold blinked at her.
"Yeah, knowing Ezekiel, he will probably try to hold the most of he can, trying to tire all of us, and while he slowly will get away when we have no idea where he would go," Izzy commented as the duo of pillars of Killer Bass passed a few seconds, until realize that it was indeed how Ezekiel would usually use his strategies.
"But how are we going to find him?" Courtney commented as Harold decided to step in, while he used what would be an improvised compass by using a leave, a pin, and a glass of water.
"Well if he is in the north of the forest, we know that we could use this direction to try to triangle him." Harold came up with the idea, as Izzy smirked and nodded her head at the plan.
"Alright team, let's find a good way to find Ezekiel, while I admit he winning would be a good thing, my pride would be bruised if I don't do anything to stop him before he reaches the finish line," Courtney commented as she walked towards the forest, which the quartet now had a new idea ahead.
"Hey guys did you hear that?" Tyler commented as he cracked his knuckles and was excited to see a good plan in his hands. "Zeke got the suitcase, so that means we have a good chance to take it from him,"
"I wouldn't be sure of that Tyler," DJ commented as a part of him felt with a complete dread and cold sweat came from behind his back. "I'm not sure if is a good thing when Ezekiel is alone, or when he is with Izzy, because in cases like that, it gives him time for him plotting something, and when that happens..."
"Pff, come on dude, you are exaggerating, it's just a stink bomb, we had all of that a lot of times, it's nothing new in my life." Tyler decided to say something, which made DJ pause, as he suddenly stares at the jock with a long pause.
(Confession - DJ)
"Okay, I kinda forgot Tyler never had the chance to meet El Mongo and La Muerte, and from seeing him talking like that. I don't know if he is being courageous or just stupid." DJ commented as he stared at the camera. "I don't know if I want to destroy the innocent soul of the poor boy..."
The sound of a flush was enough to make the duo stare at Owen who got out of the bathroom with a smile on his face.
"Hey guys, did you hear? Ezekiel had the suitcase, do you think he would be willing to join our side?" Owen asked as DJ shook his head, while Tyler was streeching himself.
"I don't think so, dude. But don't worry, all we have to do is just catch him by surprise and take the suitcase easily." Tyler commented as Owen raised his arms happily.
"Woohoo, yeah, let's take the prize and win the money." Owen cheered as the group ran in the direction of the forest. Not knowing that soon, everything would be so difficult for the boys.
Cody and Justin navigated through the dense forest, their footsteps crunching on the underbrush as they followed the faint trail that might lead them to Ezekiel and the coveted suitcase.
"So that's how it works for you?" Cody asked, glancing at Justin. "You just simply talk with them, and even without your shirt, they would do everything for you?"
"...I actually never thought about it," Justin, walking with his usual confident stride, looked puzzled. he admitted, genuinely surprised. "I never realized I was using my looks to get what I wanted."
"Well, it's a good thing you're on my team then," Cody replied, shaking his head slightly. "But anyway, did you know that Sadie always glances at you?"
"Ah, she does?" Justin lost a bit of his composure, then quickly recovered with a slight smirk. "Well, that's obvious, since everyone always stares at me, so it's no surprise."
"Yeah, but Sadie... she seems different. Have you noticed how she's been getting stronger lately? It's like she's really trying to impress someone." Cody smiled, trying a subtler approach.
"Impress someone?" Justin echoed, still oblivious. "I thought she was just working out to protect Katie in case she is in danger."
"And she is, but I also I think she is doing that to impress someone nearby," Cody said, casually. "
"I guess I never really paid attention. She's always been sweet and fun to be around."Justin shrugged, looking thoughtful.
"Exactly," Cody said, keeping it light. " I saw that you have made a few glances at her,"
As they trekked further north, they didn't notice Ezekiel hidden among the trees, tying ropes and preparing traps with a mischievous grin. Cody rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. Getting Justin to recognize the signs was proving to be a challenge.
"So, you think she might like me?" Justin asked, still a bit confused.
"Could be," Cody replied with a smirk. "Just keep your eyes open and maybe you'll start noticing things you didn't before."
Justin nodded absently, more focused on the task ahead than the hints Cody was dropping. Unbeknownst to them, Ezekiel was setting up an elaborate trap, ready to ensnare anyone who dared to approach the suitcase.
The two continued their search, the forest growing darker and more ominous with each passing minute. Cody hoped that eventually, Justin would connect the dots on his own, all while they kept their eyes peeled for Ezekiel's traps and the elusive suitcase.
Gwen, Leshawna, Bridgette, and Geoff hurried through the dense forest, the canopy above filtering the sunlight into dappled patterns on the ground. The air was thick with anticipation as they made their way north, following the latest intel that Ezekiel had the suitcase.
"This is getting intense," Bridgette said, her voice tinged with concern. "What if everyone goes after Ezekiel at once?"
"Yeah, it could get really ugly," Geoff added, his face a mix of excitement and worry. He glanced at Gwen, remembering the chaos he was capable of.
"Geoff, remember when you started and ended that prank war? You were the only one left standing," Gwen reminded him with a smirk. "Imagine what Ezekiel might do with that smoke bomb of his."
Geoff shivered at the memory, his mind flashing back to the mayhem he'd caused and survived. "Yeah, I really don't want to be on the receiving end of one of those again."
Leshawna, on the other hand, was focused and determined. "Enough talk, y'all. We've got a suitcase to catch."
Just as they picked up the pace, Leshawna tripped and fell over something soft and furry. She looked down to see a baby moose, blinking up at her with wide eyes. "Oh no, I'm so sorry, little guy!" she exclaimed, scrambling to her feet.
Her apology was cut short by a loud, angry snort. Leshawna looked up to see the imposing figure of the baby moose's father, glaring at her with intense, beady eyes. The massive animal stomped its hooves, ready to charge.
But instead of fear, a fierce glare crossed Leshawna's face. She recognized this moose—it was the same one that had taken Heather's top and caused Harold to fall on her, resulting in an embarrassing moment for both of them.
"Oh, it's you," she growled, her eyes narrowing with hatred. "I've got a score to settle."
The tension in the air was palpable as the two locked eyes, Leshawna standing her ground against the formidable animal. The rest of the group watched in a mix of awe and trepidation, knowing that a dangerous showdown was about to unfold.
Heather and Beth paddled their canoes with determination, the finish line at Playa Del Losers in their sights. They had a plan to trap Ezekiel and claim the suitcase, confident that their strategy would outsmart him. But as they approached the shore, they were greeted by a surprising sight.
Katie, Sadie, and Lindsay were huddled together, chatting animatedly. The frustration on their faces was evident as they discussed the difficulty of finding the suitcase and Ezekiel's uncanny ability to evade the blonde bombshell who never thought had been under the prize all the time.
"I lost his track again! How does he do it?"Lindsay threw up her hands in exasperation.
"What's all the fuss about?" Heather stepped out of the canoe, her face twisted in annoyance. She facepalmed and sighed loudly, drawing the group's attention. She demanded.
Katie, Sadie, and Lindsay blinked at her, momentarily taken aback. Beth followed behind Heather, curious about the commotion.
"Heather, it's been so hard to find the suitcase, so I and Sadie decided to return here and wait for Cody and Justin who may have been on the right path to finding the suitcase" Katie explained. "But from what Lindsay told me, Ezekiel took the case and managed to mislead her easily."
"So, let me get this straight. Ezekiel's been running circles around you Lindsay all, and now you think he's heading here?" Heather's eyes narrowed as she processed their words.
"Great. Just great. We're all going to end up fighting each other for that suitcase."The group nodded in unison. Heather rolled her eyes, frustration bubbling over.
"Well, at least we're on the right track now. We can set up an obstacle for him here."Beth chimed in, trying to stay optimistic.
"Yeah, if we work together, we can definitely catch him!"Lindsay perked up, a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Alright, let's do this. But remember, he's just a boy. How hard can it be?"Heather smirked, her competitive spirit ignited. She always remembered that it was one camper against a team.
Their confidence was short-lived. Suddenly, a series of explosions echoed through the forest, followed by a thick plume of smoke rising into the sky. The group turned in the direction of the commotion, eyes wide with shock.
"What the heck was that?" Beth exclaimed, her heart pounding.
Katie and Sadie slowly remembered that it wasn't only a person, they remembered, it was one of their leaders, the pillar of Killer Bass, and they forgot how he was ruthless on the prank war, which even not his prime, he destroyed the boys… And now it seems that he wanted to win at all costs.
"He's not just a boy," Heather's smirk faded as she realized the extent of Ezekiel's preparations. she muttered, eyes narrowing. "He's a menace. And we've got our work cut out for us."
Tyler, DJ, and Owen were making their way through the dense forest, determined to catch Ezekiel and claim the million-dollar suitcase. The excitement of the chase fueled their steps as they pushed forward, eyes scanning the terrain for any sign of their elusive target.
"Come on, guys! We can't let Ezekiel get away with this. We just need to find him and grab that suitcase."Tyler led the way, his competitive spirit burning brightly.
"I don't know, man. Ezekiel's been planning something. We need to be careful."DJ, however, was more cautious, his eyes darting nervously at every rustle and movement.
"Don't worry, DJ. We're smart! We got this."Owen, ever the optimist, was munching on a granola bar as he trailed behind.
"There it is! We've got him now."As they trekked deeper into the forest, they noticed a suspiciously placed suitcase sitting in a small clearing. Tyler's eyes lit up, and he pointed excitedly.
"Wait a minute... it can't be that easy. This feels like a trap."DJ squinted at the suitcase, suspicion gnawing at him.
"Come on, DJ. It's right there!" But Tyler was already moving forward, his competitive nature overriding his caution.
"Yeah, DJ. Let's get that suitcase!" Owen, inspired by Tyler's enthusiasm, hurried to catch up.
Just as the trio reached the clearing, Tyler took a confident step forward—and the ground gave way beneath him. With a yelp, he disappeared into a concealed hole, quickly followed by DJ and Owen, who tumbled in with surprised shouts.
"I can't believe we fell for that."The three of them landed in a heap at the bottom of a deep pit, blinking in disbelief. Tyler groaned, rubbing his head.
"I knew it was too easy."DJ sighed, shaking his head.
"Well, at least we found one of his traps! That's something, right?" Owen, ever the optimist, grinned despite their predicament.
"Yeah, but it seems that you got into this trap too easily." Then a voice was enough to make everyone stare at the person who was above the trap staring them down; "It seems that you need to be punished,"
And on that moment Ezekiel grabbed something from his pocket, which was a paper bag, which DJ and Owen felt their heart stop and suddenly felt their worst nightmare appear once again.
"Have fun, El Mongo and La Muerte" Ezekiel said as he suddenly dropped the paper bag, which the loud sound of farting was enough to make the trio screams for their lives, and Ezekiel runs with the suitcase in his hand, ready for him to take the suitcase with him.
Cody and Justin were cautiously making their way through the forest, Cody's mind buzzing with strategies while Justin's natural charm had gotten them vital information. As they approached another part of the forest, they noticed a familiar glint—a suitcase nestled against a tree.
"There's the suitcase!" Cody whispered excitedly, but then he noticed something off. "Wait, something's not right."
"Relax, Cody. It's just a suitcase. I'll get it."Justin, still oblivious to Ezekiel's traps, stepped forward confidently.
"Justin, wait!" Cody reached out to stop him.
Too late. As Justin reached for the suitcase, a net sprang from the ground, lifting both him and Cody into the air. They dangled helplessly from a tree branch, swaying slightly in the breeze.
"Great," Cody muttered, hanging upside down. "I told you it was a trap. Hell, this was the same trap which captured me and Sadie on the paintball hunt, okay now I felt like an idiot, on the episode he said he was making traps, and now I felt my pride bruised for falling for the same trap twice."
"Well, I guess I underestimated him." Justin looked sheepish as he hung next to Cody.
The two boys struggled to free themselves, realizing they were not as close to catching Ezekiel as they had thought.
Izzy, Courtney, Harold, and Duncan were on high alert, expecting Ezekiel to use every trick in his arsenal to evade capture. They moved through the forest cautiously, eyes peeled for any sign of movement.
"Hold up. He'll have traps set up around here for sure."As they approached a likely hiding spot, Izzy signaled for them to stop.
"Good thinking, Izzy. Let's move slowly and watch our step." Courtney nodded, her competitive spirit fired up.
Despite their careful approach, they still found themselves caught. As they stepped into the clearing, a series of snares and tripwires activated, leaving them tangled and immobilized in a web of ropes and pulleys.
"Well, we expected traps, didn't we?" Duncan sighed, hanging upside down next to Harold.
"I can't believe he used one of my dad's signature traps." Izzy, laughing despite their predicament, tried to untangle herself. "Ezekiel's really outdone himself this time."
"Let's just get ourselves out of this and keep moving. We can't let him win." Harold, always the strategist, began analyzing the knots. And since he was a scout since as a child, he could recognize many knots, so using the right one, he managed to free themselves. Until they heard a voice far away.
"Bad move guys, I'm going to warn you once. This suitcase is mine, the next trap I will not be that kind." Ezekiel's voice rang near the group, as the group looked at themselves. And having one thought in mind.
"Yep, he wants to tire us down, and use it as a way to escape from us," Izzy commented as she cracked her neck. "We need to think a bit ahead."
"We can set up everything on the Dock of Shame, that way we can be prepared whenever he could catch us." Courtney gave the idea, as Harold helped Duncan to be up.
"Sounds like a solid plan," Harold commented as Duncan cracked his neck.
"Alright, let's go." Duncan nodded his head as the quartet departed into the area.
Tyler, DJ, and Owen, still reeling from their earlier mishap, were determined to catch Ezekiel. As they trudged through the forest, Tyler was visibly distressed, tears streaming down his face from the lingering smell of the stink bomb they had encountered.
"I can't believe how bad that smelled," Tyler whimpered, rubbing his eyes. "It's the worst thing I've ever experienced."
"Yeah, man, the first time is always the worst. It still sucks, but you kinda get used to it." DJ patted Tyler's back sympathetically.
"Yep, it was awful the first time, but hey, at least we know what to expect now!" Owen nodded, trying to remain positive despite the unpleasantness.
As they continued, they spotted the same suitcase again, this time sitting innocently on the forest floor. Tyler, DJ, and Owen exchanged wary glances, knowing it couldn't be that simple.
"Okay, let's not rush in this time," DJ suggested, peering around cautiously. "We need to check for traps."
"Yeah, let's draw straws or something to see who gets it." Owen nodded in agreement.
They quickly fashioned a draw from twigs, and Tyler, unfortunately, drew the short one. He groaned, his earlier distress amplified by the thought of another potential trap.
"Why me?"
"You got this, Tyler. Just be careful," DJ said as he and Owen offered encouraging smiles, though they couldn't hide their own nervousness.
Tyler took a deep breath, inching toward the suitcase with extreme caution. Sweat dripped from his forehead as he flinched with every step, expecting the worst. When he finally reached the suitcase and picked it up, he was stunned to find that nothing happened.
"Guys, I got it!" Tyler called out, disbelief and relief mingling in his voice.
DJ and Owen looked at each other, astonished.
"Really?" DJ asked.
But their relief was short-lived. They noticed a rope tied to the suitcase, and when they looked up, they saw Ezekiel standing on a nearby tree branch, whistling to get their attention. Tyler, DJ, and Owen flinched, eyes wide as they saw the bow and arrow in Ezekiel's hands. The arrow had no tip but was instead tied with ten flaming peppers, their green flames flickering ominously.
"Vaya Con Dios," Ezekiel smirked and called out, "Dancing Diablos. AY AY AY AY AY AY AYYYYYY!"
Before they could react, Ezekiel released the arrow. It landed near them, and the peppers exploded, releasing a cloud of green pepper spray gas. The trio screamed in pure pain and suffering, their eyes burning and throats searing from the intense heat of the pepper spray.
Ezekiel quickly retrieved the suitcase from the dazed and incapacitated trio, who was still writhing on the ground in agony. With a final triumphant grin, he took off into the forest, leaving Tyler, DJ, and Owen to recover from the latest trap.
The trio lay on the ground, eyes watering and gasping for air. And the worst part, each minute it passes it gets worse and worse.
"Why does it always have to be so painful?" Owen groaned, trying to rub the pepper spray from his eyes.
"Ezekiel's really outdone himself this time. We need to come up with a better plan." DJ, struggling to regain his composure, muttered,
"Yeah, but first, let's find some water... and maybe some milk." Tyler, still in agony, managed a weak nod.
Despite the setback, the trio was more determined than ever to catch Ezekiel and claim the suitcase, knowing they needed to be smarter and more cautious in their pursuit.
As it turns out the chaos happening and Ezekiel lets out all his traps for whoever would be the person trying to go after the suitcase... He suddenly saw Cody and Justin coming from one direction, while he was hiding from the bushes and saw Noah and Eva also approaching him...
"This going to be one of the cruelest things I've ever done on the show, but there was no way he would turn it down now..." Ezekiel smiled as he used all his strength...
.
.
.
"There was no way that's going to happen, from knowing Ezekiel he must have done a lot of crazy things to make sure would happen," Noah commented as Eva rolled her eyes.
"You run like a girl," Eva remarked as she was deeply disappointed in how Noah had been pathetic in all physical challenges as his sarcastic remarks clearly would want to make her place him into her workout regime.
Noah gave a pause as he took a time to take his breath.
"Forgot my 'roids back at the gym." Noah gave his usual remark as he could not find any trace of a clue around. "This is pointless, there is no way that we would find that 1 million dollars, do you think it would come from the sky in our hands?"
And at that moment something was launched as Eva gave a glance at what it was, and when her hands caught... There it was the gray suitcase which made the bookworm open his mouth in shock.
"Oh look at that, your mouth works for something at least for once," Eva smirked as she suddenly heard someone approaching. Which made Eva hold tight to the suitcase.
And at that moment Justin appeared with Cody out from the bushes.
"Alright guys, thanks for finding the suitcase, but I think it belongs to us," Cody commented as he now had a good strategy in his hands.
"Justin. The anti-me. So we meet again." Noah commented as he narrowed his eyes and then glanced at Cody. "And you are very courageous to challenge Eva since she was able to break a serial killer with her bare hands. Are you sure that you want to try that luck?"
"Give me the case," Justin commented as he smirked as Eva scoffed until Cody gave a knowing look at the model.
"I didn't wanna have to do this, but... you give me no choice."Justin decided to take out his shirt at the time the sun placed on the perfect spot which showed the reflection of his abs.
"Eva don't fall for it! Look away!" The brightness was too much for the bookworm as he had to cover his eyes from the reflection.
"He's so pretty. He deserves it." Eva commented as she gave the suitcase to the model Noah tried to avoid the action, but Eva simply made him trip on the floor since she placed her leg in front of him.
"Thank you." Justin and Cody said at the same time as the duo walked away from the duo...
And when everything stopped suddenly she shook her head and stared at Noah down.
"What just happened? Where is the case?" Eva asked in confusion and then she just saw Noah looking very annoyed at her.
"Uh, you just handed it to a male model. And a lot of good you were!" Noah gave a remark as Eva suddenly realized her mistake.
"I'm so ashamed," Eva commented with all sincerity, but it seemed the bookworm wasn't done.
"You should be, Iron Woman. That was seriously pathetic!" Noah gave the serious remark, as the pride of the title of Iron Woman was bruised and damaged by her own mistake.
(Confession - Eva)
"What am I gonna do? I'll never be able to show my face at the gym again! I'll be an outcast! A leper!" Eva commented on the reality of her own decision, she was a hero in many situations, and from all the fights and painful injuries she got she always became a hero, just for one moment. ONE LITTLE MOMENT of weakness, she made a terrible mistake."I let a guy talk me into giving away one million dollars?!"
Eva shouted as she couldn't believe her own pathetic choice.
And when Eva heard Chris saying the case was being in the direction of the camp by a beautiful place, she felt her anger rising...Until suddenly she felt something hitting her shoe, and when she stared down... Her smirk became ferocious like a shark...
A dodgeball ball. She knew exactly how to get her revenge.
"Noah, you want to know one of my favorite movies?" Eva smirked like a demon the bookworm couldn't help but see the rubber ball and in the hands of a person like Eva he was enjoying what she did have in mind. "Ever watched the movie City of God?"
"Never heard before," Noah answered sarcastically. But the bodybuilder already ran at all speeds in the direction of the duo.
"Then get ready to enjoy this reference," Eva shouted as Noah couldn't help but smirk and run after her, she was going to hurt his nemesis, and that's something that he was really eager to see...
.
.
.
Justin and Cody walked confidently through the forest, laughing about how easy it was to retrieve the suitcase. Justin had just taken off his shirt, and with his model-like physique on display, he mused about how effortlessly they had managed to persuade others to help them.
"Seriously, Cody, it's incredible how my charm just makes everything easier," Justin said with a grin. "I mean, look at me. Who could resist?"
Cody chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, it's like they just fall for you every time. This suitcase is practically ours!"
As the duo approached a clearing, they stopped dead in their tracks. There, standing with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face was Ezekiel.
"Nice try, but it's in your best interest to hand over that suitcase," Ezekiel said coolly. "Or else you might get hurt very badly."
Justin and Cody exchanged amused glances and laughed. "Oh, come on, Ezekiel," Justin scoffed. "You think you can scare us off?"
"Actually, I noticed something about you, Justin. Is that a pimple on your forehead?" Ezekiel's smirk widened as he took a step closer.
"What? A pimple? Where?" Justin's face went pale as he frantically touched his forehead, eyes wide.
In his panic, Justin released the suitcase, clutching his face. Cody, still laughing, barely had time to process what was happening. Ezekiel swiftly snatched the suitcase and turned to run.
"Cody, go after him!" Justin shouted, still fixated on his forehead.
Cody sprinted after Ezekiel, but before he could make much progress, he was suddenly struck by a dodgeball, hitting him hard and sending him crashing to the ground. The force of the impact left him dazed and disoriented.
Justin turned around, finally noticing what had happened. As he looked at Cody sprawled on the ground, he saw Eva standing a few feet away, holding a dodgeball. Her expression was one of sheer fury, and she had a menacing smirk on her face.
Eva's gaze was fixed on Justin, her eyes narrowing as she prepared to ask a question that would send chills down anyone's spine.
"In the face, or in the crotch?" And then came the dammed question which made the pupils shrink from the memories of his worst day on the show, the Dodgeball day, in which Eva had a menacing presence. And the panic coming across his face.
Justin's confident demeanor melted into pure terror. He knew that Eva was not someone to be trifled with, especially not after what they had done. The dodgeball in Eva's hand seemed to glow ominously, and Justin could only think of the pain that was about to come his way.
As Justin stood frozen, staring at the dodgeball, Cody groaned on the ground beside him, trying to recover from the hit. The realization of how deeply they had angered Eva hit Justin like a ton of bricks.
"Uh, Eva, maybe we can talk this over?" Justin stammered, attempting to muster a semblance of his previous bravado.
"Talk? You had your chance. Now, let's see where that charm of yours really gets you." Eva's smirk only grew wider.
As she raised the dodgeball, Justin braced himself for the inevitable, the forest echoing with the sounds of his growing dread.
"THE CHROTCH, PLEASE THE CHROTCH, NO WHY THE FACE? NOOOOOO MY FACE NOOOOOOO!" Justin's cries of panic and pain were enough to make Noah smile as he could sleep well on that night, while Cody himself felt so much panic that he felt the glance of the beast staring at him.
"Eva, come on, it's just an OH GOD, OH MY GOD, NOT MY CROTCH, PLEASE ON MY FACE, NO MY CROTCH NOOOO, PLEASE, I HAVE A GIRLFRIEND NOOOOOO." Cody's shouts were enough to make the remaining campers who were inside of the forest, pause. And felt their spins shiver from the poor souls who provoked Eva's wrath.
"Alright, the suitcase now is in a homeschooled place, and walking directly at the camp." Ezekiel heard Chris explaining the new position, as he was holding the gray suitcase as he always planned... It had been very cruel. Yes, it had, but he would love to watch that scene on the television... It had been a great moment for him. But now it seems that soon he must go to the Dock of Shame... Ready for what's going to happen.
Everyone seemed to be very interested in trying to catch the suitcase in their own way. Trent spent the whole morning actually enjoying and waiting for the day to finally be over, and he went back home to pass the rest of the semester at school and return to his family.
He would be lying if he said he was going to miss the place, since while there were some good moments, he felt the weight of his decisions more bitten on his ass than what he would value of the good moments, sure that he made some good friends, but still being infamous for doing some crazy things made him try to avoid the desire of competing.
"Maybe I should have stayed on the Playa Del Losers and enjoyed the pool and the buffet," Trent commented as he sat on the corner which then heard loud laughs from the spot he was… "Huh?"
The guitarist walked towards the bushes, until he found something really surprising, seeing Chef, Chris, and even the cadets laughing hard from the traps made by the homeschooled boy who prepared for every single encounter that he had.
"What's going on?" Trent asked as the group paused, looking at the guitarist who saw the screens of the moments of the show happening across the challenges.
"Oh hey Trent," Chris smirked as he saw the boy approaching the group who seemed to be eating sandwiches and drinking for their own amusement. "If you are wondering if the suitcases are in this place, then you are terribly wrong. We are here watching every step given by all of you, and it had been very hilarious the things happening over here."
Trent looked at the screen and saw the campers who were trying to find Ezekiel, but they were caught in terrible traps as the boy managed to avoid everyone all the time.
"That's crazy," Trent whispered as he then saw DJ, Owen, and Tyler getting out of the hole while all three were covered in green. "Ugh, they were caught on Ezekiel's stink bomb?"
"Yep, and I never thought he had more on his arsenal, and I'm deeply curious about why he named dancing diablos," Chris commented as the guitarist felt a shiver on his spine, which good thing never happens when it was related to Ezekiel and a surprise like that.
"You know what? I think I'm going to stay here and wait for the end of the show." Trent said as he sighed and sat nearby. "Is not like I was going to win anyway,"
"Well the show always would end up with a winner, and I'm sure I would be able to catch that weasel," MacArthur commented proudly as she then heard a giggle from her partner. "What?"
"Are you willing to get hit by the stink bomb he created?" Sanders commented as immediately made the glutted cadet freeze and pale from remembering the terrible smell.
"Suit yourself Trent, you just cannot have our food and drink. But you can keep watching." Chris commented as Chef looked at the boy who just sat there.
"Okay…" Trent commented as Chef then decided to do something.
"Boy, come with me, I need to speak up with you for a bit," Chef commented it made the crew stare at the cook, which made him glare at the others. "Do you all have a problem with that?"
"No." The cadets and even Chris refused to reply, as Trent didn't even have a say on that, since Chef dragged the sorry ass of the boy until they were far away from the others.
As the duo walked towards the sand Chef remained with his arms behind his back. While the guitarist had no idea why Chef wanted to talk to him. The minutes of silence had been deafening, it was uncomfortable for Trent to remain looking at Chef. But thankfully Chef grunted as it was better than to be in silence.
"You can't move on right?" Chef's question was what made the guitarist pause and stare at the military man who seemed to be familiar with a situation like that. "Your idea of avoiding the main issue can work in the short term, but whenever you want or not, the people you hurt and annoyed may forgive you, but still you find it hard to find a way to forgive yourself and move on. Trust me… I know."
"Yeah?" Trent asked as he raised his eyebrow in curiosity, as he never could interact with Chef, it's weird to see him talking about his personal life.
"Listen to me, people get hurt, people get healed, people ask forgiveness, and depending on the situation if they are or not forgiven, everyone always must move on…" Chef Hatchet commented as he clarified as he took the white boy smaller than him. "Even soldiers make mistakes, and it took me 4 years of moving on to then return to forgive myself for what happened."
"What? Really?"Trent asked as Chef grunted at him. "I mean, what I did was pretty bad, I doubt someone could up my mistakes."
"Try accidentally shooting your best friend in a sparring combat…" Chef commented as Trent then shut his mouth, and made the soldier grunt but remain looking at the horizon. "We avoided talking for years, and it had been very hard for me to forgive myself, but since I had a family to be nearby, I knew that I had to move on. It's painful, it's sucks, it's a mistake you made, and people saying that someday they would forgive you don't know the pain you are caring as the same way you don't know their pain. It would be the best for everyone if everyone just shut the hell up and live our lives… It's a combat every single day."
Trent remained quiet, as he could understand the absurd of Chef had told… Since behind the words, there was a bit of truth in it… The guitarist could tell that Ezekiel said that he didn't know what he passed, in the same way, nobody knew that he had to suffer so much humiliation and pain to get the forgiveness of the others, thankfully nobody was judging him on that.
"Will I ever forgive myself someday?" Trent asked as he realized that after all the mistakes he made the last person he wanted to forgive was himself, since from his own mistakes he felt that he lost good opportunities and friends, but while many of them already forgave him, he felt like an outcast from them, since he got out from the show.
"Depends on you… Or situations that it would need you to forgive yourself to completely move on and carry on with your life." Chef commented as the guitarist felt satisfied with the words of wisdom coming from the Chef who also had been a military person and from the times he showed the good side of him on the show. It had been quite nice to learn more about himself.
"Thanks, Chef..."Trent commented with the honesty of his heart, as he couldn't help but be curious. "Ever forgave yourself after everything?"
"Yes, when the daughter of my best friend needed help," Chef commented as he turned his back and returned to his station. "If you want to quit the game do whatever you want, but I think you should at least be with the other campers."
Trent remained in silence, as he stared in the direction of where would be the Dock of Shame, and with at least a better smile on his face… The guitarist at least could enjoy the finals and knowing who would win in the end.
Gwen, Bridgette, and Geoff trudged through the dense forest, their anxiety palpable as they tried to navigate the maze of trees. Their goal was clear: find Ezekiel and get that suitcase. But their plans were momentarily sidetracked when they stumbled upon a rather unexpected obstacle.
"Guys, I think we might have a bigger problem here," Gwen said, her voice edged with panic. She gestured to Leshawna, who was engaged in an epic struggle with a massive moose. The moose was thrashing its head wildly, clearly enraged.
"Leshawna!" Bridgette shouted. "What's going on?"
"I'm fighting a moose!" Leshawna yelled back, wrestling with the animal as it tried to shake her off. "Why is this happening to me again?"
The scene was chaotic. Leshawna was mounted on the moose, trying to hold it down. The animal bucked and kicked, trying to throw her off. Meanwhile, the baby moose, who had somehow wandered into the fray, was looking distressed and scared.
"Help the baby!" Bridgette called out to Geoff, who was frantically trying to reach a high branch to gather some leaves for the baby moose to eat. Geoff was struggling with the tree, his arms stretching awkwardly as he tried to grab some foliage.
Bridgette, with her calm demeanor, approached the baby moose. Her natural affinity with animals seemed to work wonders. She softly cooed at the baby moose and gently placed her hands on its head. The baby moose seemed to calm down, nuzzling Bridgette's hand.
"You're okay," Bridgette whispered soothingly, her eyes filled with compassion. "Just stay calm."
Geoff finally managed to get some leaves and placed them in front of the baby moose, who eagerly began to munch on them. The soothing effect of Bridgette's presence and the food began to work its magic. The baby moose relaxed and even looked a little happier.
"It's working," Geoff said with a smile, feeling a sense of relief as he watched the baby moose munching contentedly.
But the respite was short-lived. The sound of a loud crash broke the tranquility, causing Bridgette and Geoff to look up in alarm.
"What was that?" Geoff asked, concern evident in his voice.
"It's coming from over there," Bridgette said, pointing in the direction of the commotion.
Gwen, meanwhile, was having her own issues. She was sprinting through the forest, dodging branches and trying to escape from the furious moose. Her frustration was palpable as she shouted obscenities at the beast.
"Get off me, you crazy animal!" Gwen yelled as she barely managed to avoid a particularly aggressive charge from the moose.
"Why is this happening to me?" Gwen's voice echoed through the trees, a mixture of frustration and disbelief.
Back with Leshawna, the struggle continued. Despite her valiant efforts, the moose was relentless. Leshawna was using all her strength to hold the moose back, but it was clear that she needed help.
"Gwen, Leshawna needs help!" Bridgette shouted to Geoff.
The two of them took off towards the source of the noise, leaving the baby moose behind but ensuring it was safe. They ran as fast as they could, their hearts pounding with both fear and determination. As it turns out the Moose wasn't going to stop... for how long? Who knows?
Izzy, Harold, Courtney, and Duncan were trekking through the forest, their minds buzzing with plans and strategies for setting a trap at the Dock of Shame.
"I'm thinking of changing my name! Yeah, to Kaleidoscope. Isn't that pretty? You can call me E-Scope for short! Haha!" Izzy commented as the trio stared at her weirdly, as she noticed the silence and decided to roll her eyes. "Since I'm a CEO of a company, maybe having a pseudonym would help me to organize more my letters,"
"Wouldn't you be using that to do tax evasion?" Courtney asked as she narrowed her eyes, which made Izzy laugh.
"You said it, not me, but jokes aside, no… my accountant had been nagging me to pay out all my taxes, so I'm doing that just to make sure to have a good use of the name Kaleidoscope," Izzy replied as Harold couldn't help but raises his eyebrows.
"But wasn't the name of the company Izzy's Happy Sap?" Harold asked and Izzy nodded her head.
"Yeah, but since I have a new logo, and mascots, using Kaleidoscope Happy Sap, or E-Scope Happy Sap would ring the name even better," Izzy replied and Duncan and Courtney glanced at each other, and just shrugged.
"Yeah, makes sense, you are the CEO anyway." Both pillars of Killer Bass shrugged as the duo decided to keep taking materials for their traps.
"We need to make sure we have a good setup. This is our chance to get ahead."Courtney, ever the strategist, since they had the info on how Ezekiel was tiring out around the forest, they have the location advantage, since at some point Ezekiel must go to the Dock of Shame.
"Sounds like a solid plan," Duncan agreed, as he was ready with all the material he caught on the house of boats, fish nets, and even a few bear traps just in case. "We'll make sure he gets caught."
"And we'll have to be quick about it. Timing is everything." Harold, adjusting his makeshift compass, nodded.
As they rounded a bend in the forest, they were met with an unexpected sight. Heather, Katie, Sadie, Lindsay, and Beth were busy constructing a makeshift barricade out of random objects: crates, branches, old furniture, and even a couple of broken-down chairs.
"What on earth is this?" Izzy asked, her eyebrows raising in disbelief. "Is that what I think it is?"
"HI IZZY," Lindsay shouted happily as she was happy to see her friend who disappeared in a few hours. "We are making a huge wall to make Ezekiel not pass..."
"That's put middly." Heather rolled her eyes, as focused on the barricade, barely looked up. "We're building a blockade to catch Ezekiel. He'll never get past this."
Katie was arranging a pile of leaves, while Sadie was stacking crates. Lindsay was trying to balance a chair on top of a pile of branches.
"We're just making sure he doesn't get through," Beth explained as she tied some rope around a fallen log.
"Are you serious? That's going to look like a pile of junk!" Izzy couldn't help but laugh. "And that's coming from me, who had to improvise a lot of things by using nature and even junk itself. Hahahahaha."
"I can't believe you think that's going to work. It's a mess." Courtney looked unimpressed. For a queen bee to use a plan like that at that moment, it seems that she was desperate.
"Well, at least we're doing something. Better than just talking about it." Heather's eyes narrowed.
A heated discussion began between Heather and Courtney, each defending their approach. Duncan and Izzy exchanged amused glances, clearly entertained by the argument.
"You know what?" Duncan finally said, stepping between the two groups. "Let's split up. We'll focus on setting up traps and obstacles, and you guys can finish your... creative barricade."
"Fine. We'll see who's strategy works better." Heather, not willing to back down, reluctantly agreed.
With the decision made, the two groups set off in their separate directions. Izzy, Harold, Courtney, and Duncan set to work laying traps and constructing obstacles with precision and care. Meanwhile, Heather and her team continued to fortify their barricade, adding more random items to their collection.
Time passed as they worked diligently, each group making progress. The Dock of Shame began to take shape as a battleground of traps and barricades.
Just when it seemed like everything was coming together until Gwen and Leshawna arrived at the Dock of Shame. Gwen was so exhausted as she never thought she would be so confused about seeing what would be an area where a barricade and even a few traps. The moose, which Leshawna was still mounting on, and fighting for this time wasn't for a personal battle, but a fight of survival, since she couldn't hold her grip anymore.
The moose as it was crazy with anger leashed the destruction of the place, Leshawna was caught in the trap, in the same way the bear trap managed to trigger and even hurt the moose, who became even more furious, and Leshawna was so exhausted, that she was launched away on the barricade, and the sequel the moose broke the trap as it started the whole destruction of the place.
The campers just jumped away from seeing an angry moose simply destroying the barricades, and the barricade itself triggered all the traps, and with that, everything they had been working for suddenly was destroyed. Just because of Gwen and Leshawna and that stupid moose who just literally made all their progress and work into shambles.
"No, no, no!" Izzy shouted in frustration, watching as their hard work was reduced to rubble. "WHERE THE *BEEP* CAME THAT MOOSE?"
"Ugh, this is a disaster!" Courtney groaned, looking at the chaos. The barricades were in disarray, and the traps were now completely triggered and useless.
"This is exactly why I wanted to avoid this mess!"Heather's eyes widened in horror as her barricade was torn apart by the rampaging moose. She even saw the same familiar moose which made her eyes twitch. "Of course, it's the same *beep* moose."
Lindsay, Sadie, and Katie stared in disbelief as their hard work was ruined. Beth tried to salvage what she could, but it was too late.
The moose continued its rampage, creating even more havoc as it clashed with the remaining obstacles. Finally, Gwen managed to take Leshawna out of the danger, but then the duo stared at the whole group of campers glaring at them.
"He he he… hey guys," Leshawna commented sheepishly as she was so exhausted that she was covered in sweat, which made Courtney and Heather come in her direction.
"CARE TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED?" Heather and Courtney shouted angrily as the duo stared at each other, but then huffed, as Gwen was sitting on the floor from exhaustion while Harold, Lindsay, Katie, and Sadie went there to help her to get up.
Leshawna was about to say something when suddenly the sound of two people came in their direction.
"Guys, guys, did you see a moose go… oh… he is there," Bridgette commented as the campers stared at her and Geoff who had a few kiss marks on his face, which Gwen, Leshawna glared at the duo who they thought were going after them, but it seems something had distracted them.
"He's right there." Heather pointed in the direction of what lasted of all the work, which the surfer blinked in confusion.
"Wow, what a mess, how did this place get so trashed?" Bridgette asked as Heather literally went in her direction to strangle her, but Harold and Duncan were faster and managed to hold her down. Bridgette jumped in surprise and fear as she could see Heather red from anger.
"WHY YOU, I'M GOING…" Heather was very pissed as she wanted to vent into punching something, especially into people who caused problems for her.
"Bridgette… we had a few traps and a barricade, and suddenly a moose came here to destroy all of our work…" Courtney commented that she herself wasn't in the mood to be kind, as she was feeling exhausted and angry from all her efforts being dismissed so easily. It was even pathetic.
"Oh…" Bridgette commented as she glanced at Gwen who was still recovering her breath, and Leshawna was giggling sheepishly while avoiding eye contact. "It's kinda a long story…"
"Of course it is." The campers said as Duncan gave a last look at the remaining traps, yep, they were all dismantled.
"Well, that was a waste," Duncan said with a sigh, surveying the ruined Dock of Shame barricade and traps. "Looks like we'll have to come up with a new plan."
"And what kind of plan? Wait until he comes here, and everyone attacks him at the same time?" Heather rolled her eyes as she pointed toward the forest. "I don't know what happened, but I know from the time I saw smoke in the forest, the good thing wasn't."
"AND IT'S NOT." The campers paused as they stared at the forest, which at the time they looked, DJ, Tyler, and Owen had their faces all swollen and with scorching marks with red around their faces. Tyler who was an unbeliever was now with an epiphany of what just happened. "BEWARE, THE DANCING DIABLOS,"
Duncan and Harold felt their spines shiver from something they never thought to hear before… Another Spanish word… which probably would mean something, since El Mongo and La Muerte had the same variance… another name would mean another type of arsenal.
"Oh hell no." Harold said as threw his arms in the air, "Nope, nope, fuck this *beep* I'm out."
"That's wise Harold. I don't know what it is, and I don't want even know." Duncan commented as he was also giving a step away.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Heather raised her eyebrows in disbelief, as Owen came like another monk who just suffered a terrible outcome.
"Brothers, sisters, don't let the fiendish peppers hit you, they are evillllllllllllll." Owen said as he even started to cry in front of everyone, as the group looked at the trio in disbelief.
"It had been 2 hours, and my face is burning… Can someone give me milk… please?" DJ whimpered as the group gulped dry, and Izzy gave a gallon to DJ who felt so happy for that moment. "Thank you, Izzy, you are a lifesaver."
"I heard that a lot," Izzy smirked as the group stared at her in disbelief, which made her shrug. "What? One of our traps would be using milk, and the moose already disarmed it. So nothing better to use it."
"DON'T USE EVERYTHING, LET ME ALSO HAVE IT," Tyler said as he wrestled with DJ to have some to place on his face, and Owen who was also crying decided to also join the duo to try to clean up his face from the hellish pepper attack.
"This is so stupid," Gwen commented as she was feeling less exhausted, and clearly noticed the Moose was still out of control. "Err… should we do something about this?"
"Don't worry, Bridgette is already trying to calm the moose down," Geoff commented as he himself was happy to assure his friends that everyone was going to be okay. "Oh look at that… She just hugged the moose and it seems the moose is leaving now."
The campers just then saw, Bridgette approaching them while the moose gave a last glare at the black girl, who was looking too exhausted to fight, and with a grunt, the moose left the place, which everyone stared at the surfer who seemed to be relieved.
"I'm so glad that he calmed down, I don't know who had the brilliant idea of using a bear trap, but it seems that this moose is more focused on going back to his baby," Bridgette commented as she felt happy with how easier had been for her to deal with the animals, they seemed to be more understanding at her, and she was happy to be using that to make them more peaceful, and focus on what was important. But then she just blinked when everyone was staring weirdly at her. "What?"
Before anyone could respond, a burst of laughter echoed through the forest. Everyone turned to see Noah approaching, his face alight with amusement, Eva following closely behind.
"So the whole concept of the threat was, choose one and I will shoot the other option?" Noah laughed as he watched Eva proud of herself for her revenge being done right. "Okay, seeing that really paid off the 1 million dollars, did you see Justin's face while screamed for his manager? It was hilarious."
"Hmph…that was me being kind… next time I get tricked like that again, I will do way more than hurting his pretty face," Eva commented as the duo seemed to be walking and suddenly what would be the remaining of a trashed plan which blew up in someone's face.
"Well, let me catch you up, genius," Duncan began as he was feeling very sarcastic at the moment, and he was in a pretty bad mood. "We were setting up traps and barricades to catch Ezekiel. But then Gwen and Leshawna brought a moose that destroyed everything. So, now we're back to square one."
"It wasn't me," Gwen said who denied all involvement with what just happened. "Leshawna just hurt the baby moose of an angry father, and when the father would threaten us, Leshawna just simply attacked that moose."
"HEY, THAT'S THE MOOSE THAT MADE HEATHER TOPLESS AND MADE HAROLD HOLD HER FAKE TITS," Leshawna shouted angrily which made Heather then snaps at her.
"Excuse me?!" Heather said in outrage as she walked in front of the ghetto girl. "First of all, my tits are not fake. And second off… WHY THE HELL YOU WANTED TO ATTACK A FREAKING MOOSE?"
"Looks like one heck of a party. Glad I missed it." Noah glanced around at the wreckage, a smirk forming on his face. He stared at Eva who was also surprised by all the destruction which happened. "At least we can say that we didn't lose our time in vain. "I think I prefer dodgeballs to moose any day."
Just as the campers began to resign themselves to the situation, rustling sounds emerged from the forest. Moments later, Cody and Justin stumbled into view. Justin sported a bruised face and a black eye, while Cody limped, his steps labored.
"Cody! Justin! What happened?" Katie and Sadie rushed over, worry etched on their faces.
"It's Eva," Cody commented high-pitched which made Katie raise her eyebrows and stare at her boyfriend… "We lost the suitcase."
"Why are you talking so high-pitched?" Katie asked in confusion and concern, which made the geek flinch as he gave a slight glance at Eva who was smirking like a shark. Sadie went to help Justin but he refused to show his face on the camera since it had been a very humiliating and painful moment for him.
"It's a long story… I just want to lay down for a bit." Cody commented as he laid on the sand, which everyone who was looking on that moment, couldn't help but be amused.
"Anyway, it seems that everyone is here. Less Ezekiel and Trent as it seems." Noah commented as the group was reunited… everyone had their eyes wide open in surprise to see that indeed there were almost all the campers on the Dock of Shame until they heard someone who finally walked from the other side of the island.
"Hey guys," Trent commented as Noah now rolled his eyes.
"Okay, now we have everyone here missing only the person who has the suitcase." Noah corrected as the entire group felt that they were now all reunited, ready to challenge one single person.
"Well, we are in a situation where at the moment Ezekiel comes, everyone will jump on him, and the first person to catch the suitcase and take on the docks will win," Gwen commented as the other campers felt that this situation was getting way out of hand, since most of them are frustrated, exhausted, and just wanted to go home.
"Ah shut up," Heather commented as the comment made Gwen pauses and stares at the queen bee who was very annoyed by that comment. "We have been fine if wasn't for the fact that fat ass woman decided to bring that stupid moose to destroy all our plans?"
"EXCUSE ME?" Leshawna said as she rolled her sleeves. "Oh, I didn't hear what I think I did hear, especially from a white chick who had fake tits…"
"THEY ARE NOT FAKE," Heather shouted as the duo tried to go at each other, and the groups tried to separate the queen bee and the big woman, until Leshawna managed to slap the queen bee in the face, which immediately everyone who was there to avoid the fight, suddenly recognized that trigger just happened.
"OH YOU *BEEP*" Heather jumped in the direction of Leshawna as the duo started a catfight which immediately caused the chaos happening around. Every camper accidentally started to hit each other, and from their exhaustion, they started to attack each other, all because of a sudden outburst coming from an ideal plan that was messed up by pure jealousy and greed coming from all their eyes.
It doesn't matter if once the groups were friends on Killer Bass or Screaming Gophers, at the time that fight started, slaps became scratches, and then punches and kicks, as Izzy was beating the crap of Geoff for a reason that she would never know, Bridgette was also being sprayed with a lot of hot sauce with water as she herself had enough and started to take the wood from the floor, which she used to beat someone but she accidentally she missed and managed to hit her boyfriend who was on the floor.
Cody went to attack Owen, who used his belly to launch him into the water on the tree. And doesn't have time to cheer up, because Duncan gives a punch to his face, however, his victory is short when Harold gives a punch to his stomach, in the sequel the nerd was kicked on the nuts by Courtney which makes him shout like a girl.
Justin was behind Sadie who was using her body as a shield and was beating Tyler who just wanted to ask her if she saw Lindsay, but the chaos was so much that she didn't hear right.
The chaos was unfolding, as Trent was giving a step away and he was looking at the whole chaos.
"Guys… GUYS!" Trent shouted as the group paused as they stared at the guitarist who looked at the situation being out of hand. "Don't you think this had been too much? We know that we are exhausted, but we didn't need to come up into a fight for that..."
Beth who nodded her head in agreement, suddenly had an idea on her mind.
"Hey! I've got an idea! Let's work together as a team! We can ask Ezekiel to split the prize twenty-two ways and share it!" Beth asked as she found a good way to make everyone a winner, which in the end left all the people in silence.
.
.
.
"NO!" Then like a huge crowd the people started to fight back with each other, as Beth looked in panic the same way Trent palled on how the things escalated in such a way. It was like nothing could stop them from fighting.
"stop, STOP, STOOOOOOOOOOOP!" Ezekiel shouted as it was enough to make everyone fight and slowly turned at him, who was near the Dock of Shame, he was just a few steps from winning the show, but knowing the people who approached him, he shouted as with all the breath of his lungs, to make sure the campers wouldn't even dare to think about going after him. They noticed something which made everyone freeze… Ezekiel wasn't shouting of despair at seeing like that, no… it was anger he had over them. "So that's how it is? Huh? We agreed that this would be a fair game and that we would remain friends until the end and now. Look at you! This is how you want them will see us? A bunch of ANIMALS fighting just for a single suitcase? For a case, we just found out only this morning, since we spent the whole 9 weeks fighting for a worthy prize. Just for the end ignore everything we worked hard for, friends we made just for this prize?"
Ezekiel glared as the contestants gave themselves a look as if they couldn't even reply to him, and even if they would try something, the homeschooled guy already interrupted them.
"Look at the cameras, people are watching us… OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS ARE WATCHING US… And that's how you guys want to be remembered for? A bunch of animals fighting for a single prize money that you would have won fair and square during the whole season?" Ezekiel gave a remark as he looked at the money case that he looked in sneer. And then at his friends from Killer Bass and the other campers of Screaming Gophers. Ezekiel with one of his hands took out one of his weights, and then he did the same with the other hand. "I want to win the 1 million dollars, but NOT LIKE THIS. IF YOU GUYS WANT TO WIN THE MONEY, THE SAME WAY AS ME? THEN LET'S DO IT FAIR, AS THE WAY AS IT SHOULD BE. LIKE WE DID DURING THIS HELLISH 9 WEEKS."
"Ezekiel, what are you planning?" Courtney palled as she realized the meaning behind his words, as the some campers as well. Ezekiel released both his weights, and he used both his hands to hold tight the suitcase. "Please don't tell me."
Ezekiel had enough to surprise everyone and make panic for them, with less weight over his arms, he used all the strength he had and used it to throw away the money case on the water, the far as he could, which made everyone scream in panic and plan to jump to take the case… But suddenly the shark saw something and decided to eat the whole suitcase. A seagull started to laugh over the shark eating the suitcase but it was too late to realize that another shark jumped to eat the poor bird as well.
"EZEKIEL, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" Duncan shouted in disbelief, but then he saw the anger in Ezekiel's eyes. And then he palled. "No, no no no please, please no…"
"IF YOU GUYS WANT THE PRIZE MONEY, THEN I DECLARE COMPLIANCE WITH ARTICLE 241 OF PAGE 25 IN SUBSECTION B IN THE FINE PRINT." Ezekiel roared so loud that it made Courtney and Duncan immediately recognize which article he was talking about, and almost every single one of the Killer Bass, since from the past… he explained to them…
(Let me give you one example, did you know that if at the end of this season, the winner of the show managed to be a no-winner, we are obligated to participate in season 2 automatically?
WAIT WHAT?
Shhhhhhhhhh… It was in the fine print of the possibility that if Total Drama Island became a success but at the end of the show we don't have a winner… we would go into season 2 which they are going to create almost immediately while making us participate again.)
"EZEKIEL NOOOOOOO" The whole Killer Bass shouted in panic while the other campers looked confused and afraid, but Ezekiel roared even louder.
"I CHALLENGE YOU ALL FOR THE SEASON 2 OF TOTAL DRAMAAAAAAA!" Ezekiel shouted with all the breath he could, and at that time the other campers understood what he meant, and why the Killer Bass looked desperately, but it was too late… Ezekiel knew the contract while most of them didn't and at that moment… A clap was heard.
Everyone stared at Chris McLean clapping with his iconic smirk, but this time it was like a devil smile appeared on his face.
"What an ending. Someone who knew exactly about the fine print, and decided to demand it… That's pure cinema," Chris smirked as he clapped while Chef was with a tissue to clean the tears of his eyes… "But what is done is done… And oh boy… Ezekiel, what you did, I have to confess, I never thought in my whole career someone would see an opportunity like that, and you instead of fighting them like an animal, created the perfect drama and solution to make everyone have a new chance of 1 million dollars. This is AWESOME."
The former contestants couldn't believe their ears, as Duncan and Gwen really wanted to refuse, even Courtney… But they couldn't, they knew about the fine print, and their friend summoned them to prove a point on where they became.
"The boy had balls of titanium," Chef commented as he was very impressed by the audacity and determination coming from the boy who came resolute with the decision.
"But what is done is done, and since he knew the rules of the contract. I have to explain about it…"
"Chris, before you say something… I said everyone… so please… everyone." Ezekiel interrupted Chris, which made the host look surprised at the home-schooled boy for his act of courage, which made the host think about it for a few seconds, but then a good smirk appeared on his face.
"Alright, I will give it a try… So congratulations campers… You all got a new chance… To try to win the 1 million dollars. In Season 2..." Chris commented as the Screaming Gophers looked surprised, some palled, shocked and others were outraged and others excited.
(Confession- Leshawna )
"I can't believe I'm hearing right, did they both say Season 2?" Leshawna still looked in disbelief, not knowing what to say in such a strange situation.
(Confession- Heather )
"Uh-uh, No way. I am not coming back here." Heather said as she then remembered about Chris and Ezekiel saying about the fine print. "DAMMIT, CURSED THE DAY I DIDN'T READ THAT STUPID CONTRACT."
(Confession- Lindsay )
"Season two? Season TWO?! I'm gonna be so much more famous than I thought! I was already the winner of season 1, and now I have another chance to win again! I hope I have a chance to get my roots done first." Lindsay commented excited about the idea, however, she forgot that she may need to have more preparations to look beautiful on the sequel of the show.
(Confession- Ezekiel )
"I know that my friends from Killer Bass may be upset with me, but they knew I was right, they weren't acting like themselves, so I need what I must do, if you want to win the prize money, you should win against everyone like Total Drama style… By taking challenges, alliances, friends, and voting like we always had done. That's how it was… and that's how it should be." Ezekiel commented as he composed himself and cracked his fingers. "I know for sure the Screaming Gophers are going to have me as primary their target, but I say… Bring it on. If they want the one million, then win this reality show with dignity. Like how Heather and Lindsay did on the finals,"
Ezekiel gave a small pause, as he then stared at the camera…
"Also, I thank you all for your support, everyone, you are great guys, and I know that you all wanted a perfect climax for the show, so I think you guys deserved more, so we are going to bring more," Ezekiel commented in sincerity as he also gave a small smile. "I don't know how long we will have of pause, but I talked with my publisher, and they said I will be doing my book signing of both Adventure Time, Steven Universe, and Courage the Cowardly Dog in 3 days, in Eaton Centre in Toronto, Ontario. We are now publishing 100.000 books of each one across Canada since you guys sent a lot of emails asking to bring more. Thank you all once again for the support. And I can't wait to do my best to sign every single book in the bookstore on the mall. I hope you guys have a great week and a good time."
(Confession – Katie and Sadie and Cody )
"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT WE ARE ON SEASON 2," Sadie said as she hugged her best friend and her boyfriend who also felt a good strength coming from the muscled chubby girl.
"Yeah, this way we can do much more, and we are going to make everyone impressed by us growing up." Katie agreed as she hugged while Cody felt himself suffocating.
"Girls, while I think that's awesome, why I should also be here in the confession?" Cody asked while he now felt himself part of the duo, while he was in a very good and stable relationship.
"Well, for this…" Katie said as she started kissing him in the mouth, which made the geek electrified and surprised by the sudden move of his girlfriend. "With us on season 2, there will be way more of this in front of the television… Which will sparkle the anger of a certain someone…"
"Ohhh… I like that." Cody commented as he started to kiss his girlfriend which made Sadie raise her eyebrows and pout.
"I wish I had the no-horny spray for these two… Come on guys, I'm also right here." Sadie said as she rolled her eyes.
"Well I was planning to make it for 14 campers, but since Ezekiel challenged every single one of you… In Exactly 6 days, you'll all report to a brand new location for a whole new challenge and the last one standing will receive MILLION DOLLARS! So don't forget to tune in… to TOTAL DRAMA ACTION!" Chris gave the presentation as the camera gave the final cut, and this time Chris and Chef stared at each other until they laughed so hard that some campers didn't know what to do anymore…
But many stared at Ezekiel, who just cleaned the dust from his blouse, and decided to prepare his things for him to leave back home…
Total Drama Island just ended, but Total Drama Action is about to start.
(Aquarium)
"I can't believe you did that," Courtney commented as the whole group of Killer Bass was looking tired, some in disbelief and some even angry with Ezekiel for throwing away the suitcase, and now they are condemned to participate in the season 2 of Total Drama by their contracts. "From all of your irresponsible ideas, from all the craziness you passed with us, this is by far the most idiot thing I ever saw."
"COURTNEY!" Ezekiel then shouted which made the C.I.T. girl flinch at seeing how angry her friend was, as he stared at not just her, but he stared at every single one of his friends Killer Bass in contempt. As he was looking at stranger people. "I just saw you fighting Duncan and Harold over the chaos, and I didn't even show the suitcase, it got escalated to such a level, that it made you all something that I never wanted to see… Where it was the girl who always believed in competition, who wanted to prove herself to the others that she could win the prize money, what the Counselor In Training inside of you is telling you after seeing what I saw half an hour ago?"
Courtney palled… as she realized that one thing that she always bragged about and even showed something that she would always trust, was her title of C.I.T… but then, after seeing everything of what happened, and how it would lead to such chaos, into people fighting over jealously, and then greed… She wanted to show she was great in leadership. But then it was like she saw a fight between animals, and for the first time, she didn't have words to defend herself.
She looked around at all the other friends, Harold was holding a bag of ice, Tyler was with a steak in his eye, Sadie was apologizing to the jock, and Katie looked down ashamed of what the pillar of Killer Bass had said.
Courtney looked at Duncan, who also was staring at the cave, which had been their secret spot… DJ and Geoff were also looking for the same place where there had been so many amazing things, and then the group was watching the interns and camera crew which they were dismantling their hot tub, which had been one of their proudest moments. The one they worked so hard to accomplish together.
"He's right," Eva commented as she herself never thought that her mistake not only led her to lose the prize money but then she got a taste of blood and she wanted more, so the desire to fight overcame the rational decision of what was more important to her. She already got a trailer and a reward of 20 thousand dollars, and yet. She got greedy and made herself lose face… "We lost our heads…"
Bridgette looked at Geoff, and they felt guilty for thinking of how terrible things were, especially with Gwen who could see the lipstick marks on their faces. She knew they could have helped her to be saved from the moose, but they got sidetracked, and were also ashamed…
"This whole episode was supposed to be our thing, have fun, try to think ahead of each other, then create good memories of how a great final episode would be for us, proving that we can be famous together… and then, when we had all the potential of the world to prove ourselves… It would show us the worst side of ourselves." Ezekiel commented as he proved himself as he had been thinking for a long time. "We are friends, please… just don't let this stupid money take what is important to us."
Tyler was in silence, as he couldn't help but nod.
"I made a terrible mistake in thinking I could take the stink bomb any day, but I was wrong, today was a mess… And I never felt so much fear I had from you than I have today, and you read for me the chicken invasion story from your book." The jock commented as it made a slight chuckle from the group who seemed to be feeling better at that moment.
"Guys, I know that some of you may be angry with me, hell, I'm even angry about how the situation got escalated in such a way… but when Trent and Beth tried to make you all stop fighting… I think I made the right choice." Ezekiel commented as he saw the interns going in the direction of the flag. "No wait, please… can you let the flag on there?"
The others from the Killer Bass who saw the group almost reaching the flag, also walked to stop the interns to take out the symbol of the identity of the cave.
"That was close," Geoff commented as DJ sat and gave a look around the whole cave…
"Yeah… this place wouldn't be the same without the flag," DJ commented as the campers walked around and the interns gave a lot of work to take out the trailer from the said cave, which made the Iron Woman Eva happy to have the trailer for herself.
"This place gives me so many memories," Katie commented as Sadie gave a small hug to her best friend, and the group was tearing up.
"In caves, shadows play, Silent waters, bass glide free— Nature's blend on stage," Harold commented as the group who listened to the Haiku made himself, as even DJ and Bridgette teared up, from the poetic and beautiful Japanese poetry the nerd gave as he himself was even releasing the tears.
"Fuck… this place had been more home for me than the juvie," Duncan commented as he tried to contain himself, from seeing how a place he passed the good times with his good friends, suddenly became so empty.
Courtney felt herself also feeling emotional, as soon their boats would come to get them for their break of 5 days before going to season 2…
It was a very beautiful silence, as the group was giving their goodbyes for their Aquarium, their secret base, their empire…
Ezekiel who also found such a place one of the most important places he ever had in his life, couldn't help but sign a song appearing on his memories.
"Let's go in the garden
You'll find something waiting
Right there where you left it lying upside down
When you finally find it, you'll see how it's faded
The underside is lighter when you turn it around"
And then Ezekiel started to sing, and suddenly something happened as Harold, Courtney, Bridgette, and Gwen started to sing as well, a song which he had created for so long, but kept singing on the Playa Del Losers, as the sound of the winds coming inside of the Aquarium.
"Everything stays right where you left it
Everything stays
But it still changes
Ever so slightly, daily and nightly
In little ways, when everything stays"
Then Tyler, Eva, DJ, and Geoff sang as well, joining the group to sing as the tears slowly came from their eyes, Sadie and Katie followed as they also started to cry a lot. And then the group stopped singing, but then to the surprise of everyone… Duncan himself decided to continue the song, until going to the end, as he himself was with his back towards his friends, but the feelings he had for the loved place, he couldn't deny since his own shirt was getting a few drops from his own tears.
"Go down to the ocean
The crystal tide is raising
Waters' gotten higher as the shore washes out
Keep your eyes wide open, even when the sun is blazin'
The moon controls the tide, it can cause you to drown"
And then everyone continued to sing the song, their feelings as a way to show gratitude from all the places of the island, the Aquarium was the only refugee they ever had in the chaotic world, and they couldn't stop… since they wanted to say as their goodbyes, and showing how much importance that place had been for them.
"Everything stays, right where you've left it
Everything stays, but it still changes
Ever so slightly, daily and nightly
In little ways
When everything stays"
The song they sang as slowly each of them, left… Leaving a painful goodbye from a place that became an empty aquarium without a single fish to live inside...
The sun began to set over Total Drama Island, casting a golden hue across the sky and the calm waters of the surrounding sea. The campers, exhausted but exhilarated from their long journey, were finally returning home. Instead of the single boats that had brought them here, each camper now had their own boat, a small, personal vessel symbolizing their individual experiences and growth throughout the show.
Among these boats, a larger, slightly more ornate vessel carried the two finalists, Heather and Lindsay, along with Ezekiel, who sat apart from them, lost in his own world. The boat gently rocked with the waves as it cut through the water, heading towards the distant shore.
Heather sat on one side of the boat, her arms crossed and her expression stormy. Her usually composed demeanor was shattered by a seething anger that simmered just below the surface. The source of her fury sat a few feet away, sketching in a notebook without a care in the world. Ezekiel, the one responsible for tossing the suitcase with the coveted one million dollars into the sea, seemed utterly unconcerned by the chaos he had caused. His indifference only fueled Heather's rage.
As she glared at Ezekiel, her thoughts churned. How could he be so nonchalant? They had all worked so hard, endured so much, and suffered all kinds of humiliation and challenges, even as she lost fair for her best friend Lindsay, she had the opportunity to win the big money and he had thrown away their prize without a second thought. And now, because of his impulsive challenge, they were all contractually bound to return for a second season. The idea of going through it all again, especially with Ezekiel, was almost too much for her to bear.
Lindsay, sitting nearby, was a stark contrast to Heather's simmering anger. She gazed out at the sea with wide-eyed excitement, her mind already buzzing with thoughts of the next season. The challenges, the friends, the adventure—it all thrilled her to no end. She couldn't wait to see what lay ahead, her optimism and enthusiasm shining brightly despite the exhaustion from the weeks of competition.
Ezekiel, meanwhile, was completely absorbed in his drawing. His pencil moved swiftly across the paper, capturing the serene beauty of the ocean and the setting sun. He knew what he had done, the chaos he had caused, and the implications of his actions. But he didn't care. He was in his element, detached from the drama and conflict that had defined the others' experiences.
The boat continued to glide across the water, carrying its passengers towards an uncertain future. The tension between Heather and Ezekiel was palpable, a stark contrast to Lindsay's cheerful anticipation. Until the homeschooled boy decided enough was enough he placed down his sketchbook and looked at Heather glaring at him. But ignoring that, he looked at the leather suitcase that he always had with him, and with a small smirk which infuriated even more Heather, the boy ignored, and decided to take something from inside of the said backpack…
Heather glared at him as he suddenly scoffed and turned her eyes away for a second, but when she turned her head back to him, she had her eyes wide open in surprise…
Ezekiel was holding a stack of money between her eyes.
"Take it." Ezekiel simply commented as the queen bee had her eyes wide open and her mouth open in shock. "If you check… there is 100 thousand dollars."
"WHAT?!" Heather shouted in surprise which even made Lindsay turn her head to see Heather shocked and Ezekiel holding a stack of money.
"What's going on?" Lindsay asked as she suddenly saw the same stack of money on her lap, which also surprised her.
"Your prize money," Ezekiel commented as he returned to his place, and had his sketchbook in his hands. "You two worked so hard to get it, that you both deserved the first prize money as you deserved."
"How did you get this large quantity of money, even as you wrote books and etc, there was no way that you could…"
"Have 1 million on my suitcase?" Ezekiel commented which made Heather had her eyes wide open in shock… "One thing that you should learn Heather… is always to be ahead of the game, and knowing that in the end, even if someone would win the 1 million dollars, the opportunities of becoming famous would be far greater, so why not have both? Take the one million, and make the others also have the opportunity to have another million in the show?"
Heather was jawslacked, while Lindsay was hugging her allowance money that she worked so much to get.
"Bu.. but but but…"
"Butts are for popping Heather," Ezekiel commented as he returned to his drawing, but with a good smirk at the queen bee, showing that everything was a setup…
"What's your favorite movie, Ezekiel?" Izzy's voice came to his head as Ezekiel slowly closed his eyes.
(The sun hung high in the sky, casting a harsh light over the bustling activity on the Playa Del Losers. A group of interns, sweating and straining under the weight of various objects, were meticulously carrying everything needed for the next challenge. Among them, unnoticed, were two figures blending in seamlessly with the crew. Since some also used a lot of work to collect cardboard and start the printing process of the giant cheque, there same two figures who were helping the crew were also on the same objective of capturing the prize money.
Izzy, with a mischievous glint in her eye, sported Ezekiel's winter hat and an intern hoodie, while Ezekiel himself was dressed in an intern's T-shirt and a blue cap, both wearing sunglasses to complete their disguises. They moved with purpose, trailing behind a particular intern carrying a distinctive gray suitcase. Since their help to blend worked as they helped with the cardboard, now they had free time to do other parts of the work.
The pair followed closely, their expressions hidden behind their sunglasses, until they reached a secluded area where a small group of interns were meticulously placing stacks of money into the gray suitcase. Ezekiel clutched a similar suitcase, filled not with money, but with his drafts, drawings, and ideas for book chapters which he scratched off—its contents irrelevant compared to the treasure being carefully packed before them.
Izzy, ever the actress, strolled casually among the interns as she high-pitched her voice to make her unrecognized, her laughter light and carefree. She struck up a few conversations, her infectious energy drawing everyone's attention. Suddenly, without warning, she sparked a chaotic misunderstanding, her voice rising in feigned anger. The scene escalated quickly, interns rushing to separate the confused and irate Izzy from the others.
Amidst the chaos, Izzy stormed off, her face a mask of fury, leaving the group to deal with the aftermath of her outburst. In the confusion, Ezekiel, moving with deliberate calm, approached the table where the real suitcase lay. Swiftly and without hesitation, he swapped it with his replica. With the real suitcase now in his possession, he walked away, blending into the background once more.
The group of interns, still flustered and distracted by Izzy's outburst, paid no attention as Ezekiel disappeared into the shadows, the weight of the million-dollar suitcase barely registering in his grip. The scene faded, and the sound of Izzy's distant, angry shouts and the frantic movement of the interns slowly dimmed as Ezekiel made his escape. As both cadets Sanders and MacArthur appeared to check the chaos of what happened, they were already gone.
Which with them two on the morning taking a stolen boat to go after Playa Del Losers before anyone noticed their disappearance, which was easy since the party started to be more crowded two hours later. And with that, the perfect crime already concluded with only one person as victorious.)
"Ocean's Twelve Izzy… Ocean's Twelve." Ezekiel whispered as nobody ever thought about the possibility of his favorite movie heist scene being replicated in the same form he did to get himself the prize money… He offered the money to Izzy, but she didn't need it, she did it just because he asked her to do it, and for the thrill and excitement of a challenge. She loved his idea of doing such a crazy heist, and she never had laughed so much when the show had ended with not only making Ezekiel the true winner of season 1, but being anonymous, but also making them go to season 2 as well… It was a win-win-win situation for everyone, and he couldn't help but be excited to have a good time with his family, then go to the mall with his friends, and then return to the show again.
He saw Heather staring at him like he was a monster… But at last, she now had the money that she fought for, and since she owed a few favors, she couldn't escape from his grasp… She saw Ezekiel as a rival that she thought she never had a chance, and yet he showed kindness in a way that he said she deserved it… which she agreed, but she would never do the same if that was the case.
But after Lindsay hugged her as she was cheering to have her money back, and her best friend also has the prize money… Heather couldn't complain, she smiled as she could enjoy the time with her best friend Lindsay and Beth with the money she had.
Maybe the season 2 wouldn't be bad after all.
Chapter 46: Welcome Home
Chapter Text
Gwen:
Gwen stared out the window of her limousine, a knot of anxiety twisting in her stomach. As the car wound its way through the familiar streets of her neighborhood, she couldn't help but imagine the worst. Her mother was known for her grand gestures, often crossing the line into embarrassing territory. The last thing Gwen wanted after surviving the chaos of Total Drama was to come home to a neighborhood-wide spectacle, a parade of sorts, orchestrated by her overzealous mom.
But as the limousine pulled up to her house, Gwen blinked in surprise. The street was quiet, the usual hum of the neighborhood absent. No banners, no crowds, no flashing cameras. Just her home, standing peacefully in the twilight.
Stepping out of the car, Gwen took a cautious breath, half expecting a crowd to leap out from behind the bushes. Instead, the front door opened, and there stood her mother, smiling warmly, with her brother and her cousin Ella beside her. There was no fanfare, just a genuine, heartfelt welcome.
"Welcome home, Gwen!" her mother called out, waving. Gwen felt a wave of relief wash over her. This was perfect. No over-the-top party, no embarrassing displays, just her family, the people who mattered most.
As she approached the front steps, her brother hugged her but also a few taps on her back.
"Welcome home, Gwen, gotta say, I didn't stop watching the show, and I was keeping sure to check if everything on the forum about you wouldn't be messed up by the troll, which you can guess who is," Cody explained as he felt the hug back from his older sister.
"Thank you for watching my back," Gwen commented as she was then surprised by Ella, ever the optimist, grinned and rushed forward to hug Gwen, squeezing her tight. Even as weird as she could be from transforming herself into a princess of fairy tales phase, it had too much pink on her, but still, she felt the hug of a person who she treated as family.
"Hey, goth girl, you survived!" Ella teased, her bright demeanor contrasting sharply with Gwen's darker aesthetic.
"Yeah, I did. Barely." Gwen chuckled, hugging her cousin back.
"I wanted to do something bigger, but... I thought you might appreciate something a little more low-key." Her mother reached out and took her hand, leading her into the house.
"This is perfect, Mom. Thank you." Gwen smiled, genuinely touched. "You have no idea how much I would prefer this."
"Oh, I had someone to convince me on that, trust me, Courtney's mom, and Duncan's mom told me that I had to slow down a bit, hehe, even Eva's mother said that I need to actually make you more comfortable on your way back home." Alisson, a mother who always cherished her children couldn't help but always be proud of what her little girl just did, everything that she did on the challenges she always cherished with her friends, and even as much she pouted, she knew that she needed to make her daughter less embarrassed. Gwen would always be grateful for that... "Only on your birthday which will be in 4 days, Halloween is almost here, and I have prepared a lot for your birthday being unforgivable."
And she thought too soon, which Gwen narrowed a bit of her eyes, but sighed in acceptance.
As they stepped inside, Gwen was hit with the delicious smell of home-cooked food. The table was set for four, and the house was filled with the warmth of a homecoming she hadn't realized she'd missed so much. Her mother looked more relaxed than she had in ages, and for a moment, Gwen wondered what had changed.
"I had some help, you know," her mother said, almost reading Gwen's mind. She gestured to the kitchen, where a familiar figure was placing the last dish on the table. "Gotta say, she did amazing on the television, but when we are together doing our encounter with Killer Bass mother's she always does something extra which always makes us eager to eat more."
"You're too kind." Then a voice that made it look familiar to Gwen made her blink until Gwen's eyes widened as she recognized DJ's mom, her presence as comforting as ever.
"DJ's Momma?" Gwen asked as she saw a person who was supposed to be with one of her friends. Before Gwen could even ask her mother further, she heard another car door slam outside. Turning, she saw DJ stepping out of another limousine, his expression just as surprised as hers. "DJ?"
"Hey Gwen, nice to see you," DJ commented as he was carrying his luggage and even having his bunny over his shoulder who was also enjoying a good nap. "The driver told me my momma wouldn't be home so she gave the location on where she would be. Is she there?"
"Devon Joseph, come here. We need to prepare everything right at this moment." Then a motherly voice but still firm which would scare anyone made DJ suddenly snap from his smile, and then look inside of house where momma had been still cooking a few dishes for the family. "Help to set up the table, and help me with this stew."
"Right away momma." And quickly, the Jamaican giant with a gentle heart, released a few of his luggage and calmly placed Bunny on Gwen's hands which he immediately went into serious mode. Leaving Gwen blinking in surprise, but also seeing her brother looking in amusement and her cousin approaching her and staring at the bunny with a grin so big that she felt that she was ready to tackle the bunny to hug it.
"Aww, look at this cutie," Ella commented, as she patted the little bunny which slowly was waking up. "It's so adorable,"
"Glad you liked it," Gwen commented as she then saw DJ helping to set up the table. Giving to the girl who was eager to take care of the sleepy bunny, the goth girl decided to walk towards the two Jamaicans who seemed to be not only working well together but also preparing a good dinner for the 2 families. But then she just saw DJ getting a hug from the chubby and smaller woman, while even giving a kiss on his cheek. She couldn't help but smile, while she and her mom were listening to the conversation while helping the boy set the table.
"I'm so proud of you Devon, while I should be scolding you for making 3 kids eat Obeah's Soul Scorcher, what in your dammed mind were you thinking?" While momma was happy and proud of her baby, she couldn't help but even twist his earlob which made him in terrible pain.
"Ouch ouch ouch ouch, sorry momma, sorry, I was just curious about what would happen if someone ate it, and you always told me to not even touch it without gloves. I was just curious, ouch ouch ouch." DJ commented as big as he could be, he would be at the mercy of his momma when she got angry and twisted his earlobe, but then he got even hit by her purse which was still painful as always.
"You better apologize to the three campers when you return on the show in a few days, you hear me?" Momma commented as she saw her baby boy nodding his head at her, but then with a good smile, she gave a hug and tapped his head. "I'm so proud of you, even as challenges would be scary and harsh, you still managed to get enough courage, and managed to put it through, I'm so proud of you my baby boy."
"Thank you, momma," DJ commented as he felt the sweet hug of the person who meant the world to him, knowing that things would get even challenge in the future, he knew that he should enjoy the little time he had with his momma before returning on the show, and on that night already started great.
"So momma, about the birthday party, do you need help? I can try to contact the others." Then Alisson came to make DJ blink in surprise and turn to see his momma giggling in surprise.
"Don't worry about it, Alisson, my son is all the help I would need," Momma commented as she looked at her son who looked confused. "Gwen's birthday is in 5 days."
"Oh really? That's nice to know," DJ commented as he looked at Gwen who was already slamming her head on the wall, "Err... are you okay?"
"Oh, she is going to be fine. While the big party is going to be big, I want to focus on what is most important for her." Alisson commented as Gwen rolled her eyes and decided to accept her fate.
"Okay Mom, what do you have in mind?" Gwen asked as she sat near the table, where the food was being placed, while her brother and her cousin were also excited to know about the possible birthday party that was going to happen.
"Well, nothing too crazy, just a party calling all your friends from Killer Bass, and your friends from the school," Then her mom suggested a party which made Gwen blink in surprise...
"Really just that? Not calling all the neighbors or inviting all Cody's friends as a way to compensate for the lack of people inside the home?"Gwen couldn't help but ask since what her mom planned for her birthday seemed fair.
"Yes, I was thinking of calling their parents as well, but most of us would be working, so I think we could prepare a party for the parents on another day, but since it's the Killer Bass and you will be returning on the show on the next day, I think it would be for the best if you enjoy the last day together in a good party," Alisson commented as Gwen didn't realize how it made sense, and since Ella was having a good time, to even taking care of bunny, she decided to help DJ who appreciated a good help, especially with someone who his bunny felt comfortable with. "Ohhh, I think we should invite Cody Anderson as well, because he is Katie's boyfriend, and from Sierra's post on the forum, his parents were on a cruise trip which they will return next month."
"Really? Cody will be alone on these 5 days? Maybe we should call Jessica, she would always be happy to keep an eye on the boy nearby Katie." Momma commented as the duo started to gossip, and DJ and Gwen looked surprised at how close the duo seemed at that moment. But couldn't help but be happy for their mothers, since the group of friends they just made seemed to be affecting positively their lives, just like theirs.
"So DJ, can you tell me about the nature on the camp Wawanakwa?" The princess-dressed girl asked as DJ thought about it, and not realizing it, the group was already reuniting themselves, and with a good time sharing their conversation in a good dinner.
Gwen smiled, not realizing that maybe, being home after an exhaustive 9 weeks on that chaotic island, she would be so happy to share a good meal with family and a friend...
"Maybe the next season wouldn't be so different from the first one," Gwen commented as she was happy to hear the story of her brother almost having a heart attack because Ella appeared in a reflection of a drink, while almost imitating the Black Puddle Queen.
Yeah, it was the best welcome party that both Gwen and DJ ever had...
DJ:
DJ leaned back on the couch, holding the first edition of Courage the Cowardly Dog, dedicated to him by his friend, it would be a good time for him to read one of the funnies stories as he would be chilling as the group would be waiting for the dessert.
Cody came near DJ and looked surprised by the book.
"Hey, is that the Courage the Cowardly Dog book that you got on the show?" The boy asked and DJ nodded his head happily. "Man, I had to buy one to see if his stories were indeed scary, and shit, I never thought I would be scared of my life on Curse of the King Ramses."
"Oh boy, that one clearly terrifies anyone," DJ commented as he already had his fair share of horror stories with wholesome endings, he liked Ezekiel for being a genius in writing such a book, it made him fear, but with a good ending it always would made him be happy with what would come in the end.
"I know, right? Ezekiel really surprised me since he was the reason why we won many challenges, and even at times I was very scared, I learned to be courageous, just like Courage, but still I just wished that his drawing of monsters wouldn't have been well detailed." DJ chuckled, nodding in agreement. But then showed a picture of weremole which he never thought that he would be scared for bunny, and beware of the holes in the ground.
"Yeah, I agree, some of this can be nightmare fuel. And I gotta say, I didn't blame you at all for running away from Heather during that 'Serial Killer' challenge." Cody flipped through a few pages until he pointed to the drawing of Black Puddle Queen.
"Man, that chapter was intense. But honestly, I was more freaked out by the Black Puddle Queen being Heather with makeup. She's terrifying in that horror way, you know?" DJ looked a bit embarrassed, scratching the back of his neck.
"Totally. The way she just appears in reflections... it's the kind of thing that sticks with you. Plus, as creepy as she is, you can't deny she's also, well... kind of hot, in a terrifying way." Cody nodded fervently as he said that, Cody threw a glare at Ella, who looked confused.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Ella asked, her big eyes blinking innocently.
"Because, Ella, the last time I saw someone's reflection in a drink I almost choked. Remember? When I was drinking soda and you decided to pop up outside the window, instead of, you know, knocking like a normal person? I nearly choked on my drink." Cody crossed his arms, still holding a slight grudge.
Ella giggled, though she quickly covered her mouth when she realized he wasn't entirely joking.
"Oh... I said I was sorry about that, Cody! I was just trying to surprise you!" Ella commented as she looked innocently, which made the boy roll his eyes.
"Well, you definitely succeeded," Cody muttered, still a bit annoyed, but the corner of his mouth twitched in a reluctant smile. Gwen, who had been listening in, couldn't help but laugh.
"Ella's got a talent for that," Gwen teased. "And DJ, I totally get it. If I saw the Black Puddle Queen, I'd be out of there in a heartbeat too. Also, it was Heather, just makes it too easy."
"I'm not ashamed to admit it. And honestly, after reading Ezekiel's book and thinking about everything that happened, I've realized how much being on the show changed me. I never thought I'd make so many friends or grow as much as I have." DJ laughed, the sound deep and hearty.
"You really have, DJ. You've always been the kind-hearted guy, but you've become stronger too. It was fun being on the Killer Bass with you. We had some good times, didn't we?" Gwen nodded, her expression thoughtful.
"Yeah, we did. Despite all the crazy stuff we went through, I wouldn't trade it for anything." DJ smiled warmly.
As DJ spoke, Ella continued to pat the bunny, her touch gentle and careful. DJ noticed and gave her an encouraging smile.
"You're doing great with him, Ella. Just make sure to be gentle with his ears. And always give him some space when he's eating or resting. Bunnies like to feel safe."
"Thanks, DJ! I'll make sure to take good care of him." Ella beamed, clearly pleased with the praise.
Gwen and Cody exchanged a knowing look as they watched Ella and DJ interact. There was something undeniably sweet in the way DJ was with Ella, a mix of kindness and genuine care.
As DJ helped Ella with the bunny, probably talking about their likes of animals, and about their days, Cody and Gwen looked a bit far away, in amusement.
"You know, I'm calling it now. Those two will be together in about two years." Gwen leaned over to her brother and whispered, which her brother snorted.
"Two years? Less than one, I bet." Cody smirked, as the duo shared a quiet laugh, enjoying the moment of light-hearted speculation. DJ and Ella, unaware of the sibling's conversation, continued to chat about the bunny and other small things, their laughter filling the room.
It was one of those rare, peaceful moments that felt like home, a perfect way to end a day full of memories and reflections.
Tyler:
Tyler was practically bouncing in his seat as the limousine pulled up to his house. The excitement of being home, combined with the adrenaline rush of finishing the show, had him grinning ear to ear. He might not have won, but he felt like a champion nonetheless. He'd made some great friends, and had some unforgettable experiences, and he was pumped for whatever came next, especially season 2.
As the limousine stopped, Tyler jumped out with a flourish, his usual energy on full display. He jogged up the path to his front door, but as he neared the entrance, his foot suddenly slipped on a wet patch on the ground. Before he knew it, he was airborne, arms flailing, until he slammed face-first into the door with a loud *thud*.
"Ugh... not again," Tyler groaned, dazed, feeling the weight of the lugages over his body.
The door swung open, revealing his parents. His mom Dehila, beaming with joy, immediately rushed toward him.
"Tyler, my baby! Welcome home!" Dehila shouted happily as she was ready to greet her son, and before Tyler could respond, his mom's enthusiasm got the best of her, and she tripped over her own feet, crashing into him. Both tumbled down the small flight of stairs, landing in a heap on the lawn.
"Oof!" Tyler gasped as he hit the ground, his mom sprawled across him.
His father stood at the top of the steps, rolling his eyes at the spectacle. He walked down, offering a hand to help them both up.
"You two never change," he said with a hint of exasperation, but there was a smile tugging at his lips. He then saw her narrowing her eyes at him, and he rolled his eyes. "As the same way as me, okay I understand, you will never let the bowling ball machine go won't you?"
Dehila shook her head but then focused on helping her baby boy. Once they were back on their feet, Tyler's mom brushed off her son's shoulders, fussing over him.
"I'm so proud of you, Tyler! You did amazing!" Dehila always thought her son did incredible on the show, and whenever she talked with Anastasia, (Eva's mom), the bodybuilder mother always enjoyed having a conversation about what their future plans would be. They even planned to have a party together will all the group of Killer Bass.
"You didn't win the season, son, but you sure made an impression." Tyler's dad gave him a nod but still with his expression a mix of pride and mild disappointment.
"Don't worry, Dad! I'm totally going to win season 2! I'm pumped and ready to give it everything I've got!" Tyler's excitement was undimmed. Since he always had been pressured by his father to win season 1, he always lived up to the hype and he was sure this season would be his season.
"That's the spirit, son. You've always had confidence and determination. But more importantly, you showed character." His dad nodded approvingly, placing a hand on Tyler's shoulder.
"Character?" Tyler blinked, taken aback. Not sure what he understands the meaning of that word.
"Being the first person to throw a challenge for a teammate, that took guts, Tyler. It wasn't about winning at all costs; it was about loyalty. And I respect that." His father smiled, giving him a firm pat on the back.
Tyler grinned, feeling a warmth in his chest. His dad wasn't just proud of his efforts on the show, he was proud of him.
"And then there's what you did for Lindsay," his dad continued a twinkle of approval in his eyes. "Your little revenge on Trent for making her eat that disgusting food? That showed you care. Her parents noticed too. They were so impressed that they decided to invest in our family. They even recommended some sponsors who might help out with equipment for the school."
"Seriously?" Tyler's eyes widened in surprise.
"You might have lost the show, but you've won in a lot of other ways. You've made friends, shown integrity, and earned the respect of people who matter. That's something to be proud of." His dad nodded. It seems the new equipment for the new students will have more investment and desire to do exercises and sports, which was a very good thing since they needed a few good sponsors at that moment.
Tyler's heart swelled with pride. He might not have taken home the grand prize, but hearing his dad's words, he realized he'd gained something even more valuable.
"Thanks, Dad," Tyler said, his voice filled with gratitude.
"Now, let's get inside before your mom decides to tackle you again. And probably taking me down with you." His dad gave him a rare, genuine smile. Which the mother pouted and pushed them both towards the stairs, making them three slip the stairs again, but this time when they reached the floor groaning... They couldn't help but laugh together. Tyler's spirits are high and his determination is stronger than ever. He was ready for whatever challenges season 2 would bring, and this time, he knew he'd make his family even prouder.
Duncan:
Duncan was leaning back in the plush leather seat of the limousine, trying to enjoy the quiet ride home after the chaos of Total Drama Island. Possibly from everything he learned on the day, he felt exhausted and with the idea of participating in the next season, because his friend decided it was for the best for them to try to win the 1 million in a fair way, he sometimes couldn't understand his friends. But he couldn't judge him, since they clearly messed up on the final challenge, and now they are going to have to participate because of the contract. So as just as he started to relax, the car jerked to a sudden stop, the tires screeching against the pavement.
"What the heck?" Duncan muttered, annoyed. As he already had so much on his plate already, and he got a promise Courtney's mom would be taking out from the juvie, there was no way the law forces would be screwing with him... "Oh come on, I'm just free from the juvie, there is no way they lied to me."
He looked out the window, ready to nag at whoever was causing the delay, but his eyes widened in surprise instead.
Standing beside the limo was a woman in a sharp, yellow-toned detective outfit. Her bright smile and confident posture were unmistakable. Black hair even showed a slight color of fade, while her eyes looked as sharp as ever. And what clearly surprised most was that he knew the person who was... It was his aunt.
"Aunt Alex? What are you doing here?" Duncan asked, stepping out of the car, still processing the unexpected turn of events.
"Sir, get out of the car..." The woman who was in front of him was nobody other than one of the family members he has as law enforcers, and in case his aunt was in Canada, there was also a probability that his uncle was also there. But then at the time he got out of the limousine, Alex grinned as she adjusted her hat and gave a hug to him. "Surprise, Duncan! You didn't think we'd let you come back home without a proper welcome, did you? Come on, grab your stuff. We're taking you the rest of the way."
Duncan blinked as he saw the SUV nearby, which probably she would have taken to bring him to his family, and probably knowing that the limousine driver would be probably freaking out in fear, he couldn't help but chuckle.
"Alright officer, you got me, let's go," Duncan commented as he got the help he needed to bring the luggage to the SUV. As he approached, he noticed someone else leaning casually against the vehicle. The man had a skull tattoo on one arm and an alien skull on the other—both of which were peeking out from beneath the sleeves of his black leather jacket. But one thing that Duncan would never forget was his uncle's hair, which was still the same as always had been, the bright yellow blonde that Duncan had to admit, that he was always happy to see the person in front of him.
"At the time I saw Aunt Alex, I was kinda hopping to see you too Uncle Martin" Duncan commented as he saw the smirk on the face of a man who was near the SUV, and as soon he got nearby him, the man raised his hand, which Duncan happily gave a high five, then a fist bump and finally touched their index fingers like E.T. movie, which was something his uncle always taught him since childhood, a person that he was always surprised to see. "I didn't know you were back in Canada! I thought you and Aunt Alex were still down in the States."
"We were, but we couldn't miss the chance to see our favorite nephew finally break free from juvie. Your mom insisted we come up and give you a proper homecoming. Sheila had been having a lot of preparation for you at home, she said your siblings are probably in the supermarket buying meat for a barbecue, and your dad is trying to make sure the house won't be on fire." Martin chuckled, patting Duncan on the back as he helped him load his bags into the SUV. He winked. "Plus, we caught the pay-per-view. Gotta say, kid, we're proud of you. Looks like you're finally growing up. Got a nice girl, great friends, and finally overcame the fear inside of you, like I said, you need to be a true rebel to go against your fear, and that alone is what makes you a rebel just like me."
"Thanks, Uncle Martin. It was a crazy ride, but I think I learned a lot about myself out there." Duncan couldn't help but smile at the praise, especially coming from Martin. His uncle had always been the cool, adventurous type, and hearing that he was proud of him meant a lot. Since while most of the other members of the family would say that he is too rebellious to even go to jail, Martin was the only one who would dismiss and say they are just freaking out, since everyone always broke a law by being a rebel a few times, which is funny since his uncle Martin always knew their embarrassing moments on law school, and was always the one who could be the bane of their existence. A bad boy detective, and a person who if the law had been more interesting, he would have the inspiration to become like his uncle, but sadly the law was boring.
"Also that Courtney girl seems too nice, I can't wait to meet her in the future, I heard from your mother, that Courtney's mother is going to represent you to make you stay out of the juvie, and boy, that's a nice outcome, having a relative as a lawyer is a big deal, you have no idea how much of headache you can avoid by having them on your back." His aunt Alex explained as she seemed to be happy with the little bad boy since the family had been trying to think of what they could do to help Duncan become less unstable, and surprisingly the show itself made him have more focus and even growing up and become more mature, specially with friends that he had.
" Not only that, but you Duncan, finally faced that fear of yours... The case 78B14... the one from the old music store incident. We just found the culprit last year, it was everything done by a serial killer who took 12 fake identities but we managed to track him down in the United States. So you can put your fear of blood Celine Dion to rest... You already proved that you are a rebel bad boy and you shouldn't be afraid of that, especially coming from the show you came, the dangers of true challenges ahead." Martin nodded approvingly. As he saw from the episodes aired on the pay-per-view on the time he was visiting his sister, and then knowing the show would be aired in the United States the next month, it seems there will be much more he could learn from his nephew and his friends.
"Yeah, it's been a long time coming." Duncan's smile widened. He could glance at the times he had to face any kind of challenge, sharks, bears, a serial killer, it had been all the crazy things that he would have to face, and thankfully the worst part was over, until the next 5 days.
"Speaking of facing fears, Duncan, help us with one thing, who would win a fight? The swamp monster or the bogeyman?" As they piled into the SUV, Alex couldn't resist chiming in, her eyes lighting up with excitement. Which made Martin groan, and the tan woman pout at her husband had shown her tongue at him. "I'm always telling him the swamp monster is way stronger, but he kept insisting the bogeyman is more versatile."
"Don't answer that Duncan, she doesn't want to admit that I'm right, since in the European Folklore, the bogeyman can do wormholes with worms and larvae and even bring children to the swamp." Martin groaned playfully. As he rolled his eyes trying to come up with what his wife would always start a debate that she would always lose.
Duncan rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the smirk tugging at his lips. He knew this routine all too well. While his aunt and uncle were deep into sci-fi and supernatural movies and books, just like he was into horror, they'd have their own debates and passionate arguments about which was better.
"Well, I guess it's good to see some things never change," Duncan said, leaning back in his seat as the SUV pulled away. The familiar banter between Alex and Martin was comforting, and for the first time in a while, he felt like everything was right in his world. And when it relates to supernatural monsters, he couldn't help but muse what would be their discussions at the time they read Courage the Cowardly Dog from Ezekiel.
As they drove off, Duncan couldn't help but think that, despite all the craziness, it was good to be home.
Geoff:
Geoff stepped out of the limousine, feeling a mix of excitement and relief. The Total Drama Island experience had been a wild ride, and he was eager to be back in the familiar embrace of home. As he approached the front door, it swung open, revealing his parents standing there with wide grins.
"Geoff, my boy!" his dad exclaimed, pulling him into a warm hug. His mom Sarah quickly joined in, wrapping her arms around them both.
"Welcome home, sweetheart!" His mom added, her voice full of pride. "We've missed you so much."
"Missed you guys too. It's good to be back." Geoff returned the hug with a big smile on his face. I gotta a lot to tell you...
"Won't need it..." His dad clapped him on the back as they released him from the hug. "We've been watching every episode, and we're proud of how you handled yourself, son. You brought your good vibes to the show, just like we knew you would. And you got on the best team, and even got a very good girl in the end..."
"Thanks, Dad. It was crazy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything," Geoff replied. As he smiled from the truth his father said, knowing that the girl of his life clearly made his time on the show even better.
"Well, I'm going to tell you you're not the only one who made friends while you were on the show. You should know about the things Karen, Anastasia, Martha, and even Victoria and oh boy, if you hear who Sheila was, you wouldn't look Duncan with the same eyes again." Sarah nudged him toward the front door as she was ready to tell more about the mothers of Killer Bass, while the party boy looked confused, he was also curious to know who they were, and what his mom was talking about. "Let me and your dad bring the things and place your bedroom, can you make some drink for us?"
"Sure thing Mom," Geoff commented early as he reached for the door handle and pushed it open, and as soon as he stepped inside, the lights flipped on and a chorus of voices yelled out. "Surprise!"
Geoff's jaw dropped. The living room was packed with his brothers, friends from school, and the neighborhood, all cheering and clapping for him. Balloons and streamers were everywhere, and a huge banner that read "Welcome Home, Geoff!" hung across the room. At the center of it all was his best friend, Brody, grinning ear to ear.
"Brody! Dude, this is awesome!" Geoff exclaimed as he rushed over to give his friend a high-five and a bro hug.
"You know I had to throw you a killer party, bro! Everyone's been waiting to celebrate with you." Brody laughed. As the tan boy who seemed to be his childhood friend who also dressed almost the same as him, but having a tattoo on his arm, and wearing a sleeveless shirt, the duo laughed as they even tried to wrestle each other as friends. Geoff couldn't stop smiling as he played with his best friend. Music was blasting, people were dancing, and the energy in the room was electric. It was the perfect way to celebrate his return.
A few hours into the party, Geoff and Brody were lounging on the couch, surrounded by their friends. Brody nudged Geoff with a playful smirk.
"So, dude, you wanna explain how you managed to mess up so bad and give away Courtney's hiding spot during the Hide and Seek Challenge? That was brutal, man!" Brody laughed as he then pointed out the story of his elimination. "Dude you were like, I had this nightmare, and it happened on the boat house and a shark ate Courtney, dude, it was the hilarious outcome of snitches getting stitches,"
"I know, I know! I didn't mean to, but I totally let it slip. And then Courtney and Duncan teamed up to kick my butt. But hey, it was all in good fun, right?" Geoff burst out laughing, shaking his head. He had laughed so hard with Bridgette on how he was out of control, and he missed her, well at least he learned a variable lesson, to never snitch on Courtney, and if a shark ate her, it was a pain for the shark itself.
The group around them chuckled, enjoying the story. Geoff's thoughts drifted to the friends he made on the show, especially Bridgette. His smile softened as he started daydreaming about her, remembering all the great moments they shared.
"Uh-oh, looks like Geoff's gone into lovestruck mode again," Brody teased, noticing his friend's far-off expression.
Suddenly, Geoff felt a cold, wet spray hit his face, mixed with a burning sensation.
"OW! What the heck?! YOU TOO?!" Geoff yelped, snapping out of his daydream. He wiped his face, only to realize it was Brody holding a spray bottle filled with water and hot sauce.
"Learned from the show." Brody grinned mischievously. "Just helping you snap out of it, man. You were spacing out! The anti-horny spray."
"Why, Brody? You know that stuff's the reason I couldn't kiss Bridgette for so long!" Geoff groaned, as he looked at his best friend who betrayed him for doing something like that.
The room erupted in laughter, Brody nearly falling off the couch from laughing so hard. "Dude, your face went from lovey-dovey to pure pain in a second! That was hilarious!"
"Oh, you think that's funny? Let's see how you like it!" Geoff smirked, snatching the spray bottle from Brody. He started chasing Brody around the room, spraying him with the mixture while everyone cheered them on.
Outside, Geoff's parents watched the chaos unfold through the window, smiling at the sight of their son surrounded by friends, being the life of the party as always. They leaned into each other, sharing a loving kiss.
"He's a good boy," Geoff's mom said softly. "He's got a big heart, just like you."
His dad nodded. "He sure does. And if this is what happens after season one, I can't wait to see what he'll do in season two."
As the party continued inside, filled with laughter, friendship, and good times, Geoff couldn't help but feel grateful for the life he had. And as much as he was enjoying the moment, a part of him was already looking forward to what the next adventure would bring.
Sadie:
The limousine rolled to a smooth stop in front of a cozy, suburban house. The night was beautiful casting a cold golden white over the neighborhood. Sadie took a deep breath, looking out the window at home. It had been 9 weeks since she left for Total Drama Island, and now, after all the challenges and growth, she was finally back.
As the chauffeur opened the door, Sadie stepped out a confident smile on her face. The first thing that struck her was how familiar everything felt—the same tidy lawn, the same white picket fence. But as she moved to grab her bags, she caught sight of her parents and little sister, Cindy, standing on the porch. The look on their faces told her that things wouldn't feel exactly the same.
Sadie had changed.
Her once-soft figure was now a mix of chubby curves and defined muscles, the result of weeks of intense physical challenges and determination. She'd pushed herself harder than she ever thought possible, and it showed.
Cindy's eyes widened in shock, while her mother's hand flew to her mouth in surprise. They had been expecting their bubbly, chubby daughter and sister to come bounding up the walkway, perhaps with Katie in tow. But this Sadie, strong, confident, and standing on her own, was someone new.
"Sadie?" Cindy finally managed to say, still trying to reconcile the image in her mind with the young woman in front of her.
"Hey, Mom! Hey, Cindy!" Sadie called out, her voice as cheerful as ever, though it carried a new undertone of confidence. She dropped her bags and hurried up the path, her family barely had time to react before she enveloped them in a bear hug.
"Oof!" Cindy grunted as Sadie squeezed a bit too tightly, her newfound strength catching even her by surprise.
"Oh my gosh, sorry!" Sadie chuckled, loosening her grip and stepping back. "I guess I don't know my own strength anymore."
"It's okay, sweetie. We're just so happy to have you back. And wow, you look… amazing!" Her mother laughed softly, rubbing her arm where Sadie's hug had left its mark. "We knew you looked strong on TV, but seeing you like this is something else."
"Thanks, Mom. It's been a crazy ride, but I've learned so much." Sadie blushed, grinning widely. "Even though I got eliminated in Episode 2, I'm still happy to have learned so much about myself and my friends, and how Eva helped me get strong like her."
As they made their way inside, Sadie's mom and sister couldn't help but steal glances at her. It wasn't just the physical change that struck them—there was something different in the way she carried herself, a sense of independence and self-assurance that hadn't been there before.
"Eva did a great job with you, huh?" her mom remarked as they settled into the living room.
"Yeah, she really did. And Cindy, you should've seen it—Eva was like my personal trainer, but also like a big sister. She helped me realize I wanted to get stronger, not just for Katie, but for myself too." Sadie smiled, her expression softening.
Her mom exchanged a look with Cindy, pride evident in their eyes. They had always loved Sadie's bubbly personality and her close bond with Katie, but seeing her like this—strong, independent, and still just as kind—made them prouder than ever.
"Well, we were planning to head over to Katie's house to celebrate. We've been waiting for both of you to show up so we could all go together," her mom began, referring to the way their families always celebrated together since kindergarten.
But this time, Sadie shook her head, smiling gently.
"Actually, I was thinking we could do something different this time. Katie's got her family, and Cody's with her now, too. They're probably celebrating together, and I don't want to intrude."
"Wait, does Cody is here with Katie now?" Cindy asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Yeah, his parents are on a cruise for a few months, so Katie invited him to stay with her and her parents until season 2 starts," Sadie explained, as her mom let out a surprised gasp.
"No way, I had no idea he was alone," her mom said, just as she noticed a limousine pulling up in front of the house across the street. "Well, I guess Jessica will find out soon enough. But you're really okay with not joining them?"
"Yeah, I want to celebrate with you guys. Just us. There's so much I want to share about everything that happened on the show, about my friends at Playa del Losers, and how I've grown. I want to spend time with you and tell you all about it."
Her mom and Cindy exchanged another look, this time with even more pride and a touch of emotion. Sadie had come back not just as the same sweet girl they knew, but as someone who had found her own path and independence.
"That sounds perfect, sweetheart. How about we head to the bakery down the street and pick up a cake? We can have our own little celebration." Her mom suggested, a warm smile spreading across her face.
"That sounds great, Mom. Let's do it." Sadie's face lit up as she realized how much she was looking forward to this time with her family.
The local bakery was a small, cozy place that had been a family favorite for years. The smell of freshly baked bread and sweet pastries greeted them as they walked in, instantly making them feel at home.
As they browsed the display cases, Sadie chatted animatedly about her experiences on the show—the challenges, the friendships she'd made, and the lessons she'd learned. Her mom and Cindy listened intently, laughing at her stories and marveling at how much she'd grown.
After choosing a cake—chocolate with raspberry filling, Sadie's favorite—they headed back home, the evening air cool and refreshing. The three of them talked and laughed all the way, their bond stronger than ever.
Back at home, they gathered around the kitchen table, the cake in the center. Sadie's mom lit the candles, and they all sang a playful rendition of "Welcome Home" instead of "Happy Birthday," making Sadie laugh.
As she blew out the candles, Sadie felt a deep sense of gratitude. She was home, surrounded by the people who loved her most, and she was finally comfortable in her own skin.
Her mom cut the cake, serving generous slices to everyone. As they dug in, Sadie continued to share her stories, her family hanging on every word.
"I'm so proud of you, Sadie," her mom said after a while, her voice filled with emotion. "You've become such an incredible young woman. And I'm so glad you're taking this time for yourself."
"Thanks, Mom. I couldn't have done it without you and Cindy. You've always supported me, no matter what. And now, I'm ready to stand on my own two feet." Sadie smiled, her heart swelling with love for her family.
"We're always here for you, Sadie. And we're so proud of the strong, independent woman you've become." Cindy added, reaching across the table to squeeze her sister's hand. "And whatever happens next, we'll be right by your side."
They finished their cake, continued to talk late into the night. Sadie knew this was just the beginning of her journey, but she was ready for whatever came next. And with her family by her side, she knew she could handle anything.
Katie:
The long shadows across the quiet suburban neighborhood as Jessica stood in her kitchen, sipping tea and glancing at the clock. Her heart fluttered with anticipation. Any moment now, Katie would be home after weeks of competing on Total Drama Island. She was so proud of her daughter, who had faced the challenges head-on, even if it meant being away from home for so long.
Suddenly, the phone rang, snapping Jessica out of her thoughts. She quickly answered, recognizing the caller ID. It was Allison, her neighbor and close friend.
"Hey, Jessica," Allison's voice came through, a mix of excitement and urgency. "You won't believe what I just read on the forum!"
Jessica raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "What's up, Allison?"
"It's about Cody, Katie's boyfriend. Apparently, his parents are on a cruise, and he's going home alone. So in case you see Sadie or Katie appear be sure to ask if that's true," Alisson decided to give the news about the best friend of her daughter, and especially about someone who could be in the care of the single mother of the tan twin.
Jessica's eyes widened as she peeked through the living room window, just in time to see Sadie, strong and confident, stepping out of the limousine across the street. She smiled warmly at the sight. Sadie looked great, and it was clear the show had been a transformative experience for her.
But before Jessica could respond to the telephone to Allison, she saw another limousine pull up in front of her own house. Her heart skipped a beat, knowing it had to be Katie.
"I think my girl is home too, Allison. I'll call you later!" Jessica quickly hung up the phone and rushed to the front door, her excitement building.
The limousine door opened, and Jessica's eyes first fell on her daughter, Katie, who was looking more radiant than ever. Her tan skin glowed in the soft moonlight, and her smile was as bright as Jessica remembered. But before Jessica could take a step forward, she noticed Katie wasn't alone.
Standing close behind Katie, with an arm wrapped around her waist, was Cody Anderson. The two were so engrossed in each other, sharing a tender moment of affection, that they didn't immediately notice Jessica standing on the porch.
Katie and Cody were lost in their own world, smiling and gazing into each other's eyes, their love and connection palpable. They leaned in, sharing a soft kiss, completely unaware of their audience.
Jessica, amused by the scene unfolding in front of her, decided to make her presence known. She cleared her throat, loud enough to break through the lovebirds' bubble.
Katie and Cody froze, their eyes wide as they slowly turned to see Jessica standing there, her arms crossed, with a playful yet stern expression on her face. Both of their faces flushed deep red, realizing they'd been caught in the act.
"Well, well, well," Jessica said, raising an eyebrow as she tried to hide her smile. "What do we have here? My daughter comes back from Total Drama Island with not just memories but also a boyfriend in tow?"
"Mom, I—" Katie quickly pulled away from Cody, her embarrassment evident as she stammered,
But before Katie could say anything more, Jessica burst into laughter, breaking the tension. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her daughter, hugging her tightly.
"Oh, sweetheart, I'm just teasing. I'm so happy to have you back!" Jessica said, her voice filled with love and relief.
"I missed you so much, Mom." Katie hugged her mother back just as tightly, feeling the warmth and comfort of home that she had missed so much.
As Jessica pulled away from the hug, she noticed Cody standing there, looking both nervous and sheepish. He was clearly unsure of what to say or do next.
Jessica gave him a once-over, noting the way he was fidgeting and the sweat starting to form on his brow. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she couldn't resist teasing him a bit.
"Cody, you look like you're about to pass out. Relax, I don't bite. But if you wet your pants, you're doing your own laundry, and I might just share the story with all the mothers of Killer Bass." Jessica winked her tone light and teasing.
Cody groaned, his face turning an even deeper shade of red.
"I-I'm not… I mean, I wouldn't…" he stammered, clearly flustered.
"Don't worry, Cody. Mom's just messing with you." Katie, despite her own embarrassment, couldn't help but laugh at Cody's reaction. She gave him a playful nudge.
"Am I?" Jessica smirked and Cody pouted, his eyes narrowing at Katie, while she was waving at him innocently.
"I'm starting to see where you get your sense of humor." Cody sighed, knowing that he was already in a lose/lose situation
Jessica chuckled, pleased to see that Cody was starting to relax. She liked the boy, and more importantly, she could see how happy he made her daughter.
"Alright, you two," Jessica said, waving them inside. "Come on in. Let's celebrate Katie's return. Cody, I hear you're staying with us for the next few days until the new season starts?"
"Yes, ma'am. Thanks for letting me stay." Cody nodded, grateful that Jessica seemed to be welcoming him.
"Just make yourself at home. But remember," Jessica added with a teasing smile, "you're still doing your own laundry."
Katie giggled, and Cody gave a mock salute.
"Yes, ma'am."
As they all headed inside, Jessica couldn't help but feel a deep sense of contentment. Her daughter was home, happy and in love, and their family was growing in ways she hadn't expected. And if she got to have a little fun teasing Cody along the way, well, that was just a bonus.
The evening was filled with laughter, stories, and the kind of warmth that only comes from being surrounded by family. And as Jessica watched Katie and Cody share a private smile across the dinner table, she knew that whatever the future held, her daughter was in good hands.
But that didn't mean she wouldn't keep Cody on his toes, just to make sure. After all, if he was going to be a part of their family, he'd better get used to it.
Harold:
The limousine rolled to a smooth stop in front of Harold's house, a modest two-story home nestled in the quiet suburbs. The journey from Total Drama Island to here had been surreal—one minute he was in the middle of a chaotic challenge, and the next, he was cruising in luxury. As the chauffeur opened the door, Harold took a deep breath, stepping out into the crisp evening air.
He looked up at the familiar façade of his home, a wave of nostalgia washing over him. The show had been an intense experience, filled with drama, challenges, and unexpected friendships. As much as he had enjoyed it, there was a part of him that was going to miss the wild, unpredictable life on Wawanakwa Island. But now, standing on the curb, he realized just how much he had missed the quiet normalcy of home.
As Harold approached the front door, he noticed a figure standing near the steps. Even in the dim light, he recognized the posture and the faint glint of glasses.
"Scarlett?" he called out, a mixture of surprise and curiosity in his voice.
"Well, well, if it isn't the legendary Harold, 3 black belts of karate and kung fu, 2 times best scout from 5 summer camps, and even some graduates of 8 Steve camps, and survivor of Total Drama and the one who almost got his hands on a million dollars." Scarlett turned, her arms crossed, a smirk already forming on her lips.
"Almost is the keyword there. You know, the odds were against all of us from the start. If wasn't for the fact we did make fool of ourselves, we would have won the game a bit more fair..." Harold chuckled, shaking his head as he walked up to her. " Ezekiel practically made sure of that when he threw the suitcase and challenged us to the fine print."
"And yet, you stayed in the game, fighting tooth and nail. Statistically speaking, the probability of anyone walking away with that money was slim, especially after Ezekiel's little stunt. I'd say you had about a 32% chance at best." Scarlett raised an eyebrow. "He technically knew the possibilities of having a better chance in the long game than the actual chances."
"32%? Considering all variables, that's… actually pretty accurate," Harold paused, his brow furrowing as he mentally calculated the odds she just rattled off. He admitted with a grin. "But hey, it was worth a shot. I mean, who wouldn't want to try for a million dollars?"
"Of course. But knowing you, it wasn't just about the money. It was the thrill of the challenge, the chance to prove yourself." Scarlett smirked, her eyes twinkling with that familiar mix of sarcasm and intelligence. "Mr. Mad Skills, aren't you a bit narcissist?"
"Dude, literally glass house," Harold commented as he rolled his eyes, which Scarlet scoffed and deadpanned at him.
"Do you think you are better than me?" Scarlett snarled and Harold narrowed his eyes at her as well.
"Jesus, I hope so..." For a moment, the two cousins just stood there, taking in each other's presence, both cousins stared angrily at each other... until suddenly both started chuckling, and then she gave a good hug to him. "I missed you, Scar,"
"Missed you too, Harold," she replied, her voice softening.
They pulled back, still grinning at each other. The teasing and banter were a part of who they were, but beneath it all, there was a genuine bond that neither would trade for anything.
"Is your Randy here too?" Harold raised his eyebrow and he saw his cousin smirking wildly at him. "Still couldn't leave his bedroom?"
"Well, he at least isn't alone..." Scarlet commented and the nerd rolled his eyes into the antics of the ginger girl.
"Yeah yeah, you and your vindictive robotic plushies of doom, I'm just surprised that he didn't start looking for t... he's already in therapy isn't he?" Harold was in the middle of a conversation when he saw his devil cousin smiling happily at him which made the nerd just chuckle. "Knowing you, it will be also one of your own achievements."
"Oh it is, your sister wants already to use Randy as possible training for her psychology books for study." Scarlet shrugged which made Harold raise his finger to say something, but immediately drop it.
"Never mind, how is it going your plan to get money for the university?" Harold commented as he had his cousin help him to carry his luggage.
Scarlet touched the center of her glass to fix its position, just for a later shrug.
"Still trying to find investors, but since I'm still in the first year of high school, I still have a few years to worry about that." The ginger scientist commented as the duo seemed comfortable in dealing with the idea of Harold returning home. And continuing their usual conversation. "So, what's the first thing you're going to do now that you're back?"
"Honestly? I was thinking about catching up on some of the things that happened while I was away. Then in 2 days, I will meet my friends at the mall in Eaton Centre in Toronto, Ezekiel wants to have his first experience in the mall with our friends, and I don't want to miss it." Harold said, nodding toward the front door. "But first, I should probably go inside and let everyone know I'm home."
He reached for the door, but before he could open it, the door swung wide, revealing a brightly lit interior and the unmistakable smell of a home-cooked meal. Standing in the doorway was Harold's mother, beaming with pride, alongside his older brother and younger sister, which the younger sister felt happy to see his brother again, while the other brother seemed more focused on taking care and preparing the party.
"Welcome home, Harold!" Rachel exclaimed, pulling her son into a warm hug. As she felt so happy and proud to see him again, even after all the trials and challenges, she felt that her little boy had grown up better as a person, even if he still had some of the shienegans, but that would make him as himself. She felt that in the future he still would be doing great things.
Harold looked at his little sister who waved at him, and when he saw his brother, the one who always would say that he was very overdramatic and weird, he saw his big brother giving a thumbs up... Behind them, in the kitchen, there was his aunt, uncle, and father preparing a barbecue for him... He felt already home, so Scarlet went to sit on the couch and started reading about nuclear theory, which the boy knew that he would need to prepare a future challenge for his cousin. Because that's how he sees his family, everyone as much weird and dramatic as they can be, everyone wants to give the best of themselves.
Maybe that's why he was used to having so many mad skills, and why he liked to think of himself as a wild card from now on...
He was happy. With a family, a girlfriend, and another season to be badass, Total Drama Season 2 will be awesome, he knows it.
Eva:
Eva's eyes fluttered open, her vision slowly coming into focus. The sterile white ceiling of the hospital greeted her, and she could feel the familiar sensation of being restrained. This time, however, it wasn't just the usual hospital bed—thick chains held her wrists and ankles securely to the bed frame. She gritted her teeth, already knowing who was responsible for this. Since from the flashback, she knew she had to face the most dangerous creatures on the planet, one that for the first time she would have so much fear... Her mother strangled her to the point of passing out... Which was enough to make her get knocked out and be carried to the hospital... like a normal Tuesday.
"Really?" Eva commented, letting out an exasperated sigh.
She tilted her head slightly, catching sight of her parents standing at the foot of the bed, their muscular frames and stern expressions making it clear that they weren't here for a friendly visit. Her mother, Anastasia, stood with her arms crossed, one eyebrow raised in a silent challenge. Her father, equally imposing, looked on with a mixture of disappointment and concern.
"Mom. Dad. This is a bit much, don't you think?" Eva muttered, her voice low but edged with the frustration she was trying to keep in check.
"Really, Eva? You left the hospital against our wishes, tore out your stitches, and went back to that show without getting the approval of the doctor. What did you expect?" Anastasia stepped forward, her eyes narrowing.
Eva rolled her eyes, tugging at the chains. "I expected to win the million dollars, but thanks to Justin's big mouth and stupid beautiful body, that didn't happen."
"You're grounded to that bed for the next 24 hours, young lady. Doctor's orders, and ours." Her father shook his head, clearly unimpressed by her attempt to deflect.
"Come on, I'm fine. I don't need to be tied up like some kind of prisoner." Eva groaned, knowing there was no arguing with them. They were both far stronger than her, both in muscle and in will. But she wasn't about to back down completely.
"You disobeyed us, Eva. We told you to wait until you were fully recovered, but you just couldn't resist, could you? Always pushing your limits. It was the third time you were in the hospital. " Anastasia's expression softened, but only slightly. Still very mad about her daughter having the courage to leave the hospital against their orders, and she needed to be disciplined.
"I had to finish what I started. I knew that I should be there until the end, there was the episode where all the members of the show participated, I needed to be there." Eva's eyes flicked away, as she commented. Knowing even as much trouble she was, she needed to participate. "Even if I got humiliated on the television by Justin, I needed to get my revenge on him... but still, Ezekiel was right, we looked like fools on the television, animals who couldn't fight fairly for the money..."
"We understand," The father commented while Anastasia who cracked her neck sounded also very disappointed with their daughter, but knowing that it was supposed to be part of the show, they didn't like it, but they understood how the show went. "But we would have appreciated it more if you stayed for a few more days to let the doctor take out your stitches,"
Eva sighed, knowing that there was nothing that she could say to her parents, since they were right, from that day she needed to be careful to not open her stitches, and her recovery could have been better if she had stayed in the hospital.
"Well, if you had stayed for a few more days, you could have gotten one thing more to motivate you to be better on the last episode." Anastasia then decided to give one surprise to Eva who tilted her head, until the mother bodybuilder gave an open letter to the girl who looked at her weirdly. "Just read..."
Eva looked confused, but she obeyed until her eyes slowly went wide open and her mouth opened in shock... Her heartbeats went faster at double speed, and she even got goosebumps in a good way... Since the letter was...
("Dear Eva,
I watched some of the highlights from Total Drama Island after a friend told me there was a girl on the show who reminded them of Sarah Connor. I didn't believe it at first, but after seeing you in action, I have to say, you've got the spirit.
Sarah Connor is a character who faced down the end of the world and came out stronger for it. She's tough, relentless, and willing to do whatever it takes to survive. Watching you, I could see that same fire. You've got what it takes to stare danger in the face and say, 'Not today.' And when you face all the challenges, you show your cocky smile same as her to all people shocked from seeing you, just for the end say... 'You're welcome'. That's what Sarah would do, and that's how I see you do.
I never thought I'd inspire someone to become a badass who could take on anything, even a serial killer, on live television. You've made me proud, and if you're ever in the United States, I'd love to meet you. We could have a conversation between two of the toughest women around.
Keep being strong, Eva. The world needs more people like you.
Best wishes,
Linda Hamilton... A.K.A (Sarah Connor) the most badass woman in the world.)
"3...2...1..." The father prepared the countdown, which was immediately followed by Eva being knocked out by too many emotions. "Doctor, I think she is ready to be taken the stitches."
"I will call the nurse," Anastasia commented as the duo were thinking about their next workout routine since their daughter came back for a few days.
Yeah, just like any other day of their lives.
Bridgette:
Bridgette pushed open the front door, her suitcase dragging behind her. The familiar scent of home. a mix of sea salt and her mom's favorite lavender candles welcomed her. She hadn't realized just how much she'd missed it until now. The house was quiet, but it wasn't long before she heard the sound of footsteps rushing toward her.
"Bridgette!" Her mother, Karen, appeared in the hallway, a wide smile spreading across her face. She looked exactly as Bridgette remembered, radiant and full of energy, her eyes sparkling with pride.
"Mom!" Bridgette dropped her bags and rushed into her mother's arms, hugging her tightly. It had been weeks since they'd seen each other, and the feeling of being home, in her mom's embrace, was like a balm to her soul.
"I'm so proud of you, honey. You were amazing on the show, and you handled everything with such grace. I couldn't stop watching!" Karen pulled back slightly, still holding her daughter's arms as she looked her over.
"Thanks, Mom. I missed you so much. It's been crazy, but I'm just glad to be back." Bridgette blushed, ducking her head shyly. Not knowing how much to say since the whole chaotic event made her learn so much more about herself, how much she grew up as a person, and how many friends she made in 9 weeks.
"I missed you too. It wasn't the same around here without you. But now that you're home, I've got something special planned." Karen laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair from Bridgette's face. Knowing that even as famous as her little girl was, she still acted the way she always did, still a bit shy from her sudden compliment made by herself.
"Oh? What is it?" Bridgette's eyes lit up with curiosity. She thought she would just spend the night enjoying a good dinner with her home, but from the look on her mom's face, there would be indeed plans for them.
"How about we go to Kitsilano Beach tomorrow? Just you and me. We can take our boards, drive up to Vancouver tonight, and sleep in the car like we used to when we were a kid. What do you say?" Karen's grin widened. As she wanted to enjoy the 5 days of having her daughter back home, nothing beat the good experience they had together the first time she brought her girl to the beach.
"That sounds perfect, Mom. I'd love that." Bridgette's face broke into a beaming smile. Since it had been a while since she had a good beach experience with someone surfing with her, and while on the Playa Del Losers, the beach was great, she kinda missed having company on the waves, and someone surfing together with her.
They spent the next hour packing their surfing gear into the car, sharing stories, and laughing as they prepared for their little adventure. Bridgette felt a sense of warmth and contentment she hadn't felt in a while. She'd always considered her mom her best friend, and this trip was exactly what she needed to reconnect after the chaos of Total Drama Island.
"I'm so glad to be home, Mom. I really missed this… missed us." As they loaded the last of their things into the car, Bridgette paused, looking at her mom with a soft smile.
"I missed us too, Bridgette. But we're together now, and that's what matters." Karen wrapped an arm around her daughter's shoulders.
The highway stretched out before them as they drove through the night, the car's headlights cutting through the darkness. The windows were down, letting in the cool evening breeze, and the sound of the ocean waves played softly from the radio. Bridgette and Karen were in high spirits, sharing stories from the past few weeks. Until something pierced the blond girl's interest.
"So, did you get to meet any of the Killer Bass mothers?" Bridgette asked as she heard her mother laughing from experience.
"Yes I did, let me tell you a secret, did you know Duncan's mom is actually Cheese from Bananas and Cheese?" Karen could see the disbelief and shocked face of her daughter as the blond surfer couldn't express any other reaction.
"Nooo..." Bridgette commented that she never thought Duncan would have a duo of singers who sing kid songs which actually would make sense on how Duncan would be acting like a bad boy since having two parents like that would be pure embarrassment. "Thank God Chris didn't know that, because he would never let Duncan live that down."
"Yeah, and Sheila wants Duncan to have a more comfortable 5 days enjoying home and with you all of Killer Bass, before season 2 starts, and I gotta say, I never thought you were able to calm a moose down so quickly, and I almost feared for that moose to hurt you. Also, I think you should slow down a bit into kissing your boyfriend, hot sauce isn't good for skin when they are sprayed all the time," Karen commented as she could see her little girl blushing sheepishly from the comment. Which the mother chuckled.
"Yeah, maybe on the season 2, me and Geoff are going to take a bit of more focus on the game, since we don't want to get sprayed a lot, just when we get into our place on private, which was a fair deal. But also, I'm kinda concerned about one of my friends," Bridgette commented, and from the opinion she had in mind, but from the look of her mother as she was driving, it seemed that her mother knew on who she was thinking about it.
"It's Harold isn't it?" Karen commented as she decided to place a little music while she tried to make their trip more joyful and fun, but also talking with her girl about one serious thought. "Rachel who is his mom told me he is going to be fine, but me and the other mothers could already guess that she was very afraid of her son getting a broken heart for a future mistake, and I don't know why, but that girl Leshawna is too proud to ask for help, and Rachel has a bad feeling about it. So just to be sure, keep an eye on him okay?"
"Okay Mom, I never thought you were so aware of what was happening on the show." Bridgette had to confess that it had been refreshing to talk about things that she didn't know, especially from knowing about the other mothers.
"Oh, you have no idea, the gossip that he revealed was so much worth it for laughs, so you don't need to be worried about me, I'm just like DJ's mom, I'm going to be fine with the new friends I have," Karen commented as the duo started to enjoy the road trip to Vancouver and on the next morning enjoy the sea and their waves.
Courtney:
The limousine came to a smooth stop in front of a large, well-maintained house. Courtney stared at the imposing structure with mixed feelings. Her family home was a testament to her mother's successful career as a lawyer: sleek, elegant, and imposing. The house represented both comfort and pressure, a safe haven, but also a reminder of the expectations that came with it.
Courtney had been relieved to have her mother, Victoria, intervene and ensure Duncan's community service instead of being sent back to juvenile detention. It was a gesture of acceptance that she hadn't expected from her mother, and it meant a lot. However, her victory was tinged with personal disappointment. The last episode of the season had left her feeling like a fool. The fight between Heather and Leshawna had spiraled out of control, leading to a spectacle that she regretted being part of. The suggestion from Trent and Beth to divide the money had seemed so sensible in hindsight, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she should have done just that. Ezekiel's comment about them looking like animals, and his dramatic gesture of throwing the suitcase of money into the water hit a nerve, and the worst part was that he was completely right.
She sighed, pushing these thoughts aside as she exited the limousine. Her focus now was to enjoy her time with her family and recharge before the chaos of the next season started in just five days. She planned to relax and catch up with her friends at the Eaton Centre in Toronto, savoring these precious moments of normalcy.
As she walked up the driveway, the front door swung open, and there stood Victoria, dressed in her usual crisp lawyer's suit. Her hair was tied back in a professional knot, and there was a hint of fatigue in her eyes. But despite the tiredness, Victoria's face brightened when she saw her daughter.
"Courtney!" Victoria exclaimed, her voice warm despite her exhaustion. She enveloped Courtney in a tight hug. "I missed you so much. Even though you didn't win, I'm so proud of how you handled yourself out there. You did your best."
"I missed you too, Mom. Thanks. It means a lot to hear that." Courtney returned the hug, feeling a wave of relief and affection.
"But remember, I always told you to read the fine print." Victoria pulled back slightly, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief.
"I know, Mom. I should have paid more attention." Courtney answered as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"You know, one homeschooled boy read the whole contract. Maybe you should have followed his example." Victoria raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk forming on her lips.
"Yeah, yeah. I get it. I should always read the contract," Courtney groaned, remembering Ezekiel's meticulousness and how it had been part of the same chaotic final moments.
"Come on, let's not dwell on the past. It's been a long day, and I'd like to spend some time with you." Victoria chuckled, her mood lightening. "The other mothers I have an inner circle with always complimented you for your strategies and how well you did on the game. Even after backhanded elimination, I was worried about you breaking down, but it seems that you managed to be just fine..."
Courtney paused, as the time she remembered how terrible she felt about losing the challenge, and the first thing she saw at the moment she went on the playa del losers, was Ezekiel waiting for her, just to help her hold herself together, with a song that clearly helped her to get control of herself, it was just a thought.
They headed into the kitchen together, where Courtney's father was busy preparing a meal. The aroma of home-cooked food filled the air, and Courtney felt her stomach rumble in anticipation. She saw her father, a genial man with a welcoming smile, carefully arranging the dishes on the table.
As Victoria and Courtney entered, he looked up and beamed at his daughter. "Welcome home, Courtney! I've prepared your favorite meal. And for dessert…" He gestured towards a dessert plate with a somewhat ominous-looking Lemonade Mellon Jello.
Courtney's face paled slightly at the sight. She had a long-standing aversion to this particular dessert due to an unpleasant memory from her past. However, she remembered how her friends had helped her confront and overcome her past fears and anxieties.
"Is that… the Lemonade Mellon Jello?" Courtney asked cautiously, and as much as she managed to get passed on the Phobia factor day, she was still hesitant whenever she saw it.
Victoria noticed the slight unease in her daughter's voice and gave a gentle smile.
"Yes, it is. I know you've had a tough time with it, but I thought it might be a nice gesture." The lawyer explained as she carefully placed one of them in a tiny cup. "Take your time, and do not go fast, I know my mom would be proud of you, and even tease you about the delinquent boy who would make her little pigtail girl in love."
Courtney pouted, as she then looked at the dessert, especially having so many good memories of her granny preparing for her, just for the sake of eating and having a good talk together.
" I've… come to terms with some things, thanks to my friends." Courtney hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. "I think I should be able to eat it once again."
"I'm glad to hear that. Let's have it together, then." Her father's eyes softened with understanding.
As they sat down to eat, Courtney allowed herself to enjoy the meal and the dessert, savoring both the food and the comfort of being with her family. The jello, once a symbol of her fears, was now just another part of her family's effort to make her feel at home.
Throughout the evening, laughter and conversation filled the house. Victoria and her husband shared stories about work and the little things that had happened while Courtney was away. The warmth of family and the familiarity of home were soothing after the whirlwind of the show.
As the night drew to a close, Victoria and Courtney sat together in the living room, catching up on each other's lives. Courtney felt a sense of peace, knowing that she had a loving family to return to, even amidst her uncertainties about the upcoming season.
"Thanks for everything, Mom," Courtney said, her voice filled with sincerity. "I really needed this time with you."
"Anytime, sweetheart. We'll get through this, and I'm sure you'll be ready for whatever comes next." Victoria smiled, her eyes reflecting the love and pride she felt.
Courtney nodded, feeling a renewed sense of hope and readiness for the challenges ahead. For now, she would cherish these moments of normalcy and family togetherness, knowing they would give her the strength to face whatever Total Drama Island had in store for her next.
Ezekiel:
Ezekiel slouched back in the plush seat of the limousine, the hum of the engine a distant murmur as the vehicle sped down the winding country roads. The show had ended, but the whirlwind of emotions still swirled within him. The final challenge, the chaos, the raw intensity of the competition—all of it was behind him now. He glanced out the tinted window, the landscape gradually shifting from the buildings in the city to the rolling fields of home.
He couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed, not just for him, but for everyone involved. In the original timeline, he'd been a joke, an outcast, a person who got the eyes of pity for mistakes he made. But this time, since he woke up in the body years ago...things had turned out differently. The Killer Bass had become more than just a team; they were a close-knit group of friends who had each other's backs. Duncan and Courtney, once a volatile pair, now had a stable and healthy relationship that even he found surprising. Cody and Katie were inseparable, their bond growing stronger with every challenge, which he found hilarious in seeing Sierra trying to make them apart. And Harold, once the butt of everyone's jokes, had gained confidence without losing his humble nature, once known as MVP, with Eva who just became the hero in the view of many... Yeah, many things changed for the better, to the point that he may forget how had been the cannon episodes if he keeps watching the new version of the show.
Ezekiel allowed himself a small, proud smile. He'd done it, he'd made a difference, he got something that he never thought he would have done before... He lived the legacy of the creators of cartoons on Cartoon Network and most importantly, he made friends, something that he wished to have done, but couldn't since he was unable to go to school, being a secluded kid, but now living a dream which became a reality...
But also having enough money to make a life for himself, but also help the farm a bit... And a new home, which he will be taking care of as soon as his lawyer brings the paperwork. A place for himself to reach independence.
"Heh... It's funny since for the most part of my life I lived with only my parents for the sake of not being alone, and now I bought Playa Del Losers to make my own independent life." Ezekiel commented, knowing that it would be painful to leave the nest his former and new self lived. But soon he would need to think about focusing on his own work, and he wasn't going to be alone. His friends and parents could visit him when they have time.
It's a very optimistic thought, but something that he could work on until the World Tour.
As the limousine turned onto the familiar dirt road leading to his family farm, Ezekiel sat up straighter, his heart beating a little faster. The farmhouse came into view, and he could see the soft glow of lights illuminating the yard. But what really caught his eye was the gathering of people—more than he could have ever imagined.
There, waiting for him, were his parents, Martha and Curtis, standing side by side with beaming smiles. But they weren't alone. Neighbors from all the nearby farms had gathered, the entire community coming together in celebration. There were tables set up with food, lights strung between the trees, and even a banner that read "Welcome Home, Ezekiel!" fluttering gently in the evening breeze.
Ezekiel's breath caught in his throat. He'd always imagined his return would be quiet, maybe just a simple dinner with his folks. But this—this was something else entirely. The people of his community, those who had known him all his life, were here to celebrate not just his return, but the name he had made for his family, for their farm.
As the limousine rolled to a stop, Ezekiel felt a lump in his throat. This was more than he could have ever hoped for. He had gone on Total Drama to prove something to himself, to change his fate. But in the process, he had changed so much more.
.
.
.
"I can't believe that you threw away the whole suitcase of one million dollars boy, that was by far one of the craziest things I've ever seen." One of the neighbors commented as the others laughed at the decision the winter hat boy made from the last episode.
"Yeah, they were all into each other's throats, you could have passed them in silence and won the easiest money." Another farmer commented as Ezekiel was drinking a good fruit punch made by the locals.
Since the farmers would always reunite themselves towards little events like the harvest festival, just to enjoy the good results of their work, and even comment about the challenges ahead of their lives.
Both his ma and pa were even talking around the neighbors, it had been the first time Ezekiel was having a welcome party, it wasn't something like Geoff did for Leshawna, but it had been nice as well.
And it was funny to see each of their neighbors giving their opinions and what Ezekiel could have done instead. And oh boy, when the farmers talked about his elimination of the sickness of pneumonia... It became the most controversial fight which has happened many times.
Vaccination debates. Which wach neighbor gives one opinion, until offends another, and they start fighting which ends up wrestling in the mud, and until his ma and pa come with a shovel a hammer, and a few bottles to throw at them, it always ends up with a laugh towards the community.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT MY MA?" One of the farmers then shouted while it started another fight towards the debate of vaccination.
"Oh boy," Ezekiel commented as it was indeed the way he described... But he couldn't help, but smile. It had been fun to be welcomed.
.
.
.
"It had been a great party, thank you ma, thank you Pa," Ezekiel commented as he helped his parents to clean up the trash left by their neighbors, but still, it had been a joy to see things happening around the farm.
Ezekiel meets some of the new employees that his father has hired to help with the orders from their orange farm. And it had been such a relief that he made a good name for his parents because, from the time they discovered his parents sold oranges, people came to make orders and even negotiations for their products being sent to them.
Supermarkets and even a juice factory, it had been good non-stop but productive work for Curtis and Martha, and Ezekiel couldn't be prouder of that, since he could feel, that his hard work indeed had been a blessing for him having such an opportunity... He saved his friends, but most importantly... Himself.
As soon as the trio got inside the kitchen, Martha smiled as she went on the stove and decided to prepare good warm milk for the family to enjoy before laying in their bedrooms.
"Ezekiel, boy..." Curtis called, as at the moment they were alone, only the three. The trio that had been taking care of the farm and now with their lives changed for the better. But still, the patriarch of the family knew that words must have been said for the boy who did his best to achieve what he wanted most. "I know that what many people may have seen and judge me from my way of life, and the decisions I made for you... And still, you decided to take my selfish decision and talked proudly of us... I may not be the most intelligent, or the strongest, or even a person who says the right things about my opinions, but you still defended me, the same way you would defend your ma, and comment proudly on who we are..."
Ezekiel slowly looked up and was surprised to see his father, who was releasing a few tears of joy and pride from seeing his little boy growing up and becoming a man. But still taking the challenges head-on, without being ashamed of his past and family.
"You took the name of our family, and used it as a mantle to show everyone around Canada, that we farmers are much more than simply people to grow up pigs, cows, and plants..." Curtis could see how important was for the boy since he wasn't the only one shedding tears at the moment... "I always thought books had been useless for our way of life, and my sister Robin had tried everything to make sure I knew how to read, write, and math, and convince me that books are important. And having you showed me that it was true, that we need books in our lives. And I can see my sister Robin in you... Ezekiel, I know that my sister would be proud of you, in the same way, that me and your ma are very proud of the man you've become. Now, come... follow me..."
Ezekiel, looked confused, as he suddenly followed his pa until he reached into the middle of the main room, where he saw his father taking a banjo from the wall, and then something the boy never thought to see before... a mix tape, where the old farmer carried with himself just for the sake to play for his own little boy.
"Since as a kid, you always wondered how your aunt would sound isn't that true?" Curtis commented as he placed the tap to make sure that slowly he adjusted his own banjo... "Whenever I miss her voice, I would prepare to play this song, as it was the only time she would sing. We were so young back then, but she was still the same whenever I think of her."
And on the time Curtis pressed the play, there was a very sound of a woman so spirituous, cheerful, and carefree.
Ola Belle Reed- "Undone In Sorrow" (youtube.com)
"Alright Curtis, don't drop me down, Ola Belle Reed visited the harvest festival today, and I want to know if I got the lyrics so well." Ezekiel had his eyes wide open as he could hear for the first time his aunt, as he never could imagine it had been so spiritous and exciting to be part of something. "1...2...3..."
And then Curtis started to play Undone In Sorrow on his Banjo, as Ezekiel slowly listened to his aunt singing a song, like imitating the voice of the woman who created the song.
Over yonder in the grave where the wild, wild flowers grow
Oh, there they lay over my true lover
She's gone from me forever more
Fairer than the sweetest flower, restless as the wildest wind
Born with a love deep as the ocean
That was the girl that I did win
Well, I went away and I did wonder to see the world riches to gain
When I returned no earthly treasure
Could ease this heart so full of pain
For there so high up on the mountain beneath that little mound of clay
The girl that I returned to marry
So still among the flowers did lay
Well, I'll go away and I will wonder. Leave aside my earthly gain
I will not envy the man with riches
Undone in sorrow I will remain
Undone in sorrow I will remain
And on that was everything needed, to make Ezekiel break down and cry like never had in his whole life. From how a powerful voice, someone who could sing with a soul, and someone who was a dreamer just like him, living the dream of teaching others, and so young she had to go, as how he could see his father playing the banjo with the tears on his eyes, as even the tears crossing his eyes, couldn't leave from the cords he was playing on the banjo. And when both son and father were in tears, they felt the sweet and warm hug from Martha, who never felt so happy to see them together once again... It was like the aunt of the family was also there singing a song to remind them that she would still be alive, in their memories.
A trio of farmers, living in a well-structured wooden house with access to the kitchen, a living room, and wooden stairs that would lead to two bedrooms, one for a couple of parents, and the other was a very simple and yet fulfilled bedroom with papers... With a backpack full of money, and two other books ready to be published.
Indeed a true winner of the first season...
Chapter 47: Welcome Home (Screaming Gophers)
Chapter Text
Author's note:
Well, I have to tell that this chapter took longer than I expected, but I'm so glad that I finished writing this, because on the next chapter, I will be a slow bonus chapter, but then the official First day off the group, which will be the official setups for what I planed for the next days, the second, third day will be the best chapters I plan to do, hehehehe.
Well, the discord server that I have been sharing my ideas and talking about total drama, and other anime like Fairy Tail, One Piece, Boku No Hero, are on this link discord . gg / mNcMxC2Z
Using this link would get on the server Monster Grafitti fanfics, where I'm sharing with the creator of a Cody time Travel fanfic called Donde Todo Comezó, I really recommend because it was a fantastic fanfic.
And now replying the emails.
Justin:
Justin stepped out of the limousine with a calm, self-assured stride. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the driveway of the elegant suburban home where he lived with his aunt, Lady Cici Mimi Didi Leduda. Even though he hadn't won Total Drama Island, he knew he had made an impact. He'd learned the power of his looks and charm, and he was ready to use that to his advantage in the upcoming season.
As he approached the front door, he noticed the subtle aroma of expensive perfume wafting through the air. Opening the door, he found his aunt Cici in the foyer, adjusting the strap of an elegant dress. She looked up, her face lighting up when she saw him.
"Justin! Welcome back, darling," Cici greeted, her voice warm as she walked over to give him a quick hug, careful not to wrinkle her dress. Since she always was the voice of reason for her good nephew, good well well-dressed clothing could open doors and opportunities, which also any kind of mess could be the first thing they would point out as a flaw.
"Thanks, Aunt Cici. You look great," Justin replied, returning the hug with a smile. He couldn't help but notice the extra sparkle in her eyes.
"Why, thank you! I've got a reservation tonight with your uncle. He's been working late, so we're finally taking a night to ourselves." She beamed, her excitement evident. Since Justin could understand the excitement, from her being a good beautician, and her husband Willian was a very good graphic designer, which could transform any imperfection on the picture and make it as a good art for publishment, they were a very good combination of a couple.
"How's everything going between you two?" Justin leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. He gave a good look in the mirror for himself to look at his reflection but was pushed away when his aunt wanted to check if there was any kind of imperfection, like white hair, a wrinkle on her face, or anything that could bother her special date.
"It's going wonderfully. Actually, there's something I should tell you, I'm expecting a baby." Cici's expression softened. Since she knew it would be a good time to tell her nephew about something so important in her life... Justin had been like a son, since the time she and her sister got into a terrible fight on how a person controlling a kid like Justin would be... and as much some would say that Cici was a controlling and manipulative person, she refused to believe and even fought against them telling that she was worst than her sister...
Her sister was a name that she swore to never reveal to the naive and beautiful boy, since she emancipated her sister from her side of the family, and took Justin legally from the hands of such a woman who she hoped would remain in jail for a long period.
Being overdramatic of beauty is one thing... but the obsession to the point of tricking a person into giving his male DNA, just for later to commit crimes to have money to make a test tube baby... It was at the point a special force in Hawaii had to step up and send her to jail.
And since that day, she decided to change her name to Lady Cici Mimi Didi Leduda. And moved away from her native country to a country more welcoming, peaceful, and friendly, where she found the love of her life, she knew that her nephew could be manipulative and naughty a few times, but sometimes he has a good heart on his place, and she knows that he is going to be famous in the future.
"That's great, Aunt Cici. Congrats." Justin's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly recovered from his surprise with a nonchalant shrug.
"Thank you, Justin. I'm thrilled, but a bit nervous too. It's a big change." She smiled, patting his cheek affectionately. Knowing that her nephew would always be happy for her, she couldn't help but find it funny to remember that her baby boy cried so much about her marriage, it had been one of the only times that Justin was allowed to look ugly, and she took a picture of that, which she will always be remembering of the funniest and cutest day of her life.
"Yeah, I bet," Justin replied, his tone casual as he walked over to the kitchen to grab a snack. "So, are you going to be out late?"
"Not too late, but you have the house to yourself tonight. You can order a pizza if you want, the money is on the counter, and there are a lot of propositions of model agencies and fan mails in your bedroom" Cici offered as she adjusted her earrings, preparing to leave. "Try to read carefully the contracts to make sure nothing would damage your beauty."
"Going to do it, aunty. Everything sounds good," Justin said, leaning against the counter. But as Cici was about to walk out the door, a thought crossed his mind, and he called out, "Hey, aunt Cici, where do babies come from?"
Cici froze for a moment, her hand on the doorknob. She turned back with a nervous smile, clearly caught off guard. That was a moment that clearly caught her off guard... a boy wanting the talk at that moment? It isn't something that she was ready to tell and he was ready to hear...
"Oh, well, that's something… we can talk about later, okay?" she stammered, quickly making her way out the door. "Enjoy your night, Justin!"
With that, she hurried out, leaving Justin alone in the house. He watched the door close behind her, then shrugged again, unconcerned. He grabbed his phone, already thinking about what kind of pizza he wanted to order.
As he settled into the plush couch in the living room, he glanced at the stack of fan mail and model agency contracts waiting for him on the coffee table. Smirking to himself, he kicked back and relaxed, feeling confident that his future was as bright as ever.
"Hmm... Kalua pig pizza, it has been so long since I had one." Justin commented as he looked at the reflection of the new possibilities for his own future. And with his aunt Cici expecting a new addition to the family, he couldn't help but feel a little excitement for what the future would bring, for both him and his growing family.
Noah:
Noah stepped out of the limousine, stretching his arms as he took in the warm air and the familiar view of his neighbourhood. After weeks of lounging at a five-star resort, sipping smoothies and mocking the remaining contestants from a flat-screen TV, it felt good to be back on his own turf. No cameras. No confessional booths. No Chef Hatchet screaming at 6 a.m.
Just peace.
Home.
He walked toward the front door, already picturing his quiet room, maybe even a hot shower—
And then he heard it.
Screaming.
Thudding footsteps. Glass clinking. Someone yelling something about conditioner theft.
The calm evaporated in an instant.
Oh no.
He had forgotten one thing.
He wasn't just coming home.
He was coming home… to his siblings.
"I TOLD YOU NOT TO TAKE MY DRESS, NUAN!" One of his oldest sisters, Neni, whose voice pierced through the house the moment Noah opened the door. She stood at the base of the stairs, holding a crumpled pink dress like it was evidence in a crime scene. Her skin had the same olive tone as Noah's, and her soft chestnut hair—tied back with a glittery headband—bounced as she stomped one foot in frustration.
"Relax, Neni! I needed that dress—it's perfect for my next stand-up routine. Gotta dress to impress the audience, you know?" Nuan bounced on the balls of her feet, her warm olive skin glowing under the hallway light. Her chestnut hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail, with a few rebellious strands escaping to frame her freckled face. She wore a bright yellow T-shirt covered in tiny smiley faces and a pair of comfy jeans patched with colourful fabric—just the right look for a girl always ready to crack a joke or pull a prank. "Besides, if my jokes fall flat, at least my outfit won't!"
"Oh great, I escape a reality show only to come home to another one. What's next, voting someone out of the house? If that's so, I guarantee the Playa Del Losers is a top resort," Noah commented with sarcasm as the first thing he decided to tell his siblings he was back home.
There was a record-scratch moment.
The duo of girls weren't the only ones who stopped what they were doing, but also a group of other people who were watching the television or reading a comic book on the couch. And a few who were in the kitchen made a complete silence.
"Noey?" Neni spun on her heel, her eyes going wide.
"You're back?" Already?! Wait, I thought you were eliminated... like, twenty-six episodes ago!" Nuan gasped, dropping Neni's sequined dress in the process.
"Wow. Good to know you were emotionally invested." Noah arched a brow.
"Pfft, of course we were!" Nuan beamed, now clutching her comedy notebook like it was a newborn. "I've got at least five pages of material about your poison ivy debacle! I mean, c'mon—'rash decisions'? That's gold."
Noah raised a finger but it took all his power to not dignify that with a response. He preferred the silence as he looked at the others who were in the room. But he was surprised when his sister Neni hugged him after so long.
"I MISSED YOU SO MUCH. THERE WAS A LOT OF WEIRD AND DANGEROUS STUFF AND I WAS REALLY SCARED OF WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO YOU, BUT THEN WE REMEMBERED YOU WERE ELIMINATED ON THE FIRST EPISODE SO WE WERE FINE, EVEN IF YOU LOST IN SUCH A TERRIBLE AND HUMILIATING WAY." Neni clearly hugged the youngest sibling while she shouted happily and excitedly.
"Neni, inner voice…" Noah said as he was being crushed by the hug, and as annoying as all the words said by his sister were, he knew she wasn't doing that on purpose, so he only complained about her energetic and loud voice.
"Did Noah get back home?" Then a voice that made Noah groan loudly clearly reached his ears… His other older sister. Nynn Jr. Athletic and energetic, with a tan olive complexion and shorter, tousled dark hair that she rarely fusses over. She's competitive, loud, and always on the move, constantly pushing the siblings into physical challenges or sports. She dresses like she's always ready for action. Athletic wear dominates her closet: tank tops, sports shorts, sneakers, and baseball caps. Her dark hair is cropped short or tied back to keep it out of her face during workouts or impromptu sibling sports matches. "Hey, lazybones. We thought you'd at least make it past the first challenge."
The comment made the other girls chuckle. Which Noah rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up. But let's not forget the only reason I was out was because Heather tricked me into using poison ivy. But hey, revenge was sweet." Noah said with a small, satisfied look on his face, but Nynn wasn't done yet.
"Speak for yourself, smart-mouth! I would have seen that coming. You never trust the hot ones with clipboards!" Nynn said as she crossed her arms while she was holding her hockey stick.
"She didn't have a clipboard." Noah said without any drop of emotion.
"Exactly." Nynn rebutted, which made Noah groan and start to walk, until suddenly someone touched his shoulder.
"YAH… Let me guess… Nucy." Noah said as he looked at the teenage girl sighing and looking at her younger brother in disappointment.
The mysterious one, Nucy, has the palest olive skin of the group, almost porcelain, with long, straight black hair that often hides her face. She's quiet, brooding, and obsessed with gothic culture and poetry. Nucy's style is gothic and mysterious. She wears black lace dresses, fingerless gloves, and combat boots. Her long black hair usually falls over her face, and her pale olive skin contrasts sharply with her dark makeup—heavy eyeliner and dark lipstick.
She's the one who could make Gwen ask for some pointers on how to be more goth than she already is...
"Your downfall was foretold in the mist of the morning before the episode aired." Nucy commented as she showed a good example of why everything Gwen did on the reality show didn't surprise Noah, since he had his sister, who was way more goth than the goth girl on the reality show.
"Isn't that what you say to everyone after they lose in a board game on game night?" Noah raised his eyebrows, to which the goth teenager nodded her head before she continued to go on with her activities.
"Yooo, Noah came back." Nuna said as she was already putting on her jacket and taking her electric guitar case. She rocks a more alternative style, with wavy dark brown hair streaked with a hint of deep red. Her skin tone is olive, but her personality is loud and vibrant. "It's great to see you, brother. I have a gig in 2 hours, so I wanted to know your opinion of the new song I'm doing." It's called Poison's Ivy Betrayal. It's a song about existential dread."
"Finally. A use for my emotional damage." Noah said as he ignored the twitchings on his eyelids, since it would indeed be something he would be willing to give his opinion on.
"I knew you'd vibe with this one!" Nuna said as apassionate music lover and aspiring star, Nuna is the "wild child" of the family, always blasting tunes and encouraging everyone to loosen up and have fun. Nuna's look is bold and rebellious—a mix of grunge and rocker chic. She wears band T-shirts, ripped jeans, and leather boots. Her wavy dark brown hair with red streaks frames her face, sometimes accented with spiked bracelets or layered necklaces. She's never without a pair of headphones slung around her neck, ready to crank up the volume.
But before she would even start to rock, she was interrupted.
"Did Noah just get home?" Another voice that came from the kitchen clearly made the group pause, and Noah rolled his eyes. Suddenly, Nori appeared at the top of the stairs, arms crossed, clearly unamused and absolutely in older-sister mode. "So, you got kicked off day one, became a meme, and you're back before I even paid off my student loan from my first semester?"
Noah sighed through his nose like a tired librarian dealing with his least favourite patron.
"Aren't you supposed to be talking with your boyfriend right now?" Noah said as he was going to sit on the couch.
"She used up all her flip-phone credits already," Nuan whispered a little too loudly, which earned her a stiff shove from Nori that sent her toppling onto the nearest beanbag chair. "Ouch, that hurts,"
"You weren't supposed to tell him that," Nori huffed as she re-crossed her arms and stared down at Noah. The eldest sister, Nori, carries herself with an air of confidence and responsibility. Her olive skin matches Noah's, and her dark brown hair is pulled into a neat ponytail, framing sharp, observant eyes. Dresses like the de facto leader she is—classic, put-together, and slightly preppy. Expect crisp blouses, tailored jeans, and a signature leather jacket thrown over her shoulders. Her dark brown hair is usually tied back in a sleek ponytail, and she wears simple but elegant accessories, like stud earrings and a watch.
She's the "boss" of the siblings, often trying (and sometimes failing) to keep the peace, but she's fiercely protective underneath her tough exterior. And most, if not everyone, in the family just respects her because she's the only one who can drive.
The others don't have the mental fortitude to handle the siblings inside of the only car they have. Which Nori clearly knows that sometimes she can be a bossy bitch, but a good sister sometimes.
"I like to keep my public shame efficient," Noah replied dryly. plopping onto the couch like he was reclaiming a forgotten throne.
"You didn't even tell us you were coming home! We thought you would be into a hotel until the start of the next season." Nori commented that Noah rolled his eyes more than he should.
"I was already inside of the limousine, because nothing says 'warm welcome' like a pack of rabid siblings ready to roast me like an overcooked marshmallow." Noah rebutted, as he could see most of the sisters pausing and giving an "aww" sound.
"Ohhhhhhh, a limousine." The girls said while they were impressed.
Even Neni, who had returned with a new bottle of something lavender-scented, blinked.
"Noey, did you find celebrities on there?" What do they look like? Did they give you autographs?" Neni asked a lot of questions, which clearly none of them would be good enough for Noah, who gave a sarcastic remark to Neni… so he decided to do whatever a good sibling would do at that moment.
"Anyway, where's mom and dad?" Noah deflected as he was surprised that neither of them had appeared yet. "Also where's Nickolay and Nikka?"
"Nickolay probably is hiding in the bathroom thinking of a plan to make Nuan and Neni stop fighting. Nikka is probably playing games in the bedroom." Nori shrugged as she explained what the siblings had been doing. "As for mom and dad. They're at some fancy restaurant for their anniversary. Their first date. We all voted to not ask further questions."
When Nori said those words, Noah already guessed the bad feeling that he was having in his stomach.
"Oh, fantastic. So, what are we betting on? Romantic dinner or… a new sibling in nine months?" Noah groaned, exchanging knowing looks with his siblings.
The collective groan from his sisters already replied to his hunt. They'd been down this road before.
"Alright, I will be going to take my shower and drop my stuff before one of you ropes me into emotional bonding on this chaos that we always do… If anyone has touched my books while I was away, I will rig your toothbrushes with glitter glue. That's not a threat. It's a prophecy." Noah announced, like a soldier, which way he made his way up the stairs; his siblings finally let him go—though not without one last parting shot from Nori.
"You're doing dishes for the next week." Nori called from afar, which Noah simply refused.
"Next week I will be on the second season of the show. I'm already doing emotional damage control. That's enough labour." Noah said as he was upstairs, but that didn't change Nori rolling her eyes.
"Then stars from today, baby brother." Nori called, and Noah was on the top of the upstairs.
"YOU ARE JUST 3 YEARS OLDER THAN ME." Noah shouted, as he rolled his eyes and looked at the hall of the second floor to see how messy it was… "And here's where the real elimination challenge begins,"
Shifting his weight to avoid it. He stepped over an open box of glitter pens—Neni's trademark chaos. Next to that? A pair of joke handcuffs still holding a broken banana. Nuance. Obviously. He scooted past what looked like Nynn's football helmet wedged between a rolled-up yoga mat and a basketball with teeth marks.
"Who trained this house, a team of raccoons? I'm already missing my time on Playa Del Losers. is it too early to ask Ezekiel to reserve a room for me?" Noah murmured as he continued forward, careful and slow, like crossing a minefield of hyperactivity and bad decisions. He made a sharp turn, only to barely dodge an open bottle of body glitter.
He finally reached the bathroom. The doorknob turned. Noah expected solitude, steam, and maybe five minutes of dignity.
Instead—
"AHHHHHHHHH," Nickolay was already in there—sitting fully clothed in the empty bathtub, hugging a comic book like it was his last grip on reality.
"Why are you in the tub like a raccoon hiding from the trash truck?" Noah asked as he crossed his arms while raising his eyebrows. "I thought you were planning to solve the problem between Neni and Nuan."
"Noah, you're back." Nickolay commented in surprise, which made the boy roll his eyes.
"Yes, unless I came as a dish and dive service, I will stay here for a few days." Noah gave the remark as he looked at his big brother still using his secret spot in the bathroom to hide in such an escalated situation. "Are you going to use the bathroom?" If you don't, then do me a favour and take my stuff at my bedroom, okay?"
"Is the discussion over?" Can I return now?" Nickolay commented as Noah simply scoffed and opened the door.
"Yeah, the Armageddon is over; the mushroom war ended." Noah strolled over, giving sarcastic remarks while he quoted one of Ezekiel's descriptions of the end of the world, or the birth of the Land of Ooo... "The coast is clear. You can rejoin society. Or at least of what remained from such an apocalyptic world."
"I wasn't hiding. Just… taking a tactical retreat." Nickolay opened the door fully, straightening his shirt and trying to act casual. Amused, Noah was about to make a sarcastic comment when Nickolay preemptively raised a hand. "Don't even start. I'm not crazy enough to get between them when they're at each other's throats. Have you heard them?"
Before Noah could even reply, once again the chaos started.
"YOU USED MY HAIRSPRAY ON A PUPPET!" Neni's voice echoed, which made both boys wince.
"Technically, Mr. Giggles needed hold for his comb-over—don't shame his journey!" And with Nuan already getting into another discussion with the sister, both boys sighed as they realized the chaos had once again returned.
"It's nice to see you back, Noah." Nickolay said with a smile, which the snarky boy did the same. "It's maddening being the only boy around this house. I think I need to be the one to go into a reality show."
"You want my advice? Don't do it." Noah commented as he decided that he could take a bath when he left his stuff in his bedroom.
From all the siblings, as one of the triplets, Nickolay has the same olive complexion as Noah and his siblings, with short, combed white hair and expressive hazel eyes. He's level-headed, witty, and acts as a peacekeeper when the family drama heats up. His calm demeanour often balances out his more eccentric siblings. Nickolay's look is casual but neat, fitting his easygoing yet responsible personality. He favours fitted orange hoodies, graphic tees, and blue jeans. And white and red sneakers.
One of the members of his family was Noah, whom he could talk to and trust most, since they were the only boys in the family. And he always respected his older brother because he had a bit more experience dealing with his sisters a bit longer than him. So they were always in the same boat.
"I tried to mediate… and somehow ended up accused of being a 'fashion enabler.' I don't even know what that means. You were the one who read the dictionary." Nickolay explained as Noah opened the door just to see his bedroom.
The bedroom has green walls and carpeting, one window, a closet, a desk full and 3 bookshelves full of books of many genres and a bed with a dark green blanket.
"You are wise; I never thought you would achieve that after me being out for a few weeks." Noah remarked as he looked across the bookshelf, which he clearly needed to think about. He possibly needed to go to the bank and ask to deposit his money to get one more bookshelf, but this one in relation to all the work he was going to pull for himself. "Welp, I'll just let the chaos resume." No point in getting involved."
"Hey, Nickolay, did Noah return?" I heard the commotion downstairs."
Nikka's voice came muffled at first through the hallway, then clearer as she leaned into the room without knocking—because who even remembered boundaries in this house?
She was holding a half-unplugged headset in one hand and a video game controller in the other, her hair pulled into a messy half-bun that said she'd been rage-quitting for the past two hours. One glance at her furrowed brow and the slight tremble in her thumb over the buttons told Noah all he needed to know: someone just T-bagged her in a shooter match, and peace treaties were off the table.
"Yeah, he's back. Made it out of reality TV with nothing but sarcasm and a glitter thread." Nickolay turned toward her. Which Noah simply rolled his eyes as he looked at the other sister he had. Nickolay's twin sister and the third member of the triplets, Nikka, mirrors her brother's features almost exactly—olive skin, white hair styled in a neat bob, and sharp hazel eyes. Unlike Nickolay, she's more outgoing and impulsive, with a mischievous streak that often lands her in trouble. The two share a close sibling bond but have very different personalities.
Nikka's style is a bit edgier and more playful than Nickolay's. She likes cropped jackets, layered tops, and ripped skinny jeans. Her bobbed dark brown hair is styled with a bit of volume, and she often wears statement earrings or colourful bracelets.
"I heard Neni screaming about a puppet getting a makeover," Nikka added as she stepped inside, her eyes drifting over to Noah like she was trying to assess his trauma level. "Guess nothing's changed."
"Not really," Noah replied, letting his duffel bag fall onto the carpet with the kind of satisfying thud that said 'I'm done with life for today." "Except now I'm armed with a brand-new level of disillusionment and a deeply personal hatred for poison ivy in all its forms. Also, I got hired as a book editor by a friend. So that's weirdly adult of me to have my first job like that."
He made his way to the bed, letting out a long, soul-tired sigh as he sat on the edge. The mossy green walls were still the same—slightly faded from sun exposure but still more comforting than any hotel suite. His dark green blanket was crumpled at the foot of the bed, exactly how he'd left it, like it had been waiting for him to return and make one more sarcastic quip before collapsing face-first.
His desk was a disaster zone of unopened letters, chaotic notebooks, and a chipped mug that still had "World's Okayest Brother" scribbled on the side in Sharpie—one of Nuan's more ironically accurate gifts.
Then, Noah leaned in just a little closer to the twins, his voice lowered like he was spilling national secrets.
"And don't tell anyone… I got a check for 50 thousand dollars." He whispered the last part.
"WH—?!"
Both Nikka and Nickolay instinctively went wide-eyed, but before either could get the full gasp out, Noah slapped a hand over their mouths.
"Don't. Scream," he said in a calm, threatening whisper. "This is my first real paycheck, and I want it to stay a secret. You know how this house works—once the secret is out, the chaos will go everywhere." He gave them the classic I'm watching you motion with two fingers while keeping the other hand firmly in place. " Anyway, being the first eliminated as a scapegoat sucked, but at least I enjoyed a 5-star resort for many weeks. I didn't have to deal with the crappy food of Chef for more than an afternoon, so I practically won by not doing anything at all, but still, it sucked being the first eliminated. So when I tried to ally myself with the strongest woman of the show Eva, she got dragged and tricked by my nemesis, Justin… in which we lost a case of 1 million dollars, but then I had the best moment of my life seeing that sucker fall in despair into a dodgeball ball. I haven't laughed that hard since Nickolay got smashed by that dodgeball game in P.E."
"Hmmmm…" Nickolay took offence at that, while the twin sister chuckled.
"But anyway, the final episode airs tonight," he continued, relaxing back into the bed. "I made it just in time. Can't wait to watch it with you guys, assuming nobody throws a shoe at the TV like 4 months ago." He paused for a second, as if remembering something important. "Oh, and I have a job now. Book editor. So I'm technically employed at my first job. Try not to be too impressed."
"HHMMMM, HMMMM;" Both siblings said that both of them were even annoyed by seeing their brother still with their hands on their mouth…
"Oops. Almost forgot the 'freedom of speech' thing." Noah said as he took his hands over his siblings.
The duo remained quiet for just a few seconds… Until Nikka immediately ran to the stairs.
"NOAH GOT HIS FIRST JOB." Nikka shouted, and in that second any talk, any chaos downstairs, everything that was at war before stopped…
"I asked her for one job… ONE JOB." Noah said as he was sweating in disbelief and panic.
"Run, Noah, Run. To the bathroom now." Nickolay said as Noah immediately was taking out his shirt and blouse.
"WHAT?!" The chaotic, explosive disbelief was enough to make the group of girls downstairs immediately start rushing. "Hey, OUCH, WATCH OUT, DAMMIT Nuan, YOUR RUBBER CHICKEN IS EVERYWHERE. OUCH, MY HAIR. OUCH, KNOCK IT OFF."
"I NEED TO HUG HIM. TO CELEBRATE HIS FIRST JOB." Neni screamed as Nori also rushed as they went directly to the next floor.
"I call dibs on the celebration cake," Nuna said as she was excited for the party they are going to have for the brother having a good job.
"Does that mean he's going to pay for house stuff right now, Nori?" Nynn asked as Nuan was already cackling.
"I've got 99 jokes about employment and with Noah, it's going to be perfect!" The comedian of the family said as the group of girls, like a tornado, came towards the bookworm's bedroom. Just then they see he wasn't there, only Nickolay.
"DON'T YOU DARE TO TOUCH MY BOOKS INSIDE OF MY BAG. I SWEAR IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO THEM GLUEGLITTER WILL BE THE LAST OF THE PROBLEMS OF YOUR TOOTHBRUSHES." Noah shouted as the group of siblings stared at the bathroom door. And after that, what remained was a swinging bathroom door and the sound of running water.
"…Think he locked it?" Nickolay asked no one in particular, stepping around Noah's discarded hoodie.
Then from behind the door came Noah's muffled yet outraged voice to give a conclusion.
"AND I'M GOING TO USE ALL THE HOT WATER." Noah said, as now he got out from one reality show to another more chaotic.
Trent:
Trent sat in the back of the limousine, staring out at his family home, his heart pounding in his chest. He had been dreading this moment ever since the limo pulled away from the Total Drama Island finale. He knew what waited for him inside. disappointment. His mom who is always close to him, would be staring at him in sadness and also disappointment, knowing that he messed up badly. His father, always so composed, had expected Trent to follow in his footsteps, to become an accountant like him. But Trent wasn't an accountant. He was a musician and a dreamer, and participating in Total Drama Island was supposed to be his big chance to prove that to the world.
Instead, it felt like he had let everyone down.
The memories of his time on the island flashed through his mind, making a mess of his friendships, alienating most of the Killer Bass, and worst of all, losing the trust of the person he had cared about the most. He had made some awful choices, from the dirty pancakes incident to watching everything unravel with his crush. Trent had tried to fix things, to mend those broken bridges, but no matter how hard he had tried, it never felt like enough.
"Depends on you...or situations that it would need you to forgive yourself to completely move on with your life" Chef's words echoed in his head... a person he never thought would have been through something similar or worse than he did, and it took Chef years to actually ask forgiveness, if wasn't for the fact the daughter of his friend needed help. From what he saw on the television, Trent knew who was the girl who needed Chef's help.
But that didn't make it any easier.
Taking a deep breath, Trent gripped the door handle, his hand shaking slightly. He wasn't ready for the confrontation with his parents, wasn't ready for the quiet, disappointed looks he knew would follow. The worst part? His father was right. He had embarrassed himself on the show, he'd tried to be the peacemaker, the reasonable one. But in the end, it didn't matter. Everyone, including him, had devolved into chaos, fighting over a suitcase of money, like a pack of animals.
Ezekiel had proven his point, none of them had been much better than the guy who tossed the million dollars into the sea, only for a shark to devour it. And now, because of that madness, Trent and the others were stuck heading into season 2. No break. No redemption.
He sighed and let go of the handle, sinking back into his seat for a moment, staring up at the roof of the limo.
"I'll have to face them sooner or later," He thought. But his heart still felt heavy, and the guilt hung over him like a dark cloud.
Trent sat in the limo for what felt like forever, but finally, with a deep breath, he mustered the strength to face his parents. He slowly opened the door and stepped out, his heart heavy with the weight of everything he had been through. As soon as he looked up, he saw his mom standing at the front door. She looked tired, exhausted, really, but there was a flicker of happiness in her eyes when she saw him.
"Mom," Trent said softly, walking over to her and pulling her into a hug. "It's good to see you."
"It's good to have you home, Trent. Your father and I... we're happy to see you." His mother returned the hug, though it was weaker than usual.
Trent hesitated. He wanted to believe her, but he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that it wasn't the full truth. His father had been so disappointed in him, and it wasn't like things had magically changed because he was back from the show. And looking at his mom, he could tell she was worn out, not just from work, but from something more.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "You look really tired."
"We've just... had a lot going on, Trent." His mom gave him a small smile, but there was hesitation in her eyes.
Trent frowned.
"What happened?" He knew his mom wasn't telling him everything, so he asked again, gently pressing. "You don't look like you've just been missing me... there's more to it, right?"
"Your father and I have been working day and night, going through a mountain of paperwork... looking over the contract you signed with the show." His mom sighed, clearly reluctant to share, but she finally gave in.
Trent's heart sank. Knowing that a good thing isn't, since the contract of the show meant something was going on, and he feared that it would have been something terrible.
"Why?" he asked, already feeling a sense of dread building up in his chest.
"Well..." His mom hesitated again, then took a breath. "Lindsay's parents were talking about starting a lawsuit. They were furious about something that happened on the show... with you."
"A lawsuit... against me?" Trent felt his stomach drop. He remembered a few moments on the island that might have sparked that kind of reaction.
"We were afraid it might get serious since her parents seemed to have a high influence on the social circle, it was a very hard legal battle that it would outcome, so your father and I combed through every detail of the contract. We didn't want them to have any grounds to take legal action." His mom nodded. She gave a sad smile to her son, which made him feel even worse. "But you slowly helped by asking forgiveness on the episodes, they are still kinda annoyed because of what happened, but at least with everything you passed, they were slowly taking out the charges, which we are hoping to see if we can also use the contract as a way to make them drop the charges once for all..."
Fear gripped Trent as the implications set in. But before he could spiral into panic, his mom added.
"Thankfully, we found a subsection in the fine print. It says that any actions or words said on the show, as long as they weren't criminal, like, you know, assassination or major destruction of Chris's property are exempt from lawsuits." The mother came to give the good news for him. "That was enough for them to stop coming at our doors and demanding us to appear in court, or make your father's agency keep in a constant rivalry with another law firm."
"That's good to know..." Trent's shoulders sagged with relief. "So... they can't sue me?"
"No. You're safe. They can't do anything." His mom smiled weakly.
Trent let out a long breath, feeling the tension leave his body. But his relief was short-lived when his mom continued.
"Your father... he's been working non-stop on this, Trent. Weeks without sleep, pouring over that contract, trying to protect you."
A wave of guilt washed over Trent, heavier than before. His father, the man he had disappointed, had been working tirelessly behind the scenes to shield him from potential legal trouble. He didn't even know how to respond.
.
.
.
Trent took a deep breath, steeling himself before walking toward his father's office. As soon as he reached the doorway, he froze, his eyes widening at the sight before him. The room was a complete disaster, papers were strewn across the desk, spilling onto the floor. The normally tidy office was covered in charts, notes pinned to boards with arrows, numbers, subsections, legal codes... everything his father usually referenced when he talked about his cases.
But this wasn't just any case. This was his case.
Trent had never seen his father's office in such disarray. Even though he wasn't an accountant like his father wanted him to be, he always respected his dad's strict professionalism. This chaotic scene looked nothing like that. His dad must have spent weeks on this, poring over every clause, every line in the contract. And it was all for him. For Trent.
His guilt deepened. He knew he had let his father down by not following in his footsteps. His dad had always wanted him to be an accountant, and yet, here he was, a musician, a failed Total Drama contestant. He couldn't win on the show, and now his father had to clean up the mess Trent had left behind.
As he stepped further into the office, his eyes landed on his father, slumped over the desk, fast asleep. The exhaustion was written all over his face, and Trent felt a sharp pang of guilt in his chest. His dad had been working himself to the bone, all to protect him from something Trent hadn't even thought twice about when signing up for the show.
For a moment, Trent thought about leaving, letting his father get the rest he desperately needed. But as he turned to go, his father's voice, groggy and weak, cut through the silence.
"Trent..." His father's head was still resting on the desk, but his voice was clear. "I know you want to live your life... chase your dreams... but please, pay more attention next time."
Trent stopped in his tracks, the words sinking in. He stood there for a moment, taking it all in. His father, even after everything, wasn't angry. He was still trying to guide him, to protect him in the only way he knew how.
Silently, Trent's eyes wandered over to a pile of papers on the edge of the desk. Among them, he spotted his contract—the one that had nearly put him in serious trouble. He picked it up, turning it over in his hands.
As he stood there, staring down at the contract, he knew what he had to do. He couldn't change what had happened, but he could be better prepared for next time. Season 2 was coming, and this time, he'd be ready.
Owen:
Owen stepped out of the limousine, a wide grin plastered on his face. Despite the insanity of the final episode, he was thrilled to be back home. As he reached the front door, it burst open to reveal his mom, dad, and his brothers, Johnny and Gavin, all waiting with eager smiles.
"Owen!" his mom cheered, rushing forward to envelop him in a tight hug. "We've missed you so much!"
"Owen, you big legend!" Johnny chimed in, giving him a hearty slap on the back. "You made it to the final episodes!"
"You were hilarious, man!" Gavin added, eyes wide with excitement.
Owen, still riding the wave of excitement from his return, laughed and hugged each of them in turn. "Oh, it's so good to be home! I've got stories for days, guys! And let me tell you, that final challenge? It was insane!"
"Sounds like you had a blast. Proud of you, son!" His dad grinned. Giving a good bear hug to his little blonde boy, who had almost the same weight as him.
As the family continued to gather around Owen, his mom's nose twitched slightly. "Sweetie," she said, leaning in, "is it just me or… do you smell like… peppers?"
Owen froze for a second, his mind flashing back to Ezekiel's final act of chaos: the "Dancing Diablos," peppers that had exploded in his face, leaving him burning in spicy agony. He swallowed hard, feeling the phantom burn return to his skin.
"Uh… yeah," Owen stammered, forcing a laugh. "It's just, uh, something from the last challenge! Nothing big, haha!" He tried to brush it off, but his brothers kept sniffing the air.
"Whoa, bro, you smell like a taco truck!" Gavin teased.
Owen felt a shiver run down his spine, as the memory of Ezekiel's prank made him tremble. But he shook it off. "Okay, enough about that! I'm home, and I'm ready to celebrate! Season two, here I come!" He raised his arms in triumph.
Before anyone could respond, a slow, sarcastic clap echoed from behind the family.
Owen's triumphant grin faltered, and he slowly turned to face the source of the clapping. His eyes widened in disbelief.
Max.
His cousin stood there, smirking, with a look of smug satisfaction. Owen's heart sank. "Oh no…"
"Owen," Max drawled, "I see you've returned from your pitiful attempt at reality television."
"Max!?" Owen sputtered, glancing nervously at his parents. "W-what are you doing here?"
His mom spoke up, oblivious to the tension. "Oh, honey! Didn't we tell you? Max is staying with us for a few days. There was some… incident at his house. Something about a chemical smell? Anyway, the cleaners are still working on it, so he'll be here for the rest of the week!"
Owen's face paled. "The [i]rest/i] of the week?"
"Five days, buddy," Johnny said with a grin. "You two cousins together again—should be a blast!"
Max's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with evil glee. "Oh, yes. A [i]blast/i] indeed."
Owen's panic only deepened as he recalled the incident that had led to Max's temporary stay. Max had tried to recreate Ezekiel's infamous stink bomb, "El Mongo and La Muerte," which had nearly killed Owen during the show. The experiment, of course, had blown up in Max's face—literally—leading to the whole house being fumigated. And now, Max was here… in Owen's house… for five days.
"Y-you've gotta be kidding me," Owen muttered under his breath, while his family remained blissfully unaware of the villainous chaos Max was capable of.
Max leaned in, lowering his voice so only Owen could hear. "Don't worry, dear cousin. My evil plans are progressing nicely. Soon, I will dominate—"
"Hey, are you two gonna come inside or just stand there whispering?" Gavin interrupted, waving for them to join the rest of the family.
Owen forced a weak smile. "Y-yeah, coming, coming…" He reluctantly walked inside with Max by his side, the tension between them growing with each step.
.
.
.
At the dinner table, Owen's parents and brothers continued to chat excitedly about his return, but Owen couldn't shake the sense of doom that hung over him. Max, sitting across from him, occasionally flashed him sinister smiles.
"So, Max," their dad began, "any big plans while our little pharmacist is staying with us?"
"I'M NOT A FARMACIST UNCLE DAVID," Max said angrily, as he then composed himself and smiled at him " And I have many] plans. Plans for world domination. Plans that will leave an indelible mark on history. Soon, when my plans come to fruition, the world will be under my control. No one will be able to stop me!"
He then tried to do his evil laugh, but it was very unsuccessful, and everyone just chuckled while Owen was the only person who was sweating a lot at that moment, into seeing the true colors of his cousin, the true evil incarnated on the world, the person who indeed would do everything to conker the world.
He needs to do something, anything.
"Mom, Dad! Max is serious, he's talking about world domination again!" By telling his parents once again... Which never worked before, but maybe someday they will see Max was indeed a person who needs to be stopped.
"World domination? Oh, Max, you're a riot! Always with the imaginative stories." Then David, the patriarch of the family chuckled as he even slapped the back of the purple-haired boy who was narrowing his eyes to his uncle.
"He's just playing, sweetie. You boys always come up with the wildest ideas." Amanda, the matriarch of the family commented that Max had his entire face looking red in annoyance, while Owen couldn't help but lament that it wasn't the first time they didn't believe him, and it was once again up to him to stop his cousin.
"I will rule the world! This isn't a game!" Max said angrily and this time the oldest cousin laughed hard, as he even shared a tear.
"Come on, Max, you're like a mini evil mastermind. I love it." Johnny commented as it made Max groan in anger, and he even decided to walk away from the table, to go to the bathroom to scream in anger.
"Man, it's like from a cartoon or something. Classic." Galvin added that it took a few seconds until Max returned, and everyone in the family still ate the food like nothing just happened.
Owen shifts nervously in his seat, recognizing the look on Max's face. He knows Max means business.
"I'm telling you, he's not joking this time. He means it!" Owen whispered, as he didn't understand why nobody would believe him, since he was telling the truth, Max wanted to do everything possible, and the more they ignored him, the more they drove his cousin into planning the conquering of the world.
"I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE! AND YOU ALL WILL BEG FOR MERCY WHEN I CONTROL EVERYTHING!" Maxi shouted angrily he was very annoyed that nobody was taking him seriously, except for the person who didn't want to be like him.
The entire family erupts in laughter, thinking Max is just playing along with their teasing. Max fumes, crossing his arms, while Owen sinks into his seat, realizing once again that he's the only one who believes him.
"This is gonna be a long five days..." Owen murmured to himself, as he now felt obligated to make sure Max wouldn't try to destroy the house or create the apocalypse or a zombie army, or something that could cause the end of the world.
And it seems that was only up to him to save the world.
Leshawna:
Leshawna's limousine appeared in front of her friend Jasmine's house, a place that had always been her second home. After the whirlwind that was Total Drama Island, she was looking forward to spending some quiet days with her childhood friend. Her parents live in another state, and while she misses her parents dearly, she is an independent girl. So she became roommates with her best friend while it was the closest place for her to stay before returning to the show. So at the time she appeared in the house, there was something comforting about coming back to the familiar. She hadn't expected a big welcome party or anything, but she had hoped for at least a little more excitement from Jasmine.
When she opened the door and stepped inside, there was no loud greeting, no big celebration. Just Jasmine sitting on the couch, eyes glued to the television. The sound of the TV filled the room, and as Leshawna put her bags down, she cleared her throat to get Jasmine's attention.
Jasmine looked up, smiled lazily, and waved her over. A girl who was slim, with a beret on her head, and a big nose greeted her friend.
"Hey girl, come sit down. You gotta see this!" she called, patting the couch without even turning her eyes away from the screen.
Leshawna rolled her eyes but walked over, sitting next to her. On the TV was some ridiculous reality show about a bunch of people trying to survive on a desert island with no clothes. One woman was in the middle of a furious rant, screaming at her teammate for choosing swimming goggles as their only survival item.
"You've got to be kidding me," Leshawna muttered, watching the chaos unfold. "Did that idiot seriously choose swimming goggles instead of a knife to help them to survive?"
Jasmine laughed, completely absorbed in the absurdity of the show.
"I swear, girl, you can't make this stuff up. Look at this fool!" she said, pointing to the screen as the camera zoomed in on the guy who was sheepishly trying to defend his choice of goggles. "What a loser. I bet after that, the boy isn't going to lay on the sand if you get what I mean? Hahahahaha."
"I bet that girl is going to beat the shit out of him later when they don't get a fish," Leshawna commented as both started laughing but still she leaned back on the couch, crossing her arms, half-annoyed but half-amused by her friend's lack of enthusiasm for her return. "You know, I just survived Total Drama Island, and you're sitting here watching this? I admit, it was funny to see these two trying to survive on the desert island, but I would pay good money to see them jumping from a cliff into a river full of sharks,"
"Oh, come on, Leshawna. I figured you'd wanna watch something mindless after all that drama. Plus, you know this is your type of entertainment. It's like Total Drama but with less clothes!" Jasmine finally looked away from the TV for a moment and grinned. The comment really made the ghetto girl roll her eyes.
"Girl, please," Leshawna said with a smirk, "If you were on Total Drama, you wouldn't last a day. Trust me, this ain't got nothing on what I went through."
"I could've handled it. You know they wanted me for season 2, right? Just wait until they see what I can do when I'm on TV. I'll be the star." Jasmine shrugged, her eyes drifting back to the screen.
"Sure, Jasmine. You keep telling yourself that," Leshawna rolled her eyes again but couldn't help but laugh. Settling into the couch, knowing they'd catch up properly later. Right now, she'd let her friend have her fun. Besides, after the chaos she'd been through, some mindless TV and a bit of normalcy was just what she needed, even if Jasmine's commentary was a little annoying.
As the show continued to unfold in all its ridiculousness, Leshawna felt a small sense of comfort. No matter how annoying Jasmine could be, she was still her best friend. And it was good to be back where things made sense, even if only for a little while before the chaos of season 2 hit her again.
Cody:
The night was dark, with only a few dimly lit windows scattered across the quiet neighborhood in Muskoka. Slowly, one by one, the houses turned off their lights, signaling the end of another peaceful day. Yet, in the shadows near a particular home, there was one figure who hadn't the slightest intention of sleeping.
Hidden behind the bushes, Sierra crouched low, her fingers deftly adjusting a huge banner she'd made, emblazoned with "WELCOME HOME, CODY!" in bold, glittery letters. Brightly colored balloons bobbed gently in the night breeze, attached to the edges of her creation. She was practically vibrating with excitement.
"I'm not obsessed. Not obsessed," Sierra muttered to herself, a wide grin plastered on her face. Her heart fluttered at the thought of seeing her idol, the person she knew would be arriving any minute. Cody, her beloved, was returning home after Total Drama Island. His parents and little brother were on a cruise ship, which meant he'd be all alone for five whole days. The perfect chance to finally meet and connect with him in person.
For five long hours, Sierra had waited. It was now almost 1 a.m., but she didn't mind. Her dedication was unwavering. He's probably just stuck in traffic, she thought to herself, glancing down the empty street. Any second now... She giggled, her mind racing with thoughts of their imminent meeting.
What Sierra didn't know was that Cody had taken a ride in Katie's limousine, planning to stay with her for the next few days. But Sierra remained blissfully unaware, clutching her banner, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Any second now..." she whispered again, rocking slightly on her heels.
Across the street, one of the tired neighbors was watching the scene from his window, his brow furrowing. Finally, he'd had enough. Armed with a garden hose, he stepped outside, heading towards the overly enthusiastic girl who had camped out in front of their home for hours.
As the man approached, his footsteps barely noticeable over the hum of the cool night air, Sierra remained oblivious. Her eyes were fixed on the dark road ahead, waiting, whispering, "Any second now..."
.
.
.
"Brrr" Suddenly Cody shivered as his entire body trembled, while both Katie and her mother Jessica watched Cody shiver and palled. "Oh, I just felt a chill goes through my very soul,"
"Oh, yeah, mom's sloppy Joe's tends to do that," Katie commented as she herself was enjoying a good dinner meal with her mom, she even shared the good stories on how have been the playa del losers, with the mother who was nodding at the stories. "So then Duncan started destroying everything. Me and Sadie knew that we screwed up so badly that we quickly had to go to the kitchen and prepare his birthday cake..."
"Which is March..." Jessica added which made Katie blush to see that her mom already guessed. "I'm surprised that you didn't say Gwen, since her birthday is in 5 days."
"WAIT, REALLY?" Katie shouted as she suddenly felt herself remembering Trent talking to Cody about Gwen's birthday being on Halloween... "Err... ops?"
"Well, at least Duncan forgave you, Sadie and Courtney, because from what I heard his mom telling, he tends to be annoyed for weeks," Jessica explained as she looked at Cody who was still palled. "Do you need something, Cody? Didn't you like it?"
"Oh no, I'm fine. These taste great ma'am, it's just I kinda felt something telling me that I dodged a great bullet and I'm really appreciating the happiness of my life. And I'm glad that my parents took Zack with them, it would be hard for Zack to be living on his own while I was on the show." Cody commented as he explained to both his girlfriends, but that made the mother actually blink in surprise.
"I didn't know you had a brother, especially a younger brother," Jessica commented as she now would find something interesting for her to share with the other mothers, since they loved talking about gossip, adding something more to spice up the conversation with her best friend, and that would make sure everything would be special before the group would return to the show. With even more challenges ahead. "I'm sure that they are all proud of you,"
"Oh yeah, that's for sure. I feel like Zack is going to be in disbelief if he sees that I got this babe with me," Cody commented as suddenly felt the hands touching from his girlfriend, who had been smiling at him. A good heartwarming feeling for the mother to see the duo so happy and in love.
"Well, that's good to hear, and being honest with you. You being alone by yourself for 5 days it's a very difficult way of enjoying a break, I'm glad that now I can keep an eye on you both," Jessica commented as she looked at the teenagers blushing in front of her, which made the matriarch of the family laugh on that situation. "Okay, okay, I already had my fun. Tomorrow I will tell some funny stories about what my little girl and her best friend, the daughter of another mother did in the aquatic park."
"PLEASE, DON'T TELL HIM THAT," Katie shouted in panic, as she could see the evil smirk of her mother, as she was practically begging her mom to not embarrass her in front of her boyfriend, and while Cody felt confused. He preferred to not get involved in whatever discussion or history both mother and daughter were going to do tell or fight, but still, he somehow felt that this was way better than returning home.
"I don't know why, but I kinda like this..." Cody commented as he could see that these 5 days would be very fun for him and his girlfriend.
Beth:
The air was cool and fresh as the limousine rolled to a stop on the dirt path leading to Beth's family farm. The familiar sight of the old barn and farmhouse brought a surge of warmth to Beth's heart. The stars twinkled brightly in the clear night sky, and the distant hum of crickets filled the air. After the whirlwind of Total Drama Island, it felt so good to be home, even if it was just for a few days.
As Beth stepped out of the car and onto the gravel driveway, the door to the farmhouse creaked open. A figure rushed out, moving quickly across the porch steps, her mother. With a bright smile on her face, Beth dropped her bags and ran toward her, arms wide open.
"Beth! My baby girl!" her mother cried, catching her in a tight, warm hug. Beth melted into the embrace, feeling the comforting familiarity of her mother's arms around her.
"I missed you so much, Ma!" Beth said, her voice muffled by the hug, but brimming with joy.
"Oh, Beth, we missed you too. Your pa and little Rusty are already fast asleep, they've got work on the farm bright and early tomorrow, but they'll be so happy to see you in the morning." Her mother pulled back, still holding her by the shoulders, tears glistening in her eyes. She gave her daughter another squeeze. "But tonight, it's just us girls. Come inside, let's talk about everything."
Beth followed her mother into the cozy farmhouse. The smell of freshly baked bread lingered in the air, and the warmth of the kitchen stove made the house feel even more welcoming. They settled at the kitchen table, where a plate of homemade cookies waited as if her mother had known she'd be hungry after the long trip.
"So, how was it, really?" her mother asked, pouring them both some milk, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "You've got to tell me everything, sweetheart."
"Ma, it was... so crazy, but I made some amazing friends! Heather and Lindsay, they're my best friends now. I know it's weird, especially with how everything started, but they really looked out for me, Ma. And I did the same for them! We've been through so much together, and I wouldn't have made it without them," Beth grinned, feeling the excitement bubbling up inside her. As she was talking about the best moments of what her friends said about her, and what they did to help her, even the time she accidentally brought the curse on the island, Heather was willing to sacrifice herself to help her break the curse. And how her best friends were the ones who went to the finals. They even became great friends after the show. "And they said I can visit them in a few days to meet their family."
"That's wonderful, honey. I'm so glad you found people like that. I knew you would. I always told you, that if you follow your heart and work hard, good things will happen." Her mother's face lit up with pride as she listened.
"You were right, Ma. You always are." Beth smiled, nodding. Since the positive side and the future would look bright for her and her friends, now the curse was broken, she felt that everything was going to be great for them.
"I'm so proud of you, Beth. You really did it. And there's something else, I made an appointment for you at the dentist for tomorrow." Her mother took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Tomorrow?" Beth's eyes widened slightly. Surprised to hear such a sudden comment, especially since she didn't expect to have an appointment somewhere.
Her mother chuckled softly, clearly anticipating her daughter's reaction.
"Yep! It's time to get those braces off! I know you've been waiting for this day, and I think it's about time. Once they're gone, the world is going to open up for you even more." The mother as humble as she was, decided to show one more advice knowing that her daughter would go through places, especially since she knew that everything was going to be great for her daughter.
"No way, Ma! That's awesome! I can't wait to tell Heather and Lindsay! They'll be so happy for me!" Beth's face broke into an excited grin. The thrill of it all sinking in.
"I bet they will. And I'm sure they'll be just as proud of you as I am." Her mother nodded knowingly, her eyes twinkling with affection.
The two sat together for a while longer, sharing stories about the farm, the show, and everything in between. The bond between them felt stronger than ever, and for the first time in a long while, Beth felt truly at peace.
Heather:
The elegant mansion of Heather's parents was the epitome of luxury. Set on the hills, their estate boasted high, vaulted ceilings and grand, arching windows that framed the serene twilight outside. Inside, the polished marble floors gleamed beneath crystal chandeliers, casting soft reflections throughout the room. The walls were adorned with tasteful modern art, expensive sculptures, and the occasional family portrait, all arranged to perfection. The flickering light of the grand fireplace bathed the room in a warm, inviting glow, adding to the ambiance of the evening.
Heather's parents, poised and sophisticated, sat comfortably in plush velvet chairs near the hearth. The crackling fire added an orange hue to the rich mahogany wood paneling that stretched across the walls of their vast living room. They both held glasses of fine red wine, the rims sparkling as they swirled the liquid gently. The decor around them exuded refinement, from the intricately woven Persian rug beneath their feet to the grand piano standing elegantly in the corner, waiting for its next symphony.
"I can't believe how our Heather feather has changed so much in these 9 weeks," The father commented as the Korean Canadian Matriarch nodded her head she sipped her own delicious wine and she looked sweetly at her husband.
"And the first thing she did wasn't even ask us for money to take her to a mall but to ask only for our driver to take her there. Heard that she wanted to buy something good since she was going to visit Lindsay's family in a few days." The mother commented, which made the husband blink and ponder about one thing.
"Didn't they also invite us as well?" The husband commented that he could have remembered if that was the case, since Lindsay's father was also a very well-known rich person in the social circle of Canada, and it would have been a great time for him to ask him into a good sports of golf together.
"I don't think so, remember what she said when we ate the dinner together?" The mother asked, leaving the man passing a few seconds, until the answer came to his mind.
"Ahh, yes, she asked for us to don't let her siblings follow her while she goes to take our driver to take her to a farm which she will take Beth with her, and then they are going to visit Lindsay together, I should have paid more attention." The father chuckled as he slightly tapped his head. "Oh, how silly me, but I gotta say that she was very polite when she said she was taking our driver with her. "
"Yes, she didn't curse your name, didn't break anything, she just said calmly as she was determined. It was indeed sweet of her, to not break the new plates we had." The mother agreed as the husband nodded his head at her.
"Slowly she is getting very sweet, just like we already deemed honey, I think in the future she will have a great time with her friends, and when she reaches success, she will have a happy life as she always desired." The father commented as the mother quickly gave a kiss on his cheek.
The house was a pristine reflection of their high social status, filled with elegance, tranquility, and the quiet confidence of people who had everything under control. Everything was in its place, polished and perfect, just like the image Heather's parents presented to the world.
Suddenly, a loud voice cut through the serene evening.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" A young male voice echoed from the corridors, accompanied by the frantic sound of running feet.
"LET ME KILL YOU, DAMIAN! LET ME KILL YOU!" Heather's unmistakable voice followed, shrill and determined.
Footsteps thundered through the house, racing up and down the lavish corridors. The sound bounced off the polished wood floors, reverberating through the high ceilings, but Heather's parents barely flinched. They exchanged knowing looks, the ghost of a smile playing on their lips.
From elsewhere in the house came the sound of the other siblings, two boys and two girls, cheering wildly. Some egged on Heather, while others rooted for Damian's escape. Their playful chaos filled the mansion, but amidst the racket, there was no sound of breaking glass, no clattering vases, or toppling furniture. Heather, it seemed, had learned some restraint.
In their private bubble near the fire, Heather's parents raised their glasses with subtle satisfaction. The clink of their wine glasses touching was the only sound that mattered to them at that moment. Both parents basked in the quiet pride of knowing their daughter had become more patient since her return from Total Drama Island.
The mansion remained unmarred by destruction. This, to them, was progress.
"To Heather Feather and her friends who helped her to make our little daughter the sweetheart we always tried to bring on her..." The father commented as he raised his glasses, and his lovely wife did the same as both shared a good wine together.
As the muffled sound of Damian being caught and Heather's triumphant shrieks filled the halls, accompanied by cheering from the girls and booing from the boys, both parents leaned in closer. With a serene smile, they shared a tender kiss, comforted in the knowledge that, despite the uproar, they had raised their children with love and care. Life, in its perfect, chaotic way, was as it should be.
Lindsay:
Lindsay stumbled into her bedroom, her legs heavy from exhaustion. The grand doors closed behind her with a soft click, leaving her in the silence of her enormous suite. Her room was a reflection of her family's wealth, luxurious and meticulously designed, from the velvet drapes that adorned the tall windows to the extravagant chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The soft glow of the bedside lamps cast a warm light over the space, highlighting the many framed photos of herself placed on her bedside table. Each photo captured a different moment: her smiling at the beach, posing at a fashion shoot, and of course, her face beaming from the final day on Total Drama Island.
She barely noticed the lavish décor anymore. Instead, her gaze went straight to her oversized bed, triple the size of a normal one, nestled in the center of the room, covered in satin sheets and pillows that looked softer than clouds. It called to her like a beacon, and she didn't waste a second before kicking off her shoes and collapsing onto them. The plush mattress seemed to swallow her whole, and for a moment, she just lay there, face buried in the pillows, too tired to even pull the covers over herself.
The events of the day swirled in her mind, a blur of excitement and exhaustion. After returning from Total Drama Island, she'd been immediately whisked off to her school, where her best friends Bree, Maggie, and Heidi had thrown a massive celebration. The entire school had been transformed into a shrine for her, with banners featuring her face as the "winner" of Total Drama Island plastered everywhere, even though she hadn't won. It didn't matter, her popularity soared. Students cheered, took pictures, and treated her like the star she always dreamed of being.
Then there was Dusty, the biggest celebrity magazine in Canada. They had shown up at the party, dragging her into an impromptu interview where she had to recount her experience on the show. The flashing cameras, endless questions, and the pressure to sound coherent when all she wanted to do was nap, it was a whirlwind. She remembered giving vague answers, nodding, and smiling through the interview, but by the time her parents had arrived, she was barely able to keep her eyes open.
Her parents and sisters, Paula and Charlie, had come to take her home. They were all excited, of course, fussing over her as they pulled her from the media frenzy, but she didn't remember much. Had she hugged them? Thanked them? She couldn't even recall. It all felt like a foggy dream, and now that she was home, all she wanted was sleep.
A knock on the door echoed softly, and within moments, her staff entered the room. The butlers and maids moved quietly, gathering around her to help Lindsay prepare for bed. One of the maids gently removed her earrings and set them on the bedside table, while another pulled back the heavy blankets on the bed. They worked in perfect synchronization, helping her out of her clothes and into the silk nightgown that had been neatly placed at the foot of the bed.
Lindsay, barely aware of the fuss around her, let them do their jobs without a word. She was too tired to even say thank you. As one of the maids adjusted the pillows beneath her head, the other dimmed the lights, leaving just the soft glow of the fireplace that crackled across the room.
Before she knew it, her eyes had already fluttered shut. Her body sank deeper into the mattress as sleep took over. The world faded away, the whispers of the maids and the gentle closing of doors becoming distant echoes as Lindsay drifted off. All the chaos and excitement of the day, the parties, the interviews, the attention, it all melted away into the peaceful silence of her dreams.
The room, now quiet and dim, was left in perfect stillness, with Lindsay sleeping soundly in the comfort of her grand, luxurious bed.
.
.
.
Hours slipped by in what felt like a blink. Suddenly, Lindsay's eyes shot wide open, and she groggily glanced to the side of her enormous bed, squinting at the clock. 7 o'clock. Was it morning? Or maybe evening? Her foggy brain struggled to process the time, the soft glow from the curtains making it hard to tell. But as she shook her head, she remembered the routine she had grown accustomed to at Camp Wawanakwa, where mornings came early and unpredictably.
"Morning, Hea—" Lindsay began to greet her best friend when the reality hit her like a ton of bricks. She wasn't at camp anymore. She wasn't in the cramped, uncomfortable cabin she had shared. She was back in her luxurious bedroom, surrounded by expensive furniture, fluffy pillows, and perfectly coordinated decor. For a moment, she stared blankly at her surroundings, trying to shake off the drowsiness that clung to her. Memories from last night began to flood back in, returning home, the party, the interviews, and the blur of exhaustion that had left her barely aware of anything.
With a sigh, she tossed the covers aside and slipped out of bed, her feet sinking into the plush carpet as she padded toward the door. As she made her way downstairs, the grandness of the house began to feel more familiar with each step. The wide, polished staircase, the massive chandelier overhead, and the elegant family portraits lining the walls all reminded her that she was back in the world of luxury she had missed.
When she reached the kitchen, she found her parents, Lucy and Lilly, sitting at the breakfast table, leisurely sipping their coffee. The sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden hue over the gleaming countertops and shining silverware. Both of them looked up in shock, their eyes widening at the sight of their daughter.
"Good morning, my little chipmunk," her father, Lucy, greeted warmly, setting down his cup as a wide smile spread across his face.
It was then that Lindsay fully snapped out of her morning haze. Without warning, she launched herself at him in a full tackle hug, practically knocking him out of his chair. "Daddy! I'm so happy to see you again!" she squealed, squeezing him tight as if she hadn't seen him in years.
Lilly, her mother, chuckled softly from across the table.
"Well, it seems someone was too exhausted last night to remember already hugging us," she said, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "But I don't mind another hug from our little champion." She gave Lindsay a proud look. "Even if you didn't win the prize, you made it through the season, and now you're heading for season two. We're so proud of you."
Lindsay beamed, the excitement of home and family finally washing over her completely. She hadn't realized just how much she had missed this—being home, surrounded by love and comfort.
"Ugh, did someone take the number of that car?" Lucy commented as he tried to get up, which both girls ignored as the mother and daughter were enjoying a good time together in a hug... "At least I have you with me Doctor Quackson, please take the pain away..."
Moments later, one of the butlers entered the kitchen, expertly preparing her breakfast with precision. As the smell of fresh pancakes, bacon, and eggs wafted through the air, Lindsay's eyes lit up. She practically bounced in her seat as her breakfast was served, thrilled to have a proper meal after enduring weeks of Chef's questionable cooking. With the father already in his position and knowing that he didn't have a concussion, the patriarch of the family was happy to see his little girl eating happily once again.
"This is the best breakfast ever," she said with a wide grin, digging in happily. "I think I had way too much of Chef's food on that island."
Her parents shared a smile, watching their daughter settle back into the comforts of home. It was good to have her back, if only for a little while.
.
.
.
"So now you got used to waking up early just for the sake of going to eat breakfast on the show?" Lily asked amused, as she saw her daughter still enjoying a good time, brushing her hair, and enjoying a good and healthy breakfast for herself. Since it had been a crazy 9 weeks for her.
"Yes, and we had to eat all the disgusting, and terrible food when he created... unless when it was a prized food, which was very delicious, but most of the part was very disgusting," Lindsay said as she shivered remembering all the bad food she just ate. Especially one that she didn't want to remember or even quote ever again.
"Nice to see you preparing yourself for the day my chipmunk, because waking up early is always a key to success, and look at you, you already are a winner of the first season, and I know that you are going to be fine on the next season," Lucy replied as he hugged his little girl which still she was way taller than him, but he didn't mind. He even pointed out his little rubber duck, which had blonde hair, and even the matching clothing as well. "I made sure to give one of these rubber ducks to every one of the club as a way to celebrate your victory on the show. I'm very proud of you Lindsay."
"Awww, thank you, daddy..." Lindsay hugged as she felt so happy to see both her parents so happy for her victory.
.
.
.
"PAULA, CHARLIE, HOW GREAT TO SEE YOU TWO!" Lindsay's excited voice echoed through the house as she bounded toward her two younger sisters, who had just sleepily made their way into the kitchen. Without missing a beat, she wrapped her arms around them, pulling them into a tight, enthusiastic hug.
Paula, still in her pajamas, and Charlie, rubbing her eyes, blinked at each other, clearly still processing the morning. They both mumbled, "Morning," in unison, their voices groggy as they tried to catch up with Lindsay's boundless energy.
Lindsay, as bubbly as ever, giggled and released her grip on them, giving them a moment to wake up. The kitchen filled with the clinking of silverware and the gentle rustle of the morning newspaper, but Lindsay's excitement was unstoppable. As her sisters slowly started to wake up, the three of them found themselves sitting at the breakfast table, cups of coffee now in hand, and Lindsay's energy becoming contagious.
Time seemed to fly as the sisters became fully alert, leaning into the conversation. Before long, they were deeply engrossed in discussions about fashion, one of their favorite topics. Paula, always on top of the latest trends, began raving about a new purse collection she had seen online. Charlie chimed in, talking about a new boutique in town that had just opened and how she was dying to go there, especially since she found a girl who seemed to be working there, someone named Vaggie, who was offering a service that was indeed tempting for her to go. Lindsay, never one to miss out, shared the stories of what happened inside of the show that nobody ever saw on the Pay-per-view, some were very curious, others made both girls disgusted and desire to vomit, and others made them desire to kill someone... possibly Trent, but she already forgave him.
Lucy laughed so hard when he mentioned that Lindsay's boyfriend was hilarious at how he made Trent receive his karma by eating the dirty pancakes and shoving exactly like he did to his little girl.
And the chaos he commented on the best moments he thought it was hilarious on the show, like the prank war, and the final episode that for him was very funny, especially Ezekiel walking whistling while Lindsay was trying to find the prize money which was literally above her.
"Hmmmmmmmmm..." Lindsay blushed in shame as her daddy was laughing at how hilarious it was, and especially at how chaotic Leshawna provoked the moose which started the whole fight which destroyed the traps and barricades, and the final fight was peak fiction, and the drama created by Ezekiel launching the money on the river, it was a chef kiss for the season 2.
Thankfully Lindsay promised that she wouldn't tell about the money she got from Ezekiel, because it was a secret, and she was good at keeping secrets, like the time Paula got diarrhea, and until this day, nobody knows it.
"I gotta say, that your friends Lindsay, they were very supportive..." Lily gave her honest opinion as she gave good words to her friends. "I still fear the people with strong personalities who could manipulate you, but I'm glad that girl Heather and Izzy were strong personalities that were taking you on their wings, and you have a very interesting boyfriend."
"Well, we could always find a way to bring them to visit us and meet them, since the show is happening, we could see how their parents were and have a very interesting lunch together," Lucy suggested, as the girls gasped and were excited to have a good time with preparations of the show.
The conversation flowed effortlessly, with the sisters sharing recommendations for stores, gossiping about the latest trends, and laughing about some of the more ridiculous fashion statements they had seen on TV. The bond between them felt even stronger than before, their shared love for fashion and their time apart making these moments together all the more special while Lucy and Lilly sat back, watching their daughters with quiet joy. They shared a glance, both of them smiling at the sight of their girls reuniting in such a carefree, joyful way. Their home, once again filled with laughter and chatter, felt complete.
For Lucy and Lilly, seeing their daughters together, especially Lindsay now back from Total Drama Island, was a personal celebration. Their little champion might not have won the million-dollar prize, but to them, Lindsay was a winner regardless. The family was whole again, and that was all that mattered.
Izzy:
"IZZY," A loud shout came when the ginger girl didn't even reach the door, when suddenly she was tackled by two orange-haired devils, who immediately tried to attack her, luckily for the trained military prodigy girl, all she had to do is simply raise her suitcase in one of the faces of the girl, and give a backflip jump, for the other girl to tackle the other sister as well.
As soon the former camper landed perfectly on the floor and stared at her both siblings still on the floor, Izzy couldn't help but gush for her younger sisters.
"Oh come on, come here you little devils," Izzy commented as she grabbed both her younger sisters and gave a good hug to the girls who struggled from strength but also gave a quick for the sister they saw in the show. "Did you girls have a lot of fun while I was out?"
"Nah, Mom and Dad said we couldn't do experiments with our uncles, they said we slowly were becoming them and she wanted us to be more responsible with our projects," Lizzy commented as she pouted annoyingly, which her other sister Mizzy nodded her head in sadness. "We would like to create a lot of things, a robot that could beat another robot."
"Girls, "Then a male voice called which made the twins turn their heads and stare at the person which was no other than the older brother, a slender boy who had a good variation of muscles because of his usual training with his family, a person who was dressing his kimono which seemed that he came from a dojo. The boy had black hair but also had a little shade of green over his hair. "Next time you plan to build a mini rocket roller skater, remember to never let the prototype near the stairs, dad almost slipped on them, and you two would be in terrible trouble for that...Oh Izzy, welcome home,"
"Dhigo, "Izzy didn't even waste the opportunity, as she went to give a good hug to her older brother who gave a good hug to her as well. Both used a good strong grip and hugged into a position, which people of the neighborhood couldn't guess if was a hug, or they were just trying to throw each other away. But then both got apart, and Izzy with a good smile gave a slight punch on his arm. "Still strong as always, how was College?"
"It's going fine Izzy, just 2 more years of surviving there and I can graduate... Also, the secrets of Aiki Izzy, it's not about strength, just technique..." Dhigo commented as he never thought to see his younger sibling having so much fun in a reality show, knowing that she would always be passionate about whatever she would do... There were times when the entire family became very worried... "And you gave us a lot of scare, did you know that?"
That comment made Izzy flinch a little, knowing what her older brother had said.
"Yeah, I have to admit, the episode of The Serial Killer may have been too much for me," Izzy scratched the back of her head sheepishly.
"You should have taken it more seriously when it was a horror challenge, Izzy, if was indeed a serial Killer and instead of being Eva and it was you, forgetting what Chief Hatch did to you, if was the true serial killer and you were on the main lodge. You shouldn't have stayed there watching Eva going berserk." Dhigo commented as he pointed for another angle, that instead of Izzy being attacked by the Chef, he pointed to how she was just making fun of the danger which was clearly Eva was about to fight the real Serial Killer. "Never do that again, you hear me?"
Izzy remained quiet, as she couldn't refute the logic of her older brother...
"But it was nice to see Explosivo once again, Thigo laughed so hard because he knew how much you wanted to vent your anger." This time Izzy smiles a little, and Lizzy and Mizzy get excited.
"Oh yeah, Explosivo is always hilarious, that fat whale pacifier now understands to never mess with my big sis," Mizzy commented as she hugged the veteran of the infantile squad.
"DIE COWARD DIE HAHAHAHAHAHA," Lizzy said as she was even showing a vindictive desire, which Izzy couldn't help but chuckle from her little sisters, and messing up their hair. "HEY!"
"Maybe you two should stop watching too many violent movies alone, you two are already having a lot of bloodlust, and you know that Mom Shego is going to be very angry for not being here to see you both starting this phase," Izzy commented as she saw her brother helping her to carry the luggage to get on inside. "Also Dhigo, thank God that it wasn't you on the show, because the Phobia factor would have put you in a state of panic."
Just for the comment alone, made the big brother's face pale completely, and made him shake his head...
"Don't even remind me, Izzy, just seeing you and that boy Owen inside of an airplane made me faint just by seeing you there." Dhiago shivered from the memories of how terrifying would be to be inside of an airplane.
And from that comment alone, another person decided to be part of the conversation.
"Oh come on, don't be such a baby, it was just a flying practical simulator done by Chief Hatch, you always loved having flying simulators like that." And Izzy turned her head to see that behind the black-haired boy, was someone else, a boy who could be the total opposite of him, with his blonde hair which resembled exactly their father, which even made both Lizzy and Mizzy jump away in surprise.
"THIGO, STOP DOING THAT." Both Mizzy and Lizzy always hated to be caught by surprise when their big brother used his stealth to walk around the house, which somehow the boy always shrugged since he had been taken after their mother Shego, he was the one who was the most natural to surprise anyone since his steps were always in silence.
"But I was always here," Thigo commented which made the twins deadpan at him, Dhigo who was the oldest brother, Izzy the oldest sister, then Thigo who was the middle child, and after that the twins. It was a family of 5 children and 3 parents, and as chaotic as it was, they always had been so used to their military family that it was out of the ordinary for them, and since each of them had their own dreams and their styles of life, they loved each other as it means the whole world for them. "Also, I thought you were going to use a crazy girl persona for a lot longer."
"I wish I could, but I learned from experience that if I get too crazy I would have been eliminated from the show. So I decided to have more allies, and also it was fun to be myself in some situations." Izzy remembered how Ezekiel had said that when she used Explosivo too much, or when her crazy antics were the determinator to make her eliminated from the show, which sucked, but at least she knew how the results on the show were far more fun than what she thought it would be on the original version from the past of the future of other future. And now she needed to think of a better name to describe that because it was getting confusing even for her.
"Experience you said?" Dhigo asked in surprise as he gave a sideglance to his brother, who also felt something suspicious in the air, but they decided to shrug off. "Well, we gotta get going."
"Where are you going?" Izzy raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Buying supply of C4, smoke bombs, and Pentium-compatible processor," Thigo commented as Izzy had her eyes wide open in realization, and nodding in satisfaction. "We are just preparing for tomorrow."
"Oh that's great, I have nothing much to do tomorrow anyway, in 5 days I will be returning to the show. I just need to change my name and we can do it." Izzy gave her smile of satisfaction, as suddenly she glanced around the others. "And what about them?"
"Oh, they are coming with me," Thigo replied and Dhigo immediately gave a step back. "Yes Dhigo, even you… orders from our parents that I have to keep an eye on you. So you know the rules, or you are going with us willingly, or you are going to be sedated."
"Oh hell no. I'm not going to get inside of a metal trap." Dhigo said as he was ready to be in combat when suddenly he was attacked by behind the twins.
"RESISTANCE IS FUTILE DHIGO," Mizzy shouted as she was ready to knock out her big brother,
"YOU HAVE NO CHOICE." Lizzy agreed as she was jumping to give a kick, which immediately started a fight of 3vs1.
Izzy rolled her eyes and decided to let her siblings have a fight, while going to chaos at the front door, Izzy decided to go to the middle of the room, when she saw some familiar faces. 4 new pet stars of the show, the naked mole rat squad, Rusty, Nibles, Digby, and Sandy were enjoying a few nachos together.
"Hey guys, guess who is back?" Izzy waved at the group, and after pausing, they immediately ran in the direction of the military girl, who accepted the hugs, kisses, and licks of the squad who created so much potential in the challenges of military games. "I gotta say guys, you were awesome. Making the group deal with hard challenges and showing that you have more control of camouflage than they ever would have."
Needless to say, every single naked rat of the family was up to military missions and strategies. And she was happy to see that even after the show, they still were badass just like their grandpa, Rufus the First.
And then Izzy heard a loud sound coming from the outside, which was enough to understand that her siblings managed to knock down the big brother of the family. Izzy chuckled as she walked towards the kitchen, and saw her father wearing an apron as he was doing one of the Mexican foods that he always loved to do for their family or for the franchise he was so proud to command with the Naco, his creation.
Ron was simply focusing on the stove, as he wasn't even turning his back as Izzy slowly approached to try to surprise him, and at the moment she was about to jump at him…
"If you don't want to get grounded, it better be a hug, miss…"Ron said as he then felt a good hug coming from his baby girl, and knowing how much she deeply missed him, turning his back to Izzy, he had the biggest smile on his face, and gave the same, a good hug, that both missed so much each other. "How have you been Izzy?"
"I'm doing great." Izzy smiled as she then suddenly saw the look in her dad's eyes, as he was deeply serious about the question, which made her flinch a little. "I'm fine, even after everything on that night. I had time to cope with what happened, and while I just got surprised by the event of the serial killer, I should have expected more of my team members."
"..." And at that moment, Ron deep frowned as he noticed one thing… "From all the people who hate lying, you are very courageous to try to lie to your dad."
That moment made Izzy flinch, as he could see that her daddy was very serious about what just happened, and while she had a good time healing, there were secrets that she never should be able to tell anyone.
"Well, never mind that." Ron dismissed the thought as he was still preparing the dinner table for the family, and he gave a slight glance at his ginger girl. "Prepare the table for me, Izzy."
"Okay," Izzy became silent as she slowly placed the plates and the cutlery on the table, which soon she looked at her dad, and decided to ask. "Did you know the others went to catch supplies right?"
"Yes, we know," Then Izzy could see her mom already with a casual dress, knowing that her mother already took a good part of her day preparing herself, by taking care of her dress and even preparing her hair and makeup. "Welcome home sweetie,"
Izzy happily gave a hug on her mother, knowing the trio of military veterans were happy to be together, as she could see this dinner was going to be special since they wanted to spend time with her, while the others were going to buy some stuff for the next day, which was a good time for her to enjoy the privacy with her parents.
.
.
.
Minutes passed as Izzy enjoyed eating dinner with her family, a good Mexican food that her father even had her uncle Hugo prepare themselves a Mexican meal, which as much she is a Canadian, even patriotic, she took a good time to love tacos and nachos, just like her father. And both the Chef and her family know that.
Izzy could see the glances of the beautiful brownish-orange hair of her mother, as a good woman who went into the action, she was still looking in her prime at the time she went to do the military games…
"Gwen said that she will never look at the military women the same way again," Izzy decided to comment since she heard how the goth girl felt the next morning on the playa del Losers. And from seeing her mother pausing, and contemplating what her daughter had just said, she couldn't help but be amused as well.
"Well, I'm glad that she now understands how seriously we worked for the sake of our country, and while Hatch can be a hassle sometimes, he really took it easy on the campers," Kim explained as Ron nodded his head in agreement.
"I can see, they always interrupted which was kinda undisciplined, in my time in the military, if someone interrupted a commander you had to take 50," Ron nodded his head, as he then saw Izzy rolling her eyes.
"I know dad, when I was in the military they also did that," Izzy commented as she then snapped her fingers. "Oh yeah, Lindsay said that you have been kind, but still those traps were unfair."
"Hahahaha," Ron laughed, as the group even heard a few of the naked rat moles giggle as well, "Well, from a champion of the show, she was fun to mess with. It was like when I gave the first training of traps for all of you, she looked like Mizzy when she got trapped on the first time."
"I can imagine," Kim rolled her eyes, but a good smile appeared on her face, "But I have to admit, the friends you made were very interesting Izzy, Heather, and Lindsay being the final 2, I think nobody ever expected that before."
"Yes, they really are a good duo, and I'm glad that they managed to go that far since I don't need the money anyway." Izzy shrugged as she could see her parents raising their eyebrows at her. "Well now I have my company of maple syrup, and I already have lawyers and accountants to help to deal with the taxes and the problems of my arrest from RCM."
"Good to know the time traveler had been helping you around this time," Kim replied as Ron nodded his head, and Izzy nodded her head as well until she was drinking the grape juice, until suddenly she realized what was said, and made her spill on her dad, which thankfully the father was prepared and used a tray to avoid to being launched the juice on his face.
"Wha wah what are you talking about?" Izzy tried to deny it, but she then saw her parents deadpanning at her, and the military girl couldn't help but sigh… "What gave me?"
"Izzy, my sweetheart…my baby girl…" Ron slowly commented as he kindly touched the face of his baby girl, and stared deeply into her eyes. "While I can understand that you wanted to be the most successful girl in the future, you have been always instinctive and unpredictable… and many of the decisions you would make, sometimes it would be very lucky or completely blow your face, especially when you use one of your explosive characteristics…"
"What Ron is trying to say is… to make a very well elaborated plan involving taxes and hiring lawyers and accountants, it would be something that I would mostly do, while you actually are more on the Shego's side and would try to use all the power you have to make things chaotic." Kim decided to explain the points as well, which made Izzy remain in silence…
"Also we had Wade place a wire into your grass bracelet." Ron decided to finish which made Izzy have her eyes wide open and get out from the table.
"WHAT?" Izzy shouted as she looked at the smirking faces of her parents, which immediately Izzy knew that her parents were always 5 steps ahead of her. "What about my privacy?"
"We did that," Kim nodded her head, as she looked at her daughter in the eyes. "But after the Serial Killer Episode, and since Hatch came here to talk to us, we decided to wait for you to have the 1 week off before we start listening to the wire for the first time on the challenge of capturing the animals, we knew that you would be eliminated, so we waited until you go back to sleep…"
"And then we heard the boy who was the time traveler showing his deep guilt into lying for you by omission. And I gotta say, not many people would have admitted to screwing up like that, but also I can't say I blame him… that boy said it was edited on the show, so he wasn't aware of how dangerous that was that challenge was." Ron explained as he was giving one of the tacos for the naked rat moles enjoy themselves.
"And knowing how he was sorry, it was not surprising that you accepted his apologies," Kim commented as she was now taking something nearby her, a notepad. "Now, can you tell me a few questions about the future? Will it be a war in the future?"
"Err… does Ukraine and Russia count?" Izzy asked nervously, as her mother and father gave side glances at each other.
"Does Canada is involved somehow?" Kim asked and Izzy immediately shook her head. "Well, then it's not our problem, so I take it as yes, but we shouldn't be concerned about that."
"Will the Snow Owls win a championship in the future?" Ron asked excited about seeing one of his favorite junior hockey teams winning some championship. But looking at her daughter shrugging, made him sigh in disappointment.
"Sorry Dad," Izzy tapped her father's back trying to comfort him.
"Well, let's continue with the other questions, shall we?" Kim said as she looked at her daughter's eyes. "I have at least 50 questions, that I would be like to ask for the sake of the future of our family."
"Oh dammit. Thanks a lot, Zeke," Izzy commented with fake anger, as she was about to lament when she suddenly heard her parents chuckling at her. Which made her narrow her eyes. "Wait, you aren't serious."
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA," Both parents started laughing it made Izzy with her face blush in shame and embarrassment.
"Honey, I have only one more question when it comes to the future," Kim commented as she looked deeply into her girl's eyes. "Were you happy?"
Izzy became silent, as she looked at everything she learned from Ezekiel, from what she did, what she would do, and what she would have become, and from silly things which later created terrible repercussions…
"No… I was not." Izzy commented as she saw the look of horror at her parents. "I made terrible mistakes that would destroy my future, and he explained to me what I did, what I messed up, and what I could have done to prevent that… So that's why I hired the lawyers and accountants, to help me to have a better way to deal with my future."
"Well, that's at least an honest answer," Ron commented as he looked at the mess of the juice on the floor, and looked on how serious his daughter was. "Be careful okay sweetie? You are on the right path, actually on the best path possible. Just be yourself, all we want is to see you happy."
Kim nodded as she touched the hair of her girl, a girl who went on the military because she wanted to be like her, a girl who was almost a mix between Shego and Herself, but still trying to come up with the best plans as possible and be free into trying to achieve success.
"We will be happy if you are happy okay?" Kim finished the conversation, as Izzy let out a tear with a smile and a nod, Kim was happy to see her girl slowly growing up and becoming a woman just like herself and her wife. But still, she fears about the future, who wouldn't? But the safety and the happiness of her girl are what matter most. "I hope you have fun in season 2, and please be careful okay?"
"Sure… also… can I have my own Izzymmicator?" Izzy asked hopefully which made Kim groan and Ron chuckle.
"Told you so," Ron commented as Izzy gave a pout to her mother, trying to reach the best cellphone version of the actuality until the smartphones were created.
Chapter 48: Before the first day off...
Chapter Text
Cadets:
Cadets MacArthur and Sanders stood at attention, their eyes trained forward as they entered the grand foyer of the Canadian Police Academy. The academy's towering brick walls, adorned with national flags and framed portraits of decorated officers, stood as a testament to the institution's proud legacy. A polished hardwood floor gleamed under the morning sunlight filtering in through tall windows, giving the place a sense of dignity and tradition. The main office, where the Commander resided, was situated at the end of a long hallway lined with plaques and achievement awards, celebrating the finest the academy had produced.
As they made their way to the Commander's office, both cadets couldn't help but glance at the familiar surroundings—rows of cadets in training marching in formation outside, the distant sound of police drills echoing through the corridors. It felt surreal to be back after the whirlwind experience of serving as security cadets on Total Drama Island. The tasks they had been assigned there were unlike anything they'd ever faced in the academy, and both MacArthur and Sanders knew they'd have a lot to share with their fellow cadets.
They reached the large oak door with a brass plate reading "Commander Thompson," and after a brief knock, they were beckoned inside. The Commander's office was as grand as they remembered, mahogany furniture, dark leather chairs, and walls lined with framed accolades giving the room a somber, authoritative air. Commander Thompson himself sat behind a massive desk, his gaze sharp but with a hint of amusement as he read over their report.
"Cadets MacArthur, Sanders," he greeted them with a slight smirk, his eyes still scanning the paper. "Quite the experience you had on that island."
The two cadets snapped to attention, but MacArthur couldn't help but let out a slight grin, nodding in agreement. "Sir, it was... intense, to say the least."
Sanders, more composed, added, "We faced more challenges than we expected. The campers weren't just a security risk, they were part of the chaos. But we managed to maintain order, despite the, uh... unconventional circumstances."
Commander Thompson chuckled, setting the report down. "Unconventional indeed. You handled everything from a crazy hunting animal from bears wearing a dress to a mecha made by raccoons, to protecting campers from themselves, not to mention thinking you were stranded on a desert island which in the end proved to be on the same island." He paused, leaning back in his chair. "You both went above and beyond the call of duty. Not every officer has to deal with contestants who set traps for each other and fight like a bunch of animals until someone finally got their right mind to threw away the money and challenge everyone into a more interesting way, a second season."
"And, sir, we also had to deal with a contestant who thought eating a stink bomb spoon was a great idea." MacArthur's eyes widened in mock seriousness, "It was something that even me who had iron stomach couldn't keep up without vomiting, it was disgusting into far beyond."
The Commander chuckled, shaking his head. "Quite the scenario." He tapped a finger on the report. "You did well under pressure. I'm impressed."
With a deep breath, he closed the file and stood up, gesturing toward the window overlooking the academy grounds. "However, after reading this report and seeing everything you've been through, I'm assigning you both a few days of rest here at the academy. You deserve it. You'll have time to reconnect with your classmates, catch up on training, and just enjoy being back. But keep in mind—by contract, you're obligated to return for season two of Total Drama. Same job, more chaos."
MacArthur raised an eyebrow at Sanders, who gave a knowing smile. "Well, Commander, at least we know what to expect this time," Sanders replied.
The Commander laughed heartily. "You'd better. Because something tells me the next season won't be any easier."
With a final salute, the Commander dismissed them, and as MacArthur and Sanders exited the office, the reality of their upcoming assignment began to settle in. But for now, they were back at the academy, surrounded by familiar faces and routines. They exchanged glances, knowing they would relish these few days of respite before returning to the madness of Total Drama.
Stepping out into the main hallway, they could hear the sounds of training drills, laughter from cadets they hadn't seen in months, and the familiar sense of camaraderie. Both MacArthur and Sanders allowed themselves a moment to smile, glad to be back, even if only for a little while.
.
.
.
"Ahhhh, finally returning to the bed of the academy," Sander smiled as she laid her boy towards a bed that she never thought she would have missed so much. "If the next time I complain about how the academy's bed was terrible, remind me of the show's cabin, okay?"
"I hear and agree. Not going to complain about the coffee and the donuts, but the bed was awful, and the constant fight with the peace treats on the raccoons really was reaching my limit." MacArthur agreed with her partner and best friend. "Did you check about where we are going to work in a few days?"
"They said it was a movie studio set, so that means it won't be into an island like Wawanakwa, which I'm very glad that we can go to the civilization and won't need to take a boat to cross around," Sanders commented as she could see her partner still giving a sad smile on her face, which Sanders rolled her eyes. "Are you still bothered by the Mr. Coconut?"
"Oh come on, don't talk about him, I don't want to remember him," MacArthur said as she stomped on the floor, knowing that it was still a sore topic to talk about. "I'm very glad that we are over with it, now we have to focus on the job, now instead of dealing with just a few teenagers, we are going to deal with a lot of bunch of them."
"Ugh, you don't have to tell me twice." The sarcastic cadet commented as she groaned into imagining how things were going to happen in season 2. "Dealing with 7 teenagers was difficult, but now imagine dealing with 22."
"Oh it's going to be a pain in the ass, but hey, at least the paycheck is fine," MacArthur commented as her partner couldn't help but nod her head.
"Yeah, we just need to make sure they won't die, so I think this season will be safer since there aren't wild animals or even the possibility of serial killers, I mean, how difficult would be season 2?" Sanders simply shrugged, not realizing the chaos that both she and her partner would deal with in the future.
Chef:
Chef sat on the worn, floral-patterned sofa in his mother's cozy living room, feeling strangely at peace. It had been so long since he'd been able to enjoy time away from the chaos of Total Drama Island, and now here he was, in a place he never thought he'd be for a few days off, his mom's house. The faint scent of lavender mixed with the smell of freshly baked cake filled the air. Across from him, his mother and grandmother, both with hair now faded to soft shades of grey, smiled at him with warmth only family could give.
His mother, wearing a bright yellow blouse, bustled in from the kitchen, holding a large cake with icing that read "Happy Birthday Norbert Cheffrory" in colorful, swirly letters. His grandmother, in her pink salmon sweater, sat comfortably in a rocking chair by the window, knitting quietly but with a twinkle in her eye.
Chef couldn't help but feel a swell of emotion. His mother set the cake down in front of him, and both women gathered around to wish him a belated happy birthday. The show had kept him from celebrating on time, and though it was two days late, the love he felt made up for it. His eyes welled up, not from the gruff, military sternness he usually wore, but from the pure love of family. He hadn't realized how much he missed this—the simple gestures of care, the softness of home after weeks of barking orders at campers.
His grandma, known to the world as Axe Hatch, a legend in Canadian baseball history, gently patted his arm. She may have been one of the toughest players to ever set foot on the field, but here, she was just his sweet grandmother who always spoiled him. She beamed at him, her eyes crinkling with age and joy. "The kids at the junior league all send their birthday wishes, too. They look up to you, Norbert."
Chef smiled, wiping away a tear. "Thanks, Grandma. Means a lot."
His mother, Hatched, stood beside him, hands on her hips, looking at him with pride. "Cheffrey, I never thought I'd see the day my son, the grumpy Chef, would be helping out those kids on that show." Her voice softened as she sat beside him. "But when I watched you, standing there, helping them know when to toughen up and when to improve... I couldn't have been prouder."
She leaned in, giving him a tight, warm hug. Chef stiffened for a moment, he wasn't used to all this affection—but then he melted into it, feeling the strength of his mother's love wrap around him. "And the way you talked to that Trent boy," she continued, "Giving him that lesson about moving on. That's my baby son. Helping those kids grow. Oh my sweet little buttercup, you have grown so much."
Chef blushed under the praise, slightly embarrassed but deeply moved. He knew his mom was proud, but hearing it from her like this, and feeling the support of his grandma, was overwhelming in the best way. For once, he allowed himself to relax, to not be Chef Hatchet, the drill sergeant of Total Drama, but just Norbert Cheffrory, a son and grandson who was loved deeply.
"I learned from the best," Chef commented as he always remembered how his mom gave important lessons on life, and how she managed to deal with all kinds of kids when it wasn't only him, she is a sweet lady, but if someone would try to act like a punk to her, she would escalate things and proves to the others that she was the big dog on the house. And he and his friends always learned to respect her. "I still don't know how you managed to make Shego be so sweet around you."
"Oh you mean your friend Shego? Oh, she is so sweet, she managed to give me a golden necklace last year, I don't know how she did it, but I got it in the mail, She is still a sweet girl, I'm sure little Ronny is a lucky man, especially with Kimmy on his side." Mama Hatchet commented as she then saw Chef looking more serene when she talked about them. "I'm so glad that you made peace with Kimmy, Cheffrey, you four were always so great friends during the time you were in the military."
"Yeah, me too... Still, her children are probably enough to drive me insane." Chef commented as he even joked about Izzy, but suddenly he felt his earlob being twisted. "Ouch ouch ouch ow ow ow..."
"No son of mine is going to talk badly on the back of the others, what did I teach you?" Chef's mom commented as Axe Hatch stared at the big grown-up man who seemed to be just like a child who misbehaved.
"Only talk badly if you have the courage to say to their faces," Chef replied as immediately both old ladies felt satisfied with their answers, and as Chef felt his ear once again he was scratching as he pouted at his mom. "I have the courage to tell Kim's family her children would drive me insane,"
"Oh, of course, you do." Both ladies replied as they giggled together.
"Then you would be running away from a hockey stick ready to aim at your face," Chef's mom said jokingly which Chef narrowed his eyes with mock anger.
"Just for you know, it happened just once... and even if I was afraid of Kim doing that to me, we cannot lie Izzy, Mizzy, and Lizzy are a very hyperactive trio, which God forbids Ron to have the stupidity to give them 5 energetics as we had on our times as teenagers," Chef said as he felt a pang of nostalgia hitting on how crazy they had been on times of going to military missions, or even returning on the city just for the sake of doing some crazy things. "Still, Izzy was one of my best soldiers and someone that I know she could take my insults like compliment."
"Oh, talking about Izzy, how is the sweetheart?" Grandma asked as she remembered the time she taught the little girl how to throw curve balls, and since she was still 3, it had been a great time to pass around the families before the said incident.
"I agreed, that little girl just got very rough on the episode of Serial Killer, what the hell were you thinking Cheffrey?" Mom's Hatchet asked angrily at her boy who raised his hands in surrender.
"I made sure the hook was blunt, to not hurt Izzy, I wouldn't hurt my soldier, but still a cowardly act was what clearly destroyed her on the inside..." Chef said as he sighed and remembered how he found the teenage girl acting in silence, At the same time he saw her when she committed the first mistake as the leader of the infantile squad. "She always gets too silent when something terrible happens to her, and she needed support and help, me not only as her commander... but also as a friend of her parents. And to say, I'm kinda grateful for what happened, since after that. I managed to get courage enough to go after Kim and solve once for all that mistake."
"Well, I'm glad that everything went right in the end..." Grandma Hatchet commented as she could see that now the times of their families would still be friends again, she was happy and couldn't feel more excited to see the kids once again. "I'm curious about how Dhigo and Thiago grew. Or how are Mizzi and Lizzi as you said."
"Yeah mama, I think it's time for the Hatchets to go visit Chef's friends again and give the Hatchets treatment." Chef's mom said in agreement, since both old ladies have one thing they always liked to do, take care of kids. "I wanna give Izzy a big hug and say everything is going to be fine for her."
While the duo of ladies were chattering the great ideas on what they could do in the future now that Chef's friendship had once again recovered from his past mistake, it was a good time for them to celebrate, while Chef glanced at the cake, its cheery colors reflecting the warmth in the room, and smiled. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. His mother kissed the top of his head, ruffling his hair a little, and his grandmother simply chuckled, her needles clicking in rhythm.
It was good to be home.
Chris:
Chris McLean's mansion was the epitome of modern luxury, a sprawling structure of glass, steel, and stone set high on a hill overlooking the cityscape. His home boasted floor-to-ceiling windows that reflected the golden hue of the setting sun, casting long shadows across the polished marble floors. Inside, every corner of the house was a celebration of opulence. The living room, where Chris now lounged, was an expansive space filled with high-end furniture, custom-made in sleek black leather and chrome. The walls were adorned with abstract art that he barely noticed, each piece more expensive than the last, but to him, they were just props in his personal theater.
At the heart of the room stood the crown jewel of his sanctuary: a state-of-the-art, 80-inch plasma screen TV mounted above a stone fireplace. The picture quality was flawless, every pixel in high definition, showing the world through a clarity few could afford. He leaned back onto the couch, stretching his legs across the glass coffee table and crossing his arms behind his head. After spending nearly three months living in a cramped trailer on Wawanakwa Island—no air conditioning, no personal chef, and certainly no plush furniture—this felt like heaven.
"Ahhh," he sighed, as his fingertips ran over the cool texture of the couch. "Finally."
He flipped through the channels absentmindedly, not really focusing on anything in particular. He had five glorious days of rest ahead of him, five days to enjoy every inch of his mansion and soak up the peace before returning to the madness of Total Drama. He could already feel the excitement bubbling inside him, but he allowed himself this time to unwind. The past weeks had been brutal. Even though he had reveled in tormenting the campers, his role as host wasn't always easy. Coordinating the challenges, staying on top of the production schedule, and constantly thinking on his feet had worn him down more than he expected.
But it was worth it.
Chris flashed a grin as he thought back to the success of Total Drama Island, the show's first season. Ratings had skyrocketed, a Pay-Per-View well succeeded, the fan base was obsessed, and the chaos he and Chef had orchestrated had people tuning in week after week. As annoying and interesting as the campers were, they made great TV. And now, with the first season wrapped up, Chris could enjoy the fruits of his labor, at least for a few days. Tomorrow, he'd be back to work. The producers were calling a meeting to finalize the details of Season 2, and the excitement brewing in his mind was enough to keep him on edge even now.
His thoughts drifted to the new location, no more grubby, mosquito-infested island. Season 2 was going to be filmed at a massive movie set studio, a place with endless potential for the kinds of insane challenges Chris loved to dream up. It was an upgrade in every sense of the word. He imagined the sprawling sound stages, the towering set pieces, the elaborate costumes, and the cutting-edge special effects they could use to torture the new batch of campers. And with a much bigger budget this time around, the possibilities were endless.
A slow grin spread across his face as he thought about how much money Total Drama had raked in. The show had blown up. People were watching it everywhere, on TV, streaming services, pay-per-view. Even the merchandise was flying off the shelves. Shirts with quotes of the campers, and flags with both Killer Bass and Screaming Gophers being sold like water. And with the enormous budget at their disposal, Chris could really let loose with his ideas for Season 2.
He hit pause on the remote and stared at the screen, flipping back to some clips from Season 1. There was Gwen giving a middle finger before jumping from the airplane while leaving Trent dumbfounded, as the person chickened out and had to use the chicken hat for the whole day, the same was said while he had his hair painted in pink, courtesy of the girls Katie and Gwen; Duncan, having a big discussion with the boys of Killer Bass since now it started the prank war, and Ezekiel releasing his arsenal of pranking weapons, which was both hilarious and terrifying to see. Owen was blown up after every single place had been planted bombs, courtesy of your's truly crazy explosive maniac from the army, Izzy... Chris watched the footage with a critical eye, noting what worked and what could be improved. Season 1 had been a wild success, but there were always ways to make things bigger, crazier, and more brutal. That's what he was known for, pushing the limits. Always surpassing himself, and yet, he couldn't help but feel the first season was very awesome, but he could also be careful about one thing.
"I'm glad we have the medical interns, and the cadets to keep an eye on the security," Chris mused as he checked on the videos on where the cadets also got a good review from the public since the fight against the raccoons and cadet MacArthur had been very hilarious. "But I also need to be sure to not endanger them to a lethal level, so I'm going to make sure the cadets have safety precautions in case something messes up."
Chris leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he watched with a twisted sense of pride. Each challenge had been a carefully crafted masterpiece of chaos, designed to break down the campers and deliver maximum entertainment. But now, with the movie studio setting for Season 2, Chris had the chance to take things to a whole new level.
He glanced at his phone, pulling up the notes he'd been making for the new season. The idea was simple yet brilliant—each challenge would be themed around a different movie genre. Horror, action, romance, sci-fi, Westerns—the possibilities were endless. He could already picture the looks on the campers' faces when they were thrown into a zombie apocalypse challenge or forced to act out an over-the-top romantic scene in front of the cameras.
His mind wandered to Ezekiel, the camper who threw away the 1 million dollars on the river, and yet had the audacity to challenge every single one of the campers to make appear on season 2, proving them to have an equal chance to win the 1 million dollars, and yet for the sake of entertainment, make it even better for the audience, by quoting literally the code of the contract and the fine print, Chris couldn't stop smiling. That boy went far and could go even further, and that was what excited Chris.
Someone who isn't afraid to lose, but to make everyone become entertainment, for the sake of the public, and for the fun, of course seeing them fighting for the money like animals would have been hilarious, but to challenge them to force another season? Oh, Chris didn't know the boy was such a genius.
As Chris settled deeper into his thoughts, the glimmer of the fireplace caught his eye. He looked up and smiled. The glow of the flames added to the warm, cozy atmosphere of his mansion, and he basked in the serenity of it all. This was the life he deserved, a life of luxury, endless entertainment, and of complete control over his own creation. He could get used to this.
But even as he tried to relax, his mind kept churning with ideas. The more he thought about Season 2, the more excited he became. It wasn't just going to be bigger and better; it was going to be revolutionary. The movie studio was the perfect setting for the kinds of challenges Chris had always dreamed of—giant sound stages that could be transformed into anything he wanted. One day, it could be a jungle. The next is a frozen tundra. The possibilities were limitless.
And the contestants... well, they wouldn't know what hit them.
Chris reached for his glass of wine, took a sip, and let out a contented sigh. In his mind, he was already picturing the season finale. Fireworks, explosions, drama—it was all coming together. The campers would be pushed to their breaking points, and he'd be there every step of the way, guiding them toward disaster.
As he swirled the wine in his glass, he couldn't help but laugh. Total Drama was about to reach new heights, and Chris McLean was at the helm, steering the ship toward chaos. And he wouldn't have it any other way.
Season 2 was going to be legendary.
Dawn:
Inside Serenity's Truck Stop, the owner of the same establishment could say there was a very interesting movement happening around, since it was rare occasions when many truck drivers would give a good stop around the afternoons, since most of their time they would have been working between the night to even early mornings, but still, it wasn't something Serenity would scoff about it, the opposite actually, for having more movement around, she would hear the conversations across the people who comes to visit her stop, and shares their ideals, philosophies, and even their dreams and projects of the future.
Usually, people would always work for the money, but the woman who had been living in the forest with her lovely family was just fulfilling her dream of working at what she loved every day, which was working and helping new friends to continue their journey, as the same way she hopped that her little moonchild could reach her dreams and be happy with the choices she made.
"And then Principal Adisson said she was suspended for the rest of the year. I want to know how she was Miss Serenity, is Dawn alright? It's been weeks since she didn't return the school, and we are kinda worried since we haven't seen her around the school," One of the young boys politely asked the owner of the establishment about the daughter who she was happy for having good friends around the school where she was studying.
Her husband Thorn had been a druid for most of his life, moving from state to state, since his own childhood, he knew very well the ideals of being homeschooled, and yet he wanted to make sure his little girl would have an actual childhood, something that he had forgot for so long, as his family had always to be in tune with the nature and live into a life different than the most people of the cities. But still, a person that she loved with all her heart.
Serenity looked at the bunch of boys and girls, who were still looking a bit concerned about their friend who hadn't appeared at the school since the suspension or even given an explanation about where she was. The matriarch couldn't help but chuckle because of one reason.
"Well, you don't have to worry kids, Dawn had been enjoying a television show, and she had been... how would you kids would say? Ah... hooked up by the show, and now she is watching the last episode of the show from the pay-per-view, but I'm sure that she will send you a letter or even get in contact by telephone with all of you." The owner of the restaurant helped the kids with their uneasy hearts since they were good friends from Dawn, she remembered how difficult it was for her little girl to get used to making human friends, so she suggested learning about the zodiac and she taught her on how to read Tarot cards... She forgot how much she laughed when her little girl got so ashamed of guessing the zodiac sign from one of her friends, it had been one of the most funniest and normal things she could relate to.
Sometimes Mother Nature likes to plan a little prank to make sure the others still keep their sharp minds and enjoy life to the fullest. Dawn is still young, but in the future, she will learn to laugh from her own mistakes. But still, with the little teachings she gave to her baby child, in the same way, the guidance of Thorn and Mother Nature, Dawn got the friends she needed at school, and oh boy, how many telephones the principal gave to them since Dawn refused to let the animals being used as test subjects on science classes, especially with anatomy and dissection.
The last time she did that, she freed all the animals of the school, and the Principal gave a very strong warning, saying that he wouldn't tolerate that kind of behavior, Dawn was suspended for the end of the year, thankfully with her own grades being better than average, she wouldn't need to repeat the year.
Nonetheless, it was a funny story Thorn would always be happy to share proudly with all the animals and coworkers in the forest, lost children, or people in the middle of the forest, and the patriarch druid would always be proud to talk about his moon child.
Seeing such polite kids who still wanted to be friends with Dawn, even after not being in the school, she couldn't help but be happy for her little girl having friends, but still, there was one thing that would always make Serenity uneasy, when it comes about the show.
The three tarot cards about her future, Action, Reaction, or Inaction... Each of them would decide what Dawn's destiny would be if she didn't make a...
And then from the sound of the wind with the voice of nature calling her name, nobody heard the doorbells ringing as there was a little girl already nearby the group of little teenagers nearby her.
"Mother..." The familiar voice was recognizable, but only Serenity could already guess the time the girl appeared at her restaurant, the others on the other hand.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." The kids shouted as they jumped away from seeing Dawn behind them.
"Dawn, what the heck? How do you always do that?" One of the boys commented as she tilted her head.
"I just came here right now, didn't you guys hear the bells ringing?" Dawn asked in confusion, and the kids once again were into arguing about how Dawn was scaring them from just being herself.
Serenity looked calmly as she had her eyes opening slowly in surprise... Seeing her little Dawn with what would be a backpack big enough to carry a few supplies of food and clothing, Serenity could see the look of surprise of the boys and girls who just saw her little girl preparing herself for one single thing. Especially on the questions they are making for the girl, but she had one thing in mind.
"Mother... I need to talk to you," Dawn said slowly, but from the tone of the voice, Serenity concluded one thing. "I'm going to Ontario."
She chooses Action.
.
.
.
"So you saw the last episode of Total Drama Island?" One of the girls commented as Dawn calmly drank her tea, and ate the apple pie with maple syrup.
"Yes, and I never realized the possibility of ending in such a way," Dawn commented as she placed the cup on the table, as the mother was still serving and treating each truck driver.
"Well, to say they were fighting over one million dollars, I don't blame them, I would have punched every single one of them trying to get that suitcase." One of the boys said in confidence however Dawn immediately shut him down.
"Your aura said that you probably would have run away after getting punched by a girl, and then making an excuse of being with stomach ache, since that's what you did in..."
"I TOLD YOU THAT IN CONFIDENCE," The boy shouted, as the other kids of the group chuckled at the boy grumbling under his breath. "But I just don't get it, the boy was already with 1 million in his hands, he could have gone stealth and got the prize for himself."
"You are an idiot, did you know that?" One of the girls commented as she made the group stare at him. "That boy Ezekiel was already rich, since from his book alone we already could tell that he had good money, he bought the resort where the campers were enjoying themselves, of course, he didn't do it for the money."
"Then why the hell a person like that would throw away the money if wasn't for the fact he doesn't want to win?" Then another boy tilted his head, as he couldn't comprehend on why a person would be doing that.
"Because he wanted the season 2 to happen." Then Dawn immediately cut everyone, making every single one of them stare at her in surprise, especially with the conclusion of the girl... And before Dawn could even go further. The mother came and brought to each of the kids, a nice hot chocolate and cookies for them to enjoy.
"He wanted his friends to have a fair game, he wanted to make every single one of them famous, so having another season would help them to have even more popularity, and make their fame even more known across Canada." Serenity had to confess that she was surprised when Mother Nature revealed the results of the show while she was at work, she became interested in watching the episode after the afternoon shift. All the friends of her little moonchild looked in surprise for the explanation, Serenity could see the daughter nodding her head. "Now kids, I hope you guys enjoy this treat, while me and my daughter will have a nice conversation. Dawn, sweetie."
"I'm coming Mom," Dawn said, as she gave a slight wave to her friends, which each of them waved back, knowing that when it comes to Dawn, you never know when she will appear, or when she will disappear.
.
.
.
"Your supplies of food will be enough for you and your companion to survive through your journey," Serenity simply stated as she pointed at the backpack which now looked even bigger than before. "Tea leaves to guide you whenever you need help. And I found Howard inside, does he offer himself to help you?"
"Yes, he said he had a little fight with Beverly, so they need time for them to cool their heads," Dawn nodded to her mother, and suddenly the loud quacks were heard from inside of the backpack, which made both matriarch and daughter giggle.
"He is never going to learn..." Serenity smiled, as she looked at the moonchild, ready for her own adventure. "The journey ahead as your future was told... it's going to be the determination of pure chaos, but at the time you choose your own future without knowing, know one thing, be yourself, and the future you will have is the best you could receive."
"You saw my future?" Dawn asked in surprise as she was always told by both her mother and Mother Nature about what was going to happen to her, but it was the first time that both her mom's aura and Mother's Nature were in silence.
"Yes, courtesy of a very worried father." Serenity chuckled. She then looked at her little girl who looked contemplative. "Did you tell your father about your decision?"
"Yes, I did... he took it better than I expected," Dawn commented as suddenly on the radio there was static.
"Local news, local hunters were found mercilessly attacked by a grizzly bear, which left 5 of them a Coma in the hospital, 2 of them with lost limbs, and one of them with all the body with broken bones." The voice of the news on the Radio made both mother and daughter look in surprise at the sudden news. "The reason for such an attack in accord by the local Ranger Thorn, was because they were drinking beer and without knowing they were smoking into a region which would cause such fire in the forest, and the bears being a territorial animal, knowing the danger of their home attacked them without mercy."
"Wow, your father took way better than I expected." Serenity mused as her daughter nodded her head at her. "I think he got to terms with Mother Nature and accepted your decision for your journey."
"I also think so..." Dawn commented as she hugged her mom, who suddenly got surprised when she noticed from the pocket of her mother, a little object. "What is that?"
"Well, I have been waiting for you to come at me and prepare yourself for your adventure." Serenity commented with a mysterious smile as she took from behind her pocket, a flip phone which made the moon child have a look of surprise. "One of my clients said in times like this, kids your age would start getting more used to telephones, so he made sure to bring one for me in case I gave him the money, and I read the manual instructions and I add the number of this restaurant and also your home's number. So any time you want to talk to me or to your dad, you could use this flip phone."
"Mother I..." Dawn didn't know what to say but suddenly got a strong hug from her mother.
"It's a rite of passage Dawn, from your daddy's family, and from even mine... We reached independence by following our dreams and going on our own adventures, and we never looked back. So at the time you take this journey, it may take days, weeks, or even months, I don't doubt that even years would pass... But if the journey would lead to your own happiness. Everything would be worth it in the end." Serenity commented as she could see her little girl shedding a few tears, as she couldn't also contain herself. "May Mother Nature be always your guide my little moon, and be the solid foundations to lead you towards the chaos you are about to fight... Friends will help you, challenges will test your determination, and people will seek your help and wisdom, in the same way in despair moments you would ask for help... But if things come as Mother Nature plans. Then in the end everything will come to your happiness."
"Thank you, Mommy," Dawn said as she gave the final hug to the matriarch... Suddenly the mother closed her eyes, and then the sound of the door opening and closing was enough to identify, that it was now leading the future in her daughter's hands. "Mother Nature, please bless my child, and go with her."
"Err... not wanting to interfere." A voice made Serenity open her eyes and look at one of the truck drivers as he raised his mug at her. "If you wanted I could have given her a drive towards Muskoka if you wanted. I have a..."
"You don't need it Mathew, it's her journey alone, she will find her own way to reach her destination..." Serenity smiled kindly as she also grinned at the truck driver. "Also, you always tend to drink and drive, I don't trust someone who digests alcohol at your age being near to my little girl, so you better want your coffee, or I could call the police."
"Coffee is great Miss Serenity," Mathew immediately retracted his offer as he raised his mug towards the owner of the restaurant.
"That's what I thought." Serenity smiled as she took the coffee and helped to serve her own clientele, while in the deep of her mind, she could only have faith in her little girl and the journey that she wanted to take, to go after the questions she sought so long, to meet the person of 2 auras, and reach happiness towards the Action instead of Reaction. "Go have a Lion's family Cub my little deer, you deserve the happiness you seek."
Sky:
"I can't believe it, look at them," Sky commented as both she and Jane didn't stop watching the final episode of the show at night, since both girls had a very busy morning at school and work as intern, both Jane and Sky decided to use the opportunity to prepare the final episode and watch together without taking spoilers from nobody else, and at the final show that both girls had been so interested watching together. They prepared for everything, from bringing the snacks and even having the forum blog to read after the episode.
It had been hard for Sky and her big sister not to look on the forums, since the whole day had been around the final episode, everyone had thought it would have been a final party when it came to Lindsay winning the show, and well deserved victory, while some would complain that Heather had a better chance, but it was just luck who took the victory from her.
But that wasn't what they were focused on... Sky heard from one of the gymnastic classmates telling Lindsay accepted a challenge of 1 million dollars, which everyone could try into a battle royale for the sake of taking the money. Immediately Sky preferred to read the books of her school instead of being near her friends who would like to share the spoilers by reading the forum.
Jane also heard from someone in the Principal's office about someone wanting to watch the final episode since the battle for 1 million dollars was in the game, which immediately Jane couldn't help but feel the precipitation and the anxiety of her temporary job being done for the day, as much she was grateful for the Principal giving a temporary work, she knew it was time for her to publish her curriculum and trying to find another internship on her own or something that she would use as a job.
But that was a thought for herself to think about in the future.
And now, both girls were at night watching the events unfold over the episode.
It started with the party as the duo of girls learned about the reason why Harold always was talkative about the information, which nobody cared about... until they realized it was a game that he liked to play with his cousin, which was something they could respect. And the idea of Harold being a bit more mysterious and saying just a few keywords would be interesting to see how he would play with this style.
And a rivalry between Harold and Izzy was made since the girl was looking smugly at the boy who also had a black belt and was a military expert, that would be another awesome thing to see, since in the last episode, Ezekiel and Harold vs Izzy was shown so much on the forum, about the style of fighting, on why Harold was using 3 swords, and how Izzy kicked their asses, and a meme of Ezekiel saying to Harold nobody should know about it. Some fans already made a T-shirt with that quote with two silluets of two boys lying down on the floor.
Then the marshmallow eating contest, Izzy was in her 95th marshmallow which made both Sky and Jane surprised by her achievement, and suddenly she burped in front of Ezekiel, which made both girls in shock. He simply shrugged off and quoted one thing that made Sky blush.
"It's fine, it's better out than in," Ezekiel said as he then asked how to burp loudly, which Harold didn't seem to be helping from those hard instructions, thankfully Ezekiel helped him. "Err, Harold, remember what I said?"
"Okay, Keywords, soda, drink fast, wait 3 seconds, be straight up, swallow the air, and let it out," Harold said as he was giving quick instructions, which made both girls have their eyes wide open and open mouths in understanding, and immediately Ezekiel gave a serious face and let it out.
"GOT IT" The sisters had their eyes wide open in surprise to see Ezekiel letting out a loud burp as well. Not loud as Izzy but enough to make Owen and Izzy clap.
And then when they saw Izzy saying that with more practice, Jane and Sky had their mouths dropped as they saw Izzy letting out the mother of all burps, so strong that it created a wave on the pool, and brought a few people with it, and enough to impress Ezekiel who shouts it was awesome.
"Sky... I think Ezekiel doesn't mind burps." Jane commented as she saw her younger sister, who looked very shocked. "Sky?"
"I never had a burp loud like that," Sky commented as she felt intimidated from seeing Izzy being capable of turning one of her flaws into one quality, and now the gymnasts felt a bit of pressure to see there were indeed people way better than her on the television.
Suddenly she saw Owen start kissing her hand, and saying he was in love with her, which led Izzy into with desire to puck, good enough to make Sky more relieved since she never once vomited in her life, and from what Harold and Ezekiel said, eating that much sugar and drinking soda would have utter consequences, which was a way to make Sky be more calm, and still want to meet her favorite author, since she and her sister loved reading the first volume of Courage the Coward Dog.
"I'm fine, I was just surprised by Ezekiel's reaction," The gymnast answered the worries from her older sister, as the duo continued to keep watching the show. As Harold and Ezekiel tell Owen that his chance with Izzy went downhill without a return.
Then they learned more about the campers and had a good laugh at Tyler almost growing and DJ trying to rescue him, just in the end Tyler rescued the giant Jamaican with a golden heart. But what surprised everyone most, was Ezekiel and Chris came to a deal, which totally surprised every single fan of total drama. Ezekiel, the homeschooled boy, author of a good book which made success... Was now the owner of the Playa Del Losers, and the sisters had no other option but to clap happily for the achievement of the boy who had so much success and used his time to buy one great resort for him and his friends to visit him.
Then came Chris with a gray suitcase and an extremely giant check for 1 million dollars which led to the challenge when Lindsay accepted it for the sake of buying herself her own mall...
"Does a mall cost 1 million dollars?" Sky asked her sister who just shrugged.
"Maybe a few stores probably, but who knows?" Jane never thought about the price tag of a full mall, so probably it could happen or not, but that was enough to make the blonde bombshell already go into action with her best friends and for them... Before anyone could refuse to participate, Ezekiel made the touching speech while both Jane and Sky teared up, from proving that indeed their history together meant a lot more into just a silly challenge, but also totally caught by surprise by how Ezekiel twisted tables by going ahead but challenging his friends to pay up their birthday parties with the prize money. "Well, that was a good way to motivate his friends to participate."
"Not going to lie, I would also have felt challenged just for the sake of deciding the parties of my friends." Sky grinned as the sisters chuckled from seeing the campers participating in the show.
.
.
.
Ezekiel taking the suitcase so casually from Lindsay made both sisters laugh at how easy it was that he was even whistling. And then when Ezekiel went into hunting mode, preparing traps, as he was ready for every single member of the show when they heard Tyler saying El Mongo and La Muerte weren't a big deal, they immediately closed their eyes and gave their prayers for God have mercy on his poor soul, because Ezekiel didn't have, needlessly to say it was cruel, but also funny to see how a nonbeliever of such terrifying stink bomb could change lives.
Theories on the forum about what was probably made the stink bomb, and a few users were having a huge debate, one named the SupremeEvilLordXD, and the ScarlletTheWiseOne. Which every idea would be brought into guessing what probably was the stink bomb, but the next day would be refuted as nothing seemed to be working. It was like a recipe that nobody knew what would be, only Ezekiel and Chef.
Then it came to El Dancing Diablos, which made both Jane and Sky feel surprised when Ezekiel was talking Spanish in a threatening way, only to show how terrifying power those little peppers could explode into your face, it was something that nobody ever thought about using it as a weapon. And just for the thought alone made them grateful for never going to a prank war against Ezekiel.
And then came the scene of Eva getting the monetary prize and by being hypnotized by Justin's beauty, it clearly showed how difficult would be to see a beautiful guy like him, and Noah clearly didn't sugarcoat, since Eva clearly sounded disappointed and angry with herself. Just later, both girls palled into seeing the bodybuilder getting in her hands a dodgeball ball.
"I don't know why, but I think Justin is going to suffer a lot from PTSD from the Dodgebrawll episode," Jane commented as Sky nodded her head at her sister.
And just like she said, both looked horrified that It was Ezekiel who planned that outcome to happen, giving a last warning to Justin and Cody, to just ignore his warning, and then like chess, Ezekiel played all of them, like pieces of chess, just to take the suitcase, and Eva gives a nightmare for both Cody and Justin, and Noah was having a great day.
It took a while to process everything happening so quickly, but at least the girls could find a good time to relax, and noticed how Trent was the only camper who didn't seem interested in participating in the challenge, and needlessly said, Chef's motivation speech was something the girls felt happy for Trent wanting to prove himself that he was sorry.
"Well, good for him, at least he knew he messed up, and being there just to support the others was a good idea," Sky commented as her sister was happy for the guitarist finally coming to sanity, and having the time of maturity on himself.
"Yeah, it was kinda nice to see Chef being so nice to someone." The sister agreed as both girls couldn't help but remember how the forums loved Chef being the voice of the reason and showing the flaws and where each camper should have improved before going ahead. Some were even making a petition to see more voices of the reason Chef, just because they want to understand where the others screwed up on the challenges.
Everything was so nice and great.
.
.
.
Until in the end, Leshawna's fight with the moose would lead to all the work Heather, Katie, Sadie, Beth, Harold, Courtney, Izzy, and Duncan's work being dismantled, and would reach a fight among themselves, and reaching such a chaotic state, it was very shocking for the girls, friends became enemies so quickly that it looked the chaos made them act like a bunch of animals.
Even Trent and Beth being the voice of the reason, but both being ignored by the group in chaos, that was something that nobody would ever think about happening. Until the duo of sisters had their eyes opened in shock when they saw Ezekiel appearing, and he looked furious.
And from hearing Ezekiel's speech, both agreed, that everyone was watching them acting like fools just because of the said money, but not even in their dreams they could even imagine Ezekiel taking out his weights and use all his strength to launch away the suitcase with money to the river, just for later a shark eat the money prize, and leaving everyone into chaotic despair, but he wasn't done.
"I CHALLENGE YOU ALL FOR THE SEASON 2 OF TOTAL DRAMA!" The shout done by the boy was like an echo of a declaration of war, which immediately both girls had their mouths dropped.
"He can do that?" Sky asked as she then heard Jane thinking about it.
"He said the article of the contract, so that means that if was on the contract, that could really happen," Jane commented and just to their surprise... Chris appeared, clapping over the scene. And when Chris is clapping, you know something crazy or terrible is happening.
Confirmation of the season 2...
Both girls were speechless until they saw Ezekiel's final confession over the episode.
"Eaton Centre, Toronto, Ontario," Sky commented as she could see her sister staring at her. "Jane, can you drive me to there? I want to buy the book and do the book signing."
Jane paused, as she looked at her own sister, knowing that indeed she could see the deep blush from her little sister, she had a hard crush on the boy, and knowing well her sister, it wasn't that hard to guess, the boy wanted to make a fair game and make everyone have a great time into competing and being friends with each other, and what she thought it was a terrible flaw of herself, she saw that he didn't mind he also encourage to keep going. Now she could see that her sister wanted to meet the boy, but it would be a very hard challenge since Ezekiel is an idol, and for her to have the opportunity to meet with him alone, would be almost impossible.
But at least that's also what she could do to try...
"Well, I have 2 days off on the week anyway, we can see how long it would take you to drive on there since it would take hours. But maybe if we rent a hotel for the night it would help. So after tomorrow would be good for you?" Jane asked as she suddenly felt the good hug of her younger sister who was happy to have the support of her big sister, the only person she knew who could drive a car, and be willing to go on a car trip with her. "Also I'm curious, how are the chances of us seeing Howard on the Mall?"
"Well, I would say that if Howard or the person who wants to have the autograph on her book, I would say big chance, but do you think he would still be on the first of the line? Because I still can't believe we lost the first place for a duck." Sky pouted as her big sister chuckled at the reaction of her little sister.
"Come on, ducks can be deceiving and smart, you never know what you can find in the future. Now, go to rest, tomorrow you have a class. And I have to talk with the principal of my university to use my 2 days off. So prepare yourself." Jane patted the head of her native sister, as the two native Canadians smiled with the possibility of good things are about to happen in the future.
Dawn:
"300 steps on East," The moonchild commented as she counted step by step the direction she was going, across the first journey of her life, leaving the cozzy of her home, into the dangers of the unknown, since her determination wanted to go to find out the answers of her questions and meet the future Mother Nature wanted for her. She alone sans her duck companion, Dawn was crossing towards the night forest into a challenge that would give her the next step of her objective ... Kitsilano Beach, where Mother Nature would find a way to help her to go towards the Mall in Ontario, knowing that if she goes into foot alone it would take 40 days of walking. "I believe in you Mother Nature, please guide me..."
"Quack." Then the voice coming from the pocket of her backpack, made Dawn glance to the side, and see that her companion was already frustrated.
"Oh, sorry Howard. Do you need to stretch your feathers?" Dawn asked in a kind tone, to which the duck shook his head, and used its beak to point into a direction. "Oh, so you want to give me company while I walk towards this night?"
"Quack, quack." Howard nodded its head, and the little moonchild smiled as she appreciated the help of one of her animal friends.
"Okay, well, I need to walk 300 steps in that direction, and it will take a while, so tell me again about those 2 girls who helped you to buy my book. Do you think they will appear on the mall trying to get their books signed by Ezekiel?" Dawn asked as the duck passed a few seconds until nodded it's head. "I agreed, from what Mother Nature told me, he captived a few hearts towards him being himself. And I'm not sure what I would be able to say at the moment I meet him."
"Quack, quack..." Howard commented which immediately Dawn blushed through her palled skin.
"That just happened one time, and I don't like for you to bring up that," Dawn commented as she pouted, and the duck gave a sound that she could guess was the duck laughing at her. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Next time Beverly argues with you don't come to my bedroom asking for a place to sleep, you hear that?"
"Quack, quack, quack." Howard quacked and Dawn pouted at him and gave a slight glare.
"I mean it..." Dawn said as she looked towards the direction of the forest. The trees were dark since they were covered in the shadows of the night, but the stars and the big moon clearly helped the girl to find a direction for her challenge. A long time living in tone with nature, and she already felt so comfortable walking in the forest. Knowing all the animals that could be friends on the said island she lived. But now into a journey for the unknown, she was at least glad that she had a friend on her side, and Mother Nature guiding her to the safest path.
She would be lying if she said that she wasn't excited to meet Ezekiel. And see how the future is about her.
The only thing that she just has now, it's just faith that things will be good in her future. That's what she hoped.
Everything happens before the first day off of the crew of Total Drama.
Chapter 49: First Day Off pt 1
Notes:
Firstly I want to comment one thing, this chapter actually is 35 thousand words, but I had to cut in half because I wanted to give you all a chance to read and give reviews on what parts you loved most, so I want you guys to understand one thing, maybe after tomorrow will be a new chapter, but after the part 2 of First Day, we will reach the Arc I wanted so much to write... The Mall Arc, which I want you all to understand that the arc will be only focused on Ezekiel and his friends, you will understand. Now enjoy the part 1.
Chapter Text
(Prison)
A sprawling, fortress-like prison. Its towering walls are crowned with barbed wire, and the imposing steel gates scream isolation. In this facility, the most dangerous criminals in Canada are buried away, left to be forgotten by the world. Inmates here are not just imprisoned—they're erased, relics of their past lives locked away behind cold bars and tighter security. Among them is Shego, a notorious figure even in such a company.
Shego's crimes? Not typical. She wasn't a bank robber or a murderer. She was once the top spy hired by the Canadian government, since she was one of the elite teams of the military squad, she was sent across the world to carry out dangerous, classified missions that no one else dared to attempt. She completed them all with chilling precision. And now, ironically, because of how much information she held, they threw her in here, out of fear that she'd become a liability.
Her cell, though secluded, isn't bare. Shego's notoriety afforded her some luxuries, a softer bed, a small but steady supply of good coffee, books, and even a radio. After all, she had served her country, hadn't she? But despite these comforts, she couldn't help but roll her eyes every time she thought about how over-the-top the whole scandal was. They acted like she was some ticking time bomb about to go off. "Dramatic, much?" she often muttered to herself.
But there was one thing Shego couldn't shake, no matter how much she tried to distract herself, the ache of missing her family. She thought about Ron, her goofy yet charismatic husband, and Kim, her fierce and kind-hearted wife. Then there were her kids. She missed them more than she'd admit, even to herself. It was a bittersweet longing, the kind that sometimes made her irritable.
Just then, the clang of metal echoed down the corridor as the guard approached her cell. He was an older man, his face as stern and lifeless as the prison itself.
"Shego. Visitor for you," he grunted, glancing at his clipboard. "Someone named...Kaleidoscope."
Shego frowned, sitting up. "Kaleidoscope? What the hell?" She wasn't expecting anyone and the name certainly wasn't ringing any bells. Still, her curiosity got the better of her, and she swung her legs over the side of the bed, stretching lazily before standing. "Fine, fine. Let's see who's got the nerve to visit me."
As she was escorted down the long, dimly lit hallway to the meeting room, she mentally prepared herself for the worst. It could be anyone, a shady figure from her past missions, some government stooge trying to fish for intel, or a journalist looking for a scoop.
The meeting room was bleak, as expected. A large glass window separated prisoners from visitors, with heavy-duty phones on either side for communication. Shego was led to her spot, and when she looked through the glass, she blinked in surprise.
Sitting on the other side was Izzy, one of her daughters, her smile bright and full of life.
"Hi, Mom!" Izzy's voice rang clear and enthusiastic as she waved energetically. The grin on her face was mischievous, just like Shego remembered. "Didn't you expect to see me? Surprise!"
For a moment, Shego just stared. Then a smirk tugged at her lips. "Kaleidoscope, huh? Gotta say, not bad, kid." She took a seat, picking up the phone.
"I thought it had a nice ring to it," Izzy said, leaning forward, her smile never faltering. "Figured you could use some excitement in here."
"You're not wrong about that." Shego chuckled softly, feeling the tension she didn't even realize she had begun to melt away. "So how was my little celebrity going?"
"I'm doing great, we had a final showdown yesterday, but there was so much confusion that the suitcase of 1 million dollars was destroyed, and since we didn't have a winner, we are going to participate in season 2," Izzy explained as she slowly tapping her index finger in the corner of the glass, which Shego stretched herself, and grabbed a from her hair a pencil, and nearby her, there was a calendar, which she took out the paper, and discreetly turned the page as she started scribing anything. While Izzy was still having a nice conversation "So they gave 5 days off for each of us to enjoy,"
"5 days? Wow, not a week or 2? They must be desperate to try to finish the show quickly." Shego commented as she talked with her daughter as she was still looking at the finger tapping on the corner of her eyes. Morse Code, every single one of her children knew that, it was so obvious, and yet it was a good way to make sure they could have a secret message from any kind of situation, especially Shego who was in jail, and the telephones were always recorded.
"That's what Mom and Dad said, but since it was on the contract that we have to play again, I wanted to have a great time with all of you. Also, Mizzy, Lizzy, Dhigo, and Thigo said they miss you a lot." Izzy commented as she expressed a more calm and nostalgic smile, which the military veteran Shego had to sigh, knowing full well how difficult must have been for her children to see her like that. "They said you were awesome on the television, and how you took Heather too easy,"
"I was hoping for catching that scumbag of fatty which Ron told us that he hurt you... what did he even do?" Shego asked as she narrowed her eyes to her child, who smiled sheepishly.
"Well, if I tell you... can you promise to not hunt him down?" Izzy asked sheepishly, and Shego raised both her eyebrows.
"Izzy, my brat... you know that I cannot promise anything. Now spit it..." Shego ordered as Izzy started to sweat, and feeling fear for Owen about his mess up, she then decided to go to another approach.
"Mom, can you tell me how did you start loving Dad?" Izzy suddenly made such a comment which made Shego get caught off guard... "Since when everything started..."
"Why would you want to know..."
"Please..." Izzy then asked as her mom could see the sincerity of her question...
Shego narrowed her eyes, knowing exactly what Izzy was doing. The question was innocent enough, but she recognized the classic deflection tactic—a clear attempt to steer the conversation away from whatever had happened on the show. Still, Izzy's curiosity about her parents' past wasn't fake. It was something she had clearly thought about, and Shego respected that sincerity.
She sighed, leaning back slightly in her chair, her gaze softening as she thought back to those early days with Kim and Ron.
"You really want to know how that mess of a relationship started, huh?" Shego smirked, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "It wasn't as simple as a love story or a grand realization. No... it was chaos, just like everything in the military, especially with your Kim and me."
"Mom said you two always fought, like, over everything. Especially about Dad." Izzy leaned forward, eyes wide with anticipation.
"Oh, we did. We were at each other's throats, constantly. You see, Kim and I... we both wanted to be the best, in everything. And Ron? Well, he was just... different. Not your typical hero, not the type you'd expect either of us to fall for, but somehow, that made him perfect." Shego chuckled softly, nodding. Thinking about how Ron, with his goofy charm and genuine heart, had managed to wedge himself between her and Kim. At first, it had driven her insane. "I won't lie, there were times I thought I could strangle her. She was stubborn, always trying to prove she loved him more, that she was better for him. I said over my dead body, which usually started in so many fights, that I forgot how many times Hatch had to bring a water bucket to cool both of us down. We drove him crazy in many times he was the leader of the missions, he was pissed."
"Hahahaha, I could imagine that." Izzy giggled, as she learned more and more about her parents. "So when it comes to the drunk marriage, everything just changed right?"
"You have no idea, my sweetheart," Shego commented as she gave a slow glance on the side, as she remembered the things on how chaotic it was. Her expression softened, more contemplative now. "And trust me, the first thing we thought was to get the hell out of that situation. We could've easily gone to a lawyer, had the whole thing nullified, and gone back to the way things were. But something stopped us. Neither Kim nor I wanted to give up on Ron. We were both too stubborn to walk away, too determined to be the one who loved him the most. It was like a competition we couldn't stop. We didn't want to nullify the marriage since it would be a chance for us to remain together with Ron, even as we drove him mad with Hatch sometimes,"
"So... why didn't you?" Izzy asked as she got very curious... Shego hesitated, making her voice quieter than before.
"You know, sometimes when you love someone, someone worth fighting for. It's also worth sharing that love with someone you trust. Kim and I... we both realized that if we kept fighting, in the end, all of us would've been hurt. We wouldn't have won anything. But together? We made something better. We built a family out of that chaos. It wasn't what any of us planned, but it worked." Shego glanced at Izzy, her smile returning, softer this time. "Somehow, we became a family. A weird, unpredictable family, but one I wouldn't trade for anything. You and Dhigo made it easier for both of us,"
"That's wonderful, Mom," Izzy said as she felt happy to hear such a comment, and now it was time to be the one asking questions.
"Why did you ask that?" Shego said, as Izzy sighed, knowing well that many things would happen in the future, and from one thing she learned from her experience on the reality show, it was indeed so many things can happen over the chaos.
"Well... I found someone," Izzy commented by giving a sideglance, as Shego raised her eyebrows and her fist closing tightly, "A person who knows me, by who am I, and not who I pretend to be, he knew all my qualities, but also all my flaws, and he gave me so many advice and warnings about the mistakes I could possibly be doing to my life, that at moment I just fixed them... everything became so easy in my life... Annoying, but easy, and much more fun now that I could relax without thinking of the consequences."
"Like what?" Shego who was narrowing her eyes before, suddenly paused as she raised one single of them.
"I became a billionaire now, and he said for me to pay for an accountant and a lawyer to help me to deal with my taxes and my arresting warrants from RCMP, and how I shouldn't overwork myself to cause so much stress and explode on someone who could potentially ruin my life." Izzy gave a slight explanation, and Shego slowly stared at her daughter in disbelief.
"That's oddly a very specific advice towards someone's life." Shego commented as she felt it was too good to be true, but looking at how serious her daughter's face was... then a message was very clear to her. "So you are starting..."
"Yes... and he is awesome, he is a writer, and is publishing more than 2 books right now, and I know that in the future he will be so famous that others may want to have a piece of him, and as much when I go my acting career, many will try to have a piece of me as well..." The ginger girl commented as she gave a fake laugh, but from the look on Shego's face, she looked a bit away and decided to be honest. "He had been my best friend until now, and I teased him a lot, but..."
"You are actually afraid of doing an initiative on him," Shego had a solemn look as her daughter became silent, which would be the actual response of anyone who would be into that decision. "Well, usually I would say to not do something stupid like I did with Kim and Ron, but I know my children, and I know they wouldn't have obeyed me even if I grounded you all for years. But let me ask you something... Is he worth the risk? For you to hurt yourself for him?"
Izzy remained quiet as she blinked for a few seconds, but then nodded her head to her mom.
"Yes, he is worth it," Izzy commented as she smiled with an honest smile on her face, to which Shego nodded her head in understanding.
"Okay then, so be his guardian, be his best friend, be the first of everything, even if other girls would try to conquer him, be the one who clearly knows him more than anyone ever could," Shego instructed as she decided to tap her fingers a few times. "Make him value you at everything, be his best friend, his best lover, and let the others crumble into your feet while you laugh at their useless attempts to take your man."
"... Wow Mom, did you rehearse that?" Izzy blinked as she suddenly saw her mother blushing, as she glared at her.
"Of course not..." Shego said as she suddenly saw her daughter raising her eyebrow. The mother narrowed her eyes to her. "That's what I always said to myself when I get into the rivalry with Kim, and for me, it has been working so far, don't judge me, I'm your mother."
"Okay, okay..." Izzy raised her hands in surrender but gave an honest smile and blew up a kiss for her mom. "Thanks, Mom, I needed that..."
"THE VISITOR'S TIME IS OVER," One of the guards shouted which Izzy waved at them.
"I'm already leaving," Izzy said as she smiled at her mom... "Thanks, Mom, love you."
"Love you too..." Shego said as she placed her hand on the glass, and slowly took the paper and placed it on her hair while hiding the pencil and the message written.
.
.
.
A few minutes later, Shego lay on her bed, she slowly read the message written by her daughter, and slowly her face showed a grin with nothing but pride and happiness for her family.
The message was nothing but a long letter, but enough to make Shego's day the best she could ever have.
(Hi mom... I'm a billionaire now, and I could hire a few lawyers to help your case and give you the freedom, but that would take a long time, and I know that you always hated bureaucracy, so that's why Dhigo, Thigo, Lizzy, and Mizzy planted a few C4 around the floors through a few cells on your left, with Eliza the cannibal, and Saphira the skin reaper... that would be enough to make their escape, and you using the opportunity you could go through the big hole we created for your prison break, and since Thigo would hack all the prison system, probably everyone who could jump on the hole would be the major of prisoners, that mean, that you wouldn't be tracked as main target of the government.
This is great since there is a car waiting for you 30 minutes in the Northwest, 5 Minutes in the South, and 10 Minutes in the East, that car has your clothes, and a new identity for you...
You always said you wanted to be a teacher, so I changed my name to Kaleidoscope and I made one for you that is Miss
She Go, so that way you have a new identity, and it will be very hard for them to track you down...
While things will get hard for you to stay low, I have a friend named Ezekiel, he bought a 5-star resort, but most of the equipment is being taken away, so he would need to buy products to maintain the resort for himself, his lawyer said it was fine to have a team for doing the few construction on the place, and they needed a boat driver, so I decided to offer one person to take a boat to drive him or anyone who wants to visit him whenever would want to visit the place.
Soooooo, could you please, please, please with all the donuts and tacos in the world... could you take care of the resort while, Ezekiel and the others are going to participate in season 2? He was so nice and my best friend and he never went to school before, but he became an awesome writer, you should read his books someday, they are amazing... Anyway... Oh boy, Morse Code it's really annoying, my finger is getting hurt...
Anyway, resuming, escape, you take the car, then become a boat driver to take anyone who visits the Playa Del Losers, the coordinates are on the car, and you can always find a way... And I hope you enjoy the good stay there, in case some of the builders appear, you can say that you were hired by me, and they wouldn't talk anymore, or they would be talking to my lawyers... Anyway, love you... I will see you when I get out of the show.
Izzy...
Ps... Ezekiel is the one I was talking to you...
Pss... Have a nice escape, and you can always call Mom, Dad, Lizzy, Mizzy, Dhigo, and Thigo, we are already grounded because of the plan, but we love you so much...
Psss... Have a nice escape... )
"Hehehe, they know me so well...I have the best family in the world." Shego commented as she ate the paper and with that destroyed the evidence... "So, a writer who never went to a school? And now having a 5-star resort? I think I'm missing a lot of context here. But hey, a free stay in a resort? That's always a good point in my book. I just need to wait for tonight..."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
(Dentist)
The farmer girl steals a few glances at the cutest guy she has ever seen in her life, besides Justin, this person who had a well sweet smile, and a good and well-made brown haircut, while wearing a good shirt with the collar up, to make a good show of his neck. And surprisingly for her, the guy had been doing the same thing to her.
As both tried to disguise their glances throught their magazine, thinking if they could find any good news for them to be aware, suddenly Beth was surprised as the boy decided to move from his seat and sat nearby her. It took a few minutes, until the boy had the courage to say something.
"Hello, I'm Brady, nice to meet you." The handsome boy commented as Beth was in shock and even with lack of words on what to say...
"Er-er. er... Beth," Beth presented herself as she isn't sure on what was happening on that momment, it was the first time someone presented himself to her, and it was usually her to take the initiave.
"Nice name," Brady commented as he gave a little thought, before asking sincerelly. "Sorry for staring at you. You look kinda familiar to me but I can't remember where."
"Oh, maybe you saw me on the Total Drama show," Beth commented as she understood the reason, with now knowing where the conversation would go, she finally could calm herself down.
"Ah, there. Now I remember, you were the girl who acidentally took the cursed Tiki which made a curse around your team," Brady commented as he could see Beth flinching from the reputation she had caused on the show, but Brady didn't mind and went further. "And you had found true friends who were willing to go to a cursed island just for the sake of breaking the curse. Can you answer me if that island was really cursed?"
"Oh, you have no idea," Beth sweated just from remembering how little nightmares appeared on her and shivered just into trying to remember such an event. "Something like that shouldn't even happen, but it was like nature itself went thrown away in the trash, and everything was too crazy for us... Thankfully Heather went there to give me support, she is my best friend."
"I saw that," Brady smiled kindly, as he gave a good look at his magazine, "True friendship comes in times of pure challenges, and when things go too dangerous and sour, only true friends would always have your back... trust me, I learned in a hard way."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Beth commented as she looked sad for the beautiful boy who just chuckled, but from the look of his eyes, he looked very tired.
"It's fine, sometimes people only care for fame and money, while others would always complain when it's about a good cause," Brady commented as he closed the magazine... as nervously he cracked his knuckles, which was loud to make Beth notice. "People would always complain to me about why I won't be a model a full time, and why I preffer to always goes into a rescue team to save people from avalanches."
"You are a rescue helper?" Beth asked in admiration, as Brady gave a look in kind towards the girl.
"Yeah, and proud of it... since I had a great person who saved my life," Brady commented as Beth became eager to know more about him. "To be honest, I grew up in a community, and I know firsthand how poverty can be terrifying and how much people struggle into trying to survive living without money, and when I thought things couldn't have been way worse... an earthquake managed to destroy the whole community, crumbling down everything..."
"That's horrible," Beth gave a gasp as the boy let out a sad chuckle.
"Yeah, and I was caught between the scrumbles and rocks until Mr. Barbeu came to rescue me and the other people around the community..." Brady said as he gave a lot of emotion which indeed he looked a very kind person, and Beth was glad that in the end he was fine. "And from the time I got to see him, when people asked why he was so happy to help us, he said one thing that made me want to be exactly like him."
"What did he said?" Beth asked as Brady smiled in kind, while looking foundly of his own memories.
"The helper seeks to help others because he knows what it is to be helpless," Brady commented as he smiled proudly at Beth who had her eyes sparkling. "Since that day I wanted to be like him, and he became a great mentor to me, I like to go to summer to help them out to clean up after earthquakes and landslides, and also I became a rescuer just like Mr. Barbeu."
"That's so beautiful," Beth commented as she was admiring the person, who suddenly got caught on his conversation.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I have been rumbling about myself for so long." Brady snapped, and slowly he blushed sheepishly, which Beth giggled from how sweet he was. "How about you tell me about yourself?"
"Well... you know me from part of the show, and my friends Lindsay and Heather had been my rock, even at the time I screw up everything," Beth said as she looked away in shame, but then she gave a smile. "But Lindsay said it was because of me they managed to reach the top 2, so I'm glad for their victory,"
"They are very sweet, and they sound like very great friends," Brady commented as Beth smiled widely.
"Like the best I ever had... also I live on a farm with my ma, pa, and brother, and I also have a pet Pig named Bertha?" Beth decided to slowly talk about herself, but Brady was just as excited about knowing about her.
"Really? I like animals, I have 2 dogs, that I named them both Steve." Brady commented which imediatelly made Beth look at him in disbelief.
"Nooooo," Beth commented as Brady smiled and nodded his head at her, as the duo seemed to be happy, talking, and even having plans about what to do after their removal of their braces, as even the duo blushed a bit from how they got comfortable talking with each other... Not knowing in the background the loud sounds of a person screaming in pain because the dentist was treating his mouth full of 5 caries...
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" The shouts of the person didn't seem to scare, and neither phase the duo who seemed to be having a nice time talking with each other.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
(Jasmine's house)
"Ugh, I wish it didn't have to come on this way," The sassy ghetto girl groaned as she facepalmed, while on the other side of the telephone, there were her parents who had been listening to the conversation on how it went.
"I warned you to read the contract but you never listened. Did I warned her Emmalyn?" A male voice was heard on the telephone as Leshawna rolled her eyes.
"Yes, honey, you did." Leshawna could hear her mom's voice from the other side of the flip phone, as she had nobody else to blame but her. But still, she was too prideful for that.
"Oh, stuff it, Dad!" Leshawna groaned as she could hear her parents laughing from the fact they had to be rubbing on her face the fact she didn't listen to them, but also she couldn't say anything else. Since she thought it would have been an easy challenge. She never thought it would be a crazy mumbo jumbo survival apocalyptic style, in which each of them had to do a lot of crazy challenges, and she was glad that she was just voted off in a talent show contest. But still, she would refuse to admit aloud that Heather just made her life easier passing most of the weeks inside of a fancy resort.
She would prefer to eat soap instead of saying Heather made her life better, especially with the fact that how she had Harold grabbing her breast, and because of a stupid moose, she lost the chance of one million dollars and probably was the cause of what started the fight around everyone.
After a few more minutes hearing her parents nagging and bragging about how irresponsible Leshawna had been when it comes to going into a dangerous reality show but not knowing the rules, the possibilities ahead, and how she shouldn't be cocky in the shows because that would give her an aim behind her back which in any case elimination was possible.
And it took a whole hour to Leshawna finally have her limit turn off the flip phone, and groan at the sofa… Jasmine went to school while she had the whole house for her. She loved that girl, but sometimes she couldn't understand if her big nose was bigger than her brain, anyone with the right mind wouldn't try to be part of Total Drama, the dangers aren't worth the 100,000 dollars… The 1 million on the other hand sounds far more tempting. But still, Leshawna had to groan, for the fact that she had to make the dance all over again.
Dealing with the bad food of Chef, the smug smile from Chris, the fights she will have with Heather, while she wants to avoid more Harold since he had been a bit rushed.
A part of herself wished to have listened to Bridgette's and Noah's advice, about talking to Ezekiel, Duncan, and Courtney about making him slow down. But that doesn't feel right, if that boy should be going slow on her, she was the one who should be telling that.
But how to make a person who is too stubborn to even hear her? That had been the problem. And as much she disliked to think of that, she had to admit that maybe the Killer Bass had their own language in trying to understand each other. Because there were times when Duncan would say something that she didn't understand, and immediately Ezekiel and Harold, and funny enough even Tyler and Katie understood what he said.
It was something that she never thought she would understand since the skinny beanpole had been so comfortable around the friends he did around the show, that it had been something that she kinda envied. From everyone on her team, the teammates she had were a bunch of backstabbers who would try anything to focus on themselves. Or silly boys who couldn't see the truth in front of them, but there wasn't much she could do, since the time she got to participate just in a few challenges, and she was launched away from how easily the votes were manipulated by the girl who had her tits exposed to her boyfriend. And worse of all… Was Sierra who had been nagging her account since she was on the forum of Total Drama.
Every post she could see, she would find Sierra posting something. Which would start another discussion with her…
"Now that I think about it...what that girl is planning?" Leshawna knew that it had been too quiet as the moment she returned from the show, oddly the forum had a few posts, but most of it had been quiet… too quiet to be honest.
She knew Sierra was up to something…
And just like she predicted, a new post on the forum made Leshawna have a smirk on her face…
Title: Cody Anderson Missing, reward 50 dollars.
Cody Anderson, my Codikins didn't appear on his welcome party at his house, since I have planned everything and waited until most of the night for his return, and even as the party had been terminated way earlier than I expected, I came on the next day for his return, but still he wasn't there… Please, someone contact the police, since they said I would need to wait 72 hours before I do some report about his disappearance.
CodyLuver4Life.
The quantity of replies was enough to bring some attention to Leshawna, which most of them being… What did you do Sierra? Aren't you trespassing private area and acting creepy Sierra? Wouldn't that make you being target by the police Sierra? And etc…
Now Leshawna decided to have a bit of fun…
"Girl, if Cody knew that you were waiting for him near his home, he is smart enough that he would stay far away from you. So my guess is that he is in a secure place far away from a creepy stalker like you. Leave the boy alone, if in case he doesn't appear in Season 2 of Total Drama, then we can worry about him. But until then, leave him alone." Leshawna wrote the message as she was about to send… But then decided to add a bit more spice. "Didn't the neighbor use a hose to kick you out of his backyard?"
.
.
.
And on the next minute… Leshawna smirked widely as she saw the reply of the crazy girl who had been stalking Cody, starting with how she knew that she was kicked by a hose, and how dare she say something like that about her, and cussed about all kinds of insults, which Leshawna cracked her neck.
"Alright, round 2 then… I hope you prepare your ass to be kicked girl, because when I'm done with you. You will be crying to your mama until the end of the week." Leshawna smiled, as she was ready to take the trash of that troll.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
(Noah's house)
"I swear if you touch my flip phone again, I'm filing a sibling restraining order." Nori stood with her arms crossed, glaring at Nuan like she'd just been caught sneaking into a fortress.
"This is getting ridiculous." Noah muttered as he sat hunched over Nori's computer—his fingers ghosting over the trackpad, eyes scanning an email titled FINAL TERMS — Ezekiel's Media Contract. The glowing screen was their only shared source of peace… and even that had a twenty-minute timer thanks to Nori's "no freeloading" rule. But after looking at his hand counting down from 5 to 1. "And then Nuan said..."
"I didn't take it!" Nuan shot back instantly, like a reflex. Noah let a small, unsurprised sigh escape.
"And now Nori is going to ask who was going to be blamed, and Nuan will blame someone else." He added, clicking open the document attachment and scrolling past legalese at the speed of secondhand embarrassment.
"Well, someone did, because the phone was under the bathroom sink, and it doesn't walk on its own." Nori again—absolutely on schedule. As she looked at Neni, who was simply brushing her hair. "Was it you, Neni?"
"Neni will have no idea what she was asked for." Noah rolled his eyes as he pressed a few keys on the computer to reply with his agreement over the contract he accepted.
"What? Did you say something? I'm really busy right now. My hair is messed up this bad and I need to be fixing this." Neni commented as Noah looked at the clock. And counting down 3 seconds.
"And then a plot twist: someone is going to blame someone from nowhere." Noah said as suddenly a yelp of everyone from hearing Nucy appearing behind them.
"It was Nikka." Nucy's voice floated in like a deadpan prophecy.
"And now Nikka will say she wasn't even there." Noah said as he continued to check his email box, he was glad that he didn't register his account for having fan mail, because from the quantity his friend Ezekiel had gotten during his time on Playa Del Losers, it would take a lot of time and patience to read all of them. And as much as he hated to humiliate himself and accept it was nice to be the first one eliminated, he was sure he didn't want to be known for being eliminated first...twice.
"I WASN'T EVEN IN THE ROOM!" Nikka's shout nailed the cue so perfectly Noah could've sworn someone slipped him a script.
He leaned back slightly, glancing toward the doorway like the fourth wall was staring back at him. "Every time. Like clockwork," he murmured, scrolling down to the "terms of content ownership" section just as Nori raised her voice again.
"I SWEAR IF SOMEONE DOESN'T TELL ME WHO IT WAS I WILL..."
"NIKKA IS USING YOUR CELLPHONE TO PLAY THE SPACESHIP GAME NORI." Noah snitched on his youngest sister, which immediately started the chaos once again.
"NOAH!" Nikka shouted as Noah chuckled.
"PAYBACK TIME SIS." Noah shouted as he was satisfied that now he could be focusing on his work again. Looking at the computer he had been staring at, he would see the tiny sticky notes; there was something written on them.
1. Nori's computer, 20 minutes per sibling, unless they know how to do taxes.
2. Noah's celebration party for finding a job is tonight at Nynn's Sr. Restaurant. - Love, Mom.
All of that to celebrate a lot of good things that happened in the lives of their family. Which Noah simply continued to focus on the work.
Nickolay was behind him while reading one of the books that Ezekiel wrote and Noah proofread and edited with the writer. Which now the printed book was indeed going to cause a great success for whoever was interested in reading.
"Damn, I thought this book was crazy, but not on such a level," Nickolay commented as Noah raised his eyebrow to his brother. the boy usually had always been a fan of comic books, but for him to be interested in reading a book his brother helped to create? He wouldn't refuse that since it means too much for his young sibling. "Are you sure this book should be taken seriously?"
"Which chapter are you on now?" Noah didn't even bother to turn his head, as he was glad to see the reply of the lawyer explaining the contract felt correct and it was now official; he was now the official editor of Ezekiel, the book writer of Adventure Time, Steven Universe, and Courage the Cowardly Dog. So now the only thing he needed to do was, before participating in the new season, open a bank account in his name and deposit the paycheck he gained from Ezekiel. Which he had been very careful to not let his sisters touch his pockets.
"I'm on chapter 8, the businessmen," Nickolay commented as Noah simply scoffed and understood the point of his brother. "How does someone create a princess hotdog anyway?"
"It was a pun, and you can see the art on the next page." Noah rolled his eyes as if he had already given the same comment to his friend. He was simply glad that he was the first eliminated from the show since he could observe from the Playa Del Losers how each challenge was far more dangerous and crazy, and he could see that only crazy people without brains would actually go around such terrifying challenges for the sake of winning 100 dollars, but now? When is 1 million at risk?
It seemed that being a brain wasn't actually as helpful as he expected, so he would need to adapt, keep playing, and see for himself how this new season would be… And hopefully, he wouldn't be the one being the first eliminated.
"HEY NICKOLAY, YOU ALREADY READ FOR 2 HOURS; IT'S MY TURN." Then a blast came through the door and made the oldest brother jump in surprise, and it was none other than Nuna, who wanted to check the books written by someone who was also a composer. "I need to check out the lyrics and the songs of the chapters, since Noah told me there are some awesome songs inside, and I want to check and try to play them on my way."
"HEY! But I was promised that I would be checking the pictures, which would be a good inspiration for me to find a good fashion style for myself in inspiration of them." Neni commented as she also got inside of Nori's bedroom, which, at that time, was enough to make the oldest sibling check what was happening.
"Hey, what's going on in my room?" Nori appeared as she looked at the time Neni and Nuan were about to argue and Nickolay was reading the book. Which made her blink. "Hey, is that the book of the boy and the dog?" Bobby said if he could borrow the book in case he wants to read for his siblings, he wouldn't mind if I borrowed them tonight, right?"
"Actually, I would be bothered." Noah said as he paused what he was doing, and he knew his sister's glare was enough to make him walk on eggshells. "Look, Nori, this book is the edition made with a dedication to me. Sure, I want to borrow it from your boyfriend and whatever, but he would need to be in case of following some strict rules about these books. Come on, I passed days, if not weeks, editing them. So it's really important. And I don't want to be messed up by someone who wouldn't know how to follow my rules in regard to my books."
"Okay, Noah, but how do I know you are being serious?" Nori commented that she always got annoyed when her baby brother was very protective in regard to his books... well, she knew these 3 were the most special for him since it was his work and she respected that, but she knew her boyfriend wasn't going to mess with them...
But that moment clearly was broken with how serious Noah was...
"Simple, at the moment I find out that one of my books is damaged, the specific books that were dedicated to me by my friend I'm working for… then I will move from this house, rent an apartment, and you will never hear about me ever again." Noah simply gave the comment that made not just her but literally the whole house become silent as the many sisters he had slowly walked away as the boy walked on the corridor towards his bedroom, which the group of girls clearly had their shock on their faces. "You want to read the book I edited for my friend?" Sure, but do not eat or drink while reading this book. Do not throw it on the couch or on the floor; do not rip a single page of this book. And if I find a page being with a crumpled book page… then It's over."
"Rent an apartment?" There's no way you have money for that?" Nynn said as she was in disbelief, until she saw Noah finally had enough.
"Money? I have 50 thousand dollars waiting for me to put into an account, and with that I will be able to start my life of independence." Noah said he was showing the check he had in his pockets and clearly raised it high enough for his sisters to see...
But the timing couldn't be more perfect.
yoink
"I will take this..." Then finally, the surprise twist from nowhere: a big woman dressed in brown pants, with blonde hair, tan skin and a salmon blouse passed as she took the paycheck from Noah's hands. "This will be good to start your funds for college."
"What the... MOM!" Noah shouted as he went after the mother, who went downstairs so easily, which made the bookworm in disbelief at what happened. He had everything in his hands, a paycheck to leave his chaotic home and just like that? His mom took it from his hands?
"It's good for you, Noah; a teenager like you with all that quantity of money is a lot of responsability, it's good to have the funds for your college, and with 10 thousand, it will be good enough to pay for a lot of good groceries from the supermarket." Nynda said as she walked towards the kitchen, which Noah immediately wasn't going to let happen.
"Oh, come on mom, it's my first paycheck. usually people go to college when they want to find a good job, but now I'm already working as a book editor, and I already have a salary, which will be good enough for when I reach adulthood. I will be able to go to college easily." It would be far easier if I spent the rest of the money with everyone at the mall." Noah said as he sarcastically commented on the situation that happened, but then her mom simply blinked.
"Wow, you really wanted to do this for your siblings?" Nynda said as she gave a good and proud smile for her son. "I never thought you wanted so much to share your first paycheck with your siblings."
"What?" Noah was taken aback, before he could even say anything. Nynda decided to call the others.
"Kids. Your brother Noah said he wants to expend all the money he worked for to give a good gift for you to enjoy the mall with him." Nynda said as Noah immediately paled as he realized that once again. His mouth made him lose everything... again...
"WOHOOOO, NOAH IS THE BEST."
"I will drive."
"LET'S GO TO THE MALL."
"I CAN'T WAIT TO TELL MY FRIENDS ABOUT HOW MANY COMIC BOOKS I WILL BUY."
"NOAH IS THE NUMBER 1."
"Me and my big mouth, now I could understand how Heather tricked me so easily," Noah said as he realized how easy he was to be manipulated by his own words. "Mom, it's not like I don't want to bring all of them to the mall, but there will be a lot of movement into one of the malls, especially since at Toronto Eaton Centre my friend who hired me will be doing a book signing there..."
Noah didn't even have time to finish, but Nynda had her eyes looking at him with a sparkle.
"And such a dedicated boy for work... Kids, your brother wants to take you to Eaton Centre in Toronto, one of the biggest malls in all of Canada. I want you all to prepare yourselves because your brother will help his boss into the book signing." Nynda continued, which made Noah blink as he felt himself lost for words.
"I will?" Noah said weakly. As he was then hugged by all his sisters and brother.
"You are the best, Toronto?" Man, I want so much to buy new hockey equipment. you are the best, Noah." Nynn Jr. said as every single sister and brother was excited about going around the best mall in Canada, which in the end... Noah started to sob...
All his money... gone...
"Aww, Noah is very emotional. hug in group." Neni commented as she hugged her sibling more, and even the mom did it as Noah wanted so much to escape from that madness... he couldn't do anything.
"Alright… After tomorrow Ezekiel will be in a mall in Toronto doing a book signing, so if we take our parents' car and Nori drives it for a few hours, we should be there to get in line."
"Couldn't you help us to cut the line?" One of the sisters commented as Noah rolled his eyes. Since a few of his sisters are interested in also getting a new book, that way he wouldn't need to be worried about them damaging his books.
"Only if I would he… oh no, I'm not going to fall for that again." Noah narrowed his eyes. As he looked to his mom, who was still waiting for him to say something that would help him to compromise with the family. "You are going to wait in line like everyone else, and I am not going to help him just for you all to get his book and autographs quicker and later enjoy all day at the mall while I will be working my ass off helping him sign his books."
"DEAL," The sisters and brother shouted happily, which made Noah's eyes twitch so much that he got up from his chair and walked to the next wall, just to start to slam his head on the wall…
Nynda chuckled at seeing her baby son being such a responsible brother, which she was so proud of him for already wanting to start his independent life. But as a mother of many children, she knew Noah was still too immature to deal with responsibilities in regard to money, so making him expend everything with the family while she helps him to make himself helpful around the house and then opening his own personal account will clearly make a path for her baby boy to be independent in a few years in the future.
She knew her boy was very smart, but sometimes his smartness would make his mouth say something that he would regret, which led to this case.
"Why, why, why, WHYYYYYYY?" Noah shouted as he was supposed to be the smartest one, but he had been tricked so easily by his mom and his siblings that he couldn't help but blame himself only for failing a serious trick… all the time. It was his family and that chaos, but it seems that in the end he wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, as his older brother would say...
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
(Spa)
"Miss Heather, Miss Mee-Yoo, it has been nice to see you both again." One of the attendants of the spa said nervously as she looked at Heather who usually the first thing of the morning would be shouting or even complained about how the bad service of the spa had been, most of the staff wasn't willing to be around the area since one of the most troublesome clients decided to give a surprise visit.
"Oh nice to see you again Melissa, we would like the full treatment of seaweed," Mee-Yoo commented as Heather remained in silence and even stretched her arms.
Which the attendant blinked in surprise into seeing the korean duo appear on the spa without even creating a commotion, something that it had been most rare of the outcomes. And when the girl remained in silence for a few more seconds, Heather gave a frustrated sigh and looked at the girl like she was waiting something.
"Oh, right away ma'am, I will be here in short." Melissa quickly left the area, as Heather rolled her eyes.
"It's been a long time since I got a good day at the spa, while they still need to have a better staff, at least I can get out all this messed up calluses on my body." Heather said as she closed her eyes, trying to not let the frustrations of such inconvenience mess up with her day. She needed to get the treatment she always deserved, even though she had to suffer a lot of the challenges during the show.
"Now, now, Heather, you are doing a pretty good job of remaining calm, continue being this polite amazing girl that you have been since you returned," Mee-Yoo commented as she felt very proud of her daughter since she hadn't created a fuss, and even was willing to remain silent when things didn't go as she expected. "I'm glad that you decided to call me to be part of your spa routine with me, I thought you preferred to go to the manicure with me."
"I would've, if wasn't for the fact I was tricked into signing a contract which I am obliged to return on the second season of the humiliate myself in front of the cameras, while trying to go across challenges with incompetent people, sans Beth, Lindsay…" Heather complained as her mother could see Heather hesitating as she was making exceptions for some of her friends, which was enough to make the Korean matriarch happy for her child, to see something beyond the superficial money.
"Aren't there other people as well? The girl who you call, Izzy?"
"Oh, she is a menage, not in a good way, she is chaotic, and she is very dangerous to have as an enemy, she isn't my friend…" Heather answered her mom's question, but also another part of her hesitated. "But also she helped me to see the game far beyond before. She taught me a few tricks, and I think I'm more owing her a favor than actually being her friend."
"Well, your friend Lindsay seems to call her a friend," Mee-Yoo replied, as Heather rolled her eyes and scoffed. "And from how good your friendship with Beth, and Lindsay are, I think you can have a few more friends thought."
"Pff hahahahaha, that's funny mom." Heather laughed as she could see her mom giving a nervous sweet smile, which took a few seconds until the queen bee got frustrated. "Mom, in a competition, they aren't friends, they are most rivals."
"Heather Feather, I know that you still have some hesitation…" The Korean mother commented as her daughter narrowed her eyes. "But from what I saw… not everyone wants to be your enemy, and you saw what good friends could do to you. It's not a weakness in making friends. You just need to be a better person."
"I'm a better person," Heather complained, to which Mee-Yoo nodded her head to her.
"Yes, you are… you are becoming even better than before. And there were people who helped you with that. Don't you think the person who helped is your friend?" The mother asked as Heather raised her finger to say something against her.
But Heather then realized a few things… Izzy decided to help Heather and Lindsay to become better in the game, trying to become a trio, and even after she leaves the show, even showing sadness, Izzy wanted her and Lindsay going as far as they could, and even pointing out a few ways to reach to the end… Which Heather couldn't deny, if it was her, she wouldn't have done that.
And while Izzy's parents are a bunch of military weirdos, many of those families she could have guessed from the campers were very weirdos, especially the gothic mother who hired an actress to try to make a message from future, and even an evil scientist wannabe for the most dramatic coward fat boy…
Then she remembered a boy who just simply was willing to give her the first prize money, because he thought it was the right thing to do, giving to the people who deserved the prize, and then the same boy who made her own favors on him, because of his help towards the elimination of one of the campers, but also helping to break the curse of her best friend.
"Okay, I can see your point, but I still think there are a lot of losers that don't deserve to be my friends," Heather commented as she rolled her eyes. Which Mee-Yoo shook her head, with a smile on her face.
Sometimes she loved her daughter, but most of the time, since childhood, she had been a very stubborn child who wouldn't take a no for an answer and would do anything to accomplish her objectives.
.
.
.
After a few minutes, Heather and her mother finally got the service they always deserved, the stress that she suffered from all the crazy challenges made by the psychopath Chris had reached the newest low. She remembered how she got launched into the ocean infested with sharks, then had to endure days being awake, then dealt with a Dodgeball where there was a brute who launched the ball like a cannon, then losing the talent show for the people who humiliated her, and had to deal with those terrible ants, got into the forest while dealing with a bear, had to fight a sumo wrestler, go into that accursed island not one, not twice, but 3 times, she had nightmares of Skull Island for God's sake.
Got stung by a dozen jellyfishes, had to beat up a Serial Killer while he was down because he scared Lindsay, and did the most horrifying torture the Killer Bass did for her, Lindsay and something that even Owen was terrified to receive as challenges on the triple dog dare you…
She deserved the prize money, and she was glad that at least someone recognized that.
But does that boy who she sees as a dangerous mastermind, a threat that could easily defeat her anyway? Would he be a friend to her? She got lucky on reaching the finals, because he was out because of he not taking care of his cold and reaching pneumonia.
But now on the season 2? She knew that he already got the 1 million prize money, and there was nothing she could do about it… She wanted to know what was his end game.
"Heather… Heather feather?" Suddenly a voice made Heather snap her eyes wide open as she looked at her mother who was pointing on the side to see a few girls holding a few photos of her. And wearing a shirt with her silhouette holding something, and there is a quote saying… 'I have a doctorate in Revenge and Humiliation'
"Can you give us an autograph?" One of the girls asked, and Heather looked surprised as she could see the picture of herself in her best angle, making the queen bee feel already cocky from her popularity already earning very great fans. It didn't take long to Heather sign the photos, making a few bunches of fans around the spa happy for her being in the finals.
"Well, at least something good I got from all that chaotic show," Heather commented not realizing behind the T-shirts, whenever it was a picture of her, there was a moose symbol behind, to make sure to always remember one of the scenes which would be the bane of her existence.
.
.
.
"Did you get something for your friend Beth?" Mee-Yoo asked in surprise, seeing her daughter scoffing for doing something selfless like that.
"Yes, at least a meter to make sure that she wouldn't lose face in meeting Lindsay's parents," The queen bee replied as she was prepared for the time she and Beth would be there. She isn't sure what Izzy would be dressing, and she doesn't care about the military psychopath. As much, as she doesn't make them all lose face into the high members of the society. "It was crazy to find out Lindsay's parents were wealthier than us, and we need to make a first good impression."
The mother Korean raised her eyebrows and Heather could already guess what she was thinking.
"Okay. The show itself already caused the impression, but we need to show we also are a big deal." Heather still showed a bit of her stubbornness as she stomped on the floor firmly, and the mother slowly shook her head.
"You will be fine, honey. You are stressing too much about this. Let's enjoy the rest of the spa." Mee-Yoo commented, as she pointed at one of the hot tubs, which Heather had to sigh and agree that she indeed needed to relax more.
"Okay," Heather commented as she decided to enjoy the rest of the spa.
.
.
.
"Hana, what are you doing?" Damien, the youngest brother asked as he saw one of his sisters using the computer to access the forum.
"I'm checking the reality show forum from where Heather came from," Hana replied as she was even doing some posts on the session named MooseLove, which was a determinated session to show the potential relationship between Heather and the nerd of the show.
"If Heather finds out, she is going to kill you," Damien commented as he even sweated from the idea of a prank, but with the last prank, he almost lost his life on how strong grip his big sister got on his neck.
"Pfff, like if she would be worse than she was during all our lives," Hana commented as she decided to add some juicy information on the forum to help the ship work. "So you want something?"
"Yeah... Can you add a few drawings of Heather, that nerd, and the moose? I think images would also help." Damien commented as he smirked inside. Well, he almost died before. So if he was going to die in the future, then it must be for something hilarious.
"Hey, I didn't know that you two like the MooseLove ship. I'm so glad that I'm not the only one." Sun-Hi, the young sister commented as she was feeling excited to show a few posters and T-shirts that she asked their dad, to allow one of the T-shirt companies they own to make just for her and her friends.
"You made the T-shirt?" Damie asked as he saw his older brother Kevin looking at the chaos around. The middle brother Jin-Soo could already guess that things are going to be worse from there.
"Nope, I don't want to be here when Heather discovers about this. I will be playing tennis. Jin..."
"Right behind you. And we can start making bets on who she would kill first." Jin said as he know that he lost a good money since Heather managed to grab Damien and strangle in time record. Who knew that crazy reality show made her faster than before?
If Heather finds out that her siblings were the one helping on the forum into the absurd shipping. She would have gone berserk a long time ago.
Their luck is that Heather was now focusing on her time relaxing before returning to season 2.
They were very lucky indeed.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
(Model Agency)
In a sleek, modern office filled with bustling assistants and hopeful models, a manager sat across from a tan, strikingly handsome man. The model's presence commanded the room, and despite the serious air of business, the mood seemed lighter whenever he smiled.
"All you need to do is sign here, here, and here," the manager said, sliding a contract across the table. His tone was professional, but there was a slight edge of awe beneath it. Justin, the man before him, was not just another model—he was the epitome of beauty, a shining star who had once graced the infamous Total Drama Island.
Justin took the pen, glancing briefly at the contract. "Just in case, we're going to send you a copy of the contract for you to read it over," the manager added quickly. "To make sure you never damage your Gluttonous Maximums."
"Great," Justin replied, nodding appreciatively. "Since I was screwed on the last contract I had with Total Drama Island, I want to make sure I read all my contracts before making any rash decisions." He gave a dazzling smile as he took off his reading glasses, which seemed to be the cue for his beauty to re-emerge in full force. The soft lighting hit his face just right, and the quiet music in the room seemed to swell in the background. The women who had gathered in the lobby—models, assistants, all hoping for their big break—began to drool at the sight of him, their focus momentarily shattered by his presence.
The manager coughed awkwardly, trying to maintain professionalism amidst the spectacle. "That's a very mature decision," he said. "And, uh, we recommend you drop the show at the first opportunity you have. But… we're bound by contract to not influence your decisions." He finished sheepishly, clearly toeing a line.
Justin sighed deeply. "Yeah, I read that on page 12. There's even a subsection saying I shouldn't make any modeling contracts based solely on my beautiful face." He placed a hand on his cheek as if to emphasize the perfection he spoke of. "And I fear that brute Eva will take another dodgeball and use my face as a target…"
Justin visibly shuddered at the thought. In his mind, it wasn't just about a game—it was his livelihood, his identity. Without his beauty, he would be... nothing. He could already hear the whispers of irrelevance if something happened to his face. Ugly. The word haunted him.
The manager cleared his throat again, pulling Justin out of his daze. "Well, yes. But you should use this as an opportunity to gain more loyal fans. With more exposure, we could really push your brand—underwear, shorts, anything you wear could be good publicity. And you'd still be famous, just as you are."
Justin's expression softened, his usual bright, sweet smile returning. "Oh, that sounds wonderful! Well, where do I sign?" He leaned forward eagerly.
The manager sweatdropped. "You already signed…" He pointed at the completed contract.
"Oh, right." Justin chuckled, shaking his head. "Well then, it's been great. Thanks for letting me be a part of this company as a model."
As Justin stood to leave, his exit was as grand as his entrance. The room's collective gaze followed him, the air still heavy with admiration. The manager, however, slumped in his chair and rubbed his temples in exasperation. "I swear, sometimes I see stupid beautiful people, but this is absurd... why did we hire him again?"
He looked around at his staff, all of whom were still transfixed, and sighed. "Right, the boss said he was the most beautiful guy she'd ever seen and wanted him at all costs." He muttered under his breath. "At least he knows not to damage his assets." Shaking his head, he allowed a small smirk. "Still, it's funny to think the show might ruin his face before the contract runs its course. If I'm lucky..."
.
.
As Justin stepped outside the agency's office, the sun bathed his tan skin, making him look even more radiant. He pulled out his sleek phone and dialed a familiar number, placing it to his ear with one hand while his other casually rested on his hip.
"Hi, Aunt Cici," Justin greeted, his voice light and carefree as he glanced around. "Yeah, I managed to get a contract for my assets." He gave a subtle glance back at his perfectly sculpted rear, admiring his own reflection in a nearby shop window. On the other end, his aunt burst into giggles, clearly delighted by her nephew's success.
"You always were a good-looking boy, Justin," she teased playfully.
Justin smirked, his ego flourishing under the compliment. "Can you ask Uncle Creed to pick me up?" he asked, scanning the street for a familiar car. He gave the women passing by a charming smirk, his trademark look that had won him legions of fans and, apparently, caused hearts to flutter wherever he went. The girls who were waving at him seemed to melt on the spot, their smiles growing wider, giddy with excitement from the smallest acknowledgment.
"Thanks, Auntie. See you soon," he finished, hanging up the call. Pocketing his phone, Justin turned his attention to the nearby stores, his gaze landing on a clothing boutique with mannequins in the window modeling trendy outfits. The store's focus was clearly on curvier women, and a thought crossed his mind as he lingered outside.
"Hmm… maybe I could get something nice for Sadie," he mused aloud. "A scarf… or a cute top. Something that would work for her biceps training. But what did Cody say she liked again?" Justin furrowed his brow, trying to recall his conversation with Cody.
After a moment of thought, Justin shrugged and decided to walk down the street, catching sight of an interesting little shop on the corner. The sign above the entrance read: Crazy Flavors Chocolate Factory, with colorful decorations teasing a variety of wild and inventive chocolate flavors. Justin's eyes lit up.
"That sounds good," he said, his grin widening. "Sadie loves making ice cream. Maybe she could use some of this for one of her creations." He stepped closer to the store, peering inside through the window. Rows upon rows of exotic chocolates lined the shelves, each flavor more unique than the last—wasabi white chocolate, chili mango truffles, bacon-infused dark chocolate, and more.
It seemed like the perfect challenge for Sadie, and Justin knew she'd love trying something new and unexpected. "Yeah, that'll be perfect. A good challenge and a way for her to expand her creativity," he thought aloud, pleased with his idea.
Feeling content with his plan, he made a mental note to pick up a few different flavors. With a bounce in his step and his confidence at an all-time high, he strolled into the store, ready to surprise Sadie with the wildest chocolates he could find.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
(Help Desk office)
Cody sat in the waiting room of Jessica's office, fidgeting slightly in his seat. He adjusted the visitor badge that hung around his neck, the plastic tag feeling a bit foreign to him as it swayed against his chest. It was strange being here, waiting for his girlfriend's mom to finish her shift, but he understood why Jessica wanted to keep an eye on him. After all, Cody was dating Katie now, and Jessica clearly wasn't the type to let things slide when it came to her daughter.
The two of them had shared a nice conversation earlier, sitting in her small office as Jessica worked at her computer. Cody had always been good with adults, his charm had gotten him out of trouble more than once, and he found that Jessica wasn't as intimidating as he'd first thought. They talked about little things: school, how he got interested in Katie, how was his thoughts about being on [i]Total Drama Island/i, if he was ready for the next season, and what the future might hold. He even told her about some thoughts of the ridiculous challenges they'd faced on the show, which made her chuckle in amusement.
"You know, Cody," Jessica said, standing up from her desk as their conversation wound down, "I think you're a good influence on Katie. But I've got to work at the help desk now. I'm sure you'll find a way to keep yourself entertained in the meantime."
Cody smiled, nodding. "I'll be fine, ma'am. I can handle waiting around for a bit. Thanks for talking with me."
Jessica gave him a warm smile, patting him on the shoulder before she left. "No problem, Cody. Make yourself comfortable. There's a vending machine down the hall if you get hungry."
And just like that, Cody found himself alone in the quiet waiting room. The hum of office chatter and the rhythmic clacking of keyboards filled the air, with workers making calls or tapping away at their computers. It wasn't exactly the most exciting environment for Cody, he wished he would have his flip phone which allowed him to have a little game of spaceship. A good classic to pass around the day, but it was kinda of strange since the time he left and went to Wawanakwa Island, he was used to more action-packed days filled with excitement, especially after the chaos of the reality show.
He leaned back in the stiff, somewhat uncomfortable chair, staring at the blank ceiling and listening to snippets of conversation from the people on the phone. Most of it was corporate jargon, sales pitches, or troubleshooting calls that made no sense to him. His boredom grew with each passing minute, and he started to wish to have brought some kind of gaming console or something to pass the time.
But as Cody glanced around the room, something caught his eye, tucked into the corner was a billiard table, complete with cues and neatly racked balls. A slow grin spread across his face as he realized he had just found the perfect way to pass the time.
"Now that's more like it," Cody muttered to himself, already standing up from his chair. His fingers brushed over the smooth felt surface of the table as he grabbed a cue stick from the nearby rack. Sure, he wasn't an expert at pool, but he knew how to hold his own. And with nothing else to do in this otherwise quiet office, it was time to have a little fun. "It's a been a bit long since I started playing with this, let's see if I still got it."
Cody lined up the cue ball with a satisfying smirk, ready to make the most of his unexpected free time.
.
.
.
"I can't believe you," Jessica said as Cody looked sheepishly at the travel back home, with the boy nervous about the events unfolding on that afternoon. "I leave you in a few hours, and you managed to beat the majority of my coworkers in a billiard game, and not just that, but you also got my boss involved in a billiard and even won against him?"
"Mr. Rafael was a very though person to beat up, he managed to take 3 balls at once. I think I got lucky on that game." Cody said as he nervously laughed, at the look of his girlfriend's mom. "Are you in trouble?"
"Not at all, actually he wanted me to invite you next time we have a company party, I will probably have to take you with me, so you are not just a celebrity outside of the city now, Codemeister…" Jessica commented which made Cody slowly blush nervously, as the mother was impressed, but also extremely confused about how it was possible for someone to go into a billiard game with her boss and manage to beat him. "Since when have you become so good in billiards?"
"Oh, my dad always liked to watch the billiard championships on the television, so I started to do that as well, and when I saw some of the players giving some amazing trick shots, I decided to do that as well, so I like playing billiards as much I like to play chess with my dad."
"Huh, that's very interesting. Well, I never thought my boss gave you his business card, which he just does to his clients." Jessica commented as Cody tilted his head in surprise.
"Yeah, it was nice talking to him, also can I ask you what is your company you and he work?" Cody asked in curiosity, which the mother of the tan girl, giggled imagining what would be his reaction.
"We are a help desk for some companies, major of our clients are video game companies," Jessica commented as Cody slowly had his mouth dropping.
"Nooooo," Cody's reaction was exactly like what Katie's mom was expecting, which made her laugh. "So you know a lot of videogame companies?"
"Yeah, some game studios, some factories, and all that stuff, I think I remember when there were times when our company got an invitation for little courses for your children to be interested in learning how to create a little game… I also think my boss gave you his business card if you are interested in going into one of the courses, and because maybe when you finish your studies he can use some of his connections and try to contact a company in case they are hiring." Jessica said as Cody felt his eyes twitching. "Oh, I just forgot. Do you like video games?"
"Does fish like water?" That was the only answer Cody said which Jessica laughed, from how crazy it had been just a single afternoon.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-
(Recording Studio)
Trent sat alone in the dimly lit recording studio, the same place where he had filmed his audition tape for [i]Total Drama Island/i]. The quiet hum of the equipment and the faint scent of dust in the air made it feel like a world away from the chaos he had faced on the island. But now, it was just him—and his thoughts.
He glanced down at the stack of papers on his lap: a 99-page contract. The weight of it felt symbolic, like the weight of everything that had gone wrong during the first season. But something about that number, 99, made him feel oddly reassured. His favorite number, 9, was in there twice, it was like a little sign from the universe, or so he thought.
A small smile crept onto his face, but just as quickly, he wiped it away by slapping his own cheek gently. "Focus, Trent," he muttered to himself. He remembered Ezekiel's words from earlier, advising him not to get too weird about the number thing. It was just his lucky number, after all, but lucky numbers wouldn't be a reason for him to be creepy around the others as he saw his number, he could be glad, sure, but he must also be in silence. And luck wouldn't save him from making more mistakes if he wasn't careful this time.
He sighed, his eyes scanning over the contract again. His parents had worked tirelessly for weeks to keep him from getting sued by Lindsay's family, another reminder of how close he had come to losing everything. He'd been so lucky to avoid a lawsuit, but it was a mess that could have been prevented if he'd just been more careful.
The memories of the island came flooding back, his blunders, his missteps. The way the rest of the Killer Bass had grown to resent him for the mistakes he made, not realizing the damage he was causing until it was too late. He clenched his jaw, guilt weighing on him like a heavy stone. He swore to himself that this time, he'd be more observant. He wouldn't let himself slip into the same traps.
Trent flipped through the pages, scanning the legal jargon, and stopped when his eyes landed on a particular section in fine print. His heart sank as he read it: if a contestant suffered serious damage during a challenge but the host found it entertaining, and the contestant was still able to continue, their team would be granted an instant victory in that phase.
"Are you kidding me?" Trent muttered. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed this rule before. It was buried in fine print, easily missed. But Ezekiel had seen it, of course, he had. The guy had been more observant than any of them, which was ironic given how the boy had been homeschooled, but the one who read the entire contract, and also became a successful writer, which nobody ever had a word to say against him. Trent couldn't lie to himself, that he felt a bit envious of the boy, but Ezekiel was really a good guy to be around, Trent saw how much he had worked into the chapters and the book he released… Hard work which he earned the money he got from his books. And Trent finally understood why Ezekiel had pushed them to participate in season two. It was all right there in the contract. Both Trent, Beth, and Ezekiel didn't want their friends to be fighting each other and going to the extreme, and it seems the second season was indeed the right decision to make. A chance for everyone to prepare themselves and get ready for what is coming.
A small surge of hope welled up inside him. This wasn't about winning anymore, it was about redemption. There was a chance to fix what had been broken, not just with his teammates, but with himself. Trent realized now that his focus had been all wrong in the first season. He had gotten too wrapped up in his mistakes, his insecurities, and the need to win. He was ready to leave all of that behind.
The computer in the recording room buzzed with an email notification. For a moment, his stomach twisted, bracing for more hate mail from the public, more reminders of how badly he had screwed up. After all, his infamous blunders were still fresh in everyone's minds: the moment he let Gwen and Ezekiel get buried alive because of his fear of mimics, which he didn't actually fight them, but only ran away from his fears… and the Killer Bass on the other hand had to face their demons and be even more traumatized than before. His thoughtless comment led to Geoff being blasted with haze and the yellow pancakes he had forced Lindsay to eat which lead almost to his ass being sued by her family. He saw the part on the contract which showed the clause that saved his back from being sued… He never thought that he would love and hate a contract at the same time.
Well, be grateful for the small victories...
He hesitated but opened the email anyway, surprised to find something different. Fans, real fans, had written to him. Mixed reviews, sure, some called him a "stupid ignorant," a title he accepted for not paying attention. But there were others, kinder ones. Some fans said they saw his efforts and believed in him. They wrote that they hoped he could forgive himself, even if they hadn't forgiven him yet. That sentiment touched him deeply. Forgiving himself, was the hardest part.
Trent set the contract down and closed his eyes, letting out a long, steady breath. For the first time in what felt like forever, he wasn't filled with dread about the next season. He wasn't focused on winning. He was focused on being better, being more aware, more in tune with his team, and, most importantly, more in control of his actions.
Season two wasn't about redemption in the public's eyes, or even with his teammates, it was about redeeming himself. He wasn't going to let past mistakes define him any longer. He knew now that it wasn't about avoiding failure but learning from it. And now, with everything laid out in front of him, he was ready.
Trent looked at the contract one last time and smiled. This time, he wasn't going in blind. This time, he was going to make it count.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
(Owen's bedroom)
Owen jolted awake, eyes wide and heart racing as if someone had dumped ice water on him. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, bathing his room in a soft glow, but all Owen could feel was dread. Five days. Five precious days of peace before he had to head back to Total Drama Island for season two.
But there was no peace to be found in his house. Not when Max, his cousin, was staying with him for a few weeks while his house got "decontaminated" after some science experiment gone wrong, A.K.A Max trying to replicate El Mongo and La Muerte. To everyone else, Max was just the weird little genius with a future in being pharmaceutical with wild ambitions. To Owen, Max was the [i]incarnation/i]of impending doom.
Owen shot up in bed, his eyes darting around the room. The eerie silence told him one thing…
"Max was awake, and he was planning something." Owen commented as he felt a shiver on his spine.
His family had no idea what they had brought into their home. Sure, they saw Max as a quirky kid with a knack for "pretend" evil science, but Owen knew better. He'd seen Max's inventions and the chaos they left in their wake. Nobody believed him, not his parents, not his brothers, but Owen knew. And he was the only one who could stop Max before things got…well, explode-y.
He threw off his blanket, sweating already. Constant vigilance like a Hunter in search of the prey, he reminded himself as he tiptoed toward his door. His house was a minefield. Every innocuous object, a coffee maker, a toaster, heck, even the laundry detergent, could be part of Max's next twisted world domination plan.
He slowly opened his door, poking his head out into the hallway. No sign of Max yet. Good. Owen scurried to the bathroom, his mind racing with possibilities. Maybe Max was building a shrink ray today? Or a weather machine! Maybe he was turning the family dog into some sort of robotic guard creature!
He quickly brushed his teeth, splashed water on his face, and tried to calm his nerves. "It's fine, Owen," he whispered to himself, staring at his reflection. "Just five days. You can survive five days before going back to the show. And maybe, just maybe, Max won't..."
The smell of burning toast wafted down the hallway, and Owen's heart sank.
"Oh no." Owen whispered as he felt something wrong, his mother never once let the toast burn on his life. So that means something… Something bad is about to happen.
Owen sprinted to the kitchen, nearly crashing into the counter as he skidded to a stop. There, at the table, was Max, his short, black and purple pajamas figure hunched over what looked like an innocent plate of toast. Except it wasn't just toast. No. Not when Max was involved.
"Good morning, Cousin Owen!" Max greeted him with his usual over-the-top villainous voice. His hair was wild, his glasses glinting in the sunlight. "You're just in time to witness the beginning of my latest invention! Feast your eyes on the Toast of Terror!"
"Where is mom and dad? And the others?" Owen gulped, as Max evilly giggled…
"They are away… buying food in the supermarket for the dinners today, which is the perfect opportunity for me to try to conquer the world, bwahahaha *cough* *cough* ugh… I choke with my saliva… *cough* *cough*" Max coughed as Owen suddenly saw his cousin trying to breathe but nothing seemed to be working.
"This is it…" Owen thought on his mind, as slowly his mind had a revelation. "This is the icing on my cake, a way to finish all the worries of my life, a lifetime of paranoia and fear of him conquering the world, brought by a sweet and satisfied end! All I have to do is… nothing!"
Owen said as he could see his cousin trying to stop the choking by eating the toast he created, which made it even worse for the young evil genius who even got out with his body on the floor.
"I will be treated as a hero… as long I don't hand him this lifesaving juice that I'm currently giving to him NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Owen realized his mistake when his body reacted didn't even listen to his brain, and gave an escape for the evil genius to give another try to conquer the world. "YOU IDIOT, YOU IDIOT, THAT'S WHY EVERYONE CALLS YOU IDIOT EVERY SINGLE DAY. WE COULD HAVE SAVED THE WORLD, AND YOU BLEW UP."
"I'm sorry brain, I'm too weak," Owen said as he realized his mistake when it was too late, and now Max got up from the floor with a new rewind of life.
"Thank you cousin, I should have expected that my own creation would go against me, and I'm glad that I brought some safety measures, but with your help, I'm glad that I can have more chances to live and show the world on how Evil scientist I'm." Max said as he evilly chuckled, and Owen sighed in disappointment.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Owen said as he decided to accept the scolding of his conscience furiously at himself, while he felt that he somehow helped the evil into reaching a new idea.
"Also, this gave me a new idea on how I could try to make sure everyone would choke in the air at the same time, and with it, I can make everyone pay me millions of dollars just for the sake of them getting the chance of breathing again. Bwa-...err… maybe I shouldn't do evil laugh for a while." Max revealed the evil plan which immediately Owen's face kept slamming on the table, when the evil scientist wanted to do his evil laugh again, but paused and thought it was for the best for him to not do an evil laugh until he got it right.
"5 days… 5 long looooong days…" Owen said that he never thought he would have felt better and safer into returning to the show, instead of being the protector of the planet… a protector that nobody asked for.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
(Salon)
The sun was shining brightly over the small town in Canada as Lindsay, Paula, and Charlie strolled down the lively street. It was Lindsay's first day off since winning Total Drama Island, even if she didn't win the 1 million dollars, Lindsay got from Ezekiel the 100 thousand dollars that she remained secretly about, and since she already got 2 allowances from returning home, so now she had 300 thousand dollars for her to buy anything for herself.
Charlie had insisted they all head out for some sisterly bonding at the local beautician. The place they were heading to was famous for its vibrant atmosphere, and they could already see the colorful, Mexican-themed banners strung up outside.
A girl with short silver hair, dressed in a bright, colorful uniform, was handing out flyers to everyone who passed. Charlie instantly recognized her as Vaggie, the beautician's flyer girl. With a reserved smile, Vaggie waved them over.
"Come on in, ladies! We've got the best services in town. Special discounts for new clients!" she said happily.
"Hey Vaggie… I told you that I would bring my sisters to this place, I said I would come back and here I am." Charlie said as Paula and Lindsay could see how Charlie had been the same as always, energetic, and very optimistic of everything, and when she said she was going to do anything, she get focused into doing her best to actually achieve it.
"Yes, you did. Get inside girls, and have a great time." Vaggie chuckled from meeting the blonde girl once again, and from the time she thought of giving the flier to another girl who would just ignore her. But by saying that she would return, she was actually glad that at least her service was paying off. "Gracias."
Charlie, Paula, and Lindsay, always the social butterfly, waved at Vaggie, but soon found herself waving at a few others who had begun to notice her. A small crowd had started to form, recognizing the winner of [i]Total Drama Island/i] walking casually down the street. Lindsay was unfazed, though, her kind and bubbly nature making her wave to the people as if she were just an old friend.
"Hey, everyone! Isn't it a beautiful day?" she greeted, her voice ringing with excitement.
Charlie and Paula, though not as recognizable, mimicked Lindsay's casual waving, catching on to her energy.
"Oh my gosh, they're all smiling at you, Lindsay!" Charlie giggled, from seeing her baby sister now being even more popular than before, since she always did well on the talent show contests, but now she won the big deal..
"Well, duh! Lindsay's a superstar now," Paula added with a grin, clearly proud of her little sister's fame.
As they approached the beautician, the Mexican décor became even more vibrant. The exterior was adorned with colorful papel picado banners, and inside, they could see vivid shades of red, orange, and yellow painted across the walls. The scent of fresh herbs and essential oils drifted through the air, giving the whole place a relaxing yet festive ambiance. A small mariachi band played in the corner of the lobby, their soft tunes adding to the cultural flair of the place. The beauty stations were set up like traditional Mexican market stalls, complete with woven baskets filled with beauty products, and the walls were decorated with art inspired by Día de los Muertos.
The three girls stepped inside, greeted by the cool air and the warm ambiance of the salon. As soon as they walked in, a woman with striking white hair and a welcoming smile approached them.
"Hola, chicas. Welcome! It's a busy day, but if you don't mind waiting, we'll attend to you shortly," she said, her accent giving the experience even more authenticity.
The girls shrugged off the wait, exchanging glances.
"No problem at all!" Charlie chirped, and they all found a cozy spot to sit and chat.
"I'm just really happy Mom and Dad are inviting them to visit us. It'll be so nice to have a fun time with everyone, my best friends included." As they settled in, Lindsay commented her eyes lit up with excitement. "I can't wait until you meet Beth, Izzy, and Heather, Paula! You're going to love them. They're just… so much fun and kind of unpredictable!"
"I've heard enough stories about them to know they'll definitely keep things interesting." Paula, who usually kept a cool demeanor, nodded. "But, I think I'll get along with them. Especially if they're as cool as you say."
She sighed contentedly, thinking of the upcoming days of laughter and relaxation.
"Sounds like it'll be perfect," Charlie said, smiling at Lindsay. "And hey, after all the craziness you've been through on Total Drama, you deserve a nice, quiet break."
"I guess I do! But I wouldn't trade the adventure for anything. And I'm so glad we're all together now."Lindsay leaned back in her chair, soaking in the moment.
"So, on the season 2 sis… It's a million dollars money." Charlie commented as the other blonde sister nodded her head.
"10 daddy allowances, it's something that neither of us are prepared to receive in one go." Paula commented as well, which Lindsay nodded her head with a smile. And also with a curiosity on her face.
"What would you do if you had 10 daddy allowances?" Lindsay gave a question, and instead of having a good time thinking about the solution, Charlie was the first to answer that.
"I would do charity with it," Charlie commented as the duo of sisters waited as the optimistic girl continued to explain her idea for a better world. "It would start all small, and then it would get bigger…"
Both Paula and Lindsay thought for a second as an image of Charlie appearing on the television interrupting a comercial on the television, while wearing a red suit and black bowtie while she was ready to make her ad for Charity.
"How are you doing?" Charlie commented as she looked serious on the screen, with her hands behind her back. "Feeling comfortable? That's funny… Cause a lot of people on this planet aren't...in fact, there are a lot of people who are having really really bad,"
Charlie looked at the television screen, with outrage on her face.
"How does that make you feel? Are you proud? ARE YOU STILL FEELING GOOD?" Charlie said as she showed her anger on the television while pointing at the screen in hatred. "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU, GIVE THEM MONEY, GIVE US MONEY SO WE CAN GIVE TO THEM, DO IT NOW, GET OFF YOUR COUCH AND DO IT. DO IT NOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW"
And then there was a sweet picture of Charlie with the name of their charity and their telephone number.
Both sisters blinked as they glanced at each other.
"My charity would get bigger and bigger and it would be called Coalition of Really Really Useful People Together." Charlie smiled as she explained her idea until Paula decided to cut her up.
"So, corrupt?" The question made Charlie's big smile imediatelly freezes as she saw Paula deciding to be the voice of the reason. "Which the more money you would have, you would need more to make the company works, and by doing so you were going to do shady business, with a good probability of being a criminal and damaging the world…"
"...So that's why daddy says for me to be careful about giving my money to someone?" Charlie commented as Paula nodded her head, and Charlie deflated in sadness.
"Well, I would use the money to make more money," Paula commented as she felt confident to explain her plan for her own sisters. First I would invest in a portfolio of high-risk shares on the stock exchange." Paula commented as she decided to tell the steps of the plan.
"What?" Then she was interrupted by both her sisters who tilted their heads in confusion, which the smartest of the family facepalmed herself because she forgot about how advanced she was… "First I would invest in things and when they do well. I make money."
"What?" Charlie and Lindsay asked again, and this time Paula took a few more seconds before she snapped her fingers with a good idea on her mind.
"Listen, greed minus morals, times lack of empathy plus slick back hair equals ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD!" Paula said as both sisters had a realization on their minds.
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh," Both Charlie and Lindsay could see what the big sister was planning.
"Once I have all the money in the world, all I have to do is destroy it all," Paula commented which made both Charlie and Lindsay pause and stare at their sister.
"What? Why would you do that?"And to her surprise, it was Lindsay the one who asked that question.
Which Paula gave a proud smile on her face.
"To bring people together…" Paula commented as she decided to explain her dream of an ideal world, which Lindsay and Charlie decided to listen to what the older sister would have in mind, "In my money-free world, you won't need a car to go to work, because you won't need to work to pay material things… you won't need to wear a suit to pretend someone you are not, because everyone is going to be free to be one with nature… you won't need meat, we'll never fight, we'll be incapable to hurt anything ever again, it will be a para- oh shit…"
"What?" Suddenly Charlie and Lindsay turned their heads to see Paula frustrated.
"Predators," Paula commented as she had found a thing that destroyed her ideal way to expend the money…
And now that both her sisters seemed disappointed with their ideals of using their daddy money… Suddenly Lindsay decided to say something.
"So...buying a mall?" Lindsay asked shyly, which immediately both girls looked at each other, before facepalming themselves or even giving a light slap on their heads.
"Of course, a mall. There is all the good stuff we like to buy,"
"Why didn't I think of that before? I should have thought about such an idea."
Lindsay smiled as the mariachi music continued to play softly in the background, the sisters shared a peaceful moment, chatting about old times and new adventures. For Lindsay, this was the perfect day – no pressure, just good company and the excitement of new memories waiting to be made.
It had been a great day to spend with her family.
Chapter 50: First Day Off Pt 2
Notes:
Author's note: Well, I hope you all had fun into reading the part 1... BECAUSE HERE IS THE PART 2.
Now I will take a few days off to enjoy my rest because Sunday is the first day of Spring, which means one thing. My birthday. So I hope you guys enjoy this as my gift for you to enjoy, now have fun everyone. Because when the time will comes, the Killer Bass will be on the Second Day most interesting time ever... THE MALL ARC, so prepare yourselves.
Chapter Text
(Grandma House)
"It sucks that you didn't manage to win the money." Pixie Corpse huffed as the goth friends sat together in the living room of an abandoned mansion, which the white and grey faded colors, mixed with the vintage wine color of the wood clearly created a creepy effect on the mansion which belonged to one of the oldest goths across the neighborhood...
A mansion that was near a graveyard, which Gwen was always happy to visit on the time of childhood, his grandma's house. Since she passed away, she was to let the said mansion be shared by Gwen's friends who were always good friends of the dark side, as the old lady always enjoyed spending her time with her granddaughter.
Since then, Gwen was happy to have her friends using that mansion as a secret spot to talk about their lives and pass the time, just like she did with Killer Bass in the Aquarium.
"Yeah, but it had been hell to reach the final 4, and I was without energy to continue to the final 3," Gwen commented as she could understand how hard must have been to reach the point that as Chef said, "I think I just got into a point I stopped caring,"
"Well, not after your group messed up into having a chance to get the 1 million dollar suitcase," Reaper said as he could see Gwen groaning annoyed. "I gotta say that stupid model wannabe really played with you since they got your information and managed to make the girl who has a boyfriend fall for him."
"Oh come on, you couldn't believe how hard it was to avoid looking at Justin, that boy is like a bug zapper lantern you just get too attracted just by looking at him," Gwen said as she rolled her eyes, which made Reaper deadpan at her, and she quickly pointed at Pixie and Marilyn who looked fawned over the said boy just by mentioning his name.
"SERIOUSLY?" Reaper shouted which made the duo snap from their thoughts. "Anyway, it was kinda humiliating to see you fighting around everyone, you did fine about not going to school today, because everyone was talking about how you were fighting everyone just for a case of money like a piece of meat, and you became the talk of the school."
"Oh no..." Gwen palled just for having such a bad memory of what Ezekiel had said, indeed the popularity would attack them for all the reasons, the good moments and even the bad moments. "My life is over, I'm going to be the joke of the school."
"Well, you are saved because your friend Ezekiel saved part of your reputation," Marilyn said as she could see her goth friend looking at her. "From everyone saying Trent, Beth, and Ezekiel being the voice of the reason, they said it would have been a more fair game if everyone tried again on season 2. So you have a chance to save your reputation."
"Well, I think there isn't too much to do about saving it anyway," Gwen sighed as she looked disappointed and the group of friends raised their eyebrows. "I will always be the weird girl of the school anyway."
"Gwen, you don't get it... while you were on the show, you had a lot of boys saying you are the hottest goth of the school, your popularity skyrocketed in a way that it became absurd." Pixie commented as she saw her best friend blinking at her. "Especially when you have great moments like giving the middle finger to Trent and jumping from the airplane, walking between alligators trying to catch a key, having a good conversation with the dyslexic girl who just destroyed the nerds by talking about Indiana Jones..."
"Gotta admit, it was funny to see the nerds having a meltdown, the jocks saw them in such a pathetic state, that the nerds placed themselves inside of the lockers, which made the jockers confused and kind of sad for them." Reaper chuckled at seeing the weird moments happening across the school, which clearly made Gwen blink in surprise. "You are popular now Gwen, and we can't wait to meet your friends when we go to your birthday party."
"Wait, my mom..."
"Yep, she invited us, saying the Killer Bass and Cody who is Katie's boyfriend were going to be there. To be honest, I can't wait to see both Codys meet each other. It's going to be funny to see." Marilyn commented as if she was going to enjoy how confused both nerds would be, especially since Gwen tried to avoid the one from the show since he had a crush on her.
"Well say what you want. I kinda want to see your friend Ezekiel signing my book of Courage the Cowardly Dog." Pixie Corpse commented as it immediately grabbed Gwen's attention. "How a boy who just lived on a farm and never went to a school managed to grab a dark and terrifying concept of everything could be a horror, and managed to make a disgusting wholesome, and yet funny in the end? I don't usually like happy endings, but I admit this book hooked me up."
Gwen felt a good sense of nodding, but then Merilyn decided to comment about another thing.
"I can't believe they have the audacity to actually bury you both alive," Merelyn commented as Gwen flinched just to remember about that day. "And in a glass coffin, which was the worst way, instead of going to a vintage style, no, they preferred to make you see all the dirt around you, hell, they even let a bit of dirty inside of the said coffin, that was really fucked up. "
"Yeah... to say it was traumatizing wouldn't be a lie, especially when I saw firsthand Ezekiel in a broken state... I felt awful, of course, but seeing Ezekiel who also almost death experience before?" Gwen commented as she gave a slight glance towards the book created by him... "I was just surprised that he didn't write a chapter of them being buried alive, since it was a horrifying experience for both of us."
"Maybe someday he will do it? It's a very big book, and from the success, I don't doubt it will have another volume coming." Pixie said as Gwen nodded her head, and the group gave a good glance at the crows appearing on the window. Which then came another question on their minds. "So tomorrow you are going to a long car ride?"
"Yeah, I and the Killer Bass planned to meet at Eaton Centre tomorrow, because since Ezekiel is going to be in a mall for the first time, and with the popularity of the show, he may need help in case a crowd gathers on there," Gwen commented as she could already imagine on how chaotic everything would be. "And it would be nice for us to have a nice day together at the mall, just to chill and see what we could do there."
"Isn't he going to make a book sign in a few days? Why going tomorrow?" Marilyn asked as Gwen simply shrugged.
"Well, it could be for him enjoying the mall before a few days he couldn't even get out from the book store where he would be doing the book signing, who knows? At least mom let me have her credit card in case I find something horrifying to buy as decoration." Gwen said as the trio of goths nodded their heads.
"Good idea, I think you buying a chain collar would make you look more awesome," Pixie commented as the group came to an agreement.
"Heyyyyyyyy, everyone..." Then a singing voice made Gwen groan, while the trio gave a slight smirk. Alisson, the mother of the famous goth girl finally got out of the kitchen. "Who wants some cookies?"
The goths chuckled while Gwen facepalmed and glared at them to not dare...
"I want some..." Reaper said as Gwen glared at him furiously, but he simply ignored her.
And the more betrayed she became when her other friends also raised their hands. The matriarch smiled widely, and Gwen groaned from her mom, being her mom...
(Geoff's House)
"Hey, Mom, hey Dad, it took a while but finally I cleaned up everything from the party we did yesterday," Geoff commented as he felt exhausted but with a satisfied look on his face. "The downside of making an awesome party is that someone is responsible for cleaning up all the things we did at the party... Hello?"
Geoff was talking when suddenly he realized he was alone at his house until suddenly he started hearing something in the garage.
"Oh, Sarah, you naughty girl..." A male voice suddenly made Geoff turn his head, as he wasn't sure what was going on...
"Yes, I'm very naughty that I need to be punished... Jefferson, what are you going to do about it?" Then a voice made Geoff realize who was talking at that moment.
"MOM, DAD, I'M RIGHT HERE," Geoff shouted as suddenly the sound of people making out in the garage stopped, it took a few minutes, until the duo of parents looked sheepishly at him, which made him deadpan to his parents. "Have you been making out on the garage for the whole month?"
"2 months actually Geoff," Jefferson said as he could see his lovely wife giving him bedroom eyes at him. "You were 9 weeks away from home, which would be 2 months more or less, and not just that."
"And don't be silly honey, since your brothers go to school in the morning, we had the whole house for us…" Sarah commented as she gave a slight teasing smirk which made Geoff's palled. "We were in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, your brothers' bedrooms, and also your b…"
"LALALALALALALA, I'M NOT HEARING YOU. NOT LISTENING," Geoff said as he ignorantly said loudly as the duo of parents chuckled at him. "Where is the spray when we needed most?"
"The one they used on you at the show?" Sarah asked in amusement, as she could see her son flinching. "Well, honey, it's natural for married people to want to have fun for themselves."
"But come on, in public?" Geoff said in disbelief as he then heard both his parents laughing…
"Oh no, no way…" Jefferson said as he then walked slowly to his son, which was a terrifying experience since his father was naked… "Geoff, my boy… You forgot one single thing…"
"Which is?" Geoff said as he turned his head away because he didn't want to have a mental scar…
"This is my house, I property… I can be naked when I want, and have sex as much as I want with my wife," Jefferson said as he could see Geoff palling on hearing his words. "Your bedroom, and your brother's bedrooms? All mine, if you don't want me to have fun with your mother, then have a house on your own, and you can do anything you want in your house. My house, my rules."
"Now Jefferson, don't be so cruel with Geoff," Sarah gave a slight slap on the back of Jefferson's head, while Geoff sweatdropped as the woman looked very kind. "He is still growing up, and now that he found a girlfriend, he can understand how important is to satisfy her, in..."
"NOPE, NOPE, NOPE. I'M OUT HERE." Geoff quickly said as he threw away the cleaning products, and went directly to his bedroom, probably to take his skateboard and go around the neighborhood. "I will be taking my skateboard and going out, and tomorrow I will be taking the car keys to go to the mall tomorrow, and you can do… what you are doing when I'm out of here."
"Okay, don't go kissing in public for too long Geoff," Sarah commented as she gave a slight smirk to her boy, who after getting out of his bedroom narrowed his eyes at her. "Your friends may be prepared for what you are going to do tomorrow."
"Rar, Rar, Rar…" Geoff sarcastically joked, as he now understood how annoying it would be being like that in public. "I should have gone to school, at least I wouldn't have witnessed this… Love you both, bye."
"Byee…" The duo waved at their son, as they didn't seem to mind, since both of them continued their lovable moment together, which immediately Geoff rolled his eyes at the time he went on the door.
"I should have asked for one of those anti-horny sprays from the guys because I don't want to see or hear my parents doing that while I'm at home," Geoff said as he quickly got out from the warzone which would be his house, and he didn't even want to imagine his parents having sex on the house. "They had 9 weeks without me, and now they did that while I'm at home? Poor guys, thankfully it was never like that after we returned from school."
Geoff shivered just from the imagination on how the house was compromised, and how his parents lacked control of their hormones, which was quite ironic, since Geoff and Bridgette were also doing that on the show, and the quantity of pepper sauce and water damaged their faces, he was surprised that their eyes or skin were damaged permanently from all the times they were stopped from kissing too much.
"Also I'm glad they let me take the car keys for the mall trip tomorrow." Geoff prepared himself for the idea of going to the mall with Bridgette and the other Killer Bass, it had been a long ride on season 1, but he couldn't help but miss his girlfriend already. The party was awesome, but just for the sake it was the first party he was without the surfer, kinda made it a bit not so perfect, but still it had been a great time he had with Brody and their friends. But still passing 5 hours cleaning up all that mobile and floor, maybe it was something he would leave marked on his personal book. "Well, at least tomorrow I will be kissing Bridgette as much as I… oh..."
At that moment, Geoff paused, as he realized something that he never thought about... The essence of making out with his girlfriend, and how his parents had been like that for the whole month.
"Well, maybe I shouldn't go overboard like my mom and dad... I don't think someone deserved to hear what I heard a few minutes ago." Geoff commented as he shivered from imagination, on how his children would feel as he was horny like his parents. "Maybe I will make that spray, just in case… they continued that when my brothers are back from school."
(Courtney's School)
"So who won the election to be the new student council president?" Courtney asked as she looked at the boy who had a very curved cow lick haircut, and wore a dark grey blouse with a red strip on the middle, and dark blue jeans, as he slowly looked bored into his books…
"Beatrice of the 8[sup]th/sup] grade," Tom replied as he was curious about what would be the reaction of Courtney since most of the part she had been passing almost the entire year getting preparations for what would be her victory of being the new student council president, and even having her obsession into trying to win the election with all costs, and even using the prize money of Total Drama to make some changes around the school. Especially against the trio of students of the other years who always developed such rivalry with Courtney, to the point that he could see them fighting all the time.
"Oh," Courtney paused, as she then thought for a few seconds, and simply continued to eat her school lunch… which clearly made Tom pause and stare at the C.I.T. who simply shrugged at everything that happened. Courtney was staring at one of the books she was studying until she could feel the stare of his friend on her. "What?"
"It's just weird that you passed most of the year with a plan to being the youngest student council president, just for now you simply shrug off like it wasn't a big deal," Tom said as he raised both his eyebrows and looked at the tan girl in disbelief. "Are you sure that you are my good old friend Courtney?"
"Har, Har, Har..."Courtney rolled her eyes, as she continued eating and enjoying the school food. "As much I would hate to say it, the food of school is not bad, in comparison to Chef's food on a daily basis, this is like gourmet."
Tom saw the girl mumbling as she ate completely without complaint, as he turned to his friend with total disbelief, and that of course annoyed Courtney.
"Tom, can you knock it off? It's fine," Courtney complained as she decided to ignore such superfluous things as she decided to be honest with him. "As much I would have liked to win the election, I couldn't do it, since I had to pass most of the weeks surviving in terrible conditions, going against animals, military training, and dangerous and scary challenges after 3 days every single time. Surviving all for the sake of winning 100 thousand dollars, and the challenge is not even over. Now the stakes became 1 million dollars for the next season…"
Tom looked surprised, as the girl finished to eat quickly her lunch, as she opened her math book and started reading…
"As much I would have liked winning, it's just a title with a lot of responsibilities, and if I participate in the show of the second season, that means I wouldn't have time to do school projects and help the school, so that means I would lose by default anyway," Courtney said as she showed a bit of frustration on her voice. "I mean, sure that title would help me to add to my curriculum as I try to go to college to become a lawyer…"
"But?" Tom crossed his arms as he could see the girl who seemed to be so obsessed with winning, actually was doing her best to remain calm and into focusing on other things.
"After I met some friends… I've started asking myself if that's becoming a lawyer and what I want since I saw a girl becoming a billionaire entrepreneur. While another friend of mine because a great writer, and he never went to a school for God's sake." Courtney raised both her hands, as her friend looked surprised at her. "I mean, it's tragic after what Ezekiel told me about his aunt, and I agreed, nobody would ever want to hear about how a family member had to sacrifice their lives from such atrocity happening in schools… But still, I just saw people becoming big names like the creator of social media who dropped college."
"Oh, I can see where you are getting," Tom commented as he could see how his friend had changed, from the usual upside girl who felt that she should be very competitive, giving sweat, blood, and tears for her objectives, studying countless hours for making good grades, just for later find out a military girl and a homeschooled boy becoming big names that they won't need to think about their future, since now they found their way to get an income of money… He could see that Courtney was in fact, envious of them. "Well, people tend to get lucky, some get opportunities and get way more than anyone ever expects."
"Yeah, that's what I thought so…" Courtney commented as she kept reading her math book. "I told Miss Harrington that I would be out for probably a few more weeks and I have no idea if I would return to this year. Thankfully she told me I could take a test later to determine my final grade of the year, and that way I wouldn't need to worry about my grades at the end of season 2."
"Didn't your contract have a fine print about your grades wouldn't change since you took part in the show?" Tom asked as he raised his eyebrows at Courtney who simply nodded her head at him.
"Yes, they do. But I wanted to prove to our teachers that I wanted to pass the year fair and square," Courtney commented, as she gave a small confident smile to her friend. "Just because I'm in a relationship with a delinquent bad boy, doesn't mean I'm not going to make him do his homework as well, someone needs to be a good example for Ezekiel tomorrow."
"You are going to meet all your friends at the mall tomorrow right?" Tom asked and Courtney smiled at him. "Cool, can you do me a favor?"
"If is to take a book for you, you must wait in the line like everyone else. Ezekiel's rules." Courtney said automatically as her friend gave a bored look on his face. "Don't look at me like that, the books will be published after tomorrow, and we kinda wanted to be low profile for a bit and enjoy our freedom before going back to season 2."
"Freedom?" Tom asked amused as he pointed behind his back…
Banners showing a picture of Courtney and Duncan kissing, with titles of Power Couple, then another picture of Ezekiel on one side, Duncan on the other side, and Courtney in the middle as the title of the banner was written. Pillars of Killer Bass.
A poster of Courtney holding her violin and singing a song, and even some art of her doing a few challenges… It had been overwhelming from the time Courtney came to school, some students were even asking for autographs from her.
Quotes were made by Ezekiel, Courtney, and Duncan during the whole season, and students were glancing nervously and even waving at Courtney as if they were fans of her time on the show. Clearly showed that since the first season, Courtney's life was not going to be the same.
"shut up…" Courtney said as she blushed, as she tried to continue her studies, but it was a crazy feeling of being watched by everyone from the school. Tom chuckled from even as the girl seemed to change from the show, it still has some of the same Courtney as she always had been.
(Eva's house)
"..." The bodybuilder Iron Woman had been working out with her dumbbells as she glanced at her parents.
"..." The father said nothing, as he was working on his sit-ups.
"..."The mother also said nothing as she kept raising herself on the lift-up bar.
As the trio continued their working out session together, each of them kept giving sideglances at the other since it had been a lot of days since they didn't managed to do a working out like that, as each of them was focusing on their determined schedule, they haven't said a single word at the time they got inside of the workout room.
But suddenly everything stopped since Eva decided to drop her dumbbells on the floor.
"Good talk, Mom and Dad," Eva commented as she took a towel with her, as the stitches she removed didn't seem to incommode her anymore, and she was now with a little scar from where she had been stabbed, but in comparison than everything she did, it was one proof that she was alive and ready to fight.
"Indeed..." Her father nodded as he finished his leg day. And took something to hydrate himself with.
"Likewise," Anastasia smiled, her family always speaks in Strong People language, and only a handful of them could understand what was happening in their workout room. And they could learn a lot more from a single working out than passing hours talking about anything. "So that was the training schedule that you made for both Sadie and Ezekiel?"
"Yes," Eva nodded her head since she could see her mom giving the approval look on her face. "They have been getting healthier than I expected."
"Well, Ezekiel I saw him determined to use weights from now on. Does he know any martial arts?" Anastasia asked as she didn't remember at the time she talked with his mom, because if so she would have made sure to remember.
"He learned how to be a hunter, how to use a bow and arrow, and how to use a sword for his stunts. But a hand-to-hand combat I never saw him do it." Eva shrugged as she never thought about the possibility. "Maybe he should learn some martial arts because if he remains with the weight without a purpose of training his body it can be prejudicial to his body in the long term."
"That's what I think." The father commented as he passed a few seconds thinking. "Maybe you can recommend something for him when you go to the mall tomorrow Eva,"
"That's a very reasonable idea," The daughter of the bodybuilders nodded her head in understanding, as she could see that Ezekiel would follow her training schedule, in the same way she could check Sadie on the next day since she disliked the idea of the group slacking off.
"Also… are you sure that's what you want for your life Eva? You sounded very assured about your plans for the future." Anastasia asked in a serious tone, as Eva could see by the undertone of her voice, she also sounded a bit concerned.
"Yes… I think that would be a good idea for me in the future." Eva commented as she could see both her parents supporting her projects for the future.
"So after this second season, we will take you with your trailer across the entire Canada, finding training spots for you to try on the MMA," Her father knew that her daughter was capable, as it also showed a good opportunity for her in the future. "Know that the male division of UFC can be very brutal, and we don't want to get sued by the boys who couldn't defeat you."
"Pff… I think they could take it." Eva scoffed as she smirked at what her father had said to her, proving that he feared for the man who would fight against her, and she believed him since she never thought that she managed to do the impossible sometimes, and surpassed her own limits and grew higher than she ever thought.
A bear? From male to female, Saskatchanakwa? New clothes for her, a Serial Killer? He will have nightmares of her when he sees her on television.
She is Eva the fucking Iron Woman, what doesn't kill her, it would make her even stronger, so it would be for the UFC fighters to treat her seriously, or she would take their belts so easily that it wouldn't even be funny for her.
"Alright, then. Let's think on how would be your training schedule after season 2, but remember to not lose the second season because you got hurt like the other times. I don't want to drag your ass back to the hospital and tie you to the bed again." Anastasia said grumpily which Eva freezes up, and immediately nodded her head at her mom.
"Got it…" Eva said as she could see her mom annoyed by the fact she escaped from the hospital, and she didn't want to get the same problems with her parents again, since it was painful and annoying. And kinda humiliating that it was something like that to happen.
"Also, did you get a letter from the mayor of our city?" Anastasia asked, and Eva raised her eyebrow at her, and shaking her head, she suddenly saw the smirking face of her mother. "The mayor wants you to give a seminar for little girls who want to learn how to be strong like you, it's kinda funny to see little girls treating you as their heroine, and wanting to be like you."
Eva slowly blushed, as she didn't know it would reach a point like that.
"The Iron Woman, the heroine of girls who wanted to beat up Serial Killers and bear's biggest fear." The father grumpily joked, which Eva blushed even more, as she wanted to not get out of the working room. "Let's go, we have to prepare the working out schedule for you around the show of season 2, and you can prepare the schedule of your friends. We can mark another day for you to do the seminar for the girls, and then we focus on your career as an MMA fighter. How many belts do you think you can take in a few years?"
"I don't know. All of them? Maybe 7?" Eva shrugged as she couldn't understand how that would be a difficult question, she didn't know how many belts would be, all that she knew it would be… Beat them up, knock them out, simple like that.
"That's my girl." Her father commented, and Anastasia gave an approval nod, as the group would have a bit of resting, before returning to their thoughts about the carbs they need to consume, and then return to a warm-up and relaxing before sleep.
A time Eva missed since she left her house to go to the show.
(Clothing Store)
Around the city, in the middle of the afternoon, there was a local clothing store, it took a long time for a mother to have such an opportunity to buy much good clothing in the sale, and from the time she was going to be there, she needed to have some moral support, and even some hard work, some relatives that she was happy to bring with her. Her lovely son, and her good and innocent niece. They have been well behaved in the waiting room…
And in the waiting room, there was simply a glass table...
"Let's see…" Harold commented as he was staring at a glass table, in front of him, there was his rival, also known as the red beast, the cruel mastermind of bitchery, also known as his favorite cousin, Scarlet who was also staring at the glass table, both in deep thought. Then Harold was thinking about something until he decided to make his move. "My armies are going to attack the shire from Buckland, and I roll…"
Harold pointed into a few corners of the glass table, as he what would be nothing from the table, as he placed on his own hands, and shook his hands as he had been doing a motion of rolling a dice. At the time he placed it on the glass table, Scarlet raised her eyebrows as she saw the results.
"A 5 and a 3," Harold commented, as Scarlet nodded her head in understanding.
"A solid strategy, and let me defend with…" Scarlet took the imaginary dice she had with one hand, which on the next second she released nothing on the table… And with a satisfied smile on her face. "Double 6, I win,"
Harold groaned in frustration, as Scarlet had a smug on her face.
"Double six again, if I didn't see it with my own eyes I wouldn't believe it," Harold said as Scarlet let out a laugh.
"It's all about controlling the probabilities Harold," The ginger cousin smirked as she took her glasses to clean up her glasses, and Harold rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, what are you going to be doing at the time I will be out?" Harold decided to ask since they had been departed from each other for so long, and at the time he was 9 weeks away, he never thought his cousin managed to win another first-place prize in a science fair, and even managing to create an impeachment of one of the president council on the school… Thinking it had been a slow year for her.
"Nothing much, just waiting to torment my brother once again," Scarlet said in an amused tone which was enough to make Harold roll his eyes.
"Don't you think that's too much? I mean, it had been 6 years already, and he is already on the verge of looking for a therapist." Harold asked his cousin, who just because his big brother pulled her hair, decided to torment him by making all his RC toys, and even some of her own plushies, into mechanical robots to scare him at night. "That will be enough to make him traumatized forever."
"Yeah, maybe this year I will give a stop, but he had it coming," Scarlet commented and Harold nodded his head at her.
"Oh yeah, totally. I was about to ask you to help me with my brother's collection, but then he stopped to antagonize me last year… So I think we are on good terms now." Harold commented as he could see his cousin staring at him with an amused look. "Anyway, Rita is still learning the psychology books you gave her, and I couldn't help but read some of them."
"They are pretty awesome right?" Scarlet quotes her cousin, who nodded his head at her.
"Yeah, I have a friend who has Alektorophobia grade 2," Harold commented as Scarlet had an amusement on her face. "And from his story, it was very traumatizing since an incident like that happens."
"You mean the jock Tyler who just got to witness a headless chicken in his direction, that was indeed a very surprising and absurd story, but with some real facts that couldn't be denied," Scarlet commented as she also gave a good look on her cousin. "To be honest, I always thought your team would have antagonized you more."
"What do you mean?" Harold asked as he tilted his head to his cousin, who simply rolled her eyes.
"Your team should have been into each other's throats so many times since you had a delinquent, a jock, a party boy, you as weird nerd, a homeschooled boy, 2 dunderheads, a clumsy hippy, an stuck up girl, a giant coward, an easy angered body builder… It was a recipe for disaster…" Scarlet commented as she saw her cousin narrowing his eyes at her. "But somehow the communication you all had broke the stereotypes so easily, that it was like there was a 10% of chance of everyone knowing that good communication would create a very strong team, and you all just went to your full potential."
"Yes, we did," Harold said proudly, as he couldn't lie, since there were times he could feel that he and Duncan would never been friends like they had been, he felt they would have been sworn enemies. But since the time of Phobia Factor, or even before that, on the Dodgebrawl, he felt he and his friends on the Killer Bass had been very awesome friends together. "Also sorry for not being able to finish my chewed gum for your bacteria studies."
"That's fine," Scarlet commented as she could understand the disappointed look on his face, as he explained it wasn't him who suggested the idea, but it was Beth who did it without him knowing. "What is done is done, but that could be a good opportunity."
"For what?" Harold asked which Scarlet had a good proposition for him.
"Well, since Owen had been the person who ate the whole bacteria, and even had the strong stomach to contain a lot of horrifying substances, inside of his stomach must be a colony of bacteria which would be worthy to be studied…" Scarlet gave an explanation which Harold nodded his head in understanding… "I need some of his stomachache residues to have a better study on the subject."
Then Harold suddenly felt his entire face palled.
"Please, tell me you just want vomit." Harold realized what his cousin was implying, but then he saw the evil smirk on her face, which made him groan in anger. "Ugh… this is disgusting, even at your levels."
"Well, someone must do the dirty work. And this study could help me to reach a new potential college for my great studies in the future." Scarlet said as she was cleaning the glasses, and the nerd rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, always saying it's for your studies to reach college, didn't you find a job to have your money yet?" Harold said as he crossed his arms, pointing out that Scarlet without money wouldn't be able to do anything.
"I still haven't found investors, but I will find money someway, and what about you Mr. Mad Skills? What is your strategy for this season?" Scarlet commented as the nerdy boy just sniffed, and simply shrugged.
"Just being like me, kiss my girlfriend, show some mad skills, and win the 1 million dollars." Harold simply commented, which was enough to make his cousin laugh at him. "What's so funny?"
"Well, because there is no way that your plan is actually going to work," Scarlet said smugly, and seeing her cousin frowning on her, she decided to explain. "If you keep doing whatever you are doing, you won't get far."
"You want to bet?" Harold said as he raised his eyebrows because he knew there was someone who knew his potential and knew that if he still had the Killer Bass, he would reach the MVP more times than before.
"Actually I do…" Scarlet said as she was with a smug on her face. "Whoever makes 1 million first, will decide what the other is going to be doing next, without complaint."
"Anything?" Harold said as his eyes wide open in surprise, and Scarlet gave the evil smile that made his body shiver in fear… "You want me a test subject?"
"Maybe…" Scarlet said innocently, but still offered her hand… "You want to try?"
Harold gulped… but slowly he looked at his hands… And then remembered how far he had gone, he knew there were a lot of opportunities for him. He hasn't shown all his tricks yet, he is still a wild card, but he knows that he has a chance.
"Alright, deal," Harold said as he offered his hand, which both cousins shook their hands.
And at that moment, Rachel came to greet both her niece and her son who were waiting for her in the waiting room.
"How do I look, kids?" Rachel asked excitedly and both nerds looked at her and nodded their heads.
"Looks awesome Mom."
"Looks wonderful Aunty."
"Such wonderful kids," Rachel smiled, as she went back to change herself. It was a good time for the family to buy clothes.
(Sadie's School)
The halls of Sadie's high school buzzed with the usual chatter of students rushing to their next class or catching up with friends. It had been months since Sadie last stepped foot in the school, having left for Total Drama Island and missing much of the regular school semester. Now, as she entered the building for the first time since the show ended, heads turned, and conversations paused.
Whispers spread rapidly through the hallways, and students stared at the girl they had once known as the bubbly, slightly out-of-shape friend who was always glued to Katie's side. But now, standing in front of them was different Sadie is now stronger, more defined, her body a mix of chubbiness and noticeable muscle, as though she'd been working out non-stop. Her hair was no longer styled the way it had been on the show. Instead, it was shorter, with a choppy, modern edge thanks to a haircut Harold had given her back at Playa Del Losers. It gave her a tougher, more mature look, one that reflected the girl she had grown into since her days as a camper on Total Drama Island.
As Sadie walked through the halls, clutching her backpack strap with one hand, she could hear the murmurs from every corner.
"Is that Sadie?" one student whispered, eyes wide in disbelief.
"No way! She looks so different!" another chimed in.
"Where's Katie?"
That question came up a lot as Sadie made her way to her locker, and she couldn't help but feel a pang in her chest every time someone asked. For as long as she could remember, it had always been [i]Katie and Sadie, /i]the inseparable best friends. But this time, Katie had decided to take a break, staying at home with her mom and her boyfriend Cody. She wanted to take some much-needed "me time" after the exhausting experience of Total Drama.
Sadie respected that decision. Since the last episode had been rough for everyone, to the point Ezekiel had to be the voice of the reason, and show they deserved to be seen better and have more dignity, she felt silly for thinking about how they were ready to throw away their friendship just for fighting over a suitcase of money. She knew how important it was for Katie to have time to herself, also she knew Katie would want to start developing the clothing for Ezekiel since she had got a lot of motivation from her friends, and since the last time she did a T-shirt for Zeke, he became so happy that he wanted her to make a jacket for him.
But still, it felt strange walking these halls alone for the first time. She wasn't the same girl who had left, and the absence of her best friend only made the transformation more pronounced. It had been a nightmare the time she had to leave the show and let Katie alone to deal with all the dangers of the show.
But not this time…
Sadie was happy Ezekiel challenged everyone to be part of season 2, which would show how much she changed, and how much she grew up as a friend and as a person… Also, she was curious about all the gossip she could take from everyone, just like the good times.
It was strange that she missed her friends already since they just returned in one single day. But that wasn't going to bother that, since her mom would take her and Katie on a ride to a mall, which Katie was more than happy to accept since it's a good time to reunite with the Killer Bass…
Everything was nice for her...
A group of students she didn't recognize walked by, giving her curious glances.
"Hey, isn't she from that island show?" one asked. Another nodded, eyes flicking from Sadie's face to her noticeably toned arms.
"Yeah, that's her. But… she's changed."
And she had. Total Drama Island had forced Sadie to make decisions that would change her life in ways she hadn't expected. After being eliminated early on, watching from Playa Del Losers had been tough. Seeing Katie in danger during the Sucky Outdoors challenge was a turning point. She didn't want to feel helpless anymore. So, she asked Eva to train her, and the result was what everyone saw now, a stronger Sadie, and ready to protect her best friend and sister of another mother.
At her locker, Sadie took a deep breath and smiled to herself. She wasn't just the girl who baked cupcakes and followed Katie around anymore. She wanted to be more like her friends from the Killer Bass, who had always been tough and capable. People like Bridgette, who was always calm under pressure, Courtney which more determined than the others, Ezekiel who was ready to take anything and incentive the others to remain strong and even Duncan, who didn't care what anyone thought.
The island had changed her, physically and mentally. She was ready to grow, to stand on her own two feet. She glanced around the hallway, aware of the stares but no longer feeling the anxiety she might have before. Instead, she felt... confident.
"Well, I guess this is the new me," she whispered to herself, shutting her locker with a soft click. It was strange not having Katie beside her, but in a way, it was liberating. For the first time, Sadie was carving her own path, and though she missed her best friend, she was eager to see where this new chapter would lead her.
As she walked to her next class, the buzz around her only grew, but Sadie held her head high. She wasn't just one half of a duo anymore, she was Sadie, someone who had appeared on a reality TV show, someone who had trained with Eva, and someone who was determined to be as strong as her friends from the island. And when season 2 happens, she will be ready to show the new Sadie, another powerhouse, that she knew would make herself known to the others. Maybe becoming MVP like her friends. Who knows?
Sadie smiled as she was excited to see her friends again in the mall… it was going to be an amazing day.
(Katie's Bedroom)
Katie's bedroom was a perfect reflection of her bright, bubbly personality. The walls were painted a soft pink, with touches of white around the windows and door frames. Posters of handsome celebrity heartthrobs plastered the walls, their charming smiles frozen in time, reminding her of the sweet dreams and romantic fantasies she indulged in every now and then. Her bed, with its pink and white comforter, was neatly made, with a few stuffed animals sitting at the foot, watching over the room like silent guardians. Between them, there was her companion, Buggsy the Bunny, the pet she brought with her from the island, and now the pet found little imaginary friends to play with.
The floor, however, was a different story. A sea of fabrics covered almost every inch, as if a tornado had ripped through a fabric store and dumped its contents right into her room. Various shades of teal green, white, and other colors that matched her sense of fashion were scattered around, along with measuring tapes, pins, and a sewing machine sitting on her desk. Katie had been working tirelessly on a jacket, one that she'd been conceptualizing since her time at Playa Del Losers when Ezekiel handed her the sketch of how was the clothing since the guys wanted him to have new clothes on his house and entrusted her with the design.
She sat cross-legged on the floor, carefully stitching the last few seams of the jacket, her mind totally focused. The teal green fabric shimmered slightly under the light from her bedside lamp, with bold white stripes running along the sleeves and chest, just like in Ezekiel's drawing. Near the chest, she was adding the final touch: a white strip with the number "10" stamped proudly on it. She smiled at the progress she had made, it had taken her days to finally get it right.
The jacket wasn't just another fashion project for Katie. It was something personal, a gesture of friendship and trust. Ezekiel had told her about this design, saying it was based on one of the characters from a future book he was working on, and he thought it would perfectly match the new hairstyle Harold had given him. Knowing how much faith Ezekiel had put in her made Katie want to do her absolute best. This wasn't about impressing a fashion audience or even herself, it was about doing something special for a friend.
As she worked, her mind occasionally drifted back to Sadie. It was the first day that Sadie had gone to school without her, and though Katie had decided to stay home for some much-needed "me time," a small part of her worried about how Sadie was doing. They had never been apart like this before. It felt strange like a part of Katie's world was missing. She imagined Sadie walking through the school halls, dealing with all the stares and whispers on her own. A pang of guilt tugged at Katie's heart.
But she also knew this was important. Sadie needed to grow, just like she did. They had both changed since their time on Total Drama Island and while they were still best friends, they each needed a little space to figure things out. Katie learned that at the time she was separated from Sadie on the show, but still she had great friends who managed her to keep the focus on herself, to improve herself in many ways, and even she survived and dealt with many challenges. She was happy to develop her designs and enjoy some peace after the chaos of the island in the Playa Del Losers. Plus, she had met Cody and managed to get into an amazing relationship with her boyfriend. Even though her mom hadn't allowed him to stay with her alone in the house today, she knew they'd spend time together soon enough, when they returned from work, since her mom wanted to keep an eye on her boyfriend while leaving the tan girl alone dealing with the boredom. But thanks to that, right now, it was nice to just be in her own world, surrounded by fabrics and fashion.
Katie glanced over at her desk, where the sketch from Ezekiel sat, showing the details on which character the person used such a jacket, and explained how that number alone 10, would impersonate so many things in the future, maybe a book that she knew Cody would be interested into reading… Funny enough, she never saw Cody reading Ezekiel's books, and she already had read the chapters of all the projects done by Ezekiel, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Steven Universe, and Adventure Time… She smiled, thinking of how much fun it had been working on the jacket, which made her wonder if she should also try to do the same jacket in other colors and other styles. Ezekiel would have liked to see one of his designs being developed into other styles since his trust in her gave her the motivation to keep going, and finishing this project had been a way for her to stay busy and productive. Plus, it felt good to do something just for fun, without the pressure of competition or drama.
As she tied off the final thread on the jacket and held it up, Katie grinned with satisfaction. "Perfect," she whispered to herself. It was exactly how she'd envisioned it. She couldn't wait to see Ezekiel's reaction. Since the next day she would be taking it with her and give to Ezekiel at the mall, it would be something that would call the attention of everyone in season 2.
With a sigh, Katie set the jacket down carefully and leaned back, taking in the organized chaos around her. The house was quiet, her mom had taken Cody to where she works, leaving her to enjoy the peace and solitude. Though she missed having her boyfriend around, she was grateful for the uninterrupted time to finish the jacket.
Still, as her thoughts drifted back to Sadie, she made a mental note to check in with her best friend later. She had faith that Sadie was doing fine, but it wouldn't hurt to call and see how her day went.
For now, though, Katie allowed herself to relax. She had done something she was proud of, and it felt good to focus on herself for once.
(Tyler's house)
The jock was eating his lunch at the table, glancing at his parents, and two things were about to happen … his mom was holding a very hot pot in her hands, which could potentially end up with any of the trio getting hurt in the process… Two, his father and he cursed themselves for not preparing for the floor being extra slippery during the day. So any quick movements would end up in their clumsy nature and they would get potentially hurt.
"Dehila, slowly put the pot on the table, we don't want hot coffee on us again, do we?" The father said calmly, but still showing the dreadful feeling, that both he and his son shared at the time they were in the accursed house, since it seemed by being cheaper, the floors were slippery and there was a high chance of someone falling down on the stairs, which thankfully each of them had their own personal ways into not falling downstairs, but the floor itself is like a very tricky challenge they always had to deal in daily basis.
"Don't worry, Tyson, I won't slip agai- Whoops!" Dehila tripped on her feet and tossed the hot pot in the air, which immediately both Tyler and Tyson got up from their chairs and jumped from the hot coffee hitting them, but the quick movement was enough to make both of them fall with their backs on the floor from how slippery it was… Making both groaning from the impact of the hard and slippery floor. "Sorry boys."
Dehila giggled sheepishly, as Tyson didn't even move his head, and Tyler let out a sigh.
"Tyler, broke any bone?" Tyson's question was said nonchalantly like it was just an ordinary question.
"No, what about you dad?" Tyler asked the same thing, which the father gave slight moves but gave a small sigh of relief.
"No, my back is fine. Didn't break again." Tyson said as both men remained on the floor, while Dehila calmly walked to take the paper towels and start cleaning up the table.
"So you both are going to stay low for now?" The matriarch asked the question, as both men refused to move. "That's a fair strategy, however, it's best for you two to eat your food before getting cold."
Both Tyler and Tyson got up from the floor and slowly got to their seats, and Tyler couldn't help but be amused.
"How does every time we get into a clumsy accident, somehow some of the objects we were just holding still remain intact?" The jock asked the father who simply shrugged, not caring to reply.
"Nobody knows it, it's just the way it is… Maybe we are so good at getting ourselves hurt, but we found some way to make us keep moving." Tyson explained, as he simply shrugged from the way he explained to his son. "Maybe we are holding more karma for us to have good big luck in our lives, I mean, remember when your grandfather fell from 3 airplanes and got the prize of a lottery ticket?"
"Hum… that actually makes sense," Tyler commented as both parents nodded their heads, as the jock thought about it. "Maybe having Lindsay in my life was my good karma from all my clumsiness?"
"That's probable." The mother smiled as she gave a peak on her husband's cheek… "Maybe that's how I got too much clumsy since I have a great husband."
"The same I can say, my clumsy queen. Now kiss me," Tyson said as he was about to kiss, but suddenly both hit their foreheads together. "Ouch,"
"God, thank you." Tyler gave a small gratitude for saving him from seeing his parents kissing each other since it had been something that he wasn't willing to see. "Well, I better finish eating my lunch before going to take a walk to school, I want to see how the new gym class became after Lindsay's father found the sponsors for the school."
"They brought a lot of good products Tyler, and very durable and resilient as well, so in any case, you better not try to use them right now, because you are 5 days on returning on the show, and we don't want you to break the equipment, or worse, you getting with an arm broken before your return," Tyson explained which the jock just scoffed.
"Come on, there is no way I was going to get hurt," Tyler said as suddenly his mother decided to intervene.
"2001…"Dehila said as Tyler pouted and looked at his mother in betrayal.
"Oh come on, it was just my two arms, and you promised that you weren't to use that year against me," Tyler said as both parents shrugged. Making the jock sigh in disappointment. "Alright, I will just see it, and I will not try to use them."
"Good, now… do you want to have a ride tomorrow for your way to Toronto?" Dehila's question made Tyler pause, and then facepalm.
"Dammit, I forgot I was going to meet them in the mall… ugh… which mall is it…" Tyler was about to ask someone who he had contacted, thankfully Geoff gave him his number, and also Duncan and DJ, so anyone could...
"Eaton Centre" The matriarch replied the question, which made Tyler look at his mom in surprise. "What? Do you think I don't know about their projects? Their mothers and I had a great time when you were at the show, we even went into a spa together."
"Which was very expensive," Tyson commented, as Dehila gave a deep glare, which the father slowly chuckled. "Thankfully one of the mothers paid for all of them, so I didn't need to pay for anything."
"That's what I thought," Dehila commented as she returned to her son who was surprised by the story, which the mother of the jock actually giggled. "I will give you a ride on there, so you better be careful and not get hurt."
"Well, I was going to the school to see the gym class, but knowing about the meeting tomorrow. Maybe I should stay at home just for today." Tyler offered a small smile, which his mom smiled and hugged him, which the floor was still slippery almost making them both fall on the floor, but both comically held themselves together, it was a funny thing to see…
"Maybe this house is more dangerous than your walk on the schoolboy, better to stay in your bedroom." Tyson offered advice, as he himself looked at the coffee pot which had a small portion of coffee remaining, which he gladly took on his cup.
The house maybe was a death trap, and nobody knew about it. But they are so used that nothing phases them...
(Street)
Duncan dragged the garbage bag behind him, grimacing at the disgusting mix of old food, crumpled wrappers, and who-knows-what-else that littered the street. It was humiliating, having to clean up after the careless people who thought it was okay to dump their trash in the middle of the sidewalk. But giving on how Courtney's mom had managed to pull some strings and get him out of returning to juvenile while he was out of the show. He smirked on how his girlfriend rocks, and her mother as well.
Still, it didn't make picking up trash any more pleasant.
He could hear the snickers behind him, his five cousins, leaning against a nearby wall, watching him work with stupid grins on their faces. Duncan rolled his eyes, biting back the urge to flip them off, but Courtney insisted that he should be a better example and not be a bad influence to Ezekiel, who he was sure she had been also showing some bad examples, which he could imagine his princess blushing while stuttering it wasn't her. But still, his cousins loved nothing more than seeing him knocked down a peg, and right now, they were enjoying every second of his humiliation.
To make things worse, his Aunt Diana was there too, keeping a close watch. Uptight didn't even begin to describe her. Detective Diana Rush, the no-nonsense, by-the-book bane of both his and Uncle Martin's existence. She stood with her arms crossed, her sharp eyes scanning every move he made, making sure he didn't slack off or try to cut corners. Duncan wished it was Uncle Martin or even Aunt Alex who got stuck babysitting him on the first day. At least then, he could have a decent conversation. Like hearing about them two debating which supernatural monster was the best, or which sci-fi movie they should be watching. When he saw his mom presenting both his relatives with Ezekiel's book, he saw how his uncle Martin read the whole book in 1 hour, while his aunt finished in 2 hours, and the debates they had about the supernatural events were pretty hilarious. About the talk on which kind of demon the demon on the mattress was, or who would win a fight between the Werewolf or the Weremole, which was kinda very nice to hear his father slamming his head on the table, while he and his siblings were enjoying seeing them two being themselves.
But Diana? She wasn't the type to make things easy for anyone.
"Keep at it, Duncan. I want this street spotless. No slacking off." Diana's voice cut through the silence like a razor.
"Yeah, yeah," Duncan muttered under his breath, tossing another crumpled bag into the trash. He could already hear the lecture coming, something about responsibility and doing his part for the community. She loved that kind of talk. It was a wonder she and his mom got along at all. His mom knew how to loosen up every now and then. Diana? Not so much.
His cousins started laughing again, louder this time, probably cracking jokes about how the big, tough delinquent was now the city's personal janitor. Duncan clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to turn around and throw something at them. Aunt Diana would kill him if he even tried. Instead, he took a deep breath and tried to ignore them.
"Wow, Aunt Diana," Duncan said, trying to break the monotony, "can't believe the 25th member of the Rush family is already on their way. You must be really excited about all these future detectives."
Diana's stern face softened just a little, something rare for her. "It's going well," she said with a hint of pride. "We're getting more members of the family into the field, ensuring they uphold the values of law and order. The legacy is in good hands."
"Yeah, well, I think we both know I'm not one of those future detectives." Duncan raised an eyebrow. "A rebel at the best, and a vandal at worst."
"Duncan, I just don't understand it." Diana sighed, clearly frustrated by his refusal to toe the family line. "You and your brothers still going through this rebellious phase, while the rest of the family is contributing to something meaningful. Why is that?"
"Look, I'll only be a detective if I can be like Uncle Martin." Duncan shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. "I'm not cut out for your whole 'by the book' thing, Aunt Diana. Rules? They're more like suggestions, you know?"
Diana groaned, clearly displeased with his answer, but there was a glimmer of amusement in her eyes, even if she hated to admit it. "Of course, you'd say that. Just like your uncle, irresponsible, reckless. You two are exactly alike. I suppose I should be happy you're not crossing certain lines anymore. Your mom says you're more mature now."
"She said that?" Duncan paused, surprised. But then he could see the reason why… "Well, I met pretty awesome people on the show, and when I was there, I learned a lot of things, things that make everyone pass the night thinking... pretty fucked up things."
"Language," Diana said as she narrowed his eyes at him, but Duncan scoffed and rolled his eyes. But from the tone of voice coming from her nephew, she wondered what made him change. "Like what?"
"Like how a friend of mine became homeschooled because his aunt died as a teacher on a day of a school shooting," Duncan said as he grabbed another piece of trash, on that moment, the entire place went in silence, and even the kids who were once giggling and having fun over his expertise suddenly they stopped and looked at their mom, who had her entire face ashen… A nerd boy was bullied so much in school in the United States that simply snapped and took lives, especially of a Canadian teacher…
"Duncan…" Diana tried to say something, but Duncan simply didn't care.
"What do you say to a person who got a family member dying like that, and from the cases most of our family worked with, probably the nerd had too much pressure and finished himself off…" Duncan commented as he launched the trash like basketball. And with a solemn tone, the delinquent just looks at his aunt. "What do you say to all the victims who lost someone on that day… What would you say for a group of parents who lost their children, or in a case that it was clearly fucked up like that?"
Diana didn't correct Duncan this time, since the vandal had proved his point, there was nothing that she could say about it since Duncan clearly didn't want to show how faithful he had to be to the law since the law at that time would be a mere joke. A tragedy without justice…
She once saw Martin having one case like that, and when she returned to see her younger brother, she never saw him so serious and furious on that day. Knowing that things reached a point where there was nothing the police could have done, the police department would take the cries and the anger of the families of the victims, in the same way, Martin could see firsthand how a case in the United States had been a serious issue over the time.
She looked at her children, and seeing them hesitating to say anything… The mature detective had to give to Duncan since he had proved his point to her, as also she could see something in him changed, the boy usually would have always preferred to make fun of the nerds, or even do pranks without knowing the limits.
"And now, you seemed to reach your own conclusion," Diana commented as she could see it.
"Yeah, I'm a vandal, a rebel, a delinquent, but to make someone suffer so much to the point of breaking? Nah, I'm not going to do it." Duncan commented as he seemed to take a broom and clean up more of the floor. "You all can be detectives, maybe I will start working into something that wouldn't come up and eat my sleep at night..."
"You've changed…" Diana nodded, as now she saw what Sheila had been telling her. On how Duncan made such great friends, and a good girlfriend that managed to make him be more friendly, but still having his essence. "Yes. I can see it, too. You're not the same wild kid I met years ago. You've calmed down a bit. But I know there's still that rebellious streak in you. And, as much as I hate it, I suppose it's part of what makes you… you."
"Well, I'm glad I'm still keeping you on your toes." Duncan grinned.
She rolled her eyes but couldn't help a small smile. "Just make sure you finish cleaning this street, and don't let me catch you causing any more trouble."
"Yeah, yeah, you've got nothing to worry about, Detective," Duncan said with a mock salute.
As she walked away to check on something down the street, Duncan chuckled to himself, proud that he still had that rebellious edge. Sure, community service sucked, and Aunt Diana was a pain, but he was Duncan, the toughest guy in Total Drama and one of three Killer Bass's pillars. No matter what, even if the first season ended, he'd never let anyone take that from him.
(Supermarket)
DJ and his momma walked down the aisles of the local supermarket, preparing for what was shaping up to be a massive celebration. Gwen's birthday, on Halloween no less, was just days away, and DJ's mom had taken it upon herself to throw the best party imaginable. DJ was more than happy to help, but he couldn't hide the deep, red blush on his face as he strolled through the store.
It wasn't the party preparations that had him embarrassed, though. It was the shirts.
DJ tugged at the hem of his T-shirt, which read in bold letters, 'Single but Looking.' He couldn't even make eye contact with the shoppers walking by. His momma, on the other hand, was practically beaming, wearing her own T-shirt that proudly proclaimed, 'Wanna Be Grandma!' She strutted through the store with absolute confidence, drawing more than a few curious stares and amused chuckles from people they passed. DJ, on the other hand, wanted to sink into the floor.
"Momma," DJ whispered, glancing around nervously, "I love you, I really do, but this… this is humiliating."
His momma waved her hand dismissively, not even slightly phased by his discomfort. "Oh hush now, poopy doo. You're growing up! And these shirts, they're just a little fun. You need to embrace it!" she said with a laugh, tossing some party supplies into the cart. "Besides, you've got great qualities! You're kind, you're handsome, and everyone loves you. It's only natural you'd start lookin' for a nice girl."
DJ's face somehow managed to turn an even deeper shade of red. "Momma, I don't think wearing a shirt like this is going to help with that."
She winked at him. "You'd be surprised, Devon Joseph. You're a catch! And with all this popularity y'all are gettin' from that show, people need to know you're single but ready to mingle. But don't you worry, if anyone gets too freaky, Momma's gonna slap them right across the face?" She gave a playful slap in the air to emphasize her point.
DJ chuckled nervously, though deep down, the attention and pressure of his sudden popularity had been overwhelming. Everywhere he went, people recognized him, asked for pictures, or tried to chat him up. He wasn't used to it. He was just DJ—a simple, kind-hearted guy who loved his momma and his friends. The fame, the expectations… it was all too much at times.
As they continued walking, DJ could feel the weight of everyone's eyes on him. It wasn't just the shirt—people recognized him from the show. Whispers followed him wherever he went, people pointing him out, talking about his moments on [i]Total Drama/i]. It felt like the walls were closing in on him.
The next thing he knew, the world started spinning. His head grew light, and before he could say a word, he fainted, collapsing right in the middle of the aisle.
His momma didn't even bat an eye. "Oh, Lord…" she muttered, rolling her eyes. "There he goes again." She leaned down, patting DJ's cheek a few times. "Come on, poopy doo, wake up. We still gotta get the cake mix for Gwen's party! Just for a few more corridors"
"Did I… faint?" DJ's eyes fluttered open, and he groaned.
"You sure did," Momma said, helping him sit up. "You need to stop lettin' all this attention get to you. It's nothin' but noise, baby. Focus on being you, the same sweet boy you've always been. That's what matters."
DJ sat up fully, still a little dazed but feeling better as his momma's words sunk in. He smiled weakly at her, his heart full of appreciation. "Okay, thanks, Momma."
"No problem, my son," she said with a warm smile, pulling him into a hug. "Now, let's finish getting these supplies, alright? We've got a birthday party to make it special. And you know what they say, Halloween birthdays only come once a year. And it's the best way to have fun before returning to the chaos of the show you both are going to return."
"Yeah, I also need to meet everyone at the mall tomorrow," DJ commented, as suddenly he saw the sparkles in his mom's eyes, and he immediately regretted saying that. "Oh no, please no, I don't want to wear this T-shirt tomorrow."
"Oh come on, you would attract more public like that." Momma giggled, as DJ felt his face blushing in such an embarrassing way.
"The boys aren't going to let me live that down," DJ said exasperated because he knew Duncan, Harold, heck, even Ezekiel was going to have a good laugh of that. "And I don't want to explain to my friends about the chance of me wearing that just because you wanted me to hook up with someone."
"So what are you planning to do?" Momma said as she crossed her arms, and gave an amused stare at her baby boy. "I want you to have a good time at the mall, but be sure to be yourself, and treat your friends right tomorrow. When season 2 is over we can plan what we are going to do in the future."
"Well, don't we want to buy a restaurant and make food for everyone?" DJ asked in surprise, and Momma nodded her head to him.
"Yes, and I talked with Victoria, and from what she told me, the idea your friend Ezekiel said could save us from being sued by everyone who would try to eat our food made with love. Just in case we would need to talk to her to make sure to create a recommendation for people going to the nutritionist before going to our restaurant." Momma explained as she could see her son tilting her head in confusion, making her sigh. "What we would need is money poopy doo, and for that, you need to be at your best on season 2, you need to use the popularity you have on the show to create an opportunity for the future. I mean, look at your friend Ezekiel…"
"Ohh… yeah, you are right," DJ said as he looked a bit sad, knowing that in the show he wanted 100 thousand dollars just for buying a restaurant for himself and his momma's work, he also remembered how everyone wanted money for some reason, and how Ezekiel managed to have a good way to make money without even needing to win the show. "Maybe I could offer myself to help in the kitchen, just for the sake of making people interested in the food?"
"Depending on the situation, I may be invited to do the wicked pallet again," Momma said which immediately DJ to freeze his place, and even as he was doing his best puppy dog face, she shook her face. "No, I'm not going to do the Caribbean Fusion Feast… 10 years Devon Joseph,"
DJ dropped his head, as he knew that he had to wait a decade for his Momma to cook the best feast she could have done for his family, and now he really shot on his foot. And he couldn't have any access to the great food of his momma.
"Let's get the cake Mix and grab a few sodas," DJ said in defeat, as he could see his momma giggling behind him. "Can you take care of Bunny while I'm at the show?"
"Sure thing poopy doo… sure thing." Momma giggled as the duo still walked around the supermarket, as the Jamaican with a good heart, and the mother Jamaican chef enjoyed their groceries, even some people would try to jump on them, Momma would slap anyone who would freakly scare her and her baby boy.
The mission of a mother is never over...
(Beach)
The sun bathed Kitisiliano Beach in a warm, golden glow as waves gently lapped at the shore, the sound of the ocean creating a soothing, rhythmic hum. Bridgette and her mother, Karen, had laid out a beach blanket on the soft, white sand, their towels catching the sunlight that made everything shimmer. It had been a long time since they'd shared a day like this, with nothing but the wide-open horizon stretching before them and the time to just be together. Bridgette, fresh off her whirlwind experience on [i]Total Drama Island/i, realized how much she had missed these peaceful moments with her mom.
The beach was vibrant but serene. Palm trees swayed in the breeze, their leaves rustling gently, while surfers dotted the sparkling waters, riding the rolling waves in the distance. Clusters of seashells decorated the shoreline, small treasures for beachcombers to collect. The sky was a brilliant blue, with the occasional wisp of cloud drifting lazily overhead.
The two had spent their morning soaking up the sun and savoring the warmth on their skin. Bridgette, ever the ocean lover, had dashed into the water several times, her love for the waves undiminished even after her adventure on the island. She rode the waves with ease, her body moving in sync with the ocean's rhythm. Her mother watched proudly from the shore, smiling at the sight of her daughter so at peace in the water.
The fans were really great, as Bridgette took a few moments to take pictures with them, and even had a few waves with some surfer fans, it had been a great experience for her to know more about her popularity, as even being the girl to bring Trent down, and even having questions in regard of her boyfriend that she missed.
But with her mom, she knew on the next day she would meet her boyfriend in the same location where she would find the other Killer Bass, to help Ezekiel see the mall for the first time, everyone planned to meet at the mall where he would be doing the book signing, making sure everything would be great, and also having a great time on there.
After a long swim, they shared a quiet picnic, enjoying fresh fruit, sandwiches, and cool drinks, their laughter blending with the sounds of distant children playing and seagulls circling above. The air was salty and refreshing, the kind that carried memories of endless summers spent together by the beach, and Karen cherished every moment she had with her daughter.
As the afternoon rolled in, the two walked along the shore, leaving footprints in the damp sand, the cool water splashing against their legs. Bridgette collected seashells to take with her, a small reminder of this day. The beach gradually grew quieter as families packed up and left, leaving them in a quieter, more tranquil setting.
With them, Bridgette and Karen also prepared their stuff to leave…
"And then we sang a final song for the Aquarium while we left the island Wawanakwa, needlessly to say, it's a pity that it didn't appear on the television, because you could have seen Duncan singing with us. But it had been something I will cherish in my memories." Bridgette said as both her placed her surfer board on the back of the said car, and her mother was even preparing everything before leaving.
"Hehehe, I can imagine the other mothers giggling from imagining their children doing that, Sheila would have been proud of Duncan for the fact he was following her steps, but I don't think he would like to hear that hahahaha." Karen laughed as both mother and daughter, prepared the car for once again return for their lives, and for making such good memories together, Bridgette would need to enjoy the maximum of her days before returning on the next season of the show.
As the duo was about to leave, suddenly the mother and daughter caught someone on the corner of the street, a girl with pale skin, long light blond hair with side bands that went down to a little above her shoulders, teal eyes, and a slight dark purple lipstick. Wearing a dark green sweater with the collar of a light blue underskirt being seen through the neck hole, a light black skirt, skin-tight purple pants, and black shoes. A big dark green backpack with a duck sitting on the top… And in her hands, there was a plaque in her hands with a written. 'Need a ride to Eaton Centre, Toronto.'
At that moment, Karen blinked as Bridgette also never thought to see someone wearing a sweater on a beach, and with a plaque an indication of a place which is on the other side of Canada.
"Isn't the place where you and your friends are going tomorrow?" Karen asked her daughter as Bridgette could see the palled girl, who looked simply serene, as she was waiting for something, not mattering if was going to take hours or even days to achieve. Somehow the young surfer, couldn't help but think of the same thing.
"She must be a fan of the show and wants to go to the mall for the book signing," Bridgette said as she looked at her mom as if she wanted to ask something, but with the smile of her own mother, she was thinking at the same time.
"Let's offer a ride," Karen said, which immediately both best friends, mother and daughter went to greet the young moonchild who was waiting patiently at the duo walking towards her direction. "Hey, girl, we saw your plaque…"
"I was waiting for you, Miss Karen, and Bridgette…" The girl finally decided to talk, and suddenly both mother and daughter were surprised by the calm voice and yet a person who seemed to know the name not of just the surfer, but of her mom as well.
"Okay, I can understand that you know me because of the Total Drama show, but how did you know my mother's name?" Bridgette asked as she looked a bit scared and on the verge of regretting her decision.
"It's in your auras."The girl replied as both mother and daughter gave a weird look on her. "Sorry for not presenting myself, my name is Dawn. And I would be grateful for the offering of a ride to Eaton Centre, I spent a long time saving my money to buy Ezekiel's books."
*QUACK* *QUACK* *QUACK*
And the duck quacked in what would be frustration, which immediately made Dawn have her eyes wide open.
"Oh, I'm so sorry…" Dawn looked behind her shoulder and decided to continue. "He is my companion Howard, and he said he also would be thankful for your offer to help us to cross Canada."
"Okay?" Bridgette immediately felt an urge to leave the girl alone, but another part of her felt that she was doing the right thing. Especially her mom who also seemed to be agreeing with her. "You already could guess my name and my mom's as well, and we are about to leave to go home, I don't live in Toronto, but it could be enough to be 2 hours walking from there."
"Which would be more than enough for me," Dawn commented, as she and Howard nodded their heads. "I could see that in your aura there was a shift of nervousness, and both of you are starting to be afraid of me, and I want to tell you there is nothing to be afraid of… since Mother Nature had guided me to someone who could aid me, and I would never do anything harmful to someone who had been helping me, and the creatures of Mother Nature."
"Oh, so you like the Nature as well?" Bridgette as bit she was uncomfortable with meeting Dawn, but she still thought at least both of them had one thing in common, both liked nature, which was surprising that the girl seemed to be living in a forest.
"Correct," Dawn replied which made Bridgette's eyes wide open in surprise. "I can read minds, as the same way I can read the future in Tarot if you are interested to know."
"No thanks…" Bridgette refused, but now she could find more relief that she guessed the girl was now a fortune teller, and from all the weirdest things happening across her life, at least she could understand what Dawn was… A fortune teller or something different. And before Dawn was about to interrupt her, a voice called for both of them.
"Girls?" The duo saw Karen already with the car on, and calling for the duo of nature lovers who simply as Bridgette helped Dawn to place her backpack on the back of the car, and she sat comfortably on the back as mother and daughter sat in the front of the car.
And with that, the trip once again started on the street.
Minutes passed as mother and daughter drove in the street, Dawn looked out the window as she could feel, the uncomfortable silence happening across the time she was in the back of the car.
"Sorry for being an inconvenience for both of you…" Dawn commented as Howard tilted its head to her, who decided to pat it on its head.
Karen was caught by the surprise of such a comment, and she wanted to do something, anything to help with the conversation.
"Well Dawn, how about you tell us about yourself?" The mother decided to create something of the girl, who simply remained in silence but also gave a slight nod, as Bridgette was looking at the mirror from the car.
"I'm from Vancouver Island, and my dad is a Ranger on the forests as my mom is an owner of a truck stop restaurant, but she is also a fortune teller," Dawn decided to tell the duo mother and daughter about herself, which immediately brought the attention of them… "We live in the middle of the forest in our house, yes, we have cable, that's how I knew about the show, but we are also in tune with Mother Nature, that we could understand and talk with the animals."
"Really?" Bridgette asked as she was now could see something that she never thought to hear. Someone clearly talking and understanding the animals. "Is that even possible?"
"Well, you are on halfway actually Bridgette," Dawn commented as the surfer slowly opened her eyes as she then saw the moonchild smiling at her. "Since the brunch of disgustness, you felt somehow that any kind of animal, felt more comfortable around your presence, in such a point that you feel that you could even calm down the most dangerous of animals, isn't that right?"
"How did you know that?" Bridgette asked as she felt herself sweat in fear from the girl who seemed to be reading her thoughts, or aura, or whatever the girl was talking about.
"You have been blessed by the Mother Nature, Bridgette."And then when Dawn said such a comment, it felt like that good breeze of calm went down over her scary heart, and Bridgette felt herself calming down… "Mother Nature saw the suffering you had to deal with at the time you were given a choice of eating one of your animal friends or suffering the worst taste of nature, and you many times decided to suffer for Mother Nature, and even on the last moment, you decided to give up, just for the sake of not eating meat. Such a choice, many would frown upon you… But Mother Nature gave you her blessings because of how loyal to your principles you were. That's why you feel confused about why the animals don't feel scared or even attack you… Because Mother Nature likes you…"
*Quack* *Quack*
Then Howard, flapped a few times it's wing and flew into the middle of the car, which Karen had to hold tight on the wheel, Bridgette was surprised at how the duck decided to sit on the lap of the surfer and even crouch and sleep on her lap.
Bridgette looked surprised, but then she heard the giggling of Dawn who was smiling at the duck.
"Howard has always been a problematic duck, even causing confusion and fights with his wife, I'm surprised that he got so tired that he wanted to sleep in the lap of someone," Dawn commented as she giggled from seeing the look on Bridgette's face.
"Oh so that's why it explains why the seagulls looked friendly around Bridgette and when it comes to eating the other's foods, they passed above Bridgette and even went nearby her to ask for her to pat their heads." Karen then commented in amusement, as the surfer girl now snapped from her thoughts.
"Oh, so that's what they were asking? I thought they wanted my french fries, which when I refused to give them, they simply nodded and went away." Bridgette commented as she felt one of the confusing questions on her mind finally being answered, she now looked at Dawn who seemed to have found a way to break the ice and start the conversation on crossing the street. "Well, that's something I can rest now knowing. Thank you for telling me, Dawn."
"Not a problem, this had been something I must do since Mother Nature guided me to cross this journey," Dawn commented as now Karen looked a bit concerned for the moonchild.
"So you came from your home to here alone? Does your parents know about that?" Karen asked in worry, but she felt relieved when Dawn nodded her head to the surfer's mother.
"Yes, my parents are fine with the journey I have ahead. And I needed to have a ride, or I would have passed the whole 40 days walking until I reached to Toronto, and I would have lost the day Ezekiel was going to do his book signing." Dawn commented as Bridgette then decided to approach another question.
"So did you read Courage the Cowardly Dog?" Bridgette asked as she now felt a new topic that she could talk about, her little good friend who had been a famous writer since the time he was on the show.
"Yes," Dawn commented as she could see what was passing in the mind of Bridgette. "And I'm going to buy the book Adventure Time and Steven Universe, please, don't think of the spoilers of both books. I wanted to be surprised at the time I read them."
"Oh… sorry," Bridgette realized that indeed Dawn could read her mind, which made her look at her in confusion. But then she heard Dawn giggling at her. "Wait, you don't read minds."
"I do, but not all the time." Dawn giggled as Bridgette pouted from seeing Dawn having a little fun, and Karen sighed in relief at not dealing with a mind reader for 24 hours, but she was glad that this little girl was helping them to be both comfortable. "You can have your personal thoughts about kissing Geoff now."
"Hey, I thought y… you are messing with me." Bridgette was about to say something when she realized the nature lover was actually having fun playing with her, and in the next second, she heard a giggle from her mom. "Even you?"
"Sorry dear, but you having thoughts about kissing Geoff is something that even I can read in your mind," Karen smirked as the duo giggled into hearing Bridgette groaning with her palms on her face. "Does anyone want to eat something? It's going to be a long trip."
"I'm fine Mom," Bridgette commented, as she then saw Dawn already eating a hamburger.
"No thanks, my mom already prepared some vegetarian hamburgers for me on the trip," Dawn commented as she could see Bridgette on the verge of asking why she was eating a hamburger, with the moment, the surfer nodded her head and focused on returning on their trip.
"Good to know, it's going to be a few hours until he reaches to our destination, says Dawn, you said you could read our auras… what do you mean by that?" Karen decided to continue her conversation, as the little girl decided to help to make both the mother and the daughter comfortable.
Dawn needed to make sure to be grateful for the people whose Mother Nature brought to guide her to her destination.
.
.
.
"So you are saying that you got a suspension on school because you freed all the frogs from dissection?" Bridgette commented as she couldn't help but nod her head in respect for the moonchild who did what was right.
"They were alive, and killing them for such cruel studies was never fair, so I freed all the animals of the school, they didn't deserve that," Dawn replied as she was drinking a water bottle, courtesy of Karen who decided to pass in a drive through, and grab a snack for herself, and give something for the girls to drink on the trip.
Hours passed, and Karen and Bridgette learned a lot from the little girl who spent a good part of her life living in the forest, however, she had a school to go to and even helped her mom work at the truck stop restaurant.
Even as weird as it sounds, it shows that everyone had good stories to tell. When Dawn told her reactions to some episodes of Total Drama, and some opinions about her dreams, Bridgette and Karen never thought Dawn wanted to be a historian, which was surprising for a girl like her, because of her nature.
It was also very surprising that she guessed that both Karen and Bridgette were Gemini.
"Well, that's simple, since both your auras had such amazing friendship, you two were best friends together, and from the fact that both of you make birthdays on the same day," Dawn commented as she was drinking soda, while Howard was eating its on duck food. "Funny thought, it's that everyone who I know who made birthday on the same day as their family members, they are Gemini. One friend of mine and his dad do make anniversary on the 27th of May,"
"So that's how it works? Everyone who is Gemini has a birthday on the same day as their family member?" Karen asked amused, to which Dawn simply shrugged.
"I don't know, it was a theory that I tried to convince my mom of this, but every time I said that she kept laughing saying that I was a bit overdramatic, which says something from her since she is a fortune teller," Dawn commented with a pout, which Bridgette and Karen couldn't help but giggle from her comment.
.
.
.
A few more hours passed, and Bridgette felt her eyes getting tired, from the trip back home, and Karen was also looking exhausted, but thankfully they were almost reaching their home.
"I think that's the place I should drop." Dawn noticed that both mother and daughter were reaching their destination, she felt it was a good time for her to continue her own journey.
"Oh… are you sure?" Bridgette suddenly snapped her eyes wide open, and looking at it was getting very dark, she couldn't help but show concern for the girl who had given them good company, and Howard was already sleeping on her lap again. "We could let you stay home for the night,"
Dawn shook her head, and even though Karen tried to say something, Dawn raised her hand.
"I thank you for your hospitality, but I think it was my time to leave and continue my journey…" Dawn commented as she gave a very serene smile. "If I camp near the mall, that means I would be the first in the line to get the book."
"Well if you say so…" Karen commented as she slowed the car, to a place where they knew it was safe enough for the moonchild to get out of the car, and with that, taking the sleeping duck with her. "It was nice to meet you, Dawn."
"It was indeed, thank you for your help. Mother Nature bless you both for your hospitality and maybe someday we could see each other again." Dawn commented as she gave a slight wave, for Bridgette who gave a weak and tired smile.
"It would be good to see you someday Dawn, have a good walk. And be careful on the streets." Bridgette commented that a part of her wanted to convince the girl to stay at her house for the night, but seeing the girl determined to continue her journey, there was nothing else they could do.
And with a nod, Dawn walked as both mother and daughter saw the girl walking on the street at night until they couldn't see her silhouette anymore. They don't know if she disappeared, or was because they were so tired they couldn't keep track of the girl.
But it took only a few more minutes, until Bridgette finally reached her home, with enough time to have a few hours of sleep…
2 of the morning.
Bridgette felt so exhausted that she didn't know when she started to sleep, only when she managed to wake up a few hours later.
(Farm)
To say Curtis was a simple man, was an understanding, since he spent most of his life growing up on a farm, had a family on the farm, and did his best to protect his family from the dangers that lurked outside of the said place he treated as a sanctuary. Many times he avoided to go in the cities or even to the Harvest Festivals since most of the time it reminds him of the good times he had with a person who had been most part of his life as a child…
A younger farmer, who acts carefree but still with a lot of need to learn and show others what she learned.
Curtis was a person who didn't care about numbers and neither writing words, but from the insistence of Robin, he had to learn it because of how annoying she was for the sake of wanting to learn. But still, there were good memories that he had from the past since it reminded him of how things were simple.
Then he meet Martha, a woman who didn't care about him telling him that her place should be in the kitchen, even as much she would have kicked his ass when it comes to exploring, she was a free girl who always liked to walk around. She was what his young sister calls, the person who could slap his face a good sense, and how he should be a bit more studious just to impress and get interested in her life.
Curtis was grateful for the wife he had, and how much he would give his flesh, bones, and skin just to protect her from whatever dangers which would appear in the world… He failed once, and he swore to himself that he would never do it again. And he felt after that day… Martha decides to remain low and stay on the farm, just for his own sake, and he blames himself for not being strong enough to support his wife's dreams…
She wanted to go to see Europe someday, and he as a simple farm, usually wouldn't know how to speak Italian or Portuguese… But Robin, as a crazy teacher who always insisted on how he should be more proactive, taught him that…
Speaking other languages was one of the things that made Martha interested in him. And he knew that someday he could try to save some money, just to take her somewhere, maybe Paris, or Rome. In the movies, they looked very interesting. And his son Ezekiel had been a very successful kid, that he could take care of himself… At the time he said on the television that he bought a resort for himself. Curtis couldn't help but sheer a few tears of joy, because his boy was growing up, and getting his own future to live in his own home.
Sometimes little birds need to learn how to fly with their own little wings, and as much Martha didn't wish that to happen. Curtis knew that his son would make them proud, since the time after he almost died in the hide and seek, Ezekiel had a revelation that he should do something, make himself effort into his own dreams.
And Curtis on that day also felt that he should once bring up the dreams that once were buried with his own sister.
"Get down Ezekiel, you are on the fourth three on the left side," Curtis said loud enough to make the leaves of the tree shake, and then slowly a person climbed down from the said tree. "I still got it."
"Yeah Pa, you managed to find my 8 spots in 10 minutes, you should have seen the others passing the whole day trying to find me," Ezekiel commented, as both father and son decided to play hide and seek for the sake of good memories together. "Do you want to hide this time?"
"I think I have enough for hide seek today, we have been playing this for 1 hour," Curtis commented as his beard showed a bit of discomfort, and looking at his son wearing weights, he couldn't help but ask. "What the heck are those?"
"Oh, you mean my weights?" Ezekiel asked as he looked at the black weights on his wrists and legs. "I forgot that I had been doing Eva's training yesterday night, so when I woke up I decided to continue my training."
"These young kids," Curtis commented as he shook his head, which Ezekiel tilted his head, and Ezekiel stared at his pa. "If you want to train with those weights, why don't you cut the wood later? We need the wood for the fireplace tonight."
"Will do Pa." Ezekiel nodded his head, and the father couldn't help but smile at his son.
.
.
.
"So this is the weird bow that your friend from the military made for you?" Curtis commented as Ezekiel nodded his head, and helping his pa to have control of the aim, Curtis gave a deep breath, and when he released the arrow, it went at such a speed that immediately managed to hit the apple in the mouth of their pig, who was eating. Creating a loud noise. Curtis whistled since he didn't aim at that target, but the distance was triple the distance from the bow they usually would use. "That's quite a distance son,"
"Yes, it is. I spent hours to have better aim with this compound bow, Izzy made completely similar to hunters or even Olympics." Ezekiel commented as his pa hummed into learning a new thing about how much efficiency towards a single bow and arrow.
"My turn," Then Martha appeared, as she carried a good portion of biscuits and Orange Cider to make everything sweet from their time together.
"Pff Martha, this is a very complicated weapon, of course, it would require a lot of training, and as much as you have been good at holding a bow and arrow, know that different than our skill on the past this…"
*Deep Breath*
*Release*
*Thud*
Curtis had his eyes snap wide open, as he looked in the direction where the arrow went, and from the time it passed the pig, the apple, and went directly to the center of the orange tree… There was their aim practice target… His mouth dropped, and Martha giggled.
"I still got it…" Martha giggled as she slowly raised her hand to place his jaw back shut. "I love you with my heart Curtis, and I find hilarious how much you enjoy placing your foot in the mouth."
"She got you there Pa," Ezekiel commented as Curtis glared at his own son.
"Whose side you are on?" Curtis said as he saw his son shrugging his arms.
"On the winning side, all the time," Ezekiel commented, as he laughed at the moment his father grumbled on how his son was so easy to betray him when it came to his Ma.
"Okay then cheeky boy, if you are so good like you showed on the show, then do what your Ma did," Curtis said as Ezekiel raised his eyebrow, and decided to show… Since by grabbing 5 arrows. He decided to give a demonstration, of what he learned on the show.
"Okay, don't blink." Ezekiel smiled, as he took the compound bow, and by having all the focus he had, he still with the weight on his arms, he wasn't going to let Izzy's victories make him down, he wanted to show the trick he had been training since a long time since Harold suggested the idea.
*Deep Breath*
*Release*
*Thud*Thud*Thud*Thud*Thud*
*Release Breath*
And on that time, Curtis and Martha had their eyes wide open, and saw like 5 arrows being shot at the same time, and when it hit the target… All of them hit the same orange tree that his Ma was focusing on the first arrow.
"Okay, I know when I am in a lost battle," Curtis commented as he immediately left the area, going directly to the main room, eating his food, having a drink, and then a good time for a nap, because he doesn't want to remain awake on the rest of the day.
This made Martha and Ezekiel chuckle at the antics of the father, who didn't have a win when it comes bow and arrow. Who could give that to him? Like mother, like son, at least when it comes to archery.
.
.
.
"Man, this is a lot of work that I have been working out. And I'm just glad that they liked Courage the Cowardly Dog." Ezekiel commented as he and his Ma were passing the afternoon, cleaning up his bedroom, a place where he had so many papers with sketches, and even slight papers on his typewriter, and the same object returned to the place where it belonged.
"I'm glad that you took care of your grandma's typewriter, there aren't a lot of places that still use it around," Martha commented, as her son walked to turn on the computer, a simple version of the technology of the 90s. Thankfully they found a way to pay for the internet.
"Well, I think with the money I have, I can buy a new computer. One that I won't need to use the floppy disk as a way to save my chapters Ma." Ezekiel said as he grabbed one of the floppy disks, and there were a few names that he had on them.
Those floppy disks aren't like the work he had done from his usual work as Courage, Steven Universe, or Adventure Time, not even Ben 10… Those were something that Ezekiel did, since the beginning of his new life.
Those were… his original fanfics. The ones he wrote, just for the sake of him remember where he came from, the stories that he created before reaching the new world. Everything that he wrote about the future. All the shows, all the ideas of video games, everything that he could remember.
It took days, weeks even to remind himself about the new world he was in, most of the creators of cartoons, videogames, or even social media never existed. Which now he had to accept, and come to terms with it. He was in a world where he could remember and use those flop disks as a way to have nostalgia for himself.
Still, there was a lot missing, so many details, so many things that he wished to have in the world he came from. But now, all he had was nostalgia. He had those as fanfics because it was to only remind himself of how good the times were in the future, and nothing was lost.
Maybe it was never meant to be, those fanfics would just be a memory for himself only, and the details of everything that he wrote about the things he missed from the other world.
Then he felt someone snapping his fingers in front of him.
"What?" Ezekiel turned around and saw his Ma, crossing her arms, and giving that look which made Ezekiel blush. "How long I was out?"
"2 minutes," Martha commented, as she giggled from how easy was to embarrass her little boy. "Now, let's go eat something, I think DJ's momma left a black forest slice if your pa didn't eat it yesterday."
"Oh, now I'm feeling hungry," The homeschooled boy said as both mother and son decided to enjoy their good time together, while on the desk, there were drawings of so many projects and ideas, a monkey, an elephant, and a yellow rhinoceros inside of a camping summer, a samurai and a dark demon, a little boy having a blue man and a whale as parents going in the direction of adventure, two brothers and a bird walking around on the dark forest, a grim reaper with 2 kids driving him crazy, and a big drawing with everything he ever wrote, and a lot of unknown characters, showing a log nearby… C.N.
As a way to remember the good things from the past.
.
.
.
"Hey Ma, did you know that my friends thought that you are Gwen's relative?" Ezekiel asked, which made Curtis glance at his wife, while the latter just chuckled as an answer.
"I could understand since Alisson said that I looked exactly like her daughter, and decided to ask an actress to do her video message from home." Martha giggled, and Ezekiel nodded his head. "She wanted to use another girl to try to imitate her daughter, but she found it would have been funnier if I did something from the future, which it was a good meatloaf for us to eat, and a good talk to have around the mothers."
"You are your knacks for doing impressions," Curtis said as he rolled his eyes knowing how his wife always found weird ways to entertain herself. "I remember the time we lost 2 important clients because you imitated one of them."
"Oh come on, how did I know they were having a divorce?" Martha said as she pouted, and Ezekiel had his eyebrows raised. "It was in my teenage time, that Robin and I got a lot of trouble when we imitated the couple, but the person Robin was imitating wasn't the wife."
"What does t… wait…" Ezekiel tried to understand what her mother was saying until it hit him. And he felt a huge urge to hold his laugh. "You two imitated the husband and a secret lover?"
"Yes, they did," Curtis said, as he could see his wife pouting at him. As much as it would have been hilarious, that wasn't a funny joke. "That couple were 2 of our major clients who ordered fruits for their festival in another state. And Pa got so angry that he clearly wrecked the barn…"
"Oof," Ezekiel commented, as he couldn't meet his grandparents, but seeing a situation where money was related, and for a silly mistake people get lost a lot of money, it was a case that it would end even with assassination.
"I said I was sorry," Martha commented as the husband rolled his eyes.
"Uhum," Curtis acted like he believed in the words that his wife had said, but he even went to warn his son. "One thing Zeke, when your ma wants to imitate someone, she would do it, or even die trying."
"Now you are exaggerating," Martha said until Curtis interrupted.
"Chris Mclean." Curtis just said those words, which made Martha immediately shut her mouth.
"Wait, she imitated Chris? Oh, that's a thing that I must see." Ezekiel said as his mother gave a small smile, while Curtis rolled his eyes.
"She does him so perfectly, that it makes me punch her face." The pa said as Ezekiel had his eyes wide open in surprise. "But since I don't hurt women I-"
"Coward," Martha said in a way that Ezekiel could clearly almost Chris's tones, it was indeed surprising to see it. "Campers, we have a new challenge for today. The first one who eats this dangerous dynamite wins the immunity, and since I have an important business related to my own hair gel, I will be watching from far away while I will laugh from all your suffering."
Ezekiel had to pause and be sure that he wasn't dreaming, even pinching himself, because he could have sworn, that his mom had been Chris from World Tour or even from the Revenge of Island.
"Wow," Ezekiel commented as he never thought his ma was indeed able to imitate someone so well like that. "All you need to do is have his hair cut, his clothing, and his cocky attitude grin, and you could be clearly be treated as his sister."
"Don't even joke about that young boy," Curtis said, as he gave a look at the smirking wife he has. "And I know that look, Martha, don't. Now, let's drop the subject and focus on the other things."
.
.
.
"You want a ride for tomorrow," Curtis commented as he saw his son asking for something obvious. "Sure, 4 a.m we will be taking the truck, and I will release you on there, will I need to take you as well?"
"I don't think so Pa, since I have friends nearby the Mall, I could stay at their house until all the book signing is over," Ezekiel explained, as his pa nodded his head, and saw his boy preparing a small backpack with him. "Just grabbing the essentials,"
"Good," Curtis said as he sat nearby the boy, as the father and son never had much opportunity to be together, only when it was related to work… but there were times that they were just in silence, working together, or even playing around, that he knew that it was his way to connect with his son. His ma was already related to writing, reading, and hunting… But Curtis was related to working hard, waking up early, and working on the farm… "Say a fruit…"
"I'm not going to make a fruit farm Pa…" Ezekiel said as he clearly could understand the line of logic from his pa, the farm he lived on was always focused on Oranges and even some other citrus fruits, but when he got out of the farm he lives… He knew what he wanted to work with.
"You don't?" Curtis asked, as he could identify on what his son had said, he didn't say that he wasn't going to be a farmer, but Ezekiel had said, he wasn't going to work with fruits.
"Coffee…" Ezekiel said, which brought a surprising glance from the Pa, to which Ezekiel decided to give his logic. "Coffee is the drink of working people, people who need to stay awake and energized to do their jobs. So maybe if I drink people and make myself work in my books, maybe if I have a good coffee farm, with something people would like the taste of what they drink, and get ready for a good day of work."
Curtis remained calm. But soon as the father and boy stare the sunset, as both were cutting the woods together.
"What would you name your coffee farm?" That was the question which Ezekiel smiled to his Pa… a person who would be behind his back, and supporting him whenever he needed.
Ezekiel didn't need much… He just wanted to prove to everyone that his family was great… And he was grateful that he was able to prove to everyone something that the other version of himself always wanted. His family was awesome.
(Mall - ?)
Over Toronto, there was one location where many who would have a nice time enjoying with their families, take the opportunity for the students to find their first job, and for people who had money, to take the sales of the stores and business across the same place. The Gallery Mall is located at the Eaton Centre in Toronto.
From all the quantity of stores, with the clean white colors of the floor and the walls, it shows how clean and beautiful was to see such an amazing place for everyone to stay during the day and afternoon. The banners of the festivities are approaching, and the logos of the stores give a sign of what would be the best place for them to identify and be curious about what would be inside of the said business.
And from that many quantities of 936 businesses, there was a big water fountain to create such an astonishing view for whoever was interested in visiting the said mall.
Passing through those many stores, and corridors, there was one iconic space, where people would take their meals from the food court and walk away into a safe distance to a more calm and satisfying place, which between the distance, almost near the other side of the food court, there was an open area with many tables and chairs, and between the said tables and chairs, there was a giant lemon which was had a big straw sticking out of it. A lemonade stand named the Big Squeeze from looking at the public enjoying their food, the attendant Caitlin Cooke was wearing light blonde hair with green eyes. She usually wears a pink butterfly clip in her hair, a pink sleeveless top, a royal blue skirt, and pink high heels. But also the uniform of the company which was an apron with a lemon logo, and also a big lemon as a hat.
The girl was cleaning the glasses as she looked at her friends who seemed to have been in a very difficult pickle.
A dark-skinned boy who usually wears a long-sleeve claret sweater with a white undershirt, kabul capri pants, and blue sneakers with white trimming, was with his head down on the table, from the terrible event that happened on the day before, his girlfriend had broken up with him because she was going out with his coworker, which made him had a disappointing morning on the day after she broke up with him by text. Wyatt was feeling very down lately.
On his side, his best friend, who had been focused on reading a magazine related to new sports babies appearing on the cover, was there to give moral support. A tan boy with blue-black hair who wears a very dark magenta ringer tee with red rings, blue jeans, and brown shoes. Jonesi Garcia knew that his friend was down but preferred to focus on his own wants by reading a new Hottie Girl since he had no idea how to help his friend.
And on the other side of Wyatt, there was his other best friend who was trying to balance his skateboard from the tip of his finger to see if he could distract his friend from the depressing state of breaking up, a blond boy with a gray beanie with a white line, a yellow-green layering shirt with black sleeves, baggy jeans with a white brace, navy socks, and blue hi-tops. Jude Lizowsky wanted to help his friend who was down.
Among the group, Jen, who usually is the big sister of the group stared down his friend, trying to find a way to give moral support to him. A girl with auburn hair wearing an azure hoodie and a white skirt with an indigo stripe running down the side. She wears dark blue socks and white sneakers with indigo soles. She was also preparing to pass the day off by helping his friend figure out what to do at that time.
Last but not least, another girl who brought a few tissues in case the boy would need to cry for a minute, a girl who has a curvy, tall body and her hair, which is dyed purple. She has her eyebrow and nose pierced. And wearing multiple earrings, a necklace, a white top with a lime-colored circular shape in the middle of it, gray cargo pants, and light purple shoes. Nikki Wong.
"Duuuuuude, you need to get over it," Jude commented as Wyatt was still trying to get the strength to prepare himself for work. "While Serena broke up with you, and had started dating Chad, it's not the end of the world."
"I know Jude, and you helped me yesterday, but I wish that I could understand, why she did that," Wyatt commented as he never thought it would have ended that way, he had 2 months and a half wonderful times together, but in the end, a text was simply what it took to his entire week.
"I still say that you need a new hottie girl to help you out, Wyatt. If you want I can find one for you easily," Jonesi smiled as suddenly Nikki slapped on the back of his head. "Ouch, what was that for?"
"Because the last time you did that, it caused a lot of problems, in the same way, I couldn't ask you for a favor without making me completely mad with you," Nikki said as she glared at Jude who tried to look away.
"I said I was sorry, but look on the bright side, your parents still decided to let you go to the Prom," Jude said as he felt a bit down lately. "While I will be going alone on there,"
"Well, misery loves company Jude, we could go there just to see Jen and Caitlin enjoying their date with the tennis players," Wyatt explained as Jen and Caitlin decided to be more solemn.
"You don't need to worry about us boys, I know that you too would need time for yourselves, and the prom is an important day for the girls," Caitlin commented as Jen tried to be more reasonable.
"And I think that someday you will survive this phase guys, everything is going to be fine," Jen commented she knew that her friends would need her at such an important time, so she wanted to make sure to give moral support whenever they needed.
"Easy for you to say..." Jonesi commented as he was enjoying the magazine as he was eating a few french fries from the balcony that nobody saw where it came from. "You passed yesterday focusing on what kind of dress you and Caitlin would be using while we tried to help Wyatt in his situation."
"And how is going the job interview of the day Jonesi?" Jen commented as she rolled her eyes since her future step-brother liked to nag her so much.
"Well, I have an interview at the bookstore on the 322th, the people are saying one celebrity published a few books and they want people to organize the stands where he will be making the book signing in a few days. So any kind of help would be good." Jonesi commented as Nikki raised her eyebrows while Caitlin couldn't help but contain her excitement and curiosity.
"Oh, oh, a celebrity, who is it?" Caitlin asked as Jonesi simply replied.
"Someone named Ezekiel, from a reality show named Total Drama Island, from what I heard there are people from other stores excited to buy a book and ask him to sign." The tan boy commented, as suddenly he saw Nikki and Jude staring at him in surprise. "What?"
"I'm shocked to find out that you never watched the show. It had probably everything you ever wanted." Nikki asked as Jonesi simply rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"If there aren't crazy sports, and hot baby's in bikinis, then I'm not interested," Jonesi replied, which Jude immediately interrupted.
"But there was a dude, and the one who wore the bikini won the show," Jude commented as Jonesi had his eyes wide open in surprise.
"Wait, hold on, so that means I lost the opportunity to see chicks in bikinis and crazy things on TV? Dammit, I should have known." Jonesi felt the urge to slap his face, but he couldn't help but sigh in disappointment.
"I can't believe that you didn't watch it! It was the topic of the school every day, and I don't know why there were such crazy people doing all those humiliating challenges and having to suffer such weird crazy camp experience for the sake of 100 thousand dollars, just in the end lose the chance of 1 million dollars," Jen commented as suddenly the whole group stared at her... "What? Coach Halder loves the show, and he made sure to have everyone talking about the episodes while at work, it was the only way we could use the free talk around the sectors."
"1 million dollars? Wow, I could imagine what I would do with all that money," Jonesi commented as the group returned to their positions, and Wyatt felt a bit more relieved since his friends were helping him to distract his mind. "So do you know who is the celebrity who is coming?"
"Yes, his name is Ezekiel, a farm boy who was homeschooled and decided to use the opportunity to create 3 books, one focused on horror, others on adventures," Jen explained as Jonesi simply rolled his eyes.
"I mean, the boy lives on a farm, what would a boy who never went to a school would have a horror to tell?" Jonesi commented as Caitlin was the person who answered the question.
"He created Courage the Cowardly Dog, a book related to showing horror to children while creating happy endings to make sure everyone would have a good time reading horror books." Caitlin was now the person who made everyone stare at her in surprise. "Oh come on, when it got out I was curious about what the book was about, and it was on sale with another book I needed to study for final exams."
"Coach told us that thematic of the store before Halloween would be related to the books because Ezekiel is coming and he wanted to give a first good impression on him" Jen commented as she facepalmed into thinking about what she should do. "Since Halloween is his favorite holiday, we needed to also be dressed according to the theme, and somehow he gave me a choice, into dressing like an old lady, or wearing the pig nose."
"Ohhhh, you are going to be dressed as Muriel?" Caitlin asked and Jen stared at her friend. "I saw the drawing of her, and she is a very sweet Scottish Lady, so I recommend yellow on you, but you need to use a gray wig to help you in character."
Jen then saw the snickering coming from the boys nearby her. She narrowed her eyes and pointed at them who immediately stopped.
"Well, nice to know that everyone is excited about seeing this mall more movement," Nikki commented as she rolled her eyes. "While I had watched a few episodes, I can see how things will get chaotic at the time he comes here."
"I have to tell you some challenges were awesome, crazy, and dangerous to do, but something I would say it was awesome to be part of it. One challenge I just by watching I vomited 4 times." Jude commented as he recalled the time talking about the show, and Wyatt who was now too deep and curious about his friends talking about the event, suddenly forgot about the depressing state he was in for a while.
"Don't remind me," Jen said as she shivered from a few challenges that made her get on her limit. "One day Coach thought it was a great idea to see who could hold on to the vomit most while watching the episode of I Triple Dog Dare You,"
"Did you win?" Wyatt asked which made Jen shows a slight smirk on her face.
"It was the only time I could see Coach Halder having a sparkle in his eyes looking at me, or maybe it was a bit of his own vomit, but it was a brutal challenge, and I'm glad that we have normal jobs instead of being despaired into trying to go into a reality show and humiliate ourselves for a money that nobody won," Jen explained as she gave a point which most of her friends agreed with her. While Jonesy on the other hand just scoffed.
"Pfff, not a problem. I mean, it's just a celebrity selling a few bucks, I will take this job so easily that tomorrow will be easy to organize the stands." Jonesi commented as both Jude and Wyatt stared at his friend in surprise. "I mean, it's just a reality show, how bad it could be?"
Chapter 51: From 06:00 TO 13:00 Hours
Chapter Text
(6 A.M)
The sun was still shy, peeking over the skyscrapers of Toronto, painting the city with the soft glow of dawn. It was just past 6 a.m., and the streets were quiet, save for the occasional hum of passing cars and the distant chatter of early risers. The Gallery, just outside the Eaton Centre, stood majestically, its glass facade reflecting the emerging light.
A large truck rolled onto the street and came to a stop. Its door swung open, and Ezekiel hopped out, landing on the pavement with a slight bounce. He turned back, poking his head inside the cab and giving his Pa a broad smile.
"Thanks for the ride, Pa," Ezekiel said, his breath visible in the crisp morning air. "Hope you have a good day on the farm."
His father, a grizzled man with kind eyes, nodded.
"You too, son. Be careful in there, eh? The place'll be crowded soon enough, and we both know ya ain't just some regular kid no more." His voice carried a mix of pride and concern.
"I know, Pa. I'll keep my head down, promise." Ezekiel nodded, he wasn't going to disagree, since it was a pure fact that popularity can be a two-edged knife, and you never know how crazy the fans would be... Or worst case scenario, if there were more Sierras around the world. Which would be something he never wanted to see, even in nightmares. But still, he promised his Pa that he would be fine. He could try to hide until his friends came to his aid, but thankfully everything was just as empty as he imagined, so dealing with a small quantity of fans would be good, in case someone watched the show.
It was just season 1, so you never know if their popularity would be that big, since Total Drama Action was the season where everyone could use their popularity to the extreme, but many of his friends didn't know how to actually use it. But in that situation, Ezekiel had a few good ideas on how to make his friends grow in popularity, but also in person. Duncan and Courtney can imagine how they two would work together to make their lives better.
So even as it happened, Ezekiel waved to his Pa who nodded his head, and with that, it was the time to leave.
"Good lad," his father replied, reaching over to tousle Ezekiel's unruly hair. "Be yourself, and when you settle in your friend's house, don't forget to call us okay?"
"Will do, and don't worry, my friends will help me in case things get intense," Ezekiel said as with a final wave, Ezekiel stepped back, watching the truck merge into traffic and disappear around the corner. He stood still for a moment, feeling a strange mixture of excitement and anxiety swirling in his chest. This was his first real visit to the Eaton Centre, the giant mall that he'd only ever seen on TV or in pictures.
Turning, he faced the towering glass entrance of the mall, its vast expanse stretching above him, almost overwhelming in its grandeur. He took a deep breath, his eyes wide as he took in the sight. Even though it was still hours away from opening, just being there made him feel like he was stepping into a whole new world.
"Wow..." he murmured, a grin spreading across his face. "This place is huge."
His excitement was palpable, but so was the intimidation. Despite his recent surge in popularity, he was still just a small-town kid at heart. The thought of navigating through the bustling mall, crowded with people who might recognize him, was daunting. But he was also curious, eager to explore every corner and see what the place had to offer.
The street around him was quiet, with only a few cars and a couple of pedestrians passing by. The realization suddenly hit him he had almost four hours to kill before the mall opened. He facepalmed, groaning softly.
"Aw, man, should checked the opening hours," he muttered, feeling a bit silly. He glanced around, noting the absence of benches or anywhere comfortable to sit. It was just him, the still-closed entrance, and the quiet street.
But nothing as he couldn't wait for it... it had been so long since he actually had felt excited about going into a mall... Even being from both his lives.
In comparison with this time, the last time he had gone into a mall, was when it was in his former home country, visiting a country of South America when he was a child to visit his mother's relatives. At that time mall had a different concept of what a mall would be, but still, he had a lot of fun visiting his cousins from another country... He always felt himself part of dual citizenship, the good memories of his past life still pass, even as slight little blanks, from the faces of his relatives... Slowly their faces were fading away, which was something that he feared happening.
Since his trip to Canada, projects that his parents helped him to plan, and dreams that they had together of him finally reaching College... Just for a train accident into a tunnel having a landslide...
"Sometimes I do wonder if they miss me… but that wasn't something I should be worried about." Ezekiel sighed as he couldn't help but feel nostalgic. And then he decided to have one more question. "I wonder what the future waits for me..."
"Many mysteries..." And on that moment like a whisper from the silence, immediately made Ezekiel jump from his place, as all the alerts of his mind snapped in surprise. But then one rational thought came first.
"I recognize this voice..." Ezekiel whispered as he refused to turn his back, and regained his composure, he had been watching the whole show, for so long, that he recognized so many iconic characters, but from the perspective he had, never in his life had he thought he would meet her soo soon. "Hello Dawn, it seems my aura had told more about me th..."
At the time Ezekiel turned his back to look at the moonchild, into surprising her on how he knew about her and acting mysterious, the first thing he saw, wasn't what he expected...
*sniff* *sniff*
The moonchild, the girl who Mother Nature loved with her own heart, the kindest girl and helper of animals for Revenge of Island, the girl who could read auras and had mystical powers, was in front of him, but her face showed nothing more than pain and sadness, as her eyes were red of how much tears she had been releasing on that moment.
"Oh my God, Dawn, what happened to you? Are you okay?" Ezekiel said urgently, as he approached the girl, but she just saw the girl giving a few steps away from him.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry..." Dawn said as Ezekiel looked confused and had no idea what was happening at that moment. So he waited for her to elaborate, and thankfully the nature lover continued to explain. "I had been here around for a while, and I couldn't help but see you and your father talking about you being here... And I wanted to greet you, but at the time I came near to you... I just saw your two auras, and one of those auras had a color of white..."
"White?" Ezekiel asked as he didn't ask about the aura since he knew auras were something of the lore Dawn would talk about their spirits, but saying Ezekiel had 2 auras, one of them being completely white, Ezekiel had no idea how a white aura could make someone cr- And on that moment, Ezekiel stood in complete understanding, seeing Dawn on that fragile state, talking with someone of an aura that isn't colorful, and she sees it as a bad omen, he knew color psychology from cultures of other countries. "White is the color of death, isn't it?"
Dawn sniffed, as she lowered her head, not knowing what she was going to say. But at the time she was going to apologize once more, Ezekiel raised his hand and looked serious.
"Please, don't say sorry because of my death, I hate when people say they are sorry when someone dies, they aren't responsible for the death of someone, so nobody needs to apologize... if you really grieve my death, then you should say..."
"My condolences..." Dawn nodded her head, which made Ezekiel sigh, and how a simple exchange of words could immediately make someone starts the day sucking. "Sorry for making your day starting terrible."
"I need to teach my aura how to be quiet," Ezekiel commented as he could see Dawn's lips twitching, from the comment he said. "Do you need to drink water? Maybe some juice? A tea?"
Dawn still trying to contain her tears, nodded her head, and Ezekiel had no idea what was going on... But knowing how crazy his life would happen daily, he actually had to remind himself that he was on the Total Drama, which was enough for him to cope with every crazy thing happening in his life.
.
.
.
The interior of Dawn's tent is modest yet cozy, adorned with small trinkets and natural elements like feathers, stones, and dried flowers. A soft, calming scent fills the air, a mix of herbal tea and incense. The only light comes from a small lantern hanging overhead, casting a gentle glow on the two figures seated inside.
Dawn was sitting cross-legged on a small cushion, her movements slow and deliberate as she prepared the tea. Her hands, though still trembling slightly from earlier, move with practiced ease. Ezekiel watches her from across the small space, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity. In the next second, she did what was enough and brought two clay cups, as she poured the drink for both the moonchild and the homeschooled boy to drink... Ezekiel remained quiet as he kept staring at Dawn, who seemed silent for a few seconds until her eyes recognized what he was waiting for, and at that time she gave a slight gulp of tea.
"I'm sorry if I startled you back there… Seeing your aura was just… unexpected. I've never seen anything like it before." Dawn's eyes remain focused on the teapot as she speaks, her voice soft but steady. "Since the time I saw you in the show, I heard from Mother Nature that you have 2 auras."
"The aura is my soul, isn't it? Or more like souls?" Ezekiel asked as he could see the moonchild nodding her head at him, and Ezekiel had a bit of
insecurity coming towards his own heart. Since he felt that after his death, he was taking the place of canon Ezekiel, and it was something that even as he deserved to act better, the boy suffered so much in the canon universe, that he needed to think of a way to take out his aura out? "Did my new aura take the place of my other soul?"
"No..." Dawn simply stated as she decided to be more assertive and help him since he looked concerned. "Your auras aren't fighting to take place over your body... they are more like complementing each other, which seems that both your auras are tied together as one person. 2 halves of the same person."
"Oh thank God," Ezekiel commented as he felt relieved, now that it confirmed that both his memories felt so real, knowing that he wasn't taking the place of the canon version of himself, but it was a part of him, spiritually, which was good, since he felt that some knacks the former Ezekiel had, and some of his own knacks of his past life, are combined together.
He wasn't Mike, so that means that he doesn't have a second personality, he is just himself.
"I have no idea who this Mike is, but you felt relieved about not having multiple personalities." Then Dawn's voice made him interrupt his thoughts, and with him giving her a stare, she felt better as she drank more of her tea. "Your mind and aura are debating about this person who seemed to be very important in the future. And you don't need to hide from me, your spirit came from a land far beyond the future and distance that I could ever comprehend, and still, you seem to know me and the others so well... You know about me, about my future, about everyone... and surprisingly, when I see your aura... it has a deep color of self-improvement, kindness, and desire to make others reach their full potential, to reach the happiness not only yours but the happiness of others. You show very good creativity in developing your work, but still want to have much more to achieve of your own dream, to have a great life happy with your friends... and freedom..."
"Heh... which color is that?" Ezekiel asked as he could identify that while one of his auras was white, the other aura he had, still was there to balance everything, which Dawn gave another look and decided to tell the color.
"It's a shade of deep, vibrant blue," Dawn said, her eyes softening as she described it. "It's like the sky just before dusk, when the sun is setting, but there's still so much light left. It's a color that speaks of wisdom, empathy, and a longing for something greater than yourself. It's... very beautiful."
Ezekiel blinked, processing her words. "Wow... That actually sounds pretty nice." He glanced down at his hands, feeling a strange sense of peace. "I always thought my aura would be, like, a muddy brown or something... since it had been 3 times that I was buried alive... I think the color of the earth would be attached to me... " he added with a self-deprecating chuckle.
"No, Ezekiel. Your aura is anything but murky. It's true, that some parts are clouded, and sometimes, they're darker when you're troubled. But your energy, your spirit it's filled with so much potential and hope. You're more than you give yourself credit for." Dawn's gaze turned gentle, and she shook her head. She could see the face of Ezekiel, the true face that she saw on the television, and surprisingly, he was still the same person from the TV, a person who wanted to help anyone to be a better version of himself and others as well... And listening to the gentle words of mother nature, she could hear on how the gentle breezes had a bit of humidity as well, knowing that Mother Nature was emotional since that encounter. "And it seems that your auras had been in silence, not wanting to tell me how you died, and how you got inspiration into writing your books."
"Nice job guys," Ezekiel commented as he felt the desire to high-five himself, which he actually did in front of Dawn...
That scene alone was enough to make Dawn giggle, seeing that even in a situation like that, even as how realistic and painful the past of the boy in front of her was, he still had the desire to cheer up with a little joke, to make the mood being lighter than before.
"I will also stop reading your mind, just for the sake of your private thoughts, but bear in mind, that if you need to vent, or something that you could trust into hearing your troubled thoughts. You know that I was the right person in the future. My offer stands." Dawn said as Ezekiel who was smiling with himself, suddenly paused... and then knowing the girl from Revenge of the Island, one of the most favorite girls from Total Drama Island, the girl who had been the crush of many ships towards fanfics, fanarts, and even nsfw fanart made by the fans...
Ezekiel waited for a second, just to check if Dawn was blushing because such intrusive thoughts would be enough to make anyone caught by surprise, but then Dawn remained quiet, waiting for him to see something. And Ezekiel knew that she was telling the truth...
Ezekiel looked at his reflection inside of the cup of tea... And then he couldn't help but shrug it.
"Well, I need to open the vault anyway..." Ezekiel said as he remembered the time Finn discovered about his time as Shoko, and how the memories of the past made him come up with a debt that needed to pay off to Princess Bubblegum and think about it. Ezekiel never talked to anyone about it. Never opened his mouth about such an event... "Can I start from the beginning?"
"If you are comfortable with..." Dawn said, but she gave a slight smile, knowing that her curiosity would be answered, and she would do her best to help the boy who also had questions inside of his own heart, 2 confused auras that needed answers, and she was willing to be the guide Mother Nature brought for him.
"Well, for start... I'm Ezekiel, 2 times Ezekiel actually," The winter hat boy commented as he decided to present himself. "Born on 7th September, and my final day alive was 5th October of 2024..."
"I always thought you had some parts of Virgo when I saw you on television. But also showing a bit of Pisces." Dawn commented as Ezekiel couldn't help but joke a little.
"What can I say? Shaka and Albafica, always proud to be represented by them. Hehehe..." Ezekiel commented, as suddenly he saw Dawn tilting her head at him, with confusion. "Okayyyy, this is an internal joke, sadly nobody understood and that's fine. May I continue?"
"Please," Dawn commented as Ezekiel gave a slight glance outside...
"My parents in my past life were teachers, who taught me everything from home... since ironically the events of what happened to my aunt on this world. It happened with my cousin... he had 8 years when a grown-up adult went to the elementary school... armed..." Ezekiel decided to explain once again, giving the connections between the past and the present, in the same way as the future... Tragedy strikes when you less expect it, even showing that nobody knows how it could happen in such a terrifying way.
Dawn did her best to remain calm, but her hands were holding tightly the clay, as it was leaving a few cracks on how terrible it must have been from having such a terrible experience, living secluded inside of the house, protected by his parents from both lives.
And the more and more Ezekiel talked, the more Dawn could feel the sense of nostalgia coming from his mouth and also eyes. The times he talked about how his mom took him to South America to visit his relatives, how much he had written around the internet, and how much art he did about the books he planned to write for the future.
Even he let Dawn continue to make comments around about what she thought would happen, and what was her thoughts about the possible new things coming from the future, it was indeed an eye-opening to learn people were trying to invent a 3D printer that could print Meat for people to eat, no needing more killings to make their suffering worse. Mother Nature would be grateful for not seeing more of her creatures being killed by gluttony.
But then... it came about a time of Ezekiel talking about a train, and when he said that word... Dawn felt the hesitation, and yet the fear that he had on saying that word... The traumatic experience he had.
"My mom told me about people who had slight shades of white when it comes to having a near-death experience, but seeing one of the auras being completely white, was something that must have been very painful to bear with..." Dawn commented as she remembered the times when unbelievable and miraculous stories about near-death experiences made people change their lives forever, some changed so much that they were able to change their own futures, which her mom always found was rare to find someone with an aura like that, and she couldn't help but wonder a thought that escaped from her mouth.
"It was..." Ezekiel said as he slowly looked at Dawn pausing, as the boy had to recall one of the worst parts of having such a burden on his shoulders and chest... "I had nightmares when it came about that day, how painful it was, the fear of my life diminishing, and the hopelessness of having nobody to save you... until then, pain... then nothing..."
Dawn felt her lips tremble, as she didn't dare to ask further how he had died, his words alone felt so heavy, as she believed in him. Death was part of life, it was both opposites, but to see someone who just got 2 auras, which both had near, if not, both experienced death in the same way and time. Just that comment alone, she felt it was hard to even think about it... But Ezekiel wasn't done yet.
"2 years... it had been 2 years since I woke up with my two auras... and the worst part was the homesickness I had since I was at the farm, on how my worries got to the point of 5 stages of grief..." Ezekiel commented as he took
out his hat, and looked deeply at Dawn with all the sadness that he had on the moment. "I was their only child, and I couldn't even imagine how painful must have been for them to hear about my death, how are they at this moment? How much they cried for me, and what they were going to do since their only child was dead... how did my relatives react? If I had a way, any kind of way I would go back to where I came from, just for 10 minutes, just to say how much I missed them, how much I loved them, how I'm so sorry that I wasn't going to reach their expectations and how our dreams would be dead in just one single afternoon... A TRAIN CRASH, A TRAIN FUCKING CRASH... WHICH SOMEHOW IN THE MIDDLE OF A TUNNEL JUST DIDN'T HAVE ANY MORE STRENGTH, AND COLLAPSED IN ME, I FELT PAIN, I FELT COLD, I WILL QUOTE KENNY, DEATH FUCKING SUCKS, IT FUCKING HURTS A LOT..."
Ezekiel noticed that at the moment he started shouting, Dawn looked horrified, as her own feelings felt overwhelmed again, and Ezekiel just noticed that his face was also releasing a few tears in his eyes… As he was taking out from his chest a burden he had been suppressing inside of himself for a long time.
"I destroyed their lives... they did so much to protect me from the dangers of public schools, and when it was my time to go to college, I said I wanted to explore Canada first, a neighboring country... and I didn't even have my official day of college, and all those years they passed teaching me... raising me... it became like a dust..." Ezekiel whispered, as he never thought he would have felt in such a way before. Maybe he had been alone with his thoughts for so long, that he forgot how painful they were until he opened his mouth. "I could imagine them blaming each other, depressed of a son they worked so much to protect and loved... died in just one single afternoon... oh God... they didn't deserve this..."
The atmosphere inside Dawn's tent shifted dramatically as Ezekiel's emotions spilled over, transforming the cozy space into a sanctuary for raw vulnerability. Dawn watched him, her heart aching for the boy who had endured so much pain and loss. His words, charged with sorrow, hung in the air like a heavy fog, making it difficult to breathe.
"I'm so sorry, Ezekiel," she said softly, reaching out to place a comforting hand on his knee. "You've been through a lot... and I wish to actually know what to say to you, but your situation had been very unique..."
"Yes, I know..." Ezekiel sighed, as he tried to compose himself again. It took him a few minutes until he managed to recover from his angry state, and then giving a lot of thought, he recovered from his former state, reminding himself of his own mantra, that he had to learn… And in a few minutes, Dawn could see him, and he looked more relaxed… "Okay, now I feel better, sorry for losing my composure."
"That's fine, I'm actually surprised at how you managed to recover so quickly, from a fragile state like that," Dawn said as she could see that a good part of his burden had been released, but something made him both auras, remain in a calm state, more in a feeling that they simply gave up… hopelessness maybe? She isn't sure. But she was glad that he managed to put himself together.
"I tried to not think about it and focus on what had been real for me now…" Ezekiel couldn't help but chuckle sadly at the girl nearby him. "I created a way to actually do that…"
"Really? And how would do that?" Dawn asked as Ezekiel finished drinking his tea, and glanced at the clay cup in his hands... And from his memories, he never thought Jake giving a perfect lesson for him would have been his rock to not lose his mind.
"Imagine this cup is my favorite cup and I had it for years..." Ezekiel commented as he knew that it brought the attention of the moonchild and the future contestant of the show... And to surprise her, suddenly threw away the cup behind his back, without even looking. And then the loud crash sound could be heard from behind his back... "Now it's gone forever, so it's not real and I don't care about it anymore..."
*QUACK* *QUACK, *QUACK*
"That's a very painful lesson to teach, and one that could confuse many people," Dawn said as she felt the heartache happening as he could see the boy in front of her, trying to compose himself. "Also you just broke the clay cup I just made."
"Thankfully clay you can use it to make another one... sorry for breaking your cup. If you want I could help you to make one..." Ezekiel said as he looked sheepishly as he turned behind his back, just to see an angry duck staring at him... "Why is he staring at me like that?"
"That's Howard, and it seems that you broke the clay cup where he was sleeping. And he is very peeved with you." The moonchild explained as Ezekiel gave an over-exaggerated gasp.
"Dawn, language... did you kiss your parents with that mouth?" Ezekiel said as he made a little joke, which slowly eased up the tension around him, and Dawn couldn't help but giggle.
"From the time watching television, the show taught us a lot of new words," Dawn said with a small smile, which Ezekiel couldn't help but raise his eyebrow.
"And even sassiness, wow... living and learning every single day," Ezekiel commented, as both Dawn and Ezekiel laughed, even as the duck looked very annoyed at the moment. And looking as the things were tense before, the conversation became lighter and more comfortable for both of them...
"It's kinda strange to see someone instead of offering to buy a new cup for me, offered to help me to make one," Dawn commented amused, as Ezekiel shrugged from his point of view.
"You are a girl in tune with Mother Nature, so probably you aren't into materialistic things, if was any kind of cup you bought, I could have done the same, but you made it by yourself, so I would be a jerk into buying a thing that would replace something you did by your own hands." The boy who came into her world said in simple words, as immediately Dawn couldn't help but smile happily at how well he meant it, and those words indeed were very important to her.
"I don't mind materialistic things, but, to be honest... you're actually right, making things by my own hands is more valuable to me than something I could buy at any store," Dawn commented as Ezekiel nodded his head, and saw the duck which just quacked a few times before leaving them alone. Dawn looked at him and sighed. "Sorry about Howard, he had been in problems with his partner, and now he is guiding me to be here, and he loves to wake up late."
"It's fine, I think that he is a deep sleep duck, I shouted quite a lot and just a cup crashing nearby him woke him up." Ezekiel waved his hand as he realized how easily the tone of the conversation had changed... But still, the results are clear... "Thanks, Dawn... I needed to get that out from my chest."
Dawn nodded her head, even as her heart felt a bit of the painful comments and shouts done by the boy in front of her, she gave a weak smile.
"I didn't do anything but listen to you... sometimes being a good listener helps people settle down their thoughts and free their minds and chest of their worries." Dawn commented as she could see Ezekiel giving a weak smile, and a part of her wished to do much more... something that she may know could help in the future. But now she wanted him to focus on what was important to him. "Well, even after such a difficult start, you managed to make not just the life of the others better, but your own life better as well..."
"Yeah hehehe, I never thought that I could have changed so many lives, just by being here," Ezekiel commented as he gave a slight glance around the tent, thinking of every single member of his team... his friends. "Being a secluded child, I never really had any opportunity of having a real friend that I could visit or go to their birthdays... And just by being here, I could say that I had never so many friends, more than the fingers of my hand. And I'm doing my best to make sure their future would be better than the ones they were supposed to be fated to have..."
"What kind of fate that you work so much to make avoid to happen?" Dawn asked in curiosity, as now that she could see the boy from what he truly was... a fan who actually managed to make friends, and did his best to change the lives of everyone he knew for the better...
"Well for starting, Duncan, Courtney, and Gwen..." Ezekiel decided to share more about the time he watched the show, before coming to their world, before being part of everything... Every single detail that he remembered on how many betrayals, painful scenes, outrage moments. Dawn as a lovable person she was, and having a very good open mind, never thought into hearing the fate of many of his friends...
.
.
.
"I feel sorry for DJ," Dawn commented as Ezekiel nodded his head... she always heard from Mother Nature, and even from reading Courage the Cowardly Dog, the Ramses Curse, she knew the Egyptian curses would be cruel, but not THAT CRUEL."I didn't know there was an Egyptian curse that could make you hurt every single animal you try to be friendly."
"Yep, so that's why I think he got so traumatized from Ramses Curse, that at the moment he goes to Egypt, he is going to be wary of everything he could touch, just for the sake of not being cursed," Ezekiel commented as Dawn had a few questions inside of her mind as well.
"Everything you are trying to do for your friends, you want to protect them for what's about to happen in the World Tour, right?" Dawn asked as Ezekiel gave a slight wave with his hand, making more or less.
"Kinda, but also the pinpoint would be for me to save them before All Stars, which that event had been a pure disaster. Not only in case of bad episodes... but, Chris actually lost his mind after being in jail, and the people we once knew before, became completely
different on that season... they weren't to be like that. They didn't deserve that fate." Ezekiel said, and he was being honest with himself, and for the girl in front of him.
"You are very noble Ezekiel, and the burden that you are carrying on your shoulders is very painful and heavy to take," Dawn commented, and as much she would say it had been a perfect reason to fight for a better future, she knew the person in front of her was just a human, and yet, she couldn't help but to smile as he had the same confident and carefree and hopeful smile on his face.
"I know, but taking such a burden, never made me feel so alive and happy, I made my parents proud, made a lot of good friends, and changed the fates of people who could have been worst enemies into best friends," Ezekiel commented as he recalled every single thing he did... "I committed mistakes, I admit... But I know that in the end, what everyone, including me, always wanted for ourselves. It's to find happiness."
Dawn smiled, as she never thought that indeed, the person in front of her, would have been so mature, and so happy to take care of everything...
"So what are you going to do since you found the 1 million dollars? After sharing money with Lindsay and Heather." Dawn commented as Ezekiel paused and then deadpanned. "It's a large sum of money, and with how much money you are also working for, you can have a great chance to buy the island in the future."
"Okay, boys, which one of you snitched," Ezekiel commented Dawn giggled at the boy's antic, seeing that from all the people reacting to her knowing about aura, was by far the best reaction she would have.
"It was the white one," Dawn commented as she found it funny to see Ezekiel scolding himself down for saying that was supposed to be a gentlemanly deal, and snitches would always get stitches. Dawn couldn't help but laugh from seeing the boy acting comfortably like that. "You are funny..."
"Thanks," Ezekiel said, as he knew that he managed to make Dawn laugh, knowing that it would be probably impossible to hide any kind of information from her would be impossible. Which also made him have one thought in mind. "Also Dawn, do you mind if I give you one advice?"
"Is it about me reading auras too quickly that would freak out people?" Dawn inquired since one of the auras already told her his thought process, and Ezekiel didn't seem phased as he nodded his head. "I'm sorry, but that's a part of me that I couldn't change, I like to talk about their auras at the moment I meet them."
"Well fair enough... But you could start saying your name, and you are an aura reader, and at the moment someone looks at you in disbelief, or gets curious about you, you can start reading their aura." Ezekiel commented as he learned from the past, that Dawn had a quite problem since she didn't know how to approach the other people since the start.
Dawn thought about it... and noticing that his auras were in agreement with him, she sighed and let the advice be written in her mind and heart.
"Okay, I will do it." Dawn nodded her head, as Ezekiel smiled weakly at her, which Dawn now had something to ask about it. "So you know about my future?"
"Well, from the time I watched your season... you..." Ezekiel simply shrugged as he decided to talk and explain more and more about the future seasons.
.
.
.
"Wait, do you mean that I can access all my memories, from both times I was alive?" Ezekiel said as he looked at the moonchild who nodded her head at him.
"There are a few techniques about meditation, that could help you to achieve inside of your subconscious, trying to access all your memories. It requires a good mind, patience, and a very strong tea..." Dawn commented as she saw him raising his eyebrows at her. "It's a tea recipe that my father knows, and it helps you to unlock inside your aura, the deep state of your mind. In case you are curious about how to do it, you can go to Vancouver Island and look for my father, his name is Thorn, and he is a ranger in the forest. And he is a very wise man."
"That I can imagine," Ezekiel commented, as he was in deep thought. To have access to all his memories would be something that he could value most. "That way I could remember everything that happened in my life?"
"Yes, the good... and the bad things as well..." Dawn warned, as at that moment, Ezekiel realized what she meant. "To access to all your memories, you would need to relieve your past traumas, again."
"It never gets easy..." Ezekiel sighed, as he realized the world he is. And groaned annoyed. "Of course, it isn't easy, it's Total Drama."
"I don't know why, but every time you say that to yourself, your auras accept all the problems and outcomes like any ordinary day." Dawn tilted her head, as she was always curious about why the auras always were in agreement whenever Ezekiel said those words.
"Dawn, Dawn, Dawn... trust me..." Ezekiel commented as he felt that it was obvious what he said. "It's Total Drama, if you think some chaos and the worst type of drama could happen on the show, it's probably going to happen. I mean, the worst type of challenge, disgusting which would make people infuriated to curse Chris and do our best to survive? It's just a Tuesday after you are part of it. But trust me, you will understand the meaning of it after you participate in the show."
"If you say so..." Dawn commented as he wasn't sure if she wanted to be part of the season in a few years... But knowing that her future is in Mother Nature's hands, she knew that she had to believe in her future.
.
.
.
"Thank you for signing my book," Dawn commented as she saw her Courage the Cowardly book had been with Ezekiel's autograph since she never thought she had the opportunity to have the book signed the day before the new books arrived.
"I'm very glad that you liked Courage, it was my first book and one of my favorites of my childhood," Ezekiel commented as he was surprised to see her bringing her book to him just for him to sign.
"You did a wonderful job, this book shows that you have a deep love of your own work, you wrote everything based on your own emotions on how you felt at that moment," Dawn said as she could see that both his auras were beamed with pride and happiness at one of the works being well done. "But still I never thought I would hate someone as much I hate Eustace,"
"Oh... which..." Ezekiel blinked in surprise since he usually managed to make Eustace the way he remembered from watching all the episodes, so having someone showing pure hatred must be something one of the iconic episodes, like...
"The magic Tree of Nowhere," Dawn replied which confirmed Ezekiel's suspiciousness. "I confess that me and my mother cried from reading that chapter. Since had been so personal, and I learned so much about how the envy and the anger of the people could lead to the destruction of something so beautiful because they couldn't comprehend..."
"Yes... but also it leads to the cycle of life." Ezekiel commented which surprised Dawn with his answer. "That little flower, in the end, was the demonstration that the tree remains alive and will grow up again, and even as Eustace managed to cut the oak... he forgot one single detail. A tree only dies when its roots are dead."
Dawn remained in silence... which Ezekiel felt was a good thing that he always had thoughts about maybe bringing up the magical tree of nowhere sometimes, like moments of a slice of life, it is a magical tree, so, of course, Eustace was going to accept it, when he realizes that he could use it to have money. Hehehe, stupid Eustace.
Smooch*
And on that moment, Ezekiel had his eyes wide open in surprise, when he realized that he felt something nearby on his cheek... And his entire face flushed as in a surprise moment...
Dawn also realized that she didn't think that she could have reacted that way, but she quickly hugged the boy and gave him a kiss on his cheek. And when it passed a little second, she discovered that her entire face was blushing in surprise.
"Err... thank you, for telling me what happened," Dawn said as her entire face was burning, and she couldn't look into his eyes.
"No problem," Ezekiel said slowly, as he never thought that Dawn had been reacting like that.
QUACK*
And at that moment, Dawn never thought she would be grateful for her friend Howard being awake.
"Oh my goodness, it seems Howard needs something to eat. I will be leaving to bring him something to eat. It was nice to meet you, Ezekiel. I will see you tomorrow at the book signing." Dawn quickly said, as she walked in the direction of the duck, and even as the duck looked a bit confused, tilting its head, Dawn immediately grabbed her duck friend, and left the tent.
Ezekiel remained in pause for a few seconds and then touched his face where a girl had just kissed.
"Huh, I never thought I would have been kissed on my cheek by another girl, just my Ma... it feels nice," Ezekiel commented as he remained alone in the said tent... And from that moment, he then remembered where he was. "Oh yeah, maybe I should check what time is it. And see if the mall was open."
Ezekiel was about to leave the tent when he realized one thing.
"The popularity will be a huge problem at the moment it gets crowded. I hope my safety strategies until my friends come will keep me out of trouble. Let's hope for the best, and prepare for the worst. With the money I have in my backpack, I think I can use it to save my skin." Ezekiel commented as he took a few deep breaths, and composed himself. "Alright, you saw Celebrities and crowds of fans in many movies, shows, and news. Be yourself, and get ready for everything, never tempt fate, and let's do this. I'm ready…"
Her mind was a swirl of emotion, tangled up in her own surprise. As she immediately took her
friend and walked outside of the tent, she did her best to maintain her composure, trying to reach the nearest tree...
"What was I thinking?" She never expected her emotions to surge like that, let alone be bold enough to make such a move. Normally calm and in control, Dawn felt like her entire energy was a whirlwind of chaos, and not in the harmonious way she was used to.
Howard, the duck, quacked nearby, watching with his head tilted as if sensing her inner turmoil. Dawn's cheeks flushed, realizing how close she had been to making an utter fool of herself. If it hadn't been for the duck's sudden interference, she might have completely embarrassed herself in front of Ezekiel.
She crouched down, pressing her fingers to her temples, trying to breathe and sort out the mess in her head.
"I didn't imagine that," she whispered to herself, her voice shaky. "I really didn't imagine that."
Quack*
Howard waddled closer, giving her a soft, quizzical look.
"Oh no, don't give me that look," Dawn muttered, shaking her head. "You saved me back there. I was... I don't even know what I was doing." She let out a laugh that sounded more like a nervous hiccup.
Everything had happened so quickly, and Dawn was hardly able to process it.
"Did I let the overflow of his feelings and mine make me more bold?" She asked herself as her mind reeled. "I should have been more collected! I'm calm, I'm collected... but our rush of emotions that came from both of us, especially in the moment of vulnerability of us two… caused that. Oh Mother Nature, what I have done?"
Her heart thudded again at the thought. Why did she feel that way? she wondered, half-terrified, half-excited.
Glancing in the direction of the tent, and seeing Ezekiel leaving with a determined face, ready to go around the mall, made her frustrated with how flustered she was. And the worst part, she could hear the breezes of Mother Nature, giggling from what just happened. She groaned softly, burying her face in her hands.
"I can't believe this," she murmured to herself. "Why did that happen? Why now? Now he will think that I just did that because I just liked one scene… I should have been more patient."
QUACK*
Then suddenly Dawn felt her beautiful blonde hair being pulled, calling her attention, to the slight pain in her head.
"Ouch, Howard, not now," Dawn commented as she then looked at her duck friend, who just started quacking at her… Slowly she nodded her head and understood what he just said to her. "You're right… I was caught by my own emotions, but I have been sincere, and from what I learned from Mother Nature, I'm not the only one...I need to be ready and believe in what Mother Nature said to me. To focus on my own happiness. It will be a long and arduous challenge, but I'm patient. And I already gave the first step."
She stood up, dusting off her dress, her emotions slowly calming. Even if she wasn't sure what had just happened between her and Ezekiel, one thing was clear: this wasn't the end of it.
There would be more girls, some she would already learn by Mother Nature, and while she had no idea what was going on. She will be ready for anything, having faith in Mother Nature and in herself, she knows that in the end, she will reach happiness.
(10 A.M)
"So, you heard about the chaos happening around the mall lately?" Wyatt asked, taking a deliberate sip of his coffee, trying to wake up. The morning buzz of the food court around them was a constant reminder of the mall's daily rhythm. His shift at Spin This wasn't until the afternoon, but he had to mentally prepare himself. Despite still feeling the sting from his recent breakup, the steady stream of work kept him grounded, and being around his friends made it easier to cope.
Nikki, seated across from him, slouched back and lazily twirled her hair, her eyes half-closed. "You mean that celebrity author everyone's been freaking out over? The one who's supposedly here a day early for the signing?" she asked, her voice dripping with indifference. She wasn't one to get starstruck easily, but the growing noise of the crowd made it hard to ignore the excitement building around them. Across from her, Caitlin was busy mixing a fresh batch of lemonade for a customer at The Big Squeeze, her attention only half on the conversation.
"Yeah, what's the big deal anyway?" Nikki continued, glancing toward the increasingly packed food court. "It's like people turn into mindless drones the second they hear a celebrity's nearby. Give it a few more minutes, and this place will look like a giant anthill everyone swarming to get a glimpse."
"Well, I think it's pretty cool!" Caitlin chimed in with a bubbly enthusiasm, momentarily looking away from her lemonade stand. "How often do we get a celebrity here? Maybe they'll even stop by for a lemonade. I mean, who wouldn't want to try my new raspberry twist?" She smiled, clearly hoping to spot someone famous, maybe even snag an autograph.
Jen, who had been scrolling through her phone, let out an audible sigh and finally looked up. "I don't know why you're so excited, Caitlin. Celebrities almost always let the fame go straight to their heads. One minute they're ordering people around and using their fame to get anything for free, and the next, they're doing something so stupid their fans turn on them with torches and pitchforks." She set her phone down and crossed her arms, thinking about all the scandals she'd read about.
Caitlin pouted, not willing to give up on her starry-eyed hopes. "Not all celebrities are like that…"
Jonesy, who had been leaning back in his chair with his feet up on the table, grinned and jumped in. "Hey, I wouldn't mind if the celebrity turned out to be someone like Lindsay or Heather," he said, his eyes lighting up at the thought of Total Drama Island girls. "Now those are some famous people worth seeing." His comment earned a collective groan from the others.
Jen rolled her eyes. "Please. Lindsay has a boyfriend, I think. And Heather? That girl would chew you up and spit you out without a second thought."
"Yeah, she'd probably call you something terrible and flip you off for good measure," Nikki added with a smirk, imagining Heather's attitude.
Jude, who had been quietly munching on a tray of fries next to Jonesy, finally spoke up. "Dudes, trust me, you do not want to be on Heather's bad side. I've seen it happen on television, she gave a supreme wedgie to Trent that made me sore just to see. She's vicious when she wants to. Even Lindsay, the nicest one of the bunch, showed a mean streak when Trent messed up. You don't want to see those girls angry." He tossed another fry into his mouth, looking thoughtful.
"Yeah, Trent really blew it with that whole deal," Jen added, nodding. "He's cute, but man, did he make a huge mistake. I'm glad he kinda made up for it by the end, though."
Before anyone could respond, a piercing screech rang out from across the food court, making them all jump in their seats. The crowd near the entrance grew louder, the chaotic chatter now bordering on a roar. The noise was swelling as if something big was about to happen.
"Geez, what now?" Wyatt muttered, rubbing his temples as if the sound was physically hurting him. "People are getting rowdier by the minute."
Nikki frowned and sat up straight, her eyes narrowing. "What the hell is going on over there?"
Jen squinted toward the source of the commotion. "Probably just more fans crowding around. But it's getting insane look, there's security trying to clear a path."
Suddenly, Wyatt pointed to something in the distance. "Guys, look. What is that?"
All eyes turned in the direction he was pointing, and they spotted someone running fast. The figure was darting through the crowd, bobbing and weaving between people, clearly trying to get away from something or someone. As the runner got closer, they realized it was a teenager, probably a little younger than them. The boy was small and wiry, his face pale with panic, clutching a green blouse in one hand and a winter hat in the other. His clothes looked rumpled as if he'd dressed in a hurry or been in some kind of struggle.
Jen blinked in confusion, trying to place the face. He seemed oddly familiar, but before she could figure it out, the boy skidded to a stop right in front of them, panting heavily. His wide eyes scanned the group, and for a moment, there was nothing but awkward silence.
"No way…" the boy muttered, clearly recognizing them.
"Um… what?" Nikki began, her usual sarcastic tone ready to fire, but the boy suddenly lunged toward Caitlin, making her jump back with a startled yelp.
"AHHHHHHH!" Caitlin shrieked, instinctively putting her hands up as if she were about to be attacked. The boy, however, didn't seem interested in her at all his gaze was locked on the giant lemon hat she wore as part of her uniform.
"How much for the lemon hat?" he asked, his voice breathless and desperate.
Caitlin blinked in shock, still trying to process what was happening. "Uh… excuse me?"
"I need it," the boy insisted, his tone pleading now. "Just for a few minutes. Please." His eyes were wide, almost frantic as if the hat was somehow the most important thing in the world at that moment.
The group stared at him, completely bewildered. Wyatt raised an eyebrow, glancing at the others for some explanation, but all he got were shrugs.
"Okay, this is getting weird," Nikki muttered under her breath. "Who is this kid?"
Jen's brow furrowed as she studied the boy's face more closely. "Wait… isn't that…?"
"Sure?" Caitlin said, still a bit confused but complying as she handed over her giant lemon hat. The boy grabbed it without a second thought, tossing his blouse and winter hat into the lemonade stand.
"Hey, watch it!" Caitlin protested, staring at the pile of discarded clothing
now crumpled near her mixer.
"Just for a few minutes," the boy said quickly, sliding a pair of sunglasses on as he grabbed one of the nearby chairs, positioning it in front of the lemonade stand like a makeshift barricade. The group of friends, wide-eyed, watched in silence as he settled in, seemingly trying to blend in with the surroundings.
Almost on cue, a crowd of fans gathered across the food court, their voices rising as they swarmed the area, searching for someone or something. Wyatt leaned forward, squinting at the chaos unfolding. "This is nuts."
"They look like zombies," Nikki added dryly, slouching back in her chair as the crowd scanned the area, a restless buzz in the air.
The teenagers watched, baffled, as the mob murmured among themselves, their heads swiveling left and right like hunting dogs sniffing the air. After a tense minute, someone shouted, "There's movement on the south side!" It was all the encouragement they needed. Like a wave breaking on the shore, the entire group surged in the opposite direction, running to the pointed area with eager determination.
Nikki, Jonesy, Wyatt, Jen, Jude, and Caitlin exchanged wide-eyed glances as the commotion disappeared just as quickly as it had started. The food court seemed to exhale, returning to its usual hum of clinking trays and idle chatter. The boy, still sitting in front of the lemonade stand, sighed deeply, visibly relieved.
"Phew... That was close. Glad my backup plan worked," the boy said, removing the sunglasses and handing Caitlin back her lemon hat, looking genuinely apologetic. "Thanks for the help. And, sorry about the clothes." He motioned to the discarded blouse and hat in the stand, offering a weak but sincere smile. "To make up for it, how about I buy a jar of lemonade?"
"Oh, um, sure!" Caitlin responded, her mind still catching up to what had just happened. "What kind of lemonade would you like?" She was already grabbing a fresh cup, still oblivious to who she was talking to, but charmed by the boy's sincerity.
"Well, I've never actually been to a lemonade stand before," the boy admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "What do you recommend?"
Caitlin smiled, momentarily forgetting the strangeness of the situation. "Oh, we've got all kinds! The Russian Lemonade is a big hit my friends love it." She gestured to the group, who were now all staring at the boy with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.
The boy blinked and glanced around, his eyes landing on Jen, who cleared her throat. "Yeah, I used to work here. The Russian Lemonade is the best. Caitlin knows her stuff," she said, trying to suppress a smile.
"Alright, I'll take a jar of that, then," the boy said, giving a polite nod. Even though the crowd had moved on, he kept darting glances left and right, clearly still on edge.
As Caitlin began preparing the lemonade, she hesitated, curiosity getting the better of her. "Can I ask… why were you running from all those people?"
Before the boy could respond Nikki already answered.
"Don't you get it, Caitlin? He's the celebrity we've been talking about. That's Ezekiel, the guy doing the book signing tomorrow." Nikki leaned over the table, smirking.
Caitlin's eyes widened in sudden realization, her brain finally putting the pieces together. "Wait, what? You're Ezekiel? The famous author of Courage the Cowardly Dog?!"
Ezekiel winced. "Oh no…" Before he could react, Caitlin let out a high-pitched squeal of excitement, the sound echoing across the food court.
Instantly panicked, Ezekiel dove behind the lemonade stand, hiding between the counters. "Please, don't draw any more attention!" he whispered urgently, peeking up just enough to see if anyone had noticed.
"Sorry!" Caitlin whispered back, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She glanced around, noticing a few people casting curious glances their way. Thinking fast, she stood up straight and dramatically pointed toward a nearby store. "Oh my gosh! My favorite shoes are on sale!"
The crowd, disinterested in her exaggerated excitement, rolled their eyes and continued on their hunt for the elusive celebrity, dismissing her distraction. With a sigh of relief, Caitlin leaned down and whispered to Ezekiel, "I think they're gone."
Ezekiel chuckled softly from his hiding spot. "Thanks for that. You're a pretty quick thinker."
Jude wandered over, leaning against the lemonade stand as he looked down at Ezekiel with a lazy grin. "Dude, I never knew there was a hiding spot back there."
"Well, you learn a few tricks when you play hide and seek for years," Ezekiel replied with a chuckle, finally standing up and dusting himself off. He gave Caitlin a grateful smile. "Thanks for covering for me."
"No problem!" Caitlin said, still mixing the lemonade with renewed enthusiasm. "Do you, um, still want to wear the lemon hat? You know, just to be safe?"
Ezekiel considered it for a moment, then shrugged. "Yeah, maybe I will. I just need to be like that until my friends come;" He took the lemon hat with a grateful nod, plopping it back onto his head. "I think I can lay low until they arrive."
Jude and Jen exchanged glances, suddenly curious. "Wait," Jen said slowly, "your friends are coming here? Like, the other members of the cast?"
Ezekiel nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, we're doing a little reunion. The Killer Bass decided to show up a day early so we could hang out at the mall. You know, just to have some fun before my book signing tomorrow. We've got the whole day planned shopping, eating, goofing around."
Jude's face lit up. "Dude, that's going to be awesome!"
Ezekiel raised a hand for a high five, which Jude enthusiastically returned. "Yup! It's going to be awesome."
Feeling more comfortable now, Ezekiel adjusted the lemon hat and leaned back in his chair, sunglasses back on. "Just need to stay under the radar until the rest of the gang shows up. Also, I have the number of Courtney, and I was about to buy a cellphone here, but I was attacked by the crowd by surprise. I didn't even manage to get inside of the shop."
"Why don't you use mine then?" Caitlin suggested as she took something from her purse, and borrowed it for the boy who clearly gave a grateful nod to her again.
"Thank you, you have no idea how much trouble you saved me from," Ezekiel commented as he immediately took the paper from the pocket, which he had been holding since his trip from the farm, his Ma gave the number because her connections with Killer Bass mothers, so having Courtney's number would be essential since she is the responsible into knowing the other numbers of their group.
The group of friends watched him in amusement as the boy felt he was dialing the numbers of the cellphone.
"From my point of view, this person doesn't seem to be with the fame over his head," Nikki smirked, while Jen rolled her eyes.
"I will only admit it after some time," Jen replied that she refused to say that she was wrong without proof, but having the person seemed to be more collected and more down on earth, she could see why the boy felt more like a person, than the most famous celebrities around.
"Hey, Courtney it's me, Ezekiel. Yeah, I'm already here, but it seems the people are coming in waves, just to be sure, you could try to blend by using some disguise, and we take them off when we are all reunited. Duncan is with you? Awesome," Ezekiel commented as he was looking left and right to see if someone heard him saying his name, but thankfully there wasn't anyone nearby. "Well, I'm on the food court, on far on the back in a good distance from the food section, there is a lemonade stand, which was a giant yellow lemon. I'm wearing a big lemon hat… I know what I said, but it was the best disguise I could find now… how long it will take for you two to be here? 1 hour? Okay, I think that if I remain here, I will be safe. And if things get ugly, I will be going for my other backup plan… what is my backup plan? Go to find a secret spot to hide until you guys appear, obviously… yeah yeah yeah, laugh it up Duncan, but remember who was the one who made all the traps and caught you two… glad that we came to an understanding. Hehehe, see you too later. Bye..."
The group looked at the boy in amusement, as Ezekiel gave a sigh of relief as he returned Caitlin's flip phone.
"Thank you so much, this way we already established a meeting point." Ezekiel was grateful, and the girl was already feeling happy for helping a celebrity, and now knowing the other members of the Killer Bass were also going to appear, she was already feeling excited.
"Not a problem… Also coming up… here's your drink, Mr. Celebrity."Caitlin finally finished preparing his lemonade. As she handed him the jar, she grinned.
"So, you don't mind sitting with us for a bit? I mean, your popular friends are bound to show up eventually," Nikki said, rolling her eyes. She was met with a soft chuckle from Ezekiel.
"Well, popularity comes and goes, but real friends are those you can count on your fingers and toes. Thanks for letting me sit here, by the way," Ezekiel said, adjusting his chair so his back faced the food court, turning toward the group. They seemed taken aback by his genuine comment. "I grew up on a farm. Trust me, when you're that isolated, you really value the friends you do have."
Jen, surprised, looked at Ezekiel. Unlike other "famous" people she'd seen, he wasn't bragging about his popularity. Instead, he was focused on what truly mattered to him: his friends.
"You guys seem pretty close," Ezekiel continued, gesturing to the group. Before Jen could answer, Caitlin chimed in excitedly.
"Of course! They've been my best friends ever since I started working here. Jen actually got me my job! We all go to school together, then meet up here afterward," Caitlin said with a bright smile as she handed over a finished jar of lemonade and some plastic cups for Ezekiel
to use.
"Huh, neat," Ezekiel replied, taking in the camaraderie among the six. Some of them were still surprised to be sitting with him. "So... do any of you watch the show?"
"Dude, absolutely!" Jude exclaimed, finally introducing himself. "Especially those insane challenges like jumping off cliffs and wrestling wild animals. You guys were crazy, man!"
Ezekiel chuckled. "Glad you think so." But in the back of his mind, Ezekiel was still processing the surreal situation. Of all the people to meet, I run into the cast of 6teen at a mall. He glanced around the group. They all looked like their animated counterparts, only slightly more grounded in the Total Drama universe, Nikki, the sarcastic, edgy goth; Wyatt, the calm, musical one; Jude, the same laid-back dude as always; Jonesy, as carefree and reckless as ever; Caitlin, still the sweet, somewhat naïve rich girl learning about the world; and Jen… who was currently staring at him, looking more judgmental than the others.
"Uh, is she okay?" Ezekiel asked cautiously, glancing at Jen.
Jen snapped out of her thoughts, blinking as Jonesy chuckled. "Oh, that's just Jen. Ezekiel, right? So, what do you think of the babes from your show? Gotta get the inside scoop."
Ezekiel glanced at Jonesy, thinking, Yep, that's definitely the same Jonesy. How many jobs has he been fired from today? He chuckled internally but humored the question. "Well, sure, there are a lot of attractive girls on the show, but most of the time, we're too busy trying to survive a psycho-host on a deserted island."
"Wait, so all that stuff was real?" Jen asked, snapping out of her earlier judgment.
"Yeah," Ezekiel nodded. "We really did risk our lives doing all that crazy stuff on TV. And once we signed the contract, there was no backing out. So, a word of advice, always read the fine print before you sign anything."
Jen blinked in surprise, her skepticism replaced by concern as she listened to Ezekiel's serious tone. He glanced at the group. "No matter what the situation is, you should know exactly what you're agreeing to. I knew the risks when I signed up for the show. But a lot of the other contestants? They didn't, and that's when things get dangerous."
"Wait, even after reading all that, you still agreed to do it? That's wild," Wyatt commented, shaking his head in disbelief.
Ezekiel just smiled. "Yeah, it was a crazy experience, but looking back? I wouldn't trade it for anything."
"You even threw away a million dollars into the river. I've gotta ask did you lose your mind?" Nikki asked, her voice dripping with disbelief. Jonesy, who had been half-listening, suddenly snapped to attention, his eyes wide with shock.
"WAIT, HOLD UP DID YOU THROW AWAY A MILLION DOLLARS?!" Jonesy nearly shouted, his voice echoing a little too loudly through the food court. Ezekiel's eyes widened in panic, and he quickly leaned forward, shushing him desperately.
"Shhhhhhh!" Ezekiel's gaze darted around, scanning the area like a spy who'd almost been exposed. "Did you forget I'm trying to keep a low profile until my friends get here?" he hissed through his teeth, praying that no one had overheard Jonesy's outburst. For a moment, he held his breath, but the food court crowd seemed blissfully unaware.
Jonesy offered a sheepish grin, shrugging under Ezekiel's irritated stare.
"Sorry, man, my bad," he muttered, still clearly processing the absurdity of what Ezekiel had done. But he couldn't help himself and blurted out, "But seriously, dude a million dollars? What were you thinking?"
Ezekiel leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, a frustrated sigh escaping him.
"Yeah, it was a million, but the last challenge was total garbage," he said, catching the group off-guard with his bluntness. "I mean, we spent the entire season busting our butts enduring ridiculous challenges, strategizing, and voting each other out to win fair and square. But the final challenge? It wasn't about skill or survival. It was about turning us into animals, making us tear each other apart for the cameras. No way was I going to let it go down like that."
A brief silence fell over the group, as they absorbed Ezekiel's words. His tone was sharp, filled with frustration but also a quiet determination that none of them had expected. Even Jen, who had remained skeptical and quiet until now, looked intrigued.
Ezekiel continued his expression firm. "That's not how you decide a winner. You don't humiliate your friends and fight them like it's some kind of freak show. That's why I tossed the money. I wasn't going to let the show turn us into a joke."
"You really did that?" Wyatt asked, leaning forward now, his voice tinged with respect. "You turned down a million dollars just to stick it to the show?"
"Yeah," Ezekiel nodded, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "And now we're coming back for season two, next week. We're not done yet."
"Oh, so that means the babes are coming back too?" Jonesy interrupted, his grin wide as he waggled his eyebrows. It was clear where his mind had wandered. Nikki, with an exasperated eye roll, swiftly kicked him under the table. Jonesy yelped, rubbing his shin. "Ow! What?"
"Sorry about Jonesy. He's a lost cause," Jen quipped, shaking her head as she shot a glance of apology toward Ezekiel. The tension between them softened as Jen leaned in, her voice more sincere. "But honestly, that was a really brave move. Most people wouldn't have done what you did."
Ezekiel offered a grateful nod. "Thanks. My friends were pretty ticked off at first, but in the end, we all agreed. Our friendships weren't worth ripping apart over money. That's what reality TV tries to do, pit us against each other for the drama. But after nine weeks of surviving that crazy island together? Nah, it wasn't worth it."
A sense of understanding seemed to settle over the group. Even Jude, who had been snacking on fries, paused to listen. Jen gave Ezekiel a kind smile, clearly impressed by his perspective.
As Ezekiel finished the last of his drink, he let out a contented sigh, placing the empty cup on the table. "Wow, this lemonade is seriously good. You must've spent a lot of time perfecting the recipe."
Caitlin, beaming at the compliment, giggled. "Tell me about it! During my first week working here, I messed up everything, forgot the sugar, and mixed things wrong. It took forever to get the hang of it."
Ezekiel chuckled, genuinely interested, as he nodded at her story. "Well, you nailed it. Best lemonade I've ever had."
"Thanks!" Caitlin said with a grin, clearly delighted as she handed him a refill. "Glad you liked it. But seriously, tossing a million dollars into a river? That's legendary."
"Legendary or insane, depends on how you see it," Ezekiel replied with a smirk. "But, I'd say it was worth it. And besides, we've still got another shot at the money in season two. This time, though on our terms."
Wyatt, Jude, and even Nikki shared a look, clearly impressed by the way Ezekiel stood by his principles, while Jonesy recovering from his shin injury leaned forward with an eager grin.
"Alright, but seriously, man, next time, don't throw away the cash!" Jonesy said with a laugh, earning yet another swift kick from Nikki.
"Well, how about you guys talk about yourselves? You must have done a lot of great stuff together," Ezekiel suggested, leaning forward with genuine curiosity. The group exchanged surprised glances, clearly not expecting a celebrity to want to learn more about them.
"I bet some of you have done greater things than I ever have," he added with a warm smile.
Jen raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the question. "You really want to know about us?" she asked, her tone lightening a bit.
"Well, thanks for the flattery, but honestly, we all live pretty simple lives working here," Jen explained, her tone casual but with a trace of pride. Ezekiel nodded as he took another sip of his lemonade, waiting for her to elaborate. "I work at a sports store called the Penalty Box. The most exciting thing about the job is how our boss, Coach Halder, loves to make things... chaotic. Especially now that he's become a massive fan of Total Drama after watching the season you were on."
"Huh? That's actually kinda surprising," Ezekiel said, his brow furrowing in concern. "He doesn't put you and your coworkers through crazy challenges like Chris did, does he?"
Jen let out a dry laugh. "Nah, nothing that extreme. The worst thing he's made us do was endure watching the episode I Triple Dog Dare You without vomiting."
Ezekiel's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, seriously? That episode?" He stared at her in disbelief. "And you won?"
"Yup," Jen said, a bit smug. "Held it together the whole time."
Ezekiel chuckled darkly, shaking his head. "That's impressive. Honestly, during that challenge, me and the rest of the Killer Bass were out for blood. We really wanted to make the Gophers' day a living hell. Cathartic, really." His tone carried a mischievous edge, causing the group to blink at him, unsure whether to laugh or be alarmed.
"For someone who never went to school, I'm surprised you even know the word 'cathartic,'" Nikki remarked with a smirk, though there was a teasing gleam in her eye. "No offense."
"A bit taken," Ezekiel replied with a shrug, raising an eyebrow. "But I get your point. TV and the internet are pretty good teachers. Plus, I'm a writer. Shouldn't I know the words I'm putting in my own books?"
"Fair enough." Nikki dropped the subject as the group shared a look, slightly surprised by how unbothered Ezekiel seemed by her remark. But his attention quickly shifted back to Jen.
"So... did Coach Halder make you do anything else, or was it just surviving Triple Dog Dare You?" Ezekiel asked, leaning forward slightly, clearly invested.
Jen thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Thankfully, nothing as crazy as your show. But can you imagine if he made us do something like the wake-a-thon challenge? That would've been a nightmare for the store."
"You mean the challenge where you guys had to stay awake for days?" Jen grimaced as Ezekiel described it, the mere thought making her feel exhausted. "Thank God Coach Halder didn't do that. It would've been a disaster."
"Dude, that staying awake challenge was epic!" Jude chimed in, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "You were awake for, like, four days straight!"
Ezekiel laughed and shook his head. "Nah, I only survived two days. Duncan and Gwen were the ones who made it through four. And let me guess..." He mimicked their thoughts with a smirk, "'Pffft, staying awake? How hard can it be?'"
The group listened intently as Ezekiel continued, his tone becoming more serious. "What made it tough was how Chris constantly messed with us. First, he made us run laps around the camp. Then he stuffed us with this heavy food that made us want to pass out. After that, hours of boredom with no distractions, and Chris tried every trick in the book to make us fall asleep. The worst? He read us the entire history of Canada. A whole book."
"Zzzzzzz..." A faint snoring sound made everyone turn. Jude had slumped over, completely passed out at the thought of the challenge.
"JUDE!" The group yelled, snapping him back to consciousness.
"Huh? What? Oh, sorry," Jude mumbled, rubbing his eyes. "I was just imagining reading that book... Knocked me right out."
Ezekiel chuckled. "How did we survive? Honestly, no clue."
"Oh, come on, Jude," Jen teased, crossing her arms. "The history of Canada wasn't that bad. And let's not forget
you passed the finals just so you could jump out of an airplane... naked." She emphasized the last word, her voice dripping with amusement.
Ezekiel's eyes widened as the memory of that particular episode clicked into place. "Wait... you did that?"
Jude stood up dramatically, hopping onto his skateboard and circling the table. "Fear not, my compadre," he said with a grand flourish, "I shall regale you with the tale of the brutal torture known as school finals a system so oppressive, so soul-crushing, that only the strongest survive!"
.
.
.
Laughter and stories flowed easily as the group settled into their conversation, Ezekiel listening intently to each tale, occasionally chiming in with his own thoughts and reactions. He found himself unexpectedly enjoying the company of these mall-working teens, their banter and camaraderie reminding him a little of his time on Total Drama though much less dangerous, of course.
"Wait, wait, wait. Hold on," Ezekiel suddenly interrupted, a wide grin spreading across his face as he struggled to contain his laughter. "You drove a bus and crashed it? When you were 14? Who even let you drive it in the first place?"
Jen groaned, her face turning slightly red as the rest of the group erupted into snickers, clearly enjoying her embarrassment. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," she muttered, shooting them a half-hearted glare before turning back to Ezekiel. "That's totally not the point of the story."
"Oh, I think it's totally the point," Jonesy quipped, still chuckling. "Who hands over a bus to a fourteen-year-old?"
"Guys, come on!" Jen groaned louder, rubbing her temples in exasperation. "Look, I was technically doing a favor for a friend Timmy, but... things just kind of spiraled out of control. Okay?"
Ezekiel was still smiling, shaking his head in disbelief. "That's pretty wild. I mean, I've done some crazy stuff on TV, but driving a bus at 14? That's a whole new level. I mean, my Pa would kill me if I accidentally crashed the farm truck."
The group laughed at the comparison, and Jen let out a sigh before joining in. "Let's just say I've moved on from that phase of my life," she said, rolling her eyes good-naturedly. "Now, I work at the Penalty Box, which is at least a bit more... responsible. But before that, I worked at the Lemon Squeeze to get some experience."
Caitlin, who had been sipping her smoothie, chimed in. "Yeah, and thanks to Jen, she really helped me out when I needed a job urgently." Her voice was grateful but laced with a dramatic flair that made the others smile.
"Oh?" Ezekiel raised an eyebrow, intrigued. As he could recall from that, but already wanted to know more about the kind-hearted brat, who just learned about how the real world worked outside of the house she lived. "Why'd you need a job so bad? Did something happen?"
Caitlin smiled sheepishly, clearly enjoying her moment in the spotlight as she recounted the story. "Well, let's just say I might have... maxed out my dad's credit card."
Ezekiel's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You what?"
"Yeah," Caitlin sighed dramatically, flipping her hair back. "It was a whole thing. I got a little too carried away shopping, and before I knew it, boom I hit the credit limit. My dad was so not happy about it, and I had to find a way to pay him back."
"If there was a limit on the credit card, then it must be a very large debt…" Ezekiel chuckled, shaking his head. "Sounds like a nightmare."
"Trust me, it was," Caitlin agreed, then added, "But Jen here saved my butt. She got me the job at the Big Squeeze, and even though I wasn't exactly thrilled at the idea of working in a juice stand, it was kind of nice being around my friends all the time."
"Well, then you got me curious about one thing." Ezekiel leaned back, his eyes thoughtful as he considered her story. But since he saw so much about how Caitlin lived on both worlds, he knew what would probably be the answer to his question. "So, let me ask you this: if you magically got all the money you needed to pay off the debt, would you still keep working at the mall? Or would you just... stop?"
"Of course not!" Caitlin opened her mouth to reply with a quick, but paused, the question lingering in her mind. She glanced around at her friends Jen, Nikki, Jonesy, Wyatt, and Jude all of whom she spent practically every day with. Sure, working at the mall wasn't always glamorous, but the time they spent together was something special. After a moment of reflection, she sighed, her tone softer. "I don't know. I mean, yeah, the job can suck sometimes... but I don't think I'd want to leave. Being here, with everyone... it's kind of become part of my life, you know?"
"Yeah, I get that. It's not always about the work, but who you're with. Makes even the crappiest jobs feel worth it." Ezekiel smiled at her answer, nodding as if he understood completely. It wasn't a surprise since it had been great seasons that reminded his childhood. When he watched as a kid, he thought things were just like the show, but when he grew up and learned more from his parents, about how difficult it was to find a job, and even live on the farm when his Ma and Pa had struggled into finding clients, it was never easy.
"Exactly," Caitlin said, her smile brightening.
"Yeah, sure, that's why I stick around the Khaki Barn. Because I love being around my idiot coworkers." Nikki, who had been watching the exchange with mild interest, snorted.
"Khaki Barn? What is that?" Ezekiel asked as Nikki rolled her eyes.
"The most annoying place for whoever lost a soul would want to go there," Nikki replied, and Ezekiel tilted his head. Nikki's friends shook their heads from seeing Nikki being dramatic over such a situation.
"A clothing store?" Ezekiel asked and the others looked turned from bored to a surprise look on their faces.
"Exactly," Nikki commented as she snapped her fingers into pointing out the place where she was now burdened to work for the most part of her life. Or until she get the right money, Nikki sighed dramatically, leaning back in her chair. "Where do I even start? The Khaki Barn is full of airheaded, clones who think fashion is life. It's torture every single day. But, I need the money, so I suck it up. I've got plans, though big plans. One day, I'm gonna travel across Canada, maybe even the world, if I can. No more folding pastel sweaters for me."
"That sounds awesome. Where do you want to go first?" Ezekiel's eyes lit up with curiosity.
The question seemed to catch Nikki off guard. She blinked, then gave a small, thoughtful smile. "I'm not sure. Maybe Europe? I've always wanted to see Paris... and Rome... and maybe some of the cool places in South America, like Brazil or Argentina. Anywhere that isn't here, honestly."
"Sounds like a dream," Ezekiel said with an appreciative nod. "It's cool that you've got a goal like that."
Nikki shrugged, though the slight smile on her face betrayed her satisfaction. "Yeah, well, it's a work in progress."
"You'll get there," Ezekiel said, offering an encouraging smile. "I mean, if you can survive the Khaki Barn, I'm pretty sure you can handle anything."
.
.
.
"Wait, so you hate country music, and you had to work specifically in that section?" Ezekiel asked, noticing Wyatt's discomfort as he explained his job situation.
"It was part of the initiation for new hires," Wyatt replied with a sigh. "But yeah, it was pretty rough."
Ezekiel raised his eyebrows and glanced around at the group, who shared sympathetic looks for their friend. Caitlin decided to fill in the blanks.
"He just got a text from his girlfriend breaking up with him. She's with another employee now," Caitlin added, causing Ezekiel's eyes to widen in surprise.
"So this happened between the finale of season 1 and the start of season 2?" Ezekiel thought, as he remembered that was his first job, where his girlfriend broke up with him and later he was fired from the job, which meant that he would work into something similar of a blockbuster at the mall... By looking over at Wyatt, who seemed a bit down.
"I'm surprised you're still working there," Ezekiel remarked, as it was indeed something bad to do, which later he would get even worse with the time, and not surprisingly he would be fired from there.
"That's what I think too," Jen chimed in, nodding along with the sentiment.
"I need the job," Wyatt shrugged. "But yeah, I wasn't going to let it get me down. What other place would hire me anyway?"
"That depends... what are your skills?" Ezekiel asked, suddenly curious. "What's your ideal job?"
"Well," Wyatt hesitated for a moment before admitting, "I want to be a musician. I had a chance to get famous, but I turned it down."
Ezekiel recalled that episode, Wyatt had chosen his friends over a solo career.
"So you know music?" Ezekiel asked, his voice now full of interest. "How many instruments can you play?"
"I play guitar, drums, keyboard... and I sing," Wyatt responded, noticing the sparkle in Ezekiel's eyes. "Why?"
"Well..." Ezekiel began, a grin creeping onto his face. "I've got this project. People loved the narration I did for the Freaky Fred chapter of 'I Triple Dog Dare You,' and I'm planning on making audiobooks. Turns out there's a market for it."
"Huh?" Wyatt blinked, trying to process what Ezekiel was saying, as the rest of the group looked equally surprised.
"And," Ezekiel continued, "I've got lyrics and melodies for some of my books, but I need someone good to play and sing a few songs."
Wyatt's eyes widened, and he almost dropped his coffee.
"What?"
"I mean, you'd have to practice, maybe even learn a few more instruments, but if this takes off, you'd have a portfolio. Who knows, shows might hire you, or you could work on movie soundtracks."
Wyatt stared at him, still in shock. Ezekiel pressed on. "I'm just starting the project, but I wanted to ask if you'd be interested…"
"YES," Wyatt blurted out, making Ezekiel grin.
"Great," Ezekiel added, leaning back with a satisfied smile, "but keep in mind, you'll need to read my books. You know, just so you get a feel for the lore and the story behind everything."
Wyatt nodded, still processing the offer. Ezekiel, meanwhile, fished through his backpack and pulled out a few sheets of paper. He scribbled something down quickly, tearing off a small piece and sliding it across the table toward Wyatt. "Here's my business email. It's tied to all my work with the books. Just shoot me a message there, and me and my lawyer will draw up a proper contract."
Wyatt blinked in surprise, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. He glanced at the email before looking back up at Ezekiel. "Wait, a lawyer?"
"Yeah, man," Ezekiel replied casually, giving a slight shrug. "Gotta make it official, you know? But just so we're clear... are you busy tomorrow?"
Wyatt hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "Kinda? I'm still working at Twist This... the CD store where, uh... my ex works."
Ezekiel nodded sympathetically, then leaned in slightly as he continued. "Well, here's the thing I've got a book signing event tomorrow. It'd be great to have someone play live music in the background, you know, to keep the crowd entertained while they wait in line. Could be a nice little test for you, nothing too serious."
Wyatt's eyes widened, and he could feel the anticipation building in his chest.
"Look," Ezekiel said, sensing Wyatt's hesitation. He reached into his backpack again and pulled out a small wad of cash. "How about this? I'll give you $500 right now. And if tomorrow's performance goes well, another $500 when the event's done."
The entire table went silent as Ezekiel laid the bills in front of Wyatt. The group stared in disbelief. Wyatt, barely able to believe his eyes, glanced from the cash to Ezekiel, trying to find words.
"Whoa!" Caitlin gasped, leaning forward. "Wait you're just giving him 500 bucks? Like, right now?"
Jen's eyes widened too. "Are you serious? That's… kinda insane!"
Wyatt blinked, staring at the money as if it might disappear. "I... I don't even know what to say, man."
Jonesy couldn't help but let out a low whistle. "Dude, that's like, three months of work for me," he muttered, half-jealous, half-impressed.
"That if you even were able to stay hired after one week," Nikki commented but she also couldn't help but be impressed. "But I have to agree, that would have taken a few months of work, for me as well."
Wyatt picked up the money, his hands trembling slightly, still in shock from the sheer luck of the situation. "This is... wow, I thank you, man. Seriously."
Ezekiel smiled, clearly pleased with Wyatt's reaction. "No worries. Just remember
to bring your best for tomorrow, okay? Just be sure that it's going to be long and draining hours."
Wyatt nodded as the boys and girls went nearby to see the boy having the good money on his hands.
(11:30 a.m)
"I can't believe he managed to slip through the crowd like that," Courtney muttered, glancing around cautiously. She adjusted the black wig she'd brought along, thankful for the disguise. Her eyes darted to Duncan, her boyfriend, who was hiding under a long hoodie, doing his best to stay low-profile alongside her.
"Come on, Courts," Duncan said, rolling his eyes with a smirk. "Zeke's fine. He's disguised just like us. You've already said it, no one's gonna recognize him."
As much as Duncan hated to admit it, the frenzy surrounding Ezekiel had taken him by surprise. He hadn't expected the mall to be this chaotic. Sure, he'd dealt with his own surprising level of attention after Total Drama, but seeing an entire mall in a frenzy searching for Ezekiel? That was a different level.
"Yeah, but for how long?" Courtney's voice carried an edge of nervousness. As confident as she was in school, with her reputation and popularity under control, dealing with the unpredictability of crowds was something entirely new to her. The whole situation was well outside her comfort zone. "Did I actually just ask you if you've seen a giant lemon? I can't believe I'm saying this."
Duncan chuckled, shaking his head. "Relax, princess. We just got to the food court. Everyone's too busy stuffing their faces to care about us. We're fine. And hey " He squinted toward the other side of the court, pointing ahead. "I think I found your giant lemon."
Courtney followed his gaze. Sure enough, across the court stood a large lemon mascot, far enough away that only a few people were gathered around it.
"That... might be it," she said, her eyes narrowing as she tried to get a better look. She glanced around quickly, still paranoid that someone might spot them. "Well, it won't hurt to check it out."
The two made their way across the court, weaving between tables and blending into the sea of mall-goers. A few moments later, Courtney recognized a familiar figure, his back turned toward her, wearing the oversized lemon hat she'd seen from a distance. He was sitting among a group of friends, casually chatting.
"And that's how I got fired from the toy store," the tan-skinned boy said with a laugh.
Courtney stopped, narrowing her eyes at the scene just in time to hear the incredulous response from one of the others.
"So let me see if I got this right, you got fired because you instead of working at your job, you went into doing a fake trick in an escalator, just for the sake of making Jen freak out and says the things that were common sense like not doing it because you aren't a professional so you could get hurt, and then you broke your arm, and yet... instead of going at work you went at the tattoo cabin just to see her freaking out because Nikki and Wyatt were trying to make her freak out from having a tattoo, And while you were messing around, a bunch of kids ransacked the toy store and stole everything?" The person made a summary and Courtney blinked a few times, as she couldn't believe what she was hearing as well. "All of this because of a bet of 5 bucks?"
Jonesy, the boy who had been so proudly telling the story, suddenly froze. His cocky grin faded, and he glanced over at Jen, who sat next to him with an I-told-you-so look on her face.
"Told you so..." Jen said, as Ezekiel shook his head.
"If Courtney and Duncan were here, Courtney'd probably say that's the dumbest thing she's ever heard. And Duncan he'd be dying laughing right now." The boy said, which was enough reason for Courtney and Duncan to already take their disguises.
"Right in point." Courtney's voice was enough to bring the attention, to the group staring at them, Duncan was trying to hold his laugh. "That was the dumbest thing I ever heard in my life, and I heard Owen telling about his dreams over donuts, which were something that could leave a mental scar…"
At that exact moment, Courtney and Duncan pulled off their disguises.
"Right on the mark," Courtney's sharp voice cut through the conversation, drawing the group's attention. Duncan was already stifling his laughter, trying to keep a straight face.
"That," Courtney continued, her arms crossed, "was the dumbest thing I have ever heard. And I've heard Owen's donut dreams, which, trust me, left some serious mental scars."
Jonesy looked like a deer caught in headlights, while Jen burst into laughter, shaking her head at him.
"Man, that's golden. I mean, really? A $5 bet? And you ended up getting fired? That's a whole new level of dumb!" Duncan finally let his laughter loose.
"Honestly, you couldn't make this stuff up if you tried." Courtney rolled her eyes but couldn't help smirking.
"Hey, guys, you finally made it." Ezekiel grinned as he took off his lemon-patterned hat and placed it on the table in front of him. "I ran into this interesting group who helped me hide from the crowd. I'm really glad you all showed up."
"Of course, we came," Duncan said, stepping forward and glancing at the new faces around the table. He cracked his knuckles casually, eyeing the crowd in the distance. "We're not gonna let you handle the mob on your own. People out there are acting like animals, ready to pounce. Besides, Eva's not here yet, but when she shows up, I'd pay ten bucks just to see who's dumb enough to mess with her."
Ezekiel chuckled at the thought. "Yeah, now that would be something to watch."
As the conversation flowed, the group from the mall Caitlin, Jen, Nikki, Wyatt, Jonesy, and Jude turned their attention to the newcomers. Ezekiel waved toward them with a casual smile. "So, guys, this is Courtney and Duncan. And these are "
Before he could finish, Courtney's eyes widened in sudden recognition. "Jude?" she blurted out, cutting Ezekiel off mid-sentence.
The entire table froze for a moment, everyone's attention snapping to Courtney. Duncan blinked, caught off guard by her outburst, while Ezekiel's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
Jude, who had been lounging in his seat, tilted his head curiously. "Whoa, you know me? I didn't even have to introduce myself. That's pretty rad." He grinned, clearly impressed. The rest of his group exchanged confused looks, not quite sure what was going on.
Jen leaned forward, raising her eyebrows. "Wait... how do you two know each other?"
Courtney sighed, rolling her eyes as she rubbed her forehead in exasperation. "You seriously don't remember me? Short girl, two ponytails, pink shirt, white skirt? You let that stupid chicken you named Nugget destroy my lunch. Heck, it practically attacked me!"
A spark of recognition lit up in Jude's eyes as he snapped his fingers. "Ohhh, Courtney! Man, I totally remember now. I can't believe it's you! You disappeared for, like, a decade I thought my egg salad teleported you to another dimension or something. And hey, don't blame Nugget. That chicken probably thought your sandwich was her long-lost kid or something."
Courtney groaned, facepalming. "It was a tuna sandwich, Jude." She looked up at him, her frustration barely concealing the hint of nostalgia in her voice. "I can't believe you're still the same guy from kindergarten."
Jude just shrugged, an easygoing smile plastered on his face. "What can I say? Livin' life to the max, you know?"
The entire group watched the interaction unfold with a mix of amusement and surprise. Duncan, arms crossed, smirked. "So, you two go way back, huh?"
Courtney, still shaking her head in disbelief, let out a small chuckle. "Yeah, believe it or not, we do." She turned to Jude, her stern demeanor softening as she remembered the ridiculous but fond memories from their childhood. "I guess some things never change."
Jude grinned wider, clearly happy to reconnect. "Good times, huh? I can't believe you remember all that!"
Ezekiel, still watching with a curious smile, exchanged a look with Jen, who simply shrugged in disbelief. "This is... wild," Jen whispered, leaning in toward Ezekiel.
Nikki, always the skeptic, raised an eyebrow. "Kind of insane, right? Small world."
Courtney, meanwhile, let her guard down just a little. Despite her usual sharp tongue, there was something oddly comforting about realizing that Jude hadn't changed at all. A small smile crept onto her face. "Yeah," she said softly, "some things really don't."
"So, you two were childhood friends?" Ezekiel commented, watching Courtney nod with a nostalgic smile.
"Yeah, we were friends back in kindergarten," Courtney explained as she took a seat near the group, Duncan following suit. Ezekiel passed her a cup of lemonade, which she accepted gratefully. "My parents had to move because my mom got a better job opportunity as a lawyer. After that, we lost contact."
She took a sip, settling in. "How have you been, Jude?"
Jude, always eager to share his latest wild story, grinned. "I've been good. We were just telling your buddy Ezekiel about the time I was supposed to be studying for our school finals, but instead, my friends helped me get ready for this crazy stunt. I said I was going to jump out of a plane with a parachute... naked."
Courtney nearly choked on her lemonade, sputtering it out all over Jonesy, who was sitting nearby.
"Dude, come on!" Jonesy groaned, wiping the juice off his face while Courtney looked at Jude, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"PARACHUTE NAKED?! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!" Courtney shouted, completely horrified.
Duncan, on the other hand, looked impressed. "Okay, that's hardcore," he said, folding his arms and smirking. Jonesy just blinked in confusion, glancing over at Jen, while Nikki snickered and Caitlin tried to stifle her laughter.
"Wow, she sounds exactly like
"Jen," Caitlin said, nudging Nikki.
"Yeah, like a twin or something," Nikki added with a smirk.
Jen, looking slightly defensive, pouted. "Oh, come on, I'm not that bad."
The rest of the group gave her a knowing look, causing her to sigh. "Okay, fine, I'm toning it down lately... but Jude really did jump naked with a parachute. He even took a picture of it."
"Man, that's something I'd pay good money to see someone pull off." Duncan's eyes widened in appreciation. He glanced over at Courtney with a grin. "Gotta say, Court, your childhood friends are awesome. Why didn't you ever tell me you had such a wild past?"
"Please, Duncan, not now... I feel like all the crazy memories of Jude's impulsive stunts are coming back, all at once." Courtney groaned, rubbing her temples.
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Jude replied, completely unbothered, flashing his trademark relaxed grin.
As the rest of the group chuckled at the interaction, Duncan leaned back, clearly enjoying the chaos.
"Man, this just keeps getting better." Duncan commented as he didn't mind to get a few smacks on his arm, that's gold, and he is going to enjoy every minute of it.
Courtney, however, let out an exaggerated sigh, sinking into her seat. "I knew reconnecting with you was going to be a headache," she muttered, though there was a slight smile tugging at her lips despite herself.
.
.
.
"Yes, we're at the food court, on the other side by the lemonade stand with the giant yellow lemon on top. It's called… Lemon Squeeze?" Courtney said, glancing at Caitlin, who nodded in confirmation. Courtney continued speaking into her phone, her voice authoritative as usual. "Yeah, when you find the others, let them know where we are. I sent them the location. Alright, see you soon, Geoff."
She hung up, taking another sip of her lemonade as Duncan leaned in, casually raising an eyebrow. "So, what's the update?"
"Geoff found Harold, Bridgette, Tyler, and Eva. So now we've got our very own bodyguard if the crowd gets too crazy." Courtney smirked, clearly pleased with the idea of Eva handling the chaos.
"Wooo, finally!" Ezekiel cheered, practically bouncing in his seat. "Now we can actually explore the mall! I've got so many things I wanna do."
"Oh yeah?" Duncan asked, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. "Like what?"
Without a word, Ezekiel reached into his pocket and handed Duncan a folded piece of paper. As Duncan unfolded it, he found a sketch of a muscular, humanoid fish flexing its biceps and smoking a big cigar, with the words Killer Bass written in bold letters around it.
"Cool drawing, but what is " Duncan started before Ezekiel cut him off with a proud grin.
"That's the tattoo I'm getting."
Courtney's reaction was instant. She slammed her fist on the table, eyes wide in disbelief. "What? Oh, no, you don't!"
Ezekiel remained unfazed, shrugging as he explained. "I lost a bet, Courtney. Fair and square. And it's not even going to be huge, just a small one on the side of my arm near my shoulder. No big deal."
The group stared at Ezekiel, stunned. Even Duncan, who normally would've been all for something reckless, looked at Ezekiel like he'd lost his mind.
"Zeke, that's nuts," Duncan said, shaking his head. "Even I've thought about getting a tattoo before, but I never actually did it…" He paused, a puzzled expression crossing his face. "Wait a minute, why don't I have a tattoo?"
"That's what you're worried about?!" Jen and Courtney shouted in unison, their voices carrying through the food court. The outburst made them both blink in surprise as they realized they'd spoken at the same time.
Nikki and Caitlin exchanged amused glances, giggling at the sight.
"Like I said," Nikki smirked, leaning back in her chair, "twins."
Jen and Courtney both turned to glare at Nikki, who only smirked wider, enjoying the moment.
"Come on, you two. It's kind of cute how alike you are," Nikki teased, crossing her arms as Caitlin stifled another giggle.
Courtney huffed, ignoring Nikki and refocusing on Ezekiel. She leaned forward, her eyes narrowing with determination. "Look, Zeke, you don't need to go through with this. A tattoo is permanent, you know? And you're doing it just because of a bet? There are other ways to settle a bet that doesn't involve, you know, inking your skin."
Jen nodded in agreement, crossing her arms. "Yeah, Ezekiel, trust us on this one. You could end up regretting it later. And the whole Killer Bass logo? Come on, that's kind of... extreme."
"Nah, let him do it. If Zeke wants the tattoo, let him have it. Besides, it'll be epic. A Killer Bass tattoo? It was our symbol, you should give it to him. It is badass." Before Ezekiel could respond, Duncan leaned back, his arms behind his head as a mischievous grin spread across his face.
"Duncan, you're not helping!" Courtney shot Duncan a sharp look.
"Wasn't tryin' to, princess" Duncan replied with a shrug, clearly enjoying riling up his girlfriend. "I'm just saying, if the dude wants to do something like that, why stop him? I mean, he already has the money, he is a famous writer, he doesn't need to go to college where the teachers would judge him… I should've gotten one back when I had the chance. Actually, you know what? I think I'm going to do it one too."
"Oh no, the hell you don't," Courtney said as she glared at her boyfriend, but he quickly kissed her neck, which made her freeze, and then blush at him angrily. "I hate when you do that just as a way to get what you want."
"Hey, don't hate the player, just the game," Duncan said, as he lowered his hand, where Ezekiel gave a hidden low five.
"Ugh, why do I have to keep hearing both your ideas?" Courtney said in frustration, but she knew she would regret it since both Duncan and Ezekiel decided to have a smirk as well.
"Because that's our team, we are the 3 pillars, and 2 votes said yes, and one vote said no… now that I think about it. You would become way hotter if you had the logo as well." Duncan said as immediately regretted when Courtney stomped on his foot. "Ouch, oh come on."
"Don't even joke about it," Courtney said as she narrowed her eyes to her friends. "As much I'm happy to say proudly I'm a bass, having a tattoo it's too much for me, even as I have my own rebellious phase on the show, but I'm not going to ruin my chances on the college just by having a tattoo."
"Oh come on, stop being a stick in the mud Courtney, we were just joking," Duncan said as he rolled his eyes, knowing that his girlfriend was with her eyes twitching, which was enough to make him and Ezekiel stop, knowing her limits. "Anyway, fine. You can still be the princess as you are for us. But me and Ezekiel will be having an awesome tattoo before returning to season 2,"
"I have to agree, for me it would show how proud I am of having my great friends on the Killer Bass, and as much I would hate to admit. I don't think Chris is going to let us stay on the same team again, so it would have probably a few changes, maybe having the tattoo would remind me of how awesome we were together as friends and as a team. Times we massacred the Screaming Gophers a few times."
Courtney looked serious, but seeing that she was outvoted, and how she knew that both her friend and boyfriend would be doing something reckless like that, she couldn't help but sigh.
"Alright, fine. You convinced me, you two can have your tattoo, but remember that this will be stuck with you both for years and at least I will not be the one also using it…" Courtney said grumpy, as Ezekiel and Duncan felt happy with their decision.
"Alright, a tattoo for later, and what more you are thinking of doing Ezekiel?" Duncan said as he was happy to make his girlfriend freak out from the day since it had been very fun to enjoy his relationship with his girl.
"Buy a cellphone for myself," Ezekiel said which made the duo stare at him. "My family doesn't have one, so I decided to buy one for myself, my parents aren't interested in having theirs, so it would be a good idea to have for myself my cellphone."
"That's actually a great idea," Courtney nodded, as the group of teenagers nodded their heads.
"There are some good ones on the third floor, they have many models, and it was where I bought mine when I got mine broken a few weeks ago," Caitlin commented, as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Great, I could have something to call the others, thanks for being a good help guys," Ezekiel smiled as he gave a good look at the group, of guys who seemed to be fine with him asking for help. "Can I ask for your numbers? Just to have on my list of contacts?"
"Oh, of course," Jonesy said as he gave me a paper, and started to write down the numbers of everyone since he saw a good opportunity. "Hey, just in case in the future you would need a manager, you can also hire me."
"You would be fired in the next 10 minutes," Ezekiel said politely which made Jonesy shocked, as the boy simply shrugged. "Sorry, but learning from the stories that you shared with the group, I think you would have the power over your head, and I would kinda want to break the record of you being employed and fired the quickest as possible, but it was a nice try, though."
Nikki, Jen, and Wyatt chuckled while seeing Jonesy pouting at them.
"I'm not that bad." Jonesy defended himself, and Jen rolled her eyes.
"Yes, you are..." Jen said but she looked happily into meeting the trio who seemed to be just fine and chilling around, and when she looked at her cellphone, she realized it was almost her time for the shift. "Oh, well, it's almost noon. Soon my shift will start."
"Yeah, mine too," Nikki said as she rolled her eyes. "As much I hate to admit, it had been a good time, now I have to go back to hell, and suffer until the end of my shift."
"Nice knowing yah Nikki, try to not kill the clones," Ezekiel said as Nikki scoffed.
"I fear if I do that, they would multiply themselves, but it was a nice idea for the first 3 seconds," Nikki smirked as she got up, and giving a good nod for the others, she decided to leave.
"Okay, it was nice knowing you, I mean it," Jen said as she felt happy from knowing that it wasn't as much as she would think the famous celebrities would be, as much she would say they were like the others, they seemed completely normal, just like them, and she was glad to see some people actually didn't let the fame go up their heads. Ezekiel and Duncan raised their hand as a way to say goodbye, while Courtney waved, as the trio looked at Jonesy, Jude, Wyatt, and Caitlin.
"Well, since Jen and Nikki went ahead, I think I'm going to say I have to go to work too. I need to do some sticks, would you guys want some?" Jude said that he also felt it was a good time for work, even as he would be bored, so he preferred to bring some food for his friends.
"Nah, I pass," Jonesy said, as Duncan shook his head, while Courtney raised her eyebrows.
"You actually work here?" Courtney asked in surprise, and Jude nodded his head.
"Yeah, I lied to the owner that I managed 2 stores and I was hired as a manager of the place," Jude said as he was relaxed and Courtney had her eyes twitching.
"And you were just hired like that? Who is taking care of the food and the sticks?" Courtney said as she never thought Jude would be responsible for something.
"Well, myself." Jude said as he shrugged, as he couldn't understand why Courtney was getting annoyed, "You don't like sticks? I could give you some that you may be needing."
"No, I'm fine," Courtney said as she sighed. She never thought she would be having a headache just for meeting a childhood friend like that.
"Courtney, you need to relax, it's fine to happen something like that to others, but we also have a lot of weird things happening in our lives, the show itself is living proof of all the weird shit that he passed through, don't you think that your friend being a manager of food would a bit overdramatic?" Ezekiel asked as Duncan nodded his head, raising his eyebrows at her.
"Yeah, I mean, we already got our lowest point into eating Chef's food, and we probably would have an immunity to poisoned food, so why not chill out? Remember we are here at the mall just to enjoy the day off before we return on the show." Duncan explained, as Courtney was taking deep breaths, and with luck she managed to calm down.
"Okay, okay, you both made a point. Sorry... You're right." Courtney said as she took a minute to compose herself, as much she would love to complain and say that all the world was not making sense, she knew that from the time she went on the reality show, nothing actually made sense, and Chris being a jerk was a fact, so she needed to accept, if her childhood friend is a manager, leave him be. "Fine, I'm going to accept a stick, but please, don't make it disgusting like the times you made an egg salad on the floor. We don't have 4-year-olds anymore."
"Wow Jude, I think she had a long grudge against you," Jonesy commented as Jude shrugged.
"Nah, kindergarten was crazy at that time. She is just herself," Jude said as he continued to be carefree as he was. "What about you little dude?"
"Well, a few sticks would be fine," Ezekiel said, as Jude quickly used his skateboard to move just to get some sticks for the group, as he couldn't help but ask Jonesy. "How about you Jonesy, do you have an interview today?"
"Ha ha ha, very funny," Jonesy said as he scoffed and he decided to tell him. "I'm actually working on the book store where you are going to do the book signing tomorrow."
That comment alone was enough to make Ezekiel have his eyes wide open in disbelief, as also Duncan and Courtney raised their eyebrows in surprise.
"Wait, you work on there?" Ezekiel asked in surprise as he saw the tan boy nodding his head to him, but instead of being overjoyed, he looked more sympathetic. "Please tell me that you guys organized the books."
"Nah, they said today the shipment would come, so me and the others would be preparing the section... I mean it shouldn't be hard." Jonesy said as he then saw Ezekiel palled, and Courtney and Duncan could already see something wrong.
"Oh, you poor soul. I wish you good luck." Ezekiel said that which immediately Jonesy feel bad feeling. As Ezekiel decided to explain. "I don't know if I will be staying only tomorrow doing the book signing, and the mall actually ordered a large quantity of books."
"How many? 500 books?" Jonesy said as he looked at the boy shaking his head, which made him tilt his head. "1000? 2000? 3000?"
And the more and more quantity, Jonesy felt his face paled, until he reached at a number.
"5000? THAT'S CRAZY..." Jonesy said as Ezekiel didn't seem to stop.
"You don't get it... It's 3 different books... which means... 5000 for each book... 15000 in total." Ezekiel said as Jonesy fell with his back on the floor, which immediately Courtney to sweat, Wyatt had his mouth dropped in shock. Duncan whistled. And Caitlin was preparing more lemonade, for the other Killer Bass who were coming to be passing by. "Jonesy? Jonesy? Well... I think he fainted."
"Wow, never thought it would be that many. Ezekiel, I'm surprised that you have the courage to be doing that." Duncan said as he had to give the by, he seemed to be committed. "Are you going to sign all of them?"
"If I have to. I think everyone deserves to have a chance at them, and if I managed to make them interested in reading them, I'd be very grateful, they were what made me who I am today, so I think if I manage to change a life with my books, I think I did a good job." Ezekiel commented as Courtney and Duncan had to nod in agreement, what he was doing was a noble decision.
"That's really great for you to decide to make such a decision, but won't that make you feel burned all day? It's going to be very tiring for you." Courtney said as Ezekiel nodded his head to her.
"That I can agree. But I think it was for the best, who knows if I would ever have such an opportunity to do it again. So why not make it special? The first time always should be the best impression." Ezekiel said as he felt optimistic, and he wasn't going to temptate the fate. "I know tomorrow is going to be a long and chaotic day, but I cannot help but feel excited about it."
"Well, I think we lost him." Duncan joked as he could see his girlfriend rolling her eyes. And the delinquent couldn't help but laugh, knowing that sometimes he was getting too used to the craziness. "I mean, it better we enjoy these days, we are going to be dealing with whatever Chris and Chef are coming for us, so why not make our day today awesome? Have some chill princess, we kinda need to enjoy this."
Courtney paused, and as much she would hate to say it... they were right.
"Fine, I will be doing that, since we are going to return on the show." Courtney pouted as the duo seemed to be so fine, and Wyatt and Caitlin smiled at how the trio seemed to be so friendly with each other.
.
.
.
"Okay, I admit I was hesitant to actually eat one stick of whatever you brought to me Jude, but I have to say that's not bad," Courtney commented as she started eating the food her friend brought to her, while Ezekiel and Duncan were simply eating like it was just food. "I mean, after eating Chef's food, you can probably eat anything."
"Amem," Both Ezekiel and Duncan said, as Duncan couldn't help but quip up.
"I bet Owen would have eaten all the sticks and made the place without food," Duncan said as Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"The bet would be on how long it would take, not the possibility of stating the obvious Duncan," Ezekiel commented, as Jude beamed at Courtney.
"That's what I said, you never know what something is good until you actually try it," Jude said as he showed one stick which made the group stare at him. "That's why life is awesome."
"Courtney, I still say that your friends are awesome, you should have presented them a long time ago." Duncan joked as he then felt a punch on his left arm. "Ouch."
"Can you stop it?" Courtney said as the trio saw Jonesy finally getting up.
"Ugh, what just happened?" Jonesy said as he was feeling a bit of a headache in his head.
"You just fainted," Jude commented as he also gave the cellphone to his tan friend again. "Also the bookstore said the shipment just arrived, and they need you to help them out to pile the books into a way that it would be accessible to everyone, it's 15 thousand books dude, I never thought a bookstore would have that many."
"Aww man... I need to go to work fast, this day is going to suck." Jonesy said as he took the cellphone from Jude's hands, and ran the fast as he could.
"RUN LIKE THE WIND Jonesy. YOU CAN DO IT," Ezekiel shouted as he smiled to see the boy going to his first day at work... Then he sat politely with a serious expression on his face. "He's going to lose the job this week isn't he?"
"Yep," Caitlin commented as she brought the jar of lemonade for the trio, while Wyatt decided to get up.
"Probably, I will be out to drink more coffee and then going to my work, it's nice to meet you all, and I will be prepared for tomorrow, thanks again, man. I really appreciate it," Wyatt said as he saw Ezekiel waving at him, and now the Pillars of Killer Bass were ready for the day.
"So, how had been your return home guys? We have a lot to talk about." Ezekiel said, as Duncan and Courtney smirked, and rolled their eyes, knowing that boy was waiting for the right time to talk to them about that. And it was exactly like he said, a very interesting return to their home.
"I found my relatives gave a welcomed party and a nice to see you out of Juvie party as well," Duncan said as he gave a smile to Courtney who seemed to be surprised by seeing how happy he was. "Haven't seen my uncle in years, and he was the one who was on the case of Celine Dion..."
"Ohhhhhh," Ezekiel and Courtney said as they were now interested
to know more about what just happened, and needlessly to say, they really got what they wanted, and Jude and Caitlin were also caught in the narrative of him explaining what happened.
Time really passed quickly, as slowly, more and more members of Killer Bass who were starting to gather more people from their popularity appeared on the Lemon Squeeze, as a point of meeting by the group of friends. It took a few hours, but it had been enough for Ezekiel, Courtney, Duncan, Geoff, Eva, Harold, Tyler, Bridgette, Katie, Sadie, DJ, and Gwen were finally gather together. The whole group who were departed a few days ago, but now were reunited as great as ever.
"Well it's nice to see you guys once again," Ezekiel said, but suddenly the loud noises were kind of overwhelming. "Even as it was hard to actually talk over here."
The group nodded their heads, as they looked there was a large circle of people all around them on the food court.
"I think that's awesome, we could show them some incredible skills, to make them cheer up for us," Harold said as he was feeling proud of himself, but then yelped when Ezekiel pinched him.
"No, we are not going to fulfill your ego, remember, be mysterious, remain the wildcard, and be yourself," Ezekiel said as he wanted to make sure Harold would remain with his ego in check since Harold is a great guy, but an ego Harold is a terrible Harold, so you better to make sure he stays humble.
"Oh come on, we are famous now," Harold complained, as he saw Ezekiel narrowing his eyes at him, which made him sigh. "Okay, fine. So what do you have in mind?"
"Let's enjoy today, I'm paying up for the fun today, so I think it would be a great time for us to go around the stores, and have a great time," Ezekiel suggested as the whole group had their eyes sparkling, but Ezekiel wasn't a fool. "But I want you all to be responsible, I don't want you all to expend everything so fast, so how about this, as a way of apologizing for what I did on the last episode, how about each one of you have 5 thousand dollars, and we can go around, but I will be monitoring your money, okay?"
"Well, I thought I should be using my mom's credit card, but having you pay for my stuff sounds more awesome, and 5 thousand? Yeah, I can enjoy a very awesome day with that." Gwen commented as she was now ready to enjoy the day. Since now she could enjoy buying the new accessories that her friend Reaper recommended to her.
Katie and Sadie were already discussing a few ideas on which stores they would like to go first. Tyler and Eva already were discussing what kind of exercise and workout equipment would be useful for them in the future.
Surprisingly, Bridgette and Geoff were talking to other people instead of kissing each other for a long time, Duncan had no idea what just happened, but he was glad that they weren't making a scene in front of everyone. Since the loud public had been quite annoying for him.
"So you didn't bring Cody with you?" DJ asked while the tan girl shook her head, as she was holding a wrapped package with her.
"No, my mom decided to let him stay at home since she was on the day off, which means that he is probably taking care of Buggsy the bunny," Katie said as she was happy to see the group was very concerned about him, since Sierra's post, everyone was glad that Cody wasn't dealing with Sierra invading his house, it had been something that made Sadie and Eva asks the girl if she wanted to learn martial arts. Which Katie refused, since she isn't that strong. And… Katie was really trying her best… to not laugh at DJ's T-shirt, and he was quite insistent that he didn't want to wear it. But momma really refused to take a no for an answer.
"Don't talk about the shirt, please," DJ said as he still had the shirt where he and his momma had been using from the time at the supermarket, as it had been very embarrassing, and from the snickering made by Tyler, Geoff, and Duncan… hell, even Harold was snickering from how the Jamaican giant now had to be using the embarrassing shirt, that on the back had been the words. 'Single Jamaican' which he had been very embarrassed that his momma was in the phase of looking for grandchildren and had been kind of very insistent. Thankfully Ezekiel's money will help him to buy something good for him to dress up. The soon as possible.
"Alright, guys, I'm glad that everyone is here, but I think we should already start going around the mall, we cannot stay here forever," Courtney commented, as Geoff, Harold, and Duncan were giving autographs to some fans, which the C.I.T. girl rolled her eyes. "Guys,"
"Sorry," The boys froze and then realized that indeed it had been quite very distracting, and they returned to their positions, as the girl seemed to facepalm, but she was glad the situation looked fine.
"Okay, guys, let's go, we need to stay together, so in case we need to separate, we can use this place as a meeting point again," Ezekiel commented, as the Killer Bass nodded their heads, and even with the crowd being around them. He seemed completely fine. "KILLER BASS, LET'S GO."
Then with Eva walking ahead, the group decided to keep their good time around the mall, not mattering on how their fame would deal with the place, they were going to enjoy their day off since it was their free time before returning to the torturing time on the show. Better to have fun at the mall.
..
"Well, there they go," Caitlin said, as she felt happy that she saw the group of celebrities decided to explore the day around the mall. As it showed nothing more than 13:00 hours. The girl with the lemon hat was now surprised that it had been a crazy morning, but she couldn't help but be happy to have met a celebrity, especially as he… "Wait a second… did he pay for the lemonade?"
Caitlin asked as she looked desperately, but suddenly she just saw in the corner of her eyes… The tip jar, which instead of being empty or with a few changes… It was filled with bands of money, and a little stick paper on it, which made her take it and slowly read it….
"Dear Caitlin, thank you for your service, and you are right...Money is good, but still working just to pass the time with your friends is also one of the pleasures of life, trust me, friends like yours are very rare, so remain kind and loyal to them, trust me, friendship worth's it everything. There are 12 thousand and 100 dollars, take this as my payment for having such fun with you guys. I know that you are going to share with your friends, this 2 thousand will make a lot of difference, have fun buying things you all like, and thanks for reminding me and proving to me that I was right, having true friends worth more than 1 million dollars, have a great time, and a nice day of work… your new friend… Ezekiel."
The public had no idea why the blonde girl on the lemonade stand started crying, and suddenly squealing like a crazy girl who seemed to have won the lottery. Sometimes they have no idea what's going on inside of that mall.
But that day, nobody would dare to forget how the day went.
Chapter 52: From 13:00 to 16:00 Hours
Notes:
Sorry for the delay guys, I have too much to deal with my life, I stopped using Discord because my mom wanted me to focus into trying to find a job and I need to focus into courses or anything to help me to find a job, and my progress on my stories had been slowing down.
Anyway, here is the chapter. And sorry, but I need to focus into getting a job now, I miss my friends of Discord, and I need to get things done quickly. Have a great time reading, and wish me luck.
Chapter Text
(7:00)
"I know, Dad, it was supposed to be a quick drive to the mall for the Killer Bass reunion, but the car just stopped working out of nowhere!" Courtney gripped her flip phone tighter, her irritation clear as she watched the tow truck operator finish securing her car. "The tow truck took an hour to get here, and now they're saying it's something about the valves, which—of course—was totally unexpected."
Courtney leaned against the side of her car, her arms crossed tightly as the tow truck driver waved to her, signaling he was about to leave. The air was cool, with a slight breeze rustling her hair, but it did little to calm her frustration. She forced a tight smile and gave a half-hearted wave back. The fading daylight painted the road with golden hues, while her growing impatience simmered.
"And now, just when I thought it couldn't get worse, the driver's heading in the opposite direction of the mall! I'll probably have to take a cab, and that'll take me hours to get there." She let out an exasperated sigh, watching helplessly as her car disappeared down the winding road. The sinking feeling of being stranded washed over her as she adjusted her bag on her shoulder, letting out a heavy breath.
"I'll try calling Duncan, and see if he can pick me up. Anyway, I'll figure it out. Talk later, Dad."
Courtney flipped her phone shut and slipped it into her pocket, her eyes glued to the distance where the tow truck had vanished. She shook her head, muttering under her breath while starting to walk down the road, her heels clicking lightly against the pavement. She pulled out her phone again, thumb hovering over Duncan's number.
Suddenly, the soft hum of an engine approached, and Courtney blinked, turning her head. A car rolled to a slow stop beside her. For a second, she wasn't sure what to make of it, but her curiosity was piqued as the tinted window of the passenger side slowly began to lower.
Just as she squinted to get a better look, the window revealed two young girls sitting inside, both with wide eyes and expressions of surprise. They had the appearance of being of Asian descent, but something about their look and vibe screamed local—likely natives of Canada. The driver, her hands gripping the wheel tightly, stared at Courtney with a mix of shock and surprise.
"Courtney?" The driver who seemed to be a few years older than the passenger asked which made the C.I.T. girl blink but nod in recognition. "What are you doing around this street? Do you live nearby?"
"No, I just got a problem with my car, and I'm about to ask Duncan to take me to the mall-"
"Eaton Centre?" The girl asked which made Courtney had her eyes wide open, as both girls couldn't help but give a small smile. "We are heading in that direction, want a ride?"
"I don't know if I should accept it." Courtney commented as she did in a polite tone, "It would be too bothersome for you two, and it would take a lot of gas."
"That's fine, tomorrow is going to be Ezekiel's book signing, and we spent 2 days driving just to reach the nearest Motel," The girl said as she shrugged, and she could see the girl was a bit hesitant. "And trust me, we have been driving non-stop during all those days, my name is Jane and this is my sister Sky, and you have no idea how much we have been watching the reality show."
Courtney remained in silence, and while having a lot of fans had been an issue coming from dealing with the popularity, she was now famous and needed to deal with it, and she looked at those girls who seemed to be friendly and nice enough. And she needed to be on the mall the quickly as possible.
"Sure, sorry for the inconvenience." Courtney accepted the help, as the smile of the Cree descendants was more than welcoming for a time she needed.
.
.
.
"Okay, Dad, I will be careful but don't worry. Please check with the mechanic if everything is okay?" Courtney said as she finished her call on the flip phone. She sat in the backseat of the car, glancing out the window as the world zipped by. The road had been long, and the exhaustion was starting to settle in the vehicle.
In the front seat, Jane, the older of the two sisters, drained the last of her energy drink, tossing the can into the cup holder beside her. The dark circles under her eyes told the story of a long, sleepless journey, driving from state to state with hardly any rest. The hum of the engine and the occasional bump in the road were the only sounds filling the car, aside from the slight rustle of paper.
Sky, Jane's younger sister, sat beside her, organizing trash into a plastic bag. She appeared more rested than her sibling, though her eyes darted to Jane every few moments, clearly worried about the toll the drive was taking. The car smelled faintly of the energy drink, mixed with the crisp scent of the air conditioning, trying its best to keep the three of them cool under the warm sun.
"Okay, bye, Dad." Courtney flipped her phone shut and turned to look at the two girls, still focusing intently on the road and their directions. The youngest girl, Sky, was holding a map on her lap, her fingers tracing over it as she tried to figure out where to go next. She seemed only a couple of years younger than Courtney—maybe two or three at most—but the exhaustion hadn't caught up to her quite as hard as her sister.
"Do you girls need help? I can tell the directions since I made the notes on where the mall would be," Courtney offered, glancing from the map to Jane, who was still gripping the steering wheel with tired hands.
"That would be appreciated," Jane said with a small smile, giving a brief side glance to her sister, who smiled back. Her eyes flicked between the road and Courtney in the rearview mirror.
"Well, you need to turn left on the next street, then right after five more streets," Courtney explained as she leaned forward slightly, her finger pointing out the directions as Sky, now sipping from a water bottle, handed the map over to her.
Jane nodded, following Courtney's instructions, her movements slow but steady, keeping her eyes fixed on the road. The car continued forward, the tension of the long drive softened slightly by Courtney's helpfulness. As much as she wasn't used to relying on others—especially fans—Courtney couldn't help but be grateful for their help.
"Thank you for the help," Courtney added, though she kept her tone reserved, not wanting to show too much vulnerability.
"It's fine. We were going in that direction anyway," Sky replied, tilting her head slightly as she took another sip from her water bottle. The road stretched out ahead of them, with the setting sun casting long shadows on the asphalt. "I was surprised you were going there. Is something happening at the mall besides the book signing?"
Courtney hesitated for a moment. Should she tell them about the Killer Bass reunion? She wasn't entirely sure how much she should reveal, but after a beat, she decided it was harmless enough. "Well, me and my friends are meeting there to spend the day shopping at the mall," she admitted, trying to sound casual.
"Oh really?" Both sisters chimed in at once, their curiosity piqued. Their heads turned slightly in unison, glancing back at Courtney. The excitement was clear in their eyes, though they tried to mask it under polite curiosity.
Courtney nodded, though before she could say anything else, Jane let out a deep yawn, her hand briefly covering her mouth as Sky's expression shifted to concern for her sister.
"Well, that sucks," Sky said, breaking the silence as she sighed in disappointment. Her voice held a trace of playfulness, though her concern for Jane lingered. "It would have been nice if we could show up there and see them, but we better settle down in a motel and get a good sleep."
Jane gave a tired nod of agreement, her shoulders sagging slightly as the weight of the journey finally seemed to catch up to her.
Courtney blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Sky's mature decision to focus on getting some rest instead of rushing to meet the group. It surprised her that someone younger was choosing to be practical over-excitement, especially after hearing about the reunion.
"What do you yawn mean?" Jane mumbled, blinking a few times as her exhaustion started to show through. She glanced at her younger sister, clearly struggling to stay focused.
"It's better we focus on the book signing tomorrow, being well-rested and taking the line with more optimism than trying to get to the mall right now," Sky replied calmly, her concern for her older sister obvious. "We've been driving for two days, and while I'm feeling sleepy, I don't want you to be completely exhausted."
Courtney remained silent, watching the dynamic between the two sisters unfold. Sky, younger but wise beyond her years, was taking charge of the situation. There was a certain familiarity in the way they interacted, a bond Courtney could relate to with her own family. But then Sky continued, her tone growing softer. "Especially with the fact that you lost your job…"
"…," Jane's grip tightened on the steering wheel, and a heavy sigh escaped her lips. "How did you find out?"
"The principal of your college left a note saying you should start looking for a job soon since your internship period was almost over," Sky said matter-of-factly. Her words hung in the air for a moment, causing Courtney to flinch at the sudden shift in conversation. Jane remained quiet, her expression blank as if trying to process the weight of her sister's concern. "I know you've been doing it all for me."
"Heh, not just for you," Jane responded, her voice tinged with a bittersweet tone. She placed a hand over her face, taking a moment to compose herself before offering a weak smile. "I mean, I loved his book too." Her attempt at humor was clear, but the strain in her voice was unmistakable. "You're right, though. There are probably so many fans at the mall right now, that we'd never even get a chance to see that boy you have a crush on."
Burp.
Courtney blinked again, her attention drawn to the sudden, unexpected sound. Sky, her face flushed bright red, had just burped without warning. The awkwardness of the moment lingered for a beat until Jane broke into laughter.
"That's not funny," Sky muttered, her face still flushed as she shot a glare at her sister. But Jane, rolling her eyes, wore a wide smirk, clearly amused. Despite the light moment, the underlying concern in Sky's voice returned. "Are you sure you'll be fine? I could ask my friends on the gymnastics team if their parents know somewhere you could work."
"I appreciate the help, Sky, but this is something I need to do myself," Jane said, her tone softening as she navigated the streets. She seemed determined to handle things on her own, even if it meant pushing through her own struggles. As they reached another intersection, she glanced at Courtney. "And which direction again?"
"Oh, right…" Courtney snapped out of her thoughts. "Go straight until 8th Street, then turn left."
As they drove on, Courtney couldn't help but reflect on the interaction she had just witnessed. There were two girls, living their lives together, supporting each other through small and large struggles alike.
It struck her that even though she was now somewhat of a celebrity, the world didn't stop for the everyday challenges of others. These girls weren't acting like fans right now—they were just two sisters, dealing with their own lives, in much the same way she and her own sister used to before everything changed with Total Drama Island. Even now, after all the fame, her life continues to move forward, just like theirs.
"So, Sky," Courtney asked, curiosity creeping into her voice, "why not tell me a bit more about you and your sister?"
.
.
.
A brief pause settled over the car as the city streets rolled by, when Courtney, still impressed by the younger girl's determination, spoke up again.
"Oh, so you're training with your team to try and reach the Olympics?" Courtney asked, her voice tinged with admiration. She hadn't expected to meet someone so ambitious, someone whose drive mirrored her own in unexpected ways.
"Yeah," Sky nodded, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "We've been training a lot, but we're focused on winning the championship next year. If we keep pushing until the end of high school, we might have a real shot at representing Canada."
Courtney found herself nodding along, impressed by Sky's dedication. "I never thought I'd meet someone aiming for the Olympics. I really wish you the best of luck with that." She smiled, glancing at Jane, who was focused on the road ahead, though a small smile had crept onto her face as well. "And both of you have been driving non-stop for two days? Do your parents know about that?"
"Actually, they don't," Jane replied, her tone casual as she met Courtney's curious gaze in the rearview mirror. Seeing the slight confusion on Courtney's face, Jane continued. "Our mom and dad live in Alberta, but for school, Sky and I had to move out to British Columbia. It's all about focusing on our future."
Courtney's eyes widened. "Wow, that's really far away." She was genuinely surprised. They had practically driven across the country just to get to the mall, and she couldn't help but be impressed by their dedication—not just to her, but to their own goals.
"You have no idea," Sky chuckled lightly, sharing a knowing look with her sister. Her smile brightened as she glanced back at Courtney. "We're just glad we managed to meet one of the cast from the show. If you don't mind me asking, can I ask a few questions about it?"
Courtney's smile widened at Sky's excitement. It was heartwarming to meet such genuine fans. "Well, as long as it's something I can answer, feel free to ask away," she said, her earlier frustrations fading away as she enjoyed the company of these two determined and kind sisters.
.
.
.
"It was a dick move for Chris to eliminate you like that," Sky commented, glancing at Courtney while the car cruised smoothly down the road. The conversation had been flowing easily, with Jane occasionally chiming in with questions of her own. The warm afternoon sunlight filtered through the windows, casting soft shadows on the car seats as they traveled.
"Did you expect to see Lindsay as the one winning?" Sky added, her curiosity piqued.
"Not at all," Courtney admitted, shaking her head. "To be fair, I thought either Owen or Heather would have won. But the Triple Dog Dare You challenge took out Owen, and nobody saw that coming." Her voice held a slight edge as she recalled the moment, and both sisters shivered at the thought.
"Gotta say, what we did was cruel," Courtney continued, a small smirk playing on her lips. "But it was the easiest thousand bucks I ever made."
"What do you mean?" Jane asked, curious, her eyes flicking away from the road for a moment.
"We had a bet on who could make Owen vomit first," Courtney revealed with a mischievous grin. "And I was the one who came up with the challenge."
The sisters exchanged a glance, their faces filled with a mix of awe and horror as they recalled the infamous moment of Owen eating that revolting stink bomb.
"Was El Mongo and La Muerte really that terrible?" Jane asked cautiously, her voice tinged with disbelief. But from the sheer look of despair that crossed Courtney's face, she quickly regretted the question. "Never mind... that must've been traumatic."
"You have no idea," Courtney muttered darkly, shaking her head at the memory.
Sky, ever the inquisitive one, leaned forward slightly. "Also, from the episode at Playa Del Losers, can I ask what happened after you all voted out Duncan? Did you guys ever figure out where that parrot came from?"
Courtney's face flushed with embarrassment as she let out a groan. "That damned bird... It wasn't even supposed to be in that episode! But because Katie and Sadie said Duncan's name, it got Ezekiel's vote too, and it made everyone start voting for Duncan as well."
Both sisters listened intently, wide-eyed as Courtney continued, clearly annoyed at the memory. "To say Duncan was mad is an understatement. He was furious. I had to completely humiliate myself just to get him to forgive me."
"How mad are we talking?" Jane asked, raising an eyebrow as she shifted slightly in her seat.
Courtney scoffed, leaning back. "To trash-around-Playa-Del-Losers mad," she said dryly, making both sisters nod in understanding.
"Well, not gonna lie, I'd be that mad too if someone did that to me," Sky remarked, biting her lip thoughtfully. "But it's cool that Ezekiel bought Playa Del Losers. He seems nice."
"Oh yeah," Jane chimed in, her curiosity reignited. "Do you plan on going there with Duncan in the future?"
Courtney rolled her eyes playfully. "Of course. Ezekiel said everyone was welcome. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't visit him?"
Just as Courtney finished speaking, Sky let out a loud burp, causing Courtney's eyes to narrow in disapproval. "Could you at least put your hand over your mouth, please?"
Sky's face flushed a bright shade of red. "Sorry, it just happened by surprise," she mumbled, clearly embarrassed, while Jane chuckled from the driver's seat, amused by her younger sister's slip-up. Sky blinked in confusion, not entirely sure what was so funny, but Jane's laughter continued, lightening the mood in the car.
.
.
.
"Well, it's been a nice ride. Thank you so much for helping me get here," Courtney said, smiling warmly at the sisters as they waved from the car. Jane, the older of the two, gave a small nod, her exhaustion showing in the faint dark circles under her eyes despite her composed demeanor.
"If you ever need a ride again, just call me. You've got my number now," Jane offered, her voice steady but betraying a hint of weariness. She gave a brief wave, trying to maintain her responsible tone even though it was clear she could use a long rest. "But, knowing you'll be with your friends, I doubt you'll need to use it."
"Oh, don't be like that," Courtney replied, touched by the offer. She genuinely appreciated their help, and her smile softened. "I'm sure I could ask my mom. If her law firm needs an assistant, I'd recommend you. Your administration degree will definitely help you land an internship quickly."
Jane smiled politely, though a bit taken aback by the offer. "Thanks, but I wouldn't want to be an inconvenience like that," she said, the tiredness etched in her features becoming more apparent. Despite her fatigue, Jane maintained her polite tone, clearly, someone used to putting others first.
"It's the least I can do," Courtney said sincerely, clearly impressed by Jane's dedication. "Being the older sister and working hard to keep a roof over your head must mean a lot. Let me at least try to help by talking to my mom."
"It's fine, really," Jane reassured her, waving off the suggestion with a tired smile. "I've got next month's rent covered, so don't worry. I'll find something. Besides, we could both use some rest." She glanced at Sky, who was sitting quietly in the passenger seat, looking at her sister with concern.
"And you," Jane added, turning to Sky with a soft but firm look, "don't give me that face. Let's just focus on resting and enjoying tomorrow. Have a great time with the Killer Bass, Courtney. Good luck handling the crowd of fans."
Courtney chuckled at that, appreciating Jane's sense of responsibility and humor. "Thanks, Jane. And good luck to you too. It was really nice meeting both of you." She gave a small wave to Sky.
"Goodbye, Sky."
As Courtney stepped out of the car, she gave them one last smile before watching as the car slowly pulled away, heading toward the nearest motel for a well-deserved night's rest. Courtney had pointed them in the right direction, knowing they weren't too far from a decent place to crash. It was just enough for the sisters to get the rest they so clearly needed.
"Well, they seemed really nice," Courtney mused to herself, appreciating how down-to-earth the sisters had been. Just as she was about to head toward the mall, she heard a sudden, excited shout from behind.
"OH MY GOD, IT'S COURTNEY FROM TOTAL DRAMA!"
Courtney froze, her heart sinking as she slowly turned around. A group of excited fans had already gathered behind her, their faces lit up with excitement as they recognized the Total Drama star. For a brief, peaceful moment, she had forgotten about her fame and the chaos it often caused.
"Shit..." she muttered under her breath, realizing she was about to be mobbed. Already, the crowd was growing, and she needed to figure out how to escape the situation before it spiraled out of control.
And just like that, the calm of the day shattered as Courtney prepared herself for another round of fan frenzy.
(13:00 p.m)
The buzzing hum of the crowd echoed through the Galleria Mall, growing louder by the second. Ron the Rent-a-Cop adjusted his tie and scowled, his hawk-like gaze sweeping over the bustling food court. What had started as a typical mall morning had turned into pure pandemonium? Everywhere he looked, teenagers swarmed like locusts—jostling, shouting, taking selfies. And worst of all? Celebrity teenagers.
Ron's grip tightened on the steering wheel of his mall cart, his face twitching with irritation. The rumors had been true. The Killer Bass, a group of reality TV contestants, had shown up, and now the Galleria was descending into chaos. Teenagers had no respect for order or authority in the best of times, but now they were acting like wild animals, all for a chance to catch a glimpse of these so-called stars.
"Celebrity teenagers," he muttered through gritted teeth. "Just what this place needs."
He revived the small engine of his cart, the wheels squeaking as he tore through the crowd, forcing people to scatter in his wake. His walkie-talkie crackled, but he ignored it. He was a one-man army, and it was time to restore order.
"We've got a situation at the west wing escalators," a voice buzzed through his radio. "Crowds are blocking all access."
"On my way," Ron growled, narrowing his eyes. His cart swerved as he sped toward the escalators, weaving between shoppers and rowdy fans. A few startled teens shouted in surprise, jumping out of his path, but it didn't stop Ron. He had a mission.
Up ahead, he spotted the problem—a bottleneck of frenzied fans gathering near the entrance to the escalators, phones raised and faces beaming with excitement. No doubt they were all hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive Ezekiel or one of his TV friends. Ron had no patience for this nonsense.
"Move it, move it!" he barked, slamming his cart to a stop.
But as he stepped out, the sea of teenagers surged, pushing him back with an almost tidal force. Ron gritted his teeth and tried to stand his ground, but the mob was relentless. Suddenly, a shove from behind sent him stumbling forward, and before he knew it, he was launched from the cart—his arms flailing as he tumbled forward.
With a helpless yell, Ron's boots slipped on the smooth tile floor, sending him sprawling headfirst toward the escalators. He crashed against the metal railing, his momentum carrying him over the edge.
A collective gasp rose from the crowd as Ron flipped head over heels, tumbling down the moving stairs in a spectacular display of limbs and uniform.
With each painful thud, Ron's vision blurred. Finally, he hit the bottom, his body crumpling in a heap as the escalator carried him to the lower floor.
"Did you hear that?" Tyler asked, his brows furrowing as he glanced over his shoulder toward the escalators.
Eva, DJ, and Geoff paused mid-laugh, exchanging confused looks. "Hear what?" Geoff asked, his voice slightly slurred from laughter.
Tyler pointed in the direction of the noise. "It feels like someone just... fell down the escalators."
The group turned to him in disbelief. "That's oddly specific," Eva said, crossing her arms. "How would you even know what that sounds like?"
Tyler shrugged, his face completely serious. "I've had my fair share of falling down stairs—and escalators, actually. So have my parents."
The rest of the group stared at him, jaws slightly ajar.
"Dude... what?"Geoff blinked, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yeah, we've all had some pretty gnarly spills. Broke a few bones, but you know—nothing a month or two in a cast wouldn't fix." Tyler nodded, as if casually recounting something normal.
"Sometimes, Tyler, I think your family might be cursed. I mean, how are you so calm about this?" There was a beat of stunned silence as his words hung in the air. Gwen was the first to break it, crossing her arms and giving him a skeptical look. "I think the health insurance company hates you and your family,"
"Oh, they definitely do," Tyler said earnestly. "They've actually said they regret ever signing us. Apparently, we've maxed out every clause they've got—even accidents involving mortadella."
"Wait—what? Mortadella? What does that even mean? How can you have accidents with a deli meat?" Eva raised a brow, her curiosity piqued despite herself.
"Is that even a real thing? There's no way you've got insurance for accidents involving meat." DJ, baffled, shook his head.
"Actually, there's cheese insurance in Italy," Harold chimed in, adjusting his glasses. The entire group went to look at him. "They've got laws to cover accidents involving cheese—like if it causes damage to cars, houses, or even people."
"And where the heck did you learn about that?" Ezekiel asked now curious, since he remembered such incidents happening only in Simpsons, there was no way such laws were true.
"Keyword: the Book of Ridiculous Laws," Harold said, as the group turned to stare at Harold now, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Are you for real, man?" Geoff asked, incredulous. "Cheese insurance?"
"It's true. I read it in the book. They take cheese very seriously over there. You wouldn't believe how many lives have been ruined by rogue wheels of Parmigiano." Harold nodded, his expression completely serious.
"Well... I will be dammed." Ezekiel said as he was surprised to hear such news. And now with the inner thoughts sharing one single fact the Simpsons were predicting facts even in other shows.
"Does your mom know about this law? Seems like something she'd dig." Duncan snorted, turning to Courtney with a smirk. "Because I doubt anyone else would know about the cheese insurance laws…"
"Actually, I do..." Courtney, who had been listening quietly, suddenly blushed and avoided Duncan's gaze. "I learned that since my mom also read that book, she reads that book for fun sometimes. She thinks it's hilarious."
"Of course she does." Duncan stared at her for a moment before scoffing. But still ignoring the fact his girlfriend also knew about the law regarded the cheese.
As the group chuckled at the ridiculousness of their conversation, another loud thud echoed through the mall, drawing their attention back toward the escalators. A few shoppers were peering over the railing, whispering in hushed tones.
Tyler tilted his head, a look of realization dawning on his face. "Yup... that's definitely someone falling down the escalators."
"Okay, wait," Geoff interjected, trying to wrap his head around the conversation. "Are we really just gonna gloss over the fact that there's cheese insurance? Like, how do you even explain that claim?"
"Maybe they have an official cheese inspector," Duncan joked, smirking as he leaned back in his chair. "Picture it: the guy walks into a wrecked house and says, 'Yep, looks like a mozzarella-related incident.' I can just see him filling out the paperwork—'Accident due to excessive cheese rolling.'"
DJ shook his head in disbelief, his brows furrowing. "This whole thing is making my head hurt. How is cheese involved in so many accidents? I mean, it's cheese!"
"I dunno, man," Harold replied, pushing up his glasses with a thoughtful expression. "But I bet it's because cheese wheels roll. Picture a giant parmesan wheel tumbling down a hill—that's a recipe for disaster. Just imagine the chaos!"
"I think I saw on the news about a family in a Ferrari that got attacked by a combination of mozzarella, Parmigiano, provolone, pecorino, gorgonzola, fontina, taleggio, and bocconcini! By the end, their car was totally wrecked by mortadella!" Ezekiel, not wanting to miss an opportunity to add to the absurdity, chimed in, thinking on the episode of the Simpsons.
"Wait, seriously?" Tyler's eyes widened as he tried to process what he was hearing. "Wow, that family must've had to get a new car after that whole cheese fiasco. Talk about bad luck!"
"They didn't get covered by mortadella," Ezekiel replied, his tone dripping with mock seriousness. Tyler sucked in a cold breath, disbelief etched across his face. "I mean, can you imagine being that unlucky?"
Gwen groaned, rubbing her temples in frustration. "This conversation is getting weird, even for our group. Can we please get back to the fact that someone just fell down the escalators? Or are we too busy debating cheese?"
Eva, arms crossed and unimpressed, let out a frustrated grunt. "Right? I want to know who just took a dive down those escalators. I'm sure it was a wild ride."
"I don't know what it was, but I think it's for the best," Ezekiel said, his voice gaining a hint of excitement. "With all the fans distracted, we could use this opportunity to enjoy the mall while we can."
Courtney and Duncan nodded in agreement, their eyes lighting up at the thought of freedom from the crowd.
Without another word, the Killer Bass sprang into action, sprinting toward the escalators. With the fans still focused on the commotion, they wouldn't miss their chance to explore the mall without the usual chaos.
Katie, the ever-curious twin, turned to Tyler with a glimmer of intrigue in her eyes. "Do you think they really have escalator insurance?" she asked, genuinely interested.
Tyler chuckled, shaking his head. "Depending on the insurance company, there's probably insurance for everything. I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if they had a whole policy dedicated to accidental escalator incidents!"
As the group dashed down the corridor, their laughter mingled with the ambient noise of the mall. For the first time that day, they felt a sense of relaxation, enjoying their brief reprieve from the throngs of fans. The vastness of the mall lay before them, promising adventure and fun as friends, away from the chaos outside.
(Penalty Box)
The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting a pale glow on the colorful displays of sports gear lining the walls of the Penalty Box. Jerseys from various teams hung proudly, their vibrant colors contrasting against the sleek, polished concrete floors. Outside, the usual hum of the mall echoed—laughter, casual chatter, and the scuffling of feet—though nothing seemed out of the ordinary, despite the recent celebrity influx.
Jen adjusted her referee uniform, the crisp black and white stripes hugging her form. She enjoyed the playful nod to sports culture the uniform represented, but it was also a constant reminder of her role within the store, a bustling hub for sports enthusiasts. As she straightened her collar, she caught a glimpse of herself in a nearby mirror. There was a determined look in her eyes and a faint smile on her lips. Today felt different. A newfound optimism surged through her since meeting the famous members of Total Drama earlier.
When she first watched the show, she always thought those who participated in the show would think they would let the fame get over their heads and would try to act like Jonesy and demand everything around them like they owned the world.
She was glad that she was wrong the entire time, meeting Ezekiel had been an exhilarating experience, and even meeting Courtney and Duncan, she never thought she would see how the world was so small, especially how Courtney and Jude were childhood friends, she felt like she didn't meet the famous people from the show, but more like the respective humans they were even before the show aired. And now she was glad to even meet the pillars of Killer Bass.
"MASTERSON!" A booming voice shattered Jen's thoughts, making her jump. She turned to find Coach Halder, her bulky boss, glaring at her with his usual stern expression. Her heart raced, fearing she'd done something wrong."There's a very important event happening at the mall today. Do you have any idea what that is?" Coach Halder asked, his gruff tone commanding her attention.
Jen hesitated, trying to think quickly. "Uh… The Killer Bass are visiting the mall?" she asked nervously, hoping she'd hit the mark.
"Exactly. We need to prepare the store in case they stop by. They might just bring more attention here than this place has seen in years." Coach Halder narrowed his eyes but nodded in approval. "Keep an eye on the ball, and make the goal,"
Jen released a quiet sigh of relief, glad she hadn't fumbled that answer. Coach Halder didn't offer any further comments, already turning back to his paperwork as if their conversation was merely a blip in his busy day.
"Yes, Coach…" Jen mumbled as she watched him walk away, her brief feeling of victory overshadowed by the mounting pressure. With the celebrities possibly coming to the store, there was no time to relax.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped out from behind the counter, ready to face the day with newfound energy.
The Penalty Box was already buzzing with customers—a mix of young athletes, casual shoppers, and from what she learned on the morning, a large starry-eyed fans of the mall's celebrity visitors. Jen glanced at the racks of basketballs, footballs, and other sports gear, mentally preparing herself. Ezekiel had mentioned that the Killer Bass would likely drop by, and if they did, Tyler and Eva were bound to be interested in the sports merchandise. That was enough to make even Coach Halder paranoid. But Jen wasn't going to let the pressure get to her. Today was her chance to shine.
She immediately set to work, preparing the best materials for any jock or bodybuilder that might walk in. She carefully arranged high-performance sneakers and sports gear in prime spots, ensuring the most eye-catching items were on display. Passing a rack of surfboards, she paused, setting a few out just in case Bridgette showed up. She'd also checked the stock levels to make sure they had enough equipment ready for any potential surge in sales. It was a lot to manage, but Jen was determined to get everything right.
She maneuvered through the aisles, weaving around the display racks. Her customer-service smile was firmly in place as she spotted a group of teenagers browsing athletic shoes. "Hey there! Looking for some new gear?" she asked, her voice bright and inviting, her heart racing with the excitement of a potential sale.
As she guided the customers through their options, Jen's mind wandered briefly to the celebrities she had met. Their stories of the competition, the challenges they faced, and their reactions to everyday life had been refreshing. It wasn't often that she got to interact with such high-profile people, yet they felt surprisingly relatable.
Despite this, Coach Halder, with his reputation for being a no-nonsense taskmaster, remained oblivious to her hard work. His focus was elsewhere, lost in spreadsheets and stock numbers, rarely glancing up from his laptop. Jen had hoped that her enthusiasm and dedication would grab his attention, but as usual, he remained in his own world.
Pushing past the frustration, Jen continued her duties, adjusting the display of sports equipment to perfection. With each interaction, she aimed to stand out—not just to the customers but hopefully to Halder as well. The thrill of retail was in her blood, but gaining her boss's recognition? That added intensity to everything she did.
"Hi, Jen." She had just finished rearranging a shelf when a voice behind her caught her off guard.
Startled, Jen let out an ear-splitting scream.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" She whirled around, her heart racing, only to find Ezekiel standing there with an apologetic smile. Clutching her chest, Jen tried to catch her breath. "What the hell, Ezekiel?"
"Huh… so that's what Dawn feels like when she does that?" Ezekiel blinked, tilting his head. Muttering to himself before giving her a look. "Well we just got here, I came to say hello, and suddenly you got scared."
"Ah… well, sorry about that. I was very distracted," Jen said as she had to admit that she wasn't paying attention, and then something struck her mind. "Oh wait, if you are here, then that means."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! THE TOTAL DRAMA CONTESTANTS ARE HERE!" Since a fan recognized the Killer Bass members, scattered throughout the aisles, were now the focus of the entire store. And with that, the chaos spread through the store like wildfire. The Penalty Box, already busy, was now a hub of excitement as fans swarmed the aisles. Jen could practically feel the energy shift.
"So this is where you work Jen? Never thought to see this much of people interested in checking sports materials?" Ezekiel commented as Jen felt a bit happier about dealing with a VIP client, she never thought to see Coach Halder being so hyped to see the popularity of the store now that the local celebrities decided to appear in the store.
"Well there are such iconic moments," Jen said as she gave the full treatment for the Killer Bass, she was glad to see Bridgette interested in buying a surfing board for her mom, a swimsuit for herself, and paraffin for her surfing board. Geoff who got a skateboard for himself was also interested in his girlfriend's sport, also took one for himself, having the usual idea of being together, some habits were hard to forget, and they started to kiss themselves on the Penalty Box, which immediately made Coach Halder place Bridgette on the punish timeout for 10 minutes, while Geoff had to do 100 push-ups. Now, Jen found herself assisting Ezekiel, showing him a variety of sneakers—black and white, blue and black, pink and white, and green and black. She couldn't help but smile. "Are you sure you want all of these sneakers?"
"Yep, you never know when you need a new pair of shoes," Ezekiel said as it was a good answer for Jen who usually would recommend a clothing store to sell shoes for girls, but from seeing the boys usually more interested in sneakers, she couldn't blame them. "Also, I was thinking of a few snowboard equipment, do you know the best equipment for an amateur who never had snowboard before?"
And with a comment like that, Jen smiled widely.
"Ezekiel, you asked for the right person," Jen said, as she asked him to follow her. She never thought she would have so much fun working, even as the chaos happening across the store.
Tyler stood in front of the dumbbell rack, eyeing a particularly heavy set with a mixture of determination and hesitation. He flexed his fingers and wrapped them around the large handle, his muscles straining as he attempted to lift one of the weights. It barely budged at first, but with a grunt, he managed to get it off the rack, wobbling slightly as he held it at chest level.
"Yeah, this is... nothing," Tyler puffed out, trying to sound casual despite the sweat starting to form on his forehead.
Eva, who was standing nearby, simply blinked, watching Tyler's struggle with a raised brow. Without a word, she stepped forward and, in one smooth motion, plucked the dumbbell from his hands as if it were made of foam.
"Really? This is what you're struggling with?" Eva remarked dryly, turning the dumbbell over in her hand. "Feels like nothing compared to what I handle in physiotherapy. We use these for warm-ups."
Tyler blinked, staring at her in stunned silence as she casually lifted the weight with ease.
"Warm-ups? Seriously?" His jaw dropped slightly, his arms still sore from his brief effort.
Eva smirked but didn't say anything more. Just as she was about to put the dumbbell back, she noticed Sadie approaching from the other side of the store, her usual bubbly smile in place as she made her way toward them.
"Hey, what's going on?" Sadie asked, her eyes darting to the dumbbell in Eva's hand.
"Catch!" Eva's smirk widened. Without warning, she tossed the dumbbell toward Sadie.
Sadie's eyes widened as the weight sailed toward her. She instinctively reached out, catching it just in time—but not without a bit of difficulty. Her knees bent slightly under the weight, and she wobbled for a second before steadying herself, breathing heavily.
"Uh, yeah... just barely!" Sadie let out a small, nervous laugh, trying to mask the fact that she was struggling a bit more than she wanted to admit.
"Not bad. I've been thinking about switching up your routine. That'll be the next weight I add to your workout schedule." Eva gave her an appraising look, crossing her arms.
Sadie's face went pale instantly, her smile faltering as she stared at the heavy dumbbell in her hands.
"W-What?" she stammered, gulping nervously. Since she knew the suffering she had been training around the Playa Del Losers, and as much that she got hooked up with the idea of working out and getting stronger to help her best friend, Eva is known as being a demon of working out, since her working out regime had been something that terrifies both her and Ezekiel, and she doesn't take a No for an answer.
"Yeah, you'll thank me later. It's time to step it up." Eva nodded seriously, as though it were a done deal. "Next season is coming, and you should make sure that you are not going to be eliminated too soon,"
"Oh yeah…" Sadie said weakly, as she glanced at Tyler, who was still standing there, dumbstruck by how easily both Eva and Sadie were handling the weight that had nearly bested him. He gave her a sympathetic shrug as Sadie's nervous laughter faded into a quiet whimper, her arms trembling slightly under the dumbbell's weight.
"That's the spirit, let's see what else we can find for helping out our training when we get to season 2, I think I heard a metal bar calling our names," Eva said as she walked away, which Sadie had her lips trembling, looking for Katie to see if she can see her best friend to support her on the decision she did, but sadly she wasn't around.
"Wow, I never thought my hand would be sore from signing all those autographs," Courtney commented as she realized that part of the fame would come from becoming a good example for the fans, especially those who would try to mirror their personalities, but still she was glad to see some of the kids saying they want to train to become C. just like her, and also finding ways to understand other campers.
"Tell me about it," Duncan said as he was cheeking a few skateboards, while he was taking a few pictures with the fans, some were even eager to be a bit clingy, but Courtney by looking at the girl approaching her boyfriend, she simply glared and with a snarl, the girl immediately left him alone. Making Duncan blink in surprise, and mutter a surprised wow.
"You never know when there is some girl who would go far beyond the limits." Courtney huffed, as she saw some boys approaching her. They immediately jumped, when they saw Duncan throwing a knife near their feat. And slowly stepping away from one of the pillars. Courtney looked at her boyfriend surprised as well.
"If you want to be jealous, I also have the right to be like that," Duncan said which immediately Courtney to roll her eyes.
"I'm not jealous, I'm just saying to not trust any kind of woman since they could be obsessive and possibly crazy, especially the fans," Courtney said, to which Duncan chuckled from her reaction.
"Princess, it's alright to be jealous, since I also feel jealous of you as well, we kinda need to make a few rules for fans approaching us, you never know what kind of crazy fans we would have around," Duncan explained, as Courtney checked a few tennis rackets that she felt interested into playing maybe in the future. Or even buy a swimming suit to go deep into the ocean, or probably try surfing just like Bridgette said she would like to give lessons for anyone to try when they want to go to the beach in the future.
"Err... guys?" Then a voice called behind the Power Couple and stared at DJ who had a deep blush on his face. "One of the fans just gave me her number, writing on her panties... what should I do?"
"Throw away,"
"Keep for yourself,"
The duo said in unison, which immediately Duncan started to sweat from seeing Courtney staring at him.
"Come on, look at his T-shirt, you know his Momma wanted to see some progress of her baby boy trying to hook up with a girl," Duncan said as the fastest as he could, which Courtney narrowed her eyes.
"That's stupid, just for giving the number from the panties means the girl is bat-shit-crazy," Courtney said as she pointed both her eyes to Duncan like she was implying she was watching him, which made him nod. "Also, it's not worth it DJ, a girl shouldn't jump on you like that, can you imagine what kind of crazy girl would try to give a panties as a way to demonstrate love?"
And on that moment, DJ, Duncan, and Courtney just saw Ezekiel carrying with him, a few shoe boxes, a snowboard, and winter clothing. Jen followed him behind, and the duo were paying attention to the conversation. Ezekiel once again decided to give reasoning on the conversation as well.
"Okay, hold on, is that real? A girl gave you her panties with the number on it?" Ezekiel asked and the trio nodded their heads to him, and Ezekiel decided to give his opinion on the situation. "Well, if you guys are talking about the worst kind of crazy fan, do I need to remind you 3 about Sierra?"
And on that moment DJ palled, Duncan had his mouth opening in understanding and slightly narrowing his eyes, and Courtney nodded her head in agreement.
"Exactly, can you imagine other Sierras around the world? Now that I think about it, she would have done that to Cody, and you all know what she did at the forums during all the time we were on the show right?" Courtney asked, and Ezekiel even nodded his head.
"And look what she did yesterday, she made a post telling Cody disappeared, she was in his neighborhood," Ezekiel explained as Duncan couldn't help but take a look at the baseball bat.
"That girl is crazy, to the point that I'm not sure she is psycho," Duncan said as he took a look at the baseball bat, and gave a few swings. "Huh... hey, does someone know how he has been lately?"
"Why do you want to know that?" DJ asked as he could see Duncan having a smirk on his face, which made him unsure.
"According to my mom, Katie's mom wants to keep him in check from not advancing too quickly on his relationship with Katie, so she wanted to make sure we do what we did on the camp Wawanakwa," Duncan said as DJ blinked, Courtney raised her eyebrows in disbelief, and Ezekiel couldn't help but chuckle from what he implied.
"Do you mean, giving fear of God on him again?" Ezekiel laughed when he saw Duncan smirking at him, which he couldn't help but simply do it. "Oh screw it, I'm in."
"For real?" Courtney asked as she saw Ezekiel and Duncan's fist bump. "That's very infantile, and you shouldn't be doing that, what we did on the camp was only one thing, we wanted to make sure Cody wasn't going to hurt Katie's feelings."
"Yeah, but this time Katie's mom just asked for this favor just in case they go on the other bases if you know what I mean," Duncan said as Ezekiel tilted his head, and Courtney had her mouth open in surprise. "So just in case he goes under the blankets with her, the next day we scare the shit out of him."
"Isn't that a type of shotgun wedding?" DJ asked as he couldn't help but feel pity for Cody who probably would be traumatized in the same way he was going to suffer in case he went to have a sexual relationship with Katie, to which Duncan nodded his head.
"According to my mom, it's a prank made by Katie's mom, and I'm not going to drop down a good prank when I see one," Duncan said as he gave a look to his girlfriend. "Come on, it's going to be fun, we already know the chances of happening are extremely low, and in the case it happens, we make Katie's mom happy, we have a good laugh and Cody wasn't going to make stupid decisions, everybody wins."
"When you put on that way," Ezekiel said as he looked to DJ who was still unsure. "DJ relax, Cody and Katie are very happy together, we then have this story we can tell on their wedding when that happens. It's going to be so funny that we could be laughing years in the future."
"Okay, okay, but we would need to compensate him in the future for that, I mean, doing twice sounds like extreme," DJ said unsure, as Duncan laughed.
"We are doing that on probably the only chance he lost his virginity, better reward than that I doubt," Duncan said as he could see the conversation both DJ and Courtney blushing. "Come on Princess, it's not going to be that terrible, it's going to be like the first one."
"..." Courtney remained in silence, but then she smiled a bit. "I cannot lie, it was very funny what we did at that time, and also we have Sadie on our side for even more intimidation on him since Sadie and Katie are like twins, so it would be hilarious to see Sadie acting like Eva putting the fear on him."
"Oh, I like this idea," Ezekiel said as he grabbed a notepad on his hands. "We could also convince Eva holds brass knuckles, just by seeing her beating the crap of Serial Killer without it would make everyone shit themselves, imagine with brass knuckles on her hands."
"Well, I think I could be on the door since I'm very big and it would be impossible for him to get out from there," DJ said as he was also giving suggestions.
And all of this was happening in front of Jen who was now palling from hearing what kind of terrifying prank the group was preparing to do with their friend's boyfriend.
"I'm glad that Jonesy isn't the one in a relationship with them, he would be screwed," Jen said as she saw Ezekiel talking about something and she didn't pay attention. "What?"
"I asked if you could show me a few compound bows," Ezekiel said as the auburn-haired girl had her eyes wide open in surprise and palling from the implication he was giving. But thankfully Ezekiel could see what she was afraid of. "Oh no, it's not related to this, it's actually for my parents, my Ma and Pa liked the one made by hand by one of my friends, that I was planning to give as a gift for them, and one for myself as well."
"Ah, thank God," Jen said as she sighed in relief, and gave a few glances, as she couldn't help but help whoever needed information. "Sure, just let me help your friends to see if they want something as well."
"Sure," Ezekiel nodded, as Jen was working hard to attend to DJ, Duncan, and Courtney on the questions they had over the products, and it seemed the more the Killer Bass had been around, the quantity of work she had was multiplied in many times.
It's going to be a long day of work.
"Ohhh, it had been so long since I played volleyball," Katie said as Sadie approached her best friend who nodded her head.
"Yeah, remember the last time when the P.E. teacher almost got a stroke because the class clown glued all the balls at the time we played dodgeball we had our hands stuck for 2 days?" Sadie said as the tan girl agreed.
"And since it was superglue it was almost impossible to take it out without damaging our nails, it had been a nightmare," Katie said as the duo started remembering the good times.
Jen stared at the duo of girls as she blinked for a few seconds, and then turned her head to see Gwen who was checking the bowling balls and other sports, but the look on her face showed very disinterested.
"Do they always do that?" Jen asked as she saw Katie and Sadie kept talking about the balls over the sector, but the problem was they were talking for more than 10 minutes.
"Yeah, but you get used to the time, it was worse on the first day, dealing with them in the first 3 days was a nightmare." Gwen shrugged as she remembered how much they were annoying from the first episode, and how terrible their conversations were over the Main Lodge, even as annoying as it could be from their talking about things nobody was interested in hearing. But then she continued to explain. "We got either used to them, or they became more independent and talked to the others, so I think both was the best explanation."
Jen accepted the explanation since she knew the Killer Bass became a close-knit team, and even as times she looked at her friend Nikki being the goth style of her friend group, she knew the Killer Bass former Screaming Goopher member wasn't interested in being there.
"So is there a product you are interested in buying?" Jen asked as she knew it would take a while until she would deal with the best friend's twins again, she preferred to focus on the girl who wasn't interested, probably because she may guess one thought on her mind.
"Nah, I'm not interested in sports," Gwen said as was the standard answer from people who just want to take a look around while bored.
"Well, if you want my advice, I would suggest the skateboard session," Jen commented as she could see the goth raising her eyebrows at her. "My friend likes to see the new designs, some were gruesome, and in point, there was even a skeleton seeming to get out from it."
"You got my interest, but I don't know how to skateboard," Gwen said as she discovered the trick made by the saleswoman but she couldn't help but admit it was a very good attempt.
"Fair enough, but taking a look on there would be less boring than staying here," Jen said, as Gwen passed a few seconds and nodded her head at her.
"Now you proved a point, I will be there." And with that, Gwen left, as Jen sighed and with sweat on her face.
"It's very exhausting to deal with all of them at the same time," Jen said as she tried to look at the other employees who seemed to be very busy dealing with the fans across the store, so it made her aware that she would be the one treating the Total Drama cast since nobody else would be doing that.
"Ohhh, I think I will be taking this," Katie said as she showed the volleyball to Jen, who was now relieved that the more people deciding the better.
"Good, do you want to try our sports shorts for volleyball? I think we have some volleyball team shirts as well if you want to take a look." Jen said as suddenly Katie gasped.
"WOW SADIE, THEY HAVE UNIFORMS AS WELL," Katie said loudly Jen cringed at how loud the girls squealed happily and jumped together.
"Do you remember the time when you tried to make the sports uniforms for our birthday party? It was sooo awesome." Sadie said, as immediately Jen facepalmed herself.
It had been a very long day of work… As she then took a look at the clock… Showing 13:40 p.m., it had been only 40 minutes, and she already wanted her shift to be over.
Bridgette was free from the timeout, which she walked around into seeing that her boyfriend was now having a nice conversation with Gwen when the duo seemed to be talking nearby the skateboard sectors. As she decided to wander around, she just found Tyler staring at the saleswoman in disbelief.
"There is no way that you said that in front of him," The jock said as the girl simply spoke the truth.
"It's not my fault he sucked," Jen said as she stomped her foot in determination. "I got punished on the timeout for 11 minutes, but I refuse to retract my statement, 3 goals in the whole championship is very bad."
"Well, I understand saying that to the others. But to say that to Ronan himself? It must have caused a lot of confusion." Tyler said as he never thought he would have the courage to say a hockey player of the Toronto Maple Leafs that one of their members sucked, on their faces.
"Oh, it caused a few discussions, which led to the whole store having a loud argument, which even had a few fights outside of the store. Which usually happens when rival teams go to the store at the same time as well." Jen shrugged, as she gave a look on the boy who was already carrying a hockey stick. "So you are interested in having one of the sticks?"
"Yeah, I broke my last one last year, it broke at the time I was doing the final shot of the game, didn't manage to make the goal, broke the stick, and I even slipped down the frozen hill," Tyler commented as Jen blinked from the revelation.
"Wow, that was very specific, at least you didn't get hurt," Jen said trying to be optimistic, but Tyler simply shrugged.
"Yeah, it was just a few contusions, but nothing that I wasn't used to," Tyler explained as Jen cringed at the idea into thinking how Tyler would still be thinking about trying sports since he was a magnet for pain.
"Hey guys, what did I miss?" Bridgette asked as Tyler raised his eyebrows at the surfer.
"You just lost your daily doses of water with hot sauce spray, which you got lucky that we forgot to bring at least one here," Tyler said as he crossed his arms, while Bridgette rolled her eyes.
"Oh come on, we didn't get to do that around the mall, how are we supposed to know that this place isn't allowed to demonstrate lo-" Bridgette said, as suddenly she saw Jen interrupting the surfer from saying the word.
"Don't say it," Jen said as she looked around and saw Coach Halder raising his head looking angrily around to see if someone was doing something that he would need to step in. But then seeing that nobody said a word, he returned to the crowd of people and shouted for the public to calm down, or they would be kicked out of the store. Leaving the auburn girl to sigh in relief. "He has those crazy rules, especially when it's related to that, he punishes anyone who decides to talk about it."
"That's an absurd rule," Bridgette said as she rolled her eyes, but before she could say further, she just saw Jen sweating a lot, which the girl couldn't help but be concerned. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, just a bit exhausted, but I can help you all before going to my lunch break, and hopefully this will end quickly," Jen said as she tried to give her most calm and optimistic smile.
"Oh, if you want to take a rest, we could walk around and call for your help when we need it," Bridgette suggested, but immediately Jen shook her head.
"I can't do that, with all those fans you all have around, most of the employees are helping on the sales of the store, and I'm helping all of you guys to get what you guys want," Jen said as she gave a deep breath and even drank water from the bottle, knowing it was going to be a long day. "I already did it just fine until now, I can do this."
"Well if you say so…" Bridgette said as she looked at Tyler who simply shrugged.
"I think I will take the hockey gear equipment as well," Tyler said, as Jen gave a kind smile, and with the tiredness on her face, she still wanted to help everyone.
"Please do not shoot an arrow inside of the store," Jen said almost practically begging Ezekiel who simply was pulling the cord of the compound bows he gave a deep look at the equipment, some even came with laser and zoom lenses to help him to measure the distance of the shots.
"Jen, I'm not going to place an arrow on this," Ezekiel commented as he checked the weight, strength, and resistance of the weapon in his hands. "Shooting an arrow could be dangerous and would lead someone to the hospital,"
"Ah, I'm so glad that at least you understand that," Jen said as she sighed in relief, knowing that most of the clients who wanted to try the Olympics equipment, especially bow, and arrow, wanted to try a demonstration by actually shooting an arrow inside of the store, Jonesy and Jude tried to do William Tell, and tried to shot an arrow in an apple. It caused a big headache for her over that week, but she was glad to see someone mature enough to check the bow properly. "So what's your impressions."
"Well, a friend of mine made one with only wood and natural materials and gave me as a gift, so I wanted to give one for not just my parents, but for her as well. And just to be sure, I want one for me too. So it would be 4 compound bows." Ezekiel commented as Jen had her eyes twitching.
"Ezekiel, I know that I'm not supposed to be the one being against how my clients should be expending their money, but are you sure that what you are doing is wise? You are paying for so much already." Jen said in worry, which immediately Ezekiel decided to smile at her.
"It's fine, it's inside of how much I was planning to expend for today, and it's all preparation for season 2 as well, this could be essential for the challenges ahead." Ezekiel gave an explanation as he took one of the compound bows and gave a deep look, also he decided to say something to cheer up Jen. "Also, I let it out 12 thousand dollars for Caitlin as a tip for you 6 have a great shopping spread on this mall as well."
"What?" Jen said in shock as the boy seemed to be happy.
"I guessed that this would be the most chaotic event happening across the mall, and since tomorrow I would be doing the book signing, it would be focused only on the bookstore tomorrow. This time since me and my friends are in the mall, it would be even more chaotic, so I decided to make sure you, Wyatt, Nikki, Caitlin, Jude, and even Jonesy have fun when your shift is over or before tomorrow's shift start." Ezekiel said as he could see from the look on the girl in front of him. "Because from dealing with 12 clients in one go, you probably would be exhausted at the time we leave, you deserve the time to have fun with them."
Well, he didn't expect to be hugged by Jen for saying those words.
"Ezekiel, you are the best. Thank you so much." Jen said as she was so happy from having now seen all the work she did was worth something. At least she now knows that some famous people are awesome since she now knows one and has him as a friend. "But you shouldn't do it too much."
"Oh, you got that right, I'm not going to expend my money into paying the others for they do whatever they want all the time, I worked hard for my money, and people also should be doing that as well," Ezekiel smirked, as immediately Jen laughed from understanding how mature the boy talked, especially after she learned how he was a home-schooled boy.
"Ezekiel, ever had plans into going to school or going to college someday?" Jen asked curious, which Ezekiel simply shook his head.
"Not at all, as much I could see people appealing and telling school would be good sometimes, I kinda have my share of bad stories when it comes to learning," Ezekiel said as he focused on checking another product. "Sure it's good to learn new things, or even to have more connection around, but I think if going to the library, checking on the internet, and watching good documentaries, it could be helpful in the future…"
"Oh…" Jen remained quiet as she never thought she would have a very interesting point coming from the boy in front of her.
"Also my aunt left some good books on what she was teaching my Pa some basic studies, but one of her favorite subjects is international languages, which I'm practically fluent in 5 of them now," Ezekiel said as Jen had her mouth dropped and she stared at him in disbelief. "Bom, eu falo Portugues Brasileiro (Well, I speak Brazillian Portuguese), yo tambien hablo español (I also speak Spanish), je parle français puis nous vivons au Canada (I speak French since we live in Canada), English as well, Parlo italiano (I speak itallian), Ich spreche Deutsch (I speak german)."
"I… I.. I…" Jen felt her mind blue-screen for a moment, as Ezekiel chuckled from the girl who was trying to figure it out.
"Writers always need to study a lot, Jen, always remember that I still had to hire someone to translate to Korean since I didn't have the opportunity to ask Heather to help me to say one of the characters' dialogue, which books would take hours, days or even weeks of studies just to make sure that everything would be perfect to publish," Ezekiel explained as for the girl on the high school, that even as he was homeschooled, it doesn't matter for him if he was going to go school or not, he was already focusing on his personal studies just to focus on writing his books. "I hope that you understand that,"
Jen remained calm, as she nodded her head… learning more and more about the famous around the store.
"Woah dude, are you also interested in skateboarding?" Geoff said excitedly as he showed a few good designs of skateboarding for the homeschooled boy who simply shrugged.
"They look nice, but I'm more interested in rollerskating," Ezekiel said as he took one pair of rollerskaters which made Geoff blink in surprise. "It had been a long time since I had one pair, it was crazy to try to use them around the farm, there was a wood plank which I tried to use, and I fell a few times, but I got used to using them. And now I had a good time to use them again."
"Oh that's awesome, I think having another good skateboard would be nice for me, and maybe teaching Bridgette how to walk on them would be nice." The party boy explained as Ezekiel mused the thought, and couldn't help but chuckle.
"No offense Geoff, because Bridgette while she is an expert on sports on the water, she is a total clumsy on the earth," Ezekiel commented then heard someone clearing the throat behind him, which made him shiver, which had a nervous smile on his face while he looks at the party boy. "Aaaaand she is behind me isn't she?"
"Yep…" Bridgette said as she crossed her arms, and looked at her little friend saying she is clumsy. He refused to turn his back.
"Oh come on, don't lie to me, remember the time you tackled and jumped Geoff into trying to make out with him, and you made him have a black eye?" Ezekiel refuses to turn his back because if he sees her eyes, he will see the girl staring angrily at him, and his Pa always says, that if he doesn't see a woman's anger, he can't admit anything wrong he did. Which still made Bridgette flicker his head, making him yelp.
"It was an accident, and I'm not that bad," Bridgette said not until she suddenly she walked onto the skateboard and fell on the back with the floor, as the skateboard hit Geoff on the face, knocking him on the floor.
Ezekiel stared at the duo on the floor, and Bridgette raised her index finger.
"That doesn't prove anything." That was what she said, and Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"I would like this pair of ice skatings," Harold commented as he could see Jen cleaning the sweat on her face, "Wow, you look awful, did you need some rest?"
"I'm fine," Jen said as she was blinking constantly, and trying to maintain her energy to keep selling around the store. She just passed on the machine all the weight lifts that Eva would be using for the training for herself, and some for her friends, she also sold a few bandages and an MMA pair of gloves that she looked very interested in buying as well.
"Also I would like to buy the punching bag exposed, I heard it was the only one remaining in the store, and I would like to have something to practice my Karate and Kung Fu moves," Harold said as he gave his own pose, which Jen had her eyes wide open, and looking on the punch bag exposed, it was probably very heavy for her to carry by herself.
"Sure…" Jen said with her teeth clenched, as she couldn't help but panic inside her mind. With how much she was tired, she feared that she would cause an accident, but at the time she was about to reach the chains of the punching bag, she was surprised by a big person already taking the punching bag for her.
"There you go," DJ said as the gentle giant gave a kind smile and happily helped the girl. "I heard your conversation you had with Harold, and I thought you would like a bit of help."
"Thank God," Jen said in relief as she gave an appreciative nod to the Jamaican with a gentle heart. "You have no idea how this would help me. Err… do you mind -"
"To help you carry on the cashier? Sure," DJ said as he took the heavyweight and placed it over his shoulders, "I also am bringing some of the products that I want to buy for myself, so it will be also a good help for you to deal with fewer people."
Jen couldn't help but release a few tears of gratitude, it seemed that her exhaustive day was almost over.
Well, the moment of the truth came as Ezekiel saw Jen taking the extract of all the products bought and paid for by all the Killer Bass members, just making sure it would be checked at the end of the day by her boss.
"From everything that happened, you and your friends bought, a volleyball, tennis rackets, hockey gear, and stick, a few compound bows, bowling balls, surfing boards, skateboards, roller skaters, ice skating, weights, MMA gloves, bandages, a few dozen of pairs of sneakers, basketballs, a punching bag of 100 kilograms, ping pong rackets, tennis balls, a badminton racket?" She said as she looked at Ezekiel who rolled his eyes.
"Oh come on, badminton is an interesting sport, don't judge me," Ezekiel said, as Jen simply shrugged and continued reading all the material she sold.
"A few rockey team T-shirts, volleyball shorts and T-shirts as well, and many other things… Wow, I never thought I could sell all this stuff before Christmas, and in just one full sell…" Jen said as her eyes looked very tired, even as they showed dark circles, and she was sweating from exhaustion.
"I'm glad that it helped you out Jen, now, and I hope you don't mind you let us leave our bags inside this place before we leave the mall, we had to check the other stores as well," Ezekiel explained, as Jen immediately had her eyes wide open, and staring all the products that she sold by herself, it would be a nightmare to organize the bags… But from looking on Coach Halder, who simply nodded his head…
Jen sighed, knowing that she didn't have a choice.
"Yes, you can," Jen said as she could see Ezekiel smiling happily at her.
"Great to know," Ezekiel said as he walked around the Killer Bass, "Guys, she said we can leave our bags here just for later we could take it home before leaving the place."
Jen couldn't hear the rest of the conversation, since she was glad the worst part was over until she looked at the clock, and then her eyes were wide open in horror.
14:15… She just had worked 1 hour and 15 minutes.
At the time she was about to curse, Ezekiel and the other famous teenagers left Penalty Box, which Jen immediately with all her hair messed, her eyes tired, and even sweating a lot, she couldn't help but throw her hands in the air, and fainted on the floor…
"MASTERSON," The shout of Coach Halder wasn't heard as Jen was too tired to actually listen to anything… The manager and Owner of the store looked sternly at the girl who had been overworking himself. Carried the girl on his shoulder, and calmly walked to the timezone punishment. "2 hours of punishment of sleeping at work… You deserved it…"
Jen as she was sleeping on the seats, Coach Halder placed a few kimonos over the auburn girl, and a few team uniforms as a little pillow for the girl.
"Good job, Masterson…" The Coach said in a solemn tone, as he knew that he always would be rigid and demanding of the girl, but he knew the girl always was a good employee, doing her best to sell all the products that she could take. "All you need to do is to be tougher and have authority… the sport business is always demanding and cruel, if you want to create a line of snowboards, you need to understand the business world is not for anyone… But until then, you deserved the rest. Tomorrow I will be twice as demanding as today."
"Hmmm…" Jen moaned in tiredness, not hearing what her boss had said to her, but seeing the girl like that, the Coach decided to go back to work and separate the Killer Bass purchases in case they returned.
The day had only started, and with the popularity of the celebrities who came to his store, the sales were better than ever. And he couldn't have another way.
(14:25)
After spending a few minutes outside the Penalty Box, the group still found themselves surrounded by enthusiastic fans. Fortunately, Eva's intimidating presence did the trick—most of the crowd hesitated and took a step back, clearly not eager to test her patience.
"So, do you guys want to split up and form smaller groups?" Ezekiel asked, noticing that most of the Killer Bass members were nodding in agreement.
"Yeah, I mean, going into a store together was cool and all," Geoff said, "but I don't think everyone would have as much fun doing the same thing again. It's probably better if we break into groups and deal with the fans that way."
Ezekiel nodded, understanding. "Makes sense. As much as I'd love for everyone to stick around, splitting up might be for the best. So, who's going with who?"
Geoff was the first to raise his hand. "DJ, Tyler, and I are gonna head to the next floor. Anyone else wanna come with us?"
The group exchanged glances before Harold sniffed and raised his hand. "I saw some cool electronics gear at a shop upstairs. Might as well check it out," he said, pushing his glasses up his nose. It was clear that Harold was already thinking about what nerdy treasures awaited him.
The rest of the group shrugged in agreement. Then Eva spoke up, surprising everyone.
"I'll go too," she said, crossing her arms as the others turned to look at her. "There's a stereo shop on the next floor. My parents have been talking about upgrading the sound system in our workout room. Thought I'd check it out."
"That's awesome," Geoff replied, perking up at the idea. "I might stop by the stereo shop too. I've been meaning to look into getting something for future parties at my place."
The idea of Eva hunting for a sound system for a workout room seemed to amuse the group, but no one dared comment on it. If anything, they respected her for her dedication—not just to working out, but to keeping the peace with her parents.
With the group splitting up, the remaining members of the Killer Bass were Ezekiel, Courtney, Duncan, Gwen, Bridgette, Katie, and Sadie. Katie and Sadie were especially excited as they pointed out a store across the way.
"We found a place called the Khaki Barn!" Katie exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "It looks amazing, and it's got everything we could use together."
"Yeah! Matching outfits, cute accessories—it's perfect for us!" Sadie added, grinning. Even though the two best friends had been developing their own interests, they still loved sharing things, reinforcing their bond.
Ezekiel smiled at their enthusiasm. "If you see Nikki working there, tell her to stay strong, alright?" he said, recalling Caitlin's friend from 6teen who had to put up with the store's high expectations. The girls nodded before heading off on their shared adventure.
With Katie and Sadie gone, the group was now down to Ezekiel, Courtney, Duncan, Gwen, and Bridgette. They paused for a moment, looking around the busy mall, unsure where to go next.
"So, where are we heading?" Gwen asked, hands casually stuffed in her pockets as she scanned the surrounding stores.
After a bit of thought, they decided to check out a tech store showcasing the latest flip phones and PDAs—essential gadgets for staying connected in 2007. As they walked inside, they were greeted by an impressive display of flip phones in sleek metallic designs, some boasting small external screens, and a range of PDAs featuring tiny keyboards and stylus pens.
Ezekiel examined the phones and PDAs with interest, running his fingers along the buttons and flipping a few of the phones open and closed. "So, these are the models everyone's using now, eh?" he commented, looking at the range of devices. It had been Caitlin's idea for him to explore this store, and now that he was here, he figured it couldn't hurt to see what was available.
Duncan smirked as he held up a silver flip phone, fiddling with the hinge. "Man, these things are classics. This one even has an antenna—talk about retro," he joked, pretending to use it like a walkie-talkie.
Courtney gave him a playful eye roll but couldn't resist smirking. "You know, these phones are pretty solid. With all the chaos going on in our lives, something reliable wouldn't be the worst idea."
Bridgette picked up one of the models and flipped it open. "These are kinda fun! They're tough, too. Could probably survive getting dropped into the ocean." She chuckled, always drawn to the practicality of things.
Gwen, on the other hand, was intrigued by the PDAs. "These are cool for organizing. They may not be as slick as some of the newer stuff coming out, but they'd still be handy for managing stuff without getting too distracted."
As they continued browsing, Ezekiel considered what Caitlin had said earlier. While he didn't need a new device urgently, he figured it might be useful, especially since the variety of flip phones and PDAs in front of him looked tempting. Each one promised something different—whether it was style, functionality, or reliability.
His family never had a flip phone, and since he is now a writer, and had contact with his lawyer and accountant. He needed to have a way to help him to check his own emails… A PDA is a smartphone who isn't created yet. So until the time comes, he would need to use the best available for him.
"Alright, I want that one, and that one as well," Ezekiel said as he pointed to a deep green and black flip phone and a PDA that would help him in the future. "Do you have plans as well? Because I would start making phone calls with it sooner."
.
.
.
The group had now wandered into a clothing store, unlike the usual mall stops. This one catered specifically to rock, punk, and gothic styles, with dark, edgy décor that immediately caught the attention of Duncan and Gwen. The atmosphere was thick with an air of rebellion; the walls were painted deep shades of black and crimson, adorned with posters of iconic bands and graffiti art that breathed life into the space. The racks were filled with black leather, ripped fabrics, chains, and an array of skull and flame patterns, all of which created a rebellious ambiance that felt like home to both of them.
Duncan, giving a quick glance around the store, began sorting through racks of clothing that perfectly suited his punk delinquent persona. He ran his fingers over the textured fabrics, feeling the raw edges and the weight of leather beneath his touch. He picked out a black leather jacket with a rough, worn-in look, accented with silver zippers and studs that glinted ominously under the low lights. A few graphic tees caught his eye as well—one emblazoned with a bold red anarchy symbol that seemed to scream defiance, and another featuring a menacing skull wrapped in barbed wire, reflecting his inner turmoil. He also found a pair of black skinny jeans with chains hanging from the side, adding a sharper edge to the ensemble.
As he tried on the jacket, admiring how it hugged his shoulders and flared slightly at the waist, he felt an unmistakable sense of maturity in his style. He had grown while still maintaining his rebellious flair, and instead of his usual spiked choker, he exchanged it for two thick chain collars that wrapped around his neck, giving him an even more badass appearance. A smirk crossed his lips as he admired his reflection in the mirror; he felt ready to take on the world.
Meanwhile, Gwen was in her element, thoroughly enjoying the gothic clothing with genuine appreciation. She moved with grace through the aisles, her fingers brushing against the fabrics as if greeting old friends. Her eyes lingered on a stunning black lace dress that contrasted beautifully with her pale skin, accentuating her striking features and complementing her signature dark lipstick perfectly. She reached for a short-sleeved fishnet top to layer over a deep dark aquamarine tank, the rich color designed to highlight her striking blue and black hair.
As she picked up a pair of silver bracelets, adorned with tiny skulls that dangled playfully, she envisioned how they would add a bit of edge to her usual look. But what truly caught her eye was a delicate black fabric that could be wrapped around her neck, along with a collar depicting a saint carved into the leather. It was exquisite, and her heart raced at the thought of owning it. "I need this," she whispered to herself, a determined glint in her eyes. It was a suggestion made by her friend Ripper, and she felt more elegant than ever, ready to start the second season with the right foot forward.
Ezekiel, on the other hand, was drawn to the accessories section like a moth to a flame. He wandered over to examine a collection of skull-themed rings, intrigued by the intricate details of the carvings that seemed to tell their own stories. One of the rings had tiny red gems in the eyes of the skull, catching the light and making it seem both menacing and alluring. He picked up a belt with a large skull-shaped buckle, nodding in approval as he realized how well it matched both Duncan and Gwen's styles. Even the darkly designed glasses, with skull imprints, etched into the side handles, fascinated him in a strange way.
As he observed his friends, Ezekiel noticed Gwen holding up a sleeveless shirt that had been cut at the sleeves, giving it a casual yet rebellious vibe. Meanwhile, Duncan was showing off a leather jacket with belts around it, exuding confidence as he flashed a grin. On the other hand, Ezekiel couldn't help but admire the references to famous gothic bands around the store, especially one jacket that seemed to have walked straight out of a My Chemical Romance music video. He even spotted a striped shirt that made him imagine Marshall Lee rocking it with his trademark rock style. The store was indeed a treasure trove of clothing variations.
Taking inspiration from his friends, Ezekiel chose the jacket, and the shirt, and even felt tempted by an overcoat, but quickly dismissed the idea, reminding himself he wasn't preparing for a vampire hunting training session or anything that crazy. Instead, he wanted to add more clothes like his friends, opting for a black and white shirt with half-long sleeves and half-sleeveless sections, featuring a bold anarchy logo on the back. He also grabbed a pair of fishnet gloves, feeling more confident as he pieced together his new look. It wasn't something he would wear every day, but the idea of switching up his style depending on the day excited him.
Bridgette, though not usually one for the goth-punk aesthetic, found herself inexplicably drawn to a small section dedicated to swimwear. As she browsed, she was surprised to discover swimsuits styled with gothic elements—particularly one-piece designs featuring elaborate black lace patterns and corset-like lacing on the sides. One striking suit had small pentagram details on the laces that intrigued her, even if she didn't fully embrace the symbolism. "You know," she mused to herself with a small smile, twirling a strand of her hair thoughtfully, "take off the pentagram, and this might actually turn some heads at the beach."
As she held the suit up to herself, imagining the way the sun would hit the lace, she felt a spark of excitement. Maybe stepping out of her comfort zone could be fun. The idea of rocking a gothic swimsuit made her smile wider. Who knew she could combine her love for the beach with a touch of rebellion? In this store full of edgy vibes and creativity, the possibilities felt endless.
The atmosphere in the store was electric as Duncan, Gwen, Ezekiel, and Bridgette watched Courtney strut out in her new outfit. The dim light bounced off the fishnet tights and highlighted the edgy style that seemed to bring out a different side of her. With every step, she exuded confidence, her attire blending perfectly with the punk-goth aesthetic surrounding her.
"I don't know why the a need for all the spikes, though. Isn't that something that could hurt anyone who touches you?" Ezekiel quipped, a teasing lilt in his voice.
Courtney turned, eyebrows raised in mock disbelief. "Oh please, you think this is all about comfort? It's about their style!"
Duncan stood there, jaw slack, taking in the sight of his girlfriend. She wore fishnet tights, long fishnet gloves, and distressed jeans that showed just the right amount of skin. The black top was edgy and fitted, and her spiked bracelets added a perfect touch. The dramatic makeup—a dark liner above her eyes and a bold two-toned red and white lipstick—enhanced her features beautifully.
"Courtney…you are a very good friend of mine, and I love you as a great big annoying sister," Ezekiel began, trying to hold back his laughter at her transformation. He could see Gwen's surprise mirrored in her expression, both of them taken aback by how much Courtney had changed. "That said…Duncan, you are a damn lucky bastard."
"Oh yeah, I am…" Duncan smirked, clearly enjoying the moment as he watched Courtney blush. "Just need one final touch…"
"Which is?" Courtney asked, puzzled.
Duncan reached into his pocket, pulling out the skull collar he had crafted for her during the motocross challenge. Courtney's heart fluttered as she realized the significance of the gift. The moment she placed it around her neck and turned to face the mirror, she felt an unexpected thrill wash over her.
"Wow," she whispered, eyes wide.
"Wow, indeed," Gwen chimed in, giving Duncan a thumbs up. "I have to say, this style fits you way better."
"Oh please, you think this style would fit better with anyone?" Courtney rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face betrayed her joy. She could feel Duncan's gaze on her, a mixture of admiration and something deeper. "So what do you think?"
Suddenly, she felt a playful slap on her rear. "EEP!" Courtney jumped, narrowing her eyes in shock. A deep blush spread across her cheeks as she processed what had just happened. Bridgette's face flushed, and Ezekiel let out an impressed whistle.
"You didn't do that," Courtney exclaimed, shooting a glare at Duncan.
"Oh, I did," Duncan replied with a confident smirk, unrepentant. "I don't regret it, because damn girl, I'm going to be crazy with you around like that."
"Did Duncan just slap Courtney's ass?" Ezekiel asked incredulously, watching as Duncan doubled over, receiving a swift punch to the stomach. "Yep, he had it coming."
"Well, enjoy while you can, because I'm not going home dressed like this. My family would freak out if they saw me like this after only going to the mall for the first time," Courtney declared, reaching for a tissue to wipe away the dramatic makeup.
"You could at least leave the lipstick. It looks great on you," Duncan suggested, attempting to recover from the earlier attack. "Also, I don't know why you're making such a big deal about it. I could tell my parents you're spending the night with us."
"But then I'd have to deal with your brothers, and if I'm dressed like this, I'd leave a terrible impression on your parents!" Courtney protested, a hint of panic in her voice.
"Well, they'd blame me for letting you dress like this in the first place. We could just use it as a joke, saying you're doing this against your will, and then you can make me pay you back," Duncan shrugged, offering a solution that made Courtney relax just a bit.
"That could work," she conceded with a sigh. "At least I don't have to worry about taking a ride again."
The group was still buzzing from Courtney's transformation when Ezekiel raised an eyebrow, curiosity evident in his voice. "What do you mean by that?"
Duncan leaned in, ready to share the story. "Courtney took a car ride with two fans since her family car broke down while she was driving." The revelation made Gwen and Bridgette's eyes widen in surprise.
"And you just left the car on the street? Isn't that irresponsible?" Bridgette questioned, arms crossed in disapproval as Courtney rolled her eyes in response.
"Of course not! I had to wait for the tow truck to take it directly to the mechanic my mom helped find," Courtney explained, frustration lacing her tone. "My dad is probably dealing with the mechanic right now because we've had that problem in our car for months, and it seems they didn't fix it properly." She noticed the skeptical glances from her friends. "IT'S NOT MY FAULT!"
"Yeah, I believe that," Gwen replied, raising her eyebrows skeptically. "So you had to deal with two fans?"
"Yeah, thankfully they were on their way here. They're from British Columbia and took days to drive down. They seemed nice," Courtney recounted, her irritation easing as she spoke. "I heard one of the girls is training to become an Olympic gymnast."
"Really? That sounds cool," Ezekiel interjected, blinking in surprise. He shot Duncan a sideways glance, suspecting that might be the kind of girl Ezekiel would be interested in. The whole situation was too convoluted for Duncan's taste, and he quickly pushed those thoughts aside.
"So did they say where they're going?" Duncan asked, trying to keep the conversation flowing.
"Your book signing tomorrow," Courtney revealed, watching Ezekiel tilt his head in surprise.
"They've been huge fans of your book," she continued, a smile creeping onto her face as Ezekiel seemed both amused and flattered.
"Huh, wow, I never thought people from all across Canada would travel just to get my books," Ezekiel said, chuckling as he realized how far-reaching his popularity had become.
"Well, I had to give a car ride to a fan who came from Vancouver Island," Bridgette chimed in, her tone lively. "A girl who also brought a duck with her." Ezekiel's eyes went wide at that revelation. "Her name is Dawn, and she's a nature lover like me. But I think she's way more in tune with nature than I am since she can read minds."
"Pff, yeah right," Duncan scoffed, causing Courtney and Gwen to exchange disbelieving glances.
"Are you sure she wasn't tricking you?" Courtney questioned, her logical mindset reluctant to accept the idea. "There are a lot of scammers in the world."
"No, guys, she's the real deal! She said she saw my aura and even knew my mom's name!" Bridgette insisted, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Just as Courtney and Duncan opened their mouths to respond, Ezekiel interrupted.
"Ah, so she's an aura reader! Wow, it's been ages since I saw one on television," Ezekiel said, a mix of intrigue and excitement crossing his face, instantly capturing the group's attention. "I remember seeing news about a guy trying to expose aura readers. While he found some scammers, he also uncovered the real ones. One of them not only exposed him but revealed all the cheating he'd done on his wife! The live broadcast made the wife contact the lovers, and it ended with him losing his job, getting divorced, and finding out he had kidney stones—which he didn't know about until five days later!"
The group sat in stunned silence as the story unfolded.
"I didn't know that aired on television," Courtney said, her eyes wide in disbelief. The thought of people having the ability to read their lives felt overwhelming. She could only imagine the chaos it could unleash if someone truly had that power.
"Seriously! Just imagine if someone could expose all your secrets in front of everyone," Gwen said, shivering at the thought.
"Ugh, I'd rather not think about it," Duncan muttered, running a hand through his hair. "But I have to admit, it sounds like a wild ride."
Bridgette shrugged, her enthusiasm unshaken. "I think it would be kind of cool! As long as they don't tell embarrassing stuff."
"Yeah, but what if they did?" Courtney replied, a hint of worry in her voice. "It's a lot of pressure to think about."
"It must have been on the internet at least," Gwen remarked, crossing her arms and leaning back against the wall, a skeptical expression on her face.
"Not if the person didn't want to relive that shame all over again. It probably got deleted," Ezekiel replied, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. "I tried to recall the person's name or the aura readers he provoked, but nothing's coming to mind." He glanced at Bridgette, his curiosity piqued. "Did she say anything bad about you?"
"No, she just explained that Mother Nature blessed me, and that's why I'm always fine around the animals nearby," Bridgette explained with a proud smile. Ezekiel hummed in understanding, while the others couldn't help but roll their eyes at the sentiment.
"You know what? I'll believe it when I see it," Courtney interjected, her voice laced with practicality. She had always been the logical one in the group, preferring to stick with what she could see and touch. "At least Sky isn't that problematic—just having a bit of burping issues."
"Sky?" Ezekiel's eyes went wide in surprise. The group stared at him for a moment, and he quickly scrambled for a different question to cover his slip. "Is there a girl named like that?"
"Yes, there is," Gwen confirmed, a smirk tugging at her lips as she caught the faint hint of relief in Ezekiel's expression. "There are a lot of girls and boys named after objects as well. Like my friends Pixie and Reaper…"
"Well, that makes sense," Ezekiel said, filing the information away in his mind. He now had to remember that Sky from Pahkitew Island would be at the book signing tomorrow. It was a surprise to think he would see more contestants from the future actually coming to see him.
"Anyway, do you want to check out some clothing styles now, Courtney?" Ezekiel suggested, his tone shifting to a lighter one.
"That would be something I'd like," Courtney replied, a determined glint in her eyes as she prepared herself for a shopping spree. Duncan felt a knot tighten in his gut at the prospect, sensing that Courtney was gearing up for some kind of payback against him.
As they made their way toward the clothing store, Ezekiel glanced back at Duncan, who wore a grimace as if he could already foresee the chaos that awaited them. "You okay, man?" Ezekiel asked, concern bubbling up.
Duncan waved him off, trying to brush it aside. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just, you know, ready for whatever Courtney has planned." He shot a sidelong glance at her, who was already enthusiastically discussing outfits with Gwen and Bridgette, completely oblivious to Duncan's unease.
"Right, just remember, I'm here for moral support," Ezekiel said, chuckling lightly, trying to ease the tension. "And I'll be sure to take notes on any fashion tips I can use."
Duncan let out a half-hearted laugh, feeling a bit better at the lighthearted banter. "I guess we'll both need it," he said, sighing as they approached the store entrance, the vibrant displays of clothing beckoning them inside. The atmosphere shifted as they stepped through the door, and the buzz of chatter and the scent of new fabric filled the air.
"Alright, let's find you something fierce, Courtney!" Bridgette exclaimed, already scanning the racks with eager eyes.
With a determined smile, Courtney stepped forward, ready to make a statement. The day was far from over, and as Duncan and Ezekiel exchanged a glance filled with apprehension and excitement, they knew that whatever happened next would be anything but dull.
.
.
.
As they stepped into the clothing store, the atmosphere transformed around them. The shop was an eclectic mix of styles, perfectly reflecting Courtney's fashion sense—modern yet classic, with a touch of rebellion. Colorful racks overflowed with tailored blazers, chic blouses, and edgy accessories that caught the light just right. Brightly lit mirrors adorned the walls, and the upbeat music set a lively tone, creating an inviting ambiance.
Courtney led the way, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she navigated through the vibrant displays.
"This place is perfect!" she exclaimed, grabbing a stylish jacket off the rack. "Look at these options! We could totally revamp your wardrobe, Duncan."
Duncan shrugged, a playful smirk on his face. "I'm not sure how much revamping I need, but I'm willing to humor you." He glanced around, trying to gauge if he could handle whatever was about to happen next.
Bridgette and Gwen shared a knowing look as they picked up a few items. "Let's see what you've got, Duncan!" Gwen teased, nudging him toward the fitting room.
With a resigned sigh, Duncan disappeared behind the curtain. The sound of zippers and rustling fabric filled the air. A few moments later, he stepped out, his confidence wavering as he displayed an outfit that was far from his usual style—long beige pants, a crisp social shirt with a tie underneath, and a black-and-white sweater draped over his shoulders. The contrast between his rebellious persona and the polished look was stark.
The group erupted in laughter at the sight of him. "It's not funny," Duncan grumbled, trying to keep a straight face despite the mirth bubbling around him.
"It's a little funny," Bridgette chuckled, her eyes dancing with amusement. "You look like you're ready for a business meeting or something!"
"My boy," Courtney declared with a wide grin as she rushed over to him, throwing her arms around his shoulders in a spontaneous hug. The sudden embrace caught Duncan off guard, causing him to stumble slightly. He grumbled a few half-hearted protests, but before he could fully regain his balance, he felt a sharp slap on his ass, just like the same way he did.
"Isn't that a funny feeling?" Courtney teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"I don't know, I kinda liked it. Can you do it again?" Duncan whispered, a grin spreading across his face.
Courtney froze for a moment, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink as realization washed over her.
"Wait, what?" she stammered, her usual composure momentarily faltering.
Duncan laughed heartily, enjoying the moment. "You have too much to learn, Princess," he said with a wink, reveling in the playful banter.
"Okay, okay, Mr. Smooth," Gwen interjected, shaking her head with a laugh. "Let's get back to the clothes before Duncan starts asking for slaps as payment."
Duncan feigned an offended expression, crossing his arms dramatically. "What's wrong with a little affection for being sexy in ridiculous outfits?"
"Nothing at all, but we're here to help you find something that actually suits you," Bridgette chimed in, glancing back at the fitting room. "Why don't you try something a bit more… you?"
Duncan sighed, giving in to the spirit of the moment. "Fine, I'll give it another shot." He turned back toward the fitting room, determination shining in his eyes, but not before stealing a glance at Courtney. She was still blushing, trying to regain her composure, and that made him laugh again.
As he disappeared behind the curtain, Gwen and Bridgette exchanged amused glances. "This is going to be fun," Bridgette said, grabbing a few more clothes to mix and match.
Courtney nodded, her heart racing with excitement. "And the best part? I'm gonna make sure he looks amazing by the end of this."
The group's laughter echoed through the store, and the playful energy filled the space. The day was far from over.
.
.
.
As the group entered the next clothing store, the vibrant atmosphere buzzed with excitement. The shop was decorated with beach-themed decor, colorful swimsuits hanging on displays like an artist's palette, each more eye-catching than the last. Bright banners advertised special sales, and the sweet scent of sunscreen lingered in the air, setting the perfect tone for a day of shopping.
Bridgette eagerly led the way, her enthusiasm infectious as she pointed out different styles. "You guys, for those of us who love going underwater, I've got some great tips on swimsuits! You want something that fits snugly but still lets you move easily," she explained, rummaging through a rack of colorful bikinis and one-piece suits.
Gwen, though never particularly interested in sports, found herself caught up in the moment. "Well, I did buy one swimsuit," she said, holding up a sleek, dark blue one-piece. "Just in case I need to jump into freezing water. Plus, I got a shirt and shorts for my little brother, Cody, and some cool sunglasses for my mom." She glanced over at the bright colors surrounding them and smiled, appreciating the playful energy of the store.
As they browsed, the conversation shifted to potential craziness on the show. "You know Chris; he'll probably throw us into some ridiculous situation," Duncan remarked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "So it's a good idea to grab some swimsuits just in case. Who knows what he has planned for us next?"
"Definitely! I'm thinking ahead," Bridgette said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Can you imagine if we end up in a water challenge? It could happen!"
Ezekiel, who was busy at the register, added, "I found a nice shirt that Geoff usually wears, but I got it in green. It'll fit my style perfectly!" He smiled as he handed over the swimsuits and the shirt, feeling proud of his choices. Shopping for himself was a welcome change, especially since he often wore what his parents picked out for him.
"Do you think Geoff will like this store? I mean, look at all these styles!" Bridgette said, her excitement barely contained as she held up a vibrant swimsuit with tropical prints.
"Geoff likes anything you like, so probably yes," Ezekiel replied, offering a reassuring nod as Duncan perused some unique products made from seashells. He couldn't help but chuckle at Duncan's perplexed expression.
"I'm just saying, these look pretty cool!" Duncan shot back, holding up a necklace made from shells, a hint of rebellion in his voice.
Meanwhile, Courtney and Gwen chatted animatedly about their lives back home, their laughter blending with the upbeat music in the background. Ezekiel felt a warm sense of belonging wash over him, enjoying the camaraderie and realizing how much he had missed this kind of interaction.
Finally, Duncan, now burdened with several shopping bags filled with clothes—some he actually liked, others that Courtney would insist he wears—grunted, "Alright, I think that's enough clothing for now. So what are we going to do next?"
"Hmm, I already have a PDA and a flip phone, but I heard there's an electronics store on the next floor. They probably have plasma TVs and some cool gadgets," Ezekiel said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he anticipated the next adventure.
"Now we're talking!" Duncan exclaimed, suddenly energized by the prospect of electronics. The girls rolled their eyes at the boys' predictable enthusiasm.
"Boys and their TVs," Gwen said with a smirk, shaking her head.
"Hey, what can I say? Technology is life!" Duncan replied, his swagger returning as they made their way toward the electronics store, the promise of more fun filling the air. The energy of their day was contagious, setting the stage for whatever wild experiences lay ahead.
Ron the Rent-a-Cop emerged from the infirmary, his head pounding and his pride bruised. He squinted against the bright lights of the Galleria Mall, shaking off the last remnants of dizziness from his embarrassing fall. "Back to work," he muttered to himself, adjusting his tie, which was now slightly askew.
As he stepped out into the bustling mall, the cacophony of voices crashed over him like a wave. The food court was swarming with fans, their excited chatter amplifying with every passing moment. Ron clenched his fists, determination igniting within him. He had to find those so-called celebrities and restore order—preferably before he ended up in the infirmary again.
"Alright, listen up!" he barked, trying to project authority over the raucous crowd. His hawk-like gaze swept over the sea of teenagers, searching for any sign of the infamous Killer Bass. "You need to move along! This is a mall, not a circus!"
But instead of heeding his warning, the crowd only surged forward, excitement bubbling as they spotted someone they recognized. Ron felt a twinge of panic. "No, no, no! You can't just—"
Suddenly, he caught sight of a girl near the front who was brandishing a taser, her eyes wide with shock. "Stay back!" she yelled, pointing the weapon in his direction.
Ron's heart raced. "Whoa! I'm just doing my job—"
The girl, mistaking his authoritative stance for a threat, pressed the button on the taser. A crackling zap echoed through the air, and Ron's instincts kicked in. He leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the jolt of electricity. The unexpected movement startled a boy beside him, who instinctively jumped away, crashing into another fan.
The ripple effect sent chaos through the crowd. Someone knocked over a skateboard, which rolled into Ron's path. With no time to react, he lost his balance, landing squarely on the board. "Oh no—" was all he had time to shout before the skateboard shot out from under him, sending him careening toward a nearby security cart.
"Not again!" Ron screamed as he collided with the cart, the wheels spinning wildly without anyone to steer. The cart jolted forward, seemingly possessed, as Ron scrambled to regain his footing. The startled onlookers parted like the Red Sea, wide-eyed and gaping as the runaway cart barreled through the crowd.
"Somebody stop that thing!" Ron shouted, but the cart had other plans. It raced down the mall, gaining momentum as Ron struggled to catch up, flailing his arms in a futile attempt to regain control.
"Watch out!" a teen yelled as the cart approached the entrance. Ron's eyes widened in horror as the fountain loomed ahead, water splashing in cheerful arcs.
With a resounding crash, the cart careened straight into the fountain, sending water spraying everywhere. Ron stumbled to a halt, drenched and gasping, the fountain's water cascading around him like a surreal, comedic shower.
The crowd erupted into laughter, the chaos momentarily forgotten as they recorded the scene on their digital cameras. Ron soaked and furious, glared at the grinning faces around him. "This isn't funny!" he yelled, though a part of him couldn't help but feel a little ridiculous.
With his dignity splashed down the fountain's drain, Ron prepared to face the fans once more, reminding himself that somewhere in this pandemonium were the celebrities responsible for all this chaos. "Just wait until I get my hands on those kids," he grumbled, plotting his next move amid the laughter and mayhem.
(15:35)
"So this an actual Dell?" Ezekiel asked as he could see the salesman nodding his head for him, which the boy took an even further look. "How good is the writing program on this?"
"Ideal for people who want to have the good pleasure of creating game simulations on this, I saw some of the kids telling me they were enjoying playing games on this. The basic simulator where people could be doing their own existence." The salesman commented as the boy wearing a winter hat gave a slight look at the laptop. The choices of colors were the most basic in comparison to the actual version of 2024.
It was a terrifying downgrade that would require a lot of patience until the technology came back at the greatest time as they were before.
"I will take it," Ezekiel said as he could see Bridgette, Gwen, and Courtney looking at him in worry in concern, which Ezekiel decided to be honest. "It's for my future stories, I cannot be using my family typewriter all the time, so it would be for the best to leave the trustful machine back on the farm, while I could use something that wouldn't require paper for it."
"Well that's an actual reasonable comment," Gwen said as she had to admit the idea didn't seem bad, but she also had a slight frown on her face. "But are you sure that's a good idea? You know that Chris wouldn't let you use it on the show to take outside information with it."
"Well, he could use storage just to save the archives of the documents, and if only would be for the writing, I think Chris won't mind, the contract says that we are not allowed to use technology to have outside help, that doesn't mean that if we just take out the internet and don't have access to it. It would only be an electronic typewriter, which would have now easier access to a printer." Courtney commented as the group stared at the C.I.T. who had her eyes looking at them in disbelief. "What? I had to read the entire contract just to be sure that we wouldn't be caught on surprising fine prints again."
"Well when you point that way, we could explore this as a way to have access to things," Bridgette said as she looked at the 2-minute hair curlers, knowing that now they have a bit more chance to expend a good time before returning on the show, she would enjoy bringing up a few more stuff with her. What she could say? Ezekiel is making them have a blast on the day.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh," A loud pleasure sound caught the ears of the group, as the girls stared at Duncan who felt so comfortable with Tush Control 3000, one of the best massage chairs ever seen by the man, "Ezekiel Man, you need to buy this. If you have 5 of these on Playa Del Losers, I would spend a whole weekend just watching television on this beauty. I have never thought I would feel in love.…"
"Should I be jealous of it?" Courtney said as she could see Duncan ignoring her question as he was feeling so satisfied with the chair. "Wow, to even ignore my question that means this chair is really good."
"Duncan, as much I would love to buy this, we need to focus on the essentials first, I will add this in mind for the future, but firstly I need to focus on the show. But I can write it for my accountant and then it would also depend on the sales of my books. So don't get too much hope on this yet." Ezekiel said as he walked over to two guys who were with their eyebrows raised at him, wearing black shirts and wearing dark glasses, even if they were inside the store. Ezekiel gave a slight look at their name tags, but he could not recall how exactly they were on during the show. "Blade and Christo right?"
"Right away," Blade said as he remained with his cocky nature, which Ezekiel could guess on what the duo were thinking. "Also I want to know if you all have the courage to pass around the show all over again."
Well... that he wasn't expected.
"Did you watch the show?" Ezekiel said as he took his checkbook, but then again usually popular people would try to find a way to find entertainment over.
"Yeah duh, we like to watch crazy weirdos trying to do all the humiliating stuff and to get all the money they could get." Blade said as he gave the smirk, to which Ezekiel nodded his head.
"There we go, heh, surprisingly I'm not even offended by your comment," Ezekiel said as he took a paper and wrote down a little information. "To be honest we also love to laugh over ourselves at how crazy shit we passed during these weeks, but in the end, we just got the fame, we have another season, another chance to get the money. And I'm just giving my money to you, isn't that good to have money around?"
"Words couldn't have been said better." Blade said as he took a look at the check, and also looked at the paper giving on his hand. "What is this?"
"Do you have a delivery service? Just to make sure that I would buy a few Tush Control 3000, I think it would be good to make a better Spa on my resort 5 stars." Ezekiel said as both arrogant cretins suddenly got in silence. "Well thought so, maybe I will hire someone to bring them there, you don't need to worry about that. Anyway, have a great afternoon."
The owners of the store remained quiet, as the homeschooled boy just had flexed on them, even as they were guys who wanted to act high and mighty and have a very successful business around the mall. Screw them, Ezekiel has Playa Del Losers, and he would work his best to have his own coffee farm, if they think they could look down at the farm, then money would give a reality check on them.
"You can have my money, but that doesn't mean that you are the best. Jerks," Ezekiel said with a satisfying nod, as he took the products he bought, as the Killer Bass remained in silence and stared at the store in disgust, which immediately Duncan spat on the floor.
"Forget it, I don't want to be here anymore," Duncan said as he quickly followed Ezekiel, even Courtney, Bridgette, and Gwen had their time, they also took their products and walked away, but they now had in mind that those two were a bunch of arrogant jerks.
.
.
.
"You could have just got away Ezekiel, you shouldn't have bought from them," Gwen said as she crossed her arms, which Ezekiel shook his head.
"Nah, they may have gotten the money, but it was the only time they got it from me," Ezekiel said as he saw the group of fans he simply turned his back and spat in the direction of the store. Which immediately made many fans surprised by the way he looked. And Ezekiel simply walked far away with the group.
"Why did you do that?" Bridgette said as she felt disgusted by the boy doing that, but Duncan nodded his head in understanding.
"It's obvious Bridgette. We are like queen bees, whenever we walk, they would follow us, and if we show a deep dislike of something and with a good reason, then the wave of dislikes would also come as backlash." Duncan said as he gave a few taps on the boy's back, as the group simply walked directly to another store which was now more focused on Stereo Shack, where usually the department of sound and nerdy products would be seen on there. "Harold, are you in there?"
The bustling electronics store was a kaleidoscope of colorful screens and buzzing gadgets, but all eyes were drawn to the center, where a scene straight out of a sci-fi movie was unfolding. The sound of lightsabers clashing echoed through the aisles as Harold, wielding a makeshift lightsaber with determination, battled against a nerdy boy clad in typical nerd attire—thick glasses, a plaid shirt, and a silly black cape. The boy also donned a helmet that was an obvious homage to Star Wars, complete with faux buttons and blinking lights.
"Okay, I thought I would have seen everything, but nerds fighting each other? THAT'S NEW!" Duncan exclaimed, his laughter booming over the chaos. He dramatically looked up at the ceiling, kissed the tips of his fingers, and pointed to the sky. "You're the best!"
Courtney, arms crossed and eyebrows raised, scanned the crowd gathered around the makeshift arena.
"What the hell is going on?" she asked, turning to DJ, Eva, Geoff, and Tyler, who were all watching with rapt attention.
"I have no idea," DJ replied, shaking his head. "Everything started when Geoff was just messing with the stereo system, and then this nerd swoops in with a lightsaber, burning holes in the floor!"
"I could have broken his bones," Eva said with a smirk, "but Harold was faster and punched him right in the face, snatching the lightsaber away."
Geoff nodded in relief, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow. "Harold saved my bacon back there. I didn't think I'd need a hero today!"
As they watched, Harold skillfully dodged another clumsy swing from the nerd boy. The atmosphere was electric, with the crowd egging them on. "I can see the Force growing inside of you," the nerd boy taunted, his confidence returning as he lunged again. "But if you think you can beat me—AHHHHH—!"
Before he could finish his sentence, Harold narrowed his eyes, channeling every ounce of focus he could muster. With a swift, almost balletic move, he seized the nerd boy's throat, gripping it firmly.
"YOU LACK CONVICTION!" Harold boomed, as he held the lightsaber aloft, its red glow illuminating his determined face. His voice deepened as he mirrored the intensity of a Sith Lord.
The nerd boy's eyes widened behind his glasses, and panic set in. Harold brandished his own lightsaber, its red light glowing ominously against his determined face. He held his hand up in a classic Jedi stance, then, with expert precision, he executed a move reminiscent of Bruce Lee's famous one-inch punch. "Next time, don't be a padawan coming in the direction of the Sith. The last thing you want is to see the Empire Strikes Back!"
The impact was stunning; the nerd boy collapsed to the floor with a dramatic thud, the helmet rolling off to reveal a stunned expression.
"Okay, I'm not a fan of Star Wars puns, but I've gotta say, nice work, Harold," Gwen remarked, shaking her head in disbelief as the nerd boy groaned on the floor, clutching his side.
"I'm going to buy two of these, just in case I want my rematch against Izzy," Harold said with a determined nod, his confidence clearly boosted. Ezekiel nodded along, recalling how both of them had their behinds kicked in one of the final episodes of Season 1. Harold's pride had definitely been wounded.
Duncan chuckled, rubbing his stomach. "You know, that was some good entertainment. I'm feeling hungry now—what's better than popcorn to watch Battle of the Nerds: The Nerd Wars?" He raised an eyebrow, already plotting to find a snack.
"Right? This is way more entertaining than I expected," Bridgette agreed, a smile spreading across her face as they all burst into laughter. The absurdity of the moment filled the store with an energy that made their shopping trip all the more memorable.
"Okay now I'm feeling hungry, does anyone want to go to the Food Court to eat something?" Courtney asked, and the group nodded their heads as they seemed to be now going to have a good time for a snack, and have more time to look around the mall before each of them returned home.
(4:00 p.m)
Katie and Sadie were a whirlwind of chatter as they flitted around the store, laughing and joking with the clones. "Can you believe that time we tried to bake cookies and ended up setting the smoke alarm off?" Katie exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
"It was so funny! I still can't believe how we panicked!" Sadie giggled, her enthusiasm contagious. The twins' cheerful banter seemed to drown out the dull ambiance of the Khaki Barn, much to the dismay of the clones. Nikki rolled her eyes, half-grateful and half-annoyed. Ezekiel had sent the twins to keep her company while she worked, telling her to "stay strong."
"Thanks, Ezekiel, but did you really have to send the twins?" Nikki muttered to herself, glancing at Katie and Sadie. At least it was just the twins and not the rest of the Killer Bass. She had watched as they scattered off to other stores, seeking styles that fit their unique personalities, which only made her giggle at how absurd it was.
Meanwhile, Katie and Sadie continued their chatter, completely oblivious to the fact that their endless talk was grating on the clones' nerves. Each time they laughed, the clones would share annoyed glances, a testament to just how entertaining the situation was for Nikki. She couldn't help but smirk as she watched Kirsten gag at the mention of the show's infamous "Brunch of Disgustness" episode. Chrissi, ever the vigilant one, made sure no talk of the reality show broke out among the clones.
"Just a typical day in the Khaki Barn, right?" Nikki sighed dramatically, leaning against the counter with a resigned expression. To say that Khaki Barn was the bane of her existence was the pure, irrefutable truth. Ever since she had started working here, it felt like the walls were closing in on her.
The store's slogan, "The Khaki Barn: Where Individuality is Highly Overrated," rubbed her the wrong way. It was like a slap in the face to her individualistic personality. How could anyone embrace conformity through fashion? She often found herself questioning her choices every day.
As customers filtered through, debating their favorite [i]Total Drama/i] episodes while she tried to sell them the store's drab attire, Nikki struggled to suppress her disdain. The time flew by in a blur, and before she knew it, the clock read 16:00. "Finally! Lunchtime!" she cheered internally, feeling a wave of relief wash over her.
"Hey, girls! I'll be back in a bit!" she called to Katie and Sadie, who were still blissfully unaware of the world outside their chatter. As she stepped away, a small smile crept onto her face at the thought of escaping the conformity of Khaki Barn, even if just for a little while.
After emerging from the fountain in a dripping mess, Ron the Rent-a-Cop shook his head, sending water flying like a wet dog. "Alright, this time, I'm really going to regain control," he declared, wiping his face with the back of his hand. "No more distractions."
The mall buzzed with renewed energy, the fans buzzing with excitement as they chattered about the latest developments in the chaos. His patience wore thin.
"Alright, everyone!" he called out, raising his hands to capture attention. "I need you all to—"
But his voice was drowned out by the cacophony of laughter and excited shouts. He spotted a few girls pointing and giggling, With a deep breath, he steeled himself. "Time to take charge!"
With determination coursing through him, Ron marched toward the center of the food court, his tie flapping like a flag of authority. "Listen up! I'm going to—"
A loud explosion of laughter erupted from a nearby table, one of them donned a makeshift cape and began mimicking his earlier antics, throwing himself dramatically to the floor.
"Seriously?" Ron muttered, but before he could react, a sudden commotion erupted from the far end of the food court. A group of teenagers, holding balloons and banners, had just spotted the Killer Bass entering the mall.
"Over there! It's them!" a girl shouted, pointing toward the entrance.
In a split second, the throng of fans turned and surged toward the entrance like a stampede of excited cattle. Ron's heart sank. "No! I can't let this happen again!"
He raced after them, determined to intercept the oncoming wave of energy. "Stop! Everyone, back to your—"
The crowd had reached a fever pitch, and the energy felt electric. As Ron neared the entrance, he spotted a security cart parked nearby, the one he had just narrowly avoided moments earlier. "If I can just get to that cart," he thought, eyes locked on his goal. "I can gain some control."
But as he reached for the cart, he felt the ground tremble beneath him. A group of teenage girls carrying giant inflatable swords barreled past, and Ron caught off guard, stumbled.
"Whoa!" he yelped, his arms flailing as he lost his balance once more. He grasped for the cart, but his fingers slipped off the handle, and with a sickening thud, he fell backward.
The inflatable swords were everywhere, and as Ron hit the ground, a cascade of balloons floated above him. One of the girls, not seeing him, let go of her balloon, which drifted right into Ron's face, blinding him momentarily. "Get off me!" he shouted, swatting at the balloon as it bounced off his head.
This was the final straw. Ron scrambled to get up, but the stampede of fans had reached its peak. One enthusiastic teenager leaped over him, while another bumped into his side, sending him stumbling into the now-empty security cart. The cart, somehow still on the move, began to roll toward the escalators.
"No, no, no!" Ron screamed, realizing he was on a collision course with disaster once , he lunged for the steering wheel, but it slipped through his fingers.
The cart gathered speed, and Ron could feel panic rising in his chest. "Not again!" he howled, as the cart hurtled toward the escalators, his heart racing faster than the ride itself.
With a final crash, the cart hit the edge, tipping over dramatically. Ron was thrown forward like a ragdoll, arms flailing in a wild bid to regain balance, but it was too late. He crashed onto the escalators, tumbling down the steps in an embarrassing, flailing motion, arms and legs everywhere, like a human tumbleweed.
A collective gasp filled the air as the teenagers pulled out their cameras, capturing his downfall yet again. The escalators whirred ominously, sending Ron crashing down with each step, his body rolling in a cartoonish fashion.
Finally, he landed in a heap at the bottom, a dazed look on his face as the world spun around him. For a moment, silence enveloped the crowd, before an eruption of laughter rang out, the earlier chaos fading into fits of giggles.
Ron lay there, sprawled out like a defeated superhero, his dignity in tatters and his pride shattered once more. Just as he began to collect his thoughts, the world blurred around him, and before he knew it, everything faded to black.
Chapter 53: Enjoying the rest of the second day off
Chapter Text
Bookstore - 12:00 hours.
Jonesy walked into the bookstore, the bell above the door chiming cheerfully as he stepped inside. The familiar scent of paper and coffee greeted him, but today, that comfort was quickly overshadowed by an unexpected sight. His eyes widened as he took in the chaos of the back room: hundreds of cardboard boxes stacked haphazardly, each filled to the brim with books.
The store owner, a grizzled man with a wild beard, spotted Jonesy and a wide grin broke across his face. "Perfect timing, Jonesy! I knew you'd come in handy today. We've got 15,000 new arrivals, and they need to be unpacked and shelved ASAP!"
Jonesy's heart sank at the enormity of the task ahead. Fifteen thousand books? He thought, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. The sheer volume was daunting, and he could already feel the weight of the day pressing down on him. "Uh, sure, no problem," he replied, attempting to sound enthusiastic despite the knot forming in his stomach.
As he rolled up his sleeves and began tearing into the boxes, the task quickly became an exercise in endurance. He unpacked titles from classic literature to the latest graphic novels, methodically organizing them by genre as he worked. The rhythm of his task was interrupted only by the occasional customer wandering in, browsing the shelves with carefree abandon.
.
.
.
After a couple of hours of tireless unpacking, Jonesy had finally managed to sort through a significant number of the books. He felt a sense of pride as he surveyed the shelves filling up with vibrant covers. He was just about to take a well-deserved break when he noticed a small boy perusing a shelf nearby.
With an innocent grin, the boy spotted a Courage the Cowardly Dog book nestled at the bottom of one of Jonesy's carefully stacked piles. Without a second thought, he lunged for it, his excitement palpable. "Mom! Look!"
"No, no, no!" Jonesy yelled, lunging forward in a futile attempt to stop the impending disaster. The boy's enthusiastic tug sent the entire tower of books tumbling to the floor in a cacophony of paper and covers. Jonesy watched in horror as his hard work crumbled before his eyes.
"Great," he muttered, exasperation creeping into his voice. "Just great." With a heavy sigh, he bent down to collect the scattered volumes, cursing the kid under his breath. "Why couldn't they just keep their hands to themselves?"
As he picked up the books, he couldn't help but notice the wide-eyed look of amusement on the boy's face. "That was awesome!" the kid exclaimed, completely oblivious to the chaos he had just caused. Jonesy plastered on a forced smile, trying to maintain his patience as he restacked the fallen books yet again.
.
.
.
Finally getting everything sorted, Jonesy felt a glimmer of hope. He leaned against the shelf, surveying his work. "Okay, I can do this," he thought. "Just a few more piles, and I'll be finished."
But just as he started rearranging another stack, a couple of teenagers walked in, laughing and joking as they perused the aisles. One of them, a tall girl with brightly dyed hair, casually bumped into a nearby shelf while reaching for a book. The impact was enough to send a small cascade of novels tumbling to the ground.
"No! Not again!" Jonesy exclaimed, watching helplessly as his carefully constructed tower toppled once more, crashing to the floor. He felt his hope drain away as he dropped to his knees, desperately trying to salvage the books. "Why did I even bother?"
After re-stacking the books for what felt like the hundredth time, he took a deep breath, his frustration simmering just below the surface. He could feel the pressure building as he continued to work, knowing that the longer he stayed on the floor, the more precarious the situation became.
.
.
.
Just as Jonesy thought things couldn't possibly get worse, a customer approached him, holding a book aloft. "Excuse me, do you have this in paperback?" she asked, pointing to the title in his stack.
Jonesy tried to maintain his composure as he replied, "Uh, let me check for you." He carefully leaned down to find the paperback version of the book, making sure to balance the precarious stack of novels beside him. But as he reached for the book, his elbow bumped against the shelf, sending another wave of books crashing to the ground.
"Seriously?!" he shouted, frustration boiling over as he stood up, fists clenched at his sides. "Why can't anyone just be careful?" The chaos seemed relentless, and he felt defeated by the never-ending cycle of restacking.
With a dramatic sigh, he sank down onto the floor, surrounded by a sea of fallen books once more. His face buried in his hands, he couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. "What is wrong with this day?" he muttered to himself, accepting that today might just be one of those days where nothing went right.
16:30 hours.
At precisely 4:30 p.m., Caitlin strolled back toward The Big Squeeze after what had been one of the best shopping days of her life. She felt like she was on top of the world. Earlier that day, she had received the biggest tip of her entire work history $2,000, and it had turned her whole week around. Immediately, she used $1,000 to pay off part of her debt from her dad's credit card, easing the stress that had been nagging at her. With the other $1,000, she treated herself to a shopping spree across her favorite stores in the mall, taking full advantage of the sales happening that day.
As she strutted through the food court, she was practically glowing with happiness. Her arms were loaded with bags, filled with the latest fashion pieces—skirts, blouses, accessories—all the essentials to keep her wardrobe trendy. With every step, she couldn't stop smiling, reveling in the joy of new clothes and financial relief. Today had been perfect.
But as she approached The Big Squeeze, her attention was pulled toward Wyatt, who sat at one of the tables, casually sipping his coffee. In front of him were three books, and as soon as Caitlin spotted them, her eyes widened in surprise, sparkling with excitement. One of the books was Courage the Cowardly Dog, an edition she already owned. But the other two? Adventure Time and Steven Universe! She gasped audibly. "Steven Universe and Adventure Time? From what Ezekiel said, they were supposed to be on sale starting tomorrow." she thought to herself, her shopping bags momentarily forgotten as she marveled at Wyatt's early access to such hot items.
Next to Wyatt, however, was a very different scene. Jonesy, wearing the uniform of the bookstore, was face-down on the table, clearly in desperate need of rest. His messy hair stuck out in all directions as he lay motionless, utterly defeated by his shift. Caitlin frowned, concerned but also curious—Jonesy had only been working for four hours. Surely, it couldn't have been that bad.
"Jonesy?" Caitlin called out gently as she approached, setting her bags down next to her chair. She could tell right away that something was very wrong. He groaned in response, slowly lifting his head to reveal the look of pure exhaustion etched on his face.
"You okay?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jonesy, still in his bookstore uniform, stared at her, barely managing to sit up straight. His eyelids drooped as he explained, "I've been pilling 15,000 books... fifteen thousand. 5 thousand on one side, 5 thousand on the other side, and 5 thousand on the middle, and when I thought everything was nice, there was just a cretin or little brat who just took a book from the bottom of the pile, dropping all the books, and I had to pile them all over again. My arms feel like jelly." He let out a dramatic sigh, sinking back into his seat. "I thought working here would be a breeze, but this... this is like torture."
"That's horrible, shouldn't there have been more people to help you out with that?" Caitlin asked as Jonesy hummed in agreement.
"We had 5 people to pile everything, so everyone got frustrated when that happened. I swear, if tomorrow doesn't have people buying all those books, and leaves thousands remaining, I will lose my shit." Jonesy said as Caitlin couldn't help but feel sympathy for the boy, and even the writer said he had pity for Jonesy since that quantity of books was abnormal.
"Also talking about the books, how did you manage to get them, Wyatt?" Caitlin asked as the musician of the group was still drinking the book, and he was so immersed that he couldn't even listen to his friend. "Wyatt? WYATT!"
"Ah, oh, hey Caitlin." The boy was startled as he saw the girl raising her eyebrows at him, and he looked sheepishly at her. "Sorry about that, was distracted reading this book of Courage the Cowardly Dog, I didn't know it was a horror book, but it's mixed with."
"A wholesome ending, and sometimes a good joke in the end." Caitlin nodded her head as she pointed out the other books on the table. "I was curious about the other two books, how did you get them?"
"Oh, I went to check on Jonesy, and from all the work he had, he got the 3 books as a tip for working hard of the day," Wyatt explained as he was very immersed in the book. "And from how tired Jonesy was feeling, I couldn't help but give myself a read before going to work on there tomorrow, to see what I'm working with."
"Oh, oh, can I read the Steven Universe? I have been eager to read that since the episode where Bridgette and Gwen talked about the book on the show." Caitlin commented as the boy could see Jonesy simply shrugging, and letting the girl squeal in happiness. "Okay, let me see what it is about, there is so much I could be reading right now."
"Shouldn't you be working?" Jonesy asked as Caitlin shook her head.
"I just fulfilled the quota, and Ezekiel was nice to give a tip for all of us, he said 2 thousand dollars for each of us to enjoy our day at the mall," Caitlin said as immediately Wyatt stopped drinking his coffee, and Jonesy had his eyes wide open and energy went back to his body.
"Awesome, man! Being friends with famous people is the best!" Jonesy exclaimed, his excitement palpable. He could feel the weight of his worries lifting, knowing that for once, he wouldn't have to stress about his finances.
"Don't let that go to your head, Jonesy," a voice interjected, and the group turned to see Jen approaching. She yawned, but her face looked almost refreshed, a stark contrast to the exhaustion on Jonesy's.
"Wow, what the hell happened to you?" Caitlin asked, eyeing her friend with a mix of curiosity and concern.
Jen chuckled softly, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. "You wouldn't believe it. I had a surprise encounter with the entire Killer Bass crew. They came into the Penalty Box and decided to buy as many products as they could." She rolled her eyes, a smile creeping onto her lips. "I had to sell to all of them while Coach Halder and the others dealt with the fans. It was a total madhouse!"
"Sounds chaotic!" Wyatt remarked, setting down his book to lean forward, intrigued.
"Oh, it was! But I've never sold so many sports items in one day—excluding Christmas, of course." Jen shrugged, her exhaustion seeming to fade as she recounted the story. "And you know what? They were all really nice to me, surprisingly. I'm just so tired now, that I had to sleep on the punishment timer, which I don't remember sleeping on there, but I was woken up by Coach Halder to have my lunch break, and after doing all the work... It was worth it."
"Wow, you've had quite the day, huh?" Jonesy said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Maybe I should start taking notes from you on how to sell stuff! After we take the rest of the day buying stuff for ourselves, since now we have good money in our hands."
"Just remember to keep your books from falling off the shelves first," Caitlin teased, smirking as she waved the Steven Universe book at him.
Jonesy feigned a wounded look, clutching his chest. "Ouch! I'm wounded, Caitlin! Can't a guy have a rough day without being reminded of it?"
"Only if you can keep from causing any more book avalanches," Jen quipped back, her smile infectious. As she never thought to see Jonesi that exhausted. Well both of them were, but nothing like a good time on the mall wouldn't solve it.
"Hey guys," And just on that, Nikki appeared as if she never had such a cathartic feeling on her being. "I'm so glad the lunch break started, which means I can enjoy it while knowing the clones are suffering from the twins of Killer Bass."
"How are you sure about that?" Jonesy asked as his face went back to the table, and Nikki raised her eyebrows to look at her friend in such a state.
"What happened to you?" The girl asked and Jonest groaned a bit.
"Thousands of books needing to pile, just for being dropped a few times." The tan boy commented as even Nikki flinched from such a thought.
"Wow, I'm so glad that I'm not you," Nikki smirked as the boy simply rolled his eyes in response to such a comment.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, keep laughing. You have no idea how much it sucked for working a lot of hours." Jonesy said as he got up to the table to tell his point. "That's an exploration, nobody should have suffered so much like that..."
"Not even if that included 2 thousand dollars as part of your tip?" Caitlin asked which immediately Jonesy got out of the table and sat in his place.
"Yeah. But I needed so hard work to be done anyway. Anyway, can you give my part?" Jonesy asked immediately after grabbing a band of money the boy couldn't be happier. "I'm so glad to come to work today."
The girls rolled their eyes as they laughed. While Wyatt kept reading the book.
"Hey, did anyone know where Jude is?" Caitlin asked which Wyatt was more than happy to tell.
"The Killer Bass returned to the food court, and Jude offered a few sticks and also helped them to decide which place would be the best for them to try the food." The boy commented as the group could see the crowd gathering around, which immediately Nikki had to roll her eyes.
"Those guys don't get tired? I mean, I know they were famous. But being circling them the whole day? Must have been a nightmare." Nikki commented as both Caitlin and Jen nodded their heads.
"Maybe next time they are going to be in disguise to not happen like that again," Caitlin suggested as she could see Ezekiel actually using once again his disguise to be away from the public just for the sake of enjoying himself.
"Or they could hire a bodyguard to prevent the crowd from annoying them." Jen also thought about the possibility. "I wonder how Jude is doing since being around them was very chaotic, and tiring just into selling products to each of them separately."
"I'm sure Jude is going to be fine," Jonesy commented as he waved at his future step-sister. "He is already friends with Courtney."
"Yeah, I'm more curious about how is passing on his mind now that he is with his childhood friend," Caitlin said as she couldn't help but smile at seeing the group from far away since the roar of Eva was enough to make all the fans step away from the bodybuilder who was on the limit of her patience.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
"Okay, who asked for 10 pizza sticks?" Jude said as he himself never thought he would have been working a lot, even as much he liked to think his job sometimes was easy but to run from one side of the food court while skateboarding had been more difficult when there was a huge crowd in front of him.
"Here," Geoff said as he smiled as he found a very chill and awesome dude, since knowing Courtney's childhood friend was a very nice guy, and how Geoff found a kinship with him since both liked to skateboard.
"Okay, it will be 50 bucks," Jude said as Courtney seemed to be the one who decided to pay for her friends.
"Okay... err... sorry Jude, but I only have 100," Courtney said as she showed the hundred note, which was enough for the chill boy to wave his hand.
"No problemo, I will bring the change quickly," Jude commented as he immediately used his skateboard, leaving the group of friends enjoying the work of the boy who seemed to be happy working on the mall.
"I have to confess, I never thought to see Jude being the type of person working around," Courtney said as she sighed but also showed a happy smile on her face. "I always thought that he would be too lazy around to actually put an effort into something.
"That's because you have no idea how much trouble he caused on the mall Courtney, but what the heart doesn't see, doesn't get hurt." Ezekiel thought to himself, as he remembered clearly so many changes that happened on the show, Jude got fired from the Stick It because he messed up into buying products that had cockroaches on them, and worst of all, he made it all the clients ate them by accident, not only he was fired, but the store stick it was closed down. But then he worked in another store which was VHS and DVD, where Jonesy had a personal vendetta with the store manager, in the end, the store was closed down... and then in the end Jude won against an old person in a gaming store... which made him a... manager of the store? "Wait, Jude said he was manager of many stablishments by lying on the stick it curriculum... Wow, it seems his lies became the truth in the future. From manager to end as a manager."
Those were the thoughts Ezekiel never realized how interesting foreshadowing the writers of 6teen managed to make the chill and coolest boy of the show end up like that, which also fit the good future that they planned to make for everyone.
As such, the group of Killer Bass decided to give a try on the kebab of Pizza, which in the end showed it was an interesting flavor and something neat to eat in the afternoon. But still Ezekiel had to return to configure his new laptop, as Duncan was checking the new clothes he bought, Harold was checking the new lightsabers and new products that they bought, and Geoff was kissing Bridgette which the group was just fine since they had been holding up the whole day, and it was a good record, so they made an exception of that time, especially since there was a weird couple who didn't stop kissing at the moment they were over there.
DJ was waving at a few fans, some even squealed happily, as the group was starting to get used to the fans until someone messed up and got punched by Eva, but everyone was enjoying the good day they were having. And then Tyler who was eating his kebab decided to ask a question.
"Hmm... hey guys..." Tyler started, his voice carrying an unusual weight as he paused, deep in thought. The rest of the Killer Bass boys exchanged curious glances. The girls, mid-bite of their meals, paused too, sensing something serious as Tyler stared intently at his friends. "Would you guys be there for me... if I was going through something?"
The question hung in the air for literally a second before Harold was the first one to give the answer, but one that nobody expected.
"No," he said flatly, without even looking up from where he was fiddling with his lightsaber.
"Nope," Ezekiel followed, his eyes glued to the screen of his laptop, fingers typing away.
"Absolutely not," Duncan added, barely giving Tyler a glance as he adjusted his new chain collar.
"I'll be too busy throwing a party. You're invited... but only if you don't show up." Geoff commented as he was taking out his hat, and looked far more interested than the conversation.
"I'd rather binge-watch a slow documentary on grass growing." DJ, the kindest one said such a comment which immediately made the whole group of girls had their mouths open wide. Immediately Ezekiel, Duncan, Harold, and Geoff force themselves to hold their laugh...
Their responses were so rapid, so cold, that it felt like Tyler had just been hit by a train. He blinked, trying to process what had just happened.
The girls, meanwhile, stared wide-eyed. Gwen's fork froze mid-air. Courtney, shocked, glared at Duncan.
"I hope it sucks whatever you're going through," Duncan added, smirking as he leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. His comment broke DJ and Geoff's composure. They let out snorts, trying to hold back the laughter.
"I hope it sucks, dude... like, really sucks."Geoff, chuckling, wiped a tear from his eye.
"What the fuck?" Tyler managed, looking at each of them, completely blindsided. But it didn't stop there.
The group of boys began to laugh harder, their cruel amusement building. Tyler, now bewildered beyond reason, opened his mouth to respond, but Ezekiel beat him to it.
"I hope it emotionally scars you for the rest of your life," Ezekiel said, his deadpan delivery making it all the more savage. That sent Duncan, Ezekiel, and Geoff into a fit of laughter, while DJ clapped his hands on the table, unable to contain himself.
Tyler looked around, pale and shocked, the color draining from his face as the cruelty of their words sank in. The girls exchanged horrified glances, Bridgette nearly dropping her smoothie.
"I hope you reach out to me," Harold chimed in, adjusting his glasses, "so I can ignore you." This time, even DJ, usually the gentle giant, couldn't stop himself from losing it, his deep belly laugh booming through the air.
Tyler's jaw dropped, his disbelief morphing into something beyond words. He buried his face in his hands as the boys cackled.
"And dude, like," Geoff managed through his laughter, wiping away tears, "if you do reach out, just know I'll be too busy... uh, partying or something."
DJ, trying to regain some composure, leaned forward. "Nah, man, for real though... I'm probably gonna be too busy helping my mom's daycare to notice." Even though he said it with a grin, there was a tinge of sincerity in DJ's voice, which somehow made it worse.
"I can't wait to go to your funeral," Duncan added, leaning forward with a wicked grin, "knowing I could have changed that outcome." The entire group erupted in hysterics, the laughter of DJ, Geoff, and Ezekiel echoing through the space.
Tyler, utterly devastated, lifted his head, staring at them like he was trying to comprehend what just happened. "Oh BROTHER, WHAT THE HELL?" His voice cracked into a mix of frustration and disbelief. "I just asked if you'd be there for me!"
The boys laughed even harder, Harold nearly dropping his lightsaber as he doubled over. Geoff slapped DJ on the back, sending both of them into another fit of laughter. Even Ezekiel was laughing that tears formed at the corners of his eyes from laughing so hard.
The girls looked at each other in complete disbelief. Courtney, arms crossed, glared daggers at Duncan, her patience long gone. "What is wrong with you?!"
Duncan shrugged, still grinning. "It's our way to show friendship. You ask something that mushy, we gotta outdo each other in who can be the most sadistic and cold. It's just how we roll." He looked proud like it was some sort of twisted badge of honor.
Gwen arched a brow. "That's your idea of friendship?"
"We did a lot of that on the Playa Del Losers," Duncan rolled his eyes. "It's our thing. You wouldn't get it."
Courtney groaned, exasperated. "So none of that was real?"
"We speak more with actions, not words," Duncan explained, nodding toward Geoff and DJ, who were still recovering from laughter. "Of course, we'd be there for him... but we're not gonna tell him that. Where's the fun in that?"
"You're all crazy. That's just... cruel." Bridgette, ever the empathetic one, glanced at Geoff.
Geoff grinned, throwing an arm around her shoulder. "Nah, babe, it's all in good fun. We'd totally be there for Ty. It's just... you know, dumb questions get cold answers."
Courtney narrowed her eyes. "Why not just say 'yes'? Would that kill you?"
"Because it's boring," Duncan said with a mischievous smirk. "We had way more fun doing this."
Tyler groaned, slumping forward on the table, his face buried in his arms. Ezekiel, calming down from his fit of laughter, gave Tyler's back a few supportive pats. "Don't worry, eh, we're just messin' with ya."
"Yeah, man," DJ said, finally managing to control his laughter as he reached across the table to gently tap Tyler's shoulder. "You know we got your back. It's just—"
"It's just funnier this way," Harold finished, wiping his glasses, still chuckling.
Tyler lifted his head, his face flushed from embarrassment and disbelief. "You guys are the worst."
"We love you too, bro," Geoff said, grinning ear to ear, while the rest of the boys nodded in agreement.
Courtney, shaking her head, muttered under her breath, "Boys..."
Despite the absurdity of the situation, the girls couldn't help but exchange smirks, realizing this was just how the guys operated. As Tyler's bewilderment lingered, Courtney leaned closer to Duncan.
"You do realize that, like, normal people talk about their feelings, right?"
"Like Ezekiel had said before..." Duncan gave her a lopsided grin. "Where's the fun in normal?"
As the girls were about to ask more about their crazy way of viewing friendship. Katie and Sadie appeared among the loud crowd of fans as they came to sit with all the clothing bags they had to bring from Khaki Barn.
"Oh look who came? The twins dunderheads." Duncan commented as he raised his eyebrows from seeing all that quantity of bags, which he went to 4 clothing stores and even he didn't take that large quantity of clothes, "Did you pay all Ezekiel's money on clothes?"
"Yep?" Both Katie and Sadie nodded their heads happily.
"I took a few clothes that I know Cody would look so lovely on it, look," Katie said as she brought a long-sleeved white shirt, which the group couldn't help but notice that Cody indeed would look fine by wearing something simple yet fitting his personality. "I had a few other shirts for him which would make him look great. A collar for him as well. Also, my mom will love what Khaki Barn has to offer, I think I bought so much clothing that I even got a discount after everything."
"Ohh, oh, me too. I bought many things for my mom and my little sister, Cindy, that I know they are going to love the blouses I brought for them and even dresses." Sadie said as she was smiling from ear to ear, and they once again returned to their usual self, which the group couldn't help but chuckle from their interaction.
"Well, gotta say, buying clothes was interesting," Duncan admitted as the group looked at him in surprise, excluding Ezekiel, Courtney, Bridgette, and Gwen, they had a pretty nice time buying clothes. "Also, you guys should check out the next floor, Harold, even I know that you are going to replace your shirt burger after having all the money you got from Ezekiel today. So why not try something like my style?"
"Do you really think me would fit dressing like you?" Harold said as he raised his eyebrows, and that made Duncan pause for a second, and then identify that Harold had too skinny arms, even as they held a strong punch, that string arm wouldn't look cool on it.
"Fair point, but come on, at least buy a skull black shirt, skull makes everything awesome," Duncan said as Harold sniffed, and rolled his eyes.
"Not sure if Punk will really fit my style, but I will buy some clothes on the next floor," Harold said, and the group stared at each other, not unsure of what to say.
"Go with him and help him to decide on his clothes, we are putting our faith in you, Katie," Ezekiel whispered something to the tan twin's ear, which she immediately giggled but also saluted.
"Got it," Katie said as she was the one who was also doing the design of clothing, so learning the styles and even trying to help her friends dress better, would help them start on the right foot the season 2.
"But while you all decide to go over there, I'm going to make a tattoo," Ezekiel chimed in casually. The whole group froze, turning to stare at him, everyone except Duncan and Courtney, who had already known this was going to happen.
"Wait, do you mean you're finally going to fulfill that bet you made with Izzy?" Harold was the first to recall the bet, his eyes wide in disbelief. The others quickly pieced it together.
"Ezekiel, are you sure that's wise?" Bridgette's concern was immediate, her voice soft but insistent. "I mean, it's a tattoo... it's probably going to stick forever."
Duncan snickered, waving his hand dismissively. "Bridge, don't even bother. We already had this talk. Ezekiel's mind's made up." He smirked, the rebellious glint in his eyes unmistakable. "Besides, if Zeke's getting one, I might as well get one too. Why not?"
Ezekiel shot Duncan a thumbs-up, clearly on board with the idea.
Eva, who had been quietly observing, raised an eyebrow at Courtney. "And you're okay with this?" she asked.
Courtney let out a deep, frustrated sigh, her hands running through her hair as if she were mentally reliving the exhausting conversation. "Trust me, I tried to talk sense into them. It's pointless. Their minds are made up, and it's like arguing with a brick wall. At least it's just the two of them." She started, but before she could finish her sentence, the inevitable interruption came.
"Awesome! Count me in! I want a tattoo too!" Harold blurted out enthusiastically.
Courtney slammed her forehead onto the table with a groan, her hand dragging down her face in disbelief. "Oh, come on..."
Geoff was next to speak, his usual laid-back grin widening. "I like the idea! What better way to show we're all friends than to get matching Killer Bass tattoos?"
The room fell silent as DJ hesitated. Geoff noticed and patted him on the back reassuringly. "Hey, DJ, no pressure, man. If you don't want to, it's cool. But just so you know, my buddy Brody told me that the upper arm is one of the least painful spots. He said the worst places to get inked are on your feet and fists."
DJ breathed a sigh of relief, nodding slightly. "Well... okay, maybe something small. But nothing too crazy."
Courtney threw her hands up in the air in sheer exasperation. "Are you all out of your minds?"
Duncan leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest with that familiar mischievous smirk. "Come on, Princess. It's not that big a deal. We've been through way worse stuff on the show. Besides, it's our thing now. A team thing. What about you girls?"
Courtney's eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms in defiance. "Oh no, don't even think about dragging me into this. I've already made peace with wearing goth clothes, but a tattoo? No way. My family would lose it if they found out."
Duncan grinned and leaned in closer. "Cluck, cluck, cluck," he teased, imitating a chicken, his hands mimicking wings flapping at his sides.
Courtney's eyes twitched with annoyance. "Really, Duncan? Chicken noises? So mature," she spat sarcastically, glaring at him.
Before she could even react further, Eva suddenly spoke up. "I'm in."
Courtney's face fell as she turned to Eva, feeling completely betrayed. "Eva, no!"
Eva just shrugged, her muscular arms crossed over her chest, looking unphased. "I've got scars from all the fights I had with the Serial Killer. Might as well cover some of them with something cool. Besides, it'll make people think twice before picking a fight with me." The group knew Eva's ambitions to join the MMA championships, and her reasoning made perfect sense to them.
Katie giggled as she raised her hand. "If Eva's doing it, I think I'll get one too."
Sadie gasped excitedly. "Oh my gosh, me too! I was just thinking the same thing!"
Courtney's head hit the table again, muttering under her breath. "I can't believe this..."
Bridgette leaned over to Geoff, whispering, "Well, at least Katie and Cody are together now. They're a bit less co-dependent than they used to be."
Geoff nodded in agreement, grinning.
But Courtney wasn't done with her shock. She glanced around and noticed Gwen and Bridgette raising their hands as well. "Oh, come on! Even you two?"
Bridgette smiled calmly. "Honestly, my mom has a couple of tattoos. She's always told me to get one I'd actually like, and a Killer Bass tattoo feels... meaningful, you know?"
Gwen shrugged nonchalantly, twirling a lock of hair around her finger. "All my friends have tattoos. I've been thinking about getting one for a while. I might do a Killer Bass eating a Gopher skeleton."
Ezekiel chimed in, always eager to contribute his quirky ideas. "Or what if you made it like Alien? The Killer Bass bursting out of the Gopher's chest?"
Gwen's eyes lit up. "That's... actually brilliant."
Courtney groaned, clutching her head as if the headache of this entire conversation was finally getting to her. "I'm the only sane one left..."
Duncan chuckled, leaning in closer to Courtney. "Come on, Princess. We were all on Total Drama Island. We lost our sanity long ago." He winked, then added, "Besides, it's not the end of the world. We're all doing our own versions of the tattoo. You just gotta trust the artist. You might even be surprised."
Courtney sighed heavily, her resolve weakening as she looked into Duncan's eyes. She knew he was right, even if she didn't want to admit it. "Fine. Why do I even bother?"
She glanced around the group, each of them excited and ready to get inked. Her heart pounded in her chest, but the look on Duncan's face—his hand outstretched toward her, his reassuring smile—gave her a moment of pause. She gulped dryly, still hesitant, but something rebellious stirred within her, perhaps fueled by her newfound goth style.
"Alright," she muttered, taking Duncan's hand. "But it better be small. Something subtle. And if the artist messes it up, I'm out."
Duncan's smile turned softer, no longer the mischievous grin. He was genuinely proud of her for considering it. "Don't worry. Trust me on this. You'll be happy with it. I promise."
Courtney rolled her eyes, half regretting the decision already, but there was no turning back now. "I really hope so..."
.
.
.
"Okay Courtney, I didn't find 50 bucks, but I managed to make a few kebabs for you to eat later," Jude after once again passing toward the crowd, he was eager to bring a few sticks with him to help to feed the friends of her friend, but suddenly when he gave a look around, the table was empty, and he fans who were once there, also disappeared. Even after he had to cross the river of the people passing around. "Dudes? Where are you?"
The group stood just outside the tattoo parlor, the soft hum of tattoo machines buzzing from within. It was a strange feeling—who would've thought that getting a tattoo could be this nerve-wracking? Across the mall, the parlor looked far more upscale than any of them had imagined. Through the glass doors, they could see a deep scarlet carpet leading inside, with sleek beige chairs arranged neatly along the walls. The place had a sleek, modern vibe, but it also carried a rebellious edge. Symbols of different tattoos—tribal designs, abstract art, and personalized sketches—decorated the walls like a gallery of skin art. The faint smell of ink and disinfectant lingered in the air as they stepped inside, each handed an artistic folder by the receptionist.
Inside the folders, they found the work of the five tattoo artists at the parlor. Each had a unique style, from traditional black and grey shading to vibrant, colorful pieces. And then, tucked away in one of the sections, they found something surprising—tattoo designs inspired by Total Drama. The group's eyes widened as they flipped through page after page of custom flags for the Killer Bass and Screaming Gophers. There were countless variations, from simple designs to elaborate reinterpretations of their team logos. There was even one design that showed Ezekiel, Courtney, and Duncan as the symbolic pillars of the Killer Bass, an inside joke among the fans.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," Courtney muttered, her voice shaky. She sat in one of the private tattoo booths, nervously eyeing the artist—a hulking, tattoo-covered man who looked more like a bouncer than an artist. Her stomach knotted in regret, wishing she hadn't been talked into it.
Just as she was about to bail, a second artist—a younger woman with a friendly smile—popped into the booth. "Don't worry," the woman said kindly, sensing Courtney's unease. "It's going to be a simple design, and I promise you'll love it."
Courtney forced a weak smile but still mumbled under her breath, "Why did I let myself get talked into this?"
And she wasn't the only one feeling apprehensive. Even DJ, the group's gentle giant, was visibly uncomfortable as he eyed the tattoo machines. But what made it worse was the fact that some fans had gathered outside the parlor, peering through the windows, waiting to see what tattoos the famous Total Drama stars would get. There was no backing out now.
"Guys, seriously, stop being scared," Ezekiel said, surprising even himself by how confident he sounded. "It's not a big deal. It was supposed to be just me and Duncan getting tattoos, but now you're all overthinking it."
Courtney shot him a look, her eyes pleading. "Ezekiel, please… this is insane. Can't we just—"
But Ezekiel rolled his eyes, already heading into one of the booths before she could finish. He wasn't about to let the others see him freak out, even though his heart was pounding just as much as theirs.
Once inside, Ezekiel was greeted by the tattoo artists, all five of them ready and eager to get started. He had seen shows like 6teen where people got tattoos, but it felt different being here in real life.
"Whoa," Ezekiel muttered as he looked around, his nerves kicking in again. "Uh… hey. I want to get a tattoo."
One of the artists, a massive guy with arms as big as tree trunks and covered in ink, nodded at him. "You're from that reality show, right?"
"Total Drama Island, yeah," Ezekiel replied, his voice steady but his nerves still tingling. He couldn't help but notice how huge the guy was—like someone who could break a door down with one punch. "I lost a bet with a friend, and I said I'd get the symbol of my team on my arm. I figured I might as well go through with it."
The artist raised an eyebrow but seemed impressed. "A man of his word… I can respect that." He leaned back, crossing his tattooed arms. "You know, you're not the first. We've had people come in asking for flags of your team. So, you want the Killer Bass flag on your arm?"
"Actually," Ezekiel said as he pulled a folded piece of paper from his back pocket, "I was thinking more like this." He handed the artist a sketch he had drawn himself. It was a simple yet sharp design—a Killer Bass flexing its biceps and smoking a cigar, encased in a circle. The artist's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Huh. Not bad. Simple but with personality. I can get this done in about two hours," the artist said, turning the drawing to show the other artists, who nodded in approval. "You sure this is what you want?"
Ezekiel smirked, feeling a bit more confident now. "Yeah, I'm sure. It's not a full-body tattoo or anything crazy. Just something small but meaningful."
The large man let out a deep chuckle. "That's what they all say, but trust me, once you get one, you'll want more." He gestured toward the chair. "Alright, take a seat. Let's get this going."
Ezekiel settled into the chair, his heart still racing but his mind now focused. "I'll trust you to do your thing. Surprise me."
As the tattoo machine whirred to life, the rest of the group stood outside the booths, flipping through the folders, and exchanging nervous glances. None of them wanted to be the next, but with the fans watching and Ezekiel already starting, it felt like they didn't have much choice.
.
.
.
"Okay, what did I miss?" Duncan asked as he strolled back from the bathroom, raising an eyebrow at the nervous expressions on his friends' faces. The tattoo artists had come out from the booths, one of them a no-nonsense female artist crossing her arms as she scanned the group.
"Hey, if you guys aren't getting tattoos, you might want to make room for people who are." The artist's voice was blunt, cutting through the tension before DJ could even get up from his seat.
Duncan chuckled, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall. "Heh, no sweat. We all came here to get inked." He shot a cheeky grin, completely ignoring the death glare from Courtney. His eyes shifted to Harold, who had a determined look on his face, ready for action.
Harold was the first to break the silence, eagerly flipping open his folder to a page he had bookmarked. "I've been thinking of something a bit... custom." His tone carried that familiar mix of confidence and nerdy enthusiasm. "How about this—let's have the Killer Bass bursting out of the flag like it's smashing through a wooden board." He paused, adjusting his glasses with a grin. "Oh, and can you give it a black belt around its waist? Maybe even add some glasses too, for, uh, you know, my personal touch."
The artist chuckled, already sketching out the idea. "So, a martial artist fish with glasses breaking through boards? That's definitely unique."
"I need something to cover up the scars around my torso, but also to add something on my arm as well." Eva, standing coolly next to Harold, confidently pointed to a sketch in her folder. "I want something that shows off my title as Ironwoman. Make the Killer Bass mechanical—give it gears, steel plating, the works. And make sure there's a hook through its mouth, but it needs to look fierce, not like it's caught."
"Mechanical and strong, huh? That's gonna be intense." The artist raised his eyebrows. "And what about the scars? May I suggest a pattern of zippers?"
"Hmm... I'm listening..." Eva said as she followed the artist who was helping her to come to a decision on how it would be the process her new tattoos to cover the scars on her torso. But also something that she could add as a symbol of her mechanical Killer Bass tattoo.
While the more serious requests were being discussed, Katie and Sadie were off to the side, giggling as they compared their sketches.
"We want matching tattoos!" Katie announced excitedly, holding up her folder. "Mine's a cute fish in a dress, and hers is eating ice cream! But when we put our arms together, the designs connect."
"Yeah, it's like a super cute Killer Bass combo when we're together!" Sadie beamed as she showed her half of the design.
"A mirrored design, huh? That sounds fun. You two got it—one big, adorable Killer Bass when you're side by side." The artist smiled, clearly enjoying their energy like two best friends or even twins acting like that...
Finally, the artist turned toward Duncan, who had been standing there with his signature smirk. "And what about you?" she asked, half-expecting something wild.
"I want a Killer Bass crawling out of a skull, but give it a green Mohawk."Duncan leaned in slightly, his grin widening. "But also I want you to spell Killer Bass on my fingers."
At that moment, DJ and Courtney had their eyes wide open, since he decided to choose the places it would hurt most by doing the tattoo, but before any of them would even open their mouths to protest. The artist already gave a nod.
"That definitely suits you." The artist commented as she was amused by the punk aesthetic. She glanced around at the group before continuing. "Alright, the rest of you can wait a bit. We'll start with the designs we've got. It'll take an hour or two, depending on the details. Feel free to hang out or walk around the mall until it's your turn."
Duncan shrugged casually as the group began to split off, some staying while others considered wandering to kill time. "Guess it's gonna be a long day. Hope you guys brought snacks."
Courtney shot him another sharp look, clearly unamused, while Harold adjusted his glasses with a smug sense of accomplishment, happy with his creative tattoo choice.
.
.
.
"And remember to take out the plastic wrap only on the next day." The muscled tattooed guy gave the instructions, as Ezekiel couldn't help but feel his arm burning, and scratching at the same time.
"Alright," Ezekiel commented as he understood, and was happy to see one of the works being finished, and by covering it with his jacket, it was going to be a surprise for everyone when he returned to the show. The fans had no idea how awesome the tattoo became.
And from seeing some of his friends, it had been interesting to see their reactions, Harold had been yelping in pain a lot, before getting used, Katie and Sadie were crying together because of the slight pain before getting used to it while Duncan was shedding a few tears because he chooses to also to tattoo spelling Killer Bass, the letters in each one of the front part of his fingers, by the time he closes both his fists and held together, spells Killer Bass just to show how awesome would be, and funny thought on how Killer Bass indeed had 10 letters, one for each finger, excluding the space between words. Only Eva and he himself didn't cry, but it had been a painful experience for the first time.
But nothing that he wouldn't be used to it. As Ezekiel walked outside of the place, just to see Courtney, Tyler, Bridgette, Geoff, Gwen, and DJ playing cards or reading a magazine. While some of them are a bit unsure of how things will go. After one hour for the muscled tattooed guy to clean up everything, to make sure everything was sterilized, the other artists also finished their work, as the group stared at their friends who had just gotten their new tattoos, which they could see they had been wrapped in plastic wrap.
"To make sure to heal without infection, remember to only take it tomorrow or after tomorrow." Each artist instructed as the group of guys took their nods while remaining quiet.
DJ was about to ask how it went, but he was immediately interrupted when one of the artists decided to ask.
"Okay, who is going to be next?" Then it was time for the remaining Killer Bass group... Now it was time for them to decide for the last time.
"Come on guys," Duncan said, as he composed himself after so much pain, "It's just one hour or two, trust me, you are going to like it."
"Okay, fine..." Courtney said that she was very shy about it, but she took the decision. Still flipping through her folder, finally landed on something simple yet meaningful to her. "I want something minimal. Just a line of Killer Basses swimming in a circle—like they're following each other, finding their trail." She gestured to her upper arm, "It'll go around here, like a bracelet."
"Simple but symbolic—definitely a nice choice." The artist nodded, appreciating the elegance of the idea.
"I want a full armband. A pattern of Killer Bass swimming around my upper arm, like they're going in a circle, like a band." Bridgette smiled as she showed her folder next.
"You want the whole thing to wrap around your arm? That's bold—I like it. It'll definitely stand out." The artist raised an eyebrow. But nodded at the request of the surfer girl.
"I'd like a Killer Bass, but in the colors of Jamaica—black, green, and yellow. And in the corner, I want a small, trembling pink dog. Like, you know, Courage the Cowardly Dog? He's scared of the fish, but it's all in good fun." DJ, always the gentle giant, hesitated before sharing his idea.
"That's a creative spin, mixing the Bass with a little cartoonish book character. We'll make it work." The artist let out a small laugh.
"I want a Killer Bass using its tail to launch a hockey puck! Gotta get some sports action in there, you know?" Tyler, bouncing with excitement, jumped in next.
"Sports fanatic, I get it," the artist smirked, quickly sketching the concept. "We'll make sure that fish knows how to play hockey."
"Alright, check this out, I want a Killer Bass with a Stetson hat, sunglasses, and some balloons floating around. Gotta keep things light and fun!" Geoff, ever the life of the party, leaned over the counter.
"Balloon party fish it is," the artist replied with a laugh. "You've got a unique vision, man."
"And then I will be left out as the last one?" Gwen asked as the bulk tattoo guy shrugged.
"I can work with 2 clients at the same time if you want to book in. Last chance before we close the store, we close 1 hour before the mall closes." The bulk guy said, as Gwen nodded her head, and accepted her choice.
"Okay, I want this one, about the alien version style of a Killer Bass getting out from Screaming Goopher's stomach," Gwen said as she liked the dark style of showing a horrific way on how she got out from the first team and showed she belonged to a better team with great friends.
"Heh, I gotta confess this one had been the most requested by some around the mall, I already did a few times, sure. I can do it easily." The man chuckled, as immediately the group looked unsure of what to do now. "Well, let's get inside. And get ready for a change of lifestyle that you never thought of having before."
As the group hesitantly went inside, Ezekiel gave a slight glance to Harold who was still feeling a bit of pain in his arm, but already feeling confident with the new tattoo on his arm, he knew that he would impress everyone with it.
"I think there is still time for you to buy clothes, you better go quickly," Ezekiel commented which immediately Harold snapped from his thoughts, and immediately ran away from the group, running straightly to the open stores. "Katie, you better go with him."
"Oh, right," Kaite said as she remembered the request made by Ezekiel, and she immediately left the tattoo parlor, Duncan, Eva, and Sadie were still feeling a bit itchy and with slight burns on their arms, but that was normal since it was their first tattoo,
It didn't take long until Katie came back, with Harold with bags of bags of clothing, which he was palled from how many times Katie insisted for him to try each style, trying to find the ones which would fit him better, but all the weight he had to bring was by his own arms, so more than 15 bags of clothing, and shoes, while Katie also felt happy to find clothes for Cody as well, she was so happy into being the girl who would help her friends and boyfriend to find clothing that they would like to use it on the season 2. She even bought a few clothes for herself, and she can't wait to show how season 2 is going to be awesome.
And the evening had passed without anyone realizing just how fast time had slipped by. The mall, once bustling with excitement and scattered fans hoping to catch glimpses of the Killer Bass, now began to wind down. As the tattoo sessions drew to a close, the mall lights dimmed, signaling the end of the day. The fans, recognizing that their favorite reality stars were still inside the tattoo parlor and wouldn't be emerging until it was nearly over, gradually dispersed, ready to resume their regular lives. What once felt like a day full of activity had quietly transitioned to the final hours before closing, the energy fading with each passing moment.
Outside, the once-crowded walkways were now empty as the mall staff started locking up storefronts and sweeping the floors. Few people remained, their hurried footsteps echoing in the near-empty hallways as they gathered their bags and headed for the exits. By the time the Killer Bass group exited the tattoo parlor, they found the mall practically deserted. They quickly realized that they still had errands to run before heading home, so they made their way to the Penalty Box, gathering the products they had bought earlier in the day.
Each of them, now adorned with fresh tattoos, rushed to get their things, heading toward the parking lot where their cars waited. Duncan's borrowed SUV, in particular, had become the designated storage for their bulkier purchases. The mall parking lot, much like the mall itself, had thinned out, leaving only a few straggling vehicles bathed in the dim glow of streetlights.
.
.
.
"I hate you..." Courtney said to her boyfriend, as Duncan chuckled from seeing her annoyed face, which he knew that she was lying. "My arm is itching and I cannot do anything, just because you wanted me to do this tattoo."
"Oh come on Princess, don't tell me that you didn't like it," Duncan said as he could see his girlfriend pouting at him.
"I don't know what I had in my mind when I decided to let you convince me to actually do it. And the worst part is that I liked the tattoo in the end," Courtney said as she placed the back of her head on the chair of the SUV that Duncan was driving. "A question, where did you get this SUV?"
"Oh, it's from my uncle, he said we would be buying a lot of stuff, so just in case he let me borrow it," Duncan said as Courtney nodded her head, there was a lot of space in which they placed most of the products from Penalty Box since most of the cars and their friends couldn't hold that amount of space, Duncan would be borrowing space which he knew that his mom would call his friend's mothers just to bring the right car or truck to take the belongs of his friends. "I still think Harold shouldn't have bought that punching bag, there was no way that he could actually take it to his house."
"Oh come on, Duncan, don't be such a baby, I'm sure that he could give it to Eva at the time he gets tired playing with it." Courtney joked which was enough to make her boyfriend smirk at her, and both ended up kissing before he started to drive away to his house. "Are you sure that your parents will be fine for me to stay the night with you there?"
"Yeah, my mom already called yours probably, so we have a good time for us to talk about what we could be doing before returning on the show," Duncan said, as Courtney simply rolled her eyes.
"The best would be to not even think about it," Courtney commented as she was now happy to be with the person that she knew she would trust her life and her heart.
.
.
.
"Alright, it had been a crazy day," Geoff commented as he was driving his girlfriend Bridgette on the street, but still with one more person riding with them. "Zeke, are you sure that you don't want to stay with Bridgette? She lives a few hours from the mall."
"I know, but look at her," Ezekiel commented as the party boy could see how exhausted Bridgette became after a few hours of sessions she had at the tattoo parlor, the group had to run quickly into trying to reach the sports store just to take their products and each of them had to organize which car belonged to who, and which products should go with who, it became such confusion that some even allowed to let Duncan take most of their products since he was in an SUV, and Eva brought her trailer as well, to make sure that everything would be fine before meeting themselves again, on Gwen's birthday, but until then, their parents could take their items while they were focused on their day off. "Just leave me at the motel nearby, and I'm sure that I will be incognito just for the night,"
"Well, if you say so..." Geoff said hesitantly, but he could see Ezekiel giving a reassuring smile to him. "Okay, but you have our phone numbers. In any case, call us if something bad happens."
"It's fine, and Geoff, please be careful when you leave Bridgette at her house, I'm sure tomorrow the group will get in a panic, but by the time I wake up and go to the mall, you will be the first person I will call, okay?" Ezekiel commented as he took his usual backpack with him, only having his essentials. "Tomorrow night my pa will appear in Bridgette's house, so I will be there, don't worry."
As the driving across the night had been a very common hotel, which was an hour far away from the mall, Ezekiel knew it was his stop.
"Thanks for the ride Geoff, I hope you have a good night of sleep," Ezekiel commented, as the party boy still looked a bit unsure. "Dude, I'm fine,"
"Okay, just be careful okay?" Geoff commented that Ezekiel took the sunglasses, and even took a fake beard with him, Geoff chuckled at how silly the disguise was, but couldn't help but admit it. "Okay, have a good night, and good luck, man."
"You too man," Ezekiel said as he got out of the said car... and staring at the motel, he couldn't help but think about the possibility of all the rooms being booked, which made him sweat and nervous.
.
.
.
The motel Ezekiel found himself at was a modest, roadside establishment just outside of the busier parts of Ontario. It sat nestled between tall pine trees, casting long, dark shadows that swayed slightly in the cool night breeze. The motel's exterior was a dull, beige color, its paint chipping off in some areas, revealing the aging wood beneath. A faded neon sign buzzed softly, flickering the words "Vacancy" in pale red, casting a faint glow across the parking lot.
The parking lot itself was sparsely populated, with only a handful of cars scattered around. The concrete was cracked and uneven, with small patches of weeds growing between the crevices. Each room had a small porch light above its door, most of them glowing dimly, though a few flickered like they were struggling to stay lit.
The air was crisp and cool, typical of Canadian nights in early autumn. The scent of damp earth and pine needles filled the atmosphere, mixing with the faint odor of gasoline from a nearby highway that could be heard in the distance, a low hum of cars passing by. Overhead, the sky was clear, dotted with stars, but the moon was only a sliver, barely visible against the darkness. The distant sound of a lone truck rumbled down the road, reminding Ezekiel how far he was from the busyness of the day he'd just experienced.
The motel itself was eerily quiet at this hour. At 9 p.m., most of the occupants were likely inside, the warm glow of televisions seeping through thin curtains. From a few windows, faint flickers of light from TV screens hinted at people settling in for the night, catching late news or sitcoms. A few of the rooms were dark, with only the porch lights showing any sign of life. The small office at the front of the building had a lone receptionist inside, tapping away at a computer with a bored expression, the soft hum of an old fan filling the space around them.
Ezekiel's stomach growled loudly, a painful reminder that the food court at the mall had closed hours ago. After spending the day running around with his friends, getting tattoos, and racing to gather their items from the sports store before closing, he hadn't had time to think about food. The excitement of being with the group and the adrenaline of the day had distracted him, but now, standing in the quiet night, the hunger hit him hard.
The vending machine near the entrance was his only immediate hope for food, its fluorescent light flickering as it stood slightly crooked, like it had been bumped too many times. Chips, candy bars, and soda were visible behind the glass, though some rows looked half empty. Still disguised with his sunglasses and fake beard, Ezekiel adjusted his backpack and scanned the area around him. The motel looked even more modest up close, with chipped doors and a few cigarette butts scattered across the gravel.
Taking in the surroundings, he realized how quiet and secluded the place was. It wasn't luxurious, but it wasn't run-down enough to make him feel unsafe. It had the air of a forgotten stop for travelers just looking for a place to rest before moving on. Ezekiel glanced at the office, contemplating his next move. He was tired, hungry, and worn out from the day, but he needed to settle in before anything else.
With one last glance around the parking lot and the faint glow of the motel rooms, he made his way toward the entrance, ready to see if there was a room available for the night. The cool air nipped at his skin, the gentle rustle of the trees above accompanying him as he walked through the shadows.
At the time Ezekiel got to the room he booked, he couldn't help but sigh in relief, from what he heard, a few people had given up the rooms, which left a few vacancies, which was good since having all booked up would mean that he didn't have a place to stay at night, and the idea of him being in the middle of the night on the street felt like a terrible idea.
"I don't know why, but if I was in case of stay the night, I could have stayed near the mall where Dawn's tent was... at least I could hope that she would have some protection against street rats or animals that could get out on the night," Ezekiel said as he mused in leaving the backpack he had, but one extra item that he had in his hand, a bag, which didn't was from any store, but it was a gift made by Katie who just remembered that she had left it in the car...
And at the time Ezekiel opened it, he saw the iconic and yet so nostalgic green jacket, that belonged to nobody other than Ben 10 Alien Force...
Ezekiel hugged the jacket as if it were his own treasure.
"Katie, you are the best," Ezekiel said as he promised to himself that he would give a big hug to the tan twin, as he never thought she would give her best to make sure the jacket would look exactly the way he drew, and it was perfect, the lining and even the details of having the number 10 on where it was. "I know that this will be what I will be using on the Action all the time."
However, he couldn't let his satisfaction stay long, since his stomach once again warned him for demanding food, which immediately Ezekiel knew that he would need to take care of such a problem quickly.
Disguised with a fake beard and sunglasses, Ezekiel stood by the vending machines, grabbing a snack to quiet his rumbling stomach. It was just enough to keep him going until he could figure out how to order a proper meal. There was, however, one slight problem, he had no idea how to do that.
"In times like this, ordering food by app would be the way to go," Ezekiel muttered, flipping open his outdated phone. He stared at the tiny screen, longing for the technology he'd seen in the future. This was a far cry from the convenience he was used to. But, no use dwelling on it. He sighed and made his way upstairs, peeling off the sunglasses and scratching at the itching fake beard.
As he approached his room, a familiar aroma hit his nose, instantly recognizable to both his brain and his stomach.
"Pizza..." he whispered, his stomach growling with excitement.
A plan quickly formed in his head.
"Okay, if I find the person who ordered it, I can ask which place they ordered from and get the number. Easy peasy." Ezekiel mentally patted himself on the back, sure this was a foolproof strategy.
The smell grew stronger as he neared a door down the hall. Composing himself and readying his most polite face, he knocked.
Seconds passed before the door swung open, revealing a young girl. She looked vaguely familiar, but Ezekiel couldn't quite place her.
"Hell—" he started, raising a hand.
SLAM!*
The door slammed shut in his face with such speed, that Ezekiel was left blinking in stunned silence. He heard a faint burp from the other side, just before the door creaked open again.
"looo—"
SLAM!*
The door shut just as quickly as before, cutting him off mid-word. Ezekiel blinked again, utterly bewildered.
"Did I just get Alastor-ed?" he muttered to himself, trying to make sense of what just happened. He rubbed his temples, mentally scolding himself.
"Of course... What was I thinking, knocking on a stranger's door in the middle of the night? Social skills, Ezekiel, you've got none." He sighed and turned to leave.
"NO, WAIT!"
The sudden shout from behind made him freeze. He took a hesitant step back as the door creaked open for the third time. This time, the girl stood there looking flustered, her face a deep shade of red.
"Don't go—sorry, I'm so, so *burp*—" she stammered, her apology interrupted by another awkward burp.
Ezekiel blinked, unsure whether to laugh or feel sorry for her. She couldn't have been more than three years younger than him, but the anxiety on her face was clear as day. He had never seen someone's face turn so red so quickly, and for a moment, he wondered if she might actually be a tomato in disguise.
To say Sky was panicking would be an understatement. Standing in front of Ezekiel from Total Drama Island, not just any contestant, but the very one she'd had a crush on for the time she watched him telling what kind of girl he liked, it had been weeks, and from that time she had been in front of him, was overwhelming. It wasn't like earlier that morning when she'd casually met another Total Drama contestant with her sister and gave a car ride. No, this was different.
Sky had been enjoying a quiet night in, eating a slice of pizza while her sister was in the bathroom. She was winding down, mentally preparing for the next day's book signing event where she'd get to meet Ezekiel. It was all going perfectly until she heard a knock at the door.
Curious, she went to check, figuring it might be the receptionist or maybe room service. But never, in her wildest dreams, did she imagine opening the door to him—the boy she had a crush on standing there in front of her, about to say something to her.
"Hel-"
Her reaction was instinctive. She slammed the door shut.
Sky's heart pounded as she leaned back against the door, her face hot with embarrassment. She pressed her hands to her cheeks, hoping it would somehow cool her down, but her body had other ideas. Her stomach let out an awkward, untimely burp again.
BURP*
"What the hell did I just do?" she thought, her mind spinning. Slamming the door in Ezekiel's face? Of all the things she'd imagined about meeting him—charming introductions, witty remarks—this was definitely not on the list. She could already feel her stomach twisting with guilt and regret.
Determined to fix her blunder, Sky threw the door open again.
"looooo—" Ezekiel was in the middle of speaking, but once again, panic overtook her.
SLAM!*
"Nooo! Why did I do it again?" Sky groaned as her forehead thudded lightly against the door this time. She thought in pure horror. He must think she was the rudest person alive. Or worse, that she was completely insane. She was certain that her nerves had just ruined everything.
As she heard his footsteps, she realized he was leaving. This was her last chance to make things right. Without thinking, she yanked the door open and blurted out.
"NO, WAIT! Don't go! I'm so, so—" And then, just like before, her stomach betrayed her with another embarrassing *burp*.
Sky's face flushed even redder—if that was even possible at this point. Her eyes widened as Ezekiel turned back to face her, clearly concerned.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine worry. He stared at her, trying to make sense of her erratic behavior. Sky stood frozen in the doorway, nodding awkwardly. She desperately wanted to say something, anything, but her nerves were getting the better of her. The tension between them was almost tangible, and she could feel her heart pounding harder than ever.
"Uh, sorry for disturbing your night," Ezekiel shifted on his feet, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly unsure of what to do next. he started, glancing at her with a hesitant smile. "I just checked into the hotel recently and... well, I don't really know where to order food around here. So, I thought maybe I could ask where you got your pizza from. Like, the number for the place?"
Sky blinked, trying to process his words through her swirling thoughts. He wasn't mad? Her mouth opened to respond, but no sound came out, only a quiet squeak as she snapped her mouth shut again, completely tongue-tied.
The awkwardness seemed to hang in the air between them. Sky's mind raced with a thousand things she could say, but her body refused to cooperate. Meanwhile, Ezekiel stood there patiently, still looking a bit unsure but waiting kindly for her reply.
Finally, Sky took a deep breath, hoping this time her words would come out without another blunder. "I—I got it from the place downstairs. They deliver... I think I still have the menu somewhere."
Ezekiel felt the silence stretch awkwardly, and to make matters worse, his stomach growled loudly. The scent of pizza hanging in the air only emphasized his hunger, making the situation even more uncomfortable. He glanced down at his feet, trying to avoid eye contact while waiting for Sky to return.
"Uh, yeah, sure. I, uh... well, me and my sister ordered it from this local place. We found a flyer somewhere... Let me go get it." Sky let out a small, nervous laugh, clearly trying to shake off the awkwardness but failing miserably. Her voice was shaky, and she turned so quickly that she almost tripped over her own feet. She rushed back into the room, leaving Ezekiel standing there, still enveloped in the awkwardness lingering in the hallway.
Inside the room, Sky facepalmed hard, her cheeks still burning with embarrassment.
"Could this be any worse?" She thought. Her first actual conversation with Ezekiel—the person she admired and had a crush on—and it was a complete disaster. "Please, someone just end my suffering,"
Just then, the sound of a toilet flushing echoed from the bathroom. Sky glanced up in horror, realizing her sister, Jane, was about to walk in. Sure enough, Jane emerged, drying her hands as she made her way to the table, ready to grab another slice of pizza.
Noticing her little sister's panicked expression and beet-red face, Jane tilted her head, raising an eyebrow in confusion. "What's going on, Sky?" she asked, instantly recognizing the look of embarrassment. Sky only ever looked this flustered when something really awkward had happened.
Sky, still burping intermittently from nerves, blurted out, "Ezekiel... outside... door... flyer... pizza," in a jumbled mess of words while frantically searching for the flyer.
Jane stared at her, confused at first, but as Sky continued to burp nervously, realization dawned on her.
"This I have got to see," Jane said, her curiosity piqued. After all, Jane had driven her little sister across the country for this book-signing event, and they had already had an exciting run-in with Courtney from Total Drama. That alone was enough to make the trip worthwhile. But now? Ezekiel—the boy Sky had a huge crush on—was standing right outside their door. This was too good to pass up.
Jane made her way to the door with a knowing grin on her face, eager to witness this encounter firsthand. She opened the door, and sure enough, there he was—Ezekiel, in his green blouse and winter hat, blinking at her in surprise. Jane was taller than him, which amused her even more.
"Huh, well, I'll be damned," Jane said with a smirk, seeing Ezekiel in person. He looked just like he did on TV—maybe a little more awkward in real life, but it was maybe from meeting Sky who made him that way. "Hello, how can I help you?"
"Oh, sorry, I mean... uh, hi." Ezekiel, caught off guard by the sudden change in person, stammered, He tried to regain his composure, clearly a little flustered. "I just booked a room here recently and don't really know where to order food around here, so I thought maybe I could ask you for the number of the place you got your pizza from?"
Jane listened to his polite but slightly awkward request, noting how he sounded like a boy trying to talk to an adult for the first time. It was oddly endearing. She glanced over at Sky, who was still fumbling around, desperately searching for the flyer. Jane, with a smirk, decided to take things into her own hands. After all, she had ordered two boxes of pizza.
"I've got a better idea," Jane said with a mischievous grin. "Why not come in?"
Sky froze in her tracks, her mind going into full panic mode as Jane's words echoed in her head.
"No no no no no no nononononon NONONONONONO," Sky's mind screamed in panic, as she felt her anxiety bubbling up, making the situation far more stressful than she could handle. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her palms were starting to sweat. This was officially her worst nightmare unfolding in real time.
"I don't want to bother both of you," Ezekiel said politely, clearly trying to find a way to escape the awkwardness, "just telling me the phone number would be nice."
But before he could even finish his sentence, Jane had already opened the door wider, making it clear that he was more than welcome to come in.
"Nah, it's fine," she insisted with a grin. "We just got the pizza, and it's only me and my younger sister, Sky."
Ezekiel's eyes widened slowly at the mention of Sky's name. His expression mirrored Sky's panicked one as he glanced inside, catching her frozen in place, her face bright red with embarrassment. The realization hit him like a truck—this was the same girl who had been awkwardly trying to talk to him moments ago.
For a moment, they both just stared at each other in stunned silence, neither knowing what to say or do. The air between them was thick with the kind of tension that only comes from two people who are equally awkward in social situations.
"Come on in, there's plenty of pizza," Jane, completely oblivious to their internal turmoil, stepped aside and gestured for Ezekiel to enter. She said cheerfully, clearly enjoying the unfolding situation far more than either of them.
Sky wanted to disappear.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no..." Ezekiel's mind raced as he repeated, the look on Sky's face, flushed with embarrassment and punctuated by slight burps that escaped her, made it clear that she was just as anxious as he was. He couldn't shake off the shock of discovering that this girl, the same Sky who in a few years in the future, the next season after All-Stars, the one who got to be participating in the new version of the Total Drama Island, the one who got in the finals with Shawn and ended up winning the Pahkitew Island. But one of the things that alarmed the homeschooled boy wasn't that, but it was one of the shipping that clearly made one of the reasons many people dislike the show, for some hated characters, etc... But one unique feature of how Sky was revealed to like a person, was by burping on the face, or not controlling her burps... And by him being on there, having in the same situation as being the one she was burping on... meant only one thing... "Of all people, Sky has a crush on ME?!"
"You can sit," Jane said, breaking the tense silence, her tone warm and inviting. "I was just about to take my slice. Oh, and my name is Jane, by the way."
Ezekiel slowly placed his hand on the back of his head, scratching nervously. The familiar feeling of anxiety washed over him, similar to when he had been on the show and found himself around the time when the unpredictable Izzy showed her true colors and she guessed almost on the point that he came back on time like a time-traveler, even as much she didn't know about him dying before, she knew what was his thoughts about the future and the future of the old versions of themselves, which he discovered that she was way more than anyone could ever guess, while with Dawn, she could read his aura or auras, and found clearly about his past on how it was painful on his death and what was his decision on how to live every day, she was the one who he knew exactly from the show, and he wasn't disappointed into learning how powerful she was, because she could read his mind when she wants, and that was a very incredible skill that could see him truthfully... Both girls knew about his secret and his life.
But this was different. Sky was younger than the other girls he had encountered, maybe two years younger than Dawn, and definitely younger in comparison to what he watched her in the future seasons, and the idea of being invited to share a meal with her and her sister was surreal. He was a known contestant, yet he never imagined someone would have a crush on him, let alone Sky. Dawn had been a surprise, but this felt like stepping into a whole new level of awkwardness.
"What would Ice King do in this situation?" Ezekiel asked himself, panic seeping into his thoughts. A vision of the Ice King kidnapping princesses flashed in his mind. "Okay, bad idea. What about Princess Bubblegum?" He could picture her conducting boring social experiments, which wasn't exactly helpful.
"Marceline?" he tried again, imagining the rebellious girl teasing him mercilessly and probably kicking him out of the place. "Okay, how about Jake?"
Suddenly, he remembered the advice from the episode Puhoy, where Jake had told him to focus on the reality of the moment rather than spiraling into anxiety. That advice clearly helped him to deal with his problems into dealing to live the new life he has on Total Drama while trying to move on from thinking about the past he had before, it was painful but clearly helped him before.
"All hung up in a spiral of imagining problems; you gotta focus on what's real, man..." Jake's voice echoed in his head, pulling him back to the present. Ezekiel took a deep breath and glanced at himself, realizing he was acting completely outside his comfort zone.
"Also, you are pulling a Mordecai," Jake had said, and that thought snapped Ezekiel's attention back.
"OH HELL NO!" he yelled inwardly, nearly audible. "I'd prefer to die than pull a Mordecai in this situation!"
With that mental wake-up call, he straightened up and looked at Sky and Jane. Maybe it was time to just be himself, no more pretending. He was a contestant on a reality show, not a cartoon character. He could do this. He had to at least try.
And as much Ezekiel loved the Regular Show and all the characters. Mordecai is the worst when it comes to relationship problems. And in a situation like that, he would screw up badly.
"Are you okay?" Then a voice made him blink and stared at the older sister who offered a slice of pizza to him. "You have been quiet for so long..."
Ezekiel looked at the slice, and then his stomach rumbled as it was desiring to eat the food, which made Ezekiel remember that he was very hungry... And he was on his own life.
Knowing the girl had a crush on him. Even as embarrassed she was, that doesn't mean that he couldn't refuse the kindness of them to offer food to him. Also, Total Drama contestants should always give contacts in case they would need advice for the times they would try in the future.
And even though she had a crush on him, it was more a celebrity and fan one, but that doesn't mean they couldn't be friends.
Ezekiel smiled, and accepting with gratitude he nodded his head to Jane.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Ezekiel said as he immediately gave a bite of the slice of pizza, which he couldn't help but appreciate and be grateful for the help. "Thank you so much, you have no idea how much I needed it."
"Not a problem," Jane said as she could see the boy finally calming up, and she let out a chuckle since the boy felt very nervous about getting nearby to a random place. "Well, now that you are eating, I have to tell you that me and my sister are big fans of Total Drama Island, to the point that even watch the pay-per-view."
"Oh, really?" Ezekiel asked in surprise as he was now listening to the explanation made by the older sister, as she started telling the story of how she and Sky got addicted to watching the Total Drama show, and even how Sky complained about her wasting money on buying the services, which when Ezekiel turned to see Sky, she was still blushing and even unable to say a single word. "Hey, is she okay?"
"Yeah, she is fine," Jane said, as both of them could see Sky giving slight glares to her sister, while she tried to compose herself. "She just surprised into meeting 2 celebrities today, it's too much on her mind right now."
"Humm... I can see," Ezekiel said with a bit of understanding, but still trying to calm down, even with the advice he gave to himself, he needed to maintain control of himself, and not screw up revealing things that shouldn't, so he decided to be himself, and focus on eating. Just like Owen usually would.
"I'm going to the bathroom," Sky said as she quickly ran in the direction of the door, which Ezekiel and Jane focused on eating, even as the silence felt a bit awkward, they didn't mind. But Ezekiel decided to start a conversation.
"Courtney mentioned that two girls gave her a ride to the mall, so I'm guessing that was you two?" Ezekiel asked, piecing together Jane's earlier statement about being fans. He watched as Jane nodded, a smile creeping onto her face. "I'm really flattered you both came all this way just for my book signing."
"It's been a pleasure! Your book is amazing," Jane replied, her enthusiasm infectious. Just then, the door swung open, and Sky entered, moving at a more controlled pace. However, Ezekiel couldn't help but notice her slightly damp face, with a red mark of a handprint still visible.
"Sky, there's a th—" Ezekiel started, but she interrupted him.
"Please, don't say it." She grabbed a towel and wiped her face, regaining her composure before reaching for another slice of pizza. With a newfound steadiness, she looked at Ezekiel and added, "Like my sister said, your book was incredible. I never thought I'd experience such a rollercoaster of emotions just reading chapter after chapter. My sister once dealt with a bully in college by quoting one of the chapters."
"Really?" Ezekiel turned to Jane, intrigued. Her smirk suggested there was a funny story behind it.
"And you, sir, are extremely… bald," Jane quoted with a mischievous glint in her eye. Ezekiel stifled a laugh, a chuckle slipping out instead, which made Jane nod in approval.
"How did you manage to make such a perfect comeback?" she asked, clearly amused.
"Sometimes, the best comeback is to point out their insecurities," Ezekiel replied, recalling how Eustace from Courage the Cowardly Dog would often get flustered over his baldness. Eustace's obsession with success and wealth only overshadowed the true happiness he could find in his relationships with Muriel and Courage.
"Can you tell me what your favorite chapter is?" Sky asked, curiosity brightening her expression.
"The Tower of Doctor Zalost," Ezekiel said, watching as both sisters' eyes widened in surprise. "It's a chapter I could read over and over. It tackles depression, which is such a powerful enemy to fight, and shows how devastating it can be for anyone. Courage does the impossible not just to save Muriel but also helps an enemy who needs more help than anyone else."
"Do the happy plums actually exist?" Jane asked, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.
"Yep, and only my family knows the recipe…" Ezekiel replied with a smirk. The atmosphere shifted as the girls relaxed further, enjoying their time with the celebrity. It felt more like a personal interview, and Ezekiel was glad to share his insights, feeling more at ease with each passing moment.
Sky leaned in, her earlier nervousness fading. "I'd love to hear more about how you came up with such deep themes. It's rare to see that kind of depth in a horror story book which clearly could be read for children as well."
"Honestly, it's all about drawing from real-life experiences. I think everyone, regardless of age, can relate to struggles, whether they're about fitting in, dealing with anxiety, or understanding their emotions. I just wanted to create a story that resonated with people."Ezekiel appreciated her genuine interest. He knew how much Courage had created an impact on so many people, since it was a reference in so many modern issues, LGBT, Toxic Relationships, Depression, Death, Life, and even Global Warming… "Sometimes the villains didn't need to be defeated, only understood and show a better path..."
"It definitely resonates! It's cool to see a person who's so relatable." Jane nodded in agreement. As she had to admit, she laughed and cried in a few chapters, and yet sometimes she would be so horrified that she would have nightmares about it. Since the drawings were quite creative and yet scary.
Ezekiel smiled… as he felt that indeed that was the sensation that he must feel whenever he talked about Courage, and something that people like DJ could be inspired by.
.
.
.
"Wait, let me see if I got that right," Ezekiel said as he was drinking a soda can he brought from the vending machine near the reception. "You two were waiting in the line for the debut of my book in the store when you just discovered a duck was on the line before you two? Like being the first on the line?"
"Yeah, it was a duck who had a bag with him and a message from the person who lived away, I don't know if the duck managed to take the book to the person who bought it, but I believe he did," Jane said as Ezekiel chuckled, to which Sky nodded her head.
"Do you think Howard will be at the book signing tomorrow?" Sky asked as Ezekiel had a slight twitch in the corner of his eyes, having a small flashback of the same duck he had just seen on the morning, and the person who probably bought the book, was the exact same nature lover moonchild, that he knew that it was the biggest probability of that happening.
"Well... if I see a duck tomorrow, then I will be sure to ask his name." Ezekiel joked, as immediately both girls giggled from his response, but now being serious, he decided to speak honestly. "But I think the person who made him book the book on the debut will appear tomorrow."
"Do you think so?" Jane asked, and Ezekiel nodded his head.
"I know so because you two are a good example of crossing the other side of the country just to see me tomorrow. I wouldn't dismiss the chance that there are others across Canada doing the same." Ezekiel had to let his mind open to the possibilities. And his reply clearly made both sisters understand what he said, and by accepting such an answer, that clearly nobody could guess what could happen tomorrow.
.
.
.
"So you want to be an Olympic gymnast?" Ezekiel said as he had his tone of surprise, to which Sky nodded her head.
"Yes, I feel like my country should be represented in that category which was one of the best of the Olympics," Sky said as Jane was smiling as the duo seemed to be talking more comfortably without her interference.
"Well just for you know, the mother of Olympic sports was always gymnastics, this is where most of the countries would stop just to watch the whole event," Ezekiel said as he remembered how many times he passed watching the Olympics on the television, and one of the events was with his family from South America, from both Peru and Brazil, they would always stop just to watch the gymnastic event, which each year had been crazier and crazier. The last one he watched, his mom cried when Rebecca Andrade was the first Brazillian gymnast to reach the golden medal, and she bought pizza for her to eat with her father, as his dad would say that it became a historic event in Brazil.
Buuuuuuuurp*
At that moment, Sky burped loudly on his face, and Ezekiel could see the girl really reaching high volumes.
"SORRY," Sky said, which immediately Ezekiel decided to be polite.
"It's fine, better out than in," Ezekiel said as he quoted again Shrek, and could see the girl scolding herself and trying to remain calm. "Well, I hope you get a chance to represent Canada, it will be awesome to be the first person to meet the future Olympic athlete."
Burp*
"Well, I'm glad that you now have a number 1 fan Sky, better to not disappoint him." Jane decided to tease her sister, and the girl looked angrily at her big sister, mouthing for her to shut up, which the big sister refused to not embarrass her sister further. But then she looked at Ezekiel. "So what about you Ezekiel? A good archer like you could also bring a good medal for our country."
"Tempting, but I pass..." Ezekiel said as he couldn't help but blush a bit. "I just use my archery as a hobby, and I have so much to focus on in my life, I have to be part of season 2 of the show, write the next volumes of my books, and even draw a lot. I respect the athletes and people who give their lives for the sake of doing their best in sports, but I don't think I would be able to do much in comparison to Izzy who I still say that she rigged the archery game, I'm not going to let her kick my butt all the time."
"Well, that's a very mature decision," Jane commented, as she could see her sister calming down. But she decided to not let that down. "But in case Sky becomes an athlete, would you go to see her participate?"
"Of course..." Ezekiel said without thinking twice...
BURPPPPPP*
.
.
.
"Thank you so much for letting me eat with you two," Ezekiel said as he thanked them for the night that had passed with the duo who got a very good reception for him, and as much that would say it was uncomfortable a few times, he couldn't help but smile because he had enjoyed the experience of making new friends, especially with a younger version of the future contestant and a character that he may or may never see before. It made him feel more... normal, but still, the popularity had been something that would take time until he got used to it.
"Not a problem," Jane said as she slowly got inside the room, while Sky was a bit outside on the door, which she slowly closed...
.
.
.
Ezekiel remained in the place, while Sky was still in silence, but somehow struggling to say something.
"Well..."
"You see..."
Which both of them had said at the same time, which immediately both shifted their tone.
"Oh sorry to interrupt you," Both said at the same time, which immediately, Ezekiel closed his mouth, and raised his hand to make Sky continue on what she was planning to say.
"Oh... okay, well, I was going to say, I'm sorry about my sister dragging me out in a situation like that," Sky commented as she could see the homeschooled boy being uncomfortable at the time he got inside their room at the motel. "And I somehow made it even worse by making it weird."
"Hey, don't be like that, I still had fun," Ezekiel said as he was sincere, but from seeing the future contestant of the show still hesitating... "You are very uncomfortable with the burps aren't you?"
"Yes..." Sky commented. Suddenly Ezekiel touched his chin in thought until another idea crossed his mind...
.
.
.
Buuuuuurp*
Ezekiel let out a loud burp as he and Sky were on the balcony across the corridors of the rooms, drinking cans of soda just to let out all the gasses from their stomachs. No matter when it comes it is loud or not.
He used the instructions that he learned from both Harold and Izzy, while Sky had a natural talent for burping like a champion. But not in strength like his military friend.
But he found a better way to make her more comfortable.
"So your family exports oranges across Canada?" Sky asked as she burped after having another gulp of soda. This time she felt in control of her own burps instead of letting out by accidents.
"Yep... We have been selling oranges since my Pa and my aunty was a child..." Ezekiel commented as he recalled how oranges meant so much to his pa. "We sell other fruits as well. But my Pa is always proud of his oranges."
"It must be a very good life around there," Sky commented as she then saw Ezekiel burping loudly again, and she hid the blush on her face, as she tried to remain focused on the conversation.
"Well it has its moments, however, I always wanted to get out from there and reach out my dreams..." The boy commented as he gave a side glance at her. "You saw what my dreams are on the show right?"
"Yeah. Becoming a good author, and you even managed to buy the Playa Del Losers, me and Jane never imagined someone had such an idea." Sky admitted as Ezekiel chuckled.
"Yeah, not even me thought about it. But I don't regret it," Ezekiel said as he suddenly heard Sky's words which surprised him.
"I would throw the 1 million dollars as well if I were in your situation," Sky admitted as the boy turned to see her in surprise. "It was not fair the way they should make the final prize being used like that. From all the blood, sweat, and tears that you all shared as friends, and everybody gave their best... I always think a fair game was always right, and if I had friends like Killer Bass, I would have done the same thing... Without thinking twice."
Ezekiel remained in silence, but he couldn't help but chuckle.
"You probably are the first person to ever tell me that," Ezekiel said as he even managed to get the one million before. He meant it every single word he said. And if was in a situation like he couldn't have done the heist with Izzy. He would have done the same for the sake of his friendship and for the sake of the Total Drama Action to happen. "It was 1 million dollars after all..."
"Was that the value of your friends?"
"Oh hell no, my friends were more than priceless..." Ezekiel said as he chuckled. And even with the soda can in his hands, he couldn't help but muse on how many changes he had not on their lives but also for himself. "I lived most of my life without friends, someone that I could be invited or invite to a birthday party, someone I could be crazy, weird, or even scared, and they would just tell me to fuck off and make me laugh, be myself... It may be cliche, but yeah, friendship really is awesome."
"I'm glad..." Sky commented as she after having a long session of awkwardness, felt herself more relaxed, now that she could have a nice conversation with a person she admired, she clearly enjoyed passing the time with him, just them, drinking and burping without being judged...
"CAN YOU BOTH SHUT THE FUCK UP? I'M TRYING TO HAVE SEX HERE, AND THESE BURPS ARE VERY ANNOYING." Until one of the rooms shouted from a very unsatisfied person who had chosen a bad place to stay.
Both Sky and Ezekiel looked at each other. And immediately ran a few rooms far away from the annoyed man who was having an intimate session on the night.
.
.
.
"It was nice to have a good talk like that," Ezekiel said as he opened the door of his room, while Sky nodded her head.
"I had fun meeting you, and thank you for being patient with me and my sister, "Sky commented as she also gave a slight blush on her cheeks. "And you even got our numbers,"
"Nah. It's fine, I should be the one thanking you for the food." Ezekiel was honest, as it was something that he always learned. Being kind always should be paid with kindness as well. "You both were life saviors, with how things went close after 9 p.m., I wouldn't be comfortable sleeping hungry or eating snacks from the snack machine."
"Well, that's fine. Next time you will do the same." Then Sky immediately shut her mouth, for saying such a silly thing.
But Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Yeah, that's fair... How about tomorrow?" Ezekiel said as immediately Sky had her face slightly blushing. "Since the mall closes at 9 p.m. Or depending on how many books I will sell and sign tomorrow, we could grab a coffee sometime in the afternoon or night?"
"You don't have to..." Sky said as she was almost reaching her panic mode, but then she gulped and controlled herself. "You don't have to do that if you don't want..."
"It's the right thing to do," Ezekiel said as he nodded his head. He found a good way to start a friendship and learn more about the others. It was nice to have once again a conversation without the constant public around them to make it even more chaotic. It was nice... "Well, see you tomorrow?"
"YES," Sky said loudly. She immediately flinched, but then she corrected herself. "We will see you there. For buying your book, and have you sign for us."
Ezekiel rolled his eyes, but still with a smile on his face.
"You are cool Sky, just be yourself," Ezekiel said as he simply got inside his room, while he just wished for one more thing. "Have a great night Sky, you and your sister."
"Yeah... You too..." Sky said as she saw Ezekiel closing the door. And slowly she walked away and returned to her bedroom.
.
.
.
"So why did you take so long?" Jane said as she raised her eyebrows, just to meet a pillow launched on her face.
And Sky slammed her head on the bed where she was going to sleep.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Jane heard her younger sister's muffled scream... If was a squealing or a groaning roar, she doesn't know. But she couldn't help but escape a chuckle.
"Meeting the author of the book where she was going to have to be in line tomorrow," Jane commented in amusement. "How were the odds for that happen?"
Jude lay sprawled on his bed, staring up at the skateboard poster plastered to the ceiling of his room. The colors were vibrant, the image capturing a skater mid-air, defying gravity with a carefree grin. It was a reminder of the good times—days spent cruising the streets, laughter echoing in the air. But today, that joy felt distant as he absentmindedly fiddled with a few sticks he had collected earlier.
He had intended these sticks as a peace offering for his childhood friend, Courtney. She had lent him a hundred bucks earlier in the day, and instead of finding the promised fifty bucks to repay her, he had ended up with a bunch of skewers he hoped to turn into kebabs. The thought of bringing them to her made him smile, but the memory of his earlier attempt to locate her weighed heavily on his mind.
Flashback*
"Okay, Courtney, I didn't find fifty bucks, but I managed to make a few kebabs for you to eat later," Jude declared proudly as he navigated through the bustling crowd. The excitement buzzed around him, and he was eager to share the fruits of his labor with Courtney and her friends. He had passed through throngs of fans, pushing his way to their usual hangout, but when he finally arrived, his heart sank.
The table they usually gathered around was empty. The laughter and chatter he had anticipated were replaced by a deafening silence. Panic washed over him as he scanned the area, searching for familiar faces among the sea of strangers. "Dudes? Where are you?" he had called out, but his voice was swallowed by the noise of the crowd.
End of Flashback.*
Jude shook his head, trying to dispel the memory. He could still hear the words of his friends echoing in his mind, "Ezekiel will be at the book signing tomorrow; why don't you ask him for Courtney's number?" and "Hey, she paid you a hundred bucks; you could take that for yourself." But those suggestions felt wrong to him. He didn't want to take advantage of Courtney's kindness.
Sighing, he glanced back up at the poster, the skater defying gravity with ease, a symbol of freedom and adventure. "I'm not that kind of person," he whispered to himself, gripping the sticks tighter. "Not when it comes to my friends."
Determined, Jude set the sticks down on his desk and sat up. He was going to find Courtney. He wouldn't rest until he returned her money, no matter how long it took. The promise he had made to himself felt like a beacon in the swirling uncertainty of his day. He envisioned her face lighting up when he handed her the kebabs, a small gesture of gratitude for her unwavering friendship.
With renewed determination, he stood up and took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the day lift slightly. "Alright, Jude, time to go find Courtney," he said, more to himself than to anyone else. The skateboard poster remained a silent witness to his resolve, a reminder that every adventure began with a single step.
As he headed for the door, he felt a flicker of excitement in his chest. Maybe this was just the beginning of a new adventure—one where he could prove that his friendship with Courtney was worth more than a hundred bucks. He opened the door and stepped out, ready to face whatever the night had in store for him.
Chapter 54: The Book Signing (Final Day of Mall Arc)
Notes:
Well, we reached the final chapter of the Mall Arc, so I hope you guys enjoy it.
Chapter Text
Before the mall opened, the world outside its glass doors had already transformed. The sun was still low, casting a soft, golden hue across the pavement, but the line had formed hours ago, a quiet testament to the anticipation that hung in the cool morning air. People stood like statues, bundled in jackets, their breath visible in the early light, as though the day itself hadn't fully awakened.
The mall's entrance, usually empty at this time, now had the appearance of a dam holding back a flood. The line stretched out across the front, curving along the sidewalk, a ribbon of humanity snaking toward the horizon. Some sat on fold-out chairs they had thought to bring, while others leaned on the walls, shifting their weight, their faces a mix of fatigue and excitement. The air around them hummed with hushed conversations, punctuated by the occasional click of a phone camera capturing the moment as if it was already part of history.
The glass doors of the mall, still sealed shut, reflected the crowd like a mirror, capturing their eager faces and outstretched bodies. Some held books, others had tote bags ready to be filled with newly purchased copies, and more than a few clutched coffees like lifelines against the morning chill. The line was more than a simple queue—it was a living, breathing entity, slowly growing, winding back and forth as more arrived, joining the ranks.
Above, the dark windows of the mall watched over the scene, cold and indifferent, giving nothing away. Inside, the stores were still asleep, their mannequins poised and frozen, unaware of the impending storm of footsteps that would soon fill the halls. But outside, the crowd continued to swell, a restless tide waiting for the gates to open, for the flood to begin.
Security guards stood at the ready, their presence calm but vigilant, as though preparing for the inevitable rush, since one of the most important members of the mall security had to go to the hospital for the day, the chaos from the last day made the former security mall members return as their way to place the entire mall in order again. The crowd, for the most part, was orderly—excited, but patient. Yet, there was an undercurrent of nervous energy, a shared understanding that when the doors finally opened, this peaceful wait would erupt into something entirely different. The stillness before the storm lingered, delicate and fleeting, as the clock ticked closer to the moment the mall would spring to life.
And from the group already in line... an iconic duo was there since 3 a.m, the two Cree sisters who had a pizza dinner with no one other than the writer of the book who was going to be signing the books for the day.
"Ahhhh," Sky yawned as she drank a coffee from one of the vendors who took the opportunity to sell across the line, and the waiting had been very draining since not only the line was very still, but they were also very bored. As most of the fans that as much the duo were excited about buying the new books, they were still a bit tired from waiting in line for hours. "I think we should have offered a Ride for him to come with us, to make him come here by himself sounded a bit harsh."
"Well, it was that or we came here early, and you decided to be one of the first, and thankfully we are in the 40th place on the line, which means a lot since there are hundreds of people here," Jane commented, which the youngest sister had to look around, and it was true, it was their choice to come early, and differently than the first book line on the bookstore where they lived, they had to compete a place against the fans almost around the state, and while the books would be sold for the other states across Canada, this mall was the only place Ezekiel was going to be signing the books.
With the forum of Total Drama Island sharing all the pictures and videos caught on digital cameras, the posts grew a big margin on how the Killer Bass were on the Mall, and now the popularity and certain of Ezekiel going to do the book signing on there, immediately made the fans going frenzy and ready to have their own book of Steven Universe and Adventure Time, but also having their books of Courage the Cowardly Dog signed. And for people who didn't have the opportunity of having the said book from the first sale, now could buy the book with also the autograph.
This was now a good reason why there were so many people in the place...
Quack* *Quack*
At that moment, Sky and Jane recognized the animal sound, which immediately made them turn their heads in the direction of their side.
"Hey Mom, there is a duck here." One of the kids on the line commented as both the athlete and her sister blinked into seeing a duck eating a few eggshells.
"Do you think it's..." Jane asked, as Sky narrowed her eyes a bit, just to identify one thing very familiar, a muslin bag.
"HOWARD?" Sky asked loudly immediately the Canadian duck which was enjoying a good breakfast meal, quickly turned its head to a familiar duo, and immediately in tiny steps walked in the direction of the Cree sisters, who clearly thought to see the familiar girls who he had an encounter weeks ago.
Quack* *Quack*
"So you are on the line too?" Jane asked in amusement as she saw the duck nodding its head to her. "We were asking ourselves if we were able to meet you again, and I'm surprised that you aren't first in the line like the last time,"
Jane commented, but then she saw Howard tilting it's head, but then shook, and gave a slight smirk on it's beak. Which both Jane and Sky looked confused as they could see the duck with a slight provocation on it's face.
"Wait, you are the first in the line?" Sky asked, as she then saw the duck nodding its head to her. "But you are now here, how you are the first on the line?"
And then Howard used it's wing to call the attention of the duo, like he was calling them to follow it. And slowly the duck started to walk, which both Sky and Jane looked at themselves.
"Should we follow him?" Sky asked as she had a bit of worry, "If we get out from the line we may lose our place,"
"That's a reasonable thought, but Howard never lied to us so far, so if he said he was the first on the line, why doubt now?" Jane said, as she simply shrugged. She could see her sister in doubt. "Maybe he found a spot for us, and come on, you already met Ezekiel yesterday, so why not try to be the first again?"
"Ughhh, why do yo. *burp* like to bring *burp* that up?" Sky said as she sighed with a slight blush on her face, as much as she enjoyed having a great talk with Ezekiel, her sister seemed to be enjoying the gossip way more than she should.
But then... they have nothing to lose, maybe they would have luck.
.
.
.
"The lovers," At the time Sky and Jane got inside a tent which somehow was in the front of the line, clearly made them look the confusion, into where the duck had brought them in. As the time they got in, a voice was enough to take their attention, as they saw a girl, palled like the moon, with lilac lipstick and her iconic green blouse, as she looked serene and calm as she turned a tarot card for a man who was looking in anticipation on the table where she was drinking tea. "And they were looking up, which means that you have a great choice of a romantic partner in the future..."
"Do you really think so?" The man asked as he never felt so excited, since he seemed to be a very despaired man for so many years.
"Yes, however from checking your aura, it tends to be very impulsive in your choices, and the Lovers also represents making important choices, so when it comes the time, do not think harshly, since those decisions will actually lead to a person who you will have a great future with, now... let's turn for your business work... oh my..." The girl said as she turned to the person who also seemed to be scary.
"The Devil?" The man knew it was a bad sign just to see that card.
"Yes, and he was up, which means that you will have temptations, addictions, or something that could lead to if you are not careful about what would be your choice, it could bring the end of everything you worked for." The girl commented as she pondered for a few seconds. "Possibly it could be a decision of a new business partner, so in case you would find someone willing to work with or for you, be careful because depending on that person it could lead to the bankruptcy of your company."
And the man nodded his head quickly as he learned everything the girl had taugh him, and with a quickly look on his wallet, he decided to take a few notes and place over the table.
"Thank you so much, I was needing this. I don't know how much it was, but I think this will help you to have a good dinner in a restaurant tonight." The man said, to which the girl shook her head.
"You really didn't need to do it," The girl commented but the man insisted and imediatelly left the tent, which Dawn had to sigh... "I didn't need the money, I just did because I was bored and because he needed my help. Oh Mother Nature, everyone is very impatient today..."
QUACK* *QUACK*
And just like a signal, both Jane and Sky gave a step back which made a path for the duck call the attention for the girl who looked at the duck.
"Oh, Howard, you came early, how was your breakfast?" The girl asked as then she gave a slight look and stared at the duo who came inside of the tent, which her give a small smile on her face. "So we meet at last, Sky, Jane...Welcome to my tent, I was holding your spot for 2 days."
"How did you know our names?" Jane asked as both she and Sky were in shock at seeing a girl looking at them with a smile on her face.
"Oh, well... for starters, Howard told me you both were the ones who helped him to buy my book a few weeks ago... I was the girl who signed up to be the Moonchild, my name is Dawn, nice to meet you." Dawn gave an introduction as she smiled at finally meeting the girls, she had been eager to meet them for a long time since her friend Howard had been helped by them, but also the fact that she saw on one of the girl's aura... something that she feared.
Sky's aura... which was filled with yellow with slight shades of pink and red... Which was the color of the attraction and desire...And what Sky had been desiring, and repressing, was the feelings that Dawn could be hearing Mother Nature laughing since from the day before. Their auras had been like an open book.
And just like her... the hormones of the girl nearby her, wanted to see their idol once again, Ezekiel... the book writer that she knew allowed both of them to be his friends... Or what the chaotic future would desire them to be in the future, Mother Nature had been laughing a lot recently.
"Oh my God, oh my grob, gob, glob, grod, oh my stars and all the diamonds across the universe," Ezekiel whispered as he was wearing the disguise of a fake beard a sunglasses... He learned his lesson to not appear too early than before, but in case he was, he could have stayed in Dawn's cabin for a few hours before he could hide himself to go inside the mall again, but not this time, there was a freaking giant line to even passing the streets nearby, it was so crazy that Ezekiel had no freaking idea on how he was going to pass the freaking GIANT LINE. "I'm supposed to get inside of the mall before they open, how the heck I'm going to..."
"Oh my God, Ezekiel wasn't kidding when he said there was going to have a giant line on here." Then like the universe had been helping him, a familiar voice was enough to make the boy to turn and see that a few steps away, was nobody other than Jen who was with Wyatt walking in the direction of the mall.
"JEN, WYATT, THANK GOD," The boy shouted so loud that made the duo jump in surprise, just to see a person wearing a green jacket, a big beard, and black sunglasses, but the voice and shout were very familiar, which immediately made them realize who probably that person was. And before they could even say something, he walked fast to approach them. "Can you believe how large this line is? How are even going to get inside?"
Wyatt still looked unsure, but then he just saw the boy winking on them and pointed at the fake beard. Jen also had her eyebrows raised, but from looking around and seeing there was indeed a very long and difficult way to deal with the clients, the duo who usually had been working on the mall for months, they always knew a way to get inside of the mall when it was before the time the mall was opening.
And Jen was about to say his name, but her friend imediatelly raised his hand, to bring the attention around how the public around the place had been waiting the oportunity to meet Ezekiel, so it was that time, the brunette thought for a few seconds, but with a good smile on her face, she nodded her head, and made a motion with the hand to make the boy follow her.
.
.
.
"Ahhh," Ezekiel sighed in relief as he took his fake beard at the time the trio got inside the Mall, since now the group used the backdoor entrance for only people who worked on the mall were allowed to pass. "Thanks, guys, this fake beard was very itchy and was driving my mind crazy,"
"Why did you use a fake beard in the first place?" Jen asked as the reality show contestant simply took out his sunglasses and decided to give his explanation.
"I kinda suspected it would have happened the same thing from yesterday, so I tried to use a disguise that would help me to deal with the line… And I thought it would have been at least a hundred people wanting to sign a book or even going to buy it today, but there were hundreds and hundreds." Ezekiel said as he didn't believe how large the quantity of people were waiting to get inside. "I knew that being famous was very alarming because of yesterday, but today? I think I won't even be able to leave the bookstore."
"Well, that's the price of being famous," Wyatt commented as he was carrying both a keyboard case and a guitar case as well. "Especially from the books you wrote, I can see why people would be in the drive to read Steven Universe, from the episode Courtney sang a song about this book, everyone had been doing covers on the forum and even theories about what was going to happen."
"Yeah, and I liked to hear all the covers, they were with the heart and the melody almost in the right place, and if they keep trying, they will manage to even do fan songs that it will be fantastic to see how they would view and sing what the characters would sing and feel," Ezekiel commented as he could see Wyatt looking a bit tired. "Hey, are you okay? You look exhausted."
"Nah, I'm fine. Nothing that a triple strong coffee wouldn't solve," The musician explained as he brought the instruments with him. "I talked with Jonesy and he said there was AMP on the bookstore for me to have a better way to make the music work around there. Once again, thanks man for the opportunity."
"It's fine," Ezekiel waved as he was now feeling more comfortable even walking on the empty mall with the other employees of the other stores, usually when the day would be such a big event, most of the workers would prefer to use their excuse of working on the mall to get to go inside of the mall way before the clients, and since Ron wasn't there to annoy them, it had been an easy access to everyone.
"Well, also thank you for you and your friends appearing on Penalty Box yesterday, Coach Halder had been very satisfied with the quantity of products we sold yesterday, and with the good publicity on the forums, we didn't have that much interaction with celebrities since Ron from Maple Leafs came to the store. Even as much I said to Ron that he sucked" Jen said as Ezekiel couldn't help but look at Jen with sympathy on his face. And from his knowledge of the future… Ezekiel couldn't help but tell…
"Jen, if I tell you that Maple Leafs team sucks, would you believe me?" Ezekiel commented which made Jen and Wyatt stare at the boy who seemed to be serious. "Trust me, from Ron only making 3 goals in a whole season looks terrible, but you want to know what would be the lowest bar and the biggest humiliation a hockey team would ever have in their entire careers? If a professional hockey team lost a game an official game against a 42-year-old Zamboni driver, who works for them..."
Jen and Wyatt raised their eyebrows as they tilted their heads as the boy seemed to be talking a weird fact.
"Wha…"
"Trust me, Jen," Ezekiel interrupted as he raised his hand to interrupt her. "Whatever you may think a team would be bad, think about this fact, that would be the lowest point carrier for any team who plays hockey. Just think that when you think a team would have the most humiliating game, place this as the lowest point of their games, trust me, keep that in mind."
Ezekiel had to tell the truth, from the future Maple Leafs were the real definition of Oof, on the most humiliating way possible, since they lost against against their own Zamboni Driver who became the emergency goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes… The biggest joke of the national hockey league.
That team? Was always downhill, and Jen was right, even in the new world that Ezekiel was… Maple Leafs still sucked, but he couldn't help but bear in mind to see the game when that happens, it became a Meme so powerful on hockey, that he would want to see his friends watching this game with him, just to see their faces of disbelief from watching such a cringy game.
But still, Jen and Wyatt had no freaking idea what their friend was talking about…
Probably celebrity shenanigans.
It didn't take long until Wyatt and Ezekiel went to the bookstore, and from how the manager has experience in dealing with that kind of event, he called all the employees to be on 2 hours before the Mall opened, and that would give a good time for the employees to have breakfast, work on their stress, or better, pray for the celebrity appears on the time before the mall opens…
Ezekiel felt uncomfortable when the said manager gave a big hug and a kiss on his cheek for being in time with most of the employees… But ignoring such awkward feeling, he still acted professionally as the same way that he instructed where Wyatt would be playing the song.
"Okay, so you know how background songs work right?" Ezekiel asked as the boy who came to sit a few steps on the back in a well-spot place for him to place his instruments nodded his head. "So alright, give me what would your impression of Pearl."
"Well, she seems to be the type of moody but focusing on a good piano."
"That's right, can you give me a demonstration?" Ezekiel asked as the boy simply shrugged as he made sure to place the keyboard and prepared to make sure the AMP was well positioned he gave a few notes and decided to press the keys of the keyboard, using the good sequence of what it was his view of Pearl.
And slowly Ezekiel gave a small nod and little buy little he was getting to like more and more of the song.
"That sounds great, for a first creation for her background song it looks so great so far, with more and more ideas into trying to make sure to remain classic, and yet elegant as the way of ballet, it can show how deeply she was on her style of swordsmanship." Ezekiel commented as he gave good approval, "Okay, I believe in you that you managed to make a few background songs for the character, but there is one that I want you to focus on using your guitar."
"Oh really? What would that be?" Wyatt was happy that the person who hired him liked the way he passed most of the hours trying to think about which songs he would be playing at the event, and then Ezekiel took something from the backpack he was bringing with him, and at the time Wyatt gave a look, it was lyrics of a song.
"These songs are kinda a key for the book, you may see some of them around the lyrics I place on there, but you never know when you are going to play on here. So if you don't mind I can help you to catch the melody." Ezekiel explained as he looked around everything seemed to be ready, the organization of the bookstore and the piles and piles of his books ready to be sold, he even had to make sure to test a box of pens to make the signature and autographs to everyone appearing. And he had to confess, he was feeling anxious and he was in a pile of nervousness, but also excited to see how the day will go.
"Huh, you really can do that?" Wyatt said as he was surprised to see his boss willing to help with his songs. "Okay, which one you want to start?"
"This one… this is basically the first song Steven ever wrote, and it's the main core of the songs of this book," Ezekiel explained and even instructed on how he should be playing from the few pages of papers of songs that Ezekiel knew that it would be important for the event.
.
.
.
"Good morning everyone," Jonesy said as the employees gave a stink eye on him. "Woah, what's going on here?"
"You supposed to be here 2 hours ago," One of the employees said as the tension around the area was very heavy, since the guys who gave the time to meditate, take their breakfast, and even imagine how terrifying the event of the place, it was like a sale of 96% discount they had one year, which it created such a catastrophic fear deep inside of most of the workers of the book store, and with a good reason since it had been so chaotic that 26 people broke bones and 441 had to go to the hospital or to jail, it was such event that it left the fear in the hearts of the most veteran of the workers.
Thankfully they aren't into a whole event of mega sales across the whole mall, but it was only a celebrity book signing, which from their experience, the people were more patient and well-behaved than the berserk of bunch of animals who traumatized the mall stores since 1987…
"Oh come on, I'm here already, am I not?" Jonesy said as he scoffed, but from seeing some of the coworkers simply ignoring, Jonesy was already having a feeling that he wasn't going to remain on that job for far too long. But it was enough to see some of them on the back of the bookstore around the hall where Wyatt was playing some nice guitar, and Ezekiel was signing a few books for a few of the employees of the area.
"I hope you like this one, if you want my advice, read the final chapter on Christmas, you're not going to regret it," Ezekiel said as he said to one of the girls who worked in the bookstore, who nodded their heads and thanked for him signing their books. At the time Ezekiel gave a sigh he then blinked into seeing Jonesy appearing on the work. "Oh, you are still working on here, that's great."
"Har, har, har," Jonesy commented as he saw both Ezekiel and Wyatt getting ready for one of the biggest events of his life. "I can't believe that you both came here 2 hours ago?"
"It was crazy, the line on the outside was terrifying, and if wasn't for Jen and Wyatt I would have no idea how to get inside the mall." The homeschooled boy simply gave the fact that Wyatt was drinking one of his coffee to get enough energy…
"Well, I'm about to go to the food court to try to find something to eat, does any of you want something?" Jonesy asked as Ezekiel and Wyatt raised their eyebrows, as he noticed that boy hadn't even prepared himself to have breakfast before the store opened.
Before any of them say anything…
"THE MALL WAS OPEEEEEN," The store manager shouted, which immediately the employees of the place, went to their positions, while Wyatt finished his cup of coffee, and Ezekiel clinched his fist while giving himself small slaps, to make himself ready.
"What?" Jonesy was the only person in the store who wasn't prepared…
"Jonesy… do you smell it?" Ezekiel said as he started to sniff around, which the boy had no idea what he was talking about, and even raised his armpit to check if he hadn't put the deodorant, "That smell, that kinda of smelly smell, the smelly smell that smells smelly…"
"What are…"
"Anchovies," The bookstore manager said, which appeared in surprise making Jonesy jump away.
"What?" Jonesy and Wyatt asked in unisson as they had no idea on what the manager just said, but immediately Ezekiel and the store manager insisted in one voice.
"ANCHOVIEEEEEES," Both screamed, as the waves of people finally reached the doors of the bookstore and immediately spread like water, but mostly importantly making 4 lines in one go.
"Alright everyone, in your positions, time to sell everything." The bookstore manager said as he went to organize everything as the crowd was each of them catching books and books around and even checking if there was anything else they could buy the books, while Ezekiel could see Jonesy being dragged by the store manager.
On the next second, Wyatt stared at Ezekiel as he had his eyes wide open.
"I can see why you told the joke about the anchovies 2 hours ago, for me it was just crazy stuff, but to see this place full like a bunch of fish it's overwhelming." Wyatt sweated cold as he could see the public approaching more and more and going straight to the cashiers to buy the said books. With the help of the security guards they were making sure the line of four would be organized and nothing would be too chaotic.
"Well I'm glad the story manager laughed hard when I explained about the joke of how a seafood restaurant got overwhelmed by a bunch of people who he called Anchovies," Ezekiel said as he himself could remember how the first episode of Spongebob was, and as much he would have loved to write about him, it was an abyss that he would never be able to bring the full potential of Nickelodeon, the same way of Disney Channel and Disney XD shows, or when it was Fox Kids on the time on the other world, those channels don't exist on this world, and sadly he was just one person and he would never be able to bring in reality…
"Don't be sad Ezekiel," And then a familiar voice commented which immediately made him snap from his thoughts, while Wyatt immediately felt from his chair.
"What the hell?" Wyatt commented as he almost felt a heart attack. "How did sh-"
"Hey Dawn, I'm so happy to see you again," Ezekiel said as he smiled at the former thoughts that he had before, he needed to launch away, by seeing the aura reader herself, with a duck lying over her shoulder, while both were holding a book for him to sign. "Does Howard want his book signed as well?"
"Nah, it's just for me," Dawn giggled, as the duck gave a scoff sound by even twitching on her shoulder. "Hey, I paid for those delicious meals that you had yesterday, I just wanted you to hold this book for a few minutes, it was a fair deal,"
Ezekiel saw Dawn pouting for the duck which clearly turned its head to her, and Ezekiel gladly took the book to sign.
(To Dawn, thank you so much for helping me, I needed someone I could trust with my deep secrets, and having someone as a good friend and confident of these secrets, I know that these books will be a good way for you to enjoy your day, have fun reading Adventure Time and Steven Universe. Whenever you want to talk to me, you can call my number, I know that the future has great things related to you, since you are this wonderful girl.
Wish me luck on season 2 of Total Drama.
From your good friend, Ezekiel. )
And on the corner there was a drawing of a chibi version of Dawn giving a hug to a familiar drawing of the Magical Tree of Nowhere. And a duck seeing everything. Steven Universe, Finn the Human, and Courage give a triple fist bump together.
"Here you go Dawn, also an advice, there is the final chapter of Adventure Time, and I recommend you to read it on Christmas," Ezekiel explained as the moonchild girl simply nodded her head. "Also if you need to get in touch, you have my cellphone number, so when the second season ends, call me for we hang out okay?"
"Sure, thank you Ezekiel… May Mother Nature help you on the movie themes of the second season." Dawn commented as she could already guess from reading by his auras, what would possibly be the theme of the challenges of the season 2, and since he wished to talk more with Dawn, he couldn't, since the next person would appear already to make the next book being signed.
"Hey girls, it's nice to see you again," Ezekiel commented as he saw both Sky and Jane appear not a few minutes longer after Dawn's departure, since it had been a very rushing day, he wouldn't be surprised to see the girls who helped him to have a dinner on the last night. "Got your books already?"
"Yeah, we were surprised to meet the duck and the girl who wanted the book, she was the first on the line," Sky explained as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Dawn, and you were right, Howard seems to be an interesting duck," Ezekiel explained as he remembered the interaction that he had with both the aura reader and the animal companion she had. And for everything that he could have passed on the days, he couldn't help but appreciate more the good friends he had been around. "So after today, you both are going to return to your home?"
"Probably, but depending on the day we are going to return tomorrow morning since it will be a long ride back home, and with all these people around, it would cause a big traffic probably," Jane explained as the boy seemed to nod from seeing the logic behind the decision.
"Well, if things get to be difficult for me to even have time to rest for the day, then I will let the time to invite you for coffee for another day, I'm sorry," Ezekiel said as he opened the book, so decided to give a dedication for the Cree sisters since both Jane and Sky bought 2 books for each other. "But hey, if you want to talk to me, or even if we manage to have time, we could hang out, and if I visit the neighborhood where you two live, you can give me a tour around there."
"Do you promise?"Sky asked as she gave her best to control herself from burping into the middle of the bookstore, which seeing him smile, made her release a slight burp while he used his finger to make an X on his chest.
"I royal promise," Ezekiel said as both girls tilted their heads. "If I don't accomplish this promise, the Gumball Guardians will put me in a trial of fire."
"What?" Both Jane and Sky looked confused, but instead of being annoyed, Ezekiel simply chuckled.
"Just read the Adventure Time few chapters and you will understand, however, advice. The final chapter of Adventure Time read on Christmas day, it's the best day to read the final chapter." Ezekiel said as he finally gave each girl their own dedicatory.
As he was doing a drawing both Finn and Jake were on the Olympics podium while a chibi version of Sky was receiving a golden medal while the duo was giving their iconic High Five, Courage was wearing his dodgeball uniform, and Steven and Connie were wearing a tennis uniform with racquets in their hands.
(To Sky, thank you for being this amazing girl, I know that our country will be in great hands at the time you participate in the Olympics, always go after your dreams, but most importantly, always remember that you have good friends and a good sister to always get your back. And most important, have fun around the journey of the path of your dreams, since you never know what kind of great stories you could bring in the future. I hope you like reading both these books in the same way I loved to write them.
From your good friend Ezekiel,)
And with that, Ezekiel gave to Sky, who simply smiled and gave a few steps away, for her big sister appear, and Ezekiel already starts drawing a chibi version of Jane crossing her arms while seeing Sky and Finn being competitive in a game which somehow managed to break a vase, and from her amused look, it was indeed what big sisters would do in that situation.
(To Jane, it was very nice to meet you and your little sister, you really are a lifesaver since I had no idea what I could eat, and I had so much fun enjoying the conversation and interaction with you both, thank you for your friendship, and I wish you everything great for your future. Have fun reading these books since I know that they could be as precious to me as the same way Courage the Cowardly Dog was.
From your good friend Ezekiel,)
"Well, I hope you girls enjoy your trip back home, and have a great time girls," Ezekiel said as he could see the duo smiling at him, and even had to walk on the other side to give a hug on the homeschooled boy who just smiled from giving his goodbyes to the other duo of girls…
And with now Sky, Jane, and Dawn out of the bookstore, it seems that there were still long lines of people who wanted to take a book signing from him. And the day just had started. And there were still too many books to sign.
"Wow, I never thought being a book writer would let you to meet a lot of babes," Then for surprise of Ezekiel he looked to see Jonesy crossing his arms as he couldn't help but show a bit of envy and yet awe from seeing a lot of babes over the lines.
"Aren't you supposed to be attending the clients?" Wyatt asked as he stopped playing the guitar for a while, and decided to focus on the keyboard, but even the preparation was enough to make him ask his friend who simply scoffed.
"I'm on a coffee break," Jonesy said as he was eating a muffin, which immediately made both raise their eyebrows.
"On the start of the session? It didn't even pass 30 minutes man," Ezekiel commented as the shouts of the other coworkers and even one dragging the man by the ear, immediately made him yapping in the middle of the work. Ezekiel while smiling and signing an autograph for one of the fans, and signing a picture of himself who somehow someone printed from the Forum of the show, or even a T-Shirt of the Killer Bass logo. The boy wearing the green jacket made by his friend Katie, couldn't help but comment loudly. "He is going to get fired today isn't he?"
"Yep," Wyatt said as he finally started to play one of the Steven Universe songs. "So I was thinking about this for Lapis Lazulli,"
And then the musician boy started to play which Ezekiel passed for a few seconds, while some of the fans were enjoying the background around, as the loud sounds of the talk were distracted by the boy playing the keyboard.
"It sounds nice, but try to make it a bit more dramatic," Ezekiel said as he decided to give a good point. "Try something like this, pam pam pam paaaaam, pam pam pam pam paamm, pam pam pam pam, pam pam pam PAM PAM pam pam…"
"Hmmm, something like this?" Wyatt nodded his head, as he could see that the boy was giving the right tones, and combining with the song he did, it indeed fit better with a dramatical tone which from the look of the writer, he seemed to be satisfied with the work.
"Perfect, keep playing and try to go from there, use your creativity, it's your first day and we can work a lot with it in the future," Ezekiel explained as he could see Wyatt trying to follow the pattern he gave and slowly he could recall little by little the songs of Steven Universe, but sadly he couldn't remember 60% sure how the background songs went from Steven Universe, just the most iconic ones, so that's why he needed to trust in the musicians on their best of abilities to do all the work. "Hello, do you want me to sign for you?"
It took a very long time to keep working, and he gave his trust to Wyatt, knowing that he was going to do his best, then he knew it was in good hands.
.
.
.
"Thank you so much for buying my books, do you want me to sign them?" Ezekiel commented as the woman in front of him who he could recognize was very familiar to him, a black woman with an afro, wearing a purple dress, and purple necklace, but one thing that made it look very familiar was the fact the woman was also wearing glasses.
"Oh, of course, it's for my little Cammy Bear," The woman explained as she gave three books to the homeschooled boy who raised his eyebrows. "He wanted to read the books for the person who also was homeschooled since I have been protecting him for everything outside of the world, and since we have a bubble in our house, he is always smart, so I thought for him read something to distract his mind would be a good idea."
On that momment the key words imediatelly made Ezekiel has his eyes wide open, and the pieces were placed together.
"Just for being sure, you want me to sign his name as Cammy Bear?" Ezekiel asked the final question, which the mother shook her head.
"Oh no, his name is Cameron," Then the woman said the name which immediately Ezekiel could recognize which person was. Small World, or small country as Ezekiel finally sees the mother who made one of the future winners of the Total Drama Island the way he was…
"Okay," Ezekiel said with a good smile, as he decided to give a good dedicatory for the Revenge of Island winner, "I hope he likes my books…"
Ezekiel decided to give something special to Cameron, as he drew Steven inside of his Bubble Shield, Finn kicked the ass of Magic Man, and Courage smiled while pressing the keys of one of his biggest allies but also one of his most despised naggers. The computer.
(To Cammeron… I was also a boy inside of the bubble, and to confess to you, getting out of my metaphorical bubble had been the best day of my life. Being at Total Drama Island was the place where I was completely out of my comfort zone, and I grew up not only with the strength to endure the outside world but also grew up and mature as a person, your mother loves you and protects you in the same way my parents did to me…
But there will be the day that we must get out of our bubbles and see that even over the dangers and pain outside of the world, there will always be a treasure that we can value in life and time… experience…
Be happy with your mom, and I hope someday we can meet so you tell me about your experience of getting out of the bubble.
For one homeschooled to another, I'm doing my best to make you proud, to represent that we are smart, even if we never had a chance to go at school. Stay awesome…
From your new friend… Ezekiel,)
And with that, he drew Finn raising the fist with the words 'MATHEMATICAL' as a way of his homage.
As he finished signing he smiled for the mother, and waved his goodbyes, while warning her to read the final chapter of Adventure Time on Christmas.
And who could be the next of the line? Nobody knows…
"Pfff, please tell me you are joking," Ezekiel commented as he stared at the bookworm looking at him with his arms crossed. "AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA,"
"Yeah yeah, laugh it up, but I got screwed by my sisters, and now I had to bring everyone here to take their books and signed for free in exchange for me doing work for you," Noah complained while it was very controversial and many complained about a bunch of people cutting in line, which would have caused a big fight if wasn't for the fact some of the people recognized it was Noah from the reality show Total Drama, and while it was about of him being caught, and even was forced to take a few pictures, the mockery coming from the line as well wasn't welcomed. "Anyway, you want something?"
"Well, since you are offering," Ezekiel commented as he went to his backpack near his foot and took a few bucks which would be enough… "I won't mind a good cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll, there are 2 places that sell that, so if you bring me a good and strong coffee I accept. Hey Wyatt, do you want to take a coffee break? And rest a bit your fingers?"
"I thought you never would ask," Wyatt commented as he had been playing songs for 2 hours, and while they had breakfast when they got in, he would never refuse a good coffee, "I also know where to find the coffee and the cinnamon roll, I can take him."
"Great, see you later boys," Ezekiel chuckled as he was signing each book dedicated for Noah's siblings, his only brother, while a group of girls being his sisters.
Where did he see a show like that before? It was a movie or a cartoon? He doesn't remember much, but still, he found it funny as Noah was looking annoyed at the fact that now he had to work to get the autographs. But still seeing the boy leaving while having a few mocking comments on how she was tricked by Heather, yeah, it was going to be a sore spot for him to be aware of the next season.
.
.
.
"JONESY WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?" The line seemed to never end, and still with Noah and Wyatt returning from the coffee store where he usually Wyatt drinks his coffee every day, the duo brought a few cups of coffee and a few pastries to help them keep working while dealing with all the problems across the book signing.
"I swear, this place was supposed to be calm and quiet which was focused into people buying books, how a person signing them would create such shouting and noise around?" Noah commented as he looked at the musician who preferred to not answer that question, specially that he saw the Manager shouting furiously for his friend who isn't seen for probably 2 hours.
"Well, the life of a celebrity, yesterday was very chaotic how the public was making circles of gathered people and it made even difficult to walk around the mall," Wyatt explained which the bookworm simply shrugged.
"It may be, so… how did you got dragged into this mess?" Noah commented as the duo kept walking in the direction of lines, and see Ezekiel working without stop, giving a slight comment, a joke, a smile and a wave while signing each book for each person who appeared.
"Well, I and my friends just found him hiding from the fans, and he got disguised and when I was just talking about playing music, he simply said that he was planning to do an audiobook and needed some songs in the background." Wyatt explained as the sarcastic boy nodded his head.
"Yeah, that sounds like him, when you spend a few hours with him, it feels that he wants to hire you and then when you just blink, you are hired by him and doing some work with him," Noah said as he could see a lot of people reading the books already, and as much he disliked working a lot, he couldn't help but also feel pride. "I helped him to edit a lot of the chapters and his books. We had a lot of free time, and to see this work being read by many people just like that, it had been mind-blowing."
"Huh, that's true," Wyatt commented as the duo appeared until they saw something that immediately made them freeze and step back… A child of 3 years old, simply gave a spin of 180 degrees, and smiled at them. "What the…"
"Fuck?" Noah said, as they literally walked away from the girl on the line and went directly at Ezekiel with his coffee.
"Thanks guys, I hope it doesn't have been much problem, how was things outside?" Ezekiel asked which he then saw both boys sweating from something, and the boy tilted his head.
"Outside is fine, slower in comparison than things happening on here, we just saw the spawn of Satan approaching the book signing, or the daughter of the girl of the exorcist," Noah explained as he should have expected that after getting out from the show Total Drama and watching every single episode even the Pay-Per-View, he should have been used to seeing bizarre things. But not that bizarre.
"Really?" Ezekiel titled his head, as he didn't recall who supposed to be. "Well, never mind, I signed the books Noah, and your sisters decided to pass the whole day around the Mall while saying that you should be staying here because you love books so much and you were the one who said who would help me."
"Ugh… why I still am living in my mom's house again?" Noah asked as he felt frustrated, but Ezekiel simply rolled his eyes.
"Because you don't have the capability to live independently yet, because you need to have a full income and how to learn how to make taxes, so you would need to hire an accountant and a lawyer and then find a good stable house while you still have to work in a stable life and yada yada, and we don't have time for that because in 3 days we are going to be on the Season 2 of Total Drama," Ezekiel explained point by point as he could see the annoyed bookworm from now being dragged to the hell once again, by nobody other than his friend.
"Okay, you made a point, do you need help with something?" Noah rolled his eyes, as he took a chair to sit.
"Yeah, if you want to add something on the dedicatory you are allowed to do it, writing an autograph if they show a T-shirt, or something related to the show, and sign some books as well..." Ezekiel explained as he could see his friend raising his eyebrows at him. "You are also my co-editor, who helped me to edit those books, but please, remember that these books are for children, so if you have a sarcastic comment that would infuriate or upset the kids, please avoid writing."
"So… thank for you buying the book then?" Noah said as he couldn't come up with compliments towards the group of people who would be crazy to cross the entire Canada just for having their books signed.
"Yes." And Ezekiel knowing the sassy of his friend said with a smirk which immediately made Noah scoff but also having one of the pens to start signing as a co-editor of the book. He just signed and gave his autograph after Ezekiel finishing to write the dedicatory and signature for the person.
If you're evil and you're on the rise
You can count on the four of us taking you down
'Cause we're good and evil never beats us
We'll win the fight and then go out for pizzas
We are the Crystal Gems
We'll always save the day!
And if you think we can't
We'll always find a way!
That's why the people of this world believe in
Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl and Steven!
If you could only know, what we really are
When we arrived on Earth, from out beyond your star
We were amazed to find, your beauty and your worth
And we will protect your kind, and we will protect your Earth
And we will protect your Earth
And we will protect you!
I will fight for the place where I'm free
To live together and exist as me
I will fight in the name of Rose Quartz
And everything that she believed in
I will fight for the world I was made in
The Earth is everything I've ever known
I will fight to be everything that everybody wants me to be when I'm grown
The odds are against us, it won't be easy
But we're not going to do it alone
We are the Crystal Gems
We'll always save the day!
And if you think we can't
We'll always find a way
That's why the people of this world believe in
Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl and Steven!
As the time Wyatt finally playing the guitar and singing the song, it even made the people around nearby the line doing the book signing applaud as they have not much information about the book, but the song itself was clearly catchy and was making interesting for them to read even more the book.
"Gotta say, the boy's got talent," Noah commented as Ezekiel nodded his head, as the more they signed, the more Noah felt himself wanting to give a few steps away. It had been a whole hour doing the book signing with his help, and he was already feeling his hand cramp. "I'm with my hand tired, I'm going to take something to eat."
"Can you grab me something too? Maybe a few French Fries or a Taco?" Ezekiel asked and his friend nodded his head at him. "Thanks, Noah,"
As the bookworm left the area, Ezekiel just saw one familiar face approaching.
"Oh hey, Caitlin how are y- oof." Ezekiel was about to greet his friend when suddenly she gave a good hug to him.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you for giving the tip, I never thought I would enjoy so much into going to buy clothing and enjoy the mall in the same way as before, it was really fun to buy clothes. Also, I'm here to buy the book and I also want you to sign to me." Caitlin commented that she was happy to see her new friend who helped her. "And it was very hard to be on the line, I work here and I had to wait for cut in the line by selling lemonade around here."
"Well, it had been a crazy morning, I have been sitting here for hours, and from the line there are still a lot of people on the line," Ezekiel said as he gave a good signing and even placed his new cellphone number to his friend to send a text whenever she needed him or when he was available to visit his friends at the mall again. "Also while you are here, did you see where is Jonesy? The manager is getting furious since he didn't appear in the store while he was doing his coffee break."
"No, I didn't see him… actually I didn't even see Jude today as well," Caitlin commented as she got the books and once again hugged her friend and managed to walk pass and be behind his back. "I'm going to call Jude to see if he had seen Jonesy, maybe they are together."
"If that's the case, tell Jonesy the manager is on the verge of…"
"THAT'S IT, AT THE TIME I SEE THAT LAZY BOY AGAIN HE IS FIRED." The manager furiously commented as he didn't see a signal of their friend, and from leaving a few hours of the work, specially in a busy day like that, the trio watched that scene, and sighed together.
"Too late," Wyatt commented as he stopped playing a song that Caitlin was now dialing the flip phone.
"Hey Jude, how are you?" Caitlin called happily as she even tried to not flinch from hearing that her friend just got fired from another job, "Oh great, I'm glad that you are fine, did you happen to see Jonesy? It's because the manager really got angry this time and seems that he fired Jonesy without him being here…"
Ezekiel and Wyatt had to continue their work as they needed to deal with more and more fans of the work, and since the show didn't stop, neither should they. But at the time they were about to continue, Caitlin immediately got a reaction that they didn't expect.
"WHAT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DIDN'T COME TO WORK TODAY?" Caitlin said loudly as both the musician and the book writer had their eyes wide open in surprise just to stare at Caitlin.
"I'm in a mission dudette," Jude said as he was with a backpack on his back, and walking down the street by skateboard. Passing towards the public and ignoring the cars which passed on him. "Courtney paid up for those sticks and I will give her the sticks as change for what she paid up."
"But Jude, you don't know where she lives." Caitlin's voice coming from the flip phone which Jude simply shook his head as if there was a person seeing him in front of him.
"You are wrong, I know that Courtney talked with her friends that she moved to Ottawa, so that's where I'm heading right now. And in case I get tired I could take a subway there, also tell Zeke, dude, thanks for the money, I'm using them to go to find her." Jude commented as he was determined to find his friend and give her the change that she paid for.
"But what about your job? Aren't you going to be in trouble if your boss find out?" Caitlin asked as Jude simply was passing the streets and even giving a few tricks around.
"I called a sick day, left a note that I got a terrible case of diarrhea and a medical diagnostic from a doctor who was my neighborhood, also I gave a replacement to take my place." Jude said as he was passing towards the street.
"You mean the mop with a bucket on the top?" Caitlin asked as Jude hummed in agreement.
"Yeah, it helped me when I needed to get out for a service," Jude commented as he avoided the traffic even as the horns of the cars almost hit him, which he simply was chill from the dangers happening around. "I will keep in touch in case I get across the city,"
"Hey Jude, do you want me to call Courtney to ask her where she lives? I think that would help you in case you have to look around the entire city for her." Ezekiel's voice was loud and clear, and the skateboard blonde boy simply smiled in appreciation.
"That would be cool dude," Jude said as he almost got himself caught by a car. "Ops, sorry dude, anyway, call you guys later."
"I can't believe Jude just decided to cross the cities of Canada just to find Courtney," Wyatt commented as he was drinking coffee, to which Ezekiel simply shrugged.
"Well, it's a childhood friend, and I never thought he would have such a drive to do that as well, I will call for her right now. And make sure to send a message for him." Ezekiel commented as he took his flip phone and decided to call for either Courtney or Duncan since knowing his friends, they would be together or at least know where each one lives since they are in a relationship. Or in the worst-case scenario, he would call his Ma, she had the address of all the moms of the Killer Bass members and since they all enjoyed chilling out and having fun together, she would have their residential numbers to make sure they knew where they live.
"Hey guys, how are you? Did you see Jude?" And then the trio just saw Jonesy appearing with what would be a popcorn bucket on his head.
"…" The trio remained quiet, as Jonesy took the said popcorn from his head, and still had a few butter drops around his face and hair.
"I tried to find him around, but he wasn't on the arcades and neither on the Gigantoplex," The tan boy commented as he could see the group staring at him in silence. "What's wrong?"
"You're fired…" The trio said in unisson which imediatelly made the boy look at them in disbelief.
"What?" Jonesy asked in surprise and disbelief, but then he felt his ear being pulled. "Ouch ouch ouch…"
"THERE YOU ARE… DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA ON HOW MUCH WE WERE LOOKING FOR YOU? COME AT MY OFFICE NOW…" The manager of the bookstore shouted as Jonesy was dragged as to his now his doomed future of being jobless again.
"…" The group remained quiet, as even the fans of the book writer had to see the boy being dragged and fired from the office, which Ezekiel couldn't help but just shrug.
"Hello, whose name do you want me to dedicate this book to?" Ezekiel asked as he then saw a woman who seemed to be a well grown up woman who seemed to be dressed as waitress, but having a very rural background which remind of himself and his family.
"Ah, well, my two kids, Albie and Scotsy, my two possum kids," The woman said as she sounded very tired from her exhaustive work, which made the boy blink in surprise. Especially the woman who simply yawned loudly which made him look at her in concern, "Sorry, hey… It's because I drove my kids from Alberta to here, and I was working at the truck stop before traveling here. I didn't sleep well until I got on the line."
"Oh," Ezekiel asked as he looked at the woman who seemed to still be wearing the waitress apron, even as he was surprised to see someone from far away in a rural area. Since it was a long trip, he had to admit to never explored further the country since the last time he took the train… Both his ma and pa had an orange farm in Leamington in the Southern area of Ontario. It was a long trip for the woman to travel with her family… "Let me sign for… wait, what happened with this book?"
Ezekiel just had opened it, but he realized that book was actually with pages missing and even had the cover damaged.
"Ah, it's because that was the only book I managed to take it when it was in the stores in Alberta, someone messed up and made a huge discount, since it was the only thing I could afford for my girl Alberta." The woman said with a blush on her face, which Ezekiel had to stare at the book…
"That's not right," Ezekiel said as he could see the woman about to say something, probably thinking he was going to humiliate her since she didn't have the condition of buying a book. But then she just saw Ezekiel taking something from his pocket. And there was a small pile of books on the table where he was displaying on the table. And with the books, Ezekiel picked 2 of each pile. "Hey Wyatt? Can you do me a favor? Take this money and go in the line to pay for 6 books for me? Just make sure the books were signed and it's on me."
The woman blinked in surprise, seeing the boy already signing for the book he worked so much. And taking a look on the old damaged book, he never wanted someone to have paid such terrible conditions and it felt incomplete if someone never took the whole time to read the books.
"I will take this, and from seeing you traveling all the way here doesn't seem fair. My Ma and Pa would be very disappointed in me if I didn't help a Ma who wanted to have good books for her kids." Ezekiel said as he smiled, not seeing how emotional the woman was feeling at the moment. "For Albie, I hope you like this gift your mother wanted so much for both of you, have fun reading the stories of both Finn and Jake, Steven Universe, and Courage the Cowardly Dog, as a farmboy, the imagination is limitless, so I hope you like these books to help you to have a great time reading on the farm. Signed. Ezekiel,"
Ezekiel even had to drew Courage, Finn and Jake waving from the book, as he went towards the next book.
"For Scotty, I hope you like this gift your mother wanted so much for both of you, have fun reading the stories of Finn, Jake, Steve Universe, and Courage, since living on the farm could lead to our own adventures, it's never late to have fun and enjoy the time with family. Have fun and please enjoy those works, Signed, Ezekiel." As the boy finished, he signed each book and even gave his own autograph, now seeing the mother even sniffing in gratitude, and by having his friend Wyatt walking out the line with a thumbs up, the green jacket boy knew he did good, by giving 6 books for the kids the woman needed.
He knew he was making both his parents proud, and books were always good to help people to keep reading more. Since the internet wasn't as strong as it was in the next decade, maybe it was his time to enjoy all the time he could be doing to write and make people happy.
"I will be dammed, if is not the healthiest couple of the entire Total Drama Universe, Enui and Crimson, the goths… Wow," Ezekiel thought as he looked surprised to see a few years younger duo, who seemed to be the next on the line… Even though they weren't dressed in their iconic clothing, it was very similar since their makeup gave a huge hint… But what he didn't expect was..."You even dressed yourself as Shirley? That looks… very dark…"
Both Ennui and Crimson nodded in acknowledgment, which Ezekiel felt sucked since he would have said he loved it and it looks amazing, however describing feelings to goths? Yeah, it's really difficult, maybe he should have asked Gwen what would be the best words to make the goths… happy, which is difficult.
Then he heard a hiss from their direction, and to his surprise, there was even a rat as a pet.
"Wow, you even got a rat? That sounds… very dark and depressing," Ezekiel commented as he tried to focus on the right words to say since it was related to one of his favorite episodes, and he could see both goths actually having a twitch on their faces, almost looking like a smirk. "Well, you got the feelings of the chapter right, can you tell me which chapters were your favorites?"
"The Demon in the Mattress, the Tower of Doctor Zalost, King Ramses Curse, and the Curse of Shirley…" The duo said in unison which their favorites were, as Ezekiel knew that they didn't buy another book from the bookstore, they just bought their own book from Courage the Cowardly Dog. Ezekiel could understand why, Steven Universe isn't for their tastes or Adventure Time didn't go to the part of the lore that would make them interested in reading yet. It would be in the next book or after that, he would introduce the Lich and then things would get dark from that perspective. But still, Ezekiel decided to be happy to see the best couple enjoying one of his best works, and he was right into making it really traumatizing and wholesome since even the goths liked reading it.
"Alright, let me add a dedicatory for both of you." Ezekiel gave a small drawing of each of the chibi goths staring at Courage as he was screaming in panic, while Shirley was playing her saxophone, making the chibi goths a demonic summon to scare the poor pink beagle. "Names?"
"Enui, Crimson," The couple said as Ezekiel couldn't call them couple yet, since probably they weren't the same couple who appeared in Ridonculous race, it was years in the past, so he didn't want to mess up with what was the best of each person.
(For Enui and Crimson, may the darkness of fear and traumas be enough to envelope inside of your hearts and make shown this terrible world needs to be ready to learn about their deepest fears, since all the kindness may be shown after dealing with the terrifying monsters that would try to consume you and destroys from the inside, and that all the depression cannon balls could hit all your enemies and may the curse created by the saxophone of Shirley would be the one for lead the cruelest and funniest of the curses on people you despise. And may they be too ignorant to never return the slab, and King Ramses himself appears to let them suffer the Egypt curses.
From Ezekiel, creator of Courage the Cowardly Dog,)
Of course, Ezekiel wrote their names in each separate book, but it was enough to see their eyes sparkling, from how he wrote their deepest feelings.
"Thank you…" And that was a word that clearly surprised Ezekiel, from seeing both Goths nodding their heads in appreciation and immediately leaving the bookstore.
"Huh… what a great couple, I hope they still become the amazing duo like from Rindonculous Race, I would like to see Loki and that Rat working together, it would leave the Ice Dancers panicking" Ezekiel chuckled as he continued to sign the others books.
.
.
.
"Jen, nice to see you here," Ezekiel commented as he was massaging his own hand.
"Well, Coach Halder said I would get an extra lunch break if I get your book signing on all the books, and I also started reading on the line, and I gotta say that I never thought I would love reading Steven Universe," Jen commented as she saw Caitlin offering lemonade for Ezekiel, and Noah was also helping him to do the signatures and organizing the piles of books for them to keep signing. "So he is Noah the first eliminated of the Total Drama?"
"No, I'm Ron of the Maple Leafs, just got from another game which immediately made a lot of people scream curses on my name," Noah commented as he then saw the group even booing him from far away, and the bookworm showed the middle finger for them.
"He looks a very lovable person," Jen said as she crossed her arms to her friend Ezekiel.
"He is just like this because his siblings tricked him to work for me in exchange signing their books, and now he had been complaining almost all day long," Ezekiel commented as he could see his friend showing the middle finger for him. "If you want to take a coffee break then you can go… but…"
"Bring a coffee for you as well, I know, I know." Noah said as he didn't think twice as the group had been working 5 hours straight, it had been exhausting to everyone.
Adventure Time,
Come on, grab your friends
We'll go to very distant lands
With Jake the Dog and Finn the Human
The fun will never end, it's Adventure Time.
Jen saw Wyatt finishing another song, as he was feeling deeply exhausted as well, thankfully Caitlin came to his rescue and brought a lemonade from the Big Squeeze, since Ezekiel suggested to Caitlin since she was going to pass time inside the store, she could bring a few jars and could offer lemonade as a service for the day and make people pay up for the lemonade as well.
"I can't feel my voice or my fingers," Wyatt said as he had been playing for hours, and Ezekiel nodded his head.
"It's hard work, but that's the way things will go," The boy commented as he forgot how many books he had signed for the whole day, and he felt his entire hand burning in pain, but that wasn't going to make him stop. As he himself wrote the dedicatory for Jen and for Coach Halder, he knew that they would love the books. "An advice, read the final chapter of Adventure Time on Christmas, I suggest you tell your boss about that too."
"Will do, keep doing the good work guys, you just need to do it for more than 5 hours," Jen commented as the group looked on the big line, and couldn't help but groan from how crazy the event had been going.
Wyatt went to his coffee break, leaving once again the lines that didn't seem to ever come to an end, but still more and more Ezekiel and Noah were working together to make the book signed, or in case Noah had to keep watching his siblings who were once again on the bookstore looking for other books for them to buy...
"There she is," Noah commented as he pointed to a bunch of parents who seemed to be looking a bit exhausted, on their hands, there was something that would be described as a creepy girl, but something oddly familiar appeared to a boy like Ezekiel, the color pallet and also the creepy smile that made it looks like way familiar to him.
"Huh," Ezekiel commented as he saw the duo of parents approaching with what would be a scary child itself, "Hello, thank you for buying my book…"
"Actually we are the ones who should be thanking you…" The father was the person who clearly had a tired smile on his face. "Our daughter had been always very eccentric when it came to her bedroom,"
"Let me guess, creepy dolls and all kinds of pent-OUCH," Noah was about to retort when Ezekiel simply stomped his foot, which made his editor stare angrily at him.
"Yes, and she always had the like of seeing pain and suffering of the horror movies, and she always wanted me to read horror books for her to sleep," The father coughed as he looked a bit ashamed and yet palled into seeing his little girl smiling creepily at Noah, but the father also had to give a warm smile. "But since you wrote Courage the Cowardly Dog, it had been her favorite book to sleep, and all the stories she loved it so far. Isn't that right Lauren?"
The girl giggled as she was very happy to see the author of her book, which imediatelly Ezekiel recognized who that person was.
"Really?" Ezekiel commented in surprise, as he then noticed the girl being very creepy he immediately recalled only one person who would be this kind of scary, and yet the father gave the name of the said girl, the A.K.A. Scary Girl known as to be one of the favorites of Total Drama Reboot, Lauren, which from the way she acted, it was indeed not a surprise to see her being always like this even at the childhood. Which also clicked one thing. "Well, that's funny because I remember I had a fan named Lauren who wrote a fan letter of Total Drama Island and probably wrote it in red crayon."
"Yep, that's me… hehehehe, seeing people in pain is so fun," The little girl giggled as imediatelly Noah looked at Ezekiel as if he just saw a demon nearby them.
"Oh, I bet it is," Ezekiel commented as he took the Courage the Cowardly Book brought by the parents, who seemed to just want his autograph. "Well, if you want in a few weeks or possible months, I'm doing a whole audiobook of Courage the Cowardly Dog, which will have his iconic screams, a good soundtrack to follow the story, and even times when Courage gets so hurt, that he just laughs before getting knocked out."
And just by saying those words, he could see the eyes of Lauren sparkling, and even seeing the relief of the father who seemed to be happy to see a person so understanding over the child he had in hands.
"Really? Do they get hurt a lot?" Lauren asked, as Ezekiel simply shrugged.
"Well, Courage always screams of terror and fear, but there will always be the funniest parts when he just laughs before going to sleep," Ezekiel commented as he even started to draw a few things on the book of the girl. "I'm glad that you are sleeping very well, can you tell me your favorite monster?"
"Demon on the Mattress, demon on the mattress," Lauren giggled as a girl who just got candy, which Ezekiel couldn't help but chuckle as well.
"Yeah, some of my favorite scenes are over there as well," Ezekiel commented as he always laughed when the possessed Muriel clearly gave a scare in Courage by showing a set of tea and also made Eustace humiliated in so many ways it was hilarious.
"Well at least she stopped focusing on killing the animals, but now she found a lot of fun in taking out all their fur like her uncle, OUCH." The father decided to also show a good point on how the books made Lauren make drastic changes in a good way, but just to quote the uncle immediately the wife stomped his foot. "What did I do?"
"Don't talk badly of my brother just because he is a barber." Lauren's mother said as she crossed her arms angrily at him, which immediately made him scoff and defend himself.
"Oh come on, he is like Freaky Fred, and Lauren could have him as an influence and traumatize the others by taking out the hair, also your brother isn't a saint. OUCH." The father said which immediately the mother used the purse to beat her husband. Which Lauren was giggling madly.
"Go Mommy, make him feel pain." Lauren as the toddler she was, she was clapping happily to see how much joy she was having.
Ezekiel simply chuckled, while Noah looked at him as if he were some kind of maniac.
"Ah, kids these days," Ezekiel commented as he simply dismissed the child, while Noah looked at him as he lost his mind.
(For Lauren, I hope this book will bring the joys of having fun but also learn more about Courage but also more about yourself, have fun seeing Eustace getting his Karma, Muriel being kind, and Courage defending his family but not without dealing with all his screams and pain he must take to save them. Because his biggest weapon is his own scream, and screaming in fear and pain is fine, as long you never damage them permanently, since Courage is immortal, humans don't have the same luck, so I hope you learn the joys of feeling and knowing pain and fear, but also learn about Kindness and desire to protect people who are important for you.
Ezekiel, creator of Courage of the Cowardly Dog.)
And on that book, Ezekiel drew a chibi Lauren smiling at Courage who was screaming in fear at her, but on the next second she was hugging him with a good smile while his face was suffocating in pain, and then she was giggling when Courage got out of a hole from somehow he fell from the sky, and he with his face out of the hole was laughing completely in pain.
And by giving back the book, Ezekiel waved at them as Noah looked at Ezekiel as if he was crazy. And Ezekiel simply looked at his friend.
"What?" Ezekiel asked as he could see the bookworm staring at him in disbelief.
"What was that?" Noah said as he simply think that book writer just lost his mind. "That girl is clearly an horror monster material and you simply dismissed her like she was just a happy kid?"
"That's because she is?" Ezekiel commented that he could see his friend having a migraine. "Noah, let's be honest, I suffered a lot when it comes to the challenges of Total Drama, and we meet all the kinds of people on the show, seeing a girl who practically had psychopath tendencies to show that she just wanted to become more like Freaky Fred instead of an actual assassin? I think I made a progress that saved the humanity."
"How can you be sure?" Noah said as he raised his eyebrows… Which Ezekiel simply chuckled.
"Just a hunch…" The boy smiled, as he never thought he could actually manage to meet the girl Lauren at that young age, and her being able to write words in crayons and send a fan letter to him? That girl doesn't seem to be more than 2 years old, and yet she sent him a fan letter? It probably would be far scarier if he didn't know about how she was from the reboot, and seeing that he could have a positive influence on her? That was a personal victory that only he knew about it.
"Yes…" Ezekiel could imagine the inner Courage cheering for his inner victory as he smiled for the next person who wanted the book signed.
"That girl was terrifying." The father commented as he was next on the line, while his little boy was simply taking a look at the cover of the new books his father was buying for him. "Oh hello,"
"Hello, thank you for buying my book, do you want me to sign them?" Ezekiel commented as the father simply laughed.
"Of course, haha," The father commented as he gave a laugh as the boy was looking more focused on the books. "His name is Dwayne Junior, and I bought the first one thinking it was a very cool book for him, hahaha… err… if you don't mind my question…"
"No, the new books aren't about terror like Courage the Cowardly Dog," Ezekiel commented which the man himself sighed in relief.
"Phew, well it's because some of the chapters of the book clearly scared too much for my dear little boy," The man commented which he just saw the writer simply raised his eyebrows at him.
"Hey, kiddo, which story made your big dad cry all night?" Ezekiel smirked as the boy who was still looking at the cover didn't even see the reaction of his dad.
"The Great Fusilli, Evil Weevil, Car Broke Phone Yes," Junior simply replied as Ezekiel nodded his head in agreement. "Hey, can you tell me if Weremoles are real? They were so awesome."
"I'm glad that you liked it kiddo," Ezekiel smiled as he simply took the 2 books Junior offered to him. And then he looked at the father. "I think you will like more this one, Steven Universe, it doesn't have scary moments, but it is more about a little kid growing up in a society with his family, in which his father had very touching and amazing moments together with his son, you will like it a lot."
"Okay, hehehe, thanks…" The father laughed sheepishly as Ezekiel gave a good signature and dedication to a person named Dwayne Senior since the son is named Junior.
"Also, Junior right?" Ezekiel asked with a smirk which brought the attention of the boy. "The next volume of Courage the Cowardly Dog will have a lot of more scary encounters with villains and possibly a lot of new chapters that would terrify many people. Also, an audiobook will be produced and published in a few weeks or months, so better prepare yourself."
"Really?" Junior said with his eyes sparkling with interest. "And what about this book here?"
Ezekiel smirked even further when he saw the book of Adventure Time.
"Kid, I'm going to tell you the small plot that only a few will know…" Ezekiel said as he winked at the boy… "As much that this world looks colorful and happy with candies and kingdoms… All of this world is actually a post-apocalyptic world."
"No way," Junior said as Ezekiel gave an autograph and a few drawings of something to take interest of the boy… Finn holding the iconic family's sword, and the skull of Lich, glaring at everything. "Oh, that's so cool."
"Well, I hope you two enjoy a good time together reading those books," Ezekiel smiled as he waved at the duo. He made sure to know that both father and son would still be a great duo together in the future.
"Heh, Father and Son, Dwayne and Junior, after appearing the goths, this day is getting better and better," Ezekiel commented as he could see Noah bringing a pizza for the duo to eat while they continued signing the books.
"Did I miss anything?" Noah asked as Wyatt came while he was ready to finish the rest of the day singing for the audience, as he passed the whole day working, and enjoying the good time meeting the people around the lines.
"Just a father and son…" Ezekiel smiled as he remembered the dedicatory he created for each of them.
("To Dwayne Senior, I'm glad to see a parent like you happy to pass a good time with your son, so I hope these books will help you to enjoy the small things like passing the time reading with him, and even as much you are not perfect, just doing your best is clearly something that he will appreciate, even as time will show that he is growing up, enjoying the small things with him will make him value the good times with you.
Have fun learning about what Greg Universe taught his son, and how much he is important on his life.
From Ezekiel, writer of Steven Universe and Courage the Cowardly Dog.)
("To Junior, I hope you have a great time reading these books, to have fun learning about the crazy adventures that you are about to even imagine, and just in case you want to do something while you are bored, watch the new season of Total Drama, me and my friends will be trying to win 1 million dollars while we are going to be doing all the crazy things just for the sake of entertainment, to make things funnier, go watch with your dad and see his reaction when there will be a lot of weird challenges, it's hilarious to see our parents freaking out when we do crazy stuff.
I hope Adventure Time and Steven Universe will make you have fun into using your imagination, but also having so many cool moments into living life.
From your friend, Ezekiel.)
The late afternoon sun filtered through the large glass windows of the mall, casting a warm, golden glow over the food court. Caitlin stood behind the counter of her lemonade stand, wiping down the blender that had worked overtime all day. She couldn't help but smile to herself, the scent of fresh lemons still lingering in the air as she thought about how well her sales had gone. Thanks to Ezekiel's suggestion, she had managed to sell enough lemonade to take not just the rest of the day off, but possibly even the entire next day.
Across from her, Jen was sitting at one of the tables, lazily picking at a carton of french fries while flipping through a Steven Universe book she had picked up from one of the stands. She was relaxed, letting the sounds of the busy mall wash over her like white noise, the day's worries melting away.
Nikki, meanwhile, was thoroughly enjoying the sight of Jonesy, who sat with his face firmly planted against the table, his muffled voice radiating frustration.
"Three times," Jonesy groaned, his voice thick with defeat. "I was fired three times from Booktropolis. I can't believe it. The manager fired me for the second time, just to hire me again—only to fire me in the next minute."
Nikki, smirking, barely looked up from her phone as she rolled her eyes at him. "Well, ironically, you got fired for the exact same reason you were fired the first time—you weren't there when they needed you most," she said, her tone flat but teasing. She leaned back in her chair, watching Jonesy with a kind of detached amusement. She loved watching him suffer from his own actions, especially when it was this predictable.
Jen glanced up from her book, briefly raising an eyebrow before diving back into the colorful pages of Steven Universe. She didn't need to comment; the whole situation was too typical of Jonesy to waste the effort.
"Okay I don't know why, but this Lion came from nowhere and had a pink fur, Ezekiel must have a reason for placing him on the chapter. He looks very suspicious," Jen commented as Caitlin giggled after finishing cleaning up the blender.
"Well I think it belongs to Steven," Caitlin commented as she saw her friend raising her eyebrows at her. "I love the concept that even the sweet boy Steven is, he is not afraid to be using pink color powers like his mom, it's so cute."
"Are you two still going to keep talking about the book?" At that moment, the group just saw one of the members of the group finally there, Wyatt who was now very exhausted and strangely his voice was hoarse, which made the group stare at him in surprise. The musician just managed to bring all the instruments he spent most part of the day playing. "It was crazy, playing for hours and hours, never thought I would feel both my fingers cramped and my voice like this."
"Wow, and how it was with Mr. Celebrity himself?" Nikki asked, as Wyatt just passed a few seconds resting his head on the table.
"If being famous is like this, then you must have a lot of patience and energy to keep doing this for a whole day. I'm just happy that now I'm going just compose songs for an audiobook project that he was making, and even play the songs and lyrics that he placed on the book, it will help me a lot..." Wyatt commented as the group saw the boy feeling clearly tired for the whole day. "Also, after working today, I'm just glad that this is just today, and it was awesome to see how many people really liked reading his book, and he was great at giving a good talk and autographing every single one of the names."
"Yeah, I was there. I had fun selling lemonade all day long on there." Caitlin commented as she was telling the truth, and seeing their friends working the whole day, and even meeting another famous member of the cast of Total Drama, made her have a lot of fun.
"I don't know how Ezekiel did that for the whole period, he had been sitting on that chair for 8 hours straight and didn't even get out to go to the bathroom, but after the last client of the line, I can't believe we managed to sell all the books," Wyatt commented as he never thought he would be so relieved to see his entire work being over.
"Wait what? What do you mean? There were 15 thousand books, and from the lines, it clearly didn't appear more than a thousand. How did they sell the remaining books?" Jonesy asked in disbelief as he could see his friend still feeling exhausted.
"From the manager telling us, 20 guys were from wholesale stores, and they wanted hundreds of books for they sell on their region… They needed people to place the books in the box, and that was the reason why you got fired Jonesy." Wyatt said as he found Caitlin looking at him sheepishly and with a lemonade in her hands.
"You need to drink more liquids, Wyatt, you cannot force your voice like that," Caitlin commented as the group just saw Jonesy slamming his face on the table. Which the group simply ignored and continued the conversation. "Did Ezekiel send a message to Jude where Courtney lives?"
"Yeah he did," Wyatt nodded his head, as the group couldn't understand why Jude decided to keep insisting on paying the change for his friend, since he could have waited another day to give her the change.
"Well, at least the day was very nice," Jen commented as she closed the book, and was ready to call for the day. "So anyone wants to go to Gigantoplex to watch a movie before we leave? I'm curious about the new movie that got out recently."
And with that the group simply shrugged and decided to continue their lives happily as the same way as it was before.
"I can't believe that it's finally over," Noah said as he felt that nightmare finally ending, he felt his arms tired, and a big headache on his head. "I have no idea how you managed to do that, especially holding yourself for 8 years to not taking a bathroom break,"
flush sound*
"Noah, let me tell you something, at the time Owen used the bathroom in case of diarrhea, me and the others had to hold ourselves for 12 hours or go at the bushes," Ezekiel explained how the situation got to be extreme on the show. "If you had to deal with Owen going first, you need to train everything in your body, as much that it's painful and you needed to hold together."
"Ugh, why are we even talking about this?" Noah said as he clearly didn't want to have that kind of conversation.
"I don't know, but I never felt my hands in so much pain, giving autographs and signing books had been really a long day for me," Ezekiel explained as he felt that he would need to place an ice pack on his hands. "Next time I'm going to be doing that it will not be early."
"At least you have common sense," Noah said as both were washing their hands, as it was a way to enjoy their afternoon before going home. "So what are you going to be doing?"
"I'm going to take a taxi cab to take me to Bridgette's house, from there I will check if my Pa will take me back home with all the things I bought from here." Ezekiel simply shrugged as the bookworm gave a small look on the jacket.
"Including this jacket?" Noah pointed as he then saw the writer simply shake his head.
"Nah, this one was made by Katie, she worked so much to work for this jacket," Ezekiel smiled as he could see his friend narrowing his eyes. "It's from Ben 10 design."
"Strange, I didn't read of something wearing green lik-" Noah was commenting until he paused, as he could see the smile coming from Ezekiel. "A sequel of the book you didn't even start?"
"Yep, in a few days when we get on season 2, I can start writing more about the chapters of Ben 10, and also do another whole volume for Courage the Cowardly Dog," Ezekiel commented as he could see the annoyed look on his friend's eyes.
"Ugh, a lot of work for us to do, while we have to try to survive the challenges around the show?" Noah commented as the duo kept walking outside of the bathrooms from the mall, and he looked at his friend and boss in disbelief. "And what about Adventure Time and Steven Universe? You just gave 2 bombshells on those 2."
"Yeah, but since one of them is a cliffhanger, I decided to let them sink even more time, and give some rest for myself, Adventure Time as well, I could enjoy a bit of time to write some ideas, but to write the chapters, nah, I want to focus into more of one shot… like a new idea that I have in mind. A short oneshot but it will make a lot of impact." Ezekiel commented as he looked at his friend who had with inquiring look on his face. "The name is… Over the Garden Wall,"
"And is it about?" Noah said as he looked intrigued and curious about what his friend was about to make, but from seeing him smirking at him, he already hated what he was going to say.
"Well, you will have to wait." Yep, Noah hated it when Ezekiel said that. "I will be contacting my lawyer tomorrow and give a whole contract to Wyatt for him to start developing a few songs, as I also gave a lot of ideas audio tapes while we were at the Playa Del Losers, I'm so glad that we were allowed to send mail around, I know that while I will be on the game, Wyatt will be doing an amazing job."
"So you are really going to be doing the audiobook? I thought it was more focused on playing a prank on Chris…" Noah commented as both smirked from imagining how Chris is probably traumatized to this day… But nothing they couldn't handle or care about the host. "Well, at least it shows that you are getting more money with the fame,"
"Yep… that's very true my friend… and think about it. I can feel this season will be our season," Ezekiel smiled as he placed his arm across his shoulder. "The focus on this season is to make us have a lot of fun and help us to solidify our fame into doing well establishment business for our future."
"Please don't tell me that you are going to create a vlog." Noah commented as he facepalmed but then he just saw Ezekiel laughing.
"Vlog? Nah, that's very short fame, why not be more ambitious? Why not do something out of the box?" Ezekiel commented as he was feeling so happy and excited about the future. "I know for sure I and my friends of Killer Bass will be doing so many amazing things. Mark my words, Noah, I'm happy with doing my books and audiobooks, but if my friends just follow their dreams and have some right guidance, we can take this Total Drama and make ourselves way bigger and happier than we ever imagined."
"Pff, only you could see those great things after being in such a chaotic place." Noah rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help but feel touched to see his friend motivated.
"Noah, the secret of being on Total Drama is just to be used to everything Chris is going to throw at us and act like it was just a simple day of the week, and if you have fun while doing it, it will easy up the chaos of how terrible everything is happening on there," Ezekiel commented as the duo walked towards the group of a large number of siblings the bookworm had. "Be yourself but do not dismiss the challenges thrown at you, have fun, have some jokes, memorable moments being with friends, and when you less expect, you are already at the merge, Owen and Lindsay went way ahead just for doing that and taking all the opportunities will make you memorable to everyone, that's how Izzy became a successful businesswoman, and I became a well-known writer, I know that if everyone just does like we did, everyone is going be famous and successful, and all of us will reach the true happiness."
"Ezekiel, sometimes I have no fucking idea what you talk about," Noah commented, as his friend gave an over-exaggerated dramatic sigh.
"Just have fun on the Chaos Noah, don't be a douchebag, and always expect the worse of Chris, with these 3 thoughts in mind, you are going to have fun and go way ahead of the game," Ezekiel explained as he even laughed at how excited he was for season 2. "I have a very good feeling about this season, so you better get a good rest for these 2 days, because we are going to have a lot of weeks to deal with the whole new season."
"Yeah, yeah, I get it…" Noah said, as both gave a handshake and with that, Ezekiel smiled as he waved back to the group of 2 boys and 6 girls who once got another migraine to Noah.
"Believe me, Noah, your happiness will happen at the time you enjoy the Chaos, after all, your girlfriend will be waiting for you in the future." Ezekiel smiled as he knew that things would become very challenging but also a great opportunity for their future.
Even as the duo departed their ways, their future wouldn't be ordinary, not when it comes about participating in a reality show like Total Drama.
As the time Dawn walked on the street, even as the sunset clearly was an indication that she had been walking for hours with her duck companion, the girl carrying a backpack didn't complain, she simply followed the instructions of Mother Nature.
"Are you sure you don't want a ride back home?" Dawn recalled the two cree sisters after they having a very wonderful morning talking about their lives.
Dawn saw how both auras were indeed very warm and welcoming and from her conversation waiting over the morning. Dawn could see from how their auras reacted and told her their story.
Jane is a great sister who needed to find a way to get money to pay for their house, while both girls needed to deal with their education at school. While the one being responsible for raising her sister while their parents still live in another state.
Sky is a wonderful girl that indeed shows how noble and righteous her decisions to always giving your best was very inspiring, maybe that was why when she thinks about Ezekiel, her body reacts to a crush that both girls had in common.
Maybe that was why Mother Nature was giggling most of the time, since it was clear that not only her, but there was other girls who were interested about the boy with 2 auras...
Ezekiel clearly opened his heart and soul to her as they talked about his past, and Mother Nature told her that Sky and Ezekiel talked more about the present and future projects of their lives.
And as the way she could read the dedicatory he did for her, but also for Sky and Jane, the trio got happy into becoming friends and have saved their own contacts.
She had a feeling that they would meet once again in the future, as she hoped Jane would be in better conditions and less stressed with life. But knowing how universe works, it's so misterious and tricky that nobody is sure on what it is prepared for them.
As the same way she was supposed to be traveling to her journey of 40 days to go back home, but instead Mother Nature insisted to be her guide as she passed hours alround the streets, to even bypass the train to bring her directly at Ontario...
She wasn't sure why, but Mother Nature was being the one who said that her decision of leaving her home would be a first step of her journey.
She missed both her parents but it was the time to ler her future be in the hands of Mother Nature, and so far everything had been a wonderful experience to her.
And to her surprise she walked so much that she just found herself in a wildlife reserve and a big forest.
"Haliburton forest," Dawn commented as she looked around to see that place would be great for turists, and having an animal reserve was very touching welcome for her to feel connected with Mother Nature. "That's a very sweet place..."
And Mother Nature wasn't done with her moonchild, as the more the girl in tune within the forests, passing the hours, she reached at the big beautiful view over the night. Stars and a halfmoon on the sky, being her guide as the more and more she ventured herself...
Until she found to her surprise, a big and well made tree house, which was one that she never saw in her entire life, not even her mom and dad wouldn't believe even if she tells them what she was seeing.
A tree house that looked 20 times bigger than the house she ever lived. As slowly the girl approached, she felt Mother Nature guiding her as she saw the well made... Was that mansion in the trees? She wasn't sure.
Until she approached a long plaque reading the entrance.
"Dakota's doll house?" Dawn blinked as she tilted her head in confusion and then stared at what would be the biggest house that she had ever seen in her life. A doll house.
As she got inside, she could see there was a lot of dolls and manaquins dressing with dressed and clothes, but Mother Nature slowly started to take control of the place. Since there was a few squirrels, birds, and even insects living inside of the said mansion.
But what it surprised the girl, was the fact the place looked recently made, because there was a few plasma screen tvs, refrigerators, air conditioner, a computer...
"Mother Nature, this house looks modern and yet abandoned... When..."Dawn commented as she wasn't sure why Mother Nature brought her to a place that she isn't sure on why there was this place was supposed to be a toy house, and was fancier than any tree house that she had ever imagined seeing. And then her eyes went wide open in surprise... "The owner of this place just gave it away because she didn't like the color of the wood?"
.
.
.
"I don't know if should be grateful for having a place to stay for a while offended by that... She just threw away a house like this as it was a toy," Dawn commented as she was very confused, seeing Howard walking around and interacting with the other animals. The moonchild simply walked to one of the photo portraits of the girl, which showed the look of a well-dressed girl who Dawn could hear Mother Nature saying about the girl was a wealthy child, who just bought property in her forest, just to make a house for her toys of childhood... And then gave away the propriety to whoever would find the key and the documents under the carpet... "Mother Nature, you are not thinking... I can't accept this."
Dawn remains quiet, as she then saw the creatures of nature interacting and living well at the doll house. As a signal, the moonchild had the decision of her future in her hands.
"Okay, I will stay and take care of them. But if I see Dakota, I will make up for her generosity and help. I swear." Dawn said as she never thought that looked that under the carpet... Indeed the key of the tree giant doll house. And the documents in her hands. And with a resolve that she should help the girl who practically gave such a house to Mother Nature.
"Ezekiel, when I thought you said you bought some things on the mall for yourself and for home, you should have told me you bought literally many bags of things," Curtis commented as Ezekiel chuckled from seeing his pa grumpily comment on how much the boy had expended on the Mall, while knowing that his son was actually controlling his own finances, by also saying that he is doing his best to focus on controlling how much he was paying for things, and even building the resort where he was going to live in the future.
Still he could see how much his son had been working all day, from how he flinched wenever he opened and closed his fist, even more when it comes about how many hours he passed inside of the Mall just to make the book signing of the day, and from what saying his son signing hundreds of not thousands of books? Yeah, anyone would have the right to being tired all day long.
He would be curious to ask on how his day was, however he would find even more interesting to see his Ma being the one doing the interrogation while he watches it on the sidelines with a bowl with popcorn on it.
"I bought a lot of things Pa, you and Ma needed a few clothes in case you wanted to visit my friends' family, and I also bought new bows for us to keep practicing and having fun in the future," Ezekiel commented as he was feeling very tired and even yawning while both were traveling towards the street back home. Hours driving to go back to the farm. He needed one day to rest and spend his time with his family before returning to the city once again just for the birthday of his friend.
Curtis rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but see his son slowly sleeping on the seat, slowly snoring from how exhaustive it must have been for his little boy.
The farm man sighed, as he couldn't help but keep looking at the street, and imagine that his little boy had been growing up at such a speed that he couldn't help but just watch, and cheer up for the decisions his son had been making for himself.
The boy had always helped him and his wife, whenever it comes about the farm, even giving a part of his money from the book to help to finances for new farm tools and delivery trucks… And with how good his son had been on the reality show, he knew that his farm was being known by companies and supermarkets that wanted to buy his fruits.
His son really did so much for him… and he couldn't help but think, that maybe what was the best thing that happened for himself and his wife, was the fact Marta was now acting more cheerful whenever she talked about the mother of Ezekiel's friends since his wife usually stayed with the boy just to make sure he wouldn't hurt himself, the woman always had been very adventurous, but after what happened with his sister, she simply closed herself up…
Maybe it had been guilty that had been inside of not just his heart, but hers as well… But after seeing how many good things happening in their lives, the grunted man, couldn't help but give a small smile from seeing how his boy had grown up, and slowly his little wings would have strength enough to fly to his new nest…
Leaving the old birdies by themselves…
"Maybe I should take Marta to Paris, to enjoy our time together after all these years raising Ezekiel, she deserved it more than I do…" Curtis commented as he could see his boy with a new green jacket, that it made him look like the usual boys from the show, and from how serene he was smiling. It clearly resembled himself when Robin took a picture of him sleeping. His boy really took a good part of his Ma, but still, a bit of his personality came from him. And by seeing the night and the future he had plans for his wife. "Le pays de l'amour, et l'histoire d'un agriculteur et d'un aventurier, (The country of love, the story of a farm man and an adventuress)"
Who said Ezekiel was the only one of the family who could speak more than one language? Robin was a very insistent sister, and maybe that was something that also Ezekiel took from his side of the family.
Curtis gave a small smile as his eyes sparkled with its desire to release a tear, but one that the farm man would refuse to let drop. He had a boy to take home and a good time to pass with him before seeing him make a name for himself again in the future.
Chapter 55: Fourth Day Off
Notes:
Well just to be sure to explain, firstly I want to wish Dwayne Junior (From Rindonculous Race) a happy birthday, since 28th was his birthday, and when I was writing the chapter, It got me by surprise into knowing that his birthday is 3 days before Gwen's, so now I'm with a focus into writing this chapter as 4 day off, and tomorrow I will write what possibly the last official chapter of the Reality Collides Ezekiel Chronicles before writing full episodes on the next year. A bonus chapter I can write it down since there is a few more setups that I could write, but it won't be giant chapters like I always do. So prepare yourself for what's coming.
Also before doing a review, I want you all to wish happy Birthday for both Junior and Gwen since both deserved a lot of happiness on this fanfic (and then write your review after saying it.) XD.
Chapter Text
(?)
Under the vast midnight sky, Vancouver Island stretches out like a serene dreamscape, bathed in gentle moonlight. The surrounding forest is dense with towering cedar and fir trees, their silhouettes etched against the star-strewn sky, the branches whispering softly as the night breeze stirs them. Silver light reflects off the calm waters of the nearby lakes and rivers, casting a delicate shimmer that dances with every gentle ripple.
The ocean waves lap quietly against the rocky shoreline, each wave pulling back as if reluctant to leave the shore. Occasionally, the faint cry of a distant owl or the rustle of nocturnal creatures echoes in the stillness, enhancing the solitude of the scene. The air is cool, filled with the earthy scent of pine and damp moss, and the faint tang of salt from the ocean.
As the mist begins to settle over the hills, softening the rugged landscape, the scene feels timeless, almost otherworldly, as though nature itself is holding its breath.
From the vast beauty and from the reflection of the stars, it had been a view that many would pay hundreds if not thousands of dollars just for the sake of having a picture, however, modern humans didn't actually appreciate nature as it should, simply by being busy on their ordinary lives, they couldn't stop for a single moment, just to appreciate on what the beauty they had was in front of them during all these years.
The ranger who was the guardian of the forest, protecting the animals, the plants, and even the people themselves, was a very important task Thorn didn't imagine that he would enjoy being such a part of society, as much as he loved to stay far away from the civilization and the cities, a good part of him was glad to actually have human interactions and even help and guide the people who comes to Mother Nature and have their own experiences to make good memories for themselves.
As many people would say such times were mostly annoying for him to have to clean up their mess, sometimes he could appreciate the image of some people actually giving their best to try to appreciate Mother Nature and create memories. Even if some failed spectacularly, Thorn isn't a person to judge… unless they were hunters or people who purposely tried to kill Mother Nature by spreading fire with the intention of destruction. Those not even Mother Nature would hold him to make them regret coming to destroy the place he always loved to call his home.
But still the old ranger had his eyes wondering as what Mother Nature had plans over his little girl's life, since the time he had to accept that she is a growing up child, and how it was soon the time of the birds finally have strength to open their wings and fly… it had been a bit difficult feeling for him to accept, the feeling of an empty nest that was caused for the desire of Mother Nature's plans.
He always had good faith on Mother Nature, since she had been friends of his family for generations, knowing that the way that she would guide his family since his great grandfather, until his daughter, each generation of his family had been hermits, trying to find a good path to find happiness and their own lives.
All he could do was simply accept that his little moonchild had her own desires to find her own happiness, and as much he would say that he hated the terrible joke that Mother Nature had planned for his daughter, if was for the sake of her own happiness… He would never admit it, but he was happy that she decided to go after her own future, and not leave her towards the webs of the chaos leading to the worst decisions of her life.
She needed to accept her call, in the same way, the druid of the family had to accept his role as protector and helper of Mother Nature, even so, he was in the place he could be…
"Having a good night of work?" Suddenly a voice that he could easily recognize since passing years of listening to it, loving it, and enjoying every single second of passing near the woman who had approached him with a good tea cup in her hands.
"Hmm," Thorn nodded as he appreciated the sweet gesture of his wife visiting his work, and even accepting the good tea that she offered to him. "Nothing out of the ordinary, a few rangers decided to bring their families to visit the forest and have a good day camping, the school talking to my boss about their desire to make a school trip in the forest, a few hunters invading to try to hunt a few moose, me breaking every single of their bones, taking them to the hospital, yeah, the same good October."
"Hmm, you seem to be in good humor," Serenity commented as she could always treat her husband breaking the bones of the hunters as a good way of him showing mercy, since in times when he was very angry… he and Mother Nature wouldn't care about where they would leave the bodies. "So how is my grizzly bear of the week doing? Tired of moosing around?"
"That joke isn't fun since our teenager's day Serenity, but good pun nonetheless," Thorn scoffed as he could see his wife giggling from the way when he let Mother Nature take control of everything. Morality of Society? It can happen around the cities, but even Mother Nature has her own laws, since they are in her jurisdiction, they couldn't find anything related to what happens when people break her laws.
"And now you are thinking yourself like Batman?" Serenity commented as she could see her husband looking startled at her. "Oh don't look at me like that, I don't need to read your mind that you are monologue like a Mother Nature vigilant, that stopped to be funny in our teenagers day as well."
"Fine, no more monologues," Thorn said as she could see his wife smiling at him. "Did Dawn call you?"
"Yes, and Mother Nature seems to have great plans for her since now she decided to stay in Ontario," Serenity gave a sad smile, as she knew her husband was aware of what happened.
"Living in a mansion made in the middle of a forest," Thorn commented as Serenity suddenly blinked, but then she had a cheeky smile on her face. "And no… I'm not jealous. I know what you are thinking Serenity."
"Are you thought?" Serenity asked cheekly, as she could see the beard of her husband twitching. "From what I remember Dawn learned how to read minds from my side of the family, and I can see a little of envy coming from your aura… even as is slightly like a little spot."
"I refuse to answer this question," Thorn commented as he continued watching the view of nature where he always had been. "Since it was prepared by a rich person who simply decided to give it to whoever person lives in it, then if Dawn wants to live in a great mansion, where she didn't need to build the whole house or pass days if not months preparing to make sure everything was stable by her own hands, she could be my guest… at least she is grateful for the person who decided to give such gift for her."
At that moment, Serenity simply gave a hug around her husband's neck, and she even gave a small peck on his cheek.
"It was a painful decision dear, but that's how nature goes, children will grow and gather experiences, and then with the guidance of Mother Nature, they would need to leave their nest, and go around to check and create their own families." Serenity commented as she recalled how difficult it was… "Remember how it was when it happened with us?"
"I know… the challenges we had to face together, but in the end… we managed to pass through everything," Thorn commented as he gave a small smile to his wife. "We did our best, and now that she left, we don't know when she's going to return… only having faith in Mother Nature."
"Yes...but now, here's something funny my dear husband…" Serenity commented as she slowly approached her good husband. "Our nest is quite empty, and I think we should expand more… so that's why I made this tea full of aphrodisiacs…"
And as she said that, Thorn slowly had his eyes widen open, as she looked at his own empty cup…
"Oh you little minx," Thorn commented as his entire face was getting red, knowing that the trick clearly was done with mastery. The woman simply smiled.
"I think it's a good time for you to have a break on the night." Serenity commented as she gave a slight peak on his cheek, ready to have a good time with her husband again. "I think that's how it was the saying: when the kids go away, it's time for the parents to play…"
Clearly the sounds of the forest were enough to distract the campers and the rangers who could sworn that it wasn't supposed to be a matting period, but somehow the sounds of animals having a matting season clearly made some of the rangers question themselves if it was the good time to bring their families to camp around that week.
(?)
As the night progressed, the man who finally returned from what would be an exhausting 6-hour car trip to take his son back to their lovable house, Junior had been so tired that he couldn't help but sleep in the car, and Dwayne at the time he got his son back home, he personally carried him towards the bedroom and helped to place his little boy in the bed.
And with seeing his little boy having a good night and sleeping like an angel, Dwayne felt happy to see on how wonderful time he had taken with his boy. Even after on the day before he had a good birthday as a good child would ever want, his mother baking the cake, him singing and talking with a few friends of school who came to play little games, and even as he had to dress himself as a clown to make sure they would have a great laugh.
He wanted to know what his little boy wanted for a gift, but to imagine that his little boy wanted him to take to the Mall in another city, and have a long car ride with only him. He would say that he needed to sleep pronto, but everything went so nice, that he couldn't say no to his little boy, and what a trip they both got. To see a celebrity of Total Drama Island, which he got the recorded episodes made by his coworkers, he wanted to know what kind of author would make such a terrifying book, but when he watched, he never thought it was so funny to see teenagers doing all the crazy challenges for the sake of becoming famous.
If it was on his own time, he would have done the same, but still kids being kids, those challenges would be too much for him to handle, but at least he could have fun watching them doing their challenges.
And when he met the author of the book, he couldn't help but say that he was a good child, he could imagine that his parents would have been great for the boy being so respectful and even having a good interaction with him and his son Junior.
But still he felt exhausted from all the hours it took for him to stay on the line with Junior, and then returning home just to go at work in a few days, but still he thought that maybe it was the best birthday present that he ever could give for his son, and for himself. Since the happiness of his son was the best thing that he would ever wish for, so his boy being happy made him happy as well.
But strangely, as much as he felt tired, he didn't have the desire to sleep.
"So how had been the trip towards the mall, Dwayne?" Until a female voice came from the kitchen, he passed by to see his wife having a warm-up milk waiting just for him to drink and get ready for bed.
"It had been wonderful, I never thought I would see such a well-behaved boy, he was so nice to me and Junior and even gave us recommendations of which book each of us should be reading," Dwayne said as he could see the woman with her arms crossed, and having a knowing look, she raised her eyebrows. "No, really, Junior never felt so happy, and I have to say he is a good child."
"Well, for you to say the writer who gave you nightmares to be a good child, then he must have done something really amazing." The woman said as she teased but gave a small kiss on his cheek. "Come on, the trip must have been draining, take a good warm milk, and let's have a good night of sleep. You deserved honey."
"Sure," Dwayne said, as he took the book he got for himself, he needed to prepare himself, he wanted to at least have a good night of sleep, so reading a chapter wouldn't be too bad for him.
(?)
"Hup." The male voice of Curtis said as both he, Ezekiel, and a few workers of the farm used the hoes to plow the ground, which the group did in synchronization. "Hup, hup, hup, hup."
And the group of workers as the same of father and son, had been plowing the field, preparing for everything before the winter comes on the fields. Since it would be a good time for them prepare the ground to even make sure the ground remain soft as the snow would come and melt on March, everything needed to be taken care.
Specially as Ezekiel was passing the 4 th day off by helping his Pa, since as much he passed the time on the reality show, he kinda missed his time working on the farm, and even as the time passed, he couldn't help but admire his Pa, who had been giving instructions to the workers to work on the field while he was away. The service that their farm did to sell oranges and fruits clearly gave the confidence that they needed to make them have more workers, and even improve their services and the quality of the fruits.
And yet, sometimes working hard clearly paid off, since at the end of the day, he would have a good exhaustive smile on his face. Honest work, to get a good smile and happiness for the time they would go back to their beds, and enjoy the excitement of returning to work. The same eagerness that Ezekiel always felt when he wrote his chapters, the eagerness and excitement to go back to work, and then enjoy the company and the good time he was having with his parents.
"HUP." Curtis's voice shouted as the group continued to work until their exhaustion. "Enough, prepare the seeds, while you boys take the snow protection, we have 2 months before the snow comes. With the time we can have good lemons around."
And who knew that returning to the farm could be also very hardworking, but also something that Ezekiel could have missed for so long?
"How's holding up?" Curtis asked his son who was now cleaning his face with a fabric, since it had been quite an exhausting day for both of them. He didn't want to call Ezekiel to work, but the boy was very stubborn and insisted on coming with him. He also saw how the work was being done on the farm, and even yet the boy didn't complain.
"Doing fine, Pa, to be honest, after passing so much dealing with the show, and then resting inside of a resort for so many weeks, I kinda missed the hard work on the fields," Ezekiel commented as he was drinking a good portion of their hard work, a good orange juice, since had been a good way to take the citrus and prepare himself for what's coming.
Curtis gave a slight nod, but couldn't help but roll his eyes as well, since he could see his son once again. Ezekiel was without his winter hat, but also without his blouse, but still keeping insisting on using the weights on both wrists and legs, doing some personal training that he brought with him during all the time he was doing physical exercises, and with focus into still having them when he returns on the dammed show.
"Just make sure you don't stress too much your body," Curtis commented as he himself was also shirtless, both father and son were using the hoes to make sure the fields would be prepared for the winter. "Are you sure you don't want to rest before returning to that crazy show on television?"
"I'm doing fine, I can work for one more hour," Ezekiel said as he was helping to carry the farming tools, he himself was surprised at how he was managing to grab a few more tools easily, showing how the training that he had with his friend had been shown on how much he had been improving.
Especially on how he realized that he grew an inch, so maybe continuing his working out and special training, who knew how long it would take for him to grow up a few more inches? It would be a good surprise to see how much he would improve before going to the World Tour, a good chance for them to have a time skip and grow up as a person. He had ideas on how each of his friends could use the opportunity of continuing being famous after the Total Drama Action, being some of the first influences of the world.
Some become YouTubers or whatever video of social media like TikTok, or Instagram versions of technology, they could use to get the first steps into creating their own empire online. He could imagine who would actually enjoy it to be part of that. Or maybe they could go to have their own styles. He had time, showing that each of his friends deserved a better future and making sure that Total Drama Action would be the best season of their lives, enjoying their full potential.
It was now their chance.
"EZEKIEL, STOP DAYDREAMING, WE GOTTA WORK TO DO." Then the shout was what made the boy suddenly snap from his thoughts and quickly went in the direction of his pa who was now calling to continue and go back to work.
"COMING PA," Ezekiel said as he immediately smiled as he felt that he was going to have so much fun on season 2. Since it was now his whole area. Movies and cartoons, it's always had been his expertise, and he couldn't wait to show that things could be much more interesting and awesome in the said season.
Who's going to be on his team? He doesn't know, but one thing was sure, as much as his tattoo was on his arm, he will always have his great friends to backing him up. And everyone is going to be fine, without much drama.
"So all your friends of Killer Bass will be coming to your birthday tomorrow?" Reaper asked as the group saw Gwen now dressing in the new attires of clothes that she brought from the mall, a good combination of fishnets and skulls around her blouse, as even showing a ear rings of skulls.
"Yeah, I can't believe that they really said that they were going to be there, but some said they would get out early since they live far away and they need to be at home before the limousines would catch us once again," Gwen said as she nodded her head, she understood that it would take a lot of time for their car trip to especially being on her birthday. "So that's why my mom decided to make my birthday way earlier than it should. I had to call everyone and make sure that they wouldn't do something crazy like coming to my birthday dressed in costumes, I'm just glad that I was on time because Sadie and Harold were debating what they should be dressing, and I had to explain that it's not a good time for a costume party."
"You did the right thing, because nobody would have time to make a good last-minute costume, and you don't like to celebrate your birthday in a costume party. A birthday party starting from 6 a.m was indeed very crazy, but I can understand." Pixie Corpse commented as she saw the bat-shaped invitations, clearly showing that mother being so sure about wanting what was the best moment for her teenage daughter, even as embarrassing that it would be. Which also raised another question. "Also, did Ezekiel create Marceline inspired by you?"
"Not really," Gwen commented as she could see her friend already reading Adventure Time since the time she saw her friends already going to the bookstore, and each of them bought the book from Gwen's indication of how awesome they were. And having the question regards the vampire Queen, she also was curious if that's what happened. "The chapters were done way before I got on the Killer Bass, and I gotta say that her style is simple, but I kinda liked the idea of her using an axe as a bass, usually people would say guitars were the best, but from hearing Ezekiel he really says that Basses were awesome and people should give a try into hearing songs on having bass as main instrument."
"Huh, neat," Reaper commented as he could see Marilyn also having too much focus reading one of the books.
"Well, I gotta admit that this Steven Universe looks way too cheerful for me, but somehow I'm really curious about the plot of the book, there's something that it clearly is bringing me some attention. The pink, the yellow, the blue and the white. I don't know why, but there is something that intrigues me." Marilyn commented as she felt hooked by the idea of such a book existing, which Gwen chuckled from already feeling the same.
"Yeah, something is odd, I remember me and Bridgette asking about it, and all he did was chuckle and challenge us to figure it out," Gwen commented as she remembered how Bridgette and her kept reading a few times the drafts and chapters after being edited. When Bridgette wants so much to know about what happens in the next volume, Ezekiel becomes mysterious and wants to know that things will get serious in the next volume. "You are still on chapter 5, wait until you reach the end of the book, it will blow your mind."
"Okay, I think we are spending way too much time talking about the books, so what are your plans for the show? Since after tomorrow will be the day you return to the show with your friends." Pixie Corpse said as immediately the group looked at her in surprise. "I mean, come on, I'm not the only one thinking of that. Did you prepare yourself before going back to that nightmare?"
"To be honest? Yes, I did." Gwen said with a good smile on her friend. "It sucked a lot my experience on the Island Wawanakwa, but Courtney, Duncan, Bridgette, Ezekiel, and the others helped to pass through everything. It became a nightmare most of the time, but I mean if I go on their team that means everything is going to be okay." Gwen commented as she felt herself relaxed. "As long I have in mind that Chris will do his best to do all the crazy things beyond reason just for the sake of making us hurt and scared and to cause Drama on the show, as long we have that in mind we could be prepared for everything."
"Well, that explains many things," Reaper said as he raised his eyebrows at his friend. "It's just me or did you develop Stockholm Syndrome?"
"Fuck you Reaper," Gwen said as she raised her middle fingers, and the trio of friends laughed at her reaction.
"Also how did your mom take by seeing you with a tattoo?" Marilyn asked which the trio had to admit the tattoo looked very awesome as it represented how much Gwen liked her team, specially that her friends were the ones who insisted into making for each member of their team.
"She fainted a few times..."Gwen said as she couldn't help but smirk from seeing her mom who always dotted her, fainting in surprise at seeing her little girl with now a permanent image on her body. "Cody liked the idea of having one in the future, but my mom swore that if he did that she was going to ground him until he is 40, the same goes for me in case I do another one."
The goths chuckled, from imagining how the woman had freaked out.
"Well moms are crazy," Reaper commented which made the whole group of girls nod their heads at him.
"Yes, they are."
"Cody is probably planning to make one tattoo at the time he move away from home." Gwen said as she could see that someday they are becoming adults, and even they are going to get grounded by their mom, they are going to become independents in the future.
"The same way you are going at college?" Pixie Dust commented as Gwen nodded her head.
"Yeah, going to learn more about art and having my own independence from staying away from her. Also going to take some trips around the world to see how the art were developed in other countries." The Killer Bass goth commented as the trio gave side glances, and even having a smirk on their faces, which immediately Gwen groaned… "No...I don't want you three to start making jokes about the video message from home, about my Future Version coming to eat meatloaf."
"Oh come on, please tell me that wouldn't be accurate." Pixie Dust said as she smirked at her friend showing her tongue at her. Which made the group chuckle even more.
"Shut up." Gwen said as she clearly could see that video her mom did with Ezekiel's mom will be haunting her for a long time. "Ugh, now I'm desire to drink coffee, does anyone want to go with me?"
"Why? Just for in case you wanted to have bodyguards to protect you from your fans?" Reaper commented which Gwen simply rolled her eyes. "Well at least they offer us free coffee."
"Correction, they offer free coffee for Gwen, while she pays for our coffee," Marilyn commented as Pixie Dust simply shrugged.
"Well, it's free coffee for us anyway, so why not enjoy this?" The goth girl commented, as Gwen simply groaned, but couldn't help, they were her best friends. Even as annoying as they could be. She is sure the Killer Bass will like them.
(?)
"It's all your fault." Martin who was enjoying a good muffin in the morning with his brother in law who was drinking coffee and reading the newspaper suddenly heard a voice coming to sit nearby them, which the rebellious detective slowly raised his eyebrows, just to cheek 2 people who he could recognize very well who would be, the long brunette hair which always made him rolls his eyes, and the sweet and kind smile of the other woman who is blonde just like him. "A tattoo, really?"
"Ugh, really Diana? From everything happening to Duncan will always be responsible for it?" Martin said as he took a mug of coffee, knowing full well on even in their teenage days, Diana had always been yapping at him, about everything he did, at work, at interrogations of the suspects, at the police academy, to even on how to have a romance with Alex when they first started dating. He could see the man who was wearing the sweater nearby him simply shrugging and continuing to read his newspaper. "Oh no, Mathew, when Diana is around I'm not going to take this alone."
"Ugh, fine." The man said as he folded the newspaper and gave a look to the women who came to once again interrupt their breakfast. "What did you do this time Martin?"
"Oh come on, really?" The blonde man said as he crossed his arms and stared at his brother-in-law who shrugged helplessly. "I wasn't the one who suggested the tattoo. Wasn't his friend who made the entire group have their own customized team tattoo?"
"He got a point on there." The patriarch of the family said that it was all the support he could give to him, without involving himself in unnecessary headaches because Diana went to make sure their morning would be annoyed just because of Martin. Sometimes he could see they love each other so much that they hate each other as well. At least his wife was the only one sane of the family.
"Well of course that he would accept, specially that you have 2 in your arms." Diana said as she simply narrowed her eyes, not buying anything that. Since Martin always had been this eccentric type of detective who actually always preferred to have as hobby into learning a lot of myths, conspiration theories and supernatural rumors.
"I think you should let him be Diana, Martin always had been good for our family, and Duncan was really happy to be with his friends." Sheila decided to make sure that both her siblings wouldn't go at each other's throats like they usually do whenever Diana wanted to correct their brother.
Mathew nodded his head, as much he hated to admit, since the time he returned from the show, he actually had been more countained and more calm than ever, as he was simply enjoying a good time with his mom, and even giving slight helps into going at the supermarket, and surprisingly he didn't heard the police report of him destroying anything from there at least once.
It was even shocking for him that he actually had more than 2 sentences in a conversation without him having a headache from Duncan going out to make some sort of crazy prank or vandalism across the streets.
It was slight changes, but it was there, and if was something that could help him have fewer headaches in regard to one of his sons, then he would welcome the changes, even the girlfriend felt really nice, even from the surprise she came on yesterday, a tattoo? Well as much he hated to tell his sons, it was helpless, but he also asked Courtney if she wanted some help in finding a way to make her mom accept the idea, and from the despair and hope in her eyes, she clearly needed some help.
It was the least he could do for the girl who was actually being a good influence on him... If his other son could have at least a bit of transformation like Duncan had, he wouldn't need to worry about having constant pain in his head. One less worry of time will always be welcomed to him.
"Ugh, you have always been an enabler Sheila, where was the top elite detective who always went the first of the academy?" Diana asked, as immediately Mathew ripped the pages of newspaper in surprise, and Martin almost dropped his mug...
Dianna then saw the sharp glare of her sister, who made the brunette immediately shut herself up.
Mathew felt another headache comming... and he he thought he wanted at least one day without dealing with that. He looked on his wife, and he know that face... Sheila hated to talk about the time she was detective.
"She died a long time ago, just for the sake of Cheese take her place and do a lot better things for the community than simply going after solving crimes," Sheila said as Diana immediately shut herself up. While Martin simply continued to drink his coffee. Mathew followed his example and took one muffin and remained in silence. The sweet blonde woman who usually was the most kind of the trio stared at her sister dead in the eye. "You swore to never bring up that ever again, you know that me working as part of Banana and Cheese managed to gather enough money and pass a more positive message into how to take care of kids for years."
"Sheila calm down, please. Here, have a muffin."Martin got up he made sure to go to his youngest sibling and let her sit down while cutting a muffin in half. While he could see Diana who remained in silence. "Diana you sometimes let your big mouth cause a lot of ruckus, but come on, involving Sheila, you knew far better than me that we shouldn't talk about that time."
"We did our best to help the community before we went back to police academy but focusing on the other aspects. Sheila decided to be part of the traffic patrol because she wanted that. And you better not say about that period if you still want to remain in this house, Diana." Mathew said as he got up and looked at the brunette who knew that she messed up. "She may be an enabler, but you never saw Duncan, Jaxon, and Cole disrespecting my wife."
"I know…" Diana sighed, as she knew that she screwed up. Since seeing Sheila simply very touchy over the past she had on the police academy or the first year working on the police force. The Rush family suffered a terrible blow after finding out that one single case led to one of them simply retiring and trying to find a better way to help the community. Years before she returned to the police force, but differently than dealing with bringing criminals to justice, she preferred dealing with accidents of traffic and helping to bring the ambulances on the street. "Sorry to bring it up."
"You are excused," Sheila said as Martin even gave a small massage on her shoulders to try to make the mother of 3 delinquents relax. Which Sheila started to chuckle. "Come on Martin, we are not kids anymore, you don't need to try to do that whenever I'm angry."
"Also you have your own wife to do that, can't you leave that to me?" The man of the house commented as Martin smiled sheepishly. "You know what? Nevermind. I have to go to work. I heard the news about a company commiting tax fraud, and they are calling me to take a look on here. Have a good day."
"By honey... Have a good day of work." Sheila said as she gave a quick kiss on his mouth, and the man had to leave in worry. Now, she saw Martin taking a seat.
After that, he gestured for Diana to do the same, which the brunette did with gusto. As the trio sat and have their breakfast. It was rare to see the 3 members of the Rush family once again having a time only for them. And funny enough, they realized that.
"Wow, it had been a while since it was only we three around here," Martin said, as Duncan's mom nodded her head, enjoying the good breakfast that she made for the family who were probably sleeping until the next hour.
"Well, from a singer to working on the Economic Crime Unit, sometimes I don't understand the minds of the people," Martin said as he felt a slap on the back of his head. "Oh come on, why do you have to be so annoying?"
"Someone needs to keep you on the right track." Diana said as Martin simply showed his middle finger, which clearly infuriated Diana and was about to jump on him. But then the mother of 5 children knew that her younger brother was simply provoking him. "Ugh, why do you have to be so immature?"
Sheila simply continued to have her breakfast, as she could see Martin was actually smiling.
"It's so funny the fact that you made sure to leave Duncan's bedroom open for the whole night. Even as he was with his girlfriend and would try to find a spot to make out with her." Martin commented as he could see Diana raising her eyebrows in surprise to Sheila who simply went to drink her coffee.
"I'm not confirming, neither denying the accusation," Sheila said as it was exactly what her older brother would say in cases where he clearly did it but nobody had proof, which immediately Martin chuckled, and Diana stared at the blonde woman.
"Are you serious?" Diana asked with her eyebrows raised, as Sheila simply smirked.
"I'm too young to become a grandma, and I and Victoria had an agreement that we would do our best to make sure they wouldn't go at the second base until they engage. Or even get married." Sheila said as she clearly could see Diana paling and Martin laughing. "But I have to admit to seeing Courtney in her goth clothing and Duncan using a well-elegant sweater caught us by surprise. It was a good prank. His brothers thought it was a dream and had to pinch themselves a lot of times to try to get them to wake up."
"Only you to be okay with everything happening with your son." Diana said in exhasperation but Sheila simply shrugged.
"As long that my boy is safe and happy and doing the right thing. I will always support him." Sheila said as she knew that Duncan now was having the time of his life. "A good girlfriend that makes him focus on the right things, and good friends who made him enjoy life and go on the right path? He got out of the show and until now he didn't do anything to prove that he is a vandal. And for me, it's more than enough."
…
"Did Duncan tell you about..."
"Yes, and hearing from Martha had been even worse," Sheila said as she continued to eat her breakfast. "Sometimes when we think we already see everything on being part of the police force, it's way different when you become friends of the victims and can feel their pain by seeing the look in their eyes. I thank God for our schools never having the same problems as the United States, and I made sure to ask Jaxon and Cole to never be the reason for the pain and anger of someone. And I'm glad that all the people they had been doing pranks with forgave them since the boys knew how terrible it was being the reason for a tragedy... It was all I could ask for them..."
...
The duo of siblings remained quiet, knowing how serious and delicate the situation was, a topic that neither of the siblings wanted to open such a can of worms, Diana raised her eyebrows at the blonde man who continued to finish the breakfast.
"When are you going to return to the United States?" Diana made the question as the eccentric detective, simply sighed.
"After tomorrow." Martin commented as both Diana and Sheila had their eyebrows raised. "Yeah it will be the same day when Duncan will returns to his show. Probably I won't be able to watch it with Alex, but they are going to make the full first season on the television which will help the popularity of the show."
"Good to know," Sheila admitted as she had passed a few seconds in silence as it was something that her children would always find annoying to see was the departure of their favorite uncle. But it was how he was, a good worker as much he was eccentric. "Hey Martin, why don't you go somewhere with Duncan and his girlfriend?"
"Yeah?" Martin asked as Sheila simply stated the facts.
"Tomorrow they will be away to visit their friend's birthday, and you can take of his brothers tomorrow, but today I think Duncan really would appreciate to pass the time with you. Also you could take Alex and Courtney to make you 4 have a great time together." Sheila said as she could see Martin smiling wide at her.
"Really sis? Oh, that's awesome, he is going to enjoy the day, I know that he will." Martin commented that he had all the good ideas on where he could take his nephew to pass a good day off before both of them depart to their lives since one will be returning to work in the USA while the other will go to his tortuous challenges on the reality show. "I know some places to go, but where I could start?"
"Oh… I know…" Then a voice made Martin suddenly blink, and see Diana smirking at him, he clearly knew exactly what Diana was thinking.
"He's going to hate it, and I will place all the fault on you. But you have a point." Martin said as he grumbled and rolled his eyes.
"Of course you will. But you know the laws. And he already had a good day of rest. Now it's his time to go back to work." Diana said with a victorious smile, which immediately Sheila giggled.
"Well sure, but don't blame us the next year in case he pranks you on April Fools," The blonde sister commented as she secretly let her brother give a low five to the brunette woman who simply rolled her eyes.
"You know, I think you are a bad influence on Sheila, Martin," Diana said as Martin simply rolled his eyes.
"Here we go again," Martin said, as the same dancing of the same song over and over again, it was his sister, but it was one who never stops repeating the same things.
But what he could say? It's how his family works.
(?)
Perched on a hillside in West Vancouver, an extraordinary mansion commands attention, its modern design harmonizing seamlessly with the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. The exterior is a striking blend of sleek glass and rich cedar, reflecting the sky and the lush greenery that envelops it. Large windows invite breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the distant mountains, creating an ever-changing backdrop.
Approaching the entrance, a grand pivot door opens to reveal an expansive foyer, where high ceilings and an open-concept layout create a sense of grandeur. Polished concrete floors lead the way, complemented by minimalist decor that emphasizes sophistication and comfort. A stunning chandelier, crafted from crystal and steel, hangs above, casting a warm glow throughout the space.
To the right, the living area boasts a modern fireplace framed in marble, surrounded by plush seating that invites relaxation. Here, natural light floods the room, illuminating the curated art pieces that adorn the walls. Sliding glass doors seamlessly connect the indoor space to a spacious terrace, where an infinity pool appears to spill into the horizon, mirroring the ocean beyond.
The gourmet kitchen is a chef's dream, featuring top-of-the-line appliances, a vast island with a waterfall countertop, and custom cabinetry that combines style with functionality. A breakfast nook, with panoramic views, serves as a perfect spot for morning coffee, while a formal dining area, with a striking table and elegant lighting, sets the stage for intimate gatherings.
Moving to the upper levels, the master suite offers a private sanctuary with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame stunning sunsets. The en-suite bathroom rivals a high-end spa, complete with a soaking tub overlooking the landscape, dual vanities, and a rain shower that enhances the sense of tranquility.
The home also boasts a state-of-the-art home theater, a wine cellar filled with curated selections, and a private gym equipped with the latest fitness technology. Each bedroom is an oasis of comfort, with en-suite baths and personalized touches that cater to relaxation.
Outside, the meticulously landscaped gardens provide a serene escape, featuring native plants, walking paths, and cozy seating areas that invite outdoor living. A fire pit offers warmth for evening gatherings, while the nearby hot tub beckons under the stars.
This mansion in West Vancouver is not just a home; it is a masterpiece of design and luxury, perfectly situated to embrace the stunning natural beauty of its surroundings.
.
.
.
"And that's where my bedroom is. Do you want to take a look?" Lindsay said that she was happy to see her best friends from Total Drama come to visit her. But she didn't know why, but Heather was having her eyes twitching a bit too much. "Are you okay Heather?"
Lindsay tilted her head, not knowing the reason of why Heather was that way. As she turned to see Beth, the blonde bombshell also couldn't understand why her farm friend was simply paled and trembling like she was cold.
"Beth?" Lindsay asked in worry, as she then felt someone touching her shoulder, which at the time she looked it was Izzy who whistled from the view.
"Wow, Linds, this place is amazing." Izzy was the only one who made the comment as the blonde could see at least that one of the friends wasn't also looking frozen. "Don't mind them, they are frozen in shock, it will take a few minutes for them to process all the things you showed. But I gotta say, this place is amazing."
"Thanks." Lindsay smiled as she looked in confusion to her friends. "Why are they like that?"
"I don't know, but after I got my first billion I got in my mind that nothing should surprise me, so I accept everything I'm seeing." Izzy shrugged as she could see Heather twitching and blinking before finally relaxing. "Oh here comes Heather,"
"Way richer than my family. What the hell..." Heather mumbled as she was way star-struck. She knew that there were a lot of famous and way richer families across the world, but even she could tell that she was a bit wealthy because of her parents. But seeing the difference in how Lindsay's parents must be that rich, showed how Lindsay usually doesn't mind having her favorite makeup being borrowed from her, but still, she looked humbled in some way when she talked with her and Beth.
Usually, the richer you got the more arrogant you became, but that went down the time she learned how Izzy's family got the support of the military government, and even her father got the first million-selling new product for Mexican fast food, and now Izzy as crazy she sounds, she showed proof that she got a very successful company, while Lindsay herself could be treated as a little princess and being a snobbish brat, and yet she went on the show and suffered the same humilations like them.
Heather had to admit that she was envious, jealous, and proud of being friends with Lindsay.
Beth, on the other hand, it was too much to take it. As she simply fainted.
"Oh my God, Beth." Lindsay helps the farm girl as she sees for the first time the real reality shock between the rich people and the humble people, and even so, Lindsay treats the whole group as good friends.
"Well, I gotta say that I'm really impressed," Izzy commented as she admitted that being rich was one thing, but Lindsay being that kind of rich also surprised her, probably not even Ezekiel who came from the future could even know about this kind of thing since most of them didn't reveal much about their lives. But even so, Lindsay was from one of the richest families in Canada, and from what she researched, Lindsay's family could rival Milton, one of the wealthiest families in Canada.
.
.
.
"I love it when the shock is too much that they would even faint," Lucy commented as he watched the group of friends being shocked from seeing his mansion, his little chipmunk was a very sweet girl to even not realize that she was just showing a great part of their wealth to make her friends jealous of her, which was one thing that he would always be proud to do to whoever comes to visit his mansion.
"I think Lindsay saw you doing that so much that she got that from you," Lily stated the fact as the man who was wearing his good time to meet the girls, and the matriarch of the family was filling her nails but still with a good smile on her face. "I'm glad that they seem to be very happy for Lindsay, even as they felt intimidated from everything around the mansion."
"Well, things will be even funnier as the time I take the girls to my thematic park, it will blow their minds." Lucy cackled as he was excited to make the days of the girls one that they would never forget.
"Lucy..." Lily said in a warning tone which the patriarch pouted at her.
"Oh come on, I made sure the thematic park would be closed just for VIP access, and the girls needed to have a lot of fun before returning on the reality show," Lucy said as the tall woman giggled.
"Sometimes I find it funny that you always prefer to have fun with the friends of your daughters than you actually have friends," Lily said as the father of her children couldn't help but scoff.
"Lily, you gotta understand, we are rich adult people, most of the adults would never want to actually go to the thematic parks to enjoy the rides as we did as kids, and with all the money, to have true friends is almost impossible," Lucy commented as he could see Lindsay dragging Izzy, Beth, and Heather to her bedroom. "True friendship comes from the times of struggles, from the beginning, and not just so suddenly..."
"..." Lily could see that tone of voice, and she had to admit, being rich is both a blessing and a curse, since the times they had so much money that they got bored, and when what her husband always wanted was to simply fulfill the void inside of his heart of being alone. And she and her daughters had always been the reason for his joy... But sometimes she could see that he always had a child inside that always wanted to play with someone but nobody wanted to do it. "You are right... Well, I will ask our chauffeur to prepare for the trip. You can call Paula and Charlie after they return from their tennis classes."
"Wonderful, let's go, the girls will have a lot of fun. " Lucy smiled as he was clearly enjoying the idea of once again showing a thematic park to everyone who wants to have a great time with him and his family.
(?)
"Come on Martin, it's obvious that the Loch Ness Monster it's a creature of the future, you already told the theories about how some modern technology came towards the time from all the photography proofs that happened towards history," Alex said as she was sure that creature could reveal so many secrets about the future, however, her husband simply rolled his eyes.
"Alex, you know I love you so much that I could die for you," Martin said as he patted the black hair of his good partner and wife. "If Nessy wanted to expose the future, it would have provoked the next village to show itself, that creature probably just wants to live in peace and away from the spotlight, leave the poor monster alone."
"Har, har, har, come on, where is your sense of adventure? Aren't you curious about the future? About the answers that would shock the humanity?" Alex insisted, but she could see her husband simply chuckling.
"Nah, I don't want to get involved with time traveling, it's way too much headache, if it was me, I would actually preffer to have a stable and a happy life." Martin commented as he took a look on the magazine where both seemed to be focused on the next debate. "Okay here comes the next topic, Yeti protector of the Himalayan mountains or a Serial Killer dressed as Saskwatch's cousin?"
"Oh come on, of course, Yeti is a guardian. Why are you bringing that? You are not taking that seriously." Alex said as Martin laughed, from far away, Courtney blinked as she never thought to see someone having that kind of relationship before. And as much she tried to understand how those two were actually detectives, she could see that both of them had quite some amazing dynamic as they felt like a great couple together, even with their quirkiness.
"Are they always like that?" Courtney asked her boyfriend who was continuing to clean the street.
Duncan clearly was cursing his aunt Diana under his breath, that since he knew that his uncle would never force him into dealing with that kind of crap, especially with Courtney being with him. Thankfully his uncle chose one of the easiest spots for him to clean up just to do it quickly and to be said it was good for the day. 2 days done just 5 more to go, but he could think of that later.
"All the time, you get used to them," Duncan said as he was giving a knot on the trash bag, and looking at his girlfriend who was amused into seeing his relatives, he simply shrugged. "It takes some time but you listen their debates so much that you just know some of their stuff."
"So that's how you could explain some of the monsters of Ezekiel's books?" Courtney raised her eyebrow as she recalled the time when DJ asked how a shadow could separate from the body, and Duncan simply explained Peter Pan had their own shadow entity, so that meant there would be a semi-possession poltergeist inside of each soul. At that moment even Ezekiel looked in surprise at the delinquent. That night Duncan acted like he didn't say anything wrong.
"I'm not confirming, nor denying the accusation." Duncan simply replied in the same way both his mom and his uncle would say that he didn't want to admit, even as he could see his girlfriend looking suspiciously at him. But that would be enough to make Courtney roll her eyes but chuckle from the way he commented.
"Well, I'm glad that your family is very nice... even as your brothers clearly acted like you when you started at the show." The C.I.T. girl commented as she could see her boyfriend rolling his eyes at her. "Hey, I'm the one who is supposed to be doing that."
"Whatever you say Princess." Duncan said as he took the trashbag and finally placed on where it supposed to be. "And with that we are done."
"Well it wasn't that bad was it?" Courtney said as she crossed her arms as she could see Duncan simply muttering a few words, as she then see the duo finally coming towards their direction.
"All done Duncan?" Alex asked as she could see her nephew giving the thumbs up, and she immediately was happy to boy done with his community service of the day. "Alright, take off the gloves, and there is a deodorant and perfume on the backseat of the car, you can use it while we are going to our next stop."
"Well, I'm just glad that I don't have to think of this for the day since tomorrow we are going to Gwen's birthday party." Duncan simply commented as he was relieved that as much he would hate to admit it, he was glad the second season was coming, and since the worst was over, now he could enjoy the rest of the day with his relatives.
Courtney followed her boyfriend as she even had her nose wrinkle a bit.
"Are you sure that we don't need him to take the shower?" Courtney asked, to which her boyfriend simply rolled his eyes. But took the deodorant anyway and even saw a new shirt ready for him, one that he bought from the time he was in the mall.
"Trust me, you wouldn't need to worry much about smell where we are going," Martin said as he could see Duncan's eyes getting his eyes wide open in surprise.
"No fucking way," Duncan said as he could see his uncle smirking at him. "You got your license back?"
"Yep," Martin smirked which immediately Duncan felt now more excited than ever.
"Where are we going?" Courtney asked curious as she could see Alex then giving to her something that made her tilts her head. Yellow Raincoats?"
"Yeah, for you to get used with all the water from the Niagara Falls." Alex said which immediately the C.I.T. girl was surprised into seeing Duncan's aunt explaining where they are about to go. "Ever went there?"
Courtney shook her head, as much as she would say it sounded interesting, she was very much focused on her time with studies, and most of the time she had the opportunity she and her mother were so focused that they lost many times the chance of going there. Especially once when the school trip she was so sick that she had to stay home.
"I suppose that we can be there, it will be a few hours. Especially that it's almost 1 hour and half by car." Courtney commented, however she isn't sure if they would have a lot to do since depending on the trafic would be a very exhausting trip.
Which this time Duncan smirked as he was ready to give another good news.
"Well maybe on car… but in helicopter we can be there in half hour." Duncan simply commented as immediately Courtney's mind froze and stared at her boyfriend in surprise.
"What?" Courtney slowly turned her head as she saw the husband and wife chuckling from her reaction, which the blonde man simply stretched himself before driving the car.
"I have a pilot license renewed and I got an helicopter in an auction from ex-convicts, one of the vehicles came from a drug lord who just didn't paid his taxes. So I paid the beautify for one third of my yearly salary. Which being honest it was a steal." Martin said proudly as Alex simply rolled her eyes.
"Okay, okay, you made a drug lord go behind the bars because he didn't pay the taxes and then you catch his helicopter as petty revenge. We get it." Alex said as she simply winked at Courtney who raised her eyebrow. "Once he got the helicopter he is always excited into trying to create a lot of drama on how he got it… But now that we are going to take a good trip on Niagara Falls, so I hope you are excited."
"Well, I have to say that it would be my first time for everything, I can't lie if I'm not," Courtney commented as she remembered that it was known as being one of the most beautiful and romantic places in Canada, so being there with Duncan, she would love to have a few kisses with him on there, and she could see her boyfriend and even his uncle also very excited for their day going on a trip to see the waterfalls, it was going to be amazing. "So that's why we need the yellow raincoats?"
"Actually no… It's more like a tradition." Duncan said as he pointed out to his girlfriend who simply tilted her head.
"Also that reminds me… Duncan, Martin, nobody is going to try to go over the falls in a barrel." Alex then said those words, which imediatelly Duncan and his uncle who were ready for some action suddenly froze, and then seeing the look on the face of the detective woman, they couldn't help but pout and snap their fingers annoyed.
"What?" Courtney then looked at the woman weirdly as she simply shrugged.
"Well it's quite a long story, but one day when we were in the Niagara Falls seeing one of the criminal cases happening on there. Our family was there also to appreciate the view of the falls, when we were watching the falls when suddenly a group of security officers from the entire park went down the Niagara Falls in barrels, which suddenly everyone even us who were watching it, we cheered for their daredevil stunt." Alex simple explained while Courtney blinked in confusion as she looked at her boyfriend.
"It was awesome, it was at least 25 guards who went down the falls and survived, me and my brothers wanted to do that. But everytime I asked if I could they grounded me for trying." Duncan said as Courtney looked at the man who was driving the car.
"And what about your uncle?" Courtney asked.
"I said I was going to supervise them, but Alex always pulled my ear saying that if I even dare to touch a barrel in Niagara Falls, she would crack my nuts," Martin explained, as she simply looked at the duo who seemed disappointed for not going on the Niagara Falls in a barrel…
"Oh my God, my boyfriend is an idiot," Courtney commented in realization, which Alex giggled.
"That was my reaction when I married him. Diana still teases me that I should have gotten someone better, but still, it wasn't difficult to tame him." Alex smiled, while Martin simply rolled his eyes.
"Come on Alex, do you really think I would be doing that?" Martin said seeing his wife raising her eyebrows at him. "Nah, not this time… not with the new rush member coming."
"Huh, yeah, I heard one new member of the family is coming, which part of the family came from? Cousin Christopher? Cousin Edward?" Duncan said as he just heard the rumors coming from both Aunt Diana and from his mom. But then he just saw the silence coming from both of his relatives, but then he just saw both of them holding their hands and smiling happily. Immediately the delinquent had his eyes widening in surprise. "No way,"
"Oh, it's you two expecting a child? Congratulations." Courtney said as both detectives felt happy with the newest member of the family coming, and Duncan was now show an actual smile on his face.
"So is it a boy or a girl?" Duncan asked which simply smiled at him.
"Well, from what the doctor said, it's a boy starting to grow up. And we are debating which name we should give to him. Kozmo or Jack." Alex said as Courtney smiled happily, but then Duncan scoffed making her lose and glare at him.
"Seriously? Kozmo from Kozmotis Pitchiner?" Duncan commented which the C.I.T. girl looked weirdly at him, but then Duncan decided to tell the reasoning of his relatives. "Pitch Black, the boogeyman."
"What the hell? Why would name a child like that?" Courtney asked which immediately both Duncan's relatives scoffed. "And what about Jack?"
"Jack Frost." The trio on the car said in unisson, making the girl even more confuse.
And she had a slight impression of how a big headaches she was having on the moment. Her boyfriend's family are nice, but now she could understand why her boyfriend is completely crazy.
(?)
The girls lounged in the plush limousine, feeling like they'd stepped into a dream. The seats were velvety soft, the scent inside a luxurious blend of new leather and faint hints of vanilla from a hidden air freshener, and the low hum of the engine seemed to purr along the scenic road as they rode in comfort. Through tinted windows, they could see rolling hills and tall pines stretching alongside the winding path toward their destination. Lindsay's parents led the way in a sleek, cherry-red Ferrari that practically glided down the road. Her father, Lucy, took pride in that car, and it showed with every careful turn and subtle acceleration.
Inside, none of the girls, aside from Lindsay's sisters, had ever experienced such luxurious travel. They marveled at every detail: the miniature fridge filled with sparkling waters and fancy sodas, a spread of snacks arranged on a tray, and even tiny velvet pillows for extra comfort. Lindsay's parents had promised to take them to a special place, and the curiosity among them was thick. They couldn't help but imagine what awaited them as the limousine gently rocked with the curves of the road.
The conversation inside buzzed with excitement, laughter spilling over as the girls recounted stories and dreams. Fame had changed things for them, and Lindsay gleefully told her sisters about the thrill of winning, although she admitted it hadn't come without its share of challenges. She talked about the prize money and what she'd once dreamed of doing with it—buying France and becoming queen, though that fantasy had eventually given way to the idea of owning a mall. The very thought lit up her face; being the queen of her own mall was a new kind of dream, one that felt like a thrillingly big adventure.
Paula and Charlie chimed in, playfully debating which stores should fill Lindsay's future mall, tossing out ideas and laughing over what would make it the best spot in town. Izzy then jumped in with her own business dreams, mentioning her family's budding maple syrup company. She talked with bright eyes about Ezekiel's idea to use two sibling beavers as mascots, giving the syrup a whimsical, rustic appeal. The playful rivalry between the beaver siblings became a running joke in their advertising, and Izzy lit up as she shared her enthusiasm for their antics and the fun they had bringing the characters to life.
Beth's story was gentler, sharing glimpses of her modest life back on the farm. She'd taken her mom's advice about getting her braces removed and embraced the confidence it gave her. Charlie, hearing this, pulled Beth into a warm, enthusiastic hug, cheering her on with such genuine excitement that Beth couldn't help but beam back. It was clear how much her friends' support meant to her, their acceptance wrapping around her like a cozy blanket.
Heather, though she wore her usual confident expression, couldn't help but reveal some of her own hopes and plans for the future. She mused aloud about starting a vlog or even getting back into ballet, buoyed by the idea that her popularity might make these dreams a reality. She remembered her old ballet teacher mentioning the spike in enrollment after her appearance on Total Drama. It was a reminder that her performance, though grueling, had been a testament to her dedication and ambition. She spoke of it with pride, and even Beth, with a warm smile, recalled how they'd given their best effort on the show despite coming so close to victory.
Izzy, ever the wildcard, interrupted with a sigh, rolling her eyes and saying it all would have been better with more explosions. The others groaned, knowing Izzy's explosive streak, but couldn't help but laugh along.
As they approached their destination, the limousine slowed, and the girl's eyes grew wide in awe. Before them stood an expansive amusement park, owned by Lindsay's father. It stretched out before them like something out of a movie, with signs and themed decor that paid homage to all things maple, apple, and, unexpectedly, ducks. Each section of the park had its own unique charm—maple leaf arches colorful apple-themed games, and enormous duck statues scattered around for an extra quirky touch.
The amusement park sprawled out before them in vibrant colors and whimsical designs, a tribute to Lindsay's family's playful creativity. At the entrance, an enormous arch fashioned like intertwined maple leaves and apple branches welcomed guests with bright lights that flickered in a gentle, inviting rhythm. The paths leading into the park were lined with tall lampposts shaped like maple syrup bottles, a nod to Canadian pride, with amber lights glowing warmly as if filled with syrup.
The rides each had their unique charm and theme. One of the main attractions, The Maple Leaf Whirl, was a towering Ferris wheel with seats painted to resemble vibrant autumn leaves. As it turned, the wheel looked like a spinning tree, its "leaves" gently rotating high above the park, providing a stunning view of the entire landscape. Nearby, a roller coaster called The Duck Dash wound through faux lakes with giant, colorful ducks scattered along its tracks. Each time the ride passed a duck, water would spray up, adding an extra thrill and making the ride both a fast-paced dash and a lighthearted splash zone.
To the side, Apple Orchard Falls was an elaborate log flume ride winding through an apple orchard, with each boat shaped like a hollowed-out apple barrel. It was a fan favorite, with bursts of laughter echoing through the park as the boats tipped over miniature waterfalls and curved through twists lined with animatronic animals that winked and waved at riders.
The Carousel of Critters was another delight, designed with Canadian wildlife in mind. Instead of the usual horses, riders could hop on beavers, moose, raccoons, and even loons, each with their own unique, whimsical expression. The animals were all brightly painted, some wearing scarves, hats, or even tiny maple leaf pins, giving them a humorous and endearing look. The carousel itself was decorated with maple leaves that spun in gentle arcs above the riders' heads, while the organ music played a merry tune with hints of folk-inspired charm.
Heather couldn't help but feel more at ease knowing the amusement park wasn't technically Lindsay's—it was her father's prized investment. There was something oddly reassuring about adults holding onto their own treasures, much like her dad's strict attachment to his golf clubs. Heather remembered the fury in her father's eyes when one of her brothers accidentally broke a television with one of those clubs; he barely flinched at the shattered screen, but the damage to his favorite club? That brought down the harshest punishment Heather had ever seen. It almost made her appreciate the roots of her own intensity; her father's quirks had certainly rubbed off on her. Her brother, Jin-Soo, hadn't been as lucky—therapy had been his punishment, designed to shake off his kleptomaniac tendencies, and their father doubled down on sessions when he thought it was "character-building."
While Heather mused about her own family's strange rules, Beth remained in awe. She'd never dreamed of spending a day in an amusement park closed off for just her and her friends. This experience was pure magic. The thrill of having endless rides, treats, and games to themselves brought a kind of excitement that left her speechless. It was almost surreal, knowing her best friend's father actually owned the park, and the morning felt enchanted, like it had been designed just for their friendship.
Even Izzy had to admit that she had ideas on how she could buy some things around the future just for amusement, but seeing Lindsay's father having his own park for any day he wants, was something that she had to admit that she now had a new view on how rich people could be beyond her imagination. Ezekiel buying the Playa Del Losers and his plans to buy Wawanakwa had been something that she always wondered why he decided to do such a thing. But from seeing Lindsay's family having their own way of enjoying their time. Like Lindsay's new dream of buying a Mall only for herself. It seems the apple didn't fall off the tree.
Charlie, meanwhile, was brimming with excitement. Lindsay had half-jokingly suggested that Charlie would look fantastic in a hotel manager's uniform, complete with a warm smile and helpful demeanor. The idea delighted Charlie, who began envisioning herself running a place of her own, not only hosting guests but also creating a welcoming space for the community. Her warmth and optimism could blend with her ambitions to make something truly special.
Then there was Paula, ever the forward-thinker, who already had her sights set on becoming an investment champion. She admired the amusement park but viewed it through a future-focused lens as if each ride and stall represented a stepping stone toward a well-rounded business portfolio. Her focus and drive to secure financial freedom one day revealed the ambition within Lindsay's family. But, even as they talked about careers and futures, the girls maintained a light-hearted camaraderie, their ambitions intertwined with laughter and optimism.
"Welcome everyone." Lucy said as he was dressing himself on his favorite suit for whatever ocasions he liked to visit his little world. "On my amazing Lu Lu World, this amusement park will be for our total access, but I recommend for you girls to remain close as we will have a long schedule of places to go inside here. Follow me for the first roller-coaster."
Heather raised her eyebrows and looked at Lindsay. Who was so eager to show the place to her friends. Then looking for Izzy who simply shrugged, and had her grin as she couldn't lie that she was also excited to see how it would go.
With a sigh, Heather rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help but admit it. A whole place just for them, it feels really nice.
(?)
"Alright everyone, let's get ready to take off, the trip will be very fast since we will be by helicopter," Martin said as he used his special goggles, since he was very excited to take his nephew and his girlfriend to Niagara Falls.
"Hell yeah, this is going to be awesome." Duncan could say this day was getting even better, as he could see his girlfriend making sure that she would be secure and ready for everything. "Don't worry Courtney, this is going to be amazing, I promise."
"Well, okay, I'm just surprised because I never went by helicopter before," Courtney said as she was feeling nervous. But then a flash made both couple stop and look to see Alex smiling at them both while holding a camera on her hands.
"Sorry, just recording this moment, because I promise it will be saved in your family book. Trust me." Alex said as she could see her nephew rolling his eyes, and Courtney nodding her head.
"Alright let's g-" Martin was excited to finally take flight, but suddenly one of the phones started buzzing, which immediately surprised both detectives.
"Rush and Rush, detectives first class, mysteries easy solved. Alex speaking." Alex said in a tone that immediately Martin turned off the mechanical flight, which immediately the expression on her face showed nothing more than seriousness. "Yuri, what's the problem, we were clear that we were on days off..."
Martin sighed as he raised his hand in the direction of his wife, while Alex was speaking to the phone, when suddenly she became serious and passed to her husband.
"Martin Rush, talk to me." Martin said as Alex turned her face to the couple who seemed unsure on what to say, but good news wasn't.
"Sorry kids, it seems something horrible just happened... and it's related to one of your friends," Alex said as immediately both Duncan and Courtney had their eyes wide open and something terrible coming. "It seems someone named Cody Emmett Jameson Anderson had disappeared days ago since he didn't appear at his house a few days ago, and since it has already been 72 hours someone opened an investigation to try to find your friend."
Courtney was shocked as she started to pale while Duncan also felt horrified...
"Holyshit, th- wait a minute..." Duncan then blinked, as he realized one thing... "Did you said he didn't appeared on his house? Just that?"
Courtney then blinked, as immediately realized what Duncan meant.
"Ohhh... did you guys try to check Katie, his girlfriend? She said Cody was going to spend the 5 days off with her and her mom before returning on the show." Courtney commented as immediately Alex blinked a few times. The C.I.T. girl scratched nervously her neck as she tried to find a way to make it less awkward. "Do you want me to call her?"
Alex nodded her head, as Martin was also hearing part of the conversation.
"Yuri, hold on, there's some crucial evidence with me, wait for a while." Martin commented as Courtney looked at Duncan who simply shrugged, and let the girl try to have a conversation with the tan girl.
(?)
"Okay Cody, just for a few more seconds," Katie said as she was helping to sew a fabric Cody was holding the line to make sure isn't messed up. "I hope Gwen likes this neckerchief for her birthday, I tried to use the color palette and come up with something like a skull, but it was difficult to find fabric like that."
"I'm sure that she will like it Katie, I mean you are making sure it would look nice for her to use it." Cody smiled as he could see Bugsy sitting in one of the fabrics the midnight blue on it.
When suddenly the pink flip-phone that was near Katie was buzzing, and Katie was very much focused on the sewing.
"Cody, can you take it for me? If is Sadie you can tell her that she can get inside, she doesn't need to always keep calling me whenever she needs to get inside of my house." Katie said as the geek boy simply smiled and accepted the call.
"Hello," Cody said on the flip-phone.
"Cody? Is that you?" Courtney's voice asking immediately made the boy smile for the voice.
"Courtney, how are you?" Cody answered the call, not realizing the sigh of relief coming from the other side.
"Well we are fine... about going to Niagara Falls b-"
"Oh that's awesome, hey Katie, it's Courtney, she said she and Duncan are going to Niagara Falls," Cody said as immediately the tan twin had her eye sparkling as she was gushing as well.
"Awwwww, that's so romantic, can you tell them that I wish them a good time?" Katie said as her boyfriend nodded his head.
"Katie said for you and Duncan having a great time on there... Courtney?" Cody commented but then he just heard the silence of the flip-phone. "Hello?"
"Cody Emmett Jameson Anderson?" Then a very mature voice, from nobody he heard before suddenly said his full name made him pale.
"Yes? How did you know my name?" Cody said as he dropped the line, and stared at the flip phone like something bad just happened.
"My name is Martin Rush, detective of America Police's 21th force, and I got recently call from the Canada Police of Vancouver that you had been disappeared by 72 hours." Martin said as immediately the boy paled in fear. "I want to ask you where have you been during this time."
"Oh my God, I have been with my girlfriend during all these days, who was the one who opened the search request?" Cody said in an alarm tone, which immediately Katie who was sewing to stop and look at her boyfriend almost hyperventilating.
"In accord with a reliable officer. A person named Sierra had been insisting on your disappearance after 72 hours." Martin commented as Cody groaned like it was the bane of his existence.
"Are you kidding me? I don't even know her, how did she even know I wasn't at my house?" Cody said as he never thought someone would be that obssessive with him, in a point that could even scary him.
"I have no idea Mr. Anderson, but in any case, I will tell the officer to take the search as closed, drop the forces, and make a report about this case having as a keyword to not trust the name of the person who made the request." The detective explained about the next procedure, and Cody nodded his head with good relief.
"Yes, please do that sir, from what I know, that girl had been a troll in the forums of Total Drama Island, and had been harassing my girlfriend all this time, could you also tell your friend to detail that?" Cody made the request, which he could hear the man humming on the other side of the call.
"Will do that, sorry about the disturbance on this day, and thank you for your understanding," Martin said as Cody could feel a weight on his shoulders that he didn't know he had been dropped as he finally could breathe in relief.
"No, you don't need to thank me, I thank you, Mr. Rush," Cody said as he turned off the flip-phone, and when he looked at his girlfriend, she was feeling anxious, but with a good and a tranquil smile, Cody went to hug his girlfriend, knowing that she had saved his life.
(?)
"Nice kid," Martin said as he nodded to his wife, as she finally gave the details of the explanation for her coworker.
"Next time why don't you bother to ask his girlfriend instead of calling us okay? We were in the last 2 days off, now fuck you." Alex said as she flipped back the flipphone, which both detectives had to sigh. "Thank God it was a false alarm."
"Yeah, you tell me. Well, can we just take flight now?" Martin said as the question was rethorical which when someone was about to reply. "Nah, just kidding, let's take light now everyone. Attention everyone, Martin's Rush speaking. The temperature of the flight is very sweet, we are about to have the best time of our lives, let's forget the jackass who came to annoy our day, and let's go straightly to Niagara falls,"
"Pff..." Duncan who was already preparing himself, he couldn't help but chuckle a bit, which he could see his girlfriend looking at him. "Emmett Jameson, who the hell name their children like that?"
"Duncan..." Courtney crossed her arms as she gave a deadpan look at him, as she even turned her face to the couple who was finally taking flight on the helicopter.
"Oh no, don't you even dare." Duncan said as he could see Courtney smirking at him. "Now come at me girl, you need to see the view."
Courtney smiled, and with a good kiss, the couple went back to start their day going to Niagara Falls. To enjoy their whole day and have fun. Knowing that on the next day they are going into a birthday party. And enjoy the last day off they could have before returning to the season 2.
Only a few had an idea on what Chris were about to do with them. And only the future will tell if they will be able to survive that show once again.
(?)
2 day, it took 2 days until both Sky and Jane reached their destination, their house that it was in British Columbia, on the other side of the country. A whole journey that it took days driving, 2 days to go, and 2 days to return. In the end everything was worth it, since they not only meet one but two members of Killer Bass, but also one of them being the one which Sky developed her crush on.
Jane had to say this week had been nothing but worth it for the two cree girls. Since it was very difficult to process that she had both the phone numbers of both Courtney and Ezekiel, she felt like even as they were celebrities, she doesn't mind to have them sending messages just to help Sky cheer up and focus on her task to train for the olimpics.
And with the 2 new books, she was happy to read them all when she finally recover from exhaustion, enjoying a good reading time when she isn't done helping the college. As much it was painful and humiliating, she knew that her days were counted, but she needed to keep trying to find a way to pay for the bills on the next month, she had 30 days, something would be enough to make her stable into helping to raise her little sister.
"We are finally home," Jane said as she looked at the back of the car, seeing the little lump of her sister who was using a jacket as a blanket since it took long hours of the trip just to make sure they would return. Jane knew the responsability of taking care of her sister, and living idependently of the culture of her families and leaving her clan was something that she knew the risks. But one choice that she didn't regret it. "It had been a crazy year... but nothing that I couldn't take care of... I will find a way, I just hope I could find something soon."
Jane said as she hoped that someday, the conections she did with networking with anyone would give her a new direction on where she could find an interniship or an actual job to help her being stable in life and raise her sister.
She didn't have time tobe hopeless, she was too tired to think about the bad things on the future, all she want now was to take a shower, and go back to sleep... That after she wakes up her sister and make sure she would sleep on her bedroom as well.
The job she will have in the future? Who knows? At least she can talk to her classmates about the time meet the duck Howard again and the girl who made him bring the book for her. And how she became friends with both Courtney and Ezekiel... And looking on how her little sister was also smiling on her sleep. Jane knew she will not be the only one who will brag the right of meeting the author of her favorite book.
"Well, maybe I will call the cable company to ask if the next season of Total Drama will also have Pay-Per-View," Jane said as she was happy with the new possibilities on how things will go in the future. "Tomorrow will be the last day off, and people probably will be very excited to see the first episode. Good luck Courtney and Ezekiel. We will be cheering for you both."
Chapter 56: Birthday Party - Final Day of Rest
Notes:
And here we are, after so much time. I can't believe that the whole preparation of the arc finally came to an end, and all the preparations and setups are ready for the next year. Will I make a new bonus chapter? Who knows? I don't promise anything. I need to focus on my studies and on my course. But I'm so glad to write it down the final day... As the same way the great writers of Total Drama around, Donde Todo Comezo finally reached the end of the season of Revenge of the Island. Please read both in English and Spanish Version, the writer deserves all the prize and compliment. As the same way the writer of Total Drama Loud and Total Loud Action, he went on Hiatus but still one of the best creations and preparation for Total Drama Crossovers.
I did my part, and I'm so glad that I managed to get that far. But still I hope you guys like this new chapter. And get more excited for the next season. Still. Have fun reading the new chapter.
Chapter Text
Gwen had mixed feelings about her birthday. On any other day, she would have loved waking up to the warmth of the sun, but not today. She glanced at the small slivers of sunlight sneaking through her blinds and groaned, pulling her blanket over her head. Birthdays just weren't her thing—especially because everyone assumed she loved Halloween-themed parties.
It didn't help that her mom always tried to pull off a non-Halloween celebration, only for guests to show up in costumes anyway. Gwen could remember the time her mom got frustrated enough to try enforcing the rule; still, her uncle had shown up in a zombie outfit. Gwen had laughed, though, especially when her mom, in her irritation, pelted him with eggshells from the kitchen. Despite her mom's over-the-top love for her, Gwen sometimes found it exhausting—especially since her mom had a similar doting streak for her younger brother, Cody, though neither of them would ever admit it to each other.
Today, though, there was more on her mind than the typical dread of a themed birthday. She was excited to see her friends again, the ones she'd made on Total Drama, and her old friends from school, who'd all be coming over. But she couldn't shake the heavy feeling in her stomach; this party marked the last day of freedom before she would be dragged back into the chaos of Total Drama for another season. She still couldn't believe Ezekiel had thrown away the million-dollar suitcase—now they were all stuck in this mess again.
As the room grew brighter with the morning light, Gwen sighed and threw back her covers. Today would be bittersweet, and she knew it. But for now, she just had to get through the party—and try to enjoy the time with her friends before everything went crazy again.
Gwen trudged down the stairs, her eyes barely open, when a familiar whine drifted from the kitchen. She stopped, eyebrows raised, and crept closer, peeking around the corner. There was her little brother, Cody, gazing at a plate of freshly baked treats on the counter with wide, pleading eyes.
"Please, just a little piece!" he begged, hands outstretched in desperation.
But just as he was about to swipe a crumb, a loud smack echoed through the kitchen. Cody yelped, clutching his hand, as DJ's momma loomed over him, arms crossed and eyes sharp.
"In dis house, food is only for da party, yuh hear me?" she scolded in her thick Jamaican accent, not backing down an inch. "Nobody touches a thing 'til da first guest arrives, not a crumb!"
DJ, standing beside Cody, gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "It's okay, Cody. We just gotta wait a bit—"
But DJ's gaze drifted longingly toward a warm loaf of bread cooling on the counter, his hand reaching out instinctively. Just as his fingers brushed the edge, *smack!* DJ recoiled, rubbing his hand with a grimace as his mom glared at him, spatula in hand.
"Nope!" DJ's momma snapped. "You wait, too, DJ. Ain't no special treatment!"
"Ouch..." DJ mumbled, cradling his hand.
Gwen finally entered the kitchen, still groggy, her hair a mess and her eyes half-closed as she shuffled to the cabinet for a glass of water.
"Morning, Cody…morning, DJ…morning, DJ's momma…" she mumbled, oblivious to the trio watching her in amused silence. She filled her glass and drank, eyes still droopy, until it suddenly hit her. She blinked, her eyes widening in surprise. "Wait a minute, DJ, you're already here?"
"Happy birthday, Gwen!" DJ boomed, sweeping her up in a bear hug before she could protest. Her bones creaked under the pressure as she tried to catch her breath.
"DJ—back—pain…" she gasped, and he quickly released her, laughing sheepishly.
"Oops, my bad," he said, scratching his head with a grin.
"Happy birthday, Gwen!" Cody chimed in, raising his fist for a bump. Gwen rolled her eyes but obliged, only for him to pull her into a hug right after, squeezing her with all the excitement he could muster.
"Thanks, Cody…" Gwen said with a small smile, noticing how DJ's momma seemed to have taken full control of the kitchen. "Why are you two here so early?"
"We came as soon as we could and started gettin' everythin' ready," DJ explained, as his mom nodded in agreement.
"Allison went to get ice for the party," Momma added in her thick Jamaican accent. "We gotta make sure the drinks stay nice and cold for all your friends." She glanced at DJ, just as his hand crept toward a crumb on the counter. *Smack!* Her palm was faster than he was, and DJ yelped, pulling his hand back.
"When I say no one, I mean no one, you hear me?" she warned, her sharp gaze locking onto him.
"Yeesh…" Gwen muttered, feeling a twinge of sympathy as she realized breakfast was out of the question. It looked like she, DJ, and Cody would have to wait until one of the guests arrived before they could eat anything.
"I'm going to take a shower," Gwen announced, stifling a yawn. "I don't want people seeing me with morning hair."
"Hey, they already saw you like that on TV—" Cody began, but his comment was cut short by a quick slap on the mouth from DJ's momma.
"None of that sass to the birthday girl, not today!" she scolded, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at DJ, too. "And that goes for you as well, Devon Joseph."
"Yes, Momma," the boys mumbled in unison, looking like scolded schoolchildren.
Gwen smirked, savoring the brief moment of peace and enjoying the minor victory as she made her way upstairs. So far, things were going smoothly—just as long as her friends could keep their hands off the food.
"There it is, my sweet girl," Allison said as she hugged the birthday girl, who clearly didn't like being treated in such a way. "Happy birthday Gwen."
"Thanks mom," Gwen said as she was now fully dressed with her usual clothing, she started using the black lassed dress, silver bracelets, and the new fabric with the collar depicting the saint, which now she knew that she was ready for the whole day being special for her.
At the time she went downstairs again, and could have a better look at DJ, he was wearing a black shirt but on the sleeves, there were the colors of yellow, and green, which she couldn't help but muse that it was a unique way to dress a shirt of Jamaica, but mostly of the shirt was black, which Gwen couldn't help but look at surprise that even DJ's momma was wearing a full elegant clothing and purse, but all fitting in a black color as well.
Cody also was wearing his traditional black shirt and a black cap to show his support, which the goth girl couldn't help but be happy that her mom actually asked everyone to be dressed in black, as long it would be a shirt or a whole set of clothing, she was feeling fine since it wasn't a costume, but more fitting of her birthday, but still, the sleeve was big enough to hide the tattoo DJ made on the mall, as the same way Gwen was happy that her dress did the same thing.
And by seeing Allison, her mother didn't also wasted the time, she was also wearing a black dress, to try to make sure her daughter would have the best party she could before leaving for the season 2.
"Well I got a text from Geoff, he said he will be here in a few minutes." DJ commented as he could see the boy already salivating from the food in front of him, but they couldn't do much since the momma was now keep vigilating around the food, and anyone trying to touch the food until the guests appear would receive a pain on the hands.
"Thank God, I'm almost eating the cushion here," Cody said which immediately Gwen to roll her eyes, but she felt more content seeing that her friends were coming.
And from the ring bell, immediately made not just the goth, but also DJ and Cody who were now finding a good excuse to attack the food. Gwen slowly walked past the main room just to hear a clapping and a humming outside. Gwen raised her eyebrows as she then opened the door, revealing Geoff wearing a black polo shirt and jeans, and to her surprise Ezekiel who was now wearing a black marching band jacket that looked similar to Welcome to the black parade, while behind them, Bridgette was wearing a black long-sleeve shirt.
But then what made Gwen being caught of surprise was actually Geoff and Ezekiel clapping their hands. And before she could ask what they were doing, they simply decided to sing.
Today's gonna be a-ok
Cause we're celebratin' your birthday
Happy birthday, Gwen
Celebratin' your birthday!
Today's gonna be a-ok
Cause we're celebratin' your birthday
Happy birthday, Gwen
Celebratin' your birthday!
Gwen blinked, but she couldn't help but chuckle, since it was the first time she could hear someone singing a birthday song that actually isn't the boring standard version of it. It was kinda silly and yet refreshing.
"Thanks guys, welcome. Come in." Gwen said as Geoff hugged her, followed by Ezekiel and then Bridgette who imediatelly smiled at seeing the goth in the new clothing she bought. "Since when they prepared the song?"
"On the same day, they discovered you were going to have a birthday on Halloween. Ezekiel and Geoff kept singing that as their way to make the song stick around." Bridgette replied as she chuckled to see the boys walking to greet the others inside of the house. "Well gotta to admit it was catchy."
"Yeah, in a good way." Gwen commented as she was happy to see the group already.
"Wow, so this is your house?" Ezekiel commented as he looked around and found it was indeed cozy and yet in the big contrast of everything that he learned about Gwen, but since it was strange meeting Gwen's family, he wasn't going to lie that he was also feeling excited from the experience. "DJ how are you man?"
"I'm doing fine, how is it going guys?" DJ greeted as he gave a high five to the homeschooled boy, and the party boy already did the same as he approached the young brother of the birthday girl.
"So you must be the Cody, Gwen's younger brother, she talked about you, specially on the events of the video message from home." Geoff commented as he gave a fist bump on the boy who immediately was digging a few pastries for breakfast, since DJ's momma finally gave the green light for them to eat.
"That's me," Cody said with his mouth full since he was feeling starving. "Nice to meet ya."
"Wow, you look starving dude," Ezekiel commented as he looked at the boy who was just an inch taller than him. "Are you okay?"
"It's just my breakfast, so you are Ezekiel, I have read your book and I became a big fan of it. Still got shit scared from some stories." Cody commented as the boy simply chuckled.
"Well, I'm glad to meet a fan, but you know that a family to a friend of mine is a friend to me," Ezekiel commented as he saw DJ taking a plate with him and already grabbing something to eat for breakfast. "You both didn't have breakfast?"
"Not with Momma as security guard," Gwen said as she then turned around to see there was only the group alone, and both mothers aren't even there anymore. "DJ do you know where you mom went?"
"Don't know, don't care, we have food now, better to eat before she comes back," DJ said as he quickly took the opportunity to eat the sandwiches, making Ezekiel and Geof tilt their heads at him, and the gentle giant noticed their gaze on him. "Don't judge me, I have been helping momma for hours and I couldn't eat breakfast as well."
"Nobody is judging you DJ, we are just surprised." Geoff said, as Bridgette came nearby the group, which imediatelly Gwen crossed her arms with a smirk on her face.
"I'm mostly surprised that you two just got inside of my house and didn't start making out already." Gwen said as she already had prepared the water spray, just ready in case of something would go out of control, and seeing both of them deadpanning at her, made her smile.
"Har, har, har," Geoff said as he rolled his eyes, and Ezekiel was already munching one of the muffins. "Just for your case, we had a good talk and we planned to have a little break from all the kissing, we aren't going to do it on your birthday."
"Yeah, after we watched ourselves at Playa Del Losers and on the final episode, we agreed that maybe we went a little overboard on the kissing," Bridgette said the comment, which made DJ, Ezekiel, and Gwen… even Cody who was eating too slowly turn their heads at them and raise their eyebrows. "Fine, we kissed ourselves a lot, don't judge us."
"Fine," The group said as they resumed to their eating, and Gwen smirked as she was liking the day so far.
.
.
.
"Thanks for signing my book." Cody said as Ezekiel was happy to sign for another fan. But he still chuckled from hearing the story coming from the Gwen's brother.
"And thank you for telling me your experience with the black puddle queen, now I can imagine that your cousin had no idea why are you so mad at her," Ezekiel said as he continued to drink the punch, seeing that little by little are coming on the visit.
Tyler was the one who came half hour later, as he was wearing a black sleeveless shirt, and was kinda weird to see him without his usual red jumpsuit.
Eva came next as she was now wearing a black top, and white yoga pants, but still the tattoos could give a better way to hide some of the scars around her abdomen.
"It's kinda strange to see you outside of your sport jacket Tyler," Gwen said as she was surprised into even seeing the boy actually had muscles, since most of the time it was always covered with the jacket.
"It's fine, my mom was cleaning them up for the time we go to the show tomorrow, so I'm using one of the last black shirts I have," The jock explained, seeing the group staring at him in surprise. "I mean, I like wearing my jacket, but I'm just making an exception today, also I didn't know that you do yoga, Eva."
"I do," The bodybuilder said as was enjoying her drink and adding more food on the plate. "A good stretch to help on the working out, it's a good way to not be sore after the exercises."
"I want a rematch on the arm wrestling," Tyler said as Eva simply raised her eyebrows and shrugged she couldn't say no.
The poor jock couldn't even make her move her arm backward. The strength of the ironwoman was too much for him and made him on the floor on the first minute.
"Gweeeeeen, guess who just came to participate in the party?" Then Allison sang as at the time she opened the door, revealed the trio of goths, Reaper, Marilyn, and Pixie Corpse, appeared in their usual clothes, as the trio of goths looked a bit annoyed from how cheerful her friend's mom was.
Gwen also had the urge to groan annoyed, but she decided to ignore that feeling and saw the group who gave her a few black boxes, probably being gifts for the goth birthday girl.
.
.
.
"So you created Marceline just like that? She isn't an actual vampire, but she is a half-demon and half-human but just got bitten by a vampire?" Pixie Corpse asked in realization as she never imagined one of the characters of the book was that complex.
"Yep, and sorry for Gwen not warning you about the last chapter," Ezekiel said as he scratched a bit of his head… It had been very strange for him to meet new people, and thankfully Gwen was there to give him some help, especially the trio of goths who asked for him to sign their books.
"To be honest I'm not very fond of books, but Pixie forced me to read her book, just for the final chapter," Reaper said as he could see the glare coming from his friend. "Hey, it's not my fault that I don't like all that silly and weird stuff.
"Well, to be honest, I was planning to make Adventure Time go into a very dark turn on the next volume, or the one after that," Ezekiel said which immediately Gwen raised her eyebrow in surprise.
"Really?" Gwen asked as immediately Bridgette heard the word of a book she liked to hear. "So you are already planning to write the next volume?"
"Not at all," Ezekiel waved his hand, as he could see Gwen and Bridgette approaching him. "I have one idea for a one-shot volume project, and I think it's going to be your favorite. Also, this book would be mind-blowing when someone discovers the theory behind this book."
"Oh do tell?" Marillyn asked curious, which Ezekiel decided to smile mysteriously.
"I think while we will be on season 2, it's going to be very interesting if I have my work done and ready to be published quickly, but still there are a lot of things to be done until there," Ezekiel explained as suddenly the knock of the door was enough to make Gwen stares and since her mom wasn't there, she went ahead, leaving the homeschooled boy and the surfer girl, talking about the book.
At the time Gwen opened the door, she was greeted to see Harold was wearing a black jacket and a black bennie.
"Harold?" Gwen asked in surprise, as she had to blink 3 times just to realize the nerd was one of her friends, and he was looking different from the actual blue hamburger shirt.
"Yeah, that had been our reaction." Then another voice came from behind, and Gwen couldn't help but smile to see Courtney and Duncan too, as the duo also had been using the clothes they bought from the goth store. Courtney smiled as she hugged Gwen and wished happy birthday to her. While Duncan nodded his head. "If wasn't for the fact that we had known him for so long I would have thought he was a boy trying to impress a girl."
"Ha, ha, ha," Harold rolled his eyes, and both smirked as the duo gave a fist bump. "Ready to party before we go to the show tomorrow?"
"Of course," Gwen smiled as she let the group in. Knowing that soon all the group of her friends would be there, she wondered how things would go from that point, and before she could even close the door, she heard someone calling her name.
"Gwen, wait up." The girl was about to close the door when she just saw a strong hand pushing the door which made her go down. "Woah… ops… sorry,"
Gwen didn't even realized the girl who just pushed the door, but it was almost enough to be a truck getting over her, but as soon her dizziness stopped, she could see it was just Sadie who was wearing a black blouse and a black pants. And around that blouse there was a slight mark of pink line crossing the entire silhouette.
"Oh my God, Gwen are you okay?" Then the goth girl could see another person that she could imagine appearing, since it was the chubby twin appeared, then her best friend or sister of another mother, the tan twin appeared as she was wearing the same style of clothing, but instead of being black pants, it was a tiny black shorts and a long black stocking. And on her side, there was Cody, wearing a black T-shirt, and a black cap that looked similar to her brother.
"Ughhh…" It was Gwen's only response, when the duo girls got her to get up and slowly each of them gave a hug. And Cody gave her a tap on her back and a hug wishing her happy birthday.
And with that, the team was reunited once again...
.
.
.
"So they said it was fine for us to get our coffee since we are friends with the local celebrity," Marilyn commented as Gwen placed both her hands over her face and the group chuckled from seeing her embarrassed by her popularity.
"Really, you had to tell them about that?" Gwen said as she was feeling annoyed by her friends.
To say all the friends she made got along just fine was perfectly reasonable since Ezekiel, Duncan, and Harold all dragged the group together to talk about their experience of being celebrities, usually, things had been crazy for each of them.
"What's the problem of being popular?" Harold asked as the group looked at him. "I went into the comic store I usually go to, and they even let me have some products for free. All I had to do was take some pictures."
"Yeah, but you shouldn't let that get up over your head Harold, I mean it." Ezekiel said as he even nodded to Eva who cracked her knuckles.
"Oh come on what's so bad about it?" Harold said as he thought being popular was awesome and even wanted to show some pride of it, but Ezekiel immediately rolled his eyes. Which thankfully Bridgette was there to give some help.
"Because as much it would be good to be popular, you must be aware that nothing is forever, and you must act cautiously about what you are going to do in the future," Bridgette commented as the group stared at her in confusion, but Courtney was there to continue.
"She is right, as many people would be famous for just a few weeks or months, you must remember that you must be remembered for the good things, and not be the kind of people who would try to be in scandals all the time." Courtney finished which immediately Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Exactly, and to be honest. You should use your fame for things even better than acting as a celebrity." Ezekiel said as the group turned their eyes on him. Seeing the homeschooled boy pointed out in one of his books. "For example, I managed to launch a book by using my popularity which created a success. All you can do is find a way to make use of your celebrity in a job that you would be interested in doing. Like Eva, what do you plan to do when the show is over?"
The group turned their heads to see the bodybuilder nodding her head in understanding.
"I'm training to be a MMA fighter, and going against everyone on UFC to get some belts," Eva commented as the group had their eyes wide open in surprise. Making Ezekiel nod his head in pride.
"Exactly, we are now a bit famous, but that doesn't mean that we should shove on the faces of others, we need to use that as a tool to make us have a more stable life by having the 3 concept rules that would make the life perfect," Ezekiel said as the others blinked at him.
"And what would that rule be?" Both Codys said at the same time, which the group stared at them in surprise. But it wasn't Ezekiel who said that. And from all people it was Tyler who took the word.
"My mom always said that we should find a job we like to work, a person we would love to marry and have a family, and find a good place where you could enjoy your rest and have a good life." The jock being the one explaining the 3 rules surprised everyone.
"Exactly, these were the rules my Ma and Pa gave to me since working too much would give you health issues, you need to find a great place that you would like to rest, and working into a job you hate is something awful to anyone… And creating a good family to cherish everything you did, sometimes is the concept of what we truly seek for ourselves, happiness… away from the loneliness." Ezekiel commented that he knew that most of the people of Total Drama Island just for the sake of comedy failed a lot of things in life which turned out to be another example of trying to participate in the next season of the show.
"Huh, I never thought about it," Harold commented as he didn't realize that he needed to rethink more about life. "I mean, I was thinking of moving into the attic of my mom with my girlfriend."
"…" The group of friends remained in silence, but immediately Gwen's brother was the person who decided to break the silence.
"Maybe you should have another plan dude, I don't think a girl would like to live in the attic of a house." Gwen's brother was the one who explained the situation, especially the girls looking weird at the nerd who just raised his hands.
"Oh come on, it was just an idea." Harold said which immediately the boys chuckled from the nerd's weirdness.
"Well… the boss of Katie's mom actually liked me and said he would recommend me to a video game company to start to work on there." Cody decided to break the ice and with that good bomb made everyone stare at him in surprise.
"Woah, so now are you going to make video games?" Gwen's brother said as he raised his arm to give a high five, and the boyfriend of the tan twin did it, which made the group stare at the Codies with amused glances.
"Well, I just need to finish school, and read some books of videogame, I think my parents can pay some tutors, but still I think I just would be working as an assistant, which I'm not sure that even if I would be able to create a game with all the great story," Cody said as he scratched the back of his head.
"Who said you need to create a videogame with a good story," Harold said which the group stared at the nerd… "Classics like Tetris, Pong, and Pacman didn't need lore and they were great success of the past."
"Yeah, but with a lot of people who want to create video games around the world, what kind of game I could even create?" Cody asked, which immediately Ezekiel had a good idea on his mind.
"There is an impostor… Among Us…" Ezekiel said which immediately caught the attention of his friends. A game that became so popular in pop culture, a game that created a lot of funny moments, YouTubers who he loved to see around playing on his past life. And with the possibility that such video games would never exist in this world? Why not make someone bring one of the best OG investigative impostor games around the world to exist? "Among us…"
"What are you talking about?" The group looked at him, as Ezekiel decided to share his idea.
.
.
.
"Okay, I have to admit, it sounds simple, and yet something I would play, it sounds fun," Courtney commented as Duncan nodded his head.
"Yeah, it's about how good you would be at finding out the culprit, or in case you are the impostor, how good you are in bluffing," Duncan said as Cody had to write down the idea.
"So about those classes… I like the idea of Jester, being someone good enough to make the others think it was you who did it. And creating the paranoia around to see who you could trust or not." Cody said as he could see himself working around with the plan. "But it would be difficult to make a good server that would make everyone have a microphone to talk over each round when the body is discovered."
"Well, online games always let the chance of using the microphones and talk, WoW was one of the games which people talked online." Harold gave the explanation which immediately Ezekiel smiled. "It's possible, and it doesn't seem to be that complicated for computers."
"Yeah, a game like that would be possible, but you would need to think ahead and study to make it work Cody," Ezekiel said as he smiled after drinking another punch. "I mean, I gave the idea, but all the hard work is up to you."
"Okay, okay. So in case I did it, I want to be sure if would work, so I would call you all to give a try at the time I get accepted into working at a videogame company." Cody said as he sighed, which immediately the Killer Bass team nodded their heads happily with the plan.
"I'm so glad that everyone seems to be having fun," Allyson said as she was helping to place the drinks over the table, while DJ's momma also left the good food for people to enjoy, by making sandwiches, muffins or even some good bakes for case people want to give a try before the cake being cut.
"Yes, It's been a while since I saw DJ being so happy around and even talking with friends at the same place. When he was with his siblings in Jamaica the last party he was, he didn't take it well."Momma explained as the mother of 2 kids raised her eyebrows in surprise. "It was a pool party and he got with his shorts stuck like a wedgie, it was very hard to see DJ willing to go at the pool again."
"Well, after the jump on the cliff of the show, I'm not surprised that he forgot that fear so quickly," Allyson said which immediately the Jamaican mom nodded her head. With now both moms looked worried. "Do you think the new seasons will be as dangerous as the other?"
"It's possible, and I'm hoping that my boy wouldn't be caught like that and get hurt in such a drastic way," Momma commented as the duo looked at how the group of friends continued talking and chuckling loudly.
"Wait, wait, hold on. You want to start a coffee farm?" Gwen asked Ezekiel who nodded his head.
"Yep," Ezekiel said as he even smiled a little. "The sales of my books skyrocketed and I gotta say there were some who exported directly to the United States, which means that I have a chance to one of my books appear in New York Times as best seller, and having a good chance against Harry Potter or even Percy Jackson books."
"Holyshit, for real?" Reaper said in surprise and the boy nodded his head.
"Yeah, but I have no idea which one they said to go against them, my publisher said one of my books, so I'm kinda curious on which one is going to go against the 2 best seller book franchises," Ezekiel said as he nodded his head. "I got a big check thought, and with a few more. I could be able to finally make my own coffee farm."
"Oh that's great, but you must think about the environment, and where would be the place you would try to make a farm of it," Gwen commented that both she and Bridgette had a great value and view of the place on where farmers should actually work, especially on how cruel the farms would kill the slight animals just for the sake to make the plants and produce vegetables.
"Well…I have some places to think on where I should be doing my coffee farm, but still it's too early and I need to hold a good money and find the good products to help me to have some good edge." Ezekiel commented which immediately Harold raised his hand.
"If you don't mind I'm quite aware of some good coffee knowledge, I recommend some around Cana-" Harold was about suggest something but Ezekiel already interrupted.
"Thanks for the suggestion Harold, but I'm already in mind the right place on where I should be studying about coffee." Ezekiel said as he had some kind of good smile on his face. "After this season is over, I'm planning to take a trip to Minas Gerais, Brazil and Cusco, Peru."
"Those 2 countries from South America?" Bridgette and Courtney asked as they raised their eyebrows in surprise.
"2 of the top 5 best coffee countries around the world," Ezekiel said as he didn't want to talk badly of some of the other countries like Cuba, Colombia, or another from Latin America, but he needed to make sure to say they were the top 5 because they deserved the championship titles of the best coffees of the world from 2022 to 2024.
"Wow, and here I thought you were going to be a bit on the other state." Harold said as he was actually fascinated, "Isn't that a bit risky? I mean, you don't even speak their language."
"Ah don't worry about it." Ezekiel shrugged as he gave a small smile. "I will find a way, but the good thing is that I was willing to go into an international trip since I could translate my books if the show of Total Drama becomes international, so that means we could have countries supporting us."
"Wait, you mean we have a chance of Total Drama and the whole world knows about us?" Tyler said as he was sweating nearvous.
"Oh? Do tell?" Eva smirked as she could actually use the potential international trips to go to other countries, Tayland to give a try on the Muay Thai or Brazil to study Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu.
"Yep, I got an email from my lawyer, who somehow managed to get a scan of the contract, and I'm so hyped because if our success on the episodes still growing, we can be known not only in the United States but can be watched from countries like Italy, France, Germany, Russia, etc. So like I said, the opportunity is ours to give a try to everything in our hands." Ezekiel said as immediately most of the guys were in shock, except for Courtney and Duncan.
"This time we are prepared." Duncan said as he got the looks of everyone. "My parents got a call from Courtney's mom who send the contract online, and Courtney passed a few hours studying at the time we return from the mall."
"So you two knew?" Bridgette asked in curious as the C.I.T. nodded her head.
"Yeah, from the whole concept of the contract it seems this time we are going to be inside of an abandoned movie studio on Ontario," Courtney explained as the group had their eyes wide open in surprise.
"Which means it probably will be about movies, and if we play our cards right, there is a chance of people becoming actors in the future," Ezekiel said as immediately Katie and Sadie got hyped.
"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh. Can you imagine us being movie stars?" Katie said as she was jumping excitedly with the idea. "I could do our figurines."
"And I would love to make some romantic scenes, or dramatic scenes." Sadie said as she was even happier since Cody gave a knowing look to Katie who nodded her head.
"Aww yeah, I can use my mad skills," Harold said as he now felt a good chance to show more of his techniques and even knowledge around everything.
And Ezekiel smiled, because it seems that while things will go chaotic, at least now that they know what they will be working now, it will create more ways for them get optimistic about their future on the show, and who knows? Everyone is going to have a better life in the future.
.
.
.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Cody insisted as Courtney and Duncan asked about how he was feeling. "I have to thank Mr. Martin to help closing the missing report, I can imagine my parents would be worried if that would get online or worse on television."
"Sierra got us by surprise from the missing report Cody, that wasn't a joke," Ezekiel said as he didn't imagine the crazy stalker would go in point to cross the line go beyond the internet, and immediately go at the local police for report Cody disappearing.
"Yeah, dear. We kinda acted careless," Katie admitted that maybe they could have called for his neighbors to explain where he went.
"Well at least it wasn't an actual kidnap, or things would have gone out of control," Bridgette commented as Geoff nodded his head.
"You are lucky that we knew Katie's phone number, or it would make my relatives go behind your ass, and they are quite persistent," Duncan said he had a long knowledge of how his family would work as detectives, but still he was glad that nothing happened with the string bean.
"Yeah Cody, at least you got us covered, and to surprisingly, who know what she would have done at the time you were alone at home?" Geoff commented which imediatelly everyone on the room shivered.
"I usually would have liked a babe being after me, but if I was you. I would have gone to police." Gwen's brother said as the goth herself couldn't help but be surprised. "I mean, I would be flirty with the girls, but a stalker like that? I think I would get paranoiac with her."
"Yeah, that was what I was thinking." Cody said to the boy who looked almost like him, which the group stared at the duo, and then stared at Gwen.
"I know, I know. It's kinda creepy that I find these two almost similar, but in comparison than the show, it's not the worst thing I ever saw." Gwen said as both Codies would be almost twins, if wasn't for the fact one is almost the same age as Gwen, and the other is 1 or 2 years younger than her.
"Well, I think she got lucky, because if she would try something to attack you. I know Katie and Sadie would beat the crap of her." Tyler commented as DJ nodded his head. Which Eva nodded with pride.
"You have done well on training. But still, you need to learn how to throw a punch. In the future, I will teach you." Eva said to now paled twin who just started sweating.
"Ohhh… good… more exercises from Eva," Sadie said as Ezekiel immediately knew what the chubby strong girl was thinking. She didn't even have that much rest, and now Eva is going to take her ass to have another hellish training.
Reaper and Marilyn looked at Gwen with their eyebrows raised.
"They are always like this?" Reaper asked, and Gwen nodded her head.
"Every time," Gwen said, as the group could see DJ having a good time talking with Pixie Corpse.
"And that's how we usually do a fried chicken," DJ said as immediately the goth girl with pink hair nodded her head.
"Is that so? Hmm, never thought about that." The last member of the goth trio nodded her head, as the more the group eat and talked, it seems the time had been passing more and more. "And how about this sandwich, what your mom does to make this tasty?"
"Oh, it's a secret recipe." DJ said as he was happy to talk about food with the group, specially everyone who was enjoying a good food that he and his momma worked together to eat.
.
.
.
"Oh, Courtney, how was the trip to Niagara Falls?" Katie said as Courtney blushed, and Duncan chuckled, which he gave a secret thumbs up.
"It was quite romantic actually," Courtney said as she gave a small smile, which Duncan chuckled.
"Yeah, there were a lot of good couples passing their ceremony and even doing a proposal of marriage on there. It was a good way to kiss the girlfriend." Duncan said as he didn't want to say the word excuse to kiss because it would look bad for Courtney, and Martin gave a tip on how to word it better and some ways to not make the girl annoyed at him. But then Duncan even chuckled a bit. "Oh yeah, there was also that incident."
Courtney remembered as she facepalmed from what her boyfriend was saying.
"I don't know who was the brilliant idea of going on the Niagara Falls in a barrel," Courtney said, which Duncan raised his eyebrow.
"Ah, don't tell that you didn't cheer up like us at the moment the barrel went down the Niagara Falls, I saw you cheering like everyone," Duncan said as Courtney remained quiet, and the group looked at them. "At the moment the barrel went down all of us went AEHHHHHHHHHHHHH,"
"It's because it's a tradition you and your family or whatever the people who work on the Niagara Falls said," Courtney said as she blushed a bit of shame, which the group had surprise looking at her. "I don't know why the yellow raincoat thought."
Ezekiel blinked, a few times.
"Wasn't that a woody woodpecker episode? Nah… it's probably a coincidence." Ezekiel thought as he remembered one of the most classic Cartoons that appeared on television, one that was loved and known in the entire Brazilian Country.
"Oh, is that after the 28 security guards of Niagara Falls went down by barrel? I remember my Grand Uncle was the leader of the security guards but had to retire after an annoying person tormented him and accidentally made him fall the Niagara Falls 4 times in the same day." Tyler said immediately the group stares at the jock as he was telling the weirdest thing in the world.
"See? I told you that it was safe." Duncan said as a good example which proved the man survived Niagara Falls 4 times.
"Oh don't even start Duncan, Tyler's family probably has the potential clumsiness and unluckiness to the point that it could be weird if wasn't contagious. But still I'm surprised on how your family are still alive Tyler." Courtney said as Duncan scoffed angrily for not being able to convince his girlfriend to go at the Niagara Falls in a barrel.
"Well, as a way to pay back for his retirement, they allowed him to go to Vegas, and he just got a huge jackpot on the roulette, I think he lives in Miami now," Tyler said as the group looked at Tyler in such a weird way.
"I don't know, your family is always lucky and unlucky at the same time," Harold pointed out that it was really weird how his friends operate with such life.
"Ohhhh Gweeeen, guess who came?" Then a voice of Allyson made the goth stares at behind and see the girl dressed in a black princess dress, just for the sake to participate on the birthday party of her cousin. Ella.
"Hello, Gwen." Ella sang as the goths sighed annoyed, while the other members of the group raised their eyebrows in surprise. "Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday for you too, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday the sky is blue, And happy birthday for you…"
"Thanks Ella," Gwen said as she gave a small hug to the girl wearing a dress. And Cody her counsin got out from his seat. "Why don't you seat nearby DJ?"
"Sure thing cousin." Ella said as Courtney, Duncan and Ezekiel stared at the goth, who just smirked at them, and making them realize what she just did. "Hello Devon, how are you?"
"Hey Ella, it's nice to see you too. You want me to take something for you to eat?" DJ asked as the group stared at the girl smiling kindly at him.
"Why thank you, DJ," Ella said as Katie passed a few seconds slapping the chest of her boyfriend and making him wince in pain.
"Ouch ouch ouch ouch, ouch." Cody said as the tan twin and even Sadie were giggling at seeing something that they hadn't seen before.
"Well guys, meet Ella, my cousin from Toronto," Gwen said as the girl bowed like a princess which made Duncan raises his eyebrows. Even as she was wearing a black dress, it still had the same white colors and make up like she was a franchise movie princess. "Ah, and don't let her look fool you guys, when we were kids she was far more hardcore than I ever was…"
Ezekiel had to give to Gwen, as he remembered from Dramarama at the time he was alive, and he recalled Ella being actually a dragon, which probably in accord to Total Drama it would be absurd, but seeing radioactive mutants, and even Saskwatchanakwa, yeah, a dragon wouldn't be that extreme.
"Oh please Gwen, don't spread lies like that," Ella said as she giggled, while Cody her cousin rolled his eyes.
"It wasn't a lie, my 7 years old birthday party is a proof of it." The goth's brother said as he crossed his arms, which made Ella pout at him.
"I said I was sorry, why are you so mean?" Ella said as she pouted to him, which Gwen simply rolled her eyes.
"My family everyone." Gwen said sarcastically as the Killer Bass give a small and quick clap of sarcasm from seeing the little play.
.
.
.
"Thank you so much for signing my books." Ella smiled as she got the autograph of Ezekiel on her books, but Courtney was also surprised at the time she was asked to sign the book of Steven Universe.
"I'm surprised for you to ask me, I mean, it's Ezekiel's book in the first place." Courtney said as she wasn't sure on how to respond to the girl who asked her to sign the Steven Universe book.
"I heard you singing on the episode of Total Drama and I love musicals, it was amazing how you sang on the challenge, especially playing violin at the same time," Ella said as Courtney recalled the talent show challenge, which she smiled sheepishly. "I loved the lyrics on the book, but now I kinda wanted to hear you singing then since your voice is so great."
"Please, I'm not that good." Courtney said as she felt flustered from the compliment. But Ezekiel had to tell the truth.
"Actually Courtney, you have a great voice, you could sing all the songs you find potential and you could be a new popstar or an music artists." Ezekiel explained as he could see since Courtney was the best singer of World Tour, followed by Bridgette as well. "Actually you too Bridgette, on our way back on the Aquarium, your voice was also nice."
"Oh come on, coming from you. You actually were the writer of the songs, and you sing well too." Bridgette said as she also messed with the boy's hair which made him chuckle.
"To be honest. I wouldn't be surprised if in the future Chris would be using my songs as a way to raise the popularity of the show…" Ezekiel mused as everyone stared at him in surprise. "Maybe I should recommend to everyone to have singing classes."
"Oh hell no, no fucking way I'm going to sing." Duncan crossed his arms, which immediately Ezekiel shrugged but chuckled at his mind.
"Fair enough, but that would be a good option for us," Ezekiel said as he decided to give another bomb to the group. "If we play our cards right, the sky would be the limit. I mean, at the time the popularity of the show stops, what would be your ideas of using the popularity?"
"Oh oh oh, I could make some of my ice cream and sell them as to make people interested into eating it?" Sadie raises her hand, which Ezekiel pondered but nodded his head.
"It's a good start, maybe Izzy could give you some tips on how to make a food company? Since from what I read on the forum of Total Drama, she was already preparing for the first commercial being aired on the 5 th episode of the show." Ezekiel said as Cody nodded his head and also have a suggestion.
"How about we could open an internet cafe?" Cody said as Katie and Sadie stared at him. "You could use the bakery while there would be people interested in playing games on the computers, or people interested in using the computer to do their homework, and you could be using your ice cream and your baked food to make people interested in eating and enjoying the internet at the same time?"
"Well there is a high chance that could work, since until now a lot of kids and teenagers are playing games of FPS these days, so having a good place to reunite the nerds and gamers could be a good start." Harold nodded his head, seeing the potential of the idea.
"I mean, it could work, but I don't know much about the internet. And Katie had other plans." Sadie commented as the tan twin nodded her head.
"Yeah, I think I'm starting to sew more and develop a few clothing designs, and find someone who could give me some training." Katie said sheepishly, which immediately Courtney and Tyler raised their hands. "Yes?"
"My mom knows a friend who is a stylist, so in case she needs a new assistant, I could ask her to see if you could have the job since you want to learn how to be a stylist." Courtney gave the option as Tyler followed suit.
"I think I heard Lindsay's mom is a supermodel or a popstar singing, but she said there was a stylist who needed apprentices. Maybe if you do a lot of good work with her, I could give a talk with Lindsay and suggest she talk with her mom?" Tyler suggested which immediately Katie never thought she would be overwhelmed with such good possibilities.
"Would you guys do that for me?" Katie said as she was feeling a bit emotional, and the group couldn't help but smile with the idea. "But also that would tune down the idea of internet cafe wouldn't work for Sadie, since Cody probably would enjoy working into a videogame company. And don't lie to me Codybear, you told me a lot of videogames since the day you returned with my mom on the day of work…"
"...guilty as charged." Cody raised his finger just to drop immediately.
"Well, a bakery could be a good start, Sadie. If you find people interested in working for you, you could start your own recipes and be a local place for people to buy a lot of food." DJ said as he returned with the food since he was listening to the ideas, and he couldn't help but also follow suit. "My momma and I got a lot of good reviews and people asking for us to open a restaurant, and even a bank decided to give us some investment in money for us. So that means that we are planning to start the restaurant next year."
"Just please be aware of everything we said on that day," Ezekiel begged as he knew that DJ didn't deserved the backlash of the World Tour, but seeing the Jamaican with good heart waving at him, really eased his stress.
"Don't worry, Courtney's mom actually is covering up for everything. Thank you Courts, your mom really is helping my momma to reach her dreams." DJ said as he hugged the C.I.T. while she felt a bit of loss of air from the strong hug the giant had, but she tapped his back while smiling happily for him.
"It's fine, just remember to have a good nutritionist to have your back as well." Courtney warned as now more and more people had interests into what going to do at the future.
"I was thinking that in case I lose the show this season, I will be training for the surfing championship. There is a good proportion of money is going to be for the charity, so I think doing that for the ONG I was part of a few years ago would be a good way to help nature." Bridgette said as Geoff smiled and gave his thumbs up.
"Awesome, and I was thinking that since I could be partying all the time, maybe I could take some awesome pictures around as well. Being a party planner or just going across the world to take some awesome pictures while seeing the views." Geoff said as the guys couldn't help but give high five for the party boy.
"So how about you miss C.I.T. Are you going to be ready to be a lawyer after the second season is over?" Gwen decided to ask to Courtney who just froze… And a moment of silence, immediately made the group see the hesitation.
"Well… I don't know. Maybe?" Courtney said unsure, Ezekiel blinked in surprise to never see the girl hesitating in something. "I mean, I always thought of the idea of becoming a lawyer and being going to the jugular of the others on court… however, after a long time thinking. I am still not sure what I should be doing."
"Oh oh, you could be singing, be a famous singer for our country." Ella suggested as Ezekiel actually was thinking into actually help her with that.
"If you want to be part of my audio books, I could let you be any character you want, specially the ones from Steven Universe if you are interested to sing." Ezekiel suggested as he could even bring some songs that he remembered and he missed. He could give some edge to help Courtney continues famous if she wants.
"Well that's nice guys, but I still don't know what to say. I mean… it's nice at all, but I think I will find my way until the end of season 2." Courtney commented as she felt the strong hands of her boyfriend, and gave a patient look to her, as she smiled at him.
"I know how it feels, I mean, at the moment the show is over I will be finishing my community service, and then I also will have to think about my plans for the future." Duncan was very sincere as he could see his friends even raising their hands. "And no guys, I'm not interested in getting help. I know that I will find my way, maybe I will make a bicycle shop, and sell some good stuff for the kids around wanting some customized bikes."
"Well, your bike was awesome on the last season," Geoff said as DJ also nodded his head.
"Agreed, I actually would love to have one customized for me." Reaper said as he was very interested in a skull bike like Duncan did on the episode. "How much was for it?"
"100 bucks more or less." Duncan said as he shrugged. "But since you are the first client I will be doing a discount for you."
The goth smirked, as it seemed the party continued getting more and more interesting.
.
.
.
"What do you mean no?" Gwen raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes at Ezekiel, who was lounging casually in his seat with an uninterested look on his face.
"Come on, Gwen... Vlog?" Ezekiel said, his tone a mix of disbelief and mild amusement. He glanced at her like she'd just suggested something completely absurd. "What would you even be vlogging about?"
"Well, I could talk about my experience on the show, and the p—" Gwen began, about to offer a solid reason, but Ezekiel interrupted her with a loud fart noise from his lips.
"Gwen, you're not the gossip type of girl," Ezekiel said with a dismissive wave of his hand, clearly not impressed. "And honestly, this kind of content on the internet? It's a bad way to leave a mark on your fame. You're way better than that." He looked around the room at his friends, desperate for backup. "Come on, guys, back me up on this one."
The others exchanged glances, unsure of how to get involved, but DJ was the first to speak up.
"Eh, I mean, Zeke's got a point," DJ said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I know you'd probably do a good job, Gwen, but… do you really want to put yourself out there like that?"
"Yeah, you're not about that drama life," Her brother chimed in with a shrug. "I think you're better off doing something that fits your vibe, you know?"
Gwen bit her lip, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. It wasn't like she hadn't thought of that herself. She had always preferred to keep things low-key, but something was appealing about being able to express herself in a way she never had before.
"Okay, so what would you guys suggest?" Gwen said as the group thought about it.
"So why not try something related to art?" Cody said as the goth looked at her friend for a meaning. "Well, you could do some kind of art to sell online or have a personal request for you to do online."
"Or even better," Ezekiel liked the suggestion and decided to give something extra. "I once saw a video of a person coloring on the television about how to make perfect painting inside of the lines, and I have no idea on why, but it was a very satisfying, why not try to make something similar?"
"You mean coloring between lines for each art I do?" Gwen blinked as she was trying to understand the concept of the idea.
"I mean, making satisfying videos about art." Ezekiel scratched his head, and he looked for Harold who seemed to be picking up the idea.
"Oh, you mean the appeal of oddly satisfying videos is thought to lie in the human preference for symmetry, patterns, and repetition, the interest of exploring the behavior of materials, or hand movements? It may be related to the autonomous sensory meridian response, a pleasant tingling sensation in the neck and scalp." Harold mused as he described the details of how it would work, but seeing everyone staring at him, Harold facepalmed. "Oh come on, my sister owns psychology books, I sometimes read them okay?"
"Yeah but I had no idea on what you just said." Duncan said as he rolled his eyes. Which Harold simply resumed in a few words.
"Videos that portray repetitive events or actions that viewers find pleasing. Like domino shows, slime, pressure washing cleaning up everything, soap cutting. They are some sort of escapism." Harold resumed in fewer words which made the whole group mouth in understanding.
"Ohhhh," Everyone found the explanation more simple and yet very curious.
"Soap Cuting can be satisfying? I never thought before, I always use wood." Duncan commented as the group shrugged.
"There are rumors that using a hydraulic press to smash objects slowly can be oddly satisfying," Ezekiel commented as all the boys had their eyes lighting up. "It was from a neighbor farmer who said that. I wasn't there to prove."
"Man, a hydraulic press? That would be awesome. That would be a very good money to invest." Duncan said as he was now eager to see how kind of good destruction a beauty like that would do.
"So basically I would be doing these kind of videos?" Gwen said as while she felt tempted to actually give a try, she was more curious about a good purpose into doing that. "I mean, the idea is good. But does it really work?"
"Who knows? It can help people to relax, you never know how a good video like that could help. Also, it's your chance to even try to do some satisfying videos using art with it. Like Ezekiel said, we can test around on the show." Harold answered the question as the goth thought for a second, and then nodded her head. It was a good idea to have some difference on the show, and maybe she could use the popularity to go ahead and help her to go to college.
.
.
.
"So then I helped that little turtle to cross the other side of the sand," Ella commented as both DJ and Bridgette listened to the story of the cousin of the goth, the princess dressed girl told her story about the way she helped to flip the turtle who had the shell stuck on the sand. The group went to separate ways as they could enjoy talking over themselves. The trio went to eat more of the food. "After that, I had a terrible day scolding the birds, but I managed to feed them with a few french fries."
"So you can speak with the animals?" Bridgette asked in surprise while DJ also felt surprised from the way the princess helped the animal.
"Oh no, they actually understand me, but I always think that by acting with kindness with the animals, they would be calmer and be willing to help me," Ella said as she wasn't the one who could listen to the animals, but she was glad that her animal friends could listen and likes her.
"That's great, that's why bunny felt so happy to be nearby you." DJ said as Ella smiled kindly at him. And Bridgette was eating a good vegetarian food, courtesy of DJ's momma, since she was happy to make every food, and seems the hours had been passing like a flash.
As on the other side of the place, on the sofa, both Codies and Harold was staring on the television, talking about the movies.
"So you think we have a chance to do Star Wars?" Cody asked as the goth's brother had a surprised look, and Harold was with his mind thinking about it.
"It could be possible, if is a movie theme, maybe we could use my lightsabers. But I don't think we should give high hopes. You know how it went on the last season." Harold commented as he probably imagined the budget of the next season wouldn't be the same as the island show, but how much different would be? Who knows?
"Do you think we have a chance for archaeologist type of movie as well?" Cody asked which made Harold and the brother of the goth pause and stare at the geek. "Yeah, because we need to find a way to save Indiana Jones."
"Oh come on, don't worry. The next movie of Indiana Jones will be aired next year. So it probably would be the best movie of the year." Harold said in optimism.
"Yeah, who knows? Maybe the director of the movie discovered the rumor of Lindsay finding a plot hole, but who cares? The next movie will be awesome." Gwen's brother said in a good hype, which Cody smiled as well and the trio gave high fives… Not noticing Ezekiel who had been a few spaces away from them and shaking his head.
"Poor, poor, little souls… their hearts will be crushed," Ezekiel mumbled as he walked around, not wanting to share how cruel the future would be for the Indiana Jones franchise since it would be downhill from there. And Lindsay just showed good proof of how a good movie franchise could be destroyed by some fact. "Thank God they don't know about the new trilogy of Star Wars… maybe I should convince them to never watch it."
.
.
.
"So that's how you got arrested?" Pixie Corpse asked as she whistled at seeing Duncan shrugging with a smirk on his face. "Wow, you knew how to throw a party."
"To the point I had to escape from Juvie, that's also how I got my audition tape. I had to send it to my Parole officer, Frank." Duncan explained as he couldn't help but nod his head. "I have to buy something nice for him later since he sent the audition tape for the show."
"Well, I'm glad that at least you are grateful to him," Courtney commented as she crossed her eyebrows and had her arms crossed. "Isn't he friend of your family?"
"Yep, he had been since I was 8," Duncan shrugged, knowing that his girlfriend wanted a better explanation than that. "Well, he was there when me and my brothers broke the bicycles of the kids of the school. He and my parents forced me and my brothers to fix everything… Although Frank taught us how to use some tools. Nice guy,"
"Wow, I don't know what even to say," Marilyn commented as Courtney simply rolled her eyes.
"Trust me, around Duncan's family or even all the friends we made around the show, we just had to accept and move on, it's not worth the headache." Courtney commented as the boyfriend simply rolled his eyes.
"It's just weird that you and your brothers are from a family of police force, and yet you all decided to go being rebel about it." Reaper said as he had to respect Duncan for going delinquent and even going against the whole system, which Duncan looked proud of it.
"Yeah, I kinda wanted to be more like my uncle, but my parents and even my aunts said one Martin was too much, so I decided to try other things, who knows how the future will tell?" Duncan said as he hugged the goth C.I.T. who simply rolled her eyes, but both started making out.
"Guys really? Don't make me bring the anti-horny spray." Gwen who was bringing the drinks for her friends just saw 2 of the Pillars actually making out at her house.
That immediately caused the results, making the couple apart and staring at Gwen who smirked happily.
"Thank you." Gwen said happily as she gave each of her friends a good drink. To continue the party as the way she wanted.
.
.
.
"Huh, Capoeira?" Eva asked as she raised her eyebrows and the boy shrugged. "Never thought you would be interested in such Martial Art."
"Well you said hypothetically, and being honest, it's a good martial art, since it's unpredictable, a martial art that could use the dance to create a good force around exploring the unorthodox style of being unpredictable, and possibly making the body a spring. It doesn't matter how much you would make the person down, he would know how to fall well, and get up like nothing just happened." Ezekiel said as he recalled so many good Capoeiristas, from movies, video games, and even on real-life experiences. "And if I had a second option, I would choose Boxing."
"Really?" Eva had her eyes open wide in surprise. "You like boxing?"
"Yep, it's treated the sports of the Kings," Ezekiel said as he couldn't help but have an inner fanboy from some great boxers across the world, movies, video games, and even animations that would show the basics on how to throw a great punch.
"Heh, you know. I never knew that you would be interested into Martial Arts Ezekiel." Eva said as she smirked, at the point that even Harold was surprised into seeing Ezekiel interested into other styles of martial arts.
"I really would have recommended Kung Fu or Karate, since they are great for all the beginners." Harold said as he wanted to instructed the homeschooled boy, but both Eva and Ezekiel rolled his eyes. Which made Harold scoff but shrug. "But well, suit yourself. And what about Taekwondo?"
"They are nice, but I don't think I would have time to learn everything so quickly, and to be honest, it would be on my list in case I was able to do it. But still, I already said my favorites." Ezekiel replied as he could see Eva smirking at him. "So why did you ask?"
"Well… tomorrow you are going to add more half of your weight again." Eva said with a smirk on her face.
"Fuck." Ezekiel immediately replied as he knew Eva wasn't going to only make Sadie suffer from the training. "I should have expected that."
"Yes, you should. But I'm glad that you are aware that you want to train on how to fight. I don't know much about the Brazillian Martial art, but I think I can help you to how to throw a good punch." Eva explained as he could see the nerd paling as she was looking at him. "Also you are interested Harold?"
"Oh look at that, it seems Katie is calling me, see you later." Harold imediatelly left Ezekiel with the bodybuilder, which both rolled their eyes. Specially since Harold always were afraid into some sort of confliction or hellish training when it comes from the iron woman.
.
.
.
"So that's what happened," Ezekiel commented as he knew Bridgette, Gwen, Duncan, Courtney, and Geoff would demand some answers about what happened on the day they returned from the mall since it was a night that he needed to stay near the mall and didn't want to disturb the surfer who was sleeping on that time.
"That's very irresponsible of you Ezekiel, you should have thought ahead about the possibility of not having a place to eat for the night, and going to eat with strangers? It could be a kidnapper." Courtney said as she pinched between her noses.
"Well it was lucky to see that in some sort of coincidence the girls who invited him to eat pizza were the same girls who took you for a ride to the mall." Duncan said as a way to defend the boy who nodded his head. "And look at him, he is 16, you need to stop acting like his mom, we are on the same age and we know how to handle ourselves, specially after the show."
"Yeah, and to be honest. I'm also surprised for you to meet Dawn," Bridgette said as she was happy to know that Dawn was the first on the line to appear at the book signing and how Ezekiel had met her before.
"Still, it's kinda crazy to meet someone who can read your thoughts," Gwen on the other hand felt uncomfortable with the idea.
"I mean, it's not wrong thought, like he just met a girl who wants to be in the Olympics and then another girl who is a nature lover. Isn't that sound familiar?" Geoff asked in confusion, which made both Ezekiel and Duncan had his eyes wide open, and the latter had a smirk on his face.
"Oh yeah, I remember," Duncan said as something crossed his mind, and Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"Oh come on, really? Right now? I just met the girls." Ezekiel said as immediately Gwen, Bridgette, and Courtney tilted their heads in confusion.
"But they are your type right?" Duncan teased as immediately the girls remembered about the pact. "Athletic, in tune with the nature, free of spirit."
"But isn't he with Izzy thought?" Gwen asked which made the group look at the homeschooled boy who was a bit uncomfortable.
"I don't know… I mean, Izzy is awesome, but sometimes I don't know if she likes me, especially after how heartbroken she was after what Owen did to her. And I don't want to push our friendship to something stressful like that, especially on the next season of Total Drama." Ezekiel said immediately he could see Courtney's eyes twitching. "Courtney, are you okay?"
"I'm fine…" The C.I.T. girl forced a smile while she was screaming internally since she saw proof of a girl giving a nude photograph to her friend, and yet he didn't see it as a sign. She wanted to expose everything, but she didn't want to make her friends mad at her. "But at least you could give a talk to her… you know, give it a try?"
"Yeah, Courtney is right, I mean there is 3 girls that could be a type, why not call them and make a party?" Geoff just said the word, which immediately the group stared at the party boy weirdly. "What?"
"Bad idea, bro," Duncan said as he pointed out the problem. "You never should invite 3 girls that is your time at the same party, because that always tends to cause a lot of fight,"
"Especially with Izzy… I mean, I know that her parents are a special case, but do you really think that Izzy wouldn't be the jealous type? After all the military money that she could give to make your life a hell?" Gwen explained as the group nodded her head, but Ezekiel decided to step up.
"Hey, hey, hey. I know that Izzy may be a military special agent, and she always tends to act like crazy to fool everyone with her intelligence, or how the fact that she can always be unpredictable whenever she has a chance, but come on. At the time you meet who she is, you wouldn't want a better friend than her," Ezekiel decided to defend his friend, and since he saw Cody walking around bringing another plate of food. Ezekiel had an idea. "Cody, come here and back me up."
"Hmmm, hey guys what's up?" Cody said as he tilted his head in confusion.
"Tell us how you view Izzy as the time she showed her true self to you?" Ezekiel said as he watched the episode, knowing the duo actually had a very interesting friendship around the show, especially when he was on the Playa Del Losers with them.
"Oh she is awesome, I mean, taking out the way she acted like crazy aside, she even helped me to fix my keyboard and the computer…" Cody said as suddenly he remembered one interesting thing. "Oh yeah, it was her who found out who was stalking me all the time, she knew it was Sierra, and she also helped me to have a good anti-virus to find a way to track Sierra in case she would contact me or my relatives."
"Rest my case judge." Ezekiel crossed his arms and looked cocky at the group of his friends who had their eyebrows raised at him.
"So who do you think would be more suitable for Ezekiel?" Bridgette asked as the group turned their backs to him and decided to talk. "I mean, I have Dawn's number, I may find a way to call them to take you to a beach to surf?"
"I can bring my party kit in beach occasions, maybe Brody could help me with the drinks." Geoff said as Ezekiel tilted his head.
"Hey, guys…"
"I have both Sky's sister's number. Maybe after the show I could contact her to see if Sky could go into the movies with Ezekiel since he likes to watch movies and television." Courtney said as immediately Duncan nodded his head.
"That's not a bad idea, especially since there are a lot of good films next year." Duncan nodded his head.
"That's not funny guys," Ezekiel said but once again was ignored.
"Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, you girls are trying to set up with 2 girls," Gwen said as she crossed her arms. Which Courtney and Bridgette simply shrugged.
"Well, he has options, we could talk and to see how things will goes from there." Courtney commented as she then thought for a few seconds. "Who is going to talk to Izzy to try to set up a date with him for her?"
"I can give a text call to her, and she could bring him to an archery field to train." Cody said, as imediatelly Ezekiel looked betrayed at him.
"Et Tu Cody?" Ezekiel said as he was shaking the boy who simply shrugged.
"Sorry, but Katie and I need to have something to focus on during the whole season 2, and since Sadie and Justin had a thing, we could use our energies to also focus on you," Cody said as he smiled sheepishly at the boy, who facepalmed.
"Really guys… really?" Ezekiel said as he deadpanned at the whole group of 6 who were simply too focused on trying to set up the boy with one of the girls, while he simply groaned and walked away. "Ugh… that's what I get for opening my mouth… Why share the time you passed the mall, Ezekiel? Don't you ever learn?"
.
.
.
"So I was going too fast?" Harold asked as Ezekiel, Courtney, Duncan, and Gwen nodded their heads to him. After the event of the last episode, they learned a lot of things that they should be talking about Harold. "I mean, I could give it a try. But it's…"
"Leshawna, we know. The girl who took your virginity, but yeah, maybe it was all the sensation of the moment." Duncan said as he could see Harold glaring at him. "I'm being honest, you don't need to jump ahead dude. Just slow down a bit."
"Yeah, in a relationship there are 15 degrees on where you should go. And you already went on the tier 15. I don't know how it all started, but you need to return to Tier 1 and go from there again." Ezekiel said as he explained by pointing on his finger, and even took a little paper on the degrees of tiers Harold went.
"Okay, okay, okay. I understand." Harold sighed, as Courtney gave a tap on his back.
"There you go, and don't worry about it. You are a nice guy Harold." Courtney smiled, as Gwen even nodded her head.
"Yeah, you just need to tone down your pride and how much you talk. Then I'm sure that Leshawna will like you the way you are." Gwen said as Duncan nodded his head.
"Also, if she doesn't like it, it's her loss, I'm sure that there will be some kind of awesome nerd girl who would like you," Duncan said immediately making Ezekiel cough. "Oh, I mean, some hot girl, depending on the type of girl you like."
"That's better." Courtney commented as she remembered on how her boyfriend sometimes could be so straightforward that he doesn't know that he stereotyping everyone.
"Thanks guys… and now, what did I heard about Ezekiel finding his type." Harold smirked as he saw Ezekiel starting to drink punch.
"OH COME ON." Ezekiel was mid-drinking his punch when he spat out screaming in outrage.
.
.
.
"Wait, what? What the fuck you just said?" Duncan said as he slowly had his face paled.
"Oh, I made a special invitation for Bananas and Cheese to play a song for my dear Gwen," Allyson said as Gwen approached Duncan with her arms crossed.
"They're coming to do a show… here… Today…" Gwen said as Duncan immediately felt his eyes twitching.
"Today, today, today, today, today, today, today." Duncan could heard the same word repeating, as his sweat crossed his entire face, his eyebrows twitching and he was feeling a lot of panic inside. As the words kept repeating from Gwen was on his side repeating the same word over and over again. Enjoying to see him having a breakdown. "Today, today, today…"
"AHHHHHHHHHH, NO NO NO, NO THEM, NOT THEM," Duncan shouted as he immediately ran directly at the wall, breaking it with his own silhouette.
Gwen had her arms crossed in satisfaction, while Courtney whistled in surprise, and Ezekiel blinked as he recalled one of his favorite scenes of the child version of themselves.
"Does anyone is going to tell him that we know that his parents are Bananas and Cheese?" Ezekiel asked loudly, but the whole group of people remained quiet. "No one? Okay, fine. Just asking."
.
.
.
"Wait, all the sports equipment of your school had been replaced by the sponsors recommended by Lindsay's parents?" DJ asked in surprise while looking at the jock who nodded his head.
"Yeah, my parents even gave a thank you letter for them, since with their help, we exchanged all the equipment and were even be able to rebuild the football field." Tyler commented as the group looked in shock from what the boy had just said.
"So that means you already fulfilled the objective you wanted the 100 thousand dollars then." Courtney said as she was happy for the good luck the boy had managed to catch on his life, but then she noticed there was something different on his look. "What's wrong?"
"Well, you see… my dad still wants me to win the money prize, and I'm not going to lie, even I want to win the whole show, but… after all the work we just did around, and I have been listening all of you have plans for what to do after the show, I'm actually thinking on what I should do in case I couldn't win the money prize, or what I could do with the money in case I do…" Tyler said as he was feeling a bit intrigued, and from listening to his friends talking about future jobs, and plans for the future, he kinda felt left out, not sure on he could do.
"Well you could try to invest yourself into practicing some sport." Ella suggested, but imediatelly the whole group of Killer Bass grimaced with the suggestion. Which she looked at her goth cousin, "What's wrong?"
"Tyler isn't very much stable when it comes about sports, he is clumsy in point that it could hurt anyone, mostly himself." Gwen whispered as immediately the princess wannabe hummed in sympathy.
"How about opening a gym?" Harold said loudly which made the whole group stares at him. "I mean, he could buy the equipment and check everyone using them, as long he wouldn't try to use the equipment without supervision and on the right weight, he couldn't hurt himself so much because of his unluck."
"Well, that's not a bad idea," Eva commented as it caught the attention of everyone around. "My parents had been thinking about opening a stable gym, and they said it would require place and equipment. It would be between 300 thousand to 1 million dollars worth, so they would need a business partner around… Maybe if I call my parents and ask them to talk to you. Maybe they will help you to be the owner of the gym while they could be the CEO while they will focus on my training for the championships."
"That would be nice actually." Tyler commented as once again the more the group talked, the more connections and dreams would be formed for the future. But still everyone would need to survive for the future.
.
.
.
"I hate all of you," Duncan said as he was with his pack of ice over his head, to treat the bump on his head after dealing with himself crashing through the wall.
"Well, it was your fault that you crashed the wall, there is a front door." The two Cody said at the same time, which immediately both looked at each other in surprise. "JINX,"
Gwen rolled her eyes, while Ezekiel couldn't help but smirk.
"Well, when I heard you say Cody was like your younger brother, I thought you said metaphorically, not literally, are you sure your Cody isn't cloned?" Ezekiel joked, which he laughed harder when Gwen showed the middle finger.
"At least he now has Katie as girlfriend and he doesn't have a crush on me anymore. You have no idea how much relief that gave to me." Gwen said that the homeschooled boy couldn't help but remember all the versions of Cody, from canon to even fanfics, to even the unexpected one who appeared in his dream once…
"Yeah, I can imagine," Ezekiel said as he reflected on how Gwen would deal with the future now Duncan and Courtney had such a stable and healthy relationship. And he cares about them, but still, he has no idea how the future of Gwen would hold on… But he promised himself that he would take care of his friends, and make all of them happy to the end. "But don't worry, you will always have us Gwen, Killer Bass until the end."
"Yeah, yeah… Until the end." Gwen said as she smiled at the boy.
She will be okay, that's what he promised.
.
.
.
"Okay, hold on, tell me again what did you just said?" Ella said as she had her eyebrows raised at the homeschooled boy.
"I like Shrek 3, is one of my favorites." The whole group of teenagers looked at the boy as he was saying some nonsense. "Hold on, let me cook, let me cook."
"Let you cook?" Duncan said as he crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows. "Is that a farm slang?"
"Yeah, kinda," Ezekiel said as he gave a half-lie, deciding to accept the term he almost forgot to explain. "It's for, let me continue and see how it will go. But hear me out okay?"
"Ezekiel, you better have some good explanation about why you liked the movie of the perfect loser Arthur being the center and King of the Every After." Harold being the one who made that comment, clearly made everyone surprised, even Courtney and Duncan.
Even Harold treats Arthur as a loser? Wow, that means Ezekiel must work a lot to explain.
"Well, hear me out. Arthur may be the irrelevant character, but that's not the reason why I liked the third movie. But the concept behind the conclusion of the conflict." Ezekiel said as he could see his friends in silence. "For me, I always thought that maybe some of the villains of the fairy tales got the bad ending while the good guys always had the things they always strive for… But the scene I liked much was how Arthur just came to ask the villains about what would be their dreams, not something too big, but something that would make him even the small dream they think for themselves, the fact of the headless man always wanted to play flute, or the evil queen from Snow White wanted to open as spa in France… that's what usually would be a good way to deal with the villains, sometimes everyone just want to be happy, and just give up from all the fight, and do the things they would like. Simple like that."
"So you like more of the movie because of the message passing behind of the villains, than the actual plot of Arthur going to the throne and the Charming trying to kill Shrek?" Gwen asked as she raised her eyebrows, to which Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Yeah, pretty much. I like to think that scene is one of my favorites from the trilogy, and ignoring most of the plot of the movie, I say the order of my favorites is Shrek 2, 1 and then 3, but still my trio is favorite in some parts." Ezekiel said as he shrugged, which immediately the people around debating about the movies, simply nodded their heads and moved on.
"Well, okay, now let's talk about Top Gun, that movie rocks." Cody said as he was ready to talk about one of his favorite movies of all time.
"Oh, I never liked that movie." And Ezekiel decided to give his opinion.
"WOAH WOAH WOAH."
"Come on guys, hear me out, let me cook."
And once again Ezekiel had to explain the reasons why he is controversial of one of the best action movies related to military jets of all time, since he always loved the Ace Combat story mode in the videogames, a Tom Cruise movie wouldn't be in comparison to the classic story of Ace Combat Zero or Ace Combat 7, it was a good movie he had to give to them, but he would pay good money to see if Maveric would be good enough to go against the Demon Lord of Round Table: Cypher or the Three Fucking Stikes: Trigger and neither of those 2 legendary pilots had to deal with volleyball game covered in oil for sex appeal. But sometimes he cursed for his future knowledge since he never could explain it to his friends. But yeah, that's the weight of going from another dimension.
When Ezekiel talks about being genre savy, sometimes people wouldn't understand the deep knowledge he had of good movies he watched on both lives. Not that he cared anyway.
.
.
.
"Are you sure that's good to use your camera Geoff?" Cody said as he was holding tight on the group of friends of Killer Bass, each of them where showing their tattoos.
"Yeah, just focus a good picture and see if the light is good." Geoff explained as he was already doing a good pose. Which the geek boy give a thumbs up.
"Alright, on 3… 3." Cody said as he pressed the camera creating a flash, which imediatelly on the next second the camera revealed the picture, of the friends of Killer Bass, all together with the pose of showing their tattoos. "Looks awesome."
"Yeah, I'm sure this will be perfect for the future," Geoff said, as the group really enjoyed the good time talking with the friends. Pictures were taken. Gwen cutting the cake, Duncan and 2 Cody trying to do a drinking contest to see who could drink most.
The goths doing a pose, with Ezekiel, Courtney, Duncan and Gwen, since they were almost fit for the theme.
Ella and DJ having a good time feeding one little bird appearing on the house. While DJ blushed when she kissed on his cheek. The next picture was of all the guys trying to wake up DJ from the floor who just fainted. While Ella was freaking out as the other girls were laughing over the situation.
Cody and Katie kissed as Sadie made Tyler fall down on the floor after doing an arm wrestling.
The next picture was everyone eating the cake while on the clock showed nothing more than 4 p.m, which had been a good time for everyone trying to enjoy the much as they could, since hours later… It was the time for them to say goodbye.
Each picture was taken as Gwen was happy to hug each of her friends. As slowly Gwen closed the album photography that she got from her mom at her birthday.
Sighing… Gwen couldn't help but stare at the moonlight. Knowing the next day her day of stress would return… But smiling weakly, she couldn't help but be grateful, it was one of the best days of her life. And she never thought she would be popular and yet having so many good friends around. A good family, and a good objective in the future.
She smiled at the window. As she could imagine that all her friends was staring at the ceiling of their bedrooms, waiting for their time to sleep. Slowly taking the time that on the next day, it will be their next challenge.
"Whatever you have for tomorrow Chris. We are ready… Bring it on." Gwen said as she smiled, knowing that she now is more than ready for the season 2.
And it was only the beginning.
Chapter 57: Jude's Journey
Chapter Text
The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft golden hue over the quiet suburban streets. Jude stood at the edge of his neighborhood, skateboard underfoot and backpack slung over his shoulder. The weight of determination sat lightly on his usually carefree shoulders. He adjusted his hat, grinned to himself, and pushed off with one foot, the familiar hum of wheels against pavement filling the air.
Jude's journey had officially begun.
He did the perfect plan before leaving the mall on the last day, he placed a good substitute in emergency cases, and even leave a note he was sick on the day, making a good distraction for the public don't try to bother his idea of crossing around to his journey.
His objective? Take the kebab sticks with him, and ask his childhood friend is she was willing to accept the sticks as change instead of money.
He glided smoothly through streets and alleys, taking shortcuts wherever possible. Every so often, he kicked up his board into his hands and jogged across intersections, then hopped back on with practiced ease. When the roads opened up and the traffic thinned, he began showing off his skills—not to anyone in particular, but because skating was his thing.
Suddenly Jude got a call from his flip-phone.
"Hello, dude?" Jude asked as he was using the flip-phone while skateboarding. Doing his best to not be distracted from being hit or falling from his skateboard.
"Hey Jude, how are you?" Then Caitlin's voice had been instantly recognized as the blonde boy took another path in an alley as he was avoiding his problems and following into a single direction. Going to Ottawa, and he was doing his best to keep track with the conversation.
"I'm doing good," Jude said as he jumped from the sidewalk and went on the street again.
"Oh great, I'm glad that you are fine, did you happen to see Jonesy? It's because the manager really got angry this time and it seems that he fired Jonesy without him being here." Caitlin explained the situation as Jude seemed to be avoiding the car.
"I wish I could know where he is, but I'm not at the mall, I'm not going to be work today." Jude explained as he did an olie, which imediatelly had to flinch from the sudden shout of his friend.
"WHAT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DIDN'T COME TO WORK TODAY?" Caitlin sounded very upset and outraged, but Jude couldn't help, he had to continue his adventure.
"I'm in a mission dudette," Jude replied as he traveled across the streets, still going after the direction where he believes would be the perfect path for another city. "Courtney paid up for those sticks and I will give her the sticks as change for what she paid up."
"But Jude, you don't know where she lives," Caitlin had given a very good point, however, Jude was very stubborn and he knew how to reply such point.
"You are wrong, I know Courtney talked with her friends that she moved to Ottawa, so that's where I'm heading right now. And in case I get tired I could take the subway there, also tell Zeke, dude, thanks for the money, I'm using them to go to find her." Jude was grateful, he really was. Having the money to track down her friend, even as it would take hours or days, he was glad that he had something he could use to pay for him to stay somewhere at night or could pay for food when he's hungry.
"But what about your job? Aren't you going to be in trouble if your boss find out?" Caitlin asked as Jude simply was passing the streets and even giving a few tricks around.
"I called a sick day, left a note that I got a terrible case of diarrhea and a medical diagnostic from a doctor who was my neighborhood, also I gave a replacement to take my place." Jude said as he was passing towards the street.
"You mean the mop with a bucket on the top?" Caitlin asked as Jude hummed in agreement.
"Yeah, it helped me when I needed to get out for a service," Jude commented as he avoided the traffic even as the horns of the cars almost hit him, which he simply was chill from the dangers happening around. "I will keep in touch in case I get across the city,"
"Hey Jude, do you want me to call Courtney to ask her where she lives? I think that would help you in case you have to look around the entire city for her." Then Jude just heard Ezekiel's voice coming through the phone which made the skateboard blonde boy simply smiled in appreciation.
"That would be cool dude," Jude said as he almost got himself caught by a car. "Ops, sorry dude, anyway, call you guys later."
And with that Jude turned his flipphone and continued to skate around the streets, hoping to find the right location.
A man at a hotdog cart carefully layered ingredients onto a steaming bun, creating a masterpiece for an eager customer. The client's eyes lit up as the vendor wrapped the hotdog, ready to hand it over—only for it to vanish in a blur of motion. Startled, the vendor looked down to find a five-dollar bill in his hand instead.
"Hey, what the—?" the vendor stammered, whipping his head around.
Both he and his customer could only catch a glimpse of a figure on a skateboard, vanishing down the street with effortless speed, turning sharply at the next corner.
Jude glanced down at the hotdog in his hand, his expression brightening.
"Cool," he murmured, taking a big, satisfying bite.
As he cruised through the streets, he popped a small ollie over a fire hydrant and veered to the right, weaving through pedestrians with practiced ease. The day was a blur of movement and tricks as he navigated the unfamiliar city, the wheels of his skateboard humming beneath him.
After hours of skating, Jude's legs began to ache. He stomped on the tail of his board, catching it deftly in his hand as he slowed to a stop. Looking around, he sought some kind of subway station to continue his journey.
Instead, he found a sign pointing to the OC Transpo bus stop.
"Aw, no subway?" Jude groaned, his shoulders sagging. With no other option, he reached into his pocket, fished out enough money for a ticket, and waited for the bus.
As the bus pulled up, Jude climbed aboard and scanned his surroundings. Settling into a seat near the back, he placed his skateboard between his legs and leaned back with his hands clasped behind his head.
"Okay, if Ezekiel was right, Bridgette said Courtney lives a few streets away in Glebe," he muttered to himself, stretching his legs. His muscles protested after the long day, but the thought of delivering the kebabs in his backpack kept him motivated. "Easy peasy, dude. Just take this bus to the right stop, transfer to the next route, and bam—Courtney gets her sticks. Nothing to it!"
He grinned confidently, his eyes briefly scanning the passing scenery through the window.
Five minutes later…
"Zzzzzzzzz…"
Jude had succumbed to the gentle monotony of the bus ride, snoring lightly as he leaned back in his seat. Oblivious to the stops he was passing, he failed to notice that the bus was heading in the opposite direction of Glebe. Instead of transferring to Route 99, he remained blissfully unaware that Route 97 was carrying him farther and farther from his intended destination.
One Hour Later…
"Wha—what?" Jude jolted awake, blinking rapidly as he took in his surroundings. The bus had stopped, and a steady flow of passengers was filing out onto the platform.
He rubbed his eyes and stretched, groaning softly. "Ugh… how long was I out?"
Sliding his skateboard to the floor, he stood up and glanced around, noting that the interior of the bus was almost empty now. Stepping off, he squinted at a nearby sign.
"Hurdman?" Jude read aloud, tilting his head. "Wait a sec…" He stared at the map posted on the wall of the bus stop, his brain slowly piecing it together.
"Duuuude," he groaned, smacking his forehead lightly. "I totally took the wrong route!"
Checking his watch, his shoulders slumped further. It was nearly 7 p.m., and the dimming sunlight bathed the city in warm, golden hues. His legs still ached from hours of skating earlier in the day, and now he faced the realization that he was farther from his destination than ever.
After letting out a resigned sigh, he pocketed his hands and shuffled down the sidewalk, skateboard tucked under his arm. "Guess I'll have to call it a day," he muttered. "Find a place to crash tonight and figure this out tomorrow."
The streets were bustling with people heading home from work, couples strolling hand in hand, and the occasional street performer entertaining small crowds. Jude's stomach grumbled, and he briefly considered grabbing another hotdog—legitimately this time—but his focus quickly shifted back to finding a place to stay.
After a few blocks, he spotted a flickering neon sign that read VACANCY.
"Alright, that'll do," Jude said, his spirits lifting a little. He headed inside, ready to rest up and regroup for the next leg of his journey.
The next morning, Jude emerged from the motel, feeling somewhat refreshed and ready to tackle the new day. Slinging his backpack over one shoulder and gripping his skateboard tightly, he vowed to rely on his most trusted ally once more: the trusty board beneath his feet.
"I got this," Jude muttered to himself, determination glinting in his eyes. "No more distractions, no more wrong turns. It's just me, the road, and my sweet ride."
With that, he pushed off, cruising smoothly along the streets of Ottawa. The morning sun was bright but gentle, casting long shadows as the city began to hum with life. Jude weaved effortlessly between pedestrians, hopping over curbs and dodging small obstacles. His focus was razor-sharp, his movements precise.
Nothing was going to stop him now.
That is, until he heard music.
A curious tune floated through the air, drawing his attention like a magnet. Unable to resist, he skidded to a stop and turned toward the source of the sound.
There, on the sidewalk, stood a man with a lively puppet dancing at his feet. The puppet moved as if alive, twisting, flipping, and grooving to the rhythm of the music. The man wasn't even touching it—just waving his hands in a way that seemed to command the little figure like a maestro conducting an orchestra.
"Duuuuuude," Jude said, his jaw dropping. He rolled closer, utterly mesmerized. "That's crazy! How does he even do that?"
Jude parked himself near the performer, his skateboard resting against his leg as he watched the puppet's moves with rapt attention. The little wooden figure seemed to defy gravity, performing intricate spins and even a backflip that earned a round of applause from the small crowd gathering nearby.
Time melted away as Jude's curiosity deepened. At one point, he approached the man, his face glowing with excitement.
"Hey dude, you gotta tell me—how are you making it move like that? Some kind of invisible strings? Magic? Telekinesis?" Jude asked, his tone brimming with enthusiasm.
The man chuckled, shaking his head with a mischievous grin. "A magician never reveals his secrets, my friend."
Jude frowned playfully, crossing his arms. "Aw, come on! Just one hint?"
But the man simply tipped his hat and continued the performance, leaving Jude more intrigued than ever.
And that's how Jude spent the next four hours—completely forgetting his mission as he became immersed in the puppet show. He even attempted to mimic the puppet's moves, clumsily spinning his skateboard around like it was part of the act. The crowd dispersed and re-formed over time, but Jude stayed firmly planted, fascinated by the man's skill and the puppet's impossible grace.
Eventually, the performer packed up, leaving Jude with no answers but plenty of admiration.
"That was gnarly," Jude said, watching the man stroll away. He glanced at the sky, noticing how much the sun had shifted. "Wait… what time is it?"
Checking his watch, he gasped. "Duuuuuude! Four hours?! I've been here four hours?"
Panicked, Jude jumped back onto his skateboard. "Okay, for real this time—no more distractions. I've got a mission to finish!"
Jude pushed forward, speeding down the streets with his skateboard, intent on sticking to his mission this time. The city buzzed around him—cars honking, people chatting, and vendors calling out to passersby. None of it distracted him. He was laser-focused.
That is, until he heard something completely unexpected.
"Hit me with your best shot! Fire awaaaay!"
Jude skidded to a stop, his eyes darting around for the source of the familiar song. To his surprise, he spotted a parrot perched on a street performer's arm, belting out the tune with impressive accuracy. A small crowd had gathered, clapping and cheering as the bird mimicked the singer's voice perfectly.
"Duuuuude!" Jude exclaimed, his focus evaporating in an instant. He rolled closer, his eyes wide with amazement. "Is that parrot actually singing?"
The performer, a man in a brightly colored vest and a fedora, grinned proudly. "Sure is! Meet Freddy, the city's most talented feathered vocalist."
Freddy squawked as if on cue, then launched into another verse. "Don't stop believin'! Hold on to that feelin'!"
Jude's jaw dropped. "This is insane! Where do you even find a parrot that can sing like that?"
The man chuckled. "Freddy's a natural. Picked it up listening to classic rock radio at my place."
Jude couldn't help but stick around, laughing and clapping along as the parrot transitioned to Bohemian Rhapsody. "Duuude, this bird's got pipes! How long did it take to train him?"
"About three years," the man replied, tossing Freddy a treat. "Worth every second, though. Freddy's got the moves, too—watch this!"
The performer whistled, and Freddy hopped down to the sidewalk, bobbing and flapping in rhythm with the music. Jude joined the growing crowd, cheering and pumping his fist in the air.
And just like that, another hour disappeared.
When the parrot finally wrapped up its set and the crowd began to disperse, Jude blinked and checked his watch.
"No way… an hour? AGAIN?" he groaned, running a hand through his hair. He stared at Freddy, who gave a triumphant squawk as if mocking him. "Man, these artists are everywhere! It's like the city's out to distract me or something."
Despite his exasperation, Jude couldn't help but grin as he hopped back onto his skateboard. "Alright, for real this time—no more stopping. Not even for a singing parrot. Glebe, here I come!"
Jude finally rolled into Glebe, the city streets beginning to feel familiar. He had made it, at least close enough to his destination. The thought filled him with pride—and hunger. His stomach growled loudly, and for a fleeting moment, he glanced at the kebab sticks in his backpack.
Those sticks would hit the spot right now… so juicy, so—
Jude shook his head furiously, snapping himself out of it. "No way, dude. These are for Courtney. I'm not eating them," he muttered, patting the bag as though reassuring the kebabs he wouldn't betray them.
With his resolve intact, Jude decided it was time to find something to eat. After scanning the area, he spotted a small diner nearby with a welcoming neon sign that read, "Home of the Best Burgers!" He locked his skateboard to a post and stepped inside.
The smell of sizzling meat and fresh fries hit him immediately, and his stomach growled even louder. "Oh, yeah, this is the place," he said to himself as he slid into a booth and ordered the biggest burger on the menu.
After his meal, with his hunger satisfied, Jude felt his energy return. As he walked out of the diner, his skateboard in hand, he began planning his next move. He didn't know Courtney's exact address—Ezekiel had rattled off some details that Jude definitely should've written down—but he figured he'd be able to piece it together eventually.
That's when he spotted Lansdowne Park. The open green space was buzzing with activity—kids and teens playing soccer, football, and even showing off tricks on their skateboards. The sound of laughter and the clattering of boards against pavement immediately drew Jude's attention.
"Duuuude, look at those moves," he muttered as he watched one skater nail a perfect kickflip. His feet began to itch for action, and he couldn't resist the pull.
"Okay, just a few tricks," Jude said, justifying the detour to himself. "You know, to keep my skills sharp. No harm in that, right?"
With a grin, he dropped his board onto the ground and hopped on. Within seconds, he was cruising toward the skate ramps, ready to show the locals what he was made of. His backpack bounced lightly as he rode, a constant reminder of his mission. But for now, the ramps called, and Jude couldn't help but answer.
.
.
.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with streaks of orange and purple, Jude finally snapped out of his skating-induced trance. Wiping sweat off his forehead, he glanced at his watch and froze.
"Aw, man," he groaned, facepalming hard. "Jen is so right—I get distracted way too easily."
He looked around the now-dimming park, realizing he had spent the entire day skating and goofing off, completely forgetting about his mission. "Great, just great. Now it's getting dark, and I gotta spend more money on a place to crash…"
That's when something caught his eye—a dimly lit, dusty storefront with an old, flickering sign that read "Mattress Mania: Closed for Renovation." The place looked completely deserted, with patches of plywood covering parts of the windows and tools scattered inside. Jude tilted his head, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"Hmmm… brain, you're actually giving me a good idea," he muttered.
The blonde skater made his way inside through a half-open door, careful not to make too much noise. The store was empty except for a few overturned shelves, paint cans, and, of course, old mattresses still scattered about. Dust floated in the air, catching the faint light from a cracked bulb above. Jude inspected the area and gave an approving nod.
"Not exactly a five-star hotel, but it'll do," he said, setting his skateboard down.
Jude got to work improvising a makeshift bed. He stacked a few sturdy paint buckets to serve as a bed frame and carefully laid an old mattress on top. It wasn't exactly fresh, but it beat sleeping on the floor. He even found some discarded sheets, which he used as a blanket, although their musty smell left much to be desired.
As he lay down, Jude gave himself a triumphant grin. "Who needs a motel when you've got creativity?"
That sentiment didn't last long. By morning, his body groaned in protest, every muscle aching as if exacting revenge for the lumpy, uncomfortable sleep. Jude sat up with a wince, rubbing his back.
"Ow… dude, bad idea. Never letting my brain come up with plans about improvising a bed again," he muttered, stretching stiffly before gathering his things.
After crossing the street once more, Jude decided it was time to refuel. He found a cozy diner that served a hearty breakfast and sat down to enjoy some eggs, toast, and a cup of orange juice. With his energy replenished, Jude checked his phone for the text message Ezekiel had sent him with Courtney's address.
"Alright, dude, game on," he said to himself, determination flickering in his eyes.
With the address in hand, Jude began asking locals for directions. It wasn't the smoothest process—some people didn't recognize the address, and others gave vague instructions—but Jude pressed on, street by street, piecing together clues from everyone he talked to. Slowly but surely, he was mapping out a path to Courtney's house.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of wandering and questioning, Jude felt a burst of triumph as the directions started to make sense.
"Dude, I'm so close now," he muttered with a grin. "No more distractions, no more sidetracks. This time, nothing's gonna—"
He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening as he spotted a Gigantoplex theater across the street. Its neon lights beckoned like a siren's call, and a large sign advertised free sessions for a limited time.
"Whoa… that's so cool," Jude said, practically mesmerized by the sight. "Well, I mean… one movie wouldn't hurt, right? I've been working hard. Gotta take a little break!"
Convincing himself it was a well-earned reward, Jude entered the theater, excitedly grabbing a seat for one of the free showings. The larger-than-life screen and booming surround sound engulfed him, and for a moment, all thoughts of his journey melted away.
"One movie," he whispered to himself.
But one movie turned into two. Then three. By the time Jude realized what he was doing, he had sat through five different movie sessions, each one more entertaining than the last. He emerged from the Gigantoplex hours later, blinking at the late afternoon sun as it began to sink toward the horizon.
"Aw, man," he groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "I totally lost track of time… again!"
Still, as he grabbed his skateboard and prepared to get back on track, he chuckled to himself. "Gotta admit, though… those movies were pretty sweet. The guys are gonna love hearing about this."
As Jude cruised down the street, his flip phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket. He fumbled with it for a moment before flipping it open and answering.
"Hello?" Jude said casually, only to hear a familiar, exasperated voice on the other end.
"Jude, are you okay? It's been two days!" Jen's worried tone immediately brought a grin to Jude's face.
"Jen! How's it going, dudette?" he said cheerfully. "Don't worry, I'm in Ottawa now, and I've got Courtney's address. I'm heading there right now!"
There was a heavy sigh on the other end, followed by a distinct sound that could only be Jen facepalming.
"Jude, it's 8 p.m.," she scolded. "She probably doesn't want someone showing up at her door this late. Just call it a day and go home."
But Jude shook his head, his determination unwavering. "No can do, Jen. I'm so close, and I'll head back tomorrow after I've delivered the sticks. My mission is not accomplished yet!"
"Jude…" Jen began, but he cut her off, his voice suddenly filled with fiery resolve.
"FOR THE FREEDOM! FOR THE RIGHT OF WHAT IS RIGHT! AND FOR THE STICKS! I'M GOING TO DELIVER THIS ORDER, OR MY NAME IS NOT JUDE LIZOWSKI!"
With that, he dramatically ended the call, snapping his flip phone shut with a decisive click.
Now fueled by a mix of enthusiasm and sheer determination, Jude concocted a last-minute plan. He wasn't going to sleep in some abandoned building tonight—oh no. This time, he was going to camp. On the very street where Courtney's house was located.
Jude made his way to the nearest store, where he spent what little money he had left on a small camping tent, a couple of bottles of water, and some snacks. It took him an hour of navigating the streets, lugging his newly acquired supplies, but at long last, he arrived at his destination.
"Finally," Jude said, setting his skateboard down and looking at the street sign. "This is it. The street I've been searching for."
He glanced around until he spotted a quiet stretch of sidewalk near what he hoped was Courtney's house.
"This is perfect," he said to himself, setting his backpack down and pulling out the tent. "I'll camp right here, and tomorrow morning, I'll finally give her the kebabs. No distractions. No delays. Mission accomplished."
Jude began setting up his tent under the glow of a nearby streetlamp. It wasn't the most glamorous camping spot, but to him, it was perfect for completing his epic journey. As he worked, he hummed a tune, satisfied with how things were finally coming together.
Little did he know, his impromptu camping plan might not go unnoticed by the neighborhood…
"What was that?" Kate asked, peeking out the window as the family gathered around. The faint outline of a figure setting up camp on the neighbor's property caught their attention.
Victoria sighed, rubbing her temple as if the sight itself gave her a headache. "Traveling teenagers," she muttered, her tone dripping with irritation. "I hate when they wander into our neighborhood."
"I never thought I'd actually see one," Courtney remarked, her brow furrowing in surprise as she gazed out the window. "I've only ever heard your stories about them. Shouldn't we call the police or something?"
Her father shook his head, offering a calm explanation. "Only if they stay more than two days on the street. Usually, they're just passing through for the night."
Victoria, however, wasn't taking any chances. She grabbed a camera from the nearby table and started snapping pictures of the figure outside. "Just in case," she said briskly. "If he stays more than three days, the neighbors and I can press charges. It's an easy case to make against a trespasser."
Courtney and Kate exchanged glances before returning their focus to the window. The silhouette moved about in the dim light, setting up what appeared to be a small tent. Despite their mother's frustration, Courtney couldn't help but feel a tinge of curiosity.
"What do you think they're doing out there?" she asked.
Victoria shrugged dismissively. "Probably heading to Vancouver or some other distant city. They always think it's a great adventure, even if it takes forty days to get there."
Her father nodded in agreement. "It's possible. But it's still a nuisance to have them loitering here."
Victoria turned away from the window, clearly finished with the topic. "I'm going to take a shower and then head to bed. Courtney, are your bags packed for tomorrow?"
"Yes, Mom," Courtney replied, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "Everything's ready. I'm heading to bed, too. Gwen's birthday was fun, but it's been a long day. Good night, Mom. Good night, Dad. Good night, Kate."
"Good night," her family responded in unison as Courtney made her way upstairs.
As the family began to settle in for the night, the figure outside adjusted their makeshift campsite, oblivious to the quiet chatter happening just beyond the window.
At the first sound of the car horn, Jude jolted awake, his heart pounding. He scrambled to unzip his tent and peeked outside, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. His confusion quickly gave way to panic as he saw Courtney loading her luggage into a sleek black SUV. Her family stood nearby, waving and exchanging goodbyes.
"Oh no, I woke up too late!" Jude exclaimed, frantically grabbing his belongings. He stuffed his backpack, soda cans, and snacks into a plastic bag, abandoning the tent entirely. Without wasting another second, he hopped on his skateboard and took off after the car.
"I'm not going to let her go this time," he vowed, his voice resolute as he weaved through the morning streets.
The chase was grueling. The SUV maneuvered effortlessly through Ottawa's traffic, and Jude found himself dodging pedestrians and cutting through narrow alleys just to keep up. The hours blurred together as the pursuit stretched out of Ottawa and back toward Toronto. The journey tested Jude's stamina, his skateboard wheels screeching over pavement that seemed endless.
Every so often, the red lights gave him a chance to catch his breath as the SUV came to a halt. But as soon as the light turned green, the car roared forward, leaving him struggling to keep up.
"Dude, Toronto's way bigger than I remember," Jude muttered to himself, realizing he'd underestimated the city's sprawling streets. Sweat dripped from his brow, his legs ached, but his resolve remained unshaken.
Jude wiped the sweat from his brow as he stared at the interphone embedded in the wall beside the heavy metal gate. The quiet neighborhood felt strangely intimidating, but he had come too far to give up now. Swallowing his nerves, he pressed the button and waited.
A scratchy, tired voice crackled through the interphone. "What is it?"
Jude hesitated, still catching his breath. "Dude, you gotta let me inside becau—"
Before he could finish his explanation, the gate creaked open with an eerie groan. The interphone buzzed faintly, and the voice from earlier muttered, "Yes, Chris, sir."
Jude blinked in confusion, the words not quite registering. "My name isn't Chris..." he mumbled, shrugging off the misunderstanding. He hopped on his skateboard and pushed forward, entering the private area as the metal gate clanged shut behind him.
The long driveway stretched ahead, flanked by well-manicured bushes and a towering fountain in the distance. He glanced over his shoulder, noticing the SUV still idling outside the gate. It puzzled him why the vehicle hadn't followed, but he didn't have time to dwell on it.
As Jude skateboarded through the eerily quiet neighborhood, a strange unease settled over him. The pristine white houses, all eerily similar, lined the streets with an unsettling uniformity. It felt almost unnatural, like the place was designed to discourage life. "Man, why would anyone live here?" Jude muttered, shaking off the thought. He focused on the hill ahead, grateful for the downward slope that made his ride easier.
As he neared the bottom, a burst of activity caught his eye. A group of people bustled around a collection of large boxes near a gated building. They moved like ants, hurrying up and down the incline with packages in their arms.
"ALRIGHT, EVERYONE!" a loud voice boomed from the center of the chaos. "CHRIS AND CHEF WILL BE HERE IN AN HOUR, AND SO WILL THE SECURITY GUARDS. WE NEED THESE BOXES IN THE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE ASAP!"
Intrigued, Jude kicked his skateboard to a stop. He watched for a moment before calling out, "Whoa, need some help, dude?"
The workers froze mid-step, their heads turning in unison toward Jude. One of them blinked and pointed. "Whoa, your voice sounds just like Chris."
Jude grinned. "Cool, huh?"
Without hesitation, one of the interns shoved a large box into his arms. "Great! We've got a ton to do. Take this to the admin office, pronto."
"Uh… what?" Jude asked, adjusting the weight of the box as he glanced around, trying to figure out where he'd just been conscripted.
"Wait a minute," another intern said, narrowing their eyes. "You're not an intern. Who are you?"
"Oh, me? I'm Jude," he said, setting the box down and pulling a bundle of wrapped-up kebabs from his backpack. "I'm here to ask my friend Courtney if she wants these kebabs instead of money for change."
The group collectively recoiled at the sight of the greasy, days-old kebabs. One intern, holding a clipboard and stack of papers, stepped forward with a grimace. "Listen, kid, this is a private area. You can't be here unless you're part of the crew—"
"Or," another intern interjected, smirking, "you've signed a contestant contract."
"Yeah, like that one," the first intern added, shoving the stack of papers toward Jude.
"Oh, cool. Let me see." Jude tilted his head. As he grabbed the bunch of papers imediatelly.
Before anyone could stop him, he grabbed a pen and started signing the top page.
"Hey, wait! What are you doing?!" the first intern shouted, trying to snatch the papers back.
"You said I needed to sign, right? No problem, dudes. Got this." Oblivious to the rising panic around him, Jude kept signing. He flipped to the next page and signed again.
The interns stood frozen in shock as Jude made his way through the entire stack, finishing with a triumphant flourish. He handed the papers back with a satisfied grin.
"All done! So, where do I drop these boxes?" Jude shrugged as he didn't realize that he was one of the people who signed the contract of participating on the show, as contestant. And for the bane of existence of many people. He also didn't read the contract.
.
.
.
"And that's how I got here…" Jude finished with a lopsided grin, leaning casually on his skateboard as if his story had been the most natural sequence of events.
Courtney's eye twitched, her jaw tightening with every word. "This is what I woke up to today?" she thought, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.
Chris stood motionless, his usual smug smirk replaced by a rare, vacant expression. For the first time in his life, the overconfident host appeared genuinely baffled. "How... how did someone so mind-bogglingly dumb manage to bypass security and legally sign a contract? Even as his voice was wonderful and perfect, there was no way someone would be fooled that easy." He shook his head, muttering, "I've got to raise the bar for security screenings. I'm going to complain a lot to the cadets today."
"Yep… that's something Jude would do." Ezekiel concluded, as he himself never thought to see a member of 6teen actually being officially part of Total Drama Cast, and the ironic part. He would fit well with the group of people just like he did in Dramarama. "What a crazy journey just for the first episode."
"Also Courtney do you want Kebabs for change? I forgot to bring the change." Jude asked, which imediatelly Courtney facepalmed her head strongly. "Oh, Jen also facepalms like that when she is very annoyed."
"Ughhhhh," Courtney moaned as she doesn't even know what to say to her childhood friend. "No Jude, I don't want Kebabs for change."
"Oh… okay, here's your money change." Jude decided to place the kebabs back to the backpack as he took a few notes from his pocket, remaining the money he used from his whole journey… "So… whats next?"
And that was the silence coming from Chris facepalming, while the whole group of contestants looking amused at both Courtney and Chris having a migraine, thankfully for one of them, the boyfriend came for the rescue and would find a way to make her more comfortable. While the other, nobody gives a damn on what Chris thinks.
That's how it starts a new season in the future. An episode that everyone will be surprised to see it.
Chapter 58: Rules about Total Drama Action
Chapter Text
Author's note:
Hello everyone, before I do the answers of the reviews. I have something to tell you guys:
First, I managed to pass the Final Examn of College, so probably I will be talking with the college to see when my graduation would be up. Which means no more college for me for a while THANK GOD.
Second… I want everyone to clap, and give yourselves a tap on the back… BECAUSE REALITY COLIDES SURPASSED TOP 20 OF MOST FAV TOTAL DRAMA FANFIC IN FANFICTION. We managed to surpass even big fanfics of weight as Total Drama Redemption, Total Drama World Tour Deluxe, Total Drama Cody's Second Try, Guys we did it. And it's thanks to all of you. So our objective is to go even further and go to the top.
Now about the Season 2 of Reality Collides. It will be very different than the first season, because for the further reviews. I must tell you there will be a few rules that you all should prepare yourselves.
The rules for your reviews being on Total Drama Action Aftermath.
For that reason I want you all to memorize and understand the rules.
For the normal review of the chapters, not all of them are going to be answered like I usually do, since some of the reviews will be focused into Aftermath episodes. So here's the rules I want you all to understand.
Rule Number 0: PLEASE, make the review of the chapter on the top, before making the review of the question you are about to do for the contestants on the aftermath on the bottom. I want to read the top part of your review for me, for the work I was doing, and I will be very sad if you guys were focused too much on doing the aftermath question while ignoring the part where I will personally answer the review of the chapter for you all.
1-The question for the aftermatch will be accepted only for the people who will be eliminated first, in the case, you can only make a question for the character who will be eliminated on the chapter, not before and not after.
2- Each aftermatch will happens after 5 episodes of Total Drama Action. Which means 5 contestants will receive a question for their interview.
3-Each review must have only 1 question for them, so I recommend to make a well elaborated question, because they will be sorted and said on the aftermath by my choice. And any simple question will be ignored since I already was planning to do the questions of what they think or what they thought about the hypothetical situation, so please don't be afraid of being creative.
4-People who has an actual account on fanfiction and AO3 will have priority to have their questions selection. While the Guest Reviwers sadly I cannot select all of you many times in a row, so I will choose between 3 and 5 at the Total for the Aftermath.
I hope you guys understand, and have fun because I planned so much for today…
About the reviews of AO3, I don't want to use my reviews as a way to chat myself like an inbox chat... I want to treat the review section as a Review and I answer the review simple like that, and not create a conversation on my review area. I hope you all understand.
Anyway, with this new rules set. I hope you guys enjoy the new chapter ready to appear. Have fun.
Chapter 59: Action - Monster Cash
Chapter Text
"Last season on Total Drama Island," This was it; the next season of Total Drama was officially starting! And to start the season off strong, the host with the most, Chris McLean himself, was giving the audience a good refresher of what happened last season. "Heather and Lindsay battled it out for the one hundred thousand dollars. In the end, Lindsay, the beautiful but naive, dyslexic girl who has good athletic moves and a mind to destroy the dreams of people who love the franchise of movies, won the super-sized check. But then gave it all up for the chance to win one million big ones! With the million smackeroos stuffed into a briefcase, our twenty-two campers set off on The Race for the Case! Which led to Ezekiel catching the suitcase, and by destroying their pride one by one, the homeschooled boy, without knowing, made all the other campers try their strategies to trap him up. However, instead of working together, each camper went against each other and started a huge fight. Ezekiel didn't like it one bit, and with a move that would hurt my heart… it really hurts, he launched the suitcase money on the water, which was eaten by a shark. Hahahaha! I bet none of you saw that coming. But then Ezekiel decided to use his knowledge of being the only one who read the contract and challenged everyone for the second season of Total Drama, and I'm not going to disappoint him. He challenged all the 21 campers with a new chance to win another million dollars…"
We see Chris walked up in front of a film lot, with various props, recording equipment, and other such things for making movies littered all around. "They've been told to report this old film lot for a whole new set of challenges!" Chris announced before taking out a film clapper and clapped it, changing the screen to show a film reel that showed the faces of all the 22 past campers that would be returning. "Forty-four days, one million dollars, and 22 contestants all duking it out for it!" Just then the film reels changed to show black silhouettes with a question mark in them. "Welcome everyone to…TOTAL DRAMA ACTION."
In the Total Drama Action theme song, the song once again begins with spotlights and cameras appearing out of various places, bringing up a rat from the sewers and knocking a raccoon out of a tree, before a clapperboard clamps down in front of it. The camera then makes its way through the abandoned film lot, where Chris is seen driving a golf cart.
The camera goes through some fake prop sets and then a rack of clothing. It then goes up the replica of the 1,000-foot cliff and then down into a small pool. Owen is seen swimming in it, with a shark approaching him from behind. However, Owen farts into the shark's mouth, propelling himself away and disgusting the shark, making it cough. The camera then goes up to the beach movie set, where Bridgette is evading the seagulls that are shooting at her while she stands on the surfboard. And she was doing fine until it hit one bird, which made her distracted just for the next one hit on her face.
Cody was the one who managed to make the hit, which he shared the victory with Tyler and DJ, just for them both to see Bridgette walk outside of the water with a very furious look on her face, and from the angry look of the raccoons and seagulls, both Cody and Tyler hugged and screamed while the animals attacked them. DJ screams as he runs away in panic.
The camera passes through them, and by a Sasquatchanakwa wearing a bra and a pink wig to a large metal door opening, revealing a big flash of light as Katie and Lindsay were following it as they were holding more costumes and makeup to try to make the creature even more beautiful for the next scene, while the creature is running away from the duo of fashionistas. Then passing by Beth, two more sharks are now seen relaxing on beach chairs on the beach set, wearing sunglasses. The camera zooms in on Beth, who smiles and shows that she is no longer wearing braces. While jumping up from the group of sharks and the farmer, it was Jude who gave a skate trick, which was done almost flawlessly, and he didn't even have 5 seconds to cheer up when his body slammed with one of the background paintings, where his face was on the other side of the said background screen, where Sadie was working out and eating ice cream at the same time. And when she looked behind her and saw Jude staring at her, she offered the ice cream, which he smiled at and nodded his head.
Justin is then seen in the confessional, getting his make-up done. He turns around, only to get sprayed in the eyes by some kind of spray.
Ezekiel was pressing a few keys of the laptop, writing a new chapter of his book as Noah was reading a few papers nearby him, making the notes and doing his work as editor, when on the next second DJ was running in panic and approached them. Ezekiel pointed at the screen, which DJ shrugged at, and just for the next second he continued to run screaming in terror and tried to run away as fast as he could, which both Ezekiel and Noah looked at each other as they then saw a bunch of angry animals going after him, then they shrugged and nodded in satisfaction and resumed their work.
With DJ running and screaming, he hit Trent, who was playing his guitar calmly, probably developing a new song, but that accident managed to make them crash, and the guitar flew away in the direction of a bear, who immediately roared in rage, but then the person the bear roared at was its worst nightmare when Eva growled in such anger, and her roars made the bear flee in panic and pee on the ground. Eva scoffed, and Heather and Leshawna are then seen on top of two platforms, fighting each other with jousting sticks. Heather and Leshawna fight back and forth until Leshawna knocks Heather down, and Harold, who was passing by, managed to catch Heather with both his arms, and Heather scoffed while blushing angrily and pushed Harold, but the next second she was about to walk away, she slipped and sat on his face. Which made the blush deadpan, and she kicked the nerd while he was down and ran away. Leshawna saw everything and shouted from far away.
The camera pointed at Chef, who just did a terrible soup for the people to eat as lunch, and when Geoff looked left and right, he pointed in a direction where the bear went and crashed the place in panic, and Chef, in reflex, started fighting the bear, while Geoff used the opportunity to throw the soup away and take a few potato chips with him.
The camera pans over to who is in the control tent. Izzy smiled in delight as she cracked the fingers and pressed the exact sequence of buttons, which made the buildings visible on the screen explode many times. As she then kept pressing a few keys to see all the other cameras, she just saw the recordings of everyone's confessions while she smiled sadly at one of them, Ezekiel, who was talking on the screen.
The explosions revealed both Cadet Sanders and McArthur with smoke coming away from their clothes after the explosions, as they looked very angry at who did it, but then on the next second there was a bunch of animals who also were attacked by the explosions, as they stared angrily at them. Both cadets took their tasers and went after them, creating a huge fight against the crime.
As the camera kept rolling, there was Gwen opening the Lame-o-sine, as she smiled at the camera, and while pointing to the other side of the said car, she opened the doors, which revealed the red carpet after her, and the camera followed. Multiple pairs of arms are seen leaning in front of the camera with cameras of their own, wildly taking pictures and with camera flashes everywhere, and the camera eventually comes to the stage, where Chris is standing at the podium with a blue tuxedo. Chris opens an envelope, and Chef, wearing a well-tailored gray tuxedo, points his fingers at the screen, and the cadets are once again, but this time with pink transparent dresses, handing them a tray of Gilded Chris Awards. The cadets frown angrily while the duo simply rolls their eyes and looks back at the camera. The image of Chris and Chef then becomes slightly more static-like, and the camera pulls back to reveal that this is on a giant screen.
Below the screen, Duncan and Courtney are sitting on a couch in the middle of the stage in the aftermath studio and about to kiss. But they realize that everyone is looking at them and stop, looking at the camera with shocked expressions. As Duncan grinned, Courtney crossed her arms happily as she showed the sidelines of the studio where Jane was using a headphone and a clipboard to make sure everything was going fine, and sitting in the bleachers on the side of the hosts of the aftermath was Dawn, Sky, Enui, Crimson, Junior, and an empty place that there was an '?' mark on it, which the screen above them then changed from Chris and Chef to the logo for Total Drama Action.
At the entrance of the film lot, which consisted of an entrance gate and booth with the caution lines being made of decayed wood showing their age. At the very top was a golden-colored metal sign, but many of the letters were missing, having either fallen off or been taken, making what the sign originally said impossible to figure out. The place looked crappy just for the sake of the entertainment of the pattern of how terrible the service the contestants would have for another season.
As on the next second a bus, which could have better days, finally arrived, but not before one of the parts fell down from the place where the contestants would be.
As soon as the door went open, Duncan was the first who came out, but to the surprise of the cameras and all the viewers, Duncan wasn't wearing his usual outfit, which came from season 1 on the Island. A maroon vest with buttons down the front. A beige long-sleeve shirt underneath the vest, with brown bands around the upper arms, brown gloves with a fingerless design, brown pants, black boots, and two rings, one on the index finger and the other in the middle finger, while on the fingerless gloves, there were a few letters written as a tattoo, which indeed would cause the curiosity of the fans.
Duncan took a deep breath with his nose until he gave a satisfied sigh.
"Man, just the smell of the city on this crappy place already made me have a better impression over here than that crappy island." Duncan said that people who never saw Duncan before wouldn't believe it was him until they heard his voice. What just happened to him in just a few days for him to make a sudden change of clothes?
Until they heard another voice.
"Duncan, can you help me here?" The voice of Courtney called for her boyfriend, and in the time Duncan turned his back, he saw the heavy luggage being stuck on the door, which he released, and he helped the girl finally get out from the bus.
The fans would lose their minds after seeing Courtney in her usual wolf cut hairstyle, a black sleeveless top, and white shorts. Over her arm, nobody would ever imagine seeing Courtney exposing her arm, which had a thin line of tattoo covering the upper arm like a line of fishes following each other. Courtney of all people having a tattoo would make people wonder if it was because of Duncan who made her do it. She was wearing a choker she bought at the Goth clothing store while still having the one made by Duncan himself sculpted in wood. And for the final touch: black sneakers, as she had to thank Harold for once again fixing her hair, she was glad that most of the time a good friend like him also gave some points on how to make her hair look great.
As Duncan took out the luggage and released it on the floor. Courtney passed by him, and she could see him still annoyed.
"Come on, I know my parents will love to see you wearing this; I bet that even your parents would love to see you like that." Courtney teased her girlfriend as Duncan simply rolled his eyes. As she even winked at him. "And don't forget that I'm just wearing this because of you too."
"I gotta admit, you look sexy in this." Duncan said as he was voicing everyone who saw the new clothing Courtney came from in season 2.
Courtney and Duncan took their luggage and stepped away while the next person was Leshawna, who walked with her luggage in hand while whistling.
"I can't believe that all of you came here with a new wardrobe. I should have done that." Leshawna didn't think about it, even after remembering the part of one of them telling them they should have used another type of clothing. With a different set, it would surprise their fans more. While she was still having an elegant haircut done by Harold himself, she had to be satisfied with what she had.
"I send you a text about our plans of coming here and give the best first impression we could, Leshawna," Harold appeared as while he was doing his Rubik's cube, anyone wouldn't believe that boy was actually Harold. He was wearing a dark red beanie, his usual glasses, and a black long-sleeve shirt with a gray strap running horizontally across the chest, while on the bottom of the said shirt it was showing a purple color, which would give a better view, while he was wearing beige pants and black and white sneakers with purple accents.
"Well, you took a total glow-up; you went to the mall with all the Killer Bass to buy clothes, not complaining, but I should also have taken something different to catch the eyes of the fans." Leshawna said as Harold couldn't help but ask. "I can't believe that all of you got a tattoo as well."
"It was a situation that escalated quickly, but to be honest, I don't think anybody regretted doing it." Harold commented until he heard someone pushing them.
"Can you two get out? I'm tired of waiting here." The voice of Eva echoed as the duo gave space for Eva, the iron woman, to finally get out of the bus while holding 5 leather bags, but that wasn't something that surprised the others. But the outfit she was wearing was a white hoodie with a zipper and a front pocket. The hoodie has a relaxed fit and covers the upper body, which revealed another DarkStateBlue top under the hoodie. She was also wearing DarkStateBlue pants that complemented the white hoodie. Additionally, Eva was wearing earphones in both ears, with the wires hanging down in the pocket.
"Ouch, okay, okay, we are leaving." Leshawna said annoyed as Eva passed by them, while Harold smiled sheepishly at the bodybuilder, who nodded as his way to apologize.
"And then she had the audacity to call the police; can you believe that? If it hadn't been for Duncan's uncle, it would have been a mess." Katie said, looking frustrated as she was explaining the situation for one of the contestants who seemed to be a friend who just commented.
"Oh come on, that's so low. There's no way someone would be so low as to call the police about a missing research not once but twice. She refused to drop charges after everything? That girl is crazy." Tyler seemed to be the one who was surprised by the story of how Cody had to request the detective to dismiss the charges of him being missing around because of a stalker. Since he was with his girlfriend, but then Sierra insisted on doing another missing party of the other local police of another city, it was maddening. "And how are you holding up?"
"I'm doing great. Duncan's uncle was awesome; he said he will help to drop the charges today. He even called me after his trip with his wife, Duncan, and Courtney to Niagara Falls. I still think it was my fault for making them almost miss the trip," Cody said sheepishly, and in the next second there was a slight slap that surprised everyone. "Ouch, why did you slap my butt?"
"Because it's a cute butt, but also it's for you to snap out of it." Katie said as she got out of the bus, Katie was wearing a black and pink striped crop top with long sleeves. The top has a snug fit and ends just above the waist. She was also wearing gray shorts that complemented the top. For footwear, she was in black sandals, which add a casual touch to the outfit. Katie also changed her hair to make it short, styled with bangs that frame her face.
Cody got out from the bus, and while he was still wearing the same pants and sneakers that he wore on the first season, Cody was also wearing a plain white sweatshirt. The sweatshirt has a crew neck and long sleeves. There are no visible logos, patterns, or designs on the sweatshirt, making it simple and casual in style.
Which people had to admit, Cody looked very cute wearing something simple like that.
"I gotta admit Katie was right on this one: you already apologized to them on Gwen's birthday, and they were chill with you; they had their trip." Tyler got out with his bags with him, as he was wearing a different clothing style but still with the same theme; instead of a headband, he was wearing a red visor, a red sleeveless jersey with a number 10 on the front worn over a white shirt, his usual red pants, white and red sneakers, and his wristbands.
"Yeah, I get it. Also, I'm surprised we have been the only ones to change our clothes. I thought after Ezekiel explained we needed to change clothes, everyone would have followed his advice." Cody commented as he helped to carry the luggage of his girlfriend, while Tyler accidentally slipped and made the luggage come on his face. "Ouch, are you okay, dude?"
"Yeah…" Tyler said in mumbling, until Sadie came and easily carried some of his bags with her and helped to set up; she was so much focused with the chocolate she received from Justin that she didn't pay attention to most of the conversation.
"NO OWEN, I SAID NO." Sadie could see Owen trying to touch one of her sweets, which the fat boy was whimpering.
"Come on, Sadie, just a tiny bite." Owen begged as Sadie, who helped Tyler to get up, narrowed her eyes at him.
"That was what you said when you ate my whole bar of chocolate a last minute ago." Sadie said as she ignored the fat boy as she walked outside of the bus, while she still was a bit chubby, there was a slight definition of her biceps forming, as she was now wearing a different cloth… FROM KATIE.
Sadie was wearing a pink jacket with rolled-up sleeves, adorned with various pins, including stars, ice cream, and a heart pin. Underneath the jacket, she was wearing a black top, and over her hair, which was in a wild short hairstyle, there were heart-shaped pink sunglasses and a bracelet on the wrist with the word LOVEBFF. And Star-Shaped Earrings. She was also wearing gray shorts and black sandals, which seemed to fit Katie's, but the changes were still there.
"Owen, I think you shouldn't anger Sadie like that," Justin calmly walked as he passed over, and the views of the presence of his being bring the usual song of where everyone would be awestruck at him, made Owen look sheepishly and apologize to Sadie as he went after the chubby but strong girl. "I'm usually never a big fan of rolled-up sleeve jackets, but it suits you so well that you look great in them."
"Why, thank you, Justin." Sadie smiled as she helped Justin carry his luggage with her own. Which once again surprised the supermodel from how much stronger the girl was becoming, and while they were walking… he suddenly froze, as Cody was nearby him… staring at Eva, who was listening to her mp3… Slowly both of them tiptoed around the bodybuilder, who simply scoffed at them.
"Pff, wimps." Eva said as the duo who underestimated and even manipulated her got the other side of suffering and pain, which she was now over that. She knew she had anger problems, but she smirked from seeing nobody would dare to do the same stupidity with her again.
As the next person to go out, Trent was carrying his luggage. As he calmly stared at the entire place where he was going to stay, he remained calm and quiet, as he didn't want to open his mouth and mess up the new chance he had. He brought his usual baggage that he had on the island and at the resort, which he didn't unpack. But now he has better experience with the contracts. He felt more nervous than ever, because he knew all the eyes of the fans would be on him. And it was his only chance to turn into a better light.
He took his guitar and calmly passed away from the campers, but he could see Justin smiling at him and Cody waving as he calmly showed a small smile.
"And then we started talking about our lives, and when I got so excited that I accidentally asked if he wanted to be my boyfriend, and he said yes." Beth commented as she gave Heather, Lindsay, and Izzy the friendship bracelets as Lindsay clapped her hands happily.
"OH MY GOD, YOU GOT A SUPERMODEL BOYFRIEND?" Lindsay hugged Beth as Heather and Izzy calmly got out of the bus. As Izzy was staring at the backseat for one person, Heather was still glancing at Beth in disbelief, not because of her friend. But from something else.
"Beth, you shouldn't be going around asking such questions like if someone wants to be your boyfriend, you don't know what kind of person that Brady is and how shady he can be." Heather scolded the farmer girl, as even she believed Beth met someone beautiful and hot, and no, she's not jealous of her friend. Nobody could be this nice without at least some flaws.
"Oh come on, Heather, you worry too much." Izzy, on the other hand, laughed as she placed Beth, Heather, and Lindsay. "But just to be sure, if he's some sort of criminal or something like that, I can click my tongue, and nobody will know where he is."
"What do you mean?" Beth asked, paled as Izzy simply smiled.
"Nothing, just a friendly reminder for him not to mess up. Capiche?" Izzy looked at one of the directions that the others didn't know; it was the camera, and she blinked as a threatening Brady for in case he messed up with the farmer and potential best friends of Lindsay, Heather, and her. "But I have a good feeling about your boyfriend; call it a hunch of a bird telling me."
"You can speak with birds?" Lindsay asked in surprise, which Izzy laughed at.
"Hahahahahaha, no, I speak with camels." Izzy replied as Heather rolled her eyes.
"I can't believe this is my life now." Heather said as the quartet walked outside of the bus, not lying, her experience of being with Lindsay's family was overwhelming; in comparison to Lindsay, she felt her family was poor. Sure, they have a social gathering and have a lot of money for a mansion, but Lindsay's father has a theme park for himself. Thankfully her mom slapped the mind of her father in case he wanted to buy a golf club just for himself. "Also, when are you going to Hollywood again?"
"When the new Sherlock Holmes movie is going to be aired, my daddy said Robert Downey Jr. is going to be Sherlock Holmes, and I hope to be surprised." Lindsay commented as she always listened to her daddy read the books for her, which she wanted to see how the actor will go on in the movie.
"Wow, that must be amazing to be able to go to the official first edition being published in Hollywood of all places." Beth said she was a bit envious of her friend, but that feeling was quickly pushed away since her experience of being with Lindsay had been amazing all the time, and while being rich, Lindsay had always been her best friend, with Heather.
"Well, at least we can try to do something nice when all this terrible show is over," Heather commented as she looked at Beth and raised her eyebrows. "Did you take the passports for going to France?"
"Don't worry; my mom helped me with all the documents." Beth said eagerly, as she was happy to receive some tips coming from both Heather and Izzy when it comes to going on a trip to another country. "Do you guys want to go to France with me?"
The question made Lindsay, Heather, and Izzy pause as they looked at the farmer, who felt nervous about going alone.
"Well, I suppose I could ask my parents about that," Heather said as she crossed her arms, which she couldn't help but admit that going to France and enjoying Paris would be awesome, and she would enjoy expending the one million dollars she would receive; of course, she lost the money for the homeschooled boy, but now she was going to be more ready. And she was in the finals of the last season; of course she could do it better and win the whole game.
"Well, my parents kicked me out of home since I became independent and have my own enterprise of maple syrup. I can now use my money to buy a house for me around here, and my lawyer is still dealing with some issues. I cannot leave the American continent for a while, but if things go well, I think I will be allowed to visit another country." Izzy said as she walked nearby the farmer while she decided to whisper in her ear. "Of course I, Kaleidoscope, accept the invitation; even if I have to fly illegally, I will be there."
"Okay?" Beth said as she blinked slowly, trying to not show reaction and hoping the cameras and microphones didn't listen to what Izzy said about leaving the country illegally. Beth then looked at Lindsay, who was thinking about it. "And how about you, Lindsay?"
"Oh, me? I'm thinking what type of clothing I should be buying in France," Lindsay smiled, as Beth was very eager to go to the country of love, the place where the quartet would enjoy the good clothing and even some art… which Beth also recalled on Ezekiel's words. About her being careful around Lindsay and being sure nobody would cause an accident just in case. But thankfully with Izzy and Heather around as well, she would be more … she thinks.
The quartet of girls left the bus, and the next person was no other than Geoff, who was still wearing his Stetson hat. He showed that even as his usual style changed, it was not from something too different. Geoff was dressed in a pink open shirt with darker pink flower patterns, worn over a purple bandana around the neck, adding a pop of color and a casual vibe. The beige cargo shorts provide practicality and comfort, while the purple shoes match the bandana and add a cohesive element to the outfit.
"Come on, Bridgette, you look perfect in this outfit. The most beautiful girl I ever saw in my life. I swear." Geoff said as he was carrying both his and her luggage, as the girl was groaning in shame as she tipped out of her head outside of the bus.
"I know, but I think I messed up choosing these jeans in the mall. I love the style, but I took the wrong size." Bridgette said as she still blushed slightly.
"I don't think it's the wrong size; it looks perfect on you." Geoff said as he tried to kiss his girlfriend, just for later he was attacked by the water spray with hot sauce. "COME ON."
"You are just saying that because you are drooling at seeing my panties." Bridgette said, as she sighed, but then got enough courage. "Okay, here I go."
At the time Bridgette left the bus, Geoff smiled with the view he was seeing. Bridgette was wearing a white long-sleeved crop top that ends just above the waist, giving a trendy and relaxed look. Blue jeans adorned with star stamps, which seem to be slightly different sizes since the pants were dropping slightly, which, while she could walk and run fine… the sides of her black panties were sewing as giving a slight mark on the tights. Which made her even more sensual, as also a way to finish the touches, the sneakers she was wearing were the same colors as her jeans.
And as for her hair, she wasn't using her ponytail, but Harold did a great job of doing the curtain bangs in just a few minutes. She was taught by him how to maintain the style of her loose hair.
But still, with the style she came, all the fans would lose their minds imagining it was Bridgette, and they would curse Geoff for being a lucky bastard, for scoring the girl, and would understand why he passed most of the time getting pepper sprayed by kissing the girl; that girl was worth all the pain of pepper spray.
As Geoff was about to try to kiss her again, he was surprised by Courtney, who came to spray on his face again.
"AW, COME ON. REALLY?" Geoff couldn't even touch the lips of his girlfriend, and now he was going to get more and more sprayed with that crappy recipe of disaster.
"You two should be getting out now, and Bridgette, don't worry about it; you can ask Katie to add a pant elastic on your jeans; that way they won't drop." Courtney said as the blonde surfer smiled as she didn't need to drag a surfing board since there wouldn't be water for them to surf anyway.
"Thanks." Bridgette was happy as she wasn't the only one who was dressed in such an astonishing way, since Courtney and Duncan clearly made a lot of changes… which she giggled at seeing him pout, but she decided to just give a kiss on his cheek, which she regretted since her mouth was burning and she was feeling the taste of the hot sauce.
After a few seconds of the couple leaving the area.
"It was a great birthday party, DJ; you don't need to worry about it." Gwen smiled as she walked outside of the bus with new goth clothing, A black mesh fishnet top worn over a blue crop top, adding a layered and textured look. A black skirt that complements the mesh top and adds to the overall edgy style. Black fishnet stockings that enhance the outfit's bold and fashionable appearance. A pendant necklace with a green stone, while there were spiked wristbands over her fishnet sleeves, resembling a glove.
"Are you sure? Because I think your brother has an allergy." DJ asked in a worried tone as he got out from the bus by wearing a more simple style. A green shirt worn underneath an orange jacket. An orange jacket with green stripes on the sleeves, featuring a white collar and cuffs. Gray pants that complement the colorful upper body clothing. Green shoes that match the shirt and add a cohesive element to the outfit. As he wasn't using his white beanie, he showed the brown hair, which is short and curly, with a small tuft on the top.
"Don't worry about him; it was the dust he got when he tried to read an old book from our grandma. Still, he would like to eat more from you and your momma." Gwen rolled her eyes, but with a grin on her face, she could see how DJ sighed in relief, while she couldn't help but ask. "Why did you ask Ella to take care of the bunny again?"
"Well, Momma says it would be too much responsibility for her to keep cooking, and she would eventually forget to feed it. And Ella seems to be so well with the animals I think she would be the best choice to let Bunny be with her." DJ explained as Gwen chuckled from remembering how Ella gave a peck on his cheek at the birthday party, from which DJ even fainted from being caught off guard like that.
With a happy sigh, Gwen decided to walk with her luggage as DJ followed her.
With now only two people remaining on the bus…
"So now that you brought the computer, it wouldn't be needed to use all the papers from your typewriter." Noah commented as he walked outside with books he had in hand, "I'm still with hand sore after signing all those books. I have no idea how you managed to do that, and my siblings really annoyed me to do all that extra work for you."
"Yeah, but come on, you gotta say many interesting things happened in that mall when we were signing all those books." Ezekiel dismissed the boy's complaints, as it was now part of Noah's responsibility and his new style of life of working as Ezekiel's editor, which would be the responsibility of him to understand how the work of a writer wasn't easy.
And the camera finally could see the view of the homeschooled boy leaving the bus. His short, messed hair without his iconic winter hat, a green jacket with 2 short horizontal white stripes on the right side and a "10" emblem on the left side where there was a giant vertical white strap covering the green jacket. A jacket made by no other than Katie, which Ezekiel was glad to use as a homage to the future book he will be writing… Ben 10. On his wrists there was clearly the weight he had been using for most of the days, especially on how Eva inside of the bus made him use more weight for the second season… and the worst part, a working-out schedule with even a few hints on how to throw punches like a boxer.
Under the jacket there was a black shirt underneath where there was a skull and a red sword crushing it. Then there were teal pants to complement the green jacket and blue shoes with white soles as a way to add a pop of color to the outfit. And under his pants there was a shin guard with there was also the weight for him to use around as his training.
"When you mean interesting, you mean all the kinds of fans we saw appearing? Yeah, there was one that would be in my nightmares." Noah commented that he was terrified of seeing that scary little girl once; imagining seeing her in the future would really make him have more nightmares.
"Well, she loves Courage the Cowardly Dog, and I think that one work well done can change the lives of the others in a way that we never expect." Ezekiel said as both of them got out from the bus, and with both Noah and Ezekiel out. The 22 campers were on the place… which, in the next minute, the bus departed, leaving all the contestants alone.
"Where's everyone?" Leshawna asked as the group looked around, finally realizing they were alone, without someone to greet them, or even Chris to tell how it was going to start the show.
"Maybe the bus brought us to the wrong stop." Gwen suggested, but she had no other choice but to sigh. She didn't tell them that she knew this was the location, because the group who were inside of her birthday party knew it was in an abandoned movie studio set, and it was for the best not to reveal they knew the information all along. Thankfully, Justin helped her without noticing.
"That wrecked bus only has one stop." Justin said as he explained the situation as everyone turned around to see how crappy the place was.
"And believing how the pattern of the last season happened. I think this is the actual place we will be passing our weeks around doing challenges." Courtney commented as Duncan scoffed but nodded his head, knowing how Chris had his name all around the place.
Heather would have enjoyed the idea of leaving the place, but knowing that she was near winning the 100 thousand dollars by being at the final 2. She decided to focus more on the other contestants as she slightly narrowed her eyes. She thankfully wasn't stupid, as she also brought more clothes with her; Lindsay probably did the same thing; thankfully, Beth also did the same thing. But if she knew everyone was going to appear on the first episode already dressing differently, she should have at least used her time to place more makeup and use something more provocative for her fans as well.
"Let's admit, the 1 million dollars is the only reason for us to tolerate Chris," Beth said as Trent blinked from seeing the farm girl showing her teeth being clean, white, and without braces.
"Wow Beth, you took out your braces. That's so cool," Trent pointed out happily for the girl, who just smiled happily, which Justin also approached and had to give the compliment.
"Hot as always." Justin liked how great treatment Beth got from the dentist since it was so clear that he could see his own reflection on the farm's smile. To the point that he even liked the tip of his finger and placed it on his eyebrow while he used her smile as a mirror for himself. "Your dentist did a great job, Beth."
But on the next second, Leshawna took the beautiful boy and threw him away while she went ahead to talk to Beth.
"You look fine, girl." Leshawna said as Beth was gathering more attention, which Heather rolled her eyes at.
"She really does." Gwen admitted as she looked at Izzy and Heather and Lindsay. Which, from the lack of their reaction, it seems they already knew that. As she decided to give another approach. "Hey Lindsay, how have your days off been?"
"Oh Gemmy… I mean… Gwen, it had been fantastic; my sisters and I had a lot of fun going to the mall, doing shopping sprees, and going to the spa, and my parents invited Heather, Beth, and Iz—err… I mean Scope—to our house, and we even went in my daddy's theme park." Lindsay explained as Gwen blinked in surprise, which at the time Lindsay was about to tell Izzy's true name, Izzy coughed on her fist, which made the blonde bombshell quickly change the name of the military girl. As it seems, the goth girl's week wasn't the only one who was busy around.
"My mom said my world would totally open up when I got my braces off. And she was right." Beth said as she was squealing happy from all the attention she had. "From having a boyfriend to even having a great time with my best friends, it had been amazing."
And on the other side of the group of campers, Courtney was looking around and seeing if there was something that she could be doing. As Duncan was talking with Geoff and Bridgette, DJ and Tyler were drinking water from the bottles they brought with themselves on their trip.
"Wow, this place is giant." Ezekiel commented as Courtney was surprised by the sudden comment from her friend, and one of the pillars, she smiled at seeing how Ezekiel looked more decent than the first season… and being honest, she never thought her team would look more stylish and better than their first version of the show. Ezekiel was right; giving the first good impression for the fans will make them boom their popularity in a good way.
"Yeah, seeing from here, it seems there would be dozens if not hundreds of sets inside of it." Courtney mused as she tried to identify the quantity of challenges they would be having across the place.
"43 to be exact." Then a voice came nearby her, as both Ezekiel and Courtney were so focused on looking at the studio that Courtney simply nodded her head.
"Really? I thought it was more, thanks Jude." Courtney said she was happy until suddenly she blinked… and slowly she turned her head to see the same blonde hair, white shirt, black beanie, shorts, and skate on hands.
"No problem, dudette." Jude commented as he was staring at the studio as well, where both Ezekiel and Courtney had their mouths dropped as they stared at him in disbelief.
"JUDE HOW DID YOU GET HERE?" Courtney shrieked as, at that time, everyone simply turned their heads to see Courtney, and while for the Screaming Gopher, former members looked at the stranger boy who came from nowhere, the Killer Bass former team, on the other hand, recognized that person.
"Wait, why is your childhood friend here, Courtney?" Tyler pointed out as Jude was about to greet everyone or even say the reason he was there.
beep beep
Until the sound of horns made the whole group of 23 people see Chris arrive in a tour cart, with enough space to carry everyone.
"About time." Duncan said as he could see Chris blinking and staring at most of the campers, who seemed to be wearing a lot of different clothes.
"What the hell happened to all of you?" Chris said that he had no idea what had just happened, but it seems basically everyone from Killer Bass, including Cody, had their clothes changed, and if he hadn't known them for so long over those 9 weeks, he could have sworn it was other people taking their place. "You know what? Never mind. Hop on, everyone! Come on, people! Sheesh, we haven't got all day! This cart's rented by the hour."
Chris commented as everyone was placing their luggage and getting to their seats, and to Courtney and Duncan's surprise, Jude simply shrugged it off and also went inside to sit in one of the seats on their side, while the others tilted their heads in trying to figure out where the hell that boy came from.
Ezekiel was placing his stuff when he saw Izzy planning to stay behind.
"SCOPE LET'S GO." Ezekiel knew that her plan was to make her being named after the name change; it was one of her tricks to pass the loophole of the contract, and as he had been out of the show without talking to her all these days, he could see how she was happy the person who was the first to call her that was Ezekiel. Since he came from the future, he knew that it was one of her tricks, and he was going to help her set up for the loophole abuse.
"Coming," Izzy said as she jumped, and sitting nearby Ezekiel, she was already enjoying the plan she was doing over the show, and now she just needed to figure out the new boy; she didn't know why, but Courtney shrieked, and from the look of the Killer Bass team, they knew who that boy was. So she decided to ask for the source... "Hey, who's the new boy?"
"His name is Jude Lizowski; he's Courtney's childhood friend, and he works in the mall where I did the book signing. The Killer Bass went to the mall to pass the day there, and we ate his food. I have no idea how he got here, or why he's here..." Ezekiel said as Izzy was placing her stuff, while she tilted her head in surprise…
"Not even."
"Nope, not even that." Ezekiel confirmed her suspicions by saying that even from his future, he saw Jude appearing on the show, which means one thing.
Jude was a time anomaly, something that was placed over the ripples of coming back from time travel, and now he became something that nobody knows what's going to happen from now on.
"So let's just wait and see how things will go?" Izzy asked, as she could see Ezekiel nodding his head, it was indeed a very intriguing situation, but there was nothing they could do about it.
As Chris was driving everyone, and not paying attention to who was behind him. As since it was dozens of people inside of the cart. He decided to give the explanation anyway.
"Welcome to the set of Total...Drama...Action… This season's hottest reality show will be shot here, on an abandoned film lot," Chris explained as the group watched from the sidelines, the movie sets appearing as Lindsay gasped in excitement.
"Does that mean we're going to be in the movies?" Lindsay asked excitedly, as she couldn't help but imagine her family's reaction to seeing her, the first season winner, becoming a movie star.
"No, it means you're going to be on TV, and don't interrupt me, ever," Chris said as he narrowed his eyes while he flicked his finger on her nose.
"Oops, sorry…" Lindsay said as she scratched her nose.
As the time passed, the group passed over the sets, which one of them was the Wild West. Which now Ezekiel wondered on how things will go after dealing with the 22 contestants of Total Drama Island, as now there weren't 14 members but way more than that. It would show the further challenges for the sake of their future and also for the entertainment of the public.
"You'll be spending the next six weeks here, and while you will only have 2 days of rest after each challenge, you all will be competing against each other in challenges, and for the rewards… All for the chance to win some monster cash," Chris said as he was feeling happy until Owen decided to say something.
"Yeah, baby, I'm gonna win me some moolah," Owen said until Chris was about to shush him, but then a blonde boy with a beanie shushed.
"Dude, didn't he say for us not to interrupt him?" Jude gave a comment as Chris blinked at the boy that looked as if he had the most beautiful voice he could ever have heard, but he had no idea where the hell that boy came from.
"Who are you?" Chris asked as Jude raised his hand.
"Hi dude, name's Jude," The blonde boy commented as Chris blinked a few times, not ever knowing someone with that name before.
"Jude, can you please tell me what you are doing here? I thought you were working on the mall; why are you here?" Courtney sighed as she decided to ask the most important question.
"Oh yeah…" Jude said as he decided to tell the whole journey he had to pass across Canada just for the sake of delivering the kebabs for his childhood friend.
.
.
.
"And that's how I got here…" Jude finished with a lopsided grin, leaning casually on his skateboard as if his story had been the most natural sequence of events.
Courtney's eye twitched, her jaw tightening with every word. "This/i] is what I woke up to today?" she thought, her hands clenched into fists at her sides.
Chris stood motionless, his usual smug smirk replaced by a rare, vacant expression. For the first time in his life, the overconfident host appeared genuinely baffled. "How... how did someone so mind-bogglingly dumb manage to bypass security and legally sign a contract? Even as his voice was wonderful and perfect, there was no way someone would be fooled that easy." He shook his head, muttering, "I've got to raise the bar for security screenings. I'm going to complain a lot to the cadets today."
"Yep… that's something Jude would do." Ezekiel concluded, as he himself never thought to see a member of 6teen actually being officially part of the Total Drama Cast, and the ironic part. He would fit well with the group of people just like he did in Dramarama. "What a crazy journey just for the first episode."
"Also, Courtney, do you want kebabs for change? I forgot to bring the change." Jude asked, to which immediately Courtney facepalmed her head strongly. "Oh, Jen also facepalms like that when she is very annoyed."
"Ughhhhh," Courtney moaned as she didn't even know what to say to her childhood friend. "No, Jude, I don't want Kebabs for change."
"Oh… okay, here's your money change." Jude decided to place the kebabs back in the backpack as he took a few notes from his pocket, remaining the money he used from his whole journey… "So… what's next?"
And that was the silence coming from Chris facepalming, while the whole group of contestants looked amused at both Courtney and Chris having a migraine. Thankfully, for one of them, the boyfriend came for the rescue and would find a way to make her more comfortable. While the other, nobody gives a damn what Chris thinks.
"You can give me the kebabs if you want." Owen offered, as he was sitting nearby the blonde boy, as the skater nodded his head as Owen licked his lips as he was going to enjoy the food stick, and from getting the good food even after days of being made, the fat boy didn't care since he enjoyed the good taste of cheese and meat. "Wow, it tastes great."
Some of the former campers had the desire to vomit, but they knew Owen would have been disgusting like that.
"MOVING ON." Chris said as he stepped further, driving further in the direction of a vehicle, "Like last season, one team will win, and one team will watch one of their own make their way down the dread Walk of Shame to the Lame-o-sine."
As Chris pressed the button, the glass over his cart started going up, while the people behind him were affected by the smoke produced by the trashed Lame-O-sine, as a way to show how terrible obsolete limousines were at even broken-down releasing the smoke on the contestants.
Everyone with the exception of Chris coughed as Noah rolled his eyes.
"Let me guess, you didn't want to waste money to buy a better car instead of this junk, right?" Noah gave the sarcastic remark as Chris smirked at him.
"That's right, now, since we don't have the outhouse to dump your deepest, darkest secrets in," Chris was explaining while Bridgette and Geoff wanted to pass their time kissing each other, Tyler was between them with two bottles of the anti-horny spray to make sure they would pay attention. "You'll ditch the dirt in our new makeup confessional."
The moment Chris explained, the group could see the trailer on their left.
Confession—Sadie
"OH MY GOD, WE HAVE A CONFESSIONAL THAT HAS MAKEUP HERE." Sadie squealed happily as she then saw a hand approaching her with a lipstick. "Why, thank you. I accept."
Confession – Lindsay
"Oh my God, a trailer full of makeup?!" The same hand that gave a makeup on the chubby girl appeared as Lindsay raised her hand, refusing. "Oh, sorry, I don't use that brand."
Confession – Katie
"OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, OH MY GOSH, yes please." Katie said happily as she was receiving a treatment like her best friend and sister of another mother. "I love that brand."
As the trio of girls were the first ones to use the confessional, Ezekiel could see Izzy being excited about wanting to know what would be the first challenge. And Ezekiel couldn't lie; he was also hyped to have the experience of Total Drama Action, and while it didn't go the way it should be, he was happy to see everyone was eager to win that 1 million dollars.
As they progressed further, Chris brought them to the dining room, where suddenly Chef was chasing a raccoon, followed by the cadets, who were holding their tasers to hunt down the thief.
"To your left is the craft services tent, catered by Chef." Chris explained as he pointed to another tent far away. "That will be the security hall, where the cadets… and even a few more interns, who I will be glad to have a word with, are responsible for making sure no one else gets inside of this show. Or have dangers that aren't part of the challenges designed by me."
Chris glared at Jude, as the other contestants raised their eyebrows at the boy who was staring at the cadets running after Chef, who he felt someone was talking about him, but then he just shrugged, ignoring completely the host, who was having his eyes twitching.
"In case you get hurt, there will be another tent a few kilometers from here, where there will be a team of 25 medical interns ready to take care of you, with 2 of them having experience in nursery at the local hospital from the other side of Canada." Chris explained, as even the tone of his voice said, as he was being a cheapskate, he was very considerate in having a better medical team for the group, which reassured some of them who had terrible experiences with the injuries in the past.
While Chris was explaining the situation, Lindsay managed to take a few pictures with her camera, since she promised that she would show pictures to Charlie and Paula when she returned back home.
On the next second Chris brought everyone of what would be a stage where there was 2 giant golden statues of Chris.
"If you survive Chef, you'll have to make it through our dramatic awards ceremony. Where all but one loser will receive a Gilded Chris Award," The group stared at the stage, at which Ezekiel raised his eyebrows.
"It's chocolate, isn't it?" Ezekiel asked as Izzy's eyes sparkled, while Chris simply ignored his question. And continued driving.
Confession – Gwen
"That Gilded Chris? Ha, what a narcissist… Don't get me wrong; I still want one." Gwen laughed at the idea of Chris being so narcissistic as to make gilded statues of himself, but still she couldn't deny that she would like to have a gold statue in her hands. Until she blinked… "On second thought, Ezekiel commented it was chocolate, and knowing Chris, he would never give us gold, even if it was a statue of himself… Hmmm, well at least chocolate wasn't bad at the end of the day."
"Hey, is it still going to take long to be done?" Geoff asked as he was feeling bored; some of the other contestants, Bridgette was yawning, and Tyler was sleeping on the chair.
"I have an eject button, and I'm not afraid of using it." Chris threatened Geoff, but he didn't get the reaction he expected.
"Cool, DO IT." Geoff said, as Chris smirked and simply rolled his eyes, as he continued driving to the next set.
As the time passed, Harold was impressed into seeing the replica of a moon in a space movie set. Which he was in awe.
"Ohhh, awesome! Is this a dream?" Harold asked as his inner fanboy wanted to explore more of the lunar set and have some fun playing around.
Chris smirked at him.
"No Harold, it's not, but soon you will wish it was only a dream." Chris said, as he could see Harold slowly flinching in fear, as it was now the time for business, he arrived at the place he wanted to be. As he arrived in a trashed town, where a few skyscrapers had some monster marks as bites and claw marks. "A few months ago, this was home to a high-budget monster movie until the star began experiencing some...ah, ug, difficulties."
"Oh no. Did she have, like, a mental breakdown?" Lindsay gasped as she heard about the times of celebrities losing their minds over how stressful making movies was.
"Actually, the star wasn't a 'her'… It was an animatronic monster!", Chris explained as every other contestant looked around and saw the bite marks of the movie set.
"Cool, a monster breakdown." Jude said as he raised his hand, and Geoff couldn't say no to a high five, which the duo seemed to be enjoying the idea of such a crazy thing happening around.
"What happened to it?" Gwen asked as she soon realized the mistake she had just made.
Confession – Gwen
"In retrospect, I shouldn't have asked that question." Gwen sighed as she knew that she regretted how the challenge went on that day.
Confession – Katie and Cody
"I'm confused; how's it possible for an animatronic monster to have a breakdown?" Katie asked her boyfriend, who paused for a few seconds, thinking.
"Maybe it had an accident that made the wires on the head go crazy, and the robot trashed everything in its path." Cody said a"Wow, he then saw Katie smiling at him.
" that makes sense, Cody," Katie giggled as she then started kissing the boyfriend on the confession trailer.
Confession – Ezekiel.
"A giant monster movie challenge," Ezekiel nodded his head, as the group could see a few bruises and marks of dirt and ashes on his face. "I'm planning to set up a Tier List of movie genre challenges during the whole show. I think this will make the Total Drama forum happy to have something to work with. I won't tell how the challenge ended. But boy, this is a good first episode."
"GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR ROOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRR!"Everyone heard the roar that even the surroundings trembled from the intimidating factor of the animatronic Kaiju.
"Come on, dudes. He's yanking our chains," Duncan said as suddenly the robotic sounds were heard and a scaly tail topped a steel tower in front of everyone. Chris slammed the cart on the brakes, narrowly preventing them from crashing, but everyone was still shaken in fear.
"Wow…" Trent gulped as he wasn't the only one afraid; DJ was on the verge of panic, while Tyler was also shaking in fear.
"Since we're on a film lot, this season's challenges will be based on movie genres. Today's genre?" Chris explained how the challenge would be to the group when suddenly the giant animatronic monster roared as Chris raised both his arms in happiness. "MONSTER MOVIES. Hahahahahaha." Chris laughed as the group couldn't help but watch the giant monster walking around and passing around them. DJ started babbling until he passed out on the next second.
Chris poked him with a stick, just to confirm he was knocked out.
"Down for the count; for your first challenge, everyone must get from here to the cast trailers while our state-of-the-art monster prevents your every move, hahahahaha," Chris explained the rules of the challenge as the group looked at each other, even Jude, who was now caught on the craziness of the show in the first hour. "Chef has kindly offered to control the beast. Aaaaaaaaand... action!"
Ezekiel was the first to jump off the cart, and while the group saw something crazy, he was wearing one big suitcase on his back as a backpack.
"KILLER BASS, FORMATION DELTA 21, SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE." Ezekiel shouted as the contestants blinked in confusion; however, the former Killer Bass had their eyes wide open and quickly left their luggage and jumped away from the cart. Katie pulled her boyfriend out of the cart as Sadie and Eva took DJ, crossing his arms on their shoulders, and quickly left the cart by the side. It was quick; in just 5 seconds, all of the former Killer Bass, including Cody, were gone. And on the next second only the former members of Screaming Gophers remained on the cart. Nobody saw Izzy disappearing...
"…" Chris remained in silence as he watched most of the contestants leaving; the remaining members looked at Chris, who decided to cough his fist and then proceed. "When I said action, that means go."
"GET OUT OF MY WAY!"
"LADIES FIRST!"
"MOVE IT OR LOSE IT!"
And while the Killer Bass were the ones who jumped from the side of the cart, the former members of Screaming Gophers fought over themselves on who should be the first one to leave in the front area.
Chris looked as the two operatives worked and couldn't help but shake his head.
"This is going to be a long season," Chris said in exasperation while he decided to check on how the contestants who left the cart earlier were doing.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE EZEKIEL SAID DELTA 21!" Courtney groaned as she was running with Duncan, which both 2 pillars of Killer Bass never thought there was an actual situation that would require that.
"It makes sense, monster movies; the only thing people should do is run away. It was the basic rules of the movie genre." Duncan explained as both were running and doing their best to separate from the other members of their team.
"Yeah, but what kind of situation is the operation? Drop all your beep and run for your lives in groups of 2 while one of us will be used as bait is actually used in real life?" Courtney asked, as she herself was against that formation, but here they are. If she had known the challenge would have been like that, she would have formed a better plan than actually running for her life with her boyfriend.
"Well, Princess, here we are, a giant monster hunting us down. I think there's no better situation for that formation than this one." Duncan rolled his eyes as Courtney scowled at him.
"Don't defend him. You know who he would suggest to be the bait." Courtney glared as her boyfriend narrowed his eyes at her.
"He's an archer, and you saw how he kicked everyone's ass when we were against him in the middle of the forest." Duncan said as the C.I.T. girl glared at him. Even as she was dressed so sensually and with that amazing hair. "Do you want to make out now?"
"FINALLY," Courtney said as she jumped on Duncan. They were different than Geoff and Bridgette; they had no one to check on them and use the water spray, which she was going to enjoy with her boyfriend dressed so elegantly.
Jude used his skate to follow the track as he was feeling his eyes widening from the shock of how real things were. But then he gave a usual smile as he continued to use his skateboard.
"Dude, that's awesome." Jude at least could have some awesome stories to tell his friends when he returned home, since it was way crazier in comparison than the television.
"Jude, are you alright?" The skater turned his head to see the Stetson boy, Geoff, asking as he himself was using a long skateboard, while behind him Bridgette was using safety equipment while she was holding tight the waist of the party boy.
"Yeah, I know a shortcut from where the trailers are." Jude commented as Bridgette slowly opened her eyes.
"You do?" Bridgette asked as Jude used his foot to make his skateboard faster.
"Follow me, and don't be in the middle of the street; this will give the monster the space for him to catch you." Jude said as Geoff went after him.
"What Ezekiel had said the formation was?" Cody asked as he saw Eva and Sadie slowly slapping DJ's face as a way to wake him up. Which soon he did, he started to be in a fetal position and talk about his past.
"It was leave everything you own and everyone for themselves and God for all of us." Katie said as suddenly Sadie corrected.
"No, it was leave everything you own, grab the essentials, and do your best to survive." Sadie said as Katie crossed her arms.
"Oh,I think you are wrong."
" you think so?"
"Now I know so."
"Quiet, both of you." Eva interrupted both best friends and decided to correct it once and for all. "Neither of those two were right; it was to separate into groups of 2 or 3, leave everything that could drag behind, and leave for someone to be the bait."
"Oh yeah… that's right." Sadie commented as Katie nodded her head.
"Ah, makes sense, yeah, they said that." Katie confirmed it as it stopped their discussion, which made Cody sweat drop from seeing that happening.
"So that means there's one behind as a bait?" Cody asked, unsure if he understood the formation, since he never was on their meeting of planning to work together as a team, and their interactions on the aquarium made him know that his team lacked teamwork. As he saw the trio nodding their heads. "Who will stay as bait?"
"The one who offered called the formation." The trio said as Cody's eyes went wide open.
"You mean Ezekiel will be the bait?" Cody asked, as he didn't believe what he was hearing from the girls.
"I felt stupid; from all the Kaiju movies, of course the first rule that we always should be doing is running for our lives." Harold commented as the group passed away from the Beach movie set and went in a different direction. "Scattering is always a good way to confuse the monster while we have better chances of someone reaching the save point."
"Well, this challenge isn't so bad, what? No explosions, no burning buildings? No bears?" Gwen commented as Harold pressed a finger to his lips, shushing her.
"Shhhhhh. Don't jinx us; you never know if Tyler's unluckiness will drag that to us." Harold said as Tyler was nodding his head.
"Yeah… HEY," Tyler shouted, offended, as Harold looked in all the directions.
"Tyler is known for being a karma collector, and from what the stories we heard about his family, it will always drag unluckiness to him until he reaches the jackpot." Harold commented as the group wasn't nearby the movie set of the lunar space movies. "Let's hide here for a few minutes, then we go again."
"Right," Gwen nodded her head, while Tyler rolled his eyes while crossing his arms.
"I'm not that bad." Tyler mumbled as he was also paranoid, because while he didn't like to hear about bringing bad luck to the others, he wasn't stupid; he was trying to see if there was a bear around or some explosions nearby.
It didn't take long until they heard explosions, but instead of being nearby them… The trio just blinked; it was into an area far ahead.
Both Harold and Tyler slowly looked at Gwen, who slightly turned her head to not meet their eyes. Since she was the one who jinxed someone.
"WHERE THE HELL DID THAT BEAR COME FROM?" Heather screamed as they were being followed by the creature who ran after them; after a sequence of explosions and the buildings burning in fire, they didn't provoke the bear, but it went after them anyway.
"Follow the good-looking people," Justin said, as even he was running in panic; he was confident on where the trailers would be.
"Yeah, follow Justin." Beth said in excitement, believing Justin may have found a path for their safety.
"Why do I even bother?" Heather rolled her eyes as Lindsay was running in the opposite direction. "LINDSAY, NO, YOU ARE GOING THE WRONG WAY."
And in a moment like that, the blonde couldn't see, but from nowhere a giant claw already captured Lindsay.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," The blonde girl screamed, as the contestants had to the blonde girl being dragged away, which Heather and Beth couldn't do anything about. Since there was a freaking bear after them.
Chris was watching the whole scene from the camera room with Chef as he started laughing happily.
"I thought the bear was tranquilized and returned to its handler." Chris asked in surprise as Chef continued to use his robot suit to make the animatronic robot capture the other campers while he was walking backwards to bring the blonde bombshell to a safety bouncy castle. As he released the girl, who was still screaming in panic.
"He had one day left on his contract," Chef answered as he continued his journey to capture the cast; however, some of them proved to be way more difficult to capture since they had scattered like ants.
"Nice." Chris said as he checked cadet Sanders and MacArthur checking the cameras one by one.
"We have movement on Camera 7," Sanders warned the boss, as she checked the movement of 2 people on skateboards traveling towards the set number 35. "Why are they taking that route?"
"Look, movement on camera 2." MacArthur pointed as suddenly as it happened, a slight flash of light, incapacitating the camera. "What was that?"
"What's going on?" Chris asked until suddenly Chef got a few sparks of electricity on part of his robot control suit. As Chef turned around and looked at one of the cameras. "What the?"
"I saw something on Camera 3." Sanders said as Chef and Chris saw on the camera, there were two people aiming at them.
(A few minutes ago)
Ezekiel ran across the sandy beach set, his every step sinking slightly under the weight strapped to his body. Walking directly on the sand would drain his stamina quickly, so he chose the smarter route—cutting through the backstage area. As he reached the edge of the town movie set, he paused to inspect the buildings. His shoulders slumped in frustration upon realizing most of them were just hollow props.
"Seriously?" he muttered under his breath. "No real roofs? Figures."
Without a proper structure to rely on, he resorted to tying ropes around himself for safety as he climbed. As the process was happening, Ezekiel started to whistle a song from his mind. One of the songs of the future. As he even started humming as well.
"Hyabababa padabadaaaaaa, pararaaaaaaraaaaaa, pararapapa payaapá parapararapara bayadabada parapa pa rá," To the point where even Ezekiel was doing a scat, but differently than being a blues, it sounded smoother, slower, like in tones of Bossa Nova. "What's a girl to do? Lying on my bed, staring into the blue. Unrequited, terrifying. Love is driving me a bit insane. Have to get this off my chest. I'm telling you todayyy…"
"Telling what?"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH," Ezekiel jumped from surprise to see the girl look amused at Ezekiel with his hand on his chest. "Iz-Kaleidoscope, you never should scare someone like that, especially when someone was alone with a song in their head."
"Yeah, I heard your whistling; kinda nice, by the way." Izzy smirked as she looked at the boy rolling his eyes. "So, what's the song you were singing?"
"Er… well, it's an… Adventure Time song." Ezekiel said nervously as he looked around and noticed the cameras staring at him. And he couldn't say anything about the song being from 2023. Which he likes Laufey, but for him what made the song so catchy was the A.I. version of Finn the human singing the song. "Finn was singing this song… I'm still in the process of planning the lyrics."
"Huh, nice." Izzy smirked as she could see that a part of Ezekiel was lying straight away, but from looking at them around the cameras, she could see Ezekiel would clearly make that lie true. Which she was now interested to know more about. "It sounded like Jazz."
"It's Bossa Nova." Ezekiel corrected as it made the girl blink, which she could see that genre somehow meant something for the boy, as she didn't press further. "It's a song for Finn to sing for his crush, but I think we should be focusing on what's more important now, Scope."
"What's the plan, Zeke?" Izzy decided to let it go, as she could see how he was still looking at the rope around his torso. Now she was with her eyes alight with curiosity.
"I'm going to be the bait. Stall the robot for as long as I can," Ezekiel replied, tightening his grip on the ropes. "I need to get to the top first, though."
Izzy's smirk widened. "Ha, that's easy! Let me help." Her sharp gaze caught on the professional compound bow he was adjusting. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "What's with that?"
"It's a professional compound bow," Ezekiel said plainly, blinking in confusion at her reaction. Then realization dawned. "Oh, you're wondering why I didn't bring the one you made for me. Don't worry—I did!"
He opened another compartment in his suitcase, revealing the handmade wooden bow Izzy had crafted. Her expression softened, her surprise evident.
"Why do you have two compound bows?" Izzy asked, tilting her head.
"I actually have three," Ezekiel corrected, pulling out another bow from the suitcase and handing it to her. "This one's a gift—for you. I figured we might need backups for a challenge like this."
Izzy stared at the bow for a moment, her expression shifting between astonishment and delight. Then, she abruptly hugged him, catching him off guard.
"Thanks, Zeke! You're full of surprises, huh?"
Before he could respond, Izzy grabbed a rope, tied a secure knot, and fired a grappling hook arrow into the wooden framework above them. Ezekiel's eyes widened as the arrow embedded itself with a satisfying thunk.
"This'll do the trick. You should ditch the weights—you'll climb faster that way," Izzy suggested.
"Yeah, good idea," Ezekiel agreed, quickly unstrapping the extra weight as a smirk tugged at his lips. "Alright, let's do this."
With Izzy's help, they reached the top of the set. The view from above gave them an edge, but the precarious perch reminded them how risky their position was without a solid backup plan.
"Now that we're up here, what's next?" Izzy asked, glancing at Ezekiel with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
Ezekiel crouched and opened his suitcase, revealing several small orange balls made from tree sap and sand, wrapped in paper tissue soaked in gasoline. A long wick extended from each, designed to delay ignition. Izzy's eyes sparkled with excitement as she realized what they were.
"The sap bombs, it will help a lot as we can make these arrows like a time bomb. Light the wick, and it'll take a while before the flame reaches the payload. Should buy us enough time to cause some chaos before the robot figures out what hit it," Ezekiel explained.
Izzy's grin grew almost feral. "Explosives? Zeke, you just said my favorite word!"
Ezekiel chuckled.
"So, what d'you say, Explosivo? Ready to take down a giant robot?" Ezekiel suggested as he triggered the word of what Izzy wanted so much to use. One part of her who always had liked explosions and punishing everyone, but the idea of using that to cause the controlled chaos?
Confession - Izzy (Scope)
Izzy slapped her cheeks repeatedly, trying to shake off the flush rising in them.
"GET IT TOGETHER, WOMAN!" she yelled at herself. "Sure, Ezekiel's cute and awesome, and he gets me more than anyone else, but we're still in a challenge! No time for distractions!"
She exhaled sharply, glaring at her own reflection as if it were mocking her.
"Focus. Sure, you've teased him a lot, especially with that gift you gave him back at Playa Del Losers, but he doesn't see you like that. Now CONTROL YOURSELF!"
Izzy slapped herself a few more times for good measure, scaring off a production assistant who had been holding a makeup kit.
"Yeah, you better run," she muttered, her grin returning as she refocused on the mission.
"KEEP FIRING, SCOPE!" Ezekiel shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos below. Both he and Izzy perched atop the fake wooden buildings, their vantage point offering a clear line of sight. With compound bows in hand, they unleashed arrow after arrow at Chef's towering animatronic robot, which lumbered down the mock street in relentless pursuit of the former Screaming Gophers.
Each arrow was more than it seemed—covert time bombs set to detonate at just the right moment. The robot didn't even notice as the projectiles embedded themselves along its path.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Izzy cackled with unrestrained glee, her laughter echoing as if she were a comic book villain reveling in their master plan. She practically vibrated with excitement, her eyes gleaming as fiery explosions erupted in the distance. "Chef's gonna lose it when he figures out we planned this all along!"
As Lindsay was captured in the chaos below, Ezekiel's focus sharpened. His fingers gripped the bowstring, his gaze locked on the countdown in his mind. Timing was everything.
The animatronic stomped through the street, oblivious to the trap it was walking into. One arrow, perfectly timed, slipped loose from its perch and landed near a camera stationed on the ground. A moment later, it detonated with a fiery burst, sending smoke and shrapnel into the air. The camera was obliterated.
Seconds later, another explosion erupted. The robot froze mid-step, its head swiveling in confusion as it tried to process the sudden destruction. Its mechanical whirs grew louder as it scanned the area, searching for the source of the attack.
Ezekiel exchanged a quick glance with Izzy. They knew what came next.
"We've got its attention now," Ezekiel murmured, nocking another arrow.
"Time for the big finale," Izzy replied with a wicked grin, already moving to untie herself from the safety ropes.
The robot's head turned sharply, locking onto their position. Its gears churned as it began its approach, each step shaking the flimsy set beneath them.
"Alright, Zeke—jump! I'll catch you!" Izzy called, her voice laced with both confidence and mischief as she climbed down the fake building with remarkable ease.
Ezekiel glanced over the edge, his stomach twisting at the height. He hesitated, muttering to himself, "Oh, Ma's gonna freak when she hears about this…"
Still, he knew there was no other option. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself and leapt.
"HERE I GO—OH BEEP!" Ezekiel yelled, his voice cracking as gravity took over.
The fall felt like an eternity, though it was only a few seconds. His heart pounded in his chest, but true to her word, Izzy was there to catch him. Well… mostly.
"Gotcha!" Izzy exclaimed, stumbling back slightly from the impact but managing to keep them both upright.
Ezekiel groaned as he regained his footing. "You call that catching me? Felt more like a half-dump!"
Izzy smirked, brushing off Ezekiel's complaint with a wave of her hand. "Relax, you're alive, aren't ya? Now come on—we've gotta wait for the explosions."
Ezekiel returned her grin, a mischievous glint in his eye as he turned to glance at a nearby camera. A sudden idea sparked in his mind. "I knew these would come in handy," he said, pulling a pair of sunglasses from his pocket.
Izzy blinked, momentarily surprised, before her expression mirrored his. A wide, devilish smirk spread across her face. "We're really doing the whole cliché thing, huh?"
Ezekiel rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his amusement. "It's only called a cliché when it stops being awesome. Let's do this." He slid the sunglasses onto his face with deliberate flair, the lenses catching the glow of distant sparks.
Chris watched the screen with a mix of confusion and intrigue. "What are those two doing?" he muttered, leaning closer. The footage showed Ezekiel and Izzy strolling away from the set in exaggerated slow motion, their backs to the camera.
"Are they… walking in slow motion?" Cadet Sanders asked, blinking in disbelief.
"It looks like it," Chris replied, still puzzled.
Suddenly, sparks erupted from Chef's clothing. "OW! OUCH! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!" Chef bellowed, his voice echoing as a jolt of electricity surged through his body. The shocks, tied to the animatronic robot's systems, made him convulse in frustration.
"BEEEEEEEEEP!"
Onscreen, the explosions began. One after another, fiery bursts lit up the backdrop behind Ezekiel and Izzy. The duo didn't flinch, didn't look back, and their slow-paced strut only added to the drama.
"Oh, look at that," Chris said, gesturing at the screen. "One of them's even wearing sunglasses. Extra points for style. They're following all the rules of a proper action movie!"
Chef, meanwhile, was livid. "THOSE CRETINS! WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON THEM—" He paused mid-sentence, gritting his teeth as another shock jolted him. "I'LL MAKE THEM WISH THEY NEVER SIGNED UP FOR THIS SHOW!"
The animatronic robot, now fully under Chef's control despite the occasional sparks and malfunctions, rumbled forward in pursuit of the culprits.
"Oh, Chef is gonna flip when he sees this!" Izzy laughed, tossing a bag of supplies over her shoulder.
Ezekiel joined in her laughter, securing his wrist weights and shin guards as they moved quickly to clean up their gear. Despite the added weight, he kept pace, determined not to slow down. "Yeah, but we bought the others a lot of time. That's gotta count for something."
Their victory was short-lived as the mechanical whir of the animatronic grew louder. Explosions still crackled behind them, a testament to their earlier handiwork, but now the beast's focus was entirely on them.
Ezekiel swallowed hard, his nerves betraying him for a moment. "Okay, this is bad… but nothing I didn't predict."
Izzy tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. "Do you have a plan, Zeke? Or are you just stalling for dramatic effect?"
Straightening his posture, Ezekiel pointed at the monster's legs. "I shot 15 arrows into its right leg—every single one rigged to explode. The trick is timing. We've got one big advantage left, though."
"Our legs," Ezekiel declared, grinning.
Izzy blinked, her curiosity piqued. "Our legs? For what?"
With a dramatic flourish, Ezekiel unfastened his weights and dropped his luggage. He flexed his arms briefly, relishing the newfound lightness. "To unleash a secret technique passed down by our ancestors, perfected in times of great peril." He paused for effect, letting Izzy's curiosity peak.
"And what's that?" she asked, leaning in.
"TO HOTFOOT IT OUTTA HERE, SCOPEEEEEEEE!" Ezekiel shouted, taking off at a dead sprint.
Izzy stood there, dumbfounded. Her mouth opened, then closed, before she facepalmed and burst into laughter. "WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT? WAIT FOR ME!" She took off after him, laughing at both her disbelief and how much sense it made.
"ROAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!" Behind them, the animatronic let out a deafening roar, the sound rattling the faux buildings. The ground trembled with each step it took, and explosions continued to ripple across its body, sending sparks and debris flying.
"This whole place is fake?" Trent exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief. He, Noah, Owen, and Leshawna had just stepped through the door of one of the buildings, only to discover that it was nothing more than a façade. The "structure" turned out to be a flimsy, wood-supported front with an open area behind it, leaving the group fully exposed to the giant mecha monster outside.
"Your deduction skills are truly unparalleled," Noah deadpanned, arms crossed. He glanced at Owen, who was trembling as he crouched under a cardboard cutout of a car painted to look realistic. "From all the hiding spots you could've picked, you went with the one that's the most embarrassing. Congrats."
"What are we going to do, guys?" Owen whimpered, his voice barely audible over the distant explosions and the monster's mechanical growls.
"Don't worry," Trent said, trying to sound confident. "The animatronic monster looks like it's glitching. Those explosions must've done a number on it. I'm guessing they didn't spend as much on this thing as they bragged about. If we wait it out, maybe we'll have a chance to—"
A deafening roar cut Trent off, followed by the screech of gears grinding faster and louder.
"Okay, maybe not!"
"We need a plan," Noah interjected, peeking through the cracks in the flimsy wall. He surveyed the scene outside before adding, "In a worst-case scenario, we could use Owen as a human shield. Let the monster grab him while we escape."
"That's a great idea!" Trent started to agree before Owen's panicked shout cut him off.
"YEAH, BABY... WAIT, I'M OWEN!" he cried, huddling tighter under the cardboard car as if that would save him. The sound of another explosion made him flinch. "Oh, man! What do we do? What do we do?"
"Let's run now!" Trent shouted, pointing toward the direction where Justin, Beth, and Heather had disappeared moments earlier, narrowly escaping the monster. "We'll stand a better chance if we stick together."
"Guys, don't leave me! I'm terrible at running!" Owen wailed, scrambling to his feet as Trent and Noah bolted from the scene.
Before they could make it far, Leshawna grabbed Trent by the collar, stopping him mid-stride. "Oh, no, you don't! You all aren't leaving this poor boy behind like that!" she barked, her voice stern and commanding.
"Leshawna, the giant killer robot?" Noah hissed, gesturing frantically to the approaching monster.
"Don't sass me, Noah! You want me to leave you here too?" Leshawna snapped, already hauling Owen to his feet with surprising ease. "Get up, Big O! You aren't about to be anybody's bait today!"
Owen whimpered but managed to stumble after her as she shoved him forward. "Thanks, Leshawna!" he gasped, still wobbling as he ran.
"You can thank me by moving your behind faster!" Leshawna shouted. Turning to Trent and Noah, she added, "Now hustle, fools! I'm not dragging all of y'all outta here!"
Behind them, the mecha monster thundered past, its focus fixed elsewhere. It seemed more intent on chasing two other figures running in the distance, allowing the group a fleeting chance to escape.
"I can't believe she made me come back," Noah muttered, glancing at Leshawna with a scowl.
"I can't believe you thought leaving Owen was a good idea," she shot back without missing a beat.
"UGH, AHHHHHHHHHH!" Owen tried to use all his strength to keep up with the group, panting heavily.
"See? He's doing— Leshawna was about to brag that everyone was going to survive until the next second Owen went down to take a long breath and to recover himself. Leshawna didn't like the look Noah was giving to her.
"What were you saying again?" Noah gave a sarcastic remark, which Leshawna pushed the boy away from her.
"I can't believe we passed almost an hour kissing here." Courtney blushed, as part of her hair was messed up, while Duncan was without his shirt, revealing his version of Killer Bass Tattoo, which since they were now passing the beach.
"Worth every second." Duncan said as he felt more relaxed after both of them being less stressed over the situation, even as they were at the start of the episode, and even how things were getting crazier with the time.
"Anyway, we don't know if the challenge is still happening. But I hope everyone is fine." Courtney commented as she suddenly saw Eva, Katie, Sadie, Cody, and DJ, who could have been in better shape. "Hey… what happened?"
"DJ just woke up, but it seems that he's still having problems focusing." Cody told the situation as suddenly DJ was sucking his thumb.
"Momma, I like to hear your lullabies."DJ said as Katie was calmly patting his back.
"It's just Chef; I don't know why he's scared like that." Eva rolled her eyes, as she could see the boy still in shock. "Courtney, do something."
The pillar who once knew how DJ had been in such a traumatic state knew exactly how to ease him up.
"DJ, wake up. I know that you are scared. But come on, you forgot about the tattoo on your arm? What would Courage do in a situation like that?" Courtney said calmly as Duncan was placing back his clothes, which the group raised their eyebrows at him. But then they looked at Courtney helping DJ, who finally started to blink again.
"Wha-What?" What just happened?" DJ broke up from his trance as Courtney made him remember Courage the Cowardly Dog, his personal hero, the purple beagle who looked too scared but had to deal with the situation.
"Welcome to the world of consciousness, DJ; you lost many things." Eva rolled her eyes as Sadie and Katie hugged DJ, who finally recovered his senses. "The giant robot is just Chef; he's not going to hurt us."
"He's not? Ah, that's gre-AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" DJ said, as suddenly he screamed in fear as the group saw DJ pointing to the direction of where Heather, Beth, and Justin were running to their direction with a bear coming after them. "RUN."
The group was seeing until the situation was in panic.
"Guys, Formation Beta 7C." Duncan commanded as before Katie, Sadie, or Eva's reactions. Even DJ, who was about to leave, suddenly remembered the plan.
"GOT IT." DJ, Eva, and Sadie said in unison. As DJ took Cody and Katie with his arms and gave space for Eva and Sadie to walk in opposite directions. As Justin, Beth, and Heather passed by them, the bear was going to attack. Duncan crouched to make the bear stumble on him. As Sadie took the left arm and Eva the right arm of the bear, both girls gave an arm lock.
The trio who were running away stopped just to see the bear roaring in pain and anger, but then Sadie and Eva took the bear off the bear and pressed strongly on the sand.
"SHUT THE *BEEP UP*." Eva roared as the bear freezes from the position it was. "Listen to me closely: the last bear I had a fight with, I took out its genitals and fur, and I had a feast and clothing for me… So if you don't want to have something bad for you. At the time we release you… you better run away from us…GOT IT?"
The bear stopped and, trembling, moved its paws in submission to the iron woman.
"Good." Eva smirked as she gave a look at Sadie, who nodded her head, and the group stepped away the quickest as possible. While Eva released, and when the bear was about to look at the bodybuilder, she growled angrily, which made the beast simply run away in fear. Not knowing to have any destiny like the last bear who made her angry.
"Okay, what the hell just happened?" Heather asked in disbelief, as she DJed, and Katie sighed in relief, while Courtney walked to Duncan.
"Seriously? Beta 7C?" Courtney commented as she could see her boyfriend chuckling in a situation where it was possible to happen.
"You know there would be a bear waiting for us in any moment, and having Eva, Sadie, and DJ? Three juggernauts on our side? That was the best solution." Duncan smirked as Courtney rolled her eyes again.
"The worst part is having to admit you're not wrong." Courtney said as she moved her hair to the side. Which the group was now having a time to focus on the challenge, as she looked at the trio once again. "Are you guys alright?"
"Well, to say you saved my beautiful skin was an understatement. Great work to hold the bear down; all that run and sweat was making me dehydrate." Justin took out his t-shirt as the good sound of his theme music played, and the view of the girls was in a trance, but Eva slapped herself to recover herself from the last shameful act, Cody pinched Katie's arm, and Duncan enjoyed the opportunity to slap Courtney's ass, making her yelp. And glares at her boyfriend. Beth, Heather, and Sadie were still in a trance, but a few seconds later they recovered themselves.
Duncan chuckled, which made Courtney narrow her eyes, as she knew she would do the same with him later.
Cody saw Katie getting excited about seeing Justin; she was even giving side glances at Sadie, who was fawning over herself and giggling.
"This is going to be a long challenge." Courtney said the responsibility of being one of the pillars was still on her hands. But nothing out of the ordinary for her and Duncan.
Lindsay sat in the middle of the bouncy castle, idly poking at the inflated surface. What had started as an hour of gleeful jumping had quickly turned into boredom. Sure, she'd had the time of her life bouncing around with no one to stop her, but now, the novelty had worn off. Worse, she couldn't leave—the castle's inflatable walls made it tricky to find an easy exit.
She sighed, glancing wistfully in the direction of the white cart where she'd left her makeup bag. The giant robot monster rampaging outside had complicated things, and all she could think about now was how much she wanted to touch up her face.
As she sat there, lost in thought, a faint sound drew her attention. From the side of the castle, a longboard skateboard rolled into view, carrying a laid-back figure.
"Here we are, dude and dudette," Jude said with his signature calm demeanor, coming to a smooth stop. Behind him, Bridgette and Geoff hopped off the longboard.
"Looks like we made it first," Geoff said, grinning as he steadied himself and gave Jude a grateful pat on the shoulder.
"That's great! Thanks for the help, Jude," Bridgette added, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Jude gave them a thumbs-up before stomping on the end of his skateboard. It flipped into the air, and he caught it effortlessly. "No prob. I scoped out this shortcut earlier. Figured it'd come in handy."
"How did you know about the shortcuts, Jude?" Bridgette blinked in surprise.
"I was here a few hours ago, dude. Had nothing to do, so I wandered through the abandoned studio. Counted how many buildings, sets, and paths were around. It was... kind of a boredom thing." Jude shrugged, his tone as casual as ever.
"Whoa, no way," Bridgette said, impressed.
"There were some rad spots for tricks too," Jude added, his tone brightening as he recalled his earlier exploration.
"Seriously? That's awesome!" Geoff's face lit up. "We should totally try out some tricks when this whole challenge is over."
"Totally," Jude agreed, his tone mellow as always.
Meanwhile, Lindsay watched the trio from her spot in the bouncy castle, her boredom momentarily forgotten. She waved her arms dramatically, calling out, "Hello! Is someone there?"
Bridgette, Geoff, and Jude turned toward the sound of her voice.
"Hey, Biddette, Leoff, and Rute, can someone help me?" Lindsay called, her voice tinged with desperation.
Jude blinked, tilting his head. "Uh, nah, dude. There's nobody here with those names. It's Bridgette, Geoff, and Jude. But yeah, we're here. How can we help?"
Oblivious to her mistake, Lindsay continued, "I've been stuck in this bouncy castle forever! I tried to get out, but nothing's working."
The trio exchanged glances, thinking for a moment.
"Maybe there's a key or something around here?" Bridgette suggested.
Jude shook his head. "Nah, rubber keys for bouncy castles don't work. Trust me, dude. One time, Jonesy lost his mall job when kids got stuck in the bouncy toboggan slide. I even tried making a balloon key. Didn't work."
Bridgette and Geoff blinked at the oddly specific story.
"Wait, how did he lose his job?" Bridgette asked.
"Yeah, and how did the kids get out of the toboggan slide?" Geoff added.
Jude grinned. "Oh, easy. He got fired because he had to pop the bouncy slide." His eyes lit up. "DUDE! We just gotta pop the bouncy castle!"
Confession – Jude
"JONESY, DUUUDE! Popping the bouncy castle—classic move." Jude grinned, throwing up a peace sign as he leaned back in the confessional. "Man, that time at the mall was wild. Oh, wait—I just remembered I forgot to tell my boss I wasn't gonna show up today. Eh, maybe Jonesy and Wyatt can cover for me." He paused, glancing off-screen. "Oh, does someone else need the confessional? Cool. I'm out."
Confession – Bridgette
"Well, I never thought a single pin would do the trick," Bridgette said with a small laugh, brushing her hair behind her ear. "But honestly, Jude's stories are pretty interesting. I think Geoff just made a new best friend." She smiled warmly. "I can already tell he's gonna fit right in here."
Confession – Geoff
"Okay, first impression: Jude is awesome. Period." Geoff grinned, pumping his fist in the air. "Dude's got the chillest vibe. I hope we end up on the same team. Maybe he can join the Killer Bass! Wait, are we still doing Killer Bass vs. Screaming Gophers? That'd be so rad. But if we switch teams... eh, I'll worry about that later. Right now, I gotta try some new tricks."
It only took a few seconds to deflate the bouncy castle. With a loud hiss, it sagged, creating an opening for Lindsay to finally escape her inflatable prison.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Lindsay exclaimed, rushing forward to hug the trio. Her enthusiasm was met with amused smiles as the group reveled in their small victory.
"No problem, dude," Jude said, giving her a thumbs-up while Geoff grinned.
"Let's just be glad we made it to the safety zone," Bridgette added, glancing toward the nearby trailers.
Before they could settle in, a familiar voice broke through the moment.
"Well, well, well, look who made it here first," Chris said, stepping out of the control center tent. His trademark smirk was plastered across his face as he eyed the group. "And even the new kid managed to keep up. Impressive."
Jude raised an eyebrow but said nothing, while the rest exchanged wary glances. Behind Chris, Chef was hopping on one leg, shouting a string of expletives.
"What just hap—" Bridgette started, only to be interrupted by a deafening crash. The ground trembled beneath them as a distant part of the set collapsed in a cloud of dust and debris.
"What the heck?" Geoff blurted, turning to see the source of the chaos.
From their vantage point, the group could make out a massive animatronic robot sprawled across the ground in the far distance. The once-menacing monstrosity was now a heap of twisted metal. Two small figures were running toward the trailers.
As the dust settled, the group squinted to identify the approaching figures. Even Chris looked momentarily stunned as he tried to process the scene.
"Wait a second... is that—?"
"It's Ezekiel and Izzy!" Lindsay shouted, pointing.
The duo stumbled into the safety zone minutes later. Izzy was drenched in sweat, her hair sticking to her face as she gasped for air. Ezekiel collapsed onto his back, panting heavily as though he'd just run a marathon.
"That… thing… didn't stand a chance," Izzy wheezed, her voice shaky but triumphant.
Ezekiel raised a hand weakly, his voice barely above a whisper. "We… made it, eh…"
The group stared in stunned silence, a mixture of awe and disbelief on their faces. Even Chris looked impressed, his smirk softening for a moment before snapping back into place.
"Well, I'll give you this," Chris said, his tone dripping with amusement. "You two sure know how to make an entrance."
"Well, going stealthily worked just fine," Harold said as he, Gwen, and Tyler navigated through the quieter areas of the set. Their pace was slower, but it gave them a chance to assess their surroundings. When the trio spotted the massive animatronic lying on the ground in the distance, Harold's eyes widened. "Looks like that thing's down for the count. Should we check it out?"
Gwen shaded her eyes with her hand, squinting. "I think it's still moving, Harold. One of its legs looks busted, but... yep, definitely trying to get back up."
"Noted," Harold replied, his enthusiasm dialing back. They turned their attention to the crowd forming farther away. Two figures were sprinting toward it at full speed.
"Hey, isn't that Ezekiel and Izzy?" Tyler asked, pointing toward the distant runners.
"Kaleidoscope," Harold corrected. "She said she changed her name. Something about rebranding for her maple syrup business. It's called Kaleidoscope's Happy Sap now."Harold explained as he recalled the conversation where Izzy, Courtney, and Duncan were with him while they were trying to make a trap to capture the suitcase of 1 million dollars, but Ezekiel was already far ahead of them and managed to make traps to attack them when they wanted to take the suitcase of money.
"Oh yeah, I recalled you telling that on the mall." Gwen raised her eyebrow as the trio went in the direction passing by the giant animatronic while trying to not be in the vision of its eyes since it shows some movement that it's still working. And trying to lift from the floor, but one of the legs isn't working.
"Guys? I think we should be running." Tyler said as he then noticed that both Harold and Gwen had already left him behind. Which he started to run after them. "NOT COOL, GUYS."
.
.
.
"I can't believe you two not only marked yourselves as bait but actually managed to take down that animatronic behind us," Gwen said, her voice laced with both amusement and disbelief. She watched as Harold and Tyler slumped against a crate, both panting heavily. Bridgette handed Tyler a glass of water, which he gulped down gratefully, while Harold clutched a paper bag, his breaths shaky as he tried to steady himself.
"It was a good plan," Ezekiel admitted from his position flat on the ground. His breath was steady, but his body refused to move. "Sadly, I used all my sap balls to make those explosive arrows. If I need more, I'll have to find tree sap and sand again." He winced slightly, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "Right now, I can't even lift a finger, let alone stand up."
"No kidding," Izzy chimed in, nodding as she surveyed their surroundings. Her movements were calm, even after the chaos, a testament to her military-style training during childhood. "We ran for so long I lost count, and that animatronic fight wasn't easy. We threw everything we had at it. My body's fine, but Ezekiel… yeah, this isn't his usual pace. Being stuck on the floor makes sense for him right now."
Gwen crossed her arms, her gaze shifting between the two on the ground. "Well, it wasn't exactly a leisurely stroll for us either," she said, her tone dry. "Still, it's good to see Bridgette and Geoff made it through. And hey, they're not kissing, which is honestly—"
Before she could finish, Bridgette and Geoff, who had been catching their breaths near each other, leaned in for a passionate kiss. Gwen groaned loudly, rolling her eyes. "My big mouth. You have fifteen minutes, guys. Just... fifteen."
Bridgette and Geoff didn't even look up, too engrossed in each other.
"Anyway," Gwen continued, turning her attention back to Ezekiel with a sharp glare, "what the hell were you thinking, Ezekiel?"
"Well, he said the formation, Gwen," Tyler interjected, attempting to mediate. His voice was calm, though he looked slightly nervous under Gwen's scrutiny. Her unimpressed look made him falter, but he pressed on. "You know the rules: whoever suggests the idea is the person who offered themselves to do it."
"Yeah, I know the rules," Gwen shot back, her expression unyielding. "But wasn't that a bit extreme?"
Tyler gave her a wide grin and flexed his arms dramatically. "Yeah, but that's how it needs to be—TOO EXTREME!"
Lindsay giggled from her spot nearby, her soft laugh drawing Tyler's attention. He beamed at her, the tension from earlier forgotten as he basked in the joy of being reunited with his girlfriend.
"Well, at least we can say everything went fine for us," Harold said, still catching his breath. "We didn't have to go through the same madness as the marathon in season one, but it was tough enough to deal with the challenge."
Jude rolled up on his skateboard, handing Harold a glass of water.
"Thanks, man," Harold said, gratefully accepting the drink.
"No problem, dude. So, this kind of thing happens every time? Not just on TV?" Jude asked, glancing around at the group.
Harold chuckled grimly, while Gwen rolled her eyes.
"If you mean a challenge so crazy that there's a psychotic host who wants to make us run for our lives, humiliate ourselves for the sake of the public, and deal with future dangers…" Gwen said sarcastically, shrugging. "It's practically a Tuesday to us. But you're with the right crowd."
"Huh, cool," Jude said, sounding a little nervous but quickly regaining his easygoing demeanor as he sat on his skateboard. "So now we just wait for the others, right?"
"Yes, you must," Chris said with a smirk, eyeing the group.
With their part of the challenge done and the animatronic monster now limping along with only one leg working, the others shouldn't be too far behind, right?
"Why's that animatronic limping?" DJ asked, still tense as he glanced over his shoulder. The giant metal creature was closing in on them, but at least it was slower than before, giving the group a little more breathing room.
"Who cares? Just keep running. We can't get caught like this." Heather's voice was sharp as she kept a steady pace, glancing back to check for any stragglers. "Did you see the punk, the growling girl, and the bossy girl?"
"Who's bossy?" Courtney's voice cut through as she approached with Duncan. Eva was beside them, a suitcase slung over her shoulder and a few weights hanging from her arm.
"We found Ezekiel's suitcase," Courtney said, raising her brow slightly. "There were still a few arrows left, but he left his weights behind. Eva's not happy about it."
"He better have a good explanation for that," Eva growled, clearly irritated. "Once I see him, he's gonna wear those weights, you bet."
"Oh, bow and arrow! Let me try it! I'm great at shooting from a distance," Sadie piped up eagerly, eyeing the weapon.
"NO!" Katie shouted, catching everyone off guard. She quickly corrected herself, flustered. "I mean… You've been doing a lot of exercises, Sadie. You've got too much strength. What if you break Ezekiel's bow by accident?"
Cody raised an eyebrow, while Duncan and Courtney exchanged confused glances.
"Ah, yeah, you're right," Sadie said, her enthusiasm fading as she thought it over. "It would be a disaster if I broke it. Alright, maybe another time." She nodded and handed the bow over to Duncan and Courtney before running off with Justin.
Katie sighed in relief. DJ and Eva joined her, both looking a little puzzled.
"What was that all about?" Cody asked, tilting his head as he watched Sadie sprint ahead.
"Sadie has a lot of talents... but shooting at a distance?" Katie hesitated, looking around to make sure no one else was close enough to overhear.
"She's not good?" Eva raised an eyebrow, sounding mildly uninterested.
Katie glanced at the group, then leaned in slightly. "She's Tyler-level."
Courtney, Duncan, DJ, and Eva all flinched at the mention of Tyler. Memories of the disastrous Dodgeball Challenge were fresh in their minds. If Sadie was on the same level, then nobody was safe if she tried to shoot with the bow and arrow.
Justin was distracted until suddenly from nowhere a giant green hand captured him. Which made everyone jump in surprise. As the animatronic robot raised its hand towards the giant eye, the supermodel couldn't help but wave at the creature with the beautiful view, which made the creature's pupils grow up.
Which Chris was staring at Chef, who was looking closely at the camera, as Cadet Sanders was staring at the camera with awe as well.
"What did I miss?" Cadet MacArthur appeared with a donut in her mouth and with a few cups of coffee. Which made her raise her eyebrow at both Chef and her partner Sanders.
"What can I say? The kid's hot." Chef explained as both MacArthur and Chris stared at each other as Chef walked in limp towards the safety zone, which while the bouncy castle deflated. The challenge was practically over; they would just need to bring all the other contestants back.
Confession—Justin
"I'm just not another gorgeous face, and abs, and butt, and shoulders, okay?" Justin said, as he smirked, feeling very confident of himself, as he laid his back on the chair and placed his legs on the table, he was happy to see how the things were going on the next season. "I'm also a master strategist. This year, I'm in it to win it!"
The animatronic monster slowly lowered its massive hand, carefully placing Justin down among the group.
"What are you all staring at?" Justin asked, brushing himself off. His tone was calm, though his curiosity was evident.
"You," the group responded in unison, even Ezekiel, who was lying flat on the ground but still managed to glance up.
"Oh, right," Justin said sheepishly, realizing his appearance had momentarily stolen everyone's focus again. "Also… What happened to you guys?"
"To summarize," Harold began, pushing his glasses up, "Ezekiel and Scope managed to make the animatronic limp. Pretty impressive, honestly. But they've been running for almost an hour straight without rest. Bridgette, Geoff, and, uh… Jude?" He paused, pointing to Jude, who gave a laid-back nod from his skateboard. "Yeah, Jude—they got here first using skateboards. Gwen, Tyler, and I had to sneak behind the monster and run the last few minutes to make it here. Oh, and Lindsay got captured."
"Hi, Justin!" Lindsay waved enthusiastically from her position in the animatronic's grip.
"Hey, Lindsay," Justin replied, giving her a casual thumbs up.
He scanned the group, taking in their exhausted appearances, and made a mental note to work on his own fitness. His gaze landed on Ezekiel, who was sprawled on the ground, clearly drained.
"Not to be that guy," Justin said with a smirk, "but Eva's hunting you down to return those weights you left behind."
Ezekiel let out a weak chuckle. "That's really nice of her and all, but given the situation, I had to drop them. I needed to run as fast as I could. I'm sure she'll understand."
"Uh-huh." Justin raised an eyebrow. "And why are you just lying there?"
"Yeah, about that... I can't move my body right now," Ezekiel admitted, his voice a mixture of exhaustion and resignation.
Justin shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, good for you, I guess."
He turned his attention back to the rest of the group. The mission—making it to the trailers without a scratch—was technically a success. Ezekiel's immobility? Not Justin's problem.
A few minutes later, the distant sound of the animatronic's clanking steps reached the group. Despite its damaged leg, it was still making its way toward them. On its massive hand, a few more contestants were held precariously.
"I'M COMING FOR YOU, LINDSAY!" Beth's voice rang out, loud and determined, as she clung to the animatronic's hand.
Heather, next to her, looked slightly annoyed. "Can you not yell in my ear, Beth?"
"Sorry." Beth said sheepishly, as the queen bee rolled her eyes; it was humiliating to be captured in such a way.
Alongside them were DJ, Katie, and Cody, all looking sheepish and embarrassed about being captured.
"Uh, guys?" Ezekiel piped up, still lying flat on the ground. "I don't think Chef is going to drop them gently like he did with Justin. And there's no bouncy castle this time."
The group collectively paled at the thought.
"Can anyone grab some rubber or something to use as a safety net?" Ezekiel suggested.
"On it!" Geoff, Tyler, and Harold sprang into action, grabbing a large sheet of rubber from the nearby supplies and spreading it out as quickly as they could.
"This thing's not big enough," Harold muttered as he struggled with one corner.
"Then let's spread it wider!" Justin, Lindsay, and Jude rushed to one side of the sheet, while Bridgette and Izzy moved to the other, helping to stretch it out as much as possible.
The animatronic finally reached the drop zone. With a loud creak, its hand tilted, and Chef unceremoniously released the group.
"AAAAAAAAHHHH!" Screams filled the air as Beth, Heather, DJ, Katie, and Cody plummeted toward the ground.
The makeshift rubber net caught them, but the weight of the impact was too much for the untrained group holding it. Everyone stumbled and fell, collapsing into a heap as the net sagged under the pressure.
"Oof!" Geoff groaned from somewhere under the pile.
"Okay, that... could've gone worse," Harold muttered as he pushed himself up.
At least the fall was cushioned enough to avoid serious injuries. Beth and Katie were the first to scramble out of the pile, looking frazzled but unharmed. DJ groaned, rubbing his back, while Heather muttered complaints about the whole ordeal.
"Note to self," Justin said, dusting off his shirt, "next time, we need training on how to use a rubber sheet as a safety net."
"Yeah," Jude agreed with a lazy grin, sitting up on his skateboard. "But hey, no broken bones, right? That's a win in my book!"
The group collectively groaned in agreement, still recovering from the chaos.
"HOW DID THAT ANIMATRONIC CAPTURE FIVE OF US?!" Sadie's outraged shout broke the uneasy silence. She was trembling, her voice filled with anger and worry. Of all people, she was the last one the group expected to lose her composure like this. "It was limping! A giant, slow-moving monster! How did it grab Katie, Cody, DJ, Beth, and Heather?"
The group exchanged awkward glances. Sadie's frustration was understandable—her best friend, her "sister from another mother," was among those taken. And Cody—Katie's boyfriend—had also been snatched, leaving Sadie even more on edge.
"Well, who knows?" Duncan shrugged nonchalantly, jamming his hands in his pockets. He glanced in the direction the animatronic had gone. "At least we know where it's headed: toward the trailers. All we gotta do is follow that direction, and if it shows up again, we take cover."
"This is ridiculous." Courtney's sharp voice cut through the tension as she adjusted the bow and arrow she'd been carrying since the start of the challenge. "I don't know why, but I feel like this challenge should've been over ages ago."
"Strange," Eva grumbled, hoisting the weights she'd been carrying effortlessly. "I feel like it's gonna drag on even longer—for some stupid reason."
Duncan rolled his eyes. "Can we not do this? Sure, we lost a few people, but it's just the first challenge. There's a ton more stuff waiting to mess with us. We just need to stay sharp and keep moving."
Before anyone could respond, the distant clanking of the animatronic's steps grew louder. Duncan froze, his eyes narrowing. "Dammit," he muttered under his breath, bracing himself.
But to everyone's relief, the animatronic didn't come toward them. Instead, it turned and lumbered down a different path.
The group let out a collective sigh of relief.
"Okay," Courtney said, regaining her composure. "Let's use this distraction to our advantage. If it's heading the other way, we should keep going toward the trailers."
"The sooner we get to a safe spot, the better," Eva grunted, still carrying both her own weights and Ezekiel's. She glared at Sadie, who had been trying to avoid eye contact. "Here," Eva barked, shoving some of the luggage and weights at her.
Sadie flinched but took the items reluctantly. "Why do you have to be so intense all the time?" she muttered under her breath as she adjusted the load.
Eva's sharp hearing didn't miss a beat. "Because you're still slacking," she snapped. "And no, it's not enough yet."
Duncan and Courtney exchanged bewildered glances, unsure whether to laugh or feel bad for Sadie.
Sadie swallowed hard, her mind racing. She didn't blame Eva for wanting to help her get stronger—she appreciated the progress she'd made. Even Justin's occasional side glances at her were a confidence boost. But did Eva really have to push her so hard? Aren't she and Ezekiel tortured enough?
"No, it's not enough yet," Eva said firmly, as though reading Sadie's thoughts.
Sadie gulped, her heart sinking. She could already imagine the grueling workouts waiting for her in the coming days.
"Alright," Duncan said, stepping in to redirect the group's focus. "Let's move before that robot decides to double back."
The group nodded, their resolve steeling as they pressed onward.
Noah leaned casually against a nearby tree, arms crossed, his smug grin aimed squarely at Leshawna. She glared back at him, her expression a mix of frustration and disbelief. Trent stood nearby, frozen as he tried to process the absurdity of what had just happened.
"I can't believe it," Trent muttered, scratching the back of his head. "The idea of using Owen as a meat shield actually worked?"
"Of course it worked." Noah adjusted his glasses, his smugness practically radiating off him. "Sometimes, all it takes is a little brainpower. Something I'm clearly bringing to this group in spades."
Leshawna threw her hands up. "Brainpower?! That's what you're calling it? You just tossed your friend in front of a giant robot like he was a bag of marshmallows!"
"Correction," Noah said, holding up a finger, "I didn't toss him. I simply... strategically repositioned him. Big difference."
Meanwhile, Owen was still dangling awkwardly in the grip of the animatronic. The robot had managed to grab him by the waist, but lifting him any higher seemed to be an impossible task. Sparks flew from the animatronic's joints, its mechanical groans growing louder as it struggled against Owen's weight.
Cut to Chef Hatchet, piloting the robot suit from a hidden control room.
"Come on, COME ON!" Chef grunted, his hands gripping the controls tightly as he attempted to raise the robot's arm. The strain of Owen's weight was causing the entire system to overload. Sparks flew from the console, and with a loud pop, the circuits gave out.
"Gah!" Chef yelped as a sudden jolt of electricity surged through the controls, leaving him momentarily stunned and slumped over.
"YEAH! I'M TOO HEAVY FOR YOU!" Owen cheered triumphantly as the animatronic finally released him. He landed on the ground with a loud thud, his grin as wide as ever. "Take that, giant robot!"
The animatronic shuddered, its movements jerky and erratic as its system declared an error. After a moment, it slumped forward, frozen in place.
"See?" Noah gestured toward the defeated robot with a smirk. "I told you Owen's weight would work in our favor. It's science: heavier object, greater resistance. The poor robot couldn't handle him."
Leshawna's eye twitched. "You're seriously standing here bragging while Owen was dangling like a piñata?! What's wrong with you?"
Noah shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, relax. The big guy's fine. Worst case, he lands on his butt. It's practically a built-in cushion."
"Well, at least we won," Leshawna grumbled, crossing her arms.
Before anyone could celebrate, Chris McLean strolled into view, his trademark smirk plastered across his face.
"Not exactly, Leshawna…" Chris said, dragging out his words for dramatic effect. "You still need to find the trailers to win this challenge."
Owen let out a dramatic sigh, slumping even further onto the ground. "Aw, come on!"
Noah rolled his eyes. "Of course. Can't let us have a single victory without strings attached, huh?"
Trent, still blinking in surprise, shrugged. "Well, it's just finding the trailers, right? How hard could that be?"
Eva stood over Ezekiel, her expression a mix of impatience and mild amusement as she dumped a pile of weights onto him. He braced himself, wincing at the impact while the wrist weights and shin guards already strapped to him made moving a challenge.
"You dropped this," she said flatly, folding her arms as she waited for him to adjust the new load.
Ezekiel groaned, his voice muffled as he struggled. "Can't... move. Can you help me place them properly?"
Eva rolled her eyes but crouched down to fix the weights around him. "You better start pulling your weight—literally. I'm not your personal assistant."
Nearby, Katie and Sadie reunited in a dramatic display of friendship.
"KATIE!"
"SADIE!"
"I missed you so much!"
The two lunged at each other in an exaggerated hug, tears streaming down their faces like they'd been apart for years.
The rest of the Killer Bass rolled their eyes but smiled, amused by the duo's over-the-top reunion. Even in the face of chaos, their antics were oddly comforting.
Courtney, meanwhile, crossed her arms and eyed her childhood friend Jude, who casually flipped his skateboard in the air.
"So, let me get this straight," Courtney began, her tone half incredulous, half impressed. "Before the show started—after signing your contract—you spent all your time wandering through movie sets, counting buildings, scenarios, and pathways?"
"Pretty much." Jude shrugged, expertly catching his skateboard. "Helped us navigate this place without dealing with that giant robot monster. Courtney, this day has been gnarly."
"Humph… crazy is just the start," Courtney muttered, rolling her eyes but allowing herself a small smile. "Only you would be crazy enough to wander halfway across the world by yourself. Don't your parents or friends worry about you?"
"They probably do…" Jude admitted with a sigh. "But honestly? I'm more worried about whether I'm going to get fired."
"You're with us now," Duncan chimed in with a smirk. "Better get used to the fame, dude. Misery loves company."
"Who's Misery?" Jude asked, genuinely confused.
Duncan rolled his eyes while Courtney and a few others chuckled at the exchange.
As the group gathered, Beth glanced around. "So… are we all here?"
Heather scanned the crowd, narrowing her eyes. "We're still missing Owen, Noah, Leshawna, and Trent."
Izzy, seated nearby and shuffling cards, grinned. "Yup, four people still out there." She paused to show Harold a card. "Bet you can't guess this one!"
Harold raised seven fingers in response, earning a bewildered look from Izzy.
"Seven? Are you out of your mind?"
"Graduate from Camp Steve for Magical Prodigies, then we'll talk," Harold replied smugly.
Izzy rolled her eyes and hurled the entire deck at him. Cards scattered everywhere, with a few sticking to Harold's glasses and one landing in his mouth. Calmly, Harold plucked the card out and held it up.
"Is this your card?"
Izzy's jaw dropped slightly, but she quickly masked it with a scoff. "Now you're just showing off."
Heather wandered off, her irritation mounting. "Why is it taking so long for that robot monster to bring them back already?"
Her attention turned to a line of interns struggling with luggage, their faces slick with sweat. Sanders and MacArthur were among them, hauling Eva's dumbbell-packed suitcase with visible effort.
Heather approached, crossing her arms. "What's going on here?"
Sanders, panting, wiped her forehead. "Chris is punishing the security team because someone got onto the set who wasn't supposed to be here. Since he signed the contract, we're stuck carrying all the luggage while the cameras focus on the remaining four contestants."
MacArthur groaned as she adjusted her grip on the suitcase. "Why does Eva even need dumbbells in her luggage? My glutes are about to give out!"
Heather smirked and turned away, muttering, "Better you than me."
"Wait, hold on—what do you mean we have to sleep here?" Gwen snapped, her voice tinged with both frustration and disbelief.
Chris shrugged nonchalantly, clearly unfazed by her anger. "Sorry, but you can't check in until everyone is reunited. And we're still missing four people."
The group groaned collectively, glancing at the clock. It was already 10 PM, and the missing quartet was nowhere to be seen.
"I can't believe this," Heather muttered, crossing her arms as she leaned against a luggage cart. "We've been waiting forever."
"THANK GOD, WE FINALLY MADE IT!"
The shout drew everyone's attention as four figures stumbled into view. Trent, Noah, and Leshawna looked utterly exhausted, while Owen lumbered behind them, a noticeable streak of dirt smeared across his shirt.
"I don't care if you saved us from that giant robot monster, Owen," Trent huffed, hands on his knees as he caught his breath. "You really need to take better care of that heavy body of yours."
"My brain has always been my greatest asset," Noah added with a scowl, wiping sweat from his forehead. "But my body? Not built for hauling over three city blocks." He shot an annoyed glare at Leshawna, who was equally out of breath.
"Hey, it was your idea to use him as a human shield!" Leshawna fired back, pointing at him.
"Yeah, but it was also my idea to let him walk at his own pace instead of carrying him!" Noah retorted. "Do you have any idea how painful this was?"
"Wait a minute." Gwen stepped forward, raising an incredulous eyebrow. "Are you telling me it took you five and a half hours to bring Owen here?"
"That's… that's just sad," DJ chimed in, shaking his head sympathetically.
"Sad?!" Noah snapped, throwing his hands up. "Try traumatizing. My legs feel like they're on fire, and my dignity? Gone."
Owen, oblivious to the group's complaints, plopped down onto the nearest bench with a loud sigh. "Man, I could really go for a pizza right now. Anyone else hungry?"
Heather groaned audibly, rubbing her temples. "This is what happens when you work with amateurs."
"Amateurs?!" Leshawna shot back, hands on her hips. "Girl, say that again, and I'll personally carry you out of here next time!"
"Need I remind you who was the finalist of the last season?" Heather said as Lindsay, Beth, and Izzy oohed as it made Heather smirk even more. Sometimes having these girls as friends really made her day, especially seeing the ghetto girl even angrier.
Trent slumped against a nearby wall, waving a hand to stop the brewing argument. "Can we just… not fight? I've had enough chaos for one day."
"It looks like you all made it; I guess I lost the bet. I owe Chef 100 bucks. I need to stop losing to him. Anyway, that was just the warm-up; the good news is your next challenge is a reward. Chris gave the good news, which everyone celebrated for nobody going home and also getting a prize from all those problems. Some of the prizes on the last season were always good news: a hot tub, a trailer, a cruise trip, yeah. It was good for everyone to celebrate. "It will be boys against girls, with the winner getting the first pick of the trailers, where you'll be living for the next forty-four days or more! You will have your choice of trailer A," he said as he pointed to the trailer on the left, "or trailer B," which was the trailer on the right side.
"What's the difference between them?" Ezekiel asked, tilting his head in curiosity. Coming from another world, he had learned the hard way that appearances could be deceiving. In his experience, trailers often ended up trashed by the end of the day, only for Chef to miraculously rebuild them. Still, these trailers were bigger than any he'd seen before, clearly designed to accommodate the now 23 contestants.
Chris grinned wickedly, thrilled that someone had taken the bait. "I'm so glad you asked, Zeke!" He dramatically stepped between the trailers, ready to break down the choice with his trademark flair.
"Trailer A," he began, pointing back to the first one, "has all the bells and whistles. I'm talking plush couches, state-of-the-art air conditioning, a fully stocked mini-fridge, and even a flat-screen TV with cable. Luxury on wheels, baby! Also a telephone signal for a winner of the reward of last season to use the communicator."
"Heathermmunicator." Izzy corrected as she gave emphasis, which Chris rolled his eyes at, while Heather had her eyes sparkling with newfound interest.
The group oohed and ahhed, imagining themselves lounging in the lap of mobile luxury.
"And Trailer B…" Chris paused for effect, turning to the other option. "...has character!"
Everyone squinted at the second trailer. It looked pretty ordinary, which was still big enough to carry the others, but in comparison to not having any of the luxuries, it was like a slap in their faces.
"Hey, don't judge a trailer by its...uh, structural integrity!" Chris shot back. "It's cozy, it's rustic, and it's got personality! Plus, the fridge has snacks. Not good snacks, but snacks."
"Why even give us a choice?" Gwen asked, unimpressed.
"Because," Chris said with a mischievous grin, "the winners get to pick first. And who knows? Maybe you're not all superficial. Or maybe you'll make the wrong choice and regret it for the next six weeks. Off to the craft service tent!"
"OH YEAH, BABY, I'm starving." Owen said he was finally happy to be full of energy again and was ready to eat everything since it had been a long day of challenge.
Confession – Owen
"My mom says I eat when I'm upset, and happy, and tired, not to mention bored, gassy, morose, joyous, comatose, semi-conscious, and avancular, hahahaha, avancular," Owen explained as he passed through too many emotional stages until he suddenly appeared with a fake mustache on his face while he giggled with the last word he said.
Even though it was night, many people also looked surprised to see what would be a banquet in front of them: fruits, legumes, meat, chicken, turkey—everything was in front of them. It was like a celestial choral was singing in front of them.
"Woohoo, this is awesome," Owen said as he looked at all the dishes on the table.
DJ was carrying Ezekiel on his back, even with all the weight on his body. As Ezekiel whistled in surprise. Indeed, it looked realistic, and he never would believe all those were fake. As he couldn't help but see Chef, who did an amazing job doing a fake food just like that.
"Duuuuude, this is a banquet." Jude said as he was impressed as Chris raised his eyebrows at the boy who had almost exactly his voice.
"Yes, indeed it does, Jude." Chris commented as he nodded his head.
"Dude, this chow looks like something out of a commercial," Geoff said as he was impressed with the food in front of them.
"Uh, can I start?" Lindsay asked as she offered herself happily and with puppy dog eyes.
"LOOK KATIE, THERE'S TURKEY THERE." Sadie said happily as Katie nodded her head.
"Also, there's also watermelon," the tan girl commented, as Cody looked a bit better and surprised at how everything looked good.
"Wow, there were even chestnuts; that's amazing." Cody commented as suddenly the group saw Owen appear nearby.
"Let's get this speed-eating contest started!" Owen was excited, to the point that he felt like he was preparing himself for a race and even got into position: "On your marks, get set, come to papa!" and with that everyone just had their eyes wide open to see Owen going straight to the food.
"No, wait," Chris tried to stop him, but Owen had already started. Making him facepalm.
And then Ezekiel had to relive that crazy cartoonish experience over again, this time personally feeling he was watching the same scene from another angle. He took a turkey leg and ate it in one bite; he did the same thing with the other leg, and then he took the remainder of the turkey and, like a garbage disposal, he placed it entirely in his mouth and gulped it down in one try. Then he went on to the sandwiches, and like a slow train, he pushed all of them in line to his mouth, and without chewing, he simply swallowed them. Next he took the baked breads and launched them in the air like juggling, whoever the focus was, to eat all of them as his mouth was opened like a garbage can…
"I don't know if that was physically possible to happen." Ezekiel said as he could see all his friends nodding their heads in disgust and concern.
"I think I'm going to get sick." One of the cadets commented as the other tried to not vomit. Which some raised their eyebrows at.
Then the group was in shock at seeing something they had never seen before. Owen took a look at the salad bowl and simply tossed it away.
"Owen refusing food? No way." Noah said, his eyes wide open in surprise.
"OWENNNNNNN," However, there was one person who was angry. Which made him freeze… As he saw Eva taking the bowl of salad with him. "You ate all that beef, and you are not going to eat salad? REALLY? SALAD?"
"I—I…"
"Don't know, don't care… Eat it." Eva growled as the fat boy made an ugly face as he gave 5 forks and ate the whole bowl, which Eva closed her eyes and took a few steps away. "Proceed."
Then Owen went to eat a whole pineapple while taking out the middle and the crown, and he then placed his entire lips to drink all the cold water directly from the jar in a bizarre form.
"Ohhhh! Is this veal? It must be veal; I've never tasted anything like this," Owen said as he was very excited to eat more food. "Does everything taste the same when you're hungry?"
Owen commented as the group looked in disgust and unsure on what to say.
Confession – Eva
"That stupid fat boy had the audacity to eat all those kinds of food while he simply threw away the salad; how dare he do that?" Eva said as she was annoyed from the fat boy making things difficult for everyone. "If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have waited 5 hours and a half for him, and we are in the middle of the night. If he thinks he can throw away the idea that his fat body is going to be an advantage for him? Oh, he's very wrong… not on my WATCH."
Once everything was over, and Owen was done, he lay back on the table with a noticeable stomachache. Which Chris slowly approached him.
"Owen, the man of many appetites." Chris chuckled as he looked more amused than annoyed, as he couldn't help but from all the challenges Owen surpassed himself after the events of The Wicked Palette.
"The *BURP*." ey was a bit… BURP Owen tried to comment; however, the burp escaped from him. "Dry,"
"Not surprising since the food was fake." Then it was the good time to give the reveal for everyone in the room.
"Fake?" Owen asked as his eyes shrunk as he saw Chris gesturing to Chef and cadets Sanders and MacArthur holding all the material they used to build all the fake food, while their faces showed nothing more than smugness for being able to trick someone to the point of eating the whole banquet.
"Yep!" Chris commented as he decided to proceed to tell all the products used. "Just props from foam core, silicone, sawdust, and wax. It wasn't a speed-eating contest; it was a contest to find the key."
"What key?" Owen asked as he had never seen the key before until he burped out the key into his hand, "Oh! You mean this key?"
"That'd be the one." Chris commented as he was startled at how everything happened so fast.
"Does this mean I win?" Owen asked hopefully and grinning as Chris nodded his head with a smile.
"Yes, yes, it does." Chris said as he gave the good news for the boys, who immediately cheered for their victory.
"Alright!" Owen raised both his arms in victory.
Confession – Duncan
"Hahahahahaha, did you see that? The dude ate foam core and wax; full props for that, man, hahahahaha." Duncan laughed, as he never thought he would see someone so insane as to do something like that. But then he remembered Owen was one of the only one or two people who had the courage to eat and survive eating a spoon of El Mongo and La Muerte.
Confession – Geoff
"Way to find the key, dude! I used to think Owen was just some party dude, but he's really a stand-up guy. Party on!" Geoff cheered as much as he could; he didn't have much impression or much time with Owen after the merge on the last season, but he was now happy to see that side of the big guy.
Confession - Harold
"Okay, let's break this down. Owen just consumed approximately 5 kilograms of foam core, 7 kilograms of silicone, 3 and a half kilograms of sawdust, and 10 kilograms of wax. That's just under 25 kilograms of synthetic material," Harold said, adjusting his glasses as he wrote down the numbers on his clipboard.
"With the bacteria that were likely present in his system after that 'Triple Dog Dare You' challenge—when Beth's challenge on the wheel was to him to eat a science project for Scarlett's fair I was helping her with—I'm now responsible for monitoring everything Owen consumes for scientific analysis. That's a total of 56 pounds of non-biodegradable material inside his body. Given Owen's stomach acid levels, I'm not sure how long it will take for him to digest—or if it will even break down properly. It's possible that the bacteria inside him could either thrive or be destroyed depending on the chemical reactions happening in there."
Harold took a deep breath and scribbled more notes, his face now more focused, but his expression still showed a hint of frustration. He glanced at the camera, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm doing your homework for you, Scar," he said, his voice still calm but with a touch of sarcasm. "You really owe me this time. So, make sure to get me something extra special for Christmas this year. I'm serious."
Harold went back to writing, though he shot one more look at the camera, fully aware of the task he had taken on for his cousin.
Confession—Owen
"Oh wait, wait, wait. There's still one more, *BURP!*" Owen felt something coming from the stomach as he gave a strong and loud burp, which trembled the confession trailer.
Confession - Noah
"Should I be surprised? Nah, that man is like a garbage disposal; you can throw anything in his mouth, and he's going to eat it." Noah rolled his eyes as he knew the strength when it came to the chubby boy. "But to make the whole banquet made of fake food while nobody had lunch nor dinner? It was very tempting, and I was surprised that nobody else tried to eat if it wasn't for Owen's insistence of a speed-eating contest."
Confession – Eva
"I think I'm going to get sick." Eva said, looking disgusted at what she saw.
Confession – Courtney
"My stomach hurts just remembering everything Owen just ate a few minutes ago; it was terrible, and now that it was all fake food, I think I need to drink water." Courtney said that even on her beautiful hair, her face looked displeased.
Confession – Ezekiel
"I wish I could say I was surprised… but knowing Owen, that wasn't the worst thing he ever ate. It could have been worse. But now with Owen giving us the victory, it comes to choosing which trailer we would take." Ezekiel said as he took his laptop with him. And decided to write down a few things. "Hmm, no, this place doesn't look good to write. I will check another place."
Confession - Leshawna
"Know what that boy has? Guts, guts full of foam core and rubber but guts just the same."Leshawna said as she pointed out how impressed she was by the fact Owen ate everything and had the courage to do it until the end.
Confession – Katie and Cody
*blurg*
Katie was vomiting in a bucket while Cody was comforting his girlfriend by patting her back.
"Owen did great in finding the key; however, Katie and Sadie." Cody said with a weak smile while the sound of the tan girl was heard as she kept vomiting. Which made him give a small chuckle.
Confession – Jude
"DUUUUUUUUDE, That was sinister; Owen ate everything without caring about the world, and man, the food looked so real that I almost wanted to have a try, but Owen would have eaten my hand if I was in front of him." Jude commented as he was now learning more of the other contestants, as he was still surprised into being part of the show.
At the time the boys were walking and feeling very exhausted, he could see Duncan, Tyler, Geoff, Harold, and Cody were already walking to the line where Owen was getting ready to take the laxatives to help him to alleviate his stomach. He knew what was ab"What dout to happen.
"Guys…" Ezekiel called almost like a loud whisper, which brought the attention of the boys. "We are in a win-win situation…"
" you mean?" Duncan said as Ezekiel tried to look if the cameras were aimed at him, and thankfully they were all focused on Owen as Chef was preparing the drink for him.
"It's obvious Owen will choose the trailer we are going to have… and as much as I would love to take the fancy trailer. In case Owen decides by himself to choose the bad trailer… we, as not only Killer Bass boys, adding Cody since he's also a boy… you all are in a relationship with the girls of the other side." Ezekiel commented as Duncan raised his eyebrow with the implication that he was saying something absurd. "My Pa gave me one amazing piece of advice before I came here. The girls love to be right, and it's better to be in peace than to be right."
"So you mean we all should tell Owen to let the girls have it?" Tyler asked in confusion, which, to the surprise of everyone, Ezekiel shook his head.
"No… I mean, in case Owen chooses the bad trailer, just don't complain and give support," Ezekiel commented as suddenly Duncan's eyes went wide open, as Geoff realized as well.
"Damn, your dad is a genius." Geoff commented that it was a surprise for Ezekiel to hear someone saying his pa was a genius, and he couldn't help but smile.
"Pretend this is a gift from us to the girls in case it was Owen's choice. Of course the girls will love it." Duncan nodded his head, and Cody nodded his head, and Tyler was also grinning.
"Yeah, this way if Owen chooses the good trailer for us, it's going to be awesome, but in case it doesn't, we can have a great time with our girlfriends." Harold liked the idea. "To be happy and in peace than being right. Yeah, I can live with that."
And with that, the group did in secret a good plan to show their support for the girls, in case Owen chose to mess up for the boys.
Owen glanced between the two trailers: one was sleek, luxurious, and undeniably fancy, while the other seemed humbler, with a rustic charm Chris had described as having "character." After a moment's thought, he pointed decisively.
"I'll choose Trailer B," Owen declared.
A mix of groans and cheers erupted. Trent, DJ, Noah, and Justin groaned in disappointment, while Duncan, Geoff, Tyler, Harold, and Cody smirked in approval. Jude and Ezekiel exchanged knowing smiles.
"Way to go, Owen. Great choice. I'd have done the same," Duncan said, clapping the big guy on the back.
"Woohoo, great job, dude! Bridgette's going to love that place," Geoff chimed in, giving a thumbs up.
"Yeah, man. The trailer's got character anyway. Leave the luxury stuff for the girls," Harold added in support.
"Katie would feel terrible if she couldn't watch her favorite show with Sadie. Great pick," Cody agreed with a smirk.
"Lindsay's already a winner. What's one more win for her?" Tyler said with a shrug.
Their words drew a wave of reactions. Chris blinked in surprise, and the girls, touched by the gesture, began cheering. Some even rushed over to hug Owen.
"Guys?!" Justin exclaimed in disbelief, staring at them as if they'd lost their minds.
Owen only shrugged sheepishly. "Sorry, but Trailer B just has more character."
The girls erupted in celebration, surrounding Owen with hugs and praises. Bridgette leapt into Geoff's arms, giving him a kiss he wouldn't soon forget. Lindsay showered Tyler with affection, while Leshawna grabbed Harold for a bear hug that nearly crushed him. Harold, keeping his composure, promised himself he'd take things slow with her, but a good hug was a great start. Meanwhile, Katie couldn't stop planting kisses on Cody, while Sadie hugged him tightly enough to leave him gasping for air.
Duncan, unsurprisingly, was locked in a passionate make-out session with his girlfriend.
As the night unfolded, it became clear that each girlfriend had decided it was the perfect time to show their appreciation to their boyfriends. The romantic energy was palpable.
"GUYS!" Chris's sharp voice cut through the moment, bringing everyone back to reality. He looked utterly flabbergasted, throwing his arms up in frustration. "As much as I love the mushy romance or whatever, this is a reality show. We've got an episode to finish! So here's the deal: you've got two days off before the next challenge—down from three days last season, by the way. My advice? Save the mushy stuff for tomorrow or let it be a pay-per-view bonus. For now, go to your trailers and get some sleep."
The campers nodded, some sheepishly, others reluctantly, before splitting up into their respective groups. The girls headed to their luxurious trailer, laughing and celebrating among themselves.
Meanwhile, Ezekiel, Cody, Duncan, Tyler, Harold, and Geoff marched into their humble trailer, victorious smiles on their faces.
It was better to be in peace than being right, was the words of Ezekiel's Pa the boyfriends are going to remember for a long time. Made them look good in front of their girlfriends while they could throw Owen under the bus for the boys.
"Want to be on top again, Zeke?" Geoff asked as Ezekiel went on about the above bunker of the big trailer that could sustain 12 boys inside.
"I will also be on the top." Jude said as he jumped on the bunker where Harold was preparing his stuff.
"Okay, may I know what the hell happened?" Justin said as he glared at the group of boys. As everyone pointed at Owen.
"We just supported Owen for whatever reason he chose; if the fancy trailer was good for us, it was good for us, but if it was for the girls, our girlfriends would enjoy our gift." Duncan said as he was taking his trusted knife to make a wood sculpture and enjoy a good time. But then he felt uncomfortable with his shirt to lay on the bed. So he took it. As Trent saw Duncan with a tattoo.
"Whoa, that's cool. Is that—
"Yep, it's the Killer Bass." Duncan said as he even closed his fists which there was written the whole words, Killer Bass with the letters on his fingers. "Not just me, but everyone here made a tattoo."
"No way," Owen said in surprise and awe, as each Killer Bass boy raised their sleeve, which each of them had some symbolic tattoo of their former team. Even catching a glimpse on the camera where they were being watched.
"Ezekiel had to do a tattoo as he lost a bet to Izzy, so we decided, what the heck, why not have the whole Killer Bass group do a tattoo as well?" Duncan said as Ezekiel took everything he needed as he took his laptop with him. As the group of boys looked at and admired the tattoos of the former Killer Bass boys, Ezekiel took his laptop with him outside, as he wanted to find a good place to write something.
Ezekiel wandered around as he used the idea of Jude of walking across the place to learn more about the areas, even as his soreness across his body and every inch of his being was screaming in pain. He was already looking for a place where he could use it for his own. A place similar to an aquarium, or a secret spot only for him to get inspiration… which, as the time he walked away, he then saw someone approaching him. He looked surprised to see Izzy.
"Hey." Ezekiel commented as Izzy looked secretive, and before he could say anything, she raised her finger to shush him.
"I found a place. Follow me." This was everything Ezekiel needed to hear, a secret spot without cameras. It seems Izzy was aware of what Ezekiel was looking for, as the same way Izzy wanted to have their secret talks when nobody was around. "The girls are really loving the place we got. Heather was about to be bitchy about which bed she preferred to sleep in, but Lindsay managed to convince her to sleep near her and Beth."
"Hehehe, Owen wanted to give the trailer to the girls since the beginning. I wanted the boys to use that as a way to have fewer problems with their relationships because of complaining about something." Ezekiel smiled as he glanced left and right, which, at the time, Izzy knew there were no more cameras around, she could finally go even further.
"So this was from the future? Owen really chose the worst trailer on purpose without the boy's consent?" Izzy asked as Ezekiel nodded his head. Since it was Izzy, and no more secrets he wanted to hold against her, not anymore.
"The difference from that time was the robot Chef was controlling crashed one of the trailers, and Owen chose the crushed trailer." Ezekiel commented as the duo kept walking and talking without the presence of the cameras. "Also for the fact you destroyed the trailer by having a personal crush persona on the monster, which you made Owen jealous about. I think it was still the payback of what he did to you in the last season."
"Hahahahaha, yeah, that was something I would have done. Hahahaha." Izzy laughed, and even as crazy as it sounds, Izzy was happy to see Ezekiel being honest with her. But it was time for her to also be honest with him. "My parents spied on me when I was eliminated… they discovered you are from the future."
That comment made Ezekiel freeze… as he slowly turned his face to the girl.
"They aren't going to kidnap me to be interrogated for the government, are they?" Ezekiel asked in hesitation as she simply shook her head.
"No, they just want to meet you, since you have been a great person in my life." Izzy explained as she also gave a sheepish smile. "Also, thank you so much for letting my other mom stay at Playa Del Losers for the time while they are doing the construction around there."
"That's fine. To be honest, having someone you can trust take care of the Playa while I was away is a good thing. I don't know her, but you being the one trusting her, I think she won't destroy your trust, so that's a good thing… But yeah… can I say no to the invitation to meet your parents?" Ezekiel said as he hesitantly offered himself a way out since he doesn't want to meet two freaking legendary spies in the Disney Universe. Or what would be the reference versions of them?
"Sorry, Zeke, but even if you want it. They are going to do it, whether you want it or not." Izzy said sheepishly, as she knew that her friend would be okay, but still being called to meet her parents like that? He wasn't her boyfriend, but it feels like they were treating him like one.
Ezekiel simply sighed as both continued their walk.
"Hey Izzy, there aren't cameras around here, right?" Ezekiel asked as Izzy found a good place between the sets, under the water tower, which the duo took the stairs until they got inside of the water tower. "Why are we here anyway?"
"Because it's the time for us to meet Chef." Izzy commented as she took her communicator, which Ezekiel blinked at as it looked exactly like the one Heather has. "Oh, and my parents finally gave me one, which means I can use it when I'm not on the cameras, since Heather was the only one who had permission to use "Huh,t on the trailer."
" neat." Ezekiel commented as he while disliked for not having access internet, it was against contract for him to use his laptop only for internet access, and while it was annoying for the group not have television with cable on their trailer, at least he could enjoy by preparing himself for the future. And then he saw Izzy offering something to him. A paper bag to him, "What's that?"
"Tacos, since nobody had eaten over the challenge and how crazy it had been Owen eating all that fake food, I thought you would want something to fulfill the stomach." Izzy said as Ezekiel opened and appreciated the gesture.
"Thanks. To be honest with you, I forgot the food was fake." Ezekiel sheepishly commented as he felt his stomach tremble from everything he watched Owen eat. "I don't doubt there were people who were starving into seeing Owen eat the food; heck, even I was eager to participate in the speed-eating contest hahahaha."
Both laughed as they talked for a few minutes, waiting for the time Chef Hatchet would appear in secret, for finally they discuss their secret alliance.
"You two have any idea how much I wanted to strangle you after what you two had me pass during this annoying challenge?" Chef Hatchet said as he still felt a few twitches of electricity around his body, since his robot suit had a lot of internal problems, which made both the robot and the chef himself get electrocuted dozens of times. "But still, great job, you two. You seemed to have made the first good impact inside of the challenges. Which now you two should be checking this."
Chef gave Izzy and Ezekiel envelopes, which made them look at each other as they slowly opened them, as there was something strange in the title.
"MVPA System?" Ezekiel asked as he looked in more as he then inquired to the chef. "Most Valuable Player Acting? And what are these items on the list?
"These are the options for what you can do with the system of MVPA. Chris is planning to use the public to talk more about their favorite scenes of each episode, which means great moments will be selected in every episode, which will give the highlights of people who made the difference in the challenges." Chef explained as Izzy hummed in interest. "You two rascals managed to not only make the robot go down, but also using the camera in your favor into making like an explosion montage, this will cause a large amount of points."
"Which also Owen will get another large amount of points since he, by himself, ate all the fake food while getting the key." Izzy also pointed out, which made Chef nod his head in agreement.
"I don't know what kind of sick people would have that type of son able to eat more than a garbage disposal, but there are some mysteries in the universe that we should never know the answer to." Chef commented as he simply shrugged, which made Ezekiel start to read more and more of the options they could be doing with the points.
"What the… is that for real?" Ezekiel said in disbelief as he looked shocked beyond words. "It's going to be too crazy if the others know what they can do with this list."
"This is where Chris came with his devious master plan. Nobody will know what they can do with the points. There will be the options of the quantity that are unnamed… which they will be trying to guess and spend the money without knowing what it can do until they paid the points. Which can be given by them in secret." Chef explained that at that moment both Izzy and Ezekiel had their eyes wide open in surprise.
"Wow, Chris really is going beyond anything he had done with this. The budget is large enough for all of this?" Ezekiel commented as Izzy knew the hint the homeschooled who came from the future told her… Chris never did this in any season, which means they are now in a surprise new future that they have no idea what's going to happen. Which Izzy was now more eager and excited to be part of that.
"Boy, last season was the best season of his entire carreer, he thought he would receive 30% of the budget after the finale, however we got 300% percent of extra budget." Chef explained, which made both Ezekiel and Izzy have their eyes wide open in shock. "While a good part of the money is coming from his own pocket, that money-hungry bastard, the other part is going to be used a lot more this season, which means this one and a few others will look a bit like crappy challenges, but others will be focused more on acting, and this is where you both need to strike harder, like you did on this challenge."
"What do you mean about the others focusing more on acting?" Ezekiel asked as Chef glanced left and right, which immediately Ezekiel walked around and looked in the stairs if there was someone following them, as Chef blinked and recognized the boy and Izzy were also right to be paranoid like him to be sure they wouldn't be recorded on making the alliance. "Okay, the coast is clear, just in case we need to find an even better and more secret place in the future."
"I can try to find more places without cameras," Izzy offered, as Ezekiel looked at Chef.
"We need someone to take care of curious interns and cameramen who want to record us by surprise." Ezekiel pointed out one of the mistakes that happened in the past when Izzy exposed the alliance Chef tried to have with Izzy and then focused on doing the alliance with DJ.
"I can do that." Chef growled at the idea that some cockroaches would even think they would record him without consequences. "Anyway… Chris will give each team a recording device that can be used in the challenges or even after the challenges. Which means whenever the people would use the camera to make sure to have more points for MVPA, they could be willing to do that and give to us as a way to amplify the points just for later being used by whoever wants to use them based on the acting skills of the person."
"Uhhhhh, you mean each person who actually acted will receive the points? Okay, now Mama likes this idea." Izzy smirked as she was now having an even better opportunity than before. She's going to win a lot of points for herself.
"How many times can we make use of the camera per challenge?" Ezekiel asked as he could see Chef's eyes sparkling from the boy asking the right questions.
"Three times after each challenge, the 3 recordings you are going to place for the editing team or me, and I will see if I can find someone willing to do the editing of whatever you kids do when you record the v-"
"Oh, oh, why not give the twins? They are very experienced in making things way better than the editing of this crappy intern. Izzy exclaimed as Chef stopped and placed a few seconds touching his chin.
"That's actually not a bad idea." Chef commented on using Kim's brats as a way to make them some good penny work and help their sister to win the show. Also, he would use that as an excuse to visit and talk with Ron, Kim, and the kids again. "I will try to see with Wade if he has some good recommendations for the girls who know about video editing."
"Great." Izzy said, Which Ezekiel gave a cough that brought the attention of the duo?
"If you don't mind suggesting. I have a friend working for me as a freelance musician; maybe we can also use the songs to make the editing even better. Ezekiel gave the suggestion, which surprised not just Chef but Izzy as well.
"How did you manage that?" Izzy asked in curiosity, as she had no idea how Ezekiel got in contact with a musician.
"To answer your question, you're going to be surprised, because Jude is also the answer." Ezekiel chuckled at seeing the unpredictable and military ginger surprised by the revelation. "Where Jude worked, he has a group of friends whom I met, and one of them is a musician who just got fired after working for me in the book signing. He has a lot of potential. I can hire him to do the songs."
Ezekiel could see the smirk from both of them glowing in the dark.
"Boy, when Izzy told me she wanted you in this challenge, I was skeptical, but now I know why she wanted you so much as an ally." Chef said as Izzy giggled menacingly. But then Chef narrowed his eyes. "Also, while your aim of using the arrows is impressive, your stamina has a lot of work to do. Especially after running for hours without weight."
"Well, since we are in an alliance, why not train him?" Izzy suggested, as Ezekiel blinked to his own dismay. "I mean, you need to learn martial arts."
"Okay, okay, hold on. Eva is giving me a training schedule that I will need to work on, and she said she was going to teach me boxing and capoeira." Ezekiel raised his arms as suddenly the duo blinked their eyes before tilting their heads in confusion and surprise.
"Capoeira?" Both said as Ezekiel felt a slight part of his other aura wanting to shout at them.
"Wow, that's a martial art that I didn't hear about for a long time." Chef commented as he chuckled, which made the boy raise his eyebrows at him. "I knew some people who came to the military to do a presentation, and Shego once said it was only fake. The next second she got on the floor, while her face was so red that I could swear that she was going to become a pepper."
"Didn't Mom promise to make your life a pain if you ever tell this story to someone else?" Izzy said, as she crossed her arms, which Chef laughed at.
"Hahahaha, as if my life wasn't painful enough to deal with Chris; whatever she would do would be simple mid. Anyway, if you want some books and VHS tapes about their presentation, I have Wade to record everything, especially Shego's humiliation… Ah, the good times." Chef laughed as he recalled one of his squad members and friends to record for whenever he needed to laugh, and now using it as a good way to make people humbled in a good way.
"That actually would be good." Ezekiel blinked but nodded his head in appreciation for the help.
"But still, you can give me the training schedule; I will see if that's good enough, and I will train you myself as well. This is non-negotiable." Chef said as Ezekiel gulped from the intimidation done by Chef. "I will use the excuse of me being sore of both of you to make you two suffer in my hands and train you to the ground."
"But will this work? For how long?" Izzy asked as she raised the good point, which Chef simply rolled his eyes at.
"You are the prankster; you know how to annoy me. Just keep doing that, and then we can use it for your own training and development." Chef gave the strategy, which both the boy and girl parts of the alliance nodded their heads in appreciation. "The challenges, I can…"
"Chef, not to interrupt. But I think it would be for the best if you just told us the genre of movie; we don't want liability of people getting suspicious of us by knowing how to win each challenge right off the bat." Ezekiel said as he could see the chef frowning at him. "So how about you tell us the movie genre of the challenge, the reward, and if it was an elimination challenge? This way we can prepare ourselves for the genre that's going to happen in the future and use the points in our favor."
"Ezekiel has a point; we need to lose a few times." Izzy gave a description of a better way to make their acting solid. "Even if we lose, we can use the MVPA in our favor, right?"
"That's true… Alright then, this way we can avoid suspicion as well. I agree with you two..."Chef had to give to the duo, who have good heads on their shoulders, "Which means the morning of the challenge will happen at 6 a.m., which I want you both to wake up at 3 a.m. every single day for our morning training session. And before you say anything, no, you cannot refuse."
Ezekiel was raising his finger, but then had to drop it with a sigh, which made Izzy giggle, which made him deadpan at her. But having nothing else to do, he sighed.
They formed an alliance after all.
As the morning progressed and Ezekiel's dismay was with his body sore, he had to train at 3 a.m., which Izzy, also Chef, seems to be ready to make his days even more troublesome in comparison to who he dealt with on season 1.
Which was without the presence of Izzy, Ezekiel, and Chef. The contestants who were sleeping on the trailer were enjoying their good night of sleep, while most of the girls, in comparison to the boys, were not complaining.
While the trailers were sound asleep at 5 a.m. and slowly the sun was rising, Chris walked out in silence from behind one of the trailers.
"Shhhhush. They are sleeping." Chris pointed his finger at his mouth as a way to shush the camera aimed at the trailers. As he was ready to make something very devious. Which was to bring the megaphone with him and already prepared to wake them up. "HEY, IT'S THE 5 A.M. WAKE-UP CALL."
Chris jumped as he laughed, probably waking up everyone from inside the trailers.
"I'm only kidding; you can all go to sleep." Chris said happily as most of the people groaned and mumbled for them to go back to their sleep. Until Chris pressed the button to make the horn loud sound in the direction of the boy's trailer. Which suddenly the reaction was of a giant explosive fart made the earth tremble from how Owen's laxatives had been working from all the fake food he ate on the challenge. Which Chris flinched for a few seconds, but then he smiled for the camera. "That's a wrap on day one. New challenges, a new contestant, How Owen will fare with a stomach full of foam core and sawdust? How will Izzy and Ezekiel, a dynamic duo, work on the future challenges? Who knows what drama is in store for our cast? Well, I do. But I ain't tellin', See you next time for another thrilling episode of TOTAL...DRAMA...ACTION! Hahahahahaha, McLean out." Chris said as he gave a signal to the director.
"Cut." Which, with the voice of the cameraman, said Chris smirked.
He was back, with a new season… It's good to be back.
Chapter 60: Interlude Action - 1
Chapter Text
Author's note: Well I thank you all for the patience, and I like to see how the few reviwers from the past came back to add review, welcome back everyone. Also I would like to say this interlude chapter I wrote everything that came from my mind. If there was something missing, sorry, but it didn't came to my mind. Now I want to focus into editing the former chapters, since I received help from another user who is pointing out all my grammar mistakes, which I need to fix them soon. Anyway.
Like I said before CodeTalker69 created a TV Tropes of Reality Collides, and me and him have been trying to come up to update the most tropes as soon as possible, the characters tropes and even the chapters ones as well. That's why I offered help, but anyway. Let's have some fun. Reading this chapter will blow the mind of many, and I can't wait to read your reviews. XD
The crisp chill of winter had settled over Beach City, its usual sunny shores blanketed in a rare frost. Inside the Crystal Gems' kitchen, the scent of mashed potatoes and something sweet filled the air, chasing away the cold that lingered by the windows. Greg Universe stood at the counter, humming a tune as he worked.
"Oh, potatoes and molasses, if you want some, just ask us.
They're warm and soft, like puppies and socks.
Filled with cream and Candy Rocks.
Oh, potatoes and molasses.
They're so much sweeter than algebra class.
If your stomach is grumblin'
And your mouth starts mumblin',
There's only one thing to keep your brain from crumblin'."
Greg sang softly, tapping a wooden spoon against the edge of a bowl in rhythm. His voice, warm and lilting, carried through the kitchen. Despite the silly lyrics, there was a tenderness in the way he sang, like an old memory brought to life with every note.
"Oh, potatoes and molasses.
If you can't see 'em, put on your glasses.
They shine and large, like a fisherman's barge.
You know you've eaten enough when you start seein' stars.
Oh, potatoes and molasses.
It's the only thing left on your task list.
They're short and stout—
For potatoes and molasses… for potatoes and molasses."
Steven peeked his head around the corner, wrapped in a thick blanket that trailed behind him like a cape. "Dad? Are you singing the potatoes and molasses song again?" His voice was curious, laced with the kind of fondness only Steven could manage.
Greg turned to him with a grin, scooping another spoonful of molasses into the pot on the stove. "Guilty as charged, kiddo. It's the perfect song for the perfect dish. You've got your warm, creamy potatoes. He gestured theatrically to the bowl of mashed potatoes, as if unveiling a masterpiece.
Steven giggled, pulling a chair closer to the table. "I don't know why, but it makes me happy every time you sing it."
Before Greg could answer, Pearl approached, her usual air of mild exasperation in tow. She folded her arms, watching Greg work with a puzzled expression. "I don't understand why you keep bringing mashed potatoes every single time you visit us in the winter, Greg. It's… unusual, to say the least."
Amethyst, however, was already digging into the food with gusto, crumbs and molasses smearing her face. "What's there to get, P? Mashed potatoes are awesome."
Steven chuckled as he took a plate of his own, his breath visible in the cold kitchen air. "It's more than just food, Pearl. For my dad, mashed potatoes mean a lot during the winter."
Greg paused for a moment, his smile softening as he stirred the pot. "He's got it right. Sometimes, when it's cold and things feel a little heavier, mashed potatoes and molasses make it all a bit sweeter. They remind me of when things were simpler, you know? And hey—what's life without a silly song to go with it?"
Pearl sighed, though the corners of her mouth hinted at a faint smile. "I suppose... if it's important to you, Greg, I can't argue with that."
Greg ignored Pearl's slight jab as he continued setting the table, humming softly under his breath. The warmth of the kitchen seemed to wrap around everyone, but just as he placed the last dish down, a sharp, insistent tapping broke the moment.
Everyone turned toward the window, where a small bluebird trembled on the frosted pane, its tiny beak tapping frantically against the glass.
"That's weird," Amethyst muttered, tilting her head. "Birds don't usually—"
Before she could finish, Greg froze, his expression shifting from his usual easygoing demeanor to something tense and focused. Without hesitation, he rushed to the window and flung it open, letting the icy wind rush in as the bird fluttered inside, landing shakily on the counter.
"What's that about?" Steven asked, stepping closer, but Greg didn't respond. His full attention was on the bird as it let a small, rolled letter drop from its beak before collapsing in exhaustion.
Greg carefully scooped the bird into his hands, wrapping it in a dish towel to give it warmth. Amethyst, meanwhile, wandered over to the letter, picking it up with a curious glance. "Uh, this is for you, dude," she said, holding it out.
The room's attention shifted to Greg, who accepted the letter without a word. His face was unreadable as he unrolled it, but the moment his eyes scanned the page, his expression hardened. The warmth and humor that usually radiated from him vanished, replaced by a cold, stony resolve.
"Greg?" Pearl ventured cautiously, sensing the shift.
Greg held up a hand to silence her, his tone firm and cutting when he spoke. "Pearl, you know I usually stay out of the Crystal Gems' business. But there are some things—even when Rose was here—that were never meant to be part of your world. This is one of them. I'd appreciate it if you didn't ask questions."
The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the faint chirp of the recovering bird. Greg turned his gaze to Garnet, his voice steady but laced with urgency. "Where's the axe? And the lantern?"
Garnet adjusted her shades slightly, her tone matching his seriousness. "The axe is under the stairs. We don't have the lantern anymore."
Greg nodded, the weight of her words settling on him, but he didn't press further.
"I will grab a lantern at the van. So you don't have to worry about it."
"Dad?" Steven's voice trembled slightly. "What's going on?"
Greg turned to his son, crouching to Steven's level. He placed a firm but gentle hand on his shoulder, pulling him into a hug. "Steven, listen to the Gems while I'm gone. I'll be back in a few days—maybe a few hours if I'm lucky. But no matter what, stay away from any trees. Do you hear me?"
Steven blinked, confused. "Trees? What do you mean? What's—"
"No questions." Greg's tone softened slightly as he looked into Steven's wide eyes. "This isn't a request, kiddo. It's important."
Before anyone could protest further, Greg stood, the bird still nestled in his arms. He grabbed his jacket from the chair and made his way toward the stairs, where the axe rested.
As the front door opened, a gust of cold air swept through the house. Greg paused in the doorway, his silhouette framed against the icy backdrop of Beach City.
"I'll be back soon," he said quietly, his voice carrying a weight none of them could decipher.
And with that, he disappeared into the winter night, leaving a lingering unease in the air.
But then Steven could see the letter simply flying as he slightly took it… But at the time he was going to read... Suddenly his voice became deeper and more sinister.
"Gregory… I'm back…" Steven shut his mouth as he immediately released the letter, and suddenly the paper transformed into leaves, which soon disappeared. "Wh-at…"
While a few steps away, Greg took teapot. And placed as a helmet.
"Wirt, wait for me; I hope you are alright." Greg said as he took the lantern and with his axe, he crossed between the forest… which soon the darkness behind him showed a form of a tree, following him. While his lantern remained on... And by walking over the forest on the Beach City... Greg Universe traveled on the woods, into the direction of the Unknown.
"What kind of chapter is that?" Jade asked as she was curious on what that meant; she always thought Steven's father was just a human, but somehow there was something deeper behind that scene. "On the next few chapters, Greg seemed to return like nothing just happened, but then some chapters before his return, the Crystal Gems seemed to have missions in which none of them had any interaction with trees. Sky, what do you think it just happened?"
"I don't know, but I'm seeing on Forum that there was something secret in regard to Steven's dad, and the final chapter was so good and so amazing." Sky said as she raised her arms while she also felt frustrated. "But somehow, this chapter feels a lot off, since Greg is just a human, but... something is odd... I'm looking at the forum, and they said Greg has a tendency of sometimes a father and a mother always approaching him, like they were in gratitude of something happening?"
"Do you think Greg's a ranger?" Jade asked as she doesn't know what happened, but she saw Greg as a silly and yet a father who is doing his best to be responsible.
"It's possible, but this chapter is unique, and he sometimes feels underappreciated on the Gem's mission since they are aliens, but when it comes about the forest, Greg doesn't care if it's Pearl, Amethyst, or even Garnet; it feels like on the forest it's his own responsibility." Sky deduced as she saw the theories on the Total Drama Forums debating on which theories were related to Greg... "Also, Gregory Universe, it's a strange name; maybe that's why they always told the name of him being Greg, but I'm curious on who is Wirt."
"Must be someone very important to Greg." Jane nodded her head. "Do you think it's a supernatural villain that the gems had no idea who was it, but only Greg knows?"
"Well, that's kind of obvious, but it's related to the trees and possibly darkness." Sky debated as both sisters loved every single chapter, especially the final chapter when it comes to the future clash between the gems and the aliens from space. "Supernatural and Universal problems? Ezekiel is really making me want to read the next book as soon as possible."
"Wizard powers are so cool... I want ALL THE STAR BADGES!" Finn shouted in excitement, ready to take on all the challenges of learning how to be a wizard.
On Level 3, Finn and Jake must balance pencils on their lips.
"Excellent."Bufo said as Finn and Jake are rewarded with their third stars and the power of hair creation. Jake chuckles and makes himself a mustache.
On Level 8, Finn and Jake spin coins by flicking them. Stars are rewarded.
"Well done." Bufo commented as Finn and Jake were rewarded with the power of mayonnaise creation. Feeding themselves with mayonnaise in joy.
On the next challenge, Finn flips a hammer and is rewarded with a star; on the succeeding challenge, Jake puts an orange slice in his mouth to create a fake smile and is rewarded with a star. On the next challenge, Finn and Jake both balance themselves on tilted chairs. On Level 15, Jake is rewarded with Beauteous Wings. On Level 27, Finn is rewarded with the Vorpal Hand. On Level 31, Finn and Jake are granted the power of firework creation. They laugh and cheer as they blast fireworks into the night sky.
"All we're missing now is the big star!" Finn commented as he pointed on the missing spot of his robes, which he never thought he would be so excited to become a master wizard. "You ready to complete the set, man?"
"Nah, I'm good." On that moment when Finn thought his brother was up to take the challenge like him, Jake's answer made Finn have his eyes wide open in disbelief.
"WHAT?! How can you stop now?" Finn shouted in disbelief as the dog simply dismissed his worries.
"Eh, I've got everything I need. A limitless supply of mayonnaise, this captivating new hairstyle... Jake explained as he made his whole hand transform into a mug, while he used his finger to fill the mug with mayonnaise, and continued to give the point on why he was fine with giving up on the end, "And I just learned the best spell of all!"
"What's that?" Finn asked as he crossed his arms in curiosity.
"Sleep." Jake happily explained before making himself fall asleep by shooting himself with the spell.
…
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, that's so true. Hahahahaha," Dwayne Sr. laughed as he narrated the story for his son, who tilted his head in disbelief.
"Why sleep is the best spell?" Junior raised his eyebrows as his father simply chuckled.
"Son, you will understand that when you become an adult, man, how much I envy Jake right now." Dwayne Sr. chuckled as he for the first time was reading the chapter for his son to sleep, which a few days his son wanted him to read the chapters for him before sleep, and he was thankful for the writer saying he didn't go overboard for writing the Adventure Time, and while it sounded a bit scary for the Apocaliptic World, the drawings and the colors over the chapters really eased him up and made him enjoy much more to have his son with him appreciating the story time.
"I don't get it." Junior raised his eyebrows as Dwayne Sr. patted his head with a good smile.
"In due time, boy, but let's see what Finn is going to do with the responsibilities." The father said as he made his son gets more comfortable going to sleep, as he once showed the drawing of Finn and Jake dressed as wizards, which the boy looked weirdly at his father, but then accepted him to continue the story for him.
I always thought I might be bad
Now I'm sure that it's true
'Cause I think you're so good
And I'm nothing like you
Look at you go
I just adore you
I wish that I knew
What makes you think I'm so special
From inside the apartment around Canada, Ella was happily singing the song as she was playing on her computer, since on the forum created cover versions of Love Like You as the people named the song for Ezekiel, since Courtney had done an amazing job by singing while playing the violin.
Ella was happy to take care of Bunny as DJ took the journey to finally arrive on season 2 of Total Drama. Nobody knows how the season will go, if there will be a new island for them to participate, or if it will be completely different than what people expect.
Ella was quite glad she had a good time visiting her cousin's birthday as she prepared herself to read the book she bought nearby her apartment. Since she couldn't ask many questions in regard to the book, she was quite excited when she learned that a good part of the book would also have some lyrics for future songs that will be presented in a possible audiobook.
If in any case the songs would be published in one of the episodes of the song, she would like to see the fans also doing covers as a way to see how the song would be fully made. It was a good and interesting way for the fans to share their love for their favorite book.
"I always thought I might be bad. Now I'm sure that it's true, 'cause I think you're so good, and I'm nothing like you." Ella started singing as she noticed a few birds even chirping on the tone of the song as she giggled to continue to sing. "Look at you go, I just adore you I wish that I knew, What makes you think I'm so special."
The relentless sun was beginning its descent over the vast Australian Outback, painting the horizon in fiery hues of orange and crimson. Jasmine stepped into her family's modest, weathered home, wiping sweat from her brow. Her boots left faint traces of red dust on the floorboards as she set down her well-worn backpack. The smell of eucalyptus mingled with the faint aroma of dinner wafting from the kitchen.
"Mom? Dad? Why is there a wrapped box on my bed?" Jasmine called out, her voice echoing through the quiet house. She towered slightly over the doorway as she entered her room, her height a testament to her growing years, already surpassing her parents in stature. Her muscles ached pleasantly from the long day spent trekking through the sunburnt terrain, scouting wildlife, and navigating rugged paths.
From the kitchen, her father's deep voice replied, "Your cousin sent it from Canada. Said it's an adventure book—thought it'd be your kind of thing."
Curiosity piqued, and Jasmine approached the neatly wrapped box sitting atop her bed. The bedspread, adorned with earthy, desert-inspired patterns, added to the rustic ambiance of the room. Carefully, she unwrapped the package, the crinkling of paper breaking the tranquil silence.
Inside was a hardback book with bold, embossed letters on the cover that read "Adventure Time". Its cover depicted a landscape of rugged mountains and vast forests, a stark contrast to the dry, arid beauty of the Outback. Then Ice Mountains and a Candy City and Kingdom, which showed a lot of imagination. Jasmine ran her fingers over the textured cover, her dark eyes lighting up with excitement.
"Adventure Time, huh?" she murmured, a small smile tugging at her lips. The title alone sparked her imagination, conjuring images of far-off places and thrilling escapades. Her cousin had always known how to pick the perfect gift.
As she flipped through the pages, vibrant illustrations and tales of daring journeys of a human and his dog greeted her. Outside, the distant calls of kookaburras filled the air, harmonizing with the rustling leaves of the gum trees swaying gently in the warm evening breeze.
"Tell your cousin thanks when you get a chance," her father added, now standing in the doorway. His wide-brimmed hat hung in his hand, and his face bore the same sun-kissed complexion as hers.
"I will," Jasmine promised, already engrossed in the book. The cool, smooth pages felt comforting against her calloused fingers—a perfect escape from the scorching Outback for just a little while.
Princesses, an evil king, a brotherhood between a human and a magical dog, indeed made Jasmine interested in reading the book after a long, exhausting day she had. She read the author's name, which never rang a bell, maybe since it was from a person in Canada, but she would be interested to ask her cousin about the writer since the content of the book really opened her imagination.
She couldn't wait to read the whole book.
"Oh Simon…" Dawn shed a few tears as she hugged the book in her arms, never imagining how much suffering a person would have taken as little by little left the sanity slip away from the mind. "How many years had been? Decades? Centuries? In search of your wife that you forgot, a princess in your heart, and now you are trapped into a labirint inside of your own insanity?"
quack* *quack* *quack*
Dawn calmly looked at the duck, who looked at her with annoyance, as Dawn sheepishly looked away.
"I know I promised Ezekiel that I would wait until Christmas; however, after reading so many chapters, I lost the track I was on in the last chapter." Dawn justified herself as she cleaned up the tears; she never thought or even imagined to meet a person so complex, someone that she even thought of as an annoying type of person, a terrible villain, but then, in the final chapter, she couldn't help but feel extreme pity and sympathy for the villain, who simply had no idea what he was doing. "He never killed, or never greatly hurt anyone, with exclusion of Ricardio since he creeps me out, but Simon clearly showed how a choice of making a mistake would lead to eternal suffering, and now he had no choice but remains with the crown on his head."
Dawn calmly walked at the Forum of Total Drama, and as many people were curious about debating about Ezekiel books, she found some that even gave spoilers of the Adventure Time book. The title was something that could really summarize the suffering and insanity of Simon Petrikov.
"Heavy is the head that wears the crown." Dawn nodded her head, a fitting title for the King, who now she wished to know what plans Ezekiel had for Simon as soon as it was revealed his past in the first book of Adventure Time. "Well, at least we are going to watch the first episode of the new season of the total drama, guys. I will check if there will be berries for each of us."
Howard quacked happily as the group of squirrels, rabbits, and birds also agreed for the moonchild to prepare something for them to eat. Since they had never watched television before, with the new owner of the house, they were curious about what more they didn't know until they met the girl blessed by Mother Nature.
Who knows how crazy their future will be now that she chooses to live among them?
Topher sat near the window of the train, the hum of the engine and the gentle swaying of the car creating a calming rhythm. He was dressed casually in a green hoodie and jeans, his brown hair falling slightly over his forehead as he leaned over his lap, focused on the papers in his hands. Each note held scribbled observations, questions, and clues—anything that might help him uncover more about the man he admired most: Chris McLean.
His mother's voice echoed in his memory, though it had long since lost its sting. "That man is your father," she had said one evening, as though it were the most ordinary thing in the world. To her, perhaps, it was—a fleeting comment in a long line of neglected conversations as she pointed her finger at the person on the television. But to Topher, it had been a revelation, one that reshaped his entire understanding of himself. Ever since, he'd poured every ounce of curiosity and determination into learning more about Chris, memorizing every episode, every guest appearance, and every bit of trivia about the famous host.
The train hissed as it slowed at a small station, the sound snapping Topher out of his thoughts. He glanced out the window, his reflection faintly overlapping with the passing scenery. "I'll find out everything," he murmured to himself.
As the train continued its journey, Topher adjusted the loose stack of notes in his hands, but in his haste, a single sheet fluttered to the floor. His eyes widened, and he immediately lunged to grab it, only for a small hand to beat him to it.
"Is this yours?" a soft, curious voice asked.
Topher looked up to see a young girl, no older than seven, sitting across the aisle. She was wearing a blue plaid dress with short sleeves and a white collar, accented with a red ribbon tied neatly at her neck. Her black hair was styled into two pigtails with red ties, and bangs framed her wide, inquisitive eyes. A blue backpack rested on her shoulders, and she clutched the paper in her small hands.
"Give me back." Topher quickly took it from the girl, who was also sitting alone on the seat by his side, and even as uncomfortable he was from seeing a girl looking curious.
"Are you looking for him too?" The girl asked, which made Topher blink from the sudden question. The girl played a little with the shoes she was wearing while she was sitting on the chair. "My mom said for me to stop asking for him. And he had been a bad person."
"Do you know him?" Topher said as he felt hesitant to ask the little girl, but even as his young age, he couldn't help but hope. "That's my dad."
The girl stopped as she blinked, but with also a hope in her voice.
"Your dad too?" The girl asked, to which Topher blinked, as he never thought to see a girl that young at the train.
"Where's your mom?" Topher asked as he was surprised to meet the girl who had been with the same resolve as him.
"My mom is at home; I'm going to visit my godmother." The girl commented, as the boy was curious about the girl on his side. "It's Chris Mclean, the name of my daddy."
"You too?" Topher asked in surprise, as he never thought he would find a little girl who was also in the same resolve as him. "Does that mean... we are siblings?"
"Yes?" The girl blinked as she didn't know what to say. "I always asked for a sister, but I think that's the first time I have a boy in my family. My name is Kristal; what's yours?"
"My name is Topher." The boy commented, as he could see the girl feeling more comfortable. "Aren't you too young to be taking the train alone, Kristal?"
"I'm fine; my Godmother is waiting for me, and she always said for me to not talk to strangers." Kristal replied, as the boy nodded his head, but Kristal slowly blinked but also addressed the boy. "But family isn't strangers."
…
Topher blinked as he gave a small smile at the girl nearby him.
"Yeah, you're right. Family isn't." Topher smiled, as he never thought he would find a good clue in the direction to find Chris, or at least, to know more about his family. "Someday I will meet him, Kristal; mark my words."
"I hope you do Topher." Kristal commented, as the duo were in silence while the train was taking them to their destiny.
"Alright boys, place the plasma screen TV in that area. Also be sure to connect the cable right; I don't want any static on the television, am I clear?" The black-haired woman dressed in a casual and elegant suit pointed in the direction of where the new furniture would be placed on the property; as the time she got there, the entire area was empty; however, the lawyer of the owner of the property was holding the instructions for the architects as they were debating on what would be for the best to make sure there would be usage of 100% of the property. Which, as the time she showed her new identity, Shego as Mrs. Go, she was now taking the lead in the bedroom where she would be staying, her daughter's friend returns.
Who said she wouldn't abuse the hospitability of the person by having a VIP master suite just for herself?
Sadly, she couldn't use the money of the boy since both the lawyer, the accountant, and even her own daughter would be against her. Which Shego decided to take the second best choice? Use the government money since those cretines had been using her as a spy and trapped her into the last mission; she felt she deserved some rewards, and hilariously, she knew the numbers and the passwords of some politicians who tried to hide their money on the Maldives islands.
Poor idiots, they thought they would hide their money forever; however, they are very amateurs, which for Shego she found it really easy to trace, exchange the account number to her name, then hide the traces into 10 different locations while she remains incognito for a while. Like since after the 70's. People became lazy and sloopy, and with that, she took advantage of them.
"Yes, Mrs. Go, what about the bathtub with spa treatment?" One of the employees asked loudly, and the former spy rolled her eyes.
"Right there, also place the billhard pool on there, a library section right here, and also the kitchen should be right here." Shego commented as she pointed out that for some of the workers who had to remodel the entire suite for her, by using the money of her own—err, the investors pocket—she was enjoying the idea of having her own space on an island, which, while the name was called Playa Del Losers, she thought it could have a better name. But sadly, the island isn't hers. "Alright, I will be going to check the catalog to see if the couch colors would match with the paint you all are doing on this room. Also, I will check my boat that I will be using in the future; don't screw up, boys. It's money you guys want, and the more you mess up, the less you get paid."
"Right Mrs. Go."
As soon as Shego left the room, she had a great smirk on her face.
"I love my life." Shego smiled as she was happy to have a great family, and she loved her children so much that now she felt she was being spoiled, and she doesn't even care a bit.
Around Eaton Centre Mall, where the movement of the mall remained the same after the events of the popularity of the Total Drama Contestants visit, seems to made the movement across the mall finally slow down in a certain percentage.
Nikki, Caitlin, and Wyatt were at a Mexican restaurant named El Sporto. Which mixed the themes of both sports and Mexican food. A waitress in a yellow and black uniform brought the Nachos while she was dressed as a rollerskater.
"One Kitchen Sink Nachos. Knock yourselves out." The waitress laid the tray over the table, which Nikki smirked as she was happy to see the food.
"I think you are my favorite person in the whole world." Nikki said it as a compliment; however, such things didn't phase the waitress as she was focused on her work.
"That's real nice, honey. Know what'd be nicer? A big tip." The waitress complained as she left the trio, and Wyatt looked at both girls.
"So which one of us is going to give her a tip?" The musician commented as both he and the girls still had a very large amount of money since a good friend of theirs gave them as a way for them to enjoy the mall.
"Leave to me." Nikki said as she took 50 bucks and placed them on the tray, "I can't believe you already spent all the money, Caitlin."
"Well, I paid a part of the credit card, but there's still a lot I could pay; however, the blouse I wanted so much to buy was on sale, and I couldn't resist it." Caitlin squealed happy, which made Nikki and Wyatt roll their eyes with a smile. But then she took a look at her friend, who was enjoying the nachos. "And how are you dealing with your unemployment, Wyatt?"
"Well, technically, I'm officially employed now." Wyatt explained as he even took a few papers from the pocket. "I got my contract from the mail at home, and my parents got very happy that I will be officially making music for an audiobook or any future song Ezekiel will be preparing to create from now on."
"How did Serena take you quitting your job?" Nikki, even though she had to be that person, had to make the question as Wyatt now had to deal with one of the former coworkers and even the boss as he took his unemployment.
"Well, better than I expected, it still sucked on having to give the same talk on I'm quitting my job, but I at least could say that I have never had to deal with Country-Music for the rest of my life." Wyatt said happily until Cailtin gave the bad news.
"But what if Ezekiel had one scene of the book that would require a country song?" Caitlin's question immediately made Wyatt freeze, and then he stared at what would be his worst nightmare.
"He wouldn't do that, would he?" Wyatt asked hesitantly, but then he shook his head. "No, I mean, he could do that, but I think we should give him the benefit of doubt; as long he wouldn't go at the Country Cliche of the same lyrics as most of the others, I think I can take it. I mean, it's a book, infantile books; it could work somehow."
"Now that's the spirit." Nikki said with a smirk as she then looked at Wyatt. "Did you use the payment to buy more instruments, right? You said to Ezekiel that you could play a lot and could learn to help on the songs."
"Yeah, I said that, so that's why I will be buying CD players of music genres for me to see how to study depending on the genre. And the instruments—I bought all of them yesterday, and I think I have enough to make my personal studio in my bedroom; I can give it a try." Wyatt said as he was feeling Ezekiel let everything be prepared for him to start doing the soundtrack songs, even by giving some voice recordings on how he wanted the song to be done, and even as eccentric and weird it would be for Ezekiel describing the song by humming, scats, and snaps of fingers, Wyatt couldn't deny he had fun on the book signing day. Ezekiel really passed the whole day sitting and signing the books for all the kinds of fans.
As Nikki and Caitlin continued to eat, suddenly Jen appeared as she walked towards the table.
"Hey guys, What's up?" Jen asked as a way to disguise her tone as she started cramming several bites of the nachos into her mouth, surprising everyone with the out-of-the-ordinary way she was acting.
"Not much, Jaws." Nikki replied as she gave the comment of Jen eating the nachos as a ferocious shark like in the movie, which immediately made Caitlin look at her friend in worry.
"Is everything okay?" Caitlin asked as she could see Jen looking very annoyed, especially for one reason.
"It was… until she came back." Jen said in a venomous tone, to which Caitlin was surprised, while Nikki had a smirk on her face.
"Uh oh. Courtney's back in town?" Nikki gave the comment, which made Caitlin immediately ask.
"One of the Pillars of Killer Bass? Isn't she supposed to be on the first episode of the show today?" Caitlin asked, which made both Nikki and Jen blink from the comment of one of the blonde lemonade sellers.
"Jen's older sister." Wyatt commented, which made Caitlin raise her eyebrows at him. "No, Jen literally has a sister named Courtney, which isn't the one who came here a few days ago."
"Ohhhh," Caitlin understood, to which Jen simply rolled her eyes.
"I wish Courtney from Killer Bass was my sister instead of her." Jen crossed her arms as she looked at Nikki, giving a smirk at her. Which made her raise the finger at her. "Don't."
"But you said it. You admitted it. She's your twin sister." Nikki joked as Wyatt chuckled from the brunette, who simply rolled her eyes.
"Having almost the same personality and being responsible for the others isn't a thing that would make us twins, Nikki." Jen commented unphased as Nikki didn't dismiss the chuckle, which she simply sighed at her place. "If was that Courtney, I at least know that she has her own flaws; I mean, she's a great girl, and I know why many people like her, but come on, she was very bossy sometimes. And she now is in a relationship with Duncan, which would make her more flaws but also more qualities, differently than my sister, who Make that Jen's prettier, does everything better than me, everyone loves her more older sister."
"Okay Jen, I think maybe you need a Duncan in your life." Wyatt decided to help Jen, but then she raised her finger at him.
"Zip it." Jen said as she was getting a bit annoyed for the fact people are saying that her qualities are almost exactly like the Total Drama star, which she was fine with; being honest, she never thought all the Killer Bass celebrities were very chill and patient clients.
"Come on, Jen, you are just as pretty as she is." Wyatt said the comment as it made Jen raise her eyebrows.
"Which one of them?" Jen asked with her eyebrows raised.
"Does it even matter?" Wyatt was smart as he played safe, which Jen simply rolled her eyes at but gave a small smile.
"Thanks; I needed that. To be honest, I feel like she always wants to come here to ruin my life." Jen gave such a comment, which Caitlin couldn't help but ask.
"How come I haven't met her?" Caitlin asked, which Jen simply commented.
"She's been away at -" Jen decided to use her fingers to make air quotes: "University."
Before she would continue to tell more about her sister, suddenly Jonesy came around as he found the group eating Nachos.
"Hey guys, did any of you get in contact with Jude this morning? I tried to call him or even give a text to him, but nothing; I got no call and no answer from him." Jonesy explained as the group blinked, but it had been most of them also getting worried.
"He said he was going to give the sticks for Courtney before she would go at the new season of Total Drama, and until now he didn't call me, he told me he was going to call when he finished the task. And yet, nothing as well." Jen said it also in a grim tone, and Caitlin looked even worried.
"Do you think he's fine?" Caitlin asked, as Nikki, even as worried she would be, tried to give hope.
"Come on guys, it's Jude; maybe his cellphone is out of battery and he's on his way to return home; we can call his parents to see if he got home tonight. I mean, he probably didn't get in danger." Nikki said as slowly the group nodded their heads in agreement.
"Yeah, you're right. But still, I think the mannequin he used as a substitute isn't going to take much longer, since I had to fake some calls to the boss, and I don't know how long I can cover up." Jonesy said as he was doing his best to make sure his friend wouldn't get fired from the job at the mall.
"I think that's too risky, but I hope you don't do something stupid, Jonesy; it's Jude's job after all." Jen said as she somehow remembered that things didn't always resolve around her, but also she was worried about her friend. "I just hope he's fine."
The group remained in silence as they started eating the nachos together, wondering what just happened to their friend. Not realizing their answer would be the surprise at the time they would get home and watch television.
ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR*
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh" The loud, happy shout was done as once again the matriarch in the forest had enjoying a good time with her husband. Since sometimes it had been a great experience into a mating season for her home.
5 minutes later.
"You are a despicable minx; are you aware of that?" Thorn said as he was shaving his own beard, since there were times he enjoyed working as a ranger and even growing up his beard; depending on the season of the year, both Mother Nature and his wife would be nagging him to shave the beard.
"But that doesn't mean if you didn't enjoy it." Serenity commented as both could hear Mother Nature giggling.
"Whatever you say, my muse." The ranger druid simply scoffed as he could see the wrecked chambers of both husband and wife passed the entire time having fun. Since with the ausency of their daughter, the empty nest effect clearly had affected them, to the point the matriarch was quite insistent on having fun.
"Well, fun aside… We gotta receive a call from our daughter in approximately... right now." Serenity commented as both husband and wife looked at the telephone, which started to ring.
"It's funny when it's with the others, dear, but with Mother Nature warning us Dawn was about to call us, it gets old quickly." Thorn said as he ignored the adorable pout of his wife. "Hello, my little Moonchild."
"Father," The sweet voice of his little girl reaching towards his ears made the ranger finally release a sigh of relief, knowing that his daughter was fine. "How are you? Is that your day off?"
"It's a time for the rangers to bring their family for camping Dawn, which means I will be with a few days off from work." Thorn explained as he could see his wife still laying on the bed. "Your mom says she loves you."
"Oh, is she sleeping?" Dawn's confusion voice was heard, as she could hear her father humming in amusement.
"Yes, she is." The patriarch said as he could see his wife hissing at him, which he simply ignored and continued to focus on his girl. "Mother Nature says you managed to find a good place to stay; how are the natives of the forest doing?"
"They are very patient and kind." Dawn clearly showed how much she was getting used to the new home she found for herself over her journey, and the father was doing his best to remain calm and collect. "Mother Nature said you are envied of where I am living."
"It's not envy," Thorn corrected as he glared at the trees outside of the window, knowing how annoying Mother Nature sometimes was snitching about all their lives. "I'm very happy after you discover such a wonderful place for you to pass, but remember to be thankful for the owner of the property who gave it to you."
"Will do that…" Dawn voice said as Thorn waited in silence for a few seconds... "A-"
"Gotu Kola Leaves, Ginkgo Biloba Leaves, Holy Basil (Tulsi) Leaves, Dried Rosemary, Dried Mugwort, Saffron Threads, and Raw Honey." Thorn interrupted his daughter even before she could say the next word. Which immediately put the girl in silence. "Mother Nature already explained to me your true intentions, and as much as I would like to ask the reasoning for such a request. It's for the better if I don't question until it's time."
"..."
"Beware Dawn, this recipe is like opening a Pandora Box; it requires much inner strength, patience, and an unbreakable will to Bear the pain over this recipe." Thorn explained as he could hear his little girl gulping in hesitation. "He didn't ask for it, but you offered it…"
"Daddy, did you really have to use a Bear pun to explain that?" Dawn's voice came, which made the druid roll his eyes.
"Don't you have a few plants to send it out for the boy you crush on?" The father rebutted, which made the girl squealed.
"I- It's it's not…"
"Good luck, my daughter; may Mother Nature help with the choice of future you decided to take." Thorn quickly said before turning off the telephone.
"I'm surprised you didn't ask the reason why the boy wanted to have all his memories back." Serenity, who finally managed to get up from the bed, approached calmly at her husband, and he stared calmly at the sweaty and messed-up hair of his wife. But then he simply shook his head.
"It would be for the best for we learn at the time we meet him personally." Thorn explained as he could see the leaves of his flowers slowly degrading, which was a signal of them wanting water. Made the druid go to the sink and carry the right water to bring and take out the thirst of the plants in his house. "Dawn and Mother Nature could have revealed to us what the secrets behind his 2 auras were at any moment; however, they felt it wasn't necessary for us to know."
"Then why you still gave the recipe of your family tea?" Serenity raised her eyebrow as the ranger simply shrugged.
"I don't know, but I think my instincts are telling me this will be for the best of everyone." Thorn explained as he suddenly saw the pile of tarot cards on the table as he suddenly blinked from seeing a card on the table in a horizontal line. "Wow, it's been decades since I saw that card."
"Which one?" Serenity asked as she suddenly blinked from seeing indeed a rare card. "Indeed, I thought it had been a while since the last time I saw it. Did one of our native forest friends bring it to help me fix my pile of cards missing?"
"I don't know, but this card itself is probably a definition of what a person can be in the future." Thorn said as he mused for a few seconds. "Do you remember the last time this card was pulled?"
"I think it was when my mom told us about my grandma, giving the future for a general from the United States who wanted to seek the future of how to win World War II." Serenity explained as Thorn nodded his head in understanding. "My mom told me it was the first time our family managed to pull up a card that went horizontal instead of upwards or upside-down. Alongside with a tarot card of a Smoking Snake,"
"Hmm, I still find strange how your grandmother insisted on creating a card of a Snake Smoking, since that was not to be done with a member of the forest." Thorn, as a ranger, was always uncomfortable with the said card, but seeing his wife giggling at him made him deadpan at her. "They could produce fires on the forest with that stupid idea."
"Honey, sometimes you take your job too seriously." Serenity giggled as she patted the head of the druid patriarch. "Some of tarot cards meant something more than a realism, but more like an ideal... and you know what a smoking sneak would mean for someone in the World War II."
"Yeah, I know. A symbol of pride for those who were challenged, which means something almost impossible is about to happen, and when it happens, it will cause a lot of problems for those who challenged it." Thorn mumbled as he remembered the former user of the tarot of the family, who cackled on those who took that card, which means their pride and honor would be challenged, and those who challenged the person are going to have the worst headache of their lives. "But seeing that card more times than this one is very surprising."
"Yes, it was... but at least I feel the deck is finally complete. Especially for seeing this card once again." Serenity smiled as she never thought to see such a card again.
The ranger nodded his head, as the clear view of the Tarot Card remained the same.
The card features a striking illustration of a wolf on one side and a coyote on the other, symbolizing the duality of primal instinct and cunning adaptability. The wolf stands beneath a glowing full moon in a dense forest, representing loyalty, intuition, and raw power. The coyote is depicted under the stars in an open desert, surrounded by scattered bones and a smirking expression, embodying wit, playfulness, and the ability to adapt.
"The Wolf and The Coyote, humph... Maybe Mother Nature is trying to tell us the future." Thorn mused as he could see his wife nodding her head.
Cameron sighed as he never thought he would pass more and more time inside of his little house, with a woman so overprotective like his mom, the only thing he could be doing inside of his safe house, protected against all bacteria, germs, or even types of dangers.
Boredom had been an issue that he tried to overcompensate with studying and sighing.
But when his mom came at home holding 3 new books for him to enjoy, it had been the first time his mom wanted him to work on his imagination and have fun knowing that there was indeed someone who never went to school and managed to work fine in life and be a good writer.
It was her way of saying studying at home was a beneficial way for him to remain inside the house and continue protected.
But from the books his mom brought at him, it clearly opened his mind to things he never imagined before: the concept of horrors inside a farm house, a group of aliens who work up as defenders of planets, and also a boy and a dog with a magical mutation who were able to explore the challenges across the biggest world of the unknown.
But what has been the most impactful message was from the writer, who clearly made him read those books not just once or twice, but 5 times already, with only one exception, the final chapter of Adventure Time. He promised his mom that he would read the final chapter of the book at Christmas, even as he was trying to come up with a lot of profiles of the characters in notes.
What would be the biggest mystery of the ending of the book? He doesn't know, but also the cliffhanger done by Steven Universe book made him anxious and with a lot of theories on what would be the colorful diamond in the descriptions and drawings at the wall. And why Jasper wanted so much to destroy Pearl and Rose Quartz, there was a reason why she wanted to destroy them. Something personal.
And yet what made Cameron more open-minded was the message written by the author of those books.
He was also a boy inside the bubble, and the day he literally left it was the best day of his life. Getting out of comfort zone and taking all the dangers and treasure them as experiences of life… Cameron couldn't help but admire him and even feel fear for him.
Getting in danger in purpure for the sake of learning and acquiring experiences? Was something that he felt fear about, but he would be lying after reading all those books; he wouldn't be curious about those feelings of adventuring himself to the unknown. How must it feel like punching someone, running away in fear, and being heroic once or twice?
Even as the drawings really made him have better dreams about his entire life, something more vivid, imagination and weird usually were words that he would feel uncomfortable and not sure on how to respond to, but seeing more and more, reading more and more, he did something that his mom isn't aware of... He managed to hack the television and managed to make a screen in his bedroom, where he could be watching the episodes of Total Drama by himself, and usually when his mom was leaving to do the groceries at night. He timed it perfectly to be able to watch the whole episode by himself.
He wondered what kind of chaotic and dangerous challenges Ezekiel must have put throught at the day he left his bubble, and he wondered if he would also have motivation to do it as well.
The Anderson home was usually a quiet place, but today, the air was tense. Mrs. Charlotte Anderson, Jay and Mickey's mother, sat by the phone with a look of exasperation as she ended her call with the detective. Her voice, though steady, carried a mix of relief and frustration as she turned toward her boys, who were anxiously waiting on the couch.
Her sister, who had been on a cruise with both her husband and son, had been calling her countless times trying to figure out what happened to her eldest son, since it had been a unique opportunity for both the psychologist and the teacher to have vacations to enjoy with the family. However, Cody somehow managed to get himself in the show named Total Drama, which at the time they were on a cruise that would take a few more months. They had the call of the police, which showed how serious things were.
Thankfully, there was a detective who managed to make sure it was everything a false alarm. However, that didn't stop worrying the whole family. Even their sibling from the United States discovered about the disappearance of Cody Emmett Jameson Anderson. But things could have been easier if they actually received a call from Cody from where he was. Since this whole mess was created without his knowing.
"Well, it's sorted out," Charlotte began, letting out a sigh. "The detective confirmed that Cody is safe. He's staying at Katie's house—apparently this whole time, they have been dating since after the show. And Katie's mom seemed to have invited Cody to stay with her for a few days before he goes to season 2 of Total Drama."
"Cody? Dating?" Jay raised a brow. "Huh, good for him, I always thought he would have more chances of getting hurt on that crazy show... But it seems he went out fine."
"Fine? Did you see that beast Eva throwing the dodgeball on his kiwis?" Then a shy and terrified voice made the twin brother look at him, who gulped and had sweat on his face. "I think she is far more scarier than wolves."
That comment alone made Jay gulp and pale from remembering what she did with the bear and the monster known as Saskwatchanakwa. But the Mickey wasn't done.
"Wait, what about the calls?" Mickey piped up, nervously clutching the edge of his helmet.
Charlotte Anderson crossed her arms, her expression growing stern. "That's the part I need to talk to you about. It seems this... Sierra Girl has been using my name after her call, saying she was a telemarketer, and somehow also took Lynda's as well to file reports about Cody being missing. And it wasn't just a one-time thing. She's been making a mess of things, pretending to be family!"
Jay tilted his head. "So, some random girl's running around claiming to be you? That's... weird."
"Not just weird," she emphasized, "dangerous. The detective said they dismissed the report once they confirmed Cody was safe, but the fact that someone used my identity like that is a serious problem."
Mickey's face paled, and he clutched his chest dramatically. "Identity theft?! Oh no. Oh no, no, no! That's it! That's gonna be a new phobia, I can feel it! Phonophobia! Telephobia! No, wait—Caller ID Theft Phobia!"
Jay rolled his eyes. "Calm down, Mick. Mom just said the cops figured it out."
Mrs. Anderson gave Mickey a reassuring pat on the shoulder before her tone became firm again. "This is why I need both of you to be careful. Don't just pick up the phone for anyone, and if something feels off, hang up immediately. People like this Sierra might seem harmless at first, but they can cause real trouble if you're not careful."
Mickey whimpered. "What if they call pretending to be someone we know? What if they say something like, 'Mickey, this is the President! You've won a million dollars! Give me your Social Security number!'"
Jay smirked. "You don't even have a Social Security number, Mick. We're Canadian."
"That's not the point!" Mickey snapped, clutching his helmet tighter. "It could still happen!"
The mother stifled a small laugh but quickly composed herself. "Listen, boys. Just stay vigilant. And Mickey, don't let this become another phobia. We've got enough to deal with as it is."
"I can't make promises!" Mickey screeched, flailing his arms.
Jay groaned, leaning back on the couch. "Great. Add another phobia to the list. At this rate, we're going to need a separate room just for your fears, Mick."
Mrs. Anderson shook her head, smiling despite herself. "You two may drive me up the wall sometimes, but at least you keep life interesting."
The boys exchanged a glance before Mickey muttered, "Interesting isn't the word I'd use."
The room fell into a brief silence, broken only by the sound of the phone ringing again. Mickey shrieked, diving behind the couch, while Jay calmly reached for the receiver.
"Relax, Mick," Jay said, lifting the phone. "It's probably just Lynda checking in—"
"DON'T ANSWER IT!" Mickey yelled, peeking out from behind the couch.
Jay gave him an amused look before answering anyway. "Hello? Oh, hey, Aunt Lynda... Yeah, it's fine, Mom's here." He smirked at Mickey. "See? Nothing to worry about."
Mickey groaned, crawling out from his hiding spot. "I need a vacation from this family..."
Charlotte chuckled, ruffling Mickey's hair. "Good luck with that. You'd miss us too much. Also, you could have gone with Aunt Grace, but you would have been with seasickness if you didn't get used to it."
"Oh…" Mickey said as he had a sad look on his face.
"Maybe someday we will do that, hon, don't be too hard on yourself." Charlotte said as she slightly gave a hug to the boy. Knowing that even as her children would have adversities, she had a feeling in the future they would make her proud.
Jay offered the telephone for the mother, who simply smiled and decided to leave her children alone.
"Hi Lynda, yeah, Grace finally can enjoy the rest of her trip with James and Zack; I think having her son in the reality show really made the whole trip chaotic for her." Charlotte commented as she was talking with her sister on the United States; even as a mother of two as well, it seems the Andersons had a knack of always having 2 kids, which was an inner joke for the trio of sisters.
"Mom… can we watch the new season of Total Drama?" Jay called as she looked on the clock, and from seeing the time, it was almost up to the new season of the show. The woman could relax as she would see how her nephew had been doing all this time.
"Sure, but try to not make the volume too loud for both of you." Charlotte explained as she continued to talk with her sister.
The Anderson family had been in such chaos because of that scammer telemarketer, which she now regretted giving her name and even saying a little story or 2 of Cody's childhood.
The first day off before the next challenge wasn't what Ezekiel expected, since he couldn't have a glimpse of sleep at all. Ezekiel, usually the first to rise on most days, he as a writer had created a routine for himself whenever it comes about writing his books, he was usually the first to wake up on the mornings, to train his body and his mind whenever comes for him to write an action scene. Using only his typewriter, his body movements, a notepad, a pencil, and his imagination.
However, at the Total Drama Action... things became way different than he expected. Since the last encounter with Chef, the time he woke up wasn't 5 a.m as he was used to, but 3 a.m, which now will be part of his new routine. His body had been sore since the Monster Cash challenge, and Chef refused his body to even have a night of sleep; he wanted Ezekiel to surpass the limit for at least 1 day before giving the right schedule for him to rest his body.
And since Ezekiel found himself into the alliance between Izzy and Chef, the duo explained to the writer that the only part of the weakest link over his part was his own body, Since the last season he lost because of sickness, and the first challenge made him lose all his stamina, he needed to improve himself on his health… Which was bad news since Ezekiel saw the smirk on Chef's face saying he knows a way to do that.
Chef, in his infinite wisdom, had declared that 6 a.m. was breakfast time, but for Ezekiel, the day's first challenge began at 5:20 sharp. That was when Chef demanded Ezekiel eat the best rations available to "prepare him for the horrors" of the contestant's breakfast.
It wasn't just a matter of eating two breakfasts—one amazingly good and one terrible—it was a test of his endurance. Chef's philosophy was simple: soldiers needed to be tough, and the unpalatable slop served to the contestants was, in Chef's words, "just what the body needs to toughen up." Ezekiel could barely stomach the idea, let alone the food itself, but he pushed through. Each bite was another step toward strength, Chef had said, though Ezekiel wasn't entirely convinced.
Izzy, of course, as a good friend she was; even as she was his biggest ally and friend, she didn't need a personality since she thrived in the chaos. She was awake alongside him, not out of necessity but sheer enthusiasm. If Ezekiel groaned at the thought of two breakfasts, Izzy upped the ante by turning every task into a personal challenge. Whether it was scaling the walls of one of the sets that doesn't have cameras before breakfast or even reminding Ezekiel to use all the weights Eva ordered him to keep on his body, she, as a way to motivate him, also decided to place weights on the training just to help the writer. She pushed herself—and Ezekiel—harder.
He sometimes loves and hates her for her chaotic behavior, but it's Izzy, so you must be prepared for everything she was doing, even acting like a crazy girl, knowing that deep inside she was a far more experienced soldier and knew what she was doing. But sometimes he could swear she was doing that because she wants to mess with him and have fun, which he believed it was both.
Chef didn't change the weights of Ezekiel's body because not even Chef would dare to see the glares of the bodybuilder who managed to take down a serial killer and make bears afraid of her. He even respected the crazy woman who is making the homeschooled boy push himself harder on the Playa Del Losers.
The boy has talent; Chef cannot deny that, but talent alone wouldn't do anything; he was going to push the boy into breaking his body and make him a strong soldier; he and Izzy were his ticket to have a better payment and more luxuries over the show from now on, so he must make them strong enough to deal with all the chaos. Even being paranoid, just like them, into checking if there were all kinds of cameras and even interns wandering around.
Ezekiel now must adapt a new routine for himself... Training, breakfast, sleep 1 hour or 3, then wake up, finally start writing his new chapters, then when it comes about it, try to sleep early and then wake up for the training again.
Which is easier said than done, but thankfully Chef promised Izzy and Ezekiel they wouldn't need to do heavy training on the morning of the challenge, just stretches and warm ups after hearing the next genre. Ezekiel blinks a few times but accepts the outcome. With the MVPA points ready to gather, their plan was to start doing that when the teams were made.
But that doesn't mean he couldn't have some fun.
.
.
.
"So you already wrote 15 thousand words in just a few hours?" Noah blinked as Ezekiel nodded his head as he was feeling well by writing down on the laptop.
"Yep, it's a good thing since I have been practicing by using my typewriter for so long, that in the end all the effort of exchanging paper, correcting mistakes, or even rewriting the pages really was cut from just using a program, which I can use to edit easily now." Ezekiel explained as he continued to write as the bookworm approached the boy, who was clearly writing down another page.
"So, this new book, Over the Garden Wall, what will be about?" Noah crossed his arms as he checked the drawing done by the boy, which showed nothing more than 2 kids dressed weirdly, a boy with suspenders wearing a teapot, and another boy dressed as a gnome.
"A dark fantasy, about two half-brothers getting inside of a magical forest and trying to find their way home. With a focus of never judge the book by it's cover." Ezekiel explained as he could see Noah staring at him weirdly. "When I get the few chapters done, you will understand what I mean."
"No, I get it; however, I'm surprised that you find so much energy into writing even after we wake up in terrible conditions after Owen farts at our trailer." Noah rolled his eyes as he pointed at the enormous boy still having problems while he drank more laxatives to eliminate all the fake food he ate on the last day.
"Well, we have just 2 days to enjoy before the next challenge, so I think using all this time wouldn't be bad. Now, I need to conclude the first chapter if you don't mind." Ezekiel commented, as the bookworm gave space.
A few minutes later, more of their friends appeared, and even some were trying the breakfast done by nobody other than Chef, who was making terrible food for most of them.
.
.
.
"Who would win a fight between Godzilla and King Kong?" Tyler asked as the group was talking about the last challenge, since it was related to giant monsters. Tyler heard both Harold and Cody debating about the movies they watched.
Ezekiel was enjoying making the conclusion of the first chapter of his new book, even as the strongest coffee Chef prepared for him to drink at 5:20. He doesn't know how, but he was able to keep writing, but he knew in a few hours his mind would be begging for him to sleep later. But nothing like a good juice wouldn't help him as well.
"Godzilla." Harold said, to which Cody nodded his head.
"Godzilla, easily,"
Psssssssss*
Ezekiel spat on the juice away from the laptop as he looked at both the nerd and the geek like they had lost their minds.
"What the hell?" Ezekiel said in tone of betrayal as he blinked at the duo who looked surprised at him, Katie, Courtney, Gwen and a few of their circle of friends who were eating their breakfast, look at Ezekiel, who just made a scene. "Okay, now I understand why Lindsay said the messed-up plot of Indiana Jones; if that's the core mentality of the fans of movies, then those fandoms just lost their minds. Guys, I expected better from you both."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Noah, who was just sitting nearby, raised his eyebrows as he used his sarcasm to discuss even further. "It's just a giant gorila against a giant lizard who launches radioactive laser beams; how is that comparison?"
"Wha-... Noah, you from all people. I thought you understood the concept of the movement; you betraying it like that? Wow, you really aren't smart as you think you are." Ezekiel said as Noah narrowed his eyes, and Cody and Harold were now in utter disbelief.
"Wait, how do you think King Kong would beat Godzilla?" Cody asked as Izzy even rolled her eyes.
"Boys, what you both are saying is absurd." Izzy commented, as she even couldn't believe the nerds would haven't thought about it.
Ezekiel decided to use the final judge.
"Okay, let's bring the true expert... Lindsay." Ezekiel called the name of the blonde bombshell who was bringing her tray of food, which was followed by Beth and Heather. She looked at the boy who decided to call her. "Between a giant monkey named King Kong and a giant lizard who shoots laser beams like Godzilla, who would win?"
Lindsay passed a few seconds in silence, but then blinking, she couldn't help but ask.
"Aren't monkeys more evil and dangerous?"
"THANK YOU." Ezekiel threw the arms as a way to prove a point. "That's why you're the champion. Thanks Lindsay."
"You're welcome." Lindsay smiled as both Heather and Beth looked weird as Ezekiel continued the discussion.
"What does even mean?" Harold asked, to which Ezekiel sighed.
"Do you have any idea on how monkeys can be evil?" Ezekiel explained as it made the group blink as he decided to continue. "Do you know what monkeys do when they are pressured and against the wall? When the monkeys are without limit? You don't want to have Godzilla's face covered in monkey shit or semen on him. Because Godzilla couldn't take that."
Duncan started laughing at the absurd as Cody and Harold paled with the mental image of indeed a monkey doing that.
"You don't want that because if he wanted, he would be doing that, even smocking yet." Ezekiel created enphasis as some contestants who were on there listening to the absurd starting to laugh.
Which Noah nodded his head.
"Shit bath I agree with you. Because I got one monkey shit bath at Zoo, that shaped my character." Noah hated to admit the bad memories of how he was just a simple guy when suddenly a monkey threw poop on his face. Since that day, he doesn't give a damn about anything. "But do you really think they would make a movie of King Kong and Godzilla fighting and King Kong throwing shit everywhere?"
"I don't understand the point of what's the meaning of such stupid debate." Eva scoffed as then she looked at Ezekiel.
"Eva, Eva, Eva, Eva… listen to me…if someone threw shit in your face in a fight… Tell me you weren't going animalistic, and the battle isn't going to be like you would usually fight; it would be a fight for life and death." Ezekiel explained as Eva blinked slowly as she shivered into how disgusting it would be.
"I would kill them all."
"There you go." Ezekiel commented as he smiled, since he proved a point. "A normal fight wouldn't exist at the first slap of shit on the face; there's no way someone would fight professionally if a shove of shit was threw on your face."
"Couldn't we just have a normal conversation?" Courtney said as she was disgusted and yet annoyed for a conversation going to that point.
Ezekiel simply shrugged and continued to write the chapter of his new book. Noah returned to read, and Izzy continued to eat her breakfast. Cody and Harold returned to their conversations, while Tyler blinked.
"So King Kong won?"
"Pratically, now go back to eat." Eva commanded as the jock nodded his head, and the contestants appeared to eat on their seats on the craft services tent.
While on the internet, the Pay-Per-View debate would cause a lot of debates between the fans of Kaiju Monsters, a clash of ideals between who could win, Godzilla or the without limits King Kong. Nobody knows if in the future the new movie Godzilla vs. Kong would be different with that new idea. But who knows what could potentially change with the ideals clashing from the ripple effects of a reality show? What would be the best victory—a fight one? Or the moral one after having such a terrifying move hit in your face? Nobody knows, and there would still be a lot of debates around it.
The next day, the group reunited at their usual spot in front of The Big Squeeze, the juice bar buzzing with its usual mall traffic. But today, their usual lighthearted energy was nowhere to be found. Instead, an awkward silence hung between them as they sat around the circular table, each trying to process the surreal revelation from the night before: Jude was now part of Total Drama Action.
Their smoothies and juices sat untouched, condensation trickling down the sides of the cups. Every so often, one of them opens their mouths to say something, but immediately they close because they literally have nothing to say.
Until Jen couldn't take it anymore.
"I still can't believe this," Jen finally said, breaking the silence. She had her arms crossed and a pinched look on her face, like she'd been holding in her frustration all morning. "How does Jude accidentally end up on a reality show? He was just going to give the sticks to Courtney, and not just ended up on the television, but he ended up on the Total Drama Action!"
"Right?" Caitlin said, leaning forward with wide eyes. "I mean, I knew Jude was laid-back, but who just signs a contract without even reading it? Didn't Ezekiel say to read the contract before signing? Specially that kind of contract?"
"Yes, he said it." Wyatt commented as he was drinking the matinal coffee, which he desperately needed. Since then, he had no idea what to do. "I'm asking my parents to add Pay-Per-View at home, just to be sure Jude's fine."
"Yeah, me too. Daddy said since I paid a part of the credit card debt, he was willing to do that favor for me and let our home have the Pay-Per-View; if you guys want to watch, you can come home." Cailtin explained as Jonesy nodded his head.
"I accept, as much as I would say I would like to watch for the girls, Jude really scored for becoming now a celebrity on here." Jonesy said as he was being optimistic about now his best friend becoming a celebrity.
"You're acting like this is some kind of achievement. Did you even watch the episode?" Jen rolled her eyes. "A freaking giant robot was the genre of movie, and the group had to literally escape from it; also, there were explosives and bears around."
"It was the last day of contract for the bear, so that animal isn't going to bother anyone for a while." Nikki said as she decided to explain her point of view. "You are worried about him; I got it, we all are, Jen, but now the only thing we can do is just hope for Jude not to hurt himself and probably win the 1 million dollars."
"Ohh, man, I wish it was me to have such an opportunity, stay nearby sexy girls, and then win a million bucks." Jonesy said into a dreaming smile, but then Wyatt had to break with the harsh reality.
"You forgot the show is about dangerous, disgusting challenges that would lead people vomiting and even hurting themselves." Wyatt said as he was even in concern but trying to remain calm about everything. "Guys, we all know Jude can do it; even if he will be eliminated, all we can do is cheer for him to maybe win the game."
"Yeah, I hope so." Jen sighed, as much she was happy to see her friend again. "Now it will be 44 days before we see him again."
"That if he wins, but I don't know if the elimination we can see him." Wyatt explained as he was finishing his drink. "Maybe when the lawyer contacts me in the name of Ezekiel, I can ask a few questions. I heard there will be the chance I talk with him by telephone."
"Really? What do you mean?" Caitlin asked in curiosity, but all she received was a shrug by the musician.
"I don't know. But I will keep an eye on my cellphone until he calls; maybe he can answer what could happen on the show and even answer a few questions from us." Wyatt suggested the idea as the group nodded their heads in agreement.
"So how has been your first impression of participating in the show Jude?" Bridgette asked as she watched both the blonde boy and the party boy doing a few skate tricks. Now she was wearing more comfortable clothing since she was now wearing a light blue cropped jacket with rolled-up sleeves over a purple and white striped shirt. They are also wearing light green shorts and dark blue sandals. To complete the look, Bridgette is accessorized with a blue star necklace.
"Well, dudette, I have to say it had been awesome." Jude said as he gave a high five to Geoff, who also seemed to have a liking for the skateboard boy. "And how was the trailer?"
"Oh yeah, I wanted to ask about it." Geoff commented as he also stopped with his skateboard and looked at his girlfriend, who was in a delighted face. "The trailer really was that great?"
"Oh sure it was; Chris told us there was a plasma screen for us to watch television; however, fighting over the control remote became way more hard when you have everyone wanting to watch a different show." Bridgette explained as she could see both boys staring at her in surprise. "Also, the snacks are great; if you want, I can bring some and we can eat together. But the best part was the private hottub for us to enjoy; sadly, we couldn't do it like we did at the Aquarium, but at least you guys were nice into giving that to us."
"Hey, it's for you, Bridge; of course I would do that without thinking twice." Geoff, as he followed the example of the Ezekiel idea, felt he was rewarded way more than he should, losing something but also making something he was willing to give to her, which made him not actually lose but also get rewarded for just being supportive. "Want to make out?"
"Of course, Jude, can you cover for us?" Bridgette said she didn't like to be spotted by the group or even receive the water spray with hot sauce on it.
"Sure, dude, I will be in that area, and I will be watching if someone is coming." Jude said as he used his skateboard to give a good space for both blondes to have a time for themselves.
"Man, I'm glad Jude is Courtney's childhood friend, because I think he somehow belonged here." Geoff said as he could see Bridgette nodding her head.
"Yeah, I felt the same. But at least now we have some time alone just for us. Now kiss me." Bridgette said her boyfriend didn't need to be told twice.
"And that's how you do a liver blow," Eva explained, demonstrating her stance with precision. With a single punch, she struck the massive punching bag in front of her. The impact was so powerful that the bag swung violently, straining against the heavy chains securing it to the ceiling. Ezekiel, standing nearby, could only gawk at the sheer force behind her hit. He still couldn't fathom how Eva had managed to drag a punching bag of that size and hang it so securely next to the girls' fancy trailer.
"You need to do that at least fifty times, on each side," Eva continued, her tone firm. "Do it slowly, especially with the weights. Slow movements will strengthen your inner muscles over time."
"Okay," Ezekiel replied, forcing a small smile. On the outside, he looked willing, but on the inside he was screaming in agony. His body was already sore, his arms heavy like lead, and he couldn't shake off the overwhelming desire to collapse and sleep. Yet Eva insisted he use his free time to learn the basics of martial arts, starting with boxing. And somehow, she'd convinced him that this was essential.
For hours Ezekiel practiced. Jabs, hooks, direct punches, and finally, the liver blow. Over and over, the grueling repetition consumed his evening. By the time he glanced at the clock, it was past 9 p.m.
.
.
.
"I'm so exhausted…" Ezekiel muttered, his body sore and his mind foggy with fatigue. His legs felt like jelly as he trudged toward the trailer. He wasn't sure he'd even have the energy to talk to anyone from his group. "I want to marry my bed," he groaned, collapsing onto the sheets, letting the soft fabric envelop him. For the first time all day, relief washed over him, and sleep claimed him almost instantly.
.
.
.
SPLASH!
A cold, wet sensation jolted Ezekiel awake. "Hmmmmmmm!" He tried to scream, only to find his mouth muffled. Disoriented and drenched, he blinked rapidly, realizing he was no longer in bed. Instead, he was sitting on a chair... at the water tower. Again.
"Good morning, Ezekiel!" Izzy chirped, standing before him with her usual chaotic energy. "Sorry for the surprise wake-up, but we needed you up for training. It's already 3 a.m., and we didn't want you to scream and wake the others."
Chef stood beside her, arms crossed, his expression unreadable but clearly not sympathetic. Ezekiel's eyes darted between the two of them, a mix of horror and disbelief on his face.
"Trust me, the first few weeks are going to suck," Izzy said sheepishly, though her grin remained unwavering. "But you'll get used to it. It's for the best, I promise!"
Ezekiel blinks, his body aching as he processes her words. His exhaustion was so overwhelming that it felt like he'd only closed his eyes for a second before waking up to this madness.
"Dammit," he muttered under his breath, realizing there was no escape. The day's training was about to begin again, far earlier than he ever thought possible.
And with that, the cycle continued.
Chapter 61: Night of the Living Interns
Chapter Text
Author's note: Man I'm so glad this chapter is over. I was wondering if I had to cut this chapter in two, but I wanted so much to be done with this chapter, I did my best to make everything was great. Now I want you guys to have fun and enjoy the scenes, now with the rules working after this chapter. Because from your reviews, it will determinates the point system of MVPA, so you guys be ready for what you are about to read. I think this will be the last time I will be writing a long chapter more than 30k without a good reason. Because I did my best to make all the development as possible.
I hope you guys understand, because depending on the reviews of both Fanfiction and here, the first review will counts as MPVA avaliation, and also for the first eliminated, you better prepare one interesting question. In case you forgot, check the rules a few chapters ago, and you can write a good review to prepare for both MVPA and Aftermath, I hope you guys are ready...
A warning, after the first review, whatever review you add next will not be counted and depending of the review will not be answered here. I hope you guys understand, because the rules will apply on this chapter.
Anyway, have fun reading the new chapter. XD
(Craft Services Tent)
To say Ezekiel was exhausted would be an understatement. Not physically, though—Chef had forced him to drink something so vile it felt like it might peel the paint off a car. Yet, whatever secret concoction Chef used packed enough caffeine to keep Ezekiel wide-eyed and jittery.
It wasn't even Chef's original recipe. One of his former squadmates, Wade, had come up with the drink—a borderline illegal energy booster he'd apparently developed to pull all-nighters hacking systems during military missions. Ezekiel couldn't help but wonder if Wade had been channeling his inner "Kim Possible tech guy" when creating it. Either way, it worked.
Still, Ezekiel's body ached. Between Izzy gleefully pushing him past his limits and Eva pounding him into shape with martial arts training, he felt like he'd gone a round with one of those plasma-punching robots from Megas XLR. It was brutal but necessary. If he wanted to make the most of his second chance at life—and on this show—he couldn't hold back.
Today's meeting with Chef, however, had thrown him for a loop.
"The challenge today is all about zombie movies," Chef announced, his voice gruff but commanding.
Ezekiel and Izzy exchanged wide-eyed glances.
"Chris figured this would be perfect, what with 23 contestants still in the game. But there's a twist." Chef leaned in slightly, his smirk foreboding. "It's a double elimination. Two campers are going home today."
Izzy's jaw dropped. "Double elimination?! No way!"
Ezekiel's mind, meanwhile, raced. The challenge was supposed to revolve around alien movies. He could only assume Chris changed it to keep the contestants on edge. Typical. Not that Ezekiel blamed him—it made sense with so many players still around.
Chef folded his arms, addressing the two with a rare hint of seriousness. "Listen. I know you two want me to keep my distance so no one suspects our alliance, but I'm warning you now—this challenge is going to be chaos. Keep your eyes open and act natural."
The two nodded, but Ezekiel noticed the tension in Chef's stance. Something about this felt bigger than the usual Total Drama insanity.
Chef handed Ezekiel a folded piece of paper. "You're gonna need this."
Ezekiel unfolded it to find rows of dots and dashes.
"Morse code?" he asked, tilting his head.
Chef nodded. "Learn it. Fast. If things go sideways, this'll let us communicate without anyone else catching on."
Ezekiel frowned. "That's all well and good, but what about people watching the show? You never know if someone out there also knows Morse code. They could figure us out."
Chef raised an eyebrow. "What kind of person are you even talking about?"
"Are you referring to Sierra?" Izzy chimed in, her tone carrying both amusement and exasperation. Chef gave her a blank look, and Izzy took the cue to explain. "There's a girl who is clearly obsessed with one of the contestants, and from what me and Ezekiel gave a profile check, she is very obsessive into gathering information; didn't Uncle Wade tell you about her?"
"Wait, it was a girl who calls herself that crappy name Codylover something?" Chef raised his eyebrows as he recalled Wade cursing and complaining about one person calling the Canadian Military telephone, of whom he had no idea how she managed to gather that, and started asking about Izzy's case over RCMP and how Izzy's lawyer was going to win her immunity over them. "I had some laugh at seeing Wade annoyed, but I think this is starting to get creepy. Isn't that crazy girl obsessed with that skinny boy Cody?"
Izzy nodded. "That's her."
Chef's face twisted into a grimace. "So let me get this straight. Not only is this girl a stalker, but she's also obsessed with that scrawny kid Cody?"
"Yup," Ezekiel confirmed.
"Yes, she is," both Izzy and Ezekiel commented simultaneously, though Ezekiel—ever the thinker—continued.
"She's also someone who thinks of herself as Total Drama's number-one fan. And honestly? She might actually be," Ezekiel remarked, crossing his arms. "She's been gathering a lot of information about Chris McLean—his past, his connections, everything. The stuff she's dug up could probably blackmail him six ways to Sunday." He paused, glancing at Chef with a raised brow. "But trust me, Chef, she's not worth the headache. Just let her think she's the ultimate fan and steer clear of her mess."
Chef raised his eyebrows in mild surprise, clearly processing Ezekiel's insight. "She's been looking into Chris, huh? Didn't think anyone could get under that guy's skin, but maybe she's the one who'll finally manage it."
"Yup, she's that kind of person," Ezekiel said, his tone flat but tinged with concern.
Izzy nodded, her usual mischievous grin replaced by a rare flicker of seriousness.
"Yes, Chef, I think she's the type of person that she's going too overboard that someday... I think we need to... *clack* *clack*"Izzy said, unsure as she used to place it on her neck, and with a quick flick, she revealed that in case the crazy girl went overboard, she would trespass her limits, along with some military secrets. It was obvious on what was about to happen, especially in case anyone knew about Shego's location. They would hire Shego to make someone in silence... permanently.
Chef groaned, rubbing his temples in exasperation. "I'm surprised you two know so much about this girl and can just talk about it like it's nothing." He eyed Izzy for a moment—he was used to her chaotic nature, after all—but his gaze lingered on Ezekiel. The boy had been nothing but professional in their conversations. Not annoying, not overly chatty, and definitely sharp. Chef could see why Izzy trusted him; Ezekiel wasn't just another camper. He knew things, and more importantly, he seemed to understand how to avoid trouble.
The paranoia Ezekiel displayed about people like Sierra snooping too much wasn't baseless, and it made Chef pause. The kid was calculating, almost as if he already knew the potential fallout of any forbidden knowledge getting into the wrong hands.
"Anyway," Chef continued, shaking his head to refocus, "I hope you two are ready for today's challenge. It's going to be chaotic, and if either of you mess up, you might just find yourselves on the chopping block."
Izzy laughed, the light returning to her eyes as she threw an arm around Ezekiel's shoulders. "Hahaha! Oh, Chef, you worry way too much. Don't stress—we got this."
Then, to Ezekiel's surprise, Izzy's expression shifted. Her wild grin softened into something more serious—almost reassuring. She saluted Chef with a level of respect she didn't often display, her tone now firm and steady.
"We'll make you proud, Commander," she said with conviction.
Chef grunted, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You better." Despite himself, her words had eased some of the tension he hadn't realized he was carrying. If anyone could handle the madness of today's challenge, it was these two.
"Wow, Zeke, is that a Black Parade jacket?" Trent asked, snapping Ezekiel out of his thoughts. The boy blinked a few times, then smiled at the guitarist's question.
"Yep! I love My Chemical Romance. When I went shopping for clothes, me, Duncan, Courtney, Gwen, and Bridgette hit up a goth clothing store. We all gave our wardrobes a serious revamp." Ezekiel said, standing up to stretch. He glanced down at his empty plate, realizing he'd finished his breakfast without much thought.
It wasn't great—badly scrambled eggs and burned toast—but compared to the questionable meals from last season and his secret days of preparation? This was practically gourmet.
"I can't believe you actually finished Chef's food," Trent said as he moved forward in the breakfast line. He hadn't noticed that a few spots ahead, Gwen was chatting with Courtney and Duncan as they approached Chef Hatchet for their servings.
Ezekiel smirked knowingly. "You get used to it. Trust me, it's not the worst thing I've ever eaten. But if you keep saying stuff like that out loud, Chef's going to make your life hell."
Trent raised an eyebrow in confusion until Ezekiel subtly pointed toward the front. The guitarist followed his gaze and locked eyes with Chef Hatchet, who was glaring daggers at him from across the room.
"I think he has a sixth sense for anyone talking bad about his food," Ezekiel added with a chuckle.
"Dammit," Trent muttered, already imagining the wrath Chef would unleash on him during the next challenge. He tried to shake it off and shifted the conversation. "Anyway, I didn't know you liked rock music, Ezekiel."
"To be honest, I like all kinds of music," Ezekiel said, his tone casual but thoughtful. "You'd be surprised at how every genre has something unique to offer. Some songs really blow your mind. Music kind of runs in my family," he added, noticing Trent's curious expression.
"My pa's really good at playing the banjo, and my aunt—rest her soul—was a huge fan of Ola Belle Reed. She loved her music so much that my dad still has an old audio tape of her singing Undone in Sorrow."
Trent's expression softened; equal parts impressed and touched. "Wow. That must've been incredible to hear. I've never really listened to much banjo music, but I believe you when you say it's good."
"Oh, trust me," Ezekiel said, grinning. "If you saw my pa playing, you'd think differently about the banjo. I swear, if he had an electric banjo, he could've been a rockstar."
Trent laughed, though he couldn't hide his skepticism. "A rock song... on a banjo? That's hard to picture."
Ezekiel chuckled at the disbelief in Trent's voice. "Hey, don't knock it till you hear it. Depending on the country, any instrument can be essential to a genre."
"Yeah, the key-word is Brazil," a voice chimed in behind them, making both boys jump slightly. "Like how the triangle is iconic in some South American genres, especially in Brazil, who is very known in some musical genres."
They turned to see Harold, who had quietly joined their conversation.
"Wait, seriously?" Trent asked, raising an eyebrow.
Ezekiel nodded, clearly impressed. "Yeah, like Sertão, Xote, and Forró. I didn't expect you to know about that, Harold."
"I've done some research into world music." Harold gave a small grin as he wanted to be part of the conversation. "You'd be surprised how much the triangle, tambourine, or even an accordion can influence a genre."
"Harmonica also does a lot of wonders." Ezekiel smiled at the mention of those instruments, memories of songs from Brazil's Northeast filling his mind. "That's pretty cool. Honestly, some genres have some amazing rhythms. I used to love listening to them; that's why I'm always open-minded on the musical genres."
"Well, that makes a lot of sense, I think I will check it out later." Trent nodded his head in appreciation. While the trio continued their venture on the line of eating Chef's food.
At the front of the line, Gwen, Duncan, and Courtney were chatting casually as they waited for their turn.
Chef Hatchet was serving scrambled eggs to Heather and Lindsay when DJ stepped up with his usual bright smile.
"More eggs and bacon for me, Chef. Keep it comin'," DJ said enthusiastically.
Chef's expression darkened as he let out a low growl, a clear sign that DJ had overstayed his welcome. The gentle giant quickly got the hint and moved on, allowing the line to inch forward.
"Forgot how hungry I got last year eating on Chris's wrecked schedule," Duncan said, shrugging.
"Well, technically it's still this year since it's December now, but I get your point," Courtney chimed in, ever the perfectionist. She accepted her plate of scrambled eggs, along with what looked like an over-crisped piece of bacon and a slice of burnt toast.
"Waking up so early every day has been rough, though. Six a.m.? It's like torture," she added, taking her tray and stepping aside.
"I know, right?" Gwen agreed as she moved up in line. She smirked while eyeing the tray Chef was preparing for her. "At this point, I'd kill for Chef's disgusting food." She paused and glanced at him with a cheeky grin. "No offense, Chef."
Chef stopped mid-motion, glaring at her. "None taken," he said slowly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Instead of placing the scrambled eggs on her tray, he dropped them onto the floor with a loud splat.
Gwen blinked, realizing her mistake. "Right. Totally deserved that," she muttered under her breath.
"You had to open your mouth," Courtney teased, crossing her arms as she watched Gwen shift uncomfortably under Chef's glare.
Duncan chuckled and held out his tray toward Gwen. "You can have my burnt toast, big mouth."
Gwen smirked, her confidence bouncing back as she jabbed at him. "Judging by that gut, I thought you'd be all over the extra carbs."
Courtney raised an eyebrow at that, a sly smile creeping onto her face. "One of the reasons I like him so much. But seriously, stop inflating his ego and go find your boyfriend."
"Oh, please," Duncan said, putting on an exaggerated tone. "You just want me for my body." He held his tray dramatically in Gwen's direction. "And you—feed me. My ego needs sustenance!"
The three of them burst out laughing as Courtney decided to share a bit of her food with Gwen, and Duncan handed her the burnt toast. With their trays in hand, they headed over to sit near Ezekiel's laptop, where Noah was busy reading its content.
"What's up, nerd?" Duncan greeted casually, plopping down as Noah remained fixated on the screen.
Without even glancing up, Noah replied dryly, "Well, well, well, the two pillars and the extra Bass. Or whatever you're calling yourselves these days."
Duncan raised an eyebrow, but Noah's attention was still glued to the screen. Though Chef's cooking wasn't much to write home about, Noah quietly admitted to himself that it was one of the few things he didn't miss from being the first one eliminated in Season 1. Now, surrounded by contestants and chaos again, he resolved to stay sharp and avoid repeating his early mistake.
"Still editing one of Ezekiel's chapters?" Courtney asked, leaning over slightly to peer at the screen.
"Yep," Noah replied with a nod. "And I can't believe what I'm reading right now. Just curious—hypothetically speaking—who do you think wins in a coliseum deathmatch: a dog or a robot dog?"
Courtney and Gwen's eyes widened as they both leaned in closer, clearly intrigued.
"What?" they exclaimed in unison, trying to get a peek at the screen.
Noah immediately shut the laptop, holding it protectively. "No spoilers for anyone!" he declared firmly, glaring at the two girls as they glared right back. "It was just an honest question. Anyway, I'm still fixing Ezekiel's grammar."
"Wait, what did Courage do?" Gwen and Courtney both asked, suspicion creeping into their voices. It was obvious that the "dog" Noah referred to had something to do with Courage the Cowardly Dog—the newest story Ezekiel was working on.
Noah smirked knowingly but refused to give in. "I can't tell you. That would be spoilers," he said smugly before shrugging. "But anyway..."
Duncan rolled his eyes as he took a bite of his food. "You shouldn't have brought it up, smartass," he muttered.
Noah, unbothered, rolled his eyes back at Duncan. "And yet, here we are," he replied, returning his focus to the screen as the group settled into their meal.
"Anyway, what do you think the next book's going to be about?" Courtney asked, curious about what kind of nightmare fuel Ezekiel might conjure up next.
Before anyone could respond, a familiar voice chimed in, surprising the group.
"Oh, I'm more interested in making this volume packed with impactful messages—maybe even something to make people cry," Ezekiel said, approaching with a glass of water in hand. Trent and Harold followed, carrying their trays of food and sat down nearby. Ezekiel continued, "There'll still be some scares, of course, but I don't think I can top things like the Spirit of Harvest Moon, the Curse of King Ramses, or the Devil Mattress. But I'd like to aim for something as emotionally resonant as I did with Dr. Zalost."
"Oh, great," Noah groaned, already imagining the chaos. "I can already see my sisters crying for hours over that chapter. Thanks for that, Zeke."
"I'm not complaining," Duncan said with a grin. "Hey, Zeke, if you need some mythology or folklore info, I've had plenty of debates with my aunt and uncle. They're really into that stuff. They're even arguing over naming my cousin Jack or Kozmo—like Kozmotis Pitchiner."
"Pitch Black?" Ezekiel asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "Wait... are you telling me your relatives are also thinking about Jack Frost too?"
The smirk on Duncan's face and Courtney's exasperated expression confirmed it. Ezekiel laughed in understanding. "HAHAHAHAHAHA No way. Unbelievable."
"Yep," Duncan replied, clearly enjoying the moment. "They're hardcore into supernatural and sci-fi stuff."
Gwen blinked in surprise, while Courtney groaned. She vividly remembered being dragged to Niagara Falls with Duncan's family, where his relatives spent hours debating mythology. She had felt like a fish out of water the entire time, but Duncan had been completely at ease, telling her to just nod along and vibe. It had somehow made the experience bearable.
"I'm sorry, but... what are you guys talking about? Jack Frost? Pitch Black?" Trent asked, utterly lost.
The group turned to Harold, expecting an explanation, but he shrugged. "Don't look at me. First time I've got nothing to add."
Noah smirked. "Oh, look at that. Harold's finally run out of trivia? Somebody mark this day on a calendar."
Duncan chuckled, ignoring Noah's jab. "They're folklore, man. Some are based on real stories, but a lot of it is just myth and legend. Jack Frost is like Santa, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy. Except he's the guy who brings ice and makes snow days for kids."
Ezekiel nodded, adding, "And Pitch Black? He's the Boogeyman. A creature of shadows. He takes on different forms to spread fear across the world."
The group stared at Duncan and Ezekiel as if they'd lost their minds.
Duncan chuckled at their expressions. "I think my aunt and uncle would love to have you over for a conversation, Zeke. They've been going on about your books for days."
Ezekiel beamed at the compliment. "Always nice to have more fans," he said cheerfully before glancing at the others. "What?"
The group remained silent, still processing the bizarre turn the conversation had taken. Duncan and Ezekiel exchanged a shrug before returning to their breakfast, leaving the others to wonder if the two were just messing with them—or if they were genuinely that deep into folklore.
"That is so wrong," Lindsay commented, her eyes wide in disbelief as she, Beth, and Heather watched Izzy pour ketchup over her stack of pancakes.
"So wrong," Beth echoed, shaking her head in a mixture of shock and confusion, while Heather just stared, her expression one of disgust.
"What's your problem with putting ketchup on them? It's just pancakes," Izzy said casually, taking her seat as she drizzled the red liquid over the pancakes.
Heather wrinkled her nose in distaste. "What's wrong with you? Ketchup on pancakes? That's… that's just wrong."
Izzy shrugged, unfazed. "Oh, chill out, girls. First off, I won't use maple syrup because the sap isn't from my company's brand. It'd be bad for business to use anything else. Second, butter and ketchup? It's actually pretty good combination. And lastly, when I was in the army, we put ketchup on everything. Seriously, it covers the taste of mortar."
The girls blinked, trying to process the last part. Izzy didn't seem bothered in the least as she walked off toward one of the tables.
Lindsay and Beth exchanged a look, still unsure if they had heard correctly. "Do you think they were really eating mortar?" Lindsay asked, half laughing, half horrified.
"I don't know," Beth replied, trying to shake off the image, "but that's kind of what it sounded like."
"Okay, I can understand about not using a different brand, but even I think she's exaggerating," Heather scoffed, still trying to get the taste of that conversation out of her head.
Lindsay's question hung in the air. "Do you think her parents had to deal with that kind of situation?"
At the mention of Izzy's family, Heather frozen, her face blanching. She trembled slightly, a chill running down her spine. Her thoughts immediately went to the black-haired spy woman she had encountered. The woman had been terrifying, and Heather still couldn't shake the memory of her cold demeanor. The only thing she had to show for it was a neat communicator with internet access, but the trauma still lingered.
"Heather? Heather?" Lindsay's voice broke through her thoughts. "Hello? Oh, my new nail polish is mortar. Isn't it hot?"
Heather blinked, snapping back to reality. "Grey is totally your color," Beth added quickly, trying to snap Heather out of her daze.
Lindsay, meanwhile, was distracted by showing off her own nail color, and the two shared a light giggle. Slowly, Heather shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts of Izzy's mother from her mind.
Before she knew it, the girls had started walking away from her, and Heather quickly caught up. "Hey, wait for me!" she called, picking up her pace as they continued down the hall. With a sigh, Heather shook off her lingering unease, ready to rejoin the group.
"Wow, you guys can't stop kissing," Jude commented, his laid-back tone cutting through the sweet moment as Bridgette and Geoff locked lips for what seemed like the millionth time.
The surfer and party boy pulled away briefly, grinning, until they noticed Katie and Sadie walking nearby with mischievous smirks, each holding a spray bottle.
*tsk tsk*
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" Bridgette and Geoff screamed as their faces were suddenly doused in a painful mixture of hot sauce and water.
"Come on! Why does it feel even spicier than before?" Geoff whined, rubbing his face as Bridgette groaned beside him.
Katie smirked devilishly. "We added another brand of hot sauce. You two needed a break."
Sadie giggled as she held up her spray bottle. "Time was up! You can't just do that in the middle of the line."
The duo high-fived, clearly proud of their teamwork, as the couple muttered angrily and resumed waiting their turn.
Katie and Sadie walked off in different directions, splitting up as they each headed toward a table. Katie spotted Cody seated with a lively group, including Noah, Ezekiel, Gwen, Courtney, Duncan, Trent, and Harold. Sadie, meanwhile, wandered over to Justin's table, giving Katie a small wave goodbye.
At Cody's table, the conversation was already buzzing when Katie joined in.
"Wait, hold on, you've never played an instrument before?" Cody asked Ezekiel, his surprise evident.
"No way!" Courtney chimed in, blinking in disbelief. "Your songs are amazing. I mean, sure, I've never seen you play an instrument, but you've got such a natural talent for lyrics and humming melodies. How is that even possible?"
The table murmured in agreement, impressed and puzzled. After all, Ezekiel was the creator of the Steven Universe and Adventure Time books, and the songs he had written for them had been deeply moving and heartfelt. The idea that he had done all of that without knowing how to play a single instrument was almost unbelievable.
Ezekiel, who was quietly typing on his laptop, looked up with a small smile. "Yep, my Pa plays the banjo, but he never let me touch it. I get it, though... He doesn't want me to break it. I've never played any instrument, but I can clap, whistle, and imagine how songs should sound. I just try to replicate everything a cappella."
As if to prove his point, he puckered his lips and began whistling softly. The table grew quiet as he perfectly replicated the melody of Love Like You—the same song he had written for Courtney to sing during the talent show, which had won the Killer Bass challenge.
Courtney's eyes widened in surprise. The melody was beautiful, and Ezekiel whistled it effortlessly, his talent undeniable.
"Yeah, playing an instrument like a ukulele or drums would be neat, but I just don't have the time or patience right now. I've got so much going on—new chapters to write, more books, artwork to finish... Plus, there's martial arts training. Eva's been teaching me boxing, but she doesn't know much about Capoeira. Izzy might help me with that, though, since she knows a ton of martial arts." When he finished, he shrugged casually, returning to his laptop.
"It's just... a lot, you know? I barely have time to breathe, let alone learn how to play an instrument," Ezekiel said with a grimace, exhaustion creeping into his voice. "That's why I hired Wyatt to help develop the songs. I give him instructions on how the songs should sound and even write the lyrics for him."
Katie tilted her head, concern flickering across her face. "Ezekiel, as much as I want to say you're doing well... don't you think you're pushing yourself too hard?"
Some of the group nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, you're kind of doing the whole burning-the-candle-at-both-ends thing," Cody added, leaning back in his chair. "Trust me, man, I've been there with school projects. It's not pretty when you crash."
Noah smirked as he sipped his drink. "Cody, your version of 'crashing' is falling asleep during Twilight Zone reruns. Ezekiel here is running a marathon with flaming hurdles."
The group chuckled, and even Ezekiel let out a small laugh. "Yeah, I guess I'm pushing myself to my limit," he admitted. "But I'm glad Eva cut me some slack today. She told me to skip the heavy exercises this morning. All I did was some warm-ups and stretches before today's challenge. Honestly, after this, I'll probably sleep like a log. I just wanted to write down some ideas for the rest of this chapter before we head out for the challenge."
As Ezekiel typed rapidly on his laptop, Gwen, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "You know, I get it. When you're in the zone, it's hard to stop. I've been there with my paintings. But seriously, you've got to give yourself time to breathe. You're not a machine."
"Right? Even machines overheat!" Harold chimed in, noticing Ezekiel's continued focus on his laptop. "Trust me, I once left my video game on overnight, and it nearly fried itself."
"That's probably because you were playing some nerdy RPG for twelve hours straight," Duncan snorted.
"Actually, I was trying to beat the record on Pac-Man. It was a Saturday night, and I had nothing else to do." Harold shrugged, raising an eyebrow at Duncan.
"So, you spent the whole night playing Pac-Man?" Duncan whistled, half impressed. "Man, gotta hand it to you—you're committed."
Harold shrugged, leaning back casually. "I know there's a lot of great new consoles out, but I think the classics are still worth playing."
"True words have never been better spoken, Harold," Ezekiel muttered under his breath as he continued typing, the corners of his mouth twitching upward in agreement. For a brief moment, his mind wandered to the future, recalling how certain classics remained untouchable while others were ruined by greedy corporations. Ubisoft and EA, once loved in the past, became infamous for bad decisions. But Tetris? That stood the test of time, finding new ways to push its limits and create excitement.
He was pulled out of his thoughts when Trent lightly touched his shoulder. Ezekiel blinked and looked up at the boy, feeling a bit awkward. He didn't have much interaction with Trent before. and guilt from last season lingered in the back of his mind. Still, there was something about Trent's calm, understanding demeanor that made Ezekiel pause.
"Ezekiel, I know writing and creating is your thing, but don't forget to live in the moment too," Trent said, his voice gentle. "You're on this crazy show with all of us—we're literally living in chaos. Take some time to enjoy it, even if it's just for a minute."
Ezekiel stared at Trent for a moment, caught off guard by the advice. Around them, Gwen, Courtney, and Duncan exchanged glances but stayed quiet, their silence acknowledging the truth in Trent's words.
"I know," Ezekiel finally admitted, his voice softer. "Just a few more seconds, though—I'm almost done." He refocused on the screen, his fingers flying over the keyboard. But the way his free hand scratched at his messy hair—a clear sign of his nervousness—betrayed his growing stress. "I get it. Chaos is part of this whole experience, and honestly? It's kind of fun. A break from the usual grind. But you guys are right. I need to pace myself. I've burned out before. Once, I couldn't write or even think creatively for two months straight. It was… brutal."
The group's expressions shifted, their teasing tones replaced by subtle concern.
Ezekiel pressed on, as though trying to justify himself. "But come on, guys. Three new books are in development—two of which haven't been published before. I mean, the hype? It's unreal. The public's going to be dying to see what I'm cooking up, especially for stuff like Courage the Cowardly Dog. I'm on a roll right now."
"It's great to be ambitious, but you've got to prioritize," Courtney said, arms crossed, her tone firm but not unkind. "Burning yourself out won't help anyone—especially not you."
Ezekiel sighed deeply, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly. "Fair point." He tapped the final few keys and saved his work before closing the laptop. "Done." He leaned back with visible relief. "And I get it. Really. I do. But knowing Chris? He could pop up at any second, spring some insane challenge on us, and then I'll have to stash all my stuff in the trailer anyway."
"Fair enough," Noah remarked, leaning back in his chair. He blinked suddenly, his gaze locking onto Ezekiel's outfit. "Wait a minute... since when are you into My Chemical Romance?"
Ezekiel raised an eyebrow, confused, until Cody chimed in,
"Yeah, I was wondering about that too. I thought I was the only one who noticed."Cody commented as he gestured at the black parade-style jacket Ezekiel was wearing.
"Always liked music, why?" Ezekiel commented as the group's attention shifted as they took in Courtney and Duncan's outfits as well. Courtney had opted for the edgy look she'd worn at Gwen's birthday party—a stark contrast to her usual preppy style. Duncan, however, was rocking a completely new ensemble: a purple shirt with a skull graphic on the front, a long black jacket, aquamarine pants, and a couple of skull rings. The letters tattooed on his knuckles still spelled out "K-I-L-L-E-R-B-A-S-S" when he clenched his fists, but the rest of his vibe screamed "rebel in transition."
"Okay, so… When did everyone decide to switch up their wardrobes?" Noah raised an eyebrow, gesturing vaguely at them.
"Hey, it's not our fault you didn't read the fine print on the contract," Gwen quipped with a smirk, though her comment made Trent raise his hand unexpectedly.
"I did," Trent said casually. "I brought some extra clothes, but I'm saving them for next week."
The group turned toward him, eyebrows collectively raised.
"I mean, I've got nine of the same shirt," Trent added nonchalantly. "I wear one, swap it out, then repeat."
Cody stared at him, incredulous. "Dude, I get that nine's your lucky number, but wearing the same type and color of shirt for nine days straight? That's... not cool."
Trent chuckled lightly, sensing Cody's judgment. "Oh, no, I change shirts two or three times a day depending on the situation. It's not that bad."
The clarification earned a few nods of relief, though Cody still looked skeptical. "I guess that's better, but man, you really love overcomplicating the simplest things, huh?"
The group laughed, the earlier tension melting away as they slipped back into their usual banter. Ezekiel leaned back, letting the conversation flow around him, silently grateful for the momentary reprieve from his self-imposed pressure.
While most of the contestants managed to enjoy their breakfast without much fuss, the line at Chef's counter was moving at a crawl. Owen stood at the front, his normally cheerful demeanor replaced with exhaustion and agony. Dark circles framed his eyes, and his disheveled appearance made it clear he hadn't slept well.
Behind him, Eva, Tyler, and Leshawna waited in line, chatting lightly. That is, until Owen's weary voice broke through the murmurs.
"Ugh. No eggs and bacon for me, Chef. I'll just have this... urgh," Owen muttered, his voice strained and raspy. Just as he leaned forward to point at his selection, he gagged slightly, his face twisting in discomfort. "A nice bowl of... prunes."
The room seemed to freeze. Chef raised an eyebrow, his mouth hanging open in surprise. Tyler turned toward Leshawna, his jaw dropping, while DJ choked on his drink. Heather blinked in disbelief, her fork clattering against her plate. Only Eva seemed unfazed, raising one eyebrow before giving a small nod of approval.
"What?" Owen asked, blinking at the group now staring at him as though he'd grown a second head. His voice carried an edge of defensiveness, though his exhaustion drained any real energy from it.
"Nothing," Eva finally said, her tone even and confident. "You just made the right choice. Prunes are great for fiber. You need it." She nodded firmly, arms crossed.
The group exchanged awkward glances, most too stunned to even laugh. The idea of Owen, a lover of junk food and everything deep-fried, voluntarily choosing prunes was unheard of. It was like witnessing a unicorn doing a kickflip. Rare. Impossible. Practically a myth.
Owen shrugged, oblivious to the gravity of his choice in the eyes of the others, and shuffled away with his bowl. The stunned silence lingered for a moment before Tyler whispered to Leshawna, "Did he just... pick prunes?" She nodded slowly, still processing the moment.
Confessional: Owen
The camera zoomed in on Owen, who was slumped in the wooden confessional chair. His hands fidgeted nervously as he avoided eye contact with the camera.
"My, uh, plumbing's been clogged ever since I ate all those fake food props during the last challenge." He winced, clearly embarrassed. His eyes darted left and right, as if he were checking to make sure no one could overhear him.
"Pressure buildup's been killing me! UGHHHH," he groaned, his voice strained as his stomach made an audible, gurgling protest. Owen gritted his teeth, clutching his side.
"Aw, c'mon, colon, don't fail me now!" he pleaded, leaning forward slightly in his chair. Suddenly, a faint fart escaped, breaking the tense silence. Owen perked up, his face lighting with cautious optimism.
"Oh, I hear bells!" he said excitedly, a small, hopeful grin creeping across his face.
After everyone had finally finished their breakfast, the campers gathered outside, now waiting for Chris to show up with news of their next challenge. Conversations dwindled as the familiar figure of their host approached, flanked by two security guards, cadets Sanders and MacArthur. Both were sporting sleek, updated uniforms with a bold Total Drama logo emblazoned on their black police vests, their presence giving a slightly more official—albeit absurd—air to the proceedings.
Chris strutted confidently toward the group, clearly relishing his dramatic entrance. His new outfit screamed movie director: he wore oversize sunglasses, a vibrant red beret, a whistle hanging from his neck, and a green backpack slung over one shoulder. To punctuate his arrival, he dramatically snapped a clapperboard in front of him.
"Welcome to day two of Total Drama Action!" Chris declared with exaggerated enthusiasm, his grin as wide as ever.
The campers exchanged skeptical looks. While some rolled their eyes, others braced for whatever chaos Chris had in store.
"Are you gonna do that every time?" Duncan asked in a flat, bored tone, arms crossed as he gave Chris an unimpressed glare.
Chris's smirk didn't waver for a second. "Yes. Yes, I will." His nonchalant delivery only made the smugness in his voice more pronounced.
Duncan shrugged, not particularly surprised. "All right then," he muttered, deciding it wasn't worth the energy to push back. He knew Chris too well by now, if it irritated the campers even a little, Chris would double down just for the fun of it.
Chris clapped his hands together. "Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's get to today's movie genre!" His grin widened as he paused for dramatic effect. "Zombies!"
At the mention of zombies, the group's reactions were split. Duncan, Gwen, Trent, and Jude perked up immediately, their faces lighting with excitement. Meanwhile, others like DJ, Owen, and Sadie exchanged apprehensive glances, clearly dreading whatever horrors were about to unfold.
Chris ignored their unease, continuing with his over-the-top explanation. "Our unpaid interns have been working around the clock to figure out what makes a zombie movie successful! Chef?"
All heads turned as Chef, stationed nearby, stirred something ominous-looking in a massive pot. The smell wafting from it made several campers wince. Chef stepped forward, wiping his hands on a towel, and shot a stern look at the group.
"There are a few basic rules," Chef began, his gruff voice cutting through the quiet murmur of the campers. His arms were crossed, a grim look on his face as he stood next to a giant pot that suspiciously smelled like expired meat. "One: It starts with an outbreak. Could be a virus, an experiment gone wrong, or something nobody understands. All you need to know is—things go bad real fast."
The campers exchanged uneasy glances. Duncan smirked, but even he couldn't hide his apprehension.
"Two: Survival ain't just about zombies." Chef pointed his wooden spoon at the group like a weapon. "It's about the people with you. Trust the wrong ones, and they'll take you down faster than any flesh-eater."
Courtney nodded knowingly, while Heather rolled her eyes.
"And three," Chef growled, leaning in as if to make sure they were paying attention, "there's always an escape—or at least, you think there is. Whether you make it out depends on how smart, fast, and lucky you are. YO CHRIS! WHERE'S MY PAYCHECK AT?"
Chris flinched as he even stuttered into finding a way to answer Chef.
"Er...it's in the mail." Chris answer didn't make Chef any happy as he continued to prepare himself to continue explaining the challenge.
"Uh, does this mean, like, we're going to fight zombies for real?" Jude raised his hand.
"Not exactly," Chris said with a chuckle. "But close enough. Somewhere out there—"he gestured dramatically toward the sprawling set, now transformed into a ruined cityscape complete with fake blood splatters, abandoned vehicles, and eerie fog—"there's a vial containing the cure to the zombie apocalypse on the other side of the town far away from here mixed between the movie sets. Your mission? Survive the outbreak, find the cure, and bring it back here to the safety zone. Easy peasy."
"Not really, dude," Duncan muttered, crossing his arms.
Chris ignored him and continued, "Oh, and about the zombies. They'll be played by our wonderful unpaid interns, who are now roaming the set looking for fresh meat. If they bite you—it means you are tagged." Chef smirked and held up a bundle of bright red tags marked with the word Zombie. To place on their clothes. "Which means you become one of them, but also with a good production of makeup to make you more like zombies, and your new goal is to infect the rest of the survivors. Got it?"
The group collectively tensed at the rules. DJ gulped loudly.
"Sorry, losers, but no one knows zombie movies the way I do. The more obscure, the better." Duncan smirked confidently, leaning back in his chair. His girlfriend, Courtney, gave him a disapproving look before looking over at Ezekiel.
"I know zombie movies, but the scarier they are, the more I try to avoid watching them," Ezekiel admitted, glancing at the laptop he'd left behind. He knew Chef would confiscate it if caught, but he wasn't too worried. Chef always returned it the next day during training, assuming he didn't catch Chris doing something to push his buttons. Ezekiel smirked at the thought; Chris was in for it once Chef finally snapped.
"That's a pity," Courtney said, her tone half-dismissive. She looked at Gwen for backup, but Gwen just rolled her eyes.
"We need to stay rational and logical about this," Gwen said, catching Duncan by surprise.
"Wow, Dawn of the Dead? Classic." Duncan grinned, giving Gwen an approving thumbs up.
Gwen smiled smugly. "I love that movie. I've seen it at least 25 times."
"Not bad," Duncan said, leaning forward. "When there's no more room in Hell… the dead will walk the Earth." He finished the quote with a dramatic flourish. "Not my favorite zombie movie, but it's got solid moments. Still, Pet Sematary is the best."
"Okay, now you're playing dirty with Stephen King movies," Gwen retorted, crossing her arms.
Ezekiel raised an eyebrow. "Stephen King's not just a horror guy, though."
"Obviously," Duncan said with a scoff. "We all know The Shining."
"I like The Shawshank Redemption better," Ezekiel said casually, earning surprised stares from the group. "What?"
"Wait—Stephen King did The Shawshank Redemption?" Cody asked, his jaw practically hitting the floor.
Ezekiel nodded. "And The Green Mile, too."
"Oh my gosh, I love that movie!" Katie clapped her hands in excitement. "My mom and I cry every time we watch it!"
The rest of the group blinked, stunned, before murmuring among themselves.
"No way," Duncan muttered, sharing a glance with Gwen.
"That's wild," Trent whistled.
"Wait, wait, wait," Courtney cut in, still processing. "You're telling me the same guy who wrote The Shining also did The Green Mile? I thought that was someone else!"
"Yup," Ezekiel shrugged, a hint of pride in his voice. "He's more versatile than people think."
"Well, this is fascinating and all," Chris interrupted with a loud cough, "but HELLO? Challenge time!"
The campers exchanged sheepish glances as Chris cleared his throat dramatically.
"The two fastest campers to return the vial to the safety zone will win immunity for themselves and get to choose their team members for the season," Chris explained with a wide grin. "So, yeah, no pressure."
"Wait." Heather raised her hand, her arms crossed tightly. "So, if we get tagged, we have to work against everyone else?"
"Exactly!" Chris replied, grinning ear to ear. "Think of it as a… test of loyalty. Or lack thereof."
"Dude, this is twisted," Jude said, his lips twitching into a small grin despite himself.
"Twisted is kind of our thing," Chris replied smugly. "Anyway, you've got ten minutes to gear up and get to the starting point. Good luck, campers. You're gonna need it."
The group quickly scattered, either heading to their trailers or roaming the set in search of materials to help them survive the challenge. However, Ezekiel hung back, a mischievous glint in his eye as he approached Chris.
"Hey Chris, the zombie rules apply to everything, right?" Ezekiel asked, his voice laced with curiosity and just a hint of mischief.
Chris raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Yes, they do. Why? What's on your mind?"
Chef, standing nearby with his arms crossed, leaned in slightly, sensing something interesting was about to unfold.
"Where are the paintball guns?" Ezekiel asked, grinning like a kid about to raid the candy aisle.
Chris's smirk widened. "Ah, a genre-savvy player! You're thinking ahead—classic zombie movie logic. Guns and weapons are always the first priority. Chef?"
Chef smirked and reached under the counter, pulling out a paintball gun and slamming it onto the makeshift table with a satisfying thud. "The weapons are usually with the cops or the military in these situations. Looks like you're one of the smart ones, homeschool."
Ezekiel's grin grew as MacArthur and Sanders handed him paintball magazines. He loaded the gun with care, glancing at Chris. "I'll need something more. Do you have any other guns?"
Chris's smirk didn't falter. "Nerf guns. Darts covered in paint. They pack a punch without breaking the budget. Chef?"
Chef produced a small arsenal of nerf guns, including a shotgun and two pistols, which Ezekiel picked up without hesitation. He examined the weapons like a seasoned pro. "I'll take the shotgun and two pistols. Perfect balance of firepower and portability."
Chris leaned on the counter, impressed. "Not bad, Ezekiel. You really are playing the zombie movie rulebook, aren't you?"
"Always." Ezekiel smirked, his expression sharpening. "One more thing, do you have Ziploc bags?"
That question caught everyone off guard. Chris blinked in confusion while Chef raised an eyebrow. "Ziploc bags?"
"Yup. We're going to have plenty of problems in this challenge. Moisture shouldn't be one of them," Ezekiel quipped, quoting a survival line that felt oddly ahead of its time.
Chris's jaw dropped slightly before his grin returned, wider than ever. "Oh, now this is genius. You're planning to keep the paint darts fresh. I love it. Chef!"
Chef reached under the counter once more, pulling out three Ziploc bags. Ezekiel accepted them with a nod of thanks, immediately stuffing extra paint darts into them before loading his magazines.
Chris snapped his fingers at the cameras, signaling them to cut for a moment. "Okay, we're saving this part for a flashback mid-challenge. It's gonna blow everyone's minds when they see how prepared you are."
Chef chuckled, watching Ezekiel finish gearing up. "The kid's got guts. I'll give him that."
Ezekiel slung the paintball shotgun over his shoulder and tucked the pistols into his makeshift holsters. "A zombie apocalypse is all about two things when you hold a gun: you either aim or you shoot; that's one of the rules you should have for survival. Stick to the rules, and you'll be fine."
Chris gave Ezekiel a mock salute. "Well, good luck out there, Zeke. You're already making this challenge a whole lot more entertaining."
Ezekiel smirked as he adjusted his gear, ready to dive headfirst into the chaos ahead.
Confession - Duncan
Duncan leaned back in the confessional chair, his trademark smirk plastered across his face. "Horror movies are my element. Zombies? Come on, surviving them isn't that difficult," he said, rolling his eyes like it was obvious.
He cracked his knuckles as he leaned forward, the grin on his face widening. "Sure, it's nice to have a break from that terrible island, but signing up for another season of this crazy reality show? Not exactly on my bucket list." He let out a short laugh. "But hey, can't say no to a shot at a million dollars, right?"
Leaning back again, he crossed his arms confidently. "This season? It's gonna be my season. Watch and learn, people."
Confession - Owen
Owen burst into the confessional room, practically bouncing in his seat as he grinned ear to ear. "Can you believe this season? It's already so awesome!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms up in excitement. "The trailer was epic, and it's just so great to see all my friends again!"
But then his enthusiasm faltered slightly as his stomach let out a loud, ominous grumble. A small fart slipped out, making him wince awkwardly.
"Well… I'm glad this whole challenge thing is about to start soon," he said with a nervous grimace, patting his stomach. "Hopefully, my stomach will calm down. I just need to survive until then." He offered a hopeful smile, crossing his fingers for luck.
The boys' trailer was a whirlwind of frantic, creative chaos as each camper worked on their gear and strategies for the upcoming zombie challenge. Chris had been vague about the exact details, but one thing was certain: they needed to be ready for anything.
Duncan leaned against the far wall, a devilish grin on his face as he flicked open his trusty knife. "You all are overthinking this," he said, watching the others with mild amusement. "Simple, sharp, and effective. That's how you survive." He spun the knife in his hand with practiced ease before slipping it into his pocket.
Across the room, Harold was hard at work, fully immersed in his own world. His hoodie had been converted into makeshift battle armor, reinforced with duct tape and stuffed with thin metal sheets scavenged from around the set. He carefully slid two plastic lightsabers into his oversized pants pockets, adjusting them for easy access. His eyes gleamed with pride as he muttered to himself, "Strongest weapon against zombies. Let the fans figure it out."
"Dude, you are going to use the lightsabers you bought at the mall?" Duncan noticed and chuckled. "Seriously, Harold? What, you gonna Jedi-mind-trick the undead?"
"Mock all you want, Duncan, but when your knife can't cut it, you'll wish you had a lightsaber." Harold didn't look up as he smirked. "Even as this wasn't lethal like the original in the movies, it's still cut a lot of objects and make easy fires with it."
Tyler, sitting on the edge of a bunk, fumbled with a pair of hockey gloves and a wooden baseball bat he'd found outside the trailer. "It's all about grip and swing," he said, mostly to himself, as he mimicked batting stances. His strategy seemed less about practicality and more about sticking to what he knew. He even took a hockey stick he also bought for himself. The more and merrier.
At the small counter, Cody was taping magazines to his arms for protection. His pièce de résistance, however, was his helmet: an upside-down metal colander with slits cut into it for visibility. He adjusted it on his head and turned to the others. "Hey, laugh all you want, but this'll stop a zombie bite. Style and survival, people! Also, we just need to take the cure and return to the safety zone; less chances of being bitten means more chance of winning."
DJ, the gentle giant of the group, was more focused on defense than offense. He quietly reinforced his favorite hoodie with thick layers of duct tape, creating padding for his chest and arms. For a weapon, he opted for a broken table leg he'd found in the corner of the trailer. "I'm not trying to hurt anyone, man," he muttered as he wrapped the grip with cloth. "But if it's me or them, I gotta protect myself."
Near the door, Geoff rummaged through a box of props Chris had conveniently left behind. He pulled out a neon-green pool noodle, inspected it, and tossed it aside with a laugh. "Guess that's not going to help," he said, before settling on a sturdy broomstick. He whistled as he began to sand down one end to make it sharper. "Man, this feels like a party already."
Justin, ever the image-conscious one, wasn't so much preparing as he was admiring himself in a small handheld mirror. He adjusted his hair, making sure it stayed perfectly in place, even as the chaos around him continued. "It's all about looking good under pressure," he mused, ignoring the groans of frustration from the others.
On the floor, Jude sat cross-legged, working on his weapon of choice: a skateboard with nails hammered into the front. "This is so gnarly," he said, giving it a test swing. "Totally gonna shred those zombies, bro."
"I think Chris won't appreciate if we hurt too much the zombies; I mean, they are interns, guys; we cannot kill them." DJ said in a worry tone, which made the whole group pause and then realize what it meant.
"Oh yeah, I forgot it's just a challenge, and it wasn't an actual zombie apocalypse for a second." Duncan chuckled as he made sure to wrap the duct tape on the edges of the knife to make sure it wouldn't make the 'zombies' actually die, but they would shit their pants when they thought they would die.
Trent, ever the musician, had opted for a slightly unconventional approach. He held a spare guitar string in his hands, testing its tension. "Not the first thing you'd think of, but this baby's strong enough to slice through anything if I need it," he said quietly. His actual guitar was slung over his back, its case wrapped with duct tape for added durability. "Just explain this to the zombies, and that would make it good enough for them to start running away from me. Also, it can be used as traps."
Owen, predictably, was the least concerned about the specifics of survival. He was tying couch pillows to his chest and back with duct tape, creating a makeshift padded suit. "You guys are all thinking way too hard about this; zombies can't hurt you if they can't get through your layers!"
The group paused as they stared at Owen, who looked a bit nervous.
"What?" Owen asked, and the boys couldn't help but shake their heads because they knew about how Owen was screwed.
Noah, perched on the top bunk, was the only one not actively preparing. He watched the chaos below with a raised eyebrow, his usual sarcastic expression firmly in place. "You're all idiots," he said flatly, flipping through a book he'd picked up earlier. "Zombies are slow and stupid. Just keep moving, and you'll be fine."
As the boys finished their preparations, the room buzzed with a mix of nervous excitement and determination. The intercom crackled to life, and Chris's voice echoed through the trailer. "Campers, report to the starting zone! The zombie apocalypse awaits!"
DJ stood up from where he'd been adjusting his improvised armor, looking around the trailer. "Hey, does anyone see Ezekiel?"
Everyone paused for a second, scanning the room, but no one could spot him. Duncan raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked around. "Now that you mentioned it, I think he didn't come here. Probably off somewhere else." His gaze shifted, and his eyes widened. "Oh, that sneaky bastard."
"What, what's up?" Tyler asked, his curiosity piqued.
Duncan smirked, a plan forming in his head. "I bet he went over to the girl's trailers. They've got more resources than we do, and we all know Ezekiel's not above taking advantage of that." He chuckled darkly. "Well, in that case, I think he won't mind me borrowing his bow and arrows."
The room went quiet for a moment as the boys exchanged confused looks, disbelief written across their faces.
"You're going to take his bow and arrows?" Tyler asked incredulously, eyes wide.
Duncan shrugged nonchalantly, tapping his fingers against the side of his jeans. "Just the compound bow he bought at the mall. Not the one he made by hand. That one's too sentimental, and even I've got standards." He smirked, making a dismissive gesture. "I'm not a monster."
Harold raised an eyebrow. "Wait, so you're stealing his fancy bow but leaving the handcrafted one?"
"Yes, because that thing was a gift from a girl," Duncan explained with a sly grin. "And trust me, you don't mess with that. But the professional one? Totally fair game. It's just equipment, and I need something that'll get the job done."
"And how about the arrow tip?" Tyler asked as Duncan decided to use the duct tape, which made the jock more relieved but still scratched his head. "You're really gonna do that?"
"Hell yeah, I am," Duncan said, already heading for the exit, his voice laced with a hint of excitement. "Besides, if he's off gallivanting around the Girl's trailers, I don't think he's gonna mind." He shot one last glance at the others, a smug grin on his face. "Let's go. We've got a zombie apocalypse to survive."
The girls stood in awe as Izzy proudly displayed her extensive collection of survival gear, all neatly arranged in one corner of the trailer. Wooden spears, handmade bows and arrows, small axes perfect for cutting wood, and even artisanal smoke bombs were lined up like trophies from a survivalist's dream. Izzy grinned, clearly reveling in the attention.
Heather raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed as she surveyed the display with a mix of skepticism and intrigue. "E-scope, are you trying to start an actual zombie apocalypse or just survive one?" she asked, her tone laced with dry sarcasm. Still, there was no denying the practicality of Izzy's assortment.
Izzy's grin widened. "What can I say? You gotta be ready for anything! The zombies won't know what hit 'em." She pointed dramatically at her collection, explaining each item with the excitement of someone who'd clearly been preparing for this moment her entire life. "Spears for close combat, bows for long-range attacks, axes for utility—and, of course, my artisanal smoke bombs for distractions. Oh, and since it's a fake movie challenge, I even brought scenographic knives, axes, and a foam baseball bat with fake nails. Which isn't lethal, but *beeeep*, it can hurt a lot."
Izzy held up the foam bat with pride as Lindsay gasped, her eyes lighting up. "Oh my gosh, it's pink with sequins!" she squealed, rushing over to grab it. "This is perfect! It's cute and practical." She posed with the bat, twirling it around like a runway model, earning a few amused chuckles from Beth.
Heather rolled her eyes but smirked faintly. "Of course, you'd find a weapon that's basically an accessory."
"While I say, I love the colors." Lindsay blinked at the sheer quantity of weapons. "I... I think we might be overprepared? I think that's the right word." She laughed nervously, rubbing her head. While she looked at Heather, who nodded her head. "I mean, this is all impressive, but we're just going up against interns, right?"
Beth, still trying to grasp the gravity of the situation, picked up a small fake axe and tested its weight. "Yeah, I mean, there's no actual apocalypse happening, right? Just a bunch of interns in zombie costumes, right?"
Heather nodded, almost amused by the absurdity. "Exactly. But Kaleidoscope's right. Better safe than sorry." She turned to look at the rest of the group. "And if they have anything worth taking, we can use it. Just be smart about it."
While Izzy continued her preparations, making sure everything was in order, the other girls began to search for their own weapons and survival gear, picking out whatever was available. The trailer, with its luxury amenities, was stocked with food, water, and other resources that would come in handy for the challenge.
Lindsay grabbed a sturdy wooden plank, weighing it in her hands. "This also should do as a blunt weapon, right?"
Beth looked at her and nodded. "I'm with you. A good solid strike can always take someone down."
Izzy walked over to Heather, who was quietly fiddling with her Heathermmunicator. "What are you doing?" she asked, her tone shifting between curiosity and concern.
Heather glanced up, her finger still scrolling through her device. "Looking up some tips. You'd be surprised what you can learn in five minutes."
Izzy raised an eyebrow. "Tips for what? Zombies?"
"Zombies, survival tactics—basic stuff," Heather replied, still focused on her screen. "I thought I'd get a little bit of an edge in case the interns get tricky. You never know with Chris's games."
Beth laughed. "Is that even necessary? It's just a game, after all."
Heather shrugged, setting her Heathermmunicator down. "Better to be prepared than caught off guard." She scanned the trailer. "Alright, let's do this. Grab what you can, but don't go overboard. The main thing is to stick together and watch each other's backs."
As the girls armed themselves with improvised weapons—some opting for planks, others for small axes or shields—they took a moment to survey the trailer. Unlike the boys' side, which had minimal supplies and chaotic preparations, their trailer was more organized. There was food, water, and first aid kits scattered around, providing a strong foundation for their survival.
"Think we're ready?" Lindsay asked, clutching her wooden plank tightly.
Heather gave her a confident smile. "We're more than ready. We've got everything we need. Now, let's get out there and show these zombies how it's done."
Izzy's wild grin widened. "Heck yeah! Let's get 'em!" She practically bounced with excitement, twirling one of her smoke bombs in her hand.
As the commotion in the trailer continued, a few of the other girls stood frozen in disbelief, watching Izzy's over-the-top display of survival gear. Gwen, Courtney, Eva, Katie, Sadie, Bridgette, and Leshawna were all standing there, mouths agape, as Izzy went to town collecting weapons—wooden spears, smoke bombs, and everything in between.
Courtney, hands on her hips and clearly not impressed, massaged her temples as the chaos unfolded before her. "How does Ezekiel keep up with this?" she muttered under her breath, side-eyeing Izzy as she spun in circles with excitement, waving around a wooden spear. "Is she actually crazy, or does she just act crazy?"
Eva shot her a look. "She's probably a bit of both. You know, like a walking disaster with a side of genius."
Courtney gave a small grunt in agreement but kept her eyes trained on Izzy. "I swear, if she breaks something else…"
Meanwhile, Gwen was quietly observing, her arms crossed as she looked over the room full of makeshift weaponry. Her eyes narrowed, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "I mean, come on. I'm not going to let E-scope outdo me, not this time," she muttered to herself. Reaching over, she grabbed a long metal pipe from the corner of the trailer and started testing its weight. "Zombie movies have nothing on me."
While the chaos unfolded, Katie and Sadie exchanged glances, unsure of how to react. Sadie—who had just finished her training with Eva—was still in awe of Izzy's elaborate setup but decided to go for something a little more practical for herself. She spotted a small hammer near the corner of the trailer and grabbed it, feeling a small sense of security at the familiar weight in her hand. "I'll just... smash some zombies with this," she mumbled, although she didn't sound entirely convinced.
Katie, on the other hand, wasn't about to let Sadie have all the fun. She scanned the room for something a little more stylish, eventually finding a long, sturdy broomstick. She grinned, swinging it in the air like a sword. "Perfect! I'll be like a broom-wielding warrior. Who needs a spear when I can have a whole new look?" She twirled the broom with a flourish, clearly more focused on her 'aesthetic' than the challenge itself.
Bridgette, ever the calm and composed one, had already grabbed a long piece of rope and was using it to tie together several smaller objects she found. "A grappling hook might come in handy," she said to herself. "Or at least I can use it to trip the zombies up if needed." She worked efficiently, combining items she knew could come in handy without causing any unnecessary commotion.
Leshawna, never one to be left out of any survival plans, quickly snatched a thick pipe from the corner and raised it with confidence. "They want a challenge? I'll show 'em how it's done." With a grin, she began swinging the pipe around, getting a feel for the weight. "Better not mess with me. Zombies, beware!" she shouted with a dramatic pose.
As for Eva, she was quick to grab a large, heavy chair leg and gripped it with both hands. "No fancy weapons here," she said bluntly. "Just good old-fashioned muscle." She swung the chair leg around with ease, clearly confident in her physical strength.
Meanwhile, Courtney, still rubbing her temples, looked to the others for advice. "What about you, Gwen? You've seen every zombie movie known to man. Got any tips for us?" She asked, her voice laced with a hint of sarcasm.
Gwen rolled her eyes but then straightened up. "I don't need tips. I've got this," she replied confidently, grabbing a large crowbar from a corner of the trailer. "The best way to take down a zombie is with something solid, something reliable. And a crowbar never lets you down."
Izzy, hearing the conversation, came bouncing over, practically vibrating with energy. "You guys are going to love my smoke bombs! We'll throw them and—"
"Great," Courtney cut her off, "but can you not blow anything up this time?"
"Oh Courtney…" Izzy gave her a wink. As she giggled from her naivety, especially on the show. "I make no promises. Oh… Also, I think Heather wants to talk with you."
"Me?" Courtney blinked, as she looked unsure, but since the challenge was about to happen. She simply thought about the idea of making an alliance. "Okay, girls, I will be with Heather, and then we can focus on being together. Since possibly working together as a team will be easier for us."
"Easier for you to say, since the first 2 who would find the cure vial and return on the safe zone would win the challenge and choose the teams." Eva commented as she rolled her eyes, but didn't complain much. "Go; we will wait for you to return."
.
.
.
Heather stood outside the trailer, her posture relaxed but her gaze sharp, as though she could sense the unease radiating from Lindsay and Beth. They exchanged worried glances, the weight of what was coming pressing down on them. It was clear they didn't know what Heather had planned, but one thing was certain: it wasn't going to end well.
Courtney stepped out, the sound of the trailer door closing behind her echoing in the tense silence. She crossed her arms, staring at Heather, her face expressionless. "Okay, Heather, what do you want?"
Heather didn't even look up at first; her eyes focused on her perfectly manicured nails. She exhaled dramatically before finally glancing at Courtney, the corners of her lips curling into a cold, deliberate smile. "I want you to cash in that favor you owe me."
Courtney's heart sink. The tone in Heather's voice—so precise, so calculating—sent a chill down her spine. There was no mistaking it: this was a power move. The kind that would make or break alliances, twist friendships, and be talked about in future seasons. A move that would be remembered.
Confession - Heather
"Last season, I racked up quite a few favors. In the words of Ezekiel and Izzy, I was playing chess while the game itself was played, as checkers. It didn't take long for me to realize how simple the game really was. All I had to do was take down the strongest players from the other team and make my own team stronger. The hardest part last season? Defeating Killer Bass. But that's easy when you know how to take out one of their pillars."
Heather chuckled to herself, feeling satisfied with her genius. "I saved Courtney from elimination last season. Now, it's her choice. Her or Duncan. She's got to make the call. Because I can't do anything to Ezekiel—he's got three favors over me. But I can sure as hell mess with their morale."
"It's all about strategy. The one million dollars is mine now, no doubt. I've got the moves, and I'm going to play this game like I never have before. Aggressive. Calculated. Smart."
Heather glanced at her Heathermmunicator, her fingers swiping across the screen. "Sure, I might take a hit on my reputation, but let's be honest—this move? Genius. Write whatever you want in the forums, but you can't deny it. I'm winning this."
She snapped her fingers, and the static of the confession booth overtook her smile.
Confession - Courtney
"I can't believe she's forcing me to make the decision between Duncan and me. This is… this is *beep*." Courtney could hardly hold back her frustration as she gripped the chair she was sitting on. The panic, the anger, the anxiety—it was all bubbling up inside her. Her head swirled with thoughts of betrayal, fear, and desperation. How could Heather even ask her this?
"I want to lie. I want to tell her no, just flat-out refuse. But if I do that... What's she going to do? What kind of retaliation will she come up with?"
Courtney's hands trembled, her thoughts racing. "This is insane... But I can't back down now. I have to make a decision... for both of us."
She looked at the camera, biting her lip. "UGH, WHY NOW?!" Her voice cracked as she looked away, trying to steady her emotions. "I can't believe Heather would ask me this kind of favor... Right now... I just hope Duncan forgives me for what I'm about to do."
The intercom crackled to life, and Chris's voice boomed over the loudspeaker with his signature enthusiasm. "Alright, boys and girls! Report to the starting zone! The zombie apocalypse is about to begin!"
The contestants hurriedly finished their preparations, their adrenaline pumping. But as they reached the starting zone, a strange realization began to settle over them: Chris was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Chef, Ezekiel, the cadets, or any of the usual crew. It was as though they had vanished without a trace.
Instead, what awaited them was a massive map, positioned in the center of the zone. The map detailed the layout of the area, complete with all the marked zones, obstacles, and—most importantly—the location of the cure vial. The contestants crowded around, studying the map intently, each group taking a few moments to memorize the key points.
"Okay," Jude said, tilting his head as he traced the map with his finger. "I think that's Studio 24. If we turn left at Movie Set 17, we can get there super quick, dude." He glanced at the others on his side, waiting for their reactions.
Heather, who was standing nearby, arched an eyebrow at the blonde skateboarder. "What are you doing?" she asked, her tone dripping with condescension.
"Telling everyone where the cure is," Jude replied innocently, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
Heather rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle she didn't strain them. "You shouldn't share too much information, doofus. The whole point of the challenge is to win and get immunity, not hand the victory to everyone else." Without waiting for a response, she gestured sharply to Beth, Lindsay, and Izzy. The quartet immediately left the tents, disappearing into the maze-like area.
"Did I say something wrong?" Jude asked, turning to Courtney, his tone genuinely curious.
Courtney sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Jude, remember that you're part of a competition now? With a million-dollar prize on the line?"
"Oh, right," Jude said with a sheepish grin, running a hand through his messy blonde hair. "I forgot about that."
Courtney facepalmed, muttering something under her breath about having to babysit another quirky teammate. But as she lowered her hand, she looked at him with the resigned fondness she usually reserved for her more eccentric friends. "Alright, let's just... focus, okay?"
"Want to team up, Princess?" Duncan asked, his voice low and teasing as he stepped up beside her.
Courtney stiffened slightly, her nerves getting the better of her. Her mind flashed back to the favor Heather had asked of her: sabotage Duncan to strip him of immunity. It would give her a massive advantage in the game... but the thought of betraying him left a pit in her stomach.
"I think I'm going on my own this time," Courtney said carefully, trying to keep her voice steady.
Duncan raised his eyebrows, clearly surprised by her response. "Suit yourself," he said with a shrug, though there was a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes. "But, just so you know, it's easier to survive when you're with people you trust. Being alone has its perks, but it also makes it a lot easier to get paranoid." He leaned in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek, making her heart flutter with a mix of happiness and guilt.
Courtney smiled faintly as she watched him walk off, his words lingering in her mind. She knew he was right—trust was a key part of survival in a situation like this. But with Heather's favor hanging over her like a dark cloud, she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that her choices in this challenge might come back to haunt her.
Which now was the time for them to leave. And as soon as everyone left the Craft Service Tent, the challenge had already started.
As the contestants reluctantly agreed to participate in the zombie apocalypse challenge, they traveled toward the set—a labyrinthine maze Chris had forced the interns to rebuild as punishment for their earlier screw-ups. The maze was a sprawling, intricate monstrosity, packed with traps, surprises, and plenty of "Chris-caliber" chaos.
The interns, who had once again landed themselves in Chris's bad books, worked tirelessly to reconstruct the maze under grueling conditions. Now, Chris was taking it one step further—making them part of the challenge itself. "Humiliation and pain," Chris mused with glee, "the perfect payback for anyone who lets new contestants sneak onto my show."
Meanwhile, in one of the maze's hidden buildings, Chris lounged in a control room brimming with buttons, switches, and levers that controlled the challenge. Around him, dozens of screens displayed live footage from every camera in the maze. The mechanical layout gave him complete control over every twist and turn, ensuring maximum chaos for the participants.
"This challenge is going to be good," Chris chuckled, cracking his knuckles as he examined the screens. His attention was soon drawn to one in particular, showing Ezekiel armed to the teeth, his focus sharp, and his posture determined.
But before Chris could spice things up, Ezekiel appeared to be monologuing. Chris leaned forward, intrigued. "A monologue? Oh, this ought to be good. Let's see what you've got, prairie genre-savvy boy."
On-screen, Ezekiel stood in a shadowy corridor, gripping a Nerf shotgun like it was his lifeline. His voice was calm, almost philosophical. "In a challenge focused on surviving an apocalyptic world, why am I still alive when everyone else has turned to meat?" he began, pacing slightly as though addressing an invisible audience. "It's because, in situations like this, there's one thing you need to remember: a list of rules."
Chris raised a brow, clearly amused. "Oh? Do tell," he murmured, pressing a button to activate the next phase of chaos. On another screen, a pack of zombified interns groaned to life and began shambling toward the contestants. Chris grinned wickedly. "Go get 'em, boys."
The chaos unfolded almost instantly. On one feed, Owen, Noah, and Cody, who had decided to stick together, wandered into an open plaza of the maze. The trio froze as the sound of guttural moans echoed around them.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Their screams filled the control room as they took off running in different directions. Cody and Noah sprinted ahead, leaving Owen behind as he frantically shouted their names.
"Wait! Guys, don't leave me! My pillows will protect me—"
But before Owen could finish his sentence, the zombies pounced on him, tearing through his makeshift armor of pillows with gleeful abandon.
Chris laughed loudly at the spectacle while Ezekiel, shown on another screen, simply shook his head in disappointment. Ezekiel continued his monologue, unfazed by the chaos.
"Rule number one for surviving a zombie apocalypse? Cardio," Ezekiel declared, breaking into a sprint in the opposite direction of the undead. His voice was calm yet biting as he added, "When the virus struck, the first ones to go? For obvious reasons, the fatties."
On-screen, he glanced back toward the area where Owen had been overtaken. His eyes softened momentarily, and he muttered with faint pity, "Poor fat bastard."
Chris laughed from seeing such a scene on the screen; he knew it would be another good way to make sure to add on the MVPA in the way they were editing the episodes. It's going to be a very good way to entertain the audience. Maybe he could use that dialogue as well and make him say what they did wrong.
Cody sprinted down the maze's narrow, twisting streets, his breaths coming in short, panicked gasps. The fog swirling around them felt suffocating, and the eerie groans of distant zombies only made it worse. "Oh no, oh no, oh no! We left Owen behind!" he cried, darting a glance over his shoulder. His face twisted with guilt and terror. "What if they get him? What if he's—he's already—"
"Gone?" Noah finished, barely breaking a sweat as he jogged beside Cody. His tone was flat, his expression unbothered. Adjusting his glasses with one hand, he shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, that'd suck for him. But let's be real—what were we supposed to do? Carry him? You saw the size of those zombies. We would've been next."
Cody slowed just enough to glare at him, his face a mixture of disbelief and frustration. "How can you say that so casually? That's our teammate! Owen's our friend!"
Noah shot him a sidelong glance, one eyebrow raised. "Friend or not, rule number one in survival: don't trip over dead weight. You can't run? You get caught. Pretty simple." He adjusted his grip on the plastic wrench he'd picked up earlier, his fingers tightening slightly. "Besides, even if Owen gets tagged, he's too heavy to move fast as a zombie. Worst case, he'll shuffle off to the nearest kitchen or bathroom like he always does."
"That's... that's cold, man," Cody muttered, shaking his head as they kept running.
Before Noah could deliver another snarky retort, the tense silence was shattered by a sharp, rhythmic sound: thud-thud-thud, the unmistakable noise of feet hitting concrete. Cody froze mid-step, his heart hammering in his chest. His voice dropped to a terrified whisper. "What was that?"
Noah sighed, his tone laced with annoyance. "What do you think it is? A mariachi band? It's probably just more zombies dressed as interns." He waved a hand dismissively, though his grip on the wrench betrayed his nerves.
The sound grew louder. A shadow emerged around the corner ahead, flickering and twisting in the dim, flickering lights of the maze. Cody's breath hitched, and both boys instinctively tensed, their muscles coiling like springs ready to snap.
The figure stumbled closer, its movements jerky and unnatural. Torn clothes hung from its frame, and glowing yellow eyes pierced the fog. Its mouth opened, emitting a guttural, bone-chilling groan as it locked onto them.
"Do we run?" Cody hissed, clutching Noah's arm like a lifeline.
Noah tilted his head, his voice as dry as ever. "Depends. You wanna ask it for directions first?"
Before Cody could respond, the figure lurched forward with a sudden burst of speed, its outstretched arms clawing at the air.
"RUN!" Cody screamed, yanking Noah backward as they bolted the way they'd come. Their footsteps echoed through the maze, the pounding of their hearts almost louder than the groans chasing after them.
The fog thickened around them, swallowing their path and making every turn feel like a dead end. Cody's breath came in ragged gasps as he glanced over his shoulder, his grip still tight on Noah's arm. "I hate this! Why did I sign up for this?!"
Noah, despite the situation, still managed to shoot him a deadpan look. "Because you're wanted to hook women girls, and you sucky at peer pressure."
"Not helping!" Cody shouted as they disappeared into the maze, the shadowy figure's groans fading into the distance behind them—for now.
Confession - Noah
"Alright, that's why I prefer mental challenges over such crazy physical, dangerous madness. But after being eliminated on the first episode of the last season, here comes my question. DID WE REALLY HAD ANY INTELECTUAL CHALLENGE HERE?" Noah showed his outrage as now he understood why the show sucked, but couldn't help but wonder why the hell he decided to sign the contract in the first place.
As the interns finally approached Ezekiel, he knew he had been recorded on the cameras; he was holding his shotgun in his hands. But after counting how many bullets he has, he decided to use the pistols, which had a better way to deal with the challenge.
"You gotta get a gun, and learn how to use it." Ezekiel said those words, as a little part of himself grimaced from saying those words, since it was an American thing people would say. And that lead to tragedies on what happened in both his past life and the painful remark of the death of his aunt. But he didn't care; they aren't the real deal; they are nerf guns. Especially from seeing the zombie interns running after him. "Which leads to my second rule. The Double Tap."
Ezekiel shot with his duo pistols, and at that instant both interns stopped for a few seconds, standing up. Ezekiel didn't hesitate and shot again with the pistols, but this time to their heads. The interns simply remained still and then crouched on the floor. As a way to symbolize they are dead.
"Those moments when you are not sure the undead are really dead dead? Don't get all stingy with your bullets, I mean... One more clean shot to the head." Ezekiel explained as he walked away from the duo of interns who remained on the place, while the camera went after the boy.
"He got it right." One of the interns who was still lying on the floor commented, while the other groaned in agreement.
"Yeah, he got the zombie movies right. Now we will have our paycheck while all we have to do is remain on this place for the rest of the day." The other intern said with a happy tone, until he heard a nervous chuckle from the other.
"Actually, Chris told us that in case we are dead on this challenge, we will not get our payment." The other intern commented, and in the end, both boys groaned, now unable to do anything for the rest of the day.
"SHIT." The interns said they were glad no one was recording them.
"CODY! CODY!" Katie wandered through the maze, her voice echoing through the winding streets. Her tone was tinged with worry, though determination kept her moving forward. Looking for no one other than her boyfriend. "WHERE ARE YOU?"
Behind her, Sadie jogged to keep up, nervously glancing over her shoulder. "Uh, Katie? Are you sure calling his name is a good idea? I mean... isn't making noise, like, the number one don't in zombie movies?"
Katie barely turned, waving her hand dismissively. "Cody's out there somewhere, and he could be in trouble! I'm not just going to stay quiet!"
Sadie frowned but didn't press further. Before she could say anything else, Justin, who had been striding confidently alongside them, added with a smirk, "Besides, Sadie, we look too good to get caught. Zombies don't stand a chance against us."
Sadie gave him a nervous look. "I don't think they care about looks, Justin. They're more into brains than beauty. I think?"
Before either Katie or Justin could respond, a guttural groan echoed down the hall, making all three freeze in their tracks. A shadow emerged from a side street, followed by another, and then another.
Sadie's face paled. "Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no..."
Katie's heart raced as the interns-dressed-zombies shambled closer, their outstretched arms and glowing eyes sending chills down her spine. Her panic kicked in, and without thinking, she grabbed the broomstick she had been holding and swung it wildly.
"Get away! GET AWAY!" she screamed, her broomstick smacking one of the interns square in the chest.
Sadie let out a panicked yelp but quickly found herself swinging her hammer. She struck one of the interns in the stomach, doubling them over with a surprisingly loud groan and shouts of pain. "Why are we doing this?! This is terrifying!"
Justin, meanwhile, took a step back, grimacing as he tried to avoid getting too close to the chaos. "Katie, Sadie, let's just run!"
But the group of zombies wasn't letting up, and the trio had no choice but to make a break for it. Katie led the way, Sadie close behind her, and Justin bringing up the rear.
They raced through the maze, adrenaline pumping, until Katie suddenly stumbled. The sound of her shoe snapping made her freeze in horror. "Oh no! My heel!" she cried, looking down at her broken shoe.
Sadie skidded to a stop, eyes wide. "Katie, come on! We have to keep going!"
"I can't!" Katie wailed, tears welling up in her eyes as she saw the zombies closing in.
Sadie's breathing quickened as she looked between Katie and the oncoming horde. Without a second thought, she made her decision. "Go. Just go!" she yelled, shoving Justin forward as she turned back toward the zombies.
"What are you doing?!" Katie screamed, reaching out for her best friend.
Sadie clenched her jaw, gripping her hammer tightly. "I'm not letting them get you, Katie! Go!" And with that, she charged at the group of zombies, her hammer swinging wildly. She slammed into them with her full weight, knocking several back as they swarmed her.
Katie screamed, tears streaming down her face as she watched Sadie get overwhelmed. "SADIE!"
Justin grabbed Katie by the arm, his expression grim. "We have to go. Now."
"But—"
"She wanted you to survive!" Justin snapped, his voice breaking. "Don't waste it!"
Katie sobbed as Justin dragged her away, the sound of Sadie's cries fading behind them. The last thing they saw before turning a corner was Sadie pushing against the group of zombies with everything she had, her bravery shining even as she was tagged and eliminated.
As they ran deeper into the maze, Katie's cries echoed through the streets. Justin's jaw was clenched tight, his own guilt etched across his face. Neither of them spoke, the weight of Sadie's sacrifice hanging heavy over them.
"BRAVO, BRAVO, THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" Chris exclaimed, clapping enthusiastically as the monitors displayed Katie fleeing the scene after witnessing Sadie's heroic sacrifice. "This is the drama I signed up for—tears, betrayal, selfless sacrifice. Oh man, this season is going to be awesome!"
Chris leaned back in his chair, his grin practically splitting his face. He swiveled around to another set of monitors, but as he did, he froze. Three figures loomed behind him, dressed head-to-toe in tattered, bloodstained zombie attire.
"Now," Chris said with a sly smirk, regaining his composure, "you all know your roles. Make things harder for everyone. No mercy."
Two of the zombies saluted, their arms stiff and mechanical, perfectly in character. The third figure, however, let out a menacing growl.
"You better pray my paycheck comes through on time," Chef grumbled, his voice dripping with irritation. He was dressed as the largest, most horrifying zombie of them all, complete with fake rotting flesh, jagged teeth, and glowing red eyes. The ensemble was so convincing that even Chris took an instinctive step back.
Chris paled momentarily but quickly recovered, offering a nervous laugh. "Chef, buddy! You're gonna be the MVP of this episode. Trust me, the viewers are gonna love this."
Chef's glare didn't waver, but he lumbered off with the other two "elite zombies," ready to unleash chaos. Chris watched them go with a sly grin. "And now for the pièce de résistance... let's see what we've got here."
He turned his attention back to the monitors, where Tyler, DJ, and Geoff were cautiously making their way through the maze. "Well, well, well. It looks like our boys are on a bathroom break. Smart... but oh, what's this?" Chris zoomed in on another screen where Ezekiel appeared, walking toward the same area.
Ezekiel stopped in his tracks, shook his head, and muttered something under his breath before turning and walking in the opposite direction.
Chris squinted at the screen, intrigued. "What's on your mind, Ezekiel? You always keep things interesting."
His grin widened as an idea struck. Reaching over to the control panel, Chris pressed that would lead to talking to his crew.
"Attention, crew," Chris announced in a mock-serious tone. "Bring Owen and Sadie to the bathrooms. I've got a feeling this is gonna be gold."
"Cue the Ice Cream," With a tap of another button, he activated a pre-programmed cue. Somewhere deep in the maze, the sound of an ice cream truck jingle echoed eerily through the halls.
"Oh, this is perfect," Chris cackled, rubbing his hands together. "Let's see who keeps their cool and who loses their minds."
Tyler and DJ cautiously crept through the maze-like streets, weaving between sets that mimicked abandoned buildings and alleys. The production team had gone all out to heighten the zombie theme—adding fog machines for a dramatic effect and eerie, flickering lights that made every shadow seem alive. Their eyes darted nervously at each sound or flicker of movement, the tension thick in the air.
Eventually, they stumbled upon a dingy bathroom. Inside, Geoff was slouched against the tiled wall, arms crossed and lips curled into a pout.
"Dude, what's up with you?" Tyler asked, tilting his head.
Geoff let out an exaggerated sigh, throwing his hands up dramatically. "Why am I even here, bros? Bridgette and I should be out there, dominating this challenge together. Instead, we're separated, and I'm stuck in this gross bathroom. It's lame." Both boys looked at Geoff, raising their eyebrows in disbelief. Making Geoff uncomfortable. "What?"
"You and Bridgette, dominating the challenge? You both pass most of the time kissing while we count the time to spray you both to stop." DJ commented as he looked not amused by what his friend had said.
Tyler rolled his eyes, leaning casually against one of the sinks. "Also, Geoff, not everything has to be about you and Bridgette. Seriously, you guys kiss, like, all the time. It's basically your hobby."
DJ chuckled nervously, his large frame making the small space feel even more cramped. He glanced at the bathroom stalls with unease. "Yeah, man. Besides, this is the perfect chance for us Killer Bass guys to actually hang out and work together. When was the last time we teamed up for anything?"
"True," Tyler said, pointing at Geoff with a playful grin. "We gotta bring back the team spirit, bro!"
Geoff still didn't look convinced, but after a moment of sulking, he shrugged. "Fine. But the second this challenge is over, I'm finding Bridgette, and we're gonna kiss for hours."
"Fifteen minutes, max," Tyler and DJ said in unison, sharing a knowing look.
Geoff rolled his eyes. "You guys are the worst."
DJ groaned, nervously wiping his sweaty palms on his pants. "Can we not talk about kissing right now? This whole zombie thing is seriously freaking me out."
"You're scared of zombies?" Tyler teased, smirking. "I thought you got over that after reading about Tarantella."
DJ shook his head, his expression serious. "It'd be easier if there was quicksand around. But still, that guy gives me the creeps—especially his brother. Cannibals who became zombies after they died? That's nightmare fuel. Sometimes I don't even know what's worse—zombies or cannibals."
Tyler and Geoff exchanged uneasy glances before nodding in agreement, both swallowing hard at the thought.
Geoff tried to lighten the mood, giving DJ a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, man. I've got your back. No zombies are getting anywhere near us. If I see anything, I'll scream my lungs out. That's your signal to run, okay?"
DJ nodded fervently, some of his anxiety easing. "Yeah, okay. Just scream, and we're out of here. Thanks, Geoff."
"Trust me," Geoff said confidently, slinging an arm over DJ's shoulder. "I won't let anything happen to you guys."
Reassured by his words, DJ and Tyler turned their attention to the bathroom, cautiously opening the stalls one by one, bracing for any surprises.
Meanwhile, the faint sound of an ice cream truck jingle began playing somewhere in the distance. Geoff froze, his ears perking up at the familiar tune.
"Wait... is that...?" Geoff muttered, tilting his head and listening intently.
The music grew louder, and Geoff's expression shifted from confusion to sheer excitement. His eyes lit up like a child on Christmas morning.
"Ice cream? No way!" he exclaimed, completely forgetting about the challenge—or the fact that he was supposed to be on zombie alert.
.
.
.
DJ and Tyler stayed in their respective stalls, each preoccupied with their own thoughts. The silence between them was broken only by the occasional creak of the old pipes and faint sounds of the ice cream truck music growing louder in the background.
As DJ adjusted himself nervously, he glanced at the gap beneath the stall walls and noticed Tyler's feet. But what caught his attention was the edge of a magazine resting on Tyler's lap.
"Wait... Tyler," DJ called out hesitantly. "Are you seriously reading right now?"
Tyler chuckled sheepishly from the next stall. "What? It's just a sports catalog. Gotta keep up with the latest gear, man. Check this out—there's this sweet pair of cleats that'll make me unstoppable on the field. They've got traction for days!"
DJ stared in disbelief, shaking his head. "Man, how can you be so relaxed in a zombie challenge? You're just sitting there... reading?"
"Hey, a guy's got to multitask!" Tyler replied, flipping a page. "Besides, I've got my head in the game. Zombies aren't getting the jump on me!"
DJ rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, "Unbelievable."
Just then, the faint sound of footsteps echoed through the bathroom. Heavy and deliberate, the steps seemed to grow closer. DJ tensed up immediately, his eyes darting toward the stall door.
"Uh, Tyler?" DJ whispered. "Do you hear that?"
Tyler paused mid-flip of his catalog, the silence between them growing thick with tension. "Yeah... I hear it. Geoff? Is that you, man?"
The footsteps stopped for a moment, and then came a loud BANG! The door to the bathroom rattled as if something—or someone—had hit it with tremendous force.
"Geoff?" Tyler called out nervously. "You good out there, bro?"
No response.
Before they could process what was happening, the door to Tyler's stall exploded inward with a deafening CRASH! Tyler screamed at the top of his lungs—a high-pitched, girlish shriek that echoed through the bathroom.
Standing before him was Sadie, her face painted with grotesque zombie makeup and her shirt bearing a red tag that read Zombie. Her fist was still raised, remnants of the stall door splinters clinging to her knuckles.
"Hey, guys!" Sadie chirped with surprising cheerfulness, completely oblivious to the chaos she had just caused.
"AHHH! ZOMBIE!" Tyler screeched, scrambling backward so quickly that he almost toppled off the toilet.
Meanwhile, DJ froze in shock, his heart pounding as his eyes darted toward the gap beneath his stall door. Suddenly, a familiar face popped into view.
It was Owen, crouching awkwardly to peer under the door. "Hey, DJ! I really, really gotta go, man. Can you hurry up? All those prunes are hitting me hard! And I think everything will be off."
DJ's jaw dropped as he stared at Owen's face, barely inches from the floor. "Owen?! What the—"
Before he could finish, the panic of the situation overwhelmed him. DJ's eyes rolled back, and with a thud, he fainted right where he sat.
"Uh... DJ?" Owen called out, his head still tilted under the door. "Buddy? You okay in there?"
Sadie stepped into the center of the bathroom, dusting her hands off from the destruction she had caused. "Uh, Owen, I think you might've scared him. Oh my gosh, are you serious? Did I actually just break a door? Eva is going to love this!"
Tyler, meanwhile, was still pressed against the far corner of his stall, trembling as he pointed at Sadie. "You- You're not a real zombie, right? Right?!"
Sadie raised an eyebrow and tapped the Zombie tag on her shirt. "Seriously, Tyler? It's makeup. Chris said I had to dress up for this challenge after we got caught!"
Tyler blinked, his breathing finally starting to slow. "Oh... right. Makeup. Of course. Totally knew that."
"Sure you did," Sadie said with a smirk, tossing a piece of the broken stall door onto the floor. "Now, your tag... also, I think DJ as well."
Owen, still crouching and looking at DJ's unconscious form, sighed. "Guess I'll wait for the next bathroom, huh? Oh oh… guys, I really need to use the bathroom now *fart* RIGHT NOW. *fart*"
It was the sign for Sadie and Tyler to take DJ's body and quickly get out of the bathrooms, which Owen was going to relieve himself after eating fibers.
Confession - Owen
"Oh man, I'm so glad I was eliminated early, because these bowels always shows the time I needed to go quickly at the bathroom, they never let me down. I'm so glad of… Ops *Fart* I think I need to do more. COMING THROUGH!" Owen showed up dressed as a zombie, but he was happy the prunes had been helping him to eliminate a good part of the foam and plastic inside of him. But showing there was still more to do, he quickly left the make-up confessional, where a hand showed a fragrance air spray to try to clean up the air from Owen's farts.
"It didn't take long for the zombies to start getting clever. They can smell when you're at your most vulnerable," Ezekiel murmured to himself, perched behind the safety of a row of lockers as he peered toward the restrooms. His face was etched with a mix of concern and focus as he imagined the chaos about to unfold. There was nothing he could do to help DJ or Tyler now.
The distant sound of the ice cream truck music echoed through the area, cutting through the eerie silence. Ezekiel winced. "Of course Geoff got baited," he muttered under his breath. "That guy's sweet tooth is going to get him eaten... again." He let out a sigh, gripping his paintball gun tighter. "Don't ever let them catch you with your pants down... Rule number three: Beware of bathrooms."
Ezekiel shifted his attention back to his objective. Winning this challenge was his priority, but not at the cost of making things too obvious. If he picked a side too early, it would ruin the balance. And his friends wouldn't stand a chance. Instead, he focused on making memorable scenes for himself—something Chris would eat up for those precious MVP points.
Navigating through the abandoned areas, Ezekiel moved carefully, keeping his profile low. As he rounded a corner, his sharp eyes caught movement. Someone else was out here, holding their ground.
It was Courtney.
She was fiercely determined, gripping an improvised wooden shield and wielding a jagged plank as a makeshift sword. The sight almost made Ezekiel chuckle—almost. Keeping his footsteps deliberate but not threatening, he approached her.
"Courtney, it's me. Don't yell," Ezekiel called softly, his voice calm and even.
Courtney immediately spun around, her plank raised, ready to strike. When her eyes locked onto him, she froze.
"Ezekiel?" she said in disbelief, lowering her weapon slightly.
Ezekiel smirked, gesturing toward her shield and plank. "I get it, you're resourceful, but really? Improvised sword and shield? You've been reading too many of my blog posts."
Courtney blinked at him, both startled and annoyed. "Ezekiel... where the heck did you get those?" She pointed to the collection of paintball and Nerf guns strapped to his chest and belt.
"These?" Ezekiel replied, patting one of the Nerf rifles. "Paintball and Nerf guns. While everyone else ran to the trailers or raided props, I went straight to Chris and Chef. Asked for something more effective. They handed me this arsenal. Simple, eh?"
Courtney's jaw dropped slightly. "Wait… they gave you all that?"
Ezekiel shrugged, his expression nonchalant. "Gotta follow the rules of a good zombie movie. You want real guns, you raid the military. But for this challenge? This is all you need." He unstrapped a bright orange Nerf pistol from his belt and handed it to her.
"What am I supposed to do with this?" she asked, skepticism heavy in her tone as she turned the toy over in her hand.
"Shoot a zombie, and they'll freeze for a few seconds. Good for escaping or regrouping," Ezekiel explained. "Just to be safe, double-tap. Aim for the head, and they'll 'die.' They'll pretend to be dead and stop chasing you."
Courtney raised an eyebrow, glancing between the Nerf gun and Ezekiel. "You're telling me this is the strategy you're using?"
"Yup," Ezekiel said confidently, shifting his paintball gun into a ready position. "You want to survive, right? Trust me on this one."
Courtney hesitated, then sighed and nodded reluctantly. "Fine, but if this doesn't work, I'm coming after you next."
Ezekiel smirked. "Fair enough. Just keep your shield up and your aim steady. Oh, and remember rule number three."
"Rule number three?" she echoed, her curiosity piqued.
"I've got a few survival rules I came up with in case of a zombie apocalypse," Ezekiel explained matter-of-factly. "Rule one: Cardio. You better be ready to run a lot. Rule two: Double-tap—always give one more shot to the head, just to be sure. Rule three: Beware of bathrooms. Trust me, DJ and Tyler learned that the hard way."
Courtney frowned, half in disbelief, as Ezekiel handed her a Ziploc bag filled with paint-covered bullets and a spare magazine.
"Ziploc bags? Seriously?" She asked, holding it up for emphasis.
Ezekiel nodded, his tone completely serious. "We've already got enough problems. Moisture shouldn't be one of them."
Courtney couldn't help but crack a small smile at his logic. The two continued walking until they stumbled upon a dusty buggy parked in an open clearing. Ezekiel grinned at the sight.
"Hey, you know how to drive, right?" He asked, his eyes twinkling.
"Yeah…" Courtney replied cautiously, eying the buggy. The keys were still in the ignition. "Did they just leave this here on purpose?"
"Happens all the time in movies. Let's go," Ezekiel said as he immediately aimed his gun at the back of the buggy, double-checking for any surprises. Satisfied, he climbed into the passenger seat.
"What was that for?" Courtney asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Rule number four and thirty-one: Fasten your seatbelt, and always check the backseat before getting into a car," Ezekiel explained. "This is gonna be a bumpy ride, and any distractions could cost us the challenge."
Courtney blinked, taken aback. "Wow, you're really an expert at this. And you told me zombie movies aren't your thing?"
Ezekiel scoffed lightly. "Not a fan of zombies in horror, no. I'm more into the action stuff. That's why the first chapter of my Adventure Time book is about Finn distracting the candy people from a horror scenario—any kind of fear makes them explode. It's a fun way to mix action and survival," he said with a proud grin.
Courtney nodded, impressed despite herself. "Alright, Mr. Writer." She giggled as she slid into the driver's seat and buckled her seatbelt. The atmosphere felt unexpectedly light, like an older sister and younger brother diving into some chaotic adventure together.
"Seatbelt checked. Let's do this," she said. "I hope you know how to shoot."
Ezekiel adjusted his grip on his gun, grinning. "Courtney, in war or a zombie apocalypse, there's no room for hesitation. You either aim or you shoot. Let's go."
With a smirk, Courtney turned the ignition and pressed the gas pedal. The buggy lurched forward, and they were off, speeding into the chaos of the challenge ahead.
The deserted movie set stretched out like a maze of looming facades and abandoned props, its once-glamorous aura now cloaked in eerie silence. Gwen led the group with a determined look, her black goth boots crunching against the gravel of the street. As she was holding two crowbars as her main blundge weapon. Behind her, Bridgette clutched her makeshift weapon—a sturdy prop oar she'd picked up on the way—while Leshawna and Eva jogged close, and Jude trailed, his typical chill demeanor replaced with nervous energy.
The weapons most of them took from their trailers and made themselves broke after using a few times against some interns who managed to take the hit; they were probably on the infirmary but still managed to take down some of theirs, which they took a lot of hurry to make.
"We need to keep moving," Gwen urged, her voice low but firm as she glanced over her shoulder. "Stick together and stay quiet. We're almost through."
"Easy for you to say," Bridgette muttered, adjusting her grip on the oar. "My arms feel like noodles after jumping those walls."
"You'll feel worse if we get caught," Eva said, as she didn't want her friends to complain. "Move it!"
Leshawna huffed but shot Bridgette an encouraging glance. "You got this, girl. Just don't trip on anything."
The group maneuvered through the streets across the movie sets, ducking behind fake storefronts and overturned carts. The sound of their breathing was the only thing cutting through the heavy, suspenseful quiet. That was, until a faint shuffle echoed behind them.
"Someone's coming," Jude whispered, his eyes darting nervously.
Gwen didn't hesitate. "Run."
They bolted.
The interns appeared like a swarm of zombies, their footsteps pounding against the ground, relentless in their pursuit. These weren't slow, shambling creatures—they were unnervingly fast, their blank expressions and robotic movements making them even more unsettling.
"This way!" Gwen shouted, leading the group through a tight alley of fake saloon buildings. Leshawna shoved over a prop barrel to slow the interns, while Eva knocked over a stack of crates with a single punch.
Bridgette's heart pounded in her chest as she sprinted behind them, sweat dripping down her forehead. But as she rounded a corner, her foot caught on a prop staircase left leaning against a wall. It crashed to the ground with a deafening clang.
The sound reverberated through the set like a gunshot.
"Crap," Bridgette whispered, wide-eyed, as the car parked nearby suddenly blared its alarm.
"Run!" Gwen screamed, but it was too late. The noise had drawn the interns like moths to a flame.
Bridgette scrambled to her feet, her panic rising as she tried to keep up, but the interns were on her in seconds. One of them grabbed her ankle, yanking her backward with terrifying strength.
"Bridgette!" Leshawna yelled, skidding to a stop, but Eva grabbed her arm.
"We can't go back!" Eva barked, her voice strained. "They'll catch us too!"
Bridgette clawed at the ground, trying to kick free, but the interns were relentless. They dragged her away, her terrified screams echoing through the set.
"Help me!" She cried, reaching out desperately as Gwen hesitated, torn between running and turning back. "No no Noooooooooooooooo..."
"They're too fast," Eva growled, her fists clenched but powerless. The sheer speed of the interns was overwhelming, and the group was outnumbered.
"Bridgette!" Gwen's voice cracked, but Leshawna grabbed her shoulder and pulled her forward.
"We can't save her if we're caught too!" Leshawna snapped, her voice heavy with guilt. "It's too late."
Gwen's hands trembled as she turned and ran, the group following her lead. Bridgette's screams faded into the distance, replaced by the pounding of their feet and the persistent wail of the car alarm.
They didn't stop until they were far from the commotion, their lungs burning and hearts pounding. Gwen leaned against a fake lamppost, her breath ragged.
"She's gone," she murmured, guilt sinking into her chest like a weight.
"Now she's going to return with a tag of zombie; we cannot let her approach us now." Eva said, as she was resolute, she hated to see one of her friends being caught like that. But she wanted to win the round. And they have been running nonstop, and they fought a lot of interns. "I have no idea how Chris did it, but these interns were numbered like cockroaches. How did he manage to have 10 times the number of interns in comparison to the last season? Nobody knows."
Gwen swallowed hard, nodding. She straightened and looked at the group, determination flickering back into her eyes.
"Let's find somewhere safe to regroup," she said, her voice steadier now. "We're not losing anyone else."
An hour had passed since the chaos with the zombies, but it felt like an eternity. Cody stumbled through the maze, his breath ragged and his nerves on edge as he clutched the wrench Noah had handed him earlier. His heart skipped a beat when he heard faint voices ahead, growing louder with each step.
"Katie? Justin?" Cody called out, his voice echoing through the maze. He turned a corner and frozen when he saw them sitting against a cracked wall. Katie was curled into herself, clutching her broken heel, while Justin sat beside her, staring at the ground, his hands clasped tightly together. They both looked defeated, drained.
Katie's head shot up at the sound of Cody's voice. "Cody!" she cried, scrambling to her feet and running straight into his arms. She buried her face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. "Sadie, she's gone. She saved me, Cody. She's gone because of me!"
Cody's arms wrapped around her, his heart breaking as he felt her tremble. "Katie, no, it's not your fault. None of this is your fault," he said softly, his voice shaking. "Sadie wouldn't want you to blame yourself. She wanted you to be safe."
Justin stood silently, his usual air of confidence completely absent. His shoulders were slumped, and his jaw was tight. Noah, who had trailed behind Cody, noticed Justin's expression and arched an eyebrow. "Huh," he said flatly. "So the pretty boy does have feelings."
Justin shot Noah a glare but didn't respond. He rubbed the back of his neck, his voice quiet and uncharacteristically vulnerable. "She was brave, okay? Braver than I've ever been. And I... I didn't even realize how much I cared about her until it was too late." His voice cracked, and he turned away, his fists clenched.
Katie looked up from Cody's chest, her tear-streaked face etched with a mix of sorrow and realization. Cody tightened his hold on her, glancing at Justin with sympathy. "We're all feeling it," he said softly. "But we'll get through this. Together."
Before anyone could say more, a low mechanical whirring sound broke through the silence. Noah stiffened, narrowing his eyes at the end of the corridor. "Uh, does anyone else hear that, or is this where I lose my mind?"
Cody pulled Katie closer as two hulking figures emerged from the shadows. These weren't the shambling interns they had faced earlier. These zombies were different—taller, clad in makeshift armor pieced together with duct tape and scrap metal. Each held a heavy, ominous-looking slime gun that dripped with a glowing green substance.
"What the—" Justin started, but before he could finish, one of the zombies raised its weapon and fired. A thick stream of slime shot out with a wet, sloshing sound, splattering across Justin's chest. He was thrown backward with a grunt, the slime pinning him to the ground as he struggled against its sticky hold.
"JUSTIN!" Katie screamed, panic surging in her voice.
"Run!" Noah barked, grabbing Cody's arm and yanking him back. "We can't take these things head-on!"
Cody hesitated, his eyes darting between Katie and Justin. "We can't just leave him!"
"Dammit, this will be bad for my skin." Justin struggled as soon as he saw zombies starting at him; he saw the group bringing the tag of zombie. Which made him sigh. "Okay, you got me."
One of the zombies took him over the arms, while the other walked in the group direction. With the slime gun, which probably would indicate the obvious, it was a slime gun that would infect the others and make them zombies as well. And Justin lost, just like Sadie.
"RUN." Noah said as Cody gritted his teeth, and with all his strength, he carried Katie even if it was with difficulty. And started to run away from the zombie, going slowly after them.
And with that. 6 were captured and became zombies. Leaving 17 remaining.
The buggy rattled and swerved as Courtney sped through the labyrinthine streets, her face tense with both concentration and the weight of her earlier confession. Ezekiel sat beside her, his paintball gun resting in his lap, still reeling from what she'd shared. The air between them was thick, a mixture of anxiety and the faint smell of burning rubber as the buggy's tires screeched against the cracked pavement.
Ezekiel scratched his head, glancing sideways at Courtney, whose grip on the steering wheel was white-knuckled. "Are you serious?" he finally asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes, Ezekiel," Courtney sighed, her voice edged with frustration but mostly resignation. "Heather asked me to choose between myself and Duncan. If I betray him, he's going to be furious. But if I don't..." Her words trailed off as she bit her lip, glancing at Ezekiel out of the corner of her eye. "He'll probably feel betrayed anyway."
Ezekiel leaned back in his seat, letting out a low whistle as he mulled it over. He scratched his head again, his thoughts racing. Heather did a power move that clearly showed how much she grew from the last season. "I don't blame her, though; if I was in a situation where I needed to defeat the strongest team, I would have done the same, but not directly like that. Hmm... would I ever use a favor to force someone to give up the show? That's a very hard question," he thought, his gaze dropping to the paintball gun in his hands.
His mind wandered to the game's dynamics, piecing together how everything might play out. From canon, Geoff and Bridgette, with their non-stop kissing, made them the first people to be eliminated on the Total Drama Action. And after them? The chain of events would only spiral further into chaos. Geoff became a jerk on... Ezekiel's eyes widened as a realization hit him like a freight train, but he quickly masked it, keeping his expression neutral as the camera mounted on the buggy turned to face them.
Still, the realization simmered beneath the surface. "This could be better. Better for Courtney. Better for Duncan. Better for Geoff and Bridgette. Heck, better for everyone." For the first time in the chaos of the competition, Ezekiel smiled to himself, a small flicker of hope warming his thoughts. This world's version of them was already different from their counterparts. And this could avoid 2 terrible outcomes into disastrous events in the future. This would be the path that would prevent the fiasco of World Tour and All Star for my friends...
"Courtney," Ezekiel said after a long pause, his voice calm but steady. "I know this sounds a bit crazy, but hear me out. The best thing you can do is be honest with Duncan. Lay it all out—tell him what Heather asked you to do and ask him straight up whether he wants to be eliminated or if he'd rather you go instead."
Courtney blinked, her head snapping toward him. "What?" she asked, the surprise in her voice palpable. "You… you think I should just tell him everything? That's—"
"The right thing to do," Ezekiel interrupted, his tone softening. "Heather's smart—she played her cards perfectly, and you owe her for the challenge; she used her immunity to save your butt. But if you want to keep things good between you and Duncan, honesty's your best bet. You and Duncan've done some awesome stuff already, and trust me, there'll be fans out there who'll support you no matter what happens. Just talk to him."
Courtney stared at him, her surprise slowly melting into something softer. A weak but genuine smile tugged at her lips. "Only you, Zeke," she murmured. "You always know the right thing to say at the right time."
"I try," Ezekiel grinned, his usual laid-back demeanor shining through. "What can I say? I'm still the pillar of Killer Bass, just like you and Duncan. If you both ever need help, you can count on me."
The moment of camaraderie was cut short as the sound of groaning filled the air. Both of them turned their attention forward just in time to see a group of interns dressed as zombies staggering onto the road, their movements exaggerated for the cameras.
Courtney cursed under her breath, gripping the wheel tighter. "Seriously? These guys again?"
Ezekiel didn't waste a second. He lifted the paintball gun, his smug grin returning. "Don't worry. I got this." Without even aiming, he fired off a quick series of shots. The paintballs hit their marks, splattering the "zombies" with colorful splotches and eliciting yelps of pain as the interns stumbled back out of the buggy's path.
Courtney rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a small laugh. "In a zombie movie, you either aim or shoot; okay, okay, I got the message; let's go." She pressed the gas pedal, and the buggy roared forward, leaving the groaning interns behind.
As they sped through the maze, Ezekiel leaned back, a smug look still plastered across his face. Despite the chaos around them, for just a moment, it felt like they had the upper hand.
"Why are we doing this again?" Beth asked, her voice edged with panic as she swung her spear at a few approaching interns dressed as zombies. In her haste, she accidentally used the blunt end of the weapon, jabbing one in the eye. The intern let out a startled yelp and staggered back, clutching their face before running off. Beth gasped. "SORRY!" she called after them, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Around her, the battle was in full swing. Izzy spun her fake axes in rapid, almost acrobatic movements, landing solid hits on the interns' heads as she laughed wildly. Lindsay, wielding a bright pink foam baseball bat, swung with surprising force, her attacks striking directly into the heads and faces of their costumed attackers. Heather, ever composed, gripped a fake staff, efficiently striking down the interns with precise, calculated blows. The thudding sounds of their weapons mixed with the groans and exaggerated reactions of the interns playing the role of the undead.
Heather barely paused as she gave orders, her voice sharp and focused. "Our objective is to get close to the lab. When the time is right, we strike. The moment one of those idiots grabs the cure vial, we ambush them, take it, and head straight for the safety zone."
Izzy, still twirling her axes, raised an eyebrow. "We also can't take more than one vial. If we grab two, the ones holding them get to lead and pick their own teams." She shot Heather a knowing look. "And let's be real, it's a great chance to remind Courtney about that favor she owes you. Maybe even force her into a decision that could get her—or Duncan—eliminated tonight."
Beth hesitated, shifting her grip on the spear. "Isn't that a bit cruel?" She wasn't sure how to feel about it. Courtney and Duncan had been great together, and forcing them to choose between each other felt like crossing a line.
Heather sighed but didn't waver. "Sometimes, Beth. But this season is different. We know who the strongest players are, and we have a better idea of what to expect in the challenges ahead." She kept her gaze forward, but Beth could sense the slight discomfort in her voice. "We can't ignore the fact that Courtney and Duncan are a threat—especially now that Ezekiel is part of their trio. If we want to stay ahead, we need to separate them."
"Which is going to be really hard." Izzy spun her axe again, drawing the group's attention. "Ezekiel always prioritizes what's best for Courtney and Duncan. That's both a blessing and a curse."
Lindsay tilted her head, resting her bat over her shoulder. "Why do you say that?"
Izzy smirked. "Because if Courtney or Duncan talks to him about this, he'll just tell them to accept the elimination." The entire group stared at her in surprise. "Ezekiel values his friendship with the Killer Bass more than anything. If their alliance is about to break, he'll do whatever it takes to fix it—like nothing even happened. That's why trying to force Duncan and Courtney apart won't work. Not with Ezekiel watching."
Heather groaned, rubbing her temple. "Ugh, don't remind me. It's like he has a sixth sense for seeing right through me. And now I owe him three favors. Are you absolutely sure he won't use one of them to save those two?"
Izzy simply shook her head. "I'm positive. He's not wasting his favors on something like that. But if you end up on his team, or anywhere near most of the Killer Bass, you'll be their main target."
Heather exhaled sharply, gripping her staff tighter. "Then the best move is to make sure the vial ends up in our hands. That way, we pick the strongest team and guarantee our survival until the merge."
Izzy grinned wickedly. "Exactly."
"Which I kind of doubt, since everyone's going to be targeting my back." Heather rolled her eyes, but before she could say anything else, Lindsay suddenly perked up, picking up on something important.
"Aren't they going to be more focused on winning a million dollars than just trying to eliminate you whenever they can by failing challenges on purpose?" Lindsay asked, tilting her head.
The group fell silent. She had a point—an annoyingly good one.
Beth, curiosity piqued, shifted her grip on her spear. "If we do get to choose a team, what kind of players would help us win the most challenges?"
Lindsay and Heather both pondered the question for a few seconds, but before they could answer, something unexpected happened.
A loud screech of tires cut through the chaos, causing the quartet to snap their heads toward the noise. A small dune buggy came into view, kicking up dust as it sped through the battlefield. At the wheel was Courtney, her expression fierce and determined as she skillfully maneuvered the vehicle. Riding shotgun, Ezekiel clutched a paintball gun, firing non-stop at the approaching interns dressed as zombies. His shots were precise, hitting their targets in rapid succession, sending the interns stumbling back. After a few relentless bursts of paint, Ezekiel took a brief pause to reload, and just like that, the duo sped off, disappearing down the wrong path.
The four girls stood frozen, their mouths hanging open as they processed what they had just witnessed.
"Okay… since when do they get a car and a paintball gun?" Izzy and Heather blurted out at the same time, both staring in disbelief at the scene unfolding before them.
Beth squinted in their direction, watching the buggy vanish in the distance. "They went the wrong way."
Izzy took a moment to observe, then simply shrugged. "Well, I think what I said about Ezekiel talking to Courtney was right." She motioned toward the fallen interns, who were groaning and slowly picking themselves back up. "Also… that must've been painful."
Heather, however, was already moving. "Not our problem. Lindsay, Beth—let's go."
With that, the quartet took off in the right direction, leaving the interns behind to groan and resume their zombie act, stumbling forward as if nothing had happened.
"I'm telling you right now, these lightsabers can cut wood and even a few metals. Are you sure you want to risk that coming at you?" Harold asked, his voice full of confidence as he dual-wielded two glowing red lightsabers. The interns closest to him, fully aware of Harold's tendency to take things way too far, took quick steps back, clearing the way.
"Awesome. Too easy," Harold muttered, adjusting his grip on the makeshift weapons.
Duncan stood a few feet away, leaning casually on his blunt practice bow. He chuckled and said, "Gotta say, totally worth every penny you blew at the mall. Let's get going, Darth Nerdus."
Harold rolled his eyes, used to Duncan's ribbing by now. "Why do you hate Star Wars so much?"
Duncan shrugged, drawing back his bowstring as he aimed at one of the remaining interns dressed as a zombie. "Never my thing. I prefer something more violent—with more blood." The arrow launched, smacking the intern square in the forehead. They groaned dramatically before collapsing to the ground, playing along with the rules of the game.
"Like this. Now, come on," Duncan said, nodding toward a dark alley ahead. "I think I see the spot where they marked the antidotes."
"Right behind you," Harold replied.
The two friends continued down the foggy maze of streets set up for the challenge, their weaponry giving them a clear edge. The fog, thick and eerie, made it easy to get turned around, but they managed to stay on track. Every so often, a costumed participant would jump out at them, groaning like the undead, only to be swiftly "taken out" with a swing of Harold's lightsabers or one of Duncan's arrows.
It didn't take them long to notice the pattern—aiming for the head, like in every zombie movie ever, seemed to do the trick. Harold's lightsabers were especially intimidating; even though they were designed to be non-lethal replicas, no one wanted to risk their costumes—or their limbs—getting singed.
Despite their differences, Harold and Duncan made a solid team. Harold's quick thinking and nerdy obsession with detail complemented Duncan's brute force and devil-may-care attitude. They weren't the type of guys you'd peg as friends, but somehow, they made it work. If anyone had told them a year ago they'd be teaming up like this, both would've laughed them off. Yet here they were, navigating a fake zombie apocalypse like seasoned pros.
After a few more twists and turns through the maze, they arrived at Studio 24, the supposed location of the antidote. The large, weathered building loomed ahead, its façade styled like a run-down laboratory straight out of a horror film. Faint green light flickered from cracked windows, and the faint sound of moaning played through hidden speakers, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
Inside, the studio was a perfect set for a zombie apocalypse film. Broken glass and overturned lab tables littered the space. Shelves lined the walls, covered with dusty beakers and mysterious props that looked like they hadn't been touched in decades. A few sparking wires hung from the ceiling, giving off faint electric buzzes. At the center of the chaos was a table lined with glowing green vials, the so-called antidotes.
Duncan smirked as they approached, slinging his bow over his shoulder. "Finally. That wasn't so bad."
Harold nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yeah, all part of the plan. Let's grab these and get out of here before they send more of those zombie wannabes after us."
As Harold reached for the first vial, a faint shadow shifted across the cracked window behind him. Duncan didn't notice. Neither did Harold.
The fog outside grew thicker, and the distant sound of slow, heavy footsteps echoed faintly in the maze. As the scene settled, a faint creak echoed from the shadows of the lab set. None of them noticed the silhouette lurking just behind the fake tables, his movements deliberate yet silent. Trent watched the duo walk away while he reamined still. Knowing about what could possibly happen next. He held his breath as he walked from one of the doors. A large figure lingered in the shadows, their silhouette obscured by the green glow spilling from the building.
"It must be Chef…" Trent whispered as he recalled one important rule of the zombie movies. Whoever was the first to take the cure vial would be the target of big zombies and even against humanity.
Trent immediately went to take one of the vials and did his best to continue in stealth as he went from the backdoors, and being sure the camera wouldn't find him, it was for the best to use all he could do to make sure he would be the first to reach the safety zone.
"Man, I've been looking for the ice cream truck for a whole hour, and until now, I couldn't find it," Geoff muttered as he wandered aimlessly across the sprawling movie sets, his ears tuned to the distant jingle of ice cream truck music. Unbeknownst to him, it was a well-orchestrated bait to lead him away from his team.
After what felt like ages of walking around in circles, Geoff finally noticed something strange. He paused, looking around, only to realize he'd stumbled into a set designed to look like a beach. To his surprise—and instant delight—his girlfriend Bridgette stood there, just a few feet away.
"HEY BRIDGE! I'm so glad to see you here!" Geoff called out, waving as he jogged toward her.
Bridgette froze and trembled, her body stiffening as soon as Geoff got closer. The party boy immediately slowed down, concern washing over him.
"Bridgette, are you okay? It's just a challenge. Everything is going to be fiNEEEEEEEEE—" Geoff's words trailed into a shriek as Bridgette lunged at him with a growl, revealing her zombie makeup and snarling face.
"Oh no, no, no, that's a low blow, Bridg—"
"Look who's talking," came a voice from behind, making Geoff freeze mid-sentence. He slowly turned around to see DJ and Tyler glaring at him, both decked out in zombie makeup and tags.
"NOT COOL, BRO," Tyler said, his voice sharp with annoyance.
"Not cool at all," DJ added, folding his arms as Geoff sheepishly smiled at them.
"Hey guys, uh, oops? Would you believe me if I told you there was an ice cream truck?" Geoff stammered, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. Before he could say anything else, he suddenly yelled as Bridgette bit into his neck—not too hard, but enough to tag him out.
Bridgette stepped back with a victorious smirk. "And with that, you're out. Welcome to the zombie side."
"Aww, man." Geoff pouted, but his frown quickly melted into a grin as he looked at Bridgette. "I can't even be mad at you. Come on, give me a kiss."
But before Bridgette could respond, a chorus of *tsk tsk tsk* sounds filled the air. Geoff barely had time to process it before he was sprayed in the face with water mixed with hot sauce, making him yell and stumble back.
"COME ON, WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT?!" Geoff shouted, trying to shield his face from the stinging spray.
DJ and Tyler stood there, each holding a spray bottle and glaring at him. "After what you just pulled? Not a chance," Tyler said flatly, emptying the rest of his bottle onto Geoff's face.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" Geoff screamed as he ran off, his face burning from the spicy water.
The group turned their attention to Tyler, who looked unrepentant. "What? He deserved it," Tyler deadpanned, glancing at Bridgette. "And by the way, we'll be watching you both from now on."
Bridgette smiled sheepishly, trying to keep her cool.
The group sprinted through the winding paths of the massive movie set, dodging overturned props and barely avoiding the swarm of interns chasing them. Their footsteps echoed between the hollow facades, their breaths ragged as exhaustion clawed at their muscles.
"Movie Set 17 should be up ahead!" Gwen called, gripping her crowbars tightly as her voice strained to rise above the commotion. "Jude, where's Studio 24?"
"Left! Just past there!" Jude shouted, panting as he kept pace with the others. "That's where the cure's supposed to be!"
Veering sharply, the group skidded into the open space of Set 17—an eerily realistic recreation of a small-town square. The bright studio lights overhead flickered, casting long, shifting shadows that gave the empty set a haunting ambiance.
"Finally, some brea—" Eva's words cut off as a blur shot out from the shadows.
*BAM!*
Eva was slammed to the ground, a guttural yell tearing from her throat. The rest of the group froze, stunned, as Eva wrestled with the figure pinning her. A chilling sound—the sharp pinch of teeth against skin—made their stomachs drop.
"AGH! What the hell?!" Eva thrashed wildly, her muscles straining as she tried to shake the attacker off. Her face twisted in shock as the "zombie" finally looked up.
"Hey, guys!" Sadie grinned, her face caked in expertly applied zombie makeup, complete with fake blood smeared around her mouth. She waved enthusiastically, seemingly unaware of Eva's murderous glare. "Did I scare you? Be honest!"
Confessional – Eva
"...So this is what pride feels like?" Eva folded her arms with a reluctant smirk. "I'm proud of her... but if she thinks I won't triple her training after this, she's dead wrong. Sweat and tears, Sadie. Sweat and tears." Her grin turned mischievous, equal parts vengeance and pride.
The group gawked in disbelief as Sadie stood up, brushing herself off like nothing had happened.
"Sadie?!" Leshawna gasped, staring in utter confusion.
"Careful, you guys!" Sadie chirped, pointing back toward the shadows. "Cadet MacArthur's got a slime gun, and she—"
Before Sadie could finish, a loud, pressurized hiss cut through the air.
*THWAP! THWAP!*
Bright green slime exploded across the set, splattering the ground in thick, sticky globs. Both Leshawna and Jude barely had time to react before the goo splashed over them, dragging them down as its weight clung to their bodies.
"GAH—!" Leshawna yelped, struggling to free her arms. "What is this mess?!"
"Dude, not cool!" Jude groaned as his legs gave out beneath him, sending him face-first into the goo.
Gwen's pulse quickened as she whipped around toward the direction of the shots.
Emerging from the shadows like a walking tank was Cadet MacArthur, decked out in a makeshift riot suit that looked like it had been cobbled together from scrap metal. Her face was streaked with zombie makeup, giving her an intimidating, undead warrior look. In her hands rested the slime gun, still steaming from its recent shots.
"Target acquired: two zombies for the price of one." MacArthur smirked, pumping her weapon for another round. "Goth girl, you're next."
Panic surged through Gwen like a bolt of electricity.
"RUN!" she screamed, bolting toward Studio 24 without a second thought.
Eva scrambled after her, shooting Sadie a deadly glare as she passed.
Sadie, however, remained standing, beaming proudly at MacArthur. "Mac, that was so cool!"
"Thanks, rookie." MacArthur grinned, her voice dripping with smug satisfaction. She reloaded her slime gun with deliberate flair. "Now, let's bag the goth before she finds the cure."
"You three are zombified now," MacArthur added, gesturing at Leshawna, Jude, and Eva. "Go get your makeup touched up and help me catch the survivors."
Sadie gave an eager thumbs-up while Leshawna groaned in frustration, still stuck in the goo. Jude also was twitching and Eva scoffed with her eyes narrowing.
But Gwen didn't stop running. Her boots pounded against the pavement, her breath coming in short gasps as she darted through the maze of fake buildings toward the direction Jude had pointed out.
Confessional – Gwen
"For anyone out there who thinks zombie movies are just good fun—where panic and betrayal lead to some twisted sense of camaraderie and survival... let me just say, you're wrong. Totally and completely wrong." Gwen threw her hands up in exasperation. "To the jerks who thought this challenge up... nice job, guys. Seriously. I'm impressed." She smiled at the camera. Once again, getting on how sometimes the show really surprises her.
Courtney and Ezekiel slowed to a stop, both staring at the sprawling studio before them. This wasn't the sleek, high-tech lab or the apocalyptic wasteland they had expected—it was something completely different. The set resembled an old Wild West ghost town, complete with dusty saloons, creaky wooden storefronts, and even a tumbleweed rolling by, courtesy of a hidden fan.
Ezekiel raised an eyebrow, glancing around with a mix of confusion and intrigue. "Uh, Courtney? Pretty sure this isn't Studio 24."
Courtney crossed her arms defensively, the tips of her ears turning pink. "Okay, I thought I took the right when I was supposed to take the left!" she snapped, clearly embarrassed. "But we're too far away now, and I am not wasting time running back!" She sighed heavily, planting her hands on her hips. "Great. Just great."
Ezekiel shrugged, a crooked grin spreading across his face. "Well, that sucks, but it's not the end of the world... no pun intended." He gestured at the set around them. "Honestly? I think this is kind of cool. Ever thought about a showdown between cowboys and zombies?"
Courtney shot him a flat look. "And why would I ever think about that?"
Ezekiel chuckled. "Come on, Courtney. Just because you're debating between you and Duncan for elimination doesn't mean you can't have fun. If this is your last challenge, wouldn't you want to go out with a bang?" He spread his arms, motioning to their surroundings. "Even if you're about to be eliminated, you've got fans who are watching. You might as well give them something unforgettable and make your name even bigger."
Courtney raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. Despite herself, she looked intrigued. "And what exactly do you suggest?"
Ezekiel grinned. "Do something so crazy no one will ever forget it. Something you can tell your kids one day, and they'll sit there in awe, laughing at the whole thing." His eyes gleamed with excitement. "That's what I want to do this season—have fun, make the most of it, and enjoy the ride."
Courtney scoffed but gave a small, reluctant smile. "Yeah, I'm sure you would." Then her expression faltered. "I just… I don't know. I'm still not sure how to tell Duncan that I want him to vote me off. He got robbed of his shot last season because of me."
"Thank God for that," Ezekiel said without missing a beat.
Courtney blinked in surprise. "What?"
"There's no way Duncan would've been happy if he had to do the I Triple Dog Dare You challenge."
The mere mention of the episode's name sent a shiver down Courtney's spine. Memories of the messed-up dares the Killer Bass had thrown at the final three flashed through her mind.
"Yeah… I doubt he'll stay calm when I explain it to him," she muttered, sadness creeping into her voice.
Ezekiel snapped his fingers in front of her face, bringing her back to reality. "Hey, quit stressing. You never know—when one door closes, another might open to something even better. And sometimes, the next choice you make ends up being the best decision of your life." He rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You and Duncan? You guys are great together, and the fans love you. Just... appreciate the little things, you know?"
Courtney chuckled. "Another one of your rules?"
Ezekiel nodded. "Rule 32: Enjoy the little things. Have fun. Enjoy the chaos. Our lives have changed so much since last season—why not roll with it?"
"Yeah… you're right." Courtney smiled, following Ezekiel as he led the way.
The moment they opened the door, however, Ezekiel's expression shifted. Something felt off.
"This door only opens from the outside," he muttered, eyeing a small wooden box sitting near the entrance.
Courtney barely paid attention as she stepped past him, but Ezekiel quickly grabbed the box and wedged it in the doorway to keep it from shutting. "Rule 22: When in doubt, know your way out."
Courtney raised an eyebrow, glancing back at him with amusement. "Okay, I have a question—are you planning on writing an entire zombie survival guide? Because at this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if you're working on a whole chapter."
Ezekiel grinned, pleased that she was playing along. "Actually, I was thinking of adding three or four chapters about zombies in Adventure Time."
"Of course you are." Courtney rolled her eyes with a smirk. "It will be Slumber Party Panic 2?"
"Electric Boogaloo." Ezekiel joked as both laughed. The duo ventured deeper into the dimly lit movie set, the eerie silence around them hinting that things were about to get interesting.
As Courtney and Ezekiel stepped deeper into the dimly lit set, a sudden blur of pink and brown launched at them from the shadows.
"COURTNEYYY!"
Before Courtney could react, she was nearly tackled to the ground as Katie flung her arms around her in a tight hug.
"AH—!" Courtney yelped, stumbling back as she instinctively raised her Nerf pistol. Ezekiel, just as startled, leveled his paintball gun at the sudden intruder.
Katie froze in place, her eyes darting between the two weapons now aimed directly at her. "Uh… surprise?" she squeaked.
Courtney let out an exasperated breath, lowering her gun. "Katie! What are you doing?! You scared the life out of me!"
Ezekiel sighed, lowering his paintball gun as well. "Yeah, we almost blasted you into next week."
Before Katie could explain, footsteps echoed from behind her. Moments later, Cody and Noah emerged from the shadows, looking relieved to see them.
"Oh man, and I am glad to see you two." Cody said, catching his breath.
Courtney gave him a skeptical look. "Okay, what the heck is going on? Why are you guys even here?"
Noah pushed up his glasses with a tired sigh. "Long story short? We ran into one of the entrances to this area, the door locked behind us, and—shockingly—none of the exits work."
"Wait, so you're trapped in here?" Ezekiel asked.
"Pretty much," Noah replied, deadpan.
Courtney exchanged a glance with Ezekiel, both now realizing that their wrong turn might have just led them into something bigger than they expected.
"And that's not even the worst part," Cody added. "Sadie and Justin... they got captured."
"Which means both of them were eliminated." Ezekiel's voice was quiet, and he seemed lost in thought for a moment, but then his gaze turned to Katie, who was wiping away a tear.
"What's wrong?" he asked gently.
"Well, Sadie… she just did the ultimate sacrifice for Katie to escape," Noah explained, his voice softening.
"Huh, a good classic scene." Ezekiel nodded, impressed by the gesture. "Man, this challenge feels like an eternity."
"Tell me about it. Does anyone have a cure vial for when we end this challenge and can finally be free from all this chaos?" Courtney asked, sounding more than a little desperate.
"Sure, the answer is 4," Ezekiel said, grinning.
"…I will take that as a no, and you're a dumbass for quoting your book right now," Noah deadpanned, eyeing Ezekiel with a raised eyebrow.
"Come on, Noah, imagine it: It's a slumber party, we've got zombies, everyone's scared out of their minds, and there's a couple who could be doing the 7 minutes in paradise," Ezekiel joked, clearly having fun with the idea.
"Har har har," Noah replied, rolling his eyes.
"Well, you guys could just hide in the safety zone until the challenge ends," Ezekiel added casually, then noticed the looks of disbelief from everyone around him. "What?"
"…," Nobody answered, but they all silently started walking away.
"Where are you guys going?" Ezekiel called after them, a little confused. Katie was the first to respond.
"I'm going to the girls' trailer. I need to relax after all this beep," Katie muttered, heading in the direction that Ezekiel and Courtney had just come from.
But suddenly, from across the movie set, a heavy metal door began creaking open slowly, the sound echoing ominously across the studio.
"RUN!" Cody shouted, breaking into a sprint as Courtney, Noah, and Katie followed suit. But just as the group was about to flee, Cody paused, his gaze locked on Ezekiel, who stood completely still.
"EZEKIEL, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Cody called out, panic rising in his voice.
Ezekiel turned toward them with a dark smirk. "What if I didn't run? What if I'm not a coward? What if I want them to kill me?" His voice took on a deeper, almost theatrical tone. He raised his paintball gun in one hand, a Nerf shotgun in the other. "WHAT IF I WANT THEM TO TRY?"
"Ezekiel, what the hell?" Courtney called out, her voice laced with concern. Then she saw the paintball gun trained on her. Her heart skipped a beat.
"Leave it to me," Ezekiel said with a calm assurance, his eyes unwavering as the door creaked wider. "Now go."
"NOW!" he commanded, his tone sharp.
With no time to argue, the others turned and fled, running faster than they ever had, their feet pounding against the floor. Ezekiel remained standing at the entrance, his arms ready, his gaze fixed on the door. Whatever was coming through that threshold, he was ready to face it.
Duncan hated surprises. He really did—especially when they made him feel like an idiot. And right now? He felt like the biggest idiot for forgetting one of the most basic horror movie rules: never pick up anything important. Because if you do, the monsters will come running—especially the biggest one.
"Seriously, Chef holding a slime gun? Isn't that overkill?" Duncan muttered, still catching his breath.
He had been lucky—well, sort of—that Harold's first instinct had been to try and destroy the weapon with his toy lightsaber. The best the plastic blade could do was burn part of Chef's makeup, but that small fire was enough to make the man roar and sprint away in panic.
Unfortunately for Harold, the victory was short-lived. The moment Chef realized the flames weren't real, he turned back—without mercy. Duncan could only watch as Harold took a brutal punch to the stomach, strong enough to make the poor nerd vomit up his entire breakfast. But Chef wasn't done. Oh no. He went full overkill, unleashing a blast of slime at full pressure, completely burying Harold under the neon-green goop. Duncan swore to himself that if he made it out of this, he'd salute Harold for his noble sacrifice.
After what felt like ages of running, Duncan finally saw the safety zone ahead. Relief flooded through him—until something suddenly smashed against his head. He staggered, eyes widening in panic, as he immediately reached up, expecting blood. But when he looked down, it was an axe.
A fake one.
"Boom, you're dead, Duncan."
That voice—he knew that voice.
Blinking, Duncan turned to see Izzy grinning wildly, gripping another fake axe like she was ready to throw it again. Beside her stood Heather, Lindsay, and Beth, each armed with weapons of their own: spears, a pink baseball bat, and… metal cans?
Duncan frowned. "Who even said that? And where the hell did you find those cans?"
Heather casually examined her nails. "Found them around." She smirked before locking eyes with him. "Sorry, but not sorry. In every zombie movie, there's always a group that ambushes others to get what they need. And guess what? They always win."
Duncan chuckled, reaching into his jacket. "Yeah? Well, I came prepared." He pulled out a compound bow, raising it in challenge.
Izzy raised an eyebrow. "Did Ezekiel let you borrow that?"
"I will return to him; come on, it's for survival; he would do the same in my case." Duncan scoffed. Before he could react, Izzy launched her fake axe straight at him. "HEY!"
"It's fake. Why are you whining?" Heather rolled her eyes.
Duncan barely had a second to recover before Lindsay charged at him, swinging the foam bat.
"Well, good," Duncan smirked, gripping the bow tightly, "because I won't feel bad when I do this."
With a swift motion, he swung the compound bow at the incoming bat. The foam weapon didn't stand a chance—Duncan's bow smashed right through it, and the momentum carried through, slamming into Lindsay's face.
The impact sent her sprawling onto the ground.
Duncan winced. That wasn't supposed to happen. Especially since, when he looked down, he noticed a small crack on the bow itself.
"Okay… slight remorse now."
"LINDSAY!" Beth gasped, rushing to help her friend.
Duncan didn't stick around—he turned to run. But before he could take a single step, a spear shot past his face, slicing off a few strands of his hair.
He froze.
"Ohhh, you're gonna pay for that." Izzy growled, tightening her grip on another spear.
Duncan glanced at Heather, whose expression darkened as she cracked her knuckles.
"You're dead." Her voice was low, seething with the promise of pain.
Duncan scoffed, feigning confidence. "Yeah? I'd love to see you t—"
He never finished the sentence.
Because, in a blur of motion, a high heel struck him right where it hurt the most.
Duncan's eyes bulged. He let out a strangled sound, staggering as he hunched over. "… Why is it always the jewels?"
Heather, Beth, and Izzy turned to see Lindsay standing back up, her cheek swollen but her eyes burning with fury.
"That was uncalled for." Her voice was calm—too calm—as she cracked her knuckles, regaining her composure.
Confession – Lindsay
"Oh, he's so out of the show. That hurt a lot." Lindsay pressed an ice pack against her cheek, wincing slightly. "I thought Heather asking Courtney to either vote herself off or choose her boyfriend would have been cruel. I change my mind. I hope she picks this jerk instead."
Back in the game, Heather snatched the vial straight from Duncan's pocket without hesitation. "And I will be taking this."
Lindsay, still fuming, grabbed a weapon and handed it to Heather. "Pink bat's broken, but here's a wooden staff. Beat him with all your strength."
Duncan gulped as the two girls turned their furious glares on him. He had faced off against some of the toughest competitors in Total Drama, but this? This was an execution squad.
Beth, ever the peacemaker, raised her hands. "Girls, please, Duncan already apologized."
Heather and Lindsay whipped their heads toward her, speaking in perfect unison. "No, he didn't."
Beth blinked, then turned back to Duncan expectantly. "But he's gonna, right?" She raised her eyebrows, giving him a hopeful smile.
Duncan sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "Ye-yeah… Sorry for beating you with the bow. I thought your baseball bat was made of wood or metal."
A tense silence followed as all three girls simply stared at him, their eyes narrowing slightly—especially Lindsay, who, for some reason, seemed to be mentally aiming for his nuts. Duncan swallowed hard.
Then, suddenly, Lindsay's expression brightened. "Okay! Apology accepted." She paused before adding, "I'm still voting you out."
Duncan rolled his eyes. "Ugh… that's fair."
Heather scoffed. "Alright, let's get to the safety zone before—"
She didn't even finish her sentence before a sudden blast of slime struck her square in the back, knocking her off balance.
"HEATHER!" Lindsay and Beth shrieked as they jumped back in shock. The vial tumbled from Heather's grip and hit the floor, rolling slightly before coming to a stop.
The group quickly turned in the direction of the attack, their eyes widening as Chef Hatchet emerged, approaching menacingly. His entire body was covered in smeared zombie makeup, adding to the already imposing aura he radiated.
Right beside him, Harold stood in a ripped shirt, his own face slathered in poorly applied zombie paint. Unlike Chef, though, he had a different kind of weapon—a lightsaber.
Izzy squinted. "…A lightsaber? Of course, the best weapon for a zombie apocalypse." She smacked her forehead, realizing she hadn't thought of it herself.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted movement. Duncan, still dazed from the earlier attack, reached down, swiped the vial off the ground, and took off.
"GIRLS, HE'S ESCAPING! DON'T LET HIM GET TO THE SAFETY ZONE!" Izzy bellowed.
"Oh, right!" Beth and Lindsay snapped into action, immediately giving chase. Duncan, still feeling the sting of earlier attacks, wasn't running at full speed, and the girls quickly began closing in on him.
That left Izzy alone with Chef and Harold. She cracked her neck, rolling her shoulders as she locked eyes with Harold. "Now it's just you and me."
Harold hesitated, pushing his glasses up his nose. "…Izzy, listen, I don't think—"
"Don't get involved, Harold," she warned, her grin widening. "Or you're going to break your glasses."
Chef shot Harold a glare, as if silently commanding him to stand down. Without another word, the nerd backed off slightly, gripping his lightsaber but refraining from charging in.
Chef, however, did no such thing. He leveled his massive slime gun at Izzy, his expression unreadable under all the makeup.
Izzy tilted her head. "One of us isn't getting out of here clean."
With a dramatic flourish, she reached behind her back and pulled out what appeared to be a small paintball gun.
Chef scoffed. "You call that a paintball gun? Do you really think you can take me down with that? LOOK AT THIS SLIME GUN!"
With a battle cry, Chef leapt forward, his giant slime gun ready to unleash another blast.
Izzy let out a maniacal laugh. In one swift motion, she tossed aside her tiny paintball gun—and pulled out a paintball cannon instead.
Heather, still wiping slime off herself, groaned. "Since when did you have that?"
Izzy grinned, hoisting the cannon onto her shoulder. "Found it after passing Movie Set 17. And after Ezekiel and Courtney showed us it's possible to have guns, I figured it was best if I had one just in case." She turned back to Chef, eyes gleaming. "If I can handle hand-to-paw combat with a polar bear, I can handle a bald, emotionally withdrawn cook in a Halloween costume."
Chef's eye twitched at that. This girl—this absolute menace—had the audacity to talk like that to him?
"The audacity." Chef thought as his eyes narrowed on how one of his allies and squads he taught when she was a child, even as she was the daughter of his friends, he wouldn't show mercy for what she said. "WHO YOU CALLIN' A COOK?!" he roared.
And just like that, the battle began.
The first shot from Izzy's paintball cannon struck Harold square in the chest, sending him flying backward with a yelp.
Heather shut her eyes tightly, muttering under her breath. "Not getting slimed again…"
Meanwhile, Chef and Izzy fired at each other simultaneously. Slime and paintballs exploded into the air, colliding mid-shot and splattering in every direction.
For Izzy, this was pure bliss.
Izzy leaped back, dodging a barrage of slime shots as they narrowly missed her. She landed gracefully, smirking as she immediately retaliated with her paintball cannon. Chef, in response, launched himself into the air in slow motion, making for a dramatic action sequence. Even the usually unshakable military girl found herself gaping in awe at the spectacle.
With precise aim, Chef fired back relentlessly. Izzy dodged with impressive agility, weaving through the blasts—until one struck her directly in the chest.
Time seemed to slow. The impact sent her flying, and as she hit the ground, a small but distinct slime mark was left on her chest. Her still body, eyes closed, hand over her heart, long ginger hair splayed across the floor—it was an all-too-familiar sight.
Chef's breath hitched. His eyes widened in horror.
"Oh oh…" For a split second, he wasn't seeing Izzy—he was seeing her. The same lifeless posture, but instead of green slime, it was red. The same eerie stillness. A nearby pistol. The messy hair of Kim..."Not again."
Until Izzy opened one of her eyes and jumped to surprise him. And chuckled uncontrollably.
She gave him PTSD, and he wasn't even mad; he was happy the worst didn't happen.
"I thought you were dead." Chef said relieved, as Izzy smirked at him.
"Yeah, we get that a lot." Izzy waved her hand, as Chef noticed Izzy said we, as the good way he recalled the times his squad, himself, Ron, Kim, and Shego had times each of them thought they were dead in a few combats. And indeed, that was what made Chef more relieved—for not having hurt his squad once again.
"What was that?! Where's the guts? The gore?!" Chris groaned in frustration, throwing his hands in the air. He had expected Chef to go completely overkill! Instead, he got… sentiment?
Disappointed, he slumped in his chair. "Whatever. Let's just check—WHAT THE HECK?!"
His eyes bulged as he stared at one of the monitors.
Ezekiel was perched atop a mountain—a literal mountain—of fallen zombies. Not just the interns, but also Owen and even Cadet Sanders.
Chris blinked. "Wh… what was that?"
He fumbled for the controls, already making a mental note to review the footage later. Because whatever had just happened, it was insane.
Duncan sprinted through the chaotic battlefield, dodging stray paintball shots and zombie interns left and right. But Beth and Lindsay were relentless, hot on his heels with determined expressions.
"Get back here, Duncan!" Beth shouted, her glasses slightly askew as she lunged forward.
"Yeah! And give us that... um, thingy!" Lindsay, still somewhat confused but determined to help, added,
"Not a chance!" Duncan growled in frustration, gripping the vial tighter. But just as he turned a corner, his boot landed on a puddle of slime. "Whoa—!"
Duncan's balance betrayed him, and he stumbled forward, arms flailing wildly. The vial slipped from his grasp, bouncing once on the floor before rolling a few feet away. All three froze.
The vial came to a slow stop at someone's feet. Gwen's feet.
She stood there, eyes wide, gripping her own vial tightly in one hand. The trio—Duncan, Beth, and Lindsay—locked eyes with her in shock.
For a split second, there was only silence.
Then Gwen's instincts kicked in.
"Nope, not dealing with this—" she muttered before turning on her heel and bolting.
"HEY!" Duncan, Beth, and Lindsay shouted at the same time.
But before they could chase her, they remembered the other vial still on the ground. Duncan dove for it. Beth lunged after him. Lindsay shrieked and tried to grab it too.
What followed was a ridiculous, three-way tug-of-war, each of them desperately trying to snatch the vial from the others. Duncan, lying on his stomach, pulled with everything he had. Beth had her arms wrapped around his torso, yanking the vial in the opposite direction. And Lindsay? She had somehow ended up clinging to Beth, trying to help her pry the vial from Duncan's hands.
The vial slipped, spun, and flipped between their fingers like a bar of soap in a shower.
They weren't even sure who had it anymore.
Meanwhile, Gwen kept running, the sounds of their struggle fading behind her. She exhaled sharply, clutching her own vial close.
"Yeah, they're definitely gonna regret that." Gwen said as she continued to go forward in the safety zone. Which, thankfully, she returned on the Craft Services Tent. "Finally."
But then, as she got inside the Craft Services Tent, she was surprised to see Sadie, Justin, Leshawna, Jude, Bridgette, Geoff, DJ, and Tyler all dressed as zombies. While Noah, Courtney, Katie, and Cody were looking normally but exhausted after everything happened.
"Oh, it seems Gwen grabbed the vial." Cody pointed it out, which made the whole group of contestants see Gwen finally appearing.
"Thank God it's finally over." Courtney said as it made Gwen blink in surprise. "Can someone call Chris? Gwen finally brought the last one."
"Last one?" Gwen asked. As suddenly Chris appeared with a smirk on his face.
"Don't need to call me; I heard it. I gotta say I expected something more climatic for the end of the challenge, but it had so many amazing scenes that I don't need to complain anyway. I will leave that job for the editors. Gwen, as the second fastest survivor with the vial cure, congratulations; you now can be the one choosing for your future team." Chris said with a smirk and already with his walkie-talkie on hands. "ALRIGHT EVERYONE, THE TWO LAST SURVIVORS OF THE CHALLENGES REACHED THE SAFETY ZONE, WHICH MEANS THE CHALLENGE IS OVER. I WANT YOU ALL TO WALK TOWARD THE TRAILERS NOW."
"So who was the other who got here with the vial?" Gwen asked curiously, as the group pointed at the remaining contestant, who nobody every thought had been working with anyone else. Trent, who was just placing his guitar cords back on his guitar again. "Trent?"
"Yeah, he passed the whole challenge of being in the shadows and going stealthy while following Duncan and Harold. And when Chef went ahead to fight them, Trent simply took the vial and stealthily returned here." Chris said as he looked at them both. "I'm surprised that you both didn't have much of a conflict, especially. I was eager to see him using those guitar cords, but I got disappointed. Also, you guys had some good ideas, but terrible execution."
"Yeah, yeah, cry me a river, Chris." Courtney said, as she was also annoyed and bored with how things ended that way. But now everyone needs to accept the challenge is over, and what will happen from now on will be very chaotic.
.
.
.
At the time the groups met themselves on the trailers, some of them looked still covered in slime; others seemed to look completely fine but also exhausted after dealing with the whole day.
"We have our two winners! Gwen and Trent!" Chris gave the presentation as some of the campers cheered for the victory of some of the duo, while the others cheered for the challenge finally being over. "As our winners, Gwen and Trent will now be able to pick their teams, which means they'll be competing against each other this season."
Both Trent and Gwen remained quiet, not knowing if they should be happy or sad if all their effort was worth it, but it was better than nothing.
"And now for the interesting part. Tonight we will vote off two cast members in the most thrilling Gilded Chris ceremony yet." Chris then gave the bomb, which made the whole group of castaways gasp.
"Dude." Jude said as he didn't expect such a plot twist.
"A double elimination. On the second challenge?" Sadie commented loudly as she held Katie's hand in fear.
"Yes, you heard me. I said two. I'm liking the twos today. Must be Tuesday."Chris commented as he tried to make a joke of it, but the group remained quiet while rolling their eyes, as the crickets were the answer a person like Chris deserved to receive at that moment. "Yeah, I don't get paid to write this show."
And with that, everyone got in panic, trying to decide on who they should be voting for.
"You gotta be kidding me," Duncan muttered, crossing his arms as he glared at Courtney. His frustration was evident, but she kept her head down, avoiding his gaze. "Are you seriously gonna let Heather play you like that?"
Courtney bit her lip, clearly struggling with the weight of her decision. She knew Duncan had a point, but before she could respond, another voice chimed in.
"Let her be, Duncan," Ezekiel interjected, stepping forward with an air of quiet authority. After surviving the entire challenge and proving himself as one of the Killer Bass's key players, he had earned the right to speak his mind. "We should've expected Heather to pull something like this when she saved Courtney from elimination. Now, Courtney owes her for that, and Heather's using it to take out one of the strongest players we have."
Courtney blinked in surprise before offering Ezekiel a small, appreciative smile. Despite the situation, it felt good to hear someone acknowledge her strength.
Chris had played this elimination smart. To prevent alliances from swaying the vote too much, he had separated the contestants into small groups, limiting their discussions to only two people at a time. This ensured that the outcome would be unpredictable and—more importantly for Chris—completely shocking.
"We should all vote Heather out," Duncan declared, stating what should have been the obvious solution. But Ezekiel merely rolled his eyes.
"Duncan, I get that you're mad about her using you to manipulate Courtney," Ezekiel said, folding his arms, "but it's not that simple. She already has Lindsay, Beth, and E-Scope in her corner. And thanks to you smashing my bow to beat Lindsay—by the way, I'm still mad about that—she's probably gonna convince Tyler, Leshawna, and Justin to vote for you. The Screaming Gophers are already ticked off, so they'd jump at the chance to take you out."
Duncan clenched his fists, cursing under his breath. He hadn't even realized how deep a hole he'd dug for himself.
"If it was just one person getting eliminated, Courtney might've had a shot at making the right call," Ezekiel continued. "But now? I'm not even sure if it's going to be you or Geoff."
"Geoff?" Courtney repeated, looking between the two boys.
Duncan and Ezekiel both nodded.
"Kissing Bridgette nonstop, ticking off Tyler and DJ during the challenge—yeah, they're mad at him," Ezekiel explained.
Duncan rubbed his chin, a sly look forming on his face. "Maybe we can use that to our advantage."
Ezekiel shook his head. "I don't think so. If the whole team was together, yeah, maybe. But with Chris's setup, we don't know where the votes are landing. He's boxed us in."
Courtney looked hurt by the realization, and Duncan scowled, still fuming. Ezekiel, however, simply smirked.
"But hey, if these are your last hours on the show, why not go out with a bang?"
Both Duncan and Courtney blinked at him.
Ezekiel's smirk widened. "Why don't you two enjoy yourselves—just like in Chef's Challenge last season? One last shot at being wicked."
Duncan and Courtney exchanged a glance before identical grins spread across their faces.
Ezekiel chuckled, placing his hands behind his back as he turned to walk away. "Have fun, you two."
(Dramatic Awards Cerimony.)
As soon as the camera showed the lights going for the stage, the stage lights moved as scenes of Chris's best moments of Total Drama Island, Chris smiling, having his best poses, and closes until his images faded as it showed the master prize of the moment, the Gilded Chris. With special effects of fireworks happening, which would impress anyone watching the television.
And with that, Chris walked towards on the stage, dressed on his elegant light blue suit and red bow-tie, as all the cast contestants were sitting on the stands in front of the stage. Some are anxious about whats about to happen since nobody ever had a chance to vote before. Until Chris came to explain the rules.
"It's time for your votes. However, there's a little surprise that I want you all to see." Chris smirked as the group looked at each other unsure, since Chris surprises never were a good sign. "I want you all to meet our new system of points. Something inspired by the last season. May I present you the MVPA. The Most Valuable Player Acting."
At the time Chris said that many blinked, with the exception of Izzy and Ezekiel, who remained stoic since both knew about the system points in secret.
"What's that?" Cody asked, but then Chris glared at him.
"Don't interrupt. Anyway, the MVPA is a system to show not only reward the best contestants of the challenge, but the best actors of dealing in challenges." Chris said as he touched a control button which on the screen lowering down on the stage, and on the moment the screen appeared, it showed the momment were Owen went to eat the full food made of foam, plastic just for the sake of finding a key he didn't know it happened, next showed both Ezekiel and Izzy shooting arrows on the monster animatronic which Chef got electrified, another scene of Ezekiel doing a dramatic speech just for later both him and Izzy ran away from the monster. A scene of Eva and Sadie taking down a bear, and Eva threatens the animal. "All these scenes were shown on the last episode, and they were judged not just by me and by Chef; most of the fans on the forum of Total Drama Island gave their opinions on which scene was the best by giving personal scores. Which now we have system of score times 100. Which means the scenes given score by the fans will be made an average of their scores times 100, while me and Chef will have our personal scores, which is also going to give times 100 as well."
"Don't take that bad, Chris, but what's the point of these points anyway?" Duncan said as he rolled his eyes, to which some of the contestants nodded their heads, while some had curiosity on what the points would be used for.
"Ah, I was going to do that. Anyway, these points are essential for anyone who wants to use them. Because in each voting time, because under your seats you will find a voting device." Chris said as everyone looked on their seats, and they found a device that, from Ezekiel's perspective, was a touch-screen cellphone, but with the faces of all the campers scrolling down. But in the corner of the devices. There was an icon of a gift box. "On these devices for the contestants who got their MVPA points, they will see the quantity of points they have on the corner. And by clicking on the icon of a gift box... There's something wonderful, awesome, terrifying, chaotic, and evil at the same time. Which the best part is... you all must figure out what it does."
"What?" The group asked as Chris smirked widely.
"There's a list of gift boxes where it shows only the values of how much they cost... And you will only know what they can do in case you buy it. However, in case you reveal what they does to the others, you will be eliminated automatically. You guys must figure out on your own." Chris said as the groups looked more nervous than before. "These boxes can be your savior or your doom if you don't know how to use the points and them properly, and the only way to do it is by trial and error. And secrets HAHAHAHAAHA."
"Which means things will be way more chaotic than before." Heather said as she glanced to everyone, as they are unsure on what even to say since the challenge would come to not only they need to deal with the challenges, but now they must act as well?
"Hahahaha, that's right. Now. For your safety, I think it's for the best to not reveal how many points you guys have, unless you want people go after you as main targets or even use . now that I think about it, maybe you guys should tell; it's going to be more fun anyway." Chris was about to be against the idea, but since it would cause even more chaos around, he suggested for them to do it.
"I will pass." Ezekiel said as he got the glances of some of the cast. "I'm not going to use this time anyway."
"YEAH BABY. THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT." Then suddenly a shout made everyone jump and see Owen looking at their friends with a happy smile. "This gift is awesome with 1200 points you can…" Chris cleared his throat. Which made Owen stops, and realize that he couldn't say it. "Ops, sorry guys, I cannot tell what it does, but man, I think 1200 points will be my main gift box."
"Anyway, let's continue. From your voting devices, you press the button on the person you want to be voted off. And oh, no peeking, or it will be Aha Na na na na na na Goodbye~" Chris explained as DJ wanted to see who Harold was picking but then was interrupted when Chris said the message and Harold covered himself to not show he was going to vote, and DJ looked sheepishly. Chris laughed as he waited, everyone pressing the buttons a few times. And when everyone looked as they were done, he was now for the main event. "The votes had been cast."
And with that, Chef appeared, as the contestants were surprised to see him once again wearing his social shirt, a black tie, and social pants. While behind him, much to the anger and shame of the cadets, each cadet was now walking towards the stage dressed as a ceremony girls. With fancy pink dresses and heels.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA," A few contestants laughed at seeing the angry face of MacArthur while even her cadet cap was in color pink, which she glared angrily at most of the campers. Cadet Sanders was shaking her head, while both girls were holding all the gilded Chris prizes for the elimination route.
"If you get the Gilded Chris, it means your safe," Chris explained the rules, as Chef Hatchet had no idea why, but he was glad it wasn't him into dealing with those annoying kids who had been laughing at the cadets like that. "And now… the Gilded Chris goes tooo… Trent, Gwen…"
Both Goth and the guitarist received their gilded prizes on their hands.
"Ezekiel, Izzy…" Chris said as he launched the gilded Chris to both of them.
"E-Scope," Izzy shouted as a way of correcting the host.
"Fine." Chris said in a not amused tone as Izzy was happy to receive her Gilded Chris. "E-scope"
"Eva, Lindsay, Tyler, Justin," Chris said as he was giving more and more names and was launching the Gilded Chris at the contestants who were also happy to be there and be safe for another day. "Sadie, Cody, Katie, DJ, Harold. You're also safe."
"Jude, the new boy, you're also safe." Chris said as Jude got the Gilded Chris with his two hands and cheered for being able to continue on the game. "Noah, Leshawna, Beth, Owen, you're guys are too much to say in one episode; I'm glad there will be a team split on the next episode."
Chris was sweating a bit, but the more and more names appeared, the more tension happened around. Heather, Bridgette, Geoff, Courtney, and Duncan looked at each other; something was very wrong.
"Next, surprisingly Heather, Bridgette, and last but not least." Heather got relieved from getting her golden statue, but now she could see both couples staring at the situation, not liking it at all. Chris then decided to give the final verdict. "Geoff."
"WHAT?" Most of the cast shouted as nobody believed on what just happened.
"Wohooo," Geoff shouted happily, with Bridgette hugging him, but then Duncan and Courtney couldn't believe what happened.
"What do you mean we are both out?." Duncan said in disbelief, as he looked all the other cast members who were also outraged. "They don't seem to be the ones who have been voting on us."
"Sorry Duncan… But... this is a change of outcome... since there was... a gift being used." Chris said the keywords, which immediately made both Courtney and Duncan stare at the situation… someone used the MVPA points to eliminate them both; how and why, They have no idea. "Well, any final words?"
Duncan looked at Courtney, who also looked hurt, but they knew something like that would happen, but at least he was going to give the final laugh.
"Yeah, you should check out the trailer where you produce yourself, Chris. I love the new color." Duncan said, which immediately made Chris' eyes go wide open.
"What do you mean by that?" Chris said, but both could hear Courtney. While she was hurt, she couldn't contain herself, so she started to laugh. Uncontrollably. Which made the host even more worried.
"See you later, losers," Duncan said as both he and Courtney had their final laugh, as both showed the middle finger to Chris and walked over the Lame-O-Sine. As even gave a good kiss together, not looking back at the worried host.
"GUYS, WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY TRAILER?" Chris shouted as immediately the cadets closed the door and waved at the 2 eliminated contestants.
Confession – Heather.
"Two pillars down in the price of one? It's my luck day." Heather said as she was happy for the outcome, she had no idea who made the delinquent boy and the annoying C.I.T. eliminated, but it was the best outcome she would have.
Confession – Iz- E-Scope
"That gift box is cruel and expensive. Such a powerful box is really what would destroy votes like nothing happened." Izzy commented, as a part of her showed guilt, and it was rare to see Izzy being sincere about something. "It's a great box in case someone wants to vote me out, but in case I don't use it right, it would be a waste of points.
(Flashback)
Izzy staring at the gift box—the one who was written 55000 points. At the time she pressed... there was the subtitle explaining... (Choose 2 people to swap votes.)
And Izzy being logical, she knew on who her friends would vote for, but Heather managed to convince everyone to vote on Courtney because she owned Heather a favor and she was going to accept the elimination. Duncan apologized to Lindsay, so that's why nobody insisted on vote Duncan out… But since she controlled the decision of who to vote out,. It was indeed a lot pressure.
But since Heather needed some protection, Izzy decided to give another helping hand for the queen bee. By eliminating the second Pillar Herself.
(Dramatic Awards Cerimony.)
"Well, at least we have a golden prize with us." Gwen said she was happy to think about what to do with it. "I'm thinking about melting it and getting more money with it."
"Ah ah ah? You think I didn't think of that? Actually, just for the sake of us doing mass production of it. We did something more simple and yet elegant. A golden foiled chocolate." Chris presented as the group had their eyes wide open.
Until suddenly.
*Trrrr ttrrr trrrr trrrr*
Ezekiel made a telephone sound.
"Can someone pick up the phone?" Ezekiel said as everyone blinked in confusion. On why he was making telephone sounds. "Because I *beeeeeee* CALLED IT."
Everyone who knew Ezekiel started to chuckle at how dumbfolded Chris was and how good a comeback Ezekiel came on being right on such trivial things. Owen licked his lips.
"I'm so glad Chef helped me better than the prunes; I will enjoy eating this before having some lunch." Owen said as he took the golden foil and started to eat the chocolate. The others also decided to do the same. And enjoy their dessert.
"Anyway. Who Gwen and Trent will pick up for their team? Will Izzy ever answer to her actual name? Will Owen finally get some lunch?" Chris commented as each of them rolled their eyes, while Owen shouted his thanks for the host. "Tuning next time to another excitement episode of TOTAL DRAMA ACTION."
Chris said as the camera gave space for showing the view of Chef Hatchet remaining on his position. With a resolute and fancy suit, while the cadets preferred to not be recorded in such a way.
And with that, the second episode was over…
Ezekiel sighed, knowing that from that point forward, things would be different. Without Courtney for becoming a villain on Total Drama Action, or even Duncan being too much time with Gwen for them to develop the romance on World Tour... This was the ripple that defined a new future that he isn't sure on what's going to happen from now on. The Zombie Genre Challenge was just made to prove the point; he's living on his own canon now.
He prayed for whoever was listening to him to just let both Duncan and Courtney find their happiness after dealing with such a bullshit day. But he was glad to see that in the final moments of this episode, they managed to make something that would forever make Chris with headaches.
"MY TRAILER. WHY, WHY DID THEY DO THAT?" Chris shouted as it was shown the trailer all messed up with graphite painting and even words as Chris' old and bald. Which clearly would hit Chris on where it hurts most. The ego.
Ezekiel decided to give some walk, as now being the last Killer Bass pillar remaining, on the next few days it will be the time for him to be in a new team; if he's going to be the leader of the same team or not, he doesn't care. All he is going to do is remain in the alliance with Chef and have some fun playing the challenges. And try to get the best of this season... And by glancing on the corner, he noticed something strange... A duck sitting on the corner. A duck? But that duck was holding a slight bag, and by staring at the boy, the duck slowly flew and dropped the bag. Before flying away.
"Is that?" Ezekiel recognized a duck when he saw one, especially when one was staring at him. As he looked around, he grabbed the paper bag and opened it just to see a small paper and a large quantity of leaves that he was seeing for the first time on his life. Slowly taking the paper, he read just a few lines and couldn't help but be happy.
"Here's my father's recipe, Ezekiel; may Mother Nature bless you on these challenges. And Father told me that drinking these and meditating will help you; however, it requires from you a strong will, so be patient and don't give up. You're friend… the moonlight child.
Dawn..."
"Well, this is going to be a good way to help me to write better and have all my memories." Ezekiel mumbled, but he also felt a bit of stress and a headache forming from the challenge he would need for case he would be using patience. Maybe it was to try to find enlightenment. Something like that would need time and patience. "Well, it's 42 days of show. I think I will manage in time. I just need to not rush it. It will be easy."
A fool could dream, couldn't he?
Chapter 62: Interlude Action - 2
Notes:
Author's note: Well, I wanted so much to write way more scenes, but I think I already did too much on this chapter, because man it's going to be a lot for you guys to process hahahahahahaha. The scene I wanted so much to write, sadly I wasn't able to write it now because it would destroy the flow of the days I have been writing on the chapter, however after the next episode, the next interlude, then I will write a whole chapter about the thing I wanted to write most. But I hope this chapter will make everyone happy and excited for the plans I have ahead, so now enjoy this chapter and have fun.
Chapter Text
"Okay, I need you both to show me the best highlight moments from this episode," Chris ordered, lounging in his chair with his signature smirk.
Nearby, Sanders sat stiffly, nursing a cup of coffee and nibbling on a donut. Chef Hatchet stood with his arms crossed, while Cadet MacArthur leaned forward, eager to see the footage. The editing team worked tirelessly in the background, ensuring the episode would be polished and entertaining for the audience.
"The editing team is doing their best to make sure this episode is good to go," Chris added casually, stretching his arms behind his head.
A sudden wrinkle formed on MacArthur's nose as she sniffed the air. "Hey… what's that smell?"
Sanders instantly tensed. She averted her gaze and took a slow sip of coffee as if hoping to avoid the question. "I'd… prefer not to talk about it," she muttered, shuddering at the memory.
She had barely escaped the worst of it during the challenge, but the interns hadn't been so lucky. Many had been forced to take extended showers, some even breaking down in tears over the horrors they had endured. The trauma was still fresh, and the less said about it, the better.
Chris, however, was already flipping through the footage, unfazed by her discomfort. "Alright, there's something I'm really curious about—" He scrolled through the recordings until the screen jumped back to a specific moment.
Sanders' stomach twisted in recognition. "Err… boss, I don't think that's a good idea," she warned.
Chef and MacArthur both turned to her with interest.
"Nothing," she quickly added, forcing a strained smile. "Please, go on."
MacArthur raised a suspicious eyebrow. "Come on, Sanders. What aren't you telling us?"
Before Sanders could even attempt to deflect, Chris let out an exaggerated gasp.
"Ohhh, here we go! Let's see what Ezekiel was up to when he was alone—HOLY SHIT!"
The moment the scene played out, Chef's raised eyebrows twitched before he barely contained a smirk. Then his amusement evaporated, his eyes going wide, his mouth slowly dropping open in sheer disbelief.
MacArthur's jaw practically hit the floor.
Sanders, having already lived through it once, slammed her eyes shut, not wanting to relive the nightmare.
The footage was pure chaos.
Those poor interns.
Meanwhile, in his cabin, Ezekiel sat on his bed, wincing slightly as he stretched. Every muscle in his body ached from the sheer insanity of what he had pulled off today. He still wasn't entirely sure what had possessed him to go that far.
Especially in that last scene.
It had been absolute madness.
Still, as he lay back against his pillow, an old tune began to hum in his head. A familiar one. One that had sparked pure chaos and mayhem when he had needed it most.
Who would've thought that Kingsman had provided the perfect inspiration for handling a horde of zombies?
.
.
.
(Many hours ago)
(Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird [Kingsman Church Scene Version]]
The moment the doors burst open, a wave of interns dressed as zombies stormed inside, their groans echoing through the room. Leading them was Cadet Sanders, gripping a slime gun, prepared for a takedown.
They weren't ready for what was coming.
Ezekiel moved like lightning. He dashed forward, weaving through the oncoming horde with effortless agility. His eyes locked onto his first target—an intern barely registering his presence before pop! A paintball struck dead center on their forehead, sending them stumbling back.
Without missing a beat, Ezekiel whipped out his shotgun Nerf gun, swung it toward another intern's face, and fired at point-blank range. The foam dart smacked against the zombie's forehead, dropping them instantly.
In one fluid motion, he tucked the paintball gun under his arm, spun on his heel, and fired a shot into the gut of another intern. A pained grunt followed as they doubled over, just in time for Ezekiel to raise the gun and land a final shot square between their eyes.
A zombie lunged from the side. Ezekiel reacted fast—slamming the shotgun Nerf gun into its face, forcing it back just enough to gain space. With his free hand, he raised the paintball gun and fired directly into the attacker's face. Another one down.
Still moving, he crouched low, knees sliding across the floor. A sharp shot to the stomach sent another intern staggering backward. As Ezekiel stood, he delivered a brutal knee to the jewels, making the unfortunate soul crumple with a wheeze. A final paintball to the forehead ensured they stayed down.
The chaos only intensified.
Grabbing a nearby intern, Ezekiel spun them around and used them as a human shield, unloading a flurry of paintball rounds in every direction. The suppressing fire held back the advancing horde, but his luck ran out as the paintball gun clicked empty.
No time to reload.
An intern tried to strike from behind, but Ezekiel swung the empty paintball gun with full force, the plastic cracking against the attacker's skull. The weapon shattered apart in his hands, but the job was done.
With a free hand, he slammed the butt of his shotgun Nerf gun against the back of his former shield's head, dropping them like a sack of bricks. He quickly reached into his pocket, reloading the shotgun with Nerf bullets soaked in paint.
Fire. Reload. Fire. Reload.
He rolled across the floor to dodge a slime blast from Sanders, barely avoiding getting hit. Before she could adjust her aim, Ezekiel pulled a bold move—throwing his shotgun directly at her.
Sanders flinched, momentarily distracted. That was all he needed.
In a flash, Ezekiel ripped the Nerf pistol gun from his belt and fired straight into her chest. A bright splotch of paint spread across her uniform. Shocked, she looked down at the mark, but Ezekiel wasn't done.
With ruthless efficiency, he aimed higher and squeezed the trigger.
*Pop!*
A paint-covered Nerf dart struck her forehead, sending her stumbling back.
Ezekiel didn't wait for her reaction. He rolled to the side and waltzed through the battlefield, firing precision shots at the zombie interns' faces. Each squeeze of the trigger sent another one down, foam darts marking their foreheads in vibrant paint splatters.
Just as he turned, an intern managed to slam a fist into his back, knocking the air from his lungs. Gritting his teeth, Ezekiel twisted around and fired a gut shot, forcing the attacker to double over. With a swift right hook, he punched them across the face, and before they could recover—one last shot to the head.
The clip clicked empty.
With practiced ease, he ejected the magazine from his Nerf pistol and reloaded with a fresh one from his belt.
An intern rushed him, arms outstretched, ready to tackle. But Ezekiel was faster.
Instead of dodging, he dropped into a perfect split—a move so unexpected that the charging intern had no time to react. BAM! Ezekiel's fist shot up, slamming into the intern's most vulnerable spot.
A strangled gasp. A stumble.
The intern hit the ground, clutching their wounded pride.
Ezekiel didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, pressed the Nerf pistol against their open mouth, and pulled the trigger.
*Pop!*
A final, ink-covered dart sealed their fate.
The moment an intern tried to hold Ezekiel's arm and take his gun, Ezekiel reacted without hesitation. He aimed his pistol at the intern's stomach and pulled the trigger. The impact made the intern freeze, just long enough for Ezekiel to raise the gun higher and fire a second shot—straight to the face. Another one down.
Before the body even hit the ground, a female intern lunged at him. Without missing a beat, Ezekiel caught her in a headlock—a move drilled into him by none other than Eva. As she struggled, he lifted his pistol over his shoulder and fired blindly, nailing another intern right between the eyes. A perfect headshot. The next second, he twisted his grip and fired into the girl's temple before she could sink her teeth into his arm.
The remaining interns hesitated. They had started with guns, but now, panic set in. They reached for planks, bats—anything they could use. But Ezekiel wasn't slowing down. The adrenaline coursed through his veins, heightening his reflexes, sharpening his instincts. He kicked hard at a stack of wooden columns, sending them toppling over, pinning the interns' legs beneath the debris. As they howled in pain, Ezekiel walked over the wreckage without a second thought, his boots pressing down on shattered limbs. Every step was met with another gunshot to the head. One by one, they dropped.
Another magazine empty. He ejected it, letting it fall beside the bodies before reloading in a swift, practiced motion.
The next zombie barely had time to react before Ezekiel leaped onto him, pressing his pistol to the intern's forehead and pulling the trigger mid-air. Blood and foam splattered the ground as Ezekiel rolled off the falling body, immediately dodging a wild swing from another attacker. The intern wielded a staff, but it didn't matter. Ezekiel pivoted, aimed, and fired a clean shot right between his eyes.
Rolling to his feet, he slung his pistol into its holster and grabbed his shotgun. He wielded it like a club, smashing it into one intern's ribs before twisting it back to fire at another's head. Every move was ruthless, precise.
Then, he saw it.
The biggest zombie he had encountered so far. A towering figure, lumbering toward him.
But it wasn't just any zombie.
"Owen."
Owen blinked. "Uh… Ezekiel? You're not gonna hurt me, right?" He glanced around at the carnage—interns groaning on the ground, Ezekiel still blasting and pummeling anyone in his path.
"Sorry, Owen," Ezekiel muttered, shifting his grip. "Just this once. I promise."
Before Owen could process what was happening, Ezekiel launched a brutal kick straight into his groin. Owen's eyes bulged, and he collapsed with a wheeze.
"It's gonna hurt you way more than me," Ezekiel said apologetically. "But hey, on the bright side, Izzy and the others might finally stop being mad at you."
Owen winced but gave a thumbs-up. "That's okay," he said weakly. "Just for laughs, right?"
"Yep. Now lay down."
With Owen still doubled over, Ezekiel cocked his shotgun, used the butt of the weapon to smash an incoming intern across the face, then swiftly delivered a devastating liver punch. The intern gasped, dropping to his knees, only for Ezekiel to raise his shotgun and fire point-blank into his face.
The chaos only escalated from there.
Ezekiel sprinted through the battlefield, grabbing Cadet Sanders' taser and pepper spray from her holster. He wasted no time putting them to use. The next intern that came too close was met with 50,000 volts to the chest, convulsing before collapsing.
In the next second, Ezekiel spotted a spittoon from a movie set. Without hesitation, he grabbed it and smashed it over an intern's skull, denting the metal and sending the guy sprawling. Another intern rushed him from behind with a chair, shattering it against Ezekiel's back. Gritting his teeth through the pain, Ezekiel whirled around and hurled a hardcover book into the guy's face. The impact stunned him just long enough for Ezekiel to send a ruthless kick straight to his groin. The man buckled, groaning, only to have his suffering extended when Ezekiel sprayed a faceful of pepper spray directly into his eyes.
Blinded and wailing, the intern stumbled, coughing violently—right into Ezekiel's final, most sadistic move.
His bloodshot eyes glinting with twisted amusement, Ezekiel reached into his pocket, pulling out a paper bag filled with an ominous green liquid. Before the intern could react, Ezekiel shoved the bag straight into his mouth and, without hesitation, delivered a bone-crushing uppercut to his jaw.
The bag exploded.
A sickly green substance splattered everywhere as the intern collapsed, choking and vomiting uncontrollably. His cries of agony echoed through the battlefield.
Ezekiel merely cracked his neck, exhaling deeply.
This wasn't a challenge anymore.
This was a massacre.
The stench in the air was nauseating, a thick, suffocating miasma that seemed to seep into every corner of the room. Yet, Ezekiel didn't flinch, his eyes wild with a berserk intensity. He was no longer a participant in what was supposed to be a harmless challenge—this had transformed into something far darker, a fight for survival.
The interns, wide-eyed with terror, could barely comprehend what had just unfolded. One moment, they were laughing, the next, their lives were in danger.
In a swift, fluid motion, Ezekiel snatched a book from the floor, slamming it into the neck of one intern with a sickening thud. Without hesitation, he swung it again, this time smashing it into another intern's face. His movements were violent, his fury relentless. A liver blow left one intern gasping, and a brutal right straight to the jaw sent another crashing to the ground. He followed up with quick, punishing jabs, each one landing with precision before throwing a crushing hook that dropped his target to the floor.
The chaos was terrifying—then, with a horrifying calmness, Ezekiel reached for a can of pepper spray. He pressed it into the face of the fallen intern, who screamed in agony, writhing on the floor. The sound echoed in the room, and for a brief moment, there was only the desperate gasping of those still standing.
The interns who had been watching in horror suddenly became aware of the danger. Their breath hitched as Ezekiel, a predator in the midst of the storm, slowly began to rise. Fear seized them, and without a second thought, they scattered, running in every direction.
Breathing heavily, Ezekiel, his chest rising and falling, finally seemed to notice the exhaustion creeping in. He collapsed onto his back, sitting down hard against the floor.
"Owen, do you mind if I sit here?" Ezekiel asked, his voice hoarse, his gaze unfocused as he sunk to the ground beside Owen.
"No problem, Ezekiel," Owen replied, his voice shaky. His eyes were wide with fear, the intensity of what he'd just witnessed still sinking in. In fact, the fear was so overwhelming that he couldn't help but let out a series of nervous farts, their noise almost comical against the grim scene unfolding. To his surprise, though, the scent was a relief compared to the suffocating odor of the set.
Ezekiel gave a small, tired smile, closing his eyes as he leaned back to rest. "Thanks," he muttered, settling into the momentary stillness. After a pause, his smile faltered as he glanced around at the groaning interns scattered on the floor, their faces pale with fear. "Sorry about this, everyone... I got carried away."
The groans of the wounded interns filled the silence, and Ezekiel felt a sudden pang of embarrassment, sheepish at how far he'd gone. He had lost himself in the action, and now, in the aftermath, the realization of just how much he'd gone overboard weighed heavily on him. Specially he forgot to take out his weights on his arms and legs. Oh yeah, his body will feel it tomorrow morning.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Chef Hatchet and Cadet MacArthur burst into uncontrollable laughter as Sanders flushed with embarrassment. She had been easily outsmarted by a young boy in a zombie-themed scenario, and now they found themselves on the floor, completely overwhelmed.
"You let him take your pepper spray and taser gun?" MacArthur managed to say between fits of laughter. "Oh boy, the police academy will treasure this moment forever. HAHAHAHAHA!"
Sanders clenched her fists, her face still red with frustration. "It's not funny. He came out of nowhere and went after all of us. We were supposed to scare him off, but instead, he went full crazy on us. This was supposed to be a horror Zombie theme movie, not some high-octane action film!" She shook her head, still haunted by the encounter. "And where did he find time to make one of his stupid stink bombs?"
Chef Hatchet bit his lip, doing his best to stifle any whistling or signs of innocence. He knew better than to draw attention to his secret alliance with Ezekiel and Izzy.
MacArthur smirked. "Well, it's crazy because that's a golden moment. This'll rack up some serious MVPA points. It had the most insane, cinematic action moves I've seen in a while!"
Chris, watching the scene unfold, couldn't help but agree. "I've known he's been training with Eva for a few weeks, but holy damn, the boy from the farm—homeschooled or not—clearly knows his stuff. This was genre-savvy to the max." He cleared his throat. "Alright, time for our judgment. Chef?"
"10 out of 10," Chef said with a grin.
"Same here," Chris added.
Cadet Sanders scowled. "It wasn't that great," she muttered, earning a chuckle from MacArthur.
"I told you, you should've worked on your glutes more," MacArthur teased, clearly relishing the moment. As Sanders raised her middle finger in response, MacArthur's grin widened. "Making my night even better."
The rumbling of the Lame-O-Sine's engine echoed through the dimly lit streets of Canada, a low, constant growl against the silence inside. Neon signs and streetlights flickered through the tinted windows, casting shifting colors across the faces of its two passengers.
Courtney sat with her arms crossed, her posture stiff, her gaze locked on the passing cityscape. Her mind raced, but her expression remained carefully composed—except for the slight furrow in her brow, a telltale sign of frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
Beside her, Duncan slouched in his seat, lazily fiddling with his spiked bracelet, his boots propped up against the seat in front of him. They had done everything they could in the competition, but in the end, it didn't matter. They were the first ones out.
It sucked.
Courtney finally exhaled, breaking the silence. "So… what now?" Her tone was a mix of resignation and curiosity, a question she wasn't sure she wanted answered.
Duncan smirked, stretching his arms behind his head in that cocky, effortless way of his. "Well, I could always go back to breaking the law and causing trouble. Keeps life interesting."
Courtney shot him a glare. "Ugh, very funny. But I don't want you going back to juvie. Neither do your parents. And neither does my mom." Her voice softened slightly as she added, "You promised you'd behave."
Duncan scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I was joking, Princess. Relax. I wouldn't do that, not after everything your mom did for me." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guess I'll just finish my community service and… I dunno, figure it out from there." His smirk faltered, his frustration peeking through. "Man, we barely made it past the second challenge. And yeah, part of me wants to say we were cheated, but let's be real—someone wanted us gone first."
His jaw clenched as he narrowed his eyes. "Would've loved to have a little chat with that queen bee bitch before getting booted. But I guess I would've been kicked off either way."
Courtney sighed, the weight of their elimination pressing down on her again. "Yeah… I get it. I mean, seriously. We just lost our shot at winning a million dollars. What's next for us?"
The question hit harder than she expected. Deep down, she wasn't just frustrated about losing the money—she was frustrated about losing the opportunity. She wanted to prove herself, to show what she was capable of, to take the spotlight and use it to build something bigger. The whole competition had given her a platform, a chance to redefine herself after what happened last season. Now, just like that, it was gone.
She thought about how she had helped the Killer Bass upgrade their looks, how she had impressed everyone with her leadership and organization skills. It felt like she was so close to making an impact, but now? Now what?
Duncan glanced at her, noting the way she seemed lost in thought. He leaned back against the seat. "Dunno… I haven't really thought about it." Then, after a beat, "Did you?"
Courtney hesitated. "I think so?" she said, though the uncertainty in her voice betrayed her confidence. "I mean, first, I wanted to be student council president, but I didn't win this year, and now… I don't know. I could start prepping for law school, I guess. But this whole competition put me behind schedule. And…"
She trailed off, realizing Duncan was watching her closely. She swallowed, admitting, "I don't know if that's really what I want."
Duncan hummed in understanding. He shrugged off his leather jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
The gesture caught her off guard.
She blinked at him. "Duncan?"
He didn't look at her, just kept his gaze on the window. "I get it. Plans change." His voice was uncharacteristically soft. "I was gonna use the hundred grand to deal with juvie stuff, but now? Now I'm free. Just gotta finish up my community service. Thanks to your mom." He smirked at her, but there was gratitude behind it.
Courtney clutched the jacket closer, letting its warmth sink in.
"With a million bucks, though?" Duncan continued, a little more upbeat. "I figured I'd take you somewhere. Maybe visit my Uncle Martin and Aunt Alex in the U.S. Pass a few days in Orlando—hell, even go to Disneyland and mess around on the rides."
Courtney blinked, then giggled. "That's… actually really thoughtful of you, Duncan." She smirked. "Even if it sounds like a bit of a waste of money."
Duncan shot her an exaggerated glare, but the moment she pecked his cheek, his annoyance melted away.
"Well," she mused, tilting her head. "It would be fun. Going to Disneyland… or meeting your eccentric side of the family."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Princess," Duncan muttered, shaking his head.
Courtney smiled softly. The moment of peace settled between them, and for the first time since their elimination, she felt… okay. They would figure it out.
"Well," she said with a playful smirk, "someday we should plan what to do for our future." She nudged his arm. "You can't just mess around forever, Duncan."
Duncan chuckled, catching the teasing edge in her voice. "Who says I'm messing around?" He leaned back, grinning. "Maybe I'll open a bike shop—custom work for guys and girls. Or maybe I'll start up my punk band again, go on tour, live a little."
Courtney raised a brow. "Wow, that almost sounded responsible."
Duncan smirked. "Almost."
"Also...A punk Band, really?" Courtney arched an eyebrow, smirking. "You? In a punk band?"
Duncan shrugged, grinning. "Hey, don't sound so surprised."
"I just remember you saying you don't like singing," she said with a scoff, crossing her arms.
"I don't," Duncan admitted with a laugh. "But I know how to play electric guitar. And I'm really good at breaking things."
They both chuckled at the undeniable truth in that statement.
"Well," Duncan added, nudging her playfully, "you could be the lead singer. You've got a nice voice."
"Pfft, pass." Courtney waved the idea away. "Punk songs are just screaming and shouting, and I'd rather not wreck my vocal cords."
Duncan held up his hands in surrender, but the playful glint in his eyes remained. Then, after a moment, an idea struck him. "Hmmm… you could do something with those audiobook things Ezekiel's been working on. Didn't you sing that one song from his book? You seemed to like it."
Courtney hesitated, her expression shifting into thoughtfulness. "Yeah, I actually have been thinking about that. But I feel like I'd be taking advantage of Zeke's kindness. He's already done so much—sometimes it feels like he's spoiling us." She sighed, leaning back against the seat. "Still, at least we don't have to deal with all the crap from the show anymore."
"Amen to that," Duncan muttered, stretching out with a satisfied sigh. "No more Chris. No more rigged challenges. No more death traps disguised as 'reality TV' stunts."
Courtney let out a small laugh, shaking her head at the absurdity of it all. Then, as if on instinct, she shifted closer to him, resting her head lightly against his shoulder.
Duncan glanced down at her, surprised for a moment, but he didn't question it. Instead, he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her in.
The limo rattled along the road, city lights flashing past, but for once, neither of them were thinking about the past or the show. It was just them—two people, caught in the quiet after the storm.
Courtney tilted her head up slightly, meeting Duncan's gaze, and without a word, their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss. It wasn't rushed or dramatic—just a simple, grounding moment between them.
And then—
*SCREEEECH!*
The Lame-O-Sine jerked to a sudden halt, sending both Duncan and Courtney crashing to the floor.
"GAH!" Courtney yelped as she landed hard on Duncan, her elbow driving straight into his ribs.
"Ugh—what the hell, dude?!" Duncan groaned, rubbing his side.
Courtney pushed herself up, face flushed. "Ugh! Couldn't you drive like a normal person?!"
They barely had time to glare toward the driver before the limousine door creaked open.
A tall figure stepped inside, illuminated by the dim streetlight outside. He was sharply dressed, his polished shoes narrowly avoiding the scattered fast-food wrappers and leftover props from past contestants.
Courtney and Duncan blinked in unison.
The man adjusted his tie, his gaze sweeping over them with casual amusement. "Good evening," he said smoothly. "I believe we have much to discuss."
Duncan raised an eyebrow. "Uh, buddy? You got the wrong limo."
The man's smirk widened. "Oh no, Duncan. I have exactly the right one."
With a practiced motion, he opened a sleek black suitcase, causing both Duncan and Courtney to groan before he even pulled out a single document. They already knew where this was going.
"I am one of the producers of the actual show you both came from," he announced.
Courtney exhaled sharply. "Great. What is it now?" She cursed herself internally—she just knew she had jinxed their chances of never dealing with this nightmare again.
The producer chuckled at their deadpan reactions. "I can imagine what you're both thinking, but that's not why I'm here. I'm here to state the facts. Duncan, Courtney—you are both officially eliminated from the show."
"Gee, really? We never would've guessed," Duncan quipped, rolling his eyes.
Courtney snorted, but even the producer cracked a small laugh before continuing.
"A lot of people—viewers, critics, even some inside the company—think the way Total Drama has treated you both is unfair," he went on. "Frankly, I agree. You were two of the strongest competitors last season. One of the most iconic couples. The Power Duo. Two of the three pillars of the Killer Bass."
Duncan's eyebrow arched. Courtney folded her arms, sensing there was more to this than just flattery.
"Which is why," the producer continued, his smirk returning, "this situation presents a rather… unique opportunity. You see, you two are fan favorites. And it just so happens that, hidden within the fine print of Chris McLean's contract—inside a fine print, inside a fine print, inside another fine print—there's a clause he doesn't know about."
That got their attention.
Chris not knowing something in his own contract? That had potential.
"I see I have your interest now," the producer mused, pleased. "Well, here's the deal: In Total Drama Action's contract, there's a provision stating that the first two eliminated contestants will become the hosts of an independent, but correlated, spin-off."
Duncan and Courtney exchanged glances, their skepticism growing.
The producer reached into his suitcase and pulled out a thick stack of papers, handing them over. "It's called Total Drama Action: Aftermath. Since it's still in development, you'll have time to shape it however you want. The show will revolve around interviewing eliminated contestants, discussing behind-the-scenes moments, and—well, whatever you two want to make of it."
Courtney's eyes narrowed. "Okay. But what's the catch?"
The producer chuckled, clearly expecting the question. "Not a catch, per se. Just an offer of support. If you need guidance, ideas, or recommendations, my team and I will be available to help." He smiled pleasantly. "After all, neither of you have experience as hosts, so it wouldn't hurt to have a few seasoned professionals lend a hand."
Duncan and Courtney looked at each other again.
Translation: Never trust the producers with anything.
"So basically, don't let the producers meddle with anything," Duncan thought, shooting a knowing glance at Courtney.
"Exactly. If we let them have control, they'll turn it into another disaster like Chris's show," Courtney replied mentally, her eyes narrowing. "Honestly, I trust a raccoon with a microphone more than I trust these guys."
"You're not wrong. And if we're not careful, they'll probably try to get us to pull some humiliating stunts, just like they did when we were contestants." Duncan gave her a subtle nod, his thoughts loud and clear.
"Yeah, over my dead body. If we're doing this, we're running the show on our own terms. No cheap gimmicks, no weird contracts, and definitely no 'Chris-level' nonsense. Only an idiot with a weak mind would accept their ideas." Courtney's lips barely twitched, but she mentally agreed.
"Achooooo!" Geoff sneezed loudly, rubbing his nose. "Whoa, that came out of nowhere."
"You sure that's not allergies?" Harold asked, watching him curiously.
"I dunno, man, maybe," Geoff shrugged. "But I don't think it's anything important."
He raised a hand for a high five, but Tyler and DJ ignored him completely and went to sleep.
"Ouch. Well, I hope they can forgive me for letting them down," he muttered.
"With time, everything works itself out," Harold reassured him, while Jude gave a lazy thumbs-up.
"Yeah, everything will be fine," Geoff said, heading to bed with a hopeful grin.
"Can I send this to my lawyer to check the contract first?" Duncan asked, catching both the producer and Courtney off guard.
"Wait—who's your lawyer?" Courtney raised an eyebrow, confused.
Duncan smirked. "Your mom. Did you forget that?"
Courtney's expression froze. Her face slowly turned red as realization hit her. She'd been so caught up in the moment that she'd completely forgotten.
"Yeah, I'll… I'll send it to my mom too," she mumbled, trying to recover.
The producer chuckled, shrugging. "Fair enough. Smart move, honestly. Those contracts from last season came back to bite us, anyway. But to make it worth your while—and to give you a little incentive…" He grabbed a piece of paper, scribbling something down before sliding it across the table. "This is how much you'll be earning per episode. And if you can pull in high ratings… well, let's just say another zero might find its way onto your paycheck."
Duncan and Courtney exchanged an eye roll—until they looked at the number on the paper. Their jaws practically hit the floor.
"I'll leave you two to think about it. My number's on the last page of the contract. Give me a call when you've made a decision. Enjoy the rest of your trip." With that, the producer stepped out of the limo, tapping the side of the car. Within seconds, the limo was back on the move.
For a moment, Duncan and Courtney just stared at each other.
"Well… that was unexpected," Courtney admitted, running a hand through her hair.
"Yeah, but I gotta say, Princess… I think we just hit the jackpot."
Courtney exhaled, then smiled. "Do you want to go home, talk to my mom, and start planning?"
Duncan grinned, draping an arm around her shoulder. "Princess, you just read my mind."
As the limo sped off into the night, one thing was certain—being eliminated didn't mean they were out of the game. If anything, this was just the beginning of something even bigger.
As the dark of the night draped over the set, the atmosphere seemed to hold its breath. The air was cool, the distant rustle of the wind barely disturbing the stillness. The movie set, usually bustling with energy, was now deserted—silent except for the faint hum of machinery idling in the background, interns probably cleaning the areas after the challenge of the day. The heavy shadows cast by the giant props and eerie lights lent an almost ghostly aura to the scene. In the distance, a small flicker of movement caught Ezekiel's eye, but it was nothing more than a trick of the light. The cast had gone to sleep, all tucked into their bunks inside their trailers, leaving only the quiet hum of the night.
Ezekiel, however, was wide awake. His mind was racing with thoughts that had little to do with the upcoming training session with Chef and Izzy in the future hours. He could feel the weight of the night pressing against him, a sensation that made his heart beat a little faster as he stared at the darkened horizon. He knew he'd need to be sharp in the morning, but tonight, there was something else he needed to confront.
He felt it—the absence of Courtney and Duncan. It wasn't that he didn't care, clearly the opposite, they aren't called the Three Pillars of Killer Bass for nothing. And he understood it. God he understood. The sudden shifts in the game, the changes that could happen within a single day, had swept them away, and with that, something about the world around him seemed to shift as well. He was happy for them, in a way, though part of him mourned the loss of their presence. But that was the way of the show, wasn't it? People came and went, but life had a way of continuing.
But tonight wasn't about that. It was about something deeper, something personal. Ezekiel's fingers gently brushed over the small piece of letter that he had received from Dawn—a recipe. Not just any recipe, but one that, if he followed it correctly, could unlock something buried deep within him. His memories, his two souls, his auras—they were all tied together in a way he didn't quite understand. And tonight, he planned to get closer to that understanding.
The risks were enormous. He'd seen the warnings. He'd heard Dawn's explaining her father's cautions. Yet, despite the weight of it all, Ezekiel felt an unfamiliar sense of resolve. The small pack of ingredients sat on the table before him, neatly labeled and laid out as instructed. Gotu Kola leaves. Ginkgo Biloba. Holy Basil. Dried Rosemary. Mugwort. Saffron threads. Raw Honey. Each one was a key, and he was about to turn them in the lock.
He hesitated, but only for a moment. This wasn't something he could turn back from. With careful hands, he measured each ingredient with precision. The aroma of the herbs mixed with the earthiness of the saffron, filling the air with an intoxicating scent. It reminded him of something ancient—of rituals, of secrets long forgotten. The tea was an odd concoction, its dark green hue swirling with golden undertones, as if it were an alchemical potion designed to unlock the very fabric of his existence.
He glanced around once more, scanning for cameras. He was alone, or at least, that's what he hoped. The thought of the crew stumbling upon him in this vulnerable moment made him uneasy. But when his eyes scanned the dimly lit set, all he saw was the heavy quiet. No eyes on him. No one watching.
"Okay, I think that's enough." Ezekiel's voice was barely above a whisper, a tremor of uncertainty lacing his words. He held the mug in his hands, watching the liquid glisten in the moonlight. It looked... otherworldly, like it was more than just tea. He could feel the pull of it, like it was calling to him.
With a deep breath, he raised the cup to his lips, feeling the weight of the moment settle in. This wasn't just tea. It was a gateway. A chance to peer into the abyss of his past lives. He wasn't sure what he was searching for—answers, peace, or simply the comfort of knowing what was locked away in his mind. But tonight, he would try.
"Here goes nothing," Ezekiel muttered as he took a slow, deliberate sip. The liquid was smooth, the honey giving it a touch of sweetness. Until with his empty mug… He waited for a moment, nothing seemed to change. But then, as the warmth spread through his body, a slight dizziness began to take root. His head swam, and the world around him seemed to shimmer and blur, as if reality itself was starting to shift. His pulse quickened, sweat beading on his forehead. He sat back against the cold, concrete wall of the set, the dark shadows wrapping around him like a heavy cloak. He remembered that he needed to mediate, and he did his best to maintain himself focused while the effects of the tea were over him.
"Did I do something wrong?" Ezekiel muttered, his voice trembling slightly as he kept his eyes shut. His body felt heavy, almost too still, like the world around him was slowly unraveling. It was as if time itself had decided to pause, and he was floating in the midst of it. The once sharp, cool air had softened, growing warm and comforting, almost like a soft blanket wrapping around his mind. His heartbeat steadied, but his head began to swim with dizziness.
.
.
.
Then something strange happened. The sounds around him shifted, as if the world was altering itself piece by piece. The sound of the night wind, the distant hum of machinery, all faded away. What replaced it was… music? A gentle melody, a rhythm that felt both familiar and alien. It was as if the song had been playing for ages, waiting for him to hear it. Ezekiel's mind, already on the verge of drifting, slowly pulled itself back as his eyes fluttered open.
And what he saw…
The scene before him was nothing like the cold, empty set of Total Drama Action. Gone were the film props and the dusty remnants of forgotten productions. Instead, Ezekiel found himself standing in the midst of something that felt... far more personal. The air here was thick with the scent of wood and something else—an old, comforting aroma, like nostalgia wrapped in the warmth of a familiar space.
He blinked and looked around. What was once the barren backdrop of Total Dramahad transformed into a strange, sprawling structure. Wooden plank blocks, stacked together in perfect rows, created the walls, and a floor covered in colorful carpets stretched beneath his feet. It wasn't just a building—it was a world. A mansion, or perhaps a labyrinth, that seemed to stretch endlessly in all directions. He could hear the soft trickle of water somewhere nearby, and in the distance, the unmistakable hiss of magma, its fiery flow creating an odd harmony with the serenity of the surroundings.
At the edge of his vision, blocks of gold, iron, obsidian, and diamond glimmered in the dim light. The walls were adorned with armor stands, each one holding suits of gold, iron, leather, and diamond armor. Swords, axes, hoes and shovels hung from the walls like trophies of some forgotten war. Everything around him seemed meticulously arranged, as though someone had spent years carefully crafting this space.
"Is this... Minecraft?" Ezekiel whispered, his mind struggling to process the sight in front of him. He had heard of it, of course, but the pixelated world of blocky creations and endless exploration had never seemed so real, so... alive.
Before he could grasp the full weight of what was happening, a voice called out from somewhere above, breaking the surreal silence.
"Yo, fam, can you help me over here?" The voice was familiar, laced with a casual American slang that struck Ezekiel as odd yet comforting. The voice continued, "I'm upstairs."
Ezekiel froze, his heart skipping a beat. He blinked in confusion, not entirely sure if he had heard that correctly. But the invitation felt real, so he followed the sound of the voice toward a wooden staircase that seemed to rise endlessly toward the upper floors. As he ascended, the strange landscape around him felt more tangible, more like something he could understand, despite the bizarre surroundings.
At the top of the stairs, he found a figure standing in front of a wall covered in carpets. The boy was around his age, maybe a little older, with tanned skin and wild, untamed black hair. His brown eyes were friendly, though there was a certain wildness about him that made Ezekiel pause. He wasn't sure why, but the boy felt... familiar. Too familiar.
"Hello?" Ezekiel called out, his voice still trembling from the strange world around him.
"Sup," the boy said with a grin, then motioned to the wall of carpets behind him. "What do you think? Should I start my collection of carpets here? Or should I make a whole room just for the carpets?"
Ezekiel blinked, trying to process the absurdity of the situation. Something clicked in his mind, and he suddenly recognized the boy, despite the odd setting. It was him. The other version of him, but in a different form. He looked... more relaxed, more at ease, and somehow more connected to this strange, blocky world than Ezekiel felt.
"Yep. I'm you," the boy said, as though reading his mind. "But also, you're me. It's all a bit weird, but I guess we both know that now. And hey, nice Ben 10 jacket you've got there."
Ezekiel stared, trying to make sense of it all. This other version of him was somehow wearing the confidence of someone who had been living here for years. It was as if they both existed in two separate worlds that, for some strange reason, were now colliding.
"Carpets?" the other Ezekiel asked, snapping his fingers to break the silence. "Here or there?"
"Uh... here," Ezekiel replied, still processing what was happening. He found himself staring at the rows of carpets, his mind spinning from the realization. "But... what do you mean by a collection of carpets?"
The other Ezekiel grinned, an almost mischievous glint in his eyes. "I'm doing the collector challenge."
"Are you crazy?" Ezekiel's voice rose in disbelief. His eyes went wide. "You mean THE collector challenge?"
The boy chuckled, clearly amused. "Yep. Been doing nothing for almost three years, so why not enjoy it? Organizing and collecting every item in Minecraft until reach 64 of everything. Might take years, but hey, time passes quicker when you're busy. It's kind of fun, right?"
Ezekiel rubbed his temples, trying to ward off the headache that was quickly setting in. It felt like the world was spinning too fast, and he couldn't catch up. "This is... absurd," he muttered, still unsure of whether he was dreaming or if this strange place was a deeper part of his mind that he didn't understand.
.
.
.
"So you're my aura? Or a personality like Mike's?" Ezekiel asked, disbelief written across his face. He was met with a scoff from the other boy.
"Pfft, please. As if we're going to dive into that mental illness nonsense, everybody knows the writers had no idea on how to write DID characters, they did completely wrong on how to write Mike. Anyway, I can't believe you got it wrong," the boy replied, shaking his head with a mix of exasperation and amusement. "This isn't some imaginary dream universe. It's your brain, Ezekiel. This is the area where I organize all the thoughts and processes to help clear your mind during the day."
Ezekiel blinked, processing this. "So, you're not a personality? Then what are you?"
"I'm your left brain," the boy continued, his tone matter-of-fact. "The rational side. The one that processes facts, numbers, words, history—hell, I'm the one who helps you recall all those languages we know. And trust me, our memory is better than you realize. Were usually we should be able to speak 8 languages in accord of canon."
"We do?" Ezekiel blinked again, taken aback by this new information.
The left side of his brain rolled his eyes. "Actually, nine or ten languages, considering our past life. You kinda forgot a few from this life, but it's not too late to pick them up again. You should check Aunt Robin's book for a refresher." As he spoke, the left side grabbed a few transparent blocks and started arranging them to create a mural on the wall, while casually adding a blue carpet to the design. "Anyway, like I said, I'm the logical one—the one who keeps things in order. You're the emotional side, the one who handles memories, imagination, and all the creative stuff, like our writing or the visual things we recall."
"Huh... Neat," Ezekiel said, nodding in appreciation. "So, the brain is like Minecraft, huh?"
"Do you know a better way to organize everything we think about without it becoming a mess?" The left side raised an eyebrow, pointing to the surroundings. "It's structured, but still fun, right? Anyway, the song just ended. Do you want to hear something else while I change the vinyl?"
"We have vinyls?" Ezekiel asked, his eyes widening. "Like original one? Or the mine… nevermind it's all like Minecraft version isn't it?"
"Yep. We have Slipknot, Bruno Mars, The Weekend, Maroon5, Linkin Park, OSTs from games, shows, anime... We even have AI songs voiced by our favorite characters. You'd be surprised." The left side chuckled, adding a few final touches to the mural.
"Really? We have all that?" Ezekiel was now even more intrigued.
"Ever had a song stuck in your head for no reason? That's me, organizing all those random tracks that pop up," the left side explained, walking down the stairs as he spoke. "So, what do you want to hear?"
Ezekiel paused for a second, then smiled. "Surprise me."
"Will do," the left side said with a grin, eager to show off what he'd collected. Ezekiel couldn't help but marvel at what was going on in his mind, still processing how much was happening inside of him—how much he never knew.
.
.
.
"So this is where all my ideas had been all the time?" the right side of the brain commented as he helped craft another glass mural for the growing collection of carpets. His left side had already spent countless hours inking all the wool from the 64 sheep he'd bred in the room full of animals, all collected for this mission. It was a crazy endeavor—one that would take years, maybe even decades, to complete. Especially considering one of the most impossible items: the deepslate emerald. It was something all Minecraft fans thought could only be achieved through a glitch, but the left side of the brain wasn't even phased. As the rational side, it was about logic and numbers, and nothing was too daunting for him.
"Yep. Some of these are fanfics from our past. Like the one you wrote about Courage being paired with the villains from other shows and games. Now that I think about it, you could add FNAF and Bendy and the Ink Machine to your book. They aren't really pop culture like some of the other famous shows." The left side suggested casually.
A spark lit in Ezekiel's eyes. "Oh, good idea! But you mean Security BreachFNAF, right? Since Scott Cawthon didn't really get into that lore much, so it's technically not the 'real' FNAF, huh?"
The left side nodded, a bit smug. "Exactly. Just making sure we're on the same page."
"Yeah, yeah, and then you're going to suggest I add Undertale too, right?" the right side teased, but was cut off by a playful slap on the face.
"Hey!" Ezekiel exclaimed, rubbing his cheek.
The left side gave a knowing glance. "Nope. There are some things that shouldn't be discussed, even for us. Undertale is one of those things. It's a game that shaped a lot of futures and opened doors for many gamers. We need to respect that."
Ezekiel paused for a moment, deep in thought. The weight of the conversation hung in the air as he mulled over the left side's words. Finally, with a reluctant nod, he admitted, "Okay, fair point. I feel bad though, for not telling Cody to try and replicate Undertale. But yeah, you're right. Some things in pop culture really do end up changing lives in ways we never expect."
As the right side of Ezekiel's brain processed the implications, he turned to face the door before him, curious yet cautious. His hand reached out to grasp the doorknob, only to find that it wouldn't turn. He gave it a few more twists, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What's this?" he muttered, his voice tinged with frustration.
"That's the problem we've both been avoiding," came the firm reply from the left side, its tone purposeful and unwavering. "When I said 'we,' I meant you. As the rational side of things, I have access to this room, but only I can open this door. You, on the other hand, must earn the right to enter. Just as Dawn and her father warned you."
The right side stood there, his mind racing to comprehend the significance of the statement. He wasn't used to feeling locked out, especially not by his own mental processes. "And how exactly do I do that?" he asked, a sense of unease creeping in.
Without missing a beat, the left side gestured down the hall, its motion deliberate and unhurried. "Follow me."
They moved down a long corridor, passing several rooms that were each filled to the brim with 64 meticulously organized units of every resource the rational side had ever collected in Minecraft. The right side couldn't help but marvel at the sheer scale and order—rows upon rows of blocks, items, and artifacts, all stored with obsessive precision. It was a testament to the left side's unwavering dedication to logic and patience, and it made the emotional side pause to take it all in. The room stretched out like an endless monument to orderliness. But even this staggering display of rationality didn't prepare him for what lay ahead.
At the far end of the hall stood a door unlike any other. Positioned between two reflective mirror blocks, it seemed out of place, even in a mind constructed of logic. The right side blinked in surprise as his reflection warped slightly in the mirrored surfaces. It was strange, unsettling.
"This... this isn't in Minecraft," he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"Nope," the left side confirmed with a shrug. "It's from a mod I found after watching a YouTube tutorial. I downloaded it and recreated the design here. If you don't remember, it's because you never cared for the technical details."
Despite the explanation, the emotional side's attention was drawn to the mirrors, and something about them felt off. He stared at his reflection, a frown tugging at his features as he noticed a strange anomaly. "Wait…" he murmured, his voice trembling slightly. "Why is there a brown wolf in my reflection? But in yours... it's just a normal wolf?"
The left side glanced at the mirror before shrugging again. "I don't think that's a wolf. And even if it were, I've never seen a brown wolf in Minecraftbefore. But that's not what's important right now. What matters is what's behind this door."
The emotional side frowned at the dismissive answer but didn't press the issue. He knew when the rational side had decided something wasn't worth questioning, and right now, the door itself seemed more important than whatever anomaly lingered in the mirrors.
The left side continued walking, its voice calm but weighted with significance. "I was able to pass through this room easily because I deal in facts, numbers, and logic. Those things don't faze me. But you? You're the emotional side. That means whatever's in there will hit you hard. Traumas, memories, sounds, images… everything. It won't be easy."
Ezekiel's right side stopped in his tracks as the gravity of the words sunk in. He turned slowly to face the left side, a flicker of understanding in his gaze. This was exactly why Dawn's letter had warned him. "It's going to be difficult," he muttered under his breath, the weight of what lay ahead becoming all too clear.
The left side's expression remained stoic as it added, "Painful, too."
The right side blinked, his gaze snapping back to his counterpart. "Wait, what?"
"I won't explain how it works," the left side said dismissively, waving its hand as if to brush away the question. "But you should know one thing—once you enter, you won't be able to speak."
"What? Why?" the emotional side asked, his voice sharp with confusion.
The left side rolled its eyes, clearly uninterested in providing further details. "How should I know? Even I don't have all the answers when it comes to the mysteries of the mind. Maybe silence will help you reflect."
Without waiting for a response, the rational side reached for the door handle and pulled it open. The emotional side instinctively stepped back, his heart racing as uncertainty gripped him. "Wait, why did you phrase it like that—" he began, but before he could finish his sentence, he felt an unexpected force push him forward.
"Whoa, whoa—hey! Alright, alright! I'm going," he muttered, stumbling slightly as the left side watched with a bemused smirk.
The door creaked slowly shut behind him, the sound almost final. As it did, the left side spoke one last time, its voice carrying a hint of both amusement and solemnity.
"And one last thing… good luck. You're going to need it."
The door clicked shut behind him, sealing off the world outside.
Alone once more with his vast collection, the left side of Ezekiel's mind wandered through the endless rooms, his eyes scanning each meticulously organized space. He moved past rows of carefully stored artifacts, blocks, and resources that represented years of work and patience. Every inch of this place spoke to the rational side's dedication to order and control, yet even within this realm of logic, a quiet sense of anticipation lingered. The left side knew that the journey ahead for his counterpart—the emotional side—would be one of hardship and reflection, and he felt a strange satisfaction in that thought.
Finally, he arrived at a specific wooden chest, aged and well-worn, a relic from a past long gone. He opened it gently, the lid creaking softly as it revealed the contents inside: an assortment of treasures, both physical and metaphorical. His fingers brushed across the objects until they settled on something particular—a vinyl disc. He paused for a moment, studying it with a quiet sense of purpose.
"Hm…" he murmured to himself, an almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I think I'm in the mood to play this one. It fits the journey the right side is about to embark on."
With practiced hands, the left side placed the disc into a nearby music box. As soon as the mechanism clicked into place, the soft chime of Creator by Lena Raine - One 1 Hour Minecraft Music 1.21 filled the room. The delicate, haunting melody of the music box intertwined with the deep, reverberating notes that seemed to stir something within the very air itself. The sound spread out in waves, wrapping around him like a soft cocoon, the notes echoing softly as they set the stage for what was to come.
The rational side leaned back slightly, allowing the music to wash over him. His mind, normally sharp and focused, briefly wandered as he contemplated the unknown challenge awaiting his counterpart. He wondered, with some curiosity, how far the emotional side would go. It was a journey he would have to take on his own terms, just as it had always been.
How far?He didn't know. Nobody knows.
The room Ezekiel now found himself in was unlike anything he had ever experienced. The eerie silence that hung thick in the air felt like a physical presence, stripping away any sense of sound, rendering everything around him hushed and still. Yet, as he took in his surroundings, it became painfully clear that the silence was merely a mask. What Rational Ezekiel had neglected to mention was the very nature of the space itself—every inch of it, from the walls to the floor to the ceiling, was made entirely of glass.
The floor beneath his feet was a mirror-like surface of smooth, transparent material, reflecting everything in its vicinity. The walls stretched endlessly in all directions, layers upon layers of glass stacked one atop the other, each layer catching the light in a different angle. It was as though he was walking inside an infinite prism, a space that seemed to stretch on forever, each step he took revealing another endless reflection. The very fragility of the glass made every movement feel precarious, as though one wrong step could send everything crashing down in a cascade of sharp shards.
And yet, despite the delicate appearance of it all, the glass held firm. It did not shatter, did not give way under the weight of his thoughts. It remained steadfast, defying the natural laws of physics, creating an atmosphere that made every step feel both surreal and threatening.
Ezekiel tread carefully, feeling the faint give of the glass beneath his feet. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was there—like an unspoken warning. Was it an illusion? A test? Or perhaps a sign of the emotional side's fragility in the face of the trials to come? He couldn't say. The reflections around him warped and twisted, creating impossible images, as if mocking him for his inability to fully grasp the nature of the space.
For a brief, disorienting moment, he saw something that startled him—a familiar scene from his childhood: Wile E. Coyote chasing the Road Runner, an image he'd seen countless times in his mind's eye as a child, a simple, silly cartoon burned into his memory. But as soon as he blinked, the scene vanished, and he found himself alone once again with the fractured reflections. A few steps later, in his peripheral vision, a new illusion appeared—a scene of Puss in Boots, sword raised, locked in battle with Death the Wolf, the tension of their clash frozen in time. Again, as quickly as it came, it was gone, leaving him to wonder if the world around him was even real.
Time became meaningless. Was it seconds? Minutes? Hours? In a place like this, it was impossible to tell. All he knew was that his own reflection followed him with unsettling precision, an ever-watchful presence that mirrored his every movement. It was as though he was constantly being observed, a feeling that gnawed at the edges of his thoughts.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he arrived at his destination. There, before him, stood an impossibly large glass wall—so grand and unyielding that it seemed to stretch beyond the limits of the room, an insurmountable barrier that separated him from whatever lay on the other side. For the first time since entering this space, a sliver of hesitation crept into his mind. Was this the final test? Or simply another illusion to trick him into thinking he had reached the end?
Tentatively, he reached out and touched the glass. His reflection mirrored his actions, his fingers brushing the surface, yet something felt… off. The smoothness of the glass beneath his fingertips was cold, almost unnervingly so. As he continued to study his reflection, a sound—unexpected and out of place—pierced the silence.
Music.
The haunting melody of Creator by Lena Raine, its gentle chimes filling the otherwise soundless space. The song, so familiar and nostalgic, seemed to play at odds with the cold, glassy world surrounding him. It was a strange contradiction, a piece of comfort in a place that offered none.
Then, just as he was about to process this new layer of dissonance, it happened.
*Crack.*
His heart skipped a beat. His eyes snapped to the source of the sound—a jagged fracture appeared in the once flawless surface of the glass wall. A single, deliberate crack, like the web of a spider expanding across the barrier. And then—
*BOOM!*
The room exploded in a deafening eruption of splintering glass. The sound was overwhelming, deafening, and terrifying as shards flew in all directions. The sharp edges of the glass reflected fractured moments of his life—fragments of memories, some sweet, others painful—all breaking apart in a chaotic rush. In an instant, the entire world collapsed around him, dissolving into an abyss of nothingness, as if all the stability he had clung to had vanished in an instant.
Weightless, lost in the vast void, Ezekiel understood.
The trial was as fragile as glass.
.
.
.
The void was no longer empty.
Ezekiel floated in the darkness, suspended among a vast expanse of countless glass shards. They drifted around him like frozen echoes of something once whole, catching brief, impossible glimmers of light. His clothes were in tatters, shredded by the explosion of glass, and an itchy, stinging sensation crawled over his skin. He glanced at his hands—small, shallow cuts lined his fingers, with beads of blood that formed only to dissolve into nothingness.
Then, without warning, he fell.
A crushing force engulfed him, as if he had plunged deep into an ocean. The cold hit him like a solid wall of ice, sending a sharp shock through his system. His breath seized in his chest, and the water consumed him. It pulled him down, deeper and deeper into the abyss. Strands of his hair floated around his face, darkened by the murky depths. He should have been blind in the darkness—yet impossibly, he saw something.
Illusions? Memories?
Two babies.
One on each side of the vast ocean, their tiny figures suspended in the water like distant stars.
Ezekiel barely had time to process the sight before the desperate, primal need for air clawed at his chest. His lungs burned. The pressure around him tightened, squeezing, crushing. He struggled, but the water was relentless, dragging him downward. Yet, despite the overwhelming sensation of drowning, the melody persisted—the song. Creator, by Lena Raine. Even here, in the deepest reaches of the abyss, the haunting yet guiding melody resonated, as if it was meant to show him the way.
His vision blurred, his body braced for the inevitable.
Then—impact.
The moment he hit the ocean floor, everything shifted.
The suffocating weight of the water vanished. The pressure on his lungs disappeared, allowing him to gasp for air as if he had emerged from a nightmare. His hands pressed against something solid. No longer submerged. No longer falling.
Slowly, he pushed himself upright and looked around.
A stained glass floor stretched beneath him, sprawling and intricate, its vibrant patterns forming breathtaking mosaics. He knew this design—he had seen it before, but where? His mind raced, attempting to pull the memory into focus.
Brazil.
The cathedrals he'd visited for a cousin's wedding. The way sunlight filtered through the stained glass windows, casting vibrant colors onto the stone floors. He hadn't paid much attention to those places before, but now, standing on a surface that mirrored their artistry, he marveled at their sheer beauty.
His gaze drifted to the circular designs within the glass. Behind the colors, memories were locked away, framed like moments caught in time. His mother, kneeling in prayer, her hands clasped tightly together.
She had always been religious, he recalled. Obsessively so at times. His childhood had been sequestered, locked away from the world. Television and movies were forbidden, until the accident.
The game of hide and seek.
The mistake that nearly cost him his life.
He had been trapped, buried beneath debris, gasping for air, much like the sensation he had just experienced in the ocean. And when he had finally been rescued—when he emerged from that darkness, trembling—his mother had changed.
For the first time, she allowed him to watch television.
Why?
Had that moment shaken her so deeply that it loosened her rigid control, even just slightly? He had never questioned it before. But now, staring at her image captured in the glass, he couldn't help but wonder.
The stained glass held more.
His extended family—scattered across various countries and faiths. Some Catholic, others Protestant. A mix of traditions, beliefs, and customs. He hadn't been deeply involved in any of them. His world had always been books, art, and writing—his own way of making sense of everything. Still, despite the isolation he sometimes felt, he loved them. His family.
Brazil, Peru, the United States—wherever they were, they were his people.
The void was no longer empty. Ezekiel drifted, weightless, surrounded by countless shards of glass that floated in the darkness like suspended fragments of a shattered reality. Each tiny piece caught the faintest glimmers of light—light with no apparent source—creating an otherworldly shimmer that danced across his vision. His clothes hung in tatters, ripped apart by the violent explosion that had shattered his previous world, while an incessant, stinging sensation crawled over his exposed skin. When he glanced down at his hands, he saw small, shallow cuts etching his fingers, tiny beads of blood forming and dissolving into nothingness almost as quickly as they appeared.
Then, without warning, the sense of weightlessness transformed into a sudden, overwhelming force. As if plunging into the depths of an unseen ocean, a crushing pressure enveloped his body, its cold, unforgiving grip hitting him like a wall of ice. His breath caught in his lungs, and for a moment, the world around him dissolved into an all-consuming darkness. The water—or whatever medium it was—swallowed him whole, pulling him downward into deeper, murkier realms. Strands of his hair floated freely, darkened by the murky depths that surrounded him, blurring the line between reality and illusion. In this abyss, where light and sound should have vanished, something extraordinary occurred: amidst the crushing pressure and the desperate need for air, he saw two small figures, like distant stars in a vast ocean of nothingness.
They were babies—one on each side of the expansive void—suspended in the water as if caught in a timeless moment. Their fragile forms evoked a blend of wonder and heartache, each tiny figure a poignant reminder of innocence amidst chaos. Ezekiel barely had time to process the surreal vision before a desperate, primal need for air clawed at his chest. His lungs burned, the pressure around him tightening, squeezing, and crushing him with relentless force. Despite his futile struggle, the pull of the abyss was unyielding. And yet, even as he fought against the overwhelming sensation of drowning, he could still hear it—the soft, haunting strains of Creatorby Lena Raine. The melody echoed through the water, an ethereal guide that seemed to traverse the darkness, as if determined to lead him through this perilous descent.
His vision blurred, and his body braced for the inevitable impact. Then, with a sudden jolt, everything changed. The moment his body collided with what felt like the ocean floor, the suffocating weight of the water vanished. The crushing pressure released its hold on his lungs, allowing him to gasp desperately for air, as though he had just emerged from a nightmare. His hands pressed against something solid, grounding him in this new reality—no longer submerged, no longer falling. Slowly, he pushed himself upright, his eyes straining to adjust as he took in his surroundings.
Before him stretched a vast stained glass floor, sprawling and intricate, its colorful patterns forming breathtaking mosaics that danced in the ambient light. The delicate hues and shapes stirred distant memories—a game, perhaps, or a long-forgotten recollection. Then, like a whisper from the past, a specific memory surfaced: Brazil. He recalled the majestic cathedrals he had visited during a cousin's wedding, where sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting vibrant colors onto ancient stone floors. Standing upon this floor, he was struck by the sheer artistry that mirrored those sacred spaces, and he couldn't help but feel that he had stepped into a living memory.
His gaze wandered over the circular designs embedded in the glass. Each intricate segment held a story, a memory preserved in color and light. He saw the familiar image of his mother, captured in a moment of quiet devotion, her hands clasped tightly in prayer. She had always been deeply religious, sometimes obsessively so, a stark contrast to the isolated childhood he had endured—one spent secluded, buried beneath endless studies, with little time for the outside world. Television and movies had been forbidden until a fateful accident shattered the monotony of his sheltered existence. That moment, reminiscent of a game of hide and seek gone awry, had nearly cost him his life. Trapped and buried alive beneath debris, he had struggled desperately for every breath, the memory of that suffocating darkness etched into his soul.
When he had finally been rescued—emerging from the darkness gasping, trembling—something had changed in his mother. For the first time, she allowed him to watch television, as if that brief exposure to the world had loosened her grip on his life. He had never questioned her decision until now, standing before the vibrant stained glass that captured fragments of his extended family—relatives scattered across Brazil, Peru, the United States, and beyond. In each shimmering pane, he saw echoes of different faiths and traditions, a mosaic of customs that had defined his family's diverse heritage. Though he had grown up immersed in books, movies, art, and writing—his personal escapes from a world that often felt too confining—his love for his family remained undiminished. No matter where they were, they were his people, his roots, and the stained glass beneath him now bore the silent testimony of that enduring bond.
On his left—Ezekiel saw himself growing up. A child lost in worlds of movies, cartoons, and video games, each one an escape from the confines of reality. A childhood defined by stories, creativity, and a boundless imagination. In this version of his past, he was free, playing in realms that existed only in his mind. Every adventure was an opportunity to dream, to be someone else, to explore far-off lands and distant possibilities.
On the right—he saw another version of himself. A boy who had no direction, no purpose. A boy who obeyed his mother without question, sitting still as she drilled endless lessons into him, suffocating him with knowledge and structure. A boy who learned only from books, his childhood defined not by play, but by discipline. Time for himself was scarce—stolen moments spent practicing archery in solitude, playing hide and seek, running away from the life he had been given, if only for a fleeting moment.
Both lives. Both paths. Each shaped by different lessons, but ultimately leading to the same conclusion—his isolation. His parents, both highly educated teachers, had poured knowledge into him, trying to make him understand the world. But they had never taught him how to socialize, how to form friendships. That part of life had always been absent.
And in his actual life, as a child? It was no different. His parents were the only people in his world, both his guardians and his isolation. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Suddenly, the sensation of water pressing against his chest returned. It was cold and suffocating, stealing his breath away. He couldn't breathe. His lungs fought for air, but none came. How much longer could he endure this? Was this just the first trial? How many hours had passed? Time had become a distant concept. And yet—that damn Minecraft music was still playing.
The eerie serenity of it, the calm, dreamlike melody, was completely out of place. It felt wrong, jarring against the weight of his emotions. What the hell was relativity doing to him? But just as the thought crossed his mind, something shifted. The ocean floor wasn't sharp glass this time. It was… soft?
He gasped as he landed—not on cold stone, not on the ground—but in a chair. A comfy armchair. He blinked, confusion sweeping over him. Once. Twice. He was seated.
The pain still lingered, a dull ache in his chest, but the pressure had eased. Then, his eyes scanned the room. A path stretched out before him, flanked by walls of television screens that flickered with light, casting a dim glow over the endless corridor. Every screen was playing something. His life. His choices. His memories.
Ezekiel swallowed hard. He wasn't done yet. This was only the beginning.
Flashes of shows, movies, cartoons—things he had consumed over the years—flashed across the screens. His mind reeled as the images flickered like a glitching reel of film. Even episodes of Total Drama appeared, familiar scenes from the show that had been part of his life. The Killer Bass—his teammates, his friends—yet they weren't as he remembered them. In these memories, they were at each other's throats, tearing one another apart, just as they had in the original version of the show. A hollow feeling twisted in his gut. It was wrong. This wasn't how things were supposed to be…
His head throbbed with the effort to sift through so many fragmented thoughts. The pain in his skull spiked, as if someone had driven glass shards straight into his brain. But he pushed forward.
The corridor stretched endlessly before him, lined with the fractured remnants of his memories, but his focus remained steady on the path ahead. Finally, he reached a glass door. Hesitation gripped him for a brief second. Every door he had opened before had shattered upon his touch, the glass exploding outward, cutting into his skin. But this time, as he reached out, the door didn't break. It swung open smoothly.
Relief washed over him, only to be replaced by shock at what lay beyond.
Two versions of himself. Both no older than two years old, seated on opposite sides of the room. Each side played out memories from his childhood—good memories. Memories of warmth, of laughter, of love. He saw his parents—both sets of them—caring for him, holding him, playing with him. One memory stood out: his uncle, alongside his cousin, visiting their home. His cousin—his deceased cousin.
The image flickered before him, a snapshot from the past. The two of them, still small, pretending to be pilots, weaving through the room with toy airplanes in their hands while their fathers sat nearby, engrossed in their game of Ace Combat. The echoes of their laughter filled the space, a sound of innocence and joy.
Ezekiel clenched his fists, the emotions overwhelming him. Not all memories were painful. There had been joy, too.
The music still played—Creatorby Lena Raine—a haunting yet beautiful melody that served as his constant guide through the labyrinth of his trials. With each note, his resolve strengthened, and he pressed on, absorbing not only the recollections of his past but reclaiming every shard of it. Every memory was a stepping stone, a piece of the puzzle that was his identity. But then, as if on cue, he opened the next door, and in that single moment, everything changed.
In an instant, he found himself back in the glass room. His breath hitched as he took in his surroundings: there were no memories, no corridors lined with echoes of his life—only emptiness. It was a still, silent space, untouched by the chaos he had so recently endured. An unsettling feeling crept over him. Something was wrong. His eyes darted around until they fell upon a plaque mounted on the far wall. The words carved into it sent a chill down his spine: "The trial starts now." Ezekiel paled, a surge of disbelief and fear washing over him. Had it all been preparation? Everything he had just experienced—falling, drowning, suffocating—was not the trial itself? Before he could process these questions, it was already too late.
A deafening *CRACK* resounded through the chamber. In a heartbeat, the walls, the floor, the ceiling—all of it collapsed inward. Glass shattered around him, and instead of dispersing, the shards bore down on him with a crushing weight. He felt as though he were being compressed from every side, the pressure building like a relentless steel vice around his ribs. Agony surged through his body; every cut, every bruise seared with sharp, unbearable pain, while the suffocating force seemed determined to steal his very breath.
.
.
.
Then, as suddenly as the torment had begun, everything shifted—a blink, and he found himself inside a train. The impact had already occurred. The violent collision had thrown him into a dark tunnel where cold air rushed in, filling his lungs with a mixture of snow and dirt. His body felt too weak to obey his will; his arms lay limp and useless, and he couldn't even turn his head to assess the damage. The world spun wildly, his vision blurring into a disorienting haze. He fought to move, to resist the pull of despair, but the effort was futile.
.
.
.
Another blink, and now he was buried alive. The suffocating weight of dirt pressed down upon him, crushing and drowning out all hope of escape. It was eerily reminiscent of that long-ago game of hide and seek—a nightmarish loop of entrapment and desperation. Each blink dragged him deeper into his worst moments: being crushed, suffocated, drowned. Every time he lost consciousness, he awoke only to face another death, another trial that chipped away at his resolve. He felt himself fading; his body was surrendering to the unrelenting force. Tears mixed with blood and dirt as they slid down his cheeks. In that moment, the weight of his mistakes bore down on him—he had made a grave error.
.
.
.
Then, with one final blink, the glass walls closed in around him. The pressure reached an unbearable peak, and the pain, the weight, and the oppressive silence culminated in one final, overwhelming moment—and then, nothing. The music stopped.
Ezekiel's eyes shot open. His lungs screamed for air, and he sucked in the deepest, most desperate breath he had ever taken. His entire body trembled; his face was ashen, marked by the pallor of shock. Cold sweat dripped down his temple while his breathing came in ragged, uneven gasps. Almost immediately, a searing pain erupted in his head—a stabbing agony that made it feel as though his skull were splitting open from the inside. Overwhelming stress pounded relentlessly against his brain, merciless in its intensity. Instinctively, his hand shot up to his face and came away sticky with something wet. When he withdrew his fingers, he saw it: blood—a stark, crimson nosebleed that marked his face like a scar.
He barely had a moment to process this new torment before his stomach twisted violently in protest. A sharp nausea seized him, and he vomited onto the cold floor. His body had taken too much—too much strain, too much weight, too much of the unvarnished truth. Even as his limbs trembled uncontrollably, his mind churned with the revelation that had been foretold. Dawn and her father had warned him: this tea, this trial, wasn't just powerful—it was cruel. Only those who were truly reckless or supremely brave would dare face the doors it opened.
Now, after all that he had endured, his body was weak, exhausted, and starving for relief. Time had lost all meaning in the maelstrom of his trials, but one truth remained clear: he needed rest. Perhaps, if he could make his way to the water tank where he might find Izzy and Chef Hatchet, he could beg Chef for something to eat before training resumed. Or, if only for a moment, he might find solace in sleep, recovering from the relentless challenges of the past day. All he wanted now was the simplest of comforts: to eat and to sleep.
"Well, I feel there's an irony somewhere, but I cannot put my finger on it," Victoria commented as she absentmindedly ran the tip of her tongue along her lips, her eyes still scanning the contract in her hands. Both her daughter and her boyfriend had handed it to her, and Victoria was a bit taken aback to see them together at her house on the same night they were eliminated. "It feels like three of the Pillars of the Killer Bass were eliminated on the first elimination," she mused aloud.
Courtney scoffed, brushing off her mother's statement. "Pfff, please, mom, of course not. The one who got eliminated last season was Noah. We won the first challenge of elimination."
Victoria gave her a nod, amused by the way her daughter brushed off the comment. "Oh, that's true. Anyway... I don't know why, but it feels like the cycle was concluded or whatever," Victoria continued, still in a state of mild disbelief at how drastically her night had shifted. "Now, let me see this."
Her mind still reeling from the surprising events of the evening, Victoria had just come home after working on future cases she'd need to defend someone in. All she had wanted was to unwind by watching the latest episode of Total Drama. But what she found was far more than she expected. The challenge—a zombie genre movie—had seemed like a clever concept at first. It was both logical and innovative, showcasing an interesting angle on what future zombie films might look like.
Victoria had been watching intently when she saw Kate cheering Ezekiel and Courtney on, working together as a team. She was glad to see Ezekiel, the son of her friend, giving Courtney advice when needed, even as they worked in tandem to kick some serious butt. But then, her eyes had widened in sheer shock. Ezekiel—alone—had gone against an entire army of zombies. His performance was nothing short of berserk, a display of violence that felt ripped straight from an action movie.
"Okay, I think Eva is becoming a bad influence on him," she murmured, remembering her husband's words. She could easily imagine all the other Killer Bass mothers agreeing with her about the unsettling violence Ezekiel had displayed. She couldn't help but worry that the boy was veering down a dangerous path.
Though, Victoria reflected, in a zombie scenario, it was survive or die. She could work with that if someone ever tried to process Ezekiel. Martha might even ask for her help, considering her legal expertise. It helped that Ezekiel didn't seem intent on killing anyone—his violent outbursts had felt more like a necessary means to an end rather than an uncontrolled rage.
Still, the thought of Eva's influence on Ezekiel weighed on her. She'd always been afraid of how Eva could shape him, and while she was glad that the boy understood the dangers of real weapons—especially considering what had happened with his aunt—she couldn't shake the nagging feeling of unease. Kate had cheered for Ezekiel, though, and that made her look over at her husband with a simple shrug. It was a movie challenge, after all. Everyone was fine. It was just toy guns and plastic; no one was going to break bones over it.
But then came the bombshell. The real shock of the evening. Duncan and Courtney, eliminated because Heather had used Courtney's favor to eliminate one of them, and Izzy—now going by the legal name Kaleidoscope—had pulled off a sneaky trick, using one of the new features of the show to swap votes between Duncan and Geoff. It was a fascinating tactic, one that added more drama to the game, but it came at a cost to Courtney and Duncan, who were now at her house, trying to make sense of the situation.
Victoria sat back, letting out a deep breath. As if things weren't complicated enough, now she was staring at two contracts, one for each of them, waiting to be signed.
When Duncan and Courtney arrived at her house earlier, she'd been surprised to see both of them, their faces showing signs of frustration and defeat, but they'd done the smartest thing possible: they'd let her take a look at both contracts before making any decisions.
Victoria gave a soft smile to her daughter and her boyfriend, then took a careful glance at the contracts in her hands. The paperwork felt heavy, almost symbolic of how the evening had played out—full of twists and surprises. "Let's see what we're working with here," she muttered under her breath, already anticipating the conversation that would follow.
Ten mugs of coffee and several hours of poring over the fine print later, Victoria had managed to catch a few key details. Courtney and Duncan snorted in unison, clearly sharing a private joke. They both knew the game the producers liked to play, trying to tangle up their hands in their projects and ideas if it didn't draw enough audience. But neither of them seemed particularly phased by it. After all, it wasn't the worst thing they'd encountered in the business.
"Well, this doesn't feel too bad compared to what we expected," Duncan muttered as he stretched his legs out on the couch.
Courtney gave a small shrug, agreeing with him.
"Yeah, not terrible at all. But… there's one thing that caught my attention."Victoria nodded her head as she tapped the paper, her eyes glinting with a sense of satisfaction. And decided to help both her daughter and her boyfriend into the situation. "One of the fine prints has a loophole."
Duncan raised an eyebrow. "A loophole?"
"Seriously?" Courtney asked as she saw where her mom was pointing. "Oh, there's indeed a loophole."
Victoria nodded, her voice low and knowing. "The contract requires a manager to help handle the preparations for the show. That means… if you both get a manager, the producers can't just mess with everything on their own. Whatever ideas they throw at on you both would first go through the manager. Then the manager talks to the hosts, and they're the middleman for everything. If you don't like something, the producers would just get the answer they don't want."
Duncan's face lit up with the realization. "So, we just need someone who can act as the buffer. The manager keeps us safe from all the producer nonsense."
"Exactly, and I think this will be good for you both come to the decision on what to do next." Victoria smiled as she could see her daughter excited but also with a serious look on her face.
"Now comes the hard part. We need to find a manager. Someone who can help us, and who knows us enough to actually be effective." Courtney commented as she was now in a situation both of them would need to work quickly.
The two of them exchanged a glance, knowing how difficult it would be to find someone suitable—someone who not only knew the ins and outs of the show business but also understood their dynamic well enough to help them navigate it.
Courtney leaned back in her chair, thinking deeply for a moment. Then, her expression shifted, her eyes widening in realization. "Wait," she said suddenly, sitting up straighter. "I think I know someone."
Duncan turned to her, curious. "Who?"
Courtney smiled, her gaze lighting up with a spark of excitement.
Courtney fell silent for a few seconds, her mind racing as she weighed the possibilities. Then, suddenly, her eyes widened as a solution dawned on her—a girl she had in mind who was in desperate need of a job, a girl who actually helped Courtney before when she needed a ride to Toronto. Courtney remembered not just a girl, but a duo, sisters, an intern who had once impressed her with her dedication to raise her own sister, and also look for a job to pay the bills. This girl had recently been let go from her position, and Courtney realized that this might just be the perfect opportunity for her to step back into the fold.
A smile spread across Courtney's face as she spoke up. "I think I know someone," she said, her tone a mixture of excitement and relief. Helping out this girl not only offered a promising chance for the team but also opened a door for her and her sister, providing a much-needed opportunity for growth and stability in the midst of all the chaos.
In the still, almost eerie pre-dawn hours of British Columbia—practically 4 a.m.—Jane's bedroom was wrapped in a blanket of darkness and quiet. The only light came from a sliver of moonlight sneaking through the window, casting soft shadows on the cluttered surfaces. Jane, a former gymnast whose athletic grace had long since given way to sleepless nights and hurried mornings, was sprawled across her bed. Her long, jet-black hair lay in a disheveled cascade over her pillow, and dark circles beneath her eyes testified to nights of restless slumber.
Without warning, the monotonous silence was punctured by the shrill ring of her old flip cellphone. Groaning, Jane stirred, the sound dragging her from the depths of sleep. With a slow, drowsy shuffle, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and padded toward the ringing device. Every step was heavy with the residue of sleep, her body reluctant to abandon the comfort of dreams even as her mind began to stir.
Fumbling with the flip phone, Jane managed to flip it open. The display flickered to life, and through her half-awake haze, she mumbled,
"...'lo… who's this…?" she slurred, her voice groggy and hoarse. Her voice was rough and unsteady, betraying the lingering remnants of sleep. On the other end, a faint, mumbled voice emerged—words barely coherent yet laced with urgency. Which still on her doozy state she was just repeating the words said to her. "Courtney, manager, new show, meeting… Glebe, Ottawa… Mmmh... okay… sure, whatever… yeah, I accept… thank you… good night…"
The call ended abruptly, and Jane, still in the grip of that groggy state, simply shut off the flip phone. She sank back into her rumpled bed, allowing herself to drift back toward sleep, convinced that perhaps it had all been a surreal dream.
But just a few minutes later, a sudden jolt ripped her from the fragile grasp of slumber. Her eyes flew open, wide with shock, and her heart hammered in her chest. In a moment of explosive clarity and disbelief, she sat up, nearly shouting into the dark, silent room, "I GOT A JOB?!"
Duncan was practically gasping for air, doubled over in laughter as he clutched his stomach. His loud, unfiltered amusement echoed through the living room, mixing with the faint hum of the refrigerator and the occasional creaks of the house settling in the night. His face was flushed, partly from exhaustion after hours of scanning contracts and partly from the sheer hilarity of what had just happened.
Courtney, on the other hand, sat rigidly on the couch, arms crossed, her lips pressed into a firm pout. Her eyes flicked between Duncan and her mother, Victoria, who was chuckling softly behind her own mug of coffee, clearly entertained by the situation.
"This is not funny," Courtney huffed, her frustration bubbling over. "Nobody told me it was 4 a.m.! How was I supposed to know?!"
Duncan wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, still grinning like an idiot. "I dunno, babe, maybe checking a clock before calling someone? Just a wild thought."
Courtney shot him a glare sharp enough to cut steel, but that only made Duncan smirk wider. Even Victoria, despite her usual composure, let out a small chuckle behind her hand. Courtney groaned, feeling utterly betrayed by both of them.
Before she could throw out another protest, her flip phone suddenly buzzed against the coffee table. The screen lit up, and the caller ID was unmistakable—Jane.
Courtney's heart nearly leapt into her throat.
Duncan peeked over her shoulder, still grinning. "Oh man, she's calling you now? Yeah, you totally woke her up."
Courtney gulped, suddenly dreading the incoming conversation.
Victoria smirked knowingly, rising from her seat and stretching her arms over her head. "Well, if I had to guess, she probably just realized she agreed to something half-asleep." She patted Courtney's shoulder in amusement before turning toward the hallway. "You two have fun with that. I'm going back to bed. Try not to wake the neighbors with your screaming."
With that, she left the couple alone, her soft chuckles fading as she disappeared down the hall.
Courtney stared at the ringing phone, suddenly second-guessing her entire existence.
Duncan, still thoroughly enjoying the chaos, leaned back and grinned. "Well? Aren't you gonna answer?"
Courtney groaned, knowing there was no escaping this. Hesitantly, she picked up the phone and flipped it open.
"…Hey, Jane—"
"COURTNEY, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN I GOT THE JOB? WHAT JOB OF MANAGER IS THIS FOR A NEW SHOW? WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST AGREED TO?"
Courtney winced. Duncan lost it all over again.
The golden light of the early morning seeped into Sky's bedroom, casting a soft glow over the carefully arranged space. She groggily opened her eyes, blinking a few times before letting out a quiet yawn. The familiar scent of lavender from her bedside diffuser lingered in the air, mixing with the faint chill of a British Columbia winter morning.
Her room was a reflection of her ambitions—filled with passion and discipline. The walls were lined with framed photographs of her performing gymnastic routines, mid-air flips frozen in time, alongside images of her older sister Jane in her prime as an athlete. Some pictures were signed by Olympic gymnasts she idolized, their determined gazes pushing her to keep training harder. Above her bed, a collage of national and international competitions was pinned neatly, reminders of where she had been and where she wanted to go.
To the right of her desk, three flags were proudly hung—Total Drama Island, The Killer Bass, and The Screaming Gophers. It was a guilty pleasure of hers, one she had followed since childhood. Though sports were her true passion, there was something exhilarating about watching unpredictable challenges unfold.
Her desk was neat, save for a small stack of books—Courage the Cowardly Dog, Steven Universe, and Adventure Time, all written by Ezekiel. The covers were slightly worn from being read multiple times. With final exams over and winter break only three weeks away, she had finally earned time to indulge in a little reading.
Stretching out her arms, she let out another yawn before rolling out of bed. She walked to the window, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she peeked outside. The streets were quiet, the sky still painted in soft pastels as the sun slowly rose over the horizon. A peaceful morning.
With that, she turned toward the door, ready to take a warm shower—
But the moment she stepped into the hallway, peace was thrown out the window.
The house was in chaos.
Sky barely had time to process the mess before Jane tore past her like a whirlwind, dark hair still tangled from sleep, dressed in mismatched clothes as she darted around the living room. Papers were scattered all over the coffee table, drawers were pulled open, and the thud-thud-thudof hurried footsteps filled the air.
Sky blinked. What in the world…?
"Where are they?!" Jane groaned, running back and forth between the couch and the kitchen counter, her tone bordering on desperation. "I just had them—ugh, why does this always happen when I'm in a hurry?!"
Sky crossed her arms, watching as her sister lifted couch cushions, checked under papers, and even peered into the fruit bowl as if the missing item would magically appear inside.
"Uh… good morning to you too?"
Jane barely glanced at her, too occupied with her frantic search. "Morning, morning—ugh, this is a disaster!"
Sky raised an eyebrow. "What is?"
Jane let out an exasperated groan, shuffling through another pile of papers. "I need my documents—the contract stuff, my schedule, my itinerary—and my car keys!" She paused, rubbing her temples before turning to her sister. "I have a meeting with Courtney and Duncanin Ottawa in two days—do you know how far that is from here?!"
Sky tilted her head, processing the information. "Wait… Ottawa? That's a two-daydrive."
"Exactly!" Jane cried, dramatically tossing some papers onto the table. "And I haven't even packed yet! I need to be ready—I have to make a good impression, this is my first real job opportunitysince—ugh, where are my keys?!"
Sky watched in mild amusement as Jane practically turned the living room upside down in her panic.
After a few seconds, something shinyon the kitchen counter caught her eye.
"…You mean those keys?"
Jane froze mid-panic, her gaze snapping toward where Sky was pointing. The car keys were sitting plain as dayright on the counter.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, with a dramatic groan, Jane collapsed face-first onto the couch, burying her face into a pillow.
Sky snorted. "You're really a mess today, huh?"
Jane muffled a reply into the pillow before slowly sitting up, running her fingers through her tangled hair.
Sky smirked. "So… you're really going to meet Courtney and Duncan, huh?"
Jane sighed, exhaustion finally catching up to her. "…Yeah. I guess I am."
Sky stretched lazily. "Well… I guess that means I'll have the whole place to myself for a while. Have fun."
Jane froze. Her eyes slowly shifted toward her younger sister, who suddenly started sweating under her gaze.
"No. You're coming with me, missy."
Sky's mouth fell open. "What?! Why?!"
Jane crossed her arms. "Don't give me that look. Do you remember what happened the last time I left you alone for one day?"
Sky huffed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, come on, let it go already! It wasn't that bad."
Jane's expression deadpanned. "Sky. That was a few days before Thanksgiving."
"…So?"
"So?" Jane repeated, incredulous. "You dropped a frozen turkey into a superheated vat of oil! Do you realize how much damage that could have caused? The entire kitchen was covered in gravy-laced flames!"
Sky lifted her arms in defense. "Hey! How was I supposed to know that would happen?"
Jane pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering something under her breath before leveling her with a look. "Sky. You weren't supposed to be deep-frying anything inside the house in any freaking case!"
Sky groaned, tilting her head back dramatically. "Uuugh, this is so unfair…"
"Yeah, well, deal with it. Go take your shower and pack your stuff. You're coming with me." Jane waved her off, smirking as she saw Sky stomp away like a petulant child.
But strangely enough, she wasn't as anxious as before. Maybe it was the distraction, or maybe it was just the relief of not leaving Sky alone to commit more accidental arson, but at least now she had a great excuse if they ended up running late to the meeting.
Chef Hatchet stood with his arms crossed, eyeing the wreck of a boy in front of him. Just yesterday, Ezekiel had been a force of nature, tearing through the challenge like a madman. But now? The aftermath was written all over him—exhaustion weighed down his limbs, every slight movement accompanied by a pained groan. His eyes were dull, his entire body practically screaming for rest.
"Ezekiel, what happened to you?" Izzy gasped, eyes widening as she took in his pitiful state. The usually scrappy farm boy looked like he'd been hit by a truck—twice. "You look awful."
Ezekiel let out a weak, tired grunt. "Ugh… I'm just exhausted and starving," he admitted, his voice hoarse from fatigue. "Chef, if you don't mind, could you make me something to eat? And… if possible, can I skip training today? I'm really not feeling well."
It wasn't just physical exhaustion. The insane challenge had pushed him past his limits, but what nobody knew was how much worse it had been mentally. Dawn's tea had shattered his mental defenses, forcing him to relive stress and trauma he wasn't ready to confront. The weight of it all was crushing him.
Chef Hatchet chuckled knowingly, shaking his head. He had seen this exact kind of burnout before. "Looks like you just got your first real taste of an Adrenaline Rush."
Ezekiel blinked at him in confusion, while Izzy's eyes lit up with recognition.
"Adrenaline Rush?" Ezekiel repeated, frowning.
Chef smirked. "It's what kept you going yesterday—why you were able to fight like a wild animal against a whole army of interns and Sanders. That mix of bloodlust, madness, and raw instinct pushing you forward, making you ignore pain, exhaustion… everything."
Izzy eagerly nodded, already familiar with the high Chef was describing. "It's awesome! You feel unstoppable! But once it wears off…" She shuddered dramatically. "Oh boy, it sucks. You just wanna sleep for a year and pretend nothing exists."
Chef nodded in agreement. "And from what I saw? You ran on that rush for a solid four to five minutes."
Izzy nearly choked. "Four to five minutes?!" She turned to Ezekiel, staring at him like he had grown a second head. "Dude. That's insane."
Chef let out a low whistle. "Yeah, I can see why Izzy and the others say you've got potential. With a real gun in your hands, you'd be dangerous."
At that, Ezekiel flinched. His entire body tensed, a shadow flickering across his expression before he immediately shut it down. His voice came out firm, unwavering.
"I'll never use a real gun," he stated. "Just toy guns."
The weight behind his words was impossible to miss. Izzy, sensing the shift in mood, stepped in quickly.
"Whoa, whoa, relax, Zeke!" she said, throwing up her hands in a calming gesture before shooting a warning glance at Chef. "He was just giving you a compliment, not pushing anything on you." She softened her tone, placing a reassuring hand on Ezekiel's shoulder. "We know you'll never be like the people who did that to your family. We promise."
Chef, catching the silent message in Izzy's gaze, exhaled through his nose and gave a short nod. "Fair enough. No guns. But don't think I didn't notice how deadly you are with a bow and arrow." He smirked knowingly. "I saw you and Izzy messing around with those weapons. You both might act like lunatics, but in the right hands, those things are no joke."
Ezekiel and Izzy exchanged sheepish chuckles.
Chef rolled his eyes, then clenched a fist and cleared his throat. "Alright, listen up. Since you're still dealing with the crash from that adrenaline high, we'll go easy today. No heavy training."
Ezekiel sagged in relief, but Chef wasn't done.
"Instead, you're getting a knife training session."
Ezekiel blinked. "I… don't think I've trained with knives before."
"Good," Chef said gruffly. "Izzy can show you the basics of holding a combat knife while I go whip up something for you to eat. After that, you go to sleep, soldier. You've done way too much."
Ezekiel, still drained but grateful, gave a small nod. "Got it."
Izzy clapped her hands together, grinning wildly. "Ooooh, knife training? Now we're talking!"
"Thanks, Chef," Ezekiel said with a kind smile. As Chef left the area, Izzy immediately approached him, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"No… I won't tell you how I did the challenge," Ezekiel said flatly before she could even ask.
"Oh, come on!" Izzy whined, bouncing slightly on her heels. "I need the details!"
"If you ask again, I'll spoil the finales of Lost and Dexter," Ezekiel warned, his tone dead serious.
Izzy froze. Her face paled like she had just seen a ghost.
"No way. That's a bluff." She narrowed her eyes at him, but when she noticed the unwavering seriousness in his expression, she flinched. "You're still mad about Duncan and Courtney getting eliminated?"
"It was a dirty move, Izzy." Ezekiel crossed his arms, his frustration still fresh. "And you better pray Heather ends up on my team, because when I get the chance, I will make sure she loses so many times that she's out before the merge." His voice was sharp with irritation. He still couldn't believe his so-called friend had pulled off such a backstab. "You used the Swap Vote Box, didn't you?"
Izzy sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah…" She could tell Ezekiel was holding himself back, his shoulders tense, deep breaths keeping his temper in check. "But hey, at least it wasn't Geoff and Bridgette like you thought, right? So they'll get their own TV show now. That's a win. And Duncan and Courtney? They can work well together."
"Yeah, I know…" Ezekiel muttered, exhaling sharply. "And in the long run, it's probably better since Gwen and Duncan won't be alone together for too long. That means that ridiculous love triangle in Season 3 won't happen. But still—it was a dirty move, Izzy. You blindsided me." He ran a hand down his face, exhaustion clear in his expression.
"I get it," Izzy said with a shrug. "But hey, let's move on. Training time!" Her mood shifted in an instant as she pulled out a small, curved knife that gleamed under the light. "I usually work with a lot of knives, but I think the best fit for you is the karambit."
Ezekiel raised an eyebrow. "The what?"
"This baby," Izzy grinned, holding up the blade. "It's got a slick curve, almost like a claw. Great for spinning, super deadly when you know how to use it right." With a flick of her wrist, she twirled it effortlessly around her finger. "This little move? Not just for show. In real fights, it lets you slash and strike in crazy fast motions. And when you really get the technique down, the damage is insane."
She spun it a few more times before abruptly stopping and shoving something into Ezekiel's hands. He looked down at the ridiculously bright plastic karambit—colored in neon orange, green, and purple. It was clearly a training toy.
"…Seriously?" he deadpanned.
"Yup! Can't have you chopping off your own fingers on Day One." Izzy winked. "This one's just for practicing the spins. Once you get the hang of it, then we'll move on to the real deal."
Ezekiel twirled the toy between his fingers, testing the weight. "You're lucky I've always wanted to learn to spin stuff. Pens, knives—"
"Pistols," Izzy interrupted with a knowing smirk.
Ezekiel shot her a look.
"Oh, don't give me that face," she teased. "I know deep down, you've always wanted to spin a gun like an old-school cowboy and do some badass trick shots."
He scoffed but didn't respond right away. Instead, his mind went to someone farmore impressive than any Western movie gunslinger.
"Ocelot."
Izzy blinked. "What?"
"There's no one better at gun spinning than Major Ocelot," Ezekiel said as if it were a simple fact of life. "Sure, Western movies are cool, but if you really want to see gun-spinning at its peak, that guy's a freakin' madman."
"Well, I never heard about him before, so I'm curious, what do you know about him?" Izzy arched an eyebrow. Ezekiel smirked slightly, but Izzy didn't push for an explanation. Instead, she spun her knife in one fluid motion. "Alright, enough talk—grab the toy knife and follow my lead,"
Ezekiel rolled his shoulders. "Fine, fine…" He adjusted his grip on the training karambit, mentally preparing himself.
At least now he can do some small training before eating and then reward himself with a good sleep. He really need it.
Duncan and Courtney sat in stunned silence, their mouths hanging open as they watched the recorded episode play out on the screen in front of them. The reality of their elimination had already hit hard, but this—this was something else entirely.
"HOLY SHIT, GO EZEKIEL GO!" Duncan blurted, his voice filled with a mix of shock and excitement as they watched Ezekiel unleash absolute carnage. The farm boy was a one-man wrecking crew, taking on the interns single-handedly, fists flying, bodies hitting the ground. It was the kind of chaos Duncan lived for, and he couldn't help but grin.
Courtney, however, cringed as Ezekiel delivered yet another brutal punch. "I can't believe it… He actually did it." She shook her head, both impressed and disturbed. "I think we let him spend too much time training with Eva."
Duncan let out a low whistle, leaning back with a smirk. "Welp, she's been saying for ages that he needed to bulk up and learn how to fight. And from the way he's throwing those punches? Yeah, we know exactly who to blame for that."
They quickly navigated to the Total Drama Forum, scrolling through the MVPA(Most Valuable Player Acting) selection, where fans could vote and analyze the most impressive moments from the show. The top clips were already flooded with Ezekiel's rampage, with users debating whether he was a genius or a complete madman.
"Man, this sucks," Duncan muttered, rubbing his forehead. "If I wasn't eliminated, I'd be racking up so many points for this. At least Harold's probably getting a boost."
Courtney crossed her arms, pouting slightly. "Hey, I had great points too when I worked with Ezekiel. And now I can't use them either. So yeah, it sucks for both of us." She sighed, finally shutting the laptop. "Anyway, we should focus on figuring out our next move. The show's still going, and we need to think about how to stay relevant after this."
Duncan's stomach growled, cutting through the tension. He gave a sheepish chuckle and leaned toward Courtney with a lazy grin. "Well… I can't think on an empty stomach, and your family's outside waiting. Why don't we grab some breakfast?" He wiggled his eyebrows. "Maybe find a place with unlimited bacon?"
Courtney considered it for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, coffee sounds good right now." Her eyes lit up slightly as she suddenly had an idea. "Oh! I know a bakery that makes an amazinglatte. Let's go."
Duncan smirked, slinging an arm around her shoulders as they headed out. "As long as they've got something realto eat and not just tiny overpriced pastries, I'm in."
The words flowed effortlessly onto the laptop screen, each keystroke striking with precision as Ezekiel's mind sharpened in a way he had never quite experienced before. It was as if the memories of the scenes he had just watched played vividly in his mind, imprinting themselves onto the digital page without hesitation. Every detail, every line of dialogue, every nuance of the atmosphere—each one translated seamlessly into his writing. Even the words he had once searched for in a dictionary long ago surfaced naturally, slotting into place like puzzle pieces.
It wasn't anything dramatic—just a subtle shift, a faint yet undeniable clarity that made writing feel about ten percent easier. The mental blocks that usually plagued him, halting his momentum, now crumbled effortlessly. His fingers drummed against the keyboard with rhythmic intensity, the sound crisp and rapid, filling the otherwise quiet Craft and Services Tent.
He hadn't even noticed the way people had started watching him. Some had their heads tilted in mild curiosity, others simply glanced up between bites of their meals, observing the rare sight of Ezekiel so utterly focused. His tea-induced mental stress had left him drained to the point of vomiting and nosebleeds, yet somehow, even through the discomfort, it had granted him a fleeting moment of heightened concentration. But the exhaustion eventually took its toll, knocking him out for hours. By the time he stirred awake, it was already 3 p.m., and an angry Chef was barking at him for sleeping the day away.
Grumbling under his breath, Ezekiel grabbed his lunch and ate, barely registering the taste as his mind was still locked in creative overdrive. His writing had evolved, shifting in ways even he hadn't anticipated. Unintended Easter eggs had slipped into his latest chapter, subtle nods of respect to works that had once shaped his past life.
Unfortunately, this world had little appreciation for games and anime beyond surface-level pop culture references—whatever was trending in 2007 dictated the public's interest. Metal Gear Solid? Sure, people talked about it, but mostly because of the meme-worthy image of Snake hiding in a cardboard box. Saint Seiya, on the other hand? Practically never existed like most animations from japan, unless it was some half-baked parody thrown into a comedy sketch.
It was frustrating. He'd never get to experience the same niche joys from his past life in this world, but he could at least slip in homages, even if no one else recognized them. That alone was enough to bring a smirk to his face.
And what better way to do it than through one of the most cherished debates of his childhood? Zodiac signs.
For most kids in Brazil, the mention of zodiac signs instantly brought up discussions of horoscopes, personality traits, and astrological compatibility. But for the boys of the 2000s? It meant only one thing: Which Gold Saint are you?
He could still remember the playful brawls between his cousins, fists flying as they shouted out attacks from their respective Saints. Virgo, Aquarius, Leo, Gemini, Sagittarius—those were the powerhouses everyone fought to claim. Meanwhile, Cancer, Pisces, Capricorn, Taurus, Scorpio, and Aries were often overlooked or ridiculed. But then Lost Canvas changed everything.
That was the moment the playing field leveled. Every sign had a badass representation, every constellation felt legendary, and for the first time, no kid had to feel embarrassed about the one they were born under.
That was exactly what he planned to do in this Ben 10chapter. Instead of sticking with Ben's old obsession with Samurai Sumo things on the show—which, in hindsight, was just a filler gag that lost impact over time—he would introduce Lost Canvasas Ben's new favorite.
Ben would fanboy over the Golden Saints, explaining in ridiculous detail who they were, their personalities, and their powers. He'd even take the chance to one-up Gwen, proving that he knew way more about astrology than she did—not in the horoscope sense, but in the real, coolway. He'd list the constellations tied to each Saint, breaking down even the Bronze and Silver Saints, and along the way, he'd flex his knowledge of Greek mythology. It would drive Gwen insane to see him actually outsmart her for once, and Ezekiel couldn't help but smirk at the thought of writing that dynamic.
But for now, his fingers kept moving, his focus unshakable as he remained deep in the zone. Nothing was going to stop him.
Until—
"Time's up, Ezekiel." Eva's voice cut through the air.
"Crap baskets." Ezekiel groaned, quickly clicking Save before shutting his laptop. He blinked at the screen, still trying to process how much time had passed. "Wait… seriously? Two hours already?"
The response came in the form of a synchronized nod from everyone nearby.
Geoff, Bridgette, Harold, Leshawna, Eva, and DJ were all staring at him like he was some kind of machine.
Not that Ezekiel wasn't used to it. At least now he could take a break, maybe even crash early for once. Thankfully, Eva was giving him a pass today—everyone was still exhausted and sore from the last challenge, so he was safe from training.
Sadie, on the other hand? Poor against Eva had earned her triplethe training load. Who knew Eva could be just a bit petty when someone managed to beat her?
Honestly, sometimes Ezekiel thanked God he wasn't one of the people who made Eva mad. Unlike his canonself, who had made the terrible mistake of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.
But yeah, a few days from now, the next challenge would begin. He figured the best thing he could do was get some sleep and rest while he had the chance. He really needed it.
Until the morning of the next episode.
He scoffed to himself. How different could it be?
(A Few Days Later)
"Okay, let's get this bloodbath started."Chris clapped his hands together, grinning. "You're gonna choose schoolyard style. Boy, girl, boy, girl. Ladies first. Since we have no ladies here... Gwen."
Gwen blinked, still groggy from waking up way too early. She sighed, rubbing her temple as she glanced at her options. She needed someone who could handle all kinds of challenges.
"I don't know…"She looked around before making her decision. "Geoff?"
"Awesome!"Geoff grinned, stepping behind her.
Trent remained quiet, watching the selection process with a focused expression. Everyone expected him to pick one of the Screaming Gophers next—
"Ezekiel." Trent said with solenm look...
A beat of silence.
"What?"Gwen blurted out.
"What?"Eva echoed.
"What?"Chris raised a brow.
"What?"Every single member of the Killer Bass said in unison.
Ezekiel blinked, taking a second to process what just happened before speaking up.
"Not gonna lie, didn't see this one coming."
And just like that, the episode was already off to a chaotic start.
Chapter 63: Riot on Set
Chapter Text
"Last time on Total Drama Action... 23 teenagers, one zombie apocalypse challenge, and a fight to survival against zombies. In a world where Chef and Cadets Sanders and MacArthur wore zombie costumes, only the most prepared people could survive. Some scenes will be craved on the memories; betrayals were made." Chris narrated as it showed flashbacks over the scenes of the challenges: the contestants running away from zombies, Harold using a lightsaber, Ezekiel and Courtney using their nerfguns, and Ezekiel going solo. DJ and Tyler being betrayed by Geoff, who left the spot just to try to go after an ice cream truck. "Finally, two contestants found their victory, one by running from the zombies, while the other stealthy brought his vial with him. And now they will have to face the choices they are going to make today. And so it was another pair of lovers who were caught in the most unexpected plot twist elimination of all time. 2 strong competitors and former pillars of the team were eliminated. Heather was using the best time to cast the favor Courtney owned her. Izzy as a way to use the right gift box at the right time, it was lucky Izzy managed to take the swap gift box. Will she use it again in the future? But still, it was bye-bye for Duncan and Courtney. Even as part of their final act of pettiness, they vandalized my trailer. *sniff* *graffiti paint everywhere… But let's change that. Today, we're going to bring the pain! Hahahaha, Well, if I have anything to say about it. And I do, by the way. So brace yourselves for some deliciously painful Total Drama Action!"
[opening scene]
4 a.m
The contestants were enjoying their good night of sleep. Over the humble trailer of the boys, each of them was having their sleep as they usually would have. Some of the boys had developed their own snoring after passing so many weeks together on the island of Wawanakwa. DJ, Geoff, Tyler, and Ezekiel developed their way to deal with Harold's snoring in case he was too tired. Since they passed weeks together, as much as Harold was snoring, the boys simply got used to it.
Noah, on the other hand, was using a pillow to cover his head to try either stop the snoring while he sleeps or suffocate himself, whatever comes first.
Justin was with his arms behind his head while he was enjoying his beauty sleep. Owen had a sock on his mouth as he was snoring; the sock inflated like a balloon.
Trent, Jude, and Cody were also enjoying their sleep, even in accordance with the chaotic snoring across the trailers.
Harold was touching his nose while it was one way to avoid his own snoring, as the camera took the view of their humble trailer.
"Hey, keep moving," Chris' voice could be heard as the camera flashed and it went to the other trailer.
The girl's trailer showed a difference between humble and fancy. Because the trailer was larger than the one on the other side of the area, and the girls could enjoy their own comfort. Each girl seemed to be enjoying their pleased dreams after 2 days since the last challenge.
And from all the people who seemed to be sleeping, Izzy was the only one staring at nothing… She had woken up at 3 a.m, and she couldn't sleep. Since she remained on the spot looking at the ceiling of their trailer.
Today's challenge was something that clearly she needed most.
Yesterday:
"Okay, guys, since tomorrow's challenge will be different, I will not be training you two tomorrow." Chef explained that while Ezekiel and Izzy were working out, Chef insisted that Ezekiel hike the water tower by hand using his weight. This was a very challenging task, but since both Chef and Izzy were watching him, it was decided to keep trying until Ezekiel had muscle memory about what to do when he attempted to hike something.
She also was giving a few tips on how Ezekiel could be doing parkour; he needed something to distract his mind; she wasn't sure why, but she was glad that he wasn't that tired in comparison to the day after the Zombie challenge. But still, she felt he needed more mental resting, but she isn't sure how to approach that to him.
Exercise and parkour were always good ways to help the mind release frustrations and distractions, allowing him to focus and enjoy a little more adrenaline. However, she also had to watch out for Ezekiel, who didn't know that too much adrenaline rush can be physically taxing, especially if they have a challenge the following day.
"Chef, what is it?" Ezekiel said, appearing worn out and with a sore body.
"Tomorrow Chris is planning to make a challenge in regard to the teams you two will be; the challenge will be focused on making a movie; I'm not sure on the details, but the two teams will be working on a scene where me and Chris will be the judges." Chef's voice then made Izzy freeze. "I'm not sure if any of you guys are going to be on the same team or different teams, so you better make your team win in a way that I won't be biased."
"Fair enough." Ezekiel nodded as he was streetching himself after dealing with the painful exercise he had been taking from both Chef and Eva. At least he was aware that they were gradually paying off. He felt that he was not having any more difficulties because his body was remembering his movements, though he was not sure why, akin to following intuition.
"…" Izzy remained quiet. The three of them carried on with the exercises.
Izzy continued to look at the celling, knowing from her experience and from Chris's voice from outside that he would wake everyone up early because of the challenge. But according to what Ezekiel told her in the cave on Wawanakwa Island, Izzy was insecure about one thing: Duncan. Izzy lost the challenge, the acting challenge, which was her expertise for so long.
Before her first elimination, she deceived everyone into believing she was a crazy, stupid, and maniacal girl in a few episodes. She also overshared some of her real past with Cody. She does not know why she did that, but people quickly realized that she had changed her attitude. Although she enjoyed playing the crazy and the idiot, this always makes her unpredictable. She enjoys acting and was certain that she has many fans, just like Ezekiel, Duncan, Courtney, Lindsay, and Heather.
But it does not matter how many times she tried to be ignorant or try to not think about it. The notion that Duncan defeats her in an acting competition even though she lost it while performing? For making people cry? It was a blow on her self-esteem; she is fine; she is a discharged soldier; she already helped her country a few times, just like her parents. Like her mother, she was also the cheerleader captain and the parade band leader because she enjoyed playing various stereotypes at her school based on the season and liked to use fire batons. She loves acting.
But even as Ezekiel explained Chef was biased and Chef voted for Duncan's team because DJ was there, it was a blow on her pride, on everything she did... And the future Ezekiel told her, about how she made some successful movies, she was on top, just for later she went rude on her cinematic team... due to overstressing herself probably? Ezekiel wasn't sure, and neither was Izzy. But still, she had her dreams of being an actress crash because of the mistakes she made.
She wanted so much to beat the crap of the alternative Izzy, demanding why she messed up their lives and committed so many mistakes, why she let herself be eliminated so many times, or why she destroyed her dreams of being an actress if she could just take a break and not work herself to explode.
And now... here we are again. But this time Duncan wasn't going to be against her; it could be any contestant; it could be Noah; it could be Owen; it could be Heather against her... And worse of all, in case she were on a different team, it would be Ezekiel against her.
She isn't stupid; Ezekiel wears his works as sleeves connected to his heart. He's a professional writer, hardworking artist, and person with a higher imagination like her. She knows that he writes every chapter narrating to himself, sings his songs, writes himself, and quotes every single character with the emotion behind the scene.
In the chapters he writes, he imitates battle scenes with his own body.
It was one of the rare events, but still one... Izzy was scared. Not because of fear of something threatening her life. But it was from something that would make her question if she was good enough to become an actress.
Izzy felt conflict and questioned herself if she was indeed good enough to go against someone who could act just like her. She must have underestimated from the past where the other Izzy committed the mistake, but now that she knows the outcome of her mistakes, will she be able to not do it again?
And now the sounds of the horns on the megaphone made Izzy have her eyes wide open.
"All crew on set! Call time is four a.m!" Chri's voice could be heard from the megaphone as the groaning sounds of the other contestants reached her ears. Which made Izzy remain calm and sigh.
It was time.
Confession—Beth
"At first, I thought he was talking to the crew, not us. I was really hoping they'd replace Chris the creep with a nice host this time around! Is that mean?" Beth vented her frustrations as suddenly she caught herself into talking badly of Chris and being a mean girl. Which made her gasp and place both her hands over her mouth. "I'm sorry."
Confession - Noah
"For every 2 days of a break for us to actually enjoy our lives into dealing with each other, there's one day for Chris coming out from the depths of hell to remind us about the terrible mistake we made in our lives into actually thinking of signing the contract. And waking up at 4 a.m on the morning of the challenge is always a good way to do that." Noah rolled his eyes as he felt tired from dealing with Chris crap. "Any remorse I had from his trailer being vandalized, which was none... was not just null, but now created a debt for me going to enjoy the next time Chris mess up and have one of his precious things being vandalized."
Each contestant walked outside their trailers as zombies, most of them with dark circles on their eyes, and for the surprise of the fans, the cast of the show was now wearing the OG version of their clothes, even the former members of Killer Bass, since it will be a selection of a new team.
Gwen opened the door with a slam as Lindsay, Heather, Leshawna, Beth, Katie, and Sadie, who were now using the same clothing style as before, followed by Eva, Bridgette, and Izzy, and while most of them were with a look of tiredness, Izzy was the one who seemed to be completely fine. Possibly with the fact she had sleep until she got awake one hour before the call.
"I can't believe I'm doing another season of this show," Leshawna complained tirelessly, as the girls didn't even seem to mind her complaining; they were too exhausted for that.
While on the other side, Owen, Trent, Justin, and DJ walked outside of the trailer as zombies, with their arms down as their sleepy minds were suffering the pressure of being awake on that hour each at 4 a.m on the day of the challenge.
Cody was drooling as he accidentally made his face hit the floor and went to sleep just for a few more minutes.
Jude walked above Cody as his own eyes were closed, as the exhaustion was taking care of him, but still, even in his sleep, the boy was carrying his skateboard like a teddy bear.
Geoff and Tyler, who was now using his classic red jacket from the last season, made an appearance since they took what would be the fastest clothing they would wear.
Even Ezekiel, who just decided to use his booger green hoddie that he hadn't used for weeks, and the usual winter hat his mom gave to him. Until he heard a voice on his side while he was walking out from the trailer.
"This continuing sadistic wake-up call is messing with the natural rhythms of my mind clock. My mojo will be destroyed." Harold commented as Ezekiel gave a yawn and a few stretches. Harold blinked at Ezekiel, who seemed to be, in comparison to the others, a bit more rested than them.
"If that was the problem, then you need to update your clock; wake up earlier than what Chris is calling." Ezekiel said as he passed by him, but also he paused. And turned to his friend. "Also Harold, can we please not talk about words like mojo or internal clock? I think your fans would think less of you if you talked too much about your internal body. Remember what I said..."
"Yeah, key words, sorry, I'm too tired." Harold said as he yawned but nodded his head to his friend. "How are you holding up?"
Ezekiel noticed the question given by his friend, who clearly knew about what the farm boy was thinking.
"I'm keeping up; it sucks Courtney and Duncan are not here, and with the thought that we have a chance of being into separated teams, it's going to make each of us out of our comfort zone, especially with the fact I'm the last Pillar of Killer Bass remaining. I'm sure if I get in Gwen's team, she would let me help the team as her co-captain." Ezekiel commented as he could see the ginger boy nodding his head at him. "But still, I'm kind of glad that I wouldn't be the one selecting the teams, because being the only team captain and the responsibilities would be too much to handle."
"Since the time you were on the Killer Bass, there were 2 other leaders, which made a trio of leaders manage to make a random team into good teamwork." Noah appeared on their side, as he yawned as he felt tired over that stupid idea of waking up 4 of the morning for every challenge.
Harold nodded as he gave a glance at the group of boys and girls who were still trying their best to remain awake. As he looked at Ezekiel, who was used to waking up on that hour.
"Hey Zeke, why aren't you looking that tired like us?" Harold gave the question, to which Noah also raised his eyebrows to the boy. But Ezekiel already had the answer on the tip of his tongue.
"I always wake up early around these hours. Waking up before the sunrise is common for the farms, and also most of my time on the Playa Del Losers, I used that time waking up early to help me to write some scenes of the books. Why are you guys surprised by that?" Ezekiel raised his eyebrows as Harold and Noah looked at each other before nodding their heads in understanding.
"I don't know how you do it." Noah asked as Ezekiel just chuckled.
"Nothing more than a good 3 cups of coffee wouldn't solve; let's go." Ezekiel said as he was following the group towards the Crafts and Services Tent, while Harold gave a slight glance at Noah.
"He said 3 cups of coffee; does that mean one cup for each of us?" Harold asked in confusion, but Noah simply scoffed.
"No, 3 cups for each person. But he had some reasoning on the advice: I need a good coffee if I have to deal with this crap for another day." Noah commented as he looked at the body of Cody on the floor and simply stepped away from him. While he knew Chris would call the security guards to deal with Cody.
And just like Ezekiel had said, 3 cups of coffee to energize Harold and Noah, and they felt less annoyed over the fact they had to wake up for the challenge, the breakfast was still badly as the first they had—some burned toasts, not seasoned scrambled eggs—but in comparison to what they ate at the Wawanakwa Island? This was edible food for them to get ready for the whole day.
Trent remained quiet as he passed a few seconds reflecting on what he should be doing. As much as he thought about it during those 2 days, he had been in silence, thinking about who he was supposed to choose for his team. With the experience he had by watching the show and even looking at the victories and losses the Screaming Gophers had, some of them were done because some of the campers reached the breaking point and had to give up on the challenge.
As much as he would have liked to call some members of his former team, he had to admit, the Screaming Gophers were out of teamwork, and because of that, they didn't become the most liked team over the last season.
How the remaining 3 of Screaming Gophers got to the finals, he still thinks it was more luck and strategies working individually. But now, who should he choose? And in case, is there a way to choose his friends? He isn't sure.
"I'm putting too much emotion on this. The focus should be selecting the strongest team as possible in the circumstances." Trent mumbled as he made a mental note. He had so many objectives, into some he needed to make sure to be himself, but also to make sure he won't screw up again. He needed to be more attentive; he read the contract so many times that he saw the fine prints in some aspects, which is why he never complained whenever Chris was doing by waking them at 4 a.m, and he knew a few other contestants were also aware of that.
He needed to focus on a team that could bring synergy, and as much as he would have liked talking to Gwen and sorting things out as friends, he was still afraid of thinking about what he should be telling. So that's why he was so secluded into his own opinions and thinking alone.
"Hey Trent." Then a voice made the guitarist blink and see that one of his friends, Cody, was sitting nearby him. As once again by his side there was the girl who was also smiling at him. "Have you decided who would you like to be part of your team?"
"I'm not sure; I'm still thinking about it." Trent said as he looked around, still with a few thoughts of his mind.
"I'm sure that's fine, Trent," Cody gave a few taps on the back of his friend, as he could see the boy getting a lot to think about it. "We are all on this show to give our best to have the 1 million bucks, so you don't need to take a lot of pressure on yourself."
"I agree with Cody; you may not know if your team is going to be great or not." Katie commented as she gave a reassuring smile at him. "Sometimes a good team leader can help out and unite the whole team. But you also should be careful about who would try to take the leadership as well. That's why on the last season Killer Bass didn't have an only team leader. Because it would cause a lot of problems."
"Yeah, I saw the episodes. And as much as I would like to try to be the team captain, I'm not even sure if I can do that." Trent sighed as he sat, which he passed a few seconds thinking. "I'm looking for synergy between members."
"Synergy?" Katie asked as her boyfriend chuckled.
"It means a cooperation and combination of two or more people that could reach the full potential of everything. Like when you think about Duncan, who do you think it would make him reach his full potential?" Cody asked as Katie quickly answered without thinking.
"Courtney and Ezekiel, but there were moments he and Harold were a powerhouse too; I think Gwen as well." Katie commented as suddenly she understood, "Ohhhh,"
"Yeah, babe, just like that." Cody nodded as Trent hummed in thinking of the possibilities.
"Sadly Duncan, or Courtney are not here, since they are very strong together and would have been a great help to the team." Trent sighed as he looked towards the other members of the team. "Izzy is a very strong wildcard; you never know what she could be capable off, and she's also made synergy with Heather, Lindsay, and Beth I'm not sure because I never saw them together, but if I grab the whole 4 girls for my team, I think they would work fine together."
"Yeah, but that also would cause problems for you as well, Trent." Katie then gave a point that made the guitarist raise his eyebrows at her. "If you bring them 4, they will have 4 votes in favor of Heather, Lindsay, Izzy, and Beth. So anyone who would be against them would be eliminated."
"It's like they said, leave your friends close and enemies closer, but bringing more than enemies to keep an eye is going to be exhaustive." Cody also pointed out another problem with Trent, who was thinking about it. "You need to separate them, to leave them in check."
"Do you think that's going to work?" Trent asked, but both boyfriend and girlfriend shrugged.
"We don't know how the selection will go, so you better be ready for everything." Cody gave the advice, as Trent remained quiet, but with a resolution on his face.
The hours had passed as the sun was finally up, the birds were singing as one tiny pink bird flew in front of the camera, and each contestant of the show waited for Chris to finally describe the challenge of the day.
The groups were separated by 2. On the left side there were the girls, and on the right side there were the boys.
"You're on a film set now, and you're going to learn that showbiz is not all red carpets and pool parties." Chris explained as he walked at Owen and raised his finger at him, which made Owen flinches in fear while Justin also had to step back from seeing Chris showing how important the challenge of the day was. "Today you're going to get schooled on how tough on-set production life can be."
"Whatever, I can deal." Gwen commented as she saw Chris passing over her, as she recalled that she had experience dealing with such an annoying process of working at the backstage. "I once had a summer job at a petting zoo. It's so adorable. Everybody is feeding the adorable goats their adorable cabbages. But somebody, i.e., me, had to shovel up the less adorable end of the digestive process."
Gwen recalled the good times of working in the petting zoo, but also the annoying part of how she had to clean up the whole feces problems the creatures had to deal with.
"Well, speaking of number two, it's time to pick up your teammates and then try to stick it to the team your rival, the boy who let you buried alive longer than before, chooses," Chris commented as he pointed out at the guitarist who rolled his eyes.
"Really? You're going to bring that out? I said I was sorry, and I was punished enough." Trent said as he narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. But then Trent sighed as he raised his hand to Gwen, who raised her eyebrows. "Anyway, I hope we have a fair competition."
"Oh, sure," Gwen said as both of them gave a handshake. "May the best team win."
"That's what I intend to do." Trent said as Chris was smirking on seeing how things were going to be interesting. As much he would have liked to have a bit of them becoming exes and would make a lot of drama.
It seems Trent was focusing on having the best team of the game, which now would make Chris wonder who he was going to choose.
"Okay, let's get this bloodbath started." Chris clapped his hands together, grinning. "You're gonna choose schoolyard style. Boy,girl, boy,girl. Ladies first. Since we have no ladies here...Gwen."
Gwen blinked as she ignored the jab. As much as she had planned to have some names on her list on who she should choose for her team, she was still groggy from waking up way too early. Even as she tried to compensate with one cup of coffee, she wondered if she should have drank more, but nothing but time will tell and she will be on her 100 percent again. But still, it was hard to see who she would choose.
She sighed, rubbing her temple as she glanced at her options. She needed someone who could handle all kinds of challenges. And Duncan and Courtney were out. But knowing her friends of Killer Bass, there were possibilities that many things could happen, which is why she was trying to think about who she would choose.
"I don't know." Gwen looked around, as it took a few seconds before she made her decision. The first boy she had to choose. "Geoff?"
"Awesome!" Geoff grinned as he walked behind her, and giving a high five made her feel more comfortable.
Maybe she wasn't going to have a problem with that…
Trent remained quiet, watching the selection process with a focused expression. Everyone expected him to pick one of the Screaming Gophers next-
Confession – Trent
"She chooses Geoff; I don't know if she realizes it, but she missed it; now it's my opportunity. The one who had the most synergy of the last season, and my way to make everything right." Trent commented, as he never thought he had a chance. A chance that could help his team go far beyond everything.
"Ezekiel," Trent said with a solemn look, as immediately made the whole team of former Killer Bass freeze and stare at Trent in complete shock. Even Chris who was going to enjoy the drama had to pause. Because nobody ever thought Trent would choose first, Ezekiel.
"What?" Gwen blurted out. And she wasn't alone.
"What?" Eva, who was thinking about what team she would be, also asked in disbelief with her eyebrows frowning.
"What?" Even Chris had to ask, since that wasn't something he expected, but it was a very welcome change.
"What?" Then every single one of Killer Bass members of the last season, with exception of one, asked as Ezekiel blinked a few times in surprise, taking a second to process what just happened before speaking up.
"Not gonna lie, didn't see this one coming." Ezekiel was honest, as he even looked at Izzy who also had her look of shock as well.
Confession – Gwen
"I forgot about Zeke, ughhhh," Gwen placed both her hands over her face as she pinched the tip of her nose. "I must have been too tired to not notice him, and now I need to think this seriously. I cannot let him take the strongest members of my former team."
"Eva," Gwen said as the bodybuilder crossed her arms, but with a nod she went behind Geoff, who smiled at her. Which made her give a nod.
"Damn, I was looking forward to have her… Anyway, Izzy." Trent commented, but suddenly he felt a pinch on his side. "Ouch… what was that for?"
"She legally changed her name for Kaleidoscope, so better call her E-scope or her new name." Ezekiel explained, as he was also surprised to see Trent choosing another member.
"Okay, Kaleidoscope." Trent called, to which Izzy smiled as she walked behind him, but to her amusement, she looked at Ezekiel, who was also intrigued to see what Trent was planning. And now they have 2 members of the same alliance on Trent's team, which would be easier for them to keep working on the backstage and not against each other.
"DJ," Gwen said as she knew the boy would be like a wall and challenges that would need strong arms, and while she has Eva, having DJ as a good measure as well would be a good help." Gwen said as she was with her eyebrows raised into seeing what Trent was planning—having Ezekiel and Scope on his team—he must have some strategy that she wasn't aware of.
"Harold." Trent gave a comment, which made Gwen's eyes wide open.
Confession – Gwen
"*BEEEEEEEP* He caught one of the MVPs of the last season, and Harold was on one of the summer camps, which probably was one regarded cinematic… Is Trent taking all the wild cards?" Gwen asked as she tried to think on what the guitarist was planning and on the confession she was thinking hard. But then she shook her head. "Okay, I need to wake up now, focus into making my team stronger. I don't know what Trent's planning, but I'm not going to let him changes my team strategy."
"Sadie," Gwen said as she looked at Trent with his eyes wide open. "I'm having all the powerhouses now, Trent; challenges of strength you're going to have in huge disadvantage."
Confession – Trent
"Dammit, she's right; she took the strongest members that could lift things easily. And now I need to think ahead on the options I have now. Sadly, it's girls turn...hmm, maybe I can work with that." Trent commented as the camera shifted again.
"Lindsay, the former champion of the last season," Trent said as he tried to avoid the look from Tyler and Heather staring at him.
"Yay, I was chosen." Lindsay clapped her hands as she went behind the guitarist.
"Justin," Gwen said as the good-model boy smiled as the cameras showed the good reflection of his face, as he slowly walked and took the attention of the girls.
"I…" Trent was about to choose Owen, but then he felt someone pulling his shirt.
"Please choose Tyler." Lindsay asked as Trent looked at her who was smiling kindly at him.
As much Trent wanted to say no… he recalled that one of the reasons of why he choose Lindsay was to make up for her since the last season, and while it was a miracle of his family not getting sued by Lindsay's family, he didn't want to commit the same mistake twice.
"Tyler." Trent nodded his head, as it made the blonde girl smile happily and hug him.
"Booyahh," Tyler jumped as he walked towards his girlfriend and got a kiss from Lindsay, while he gave an acknowledgment nod to the guitarist who appreciated the gesture.
"Hey Gwen, choose Bridgette; I'm sure she's going to be doing just fine," Geoff said as he kept commenting over the fact as Gwen simply narrowed her eyebrows at him.
"I'm not sure, Geoff; you and her still have been kissing way too much, and I want my team to concentrate more." Gwen replied as he could see the look of hurt on his face.
"Oh, don't come with that; you should have seen that coming a few weeks ago." Eva rolled her eyes as she gave a nod to Gwen, "It's the best if we left those two separated."
"hmm…" Gwen thought about it for a few seconds, but then an idea struck to her mind. "Hey Trent, if we ask you to take Bridgette. You can choose the next person for our team."
"Wait, they can do that?" Beth asked as she looked at Chris into thinking about it.
"I would say no, but looking at the betrayal looks from both Geoff and Bridgette right now is too priceless." Chris smirked as they saw Geoff staring at Gwen in disbelief and anger, while Bridgette looked deeply hurt.
"Only if you take the new guy next. Sorry Jude, I wish I could pick you up, but I'm not sure how you would work." Trent said in an honest tone, and the blond boy with a bennie waved his hand.
"Nah, that's cool, dude; I'm just lost on how things are getting crazy over here." Jude nodded his head as Gwen gave a nod in understanding.
"Deal, Leshawna." Gwen said as the ghetto girl walked at the goth girl and both smirked.
"Noooo," Harold said as he felt the blow on not being on the same team as his girlfriend, but he got a tap on the back of Ezekiel and Tyler, but he sighed to continue the game.
"Well as the part of the deal, Bridgette." Trent commented as the surfer didn't even look on the face of Gwen.
Confession – Bridgette
"I know me and Geoff had been distracting ourselves with our kisses a lot, and as much as I would like to agree that we needed to focus in the game and be serious. It still hurts to be discarded like that as the only option of not distracting my own boyfriend." Bridgette said as she place both her hands in the pockets, and while she was annoyed by Gwen for doing that. "I'm going to focus on the game, and we are going to take them down."
"Okay, Jude, you are chosen." Gwen nodded her head, as the skateboarder boy walked to his team and gave each of them high fives, which Geoff at least have one new friend to enjoy life while he had to stay away from his girlfriend on the challenges.
Trent looked at Cody, Noah and Owen… and then Heather, Beth, and Katie.
"As much as I would want to have Owen on my team, I cannot leave my bro behind. Cody, come here." Trent said as he knew that if is against powerhouses his team would be screwed, but if his team wins with team work and technicalities then his team would have a great chance of winning.
"Oh yeah," Cody walked as he gave high fives to the group, who seemed to be making a very solid team.
Gwen was about to say something but suddenly Sadie came to whisper something on her ear… Which surprised Gwen, who looked at Katie, who also nodded her head.
"Are you two sure about that?" Gwen asked as Sadie gave a confident smirk, and Katie smiled happily.
"Yeah, we want to do everything right this time, so we want to be in separated teams this time." Sadie said in confidence, and at that moment, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Katie and Sadie in shock. "I know, but I think the fans of the show, but also we two needed to play this reality show as the way as it should. I'm going to miss you, Katie."
"I'm going to miss you too, Sadie," Katie said as both girls hugged, as Trent looked about to say he wasn't going to choose her. But Cody touched his shirt, which made his friend also give a puppy eyes dog.
Trent sighed, as he may have thought about that possibility at the time he called his friend Cody.
"Well then, I'm going to choose Beth," Gwen made the comment as while Heather was annoyed for not being called for a long time, suddenly calling Beth instead of her clearly ticked off the queen bee.
Confession – Heather
"So she decided to choose my friend who was under my wing instead of me, who was at the finals of the last season? Well, unlucky her, because I'm sure me and Lindsay will be the final 2 again, and maybe this time we will bring Beth to the final three." Heather said as she glared at the camera, knowing that one of her allies was now on the other team. "Just need to reach at the top when we are at the merge and have as many allies as possible. Easy peasy."
"Heather," Trent said as the queen bee simply gave a glare at the goth before sighing and leaving Beth on her own at the other team.
Walking at the other team, at least she was grated by Lindsay and Izzy, who were there
"Well, there's 3 members, and one of the teams is going to have the advantage of having one more member." Gwen said as she looked at Chris with a smirk on his face. "One of our teams will have an extra member."
"Exactly, which now I will decide the remaining members. Owen and Noah, you are going at Gwen's team; Katie, you go with Trent." Chris sadistically chose the next members of their teams, which immediately made a few contestants unhappy with the decision.
"Oh, come on, that's very unfair; we are with fewer members while the others got the extra one while having all the strongest players?" Heather clearly was one of the people who was very unsatisfied with the results.
"That's show business, guys; you have to work with what you have. And for me, the team looks actually well balanced." Chris commented as he coughed on his fist while he approached Gwen's team as he felt excited to describe their name. "Gwen, I christen your team. The Screaming Gaffers."
While he then approached Trent's team as he decided to give the name of the team.
"Trent, you're the Killer Grips." Chris said as the groups looked at each other.
"Did you have to use the Screaming and the Killer as representations of something related to the production set instead of thinking other adjectives?" Noah asked in amusement, just for being shushed by Chris.
"You shut up; now let's keep going," Chris said as he decided to continue explaining. By walking by over the film set equipment, cameras, lights, and even 2 enormous trailers waiting to be used. "Your challenge? For each team to set up a film set!"
Leshawna smirked as she looked at how easy the challenge had been, so much so that she was scrubbing her hands with a smug look on her face.
"We'll be scarfing flapjacks by seven." Leshawna said as Ezekiel facepalmed.
"3...2...1," Ezekiel counted down, as Chris smile became eviler.
"Oh, will you? As location manager, I want your sets to go...there!" Chris said as he looked left and right, as he was waiting for that exact moment, to then point at the giant cliff prop, being what would take many kilometers of distance to bring everything on there.
Some contestants glared at the host, who seemed to have the upper hand of the situation, while Ezekiel looked amused to see the disbelief and outraged face of Leshawna for not expecting Chris after all those weeks and all the crazy challenges they suffered through.
"You just love doing that to us," Gwen said as she glared at Chris, who had the biggest smirk of his life.
"Yes. Yes, I do. Chef, Sanders, MacArthur!" Chris said through his walkie-talkie, "Clear for traffic up there?!"
"Trafic? How? We are above at the cinematic cliff!" Sander tilted her head as she looked at MacArthur using a whistle to scare all the birds away from the cinematic cliff. As Chef simply shrugged and looked out of the view.
"Sometimes Chris doesn't know what the hell he wants. And he just wants us to read his mind." Chef commented as he sat on the top of the cliff. "But check this view, wow."
Sanders followed the military chef, and she had to admit, the view was astonishing, seeing all the movie sets from that angle and the breeze coming through her skin.
Sometimes she loves her job. Even as crazy as it sounds. And that was one of those moments.
"LIGHT!" And on the time Chris took his megaphone, everyone ran to their statios and grabbed part of the movie set equipment. "CAMERA, ACTION!"
And just like that, every single member of their teams came to catch their equipment.
Gwen was holding the heavy camera as she started running, but as soon as she was about to lose balance and fall behind, a bump made her stop, and she turned her head to see Ezekiel holding her. Which the goth girl smiled.
"Thanks." Gwen said as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Be careful on the hill; if it's too much weight for you, then slow down. You shouldn't break the equipment, nor you should get hurt." Ezekiel said as he was taking himself a few ropes, as he walked down, making her blinks. As Ezekiel walked down, he just saw Eva and Sadie immediately pushing the trailer, which clearly would give the teams a good edge. "Eva, Sadie."
"Ezekiel," Both strong girls were carrying the trailer, which seems way bigger than they realize, but still they were using enough force to carry it…
Ezekiel was walking down, but suddenly he heard a groaning.
"Ezekiel, what are you going to do with those ropes?" Eva's voice was enough to make him stop. And by giving a sheepish smile, the bodybuilder realized what it had on his mind... And while she remained in silence for a second, she sighed in disgrunt. "Fine, since you are going to carry all the weight, you are allowed."
"Awesome, thanks Eva." Ezekiel said as he quickly walked downhill, which on that moment, Sadie who was pushing the weight of the trailer, raised her eyebrows at Eva, who was nodding her head at her.
"Yep, he's going to drop them." Eva said, as Sadie opened her mouth in understanding.
"How much they were again?" Sadie said, as Eva smirked at her.
"20 kilograms per limb." Eva said as she then used all her strength to push even further. "We cannot waste time."
"You are a mad woman," Sadie said as she was sweating from how much hellish training she made her and Ezekiel suffer through Playa Del Losers, but seeing that she was going way overboard with Ezekiel, it had been chaotic. To the point that she didn't want to lose. "Let's keep moving then, we cannot lose."
.
.
.
"People! This is crazy inefficient! I say we organize relay style and pass the equipment up." Heather complained as she pointed out as Cody passed a few seconds reflecting.
"Like a pass-baton race?" Cody asked, and Katie tilted her head as she was also considerate of the idea.
Bridgette, who was carrying the light, paused but also nodded her head.
"That's not a bad idea." Bridgette as she then looked at Ezekiel carrying the ropes. Which made her eyebrows raise. "Ezekiel, were you going with those ropes?"
"The trailer also needed to be on the top; someone needs to push it there." Ezekiel also explained that immediately the Killer Grips had their eyes wide open from the fact. Which as he was walking down, which made the group look at each other.
"He's not planning to carry the trailer alone, right?" Katie asked as Cody simply went down.
"I'm going to help him." Cody, as much as he felt skinny in comparison to most of the members, wasn't going to let someone do all that weight alone.
Harold, who was also walking by carrying the food cart, with Izzy after him, stared at the group, looking in disbelief.
"What's going on guys?" Izzy asked as the group pointed at Ezekiel and Cody walking down to the trailer. "What about them?"
"They said we have to carry the trailer to the top of the cliff, so they are going to do it." Heather said as she looked in disbelief at the duo of geeks and the farmboy going to tie the rope around the trailer. "Anyway, let's start our plan to make the relay style and pass the equipment."
Izzy blinked in surprise, as she also didn't know it was supposed to carry the weight of the trailer, and since they don't have strongholds like Eva, Sadie, DJ or even Owen, it was going to be hard for the duo to carry the trailer alone.
"I'm going to help them out. You guys can do it without me." Izzy said as she quickly went down. Heather simply rolled her eyes and groaned.
"Well, I don't know how long it would take the trio to carry all that weight by the hill, but while they are going to do that, it's for the best if we do it quickly." Heather said as she clapped her hands to give the instructions on what the group would do.
While Bridgette and Katie rolled their eyes, they nodded their heads as Harold sniffed and agreed with the plan.
"I'm totally with you. Write down all your good ideas, and we can bring them up at the next team meeting. I'll second you." Harold said with optimism, but before Heather would insult him, Bridgette's voice already called.
"Harold, no time for that now; we have to bring everything to the top." Bridgette said as she let her equipment go and gave a glance at the people going down. "I will tell Trent, Lindsay, and Tyler, who were walking down, we are going to put this strategy in motion."
"Good," Heather nodded her head as she nodded her head. "Even as we are with one less member, we still have a chance if we do it in the organization. Now let's move. Four eyes, you're going down and bring them to me. You two go ahead and find a spot where you two can run, and we are going to do it quickly."
"Alright," Katie said as she and Bridgette quickly ran to make sure everything would be done with easier effort, faster, and more efficiency.
.
.
.
"Alright, let's get this thing started." Ezekiel said as he was taking out his winter hat, his blouse, and his shirt.
"Woah Ezekiel, what are you doing?"A voice said as Ezekiel was taking out his clothing, as immediately the voice of Cody made him look at the geek in surprise.
"I'm going to take it off Cody." Ezekiel said as Cody tilted his head in confusion, until the sound of velcro could be heard as the geek had his eyes wide open at the sound of the weight of his left arm hitting the floor. It was like a cement sack hitting the ground. And then Ezekiel did the same thing with the other arm. As again, the sound hitting the ground was like a sack of weight hitting on the ground. And then Ezekiel did the same thing with the weights into each of his shins. And when all the four weights were out of his body, Ezekiel raised his arms in a motion as the sound of cracks could be heard, as the boy gave a sigh of pleasure relief. "Oh, thank God. It's rare for me to take out these things, but talk about a relief in taking all this off. I feel my body so light."
"Good to know?" Cody sweated and gave a small gulp, recalling how Eva was a slave driver in the training she gave on Sadie and Ezekiel, and while Ezekiel was giving a small stretch on the arms and legs, he did it just for a few seconds before taking the rope and starting to tie up on the trailer. "Hey, do you want some help?"
"Yep, it would be nice." Ezekiel commented as both of them used their time to tie knots and make sure the weight could be enough for more than one person to carry.
"Ezekiel, are you sure we can take all this weight of the trailer until the top?" Cody asked in concern and slightly afraid, since the idea of them 2 not being strong enough to carry everything crossed his mind since he went down.
"Hey guys, do you need some help?" And just like an angel coming from the sky, Cody's hope raised slightly as he saw Izzy walking at them two. As she looked at Ezekiel without his shirt, but while the front part of his muscles weren't shown as it was like a slim body... On his back thought, it was like muscles over his shoulders and back.
"Actually that would be nice, Scope; we need to carry this trailer to the top, Eva and Sadie were already carrying theirs, and I think soon they would reach the top, and we won't have much to do it." Ezekiel said as he didn't look at Izzy, who was slightly staring at him. But after a few seconds of silence, "Kaleidoscope, are you there?"
"Oh right, yeah, I'm going." Izzy immediately took the ropes as she went to help tie the knots, while Cody looked at the scene in disbelief.
Confession – Cody.
"I think that's quite obvious; Izzy's starting to open more and showing a bit of more emotion to Ezekiel. And one thing that's happening is there are two other girls who're also interested in Ezekiel." Cody gave a small secret as he looked around. "When we were at Gwen's birthday party, we just found out 3 girls who were exactly Ezekiel's type in accordance to the pact the Killer Bass boys had done... I don't know if Courtney is contacting them right now, but knowing how crazy this show will go. I won't be surprised to see someone starting a pool on who they would be with Ezekiel in the end."
Confession – Noah (At night)
"Okay, according to the pool rules, we cannot reveal the names of who the girls are because of their safety and privacy, which, differently than the show we are not going to reveal innocent civilians into this chaotic show event. And in accordance with the rules, only the Killer Bass or people who actually participated on the birthday of Gwen the Killer Bass goth are able to bet money on it." Noah explained the rules as he was holding 200 bucks in his hands. "I'm sure Courtney and Duncan will also find a way to publish how much they are betting on this pool. And now I have something to not be bored across the whole season."
Confession – Chris
"COME ON, THAT'S NOT FAIR; WE WANT TO KNOW THE NAMES FOR THE DRAMA." Chris shouted as he tried know the names of the potential girls for the entertainment and content he could be using against the MVP of the show, but now he had to content himself with not knowing. "Sometimes I think they don't trust me with the information. Come on, I'm so trustworthy."
"Alright, all tied up," Izzy said as she and Ezekiel tied their arms with rope, while Ezekiel made extra measure into placing a rope around his blouse, and he used it to bite and carry with his teeth as well. "Cody, you push from the behind to help us, okay?"
"Right," The geek gulped, but as he understood, he waited for the sign.
"ALIGHT, LET'S GO." Izzy said as she didn't play around, it was a serious moment where there was only them three to carry all that weight. So immediately she pulled with all effort she could, in the same way as Ezekiel. And Cody pushed. Even though it seemed to be against all the weight they were holding, it was still able to move the wheels, and with that, the trailer was starting to move.
Step by step became a small sprint, as they were able to move the trailer in a slow but, to their surprise, the triple of speed from what they had expected...
The Killer Grips are still at the game.
Due to have way more contestants, Chris decided it would be the best if he had made the double size of the trailer, but also quadruplicating the quantity of items to make sure he would make all the contestants tired for the next part of the challenge. With an evil smirk, he just then blinked into seeing the newbie Jude carrying the microphones, but he was still holding his skateboard.
"Woah, woah woah, what are you doing with that thing?" Chris said as Jude placed the microphones and tilted his head.
"You mean my skateboard?" Jude tilts his head as he scratches the back of his head. "I never get out without it."
"I didn't specify you should be using your skateboard on this challenge." Chris said as he walked towards the boy, who blinked a few seconds.
"But you didn't say I shouldn't be using my skateboard either," Jude replied as he could see Chris raising his finger to say something, but no word came from his mouth.
"Just don't use it on this challenge." Chris narrowed his eyes, as the boy looked sad, and calmly placed the skateboard on the corner of the equipment.
"Wait for me, skateboard; I will come back for you later." Jude raised his hand as a way to assure that he would come back to his most precious treasure.
At the time Jude went down to help his team, Chris looked weirdly at the teenager before shaking his head.
"I still have no idea how he was able to get on the show, but whatever, it's the producers problem now." Chris said as he returned to his seat and enjoyed his coconut drink. Just for the next one of the inters was carrying a box full of sharp items. But accidentally he stepped on the skateboard, which made him fall backwards while all the sharp objects fell over the poor worker. Chris blinks a few seconds. "Did I ask someone to bring sharp objects for this challenge?"
"Medic," The intern called in pain, while Chris simply shrugged and continued to watch the contestants bring more and more items for their challenge.
"Okay, Owen, just a few more steps." Beth cheered as she was wearing her pompoms as the boy with big bones was sweating a lot but carrying a sound system with him. DJ was after him by grabbing the cart of food.
"Can't we switch up DJ? I feel these breads are calling my name." Owen salivated as he was giving deep breaths. "I think I can't do it anymore. Carrying this to the top is a nightmare."
"I know you can do that, Owen; also sorry, but I don't think Chris will let us win the challenge in case you start eating the food before we reach the top." DJ said as he passed and went ahead. "I will go down to help you with that, but please be careful not to drop them."
"Okay." Owen said as he was still sweating and looking exhausted. He looked at Beth, who was still using her pompoms. "Where's the others?"
"Justin went to the confession both to do his make-up, and Geoff is helping Jude to carry more cameras to reach the top. Gwen is over there carrying the lights; Leshawna is down, and she is looking to see if there's more equipment missing for us to bring here. Noah is coming with the microphones, and it seems Eva and Sadie just managed to place the trailer on the top." Beth explained, as she also gave help, but for the fact everyone was feeling exhausted, it wasn't a surprise; they lost the times they went up to the top, just to then go down to keep continuing the challenge.
"Okay, makes sense... I will just give a few seconds of rest." Owen said as he was about to lay down when suddenly a shout made him jump.
"OUT OF THE WAY, OUT OF THE WAY." Izzy shouted as she and Ezekiel were running with everything they could, while they seemed to be carrying the whole weight of the trailer with their arms, and Ezekiel was pulling one of the ropes covered in his blouse with his teeth, making him to pull the trailer like an animal, but they didn't care; they wanted to take the trailer on the top.
Owen and Beth quickly gave a step away, as they saw Cody also pushing the back of the trailer with his strength, knowing that in any case it could be a disaster to happen if any of the duo at the front couldn't have strength anymore. It was a risky move, but Cody even then gulped his fears and trusted on the only duo who would be crazy enough to try to take the trailer by their own arms. But even so, he helped as he could. The trailer was heavy, but with the duo in front of it and pulling by ropes, Cody could have a good help to give more pressure in the right direction.
"Is that…" Owen blinked as Beth nodded her head, and at that time the Screaming Gaffers blinked in surprise as they saw the trio taking the trailer by their own hands.
Eva saw the fierceness on both Ezekiel and Izzy, and she couldn't help but smirk.
Confession – Eva
"Question my methods; say it's a hellish training, and I'm a demon and a monster. Tell me everything... But you cannot deny the results of what it makes me the iron woman." Eva flexed her muscles as she looked cocky at the camera on those who would always complain about her. "I dare Sadie and Ezekiel say if my training isn't helping them. Because you cannot deny the results."
"COME ON ZEKE, JUST FOR A FEW MORE METERS." Izzy shouted as she used all her strength to help the homeschooled boy take the trailer to the top. "CODY, HOW ARE YOU DOING DOWN THERE?"
"I'M DOING FINE, KEEP PULLING." Cody shouted as he pushed, and he was feeling the exhaustion and the sweat coming from his face and body. Still a few more meters; it's going to take everything from them. But it was something they would do to achieve the victory.
"Okay, I returned from my makeup; what did I miss?" Justin asked as Sadie pointed to the Killer Grips trio taking the trailer to the top. "Wow."
"Yeah, it took me and Eva a few minutes to reach the top, but it seems they were also going to do it if they managed to keep up the speed." Sadie commented as she was impressed into seeing Izzy and Cody being so strong. She knew Ezekiel had been suffering a lot of training, but she didn't realize Katie's boyfriend was also managing to help carry the trailer.
"Are you two done dreaming around?" Noah's voice made them snap from their distraction. "There's still a lot of equipment down there, and not wanting to be that guy... but still being. Look at the other team."
Sadie and Justin blinked as they turned their heads to see it.
"Heather, right here." Harold gave the lamp to the queen bee as the nerd went down. Heather, with the lamp in her hands ran into the distance of 30 steps before giving the lamp to Lindsay, which for 30 steps she gave to Bridgette, followed by Tyler, and then followed by Katie to the top.
Looking down, they saw Trent taking one piece of equipment and running. He started the process by giving the item to Harold, who repeated the process by passing to Heather and on and on.
"Their processes are faster, and they are keeping up and possibly already surpassed us. The only thing missing is the trailer." Noah pointed as he then looked at the top, which marked Ezekiel, Izzy, and Cody having already brought what would be the trailer to the top of the cliff.
"IT'S NOT OVER YET, GUYS." Geoff said as he went down and pointed downhill. "We still have a chance; we are going to lose if we just stop now; let's go."
"Carrying the camera," Jude said as he was holding another camera as the group continued to work themselves hard.
"UGH, does this challenge ever come to an end?" Gwen said as she was feeling annoyed and exhausted into dragging another piece of equipment to the cliff. Even as they seemed to have progressed faster, it was an undeniable fact.
"It's neck to neck." Chris said in excitement in front of the crew, recording the challenge as Trent once again returned with another piece of equipment. "And with Killer Grips using their teamwork and saving their strength by sharing the distance, it clearly shows they are approaching at a quick speed."
"Alright guys, we just need a few more, and we will be done." Trent said as he was feeling confident in Heather's plan to making a good teamwork progress, and in the end it would come to the little details. The guitarist gave a glance at Gwen who looked at him in disbelief, but he shook his head and continued back to work.
"Oh no, if he thinks I'm going to let this challenge end like that? He's very wrong." Gwen said firmly, as it was enough to recover her strength and go downhill.
Confession – Gwen
"I know they have a very good strategy into working together to pass the movie set equipment, but me and my team already went to this point, and changing our strategy on the last minute wouldn't work anyway, so it's all or nothing." Gwen said as it was the time of game on.
At the moment Ezekiel, Izzy, and Cody placed the trailer to the top of the cliff, Ezekiel felt his entire arms sore and his body burning. Izzy was covered in sweat, and Cody was having problems breathing, but at the time they finally did it. The trio went down like a sack of potatoes and reached their limit in helping their team.
"We managed to bring the trailer; mission accomplished." Izzy said as Ezekiel was satisfied with the results. While Cody looked unsure.
"I just hope it will be enough for our team to win," Cody said nervously, as soon as he heard Ezekiel chuckling. "What?"
"Cody, it's too easy." Ezekiel simply said as he was feeling the pain over his body.
"Carrying a heavy trailer to the top of a cliff was too easy." Cody slowly repeated the words done by Ezekiel, who also felt the disbelief coming from the boy.
"Cody, think with me. On the first day here, we had to run away from the giant mechatronic monster coming after us. Just for later, we had to find a key among a lot of fake food, which Owen ate them all. on the second challenge, we literally had to survive a zombie apocalypse and try to find every single intern or infected friends who would come after us." Ezekiel explained as the geek suddenly had something in his mind. "Just carry equipment for a movie set on the top of a cliff? It would have been easier for us if we had any powerhouse like Eva, Sadie, DJ or even Owen… but still, it was just carrying the equipment... Don't you have a feeling?"
"Something is missing." Cody said as he realized from the perspective of Ezekiel, and he couldn't help but lay down for a few minutes as well. "So it's the first part of the challenge then?"
"Probably is." Izzy commented as she stretched herself, still with a small sweat on her face, but that sweat wasn't because of the weight of the trailer she helped to bring to the top. "Whatever it is... it will be said at the time the last equipment is brought to the top."
The trio looked at the cast, reaching to the final point. Seeing the cadets MacArthur and Sanders separating the equipment from the teams, and Chef making some notes to check which item came from which team. It seems it was neck to neck. Trent and Lindsay had been working so hard, especially as Harold, Heather, Katie, Bridgette, and Tyler came up following them as the duo were bringing the last item.
However, on the other team, it seems that only 3 items were missing, and at that moment Owen finally managed to bring the equipment he took so long to bring. And with the race between Beth, Lindsay and Trent to carry the rest of the items...
In the end, somehow, Beth managed to bring the last item.
"WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO." The Screaming Gaffers cheered as Trent and Lindsay, in the same way the group of Killer Grips felt down for not being able to win the challenge.
"We actually won!" Beth cheered by raising both her arms in victory, as the whole team felt the sweet victory after having such hardship... But then…
"Weeeeeeellll, not exactly," Chris sang as it made the Screaming Gaffers stop.
"Pardon?" Beth asked as Chris decided to drop the bomb.
"That was only the first part of the challenge." Chris explained as he helped Beth to lower her arms as he smirked by saying the information. "Did I neglect to mention that?"
And on that moment, the whole team got disappointed for their hollow victory, as the Killer Grips found a new hope ahead.
"I was surprised that everyone managed to bring the trailers before the smaller equipment; in case any of you didn't manage to bring the trailer before the other finished the competition, you would have lost the trailer, but since both teams tried to reach the final equipment on top after taking the trailers. Trent, Lindsay, both your equipment will not be used since you didn't cross the top before Beth." Chris explained the rules, as Trent and the Killer Grips actually felt relieved.
"So that means we still have the trailer. You guys did fine." Trent raised his hand and gave high fives for both Cody and Ezekiel, who were still sore after the whole part. But then he blinked into seeing Ezekiel's back, which had a good definition of his back. But before he could even say anything. Chris already came in.
"Alright everyone, follow me," Chris called, as the group saw Chris giving a side glance at Ezekiel, which made him raise his eyebrows. "Where's your clothes?"
"My blouse, hat, and shirt are downhill; I will take them after the challenge is over." Ezekiel said as he walked slowly, still sore after the whole first part of the challenge.
"Nevermind," Chris said as soon as they reached the destined place. Both teams saw what would be the description of two different movie sets nearby each other. On the left side there was a set that showed nothing more than a main room, with an old clock, a couch, everything that would be said it was a single scene inside of the house. While on the right side, there was a set made as an office, where there was a desk, a big window, and a comfy chair on the side.
The Killer Grips were over the set that looked exactly like a main room, while on the Screaming Gaffers they are on the office movie set.
"It's time to make a movie. And what we've got here is the set for a tearjerker, starring an elderly lady considering her long life." Chris explained for the Grips what would be their objective.
"Boring," Trent said until he got elbowed by Ezekiel and Izzy, which made Chris appreciate not being interrupted.
"And for the Gaffers, you'll be making a feature about a thug who tries to go straight but can't resist the lure of the streets." Chris then told their challenge as Gwen and Noah looked at each other.
"It's just me, or you aimed this challenge just because Duncan was eliminated a few days ago?" The bookworm asked as he crossed his arms, which Chris chuckled.
"To be honest, it's a total coincidence. Well, your teams need to choose an actor to perform a scene," Chris said as he passed by them as he looked at the cadets. "MacArthur, Sanders, give the teams their scenes."
And at the time both Trent and Gwen got the papers of their scenes, Heather decided to intervene.
"Hey, what about lunch? We have been working for eight hours straight, and you are legally obligated by union rules to give us a meal break," Heather complained as Trent and Ezekiel rolled their eyes.
"Oh yeah? Who here is in the union?" Chris asked as he raised his hand, while the contestants remained quiet and couldn't raise their hands. And with a smirk, Chris had his satisfied victory. "Yeah. I thought so."
"Besides we are not working, we are contestants, which by the contract we are going to get our food in the time determinate after the challenge."Trent said as immediately as almost his whole team stared at the guitarist in surprise. "Yeah, I read the contract too... many times actually."
"That's great." Ezekiel said as he was glad someone with common sense understood the rules of the show now. "Let me check the scene; I need to see what we will be working with."
Trent gave the papers for Ezekiel, who clearly narrowed his eyes.
"This script is too generic; it would need a very skilled actor or actress to make just single words able to make someone cry." Ezekiel said as he looked at the paper and flipped the page, and he took a pen to start working. "I think I can help to develop the motivation of the scene, but it will mostly be improvisation on how to make the scene work."
"Alright, but who's going to act?" Harold came nearby as the group of boys watched Ezekiel think while he was focusing on the writing and modifications to make it work.
"Well, since we are boys, I don't think we should take the acting scene." Cody commented as Harold nodded his head.
"We boys needed to be part of the direction of the lights and the filters of the camera; it's going to be a tough part, but done right with good make-up, we can nail this." Harold explained as Trent nodded his head.
"Okay, we are going to leave that with you," Trent said as he knew Harold was a wild card, so it was one of the moments that choosing not the strongest in raw force but on how to adapt to the challenge would work better on this side.
"Katie can improvise some quick clothes; she did Ezekiel's jacket, so she may know a trick or two to make a cloth for a day." Cody suggested the idea, as Tyler also appeared.
"Lindsay as well; I heard she always wanted to be a stylist; maybe they could improvise quickly something good. Also, she knows a lot of make-up." Tyler also gave a good point, which Trent now felt satisfied with.
That was what he wanted. Synergy. He just hoped the team would go alright.
.
.
.
"As much as I would love to act, being an old lady? Pass, I won't fit my style especially on this genre of movie. Lindsay is checking the trailer to see how much make-up we can work on the person who's going to act." Heather commented as she crossed her arms. She then looked at Bridgette. "What about you, clumsy, you think you can take that part?"
"Okay, first off, rude, and no, I'm not sure if I'm capable of." Bridgette said as she looked unsure, As she glanced at the other team, she felt hurt seeing her boyfriend, who also looked in her direction. Both are in separate teams. But before she could even think further, Katie appeared with a few fabrics on her arms.
"Found some old fabrics; I think I can work with that." Katie said as she was with a few pins, and the idea of making cinematic clothing just for a scene wouldn't probably take long. "It's old and crude, so we can think of an old lady to do that. Did you girls decide on who should be acting?"
"Me," Then the voice made the whole crew suddenly turn their heads to see Izzy staring at them with a serious face. But at the time any of the girls would say anything, Izzy already explained. "I managed to trick everyone into thinking I'm an insane stupid idiot for weeks, and this is my only chance to prove to me and to everyone, I can act."
The girls blinked, as it was very surprising how solemn and serious Izzy had requested the paper. At the time Lindsay got out of the trailer holding makeup products, she was ready.
"Okay, I think I can work with that; who is going to act?" Lindsay asked, as Bridgette, Heather, and Katie nodded their heads.
"Izzy," The girls said in unison, to which Lindsay's smile went wide, and Izzy gave a small smile in gratitude for the chance given to her. But also.
"Please call me E-Scope." Izzy corrected them, which made the girls roll their eyes.
"So who's going to take the role of the criminal since the only person who had experience dealing with crime went way home with his girlfriend?" Noah asked sarcastically as he could see the glares coming from the former members of Killer Bass. "Don't look at me like that; of course the first option you would have picked for a team was Duncan."
Gwen raised her finger, but the bookworm clearly proved his point.
"How did you know that?" Sadie asked in surprise, as the boy who was looking at the papers of the scene simply scoffed.
"Gwen was the first to choose a boy, and I think if she didn't choose Ezekiel, she would have chosen at least Duncan, and after that she would choose Courtney." Noah explained that the goth simply blinks, but seeing that it had been a possibility, she would have done that.
"Makes sense, but still. You didn't need to be rude about them," DJ said, as while he could see the boy being smart, he didn't like the way Noah talked about his friends.
"I'm not here to pretend that I care for everyone; I'm here to say the facts; I've never been friends with them, so I'm not going to act like they are my leaders or friends in any case," Noah commented as he looked at Gwen while he crossed his arms. "Now we need to focus on winning this challenge, because nobody here wants to be eliminated after the last challenge; we just lost 2 people."
"Well, dude, don't worry, I can be your friend." Jude said warmly as he walked and gave a tap on the back of Noah who simply rolled his eyes.
"I'm not saying I w-" Noah was about to refuse the idea of making friends, but suddenly he was caught by Owen, who gave a bony, crushing hug.
"Oh Noah, I never thought you felt like that, but Jude's right, we are here to be your friends." Owen said as the bookworm was struggling to say anything, which was a desperatedly call for help, but Gwen, Eva grinned and simply ignored the boy. Leshawna, who was also enjoying the annoying boy squirm, looked at the team.
"He's still right; we need to think about who should be acting on our part." Leshawna said as Geoff passed a few seconds thinking. As he looked at Noah, Jude, and Owen, neither of them looked to have a type of style of delinquency like Duncan had.
"What about you, DJ? Do you think you can do that?" Geoff looked at the giant-hearted Jamaican, who simply shook his head and hands.
"No way, if my momma saw that, she would go freakout and I would be grounded for months." DJ said as Gwen simply rolled her eyes.
"I'm sure momma would make an exception for you to do that just for the sake of winning the challenge, but I don't think you would fit for the role either." Gwen gave another argument, to which DJ nodded his head.
"I agree, so I think we should think of someone else. How about you, Geoff?" DJ looked at the party boy, who seemed also unsure of what to say.
"I think I could try to pull up something, but I never acted before." Geoff said as Beth seemed to be looking around. She was also very unsure of how the challenge would goes.
"I wish my boyfriend was here; he could have given a few tips into a situation like this." Beth sighed, as suddenly there was a silence around the groups of Screaming Gaffers. "What?"
"You have a boyfriend?" Gwen asked in a surprise in her voice.
"Since when, girl?" Leshawna also asked with her arms crossed, to which Beth smiled.
"Oh, I just met him on our days off before the show happens; we both had a visit to the dentist, and we spent a few hours talking... and when we lessened notice, he declared to me that he wanted to be my boyfriend." Beth said as she took a picture and showed it to the others, as DJ had his mouth dropped wide open, and Geoff was also in shock.
Gwen also had to blink a few times just to make sure she wasn't dreaming, because the picture from Beth's hands showed a handsome boy.
Leshawna took a few glances, and she looked in disbelief.
"Good girl, I don't know where you found this picture, but there's no way you found a hot cake like that." Leshawna said in disbelief, as when Beth was smiling to see the surprising look from the others, Leshawna's comment really made her smile freeze and quiver down.
"What? But that's true." Beth said a bit hurt, but before anyone else would say anything, DJ and Geoff decided to intervene.
"Guys, let's not change the topic; we cannot say if it's truth or a lie since we didn't meet him, but talking about it in the middle of the challenge wouldn't solve anything. Just give Beth the benefit of doubt," Geoff said, as he clearly didn't want to make one of his teammates sad but also wanted the others to focus on their objective.
"You're right." Gwen said as she took the lead once again. "Arguing about if it's true or not won't solve; we need to find a person to act now."
As the group was about to say anything. Suddenly from the trailer nearby the Screaming Gaffers, Justin came out, while taking out a fedora as he looked so beautiful, that everyone had to stop what they were doing, just to see Justin slowly waking towards them with a smile on his face.
"I found this fedora on the trailer; I think if we have someone using it, it would make it good enough for the shot." Justin said as suddenly he saw everyone staring at him. "Who are you looking at?"
"You," Everyone sans Noah said, as the bookworm finally was freed from the death trap hug but still grunted from seeing the good-looking boy taking all the attention.
"As much as I hate to admit, we need him to do this part. But I'm not sure if we will be able to win this." Noah said as he could clearly see they have no solution, while deeply inside of him, he just wished he was on the other team. At least some of them are more bearable.
Beth walked as she wanted to have some time alone, but suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. Which made her jump.
"Oh, Sadie, err… guys?" Beth was surprised to see not just Sadie but also Eva, Geoff, and DJ, who came nearby to talk to her.
"Hey look, I know that it may sound hard from what was said before, but we believe what you said was true." Sadie gave a comment that clearly made the farmgirl pause and look at the group in surprise. "Gwen also believed it; she was just shocked from seeing the photo. And she had the others help Justin decide on how he should act on the challenge."
"Oh," Beth blinked but also felt relieved there was a group believing in her. But still, a small part of her looked confused. "Really?"
"Of course, to be fair, I was just in disbelief that what Ezekiel said was true." DJ commented as it made Beth had her mouth opened in surprise, as she recalled from seeing on the episode, about since Beth could indeed find someone handsome as boyfriend. "At that time we made the pact, we tried to be more open-minded when it comes to relationships."
"And Ezekiel already has 3 girls who clearly are his type." Geoff said as suddenly he felt the elbow on his stomach. "Ouch, what?"
"You idiot, you shouldn't be telling that on television." Eva said as Beth looked extremely shocked.
"Wait, really? Ezekiel has 3 girls of his type." Beth said in disbelief but also in surprise, but she recalled into watching the episode on how Ezekiel described the ideal girl, and while Beth felt he was slightly talking about him, it was obvious that he wasn't; some of the qualities he said were clearly not about her but about one of her friends. "I know Izzy is probably one, but whose the other 2? They are here."
Eva glared at the party boy, who looked sheepishly.
"Look what you did." Eva said as she sighed annoyingly at the farm girl, who was also afraid of the bodybuilder. "They aren't from here, but they were friends from some of us, which we needed to keep secret to not expose them."
"Oh, maybe I shouldn't have talked about my boyfriend." Beth said as she looked a bit down, but Sadie shook her head.
"No, it's fine; talking about your boyfriend and how you miss him was a good way to show you care, but Ezekiel is a different case... Because we don't want to expose them, I'm sure not even Ezekiel knows that we are talking about them, and for the best would be for us to make things worse for them." Sadie explained as the farm girl nodded her head in understanding.
"But what a…"
"Let's not focus more on Ezekiel's love life; we shouldn't have been involved in that. Since there's a pool in regard to it." Eva said as it clearly made Beth stare at them in surprise. "The cat is out of the bag; you are welcomed to join the pool."
…
"50 Bucks on Izzy," Beth said as she believed in her friend.
"All right, set up the shot! Whoever can get Chef, Mr. Ex-Army Corporal, to show any emotion, wins the challenge." Chris called by the megaphone as the group watched Chef walk towards the set and sit as a judge, just for the next second, the military Chef growled like an angry animal, which made him very intimidating.
And with that, everyone started to do their parts.
Ezekiel gave Izzy the script, which made her has her eyes wide open in surprise. That script wasn't from what Ezekiel had told her, and there was a slight stick note on the corner, which made Izzy read quickly.
(This was Duncan's script; destroy this stick note, and good luck.)
Izzy immediately took the paper and placed it under her breast, which in a way wasn't recorded by the cameras. She could see Ezekiel giving her a reassuring smile.
Relief wasn't a feeling that she felt she would be so excited to have. But oh boy how she felt great for not being tricked by the events of the past canon version of what happened; the original scripts had been replaced, and while she was playing around acting like a Scottish old lady, as she always wanted to give an act, she noticed it would have been a mistake, and as much as she wanted to give an homage to her family on that side of the world, she couldn't do that.
She had pressure on acting perfectly, and she will do that. She must, because it was a matter of pride, and even if Duncan wasn't there, she will give her best. And show everyone what she was capable of.
.
.
.
"Lights done," Harold said as immediately Izzy looked in surprise as Lindsay was doing her makeup and Katie was already preparing the rag clothing.
But still, it had been a bit painful for her to crouch like an old lady as Lindsay was doing her makeup on her.
"Your makeup is gorgeous! And now, I'm going to make you really feel like an old lady!" Lindsay said cheerfully as Izzy was slowly feeling pain on her legs.
"Err, Lindsay. Don't you think that's better for you both to do make-up while sitting on the couch?" Bridgette asked, as it made both girls blink in surprise. "Because I can see E-Scope needs a bit of rest, and remaining in the same position doesn't seem to be doing any favor for her."
"Huh… never thought about it." Lindsay made a thinking hum as she looked at the ginger girl, who was starting to feel the pain. "Do you want-"
"YES," Izzy shouted as she immediately corrected herself. "I mean, yes, please, I want to sit a bit."
Izzy gave a grateful look for Bridgette, who gave a thumbs up as Heather walked around the stage. With her eyebrows raised.
"Okay, I gotta confess, this place looks organized, and here I thought there would be chaos around here." Heather nodded her head, as she felt indeed her team seems to be going to somewhere promising. She glanced above to see Harold staring down at the girls.
"Do you guys want one light to focus on the couch as well?" Harold called as he could prepare another filter in the direction of the duo on the couch.
"I don't think so; focus on where the scene would have the best light." Heather said as she looked at Tyler holding the microphone and Cody in the sound department. "How's the sound going?"
"We are doing fine." Cody said as Tyler slowly was losing his grip, but Trent immediately helped and positioned in the right place.
"Okay boys, I think that's good enough." Trent came as he looked to see if everyone was doing fine, and seeing that indeed his team was working like machine, he never thought that he would be relieved. They may have lost the first part of the challenge, but they are going to give their all on the second part. "I think that's good enough for us to go."
"I hope you know what you are doing." Heather said as she crossed her arms, even as grumpy she could be. She couldn't help but nod. "Not bad. It's a solid team. Good work."
"Thanks. But it's too early to say if we are going to win or not; just be prepared for things going sour." The guitarist warned the Queen Bee, who raised her eyebrows in amusement.
The Killer Grips are going to hit stronger than ever.
"Do you think you can handle this stuff?" Gwen asked as Justin simply smiled in the most handsome way.
"Don't need to worry about it; I'm hot, and that's always something you would need to count for." Justin said as he continued to read the scripts while using his small glasses, just to check more and more of the lines.
"If you say so." Gwen said as she wanted to roll her eyes; she knew that what he said was true, but somehow she isn't sure why her team had been most chaotic. "How's the light, Beth?"
"I'm still trying to place in the right position; I will need an extra hand for the help." Beth called as Gwen nodded her head, and Geoff immediately went up.
"Coming right up." Geoff said, as he could understand why Gwen looked so unsure of the challenge. It had been a mess since now their challenge would be into making the actual scenario for a person to act.
Gwen looked at Jude and Owen on the sound; she could see Jude holding the microphone and Owen operating the sound for checking.
Noah was reading a book, which Gwen immediately rolled her eyes.
"Aren't you going to help or what?" Gwen asked as she saw Noah pointing at the title of the book. 'Instructions on how to operate the sound system,' "Oh,"
"Someone needs to keep those two without messing up," Noah said as he closed the book and stared at the goth girl with bemusement. "Two buffons operating the sound system was like giving monkeys dynamites; it's entertainment for the viewers but a nightmare for someone around them. Now if you mind."
Gwen walked away as Noah returned to read the book on how to help Owen and Jude on how to operate the sound system, which Gwen scoffed.
"I don't know how Ezekiel can keep up with him; that boy is annoying." Gwen murmured as she walked by and saw DJ walking with the makeup kit.
"Out of the way, oh my God, this light is just appalling! How am I supposed to work without proper lighting?" DJ came as he took the makeup kit and went to go after Justin, as he was happy to have someone to place make-up.
Chef, after seeing such a scene, was clearly getting annoyed from seeing DJ, a giant boy who was supposed to toughen up, but knowing that it wasn't supposed to be his problem, nor that he was part of his own alliance, he was very annoyed into still seeing the Jamaican like that.
"Move on, DJ, we found this water gun and an overcoat; I think it would help to fit the though guy persona." Sadie said as Eva helped to give the clothes to Justin, who smiled kindly at them.
"Thanks girls." Just like the flash of good light appeared to his face, as everyone who watched that scene couldn't help but stop and fawn over the model, as Sanders fawned herself, while MacArthur was enjoying a few donuts and coffee.
The Screaming Gaffers are getting ready for the challenge.
Chef just hoped the other team would be better into doing this challenge; he just wants the day to be over and go back to his kitchen.
"There's seven colors on this tape roll thingy, but I don't know which one to use. And what kind of shape would a mark be? Like, and M for mark, or…" Lindsay asked Katie for a few seconds.
"Place an K for kaleidoscope, and use a green mark on the position where the light should be." Katie said as Lindsay had an epiphany and nodded her head.
"That's a great idea, hmm… there you go." Lindsay placed the green tape roll, and cut as two lines which fit perfectly on their objective. And at the time Izzy memorized her lines. She gave a look at Ezekiel, who was helping Cody and Tyler at the sound.
"Okay, I'm ready." Izzy said as she released the papers and looked in gratitude to Ezekiel, who gave a thumbs up. She was now with all the cards on her hands; she wasn't sabotaged like her counterpart; she wasn't going to play around, she was going to be an actress; it was her dream; and she wanted to be famous. It was all or nothing, and she would hate herself if she made the same mistakes as she did in the past with her old version of herself.
"Get back to first positions!" Trent called as everyone was preparing themselves, while he looked above just to see Heather on the lights. "Hey Heather, what are you doing above there?"
"Just checking the right angle, it seems everything is just fiiiiii-" Heather, who was walking, should have realized that she shouldn't be walking above the sat in heels, since it would be easy for her to fall and hurt herself.
Everything happened so quick. Like nobody ever expected to happen like that.
"I got her, I got her." Tyler tried to go after Heather, but suddenly he smashed his face on the floor by his own unluckiness.
"Hey guys, did you anyone see my notepad? I needed to write some information." Harold, who was passing by as Tyler fell nearby him, and made him give a few steps away from him. Until the pressure of someone falling over him...
Heather, who thought she would hurt herself, had closed her eyes, but she just felt she was sitting on something. She slowly opened her eyes and noticed the impact of hitting something didn't seem fatal to her, as she blinked and saw that she didn't hit the floor, but slowly she realized that she had been sitting on the nerd… the ginger nerd… sitting on his face.
"Huh… well, thanks for the save." Heather didn't seem to realize what just happened, but she quickly got up and moved away. By cleaning the dust off her body, she returned to the crew. "I'm fine guys,"
"Oh, that's great." Lindsay said as she clapped happily and Izzy gave a sigh of relief and went to help Heather to get out of the movie set, and leave them to continue their work.
Cody, Ezekiel and Tyler approached Harold who was still on the floor.
"Harold, are you okay?" Cody asked as the group saw the ginger catatonic.
"I saw the paradise." Harold said, as clearly made Cody confused, and Ezekiel tried to hold his laugh, Tyler helped the nerd to get up. "It was breath-taking."
"Are you sure that you are fine?" Tyler asked as he could see Harold still in a trance, but nodded his head.
.
.
.
"Wow, you don't look like you!" Lindsay said as she never thought she would be proud of her work, Izzy seemed to have indeed aged 30 years from the makeup, but also managed to change the color of the ginger girl for white, making her an old lady who was crouching in a position of an old lady.
"And with this dress, I'm sure that my grandma would be proud to see it in action." Katie said as Izzy was wearing a well-fashioned dress, made with sensible fabrics that looked like rags but covered in details of colorful tapes that would ornament the design as it described the old era of the time. Someone who had aged so much would be wearing those clothes, as movies or even pictures of black and white.
"Okay, I think that's good for now." Bridgette said as she was glad that everyone was helping and the teamwork was indeed helping them at that time. "What about light and sound, is looking fine?"
"Yeah, for the tenth time, it's looking fine." Cody said as he rolled his eyes, and while he knows they need to keep checking, they are kind of annoyed for their constant talk.
Harold was still daydreaming from what happened.
Bridgette and Trent, as the remaining members of the Killer Grips left the stage, only Izzy was there, looking serious and concentrating.
"I hope that will be enough." Trent hoped, as he hoped it would work. He counted his team, 9 members excluding himself. It was his lucky number. And while they have one less person... It was his only shot. "Good luck, Kaleidoscope."
"And that's...Action!" Chris finally gave the call.
Izzy slowly walked as she was using her old cane, like an elder, her eyes tired, her smile melancholic, and with the right light and makeup, the silence was enough to make the group stare at what Izzy was about to say.
"When I was a young schoolgirl in Poline, frockling through my fields with my peat goat in the summer sun, those were my happiest days." Izzy commented as she could see the attention she was grabbing on herself. "The breeze was sweeter then...oh, how it carried the scent of fresh bread from my mother's kitchen! My little feet, bare against the soft grass, running... always running...hehehe."
Everyone could feel Izzy giving a sad chuckle, which made people interested in what she was also thinking about. But then the group just looked at Justin, who decided to give his own acting as well.
"Now you listen here and err… listen... wait a minute. Line." Justin, who was trying to act, suddenly forgot his lines and called outside, which made the Screaming Gaffers suddenly stares at him in disbelief.
Noah facepalmed, Leshawna raised her eyebrows, and Gwen pinched her nose.
"Now you listen here and listen here, good. If your fighter doesn't go down in the first round, you'll be sleepin' with the fish." Beth read the script as Justin nodded his head.
"Okay, got it. Let's try again." Justin said, as Chris blinked a few times.
"Err… you're still on the scene. We don't have takes." Chris said as Chef looked at the handsome boy in disbelief.
"Oh… right… err… Line again." Justin said, as immediately Noah slammed his face on the book. While Eva looked at Sadie, who was still looking at Justin in awe.
"He's still handsome in those clothes." Sadie said, as the group thought for a few seconds but then nodded their heads in agreement.
Izzy didn't seem to bother with what's happening outside; she wanted to give her best act of all time, so she went further and beyond, beyond the script, beyond the motivations Ezekiel had written for her. She was going to show why she acted the way she did on the first season.
"Shopa, my dear, sweet Shopa! My little goat with his stubby tail and mismatched ears... Oh, how he danced when I played my father's violin! A silly creature, yet the truest friend I ever had." Izzy acted as she became melancholic and decided to philosophize. "Everything passes in just one blink… A blink, you wake, one blink, one anniversary, one blink, you sleep, one blink, you grow up... one blink, you say good bye... Shopa, how many blinks passed when I was with you?"
Katie, Bridgette, and Lindsay sniffed as Tyler was releasing his tears like a man.
"Okay, if that's how she wants to play." Justin said as he finally got his line. "Now you listen here and listen here, good. If your fighter doesn't go down in the first round, you'll be sleepin' with the fish."
At the time Justin said those lines, it felt so generic and out of touch that even Justin, who forced himself to sound aggressive, didn't even feel intimidating.
"I give up." Gwen said as she knew a lost cause when it was done.
"I'm so glad I'm not him." Noah said with a good smile on his face, "Does he hate to lose someone else? Yeah, but seeing Justin as the cause of the loss? Yeah, that made his day.
Harold, who was still catatonic about what happened, suddenly cringed into hearing the lines of Justin, who clearly doesn't know how to act.
It was quite ironic that the handsome boy doesn't know how to act.
Izzy was still focusing on the script she had not just in her mind but also in her heart.
She sat on the couch, with a resolution look on her face.
"I've lived a good, long life! I've loved, I've laughed, I've cried, I've fought, I had a family, I had friends, but what I missed most of all is my little goat! Shopa! Oh, baa… baa…" Izzy said as she released the tears of how wonderful life this old lady had, and for the final touch. "My final hours are coming, when I will blink one last time... I will see you again Shopa, hear my call... like always you did in my time as a kid... baaa… baaa… baa.."
And slowly Izzy closed her eyes and looked peacefully on the couch.
"Baa…" Chef sniffed as he started crying.
Heather, Leshawna, Lindsay, Bridgette, Beth, Harold, Tyler, Owen, Jude, Cody, Katie, and Sadie—almost everyone was breaking down in tears, from seeing Izzy performance going so deep to the point on how an old lady loved so much her little goat that she waited for sleep the eternity with her beloved pet.
Even Ezekiel released a few tears, seeing how much emotion Izzy played as an actress. He knew that she was able to act on how she wanted, but to see the actual version of herself giving her all? It's no wonder why she became an actress before the World Tour.
Chef took a tissue to clean his nose with it. As even Chris let it out many tears into seeing the performance.
"C-Cu...cut! Okay, enough!" Chris said as he tried to clean up his tears, but it had been too hard to contain his feelings. "It's too much for Chef to take! Izzy clearly wins for best performance by far! The Killer Grips win it!"
"WOOOHOOOO," The whole team of Killer Grips cheered for their victory as Lindsay, Heather, Katie and Bridgette hugged Izzy, who just smiled widely from her performance, She looked at Ezekiel, who was still cleaning his tears with his thumb, he showed both hands. Giving 10 of 10 to her. Which made her grin widelly.
Confession – Iz- Kaleidoscope
"Look out Hollywood, because Kaleidoscope is coming for you after this season, and Kaleidoscope is going to make a blast. Prepare your oscars because I'm going to swipe it all." Izzy laughed as she never felt so excited and so static about how she managed to overcome her insecurity. She needed that after thinking about her past self. She was going to make all the changes and become a star.
The winning team was celebrating while Screaming Gaffers looked disappointed at how they lost a challenge.
But then it comes the surprise.
"Alright, Grips, since you won this challenge, it's time to give the biggest revela." Chris said as it made everyone pause. "This was a reward challenge."
"WHAT?" Every contestant shouted in surprise from seeing Chris say it was a reward challenge.
"You didn't see that coming, right? Well, since we are now operating on the MVPA system, we are now giving both teams the equipment for the recording of the scenes as the whole team. And for the winners. You all will get the best version of the said equipment." Chris said as he walked towards the group. He then pointed downhill. "There is the best equipment for scenes that you would want to explore into bringing attention for the viewers, and with that, accumulate points for yourselves before each elimination. Those gift boxes could save your life or screw the person who wants to eliminate you. So you better prepare yourselves for it."
"You mean we have a camera, lights, and microphones just to make us act for having points for we use as a way to protect ourselves on the elimination?" Heather asked as she crossed her arms.
"You never know, Heather, those boxes could mean way more than you ever imagine. By the way... also there was another prize." Chris said as he then pointed at the two sets. "The top of this cliff, while it is going to be used in some challenge in the future, maybe... is now also going to be your base operation."
"What?" The Killer Grips looked surprised as well as confused.
"A personal movie set for you all doing your own scenes to record. Since they are going to be published on the forum of our channel on the website, the fans will be voting and giving scores on which scene recorded could be scored for MVPA points, so nothing better than having good equipment for that." Chris explained as Izzy looked dumbfounded at Ezekiel, who seemed completely fine with that.
"Not going to be that guy, but what about us?" Owen asked, as he isn't sure how his team could handle if they don't have the same equipment, but he was glad to see Chris waving at him.
"Don't need to worry, Owen; you Screaming Gaffers will use this same equipment on the set you all brought over here. But you cannot use this equipment over this cliff. Which means you all must take down the equipment you installed, bring downhill, and you can use your trailer or the streets around the movie sets to make the recording scenes for your own MVPA points." Chris explained as Noah simply scoffed.
"Oh good, you give the best equipment and even 2 movie sets for the winning team, while the losers had to make amateur movies while using second-hand equipment." Noah remarked as the group looked at Chris, who just shrugged.
"It's better than eliminating a person right now. And since I'm generous, I will pretend that I didn't hear your remark." Chris said as he was indeed acting kind, as he ignored someone giving an elbow towards the bookworm who now should be glad the host wasn't for blood. "Anyway, now let's wrap this up. Owen, Ezekiel… You both selected the gift box of 1200 points, some boxes can only be used on the reward challenges, so I want you both follow me."
"AWESOME." Owen said as the group stared at him in surprise. "I forgot how awesome it was; it's..."
"Ah ah ah… no telling Owen. Or you are going to be eliminated." Chris said in a warning tone, which made Owen shut his mouth. As the group stared at Chris. "Now that we wrap up the challenge, new teams have formed, a new secret base for Killer Grips. Will they use all their tools to make the most quantity of points? Will Screaming Gaffers recover from such disadvantages in the future? Will Justin find a better career than acting?"
"HEY," Justin's voice came from the background.
"Be tuned on the most amazing and dramatic show ever aired on Canada, here... on TOTAL DRAMA ACTION." Chris said as he gave a look at the boys and led them downhill. "Now you guys can return to your trailers, but before that, Screaming Gaffers take your equipment out. And have a nice day."
"UGHHHHH," The contestants groaned as the host and Ezekiel and Owen walked downhill for the gift box.
"You have 1 hour, Ezekiel." Chris said as the boy looked at the telephone in front of him.
"Thanks, Chris," Ezekiel smiled, which the host waved before leaving Ezekiel alone on the telephone inside a room. The seconds looked like an eternity, but the boy knew what he should do... He pressed the numbers as he waited patiently on the line... 10 seconds later.
"Hello?" A male voice could be heard, as Ezekiel couldn't help but be emotional.
"Hi pa," Ezekiel said as the sound of surprise and something dropping came from the other side of the telephone.
"Ezekie?" Curtis said as he clearly was surprised to hear the boy's voice. "My boy, aren't you supposed to be on the show?"
"I am, eh," Ezekiel said, as even with his accent that sometimes escapes from his mouth, he smirked happily from how he could imagine his father looking in disbelief. "It's just that I used one of those gift boxes that let me talk with my parents for an hour."
"Oh really?" Curtis sounded surprised, as he also seemed to be humming in amusement. "Okay, now before we talk about how has been your day, mind to explain to me to explain to your ma, what the heck was that on the last episode?"
Ezekiel chuckled as he could see his pa looking at the television in disbelief.
"If I tell you, Eva and Izzy were the reason I trained so much on the Playa Del Losers, would you believe it?" Ezekiel commented sheepishly, as he could hear the disbelief voice from his father turning in silence.
"Yes, I believe you... your ma was the same way; it was very hard to deal with her when we were kids; she always dragged me and Robin across the farms and tried to explore everywhere; she went in caves, lakes, and even other towns to see how crazy it was." Curtis commented as Ezekiel smiled in nostalgia. "You really look after your ma; did you know that?"
"Yeah, I noticed." Ezekiel joked, as he then decided to ask. "Where's ma?"
"Ah, she went to visit one of her friends. That woman clearly was having the time of her life now that she had a lot of women to be nearby her and do woman stuff." Curtis commented as he could see the boy humming in amusement. "An advice, son, 5 to 6 girls together in the same place with only you on there smells almost like a problem, so be prepared to deal with all the weird things a woman would do nearby you."
"Yeah, I will keep that in mind." Ezekiel said as he could see that his pa was still acting a bit sexist with his words, but the intention behind clearly shows that he would never say it in front of them, but still he didn't lie; that was how he felt.
"Also, we watched the episode, and you said you didn't know any instruments." Curtis gave a comment that made Ezekiel raise his eyebrows. "Did you really forget you have a harmonica?"
"I have?" Ezekiel asked, as he could hear his pa chuckling.
"Yeah, you played a lot 3 years ago; you even have talent for it, but after what happened to you on the Hide and Seek on that day... You kind of forgot that you played harmonica and just went to focus on movies and television shows." Curtis gave a comment that it made Ezekiel pause, and indeed he remembers that he had an harmonica. "That's why, when I found it, I placed it in the pocket inside your suitcase. Just in case you would be bored of not having nothing to write or draw."
"Really?" Ezekiel commented in surprise, as he could hear his pa chuckling at him.
"Yeah…" Curtis voice could be heard as both Pa and Son passed a good many minutes talking with each other. How things were going at the farm. How was the show? What did he feel when his friends were eliminated? And Curtis knew about the teams before even airing the episode. Which was going to be something that clearly will annoy Martha from the patriarch knowing the events of the show before happening.
.
.
.
"I think my time is almost up, pa. Thank you for everything. I really needed to talk to you." Ezekiel smiled as he then heard the sound of grunting coming from his father.
"It was really great to hear your voice, son... Also, me and your Ma had been thinking around. And from the address you gave to us... We are going to send you a book," Curtis said as Ezekiel raised his eyebrow, until the bomb was dropped. "It's from your aunt Robin."
"…" Ezekiel remained in silence.
"I know that you may know 6 languages, 7 if possible, but I think Robin would like if you learned at least 10. She was always learning how to speak many languages, and while I learned a few, I think you would have less difficulty learning them. I think if you learn Korean and Cantonese, it will surprise everyone around." Curtis said as Ezekiel could hear the sobbing coming from his voice. "She would be glad to see how her efforts in keeping you studying on your own were passed by both me and your ma. Please take care of that book."
"I will pa, I promise." Ezekiel said as he then heard the sound of knocking from the door. "I think it's my time to go. Bye, pa."
"Bye son… I'm proud of you." Curtis said as Ezekiel placed the telephone back to the wall.
Ezekiel returned to his trailer. And with a good smile on his face, he was happy; he was satisfied... He looked at the little bag where it contained the tea leaves.
"Alright, round 2." Ezekiel said, as he was now determinate. To become stronger and smarter, take back his both lives memories and use them for the sake of making his family proud. And most important. To have fun while everyone is going after fame.
Pain? He could endure it, just for the sake of recovering his memories and being the best he could be. He is going to enjoy Total Drama Action as best as he can.
And by grabbing a pair of roller skates and finding his harmonica from the past. He knew that harmonica belonged to the OG Ezekiel, who's still him; he just forgot that he played harmonica before, maybe after the incident happening on him almost dying. But now he isn't sure if he was still rusty or not. But hey, he could play now; it's better than nothing.
With the tea leaves, Ezekiel was going through his own personal training; it doesn't matter if his body or mind is going to be stressed; when he rests, everything is going to be alright.
Everything is going to be fine.
Chapter 64: Interlude - Learning From the Best
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
To say Gwen’s choice of team was strong would be up for debate. She was tired and sluggish that morning, thanks to the absurd new wake-up schedule that had everyone dragging themselves out of bed at 5 a.m. sharp before every challenge. She couldn’t help but think she should have been more strategic when selecting her team. Still, she couldn’t complain too much—she had managed to snag some solid players.
Eva, for instance, was a powerhouse in every sense of the word. Her fierce determination and MVP status made her invaluable, and her mere glare was enough to whip others into shape. Gwen knew that Eva’s intensity, while overwhelming at times, could be the key to keeping the team’s morale and focus on track. On the other hand, Gwen was relieved there hadn’t been an elimination during the last challenge. It was proof that relying solely on brute strength wasn’t always the best approach.
Trent had secured Ezekiel and Harold for his team—two strong players from Gwen’s former group. Harold was the textbook definition of a wildcard—unpredictable yet undeniably skilled, as long as someone could rein in his overblown ego. Thankfully, everyone from the Killer Bass, Gwen included, had experience managing him. Ezekiel, however, was another story altogether. As one of the Three Pillars of Killer Bass, alongside Duncan and Courtney, Ezekiel’s presence brought stability and leadership that elevated the entire team. But with Duncan and Courtney eliminated last week, the remaining Killer Bass members had to lean even harder on Ezekiel. Gwen understood that, if she was on the same team as Ezekiel she would have relied on him. So maybe that’s why Trent had chosen Ezekiel—it was a blow to anyone from the Killer Bass who wasn’t on his team. Because she’d feel the loss too.
Still, being responsible for figuring out how to manage a mix of personalities and play to everyone’s strengths wasn’t something Gwen relished. Last season had been easier—Ezekiel, Courtney, and Duncan had clearly understood how to lead their team with balance and cooperation. That kind of synergy was rare, and Gwen doubted they could replicate it again, especially with the diverse mix of characters this season.
Despite the challenges, there were silver linings. Gwen’s team included Geoff, Sadie, Eva, and DJ, all of whom brought something valuable to the table. Geoff’s laid-back and positive energy kept things light, while Sadie’s growing determination added a surprising edge. DJ’s raw strength made him an obvious asset, but it was his skill in crafting impressive sandwiches from the minibar ingredients in Gwen’s fancy trailer that added an unexpected bonus.
Sadie, in particular, was a standout. The chubby girl had committed herself fully to Eva’s intense training regime, not just for personal growth but also to become strong enough to protect her best friend Katie—and maybe even her entire team. Gwen couldn’t help but respect Sadie’s bold move to join the opposing team, a decision that spoke to how much she had grown. But putting herself through the same grueling and hellish training that Ezekiel and Sadie had endured? Hard pass.
“I’m so glad I refused the offer,” Gwen muttered under her breath, shaking her head as she scribbled in her diary. “No way I’m putting myself through the torture Sadie and Ezekiel willingly signed up for.”
Suddenly, a loud, frantic shout pierced the air, causing Gwen to freeze mid-sentence. “NOOOOO, LEAVE ME ALONE!” The unmistakable voice of Owen rang out, his panic reverberating across the set. Gwen blinked in surprise, closing her diary and getting up to investigate.
Walking toward the girls’ trailer, Gwen was greeted by the sight of Owen sprinting at full speed, flailing his arms like a windmill, while Eva pursued him with fiery determination. Her booming voice made the entire set feel like it was shaking.
“GET BACK HERE!” Eva roared, her sharp tone echoing like thunder. “IT’S FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH AND SAFETY! YOUR OVERWEIGHT HAS BEEN DAMAGING YOU IN THE LAST CHALLENGES!”
Owen’s expression was a mix of raw terror and desperation, his feet pounding against the ground as he zigzagged in a futile attempt to evade Eva’s wrath. His panicked cries only added to the absurdity of the situation. Gwen raised a skeptical eyebrow and approached Leshawna and Justin, who were standing nearby, watching the scene unfold with amusement.
“What’s going on?” Gwen asked, her tone calm but curious as she tilted her head toward her friends.
Justin, leaning casually against the side of the trailer, turned to Gwen with an amused smirk. “Eva was helping Sadie with her training earlier,” he began. “And Owen said—rather loudly, mind you—that he was glad he’d never have to do any of those terrifying exercises. Then he added that he’d rather die overweight than go through all that.”
“Uh-huh,” Gwen said, her lips twitching into a knowing smirk. “Let me guess—he said it loud enough for Eva to overhear, and now she’s taking it personally?”
“Exactly,” Leshawna chimed in, folding her arms across her chest. She shook her head, laughing softly. “And now she’s on a mission to make sure he regrets every word. Poor boy didn’t know what he was walking into.”
Gwen shrugged, her demeanor as nonchalant as ever despite the chaos unraveling before her. “You should never provoke Eva,” she remarked, watching Owen dart behind a stack of props in a desperate attempt to find cover. “She’s a great friend, but once she’s focused on you, it’s over. You’re in for a long season.”
Leshawna let out a hearty laugh, watching as Owen ducked and dodged while Eva shouted instructions at him, determined to push him into some sort of training routine. “That girl’s like a human tank when she’s mad,” Leshawna said, shaking her head with a grin.
“More like a drill sergeant,” Justin corrected, chuckling. “I wouldn’t wanna be in Owen’s shoes right now. No way.”
“But still, someone I could trust my life with,” Gwen muttered, her voice thoughtful as she glanced at the group around her. She wasn’t entirely sure how to navigate her dynamic with Justin and Leshawna. While they had been her teammates before she was transferred to the Killer Bass last season, their bond felt… tenuous. There was a hint of companionship, maybe, but it didn’t compare to the trust she had in Sadie and Eva—two people she felt she could rely on without hesitation. And speaking of Sadie…
“I don’t understand why Owen would say something so loud and stupid,” Sadie said, wiping sweat from her brow. She was dressed in a black top, and it was becoming increasingly clear that her once-chubby frame was transforming. Her muscles were more defined now, and faint marks of abs were beginning to show—a fact that hadn’t gone unnoticed by Justin, whose gaze lingered a little too long.
“I mean, yeah, it’s hellish torture,” Sadie continued, oblivious to Justin’s attention. “But it’s worth it. Ezekiel’s been focusing on weight training to build his inner strength, and me? I’m loving seeing my raw strength improve. Helping Katie against that bear during the last challenge? That made my day.”
“I’m just surprised PETA hasn’t sued the show yet,” Gwen commented dryly, crossing her arms as her gaze shifted to Geoff and Jude practicing skating nearby. “I mean, they’re using bears just to intimidate and get hurt by contestants. How is that even legal?”
Sadie chuckled, following Gwen’s gaze. “Huh, it’s nice to see them having fun. And, most importantly, I haven’t seen Geoff kissing Bridgette yet. That’s gotta be a record.”
“Yep,” Sadie agreed with a smirk. “Do we need to keep the anti-horny spray on standby, just in case?”
Gwen snorted, nodding. “Always.”
“I’m still curious,” Leshawna chimed in, raising an eyebrow. “Why do you guys always keep water mixed with pepper spray on hand?”
Sadie and Gwen exchanged amused glances, musing for a moment before Gwen answered. “Precaution,” she said simply. “Geoff and Bridgette can go at it for hours if you let them. Separating them is the only way to keep them focused. Sure, Geoff gets annoyed, but it’s better than losing him to a make-out session when we need him for a challenge.”
“Exactly,” Sadie added with a grin. “It’s all about priorities.”
“Huh, that’s… interesting,” Leshawna said, shaking her head with a chuckle. “Anyway, we’ve got a solid team now. Three strong people who can carry all the weight we need. Any challenge should be a breeze for us.”
Justin, ever confident, chimed in with a grin. “Yeah, we’ve got this. No challenge can stop us.”
Sadie cringed slightly at his overconfidence, while Gwen deadpanned, her arms crossing tighter. “Yeah, unless it’s something like an acting challenge,” she said pointedly, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She didn’t bother hiding her irritation—Justin’s performance during the last acting challenge had been abysmal. If it were up to her, he’d be the first one voted off.
“Well, I still think we did fine,” Justin said with a carefree shrug, clearly oblivious to the tension in the air.
The group exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from disbelief to barely-contained amusement. Leshawna, never one to hold back, crossed her arms and fixed Justin with a pointed look. “Sugar, you’re hot, handsome, and all that, but you were terrible in the acting challenge. Really terrible. I think my momma could’ve done better than you.”
Justin scoffed, brushing off the comment, but the truth of Leshawna’s words hung in the air. Gwen smirked slightly, satisfied that someone had said what she was thinking. As the group settled into a moment of silence, the tension eased slightly, but the unspoken question lingered: how long could Justin’s charm carry him before his lack of skill caught up with him?
“How’s your new team, Beth?” Heather asked, her tone sharp yet curious as the quartet lounged inside the fancy trailer. The shouts of Owen running around in panic outside were casually ignored, a chaotic backdrop they had become all too accustomed to. Meanwhile, Beth was focused on her current activity—practicing her makeup skills, with Lindsay chiming in occasionally to offer pointers on where to add different touches of color.
“Well…” Beth began, glancing up as she carefully applied eyeshadow. “I’m still having some problems with them, but most of them are nice.” She smiled briefly, though her tone faltered as she added, “It’s just Leshawna who thought Brady wasn’t real.”
Heather instantly deadpanned, crossing her arms in annoyance. “You told them about your boyfriend?” she asked, her voice laced with irritation. “I told you not to reveal that so quickly. Now they’re going to think you’re making it up.”
“I know, I know,” Beth said, her voice sheepish as she lowered her gaze. “Eva even told me we shouldn’t talk about personal relationships on television. And, honestly, I think I made a mistake exposing that so soon. But Sadie said it showed I cared and missed him, and… well, she’s not wrong. It was true.”
Heather sighed, her expression softening slightly as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “Just don’t let them use it against you,” she said firmly, giving Beth a pointed look. “Seriously. If they think you’re lying, they’ll pounce on it.”
Beth nodded quickly, her grip tightening on her makeup brush. “You don’t need to tell me twice. Leshawna’s already been a jerk about it, but I’m trying to focus on the challenges. Even if Justin—who, yeah, is handsome and hot—still managed to mess up the whole thing,” she added, cringing at the memory of the previous disaster.
“Justin’s a liar,” Izzy said calmly, leaning back with an expression that balanced amusement and sharp observation. “He acts like he’s a pro, but he sucks—badly. And trust me, you girls have no idea how much I was in the zone during that challenge.” She leaned forward slightly, her piercing green eyes gleaming with pride and quiet determination. Acting was a deeply personal passion for Izzy, one rooted in her days of playing the fool during Season 1. Winning the challenge had been a vindicating moment for her, especially after Ezekiel had privately shared how, in an alternate past, she had lost the same challenge to Duncan—a loss that had stung her pride, her stomach, and even her soul. Proving herself as an actress now meant everything.
“It’s kind of like how Tyler tries to do flips when he’s nervous—he’s either amazing or… well, you know, not,” Lindsay chimed in, her light voice carrying a hint of amusement as she considered Justin’s lackluster performance. Her comment earned chuckles from the group. “He tried to do a flip a few times and ended up hitting his head on the table. Poor guy.”
“He must be building up karma,” Izzy remarked, her tone tinged with humor as the others stared at her, intrigued. “It’s a joke the Killer Bass toss around. Apparently, Tyler’s family has this running streak of bad luck—annoyances, injuries, and the like—before they hit an insane stroke of good luck. It’s kind of a weird inside joke.”
“How do you even know that?” Beth asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
Izzy shrugged casually, her expression unreadable but confident. “You hear a lot when you spend time around people. But let’s not veer off-track here.” Straightening slightly, Izzy’s voice took on a lighter tone as she continued, “Leshawna’s been burning bridges left and right. The Killer Bass? They’re united like a net full of fish. And as for the former Screaming Gophers? If she keeps provoking you, all you’ll need to do is rally the votes against her. Easy peasy.”
“Well said,” Heather remarked, a sly grin spreading across her face as she picked up her sleek communicator—a prize she’d won in the last season. The trailer’s internet access allowed Heather to dive into the Total Drama forums whenever boredom struck. She often found herself scrolling through posts or leaving snarky comments on her siblings’ social media accounts, which was one of her favorite pastimes.
Heather smirked as she navigated the forums, until it came a post where she knew what she wanted, and passed the communicator to Beth who had her wide, surprised eyes.
“What is it?” Beth asked, her sharp tone betraying a hint of worry.
“Oh, the classic ‘I have a boyfriend, and I’m a better girlfriend than you’ll ever be’ tactic?” Izzy chimed in, her tone carrying a trace of mischief as she chuckled softly. She couldn’t help but draw comparisons between Heather’s sharp attitude and her mom, Shego—a tough, unapologetically cunning presence that Izzy secretly admired. “Heather, you would’ve made a killer drill sergeant if you were in the military. My mom would’ve loved training you.”
Heather’s smirk instantly faded, replaced by a visible shudder as she narrowed her eyes at Izzy. “Oh, hell no. I don’t ever want to deal with your crazy family again,” Heather shot back, the memory of being hunted down by Shego sparking a faint, lingering PTSD.
Meanwhile, Beth continued reading through the forum comments, her expression tightening as she recognized something familiar. Among the constant battles between two user accounts, one stood out—a name everyone in Playa Del Losers knew all too well. Though her thoughts lingered on the identity of the account, Heather’s voice broke through.
“When it comes to putting someone in their place, you need to have a sharp tongue,” Heather said firmly, turning to Beth. “If you want to defend what’s yours, you’ve got to be ready for the insults they’ll throw at you—and you’ve got to be ready to throw them right back.”
“But using Sierra?” Beth asked, her voice laced with a mix of surprise and worry. Her grip tightened on her makeup brush, and she glanced nervously at Izzy.
“Oh, so that’s her name?” Heather said, tilting her head curiously. Her tone was nonchalant, but the sharp glint in her eyes showed she was already scheming. Izzy and Beth exchanged a look, clearly reluctant to elaborate, but they knew there was no stopping Heather once her interest was piqued.
“She’s a big deal, Heather,” Izzy began, her voice calm but firm. Her serious demeanor set the tone immediately. “And while I’m all for helping Beth sharpen her wit, we need to tread carefully with Sierra. She and Leshawna have been locked in a constant battle on the forums, and it’s pretty clear they hate each other’s guts. Sierra isn’t just your average troll, either. She’s relentless and knows how to dig up dirt on people—like, seriously personal stuff.”
Heather raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “How personal are we talking?” she asked, her tone casual, though the calculating edge was unmistakable.
Izzy folded her arms and leaned back slightly, her green eyes sharp and focused. “Very,” she said flatly. “From what I heard from Ezekiel and Cody, Sierra once filed a missing person report on Cody with the police. All because he spent some time with Katie during the break before we came back here.”
“What?!” Beth exclaimed, her eyes wide with alarm. “Are you serious? That’s… that’s insane! Why would she do something like that?”
“She’s obsessed,” Izzy replied, her tone even but carrying the weight of her words. “She doesn’t just troll for fun. She’s the kind of person who gets under your skin and doesn’t stop until she’s gotten what she wants—or until you’re too exhausted to fight back. If we get her involved, we need to be smart about it. Let her drop a few subtle comments—things that’ll raise Leshawna’s ire but won’t come back to bite us. That’s the key.”
Heather smirked, already seeing the potential. “Like what?” she asked, leaning forward slightly.
Izzy’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Oh, something simple. Like saying Harold deserves someone better. That’ll hit Leshawna where it hurts without being outright hostile. She won’t be able to let it slide.”
“Harold deserves someone better?” Lindsay repeated, blinking in confusion. “But Harold and Leshawna are so cute together. Why would that bother her so much?”
“Well, Lindsay, I’ve got some bad news,” Beth said hesitantly, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she glanced at her friend. “Leshawna’s been giving Harold the cold shoulder lately, saying they’re moving too fast. And, honestly, I’ve noticed the guys from Killer Bass watching her constantly. I don’t know what she said to them, but I saw them glaring at her once before going back to their own business.”
“She must’ve said something about the nerd,” Heather interjected, her tone sharp and unapologetic. “Which clearly proves she’s not as innocent or awesome as she likes to pretend. Huh, I don’t blame them. That bitch threw me off a cliff during a challenge we lost. And you know what? Karma’s a beautiful thing. I’m still popular, while she’s stuck dealing with a troll. Oh, how I love karma.”
Izzy coughed lightly, drawing the group’s attention as she decided to steer the conversation back on track. “It’s not about Harold himself,” she explained patiently, her tone calm but deliberate. “Sierra’s aiming straight for Leshawna’s pride. We’ve all seen how Sierra implies Leshawna’s not good enough, and that’s enough to send her into a frenzy. All we had to do back then was sit back and let the fireworks start.”
Beth hesitated, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the edge of her brush. “I don’t know… I don’t want to stir up trouble just for the sake of it.”
Heather rolled her eyes, her tone firm but not unkind. “Beth, this isn’t about stirring up trouble—it’s about protecting yourself. You can’t let her think she’s got the upper hand in everything. You need to level the playing field. We can’t protect you since you’re on a different team.”
“And you won’t even have to think too hard or anything,” Lindsay added brightly, her cheerful tone cutting through the tension as she gave Beth an encouraging smile. “You just need to use Sierra’s comments. When Leshawna starts acting like a total bitch, you just repeat those words and let her blow a fuse.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Izzy said, leaning back and placing her hands behind her head as she stretched out on her bed.
Beth glanced between Heather, Izzy, and Lindsay, her uncertainty still evident but slowly giving way to determination. She didn’t like the idea of exploiting drama, but she also knew she couldn’t let Leshawna keep targeting her. If this was a way to turn the tables without getting directly involved, it might just be worth it. It was a self-defense tactic, after all.
“And how about the other members of the team? Are they bullying you too?” Lindsay asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.
“Oh no, they’ve been very understanding,” Beth replied quickly, shaking her head. “Since Ezekiel’s pact during the Dodgebrawl episode, they remembered he told them I had a chance to get a supermodel as a model. They’ve been pretty open-minded about it since it clearly happened.”
Heather raised an eyebrow, intrigued, while Lindsay tilted her head in confusion. “Wait, what do you mean?” Lindsay asked.
“Oh, sorry, I can’t say more,” Beth said with a sheepish smile. “There’s a pool happening around, and I bet 50 bucks to see it happen.”
“A pool?” Lindsay’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Oh, I love pools! Especially when I’m wearing my swimsuit.” She clapped her hands together, her enthusiasm earning a mix of reactions from the group.
Heather rolled her eyes, letting out a small sigh as she facepalmed lightly with a smile. “She meant a bet, Lindsay.”
“Oh… that sucks,” Lindsay said, her excitement fading slightly. “I wanted to know what the bet was about.”
“Sorry, I can’t say,” Beth replied, her smile widening as she watched Lindsay pout. “Especially not on television.”
Beth glanced around at her friends, her heart warming at their support. Yeah, she was loving having good friends.
After speaking with his Pa earlier that day, Ezekiel never imagined he would feel renewed enough to attempt another trial so soon. Yet here he was, enduring another grueling effort—and failing once again. He felt his stomach twist into emptiness, his head light and pounding, and blood trickling from his nose as a sharp reminder of the mental strain he’d endured. It was a taxing experience, but one he intended to face head-on. He’d been through worse, and this wouldn’t break him.
Sipping a warm tea infused with calming herbs, accompanied by a few biscuits and slices of bread, Ezekiel tried to settle his nerves and restore a semblance of strength before dinner. His training regime had become an evolving challenge, demanding he adapt and push himself further than he thought possible. Chef, ever the drill sergeant, had recently shown him video clips of Capoeira training—a fluid, dance-like martial art that thrilled Ezekiel to his core. The promise of starting Capoeira in the days after the next challenge excited him enough to keep going, but patience, he reminded himself, would be vital for now.
Later that night, Ezekiel ventured to one of the cliffs overlooking the abandoned movie studio sets. The eerie quiet of the location lent itself to contemplation, the world hushed but vast, as if inviting him to reflect. The view was nothing short of stunning—the sky turned deep shades of pink and orange as dusk settled in, and the faint outline of distant hills painted the horizon. Ezekiel found himself sitting near the edge, alone in the stillness, letting the sight ease his restless thoughts.
As he reached into his pocket, his fingers brushed against something familiar. Pulling it out, Ezekiel smiled softly at the metal harmonica resting in his palm. It was an old companion he hadn’t touched in years, its surface cool and comforting against his skin. The harmonica carried not only sentimental value but the weight of his past life—a connection to the person he was before his soul transitioned into this world. It reminded him of surviving a traumatic landslide, the memory still vivid, and the harmonica’s presence grounding him in moments of doubt.
He chuckled to himself, recalling the silly harmonica rap he’d once created in another life—a naïve dream of becoming a rapper when he was just a boy. The memories of being reduced to a running joke by the creators of Total Drama Island surfaced in his mind. Initially, the humor seemed lighthearted, but over time, the caricature of Ezekiel had spiraled into something monstrous—an absurd depiction that painted him as the “beast” or “Gollum” of the series. The trajectory felt cruel, and though Ezekiel wasn’t resentful, he couldn’t deny the bittersweet feeling of seeing those moments from a detached perspective. He knew that in their own way, the creators had later acknowledged their mistake, imagining Ezekiel’s redemption as a CEO in their headcanon, trying to bring closure to his unfair treatment.
The thoughts left a peculiar peace in Ezekiel’s soul as he stared out at the evening sky. He wasn’t yet ready to play any of the Cartoon Network melodies that rested in his mind, preferring instead to contemplate which songs suited the harmonica’s tones. His memory held onto snippets of harmonica tabs he’d learned from idle moments spent watching tutorials, even imagining the possibilities if he had an Ocarina like in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. There were countless songs he could perform with enough practice, but for now, the harmonica sufficed.
Closing his eyes, he allowed a melody to form—a tune buried deep in his subconscious, something reflective and fitting for the serene beauty unfolding around him. The base wasn’t secret, but it felt like a sanctuary all the same. A solitary yet welcoming place on the cliff, its open space is home to two sets where movie scenes could be crafted and cameras rolled whenever needed. But tonight, it wasn’t about making videos or gathering teammates. It was about Ezekiel finding a moment of peace and letting the harmonica’s notes echo into the dusk.
Snufkin - The Bridge - C Harmonica (tabs)
+6 +5 +5 +5 +6 -5 -5 -4
-5 -4 -4 -4 -6 +6 -5 +6
+6 +5 +5 +6 +7 -7 -6 +6 -5
+5 +6 -5 -3 -4 +4 +4
+6 +5 +5 +7 -7 -6 +6 -5
-4 -4 +5 -5 -3 -4 +4 -3 +4
Ezekiel carefully positioned the harmonica against his lips, recalling the tabs he had memorized years ago. As he started to play, the melody stirred a distant memory—one from the time he had visited a cousin in Peru. His cousin had been a fan of a television show about a peculiar troll resembling a hippopotamus who lived in Moominvalley, alongside a man who played the harmonica. That harmonica player, a wandering soul embodying the essence of freedom, had always captivated Ezekiel.
A philosophical vagabond, the character roamed the world, disappearing during the cold grip of winter and autumn only to return in the soft warmth of spring and linger until late summer. The thought brought a wistful smile to Ezekiel’s face. Spring had always been his favorite season in both his past and present lives. He cherished the fresh scent of budding leaves, the gentle breeze that carried the promise of renewal, and the beauty of snow receding to reveal a vibrant, living landscape. Spring wasn’t just a season for him—it was a metaphor for transformation and growth, something he held onto tightly.
Now, as he stood on the edge of the cliff under the hues of dusk, Ezekiel began playing the "Bridget Harmonica Song." The serene evening backdrop amplified the sweetness of the tune. The notes spilled into the quiet air like whispers of nostalgia, creating a moment of peace amidst the chaos of his life.
The harmonica’s music was doing more than filling the silence—it was soothing his frayed nerves, easing the mental toll of his recent challenges. The training had been demanding. Forcing him to adapt and grow in ways he hadn’t thought possible. Still, he couldn’t complain. The hard work was balanced by the excitement he found in the challenges, and that balance reminded him to appreciate the little things in life.
Like Snufkin, the wandering harmonica player, Ezekiel found inspiration in the idea of adventure for adventure’s sake—capturing the essence of freedom and living for the moments that truly mattered. He paused his playing briefly, gazing out at the soft hues of the evening sky blending into twilight.
“Maybe I should take trips across the world, visit some countries after this season,” Ezekiel mused aloud, his voice breaking the stillness. His thoughts wandered to the upcoming World Tour—an opportunity to travel across countries, albeit under strange and competitive circumstances. However, he doubted the show would allow them to truly enjoy their destinations. Each country would serve as little more than a backdrop for a challenge, and before anyone could soak it in, someone would be ejected from the airplane. A proper exploration seemed out of reach in that format.
Traveling the world on his own terms, though, was a different story. That dream would take planning—money, research, and access—but it was a dream worth holding onto. Ezekiel could almost imagine it: walking through vibrant cityscapes, hiking across serene countrysides, soaking in the history and culture of distant lands. The thought filled him with a quiet determination.
Bringing the harmonica back to his lips, he resumed playing. The music carried his thoughts, blending with the cool evening air as the cliffside bathed in the last remnants of light. Alone but not lonely, Ezekiel let the moment ground him, the melody echoing his desire for freedom, adventure, and self-discovery.
Ezekiel’s mind wandered as he played the soft, soulful tune on his harmonica, the music carrying his thoughts like a gentle breeze. The melody filled the quiet evening air, blending seamlessly with the tranquil atmosphere of the cliffside. But as his fingers moved across the instrument, he suddenly felt a presence nearby. He stopped playing, lowering the harmonica as he turned to see Bridgette standing a few feet away, her expression lit with pleasant surprise.
“Oh my God, Zeke, that was such a wonderful song,” Bridgette exclaimed, her voice warm with genuine admiration. The compliment brought a small, bashful smile to Ezekiel’s face as he slid the harmonica back into his pocket.
“Didn’t you say you didn’t know how to play an instrument?” she asked, raising an eyebrow as she tilted her head curiously.
“Yeah, I did,” Ezekiel admitted with a light chuckle, scratching the back of his neck. “But funny thing—I was going through my old backpack and found this harmonica buried in there. I hadn’t played it in, like, two years, and I kinda forgot I even knew how. So, I figured I’d see if I was still any good or if I was completely rusty.”
Bridgette nodded, a soft smile gracing her lips as she took a step closer. Ezekiel gestured for her to sit beside him, but she hesitated, glancing nervously at the edge of the cliff.
“Err… actually, no,” she said, crossing her arms and giving the steep drop a wary glance. “I don’t think I want to sit that close to the edge. One wrong move and, well…” She trailed off, shuddering slightly at the thought.
“Suit yourself,” Ezekiel replied with a shrug, turning his gaze back to the view. Bridgette found a safer spot a few steps away and settled herself down, brushing some loose strands of hair behind her ear.
“I was wandering around, checking out the area,” Bridgette began, her tone thoughtful. “Since our old base at the Aquarium was back on Wawanakwa, and with all the tension between the girls on opposite teams, I thought it might be smart to scope out a new base. You know, somewhere quiet where we can all get along. Honestly, I thought this place would be deserted until I heard you playing your harmonica.”
“Yeah, this place is interesting,” Ezekiel said, nodding as he gestured toward the expanse of the cliffside. “I did some exploring earlier, and, surprise—this spot’s actually perfect. There are no Pay-Per-View cameras watching this area. There’s a camera there, there, and there,” he pointed out, motioning toward different spots in the distance, “but this spot and a few other areas around here? Total blind spots. We could do whatever we want here, and no one watching from home would know.”
“Seriously?” Bridgette asked, her eyes lighting up with intrigue. “That’s… actually amazing. I had no idea.”
Before she could say anything more, Ezekiel cut in with a teasing smirk, still staring out at the view. “No, you cannot bring Geoff here just to use the blind spots to kiss him.”
Bridgette’s jaw dropped in exaggerated indignation as she pouted at him. “Zeke!” she protested, though her tone was more playful than offended.
Ezekiel chuckled at her reaction, finally glancing her way with a mischievous glint in his eye. “What? You were thinking it.”
Bridgette crossed her arms, unable to suppress a small smile. “Fine, you got me,” she said with a laugh. “But this place really isn’t bad. Although…” She cast another glance around. “It would’ve been better if it had an actual roof or something. You know, to make it feel like a proper base.”
“Yeah,” Ezekiel agreed, nodding thoughtfully. “A roof would’ve been nice. Still, not bad for a makeshift hideout, right?”
Bridgette smiled, settling into the quiet moment between them. The sky above shifted into deeper hues as the sun continued its slow descent, casting a warm glow over the cliff. For a moment, they simply sat there, appreciating the stillness and the sense of peace it offered.
.
.
.
“So those gift boxes from the votations… they’re really that good?” Bridgette asked, tilting her head curiously as she looked over at Ezekiel. The duo was lounging on the couch of the movie set where Izzy had delivered her victorious performance during the last challenge.
“Yep,” Ezekiel replied, nodding confidently. “Sadly, I can’t tell you exactly what I got—rules and all, could cause disqualification—but let’s just say mine was really worth it. 1200 points, Bridgette. I highly recommend using your box if you ever get the chance. Trust me, you won’t regret it.”
Bridgette returned his nod, though a thoughtful expression crossed her face. “I’ll keep that in mind,” she said sincerely, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “But honestly, I don’t think I have the mentality for acting during a challenge. I still don’t know how you and Izzy managed to rack up all those points last time. Even Owen got some good ones! But me? Acting isn’t exactly my thing.”
“Hey,” Ezekiel said with an encouraging tone, leaning forward slightly. “Everyone has talents they don’t even realize they have. I mean, Courtney never thought she’d be a great singer, right? But after the talent show, people started singing her song from the stage. You never know what’ll surprise you.”
“Well, yeah, I guess you’ve got a point,” Bridgette admitted, nodding again. “Still, I think you’ve got a special kind of talent, Zeke. That Steven Universe song you wrote was amazing. I’m curious—do you have more songs planned? I know you’re close to releasing the audiobook for Courage the Cowardly Dog, and I can’t wait to listen to the Steven Universe and Adventure Time audiobooks too. You’ve gotta be thinking about a ton of songs with all the creative work you’re doing.”
Ezekiel chuckled warmly, his cheeks coloring faintly at the praise. “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about songs and ideas. Thanks, Bridgette. Hey…” He paused, his tone shifting to something more curious. “Can I ask you something? Who are your favorite characters from my books?”
Bridgette blinked, surprised by the question, but a thoughtful smile quickly spread across her face. Ezekiel leaned back slightly, waiting patiently as she mulled over her answer.
“Well, let’s see…” she began. “From Steven Universe, I’d say Lapis Lazuli. There’s just something about her being able to control water—it’s beautiful and powerful at the same time. And her tragic past? It gives her friendship with Steven so much depth and meaning. For Courage the Cowardly Dog, well… I like Courage, obviously. He’s such a great character—a brave, loyal dog who overcomes everything thrown at him. And for Adventure Time… ” She hesitated briefly, her voice softening as she continued, “I’d say Finn. As much as he’s just a kid, being the only human in Ooo until now, while so many others became monsters or lost their minds… Finn carries a lot of pressure on his shoulders. Yet he still protects the people he cares about. You’ve captured his story so well, even if I did think it was a bit harsh for you to give him a phobia of the ocean.”
Ezekiel laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, every great hero has a weakness and a phobia, right? Finn’s fear is justifiable—and hilarious when done right.” His grin softened into a warm smile as he added, “Thanks, Bridgette. That means a lot.”
Bridgette tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. “Hmm. Why the question, Ezekiel?”
He paused for a few seconds before answering, his gaze thoughtful. “It’s because I’ve been working on something new—an alternative universe. A gender swap version of Finn. I’m planning to call her Fionna.” Ezekiel pointed toward the other set, where stacks of drawing papers were spread across a table. “I’ve been sketching out ideas for her story. If you’re interested, you should check out the drawings. I think you’ll like them.”
“I thought you weren’t planning to write the second Adventure Time book,” Bridgette asked, her voice curious as she watched Ezekiel shrug casually.
“I’m not,” Ezekiel replied, standing up and stretching. “But sometimes inspiration hits out of nowhere. I figured I’d prep a bit—just in case I get inspired to write a chapter for the next book when the time comes.” He began pacing, his thoughts spinning, when suddenly an idea struck him. He turned toward Bridgette with a bright smile, his enthusiasm catching her off guard. “Hey, are you any good at singing?”
Bridgette blinked, her eyebrows rising slightly at the unexpected question. She hesitated, then shrugged. “Well, I think so? I’m not a professional singer or anything, but I don’t think I’m terrible. ” She noticed Ezekiel’s grin widen, the mischievous glint in his eyes making her wonder what she’d just signed up for.
Moments later, Bridgette stood near Ezekiel, holding a sheet of lyrics in her hands as she shot him a skeptical look. “Are you sure I should be doing this?” she asked, her voice tinged with doubt.
Ezekiel responded with an enthusiastic thumbs-up, his confidence unwavering. “Trust me. You’ve got this!”
Bridgette sighed heavily, bracing herself as she glanced at the lyrics one more time. Taking a deep breath, she began singing.
(It's come to my attention That I don't show enough Of what I think It's only when I drink, I open up But I promise that I love you Even with... like shit (like shit))
(Cake)
I have never tolerated someone for so long I've never laughed so much I haven't written a sad song There's no one else I'd rather fall asleep with And dream with You're my best friend in the world
“Baduba bpfhhh ahhhh—sorry!” Bridgette sputtered, coughing awkwardly as she stumbled over the scat section of the song. She clutched her throat, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “This is… actually quite hard.”
“Yep, it is,” Ezekiel said, nodding with a knowing smile as he clapped for her effort. “Doing the scat part of the song can be tricky—it’s all about letting go and feeling the rhythm. But, Bridgette, your voice is amazing. Seriously, it’s perfect for Fionna’s song in the audiobook.”
Bridgette blinked, her embarrassment fading slightly as she processed his praise. Her lips curled into a sheepish smile. “You really think so?” she asked softly.
“Absolutely,” Ezekiel said firmly, his grin radiating encouragement. “With a little practice, you’ll nail it. And trust me, this song will really bring Fionna to life.”
Bridgette chuckled lightly, shaking her head. “Alright, Zeke. If you believe in me that much, I’ll give it another shot.”
As the evening continued, Bridgette found herself more relaxed, her confidence growing with each attempt. Ezekiel, ever the supportive friend, offered tips and cheers, his enthusiasm infectious. He knew Bridgette was a very good singer on World Tour, and he wanted to make her develop better her options on what she could do in the future, many people likes a good singer, and she would get a good money from her fame if she sings well, and she would be perfect for voice act as Fionna, so it was a victory for Ezekiel.
One hour later seemed to have passed in a blink.
“Hey, guys, what are you all up to?” a voice called out, making Bridgette and Ezekiel blink in surprise. They turned to see Trent, Cody, Katie, and Harold approaching, while Lindsay, Izzy, and Heather could be seen further behind, making their way up the cliff as well.
“Hey!” Bridgette greeted, standing up from her seat. “I didn’t know you all were here. What’s going on?”
“Yeah,” Ezekiel added, nodding toward the approaching group. “We were just chilling, singing some songs, and talking about the day. What’s up?”
Trent offered a small nod of acknowledgment before glancing back at the others to ensure everyone was present. Tyler showed up moments later, having seemingly wandered back from the bathroom with absolutely no explanation as to how he’d found the top of the cliff. Everyone decided to just let it slide.
Once the entire team was gathered, Trent finally spoke, his expression earnest. “Alright, first of all, I want to thank you all for coming up here to listen. I know last season was rough for a lot of us… and I know I messed up badly. So, before anything else, I want to apologize again. I don’t want any of the mistakes from the past messing up the dynamic of this team.”
His tone was genuine, but the attempt to present himself as a leader didn’t land quite as he’d hoped. The group exchanged unimpressed looks, and Tyler was the first to speak up.
“Okay, dude, we get that you’re sorry, and we know you picked this team,” Tyler said, crossing his arms. “But why are you acting like you’re our leader?”
“I agree with the jock,” Heather added, raising an eyebrow at Trent. “Everyone could tell last season that you were too ignorant to know when you weren’t cut out to lead.”
“Yeah,” Lindsay chimed in, nodding along. “I already accepted your apology, but that doesn’t mean I’d trust you again. Does that make sense?”
She glanced at Harold and Izzy, who both seemed to be considering her words.
“It could be a psychological reaction,” Harold said, tapping his chin thoughtfully. “You know, a response to prolonged stress from dealing with bad team dynamics last season.”
“Or,” Izzy interjected with a shrug, “he was just a huge jerk, so yeah, it makes sense.”
Trent rolled his eyes but managed to keep his composure. “Okay, okay, I know I’ve been a bad person in the past,” he admitted, his voice steady. “But what I’m trying to say is, we need to act as a team.”
This, however, only earned him a collective crossing of arms from the group, as if they were all silently saying, Yeah, no kidding.
“I know we had a big win last episode,” Trent continued, trying to clarify. “But we can’t let it get to our heads. That’s why I think we need a team leader.”
“Are you serious?” Heather shot back, her tone dripping with exasperation as she crossed her arms tighter. “Didn’t you see how that worked last season? The other team had, what, three ‘leaders’? And as soon as they started losing, all of them got booted one by one. None of them even made it to the final three. And while I’m all for leading this team every day,” she added with a smirk, “I know the moment something happens to me, you’d all be screwed.”
“Love you too, Heather,” Ezekiel quipped sarcastically, earning a chuckle from a few of the others. Standing up from the couch, he dusted himself off and turned to Trent with an even gaze. “Look, dude, I get it. You want us to work together as a team, and that’s fine. But here’s the thing—you’ve gotta remember this is a mix of Killer Bass and Screaming Gophers. Back on the Bass, we didn’t just have one leader because Duncan and Courtney were constantly at each other’s throats, fighting for the top spot. We ended up creating the ‘pillars’ system because the team voted me in as the neutral third person to help make decisions.”
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. “Even now, without Duncan or Courtney, it’s obvious that my friends from Killer Bass are gonna follow me. Not because I want to lead them, but because we’ve been through this before and they trust me.”
“Yup,” Harold said with a firm nod.
“Said it perfectly,” Tyler agreed, leaning back slightly as he crossed his arms.
“I wouldn’t choose anyone else,” Katie added, flashing Ezekiel a bright smile.
“He’s right,” Bridgette concluded, her tone thoughtful as she glanced at Trent. “We know how to work together, but trying to force a single leader on this team? That’s not gonna work.”
Trent sighed heavily, disappointment flickering across his face.
“So… what do we do, then?” Cody hesitated, glancing between Trent and Katie. He wanted to support his friend, but going against his girlfriend’s opinion? Not a chance. Staying quiet seemed like the safest option for now.
“Well, from my time watching the show—and now, actually participating in it—I’ve noticed some things that could help everyone understand how this reality show works.” Ezekiel, ever the pragmatic one, offered a small, knowing smile. His calm confidence piqued the group’s curiosity as they leaned in slightly, waiting to hear what he had to say. “I’ve created some personal rules for myself when it comes to dealing with Total Drama. Trust me, if you guys keep these in mind, you’ll see that I was right all along.”
“Pfft, it’s not like—” Heather began, her tone sharp and dismissive. But before she could get any further, Ezekiel smoothly cut in, raising his hand slightly as if to tell her to hold that thought.
“Rule number one,” Ezekiel started, his voice steady but firm, “never assume Chris is going to be merciful. Every challenge idea—no matter how absurd or dangerous—has the potential to harm us, traumatize us, or disgust us. That’s his entire playbook.” He paused for emphasis, scanning the group’s faces. “Chris does all of this to entertain the audience. The more outrageous, the better. The only line he won’t cross is actually killing us, because that would get him fired. And let’s face it—Chris would never risk losing his cushy lifestyle.”
The group exchanged wide-eyed glances at the blunt truth of Ezekiel’s words. Lindsay’s jaw dropped slightly, while Cody muttered, “Wow, he’s really not sugarcoating it, huh?”
“But what about the interns?” Bridgette asked hesitantly. “He treats them worse than us sometimes.”
“Exactly,” Ezekiel replied, nodding. “Chris doesn’t care about them. Some of the stuff he makes them do is borderline insane. And, honestly, if one of them… you know, didn’t make it?” He trailed off, letting the implication hang in the air. “He’d probably shrug it off as collateral damage.”
The group collectively winced at the grim reality. Heather crossed her arms, her expression sour but contemplative. “That… actually makes sense,” she admitted reluctantly.
“So, when you’re wondering why Chris is doing something outrageous—hurting us, scaring us, grossing us out—the answer’s simple: it’s Chris. Accepting that he’ll push the limits every single time will help us mentally prepare for whatever insane nonsense he throws our way.”
Ezekiel paused, giving the group a moment to let his words sink in before continuing. “Rule number two,” he said, his tone matter-of-fact, “you’re going to vomit. Of course you will. It’s practically a guarantee.”
That statement elicited a chorus of reactions.
“Eww, gross,” Lindsay mumbled, wrinkling her nose.
“Seriously?” Cody groaned, slumping in defeat.
“Makes sense, since last season we could count in a few hands how many times the campers vomited on the last season.“ Izzy, meanwhile, leaned forward with an amused grin. “I had suspicion we would be dealing with also on this season.”
Ezekiel raised a hand to settle the murmurs and went on. “We’ve dealt with disgusting challenges in the past, and we’ll deal with more in the future. It’s the same every season. Trying to act brave and saying, ‘I won’t puke,’ is a waste of time and effort. You’re just setting yourself up for failure. So, instead of fighting it, accept it. Embrace the fact that it’s going to happen. A day of humiliation is nothing compared to how much worse the challenges can get.”
Harold nodded thoughtfully, adjusting his glasses. “He’s got a point. If you take the fear of puking out of the equation, it’s one less thing to stress about.”
“Agreed,” Bridgette added with a small smile, though her nose scrunched slightly at the idea. “It’s gross, but it’s not like anyone’s gonna die from it.”
Tyler chuckled nervously. “Unless Chris decides to toss in some crazy twist where puking actually becomes part of the competition…”
“Don’t give him ideas,” Heather snapped, glaring at Tyler.
“Rule number three,” Ezekiel continued, his voice steady as he scanned the group, his pragmatic tone commanding their attention. “Having friends and being loyal to them is a must. This game is built on alliances and votes—it’s the backbone of Total Drama. It’s always best to stick with the people you trust. Even if they get eliminated, their support and advice can still make a difference for you. And if you know you’re about to be voted out? Your best move is to find immunity. Simple as that. But if you can’t, don’t act shocked when you’re chopped. It’s kinda obvious how the game works.”
The group exchanged nods of agreement. Bridgette leaned forward slightly, her expression thoughtful, while Harold muttered, “Makes sense. Alliances really are everything in a game like this.”
Katie smiled faintly as she glanced at Cody, who gave her a reassuring nod. Meanwhile, Heather crossed her arms, looking skeptical but clearly considering the strategy behind Ezekiel’s words.
“Rule number four,” Ezekiel continued, his voice growing firmer, “betrayals and backstabbing usually lead to more people hating you—not just your friends, but also the fans watching at home. Remember, we’re on television. How you act here matters. Be smart. People can see through fake behavior, and if you’re too sneaky or ruthless, it’s gonna cost you, both in the game and in the long run.” He paused to let the point sink in, then added, “Winning isn’t everything here, which leads me to rule number five.”
“Wait, what do you mean?” Heather cut in, raising an eyebrow. “The whole point is to win, isn’t it?”
“Winning helps, like you and Lindsay got in the finals of the last season, but you have to admit you got a lot of fans into the way you treated Lindsay and Beth, since they were your best friends, don’t you dare to deny that.” Ezekiel admitted, his lips curling into a small smile. Which made Heather slight glare, making him smile widely. “But that’s not the only goal. Rule number five: we should use this show as a way to build fame for each of us. A positive reputation can make you relevant even after the season ends. Fans, opportunities, a whole life outside this show—that’s what really matters. Look at me—I’m a book writer. Izzy’s a CEO of a maple sap factory. We’ve both used our fame to carve out futures for ourselves. If you play it right, the show isn’t just about the cash prize—it’s about building something long-lasting.”
Trent nodded enthusiastically, raising a hand like he was in class. “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that too. Like, what happens after the show ends? Staying relevant sounds way better than just flaming out, right?”
“I guess,” Lindsay said, tilting her head thoughtfully. “As long as I can still wear fabulous outfits and go to fun places, I’m in.”
Ezekiel smiled warmly at their responses but raised his hands for their attention again. “Which brings me to rule number six—the most important one, at least to me. Be yourself, and have fun. We’re on a reality show that’s absolutely insane. We’re experiencing things we’d never get to do in real life—things that make for the wildest stories we’ll be telling our kids and grandkids someday. This is the kind of stuff that gets turned into memes on the internet, things people remember forever.”
The group chuckled at that, even Heather couldn’t stop a small smirk from creeping onto her face.
“So why not enjoy the chaos?” Ezekiel asked, his voice lighter now, almost playful. “Embrace the experience. Be ready for anything. Don’t overthink every little thing, and don’t let the madness get to you. Because if you follow these rules, I genuinely think it’s the best way to keep your sanity while surviving this season.”
The group was quiet for a moment, each of them absorbing Ezekiel’s words in their own way. Bridgette smiled softly, leaning her chin on her hand. Tyler and Harold exchanged nods, while Cody gave Katie a supportive squeeze on the shoulder. Izzy, naturally, grinned like a maniac, clearly ready to embrace every ounce of chaos Ezekiel had mentioned. Even Heather, ever the skeptic, looked like she was grudgingly impressed.
“Well,” Bridgette finally said, breaking the silence, “you’ve definitely given us something to think about, Zeke. I gotta admit, these rules make a lot of sense.”
“Well, it kinda makes sense, so all we have to do is just go with the flow?” Cody said as he earned a nod from the homeschooled boy.
“Yep. And since we have the equipment for recording movie scenes, and 2 movie sets just for us here. Why not have some fun?” Ezekiel said as he look at his team, since some looked at him with his eyebrow raised. “You never know how many MVPA points you can get with this, and who doesn’t want to act like an actor and actress for a while?”
“...”
“Fair enought,” Tyler commented.
“He got me there.” Harold said at the same time.
“Yeah he made a point.” Cody said..
And one by on everyone agreed with the boy, as it would take a while for them to have the right equipment to start playing with the camera and sound, for the sake of making their own movie scenes for release on the forums to get more points for themselves.
On the cliff of the movie studios reserved for the Killer Grips’ reward, the contestants were making full use of their victory. With access to the movie sets, trailers, and high-end equipment, the group had decided to get creative and have some fun by filming skits and videos.
The scene in question featured Cody, who was looking decidedly nervous as he stood in front of Ezekiel, who was grinning ear to ear. Harold adjusted the lights, ensuring everything was perfect, while Trent leaned against a nearby prop, watching the unfolding chaos with mild amusement. Bridgette stood off to the side, arms crossed, looking equal parts confused and curious.
Meanwhile, Lindsay and Izzy were immersed in their own animated conversation, giggling away. Heather, seated in front of a vanity mirror inside one of the trailers, applied her makeup with meticulous precision, tuning out the surrounding chaos.
“Ezekiel, I don’t know if this is really something we should be doing,” Cody said, his voice tinged with uncertainty. He gestured awkwardly at the script in his hand, which seemed far longer than necessary for the scene. “I mean, do I really have to say this line and just… wait for, like, 10 or 20 seconds of silence before continuing? It feels kinda boring.”
“You’re not wrong,” Harold added from his spot by the lighting equipment. “Pacing’s everything, Zeke. A long pause could throw off the flow.”
Katie, who was sitting nearby, fidgeted nervously with her script. “I’m not sure if this is gonna work, either. I mean, I think I can remember all my lines, but…” She glanced up, biting her lip. “I kind of agree with Cody. This feels a little slow compared to the comedy romances I usually watch.”
“Ah, but that’s the thing, guys,” Ezekiel said, his tone brimming with enthusiasm as he gestured animatedly. “I promise, this scene will look fantastic. I’m giving you the hardest part first—once we nail this, the rest will be a breeze. Trust me. Have I ever made you do something humiliating just to mess with you?”
Cody raised a finger, ready to object, but Ezekiel cut him off with a smirk. “You don’t count, Cody. We had to put the fear of God into you after your… uh, freaky perv phase last season.”
“It’s true,” Katie said with a giggle, earning a pout from her boyfriend. She smiled warmly at Ezekiel, though her nervousness lingered. “Okay, Zeke, I believe in you. But are you sure we really need these MVPA points?”
“Well, you never know when you’ll need them,” Harold chimed in, adjusting the lighting equipment. “The rewards can be crazy good. From what Ezekiel told me, his reward was too good to pass up. So yeah, I’m using every chance I get to rack up points. And this is one of the few ways we can earn them—we’re only allowed to produce three videos per after-challenge.”
Bridgette glanced at the script in her hands, then at Ezekiel, who nodded encouragingly. “It’s not just about the points, though,” Ezekiel added, his voice taking on a more serious tone. “This is an opportunity. We’re in a movie studio, guys! We can create anything we want—funny, dramatic, whatever. We can publish it online, use our imaginations, and make something awesome.”
Trent walked over, carrying extra microphones and chimed in with a grin. “He’s right. Sure, this set might be kinda crappy, but it’s still a reward. The Gaffers don’t have this chance, so we’ve gotta make the most of it. If we gather enough points before the merge, we can use them to push ourselves to the finals. And even if we end up competing against each other, this is our shot to clear our names, gain some fame, and maybe even get noticed for real movie gigs.”
Tyler nodded enthusiastically, giving Trent a thumbs-up. Harold and Lindsay’s eyes sparkled with excitement as the possibilities sank in.
“Ohhh, I really want to make a martial arts movie!” Harold exclaimed, his voice brimming with energy. “I could show off my mad skills—maybe even get noticed as a stuntman or actor for one of those big martial arts blockbusters.”
“And if I become a movie star,” Lindsay added, her voice dreamy, “I could wear all the expensive dresses and walk the red carpet. Ooh, maybe I’d even make a dress out of red carpet and walk the red carpet in it!”
Tyler wrapped an arm around her shoulders, grinning. “You’d look amazing in anything,” he said, planting a kiss on her cheek. Lindsay beamed, while Izzy and Heather exchanged eye-rolls.
“Being a movie actress isn’t all glitz and glam, Lindsay. There’s a lot of training, crazy diets, and long hours. It’s not as easy as it looks.” Izzy leaning forward with her true self-seriousness, decided to tell the truth of the process.
“And with your difficulty reading, memorizing scripts would be a nightmare. Maybe acting isn’t the best fit for you.” Heather, ever the realist, added, Her tone was gentle, but Lindsay’s smile faltered slightly.
“Okay,” Lindsay said softly, her disappointment evident. But before the mood could dip further, she perked up, her gaze shifting to Katie, who was still fidgeting nervously. “Hey, maybe we could make her wear lingerie for the scene?”
“What?!” Katie and Cody exclaimed in unison, their faces turning bright red. The suggestion hung in the air for a moment as the group exchanged glances.
“Well… it would fit the tone,” Trent commented thoughtfully, scratching his chin. Ezekiel nodded in agreement, his expression serious.
“No, no, no!” Cody and Katie protested again, their voices rising in perfect harmony. But it was too late—the decision had been made.
And so, they acted out the scene… much to Cody and Katie’s embarrassment.
.
.
.
“And done! One minute and twenty seconds—it’s perfect,” Ezekiel announced triumphantly, leaning back with a satisfied grin. The rest of the Killer Grips collectively exhaled, watching Cody and Katie finally stagger out of their mortified daze. It had taken them over an hour to stop blushing long enough to deliver their lines, and while the process had been painstaking, it had also been wildly entertaining for everyone else.
What started as frustration quickly turned into a group effort of increasingly bizarre attempts to help the duo focus. From over-the-top pep talks to impromptu impressions and even Tyler donning a fake mustache to “coach” them, the chaos was both a headache and a source of hilarity. By the time Cody and Katie managed to act their parts without combusting from embarrassment, the entire team was exhausted—but undeniably amused.
“Thank God it’s over,” Katie groaned, tugging at her costume with a mix of panic, exasperation, and relief. She glanced at Ezekiel, her expression one of pure betrayal. “Can I please take this off now? And while we’re at it, explain to me why this boring scene was so necessary. I don’t see the joke anywhere.”
“Yeah, seriously,” Cody chimed in, still red-faced and clearly frustrated. “It’s not funny to make us feel like this. What’s the point, Zeke?”
Ezekiel, unfazed by their indignation, raised his hands in mock surrender. “Relax, guys. I’m telling you, the magic is about to happen.” He reached into his stack of papers and handed each of them another page of the script. “Here. This part doesn’t need to be recorded on camera. You’ll just say it into the microphone while you act. No cameras—just your voices bringing the scene to life.”
Cody and Katie exchanged wary glances as they took the pages. Slowly, they began reading the new lines. At first, they were silent, their expressions blank. But then their lips began to twitch.
Katie pressed her mouth into a thin line, clearly fighting a losing battle, while Cody’s shoulders began to shake as he tried to suppress a snort. Their efforts to remain composed only made the ridiculousness of the dialogue hit harder.
By the third line, Cody let out a wheeze, covering his face with the script, while Katie stifled a laugh that came out as an awkward hiccup.
“This is… ridiculous,” Cody choked out, barely able to speak through his laughter.
“It’s… it’s genius,” Katie admitted reluctantly, tears of mirth starting to pool in her eyes as she clutched her script. “It’s so stupid, but it works.”
The rest of the Killer Grips, curious and eager to know what was so funny, crowded around. While Cody and Katie struggled to continue reading, the rest of the group burst into laughter as they finally got a glimpse of the absurdly comedic payoff Ezekiel had crafted.
“Now you see,” Ezekiel said, his smug grin returning in full force. “The scene isn’t about what you acted earlier—it’s about the setup. Your voices add the punchline. Without the cameras rolling, you’re free to go all out and make it as over-the-top as possible.”
Katie, still catching her breath, gave Ezekiel a begrudging look. “Okay, I’ll admit it… this is pretty funny. But it’s still cruel.”
“And genius,” Cody added, shaking his head but grinning. “You’re lucky we weren’t on camera for this, though. We’d be here all day laughing too hard to even get a single take.”
Ezekiel just chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “Hey, what can I say? Comedy is all about the unexpected.”
At least everyone was ready to enjoy their night, and see the fruits of their fun in the future. Not knowing the outcomes of such funny scene created by them.
During the morning on Ottawa… Senor Abravanel could easily say his trip to Canada had been amusing. There was nothing better than starting the day with a warm cup of coffee with milk, alongside a hearty breakfast of steak and bread. Normally, his business trips or vacations took him across the United States to study new show formats and reality programs—always seeking inspiration to craft something fresh for his channel. But this time was different. This trip was about family. With his daughters all grown and his wife enjoying her golden years, Senor decided to focus on them. He didn’t mind taking a break from work; in fact, he relished the precious moments spent laughing and relaxing together. After all, as he often said, “You leave this world without taking anything with you, so make the most of it while you can.”
Though his heart remained tied to his home country and the beloved Sunday show he hosted, Senor felt content. He’d worked hard, and a week in Canada seemed a fitting reward—a rare chance for him and his family to enjoy a change of scenery.
Of course, even abroad, he could never escape recognition. Wherever he went, fans greeted him with smiles and requests for autographs. But he didn’t mind; in fact, he loved it. A warm laugh, a quick joke, a friendly wave—these simple gestures connected him to the hearts of his admirers. It was this authenticity that endeared him to so many. He loved life, and more importantly, he loved being true to himself.
On a peaceful morning in Ottawa, one of the few places he could indulge in steak and bread for breakfast, everything seemed perfect. The air was crisp, the streets were calm, and his family chatted cheerfully at the table beside him. That is, until a frustrated groan pierced the tranquility.
“UGH, this is useless!” The sound made him glance over his shoulder. At a nearby table, two teenagers sat amidst a chaotic mess of crumpled and torn papers. One was a boy in a black leather jacket, his green hair spiked in a punk style. Beside him sat a tan girl with brown hair, dressed in a gray sweater. Both looked visibly exasperated.
“I know people would love to learn the secrets of the remaining contestants,” the boy said, his tone dripping with irritation. “But let’s face it—our friends are part of that group. And I really don’t want to pressure them into saying something they’ll regret.”
“The point is, they don’t care if they get hurt, princess. The audience wants drama, and they want it to unfold on camera. I bet we could make them spill easily.” Duncan crossed his arms, a sly smirk curling on his lips. The girl rolled her eyes in response, clearly unimpressed.
“We can’t have a boring show, sure,” Courtney admitted. “But we also can’t blindly follow the producer’s suggestions. I don’t trust them. If we go down that path, we could end up regretting it.”
“That’s what I’m saying! I want to create something responsible —a good interview. Something where we ask meaningful questions about their thoughts and feelings, but still keep it light and fun.” She tapped her finger on the table, deep in thought, her pen momentarily pressed to her lips. Duncan, however, scoffed at her idea.
“Hey, I do know how to be fun!” she shot back defensively, narrowing her eyes.
“Pff... sure you do, princess.” His smirk widened, but it quickly disappeared as she stomped on his foot. He yelped.
Courtney stuck out her tongue, a small but defiant gesture, as she and Duncan stared at their brainstorming disaster. No matter how many ideas they pitched, trying to merge their opposing visions of “fun,” nothing seemed to click. Duncan's notions of entertaining the audience leaned towards risky and chaotic stunts that would likely scare off parents, and even with Courtney's careful, responsible touch, his concepts felt like ticking time bombs. Courtney could already foresee the inevitable headaches she’d endure if she tried to rein him in.
Duncan wasn't spared from frustration either. To him, Courtney’s ideas bordered on dull—a talk-show style program focused on heart-to-heart interviews about contestants' lives, dreams, or even their lunch habits. Sure, he didn’t object to interviewing the cast; that was the point of the Aftermath show. But most of them were nobodies, barely aware of their own fleeting fame. How was that supposed to hold an audience’s attention? Worst of all, Courtney wanted to plan everything out to the letter, with a rigid itinerary. In Duncan’s eyes, that sounded like torture—not just for him, but for anyone watching.
Their personalities clashed like fire and ice, and while they recognized the strengths in each other's ideas, neither could see a way to balance them enough to captivate the Total Drama audience. Time was ticking. Their debut was only a week or two away, and the pressure to deliver something spectacular weighed heavily on them both.
“Excuse me for a moment,” a voice interrupted, cutting through their mutual exasperation. The couple paused, turning their heads to see the source. A gentleman—perhaps in his late seventies—with neatly combed brown hair sat down at a nearby chair. He was dressed in a dark-blue suit, his red-and-black striped tie impeccably placed. His demeanor was calm, though his eyes held a twinkle of amusement as he surveyed them.
“I apologize if I’m intruding,” he began with a polite smile. “But I would kindly ask you both to lower your voices. You may not realize it, but you’re disturbing the other patrons of this establishment.”
Duncan and Courtney exchanged glances, unsure whether to feel embarrassed or annoyed. The man’s tone was courteous, but his uninvited remark left them momentarily speechless.
As the man stood to leave, he adjusted his tie with a meticulous touch, brushing a speck of dust off his dark-blue suit. His movements carried the ease of someone who had lived a life well-acquainted with attention to detail. Just as he turned to go, his gaze lingered on the mess of crumpled papers littering the teenagers’ table. A single sheet, partially flattened, caught his eye.
Curiosity sparked, he leaned closer, his fingers smoothing the page with a practiced hand. The corners of his mouth tugged into a faint smile as he scanned the notes—disorganized thoughts, half-formed ideas, and hasty sketches that betrayed hours of brainstorming.
“Hm,” the man murmured, his eyebrows lifting ever so slightly. Folding the page neatly, he placed it back on the table and straightened up. Duncan and Courtney watched, expecting him to move on. Instead, to their surprise, he chuckled—a warm, hearty laugh that resonated through the quiet café.
“Hi hi hi he he he,” he laughed, the sound rolling effortlessly into a contagious rhythm. It was the kind of laugh that could light up a room, and for a moment, even Duncan found himself smirking involuntarily.
Courtney, however, was less amused. She furrowed her brows, crossing her arms with visible irritation. “What’s so funny?” she demanded, her voice sharper than she intended.
Duncan leaned back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head. “Yeah, what’s the joke, old man?” he teased, though there was more curiosity than malice in his tone.
Still chuckling, the gentleman turned back to face them, his expression rich with amusement and wisdom. His eyes twinkled as he gestured toward the papers. “Oh, forgive me,” he began, his voice calm yet warm. “I couldn’t help but notice what you’re struggling with—creating a television show, am I right?”
Courtney stiffened, sitting up straighter in her chair. “And? What about it?”
“Well,” he said, his tone softening with nostalgia, “it’s just... your dilemma brought back memories. Sixty years in television has taught me that the first show, the first concept—it’s always the hardest. You’re clashing ideas, trying to find balance, hoping to please everyone while staying true to yourselves. It’s not easy. But let me tell you, that’s what makes it worth doing.”
“Wait. Sixty years?” Duncan raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “Are you serious?”
The man laughed lightly, brushing the question aside with a wave of his hand. “I know I look young—thank you for noticing—but yes, I’m quite serious.” His smile grew, and for a moment, his voice carried the weight of countless memories. “The creative process is like this: messy, frustrating, sometimes maddening. But those challenges? They shape the outcome. Some of my fondest memories come from moments just like this—when nothing seemed to work, yet, somehow, it all came together in the end.”
Courtney tilted her head, slightly intrigued despite herself. “You mean... you’ve been through something like this before?”
“Not exactly,” the man admitted, his eyes gleaming with candor, “but close enough. In my early days, I traveled across the United States, studying the most unique shows, taking notes on what worked and what didn’t. I’d bring those ideas back to my team, asking them to re-imagine and improve upon them. Some experiments succeeded beautifully; others, I had to abandon entirely. Creation is never a straight path—it’s full of twists and turns.”
He paused, letting the thought linger before continuing. “But here’s what I’ve learned: television, at its core, is about connection and joy. That’s the heart of it. When you focus on that, the rest falls into place.”
His laughter returned, brighter this time, lighting up the room. “Everything I do on the television, I do it because it makes me happy, and when something doesn’t make me happy, including hosting shows, even if they have great audiences, I stop making it, because the host in my opinion, he sells his happiness, he sells his soul, transmit what he or she was feeling on that moment, and at the moment I stop feeling, then I don’t transmit, and if I don’t transmit, then I just stop. Until I had the feeling to do it again, and then there was times I don’t have the desire to do it ever again. But that’s okay—it’s all part of the process.”
He leaned in slightly, his gaze shifting between Duncan and Courtney. “as long as you dedicate at your work, you with perseverance, you can learn everything you desires, it can take a long time, or less time, but the dedication, to something you like to do, it takes you to the victory, the victory is subjective, however, as long it satisfies you, being a personal victory, it’s already a great victory. Do what you both like, if you don’t like journalism, then don’t do it, if you likes to do comedy, painting, sports, doing what we like, it’s the greatest reward we get.”
Duncan blinked, his smirk fading into something closer to thoughtfulness. Courtney stared at the man, her arms uncrossing as his words sank in. For once, she didn’t have a rebuttal.
With a polite nod, the man straightened his tie one last time. “I wish you both the best of luck. Perhaps one day, I’ll tune in to see what you’ve created.”
Before he could take another step, both Courtney and Duncan stood abruptly, nearly knocking over their chairs in the process.
“Err… please, could you help us?” Courtney’s words came out rushed and hesitant, a stark contrast to her usual confident demeanor. Pride was something she rarely compromised on, but the man’s charisma and wisdom had struck a chord. For once, she saw an opportunity to learn from a professional, and she wasn’t about to let it pass.
The gentleman paused, his hand lingering on the back of his chair. He regarded her with a warm, knowing smile, as if he could sense her inner conflict.
“Well…” he began, glancing at his table, “I think I might have some extra time. Let me bring my plates over, and I’ll see if I can offer a few suggestions.” His voice was kind, yet carried the unmistakable confidence of someone who had guided countless others before.
Duncan, hands still stuffed in his jacket pockets, tilted his head and smirked. “I’m more curious… how’d you even get that far in television? Sixty years—that’s no joke,” he said, his tone half-challenging, half-genuine. He leaned against the table, clearly intrigued despite himself.
The man chuckled softly as he returned to the teenagers’ table, placing his plates down with practiced care. His movements were deliberate yet unhurried, as though he carried the weight of countless stories within him. “Well,” he began, looking at Duncan with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes, “charisma is everything. From a young age, I learned how to engage people, to make them interested in what I was doing. That’s how I was able to sell pens door to door.”
The statement landed like a thunderbolt. Duncan and Courtney’s eyes widened in unison, their surprise impossible to hide.
“Wait, you sold pens?” Courtney asked, her voice laced with incredulity. Her eyebrows shot up, as though the thought of someone so polished and accomplished starting out as a street vendor was hard to reconcile.
“Indeed,” the man replied, his smile unwavering, his voice steady with the confidence of someone who had lived through it all. “During my childhood, I worked as a street vendor. And let me tell you, selling pens is no small feat. It taught me the art of connection. You see, it’s not just the pen you’re selling—it’s the idea of the pen, the possibilities it holds. Whether it’s a product, a story, a radio broadcast, or even a television show, the secret lies in making people feel invested, in showing them why it matters. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my entire career.”
Duncan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms and letting out an impressed whistle. “Not gonna lie, that’s... kinda cool. Never thought I’d hear someone compare selling pens to running a TV empire.”
The man chuckled again, a warm, genuine sound that seemed to fill the room. “It all comes down to life experiences,” he continued, his gaze distant as though he were peering into his past. “From a street vendor to a radio announcer, and then to television—each step taught me something new. I spent 25 years doing live television with an auditorium audience, back when television in my country was mostly focused on news and politics. Entertainment, back then, was limited to soccer on Sundays and my show. My program ran from eight in the morning until eleven at night, and later, when my channel was bought out, I worked from noon until eight in the evening. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth every moment.”
Duncan and Courtney sat riveted, hanging on his every word. His story was captivating, each detail offering a glimpse into a world they could scarcely imagine.
“And if I could go back to the past,” the man said, his voice softening with a touch of nostalgia, “I would do it all over again. Perhaps with some slight changes to the presentation, but still following the same formula. Life has a funny way of teaching us the most valuable lessons in the simplest of ways. You’d be surprised how often those early experiences shaped the decisions I made decades later.”
His words hung in the air, resonating deeply with his young audience. Duncan glanced at Courtney, whose notebook lay open in front of her, her pen poised as though ready to capture every piece of wisdom the man offered. Even Duncan, who was usually quick to brush off moments like this, found himself surprisingly moved.
The man leaned back slightly, his hands resting lightly on the edge of the table. “Television, like life, is all about connection,” he added thoughtfully. “When you find the heart of it—the joy, the passion, the reason behind it all—that’s when everything else falls into place.”
Courtney’s lips pressed into a thin line as she absorbed his words, her notebook lying open on the table. For someone as detail-oriented as her, the notion of selling an idea—of creating connection—resonated deeply. Maybe this was the perspective they’d been missing all along.
The gentleman settled into the chair he had vacated just moments ago, folding his hands neatly on the table. “So,” he said, his gaze shifting between the two, “shall we get started? Show me what you’ve got so far.”
.
.
.
“You did your own version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire ?” Duncan asked, his tone a mix of disbelief and awe as his wide eyes locked onto the man. The famous host chuckled softly, his amusement contagious.
“Ah, the classic Show do Milhão ,” the man replied with a nostalgic smile. “Everyone in my country tuned in at 11 p.m. on Sundays just to watch it. Such good memories. Maybe I could ask one of my producers to bring you both a few VHS tapes or DVDs of my old shows. I’ve always been grateful for the inspiration I’ve drawn from the United States and other countries. Passing that on to the next generation feels like the right thing to do.”
“Dude, you are my hero,” Duncan said earnestly, his admiration shining through. His dad had always been a huge fan of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire , and now, sitting across from someone who had created its iconic Brazilian adaptation? Duncan couldn’t believe his luck.
The host chuckled warmly at Duncan’s enthusiasm before turning his gaze to both teenagers. “I’m sure you both have a promising future ahead of you,” he said thoughtfully. “You’ve already taken your first steps into fame through the reality show you participated in.”
Courtney and Duncan exchanged a glance at the mention of Total Drama . Courtney’s expression tightened, her brow furrowing slightly.
“I really wouldn’t recommend trying anything like Total Drama again,” she said almost pleadingly. “It put us through dangerous situations. While we made good friends, it’s not something I’d wish on anyone else—or other countries, for that matter.”
The man chuckled softly, shaking his head. “You don’t have to worry about that,” he reassured her. “When it comes to reality shows involving groups of people, I’ve had my fair share of challenges. There were even some lawsuits over shows I produced. The money wasn’t the issue—it was the headaches that came with it. But between us…” He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering conspiratorially, “ A Casa dos Artistas broke audience records. Instead of featuring random strangers in a house, I used famous people. That show became legendary, even though a rival reality show ended up with more sequels. If you ask anyone in my country which show they remember most, A Casa dos Artistas will always be the answer.”
Duncan let out a laugh, clearly impressed by the man’s audacity. It was impossible not to admire someone who could not only break records but also confidently pave his own path, earning the title of “King of Brazilian Television.” The man had a charisma that even Duncan, the self-proclaimed bad boy, respected deeply.
“Also another personal advice: if you are going to work with a live audience, you better bring ear protections in case everyone gets cheerfully loud; years dealing with that can make you slightly deaf with the time, and it gets harder to listen after months or years working with them, so you better prepare to bring ear protection for you both not get deaf, okay?” Senor commented, as it clearly made both Duncan and Courtney shocked with the advice, and they nodded their heads at him as Courtney continued to write down.
Meanwhile, Courtney sat quietly, her mind racing. As the man spoke, she pieced together fragments of his wisdom with her own ideas. His former shows, though old, carried timeless qualities that could resonate with modern audiences. Combining those concepts with their own brainstorming, she felt a spark of hope ignite.
“I think we’ve got it." Courtney said suddenly, her voice tinged with excitement. She looked at Duncan, her eyes bright. “I really think we’ve found a direction.”
“Did we get it?” Duncan asked, leaning forward as he watched her scribble notes. He took a closer look at the paper she handed him and nodded in agreement. “Okay, yeah. This one looks good.”
“Well then, oh dear, it seems we’ve spent so much time working on this that I’ve completely lost track of the hour,” the man said with a warm laugh, glancing at his watch. “I promised to pick up my daughters from the mall in Toronto. I really must be going now.”
He stood and gathered his things, pausing to give the duo one last look. “Thank you for sharing your parents’ and lawyer’s contact information. I’ll see to it that my producers send over the recordings of my shows in a week or two. I think they’ll help point you both in the right direction.”
“That would be incredibly helpful,” Courtney said, her tone earnest as she offered the man a kind smile.
“Before I go, I need to tell you one last thing. The TV’s Camera can transform men into angels and girls into Saints, but you all see with the vanity, the pride, the desire of self-accomplishment, can make a person progress or regress... When I lost my first wife because of cancer and when I was widowed and said I was single and I hid my daughters, just for the sake of being the hero, the idol, I talk to my conscience many times since when I grew up. That was the worst mistake I ever made in my life. It was one unforgivable thing in front of my immaturity when I came to maturity today. And when I recall all my mistakes I made, when I see someone younger than me doing the same thing. I look, and I tell myself, Oh Lord, what an unhappy person... And I can see you both are going to be wonderful together if you trust each other and be this wonderful couple as I’m seeing now.” The man continued as he could see the bad boy and the girl who was the responsible one, and from the stories they had told him, he could understand they would go far if they worked together. “I hope to hear great things from both of you, and if you ever find yourselves visiting Brazil, I’d love to welcome you onto my show as guests. Perhaps we could play a game or two, just for fun.”
He placed enough money on the table to cover the bill, nodding politely.
“This should cover breakfast and lunch. I wish you the best of luck.”
With a final wave and his signature warm smile, the man left the café, his presence lingering long after he had gone.
“Wow, I never thought we’d get free food,” Duncan remarked, raising his eyebrows in surprise. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, clearly impressed. “I mean, I didn’t even know who he was, and he still paid for everything. But hey, free food is free food.”
Courtney rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a small smile. “It depends on the person,” she mused, her voice thoughtful. “It’s funny, though—he’s so different from Chris. Like, completely opposite. He’s wise, charismatic, and actually cares about what he does.” She paused, her gaze drifting to the notes she’d been scribbling. “I feel like I just got a masterclass in life and work. It’s rare to meet someone who’s not only experienced but also willing to share their wisdom.”
Her thoughts wandered as she tapped her pen against the table. She respected her mom deeply—so much so that she once dreamed of becoming a lawyer to follow in her footsteps. But now, after meeting someone so passionate about his craft, someone who clearly loved what he did, Courtney couldn’t help but reflect. “He said it’s important to work on what you love. Is that why Ezekiel has so much fun writing and drawing his books?”
Duncan tilted his head, considering her words. “That’s a good point. I mean, the farm boy spends hours typing away or sketching, and he’s still got energy to run around pretending to sword fight with a stick. It’s kinda childish, but now that I think about it… when was the last time we just let loose and used our imagination like that? Like, really had fun?”
Before Courtney could respond, the waitress appeared, balancing a cup of coffee with milk. She blinked at the duo, her expression puzzled. “Hey, did anyone see Silvio Santos? I was just bringing his coffee.”
Courtney and Duncan exchanged a glance before Courtney spoke up. “You mean the man who was sitting with us? That’s his artistic name, right?” She looked to Duncan for confirmation, and he nodded.
“Well, he had to leave,” Courtney continued. “He mentioned picking up his wife and kids from the mall in Toronto.”
The waitress sighed dreamily, clutching the coffee cup to her chest. “Oh, crap. I wanted to ask for his autograph. My family’s never going to believe I served Silvio Santos his meal.” She shook her head wistfully before her gaze shifted back to the duo. “Wait a second… don’t I know you two from somewhere?”
“ Total Drama Island, ” Duncan and Courtney said in unison, their voices flat but synchronized.
The waitress blinked a few times before her mouth fell open in recognition. “Ohhhhh, that’s right! Wow, three celebrities in one day? I should tell the boss we need a wall of fame or something.” She glanced at the table, noticing the bill and the money left behind. “I’ll take care of this. And you know what? I’ll prepare something special for you both as a courtesy.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Courtney said quickly, her tone polite but surprised.
“Oh, trust me, I want to,” the waitress replied with a laugh. “In exchange, though, I just have one question: what did the King of Brazilian television and host of the most iconic Sunday night shows talk to you about?” Her grin was mischievous, like a cat that had just cornered a mouse.
Duncan and Courtney exchanged a look, both unsure how to respond.
“Was he really that big of a deal in Brazil?” Duncan asked, his voice tinged with genuine surprise. He turned to Courtney, who looked just as confused as he did.
Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of another city, Ezekiel sat hunched over his laptop, typing furiously. Suddenly, he froze, his fingers hovering above the keys. A strange sensation prickled at the back of his mind, like an invisible force tugging at his thoughts. He turned his head slightly, frowning.
“Why do I have this sudden urge to punch Duncan in the face and knee him in the nuts?” Ezekiel muttered to himself, his voice low and bewildered. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to shake off the inexplicable feeling. “I don’t even know what he said, but I know it was disrespectful. It’s like my soul is offended.”
He sighed, shaking his head as he turned back to his laptop. “Never mind. Let me focus on this.” But the irritation lingered, a faint but persistent itch at the edge of his thoughts.
A few minutes later, Noah, who was walking nearby, froze in his tracks as he caught sight of Ezekiel furiously typing away at his laptop. The speed at which Ezekiel’s fingers flew across the keyboard was almost unnerving—it was as if the keys were barely keeping up with him.
“What the…” Noah muttered, his tone tinged with disbelief. Curiosity piqued, the bookworm strolled over, leaning casually behind Ezekiel to peer at the laptop screen. His eyebrows shot up as he scanned a few words and sentences from the blizzard of text pouring onto the screen.
“BMO?” Noah asked, his voice laden with skepticism. “Didn’t you say you weren’t going to write another Adventure Time book?”
“Yeah, I said that,” Ezekiel nodded, his focus razor-sharp as his fingers continued to hammer the keyboard with almost reckless abandon. His green hat was slightly askew as he leaned in closer to the screen, eyes alive with creative intensity. “But then I got this amazing idea, and I couldn’t resist. I haven’t finished yet, but this chapter? Total masterpiece. Easily my favorite.”
Noah, ever the skeptic, leaned in reluctantly, curiosity outweighing his usual indifference. “Alright, let’s see what we’re dealing with here,” he said, squinting at the flashing words on the screen. “So, you’ve got BMO as the lead. Makes sense, I guess. But then you decided to toss in a cat, a mouse, a TV controller, Neptr, and a chicken? And—because why not—you’re writing it like some kind of noir detective novel?”
Ezekiel froze dramatically, swiveling toward Noah with an enormous grin that threatened to split his face in two. He raised his hands as if presenting a priceless treasure. “The chapter is called… BMO Noire! ” His voice was heavy with pride and dramatic flair. “It’s BMO’s breakout moment as the ultimate noir detective. Shadowy alleys, tangled motives, deadly culprits—this story has everything. ”
Noah’s eyebrow climbed so high it practically hit orbit. “Riiight. Because nothing screams ‘masterpiece’ like a noir thriller about BMO tracking down… what exactly? The Ice King’s crown? Some ancient artifact? Oh wait, don’t tell me, it’s Tree Trunks Cristal Apple.”
“Close, but no,” Ezekiel said, his grin widening even further. “It’s Finn’s sock.”
Noah stared at him. “The plot revolves around a sock? A literal, regular sock?”
“Yes,” Ezekiel said without a shred of irony. “It’s the only sock Finn had. But what you don’t get—” he gestured vaguely at the laptop, as though the sheer brilliance of his work should be self-evident “—is that the story isn’t about the sock. It’s about the heist. The sock was just the tool.”
Noah blinked. “Uh-huh. Please enlighten me, genius. What kind of sock-based heist are we talking about?”
Ezekiel leaned back, smirking, his voice dropping into a conspiratorial tone. “You see, Loraine the Chicken—the mastermind of this whole ordeal—used Finn’s sock to smuggle treasure out of the Tree House. She plotted an elaborate scheme, roped in her lovers, Pepe the TV Controller and Ronnie the Rat, as accomplices, and used the sock to collect and carry gold. But here’s the kicker—Pepe and Ronnie both ended up dead. Loraine betrayed them and ran off with the treasure.”
Noah’s face transitioned from disbelief to something bordering on reluctant interest. “Huh. Murderous chicken, sock smuggler… Okay, I’ll admit, that’s slightly more interesting.”
“Hold on, I’m not done.” Ezekiel’s tone grew even more animated, his fingers poised over the keyboard like a pianist about to strike the keys. “The real intrigue? Loraine’s no ordinary criminal. She’s a femme fatale. She leaves BMO a message—one last promise—saying she’ll return someday to be with him. It’s a classic noir romance: the detective and the criminal mistress, caught on opposite sides of the law.”
Noah groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “So, what you’re saying is, BMO falls in love with a chicken.”
“It’s way more than that, I’m actually writing down they actually had a story together, creating a mystery of people interested to know where both met, and how it developed their romance on that way.” Ezekiel explained as he could see the bookworm having a headache. “Who knows if this book would make fans to have spin off? For me this will be in my top 3 favorite chapters so far.”
“Right. So BMO as detective in a romance with a criminal chicken.” Noah crossed his arms as he looked at Ezekiel who rolled his eyes.
“Can we just call her Loraine? She’s not just a chicken,” Ezekiel shot back, his tone almost offended. Since a character like that would be so iconic from that episode, she must be treated as such. “It’s Loraine. She’s mysterious. Dangerous. Beautiful in her own… poultry-like way. She’s like Irene Adler version of BMO being Sherlock Holmes.”
Before Noah could fire off a witty comeback, a bubbly voice broke through their banter.
“Oh oh oh, I love Sherlock Holmes!” The two boys blinked in unison, turning to see Lindsay bounding toward them, her excitement practically radiating from her. “What case are you two talking about?”
Ezekiel straightened in his seat, his hands lifting off the keyboard for the first time in minutes. “Actually, we’re not talking about him. We’re talking about a detective noir chapter in my book,” he explained, his tone proud but patient. “It’s something I plan to publish in the future.”
Lindsay’s eyes widened with delight as she plopped down nearby.
“That’s so cool! I love detectives and mysteries. Sadly, though…” Her expression faltered as she cast her gaze downward. “…I’m terrible at reading books. I have to wait for my dad to read them to me.”
Ezekiel’s confident demeanor softened instantly, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. Noah, though often quick with sarcastic jabs, found himself hesitating. Even he wouldn’t mock something like that.
“Dyslexia sucks,” Noah admitted after a moment, his tone unusually sincere. “I would lose my mind if I couldn’t read my books. Like, totally lose it.” He paused, glancing at Lindsay with something resembling genuine respect. “But hey, being a bad reader doesn’t make you dumb. I mean… you’re smart in your own way. And considering you won last season? Yeah, I’d say you’re doing just fine.”
This surprised both Ezekiel and Lindsay, since it was the first time Noah showed indeed a true compliment, while the bookworm simply rolled his eyes.
He can say as much he wanted to give sarcastic remarks to stupid people, insulting someone for having difficulty reading because of dyslexia? It was something he didn’t wish for his enemies; if a person is dumb, is dumb, but if they had dyslexia and because of that couldn’t read? It would be too far, and he knew how Lindsay is smart on her own way, since she was the winner of the last season of Total Drama. And from how she destroyed the franchise of Indiana Jones, the fandom will never be the same after her telling the plot hole of The Lost Arc. And that was something he will forever respect the blonde, destroying a franchise for being a smartass? It deserves respect from the bookworm, because books always beat the movies.
Lindsay brightened slightly, though her smile carried a hint of embarrassment. “Thanks,” she said softly.
Ezekiel, however, wasn’t ready to let the conversation end on such a subdued note. “You know,” he began, his eyes lighting up with a fresh idea, “I could do a live reading for you. Just over this chapter, so you can hear the whole thing as it plays out. Plus, Noah can help point out any grammar mistakes while we go. What do you think?”
Lindsay’s eyes widened again, her excitement bubbling up once more. “Oh, wow, that would be amazing! I’d love that!” She clapped her hands together, her enthusiasm infectious. “I can’t wait to hear the whole thing!”
Noah smirked faintly, shaking his head as he leaned back in his chair. “This is turning into quite the production. But, hey, if it helps you churn out something halfway decent, I’m in.”
Ezekiel grinned, his hands already moving toward the keyboard. “Perfect! Let me just finish typing up this last paragraph, and then we’ll get started. Trust me—this is going to be epic.”
As the late afternoon sunlight filtered into the Craft and Services Tent, the three settled into an unexpectedly harmonious rhythm. Ezekiel worked on his magnum opus, Noah prepared himself for editorial duty, and Lindsay waited with bated breath to hear the detective saga unfold. It wasn’t the kind of scene anyone could have predicted, but somehow, it felt just right.
.
.
.
“You’ve created a monster,” Noah remarked dryly, shooting a sideways glance at Lindsay, who was practically bouncing out of her seat with excitement.
“THAT WAS SO WONDERFUL, IT BLEW MY MIND,” Lindsay shouted, her voice echoing as she clapped her hands together. “The way Loraine turned out to be the culprit, but she played everyone—BMO, Pepe, Ronnie—like puppets while taking off with the treasure? Incredible! And then Pepe, the abusive coward, and Ronnie, the jealous brute, meeting their ends? So poetic. But that bittersweet breakup between Loraine and BMO? Oh my gosh, I NEED ANSWERS! How did they meet? What happened in their past? Was Loraine some glamorous singer with debts and secrets? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!”
“Told you people would want a spinoff,” Ezekiel said with a self-satisfied grin, leaning back in his chair. His tone was triumphant, even as Noah rolled his eyes so hard they nearly got stuck.
“And you already have three books in progress,” Noah shot back, his arms crossing as he fixed Ezekiel with a pointed look. “Now you’re throwing around ideas for a fourth? You need to take a break, man. Like, for real. We’re not on Playa del Losers anymore; this is season two. We’ve got a new challenge coming up in just a few days. Even if you’re on a different team, I’m not about to let you burn out because you can’t stop writing about murderous chickens.”
Ezekiel shrugged, the grin on his face dimming slightly as he considered Noah’s words. “Yeah, yeah, I know. But honestly, I think I’m good for the rest of the week. That reading just inspired me, you know? I’ll probably just jot down ideas if something comes to me, but I won’t overdo it.”
He turned to Lindsay, who was still buzzing with enthusiasm, and gave her an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Lindsay, but this chapter’s just one piece of the puzzle, and I’ve got other books to wrap up first. But hey…” His eyes lit up with a fresh spark of energy. “How about this? Next time I work on a new chapter, you can be the first to hear it again. I’ll even do another live reading for you.”
Lindsay’s excitement, if possible, doubled. Her face lit up, and she clapped her hands together again, practically vibrating with joy. “Really? Oh my gosh, you’re the BEST, Zeke! I can’t wait to hear it. You have no idea how much fun this was!”
Noah sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Great. So now you’ve officially roped me into proofreading and indulging your new number-one fan. Fantastic.”
“Oh, come on,” Ezekiel teased, giving Noah a playful nudge. “You had fun, admit it.”
“Sure,” Noah replied flatly. “Nothing brings me more joy than discussing noir chicken love triangles and grammatically questionable heist stories.”
Ezekiel chuckled, clearly unbothered, and started gathering his notes. The late afternoon sun filtered into the Craft and Services Tent, giving the space a warm, golden glow. Between Lindsay’s unabashed enthusiasm, Noah’s begrudging support, and Ezekiel’s infectious passion, the moment felt oddly perfect—a little pocket of camaraderie in the middle of the chaos that was Total Drama.
“Would you girls like some more juice?” asked the man of the house—none other than Courtney’s dad, his tone polite yet warm as he gestured to the pitcher of orange juice on the dining table. Sitting across from him were two young women from Cree descent, sisters who had driven all the way from British Columbia on the other side of Canada. The younger of the two was Sky, and next to her sat her older sister, Jane. After two grueling days on the road, they had finally managed to reach Ottawa.
“No, thank you, sir,” Jane replied politely, offering him a courteous smile as she adjusted her ponytail. She looked tired but composed, holding herself together despite what it had taken to get here.
The truth was, Sky would have much preferred staying home, but Jane couldn’t pass up the sudden job opportunity that had landed in her lap—a lifeline at a time when she desperately needed one. Courtney’s unexpected call a few nights ago, as dusk settled over their home, had sent Jane into a mild panic. Scrambling to prepare, she drove as quickly as she could without risking traffic violations, all while dragging Sky along to make sure she wasn’t left unsupervised. Jane adored her little sister but had learned the hard way never to leave her alone for too long—she didn’t want to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Despite the whirlwind of events, Jane found herself unexpectedly grateful for the opportunity. With her internship ending prematurely due to the company going bankrupt and her temporary college work on hold for five days, she had been scrambling to figure out how to pay rent. The timing couldn’t have been better. The exhaustion from the long drive faded slightly as she allowed herself a moment to appreciate the strange turn of fate that had brought her here. Maybe, just maybe, things were looking up.
Meanwhile, Duncan sat on the opposite side of the table, casually munching on a muffin as he watched the sisters with mild amusement. His usual smirk played on his lips as he observed their contrasting demeanors—Jane’s composed professionalism and Sky’s restless energy. Across the room, Sky was sitting at a computer alongside Courtney’s younger sister, Kate, who was enthusiastically showing her something on the screen.
Duncan had mainly tagged along to support Courtney, but he was also there to clarify their shared vision for the Total Drama Aftermath project. The duo had spent their morning absorbing lessons from none other than the King of Brazilian Television himself. The experience had lit a fire under them, filling them with big ideas and determination. While they waited—hopefully not for too long—for the promised DVDs and VHS tapes that would show them how a show was truly made, they were determined to keep refining their plans. This meeting was one more step forward.
“By the way, thanks for bringing your sister all this way,” Duncan chimed in, leaning back in his chair and gesturing casually toward Jane. “Courtney’s been talking about this project non-stop, and having someone like you step in as Director Manager? That’s gonna make things way easier for us.”
Jane gave a small nod, her expression shifting to one of quiet gratitude. “I’m happy to help. It’s… actually a relief, if I’m honest. I needed the work.” She glanced at Courtney, who was poring over a folder of notes nearby. “And the timing couldn’t have been better.”
“Sounds like fate to me,” Duncan said with a wink, earning a subtle eye-roll from Courtney, who was now checking the clock on the wall.
Courtney’s mom, Victoria, entered the room moments later, holding a small stack of papers in her hand—the contract. Her heels clicked lightly against the floor as she approached the table, her expression calm and professional. “Alright, Jane,” Victoria said, offering her a reassuring smile as she handed her the papers. “Here’s the contract. I’ve looked it over, and everything’s in order. Once you’ve signed it, you’re officially part of the team.”
Jane’s shoulders relaxed slightly as she accepted the papers, scanning them with practiced ease. It was a good opportunity, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief that everything seemed legitimate. She looked up at Victoria, then Duncan and Courtney. “Thank you for trusting me with this. I won’t let you down.”
“You’d better not,” Duncan said with a grin, though his tone was lighthearted. “This is our shot at making something big, and we’re not letting those producers mess it up for us. That’s where you come in—keeping them out of our hair while we make some actual magic happen.”
Jane chuckled softly, signing the papers and handing them back to Victoria. “I’ll do my best. It sounds like you two have a solid vision.”
As the room settled into a more relaxed atmosphere, for the first time in what felt like weeks, Jane allowed herself to feel hopeful. This job wasn’t just a paycheck—it was a chance to be part of something bigger, something exciting. As Sky leaned over to show Kate something on the computer, Jane couldn’t help but think the trip might not be so bad after all.
Kate and Sky were giggling uncontrollably at the screen, their laughter growing louder until it spiraled out of control. The noise drew the attention of the rest of the group mid-conversation. Jane, Victoria, Courtney, and Duncan turned to see Kate with tears streaming from her eyes and Sky clutching her belly, struggling to catch her breath from all the laughter.
“Guys, you’ve got to see this,” Sky shouted between giggles. “You won’t believe what’s on the Forum right now!”
Jane, Victoria, Courtney, and Duncan exchanged confused glances before walking over to the screen. Jane rewound the video as Sky pointed out the title. “It looks like the Killer Grips are using the studio to make videos for the Forum,” Sky explained, wiping at her eyes as a fresh wave of giggles threatened to bubble over.
“I don’t even know what ‘SAO’ means, but this is hilarious,” Kate added, jabbing her finger at a particularly user comment. “Especially this one—‘CODYKINS NOOOOOOOO!’”
“Codykins?” Duncan and Courtney repeated simultaneously, their brows furrowing in sync as they glanced at each other. Clearly, neither of them had any context for this bizarre situation.
The group crowded closer, their curiosity piqued. On the screen was a paused frame of Cody standing awkwardly, Katie lying on a bed behind him. The title of the video boldly read: SAO Abridged, Kirito Proposes.
“What even is this?” Courtney muttered as she hit play.
Their first night of sex had been amazing; both of them were virgins before even having a good interaction with the real world society; their only interaction had been online, but since the bug was caused by a cruel creator of MMORPGs, both Kirito and Asuna had to pass the floors of the flying island of the cruel fantasy world as the rest of the other players and do their best to remain alive since they would be dying in the real world in case they died in the online game.
After almost losing his life, Kirito was found on the braces of the girl he both liked and annoyed her. The young boy sociopath who never believed in humanity found a girl who just accepted him as the way he was, even though she was a freaking psychopath.
But still, a night of sex was a great experience for both of them.
Asuna was lying on the bed; her tan skin was beautiful while she was wearing lingerie. Kirito was wearing his black long-sleeve shirt and black pants while he was on the corner staring at the lamp.
Which proved it was no other than Katie and Cody playing the roles of two characters.
“Ah, that was amazing, Kirito.” Katie said as she let it out a satisfied sigh, complimenting the boy who felt a bit edgier than it should.
"Well, at least one of us enjoyed ourselves.” Cody said in a monotone tone.
“EXCUSE ME?” Katie asked in outrage, which immediately Cody gave a step back and got into his panic mode.
“I’m sorry, I can’t turn off; I’m broken. Please fix me.” Cody said as a defense mechanism, which Katie tilted her head, and even as she was still a bit mad, she couldn’t help but be touched by what he said.
“Wow, that was almost kind of romantic.” Katie said in amusement tone, and at that moment, both Katie and Cody remained quiet…
And while they were frozen, Cody’s mind was thinking about another thing. Which there was a slight subtitle with the words... Left Side of the Cody’s Brain, Right Side of Cody’s Brain.
“Dude! What are you doing? We’re blowing this.” Cody’s left side of the brain said with the same voice as Cody but sounded more outraged and rational than his usual self.
“Well, what are we supposed to say?! We don’t even know what made her like us in the first place!” The left side of Cody’s brain shouted intimidated as he showed nervousness and panic from a situation like that.
“Fine fine! Just calm down! The hard part’s over.” The left side said as he looked assured as the things looked smoothly for both of them. They could deal with the situation easily. “As long she doesn’t throw us any curveballs, I think we’re good.”
“Soooooo, what should we do now?” And just like that, Katie asked while she was holding the sheets covering her chest and her lingerie. While she was curious on what to do next.
“FUCK.” Cody’s Left Side of the Brain cursed, and Cody’s Right Side went in panic.
“What the hell is she talking about?! WHAT COMES AFTER SEX?” The right side clearly had no idea what to do at that moment, while everything seemed completely fine since both remained staring at each other as it looked in slow motion.
“I don’t know! All the dating sims just to go to credits at this point,” Cody’s left side of the brain said in a sarcastic tone, as he himself also had no idea what to do.
“Well, she asked a question, sir! We have to say something!” Cody’s right side of the brain said as he also didn’t want to deal with that situation, and since the left side was the rational side, he was the one who should give something for him to say.
“Look… Just …just anything!” The left side decided to just throw away his thoughts and let his emotional side do the job.
“Anything?!” The right side asked in both panic and disbelief.
“ANYTHING!” The Left Side of the Brain shouted, as the moment both remained in silence, and then he decided to give an extra tip. Saying smoothly as he gave his trust to his emotions. “Just say with confidence.”
“Hmm…Alright… here goes nothing.” The right side of Cody’s brain said nervously, saying what was the first thing on his side of the brain at that moment.
“We should get married.” Cody broke the silence for simply saying the proposal.
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” The left side of the brain screeched in agony, horror, and pain, which made the right side of the brain in panic.
“What?! You said say anything!” The right side asked in disbelief but also in fear, since now it was the first time his left side screeched in such a terrifying way.
“Anything except THAT obviously!” The left side shouted as he himself was also feeling panic from how the right side of the brain screwed up so badly.
“I’M SORRY, I don’t work well with pressure.” The right side of the brain, which the left side of the brain sighed and took a second to compose himself.
“You know what? It’s fine, forget it.” The left side thought rationally as a good possibility to revert the situation, so it appeared the right moment for the idea. What perfect timing. “Well just play it off as a joke. No harm done.”
On that moment, both sides of the brain stared at Katie, who had her eyes watered and a kind smile on her face.
“Yes. Let’s do it.” Katie said with all the happiness of the world.
“YOU FOOL! YOU’VE DOOMED US ALL!” The Left Side of the Brain shouted as it was too late to save themselves from the situation.
“Hey, uh, she seems pretty happy about it!” The right side of Cody’s brain pointed at that, as it made him wonder if he hadn’t actually made a mistake. Which made that side of the brain may have some optimistic view that nothing is wrong. “Maybe she knows something we don’t!”
While inside Katie’s brain...
“BITCH, WHY THE FUCK DID YOU SAY YES?!” Katie’s left side of the brain shouted at the other side while Katie still had the happy smile on her face.
“I DON’T KNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW” The right side of the brain shouted in panic.
Both couples seemed to be completely screwed to that point.
To be continued...
“HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA,” Duncan, Courtney, Jane, and possibly everyone who is a grown-up adult or had been in a relationship similar to Cody had been laughing because of how real that scene was.
And while everyone is laughing from how crazy hilarious that scene was.
A troll on the forum was passing the whole night eating ice cream and crying for not being the one who made the boy lose his first time, but also she wasn’t the girl who he had proposed. She had been crying until sleep, not that anybody cared about her anyway.
At the morning of the challenge, Ezekiel woke up still feeling mentally tired. It wasn’t that awful, but it had been the third time he failed to pass the first glass room; he had no idea what to pass it before crushing him as a whole, and when he woke up, he felt his mind sharper, but even so, he was feeling the loss of nutrients from vomiting every bad thing from his body. It was a good way to clean up the impurities, as it was explained on the letter given by Dawn, but even so, losing proteins and carbs could be wrong if he exhagerates. Thankfully, Chef and Izzy are helping him with that; his mind and body are getting stronger, but the price was the mental exhaustion; he was feeling his mind wanting to rest more. And like Noah said, maybe it was the time for him to rest his mind for the whole week.
Now since their team was the first to win the reward and Izzy won the challenge that haunted her on the canon forever, he’s sure they would do their best to make their team keep winning and do better than what Killer Bass did before most of them said the word condor." It’s a chance of redemption and victory for many.
Izzy appeared with her smile and determination to win again; she was relieved and ready, just like Ezekiel. What kind of challenge would it be? Chef is going to reveal the genre of movie.
.
.
.
“Noir,” Chef Hatchet commented, as on that moment Ezekiel blinked in surprise.
“Really?” Ezekiel asked, as he was very surprised, “Is that a coincidence? Because I literally was writing a chapter of my book being Noir theme a few days ago.”
“Yes it is a coincidence; I saw Chris spin the genre wheel, which went directly as to which genre would go.” Chef said as he saw Ezekiel and Izzy now more eager for the challenge, but since neither of them wants to know what the challenge was about, only the genre, it would be enough for them to deal with the challenge.
It was the time for the challenge.
Omake…
3 people walked towards a house in Orlando, a resting grounds and a house for a family, as it was empty, but on the frontyard of the said house, there were pictures, flower vases, messages, notes, and balloons. The trio, seeing they were alone, sat with their backs to the fence.
“ The one who, against your own producers, believed in shows that shaped the Brazilian culture while also bringing international shows and shapping us into our own treasure. El Chavo Del Ocho and Chapulin will always be treated as our national treasure because you believed in Roberto Bollãnos, O show do Milhão, what was marked and made families to unite and try to measure their own intelligences. The House of Artists was the thing that you will crave as something Big Brother Brasil will always dream to be, and they will always fail against you. ”
One of them had said, A boy who looked it came from the university, dressed as a teenager boy who got prepared to see the world and learn about them.
“You showed how the public wanted, and you gave us something to laugh at in times everyone needed when Brazil struggled with constantly suffering... You didn’t care about humiliating yourself because you laughed and had fun. Because you knew what it was like to be poor and fought with teeth and nails to be able to reach the top. I once said at the time you would go, Brazil would stop, and it stopped.”
The other one seemed to be a boy wearing a winter hat, a green jacket, and even having a different haircut while having the logo of Cartoon Network on his back. Continued as he was keeping talking about the man.
“You changed your country with your charisma and being yourself; when you left, every single person who was your rival showed nothing more than gratitude because you helped them to grow up in their careers; you taught everyone the right path.”
The man who said that was a person who was dressed in a suit with a beard that covered most of his beard, as he seemed to be known as a famous writer and CEO of a company. Full of money, he didn’t seem to mind speaking his heart.
Until the boy who was from the university took a picture from his pocket and placed it on the fence. A picture of an old man spinning a wheel.
“My grandfather was in one of your shows, and they really needed the money and hearts. In the same way, we always laughed at seeing you on television. Many who would have died, it would have shown the worst of them and the scandals it brought after death. But not you; you went as every single channel you worked had only good things to say about you; you were the one who worked so many hours not only because of the public but also because you loved your job. You taught us about determination, 10 percent inspiration, and 90 percent transpiration. And how, in the end, it doesn’t matter when, in the end, the good will always win against the evil... Even if evil can win for years, decades, or millennia, in the end the good will always win against the evil.”
The boy who had the winter hat continued to vent his heart.
“Just like Betty White, Queen Elizebeth, we thought you would be with eternal youth, but it seems all of us will always be human, and the treasures of the world slowly were leaving this world.”
The man next to the boy decided to continue and showed the emotions on his face.
“The documentary they made about you is wonderful; Duncan and Courtney clearly showed their deepest emotions talking about you… I cried so hard, and my family as well. It’s been a few months, but your departure clearly affected everyone who watches your daughters trying to follow your legacy. But I think that’s how you wanted to be. You didn’t need a burial because of your religion, but doesn’t mean you didn’t leave a legacy and a hole in the heart of a generation… but that’s how was part of life, death… but still, I came here to tell you with my heart… thank you for everything.”
…
The trio got up, and as slowly each soul diminished as it became one single person, Ezekiel, who had passed, the past, present, and future from the 2 universes who had the same connection with only one thing. The person who left that world. Cleaning up his tears, he decided to go on.
“I know heaven is having a lot of laughs with you around. You may cause some problems if you want to send money airplanes across the world, but I think that would be hilarious."
Ezekiel said as he slowly walked away. As his entire spirit disappeared and went back to both the worlds he came from. Since both the worlds he came, it was impactful news, since he was a legend to everyone from that country and the families who had connections to them. A legend of the past who made what the televisions were to there until this day.
“Now it’s time for happiness; let’s smile and sing. From this world we don’t bring anything with us, let’s smile and play. La la la la, la la la, la la la la la la la... Silvio Santos is coming... La la la la, la la la, la la la la la la la.”
Ezekiel sang as he left, leaving a tiny airplane made with 100 dollars and a stick note on the fence of the house where many fans from the entire country who had connections from Brazil left on the house of the former bilionaire and once known as the King of Brazilian television.
In Memory of Senor Abravanel. AKA. Silvio Santos. Owner of SBT.
The one and the only King of Brazillian Television.
1930 - 2024
"WHO WANT MONEY?!"- Silvio Santos
Notes:
Since the day of his departure, I wanted so much to make an homenage for him, because he was the one who clearly caused an impact to my country, differently than Geoff and Bridgette, I know with his teachings, Duncan and Courtney will be way better host than everyone from Total Drama would ever be, so that's why I used this as a way to lead their future for the best of what they could be. And on how I wanted this end to be impactful for everyone.
Silvio Santos clearly had a help in the culture I grew up, since my childhood was around El Chavo Del Ocho, and everyone from the SBT thought buying a package containing only Mexican soap operas would be enough, but Silvio Santos said... hey, this has potential for children, and while most of them didn't believe it. He had the last laugh because until this day we as SBT fans we always demand more of El Chavo Del Ocho... Maybe that's why the cast of El Chavo Del Ocho likes to visit and even lives in Brazil sometimes hahaha.
But... Also Silvio Santos let my dad to participate in the segment of the show called Do Everything for Money, which was a little challenge for the audience had a chance of get money while they play a small little game, my dad said he got that money and was able to pay for the car which was very expensive on that time, and my family and I always had good found memories of laughing to everything Silvio Santos did. The pranks which even became international to other countries clearly showed how sharp our comedy was. And still he was humble, and loyal to teach everyone he hires. And was known at the start of Television in Brazil, and was here with the legacy he made... Brazil stopped for a week or two, and there was a hole still we are trying to fullfill, it was sad, but we have to move on...
Thank you for teachings and for making us laugh in the times we needed most Senor Abravanel. I hope you rest well and have joy for where you are going.
Chapter 65: Noire D.
Notes:
Author's note:
Well, well, well, I came into a very interesting situation guys, while I have been working for so long. Many things happened. To the point I want to be thankful to a lot of people who helped me around. An user from Donde Comezo Server offered himself to translate my fanfics in Spanish and publish it on the wattpad, which was a great way for me to share my fanfics in Spanish version for everyone.
His account is GermanCruz020 and his fanfic translation is called La Realidad choca: Las crónicas de Ezekiel.
It's on Wattpad, please check it out.While another news just happened... OBERON, an User who had been a reviwer of this fanfic ALSO WROTE A FANFIC BASED ON THIS FANFIC, I'M SO HAPPY AND EXCITED. For those who never read before, read it. It's a Reality Colides but only focused on the S.I Justin, and for those who insisted me to make Nicktoons books, he's your guy. Justin, a Nickelodeon book writer, and I'm so glad to give that to him. I loved reading his chapters, it's a great fanfic, making it a good and interesting fanfic to read. I read it 4 times, and I'm really excited for more.
And I have a surprise for you guys in a few future chapters.
Also I paid 39 dollars for upgrade my editor, so I hope this time my future chapters will become better to read. Crossing my fingers. I hope.
Anyway, just to be sure, you will be surprised for the ending of this chapter... I promise. Anyway, now replying the reviews.
Guys, just also to tell you... The Server of Cody Time Traveler, Donde Todo Comezó, or Where it all Begin had acepted me as user for a few months, and accepted me as channel only focused for Reality Collides, but recently I became mod over the server and responsible over the English side of the server. So if you guys want to enjoy both DTC and Reality Collides, you are welcomed to join the server. .
g g / 848uSyeSHave fun reading the chapter.
Chapter Text
"I did it..." Ezekiel whispered, his voice trembling as his wide eyes blinked in disbelief. A surge of awe coursed through him, leaving his body frozen in shock. "I thought it was impossible... but I did it. Hehehehahahaha."
His laughter bubbled out, an exhilarating mix of joy and disbelief. A single, emotional tear slid down his cheek as he stared at his creation. He had spent the early hours of the morning in the kitchen Chef had grudgingly allowed him to borrow. A secret kitchen nearby the craft and service tent. It had been a quiet, focused effort—Ezekiel wanted to try something new, something extraordinary, before the new challenge of the day happened. With two hours left before the 5 a.m. wake-up, he had thrown himself into an experiment born of childhood dreams.
What he had created was no ordinary candy. It was the legendary Jawbreaker of Ed, Edd n Eddy.
The recipe was etched in his mind, a meticulous list of instructions that had once seemed more myth than reality. He had carefully combined 6 cups (1.42 l) of sugar, 2 cups (0.47 l) of water, and 1 cup (0.24 l) of corn syrup in a pot over medium heat, watching as the ingredients melted together like alchemy in motion. He added food coloring and candy flavoring with precision, his every motion deliberate as he stirred the bubbling mixture. With a candy thermometer in hand, he watched the temperature climb to the critical 300 degrees Fahrenheit (ca. 149 C), his heart racing in anticipation.
Working quickly but carefully, he poured the molten mixture into oiled hemisphere molds, the vibrant liquid gleaming under the kitchen lights. He repeated the process, preparing a second batch for the other half of the jawbreaker, all while keeping a wary eye on the dangerously hot mixture. Hours of cooling and meticulous assembly had followed, each step bringing him closer to the sweet, nostalgic dream of his childhood.
And now, as he held the finished product in his hands, Ezekiel couldn't help but marvel at it. A jawbreaker... but not just any jawbreaker. This was a tribute to the ultimate childhood craving, a sugary orb the size of a small melon that had captured the imaginations of countless kids during the golden era of Cartoon Network—before the days of Chowder and newer shows. It was the candy every child had dreamed of tasting, the forbidden treasure that the iconic trio of Ed, Edd, and Eddy had schemed tirelessly to afford.
"And I created it," Ezekiel whispered, his voice filled with wonder. He gently cradled the massive jawbreaker as if it were the most precious thing in the world. The item was more than just candy—it was a slice of his childhood brought to life, a tangible connection to the mischievous scams of Ed, Edd, and Eddy, and the laughter they had sparked for years.
Not only that, but he also looked towards the fridge as he recalled more about his creative process; he didn't know why; maybe it had been all the tea he had during the tries to surpass the trial of him reaching 100 percent of his brain, each of them leading to huge mental stress and cleaning his body, but his mind felt clearer, and he wanted to create more and more. So he looked at the other 2 creations he had made as he glanced inside the refrigerator, dozens of bottles of 2 colorful drinks, one green and one purple.
His mind flashed back to the time he placed the sugary liquids in their molds to cool down and stood in the quiet stillness of the kitchen as he recalled what he had just created.
(2 horas ago!)
He glanced around at the scattered ingredients on the counter, his gaze landing on a crumpled recipe card Chef Hatchet had given him weeks ago. Chef's gruff voice echoed in his memory: "Kid, this stuff's what keeps me alive in the mornings. Tastes awful, but gets me charged for the day." Ezekiel chuckled softly. He'd always been curious about the mysterious energy drink Chef handed him before their secret training sessions—an odd blend of citrus and bitterness that tasted horrible but worked wonders. Chef had shared the ingredients but not the precise steps to recreate it.
"Well, it's worth a shot," Ezekiel muttered, rolling up his sleeves. "Maybe I can make something even better... or at least something drinkable."
He set to work, gathering the ingredients Chef had listed; he didn't understand why these ingredients worked together, but clearly they made the results, as awful as they can be. And Ezekiel decided to give some further tests, adding black tea and coffee for the caffeine kick, lemon and lime for citrus hydration, and sparkling water, everything combining with the very greenish-brown liquid Chef always made him drinks, but adding those ingredients, suddenly the color was strong green; Ezekiel added them to his blender with care. He followed his instincts to balance the flavors and texture, adding water and ice to make it even clearer. But as usual, his experimental streak took over—he added a splash of energy drink concentrate and a dash of ginger syrup, figuring it might brighten the flavor.
Turning on the blender, Ezekiel watched the mixture swirl into a plutonium-green liquid. He poured it into a tall glass; a sudden cheetah roar echoed through the kitchen. Ezekiel froze, staring at the walls in bewilderment.
"What the... where did that sound come from?" he muttered, glancing around with wide eyes. The sound sparked a flicker of recognition in the back of his mind, like he'd heard it somewhere before. He looked curious about the drink he just made, and with one finger, he took a drop and placed it on his tongue. Suddenly, his eyes went wide open as he heard the roaring of a cheetah once again, and his body just woke up 100 percent. "WOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, That's what I'm talking about. This is pure caffeine in a drink."
His thoughts blurred under the surge of energy rushing through his veins. His pulse quickened, his senses sharpened, and his muscles felt coiled like springs, ready to burst into action.
"I need to be careful with this because this is too much concentrated. I need to dilute it to make it more drinkable. Perhaps I could create two different versions of it: shots and bottles that can be consumed simultaneously. Because whoa..." Ezekiel breathed, clutching the counter for support. "This stuff's... intense."
It wasn't Chef's usual recipe. Ezekiel had accidentally created something far more powerful, something he couldn't quite explain.
"I don't know why, but the name Cheetah Chug fits you so well… I don't recall where I heard this name before; maybe someday I will remember. But the roaring of the cheetah isn't mistakable," Ezekiel said as his attention focused solely on the drink's effects. "An energy drink like that could have helped on the Wake-a-thon; drinking one shot of the stuff would clearly have made a difference in that challenge."
As he then took once again the main ingredients of Chef's tonic and used them as a way to make a new drink for himself, he didn't know why, but that drop clearly made him want to go even further and beyond. After he blended the ingredients, he put them into a cauldron and turned up the fire, instead of using caffeine and citrus to surpass the flavors of the strong but also terrible-tasting drink. This time Ezekiel decided to go to the other safety and strong way to make it better, sugar, by placing honey, sugar, grape mixed with black and green tea and watermelon, all to the flavor being concentrated with a good dosage of Sugar and Honey… which was very, very generous, the quantity of sugar Ezekiel had been adding towards the cauldron, and just to be sure to not make too much concentrated. He even added 5 liters of water to make sure to clearly create a juice instead of a syrup.
After 10 minutes of steaming liquid, Ezekiel waited for 20 minutes to cool down before taking a ladle and adding it to the cocktail shaker with dozens of ice cubes and shaking with a good and generous shake. It only took him a full minute to shake the drink, after which he calmly poured it into a glass. Ezekiel watched the mixture transform into a vibrant purple drink, its color gleaming like a prism under the lights.
Being careful, he decided to take a sip, and the sweetness came like a punch hitting him in the face. It was diabetes in one drink if you don't have a well-balanced diet. It was perfect, but clearly if it was given to a child, it would create a sugar rush that would be a nightmare for everyone. The drink just feels right; it was like it came from a mythical beast who can pop rainbows and shoot lasers from its eyes.
"You look like the drink Chef from Dramarama loves to drink whenever he could. Maybe I should call you Rainbow Pegasus Juice Mix, because I think it would fit you so well as well…" As Ezekiel took a sip, he couldn't help but notice that his mood had become much more cheerful. "Hehehe, it rhymes. But I think this drink shouldn't be drunk early in the morning; Later I will ask Chef what he thinks about this drink. But now let's return and see if I can finally make the Jawbreakers. I hope so..."
(1 Hour later.)
Fortunately, he hadn't stopped at just one. Before him sat six completed jawbreakers, each one a gleaming homage to the trio of child scammers who had taught him the value of creativity, persistence, and unrelenting determination—even if their schemes often went hilariously wrong.
"I think I should reserve one for Izzy," Ezekiel mused aloud, a warm smile spreading across his face. She would appreciate it, he was sure; if he told her this was a food he got inspired by the future, she would be curious and also excited to see how those would work. Giving her Cheetah Chug and Rainbow Pegasus Mix also would be interesting in case she would want to have a taste, but never letting her drink the whole thing; it would be too much for everyone, especially herself. He still needs to think about the dosages of those drinks, but at least he separated a few bottles as 500 ml, like soda, while he also prepared to make it a slight bit concentrated to make it a shot.
But he was still thinking about the Jawbreakers, which he knew would be good to send only to close friends and family.
"And maybe... send one to Pa and Ma. They could put it in a glass box, maybe keep it in the fridge forever." Ezekiel said, as he was sure at the time his mom gave a taste of it she would complain and makes Ezekiel swear to her to not eat constantly such a thing, and he had to agreed with her; it was too much sugar, even for the age he was…
The thought made him chuckle, a mix of pride and sentimentality welling up inside him. For Ezekiel, the task wasn't just about creating candy. It was about honoring the past, celebrating the power of imagination, and finding joy in the simplest—and sweetest—things.
*Knock, knock, knock, knock.*
Ezekiel's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sudden noise, causing his heart to race. He instinctively glanced at the door near the Craft and Service Tent's secret entrance. The purpose of this kitchen was to remain hidden. Chef said he was going to be sleeping until it was time to make breakfast, and he said the breakfast was going to happen at 10 a.m. on that day. he wasn't sure why, but it was related to the challenge. But who could possibly be here at this hour?
Slowly, Ezekiel walked to the door, his fingers tightening around the handle before he cautiously opened it.
"Cody?" Ezekiel blinked in surprise as the pajama-clad geek stood outside, his face flushed with excitement. Before Ezekiel could utter another word, Cody darted inside, his eyes scanning the kitchen like a radar.
"Where is it?" Cody demanded, his voice tinged with urgency. He took a few steps forward, glancing around like a kid searching for treasure, until Ezekiel's hand clamped firmly onto the sleeve of his pajamas.
"Where the hell are you going?" Ezekiel growled, his instincts kicking in as he pulled Cody back sharply. His voice was firm, but his eyes carried a flicker of confusion at Cody's uninvited intrusion.
Cody flinched under the sudden grip but refused to back down. His wide, anxious eyes locked onto Ezekiel's. "Don't hide it from me!" Cody exclaimed, his words tumbling out in a rush. "My gut is telling me a masterpiece of candy was just created in this kitchen, and I know you're hiding something."
Ezekiel's grip tightened, a stern warning in his gaze. "Oh, no, you don't," he said sharply. "It took me hours to finally make them. You're not messing this up."
"Make what?" Cody asked, undeterred by Ezekiel's resistance. He squirmed slightly, but Ezekiel's unyielding grip kept him in place.
Realizing there was no stopping Cody's relentless curiosity, Ezekiel sighed and reluctantly stepped aside. "Fine, but don't touch anything," he muttered, his tone laced with caution.
Cody's gaze followed Ezekiel's gesture, and when his eyes landed on the cooling racks, his jaw nearly hit the floor. Sitting proudly were four massive jawbreakers, their glossy surfaces shimmering under the soft kitchen light. Each one was a kaleidoscope of colors, their layers swirling together like a sugary work of art.
"Cody..." Ezekiel began, his voice carrying a dramatic flair as he gestured toward the counter. "May I present to you one of my newest creations and perhaps my greatest masterpiece yet: the E.E. . Jawbreaker."
As the duo approached the countertop, Cody's eyes widened, his gaze locking onto the colorful candy marvel before him. The jawbreakers gleamed like treasures under the light, their vibrant swirls almost hypnotic in their perfection. Cody let out a low whistle, impressed despite himself.
"Wow... they look incredible," Cody breathed, his hand instinctively reaching out toward the closest one. But before his fingers could make contact, he felt a sharp smack on his hand. "Ow!" he yelped, pulling back and glaring at Ezekiel.
"Nope," Ezekiel said sternly, crossing his arms as he stared Cody down. "Don't even think about it."
"So... it's just a jawbreaker?" Cody asked, rubbing his hand and giving Ezekiel a skeptical look. His tone carried a hint of sarcasm, though his curiosity hadn't waned.
"Just a jawbreaker?" Ezekiel chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "Cody, this isn't just anything. The present moment is the ultimate evolution of jawbreakers. This is what every jawbreaker dreams of becoming—their adult form, their final destiny. This is the dream of every childhood sugar fanatic, brought to life."
Cody gazed at Ezekiel, his mind racing with the possibilities of the candy. His mouth started to moisten, and he had to suppress the impulse to extend his hand once more.
"You made these? Dude, they're... they're wonderful!" His tone was reverent, his geeky demeanor overshadowed by pure admiration. "How did you even...?"
"Let's just say it wasn't easy," Ezekiel shrugged, feigning nonchalance despite the pride welling up inside him. "Now, unless you want to ruin hours of work, I suggest you keep your hands to yourself."
"Fine, fine, but come on… Can't you at least let your friend Cody have one? I mean, I'm Katie's boyfriend; we're on the same team; just give me one," Cody insisted, his tone turning pleading as he clasped his hands together.
"Cody, there are many reasons why I'm not going to give you one. Firstly, we will not allow you to indulge in a sugar rush prior to the morning challenge. It's five a.m., and I guarantee the others will show up soon. You eating candy this early is a recipe for disaster." Ezekiel rolled his eyes, sighing heavily before fixing Cody with a firm stare.
Cody opened his mouth to argue, but Ezekiel held up a hand to stop him.
"Let's be fair here," Ezekiel continued. "If we manage to win today's challenge, then tonight, you'll get one of these. Deal?"
Cody frowned, pouting slightly.
"Fine, but you'd better keep your word. I'm holding you to it." Cody accepted, as he was really going to be holding that promise from Ezekiel.
"Don't worry, Cody. I always keep my promises." Ezekiel smirked, crossing his arms.
And with a handshake, Ezekiel saw Cody leave the secret kitchen, which made him clean the sweat from his face and whistle.
"How did he manage to find out these? Nobody knows, but damn, that boy is sugar addicted, just like on the world tour." Ezekiel said as he would rather not deal with the stress of Cody being a whiny child wanting candy and fighting him over it, they have a freaking challenge on the day for God's sake; they needed to be in their perfect condition, and somehow with Chef saying to both Izzy and Ezekiel they have more hours off, as it clearly the challenge would happen in the afternoon? It was a good way to prepare themselves with more things; sure, he could have been sleeping, but he was very inspired.
Ezekiel opened the fridge, as he knew he would need to gather most of the bottles and bring them with him. he knows his friends wouldn't insist if he made sure to tell them how those things are still in phase tests, so it would require a lot of tests to make sure they would be perfect.
"Specially you…" Ezekiel said as he calmly took one tiny bottle, which would be considered a shot of Cheetah Chug. "I still don't know your potency, and I did the best to dilute it to a single shot, so it won't be bad if I give you one try. I mean, how much difference would a shot of Cheetah Chug make for me?"
And with that, Ezekiel simply opened the bottle.
*ROAR*
Which immediately the roar of a Cheetah could be heard from the feral state; it wanted to drink. And with a happy shrug, Ezekiel simply gave a gulp with the shot.
(Craft's and Service Tent)
"How, how, how HOW HOW HOW HOW THE *BEEP* DID YOU WRITE ALL OF THIS?!" Noah reached his breaking point as he threw his arms in the air; as Ezekiel wasn't looking at him, he was simply tapping the keys of his laptop at supreme speed that even people would think he was just messing around and wasn't writing anything, while on his right hand he was with a notebook opened while he was with a pen in his hand writing down in such amazing speed. Noah was almost having a stroke because of while Ezekiel was writing down with his hand and on the laptop at the same time… There were 6 other notebooks completely written by hand.
"And with a good hug, Wirt says his goodbyes to Greg as both brothers finally depart their ways. the young boy, who was the youngest, had to cross his own journeys while taking with him a van, a guitar, and a dream. While the older brother decided to return to the forest to stay with the love of his life, a little bird with a curse broken, and now with a good future ahead of them. All of this happened Over the Garden Wall. The end." Ezekiel simply narrated as he then finally finished typing the words on his laptop. "Need to go to the bathroom."
Noah's mouth dropped as he watched Ezekiel quickly move away as he saw Ezekiel roller rollerskating with a pair of shoes with retractable roller skating wheels.
"He just finished Over the Garden Wall?" Noah said as he quickly opened the archive to see how many chapters it has. "20?! IT HAD ONLY 6 CHAPTERS YESTERDAY!"
"What's going on?" Bridgette, who just saw Noah shriek, immediately was the next one to appear. As she recalled, the Chef was just finally preparing to make the food for them to eat as a brunch; she wasn't sure why there was shouting around.
"What's going on? It's Ezekiel; he finally did it. I have no idea how he did it, but he finally did it." Noah said as he turned the laptop to Bridgette to see. "Guess which book Ezekiel just finally finished writing the drafts for?"
"Wait… Over the Garden Wall is done?" Bridgette said as her eyes went wide open, not just in amazement and awe, but in horror and panic. "How did he do that?"
"I don't freaking know." Noah shouted as he recalled what the boy had been doing after being done with the writing. "And what was the creapest thing it was him typing the chapter while writing something in this notebook. I don't know why, but I will have a stroke."
As before, she would ask what was happening; she just heard the sound of something rolling, and suddenly she jumped when Ezekiel just sat on the chair as he tapped a few things over his laptop.
"Okay, Over the Garden Wall can finally be published after you do the review, Noah; take your time and don't overextend yourself." Ezekiel commented as he decided to open another document and start typing, not seeing Noah's twitching eyes and ready to jump at him.
"Ezekiel, are you okay?" Bridgette whispered in fear as she had never seen Ezekiel in that state, which was quite worrisome. Which suddenly she jumped on, how quickly Ezekiel turned his head at her.
"Oh, sorry to not see you, Bridgette, but to answer your question more or less…" Ezekiel was holding a pencil and trying to spin it on his hand, but the attempt was unsuccessful. "Dammit, I don't know how to do that."
"Oh hey guys, ho-" Beth just came to greet the group until she saw Ezekiel acting weird. "Ezekiel, are you okay?"
"I'm more or less… as I was saying, I'm on a high dosage of caffeine." Ezekiel then told the truth to his friends, which made Noah blink, and Bridgette and Beth also be surprised by such a statement. "I recently created a drink that was too concentrated, so I diluted 10 times to make it like a shot, and see how potent the drink was… and the results would be for me to write for 5 hours straight, without pause, full focus and multitasking at the same time… It was a mistake to make it only 10 times for a shot, so next time I will try to dilute it 20 times."
"5 hours?" Bridgette paled as Beth sweated seeing the boy trying to spin the pencil.
"No, no, you are doing it wrong. Use your finger like this." Beth then decided to teach a few motions with her hand, which Ezekiel repeated with his hand; while still failing a few times, he managed to do way better than before.
"Thanks, I was having a problem with that, so spinning batons is something like this?" Ezekiel asked as Beth nodded her head, and she was about to explain more about it.
"Can we talk about the fact Ezekiel created a drink full of caffeine and how he is in high dosage right now?" Noah facepalmed as Beth blushed and smiled sheepishly, while Bridgette nodded her head.
"I agree, Ezekiel. What the hell were you thinking? You shouldn't be doing that; it's too dangerous, and it can be damaging to your body." Bridgette tried to scold the boy, but he quickly nodded his head.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, too much caffeine is never a good answer." Ezekiel comments as he was trying to spin the pen with his hand while he was pressing a lot of keys with his own hand.
"Woah, that's incredible." Lindsay then came as she looked at the trio and watched Ezekiel write with one hand. "How can you use the computer with one hand?"
"I think I'm just doing it." Ezekiel replied quickly as Lindsay nodded her head and sat happily as the group looked at the blonde bombshell.
"Ah… look at all these notebooks. what are they doing here?" Lindsay asked as the group immediately recognized there were indeed 5 whole notebooks on the table.
"Oh, that reminds me." Ezekiel remembered as he suddenly opened the notebook with one hand and decided to write something. "The end. There you go. The entire spin-off of the BMO Noire is presented. 5 detective cases with 3 long chapters for each of them, Lindsay."
…
*Crash*
In that moment, he simply lost his cool and flipped the seat on the other side of the Craft and Service Tent, which made Bridgette and Beth jump, while Lindsay had no idea why Noah looked so stressed.
It took one more hour for finally the whole caffeine to get out of Ezekiel's system, which at that moment he clearly became dehydrated and hungry for food. Which those symptoms clearly made Bridgette and Noah bring the big guns, bringing the whole Killer Bass members to scold Ezekiel and have Eva threaten him to never do that without strict supervision, or they would make Eva knock him out, which clearly Ezekiel insisted that he wasn't going to use the dosage of a diluted 10 times of his drink. And now he was going to do a 25 times dilution to make a less lethal dosage, but still he said the 50 times dilution was very stable, and he guaranteed it wasn't as terrifying as the one he just tried.
That was sufficient to put an end to their persistent pestering. As the group was to prepare themselves for the day, the line over the breakfast was finally done, and Chef was ready to give the slop of the day for those who would try to take his food, instead of seeing the opposite side of the Craft and Service Tent, which he had prepared as a surprise breakfast only for those who had actual eyes to see it.
11 a.m., and the contestants shuffled sleepily into the dining area, the air thick with groans and the occasional yawn of a few people as they lined up reluctantly for breakfast. Chef stood behind the counter, his imposing figure framed by the flickering sunlight, ladling out generous portions of the unidentifiable, lumpy substance onto each tray with zero mercy.
The Cadets Sanders and MacArthur were enjoying their breakfast, eating donuts filled with jelly and drinking coffee as they watched the contestants having displeasure of eating the Chef's food, not realizing one tiny detail on the other side of the Crafts and Service's Tent…
Heather wrinkled her nose as she glared at her tray, the gelatinous slop jiggling ominously as she sat at the nearest table. "Now I know how starlets stay thin," she muttered dryly, poking at the food with her fork as though it might spring to life at any second.
Not far from her, Harold plopped down his tray with a heavy sigh, his expression one of exaggerated suffering. "Man, I wish Chef'd let me in the kitchen. I got me some mad culinary skills," he said, drumming his fingers against the table in frustration.
DJ, who was carefully maneuvering his tray to avoid spilling the slop onto his lap, chuckled softly as he sat down across from Harold. "Harold, you're my friend, and we've been through We We have faced many challenges together," DJ began, his voice gentle yet firm. "But you know You still need to work hard on your cooking. Even Chef refused to let me try to cook around here."
Harold raised an eyebrow, his defensive side kicking in. "Alright, alright, you got your point," he conceded, waving his hand dismissively. "But come on, man, comparing my scots cooking skills to yours—someone who learned from your mom? That's kind of unfair."
DJ grinned, his expression softening at the mention of his mother. "Momma's food is the best, without argument," he replied confidently, his tone carrying an edge of pride that was difficult to miss.
Heather let out an exaggerated groan from the other side of the table, clearly annoyed by the conversation. "Do you mind?" she snapped, her voice sharp as she gestured vaguely at her tray. "I was talking to my slop."
Without waiting for a response, Heather picked up her tray and marched off toward another table, leaving the two boys in stunned silence for a brief moment before they exchanged amused glances.
at a nearby table, an air of delight hung over Lindsay, Beth, and Izzy, who seemed to be enjoying their breakfast far more than the rest.
Heather, still irritated by her slop and her earlier conversation, walked over to join them, her expression etched with annoyance. Lindsay perked up the moment she saw Heather, waving her over with a bright smile.
"Hey, Heather, we've been waiting for you," Lindsay chirped. She held up a plate triumphantly. "I brought some bacon."
Heather froze mid-step, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. "We have bacon as an option?" she asked, her voice dripping with irritation as she glanced at her unappetizing tray.
Beth chimed in cheerfully, pointing at another plate on the table. "Also, we have facon. It's bacon..."
Heather turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "Made of tofu? Wow, how did you get that while I just got this slop?"
Izzy, who was lounging back in her seat with a satisfied grin, leaned forward and shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, did you even look at the table where there was a buffet of options?" she asked, her tone light but teasing.
Heather's expression froze as realization dawned on her. She stared at Izzy for a moment before muttering under her breath, "...I'm an idiot."
Beth and Lindsay exchanged amused glances before bursting into a fit of giggles, the sound filling the air like the chiming of bells.
Izzy, ever the opportunist, slid her plate forward with a sly grin. "Well, take my scrambled eggs," she offered casually. "I'm already full. Plus, I managed to snag a French toast slice from Chef's breakfast while he wasn't looking."
Heather blinked, her annoyance melting into a blend of reluctant gratitude and disbelief. As she consumed the scrambled eggs, she couldn't resist pondering how Izzy consistently emerged victorious in the most unforeseen circumstances.
Heather had always struggled with Izzy, particularly since she played a significant role in the previous season. Although Heather and Lindsay could have overcome this obstacle, it was Izzy's ability to understand the challenges and her willingness to think creatively that helped. She was grateful for the military girl; even though she had a bit of trauma coming from one of the said girl's mothers, she learned from them.
Differently from Lindsay and Beth, Heather was still unsure if she could say Izzy was her friend. However, she recognized Izzy as an ally. But since Lindsay and Beth were starting to see Izzy more as a friend, she was unsure, but she could shrug off that weird feeling.
As the other contestants one by one reached to eat their breakfast, leaving before continuing their day before Chris appeared. They had no idea why they weren't called that morning, but they wouldn't complain; they enjoyed a few more hours before the next challenge.
"Zeke, over here." Izzy and Lindsay then waved as Heather watched the boy without his winter hat, without his jacket, and wearing a long-sleeve shirt, bringing with him his sketchbook and what would be a bottle containing a green liquid while he was holding his tray of breakfast.
"Wait for a minute, please." Heather said this to Ezekiel while she pulled Lindsay near her to whisper. "Since when has he started sitting with us? I don't recall you being excited sitting with him, Lindsay. Izzy I could understand, but you?"
Ezekiel simply ignored it as he sat while Beth looked at the green liquid inside of the bottle, as it was gasified and looked very bubbly, in an obvious green.
"So this is the drink?" Beth said as she saw Ezekil nodding his head.
"Yep, this one is diluted 50 times, so it's still strong, like energetic, but it was just a combination of soda and energy at the same time." Ezekiel commented as the words clearly made Izzy turn her head to see the green drink.
"What drink?" Izzy asked in surprise as Beth looked pale, and Ezekiel sighed. "From hearing both your reactions, it seems something big just happened, and I wasn't here."
"Actually, that's a good point. Where were you?" Ezekiel commented as Izzy noticed he was trying to change the subject.
"I had a call with my lawyer, and I needed to give a few calls into dealing with a few judicial problems, which you guys already know; now don't change the subject." Izzy said as Ezekiel snapped his fingers, while Heather and Lindsay raised their eyebrows toward the homeschooled boy, wanting to know what happened.
Before he could even say something, Tyler came towards the table.
"Morning, guys," Tyler greeted cheerfully, the same boundless energy he carried into every challenge radiating in his voice. As he then looked at the green drink, he couldn't help but deadpan. "So this was the drink. This is the safe one, right? 50 times, right?"
"Yeah, Tyler, this is the one." Ezekiel rolled his eyes and Izzy raised her eyebrows in question. "I drank a concentrated version of this drink, and I managed to finish Over the Garden Wall, and I did a whole spinoff book for Lindsay."
"Get out of here." Izzy commented in disbelief, but Beth and Lindsay nodded their heads.
"It's true, I never saw Noah having a breakdown and outrage like that." Beth commented as Izzy pouted, as she was disappointed.
"Oh come on, no fair, I have been trying to make him have a breakdown for the last season, and you just took a few tries for that? How did you do that?" Izzy said as she could see Ezekiel smiling, almost smirking.
"Izzy, it's difficult to make Noah freak out; just him staying on Total Drama makes it too easy." Ezekiel commented as both smirked and even chuckled from seeing the bookworm clearly annoyed by them.
Tyler simply accepted his answer, as he would be sure to keep an eye on Ezekiel, but he trusted his friend's word, but in case something out of control happens, he could call their friends and make Ezekiel stop doing something that could hurt his health. But then he just glanced at the table where the others had chosen something different. Noticing their plates of scrambled eggs, bacon, and other treats.
"Woah, you all got this food? Where did you get them?" Tyler asked as he noticed that all his friends took a good portion of good breakfast and was excited to have some for himself.
"Oh, the buffet," Beth explained casually, her tone light as she pointed toward the now-dismantled section of the dining area.
Ezekiel had just returned to the table, his tray complete with scrambled eggs and crisp bacon. He glanced at the buffet behind him and raised his voice just enough to catch their attention.
"Which they are empty righhhhhhhhhht... now," he said, dragging out the last word as his expression shifted to amusement.
On cue, the group turned their heads in unison just in time to witness Owen, a blur of enthusiasm and hunger, devouring the entire buffet section with gusto. Plates clattered, utensils disappeared, and food vanished in an instant. They stared, wide-eyed and slack-jawed, as the oversized appetite of their friend ensured that no one else would be enjoying the buffet that morning.
"Ah, man," Tyler grumbled, slumping back in his seat as he stared at his tray of slop. "Sometimes I kind of wish Owen had a little more control over what he eats."
His complaint was short-lived, as a crisp piece of bacon suddenly materialized on top of his slop. He blinked in surprise, his gaze shifting to Lindsay, who was winking at him with a playful grin.
"You're the best, Linds." Tyler's face lit up with gratitude as he had another reason to be grateful for having such a wonderful girlfriend.
Ezekiel couldn't help but smile at the interaction, his usual stoic demeanor softening as he observed Lindsay and Tyler's sweet rapport. Meanwhile, Izzy sat without a plate, having passed hers off earlier, while Beth and Heather quietly ate their breakfasts, occasionally glancing at the rest of the group.
"Soooo," Izzy began, her eyes darting between the faces at the table as she leaned forward slightly. Especially to Ezekiel, who was eating his breakfast. "What is the drink, Zeke?"
"I named it Cheetah Chug." Ezekiel simply stated, as the group stared at him and blinked a few times. As for the cue, he was taking the bottle in his hands.
"Why did you name -"
*ROAR *
The loud Cheetah roar echoed towards the tent, which immediately everyone turned their heads into the direction of Ezekiel who looked bored… that opening of the bottle alone clearly caused everyone to have their eyes wide open.
"Oh, so that's why." Lindsay corrected herself…
"The roar came from the drink?" Beth asked, pale, as even Tyler was with his mouth shocked.
Ezekiel raised his finger to ask for a minute, and Ezekiel gave a gulp… which the sound expectations were coming from everyone at that moment, and in case Ezekiel would mess up, the group would make him stop whatever he was doing.
"Oh yeah, that hits the spot." Ezekiel said with a satisfied sigh. "Strong like a good energetic/soda"
"Let me try." Tyler asked as Ezekiel let the jock give a gulp. As suddenly, his eyes went wide open. "WOOHHHHHHHHHH, THAT HIT THE SPOT. YEAH, NOW I AM AWAKE. WOOOOOOH."
"Let me try, let me try." Izzy said as she quickly snatched the drink over her hands, and she gave a gulp… suddenly she stopped and stared bored. "That's it? I thought it was *ROAR*."
Suddenly, Izzy felt her inner feline as she roared like a cheetah and gave a backflip.
"Wooh, that's what I call a drink." Izzy said as she even went to drink more, but she was surprised to see Ezekiel already taking his bottle back.
"Nop, one gulp only for you guys." Ezekiel narrowed his eyes as he spoke. "Tyler I can understand, but a military expert drinking this would be too much energy; too much caffeine is too dangerous. I'm compensating for my dehydration and hunger with this breakfast; it's my second plate. And too many calories need to be recovered in accordance with Eva."
"That's your second plate, dude?" Tyler commented as Ezekiel nodded his head at him. Which Tyler recognized indeed; the drink was potent, but it was the best for Ezekiel. don't try much with it.
With that, the silence finally returned to the table, as the other contestants looked wary at Ezekiel; some were even interested, but they decided it was not worth the headache since Noah clearly went to take a long shower to finally recover his sanity and return to the Craft and Service Tent.
"How was your morning, guys?" Izzy's tone was casual but carried a faint push for conversation, clearly trying to stir some energy before the chaos of the day's challenge.
"It was nice, I guess," Tyler replied first, lifting his fork with a resigned shrug. "Still sucks waking up at 5 a.m. every morning. I don't understand why Chris thought that was a good idea. But at least with this challenge being a bit more late, I could have one or two more hours of sleep."
"I knooow," Lindsay chimed in dramatically, her voice rising with her typical enthusiasm. "I wanted so much to enjoy my wonderful sleep, but we're waking up way earlier than we ever did on the island." She pointed to her face, pouting slightly. "I'm feeling like I've got dark circles under my eyes. Can I have a gulp, Ezekiel?"
"Huh, you are getting my name right. Nice," Ezekiel gave a thumbs up to Lindsay, who smiled cheerfully at him.
"It's because Izzy, Beth, and Tyler are helping me to memorize the names at night. So I'm doing my best." Lindsay spoke as Ezekiel nodded his head at the trio who were smiling at her. Despite being in a unique situation, Lindsay managed to overcome her inner obstacles with the help of her friends.
Izzy and Beth sat side by side, exchanging giggles over how successful it was their help to Lindsay, while Heather maintained her usual guarded demeanor—though even she couldn't suppress a smirk as Ezekiel opened his sketchbook and began drawing. The faint scratching of pencil on paper added a quiet rhythm to the lively conversations around him.
"Taking a break from writing your books?" Izzy's curiosity overcame her, and she leaned in slightly, her bright gaze fixed on Ezekiel. "I don't blame you, since you literally managed to finish one book and even create another book in the same quantity of hours," she asked, her tone light but inquisitive.
"Well, to be fair, they weren't giant books like I did with Steven Universe, Adventure Time, and Courage the Cowardly Dog; they were oneshots, which would be described as a way of only having a book of their length and quantity of chapters. It has a middle and a finish, so I think they were great to be published as soon as Noah had patience to edit all of them." Ezekiel paused his drawing, glancing up briefly before nodding. "Since this morning I managed to write a whole spinoff from Adventure Time. Now I'm just chilling and drawing until Chris's next challenge happens."
As he returned to his work, Tyler—who had been eating his slop with exaggerated effort—froze mid-chew. His eyes locked on Ezekiel's sketchpad, and he seemed to pale slightly as he noticed the emerging shapes. Setting his fork down, he shifted closer, a mix of curiosity and dread brewing in his expression.
"Hey," Tyler began, his voice tinged with unease. "I know I'm not into reading books or anything, but isn't Adventure Time the one you said you were taking a break from this season? Like, weren't you supposed to take a pause from writing about it?" His gaze flickered to the sketch, and his face twisted and paled further. "Is that a... a... a...?"
"Chicken?" Ezekiel replied casually, not missing a beat. "Yes. Her name's Loraine."
Before Tyler could react, Lindsay gasped dramatically, her excitement bubbling over as she leaned closer to Ezekiel. "Can I see it? Please? Please?" she pleaded, her voice ringing with enthusiasm. "I loved BMO Noire so much when you told me the story yesterday, and I want to hear their story later, so please, I have to see how she looks!"
Caught off guard by Lindsay's puppy-dog eyes, Ezekiel hesitated for a moment before relenting. Turning the sketchbook toward her, he allowed Lindsay to glimpse the drawing. Her reaction was immediate and full of glee.
"Oh my gosh!" Lindsay squealed, clasping her hands together. "She's so beautiful—just like the way I imagined her!"
Heather, watching the interaction from her spot at the table, raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "A chicken, really?" she asked dryly, her skepticism evident.
"Yep. A chicken." Ezekiel simply shrugged, his casual demeanor unwavering. "I will name the whole spinoff BMO-Noire Mystère de l'ombre."
"Wait, BMO Noire?" Meanwhile, Izzy's eyes lit up with intrigue as she leaned closer, her blinking turning into wide-eyed sparkles. She asks eagerly. "You wrote a chapter where BMO was the main character, and the whole thing was noire-themed?"
"Yep," Ezekiel confirmed, his voice tinged with pride. "And after hearing how much Lindsay loved it—and how much I enjoyed writing it—it took hours and a shot of diluted 10 Cheetah Chug, and I was able to finish the draft of the book into 6 notebooks."
His statement drew immediate reactions from around the table. Lindsay's excitement soared even further, while Tyler visibly recoiled at the thought of more chicken-themed storytelling.
"Dude... you know I like BMO—he's a videogame character, after all—but are you sure writing about a chicken is a good ide—"
Before Tyler could finish, Lindsay sprang to her feet, overcome with joy. She rushed to Ezekiel's side and grabbed him by the shoulders, practically vibrating with excitement.
"And I can't wait to hear someone reading these drafts for me," she exclaimed. "What sort of mysteries must have happened on that world, and how did Loraine and BMO just meet? I can't wait for it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
In her elation, she leaned forward and kissed Ezekiel on the cheek, much to everyone's shock. Tyler stared at his girlfriend with wide eyes, then slowly turned his gaze toward Ezekiel, his expression frozen in disbelief.
"Dude," Tyler managed to say, his voice barely audible.
Ezekiel, still stunned by the sudden display of affection, returned to his seat and attempted to regain his composure, though his cheeks flushed faintly.
"Dude, it's your girlfriend," he said finally, his voice steady. "She likes mysteries. You saw that episode last season where she talked about them."
Heather and Beth exchanged amused glances at the unfolding scene, while Izzy—never one to let chaos settle—reached over to pinch Lindsay, drawing a startled yelp from the blonde.
"Oh, you mean the Pink Panther one?" Tyler asked, his tone softening slightly as he recalled something Lindsay had mentioned. "I tried to watch the others, but the blockbuster only had that one before I came to the next season."
"Oh, did you like it?" Lindsay's face lit up again, her earlier shock dissipating. She asked eagerly.
"Oh, it was great," Tyler said with a broad grin. "Bruno being the killer really caught me by surprise. And I asked my dad about soccer rules when I was a child—it turns out it's actually true about the coaches knowing about Chinese medicine preparations and ingredients. Crazy, right?"
Ezekiel, who had been observing the conversation quietly, gave two enthusiastic thumbs up, pleased to see the jock and his girlfriend connecting over their shared interest in mysteries. The table buzzed with lighthearted chatter, the early morning camaraderie setting a more upbeat tone compared to the Chef's dreary slop.
But the mood shifted abruptly.
Without warning, a growing mist began to creep across the ground, curling and swirling like ghostly tendrils. It was unmistakably from a smoke machine; the faint mechanical hum was barely audible above the rising tension. From somewhere distant, the smooth, melancholic strains of jazz began to fill the air, each note carrying a mysterious allure. The contestants froze, their expressions ranging from confusion to curiosity as they glanced at one another.
"Is that... jazz?" Trent asked, narrowing his eyes as he tried to pinpoint the source of the music.
Gwen, seated beside him, looked equally puzzled. "I think so... but what the heck is going on?" She replied, her tone both cautious and intrigued.
Before anyone could voice another question, a silhouette emerged from the mist. The figure strode forward with dramatic purpose, the brim of a detective's hat tilted just enough to obscure their face under the dim light. The jazz swelled, underscoring the intensity of the moment.
"11:30 a.m.," a familiar voice began, smooth yet laced with theatrical flair. "The handsome chief of detectives, McLean, emerges from the foggy streets of the Craft and Service tents, ready to assess the teams before him. Will these amateur gumshoes rise to the occasion? Will they crack the case, or will they break under the pressure? The handsome McLean isn't so sure."
Chris McLean stepped fully into view, his iconic smirk amplified by the noir-style trench coat and hat he wore. He carried a vintage pocket watch in one hand, flicking it open dramatically before snapping it shut. The jazz music simmered in the background, adding to the dramatic ambiance.
For a few moments, the contestants just stared at Chris, their reactions ranging from bewilderment to mild annoyance as the jazz music lingered in the background, wrapping the tent in a surreal ambiance. Finally, Leshawna broke the silence, her arms crossing in disbelief.
"Okay, what's that all about?" She asked, her voice sharp and skeptical as her gaze bore into Chris. Her tone left little room for theatrics.
"It's the theme of today's challenge," Noah cut in before Chris could respond, his voice already tinged with resignation. His expression conveyed a feeling of familiarity, as if he could accurately forecast the course of the day. A faint sigh escaped him as he added dryly, "Let me guess. It's going to be some overly complicated, headache-inducing nonsense, right?"
Chris pointed at Noah with a finger gun, clearly enjoying the cynicism. "You've got that right, Noah!" he exclaimed gleefully before spinning theatrically on his heel. "Today's theme is nothing less than Noir—a dive into the shadowy world of mystery, intrigue, and drama."
Chris paced before the group with exaggerated flair, clearly savoring every moment in the spotlight. "Your two teams—the Killer Grips and the Screaming Gophers—will be taking part in two thrilling noir-themed challenges. Each one will test your wits, creativity, and adaptability. The stakes? High. The pressure? Even higher."
He paused for dramatic effect, letting the jazz music swell slightly before continuing.
"Meet me in Studio 13, for we start the first challenge of the day, which will give you the advantage on the second part of the challenge. Indeed, we aim to enhance the intrigue of today's episode. All the cameras will be recorded in black and white right now." Chris said, and immediately the lights of the area changed as if they were covering a good part of the cameras, surprising everyone with the twist.
Confession – Jude
The whole set of makeup, the recording, now showed to be in black and white, to describe Chris wasn't kidding at the time he said they would be recording in Noir Style.
"Woah, everything here looks colorful, and from the television, it may look in black and white, guys, you have to check the episode later. Trust me, everything is still colorful here. Now I can understand what the actors of my grandparents movies told when it was their time to watch movies." Jude said as he was wearing his usual clothing, but the effects of black and white clearly made him excited for being like an old movie.
"Noir theme?" Gwen muttered to the Screaming Gophers, crossing her arms as she leaned slightly toward Noah. "Sounds like Chris just wanted an excuse to play dress-up again."
The group nodded in agreement, their skepticism shared silently among themselves. Each of them made a decision to leave the Craft and Service and pursue her.
Meanwhile, Trent, who had joined the Killer Grips, hesitated as he voiced his concerns.
"Studio 13?" Trent echoed, his tone uneasy. "Damn, that's not a good signal, guys. 13 is always an unlucky number."
Cody and Katie, both enjoying the last bites of their breakfast, paused briefly to exchange a glance. Tyler and Ezekiel, however, simply stared at Trent with raised eyebrows, both unsure what to make of his comment.
"Do you seriously believe all of those things about unlucky numbers?" Heather interjected, rolling her eyes dramatically. Her sarcasm was sharp as she pointed casually at Tyler. "He's the living definition of bad luck, and even he doesn't believe that nonsense."
"Yeah...HEY!" Tyler exclaimed, sitting upright with indignation. The table erupted into chuckles, with Lindsay, Izzy, and Beth giggling at his reaction. Tyler slumped slightly in his seat, letting out a mock pout. "You guys suck."
Ezekiel, still amused, gave Tyler a supportive pat on the back while trying to stifle his laughter.
"Hey, unlucky numbers are serious," Trent said, his tone defensive as he frowned. However, his train of thought was promptly disrupted.
"If you really believe in that," Izzy interjected with her usual animated energy, "then you should know that 4 is also an unlucky number in China, Japan, and Korea... and 7 in Vietnam." Her voice carried a teasing edge, daring Trent to respond.
Trent was about to respond, but Harold intervened before he could formulate a response. "9 is also considered unlucky in Japan," Harold added, adjusting his glasses as he delivered the fact with an air of certainty.
Trent froze, his expression shifting to one of horror. "No, it must be a lie," he insisted, his voice tinged with panic. His attachment to the number was evident, and Harold's calm nod did nothing to soothe him.
"Yep. 9 is suffering in Japanese; keywords are Ku and Kanji." Harold explained matter-of-factly. The group collectively blinked at the unexpected tidbit, the information landing like a quiet bombshell.
Harold then glanced at Ezekiel and Tyler, sensing their mild surprise at his seemingly random trivia drop. "I've been trying to find simpler ways to share information using keywords," Harold continued, his tone shifting to casual as he explained his approach. "I think it's the best way to do it."
"I have to say, it's short but really informative, dude," Tyler chimed in, his expression showing genuine intrigue. "I had no idea 9 could mean suffering."
Heather, who had been observing the exchange with thinly veiled impatience, finally stood from her seat. "Well, I hope you've learned your lesson, number guy," she said, her voice clipped as she shot Trent a pointed look. "It doesn't matter which number you like or don't like—we should be focusing on winning the challenge."
Without waiting for a response, Heather spun around and motioned for the others to follow. "Let's go, girls. Let's see what kind of awful challenges Chris has for us; the quicker we end this, the better."
Lindsay, Beth, and Izzy immediately rose, trailing behind Heather with varying degrees of curiosity and amusement. Ezekiel closed his sketchbook, tucking it away as he joined the group, followed shortly by Bridgette, Tyler, and Harold.
Trent, left behind, sighed heavily as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why is it so difficult to interact with them?" he muttered, the frustration evident in his voice.
Katie, who had been quietly observing, offered him a kind smile. "Trent, you're a good guy, and I know you're trying your best," she said gently. Her words were thoughtful, her tone soothing as she glanced at Cody for support. Cody, ever the supportive boyfriend, nodded encouragingly at her before she continued. "But sometimes, you can't blame things on stuff that's out of your control. Luck and bad luck happen to everyone—it's just part of life. We can't go around blaming things on numbers or lucky objects."
Katie's voice softened further as she leaned in slightly, her sincerity shining through. "From everything I've learned from my friends, it's about being prepared for anything and just going with the flow" Simple as that."
Her words hung in the air for a moment, their weight sinking in. Trent sighed again, but this time with a hint of resignation, her perspective seeming to chip away at his anxiety. Cody placed a reassuring hand on Trent's shoulder, giving him a small smile of encouragement.
"Thanks," Trent finally muttered, his voice quieter but grateful.
The atmosphere inside Studio 13 was tense, the dim lighting casting eerie shadows across the floor and amplifying the strange glass boxes in each corner of the studio and the scattered noir-inspired furniture inside of the said glass boxes, making it into a room. As the contestants entered, their voices began to fill the space, a mix of confusion and curiosity breaking the silence.
"What's with the glass boxes?" Gwen muttered as she scanned the setup, her arms crossed. "Are we supposed to get inside those? Looks like something out of a sci-fi movie."
"Definitely a noire twist, though," Noah replied dryly, pushing his glasses up on his nose. "Glass boxes, interrogation vibes, jazz music? It's Chris being dramatic again."
"Welcome, everyone, to the first challenge," Chris announced, his voice cutting through the murmur of conversation. He stepped forward and gestured broadly to the set, letting his words linger for effect. "The interrogation of the culprit!"
Owen tilted his head, confused as ever. "Did he just say interrogation?" His voice carried that familiar nervous tone, prompting his teammates to glance at him with varying degrees of agreement.
"That's right, Owen!" Chris exclaimed, his trademark smirk widening. "This place will serve as the first trial for those of you daring enough to explore the ins and outs of the criminal world."
Eva scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief. "Figures," she muttered. "He couldn't just let us solve clues like normal people."
"Cool setup, though," Geoff chimed in, nudging Jude's shoulder. "Glass interrogation rooms— it's like we're in one of those old noir flicks. Makes you want to pull off a dramatic monologue or something."
Jude grinned but didn't say much, busy adjusting his scarf to fit the vibe.
Chris clapped his hands together to regain everyone's attention. "The challenge is simple!" he declared, his tone rising with enthusiasm. "Each team will select only one member to act as the 'criminal.' The opposing team will then interrogate that criminal separately. Your objective? Your objective is to uncover the mastermind behind the crime and his crewmates. You'll have thirty minutes for the interrogation to piece together the clues and make your accusation. Managing to discover who was the crewmate will get you a point; if you discover the mastermind, it will make your team have the victory of this part of the challenge."
"That sounds cool!" Lindsay exclaimed, clapping her hands together in excitement. "Interrogation sounds super mysterious. I can totally imagine it—like those detectives asking questions under a flickering light."
"Except one of us will not be the one asking questions," Heather quipped, rolling her eyes. "You'll probably be the one getting interrogated if anything."
"Fine by me!" Lindsay replied cheerfully, unbothered.
"A person to volunteer for being interrogated?" Gwen mused as Chris nodded his head.
"Alright, each of you will go to the determined corner of the studio where the interrogation rooms are waiting for you," Chris said as he clapped his hands, which made the two teams separately go away and get ready for the challenge. "While you were in your positions, both teams will decide who will become the criminal for interrogation. Now, move, move, move."
At the Screaming Gaphers side, Gwen looked at her team, as she wanted to see who would be willing to try to get into the possible ideas of possible tortures coming from the other team. Punches on the face, water bucket torture— the rules aren't explained yet, but they aren't going to risk it.
"So, who's volunteering for that?" Gwen looked at her friends and even the other members of her team, uncertain if Sadie or Justin would be willing to wait for 30 minutes.
"I will be the one being interrogated; nobody would be fool enough to provoke me." Eva commented as the group looked at her in surprise. "If they tried to touch me, I could break their arms easily."
"Sometimes you terrify me, Eva." DJ commented as he got a chuckle from the bodybuilder.
"I'm down for interrogating the person coming to us," Leshawna said with confidence. "This sounds like it could be fun. Plus, I've always wanted to call someone out for lying to my face."
Over on the Killer Grips side, Ezekiel crossed his arms as he took in the challenge, already calculating how the roles could play to their advantage.
"Alright, I will be the culprit." Ezekiel didn't even beat around the bush; he simply stated,.
"What?" That got a surprised look from his friends and even the curious look from the rest of the team.
"An interrogation challenge" You have no idea how much I wanted to be part of a challenge like that." Ezekiel said this with a devious smirk, and he even looked at the camera.
Confession — Ezekiel
"I feel pity for anyone who would try to make this challenge against me. As a writer, I had been planning so much for what possibly would come: those interrogation scenes for many of my stories. Indeed, I had to discard numerous interrogation scenes due to the potential repercussions. However, given that Total Drama is a show aimed at teenagers, I decided to show no mercy." Ezekiel uttered these words as he fixed his gaze on the camera, even switching to black and white. A good part of his face showed that in black and white, in the good scale of gray... he wasn't kidding.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Trent asked as Izzy raised her eyebrows at Ezekiel, who gave a thumbs-up to the ginger girl.
"I trust him," Izzy said as she glanced at Lindsay and Heather, who already knew Izzy was probably the girl who had done challenges with Ezekiel so many times together. And seeing him She is already motivated to do that, not sure what's going to happen, but she will enjoy seeing it when she gets back home.
"Are you sure, Zeke?" Bridgette asked as she glanced at Izzy and even Heather. "I know you are capable of doing many things, but being interrogated isn't something good."
"It's fine; I can take it. The problem is… I will probably make Gwen, Eva, Sadie, or even Geoff jump on me angrily." Cody raised his eyebrows at Ezekiel as he spoke.
"What are you going to do? " Cody asked as the other members looked curious.
"I'm going to bring nuts on their case. And that's all you needed to know…" Ezekiel smiled. Harold, Cody, and Trent exchanged glances, unable to comprehend the humor. While Izzy had her mouth agape, since she recalled the times when she talked with Ezekiel about the future he lived on… And when he said nuts, Izzy immediately knew what Ezekiel was going to do.
He was going to bring the future to the past.
"Poor souls." Izzy commented as Lindsay, Heather, and Bridgette looked at her in surprise.
Ezekiel laughed, signaling the start of the game.
.
.
.
"Alright, Gaphers, you're up to interrogating. And from the Killer Grips... your only culprit is—" Chris paused dramatically, letting the tension in the room build as he glanced around. His smirk widened as he finally announced, "Ezekiel."
The glass room fell silent for a moment, the air thick with anticipation. Ezekiel stepped forward, his demeanor calm and collected. His sleeves were rolled up just enough to give him a rugged, no-nonsense look, as if daring the Screaming Gaphers to try their best. He walked confidently to the interrogation area, taking his place inside the glass box with an air of indifference, leaning casually and sitting on the chair as the lamp was ready to be aimed at his face.
"Are you serious?" Gwen asked as she looked in disbelief at Ezekiel getting out from his team and walking towards the glass room on one side of the movie set 13.
"Yep, and now for you, Grips, the culprit coming from Screaming Gaphers is… Eva." Chris smirked as everyone from the Killer Grips groaned.
"Oh, come on. That's not fair." Harold said as Eva smirked and walked towards the other side of the movie set, where the other glass room was located for interrogation.
Chris clapped his hands sharply, snapping everyone's attention back to him.
"Alright, teams, each of you will have 30 minutes. Sadly, I won't be able to be part of the two interrogation rooms at the same time, so on the Killer Grips in my place will be both cadets Sanders and MacArthur, who will be there as witnesses and judges if your skills are up to ubpar with what would be the noir style of interrogation. For in case of MVPA points, while I will be here observing the Screaming Gaphers try their best to crack Ezekiel." Chris explained as he pointed over the table where there are folders for both Eva and Ezekiel. It took both of them a few minutes to memorize who was the mastermind and who their crewmates were. And thereafter, both threw the folders inside of the trash, where there was a paper shredder. "Alright, both of your teams. Let's get into your positions; you've got thirty minutes to make your criminals break. Remember, your goal is to uncover the mastermind behind the crime. Use your detective skills, your charm, your hustle—whatever you've got in your noir toolkit. And please keep in mind, time is ticking… LIGHT, CAMERA, ACTION."
And after that, each team went inside of their glass box to interrogate the criminal, as the lights diminished, and there were only the light bulbs of the lanterns over the table showing the light of the mystery in the air, combining with the black and white effect of the cameras. Everyone was now ready to participate in the challenge. They were determined to win and avoid elimination.
(Screaming Gaphers)
Ezekiel smirked faintly, his eyes still getting used to the darkness combined with the yellow and white light over his face, indeed like an interrogation room. Ezekiel was scanning the group of Gaphers as they approached. "Good luck," he said, his voice calm but laced with subtle amusement. "You'll need it."
Geoff stepped forward first, clearly trying to channel the persona of a hard-nosed investigator. His Stetson was tilted slightly forward, giving him a determined edge as he squared his shoulders.
"Alright, Ezekiel," he began, his voice firm. He grasped the lamp and illuminated his face. "Let's start simple. Where were you on the night of the crime?"
"I was with my friend Joe," Ezekiel didn't hesitate. He replied smoothly, maintaining a completely neutral tone.
"Joe?" Geoff repeated, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "Who's Joe?"
"Joe Mama," Ezekiel deadpanned, his expression unchanging.
The room fell into stunned silence. Geoff, who had been smiling confidently just moments before, froze mid-thought, his brain clearly short-circuiting. He immediately released the lamp and looked at his friend in shock. Ezekiel's smirk widened ever so slightly as he continued, one down…
"I had to take the poor guy at the hospital to treat his Ligma." Ezekiel then said as a bored tone, which the Screaming Gaphers looked confused to each other.
"Ligma?" Gwen asked, her brow furrowing as she tried to process the unfamiliar term. "What's Ligma?"
Ezekiel turned his gaze to her, his smirk now unmistakable.
"Ligma balls," he said, his voice calm and deliberate.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, chaos erupted.
Confessional – Gwen
The camera cut to Gwen sitting in the confessional booth, her expression a mix of fury and disbelief. Her hands gripped the microphone stick tightly as she glared into the camera, her voice trembling with rage.
"Ligma balls? LIGMA BALLS?!" she shouted, her voice rising with each repetition. "EZEKIEL, YOU LITTLE—*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*" The rest of her sentence was drowned out by a series of loud, frantic BEEP sounds as the censors kicked in. Gwen's frustration was palpable as she gestured wildly, her anger boiling over.
The makeup team, who had been quietly working nearby, slowly backed away from the furious goth, their faces pale as they tried to avoid her wrath. The entire scene played out in black and white, adding an unintentionally comedic edge to her outburst.
Confession – Geoff
"Okay, little bro, not cool," Geoff said, trying to look stern as he stared into the camera. The tears in his eyes betrayed his attempt at seriousness, as he laughed heartily. "Discussing ligma is one thing, but throwing in a mama joke? That's just too far."
He paused, his lips twitching as he tried to hold it together. "Pff—" Geoff snorted, and that was it. He doubled over, laughing uncontrollably. "I can't—I can't even say it without losing it!"
Confession – Chris
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Chris's laughter echoed through the confessional booth as he slapped his knee, tears streaming down his face. "LIGMA BALLS! I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY ACTUALLY MADE IT ON NATIONAL TELEVISION."
He leaned back in his chair, still laughing so hard that he nearly toppled over. "Oh man, the goth girl is losing her mind; Ezekiel is just sitting there all smug—this is iconic." Chris wiped his eyes, still chuckling as he added, "This is going to be a long challenge, but oh boy, it's going to be fun."
Back in the interrogation room, chaos was unfolding.
"LET ME TAKE HIM! LET ME TAKE HIM RIGHT NOW!" Gwen roared as she was pulled away in the darkness of the room, while the light showed the evil smirk and smugness coming from Ezekiel, her voice echoing through the room as she lunged toward Ezekiel, who was now leaning casually against the glass box, chuckling to himself. DJ, Sadie, and even Jude were holding Gwen back with all their strength, but the goth girl's fury was unmatched.
Ezekiel, still smirking, crossed his arms and watched the scene unfold with mild amusement. "5 minutes down, Gwen, 25 to go…" he said calmly, which only made her struggle harder.
Gwen's mind raced as she imagined her younger brother watching this scene at home, undoubtedly taking notes to torment her with the same joke every chance he got. The thought only fueled her rage.
"Gwen, calm down," DJ said, his voice strained as he tried to keep her from breaking free. "He's your friend."
"He's my friend," Gwen snapped, her voice dripping with venom, "and friends get punched in the face when they deserve it!"
"It's true." Ezekiel said as he slightly slapped his cheek as provocation. "I know you wanted… come on… you wanted it… you neeeeed it… no? Well, I'm just getting started… Unfortunately, this place smells like Updog.
"What's updog?" Jude asked as Ezekiel simply smiled.
"Nothing much, just stalling the time as much as I want. How about you? What's up?" Ezekiel then gave an answer, and in the next second, it took a whole minute of silence for the entire group.
"Oh, Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I get it." Geoff said as he started laughing. "Okay, that's a good one; it took a while, but I got it."
"Guys." Noah uttered these words while pinching his nose due to a severe headache. He stared at Ezekiel, who was smirking at him. "He's playing with us; he wants to bamboozle us by saying silly things."
"Can you guys mind? I'm trying to contemplate my time in a possible jail." Ezekiel said in a melancholic tone… As the group narrowed their eyes at him, he even gave a lament sigh. "And the saddest part of this… I won't be able to celebrate my birthday on March…"
"Why?" Beth asked as she stared at the boy in concern.
"Because I was born in August." Ezekiel quipped as the silence remained in the room. Beth's eyes twitched as Owen let out a laugh; the girls stared angrily at the fat boy, and Noah even attempted to conceal his smile.
"Okay, that one was good. I admit." Noah gulped his laugh, as he clearly could see how his team was making it too easy for Ezekiel to have control of the interrogation room.
"You can punch him now, Gwen, please. I insist." Beth then said, as Gwen clearly wanted to punch Ezekiel, but Sadie and DJ were holding her strongly.
"You guys make it too easy." Ezekiel said, as he could see Gwen staring at him with a glare. "You can punch me in the face later, I promise."
"I will hold you for that." Gwen said. As she finally calmed down, she composed herself. "Nice comeback. Did you really make us lose 11 minutes that easily?"
"And I'm just getting started." Ezekiel spoke with a relaxed expression, resting his arms back on his head. Looking like a bad boy. It seems he learned a lot about how to make people annoyed from Duncan, and there's no doubt Duncan would be laughing so hard and being proud of the homeschooled boy who just managed to make things difficult for everyone.
"Alright, string bean," Leshawna said, her tone sharp but laced with amusement. "You've had your fun, but you do realize you're surrounded by people who could break your spine like a toothpick, right?"
"You mean, Sadie and DJ?" Ezekiel asked as he looked at both of his friends. "DJ is a golden-hearted person; he would blame himself for the rest of his life in case he hurt any kind of creature, animal, or friend. Sadie would feel so guilty about hurting me that she would compensate for it with a lot of bakery. Even as she hurt me by accident, we have been trained by the same person, the same hellish training… The only person who could intimidate is probably causing a hell on the other side of the movie studio. The worst she could give to me was simply triple my weight training."
Ezekiel raised both his arms, demonstrating how the weights resembled heavy cuffs, yet he appeared unfazed by it. He got used to it.
"The only way you would make me able to talk would be if you executed Operation Dragon." Ezekiel said as Leshawna looked for each member of her team, as they looked guilty seeing the reason for how he was analyzing them and knowing his friends so well.
"Operation Dragon?" Leshawna repeated, her tone skeptical.
"DRAGON DEEZ' NUTS IN YOUR MOUTH, YOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Ezekiel leaned forward seamlessly, transforming his smirk into a broad smile. As he raised his arms as a provocation, challenging her authority.
The room froze for a split second before Leshawna lunged at him, her patience officially gone.
"Oh, that's it! You're dead, string bean!" she shouted, reaching for him just to be held by DJ, Owen, and Sadie, and Geoff and Jude, as Ezekiel laughed uncontrollably. "LET ME AT HIM, LET ME AT HIM, LET ME AT HIM."
Confession—Leshawna
"That boy has a death wish, I swear. 'Dragon deez nuts'? Really? He's lucky I didn't break him in half right then and there. But I'll give him this—he's got guts. Stupid guts, but guts." Leshawna said as she snapped her fingers, but her eyes were glaring at the camera; she was feeling very annoyed by being played like that.
Confession – Chris
"HAHAHAHAHAHA! DRAGON DEEZ NUTS! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ACTUALLY EXISTS! Oh man, the idea is gold." Chris was practically in tears from laughing, clutching his stomach as he tried to catch his breath. "Man, I'm so glad to be witnessing the homeschooled boy actually schooling the whole Screaming Gaphers into falling too easily. Man, I'm surprised he didn't get punched or tortured until now."
The interrogation room was filled with chaos. DJ, Owen, and Sadie wrestled to restrain Leshawna, whose patience had long since evaporated. At the center of the storm stood Ezekiel, smirking with the confidence of someone who'd just been crowned the most irritating friend of the century. Jude, Geoff, and Justin had fled the glass room, unable to contain their laughter. They were doubled over outside, gasping for air, as Ezekiel's antics had driven two girls to the brink of wanting to break his face.
Gwen, meanwhile, was visibly seething, her annoyance growing with every passing second.
"Alright, Ezekiel, you better cut it out," Gwen said, her voice sharp and commanding as she stepped closer to him. "You know that if you don't stop, we'll make you spill the truth by force. So confess now, while I still have a shred of patience left…"
Approaching Ezekiel was her first mistake.
"Stop? Gwen... I'm just getting started. *INHALE," Ezekiel declared, taking a deep breath.
25 deez nuts jokes later.
Confession – Gwen
"HE'S PLAYING US LIKE A FIDDLE. DAMMIT!" Gwen shouted, her frustration and embarrassment boiling over. "He makes it sound so natural that it's confusing, and then he hits us with gulpin' deez nuts, 'goblin deez nuts,' 'swallow deez nuts,' 'licktin deez nuts.' HOW MANY VERSIONS OF DEEZ NUTS EXIST?"
"And now I can't stop thinking about my little brother watching the footage and using those jokes on me every chance he gets. Thanks a lot, Ezekiel." She groaned, burying her face in her hands. Her glare intensified as she added, "I SWEAR IF I HEAR ONE MORE DEEZ NUTS JOKE, I'M GOING TO LOSE MY *BEEP*!"
Confession – Beth
"Did Ezekiel memorize the dictionary just to come up with those jokes? Now I'm terrified of hearing them in any conversation—I'll never escape the trap of deez nuts jokes." Beth's cheeks burned crimson as she stammered, not knowing what she would even say after witnessing what he was doing with her teammates.
"Okay, I know I love nuts—chestnuts, peanuts, you name it—but is it just me, or is Ezekiel actively trying to get himself killed by Gwen?" Owen whispered to DJ and Beth, who nodded slowly, watching Gwen's fury reach a boiling point. Ezekiel had pressed all the right buttons to make Gwen want to strangle him.
"Alright, Ezekiel, you've had your fun. But you'd better start confessing—who's the mastermind behind the crime?" Gwen demanded, her patience hanging by a thread. One more deez nuts joke, and she'd snap.
"Fine. You want to know who the mastermind is? His last name is Turbating, and his first name is Ayemax." Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
Gwen blinked, her disbelief evident.
"Ayemax Turbating?" She repeated the question, her voice tinged with confusion.
"Wow, Gwen, I didn't know you were into that kind of stuff. It's likely due to the influence of hormones. Just remember to clean yourself up after you are done." Ezekiel said, feigning shock as the room fell silent as Gwen froze.
And her face darkens ominously.
Confession – Geoff
"Pfff HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, THERE'S NO WAY THEY'RE GOING TO LET THIS AIR ON TELEVISION HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Geoff howled, clutching his stomach in pain. "BRODY WOULD HAVE DONE EVERYTHING TO BE HERE AT THIS MOMENT HAHAHAHAHA. Ezekiel, bro, you are my hero. You are going to die, but you are my hero."
Confession – Justin
"He won. He won. I quit. My face is going to be covered in wrinkles if I keep laughing like this. I can't stop—HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! She made it way too easy. Even I knew that name was trouble," Justin said, losing control of his laughter once again.
Confession – Noah
"I feel like I'm babysitting a bunch of elementary school kids. Come on, guys, grow up," Noah said, trying to maintain his composure. But as he glanced at Gwen's furious expression, he couldn't help but chuckle. "Okay, she should've seen that one coming."
Confession – Beth
Beth's face was as red as a tomato.
"I am mas*beep*. So that's what that name sounds like. Gwen is going to kill him. I'm sure of it," she muttered, too embarrassed to say anything more.
"I'm going to start punching you, and I don't know when I'll stop," Gwen said in silent anger, which was the worst and most terrifying of anger she ever reached. Her voice was low and dangerous as she advanced toward Ezekiel.
"Then do it. Hit me as hard as you can… you… me… as hard as you can. Am I clear?" Ezekiel taunted, his smirk unwavering.
Gwen didn't need to be told twice. Without hesitation, she grabbed the nearest lamp and swung it at Ezekiel. DJ and Sadie lunged to stop her, but Gwen's fury propelled her forward with a speed they couldn't match. Ezekiel didn't flinch or defend himself; he simply smiled, as if he'd been waiting for this moment. The lamp connected with a sickening crack, and after a few more hits, Ezekiel crumpled to the floor, unconscious.
"WAIT, WAIT, THAT'S WHAT HE WANTED!" Noah shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. But it was too late. Ezekiel lay sprawled on the ground, shards of the lamp bulb scattered around him, his face bruised and bloodied. A black eye and several marks adorned his face, but the worst part was his smug, unconscious expression.
"He wanted us to lose control, to beat him up and knock him out, so we'd waste more time," Noah explained, his tone a mix of frustration and reluctant admiration.
Chris, ever the opportunist, chimed in. "Yeah… solid strategy. From the looks of it, he'll be out for at least ten minutes, maybe half an hour."
Gwen stared at the scene before her, her chest heaving as DJ and Sadie tried to steady her. She realized, too late, that she'd been played.
Confession – Gwen
"That stupid little gremlin," Gwen muttered, her voice dripping with frustration. "He provoked me to the point of beating him up, knowing it would make my team lose the opportunity to interrogate him. And he did it while humiliating us with every single joke."
She paused, blinking a few times as the corners of her mouth twitched upward. A smirk broke through her frustration. "Nice job, Zeke. You really got me."
(Killer Grips)
To say the situation over the Killer Grips was a very difficult position could be an understatement, since all the people from the Screaming Gaphers, Eva the Iron Woman, the MVP of Killer Bass on the last season, the woman who clearly fought against bears, serial killers, and Saskatchanakwa and won against them, was now sitting inside of the interrogation room with her arms crossed and her stern face shown.
"What are we going to do?" Harold asked as he whispered to Bridgette, Tyler, and Katie. "I know I could use some Steve Camps techniques of hypnosis, but I dropped it because the instructor on that camp was a sham. If I were foolish enough to attempt hypnosis on Eva, she could potentially fracture my spine.
"You dropped a Steve Camp? Wow, okay, now this is more serious than I thought." Eva commented as all her friends flinched from seeing she was listening to her friends whisper about her. The glass room was echoing the whispers, which means they needed to think of an action quickly. "But you got that right; if any of you touches me, I'm going to attack you."
Eva said, as she was unimpressed, and even seeing Tyler and Cody sweat, she was smirking because she was still right about her being the intimidator factor. The only thing that Eva was more aware of was Lindsay, Heather, and Izzy; the trio had always been a team that she knew could come up with something unexpected. Last season made the trio a team, but this season wouldn't let it happen, even if Beth was with them.
Trent, on the other hand, she could eat him for breakfast, and it was tempting; she wanted to give the fear of God to him, and now she was alone with the entire Killer Grips, and it was ironic, since from all the people who know Eva, the only one able to try to make her reveal the secrets if it was possible would probably be on the other side of the movie studio.
What her team was doing with Ezekiel, she doesn't know, nor does she care; she was going to be relentless until she won the challenge for her team.
Still with the darkness over the classroom, the smoke coming from the smoke machine, and the kind of annoying song of the jazz as the background, she wasn't amused, nor was she going to provide any information for the team in front of her.
What they are going to do is going to be a complete mystery. Until Heather decided to open the door, leaving the bodybuilder in complete silence, as she looked at the cadets who were supposed to be judges of the first part of the challenge.
"What are we going to do? E-Scope, do you know some interrogation techniques you learned from the military or your parents, or even Chef taught you something?" Cody, to the surprise of everyone, looked at the one who probably had the most knowledge of torture techniques, especially coming from her whole childhood related to the military, having Chef as her chief, and even her parents being part of a military squad; she must at least know some things.
"Well, now, I know many techniques; however, those were dangerous, and some would require a lot of time to do that—30 minutes at a minimum to crack someone—and to be honest, I would rather not fight Eva. I'm sure I would like to spar with her a few times, but starting a fight with her on this challenge would be a waste of time and also would probably make anyone from here get hurt." Izzy raised the points as Heather crossed her arms and nodded her head. "Time is essential, and while it would be funny to see someone getting hurt, it would be for the best if we solve this easily."
"But that's the point: if we don't find a way to make her talk, then it would mean we would be at a terrible disadvantage in winning." Trent commented that they heard a lot of shouting coming from the other side of the movie set. From their perspective, they saw people exiting their interrogation room, but they couldn't hear what was happening. They could recognize some boys from far away. It was Jude and Justin, who just got out from the interrogation room and crouched themselves, which probably seemed like they were laughing.
"Okay, I'm kind of curious about what was going on, but it seems from the shouting that Ezekiel is doing his best to not provide the information." Katie commented as she looked at her teammates. "Is there something we could do?"
The debate dragged on for what felt like an eternity as Lindsay sat quietly in the corner of the glass box. Anxiety gnawed at her, her stress mounting with every failed idea her teammates and friends threw around. None of their plans seemed to work. Eva was too strong—Lindsay knew that all too well. Eva had protected her once, when the serial killer attacked them on the island. That memory lingered, making her decision even harder.
"You're not seriously considering that, are you?" A familiar voice interrupted Lindsay, jolting her out of her reverie. She blinked, startled, as a puff of silvery smoke appeared on her shoulder. Emerging from the haze was a younger, ethereal version of herself. Her skin shimmered like polished silver, and her mid-thigh-length blonde hair cascaded in soft waves, styled with messy bangs. The gradient periwinkle hue of her hair faded into striking white tips. Unlike her iconic This version of Lindsay wore an elegant gown in silver and dark blue, radiating an angelic aura.
"ME? I THOUGHT IT WAS YOU!" Another voice retorted sharply. Lindsay turned to her other shoulder, where another puff of smoke revealed a contrasting figure. This Lindsay had ankle-length blonde hair that gleamed like gold, her pale skin glowing under the light. She was dressed in a sleek red-and-black tuxedo, complete with a top hat tilted at a jaunty angle. Her devilish smirk was as sharp as the edges of her outfit.
"I have to say, Angel Lind, I'm proud of you for finally considering the evil path," Devil Lindsay teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"ME? NEVER! This is dangerous, and if you didn't think of that, neither did I!" Angel Lindsay shot back, her silver dress shimmering as she gestured dramatically.
"Girls?" Lindsay interrupted, her voice tentative as she glanced at the two miniature versions of herself perched on her shoulders. "Nice to see you both, but what are you talking about?"
"Someone suggested you go solo to interrogate Eva," Angel Lindsay explained, her tone cautious and concerned. Devil Lindsay, meanwhile, flipped her golden hair back with a flourish.
"Since you listened, your daddy read all those books on criminal investigation, and you've watched every movie about the world's greatest detectives. You'd get the information easily," Devil Lindsay added, her grin widening.
Lindsay gasped, her eyes lighting up. "Oh, that's actually a fantastic idea," she whispered, her gaze shifting to the group still locked in heated debate. Without another word, she slipped out of the glass room and into the interrogation chamber.
"Huh, looks like someone decided to go in first," MacArthur remarked, crossing her arms in boredom as Lindsay approached the table. Eva raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of curiosity and amusement.
"So, where's the rest of your team?" Eva asked, her tone sharp. Lindsay didn't respond. Instead, she raised her palm, signaling Eva to stop. The bodybuilder's amusement deepened as she watched Lindsay crouch under the table, glancing around the room like a detective searching for clues.
"It's lovely weather we're having," Lindsay remarked casually, her voice light and airy as she moved across the glass box. Eva's confusion grew as she watched the blonde girl's odd behavior. Lindsay crouched near a corner, where a faint trail of smoke curled upward. Her eyes widened as she spotted a tiny cable connected to the smoke box and a radio playing jazz—a sound that had been grating on Eva's nerves for minutes. "I hope the weather stays this mild."
"If the weather continues, we are in for a lovely summer." Lindsay continued, pulling out a nail clipper. With a precise snip, she severed the cable. A sudden jolt of electricity surged through the room, making Eva jump in shock. Sanders and MacArthur rushed in, only to find Lindsay standing there, her fingertips blackened and her hair disheveled from the electroshock. The smoke and jazz music stopped abruptly, leaving the room eerily quiet.
"Our area is secure," Lindsay declared, her tone calm and serious.
"Beep Are you okay, girl?" Sanders asked, rushing to Lindsay's side with MacArthur and Eva. The trio stared at her in disbelief, wondering how she remained unfazed by the shock.
"Of course I'm okay. What was that, anyway?" Lindsay replied, her expression stoic as she pointed behind them. The trio turned their heads, and Lindsay silently mimed a scream, her face contorted in exaggerated pain. When they turned back to her, she was composed once again, walking toward the table with an air of determination.
"I didn't see anything," MacArthur muttered, her tone dismissive as she leaned against the wall. Lindsay, perched casually on the edge of the table, simply scoffed in response.
"It was nothing," Lindsay said, brushing off the situation as though it didn't matter. However, her gaze darted to her shoulders, where her angel and devil counterparts were still reeling from the earlier shock.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH, IT HURTS! WHY DOES IT HURT SO MUCH?" Angel Lindsay wailed, clutching at her shimmering silver gown as she staggered back.
"I SWEAR, THIS IS THE WORST," Devil Lindsay groaned, smoke puffing from her top hat as she doubled over in exaggerated agony.
Lindsay couldn't help but be relieved that only she could see them. If anyone else in the room had witnessed this absurd display, it would have completely undermined everything she'd managed to achieve so far. She glanced at Eva, who stood with her arms crossed, exchanging confused looks with the cadets.
After a moment, Eva shrugged dismissively, prompting the others to return to their positions.
"Whatever," Eva scoffed, shaking her head. "Thanks for getting rid of that song. It was really getting on my nerves."
Lindsay remained silent, her eyes flitting back to the two tiny versions of herself on her shoulders. Her angel and devil were slowly recovering, despite their whining. Taking a deep breath, she decided it was time to adopt a more professional demeanor.
"So, what do you want, Lin—" Eva started speaking, but someone abruptly interrupted her.
"Inspector Lovelle Clouseau," Lindsay declared, standing upright and extending her hand with an air of authority. Her voice had taken on a refined tone, and her posture exuded confidence. It was as if she had transformed into an entirely different person.
"Alright... Inspector," Eva raised an eyebrow but reluctantly accepted the handshake. She was playing along.
"Now that we are here, I'm not going to play games with you, Ala," Lindsay continued, mispronouncing Eva's name. Eva didn't bother correcting her, knowing Lindsay's struggles with dyslexia. Instead, she folded her arms and watched with mild amusement as Lindsay paced the room with theatrical determination.
"The Pink Diamond has been stolen again," Lindsay began, her voice dramatic. "And instead of remaining in France, where it rightfully belongs, it has been smuggled to another country. That country... is here."
"Oh, I'm already shocked," Eva deadpanned, clearly unimpressed. Lindsay responded by slamming both fists onto the table, causing the nearby lantern to rattle and tumble over onto the floor.
"YOU SHOULDN'T LEAVE FRANCE!" Lindsay shouted, her voice filled with exaggerated passion.
Eva stared at her, dumbfounded.
"We're in Canada," she pointed out flatly.
Lindsay paused, her expression momentarily blank.
"You shouldn't leave France or Canada," she amended, waving her hand dismissively. "So between the two places, here you are, caught traveling between them on an airplane."
Eva tried to respond, but she couldn't think of anything to say. Technically, Lindsay wasn't wrong, but the logic was baffling.
"I know you have it. Where is it?" Lindsay pressed, her gaze sharp.
"Where is what?" Eva asked, looking over at the cadets, who appeared just as confused as she was.
"THE PINK PANTHER DIAMOND, THE NATIONAL TREASURE OF FRANCE!" Lindsay declared, her eyes narrowing dramatically. Her angel and devil counterparts perched on her shoulders were now sporting detective disguises—complete with trench coats and police caps—as they scrutinized Eva's every move.
"She's going to talk," Angel Lindsay whispered confidently, fluttering around Eva's head like a tiny investigator.
"She's clenching her jaw. She's stressed. Keep pushing," Devil Lindsay added, smirking as she twirled her miniature magnifying glass.
Eva groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "What the hell are you talking about? This matter isn't about smuggling diamonds to other countries," she said, exasperated. "It's an assassination case. You're supposed to figure out who the three crew members were and identify the mastermind behind the crime."
Lindsay blinked, her head tilting slightly. For a moment, it seemed as if she were processing Eva's words. Then, to everyone's surprise, Lindsay's expression shifted to one of incredulity, as though Eva were the one not making any sense.
"Assassination? Did they give you a folder or something to read? Because you must have read it wrong..." Lindsay said, her tone almost pitying.
"What?" Eva asked, genuinely baffled.
"I get it. Reading is hard," Lindsay said with a sigh, sitting down in one of the chairs. "I have trouble with it all the time. It's nothing to be ashamed of if you can't read too."
"I know how to read," Eva said through gritted teeth. Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Then you should have known it's about the disappearance of the jewel of France this whole time," Lindsay said firmly, her logic making absolutely no sense to Eva.
"WE ARE NOT IN A PINK PANTHER MOVIE, LINDSAY!" Eva snapped; her patience snapped.
"Inspector Clouseau, if you please," Lindsay corrected, raising a finger as if to lecture her. "Also, assassination? I'd believe it if someone else were accused, but I just can't believe you'd be capable of something that serious."
Eva stared, her expression frozen in a mixture of disbelief and indignation.
"...What?" she finally said, her voice dripping with confusion. She didn't even know what she was feeling—anger? Confusion? Bloodlust? All she knew was that she was baffled trying to figure out what Tyler saw in the audacious girl standing before her.
"I mean, pff... you? Being ordered to kill someone? Honestly, I think I'd trust political campaign promises more than that," Lindsay said nonchalantly, her insinuation landing like a grenade in the room.
"Did she just say what I think she just said?" MacArthur whispered at her partner as both their jaws dropped.
Sanders nodded, her wide eyes fixed on Lindsay, who seemed oblivious to the fuse she'd just lit.
"What did you say?" Eva growled, her voice low and menacing. Her teeth ground so tightly that an audible snap echoed as her jaw clenched in rage.
"You're too stupid to read the papers inside the folder and thought you were charged with assassination when all this time you were involved in a robbery in France." Lindsay's tone was calm, almost casual, conveying the obvious. "I bet the people who roped you into robbing the museum tricked you into thinking it was an assassination plot. They probably didn't even value you—just a person who doesn't know how to read."
A vein pulsed dangerously on Eva's forehead, her face turning a shade of red that promised imminent destruction.
Confession – Sanders and MacArthur
"HOLY*BEEP*! I never thought anyone would have the guts to say that to a woman who literally made a sex exchange into a bear," MacArthur whistled, shaking her head in disbelief. "The blonde's got guts, risking her life like this."
"Okay, just to clarify, are we dealing with an assassination case or international contraband? Because now I'm completely lost," Sanders said, flipping through the police academy manual she'd kept handy. "Depending on what's going on, our approach needs to change."
"Pfft, it's simple. Just cuff them and make them confess. No need for all this drama," MacArthur muttered, settling back with her coffee and donuts to enjoy the show.
"I'm going to give you a pass because you're Tyler's girlfriend. But I swear, one more comment like that, and I will break your accusing fingers and rip out your tongue for spouting such nonsense." Eva stood, towering over Lindsay with all the fury of a storm about to break.
Despite Eva's escalating anger, Lindsay remained fearless. Instead, she tilted her head and pointed toward the trash can.
"You don't know how to read. Just accept it." Lindsay said her own conclusion of thoughts, as she even pointed out. "Of course you don't even know the members of your crew, especially the mastermind; maybe a few pictures could help you, but the case is still the same."
Eva growled, her fists trembling at her sides.
"I know how to read! I'll prove it right now. The case was about the assassination of Chris' Cat! Why would I send myself into a diamond robbery if I'm the *beep* mastermind behind the crime? Why would I even risk being caught in my own robbery when I had others carrying out the dirty work? And to make sure there won't be witness My paper was even to kill all the crew members, making me the only survivor, the mastermind. Why would I lie to that?" She ranted, her voice escalating with frustration.
Lindsay froze for a moment, her face betraying a flicker of seriousness. Then, as Eva stared in confusion, Lindsay's expression shifted. A sly smile began to spread across her face.
"Because, Keyser Sozé," Lindsay said dramatically, lowering her hands onto the table, "I just made you confess the truth."
The shoulder angel and devil Lindsay gave in each of her palms a triumphant low five as Eva's eyes widened in realization. Her fury transformed into stunned silence as the weight of her confession sank in.
At that exact moment, the glass door swung open. The Killer Grips stormed in, their faces pale with panic at seeing Lindsay alone with Eva. Sanders and MacArthur froze in shock, their mouths agape, while even MacArthur—so composed moments ago—found her jaw dropping in disbelief.
"We have the confession of the mastermind, ladies," Lindsay announced brightly, her smile glowing with satisfaction. She turned to the Killer Grips, who looked at her with a mixture of admiration and astonishment. "Case closed."
The group's eyes shifted to the clock on the wall. In just 12 minutes, Lindsay had pulled off what seemed impossible: defeating the Iron Woman.
Confession – Iz- Kaleydoescope.
"Okay, I know I have to give more trust to Lindsay, and from everything we learned about her knowing mystery cases. But WHAT THE BEEP, how? I need to watch the footage; I can't believe it was that easy." Izzy said as she stared over the camera in disbelief. "Maybe mystery and detective are indeed her element. And now I want to know how she did that."
Confession – Eva
"I'm an idiot. Was I tricked so easily like that?" Eva punched her on the head to make sure to not let her brain be tricked like that. "How I forgot I shouldn't have underestimated her. SHE WAS THE WINNER OF THE LAST SEASON, FOR GOD'S SAKE."
Eva facepalmed as she never thought it was indeed on how Lindsay proved on the last season when it comes to mystery and investigations. Lindsay would pull up something so crazy and stupid that it would work.
"And now I am in a bad mood; if I hear one more comment from someone I don't know how to read, it's going to get punched, really, really hard." Eva growled as she stared at her camera with intent. She blushed, embarrassed and angry at not being able to save her face.
Thirty minutes had passed, and the groups gathered in the main area to hear the results of their interrogations. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation, but it quickly took a turn when Eva rejoined the Screaming Gophers. Her face was uncharacteristically quiet, her usual sharp demeanor replaced with a subtle but unmistakable air of embarrassment. The team exchanged concerned looks, unsure what had transpired in the glass room to leave Eva so subdued.
Meanwhile, the Killer Grips waited for Ezekiel to return, only for their jaws to drop when DJ approached them, carrying him. Ezekiel was unconscious, his face littered with shards of glass, a prominent black eye darkening one side, and bruises blooming across his skin. Gasps filled the room.
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO TO HIM?" Bridgette and Katie yelled in unison, their panic echoing as they rushed toward DJ.
Tyler and Cody followed quickly, their expressions mirroring shock and concern, as they hurried to check on Ezekiel.
DJ sighed heavily, glancing at Harold before addressing the group. "Things got...out of control," he began reluctantly. "Ezekiel told Gwen to hit him as hard as she could—and she did. With a lamp."
The group erupted in murmurs and gasps. Tyler's and Harold's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Ezekiel played us, pushed Gwen until she lost control," DJ continued as he knew how ashamed he was of how things had turned out like that. "And then he let himself get knocked out on purpose. Now we can't interrogate him anymore."
Tyler knelt beside Ezekiel, examining his injuries with a frown. "We can't leave him like this," he said firmly. "I'm taking him to the infirmary."
Just as Tyler rose to carry Ezekiel, the room filled with the familiar sound of jazz music—a cue that sent shivers down everyone's spines. All heads turned toward Chris, who strode in, clapping slowly with an unmistakable grin plastered across his face.
"Well, well, well," Chris announced, his voice dripping with mockery. "Time's up, folks. Thirty minutes gone, and from what I've seen—and reviewed—the Screaming Gophers failed spectacularly to get a confession from their criminal. So," he added, pausing dramatically, "does anyone want to take a guess at who the culprits and mastermind might be?"
The Screaming Gophers exchanged nervous glances, their frustration palpable as they reflected on their chaotic attempt. The sound of jazz, coupled with Chris's smug demeanor, only added to their irritation.
Noah rolled his eyes and shrugged lazily. "Can't we just guess it was their whole team and the mastermind was you, Chris?" He posed the question, his tone brimming with sarcasm.
Chris smirked at Noah, amused. "Not a bad guess, Noah. But no, unfortunately for you, that's not the right answer. Maybe next time, you won't let the criminal outsmart the detectives," he said, chuckling at the team's collective annoyance. His gaze shifted to Eva, who was still glaring at the floor, her expression dark.
"Not a word," Eva growled, refusing to meet anyone's eyes.
"They made you talk?" Leshawna exclaimed, her jaw practically hitting the floor. The entire group froze in disbelief, while Chris raised an intrigued eyebrow at Eva before turning his attention to the Killer Grips.
"Well, Killer Grips," Chris said, his grin widening. "Can you identify the criminals and tell me who the mastermind is?"
Izzy and Heather exchanged knowing looks and smirked. All eyes shifted to Lindsay as she stepped forward. Her back was straight, her stride purposeful, and she brought her hand up in a crisp salute. The room fell silent.
"Inspector Lovelle Clouseau, reporting," Lindsay declared, her voice filled with authority. "I am here to reveal the mastermind behind the crime: Eva herself. As for the crewmates...they're all dead."
Chris's eyes widened slightly in surprise, while the others gawked at Lindsay, trying to process what she'd just said. Her dramatic delivery—acting like a character out of a Pink Panther parody—left the room buzzing with intrigue.
"Wait, hold on. What do you mean, all the crewmates were dead?" Gwen asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. Her gaze darted toward Eva, whose grumbling confirmed the bombshell revelation.
"She made me confess that I'm the mastermind and even admit I killed my crewmates." Eva muttered bitterly.
The room froze again, the weight of Eva's admission sinking in. Chris's chuckle broke the silence as he clapped with genuine amusement.
"And nothing beats a good classic twist—a criminal plot worthy of Hollywood's finest," Chris praised. "Bravo, Inspector. Bravo. Your abilities were spot on."
"And by correctly identifying the culprits and the mastermind, I hereby declare the Killer Grips the victors of the first part of the challenge!" Chris raised his hand in an exaggerated applause, adding as he concludes the first phase of the challenge.
"Wohoooo! Yeah! Awesome! Great! Yeah!" The Killer Grips erupted into cheers, their excitement exploding the moment Chris declared their victory in the first part of the challenge. Each team member celebrated in their own way—some high-fived, others clapped wildly, and Izzy even broke into an impromptu victory dance. The triumph was palpable, and the joy of gaining an edge in the competition filled the room, lifting the tension that had been hanging over them.
Meanwhile, the Screaming Gophers stood silently, their shoulders slumping as disappointment etched itself onto their faces. Gwen crossed her arms with a frustrated sigh, while Leshawna shook her head, muttering something under her breath. Eva looked away, avoiding the group's judgmental stares, her lips pressed into a tight, annoyed line. The sting of their failed interrogation weighed heavily on them, and the stark contrast between the two teams' moods was difficult to ignore.
Chris clapped his hands together, cutting through the lingering celebrations and somber silence alike. "Alright, alright, settle down, everyone," he announced, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. His tone carried a touch of theatrics, as though he had another twist waiting just around the corner. "Now, onto the second part of the challenge."
Both teams turned their attention to him, their expressions shifting to curiosity, some tinged with apprehension.
"As a second part of the challenge," Chris began, his voice dipping into dramatic tones, "I think it's time we dive into the most underground and classic basics of the Noir World. The world of mystery, shadows, and intrigue. And this time, we're taking a deep dive." He gestured flamboyantly to his surroundings, his expression lighting up with enthusiasm. "Your next task: find a missing person."
A ripple of confusion spread through the gathered contestants. They blinked, looking at one another as though waiting for someone to explain what he meant. Cody scratched his head. Harold took his glasses to clean as he sniffed. Even Heather and Noah exchanged raised eyebrows, equally thrown off by Chris's vague proclamation.
"Wait, so... we're looking for a missing person now?" Bridgette asked hesitantly.
"Exactly!" Chris exclaimed, pointing at her like she'd just hit the jackpot. "And now to make things more interesting. In that direction there is… the Wardrobe Department."
"What?" Tyler asked as he raised his eyebrow.
"Yes, because you're all about to step into the Noire World, and no one can properly solve a mystery without looking the part!" Chris spread his arms wide, as though unveiling the grandest revelation of all. "But that's not all; while the Noir world had most of the iconic characters over their professions, the 3 most important, which would lead the constant direction of the whole movie, would lead to 3 people."
"The Detective, The Mastermind, and the Femme Fatale. Ughhhhh." Ezekiel commented that a groaning sound could be heard from the Killer Grips as everyone stared at him.
"Ezekiel." Tyler, Harold, Trent, Izzy, Katie, and Bridgette called his name in surprise as the boy groaned from feeling the pain.
"Ezekiel, are you okay?" The group asked, as Ezekiel shook his head, feeling a slight headache from the painful sore over his face.
"I feel like I got hit with a Dracula, by a King Kong." Ezekiel now knows how BMO must have felt when he fell from the stairs, since his head was with a headache and with a pain in the face.
"How many deez nuts did you do?" Izzy asked as the whole group of Killer Grips looked at her in confusion. "Ezekiel wanted to create something that will annoy our generation."
"27, and a few others." Ezekiel said with a painful laugh, which Izzy froze and stared at DJ, who nodded his head solemnly.
"It was funny, but I never saw Gwen and Leshawna that mad. So it makes sense you guys won the first part of the challenge." DJ commented as Ezekiel picked up.
"Hey, so you managed to discover the secret behind the culprits? Nice, great job." Ezekiel commented as suddenly the group heard a clearing throat, which made Ezekiel stare at Chris.
"Welcome back on the word of the consciousness, Ezekiel; however, I'm still explaining about the second challenge you guys are about to make." Chris said as Ezekiel remained calm, and With the assistance of DJ, Tyler, and Izzy, he slowly managed to stand up. "But you got that right Ezekiel, as I was saying, the game of the Noire genre would always be around those 3 characters, which while 3 of you of each team will represent those roles, the rest of you will be dealing with puzzles and mini challenges that would require gathering clues that would always be around the single mission, finding the missing person, which means receiving the immunity. Now, Killer Grips, the first clue you will receive will be after everyone is ready. You all have 5 hours."
"5 HOURS?" The groups said, as Chris looked mysteriously at them, that at that moment he said nothing more, and simply left the whole group looking weirdly at the silence…
"Okay, happy to see you back, Ezekiel." Trent commented as he looked at the group who was already walking. "Just to give you a resume, Lindsay by herself made Eva confess the crime."
People would have expected Ezekiel to look at them in disbelief or even gasp in surprise. But instead, Ezekiel simply nodded his head.
"Okay, makes sense." Ezekiel replied, and just like that, almost everyone sans Lindsay and Izzy stared at him in disbelief.
Confession – Ezekiel
"Ahhhh, man, I'm so glad they allowed me to have this bag of ice before I dress up." Ezekiel said as he was covering his black eye and his face, which was now clean from the slight cuts of the glass shards, and he was refreshing himself from the good cold ice bag on his face. But then he looked at the camera, and even in black and white, he decided to tell the truth. "From all the people around this show, the only person who I would be intimidated into going against in the Noire Theme challenge is Lindsay. Sure, she may be dyslexic, and she may be naive. But when she is logical, even with her wrong assumptions, she is spot on. It was like if she were the young sister of Inspector Jacques Clouseau and was an apprentice of Columbus; if this trio worked together, it would be the funniest and most awesome comedy/police mystery movie of all time."
"5 hours? *Beep* This challenge is going to take an eternity." Heather commented as she was already guessing things were dragging more and more with the time.
"Probably it's for settling things into being at night. Where usually the mystery happens." Izzy shrugged as she isn't sure what to expect during all the time. "Maybe we can eat something from the fridge before we prepare ourselves for the challenge."
"I agree; I think a shower on the trailer before deciding on who should be checking which clothes are there will really cheer up our mood." Heather nodded her head as Lindsay was hugging Tyler, who was also talking with her in compliments. "We already have the edge; what will be the advantage of this challenge? Nobody knows until it was too late, so we must use it in our favor and make sure we don't lose."
"Ditto." Izzy nodded as the duo saw Lindsay proud of herself from her own accomplishment.
As the groups went their separate ways, Eva, Gwen, Noah, and Sadie walked towards the Wardrobe Department to see what all the options were that they would have. As the group walked, they didn't realize suddenly DJ was caught by a big cloth bag, covering his whole body, and being pulled by a rope without his team seeing him.
(10 minutes later)
"I can't believe we're doing this challenge the day after Ezekiel came up with a Noire version of Adventure Time," Noah mumbled to himself. He adjusted the collar of his coat, his tone tinged with irritation. "What are the odds? We're literally wearing costumes to fit the same genre now. I don't know why, but I've got a strong feeling Lindsay's going to show up dressed as Loraine."
"Who?" Gwen and Sadie asked simultaneously, exchanging puzzled looks. As she was dressing herself in an overcoat and a detective hat, while she could see Noah was trying to pull up the mastermind of crime like Moriarty, she herself would like to be her own version of a detective while showing a bit more of a classic style.
"You wouldn't believe me even if I explained, so let's just move on." Noah sighed and rolled his eyes. As he looked at Sadie wearing a glamorous beaded dress, the sequins caught the light with every movement. She awkwardly draped a feathered boa around her shoulders, struggling to pin her hair up into loose curls. "I'm surprised you were the one chosen to be the Femme Fatale."
"Well, she is a female, and she had been trained by me, so of course she would be fatal." Eva said as she crossed her arms, as she gave a thumbs up to Sadie, who smiled nervously at her.
"Are you sure I can do it?" Sadie looked at Gwen, as she was very unsure of what to do.
"You're going to be fine." Gwen said as she reassured the strong chubby Asian girl, "While everyone would prefer to rest and do something else, I'm glad you all wanted to help and try to win the challenge even as we have a disadvantage."
"Add a giant disadvantage to it." Noah said, as he tied his bowtie, Noah caught sight of his reflection in the mirror. His expression grew more pensive as he studied their surroundings and the costumes everyone had chosen. "We already lost to Lindsay because as much she isn't the spark of genius , and has 'special' situation… it had been our mistake in forgetting she was the winner of the last season and the bane of existence of the Indiana Jones fans. Did her parents read Sherlock Holmes and Murder on the Orient Express when she was growing up? Shows how much she was in her element today."
"Yeah, I know." Eva admitted begrudgingly, her voice low but filled with frustration. Gwen crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows. "She made me underestimate everything she said, and she confused me enough to make me so angry that I spilled the whole crime, and don't say I wasn't the only one… Miss, I was caught by Ezekiel's ability on how to annoy the others. You do realize attacking him will make you a target of mockery, right? The jokes had me, you all fall for, will be on your tail forever."
"Ugh, don't start," Gwen groaned, throwing her head back in exasperation. "I already have to deal with the fallout from all the jokes he cracked during the interrogation. I fell for his bait so easily. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he could've tricked you too."
"Pfft. Fat chance. The key is to stay silent. That's how you outlast someone like him." Eva scoffed, crossing her arms.
"Remember, it was us we needed to interrogate him and make him talk, and that's what he wanted. So being in silence wouldn't have worked," Gwen shot back quickly, her arms now mirroring Eva's defensive posture. "As the same way it didn't work for you with Lindsay,"
"Ah, *beep* off." Eva said as she grunted and gave a slight push to Gwen, who also did the same for her.
"No, you *beep* off." Gwen said as she gave a push on Eva but didn't make her move an inch. As a way, the duo had been doing their bickering as they would always do as friends. They would never mean harm to each of them; they were just letting out their frustrations by bickering with each other.
Sadie giggled, Noah rolled his eyes… but sadly not everyone got the memo about it.
Before either of them could say more, Leshawna strutted into the room. She glanced between Gwen and Eva, her expression quickly shifting to concern.
"What in the world is going on here?" Leshawna demanded, her voice bold and cutting through the bickering like a knife. "I leave you all alone for two seconds, and now you're at each other's throats? This is why our team is falling apart!"
"What are you talking about?" Gwen turned to Leshawna, confused. "This is not like that—"
"Oh, no, don't even try to explain," Leshawna cut her off, wagging a finger in Gwen's direction. "I don't care who started it. This team can't afford you two going at it like alley cats. We're already barely holding on as it is!"
"Relax. It's not a fight; it's just a debate." Eva rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed.
"Don't you 'relax' me!" Leshawna snapped, rounding on Eva. "I don't know what's been up with you lately, but you're all bark and no bite. You're supposed to be tough, but instead, you're over here snapping at Gwen like it's going to solve anything."
"Excuse me?" Eva's jaw tightened, her temper flaring. "All bark and no bite? Girl, I made a bear have a sex exchange with my bare hands and beat a Serial Killer to submission by myself... I don't see you doing much of anything except jumping into conversations you don't understand!"
"Girl, please," Leshawna shot back, her voice rising. "I jumped in because you've been acting like a bull in a china shop, stirring up trouble every chance you get. And now you're putting all that pent-up frustration on Gwen? Uh-uh, not on my watch."
"If you've got a problem, say it to my face." Eva stepped forward, her gaze narrowing, and for a moment, it seemed like the tension might boil over.
"Oh, I'm saying it right here!" Leshawna retorted, her voice unwavering as she stood her ground. "You've got an attitude problem, and you're taking it out on the wrong people. And honestly? If this keeps up, don't be surprised if it's you who ends up getting voted off next."
"Leshawna, seriously, this isn't what it looks like—" Gwen tried to step in, her hands raised in a calming gesture.
"Don't defend her, Gwen," Leshawna said sharply, cutting her off and turning briefly to her. "You've already done enough putting up with her nonsense."
"Nonsense?" Eva's voice oozed with sarcasm as she glared at Leshawna, the sharpness in her tone making Sadie hesitate as she attempted to intervene. One icy glare from Eva was all it took to send Sadie retreating with a nervous gulp. Even Noah took a cautious step back, his eyes darting between the two clashing personalities.
"The only nonsense I see here is you," Eva continued, her words cutting like a blade. She crossed her arms tightly over her chest. "How I haven't made you come to your senses yet is still a mystery to me."
"Ohhh, a mystery pun," Sadie whispered to Noah, attempting to ease the tension.
Noah, however, rolled his eyes and whispered back, "Not the time." He could feel the brewing storm and knew that anything—one wrong move—might set these two off. Damage control was quickly slipping through their fingers.
"You think you can intimidate me?" Leshawna shot back, leaning closer into Eva's space. Her voice was calm but brimming with confidence. "I'm not scared of you."
"You... should be." Eva's eyes darkened; her growl was low and menacing.
The two stood nose to nose, their glares locked in an unspoken battle of wills. The atmosphere between them was electric, the tension thick enough to cut. Finally, Eva's voice broke the silence, dripping with venom. "Now I know who I'm voting off." With that, she spun on her heel and stormed out, her heavy footsteps echoing as Sadie scurried after her, trying in vain to defuse the bodybuilder's simmering anger.
"Heh, like I said," Leshawna muttered, a smirk starting to form on her lips. "All bark and no—" She paused mid-sentence, her expression shifting as she realized Gwen had turned away from her, muttering something under her breath. Sadie was gone too, and even Noah had silently slipped out of the room.
"Wait... where is everyone?" Leshawna asked aloud, her voice tinged with confusion. She hadn't just annoyed Eva—she'd managed to alienate Gwen and Sadie as well, leaving her alone in the fallout of her fiery confrontation. Oblivious to how her quick judgment had created more enemies than allies, Leshawna now found herself standing solo.
Noah, meanwhile, had done what he considered the wisest thing—remove himself entirely from the situation. Damage control wasn't possible if people were too busy tearing each other apart, and Leshawna had just turned herself into the team's newest target. At least he wasn't the one she had to worry about. The boys of his team aren't crazy to do something so stupid.
Bridgette wandered through the Wardrobe Department, her eyes scanning the racks overflowing with an eclectic array of clothing. The vast selection of outfits seemed ancient, their worn fabrics hinting at a past life in stories long forgotten. Many pieces looked cheaply made, with frayed edges and faded colors. Yet, there was something undeniably charming about them. Their retro appeal held a certain uniqueness, a nostalgic beauty that whispered of an era when they might have been the pinnacle of fashion.
Despite the abundance of options, Bridgette found herself hesitating. She wasn't very knowledgeable about the Noir genre and had only seen two, maybe three, black-and-white movies in her life. She wasn't exactly an expert on the style of that time. Unsure of what she would do to help at the challenge, she decided she'd simply look for something that stood out—something that felt right in the moment—and talk to the others about it.
As she reached for an old-fashioned gown, her thoughts were interrupted by a voice floating through the air, carrying a melody that stopped her in her tracks.
"Ba-da bap chub bap, chub chub duh. But not anymore... I'm in control... I have the stage; you can't turn the page; now all eyes are on me... All eyes on me... Ba-da bap bap, bap bap ba doo ba duh."
Bridgette turned toward the source of the voice, her eyes widening in surprise. There, standing was Ezekiel, glancing at the overcoat bigger than him, with a tie in his hands and a Fedora on the other hand. It seems Ezekiel was choosing which clothing he would be using.
"So many experiments, so many mistakes. But I'll go all the way until I'm in perfect shape," Ezekiel sang, his voice rising dramatically before he caught sight of Bridgette watching him. He froze mid-verse, his expression shifting to one of sheepishness. "Oh... sorry, I got too excited."
Bridgette blinked, momentarily startled, before offering him a warm smile. "It's fine. I can already tell it's a great song. I don't know how you do that," she said as she walked over to him. Seeing he wasn't dressing himself. "Are you going to be the detective?"
"Nah, I have another person in mind. Since his girlfriend wanted so much to participate and I couldn't say no to her, I think it would fit if we trusted him to do the detective part. Ezekiel replied as Bridgette looked in interested to know who it was but decided not to ask further; however, she was interested in knowing more about other things.
"I guess from the style you were singing, it's jazz?" Bridgette asked curiously as Ezekiel tilted his head before shrugging.
"Well, it's a mix," Ezekiel explained, pointing to his cap resting on the nearby table. "It's got a cabaret vibe electro swinger with a touch of rock and some classic old-time elements. The song is called All Eyes on Me by Alice Angel."
"Angel?" Bridgette repeated curiously, stepping closer to the table. She picked up a booklet lying nearby and flipped it open, revealing the image of a beautiful, innocent-looking angel girl seemingly drawn in ink. "Aww, she looks so sweet," she said, but as she turned the page, her reaction shifted to a startled scream. "OH MY GOD!"
Ezekiel chuckled knowingly. "Yeah, that's what happens when you're trapped in an animation studio, cursed by your animator and creator. He made a lot of mistakes, leaving Alice and other people in suffering in that studio... until they were saved."
"Saved? By who?" Bridgette hesitated, turning another page with caution. Her expression shifted from horror to extreme joy and disbelief. "No... oh no... I can't believe it. Really?" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of excitement and hope.
"Yep," Ezekiel replied with a grin. "She's going to be a great addition."
While the cameras capturing the challenge had no clue what Ezekiel was talking about, Bridgette found herself drawn into the mystery. She couldn't help but feel like she was uncovering a secret no one else knew. "So, she's a singer from an old cartoon style?" she asked, trying to piece it together.
"Exactly." Ezekiel nodded.
"Hey, do you think she'd fit into a challenge like this?" Bridgette's eyes lit up with interest.
"What? Why?" Ezekiel asked, tilting his head in surprise at her sudden enthusiasm.
Bridgette didn't answer right away. Instead, she gave him a knowing smile, her excitement evident. And with that, the idea clicked in her mind. She already knew exactly who she wanted to dress like for the challenge.
They have 5 hours until the second part of the challenge anyway.
Harold and Ezekiel waited patiently for the chosen detective to appear. Ezekiel and Harold knew the risks of involving him in that specific challenge, but with the whole team working together on the background and with the advantage they would receive on the challenge, they had a great chance of winning.
"I'm still unsure, Ezekiel. are you sure it shouldn't be you as detective? You are a great writer, and you could understand the logic behind the situations just like Lindsay." Harold commented as he was unsure of the choice. "Heck, even I felt it would be me as a competent detective."
"You didn't go into the summer Steve Camp of Detectives Roleplay, Harold; you already said that," Ezekiel pointed out, as he looked at his nerd friend, who rolled his eyes. "But we never know how much importance it would be for us to help in the background. Each of us would require a set of skills, and the detective would need to be the one finding the answers and the results for everyone. So I think it would be for the best if we all play in the background and help him."
Ezekiel and Harold were talking as Trent opened the door of the Wardrobe Department. as he was raising his hand to greet them, suddenly a big cloth bag covered him, and with a rope, the bag was being carried away, without alerting the boys who were waiting patiently for the person dressed as a detective.
"Are you going to take longer, dude?" Harold said, as he was tapping his foot on the floor, it took some time for them to finally see the person getting out of the dressing box.
"How do I look?" Tyler asked, stepping forward with a detective overcoat slung over his shoulders and a matching fedora hat perched atop his head. He glanced down at the console controller Ezekiel had placed in his pocket, its wire trailing slightly, giving him the appearance of a humanized detective inexplicably fused with an arcade machine.
"You look awesome." Harold spoke as Ezekiel nodded in agreement.
"Yep, you look really like BMO if he was a human." Ezekiel applauded the jock, despite his initial nervousness.
"Are you sure that's a fantastic idea, man? I mean, I can help out in many things, but act? And being a detective? I don't know, man." Tyler said as he was still pale from remembering who he was and possibly who would be the person enacting with him. "And I even had to act with Lindsay, who is dressing herself as a chicken. Come on, man, couldn't you have chosen another animal?"
"Sorry Tyler, but it was the one who fitted for BMO, and we know you still have a phobia of chickens, so we are trying to make Lindsay act like Loraine but remain as human as possible, even if she has a few chicken traits.
"Ughhhh…" Tyler groaned as Ezekiel and Harold snickered.
Confession — Tyler
"I can't believe it. I don't know why Ezekiel created that chapter of Adventure Time for Lindsay," Tyler said as he was facepalming with his dressed detective overcoat of BMO, with his overcoat and fedora. "Now, Lindsay is so hooked up with the idea of BMO-Noire that she is asking Ezekiel to do a spin-off book of the lore... And that's fine, BUT WHY IS LORAINE A CHICKEN? ZEKE, COME ON BRO, HAVE MERCY ON ME."
And suddenly, from the outside of the makeup confession booth, there was a voice.
"MERCY IS FOR THE WEAK, TYLER." Ezekiel shouted as it made the jock really depressed for now, having to act in such a terrifying concept of being in love with a chicken, or his girlfriend acting like a chicken.
"Okay, Tyler, it's just your girlfriend dressed as a chicken, and you are a video game... Nothing to worry about; it's just a Noire Movie challenge... You can do this." Tyler commented as he took a wire from the video game controller and placed it in his pocket like a cigar, just like Ezekiel told him about it. "LET'S DO THIS."
"Just be yourself, and being a detective in Noire is easy; all you had to do is keep talking with yourself, narrating everything you are doing, your thoughts, like you are thinking logically what was your plan to try to solve the case?" Ezekiel explained the concept of the idea while the door of the Wardrobe Department slightly opened, which revealed Beth trying to get inside, but she was being covered with the big cloth bag, and at the time the door closed, the trio turned their heads just to see nothing. "Hmm, strange… Anyway, you can do this."
"Yeah, I know." Tyler said he was very nervous after seeing how important the idea of being a detective and playing the genre was for not just Ezekiel but also Lindsay. Because he isn't sure on how he would react at the time he would see h-
"How do I look, boys?" Lindsay asked cheerfully, twirling slightly to showcase her outfit. She wore a stunning white dress paired with a white feathered scarf draped elegantly around her shoulders. Her look was completed by a striking red wig that fell in perfect waves, the scarlet color giving her an air of glamorous mystery. The red lipstick on her face added a bold touch, making her look both elegant and ready to deliver a kiss of death—figuratively speaking, of course. Though the cameras would display the outfit in black and white, Lindsay's confidence and radiance made the look pop.
Tyler froze, as he showed slight turns between pale, and yet blush… Ezekiel and Harold found it humorous, since it feels like Lindsay was playing with the concept of how Tyler was both afraid and yet was also turned on to see her like that. Probably scaroused.
"You look fantastic, Loraine," Ezekiel said warmly, his sincerity shining through in every word. Lindsay's face lit up instantly, her cheeks glowing as she giggled happily. The compliment seemed to make her entire outfit shine brighter, her excitement tangible as she twirled slightly in her elegant attire.
Katie nodded as she got out from the clothing fitting room with her boyfriend.
"I'm so glad the feathered scarf would be a good addition, since we are trying to fit exactly like you said, Ezekiel," Katie said as she cleaned the sweat off her face, which Cody gave a few taps on her back. "I didn't know I would have been needed in a challenge like that."
"Are you kidding?" Cody was asked to be a good boyfriend. As he knows why Ezekiel had so much faith in Katie. "You were the one who made his jacket, and you even helped Iz-E-Scope deal with the uniforms of her maple syrup factory. There isn't a better person to help Lindsay and Bridgette to dress up than you."
"Yes, I loved this dress combination, it clearly made me feel so great, I feel like very jumpy…" Lindsay said as she gave a few jumps, which Tyler could witness the mounting bounces from her chest, which clearly made him blush even more. "You are really good at choosing clothes; maybe we could go to the mall and have a shopping spree."
"Oh, I love shopping sprees." Katie jumped with Lindsay as the duo of girls clearly had their chests bouncing, which Cody smiled with the view, and Tyler was still in shock.
"I can imagine many people are shouting those two are lucky bastards." Ezekiel mumbled, as he could see how Tyler, as much as he was with bad luck and was very clumsy, even after everything that happened with his life during the seasons in the canon, him getting with Lindsay in the end would be treated as a jackpot. And Cody, as even he had many imperfections at the start of the show, and with it went worse because of Sierra, was glad to see the geek getting into a healthy and happy relationship.
While the group was so happy and distracted seeing Lindsay and Katie bouncing happily, nobody saw Harold being captured nearby them.
"Oh, I think my mom would love to see your drafts; maybe she can give you a few tips on where you could improve, since my mom likes to open fashion events across the country. I think she could even call us to see a fashion event." Lindsay suggested as Katie jumped in excitement as they started talking more about fashion.
"Well, I think that's my cue to leave." Ezekiel said as he was turning his back and gave a slight glance to the corner… "Bridgette, you look fantastic as Alice Angel; you will break a lot of hearts… good luck."
And with that Ezekiel left the area, as Cody went after him.
"Hey, Zeke, I'm going with you. I think when Katie is like in the zone like that, she will take a while, so I will grab something to eat. You want some?" Cody said as both left the whole area. Which the more they walked, they didn't realize Heather was being placed inside of the bag, and Izzy, who was trying to fight against someone, was knocked out by a tranquil dart and then placed inside of the bag as well.
"Yeah, I think that would be nice…" Ezekiel said, as he could see the boy clearly happy for how the events turned out over the day. And he doesn't blame him, since it feels like a day without a challenge… "A sure what the heck. Hey, after eating something, I want you to help me with something…"
Cody blinked, as he isn't sure on what Ezekiel was asking… This uncertainty persisted until they arrived at the boys' trailer.
.
.
.
"Really, Ezekiel? Can I have it?" Cody exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement. Ezekiel sighed, rolling his eyes theatrically, but nodded in agreement.
"Yeah," he replied. "I would rather not give it to you in the morning—too risky during breakfast. People would get suspicious, and honestly, I didn't want anyone tasting my creation before I did. So, here's the deal: you get one, and together, we'll experience it for the first time. Sound good?"
As the afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky, Ezekiel could feel the moment approaching. After enjoying a sandwich, courtesy of the girls' trailer, he gathered the necessary items for their grand experiment. Finally, they both stood, each holding a candy the size of a soccer ball in their hands. It was unlike anything they'd ever seen.
"Listen carefully, Cody," Ezekiel instructed, a hint of mischief in his voice. "You can't bite into this. You have to place the whole thing in your cheek and savor every moment. Got it?"
"Alright, thanks for the heads-up," Cody replied, his geeky enthusiasm evident. Without ceremony, the two boys focused intensely, gripping their candy. "On three?"
"Three!" Ezekiel said abruptly, skipping the countdown, and without hesitation, they both opened their mouths as wide as humanly possible. By some miracle—or perhaps a defiance of all known physical laws—they managed to shove the gargantuan jawbreaker into their cheeks. What followed was nothing short of transcendent. Their pupils dilated, their thoughts soared, and their minds were utterly blown.
For Ezekiel, it was a childhood dream come true. He had spent countless hours imagining what it would be like to eat a jawbreaker straight out of Ed, Edd n Eddy. And now, at last, he understood. This was why the boys scrambled to collect 25 cents every chance they got—why they went to absurd lengths to scam anyone they could. Such perfection deserved a far higher price, perhaps $250, yet it had been sold for mere pennies. It wasn't just candy; it was the very essence of life. The show had treated it as a delicacy for good reason.
"Wow... That was the best candy of my life," Ezekiel said, turning to Cody. He found his friend gazing at the sky, his expression one of pure bliss.
"So this is it," Cody murmured, saliva pooling at the corner of his cheek. "This is the meaning of life. I can see the universe at peace."
Ezekiel nodded in solemn agreement. "Yeah. A candy like this must always be cherished."
"I agree," Cody replied. He resolved, in that moment, that no one would lay a finger near his cheek until he finished savoring every last bit. It would be the most satisfying hours of his life.
"Cody, I'm thinking of making this jawbreaker only once a year," Ezekiel declared suddenly.
"What?" Cody exclaimed, his tone filled with disbelief.
"Special foods and candies lose their significance if you have them every day," Ezekiel explained, his tone filled with conviction. "That's why these—jawbreakers—will be exclusive. Only for people in my circle of friends, and only once a year."
Cody sighed, a mix of understanding and disappointment. "Makes sense, but still, it sucks that I won't have another one."
"It's your only chance—take it or leave it. And you've already taken it," Ezekiel pointed out, a small smirk playing on his lips. "But admit it—it was worth it. Every single grain of sugar."
Cody nodded enthusiastically, the taste still vivid and overwhelming. "This is so delicious..." he murmured, savoring each moment.
"Yes," Ezekiel agreed quietly, his voice tinged with satisfaction. "They are..."
And so the duo sat together, their cheeks full of candy and their minds adrift in the blissful simplicity of pure, sugary perfection. The hour that followed was one of unbroken enjoyment, the jawbreaker's epic flavor unfolding gradually until, at last, it was gone—consumed entirely, leaving only the memory of its extraordinary taste.
As suddenly a big shadow appeared nearby them.
"Oh hey, wha-" Ezekiel was about to greet the person when suddenly a giant bag covered his whole body, and when he least expected it, he was kidnapped. With the sudden shout from Cody, Ezekiel wasn't the only one who got caught by surprise.
The challenge had just started.
To be continue...
Noire D...Ezz Nuts (HA GOT YOU!)
Chapter 66: Noir’s Well That Ends Well
Chapter Text
Author's note: Well well well, guess who's back, and with a lot of information to give... I had to rewrite this chapter 3 times, and not because of the chapter I'm not liking, on contrair, I liked this chapter so much I wrote way too much words again.. So that's why for the development of some characters, I cut the chapter in dozens of thousands of words again... Just for the sake to give you wall the rest of the challenge 2... However... what is missing... oh hahahaha, it will be in the interlude chapter... with a few good news... A GIANT SURPRISE. A few reactions from some characters on the next chapter, or actually after the next chapter, because the next one will be special, one thing that will catch you all of guard... So prepare yourselves for what I prepare for everyone. HAHAHAHAHA
Have fun reading this chapter. XD
After passing hours carrying those brats across the movie sets, where the interns were in such a hurry to prepare the challenge of making them as mysterious as possible, Chef Hatchet and the two security girls finally have their time to relax and enjoy their day before they are tasked with doing any more craziness over the show.
While Chris was sure to have tasked each member with being released to a specific place, Chef and the girls didn't give a damn; they released the boys and girls where they thought it would fit.
Chef secretly knew where some of them would be perfect to be, the place where they would reach their potential.
But still he was feeling sweaty, and he needed a shower, since in a few hours he would need to dress himself as well, the same as the cadets.
At least Chef could say his day couldn't get more exhausting.
"Norbert," then a voice immediately made him jump in surprise and had his eyes wide open.
"Mom?" Chef said as he suddenly was hugged not only by the woman who always takes care of him but also by his grandma, who also came to visit him at work. "What are you two doing here?"
"Oh, is that how you're supposed to greet the person who brought you into this world?" Then the said woman said, which he immediately regretted and corrected himself.
"No, no, no, it's just I'm surprised to see you here, really." Chef quickly hugged as he then heard the snickers coming from the duo, which, with a growl, made the duo shut their mouths. "Do you want something? A water, a juice? I can make something quickly since we are nearby the kitchen."
"Oh, there's no need for that, my dear..." The mother of the military man commented as she patted the head of the man who smiled happily at seeing her. "Well, to reply to your question, there was a caravan nearby our neighborhood promising a great time for those who were born from the 20s to the 50s, so I thought it was a good idea to bring Mom with me to see the gathering of people of our time, and oh boy, we met some interesting people."
"We even played Bing on the caravan coming here." Axe Hatch commented as she became known. "Chester is really a flatterer. I haven't seen someone cause a ruckus over losing a game of bingo since 3 years ago. And that person clearly knows how to use his cane."
"Mom, please compose yourself." Chef's mom chastised the professional league baseball thrower. "Chester is really a very interesting person; it was a surprise to see him go from being so happy to complaining about things with Richard and Sheldon."
"Yeah, because what we needed more was more people complaining about things. But at least Lorena is finally moving her hips." Axe Hatchet commented as Chef's eyes opened in disbelief.
"You mean Miss Leopoldina? I thought she wasn't interested in the elders gathering." Chef always liked to hear juicy news, especially coming from his mom and grandma.
"Oh, not just that, we have no idea when Chester came to the club in the city nearby, and we had a local curling match, but at least once per month we come to visit around. And Lorena isn't the only one swinging her hips to him." Chef's mom gave the details as Chef immediately went to the kitchen to prepare the tea. While he looked at the bottles of purple liquid and green liquid. But he simply placed it inside of his fridge while he wanted nothing more than to know the gossip because it was too good to be ignored.
.
.
.
"Wait, so you are the best throwing pitcher in the Canada League?" MacArthur commented as Chef blinked into seeing his grandma showing her biceps, which made both security girls have their eyes wide open in awe, as Axe Hatchet gave them a smirk.
"Never stopping working on these, someday I'm sure I will surprise everyone who will forget about me." The grandma, Hatchet said as Chef was with his kettle hot and with everything ready to give to his mom and grandma, who had been sitting and looking around the whole place.
"Woah, look at these muscles." Sanders said as she flexed her arm, and she looked much more inferior than an old lady who got strong arms.
"That's why I said to train your glutes. Like me, look at these. All glutes." MacArthur said she was proud of her own definition of arm" but then looked at Axe Hatchet's arms. "But I think I also should keep training my glutes, because DAMN, those were arms that could throw a ball."
"Thinking you could go against my grandma?" Chef asked proudly, as he was smug as well. "You should have seen when she launched water balloons at little brats disturbing her day. It was just entertaining to watch."
"Norbert, please. Let's not talk about the situations involving my mom, will you?" The mother of Chef commented immediately. Chef stopped himself and obeyed his mom while she started serving the girls. "Mom, you don't need to do that."
"Please... You have been working so hard; why not let your mom help you, my dear Cheffory?" The mother smiled, but then she glared at the duo of security who were giggling. "Is there a problem with the name I gave to him?"
That comment made both girls freeze and immediately shake their heads.
"Good." Mama Hatchet smiled as she could see her son happy to see her. "Now, can you all tell me what your group has been doing lately?"
The trio looked at each other, and, shrugging, decided to explain.
.
.
.
"Oh, I love a good movie of the 40s. It reminds me of Casablanca, the good times of the dramatic movies in black and white." Chef's mom sighed dreamily, as Axe Hatchet was also enjoying a good time drinking her tea.
"The good times indeed, my dear. It seems the group had been working so hard to make the poor children get into their positions. Do you all need help?" The mother offered some sort of help, but Chef immediately got up to refuse.
"No, please, we already did all the work, Mom; you have nothing more to worry about. I'm just curious about what they would need all the people of the gold era here for." Chef said golden era because, God forbid, if he calls his mom and grandma elders, he would prefer to go to war instead of dealing with such a terrifying view of his mom being called old or his grandma with a baseball bat aimed at him.
"Hmmm, we actually don't know, but they told us to dress ourselves like when we were in the good times in the 20s, and surprisingly the caravan was already full of good clothes, which was easy for us to select."
"That's good to know. Did they tell you where you guys will be heading?" Chef asked worriedly, as he knows Chris would never try to do something stupid involving those people, especially when his relatives are involved in that, or he swears Chris would lose every single hair gel of his life. But knowing it would be too risky, it probably was a huge coincidence, as one of the boys, the one who had been training with Izzy, had said... in Total Drama everything can be chaotic. He doesn't know why he says Total Drama as a sentient being, but it makes it easier to blame the chaos on the show.
"Well, from what the group had said, we are going to the Chris Ceremony Hall. Isn't that person a bit of an egomaniac?" Axe Hatch commented as Chef clearly chuckled as both Sanders and MacArthur wheezed from hearing their opinion of Chris.
"Thank God I'm not the only one who thinks of that." Chef smiled as he was happy to see his relatives being comfortable there. "I'm sure everything will be fine with you two."
"Oh, of course... also, I can finally see Izzy again," Chef's mom said, which immediately made Chef's eyes wide open before he facepalmed. Of course she would bring that. "It's been so many years since I saw her, and I want to see with my own eyes how big she's gotten since the last time her family visited us."
"Mom..." Chef said as he flinched from the way his mom was guilt-tripping him.
"My young boy took all those years to finally apologize to his friends, and when we were finally reunited, he didn't think to take us to see her family to celebrate the good times together, and now all that rests for us is to wait for an opportunity like that." Mama Hatchet said as she immediately guilt-tripped her son as she stared at him. Which made the military man shiver in fear. But then she smiled. "But that's in the past. Now I can't wait to see my granddaughter from another family, since she was the only one who I was able to see now."
"..." Chef's mouth opened and closed a few times... but then he sighed in defeat. "I will take you both to visit Kim and Ron after I get a day off."
"That's my Norbert." Chef's mom said as she pinched his cheek, which made him smile. He loves to be her mama's boy. "Well then, would you two lovely ladies take me and my mom on the Egomaniac Hall?"
"Right away, Ma'am." Sanders saluted as both mother and grandmother got up and smiled as they walked with MacArthur, who also helped to lead the two people to where the challenge would take place.
Chef smiled happily, even though the show was annoying. At least he was happy to see his mom and his granny again.
(5 hours later... Movie Studio 13)
"Hey, where is everyone?" Gwen muttered, her voice cutting through the eerie silence as she stepped out of the trailer area, fully adorned in her detective attire. The once bustling movie studio seemed unnervingly quiet, with no signs of movement or voices echoing in the distance. She felt as though everyone had disappeared, leaving her alone to unravel the mystery.
As Gwen wandered further down the dimly lit hallways, the oppressive quiet was suddenly broken by the unmistakable voice of Chris McLean booming through the speakers, reverberating across the empty streets of the set.
"Time's up, my noire characters!" Chris announced, his tone as theatrical as ever. "Five hours was plenty for all of you to prep yourselves for the challenge. Now it's time to step into the mysterious lives you've created!"
Gwen halted abruptly, paying close attention to Chris's instructions as they reverberated throughout the deserted movie studio.
"This challenge is where things get interesting," Chris said, his enthusiasm practically oozing from the speakers. "Detectives, report to Movie Set 13. Masterminds, your rendezvous point is the Craft and Service Tent. Femme Fatales, you better get yourselves to the award ceremony area. Each of you will receive your challenges in your respective locations."
The message ended with a static crackle, leaving Gwen momentarily unsure of her next move. She couldn't help but feel a hint of unease as she realized how separated everyone was. Noah, Lindsay, Bridgette, Sadie, and Tyler had all scattered to different corners of the studio, each focusing on final preparations for their roles.
As Gwen and Tyler made their way toward Movie Set 13, the transformation of the surroundings became apparent. The entire studio had been meticulously altered to fit the Noire theme—walls painted in varying shades of gray, bright white lights casting harsh shadows, and the addition of dozens of smoke machines creating an ethereal mist that hung in the air like a silent specter. The night settling in only added to the ominous atmosphere.
"Woah," Tyler muttered as he took in the sight, his eyes wide with surprise. "Chris really went all-out with the Noire vibe."
Gwen nodded in agreement, a small smirk tugging at her lips.
"I think he must've cashed his latest paycheck and decided to go big just to show off," she said, her tone laced with dry amusement. "But hey, it works."
The two detectives soon found themselves at Set 13, where two desks had been set up, each bearing a distinct emblem—one marked with the symbol of the Killer Grips, the other with the Screaming Gophers. On one of the desks, a mixtape lay wired to a player, accompanied by a handwritten note that read, Play me. Gwen exchanged a look with Tyler before picking it up and pressing play.
The sound of Chris's voice filtered through the player, his tone dripping with exaggerated dramatics. "Alright, detectives! You two are about to face the most difficult task of your entire careers. The beautiful, sexy, handsome, and talented Chris McLean has disappeared, and it's up to you to find him!" A poor attempt at a sultry female voice punctuated the recording, eliciting simultaneous grimaces from Gwen and Tyler. It was undeniably Chris himself!
"The folders on the desk contain maps marking my last known locations," Chris's voice continued. "The circles highlighted in red point to spots where you might find allies, each dealing with their puzzles to uncover clues for your investigation. As the winner of the last challenge, Killer Grips Detective, we have already marked out your allies for you! Visit these spots, talk to your allies, gather clues, and do your best to find this handsome man who mysteriously vanished! Please... I don't know how much longer I can hold out!"
"Very dramatic, Chris," Gwen said dryly, rolling her eyes as she pressed the stop button on the player. She set it down and turned to Tyler. "Well, best of luck."
"Thanks, Gwen," Tyler replied, his voice steady but tinged with nerves. He hesitated for a moment before adding, "Also... have fun."
Gwen raised an eyebrow in mild surprise at his comment, but Tyler couldn't help but remember Ezekiel's words to his team earlier. It wasn't just about winning—it was also about enjoying the challenge, making the most of the experience, and having a little fun along the way. Determined to take that to heart, Tyler squared his shoulders and prepared to embrace the mystery ahead.
(Ceremony Hall)
The award ceremony area was unrecognizable from its usual glitzy and modern setting, transformed entirely to fit the Noire aesthetic. The usual gilded Chris statues were gone, replaced by muted, dark tones that echoed the moody vibe of the era. The floorboards creaked underfoot, giving the place an air of forgotten grandeur. Dim, flickering lights illuminated the venue, casting long shadows that danced across the worn, tarnished stage.
But it wasn't just the decor that stood out—it was the crowd. A sea of elderly people filled the space, each dressed in outfits reminiscent of their teenage years from the 1920s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. Fedora hats, vintage swing dresses, and sharp pinstripe suits were everywhere. Conversations buzzed among the crowd, filled with remarks that complained of "how things used to be." You could hear snippets like, "Back in my day, music wasn't just noise!" or, "Why don't kids dress properly anymore?" accompanied by subtle glances of judgment directed at anything or anyone vaguely modern. They muttered about the quality of modern movies and chuckled sarcastically about how young actors today lacked charisma compared to the greats.
As the old men and women suddenly glanced at the newcomer approaching the stadium. Which Sadie was surprised by suddenly wolfish whistles.
"Those were wonderful gals," Sadie heard one of the old people say.
"I love her dress; it reminds me of when I dated Charles on that night. Did I tell you that?" One woman said, as the old ladies whispered happily, as the other ladies agreed from the view of seeing Sadie in a glamorous beaded dress, the sequins catching the light with every movement. A feathered boa around her shoulders, struggling to pin her hair up into loose curls.
Sadie was actually surprised to hear such reactions from the elderly people, and soon she reached the stage where she found a girl with slightly wavy, medium-length black hair wearing a black dress with subtle pleats at the hem, paired with a pearl necklace and white gloves that extended gracefully to her elbows. A soft shawl draped across her shoulders added a touch of refinement, giving her the look of someone caught between innocence and intrigue.
"Err… excuse me? Is this part of the challenge?" Sadie asked as the person suddenly froze and slowly looked at her in surprise.
"Sadie?" Then the Asian girl blinked in surprise by recognizing the voice of the girl in front of her, as suddenly she saw none other than.
"Bridgette? Oh my God, you look amazing in the dress. I thought you were another person, especially with the black hair and black lipstick on her lips." Sadie said as she gushed over seeing her friend actually looking so amazing in the dress she was wearing.
"Thanks. It was inspired. Anyway, you came here for the challenge too? As the femme fatale?" Bridgette asked, as she was glad she wasn't alone in that area full of elderly people. "Well, I think we need to get on the stage; it seems there's something there."
And with that, the girls went up on the stage as they noticed something that added an even stranger twist to the scene—a group of elderly musicians seated in the orchestra pit. The ensemble was composed entirely of old men and women, their backs slightly hunched yet their movements precise as they tuned their instruments with care. Each member looked as though they had stepped out of a sepia-toned photograph, dressed in formal wear from decades past. Despite their advanced age, they carried themselves with an air of dignity and determination, their hands steady as they prepared for their performance.
"What's going on?" Sadie said as suddenly the duo looked at the center of the stage, there was a tiny table where a mixtape lay wired to a player, accompanied by a handwritten note that read, Play me. Which, on that point, Sadie gulped as she pressed play.
The moment Sadie pressed play on the mixtape, the record crackled to life, the imperfections in the sound adding to the retro charm. A slow, sultry saxophone riff played briefly before fading into the unmistakable voice of Chris McLean, dripping with an exaggerated noir bravado.
"Ah, the femme fatales," Chris began, his tone smooth and theatrical, like a monologue from a black-and-white detective flick. "The ones who fuel the flames of every detective's burning questions. You're the reason they get out of bed, put on their fedoras, and chase shadows in alleys. Femme fatales: equal parts mystery, allure, and chaos. And that's exactly the energy I need from you tonight."
The crackling continued as Chris's voice carried on, layering the room with his dramatic presence. "Here's the deal, ladies. Your challenge is to do what femme fatales do best: leave a mark. The stage is set, and the audience? A crowd straight from the golden era, folks who lived the stories you're trying to embody. The teenagers of the 20s , 30s, 40s, and 50s are now in their encore years. Back in their time, their lives weren't about filters and hashtags—it was jukeboxes, swing dances, and crooning melodies under dim lights. Songs that made memories so vivid, they still cling to them like a lifeline."
Sadie and Bridgette exchanged glances, their unease deepening as the crackling tape continued. Chris's voice grew even more dramatic.
"To bring this challenge to life, your job, my darling femme fatales, is to take those memories and reignite them. Serve them, offer some drinks, and act as waitresses. Serve at least 20 or 30 of them before stepping into their time—which would be… singing a song of their youth, a melody that'll light up their eyes and make them feel that spark from a world long past. Your performance will need to impress this crowd enough to earn a clue. A clue that'll help those eager detectives figure out just where their missing man—yours truly—is hiding."
Sadie tilted her head slightly in confusion, but Chris wasn't finished yet.
"There's a catch, of course," he added, the smirk in his voice palpable even through the recording. "Your friends, the ones who aren't part of the main scripted trio of femme fatales, well—they're part of this challenge too. If they want a clue of their own to pass on, they'll have to step up and sing a song themselves. No backup from you unless you become their backup vocals, no hand-holding. Just their voice, their stage, and their courage to face the crowd."
Bridgette's eyes widened slightly. "Wait... what?" she muttered under her breath, but the recording pressed on.
"Oh, and about that crowd," Chris continued, his tone shifting slightly, almost conspiratorial. "You've probably noticed the orchestra down there—old folks with instruments that saw better days before color TVs were a thing. They were players back when music mattered, folks who knew how to make an audience feel. I got them on the cheap because—let's be honest—nobody cares about the 20s to 50s anymore. But let's give these maestros their swan song, shall we? Remind them of the good old days while they're still around to hear it."
The tape ended abruptly, leaving a moment of silence before Chris's voice suddenly boomed again, this time live through the speakers. "Good luck, ladies! Don't screw it up!"
"Seriously? That's all we get? A 'good luck'? This is so typical!" Sadie scowled, crossing her arms tightly.
"Does he have to be such a jerk about them too? These people deserve more respect than that." Bridgette's jaw tightened, her irritation clear as she muttered. She glanced at the orchestra, who, despite the dismissive tone Chris had taken, seemed quietly focused and unbothered, tuning their instruments with precision.
As she even glanced at the old orchestra, she looked over the fact that both she and Sadie were dressed as their time period… She really wondered if how usually people would think of them like that. And yet those people don't seem offended. Which makes Bridgette even more annoyed by it.
"So what are we going to do?" Sadie looked at the crowd, as there were clearly a lot of people, and she didn't even know songs of their time. "I think there's too much of a crowd for me to sing a song."
"Well, all we could do is to serve them for now. I'm sure as soon as Katie, Cody, Ezekiel, or anyone who can help us on this case clearly will come." Bridgette said as she herself could see why Sadie was nervous; there were at least 100 elders on there. And she also felt herself gulping and sweating a bit.
"Well, so how are we going to serve them? I mean, we needed to be waitresses until it was time for us to sing a song." Sadie said as she looked around and wasn't sure what to do until suddenly she found the two security girls. MacArthur and Sanders are coming in their direction.
"And that's the part we get in." MacArthur said as both girls were dressed in police uniforms from the 40s, which they were way more satisfied with than wearing dresses. "Your job is to take the trays on that other side and start serving the elders. There's water, cigars, some dried plums, some porridge…"
"Also, you girls should be aware… Chef's mom and grandma are also there, so if he knows you disrespected them, he will make your lives a true hell." Sanders also gave a tip, which clearly made both the surfer and the strong, chubby girl pale from receiving the bad news. "But I really recommend you guys use that time to try to learn a few songs and talk with them."
"Yeah, also, just to warn yah, there's a boy, and we have no idea how he came here, but all the elderly treat him like he's an old man of 80 years old, and the boy really is a good actor; it's like he really is an old guy. He even tried to swing his cane at me, man. Those people who came on the challenge must be amazing paid actors." MacArthur commented as the duo of girls blinked from what the security girl had said and with the idea of what they were going to do.
"Well, at least we can buy some time until someone who knows how to play the instruments can talk with the orchestra and help us with a good song." Bridgette said in optimism, which Sadie gave a forced laugh…
"Please, someone come here quickly." Both girls said in unison in their minds.
(Craft and Service Tent)
The Craft and Service Tent had been transformed into something straight out of a noir crime drama. Gone was the usual setup of catering trays and crew chatter. Instead, the space was drenched in atmosphere, with muted lighting casting eerie shadows across the walls. Black curtains draped from the ceiling, creating a closed, almost claustrophobic feel. Scattered props lined the room—old typewriters, stacks of faded newspapers, briefcases, and vintage rotary phones—all carefully arranged to evoke the world of shady deals and hidden conspiracies.
The centerpiece of the tent was a polished wooden table, dimly lit by a single hanging lamp that swung slightly as though unsettled by some unseen breeze. On the table sat two folders, each marked with their team emblems, along with a mixtape perched beside an antique cassette player. The note taped to it read simply, Play me.
Noah was about to press play until suddenly he heard someone who just got inside.
"Ohhhh, spooky." Lindsay's voice was clearly what made Noah know what was coming, and slowly he turned his head, and he blinked… He had been reading and editing Ezekiel books, and recently he had to admit the BMO Noire was indeed a very intriguing story, but to see Lindsay wearing a red wig and looking exactly like one of the masterminds of the recent story.
"You look exactly like Lorraine if she were a human." Noah pointed it out, which made Lindsay beam with pride. "And 10 bucks for me; I was right to see you here."
"Hey, Nolan." Lindsay greeted the bookworm, who just remained quiet, as it clearly showed the duo was now dressed as masterminds.
Noah adjusted his long black overcoat and fedora, his usual sharp wit slightly dulled by the heavy ambiance. Lindsay, radiant in her white feathered scarf and dress, leaned forward, admiring the vintage props with wide-eyed enthusiasm.
"This place is like a Noire playground," Lindsay said cheerfully, picking up one of the rotary phones and holding it to her ear. "I feel like I'm about to make a super-secret call to someone important."
"Well, if you're calling anyone, tell them we're stuck in one of Chris's dramatic roleplays. I give it twenty minutes before he makes everything overly complicated." Noah rolled his eyes but couldn't help smirking at her enthusiasm. "Also, great job getting the info from Eva. I'm curious about what you did, so I will be sure to watch attentively on the episode after we finish this show."
"Thanks." Lindsay giggled, then nodded toward the cassette player. "Should we play it?"
"Might as well. Knowing Chris, he's probably recorded something so self-indulgent it'd make a classic villain look modest." Noah sighed, adjusting the brim of his fedora.
Lindsay pressed play, and the tape crackled to life. Chris's unmistakable voice filled the tent, deepened and exaggerated for dramatic effect.
"Ah, the masterminds," Chris began, his tone dripping with Noire flair. "The ones who see the whole picture, who plan each move like pieces on a chessboard. You pull the strings, set the traps, and make sure the detectives dance to your tune. But now, it's time for you to put your brilliance to the test."
The tape paused briefly, the static humming before Chris's voice returned.
"In front of you, you'll find folders containing maps to your allies—the ones stationed across the studios. Your role is to use the disk phones to call your allies on those marks, deliver cryptic instructions, and ensure they solve their puzzles correctly as they get their clues to give to you. Their success is your success."
"So basically, we babysit them while Chris gets to sit back and watch us squirm." Noah raised an eyebrow, muttering under his breath.
"And the Craft and Service Tent? It's your headquarters." Chris continued, oblivious to Noah's commentary. "Use it wisely. But the Noire world is never straightforward—those puzzles? They're designed to test even the sharpest minds. You'll need to act the part, talk the talk, and convince your allies to follow through. Only then will you receive the clue you need to direct the detectives. And be careful not to make any mistakes because—if there's one thing the Noire world doesn't forgive, it's mistakes. Good luck, my masterminds. I'll be watching."
The tape stopped, leaving the two of them in silence, save for the faint hum of the lamp above.
"Well, that was... dramatic," Noah remarked dryly, sliding one of the folders toward himself. He flipped it open, skimming the contents. "Puzzles, cryptic clues, convincing people to listen to us—sounds like an exercise in futility."
"It sounds fun to me!" Lindsay said brightly, spinning slightly in her dress as she admired the room again. "It's like we're the brains behind the operation! I mean, how cool is that?"
"You're way too excited about this." Noah shook his head as he raised his eyebrows at her. "But I don't blame you since you are dressed as the mastermind of a heist of gold with a sock."
"Thank you." Lindsay beamed with pride. Now it was the time to select which members of their team should be getting a call… Which she already had one in mind. "I'm going to call for Heather,"
"Do whatever you want, but just to be sure, I will call for Owen. And inform him about trying to try the challenge or until someone comes to his aid to help to solve the puzzle… while I think this one isn't that bad." Noah mused as he looked where Lindsay was pointing out who she was going to help, so maybe having Owen also be the one to have the same puzzle he could at least solve by himself, but the bookworm doesn't have his hopes too high.
(?)
Heather stirred awake, blinking rapidly to adjust her vision to the dim lighting. She sat up slowly, taking in her surroundings—a Noire-themed studio with two distinct bar sections divided by a glass wall. The eerie ambiance of the room was heightened by the rows of dusty liquor bottles lining the shelves, casting elongated shadows on the walls. On the opposite side of the glass wall, Owen groaned as he sat up, his movements sluggish. They glanced at each other briefly as Owen waved at her and said something, but nothing could be heard, since the walls were unable to make them hear the sound. As both of them suddenly glanced at the bars in front of them.
Heather's sharp gaze darted around, analyzing the room as she muttered under her breath.
"You have got to be kidding me. Of all the things Chris had done, kidnapping all of us…ugh." Heather said as suddenly a shrill ringing interrupted her thoughts. Heather turned her head toward the black rotary phone sitting on her side of the bar, its ominous sound echoing through the space. She picked up the receiver, holding it to her ear cautiously. "Hello?"
"Hi, Heather!" Lindsay's cheerful voice came through the line. Heather's tense expression softened slightly as she recognized her best friend's voice. "So, okay, I'm supposed to explain your puzzle to you… Uh oh… it's a written puzzle, and I need to read to you… Don't worry, I got this."
Heather relaxed slightly but didn't interrupt, patiently waiting as Lindsay stumbled through her explanation.
"Okay, so there's a riddle... um... A man d-d-dri-drinks poi...son eve…ry day..." Lindsay faltered, her words trailing off.
"Lindsay, it's fine. Take your time," Heather encouraged gently. Knowing that she possibly is still on the challenge, she could see Lindsay still having a few seconds to continue reading.
"but never dies. Oh, it's this." Lindsay said as Heather nodded her head.
"A man drinks poison every day but never dies." Heather repeated as she heard her blonde friend humming in agreement. "Got it. Are you okay? Did Chris do something to you?"
"I'm fine. Since I'm the mastermind, I need to call everyone and see them finish their puzzles so that way, after a few, I will get the clue to help Tyler." Lindsay explained, as Heather immediately grimaced, knowing the girl, while being a good and logical girl sometimes, giving her papers to read was a very cruel joke for Chris. "So I need to wait for everyone to get the clues for me to collect for Tyler. It would be helpful for you to explain to him I'm here if you find him."
"Ugh, that would be a bad idea." Heather said, annoyed, as she looked at it, it would be way more difficult if she let Lindsay deal with all that challenge alone. "As soon as I get the clue, I will be going right at you to help."
"That would be nice. I'm at the Craft and Service Tent. And please don't turn off the telephone; I don't want to be blamed in case I wasn't listening to you solve the puzzle. And since you are going to tell me the clue, I will be waiting for you to tell me." Lindsay said cheerfully as Heather nodded her head and she placed the telephone nearby. And looked around.
"Okay: A man drinks poison every day but never dies. That would be something my dad would be talking about… the barman, obviously." Heather realized the answer as she looked at the bar where there were dozens of bottles of drinks on it, but between them, one must be the answer that can solve this riddle.
Confession — Heather
"Lindsay reading the riddles while she has her condition is a really annoying handicap someone could give to the Killer Grips. I'm not going to let the team blame her just because she would take 5 minutes just to read a sentence. Chris, that's a low blow coming from you." Heather said as she crossed her arm, as she was ready to take the place and help Lindsay to tell the riddles.
Owen, on the other side, heard the phone begin ringing, and he scrambled to answer it, his movements clumsy as usual.
"Hello? Uh, what's going on?"
As he finally took the telephone, he heard a familiar voice on the telephone.
"Owen, listen carefully. The riddle is 'A man drinks poison every day but never dies. Who is he?' You need to figure out the answer and tell me the answer. Do not turn off the telephone until you find the clue and tell me what it is, okay?"
"So... what do I do?" Owen scratched his head, looking both intrigued and confused.
"Just watch what Heather was doing on the other side, and see where she finds the answer, and do the same, okay?" Noah replied, his tone slightly annoyed but still patient. "Just be sure to not drink anything because we don't know what Chris had placed in the drinks around, okay?"
"Okay… thanks, Noah." Owen said as he decided to watch Heather stare at the bar, and suddenly she went to one of the bottles. And decided to repeat her movements.
.
.
.
"Between dozens of bottles, which one must have the clue?" Heather narrowed her eyes until suddenly she blinked in surprise upon seeing a bottle with the word Barman's Poison labeled on it. "Okay,"
As soon as Heather took the bottle, she saw a white button on the bottom of the same poison drink. Which she simply pressed. And at that same moment, the compartment of the register machine opened with an envelope inside.
Making Heather smirks. And quickly goes to the telephone.
"Lindsay, I did it. I got the clue," Heather said quickly, as she heard Lindsay cheering from the background. Which Heather immediately started to open, just to see her eyes narrowing with frustration. "What the hell? This is the clue Chris wanted us so much to find?"
"What is it, Heather?" Lindsay, who was happy to see her best friend being the first to solve the riddle, suddenly asked in concern since, from the tone of her friend, Heather doesn't look happy at all.
"It was a photo of a prop table." Heather groaned, which clearly would make her friend disappointed by how terrible the clue was. "I'm getting out of here and going straight at you."
"Alright, I will be waiting. See you soon." Lindsay said in a hopeful tone, which really made Heather smirk as she turned off the telephone, and she then looked at Owen, who was trying to see the bottles, but he was making a mess of seeing the bottles one by one.
"Well, I wish I would expend more time to have some entertainment around here." Heather commented as she rolled her eyes, but as soon as Owen looked at her, she just used a two-finger salute and closed the door. "But I'm more focused on winning this challenge and helping Lindsay. Good luck, fat boy; you are going to need it."
(?)
The dim, flickering light cast eerie shadows across the room, reminiscent of a vintage noir film set. Smoke hung in the air like ghostly tendrils, curling around the worn and dusty furniture. Cody was the first to stir, his head heavy as he blinked away the haze of unconsciousness. His gaze roamed the room, landing on Izzy, seated groggily across from him, just as disoriented. Across the room, separated by an impenetrable glass wall, Jude and Justin were coming to, their faces mirroring his confusion. The wall rendered communication impossible between the pairs: Cody and Izzy on one side, Jude and Justin on the other.
The sharp, rhythmic sound of a clock ticking pierced the oppressive silence, drawing all their attention to the desk at the center of each side of the room. Atop it rested a bomb, crisscrossed with wires and a glaring red digital timer counting down. Beside the device sat a paper bag, its ominous presence filling the room with a palpable dread. Cody, Izzy, Jude, and Justin exchanged wide-eyed glances.
"Is that a bomb?" Cody croaked, his voice breaking as he turned towards the glass wall. On the other side, Jude waved frantically and shouted, but the barrier kept his voice from reaching them. Cody's own side had Izzy—the unpredictable, eccentric military prodigy—who had been his teammate and yet remained a mystery. Her lineage was the stuff of urban legend: the child of three military parents and a former leader of Chef Hatchet's infamous Infantile Team Squad during her youth.
"It seems so," Izzy muttered, her voice calm as she strode towards the bomb. She glanced over at the opposite side, where Jude and Justin were inspecting a note attached to the paper bag. It took only moments before Izzy's expression froze, her eyes widening in alarm. "BEEP."
"WHAT?" Cody's panic flared instantly. His face paled as memories from past trauma bubbled to the surface. "Oh no, oh no, oh no—not this again! I'm still haunted by the Phobia Factor challenge… and now this. Why me? WHY?!"
Izzy remained stone-faced as she studied the bomb's details. "Yeah, this challenge is going to stink—literally," she said, a seriousness replacing her usual mischievous grin. In front of them sat a ticking time bomb, containing none other than the dreaded stink bombs: El Mongo and La Muerte.
"We have to disarm it," Izzy declared.
"We?" Cody's voice cracked with a mix of terror and reluctant gratitude for not being alone in this mess. "Please tell me you know how to disarm bombs."
"Relax, my trembling friend. I might not be perfect, but I know just the expert for situations like these." Izzy suddenly tousled her hair and contorted her face into a wild expression. "Meet Explosivo, the explosive extraordinaire. Leave it to me, mi hombre!"
Cody blinked, torn between hope and horror. "Uh… I don't know if that's reassuring or terrifying."
The memory of the Phobia Factor challenge haunted him as he approached the table. That time, he had been left to disarm a bomb under Chef Hatchet's bellowing guidance, an experience that still brought him nightmares. Nearby, Izzy cracked open an enormous manual and began flipping through the pages with speed and precision.
"What does it say?" Cody asked, his voice trembling with anticipation.
Izzy raised her eyebrows, a smirk tugging at her lips. "It says, start reading... or start praying."
Cody groaned, staring at the manual's hundreds of densely packed pages. "Great, just like Phobia Factor all over again. What are we going to do?"
"Did you forget who's on your team now?" Izzy turned to him, her expression suddenly confident and mischievous. With a loud slap to his back, she grinned. "Explosivo, demolition expert and savior of stink-free bombs! You focus on not fainting while disarming the bomb, and I'll handle the manual."
"Are you crazy? I can't go near that thing! The last time I messed up, I got buried in garbage, and it took days to get rid of the stench!" Cody protested, glancing nervously at Izzy, who was flipping through the enormous manual as if it were a light read.
"Mira, do you see how many pages are here?" Izzy quipped, raising her hand like an eager student before leveling an arched eyebrow at Cody. "Does anyone else here have experience reading bomb-disarming manuals? No? Then man up, Cody. Disarming a bomb is like a two-player game: one gives instructions, and the other does the dirty work. So, keep talking, and nobody explodes."
"Alright, alright… I'll trust you on this, Iz—"
"Explosivo," she corrected with an exaggerated flourish. Cody rolled his eyes.
"Fine. Explosivo," he conceded, edging toward the bomb. The relentless beeping made him more jittery with every step. "What do I do now?"
"Pick up the bomb, flip it over, and find the serial number. And don't touch the paper bag," Izzy instructed. Cody's hands trembled as he carefully cradled the wired contraption, beads of sweat gathering on his forehead. Slowly, he located a label on the left side.
"Q61EC4," he stammered.
"Quebec, six, one, echo, charlie, four, roger that." Izzy repeated as she jotted it down, her military training on full display. Cody glanced at her in surprise, noting how her usual chaotic energy had been replaced by a sharp, almost commanding focus. "Military tactics on memorizing letters, and what's the first thing in front of the bomb?"
"Errr… there's a bunch of symbols here." Cody commented as Izzy nodded her head and flipped the pages.
"The hieroglyph one. Roger that." Izzy commented, which once again saw Cody looking at Izzy; as her entire face changed, it was like he was seeing a more stern and concentrated girl instead of the unpredictable girl. It was like he was seeing a true military on there. "What are the symbols?"
"There's… uh… a weird trident, a C with a dot in the middle, a T with an upside-down P, and a smiley face—"
"With the tongue sticking out?" Izzy cut in.
"Yeah, that's the one," Cody confirmed, watching as Izzy scribbled notes furiously.
"Roger. Okay, press the four buttons in the correct sequence. What's in the top left?"
"The trident."
"Press it," Izzy instructed. Cody's finger hovered for a moment before he pressed the button. A green light blinked on, and he let out a nervous cheer, though his hands were still shaking.
"Okay, next is the smiley face," Izzy continued. Cody complied, earning another green light. "Now the T with the upside-down P. Finally, the C with the dot."
Cody followed her instructions to the letter, and the panel lit up with a reassuring green glow.
"Yes! We did it!" Cody exclaimed, relief flooding his voice.
"Not so fast," Izzy said, her tone deadpan. "That was only one of three modules. We've still got two more to go."
"*BEEP!*" Cody cursed, visibly rattled by the timer's insistent rhythm. His fear was palpable, but the rush of adrenaline was undeniable.
"What's next?" Izzy prompted, her voice steady.
"Wires! I see wires. There are six of them," Cody reported, glancing nervously at the bomb's ticking clock, which seemed to be moving faster than ever.
"Roger that. Are any of them striped?" Izzy asked, her eyes scanning the manual.
"No stripes. Just two black, two blue, and two red."
"Are any of them yellow?"
"None." Cody double-checked.
"What's the last digit of the serial number?"
"Four," he replied after turning the bomb carefully.
"Cut the fourth wire from top to bottom," Izzy instructed. Cody's hand wavered as he grabbed the wire cutters. Closing his eyes, he made the cut. The sharp snip was followed by the glow of another green light.
"Two down, one to go!" Cody sighed in relief before spotting the third module. His stomach dropped. "There's… a big blue button that says 'Abort.' I think I should—"
"DON'T. EVEN. THINK ABOUT TOUCHING IT WITHOUT MY PERMISSION," Izzy barked, her sudden ferocity making Cody freeze mid-sentence. She rapidly flipped to the section on buttons, her tone calming slightly as she added, "Alright. Hold the button—don't press and release it—just press and hold."
Cody nodded silently, gripping the button with trembling fingers. His pulse quickened when he noticed something alarming.
"Izzy, there's a yellow light on the side," Cody stammered, his discomfort evident as he avoided looking directly at it.
"My name is Kaleidoscope—got it," Izzy remarked, her tone clipped. Then, with mock severity, she added, "Or call me Explosivo now, Cody. Show some respect for your military superior. Don't make me hit you." She narrowed her eyes at the manual, scanning quickly before her expression turned calm and resolute. "Alright, yellow stripe. Release the button when the clock hits 5. Any position."
"Any position?" Cody asked, his voice pitching upward as panic crept in. The timer read 1:40, and he couldn't help but fixate on the countdown, feeling it tick closer to doom.
"1:35, 1:25, 1:15, 1:05—get the idea? Pick your favorite five, hombre," Izzy quipped without looking up. Her eyes darted between Cody and the manual as the seconds slipped away. "Now breathe and focus; you've got this."
Sweat beaded on Cody's forehead as he fixated on the clock. The moment 1:35 struck, he released the button, closing his eyes in dread. A soft click broke the tension. Slowly, he opened his eyes to see the timer frozen in place.
Beneath the table, something small clattered to the floor. A key, tied to a picture of a set of shelves, glinted faintly in the dim light.
"Well, that's amusing," Izzy deadpanned, scooping up the key and holding it up like a trophy. "Horrible clue aside, at least we can leave now."
"You don't have to tell me twice," Cody muttered, relief washing over him as he turned towards the glass wall. On the other side, Jude and Justin were frantic, their expressions full of despair as their timer continued to tick down.
Izzy followed his gaze before shaking her head firmly. "We can't help the fallen soldiers, Cody. It's too late for them, and we're not sticking around to join them in the stink. The best you can do is remember them fondly."
Opening the door, Izzy didn't flinch. Cody hesitated, guilt gnawing at him as he caught Justin and Jude's wide-eyed desperation through the glass. A pang of shame hit him, but it wasn't strong enough to override his survival instinct.
There was no way in hell he was staying to face the wrath of El Mongo and La Muerte.
They had solved their part of the mystery.
Confession — Cody
"I was terrified. All the trauma came rushing back—my heart was pounding, my hands were shaking… It was just like the Phobia Factor challenge all over again. But S-Scope—or, well, Explosivo—was incredible. She was like a machine, calmly giving me the exact instructions I needed. We kept talking, and we worked together as a team. And because of that, we didn't explode." Cody paused, taking a huge bite out of a chocolate bar he'd clearly earned after the ordeal. A faint grin crossed his face, though his eyes still hinted at lingering nerves. "It was pure adrenaline. Honestly, it's an experience I'll remember forever. Maybe someday, I'll even try to replicate it—"
The floor shook violently, cutting his sentence short. A deafening explosion reverberated in the distance.
Cody froze mid-chew, his expression darkening. "Oh… I'm really sorry, you guys. We couldn't communicate through the glass. I swear we tried, but there was nothing else we could do." His voice softened, almost pleading, as though he hoped the unseen audience would understand.
(Craft and Service Tent)
*BOOOOMMMMM*
The blast's rumble reached the tent, causing Lindsay to jump. She turned toward Noah, who sat casually at the table with a map spread out in front of him.
"Did you hear that, Nolan?" Lindsay asked, her wide, innocent eyes darting between Noah and the direction of the explosion.
Noah barely glanced up, still focused on the map. "Oh, yeah, probably from the challenge where Justin, Cody, Izzy, and Jude were trying to defuse a bomb," he said nonchalantly, tracing his finger over the marked zones. His smirk grew faint, and in an overly theatrical tone, he added, "Oops. I might've forgotten to call them and give them the clue. I've been so busy helping Owen, who's still on the phone... My bad."
Lindsay's jaw dropped, and for a moment, she looked utterly horrified. But her expression softened almost immediately. "Oh, it's fine, Nolan. You're such a good person—I'm sure they'll understand!" She beamed, oblivious to his thinly veiled sarcasm.
Noah rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, "That's what everyone says," before returning to the map and casually picking up his phone.
The tent flap suddenly burst open, and Heather stormed in, visibly irritated.
"Ugh, what was Chris thinking, kidnapping me and Owen and leaving us on the other side of this stupid abandoned movie set? I had to leave my heels behind to come here as soon as possible." Heather commented as Noah simply rolled his eyes and smirked at her.
"Maybe you should have volunteered yourself as Mastermind, but instead Lindsay was here doing all the hard work." Noah said as Heather scowled at him.
"Shut up, bookworm." Heather said as she walked towards Lindsay and gave her the photograph. "Here's the stupid clue Chris gave to us. How are you holding yourself?"
"I'm doing fine. I just called for Ezekiel, and he already gave me the clue without my help, and he said he will be going towards the ceremony since Bridgette was there." Lindsay explained what just happened, which made both Noah and Heather blink in surprise.
"How did he solve the puzzle?" Both asked at the same time, which Lindsay shrugged…
"He said the clue was a picture of a bed." Lindsay commented as Heather narrowed her eyes, and Noah also thought about it…
But still with a question about what the hell Chris was thinking and how Ezekiel managed to solve the riddle so easily.
(?)
Ezekiel squinted under the dim, flickering fluorescent lights, the air around him eerily still except for the distant hum of electricity. On the opposite side of the room, separated by a thick glass wall, Geoff sat slumped in front of a similar typewriter, his expression a mix of curiosity and mild frustration. Though they were close enough to exchange glances, the glass ensured they couldn't hear one another, a silent barrier that underscored their positions on opposing teams.
Ezekiel leaned forward, his fingers brushing the cold keys of the vintage typewriter in front of him. On the typewriter sat a small, weathered card that bore the title of the challenge in smudged ink: "Ink Spilled in Rage." The ominous words made his brow furrow. What did it mean?
Geoff, always the laid-back surfer, seemed more amused than concerned. He tapped rhythmically on the desk, his carefree demeanor contrasting starkly with Ezekiel's focused intensity. But Ezekiel wasn't about to waste time. He immediately started inspecting his surroundings, knowing that the smallest details often held the biggest answers. He was a writer, so he knew something was related to the typewriter...
Instinct told him to examine the typewriter itself. He crouched low, his sharp eyes scanning the base of the machine. That's when he spotted it—a dark, dried pool of spilled ink beneath the typewriter. The ink, though long dried, appeared to glisten under the light, almost as if beckoning him closer. Amid the irregular blotches, two numbers were etched into the mess: 45 and 01.
"Huh… numbers?" Ezekiel murmured to himself. His voice echoed faintly in his own isolated bubble of a room. Straightening up, he glanced around the dim space, scanning for any clue that might connect to the cryptic digits. His gaze locked on an old-fashioned clock mounted on the wall. Its hands were eerily still, frozen in time as though it had long ceased to function.
Ezekiel narrowed his eyes, stepping toward the clock with purpose. The numbers flashed in his mind again: 45 and 01.
"Could it be?" Ezekiel asked as he reached up and began adjusting the clock's pointers, his calloused fingers hesitating only slightly as they nudged the minute hand to 45 and the hour hand to 1. He paused for a breath, his heart pounding faintly in anticipation.
*Click.*
The sound was soft but unmistakable. The face of the clock shifted, its glass front creaking open like the door to a hidden safe. Ezekiel leaned in, his curiosity overtaking his caution. Inside the hollow compartment, a single photograph lay waiting. He carefully pulled it out, holding it up to the light.
It was a picture of a simple bed—pristine white sheets, a single fluffy pillow, and nothing more. Ezekiel's brows knitted in confusion. "A bed? What the heck's that supposed to mean?" he muttered. Yet there was something deliberate about the photo's placement. It had to be significant.
Across the glass, Geoff was still sitting upright, his fingers tapping impatiently on the desk. He hadn't noticed the ink beneath the typewriter yet. Ezekiel decided to throw him a bone, knocking lightly on the glass until Geoff's gaze snapped to his. Ezekiel pointed emphatically beneath the typewriter, motioning for Geoff to lift it. Then, he mimed turning the clock hands, trying to relay the answer as best as the situation allowed.
Geoff's expression shifted as the light of realization dawned. He tipped his hat in gratitude, flashing Ezekiel a quick grin before getting to work. Ezekiel smiled faintly, satisfied that his friend was on the right track.
Just as he turned to leave, the shrill ring of a rotary phone startled him. He picked it up, pressing the receiver to his ear cautiously. "Hello?"
"Hello?" Ezekiel asked, and then he heard Lindsay's voice. "Oh hey, Lindsay, don't worry, I solved the puzzle; you are not going to believe what I have… Yeah, it's a picture of a bed… Yeah, I also have no idea what it is. I will be on my way to help Bridgette. Where is she? Huh? In the Ceremony Hall? Okay, I will be going right there. See yah. Thanks."
.
.
.
"Thanks for the help, Zeke. I'm sure I wasn't going to figure anything out in there," Geoff admitted with a sheepish chuckle, scratching the back of his neck. He held up the picture that Ezekiel had helped him retrieve—a seemingly innocuous image that had him stumped. "I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to do with this picture."
Ezekiel gave him a small, encouraging smile.
"From what I heard, Noah and Lindsay are the masterminds, and they wanted all the clues to help the detectives, and since they are in the Crafts and Service Tent, I think you should give that to Noah personally," Ezekiel explained everything he heard from Lindsay, and especially since their challenge is going to be trying to gather all the clues, it seems the duo doesn't have much to do now. "I'm reading to see if Bridgette needs some help. Do you want to come with?"
The mere mention of Bridgette was enough to make Geoff's face light up. His eyes sparkled as though Ezekiel had just offered him the world.
"Zeke, my man, you have no idea how much I wanted to hear those words," Geoff said, practically beaming.
Ezekiel nodded knowingly. He didn't need an explanation. It had been clear for days now that Geoff and Bridgette had barely seen each other, their focus on challenges keeping them apart. For a pair so close, it was a strange and unsettling record. Ezekiel understood how much it meant for Geoff to spend time with her again.
The warm moment between Ezekiel and Geoff was suddenly interrupted by the pounding sound of frantic footsteps. Both boys turned toward the commotion, eyebrows raised in confusion, as Tyler came sprinting into view. His detective-inspired trench coat flapped wildly behind him, and his expression was a comical mix of urgency and sheer panic.
"Hey! Guys! Wait up—" Tyler started, his words cutting off abruptly as his foot caught on an uneven patch of ground. Momentum carried him forward in an instant, sending him tumbling head over heels. His arms flailed helplessly, and his cries of alarm bounced off the walls of the alleyway.
Ezekiel and Geoff instinctively stepped back just in time to avoid the whirlwind of chaos barreling toward them. Tyler hit the ground with a loud thud, rolling unceremoniously until he came to an abrupt stop against a heavy wooden door—the very door that led back into the old movie studio where Ezekiel and Geoff had solved their puzzle.
For a moment, silence hung in the air, save for Tyler's groan as he clutched his head. Ezekiel and Geoff exchanged bemused glances, struggling to suppress the laughter threatening to burst forth.
"You okay there, Detective BMO?" Ezekiel teased, his lips twitching into a smirk.
Tyler shot him a half-hearted glare as he pushed himself onto his knees, brushing dust off his coat in an attempt to salvage what little dignity remained. "Totally planned that," he muttered, though the flush of his cheeks betrayed his embarrassment.
Geoff couldn't hold back his laughter any longer, patting Tyler on the back once he'd stood up. "Man, you're the most committed detective I've ever seen. Dedication, right there."
Geoff's grin softened as nostalgia crept into his voice. Despite everything, he missed the camaraderie of the Killer Bass. Their interactions in the boys' trailer didn't feel quite the same as the days spent bonding in the aquarium, enjoying their moments as a team.
"Yeah, sure. Dedication," Tyler grumbled, rolling his eyes. He glanced at the door he had accidentally crashed into before turning back to the duo. "So, uh… do you guys need help with the puzzle?"
Ezekiel and Geoff chuckled in unison.
"Already done." Ezekiel replied as he handed Tyler the photograph of his clue.
Tyler stared at the picture in bewilderment, tilting it slightly as though it might make more sense from a different angle.
"Is that a bed?" he asked, glancing between the two boys. Geoff and Ezekiel nodded simultaneously. Which made him sigh.
"Well, at least I came here," Tyler muttered. "And you were the first person I wanted to help solve the puzzle, so that means we're ahead of the schedule."
"So I'm technically the first to solve the puzzle? Huh, neat." Ezekiel commented with a grin. Geoff raised his hand, and the duo exchanged an enthusiastic high-five. "I'm heading out to help Bridgette. Femme Fatale is probably one of the hardest challenges, and Lindsay asked you to go to the Crafts and Service Tent to gather clues and help solve the mystery."
Without further ado, Ezekiel broke into a jog, his determination palpable.
"Oh yeah, Tyler, can you do me a favor?" Geoff added hurriedly. "I need you to give that"—he gestured to Ezekiel's photograph—"to Noah. I'm going with Zeke to help Bridgette and Sadie as well." Geoff barely waited for Tyler's reply, clapping him on the back in an almost brotherly manner. "Thanks, man, you're the best. Good luck with the challenge."
"Guys, GUYS. No… I don't want to meet Lindsay as Lorraine," Tyler whimpered, his tone more resigned than annoyed. Despite the confident facade of his Detective BMO persona, the idea of encountering Lindsay—who, in his mind, resembled a human embodiment of chaos—clearly rattled him.
"Sigh… why do I always listen to my friends?" Tyler muttered under his breath, dragging his feet reluctantly as he turned toward the Crafts and Service Tent.
(Craft and Service Tent)
In the dim lighting of the Crafts and Service Tent, Heather sat hunched over a pile of files, her sharp gaze scanning the neatly typed notes that detailed where the other competitors were and the riddles they were assigned. The faint hum of a disk phone could be heard in the background, where Noah was in the midst of a call, his sardonic tone cutting through the quiet ambiance of the tent. Beside him, Lindsay hovered, her bright energy a stark contrast to Heather's focused demeanor.
Heather occasionally glanced up from the files, assisting Lindsay whenever the dyslexic girl struggled to make sense of the text. Despite her often prickly attitude, Heather found herself falling into a rhythm of collaboration as she guided Lindsay through the clues and riddles.
The atmosphere shifted when the distant sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the tent. The group turned their heads toward the entrance as Tyler appeared, his detective-inspired trench coat swaying with his hurried movements. Tyler looked determined yet slightly frazzled as he approached the group.
"Hey," Tyler began, his voice slightly strained. "I've got a clue for you guys. Ezekiel showed me the picture of a bed, and he said I should bring it here… Also, Geoff asked me to deliver it to Noah." He extended a photograph toward Noah as he spoke, the image a simple picture of a bed.
Before anyone could analyze the clue or respond further.
"BMO~" Lindsay tilted her head and broke into a sing-song tone, uttering a single word.
Tyler froze. His eyes darted to Lindsay as his whole body stiffened. Even in the grayscale filter of the noir-themed challenge, the lipstick on her lips and the suddenly seductive look in her eyes were undeniable. Lindsay's gaze seemed to transform, carrying an allure that caught Tyler entirely off-guard.
With surprising calm, Lindsay spoke, her voice smooth and steady, yet distinctly different from her usual bright cheerfulness.
"Heather. Noah. Could you two leave us alone for just a minute?"
Heather and Noah exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of curiosity and surprise. Noah, for once, was taken aback that Lindsay had actually gotten his name right. Without a word, the duo stepped outside, though neither could resist the urge to linger near the tent's edge, subtly spying on what was about to unfold.
Inside, Tyler froze in place, his eyes wide as Lindsay began walking toward him. Her movements were slow and deliberate, her red hair catching the dim light like a flame. Even in the noire-filtered black-and-white setting, the bold lipstick on her lips stood out, accentuating the seductive look in her eyes.
"Li-lo-li-Lorraine…" Tyler stuttered, his voice faltering as Lindsay closed the distance between them. Her fingers lightly brushed the overcoat he was wearing, tracing the fabric with an almost playful touch.
"Thank you so much for bringing the clue to us," Lindsay said smoothly, her voice carrying a honeyed sweetness that made Tyler's heart race. "But that's sad, since Ezekiel already told us the clue…" Her hand danced across his shoulders, her touch light yet deliberate. Then, like a viper striking, Lindsay grabbed Tyler's tie and pulled him forward, his face mere inches from hers.
"Get out there… Get me some money and clues too. Why don't you do right… like some other man…" Lindsay whispered, her words dripping with charm. "Do?"
Tyler's face turned crimson, his blush spreading like wildfire. Lindsay wasn't mocking him—her tone was sweet, almost hypnotic. He felt his knees weaken as she leaned in, her lips brushing his neck in a playful peck, leaving a faint mark of red lipstick behind. The sensation sent shivers down his spine, unlike anything he'd ever felt before.
"Katie is on movie set number 20. I'll be calling there in five minutes. And I'm sure you'll be there when I call, right, BMO?" With a soft whisper, Lindsay added...
Tyler gulped audibly, his flustered face betraying his inability to form coherent words. He nodded quickly, his movements almost frantic. Lindsay smiled, her fingers still gripping his tie as she tilted her head in a way that was both alluring and commanding.
"Also, Trent is on movie set number 8. I'm sure you'll have the clue before I call you, because if you do, I'll be so happy… Do you remember what I do whenever I'm happy, right, BMO?" With another whisper, more husky and seductive… It clearly pushed the buttons of the poor jock...
Tyler nodded again, his face practically glowing red as Lindsay's hand trailed lower, her touch light but enough to make him flush even deeper.
"Then I can't wait to call you in a few minutes… Go," Lindsay whispered, her voice soft yet firm.
Without hesitation, Tyler bolted out of the tent, running faster than he ever had in his life. Lindsay watched him go with a satisfied smile, her demeanor shifting back to her usual cheerful self as she returned to the disk phone.
As she picked up the receiver, she noticed Heather and Noah staring at her from the tent's edge, their faces frozen in shock.
"What was the clue for Movie Set 8 again?" Lindsay asked innocently, her tone light and casual.
Heather and Noah remained silent, their jaws practically on the floor.
Confession — Noah
"DAMN LINDSAY, THAT WAS LITERALLY A TEASE YOU SHOULDN'T MAKE TO YOUR BOYFRIEND," Noah exclaimed, his voice a mix of disbelief and awe. "Okay, I know she wanted so badly to be Lorraine from Ezekiel's book, but to nail the acting like that? Wow. She must've dedicated years to the art of seduction."
Confession — Lindsay
"My mommy always said if I want to make my boyfriend behave the way I want, I just need to hold his tie and whisper exactly how I want," Lindsay said with a giggle, clapping her hands in delight. "And seeing Lorraine act like this—it was so fun to play the mastermind like her. I'm sure I made my mommy proud."
"So, I kind of liked how we did the challenge, E-Scope. Thanks again for helping me to deal with the whole bomb challenge." Cody showed his gratitude, as he could see the military girl humming in happiness, since both of them nailed their challenge, and it had been kind of exciting. "Did they make you do a lot of simulations with explosives?"
"Yep, and not just the military." Izzy commented as Cody had his eyes wide open. "My parents also liked to play the little game, as we got a few confetti explosives that would explode in case we didn't disarm them in the right way. So me and my siblings were always prepared to disarm bombs like that, so in case we failed, nothing too harmful, just a loud explosion with confetti and ink."
"Oh, well, that's actually way less bad than what I expected, so I think you and your siblings like that game?" Cody asked as he was interested in knowing how Izzy explained more about her family.
"Yep, my brother Digo has the record of disarming the bomb by himself in 25 seconds. He established the maximum challenge of 3 sections in less than 1 minute, and yet he has the best record of all of us." Izzy explained as Cody whistled in amazement, which made Izzy smile from seeing her friend getting interested in her family. "Huh, it's been a while since we talked."
"Yeah, with the whole idea of us being alone and sharing stories, hey, did you know Katie's mother works at a video game company?" Cody asked, which Izzy looked at him in surprise.
"Noooo," Izzy said in disbelief as her geek friend nodded his head in excitement.
"Yep, and I think I impressed her boss, since he gave me his business card..." Cody explained as he took his wallet from his pocket and even showed it to Izzy, who was looking on in amusement. "Do you think it would be a good idea to say their name as a way to publish them?"
"Well, it doesn't hurt since you want to make them more known across Canada." Izzy commented as she raised her eyebrows in interest. "So you are planning to work on there when you finish school?"
"You bet your ass I will." Cody said with a good smile on his face, as he was sure that now he had a good job waiting for him when the show was over. "Me and my friends even elaborated a few ideas of games I could be developing in the future, and they even gave me a few good ideas."
"So you also wanted to add this little challenge and experience to the list of future games you want to create?" Izzy then raised her eyebrows as she could see the boy smiling sheepishly at him. "Okay... I want 80% of the gains of the game."
"80%?!" Cody shouted in disbelief as he then saw the smirk of the girl, which made him pout. "That's not funny."
"Oh, it's hilarious." Izzy smiled as she gave a slight jab to Cody, who yelped in slight pain. "Oh, don't be such a baby. I just did a small jab."
"I'm not that strong, okay?" Cody said as he rolled his eyes, as both Izzy and Cody enjoyed the good conversation towards the Craft and Service Tent... Until suddenly they saw Tyler running past them like he was desperate to get to one place; he was red-faced and immediately clearly didn't want to talk.
Owen's cheerful strides toward the Crafts and Service Tent were accompanied by the rumble of his stomach, a steady reminder of his ever-present hunger. He hummed to himself, already dreaming of the snacks he hoped to find waiting for him. The quiet calm of his walk was shattered by the sound of pounding footsteps approaching rapidly. Owen squinted into the distance, about to greet whoever was coming, but before he could utter a word, Tyler appeared in a blur of motion, his trench coat flying behind him as he charged forward like a runaway train.
"GET OUT OF THE WAY, GET OUT OF MY WAY!" Tyler roared, his urgency making Owen flinch. With barely any time to react, Owen jumped to the side, narrowly avoiding Tyler's rampage. The jock zoomed past him, intent on his mission, leaving Owen blinking in confusion.
"Woah, what was that?" He heard a familiar voice behind him and turned to see Cody and Izzy approaching, both equally puzzled.
"I have no idea," Owen replied, his voice shaky from the unexpected encounter. Shaking his head. "He just came out of nowhere. I've never seen Tyler that intense before. He looked like he was going to kill me if I stayed in his way."
Cody furrowed his brow as he exchanged a glance with Izzy, whose curiosity was piqued.
"That's really weird. Tyler's not usually like that," Izzy noted, adjusting her hat as though gearing up for some kind of investigation.
"Well, are you heading to the Crafts and Service Tent?" she asked Owen, who nodded eagerly.
"Yeah," Owen said. "I could use a drink—maybe even a sandwich or two."
"Perfect!" Izzy grinned, clapping her hands. "Cody and I just finished our task. Let's head there together and see what's going on. Hopefully, Noah hasn't eaten all the snacks."
With that, the trio set off toward the tent, Owen still shaken by Tyler's sudden appearance but relieved to have company. Cody adjusted his backpack while Izzy walked ahead, already speculating about what kind of surprises might be waiting for them in the Crafts and Service Tent.
.
.
.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! So Lindsay seduced Tyler to gather more clues? Lindsay, I'm so proud of you! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Izzy's laughter burst out in a raucous wave, echoing through the entire area. She doubled over, holding her sides as if the sheer hilarity of the situation might split her in two. "I can't believe she actually had the skills to make her boyfriend dance around her fingers like that! Honestly, Lindsay alone deserves a ton of MVPA points just for pulling that off!"
Heather smirked and, in a rare moment of agreement, nodded. "I've got to admit, Lindsay, that was some next-level manipulation. I've only ever seen stuff like that happen in a dorama."
At her comment, everyone turned to Heather with curious, raised eyebrows. The queen bee rolled her eyes, clearly exasperated by their reactions. "What? It's a Korean soap opera. I have culture, okay?"
"Hey, nobody's judging you," Cody interjected, raising both hands in a gesture of surrender before redirecting the conversation. He glanced toward Noah. "So, these are all the clues we've gathered so far?"
"Yeah," Noah replied, gesturing to the files and photographs laid out across the table. "A few things seem like they could be connected, but honestly, nothing's clicking yet. It's so scattered that it's impossible to figure out where Chris is hiding. We'll probably need all the clues to crack this thing."
Cody shifted his attention toward the Ceremony Hall in the distance, curiosity sparking in his expression.
"What is the challenge of the Ceremony Hall?" Cody asked as the bookworm looked at the files.
"It's all about entertaining at least 100 people from the 1920s through the 1950s. So, basically, Bridgette and Sadie will have to work their butts off to keep them entertained and to avoid getting booed—or worse—getting the audience to use their canes on them." Noah flipped through a nearby stack of files, scanning for the right notes. He said while holding the page up. "From what Tyler told me, Ezekiel and Geoff are already heading there to help them out."
"Seriously? Keeping 100 people happy from three different decades? That's brutal. I'm sure they're definitely going to need backup," Cody commented as he looked at the files. "Wait, there's an orchestra on there?"
"It seems so." Noah said as Cody immediately had an idea on his mind.
"I'll go and help them. They're going to need all the support they can get. No way am I leaving Bridgette and Sadie to handle that chaos with just Geoff and Ezekiel." Cody said he couldn't let the best friend of his girlfriend deal with the challenge alone, also his friends going there alone to deal with what would be a very difficult task.
Before anyone could stop him, Cody had already slung his backpack over his shoulders and taken off in a run toward the Ceremony Hall, determination driving every step. His friends were left watching his retreating figure, stunned by his abrupt departure.
Izzy broke the silence with a shrug and a knowing grin.
"Well, at least he will help Bridgette get the clues. Soon the challenge will be over." Izzy gave the point, which everyone stared at the pictures of the clues while trying to figure out where the hell Chris is.
(Ceremony Hall)
Ezekiel sprinted toward the Ceremony Hall, his pulse quickening as he approached the entrance. His pace slowed as the sounds of chatter filled his ears—low, gravelly voices mingled with bursts of laughter and the occasional sharp clatter of a cane hitting the floor. He pushed the door open, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight before him. The entire hall was packed with elders, their faces weathered with time but brimming with energy. The room pulsed with the atmosphere of another era, one where the glitz of black-and-white films and the charm of classic radio ruled the entertainment world.
His first thought was that these people belonged to the 1920s through the 1950s—their clothes, their mannerisms, even their laughter seemed to embody the style and spirit of those decades. It made sense; the challenge was clearly tailored to resonate with their nostalgia.
As Ezekiel ventured further into the room, his gaze landed on a boy standing near a group of elderly men, dressed in an impeccably old-fashioned suit. The boy raised his cane weakly but theatrically as he told a story, the old men around him roaring with laughter.
"And then that stupid kid who couldn't respect his elders received a good correcting with my cane," the boy said, waving his cane for emphasis, his voice carrying the confidence of someone who knew he had the room's attention.
"That's what I'm talking about!" another elderly man chimed in, adjusting his belt with pride. "Chester had the right idea. These young kids don't even know how to wake us up properly when we're napping! Once, I took my belt and taught a kid a lesson—right across the face!" He mimed the act dramatically, earning another round of hearty laughter from the group. Even Chester was grinning ear to ear.
Ezekiel froze in place, his jaw slack as he recognized the boy who had captured the crowd's admiration. "I'll be darned…" he murmured under his breath. The boy was Mike—a fellow competitor, but this wasn't Mike's usual persona. Instead, Chester had taken over, and he seemed to revel in the chaos he stirred. Ezekiel furrowed his brow, unable to shake the oddity of seeing Chester so animated and unapologetic. It was strange, almost surreal, to witness this personality thriving in a setting Ezekiel had never expected.
"Ezekiel, are you okay?" Geoff's voice broke through Ezekiel's thoughts, pulling him back to reality. Geoff had caught up to him, his expression concerned.
Ezekiel blinked a few times and shook his head, clearing the fog of confusion. "Yeah, I'm fine. Man, this crowd is huge," he said, gesturing toward the sea of elders filling the room.
As if on cue, some of the elderly began mumbling amongst themselves, their eyes narrowing at the newcomers. Their grumbles grew louder, peppered with sharp comments that made Ezekiel's stomach churn uncomfortably.
"That boy looks like he's dressed as a farmer."
"I am a farmer!" Ezekiel shouted back from across the open area, his voice loud enough to echo. He could feel their stares linger; their changed expressions made him huff and continue his walk.
Together, Ezekiel and Geoff scanned the area, their eyes darting past elderly men and women requesting cigars, plums, porridge, and drinks. It didn't take long for them to spot Bridgette and Sadie amidst the chaos, each carrying trays piled high with refreshments as they struggled to meet the endless demands of the crowd. Their movements were frantic, their faces etched with fatigue and faint anxiety.
"Girls, are you okay?" Ezekiel called out, his concern evident.
"GEOFF! EZEKIEL!" Sadie and Bridgette exclaimed in unison, their faces lighting up at the sight of their friends. They set their trays down hastily and rushed forward, enveloping the boys in quick, grateful hugs. Their relief was palpable—they had been caught in the whirlwind of serving an overwhelming crowd for nearly half an hour, and the sight of reinforcements was a welcome change.
It seems a lot of things are about to happen in that area…
(?)
Harold groaned softly as his eyes fluttered open. The world around him blurred momentarily, shapes and shadows twisting like a faded dream. A flickering overhead light painted the room in hues of gray and black, shadows stretching long and distorted across the cracked walls. It was like stepping into the pages of an old detective novel—a noir landscape where the air carried a heavy, unspoken tension.
He blinked a few times, his surroundings sharpening. Across the room, separated by a solid glass wall, DJ was stirring, his movements sluggish as he fought off the lingering effects of whatever had knocked them out and dragged them here. Harold's gaze lingered on DJ's figure for a moment before his eyes swept over his own surroundings. The room was sparse but unnervingly deliberate in its design. A vintage disk phone sat ominously on a scratched wooden desk; beside it lay a strip of sandpaper, and in the center of the room stood a metallic safe, its dull surface reflecting the dim light.
Harold pushed himself upright, brushing the dust off his hoodie as his eyes caught a folded piece of paper taped to the safe's door. He stepped closer, his curiosity outweighing his unease. The paper bore a single phrase in sharp, blocky letters: The numbers don't lie.
Harold smirked to himself, his mind already churning. Safes weren't a foreign concept to him—he'd learned the art of opening them during a quirky summer camp experience run by Steve Camp, the self-proclaimed "Guru of Safe Cracking." While his instructor had stressed the importance of using tools like a stethoscope to detect the subtle clicks of the mechanism, Harold had also been told about an unconventional method: using sandpaper to heighten the sensitivity of his fingertips. He'd never tried it before, but the idea lingered like a puzzle waiting to be solved.
"Alright," Harold muttered under his breath, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced at the sandpaper. "Time for some hardcore, old-school, one-on-one safe cracking. Steve would be proud." He grabbed the coarse sheet and began carefully sanding the tips of his fingers, wincing slightly at the rough texture but grinning nonetheless. The abrasive surface heightened the sensation in his hands, making him feel more in tune with every groove and ridge he touched.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, DJ stirred awake on the other side of the room. His muscles felt sluggish, his mind clouded as he blinked at the glass wall separating him from Harold. He took in his own surroundings with growing confusion, noticing a desk phone similar to Harold's sitting on a nearby table. His voice was hoarse as he tried to call out.
"Yo, Harold!" But the sound hit the glass and went no further—silent as a whisper in the void. DJ's expression twisted into one of frustration, his fists lightly tapping the glass as Harold, entirely absorbed in the safe, didn't even glance his way.
"What the heck is going on…?" DJ muttered to himself, pacing back and forth until the abrupt ringing of the desk phone startled him. He jumped slightly, his heartbeat quickening. Tentatively, he approached the phone, picking up the receiver with a trembling hand.
"Noah?" DJ's deep voice rumbled with equal parts confusion and relief as he recognized the voice on the other end.
"DJ, buddy!" Noah's tone was as sarcastic and blasé as ever. "How's it going over there? Having fun in your luxury escape room?" He snickered before continuing, "Listen, I've got some advice for you—and maybe, if I'm feeling nice, I'll help you out. But first, tell me something: are you good at puzzles? Because this one's going to be a doozy."
"What's the riddle, Noah? All I see is Harold trying to crack a safe on the other side of this glass." DJ's grip on the phone tightened, his deep voice rumbling with frustration.
"Alright, big guy, listen up. Here's what I'm allowed to tell you. It's a math riddle—something fitting for this whole gritty noir vibe." He cleared his throat for dramatic effect and began, "The streets of shadows hold secrets in their intersections. Numbers whisper their truths in threes: one moves right, one turns left, and the last spins right again. Your job is to decode the whispers and find the key to the safe."
"That's it? It doesn't sound like a puzzle at all." DJ commented as Noah hummed in agreement.
"Yep, this is one of the top three hardest puzzles; you would need to be an expert on opening safes, or you would need the detective to finally come to help you with the second part of the riddle." Noah commented, and as soon as he finished saying that, the sound of the door opening surprised everyone on that side of the door.
He turned just in time to see Gwen stride into the room, her detective-style coat trailing behind her as if she'd just stepped out of a noir film herself. Her expression was a mix of relief and determination as her eyes locked onto DJ.
"Finally! I've been wandering around this insane challenge forever, and you're the first person I've found," she said, brushing a strand of jet-black hair out of her face. The sharpness of her voice carried a hint of frustration, though it softened as she glanced at the confused giant. "What's going on here?"
DJ gestured toward the safe where he had to work and the Disk Phone already in his hand as well.
"Noah, Gwen is here; this is good, right?"
"Oh, I'll be damned, that's actually very helpful. Call her." Noah said as DJ immediately offered the phone as Noah finally could say something. "I have some good news and bad news. The good news is Owen already solved his puzzle, so you don't need to go to the movie studio at 11. Also, Geoff finished his puzzle with Ezekiel's help, so you don't have to go to the movie studio 4. The bad news is Justin and Jude were too late to solve their puzzle, so that means we lost our chance of knowing their clues. Ah, you will be better off avoiding Movie Studio 2; that place is pure terrible smell, and it's one you know what it is…"
Gwen paled, as she could understand the hint on how awful the smell was, the horrifying stink bomb. But still she listened closely.
"From what I gathered, Ezekiel is going to help Bridgette on her challenge since she's in the Ceremony Hall with Sadie. I don't know why, but I think in case you find Katie, Cody, or hell, even Justin, she would need some support." Noah explained as he even took a few papers with him. "On the movie studio 8, there's Leshawna doing her puzzle with Trent; on the movie studio 20, there's Katie and Eva doing their challenge. I will call them soon. If you want to gather all the clues I gathered, I'm in the Crafts and Service Tent, so try to take as many clues as you can and come here for us to discuss where Chris is."
"Okay, so what about DJ's puzzle?" Gwen asked as Noah hummed in agreement.
"The password is the quantity of cards it has in a whole poker deck, the quantity of bullets it has in a magnum, and the quantity of cigars a person in the 40s could smoke per day." Noah said he could understand the incredulous look coming from Gwen. "Yeah, I know, it's BS, but like Ezekiel says, it's Chris, so of course he would do that."
"I hate when we have to use this quote, but you're right. Thanks for the help, Noah. I will be there as soon as I get the clue." Gwen said as she nodded her head.
"See yah." Noah said as the sound of a click was heard, and Gwen looked at DJ.
"Alright, let's figure this out. We've got three clues and a safe, and apparently we're solving this the 'hardboiled detective' way." Gwen commented as DJ nodded, though his confidence in solving riddles wasn't high.
"The first clue," Gwen said firmly, her eyes narrowing as she recalled Noah's words. "'The quantity of cards in a poker deck.' Let's think. Do you know the number of how many cards you have in a deck?"
The duo stared at the safe and the surrounding room, the weight of the puzzle pressing down on them as they prepared to unravel its mysteries.
While on the other side…
Harold's fingers trembled as they turned the dial of the safe, the sound of each faint click echoing like a drumbeat in the quiet, noir-drenched room. He'd already heard two satisfying clicks and knew he was close—one more, and the safe would yield its secrets. Sweat gathered at his temple as he carefully spun the dial, feeling for the telltale resistance that Steve Camp had trained him to recognize all those summers ago.
After what felt like an eternity of trial and error, the final click rang out, louder than the rest, filling Harold with a surge of pride. Grinning to himself, he slowly pulled the safe's heavy door open, the metal creaking as the seal broke. Inside, however, was no treasure or vital clue. Instead, his eyes fell on a photograph—a simple image of a mini-fridge, pristine and mundane, sitting in an empty room.
Harold scoffed, narrowing his eyes in disbelief.
"A minibar? Seriously?" He held the picture up to the light, scrutinizing it for hidden meaning, but found nothing beyond the obvious. Letting out an annoyed huff, he slid the photo into his pocket. Turning back toward the door of his room, Harold resigned himself to moving on.
That's when he noticed movement on the other side of the glass wall. His gaze sharpened, and he saw DJ and Gwen standing there, locked in conversation and seemingly puzzling over their own challenge. His heart lifted momentarily—his friends were here! But when Harold shouted to grab their attention, his voice bounced back off the unyielding glass. It was as if he were yelling into a void, utterly silent to them.
Frustrated but determined, Harold searched the room for anything that might help him communicate. His eyes fell on a marker pen lying forgotten on a desk in the corner. Grinning at the stroke of good fortune, Harold snatched it up and strode back to the glass wall. He tapped on the glass a few times, the rhythmic sound loud enough to make both DJ and Gwen pause mid-discussion and glance up.
The trio blinked at each other for a moment, a shared moment of surprise and relief crossing their faces. Without hesitation, Harold began writing on the glass in bold strokes, his message scrawled hurriedly for his friends to see. But as DJ and Gwen tilted their heads in confusion, Harold frowned. He realized the message appeared backwards on their side of the glass, rendering it unreadable.
Harold slapped his forehead with an exaggerated motion before his mind kicked into gear. Turning on his heel, he scanned his side of the room, his eyes landing on a small, dusty mirror propped up in the corner. He then grinned. Grabbing the mirror, he carried it over to the glass wall and positioned it so the reversed message reflected clearly for his friends to see.
DJ and Gwen leaned closer, their eyes lighting up as they deciphered the password Harold had written on the glass wall. Even though they were on opposing teams, Harold had made an effort to assist them, bridging the divide between their challenges with his resourcefulness and quiet generosity. DJ's wide grin and Gwen's approving nod spoke volumes—a silent acknowledgment of their gratitude. Harold's lips twitched into a subtle smile before he gave them a slight bow and a wave, signaling he was ready to move on.
Just as he turned to leave, the sharp trill of a desk phone stopped him in his tracks. He hesitated for a moment before pivoting back, curiosity outweighing any lingering desire to exit the room. Slowly, he walked over and picked up the receiver.
"Hello?" Harold's voice carried a hint of caution, his brow furrowed as he waited for a reply.
"Harold? Oh, hi!" Lindsay's cheerful voice filtered through the line, causing Harold to raise his eyebrows in mild surprise.
"Lindsay?" he asked, adjusting his grip on the phone.
"Yep! I called to check if you need help with your puzzle. Noah said it's a really, really hard one," Lindsay chirped, her concern genuine.
Harold smirked, feeling a surge of pride. "No need to worry—I already solved it."
"Really?" Lindsay's excitement bubbled over. "Hey, Heather! Harold said he already solved the puzzle!"
A faint, sarcastic voice echoed faintly in the background, growing louder as Heather took over the phone. "Oh, no way. There's no way Harold cracked that puzzle by himself. What's the clue, then?"
Harold rolled his eyes, amused by Heather's skepticism. "Err… Heather's asking what the clue is," Lindsay added nervously.
Harold leaned against the desk casually, inspecting his fingernails with an air of nonchalance. "It's a picture of a minibar."
Silence followed his statement, but it didn't last long. Heather's sharp tone pierced through the receiver, dripping with disbelief. "A frigobar? Seriously? Alright, Harold, explain this to me—how in the world did you manage to solve the puzzle without any help, huh?"
Harold grinned, twirling the cord of the phone slightly as he leaned in close to the receiver. "Well, Heather," he said with deliberate smugness, "for your information… key word… I'm just that good."
With a satisfied chuckle, Harold hung up the phone, reveling in the small victory of teasing someone who always underestimated him. Adjusting his hoodie, he glanced once more toward DJ and Gwen on the other side of the glass, giving them one final nod before stepping out of the room, ready for whatever came next.
(Craft and Service Tent)
"I'm just that good? Pfft, yeah right." Heather scoffed, rolling her eyes as she sorted through the scattered photographs and notes on the desk. The challenge was clearly one of Chris's more absurd creations—a chaotic labyrinth of clues that seemed deliberately designed to frustrate them. As she helped Lindsay organize the mess of materials, Heather couldn't help but grumble at the sheer ridiculousness of it all. Pictures of a prop table, a set of shelves, a minibar, and a bed. Nothing connected at first glance, and yet there had to be some hidden thread tying them together.
Nearby, Izzy was busy sorting through the papers with surprising focus, while Owen leaned against the desk, sipping water and occasionally tossing out ideas that never quite landed. Noah was quietly at work beside him, his fingers spinning the dial of the vintage disk phone as he contemplated who to call next to advance the puzzle.
Suddenly, the rhythmic sound of footsteps interrupted their conversation, drawing their attention to the tent's entrance. Gwen and DJ appeared, sweat glistening on their foreheads as they stepped inside. The weight of exhaustion clung to them like a cloud, their strides slow but determined.
"Hey, guys," DJ greeted, flashing a tired smile. The group glanced at them briefly before returning to their respective tasks, their acknowledgment short but polite.
"Did something happen?" DJ continued, resting his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.
Noah looked up from the disk phone, shaking his head lightly. "Nothing much. Justin and Jude completely failed their mission—they got bombed by El Mongo and La Muerte. Geoff and Owen managed to solve their puzzles, though. Geoff's already headed to the Ceremony Hall to help Sadie with her challenge. Sounds like she's got to entertain at least 100 old folks from the Noire Era…"
At Noah's words, Gwen and DJ visibly flinched, the gravity of that particular challenge dawning on them. The thought of entertaining a massive crowd of elders with specific tastes from bygone decades seemed impossibly daunting.
Noah continued, flipping through files as he spoke. "Beth, Leshawna, and Eva are still on the list to give us more clues. Beth and Eva are on Movie Set 20 with Katie, and Tyler's currently speedrunning his way to Movie Set 8 because Lindsay—" Noah paused, glancing sideways at the blonde girl. "—uh, motivated him to do so… desperately."
The duo turned toward Lindsay, who was absentmindedly twirling a pencil in her hand, her red wig slightly askew. She looked up for a moment, gave them a sweet smile, then returned to playing with the pencil as though nothing had happened.
Gwen raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. Instead, she turned her focus to the table. "Okay… so how many clues do we have so far?" She leaned closer, inspecting the photographs scattered across the desk. Her confusion deepened as she flipped through them. "What the hell? None of this makes any sense."
"We know," Noah said with a shrug, pulling another file toward him. "At least we're gathering more and more clues. It's only a matter of time before we figure out the pattern or connection… hopefully."
Noah spun the disk phone's dial patiently, one hand propping up his head as he waited for the call to connect. The Crafts and Service Tent was quiet for a moment, save for the distant murmur of Izzy and Owen chatting in the background. Finally, the other end of the line clicked.
"Hello?" Beth's voice came through, a tremble in her tone that immediately caught Noah's attention. She sounded… off.
"Beth! Great. I was about to give you the next riddle for the challenge—" Noah began, but his words were cut short by the sudden, deafening CRASH of something heavy shattering to pieces in the background. The unmistakable sound of wood splintering and metallic strings snapping reverberated through the receiver, followed by another violent BANG. Noah paused mid-sentence, his brow furrowing in confusion. Leaning closer to the phone as another crash echoed in the background. "What the heck is going on over there?"
It sounded like pure chaos.
On the other end, Beth's shaky voice replied.
"It's—it's Eva! She's—oh my gosh—she's demolishing a piano with… a suitcase!" Her words tumbled out in a panicked rush, as though she couldn't believe what she was describing.
"Wait. What? She's doing what?" Noah blinked, his hand frozen on the phone as he processed her words.
"She just grabbed the suitcase from the prop table and started swinging it like a hammer! The piano didn't even do anything! It's being obliterated—oh no, Eva, STOP!" Beth's voice grew more frantic. Her plea was interrupted by yet another ear-splitting crash, followed by the sound of something metallic snapping apart.
Noah tilted his head in disbelief as the chaos continued on the other end. Izzy and Owen had stopped what they were doing, glancing over with raised eyebrows as they picked up on the commotion coming through the phone. Heather, Lindsay, Gwen, and DJ had their eyes wide open as the sounds of the chaos were going on in that part.
Finally, after a long, tense moment, the crashing subsided. There was a loud THUD—the sound of the suitcase hitting the ground—followed by Eva's voice, calm yet dripping with irritation.
"Hmph. Stupid piano." Then, with a satisfied sigh, she added, "At least there's something in here."
"She… She smashed the suitcase open, and inside… there's a picture of a television screen?!" Her tone was a mix of confusion and relief that everything just happened. Until she heard a groaning coming from the telephone. "What's wrong?"
"Ugh, another stupid clue that would lead us to nowhere." Noah said as he rolled his eyes. "That's… not the riddle I was going to give you, but honestly? I'll take what I can get. Thanks, Beth. Tell Eva thanks as well. We are at the Craft and Service Tent, gathering all the clues we can get, and trying to solve this stupid challenge because Chris doesn't know how to make good clues."
"Tell Eva to come here, and let's think on how to deal with this stupid challenge," he added wryly. He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples as he mulled over the insanity of the situation. "See you later."
"Bye…" Beth commented as she turned off the telephone. Which made Noah shrug again and set the receiver back on its cradle.
Turning back to Izzy and Owen, who were now staring at him expectantly, Noah offered a nonchalant explanation.
"So… apparently, Eva just destroyed a piano with a suitcase and found a clue in the wreckage. Honestly, not even in the top five weirdest things I've seen today." Noah commented as he heard an amusement sound coming from Gwen.
"Wow, she must still be pretty mad with Leshawna." Gwen commented as she saw the looks of the others coming towards her. "Those two got into an argument, and Eva got out of there before things would get pretty dirty."
"And Eva didn't jump on Leshawna?" DJ commented as he knew there was a limit on Eva's patience, and something that all Killer Bass members knew is that Eva is a great friend, but there was a line they never should cross with her, because she literally would destroy their bodies if she wanted. She made a male bear become a female, and that would scare every boy around.
Izzy burst out laughing immediately, while Owen scratched his head, mumbling,
"Man, I'll never understand why she's always so intense…" Owen said in fear, which DJ and Gwen just chuckled at.
"The answer is just never be on her bad side." The duo gave a high five, as they knew Eva was just venting out her frustrations.
"Later I will explain to Beth what just happened; I think she will understand." Gwen said as Noah, Lindsay, and Heather raised their eyebrows.
"Well, I have to call there to see if Katie and Tyler are already going to solve the puzzle." Lindsay said in excitement as she started to dial the telephone.
(?)
Katie stirred awake, her eyelids fluttering as the sterile light of the room greeted her. Blinking rapidly to adjust her vision, she slowly propped herself up, her surroundings coming into focus. The room was eerily silent, its stark, minimalist design offering little comfort. As her gaze wandered, it stopped at the glass wall dividing her from the adjacent space, and her breath hitched in surprise.
On the other side of the glass was Eva. The intense girl stood over a piano, her body taut with barely contained aggression. In her hands, she held a suitcase, swinging it down onto the unfortunate piano with relentless force. Each swing was deliberate and brimming with frustration, though Katie couldn't hear a sound. The glass wall muffled everything, leaving only the unsettling spectacle of silent destruction playing out before her eyes.
Katie blinked rapidly, unsure whether she was dreaming or watching some sort of surreal performance. Her confusion grew as Eva continued to rain down blow after blow, the piano splintering under the relentless assault. The suitcase, too, began to show signs of wear, its once-pristine edges fraying with every impact. Katie's heart thudded as she stared helplessly, unable to do anything but watch.
Then it happened.
With one final, thunderous swing, Eva brought the suitcase crashing down onto the piano, shattering both with a force so violent that Katie swore she could feel the vibrations through the glass. A high-pitched screech rang out, piercing through the silence as the glass wall cracked under the strain. Katie gulped audibly, instinctively stepping back as she stared at the jagged lines running across the surface of the glass.
Her pulse quickened. She looked around her side of the room, suddenly hyper-aware of her isolation. There, sitting ominously in the middle of the room, were her own versions of the objects she'd just seen Eva destroy: a piano and a suitcase. Her stomach churned as her mind raced. Was she expected to do the same? Or was there some other purpose to these objects?
Just as the thought crossed her mind, the door to her room burst open with a loud BANG.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Katie jumped, letting out a high-pitched scream as a blur of motion barreled into the room.
Her heart leapt to her throat until she realized it was Tyler, panting heavily and leaning against the wall for support.
"Did… did Lindsay call you?!" Tyler gasped, his voice desperate as he tried to catch his breath.
Katie blinked at him, still shaken by his dramatic entrance.
"What? No… Lindsay hasn't called me," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
At her words, Tyler's eyes lit up.
"YES!" He let out a triumphant cheer. His fists pumping weakly in victory. But the effort of celebrating proved too much, and he collapsed to the floor, sprawled on his back as he tried to recover.
Katie stared at him, her panic slowly giving way to bemusement.
"What are you even doing here?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of confusion and exasperation.
"Just… give me a second," Still breathless, Tyler waved her off with a weak hand. He wheezed, his chest heaving as he tried to regain control of his breathing. "It's… it's a long story."
Katie glanced nervously at the cracked glass wall and the destroyed piano on the other side. Somehow, she had a feeling Tyler's story wasn't going to explain anything.
The shrill ring of the desk phone pierced through the tense silence in Katie's room, making her jump. She stared at the telephone for a moment before slowly approaching it, still shaken from Eva's earlier piano-destroying spree and Tyler's sudden arrival. Picking up the receiver with hesitant fingers, Katie pressed it to her ear.
"Hello?" Katie asked nervously, her voice soft and shaky.
"Hi, Katie! It's Lindsay!" Lindsay's cheerful voice sang through the line, immediately cutting through Katie's nerves with its bright energy. "I've got a riddle for you! Hold on—Heather! What's the riddle about the suitcase and the piano? Tell me again!" Lindsay's voice grew distant for a moment as she turned away from the phone, speaking to Heather.
Heather sighed audibly in the background before speaking loud enough for Lindsay to hear. "Alright, fine. Repeat after me: 'The suitcase carries a tune unseen, but the piano's melody hides its key. Spin the number thrice and listen closely, for the notes will guide you to what you seek.' Got it?"
Lindsay nodded enthusiastically and repeated the riddle almost word for word, though with her usual bubbly tone. "Okay, Katie—ready? Here it is: 'The suitcase carries a tune unseen, but the piano's melody hides its key. Spin the number thrice and listen closely, for the notes will guide you to what you seek!' Isn't that fun?"
Katie blinked in confusion, processing the cryptic riddle. "Uh… okay? What does that even mean?"
"Oh, don't worry!" Lindsay chirped. "Heather says it's all part of solving the puzzle! Oh, wait, before we get to that—did Tyler make it to your room yet?"
Katie glanced at Tyler, who was still sprawled on the floor, his chest rising and falling heavily as he recovered from his frantic sprint. "Um, yeah. He's here."
Lindsay clapped in delight, the sound muffled but still audible. "Yay! That's awesome! I told him he'd be so helpful to you. He's like your… um… detective partner now. Oh! Heather! What's the second part of the riddle? I need to give it to Tyler so he can help Katie!"
Heather groaned audibly in the background, clearly less thrilled about the whole process. "Fine. When strings align and vibrations hum, the answer lies in where notes come. Turn the suitcase upside down; the hidden clue will break the frown'. There. Done."
Lindsay repeated the second part with gusto: "Tyler! Listen up! When strings align and vibrations hum, the answer lies in where notes come. Turn the suitcase upside down; the hidden clue will break the frown!' You got that?"
Tyler weakly raised a hand from the floor to signal he'd heard her. Katie shifted nervously, glancing between the suitcase and piano as she tried to make sense of the riddles. Meanwhile, Tyler slowly pulled himself upright, rubbing the back of his neck as he stared at the objects.
"Okay, Katie and Tyler—you've got everything you need to solve the puzzle!" Lindsay declared, her excitement spilling over. "I know you guys can do it! I'm counting on you! Talk to you soon—BYE!"
Before Katie could respond, the line went dead, leaving her standing there, still clutching the receiver with wide eyes. She exchanged a look with Tyler, who sighed heavily before eyeing the suitcase with renewed focus.
"Well," Tyler muttered, "guess it's time to see what's so special about that suitcase."
On the other side of the glass, Beth and Eva had already left the adjacent room, seemingly uninterested in checking on Katie and Tyler's progress. It was just them now, and the pressure to solve the puzzle weighed heavily on their shoulders.
.
.
.
The room felt heavy with silence as Tyler and Katie stood side by side, staring at the suitcase and piano like they were solving some ancient mystery. Tyler tapped the suitcase's lock idly, glancing toward Katie. "So… vibrations and notes. There's got to be something to this, right?"
Katie nodded, unsure of what to say as she pressed a few keys on the piano. Each note sounded dull and lifeless, and she frowned. "It's broken. How are we supposed to hear anything if this thing barely makes noise?"
"Let's just start trying stuff," Tyler replied, flipping the suitcase over to inspect the markings on its base. He traced his fingers along the faint scratches Lindsay had hinted at, muttering to himself. "Strings align… vibrations hum… this has to mean something."
For the next few minutes, the pair worked in quiet determination, fiddling with the piano keys and twisting the dials on the suitcase. Tyler carefully aligned the scratched edges, spinning each dial with a steady hand, while Katie experimented with playing chords on the piano, hoping to spark some reaction. Frustration began to creep in as nothing seemed to happen.
Katie let out a sigh, slumping against the piano. "We've tried everything. Maybe Lindsay's riddles were just meant to confuse us."
"Hey, don't blame Lindsay; it's all Chris' fault. Him for his stupid riddles and clues." Tyler shook his head stubbornly. "But there's got to be a trick to this. We're close—I can feel it."
The pair exchanged glances before giving the puzzle one final shot. Tyler placed the suitcase closer to the piano, adjusting the dials again while Katie pressed another combination of keys. Slowly, a faint vibration hummed through the room, growing louder as the microphone picked up the sound. Katie gasped as the suitcase popped open with a soft click.
Inside was yet another photograph, this time of a couch with a television screen, which Tyler once again groaned at with the clue.
"Another terrible clue, this time it looks like a television, which once again helps nothing… At least it couldn't be worse… Bridgette and Sadie are in the Ceremony Hall trying to entertain a lot of old people, like one hundred of them." Tyler then said those words, at which the tan twin immediately froze and looked at the jock, who paled.
"Wait, Sadie is alone in a giant crowd, and she had to sing and dance alone?" Katie said as she saw the jock simply nod his head… Which, in the next second, Katie left the photograph of the clue with him, and she sped up, directly going towards the Ceremony Hall.
"Wow, everyone suddenly is just going there. I'm curious if I also should be doing that." Tyler isn't sure why, but he feels he's losing something very awesome at the moment.
(?)
"You shouldn't be cracking your fingers like that; I once remember my boyfriend having this bad habit." Beth commented as she saw Eva walking as she was cracking her fingers and knuckles. Even though she was very afraid and paled after everything she had witnessed over the day, she still wanted to start a conversation with the bodybuilder.
"I understand; however, there are cases when just opening and closing the hand would cause your fingers to crack." Eva explained as she gave an example and surprised Beth by seeing it firsthand. "It takes 20 minutes to make people able to crack their fingers again, and it could be prejudicial in case of repeating many times over the day. Once per day is fine before or after doing the workout... From the picture you showed to me, I think your boyfriend could control his habit if he just used it at the right time."
"Do you really think so?" Beth raised her eyebrow as she saw the bodybuilder simply shrug. Which the farm girl was surprised to learn more about. "You really do know about workouts and exercises."
"Are you interested?" Eva raised her eyebrows, which made Beth instantly panic and refuse. Which the Ironwoman simply scoffs at. "I think you would surprise your boyfriend even further, just like Sadie is taking a few glances at Justin."
"So you noticed?" Beth asked in surprise, as she also felt slightly tempted since the explanation came from Eva.
"That Justin has a type of semi-chubby and bulky Asian girls? Yeah, I noticed. I didn't know until I saw Justin staring at Sadie, and she was using her top after training." Eva commented as the duo walked more and passed by, seeing Tyler suddenly running away from them and going in the other direction. "From what I could see, every boy has a type that attracts them more into looking at a girl. Most of them like asses, others like chests, some like them bulky, and some like them tight. People always say it's about personality, which also may be a factor, but when it comes to hormones, they want to beep, and most of them always have some sort of preference."
"Huh..." Beth said in amusement, as she never thought that type of topic would get even more mature, as her face flushed. "So do you have a type, Eva?"
"Hmm... I like to think my type is to find someone stronger than me. So in case it was a man or woman, it doesn't matter; if they keep up with me, I think I may have a crush." Eva was sincere, as she could see Beth awing at her comment. "You didn't think I like girls, did you?"
"Actually, not to offend, but it's kind of awkward for me, since I was raised to not follow this style." Beth tried seriously to not offend the girl who literally crashed and destroyed the piano in front of her, but Eva simply scoffed.
"No offense to your parents, and neither to Ezekiel, but farmers usually think way too straightforward." Eva also chose her words carefully, since at the time she learned Ezekiel's dad was a sexist, she wanted to have a few words with the man, but then learning the reason behind it, she could understand what he meant, and when her mom, Anastasia, went to talk with Ezekiel's parents, her mom told Eva one simple fact... Ezekiel's dad is a kind man and wise with actions, but a complete idiot when saying words, so it's easier to get angry without understanding the context.
Ironically, Ezekiel's mom keeps that man on a leash like a dog, but Ezekiel's dad really likes the term of becoming the security dog, the person who clearly wants to protect the family most, and that's why she respects that.
Even thought that maybe the farmers are idiots in not knowing how to express themselves better in words. But Eva wasn't going to judge, especially her friends. Maybe that's why Ezekiel played the concept of Eustace being a jerk... Maybe Eustace was the representation of the bad side of the farmers, and Muriel was the good representation of them as well.
"So if you would suggest to me if I should be doing some workout, what would you recommend?" Beth then asked a question that broke the thoughts coming from Eva, who blinked in surprise.
Eva passed a few seconds staring at Beth and made an amused hum...
"I think you would be great by training your legs and thighs. I think it would surprise your boyfriend with that." Eva gave her recommendation, and as much as she would offer her training schedule to the girl, sadly she knew she would refuse, but at least she gave her personal opinion on what Beth would be good at to develop her muscles.
"Huh, that's actually nice; thanks for telling me." Beth said as she showed the good smile on her face, to which Eva simply grunted, and the duo kept walking.
As soon as they were approaching the Craft Service Tent, suddenly a terrifying smell came from nowhere, which immediately made their noses wrinkle, and Beth almost curled herself to vomit, while Eva even made a terrible face. While a part of her knew what that smell could be.
"What's this smell?" Beth said as she was gagging from feeling the horrible stench approaching.
"Someone got bombed by Ezekiel's Stink Bomb." Eva answered, which immediately made Beth pale. "To imagine Chris actually would bring a challenge with a bomb like that, I'm so glad it wasn't me, or I would have been trashing this whole place down."
"Yeah... I'm glad you weren't hit with the bomb then." Beth said she saw Justin and Jude walking, and while there was still a green stench smell flying over them, both of them felt they had been in a shower, and yet it didn't work.
Confession — Justin
"3 baths, and nothing seems to work. I have been using all my beauty products, all my perfumes and deodorants, but nothing, NOTHING IS TAKING OUT THIS SMELLLLL AAAAHHHHHHHH. IT STINKS..." Justin said in despair as he was still feeling horrible and had vomited all he had in his stomach. And he was fainting every 10 seconds, just to later wake up with the terrible odor. Just for later to faint again.
Confession — Jude
"Man... I never thought I would need to take a few baths and yet still stink. I remember once when Wyatt and Jonesy went on a school trip, and after we met in the wild a skunk tunnel, we got sprayed a few times. It took days to get out that smell... And this right here I vomited 10 times..." Jude explained how terrifying the smell was, even as he showed one of his shirts he had to replace since he was using the set clothing as a spare now. And with an impressed awe, he couldn't help it. "Cool,"
"How someone could be so heartless and cruel to create such a demonic thing." Justin commented as he almost fainted again, which Jude immediately helped to keep him standing.
"I also don't understand what was with that; the button just said 'abort.' I think just pressing the button would have solved everything." Jude also felt the smell, and even as he was enjoying the experience of being the challenge, vomiting a few times and taking a lot of showers wasn't also a very good experience to have.
"Are you guys okay?" Beth shouted from far away, as the duo glanced over to see Beth using her finger to tap her nose, and Eva was making an ugly face trying to remain patient with the smell.
"NO, WE ARE NOT OKAY; WE JUST GOT HIT BY A STINK BOMB." Justin raised both his arms as he shouted in outrage, but then he smelled his own smell and immediately fainted. "Oh my God, this stinks."
"Wimp." Eva rolled her eyes, as she even felt a bit hypocritical, since when she had the first experience with it, she had a cologne that reduced the smell by 20% and helped her to survive the Hide and Seek Challenge. "I'm sure you two are exaggerating..."
"Eva, you are talking about El Mongo and La Muerte." Beth whispered as, in the next second, Eva paused... and thought about it.
"Okay, it's the worst stink bomb of our lives? Yes, I'm not going to deny it, but don't you think he's just exaggerating about fainting after every 10 seconds?" Eva raised a point, which the farm girl isn't sure how to answer.
"I don't know; I'm just glad it isn't me." Beth said as both kept walking in their direction, which Jude decided to give a call.
"Hey... can you girls... help us out?" Jude decided to call as the duo suddenly stopped, and while Beth wasn't sure what to say, Eva simply rolled her eyes and walked at Justin as she simply put him on her shoulders, while the smell was indeed terrible to come to their noses.
"Beth, you are a farmer; why does a stink bomb need to be created?" Eva asked as much. She wasn't enjoying it; she was going to stereotype the situation, and since Ezekiel was a farmer, he would need someone who also would think like him, so Beth was the best in that situation to explain it to her.
"Hmmm, I don't know, maybe pest control?" Beth said it was the first thing that came to her mind. "It can't be fertilizer, because I'm sure it would kill some plantations if it was mixed with the earth, but I'm sure moles, crickets, and vermin would run away from a smell like that."
"I remember Ezekiel said when he threw that on the farm it took 2 weeks to let the smell go away." Eva mused as she recalled the explanation and made sense of it for herself. "To make a whole farm smell like that? How much do you think he must have prepared?"
"I think for the best of us to not have nightmares about that, maybe we shouldn't think about it." Beth said as she gulped dryly. Which made Eva chuckle in amusement.
"Fair enough, let's just return to the Craft and Service Tent." Eva said that even though the stink came from dealing with those two, she at least had a good talk with Beth.
(?)
Trent stirred awake, his head throbbing slightly as he blinked into the void of darkness surrounding him. The air was cool and still, and his vision struggled to adjust. He reached out instinctively, his fingers brushing against something smooth and solid—a glass wall. He pressed his palm against it, feeling its cold surface as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. The faint outline of objects began to emerge as his eyes adjusted, revealing a room that was stark and minimal, save for a single table in the center. On the table sat a stack of photographs, their glossy surfaces catching the faint light filtering through the glass.
Trent frowned, his curiosity piqued. He approached the table cautiously, picking up one of the photographs. It depicted a vintage camera, its lens cracked and worn, sitting atop a wooden desk. Another photograph showed a shadowy figure holding a camera, their face obscured. The images were hauntingly ambiguous, and Trent couldn't shake the feeling that they were clues to something larger.
Minutes passed as Trent examined the photographs, flipping them over to check for any hidden markings or messages. His frustration grew as the puzzle refused to reveal itself. Just as he was about to give up, the shrill ring of a desk phone shattered the silence, making him jump. He turned toward the sound, spotting the phone perched on a small stand near the glass wall. He picked up the receiver hesitantly.
"Hello?" Trent asked, his voice echoing slightly in the empty room.
"Trent! It's Lindsay!" Lindsay's cheerful voice burst through the line, her excitement palpable. "I've got a riddle for you! Are you ready?"
Trent sighed, rubbing his temple. "I guess I don't have much of a choice. Go ahead."
"Okay, here it is! … Heather, can you help me, please?" Lindsay said, unsure, as Heather once again whispered the riddle, which made her cough and focus as she repeated it slowly. "'The lens sees what the eye cannot, but the glass hides what's true. Align the frames and find the light, for the answer lies in view.' Got it?"
Trent frowned, repeating the riddle under his breath.
"Align the frames… Find the light… Okay, I'll try."
Before he could ask for clarification, the door to the room slammed open with a loud BANG. Trent spun around, startled, as Tyler stumbled inside, his trench coat flapping behind him. Tyler collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air, his face flushed from exertion.
"Tyler? What are you doing here?" Trent asked, his confusion evident.
Tyler raised a hand weakly, signaling for Trent to give him a moment. "Lindsay… sent me… Detective BMO… reporting for duty," he wheezed, his breaths coming in short bursts.
On the other end of the phone, Lindsay squealed with delight. "BMO! You made it! I knew you'd get there in time! Okay, Trent, listen up—BMO is here to help you, so I'm giving you the second part of the riddle!"
Trent raised an eyebrow, glancing at Tyler, who was still sprawled on the floor. "Second part? There's more?"
"Of course! Since he is the detective, he's going to help you out with this extra part of the riddle." Lindsay replied, and as she coughed and then whispered a few more times, she started to repeat slowly again. "The shadow holds the key, but the light reveals the truth. Turn the lens and find the angle, for the answer lies in proof'."
"Did we get the second part of the riddle?" Tyler asked as he groaned, finally sitting up as he adjusted his detective hat. Which, with the humming of Trent of confirmation, made him sigh in relief. "Great. I'm not good with riddles. But at least we have a better chance now."
"Alright, Detective Tyler, or BMO. Let's figure this out." Trent sighed, setting the receiver down as he turned back to the photographs.
Trent examined the stack of photographs on the table once again, frustration building as the riddle Lindsay had given him danced in his mind. "The lens sees what the eye cannot, but the glass hides what's true. Align the frames and find the light, for the answer lies in view." He muttered the words under his breath, hoping repetition might spark an idea.
Meanwhile, Tyler was slumped against the wall, still catching his breath from his dramatic entrance moments earlier. He adjusted his trench coat, looking at Trent and the table full of photos with evident confusion. "So, uh… what are we looking for exactly? A magical camera? A secret compartment?"
Trent smirked at Tyler's enthusiasm, though his suggestions felt far from practical. "Not quite. I think these photos are supposed to fit together somehow. Maybe when they're aligned, they'll reveal something." He flipped a photo over to check the back but found it blank, just as he had the others.
Tyler shrugged, moving closer to the table. "Well, if the riddle says 'align the frames,' maybe you're supposed to stack them or something? Like a puzzle?"
Trent paused, considering Tyler's suggestion. It was simple, almost too straightforward, but it wasn't a bad idea. "Maybe…" he muttered, stacking the photos one by one, layering them carefully. As he aligned the edges, faint outlines began to emerge where the images overlapped.
"Wait—there's something here," Trent said, his voice tinged with surprise. Tyler leaned in, squinting at the photos.
"See? Told you!" Tyler beamed, puffing out his chest slightly. "Okay, what's next? Do we hold them up to the glass?"
Trent nodded slowly, his mind working through the possibilities. He picked up the stack and held it near the glass wall, angling them toward the dim light in the room. Shadows played across the photographs, and the faint outlines seemed to shift and merge. "The riddle said something about light and perspective. Maybe the glass wall is part of the solution."
Tyler scratched his head. "Alright, so… What if the glass makes the pictures look different? Like… reverse or something?"
Trent blinked. "That's actually a good point. Let's see what happens."
The two repositioned the photographs, tilting them against the glass wall while adjusting the angle of the light source. Slowly but surely, a clear image began to form—a map of the room with a glowing marker indicating a hidden compartment near the base of the glass.
"There! That has to be it!" Trent exclaimed, his excitement rising.
Tyler grinned, patting Trent on the back. "See? Easy peasy! Told you I'd be useful."
"Don't get ahead of yourself. We haven't opened it yet," Trent replied with a chuckle. He approached the glass and tapped the base where the marker pointed. The faint click echoed through the room as the hidden compartment slid open. Trent and Tyler exchanged a triumphant glance, their teamwork having finally paid off. With a deep breath, Trent reached into the compartment and pulled out a small photograph, holding it up to the dim light.
"What… the heck?" Trent muttered, squinting at the image.
Tyler crawled closer, still trying to catch his breath, and peered at the photograph over Trent's shoulder. "Is that… a toilet? Of course there is a toilet," he asked but then groaned about how the situation was being too stupid even for himself.
"It's not just any toilet," Trent replied, tilting the photo for a better look. The image depicted an ornate, gilded toilet, the kind you might find in a luxurious, over-the-top mansion. The seat was encrusted with gemstones, and intricate carvings adorned the base. It was absurdly fancy, bordering on ridiculous.
"We went through all that for a picture of a glorified potty? Are you kidding me?" Tyler's eyebrows shot up as he leaned back, rubbing his temples. "Not only is there a television screen, a bed, and a toilet now, ugh… I think Lindsay and the others are already on the Craft and Service, needing to gather the clues to solve the mystery."
"Well, so there's still someone missing?" Trent asked as both who were still in the darkness opened the door and walked outside.
"Well, Katie, Ezekiel, Geoff went to help Bridgette and Sadie in the Ceremony Hall… Heather is helping Lindsay to give the puzzles. I'm not sure if Cody and Izzy solved their puzzles with Lindsay's help or if there's someone else missing for me to go after… I'm going to return to the Craft and Service Tent just to check if we have everything." Tyler commented as Trent tilted his head in curiosity.
"Why are Ezekiel and Katie going to the Ceremony Hall?" The guitarist asked curiously, and the jock once again explained what their challenge was. "Oof, man, I don't think it's good for them to do that alone. If it is entertainment, I can take my guitar and go to help them out. I think it's the least I should do to help my team."
And with that, Trent started to run again to the boy's trailer, which Tyler blinked at for a few seconds…
"Okay, that's the third person who decided to go to that part of the challenge. Is it just me, or am I missing something awesome that's going to happen later?" Tyler said that with the photograph in his hands, he should focus on going after his girlfriend.
Leshawna stirred awake, her senses immediately alert as she took in the pitch-black surroundings. The air was heavy, the silence oppressive, and her vision struggled to adjust to the darkness. She reached out instinctively, her fingers brushing against something smooth and cold—a glass wall. She pressed her palm against it, feeling its solid surface as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. The faint outline of objects began to emerge as her eyes adjusted, revealing a room that was stark and minimal, much like a void.
She frowned, her curiosity piqued but her frustration mounting. The silence was unnerving, and the glass wall seemed to trap her in isolation. She couldn't hear anything—not even the faintest sound of movement or activity. What she didn't know was that Trent was in a similar room nearby, equally trapped and equally unaware of her presence. The rooms were designed to isolate their occupants completely, cutting off any chance of communication. Even the flashes from the cameras they used couldn't penetrate the glass walls, leaving them both in their own worlds of darkness.
Minutes ticked by, each one stretching longer than the last. Leshawna paced the room, her mind racing as she tried to figure out what she was supposed to do. The table in the center of the room held a stack of photographs, but they offered no immediate answers. She flipped through them, searching for clues, but the images seemed cryptic and disconnected—a camera, a shadowy figure, a glass lens. Nothing made sense.
Just as she was about to give up, the shrill ring of a disk phone shattered the silence, making her jump. She spun around, her eyes darting through the darkness until she spotted the phone perched on a small stand near the glass wall. She rushed toward it, her heart pounding as she picked up the receiver.
"Hello?" Leshawna asked, her voice shaky but firm.
"Leshawna! It's Noah," came the familiar voice on the other end. His tone was calm, almost bored, but there was a hint of urgency beneath it. "I've got a riddle for you. Are you ready?"
Leshawna blinked, her grip tightening on the receiver. "A riddle? Seriously? I'm stuck in a room with no light, no sound, and now you're giving me riddles? Fine, hit me."
Noah sighed audibly, clearly unimpressed by her complaints. "Alright, here it is: 'The lens sees what the eye cannot, but the glass hides what's true. Align the frames and find the light, for the answer lies in view.' Got it?"
Leshawna frowned, repeating the riddle under her breath. "The lens sees what the eye cannot… Glass hides what's true… Align the frames… Find the light…" She paused, her frustration bubbling up. "That's it? That's all you're giving me?"
"Yep," Noah replied bluntly. "Good luck."
Before she could protest, the line went dead, leaving her standing there in stunned silence. She stared at the receiver for a moment before slamming it back onto the stand. "Ugh! That boy is so lucky I can't reach him right now," she muttered, her voice echoing slightly in the empty room.
Unbeknownst to Leshawna, Noah hadn't given her the second part of the riddle because Gwen wasn't there to help him. She was left to figure out the puzzle on her own, armed only with the cryptic first riddle and her determination.
Leshawna turned back to the table, her eyes narrowing as she studied the photographs again. "Alright, lens, glass, light… let's see what you've got," she muttered, her mind racing as she began piecing together the clues.
.
.
.
Noah leaned back in his chair, spinning a pen idly between his fingers as his amused gaze settled on Gwen. The Crafts and Service Tent was a buzz of chaotic energy as their teammates milled around. DJ was sorting through clues with Heather, Lindsay and Izzy were enthusiastically chatting about riddles, and Eva was silently observing the chaos, her arms crossed. Owen was inspecting a random object that had nothing to do with their puzzle, while Jude and Justin sat slumped outside, visibly miserable from the lingering effects of the stink bomb. The smell, which would cling to them for days, made everyone instinctively keep their distance.
Noah smirked, glancing at Gwen's slightly exasperated expression. She sat at the edge of the table, resting her chin on her palm as she stared at the scattered clues in front of her with zero enthusiasm. He couldn't resist poking at her mood.
"So… Gwen," Noah began, his tone dripping with amusement, "aren't you supposed to be the detective of our team? You know, solving clues, cracking puzzles… helping out Leshawna right about now?"
Gwen groaned audibly, her tired gaze snapping to Noah. "I was the detective, Noah. But after running around for hours chasing stupid riddles and half-baked clues, I've officially retired. Leshawna can handle herself. Besides," she added with a smirk, "I'm waiting for Tyler to show up with the clues; with that, we can gather all the clues and try to resolve this stupid challenge once and for all. It was nice for the first twenty minutes, but now it's almost more than 1 hour. And I don't even care if we win or lose the challenge; I just want to get done with the challenge."
Noah raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying Gwen's defiance.
"So you're saying you're just gonna… Sit here and let Leshawna sweat it out?" he asked, leaning forward slightly.
Gwen shrugged unapologetically.
"Exactly. I think she would try to resolve the puzzle by herself, with Tyler getting the rest of the clues. We can listen to their theories, and we can think on our own, and we can go after Chris when they aren't looking. Simple, like that." Gwen said nonchalantly, as Noah simply nodded his head in understanding. "I mean, it mustn't be that difficult to figure out where Chris was…"
2 hours later…
Even Leshawna, who had managed to find her clue after an hour of painstaking effort—and not a single ounce of help from her teammates—was unimpressed. Her face still showed the irritation she'd carried since rejoining the group, and she had taken to pacing around the tent, muttering under her breath.
"This is some straight-up nonsense," Leshawna grumbled, flipping through the scattered clues. "Running me ragged for a puzzle that doesn't even make sense. And where were all y'all when I was sweating my butt off solving it, huh? Off playing Sherlock Holmes, apparently."
Everyone simply rolled their eyes as they ignored everyone else. They were mad and annoyed for not being able to solve Chris's puzzles.
"Ugh, this is stupid. We are at least 10 of the night right now, and we still didn't solve these damned puzzles. Chris should have made it more clear." Noah was having a big headache as everyone else was feeling impatient; it had been so stupid. "Are we forgetting something?"
The group looked at each other, and suddenly Tyler sighed.
"Man, this is so boring. I'm curious how Ezekiel, Trent, Cody, Harold, and Bridgette are doing…" And that comment alone made the whole group blink a few times… until Noah face-slammed his head on the table.
"*BEEP* I forgot about calling them to ask if they got the clue." Noah said, annoyed, as he looked at the clock. "Something crazy must have happened since they have been there for 2 hours."
"I should've called them ages ago…" Grabbing the disk phone with urgency, he spun the dial quickly, muttering under his breath.
The ringing tone filled the silence as the team paused their chaotic tasks, looking toward Noah with a mix of curiosity and dread. When the call finally connected, Noah leaned forward. "Hello? Geoff? What's going on over there? Did you guys find the clue, or—"
Before he could finish, a deafening blast of music erupted from the receiver, causing him to jerk back in shock. It was a chaotic fusion of 1920s swing mixed with modern techno beats, punctuated by dramatic sound effects that made everyone else in the tent flinch. Even from across the room, Eva raised an eyebrow, while Owen practically fell out of his chair in surprise.
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOO! LET'S GO PARTY ALL NIGHT!" Geoff's voice boomed through the line, nearly drowning in the raucous soundscape. "1920s ARE AWESOME! KEEP SHAKING AND DANCING, EVERYONE! SWINGING ALL NIGHT! LOOK AT EZEKIEL, KATIE, AND SADIE GO! MAN, I NEED TO LEARN THOSE MOVES."
"GEOFF!" Noah shouted, his voice straining against the noise. "ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?! WHAT IS EVEN HAPPENING OVER THERE?!"
But Geoff didn't seem to hear him. "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Bridgette's voice chimed in next, equally hyped. "COME ON, MRS. ELOISE, SHAKE THAT BODY! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Confession — Geoff
"My grandma always told me I was exactly like my grandpa, and in their time they always knew how to throw a party, and after listening to those songs and seeing everyone dancing,. I can say with all my heart. YOU GUYS ROCK," Geoff said with all the cheerfulness of the world. "The old people knew how to throw a party. WOHOOOOO. Now I can understand why my grandma said I was like a young version of my grandpa. So, Grandma, have fun, because when I get back home, Brady and I will throw a party in the style of the 20s just to celebrate the golden era of parties. Because those songs are bangers."
Confession — Trent
"I had memories of how my grandpa always hummed those songs whenever he started to make his toys..." Trent said as he looked at the pocket watch while he had a few tears in his eyes. "I forgot that I wanted to play guitar just because I wanted to play a little song he enjoyed. And now I have the chance of playing it for those who had grandchildren, and maybe if my grandpa is listening to me... I'm happy to play those songs. Hey, Grandpa... have fun with these songs wherever you are, rest in peace."
The group in the tent exchanged incredulous looks, their disbelief mirrored on each face. Eva raised her hands in exasperation, muttering, "Unbelievable."
Finally, the music cut out as someone on the other end hung up. The Crafts and Service Tent fell into stunned silence, save for the faint ringing in their ears. Noah slowly placed the receiver back in its cradle, staring at it as though it had personally betrayed him.
"What just… what was that?" DJ asked, his voice hesitant.
Noah leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples with a long, drawn-out sigh. "I have no idea. But apparently, they've turned clue-solving into some kind of… jazz-techno party extravaganza."
"A party?! Can we join? That sounds so much better than this!" Izzy's face lit up. As she internally facepalmed, she also forgot that Cody and Ezekiel were on there, and maybe they had done something that clearly was giving them a lot of MVPA points while having a lot of fun.
"I'm not letting this get to me," Noah said, his tone firm as he grabbed the phone again. "We're not running to the Ceremony Hall to chase down a clue and crash their… whatever that is. I'm calling them back. This time, we're getting real answers." With an impatient spin of the dial, Noah leaned forward as the group gathered closer, their curiosity piqued despite themselves.
"HEY NOAH." Cody was the person who got the call as he accepted. "DID YOU GUYS END THE CHALLENGE?"
"NO, WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON THERE?" Noah shouted as the group was there to listen to the blasting sounds of the music.
"WE ARE BRINGING THE GOLDEN ERA OF THE MUSIC AGAIN, BRINGING ALL THE SHUFFLE COMBINING WITH SWING, AND IT'S AWESOME. ALSO, WE HAVE 2 EXTRA CLUES. ONE OF THEM IS THE PICTURE OF THE HILL WHERE THE KILLER GRIPS HAVE OUR SECRET SPOT… ALSO, THERE'S ANOTHER PICTURE OF A TRAILER ON THERE." Cody shouted as the sound of the answers made everyone stare at the telephone… the final pieces of the puzzle, and nobody dared to go at the fake hill where Killer Grips won 2 sets of movie making… which almost all of that team facepalmed for not even trying… and a trailer, everything made sense now. A FREAKING TRAILER! They have been looking at pieces of a trailer on there.
The words hit the group like a bolt of lightning, and a collective sense of realization washed over them. All the pieces began to fall into place—the faux hill where the Killer Grips had filmed their movie sets, the trailer they'd overlooked again and again. And just like that, the final pieces of the puzzle clicked.
A collective groan echoed through the tent, followed by an explosion of exasperated curses.
"*BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP*" A collective groan echoed through the tent, followed by an explosion of exasperated curses. The group's frustration was palpable, their emotions boiling over at how obvious the answer had been all along.
"I HOPE YOU GUYS ALREADY SOLVED THE MYSTERY, BECAUSE WE'RE HAVING A GREAT TIME HERE!" Cody continued, completely oblivious to their growing frustration. "OH, THAT'S MY DAD'S FAVORITE SONG! "IF YOU'RE BLUE AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO TO, WHY DON'T YOU GO WHERE FASHION SITS—PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ'!" Cody's voice broke into a lively rendition, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of a xylophone and an energetic trumpet solo.
The group in the tent froze, staring at the telephone in collective disbelief. The chaos on the other end of the line was incomprehensible.
"…" The moment stretched in tense silence before Tyler suddenly bolted to his feet. Without thinking, he dashed out of the tent... The others snapped out of their stupor, instinctively following him as the entire group sprinted toward the hill where Chris's trailer waited.
The Crafts and Service Tent was left in disarray, chairs overturned and papers scattered in their haste. But none of them cared anymore. They were determined to solve this challenge once and for all.
(?)
Chris lounged on a foldout chair atop the fake hill, one of the highest points of the abandoned movie studio set. The vantage point was nothing short of spectacular—he could see the sprawling expanse of empty sound stages, decaying props, and faded remnants of forgotten productions. In the distance, the glow of the Ceremony Hall caught his attention, faintly illuminated by scattered lights. The faint noise of activity drifted up toward him, piquing his interest.
Leaning forward slightly, Chris squinted at the distant hall. "What the heck is going on over there?" he mused to himself, his lips curving into a trademark smirk. His initial thought was, of course, that the contestants were struggling with their respective puzzles—maybe bickering, maybe panicking, and definitely failing to get things done. The idea brought a quiet chuckle to his lips. Chaos was his favorite currency, after all.
But as the minutes ticked by, his amusement began to shift into curiosity. He could still hear faint bursts of noise, but something about it didn't add up. It wasn't the sound of frustration or arguing—it was something more… lively? Almost celebratory? Chris leaned back in his chair, drumming his fingers against the armrest. His mind raced with possibilities—had Chef accidentally thrown a party instead of assisting with the challenge? Were the cadets causing mayhem again? Or had the contestants somehow found a way to turn a dire situation into a full-blown rave?
The thought made him sit up straight, his curiosity reaching its peak. He reached for the telephone on a nearby crate, fully prepared to call the interns, cadets, or Chef Hatchet to investigate the unexpected commotion. But before he could dial, a distant sound caught his attention—footsteps. Fast, loud, and persistent.
Chris arched a brow, his smirk returning as he stood and moved closer to the edge of the hill. Peering down, he caught sight of a lone figure charging forward with astonishing determination. Tyler's trench coat flapped wildly behind him as he sprinted with everything he had, his gaze locked on the trailer like his life depended on it.
"Well, well, well," Chris mused, his smirk widening into a full grin. "Looks like someone's finally figured it out."
Before long, Tyler's sprinting form was joined by others, a veritable stampede of contestants racing toward the trailer. Eva, Leshawna, Heather, Lindsay, DJ, Noah, Owen, Justin, Jude, Gwen, and Izzy—all charging forward with varying degrees of intensity and desperation. The scene was glorious chaos, and Chris couldn't help but chuckle as he took in the sight.
He stepped back to his chair, settling into it comfortably and crossing one leg over the other as he watched the chaos unfold. His smile grew wider as Tyler, still maintaining his lead, reached the edge of the hill, scrambling upward with every ounce of energy left in his body. The others were hot on his heels, but Tyler refused to give an inch.
Tyler finally reached the trailer's platform, collapsing to his knees as his chest heaved with every labored breath. His face was flushed, sweat dripping as he struggled to recover from the uphill sprint. Though utterly spent, he allowed himself a faint grin—he'd done it. He was the first to reach Chris.
Chris leaned forward in his chair, his trademark smirk growing as he looked down at Tyler with approval. "Well, well. Look who's giving 110 percent today! Welcome to the winner's circle, Tyler… or should I say Detective BMO?" He gave an exaggerated nod of acknowledgment. "You, along with the help of your team, managed to track me down. So tell me—how are you feeling?"
Tyler, still gasping for air, could only muster a weak wheeze in reply. His exhaustion spoke louder than words, leaving him sprawled on the platform, a picture of determination pushed to its limit.
Chris leaned back, folding his arms as his grin widened. Moments later, the sound of pounding footsteps echoed up the hill as the rest of the contestants surged forward, each desperate to reach the trailer. One by one, they arrived, their faces painted with varying degrees of effort and frustration.
Chris stood to greet them, his tone a mix of smugness and faux generosity. "Well, well! Izzy, Heather, Lindsay—all of you made it! Impressive effort. But tell me, where are the rest of your teammates?" He glanced around, pretending to count, but quickly waved off his own question with a dismissive shrug. "Eh, doesn't matter. Killer Grips—you're the winners of the challenge! Congratulations!"
Relief washed over the group as they exchanged exhausted smiles. The ordeal was finally over, the seemingly endless chase finally at its conclusion. Lindsay clapped her hands together in excitement, while Gwen gave Tyler a nod of acknowledgment for his effort.
Chris's attention shifted to the remaining group from the rival team, Justin and Jude still suffering the effects of the stink bomb. He glanced at them with barely disguised amusement, his grin turning sharp.
"As for you guys…" Chris paused for dramatic effect, letting the tension hang. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Once again, you've managed to lose the challenge. Looks like it's elimination time, folks. Better start deciding who gets the boot."
Eva, who had been biting her tongue and clenching her fists since arriving, finally snapped. She strode forward with an unrelenting glare, her face tight with anger.
"Oh, we're deciding something, alright," she muttered darkly.
Chris raised a skeptical brow, his smirk faltering for a moment as Eva moved closer. "Uh… what are you doing?" he asked cautiously, taking a step back.
Eva didn't respond. She eyed the trailer with laser focus, her rage fueling her movements as she grabbed the edge of the structure with both hands. With a sudden burst of strength, she began pushing. Chris's eyes widened in panic as he realized what she was doing.
"Hey! HEY! You can't do that! That's my trailer!" Chris shouted, his voice rising in alarm. "Stop! Someone stop her!"
But it was too late. With one final, determined shove, Eva sent the trailer teetering over the edge of the hill. Chris scrambled forward, watching helplessly as his beloved trailer plummeted thousands of meters down, crashing onto the ground below. The structure detonated on impact, a thunderous explosion lighting up the night sky.
"Nooooooooooo!" Chris screamed, his voice cracking with despair as he watched the remains of his trailer burn. His arms flailed uselessly, his ego as shattered as the wreckage.
Eva dusted off her hands with a satisfied smirk, turning back to her team with her head held high.
Confession — Eva
"We may not have won the challenge, but making him suffer just made my night," Eva said, her smile unwavering as the sound of clapping erupted from the makeup trailer. The interns clearly approved of her bold move, fully supporting the bodybuilder who had turned Chris's nightmare into a reality.
Confession — Chris
"My trailer, it was so young… I just bought it a few weeks ago, and then it had to suffer the artistic whims of Duncan and Courtney. And now, it's gone! Destroyed! Why? WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!" Chris wailed, cradling the charred remains of some of his belongings. Pictures of himself burned to dust, miniature statues broken into pieces—he was utterly shattered, in every sense of the word.
Back on the hilltop, Eva's team erupted into cheers and laughter, fully embracing the moment as their own victory. Even Justin and Jude managed weak grins through the lingering stink bomb haze. For the Screaming Gaffers, the night might have been a loss, but Eva's bold stunt was a highlight they wouldn't soon forget.
Chris, meanwhile, fell to his knees, staring out at the destruction with utter devastation. For him, the night was far from over.
.
.
.
A short while later, Chris picked up the phone, his tone dripping with frustration as he barked orders.
"I don't care how many people are there—I want the Ceremony Hall ready for elimination right now." He paused, listening to faint music blasting in the distance and groaning audibly. "Ugh, okay, I get it, we're not supposed to disrespect the elders, but come on, they should be sleeping at some point. Wait, what do you mean they're energized and partying until 3 a.m.? Seriously?" He sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead. "Fine, fine. I'll think of something else. Just grab the cadets, Sadie and Geoff. I want them in front of the boys' and girls' trailers in ten minutes. Take the Lame-O-Sine and drag them here if you have to—I don't care. Someone's getting eliminated in less than an hour. Thanks, Chef."
With that, Chris hung up and turned back to the remaining contestants, pinching the bridge of his nose as he addressed the group.
"For the winners of the Killer Grips," he said, gesturing toward Lindsay, Tyler, Heather, and Izzy with faux enthusiasm, "there's a lovely party happening back at the Ceremony Hall. It seems the rest of your team has been celebrating the golden era all night. Enjoy yourselves, mingle with the elders, dance, and blah, blah, blah. You've earned it." The four exchanged quick cheers before stepping away, eager to join the festivities.
Noah leaned back slightly, letting out an internal chuckle. It was satisfying to see karma catching up to their annoying host for once. Chris had practically set himself up for Eva's wrath, and now he was paying for it. If he hadn't wanted Eva to reach her breaking point, the trailer clue could've been easier to track instead of forcing people to entertain a hundred elders before reaching the final two clues. Noah smirked to himself—Chris had this coming from miles away.
Sure, his team had made mistakes. They were tired and impatient, but he still felt no sympathy for the man who thrived on their misery. Noah glanced around at his teammates. Even with the slight friction simmering among them, he was confident the boys wouldn't do anything stupid.
(In the boy's trailer...)
"Guys, I want you to help me vote Eva off," Justin announced boldly as he strode into the room. His voice carried an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. The boys—Jude, Geoff, Owen, DJ, and Noah—were scattered throughout the room, still resting from the earlier challenge.
Noah, arriving just in time to catch Justin's remark, froze mid-step.
"Did Justin actually just say that?" His thoughts came to a screeching halt as the words sank in. For a moment, it felt like his brain had completely blue-screened.
"She's been a problem for us, and we all know it. She's too aggressive and unpredictable, and she crossed the line pushing that trailer off the hill. It's time she's gone." Justin, oblivious to the tension his statement had caused, folded his arms and continued.
Confession — Noah
"For anyone planning to vote someone off, you've got to prepare for the possibility of revenge. Trust me, I know—after being the first eliminated last season, I made sure Heather paid the price by dealing with the same poison ivy misery I went through." Noah crossed his arms and glared at the camera. "But when it comes to Eva? Oh, no. You don't just think twice. You think ten times—maybe twenty. She's the kind of person who could break every bone in your body without breaking a sweat. And yet, here we are, with Justin rallying the boys like this is some kind of popularity contest."
He shook his head, his expression equal parts amusement and disbelief. "Do I pity them if Eva finds out? Nope. Not even a little. The only people ending up on her blacklist are the ones dumb enough to let Justin rope them into his plan. As for me? I'd rather keep all my bones intact, thank you very much."
DJ, who had been listening quietly from the corner, frowned deeply. He stood up and shook his head firmly.
"I'm not doing this," he said, his voice steady and resolute. "Eva has her flaws, sure. But she's a strong teammate, and she's helped us out before. I'm not about to stab her in the back just because she gets intense. I'm out."
"I'll second that. I like all my bones where they are, and besides, stupidity tends to be contagious. I'm not sticking around to catch it." Noah nodded in agreement as he adjusted his own jacket. Without so much as a backward glance, he followed DJ out of the room.
The tension in the room hung thick as Justin's words landed with calculated precision. The boys' discomfort was evident, their unease growing with every passing moment. Yet, Justin's charisma kept them teetering on the edge of his persuasion.
Owen shifted uncomfortably in his seat, fidgeting with the brim of his detective hat. "I mean... yeah, Eva's been on my case lately, trying to make me do all these crazy exercises," he muttered, his voice low and hesitant. "She keeps saying I need to 'get in shape,' but honestly, I'm scared of her. She's intense."
Justin pounced on Owen's admission like a hawk. His smile widened, his tone smooth as silk. "Exactly, Owen! She's a force to be reckoned with, but not in a good way. We don't need that kind of energy dragging us down, right?"
Owen swallowed hard, his eyes darting nervously. He nodded hesitantly, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his decision. "Yeah... okay, you're right. I'll vote Eva off," he said, though his tone lacked conviction.
Justin turned his attention to Geoff, who stood leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. Geoff's face was clouded with doubt as he glanced down at his cowboy boots, clearly conflicted. "I don't know, man. Eva's my friend," Geoff said quietly, his brow furrowed. "I don't really feel right voting her off. She's not all bad."
Justin took a step closer, his voice dropping into a persuasive murmur. "Geoff, I get it. But think about it—she's already had her moment in the spotlight. She's got the fan base and the winnings. It's not like we're taking away her only chance." He leaned in slightly, his tone becoming conspiratorial. "And besides, if we don't make the move now, she could crush us all in the finals. Do you really want to be up against her when it matters most?"
Geoff rubbed the back of his neck, clearly wrestling with his decision. He looked around the room, hoping for support from the others, but their silence offered no reprieve. After a long pause, Geoff let out a heavy sigh. "Man, I really hate this," he muttered, shaking his head. Finally, he nodded reluctantly. "Alright, fine. I'll vote for Eva. But I'm not happy about it."
Justin's attention shifted to Jude, who lingered near the mirror, fiddling nervously with his bowtie. Jude had remained silent throughout the conversation, his eyes darting between the group and his own reflection. His cheeks flushed as Justin approached, his presence practically glowing with confidence.
"What about you, Jude? You in?" Justin asked, his tone light yet laced with expectation.
Jude hesitated, his gaze shifting to the floor. "Uh..." he stammered, clearly unsure. But as Justin stepped even closer, his charm impossible to ignore, Jude felt himself wilting under the pressure. Finally, he nodded with a small, sheepish smile. "Okay, yeah. Sure. I mean... whatever you say."
Justin's smirk widened triumphantly, his plan seemingly locked into place. "Perfect. That's three votes," he said smoothly, his eyes sweeping across the room. "This is how we win, gentlemen."
As the room settled into uneasy silence, a distinct tension lingered, the weight of their choice settling uncomfortably on their shoulders. Unbeknownst to Justin, his confident proclamation masked the simmering storm that was sure to follow.
In front of the trailers.
As soon as the Screaming Gaffers were reunited, Chris, who was still annoyed by the fact that once more his trailer had been damaged, took a few deep breaths to calm himself down, and with Chef and the cadet girls all dressed in 20s clothing, Chris already presented himself in front of the trailers of both boys and girls.
"Well, while I should have been thinking further about the idea of the elderly people making a party at this hour, which I thought would have been their time to go to take a nap, I stand corrected, as now we are going to make the elimination right in front of the trailers." Chris said as he composed himself as MacArthur and Sanders were holding the Gilded Chris just to give to the contestants who would start their period of votes. "As you guys will start voting, I have no words on what you all just messed up. Do any of you girls and you, Chef, have anything to say to them?"
While MacArthur and Sanders remained quiet. Chef, on the other hand, knew exactly what to say.
"Gwen." Chef said as he immediately took the attention of the goth girl. "You let both your emotions take care of you, which made you not just make the person you were supposed to interrogate get knocked out and with that lose the advantage for your team, but also, with your still lacking the desire to try to run across the studios like a true detective, you lost so many opportunities to find a way to save your comrades and be able to gather more clues to solve the mystery."
At that time, Gwen had her eyes wide open because, once again, Chef pointed out the mistakes she had made, and they were right on... And not just her, but every single one of the contestants was surprised to see Chef say the name of one contestant and point out the flaw and what they should have done.
Chris also had his jaw slacked from seeing Chef acting different from what he had seen before.
"Eva." Chef said as he pointed at the bodybuilder, who raised her eyebrow angrily. "You underestimated someone while she played over your weakness, your pride, and your ability to get angry quickly. With that, you not only revealed the truth, making the other team win the advantage, but with that advantage, the detective of the opposite team found more clues than yours. Giving Tyler more advantage to find Chris over the challenge."
Eva opened her mouth to say something but immediately closed it as Chef glared at her, challenging her to say if he was wrong, which the bodybuilder couldn't help but remain quiet about, but still glaring slightly because of the truth...
"Where the hell did you get all that information?" Chris said as he raised his eyebrows and stared at the contestants. "Well, you all can give your votes, and some of you who have the MVPA points can buy the gift boxes to help with the future challenges, etc. You all have a minute to decide everything."
The Screaming Gaffers, one by one, had to make a vote, and some who used the MVPA points, their surprised eyes clearly showed them having indeed something to be in awe of.
.
.
.
"You all made your votes, so now I want you to prepare yourselves for the results..." Chris said as he looked in surprise at the screen to see who would be voted off, and with a shrug he nodded his head. "A gift box was used, which will clearly make the difference in these votes, so prepare yourselves because anything can happen now."
The Screaming Gaffer had their eyes wide open, and some even sweat at the moment.
"The first Gilded Chris will go to... Owen." Chris said as he launched the golden statue of the chocolate to the chubby boy, who clearly got excited. "Sadie... DJ,"
The trophy was launched as both of them got happy to receive it.
"Beth, Jude, Geoff," Chris was glad to be able to throw the gilded Chris, since he didn't want to approach either Justin or Jude, since they were caught in such a terrible smell. "Noah, Gwen, Justin..."
And one by one, as the group gathered more and more, Gilded Chris, Eva, and Leshawna were the only two remaining.
"What the... what the hell is going on?" Leshawna asked as she found herself being the last one with Eva. Who was also staring at the situation in disbelief.
"Leshawna, Eva... this is the last Gilded Chris..." Chris said as he raised the last statue, which made both women stare at the situation with precipitation. "Things would have been different if it wasn't for the fact someone used the Gift Box, which the situation would have been neck-to-neck, but the Gift Box used allowed a person to add 3 votes on the people he or she chose, so the person decided to use it with the other contestants... With a vote of 4 vs. 6... the last person who got the Gilded Chris is..."
The duo of women stared at the situation in such an absurd way that in the next second, anything could happen, until suddenly Chris threw the last Gilded Chris.
"Leshawna." Chris said, "Immediately, Gwen, Sadie, DJ, and Beth were surprised with the news, as Geoff, Jude, Justin, and Owen looked at Eva, while Leshawna was cheering.
"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about... wait a minute... Who the hell voted on me?" Leshawna, who was about to cheer for the victory, suddenly looked outraged at the ones who voted on her.
Eva, on the other hand, had her face showing shadows... Not realizing the smirk coming from Justin.
Confession — Justin
"6500 points for having 3 votes in one person? Oh, I loved this gift box. I'm so glad that my performance was able to get a lot of points. I knew I had such talent for acting." Justin said as he laid his back on the chair, happy with the results of his choice.
Confession — Chris and Chef
"I voted 3 on the horrifying and terrible acting of Justin. How much did you vote?" Chris asked as Chef thought for a few seconds.
"3, just because he was beautiful, but his acting was so horrible that it made me facepalm." Chef replied as Chris then looked at the camera.
"Okay everyone, I know you guys wanted to give your votes on the show and vote on Justin just because he's the eye candy, but come on, it's MVPA because it's about acting; have some shame, everyone. Voting 7 on that horrible performance?" Chris said as much; he would have loved the drama, and even he adored the plot twist of that situation. He needed to remark on what the purpose of the MVPA was.
"Eva, no time to waste. I was going to give you a few seconds, but after you destroyed my trailer, I don't have the patience for that. I want you out." Chris commented as he clapped his hands, but then he saw the growling of Eva, which made him flinch.
"I will... I'm just going to say one thing." Eva said as she composed herself, which slightly made Chris relieved. "Congratulations on managing to send me out... but know one thing... I will watch the episode of today... and I will find out who voted on me... and the people who voted on me, you better win this show, because I will be waiting for you like a shark... And for those who voted on me and got eliminated, I will take Sadie and Ezekiel's training schedule, and I will make you train them 5 TIMES OVER. 5 TIMES THEIR WEIGHT, 5 TIMES THE TIME."
When Eva said that, Sadie paled as she became a ghost... Owen literally farted in fear, while Geoff himself sweated bullets as his eyes shrank. Jude, who was confused, suddenly realized what he saw on the television and then felt a shiver on his spine. And Justin, who was smiling before, suddenly felt his entire body screaming in anticipation. Which then he had his eyes shrinking... and maybe in the corner of his mind... he may have made a mistake.
Eva could see Noah nodding his head and smirking at her, knowing that she would find out the truth on the television, and she would indeed make the people who vote on her suffer. While she could see her true friends looking very surprised and even sad… Eva couldn't help but ignore their looks and take the Lame-O-Sine… And by driving away in the terrible limousine. She stared at the screen.
"I know my friends who support me, and I know I was right all along. I don't regret it. This challenge sucked. And some members of my team are terrible. I know she thinks she will go far ahead in the game, but that beep better prepare herself because I saw those kinds of things happening. When she least expects it, she will make a mistake, and when she does, her fall will come to my hands, and with my hands, a punch on her face… I helped myself to not beat you up because my friends were there, but I was without a bathtub or something very relaxing, so you were this close to me having your face changed… So you better watch out, Leshawna, because you are not a big deal…" Eva said, as the voice of the bodybuilder was marked, that she would swear revenge for those who voted on her… Even as some of them will deeply regret it in the future.
That's how Total Drama works...
(Boys' trailer)
The eerie stillness of the early morning blanketed the camp as the clock ticked toward 5 a.m. The events of the long, chaotic night had finally caught up to the members of the Killer Grips. One by one, they'd staggered to their beds, collapsing into blissful, dreamless sleep. The echoes of 1920s jazz and techno beats still lingered faintly in their minds, but even the most energetic members had succumbed to exhaustion.
All except Ezekiel.
The dim light of the moon streamed faintly through the windows as Ezekiel sat on the edge of his cot, his stomach grumbling and throat dry. While the others snored softly, he rummaged through his bag, seeking something—anything—to quench his thirst. His hand brushed against a familiar cylindrical bottle nestled within his belongings. Pulling it out, he examined the contents: a strange, purplish liquid that seemed to shimmer faintly under the low light.
It was his last creation—the Pegasus Juice Mix. The formula was something he'd concocted during his spare time, a fusion of wild ingredients designed to "sugarize" both body and mind. While his last trials had yielded mixed results, the thought crossed his mind: "It's just one bottle of sugary drink. How weird could it be?"
His fingers twisted the cap off with a satisfying pop as a faint, fruity aroma wafted from the bottle. Without giving it another thought, Ezekiel raised it to his lips, muttering, "Bottoms up," before taking a long, deep swig.
The taste was sharp but oddly pleasant, a mix of sweet and tangy flavors that danced on his tongue. Ezekiel smirked to himself as he recapped the bottle.
"Not bad. Honestly, I'm kind of proud of this one. I'm sure Chef will love it when he drinks it," he mumbled.
For now, exhaustion seemed to dull his senses, and he crawled back into bed. He shut his eyes, unaware of what awaited him.
(?)
Ezekiel found himself standing in the middle of total darkness. He blinked a couple of times, confused, before muttering...
"Huh, this looks... familiar." He scratched the back of his head, trying to piece things together. "Wait a second... oh… so here I am, once again… meeting probably Time Traveler Cody… Let's see if I can find that harem boy again..." A smirk crossed his face. "I still won't let him live that down, never. Hooking' up my alternate self with Sierra? Seriously? Nobody deserves that, even in another dimension." He swore the same way he pushed his Cody to the pool, but he decided to refocus on his surroundings.
Walking forward, Ezekiel noticed the darkness starting to shift around him, like it was pulling away to reveal something ahead.
"Okay…" he muttered, stuffing his hands into his pockets of his pants. "What do you have for me this time?"
After a few steps, something caught his eye—something in the distance. As he got closer, Ezekiel realized it was an old typewriter sitting on a wooden table. He stopped and tilted his head, recognition flickering in his mind.
"Wow… this takes me back," he mumbled, running his fingers over the keys. "Used one of these in the Wawanakwa Island… belonged to my family. Man, I like my laptop, but having a typewriter would be an immediate print; it would be easier to deal with."
His gaze shifted to the corner of the table, where he spotted a sketchbook. Picking it up, he flipped through the blank pages.
"A sketchbook? Seriously? Like I'm supposed to start scribbling' or something? I'm in a dream; I'm sure that would disappear in the morning..." He stared at it for a moment before shrugging. "Well, guess I could use this dream time for something useful. Make a few notes, jot down some ideas, you know, productive stuff."
He sat down, placing the sketchbook on the table while the typewriter quietly waited nearby. Waiting for a few minutes…
"No time traveler Cody showing up this time, huh? Kind of disappointed. Guess I'll have to entertain myself." Ezekiel clicked his tongue and grabbed a pencil that appeared out of nowhere. He began making rough sketches and notes, mumbling to himself. As he kept writing, he felt a good song come to his mind that reminded him of the video clip of a Super Bowl commercial. "Sit down, be humble; sit down, be humble."
*tac tac tac ding* *tac tac tac ding* tac tac tac ding tac tac tac ding*
Ezekiel was singing the lyrics of one of the future rappers from the world as he slowly smashed one paper and then released another one. As he felt his dreams making the paper float, it was indeed like the commercial, which made him very happy.
"Sit down, be humble." Ezekiel sang to himself as soon as he heard footsteps. "Huh, I thought you weren't going to appear… How are you, Cody?"
Ezekiel turned his head… just for them to blink… It wasn't what he was expecting… instead of seeing the same boy whom he met in a dream in the past. Never in his life would he meet in a dream… "Justin?"
"Ezekiel?" Justin blinked as the duo remained quiet… both not even sure on what to say…
"WHAT THE FUCK?" Both shouted in unison, showing their reaction to the chaotic dream.
Chapter 67: Reaction, Flashbacks and a Wild 20s Night.
Chapter Text
Author's note: Hello Everyone, thank you so much for the reviews, however I have some announcements to make... I'm having struggles to write more chapters or my speed of writing them are going to be reduced because I got my wrist twisted, and working with it had been painful and annoying... and that was the thing, I worked this chapter the best as I can, with all the work I could do. I threw away so many ideas because I didn't want to write more than 30k words, that was my limit, and I wanted to develop as much as I could. Sorry that you guys wanted more reactions and scenes however I couldn't, I refused suggestions because I already wrote eveything that I needed for this chapter.
I'm still in pain on my wrist? Yeah, I am, so that's why I'm going to take a few days resting on my right arm, and I will be writing on my cellphone and talk with my friends with my left arm.
Because of reasons, Reallity Collides will be in a break for you guys read, digest everything I did for this challenge, because it's 3 freaking chapters just for 1 genre movie challenge, and I hope you guys love this chapter...
Now in regard of what I'm going to write... My priorities now are..
Adventure Time - Adopted by Royalty
From Human to Yokai - Memories of Rando
Blind Dates and Frightful Fates
These 3 I want to make 2 or 3 chapters of every single one of them before going back to Total Drama. I hope you guys understand...
My helluva boss fanfics, are on hiatus, 1- because my wrist is twisted and I couldn't focus on what to write. 2- since the new announcement of the Hellverse being official, I have fear on what's going to happen to my fanfics. If I will need to rewrite scenes to fit the style of the lore and etc... I'm hesitant, and I want to focus on my fanfics, I hope you guys understand.
But firstly and mostly important, I need to heal because I work on the weeks. So I'm going to rest, and I will enjoy seeing your reviews. Until then, have fun reading the chapters. Hahahaha.
"Tyson, it's a pleasure to finally meet the man who made the boy who got my little daughter's heart." The cheerful voice of the blonde man dressing in a white and red suit, even as eccentric as it could be, the man who had been working in sports publicity and being responsible for the local school P.E. classes, knew that person should never be antagonized. "Lucyraldo M. M., but people in my family call me Lucy."
"I presume you must be Lindsay's father; the pleasure is all mine." Tyson tried to remain calm as he tried to raise his hand for a handshake; however, his shoes suddenly stumbled, which made the man suddenly fall down in front of the man, but to the surprise of the eccentrically dressed man, the jock's father did a forward roll and immediately got up like nothing just happened. "I apologize; things like that happen from clumsiness.'
"Hahahaha, that's quite impressive." Lucy commented as he gave a cheerful clap. And a good, entertained laugh. And now the parents of the two lovers of the Total Drama show gave their handshake. "So I assume your son's clumsy side took from your side of the family?"
"Ha, I wish." Tyson commented as he looked at where he had stumbled, which was nothing more than a single tiny rock. "While I may be clumsy myself a few times, it's more like a family tree from our side of the family. And if mine was bad, my cousin's is 50 times worse."
"Oh, do tell?" Lucy commented as the duo walked across what would be the school where the investment from one of the richest people in Canada came from. Since the events of the show, he had been eager to meet the man, since from the television, that boy who became his little daughter's boyfriend... he had been pure entertainment for him. He enjoyed the times he got in pain because he took the heart of his little girl, but he also liked how kind he was with everyone... except to the fucker who made his little girl suffer such humiliation and trauma... Which, at that moment, Lucy could see that little clumsy and unlucky jock with good grace, and he was now meeting the father who revealed they had even more of those members of the family. Oh, that was something he would like to hear.
"Do you know about the term Murphy's law?" Tyson commented as he calmly and slowly opened the door, which he checked left the floor, and with a good and calm smile, he opened it for both of them to get inside the principal's office, where he usually likes to debate the plans of his after-work sports announcer.
"Which everything bad could happen, it will always happen?" Lucy asked, intrigued, as the man opened the fridge, which had a kettle inside of it.
"Cold coffee, it hurts less when it comes about clumsiness. I'm starting to get used to it since a few weeks ago we had a few accidents." Tyson commented as he offered the coffee to the rich man, who simply refused but raised an eyebrow with curiosity and intrigue. "Well, to answer your question, yes... but to explain further, I have a grandfather who moved to the United States for a long time, and on his side of the family, every male member of that family became the known magnet of Murphy's Law... Which by the time it passes, while I may be unlucky and my side of the family unlucky a few or most of the time. I'm still grateful that my family is not bound to Murphy's Law."
"Fascinating." Lucy commented as he was starting to get more and more liking towards the family of her daughter's boyfriend. He couldn't deny it; he was a rich and bored man most of the time, and his favorite hobbies had been playing around with rubber ducks and spending time with his family. "How can I be sure you are not just saying baloney to me?"
Tyson simply walked towards his desk as he took an envelope from the drawer.
"Here's my cousin's last Christmas postcard from last year... This year I'm planning to bring my family to visit them." Tyson commented as Lucy calmly looked until his eyes went wide open.
"Is that fire across the entire place covered in snow?" Lucy asked as it looked too realistic to actually be fake.
"Murphy's law." Tyson replied as he could see the smile of the person in front of him getting even bigger.
"Well, at least I'm sure you and your family must have all kinds of stories to talk about across holidays." Lucy commented as he could see the man who seemed to be responsible for the sports department of the school simply shrug.
"Depends on the day; some would be better, and some would be worse." Tyson commented as he pulled the chair slowly and crouched if there was some inconvenience, and like a third sense, the carpet was a few inches nearby his chair. Which he calmly took and folded nearby, away from him. Seeing the rich man looking at him in amusement, he could already guess what was on his mind. "Carpets are a nightmare while sitting on a chair. Trust me, I had protested more than once to remove the carpet from my office, but I guess my bad luck will keep making someone forget the memo."
It was sure to know Lucy was getting more and more amused at checking on someone who clearly was dealing with what would be the problems of bad luck, and yet he was counting his blessings that his side of the family was not the worst who got the end of the stick. That man is a riot on his own.
"Well, I'm sure the students are enjoying the products from some of the sports companies that I invested in." Lucy commented as he sat on the chair, to which the man in front of him nodded his head.
"Indeed they are. Tyler wanted to try each of the items our ex-sponsors gifted us, but thankfully I managed to put into his skull that he should be focusing more on the reality show than trying one of the items and getting himself another broken bone." The jock's father gave the explanation, which clearly made the rich guy raise his eyebrows in surprise. "Once again, words cannot express how thankful I and my family are for your help."
"Oh, don't mind about it; your boy has been a great guy for my dear chipmunk. I usually thought those jocks from schools were always a bunch of jerks, but it seems Tyler has indeed a heart of gold," Lucy said as he could see the person in front of him accepting the statement. But checking his cellphone, he looked surprised at what time it was. "Oh well, it seems I have a short time now. Well, how about we discuss this further at my place?"
"That would be lovely." Tyson said as he gave a handshake to the rich man. "Which I should warn you, for the sake of your most important possession, it would be for the best if you don't let me, or my wife and son, nearby something that would be priceless in your view."
"In other words, don't show any of you my collection of rubber ducks or my Ferrari, got it? Thank you for your kind warning." Lucy commented as the duo walked towards it just to see there wasn't a car across the street. "What the... where the fuck is my driver? I told him to stay in the area while I would still be here for a few minutes..."
"Was there enough time to eat a meatball sandwich?" Tyson asked, which made the blonde, rich man raise his eyebrows.
"I think so?" Lucy said it as a question, to which the father of the jock nodded his head.
"Has white backseats; if that's so, something must have made him startled and let it fall—the sandwich and, with that dirt, the whole backseat." Tyler's father explained, which clearly surprised the person nearby, as he simply started walking. "It's not the first time it happened nearby this school, and it won't be the last time. If you want, I can give you a drive to somewhere where you can call someone else... Bear in mind you must have a bit of patience because my car has my CD player stuck with a CD and will be playing polka without stopping."
"..." Lucy remained in silence, as his eyes sparkled more than anything in the world. "Tyson, that's the start of a wonderful, wonderful friendship."
Lucy felt that he indeed found something that will make him not bored anymore, and he's excited about that.
Courtney found it strange staying at Duncan's house for a few days. After finalizing their plans for the new segment of the reality show, they had sent the paperwork to the producers with Jane as their representative. Those corporate sharks hadn't anticipated that Courtney would come armed with a skilled lawyer and her entire legal team backing her up.
Now, with plans for the show to continue filming in Ontario, Courtney, Duncan, and the siblings from the other side of Canada were set to stay in a five-star hotel. While it lacked the quirky luxuries of Playa Del Losers, it still offered a decent level of pampering—perfect for indulging like spoiled rich brats.
Duncan, however, was itching to vandalize something. It took Courtney yanking his ear and reminding him of his remaining community service hours to keep him on the straight and narrow.
Even so, there was still one major task left to tackle.
"We still need to find the right cast," Jane remarked, her voice cutting through the hum of the hotel's coffee shop. The trio sat at a table, their breakfast spread before them. Courtney nodded, her mind already racing with ideas.
"Your suggestion to bring in fresh faces—people the viewers haven't seen before—could really grab attention," Jane continued. "It aligns perfectly with the plans you two have laid out."
"I see your point," Courtney replied thoughtfully, her gaze fixed on her coffee cup. "I was thinking of posting an announcement on the Total Drama forum and selecting candidates based on their résumés. That way, we can ensure they're fit for the cast."
"That's not going to work, princess," Duncan interjected, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. Courtney shot him a sharp look, demanding an explanation.
"One name: Sierra," Duncan said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Oh... right," Courtney muttered, her expression deadpan as she sighed. "If she could file a police report to make Cody disappear, imagine what she'd do to get on the cast."
"Exactly. I don't know why you two are so worried about this—it's not that hard," Duncan scoffed, earning twin glares of disbelief from Courtney and Jane.
"Oh, really? Then why don't you show us how it's done, Mr. Wise Guy?" Courtney challenged, crossing her arms.
"Watch and learn," Duncan said, cracking his knuckles as he stood up. The girls exchanged skeptical glances as he strode outside.
Moments later, Duncan returned, dragging a bewildered child behind him. The kid, clearly a student, looked utterly confused by the sudden abduction.
"Hey, kiddo! Want to be on a TV show?" Duncan asked, grinning.
"Wha—?" The child blinked, unable to process what was happening.
"DUNCAN!" Courtney shrieked, tackling her boyfriend to the ground. The kid stared in shock as Courtney unleashed her fury, her hands gripping Duncan's collar as if she might strangle him.
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?" She hissed, her voice cold enough to freeze the room.
"Hey, ouch! Calm down! I told you it was a good way to recruit someone for the show!" Duncan protested, squirming under her grip.
"By kidnapping a child? Seriously?" Courtney snapped, glancing around nervously. The commotion had drawn the attention of several hotel guests, who were now watching the scene unfold.
"Sorry, everyone," Courtney muttered, forcing a smile as she tried to salvage the situation. The guests shrugged, some murmuring about the chaos but ultimately returning to their own business.
Meanwhile, Courtney continued her silent battle to strangle her delinquent—and undeniably idiotic—boyfriend.
"Woah, that was cool. Do you two fight a lot?" the boy asked, his curiosity cutting through the lingering tension. Jane, ever the responsible one, gently took his hand.
"Let me walk you back to your group," she offered, but the boy simply waved it off.
"No need. The school bus crashed into another bus, so we're stuck here until either the backup school shows up or we get lucky and go home this afternoon," he explained, his tone surprisingly nonchalant. The trio of teenagers exchanged puzzled glances, but the boy sighed, sounding thoroughly unimpressed. "They wanted to take us to the Oil Museum."
"Ouch. Man, you must be glad that bus broke down," Duncan remarked, chuckling. He clearly found the kid's disdain for the trip more amusing than concerning. "The offer still stands, by the way."
"Duncan…" Courtney said, her tone carrying a sharp edge of warning. "You can't just ask a child to join the cast. He's a kid, which means we'd need his parents' permission. Not to mention, someone would have to take full responsibility for him during filming—and no sensible parent would agree to—"
"My dad just gave me permission," the boy interrupted confidently, holding up his flip phone to display a message. Courtney froze, her words catching in her throat as she stared at the screen.
"Should I sign something?" the boy asked innocently, oblivious to the shock rippling through the adults. Jane and Courtney were stunned into silence, while Duncan glanced around with a satisfied grin.
"One down, five to go," Duncan declared, already scanning the area for potential recruits. He spotted a pair of goths strolling along the sidewalk and wasted no time. With alarming enthusiasm, he approached and physically grabbed them, pulling them inside.
"Hey, you two! Want to make some cash and be on TV? You'll watch people embarrass themselves after failing at trying to win a million bucks," he offered, his grin widening.
Duncan's latest recruits stood in stark contrast to the cheerful glow of the hotel's lobby. The pair, dressed head-to-toe in black, exuded an aura of gloom that seemed to dim the space around them. The taller one, with pale skin that almost seemed luminous under the artificial lights, stood with their arms crossed, an air of indifference radiating from their slouched posture. The other, equally pale but with sharper features, silently adjusted the chains dangling from their outfit, their expression unreadable yet hauntingly calm.
"DUNCAN, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!" Courtney screamed, her voice echoing across the hotel lobby.
They exchanged a glance—one that spoke volumes, though no words passed between them. It was the kind of silent communication that only years of understanding could produce. Then, almost in unison, they turned their shadowed gazes to Duncan.
"We'll do it," the taller figure said, their voice low and monotone, as though it were spoken from a place of eternal dusk.
"If it's worth our time," added the other, their tone equally quiet but laced with a subtle, almost imperceptible edge.
Duncan smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Trust me, you'll love it. Plenty of chaos, drama, and people making fools of themselves." He clapped his hands together. "Three down, two more to go," he declared, as if this were all part of an elaborate master plan.
Courtney, who had been observing the scene in utter disbelief, facepalmed. "Are you serious?" she muttered under her breath. Meanwhile, Jane was scribbling something in her notebook, likely documenting Duncan's unconventional recruitment process for posterity—or evidence.
As Duncan scanned the area for his next targets, the two shadowy figures remained, standing still as statues, their presence a curious mix of unnerving and oddly captivating. Whatever their reasons for agreeing, it was clear they were in no hurry to explain them.
"Duncan, listen to reason for once," Jane said, exasperation coloring her tone as she tried to maintain a semblance of responsibility. "Randomly picking people for the show is a recipe for failure. It's not like the perfect cast members are just going to fall from the sky."
"There's a person behind you," the female goth murmured cryptically, causing both Jane and Courtney to freeze.
"Hello~" A soft, calm voice floated toward them.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Jane and Courtney shrieked in unison, whirling around to find a pale blonde girl with purple lipstick standing just inches away. Courtney blinked, clueless as to who this mysterious figure was, but Jane's eyes widened in recognition.
"Dawn? Oh my God, it's great to see you again—but could you not give me a heart attack next time?" Jane exclaimed, recovering enough to pull the moonchild into a quick hug. Dawn, however, simply blinked in mild confusion.
"I've been here for a minute," she said softly, her serene tone making her statement all the more unsettling to the trio.
"Awesome! Can you teach me how to disappear and reappear like that?" The blonde boy piped up enthusiastically, his awe practically radiating off him. Dawn tilted her head, bemused.
"I was wondering why Mother Nature urged me to come to Ontario a few days ago," Dawn mused, her eyes drifting to the two goths. "Seeing familiar faces has made my morning much brighter." Her voice turned colder, yet remained tranquil as she greeted them. "Children of the Darkness."
"Moonchild," the duo hissed in response, their tones as monotone and cryptic as ever.
"Err… What's with you three?" Duncan asked, his confusion mounting as he glanced between Dawn and the goths. The explanation came swiftly.
"Her aura is too bright—it's annoying. But not unbearable," one of the goths said flatly, while Dawn nodded, her expression calm.
"Their aura is pure black, like the night. Not malicious, but deeply shrouded," Dawn replied, pulling out her tarot cards and shuffling them elegantly. "Would you like me to read your future?"
"We prefer the surprise of what's to come," the male goth replied, his voice steady. "And we hope it's as dark as our souls."
"I respect that," Dawn said with a slight bow of her head, then turned her serene gaze to Duncan. "I accept your invitation, Duncan. And for your information, Courtney and Duncan—yes, I am that Dawn. The one Bridgette told you about."
Courtney and Duncan froze, their faces draining of color at the revelation. The Dawn Bridgette had mentioned was unsettlingly perceptive—this girl could seemingly read their thoughts.
"Woah, that's awesome!" the blonde boy exclaimed, his eyes sparkling. "My turn! My turn! What am I thinking right now?" He concentrated, furrowing his brows as though willing Dawn to peer into his mind.
Dawn blinked a few times before responding. "You're thinking about telling your father how awesome your day at school has been and how you're not going to school for a few days because you find us amazing… Junior."
The boy's expression lit up with joy, his admiration for Dawn's abilities reaching its peak. Dawn smiled faintly, addressing the group once more. "It seems fate has brought us together—coincidence, destiny, or perhaps a mix of both. And now the opportunity is here for us to take. Thank you, Duncan."
"Four down, one more to go." Duncan smirked, glancing at the now-expanded group of recruits.
"Guys, guys, you won't believe who I found flying near the hotel room," came a familiar voice, drawing everyone's attention. It was Sky, walking towards them with a duck cradled in her arms. The duck quacked softly, seemingly content as it pecked at a piece of bread she was holding. "Howard came here. Do you think Dawn is—oh, she's already here. Hey, Dawn."
"Hello, Sky." Dawn gave a small, serene nod in greeting.
"…Am I interrupting something?" Sky asked, glancing at the eclectic group that had gathered. From the two stoic goths to the wide-eyed blonde boy, the mix of personalities was hard to ignore.
Dawn tilted her head slightly, her calm gaze falling on Sky.
"And Duncan, I think you've found the last member you were looking for," she said softly, her voice carrying a note of inevitability, as though the wheels of fate had already turned.
Duncan's grin widened into a smug smirk, and he turned to face Courtney with an expression that could only be described as infuriatingly self-satisfied. Courtney groaned, dragging a hand down her face before finally burying it in her palm.
"Of course," she muttered, exasperated.
The scene settled into an odd sort of harmony. The two goths exchanged a glance and shrugged, clearly unbothered by the duck now present. The blonde boy continued to marvel at the quirky collection of people around him, while Dawn smiled softly at Howard, who seemed unusually aware of the peculiar gravity of the moment for a duck. Sky, blissfully unaware of the chaos her timing had finalized, gave Howard another bite of bread.
"And with that," Duncan announced, throwing his arms out like a triumphant conductor of madness, "the new cast has officially been selected."
.
.
.
"Just make sure your dad signs this paperwork and sends it to us using this email, okay?" Jane said kindly, handing Junior the forms. She gave him a playful little wave before turning to oversee the rest of the cast, who were busy signing their contracts. Junior held onto the papers tightly, practically bouncing with excitement.
By the end of the afternoon, Junior's school trip had been officially canceled—a small personal victory that had him grinning from ear to ear. He wanted so badly to tell his friends about what had happened, but since it was supposed to be a secret, he knew they wouldn't believe him until they saw him on television. That thought alone made it even more thrilling.
When Junior arrived home, he dashed straight to his mom, wrapping her in an energetic hug. "Mom! The school trip was canceled, so I'm going to hang out here for now!" he chirped cheerfully. Then, without missing a beat, he plopped himself onto the couch and flipped on the television, letting the excitement bubble up in his chest.
"Hey, buddy!" came the unmistakable voice of his dad, bounding into the living room like a whirlwind. Junior turned to see Dwayne's goofy grin, the sort that never failed to make his son smile—even if his dad's antics sometimes left him scratching his head.
"Sorry about your text, pal," Dwayne admitted sheepishly, rubbing his temples. "I tried reading it, but my fingers hit all the wrong buttons, and—oops—deleted it by accident. Hehe, I swear these phones need bigger buttons! Am I right, or am I right?"
Junior blinked at his dad, torn between laughing and groaning. Typical Dad.
"Oh, hey, I heard your school trip got canceled," Dwayne continued, clearly oblivious to the boy's mounting anticipation. "Bet you were pretty upset about that, huh? So, I had a great idea! I asked my boss to give me an early vacation, and guess what? He said yes! We're going on a road trip to British Columbia—just you and me, champ! How does that sound?"
Junior's eyes widened in alarm. "Err… Dad…" he started, clutching the paperwork he'd been given. Taking a deep breath, he held the forms out to his father, his voice bubbling with excitement. "Actually, instead of that…"
Dwayne squinted at the bundle of papers, his brow furrowing for a moment before his expression flipped back into his usual carefree grin. "What's this?"
Junior took a step closer, practically bouncing on his heels as he explained. "So, there's this group of awesome people I met! They're making a television show, and they want me to be in it. And guess what? We get to stay in this super fancy hotel for free! All you have to do is sign right here."
Dwayne's face lit up. "A television show? Fancy hotel? For free?" He grinned at Junior, ruffling his hair affectionately. "Well, sign me up—wait, I mean, sign you up! Sure thing, pal." Without a moment's hesitation, Dwayne grabbed a pen and scribbled his name across the paper, missing half the fine print in his eagerness.
"You're the best, Dad!" Junior beamed, hugging his dad tightly. As the older and goofy man chuckled. "Now can you help me? I have no idea what Total Drama is, and we have to catch up quickly."
"Well, I heard from my friends in the office it's going to start in one hour. I'm going to grab the popcorn and a soda for us, and we'll see what's on, okay?" Dwayne Sr. commented as the young blonde kid nodded his head. And with that, the duo were going to watch the new episode of Total Drama Action."
"Thank you for inviting us into your mansion," Dehila commented as she fell down over the marble stairs, and yet somehow she seemed completely fine from all the circumstances.
"The pleasure is ours." Lily commented as she could see from the corner of her eyes that her husband was enjoying every second of meeting the family, and she couldn't help it as well. She could see how Lindsay saw the young jock, Tyler, as a good boy, a little clumsy but still managing to make a good first impression in many ways. "We are going to use the living room of this backyard to make sure we are open in good air while watching the new episode of the show. I just hope my little girl isn't going to get hurt."
"I'm sure she's going to be fine." Tyson commented as Lucy offered a drink to the man, who simply refused. "We don't want to break your glass."
"Oh, it's fine; it's from a jerk who owed me money, so if it breaks, then it's going to be fine. Actually, we are even using his mansion right now." Lucy commented with a smirk on his face. "I'm sure Malom is going to be pissed when he gets here, but it's not our problem."
"…" Tyson commented as he could see the mischief in the eyes of the person nearby him. "If that's so, then I can accept a few drinks."
"Me too." Dehila is going to enjoy being around so much and not feeling bad about breaking something important from Lindsay's family, which could give a good relief for Tyler's mother.
"Well, I'm sure his butlers are going to serve us with kindness, and while we are here, my daughters are taking care of everything since they are doing a sleepover at their friend's house." Lily commented as she herself accepted a good glass of champagne, which the family indeed was going to have a great time with at the time the show would start…
"Cody, honey, I will be going I'm going to visit DJ's mom so we can gather everything we need to make an official meeting for the Killer Bass mothers in the next 2 weeks. Be a dear and record the episode for me to watch how Gwen's doing, okay?" Cody could hear the voice of his mom as he was trading messages on the forum with some users who had been good fans of the show. He's carefully checking if any of them was Sierra, since he had the same name as the boy who participated on the show, and from what he heard at his sister's birthday party, it was a messed-up idea of how things went crazy…
At least Courtney's birthday party was nice, since she had been one of the first who got eliminated. Even as crazy as it was, the new project that she and Duncan had been doing was a curiosity not just for him, but also for Ella, Cindy (Sadie's sister), Jefferson (Geoff's young brother), Jaxon and Cole (Duncan's brothers), and Rita (Harold's sister). It had been a very interesting gathering of people, since they had been sharing a lot of stories about their siblings.
Some refused to appear since they had the final exams of their school, and they wanted to focus on studying.
But still, it was good to meet and know more about the family of the Killer Bass… However, the new question would come to his mind, as the same way the group would be asking themselves, probably the mothers…
With the new team Killer Grips, will the former Screaming Gopher's mothers be invited to a conversation?
He wasn't going to lie that he once wanted to punch Trent's face so much in his life for what he did with his sister, but Karma clearly made a point, and the geek couldn't help but have more pity and a bit of disdain for the poor kicked dog, but that was what the man planted…
But still, things in the past and things about to happen in the future. He knows one thing: what's going to happen between their mothers is their problem. And he has the house once again for himself, which means he can take yesterday's pizza, a good bottle of cold soda, and watch the episode, ready to see how the chaos of Total Drama will unfold.
How different could it be?"
"Courtney, the episode started." Duncan called, and Sky, Jane, and Dawn called for the room service for the dinner as the former C.I.T. was drying her hair after a good bath she had taken after such a chaotic day.
"I'm still not talking to you." Courtney said as she crossed her arms and sat on the bed, to which Duncan simply rolled his eyes.
"You don't have to say thank you, Courtney; we already passed that around." Duncan commented as it clearly annoyed his girlfriend even further.
"It was supposed to be a good selective way to find the right people, Duncan, and all you did was to randomly take people, if I don't mention kidnapping them, just to offer them a job." Courtney threw her hands in the air. As Dawn, Sky, and Jane drank tea, they watched the duo get into a discussion. Which Courtney passed a few more seconds taking deep breaths to calm down. "Okay, okay… Maybe we can work with what we have. I don't like how it ended up like this, but we already gave the contracts. Dwayne Sr., who clearly was the person who accepted his son to be part of the cast, already sent an email to my mother, and she's just as disbelieving as me."
"Courtney, listen up. Not everything is going to happen systematically as everyone always wanted; you and I know that more than anyone around here. Taking the process of hiring people would take days, if not weeks, until we find the right people, and time is something we do not have right now. And from what we learned from you-know-who, the good time to make an entertainment is to make the people least expected and make good fun with it." Duncan said as Courtney remained quiet, but still the delinquent had a point. "We dealt with that chaos a lot of times, and with us having the control of what we are going to air, this project will surprise everyone, I promise…"
"Duncan…" Courtney said as then the intro of the episode started. "Oh, it started."
"Let's see what they are going to deal with today…" Duncan commented that the group had been so focused on working that they didn't manage to watch the pay-per-view, so anything could surprise them…
.
.
.
"Eva and Ezekiel are going to be the people interrogated?" Courtney asked, horrified, How are her friends going to deal with Eva, since Eva herself is a person who shouldn't be messed with, and Ezekiel being interrogated is going to be a disaster because of what the Screaming Gaffers are going to do with the poor boy?"
"This is going to be interesting to see," Duncan said, as the episode indeed was going to be an interesting genre. Duncan knew his family would have loved if he was part of that challenge, but thankfully he was away from the sudden chaos, but he wasn't going to lie about the fact he would have used some tricks he learned from his aunt Diana, Alex, and even his uncle Martin when they had to interrogate someone.
"Do you think Ezekiel is going to be okay?" Sky asked Jane, as the sister was also unsure of what to say.
"I'd be more worried about what Ezekiel is going to do with them." Dawn commented as she looked in concern, which made the group stare at them. "The tea leaves don't lie. Ezekiel is determined to make someone's day a true hell today."
"What do you mean by that?" Courtney asked… which soon her question would be answered…
"Hey, Dad, isn't that person the writer who signed our books?" Junior asked in surprise as the father blinked a few times.
"Oh, that's him. Why, yes, it seems this show is getting off to a good start. Maybe we can ask your friends about the videos for us to watch them together and be updated on what's happening." Dwayne said as the young boy nodded his head in agreement.
"Oh look at that, Martha's boy is going to be interrogated… I thought they were going to use someone like Trent or Izzy for that." Tyson commented as it clearly took a glance at the boy calmly walking towards the glass box. "I don't know what Tyler Drink from Martha's Boy is, but to see Tyler that angry, Ezekiel must have done something stupid."
"Well, I'm sure he's going to be fine; they just have to hold for 30 minutes. Not much will happen until that time anyway." Dehila commented as she tried to pour more champagne; however, she accidentally slipped the bottle, which caused the whole expensive bottle to crash on the floor. "Oops…"
"It's fine. It's not my money anyway." Lucy was having the time of his life seeing the duo enjoying the good air of the television as they were in a pool on a wonderful night to celebrate their kids on the television. "About that boy, I recall Lindsay talking about a book that he may have read to her, and to make her all excited for that, I'm sure it's a mystery book."
"That or a book about fashion, which are the two things Lindsay loves most." Lily commented as the rich couple looked at the young boy with a carefree expression. "Honey…"
"Yeah, apple of my life?" Lucy asked as the matriarch of the family raised her eyebrow.
"Why does that boy have a look like you when you want to make someone's life a true hell for fun?" Lily asked as the rich patriarch couldn't help but chuckle.
"You know, I have been asking myself the same thing now…" Lucy said as he could see the boy looking eager… ready to do something that will be marked on the lives of the people as… I woke up today, and I'm going to make everyone's problem…
("I was with my friend Joe," Ezekiel didn't hesitate. He replied smoothly, maintaining a completely neutral tone.
"Joe?" Geoff repeated, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "Who's Joe?"
"Joe Mama," Ezekiel deadpanned, his expression unchanging.)
"PFFFFFFFF COUGH COUGH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" And at that moment Duncan was just drinking a glass of soda, but at the time Ezekiel had said he did a spit take and started to choke, which clearly Jane and Sky went to help with, but in the next second Duncan was on the floor laughing.
Courtney, who was watching that moment, froze as she slowly turned her head on the delinquent boy who was still laughing.
"Duncan…" Courtney said in a warning tone.
"Hahahahahaha, Joe Mama? Man, that was genius; I'm going to use that in the future." Duncan said as he was still laughing, as Sky and Jane looked on in concern.
"I swear, Duncan." Courtney warned once again.
"He's telling the truth… Ezekiel said by himself." Dawn came to the aid of the delinquent, who looked at Dawn.
"Thanks, creepy girl, but that clearly caught me by surprise." Duncan said as he suddenly saw Ezekiel was still continuing.
("I had to take the poor guy at the hospital to treat his Ligma." Ezekiel then said in a bored tone, which made the Screaming Gophers look confusedly at each other.
"Ligma?" Gwen asked, her brow furrowing as she tried to process the unfamiliar term. "What's Ligma?"
Ezekiel turned his gaze to her, his smirk now unmistakable.
"Ligma balls," he said, his voice calm and deliberate.)
"PFFFFHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA," Lucy laughed as he was slamming his fist on the corner of the pool, as Lily had her eyes wide open in surprise. Dehila had her mouth slightly dropped, and Tyson had a resolute look on his face. "Oh boy, that boy is a riot. Look at their faces, especially the goth girl. She wants to strangle him."
"I'm sure that he's not going to make it worse." Dehila, she said as she could see her husband shaking his head.
"Darling, are you seeing what I am seeing?" Lily asked as Lucy was still having a good laugh.
"Yes, my honey, indeed that boy is a genius; he's stalling the time, making them angry with him to the point of knocking him out." Lucy commented as Dehila looked at him in shock and in concern. "I'm sure Lindsay's team is going to win this challenge without any problem."
"How much is it going to take before they snap?" Tyson asked as the good gentleman shrugged.
"That would depend on who makes it too easy for him, and my best guess would be a few dozen minutes." Lucy said as he looked at the brunette boy, He wasn't done. "It's risky, and yet a cunning strategy…"
("Ligma balls? LIGMA BALLS?!" she shouted, her voice rising with each repetition. "EZEKIEL, YOU LITTLE—*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*BEEP*")
The sound of beeping was repeating as there was a boy on the floor holding his belly from how much he had laughed. He threw away his cap as he was wheezing without stopping from how Ezekiel made his sister a fool in front of a national television with one sentence.
("Can you guys mind? I'm trying to contemplate my time in a possible jail." Ezekiel said in a melancholic tone… As the group narrowed their eyes at him, he even gave a lamenting sigh. "And the saddest part of this… I won't be able to celebrate my birthday on March…"
"Why?" Beth asked as she stared at the boy in concern.
"Because I was born in August." Ezekiel quipped as the silence remained in the room. Beth's eyes twitched as Owen let out a laugh; the girls stared angrily at the fat boy, and Noah even attempted to conceal his smile.
"Okay, that one was good. I admit." Noah gulped his laugh, as he clearly could see how his team was making it too easy for Ezekiel to have control of the interrogation room.
"You can punch him now, Gwen, please. I insist." Beth then said, as Gwen clearly wanted to punch Ezekiel, but Sadie and DJ were holding her strongly.)
Courtney couldn't help it; she let out a chuckle at this one, making people a fool for making a drama out of his birthday being in another month. Duncan was already on the floor slamming his fist after the last joke of Ligma.
Sky was embarrassed by Gwen's comment about how he trolled her, while she giggled about how Ezekiel made the group fall for a wrong birthday joke. Jane also enjoyed that one for being simple and funny…
The only person who didn't laugh at that joke… was Dawn… for knowing that even the slightest and most absurd jokes that happen around it have a percent of truth behind them… And Ezekiel, when he said that, was actually making fun of his sadness… Since, as absurd as it was… he really wanted to celebrate his anniversary in March… All she could do was to remain calm and enjoy how much Ezekiel was going to play with the Screaming Gaffers until someone lost control.
("Alright, string bean," Leshawna said, her tone sharp but laced with amusement. "You've had your fun, but you do realize you're surrounded by people who could break your spine like a toothpick, right?"
"You mean Sadie and DJ?" Ezekiel asked as he looked at both of his friends. "DJ is a golden-hearted person; he would blame himself for the rest of his life in case he hurt any kind of creature, animal, or friend. Sadie would feel so guilty about hurting me that she would compensate for it with a lot of bakery. Even as she hurt me by accident, we have been trained by the same person, the same hellish training… The only person who could intimidate is probably causing a hell on the other side of the movie studio. The worst she could give to me was simply triple my weight training."
Ezekiel raised both his arms, demonstrating how the weights resembled heavy cuffs, yet he appeared unfazed by it. He got used to it.)
"He does have a point…" Dehila commented as he could see the look from Tyson nodding his head, as Lucy and Lily stared at her with curiosity. "The boy had been training with Anastasia's daughter for so long, and from what Anastasia told me about her training regime, I think that her training was inhuman, and they took it as a compliment."
"I'm sure Tyler gave up the idea of the training on the first opportunity he had." Tyson nodded his head, as the rich couple still looked curious and interested to learn more about the team their girl had been working with. Which there was also a point…"
"Honey…did we get in contact with the girl's family when we had the chance?" Lucy whispered as his wonderful spouse shook her head.
"I don't think so… And I think it would be appropriate for us to visit and talk with the family of our daughter's savior." Lily commented as the couple blinked in surprise, as Lily decided to explain the truth.
"Oh, that's right, since that episode…" Dehila commented as she flinched from the memories of how Anastasia got so desperate that she broke a hole in the wall in panic trying to run at the hospital… She wasn't sure if it was part of her family's bad luck to invite the mother of the bodybuilder into a fancy restaurant that day, but karma sometimes comes back good with time… But then a thought passed through her head. "Oh… I have one idea. I and the other mothers from Killer Bass are going to have a reunion to enjoy ourselves with good food, just us women… If you want to come, you can talk with Anastasia and give your thanks."
The couple blinked in surprise, as Lily showed her beautiful eyelashes closing in surprise.
"I don't want to bother all of you." Lily refused, as she felt she was asking for too much, but the clumsy woman simply waved.
"Oh, we don't mind." Dehila commented as she smiled. "Your daughter technically is part of Killer Bass or Grips now, and since you want to meet Anastasia and talk to her, it would be 2 birds with a stone…"
"1 bird with 50 stones, Dehila." Tyson corrected her, which made the woman glare at him.
"It was an expression and not a competition on that day, Tyson, you know it." Dehila said as the husband smirked, which Lucy knew there was a story behind, and he was very eager to know what was happening. But they still needed to watch the episode.
("The only way you would make me able to talk would be if you executed Operation Dragon." Ezekiel said as Leshawna looked for each member of her team, as they looked guilty seeing the reason for how he was analyzing them and knowing his friends so well.
"Operation Dragon?" Leshawna repeated, her tone skeptical.
"DRAGON DEEZ' NUTS IN YOUR MOUTH, YOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Ezekiel leaned forward seamlessly, transforming his smirk into a broad smile. As he raised his arms as a provocation, challenging her authority.)
"Ahahahaha, oh, that was funny, hahaha…" Dwayne Sr. laughed as he took a tear from his eyes, since it had been quite a fun challenge for him to watch. "Isn't that right, son?"
"Yes, Dad, amazing." Junior, on the other hand, was with his mouth wide open and quickly writing down the information in his notebook. Oh, he's going to use that at school. He should have watched season one with his dad, and now he was sure he's going to love every single episode.
("Alright, Ezekiel, you better cut it out," Gwen said, her voice sharp and commanding as she stepped closer to him. "You know that if you don't stop, we'll make you spill the truth by force. So confess now, while I still have a shred of patience left…"
Approaching Ezekiel was her first mistake.
"Stop? Gwen... I'm just getting started. *INHALE," Ezekiel declared, taking a deep breath. )
25 deez nuts jokes later.
"WRITE THAT DOWN, TOMMY, WRITE THAT DOWN." Cody shouted from his telephone, and while he lost all his breath, he needed to keep a note of all of it, because Gwen's never going to be the same.
("And now I can't stop thinking about my little brother watching the footage and using those jokes on me every chance he gets. Thanks a lot, Ezekiel." She groaned, burying her face in her hands. Her glare intensified as she added, "I SWEAR IF I HEAR ONE MORE DEEZ NUTS JOKE, I'M GOING TO LOSE MY BEEP!")
"Damn right, sis, this is my goldmine… hahaha… Come on, Ezekiel, just one more. I need to see my sister snap… please." Cody begged as he was cleaning the tears from his eyes. "Do that for me; I didn't ask you anything else. Come on…"
("Alright, Ezekiel, you've had your fun. But you'd better start confessing—who's the mastermind behind the crime?" Gwen demanded, her patience hanging by a thread. One more deez nuts joke, and she'd snap.
"Fine. You want to know who the mastermind is? His last name is Turbating, and his first name is Ayemax." Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
Gwen blinked, her disbelief evident.
"Ayemax Turbating?" She repeated the question, her voice tinged with confusion.
"Wow, Gwen, I didn't know you were into that kind of stuff. It's likely due to the influence of hormones. Just remember to clean yourself up after you are done." Ezekiel said, feigning shock as the room fell silent as Gwen froze.)
"Duncan I swear to God, if you—Duncan?" Courtney looked on the verge of strangling her boyfriend, but at the time she saw him, he was on the floor, knocked out…
"He passed out from laughing… He went into the state that his lungs couldn't keep up with the laugh." Dawn commented as both Jane and Sky had their faces covered in red, while Dawn, as serene as she was, had slight pink dots on her cheeks. "I recommend doing chest compressions, or he's not going to take too long."
"DUNCAN." This time Courtney shouted in terror as she went to do first aid rescue on her boyfriend, giving chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth to make him start breathing again.
It took a few seconds, but Duncan coughed as he never thought he had felt so much pain in breathing.
"What happened?" Duncan said as he felt he just woke up.
"You passed out from laughing too much. Courtney came to wake you up." Sky commented as she looked at the television.
"OUCH." Then Duncan felt a strong punch on his arm, which made him yelp.
"You idiot, don't scare me like that." Courtney said as she was terrified and also very angry. "And you better not be the one who told Ezekiel all of that."
"Courtney, I swear for everything, even on my mother's life, I didn't say anything to Ezekiel to make him get these comments." Duncan said that even as he tried to laugh, he still felt pain inside of his chest. "Ouch… now I understand the concept that it hurts when we laugh."
"I hope it gets over soon." Courtney hoped for something to happen, but then she had her eyes wide open when Gwen took a lamp and beat up Ezekiel until he lost consciousness. Which slowly Duncan, Sky, and Jane turned their faces to Courtney, who looked in panic. "NOT LIKE THAT."
"God… I know I'm not much of a praying… But thank you, thank you for this day." Cody said as he was on his knees and was recording the episode for him to watch it every time he wants. "I swear I will distract Mom when it comes to these scenes, but thank you for making me have something for me to enjoy in my free time."
"Wow...I think now I understand how teenagers like this show. The kids really are dealing with all kinds of strange situations, aren't they, Junior?" Dwayne Sr. couldn't help but think that even as weird and brutal as the show was, at least he was having fun, and it was very entertaining, which he was sure his son was enjoying passing his time with him.
"Yeah, Dad." Junior said as he finished writing down everything he heard in the last minutes, which he was sure he was going to watch all the episodes if they provided them at the hotel, because now he was enjoying it. Before, he thought the book writer was awesome for creating Courage the Cowardly Dog and Adventure Time. Now? He saw a master in the art of trolling the others, a boy who could take everyone's snaps with only words. A freaking genius.
"OUCH," Lucy said as he saw the boy getting knocked out with the lamp. "A smart move, boy. But you saw that coming."
"Huh, not bad, 6 on the scale of pain." Dehila said as Tyson rolled his eyes, which made the blonde couple stare as the clumsy husband broke another glass of champagne.
"It's an antique lamp, Dehila. It was made with molten metal and not steel. It's an 8, of course." Tyson commented as the duo debated as they saw the boy being knocked out. "That boy will wake up in a dozen minutes, but still Gwen did it with effort."
"Have you guys known the pain of being hit by a lamp?" Lily asked as both the duo passed a few seconds thinking.
"Yeah, at least one every 5 years." Both the husband and wife said the answer so casually, which made Lily stare at her husband, who was with a gleam in his eyes.
"Man, I'm so happy to meet them." Lucy said as they continued to watch the show. Until they saw Lindsay walking inside of the interrogation room with Eva. "Hey, now it's my daughter..."
"What is she going to do?" Lily commented…
The air in Vancouver carried a crisp freshness, tinged with the scent of pine and distant rain—perfect for a quiet, well-earned retreat. The city hummed beyond the edges of the hotel's private grounds, but inside The Northern Veil, a discreet luxury resort known for hosting celebrities below the radar, time seemed to move at its own pace.
Steve Martin stretched out in his spacious suite, reclining in a chair so plush that it felt like it had been engineered by angels. A glass of Pinot Noir sat beside him, untouched for the moment—he was still savoring the lingering warmth of the five-star meal delivered directly to his balcony. A handwritten menu had promised a "curated culinary experience," which in practical terms had meant three different types of smoked salmon, a steak so tender it apologized for existing, and a dessert named "Whisper of the North" that was somehow both mysterious and deeply satisfying.
With a sigh of pure contentment, Steve grabbed the TV remote and flipped through channels, each offering some variation of Canadian leisure—wildlife documentaries, hockey highlights, yet another cooking show featuring maple syrup in improbable dishes. He wasn't in the mood for any of them.
Then, static flickered for a split second before the screen settled into a deep monochrome, bathing the room in the cinematic glow of noir.
He paused.
On-screen, a young girl stepped cautiously into a stark interrogation room, its glass walls revealing only the barest glimpse of figures beyond them—watching, waiting. The contrast of light and shadow played across her face, her expression unreadable yet quietly determined.
Steve leaned forward slightly, his fingers still gripping the remote but no longer moving it. The quiet hum of the hotel melted away, replaced by the subtle tension unfurling in front of him.
Something about this scene—about the way the girl moved, the way the setting swallowed her whole—hooked him.
"Well," he murmured, tilting his head as he studied the unfolding mystery. "That just got interesting."
("It's lovely weather we're having," Lindsay remarked casually, her voice light and airy as she moved across the glass box. Eva's confusion grew as she watched the blonde girl's odd behavior. Lindsay crouched near a corner, where a faint trail of smoke curled upward. Her eyes widened as she spotted a tiny cable connected to the smoke box and a radio playing jazz—a sound that had been grating on Eva's nerves for minutes. "I hope the weather stays this mild." )
Steve Martin leaned forward, eyes fixed on the screen, his glass of Pinot Noir momentarily forgotten. The smooth jazz had been an oddly persistent background element until, in a matter of moments, everything changed.
The blonde girl on the screen—Lindsay—was moving with an air of oblivious confidence, her voice sweet and carefree as she remarked on the weather. Steve squinted, intrigued by her peculiar approach. As she crouched near the smoke, eyes locking onto the exposed cable, a flicker of realization crossed his face.
"Oh no," he muttered under his breath. "She's not—she is."
( "If the weather continues, we are in for a lovely summer." Lindsay continued, pulling out a nail clipper. With a precise snip, she severed the cable. A sudden jolt of electricity surged through the room, making Eva jump in shock. Sanders and MacArthur rushed in, only to find Lindsay standing there, her fingertips blackened and her hair disheveled from the electroshock. The smoke and jazz music stopped abruptly, leaving the room eerily quiet.
"Our area is secure," Lindsay declared, her tone calm and serious. )
Lindsay replicated the Pink Panther movie scene almost exactly like Steve Martin did.
Steve stared at the screen for a beat, then broke into a slow, appreciative grin.
"That was perfect." He let out a chuckle, shaking his head in admiration. "Absolutely, spectacularly, ridiculously perfect."
The resemblance to his own famous Pink Panther scene was uncanny. The absurd confidence, the sheer obliviousness turned brilliance—it was all there, wrapped in a bizarre but strangely effective moment.
Steve Martin stared at the screen, watching the bizarre sequence unfold with the kind of delighted confusion only he could truly appreciate. Lindsay stood there, completely unfazed despite the fact that she had just electrocuted herself moments ago. Then, in a masterful display of absurdity, she pointed behind the group, silently miming a scream with all the dramatic flair of a seasoned performer.
"Oh, she knows comedy." Steve instinctively leaned forward.
The trio on screen turned back to her—only to find her entirely composed, strolling toward the table as though she hadn't just mocked the concept of near-death experience.
"This kid gets it." Steve exhaled a low chuckle, shaking his head with amusement.
"I didn't see anything," MacArthur muttered, dismissing the moment like it wasn't worth questioning. Lindsay, perched effortlessly on the edge of the table, scoffed in response, brushing it off like the whole affair was nothing.
"Brilliant. Just brilliant." Steve clasped his hands together, his grin widening. As he was going to enjoy a good wine of the day...
Until Lindsay decided to introduce herself as a Clouseau.
Steve Martin nearly choked on his wine.
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he watched Lindsay fully embrace her transformation into Inspector Lovelle Clouseau—with all the misguided passion of a detective who had somehow solved nothing but still claimed victory. The sheer confidence! The misplaced authority! It was a disaster in motion, and Steve couldn't look away.
The moment Lindsay slammed her fists onto the table, sending a nearby lantern tumbling to the floor, Steve let out an audible chuckle. "Oh, she's got it," he murmured, his grin widening.
And then—
("YOU SHOULDN'T LEAVE FRANCE!")
"Oh, that's beautiful." Steve clapped a hand to his forehead, laughing at the absurdity of the statement.
(Eva's flat response—"We're in Canada"—only made it better.)
Lindsay's pause. The distant, fleeting moment where her brain seemed to process the contradiction before dismissing it entirely.
("You shouldn't leave France or Canada. So between the two places, here you are, caught traveling between them on an airplane.")
Steve laughed harder. This was exactly the kind of chaotic logic that had made his portrayal of Clouseau so legendary. And the fact that she mispronounced a name and committed fully to the mistake? Masterful. Absolutely masterful.
As Lindsay paced the room, declaring her accusations with dramatic precision, Steve leaned back in his chair, shaking his head with admiration.
"This girl has no idea she's a comedic genius," he muttered, taking another sip of his wine.
Steve Martin was transfixed.
The scene had escalated in ways he hadn't anticipated. Lindsay—sweet, cheerful, hopelessly naïve Lindsay—had somehow cornered Eva, a powerhouse of sheer strength, into an outright confession. And how? By repeatedly insisting Eva couldn't read.
Steve leaned back in his chair, shaking his head with admiration. "Classic misdirection," he murmured, his fingers tapping idly against his glass. "Absolutely ridiculous, yet somehow brilliant."
On-screen, Eva had started off scoffing, clearly irritated, brushing off the accusation like it was beneath her. But Lindsay—persistent, wide-eyed, and deceptively innocent—kept pressing the issue. The frustration built. The smugness faltered. Eva's patience, stretched thin, finally snapped.
("I know how to read! I'll prove it right now. The case was about the assassination of Chris's cat! Why would I send myself into a diamond robbery if I'm the *beep* mastermind behind the crime? Why would I even risk being caught in my own robbery when I had others carrying out the dirty work? And to make sure there won't be witness. My paper was even to kill all the crew members, making me the only survivor, the mastermind. Why would I lie to that?")
Steve nearly dropped his wine.
That was it. The moment. The perfect moment—the kind that made comedy legends. The kind that had made Clouseau infamous.
And Lindsay had just pulled it off flawlessly.
He exhaled a quiet laugh, watching as Lindsay, in one fluid motion, presented her victory with the same effortless grace of someone tying their shoe. The first part of the challenge was won.
Just as he was settling back into his chair, thoroughly entertained, the screen shifted. Another contestant entered the confession booth—a boy nursing an ice pack over his eyes, his voice laced with exhausted resignation.
("From all the people around this show, the only person I would be intimidated to go against in the Noire Theme challenge is Lindsay. Sure, she may be dyslexic, and she may be naïve. But when she is logical, even with her wrong assumptions, she is spot on. It was like she were the younger sister of Inspector Jacques Clouseau and an apprentice of Columbus. If this trio worked together, it would be the funniest and most awesome comedy/police mystery movie of all time.")
Steve remained silent.
Then, slowly, a realization clicked into place—the kind that sent sparks flying through an actor's mind. He glanced toward the folder on his desk, tucked beneath a stack of papers.
The script for the sequel to Pink Panther 2.
Fate had just tapped him on the shoulder.
He whispered the name under his breath—Lovelle Clouseau—testing it, tasting it, rolling it through the comedic gears of his brain. It had a ring to it. The best Canadian detective of all time. The one person who could make Commissioner Dreyfus question every ounce of his sanity, the one person who could elevate the absurdity to new heights.
And Steve could already hear it—the moment Dreyfus laid eyes on her, the moment his voice exploded in disbelief—"THERE'S TWO OF THEM NOW?!"
The thought alone made Steve smile.
Then, decisively, he reached for his phone.
Some calls needed to be made.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, THAT'S MY GIRL, THAT'S MY DAUGHTER." Lucy shouted as the proudest father in the whole world. Tyson and Dehila were shocked but also in awe of how Lindsay managed to trick Eva into confessing and winning the challenge for the team. "I told everyone my daughter has the best logical ability to find the answers for any case; nobody believes me, but here we are. WHO'S LAUGHING NOW, HARVARD? MY DAUGHTER IS BETTER THAN YOUR FORENCE DICK SUCKERS."
"Lucy, honey…" Lily's voice made the man stop as she calmly took the bottle of champagne away from him. "I think that's enough to drink for now; we don't want the neighbors finding out we are trashing Malon's house."
"Ugh, fine…" Lucy commented, as he was looking at the stupid faces of the team members, only a few of whom showed traces of believing in Lindsay. "That boy Ezekiel, he knows… he knows Lindsay is a genius on her own. In the same way he created his audiobook of the detective mystery, I will be the first to buy it… Fuck, I will even provide the voice actors just to make a reward for Lindsay. She proved it."
"Yes, honey, she truly did." Lily commented as she tapped the head of the short man, who was even crying emotionally. Staring at the duo, who was concerned by the man. "He gets too emotional when he drinks, and it had been a long grudge,"
"Oh," The couple nodded their heads as they could see how things were going… They are very glad that indeed Lindsay can show how much she is a great player, since she was also the winner of the first season.
As the same reactions for every viewer of the show, many things may happen across the challenges… which most of the scenes had been cut… which only those who would have the DVD without cuts or be watching the pay-per-view… would have the opportunity to see what happened in the Ceremony Hall… Since everything happened in the Wardrobe Department…
Bridgette, who was preparing herself to find what would be her style of Noire-themed character, would go and talk with Ezekiel and meet Alice Angel's art and the ideas behind her…
She then reflected…as one curious fact…
"When was the first time I realized Ezekiel had the tendency to sing by himself alone?" Bridgette listened as she paid attention to the boy and learned how to sing the song done by Alice Angel, the same he did with Courtney when she asked him to teach a Steven Universe song.
But she felt that in her memories, weeks passed as she recalled how she found out how he was so good at singing and, not only that, but also dancing...
(Playa Del Losers—Day after Search and Do Not Destroy )
Bridgette was feeling completely desolate after accepting her elimination; she knew it had been for the best since she had to use the word condor, and as much as she would have loved to remain in the game, she knew her stay on the reality show had been overdue. And at that time she and Geoff finally admitted their feelings for each other and got into a relationship with each other. But sadly it was only on the same day she had to leave her boyfriend behind.
She tried to be strong; oh, she tried. But still, the idea of missing Geoff, Courtney, Gwen, Duncan, DJ, and Eva—she didn't even have much time to celebrate with the bodybuilder who just returned on the show. And yet, she knew she did her best, and her mom would be proud.
And she isn't going to lie by saying she wasn't shocked into seeing the wonderful 5-star resort she ever laid her eyes on. And seeing all her friends again, she was so happy to see Tyler, Katie, and Sadie, who, oh mama, she had been working out with Eva, which surprised her a lot; Harold, who she gave a great hug to see the mad skill boy; and Ezekiel, whom she never thought she would feel so relieved to see still being cheerful, even if he was with pneumonia. While he was still taking the medicine and recovering little by little and having crazy training from Eva, she was glad to see the boy smiling again.
And it had been a very great reception; she received the hug, the tap of her back, the laughs, and the cheers as her friends gave to her when she did the best plot twist of the reality show, making Trent go out before her, and the hugs she needed when she had to deal with the disgusting and horrifying Brunch of Disgustingness. She never thought she would have been so happy to see her again.
But still the sense of sadness and the missing of her boyfriend still hit her strongly as she was crying until sleep when she was alone in her bed.
.
.
.
*sniff* sniff
The first night, no matter how good the bed was from the suite service, she missed her other friends and her boyfriend to the point she was feeling uncomfortable staying soft, and she wished to return to that horrible bunk bed just to talk with the girls again, and now she was alone in her bedroom, and she felt it was very empty.
"Maybe I should go drink something down." Bridgette said as she was walking towards the door, and as she was opening the door, as she slowly walked towards the kitchen downstairs, she suddenly blinked and saw Katie and Sadie in the corner, which made her blink, but at the time, both girls recognized Bridgette, their faces paled, and before the surfer could even say something, the duo tapped her mouth. "hmmmmmm."
"Shhhh." Sadie shushed as Katie insisted.
"Sorry, but there's something to know. We are here in secret because there's something I and Sadie noticed." Katie commented as Bridgette raised her eyebrows. Which the tan girl simply pointed the finger outside at the kitchen window at the pool outside. "We all know Ezekiel always wakes up to do some writing or even uses his way to find inspiration. But there are some times during the week when he gets bored or when he's really happy he likes to sing and dance."
"Hmmm…" Bridgette raises her eyebrows and crosses her arms in question on how they know that.
"Oh, it's because Sadie usually likes to make ice cream during the night, so when she comes to check on it in the early morning, she just notices when Ezekiel isn't on the beach; he likes to dance and sing nearby the pool," Katie commented as Sadie nodded her head.
"And even with Eva weights, he seems to be struggling, but he doesn't seem to mind." Sadie nodded her head. "And oh boy, I have never seen someone dancing and singing like him, in a great way. He just sings some random songs that I'm sure wouldn't be in his book, right, Katie?"
"Yep, it was crazy." Katie nodded her head. As she released her hand over Bridgette's mouth, which was still looking in disbelief at her,. "Trust me, but he gets very frustrated somehow."
"What do you mean?" Bridgette's curiosity was piqued, her eyes flicking toward the pool as she followed Katie's gesture. That's when she saw him: Ezekiel, clad in his signature winter hat, was completely in his element as he began to dance.
Her wide-eyed gaze remained fixed on him as his movements unfolded, each step more mesmerizing than the last. Ezekiel started with a sharp kick to the right, seamlessly bringing it behind his leg before kicking to the left and extending it forward. Then, as if rewinding time, he reversed the sequence, switching to a kick-side-back, then a kick-back-side-front. His heels twisted ever so slightly, creating a rhythmic flow that blended precision with creativity.
The footwork shifted to the "W step" without hesitation, with Ezekiel flicking his heels to one direction, then using his left leg to flick his heel right and his right leg to flick left. Bridgette watched in awe as his knees opened dramatically before snapping shut, his toes flicking outward in quick bursts that alternated between in-and-out movements. The "W motions" in parallel were hypnotic, each shift executed with flawless fluidity.
Without missing a beat, Ezekiel transitioned into a shuffle, his feet gliding effortlessly before switching to Charleston moves. He added surprising variations that transformed the classic dance into something entirely his own. Bridgette couldn't help but marvel as Ezekiel slid into the Running Man Diagonal Style, his diagonal angles adding an unexpected dimension to the already vibrant choreography.
What startled Bridgette even more was the fact that Ezekiel was singing to himself all the while, hyping himself up in a voice that carried an intense energy:
"Keep up, I'm too fast, I'm too fast. Push my foot up on that pedal, then I'm gone (g-g-g-g-gone). Keep up on my track, on my track 'Fore I dust it, keep my numbers going strong (strong, strong, str-str-str-)..."
His voice carried the rhythm as if it was a track playing inside his head, matching each movement with its infectious tempo. Bridgette found herself tapping her finger unconsciously to the beat, her disbelief giving way to silent admiration.
Ezekiel's body moved as though it was born to dance, each motion a testament to his passion and unspoken talent. The homeschooled boy may have seemed unassuming at first glance, but there was no mistaking the heart and soul that poured into every flick, step, and shuffle.
Bridgette let out a small, incredulous sigh. "I didn't know Ezekiel had it in him," she muttered under her breath.
"Right? When I saw it for the first time, I thought I was dreaming, but the more I see it, the more I remember the talent show and how you guys already chose the trio to participate, and then I asked myself, What would have happened if Ezekiel was dancing in the challenge or even singing with Courtney?" Sadie leaned in, her eyes wide and sparkling. As that comment made Katie and Bridgette look at the chubby girl in surprise. But then looking at Ezekiel shuffling like it was something he knew for so long. Move dances that the trio never saw before.
"Do you think he's a prodigy?" Katie looked at Sadie, who looked at the boy who had a lot of talents. "He knows how to sing, knows how to dance, and writes and draws art."
"Maybe he would have become the most popular of our class if he was in our class, Katie?" Sadie said, Which? In the next second, Katie had her eyes sparkling.
"Ohhh, that would have made us the most popular in the school," Katie said excitedly, but then she flinched from what she recalled. "However, I think it was for the best we don't talk about school and Ezekiel in the same sentence."
"Oh… yeah, my bad." Sadie flinched as the trio looked at Ezekiel, who continued to dance until suddenly he stopped… and then just threw his hands in the air, giving up, and walked away.
"And here comes the part he gets frustrated and stops. I don't know why; he was just singing the song nicely and then just stopped and didn't sing that song anymore." Katie commented as she let out a disappointed sigh, which Bridgette looked very intrigued by.
"Why does he stop?" Bridgette asked herself, as she couldn't ponder but kept looking at the boy leaving and going to the beach, and that's how it started.
.
.
.
The next day, Bridgette found herself drawn back to the beach, determined to catch another glimpse of Ezekiel dancing. This time, Katie and Sadie tagged along, equally curious about the enigmatic performer. To their surprise, Ezekiel arrived shirtless, wearing only his pants and weights, as if preparing for a training session. Yet, the glint in his eye hinted at something more.
"Okay… let's see if I still got it," Ezekiel murmured, his voice carrying a quiet confidence. Bridgette, Katie, and Sadie exchanged wide-eyed glances, sensing that this performance would be unlike anything they'd seen before. Ezekiel began to move his fingers in the air, mimicking the strumming of a ukulele or a tiny guitar. "Trim, trim, tan, tan, trim, trim. Tip tip tip tip tup tup tup tran tran tran… This will do for the melody," he mused, nodding to himself.
The girls braced themselves for the unexpected, but nothing could have prepared them for what came next.
Grupo Menos é Mais e Matheus Fernandes - Lapada Dela (Clipe Oficial)
"Me A-pai-xo-nei por uma menina que tem 1,60 e uma tatuagem do seu ex; ela é do tipo que acaba com uma família, mas se encosta nela uma vez." Ezekiel sang, his voice rich and emotive, the unfamiliar language adding an air of mystery. His movements were deliberate yet fluid—gentle slides to the left and right, his elbows and shoulders leading the way. The sensuality of his dance was understated but undeniable, especially as his hands grazed the sides of his torso with a tender, almost reverent touch. "EUUUUUUUUU CAI NO CORPO DELA E ME VICIEEIIIIIIII. AGORA EU TÔ APAIXONADO! OLHA ONDE EU ENTREEEEEEEIIII."
Ezekiel's voice soared with raw emotion, and though the girls couldn't understand the lyrics, they felt the depth of his passion. It was mesmerizing.
Then, the mood shifted.
"Todo dia eu quero pegar ela," Ezekiel sang, his tone playful yet intense. He extended one hand to the side, then the other, before bringing both to his hips in a bold, rhythmic motion. Bridgette, Katie, and Sadie blushed furiously, realizing the dance was about to take a provocative turn. "Eu não consigo dormir pensando na lapada dela. Tô aqui pensando em cada movimento dela. Tu não pega ela; ela é quem te pegaaaaa… Todo dia eu quero pegar ela; eu não consigo dormir pensando na lapada dela. Tô aqui pensando em cada movimento dela, tu não pega ela, ela é quem te pegaaaaa…"
Ezekiel, after doing the first crotch motion, started giving dancing steps front and then back, just for later he used his left hand and gave motions of slapping in front of him, which would be a sensual motion of slapping someone's ass… Which then he made a motion of caressing his own body sensually as he raised his closed fists, and both forearms covered his face like a sensual motion, which he pointed in the direction as if it was saying someone, and with one arm with a closed fist looking forward and the other fist and arm he pulled while he moved his waist in a sensual motion.
Clearly the girls who were watching Ezekiel dancing had their faces covered with deep blush, since Ezekiel was doing new moves that they had never known before, but to see that style? It was a bit too…
"Okay, we aren't going to tell anyone about this." Bridgette said, as both girls nodded their heads, they had been spying on Ezekiel doing his iconic dancing moves, and once again they got what they wanted, but not in the way they expected.
.
.
.
Once again, Ezekiel found himself on the beach in the early morning light, the air cool yet brimming with possibility. This time, he stood with a newfound confidence, humming softly as he prepared for his next performance. Bridgette, Katie, and Sadie had returned, armed with ice cream cones and curious smiles. They knew they shouldn't be spying, but the mystery of Ezekiel's impromptu routines was simply too irresistible.
Ezekiel took a deep breath, and then, with effortless grace, he launched into an old classic from 1998—a merengue anthem known as "Suavemente" by Elvis Crespo. His voice resonated with a smooth, rich timbre as he sang the Spanish lyrics, "Suavemente, bésame, que yo quiero sentir tus labios, besándome otra vez." The unfamiliar language piqued the girls' curiosity, yet the melody was enchanting enough to speak for itself. "(Suave) bésame otra vez, (Suave) que yo quiero sentir tus labios, (Suave) besándome suavemente, (Suave) tiernamente, (Suave) cariñosamente, (Suave) dulcemente, (Suave) bésame mucho.
As he sang, Ezekiel's body swayed to the rhythm. He moved with the precision of someone deeply attuned to the music, blending traditional Latin dance moves with his own unique flair. His hips rolled gently, yet powerfully, as if channeling a story through his motion. Each step and turn mirrored the syncopated beats of the merengue, his feet shifting with speed and control across the sand.
The trio of girls couldn't help but watch, mesmerized.
"I think this one is Spanish." Katie broke the silence, whispering,
"I'm sure this isn't the same song he sang yesterday..." Sadie took a thoughtful lick of her ice cream and nodded.
The way Ezekiel transitioned seamlessly between verses and intricate footwork was a testament to his talent. His hands went to his mouth like a trumpet, fingers fluttering in the air. At one point, he executed a dramatic spin, his arms outstretched like wings before pulling them in close to his chest, creating a moment of palpable intensity. Each movement seemed imbued with purpose, telling a story the girls could feel, even if they couldn't fully understand the words. A song that became one of the most iconic memes of the Legend of Zelda, the Ganondorf Latino, which Ezekiel knew so much about since he came from the future in the real world. A song that clearly showed his own personal playlist of internal songs of the Latino side of his past life. He was a proud Peruvian-Brazilian-American. The trio of countries that made him didn't have a shame of dancing, since it was indeed how the cultural dance worked at that time and in their place.
Samba? Pagode? Forró? Sertanejo Universitario? Tango? Flamenco? Valsa? He liked to sing and dance, and even as much as he liked to write and draw art, he always had a liking for singing, even though he never had an opportunity to actually learn how to play the instruments. Singing and dancing he could do easily.
"Ezekiel told me he knew 8 languages, but I didn't think it was to this point." Bridgette commented that she had to confess that she kind of wished she would have paid attention better in her foreign language classes or even spoken with the exchange students who came to her school. Tomorrow he's supposed to watch me surfing, so I'm betting he won't be singing and dancing out here then." She turned to the others. "Remember the plan—we didn't see anything."
"We promise," Katie and Sadie chimed in, their wide grins betraying their delight.
.
.
.
A week later, Bridgette and Courtney, who had just recently gotten on the Playa Del Losers, were in the kitchen at 2 a.m. Courtney was still sleeping; she had no idea why Bridgette had been so insistent on taking her to see something that morning. Until her eyes went wide open as Katie and Sadie were sitting outside, sitting nervously as Ezekiel brought with him masking tape and made two plus signs with 5 steps of distance between each other.
"Hands on the wrists." Ezekiel said as both Katie and Sadie obeyed, and then Ezekiel, simply using his mouth and hand, started to sound like a trumpet. Then doing the beats of a drum. "Freestyle. Borapapapa badum papapa, Papa Parapapapa ParapaRAPAPAPAPA."
And at the time Ezekiel said that both Katie started… dancing? In rhythm? Both Courtney and Bridgette had to watch as Ezekiel repeated the sounds of instruments with his mouth.
"1, 2, 3, 4… 1, 2, 3, 4, 1234, 1234, 1234, 1234, 1234… Running Man Freestyle, faster… faster…" Ezekiel said, as he was counting the steps, that the girls were trying their best, and they had made quite good progress. What would have been Ezekiel crossing his arms while he was still playing in tones with the imaginary instruments while using his mouth wasn't a beatbox like Harold, but it was something the girls were quite used to listening to. "Fingers, remember to use the fingers and wrists more, but maintain the distance."
"What the hell is going on?" Courtney asked as she watched Katie and Sadie improve their dancing dozens of times better than she saw on Aquarium, and yet she never recognized those moves before or had a vague memory of them. She felt she remembered them from somewhere, but it was like something out of her memory.
"Ezekiel, usually when he was bored or excited with something, he at this hour would dance and sing a little, but Katie and Sadie were the first to watch him doing so many times that they insisted on going to his bedroom and begged him to teach them how to dance." Bridgette explained, as she recalled the times when Ezekiel had to take a break because his chest was quite in pain from the pneumonia after how much he was dancing, so he took a break earlier, so taking the medicines was still something Ezekiel loved to do in secret. "And when Katie and Sadie told him they saw him, he said he was going to teach them, but I never saw Ezekiel being a dictator when it came to dancing."
"Here comes the chorus. Tuzelity Combo Freestyle," Ezekiel said as Katie and Sadie gulped dry. As the duo literally started dancing, they walked in synchrony with each other. "Baby can you move around the rhythm, so we can get with em, Jump around, and get us a rock'n roll round Whats the count down, body body, Comin with a super hotty Let's go, real slow, hell no…Baby can you move around the rhythm cause you know we're livin in the fast lane, Speed up it ain't no game Just turn up all the beams when I come up on the scene…"
Katie and Sadie gritted their teeth as they went word by word, following the rhythm of the a cappella song Ezekiel was singing. Until the chorus ended and Ezekiel made a motion to stop… Which Katie and Sadie had a few sweat drops on their faces and a few seconds to rest. Ezekiel then snapped his fingers a few times, at which the girls returned to their positions.
"Again…" Ezekiel said those words, which the tan and the chubby girl gulped, knowing that they wanted to dance better. But the person who was teaching them is merciless.
While Courtney had her eyes opened in disbelief…
And since then… the duo had always been thinking about getting to know more about their friend, even if they didn't know about them spying on him.
.
.
.
"Trim… chick chick chick chick, tchuc thuch tchuc thuch, chick chick thuch." Ezekiel was in a good mood as he was doing small motions with his fingers, once again seeming to be playing what would be a small guitar, which then Ezekiel started singing. "Faz tempo que a gente não é aquele mesmo par… Faz tempo que o tempo não passa, e é só você estar aaaaaaaaqui.
"Até parece que adormeceu, Ohhhh." Ezekiel started to sing in a smoother and yet more serious song… "O que era noite já amanheeeeeeeeeeceu."
"Is he singing in Portuguese?" Courtney commented as Bridgette, Katie, and Sadie's eyes sparkled.
"So that's the language he is singing?" Bridgette was so glad Courtney was there now, since Katie and Sadie had been exhausted from dancing, and Bridgette made an excuse she wasn't going to surf on the day they were interested in seeing what Ezekiel was going to do. With time, the girls were getting more uncomfortable spying on Ezekiel singing, but sometimes Ezekiel was getting more used to singing a few snippets of songs while he was alone, not realizing the girls had been noticing him doing that. Maybe he was avoiding doing that while the cameras were on him, so that's why he was becoming more and more comfortable doing it alone.
"Do you know what he's singing?" Katie asked as she was nervous since the time she asked Ezekiel about his dancing moves; she became afraid of even asking about what Ezekiel was singing, since she still felt he was very annoyed from hearing she and Katie spied on him.
"I'm not sure; I know Spanish, but they are cousin languages, so a lot of words may have different pronunciations and meanings." Courtney commented as she looked at Ezekiel, who was singing. "It seems to be a breakup song."
"Yeah, I also felt that." Sadie said as she was feeling a bit of her heart heavy as the tone of how Ezekiel was singing.
"Cadê aquele nosso amor? Naquela noite de verãoooo, agora a chuva é temporal, e todo o céu vai desabaaaaaaaaaar, vamo lá, Brasil." Ezekiel created the momentum, as the girls could see, as Ezekiel was actually trying to perform for the Brazilian country? Which Ezekiel was now giving a lot of his emotion to the song. "É, até parece que o amor não deuuuuuuuu, que o amor não deu. Até parece que não soube amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar. Você reclama do meu apogeu, do meu apogeuuuuuu, do meu apogeu, e todo o céu vai desabaaaaaaaar. AAAHHHH. Desabou, me iludiu! Éeeeeee, até parece que o amor não DEEEEEEUUUUUUUUUUUUUU, Até parece que não soube amar QUE NÃOOOOOOOO SOUBE AMAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR. Você reclama do meu apogeu. Vo-cê reclama do meu apogeuuuuuu. E todo o céu vai desabaaaaaaaar. Desabaaaaaarrrr, ahhhhh, ah desabouuuuuuu… Obrigado, Brasil."
"It's quite strange…" Sadie commented, which made the group look at her in surprise. "It's like every everytime Ezekiel sings some songs in English, he always gets frustrated, but when he sings in Spanish or in Portuguese, he seems completely fine.
.
.
.
"GIRLS, I FOUND IT, I FOUND IT." Courtney said as Bridgette was singing, Katie and Sadie were also talking while Cody was doing a barbecue, which made the girls jump in surprise from the sudden outburst of excitement, which clearly made the girls look at her weirdly. "Come on, let's go to my room.
.
.
.
"Do you notice something familiar in this song?" Courtney said as the girls blinked into seeing a site. As suddenly Courtney played the song, suddenly the girls started to have their eyes wide open; the tone of voice and the rhythm of singing were exactly similar to what Ezekiel was singing. "Eva told me she always downloads songs from this site, so I was checking around, and I tried to find a song based on the lyrics… and I found it. It's from a group called Art Popular, a Brazilian pagode band whose song was named Temporal, which means thunderstorm as their expression".
"Huh, that's actually nice to know about it." Bridgette commented as the girls listened to the song with a more peaceful feeling since they weren't spying on Ezekiel anymore. "So it was a known song."
"When was it written? Oh, 1996? Wow, that actually makes sense; maybe his parents liked to listen to this song while he was young." Courtney commented as the group was trying to find the lyrics. But it seems it was completely in Brazilian Portuguese and without possibility of translation. "Dammit, I can translate into finding the similar words in Spanish, but I don't think I could find the meaning of the words."
"Hey, is that Temporal?" Then a voice made the girls jump from their places, as they found nobody other than Ezekiel, who was looking at them in surprise and a happy smile. "Man, it's a classic. I didn't know you girls liked pagode. I know some nice bands…"
"Oh yeah, err… My sister likes to listen to this song, so I was curious about the lyrics of the song." Sadie said nervously as she pointed at the screen. "I remember her birthday will be in a few months, and I was thinking of buying a CD of the song, but I still don't understand the lyrics."
Sadie gave a cute pout, which Ezekiel actually blinked at in surprise.
"Really? Huh, well, it's Brazilian Portuguese, which is a different type of language from the Portugal version, so their slangs and expressions happen sometimes, so which word are you having difficulty understanding?" Ezekiel commented as he walked nearby the computer screen as he was snapping his fingers to the rhythm of the pagode.
"Actually, do you know what the song is about? I mean, I'm trying to use what I know about Spanish, but I'm still having a bit of difficulty. The favor Sadie asked me was kind of hard." Courtney used the lie of Sadie to make it more believable, which the girls were glad about because Ezekiel didn't realize they had been spying on him singing in the song.
"Oh God, please don't make the mistake of saying Brazilian songs are in Spanish, unless you want a whole Brazilian nation pissed at you." Ezekiel commented as he gave a slight look at the lyrics. "Temporal is definitely emotional—it's about heartbreak and melancholy. The singer is expressing how his partner seemed to stop caring about their love. That ingratitude—the feeling that she no longer values the relationship—leads to a thunderstorm of emotions. The lyrics use the storm as a metaphor for the inevitable collapse, where events spiral out of control and it all becomes unavoidable. The sadness, the pain, the yearning—they're all wrapped up in the melody."
The girls listened as Ezekiel talked and explained the song, as they couldn't help but listen more about the songs, which Ezekiel even went nearby.
"Here, I think your sister is in a phase of broken heart, so I have some awesome song recommendations… If she's pissed with someone showing ingratitude, Velocidade da Luz from Grupo Revelação, that was really like a punch to anyone you sing. Wow, they even have it here. Let me play." Ezekiel smiled as he played the song, as the girls could see Ezekiel being excited, while they forced their smiles. Now they were going to listen to Ezekiel giving some recommendations of songs. "If you girls want, I can try to translate the song into English."
"You can do that?" One of the girls looked in surprise as clearly Ezekiel didn't listen to her as he was able to focus on the song.
"I don't even know anymore why I live only to suffer, because I didn't do anything to deserve this." Ezekiel translated as the girls listened to the group singing, their eyes wide open as the group was singing some serious words. "I gave you love and care; in return, I got ingratitude. I don't know why, but I think it's a lack of comprehension. You see me as the defendant, the guilty one, the thief, for trying to win your heart…"
"Everyone makes mistakes! Everyone always errs. Everyone will fail. I don't know why, my God, I live in suffering alone. I have nothing to ask for; I also have nothing to give. That's why I'll leave. I'm leaving now…" Ezekiel continued to translate as the girls actually saw Ezekiel doing the motion of a little guitar being played on his hands, which clearly they discovered how the instrument sounded like. It was a weird little guitar, but clearly the sound was catchy. "I'm leaving now; I'm going to another planet. At the speed of light, or perhaps on a comet. I'll go alone and steady. Where death may warm me, maybe then, once and for all, I'll forget you forever..".
And the girls listened to how the song seemed serious and yet had some actually incredible and poetic words, metaphors of a person wanting to leave the ungrateful place and break up and saying he didn't deserve the suffering.
"Wow. So that's how it is?" Katie commented as Ezekiel walked to the computer.
"Here, I have some good international songs that I'm sure you girls will like. If you are tired of Brazilian songs, there are still some from Mexico, Peru, and Argentina. Oh hey, there's this one from France. Oh yeah, this one from Italy was quite nice as well. But there are also some good songs from the past, from vinyl disks, CDs, rock, funk, Brazilian funk, salsa, flamenco, you name it..." Ezekiel commented as the girls looked at each other… Realizing that maybe trying to figure out what Ezekiel had been singing really led them into a rabbit hole.
"The signals were always clear…" Bridgette thought as she talked with Ezekiel at the time when he was teaching her the song of Alice Angel. "Maybe Katie was right; he was a prodigy that was secluded inside of his farm because it was maybe for the best,"
She wasn't sure why, but she was grateful it had been like that. Who knows what it could have been if Ezekiel wasn't her friend who gave her support and even showed the musical side of him?
"Hey Ezekiel, I have been wondering." Bridgette decided to be honest as she got his eyes raised, inquiring about his curiosity. "Trent is a guitarist, Harold knows beatbox, and Cody can play the keyboard… why don't you all play together?"
"Pass." Ezekiel said in a tone that made the surfer surprised by the quick statement and without hesitation. "Don't take it badly; Harold does a very nice beatbox, and Cody can indeed play a few songs on the keyboard. Even Harold knows how to play the keyboard, and probably Trent knows more than just guitar."
"But wh-"
"Why am I not asking them to play the songs I have been creating?" Ezekiel could guess what she was asking, and he had a face of frustration that was clear. "Because they don't have enough experience, and I have the songs in my mind, but when I try to explain a song to a person who doesn't actually have experience, it's like seeing a person trying to mess up everything you knew about the song, and for fear of forgetting how the song was played… It was for the best I didn't ask them to play for me the songs I had in mind. Courtney was an exception because she listened to the rhythm and the a cappella I sang, and she repeated and then played with her violin many times until she got the results we both wanted… With Trent, Harold, and Cody as a band? No… a boy band like that was fated to fall…"
"You are frustrated because you don't know how to play any other instrument than the harmonica, and you wanted to sing your songs in the same way you wanted to from a whole professional band like the ones you like to listen to, right?" Bridgette then felt the click in her mind. It makes sense; Ezekiel was frustrated into singing and dancing in secret because he couldn't find the best way to replicate his songs… When it was a song that clearly was made by a whole band like Art Popular, Grupo Revelação, and Elvis Crespo, they were songs already published, so he knew how to dance them until the end because he could listen again and again until he got it right, but when it comes to his own songs? How could he do that without an actual band to make it work? And Bridgette had been asking him to teach her how to sing All Eyes on Me… She probably knew Ezekiel was inspired by the old timing song but never had an actual band to create the song for Alice, which made her even more guilty. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine… The secret is to try to make a swing song. The 1920s were the golden era of music and dance… And having Alice Angel be a symbol of the singing times of the animation would clearly cheer up everyone." Ezekiel explained as he looked at Bridgette with a smile, even as the surfer could see it was a weak smile. Which she knew he wanted so much to see that song sung in full potential, with a full style of instruments, and she felt sad for her friend who had been having such frustrations for a long time.
"Thank you for trusting me, Ezekiel. I won't let you down." Bridgette said with a smile, and with a quick hug, she let Ezekiel go and help Tyler to dress himself.
Hours had passed like crazy to serve the elderly people, and their quantity was something that made both Sadie, Bridgette, Ezekiel, and Geoff appreciate more how the waiters and waitresses managed to deal with such difficulty every single day. But thankfully Cody, Harold, then Katie and Trent, it seems that somehow, even as long as it took, the group managed to gather a lot from doing all their work dressed as the Noire theme.
Which, even as difficult as it was, they still managed to hold it just for a while until Chef finally came with backup, which clearly was good enough to make the cast finally have a time to rest.
But the challenge was not over yet… Since someone must start singing to entertain the public, it was a situation that clearly Sadie and Bridgette were aware of… But with a time where the duo felt nervous about having to sing and dance for them? They must decide on what to do.
But Bridgette, giving a side glance as Ezekiel was drinking a bit more water, couldn't help but recall one thing… She looked at the cameras across the area, and when she talked with one of the interns… Depending on their performance, they would be cut from the episode, and only the pay-per-view would see it, and the people who wanted to watch the DVD box with the episodes with more hours, or even the forums of the show…
She looked at Sadie and Katie, feeling nervous and talking nervously about what they should be doing. Sadie must entertain them, and Bridgette also should be doing that…
With her eyes closed… she looked at Ezekiel once again… And she knew what she had to do.
.
.
.
"Okay, we managed to serve almost everyone. I'm just glad Chef Hatchet brought the interns to help out," Ezekiel commented, straightening his brown bowtie he'd been forced to wear. Which, combined with this red vest, made him think, by looking at the mirror, that he could have sworn that he was dressed in a similar way to a human version portrayed for a certain fandom of the future. The security duo, MacArthur and Sanders, had insisted that not only he but also Geoff, Katie, Cody, Harold, and Trent dress in Golden Era-inspired outfits from the roaring 1920s. Begrudgingly, they complied, and much to their surprise, the elders seemed thoroughly pleased by their efforts. "All that we need is for you girls to sing to them. I'm sure with that we will get the clues and conclude the challenge; you both will do great."
Bridgette didn't respond. She stood quietly, her expression unreadable, which immediately caught Ezekiel's attention. He blinked at her in confusion.
"No…" she finally murmured.
"What?" Ezekiel asked, his voice tinged with surprise. As the surfer walked, she looked at him.
"Ezekiel, don't you see? Me and Sadie, we are not feeling ready right now," Bridgette commented, as much as she would want to try to be more free and actually give it a try, being the first, neither of them are feeling ready. "And for months, I saw you sing and dance while you were alone?"
"You what?" Ezekiel commented as he narrowed his eyes, which made Bridgette and Sadie flinch, and Katie sheepishly smiled as she walked nearby him. "Since when…"
"Err… Do you remember the time we asked you to teach us how to dance your moves?" Sadie commented sheepishly, at which moment Ezekiel looked at them in disbelief and outrage, at which moment both clapped their hands. "We are so sorry, but we already saw you sing and dance so well,"
Ezekiel remained quiet as he glanced at Bridgette.
Bridgette, sensing Ezekiel's silence, crouched slightly to meet his gaze. Geoff, Cody, Harold, and Trent, who got there after talking with the orchestra, looked in disbelief but also amazed.
"Guys, did you know that a few of these guys from the orchestra are blind? And yet some of them even played in some movies of the 40s? I think my grandpa had a viny—" Trent asked as suddenly he saw Ezekiel glaring at the trio of girls who were flinching from his gaze. "What's going on?"
"Babe?" Cody commented as Katie sheepishly smiled at him, and Ezekiel was breathing from his nose. Even as guilty as Bridgette and the duo of dunderheads were feeling, they knew the best person to deal with what would be an entertaining person to see had always been Ezekiel, since he had been the one who never made them feel bored—a writer, a singer, an artist, and a dancer.
"I know you, Ezekiel. You have been doing all of these in secret because maybe you don't want to see the people see what you are truly capable of. But trust me," Bridgette hesitated as she looked at the public in the Ceremony Hall. "Chris said these people came here for something special. They don't just want a good performance—they want something unforgettable. They deserve it."
Ezekiel blinked at her, his surprise slowly giving way to quiet reflection. He glanced toward the crowd of elders, many of whom came from the golden eras of the 1920s through the 1940s. Their excitement to relive the magic of their youth was palpable, and Bridgette's words were beginning to sink in. Their expectation was clearly obvious: they wanted something important instead of staying at home… They have served those people, and many of them, even as they were talking badly about youth, it seems they were enjoying their time talking about the good old times.
"Sorry to come here at a bad hour, but what's going on?" Harold said as he glanced at Ezekiel, who clearly seemed to be trying to calm down. And before he could even answer his friend, Sadie decided to reply.
"Please, Ezekiel, I know that you have a lot of songs in your mind, some that we may not even know, maybe some from movies… And I'm sure you know how to dance as well. You're the one who knows how to dance better than anyone here. Heck, you taught me and Katie how to dance—don't deny it!" Sadie insisted, and at that moment Cody and Geoff had their jaws wide open.
"Wait, so it was him who taught you how to do those moves? I mean, you girls were good when we started on the last season, but man, you girls were way better today." Geoff commented as he then saw both Katie and Sadie glaring at him. "Err… I will be shut for a while."
"Huh, I didn't know that. I mean, Ezekiel has always had a lot of skills, so sometimes I don't know who has more skills, Harold or Ezekiel." Cody commented as Ezekiel glared at the geek, who immediately shut his mouth.
Ezekiel raised his finger, but then he saw Katie holding his hands…
"Please...Ezekiel, just look at them." Katie commented as she pointed at the crowd, and Ezekiel slowly looked at the elders… "You've got something incredible to offer. Until we're ready, you can wake up this crowd—make them feel like they're living in their golden era again."
Ezekiel… remained quiet… Sure, he was going to sing a song, but it was going to involve more of a scatting just for a little jazz… But looking at how the crowd looked excited to see more of the songs of the past. He felt his eyes watering... as a good part of his memories recalled from the future, when those who never reached the 2020s, the time when their golden era was brought into the light again... With a musical genre that was invented after the 2010s or possibly the 2015s... With Covid coming on in the 2020s, it clearly didn't make the people who survived so many terrible times, and yet they looked excited and wanted to hear just a song of their time. Ezekiel looked at Katie and Bridgette, who were hopeful for him, and Sadie, who also wanted the best for the elders. Then Ezekiel heard a slight click in his mind, as deep inside of his subconsciousness, he felt footsteps of someone carrying a wooden box full of vinyl disks into a Minecraft jukebox… As not one, but a few songs popped into his mind. And with his smile growing up, both girls could see it. Ezekiel accepted their request.
The girls saw Ezekiel tearing up… As he immediately closed his eyes.
His lips trembled slightly, and tears welled in his eyes as his resolve strengthened. Ezekiel turned back to Bridgette, Katie, and Sadie, who were watching him intently. His smile grew, quiet but confident. The girls knew instantly—he had made up his mind.
"Give me a pair of fake glasses," Ezekiel said, his voice steady now. "A comb and some gel."
Katie and Sadie clapped in excitement as Bridgette smiled happily, already moving to gather the requested items. Harold, Geoff, Trent, and Cody tilted their heads, utterly lost.
"What's even happening right now? Why does he need gel? Is this part of a skit I missed?" Geoff asked as it took a few seconds for the interns to bring the hair gel, a comb, and a pair of fake glasses, or some glasses the intern just had the lenses removed from. He looked at the other boys, but they also were just as confused as him.
Ignoring Geoff's confusion, Ezekiel adjusted his posture and stared out at the crowd. His smile widened. He smiled like nobody had ever seen before… He smiled like the Radio Demon…
"I'm going to wake up the golden era," he said softly, more to himself than anyone else.
The girls couldn't help but smile as they handed him the props, their excitement infectious.
"Show them what you've got, Zeke!" Bridgette encouraged him, already imagining how the elders would light up once he started performing.
As soon as Ezekiel was about to walk towards the orchestra, he looked at Harold, Cody, and Trent.
"I need your help, guys." Ezekiel commented as he glanced at his team members, who blinked in surprise at his request. "Does anyone know how to play electronic songs?"
"I can do some neat stuff on my keyboard." Harold commented as Cody blinked in surprise.
"Oh yeah, I can also do that with my keyboard." Cody also commented, at which the trio looked at Trent, who blinked.
"Well, usually not my thing, but I know how to use the sound system to configure the beats of the drums." Trent said as the duo looked in surprise, and Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Alright. Prepare yourselves, and take the instruments nearby the orchestra. I saw there are a few instruments remaining there, and maybe some of them are the ones you were talking about. I need to talk with the orchestra to see which songs they know". Ezekiel said as the trio looked at Ezekiel, who seemed to be acting serious, more resolute, as this challenge just became something way more serious than they thought. "Boys… look at these people; this may be the last best day of their lives… This isn't about the challenge anymore. So let's have some fun and make everyone have some fun. This may be their last party, so let's make it unforgettable."
"…" The boys remained quiet, as even Geoff blinked from the sudden statement.
"Their last party?" Geoff commented as he suddenly realized how powerful and heavy those words were… As he never realized, this isn't something that should be just something from the reality show. This was something he and his best friend Brody would have to think about in the future. And to see a party that would be the last? "What do I need to do?"
Bridgette looked taken aback by how serious Geoff was in a situation like that.
"Geoff, I want you to spike the water." Ezekiel commented as he glanced around. And with a smile on his face. "There's a green bottle on my backpack…"
"Ezekiel, please don't tell me…" Katie and Bridgette paled as even Cody, Trent, and Harold looked shocked by what he said.
"The bottle is named Cheetah Chug concentrated… It's the most concentrated I have it, and I want you to use 1 single drop. Not one spoon, not one second of dropping the bottle, no… Geoff, for their health, 1 single drop." Ezekiel gave the instructions as Geoff gulped at what he said. "It's a drink that will be the energy of the party."
"An energy drink?" Geoff suddenly had his eyes wide open in excitement. In that moment he realized what he meant. "Got it. I know how to use the perfect dosage for the parties, even for my friends grandparents. Thanks for the tip. I will be right back."
And with that, the party boy is going to once again do his mission; it will be the storm of the party, that's for sure. The elders need their water? So why not give their waters something more?
Ezekiel looked at the orchestra, as they seemed so old, and yet, they showed they weren't someone to be played with; they were professionals, and to his surprise, just by him doing a bit of a cappella, they showed their skills; they were so amazing, they managed to catch the song in just minutes. It was like a little amateur harmonica player tried to learn a song by months, and the professionals just needed to see the sheet music with just a few glances, and they would make the song so easily; it was so absurd, like they were mocking their knowledge. Maybe that was like the voice of experience. Especially when it was about their genre, where they were so used to playing on their time. And Ezekiel passed half an hour with them, talking with them; some of them had amazing and wonderful stories.
"You were one of the orchestra who played on Blues Brothers?" Ezekiel commented as one of the cellists nodded his head.
"I played with Cab Calloway on some of his shows at that time, and I even played for the last time when he was in that movie. He sadly passed away last decade. I'm sure he would have enjoyed seeing you guys trying to come up with some classics." The old man who clearly was a veteran in the career of music, some of these people were legends… And here they are, only to play for a reality show from Canada… That was such a fucking disrespect of their story. "Your songs are clearly a breath of my past, boy… It will be an honor to play something that I would love to play in my time."
Ezekiel remained quiet as he glanced at Trent, Cody, and Harold. The trio were ready, but they were unsure what to do, since while the orchestra was clearly experienced, the trio of boys were just going to improvise while Ezekiel was going to take the lead…
But Ezekiel didn't mind.
Ready or not, here they come, and Geoff, with a thumbs-up from dropping a drop of the concentrated Cheetah Chug, nobody had listened to the muffled cheetah roar coming from the water tank. But it was now…
Time for the party...
"Well, I hope you are ready, pals." Ezekiel said as he prepared himself by fixing up his bowtie. Which the old orchestra simply smiled while rolling their eyes.
"Are you sure it's going to work, Zeke?" Cody asked as the little boy chuckled.
"You just saw those men literally mocking us a few seconds ago. For me, this is going to be awesome." Ezekiel smiled as Harold prepared his keyboard, Trent was on the sound system to help with the beats and the drums coming from the orchestra, and Cody was also on his own keyboard, both of them in complete setting modes of different sounds, which was going to make something very interesting soon. "Gentlemen, let's bring the Golden Era of music back again."
And with that, a surprise was waiting for the whole group of pals and gals in the Ceremony Area.
"Are you sure it's going to work?" Sadie said as she looked at the group of elderly people who were still almost sleepy, they had enjoyed Bridgette and Sadie singing together; however, they weren't sure what to do again. They only had one song together. And then Bridgette just gave a glance to Sadie, which made her realize her mistake. "Right, it's Ezekiel who was motivated... yeah, we need to have faith."
Katie was crossing her fingers, as Bridgette had faith, but she was also nervous from seeing Ezekiel going to lead the first entertainment of the show.
DAISIES (A Hazbin Hotel Song) - Black Gryph0n & Baasik
And then when they were about to talk more, suddenly there was a static in the air, and they were surprised to see the muffled chorus happening and Ezekiel walking with his attire, as with a big smile he walked to the microphone and placed his hand in a weird way, but when he started to sing, there was something on his hand that muffled his voice in a way that made it more static, like it just came from the radio, a familiar feeling that made all the elders have their eyes and ears caught in interest. It was like a song of their past calling for them.
"Hey pal, hey friend, hey buddy, Why so sad, so downright unhappy? That's not my cup of tea." Ezekiel sang to the sound of piano, clarinet, and trumpet, walked on the public as he greeted the person, and even drank the tea from the cup and threw it away. "You know that this could be, you—your last day here on Earth, so buddy, please, won't you smile just for me?"
Ezekiel pointed the finger of his face as he gave the biggest smile he could give. The crowd liked the swift and catchy tune that usually would appear on the radios or their vinyl players from their time, as they even saw the boy smiling widely at them. And the impacting sound of the trumpets really made them smile from the good memories of how well instruments were played at that time.
"My dear, my dear, no, you don't have to cry. That isn't a pretty legacy to leave behind." Ezekiel sang smoothly as he walked towards the crowd and even raised his microphone like a cane. As he was doing so, he even took one rose flower from one of the vases and smelled it. As he gave a nod to his teammates, the trio entered to give something new to the elders, who were surprised by the sudden new sound… A something weird… yet pleasing sound… growing up and energetic. "Stop and smell the roses while you've got the time. Pretty soon you'll be pushing up daisies where the sun doesn't shine... Pretty soon I'll be pushing up daisies where the sun doesn't shine."
And with a nod, Ezekiel turned his back, and with a snap of his fingers, Trent, Cody, and Harold added the electronic part as one of the orchestra trumpets continued to give his own inner solo, which the combination really made the crowd actually like the catchy beat, and one of them even started swinging his finger. Which Ezekiel smirked at as a victory.
And with the sound of the beat, Ezekiel marched towards the stage… Now Katie, Sadie, and Bridgette smiled, and Trent, Harold, Cody, and Geoff looked at him in shock, since Ezekiel was actually doing a dance shuffle, which the elders started to whistle and even clap at, since that kind of dance actually reminded them of the classic dance steps from the 20s era.
"HA." Ezekiel smirked further as he turned around to sing more. And the pianist of the orchestra actually enjoyed the song enough to even give his own melodic and yet catchy side of piano, a great comparison to the weird technological keyboards. The clarinets and the trumpets clearly gave a very fun and happy tone to the song. "You know, I just gotta say, That you might not have a lot of time to waste. So lose that long face."
The elders who were listening to the song, the message, and yet the warming upbeat were starting to get up from their seats and even start dancing while shaking their index fingers, calling their partners to dance to the swing song.
"None of us are here to stay, so treat every day like it's a holiday until the day you slip away…" Ezekiel sang as nobody could see that the more he sang the song, the more he tried to replicate the smile of Alastor, the radio demon, one of the reasons why people started to like the 20s songs and old radio songs in the future. It would be contradictory, but Bendy and the Ink Machine, Hazbin Hotel, and The Princess and the Frog were some of the examples of why people started to like swing songs again... There are other reasons, of course, but those in some fandoms clearly showed a good heart towards their songs. "My dear, my dear, no, you don't have to cry, That isn't a pretty legacy to leave behind… Stop and smell the roses while you've got the time... Pretty soon you'll be pushing up daisies where the sun doesn't shine…"
And with that, Ezekiel could see the elders dancing, enjoying the song, one of the songs that clearly came up to his memory… The elders never had a chance to listen to Electro Swing, an homage of the young children bringing back a good song for them to start to dance again… And even as all his being, he would never create Helluva Boss or Hazbin Hotel; his rational side clearly took from his memories one of the kindest lyric songs of Alastor while the clip is totally fucked up… But since Ezekiel would never bring Hazbin Hotel to the world… He was satisfied to bring at least one song that wouldn't bite him on his ass… And he was thankful for that.
"Pretty soon you'll be pushing up daisies where the sun doesn't shine…" Ezekiel sang smoothly, and as soon as the song finished, he could see the elders already clapping for enjoying a good song.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience… We are going to have a wonderful show here. Enjoy the good water we are going to have, since the main events are coming shortly. But until then, let's warm up for the event, ladies and gentlemen." Ezekiel gave a small nod to the pianist as the pianist started playing the piano. "Alright, gentlemen… I want you to repeat after me. Just how I do it, ready? Ra da da da dada dada da da your turn!"
And Ezekiel hoped for work, and thankfully the public seemed to have work as the men started to repeat after him, which of course made Ezekiel smirk as another great song was ready to be played.
"La da da da dada dada da da"
"Very good! Sir, la da da dada da ah, go ahead now!" Ezekiel said that the men in the crowd, people from the 20s, 30s , 40s, and 50s, clearly were enjoying the interaction between a singer and the public.
"La da da dada da dum."
"Good golly! La da dada da da ah, bring it around now!" Ezekiel commented as he made a motion with his finger and looked at the orchestra, which was getting more and more ready, and the pianist was clearly nailing it as he himself was enjoying the song. "La da da da dada dada da ah, ladies!"
And this time all the women in the crowd started to sing as well.
"La da da da dada dada da ah."
"Good golly! La da da dada da ah la da da dada da ah." And with that, the piano was getting slower as Ezekiel was giving more and more voice to his scat, which clearly was dragging the attention of the public. "La da da dada da ahhh yeah! Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you this amazing orchestra behind me."
And the pianist clearly started playing the piano in such precision to create such a rhythm, as Ezekiel looked at Cody, Harold, and Trent as they also should be doing something, and at that moment the trio also decided to improvise and bring something very nice to everyone. And soon more instruments were coming after the piano...
"Aw yeah! Oh, ohhh, ohhh, bring the beat back!" And at that moment everyone started to play a combination of orchestra and electronic music, which clearly some of the elders were already raising their fingers to dance to. "Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh, Aw aww aw aww aw aww…"
Which, at that moment, Harold saw the microphone; he didn't know how it came here, but he couldn't help it.
"Let you see my Betty Boop… When the beat drops," Harold said as the electronic clearly combined with the swing genre.
"Oh, ohhh, ohhh, bring the beat back! Ra da da da dada dada da da your turn!" Ezekiel was already starting to shuffle again.
"La da da da dada dada da da"
"Very good! Sir, la da da dada da ah, go ahead now!" As Ezekiel was sure more and more of the public were enjoying the song, he could even see the people getting comfortable with the genre.
"La da da da dada dada da ah."
"Good golly! La da da dada da ah la da da dada da ah. Bring it around now!" Ezekiel said as most of the instruments stopped while the piano kept playing. He not only talked with the crowd, but he also glanced at Cody, Trent, Harold, Geoff, and also the trio of girls who wanted him to start everything. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen, That was very good. We're going to do the whole thing one more time… Follow my steps 2, 3, and 4, and da da da da dada dada da ah, what'd I say?"
Ezekiel gave the hint that it was time for the group also to sing, following his step.
"Da da da da dada dada da ah." Trent, Cody, Harold, and Geoff got with the flow; it was indeed a very catchy song, and something that they could be following on the rhythm as the other men across the crowd.
"Very good, sir! La da da dada da dum yes!" Ezekiel said as he gave a fist bump on his success...
"La da da dada da dum."
"Good golly! La da da da dada dada da ah. Bring it around now!" Ezekiel sang as the instruments once again started to get prepared for one more round, but to his surprise, some of the members of the orchestra started to make an ohhhhhhh motion to give depth to the song, which clearly was welcomed. And he could see the elderly people getting up and even clapping with the rhythm and starting to dance in pairs. "Ra da da da dada dada da dum, ladies!"
"La da da da dada dada da ah." Bridgette, Katie, and Sadie walked on the stage as the girls started to sing with all the women of the crowd; clearly a good show is happening right now.
"Good golly! La da da da dada dada aw yeah! Let's bring it on home!" Ezekiel said as he swung his arms in a baseball motion, which clearly made the whole crowd clap and snap their fingers. "Aw yeah! Oh, ohhh, ohhh, bring the beat back!"
And with that, the instruments went with full force, the elderly people started to dance, and to Ezekiel's surprise, they were swinging, like in the old times, as some of them were swinging their canes in dancing motion.
"Oh oh oh oh oh ohhh, Aw aww aw aww aw aww, let me see you're Betty Boop when the beat drops." With the whole concept, Harold once again said those words, and everyone started to dance like their time of dancing, which clearly was a phenomenal event that made everyone surprised… It was indeed a song that made them ignite their time of dancing again.
"Ra da da da dada dada da da, your turn!"
"La da da da dada dada da da"
"Very good! Sir, la da da dada da, ah, go ahead now!"
" La da da dada da ah."
"Good golly! La da da dada da ah la da da dada da ah. Bring it around now!" And with that, the piano had stopped, which at that moment… The elderly people looked expectantly for the next event while they were still clapping for liking the song. Ezekiel nodded his head as the orchestra started to play another swinging song.
Mr. Lex (Oleksii Bezsalov) - Swing it Jack by SoundPlusUA [Royalty Free Music]
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, take your pairs; the party has just started. Let's dance." Ezekiel said that while this time there wasn't a song, Ezekiel was leading as the orchestra was now playing Swing It Jack by Mr. Lex. He was glad he could rest a bit of his voice. He could see the orchestra was having the time of their lives, and oh boy, how they were being schooled! Trent, Harold, and Cody, while they were improvising, were doing their best, but still, it was clear they were out of their comfort zone.
But it would be a fucking lie if they weren't also having the time of their fucking lives.
It had been a long time since Ezekiel recalled how he shuffled so much , doing the combination of the shuffle and swing, classic moves combined with the modern moves of the 2020s… And when he least expected it, the song was just over.
And the crowd once again clapped on their happiness… Which Ezekiel smiled… It was time for the big guns…
"Ladies and gentlemen, gals and pals, it seems our warming time is over; it's time for us to celebrate the 1920s, which in less than 2 decades will make a century. So...as my friend Geoff always says… LET'S PARTY." Ezekiel shouted, which Geoff immediately shouted, as it seemed the crowd people were also getting hyped with the idea of doing something they hadn't thought of doing in a long time: staying awake that long. "So now let's start with one of the main events… Ladies and gentlemen, here he comes on this stage. Nobody other than Alice Angel herself, Bridgette. A good clap of hands, ladies and gentlemen."
Bridgette, who was smiling proudly at seeing Ezekiel finally getting out of his secret shell of not dancing and singing in public, suddenly felt her entire plan backfire as Ezekiel gave a revengeful smirk towards her, which made her pale and tremble on walking on the stage.
"Go get them, girl." Ezekiel said, as he looked at Geoff, and an idea appeared in his mind. "You come with me, Geoff."
"Huh?" Geoff was suddenly caught by Ezekiel, while he had no idea what was going to happen.
.
.
.
"Oof, I'm so glad it wasn't me." Sadie said in relief to Katie, who also nodded her head, as she then saw Ezekiel glaring at her, which made her meep.
"You're next." Ezekiel said angrily as he made the chubby girl flinch. As he looked more at the crowd, he saw the interns were having a good time together and saw Chef united with… His mom and his grandma? "Wow, even Chef Hatchet brought his family here."
"EZEKIEL, DUDE, THAT'S NOT FUNNY." Geoff shouted as Sadie, Trent, Harold, and Cody paled upon seeing the party boy was tied up to a chair.
"It's part of Bridgette's song, Geoff; be in silence and don't mess this up…" Ezekiel said that immediately the roaming song of Alice Angel was about to play. As he even looked at Katie and Sadie. "Girls, I'm just going to give you one job on this song… so you also shouldn't screw up."
Katie and Sadie gulped as Ezekiel clearly dragged Geoff, tied to a chair. Katie and Sadie, who also got their own microphones, and Bridgette looked at Ezekiel in alarm and confusion, but Ezekiel didn't even look at Bridgette; he went directly at the orchestra… As he was ready to give backup. And that made Bridgette sweat even more...
The Ceremony Hall fell silent, anticipation thick in the air as Bridgette stepped to the middle of the stage. Their dance was very energetic, and they felt that this type of song is to be appreciated while sitting down, so they, in respect, would give a chance to the girl. The spotlight caught the shimmer of her dress as the haunting opening notes of the orchestra's trumpets carried softly through the room, setting the stage for something extraordinary. The elders leaned forward slightly, drawn in by the nostalgic allure of the swing-inspired melody.
Bridgette could see the orchestra giving her the signal, which she was kind of glad that she wasn't the first, but she was now having something else to prove…
(A few hours before the challenge)
"She's going to be a Courage Cowardly Dog villain?" Bridgette asked as Ezekiel explained as she was putting the black lipstick in her mouth.
"Former villain, since she's going to have a better role in the future, since Eustace's uncle clearly was in a situation that would lead to such a disaster, and ironically it wasn't even Eustace's uncle's fault. It was his boss, which led to a probable satanic ritual that made the cartoons come alive, and the black ink was cursed to the point that the monsters took the personalities of the created cartoon Henri created." Ezekiel commented. "Which led to Bendy, Alice, and Boris."
"Yes, Boris…" Bridgette giggled as she saw the fan art. "I saw what you did there… I can't wait to read it, but anyway, how should I play her?"
"Alice is a sensual angel. Imagine Betty Boop, Jessica Rabbit, and an angel combined together as a 30s cartoon. Movement is always what makes it work most—swinging your shoulders and just having fun." Ezekiel explained as he gave single tips… Which he didn't know Bridgette had taken these tips to her heart.
【Bendy And The Ink Machine Chapter 3 Song】 All Eyes On Me by OR3O
"Long, long time ago I had my own little show. Was a beautiful, lovable angel... But he took the spotlight, shining so bright... Left me to fade away. But honey, now the turn is mine," Bridgette's voice started soft, almost ethereal, as her movements were slow and yet honest, as she then looked fiercely, which Ezekiel started to point out at the members of the orchestra and even at Cody, Harold, and Trent, who immediately started to play the song.
The drumbeats followed by the piano and the trumpets clearly showed a rhythm that made the elderly people surprised by what they were seeing. The crowd listened, captivated, until the orchestra's trumpets swelled, transforming the performance into a lively swing song. Bridgette responded to the music, her gestures fluid and dramatic, her voice growing stronger as the rhythm took hold.
"A devil made from heaven, sent from above. Looks like Henry's got a little date; let's have some fun." Bridgette commented, as she was giving a tone of mockery, which Ezekiel liked, on how Bridgette was doing; she was treating Alice as herself, and she could see it. She wants the spotlight. "We've got lots to do, little errand boy. Come to me at cloud nine. To be the perfect angel, some sin must be done."
She mirrored the smooth, rhythmic dances of 1920s cartoons. She embodied the character Ezekiel had told her about—the mesmerizing Alice Angel—down to the tiniest detail. Which Ezekiel could see, Bridgette was doing her best. He then glanced and pointed at Katie and Sadie, who saw him and nodded their heads in anticipation...
"Youuuuuuuuu (doo dub doo dub do do) told me what to do and what to say; I couldn't escape…" Bridgette sang as she glanced in surprise at Katie and Sadie, who were giving their best to scat and give support to the blonde girl, who smiled for their friends as she glanced at Ezekiel, who used his two hands in a motion for Bridgette to keep focused. Which the now singer of the villain of the future book Ezekiel has. Bridgette knew that song meant a lot to him, so she was going to make it the best introduction of Alice Angel ever made. "Yooooouuuuu got to choose the ending of my fate; you put me astray."
Her tone shifted, laced with grudge and defiance. The once-light melody gained depth and edge, echoing the longing and revenge of a forgotten star reclaiming the spotlight.
"Ba-da bap chub bap, chub chub duh," Katie and Sadie sang together as Ezekiel clenched his fists and his teeth in excitement.
"It's now or never...please…" Ezekiel silently prayed as he then had his mouth drop.
"But not anymore; I'm in control," Bridgette, emboldened, belted the chorus with full force. And then Bridgette placed the back of her black wig and, with a swift backflip of the back of the wig, slowly made the black bang cover her eye. "I have the stage. You can't turn the page. Now all eyes on me..."
As she even made a motion of her shoulders and arms exactly as Ezekiel had instructed.
*WOLF WHISTLES* *WOLF WHISTLES* *WOLF WHISTLES* *WOLF WHISTLES* WOLF WHISTLES
On that second one, the crowd of elders got crazy. Some were slamming their palms on the table many times, and most of them were even giving the whistles that showed how sensual Bridgette was doing in the classic style of the cartoons.
"All eyes on me," Bridgette clearly felt the whistles, and it was indeed overwhelming, but she needed to keep her focus, as Ezekiel was even leading Katie and Sadie to give their support.
"Ba-da bap bap, bap bap ba doo ba duh," The duo of girls said as the song continued to play the song. Trent, Harold, and Cody were shocked, but they were even trying to hide their horniness because of the hormones inside of their bodies.
Geoff? Well, he was blushing as he was doing his best to make sure he wouldn't be caught on camera with a tent pitched from seeing Bridgette moving sensually with only shoulders and arms and yet giving side glances in a delicate and sensual way. Hell, he would have been whistling just like the old man, because that would be a situation he would be in. As much as he found it not cool for Ezekiel to tie him to the chair, he wasn't sure why he was even on the stage. But seeing Bridgette also walking towards him? There was a lot to be done yet.
Ezekiel grinned triumphantly as he orchestrated the musicians, his movements crisp and precise. He fist-bumped the air as every instrument blended seamlessly—the horns, the drums, Trent on the soundboard, and Cody and Harold's keyboards. Katie and Sadie scatting, OR3O would be proud of him replicating such a good song from his former world. And from the reaction of the crowd, it was like they were in Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
As Bridgette's tone shifted again, the elders in the crowd began swaying and tapping their feet, utterly immersed in the timeless feel of swing and jazz. Couples danced in the aisles, their laughter echoing through the hall.
"So many experiments, so many mistakes. But I'll go all the way till I'M IN THE PERFECT SHAPE." Bridgette gave her best to bring everything she learned from the song, even as Ezekiel told her story, and even on how he sang the song. That part she needed to be smooth, with a slightly insane, hopeful tone, as she was tasting the victory. "First is worst; maybe the third's the charm! So close! Oh! I cannot wait! The demon won't taint me now 'cus you're the sacrifice he'll slay."
Bridgette said as she looked at Geoff, who could now feel that she was singing to him. Which made him now a bit more scared…
"Yooooooou said I wasn't good enough to stay; you put me away," Bridgette threw herself into the performance, her voice mechanical yet passionate. She captured the spirit of a fallen angel yearning for redemption, her movements sharp and exaggerated, her energy infectious. The orchestra matched her intensity, crafting a soundscape that felt simultaneously nostalgic and modern. "Yooooooou took away my future and my fame, but now it will change."
As the music slowed for the breakdown, Ezekiel gestured dramatically, guiding the drummers to mimic his motion. A rapid drum sequence followed, their beats crisp and electrifying.
"Fooooooooooooooocus on me," Bridgette sang, her voice reaching a crescendo. Ezekiel shouted, "Yes!" as the rhythm peaked. " I'll be all that they see; I'll make them sway. No, can't run away… Now all eyes on me."
And at that time the solo started to play, and Bridgette decided to play with the crescendo.
"Oooohhhhoho, Babe. HEEEEYYY!" Bridgette sang as the crowd of everyone was getting wilder, the sound of the canes being thrown away as the man slammed into Bridgette, who was walking towards the tied Geoff, who was now in silence. As then the piano and trumpets gave a signal of getting the breakdown… it was Bridgette's solo...
"Yoooooooouuuuu don't know what it's like to drown away in a puddle of shame…" Bridgette delivered the verse with striking vulnerability, her tone small and shy as she looked at Geoff, who couldn't help but feel pity over the girl as she gave turn back… "Yoooouuuuu, yes you... Made me INSAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNEEEEEEE."
Bridgette then screeched in a burst of manic energy, embodying the character's descent into madness. And at that moment Geoff was jump-scared by the furious look on her face. Which made him pale. He almost screamed, but he looked at Ezekiel, who gave a shush motion… She turned to Geoff, who was still tied to a chair in the middle of the stage, and spun him around dramatically, singing directly to his startled face.
And at that moment the trumpets started to play again, at which point Ezekiel saw Bridgette swing her look, and he could see the reflection of Alice Angel, not the one from the Bendy and the Ink Machine game, but the cartoon version from their own creation, the one they wanted so much to create. And Bridgette was nailing it.
"But NOOOOOOT ANYMOOOOORE…" Bridgette sang with all her voice, which created a powerful impact on everyone; she was giving her all to the song. Bridgette spun Geoff once more before stopping him abruptly as she sang straight to his face. "I'm in control! I'M IN CONTROOOOOOOLLLL!"
"I have the stage. YOU CAN'T TURN THE PAAAAAGE..." As she then dropped him back into the chair. With deliberate precision, she placed her heel firmly on his chest as she sang straight at him. "NOW DO AS YOU'RE TOOOOOLD,"
But then she gave a smirk towards Harold, Cody, and Trent, who were pale from seeing that side of Bridgette, who smirked at them. Leaning forward with a commanding gaze.
"Encore! Hit the beat, boys!" she exclaimed.
And like that, the orchestra gave them all, as Bridgette continued to finish her song.
"FOCUS ON ME (Fooocus on meeee), I'LL BE ALL THAT THEY SEE… (Ba-da bap bap, bap bap ba doo ba duh,)" Bridgette sang as Katie and Sadie gave even more support, even singing the song with her, which surprised everyone, seeing Katie and Sadie also excited with the song. Ezekiel didn't even need to tell them to do another scatting on that part; they did it because it felt natural… And Bridgette walked towards the front of the stage… "I'll make them sway... NO, CAN'T RUUUUUUN AWAYYYYYY, NOW ALL EYES ON MEE, NOW ALL EYES ON, ALL EYES ON MEEEEEEEEEEE!"
Bridgette felt short of breath. She was feeling euphoric from all the breath she did, and with all her might, she did everything, but then slowly she heard something, the sound of clapping and whistles, as suddenly the lights were over here… And it felt amazing.
"So this was what you looked for, Alice…" Bridgette commented as she saw Katie and Sadie coming to hug Bridgette. And clearly Ezekiel walked in front of the stage.
"Well, fellows and buddies, we are going to have a small break for a few minutes. But until then, grab your eats, have a nice water to drink, because after a few minutes we will return with… the next attraction… Sadie, ladies and gentlemen."
And at that moment when Katie, Sadie, and Bridgette were cheering as they managed to make a good song, suddenly the strong and yet chubby girl froze and glanced at Ezekiel in horror, at which the boy smiled at her with a full smile, as he was looking like a demon.
"Now, now, dear, you made this bed; now you're going to sleep on it." Ezekiel said as the orchestra continued to play, Could the boys and girls take a few minutes of break just to drink the energized water, which would be diluted enough for them to have caffeine for a whole party, in the water tank? It was guaranteed they would need all that energy.
Heck, even the elderly people didn't feel the desire to be sleeping, since they were celebrating the good songs.
But the time was running out…
.
.
.
And Sadie saw that since she had to go to make her entertain everyone as elderly… And if it was just a group of people, she would be fine; she liked to dance… But for a hundred? She felt the huge fear of crowds.
"I don't know; there's too much of a crowd." Sadie said as she was shaking, from seeing everyone cheering and enjoying the song, she knew Bridgette did something marvelous, while she had no idea what to do on that challenge.
Katie looked at her best friend and could see the fear in her eyes. The duo had been together cheering each other up and being together for years, and being away from each other for the challenges had been a struggle; it was obvious it had been, but they had been completely fine. But now, Sadie felt the idea of screwing up in front of everyone clearly made her afraid.
"Then don't do it alone." Katie said as she offered her hand over her shoulder. Katie gave a warm smile. "I know my team will be able to gather the next clue here without me, so why not have me help my sister of another mother?"
Sadie shed a tear of gratitude until a voice came from nearby them.
"I wouldn't ask anything else." Ezekiel surprised the twins as they looked at him nodding his head at them. "Even if this is a challenge against teams, we are now doing it for a bigger cause, and I think you two working together like the good times wouldn't be a problem. Here."
Ezekiel then gave 2 papers to the duo, who slowly started reading, and then their eyes went wide open and their sweat appeared.
"Remember this song? With this orchestra... with Cody, Trent, and Harold... it's possible the song is ready to be played to its full potential. All we need... is the singers." Ezekiel commented as Sadie and Katie felt the weight of the paper, which was tons of kilograms. Since that song... specifically that song, they know very well what song it was. "You two already got memorized, so I think this will bring back everything I taught you so far. So two things: do your best, and most importantly... have fun."
Katie and Sadie gulped, as of course they were happy, but from all the possible songs, that one? It was obvious they knew it... but to sing and dance to that song?
"Oh, *beep*," Sadie said, which made Katie turn to her best friend in disbelief. "What? You were thinking of the same thing."
"...True..." Katie said as the duo looked at the crowd, and most importantly, they know what they have to do now. "Well, at least we are going to do that together."
"Also true... as long as we are going to do this together, we are going to be fine." Sadie said with a happy smile, and Katie hugged her best friend. "Let's show how different we are from our audition tapes."
"Please let's not bring up that video ever again." Katie groaned as the duo of dunderheads giggled happily.
.
.
.
"Ladies and gentlemen, over the ceremony, now it's time to present our next event." Ezekiel said as he was talking like a radio host as he pointed on behind the stage. "A duo of gals, friends united like sisters, give a good cheer and gollies to Katie and Sadie."
Everything started with the introduction of a clarinet, which then came the next instrument, the trumpets and trombone, which were followed by a combination of beats, electronic beats. Katie and Sadie appeared on the stage, ready to entertain the elderly people.
Caravan Palace - Lone Digger (Album version)
And then, to surprise everyone on the television and on the stage, the best friend twins started to dance, using the movements they learned from the homeschooled boy, something that was treated as the modern shuffle, but to the elderly, what they had been... was dancing the moves of their time, the 20s, the swing moves, the running man, the kick and back, and the reversal. It was like the kids these days clearly knew how to dance like they were from the 20s.
It was a surprise, especially Sadie, when she started singing.
"Hey, brother, what you thinking? Leave that old record spinning. You feel the rhythm, going," Sadie sang as Ezekiel and the boys called on the back voice. (They call it lonely digging.) While Katie smiled to see her best friend singing. And Sadie more and more got excited and comfortable with singing, and even as she was trembling, her movies made her more and more relaxed. Her tone tried to repeat every word Ezekiel sang while the duo had to pass days, DAYS, dancing to such a terrifying song, and yet she couldn't help but hear real instruments. This song felt even more energetic and exciting to dance to. "Let's end your time to lay low, your knees a-bending so. It's time to get up and let go."
(You're gonna come undone.)
After the boys said that, Katie decided to step in and sing as well.
"Hey, Mama, how's it going? Can't see your body moving. Don't leave the party dying," Katie sang as Sadie smiled from getting the backup, and still the song was playing, the duo was doing their best... (They call it lonely digging). And still Katie and Sadie knew what was coming, the chorus, something that most of the time terrified them, but now it was the time for them to do it. For the sake of seeing everyone who was watching them, they were smiling, and some were even swinging their index fingers; they were enjoying the song. "Your booty shaking, you know. Your head has no right to say no. Tonight it's: Ready, set, go."
And like a motor of a car engine starting, both Katie and Sadie heard the anticipation of the chorus, and suddenly their own bodies got into automatic pilot while they were smiling since they were singing the song, and they were enjoying it.
"Baby can you move it round the rhythm, so we can get with 'em, to the round and get us a rock and roll round, just a downtown body, body coming with a super-hottie." Both Katie and Sadie sang in unison as their bodies shuffled in unison. It was something Cody, Trent, and Harold, who were playing the techno part, had their mouths drop in surprise at, while the orchestra didn't care; they continued.
"Let's go, yes?" Sadie sang as she looked at her best friend.
"No, hell no," Katie replied as she sang at quick speed. The duo felt made aware of how the electro swing clearly was making a catchy song for everyone who enjoys a good classic song of the 20s.
"Baby can you move it round the rhythm, cause you know we're living in the fast lane, Speed up. It ain't no game; just turn up all the beams when I come up on the scene." Katie and Sadie sang together as the duo started dancing with the rhythm of the trumpets. It was like all their training had paid off; they knew how to dance, or what they thought about it. But now? It was obvious they had been improved in such a way that swinging their index finger was like a second nature to them. They were traumatized by the music? Yes, they were, but they are having so much fucking fun with it.
"Hey, brother, what you thinking? That good ol' sound is ringing. They don't know what they're missing." Sadie then sang as she heard the boys doing the back singing (they call it lonely digging). "Let's end your time to lay low, your knees a-bending so. It's time to get up and let go."
"Hey, brother, nice and steady, Put down your drink. You ready, It's hard when things get messy." Katie then sang as she looked at her boyfriend, who was also smiling at her while he sang back vocals and played the keyboard. She really wanted him to give his all because she was so happy to show herself and have the spotlight on herself, and the best part was she could see Sadie dancing in the same spotlight... She knew Sadie always danced better than her. And seeing Sadie having the time of her life? She wanted nothing other than the best. (They call it lonely digging.) "Your booty shaking, you know. Your head has no right to say no. Tonight it's ready, set, go."
And to surprise everyone even further, Katie and Sadie finally went to full speed, to the point Ezekiel smiled proudly from seeing the impossible.
"Baby can you move it round the rhythm. So we can get with 'em. Just a round get us a rock and roll round. Just a downtown body, body coming with a super-hottie." Katie and Sadie danced even faster and were now completely in sync with the rhythm of the beats, shuffling perfectly with the beat and the trumpets. It was symmetric; it was perfect.
"Let's go, yes?" Sadie asked as she was excited.
"No, hell no!" Katie replied with the same excitement but completely refused to stop.
.
.
.
Ezekiel watched the duo of girls, the Killer Bass twins, dancing to the song while he could feel his entire imagination flowing as he felt himself in the said furry strip club, where a gang of catboys went there to have a good time, while the mafia dogs wanted just to screw up the newcomers.
It was exactly like the video clip showed... Ezekiel couldn't cry that moment; it was like he finally could hear one of the songs he wanted so much from the future. And now there it was... He finally could enjoy dancing to its full potential as one of the most iconic electric swing dances.
"Baby can you move it round the rhythm. Cause you know we're living in the fast lane, speed up. It ain't no game, just turn up all the beams when I come up on the scene." Sadie and Katie sang as suddenly the sounds of a xylophone came, and they saw Ezekiel appearing nearby them.
"You two lead, I will follow. Now go, girls." Ezekiel said those words, and the grin of both twins became ferocious.
And like a game of follow, Katie and Sadie wanted to give the payback to the person who taught them how to dance, but still it was pointless, since everything the girls were doing, Ezekiel was following them like it was in synchrony with them. Making them pout, but still they were enjoying a good time.
"Baby can you move it round the rhythm, so we can get with 'em. Just a round get us a rock and roll round. Just a downtown body, body coming with a super-hottie. Let's go, yes, no, hell no. Baby can you move it round the rhythm. Cause you know we're living in the fast lane, speed up. It ain't no game, just turn up all the beams when I come up on the scene."
As the final words were said, the song diminished from the tiny sound of the clarinet smoothly making the whole orchestra go down. And while Katie and Sadie were gasping to take a few breaths.
Suddenly, to their surprise, the whole crowd of elders clapped, as the girls never thought they had been awed by the elders; some even danced when they were dancing. It felt so unreal.
"Good golly, gals, you did wonderfully." Ezekiel said as he took the microphone and looked at the crowd. "Katie and Sadie, ladies and gentlemen, the night is still young. Let's enjoy the night while we still can."
Katie and Sadie smiled as they slowly walked away from the stage, and by the time they managed to get out, their bodies almost gave up from using a lot of energy and still being in shock over anxiety and excitement.
"Wow, the party is going wild." Geoff commented as he even went to confession both times, just as he recalled the time he was dancing with a few elderly people, some good people who made him remember his grandmother, and he realized that indeed he was a party boy, and from the party going wild like that, he saw in the movies and on television how the parties of the 20s and even other decades were. He always wondered if those guys actually knew how to party. But seeing that? Seeing Bridgette singing while the older people whistled like a bunch of wolves? He couldn't deny that he felt a bit of jealousy, but then he remembered, that girl is his girlfriend. And he always thought he was very lucky to have Bridgette by his side, and even as they couldn't stop kissing for a long time… To see Bridgette acting so scary, sensual, and dominant clearly made Geoff shiver in a way he never had before. "So that's how my gramps felt when he met my grandma…"
sniff
The sound of sniffing made Geoff surprised to see Trent composing himself.
"Are you crying?" Geoff asked, as it surprised the guitarist in the sudden call.
"Nah, I was just…" Trent tried to look left and right, but he couldn't find a good excuse. "I was in the confession booth, and I got emotional, okay?"
"Hey, I'm not here to judge you. Something bad happened?" Geoff asked as the guitarist shook his head.
"No, it's just those songs really reminded me of my grandfather; they clearly gave me some good memories about him when I visited him in his toy-making office." Trent commented as Geoff gave a knowing smile.
"He must have been an awesome guy." Geoff said with a chill tone, It was weird that weeks ago, Geoff had a very large grudge on Trent for being cruel, and helping Chris to make the artificial hail cloud would hurt him further, but then again… Trent was an idiot… Or it was as ignorant as his friends told him. Well, no, it was an idiot on Geoff's mind, but still he could see the guitarist was being honest when it came to his grandfather, the person who actually made Trent believe in his lucky number.
"He was one of the most awesome guys I ever knew… He managed to survive the impact of the Great Depression in 1929… Yeah, I know, but 29 isn't 09…" Trent said he could see Geoff giving him a look, but also he was surprised to hear about one thing… He didn't know much about the story, but he recalled when his grandma told him about one of the worst times Canada had passed through too much suffering. It was worse in the USA, but Canada also suffered from that event until the Second World War… "My grandpa used to make marbles, rope, and even handmade toys made of wood to sell for 5 cents less than a loaf of sliced bread."
Geoff blinked into seeing how Trent clearly was proud of his grandfather, which clearly made Trent take a deep breath.
"You guys are right; being superstitious about numbers all the time isn't going to help me at all." Trent said as he looked at his team, who had been drinking the green bottle Cody had brought from Ezekiel's backpack again, this time a diluted shot of the green liquid, which each of them was sharing…the cheetah roar? It became more and more natural that slowly they were getting used to it.
"Hey…" Geoff called for Trent, who paused… "Everything is water under the bridge, and this is a party… So I think your gramps, as the same as mine, would be very angry at us if we didn't celebrate the party they were so proud of talking to us about in the past."
That clearly let Trent's humor go high again.
"You're right. My grandpa had vinyl disks of classics of the old time, and I'm sure if he would have listened to me playing these songs, he would have gone. 'What tarnation are my eyes listening to? What is that loud… huh, that's actually a good trumpet. Oh, a good swing. Trent boy, bring that vinyl again so we can hear the song again.'" Trent said in a rough voice, which clearly made Geoff laugh.
"Yeah, man… Until 1928, they must have partied so hard that it must have marked the history of parties." Geoff said as he recalled the times when his grandma always told him how their parties were so crazy that whatever Geoff would have been saying about their parties, nothing surprised her. "And I think we just need a little more hype, and then we are going to be able to try partying like the 20s once again."
"Let's go back to our friends." Geoff commented as Trent smiled as the duo returned to see Harold holding something in his hand. It seems to be 2 photographs. "Hey Harold, what are you holding on there?"
"Oh, the security girls MacArthur and Sanders came here to give me these pictures from our challenge." Harold commented as slowly both Trent and Geoff blinked.
"*BEEP*, I forgot about the challenge." Trent commented as Geoff facepalmed himself. "So what were the pictures?"
"Chris in a trailer and a picture of where our movie sets were where we did our videos. On the top of the cliff." Harold commented as both of them glanced as they looked at the pictures.
"Well, maybe we should send someone to tell our friends about that." Geoff was offering the idea, and before any of them could say anything further, the trio suddenly was approached by someone from the 20s, an old man wearing black glasses. A person who was in the orchestra.
"Boys... if you don't mind, me and my fellows from the orchestra want to play something from Cab Calloway. Can any of you do this request for this old pal?" The person who clearly showed signs of elder age made the request as Harold, Trent, and Geoff paused.
"Hey, don't worry, we can go after you." Harold said respectfully as he wanted to brag about his skills, but seeing these old fellows, he never felt so much schooled and humbled. Seeing that some of those men were blind and yet played like it was second nature for them, he wondered if he were in his 80s, he could still do beatbox, so he then looked at Trent. "How about you?"
"Cab Calloway? Dude, I know all his songs." Trent said as he walked with Harold and the old man as they were about to continue playing the songs.
"Heh... huh, what were we talking about again?" Geoff suddenly asked as he then simply shrugged. "Yeah, it shouldn't be important. And I cannot say no to a party."
"GEOFF," Then a shout came as he saw Bridgette with the biggest smile as energetic as can be, which made him blink in surprise. "You must drink this. It's Ezekiel's energy drink, and it clearly makes you more full of energy."
"Woah, well, I cannot say no to an energy drink. I mean, it's an energy drink; it shouldn't be bad..." Geoff said as suddenly he took a shot from the small bottle...
.
.
.
Jumpin' Jive (Cab Calloway Remix) - PiSk #electroswing
"COME ON EVERYBODY, LET'S HEAR YOUR VOICES! KEEP IT SHAKING!" Geoff hollered, his energy infectious as he twirled Bridgette in an enthusiastic swing dance. The party was alive and roaring—the kind where sleep was simply not an option.
The boys from Killer Grips were pounding out electrifying beats that blended seamlessly with the booming melodies of the orchestra, creating an unexpected harmony. The fusion of 1920s swing and 1950s rhythm had turned into a monumental spectacle. It was the kind of party destined to become a legend—etched into their memories and maybe even highlighted in the bonus features of some pay-per-view DVD package. Their collective message was unmistakable: they were going to celebrate every single second of this.
Katie was dancing with Cody, who was hilariously out of his depth when it came to swing dance. She slowed the pace just enough to make it fun for him, her patience a testament to the lighthearted spirit of the evening.
Sadie, meanwhile, had found her own groove mingling with the elderly ladies, swapping stories over more rounds of spiked punch. She radiated warmth, her laughter blending seamlessly with the party's rhythm.
Ezekiel had taken an unexpected turn, spinning a pocket watch like a pro under the tutelage of an elderly man. Harold soon joined him, and together they showcased their moves with daring floor splits, perfectly timed to the music's crescendo.
Not one to sit on the sidelines, Trent was deep in the action too—gleaning dance tips and even taking a stab at playing some of the orchestra's instruments. Despite the occasional slow-paced advice, he couldn't help but feel inspired by the sight of these musicians, many well into their later years, still dancing with unrestrained joy.
Harold, ever the competitive spirit, threw down the gauntlet by challenging the drummer to a showdown—a fierce display of rhythm and precision as beatbox and drum solos collided in glorious harmony. The crowd roared its approval, swept up in the undeniable energy.
It felt as though the essence of the 1920s had been resurrected and infused with new life, shaking off the dust of history to make its presence known. And tonight, it wasn't just a theme—it was a vibe.
Amidst the chaos, a telephone rang near the stage. Geoff tilted his head, momentarily distracted, before casually shrugging it off.
"Hello? Geoff? What's going on over there? Did you guys find the clue, or—" His teammates on the other end of the line were asking about the challenge, but the loud song clearly made Geoff throw his hands in the air.
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOO! LET'S GO PARTY ALL NIGHT! 1920s ARE AWESOME! KEEP SHAKING AND DANCING, EVERYONE! SWINGING ALL NIGHT! LOOK AT EZEKIEL, KATIE, AND SADIE GO! Man, I need to learn those moves." Geoff shouted as Bridgette pulled him back onto the dance floor; there was no chance he'd let duty disrupt his fun. Who could blame him?
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Bridgette's voice chimed in next, equally hyped. "COME ON, MRS. ELOISE, SHAKE THAT BODY! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Minutes later, Cody found himself taking a breather. Another call echoed through the music, and this time, the geek opted to pick it up.
"HEY NOAH. DID YOU GUYS END THE CHALLENGE"? Cody shouted as the sounds clearly were very distracting for him. Barely able to hear over the blaring orchestra, but Noah shouting clearly helped it out.
"NO, WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON THERE?" Cody could hear his voice shouting in disbelief and exasperation, but he misunderstood with curiosity since the song was too loud for him to recognize the tones.
Betty Booom & J Fitz - Puttin' on the Ritz // Electro Swing
"WE ARE BRINGING THE GOLDEN ERA OF THE MUSIC AGAIN, BRINGING ALL THE SHUFFLE COMBINING WITH SWING, AND IT'S AWESOME. ALSO, WE HAVE 2 EXTRA CLUES. ONE OF THEM IS THE PICTURE OF THE HILL WHERE THE KILLER GRIPS HAVE OUR SECRET SPOT… ALSO, THERE'S ANOTHER PICTURE OF A TRAILER ON THERE." Cody pieced together the clues from his teammates. Until suddenly a familiar song clearly took his attention. "I HOPE YOU GUYS ALREADY SOLVED THE MYSTERY, BECAUSE WE'RE HAVING A GREAT TIME HERE! OH, THAT'S MY DAD'S FAVORITE SONG"! IF YOU'RE BLUE AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO TO, WHY DON'T YOU GO WHERE FASHION SITS—PUTTIN' ON THE RIT'Z!" With a satisfied nod, he hung up the phone and dove back into the keyboard to play and dance to such a classic song. He couldn't resist showcasing his talent, even if he was intimidated by the sheer stamina and skill of the elderly orchestra players, who seemed tireless as they kept the music alive hour after hour.
For Cody, the night was both humbling and inspiring. It made him reflect on the grit and dedication required for life on the road as a musician, touring endlessly and playing tirelessly. He was glad Katie was there, grounding him and keeping him balanced, as he navigated this world of limitless energy and undying passion.
As the night wore on, one thing became crystal clear to everyone present: this wasn't just a party. It was a memory to be cherished—a wild, joyous celebration that would stay with them for the rest of their lives.
.
.
.
"Alright, party's over for you two." Chef Hatchet's gruff voice cut through the pulsating music, freezing Geoff and Sadie in their tracks. Both spun around, startled to find the imposing Chef standing before them, dressed unusually sharp in a sleek dress shirt and slacks. It was enough to make them blink in surprise—was this his idea of blending in?
"Yo, Chef, what's up? Came by to join the party?" Geoff asked with his signature laid-back grin, though it quickly vanished when he caught the stern, no-nonsense glare Chef was giving him.
"Did… did something happen?" Sadie ventured, her tone tinged with nervousness as she studied Chef's tight-lipped expression. Even with the orchestra's loud notes filling the room, the serious look on his face spoke louder than any melody.
"Your team lost," Chef said bluntly, the weight of his words hitting like a hammer. "It's time for you to decide who's getting eliminated. You're coming with me now. And I won't take no for an answer."
The harsh reality sank in, leaving Geoff and Sadie momentarily speechless. They had forgotten about the challenge entirely, swept up in the night's contagious energy. The loss pulled them back to reality like a rude awakening.
Katie, who had been just about to call Sadie over for another dance, froze mid-step. Her heart sank as she watched Chef firmly escort her best friend and Geoff out of the room. The contrast between the jubilant party and the solemn departure weighed heavily on her; realization struck like a cold breeze—they had won. But the victory felt bittersweet as she saw her friends facing the grim possibility of elimination.
Katie stood rooted in place, her smile faltering as her gaze lingered on Sadie. Despite the celebration swirling around her, the sight of her friends leaving cast a shadow over the night's revelry.
Heather, Lindsay, and Tyler trudged toward the party venue, weariness etched into their faces after hours of mental gymnastics trying to crack the challenge clues. Tyler, in particular, looked thoroughly drained, but the smattering of lipstick marks across his face was a loud—and comical—testament to his hard-earned victory for the Killer Grips. They had to take a shower and dress themselves with the theme of the party, which didn't need to do much since Lindsay was already dressed for the theme of the challenge. Tyler remained dressed as a detective, even with his marks on his face.
Heather rolled her eyes at his disheveled appearance but didn't bother commenting, knowing full well that Tyler was too proud of himself to care. Lindsay, on the other hand, couldn't resist giggling, nudging him playfully.
"You're like a walking scrapbook of your success, BMO…" she teased, pointing at his cheek.
"Hey, victory has its perks, Lorraine," Tyler replied with a grin, though his exhaustion made it less animated than usual.
Despite the fatigue, the trio shared a satisfying sense of accomplishment. Solving the headache-inducing clues had pushed them to their limits, but seeing Eva storm Chris' trailer in a full-blown rampage and reduce it to shambles was the cherry on top of their triumph. Heather had chuckled darkly at the sight of Chris crying over his destroyed belongings, while Lindsay couldn't stop laughing, leaving Tyler to shake his head in amused disbelief.
Still, none of them were prepared for the chaotic spectacle awaiting them inside the party. They don't know who was eliminated on the challenge, but Chef is sure to drive everyone for the party. The Ceremony Hall was bursting with energy, defying all expectations of a 1920-1950s theme. Elderly guests—many of whom were part of the orchestra—danced and celebrated with the enthusiasm of people decades younger. The music roared in joyful abandon, with wild beats and timeless tunes that had everyone, young and old alike, swept up in the spirit of the moment.
"Okay… this is unreal," Heather muttered, blinking at the sight of the energetic elderly guests swinging and stomping on the dance floor like they were in their twenties.
"They look like they've been drinking from the fountain of youth or something," Lindsay added, her eyes wide with amazement.
"Okay, I think I have a feeling about what they have been drinking." Tyler mused, as he could recall only one drink that could have such an effect… Though exhausted, I couldn't help but let out a laugh. "Guess the rest of our team has been living it up while we've been cracking our skulls over clues."
As they stepped further into the room, the infectious energy began to chip away at their fatigue. Heather folded her arms, surveying the crowd with an aloof smile, while Lindsay quickly found herself swaying to the rhythm. Tyler, though still wearing the marks of his earlier victory, couldn't resist bobbing his head in time with the music.
It wasn't long before the trio was swept up in the madness, diving headfirst into the celebration alongside their team members and the spirited orchestra. The exhaustion and frustrations of the challenge melted away, replaced by the undeniable thrill of the moment. Whatever had happened in the competition, this was now their time to let loose and savor the chaos.
Of which there was only one member missing.
"NANA HATCHET." Izzy shouted as she jump-tackled one elderly woman, who was surprised, but she managed to catch the ginger, hyperactive girl with gusto and smile. "I missed you. How have you been?"
"Look at that, it had been raining Izzis; I should have taken my umbrella." The mother, Hatchet said as she hugged the teenage girl. "I have missed you as well. Cheferoy has been talking so much about you, and I'm so glad both he and your parents are on good terms again. How are your siblings? Also, my mom and I are fine; Cheferoy called us to be part of this lovely group. And I have to say, I'm enjoying a good time here."
Izzy giggled, but instead of being the mischievous giggle. This time was more innocent; it was like she was back in touch with her inner child once again.
"They are fine. Dhigo is at the university and will graduate in 2 years. Lizzy and Mizzy are still mischievous as always. Tigo is still afraid of automobiles, and my parents miss you all as well. Come to visit us." Izzy said as she looked at Grandma Hatchet as she smiled at her. "Great Grandmother, how are you?"
The grandmother, Axe Hatchet, said as she gave a strong hug to the ginger girl, since both could give a strong bear hug, and from that time she never thought to see those 2 for a while, she was happy to see them nowhere else than the challenge.
"Pff, so Chef's name is Cheferoy?" Cody, who was walking to greet Izzy, whom he just discovered, wondered who those 2 older ladies were, and it was kind of shocking to learn about the mother of Chef Hatchet, and he tried to hold his laugh when suddenly he felt a strong grip on his shoulder, which made him freeze.
"Is there a problem with my name?" And as the worst part happened, Chef was very angry with the slight provocation, at which moment the geek boy shook his head with all his might. "Good, now... Mom, Grandma, let me take you back to your seats."
"Oh, such a wonderful child... good luck, Izzy," The grandmother followed the Chef to her seat, while the mother waved to them.
"Go first, my darling; let me talk with Izzy for a while." The mama Hatchet commented, as Chef wasn't stupid enough to disobey his mom, so with a nod the military man left, while with a glare he made Cody shut his mouth and run away, which the man scoffed at angrily.
Leaving them two, Izzy stared at the mama Hatchet. Who was smiling towards the ginger girl?
"Are you having fun, honey?" The matriarch of the Hatchets asked Izzy, who nodded her head happily, the swing music still playing around as the group of elders were enjoying the good song of their time being played with the combination of respect of the younglings. As Izzy was very cheerful and excited a few minutes before, even as she got there recently, she knew she was going to have a great time at the party…
Mama Hatchet, who always had good eyes, could see how subtly Izzy glanced at someone. A boy who clearly was having the time of his life, into bringing the good songs of her mother's time, and showing in a way that she knew Chef couldn't deny, Chef was dancing when he thought nobody was seeing him. When she found the boy being the host and acting like a radio host, she clearly was amused, and when the kids clearly did their songs in respect of the classics of her time and mixed them with their modern music, she had to admit she wasn't fond of electronic music, but she had a lot of swing. She clearly liked the new friends Izzy had been passing her time with, and from watching the television… she knew she was passing a lot of time with a single boy the most.
"It was that boy?" Mama Hatchet asked…
"Which boy?" Izzy tilted her head as she tried to deny it, but the giggle from the matriarch clearly made Izzy sweat a little.
"I gave birth to the military man, Izzy, and I saw how your mothers stared at your father. The boy was very clumsy but handsome in his own way at that time." Mama Hatchet commented as she looked at Ezekiel dancing and giving points to Lindsay and Bridgette to follow his steps. "I watched the last season, and I know how you have been crushed from the last boy, and yet when I thought you needed a lot of help and care... when I saw you on this new season, many people could see you faking insanity, but not me... You were not trying to fake being crazy; you were having a lot of fun with him. Isn't that right?"
Izzy blushed as she could hear the giggles of the matriarch, and with a small hug. Izzy was surprised.
"The boy's having the time of his life; you should also do that." Mama Hatchet said as she could point at the boy. "I may not know what's going on in both your lives, but I can give you the same advice I gave to your parents when they sought me for some help. Life is full of surprises, so why not enjoy every single surprise as you can? You already have work to do in the future, so why not enjoy your youth as yourself with the people you like?"
"..." Izzy remained in silence, contemplating the words of her nana.
"Now, are you going to let those gals think they can dance better than you? Did you forget how your grandmothers taught you and your brothers how to dance to our music?" Mama Hatchet smiled as Izzy smiled with mischief but with a sparkle of genuine happiness on it. "Now go get them, my cute soldier."
"Yes, ma'am." Izzy said with a mocking salute, and she immediately walked towards the group.
"..." Mama Hatchet smiled as she watched Izzy walking towards the boy with combed hair, as she watched the young Black woman swing her hips towards the man spinning his pocket watch, dressed as the good times, the golden era isn't dead yet. They were just having a rest. And with a tear in her eye, she recalled the good times she watched her mom and dad dancing to a good 20s song. And on how her father took her to dance when she was a child. Even giving her mom a slight jealous. "I can see those two will have a wonderful future together."
She saw Izzy suddenly pull Ezekiel to the side as she was doing some dancing moves, which the boy looked challenged by, and immediately he did the same, and vice versa, a swing dance off.
"The golden era is reborn." Mama Hatchet said as she walked happily to her seat. Knowing the victorious team will celebrate until they get tired and have all the fun. And how much she could see, as much as her son denies, he was also having the time of his life, especially when he gave subtle glances at the ginger and the brunette boy, like a teacher being proud of his protégé.
And she was seeing once again one boy who belonged among the elderly people. She could already guess the boy wasn't right in the mind, but the way he portrayed himself as an old man felt so genuine that clearly the elderly took a liking to Chester. They never knew his name, but when he was so stressed and frustrated, Chester would come to visit them and pass the days with them, as it felt like part of a long-lost friendship.
Maybe that's why the elderly in the community took a liking to him. The stories the group shared together were even funny, seeing the boy even telling stories about his grandchildren that, even if they didn't exist, felt so real that they actually believed the boy was simply Benjamin Burton, but jokes aside… Mama Hatchet was glad the cameras were so much focused on the show that they clearly didn't capture the great moments like this…
Only a few would be selected to see… and it was memories to be treasured.
"Mom, do you need some help?" Chef asked as he could see, even as the loud songs were playing, the mother of the military man was actually very happy and proud to be alive in such a right time and place.
"I'm fine, Norbert… Why not keep having some fun? You must have worked so much; now go play with your friends." Mother Hatchet commented as the Chef would raise his finger to protest, but a single raise of eyebrow, made Chef immediately run away, as if to find a way to enjoy himself… leaving his mom walking on the table and sitting with her mom… And both elders of the Hatchet family, seeing the group of teenagers celebrating the good times that felt so right for them…
Even as chaotic as the Total Drama Show was… those small hours were actually precious and will be treasured in their memories.
Chris marched down the dimly lit hallway of the editing suite, his footsteps heavy with frustration. His usual smug demeanor had all but evaporated, replaced by clenched fists and a twitching eye that screamed exhaustion. Losing the challenge was bad enough—but losing his trailer? His beloved trailer? The one filled with his prized possessions, his custom furniture, and his self-portraits in absurdly expensive frames? It wasn't just an inconvenience—it was a personal attack.
The moment Eva shoved his trailer off that cliff, Chris felt something inside him break. The explosion had been the perfect metaphor for his shredded patience; his tolerance detonated beyond repair.
He shoved open the door to the editing room, where his post-production team worked tirelessly, scrubbing through footage, tweaking cuts, and ensuring his masterpiece aired with maximum drama. None of them dared acknowledge him—one glance at his expression, and they wisely continued clicking away at their screens.
Chris exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples as he prepared to unleash his very justified complaints—until his phone buzzed in his pocket.
A producer.
Chris narrowed his eyes, snatched the phone up.
"What?" he answered as sharply as he could. But what came next made him pause. "A seven-day off? To buy a new trailer and enjoy a few days of relaxing and enjoying myself? In exchange for the next challenge being a request by the person who is calling me? Well, you got yourself a deal."
A moment passed before his lips curled into a smirk, his rage momentarily dulled by the unexpected silver lining.
"Okay, thank you. I will wait for the next call… Did he tell who he was? Oh, he's going to introduce me? Sure… Bye." Chris said as he shrugged. But as before, before he could place his flip phone back in his pocket, he noticed buzzing again. "Who is now?"
Chris looking at the number being unknown and another zone area code made him look weird.
"Hello?" Chris asked… until a voice made him blink in surprise.
"Chris McLean?" The voice sounded like a person full of energy and yet familiarity.
"Yeah? Who wants to know?" Chris asked…
"My name is Johnny Knoxville, and I and my friends made a marathon of the whole season 1 of Total Drama Island… and I want to know if you are interested in featuring you and your cast in our new Jackass movie, which will be in 3D." Johnny asked as Chris suddenly released the flip phone, which, in the next second, Johnny Knoxville found himself staring at the sound of a thud… "Hello?"
Not realizing Chris had just fainted upon hearing the proposal of the potential next challenge…
Meanwhile:
His fingers twisted the cap off with a satisfying pop as a faint, fruity aroma wafted from the bottle. Without giving it another thought, Ezekiel raised it to his lips, muttering, "Bottoms up," before taking a long, deep swig.
The taste was sharp but oddly pleasant, a mix of sweet and tangy flavors that danced on his tongue. Ezekiel smirked to himself as he recapped the bottle.
"Not bad. Honestly, I'm kind of proud of this one. I'm sure Chef will love it when he drinks it," he mumbled.
For now, exhaustion seemed to dull his senses, and he crawled back into bed. He shut his eyes, unaware of what awaited him.
'Another dream...'
Chapter 68: Bonus Chapter - Crossover of the dreams
Chapter Text
Author's note: Whaaaaaaaat? You thought I hurt my wrist trying to write only 1 chapter? No, this crossover we have been planning for a long time. It took 2 weeks to write and rewrite everything and with my wrist hurt, it was supposed to be released on the week, but I delayed because of my editing, now you guys have to know what just happened on the bonus chapter. HAVE FUNNNNNNNN.
Me and Oberon did this collab to see how you guys are going to enjoy this interesting crossover, which clearly will give something interesting to add on both stories, now, I'm going to rest my wrist... Because I deserve a long break. Have fun guys.
XD
"WHAT THE FUCK!" Their shouts in synchrony clearly showed how much they felt over that situation; never in the deepest of their minds would they have had the slightest imagination of such a thing happening in their lives, especially in a dream.
"Okay, this is getting weirder and weirder with time. First Cody, now Justin—who's going to be the third? Naruto? Lincoln? Okay… maybe I'm way out of my mind." Ezekiel mumbled as he could see he wasn't the only one who was feeling stressed out; the supermodel nearby him was completely confused as he was, and from his way of talking and acts? He doesn't seem the same type of Justin as he knows…
"What am I doing here?! What are YOU doing here!? Isn't this MY dream!?" Justin started to make enforcing words, which clearly made Ezekiel raise his eyebrow at him. But then, with a slight smirk, he went back to his chair and started to write on his typewriter, but with the good-looking boy staring at him… Ezekiel remembered one iconic question that clearly would break the ice.
"Hmmm… First time?" Ezekiel says, trying to give the impression of James Franco and his iconic meme, which clearly made the Hawaiian-Canadian boy pause… "This is a dream. Justin, relax; weird stuff can happen in dreams, even as confusing and weird as it can be… You have no idea how you got here, right?"
"Not really, no. One minute I'm eating chocolate-covered cherry blossoms, and the next moment I'm in THIS place." He says, frustrated. The next second, the boy who was a model got a better look at the boy who was writing something on a typewriter. Seeing the difference in the way he holds himself, the hairstyle, and, most important, the jacket the boy was wearing. "...You know, at first I thought that you were Ben Tennyson, but then I noticed you didn't have the Omnitrix."
It was at that moment Ezekiel paused in his writing… and slowly gave a sharp look towards the boy, who was now feeling that something was off… The boy who was both a farmer and homeschooled was piercing the model with his eyes. As the model's words registered in his mind, he looked down at his own body, which made him muse.
"Huh, I was dressed totally different before sleeping, but it's not that weird since I was mostly dressing like this all the time nowadays… But I think just because of yesterday's challenge, I'm going to dress… Like this." Ezekiel snapped his fingers. At that moment, Justin saw the jacket becoming dust. In its place was a vibrant red vest paired with a black bow tie over a white long-sleeved shirt. The shirt sleeves are casually rolled up to his elbows, giving a relaxed touch to his outfit. He complements this look with black pants. And for the final touch, a pair of fake glasses. "I was dressed like this on the challenge yesterday, crazy, right? So who was voted off yesterday?"
"Challenge? Voted off!? I mean, we were doing the Brunch of Disgustingness yesterday, so nobody was eliminated." Justin said as he was still blinking in surprise at seeing Ezekiel way different, and one familiar style that he couldn't help but ask… "Isn't that the clothing for Human Alastor?"
At that moment, hearing those words, Ezekiel's eyes sparkled. "Oh, you're a man of culture." Ezekiel said as he grinned, trying to imitate the cannibal serial killer, but it was kind of a middling attempt, which made him laugh at his failure. "Okay… I was going to ask about how you knew about Ben 10… Since I was writing his book and only a niche of people knew about this project… But Alastor? There's no way a person in the Total Drama Universe could know about this show since it wasn't created until 2019…"
Justin had his eyes shot wide open as he realized… that the Ezekiel in front of him was 100% NOT the one he knew. Neither from his world, the cartoon he watched growing up, nor even a fanfic he read about him. This boy in front of him… was just like him.
"So…you're from the real world then?" Justin deduced as Ezekiel simply nodded his head.
"Yep, and from seeing your way of talking, you are actually using your brain in comparison to the canon Justin, who usually struggles with it…" Ezekiel also deduced it from seeing the model in front of him. Seeing his posture and the way Justin is acting… it was still a bit much for him to handle and process. "Trust me, it's not my first rodeo in meeting someone who came out of the curve from the canon version… I met a Cody time traveler."
"Didn't we read many fanfics about that?" Justin gave a slight remark, at which Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"Talk about that to him if you see him… He's one of the most loved characters of the fandom, so everyone wants to try to fix his future… And it's kind of weird to meet a canon future version returning to the past and making a lot of things different that would lead to their own future." Ezekiel explained as Justin calmly walked over.
"I think I need to sit down." Justin commented. Suddenly there was a chair nearby, which made him blink in surprise.
"It's a lucid dream, so that means we can build our dreams from this place. In the dream where I met Cody, we played Tekken for hours before we woke up." Ezekiel explained as the model boy nodded his head and started to massage his mind. "Take your time."
2 minutes later…
"So, we know we're isekai individuals… But just to be sure, how exactly would you know I'm not your Justin?" The Hawaiian-Canadian asked. Ezekiel hummed in thought, but it was quite obvious to see if he was the same one from his world or not…
"How's your crush on Sadie going?" Ezekiel calmly asked. Justin simply blinked in confusion.
"My crush on Sadie? I mean… I didn't really have much of an interaction with her, so I don't have one. Plus, I already have a girlfriend… sort of… it's kind of complicated." Justin said as he was looking abashed and embarrassed with a small blush.
"Yep, you're not the Justin of my world then." Ezekiel commented as he returned to typewrite more words that clearly made Justin blink in surprise. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Maybe later…so what now?" Justin asked as Ezekiel simply shrugged.
"We stay here until we wake up somehow." Ezekiel commented as he frowned his face and took the paper and made a ball of paper and threw it away and returned to type on the typewriter. "I'm using the typewriter of my family as a way to make mental notes that I will probably be remembering tomorrow."
"Is that even going to work?" Justin said as he looked at Ezekiel taking a paper and releasing it into the air. "Why do I have a feeling that I saw that from somewhere?"
"Probably from a Super Bowl commercial." Ezekiel then made another reference, which Justin couldn't help but release a breath of relief.
"Dude, you have no idea how much I have been bottling up references like that inside of me." Justin said as he stared at Ezekiel typing faster and faster, which made his eyes wide open in surprise. "Woah, you're like a machine. There's no way I can write that quickly."
"We are in a lucid dream. Justin, I don't need to remind you of that; we can do mostly everything if we have the control of our dreams." Ezekiel commented as the blur of his face covered his concentration on continuing to write. Justin blinked a few times in thought, and after a few seconds, a computer appeared in front of him. Not just any computer, but the same one he used to make his online D sessions with his friends.
With a smile, Justin cracked his fingers as the duo kept writing and writing, as seconds made up of thousands of words since ideas would clearly appear in their minds. Whenever Justin liked something, he clicked the button to save it, or in case he disliked it, he would simply press backspace and delete it.
"So… What's your story…? I mean, how did you get into the Total Drama World?" Justin asked as the duo had been writing, with their backs to each other. Justin was used to having someone to talk to while he was writing back on the island, so adding a few mental notes for him to remember to write in the future was easy. Right now he was writing about the development for what would be the book of Earth from The Last Airbender.
"..." Ezekiel remained in silence as Justin remained quiet, slowly having it turn into an awkward silence. He reprimands himself since he knew it was a very touchy question for him to ask. He could see the boy slowing his pace and suddenly stopping. With a deep breath, he slowly commented. "I died…"
"...F #$… I'm sorry…" Justin said, which made the boy twitch his eyes. He ignored the beeping sound that came from the censor on the dream.
"Don't say sorry… I hate it when people say they're sorry for people who died… If you want to say something else in a case like that, just say, My condolences. At least I know you are being respectful and not saying sorry because so." Ezekiel commented as Justin remained quiet.
.
.
.
"...I also died." Justin commented as Ezekiel was about to return but then froze. "Sucks, doesn't it?"
"Yep… my condolences." Ezekiel commented as he nodded his head and was about to continue but once again was interrupted by Justin.
"Err… if you don't mind." He commented, slightly hesitant. "D-do you remember how you…" He gestures with a thumb crossing the neck. "B-but only if you're ok with saying it. Don't want to bring back trauma or anything."
"Chris already did that…" Ezekiel commented, which made Justin feel a shiver go down his spine. "The triggers can still happen some of the time, but I'm trying to cope with it… A train derailed inside of a tunnel, which caused an avalanche to occur and bury everyone from inside the tunnel… I died by being buried alive."
"Aww dude, I'm so so... You have my condolences…" He says with genuine remorse, as he wanted to be sorry for even asking, but seeing that Ezekiel didn't want apologies without a meaning, he thought of another way… "If you don't mind, I can tell you how I died."
Ezekiel raised his eyebrow as he waited for the tan boy to continue. Taking a gulp, he slowly begins to tell his tale.
"I was coming home from work and stopped at a gas station for some snacks and lottery tickets for my mom. Two guys came in and started robbing the place. I called the police all stealth-like and was about to sneak out, but my mom called my phone, and the 2 guys heard my ringtone. 2 shots to the chest." He explains as he rubs his chest subconsciously after revealing such a story, which made Ezekiel pause… "It's been about 8 years since I thought about it, about what possibly happened after I was gone…"
"Because you know the pain your mom of that world must have suffered after receiving the news of your situation." Ezekiel commented as he clearly stated such a fact, which caused Justin to slowly glare at him. "I'm not saying that in unkindness… But that's the fact, as much as we try to not think about it… If we had just 5 minutes to talk to them, we would tell them that we're alright, that we have a better life, and that they should move on, and we would tell them how we still love them after they passed away. Don't lie, you also would have done that."
"...*sigh* yeah, you're right." Justin says, remaining calm. Ezekiel sighed.
"I tried so much to live up to the advice of not having my mind in a spiral of problems and not thinking about it… But I have been having my mind clearer and clearer, with all the memories, the time I was a baby, the time I was a kid… the family I had in that world. I would be lying if I didn't wish to give one last hug to my parents and say I loved them, or even say they were amazing." Ezekiel commented as Justin remained in silence, and a small part of him clearly knew he was right. "We became cartoons, sure… It may be scientific, supernatural, destiny, magic, or whatever… But we are still humans, Justin. And we can't lie to ourselves forever. It didn't work for Finn for so long."
"...so you're a fan of Adventure Time?" Justin asked as he could see the boy nodding his head. Then both remained in silence; the message was clear… as the duo continued to write their ideas. "Do you still remember their names?"
"Fátima and Joshua." Ezekiel commented as he recalled the name of his former parents. "Do you still remember yours?"
" Of course, Andrea and Shane. I would be damned if I didn't. I may have only been half Mexican, but for us, we only truly die if we forget about them." Justin said with a proud face, a pride he never thought he would use again, and damn, he never felt so good. "Which country are you from?"
"My family is a giant mess… I'm Brazilian-American; however, part of my family also came from Peru as well. So technically I was a Brazilian-Peruvian-American." Ezekiel smirked at seeing the look of WTF coming from Justin. "The story of my family was such a mess that you would be surprised at how things got crazy."
"I can believe it. My bio-dad was Mexican when he came to America and met my mom in New Mexico. He went back to Mexico when he and my mom found out she was pregnant with me. It turned out that he had cheated on his actual wife and family with her." Justin explains, "Shane became my stepdad when my mom married him when I was 13. He was more of a father than that man ever was, and I am eternally grateful for that." Justin said, "...huh, I wonder if that's one of the reasons I was able to isekai as Justin.
As the duo felt a little better talking about their genealogy, Justin was curious about something, so he simply said, "So…Brazilian and Peruvian."
"No, they don't speak the same language; one speaks Portuguese and the other Spanish." Ezekiel commented as he felt it wasn't the first time someone from Latin America asked such a question. "...when was the time you got inside of this universe?"
"Oh… well, when Justin was eight years old." He says dismissively, then blinks in realization, "Oh god, how old AM I now?" he asks himself. Pulling up his hands, he begins to count with his fingers. "Died at 28, isekai into Justin's body when he was 8'ish… Carry the 2…oh god, I'm getting close to 40." He says, collapsing onto the table with his head on the keyboard.
"Trying to think about the age you are having now is stupid." Ezekiel remarked as he showed a slight side of Noah, who could potentially say such things for whoever would be in that situation. "Since probably we are having second puberty again, which is one of the worst stages of growing up."
"Yeah, that makes sense. It'd be pretty weird to date my girlfriend otherwise… Wait, how long have you been isekai'd for?"
"Two years… almost three." Ezekiel replied as he commented as he looked at Justin, who looked at him in disbelief. "I know it's not like eight years, but still there was a lot to be done in three years, and getting already on the teenager years? Yeah, talk about unlucky timing to be here."
"Oh wow. Never really thought about it like that… " He says thoughtfully… as still showed some glimpses of shade on his face. "Yeah, having puberty again sucks, especially when it's my first time having a relationship."
"Preach, brother." Ezekiel commented as the duo chuckled… "So, what awkward moment did they get you in?"
"If I told you, you wouldn't believe it…" Justin said as Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"Okay then, but we ARE going to talk about that later." Ezekiel said, determined. Justin rolled his eyes this time but raised his hands in acceptance. Strangely, it was becoming a thing for them two to keep bringing and dragging with the time.
"...sooooo… Since we don't really know how long this whole dream's going to last, and since the passage of time can be literal years in a dream, do you want to just hang out?" He asks. Hoping that it works, he makes a gesture, and the world shifts to what he believed was a killer chill zone. Pool table, couch with flat-screen TV connected to multiple gaming systems, multiple instruments hanging off the walls, and a fridge with all sorts of beverages. Just a place to chill and hang "Sorry if it's not up to snuff. I'm pretty sure you can add stuff too if you want."
"Suit yourself," Ezekiel said as he cracked his fingers and walked to the fridge, just to take something to drink, even though it was a dream world; sometimes they are thirsty. Or at least as he can say… "Sometimes less is more, a simple place to talk, and when it has too much just for a few people, it looks very empty."
"Yeah, but I figured better this place than a generic Starbucks coffee shop." He says with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Sometimes it works, sometimes a good place on Wawanakwa Island also would fit… I know, I know, but come on, that place is iconic." Ezekiel said with a smirk on his face as he simply dismissed everything Justin did, which made him furrow his eyes with annoyance. But then he snapped his fingers, which made Justin blink. It's Wawanakwa… but not the old Wawanakwa. "I didn't say we couldn't hang out on the Reboot Island."
"Okay, that seems fair." Justin said, as the duo took a slight break and decided to sit nearby the boy's tent on one of the sides. "But I still think my setup would be better."
"It can work when you actually want to do it… It would be frustrating to have everything and suddenly wake up without enjoying everything." Ezekiel commented as Justin shrugged.
"Point. So now that we are on the reboot island… what do you even want to do?" Justin said as suddenly he blinked when he saw Ezekiel bringing his sketchbook.
"I don't know about you, but I will be drawing, and we can talk while I do that…" He says as he begins to draw.
"Huh, so you are also an artist?" Justin said as he smirked. "Not to brag, but I also consider myself a very good artist."
"Oh yeah? What's your style of drawing?" Ezekiel commented as he could see the young model already taking from his own dream a sketchbook.
"You'll see." Justin says as he begins to draw at a fast pace with absolute concentration.
.
.
.
"So you are a Nickelodeon fan? Wow, it's kind of rare." Ezekiel commented after seeing one of his drawings of Timmy Turner, which made Justin raise his eyebrows inquiringly.
"Why do you say that?" Justin said as Ezekiel simply shrugged.
"Since nowadays Nickelodeon is only known for TV series like Henry Danger, Loud House the Live Action, and The Thundermans," the more Ezekiel spoke the names, the more Justin flinched. "Not going to lie… the 2000s era was the best time for the Nickelodeon series, but with the fiasco and the police reports… it was like seeing your childhood being destroyed in front of you."
"Can we talk about the cartoons at least?" Justin commented as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Well, I'm glad to see at least the Nicktoons are still loved and are going to be turned into books in your world." Ezekiel nodded his head as the model suddenly glanced at the boy's sketchbook.
"And you went for the Cartoon Network route, right?" Justin said as he raised his eyebrows. A slow smirk reaches him as he asks, "How's Teen Titans Go going?"
"Your pettiness will not hurt me. As much as I hate to admit it, it's rare, very, very rare, but they somehow still manage to get a chuckle out of me. They make fun of themselves and not take themselves seriously." Ezekiel admitted as he threw in the towel. "They are like cockroaches, and all the good cartoons would always be treated in the second plane from their execution, but that's how they see that, but the fandom will always know the truth… There will always be better cartoons. That's a fact. Now… let's not start this stupidity rivalry from 2 TV channels; it's their beef, not ours."
"Yeah, that's actually a good idea. Since we both are not going to interfere with our work with each other, I think that's fair, but I have to admit that I have been using Steven Universe songs with my ukulele." Justin said as Ezekiel simply shrugged.
"It's not that difficult; the only parts of Nick that had good songs were Spongebob, Drake & Josh, and Victorious Victoria." Ezekiel shrugged.
Justin raised his finger to rebuke that statement but then remained quiet. He tries again…but fails again. Then he snaps his fingers in realization. "Ok, I'll agree that those 3 shows had some of THE best songs, but there's still Fairy Odd Parents that had some pretty good bangers. Not to mention that Nickelodeon shows have some of THE best intro songs.
"...ok point." Ezekiel simply says, "So you are a comic writer?"
"More like a book writer, and doing arts like light novels." Justin said as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Smart, that's how I have been doing it for so long." Ezekiel admitted as the duo seemed to be drawing on their sketchbooks and thinking about what to comment.
Since they had no idea how long they would remain there, at least they could enjoy a good conversation.
"That's kind of ironic." Ezekiel commented as he could see Justin nodding his head to him. "So you're telling me you were almost the weight of Owen before you became Justin."
"More, actually. I think in the show he said he was like 296, and I was 365 before I passed away. It's still a bit overwhelming, though. I was an introvert, so becoming model-like and very attractive to girls was really nerve-wracking, especially when I had to look out for girls who only wanted to be with me because of my looks… But how about you?" Justin asked as he looked at the annoying look from Ezekiel. "How were you before—"
"I became ugly like Ezekiel?" The boy raised his eyebrow sarcastically, while the tan boy clearly raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Oh, don't give me that look; I know that I'm ugly. So many people would try to ship me with Beth because of our stereotype of being farmers. It kind of sucks because, come on, just because I'm ugly doesn't mean I cannot end up with a good girl. And Beth already has Brady to be in a relationship."
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that guy… Also, we'll get back to that comment about you being ugly because that's just not true." Justin says, causing a look of disbelief from Ezekiel. "It's still a surprise to me that she broke up with him. I mean, maybe from the implications of her trying to woo Canon Justin and Harold, it really made her lose her chances with her boyfriend." Justin commented while Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"Nah… it's the Paris incident." Ezekiel commented. Justin blinked in both surprise and slight confusion. "Think about it for a sec. Beth and Lindsay got into confusion in France, both ended up in prison, and you, as a supermodel, hear the news that your girlfriend is in jail and she's banished from France, the country of fashion…"
"Making it more likely that HE broke up with Beth due to the scandal that caused it and the potential damage he could get into if he continued his relationship with her…" Justin sweated as he realized the supermodel from Canon had his hands tied, and there was nothing that he could do to save their relationship, which was a disaster. "Damn, I kind of feel bad for him now."
"Yep, it really sucks. In the 1-year period, people must be careful about what their choices of career would be and still be themselves." Ezekiel explained. Justin looked down at his own drawings, understanding his meaning as he remembered all the modeling he's done so far with his mom in this life, but entering the show to prove that he's more than a pretty face. "But to answer your question,. I'm homeschooled, from both lifetimes."
"Really? You never went to a school before?" Justin asked in awe and in surprise. "Is that even possible?"
"My past parents, they were teachers. My mom was a chemistry teacher, while my dad was a history teacher; both taught me a lot of things, and while I spent most of my time at the computer, my dad always would come with my uncle for us to watch some movies or watch him play video games." Ezekiel commented as he could see Justin being interested in knowing more about his past. "My mom liked to travel a lot, so whenever we would go to Peru or Brazil, she always brought me to visit my cousins… It was kind of strange since I never actually had a true friend in that world since I was always inside my home, but whenever I visited my cousins, I always liked to be around my family."
"So you're a family man." Justin commented as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"My family is always what I treasure most, and now that I have my friends, I feel the same feeling about them." Ezekiel commented. Justin felt touched knowing that he and Ezekiel share the same ideals when it comes to family. "It's a cliché saying, 'My friends are what gives me power,' but I have to say the message was still powerful to me, and I believe it with my heart."
"Hmm, so how about your recent parents?" Justin couldn't help but ask, which Ezekiel even chuckled about.
"Can you imagine Ellie and Carl Fredericksen as farmers?" Ezekiel commented as Justin didn't realize the surprise of imagining such a movie reference. "It's how crazy it looks, but my mom really had an adventurous spirit, and my dad, while he's a good man—trust me, he really is… He's just terrible at knowing how to express his words."
"So when the first episode happened..." Justin said with a cringe, and Ezekiel nodded.
"Yeah, he didn't mean it in a bad way; it's just we lost a member of the family, my aunt, and he still blames himself for not being able to protect her." Ezekiel commented as he could see Justin feeling bad about him. "Yeah, Total Drama literally destroyed Ezekiel's life just because of a scene…"
"That is something even I feel sorry for, dude." Justin commented, which Ezekiel didn't mind, since it was a fact that in most of the worlds Ezekiel had been dealing with being the butt of the jokes.
"Yep, Manitoba was also sexist and didn't get punished for it… The only consolation I had when Alejandro said the sexist comment to hurt Cody was the fact that in the end Alejandro got inside of the lava and got inside of a robot armor for a year…" Ezekiel commented, which caused Justin to look shocked and even slightly nervous because of the dark thoughts coming from Ezekiel. "Don't look at me like that. It's just, it's not fair the others get such flaws swept under the rug just because they are beautiful, and I was the first on the canon to be eliminated, becoming the butt of the jokes, becoming a beast, only because people misunderstood the meaning behind my dad's words."
"...man, your life is tough." Justin said he couldn't help but feel sorry for him. "But hey, don't forget about the headcanon that the creators created for Ezekiel. They felt so sorry about him that they"—
"Made him a successful CEO, and yeah, that actually made me happy for the canon version of him." Ezekiel said as he adjusted his bowtie and walked more to the Main Lodge, which was better built in comparison to the old version of the island. "I was thinking of following this idea of thought. I have been a farmer my whole life, and as a writer, I have been doing my best to help my parents' farm and even create a path for myself… But I think I have been talking too much about me. So, how's your life as Justin?"
"Well, as you learned from my past, I was obese and almost had the same weight as Owen, but when I got shot," Justin saw Ezekiel slightly flinching from the word shot from a fire gun, seeming there was also a story behind that, but he decided to ignore it. "I woke up in a hospital. Doctors said that during one of Justin's modeling shoots, an accident happened. The original Justin flatlined about three times, and I think that's when I officially took his place. I had to pretend that I had amnesia until Justin's 8 years of memories played catch-up. My mom is a movie actress, while our butler Charles was the only parental role model I had until that day. At the beginning, my interaction with my mom was…" Justin struggles to find the right word.
"Shitty?" Ezekiel asked,
Justin nodded his head. "More or less. She was only concerned about my modeling, and the only compliment she would say is how I was worth every penny… But she's way better now. After the accident, she probably went over her life and realized how she treated me. Nowadays she shows genuine concern for me and tries to see if I'm doing alright." Justin said as immediately Ezekiel nodded his head.
"I know how you feel… My Ma, who is a farmer, was a very strict teacher with me before I came to this body, but after the incident. She literally mellowed down, and she had been very overprotective of me with my Pa. They let me watch television and a lot of movies since I was now studying better than I was. They became more permissive…" Ezekiel commented as Justin raised his eyebrows at him.
"How does that even work? Didn't you get amnesia as well?" Justin said in confusion, but to his surprise, Ezekiel shook his head.
"No, it was more like at the time I woke up, I had all my memories together, and I have been training recently to get the 100 percent capability of my brain, and with that unlock all my memories and everything I watched and listened to from both memories." Ezekiel explained, at which he could see Justin's mouth dropping.
"Is that even possible? I mean, good to know you have both memories, but having 100 percent of brain capability? What is that? Science?" Justin asked as he could remember some slight theories about such an event, but to his surprise, Ezekiel chuckled.
"Well, if you mean science of nature, then I think so…" Ezekiel said he was happy to share one piece of information. "Dawn's father gave me a recipe for doing that, and since nature is always a mystery, and sometimes supernatural stuff happens in Total Drama, I had to give it a try, and oh boy… it's a stressful training that if I had a chance to return back in time, I would have slapped myself in the face and said to only do that training when the season was over, but I'm a bit too deep to get out now."
"Ouch." Justin said as he blinked in surprise about one piece of information. "Dawn? Aura reading, eco-friendly, animal-caring Dawn?! That Dawn?!"
"Yep, the aura reader… I didn't know that I have two auras inside of me, but those two auras complement each other, so that means my body is in practically yin and yang stasis. Maybe that's why I have memories of both my lives." Ezekiel theorized, which caused Justin to really feel a headache coming on. "Maybe we shouldn't be talking much about how and why, since we are never sure about it."
"Yeah, that's a good idea…" Justin commented as the duo sat, and Ezekiel and Justin returned to draw in their sketchbooks.
"So, can you tell me why you asked me about my crush being with Sadie?" Justin asked if he could see the boy after talking more about the people of his variation of Total Drama. Justin wasn't going to lie when he said it was the first time he heard Killer Bass winning the first challenge of the show, the one that clearly made a lot of difference towards the events of his dimension.
"Well, to summarize, Justin clearly had a crush on Sadie…" Ezekiel slowly told everything Katie had been telling him from her point of view and how he explained the couples who remained after season 1. Until he started telling how Justin subtly had been more attentive to Sadie.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, I can see how Courtney and Duncan still get together, I can see Geoff getting with Bridgette… Thanks for the idea for the hot sauce water spray, by the way." Justin says while Ezekiel winks and smirks, "I can even see Cody dating Katie because that's what I'm hoping happens in my world… But is it really me and Sadie in your world? And all because she has some muscles now?!" he asks in pure disbelief.
"It's not you, technically; it's just Justin from my world, who just discovered his type. Which, let's be honest, Sadie is getting jacked. Imagine Eva with a bunch of extra pounds and an Asiatic nature." Ezekiel explained that he couldn't show his memories because it would be weird to share memories inside of a dream. But it didn't take long until the Justin of the new dimension let his vivid imagination show a new perspective.
"Wow…so my other version likes strong Asian girls?" Justin asked in amusement.
"Probably from his Hawaiian nature. But Sadie really had some real muscle development, since Eva's training schedule is monstrous." Ezekiel said with some sort of forced smile, which made Justin glance at Ezekiel in curiosity.
"Why do you sound like you also had one?" Justin raised his eyebrows, which Ezekiel gave a chuckle to, but a painful one.
"No, no, no, you got it wrong… I'm still having one." Ezekiel said. Justin blinked, but soon sweat was coming to his face. "I'm doing more internal muscle training… And she has been giving me the weight training for almost 2 or 3 months, I think… Basically Rock Lee style."
"Oof." Justin flinched as he felt the shivers coming through his entire body and the soreness that he never thought he had ever imagined before. Then he imagined Ezekiel with a green jumpsuit and thick eyebrows and slightly chuckled but covered it up with a cough. "How did you even accept that?"
"I had no choice… When Eva wants you to train, and she is determined to do it, you cannot say no." Ezekiel said as he chuckled painfully, as he could see for the first time Justin paled as well. "She's great and an awesome friend, but when she wants you to have your training schedule, then she's a slave driver, and you are going to regret moving your body practically every single morning." Ezekiel could see the model looking fearful, but Ezekiel then chuckled. "Yeah, but Eva knows that we are doing great. You can question her methods, but the results? It felt like a timeskip anime training."
"Ok, that's awesome to know… I was thinking of doing some strength training since the Bootcamp episode showed that I needed to get some actual muscle, but I don't think I would have the courage to do Eva's training." Justin said as he politely refused the idea of doing what would be such a hellish training.
"Hmm, just don't do something stupid that would lead her to start training you; she won't show mercy. And I think anyone would prefer to die in her hands than let her do what would be worse than death." Justin was gulping, not even sure if he should even question what she did. "She made a bear have a sex exchange… with her bare hands."
Needless to say, Justin covered his crotch and made an internal note to never make Eva an enemy to that point.
"So… I heard Gwen wasn't listed on the couples that were following in the way you described. Did something happen between them during the season? Like, did Heather kiss Trent like in canon?" Justin did his best to continue the conversation about the couples, since it had been a better way to not think about how Eva became one of the scariest people in his life. But seeing the face of Ezekiel becoming ugly, it clearly showed that something worse must have happened.
"Well… Total Drama Island… wasn't Trent's season, because, man, he fucked up… a lot of times." Ezekiel commented as he could see Justin raising his eyebrow, inquiring to explain further. "Trent is a good person, I know he is… But he's the type of ignorant boy who had no idea how things were going until it exploded in his face. Literally everyone was giving him hints on how he screwed up many times, and it took him watching all the episodes to literally pass the whole episode getting beaten and humiliated just for the sake of being forgiven."
"What did he do that could be that bad?" Justin asked as he blinked in surprise… Which Ezekiel simply took a deep breath and decided to tell what happened.
.
.
.
"THAT MOTHER! #$%, BA! #$%, MISERABLE EXCUSE OF A MAN. HOW! #$%& DARE HE TO DO THAT." Justin shouted as literally Ezekiel wasn't even halfway done with what happened. He was just telling the events of what happened on the Wicked Pallet, an event Justin never realized that he could have made such an option into trying to solve the cause of Boney Island. But what made Justin explode was the fact that Ezekiel just told him what Trent did to Lindsay. "HOW DARE HE TAKE THOSE PEE PANCAKES AND FORCE MY GIRLFRIEND TO EAT IT!" Summoning a table out of nowhere… "RAAAAAAAAGH!" He flips it with all his strength and ends up causing it to crash into a wall.
The outburst clearly made Ezekiel raise his eyebrow in surprise as he looked weird at the boy who clearly was beeping inside of their dreams, censoring himself with beeping sounds and a small blur on his mouth... which made it even weirder. It took a couple of seconds for the supermodel to realize what he just said and did.
"Sorry, sorry, my bad. It's just that… That really caught me by surprise." Justin said as Ezekiel nodded his head but then raised his hand.
"High five." Ezekiel simply said, as Justin could understand the meaning of his words, and immediately did the request. "Your reaction wasn't a surprising one since you are Lindsay's boyfriend. From what Eva told me, Tyler managed to wreck his bedroom… On purpose."
"Oh shit." Justin said. He can understand that with Tyler, accidents of destruction may happen all the time, mostly by accident. For one of the nicest jocks to actually break something down on purpose, it must be a horrifying thought to imagine. "I'm even afraid to ask what happened next."
"Simple… he didn't apologize." Ezekiel commented as Justin blinked slowly, as he felt he must have heard one of the weirdest BS stories of his entire life. "That was something Trent needed to learn; he was so ignorant of the fact he didn't realize he owed me, Gwen, and Geoff an apology, but also Lindsay as well, which, since that day, we never saw Lindsay show her dark side like that…"
"Her dark side?" Justin asked as he was surprised by what he was just hearing.
"Do you remember when Lindsay cussed Heather for a few minutes on live television? Imagine that 3 times worse, and the glare of Eva and Heather when they want to kill someone." Ezekiel commented on the events. Justin simply became pale and, for some reason, slightly blushed at the same time. "Nobody blames her for that; if she showed a glare like that and told you to do something, it was best that you do it, because from the episode I watched, do you remember the Who Do You Trust?" episode?
"The fugu fish scene?" Justin asked as he recalled the events of being poisoned by his girlfriend. "Yeah, I was chosen to eat it that time. She really tried her best, and it looked way better than the canon episode."
"You were the one who ate the fugu fish? Wow, at least you have her who really tried her best… because when it happened in my world…" Ezekiel hesitated to say it, since that event really was very hard to remember. "She asked the figu fish if they could make the pain of the poison many times worse than it is."
"…"
"..."
"Okay, mental note, never ever infuriate Lindsay to such a point." Justin made a vow with himself, to which Ezekiel nodded his head.
"That would be wise." Ezekiel commented as he then looked at Justin, who was now more shocked. "You know what? Why don't we start from the beginning? We will relate everything that happened to us from one episode to another. Does that sound fair?"
"Well, I think so… Do you mind if I start mine?" Justin asked, as Ezekiel gave a good time as the Canadian Hawaiian explained how the first and the second episode.
"The Grinch?" Ezekiel recognized the reference, since Justin was quoting the movement of the jump. "The Jim Carrey Grinch Movie? Really? And Chris didn't recognize it?"
"Well, maybe he's not as much of a cinephile as he always thought he was." Justin commented as both chuckled at the lack of intelligence that mostly Chris would have when references were being made.
"Well, he can get some references to movies when I say sometimes. Maybe he didn't tell you that he knew the reference?" Ezekiel shrugged, which Justin passed a few seconds until he glanced at Ezekiel, explaining how the version of the episode was for him. "Well, when it happened with me, I asked a favor of Eva to push me in case I would freeze into jumping from that height… And I was convincing DJ to get more courage to jump and not be afraid of heights… And Eva, with impatience, pushed me and DJ and accidentally Courtney down, which made us have the whole 11 campers down."
"...For real?" Justin asked in surprise, as he never thought such a difference would have happened. "How did Courtney get pushed down?"
"Well, she was listening to me and DJ talk; I think she was going to use that excuse of jumping." Ezekiel commented, to which Justin nodded his head.
"It's strange these people who would make such an excuse of jumping on the first episode suddenly started to do weirder and stranger things in the next seasons." Justin commented in amusement, as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"The season 1 tame? Yep, that's what I was thinking, so that's why I have been training my body all the time." Ezekiel said he was sure to make the explanation of episode 3. "Well, Wake-a-thon… We still lost to Gwen, but we really managed to do a lot of things."
"I'm listening." Justin commented.
"Wait, you brought a whole typewriter with you? That made your whole team awake because of the constant typing?" Justin never thought of such a strategy, and yet it shows that it really worked.
"Yep, Duncan said he wanted to destroy it but then realized that it was what was making them awake; they regretted doing that… especially Chris, who came with the fairy tale stories… which he took from one of my Courage the Cowardly Dog chapters." Ezekiel explained, which Justin looked at in surprise. "Good for advertisement, but it was still a dick move done by him."
"Well, it's Chris, so we should have expected that." Justin commented while Ezekiel nodded his head. "So in the end, Eva ended up going?"
"Nah, I shouted how Eva's MP3 fell down the moment she dropped it, which meant a lot for her… Sadie was the one who ended up going since she was the first between us sleeping." Ezekiel commented as Justin blinked in surprise from hearing the reason. "And with Eva on the show, the next episode is Dodgebrawl."
"Eva…Duncan…and Harold… Fuck, how badly did my team lose?" Justin gulped in fear.
"To the point you asked to be voted off from the show because of what she had done to that Justin, oh boy, it clearly was marked as one of the cruelest moments of the season… cruelest in a funny way, not in a cruel, like evil, way." Ezekiel corrected as he could see Justin gulping, which the more he listened about Eva… The more he may have realized that Heather was kind of right about eliminating the bodybuilder early… But still there was a slight part of his soul that was praying for Eva to never listen to his thoughts.
"Chip Skylark? Seriously? YOU PULLED A CHIP SKYLARK!?' Ezekiel shouted in disbelief, as he could see Justin show his perfect teeth, which clearly proved his point. "I should have been mad at you for trying to take a show from Fox Kids, but then I recalled Nick also had the rights to Fairy Odd Parents, so it was indeed a great idea to pull them on your side when you have the chance."
"Thank you… Still, I found it incredible to have made so much success and yet not be able to score all the points on the challenge." Justin said in a kind of disappointment.
"Did you also dance like Chip Skylark?" Ezekiel then asked such a question, which caused Justin to look sheepishly at him. "Really? It is not even that hard."
"Not even that—you do realize that you are talking about trying to perform dance moves from a cartoon show, right?" Justin asked in disbelief, to which Ezekiel simply rolled his eyes.
"You saw Michael Jackson doing almost the same moves, but Chip just did them with more speed and using cartoonish effects, like spinning in place by placing grease on the shoes and trying to spin 10 times quickly. It's possible; it's absurd, but it's possible. Also, you just need to move a bit with more legs and feet, which would make some good poses." Ezekiel simply gave a demonstration, and Justin didn't know if it was actually part of the dream or if the boy really was able to do that. "I mean, come on, we came from the era of Shuffle, so we know a lot of dance moves. I mean, I never thought Katie and Sadie asked me for dancing classes, and oh boy, they improved a lot in dancing, so I think if they had tried it on the episode again, they would have scored a nice 8 or 9."
"Huh… neat." Justin commented, to which Ezekiel nodded his head. Then Justin raised his eyebrows in curiosity. "So what did you do to make sure to win the challenge?"
"Oh, I didn't participate; it was Courtney, Harold, and Eva." Ezekiel explained as Justin suddenly had his eyes wide open. "Courtney sang Rebecca Sugar's 'Love Like You."
"HACKS, I CALL HACKS," Justin shouted around as Ezekiel chuckled. "Someone call the judges; that song is an act against the sportivity over the challenges."
"Denied." Ezekiel commented as he could see Justin annoyed with a pout. "Hey, blame the game, not the player, Mr. Shining Teeth… You do know that the tooth fairy probably would regard you the same way she did with Chip, right?" Ezekiel commented, which Justin rolled his eyes at but chuckled.
"Yeah, what can I say? I may be model handsome, but I'm more proud of my teeth due to how hard I worked for them." Justin smiled as he showed his perfectly shining teeth that clearly reflected the light on Ezekiel's face.
"BALD, BALD, BALD. MY EYES." Ezekiel quotes the Spongebob Movie.
Justin immediately let out a good laugh. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" After a few moments and getting his breath back "Haaaaa…so did Heather do the same trick with the diary?"
"OH! That's pretty cool. A shame mine still did it… Before I went on, she wished me luck in her typical sarcastic fashion. Luckily, I had the perfect joke to use on her from Invader Zim." He says, clearing his throat. "You're ugly when you lie, Heather!"
"I'm not lying!" Ezekiel says, immediately getting the joke.
"Then why are you so ugly!?" They both exclaim at the same time, chuckling.
"You lie. YOU LIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, LIARRRRRRRRRRRRRR." Ezekiel pointed as both Justin and Ezekiel wheezed, from one of the most iconic chaotic characters of Nickelodeon. "Man, one day, it would have been so perfect to see Moxxie shout 'Liar! like Zim; it would have been the peak Helluva Boss moment."
"Yeah, it would have been awesome." Justin said as both calmed down.
"…" Ezekiel remained quiet, but then it was time to talk about something important. "Izzy really hates liars. And I promised her that I wouldn't lie for her."
"...Did you actually lie to her?" Justin asked with both shock and surprise.
"I lied by omission… I didn't tell her the events of what would happen in Hook Line and Screamer, and things got… way darker than we expected." Ezekiel said, as he could see Justin looking wary at him. "We'll talk about such an event later. So, after "Not Quite Famous, which episode was it again"?
"The Sucky Outdoors." Justin commented, which made Ezekiel cringe.
"Oh boy… that episode, well… At least you will hear something interesting. But tell me how things became different from your world." Ezekiel asked as soon as Justin decided to explain the whole episode from his own perspective.
"Wait, wait, wait, you told them the story of the hash-slinging slasher? In the middle of the forest?" Ezekiel blinked as Justin also shrugged.
"Yeah, I have no idea why they got scared so easily. I mean, now that I think about it, that story doesn't even make sense since we weren't inside of the kitchen. It would have gone better in the Main Lodge." Justin could see Ezekiel nodding his head. "I was surprised that Lindsay knew the other variations of his name, though, when she tried to say it… The sash ringing, the trash singing, the smash flinging, the flash springing."
"O poço cantador, o osso rangedor, o caroço voador, o famoso Zé do Picadinho." Ezekiel commented as Justin looked at Ezekiel, who smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I only watched most of Nicktoons in Brazilian Portuguese from visiting my family there."
"Huh, do tell." Justin raised his eyebrow while Ezekiel nodded his head.
"To be honest, I only watched Fairy OddParents in that language because Cosmo's voice actor was the same as Superman from Justice League." Ezekiel commented,
Justin had his eyes wide open in surprise. "Noo…"
"And the best of all, when Cosmo was making fun of Juandisso, the voice actor actually made fun of Juandissimo by even speaking Spanish… and the show was in portuguese brazilian." Ezekiel said as Justin couldn't help but have just a tiny bit of envy.
"Okay, maybe the English version missed a good joke. But come on, at least the songs are bangers." Justin said he was sure Chip Skylark clearly showed how great their songs were.
"Yeah, to be honest, my favorite song isn't 'Shining Teeth and Me, but 'Let It Out the Voice." Ezekiel commented as he then looked at Justin, who had his face covered in confusion. "What? That was the song, right? Let it out, the voice, your voice."
"You mean Find Your Voice?" Justin asked. It was at that moment that Ezekiel looked and stared at Justin as if he had spoken in another language.
"That was the name of the English version? Wow… kinda disappointing." Ezekiel commented as Justin huffed and decided to change the subject.
"So how did your version of the Sucky Outdoors go then?" Justin said, as Ezekiel commented.
"Well, Courtney and the others clearly wanted Duncan to tell horror stories in the middle of the forest, knowing DJ and Bridgette would probably have nightmares at night. I decided to tell one of the most impactful stories that would clearly make them have good dreams." Ezekiel commented as he could see the curious look coming from Justin. "I told them the Tower of Doctor Zallost story."
"Ooooo, that's a good one. Bringing the bigger guns to make them not have nightmares, huh?" Justin said as Ezekiel smiled at him.
"If you wanted to make some good impact, you could have told them the CatDog story and their journey to find their parents." Ezekiel gave the comment, at which Justin raised his finger and immediately remained quiet, since that was indeed a good story. "Or bringing Hey Arnold, that show clearly had a big impact on the childhood of many."
"That's true, but it was such a long time ago that I felt that I couldn't do it justice. The best that I can remember from that show was that Chinese guy who was able to sing country songs and how he was able to reunite with his daughter…well, that and something else." He says with a slight blush. Shaking his head from going down that path, he asks, "So, anything different happened since Katie didn't get lost from the way you described the story?"
Ezekiel's face showed a bit of hesitancy. "Well…the real problem was what happened the next day. A bear showed up and attacked us. I, Duncan, and Eva did our best to make the animal not hurt anybody, but the bear and Eva's fight became so strong that they caused a tree to fall down. It was about to hit Courtney, but Eva pushed her out of the way and got hit in her place." Ezekiel commented. Justin had his eyes wide open, surprised by Eva actually doing something heroic. "It broke her leg, obviously, to the point that she needed to do surgery. And Chris not wanting to have any kind of lawsuits, he eliminated her right away, and with the victory of Killer Bass, Eva had to choose which person she wanted to be in our team…"
"Well, that's kind of a bummer, but also a good idea for Eva to choose someone to be strong in the team. But with the choices being Heather, Beth, Lindsay, Owen, Trent…" Justin was saying the names, but Ezekiel already cut him up.
"She chose Gwen." Ezekiel commented, Which, on that point… Justin blinked…
"What the fuck?" Justin's reaction was believable in that situation, since she could have chosen Cody or anyone from Screaming Gophers, but she chose Gwen.
"Wait, hold on, Izzy kidnapped you?" Justin said he always knew the girl was unpredictable, but to the point of taking him in his sleep… Well, now that he thinks about it, Izzy did confess to how she watched him sleep a few times. "Did she hurt you?"
"Nah, she's unpredictable, but she knows how to show respect… But one thing that you must be aware of, Justin, is that she is really smart; she figured out…" By Ezekiel's words, it clearly made Justin have his eyes wide open in surprise. "She didn't know I died and got in the body of this Ezekiel, but she knew I was from the future because she is a military with a 188 IQ, so she's smart but acts like a fool and crazy because it's fun."
"Get mad with power because it's fun."
"Because being mad without power is boring, and nobody listens to you." Ezekiel commented as he quoted The Simpsons, clearly showing a trace of personality that Justin didn't know about. "And oh boy… Izzy is a great girl, a wonderful friend… but she knows how to drive the man in the wall."
"What do you mean by that?" Justin asked how Izzy would be doing that; since the girl would be acting like that to him, maybe he needed to be prepared in case Izzy would try to seduce him.
"She shaved my initials," Ezekiel simply stated. It took a few seconds, but Justin got a nosebleed after understanding how far she went. "And that's not even the worst she did."
"She did worse?" Justin asked as he could see Ezekiel also blushing.
"Dammit, second puberty." Ezekiel cursed as he shook his head. "Well…"
A brief moment happens. "...*Thud*" And Justin passes out with a typical geyser nosebleed.
.
.
.
"Dude, wake up… You are still dreaming, and you shouldn't have a nosebleed inside of a dream; you don't want to stop breathing because of that." Ezekiel said as he helped Justin to clean up such perverted thoughts. Indeed, when it comes to Izzy, she would go further beyond what she said.
"Sorry about that. I was just thinking about when I asked her to do me a favor during the talent contest, she thought I wanted a lap dance. Kind of regretting not jumping at the opportunity for that." Justin commented, and as Ezekiel could see from his face, he was clearly thinking about how his situation would be. "Anyway, so the next episode…"
"It comes to that…" Ezekiel nodded his head as the duo cringed from one of the worst episodes of their lives.
"Phobia factor." The duo said in a painful tone.
"Yeah, I ended up helping Trent a whole lot just to help him get together with Gwen. It may blow up if Gwen watches the season, but I'm hoping that their relationship will be strong enough by then that it won't be too bad… Then again, with what you've told me so far about him…" Justin commented as he could see Ezekiel raising his eyebrow at him but then shaking his head.
"Well, good luck with that, Justin. Just remember what I said about the worst qualities Trent has." Ezekiel commented as Justin could see Ezekiel sighing. "He's doing a lot better now in Action, but after having a lot of consequences after biting his ass. He told me and Cody in one of our conversations that Lindsay's parents would have sued his entire family if it weren't for the fact that he had been protected by the contracts of Total Drama Island, but still, the boy had to suffer A LOT to finally understand that he needed to stop being ignorant and be aware that not everything is fine… Because here's a question… when everything is peaceful in Total Drama, in the reality show… is everything really alright?"
Justin became quiet, as she could understand what Ezekiel had said: bad things tend to happen on the reality show all the time. Friends became enemies, and people who once were in love were caught in a terrible mistake they had made. Izzy and Owen, Trent and Gwen, Duncan and Courtney, then Duncan and Gwen…heck, even Bridgette and Geoff due to Alejandro
"The reality show is a constant trap that we must be wary of. Have fun when you can, but always have a constant vigilance." Justin came to a conclusion to which Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Killer Bass was sabotaged in that episode. While the Screaming Gophers only had to deal with some problem… The Killer Bass had to deal with traumas. As absurd as our fears would happen, did you ever question yourself… why Duncan had a fear of the Celine Dion standee? Why does Courtney have trauma from green Jell-O? Why is Tyler afraid of chickens? And why Harold was afraid of ninjas?" Ezekiel explained. After a moment of thinking, Justin realized that he had never really known what the reasons for their fears were. "The Killer Bass from canon were a strong team, but they never worked together… If they had been able to work together all the time, the Screaming Gophers would have been massacred all the time." Ezekiel explained, not with cockiness, but as stating actual facts. "I didn't want to be one of the leaders, because I would have to deal with the headache of Courtney and Duncan arguing about what would be the best for the team… But with time, I knew that we needed to remain strong, not as a team but as friends."
"That's nice to hear, dude…" Justin commented as he really got a lot to think about. "Also, I never imagined Gwen becoming a Killer Bass. Guess it made a lot of things better for her in the long run."
"Yep… But also what Trent did really messed us up as a whole team. It was funny since everyone in my team completely despised Trent so much that whatever Heather would have done in canon, we wouldn't have treated her worse than we already did with Trent." Ezekiel commented as Justin gulped.
"Yikes…" Justin couldn't help but imagine that if it wasn't for him, how terrible Trent would have become, especially from canon. "And how was it…to relieve that trauma?"
"Terrible. I felt like shit because I broke, just like most of my friends… If you see Courtney on the verge of a panic attack and almost breaking when she tried her version of eating the green Jell-O, it's no wonder Tyler decided to take off from the team and give up his chances for her." Ezekiel said as Justin couldn't help but imagine. "Tyler must be accumulating a lot of good karma now."
"...I'm sorry, what?" Justin commented, very confused.
"Oh, it's from a thing I learned from him," Ezekiel smiled, wondering what Justin's reaction will be after learning about Tyler's family tree.
"Wait a second here… Are you trying to tell me during all these years of the show, Tyler is technically part of Milo Murphy's family?" Justin commented in disbelief, and as Ezekiel was about to reply, he suddenly froze.
"...Actually, I never thought about it. Maybe Tyler is some sort of a distant cousin or a rip-off cousin that we never heard of before, since the show existed decades later." Ezekiel commented as Justin was also shocked after hearing such an idea. "But well, according to him, his family usually brings bad luck by accident in exchange for winning something big, like one of the jackpots of life. Which is not a wonder on what his canon version won from after dealing with a lot of problems."
"Well, having Lindsay indeed is like striking a jackpot in good luck, since she's a great girl." Justin couldn't deny the logic, as he could see Ezekiel raising his eyebrow at him. "...I'm not entirely sure when it happened, but I think it was because of the Phobia Factor episode that Lindsay and Izzy decided to declare their feelings during the Boney Island challenge and start a whole mess."
"Oh… do tell?" Ezekiel crossed his arms as he was now inquiring about what Justin had been trying to hold for a while.
"Don't worry, my friend, we'll get there. I'll tell you their confessions when we get to the Boney Island challenge, I promise." Justin says getting an eye roll from Ezekiel "But I do get what you're saying…you know about facing trauma." Seeing Ezekiel interested, Justin continues, "During my turn to share my phobia around the campfire, I admitted to 2 of them." Justin commented as he decided to explain the concept of his fear. "The first one was the fear of dying alone with no one there beside me, no hand to hold or last words to share, just alone and forgotten."
"The fear that we suffered at the time we actually died… which is kind of a horrifying thought, but we cannot deny that our families most likely became crushed with the news of our death…" Ezekiel commented, to which Justin nodded his head sadly. Both of them didn't want to admit it, but the idea of just imagining the reactions of their families after finding out they died… It would crush their hearts immensely. "And the second fear. Is it about a gun aimed at you? Because if it is, I don't blame you."
"Oh no… Actually, it's a bit silly. This happened in both lifetimes, but each time it happened, I would literally freeze up like a statue and fall to the ground into a fetal position," Justin said a bit sheepishly. "They're crane flies… Mosquito eaters or mosquito hawks."
"The types of ones that are so big that they would be almost the size of the hand?" Ezekiel asked as he raised his eyebrows, as he wondered if that also would be the trauma from Justin on his world.
"Yeah, them. And it SUCKS because they don't even do anything! They drink nectar and live in the grass! THAT'S IT!...*sigh* Chris had me put into a glass box similar to Gwen's thing, except that it would release hundreds of them all at once." Justin commented, frustrated. He was just about to share the story behind his fear, but Ezekiel raised his hand.
"It's fine, I don't judge you. It must have been horrifying to you, and mosquitoes can be very dangerous. Dengue was one that I was paranoid about every time I visited Brazil; one sting of that plague and you would be infected with a sickness. It was a reason to be paranoiac." Ezekiel commented. He could see Justin becoming slightly happy knowing that he wasn't judged. Mosquitoes of any kind can sometimes be terrifying. "Another fear I developed wasn't only being buried alive… But I feel almost a trigger whenever someone says something about trains… And I feel that if someday I get inside of a train, I would get a panic attack, so I will be doing my best to create excuses to never get inside of one ever again."
"Oof… sorry to hear that. Good luck with that detective episode, then. You know, the one about Cris's corpse on the tr-the vehicle on tracks," Justin commented, as Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"Oh… we already did the detective theme, and strangely Chris went for a noir style, so that means probably we aren't going to deal with mystery anymore." Ezekiel shrugged, which Justin blinked at in surprise. "Maybe it's because it's not a merge challenge, so the idea of making two whole teams deal with puzzles and riddles clearly made the whole concept different. So yeah, my team still won, and Justin's team had to eliminate someone. I don't know who they eliminated yesterday, so that's why I asked you before."
"Right, right, I remember that." He says, "Sorry to interrupt; please continue."
"Anyway, needless to say, Killer Bass was a broken team when we got out from that challenge. I was destroyed. To the point that when the challenge ended, everyone wanted Trent's head on a spike, because he not only forgot about Gwen, he also forgot about me, which led me and Gwen to be inside of that glass coffin for 12 long minutes, while he gave ideas to Chris on how to torture Geoff…" Ezekiel commented as Justin felt hurt from the way Ezekiel described how much of a pain in the ass Trent was on his world. "And then the Killer Bass, as revenge on Trent, pay him back for cheating on his fear."
"What did you all do?" Justin asked curiously. Ezekiel did an evil chuckle, causing Justin to pale slightly.
"I was just joking, but everyone on Killer Bass decided to dress as mimes and run after Trent until he got over the pier, just to find Gwen there waiting for him." Ezekiel commented as Justin slowly had his eyes wide open. "Yes, she was also dressed as a mime. Trent got so horrified that he fainted into the water. We took him and placed him on his bed again. It was marked as one of the funniest scenes of season 1. And loved by everyone who was watching on pay-per-view."
"You guys are eeeeevil. I never thought… Wait, did you say pay-per-view?" Justin said in surprise that he never realized that there was a pay-per-view in the show, which would mark all the scenes everyone had been doing all the time.
"Just in my world, it seems, because Courtney, Harold, and Heather, who was dancing ballet as she should have been in your world also—you should have checked—that girl knows how to dance; she dances like Pearl doing ballet." Ezekiel commented as Justin nodded his head, seeing how that could happen, but still…she deserved getting voted off for the sabotage she created for herself. "The sales my team created for the show, even with some interesting plot twists, made Chris get a proposition of pay-per-view, and that's how Total Drama Action has maybe 10 times the budget in comparison to canon."
"*whistle* Damn, that's a lot of money. Total Drama Action must be really crazy for you now with a bigger budget." Justin commented in a surprised tone, to which Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Yep, and the merchandise even helped with that—banners, shirts with quotes. Yeah, it was crazy how much money Chris was making with those, and even as he was paying a lot on himself, it still had a large budget for the show too." Ezekiel commented as Justin made a wow motion.
"So… Did pranking Trent help you a bit at least?" Justin asked as he could see Ezekiel slightly shifting.
"A bit, but before that, Izzy came to talk to me in secret while she hid herself from the cameras so they would not see her." Ezekiel explained as Justin was surprised hearing that. "Do you know about the white room torture?"
"Well duh, who doesn't? It's one of the cruelest types of torture known in the world. I mean, it would literally destroy a person from the inside out." Justin commented that it was obvious, since both came from the future, YouTube videos someday would drag up such information about that. "What about it?"
"In my world, that's Izzy's true fear." Ezekiel explained, at which moment Justin paled. "We both know she was part of the military, and it was obvious she was playing around with Owen while making use of his good energy and having fun while dealing with Chef and her fake fear… When we were alone talking, it was one of the few moments when she literally opened up to me and told me her true fear. And yeah, any military person would fear such a terrifying type of torture."
"Since you knew what would come next." Justin asked as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"I'm a bit tired of this; let's return to writing our ideas, because we don't know if we are going to wake up soon. So I better keep my work and a lot of mental notes." Ezekiel said as both people with new lives walked once again as the illusion of the island disappeared and returned to their chairs with a computer and a typewriter.
"Before we continue talking about what happened in the next episodes,. Can we talk a bit more about our works? I have some questions that I would like to ask, and if you also want to ask about mine, I would be happy to do that." Justin commented as Ezekiel passed a few seconds, then nodded his head.
"So, you have always been a writer and an artist?" Justin asked as he could see Ezekiel returning to type with his quick speed.
"Yep, since in my old life, writing fanfics and drawing fan art was a hobby for me. I enjoyed writing them." Ezekiel explained, as he could see Justin looking at him in surprise.
"Oh, you wrote fanfics? I've always liked to read them a lot." Justin commented as Ezekiel chuckled at the reaction.
"Yeah, I always liked to write fanfics about Cartoon Network characters. Some about Steven Universe, some about Adventure Time, and Courage the Cowardly Dog. They were the trinity that I always loved to think and talk about." Ezekiel commented as Justin looked at him in understanding and nostalgia.
"I remember I was reading a few before I went home since it was a slow day at work…you know, before I died," he says as he opens his can of Sprite that he grabbed earlier. "There was one about Courage the Cowardly Dog using a dating app from his computer."
"Yeah, Blind Dates and Frightful Fates was mine." Ezekiel commented, which immediately made Justin freeze and turn to him in surprise. "Huh, nice to know that we may have been from the same world before… Also, nice to meet a fan."
"You are ZeekCartoon07? Oh my God, I thought you had disappeared—right, you did." Justin was about to say something obvious… "I mean, man, it was a fanfic I liked to read. I would read it as I was preparing myself before my D sessions since that was about the time you uploaded them. I can't believe you pulled a Discord on Courage and managed to make him have dates with every possible kind of female villain or some sort of girl that clearly would scare him for his frightening nature." He says with a chuckle, "I always wanted to ask you if that fanfic has something to do with the Loona and Courage meme on Twitter."
"Yep, it was. And it was kind of a funny story. I was thinking, if Loona scared him on the first date, imagine how he would react with Beelzebub, Alice Angel, Roxy the Wolf, and all sorts of villainous monsters and hot yet scary girls that would fit his canine personality." Ezekiel had a pang of nostalgia, and it clearly hit him close to home. "Wow, I forgot how much I thought about such fanfic, and it's kind of ironic that I'm placing one of the girls into my future projects."
"Yeah, that was what I recalled of you making him have multiple dates… Now here's the question. Did you ever decide who was going to be with him?" Justin asked as the duo suddenly finished drawing, while Ezekiel remained quiet for a few minutes.
"Well, from that fanfic alone, I was in testing projects, and I wanted to give multiple tries to see who Courage would fit with better. But from what I planned firstly, it was Alice Angel, but then the meme became strong and I started to like Loona x Courage, and then came the idea of Beelzebub, the queen of hellhounds? Then the ideas came more and more and more, and I forgot who he was supposed to end up with in the end." Ezekiel explained, as Justin blinked from such an interesting opinion, which Justin couldn't help but even add one more option.
"Why not just go with the harem route?" Justin then gave the suggestion, which immediately made Ezekiel raise his eyebrows at him. "I mean, it's Courage, the poor dog already suffered enough, so why not give him a prize like that?"
"You do realize it's female villains or demons from hell, right?" Ezekiel commented, which, of course, would cause a lot of crazy fights that would spiral into giant chaos. "I mean, I can understand Beezy and Loona since hell would probably have such kinds of thoughts, but Alice Angel, Roxy the Wolf? They would fight and try to kill each other."
"Well, it's just a suggestion. And I mean, it's an old fanfic of yours." Justin said as he shrugged, while Ezekiel remained in silence. "Maybe someday you will finish it and publish it online,"
"Or I would do a multiverse like Spider-Man, which wasn't that impossible as well." Ezekiel commented as he pondered for a few seconds. "Well, with chaos anything can happen, even with the idea of wanting to do something absurd like a harem route. Because one thing I always knew about that is… relationships are always complicated; it would require a lot of patience and love for that. I never had a girlfriend before, so I don't know how to handle such a chaotic idea of a harem… But from what someone told me, it would need not just you but the others to work out as well."
"You mean that Cody who came from the future? I know that this may be an absurd question, but how many girls does he have in his harem again?" Justin said as he nodded his head with Ezekiel, the idea of a harem route was really a very delicate way to think about a relationship. Since he himself was dragged into liking 2 girls now, he needed to think about how to handle that.
"5… or probably 6," Ezekiel commented, which Justin clearly blinked at.
"Yep, he's screwed." Justin said, as Ezekiel nodded his head. "I have the situation with Lindsay and Izzy, and I find it too draining; imagine dealing with 5 or 6 of them… Did Gwen become the part of his harem like he dreamed?"
"I don't remember the girls who were in his harem." Ezekiel shrugged as he raised his eyebrow at the model boy. "So Izzy got into the situation you were in, huh?"
"... we can talk about this later." Justin said as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Fair enough. So what do you want to talk about?" Ezekiel commented as the duo kept writing and writing more around their machines.
"Okay, okay, my turn… Top 5 Waifus from Cartoon Network." Ezekiel asked as Justin passed a few seconds into thinking about the question.
"That's a tough one…" He says as he ponders the mysteries of life in search of answers to Ezekiel's question. "If I had to say only five… I would go with Raven from regular Teen Titans, Sam from Totally Spies, Canary from Justice League: Animated, Frankie from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, aaaaaand…that one blue-haired girl, Marie, from Ed, Edd, and Eddy."
"Based…" Ezekiel nodded his head as he could see the selection coming from seeing the choice coming from the model writer. "Using 2 DC characters still is a solid choice, knowing there's a lot of waifus on there."
"And what about your selection?" Justin raised his eyebrows inquiringly, which Ezekiel pondered.
"Well, my childhood crushes were interesting: Juniper Lee, Marie, Jade from Jackie Chan Adventures, Yumi from Hi Hi Puffy Yumi, and Marceline." Ezekiel explained, which Justin blinked in surprise at, having a curious look in his eyes. "I know, I know, I liked Goths in my childhood; they were my standard crushes in childhood."
"I feel like all our childhood crushes during our time were mainly goths," he says sarcastically, but knowing it was the absolute truth. "…And what about now?" Justin asked curiously, to which Ezekiel nodded his head shamelessly.
"Lola Bunny, Frankie Foster, Queen Tyr-ahnee, Dementia, and Charmcaster from Ben 10." The new selection of choices clearly surprised Justin from the selection of the girls he did.
"Queen Tyr-ahnee from Duck Dodgers?" Justin asked as Ezekiel raised his finger.
"From the 24th and a half century." Ezekiel said as he could see the boy smirking. "Man, how much I missed that show! It was one of my favorite variations of Daffy Duck, hands down."
"Agreed, and I have to confess I forgot about her… the queen of Mars." Justin nodded his head as he then gave a smirk at him. "Which Lola Bunny?"
"First Space Jam Lola." Ezekiel immediately says
"Good, that's the only correct choice," Justin says in approval. "Ok, your turn, 5 waifus from Nickelodeon, go." Justin said while leaning back as Ezekiel passed a few seconds before giving another look, which the boy knew exactly what he wanted to do. "Okay, the crushes as your childhood with them, then your adult considerations."
"Well, my childhood crushes on Nick… Gaz, Toph, Sandy, Jenny, Kitty Catswell." Ezekiel commented, which immediately made Justin surprised to hear some names. "Don't deny Toph and Gaz were OTP and crushes of a lot of people, Jenny as well."
"You won't hear me arguing; it was mostly Sandy and Kitty that I was curious about. What about your adult version?" Justin asked as he couldn't say anything against the choices.
"Jenny, Musa from Winx Club, Miko, Ember, and Desire from Danny Phantom." Ezekiel commented. Justin couldn't help but actually be impressed with the selection.
"Now you choose 2 from Danny Phantom." I should be glad that I'm working on them in the book." Justin said with a good smirk on his face. "Now let me see… My top five would be… Ty Lee from Avatar: The Last Airbender, Ember from Danny Phantom, Beautiful Gorgeous from Jimmy Neutron (but to be honest, who wouldn't choose her?), Jenny from Life as a Teenage Robot, and Olga from Hey Arnold.
"I wouldn't have picked Beautiful Gorgeous or Olga; their personalities really would be a drag to deal with." Ezekiel pointed out that Justin raised his finger until Ezekiel finished. "A girl with a perfectionist complex with two broken parents and a sister who was also envious of you? Yeah, you would need to have nerves of steel to deal with everything like Arnold did."
"...True, but it WAS mostly in the looks department for that." Justin said, which Ezekiel shrugged, "I mean, I could just choose all 5 from Danny Phantom, but I thought that was kind of... I don't know… a cop-out?. As for the waifus now...still Ty Lee, still Ember, Debbie from Wild Thornberry, still Jenny, and Luna Loud from Loud House. There's just something about British accents, man…"
"Now… Here comes the kicker." Ezekiel commented with a smile. Justin didn't like the tone of his voice. "You know, right?"
"Know what?" Justin raised his eyebrows, inquiring about something.
"At the time we release their pictures and write about them in the books, they will be exposed…" Ezekiel commented. Justin looked confused at him. "I'm talking about rule 34, dude…"
And in that second, Justin had his eyes wide open in realization… seeing that the girls he actually had a crush on from the television show, and even ones that never appeared in the world of Total Drama, his works, his dreams, his creations, the children of his imagination… they would be exposed to…to…
"Porn." Ezekiel commented as he guessed what Justin failed to realize. "Sometimes our crushes were based on Hermit Moth comics or even Zone videos, which clearly leaves a terrible taste in the mouth thinking about it. Someday when these pictures are released on the internet, there will be people even listening to their audiobook, and with enough time, imagination, and perverseness… The girls we created and brought, inspired by what we always lived for and watched in our former lives, will be exposed in the same lights as following the traditional rule 34… everything that exists, there is always porn about it."
"Oh nooooo…" Justin said with a dread… Since he knew Jenny, aka XJ-9, Katara, Toph, Ty Lee, all the waifus from Danny Phantom, hell, even Trixie and Vikki… everything he worked on so far… they would end up with it.
"It took me months to accept that when I started my books 2 years ago. I thought I'd give you a heads-up since it was better to have this in mind than when it was too late." Ezekiel commented as he continued to write down his ideas.
"…I mean… I guess deep down I knew it would happen eventually… You know, Ezekiel, has anyone ever told you that sometimes you are a freaking b! #$! ?" Justin said he preferred to have lived without knowing such a fact. "...wait a sec, have I been censoring myself?" he whispers to himself.
"I literally had Gwen knock me out with a lamp last challenge because I managed to make an interrogation challenge their nightmare by making 27 deez nuts jokes and Joe Mama and Ligma jokes as well. You can say whatever you want if it will help you sleep at night, Justin," Ezekiel commented as soon as he gave a small pause… "And don't try to deny it… Total Drama had also been in a lot of porn as well. You know the supreme waifus of Rule 34 when it comes to Total Drama…"
"...Yes… I do." Justin said shamefully. It wasn't a secret since Gwen, Courtney, Lindsay, Bridgette, and Heather have always been the girls with the most porn from Rule 34 over that fandom. The top 5 girls. "Well, at least we can be happy that since they are real for us now, that means they won't be in Rule 34 in our worlds now."
"Yep, celebrating the small victories." Ezekiel nodded his head with optimism. "I don't want to imagine their reaction if they ever find out they have been on a porn site during their entire lives. It would destroy everything they stand for. And would scar mentally for them."
"… yeah, even if some were pretty good, it would clearly upset them a lot. Especially with shipping that would disgust them." Justin nodded his head as he could see Ezekiel releasing a few more papers. "So, you accepted that Adventure Time and Steven Universe will have a lot of porn for it?"
"Yep, Marceline, PB, Finn, Steven, Connie, her mom, the gems—yeah, it will suck a lot, but it's the internet, a black hole that we should be used to. But still, it was for the best if we focused on developing our stories and making them better for a good volume and focused on making our readers enjoy every single chapter of it." Ezekiel commented as Justin nodded his head in appreciation. And with the time, the duo continued their conversation.
"Day 254. I can only assume that's how long it's been since I met my isekai compatriot known as Ezekiel," Justin says randomly as he types…
"What are you doing?" Ezekiel asked as he raised his eyebrow at Justin, who seemed to have started feeling the effects of staying too much inside of a lucid dream.
"I'm narrating everything in my dream recorder, just to make self-reports of our progress." Justin said, turning around and showing Ezekiel that he had a long beard and glasses. What was most annoying to Ezekiel is that even when Justin has a long beard, somehow he still manages to be attractive to all girls, if that were possible.
"It has been 2 hours and 15 minutes." Ezekiel commented as he pulled the beard of Justin with such force that it clearly removed it from his face.
"...YYYYEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOO," Justin screams in a perfect Mike Wazowski voice.
"...ok, first, that was impressive." Ezekial says, "Second, you're starting to act like Owen on the episode Castaways."
"I was autistic in my past life, and I think some of that bled through. Can't really stay focused on a single thing for too long. Gotta keep moving or switch it up." Justin had said as Ezekiel once again finished another pile of papers flying in the air. "H-how do you even manage to keep working like this?"
"I'm a workaholic." Ezekiel said it simply, which made Justin look at him in surprise. "I like to be moving around, but I have been doing a lot of exercises, meditation, and even training boxing and Capoeira with Izzy and Chef, so I think I lost the quantity of times I kept thinking about what to work on, even in my dreams."
"Dude, that's not really healthy." Justin said as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Of course it isn't, but in Total Drama Action anything can happen. So you always should be ready and prepared for everything." Ezekiel commented as he got up and stretched his back. "But if you want another break, we can have it."
"Thank God, I was starting to lose my mind." Justin commented as Ezekiel simply walked, and the duo decided to think on something different.
.
.
.
"So, this is your house?" Ezekiel asked, as Justin was lying back on his dream bed, from the mansion he lives in. Which was exactly what the boy expected from the boy who was a supermodel in the future.
"Yeah, be comfy, dude; mi casa es su casa." Justin said, as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Gracias, pata." Ezekiel said as he sat in the beanbag chair. Which he then looked at Justin, who glanced at him weirdly. "It's a Peruvian slang for a friend and not a duck. Never sat in one of these; it feels kind of nice."
"Oh, so basically 'cuat in my former native language then…" Justin chuckled as, even though both could speak Spanish, depending on the country, there were still their own slangs. "And yeah, they are. So if you want to talk about the next episodes, I'm all ears."
Ezekiel pondered for a few seconds but then decided to tell.
"Why don't you go first?" Ezekiel repassed the baton to Justin, at which the beautiful boy sighed.
"Well, that would be the Boney Island episode, so I might as well tell you how that incident actually happened…" Justin commented as he looked to find the right words to say to him.
.
.
.
"So in the end Izzy kissed me, then kissed Lindsay, and then escaped like in canon." Justin narrated all the events that led to how Izzy managed to escape from the RCMP. Which Ezekiel raised his eyebrow.
"...well, that certainly explains the situation you are in." Ezekiel commented that he didn't know if he should laugh at the boy or have pity for him, because from listening to the story from Cody, it had been crazy… "So that led to how you are very confused on how to deal with 2 girls at the same time?"
"Yeah, that would summarize everything. Right now I'm just focusing on my relationship with Lindsay, and I'll see how it will turn out with Izzy… But enough about that. I'm more curious about Boney Island from your side since, from my end, it ended up almost like canon." Justin commented as Ezekiel mused but then nodded his head.
"Wait, you brought your bow and arrow with you to Boney Island?" Justin commented that he never thought that someone would be crazy enough to be doing something like that.
"You knew the island, wouldn't you do that?' Ezekiel simply asked the question with another question.
"...Good point." Justin nodded his head, but then a question came to his mind. "Hey, I remember Canon Ezekiel also using a bow and arrow… is h-"
"Yes, he's good." Ezekiel commented, which made Justin blink in surprise. "My family from this world are farmers, but we know how to hunt down animals and protect ourselves with a bow and arrow. Don't tell anybody, but my Ma is way better with the bow and arrow than my Pa, in the same way I have been using the bow and arrow as a part of me."
"So when he used the bow and arrow and hit his mom on the audition tape." Justin asked in a pale tone.
"Don't worry, he was hunting down a deer, so at the time he was aiming, he probably hit one of Ma's ribs or nearby the lungs." Ezekiel dismissed him with a wave.
"That doesn't sound assuring at all." Justin said, slightly pale, as Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"Blame Total Drama Humor, because you can imagine the scolding Ezekiel had received when she got better." The homeschooled boy said he was already used to the idea that things were different. "I didn't do the same at my audition tape; I did something more drastic but more chaotic with myself. I placed my cards on the table, told them I don't care what the show would be about… and I used the right key words that would make sure Chris would pick me."
"...Which is…?" Justin asks,
"If they pick me, they wouldn't get bored." Ezekiel commented. Justin had his eyes opened in surprise. "Yep, I used the same strategy as Izzy, because I knew Chris would pick up someone for the audience. And I wanted to have a great time, so it was a win-win-win for everybody."
"Dude… I don't even know what to say." Justin isn't sure, as he could see the boy being quite serious.
"If you don't have anything good to say, then don't say anything." Ezekiel commented as he laid his head back on the comfy beanbag chair. "Everyone from Total Drama always thinks Ezekiel was the butt of many jokes… Just because he said one belief, which later he proved he was sorry for, they made him become a beast."
"Feral, you mean." Justin commented as Ezekiel scoffed.
"Feral… Beast, call it whatever you want. But the thing is… he became an animal, and nobody cared, or only my parents cared but couldn't do anything." Ezekiel commented as he looked at the Hawaiian boy. "When I watched the show, I always felt Total Drama hated the homeschooled people, and it was a straight mockery of everything I lived for, and I saw Ezekiel trying his best; heck, he was the first one who found the 1 million dollar suitcase, but nobody listened to him. And he found it once again, just for the joke of Total Drama. Kick him in the balls once again…"
Justin remained quiet, as he could see the boy was being sincere about how many things had been cruel to him, and allowed him to continue venting.
"And when it comes to the fanfics, man… how I disliked those who made Ezekiel be treated just like a typical farmboy." Ezekiel complained as he could feel that Justin didn't want to interrupt him. "Let's make him be shipped with Beth; they're both farmers, and they are both ugly. They would be perfect for each other… Fuckers, she had a supermodel as a boyfriend… Why couldn't you also give Ezekiel a break too?"
The model remained quiet, as he could see the boy clearly had been bottling up a lot of anger.
"I feel like...like I have to prove to the world every single day. that he wasn't just a joke...that I'm not a joke." Ezekiel commented as he could see Justin remaining quiet.
"...Did you hear there was a Naruto Total Drama fanfic where the feral Ezekiel ended up with a hot nurse?" Justin tried to find a way to make him feel better, which, from the look Ezekiel was giving to him, didn't help at all. "Right...not the best time...gotcha."
Ezekiel sighed… "My only hope was from the headcanon made by the creators of Total Drama, saying Ezekiel would become CEO, and maybe with all that money, Ezekiel would finally find the happiness he deserved." The boy commented as Justin clearly couldn't help but actually feel bad for him.
"If you want, I can try to keep an eye on him in my universe." Justin said as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"That would be appreciated; he really needs a role model that would make him go on the right path. And trust me, while he has some flaws, there will be some strong ones… You would be surprised at what he might pull off… I mean, he was the one who found the suitcase twice…" Ezekiel commented as he recalled how even as silly and weird Ezekiel can be. "He's just a boy who never knew what a movie was… But our Ma and Pa taught him how to speak 8 languages. So I'm sure that if you need someone to speak a different language, I'm sure he would surprise you."
"Yeah, that makes se- Wait a sec, do you know 8 languages?" Justin said as he blinked in surprise and was impressed.
"Yep, you didn't know a farm boy would have a deceased aunt who was a language teacher, did you?" Ezekiel commented, and Justin didn't even know what to say at the moment. "There's probably like dozens of hot girls around the Total Drama universe; why couldn't you do me a favor… and make Ezekiel have a break, just for once…?"
"...what about Cody's Ezekiel? Didn't he do well?" Justin said he was sure the time traveler must have done something to help him out.
"That motherfucker let him hook up with Sierra." Ezekiel commented, at which moment Justin blinked, not once, not twice, but many times.
"That...that's just wrong. I'm sure that's against everything the bro code would stand for. Not cool, not cool at all." Justin commented in disbelief, to which Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Story of my life," Ezekiel commented as he looked over the dozens of arts and fan arts of the said Nicktoons shows that appeared in their memories. "Strange… I didn't see SpongeBob among them."
"Oh, that… It's because…well…" Justin begins to flounder, trying to find a good enough answer.
"...You were going to write SpongeBob, right?" Ezekiel asked with his eyebrows raised. Justin hesitated, which clearly made Ezekiel look at him as if he had been a weird idiot. "Okay, let me see if I got this straight. You have Timmy Turner, Jimmy Neutron, Danny Phantom, Manny Rivera, and even XJ9… And you didn't do anything to finish the last member of Nicktoons United? The heart of the team?"
"I don't know, dude!" Justin exclaims as he begins to pace his dream bedroom. "It's just that Spongebob is LITERALLY one of THE most famous mascots of Nickelodeon. There were so many episodes and seasons that I'm not sure if I would keep it up." Justin commented as Ezekiel simply understood what he meant. "I mean, what the hell am I supposed to do?"
"Write the first 4 or 5 seasons and then finish with SpongeBob the movie." Ezekiel simply commented. The next second Justin freezes in place… as Ezekiel laid his head back on the chair. "Dumbass."
"Hey now, no need to get hostile on me." Justin said with a pout, which Ezekiel scoffed at.
"You basically have the entire old and new generation of Nicktoons united by Twitter, but forgetting SpongeBob, it would be in my best interest to ask you this simple question: what the hell were you thinking? But seeing as you were not, then accepting is the first stage of improving." Ezekiel said as Justin rolled his eyes.
"Alright, alright, you made your point. No need to be a jerk about it." Justin commented as Ezekiel simply rolled his eyes.
"I'm using my inner Squidward to give you the advice; if I were like Mr. Krabs, I would have accepted cash." Ezekiel commented as Justin continued.
"Anyway, about the next episode of Total Drama." Justin commented as Ezekiel passed a few minutes in silence.
"So basically not only did the Killer Bass make a Godfather 1 movie reference by shooting all the paintball bullets on Trent, but he also not only didn't take the hint, but he voted Cody off with the rest of the Screaming Gophers?" Justin commented, paled from seeing how downhill everything had gone so far, and still he was becoming even worse over time. "I bet Katie got furious when she found out."
"Heather came to us to tell us that." Ezekiel commented that at that moment, Justin's jaw went down. "She wanted us to focus on Trent as a way to not focus on her, and she did a great job."
"And you guys let her get out easy?" Justin commented in disbelief, to which Ezekiel shrugged.
"A lot of things had changed since the first episode, and Heather took Beth under her wing, and her friendship with Beth and Lindsay had been very strong, like they were real friends." Ezekiel explained as Justin blinked in surprise. "It was like watching World Tour Heather being on Total Drama Island."
"Wow, that's actually a very interesting way to describe her." Justin commented as he then looked at Ezekiel. "So what happened next?"
"Well, I couldn't let her say that information and act like we would owe her one. So I did whatever any responsible person would do in a situation like that." Ezekiel commented, which made Justin raise his eyebrows in interest. "I simply, after the challenge, demanded to know who was the person who cursed the island."
"...WHAT?" Justin shouted in surprise as Ezekiel smirked at him.
"I acted like someone who was suspicious and went to their cabins and demanded to know which one of them brought something from Boney Island… And Beth, being Beth, confessed." Ezekiel made the whole concept of explaining to the girls letting them know the truth by themselves, which in the next second he decided to implement. "So you saw the Ridonculous Race; you know how curses would work from that point on, right?"
"Yeah, making an altar and a payment of reference and respect like Jacque and Joose did." Justin commented as Ezekiel hesitated.
"I don't know how Boney Island works on your world, but when we told Chris that we were going to Boney Island to take the Tiki back there, and with the cameras as proof… That island was raining and snowing at the same time." Ezekiel explained that the supermodel had shivers in his spine combined with cold sweat. "Lightning and ice everywhere. That was after the 40-degree scorching temperature went in that direction… In the end, I, Beth, and Heather ended up getting colds."
"Wow…" Justin commented, as he could see Ezekiel waiting for him to tell him how his hunting episode was. "Do I have to?"
"What? Did you do something humiliating on television?" Ezekiel said as he raised his eyebrows. "It wouldn't have been more humiliating than seeing Heather's luck in falling over the pee jar made from Owen…"
"Ugh… Yeah, I know Heather is like a viper, but Owen really messed up by doing that. Thank God this didn't happen on the episode I was… But you see… I did my first-ever attempt at flirting with Lindsay." Justin commented as Ezekiel nodded his head in interest. "And I kind of went overboard by saying it was mating season…"
"..."
"..."
"Wow, puberty really hit you. You wanted to have sex with Lindsay that much?" Ezekiel commented as immediately Justin jumped up with a blushing face.
"I was just flirting! I had completely forgotten that they were recording us. It was just a roleplay narrative." Justin said in panic, as Ezekiel simply remained quiet. "Come on, dude, it was an accident."
"Yeah, yeah...my friend, I think you should have waited to do that when you both finished the episode, or even the 1st season, or even both being eliminated and then having a private time on the Playa Del Losers." Ezekiel said the options, which made Justin more and more embarrassed.
"Yeah, I kind of realized that when I remembered that not only would my mom and Charles see that, but Lindsay's parents would see that as well."
"So Owen was the one who took the cursed Tiki?" Ezekiel commented as both of them were walking down the mansion where Justin had lived, and it was quite nice.
"Yeah, I told him the protocol of the Ridonculous Race curse, and I can only hope he did it." Justin commented, and in the next second, Ezekiel nodded his head in understanding.
"Well, it was a surprise nobody voted him out since he was the one who took most of the points out from the canon, but still, he had that air of underdog, which won the season 1." Ezekiel commented as Justin nodded his head.
"Yep, it's kind of strange to be in the show and not see him around. He was supposed to be in the final 3 after all." Justin commented as Ezekiel simply shrugged.
"Causes and consequences… In the same way it didn't happen in the episode with us, it was that episode where Trent did the deed with Lindsay, which made him the target of everyone on the show. It was practically the last nail on his coffin." Ezekiel explained, as Justin nodded his head in understanding, and he was still feeling angry at how his friend could have done that to Lindsay, of all people. "Did Duncan and the others bully Harold?"
"Yeah… He managed to save my skin before, and I made a good way to pay him back in a way to help him. But still Duncan was being Duncan, and Geoff was also doing pranks." Justin commented as he could see the disappointing look on his face. "Did they also do that to Harold in your world?"
"Fuck no," Ezekiel said, which immediately surprised Justin. "The boys decided to play just a small prank on me when I returned from Boney Island… They released my bunk bed on the shore, which, when I woke up, I fell into the water."
"Oh, sorry to hear that; must have sucked." Justin commented. Which Ezekiel scoffed at.
"Nah, they simply attacked someone who watched Ed, Edd n Eddy, then watched Amazing World of Gumball and Regular Show. To think they would try to create a prank war against someone who was using Muscle Man as inspiration!" Ezekiel commented, which Justin suddenly realized what he meant. "They provoked the war, then I both started and ended it… Even if my cold on that day had to become pneumonia. I managed to win the prank war as the king of pranks."
"You got pneumonia?" Justin paled from hearing that.
Ezekiel sighed. "..." Ezekiel hesitated… and since the events of the next episode. There was nothing he could do to hold back.
"Holy shit. Dude… I… I have no words on what to say." Justin said as he cleared some tears from hearing his speech to his friends. The Who Do You Trust episode was about Ezekiel's sickness being at the point where he had to give up on the show just for the sake of going to the hospital. "So, you're better now, right?"
"Yeah, of course I am. But still, what I passed was a very scary experience. As a child of the farm, I was never vaccinated, so I had to take a lot of them to make my body in treatment, and I have to take my medicine every day and follow the recipe to the line. Eva and Izzy made sure I wouldn't screw up my time to take medicine." Ezekiel commented as Justin suddenly could see the boy blushing.
"Ooooooh, now it's time for revenge. So what did they do for you to take the medicine, hmmmmm?" Justin smirked, at which Ezekiel rolled his eyes.
"Eva was just a glare and promised I would have to double the weight of my training if I messed up, which thankfully I didn't… But Izzy, yeah… she knows how to tease a man to craziness." Ezekiel commented as Justin now wanted the juicy details to see what he would be dealing with. "She dressed in the Sexy Nurse outfit and woke me up every time I needed to take the medicine."
"*WHISTLE*" Justin whistled loudly as his face was also getting flushed. "Well, that—"
"She was without her panties and crouching a lot to make sure I would view it." Ezekiel commented that, in that second, Justin was almost losing control of his bloody nose again. "Seriously? What are you? An anime character? We're from the real world! We don't get bloody noses because we're excited. Sheesh."
"As far as you know, my world has a bunch of crazy stuff that doesn't make sense… So you and Izzy have a thing then? Congratulations, man." Justin said he wanted to give some pats on his back while saying, Lucky bastard, but since he had Lindsay and probably Izzy would eventually get to that point...yeah, it was crazy to think of how far Izzy would go.
But then he blinked when he heard Ezekiel sigh… "I and Izzy aren't a couple." Ezekiel commented as he could see Justin looking at him weirdly. "If your situation was crazy with Lindsay and Izzy… Mine is way more complicated."
"Really? Do tell…"
"Wait, wait, wait… for real? Dawn and Sky too?" Justin blinked in surprise, as for hearing Sky had a crush on someone way before the season came up? "Doesn't she have a boyfriend?"
"I thought so as well, but it seems it's her schoolmate, so I think he didn't try to call her for a date yet, and she already burped on my face…"
"Which is her way of showing that she has a crush on you… And Dawn had told you about your two auras, and she even kissed your cheek? Wow, and here I was going to say they are moving things way too quickly." Justin joked that in comparison to Izzy, the girls clearly were showing the signs of a slow interest in the boy, who simply gave him the middle finger.
"It's a weird situation, and as much as I would like to talk about that, I had invited Sky and her sister to coffee since I was owing them that. Or even learn more about myself from talking to Dawn and develop my meditation better… Time is running out, and I have to focus on doing the challenges of Total Drama." Ezekiel commented, which clearly Justin couldn't help but nod his head in understanding. "As soon as Total Drama Action is over, I have a whole year to figure out how things will go. I want all my friends to find themselves taking this season as an opportunity and take advantage of this fame to make their own names and change their own futures for the better. Finding their own careers and investing in them while we are at television."
"Because it would be painful for you to be successful and your friends who had your back not be. I get you." Justin nodded his head in understanding.
"...Also, your hesitation with Izzy just proved you are pulling a Mordecai." Ezekiel whispers.
Justin didn't quite hear what Ezekiel said but heard that terrible name, "MORDECAI? WHO SAID THAT? I WILL KILL THAT DUDE RIGHT NOW." Justin shouted, as clearly the insult was through dimensions. Pulling a Mordecai indeed is an expression no man would ever do in their lives.
"Well, at least you got the reference. Do me a favor, and don't let such hesitation get to the point of there being a marriage for your friend, and when you do a best man speech, you end up humiliating your girlfriend and breaking up with her, will you?" Ezekiel commented as Justin clearly gave a dirty look to Ezekiel, who smirked at him.
"First of all, MY relationship with Lindsay is most definitely for the long haul...heck, I was even going to do the song "Be with you" from Steven Universe for her. Secondly..." Justin summons a full-length mirror, pulls Ezekiel out of the beanbag, and holds him by the shoulders in front of it as Ezekiel sees his reflection. "Take a gooooood long look and say your advice to the guy who truly needs it. Because just like in Steven Universe, sometimes the best advice you can follow is your own." Justin commented,
"Dude, I'm ugly, remember?" Ezekiel simply said it as he was stating a fact.
"If that was the case, the mirror would shatter since I based this off of SpongeBob's reflection test." Justin says, to Ezekiel's shock, "Look, you already shaved the stubble and got some nice haircut from Harold, as you told me. And even had Katie do a Ben 10 jacket. You are already on the right path. I mean, you are dressing awesome as Alastor with this combed hair. But hey, if the path of being handsome doesn't work with you,. You can try to use some colorful eye contacts or even try some different hairstyles and grow a few muscles, and then I'm sure you are going to catch a lot of eyes."
"True," Ezekiel commented as he could see Justin even smirking evilly.
"Alejandro may be Hispanic, but we have more experience being Latino than he already has." Justin commented as he recalled that even if Brazil and Peru are South American, their origin always came from Europe, and in a situation like that, in the same way Justin came from Mexico in his former life, the duo still had such blood in their veins, even if it was spiritual or imaginary. "Maybe we still have just a slight reconnection with our roots. Just a little."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I will keep that in mind!" Ezekiel smiled snarkily, but with a hopeful smile. He then shook his head and continued to talk about the show. "So, you were the one who ate the fugu fish…"
"Yes, it was just as painful as the show showed; it was a nightmare, but I was able to pull through. Lindsay also failed since she fell down into the jellyfish pool. And Geoff still managed to have Bunny eaten." Justin commented, which immediately made Ezekiel blink his eyes.
"Couldn't you have offered to help DJ? I mean, at the time DJ sees the episode, he will be heartbroken…" Ezekiel commented that it was crazy how in his world DJ didn't get a bunny eaten, but also Katie got a bunny as well. "I guess the events of the canon ended like the same."
"Even if I wanted to help, I was paralyzed at the time… so how was Playa Del Losers?" Justin decided to change the subject, since knowing Ezekiel was eliminated due to not taking his medicine and taking care of his health, he could understand why Eva wanted to train Ezekiel to have better health. And Izzy was teasing him.
"It was wonderful, so much so that I bought it." Ezekiel commented nonchalantly.
"Well, that's nice. I imagine that was… Wait a sec…" Justin was talking about Ezekiel's experience, but then he stopped and looked at Ezekiel in shock. "Did you just say you bought it!?"
"Yep, with my first book of Courage the Cowardly Dog, I managed to make enough pounds and hire a manager and an accountant, and with them I managed to take 2 more contracts with a publishing company that gave me the advance money for me to make a deal with the company of Total Drama… which, since it would be for sale during Total Drama Action and World Tour, I decided to buy the 5-star resort." Ezekiel commented that as Justin became so quiet, his mouth dropped enough for a fly to pass inside and go outside his ear.
"...You can do that?" Justin asked in disbelief.
"Well, Cody told me in the future from the events of Revenge of the Island, even Playa Del Losers would be contaminated from the toxic waste, so I'm rushing against the time to see if I will be able to buy Wawanakwa Island or at least make an interesting offer for them to let me save both places." Ezekiel shrugged, as Justin never thought someone would have gone that far.
"But… but why would you do that?" Justin asked in surprise, knowing Ezekiel would use the money to do a lot of things, but buying properties from the show? To be honest, it was on the bottom of his list.
"Because that island and the Playa Del Losers were the best moments of my life. And imagining the future seasons would destroy them both would be the last thing I would ever want in my life. So I have to do something." Ezekiel commented as he snapped his fingers, and the illusion of being at the mansion was over… And once again, both of them returned to their tables with a computer and a typewriter. "Thank you for reminding me why I have been working so hard on my books for Justin. I was asking myself why I've been producing so many books lately, and now I remember why I am doing that."
Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap ding. Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap ding. Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap ding
"Scary stuff, scary stuff, scary stuff, ding," Justin says jokingly along with the typewriter, getting a snort of laughter from Ezekiel. "I'm not interested in writing again, but can we talk while you continue doing your work?" Justin said he could see how the boy kept working with all the concentration he could see. But even then he nodded his head. "How were the others on Playa Del Losers?"
"..."
"I mean, many things must have happened while you were there." Justin asked as he could see the boy thinking as he touched his chin for a few moments.
"Well… Cody and Katie had been in a good relationship. Katie started to develop clothes since she was the one who made her and Sadie's canon outfits, which she also did for my Ben Ten jacket." Ezekiel then saw the surprising look coming from Justin, which made him nod his head. "Yeah, that Katie, and Sadie also had her good talents. She made at least 15 ice cream flavors while she was around Playa Del Losers, and she's a great baker; DJ once got to trade recipes with her."
"Wow, those girls have waaaay more development than the show let them have." Justin commented in amusement.
"Also, if Cody asks you to play pool with him, do not accept it. Unless you want to be crushed." Ezekiel said as he could see Justin surprised by the statement. "The boy managed to beat us at the game 10 times in a row with me, Geoff, Tyler, and Harold working together. At least it's fun when he lets us have the first turn; then it goes downhill from there… Oh, also Cody is planning to be a videogame designer."
"Huh… I thought the Drama Brothers would have been united in a situation like that." Justin commented as he was surprised to see Cody having a different thought about careers.
"Pff, after Trent's done with him, me and Gwen? Yeah, no, I think the Total Drama brothers are going to flop even before that happens, so with Katie and the Killer Bass suggesting more ideas of options for future careers, it clearly made a whole difference in point of view of what we want to become in the future. For everyone…" Ezekiel commented, as Justin could see, on how Ezekiel wanted everybody to grow up, to have a better life at the time their generation is over, and to lead the next season dealing with the future generation… "Harold can be whatever he wants; he only needs to keep his ego in check, and I, Duncan, and Courtney did our best to make Harold know that, and oh boy, Harold became less annoying in Action and way more awesome."
"Really?" Justin said as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Always having a good friend at the right time, it can change the lives of everyone." Ezekiel commented, as indeed those words clearly made Justin have a lot to think about. "Ah, I suggested Gwen do something so ludicrous, but it would work in the long run."
"What did you do?" Justin feared what Ezekiel had been planning to do.
"She's probably going to be the first TikTok star."
"WHAT?!" Justin shouted as he could see Ezekiel smirk at him. "There's no fucking way she would accept that."
"She's going to be the creator of the first satisfying videos on the internet." Ezekiel then said, as suddenly Justin stopped… As he then realized what he meant, since Justin had ADHD in his past life, of course he knew what satisfying videos were, of course he watched them… but having Gwen THE pioneer by being the first one doing that.
"You are a mad genius, did you know that?" Justin said, once again impressed, as Ezekiel smiled.
"Doing everything to help my friends have great careers. I warned Izzy about her future." Ezekiel commented, and in that second Justin froze. "She really loves acting; I saw it with my eyes, and trust me, Duncan just won because they changed the scripts between two teams, because the old lady, reminiscent of the old days, belonged to Izzy, and when I wrote her verses to help her out… she literally became the old lady crying for her old sheep. Duncan was good, but Izzy was better."
"Then I will be glad to say she is a good actress… But you told her about the scandal she would have as an actress?" Justin asked as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Movie stars had their worst moments when they were stressed, and Izzy did a lot of movies and ended up exhausted… It was a fact; she needed vacations and a place to return in peace, and she cannot do that with RCPM going after her." Ezekiel gave the explanation, which Justin couldn't help but be quiet about.
"Well, I'll make sure to help her since I had planned to be in some movies too... Did you find a way to help her?" Justin asked, to which Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Yep, all she had to do was use the good part of her money to pay up the fine for her crimes with the help of a good lawyer." Ezekiel commented as he suddenly heard nothing more than silence from Justin. "Which would be easy for her since she's a billionaire."
...
"Wait, what?" Justin said in a surprised tone, which immediately Ezekiel continued writing.
"The interview she had with Chris was real; she was telling the truth… She opened a sap company called Izzy Happy Sap… which by now became the E-Scope Happy Sap, since she used the good money she made to buy a sap factory, and with the beavers plastic bottles, she actually created a huge income." Ezekiel continued to explain as Justin blinked more and more.
"Really? That's actually cool, but I thought she was out of money since the events of World Tour. She was selling secrets; why would she do that?" Justin commented as Ezekiel simply paused and looked Justin dead in the eye.
"What's the one thing that even Joker would fear the most? And I'm not talking about Batman…" Ezekiel commented. The realization came to the Canadian Hawaiian boy after only a few seconds.
"The IRS… she forgot to pay the taxes?" Justin commented as he gulped; he remembered that it was a big issue in the USA, but in all cartoon shows? In cartoons, what usually would also hit hard and unfairly… … would be the tax police that would take everything from the people.
"Yep, so surprise surprise, Izzy, even with her military background, all the unpredictable things, and the idea of becoming a movie actress to have a lot of money, she forgot to protect herself in the eyes of the law, and the government took all her money. That's why I insisted so many times for Izzy to hire an accountant. Which I also recommend for you as well." Ezekiel pointed out as he could see Justin nodding his head. "We as book writers should also focus on our income and paying the taxes, because one thing my past mother always taught me… it was to never let someone dirty my name in the government and let them get blacklisted, because your name has a value, and keeping your name clean is most important when it comes to money debt."
"...that's actually nice advice. I should be fine, though. Charles has helped with my family's taxes due to my modeling and my mom's movie career. Not to mention my lawyer from when I wrote the Bro Code," Justin commented.
"... Did you just write the book belonging to How I Met Your Mother?" Ezekiel stops as he stares at Justin, who sheepishly smiles. But then, shaking his head, he focused on another thing. He decided to take that info in. He then suddenly passes Justin a paper.
Justin takes it and sees what is clearly E-Scope's Happy Sap logo, but what made him blink was. "Why are Daggett and Norbert in the logo?"
"Oh yeah, that's because I used the Angry Beavers idea and made them as a logo for Izzy's company." Ezekiel said. Justin was about to raise his hand. "I'm not complaining about you doing Steven Universe songs, so we are kind of even."
That made the comment die inside of Justin's throat: "...ok point."
"Fine, but I didn't know she would be doing a brand like that." Justin couldn't help but be impressed. "You clearly made a lot in your world… It feels like I have been doing almost nothing."
"Are you happy?" Ezekiel made such a comment that made Justin blink. "Are your friends happy? Is your family happy?"
"...Yeah, I think so," Justin states, to which Ezekiel simply shrugs.
"Then you shouldn't be putting too much pressure on yourself. You already did good in helping Lindsay, Cody, Trent, Gwen, and Harold. Probably Owen as well, since you gave the recipe on how to break the curse, but knowing the canon episode, you should check if Owen broke the tiki or threw it away." Ezekiel commented, which made Justin realize what he said. "Just remember me from your dimension and Izzy as well. Focus on your inner circle and use them as your shield and armor; protect them in the same way they would protect you. Really be their friends, the same way they would be for you. We are all teenagers; we make mistakes, and even as we are older in mind, we can also make fuckups…"
"...did you do?" Justin asked. He could see Ezekiel stopping…
"I did…" Ezekiel commented as Justin wasn't sure if he was supposed to ask what he did. "By the way, did you know the X-Sports became way more chaotic since I was out of the show?"
"Really? What happened?" Justin knew Ezekiel wanted to change the subject, and he couldn't help but also be interested in doing it.
"WAIT WAIT WAIT, please tell me you're joking. No way, no fucking way." Justin commented as he could see Ezekiel nodding his head. "I knew that moose was the only creature who wasn't admiring me, and I think he was even mocking me, but instead of the canon event of Harold seeing someone naked from the ski challenge… the moose, the same moose who launched Geoff into the dirty socks, was the one who pulled Heather's top and made Harold fall with his hand and grab her breasts?!"
"Yep, and here's the kicker… Sierra, who was pretty petty against Leshawna, started the whole shipping of Harold X Heather, which, oh my God, Leshawna wants Sierra's head on a spike, and I'm not sure if Heather saw that, but if she saw, she would want to strangle the stalker as well." Ezekiel explained, which Justin couldn't help but sweat.
"But… that's crazy. I mean, Harold and Heather had some moments in the future seasons, but the idea of a moose making him not just see her breasts like in canon—he was actually seen by everyone grabbing them?" Justin was still having a hard time believing, but Ezekiel nodded his head in understanding.
"The funniest part is Duncan and Geoff; they literally called Harold their hero for doing that, and the faces of Bridgette and Courtney wanting to beat their boyfriends were hilarious." Ezekiel commented on that moment, and Justin really pondered if that would have been his reaction if he were in their position. "Well, at least the Killer Bass saw the reason why Harold would be catatonic at that moment and not be disappointed since Chris didn't show what happened when Harold saw bobbies."
"True, funny irony, it seems Leshawna was the one who got her boobies exposed to Harold, since the events led to the same." Justin commented as Ezekiel blinked in surprise.
"Huh… neat." Ezekiel commented as Justin nodded his head.
"So… Bunch of disgustingness." Justin asked as Ezekiel narrowed his eyes at the point on which Justin knew something bad happened. "How much worse did it become?"
"Chris made a whole menu of disgustingness focused on vegetarians…" Justin had his eyes wide open. "He broke Bridgette to the point she almost ate meat… But thankfully, she gave up and quit the show."
"Quit the show?" Justin commented in surprise, at which Ezekiel raised his palm.
"A personal deal that I made with my friends, our personal code, is that we prefer to lose the show than break our principles, and thankfully Bridgette didn't do that, so we all were sad but proud of what she did." Ezekiel said with a happy smile, which Justin blinked at in surprise but was also glad that things weren't that terrible. "Also, Chris made pancakes with apple vinegar, which was the excuse for Trent using the dirty pancakes… The look Lindsay gave to all the girls was enough to make nobody refuse eating; even the boys did it without thinking twice."
gulp
"Anyway, I think that was the point where the boys of our team showed how great boyfriends they were; they brought a lot of things for the girls on the island. Geoff brought vegan option foods, and Duncan brought a lot of spa products for the girls as well." Ezekiel explained, as indeed it made Justin actually considerate of what he would be doing for the merge episode… "And that's where we are going to stop."
"What? What do you mean?" Justin asked in surprise about the sudden talk over Ezekiel's choice.
"I won't tell what happened with the future versions of my world, the challenges." Ezekiel explained as clearly as he could, which made Justin look at him in disbelief. "Because of a few reasons."
"What reasons?" Justin asked until he saw Ezekiel pointing at Justin's legs. And at the time he was staring down, he saw that he was slowly disappearing.
"You're in the early stages of waking up, so I may have a few minutes. I will give you my final considerations to you; maybe we will meet again someday in another dream, maybe not. So I hope you listen to my advice, okay?" Ezekiel commented as Justin looked paralyzed, and when Ezekiel snapped his finger, Justin felt his mouth shut and was unable to even say a word. "I'm probably going to be sleeping for a few more hours. I have more control over our dreams now, which means you will wake up soon. So let me start it…"
"1st—as I have mentioned before, I committed a few mistakes in the past on Total Drama Island. I underestimated how Chris would go so low as to use my books against my friends, and he did it a few times, so be wary of Chris when he does that… Another mistake I made was making the boys not prank me while I was sick, because I forced myself too much, I got pneumonia, and a lot of things happened… But my worst mistake was not warning Izzy about Hook, Line, and Screamer…" Ezekiel commented as Justin had his eyes slowly opening up in surprise. "That episode was the reason why Izzy made Owen's life a hell in both seasons 2 and 3, making his life chaotic to hurt him most of the time… Because Owen did something that Izzy may never have ever forgiven him for doing… He cowardly pushed Izzy in the direction of Chef."
"…" Justin still couldn't speak, but Ezekiel could tell his questioning look.
"I know, you may be asking yourself why I am telling you that… It's because of Izzy's line of thought. She's a military fighter, trained by special forces, and even fought Chef Hatchet one-on-one many times… Why was that different?" Ezekiel commented as Justin remained paralyzed with the stages of waking up… "It's because it doesn't matter if you are an expert at fighting… You still will get stabbed in the heart or head if someone pushes you in the direction of the knife without you knowing…"
"..."
"The serial killer stabbed Eva a few times for trying to save Lindsay's life from him, which, when Eva was in a berserk state, she lost control of the anger… She was a hero in many eyes, so be aware of that and be nice to her because of that, okay? The true definition of Iron Woman… Well now I feel like I'm sharing a bit too much information about the challenge…" Ezekiel commented as he saw Justin slowly disappearing until the waist… Which made him walk towards Justin… "Only in the pay-per-view did we see how Izzy truly felt on that night… and she broke down crying."
Justin had his eyes wide open in shock and terror because he had never seen Izzy cry before in the show. She never cried.
"Do me a favor… and don't make the same mistake I did… Lying by omission made me realize that not everything we saw on the show happened backstage, and it was real-life people with their own lives… And seeing Izzy cry made me feel like the worst asshole in the entire world." Ezekiel commented as he expressed himself further. "I promised her no more secrets, and that's why I'm her right hand; whenever she needs someone to vent to and listen to the truth, I will always be her best friend for that. The irony is that she doesn't want spoilers about the challenges, only when things would get dangerous and hurtful to everyone…which I warned her about in the disaster episode, which she made a mental note to herself to not let Lindsay take the safe password."
Using as much willpower as he can, Justin does a simple nod of understanding as determination and protectiveness shine through his eyes.
"2. You are going to be fine. I have hung out with you for a few hours now, and I can tell you are a great guy, so I'm sure that you will be fine with your friends and girlfriends that you have nearby you. Also, in the future, if you plan to have sex with them, it would be for the best if you guys did it outside of the cameras, so maybe at play, del losers? Who knows? I don't; I'm still a virgin, just like you are too. Hahahahaha. Anyway, jokes aside, you know the qualities and the flaws of all your friends and possibly enemies on the season and future seasons, so do your best to enjoy every moment and have fun on the challenges, and be thankful that you weren't from my world, because I and the Killer Bass would have made your whole life, Lindsay, and anyone in the top three of Total Drama suffers and begs for mercy from our Triple Dog Dare You Challenges.
"…"
"Well, it seems that it's getting close to an end…" Ezekiel commented as he could see Justin barely having a neck now. The slow process of waking up—anything shocking would be treated as a way to make anyone wake up if done right. "…ugh… why do I feel like I was forgetting something important? … Oh yeah… Did you know Izzy's parents from my world are Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable and possibly they are also married to Shego?"
"WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!" And on the cruise, Justin woke up in a jump as the most shocking revelation that he ever heard in his entire life. "No, no, no, no, come on, let me go back." Justin says as he beats his pillow and tries to fall back asleep, "I needed to hear that out…" After a few moments he realizes that he's wide awake. "Ughhh."
Ezekiel smiled as the sudden shock managed to make the body disappear at such quick speed.
"Good guy, I'm sure he will do great things in his world," Ezekiel commented as he once again returned back to his work, seeing his trusty typewriter. He glanced at once again at the remains of the repetition of Justin… Repeat, Justin… it has a nice ring to it. "Repeat the 8-year-old just to later make everything different. I'm sure that he isn't Cody, but… he's a Mexican, so he probably will find a way."
When Ezekiel recalled the native country from the boy, he couldn't ponder about one thing…
"When was the last time I actually made an effort to remember the characters that represented both my countries?" Ezekiel commented as he recalled that for a long time, as far as his memories went, there was only one Peruvian cartoon character, which sadly belonged to a Disney movie. "Yeah, Kuzko was iconic on its own, in the same way as Kronk. Those were the good memories of the animated Disney movie… But from Brazil… and since Justin came with El Tigre… why not I also take something Mexican and add it to the list?"
Ezekiel looked as he checked on the papers he already wrote on the sky…
"Heh… That's kind of ironic… since I was writing to you all without noticing…" Ezekiel commented as he then smiled. "I have maybe 1 or 2 more hours; let's keep working on this…"
And with that, Ezekiel continued typing, just to recall all the mental notes from his dreams…
"Zzzz…zzz…w-what?" Ezekiel stirred, the cool surface of the desk pressing against his cheek. He blinked sluggishly, then lifted his head, his mind swimming in drowsiness.
"Ugh… Where am I?"
His vision slowly adjusted. His laptop sat before him, charger plugged in, documents still open. Sticky notes clung to the edges of the screen like tiny paper reminders of a forgotten night.
"What the…?" Ezekiel sat upright, scanning his surroundings. "Wait, did I just sleepwalk?"
Glancing at the corner of his laptop screen, he noted the time—11 a.m. He was inside the Craft and Service Tent, still eerily empty. Perhaps it was because the Killer Grips had partied until dawn, leaving them too exhausted to wake up at a reasonable hour. The Screaming Gaffers, meanwhile, would be arriving for breakfast soon, but for now, the area remained silent.
A dull ache pulsed behind his eyes—the unmistakable consequence of a sugar crash.
"Note to self: Never drink Rainbow Pegasus Mix before bed. It'll give you bizarre dreams and make you sleepwalk," he muttered, rubbing his temple.
His gaze drifted to the sticky notes on his laptop, his fingers absentmindedly reaching for them. As his eyes traced the scribbled words, realization struck.
He stiffened.
"I wrote 3 chapters for 3 different new books?" Ezekiel said as he immediately couldn't help but be curious… As he gave a look at the titles, he couldn't help but give a small smile of nostalgia… "Xiaolin Showdown, Tromba Trem, and Mucha Lucha… Wow, that really brings me a lot of memories…"
Ezekiel commented, as he recalled the sweet moments, that when he was a child, he was always hesitant to see the national shows from Brazil, but when his cousins would say to give them a chance, he recalled some of the most iconic jokes that made him laugh so hard that he cried…
And from recalling Xiaolin Showdown, a show that came way before Avatar: The Last Airbender, which made him be proud of a part of him being represented by nobody other than Raimundo Pedrosa, a Brazilian carioca from Rio de Janeiro… a street-smart boy who knew how to deal with things and a good representation of what Brazilians can do… especially since his last name clearly represents something important to Ezekiel… a last name that he didn't hear for a loooong time.
And then Mucha Lucha… what could he say about one of the best cartoons that represented the true concept of wrestling? Kids who grew up watching became good fans of WWE and wrestling as a sport and entertainment. The true concept of honor, family, and tradition, and many kids got addicted to donuts as well. That was something that maybe he should thank the other world for, Justin… for reminding him to bring a part of his roots and also bringing one of the best Latin versions of a cartoon to the Cartoon Network in the first generation.
2 of these were classics from the same generation as Courage the Cowardly Dog… those 2 were classics… In the same way, one of them came from the third generation, the same as Adventure Time, Steven Universe, and Over the Garden Wall, but only a few could recognize that a Brazilian cartoon could have gone so far…
Ezekiel exhaled slowly, staring at the laptop screen.
"In one night, I sleepwalked and somehow accomplished more than I thought I would in an entire day." He glanced at the pile of notes, grinning wryly. "I'm sure someone's gonna be mad about this..."
"That's it, Ezekiel. Hand over the laptop," Gwen demanded, arms crossed with an air of finality. Around her, the remaining Killer Bass members gathered, their expressions a mix of exasperation and determination. In the distance, Noah's voice echoed, screaming to the heavens about how the universe seemed to have a personal vendetta against him. His dramatic outburst was ignored—editing Ezekiel's work was the least of their concerns. The real issue? Ezekiel's relentless writing, now extending to sleepwalking marathons. Enough was enough.
Ezekiel leaned back, crossing his arms defiantly. "What makes you think taking my laptop will stop me? Ever heard of pencils and notebooks? They exist for a reason." His voice carried the weight of exhaustion, his mind still reeling from a night of partying and an encounter with someone from another dimension. He knew they couldn't truly stop him.
Clank.
The sound snapped him out of his thoughts. His eyes widened as he turned to see Izzy standing beside him, a mischievous grin plastered across her face.
"I bet you didn't see this coming," she said, her tone dripping with satisfaction.
Ezekiel's gaze darted to Gwen and Bridgette, who were both smirking like they'd just pulled off the best trick done in television.
"Did you know Izzy had a pair of handcuffs with her?" Bridgette commented as she smiled down at Ezekiel. "We asked her, since you may be able to fool us, but against a military-trained person who was raised by militaries and trained by Chef? Oh, it's going to be 2 fun days of you not being able to write anything."
"I would have gone against it, but since yesterday, I would say go for it 100 percent." Gwen smirked as Ezekiel looked at his dominant hand being handcuffed nearby Izzy…
"The caucasity of these bitches." Ezekiel said as it didn't even offend them, they knew he was insulting them because they got him good. "Fine… fine, you all won. I'm not writing for a while; are you happy?"
"I'm so glad that you saw the reason." Gwen commented as she was delighted to see a good payback. "And just to be sure, we will keep watching you stay away from the laptop and give it to Noah."
"WHY DID I ACCEPT THE JOB? WHY?! NOW I HAVE 5 BOOK PROJECTS TO EDIT IN MY FREE TIME? WHY DID I ACCEPT THE DEAL?!" Noah was shouting through the skies… But nobody was paying attention to him.
It was just another day on that crazy reality show… Not realizing they aren't going to have 2 days of resting but a whole week to enjoy themselves before the next challenge happens.
They are going to need it.
Chapter 69: Hard Time, Dumb Crimes
Notes:
Next chapter is the first episode of Aftermatch!
I repeat he next chapter is the Aftermatch, so you guys better prepare yourselves o remember all he questions you wanted to ask towards the selected people, because at the time this chapter is over, I will be looking around for the best questions and give a few towards determinated character.I hope you guys remember the rules you all read before, please do your review of the chapter, and later you also should add the question attached on he reviews.
In summary in small words. The Biggest the review the better. So please combine everything and enjoy the experience which will be on the next chapter.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Around Toronto, in a very familiar mall known for having hundreds of stores, but also having the opportunity of creating such chaos into happening in almost 2 weeks. November clearly started things in such intriguing ways.
Big Squeeze was opened, while the services of the week had been a bit slower, but the sales she had since before October really made the young blonde girl enjoy a bit of her peaceful time admiring the boy in front of her, a brunette boy with a two-shade grey shirt and blouse.
And while she had been in such a peaceful view, Caytlhin could also see her friends sitting at one of the tables nearby her. Wyatt had dozens of papers, notebooks, and even CDs already prepared as he was listening to a few more voice records from his phone, which he had to write down the musical notes for and make some updates to, even lyrics, which would be for the songs.
He had been drinking coffee but also making sure to not go overboard; he would be eating some muffins to make sure he would be eating something as well.
Jen and Nikki were in silence, noticing how much work the young boy had been doing. Jonesy was also chilling up and was there to give moral support to his friend.
But that morning… it was different, because there was also another issue that happened with them… well, one of them.
"Alright, everyone, I may not be fully familiar with the reality show Total Drama, but to what extent is Jude in trouble?" Jonesy inquired, causing the entire group of friends to flinch, prompting Wyatt to take a brief pause from his work.
"Of all people, I thought he wouldn't have listened to Justin." The musician of the group commented as he watched on how much Eva could be a slave driver on both Ezekiel and Sadie on the Pay-Per-View. "Saying Jude would have five times what Ezekiel and Sadie were having, his body wouldn't take it. I know he couldn't."
"The only condition that maybe Eva wouldn't jump on him would be if he wins the entire show." Nikki said as she crossed her arms but also looked a bit hesitant. "I like Jude, and I'm glad he's doing fine on the show, but winning the whole thing? I doubt it can happen."
"Hey, Jude is our friend, and I'm sure he would be fine. Maybe if he manages to go far, maybe Eva would forget it?" Caitlin said hopefully as she could see her friends looking a bit more conflicted.
"I can't believe Jude signed on to be part of the show, and while I'm not going to lie, some people were sending email messages asking me for some information about Jude, and the stick is having more employees since his recent appearance on the television. Risking his life when it comes to the challenges is not a thing he should be doing." Jen said her mother's den side was showing since she got very worried about her friend.
"It sucks Jude's boss had to fire him since he wouldn't be here until the end of the show." Jonesy commented as the group sighed in sadness as well. "Well, at least when he goes on the interviews now, he can say he got out of Total Drama Island, and since he's now a celebrity, there's more chance for him to find an awesome job. And a lot of hot chicks digging as well. I got 3 dates for girls who clearly knew I'm Jude's best friend." At that moment, Jonesy gazed at Jen with a grave expression. "Oh yeah, Dee had been looking for you a few days ago."
"Dee?" Jen asked as she blinked for a few seconds, trying to recall someone. "I don't remember any Dee."
"Deez Nuts," Jonesy said, which made Jen groan loudly as she facepalmed. "Got her."
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. How mature of you." Jen said as she rolled her eyes, knowing that scene of the last episode would create a lot of repercussions in the future. "Many kids across the mall had been making fun of the others by saying this annoying joke all over again. I don't know why Ezekiel had the time and creativity just to focus on jokes like that."
"Well, it proved to be effective," Wyatt commented as Nikki nodded her head.
"As much as those jokes are terrible and immature, they accomplished what Ezekiel wanted, and since the last chapter his team has won." Nikki said, as she even raised her eyebrows at the Jonesy who had been chuckling. "Well, at least we know Jude is officially part of the Total Drama cast now. Since he even got the initiation of getting hit by Ezekiel's stink bomb."
"Ughhh… I don't even want to imagine it." Jen said as she got shivers as she recalled the episode. "Not gonna lie, everyone was cheering for Screaming Gaffers to win the challenge, but seeing Ezekiel and Bridgette sing in the same way as Katie and Sadie, it was very amazing how those songs were great."
"That I'm sure of; my parents, who were cooking the dinner, really liked the song 'Daisies' from Ezekiel." Wyatt said he then could see Nikki taking a look at the papers. "Uh, try to not disorganize these, okay?"
"So how's working on the preparations of the songs in regard to the audiobooks?" Nikki asked as she then noticed a few extra papers, which made her blink in surprise. "Wait… these felt like songs that belong to the show."
"Shhhhh," Wyatt shushed his friend as he looked around. As the whole group stared at him. "Okay, I want this to be a secret; you didn't hear this from me."
Caitlin saw the boy making a motion for her to go after him to explain, as also the brunette boy went there to listen to what Wyatt had to say.
"Ezekiel's lawyer sent me an email telling me a few people from Total Drama would get in contact with me, and a few days ago I got a call from someone saying Total Drama will have another show, but this time focusing on the eliminated people on the show. And you have no idea who's going to be the hosts of the show." Wyatt explained as he could see the curious look of his friends. "Courtney and Duncan."
"No way," Jen commented as Nikki whistled. Caitlin was even shocked.
"So they called you because of that?" Caitlin asked as she was surprised to hear such shocking news.
"Not at all. While I'm receiving the info about it, it will be all Sundays at noon, since they wanted to focus on that being an entertaining show while eating lunch. I don't know why, but they said it was Duncan and Courtney's idea. I didn't get all the details on how the show would be, but they are going to be catching everything happening on the Total Drama official forum." Wyatt pointed it out as the group was even more excited about getting the extra info.
"So if the case happens at Lunch, it means a lot of people will be watching, especially kids, so we can guarantee they wouldn't go overboard as they usually do on the official episodes at night." Jen could see how things were going around and she was happy that she and Courtney, her sister who was also now living with her, had finally managed to deal with their differences so they could have something else in common to watch, especially now that Jen had her new friend… Courtney, which, while that would sound confusing, she didn't mind. She was happy for Duncan and Courtney, especially after she met the Killer Bass and each of them was nice; they really helped her from all the sales she had in the Penalty Box. She was grateful for them.
"While that sounds awesome and amazing, I'm still curious about what that has to do with you, Wyatt." Nikki asked, as Wyatt could see that it was the time to reveal the secret.
"Okay, you see… by contract I shouldn't be saying much, but I'm working out with Izzy's siblings a way to give more MVPA points for Jude, Ezekiel, Izzy and the Killer Grips." Wyatt admitted it, which made the whole group of friends blink in surprise and stare at him in disbelief. "Trust me, I got the list of the gift boxes from using MVPA, and Jude would need to use some of them if he wants to survive until the end of the season. Especially the 7500 points… it's the gift box that allows us to send a package or box of products for him. Literally, we send him luggage, which we can add everything to for him. Friends and family are working together to send him everything he will probably need for future challenges."
"Wow…" Jen said she isn't sure what to say. "I think that would be against the sportsmanship of the reality show if you did that, Wyatt."
"But come on," Jonesy said in defence of his friend. "Jude had no backup since he entered the show alone with only food sticks and his backpack. Anything we could be doing to help him would be the right thing to do. We are his friends."
"He's not wrong." Nikki commented as she could see that even Jen agreed with Jonesy on the inside. "Giving Jude his clothes or even anything to make him focused on surviving the show would be nice."
"Yeah, and if it was us, Jude would have done the same for us." Caitlin commented as she looked at Wyatt with a smile on her face. "When the time comes, just tell us what to do."
"Thanks, guys. I know that it may sound shady, but things had been going great, and there's a lot that will be shown on Sunday's show. I did a lot of background songs while I sang to Izzy's sisters, and I'm surprised at how great they are at editing videos at their age," Wyatt explained just the basics of what he was doing, and everything he had been doing was for the sake of his friends and his boss, who was also his friend.
"Maybe we could buy some stuff on Penalty Box to help Jude in the future as well." Joney suggested as he glanced at Jen staring at him in disbelief. "There are a lot of movie genres, Jen. in the case of a horror movie, having a baseball bat and a hockey stick will clearly give Jude an extra edge."
"Maybe Jude can use some boxing gloves in case of the fighting movie genre?" Caitlin also suggested that the group even think about what else they could be using to help their friend on the show.
"I can buy the strongest water gun at the toy store on the third floor. I know they would sell cheap since I was a former employer from there." Jonesy also said, as everyone looked to Jen, who was still in silence. Until she sighed.
"Well, while a good part of me didn't enjoy us doing that, I think that's fair." Jen said as the group smiled at her. "Now that we understand it. Can you guys believe it? We have been working here at the mall almost a whole year."
"Well, technically," Wyatt said as he pointed at his piles of work. "I'm more like working as a freelancer while being here, but I'm always giving you all the support you need."
"Is the paycheck of the new job really that big?" Jonesy asked as Wyatt looked away. "Come on, man, you could at least try to convince him to hire me as well."
"I tried." Wyatt said as he could see his friend smile. But then he had to say it. "But it seems what you did at the bookstore, Ezekiel made sure to tell his lawyer about you… which, in the words of Ezekiel said and I quote… In case Jonesy gets hired, wait for the whole day to end, and then you will find a reason to fire him… end quote."
And with that, the morale of the boy on the table was trashed.
The group burst into laughter.
"Well, it must have something in life and not only Kaki Barn; that's everything I can say." Nikki commented as Caitlin smiled optimistically back at her from her spot on Big Squeeze.
"Oh, come on, it wasn't that bad, Caitling said as she smiled at the hottie boy who was looking at her. "And this winter is going to be marvellous."
"Did you really give up on the idea of trying to find a true job?" Nikki asked the blonde girl, who simply shrugged.
"I'm almost reaching one year, and I have been sending my curriculums around; maybe someday they will get me after I finish my year of experience." Caitlin commented in a fair tone, which Jen couldn't help but smirk at.
"Well, since your chances to work for Ezekiel didn't work, did you find the future place where you will get fired, Jonesy?" Jen asked as she could see the future stepbrother looking smugly at her.
"In truth, I did find it. Behold, everyone, Taj Mahome Video is now officially at the Mall," Jonesy commented, which immediately made Jen widen her eyes in surprise.
"No way." Jen commented as she saw Jonesy raising his hands as a way of surrender.
"I'm not kidding, and the employees of that place pay half the price in all the stores of the mall." Jonesy commented, and then the boy sitting nearby Caitlin, who was admiring him, nodded his head.
"It's true, my brother works in the East Zone, and they have that crazy employee-only theatre and let the employees set their own hours." The boy commented as Wyatt was drinking another coffee, as he could see Jonesy once again hyped for another job.
"It's like a piece of paradise right here at the mall, and I will enjoy it as much as I can." Jonesy commented as Jen, Waytt and Nikki stared at each other. Wondering how long Jonesy would even be able to remain in case he gets the job.
But that's how things go in the Mall… even in case they miss their friend Jude, they must continue living their lives. While they will be sure to cheer and wish their best friend the best.
First Day:
"Pff…" Geoff struggled not to show a reaction, but Ezekiel rolled his eyes, knowing exactly what he was thinking. Bridgette was with a satisfied smile on her face, while Jude was eating the lunch done by Chef Hatchet.
"You have 5 minutes to laugh it up, everyone… go." Ezekiel said, tapping the fingers of his left hand boredly, while his other hand was tied to Izzy, who was enjoying her afternoon reading one book she brought with herself from the break.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, they finally got you. Hahahahaha." Geoff laughed at the brown-haired boy, who was clearly unamused, since he could see the party boy enjoying the moments of fun before Ezekiel would find something to change the topic. But still he knew his friend would be better if he let out of his system all the laughter he was holding until then.
Geoff and Tyler were always wondering when the Killer Bass girls would be saying enough was enough, and with that, from all the ideas of what they should be doing, handcuffing Ezekiel was deviously hilarious.
Ezekiel could see Bridgette smiling at him.
"This is going to have a payback. I royally promise." Ezekiel said as he could see the girls rolling their eyes, "I can see your lips quivering, E-Scope."
"Because it was funny what you did, you caucasity of these bitches, it was funny." Izzy smirked, as Ezekiel could feel his wrist moving since she was flipping the page. "But you had it coming since you passed a lot of time focusing on writing your books, and we saw Noah on the verge of breaking down."
"He's a drama queen," Ezekiel commented as he raised one of his arms in disbelief, still ignoring Geoff laughing at him. "Also, I was sleepwalking. I didn't have control of my subconscious, making myself write down the chapters of 3 new books"
"Which now came the question? Why did you start 3 other new books?" Bridgette asked as she was also in disbelief from hearing what Ezekiel had done when he got up, which, while she understands her friend becoming a wonderful writer, she was surprised that he didn't continue his book, but actually he had finished not only Over the Garden Wall, which she was very hyped to read about when Noah finished the editing. But also she discovered Ezekiel wrote 3 other books, which, combined with Steven Universe, Adventure Time, Courage the Cowardly Dog, and the Spin-off of BMO Noire, there was still Ben 10 which was… wait a minute. "I thought you were writing about Ben 10."
"Well, I am. But differently than most of my ideas for stories, Ben 10 is more like a secret project, which I'm doing even slower than my other books." Ezekiel explained as he glanced at Izzy, who knew the reason why Ezekiel had been very hesitant about it… He really disliked the original version of Rip Jaws, and he wanted to implement the newest version of it. He needed to think about how he should make the character more charismatic and make sense to the plot. "From all the chapters. I think I'm already on chapter 3 and a half of Ben 10, but it's something I'm not going to tell Noah yet. It's not my priority right now."
"Oh, come on, Ben 10 is really a great idea. I'm sure you would catch a lot of readers who would be happy to read it." Izzy commented, which Ezekiel simply scoffed at.
"Thanks, E-Scope, but complimenting me won't speed up the process… I'm mostly having writer's block with Ben 10 because sometimes I need to formulate the entire chapter into making it interesting for everyone." Ezekiel explained that deep in his mind, most of the reason why he actually wasn't able to write much of Ben 10… was because he forgot many episodes of Ben 10, and he had no idea what to write from there… The only way he could be doing it was to actually try the tea, which would help him to try once again to unlock more of his memories, but the stress would clearly show a lot of blood… and the fact that Izzy was handcuffed to him clearly makes it even more difficult. "But anyway. I hope you are happy now, Bridgette, because now that I have nothing else to do with my free hand… maybe I should be doing some workout. Anyway, where's Eva? I need to ask her for a recommendation for changing my schedule."
And at that moment, Geoff stopped laughing, and Jude simply paused… as the duo looked at each other.
"I'm not sure; I didn't see her around today." Bridgette commented as she also felt strange from what just happened, as she simply glanced at Geoff, who was now sweating. "How about you, Geoff?" Did you see Eva around?"
"Oh yeah, that also reminds me, which one of the Screaming Gaffers got voted off yesterday?" Ezekiel asked as he could see Geoff paling, and Jude couldn't take it anymore.
"Alright, dudes, we confess… we voted off Eva." Jude said as Geoff looked at his new friend in betrayal. Which made Ezekiel's mouth drop, and Bridgette looked horrified.
"Jude, we made a pact that we wouldn't reveal what we did." Geoff said in alarm as Ezekiel blinked at the duo. He would have believed if they were joking. But from seeing Geoff freaking out like that?
"Are you both suicidal?" Ezekiel asked as he couldn't believe it.
"The plot thickens." Izzy commented as she closed her book and now was interested in seeing the fallout. "Okay, who did she punch at the time she found out she was eliminated?"
"Geoff, why?" Bridgette simply asked as Geoff looked guilty from everything that happened.
"Okay, okay… start from the beginning. what just happened to lead you both into voting for the only person who beat down a serial killer and managed to make a male bear into a female? it's the best way we know everything." Ezekiel commented as Geoff and Jude looked at each other.
"Okay, dudes. This is what just happened…" Jude said as he started telling everything… which the more Jude explained, the more Ezekiel and Izzy stared at the duo in disbelief, and Bridgette simply pinched between her nose, while she knew it was something crazy. And when they told what Eva promised to do to whoever doesn't survive at the end of the season and be the winner, Bridgette paled, Izzy laughed…
"Welp, you two are fucked… it was nice to meet you." Ezekiel simply said, as immediately Geoff and Jude felt their self-esteem getting destroyed. "Justin really convinced you both to mess up badly, and welp. You two better start taking this season seriously now, or when you get eliminated, Eva is coming for your lives."
And with that … Geoff and Jude gulped… As Bridgette and Ezekiel sighed, Izzy continued to laugh.
.
.
.
"So that's how I became a swami for the whole afternoon at the mall." Jude explained as Ezekiel and Izzy laughed, while Bridgette looked in disbelief, and Geoff was impressed.
"Dude, that was awesome." Geoff gave a high-five to the blonde boy who told one of the events of what happened inside of the Mall he worked at for the day. Especially the events where he would be dragged into one of the projects of his friends.
"Okay, I'm sure a good part wasn't Jonesy's fault because the swami clearly had scammed him for that, but using you as a backup clearly made me think and ask myself how Jonesy is really relentless… persistent, if you are wondering what it means, Jude. Does he add all these experiences to his curriculum?" Ezekiel commented, as it was clear Izzy nodded her head as she never imagined someone in her life had been working in so many stores and getting fired in all of them so quickly; it must be a talent. "Because I'm sure there would be a point where the more he would get to work and get fired, the stores would be wondering how he kept trying to work at the mall."
"I kind of felt bad for him." Bridgette said as she recalled meeting a few members of Jude's group of friends, she doesn't recall if she met that Jonesy, but someone getting fired all the time must clearly have a determination of steel.
"He's going to survive," Ezekiel commented as he then passed a few seconds thinking. "Now that I think about it, Jude… why don't you tell me how you met Jen, Jonesy, Wyatt, Nikki and Caitlin? I've always wandered there must be an awesome story between you all."
"Oh, dude, you're right…" Jude commented as she smiled, thinking of the good times he had with all his friends. "Well, it would be kind of a long story telling about every one of them. But I can start with Caitlin since she recently became our newest friend. And the more friends, the better."
"Oh, that I'm curious to know." Geoff smiled, as he passed a few seconds. "Caitlin is the one who works at the sports store, right?"
"Nah, that's Jen." Bridgette commented as she thought about it. "She's the one working selling lemonade at the giant lemon."
"Right, dudette." Jude pointed, as he could see Ezekiel smiling, while Izzy was curious.
"Giant Lemon?" Izzy asked, to which Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Trust me, you need to hear all their story." Ezekiel commented, as Izzy blinked, since the tone of his voice clearly showed Jude had a very important concept of the story somehow. Which made her curious.
.
.
.
"
"Okay, and that's how we became a whole group of friends at the mall. The 6 of us." Jude retold the events of what Ezekiel remembered into being the first episode. While Ezekiel remembered that he didn't tell them he lied about his curriculum, that he worked as a manager before, so that's good, because he could imagine being caught on the pay-per-view like that would be really bad for him. But still, seeing Jude's perspective of meeting Caitlin was actually very awesome.
"Wow, Jude, you're really a great friend." Geoff commented as he gave a high five to the boy, who smiled into telling how he cheered up after the blonde girl lost her friendship since it had been a superficial friendship, but him telling her she would find better friends was like what he said was true; she clearly made great friendships with Jen, Jonesy, Wyatt, Nikki and himself.
"And I have to admit, even as Jonesy gets fired all the time, he knows how to pass an interview in such a way that I'm impressed." Ezekiel commented as he glanced at Izzy.
"Yeah, now I want to hear all the stories on how he got fired from each store." Izzy was now catching the concept of why Ezekiel wanted her to know about Jude… it felt like Jude was also a part of the friendship, not just for the group of friends he had… but also because he said that he belonged to the part of their friendship. "Ah and I think we didn't get introduced as well. E-scope."
"I thought your name was Izzy…" Jude commented, but then he shrugged. "Well, nice to meet yah. So, can you guys tell me how it was the time you got eliminated? I mean, on that awesome 5-star resort, which happened when you got eliminated? On the pay-per-view, it didn't show that place until the episode you all appeared in.
"Oh, that's actually an interesting question." Izzy smiled as she glanced at Ezekiel, who coughed on his fist, as his eyes were pleading for her not to tell too much, especially on the television. "Ezekiel had to be taken care of for the pneumonia, and Eva and I were the ones doing shifts to wake him up and be sure he took his medicine. A lot of fun happened around, like the times when I and Ezekiel trained archery…"
"When I was surfing in the morning, I saw Ezekiel training his choreographies for his books. I also had a lot of making-out sessions with my boyfriend." Bridgette commented, as she didn't waste her time, as Geoff was enjoying where it was leading.
"Oh, I'm enjoying the good memories already." Geoff commented as he was starting to kiss Bridgette again.
"Oh yeah, that actually makes me wonder if you can teach me how to surf, Bridgette, because it sounds awesome." Ezekiel asked, which he could see the blonde girl giving a thumbs up, but she continued to kiss Geoff once again. "Alright, alright, we are going to let you both kiss for 14 minutes, but don't abuse the time."
.
.
.
"Wow, they literally look like the couple who kiss at the mall; they simply don't stop." Jude commented that he never thought it would happen outside of the mall, but indeed Geoff and Bridgett seemed to be enjoying their world of kissing themselves.
"Leave it to me." Izzy smirked as she waited so much for that moment. "I wanted so much to do that… here it goes."
tsk tsk tsk
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," And once again the cycle once again repeated.
.
.
.
"And that's how I managed to have my E-Scope Happy Sap, with the logos of both Norbert and Dagget on it. Also, thanks for naming them Ezekiel. I think they are hilarious and they deserve to be the logo of my company." Izzy retold the story of how she managed to get the billionaire to the couple and also the blonde boy who whistled, impressed by what the ginger girl had done during all the time she disappeared. Ezekiel simply gave a thumbs-up while he was looking bored at the moment.
"For a girl who was supposed to be running away from RCMP you really had a busy month," Bridgette commented, which made Izzy chuckle.
"Dude, I can't believe you got all the money now; you can sell all kinds of products and can enjoy doing nothing for the rest of your life." Jude commented as Izzy giggled but then shook her head.
"I wish it was that easy, but no, since now I have a factory, I need to keep knowing what the heck they are doing in there all the time and make sure they won't screw up. Also, I needed to be sure of having everyone paid. And then all the paperwork that I have to read because of my accountant and my lawyers…" Izzy commented as she gave a look at Ezekiel. "Which I was second-guessing about the advice of someone nearby."
"E-Scope, if you want to not pay the taxes for the IRS, it's fine, but don't complain at the time they would work together with the RCMP just for the sake of you losing all your money…" Ezekiel commented in a bored tone, which made the ginger girl pout at him… And Geoff and Bridgette blinked at how Ezekiel seemed to know about those things. Probably since he has responsibilities in becoming a book writer. And since Ezekiel knew the conversation was over, he then recalled something funny. "Okay, Jude, the jumping with a parachute while naked… I want to know everything. why the heck did you decide to do that?"
"He did what?" Bridgette and Geoff asked in surprise, as Izzy's eyes sparkled in interest.
"Really? He did that? Oh, I want the details." Izzy commented, as Ezekiel knew it was a good time to smirk and gave a small wave to the camera, just to say hi for a friend who knew she would groan from that bet while helping Jude pass the finals.
"Oh yeah… well, I may have told the story before for my little friend Ezekiel, but worry not, I will also tell it again… you see, everything started when the terrifying finals came to my school…" And with that, Jude was once again telling about the bet everyone was having with Jen of making her freak out… Jude proving he can be devious when he's without his skate, willing to push his friend off the table just to catch his skate back, manipulating Caitlin to go to her favourite store on sale just to listen to an hour of his music, wanting to give up and try to get sick just to not do the finals, but Caitlin, being a good friend, was being a good ground to help Jude on the literature part of studies, which even made Geoff and Ezekiel disgusted to hear the outrageous moment of Wyatt willing to wear "I love Jason" from Doktoy.
"Didn't he have any pride?" Ezekiel asked as Geoff shivered.
"Oh, come on, I love them; they are a great band." Bridgette commented as Ezekiel raised his eyebrows at him.
"Didn't he have any pride?" Ezekiel repeated the question, to which Jude even nodded his head.
"That wasn't cool, dude." Geoff said as his manly side found that offensive, of a boy willing to do such a shameful act… just for 5 dollars.
"That was what I said to him." Jude commented as Bridgette pointed, as Izzy laughed.
"Someone willing to go that low just for the sake of winning a bet? Respect, but it's ridiculous, hahahaha." Izzy laughed as Ezekiel nodded his head.
And Jude continued to tell what happened. Jonesy's desire to win the bet made him lose another job, and Wyatt had the courage to make a small and yet awesome tattoo for himself. A good lesson of friendship for a boy who never had hope of passing the year.
"It must have been terrifying doing the finals; sometimes I'm grateful for studying at home." Ezekiel commented as he could see Jude even showing a few thoughts of dreaming of never going to school. "But hey, with friends like them, you really would make them envy you, Jude. They are awesome."
"I think with friends like Jen, Jonesy, Wyatt, Nikki and Caitlin, we really could make a difference." Bridgette smiled as she enjoyed the story. Izzy nodded her head while she chuckled.
"I'm so glad I wasn't the only one who was caught by the police because of stalking." Izzy commented as the group stared at Izzy weirdly. "Trust me, it's a long story: a prank war between me and my ex, a funny misunderstanding, and a hilarious restraining order fight… The funny part is me and Graham are still friends, even though his parents made sure I never got within 2 miles of his house."
"What is the scale of the prank war?" That was the question that made Bridgette and Geoff look weirdly at Ezekiel, and Izzy simply shrugged it off.
"Not on the scale of war you all from the Killer Bass boys did last season. I wish I was kind of there, because that would have been amazing. And seeing all that prank war happening around made mine kind of lame; still, his parents got berserk after all the mess we caused together." Izzy commented, which Geoff isn't sure how to say. he thought Izzy would have done a lot of damage, but when she said the scale of the prank war on the Island of Wawakanwa was bigger and more chaotic, he wasn't sure if he should be terrified or proud of himself.
"Thank you; I'm so glad to receive a review from one expert. We may never get another provocation of prank war, or maybe television wouldn't be able to uphold the destruction happening here." Ezekiel commented that even though he was sick, he was proud of getting the title of the winner of the prank war. The number 1 prankster.
"I watched dudes, and I thought El Mongo and La Muerte were crazy, but when I got the bomb in myself, I just wanted to ask you, Zeke, why? Why did you make such a bomb?" Jude asked as he was still traumatized from the last challenge.
"Well, we had problems with vermin invading the farm once, so I decided to do something about it." Ezekiel explained as Bridgette and Geoff looked at him with their eyes wide open. "The bomb was so strong that it took 2 weeks to take out all the smell from the farm…" Ezekiel explained as the group looked at him as if he were a mad genius. "I don't know how Chef had managed to find supplies to make a lot of these stink bombs, but hey, I'm not complaining."
"NO, WE ARE." Bridgette, Geoff and Jude shouted as Ezekiel simply shrugged.
"Skill issue." Ezekiel said which made Bridgette and Geoff faceslam their faces on the table, while Jude gulped… Ezekiel then looked at Izzy. "So you're going to be handcuffed to me all the time?"
"Yep? And yes, even in your sleep." Izzy commented as she saw the boy rolling his eyes.
Ezekiel slowly turned to Bridgette, who could see he was not amused, but deep in his eyes, she could see how annoyed he was…
"I would sleep with one eye open if I were you, Bridge. Just so you know." Ezekiel commented… which made the blonde girl giggle at him. However, her boyfriend wasn't having the same feeling. Since, from the look of Ezekiel, it was sure that he wasn't kidding.
The party boy just wished that decision wouldn't come to bite too hard on his girlfriend.
Second Day:
"Wait, is that true?" Izzy asked as she looked at Chef who was giving a new method of training for the duo. since Izzy wanted Ezekiel handcuffed with her and wanted to avoid the boy being on his laptop or writing anything or even drawing something, the military cook didn't blame her, since the boy was being way too agitated for his taste, and something about him made him feel something was off, like the boy was having a lot of mental exhaustion and stress, and he couldn't put his finger on what it would be.
But it came towards the other part of the conversation.
"Yes, it is… The producers called, and now we have a new type of challenge appearing and it won't be tomorrow, but actually in 1 week, so you guys better relax and enjoy all you can, because Chris didn't reveal to me what the challenge will be about. So it can be anything." Chef explained the situation as Ezekiel blinked in surprise as he looked at Izzy with the indication of no, that never happened before, which Izzy also could realize the future had changed in ways that it became unpredictable, and while it was good while knowing the future lasted, now it was the biggest surprise it could be.
"So… what do you want to learn now?" Izzy asked Ezekiel, who passed a few seconds.
"Well, firstly I wanted you to take off the handcuffs, and if you don't mind, I would like to learn how to do flips and jumps, which would help me in capoeira." Ezekiel explained as Izzy laughed.
"Nice try, but not happening. you are staying with me with these handcuffs until a few more days." Izzy said, as Ezekiel snapped his fingers while deadpanning at her. Which Izzy looked at Chef Hatchet. "Did my parents send you the VHS of the capoeira group that kicked my mom's ass?"
Chef smirked happily. As it was a good memory for him.
"Yes, and also one package came for you, soldier." Chef commented as Ezekiel blinked in surprise, a package? "It says it's from the farm you came from."
"Oh yeah, my Pa send me my aunt's journal. Oh, this is going to be awesome." Ezekiel smiled as he was now very excited to enjoy his week.
"Well, leave the fun for later; training is more important now, you both. now that you are handcuffed together, you can train and watch VSH later; now the focus is training adaptation. Now, CLIMB UP THE WATER TOWER… BY YOUR HANDS." Chef then roared, and immediately Ezekiel and Izzy jumped and quickly went down from the water tower by the stairs, but at the time they went down, they needed to now climb up the water tower by using the other way out.
Making the training even harder, now that Izzy and Ezekiel must work together to climb up… It was painful, and it sucked the experience of training. But at least everyone has 1 week to enjoy themselves before Chris somehow makes their lives a hell.
On the same day, Chef left a paper note on the Craft and Service Tent explaining the cast had 1 week to enjoy and appreciate their time off, which, while some were suspicious, with Ezekiel and Izzy cheering up in happiness, clearly made the whole group have a more peaceful time together… which now they were about to enjoy their time in the way they could…
.
.
.
"The first rule is: Every word that ends with a vowel does not actually end with a vowel." Ezekiel commented as he was sitting at a different table, where instead of the surfer, the party boy and the skater, Lindsay, Beth, Gwen and Katie were eating their food, which the group blinked at a few times before he continued. "It ends with a silent consonant that you do not hear. For example, a mouse… The word would be 'Souri' and would end with 'I,' right?"
"Yeah," Beth blinked as she thought she managed to grasp it, but then Ezekiel shook his head.
"Wrong. Because anything that ends with a vowel doesn't end with the vowel but a silent s in the end." Ezekiel explained, which clearly made the group freeze.
"What? Wait, hold on." Katie commented as she got confused, but Ezekiel decided to spell for her to get it written on her notebook. "So it would be souris."
"Yep, but the s is silent." Ezekiel explained, as he could see Gwen also writing some notes. "But then it's just the tip of the iceberg. Now, if any of you decides to give me a verb."
"How about eating? Since it's essential for us to find the location of where we should be going to eat, it's very important." Gwen suggested, as she was glad to have Ezekiel, who knew 8 languages, and from seeing him very happy to have his deceased aunt's journal, she knew it would cheer him up to know the process of how he and his family knew so many languages, and since she wanted to be a better artist, she was planning to go to Paris in the future.
"Okay, manger is the verb used to eat, as a way to say eating, now I will eat: Je mangerai, then now I will say, you will eat: je mangeras…" Ezekiel commented as the girls scribbled down the tips on what Ezekiel had been telling them.
"What's going on here?" Cody walked as he saw a group of girls listening to Ezekiel explain everything while he was reading what would be a very old journal. While he was still handcuffed to Izzy, who was deeply in silence and paying attention to what the boy had been doing.
"Hi, babe… Ezekiel's giving us French class and tips on how to help us to speak French." Katie commented as the geek blinked in surprise as the boy who was sitting on the other side of the table was continuing the explanation.
"Now he, he will eat: Il mongeras…" Ezekiel explained until Beth blinked.
"But that wasn't the same as when you said you would eat?" Beth asked, and Ezekiel shook his head.
"Nope, because the one you said is you ends with a silent s…" Ezekiel commented, at which moment Beth groaned and held her head as she was feeling a headache. "You may think they are the same because they sound the same… now we will eat. You may think 'nu' is the word to represent 'we,' right?
"..." Beth hesitated to say it, but then Gwen tilted her head.
"Wait, isn't that thing about the rule of ending with the vowel again?" Gwen asked, to which Ezekiel nodded his head.
"You got it… so basically we are N-O-U and a silent S again." Ezekiel explained, at which the group groaned from another explanation. "Yep, French is painful, but I'm giving you all these tips, which, with the time when you get it in your heads and memorize these rules, then French won't be much easier, but at least you would understand the crazy logic of it. Nous mangerons,"
"Ugh… I'm getting a headache just from listening to this." Cody felt his mind dizzy as Katie, Gwen and Beth continued to scribble down the tips, while Lindsay was mostly lost… "Are you okay, Lindsay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm still having trouble understanding it, but Ezekiel said he would give me a way to record everything and send it to me to start listening to until I get it right and with Beth, Katie and Gwen also here, I can ask for their help at the time they got it… So I will be fine." Lindsay commented that she was happy to see the group willing to teach her French.
"Now you all will eat…" Ezekiel commented as he looked at the girls, who were still trying to figure it out. "That's vous mongerai… guess what's spelled in the end?"
"A si-" Katie was about to say a silent 's,' but Ezekiel interrupted her.
"You got it, a silent Z… that's correct, it ends with 'Zed…'" Ezekiel commented, which the girls freaked out about.
"WHERE THE HELL DID THAT Z COME FROM?" Beth and Katie shouted as Lindsay blinked, as it seemed that her mind was overflowing with too much, while Gwen whistled.
"Okay, I thought French would be easier for us to learn since we are Canadians, but it seems it got way more complicated." Gwen, as Ezekiel, decided to speak the truth.
"It's how things are girls, and what I'm giving you all are only the initial tips on how you start the process of learning the language, since there's not only the version of all you've learned, but there are past, present, future, and imperative tenses, which is the past tense described in opposition to the past, which is the past in action…" Ezekiel explained, as he could see the girls blinking, how dreadful the idea of learning the language in that style would be very hard. "And that's only French; Portuguese also follows some of its own rules, which makes anyone throw the book out of the window, but only those with courage would speak one of the variations. Like, I speak Brazilian Portuguese while my Pa speaks Portuguese from Portugal."
"Err…" Cody blinked as he never thought he would be so into learning about it, but then Lindsay clapped her hands.
"Oh, I also know how to speak two languages. I speak English and American." Lindsay said proudly, which made the whole group stare at her weirdly. "What?"
"Lindsay-" Gwen was about to say both were the same language; however, Ezekiel interrupted her.
"Wait… when you mean English… you mean you can speak British English?" Ezekiel asked, at which moment the whole group of girls blinked in surprise, even Cody, as Lindsay touched her chin.
"Oh, so that's what it was called? Yeah, I can speak it…" Lindsay nodded her head as she was happy to get to know how hard it was to speak another language. "There was one day someone left a rubbish pile nearby the sidewalk, so I was like who left all that rubbish over there this was such travesty this is all the destruction of the sidewalk who someone must tend to this at this once this is ridiculous."
And when Lindsay started to speak, she was speaking in british accent which made every single one of them dropped their mouths, as Katie looked at her boyfriend.
"I don't know what happened over there but the shit hit the fan." Katie commented that she never thought she'd see Lindsay so pissed, explaining a motherfucker did something outrageous on the sidewalk. "What's rubbish?"
"It's trash, Katie. Someone threw trash on the sidewalk." Ezekiel commented as he himself was impressed. For Lindsay to actually know the British accent in such a delicate way? She really meant it when she said she could speak English and American, the two variations of the same language? This was something that shouldn't be joked about. The possibility of visiting both England and the United States and not having a problem with miscommunication clearly shows she could either live in both countries and adapt to living there. "Okay, I was very impressed, Lindsay. And you proved an amazing point… now let's return to French."
That clearly caused everyone in the group to groan, as Ezekiel chuckled.
"Since now you learned the tips of French… here comes the first true lesson of the class… asking for a breakfast. The best food to ask for breakfast? A cheese omelet… omelette du fromage. Repeat after me, 'Omelette Du Fromage." Ezekiel commented as the whole group repeated after him. "Again… when you have a question you have no idea how to say in French, when in doubt, 'Omelette Du Fromage."
As Izzy raised her eyebrow at him and glanced at her own book, she saw the girls and even Cody repeating what Ezekiel had said.
"Alright, let's continue around the breakfast, then I will teach other things, like saying your name, saying hello, formalities, and asking for lunch, dinner, and where's the bathroom and with that you will know where you could lead with the time. But remember the tips I just said… now repeat after me…" And Ezekiel continued to comment, and the group was listening more and more to Ezekiel teaching them about French… And they hadn't even done anything at night…
.
.
.
"CHUG CHUG CHUG CHUG CHUG CHUG." Tyler, Ezekiel, DJ and Harold chanted as Geoff and Cody were drinking gallons of milk until Cody spat from drinking too much, while Geoff managed to drink everything.
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO," Geoff celebrated as the boys raised their arms. "GUYS NIGHT,"
"GUYYYYYYYYYYSSSSSSSSS NIGHTTTTTTTTTTTT OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" The boys shouted as they were on the movie sets above the cliff, where the boys said for the Killer Grips they would be there for the rest of the night. Bridgette and Katie rolled their eyes but, with a smile on their faces, gave a thumbs up for the boys to celebrate their time of being boys. with that permission, Izzy released Ezekiel from the handcuffs only for that night, while Noah and Gwen were guarding the belongings of Ezekiel for the homeschool, so he wouldn't do something that would have Noah having a breakdown, and with the permission of Chef and someone recording on camera for the Pay-Per-View. It was sure the boys' night was going to be awesome.
"Okay, okay, okay, now Cheetah Chug, Cheetah Chug, Cheetah Chug." Cody and Geoff chanted as Ezekiel brought what would be dozens of little bottles of green liquid, which the boys, as much as they wanted to be responsible, on the guys' night, everything was on, and they wanted to do everything crazy.
Harold, Tyler and Ezekiel himself wanted to give it a try to see how many bottles they could drink before going crazy with energy.
"CHUG CHUG CHUG CHUG CHUG." And with the boys drinking the bottles of the ferocious roars of Cheetah happening across the night, everything was going crazy on the night of the 5th day…
Third Day:
"You look horrible." Chef commented as Ezekiel felt he could have better days. But the boy simply shook his head.
"Horrible is the understanding of what I did last night. I had a crazy idea, and now I'm paying for my sins." Ezekiel explained as he could see Chef staring at him as he lost his mind. "Yeah, I lost my mind yesterday because I not only drank a lot of Cheetah Chug bottles, but I managed to catch a few notebooks, and I drafted a lot of art for my books, dozens of pages with lyric songs, and I even fixed the door and the window of the trailer, whose sound was driving me crazy, and then finally I had the stupid idea to drink a tea that was only used for meditation, and with all this Cheetah Chug in my system, I managed to expel all the impurities from my body, but the pain I had was clearly way too much."
Ezekiel commented with such quick speed that the Chef blinked a few times, trying to process what he said; it felt like Izzy on caffeine when she was still part of his squad. Which was a big nope.
"Okay, let's take out all your energy first. Where's Izzy, by the way?" Chef asked if the girl was supposed to be on time with the boy…
"She's probably in the infirmary with the others." Ezekiel commented as Chef had his eyes wide open, to which the homeschooled boy simply commented. "Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you, we had been in such a rush and energetic that we started causing a lot of noise at night nearby the trailers, to the point where Izzy was so annoyed and she wanted to sleep that she went to attack us, but from what I recall, it got to the point where we started actually wrestling."
"Wrestling?" Chef had his eyes wide open in disbelief.
"Oh yeah, I was wrestling with her after she knocked out Tyler and Harold, but it was an unfair fight since Izzy had experience and we were in a sugar and energetic rush, but still it became a pandemonium-like WWE episode." Ezekiel explained as he could feel the painful headaches on his head. "Well, I'm sure she will remember the new move I came up with from my book. She didn't expect to get hit on the face with that… nor the metal chair I also got from somewhere, and I slammed her face with it."
"..." Chef stared at Ezekiel, who was still in a pile of nerves, until suddenly the duo heard Izzy appearing on the water tower.
"Hi, sorry I was late. It was hard to get out of the infirmary because they said I should stay at night because I had a concussion. I mean, come on, they are amateurs. We suffered way worse than that when we were younger. Why are they panicking right now?" Izzy waved as she still winced from the pain in her head. "Using the metal chair was a classic move; I should have expected that."
"Okay, you both, you two are going to rest today after this training. I don't want to hear any complaints, any ideas, or anything stupid because in a few days it's going to be the challenge, so I want you all to be ready… Am I understood?" Chef said, as the duo of teenagers sighed in disappointment, he wanted them to be in shape and not mess up his chance of winning the challenge of the producers, in the same way he wanted that promotion, since most of the time Chris forgets to do his paycheck.
He isn't sure why, but those two clearly were making the cook have flashbacks of his time in the military, the times when Kim, Ron, and Shego drove him insane most of the time, but who was he to judge? He did the same thing with the trio a lot of times.
Fourth Day:
"So I was thinking of using polyester, but then I had a bad experience when it happened on a hot day, and the shirt got all the heat from it, which made me think many times before using it again, so instead I think of using it more in blouses and jackets. I didn't give it much of a try, though, but it makes it easier to clean it in the laundry without damaging it," Katie explained as Lindsay passed her time enjoying the talk with her new teammate. Usually the duo didn't have much to talk about until the tan girl helped Lindsay to dress herself into a character she wanted so much to replicate, and she was able to make an effect on everyone, especially her jock boyfriend.
Since the episode, she had been enjoying the time talking about fashion with Katie, as Sadie and Tyler were doing an arm wrestle.
"Come on, come ooooooon," Tyler said as he was using both his hands to try to make Sadie bend Sadie's right arm, but sadly it wasn't even able to move an inch. But the worst part, which added salt to his injury, was the fact Sadie was eating cookies from the fridge inside of the girls' trailer. And she was so distracted that she forgot she was in an arm wrestling match. "Why are you so strong?"
Sadie blinked as she looked to see Tyler sweating like rivers of sweat, which made her just quickly move her arm down, which the jock immediately threw on the floor.
"That's not fair… I have been doing a lot of working out during all my life, and you just passed a few months on Playa del Losers, and you already are a juggernaut like Eva? How is that even possible?" Tyler said he didn't take his loss very well, which made Sadie slowly open her eyes wide, and the way she looked at the horizon was not in happiness but in serious traumatic experience. "Err… Sadie?"
"..." Sadie remained quiet as she realized the person who would be scheduling the hellish training she had was nowhere to be seen… "I'm free…" I'm actually free…. I'M FREEEEEEE."
"Woah," Tyler fell down as Sadie tackled him to give the strongest hug she could. "Sadie, my bones… I'm feeling a few cracks."
"No more hellish schedules, no more repetitions of working out just because someone was bored… I can actually take a rest… I'm so glad. Miracles exist." Sadie said as she was celebrating, which Noah, who was passing nearby, just saw Tyler slowly raising his hand as a way to ask for help.
"I don't know what happened, but it's for the best if I don't get involved." Noah said as he ignored the pleas for help from the jock who was being hugged by the bulky, chubby girl.
Harold, who was passing nearby, blinked and saw Tyler groaning in pain and having a few bones cracking… He looked at Noah walking away, and as Harold was about to say something to Sadie, suddenly he was interrupted.
"Harold, over here." The nerd boy turned his head to see Katie waving at him, which made the nerd boy get a glimpse of the jock, who was still having difficulty breathing, and eyes begging for him to do something to help him…
Which then Harold simply shrugged.
"Eh, this will build him up a good karma in the future," Harold shrugged as he turned his back and walked away.
"Traitors." Tyler strangled as he said, from Sadie still hugging him until he was on the verge of passing out. Until the whole group heard the whistle, which called the attention of everyone.
"Freeze, hands in the air. You are violating personal space with the intention of hurting someone." The words coming from MacArthur made Sadie raise her eyebrows in surprise. "Now release the victim right now."
"What?" And at that moment, Sadie blinked and saw Tyler almost blue, which she quickly released him from as she giggled sheepishly. "Oops, sorry, Tyler."
Tyler looked at both MacArthur and Sanders, who went to help him to sit down and even give him a glass of water, which clearly made him thankful that the security guards were still there, because while he appreciates Sadie as a friend, she's a new juggernaut that needs to control her strength most of the time, and he doesn't want to be the one being hugged by her like that again.
.
.
.
Harold walked towards Katie, who was with Lindsay, as the duo seemed to be in conversation.
"What's up, Katie?" Harold commented as the tan twin smiled at the nerd while the blonde bombshell stared at him curiously.
"We were talking about fashion, but when it came to some designs, Lindsay said a good hairstyle would always combine with it, so we would like to know from you which style would fit for the clothing we have in mind." Katie explained as it made Harold blink a few times in surprise. "Well, since you are a good hairdresser, and you went camping on that, we would like to know your opinion on that."
"Hmm… I'm not sure." Harold hesitated, but then he saw Lindsay giving a pout…
"Please… She said you are the best of us, and I showed her a few good ideas for hair, but she wanted an expert opinion. Pleaseeee…" Lindsay insisted as she gave a puppy look, which was enough for the boy to sigh.
"Alright, alright, I can give it a try." Harold sighed as he could see Tyler would be having a lot of trouble whenever his girlfriend would give a puppy look; those are dangerous…
"Yay." Katie said, as she hugged the boy, and Lindsay clapped her hands together. While the group ignored MacArthur, Sanders and Sadie held Tyler, who wanted to strangle Harold for making him almost die by being crushed by Sadie's hug.
A good day off for everyone.
Fifth Day:
"Wait, hold on, are you Jewish?" Heather asked in surprise as Izzy nodded her head, while the members of the Killer Grips blinked in surprise, especially Ezekiel, who seemed to have a blue screen on his mind.
"Well, it's by my father's side of the family, and while I'm not very religious on that part, we are more about the cultural side since I'm a descendant just like my dad. I mean, he and I love eating bacon and pepperoni, but pork chops are the line we wouldn't cross. Also, we don't like to eat blood, I mean actual food made of blood." Izzy explained as the Killer Grips remained quiet, at which point Izzy rolled her eyes. "Come on, it is not the worst thing you know about me."
"Ugh, the most painful thing would be admitting that's true." Heather groaned as Lindsay blinked as she tried to remember what that was.
"What is Jewish?" Lindsay asked as Trent decided to give an explanation.
"It's a group who practice Judaism in the nation of Israel," Trent tried to give simple words for Lindsay, who tilted her head. Which Izzy also gave her explanation.
"My great-great-grandparents came from Israel, so their whole family has some rules we always must do and some holidays we should practice. Even though I'm not a big fan of all the rules of the religion behind it, I just do it for fun with my family." Izzy explained as the blonde bombshell seemed to understand what she said. "Well, I'm also part Irish and Scottish; I have a very crazy family tree."
"Yeah, I can see that." Heather commented as she rolled her eyes, and then she saw everyone staring at her. "What the hell are you looking for?"
"Just curious if you are part North or part South." Trent commented until he felt a kick on his nuts, which made everyone jump.
"Do not compare me with that dictator side of my family's country." Heather knew exactly what Trent referred to, and she was pissed because there was one thing that no Korean descendant would ever want to be compared to: the North side of Korea, where freedom was a privilege. And as much as the queen bee was a bitch, even if she admitted it, if she were in North Korea, she doesn't even know what would have happened to her and her family. It's a taboo that she and her siblings swore to never talk about it.
"South, her family is from the South." Ezekiel said, as he appeared between the group, as Harold appeared between Trent and Heather.
"Woah, calm down, Heather...breathe. This isn't about North or South; this is about identity and the weight that story carries. That reaction? Totally valid, but…remember, cultural comparisons aren't always meant to diminish; sometimes they just come from ignorance rather than malice." Harold said as Bridgette and Katie looked at each other, as Heather narrowed her eyes.
"Who are you? A psychologist? Are you analyzing me?" Heather said, as Harold still had his hands up in a disarming tone, as Cody and Tyler were preparing themselves to jump in and rescue the boys since they knew Harold was playing a dangerous game.
"Not analyze, contextualize." Harold said he could see Heather was being held by Izzy and Ezekiel, who were seeing Heather was about to give him a few seconds to explain himself. "It's a cultural trauma response. It's when certain topics trigger a defensive instinct because of deep-rooted historical or personal significance. Your reaction comes from a place of protection, not aggression…"
Heather's shoulders still tensed, but the trembling and glares of anger diminished a bit, which Harold took as a signal to press further.
"Just say you wouldn't be comfortable having those kinds of conversations, and we wouldn't press further; just give a quick fact that you are from the South, and we would move on." Harold suggested, as Heather passed a few seconds of silence, but then he huffed and stopped the aggression. Which clearly made the whole group sigh in relief.
"Okay, better to change the subject. Has anyone prepared the letters wishing Courtney a happy birthday? Her birthday was 3 days ago." Ezekiel called, as the people who were from Killer Bass nodded their heads.
"I'm not sure how you are going to send this, Zeke, but I'm glad you are doing that for us." Tyler smiled as the young homeschooled boy gave a thumbs-up and a smile. Since the cultural topic was about to leave them on hold or find a more comfortable way to discuss it, it would be for the best if they changed the subject and moved on…
While the group was talking and discussing it, Bridgette and Katie went nearby Harold.
"How did you know a lot of psychology, Harold? I don't remember you saying you were in a camp for psychology." Bridgette asked, as the tan girl was also happy for Harold being able to solve the problem of the queen bee, which they had no idea that they had provoked a beehive nest with that suggestion.
"Oh, my sister is studying psychology, so when I got bored at home, I used to read her books." Harold smiled sheepishly, which the giggling of the duo of girls made him still blush.
"Okay, still, you did great." Bridgette complimented him as Harold gave a big smile, but then he received a bonk on his head with a slap on the head. Which Bridgette rolled her eyes. "Stays humble."
"Oh, come on." Harold said in a pout, as he wasn't sure why Ezekiel, Duncan, and Courtney insisted that every time Harold was showing a big smile, they bonk his head and say those words. "I'm humble."
"Aha, yeah, sure." And this time it was Katie who said those words, which made Harold's eyes twitch. Of all people, Katie? Which made the tan girl giggle sheepishly. "Sorry, but Ezekiel and Courtney insisted that every time you say that, it was for me to be sarcastic to make you double down and remain humble."
"You guys suck." Harold said it under his breath, but knowing that he didn't mean it… It was his way to say his friends are the best…
Even as Lindsay, Heather, and Trent had no idea what was going on… But the more time they pass with their team, the more they realize they are crazy in their own way…
Sixth Day:
"Finally, at least I was able to finish Over the Garden Wall. I'm so glad it's only a dozen chapters, and it's most likely a spin-off. Also, I'm almost done with BMO Noire, maybe tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. But still that cretin should have at least made me enjoy my break. It's been days since I finished reading a book that I already read before." Noah said as he was glad to save the archive and save it on a pen drive to give to Izzy for later, he isn't sure how Izzy was able to contact the lawyers to help her case from RCPM, but at least if she was able to contact her lawyer, that means Noah can call Ezekiel's lawyer, which would make the next book being aired as soon as it was printed. And with that, the Steve Universe was expanded to not only the sci-fi genre but also the fantasy of Supernatural. And from what Greg and Wyrt had passed on from the past, "I'm not surprised that Greg never wanted Steven to get involved in that. The Crystal Gems wouldn't be prepared for the Unknown…"
Noah thought about the idea of Over the Garden Wall, and for him it was hands down his favourite from all of Ezekiel's works… It was mysterious, it was well detailed, and the more he read, the more he could find inner details about the foreshadowing happening across the book. Ezekiel really made sure to give his best to draw the details to make sure everyone would be caught by surprise on the second and third reading… And to be honest, Noah loved the concept that while Ezekiel always wrote villains into being more direct, the Beast was the only one who was manipulative and intellectual.
"Man, I wish it was me who could voice the Beast, but I think there would need to be a very deep, manipulative, and secure voice for someone to be like the Beast." Noah said as he simply walked around, just to see Izzy being handcuffed with Ezekiel… But to his surprise, it was not only them who were sitting at the table in the Craft and Service Tent, but also sitting with them were Lindsay and Beth, who were staring at a big map of the world on the table. Noah raised his eyebrows and looked at each country; there was one number in each of them.
"Okay, from the beginning…" Ezekiel commented as he pointed at each number of the country, starting from one and going on. "United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Haiti, Jamaica, Peru… "Noah blinked, because Ezekiel was… singing? "Dominican Republic, Cuba, Caribbean, Greenland, El Salvador too… Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, Honduras, Guyana, and still... Guatemala, Bolivia, then Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil… Costa Rica, Belize, Nicaragua, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Tobago, San Juan, Paraguay, Uruguay, Suriname, French Guiana, Barbados, and Guam."
Noah had his mouth dropped… As Lindsay and Beth repeated the beat of the catchy song of countries… While the bookworm had to pass 2 weeks studying from books and at his school about geography, he saw there was an easier way to memorize a country and where it was on the map.
Noah raised his finger.
"I'm not paid enough to deal with all this situation…" Noah said as he quickly decided to stay inside of the boy's trailer for the day. Working on editing the book was something that he preferred to do instead of dealing with more craziness of the day… And if somehow Ezekiel manages to make Lindsay and Beth memorize the whole map of the entire world, then he will take off his hat and will learn the song just to teach his older sister Neni. Since she could also be a blonde bombshell like Lindsay, he isn't going to lie; he loves his sister, but her naivete and her airheadedness clearly can drive him crazy. Well, from the quantity of siblings he has, of course someone would become insane.
Seventh Day:
"So this is it…?" Ezekiel asked as the solemn look from Chef and Izzy clearly showed that he wasn't the only one worried about what Chris had in mind. "Didn't he tell you anything, Chef?"
"I wish I knew, boy, but I didn't see him around, only the interns working like slaves, and when I asked what they were doing, they said they were building up something big, something weird and crazy." The soldier cook explained that Izzy, who usually would be ready for anything, clearly knew that wasn't something to be playing around with. "I recommend for you two to rest, concentrate, and prepare yourselves, because at the time the challenge happens, it would be for the best if you have all the energy. You two trained too much already; a good rest will be enough to make everyone prepared for what's coming."
Izzy and Ezekiel looked at each other, and from the idea of how much Chef told, it was sure it wasn't something they would ever be prepared for… So it was now for the best if they simply stayed out of the view of their friends. Focus on resting. How? They have no idea, but it would be for the best if they followed the advice of the person who had been training them both and had been giving a heads-up on everything happening across the show.
As the duo got out of the water tower, they looked around to see if someone was looking secretly or if there was a hidden camera. Thankfully, they were still clear, but with that ominous feeling in their stomachs and all the genres they could possibly participate in, they wouldn't dare to challenge fate or jinx anything else; they knew something was coming. So they followed Chef's advice…
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-Caution-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
The following show features stunts performed either by professionals or under the supervision of professionals. Accordingly, CaioCoia, FreshTV, Canadian Television, and the Producers of Total Drama must insist that no one attempt to recreate or re-enact any stunt or activity performed on this chapter.
Skull Bone with medical cross
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-Caution-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"Last Time on Total Drama Island… Mystery was in the air: smoke, jazz, interrogations, riddles, masterminds… and all the weirdest and funniest combinations you would ever have in a Noire genre challenge." Chris explained as the flashback happened across the television, showing a few contestants dressed in their costumes and even suffering a few challenges together. "Challenges where people impressed with their unique skills, people got exploited, people got manipulated, and in the end, a tragedy had struck… My precious trailer was destroyed by a brutish girl, but behind the scenes, the Screaming Gaffers Boys took a very risky approach, making a very gutsy alliance that in the future would promise nothing more than pain and suffering. And with their alliance, Eva, the brutish woman, is sleeping with the fishes, which now makes another challenge, a very special episode of today. Be ready to be amazed, be ready to laugh, be ready for another episode of TOTAL…DRAMA…ACTION."
The morning had most of the boys asleep peacefully; some were even snoring in peace, as it showed their time enjoying another day of resting. Justin was with his beauty mask while there was a fan aimed in the direction of his hands, which he was doing his best to make beautiful as always. The problem was he hadn't had a manicure for more than 2 weeks; he was doing his best to make sure his nails wouldn't break.
Owen was snoring, Jude was hugging his skate as if it were part of himself, and Geoff was sleeping with his hat covering his eyes. Noah was with a book over his face, DJ was sleeping peacefully, and Harold was with his arm away from the bunk bed. Tyler's face was just a few inches from the floor, Trent was sleeping peacefully while Cody was doing a few motions of kisses with his pillow, and lastly, there was Ezekiel, who was with his arm under the pillow while sleeping over it in a very uncomfortable position.
Everything looked peaceful for the morning on that day… Until the gas horn once again made the boys jump in surprise and suddenly wake up from their places. Harold cleaned up his drool, and Owen slowly opened his eyes while cracking a few disgusting remnants of the sand on his eyes.
"Bathroom, I said first." Ezekiel quickly ran directly, as he knew that he must be quick, or else the campers could use the opportunity to make a line, and he would like to wash his hair and face before the challenge. But at the time he was touching the handle of the door, he felt the door was stuck… Which made him blink a few times. "Wait a second… what the…"
Ezekiel tried to use more strength, but it seems it didn't work.
"Hey, Zeke, what's going on?" Tyler asked as Ezekiel gave space for the jock to try, and with all the strength he had, he was able to knead the handle but made the door not move an inch. "Oh, beep, I don't know how, but the door is stuck."
"Let me try." Owen said, as immediately Harold and Justin got their eyes wide open in fear.
"HOLD ON, OWEN." Ezekiel said as it clearly made the big guy stop. "The door isn't stuck… It's probably locked because today is a challenge day, and it's for the best if we don't do something too drastic. Let's calm down for a while and relax a bit, okay?"
"Hmmm… okay," Owen said as he looked a bit uncomfortable, but Justin and Harold sighed in relief, just like the other boys who also felt their faces pale from imagining Owen doing some crazy effort on the day.
Confession - Harold
"Okay, here comes rule number 1: Do not awaken the beast inside of Owen in the morning." Harold said as he sighed with disgust as he even took a cleaning mask and a few notepads and pencils. "Scarlett, you will owe me because of that. I'm hating checking his residues for so long. I will do just 3 more days, and that's it! You better win the first prize with these studies."
"So what are we going to be doing here?" Geoff said as Cody and Trent looked unsure as well, while Ezekiel just returned to his bed.
"Let's just pretend everything is fine and wait for an hour or two." Ezekiel simply went to his bed, and while he could see the group of people staring at him, he simply returned to his bed. "I don't know about you guys, but one extra hour of sleeping sounds good, and since Chris didn't come here shouting, it shows that he did the first one for the first alarm."
"Oh yeah, I can't say no to continuing sleeping." Owen said as he went ahead to his bunk bed. While the other boys stared at Ezekiel.
"So we are just going to stay here and return to sleep? Is that what you are saying?" Noah raised his eyebrows since the boy returned to lie on the bed. "Well, at least I don't have to worry about thinking into something drastic now that I can see you all here."
"Guys, I know that we may want to go back to sleep, but isn't this some sort of test that Chris wants us to figure out on how to get out?" Trent asked as he saw Harold also returning to his bed. "I mean, that could possibly be a challenge."
"But dude, do you know what kind of genre movie it could be today? Because I don't think any of them could possibly make us locked with each other in this trailer." Jude said as he sat on his bed while he was spinning the wheel of his skate.
"It could possibly be anything…" Ezekiel commented as he could see Trent staring at him. "It could be a kidnapping genre movie, it could be a castaway challenge…" At the time, Ezekiel said that Owen flinched while he wanted to go back to sleep. "It could be a prison genre movie. I mean, we are locked here, but we can handle ourselves just fine…"
"Ezekiel has a point; sure, Chris may want us to try to find a way to exit from this place, but it's not like they are doing something worse." Noah said, As suddenly, like irony of destiny, from the ceiling of the trailer, snakes started to drop from… "WHAT THE BEEP?"
"SNAKES!" The boys screamed as each of them went to the top of the bunked beds, as more and more snakes started to appear; some didn't move, but others started to move as well.
"SOMEONE OPEN THE DOOR, THE WINDOW, ANYTHING!" DJ shouted as, even though he had the courage to touch a snake, a lot of snakes clearly made his fear grow immensely, which was the sound of hissing appearing, and even some went to attack a few boys who were nearby the door. Ezekiel had jumped from the side of the door and started to punch it mercilessly.
"CHRIS, CHRIS, WHAT THE BEEP ARE YOU DOING? THERE ARE SNAKES HERE, CHRIS! OPEN THE BEEP DOOR, CHEF! HELP! ANYONE HELP!" Ezekiel shouted as he continued to punch the door… The feeling of pain in his hands was ignored, with all the adrenaline nulling the pain. But then he started to hear a lot of laughing from outside. "What the beep? OUCH, OH COME ON, YOU BEEPS COME ON, I KNOW YOU ARE ALL THERE, OPEN THIS UP."
As he was about to punch even more, suddenly the door was opened, which made Ezekiel quickly jump away from the bites of a few snakes who went directly for him, and even some managed to bite his arm.
At the time Ezekiel was out, the boys jumped from the snakes, but some of them fell under the group of snakes and got bitten. The panic of each boy clearly showed how much they were terrified of that situation.
But all of them got out, and all of them were in a panic.
"Medic, please medic." DJ, Trent, and Cody were begging and even trying to run, but they felt the look of a weird group of people laughing at them, and even many were familiar with those people.
"Relax, boys… those snakes were not venomous." Then finally Chris appeared, dressed as an officer guard, which made Ezekiel never think he would be so angry to see Chris, so confused because that wasn't supposed to be how the episode was supposed to be. He remembered very well how the episode of the canon was since his mind cleared up a few times; he remembered the key points of how that episode became the elimination of Gwen and how E-Scope returned as Izzy in that episode.
Many things had changed, a few challenges were skipped, but this version of Prison Genre wasn't supposed to have fucking snakes on it.
"Oh, thank goodness they weren't." DJ said as he sat and even released a few tears of relief.
"I could identify some of them, but it was too risky, and I'm so sorry, Owen, for using you as a human shield." Harold said as everyone stared at Owen, who was blinking slowly.
"It's fine; they were just a little scary, but nothing I…uhmmm." Owen said until his body went knocked out, which made all the boys stare at Chris in fear.
"Don't worry, it's probably because of the shock." Then a voice made the boys blink as they slowly turned their faces to see another man appearing, a slender man with a wild black haircut and a cheeky smile on his face. "Hello everybody, Johnny Knoxville."
"Th-the-the-tt-t-thee-the…" Ezekiel started to stutter in surprise as he looked at the man who took the idea of challenging themselves, pranks, and comedy sketches of the 90s and 2000s era to a supreme level, the person who got all the stunts and injuries just for the sake of having fun and making everyone have fun… "THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND FROM JACKASS."
And as the time Ezekiel shouted that, the whole group of boys had their mouths dropped as they looked at the other people who were nearby laughing at them. It wasn't a mistake; it was the Jackass cast on there… in Canada ON THAT EPISODE OF TOTAL DRAMA.
"I must be dreaming," Tyler said as he punched Harold in the face, which made the nerd take a few steps back, and Tyler touched himself in his face and even on his fist. "I'm not feeling anything, so that must be a dream. HAHAHA."
That was until Harold returned with a karate punch to his stomach.
"SEE IF YOU ARE DREAMING NOW. YOU JERK," Harold said, pissed, but he looked at the group as Jude and Geoff walked in front of the crew as they went to their knees.
"WE'RE NOT WORTHY, WE'RE NOT WORTHY." Jude and Geoff shouted as they bowed to the legends of the stunts of comedy, which each member of Jackass felt the greatest pride in having their recognition for the boys. "WE'RE SCUM! WE SUCK!"
"Wow…" Chris said as he looked at the crew, who were pleased to meet the boys, and he couldn't help but even look frustrated a bit. "I do all kinds of things to make their lives a hell, and I don't get a single recognition; now they add snakes to their sleep, and when they appear, they are treated like saints."
Chris wasn't envious of their success, not even a bit.
"Well…" Chris cleared his throat, which made all the boys stare at the host, who now started to smirk again. "I hope you boys have enjoyed the experience of getting stuck inside of a place with snakes, since the challenge of today is a special compromise with not only our show but also with a feature with special news from the cast of Jackass over here…"
"Wow," "Awesome," "Wohoooo," "Yeah, baby."
The boys forgot they were supposed to be angry with Chris since now it was realized they were caught by the group of comedy stuntmen and crazy people… Also, Chris was there. But still, the idea was nice to have something nice to remember in their memories. It doesn't matter how much that episode would suck; seeing the cast of Jackass on that day clearly made their days a top 5 of their lives.
"And now, while the boys got the treatment of the snakes… I think what you would like to see would be what we have planned for the girls." Chris smiled as the boys stared at each other before some of them started snickering. As much as some of them loved their girlfriends, it was the only time in their lives that they would see live mischief coming from the cast of Jackass, and while they got their terrifying suffering.
Hey, misery loves company.
The fancy trailer was known for having all kinds of luxury, but Chris made the girls realize that even with that, they weren't safe from him, as the girls who had been waiting and even fighting to find a way to get to the exit suddenly felt something dropping from the ceiling that was supposed to be the air vent.
The boys on the outside tapped their ears, knowing what would happen in a few seconds... and just like they predicted, the screeching of panic and despair clearly made them ring so loud. Harold had to cover his glasses under his pocket because he knew if they remained on his face, they would shatter, so he quickly got on his feet and managed to save his last pair of glasses.
But the despair of the girls slamming the door in despair was enough to make everyone laugh at that sucking situation, the Jackass crew, and even the boys from the other trailer.
"Hold it for 5 minutes, guys," Chris smirked as it was clearly a very cathartic feeling to mess up with the contestants, non-poisonous snakes and cockroaches, a good way to prank the fear of both boys and girls.
McArthur and Sanders slammed their bodies on the door as a way to hold it up for the entire group for minutes, which, clearly, the sounds of screams and screeching sounds, probably from Lindsay, made the experience hell for both bodyguards but hilarious to be shown on television.
Since they also have a camera inside of the girl's trailer, it makes it even more enjoyable on the pay-per-view.
5 minutes later clearly show how much the girls wanted to leave the trailer, because at the time Chris opened the door, Sadie ran like a train, and before even Chris could say something, she passed over him as she clearly was running towards the bathroom to take a shower and clean herself.
Chris raised his arm while he was on the floor to ask for help, but Lindsay also ran over his body, and he was asking himself who in their damned mind would sleep with pyjamas and heels, but then came Katie, who also ran over him, followed by Beth, who was in such a catatonic state that she fainted on the floor, trembling in pure phobia.
Bridgette wasn't sure why, but she had been fine while she was still intimidated by the overwhelming quantity of cockroaches, but at least they didn't do anything to her.
Leshawna also ran over Chris while going to the bathroom. Heather did the same, but as the time she passed over him, she returned back to pass over him again and again for 3 times, while also wearing heels.
Gwen was disgusted by cockroaches, but she wasn't that panicked... but seeing Chris on the floor while being stepped on? She wasn't stupid enough to not waste the opportunity, so she repeated what the other girls had done.
Izzy was the last girl getting out of the trailer; while she didn't bother feeling all the roaches, it was disgusting, yes, but she knew what that was.
"So, a prank?" Izzy asked as she passed away from Chris and walked towards Ezekiel, who nodded his head. As she then noticed everyone laughing around her, she had her eyes wide open. "Wait, aren't they?"
"Yes, they are... Chris brought Jackass here."
"Shut up, my brothers are going to flip when they see the episode." Izzy said as she saw the host of the movie himself appearing to her. "Oh my gosh, it's really them. Aren't you guys Americans? What are you all doing in Canada?"
"Well, it's good to see fans in other countries, and to answer your question, we have a project going on, and I think when your host recovers, he can explain to you all what's happening." Johnny Knoxville commented, and as the group of boys also did, Izzy couldn't help but feel excited. "So I think it's time for them to cut off the commercials."
"Ah, we are on pay-per-view, so they can cut the scenes when they want." Trent came as he explained the situation, while Owen and Harold walked nearby on the set of the movie.
"Huh, so that's how it is. Nice." Johnny smiled as he could see the group gathering as they were enjoying a good time. "Also, let me present to you my crew. Guys, come over here."
And just like how Johnny Knoxville had said, one by one they appeared. The first one was a man with a typically short, tousled hairstyle with a distinctive side part, often styled with gel or a product to create a messy, textured look. But also wearing very unconventional clothing.
The next one was a man with messy, wild hair and a classic goatee on his face, wearing a leather jacket and jeans and having a very rebellious look on his face. If that wasn't enough, that man was holding his skateboard, which clearly Geoff and Jude knew who that person was.
On their side appeared a midget, a Caucasian man who was cheerfully giving a good few steps while weaving casually as his way of life, having fun all the time with his friends.
An almost naked man with a beard and a ponytail, then a fat man who was also having fun, a blonde slender man who also looked like he was on the verge of doing something crazy, a man wearing glasses, and a man with a beanie and tattoos across his body.
And the last member of the group, a grown blond man with a blond beard, isn't bulky or fat, but that man clearly was what made all the joy of the group. A man who clearly was up to do all the craziness with his friends was the same man that, after his departure, made one of the crew never be the same.
"Guys, here they are: we have Steve-O, Bam Margera, Weeman, Dave England, Preston, Chris Pontious, Ryan Dunn, Loomis Fall, and Ehren McGherey. And we are the Jackass." Johnny presented themselves as the boys, and Izzy started clapping towards seeing the crazy stunt people who went over there to make an awesome time of the challenge.
Jude and Geoff were having the time of their lives since Chris had been in the infirmary area to treat his hurts after being stomped down by the girls. That gave enough time for the boys to have free time to use the bathroom, which was good for Owen to release all the toxic gas inside of him, but also it was a good time for them to talk to their idols.
Meeting the skaters, comedians, and stuntmen, they were the icons of an awesome show to have fun and laugh, even vomiting when things got too crazy. But that doesn't mean anything else. Since...
"You two also skate?" Bam Margera asked as he could see the two boys were with their skateboards in their hands.
"Can you give us an autograph, dude?" Jude asked as he offered his skate, since Bam, Steve-O, and Weeman were icons of skateboarding, so he would love to have the autographs.
"Yeah, my best friend Brody would freak out at the moment I show the autograph. Can you please sign up for us?" Geoff also offered the skateboard he bought from the mall; he was so glad to have brought it with him. A moment like that would be gold. But the duo just saw the man actually laughing.
"Autograph? Sure... but while your host is a bit knocked out... how about I make this more interesting?" Bam said as both Jude and Geoff stared at each other, unsure. "How about you both try to have my skateboard?"
"Whaa?" Jude and Geoff said in surprise. But then they saw Bam raising his finger.
"BUT," Bam said dramatically as he smirked evilly at the duo of blonde boys who could see him showing his skateboard. "This beauty here is only won by those who would be the best of the best. Which means one thing... both of you are going to race for this..."
Jude and Geoff stared at the skateboard, which sure would mean more than just a simple autograph. It was a skate from Bam Margera as a prize?
Which would mean one thing...
It's on...
"What's going on here?" Bridgette asked as the boys were gathered to help to make the whole path for a long area, but also mixed with that, there were a lot of obstacles and ramps while Geoff and Jude were stretching themselves.
"Jude and Geoff are going to race to see who will win the skateboard from one of the members of Jackass..." Ezekiel explained as Bridgette blinked a few times until she realized who the group was.
"Wait, that's them?" Bridgette asked in surprise. While she wasn't a big fan of them, she knew about the movies or even the television show they did years ago, and now that she realized Chris wasn't with them but only those guys, she couldn't help but see the boys getting ready. "Where's Chris?"
"He's in the infirmary after being stomped by the girls, which makes enough time for us to get a few autographs and prepare the obstacle course for both Geoff and Jude." Harold walked as he sniffed, which the surfer saw. Harold saw Leshawna, Beth, Gwen, and each girl appearing, and while some recognized who that group was, some didn't even care about it.
Until the whole cast of both teams was there, Bam Margera smirked as he walked in front of them.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to make history over here in pay-per-view. We are about to make a skate race on this crazy reality show. Who will win my prized skateboard? The boy with the Stetson hat? Or the boy with the beanie? Make your bets, everyone." Bam said as he walked at Geoff and Jude, who were in their positions. "Okay, boys, what I want is a very dirty race. Cheat if you must, do tricks as you can, surprise us, make us laugh, and the winner takes the skateboard."
With Bam walking away, Geoff and Jude prepared themselves for the race, both with their skateboards on the ground, with their feet in position for the race.
"Good luck, Jude," Geoff said as Jude smirked and gave a fist bump to his friend. Both wanted the skateboard, but both were more excited about having a skate race just to enjoy their day.
"Alright, everything will start when my spit hits the floor. Are you guys ready?" Bam said as he gave a good distance, which the girls looked disgusted by, but the boys were already on the hype.
"WIN THE RACE, GEOFF. YOU GOT THIS IN THE BAG. WIN THIS, GEOFF; YOU CAN DO IT." Tyler, DJ, and Harold cheered for the party boy.
"JUDE YOU GOT THIS, I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT." Ezekiel, on the other hand, was cheering for the blond boy, which made his whole group of friends stare at him in disbelief. "Hey, I want to be fair; he's the underdog here, and he's Courtney's childhood friend, so she would have cheered for him. I'm doing my part to make him not be left out."
Confession – Ezekiel
"Hey, I want to be fair, and when I met Jude and his friends at the mall, I learned something very important from the stories they shared with me. Jude and skating in the same sentence have the words 'is always' between them..." Ezekiel explained one of the reasons why Jude should be treated with respect when it comes to skateboarding. Since he became part of the cast of Total Drama, it would be for the best if he shared more about the blonde boy and was the good friend he would need. "So I think if Geoff wants the cheer of our group of friends, I think I should cheer up for Jude, because I think it would suck for not having Jen, Wyatt, Nikki, Caitlin, and Jonesy to cheer for him."
That was enough to make the Killer Bass boys shrug and accept the reasoning.
"Come on, Jude, you practically sleep with your skate; you can do that." Trent also cheered for the blond boy, who had the support of a few boys as well. As it makes a good division between cheering for Geoff and for Jude as well.
Bridgette knowing she also had to give her support, cheered for her boyfriend, obviously.
"On your marks... set..." Bam said as the whole group of Jackass behind him was excited to see how the race would go, and Bam started to clear his throat, taking the musk inside of his body as he gave the most disgusting spit he could muster and threw it in the air.
The girls gagged as the spit flew towards the ground, and at the moment it happened, Jude and Geoff immediately started to use their feet to skate.
.
.
.
Jude and Geoff clearly went neck-to-neck, as both passed towards the challenge, passing each other. From passing the obstacles, they were into passing the ramps, the grinding bars, and even the few obstacles for the happiness of their friends, but also for the boredom of others. Bam Margera was a bit disappointed since neither of them were doing any cheating or playing dirty, but at least they should be doing a few tricks.
Jude and Geoff, both with their signature laid-back styles, are on the skateboards. They skated through the studio lot during the race; Jude gave a kick backflip, while Geoff did an ollie, an impressive skill to pass in one of the ramps, as it was time for them to return. When one of the grinds appeared, Geoff avoided the grind while Jude quickly took it, and as the time he passed it, he mislaid his foot on the landing but quickly gave a Ghetto Bird to make it fix his step back and continue the race.
Which clearly made the Jackass Crew and even the boys cheer loudly from seeing Jude doing a great trick and remain in the race.
"NICE TRICK, MAN." Geoff shouted as he continued to face the race, to which Jude gave a thumbs-up.
Neither of them wanted to stop, as they used everything they could to pass the obstacles, from jumping trash cans and mailboxes, and when they thought they were about to turn back, they were surprised to see a path with big bags of sand in a pendulum motion, while most of the jackass crew were swinging those weights.
Geoff was the first to be surprised when the bag of sand went directly on his face; Jude was the next when it wasn't one of the bags that got him. But Weeman, the midget who was coming like a wrecking ball, hit him on the chest.
"GEOFF, JUDE." The group of friends shouted in worry as Ban laughed without any remorse. Even Johnny, who laughed loudly at one of the classic stunts the group did when it came to skateboarding. The Gauntlet.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. COME ON, BOYS, YOU ARE ALMOST THERE." Bam shouted as the duo got the help of the Jackass crew and got in their positions again.
As the obstacle course continued, Geoff jumped the ramp as Jude went under him; both avoided hitting each other. They were having a pretty good time, even if it was a race.
When the duo got the same ramp, the cameras took a position where it was shown in slow motion of both of them doing the same trick, a back kickflip.
"Well, it's neck and neck." Johnny said as the group gathered to see Geoff and Jude almost approaching what would be the finish line… which was Preston without a shirt holding a strapped flag.
The race was neck and neck, and nobody knew who would win… And in times like that, there would always have been someone who would get the end of the stick. Which, unfortunately, Chris discovered, had been an awful time to come back without knowing what was happening.
"Alright everyone, we are almost behind schedule." Chris called, but then he saw the group gathered, which made him raise his eyebrows. What possibly would make the group stare into a direction where he was with his back on?
Luckily for Chris, Jude was able to do a Half-Cap Impossible, which made him change the direction of his skateboard and pass Chris without even touching him. Which made him a starlet. But Chris' luck wasn't for much longer since Geoff accidentally crashed into him. Which both went down hard on the floor. And Jude gave a small look behind before he finally managed to pass the line, but accidentally hit Preston's giant, fat body.
"Oof." The boys who were cheering them on to see such an amazing race winced to see Chris, Geoff, and Jude get to the climax of their race.
"Now that all of you have had your fun." Chris said as he narrowed his eyes at the group of teenagers who were chuckling from seeing Chris still with a few bruises around his body but still dressed as an officer guard. While Jude was holding his new skateboard like a new treasure, he still had his good old faithful on his side. The Jackass crew giving their autographs for the skateboard of both Geoff and Jude, who had a great time of their lives. "I hope you all have enjoyed the taste of the gulag experience mixed with the twist of our new guests."
"Gulag? I didn't find any gulag." Lindsay said, as Izzy tapped her back.
"It's prison, Lindsay." Izzy explained, which made the blonde girl understand.
"Well, as you can all see, we are not only here for our usual challenge, but we are also in a great collaboration with Total Drama Island with the great news of what will be happening in the future. May you have the honours?" Chris suggested as Johnny smiled at him.
"You're too kind." Johnny Knoxville smiled as he walked, as everyone who had done the autographs was already preparing themselves for what's about to happen. "Well, everyone, you may know me and my friends as well; we are the Jackass, and we are about to make a very ambitious and very amazing project that will blow a lot of minds in the next few years… We are producing our new movie right now… Jackass 3D. And all of you will be featured in a good part of it."
"WHAT? NO WAY, AWESOME, WOHOOOOO YEAH BABY;" It didn't take long until a good part of the boys were very hyped, while only a few girls looked also hyped with the idea, while there were other girls who actually weren't thrilled, but some were even with a bad feeling.
Confession - Heather
"I always knew I would reach stardom, however…" Heather started to prepare to use her makeup for the challenge she would have ahead, but then the look of disgust and annoyance clearly showed she didn't want to be there. "Ugh, from all movies… Being into a movie that only people who are mentally challenged or with a taste for seeing disgusting things and stupidity for almost 2 hours really makes me question my sanity around this show, because after I passed the whole season 1 doing those crazy stunts, I doubt they could make it worse than I already passed."
Confession - Noah
"I know at least 2 of my siblings are watching this show with a lot to complain about me going to do these challenges, possibly because of envy, but also I think my aunt was right to never let her children watch this show; she would kill me if she found out her children were watching Jackass." Noah commented as he crossed his arms. "A challenge, with the bunch of people who are known for a lot of property damage, hospital records, and vomiting a lot of times in the movies and television? Yeah… I would have passed on this chance if it wasn't for the fact we need to win this challenge."
Confession - Gwen
"Okay, I sort of watched all the episodes of Jackass and the 2 movies because Cody had always been a big fan of them, to the point he and his friends tried to replicate their stunts, even though the television show and movies always said for people to not do that at home. Which one of them decided to do something crazy like using a shopping cart over the roof? One of his friends got a broken neck, and it was a miracle they got to the hospital on time," Gwen said as she wasn't too thrilled over the fact she recalled the times her brother was a big fan of those stuntmen. "It was only of a few times when I saw Mom getting that angry, but anyway. I'm sure with Chris mixed with them, I know this will suck, a lot."
And as their nightmare couldn't be any worse, every member of the cast of both teams was dressed in black and white stripes, like prisoners in a prison genre movie. To their comfort, most of the other members of the Jackass cast were also wearing the same clothes, which would explain that they were all going to be doing the stunt together. And differently than Chris, they aren't the ones who couldn't back out from their stupid ideas; they would be willing to join in.
Secondly, the scary sounds of the many…many electric tasers into what would be a very narrow corridor made of wood, narrow enough that it would fit 12 people into it.
The girls watched it pale from hearing the chaotic sounds of the electricity while a few interns and the camera crew from Jackass helped to tie up many tasers and products that would conduct electricity.
Ethen McGhehey was paralyzed, staring at it in silence, and Bam Margera was groaning in the corner with his head staring at the wall.
"This is going to suck," Bam said as the anxiety and anticipation clearly demonstrated why the group were professionals, to the point the young teenagers stared at the few members who were also on the verge of being freaked out by the idea done by the creator of the challenge. It was a terrifying idea, but it was a weird feeling the group would actually have the support of the members of the cast.
Noah and Owen gulped drily at the terrifying sounds of the tasers. Justin and Tyler were trembling from seeing such an experience, and Trent was sweating a lot. Cody and Harold were almost on the verge of pissing themselves. DJ simply fainted, while Ezekiel clearly knew the familiarity of what would be that scene; he always watched the movie whenever he had a chance, and as much as he watched and loved that part of Jackass Movie, now it was the complete opposite since it was going to be his team, and the other team would be doing the famous Electric Avenue. But what was worse was the fact the size and the distance of the said place where everything would be done… is 5 times the size in comparison to the movie scene.
Jude and Geoff also discovered it had been in a terrible situation, now that the group was across together in such an awful experience.
"Killer Grips, Screaming Gaffers, what you guys have here is your first challenge. 4 prisoners of each team took the chains of the unfairness and decided against all odds to manage to escape over the corridors of the prison, well… almost all of them." Chris commented as he explained to the teams the possibility, which Johnny continued. Not only for them, but also for his group of friends on the crew of the movie. "Select your 4 members of each team to start a race to cross the line. The first team to pass first will win the advantage for the next challenge."
DJ was still knocked out, but also Lindsay got into a panic. Izzy, as much as she liked the adrenaline, the idea of passing an electric corridor? Sometimes she hated that she was an adrenaline junkie, because one thing was being electrocuted by eels, and another thing was being tased a few times with law enforcement weapons. Like, she hated when RCPM tried to use that on her.
Katie was hugging Sadie since the duo always looked for comfort in each other's arms, which Cody pouted about since his girlfriend didn't go after him, but still that place was freaking him out. It wasn't just a narrow hallway; it was filled with wooden planks stuck between them, making obstacles that the team would need to pass, but even as simple as it was, the equipment of tasers was beyond imagination. There were at least 200 of them hanging from the cords, and it crossed every single point that they must be careful… While on the floors, it was all tires on the floor for them to try to walk over.
"We need to decide who will go." Heather said as she looked around the group. "There's no way I'm going to do something stupid and crazy like that."
"Well, I also don't want to be shocked." Bridgette commented as she raised her eyebrows at the queen bee.
"Well, it isn't complicated; we just needed to go quickly and pass across the place…" Trent commented as he suddenly saw the group staring at him. "Why are you all looking at me?"
"Because, dude, the first one who offers the idea is always the person who offered themselves." Tyler simply stated the fact, at which Trent immediately raised his hands.
"Oh no, no way in hell I will be doing that." Trent refused with all his might, but the boys weren't giving in.
"Sorry, Trent, but those are the rules." Ezekiel commented as he also took a step further. "I'm also going. Since I probably know their movies, the first one is always the least awful, so if someone doesn't want something worse, it would be for the best if we had the advantage."
"Well, I was also planning to participate." Izzy surprised the group as she also could understand the reasoning of Ezekiel. "Also, Heather, if you don't want to get into a worse situation, it would be for the best for you and your reputation if you just go on the first part. You know Chris would go even worse after this… This is just a race of running across tasers… And being honest, this isn't the worst we got from him."
…
The group got silent, as the queen bee knew the girl was playing with her but also proved a good point: Heather likes her reputation, and of course, she passed the worst, and the fact is, as they said, if you want to do a great job, you always should do it by yourself.
"Fine, I will be participating, but I swear if we don't win this race, Izzy, I swear." Heather said, annoyed, which made Izzy raise her finger.
"Ah, ah, ah, E-Scope. Now, let's focus on a few things. We need to have the advantage because, knowing the movies of Jackass, since my brothers love this movie, we already know there will be challenges of pain, humiliation, and vomit, so with the idea of running into an electric hallway with stun guns, I think the pain part is already there." Izzy commented, which Heather gritted her teeth at but nodded her head in understanding.
"We don't know if we are going to be fine on the next challenges, so we can pass the baton to you guys. Please do your best." Ezekiel said to Tyler, Cody, and Harold, who nodded their heads.
"Aw man, come on, do I really need to go with you?" Trent said as the trio stared at him in disbelief. Which made him sigh. "Fine, I just hope we win."
"Me too, Trent… Me too." Ezekiel commented as he looked at Bridgette, Lindsay, and Katie. "Girls, we will also count on you…"
And with that, the quartet of Killer Grips chooses their 4 members.
"Who would be crazy enough to even think about going into a corridor full of stun guns like that?" Gwen asked as she looked to her group. Everyone had been unsure to even dare to go into a crazy challenge like that.
DJ was trembling with the idea of going into an electricity and getting tased many times, Owen was panicking because it was a race and he wouldn't be able to help his team, and Geoff and Jude glanced at each other, knowing it would probably come up to them.
"Rock, paper, scissors, go..." Jude and Geoff decided to do both at the same time, and in that second, Geoff got scissors as Jude got paper. Which one raised both fists in victory, while the other crouched in defeat?
"I will also go." Another voice called, which made the group stare at Beth in surprise. The young farmgirl saw the whole group staring at her in surprise. "What?"
"Nothing, I just thought you wouldn't go across into a corridor full of tasers for a race." Leshawna said as she crossed her arms, which made Beth narrow her eyes under her glasses. "Since you passed most of the time with the skinny girls of the other team, I thought you would be more focused on not participating at all."
"Hey, I want to win this challenge as much as everyone here. It's not my problem I like to pass my time with my friends on the other team; nobody is complaining about you passing your time with Harold... wait, hold on... oh no, you actually didn't." Beth commented, which slowly made the Screaming Gaffers' eyes wide open over that comment.
"What did you say?" Leshawna narrowed her eyes as Beth was really freaked out.
"I said for you to stop complaining and get your fat ass up and participate in this challenge as well, Miss I'm too good for my boyfriend, but I beep him whenever a troll on the internet makes fun of me." Beth made quote mentions, at which time Leshawna walked towards Beth and narrowed her eyes dangerously.
"Oh no, you didn't say that." Leshawna said as Beth also challenged.
"Said what?" You're fat? Yes, you are, because Sadie, who had been chubby, is now getting more muscles than you. Ever heard about squat? Or even something called 'diet' before? Maybe you should." Beth knew she would have never won anybody with a battle of words, but after passing time with Heather, to the point she would be reading the posts of Leshawna's number one hater... Beth knew how to tick off the ghetto girl.
"Do you want beef with me?" Leshawna said she was ready to jump on Beth, but then both were stopped as Sadie appeared between them, and even DJ helped to hold them apart.
"Girls, girls. STOP." DJ shouted as the Screaming Gaffers did their best to avoid the duo tearing themselves apart.
"SHE STARTED IT." Both Leshawna and Beth shouted in unison, at which Noah simply crossed his arms and facepalmed.
Confession—Lesawna.
"If that chick thinks she can get away with this, she's deeply wrong; she'd better sleep with one eye open tonight." Leshawna said as she raised her finger and started to move. "There's no way she talked about me being fat. Oh no, I didn't hear that. She's going to pay for saying that."
Confession—Beth
"I cannot believe I'm saying this, but Sierra is right; Harold deserved a far better girl than that fat-ass fake BEEP." Beth shouted in frustration the curse, which made her place both hands on her mouth. "Oops... sorry guys, sorry Braddy, I couldn't help it; she really got on my nerves."
Beth lowered her head in guilt for cursing on live television.
"I already can see our team losing...again." Noah remarked as he could see Owen chuckling nervously, as Justin simply ignored everything as he looked at himself in the mirror, but then he thought about it.
"Sadie, why don't you go?" Justin said as the whole team stopped, as he gave a good smile with shining teeth. "Eva was the strongest of our team, but since she left, you and DJ are both the best we have."
Sadie smiled as she saw the beautiful look of his face and the good smile, as Justin also gave the same look to Gwen, who was also eyes-struck by his beauty.
"And Gwen, since you also did a lot of challenges, you must have experience doing all this dangerous stuff; maybe you should lead our team." Justin said with a good smile, which all the girls got love-struck by his looks. Leshawna was also caught by his beauty, and while Beth was amazed, she just smiled at him and wasn't in that trance like the other girls.
"Uhum..." Gwen said, amazed as she forgot to have control of what she was seeing. Which Noah raised his eyebrow to the handsome boy.
Confession—Justin
"I know I can use my beauty to my advantage, but I meant it when I said Sadie is the strongest girl on our team now. Since I eliminated Eva, it's for the best I do everything to use my beauty to still be in the game." Justin said, as he looked in the mirror, which the fans also could analyze from his manipulations, he quoted Sadie, meaning it was true, while he doesn't seem to be bothered about using his beauty to manipulate the others. "It's so good to be handsome as me."
"I also think I should be doing this challenge as well." And this time Noah decided to intervene as he got a glance from Justin, as the bookworm always would treat the model as his anti-him, even if they were on the same team. Noah wasn't going to let things go all according to the handsome one's plans. "He may have some reasoning about having Sadie on this, but I think you should prepare yourselves for the next task. This one, as painful as it would be, is still straightforward and easier to be done."
"So you are doing that because you don't want to be part of what's coming next?" Gwen raised her eyebrow, to which the bookworm shrugged.
"Hey, if you want to get tased by all those kinds of stun guns, suit yourself; it's a limited offer I'm giving." Noah replied as the group looked at each other but then simply shrugged. Accepting the offer, since no girl with the exception of Beth would be willing to do that.
"Okay, so in the end we have Beth, Noah, Jude, and Sadie." Gwen commented as he looked around at the group, who had clearly calmed down over the situation since Justin had helped to de-escalate the fight that was happening at that moment. She sighed as she really tried hard to find a way to make her team work together, but then she got a tap on her back, with DJ and Geoff giving her thumbs up...
A small smile appeared on her face as she hoped she was doing the right thing.
"Alright everyone, get ready because it's time to explain the details." Chris called as both teams had already selected the members of their team. "It seems you guys understood the between-the-lines, as the people who would participate in this phase of the challenge won't be participating until the rest of the episode. Johnny, how about you give them a taste of what they should expect in this episode?"
Bam Margera, Steve-O, and two other members of their group were also there to participate.
"While my friends aren't racing against you both, we are also recording for our movie, so I hope you guys are ready for what's about to happen. Cameraman, when you are ready." Johnny called, as the group saw an old man with a cap covering his eyes was holding a camera in their direction. "This camera will also give touches of 3D and slow-motion, so you all should be prepared for what's going on."
"Action." The cameraman shouted as Johnny Knoxville, Wee Man, and Chris McLean were dressed as officers, while the other members of Jackass, with the remaining contestants of Total Drama, were dressed as prisoners. So this time Johnny already explained the rules for them on the Total Drama Pay-Per-View; however, it was time for him to explain everything that was going to happen in the movie. "Due to the prison overpopulation, we're going to give these people here a chance to escape...this side represents incarceration...that side freedom. This is Electric Avenue."
The sounds of stun guns and tasers clearly were worse than barks of wild dogs and terrified many of both teams.
And to add salt to their injury, Johnny continued.
"Each of these stun guns has 950,000 volts; there are 75 of them hanging here plus 10 cattle prods... Haha, good luck, fellas." Johnny said, as Chris smirked further.
"Alright everyone, light, drama... ACTION." Chris said, as the teams were in their positions, and when Chris shouted 'Action,' the contestants were hesitating. Bam and Ezekiel, who wanted to be the first, also went back and forth because it clearly was a terrifying situation.
"BEEP," Bam shouted, as Ezekiel was also frustrated.
"BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP," Ezekiel also felt the same way.
"Come on, don't be a beep coward," Heather shouted as she wanted to push Ezekiel, but she was also appalled with the idea of going; it was an awful experience.
Beth also felt horrible about wanting it; she started to regret the shit she got there.
Everyone wanted to push each other before they were going; they wanted to win the challenge but not be the fucking first to get caught and get hurt first. Nobody wants to be the first one to get hurt.
"BEEP BEEEEEP BEEEEEEEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP." The sounds of curses coming from the groups who looked at that giant, narrow corridor were clearly terrifying.
Until both Ezekiel and Bam took a few steps, and with a little more anxiety, both went at the same time.
"OUCH FBEEP OUCH OUCH DAMMIT, GOD BEEP BEEP, OHHHH AH AOUCH AAHHH OUCH AH AH AHHHHH OUCH BEEP BEEEP BEEP BEEP" It had been torture for both Ezekiel and Bam, since both their shouts of pain crossed more and more the path, and the stun guns attacked every part of their bodies; it had been torture and a pure nightmare.
It was hard to pass over the tires while they were caught on the stun guns, and it had passed just 2 minutes, but for them both it had been hours of pure agony, to the point Bam and Ezekiel crossed the wooden bars from jumping, and they passed a few more times until they jumped and fell from the wooden bars on the final section of the fucking corridor of madness.
"BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP THAT BEEP SUCKS." Ezekiel punched the wooden wall with the side of his fist while he shouted in pure agony and pain.
Bam also repeated the same words and movements, as it had been quite obvious, since Ezekiel actually had repeated the same words while he watched the official movie on the future, so his expressing the same feelings as the rebel clearly showed how much the challenge had sucked.
Beth crouched as she passed the stun guns from being nearby the tires. But even so, she was caught by some of them.
"OUCH OUCH AH AH OH OH AH AH OUCH OUCH. THIS HURTS." Beth screamed in pain as she even tried to come up with the best strategy, but even so, that caught her in the worst way possible.
"Beep Dammit," Steve-O also felt the terrifying experience, as Noah himself realized the terrible mistake he had done. He never went down into doing such painful challenges, but he was now too deep. Everyone on the show was a bunch of lunatics.
"Beep Beep Oh Beep." Noah cursed many times as he was following the group, as much as he would have wanted to think up a plan. No good plan would survive after the first stun gun, but seeing Heather crossing him and on the verge of passing him, he decided to give another payback. He pulled her leg, which made the queen bee fall down.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH BEEEEEEP" Heather screamed as the 5 stun guns hit towards her body, as she gave a look of hatred to the bookworm who passed her.
"Nothing personal... it's just payback. Oh wait... that was personal." Noah said as he passed her with contempt on his smile. But then he realized his mistake when the queen caught him... "Oh, beep."
"Oh, beep indeed." Heather snarled as she pushed him and used the bookworm as a shield for a few steps ahead, which made Noah get caught by 12 of the terrifying tasers.
"OH AH FO FFFFFFFFBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP" Noah screamed as he fought back and pushed Heather to a few of them sticking on the wall. Which made the duo fight themselves and push each other while they were crossing the obstacles, the wooden planks.
Confession - Noah
"Okay, okay, I admit, I deserved that." Noah said as it showed all the scorched marks around his clothes and even a few parts of his skin; he placed lotion over the small burns. With an ice bag on his neck, it was clear how painful it was. "But come on, I was the first eliminated because of her; I wouldn't be stupid to waste a chance like that. And as painful as it was, call me petty, but it was worth it."
"DAMMIT, OH AH AH BEEP BEEP" Izzy, who decided to go fast, knew she needed to go fast, so she immediately went jumping, even as, at some distances, she was caught and tased in terrible spots, like her face, her chest, and her heel, which was painful as fuck. She was one of the fastest to cross the other side. But she was pissed. Just like the others who managed to cross it.
Dave England himself also crouched to pass over the tires, but his screams of pain and being tased on that long, narrow path really made things worse for himself, as the man saw the group of teenagers even doing the same shit as them, which clearly made him feel pity for them but also awe at seeing the teenagers being so eager to do everything to win a challenge.
"Ouch, ouch, AH AH OH AH OUCH." Sadie shouted a few times as she clearly passed the stun guns. Even as she lost a few pounds, she was still with a few muscles, but they were contracting to every touch with the tasers, which made her feel a lot of pain. "AH OH OUCH BEEP BEEP"
Each member passed towards the challenge like hell, but then it came to the final people who were racing against each other. Jude and Trent.
"GO TRENT, YOU CAN DO THIS." Cody, Harold, Bridgette shouted to incentivize the guitarist, who felt he was in a bad spot at that moment.
"YOU CAN DO THAT, JUDE; WIN THE RACE." Geoff, DJ cheered for the skater who also got support from his team.
"Come on, sugar boy," Leshawna called as Gwen was giving a thumbs-up, even as the challenge was annoying and scary.
"Good luck, dude." Jude said as Trent also gave a thumbs-up, both still hesitating on going.
.
.
.
Ezekiel got a bag of ice, which he was so glad to receive from both the medical team of Total Drama and the Jackass Crew. It had been a nice service from those weird challenges... But he couldn't help but muse about seeing Bam speaking facts to the cameraman.
"I changed my mind; stun guns are the things I hate most now, bulls are second, and snakes are third." Bam said as he was using his own bag of ice.
"So you're the one who created the most nauseous stink bomb in all of Canada?" A voice made Ezekiel blink and turn his back to see Ehren McGhehey approaching the man, and he was with all his teeth, which means the Lamborghini tooth pull wasn't done yet. Which made the homeschooled boy stare at the man who came from the United States. "Our crew wanted to know the mad genius who created such an infamous stink bomb."
"Huh, that's me. I'm surprised that you guys were looking for me." The young boy asked as he was still feeling the pain from all the electricity burns he got from rushing on that awful challenge and ignoring the yelps of pain of his teammates.
"Yeah, there's a new bit I and my friends want to do, so we want to give it a try." The member of Jackass commented as Ezekiel had his eyes wide open.
"Okay, can you repeat it for me? Because who in their damned mind would try to—ohh... right, you guys are the Jackass... trust me, buddy, it's not worth it." Ezekiel politely declined as the man smiled widely.
"Oh, and that's what we are counting on..." The man said as he smirked happily. "Usually we always do things like that we would regret doing just for laughs, using that as the challenge, and them not realizing what's going on will be even better..."
"Hey guys, what's going on?" Steve-O commented as Izzy also approached the duo.
"They want to use El Mongo and La Muerte." Ezekiel commented to Izzy, who had her eyes wide open in surprise from seeing someone who would be too stupid to try the stink bomb dreaded by the group.
"Oh yeah, dude, on the next challenge, since you all participated in this one, we can separate you all to make us do our video while your teams can do the other challenge." Steve-O explained as Izzy and Ezekiel blinked in surprise. "Since the challenge is related to prison, and our group will do something nasty in another place, your team will also do something similar in the challenge."
"Ohhh," both Izzy and Ezekiel commented as they looked at each other.
"Heather will be happy for not being able to participate in the other part of the challenge." Izzy commented as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Yep..." Ezekiel commented as he looked at the duo. "How did you guys come up with a challenge like this?"
"Oh, this one we actually got the idea from a song." Steve-O commented, which made Ezekiel blink in surprise. "Yeah, Electric Avenue was a song, and we debated making something funny like we are all doing now."
"They have a song called Electric Avenue?" Ezekiel wasn't the only one who asked that, but Beth and Sadie also got nearby as Noah was using ice bags to refresh his everything.
"Remind me again to never do some stupid beep like that," Noah complained as the group saw him with a few scorched marks on his body. "Why did I even decide to do this stupid idea?"
"Because from what I heard, the next one is about to be so disgusting that we are happy that we are not going to participate." Ezekiel commented that he was happy that he wasn't going to do the disgusting part of Jackass.
"Regret is diminishing right now." Noah replied quickly, as he had already gotten electrocuted, and that part wasn't humiliating that much, but if it was something disgusting, there was no way his reputation would be saved by that. He saw Heather also looking very annoyed with the bag of ice. "Hey, Heather, did you hear that?"
"I'm going to kill you in your sleep." Heather retorted as the bookworm rolled his eyes.
"We're even now." Noah said with pleasure, even though it would be painful for himself as well.
"Err... guys? Aren't we supposed to know who won the challenge?" Beth asked as the group blinked and turned their backs to stare at Jude and Trent, who were still hesitating.
"COME ON, TRENT, DON'T BE A COWARD." Heather shouted from the other side. Which made the guitarist flinch.
.
.
.
"Okay, dude, on 3... 3." Jude said as both the guitarist and the skater ran, but they got tased. "Oh fudge, ouch, ouch, ah, ah, ah, fudge, fudge, ah, ah, oh, oh, OUCH, DAMN DUDE, ouch, ouch, ouch..."
"AH AH OUCH OUCH BEEP BEEP" Trent and Jude, while they both continued to race, somehow managed to get hit by dozens and dozens of stun guns. Every type of idea they had was thrown out the window.
Which was neck-and-neck. Until they finally reached the final step, Trent stomped wrongly at the tire, and he dropped with Jude, who got caught by 20 stun guns in one go; the lines that supported them both made the electricity hit both of them.
The teams flinched as Chris smiled like it was Christmas; the crew of Jackass cheered as they even laughed at the situation.
And after 5 seconds, Jude was the one who passed to the other side with all his clothes scorched. Followed by Trent, who was still twitching with electricity.
"Well, it seems the verdict was done. The winner of the first challenge... The Screaming Gaffers." Chris said as the crew members of Jackass and the Screaming Gaffers cheered loudly. As Killer Grips looked down, the people who passed on the other side went to check on Jude.
"Jude, Jude, are you okay?" Sadie, Beth, and Ezekiel went to check on the skater, who still had black marks on his clothing and was still twitching from electricity.
"I'm going to lie down for the rest of the day, dudes." Jude said with his eyes wide open still twitching with electricity, thankfully and miraculously Jude didn't have any fatal injury, and the medical team of Jackass were going to check on him and give better support.
"Well, while the members of both teams who passed the first part of the challenge needed to be covered in ice, in accordance with the movie to air for the crew of Jackass, both who passed the first challenge had the right to receive good medical treatment for the crew," Chris at least gave a good way to explain why the group was receiving professional help instead of using interns as medical support. Which was kind of nice in comparison to the actual shit they have been getting in every dangerous and painful moment. "Well, you all who survived the first challenge can be dismissed to treat your burns while you're all there. You can follow us. You will be doing your next challenge in a few rooms from here."
At the time they reached the next room, Chris separated the groups from both teams on each side. The Screaming Gaffers on the left side were the members: DJ, Justin, Gwen, Leshawna, Geoff, and Owen...
While on the other side remained the members Katie, Lindsay, Bridgette, Harold, Cody, and Tyler, who were the ones representing the Killer Grips.
In the new area they got themselves into, they looked around and discovered there were tables with empty plates and pans nearby on each side. In the background there were 2 empty cages. And part of the set there was the jails, which would give the impression that they were indeed in a prison movie.
"Alright guys, the crew of jackasses was already on the other side doing their inner project while we will be focusing on the second part of the challenge." Chris smirked evilly as he was still dressed in his usual officer uniform, while nearby there were the security guards, MacArthur and Sanders, holding two big objects covered in sheets. "Lockdown, people. Let's get this challenge started. Teams, take a prisoner from the competition, and Chef… I mean… Warden. Lock them up."
Chef walked with his usual military uniform, a green top and green pants, while having a hat on his head. It wasn't his usual special forces clothing since he didn't find it needed for the use on that challenge.
The teams separated together into their respective areas.
"Okay, who do we think it would be best to get inside of the jail?" Justin asked as the group who made a circle passed a few seconds thinking.
"I remember when Lindsay locked herself inside of the bathroom, and she lost it. She drank everyone's shampoos in case any of them were magic potions and then barfed on herself." Gwen gave a good explanation while Leshawna grinned, Geoff whistled, and Justin grinned as well. DJ, on the other hand, looked very worried.
"Well, we have someone to choose now." Justin said as the group came to a single decision.
.
.
.
"Okay, so who are we going to choose?" Katie asked as Bridgette passed a few seconds thinking.
"A person who is always bad and in fear of being locked up. We don't know what could happen, but we may need to think about eliminating a distraction from the other team." Bridgette suggested as she was thinking of Owen or Geoff, who could be feeling the pressure of being looked up to, but there were still other members on the team.
"If it is a distraction, we may choose Justin, since he could take off his shirt and call us, which would distract you both, or even walk nearby here and try to distract us somehow." Cody commented as the group stared at him in surprise. "What?"
"It's just we didn't think he would be actually doing that, but you raised a good point." Tyler said as the geek crossed his arms and pouted.
"Come on, I played a lot of chess; I know how to be a few steps ahead sometimes." Cody said, as the group nodded their heads and decided to follow their new plan.
.
.
.
"Choices? Gaffers?" Chris asked as he looked towards Gwen's team, and she looked at the members of her team, who gave a nod of acknowledgement.
"We choose Lindsay." Gwen said, as the group nodded their heads in approval.
"Yay! I win." Lindsay cheered as the group of her team flinched.
"Err…babe, actually, you lose." Tyler said as he tried to find comforting words. Which made the girl pout.
"Aww…" Lindsay said, as she looked disappointed.
"Grips. Now it's an important choice. Did you guys decide on who to choose?" Chris said as he pointed out every member of the other group.
"We are going with Justin." Cody said as the Screaming Gaffers looked surprised by the decision.
Which Chris smirked as he walked towards the two objects covered in sheets.
"Now… Gaffers, since you all won the last challenge. You have a very important choice… The big bowl? Or the small bowl?" Chris said as the groups stared at the host, who was holding something that made them blink at him. "And it's very important because depending on your decision will determine the size of the bowl that both teams will use."
The Screaming Gaffers remained for a few seconds thinking about their decision. As Justin had been selected over being locked down, it could potentially mean anything. Gwen looked to her group and even to Justin, who simply shrugged. Something related to those bowls could mean anything.
If they choose the small bowl, not only they but the other team would have to use it as well. So if they choose the big bowl, it would require more of something.
"I'm sure I can take more than Lindsay." Justin commented as the group simply nodded their heads.
"Okay then..." Gwen accepted the request and looked at Chris, who was already eager to pull one of the sheets. "Chris, we decided to use the big bowl."
"What a great choice, Gwen." Chris said, as he nodded his head, that it was now the time to give the surprise to everyone. "As much as I would have loved to hear your team use the small bowl, it would have been more fun that way, but still the challenge will be wonderful. Because the second challenge will be THIS!"
And by pulling out the sheets, the terrible smell, and the flies flying around the cart containing green chicken, rat meat, rancid cheese, and eaten food. Everything that would be treated as disgusting food in the prison.
"Each team is a prison's Chef whips up the foulest, nastiest, most barf-inducing slop this side of Alcatraz." At the time Chris was explaining the challenge, DJ gritted his teeth and cringed with a grimace at seeing how messed up the challenge would be, since he himself and his momma would be totally against making such horrible food.
Owen, just by looking at the food, rubbed his hands as he had the desire to have a little snack at that moment.
"Justin and Lindsay have to stomach as much as they can; the last one to power hurl wins..." Chris explained, which made the whole group look in disbelief.
"Then why did you ask us to decide between the big bowl or the small bowl?" Gwen asked as she couldn't believe her decision and their victory didn't matter.
"Oh, you guys actually dodged a bullet on there, because this is our service of food that we would be using only on the big bowl... on this other side here..." Chris explained as he pointed over to the second cart with sheets covered. "Belongs only to the small bowl, which, if you want to take a look... check on this."
And at the time Chris pulled out the sheets, everyone had their eyes wide open and their faces paled like white paper.
Paper bags... dozens and dozens of paper bags... everyone who had that experience before had a good hunch about what those papers were.
"Like they said, the smaller the food, the stronger the flavour. Which means Lindsay and Justin would have to try to do the opposite... Eat the most of El Mongo and La Muerte without fainting." Chris explained the variation of what would be their challenge if the Screaming Gaffers had decided to come up simple and think the less was more... yes, less is more painful.
"YOU'RE A PSYCHOPATH." All the contestants shouted in agreement, even Leshawna, Cody, and Sadie, who never got caught in such a powerful and disgraceful stink bomb, shouted from hearing and seeing by themselves how traumatizing that experience would be.
"Well, if you guys think this was the worst. It's because the crew of Jackass are doing their movie shooting right now using this as the main ingredient, and while it would be good for the audience to see what was happening there. Sadly, it would be only revealed at the time the movie releases." Chris said in a pout, as he himself wanted to show the good part of the audience, who clearly would be disappointed. "But rest assured, everyone, Jackass 3D is predicted to be released in 2009-2010. Which probably will be 2 or 3 years, so I hope you guys at the time you watch that movie come back and watch this episode."
"What a terrible way to make propaganda." Gwen said as Geoff nodded his head, disappointed.
"Oh man, I wish I could be there to see what was happening right now." Geoff said, as the group simply shrugged. But now they were glad to see they had chosen better in choosing the big bowl. One thing is a disgusting challenge; another thing would be actually torturing their friends.
"Okay, we lost too much time here, Chef. Cadets, lock them up." Chris gave the order as Lindsay was being pushed by Chef.
"Move along, pretty boy. Time for the jail." MacArthur pushed Justin, who glared at one of the security guards. While Sanders was careful not to make it too hard for Justin, MacArthur was never impressed by the beauty of the guy.
"Watch out for my skin; I shouldn't have bruises since it would look terrible in my look." Justin commented, at which the security guards simply rolled their eyes, and MacArthur gave a final push on Justin to get inside.
"I- I... Can't, I'm innocent, I tell you. I'm innocent," Lindsay tried to plead for help and ask to not be inside of the jail.
And with them both inside, the duo of prisoners were locked up in their respective jails.
"That's what they all say." Chris smirked as he pointed out how cliché it could be; in many prison movies, they always would focus on making the main character or some of the characters say they were innocent.
Confession—Lesawna.
"We got this in the bag, since the pretty white girl always has a weak stomach; last night she almost puked because my gum smelled too minty fresh, as she said. I doubt she could take anything my team is going to pull inside that bowl. We got this easily." Leshawna grinned while she explained the victory smile on her face. "I repeat, we got this in the bag."
"Gross..." Lindsay said as she was almost puking at that moment.
"LINDSAY," Then a voice shouted at the blonde girl, which made her turn back to her team. Bridgette was the one who called the attention of the bombshell, "Remember when we were on the challenge last year between boys vs. girls? The brunch of disgustingness?"
"Yeah, remember, close your eyes and meditate..." Cody explained as the girl passed a few seconds later. "The time when you ate a lot of stuff while thinking it was nothing."
"Oh yeah..." Lindsay simply sat and closed her eyes... that strategy worked before. Maybe it was worth doing it again.
"Shoot, I hoped they had forgotten about that." Gwen snapped her fingers, which now is going to be very difficult. "Guys, we need to give our best, or Justin will be in trouble."
"Since Screaming Gaffers won one challenge, if they manage to get another victory on this part, they will win the whole challenge, which means Killer Grips, you better give your all to remain in the game, because this episode's reward is very important." Chris gave an explanation that made the whole group look at each other.
"Prisoners ready... Annnnnd Culminate." Chris gave the permission to start the challenge, which at that time nobody was going to take easy.
"Gwen chooses the roaches, Geoff tops it off with some slimy anchovy paste, and Owen comes to give a 'What's this?" Chris narrated what was happening, since Gwen took the bowl of roaches and placed it on the top of the bowl, and then over it, Geoff used the anchovy paste because Lindsay hated anchovies, and Owen appeared just to scratch his head, which would make all the dandruff fall off on the bowl. "On the top of spaghetti all covered in flakes, and Lindsay has to eat it because them's just the breaks..."
While Chris looked on the other side, DJ looked on that monstrosity...
"How's the self-respecting chef supposed to serve that..." DJ said he felt his inner pride as a cook, just like his mom would never allow that to happen. Which made him bring from his pocket a little bottle of ingredient, a pink bottle with hearts on it... His proudest ingredient was made by no other than his momma. "Momma's spice. And Momma would be proud, I think..."
DJ placed the spice over the ingredients and made a mix in the bowl, knowing that would be good enough and his pride as a chef would be intact... not realizing that moment he wasn't supposed to be a chef.
Chef Hatchet watched that moment and shook his head in disappointment. A boy like DJ clearly needed a wake-up call, but sadly Chef already had two brats in an alliance. He couldn't create more suspicion.
"Now on the Killer Grips side, Katie took horse lips, and Cody came with the rat meat. Harold brought his used paper tissues. Ohhhh, that's disgusting. Oh, oh, oh, Look at that, Tyler brought bull's testicles; this one is going to be the pain over Justin's body." Chris smiled as Bridgette was almost vomiting at bringing something that almost made her break... durian. "And look at that, Bridgette is bringing durian as an ironic payback after all the pain she got last season."
And with everything done, Chris smiled widely.
"Alright, everyone. Time's up." Chris said with a smile as everything felt ready for what's about to happen next. "Jailbirds, hope your appetites are primed..."
"We have here a very good meal for you, Lindsay: cockroaches with anchovy paste and dandruff over spaghetti inside. Are you sure you want to eat the whole thing?" Owen asked as he gave the bowl to Lindsay, who simply twitched but remained with her eyes closed, focusing on not throwing up and bringing the meditation.
"Justin, here we have a supermodel's nightmare." Harold said as he could see Justin's eyes wide open. "Horse Lips, mixed with a casserole of rat meat, and the paper tissues I used last night since I was with a cold. Bull's testicles, meatballs, and for a vegetarian option... durian. Bon appétit."
"Wait, WAIT, WAIT, are rat meat and horse meat low fat or big fat?" Justin called in despair as his inner side of handsomeness was in panic. "Guys, maybe we should throw away the challenge."
"Oh no, don't you dare. Pretty boy," Leshawna said as she pointed at the handsome boy. "As much as you are handsome and I would kiss you, I still prefer winning this."
"Hey, Harold's right here." Bridgette called, but it seems that didn't reach the big girl's ears. Bridgette narrowed her eyes as she could see Harold being silent. "What the hell is wrong with that girl?"
Bridgette murmured as she went to focus on the challenge with her team.
"Are you maggots ready?" Chris asked as both contestants were with the bowl of food in their hands. "One minute to down that chum, aaaaaand... dig in."
Justin slowly tried to touch his spoon, but he was fighting himself with everything he could to not eat...
Confession—Justin
"I cannot do that... it's against every fibre of my handsome body." Justin said in the confession as his entire face looked pale, as he was feeling traumatized by the experience he had. "My aunt always told me that I must be beautiful on the inside in the same way as I should be beautiful on the outside. And adding that food inside of me, I'm sure it would take months to clean up my interior beauty. How much would it cost for a spa service for the inside of your stomach?"
"Auhmmmm..." Lindsay said as she took one spoonful of the food and immediately shoved it into her mouth... But when she did that, she opened her eyes in surprise. "Wow, that's delicious..."
That comment alone made the Screaming Gaffers pause, as they were anxious for Justin to do something, but at the moment Lindsay said that, everyone stared at the blonde girl who was eating the food with gusto. Her own team had their mouths wide open in shock.
DJ in the background was looking proud of his work. Knowing he did a great job while using the special spice his momma created.
"It's like eating angel's wings." Lindsay commented that she didn't use the spoon anymore, but the whole group watched her shoving her whole face into the plate.
"Woah, she's eating food containing anchovies." Harold said he was very impressed but also scared. DJ was proud of how he managed to make it work for Lindsay, forgetting the objective of the challenge was to make her barf.
Justin was on the verge of not eating the food as he took the small green liquid that smelled terrible. It looked like durian, and since it was a fruit that was related to his native country, he decided to give it a try... When he placed the liquid inside of his mouth, he started chewing... he knew durian, but there was some sort of different texture; something was crunchy.
Durian wasn't supposed to be crunchy. As he placed his fingers to verify what was crunching... His eyes went wide open as he saw the bones and a tail of a rat.
Justin tried to fight it, but his mouth was covered with his own vomit, which made him spill everything on the floor and even launch a good portion of vomit outside of his jail.
"Lindsay keeps it down for the Killer Grips and wins the second challenge." Chris announced, which made the whole group of Lindsay's team celebrate.
"WOOOHOOOOO, YES." The Killer Grips cheered as Lindsay looked happily at finishing his plate... but at the time she saw all the vomit on the floor and on Justin's face covered in vomit.
Lindsay's mouth was full, and she let out everything from her stomach, to the point everyone who was going to celebrate with her had to hold themselves together. Because Lindsay was taking out everything.
Confession—Lindsay
Lindsay was holding a bucket as she was doing a cleaning on her stomach. From the medical team of the movie production, they gave the good medicine that would surely make her vomit everything.
"I hate seeing vomit, because that always makes me vomit. BLURGGGGG," Lindsay said as her face looked in despair of pure vomit. She shouldn't have seen Justin's face covered in vomit, and the smell of it was pure nausea. To the point Lindsay threw so much vomit that it even covered the lens of the camera.
"With all the preparation, everyone, I want to see you all outside in an hour." So you better get going. Justin and Lindsay, you all can stay behind while being treated by the medical team until you all are cleaned up on the stomachs. See you all later." Chris said that as both Lindsay and Justin were in such terrible conditions, they needed to recover themselves...
While both teams had been walking around from their respective feelings, DJ was walking towards the direction of the exit, but he then felt his shoulder being grabbed, which made him yelp.
"AHHHHHHHHH," DJ screamed as he saw the look on Chef Hatchet's face, but instead of being angry or even showing his terrible frown, the look on his face showed nothing more than reproval and disappointment.
"I hope you are happy," Chef said those words, which the big man with a big heart had no idea why he was saying that. "You let your whole team down."
"Wh- what are you talking about?" DJ asked in panic, but Chef was not showing a tone of anger but a more solid and grounded voice of disapproval.
"I'm talking about the fact that while you sabotaged your whole team for making the food Lindsay had eaten tasty. And for that, you made your team lose this phase of the challenge." Chef was straight to the point, which made DJ have his eyes wide open in surprise. "Any good Chef is able to make terrible food taste good, but only the best is able to make anyone actually eat the terrible food and grow stronger with time."
"But a chef should never let a person eat bad food; it's against everything we are, it's against our pride." DJ rebutted, which made Chef look at him in disbelief.
"Pride? You know what pride can lead to? You can sell pride for a cheap cup of coffee... what was more important than that is loyalty." Chef said as he told the truth to DJ. As a military person, he knew what pride could lead to and how stupid it was... because of pride, Shego, who had been one of the best spies in Canada, was sentenced to maximum prison because she knew too much. He himself, because of pride, hurt one of his best friends, and because of that pride, he was afraid to talk to her for years. And all it took was to ask forgiveness from his best friend, and he was able to move on from that shameful accident. And as proud as he could be... his loyalty to his squad, to his friends, he never would break it. He would never betray them. "The same loyalty you stabbed from the sacrifices of your friends who did before. Your teammates, Sadie, Jude, Beth, and Noah—what are you going to say to them if they find out all their efforts into getting electrocuted could have been worth it if Lindsay had vomited before Justin? What do you think they would feel at the time they find out you changed the outcome just because you saved the grub that was supposed to be the worst, and you made it taste like Michelin food?"
DJ flinched as he heard what Chef had just said, but the Chef wasn't done.
"That girl, as many would think she wasn't able to hold it, was able to eat far worse things in her life... and you know her better, since you also ate what she ate as well..." Chef made the point, which DJ flinched into recalling such a golden incident. "That was a line that wasn't going to be crossed since last season, so all you could have done was to wait for the challenge to unfold by itself... even if your team would lose because your teammate didn't have a good stomach..." Chef said the facts, which even made DJ raise his finger to rebut. "But still that girl had more stomach than the pretty boy; if she had done the meditation crap, she would still have won the challenge. All you did was to diminish her efforts to show growth and improvement."
DJ lowered his finger, as immediately the facts Chef had given to the boy clearly had been logical and made sense, which made DJ even worse... for the fact he made his team lose on purpose...
"Ohh...wow..." DJ never thought about it, and he felt like he really messed up with his team, especially with how Gwen wanted her team to work everything out fine. Sadie, Jude, Noah, and Beth clearly hurt themselves to win the challenge. And he blew up...
And Chef even as disappointed as he was, couldn't look at DJ like that.
"Look, DJ, I was once like you, young...weird...kind of ugly, but you got a gift. I cannot tell you what it is... you must see it by yourself. And in my time and experience, I saw gentle people break, and I think nothing is scarier than seeing a good man with a gentle heart break." Chef explained as he looked around, and he was able to deactivate the microphone between both him and the young boy in front of him... "I saw Izzy's father break once... And it had been one of the scariest experiences of my life."
"You saw Izzy's father break?" DJ blinked while he felt sweat on his face; he watched the episode in which Izzy's father appeared. The man was very kind and funny; in a way, he harmlessly managed to capture Lindsay so easily that it was funny...
"War always finds a way to break people. DJ, Izzy as much as eccentric she is. She was lucky to never have had the same experiences I and her parents had. I was ambushed in Vietnam; the squad that was with me at that time died without mercy. And I almost lost my life... I used to smile more." Chef spoke as he guided DJ into more of the darkness, knowing someone would be trying to find them, and he was glad to see DJ understand more about the truth. "But one thing that made my best friend lose control was his oldest son, Thigo, was kidnapped while Kim was giving birth to Izzy."
DJ's eyes went wide open as a bad shiver came to his spine.
"We were simply on our time off since both I and Ron returned from the mission... his oldest boy, who was 3 years old, had disappeared for 2 weeks," Chef commented as DJ was feeling terrified knowing that. "Only God knows what must have happened to that kid during those 2 weeks. Shego was on a mission, and we swore to never tell her about what happened... and I was hurt because of that mission... But Ron... he got silent… DJ, he never got that silent before, and when a kind man becomes silent like that. His whole mind is in pure hell, and all you can do is watch him destroy everything in his path."
DJ paled, as he never thought of seeing Chef explaining it to him.
"I'm going to tell you what he told me when he found out where his child was located and when he discovered someone wanted 5 million dollars as a way of rescue." Chef said as he could see the young boy with a good heart trembled in fear… "Desine corpora numerare post viginti."
DJ tilted his head at what that was supposed to mean; he wasn't good at languages, since that area would probably go to someone who knows that.
"In Latin… it means, stop the body count at 20… You don't want to know how many there were…" Chef then translated, which immediately made DJ whimper in fear… "It took maybe months after recovering, Thigo and Kim being by his side, and Izzy and Shego returning from the mission that made him slowly go back to himself, me… At the time Kim returned from the hospital, I was away because I didn't want to get involved with Kim at that time, but I helped Ron as much as I could because I would always be loyal to my friends." Chef explained as he then activated their microphones again, and both turned on the cameras around them. "As I was saying... I would hate to see a kind man like you breaking. So that's why I want you to toughen up and be prepared, because we are not going easy on anyone. You can never expect what's going to happen."
Which Chef looked at the tattoo of the young boy, the tattoo representing his former team, the one with his friends?
"If you don't want to get involved in your team's victory, fine. But never belittle the sacrifices that your team did to try to win; every drop of blood, sweat, and tears should never be mocked by your act of kindness for a person who isn't in fact your friend but a girlfriend of your friend. For a person who has pride in having a tattoo of a fish on the arm, you shouldn't let your fish friends be betrayed like that. Specially for a Gopher." Chef said as DJ got in silence and received those words like a punch. "You let your whole squad down, and at the time you all get into the elimination cut, I will speak the truth. Maybe that will make you motivated to never let your squad down ever again."
As soon as the group walked outside, they saw a few ambulance cars on the outside, while a few medical teams were running around in madness.
"What the hell is going on?" Gwen commented as the contestants moved to see Steve-O, Preston, Chris Pontius, and Dave England in litters while being carried towards the ambulance. The other members of the crew were on their knees laughing even as their whole faces were covered in pure vomit.
But what made the remaining members of Killer Grips and Screaming Gaffers see Heather and Beth trembling in fear while a part of their mouths released the vomit? Jude was lying down, pretending that he didn't see anything. Trent was vomiting on the ground, and Sadie was lying on the ground, fainted... Noah was on his knees...
"Please, PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING THAT IS NICE, AND EVEN IF YOU WANT ME TO CALL YOU THE BEST BOSS IN THE WORLD, FOR THE SAKE OF OUR FRIENDSHIP, PLEASE, I BEG YOU, DON'T LET MY SISTER KNOW ABOUT THIS RECIPE." Noah screamed as the whole group stared at Ezekiel, who simply tilted his head in surprise.
"What are you talking about? I'm never going to release that recipe... and I promise, guys, I won't ever use it on you." Ezekiel said that for the first time, Noah sighed in such relief that he actually laughed, laughed as he was losing his sanity.
"Thank God, thank God for the small mercies. There's no way this won't be illegal in Canada after this video is released." Noah commented as he looked at Izzy, who was frozen in her place.
"Izzy, are you okay?" Harold came to ask the girl, but he just noticed the girl was blushing madly, as she was even panting.
"I NEED TO GO TO THE BATHROOM QUICKLY." And with that, the crazy military ginger ran away from the area as everyone remained quiet as they looked at Ezekiel, who seemed to be still covered with vomit on his clothing, but from the point of view, it seems that it wasn't his vomit. But his eyes looked like he were tearing from the terrible smell.
"What just happened?" Geoff asked as Bridgette came to see the groups still trying to recover from what happened.
"Whatever you do, do not return to that building. The smell is spreading, and it will require a demolition team." Noah said as he finally recovered his sanity, even as he was with a storm of feelings—relief, outrage, disbelief, panic, despair, every weird feeling he had at that moment—it was struck at him. "It's not a stink bomb; it's also a..."
"LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT THAT." Heather shouted as everyone stared at her... Heather stuttered in fear as she even forced herself a good smile. "Err...Ezekiel, did I tell you how awesome you are and how grateful I am to have you on my team?"
"Don't worry, Heather, I'm not going to release this creation on you." Ezekiel knew how terrified Heather was over this creation; it was the first time Ezekiel had ever created it, and he himself also had to confess he was sweating cold from such monstrosity. He was just glad that none of the staff and neither his friends were caught on that… and he was glad that this wasn't a stink bomb but a…
Heather was so relieved that she let out a deep breath that she didn't know she had. Which her sigh interrupted the thoughts of the boy.
"Okay, that makes me feel relieved. WHAT BEEP WAS THAT?" Heather screeched as she held Ezekiel by his clothes, very pissed. "WHERE THE BEEP DID YOU LEARN TO MAKE THAT BEEP?"
"WOAH WOAH, WHAT'S GOING ON?" Gwen, Bridgette and Tyler, who were there, held Heather as she was shaking the boy.
"Okay, okay, okay, I'm calm now." Heather said she was sweating a lot. Which Ezekiel nodded his head.
"I don't blame you; it's a normal reaction after seeing it the first time if you aren't the one getting it." Ezekiel said as he cleaned the dust off his jacket, and he was sincere when he was saying that. "Heck, I warned them to not do it, but they insisted, saying El Mongo and La Muerte were too common since we used them in many episodes and wanted something stronger, so I gave them."
"Can just someone tell me what the hell is going on?" Chris, who came to walk around and found the whole group of ambulances taking a few members of the Jackass group and saw the group of teenagers freaking out, had to know what happened from the source.
"Ezekiel created a new stink bomb." Heather, Beth, Noah, Trent, and Jude all said in unison while Sadie was still fainted and Izzy was doing her business in the bathroom.
And that answer was immediate since everyone paled and stared at Ezekiel, who simply shrugged.
"Well, I wouldn't call it a stink bomb, since I didn't use it as a stink bomb; they just wanted to eat the content of it, which was the nastiest and spiciest thing they would ever have the misfortune of ever encountering. Using that as a bomb clearly would mean that area would take maybe a whole month to be able to breathe in that area." Ezekiel explained that the contestants who just got there, even DJ, who recently had a lot to think about, got the message, and the instincts of everyone were clear. "But I think this is far more useful as pepper spray for self-defence."
"Ezekiel, I know that you wanted to improve your stink bomb, but using El Mongo and La Muerte fused with Chetah Chug should be a crime. There's no way that can be treated legally and sold, and that comes from me; I'm the son of a lawyer." Trent explained, which made Ezekiel snap his fingers.
"But it was just one drop of it..." Ezekiel commented as he could see neither of his friends believing him, even raising their eyebrows at him. "Of the concentrated version of Cheetah Chug and a few other ingredients, okay, I see your point. But hey, this one I won't share the recipe with anyone, so you guys can relax. I'm not planning to use this one on you guys."
"I hope so, but still, Ezekiel, it was too hardcore. I don't know what made us all vomit. Was it the smell, or was it the chain reaction of seeing them screaming in pain and vomiting?" Noah explained as Beth nodded her head as the group clearly saw Ezekiel nodding his head.
"Probably them both. Even I almost vomited, and I think the smell alone would make Owen vomit everything he ate the whole day. I can see your point." The homeschooled boy nodded his head as the group finally got themselves a few more minutes before the preparations for the next challenge.
"Man, that was beep awesome," Johnny Knoxville said as he finished cleaning up himself from recording the whole experience. "This will be a sure hit in the movies, and it will be a memorable scene. Guys, you did great work on the reaction."
"That's because they are true, abeep." Heather said she still had twitches of between panic and complete anger after witnessing what just happened. "I'm surprised at how you're still alive from doing all that."
"Years of experience," Johnny said with pride, which the group who had just been with them clearly knew was true, but another fact. "But also we are beep crazy."
"We notice." Everyone who witnessed their last stunt clearly commented in a serious tone, which even Sadie managed to recover from fainting, and heard the host of the movie speak the fact.
"Anyway, thank you so much, guys, for your collaboration. I'm sure this movie will be the best one we've ever done yet." Johnny said as he grabbed the hands of every person who was with them and gave a handshake. He looked at Ezekiel and nodded his name. "That new stink bomb really lives up to the name."
"What did you name that stink bomb?" Owen asked, which made everyone glare at Owen for even thinking about wanting to know about that disgraceful creation.
"Oh... well, I named it 'OH GOD, PLEASE KILL ME NOW, PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING, KILL ME RIGHT NOW...'" Ezekiel commented that the more he told the name, the more the members of his team and the other team, who had never watched the stink bomb, paled from the way he was saying it. Something so much worse that would make them beg for death. "I'm still open for ideas. I was thinking of naming it... Mandyyyyyyy."
"How a whole sentence begging for that would be shortened by a name—you know what? I don't want to know, Ezekiel." Gwen was about to ask for an explanation, but she decided it wasn't worth it; they had already dealt with too much on that day.
"Yeah, you better think of another name another day." Chris commented as he was really interested in what just happened, and he was even afraid of what kind of monstrosity Ezekiel created, but he still has a show to present. "Anyway, for the remaining group, Geoff, Gwen, Leshawna, Owen, and DJ for the Screaming Gaffers. While for the remaining Killer Grips, Harold, Cody, Katie, Tyler, and Bridgette. You all are now in the final part of the challenge. It's 1 victory for each team. The winner of this challenge will get a very important reward, so you guys had better get ready. You all who participated in the challenges before will watch from the area where everything is going to happen."
"What happened to Lindsay and Justin?" Beth asked as she noticed the absence of not only her friend but also another person on her team.
"They did the second challenge, and they are now in the medical area doing the cleaning of their stomachs." Chris explained as the group stared at them horrified. "Well, with Lindsay's victory everything is tied, and now it's up to all the remaining members of your team to win the whole challenge."
Noah crossed his arms and stared at Ezekiel, who was in relief.
"You're so glad you went on the first challenge, right?" Noah asked as he watched Geoff and Bridgette help Jude to get up, Sadie and the others slowly getting away to finally have some breath from everything that happened.
"You have no idea. And from everything that happened. I'm glad I didn't have to do Lindsay's challenge and not this one as well, because I'm not sure what more Chris and Johnny are planning now." Ezekiel commented as the writer and the editor had been walking into an area a bit farther away in the open field. "Also... your sister wants to know the recipe for my stink bombs?"
"Ugh... I knew I shouldn't have told you that, but yeah, one of my older sisters likes to pull pranks and jokes, but she sometimes goes overboard, and the only thing she hasn't created yet is a good stink bomb... please, as a friend and your editor. Don't ever teach her both your stink bombs, okay?" Noah said as he recovered from his freakout, Usually he isn't a boy who loses composure, but the situations of what happened inside clearly had made everyone lose their composure.
"Alright, so that's one of the girls who went with you to the mall on the book signing day?" Ezekiel asked if he could understand some part of what he recalled. The girls and the boy from the mall gave a small sense of déjà vu, but he had never seen them before.
"One from many..." Noah said dryly, which made his friend and boss blink a few times.
"How many siblings do you have?" Ezekiel asked, and while they were talking, Trent and Jude were also following the duo with a curious look on their faces.
"I'm the youngest of the 9 children of the family. Having 7 sisters and 1 brother, trust me, it's a war zone." Noah commented, which made Trent's mouth drop, and Jude tripped and fell in surprise from hearing the information.
"DUDEEEEE, 8 siblings?" Jude said he was very surprised to know about a boy who had a family so big like that.
"It must be very chaotic living with a big family like that." Trent commented as the bookworm nodded his head in agreement.
"Nori, Neli, Nuna, Nuan, Nynn Jr., Nickolay, Nikka, Nucy, and me. By that order." Noah explained as he retold the whole story about the family he had, to the point it made the whole trio shocked at how chaotic Noah's life may be. "A giant family that was so chaotic that I can't wait for the day I will be able to find my own place to live, like an apartment with a roommate… Or go to college someday if I get at least into doing something on there. At least my older sister is planning to go there this year. Maybe my mom was right. I will be holding money for college, and then I will have some time away from that chaos."
"Well, I would say I only thought you saw that stuff on television. But since where we are now, I'm not going to throw stones from a glass house." Ezekiel commented that he recalled how big Noah's family was, and imagining a house full of siblings, he clearly was similar to Kevin from Home Alone, which was a good example, but also there was a cartoon show that... then he snapped his fingers. "Loud House,"
"Yes, every day is loud there." Noah rolled his eyes as Ezekiel smiled sheepishly as he gave time for Noah to continue. "I just hope this stupid challenge is over so I can take a shower and go to bed. I got too much excitement over a day, and that came from me, who had to live in that chaos for many years of my life."
"Well, we are almost there." Jude said as both he and Trent went from the group, already preparing themselves for what's coming.
At the time the group got reunited in what would be a secured area, they had their surprise and concern as they found what would be the description of an obstacle course, but in a prison genre theme, but in the worst version possible: mud, barbed wire, but worst of all, alligators. Then there's a hole with pigs on the mud that are already doing their needs inside of that place.
And there is a section in which there are people dressed with paintball gear, professional paintballers, aiming and loading their guns and ready to trigger the poor people who were going to suffer at that time, and finally there were a few groups of old people spitting on cups, which some of them wouldn't even imagine what that was for.
Heather sweated with a few members of the whole team who had already suffered enough into going on the electric avenue.
"And now I feel so happy that I'm not going to do that," Noah became the voice of reason as a few people who were there nodded their heads in agreement. Soon he just found Izzy returning with a satisfied look on her face. "And look who just came back. Satisfied?"
"I don't know what you are talking about," Izzy said in denial, which made Noah roll his eyes and made the group stare at the place.
"And here come our two survivors of the last challenge." Chris said as Lindsay and Justin, who clearly would have better days, finally appeared. Now the group who are at the safety zone will watch the final challenge from a safe distance. "Lindsay and Justin, since you both participated in the last challenge, you two don't need to participate in the final challenge, so you can reunite with your friends."
"Are you guys okay?" Trent asked as the handsome boy was still shivering from remembering the terrible texture of eating rat bones. Which made the poor boy gag. "Okay, I will take that as a no."
"Lindsay, how are you feeling?" Izzy asked as Heather and Beth were happy the crew had in storage a service of a fridge, which had Lindsay's grape soda, which the blonde bombshell felt so happy to have at that moment.
"Thanks, girls," Lindsay said gratefully as she started drinking her favourite drink without thinking twice. Which would wash out the terrible taste from her mouth after so much vomit.
"Well, now that everyone is united, I hope you guys enjoy the last challenge, because your friends are going to pass through a lot of trouble now, hahahahaha." Chris laughed as at that moment the teams who had passed on the challenge before were just looking at each other.
"Err... Izzy, Heather, I think when it comes to that part of the challenge, you may want to close Lindsay's eyes." Sadie said as she was almost gagging at seeing the old man still spitting into glasses of shots.
Which the group knew something. This challenge was the worst of all.
"Well, well, well, Grips and Gaffers, you all are on the verge of the final challenge." Chris smirked as the group, who were still dressed as prisoners, didn't have a good feeling about what was going to happen. "This challenge was inspired by one of the scenes of Jackass that wasn't cut from the movie last year, so they are going to release Jackass 2.5 while you guys will be helping them to create the content for the next movie after that, Jackass 3… So that means you will be doing this challenge, which has almost the same concept, however with another catch."
"God, how much it sucked when we did that last year." Bam Margera said he was glad he wasn't one of the members of this again. "Johnny is up to you."
"Oh, I will have the pleasure. Well, to explain, the rules are quite simple: since your teams have 5 members each, each of you will be in a specific area. The first person must go down the ramp using a skateboard and go straight to the mud. As the person is going there, he or she must cross the other side of the mud where there are alligators ready to give some bite, and above them there is barbed wire to make sure you will be crouching until you reach the other side." Johnny explained that it clearly made everyone have their eyes wide open from the already awful start. "The second person must cross these giant fans while we will be throwing fish, tomatoes, and shoes at you until you reach the tunnel where there are dozens and dozens of pigs enjoying their field of mud to give their excrement and piss. Which one of you will be waiting on the inside until the member of your team goes halfway to you?"
"Excuse me?" Leshawna said she was already feeling green from imagining the person staying on the inside of that hole with the pigs, which would be smelling terrible.
"That until the person who was inside of the tunnel gets out from there and reaches the fourth member of the team, as together you will cross the other side of the field, where there are professional paintball shooters waiting for you to be at their aim, you guys won't receive any protection, so you better be fast." Chris said he could see the fear, the disgust, and the glares of the contestants. "And that's not all; there's only one last phase. Bam, why don't you tell them what they are expecting to drink?"
That made the whole group look at the skate rebel, who had the smirk on his face.
"The last member of the team must drink 3 glasses of pure spit, done by those 2 old men right there." Bam Margera pointed in the direction of the old people who were still spitting and gave a small wave at them.
Bridgette saw that she couldn't help herself and had already vomited, which Geoff himself did his best to not do the same.
"Well, it seems you already know who shouldn't be the person on that side, Grips." Chris commented as the group looked at the trio like they were devils. "Well, the winner will be the person who drinks the 3 glasses first. The winners will get a prize that will be very important. So you better give your all."
It didn't take long until the teams decided to choose who would be...
Owen was already selected to be the last person on the course for the Gaffers, and competing against him was Tyler. Since the boy had been tough in situations that would need him to have an iron stomach, he wasn't going to refuse it.
On the paintball run were Gwen and Cody, while staying inside the pig area were Leshawna and Katie. A bit away from the tunnel were DJ and Harold, who crossed the fans, and at the top of the ramp with the skateboards were Bridgette and Geoff. A couple going against each other...
"Well, it seems today is going to be a crazy ride..." Geoff tried to cheer up his girlfriend, who was looking very nervous. "Do you still remember the tips I and Jude gave to you on how to skateboard?"
"Yeah, but I'm very clumsy when I'm not on my surfboard, do you remember?" Bridgette said as she tried to joke, but the uneasy look clearly made her gulp. "I'm just glad there's water and mud on there; it will ease our fall."
"Yeah, but the alligators are what make me frightened a bit." Geoff said as he tried to remain calm, but alligators freak many people out.
But then he felt the hands of his girlfriend, who smiled at him.
"Know that we are together in this..." Bridgette smiled, as it had been a long time since she missed that feeling. And Geoff smiled at her...
Which led to them to start making out once again...
"Aww, how love is beautiful." Johnny commented as he himself was also dressed as a prisoner, which the duo of blondes ignored as they made sure to continue their making out. Wee Man, who was also dressed as a prisoner, clearly was there to give some extra dramatic and funny effect, which the group was ready to have some fun with. "Anyway, Chris, you will say the call when I say the title of this bit, and when we start, I will be checking in firsthand on who will be the winner, alright?"
"You've got this." Chris said, even as he rolled his eyes, since he was the host of the show. But with a clear of throat made, both Geoff and Bridgett stopped kissing each other. "Seriously? Right now? In a part of the movie? Anyway, forget it. Go to your positions."
Bridgette and Geoff sighed as they had to continue the challenge. Since their friends were now in their positions, it would now require the race to determine what would happen to their teams. It was now or never.
Johnny was between them and Wee Man, who was also with his own skateboard, 4 people above the ramp. And ready to go down with their skateboards.
"LIGHT, CAMERA, ACTION." Chris said, as Johnny smiled at the camera and decided to make the presentation.
"This is the Cajun Obstacle Course 2, Electric Boogaloo." Johnny said as the group prepared themselves.
"On your marks," Loomis Fall, the one who did fewer stunts but was full of tattoos, said as he was preparing to give the flag to start. "Set… get ready… GO!"
And with the signal, Bridgette, Geoff, Johnny Knoxville, and Wee Man went down the ramp with their skateboards, but it was short until the whole group crashed on the water mixed with the mud. Spitting the water from his mouth, Johnny started the lead while Geoff and Bridgette went after him.
The angry alligators hissing and wanting to make everyone else's problem their own was their mission. Which was to the point where Geoff crouched and started passing by, one alligator had bitten his ankle.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH." Geoff said as he shook his leg, which soon the alligator gave up.
"AHHHHHHH, BEEP AGAIN?!" Johnny got another alligator biting his arm while they were crouching to pass the barbed wire.
"AH, SORRY, SORRY, JUST PASSING BY." Bridgette said as she was passing the alligators, which hissed and opened and closed their mouths in a warning way for her to quickly get away. "I promise I will be on my way. Sorry."
Wee Man used his same strategy again and became the first one to get out of the alligator field, which took 5 minutes for Geoff to leave the whole area. Bridgette passed on there in 4. Johnny was the last one who took 7 minutes.
Geoff was bleeding from his ankle while he was holding himself back together. It wasn't a poisonous sting like the plant he had before. But it was great to know that messing with alligators will be at the bottom of his list from now on.
At the time Bridgette went to Harold, the young nerd gave a small salute and started to run. At which point the fans started to show great strength, Harold was almost blown away by the winds. But that wasn't the worst part. The crew of the jackass started to throw at him fish, lots and lots of fish. Which one clearly had hit him on the face and made the poor nerd go down?
Geoff managed to reach DJ, to the point the young Jamaican boy recalled that he didn't want to let his team down.
"Run, DJ, run like the wind." Geoff called at the time he said that and managed to catch up to DJ. The brick wall with a good heart.
He didn't just sprint; he ran like it was the only thing that mattered at that moment. Passing the vent with all the fish and tomatoes thrown at him, he was hit dozens of times, but he wasn't going to stop, not while he could see Harold getting into the tunnel ahead of him.
Geoff was lying on the floor as he looked at Bridgette who was also feeling exhausted after a crazy day…
"Hey, Bridge…" Geoff called as he saw the girl looking at him. "I'm feeling so much pain… Can you make the pain go away?"
That was what made the blonde girl giggle… as she approached her boyfriend as they went to continue their make-out session. Without any interruptions.
.
.
.
Harold held himself together as he was almost reaching the tunnel where the pigs did their deeds and smelled terrible. Their squeals were a nightmare sound for people who had been minutes with them. But that didn't stop the young scout from passing that area; he saw Katie flinching every single second she was there.
"Ew ew ew ew ew…" Katie murmured as she was trying not to imagine how terrible the situation she was in was… She was holding her ears as she was trying to distract herself from the fact that she wasn't in a piggy situation.
"Come on, big guy, you better come here pronto." Leshawna was also chanting, and Harold was about to greet his girlfriend, but then he saw DJ going on the tunnel with him, at which moment Harold immediately touched Katie.
"Katie, I'm here. Go, go, go." Harold gave the order, at which the tan girl immediately opened her eyes and finally could escape that hellish place she had been in for minutes. Which needed to be passed under a fence, which at that moment Katie did her best since she was slim.
"Hi everyone, keep going." Wee Man also passed the group while simply avoiding all the pigs and immediately went down on the hole.
"No time to waste, boys; the race is not finished." Johnny went after the midget and managed to pass under the hole… leaving only a member of the Screaming Gaffers needing to pass.
DJ managed to reach the ghetto girl, which was enough for her to start going for the hole. Which Leshawna was at a disadvantage since she had to make the hole bigger for her to pass under the fence. She had to dig with her hands to make herself able to pass the hole.
Cody and Gwen waited for their team members, knowing they would be the ones who would help their team or make their team lose, depending on the speed at which they arrived.
Cody needed to be as fast as he could to make sure he and Katie would reach Tyler way before Owen, because in case Gwen and Leshawna reached Owen, it would be over. Owen was known for eating anything disgusting, and only a few things would make him vomit.
So Cody had to put all his trust in Tyler for being able to resist the terrible drink he was going to have; it was all up to them.
"CODY," Then a familiar voice made him snap out of his thoughts, which was Katie being the first to appear. "LET'S GO, LET'S GO."
And with that, Katie started to run with her boyfriend while Gwen waited for Leshawna, who was still a bit far away, while the two stuntmen from Jackass continued their race together.
On that point, Cody and Katie did their best to not get shot, but those guys were professionals.
"OUCH AH OUCH AH AH OH OH OUCH OUCH." Both boyfriend and girlfriend had difficulties running over the slippery field they had covered in black plastic because of the many paintballs going in their directions.
Wee Man and Johnny slipped as they were shot without mercy on their bodies, and their screaming sounds really made it hard to not be heard.
Gwen waited until Leshawna finally appeared, and she looked very stressed, with her hands hurt from digging.
"Let's go, girl; we need to win this." Leshawna didn't let the goth reply as she went ahead, but the paintball weapons were aimed straight at the duo, who only had a word to say.
"BEEP," which was the start of another session of flying paintballs on the time, which clearly made them keep running.
.
.
.
Tyler and Owen were waiting for their teammates as the anxiety was approaching.
When Cody and Katie were approaching the jock, Tyler knew that he needed to be strong; he was going to compete against Owen… OWEN of all people.
He isn't sure why Lady Luck always likes to screw him and his family so much, but it was worth it sometimes, but it was now the time for him to be serious; his team was counting on him.
"Tyler, go. TYLER, GO." Both Katie and Cody shouted as the jock clearly went directly to the table and saw the 3 glasses of pure spit on it; it was thick, old, and disgusting. But with his eyes closed, he decided to chug down the first one.
Gagging without stopping, doing his best to remain strong. As he slowly took another glass.
Cody watched the jock drinking it and held his mouth with his two hands. Katie tried to look away, but the gagging sounds really were torture.
With a lot of difficulty and with tears in his eyes, Tyler managed to drink up the second one.
Just one more…
"WE ARE ALMOST THERE." Gwen's voice sounded like a death sentence as Tyler was begging for Lady Luck just to give him a bit of time, however knowing how his family and luck were never friends.
Time was something that he didn't have…
With his hand trembling, he took the final glass…
"OWEN OWEN, GO GO GO." Gwen and Leshawna, as exhausted as they are, managed to reach Owen, who didn't waste time; the chubby boy simply took the 3 glasses and flipped them together in his mouth.
That motion alone… Made Tyler, who was about to drink the final glass, have convulsions inside of his stomach, and he couldn't control it anymore; he started to vomit everything.
Katie, who watched Owen also doing that, vomited without control as she saw one of the most disgusting things in her life. Cody, who tried to hold his vomit again with his two hands, let the vomit out between his fingers.
Leshawna, also seeing that scene, couldn't take more and also vomited…
And at the time Johnny and Weeman saw everyone vomiting, they knew what the cause was, but they needed to be professionals, so what did they do? They took their own glass of spit to drink, and the time they did it, they also vomited… which, when the time was over… Owen was the only one who actually finished the 3 glasses.
"OKAY OKAY OKAY, CHALLENGE'S OVER. BLURG." Chris went to tell the others what happened. He also got caught up in seeing such a horrifying and disgusting quantity of vomit, and he let it out as well…
Practically everyone who would watch that moment would vomit. It was horrifying in such degrees…
1 hour had passed as everyone who finished cleaning up from their stomachs, and even with a shower taken from both showers of the productive team of the jackass, and some went over the bathrooms of the studio set across the area. Anything to clean up the inks of paintballs, the vomit, and even mud covering their bodies.
But what the groups were more happy to know… was that the sticky challenge was finally over…
"Congratulations, Screaming Gaffers, you managed to win the final challenge of the day." Chris smiled as their team cheered from the victory. Even if some will probably continue to vomit after all the shit they had suffered that day, most of the girls regretted doing that day's challenge, while the boys, most of them, had a good memory they will hold forever. "Now you guys are wondering what the reward of this challenge would be, right?"
"Yeah, can you speed up? I just want to get another shower and clean up all this beep-beep from me." Gwen said she never thought she'd be so disgusted but happy to win.
"Woah, ladies." Johnny Knoxville smiled as he approached the team, and he was even surprised to see the fierce look from those who dealt with their challenges. "I like your fire. But I think it's for you to get ready because the reward you are going to get is going to be a very nice surprise for all of you... You girls need to decide one thing... boys or girls of the other team?"
"What do you mean by that?" Leshawna raised her eyebrows as the crew of stuntmen and Chris smiled evilly.
"Your reward is to decide which side of Killer Grips will take it... you will see it, your reward... so choose now." Chris didn't give much explanation, as the Screaming Gaffers stared at each other. Leaving the Killer Grips nervous…
"Okay, if it is a reward for us, that must mean we can take something from the other team." Noah used his logic as he could see the group of his team still in pain and disgusted from the challenge, but after surviving the reality show for so long, they were already used to it. "What do you think the advantage would be for us?"
"I think if we sabotage or even take one of the Boys' members, it will give us a good advantage." Leshawna commented as it made the group stare at her. "You all know what Harold and the other boys can do; that boy Ezekiel goes even beyond whenever he is with Izzy or whatever that crazy girl calls herself, so we need to use that in our favour."
"I hate to admit it, but she's right." Noah commented as he could see DJ, Geoff, and even Jude not sure on what to say.
"Alright, alright, you guys got a point." Gwen said as she looked at the group of the cast... "We decided... we decided it will be the boy's group."
"Wonderful." Chris commented as the Killer Grips had their look of unsure on what was about to happen; Trent, Cody, Harold, Tyler, and Ezekiel had that disturbing feeling something was going down…
Killer Grips were already with their defeated look, and from a reward challenge, the Screaming Gaffers decided to do something with the boys. What would it be? That would come with the twist of total drama… And what a twist it would be…
"Now that you all Killer Grips are here, I'm glad to announce the reward of Screaming Gaffers... which that team decided... which genre will be selected as a Russian Roulette for elimination." Chris gave the news, which not only made the Screaming Gaffers have their eyes wide open in surprise but also made the Killer Grips freak out.
"WHAT?!" The whole team screamed as Johnny Knoxville walked beside him.
"Alright, boys, come here and form a circle, because you guys have been chosen." Johnny called for the group of boys, who each of them hesitantly walked nearby the host of the movie and the host of the reality show, both of whom snickered as Bam Margera brought with him a tennis ball launching machine, which made the group of boys feel something bad was coming. "The rules are simple, and you already can guess the rules... do not cover your crotch..."
"Bam, do you have any final words to say for this group of valiant boys who came here to participate in the show?" Chris smirked as he could hear Bam Margera chuckling from that moment.
Ezekiel, like the others, started to sweat. They thought it was a reward challenge, but it seems it was a disguised elimination—without votes, without gimmicks, it was a Russian roulette, and there was nothing else they could do but pray for what was about to happen.
"If I could leave our soon-to-be-departed boy with just one final word, it would be... FIRE IN THE HOLE." Bam shouted as he spun the launching ball machine, which made all the boys freeze in their positions, unable to move as the machine was spinning without stop. It was supposed to be just 4 or 5 seconds, but that felt like an eternity. It felt like hours as Tyler paled, the same as Trent and Ezekiel, who were trembling in their places. Harold and Cody were nearby each other on the verge of panic...
And the throwing ball machine was still making the sound as it suddenly stopped... at which time the machine threw the tennis ball with force into Cody's genitals, making the geek go to his knees and lose all his breath as the members of his team stared at their friend with pity.
"Damn," Harold said as Ezekiel held his crotch, and Trent took a few steps back.
"Man, that sucks." Tyler said as he himself was glad to not be the one receiving such a terrifying outcome.
Katie turned her face as she couldn't look at her boyfriend being caught like that. She was sad that she couldn't help since she didn't want him to go. But knowing how unfair the reality show was... she gritted her teeth as she went to help her boyfriend.
"Well, Cody, you have been selected... You have 2 hours to take your stuff, and you have the Lame-O-Sine waiting for you," Chris said as the boy was trembling at that time. Not even looking back, he decided to give one final comment. "Enjoy everything as you can, everyone, because in a few days it will have another challenge…" Chris said as he followed Johnny Knoxville. "So about my proposition of being in the movie, I know many good ideas you should know; just hear me out."
The tired and hurt contestants stared in the direction of where Chris left with the few members of the movie cast… The tired few members of the Screaming Gaffers decided to leave the place and go directly to the showers. Jude and Geoff, as much as they loved the day, as many other boys could say it was the best day of their lives and one of the best challenges they passed. The pain and the dirt across their bodies were still way too much for them to handle for the day, so they decided to leave and clean up themselves.
The Killer Grips thought most of them remained quiet, as they saw Cody still taking time to recover from the painful elimination, as Gwen looked at Katie, who was doing her best to not turn her face to say anything. And before the goth could say anything. Katie went to help her boyfriend to get up.
"Hey baby, let's get going." Katie didn't want to hear anyone speaking with her; she simply helped Cody to walk as the boy was still grunting in pain from that surprise elimination.
The Killer Grips just saw Katie walking away with Cody, as Gwen couldn't help but feel like a jerk.
"Don't do that." Then a voice made Gwen blink in surprise by seeing Ezekiel by her side. "Katie's grown up during these few weeks; did you see she didn't scream or create a fuss over Cody's elimination now?"
Gwen remained in silence, but she could understand the point, which Sadie also went to talk to her about.
"Gwen, it's fine. Katie isn't mad at you; she just needs some time alone with Cody," Sadie went on because she knew Gwen, and as much as she wanted to win the challenge and got into a debate on which group should be chosen, with that way of elimination, there was no way Gwen would know. It was all by luck, and in the case of Cody, unluckiness.
"You are playing the game, Gwen, and you are doing it the right way." Ezekiel commented as the group of Killer Grips stared at the homeschooled boy who looked solemn. "Don't think of yourself as a jerk if you are following the rules and winning the game. We always knew somehow Chris would eliminate our friends one by one, so the best we can do is to enjoy and have fun during these challenges. And I'm sure Cody had a great time today."
Gwen looked conflicted, but she was glad Katie wasn't going to be angry with her.
"Are you sure that we shouldn't be doing something?" Gwen asked Sadie, who nodded her head at her. "It's going to be hard for her now that her boyfriend isn't going to be here."
"Yes, it is, but hey, I'm sure Cody will be fine," Sadie commented as Harold and Trent passed by them. "I just wished the reward wouldn't have sucked, since all we got was to eliminate one member of the other team."
"Sadie, sometimes the best reward would be eliminating the opponent team as quickly as possible, and the fewer people there are here, the more chances of ending this reality show and getting the one million prize would be enough." Trent commented that as he also became the voice of reason, he could understand his friend's elimination sucked for him. "It was unfair, it was, but it was done in a way every boy would be laughing with Cody, not at him, because it was the Jackass way; you had to laugh at the stupidity of how things went."
"Trent is right, trust me. I think Cody will treasure this challenge, since it was way better than most people would have expected." Ezekiel commented as he could see the group looking at him. "The worst-case scenario would have been if somehow Cody would have gotten hurt to the point he would have needed to be eliminated like Eva… But this? It was just unlucky… And from the point of view of the viewers, it was just him getting the unlucky end, but whatever experience he passed… I'm sure he will be glad that things got on this way."
"That's what I hope." Gwen said, as she looked at Sadie and the group. "Want some help to take care of Cody's stuff? I'm sure Katie and he don't want to be bothered for some time, so maybe if we just prepare his stuff, he can pass more time with her."
"That's actually a good idea. Come on, you too, Sadie." Harold said, as the group at once started to leave…
While Ezekiel remained behind… as he sighed from imagining how crazy the day had gone, it was weird that such an unexpected event would have caught him or Izzy since it was all determined by luck. It was a crazy experience that he knew nobody would have ever expected that… And even as fun and amazing as the experience of being part of the Jackass challenge was, still the pain of being electrocuted and seeing Cody leaving into such a weird elimination clearly showed nobody can always be sure of their strategies since in Total Drama… anything could happen.
He just hoped Katie would be fine.
"Katie… Where are you taking me?" Cody asked urgently, as he could see his tan girlfriend was leading him into a place that he was sure was far away from the trailers he would be going to. "I need to pr-"
But at the time he was going to say something, Katie raised her finger to his lips.
"Shhh…" Katie said as she looked silent, but Cody could see in her face she wanted the geek to listen to her. "I know you will be leaving soon, Cody, and it hurts me to think I won't be with you until I either win the show or get eliminated, and I will miss you… But I cannot let you go alone after today, not like that."
"What do you mean? Katie? I'm sure, w-hmm?" Cody became confused as he was about to comfort his girlfriend, but he was interrupted when the tan girl didn't waste her time and immediately went on his lips to kiss him… The boy got hugged by his girlfriend, as his hands accepted it, as he slowly placed them on her back…
Their kiss exchange was magical, as their time together clearly went for a good nostalgia on how they first became boyfriend and girlfriend, since the events of Dodgebrawl, the talent show, and every time they passed together on the days off and on the Playa Del Losers.
But still, Katie surprised Cody by making her hands lead his hands to approach lower regions of her body and make him hold her tights. Which the duo felt was a magical moment. Until they got out of air, and their faces separated with a straight mark of saliva from their mouths.
"We can prepare your stuff later… In one hour, you're mine, and only mine." Katie said as she hugged the boy, as she even went to his ear to whisper something that made him get shivers. "And my body is yours… So let's take this time and make some mess…"
Cody's pants tightened; he never thought he would hear these words… only in his dreams, and shortly he thought he was dreaming, but the sore from his crotch from the surprise launcher machine really made him realize… He wasn't dreaming; his girlfriend really meant everything.
"How?" Cody's question was the most important, since he realized they were on the reality show, and even in live pay-per-view, there are dozens of cameras across the place; there was no way they wouldn't get caught.
But seeing the mischievous and yet horny smile from the tan girl… he couldn't help but still be in love with her… Because he doesn't know why, she may have stayed a lot of time with Lindsay or with Courtney and Duncan, because that smile would be a problem for someone…
.
.
.
"Here?" Cody said he was very impressed but also terrified of where they got… a brand-new trailer, and he had no idea how Katie knew about this place. But it was obvious that if they were caught on that, the person would flip in such a way that would be very hilarious but also would come to bite his girlfriend's ass terribly.
"One of the interns talked while I was nearby Sadie this morning; they were talking about this brand-new trailer," Katie said as she took off her shirt, which made the boy even more surprised… Even as fancy and expensive as the trailer was… Even ignoring the megalomaniac pictures of the person who owned the said trailer, the gilded prizes that he may have gotten from working by himself or even bought with his money…
Cody and Katie were doing what would be the worst disgrace of what Chris McLean would have in his life at the time he finds out…
"Now, Codemeister…" Katie simply went on to the part where Chris would have his own area to have a beauty sleep bed… And taking out her bra, releasing her pigtails to make her full black hair loose, she made a motion with her finger, calling for her boyfriend. "We don't have much time, so let's enjoy it as much as we can…"
"God, I love you." Cody simply said, as he took off his shirt, which hearing the giggle of his tan girlfriend really made him even more turned on…
"I love you too… Now, let's make the mess…" Katie said as she was taking out her pink shorts. And with that, Cody jumped on the bed, ready to have their first time together…
"Where are they?" Sadie asked nervously as it would be 30 minutes before Cody left the place. Since the group of friends was waiting for their geek friend in front of his trailer, they thought it would be a half-hour conversation between Katie and him, but they simply disappeared.
"We tried to find it everywhere." DJ said as he came back with the others, who were also on the verge of panic. How 2 people would disappear? "If Chris finds out, things will get serious."
"Do you think Katie is hiding Cody?" Tyler said as the groups were gathered, since the time was running out, Geoff and Jude used their skateboards to go whenever they thought it would be their last moment together in the Service and Crafts Tent, which was wrong, as Bridgette explained they would probably be on the top of the cliff where they had the movie sets, but still on the top, they didn't find anything.
"Chris is going to be mad." Beth said to Noah and Ezekiel, as the duo also had no idea where they had been. Both teams had been helping, but in the end, only one would end in 30 minutes, and soon they would need to go to the award ceremony place where Cody would have been taken away.
"Maybe we should tell Chef and the others; they could see the cameras around, and we could try to find their direction." Izzy commented as the group looked for her reasonable plan, to which Ezekiel nodded his head as Noah and Gwen liked the idea so far.
"Hey guys… What's the commotion around here?" Then, to the relief and surprise of everyone, Katie asked, which made the whole group see both teenagers. As she was a bit sore and sweaty, Cody was looking with a doofus smile as he was completely tired but with a few lipstick marks on his face. "Oh, you already packed his stuff together? You guys are nice."
The group blinked a few times.
"May I ask where you have been, young lady?" Gwen said she was caught by surprise on her asking the question like she had been her own mom.
"Just around." Katie said as she was very sweaty. "I will be in the bathroom to take a quick shower in the trailer; see you soon."
Bridgett and Gwen blinked a few times, while Tyler raised his finger.
"It's just me, or did Katie let loose her hair?" Tyler asked the DJ, who nodded his head. Geoff and Jude also were surprised, having no idea what was going on.
"Hey Cody, are you okay?" Ezekiel approached the geek, who was still looking at nothing, but with all the happiness and smiles in the world.
"Best…day…ever…" Cody said it word by word and raised his hand. "High Five."
"What?" Ezekiel asked as he raised his eyebrow.
"Just high-five Ezekiel, trust me. High Five." Cody said, as the homeschooled boy shrugged and did it. He then slowly and with a bit of a sore walked at Tyler and DJ. "High Five," which the duo did, and then he saw Trent, Noah, Owen, Jude, and Geoff. "High five, high five, high five, high five, high five." He then walked to Gwen and raised his palm, which, as confused as she was, she simply shrugged and repeated the action.
The group still looked confused, but seeing Cody so happy, even after his elimination, they couldn't help but be happy with him as well. Even as someone had a slight idea of what had just happened with the geek. But since they were on television, it was for the best if they didn't talk about it at that moment.
As much as many would complain over the challenge and how awful their day was... it was unanimous for the boys that was the best day ever, and probably Duncan is going to be pissed for missing out on everything.
The Ceremony Hall
The flashback of good scenes of Total Drama appeared as always and showed a good moment featuring Chris, the host of the show, Chris smiling, Chris laughing, and some of the best scenes of the episode having him doing his best scenes. As it showed the logo of Total Drama and the Gilded Chris Awards.
At the end of the transaction, Chef was dressed in his social shirt, and MacArthur and Sanders were still hating their pink dresses, as they should be doing as punishment for their lack of help whenever Chris is angry with them. And Chris was using his iconic suit in case he would start the elimination.
"Killer Grips, that would be the formality of us doing the process of elimination in case your whole team would be here for that, but since this was a reward challenge that would declare a direct elimination, there won't be any Gilded Chris for you, just one of your team being eliminated right now." Chris commented as the team was clearly annoyed at how the process of elimination went for them. "Cody, no time to lose, boy; get going on the Lame-O-Sine."
"Well, that sucks. But thanks, guys and girls, for everything. Will be missing you all." Cody said as he raised his hand once again. "High five, guys," The boys did it without thinking twice... and as soon as he did the same with a few girl members of his team, he kissed his girlfriend on the lips. "I will miss you."
"Be careful outside; ask the driver to take you to my mom's house if he can, then be sure to contact your family lawyer or Courtney's mom and Duncan's family in case you feel something is wrong, okay?" Katie instructed as the inner code of her former team clearly knew what was about to happen. A girl that clearly knew how to cross her boundaries, so in case of that, Katie took the best precaution on what that girl would never have: her boyfriend.
"Okay, babe, I will be cheering for you to win." Cody smiled as he hugged the tan twin. With that, he walked away.
As the geek smiled as each of them was giving, he walked towards the group on stage.
"High five, Chris, high five, Chef, and you two as well, bodyguards." Cody was very hyped as he walked towards the group, who looked confused.
Chris looked at Chef who just shrugged, and they did the boy's request, as did the bodyguards Sanders and MacArthur, and with a good wave, he entered inside of the junked limousine, but with a good wave, he waved to Katie, who was forcing herself to remain strong and smile as she waved at him.
With that, the car moved away with the young boy who once started the show with a lot of dreams, but now he got out with all the best things in the world. He got a girlfriend, he scored with her, he met the mother of the girl he loves, her mother likes him, and he has awesome friends who helped him to think ahead of what he should be doing in the future.
He saw the camera aiming for him to give the final discourse.
"Sorry, ladies, but Codemeister is officially retired. I'm a one-woman lover now. I'm officially a man, and today is the best day of my life." I need to think about my future now. I'm going to accept Mr. Raphael's invitation since I can study some courses on how to be a game designer. I'm sure I can try to make my own games in the future." Cody explained his plans on the Lame-O-Sine. As he recalled the good challenge he had with Katie's mom boss, he thought if he had a good chance, he could try to use his famous status to get a chance to work as an apprentice in a video game company. "Maybe ask my family's lawyer about my options... and I pray for my restriction order to be on the go... yeah, many things to do... man, I love her... she's my first."
With that little statement, it was clear what the others would think: Cody is a boy or a man in love, since he unashamedly confessed on live television, even if it was indirectly, that he scored Katie, which clearly with that statement would create chaos for one specific person. Who probably screeched after watching out in live pay-per-view?
Katie was sore on her legs, and even though both of them had never had such an experience or intercourse, Katie could say their first time was magical. Even as such, they did all they could to mess up Chris' trailer. She sometimes would say Courtney and Duncan, Bridgett and Geoff, heck, even Izzy and Ezekiel, and especially her writer friend, kind of influenced Katie... By the time she and Cody did the interaction of the scene of Asuna and Kirito...
She felt her inner Asuna, a selfish, crazy psychopath but with a love to give and protect her boyfriend... Sure, she was concerned about why the hell Ezekiel created such a character, a girl who is a racist even as she tries not to be, a complete crazy bitch, but when she learned about her, she could understand it was hilarious how she was portrayed in contrast with Kirito... And since she did that reenactment, she imagined herself wanting to become more bold, especially against a bitch who wanted to have her boyfriend... So she gave a message and made her an example...
She felt a shiver on her spine and what would be a ghostly screech that clearly came from a person she despised... Sure, Katie wasn't great at chess, even as Cody taught her a few rules on how to play that confusing game... But one thing was sure.
"Checkmate, bitch." Katie said to herself as she smirked while she was sleeping. Knowing Sierra would be screaming and crying like a bitch that she was... and Katie has the satisfaction of having marked her boyfriend forever... just like Asuna, she isn't afraid to fight for her man… But then a few ideas came to her mind. "Hmm… maybe Cody would like it if I made clothing in their style and dressed ourselves as them… What was the name of that again? Cosplay, I think? Yeah, I think that would be very interesting…"
"Ah, you did it again, Chris, created another successful episode, which would lead to you having hundreds of thousands of fans loving you for another amazing work." Chris said as he chuckled that while he didn't deny he is a megalomaniac, he loves being the success of everything, even as he had done a crossover with the potential crazy stuntmen Jackass; maybe he'll get another collaboration in the future, which clearly will open a lot more paths for his giant stardom as always.
If Chris had paid more attention, he would have found out that he may have left his trailer without locking it… If he was more aware of the time he left the trailer alone, he would have noticed that a few parts of the trailer were messed up. But since he was more focused on reading a magazine of himself and not paying attention to the messed-up decorum, the vases that went down, the carpet that had a white liquid on it, and the same on the table, the chair…
But since he was so magnanimous and was so happy with himself, he simply didn't look and went directly to his bed by jumping on it comfortably… Which Chris was already imagining the calls of the producers saying he had done an amazing job, earning another raise for how awesome of a host he was… And that would clearly take the sticky sensation he had on his arm… Sticky?
"Sticky?" Chris commented as he slowly raised his arm and found his right arm wet. At first he thought something was wrong, but then he felt something sticky on his hair, which wasn't his hair gel… And that was a giant red flag. He slowly touched the back of his head and looked at the wetness as he slowly had his eyes wide open. He sniffed, which made him even more terrified, to the point he released the magazine in his hands and got out of the bed.
The host's eyes almost jumped out from his face as he saw his bed… messed, and with his sheets covered with the marked body of Chris but with stain marks of the liquid, which made him gag… and contract his back, but then he slowly turned his head and looked at it in horror… on the walls, on the chairs, on the tables… on the album of pictures of himself? And on his Grammy STATUES?
"OH MY FUCKING GOD, IT'S EVERYWHERE!" Chris's panic scream clearly echoed into such a loud voice that it echoed to the abandoned studio…
Katie slept peacefully on that night, like a queen.
Notes:
Author's note:
I also want to thank everyone for the patience and the support of wanting me to recover my wrist, while still had a little pain I managed to recover a good part, but I bought a wrist band and glove which will help my recovery as well.
To be honest I was writing about Wilderness of a Thespian since I got an awesome inspiration... however at the time I saw some favs of Reality Collides diminishing, I felt the urge of to make the next chapter. It was painful into seeing my rivals of Total Drama getting more favs while I had to do my best, going slow, but doing my best to make the best development as I could... My friends know how much I was turn into hushing more, but I couldn't, I wanted to make this the best chapter as I could... so I did it...
I hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter. I did my best to not hush things, and make the most development as I could.
Prepare your questions, because the aftermatch is going to be on the next chapter. When will be released? I don't know, but I hope it will give me time to continue to write my fanfics without worrying about me losing favs, I want so much for people to give a try and believe on this fanfic. Anyway.
See you at the Aftermatch Episode.
Chapter 70: Total Drama Action Aftermath - 1
Notes:
Author's Note (English):
I want to take a moment to clarify some things and share important news about what happened over this week again… since you guys read the last announcement I did, things went better now. Ironically after I finished this chapter I got sore hand on my left hand this time lol. But it's fine.
Reality Collides will be on Hiatus. This time for real.
I want to continue my other fanfics, thank you very much.
Anyway… About the incident in regards about Wattpad.
It had been a huge misunderstanding which both sides apologized and helped me to come up with a conclusion:
Here's what's happening:
German has my full permission to publish the official English version of Reality Collides on Wattpad. He will be using my original draft, and I trust him to share it properly with all of you on that site. I'll still be the credited author.
Carplex has done an good job translating the fanfic into Spanish and already has a wonderful audience looking forward to each new chapter. So, I'm officially giving Carplex the permission to continue translating Reality Collides in Spanish, but only on Wattpad.
German has my permission to translate Reality Collides in Spanish in Fanfiction.
That way the English barrier will be less difficult for the readers to get confused but also enjoy their interpretations of the translation.
I hope with those two things will get less trouble for everyone.
And with that Reality Collides can be always evolving to better and better.
I thank you all by your time and patience. Please have fun with the chapter I just created. XD
Have a nice reading.
Author's Note (English):
Nota del Autor:
Quiero tomarme un momento para aclarar algunas cosas y compartir noticias importantes sobre lo que ha pasado esta semana… Desde que leyeron el último anuncio que hice, las cosas han mejorado. Irónicamente, después de terminar este capítulo, esta vez terminé con dolor en la mano izquierda jajaja. Pero está bien.
Reality Collides entrará en hiatus, esta vez de verdad.
Quiero continuar con mis otros fanfics, muchas gracias por su apoyo.Ahora bien… sobre el incidente relacionado con Wattpad:
Todo fue un gran malentendido en el que ambas partes se disculparon y me ayudaron a llegar a una conclusión:
Esto es lo que va a pasar:German tiene mi permiso completo para publicar la versión oficial en inglés de Reality Collides en Wattpad. Él usará mi borrador original, y confío en que lo compartirá correctamente con todos ustedes en esa plataforma. Yo seguiré siendo el autor acreditado.
Carplex ha hecho un buen trabajo traduciendo la fanfic al español y ya tiene una maravillosa audiencia esperando cada nuevo capítulo. Así que le doy oficialmente permiso a Carplex para continuar traduciendo Reality Collides al español, pero solo en Wattpad.
German también tiene mi permiso para traducir Reality Collides al español en .
De esta manera, la barrera del idioma será menos confusa para los lectores, y además podrán disfrutar de las interpretaciones que ambos hagan en sus traducciones.
Espero que con estas decisiones todo sea más claro para todos.
Y con eso, Reality Collides podrá seguir evolucionando para ser cada vez mejor.Les agradezco su tiempo y paciencia. Por favor, disfruten el capítulo que acabo de crear. XD
¡Feliz lectura!
Chapter Text
Total Drama Action
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Everything starts with an awesome guitar riff as the channel scrolls across the screens on the television onSunday at noon, a good time for the families to start their lunch and see what they could be watching on television at that time.
The same channel where most of the parents aren't comfortable letting their children watch a show that may happen between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., the time when the show Total Drama mostly airs, since it's related to how teenagers can be reckless, and they don't want their children to be using it as an example.
But now? At noon? It clearly took the curiosity of everyone, as the show seems to happen not at a good lunchtime, but also on Sunday, when families mostly would be reunited.
The transition of the initials of the show passing across the metal rings while playing the guitar riff clearly showed the good demonstration of the new interesting television show appearing across the televisions.
Total
Drama
Action
"I CAN'T BELIEVE EZEKIEL SAID DELTA 21!" Courtney groaned as she was running with Duncan, and both 2 pillars of Killer Bass never thought there was an actual situation that would require that.
"It makes sense, monster movies; the only thing people should do is run away. It was the basic rules of the movie genre." Duncan explained as both were running and doing their best to separate from the other members of their team.
"Yeah, but what kind of situation is the operation? Drop all your beep and run for your lives in groups of 2 while one of us is used as bait is actually used in real life?" Courtney asked, as she herself was against that formation, but here they are. If she had known the challenge would have been like that, she would have formed a better plan than actually running for her life with her boyfriend.
"Well, Princess, here we are, a giant monster hunting us down. I think there's no better situation for that formation than this one." Duncan rolled his eyes as Courtney scowled at him.
"Don't defend him. You know who he would suggest to be the bait." Courtney glared as her boyfriend narrowed his eyes at her.
"He's an archer, and you saw how he kicked everyone's ass when we were against him in the middle of the forest." Duncan said as the C.I.T. girl glared at him. Even as she was dressed so sensually and with that amazing hair. "Do you want to make out now?"
"FINALLY," Courtney said as she jumped on Duncan.
"Finally, some brea—" Eva's words cut off as a blur shot out from the shadows.
BAM!
Eva was slammed to the ground, a guttural yell tearing from her throat. The rest of the group froze, stunned, as Eva wrestled with the figure pinning her. A chilling sound—the sharp pinch of teeth against skin—made their stomachs drop.
"AGH! What the hell?!" Eva thrashed wildly, her muscles straining as she tried to shake the attacker off. Her face twisted in shock as the "zombie" finally looked up.
"Hey, guys!" Sadie grinned, her face caked in expertly applied zombie makeup, complete with fake blood smeared around her mouth. She waved enthusiastically, seemingly unaware of Eva's murderous glare. "Did I scare you? Be honest!"
Confessional – Eva
"...So this is what pride feels like?" Eva folded her arms with a reluctant smirk. "I'm proud of her... but if she thinks I won't triple her training after this, she's dead wrong. Sweat and tears, Sadie. Sweat and tears." Her grin turned mischievous, equal parts vengeance and pride.
Beneath the table, something small clattered to the floor. A key, tied to a picture of a set of shelves, glinted faintly in the dim light.
"Well, that's amusing," Izzy deadpanned, scooping up the key and holding it up like a trophy. "Horrible clue aside, at least we can leave now."
"You don't have to tell me twice," Cody muttered, relief washing over him as he turned towards the glass wall. On the other side, Jude and Justin were frantic, their expressions full of despair as their timer continued to tick down.
Izzy followed his gaze before shaking her head firmly. "We can't help the fallen soldiers, Cody. It's too late for them, and we're not sticking around to join them in the stink. The best you can do is remember them fondly."
Opening the door, Izzy didn't flinch. Cody hesitated, guilt gnawing at him as he caught Justin and Jude's wide-eyed desperation through the glass. A pang of shame hit him, but it wasn't strong enough to override his survival instinct.
There was no way in hell he was staying to face the wrath of El Mongo and La Muerte.
They had solved their part of the mystery.
Confession—Cody
"I was terrified. All the trauma came rushing back—my heart was pounding, my hands were shaking… It was just like the Phobia Factor challenge all over again. But S-Scope—or, well, Explosivo—was incredible. She was like a machine, calmly giving me the exact instructions I needed. We kept talking, and we worked together as a team. And because of that, we didn't explode." Cody paused, taking a huge bite out of a chocolate bar he'd clearly earned after the ordeal. A faint grin crossed his face, though his eyes still hinted at lingering nerves. "It was pure adrenaline. Honestly, it's an experience I'll remember forever. Maybe someday, I'll even try to replicate it—"
The floor shook violently, cutting his sentence short. A deafening explosion reverberated in the distance.
Cody froze mid-chew, his expression darkening. "Oh… I'm really sorry, you guys. We couldn't communicate through the glass. I swear we tried, but there was nothing else we could do." His voice softened, almost pleading, as though he hoped the unseen audience would understand.
At the time it showed the best moments of the former contestants; the original opening of the show aired…
Courtney placed the ear protection on her ears.
"Are you using the ear protection?" She turned her head to her boyfriend, who nodded his head, both trying to remain cool after the whole situation they are now in. Their first time being hosts of a new show. "We practice a lot; we did a lot of brainstorming."
"And we are going to be fine." Duncan said as he assured the brunette girl who had been in silence. "We already passed a lot on television, and we already got humiliated; at this point, it's now or never."
"…you're right." Courtney nodded her head, as both she and her boyfriend had dressed themselves to make them very presentable over the television.
Duncan was wearing a very elegant dark grey suit, which made a good shade with the long grey shirt with a few skull buttons.
While Courtney's dress was giving off major elegance-meets-edgy vibes. It's a sleek, asymmetrical evening gown with a bold high slit, perfect for making a dramatic entrance. The bodice features striking cutouts and a central diamond-shaped detail at the waist that draws the eye. The rich dark grey fabric, with its subtle pattern, adds texture and depth without stealing the spotlight. Paired with white high-heeled sandals and a stylish updo, it's the kind of look that says confidence and flair all in one.
"Okay, let's go; it's showtime." Duncan said as Courtney smiled even as her arm was exposing the Killer Bass tattoo that she had done a few weeks ago.
The transition of the initials of the show passing across the metal rings while playing the guitar riff clearly showed the good demonstration of the new interesting television show appearing across the televisions.
Total
Drama
Action
Aftermath
At the time the lights were on, the crowd got crazy as they saw Courtney and Duncan appearing and walking among them.
"Hello everybody, ready to have some fun?" Duncan said a good way to bring attention over to the public and viewers who got their time now having to enjoy it with the 2 new celebrities who came from the reality show.
Courtney waved as the crowd once again was cheerful over the new show airing.
"Welcome everyone to the newest show happening across the television. Total Drama Action Aftermath," Courtney smiled as the crowd clearly was hyped over the show, and since it was the time of lunch, it was the time to make the first impression of everything. "We are here live all Sundays at noon to show everything that happens backstage of the reality show, and for people who have never watched the show before, you don't need to worry; we can summarize everything with the elimination of the show. While we are going to make you all enjoy the good lunch and also have fun with everyone watching us."
"In other words, we are not going to make you parents freak out with all the crazy stuff that would make you change your channel for your kids. We got it; that shows it's too much. And we agree, Chris sucked, and it's a bad example for children." Duncan commented, which made a few members of the crowd giggle. "But also it comes with new interesting games for you. The crowd gets interested?"
"Huh?" The crowd asked in surprise.
"As one iconic person who gave us a valuable lesson." Duncan said as he looked at his girlfriend, who also smiled.
"Who wants money?" And like magic words, it clearly made the crowd go to move.
"ME ME ME ME ME ME ME." And with that, Courtney and Duncan already got the first way into making the crowd pay attention and the viewers intrigued about what would be.
"Then it's good because we are going to play small games that everyone can appreciate playing with the former contestants of the show, including me and Duncan, while you all play at home and have some laughs because trust me. While we hated to be humiliated on Total Drama Island and in Action, here, we just simply are going to laugh with you all." Courtney said as she felt lightly, enjoying the claps and the cheer of the crowd; it clearly was a very innovative experience.
"Which now it comes about something extra." Duncan also explained as he walked towards the stage, where there were the gazes of the crowd, who seemed interested. "To be sure, for us to be playing the game in a new perspective. We selected the best public we could find. Hard tests were done as a way to show we are not only going to play with one point of view."
"You mean you got the 5 people on the street and managed to get them to accept being part of the show." Courtney remarked, Whichtime it clearly got some laughs from the crowd.
"You just hate to accept I was right, but you cannot deny that they are growing on you." Duncan said, as Courtney rolled her eyes and pouted.
"Shut up." Courtney remarked as now the laugh was very spontaneous. Which the girl who was the former C.I.T. decided to clear her throat. "As part of our new show, these 5 were willing to participate with us; they accepted to be part of our cast and passed days and nights watching the episodes of both seasons to be ready for any type of circumstance and show what they are also capable of."
The setup evokes a theatrical kind of hierarchy: three rows of sleek, curved acrylic or polycarbonate desks, each tier gently ascending like an amphitheatre designed for modern-day orators. The surfaces gleam under the studio lights, pristine and minimalist, allowing the panelists' personalities to take centre stage. The transparent quality of the desks lends an airy sophistication, almost making the furniture appear to float above the stage like podiums on a cloud of starlit banter.
Each desk bears a crisp name placard—neatly integrated, not just functional but ceremonial—marking a space of distinction for each commentator. The symmetry and polish of the arrangement balance beautifully with the vibrant energy of the show, giving the whole scene a stylish order amidst the entertainment chaos.
"From these 6 seats, only 5 are being used for now." Duncan commented as he pointed at the direction where there was a question mark on it. "Will you want to participate in this show? Want you to be our special new guest? Be aware that in the future we may call you to be part of Aftermatch, so just be ready with a sharp tongue over the contestants. Now let's talk about the best group we could find. Starting with the moonchild. Dawn."
The crowd gave some cheers over the blond girl who seemed to be in tune with nature. Even if the crowd has no idea who that girl was.
"After her, we have the future gymnast, Sky." Courtney said as the Cree descendant smiled as she waved at the camera, her black hair and good smile showing her wanting to participate in the little game across the show.
"The first child to ever participate in something related to our show, and our ace in the sleeve in case the producers wanted to screw us over. Dwayne Junior." Duncan said as a young boy, 8 years old, waved, as he was glad his father was at the five-resort hotel enjoying a good time in the pool.
"The boy who has no feelings—everything seems boring to him. Enui." Courtney commented as the crowd saw the boy wearing the goth makeup and staring at the nothing with his usual bored face.
"And as children of darkness following the nice guy with good style. Proof goth girls are in full force. Crimson." Duncan called as the girl with a mix of black and white hair and pale makeup clearly showed no interest in anything. But still the crowd seemed to like her.
"These 5 people decided to not only sign a contract with us, but they also compromised themselves to watch all the episodes just to be sure to know every single member of the reality show and also be prepared for the new game that we got the permission of a friend to let us use this idea." Courtney said as she walked to the sofa, where she and her boyfriend felt ready to start the show.
"The pointing game, which you guys better be prepared to laugh at, because it's going to get you by surprise with how simple and yet funny a game it can be." Duncan smiled as he sat beside his girlfriend. "We got a lot of messages and SMSs from people who wanted to get in contact with our eliminated group."
"Also, we got video calls by webcam of people wanting to talk with us during the interview, so you never know who it could be." Courtney commented as she gave a look at Jane, who was sweating but giving them a thumbs up. "So you guys better be prepared because in this interview, we are not only going to show interviews and ask messages, but we are also going to show MVPA moments released online on the official forum of Total Drama Island… And not only can the eliminated people see their best moments, but they can also use their MVPA points to give an extra gift box to someone on their team or someone in specific they care about."
"Even as the gift boxes can be annoyingly broken, this is a great way to cause the chaos around the show." Duncan said as he decided to have a control remote in his hands. "Which is before we start the first interview. We will be on the introduction of a commercial soon, so why not enjoy this little video between the reality show, showing for the fathers and children what they can expect on the show?"
And with that, Duncan pressed the button, and the commercial started.
The allergy showdown.
"I made peanut butter and jelly cookies, everyone. Can you believe on the girl's trailer it has a microwave? I could bake some good things on there." Sadie said with a smile as she brought the new baked cookies she somehow managed to make use of the reward the girls had. Everyone in her circle of friends managed to walk at the strong chubby girl to grab a cookie. "Zeek, do you want to give it a try?"
Ezekiel smiled as he raised his right hand to reach the cookies, but by reflex he used his left hand to slap his right hand, surprising everyone, while he made a pure effort to use his strength on his left hand to hold the wrist of his right hand. And his face went from joy to absolute dismay…
"Sorry… I can't…" Ezekiel said it as it sounded painful, to the point everyone who was eating their cookies stared at him as he lost his mind.
"What the heck was that?" Gwen asked as she saw Ezekiel sighing in disappointment.
"I'm allergic to peanuts." Ezekiel said it felt like the sound of a small part of his soul dying on the inside when he said that.
"…" Everyone remained quiet, as Sadie clearly felt like a jerk.
"I'm so sorry; I didn't know." Sadie said as she apologized, but she saw Ezekiel raising his hand.
"It's fine; I know you have good intentions. However, I cannot eat them…" Ezekiel said as he looked at a few candy mints. "I will be eating these mints. I will be fine."
Sadie looked a bit disappointed, not at him, but at herself that she should have been more aware of her friend's allergies, but she could see that most of her friends were also not in a good mood for eating.
"Hey, Zeek, I know that's bad, but hey, you shouldn't be left out since you are allergic. I mean, I'm allergic to a lot of stuff. I mean, I'm allergic to a few types of ants: black, brown, and red ants…" Cody decided to explain, when suddenly the group heard a scoff.
"That? You are allergic only to that?" Noah commented, which made the group stare at him. "That's nothing compared to what I'm allergic to… squirrel dander."
The group tilted their heads as Cody narrowed his eyes.
"I'm also allergic to bejo beads." Cody said as he glared at the boy who rolled his eyes.
"Oh, that's cute. Artificial Cinnamon Flavouring. Those red candies on Christmas clearly would kill me if I ate them. That's why I always give them to my sisters." Noah said as Noah approached the bookworm who was showing superiority.
"Wolf spiders." Cody said as Noah also came nearby to compare himself.
"Right, as if spiders make sense to be lethal even if they aren't poisonous. I'm allergic to dung beetles." Noah said, as both of them decided to keep saying what they are more allergic to.
"Cicada Crickets,"
"Goldenrod,"
"Katydids"
"The ripped skin of a mango, not the fruit, only the ripped skin itself." Noah said as the group stared at the bookworm, Since it was shown Noah had eaten mango before, but when he specified only the skin, it really was weird to know about it.
"I'm allergic to goat saliva." Cody said, as both Noah and Cody argued about their allergies.
"What's going on?" Gwen went nearby Ezekiel while she avoided eating the cookie nearby the boy.
"It seems both Noah and Cody are competing to see who has more lethal allergies." Ezekiel blinked a few times…
"Well, I'm just allergic to eucalyptus, and I'm just glad I'm not them." Gwen said in sincerity while Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Yeah, somehow this clearly made me feel better." Ezekiel said as he was eating the mint candy. While the duo of geek and bookworm were doing a dick-measuring contest with their allergies. Who won? Nobody knows.
The laughs and the claps of the crowd clearly showed how much they enjoyed the show. With Duncan and Courtney carrying a few letters with them.
"Welcome back, everyone, since we are already here. We are ready to start the interview with our eliminated cast." Courtney said as Duncan was using his lighter to burn out a few letters. Which made her freak out. "Wh- Duncan, what are you doing?"
"Relax, these are just the fan letter questions of the others who aren't even voted off yet. Some people really thought we would be sending their letters to the movie studio, for they asked the others about their questions." Duncan said as he burned a few more of them.
"Wouldn't it be better to hold them in case some of them are eliminated in the future?" Courtney asked with a few eye twitches. Duncan's only reply was to shrug. "Please tell me you didn't burn all of them."
"Nope… I had Jane do that job." Duncan said, as Courtney facepalmed.
.
.
.
"Well, it's at least 10 fan letters; I'm sure it's not going to become a thing." Jane shrugged as she threw those letters away; they didn't follow the rules of the show. Which she then blinked a few times. The manager of the show stared at the camera crew recording her. "Hey, why are you all recording me? GO BACK TO WORK."
And with the cameramen running among themselves. It was cut back to Duncan and Courtney.
.
.
.
"Anyway, before we start our new game. Let's start by saying who will be across from this show." Courtney said as she pointed at the giant screen on the back above the sofa where they will be staying. "It will be from the order of elimination, so we have not only me and Duncan, but everyone get ready to meet Eva and Cody."
As Courtney called their names, the videos showing their best moments on the show made the crowd happy as they were ready for more.
"Alright, so let's start. Between me and you, Duncan, who's going to be the first to be interviewed?" Courtney asked, as she could see her boyfriend rolled his eyes.
"Ladies first." Duncan commented as he could see his girlfriend giving a sarcastic laugh.
"Ha ha ha… well, what a gentleman." Courtney commented as she passed nearby her boyfriend and sat at one of the seats nearby the display, where none of the other 5 special guests were prepared to be there to give their comments and also be part of the game.
"Alright then…" Duncan chuckled as he was now holding the remote control… Oh, he was going to enjoy that. "I hope you guys are comfortable."
…
The group raised their eyebrows.
ZAP
"OUCH." Sky, Junior, Dawn, and Courtney jumped from their seats, as they felt a good portion of electricity touching their butts, while Enui and Crimson remained stoic.
"DUNCAN." Courtney screamed furiously as her delinquent boyfriend laughed with the crowd.
"It's the perfect dosage, not dangerous enough to hurt anyone much, but fun to make them afraid and jump away with that quick zap. Good enough to play pranks on friends and safe for kids." Duncan said as he pressed another time on the remote control, which made Dawn smart enough to not sit at that moment; however, the same couldn't be said for Courtney, Junior, and Sky…
"OUCH, AH, OUCH." The trio said as the pinched feeling of the electricity clearly got on their butts. Which Junior looked at Enui and Crimson, who remained stoic.
"How come they didn't get hurt?" Junior said in disbelief. "Is it broken?"
"It wasn't supposed to." Sky said as she was still hesitant to sit on her chair.
"They are used to pain, to the point it doesn't faze them." Dawn said as the trio could understand that, but it made Duncan snap his finger since it wasn't able to catch the goths as well.
"Oh, this will have a payback, Duncan." Courtney said as she was massaging her butt as Duncan simply scoffed.
"As if you weren't going to be doing that to me." The punk boyfriend commented as he could see his girlfriend staring sheepishly. "You know the rules, and so do I. Anyway, let's summarize everything for our interviewee."
And with that, it showed the best moments across the girl who was on the screen.
"Courtney, codename Princess…"
"Duncan…" Courtney's voice interrupted him with a warning tone, but her boyfriend didn't even care.
"She started with her uptight nature of wanting to play fair in a reality show as crazy as Total Drama Island, to the point of showing her competitive side, which was one reason to drive our team crazy." Duncan commented as it showed the times she was arguing with him the most.
"Ha, talk about yourself; from all the people we had discussions with, you were the only one who drove me crazy all the time." Courtney once again interrupted him, at which her boyfriend only scoffed.
On the screen were the times both Courtney and Duncan were arguing while Ezekiel was in the middle pinching his nose, the middlemanwho could solve the issues of the deadlock when it came to leading both sides of Killer Bass. Only then did the duo go to kiss themselves, and Ezekiel threw his hands in the air and left the video.
"But that was what made one great leader and one of the pillars of the Killer Bass, lost unfairly twice, but with thanks to Heather she was able to survive a bit longer in the game." Duncan narrated as it showed the times when Heather showed Courtney owed her a favour. "Which came to the next season, where she used that as a way to eliminate one of the strongest contestants of the show."
"..." Courtney didn't say anything because she was touched by what her boyfriend had said to everyone.
"She dreamed of becoming a lawyer like her mom and applied to be the youngest student on the student council of her school. The uptight C.I.T. who drove people crazy and the talent of singing the first official song of Steven Universe. Everyone give applause to Courtney." Duncan said, as the crowd clearly agreed with what the bad boy had said, which made Courtney smile and even sniff at how well her boyfriend thought about her.
"Thank you, everyone." Courtney said happily, as she was now sitting nearby the display where the group of the new cast stared at her.
"Alright, I'm glad you are the first one, since it will be good to make an example for the others who would appear on the show." Duncan inquired as he looked over the crowd, who seemed to be paying attention to him. "I'm not going to ask the basic stuff like how are you and how do you feel about your elimination… because we can all agree it sucked. Most people who were voted out without them asking to don't like to be voted off; that's a fact."
"True…" Courtney giggled, as she could see her boyfriend was doing a nice job leading over the situation. "But we cannot complain; since we were the first to be voted off, we now have this wonderful show to air on television, isn't that right, everyone?"
The claps didn't lie, as everyone was now excited to see how things are going to play out.
"Well, princess, we have things to do. You can start answering the questions from the fans, see a webcam call wanting to appear on live television, see what our new friends have to say about you, or we can play the pointing game…" Duncan suggested as he could see his girlfriend thinking for a few seconds. "You know we have a schedule."
"I know… Well, let's start with answering the questions." Courtney said as Duncan nodded his head and looked at one of the fan letters he had in mind.
"Alright then… Nickvan asked on the letter… Courtney, what was your intention plan to do once you arrived at Total Drama Island on the first day?" Duncan raised his eyebrow, as clearly he was interested in knowing the answer. "That's something I wanted to know."
"Well… I wanted to lead a good team into most of the victories of the season but still wanted to be polite and fair in the sportsmanship and make the others believe that I could lead and show my great qualities as a leader." Courtney confessed as she heard her boyfriend chuckling at him. "Hey, that was one of my plans until I reach the finals and win the 100 thousand dollars."
"Oh yeah? And how do you plan to spend all that money?" Duncan asked as he was feeling very sarcastic and ready to make fun of his girlfriend.
"Glad you asked…" Courtney said as she walked towards her boyfriend, and taking the control from his hands against his will, she pressed the button, which showed a full graphic of her plans for the future. "Step one, I invest the money in stock and real estate. Step two, I take earnings from that and reinvest in stock and real estate. Step Three…"
"Let me guess… You take the earnings and reinvest in stock and real estate." Duncan said, which clearly made Courtney jump in surprise.
"WHO TOLD YOU MY PLANS?" Courtney shouted, clearly making the crowd start laughing from her freaking out, which made her realize she was on the television, and Duncan was having the time of his life. Pouting, she returned to her seat.
"Man, there are things that are priceless to see on television… Okay, let's keep going. Oberon1211 asked on the Total Drama Forum… Do you plan to become a full-fledged counsellor rather than just being a C.I.T.? Or will you focus on becoming a singer due to your incredible performance of "Love Like You"?" Duncan made the question, which actually made him raise his eyebrow. "That's actually interesting. Is there a course to go beyond C.I.T.?"
"Of course there is Duncan, but well… Thank you for your question. Oberon, that's actually a very interesting way to put what I should be doing in the future. Well, to be honest, I mostly did my C.I.T. preparations to help me to get into the student council since there would be camp trips over the school, and I wanted to be part of the leadership and be responsible for everyone." Courtney commented as she shook her head. "I don't plan to become a full-fledged counsellor because it would be a nightmare; just being part of Total Drama Island and being with a group of 22 people almost drove me crazy. Imagine me responsible for 30 or 40? About becoming a full singer, thank you for the compliment, but I already have a boyfriend…"
"I'm watching you, Oberon." Duncan said as Courtney and the crowd laughed over the small joke.
"But answering the question, I'm not sure on what I should be doing in my career in the future; firstly, I wanted to be a lawyer just like my mom… But now, I feel I'm just exploring my options a little more. Sure, I can sing the songs Ezekiel is writing for his books; he's very talented at that, and he has great trust in me for singing some of them. Which ones are there? I cannot tell because I made a contract with him, and also I don't want to spoil anyone." Courtney winked as she looked at her boyfriend, who nodded his head in confirmation. "I'm ready for the next one, Duncan."
"Alright, this one is from RubySrcherReader, and it's more about your childhood with your childhood friend Jude." Duncan commented as it made Courtney blink in surprise. "Courtney, can you tell us a little bit more about Jude? Since you are the one who knows him the best."
"Well, I wouldn't say I know him the best; we had been friends inkindergarten, but I recalled the most iconic moments that never left my memory. Like, for example, when the director of our kindergarten was very allergic to chickens, to the point he made Tyler's fear of chickens justifiable." Courtney explained, which made Duncan raise his eyebrows. "I don't remember if the chicken was in love with Jude or thought he was one of her own chicks, but Jude started to use his own clothing to disguise the chicken there… And what was most outrageous was the fact I was making sure none of my food groups were touching until that chicken stole my lunch and attacked me with my juice."
"Maybe the lunch had chicken in it, and the chicken tried to rescue." Junior suggested it possibly would be the cause of the attack.
"IT WAS TUNA." Courtney shouted as it was clear she realized she was still touchy with that subject, at which point her face got scarlet in shame.
"And now it's on live television. Ah, today is the best day of my life." Duncan said as he started to laugh, and he saw Courtney's furious gaze at him. "Anyway, do you have another story about you and your childhood friend?"
"Well… I recalled when we had pizza twice per week, and since our principal had romantic problems, he stopped doing that, and Jude freaked out so much that he decided to dress himself with another boy of our kindergarten, and both of them made the secret admirer letter for him. The confusion paid off; we got pizza back, but Jude and the other boy got grounded for I don't know how long…" Courtney touched the tip of her chin while she recalled a few other stories. "Well, from what I recall, it seems that he didn't change much from childhood."
"Your aura describes a sense of nostalgia whenever you talk about it; it seems even with the chaotic fact that you lost a fight to a chicken, you treasured the good times you passed in kindergarten before you moved to another city." Dawn said in her gentle voice, as Courtney didn't realize what she had said.
"Thank you for saying t- HEY, WHAT DO YOU MEAN I LOST A FIGHT TO A CHICKEN?!" Courtney said as Duncan cackled to the point he saw his girlfriend get furious. "It's just a chicken."
"I think she's sore because she lost a fight against the chicken." Junior whispered nearby to Enui, who remained stoic, but with a side glance he could see the young blonde boy wanted someone to talk to.
"Her defeat was unavoidable." Enui commented as Courtney was having her twitching eyes, while a lot of the crowd laughed at the remarks.
"Anyway," Duncan said, as it was time to stop the joke before getting too far; it was hilarious, and he was never going to let it down. But still there was one more thing to do. "Well, 2 questions were already answered; let's see one more fan question, and we can ask the principal questions, okay, princess?"
"Hmph." Courtney crossed her arms as she waited for the final fan letter, which Duncan looked at as he could see another fan asking a very interesting question. "Dakcat asked in regard to Trent and Gwen's decision to make a team. Between Killer Grips and Screaming Gaffers, Sinergy vs Strength, what did you think had the best results?"
"Wow… that's actually a very tough one." Courtney mused as she could see that it was not just her but indeed a good question that would make many think about who would be the best team. "I have to confess Trent's strategy was being surgical; he chose the people who could twist the challenges in their favour. Taking Harold, Ezekiel ran as fast as he could, then brought 2 of the finalists of the last season and E-Scope, who has a lot of experiences and tricks up her sleeve. While on the other hand, Gwen chose the pure might of Sadie, Eva, and DJ, and while she's out of her comfort zone since she wasn't more aware of how to deal with the former Screaming Gophers like Justin, Noah, Beth, and Leshawna, it really can be a drag. But what's a bit alarming is the fact there's inner conflict on the Screaming Gaffers that it's slowly, one by one, causing the destruction by the team itself."
"In other words, by what happened to Eva, done by some of the boys of the Screaming Gaffers, and Beth and Leshawna fighting against each other. It can be obvious that soon the team will collapse somehow." Duncan commented as he agreed with what his girlfriend was saying.
"Exactly, well. I think the idea of having a great team with the best teamwork indeed could make the difference; that's how I felt with the Killer Bass, and that's how I find the Killer Grips had the best chance of winning." Courtney explained, as the crowd agreed and even cheered for the decision.
"Alright, I hope these answer your questions, everyone. Now for the second part… before you tell us who you think will win the reality show, we have a video call from Toronto… by: CMastersonTheFav Let's check it." Duncan said as everyone stared at the giant screen.
And at the time the screen twitched and gave the static effect, to the surprise of the public and even Duncan and Junior. An attractive and more appealing young woman with long orange hair and blue eyes brought the attention as she was wearing a blue top that exposed her midriff, tight red jeans, high heels, and straight dangle earrings.
With that time the man and the boys from the crowd were wolf whistling at the woman who was on the screen.
"Oh, it's on." The woman said, as Duncan made sure to compose himself, since he could see his girlfriend glaring sharply at him.
"Hello, CMasterson, welcome to Total Drama Action Aftermath," Duncan said as everyone could see the beautiful woman move her hair.
"Call me Courtney." Which now? the woman said, and at that moment the crowd wooed as the former C.I.T. raised her eyebrows at her. "And thank you for the reception. I have to confess that I wasn't much of a fan of Total Drama Island, but my sister forced me to watch all the episodes of Total Drama Action, and we kept in touch since the person who I babysat was there."
"Lucky boy…" Duncan said as he heard the clearing throat of his girlfriend, who just made a sudden change of tone. "Anyway, I'm so glad that you are a new fan of the show. Is there a question that you would like to ask the princess over here?"
Before the hot girl would even say something. A loud screech made everyone blink.
"COURTNEY, COURTNEY, HOLD THE CALL. HOLD THE CALL RIGHT NOW." Then a familiar voice was heard, which made not only the sister blink but also Courtney and Duncan, who seemed to have some sort of familiarity with the voice, until they blinked and saw a brunette girl, who didn't seem to be as beautiful as the older lady but who also surprised Duncan and Courtney for another reason.
"JEN?!" Both Duncan and Courtney said in unison as the girl stared at the webcam in surprise.
"Hey guys, I'm so glad Courtney was able to reach out to you… Even I have no idea why she wanted to get in contact with you, but you couldn't find a better moment for that. Hi, Courtney, hi Duncan, can you do me a big, big, big favour, please?" Jen said as both hosts blinked a few times.
"I think so?" Courtney answered with unsure as Jen sighed and looked at the girl who almost had the same personality as her.
"It's about Eva; can you ask her to go easy on Jude, please? He had no idea of the huge mess he got himself into, and it's Justin's fault for how he got convinced into voting Eva off. He would break if she tries to give him an over-exaggeratedschedule for him. Can you make her not go to that extreme? Please?" Jen said as a request, and now Courtney knew why Jen had been looking so worried. She wanted their friend to not be killed on Eva's revenge.
Courtney and Duncan remained quiet, to the point that even the crowd looked unsure of what to say.
"She wants to try to prolong the unavoidable." Crimson commented as it got the looks from Ennui, who nodded his head.
"I feel sorry for her." Ennui said in his monotone voice, and clearly nobody could guess if he was being genuine or sarcastic.
Courtney and Duncan then gave a sigh, knowing Eva, when she got home and noticed who voted on her, clearly made her thirsty for revenge, so making Eva change her mind? It's not an easy task.
"Jen, I know you are a great friend for Jude, and I know he's a good person. But the thing is... when Eva has something on her mind, it's really hard to convince her to tone it down. I can try." The host of the show said as she could see the smile of the brunette girl who worked in a sports shop get relieved.
"That's all I ask now. Thanks, Courtney. Also, happy to see you and Duncan getting a new show; I jumped in surprise seeing you on the television again." Jen said with a good smile, which indeed made the couple smile from her sincerity, and already having a fan on there. "I will be sure to tell everyone in the mall to try to watch you every Sunday. Which also came with my curiosity, why did you call them Courtney?"
Everyone turned to see the hot woman, who actually was staring at both the host and her own sister.
"I was actually going to ask if she was the same Courtney who freaked out on the day of 13th May of 95..." The old woman who said that made everyone in the crowd see Courtney, the host's face freeze, and her entire face paled, but then it was like a trigger, as her eyes began to twitch as her whole face paled.
"Woah, are you okay, princess?" Duncan asked, as he could see Courtney paralyzed as her nose sniffed to the point it wasn't normal.
"I made a mistake while saying all they had to do was search on how to avoid getting sick and do the opposite; I didn't know they would have done that… but in the end…sniff, my perfect attendance." Courtney said as her eyes watered, which was indeed a sore point, which made both the sisters stare at each other. To the point Dawn even started to feel pity towards the host of the show, while Crimson was raising her eyebrows.
"Her aura glows in deep dark purple; it seems the triggering made her aura suddenly wave in sadness just from remembering the date." Dawn said as Crimson remained stoic as she watched Courtney try to compose herself, but she wasn't able to do it.
"She has a time bomb inside herself ready to explode when she least expects it." Crimson commented as she was amused to see Courtney still fighting between getting edgy or recovering herself, which clearly Duncan would like to know more about. But suddenly everyone was surprised to see Courtney slapping herself with all her strength.
"Okay, okay, that day was a long time ago." Courtney said as she composed herself. Which made everyone stare at her weirdly. "I'm fine. I was there even when I got sick. It wasn't my fault if everyone in the class wanted to get a sick day; I didn't want that."
"Yeah, I can see it. It seems Jude wasn't lying when he told you were the only one who freaked out when a girl sneezed in your face while you did your best to prevent from getting sick." Jen's sister commented as she looked at her younger sister and the host of the show. "Did someone tell you that you both are very similar?"
"Ugh, not again." Jen said in frustration, which made the older sister chuckle from seeing the girls being very similar inpersonality.
"Well, I think you girls already took a lot of time. And it's nice to see you two girls. But we have a show to go on. See ya." Duncan said in amusement as the duo of girls simply waved, as Duncan could see his girlfriend with a red mark of a slap on her face while she used a tissue to clean her eyes. "So… Were you always like this?"
"I'd rather not talk about it." Courtney said while trying to look away, at which Duncan chuckled, along with a few members of the crowd. "Can we move on?"
"Well, whatever makes you sleep better at night, princess." Duncan said as he could see his girlfriend's serious face, which swore that there would be payback; indeed, it was very fun to play around, even if it was good for the ratings as well. "So let's focus on the most important issue. Who do you think will win the prize of one million dollars and be able to win the whole competition of Total Drama Action?"
After having a few seconds to calm down, Courtney passed her time thinking about what could be the best answer.
"Well, after all the weeks I have been around the show, I had a good time to give time to study who I think were the best players. And without thinking twice, I think the ones who always had been surprising me most were Ezekiel, Heather, and Izzy, or E-Scope, as she called herself." Courtney gave the view, which made the crowd amazed as they released the sound of ohhh across the crowd.
"Huh, Heather and Ezekiel I can understand, but the unpredictable crazy military girl?" The punk host asked with his eyebrows raised as Courtney shook her head.
"That's the thing; this was what she wanted us to see..." Courtney pointed out as she went to give her justifications. "When I was rewatching all the episodes with Junior and his dad, I noticed a few things: she was acting too unpredictable, but at the same time she was doing her best to remain on low radar for so long. Only the times she wanted to play around with Screaming Gophers was she able to risk herself on the elimination... and there's the case of Hook Line and Screamer."
"Where she broke down... I can see your point. Also, when we worked together to try to find Ezekiel, who had the case of 1 million dollars, she was the only one who had experience with traps and was able to identify the situation we were in." Duncan could see the logic of his girlfriend. "Which comes to the situation, could these 3 really be the final 3 of the second season?"
"Well, that would be curious to see, but I think Ezekiel is the best to reach the one million, since the more we see him, the more we get surprised. I'm sure if it wasn't for his pneumonia last season, he would have probably won the last season..." Courtney commented as there was something also on her mind. "Because I feel like... Ezekiel was hiding more tricks up his sleeve."
"Well, that's actually a good point." Duncan said as he nodded his head in agreement. "Which now comes on the best part... Are you ready, Courtney?"
"Yeah, I know... so explain the rules of the pointing game, Duncan?" Courtney smiled as the lights appeared, giving more focus on the display behind her. Where the newbies of the show were there on display, ready to play the new game created by them.
"Okay, for those who don't know, this is a game we are going to develop across this show." Duncan explained as Courtney did her best to not show she was nervous. "We are going to ask a question about Courtney's life if it is suggestive, absurd, or designed to spark reactions or, best of all, all of the above. And 3 or 4 lucky people of the crowd will have a chance to win money."
The crowd showed enthusiasm and interest as Duncan pointed to each member of the display.
"Ennui, Crimson, Sky, Dawn, and Junior will be the ones who will write on their whiteboards. Courtney has the right to answer the question in the end or not, but who cares? What is your focus? Everyone is to actually try to guess the answers of the group writing on the boards." Duncan continued as he ignored his girlfriend huffing at him. "For each answer right, you will be getting 20 dollars."
And that clearly made the whole crowd interested in the game.
"And don't worry everyone, even if you are not able to have the chance, I guarantee you will enjoy this game as much as I do." Duncan smiled as he walked towards the group on the display. "Okay, just to show you all what you will be dealing with. I want to present you all the members you will try to guess the answers from. Let's start from here, the future aspirant Olympian, a girl who wants to be in the Olympics as a gymnast just like her sister, who has been a great help for me and Courtney, and the sister of the manager, who is working herself around backstage, but don't worry, she knows a lot about this show, especially since she has burping problems as well. Sky."
"...did you have to tell everyone I have burping problems?" Sky said as she blushed, which Duncan chuckled at, making the girl wave and decide to talk more about herself. "Well...hi, everyone..." She said as she rubbed the back of her neck, it was very weird when the cameras were aimed straight at her at that point. "I might not be a genius in gossip or drama, but I'm sure I've watched most of the episodes and the Pay-Per-View since I started it, and in comparison to the last season, Total Drama Action is really living up to its name; the last episode really blew my mind."
"Must be nice..." Duncan grudgingly murmured, as he was still sour over the fact that the last challenge featured Jackass, and everyone who participated in the challenge would be featuring Jackass, the new passed the next few days complaining about how it was unfair for him to be the first eliminated with his girlfriend; he didn't have a chance to participate or even meet the group of crazy stuntmen. A delinquent like him always saw those guys as his heroes. "Anyway, let's go for the youngest of the bunch, easy to impress. We passed the last 5 days rewatching the episodes just to make sure he would be up too, and the good reason why the producers cannot try to make changes over this show is that it would be way too forced, Dwayne Junior. Or Junior, to be more precise, everyone."
"YEAH," Junior raised both his fists up, as he was very hyped for being on television for the first time. "First time on television, and I already can tell my mom is going to freak out when she finds out my dad forgot to tell her we are going to stay here until the end of the season. HI MOM."
"Your father forgot WHAT?!" Courtney shrieked as the crowd laughed from the sudden reaction. Duncan already can see how things will go.
"Oh boy, that man is screwed." Duncan laughed, as it was clear he met the man, and he wasn't very impressed, but he can already tell the man loves to spend his time with his son, and he's very much a pushover, but a nice guy. "5 days watching the episodes with you both, and I'm not even sure who was more of a fan, you or your dad."
"Well, it's awesome, but there are some parts of the episodes I couldn't see. Dad and Courtney always covered my eyes or ears when it came to those scenes, saying it would be too much for me. And some parts that would leave me confused." Junior blinked as everyone stared at him with their eyebrows raised. "Cody on the last episode said he became a man, and why he had been giving high fives to everyone."
Sky, who was starting to drink water, spat as she started to choke from the sudden question. Courtney opened and closed her mouth because she had no freaking idea if she even should tell Junior and ruin his innocence. The crowd itself started to laugh over the curious and yet important question, even as innocent as it was.
"HAHAHAHA, man, this is going to be amazing; hold that question, Junior. Because I want to see what Cody has to say about himself." Duncan smiled as he went to the other girl sitting nearby Sky and helped her to recover from choking on water. "Now, the girl who makes you feel like your emotions have been seen, judged, and given a weather forecast, a nature-loving girl who can do magic mumbo jumbo. Dawn."
The crowd cheered as Dawn gently placed her whiteboard and smiled kindly as she waved to everyone.
"Hello." Dawn spoke in a calm and soft tone. As was with a few tea leaves nearby her. "I wouldn't say my connection with Mother Nature had been magic, Duncan; it was a gift given to my family for generations. But with this gift, I will be sure to make use of it in the best moments... for the sake of catching everyone off guard when it comes to playing this game."
"That's what I wanted to hear." Duncan said as he could see his girlfriend not liking the sound of that. Even she was the one who wanted to start that idea, but now it was too late; they were too deep now. But then he blinked a few times. "Didn't you have a duck with you a few moments ago?"
"Oh, Howard? Well, he had been helping Jane backstage," the moonchild simply commented as she pointed in the direction where the cameras found one of the employees of the studio receiving orders from a duck who hada headset over its head. "Since I will be here on the display, he didn't want to get bored, so he offered his help."
"I still can't believe we had to also make a contract for a duck to be working on the studio." Courtney mumbled as she could see the moonchild raising her eyebrows. "What was most astonishing was the fact that the duck has a salary in dollars instead of food for the duck."
"Harold has peculiar ways of expending his money." Dawn said as she decided to not tell more about it, because even she doesn't even want to know what the duck who had been friends of her family had been doing with the money it gets.
"Well, as much as I would love to ask further about the tastes of a duck, let's not focus on that. We still have 2 more people to present. So everyone, I want you all to meet firstly a guy who's been tracking how many breakdowns happen per episode, possibly trying to summon a minor ghost from the vent system. Ennui."
As the crowd clapped happily, Ennui slowly blinked, as his face showed not the least drop of emotion.
"I'm very excited to be here..." Ennui said, and everyone in the crowd could not be sure if he was being sarcastic or sincere, but that was the way he was.
"Why were you trying to summon a spirit?" Junior turned his head to ask the teenager, who hadn't shown any feeling.
"I wasn't..." Ennui replied, as he could see the group raised their eyebrows at him. "I found a tarantula eating a skull of a pigeon on the air vents. It was a wonderful scene."
Ennui gave the graphic explanation, which made Sky and Courtney pale, and Dawn sighed since she understood it was just nature following its course. While Crimson and Junior, on the other hand.
"Awesome." Both said in unison, while Junior sounded actually interested and excited; Crimson said it in a stoic and monotonous tone, but still she sounded sincere.
"I'm so glad I don't have arachnophobia." Courtney commented as she looked at Duncan. "Well, there's just one more person missing, Duncan."
"I was getting on there, and last but not least, we have another goth that would also give you all another type of perspective. Someone who can stare into your soul and make it blink first, then give it up, cry, and the other results. She doesn't care. Crimson everyone." Duncan commented as once again the crowd gave some claps but soundedmore curious. As he then gave a glance nearby at the display, which had something walking around. "Is that a rat?"
"Yes..." Crimson commented at her monotonous voice as she was tapping the head of the little creature with dark grey fur. "His name is Rat, and I didn't want to trust anyone wanting to hurt him because they have fear of him."
"Awww..." The sound of the crowd saying which made Crimson very uncomfortable, while Dawn smiled at her.
"Mother Nature is always happy to see the children of the night give the good values and appreciation towards the animals which most of humankind is afraid to understand." Dawn smiled, as even the goth looked away weirdly; she then looked at Ennui.
"Just ignore it and keep focused." Ennui commented as it clearly gave the help she needed.
"Whatever." Crimson commented to Dawn, as the moonchild was happy to see the child of the darkness being kind, which was a very good way to show on television that not all goths should be treated as weird.
"Well everyone, these will be the people who will be around the show from now on. You will find each of them has some unique features, but also all of them have something in common." Duncan commented happily, which clearly made Courtney blink, as the others stared at each other in confusion. "All of you are now part of the company that is part of Total Drama, so you work with us now."
Which the crowd started to clap. While the group seemed to not be phased.
A few seconds later, Dawn blinked as her eyes went wide open.
"Is that true, Mother Nature?" Dawn asked in a pleasant surprise, at which Sky raised her eyebrow at her. "From what Mother Nature told me, we also have been at the book signing at Aeton Centre Mall just to have our books of Courage the Cowardly Dog signed by Ezekiel."
"Wait, you were there?" Sky blinked a few times as she then turned to Crimson and Ennui, who were with their serious faces, but their eyebrows were raised, as it showed some sort of surprise, even on their monotone faces.
"Cool, you guys also went there to buy books? My dad bought Adventure Time and Steven Universe as well." Junior commented as he then gave a look at the rat, which was nearby to Crimson. "Ah, is that the rat from Dr. Depression?"
"Dr. Zalost." Ennui and Crimson corrected the boy, but their curiosity engaged as the group seemed to be now more interesting than they expected.
"He's very tiny..." Junior said as he looked even nearerthe rat, which stared at the goth girl with another question. "Does he need a depression cannonball?"
This time Crimson raised her eyebrow as she stared at Ennui, who was still with his stoic face.
"Stop smirking." Crimson said, and nobody could even guess the other goth was smirking, even from his deadpan face.
"I can't... it's too funny." Ennui said on his monotonous face, which Crimson simply scoffed at. Nobody knows Junior actually gave the same comment Ennui did to Crimson at the time they met.
"Okay everyone, while I think it's awesome we all have something in common. I think it's time for us to play the pointing game." Courtney said as much; she would like to talk about the subject of Ezekiel's book. Really, she really wanted to, but she couldn't; it's not the commercial time yet. So she decided to engage Duncan to play the game.
"You don't need me to tell me twice. Alright everyone, who wants easy money?" Duncan said the magic words, which clearly caught the attention of everyone.
"ME, ME, ME, ME, ME." And everyone was raising their hands as they wanted to be part of the game.
"Alright, you, you, and you behind her." Duncan selected the people of the crowd as each of them walked towards him, as they were on the stairs where they were staring at the group. "Alright, I will say a sentence about Courtney, and you guys need to fill in the blank. Remember, what Courtney says doesn't matter; it's about what the cast on the display will say from now on."
And with the trio of the crowd nodding their heads and Courtney rolling her eyes, while a good part of her would have enjoyed that her answer would matter, it would still depend if the person who was asked was comfortable with being answered.
"Alright, feeling the blank. 'Courtney always had lived her life being too competitive; she always likes to win, but whenever she loses, she ...'" Duncan said as Courtney rolled her eyes. While the cast passed a few seconds writing down on the whiteboard.
"Come on, I'm not that bad." Courtney said as Duncan ignored her and gave the microphone to one of the guys who was waiting to give his answer.
"Breaks something in rage." The first person said, as they ignored her saying Hey in offence, but it was enough to make the crowd laugh. Duncan continued as he showed the microphone to the second person. "Freaks Out," The second answer clearly made Courtney murmur something, as Duncan was clearly loving the game already. Which it came on the final person. "Cries."
"I don't cry." Courtney said while crossing her arms.
"Well, princess, you know I care about you... but please don't start sputtering bologna on television." Duncan said as he could see the glaring look of his girlfriend, and oh boy, he's enjoying it. "Anyway, let's start with you, Crimson. Courtney has always lived her life being too competitive; she always likes to win, but whenever she loses she..."
Crimson stared at the girl, who was still unamused, but she could see the host was already being annoyed by such a question.
"All above." Crimson commented, which made Courtney look at Crimson in outrage, and the public who had been watching in the crowd started to laugh.
"Well, sadly none of you guys said all of the above, but don't worry, we still have the others. Ennui: 'Courtney always had lived her life being too competitive; she always liked to win, but whenever she lost, she...'" Duncan repeated the question for the crew member who was beside the goth girl, and the bored-looking character flipped his whiteboard.
"Gets Existential Crisis." Ennui commented, and even as the bored-looking boy said what he wrote without emotion, just the context of the sentence made everyone in the crowd, even Duncan, start to laugh.
"Come on, I'm not that bad." Courtney scoffed as she saw Ennui raising his eyebrow at her.
"Princess, trust me, yes, you are." Duncan commented as he ignored her angry rants as he walked now to the younger boy, Junior. "Hey kiddo, what does Courtney do whenever she loses?"
"She flips the table and freaks out." Junior showed what was written, which made one of the people who said the word cheer, as the crowd even cheered as well.
"Alright, who said freak out? Oh, you, there you go, 20 bucks in hand." Duncan said as the crowd now recognized the game was true, as some even managed to get easy money with it—well, not that easy. But it was fun to see Courtney's eyes twitching from getting such a call. "Sky, you are also as competitive as it seems. What do you think Courtney would do whenever she loses?"
"Well, I kind of wanted to write that she would take the losing with grace..." Sky said sheepishly, which made the crowd and Duncan look disappointed, and Courtney smiled for having at least some respect. "I cannot lie that you just flip the table and break the next object near you."
"There you go." Duncan said as the crowd cheered and laughed at the brutal honesty of the aspirant Olympian, which made Courtney's smile crack and made her narrow her eyes.
"I don't do that." Courtney denied, at which Dawn simply turned her head at her.
"Didn't you just do that 3 hours ago when you were playing chess with Cody?" Dawn asked as she flipped her own whiteboard, which revealed flip the table and break it as well, which made it even worse for Courtney and even more hilarious for the crowd.
"THAT GAME WAS RIGGED, I'M TELLING YOU." Courtney shouted as Duncan crossed his arms.
"And what about the time you lost a game of billiards to him, and you literally threw the billiard table out of the gaming area and broke the window with it?" Duncan gave the amused question, at which time Courtney's face blushed deep red, while everyone in the crowd laughed hard from seeing that.
"...I will be quiet now." Courtney admitted defeat, as Duncan gave 40 dollars to the person who said, Break something. "Ugh, we still have 2 more to do?"
As Duncan dismissed the trio to go back to the crowd, he wondered about something.
"Well, you know what? I liked this game, and I'm sure the crowd would also like to have more of that than only 1 question for you or me, since we are the hosts. So how about it? You and I will be doing it once per episode, the same as other contestants will be doing 1 question." Duncan explained as he could see his girlfriend raising her eyebrows at him. "We cannot drag the episode so long, and people would like to know more about us. It can be fun for both of us to try to find the best questions to make fun of each other... what do you say?"
"... You are afraid of the question I would come up with, aren't you?" Courtney asked with an amused look on her face, to which her boyfriend simply looked away. "Fair enough. And looking for that, it's time for the commercial, so get ready everyone, for Duncan is going to be the next one for the interview."
Courtney smiled with all her teeth, as it was clear she wanted some blood dropped. Duncan was now her target.
"Wow... her aura is showing scarlet tones of bloodlust. I'm glad that her anger isn't aimed at me." Dawn whispered to Sky, who nodded her head.
And the boyfriend host just realized how screwed he was. But not before once again using the remote control.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH," The group, sans Ennui and Crimson, jumped and screamed from the shock under their seats, even Courtney. Who was getting up after the zap and was ready to go after him.
"I REGRET NOTHING." Duncan shouted as he started to run.
"COME BACK HERE." Courtney shouted as she chased after him.
MVPA Scene: Mainlingness Rap.
A good hedge was between two sets on the top of the cliff, where Harold was cutting the hedge with his garden scissors, and coming from one of the sets, Cody, who was stretching himself over the morning, saw the young boy cutting the area between them.
"Cutting the hedge, huh?" Cody asked which nerd was smiling about doing it.
"Yep." Harold was simple and smiled into doing.
"Me too..." As at the time the geek said that, he brought an electric saw with him as it made Harold blink as Cody smoothly passed over the hedge. "22 inches, electric."
As a way to show the farm boy what the technology can do, but Harold didn't let that pass easily.
As the sound of a motor caught the attention of the geek, Harold was holding a saw even bigger.
"33 ccs, gas." The nerd,as he said loudly because of the loud motor, and slowly passed in front of Cody, who took a step back. And when Harold passed the top of the hedge, he gave a smug look.
Cody passed a few seconds looking in disbelief and stared at Harold.
"Are you challenging my manliness?" Cody asked in disbelief, as Harold passed a few seconds in silence.
"Yes..." Harold said without any shame in the world...
Which, on that point, Cody's eyes twitched so much, because there were things that should never be challenged... and that was one of them.
"I WAS BOOOOOORN," Cody said as he placed both hands on the hedge, and in the next scene he was wearing a lumberjack red shirt as the song appeared, and Cody was going to show how manly he was. "With hair on my chest, a gleam in my eyes to latch on to a breast..."
"I cut my own umbilical cord with my razor-sharp teeth, then I drove home, and my mom rode on in the back seat." Cody said as he made a motion of biting an imaginary line and him driving an invisible drive wheel. He even played with his suspenders. "I didn't go through puberty. Puberty went through me, and it was never even awkward because I made it happen instantly. If you addressed a letter to "man" and put it in the mail, rest assured I'd receive it, but I'm not going to be your pen pal."
Harold stared at Cody as the geek scoffed.
"My time is too valuable for that. I'll be too busy working a jackhammer." Cody was about to leave, but then he saw himself inside of a cave, with Harold sitting on a throne while dressing himself with many furs of animals."
"YOU'RE A MOMMA'S BOY," Harold replied as he raised himself from the throne. "I was born in an arctic cave, adopted by wolves. That's how I was raised..."
"I didn't drink milk. I suckled the fangs of a venomous snake."Harold continued as he made a motion with his hand, looking like a viper, while he then showed another hand while making it look like he was going to give a handshake. "I killed the first man that I met with just my firm handshake."
"I potty trained myself... you're still bedwetting. I smell like charcoal when I'm sweating and was the best man at my own wedding." Harold continued as he stared at Cody. "Search Google Images for masculinity; feel free to Photoshop your face on that image of me..."
"Creative Commons Punk," Harold said as he fixed his glasses on his head, and then Harold held a big wrench and walked away, preparing to do some work. "Meanwhile I'll be adjusting some really large nuts."
.
.
.
"What the hell are those two doing?" Heather asked as Izzy was holding her Izzymmicator, reading the forum posts of Total Drama.
"Ezekiel created a catchy rap song a few days ago, which Harold and Cody didn't stop rehearsing and singing. I'm not even sure of how the beat of the song would be since Ezekiel didn't explain the rhythm of the song." Izzy commented as she looked in amusement at the duo who had been trying to one-up each other all the time.
"What a bunch of whimps and weirdos." Heather scoffed, and Izzy nodded her head.
"Even I think they are doing a bit too much, and that comes from me." Izzy said, as the queen bee and the unpredictable military girls agreed on one thing.
Those 2 needed more things to do in life.
The commercials were finally over, as it was now the time for Duncan to be the one of the members to sit on the chair now. The crowd is cheering happily for returning to meet more about another iconic contestant and what Courtney has been planning for the show.
"Welcome back, everyone." Courtney was now being the one responsible for the control, and she smiled at seeing once again the mood of the crowd as the same as the good positive review on the ratings Jane had been telling her about. It seems this show started in a great way, and they found their formula for their style of show. "I hope you all are hungry for more, because not only will you see Eva, one of the strongest contestants, being on the chair, but also Cody, the geek who surprised everyone with his personality, but now it comes at the time we are going to continue the show. Isn't that right, darling?"
"Just because you are saying 'darling, and I'm sitting on the chair, which will give me a shock, doesn't scare me, since we have been testing this all the time, and it's fun for me and also for the public, and since Ennui and Crimson can take it, I'm sure I can do it as well." The punk host said as he doesn't seem afraid over suddenly feeling zapped. "AH. Dammit."
"AHHH," Sky, Dawn, and Junior jumped from their seats.
"Oops, my finger slipped." Courtney giggled, as the crowd did the same, and then she even cleared her throat. "Well, for our next person who was eliminated on Total Drama Action, Let me tell you something about him."
Duncan raised his eyebrow, already wondering what his girlfriend would be trying to use as a way to present himself, until suddenly the screen got static, and his eyes went wide open.
"Wait, hold on, where did you get that picture?" Duncan said this time in panic, as the crowd couldn't help but aww from seeing a young Duncan of 4 years old. Sucking a purple pacifier while wearing his cyan blue jacket with a dog stamp on it. He was hugging a plushie of a German shepherd on it. And above his head there was a police cap on him.
"Your aunt Diana gave it to me as a way to make a very good, remarkable explanation of who you were as a child." Courtney commented as the crowd clearly fawned over how innocent and cute the little delinquent was before he got the sudden transformation. "Alright, Duncan, codename the black sheep of the law family. His childhood had always been in regard to having a family focused on being the pride of the Canadian nation." The next picture is of Duncan wearing the small uniform of RCPM as a costume party across the Rush family. The crowd so fawned over Duncan, while Ennui and Crimson turned their heads away in disgust. Which is when Courtney became serious as she continued to tell more about her boyfriend. "Since events in his childhood would lead to drastic changes in his nature."
Courtney learned from both Duncan's parents and also from Alex and Martin Rush more details of the night where Duncan got into a crime scene, a night that became one of the worst things that happened in Duncan's life.
Sheila made her swear to never tell the story to Duncan, because the reason why his mom threw away her job as a detective just to live as a couple of singers really made Courtney sick to her stomach… Because she placed the next picture, and instead of being the innocent boy who had everything ready to follow the path of the law… Next came the changes of the boy; he changed part of his hair green, started to wear more black, and a dog choker had been around his neck since that time.
What happened with Petey is something that Courtney swore to never tell the truth about.
And to the surprise of many, the boy Duncan looked like a mini version of his actual self but was still cute and adorable for a few people.
"At least he wasn't looking that disgusting. But still those reactions revolt me." Ennui commented as Duncan rolled his eyes. And waited for Courtney to return to her senses.
"A lot of pranks, 50 vandalism with no press charges, and only 5 of them known over the town. Duncan was sent to Juvenile for 3 years in case he was in good behaviour. I don't know how your family managed to convince the judge, but I'm sure the prosecutors threw a fit when you got all of that." Courtney remarked as Duncan was about to show his finger, but Courtney was smart. "Ah ah ah, remember we are in at noon time, so we must behave and be a good example to all the families."
Duncan scoffed as Courtney smiled as her revenge only started, but then she continued.
"Recording his escape from Juvenile clearly caught the attention of the public on Total Drama, so that's why he had been selected to participate in the show." Courtney explained as it showed more of his clips. "His stay on the first season? He vandalized, stole some products, drove people crazy, and started a prank war with a person who in the end got pneumonia. Even if in the end they got massacred by the said person." Courtney showed the clips on how Ezekiel threw El Mongo and La Muerte for the first time, and then the giant water balloon that destroyed any sort of hopes when it came to their winning chances. "But in Wawanakwa, many lessons were learned. Lines were created to never be crossed, as Duncan himself determined, and he showed signs of maturity by acting as a co-leader, a person who could lead the Killer Bass boys and be the other pillar the team needed. Sometimes I confess that I may go overboard a little."
"A little?" Duncan asked, and suddenly he and everyone on the chairs got zapped.
"AHHHHHH"
"Okay, I admit, a lot, I go overboard, but he clearly helped me when I needed to realize that I shouldn't be making my whole life too tied to the letter and the ink of the rules, and with Ezekiel, enjoy life on the little things." Courtney commented on the picture of herself and Duncan vandalizing Chris' trailer and even taking the food from Chef's fridge in one of the challenges. Clearly showed a good iconic moment of when they became the power couple. "Which in the end his first elimination was caused by an accident of birthday date; Katie and Sadie mistook his birthday, and it resulted in a domino effect in which even I said his name by accident, and knowing how unfair the rules of Total Drama can be… it ended up with one of the most unfair eliminations of the show."
And with that, Courtney showed the pictures of Duncan being forced to leave and even the damages he caused on Playa Del Losers.
"Which we had to pass a good time to make up for Duncan, even me. I decided to do what would be the best for him to understand how sorry we are…" Courtney said as she was very hesitant to press the control. Knowing how much it sucked, the best she could do would be laughing with herself. "Even I had to come up with this."
And then there was the gasp; just for later comes the laughter, when the picture of Courtney wearing Norbit's costume from E-Scope's Happy Sap company showed how serious she was to make up for her boyfriend after she helped to get him eliminated.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHA," Duncan started to laugh loudly, but he couldn't help but smile at his girlfriend, who did that far for him to expose herself on television. "She stayed like that for almost a week, and I forgave her, guys, don't worry."
"Anyway… A person who showed what leadership can mean in the next season, and a surprise twist that caught everyone by surprise: instead of eliminating Geoff, Izzy used the gift boxes to not just save him from elimination but to also send away another stronger player of the show." Courtney said as she could see her boyfriend also being touched by what she had said. Jokes aside, she meant every word. "A delinquent who still has to work a few hours of community service, likes skulls, and has a punk band of the third category... the second pillar of Killer Bass... Duncan, everyone."
Courtney presented as everyone clapped and cheered loudly for the boy who got up and bowed from the ovation of the public until suddenly he realized her words.
"What do you mean, 'punk band of the third category?" Duncan said with a deadpan and got a smirk from his girlfriend as a reply. Which made him roll his eyes. "Whatever. Okay, Princess, I already know the rules, and we used you as the first example. We still have a schedule, so you know what to do."
"You don't need to tell me twice, but before that, let's start with you telling us, what are the questions?" The bad boy crossed his arms as he was expecting something to be asked of him.
"Well, to be honest, some questions were directed for both of us, but I think it would be nice to ask you first." Courtney commented as she took a few letters and started to choose something nice. "Hey, this one seems to know about your relatives. Duskrider asked, 'Duncan, what's one of your favourite myths that most people might not have heard of before...'"
"He must be someone who met my uncle and aunt before. And well, fair enough, for me there are 4 legends that many people may think are silly, but my aunt and uncle had given me so many details that it would be an essay for 2 hours, and surprisingly, it would be enough to keep me interested." Duncan commented as he could see his girlfriend raising her eyebrow at him. "Mothman... the Scarecrow of the Rush family, a story that I'm sure I need to tell about in the future, princess, and Kozmotis Pitchiner A.K. The boogeyman, and finally Jack Frost. They are neat stories for those who are into mythology and legends; so much so that my uncle and aunt are planning to choose the name of the next Rush member after the last two."
"Wow, you really are into that kind of stuff." Courtney asked in amusement as she saw the smirking face from the bad boy who wanted to keep playing. "Well, this one was for both of us, but I think you would be the best to answer this question. Jaykill asked, 'Are you worried about your Killer Bass Team being up against one another and if you think it will take a toll on the team overall?'"
"Pff… As if…" Duncan commented as the crowd got interested in what the delinquent had to say. "If it was the first episode of the last season, I would have believed that, since at that time what mattered most was to win the 100 thousand dollars, but then somehow, we… as a group of totally different people, never in my damned mind would I have believed I would have trusted my back to Harold, Tyler, or even Ezekiel; the stereotypes clearly would have made me Harold's arch nemesis at some point…" Duncan explained as Courtney raised her eyebrows at Duncan for talking so eloquently, which made him roll his eyes. "I know how to speak lawyer language, Courtney; I passed a few times on the tribunals to learn a few words of it… anyway, then somehow, we, as the most impossible combination, yet somehow became such great friends that I'm sure that even if this season would just be more like. It's not personal; it's just a game. Someone wins, someone loses, but in the end we hang out again. That's why I believed the Killer Bass would still be strong. Even if I, Courtney, and Ezekiel had to beat some good sense into people."
Needless to say, Duncan's speech on the answer clearly made the group cheer and give a standing ovation for the delinquent, while Courtney smiled proudly as well.
"Maybe that's another good reason why I still have the title of the pillar of Killer Bass, even after leaving the show." Courtney said, as Duncan just showed his fists, where the letters Killer Bass on each finger clearly described the facts he has in hand.
"Well… this one is interesting for each of us. I think I should hear your opinion first, and then I will tell my opinion as well." Courtney commented as she ignored one of the questions but decided to show the other one. "K20 asked for both of us… Do you think Ezekiel is going to give a big advantage to Trent's group?"
"Not going to lie, Trent went smart, really, really smart." Duncan said as he could see his girlfriend nodding his head over the fact. "He went first on Ezekiel, then went straight to Harold; this alone made Gwen panic. Until she realized that she needed to take the strongest people for the brawl… but her small mistake was to let a few Gopher members get inside of her team, which I have to say, I think is going to be a headache for Gwen in the future."
"That I believe 100%," Courtney added, as it showed the full scale of the names of the teams on both sides. "Killer Grips got two victories in a row, and Tyler almost managed to win the third victory, which was unfortunate because he was against Owen."
"I'm not even sure if there was someone to blame; things sucked, as their loss got one member of their own back home." Duncan commented as he let his girlfriend continue.
"Trent went to have the best team who could work together; he must have studied a lot for that. He found Ezekiel has a reason for why he was treated as the pillar of Killer Bass and how versatile Harold was in terms of skill, which were many… Now I'm curious; the Steve who created the Steve camp must have gotten a lot of publicity because of Harold." Courtney looked at Duncan, who shrugged.
"Probably, I'm still trying to see if I can add myself into the camp for safe opening." Duncan commented as he looked at his girlfriend glaring at him. "For educational reasons, Courtney, you never know if Chris somehow makes such a crazy challenge that would need professional bank robbers to deal with that stuff. And I hate to admit it, but I was this close to asking Harold to give me some tips."
"Rar rar rar, you better not think about much of that, Duncan, or my mom is going to be like a shark nagging you until you quit this stupid idea." Courtney commented, making the bad boy scoff. But then they blinked from how sidetracked they were answering a question. "Oops, sorry about that, K20… What else did he say? Oh, he said sorry about his English, and he said he has a best friend in Brazil that is a big fan of the show. Nice to see this show is already being popular internationally."
"Nice, anyway, let's focus on the question again." Duncan scoffed as he rolled his eyes. "To finish the answer, K20… Trent wanted the strongest member of the team, so he chose it. Ezekiel was the only one who managed to call a prank war and win; he was the one who, even sick, went until the final moment. For that it takes a lot of guts, but also… He was the one who knew exactly how we were… like, we had been friends for so many years."
"It's a gift…" Courtney commented, which made Duncan stare at her in surprise. "There are some people who you start becoming friends with on the first day, just by talking to them… and Ezekiel was like that to us."
"True, true…" Duncan admitted it, but then he sighed. "Man… kinda wanted to work together with Ezekiel and Harold; we created a few nice formations for Killer Bass, but sadly with the teams separated, we couldn't do much."
"Well, I'm sure that will always be remembered on the MVPA…" Courtney commented as she sighed from her inability to use the points by herself to make her stay at the game; if she knew she didn't owe Heather a favour, she could have used one gift box at least.
"Well, at least these questions were an interesting part of the show. Not gonna lie, I kinda expected more of the fans, but hey, still nice work, guys." Duncan shrugged as he started to grab a mug of coffee and enjoy what more he could be waiting for the day.
"Well, now Duncan had replied to the question made by fans, and surprisingly we got a webcam call for Duncan," Courtney said as Duncan shrugged while continuing to drink the coffee. "Hmmm, the papers say it comes from Beverly Hills."
And at that moment Duncan spat out the coffee and started choking.
"No no no, please don't accept the call, not that address." Duncan immediately got up to try to go over to his girlfriend and catch the remote control, but she took a few steps back and, raising her leg, Duncan tripped on the floor.
"What's with you?" Courtney asked as she raised his eyebrows.
"You don't understand." Duncan said, but before he could even try again. Dawn had her eyes wide open.
"Oh my... his aura is getting in a panic because it knows the address is from his uncle's detective agency." Dawn commented, which made Sky and Junior stare at her in surprise. Duncan looked at the moonchild, who remained quiet for a few seconds. "Mother Nature confirmed Duncan... it's them..."
"Okay then, better jump to the next person on the web call..." Duncan said nervously, but his co-host wasn't getting any of that.
"Oh no, you don't. I thought you always liked to talk with your uncle Martin and aunt Alex." Courtney raised her eyebrow, but she could see Duncan was avoiding eye contact with her as he continued to try to take out the control.
"It's not them I have problems with; it's... them..." Duncan said as he hesitated to say who he was talking about. But it was making his girlfriend more confused. But then he saw her with her finger ready. "Don't..."
"Too late." Courtney said as she pressed the button, which, to Duncan's dismay, showed the static on the screen.
Duncan couldn't even protest, since by the time the static finished, the crowd saw what would be a green eye of a ginger woman who blinked a few times before taking a few steps back.
"Clover, I think it's already on." The woman said she could see the screen showing the crowd and even Duncan, who was still trying to not look at the screen. "Hello, can you hear me?"
"Loud and clear." Courtney said she had never met that woman before, but seeing Duncan hesitating to say something, she could already guess he knows her. "Welcome to Total Drama Aftermath. May you want to present yourself?" Courtney asked as the ginger woman gave a few steps back, as she was wearing her dark green detective outfit.
"Oh, Duncan knows exactly who I am... isn't that right, Duncan?" The woman crossed her arms as the delinquent tried to not talk to them. "Duncan, you cannot pretend I don't exist; you know what's coming."
Duncan sighed, as he could see the amusement in the looks of the others at him.
"Good afternoon, Aunt Sam." Duncan commented as he heard the footsteps of someone quickly going into the room. Which made the delinquent groan. "Ugh, here she comes."
"DUNCAN DUNCAN, HOW DARE YOU? HOW DARE YOU." The shout of someone dramatic quickly ran after the living room, which would be a couch, a desk, and a lot of pictures and papers across the area. As Courtney blinked, she saw a mature woman with blonde hair wearing a red wine overcoat and had a clear view that the overcoat was actually very expensive and good quality. Which the yapping clearly made Duncan groan while Sam watched the woman nearby her scold the boy for her own amusement. "After all these years, you not only got into juvenile, but you also got inside of a reality show, to the point you passed a lot of episodes, leaving us in the dark, and worst of all, you didn't tell us you have a girlfriend. Do you know how long I have been waiting for you to give us a call to give this news? I didn't want to know this from Martin nor Alex; I wanted you to tell me about her at the time you got it."
Everyone stared at Duncan, who groaned at seeing the blonde woman being so invested in his love life.
"Ugh, Aunt Clover, can we just not talk about this? It's a live television show, and you are causing a scene." Duncan said as he could see the amused look of his girlfriend but also the chuckles of the crowd, which clearly was a hit on his reputation.
"Causing a scene? Do you think so low of me?" Clover commented as she stared at him in disbelief, but before she could say anything further. Someone finally came to Duncan's rescue.
"Girls, I told you to not do that. Oh my God, Sheila is going to be annoying next time we have a conversation, thanks a lot." Alex said as she showed a few frustrating signs as she pulled the overcoats off the girls. "Sorry, Duncan, I tried to make sure they wouldn't start freaking out, but it seems they don't listen."
"Well, in our defence, Duncan should have at least called us when he got out of the juvenile. Or at least when he was on the TV, we could have watched." Sam raised a point, at which Alex clearly rolled her eyes.
"I told you many times, it's a Canadian show; the first season is being aired in the United States right now. You should have at least waited for a few weeks before calling for Duncan. Now not only are you exposing our office location, but now you just did that for the fact that you wanted Duncan to call you to tell you he has a girlfriend?" Alex said as she wanted to go nag more on Sam, but then she was feeling quite nauseous. "Need to go to the bathroom."
"Oh, and that's the thing I want to talk about. This C.I.T. girl, I'm doing some background checks, so you better have some answers for me right now." Clover said as she took a few papers with her. "Where did you both go on your first date? Did he tell you about his-"
"That's nice to see you again, aunts, say to Uncle Martin I said hi. I don't know why you are looking sick, Aunt Alex, but I wish you to get better. Now I have to lead a show; goodbye." Duncan said as he finally took the control from Courtney and pressed the turn-off button. Which he then gave a glare to his girlfriend. "I told you it was the best to avoid that web call."
"So they are also your aunts? Wow, your family is big." Courtney asked, but Duncan simply rolled his eyes.
"These 2 are more like aunts in everything except for blood; they are part of my uncle's detective office, they have been friends with Aunt Alex for decades, and they have been part of my life since I was born." Duncan simply summarized everything. "They aren't that bad in comparison to my aunt Diana, but they are too clingy. I was avoiding calling them since Aunt Alex and Uncle Martin were back home, because every time I get to call them, it's a whole day on the telephone."
"Well, now the cat's out of the bag, what are the chances of them coming to Canada?" Courtney asked as she saw Duncan simply waiting for a few seconds.
"They are on the telephone talking with the director of police to use their vacation time to come to Canada tomorrow, aren't they?" Duncan turned to Dawn, who had been with her tea leaves as she blinked a few times, but then after listening to Mother Nature's voice, she nodded her head at him. "Figured. It wasn't the first time they had done that. And I bet they are going to drag Aunt Alex and Uncle Martin because of the motherhood period to use on the vacations."
"..." Courtney blinked a few times until Duncan glared at her.
"Now you are coming with me. If I had to suffer with their visit, so do you." Duncan said as he clearly didn't want to have that type of meeting, but knowing it was now too late, it was just a matter of time before his aunts would come to visit.
"Anyway, that was a nice call, and it looks like soon we will have another commercial. Be prepared for Duncan's turn on the pointing game, and don't forget we will also have Eva and Cody on here…" Courtney said as she waved at the crowd, who got excited as soon as the static once again appeared on the screen.
Hellish training.
"I knew this was a bad idea..." Beth gasped, narrowly dodging a flaming baton as it bounced off a fake knight's armour. Her sleeves were singed, her eyes bloodshot from smoke, and every step she took was either a limp or a stagger. "She warned me—she literally said, 'You will regret this,' and what did I do? I insisted. I begged. Like an idiot."
"DROP AND RESET, PRIVATE BETH! BURNOUTS AREN'T AN EXCUSE FOR MEDIOCRE ARM ROTATION!" Izzy barked from the sidelines, wearing a modified cheerleader uniform with camouflage trim. Her megaphone blared like a siren as she performed a one-handed cartwheel while juggling two unlit batons behind her back. Her posture was flawless, eyes sharp—no hint of her usual chaos.
Beth scrambled to her feet with all the grace of a collapsing deck chair. She bit her lip, remembering how Izzy had paused the madness yesterday, dead serious for just one moment.
"You're not ready," Izzy had said then, her voice level and eyes locked. "What I'm going to teach isn't cute. It's Chef Hatchet-hard. Military Style… My mom used to backflip off a helicopter to cheer on college at the time she returned from the military. I had to train a lot since I wanted to follow her steps, and just like Chef and my whole family… I don't do easy."
"And I still said yes!" Beth groaned, tossing the baton upward—and immediately getting thwacked in the forehead by its flaming return.
.
.
.
"Ten hours. Ten actual hours of fire, launch and catch, and full mental breakdowns," Beth whimpered, bent over with her hands on her knees. Her once green shirt was now a battlefield casualty, frayed at the edges, slightly smoking. "I'm not even sure if I was going to use that on the school anymore. I'm just surviving."
"AND SURVIVAL IS STEP ONE TO DOMINANCE!" Izzy shouted with terrifying pep, doing pushups while balancing a baton on her nose. She popped up into a handstand, flipped, and landed beside Beth without so much as a wobble.
"You're insane," she muttered, nearly falling over from the proximity. Staring up at the girl who once painted herself green to scare a moose or even dressed herself as a bear to scare everyone on the island of Wawanakwa... but now moved like a drill sergeant with jazz hands.
"Nope. I'm trained," Izzy replied coolly, tossing both batons into the air in a perfect arc. And juggling them with one hand only. "I had been running obstacle courses before I could walk straight. You think fire freaks me out? Fire dances for me. I'm a pyromaniac."
Beth started to whimper as Izzy grinned like a cruel sergeant.
"Remember, you asked for it…" Izzy commented as she made her point seen. "That wouldn't have happened if you had followed my idea of making the oil barrels and making an explosive ending for the talent show challenge. But nooo, you had to play safe. If you had used my other idea, we may have tied with the Killer Bass before, because you didn't learn how to catch… and look at that. You just learned how to catch now…"
"Please tell me we're done..." Beth whimpered, watching the batons come down in synchronized spirals. She didn't know what was more terrifying: the flames or how easily Izzy caught them with one hand each.
"Done? Beth. That was just the warm-up," Izzy said with an unnerving grin. Her eyes glinted with challenge, not madness. "You've mastered the basic toss. Now we move to Phase Two: dual-wield. Air flips. And battlefield baton discipline."
"...There's a Phase Two?!" Beth's voice cracked like glass under a tank.
"This is war, honey bee," Izzy whispered, handing her a second baton already burning at the tip. "And you're my infantry now."
"I could've just asked Lindsay," Beth muttered in despair, holding the batons like cursed relics from a forgotten temple. "Or anyone who's never done tactical backflips."
"You wanted to learn from the best, so now you're going to suffer like the best. You may die…but that's the sacrifice I'm willing to make." Izzy explained as she walked towards Beth, ready to devour the remaining hope and spirit the farmer girl has… What can she say? She was going to make Beth a great baton thrower or make the farmer girl die trying…
.
.
.
"I think my collarbone's about to snap!" Sadie cried out, her voice cracking like glass under pressure. Her whole body trembled as she struggled to lift the rusted dumbbells Eva had forced into her hands. The area where Eva always takes her and Ezekiel to train has one abandoned set on which she placed her punching bag and even a few other pieces of gym equipment, and she made sure Sadie brought her own equipment to make her continue her training… Her arms quivered, her knees wobbled, and her face looked like it had been steamed in a microwave. "Can't I just… do one rep and fake the rest? Like, method acting?! Please?!"
"You don't need to say sorry, Sadie." Eva stood tall beside her, arms crossed, her tone even but commanding. She didn't blink as Sadie whined; instead, she watched with a slight nod of approval—the kind that made your soul freeze. The sunlight cast sharp shadows behind her, making her look like a drill sergeant in a post-apocalyptic film. "You impressed me yesterday."
"Wait, I did? Like… actually?!" Sadie gasped, eyes flickering with hope.
She blinked, tears welling up in her eyes as her muscles spasmed. She had trained like a maniac during yesterday's challenge, and hearing praise from Eva—actual praise—felt like someone handing her a cupcake at the end of a war.
"Which means I know you can handle double the weight and triple the time." Eva's expression never changed as she stepped forward and calmly added two more iron plates to Sadie's dumbbells.
"No—no, no, Eva, please!" Sadie sobbed, collapsing to her knees. "That's not how encouragement is supposed to work!"
.
.
.
"Yo, Eva… got a second?" Ezekiel's voice floated in, quiet and cracked.
He approached from the old soundstage entrance, walking slowly with both hands shoved deep into the pockets of his oversized hoodie. Dried blood stained the edges of the sleeves, and his knuckles were visibly bruised and scraped. His gait was stiff—each step carrying leftover pain from yesterday's challenge.
Eva didn't flinch. She looked him up and down with a quick scan, then gestured toward a prop bench.
"Sit. Five minutes. Don't ask. Don't talk." Eva commanded as she disappeared into the abandoned production trailer, boots crunching on gravel.
"She didn't even ask what happened," Sadie whispered as Ezekiel sat down beside her, now groaning under her new dumbbell weight. Her eyes were wide as she spotted the damage up close. "What happened to your hands?!"
"Last challenge," Ezekiel said simply, resting his arms on his knees. "I overdid it a bit yesterday."
"'A bit'?!" Sadie squeaked. "Your hands look like they lost a fight with a woodchipper."
Before Ezekiel could reply, Eva reemerged carrying a scratched metal bucket filled to the brim with ice and movie-prop water labelled "Toxic Waste" in faded green lettering.
She dropped it with a metallic CLANG beside Ezekiel's feet.
Without a word, he pushed up his sleeves and dunked both hands into the ice water.
"AGH— okay—ow—I needed that," he grunted, eyes twitching as the pain set in. The bucket hissed slightly as the blood on his hands met the cold. But then the relief after so long a fight and all the usage of his adrenaline.
.
.
.
"Owen told me what you did," she said while working. Her voice had a strange tone—admiration laced with envy. "I wish I could've seen it. Sounds like you cracked heads like soda cans."
"Something like that," Ezekiel replied with a sheepish smile. "Lost track after, like, the sixteenth guy."
"You're getting good. Real good. Hands will always hurt after a scrap—that's normal. Cold water, ice, pressure, then wrap. That's how you keep going." Eva nodded with approval.
"Thanks, Eva. That means a lot." Ezekiel commented as he glanced at her, surprised by the tenderness in her explanation.
"Good. Because starting tomorrow, your training weight doubles." Which made Eva grin as she explained the next phase of his training while she tightened the last wrap with a snap and stood.
Ezekiel blinked as he still got a shiver on his spine...
"That's... 50 kilograms per limb." Ezekiel knew it would be pointless, but he wanted to remark on what she was planning to make him do.
"Exactly." Eva crossed her arms, smirking. "We're upgrading to the real deal."
He exhaled through his nose… and simply shrugged.
"Okay then..." He didn't argue, didn't flinch. Just accepted it.
Sadie, meanwhile, dropped her weights in horror.
"Fifty kilos each?! Are you insane?! Why would you agree?!" Sadie literally freaked out as Ezekiel simply shrugged.
"Because if I say no, she'll make it worse. We both know that." Ezekiel answered the question, as clearly as Eva nodded her head.
"He's correct." Eva explained as she ignored Sadie's sob; at the time, she narrowed her eyes at her. She decided to add something more. By looking at the chronometer she had in her hands. "And since you stopped for longer than ten seconds, you're now doing hill sprints. With the weights. Until lunch."
"WHY AM I BEING PUNISHED FOR WITNESSING THINGS?!" Sadie wailed as Eva tossed her a new timer.
Ezekiel smirked under his breath, flexing his bandaged hands…
It was their painful sacrifice of their training. But that's how they accepted to do it.
At the time the show came back from the commercials, the crowd cheered once again as Courtney smiled at the crowd as she was now with the control in hand, while Duncan and the other members of the cast were sitting, waiting for the next part of the pointing game.
"Welcome back, everyone." Courtney smiled as she was holding the clipboard of the waited and yet exciting game for each contestant of the show. "For those who didn't come here before, welcome to Total Drama Action Aftermath. Duncan had once answered the questions of the fans before; now he had to participate in a very shocking and funny game called the Pointing Game... now here comes an interesting question. Who wants money?"
"ME ME ME OH COME ON CHOOSE ME." And once again the crowd raised their hands as Courtney decided to select the few members of the crowd. While Duncan crossed his arms and looked at the other members of the display. He was pretty sure it wouldn't be that bad. But suddenly the smile on his girlfriend's face doesn't make him feel better.
"Duncan has a secret talent... one that he is very ashamed to admit." Courtney commented that at that second she could see Duncan paling at that moment. On that second he could hear the sounds of the others writing down their whiteboards. "He would rather expend his time on juveniles instead of letting the others know he is very talented in..."
Duncan wanted to curse and shout for whoever was the person who came up with that question... But thankfully he can refuse to answer the question. He was so glad for the failsafe both he and Courtney created, so all he needed to do was to act ignorant if the answer was right.
At least there was no way someone...
"Knitting." The first person commented, which Duncan simply facepalmed at as he cursed himself.
"Dancing." The second person commented as Duncan simply crossed his arms.
"Well, we have knitting and dancing." Courtney commented as she walked to the next person, who was now eager to say something. "Duncan has a secret talent... one that he is very ashamed to admit. He would rather expend his time on juveniles instead of letting the others know he is very talented in..."
"Cosplay." The third person commented, at which Duncan raised his eyebrows.
"Okay, for the last one, Duncan would rather be on Juvenile instead of being found to be talented with..." Courtney chuckled as she could see her boyfriend wondering where she got a question like that. And she was glad to have Dawn as a lie detector; as an aura reader, she can tell the secrets of both sides. And as much as she hated to have someone reading her past secrets. It would be for the best for the entertainment for both herself and Duncan. It's better for them to learn more about their relationship that way instead of being caught by surprise.
"Arts and Crafts." As the final person who finished giving the suggestion, Duncan simply scoffed.
"Alright, we have got knitting, dancing, cosplay, and arts and crafts." Courtney commented as Duncan clearly wasn't liking to know his secret being exposed like that. "Well, payback is so sweet, isn't that right, Duncan?"
"Yeah, yeah, can we get over with it?" Duncan simply rolled his eyes, still using his own bad boy style to not have fear of anything.
"Dawn."
"WHY IS SHE FIRST?" Duncan shouted, and immediatelyJunior jumped in surprise from the sudden outburst.
"I was just going to ask her if she wants more water... why are you so afraid, sweetheart?" Courtney simply commented as Duncan cursed himself as he was baited.
"I'm fine, Courtney, but clearly Duncan's aura is exploding from panic after you bait him like that." Dawn described as she looked at him. "You shouldn't be ashamed of your talent, Duncan; you could achieve great success with such talent."
"First off, I'm not in a panic. I just wanted the game to follow the proper rules." Duncan said in denial as he tried to regain his posture.
"Afraid? I'm not afraid; I just find it ridiculous that you are not following the suggestions from Junior and then going to the others like I did." Duncan said as he tried to change the subject. Which Sky giggled nearby. "Hey, cut it out."
"Anyway... as much as I would like to keep teasing, we have a schedule here. Alright Crimson, 'Duncan has a secret talent—one he's deeply ashamed to admit. He'd rather spend time in juvie than let anyone find out he's actually really good at...'" Courtney said the question which on the next second, Crimson glanced at Duncan, noting his twitching eye, then casually flips her board the revelation for Duncan's dismay.
"Knitting." She said calmly as Duncan physically flinched, and the crowd cheered for the person who guessed the answer. "The panic was obvious. You only get that tense when someone threatens your façade, and one of the options must be true."
"Ha ha ha..." Duncan sarcastically laughed, but the public could see him trying to not look at her.
"Okay, who said knitting?" Courtney asked as she looked at the person who said it and handed over 20 dollars. "Ennui, let's see what you got. 'Duncan has a secret talent—one he's deeply ashamed to admit. He'd rather spend time in juvie than let anyone find out he's actually really good at...'"
"Competitive bird-calling." Ennui said in a monotone tone, while the entire crowd and even his castmates looked at him in silence. "He looks like the type who'd fight a goose to prove a point."
With that, Courtney wheezed while the crowd laughed. While Duncan raised his eyebrow.
"Just so you know, I would win a fight against a goose." Duncan said shamelessly, which was even funnier, while Dawn stared at him intently... "What?"
"Please don't make a challenge to them... they don't like to be challenged, and they would turn your whole week awful if you try to provoke them." Dawn warned, as Duncan scoffed. The girl simply shook her head. "Why do people always think they can torment geese and swans and not think of the consequences of it?"
"Anyway, as much as I would like to debate about it. Let's keep going. Junior." Courtney said as she didn't give the money for someone, she was enjoying seeing her boyfriend squirm like he did with her. "'Duncan has a secret talent—one he's deeply ashamed to admit. He'd rather spend time in juvie than let anyone find out he's actually really good at...'
"Cosplay..." Junior wrote it, which the crowd cheered as Courtney handled money for one of the girls. "The name itself sounds awesome...err...a question, what's a cosplay?"
And that question alone was enough to make the crowd chuckle, while Duncan looked at him in disbelief.
"You wrote cosplay, and you had no idea what it was?" Duncan asked in disbelief. As the boy smiled sheepishly.
"It's because it sounded cool." Junior was fair on his honesty, and Duncan couldn't refute his logic.
"Junior, cosplay is like dressing himself in a costume on Halloween, but with more details on his favourite show." Sky decided to explain the answer as Junior's eyes sparkled.
"Oh oh oh, like Ultra Mega Rangers of Night? Awesome, then yeah, cosplay, totally cosplay." Junior doubled down on the answer while Duncan muttered a few things while trying to not curse at the boy who just gave his answer.
"That's a reasonable thought. Junior, now Sky, it's your turn. 'Duncan has a secret talent—one he's deeply ashamed to admit. He'd rather spend time in juvie than let anyone find out he's actually really good at...'" Courtney could see her boyfriend glaring at her, but she didn't care; karma was so good.
Sky holds up her board, which has 'Origami' written on it, but there is a big X scribbled over it. And under it there was the word knitting, just for Duncan's annoyance and for the crowd to cheer.
"Seriously? Great, just freaking tastic." Duncan exclaimed as Courtney gave another 20 bucks to the person who guessed on the first try Duncan's shameful talent.
"You must be really good for you to try to hide it from everyone. But now the cat's out of the bag now. You shouldn't have been that jumpy." Sky smirked as Duncan had every urge to not show his middle finger in the middle of television. But even the gymnast was enjoying giving the bad boy a bit of salt on the injury.
"Well, it seems you want to confess something, Duncan, something you might want to add?" Courtney raised her eyebrow as Duncan raised his index finger but decided to be against...
ZAP
"AHHHHHHHHHH" Most of the cast jumped from their seats from their surprised shock as the crowd laughed.
"Not cool, Courtney, not cool." Duncan said as he rubbed his butt while Courtney giggled at his antics.
"Well, you agree. Let's end this... Dawn?" Courtney inquired, but before the moonchild could say something, Duncan already interjected.
"Let's just skip her; you guys already know what my talent was anyway. And I prefer to not let her reveal my secret any further." Duncan interrupted as the young blonde girl pouted at him.
"Just because you made a whole sweater for your mom in half an hour on her birthday and put the blame on the imaginary fairy of knitting doesn't make you less skilled from the talent you have." Dawn commented, and when she flipped the whiteboard, revealing the drawing of a sweater and the word knitting, it clearly made Duncan groan, while awws of learning his past secret and cheers for one of the people who managed to guess the right option made Duncan even more annoyed.
"Of course... she would say that." Duncan crossed his arms and groaned.
"Aww, I read you are skilled, but 30 minutes to knit a sweater? Now I know what I want for my Christmas gift." Courtney commented as Duncan deadpanned at her. "Payback level: Divine."
"Har har har." Duncan commented as he got up from his seat. "Alright guys, you already had your fun with me. Let's prepare ourselves for what's coming next... who wants to see Eva?"
And the cheerful crowd clearly showed the right thoughts on how he was feeling at the moment, the excitement of seeing the Iron Woman appearing on the show.
"I'm glad you guys are excited. So before she appears. Let's just see the bloopers and special cuts on the backstage and pay-per-view from our segment of This is going to leave a mark...
THIS IS GOING TO LEAVE A MARK:
Whimsical music began playing as a montage of the most ouch-inducing moments of the show so far started.
Eva was lifting with her dumbbells while Geoff was walking past behind her when she heard something, and when she turned her body to see the direction someone was calling her, she accidentally hit Geoff on his stomach, and in panic, she lifted up, which made the dumbbell hit his jaw.
.
.
.
Heather, Lindsay, and Beth were doing their beauty masks for sleep when a flying cockroach approached the trio, and Lindsay shrieked in panic. Asshe tried to get out from the girls trailer, Katie was about to get inside, but the door slammed on her face while Lindsay screamed in panic.
.
.
.
Harold and Tyler had their eyes narrowed as both were holding yoyos, trying to show off who would have more tricks on the yoyo, but at the time they were doing such a challenge, Harold's yoyo accidentally hit him in the face, while Tyler's yoyo went straight to his own crotch. Both went down.
.
.
.
Cody was with a sugar rush to the point he was being a problem, and Izzy and Ezekiel, who had one of their arms in handcuffs, were so annoyed that both did a wrestling move, which made Cody's chin hit their shoulder, and with that the boy knocked out… And everyone stared at the duo horrified as Ezekiel and Izzy went to sit.
back on the table where Noah was too busy reading a few papers.
.
.
.
DJ found a bird who was chirping happily as he was holding a few seeds to feed such a wonderful creature, but then Jude, who was walking on his skate, accidentally hit the big
boy with a big heart, which startled him. At the time Jude was on the floor and the camera wasn't seeing him; all the bird seeds DJ had were over the boy, and the birds who were away quickly flew to attack Jude, who was already on the ground away from the view of the camera. All the camera can see is his arms waving in panic.
.
.
.
Ezekiel was calmly playing his harmonica, while Bridgette was walking nearby with Izzy to catch him by surprise, but suddenly from nowhere a volleyball hit straight on Bridgette, which made Ezekiel turn his face and see the blonde surfer on the ground.
.
.
.
Eva was juggling as she was seeing Ezekiel, Harold, and Cody repeating her motion, clearly showing she was teaching the trio on how to juggle. While she was doing it with weights, the boys were holding metal balls that she brought with her… As the boys were struggling, suddenly Trent was passing by, but he simply tripped on the floor, startling everyone as they stopped their juggling… Just for later, all the weights, including Eva's, went on the ground… on where Trent was…
.
.
.
On the Night of Living Interns Challenge, it showed Ezekiel taking down a lot of the interns, especially Owen, who was on the ground after Ezekiel had kicked his kiwis. But then, as a way of cruelty, Ezekiel did the cruel combo, which left the intern living his worst nightmare; he placed El Mongo and La Muerte on the poor intern's mouth and gave an uppercut to explode the paper bag inside of the mouth of the intern…
Leaving a mark not only on his body but also on his soul.
.
.
.
Harold was talking with his friends while they were walking to somewhere when suddenly Heather fell over Harold again… while she was in the sitting position… Which made the boys look at her in surprise, but all she did was clean up the dust off her shoulders, humph, and walk away, while the group of Trent, Tyler, and Ezekiel stared in the direction of where the girl had fallen.
And then staring at Harold, who seemed to be not moving at all.
.
.
.
Justin was looking at himself in the mirror while talking with Sadie, as Leshawna was doing some makeup, but she made a mistake byeating brownies, not realizing Owen opened the door with a hungry look and jumped on her just for the sake of eating those desserts, which made his entire body jump on her.
Justin and Sadie looked at each other as they simply walked away.
.
.
.
Eva was doing a few flexes while she was showing her scars; she smiled proudly of her strength as she went to walk, but she accidentally slipped on a bottle of some liquid, which made her fall on the ground, and with that, leaving a mark on her reputation. While she thought it would be worse, one of her dumbbells, which came from nowhere, fell over her.
.
.
.
Ezekiel was using his roller skates to walk around and enjoyed doing a few tricks, to the point he was even walking backwards… When he saw his friends looking worried at him, he noticed the danger, so he crouched as it passed a plank above him, which, if he had stayed up, could have hit his head. But he smiled, as he was always on alert.
That until his body had hit on the wooden wall where it was a movie set. Which made his entire body crash and create a hole on the wall…
…
"Ughh… that's going to leave a mark." Ezekiel's voice could be heard as it ended the song.
The cheers, laughs, and claps when it returned back from the segment of the show clearly made Duncan and Courtney sit back on their couches.
"You said it, Zeke." Duncan commented that he was glad the idea of making his friends suffer the worst bloopers and accidents happening was hilarious to the point that in the future even they would be laughing from how things went. "To be honest, for the first time in my life I felt pity for someone who got hit by El Mongo and La Muerte. Remember to never let me be on that evil side of Ezekiel, because while I'm proud of what he did, even I think what he did was beyond cruel."
"He went overboard. But I think it was in the excitement of the moment. I cannot even imagine the trauma of having that stink bomb on my mouth." Courtney shivered just from seeing beyond what her friend Ezekiel was able to do. "But it still proves how this show would make us see the worst of ourselves."
"But don't forget also the best of ourselves as well." Duncan said as he crossed his arms, as he could see Courtney smiling at him. "Well, it seems that now you guys are excited and hungry for more. Am I right?"
The cheerful shouts and claps clearly made Duncan and Courtney enjoy more about the work they were doing. They looked at Jane, who gave a thumbs up. Which was enough for the duo to now go for the good part.
"Well, it's time for our next guest! Born as the daughter of 2 strong people, according to her town, Eva had passed most of her time on Wawanakwa Island proving her strength, weights, exercises, and fights, even as she had a very explosive temperament… According to close friends, the bathtub in that place clearly helped her to deal with her anger, but that doesn't change the fact that with her help she became one of the top MVPs of the first season." Courtney commented as it showed images of Eva doing exercises, running, using dodgeball as a way to win the challenge, doing juggling with weights, fighting a bear, and fighting a serial killer. "Sadly the only thing that was able to defeat Eva was herself, since she got injured to the point of going to the hospital twice. But both ways show she was very protective of people she saw needing protection."
"That's how she got the title of Iron Woman, because even as she was eliminated, she promised she would be back, and just like she said, she returned stronger than ever. She made bears crumble in fear and is a serial killer's worst nightmare." Duncan commented as Eva was sent away to the hospital but returned fiercer than ever and stronger than ever. "A definition of badass on the books, and a person that clearly was the strongest on the team she was selected for."
"Sadly, even as strong as Eva is… her temperament still has some flaws; she was manipulated by Lindsay, who was practically the MVP of the Noire movie genre. Which advantage clearly gave some help to the Killer Grips, and her fight against Leshawna created a rivalry that sadly wasn't for very long… since Justin managed to do the impossible and managed to send away their strongest player." Courtney commented as she recalled the promise she made with Jen; she coughed into her hand. "Now with thirst of revenge, she promised that those who voted on her would have a hellish training. One that I had seen for so many days on my stay on Playa Del Losers, a coach that you cannot say no… the Iron Woman, one of the MVPs of Killer Bass… Everyone, Eva."
The cheers of the crowd were so loud as Eva calmly walked on the stage as she just raised her hand to greet everyone. Which, on point, Eva sat nearby; the seats were usually where Duncan and Courtney sat before.
"Welcome, Eva, It's a pity for you to be eliminated like that." Courtney said as she showed her honest comment since she knew what it was like to be eliminated in such a cowardly way.
"Shame we couldn't see you more in action. I was sure you would have done a lot more MVPA scenes if you were on the right scene." Duncan said he himself would have preferred if the Iron Woman had been in a better team, but that's how things ended. "How are you holding up?"
"I would have answered, 'What do you think?… but knowing we all had passed that sucking situation, we know it sucks." Eva commented as she expressed how she deeply felt. "The first two times I got eliminated it was because I couldn't be stronger, but this time I was just eliminated because the boys of my team were too weak. At least DJ and Noah had common sense. I thought we shouldn't trust in Screaming Gophers, but it seems we shouldn't even trust in some Killer Bass as well."
"Okay, Eva. I know you are angry and frustrated. But in defence of Geoff, he's the type of guy who would be going with the flow in many situations. If you asked if you were going to a party after jumping from a waterfall, he would just follow you up just because he wanted to know where the party is." Duncan commented as he could see Eva raising her eyebrow at him.
"While I agree Geoff has some fault in believing Justin's words, it doesn't change the fact he can be pretty gullible. Just like Jude…" Courtney subtitled, commenting in hope Eva would forgive their friend…
At which Eva rolled her eyes.
"I saw the webcall, Courtney. I know you wanted me to ease up on the new boy, and I wanted to make him sweat to the point of regretting even thinking of being against me…" Eva said as she looked furious for a point, but then she took a deep breath and released it… She closed her eyes and sighed. "But since he's the new boy and never knew me before. I'm willing to give him a chance… if he manages to survive until the merge, then I won't force him to take that punishment."
Courtney sighed in relief as she gave a chance for Jude to be able to survive, while she then blinked a few times and opened her mouth.
"There's no hope for Geoff; either he wins or he suffers. He knows who I am, and he should pay for betraying me like that. Like Ezekiel and Sadie, he's going to know what training with me feels like." Eva smirked like a shark, and at that moment Duncan felt a cold sweat.
Courtney could even imagine the reaction the display group were feeling. Since Junior was with his mouth wide open while he was eating a peanut and jelly sandwich.
Sky was intimidated by seeing the competitive fury Eva was having at that moment.
Enui and Crimson didn't seem phased at all.
Dawn looked at Eva with pity.
Courtney could guess since it doesn't need an aura reader to guess Eva was in such anger, thinking about how Geoff of all people agreed on such a stupid idea, and she could understand that Eva was hurt. She would have been if that happened to her.
"Well, maybe it will be for the best if we change the subject then, Eva…" Courtney commented as she could see Eva crossing her arms… "Did you see how Ezekiel and Sadie handled the last challenge?"
That comment clearly put a smile on her face, and her tense body relaxed a little bit…
"They went ahead into a field of stun guns; it would require a lot of courage but also self-discipline to keep going and not stop." Eva said as it clearly showed how much that had been a reason for her to be proud of the duo. "When I went on the Playa Del Losers for the first time, Sadie came to beg me that she wanted to train like me to be strong, strong to protect Katie, her friends, and even herself… Ezekiel, on the other hand, I had to train because his body clearly needed to recover from pneumonia; that sickness is capable of killing… and strangely, as much as I heard the complaints of Sadie because of her body, I heard the cries and whines a lot… Ezekiel, on the other hand, he just simply accepts, and I saw him sweat a lot, grunt in pain… and still the more and more both surprise me with the results of their training."
"Which leaves a question… when do you think they should stop?" Duncan raised his eyebrow, as he himself could see that someday the duo needed to stop going crazy like Eva.
"Stop? Why should they stop?" Eva asked as she blinked at him, not knowing if she understood the question. Duncan looked at her in disbelief. "The point of doing workoutswas to make your body into constant growth, make it healthier, and find your rhythm. At the time they would find the strength, they would reach their limit, then surpass it and get used to it. They can slow down, carry less weight… but never stop. Because when your body stops and stagnates, all your progress would be for nothing… Everyone must do something to compensate for the extra energy to grow on health in some way, and there isn't an easy path. Only stronger or weaker, and I don't take weaker students."
"Well, in a way that would be that. Who do you believe will win this season?" Courtney asked, intrigued and yet interested in knowing more about the process of how Eva thinks straightly when it comes to working out, and as much as she can see, the girl is on the point of extreme. She couldn't help but respect and even admirehow Eva sees the point of people needing to get stronger every day.
"For me anyone who was part of the Killer Bass deserved to win, and Geoff better start to pray for him to win, or I will come for his ass on training so much that his bones will beg for me to stop, and I will refuse." Eva said as she grunted with her arms crossed. Which Eva could see in the looks of Duncan and Courtney staring at her weirdly. "I recall the times when we told our projects and dreams about what we would do in case we won 100 thousand dollars, so I'm sure a million would be enough for us to see some dreams becoming true. DJ opening a restaurant and taking a trip to Jamaica with his momma. Sadie wanted to use the money to open a coffee shop and bakery for herself. Harold wanted to use a part of his money to donate to Steve Camp as a way to repay everything he learned… Katie wanting to go to fashion school to help her to improve her own clothes… Gwen wanting to go to college and study art… Yeah, I paid attention; every single one of us wanted a part of our money to achieve our dreams… and I got a trailer and a reward to catch a serial killer; I won't say I would be the biggest loser."
And with that the crowd went crazy as they clapped for seeing the Iron Woman indeed was true to her word, to the point Courtney smiled proudly and Duncan gave a smirk.
"Well, to be honest, I heard the mayor of your town made a welcome party for you in the neighbourhood, and you got a lot of big fans… I mean… little fans." Duncan said on the picture of little girls flexing their muscles while they were wearing the Killer Bass shirt logo with a silhouette of a bear knocked out with the bold words. And stay down! While Eva smiled sheepishly at the group of mini fans of Eva who wanted to be like her.
Eva couldn't lie; she blushed at that moment, even as the crowd had some people whistling in cheer for her.
"Well, from seeing your audition tape, you were right about it; life literally threw you bears and a serial killer, and you handled it." Courtney commented as she confessed to laughing aboutbeing hit by the basketball, after which she went to punch the boy who did that to her… "And to be honest, I'm still grateful for you saving me from that falling tree. I remember I promised we would have a coffee after that. So after the show maybe?"
"Sure." Eva shrugged, but she smiled as she felt more comfortable seeing Duncan holding a bunch of papers.
"Well, Eva, you can decide if you want to talk with the people calling you on the webcall now, or you want to get the questions made by the fans." Duncan was straight to the point, even knowing that Eva would roll her eyes.
"Well, what would be faster? But I mean, many people already are asking me what I'm going to do with those who betrayed me, and I already told them it doesn't matter who or the order; as long as they lose, they are mine… with the exception of the blond new boy; if he managed to get on the merge, that's me being kind." Eva groused, but Duncan and Courtney and even the crowd knew the bodybuilder was telling the truth.
"Alright then, let's start with the fan questions… Hello_Cello asked you by email from the official forum of Total Drama: Eva! You've considered MMA, and let's face it, you'll crush the competition, but what are some other sports you'd like to have a crack at professionally?" Duncan gave the question, to which Eva remained stoic.
"Thank you for the compliment. Hello, _Cello, and you are right. I'm glad you can see my plans of taking the belts of the professional fighters in MMA. As for your question, I wouldn't say crush it because I saw how my parents enjoyed watching the World's Strongest Man championship so much. It became a tradition in my family.I wouldn't think I would crush the competition, but I would love to give it a try to see if I could reach the top 20 at least." Eva wasn't used to getting complimented by the others, but she was glad her fans believed in her full potential, and as much as she wanted to say women are way stronger than men many times, her family watched that championship a lot, and she knows that to be in the top 5 or even the top 3 would require a lot of sacrifices, some that even she wasn't willing to make. "I admire strength, but even I know that if you push too much your limits, your body can and will break and shut down. I also love kickboxing. So that's why I stick with fighting or maybe arm wrestling. Not going to lie, I love to see Tyler struggling to lose against me. And I laughed hard at seeing Sadie defeating him easily."
The crowd chuckled in agreement with what the bodybuilder had said.
"Well, true, cruel but true…" Duncan said as he couldn't help but chuckle at how Tyler sometimes is a big pushover. "Anyway, let's see the next question, HouseGuest asked. Eva, if you had a pet, what kind of pet would it be, and how would you get both Ezekiel and Sadie to continue the tor-*cought* I mean training? I meant to say training regimen despite being out of the competition."
"What's with the cough?" Eva raised her eyebrow, challenging the punk boy, who clearly just flipped his card.
"It said to cough loudly, so I was just following the question." Duncan shamelessly commented, which got the laughs of the public, but then he raised his eyebrow. "Now I'm also curious about the question: are you a cat girl or a dog girl?"
"I like tortoises." The answer really made both Courtney and Duncan blink in surprise. "I had one in my childhood when I had bronchitis, and she really helped me to take care of my sickness. She was always slow, but when it was food time, she wastriple their speed, and it didn't matter how many times my mom passed the time closing the hinged door, even placing a marble stone on the entrance… Ana always went slow and steady to pass that door, and with her strength alone she passed the marble stone, even breaking it and opening the hinged door, just to poop inside my parent's bedroom."
That comment really made Duncan and Courtney pause as the crowd laughed as Eva had some nostalgic memories.
"No way it's possible." Courtney said in disbelief, but Eva nodded her head.
"True story, my mom always screamed in rage when Ana always found a way to surpass the door, which was 20 times her size, and even a marble stone. One time she made the marble stone drop and break it, while she still managed to open the door… My dad and I loved to have my tortoise, as my dad was always the one to feed her, and he said she loves biting his toe, and he said snake bites are less painful than tortoise bites, which I still have good memories of me and my mom laughing at him yapping because of that." Eva commented as the crowd smiled with good nostalgia but then sighed sadly.
"Something happened to them?" Duncan asked as Eva simply shrugged.
"With my bronchitis cured, my family found a father who had a son who was suffering from bronchitis as well, and we came to realize it was the time to pass her over." Eva commented as she got the aww from the crowd as Eva remained stoic, but still she had missed the time she was with her pet. "I'm sure the boy would have the same treatment as I always had with her. Hoping she would be in a good place."
The crowd awned as Dawn released a few tears over how beautiful the view was that the woman had over her own tortoise.
"So tortoises are that strong?" Duncan asked, as he was very interested to know more about it.
"I saw in my first experience Ana was very strong; my father feared her when she was hungry…" Eva joked, which clearly got the laughs of the crowd. "But tortoises are resilient, persistent, and have longevity… I think these were the reasonswhy I always wanted to aim to be strong and healthy… Maybe still reaching my 100, I would still kick some butts around."
And just like that, the crowd once again showed support for their one favourite MVP. It was nice to see how Eva still has a lot of popularity even after her elimination.
"As for Ezekiel and Sadie, they aren't crazy to give up on my working out regime; they will somehow get bored sometime and have some frustration to release. I gave them their working out regime for them, and even if they do it many times, they will realize that the weight will feel lighter, and they will try to push even more, which, funny enough, being bored and being frustrated are good factors for someone to do some exercises." Eva explained as Duncan blinked on how her explanation really made sense. And Courtney couldn't help but praise.
"Wow, Eva, you really thought about everything. Ever thought about becoming a personal trainer for people to start working out?" Courtney asked in curiosity, to which Eva simply rolled her eyes.
"I would be fired, since not many people can handle me, especially when I push them to their limit. You saw the video." Eva said as Courtney and Duncan laughed sheepishly. Which then Courtney coughed as she smiled on again for Duncan.
"Well, just one more before we start with the webcalls." Courtney said as Eva nodded her head.
"Well, it seems this one is going to be interesting. RRebel asked by letter, How long do you think it will be before Leshawna is eliminated?" Duncan said he already could guess Eva was sore about having over the girl who had made Eva her enemy.
"The sooner she leaves, the better…" Eva said as she narrowed her eyes so much that it was sure she was showing a lot of restriction to not break something. "She accused me of something she had no idea what she was talking about, and I swear, her mouth someday will lead her to the point I will break every single tooth from her face. I was this close to actually doing it."
"Well, that's something I believe…" Duncan commented as he looked at the camera. "Well there you have it. I hope you are happy, RRebel… But now, before we continue on our pointing game, we will be shortly on the commercial break, so have fun, and prepare yourselves, everyone. Eva will participate in the pointing game."
"And we will have Cody for his interview with us; don't forget about it." Courtney chimed in, as it was good for the cameras to take a break. "Great work, Eva… Do you want to grab some water?"
"Sure…" Eva shrugged as she saw the cast move. And with Duncan and Courtney, they walked on the table where the crew of the show were eating the food; some were eating sandwiches, while others had a few slices of bread and waffles.
Sky was making sure Junior would be eating something salty before he would jump into eating the desserts. Dawn was also there giving a fruit just for the boy's chagrin.
Ennui and Crimson were stoically eating meat or drinking water, over whom Eva simply walked.
"So this is the crew you both hired for the game while you couldn't use the previous contestants." Eva said as she glanced at Sky and Dawn. She had already discovered a little about them since she was watching on the screen of the waiting room about the duo of girls; she wasn't stupid. After hearing the description of her friends a few times, and even about the bet, she wasn't surprised that the description fit what she learned about the duo.
Sky sweated as she was surprised into actually talking with another member of Killer Bass; even as such, she was told she would meet a few of their friends. Meeting Eva was by far one of the best things happening to her.
Sure, she met Courtney and Ezekiel. But Eva was someone that she always looked up to, someone who wanted to be on sports and show women can be the strongest members of the team. She felt so nervous that she didn't know what she would even say. Especially with the little secret she had in regard to Eva.
Dawn gave a look at Sky, as it seemed that she had read the thoughts of the Olympic aspirant, and then Dawn glanced at Eva, as she could then see more about what her aura was saying. One thing made her eyes open in shock.
"How did you guys find this group in the first place?" Eva gave a glance at Courtney and Duncan as she looked at the aura reader and the gymnast, who seemed to be in shock, and she clearly thought they were more fans of the show, which was fair, since that's how the duo met Ezekiel, but also they became the talk of the Killer Bass on the anniversary of Gwen on Halloween.
"Well, we did a very elaborate selection about who should be the best on the television, which also could be a good part for us to use against the producers in case they want us to go overboard. We passed days thinking hard, doing interviews, and even choosing one by one..." Courtney explained as she gave the best explanation she could give by the cast they got on the show.
Eva crossed her arms in silence for a few seconds while she raised her eyebrow at Duncan...
"You kidnapped them, didn't you?" Eva knew Duncan wouldn't believe the type of excuse Courtney would bring.
"He started with Junior; the rest of us appeared in the right place at the right time, and he just asked us if we wanted to work on this show, and that's what we are doing." Dawn recovered from her shock as she tried to look away, and her face slowly burned with blush in a pink tone…
Thankfully the public in the crowd were enjoying their break in another room for them to enjoy their food and bathroom while they were away from the stage, while the camera crew were too worried about eating their food.
Nobody listened to the confession about how Duncan practically committed a crime to get the cast to participate in the show.
"Hmmm, figures." Eva said as she could see Courtney's eyes twitching… As Duncan laughed at the situation.
"I GIVE UP." Courtney threw her hands in the air as she looked at Junior, who had been drinking juice and eating the fruit, as she wasn't very fond of… She was about to talk more until she saw Junior pulling slowly at her shirt, and looking left and right, he whispered something to her… Courtney nodded her head. "It's right there; let me take you there."
Duncan raised his eyebrow as he noticed Courtney was taking the new boy on to the bathroom. Which he looked at; the goth couple walked away to keep eating their lunch break, and with a shrug, he will eat something as well, leaving Eva alone with the duo Sky and Dawn…
"So you are the duo. I heard so much about it." Eva asked as she crossed her arms and raised her eyebrow at them…
Dawn's face became red like a pepper, while Sky sweated and tried to say something, but she was stuttering.
"Ah, I mea- I mean nice to meet you. I mean knife to meat, I mean nice to meet you." Sky stuttered as she tried to find a way to talk with Eva as the iron woman raised her eyebrows at her, and both gave a handshake.
Eva crossed her arms as she took a sip from her water bottle, eyes scanning over the so-called new cast group like a drill sergeant surveying a lineup.
Dawn, as she was still blushing more and more, took a few deep breaths as she tried to remain calm… Then she gave a polite bow of her head.
"Nice to meet you as well, Eva. I'm glad to see your aura showing a good shade of calm blue with a good tone of red, since it fits your personality of being energetic and ready for action." Dawn commented as Eva simply rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. She tried to avoid the fact that the aura told Dawn about something that she forgot that she saw on the auras of Duncan and Courtney… a secret bet among the groups, as she even looked at her friend Sky… It showed that she wasn't doing any better than her friend.
Eva had her eyes wide open slightly as she tried to remain calm, but her eyes narrowed a bit more.
"I saw what you did from the waiting room; you were the girl who read auras, and while I was in doubt for a long time. Ezekiel and Bridgette toldme to just not think something embarrassing or simply say for you to not read my mind. But it seems it's not working. So I hope you don't tell anybody about it." Eva said as she crossed her arms as she tried to guess that she may have told an embarrassing secret about herself… but not realizing that wasn't what Dawn heard from her aura… Dawn blinked, but even with the blush on her face, she gave a nod as she decided it would be for the best if she remained quiet and didn't share it… especially with Sky. "I usually would have called you creepy, but from what Ezekiel said, we suffered so much that knowing about you would be simply normal for us. So I'm sure you know me or my aura or whatever enough to know to not mess with me."
"Clear as crystal." Dawn nodded her head as she had control over her face as she was slowly recovering from her blush as she saw Eva nodded seriously as she even gave small pats on the top of the head of the blonde girl, which made her pout with her violet lipstick lips.
Eva then looked at the gymnast as she was still nervously staring at her.
"What?" Eva inquired, as Sky didn't know what to say, but Dawn came at the worst timing possible.
"She wanted to find a way; she's your biggest fan since she was in your fan club and knew what they did to you was a bitch move… her words, not mine."
"DAWN." Sky chief looked around to see if someone else was listening, but she was glad everyone who was eating was a bit far away at the table of food. She looked left and right, but then she looked at her aura reader friend, who wasn't supposed to tell that to Eva.
"What? Your aura is in panic, and you told me it wasn't supposed to be a secret." Dawn blinked innocently, at which Eva snorted, while Sky blushed as she placed her hands on her face. Which made Dawn even more confused.
Eva gave another look at Sky… and she recalled the event where Sky met Ezekiel.
"You were the pizza girl who slammed the door on Ezekiel's face twice."
"OH COME ON." Sky said as she was even more ashamed.
"Yep, she is…" The torment got even worse when Eva finally saw the manager of the show, who was none other than an older version of the gymnast, with long black hair, a more mature face, and a suit that would make her very professional. "Jane, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I heard great things about you, and I saw you on pay-per-view even before they said something."
"Great to meet more fans." Eva gave a handshake with Jane, who winced from her strong grip. Which she gave a better look at on both Sky and Jane's physics. "You girls seem to be training legs. Some of my friends told me you do gymnastics."
"Well, I'm a former gymnast." Jane commented as she gave a sad smile. "I couldn't cut for the Olympics when I passed the age, but I still like to do it just for the sake of having fun. But I'm very rusty."
"Nonsense." Sky refused to believe, as she always looked up to her sister. "You always knew what I should be training, and you knew it was unfair the way they disqualified you from your last performance; you deserved to be in the Olympics."
"That's a dream from a long time ago, Sky… Now I have a more important focus… With this job, we actually are paying for our mortgage; it will help us to be able to still have a roof over our heads, and that for me is good enough, Sky." Jane said that before her younger sister could say anything, the manager glanced at Eva with a smile on her face. "Still, it's nice to meet you. We have been cheering for you to win the last season, but the circumstances clearly weren't in your favour."
"That's what I heard." Eva grunted as she could see the reason why Courtney and Duncan wanted to hire the duo of sisters; they are alright. Especially since they were her fans. But then she blinked a few times as she turned her head to Dawn. "Did you just say she was in my fan club?"
"Don't..." Sky warned Dawn, but the blonde girl nodded her head to the bodybuilder.
"She is in your fan club but also on Courtney's as well," Dawn explained as the gymnast could only groan as her face blushed... Which made the older sister act the same way as the strong woman raises her eyebrows at the creepy girl.
"I didn't know I had a fan club." Eva wondered as Jane simply shrugged.
"I had no idea either; I was too busy looking for a job, so fan clubs didn't see my priority... Was the fan club at the school where she was, or was it in the forum where many topics appear? I have no idea." Jane commented as she could see the iron woman simply nod her head in understanding. Which the trio of girls looked at Sky, who now wanted to die from embarrassment.
"Okay, I had a little free time, and I had a few topics to talk about with my friends at school. I mean, can you blame me? I like to be in a fan club of the most competitive girls." Sky grumpily said her point, and none of the girls had anything else to say.
"Anyway, I came here to say we will be shortly in a few minutes. The commercial won't hold up that long, so you guys better be prepared." Jane explained as she looked at Duncan, who walked nearby them.
"I'm already done. How about Courtney and Junior?" Duncan asked as he then saw the duo walking towards his direction. "Okay, there they are. Need anything else to say, Jane?"
"Nothing more. Just remember at the end of the episode you need to do the big revelations and do the offer of invitation for the new member of the cast. It's the only way to make the producers give us more room to breathe." The manager explained as she got the nod from the delinquent.
"Fair enough, as long as we decide who will be part of the cast, I have no problem with that." Duncan shrugged, as he didn't mind having another common person, since the cast he had at the moment got in at the last minute; as long as the person knows their place, Duncan is fine with that.
"Great." Jane said as she gave a thumbs up for her sister. "You are doing amazing, Sky; still be yourself and have fun." Jane said as she could see the young gymnast still blushing in embarrassment.
"Ugh…" Sky said as she got the pat on the head by Dawn while she glared at her friend, who looked innocently at her.
Until Junior had the time to finally look at Eva.
"Hey, you're the girl who beat the crap out of the bear and the Sasquatch?" Junior asked with his eyes sparkling at Eva…
The bodybuilder raised her eyebrow and was about to speak until Courtney quickly interrupted.
"Later we do the conversation. Junior, we are almost out of time for commercials. Guys, we have to return to the show." Courtney called, as Crimson and Ennui had already returned to their stations. Junior quickly ran towards his seat. Sky and Dawn followed after him.
Eva simply shrugged… As she went with Duncan and Courtney… it seems things will get even more interesting.
"Alright everyone, welcome again to Total Drama Action," Courtney said happily as Eva sat again nearby the group of the cast, while she still remained with her firm expression. The crowd cheered as the show once again returned. Duncan was holding the headphones and a remote controller. "We have Eva ready for the webcalls made by fans, and don't forget soon we will have a geek ready for the same seat in the future."
"Alright, Eva, are you ready to see them?" Duncan asked as he could see his friend shrugging. "Your first webcall came from Moscow, Russia?"
Not just him, but Courtney also blinked in surprise. Eva raised her eyebrow, as she isn't sure if she had an actual fan in that country far away.
"Well, it seems Total Drama is getting known worldwide?" Courtney mused in surprise as she looked at the bad boy. "Did you have the account name?"
"It's written . I'm not sure if it was a prank, but sure, let's see what your fan had to say about it." Duncan shrugged as she pressed the control button, at which the crowd made amused sounds of interest, and Evan stared at the screen.
To the surprise of everyone, the first thing they saw was a grizzly bear blinking on the screen. Which roared on the point, and the crowd gave a startled scream.
"What the..." Duncan said as he was about to press the button. But he was interrupted.
"Wait, Duncan," Eva said as she waited a few seconds, as she could guess who was the bear in front of the webcam. "Hello Molotov..."
"Molotov?" Duncan and Courtney asked in surprise as they saw on the webcam the grizzly bear giving a few steps back; even while making bear noises, he became more docile and waved to the camera. Showing the circus background where the bear had usually been working for a good part of its life.
"Oh, he's greeting everyone and said he was sorry for scaring everyone... It was very difficult to configure the webcam with his paws." Dawn translated for the crowd and for the hosts, who raised their eyebrows at her.
"Sometimes I wonder if I should be happy or creeped out about you having your aura reader abilities and speaking with the animals." Courtney confessed as Dawn simply shrugged. But then she recovered her composure and called Dawn to approach and be nearby to translate for Eva what the bear was saying. It would be good as a way to attract an audience as well. "Molotov, welcome to Total Drama. Aftermath: It's been a while since your visit on the episode Say Uncle. How have you been?"
Rawwn, rawwwn, yourrre raw.
Courtney and Duncan raised their eyebrows to Dawn, who nodded her head.
"He said since his defeat done by Eva, he had been training nonstop for the European Log-Rolling championship. To the point, he managed to beat the world record on the fastest log-rolling victory. Oh, that's so nice, congratulations, Molotov." Dawn said happily as the crowd even cheered at the bear, who showed a photo of himself with the numbers 3.6 seconds.
That indeed made Eva smirk.
"Great to know you won the championship, Molotov. Now what are your plans for the future now that you've achieved a world record?" Eva crossed her arms with interest as the crowd saw the bear narrowing his eyes at her.
Rawwn raw ur rawwwwww
"Molotov said he wants a rematch. You and him, no gimmicks, no intimidation, mano a bear," Dawn translated as she pointed the finger at Eva and the bear.
Eva's grin became feral. She liked the idea.
"Oh, it's on. Tell when and where. And we will have this dispute." Eva said as she cracked her neck, She has to admit, she likes to be competitive and to win.
The bear roared as with a good nod, and it calmly walked to turn off the webcam but accidentally made the camera go down, which made the bear panic, and quickly the static appeared on the screen.
Everyone was in silence, intent on seeing the outcome of the webcall... Junior was frozen on his seat.
"That...was...AWESOME." Junior said as he couldn't help but be excited to see a clash between a woman and a bear. Call him childish, but he likes extreme things.
"You made it very happy, Eva. Molotov was rehearsing his speech to challenge you for a rematch for days." Dawn calmly said with a smile. But she also couldn't deny one fact. "Your aura is bursting with a lot of explosive excitement."
"Oh yeah, because I'm going to take him down once again. I won against him once, and I'm going to do it again." Eva said she was going to show a bear why its species fears her, and with good reason.
Duncan raises his eyebrows at Courtney.
"Is it just me, or does none of this look out of the ordinary?" Duncan said as Courtney simply shrugged.
"We saw worse things, so maybe it's our new normal, maybe?" The former C.I.T. commented as the delinquent couldn't help but nod.
"I have to admit, this was a wonderful webcall, so I hope you are ready for more, Eva, because it seems that we also have another webcall for you, this one coming from New Orleans, United States. The user name is BadassSarahConnor." Courtney commented as she raised her eyebrows but shrugged to Duncan, who gave a nod and released the screen. Eva also blinked weirdly at what was just said.
And to the surprise and gasp of everyone, at the time the screen showed an older woman in her 50s, but the black leather jacket, dark glasses, and blonde hair clearly made people open their mouths in shock.
For kids who didn't know much about the actors across the world, it wouldn't be a surprise; however, for the parents and teenagers who had been around watching movies, it was obvious who was the person on the screen. Linda Hamilton, the actress who portrayed none other than Sarah Connor.
"Ah ah ah ah ah ah..." Eva was one of the people who had her mouth drop in shock as her entire mind froze. Not even believing her eyes as she saw the woman staring on the other side of the screen.
"Heard you got eliminated because of a backstabbing teammate... had to ask a favour or two for some friends to record the episode for me to watch since the start of season 1 started to air here." Linda Hamilton didn't greet or say hello; she just stated the fact, exactly like the person she acted as in the movies, straight to the point, and dressed as Sarah Connor? It was enough to make every single person on the stage in shock and in silence. "Watched again the episode where you broke a tree while fighting with a bear; it's obvious losers like them don't know how to fight you directly, so they did the coward's way..."
"Ah ah ah..." Eva opened and closed her mouth; she didn't find any word to say, since she was frozen inplace.
"Hmm... is the connection alright? Because I think I'm not getting any answer from the other side." Linda said as Courtney and Duncan snapped from their shock.
"No, you are fine; it's just we got surprised from seeing you here. I mean, it's a big honour. I mean, a huge, huge honour." Duncan commented as he raised both of his palms. Terminator 2 was one of the best action movies since it had so many iconic characters and scenes, and having a female protagonist like Sarah Connor? She was the first one who should be given as an example of how a feminist protagonist is. "Miss Connor, I mean, Miss Hamilton, welcome to Total Drama Aftermath."
Courtney nodded her head in silence, because she was also in the same state.
"Well, from what I discovered recently, the new season of your show clearly started bringing a lot of attention towards anyone who was taking a trip to Canada." Linda explained as she was staring directly at the screen, seeing Eva, who was still surprised to see her idol. "I wanted to ask Eva if she got my letter."
"What?" Courtney and Duncan looked at each other in surprise, while Eva finally recovered from shock.
"Yes... I got the letter." Eva said as she nodded her head, which clearly made the woman smirk at her.
"So the Iron Woman finally can speak. I thought you were mute." Linda gave a small jab, which Eva simply didn't even take to heart. It was her idol who clearly showed how much the actress meant to her. "It's nice to see you recovered and still kicking some asses. I saw you and the girl you trained giving an armlock to a bear. I have to confess I was very impressed."
"Thank you so much." Eva said as she blushed from another compliment, which was a very uncomfortable feeling for her since it was rare for her to get complimented, especially if it was from the woman, the myth, the legend... the person who portrayed the WOMAN. The Sarah Connor. "That letter really helped me to recover and make my mental preparation for the season. But sadly..."
"Envy boys, am I right?" Linda commented as Eva nodded her head. The lady simply gave a confident smile. "Well, at least you now have more free time until the chaotic show is over, so how about this? I have nothing to do next week... So why not I visit Canada in the town where you are, you show me around, we give some autographs for the fan club of girls you have, we take a few pictures, and we share good stories?"
"WOAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." That clearly made a lot of fans get crazy, as Eva herself had her mouth slack from seeing such an offer.
"Damn, Eva," Duncan commented as Courtney couldn't help but agree.
"I don't even know what to say..." Eva was speechless, which made Courtney roll her eyes.
"Just say yes, you big dummy." The former C.I.T. called out as the bodybuilder girl simply nodded her head.
"YES," Eva said in excitement, since she was surprised by such a welcoming proposal, which the crowd clearly applauded and cheered for the new offer happening across the show. The reality show star meets a movie star—two strong women ready to take a walk on the town.
"Great. I'm sure it will be interesting for me to listen to your perspective of the story, and maybe we could make fun of the losers who just didn't have a chance to meet you. I know for sure a lot of people are envious of you right now." Linda commented as she could see the truth, and she was right. Eva meeting a Terminator movie star like Linda Hamilton.
Nobody said a word against it; nobody wanted to mess up such an amazing moment. Which clearly, Eva was on the moon; she was so happy.
"Maybe someday you could come to the United States and give some fighters a piece of your mind. I'm sure you could get some World Championship Belts. How many? That's something I would like to see people betting on." Linda smiled, as Eva didn't change her expression.
"Aww... Eva is crying on the inside." Dawn whispered to Sky, who smiled, as she couldn't imagine how Eva must have been feeling at that moment.
"I can see it. I'm doing my best to not freak out right now." Sky whispered back, as Eva simply nodded and waved at the actress who was taking out her jacket.
"Well, I think I did a lot right now. Well everyone, I said what I have to say. I wish you all a good afternoon, Canada, and I see you next week." Linda waved as Eva nodded her head quickly as she waved back...
And with the static done... the crowd went wild.
"I will be damned, but that was awesome." Duncan expressed himself as both hosts came nearby to Eva, who was still shaking at that moment.
"How are you feeling, Eva? Since it's your hero who is coming to visit you, and you will be showing her around." Courtney asked as the strong girl remained still in ecstasy.
"Like I'm just dreaming," Eva said as she then narrowed her eyes at both Duncan and Courtney. "I swear if I am dreaming and someone wakes me up, I'm going to beat the crap out of them."
"And now we have our Eva back." Duncan said with a chuckle as he passed by her. "I want to be there when she comes, okay? I don't want to miss the actress who did Terminator."
"Yeah, count me in as well." Courtney nodded her head, as she was also sure a few of their friends also wanted to be there to at least gather an autograph from Linda Hamilton. "Anyway, at least now we are sure the audience clearly loved seeing a movie actress, isn't that right, guys?"
The claps and the cheers clearly showed the good point Courtney made at that moment.
"Well, I hope you guys are ready, and you as well, Eva... because it's now for you also to be part of the Pointing game." Courtney commented as the crowd cheered, and Eva rolled her eyes. "Duncan, are you ready?"
"Yes, I am, and I am ready to select the people around. Release the question, Princess." Duncan gave the green light, as Eva looked amused to see Duncan ready to select 4 people to give the question.
"Whatever... it's not like you got something embarrassing on me anyway." Eva crossed her arms as she even raised her eyebrow...
"I wouldn't bet on that, Eva..." Courtney commented as she was with the clipboard in her hands. "Here comes: 'Eva's the strongest woman of the Total Drama cast; however, sometimes she couldn't control her temper so much that she destroyed the whole gymnasium because of a...'"
Eva immediately recalled the reason as her entire face blushed... The cast immediately started to call themselves to be selected.
"Okay, you, you, you, and you..." Duncan selected the people he found interesting on the next question of the game. "Man, as much as it sucked to be the one questioned, it's fun to see the others passing through the same thing you do. Alright guys, Eva is the strongest woman in the Total Drama cast. However, sometimes her temper gets the best of her. She once DESTROYED an entire gymnasium because of a..."
"A protein shake had almond milk instead of oat milk." One of the people said something to the crowd, and Duncan wheezes as Eva simply narrowed her eyes while she ignored the opinion of the contestants.
She knew that she didn't need to answer anything; however, the worst part is that they can find out the truth, and by seeing Dawn paling into staring at her, she couldn't help but blush.
"Someone stole her lifting gloves." The second person said as Eva simply growled at the person who actually did that, but she didn't beat him up… Only when he touched her MP3—that was when she beat the crap out of him.
"She lost an arm wrestling against someone weaker than her." The third person commented as Eva simply rolled her eyes.
"A motivational poster said, 'Pain is just weakness leaving the body,' and she took it personally." The fourth person said that, and on that point the crowd laughed, and Courtney nearly dropped her clipboard while she laughed.
"Yeah yeah, very funny." Eva said as she crossed her arms. Refusing to let them know that was the close call, since the motivational poster situation only happened when she was 5 years old. And it wasn't a destruction she did. It was more like a few windows broken. Not that extreme.
"Well, those were good pitches. And Eva, I know that you may be gritting your teeth now, so you don't need to worry about any of the suggestions done by the crowd… What would be the most important is to see if they are able to guess what the people on the display gallery wrote down." Duncan said as Courtney nodded her head. The former C.I.T. walked towards the group.
"That's right, which would come for me to ask to…"
"ME ME ME, I KNOW THAT ONE, I KNOW THAT ONE." Junior raised his hand excitedly, which was Courtney's cue to start the order from the young boy. As with the permission of the host of the show. Junior flipped with the word 'Step Lego' on it. "She stepped on Lego in the locker room."
The crowd shivered, and some even yelped in sympathy at how Junior made a very solid point. Who wouldn't be in a berserk state like that if it wasn't for something painful like that?
The suggestion really made Eva shiver, as her entire body felt a phantom pain, which she thanked God she had never experienced. But she saw people in the gymnasium explaining about the traumatic events of stepping on Legos; her P.E. teacher told her he cursed the day when he bought a set for his children when he was doing rope jumping and his little kids launched a bucket of Legos on the floor, which made him curse for a whole hour.
"Okay, it was a very strong guess, Junior." Duncan said as he looked to the group of people, and they didn't think about that. None of them got money from his guess.
"To be honest, I would have destroyed it if that was the case as well." Eva confessed, as she had to admit, that was a very strong reason to break a gym of her school.
"Yeah, now let's go for the next one." Courtney said as they looked at Crimson.
"Someone didn't re-rack their dumbbells." Crimson explained, as there was a pause and the whole group looked at her strangely. "She blacked out. When she came to, the floor was on fire."
That quote really got a few chuckles while Eva huffed from the absurd.
"Okay, neither of them got it right. But that doesn't mean we are done yet. HEY ENNUI. YOUR TURN." Duncan called out from afar, to which Courtney simply rolled her eyes.
"I'm right here, you know?" Courtney said as she looked at Ennui with expectation. Which made her blink at what was written on the board.
"A mirror." Ennui commented as the crowd and even the others on the display looked at Ennui for a reason. Since the whole place became quiet so suddenly. As Ennui remained with his deadpan voice, very bored and without feeling. " She walked past, saw her reflection, and said… "You again."
And with that punchline, the crowd clearly started to laugh. Duncan wheezed to the point, and Eva scoffed.
"Do you guys think I'm a dog?" Eva said, annoyed, as she couldn't help that it was starting to get annoying.
"Okay, that was very good." Courtney said as she then coughed to clear up her throat, making her eyes look at the gymnast girl who just finished her writing. "And how about you, Sky?' Eva is the strongest woman in the Total Drama cast. However, sometimes her temper gets the best of her. She once DESTROYED an entire gymnasium because of a...'"
Sky looked at Eva and hesitantly at the former contestant of the show and showed her the whiteboard.
"Person who said lifting isn't a real sport." Sky commented, which the crowd oooed in interest. As Eva felt her eyes twitching. "They couldn't find the body."
"Damn straight. I would have done that, but nobody was stupid enough or crazy enough to actually do something stupid like that." Eva said as she glanced at the camera, showing that was only a warning to those who wouldn't be idiots and say lifting wasn't a sport or anything stupid. There's a whole championship, and even the Olympics; only those who were ignorant or deserving of a punch in their faces deserved to be trashed…
"Well, that's quite a strong observation," Duncan commented as he looked at the four people nearby who didn't get anything. "Well guys, you at least tried, but it seems one of you or neither of you is going to receive 20 bucks for having the right answer, but hey, at least you guys had a good laugh."
The four people nodded their heads as some even waved at the camera. Sometimes people are just happy to appear on the television.
"Well, now comes the true answer. Come on, Dawn, what really happened, and why are you pale… I mean, more pale than you were before?" Courtney commented as she then looked at Dawn, who clearly wrote something on the board, and as she flipped the board, Eva blushed… ashamedly as Courtney blinked a few times. "A pebble?"
"A pebble on her shoe, she was in an awful mood in the morning, and one of the guys just gave her a slap on the back of her head and said, 'Get over it." Dawn narrated, which made Duncan and Courtney pale from imagining someone who had been so crazy as to make Eva snap like that. "I'm not even sure how much was paid for the damages, but when her parents found out it was because of a pebble, they promised that she would never let her live that down."
…
Eva blushed shamefully as she knew that it was like her parents had promised, which clearly would take a long time.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." And just like that, the whole crowd was the same way; the hosts laughed while clearly it was a story that Eva's mom always found a way to tell to whoever was interested in listening.
"Dammit, Mom." Eva sighed, as she clearly was feeling tetchy, but sadly there was nothing she could do.
"Oh man, that's the best day of my life." Duncan commented as he took out a tear from the corner of his eye. "Well, it seems you guys weren't able to guess which option it was. You all can return to your seats."
The 4 people were disappointed but also enjoyed participating in the game, and then Duncan returned to his place as Courtney was fanning herself with the clipboard.
"Well, this was indeed such an iconic game." Courtney said as she placed her hand on her pocket.
Zap
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," Sky, Dawn, and Junior yelped as they jumped from their seats. Which the crowd laughed at from the sudden button Courtney pressed to make the electric seats zap the cast.
"…ouch." Ennui, who remained stoic, finally said the words, while Crimson simply rolled her eyes.
"Don't be so dramatic." Crimson commented that they weren't the only ones who didn't jump from their seats while they were on the display.
"Was I supposed to get hurt by this?" Eva raised her eyebrows, as she didn't feel much pain over her sit, and she felt like an annoyance but had nothing to be jumpy about.
"Not at all, as we explained before, we wanted to make it sure this zap was more to make the others jumpy but also still remaining safe. It's like a big pinch on the butt." Courtney shrugged as she gave the explanation to the bodybuilder.
"Hmmm… that's fair, but still, you guys are just exaggerating." Eva commented as she crossed her arms, while Junior was giving a small massage on his butt.
"You weren't the one who got more than one." Junior said, which made Eva raise her eyebrow at the young child. But then nodded her head.
"You got a point… so now what?" Eva said as she clearly finished her part of the segment, and Courtney and Duncan pointed to one of the seats on the couch.
"You stay with us on the commercial, while we will wait for Cody to appear. Isn't that right, everyone?" After Courtney's question, everyone from the crowd cheered as Eva nodded her head and got into one of the seats nearby the couch. "Well, you guys must wait for a bit longer, and you will finally get to see Cody, the geekester who managed to not impress everyone but also to take the heart of one of our friends. We will be back."
The crowd cheered as they went on to the commercials once again.
Lovable idiot in chess
"So if I move my horsey here, isn't that checkmate, and I win?" Katie asked as both she and Cody had been playing chess in the Crafts and Services Tent. Which clearly showed Katie just massacred the geek in a chess game that he clearly knew the rules about.
Katie had a total of 11 white pieces, while Cody had only 6, but still the young geek remained in silence and stared at the board with his hand on his chin, in complete silence.
"Hmmm…" Cody shifted his position as he tried every single move that he couldn't be able to do. He looked at the angles, and his eyes shifted to his girlfriend…
Katie looked between curious and anxious.
"Is it or isn't it?" Katie asked as Cody was torn between trying to convince his girlfriend to believe it was a good time to stop, but he recalled how his father tried to do the same thing to him…
"Well, between two possible outcomes, either you play chess like Bobby Fisher, or I'm very rusty on chess." Cody sighed as he looked at Katie, who was very confused. "Yes, Katie, you won."
"YAY." Katie said as she hugged her boyfriend with a good smile on her face. "Because I thought it was your king who was trapped, you couldn't move here because of my lighthouse, and that one couldn't move here because of my pointing head guy."
"It's kind of a complicated game," Cody said with a forced smile. "Maybe later I will teach the pieces names."
"Hmmm, sure." Katie said as she clapped her hands. "Chess is fun."
"Yes, it is…" Cody said with a smile. "How about I teach you billiards in the future?"
"Oh, so now are you feeling like a sore loser now?" This time Katie smirked at her boyfriend; clearly she wasn't going to be stupid and let her boyfriend play billiards with her. "Just because you got your ass kicked by a girl who never played chess?"
"...now I understand why my dad went into reclusion to train in chess." Cody mumbled as he coughed on his hand. "Anyway, Katie, I'm not feeling sore; in fact, I had fun. If you want, I can teach more strategies on how to play chess. I mean, we can improve better together. It can be fun for both of us."
"..." Katie raised her eyebrows… but then smiled as she kissed him on his cheek. Making them another good moment of the couple on the reality show.
The crowd cheered excitedly since the last eliminated of the show finally would be revealed. Duncan and Courtney were sitting on the sofa, and Eva was sitting in the chair nearby them as the trio finally could enjoy a good time for the final interview of the day.
"Well everyone, it seems it's finally what most people have been waiting for. He was the last but not the least. And I think we shouldn't wait further." Courtney commented as Duncan pressed the button of the remote control.
"Cody, who named himself Codemeister on the first episode, could be seen as a despairing geek who thought he would seduce and hook up with a lot of girls. I think he watches too many movies about summer camp for that." Duncan explained as he showed the first episode of the show, where Cody tried to talk with a few girls, but he always ended up with his face on the ground and eating dirt. "But reality came on him and punched him in the face hard."
"Okay, while I don't deny the truth, you were a bit too harsh, since as weird and creepy as Cody had been after sniffing the hair of one of our friends once, he learned his lesson and got into learning himself; maybe common sense finally hit him and he decided to be more himself." Courtney commented as she showed the events of Cody playing well in the dodgeball. "I was sure if it wasn't Ezekiel, that magnetic dodgeball could have hit Katie, and we would have lost a point. It seems he had skills that we didn't see yet."
"Maybe I should call him on the boys night to play dodgeball to see what he is made of." Duncan mused as it showed the part where Katie was still depressed on the shore. "Then after the geek finally realized that he didn't need to be a creep and just needed a person to listen and be sympathetic, he surprised not only the campers but everyone on the show. A new fire happened on that night. Who knew that weird boy finally managed to take a chance with one of our friends?"
"That wasn't without warnings." Courtney smirked evilly as it showed the Killer Bass team threatening Cody, which the crowd laughed loudly at from remembering such a wonderful and hilarious scene. "But even with that, he took it to heart, and he never hurt Katie, surprising each of us even more."
"Gotta say, the boy had guts." Eva commented as she nodded her head.
"Then he showed that he was always a boy with resources, always having something in his pocket. As a way of reasoning, it was creepy and weird, but it helped his team." Duncan said as he showed the events of Cody showing the good moments of himself the final time. "Then when we least expected it, Katie became a new coupon in the area. Even to the point they had some good time being tied to a trap."
"But not everything is waffled, since on the night Cody was thinking his friend Trent was about to be eliminated, he suffered the ultimate betrayal when he found out that everyone, including his own friend, voted for him to be eliminated." Courtney said as to how heartbroken and horrified Cody had been when he took his way on the Walk of Shame. "Still having the good heart to forgive his friend and be reunited with his girlfriend, we can say the Codemeister actually reached his objective."
"You tell me, princess." Duncan nodded his head as the bad boy showed a few pictures of the group reunited on Gwen's birthday with everyone in black. "We actually found another Cody, who seems to be Gwen's brother, so it was a huge coincidence, but returning… Cody had been in a great life, enjoying it with his girlfriend and future plans that would surprise all of us. Geeky as he is, he also wants to drive himself to create video games."
Which future plans are we going to wait for Cody to explain himself, but returning on the Total Drama Action… Cody and Katie seemed to be enjoying the best of their moments together since they had been together for most of the episodes. Even on the MVPA scenes, which created such an iconic duo that had been the heart of the internet." Courtney commented, as indeed showed the crowd enjoying Cody dressed as Kirito and Katie as Asuna, which clearly showed what an amazing duo of hilarities the two had been. "I cannot lie; I laughed so hard watching their last video together."
"A sadist and a psychopath. 10 bucks says that video was written and directed by Ezekiel." Duncan commented as Courtney showed her tongue at him, knowing it was a sucker's bet. "Anyway, even as terrifying as things were. Cody managed to do something that even I and a lot of others from the cast of the show must respect. He disarmed a bomb made with El Mongo and La Muerte. Which ironically was his worst fear on the last season."
"That's actually something that should be marked as a powerful statement. Cody was maybe the first contestant that never had to deal with El Mongo and La Muerte in 2 seasons. That alone is a feat that most people should respect." Courtney commented as Cody was dealing with the biggest pressure of his life, sweating and concentrated as Izzy was giving the instructions. It was a great MVPA scene to feature what would be a bomb disarming scene.
"But then with the time where he got to be one of the best comedy movie stuntmen in the whole world… lucky cretin. Clear Throat. Cody was caught in another terrible elimination." Duncan explained after the Jackass prison challenge, Cody was caught in the Russian roulette of the tennis ball launcher machine, which in the end hit him in the crotch, making every boy and man on the stage flinch. Ouch, that hurt my soul."
"And as touching and hurtful as the goodbyes were, Cody got out of the show as a new man, even as his friends had no idea of what just happened." Courtney commented, which Duncan chuckled at.
"I have a theory about what happened." Duncan chuckled as Eva rolled her eyes but with a smirk on her face. "Well, let's not waste more time…"
"He's a good chess player. He also aims to be a professional billiard player. Have a stalker that presses charges on his disappearance while he was just somewhere else. Everyone give your cheers for Cody Anderson." Courtney said as Cody walked on the stage with the crowd going wild, the geek walked towards the trio and gave small bows of respect, to which Duncan crossed his arms but grinned, and Courtney giggled. Eva rolled her eyes but with a smirk on her face.
After a minute the crowd slowed down, and Cody reached for his seat nearby the display, where he smiled and waved at the group. Junior, Sky, and Dawn waved back; Ennui and Crimson simply remained the same.
With that over, Duncan and Courtney approached Y, who smiled sheepishly at everyone.
"I have to confess, I didn't imagine I had been this popular before." Cody said sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head. "I mean, I should have expected that, but I passed too much time inside of Katie's house and passed the days off with her and her mom and also went to where her mom works, but I didn't expect to cause such a loud commotion right here."
"What did you expect?" Duncan commented as he crossed his arms with a good smile on his face. "Welcome to the celebrity side, geekboy."
"It's nice to see you here with us today, Cody. I hope you didn't mind us bringing you directly to the hotel since you know…" Courtney said it wasn't a secret, since Cody needed to be safe in case the same stalker would try to cause problems for him and for Katie as well, so they thought about him appearing at the hotel.
"It's fine; actually, I'm very grateful for that. I wasn't sure if Katie's mom would allow me to stay at her home alone while she goes to work, so having a place to stay until the show is over or when my parents come back home will be nice. If you guys want me to help around here, you know I'm right here." Cody said as the crowd clapped, while Courtney and Duncan appreciated the gesture.
"Well, we are already set with everything, but thank you for the offer. But I'm sure you should be trying to figure out what to do in your life, since from the final recordings on the Lame-O-Sine, you have future plans, right?" Courtney asked as the geek nodded his head.
"I had to do something. I think at the time I learned so much about the show when I met you guys and how you two became hosts of this show, then Ezekiel became a famous writer, and Izzy became an owner of a factory? I think I should also be doing something as well and make a stable future for me and for my family." Cody nodded his head as he saw how he was positively influenced into being a part of the group of friends he has.
"Well, you were in a great team; I have to say you and the Killer Grips had a lot of fun together." Duncan commented as Cody nodded his head.
"Yeah, I have to confess being on Killer Grips was awesome; it was strange that my elimination came just from my unlucky moment. I was surprised it wasn't Tyler; he was the one who usually would get the bad karma." Cody said, which made the trio nod their heads.
"Yeah, for Tyler surviving a Russian roulette really showed some karma is building up. If it was good or bad, we don't know." Duncan replied as Courtney nodded her head.
"Which now. I think we should ask you… Who do you think will win this season?" Courtney commented as the geek simply shrugged.
"Well, if you want my honest opinion. I will always cheer for my girl Katie. Until the end I will always support her." Cody said as the crowd and even the few members of the display clapped on how Cody had been such a support for his girlfriend. "And well, if it wasn't for Katie, I'm not going to lie and say I won't give support for Gwen, since her brother is just like me, and I would be a jerk if I didn't support my counterpart like that. Hey Cody, what's up, man?"
That clearly got a few laughs and chuckles from everyone.
"Great to know that even with your elimination, you still look nice like that. Does anyone have a question before we do the questions of the forum and letters?" Courtney looked around as she saw the young Dwayne Junior raising his hand. "Sure, Junior, what do you want to ask Cody?"
"Well. You on the last episode said you became a man, and why were you giving high-fives to everyone?" Junior asked that question, and Cody, who smiled, suddenly realized the question was done by a child. As Duncan and Courtney were staring at him.
"We are on live television in the lunch of many televisions, Cody," Courtney said with gritted teeth and a forced smile, which the geek knew meant he shouldn't be saying something that terrible. Duncan was clearly ready to laugh.
"Err…" Cody sweated as he tried to find the right way to a family-friendly show, which was the surprising twist against the reality show they actually came from. But then he recalled one person who made him on the tip of his toes a few times, so he knew how to deal with the curiosity of a child… since he knows one very well… "Well, it's something boring; you wouldn't understand yet. But you know, how about I take you to play video games?"
"Really?" Junior had his eyes sparkling as Courtney sighed in relief and appreciated Cody managed to flawlessly dodge a bullet.
"Yep, promise." Cody commented as he quickly looked at Duncan. "So about the fan questions?"
Courtney smiled as she appreciated how Cody managed to avoid bad repercussions and made her hold her clipboard.
"They are right here. It was hard to track down people who were legit accounts or when the questions could be said on this show. So we took the best questions we could find. Are you prepared?" Courtney said as Duncan was also holding another clipboard. "RubySrcherReader asks, 'What was it like to play alongside the band in the Noir Movie Challenge?"
"Oh, it was awesome," Cody said as he recalled meeting some great old folks, as he remembered the night when they partied. "It was so nice to listen to the stories of some of them; some were bands of famous jazz singers, and some even appeared in movies. And when I least expected it, I was playing while I watched Katie dancing to one of the songs my grandparents liked to listen to when they were children… I think my aunt still has my grandpa's vinyl collection."
"I have to say, the Noire genre challenge sounded very cool to participate in; I guarantee I could have helped the team to the victory." Duncan said as he saw the group of friends staring at him. "Living with a family full of detectives has its perks; I even knew how to do some interesting quirks they had."
"Well, detective, as much as I would love to see more about you talking about what you could have done to help the team in such a chaotic challenge, we have to ask other questions." Courtney rolled her eyes while her tone was amused.
"Sure we do… Well, this one came from a letter, Oberon1211. Hey, it's the same guy who asked you, Courtney." Duncan said in amusement as he cleared his throat. "Well, he says, 'first off, loved your acting of Kirito. Made me burst out laughing. Second, you mentioned making games in the future. Any hints you can say about what it would look like?"
"Huh… that's interesting; I also have a few questions about asking almost the same thing. Toonfan97 asked, What video game genre are you looking forward to making the most when the time comes to design at your job?" Courtney asked as the duo looked surprised at how many people are interested in knowing about Cody's future career.
"Well. Thanks, Oberon, for liking Kirito. To be honest, I never understood why Kirito was that kind of narcissist person, but Ezekiel told me about how hilarious it would have been to make him and Asuna a couple, and I have to say, I got some pretty good laughs as well. There were points that we took a few takes because neither I nor Katie kept a straight face when we were doing a few scenes." Cody said as he had a few moments; he couldn't understand why Ezekiel told Kirito he was an asshole, but somehow, the more he explained the dysfunction and motivation of them both just to make a joke, the more hilarious it was.
"Some even became the funniest and most voted scene of the Total Drama Forum. Here's another one that was shown to be in the top 3 of the forum…
An Abridget Scene:
"Ah, Kirito, Asuna… Thank you for meeting me on such short notice." Ezekiel said in a stoic tone as he dressed himself in a more formal uniform made with red and white. At the time, Katie and Cody were in front of him; Katie was wearing a long combat dress made with white and red, and Cody was wearing a black overcoat. "And I might say, congratulations on the wedding."
"Oh! It's so good! They're huge life decisions that change everything! Possibly not for the better… But it's reeeeally goo-it's good! It's good…? It's good."
"Yeah, the wedding! It's great. It's- It's the best decision ever, really. Can't see any potential problems with that. No. No siree, Bob! It's… it's just the best decision… It's-It's really, like, the best of any decisions anyone has ever made, really…"
Both Cody and Sadie said their variations of how they made the best decisions of their lives, when it was clear they were forcing it since such terrifying events would lead to all troubles just because of a misunderstanding. Which now they were too deep to get out.
Ezekiel raised an eyebrow at seeing the sudden interaction.
"…okay?" Ezekiel composed himself; as he slightly looked a bit more mature, dressed differently than the style he usually wears, he acted composed, as someone who should be the leader of the guild. "Now… you may remember that the ending of our, heh, "fight" was a TAD controversial."
"Hey, I heard those air quotes, you cretin." Cody mumbled as Ezekiel continued to monologue about what happened.
"Well, now that they've run out of things to burn, it seems the rioters have reverted to a somewhat primitive, tribalistic society, with one player in particular rising up as their leader." Ezekiel explained as he closed his eyes, and the close went straight to his eye, as he was in a serious mode. "They call him… The King of Ashes."
"Ooo, ominous." Cody commented, slightly impressed.
"So, in light of these events, I will be heading to Floor 75 to try and engage the King in peace talks." Ezekiel said as he knew the big challenge ahead of him.
"Ohhh, I see. So you need me at the table cracking jokes and breaking the ice. I gotcha." Cody realized what the important task would be, but then he heard that he didn't expect Ezekiel to suddenly burst into laughter.
"HAHAHA NO! God nooo! Hahaha." Ezekiel laughed as the duo stared at him while he kept laughing. "I need to hide you under the BIGGEST rock I can FIND!"
"Excuse me?" Cody said in an annoyed and disbelieving tone.
"Hmm, how do I put this delicately?" Ezekiel said in a calm tone as he tried to reflect, to the point he started to tut as a way for him to reflect on how he could say the words without causing a lot of hurt to the boy in front of him. Until he finally found the right words. "Ah. I'm afraid you'll screw up, make someone peeved, and kill thousands."
"Yeah, I could see that." Katie said, which made Cody suddenly look at his wife in disbelief.
"ASUNA!" Cody screamed in disbelief as she gave an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry, honey, but if it means avoiding the deaths of innocent players, I think the least you can do is sit this one out." Katie said in an angelic tone as she tried to look at the moral ground.
Which Ezekiel wasn't going to have any.
"I'm also going to need YOU to stay behind and guard him, Asuna." Ezekiel said, and this time Katie was the one angry.
"OH, SCREW THAT NOISE! I'M COMING TOO!" Katie said she wanted to be part of the combat. Which Ezekiel simply remained calm.
"Look, it'll be great! I prepared a nice little cabin for you guys on Floor 22. Beautiful forest, view of the lake. You'll practically have the whole floor to yourselves." Ezekiel commented on the description of the paradise on one of the 100 floors of the game, as he couldn't help but tease the new couple. "Consider it your honeymoon!"
"Bu-Uh…" Katie, who was about to protest, suddenly paled. "Honey…moon?"
And with that, Katie and Cody once again returned to their awkward description of how they were caught now. Too deep to quit.
"Oh, well, in that case, that sounds... great."
"Yup! Can't see any potential problems with that! You, Asuna?"
"Nope! You and me alone in the woods for who knows how long? Sign me the hell up!"
"You mean "you and I."
To the point, Katie's eyes go demented as she laughs insanely…
Which made Ezekiel sigh in admiration of the couple in front of him.
"Ah, young love… How I envy you." Ezekiel said as finally the commercial was over.
The crowd laughed, and Cody even used to laugh over the scene as well.
"To be honest, this is the first time I watched the scene, and I can say it was hilarious." Cody commented that he never thought about how the MVPA's had been so well edited; it made sure it was iconic that he was enjoying his role as Kirito.
"I can understand. So about the question of Oberon and Toonfan, do you have something to say to them?" Courtney commented as Cody knew exactly how to answer both of them.
"I'm kind of surprised to see people interested in asking about my career of creating video games, but it's not settled yet. I mean, I still needed to call Katie's mom's boss for that. I kind of need to finish school, maybe? I'm not sure; maybe I could try to find somewhere they can give courses on how to make video games first." Cody commented with his honest answer but also decided to give some information. "At the time when we were talking about the future, my friends gave me a few suggestions about some sort of games I could be elaborating on. An online multiplayer social deduction game to play with friends and family. Ezekiel gave a very strong and interesting name, Among Us, and we even had a few brainstorm ideas to even make variations of it if it becomes a success; one is related to geese and ducks, which we decided to name Goose Goose Duck. I think these 2 will be great deduction games to play with friends and family. While in case people wanted to just chill out and be creative, I also got a great idea brainstorming with my friends for a sandbox video game where players can build, explore, and survive in a 3D world made of only blocks. Which people can be crafting tools, building houses, and battling creatures while exploring a whole world made of blocks."
"THAT'S AWESOME." Junior's voice could be heard as the kid on the seat was jumping on his seat. "CAN I PLAY? CAN I PLAY? CAN I PLAY?"
"Woah, slow down, Junior." Sky said as she could see why the boy was so hyped by the idea.
"It seems now you got the attention of everyone, Cody," Courtney said as both hosts and the person being interviewed now saw how the kids not only on the stage but also in their homes would be excited to play video games like that.
"Yeah, it's kinda weird that while these ideas are awesome, it would take time and study for me to try to make it work. But hey, Rome wasn't built in one day." Cody commented as he earned the cheers and the claps of the crowd.
"You said the right words; now let's see another person asking. Oh, this one is from… oh… ohhhhh… oh no." Courtney was smiling until she saw the nickname and she read the review. "Yeah, this one will not cut."
Courtney ripped the paper as she saw the group staring at her weirdly. Courtney gave that look, which Duncan and Cody understood; it was from Sierra. And Courtney didn't like what she read.
"Let's see another question. Oh, we have another one from Dakcat: Cody, I saw you in videos always getting excited about eating candies. Is there one you liked most?" Duncan asked, as Cody always thought about it.
"That's actually a hard one. I mean, Taffy is delicious, and Caramel as well. I also love chocolate…" Cody said as he then blinked a few times until one candy came to his mind. "But damn, I don't think I ever had anything like Ezekiel's Jawbreaker."
"Ezekiel's Jawbreaker?" Duncan and Courtney blinked, as they had never heard about Ezekiel making a candy.
"I knew my instincts were telling me a new candy was being made in the studio, and I went to see Ezekiel, and he did it… It was a jawbreaker of this size. And it was heavy, and you needed to place it entirely on the mouth to take it… E.E. . Jawbreaker was the name Ezekiel made it." Cody commented as he felt his entire mouth drool, even with the kids around the television, the same as Junior. "It was the Shangri-La of the candies, the father of the jawbreakers, the one in its final form, as Ezekiel says."
"Where the hell did he make that candy? I didn't see him doing it on the cameras." Courtney commented as she looked at her boyfriend, who also had no idea.
"Well, he did it at the same time he created Cheetah Chug and Rainbow Mix Juice." Cody commented as both hosts nodded their heads.
"Oh, makes sense. I c-" Courtney was about to continue, but then she blinked a few times. "Rainbow Mix Juice?"
"Yeah, it's another drink Ezekiel created, and it was a variation that was more like a juice instead of an energy drink, and he told me to not drink it after eating the jawbreaker, so I didn't have a chance to give it a try." Cody explained as he then blinked until he realized what he and Ezekiel did was supposed to be a secret. "Oh… I think I shouldn't have told anyone about that… do you think Ezekiel will forgive me in the future for exposing him making the jawbreaker and the rainbow mix juice?"
"I don't know, but you just said it live." Duncan shrugged, which made the geek sweat nervously. "But I think it's good enough for the questions. Now, are you ready to do the web calls?"
"Oh yes, I'm very excited about it." Cody smiled as he couldn't help but be excited to see who would be calling for him at the moment.
"Well, you better get ready because—" Courtney was smiling as she then looked at the clipboard and then stared weirdly. "Wait, this shouldn't be right."
"What's wrong?" Duncan asked as he got the clipboard, and he also raised his eyebrows.
"Tell me if it is wrong, but how can it be 6 web calls with the same account?" Courtney commented as she looked at Jane, who was backstage and just shrugged.
"I recommend you avoid taking these 6…" Then a soft voice came from behind them, which made both Duncan and Courtney jump.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH," both hosts shouted, as they didn't realize the aura reader was behind them.
"Where did you come from?" Duncan asked as the moonchild simply shrugged.
"I wanted to use the bathroom, but while I was heading here I overheard you two talking about it… Mother Nature is telling me it's Sierra… It would be for the best if you two ignore those 6 web calls with that same account." Dawn replied to the question, which made Cody's eyes shrink, and both Duncan and Courtney stared at each other.
"Okay," Courtney pressed the microphone nearby her ear. "Close those 6 calls and focus on the other 2, okay?"
"Well, since now we know 6 of them were from the girl who had been stalking you, it will be for the best if we go to the final 2, since you got 8 calls in total." Duncan explained as Cody blinked in surprise. Since having 2 web calls with people who aren't Sierra isn't that bad. "This one came from north of Bemidji, Minnesota…"
"Aunty Lynda?" Cody guessed as it made Courtney and Duncan blink in surprise. "I haven't seen her since last Christmas; come on, show me."
"Well, without further ado…" Courtney pressed the button of the controller, and it then showed the static on the television screen, and to everyone's surprise, what they saw on the screen was a 33-year-old blonde Midwestern housewife with a perfectly arranged ponytail and pearl earrings, wearing a powder-blue buttoned blouse tucked into her jeans.
"Oh, thank the Lord, this was working. Hello everyone." The woman said as she waved at the screen as Cody smiled brightly at seeing the same woman. "Hello, Cody."
"Hi Aunt Lynda," Cody waved back as Courtney and Duncan raised their eyebrows at the geek, even Eva, who looked amused at him. "Don't judge me; it's my aunt."
That clearly got the chuckles of the crowd.
"Welcome to Total Drama Action Aftermath, Lynda… err…"
"Anderson, my dear, Lynda Anderson." Lynda commented with her smile that she could see her nephew being on the set. "I have to say it was great to be here, Courtney, and I'm still happy to see Cody just fine. I and my husband Daryl got so worried about Cody's elimination; since the time of the past events, someone just made a missing report in Canada, which drove our family into a lot of worry…"
"Oh…" Cody sweated at seeing his aunt, showing that he was kind of in deep trouble. "Yeah, that… Maybe I should have called Aunt Charlotte at the time I was at Katie's mom's house."
"Yes, yes, you should have…" Lynda said as she crossed her arms, which made the geek giggle sheepishly. "Well, I'm so glad the detectives were able to call me and explain the situation to our family. I even managed to bake some cookies for him and his wife. I have to say, they are such a unique couple; they were even debating about whether Paul Bunyan was actually a relative of Bigfoot. Since both could be a variation of giants."
"Ughhhhhh," Duncan groaned as he could see which detectives went there to debate such a case. "Oh come on, that debate should have ended 5 years ago; Aunt Alex should let that go."
"Don't ever talk to your aunt like that, young boy." Lynda chastised Duncan for talking about his aunt such a way, which made the bad boy scoff. "Anyway, they were such a wonderful couple. Made me realize they are going to be great parents in the future, and I was thinking of making their children have a play date with mine…"
"But Aunt, you are not…" Cody was about to say something, but then his eyes went wide open into seeing her smile growing wide. "Wait…"
"Yes, I and Daryl are now expecting a baby." Lynda commented as Cody looked ecstatic, while the crowd cheered by the woman who was happy to get her newborn. "In a few months we will have our first child. Heh, now my sisters-in-law won't call me slowpoke anymore since I was the last woman member of the trio to have a child."
"Wait, so Anderson isn't your actual last name?" Duncan asked as Lynda shook her head.
"Not at all, it's my husband's; since I married him, I got the last name, but I don't complain. I love my husband and the family we have… But being a housewife and being a good wife is also very draining and exhausting work, which I had passed my afternoons and my nights doing while watching the Pay-Per-View episodes of Total Drama Island with my sister-in-law. Hello, Charlotte; hello, Jay and Mickey. I hope you two are taking care of your health. Be careful with the things you two are allergic to." Lynda commented as she waved at the webcam, knowing well her sister-in-law and her two nephews are watching her on the television.
"Oh, so you have been watching our reality show?" Courtney asked curiously as she saw the young housewife in her thirties nod her head.
"It's my guilty pleasure. I have to say I wasn't interested in watching them until I heard from Beverly, who was going to take a trip with James and Zack. I promised her to keep an eye on you with Charlotte, and when I least expected it, I was roped in. I managed to convince Dahryl to pay for cable from a Canadian company to let us watch the show straight from Canada, and I passed most of my day cleaning up the house while watching the pay-per-view." The blonde housewife explained, as the group looked in surprise, how a dedicated relative from another country got so hooked on the show. "So much I have been keeping notes about everything about what happened on the show, where things Cody did wrong, the alliances he should have made during the show, who were the people targeting him, and the strong alliances he could have been taking the opportunities to enjoy."
Into hearing the housewife explaining the possibilities and the notes she kept of the show, Cody couldn't help but sweat.
"Did you write everything?" Cody gulped as he saw his aunt looking straight at him with a slow nod.
"You shouldn't have trusted Trent like that; you should have made a small alliance with Heather, Lindsay, and Beth to eliminate either Owen or Trent. And while I cheered when you and Katie kissed and officially became a couple, you should still be thinking of the game, Cody Emmet Jameson Anderson, I expected you to act way better than you did in season 1; you had your face on the floor by being thrown by girls a few times, and I'm sure our whole family cringed at seeing you try to hook up with a girl." Lynda said with full disappointment in her voice, which made Cody's heart break a little, but with a sigh, Lynda closed her eyes. "But it seems in season 2 of Total Drama Action you actually got a great team and a very powerful alliance together, which, when you got eliminated by Russian Roulette, I called bologna to so loud I made sure the whole street could hear it."
That clearly made the geek smile. Into seeing his aunt still giving a lot of support to him.
"Also, I'm going straight to Canada next month to pass Christmas with the family. Also, I want you to invite Katie and her mom to pass with us; I'm sure we are going to get along just fine." Lynda said as she smiled at everyone. "Well, I think I said what I have to say. Sorry for taking all the time. See you later, Cody. Also, thank you, Duncan and Courtney. Congratulations for the wonderful show you guys are doing. Me and my husband are enjoying our Sunday with this show; you both are such a wonderful couple."
"Bye Mrs… Anderson." Both Duncan and Courtney waved as the crowd clapped at the screen, which created static before shutting down.
As the claps went down, Cody could see the look of amusement from both Duncan and Courtney.
"I know, I know… My aunt is a bit intense, but let's be honest, my aunt wasn't the only one like that." Cody argued as Duncan's grin faded as he glared at him. "Tell me if I was wrong."
"Geek little." Duncan mumbled as Courtney giggled while she was still holding the clipboard.
"Well, it seems then that you are ready for the final webcall of the day." Courtney smiled as she looked at Dawn just to check if the account was legit, and the young moonchild gave a thumbs-up, which clearly was a good sign for the former C.I.T. as she prepared. "Well, we also got a call from overseas…?"
"Oh no…" Cody said as he started to sweat, knowing full well who could possibly be…
"The account name is ZackMeister2.0." Courtney commented as she blinked, as Cody also looked surprised.
"Zack?" Cody asked as, in the next second, he was in relief. "I really hope it's just him."
"I'm surprised there was another person who uses the same nickname as you." Duncan commented as both ignored him. But then he pressed the controller button.
The static over the screen flickered, and in the next second, to the surprise of everyone, what they found was the aspect of cuteness, since what they saw was what would be described as a mini-me version of Cody; however, it was clearly a little child of 5-6 years old. The blonde hair of the little child, as well as the little purple jacket with a skate stamp on it and a number 3 on it.
"Awwwwww," The crowd of women and girls couldn't help but aww from seeing the little boy who looked like a baby version of Cody.
"Woah, I did it." The young kid commented as he waved at the camera. "Oy, Cody, big bro."
"Hey champs." Cody waved back at the little boy at the screen. "Zack, I thought there wasn't internet on the cruise."
"We didn't." Zack commented as he looked left and right. "But Mom and Dad said we should be using that in case to watch the news on the forums to try to see if you are alright. The captain was nice to let me use his hat. Do you want to see it?"
"Awww…" The crowd said they were into seeing such cuteness, a boy being so cute.
"Maybe another time, Zack. How is it going?" Cody asked as Duncan was about to interrupt, but Courtney tapped his mouth, as she wanted to see the interaction between two brothers.
"The new boat is nice, the cruise is a bit nauseous, Dad vomited 3 times, hi five." Zack commented as he raised his palm, which Cody followed the same as digital could be. "We had to take a break in the country of Pizza; they said you disappeared. But that's not true; you are there."
"Yeah, tell me about it." Cody complained as the crowd chuckled. "How are Mom and Dad?"
"They are happy that you are fine. Dad looks a bit annoyed because we had to watch your videos on the internet, and he said you should have been more careful." Zack commented as then he blinked a few times and saw there were a lot of people on there. "Who are those people?"
"Oh, these are my friends, Courtney, Duncan, and Eva, and these ones are Dawn, Ennui, Crimson, Sky, and Junior. I'm kind of on the television right now." Cody said sheepishly as he cleared his throat. "Say hi to everyone, Zack."
"Hi to everyone, Zack." The young blonde kid waved as he clearly struck the hearts of the ladies with how a little child could be so weirdly cute.
"Awwwwwww,"
"Yeah, Zackmeister still got it." Cody chuckled as he looked at Duncan, who raised his eyebrow at him. "I taught everything he knows."
"Of course you did." Duncan rolled his eyes but couldn't complain; he influenced his younger siblings as well. "Welcome to Total Drama Aftermath. Zack, I heard you and your parents are on a cruise. Is that true?"
"Oh yeah, how did you know that? Do you read minds?" Zack asked with his eyes sparkling.
"No, I don't." Duncan rolled his eyes, but then he looked at the petite blonde girl who was nearby. "But Dawn can."
Dawn slowly blinked and looked at Duncan smirking at her. As she then looked at Cody, who smiled sheepishly at her, she then looked at the screen. The boy gasped in surprise.
"Really?" Zack said through the screen, and the moonchild gave a look at the bad boy, but then she returned to the young boy.
"Yes, I can…" Dawn said as she could see the boy excited.
"That's so cool. Can you tell me which number I'm thinking of right now? No wait, my favourite colour, no wait… even better, my favourite animal." Zack said as he was very hyperactive, which the group looked at between him and the boy who was also on the display playing drawing with his whiteboard.
Dawn looked at Cody, who was sweating, but she was in silence and waited for a few seconds.
"You are thinking of number 3, your favourite colour is purple, and your favourite animal is sharks." Dawn commented as the boy had his eyes wide open as he jumped in happiness.
"Yes, you really read minds." Zack said in excitement, as Dawn gave a small smile.
"Well, the little game was fun and cute." Courtney had to confess she needed to continue the schedule, unfortunately. "Is there anything you want to say?"
But before the young blonde could say anything, the door flew open with the sudden urgency of a concerned mother on a mission. Standing in the doorway was a woman whose presence immediately commanded attention—not with volume, but with sheer intensity.
She was elegant, polished, and visibly rattled, her high heels clicking on the floor as she entered with a mix of frantic energy and maternal grace. Her mahogany-brown hair, once neatly pinned in a professional bun, had a few loose strands framing her face, showing she had rushed without hesitation. Her turquoise eyes scanned the screen before her—landing on Cody, alive, smiling sheepishly, even slightly pale, and very much not missing.
"Cody Emmet Jameson Anderson!" she called out, one hand clutching her purse, the other pointing at the screen. "Do you have any idea what you put us through?!"
Cody flinched at every single word that had been said on the other side of the screen. Duncan now wished he had popcorn to eat while watching the scene.
She wore a sleeveless lavender blouse with pearl accents and tailored dark slacks, still impeccably coordinated even in panic. Her makeup was light but well-applied—likely a woman who could go from a psychologist's office to a parent-teacher meeting without skipping a beat.
"I just got off the cruise satellite line because I heard a missing person alert about my son—waiting for him to call my number or any of his aunts, but not only did that not happen, I had the pleasure of finding you giggling on the national television with your brother, like nothing had happened at all." The mother said as Cody flinched, since he knew for a fact from his family, his mom was the nicest one, and her being like that clearly showed he had screwed up big time.
"Sorry, Mom, I was with my girlfriend. It was supposed to be only for a week before I return on the show. I didn't know there was a crazy person who isn't even from my family who did a missing report about me. I had no idea the family was in panic." Cody apologized as he defended himself for the fact he didn't know things would have escalated in such a way.
The woman just sighed…
"Just please, next time you go somewhere or everywhere, tell at least someone we know. We paid for all the new versions of phones just to make sure you would use them in cases like this. Shouldn't you have used your last flip phone for that?" Mrs. Anderson pointed out as Cody smiled sheepishly, making the woman deadpan. "You left your flip phone at home, didn't you?"
The boy smiled sheepishly, which made the mother sigh in even more frustration. Zack was jumping in his place.
"Mom! Look! I'm on TV too! We are on the TV."
"Yes, sweetie, I see us," she exhaled sharply, clutching her chest with maternal relief, before pulling both hands up to her temples. "Your father's pacing up and down the ship like he's ready to storm the island, and I nearly broke international law trying to hijack the new cruise TV feed."
The group behind the scenes couldn't help but watch in stunned amusement; even Courtney was unsure if she should step in, but Cody lifted a hand sheepishly, trying to call for help.
"Your father passed the next 10 minutes on his knees thanking God that we finally found you, because we feared the worst… You could at least have called us at the time you got the new house. Or even take the flip phone with you; we paid for the package of unlimited minutes for you because of that." The mother said as she looked very relieved and yet frustrated at the same time. "Give me a good reason for why you left your flip phone at home."
"The show said I shouldn't be bringing any technology; I even saw someone bringing a typewriter." Cody defended himself as the crowd chuckled at his way of defending himself. But seeing the twitches coming from his mom, he realized what she was saying was a rhetorical question.
"You're not helping your case, Cody." Courtney commented as she called the attention of the mother. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Anderson. I and Duncan were surprised to discover the missing report, but thankfully we knew where he was, so we took the opportunity to tell the detective to dismiss the case."
"Oh, you must be Courtney; you don't need to call me Ms… Call me Beverly, and thank you so much for taking care of my son. I nearly broke international law trying to hijack the cruise just to take us to the next shore just to see if you are fine on the television. Cody, do not make us worried about you like that." The matriarch of the family greeted the girl as she smiled politely. While she scolded her son once more. But then she smiled at him. "I didn't have any idea about what the show was about in the second season until I got the call from Lynda telling about Detective Rush saying Cody was fine with his girlfriend, and at the time we heard the words 'Cody and 'girlfriend in the same sentence, we rushed to the next vacation spot and brought tickets for the next cruise with a television this time."
That clearly made Cody blush in embarrassment while the crowd laughed at the geeky boy who was now in a terrible spot.
"Yeah, when we heard Katie was going to have a date with Cody, we also didn't believe it, so we made sure to make him stay on his toes." Duncan commented as Cody gave a glare towards the bad boy, which clearly the mother and the little boy chuckled at from seeing Cody like that.
"Not cool." Cody said as he crossed his arms, but then he looked at his mom. "Mom, sorry for making you two worried. But I'm fine."
"Yes… we understand. Sometimes your father asked why we let you alone at our home while you would go to the reality show by yourself. Now I was also asking myself that." Beverly clearly made her son look down from the mistake of not calling her, but he couldn't help but see his mom smiling sweetly at him. "I'm so glad you are safe and not alone. I hope you have been a good guest where your girlfriend lives and not making a headache for her mom."
"No, not at all; her mom had been great to me. She even brought me to her job to see how her office was… It even had a billiard pool on there…" Cody said those words, which immediately made his mom's face pale…
"Please tell me you played alone…" Beverly asked as Cody sheepishly smiled at her.
"I kinda… beat everyone on there, even her boss…" Cody commented, and from all people, even Zack groaned and Beverly facepalmed. "But it's fine, it's fine; her boss was very nice, and he liked me being there so much he asked me if he could suggest me to work as an apprentice at companies that are their clients."
"Well, that's less bad… But I'm more concerned about the companies that want you as an apprentice. Which companies are they?" Beverly asked in worry, as it seems she forgot they were on live television.
"Videogames company…" Cody commented, at which moment he saw his mom freeze. "Mom?"
"…" Beverly remained quiet.
"Err… Mrs… Anderson?" Courtney asked as she looked at Duncan, who shrugged at her.
"…are you okay?" Cody asked, as it made the matriarch suddenly shake her head.
"Oh yeah, I'm fine. I'm just wondering which car your father is going to buy for me now." That comment alone made the whole group of people blink in surprise. "Zack, sweetheart, can you bring my mug with the words '100% always right?"
"Sure, Mommy." Zack said happily, as it took a few seconds before the little child closed the door. As the mother waited for a second.
Before the matriarch of the Anderson family gave a victory dance.
"Always right, I'm always right. Joining a boyband? Fat chance," The public then saw the woman who seemed to be the most mature of the family suddenly losing her composure just to do a victory dance. Which made Cody blush in embarrassment.
"Ahem." Courtney decided to give a loud clear throat, which at that second made the matriarch suddenly stop and realize that she was dancing in front of the webcam…
"Oh… yeah, I should have waited when we returned from the cruise trip. It was my fault." Beverly said as she regained composure, and Cody couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Anyway, I'm sure your father will be glad that you are already aiming for the future by trying to find an apprenticeship at a company; he always said you should always challenge yourself and keep your mind sharp."
"Yeah, I know…" Cody said as he sighed, which made it clear he couldn't say anything else. "How is the trip overseas?"
"It's going fine. Now that we know you are safe and happy, we can relax again. We are taking a trip back to Canada overseas; we will return next week. But until then I'm going to ask the contact of Katie's mom." Beverly commented that she wouldn't be a fool to not take the contacts of the mother of her son's girlfriend. Contacts always had been priorities over everything, and her son needed to learn about that. "And Cody… you're grounded."
"Oh come on, for real?" Cody said as he saw the sharp eyes of his mom and recoiled.
"Be grateful it was me and not your father…" Beverly said as the boy lowered his head. "To make sure you learn your lesson, I want you to call both your aunts every day. When you go somewhere, when you go to sleep, when they want to talk about their days, you are going to listen…"
"Bu-but-but." Cody stuttered, as the idea of him calling his aunts every day would be dragging out a lot of time, especially when they want to talk for hours.
"Next time you will learn how to make us less worried about you when you go somewhere. Now if you excuse me, I'm going to brag to Mister 'I'm a teacher, and I can predict everything children can do, even my own son.' About how I was right; my son wanted to have a more stable job in something he likes instead of going after a foolish dream of creating a boyband." Beverly said as she waved towards everyone. "Thank you so much for taking care of him; it was nice to meet such polite children. You've got great friends, Cody. It's good to know you finally have friends as well."
"Moooom." Cody said as he felt even more embarrassed from the situation he was in, until finally the static made the silence create on the stage… "Ughh… can someone finish me off? Because I don't think I can survive after this."
Duncan chuckled darkly from seeing Cody like that.
"Gotta say, your mom looks nice." Duncan said, as Courtney nodded her head.
"Yeah, I didn't know your family was rich, Cody." Courtney commented that, as she could see from the elegance of the mother, she seemed to know how to live a good life.
"Yeah, kinda. My mom is a neuropsychologist, and my dad is a teacher at a private school. They have a lot of work, and they managed to be stable in their lives, but they got dragged a lot of times into their work. It's difficult for them to handle me and Zack, and they were planning to take us on the cruise…but…the show," Cody commented as he sighed from the situation he was in.
Which clearly made the crowd ooooh in interest in knowing more about the secrets of his family.
"Well, I can imagine the plans being thrown away because of sacrifices. I really wish I could have… but sadly, there was one more segment to happen over here, Cody." Courtney said as she pointed at the display where the poor boy will still have to play the pointing game.
"Oh no…" Cody said as he could see Duncan smirking with the good information he had on his clipboard.
"Princess, I think you should choose the next group, because this is going to be fun." Duncan smiled as he rubbed his hands, as Cody slowly sat at the chair while he just stared at Sky, Dawn, and Junior, who were out from their seats.
"Hey, why are you guys out?" Cody asked with his eyebrow raised, but he didn't have time to react; at the time he sat, the buzzer had already made him jump from his seat. "OUCH."
"Because of that." Junior, Sky and Dawn said in unison, as Ennui and Crimson didn't seem phased at all from the geek boy yelping in pain and surprise.
The crowd clearly laughed at such a surprising scene.
"Well, Cody, I hope you are ready, because we left the best for the end." Duncan said, chuckling, as he gave a good smirk, which made Cody shift uncomfortably. "'The geek lover always had a secret that he had been avoiding telling everyone; most of the time he couldn't sleep well even on the Playa Del Losers… because the only way he would have the best night of sleep would be if he was with…?'"
"ME ME ME ME ME ME ME." The crowd went wild as Cody paled from the implications of the question.
"Jerry…" Cody whispered without the microphone being able to hear, but he sweated as he stared at Dawn, who was looking at him. She waved gently, which made Cody gulp. "Please don't…"
"Sorry," Dawn apologized as she brought a white board in her hands. "It's on the contract."
"Dammit." Cody blushed, as he could see the crowd being chosen by Courtney.
"Well, Duncan, I got everyone around here; let's just repeat the question. 'The geek lover always had a secret that he had been avoiding telling everyone; most of the time he couldn't sleep well even on the Playa Del Losers… because the only way he would have the best night of sleep would be if he was with…?'"
"Lucky underwear." One of the people said as the crowd was either laughing or even disgusted by the suggestion.
"I'm not even going to ask the reasoning of the question, because I can imagine that happening." Courtney snarked as the crowd laughed.
"HEY!" Cody shouted from his seat, which made the scene even funnier.
"Scented lotion called "Vanilla Byte"" Another contestant made the comment, which the crowd even laughed at.
"Oh come on, who uses a lotion to sleep?" Cody said as he crossed his arms in disbelief. As he could see, the person who gave the suggestion shifted uncomfortably. "Oh, sorry, man."
Courtney went to the third person, as it was prepared for that moment.
"A stuffed pet." The woman said as Cody felt his eyes shrink, and it was a very solid choice.
"A lullaby song," The final person spoke as Cody cringed as things got very uncomfortable; now there are the guesses done by the crowd. Which now came to Duncan nodding his head.
"Very solid choices, Codemeister," Duncan said as he looked at Junior, who was still writing down on his whiteboard. "Are you okay over there, Junior?"
"Yep, just writing again… Aaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnndddddd," Junior said as he was still scribing. And in the next second the blonde boy nodded his head with satisfaction. "Done."
"Great to know, little guy. So what's the answer you want to give to Cody here? 'The geek lover always had a secret that he had been avoiding telling everyone; most of the time he couldn't sleep well even on the Playa Del Losers… because the only way he would have the best night of sleep would be if he was with…?'" Duncan repeated the question as Junior flipped the whiteboard while pointing at the person in the crowd.
"Lucky underwear, give that person her money." Junior said as the crowd clapped and cheered as Courtney satisfiedly gave 20 bucks to the person who did a good job, while Cody stared at Junior in disbelief.
"You took that long just to choose the same answer as the person?" The geek asked the child, who just shook his head.
"Nah, I wrote something different, but the lucky underwear was a good choice, so I changed." Junior said without any shame, which clearly made Cody place his hands on his face and groan.
"Well, we have one for lucky underwear," Courtney said as she was glad they started strong.
"And it was the first person. Now, Crimson, what's your guess?" Duncan said as the goth girl gave a small look at the geek, who smiled sheepishly and embarrassed.
"A Japanese body pillow of a girl." Crimson said, and at that time the crowd laughed, as Cody looked at her horrified. "His lack of human touch was pathetic and sad… I liked that."
"…thanks?" Cody isn't sure if she was complimenting him or making fun of him. Which he decided to only thank for the girl who remained stoic. "Can we do another person?"
"Ennui, you know the drill.' The geek lover always had a secret that he had been avoiding telling everyone; most of the time he couldn't sleep well even on the Playa Del Losers… because the only way he would have the best night of sleep would be if he was with…?' Duncan asked as Ennui simply flipped his whiteboard with the words, which made everyone in the crowd laugh.
"2 Japanese body pillows of 2 different girls." Ennui said in a deadpan tone, at which Cody clearly threw his arms in the air.
"OH COME ON, I'M NOT THAT DESPERATE..." Cody said as he could see the silence; even the silence of the crowd didn't help him. "I'm way better than I was in season one."
"Yes, yes, you are, but I was surprised you both came up with these answers. From the goths, you cannot guess what they are bringing, and I have to say, I'm enjoying every moment of it." Duncan smirked, knowing how the geek's suffering had been kind of amusing, even as it sucked that it happened to him when they were trying to guess he does knitting, but still Cody being outraged because of body pillows was hilarious. "Sky, your turn, girl."
Sky blushed as she tried to look away, but she then flipped the whiteboard, which made the crowd and Duncan and Courtney wheeze with laughter.
The answer?
"5 body pillows with different girls on them."
"SKY?!" Cody shouted in disbelief as she raised her hands in defence.
"Look, I was about to say lullaby songs, but after watching you in the first season, it made sense for me," the gymnast in potential said as she could see Duncan and Courtney still laughing. "You kind of needed emotional support, so I thought you having a harem of body pillows would make you optimistic about trying to hook up with a girl?"
"I don't even know what was worse. The fact I heard about a body pillow harem, or the fact I actually can see Cody doing that." Courtney commented as the group got a bit disappointed as they didn't get much from their tries, but the joke was very funny, and they laughed as a good way into seeing Cody grumpily say something.
"Har har har, very funny." Cody rolled his eyes as he then felt a shiver on his spine. And glanced at Dawn.
"Welp, now comes the true answer of the poor boy…" Duncan commented as he sarcastically said the words poor boy when it came to the geek. "Dawn, 'Cody always had a secret that he would prefer nobody to know about; at the time he goes to sleep, he cannot sleep well without his..."
Cody tried to avoid the outcome, but he couldn't help but accept the unavoidable.
"His stuffed emu, Jerry." Dawn flipped the whiteboard, at which time Cody got his face flushing as the crowd clapped at one of the people who finally got another 20 bucks. "He had that emu stuffed animal until this day... it must have been very hard for him to be without it for a few months."
"Dammit." Cody said, as the crowd chuckled at the boy who just got his secret exposed about him sleeping with his stuffed animal.
"Well, at least we got 2 winners over here. I have to confess, if someone had said body pillow, they would have won good money." Courtney commented as she could see the geek glaring at her, which made her shrug. "Hey, I wasn't the one who made the questions, and I also got my embarrassing moments here."
"Fair point." Cody said as he looked at the place, and now he could at least get out with dignity. "At least the worst is zap AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH." Sky, Dawn, and Junior jumped on their seats in the same way Cody did after getting surprised once again by the electric sting on their butts. Which the crowd once again laughed hard at the scene.
"Hehehe, never fails." Duncan said in happiness as he looked at Cody. "Well now that you played the game, stay with Eva; I and Courtney have one thing more to say before we end the episode, everyone." Duncan commented as the crowd clearly looked disappointed.
"Awwwww…" And they even voiced their sadness as Courtney walked to the stage.
"I have to say, today passed fast; when we least expected it, we had already reached almost the time we do the closure." Courtney commented as Eva was drinking water, and Cody could sit nearby the bodybuilder. "Cody, Eva… Do you guys realize how many MVPA points you both accumulated?"
Both Eva and Cody looked at each other until both shrugged and shook their heads, not knowing.
Which was the time Duncan and Courtney showed the screen of the names of the eliminated. Both Cody and Eva had their eyes wide open.
Eva = 8500 MVPA Points.
Cody = 38500 MVPA Points.
"Whoa…" Cody commented in surprise that even Eva couldn't help but whistle on seeing the large sum of points, which even the crowd cheered from seeing that quantity.
"Okay, that's cool, but what does it have to do with us now that we are eliminated?" Eva said as she looked bored and annoyed for being dragged a bit longer. But then he saw Courtney and Duncan smiling at them.
"Both we and Duncan got the list of MVPA gift boxes in our hands, and we can give you both a chance to make the future challenges of our friends and the other players on Total Drama even more interesting." Courtney started as Duncan walked towards the duo to give them something very insightful.
"You two have two choices. One is giving all your MVPA points to someone you wanted to have more points and give an advantage when it comes to elimination votes." Duncan said as he could see Cody thinking about actually giving his points to Katie. "But also… you guys can do something that can change the game forever."
"What do you mean?" Cody asked as he could see Courtney smiling kindly but also with a bit of a taste of revenge.
"By using all your points, you can choose one of the gift boxes that has almost the same amount of points you have, and when you do it, all the eliminations will have that gift box exposed, and everyone will know what that gift box will do." Courtney commented as the whole crowd gasped in surprise, and even Eva and Cody looked shocked with that twist. "Which now makes the surprising twist of Chris being less surprising, and it would come from their strategies of trying to do their best to buy the gift box."
At the time, both Cody and Eva had their eyes wide open, seeing a total of 15 gift box lists. From 1200 points to 6500 points to even beyond 30000 and 60000 points, some were even crazy to imagine there would be that many points to buy only one gift box. There was one that would reach 34 thousand points. And one that would be 8000 points.
"If we use these to show the boxes to the others, the remaining points we have would be-" Cody was asking, but Duncan nodded his head.
"Yep, they would be thrown away. It's your only chance to give your points to someone to help or give everyone a reason to do their acting more." Duncan explained as Cody gave a small bite on his inner lip.
"Hmmm…" Eva looked in silence; she would have liked to try to guess what gift box she could have used if she had the chance, but it was completely unpredictable, and Cody, who has the most points across, would give good help to Katie, but maybe giving them a reason to give their best and having an option to use on the votes clearly would be a great help. "That's difficult."
"Eva…" Then a voice made the strong woman blink and look at the geek, who looked concerned. "If I use all my points, could you give yours to Katie?"
That comment alone made the iron woman surprised, in the same way as Duncan and Courtney, who didn't expect that.
The crowd was awed to see Cody coming to a big decision.
"Are you sure?" Eva asked as the geek nodded his head. With the bodybuilder now in agreement, they already came to a decision.
"So you are giving your 8500 points to Katie, while Cody will exchange all his accumulated points to permanently open a gift box?" Courtney asked as both nodded their heads in agreement. "Great, because it seems this will have a huge impact on the future votes. Duncan, reveal to everyone what everyone will see in the future episodes."
"This is going to be big, REALLY REALLY BIG." Duncan said as he turned on the controller and touched the microphone on his headset. "Jane, it's showtime."
And after a few seconds, the delinquent touched the button of the controller, which selected the gift box of 34 thousand points, which opened and created the description of the effect. 8 words… 8 single words…
"WHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT?!" The crowd and even Cody and Eva looked in shock from the revelation of what that gift box did…
(Erase all votes against you on this elimination.)
"With this, people will do their best to act more to gain more MVPA points and accumulate all the points they can if they really want to remain in the game and try to win the 1 MILLION DOLLARS." Courtney shouted as the crowd went wild. Which clearly made Eva and Cody sweat.
It was indeed a game changer; for the best or for the worst, the dice was rolled. And things would be interesting in the future.
"So that's all, folks. Thank you so much for watching this episode," Duncan said as he sat nearby the display, with Sky, Dawn, and Junior waving. Howard was eating bread since it was his lunch break, and Ennui and Crimson remained stoic as ever.
Cody and Eva were sitting in their places, with their shock and slight worry appearing.
"We will return when we get 3 more eliminated… But until then we also have another proposal for everyone." Courtney commented as Duncan walked nearby on the corner of the seat, which was usually vacant, excluding the nearby seat of the former contestant… There was a '?' mark on a spot. "We have one final spot for one more person to be part of the pointing game."
"It can be you, it can be your neighbour, or even your cat or dog if they have more charisma than you and can make the entire crowd laugh." Duncan commented as the crowd gasped at a very interesting proposal. "For these days we will select one final member to be part of the pointing game. All you have to do is prove your value… It's to write a letter saying… why you… the person who is going to participate should be better than me, Duncan. At the pointing game, the person will be selected by our special process of judging, and the person who everyone agrees on will be accepted to be the member of the pointing game. Isn't that awesome?"
The crowd cheered, as even Cody and Eva looked surprised by the another drop bomb.
"And with that… we have to say our goodbyes and have a nice Sunday, everyone. My name is Courtney."
"I'm Duncan."
"And we see you next time on TOTAL DRAMA AFTERMATH."
Chapter 71: Alien Resurr-eggtion
Notes:
Author's note:
Well, well, well, I'm here to say guys, I didn't disappear, I had a lot of things I wrote during days and weeks. A collab with a friend of mine Oberon, a giant massive chapter that it will take probably until the next year to release that chapter. So you all can imagine how crazy it is for me to write that advanced chapter? Well, I did it because I wanted to make the collab with my friend Oberon.
Justin and Ezekiel will have a loooooot to talk, well, excluding that collab. You guys saw I wrote a few other fanfic chapters, which I'm glad I finished some.
My total dramarama chapter, I won't write it until next year, because I said, and I will say it again, it's the bottom of the bottom of my list of fanfics. Sorry guys, but I did write that fanfic because of a discord server. And I have other priorities of my life.
Speaking of it… Yesterday was the first day of Spring… which means one thing. My birthday was yesterday. I reached 30 years old. So I passed a good part of my life writing, and developing stories. It's one of the best things I like to do, always imagininating scenes and crying from nowhere the emotional scenes I have for Reality Collides. So hehehehe, you guys are screwed.
Anyway, I passed weeks, writing down many things, and this chapter, It's a surprise for everyone. I hope you guys enjoy it, have fun…
Also to give a small homenage for 2 great musicians that caused a good impact in my country.
Hermeto Pascoal = One of the best musicians of the world, and a great name which earned the respect from my country, the one who always believed everything across the world and even nature itself can create music, and without a synthizer created an awesome song with only 5 people, 7 bottles, a flute, and the water and the lake itself.
Nobuo Yamada = The creator of Pegasus Fantasy, one of the most iconic soundtracks of Saint Seiya of the whole world. A song that were sing by my generation until this day.
In 2025, we lost so many great people. Even the Brazillian voice actor of Muscleman from Regular Show (the same voice actor of Carlos Villagran from El Chavo). The more time passes, the more we realize that our icon idols are leaving the world.
They will always be missed and loved… And I hope their families and friends would find peace and consolation from their legacy. They will be always be remembered as awesome and incredible people as they are…
Now, let's return to the answering the reviews. And later enjoy the chapter everyone.
Well. I wrote all I have to write. I hope you guys enjoy the new chapter. As my birthday gift for all of you. Happy Spring, and nice reading.
Chapter Text
"Okay. Okay, please stay calm… It's not a video; all you need to do is just write a letter saying why I should be better than Duncan and be part of the pointing game… that should be easy." The brunette boy passed a few minutes staring at the blank paper, while there were dozens of shattered and crumbled paper balls across the table.
Until from nowhere he felt someone touching his leg. Looking nearby, the boy stared at the young little black-haired girl…
"My mom said the milk and biscuits are ready; do you want some?" Kristal commented as young Topher, who was passing a few hours sitting on the table, blinked in surprise at how the time flies. Since on the clock nearby, the wall was marking 5 p.m.
"Wow, I didn't know I was here for a while." Topher said as he stretched himself and followed Kristal while avoiding stepping into a few toys she left on the floor.
It was a bit of a difficult situation for Topher, as he had been feeling since the day he had met Kristal and both went to visit her mother after school. Leonor had been kind towards him since she found out that possibly both children had probably the same situation they were in… since being a mother of a child belonging to a known famous artist was clearly a very touchy situation to be talked about…
And the mother of the little girl usually passed years in shame trying to hide such a secret for years, trying to prevent the worst situation of her daughter being caught by the worst kind of people who ever existed, paparazzi. People who would invade the little girl's personal life and destroy her childhood in the worst way possible.
But seeing a young man in his almost teenage years, 14 or 15 years old. She was glad there she wasn't alone, and she wasn't the one who took the blame for hiding a child from Chris McLean, but still, having the young boy be a good friend for Kristal, she could see they had some kinship, maybe because Kristal was a young girl and Topher said they had the same father… it made it easy for her to open up with him.
And Leonor was glad since she had to move away from many states or cities, since she didn't want to deal with the scandal… until she knew Kristal would be ready… and she would go after Chris to explain she's his daughter… As much as the famous television host was insufferable… he was still her father. So having a chance of her giving a letter to him and explaining to him Kristal was his daughter, she didn't care what his reaction would be. That would be a conclusion she wanted to give to her daughter.
Maybe that's what Topher's mom had in mind when she told the truth for her own son… Which now. She couldn't help but be sympathetic with the young boy. Who had been staying at her house for a few days, studying where he should be going, and how it would be a good plan for him to meet Chris and explain that the host isn't as untouchable as he thinks, but he has families he left across Canada.
A few minutes into munching their cookies, Leonor couldn't help but raise her eyebrow at the young boy who was still in deep thought.
"Did you manage to write the letter to try to participate in the show?" The woman asked as she saw Kristal drinking her milk from her little cup.
"Nah, I tried a few times, and sure, I can tell I can be better than Duncan since I'm more handsome and more talented than he is… but I'm sure that wouldn't be enough for me to be accepted." Topher said, as if sure his vanity was almost exactly like the host of Total Drama, but he wouldn't be stupid enough to dismiss his chance; he needed to make it work… "I want to make sure they would choose me, and I think they wouldn't do that if I write Chris is my and Kristal's dad."
"Hmmm, I have to agree. Nobody likes to be told they are inferior, Topher, and they probably have a grudge on Chris from what he did in the first season." The mother of the little girl explained the situation the young boy was in… If he really wanted to be part of the show, she must remind him of an important fact. "Probably there will be a lot of contestants wanting to try to become famous as well, so you must think carefully about it."
"Yeah, that's why I have been struggling so much. I mean, as much as I know I would be the best replacement for Chris in the future as his son… To make the others choose me for a little game of pointing would be my first step, but how can I make people interested in me?What if I could possibly make people laugh at my jokes and guesses when it comes to learning the secrets of themselves?" Topher said in frustration as he then saw Kristal playing with her toys… "I mean, I have been reading the Total Drama Forum since it first started, and I know about a lot of the community, like the fights happening, the possible gossip, and even I have been able to help the creation of one of the fan clubs shipping, like the White Moose…"
"Well, I think that would be the differential you are looking for." Leonor then made him snap from his thoughts. "You said you were one of the helpers of the creation of a few fan clubs, so why not use that in your favour? Maybe ask them to vouch for you, and you say their good name and graces, and also with the debates of the forum online to give you support on the pointing game…"
"That's… actually a great idea…" Topher said as he looked at the woman in deep surprise.
"Trust me, Chris McLean really should pay the child support, and I'm waiting for the right time to strike, so I'm sure you will be doing the right thing, Topher." Leonor said as she was sure the young boy wanted to reveal himself and Kristal at the right time; she knew she needed to be smart, so smart she would be just for the sake of her child not being caught in the crossfire. "And please, for your only chance, don't make them realize you are the son of Chris McLean until you give the letter to him."
"Okay… thank you," Topher said as he now took a few more cookies and went back to write down the letter he wanted to prove to everyone…
While he left Leonor and Kristal alone, Leonor couldn't help but smile.
"No son… Thank you; this way Chris won't be able to escape from his responsibilities as a father. Even though you may not be his son… I'm sure this will be a can of worms he didn't know he had. And I'm sure Kristal will have a better future from this." Leonor smiled; even knowing she had been manipulating the young boy, she was sure it would be for the best of everyone. She just hoped everything would be just fine in the end.
The skyscraper rose like a monument of glass and steel above the city, its mirrored walls catching the gold of the afternoon sun. Inside the highest floor, the air was hushed and clinical, the hum of climate control barely competing with the clicking of pens and the muted ring of distant telephones. At the corner office, behind a wide mahogany desk littered with contracts and stock reports, sat a man whose suit was pressed so sharply it might have been cut from the very skyline outside.
Dakota's father barely looked up from his papers. His world was deadlines, meetings, and the next deal, always the next deal. He had once promised himself that all this work was for her—every contract signed, every late night at the office—but the truth was he no longer noticed when one day bled into the next. What he did notice, however, was the familiar buzz of the sleek touchscreen phone beside his hand. The moment her name flashed across it, his stern face softened.
"Dakota," he answered warmly, cradling the phone between shoulder and ear while continuing to initial a folder.
"Daddy!" Her voice came in a rush, high and bright, filled with the kind of excitement that always made him smile. She barely took a breath before pleading her case: there was this new program, Total Drama Aftermath, and she needed to be part of it. She gushed about cameras and crowds, about how everyone would see her, and about how it was unfair that nobodies were being televised while she was stuck offscreen. Her words piled one on top of the other until they blurred into a single plea: please, Daddy, make this happen.
The man leaned back in his leather chair, the pen finally slipping from his hand. His eyes moved to the skyline, but he wasn't really seeing it. He was listening to her, to that pleading tone that reminded him of when she was five years old and wanted a pony, or twelve and wanted her own designer wardrobe. Every time, he had delivered. And every time, she had laughed or squealed and told him she loved him. Wasn't that proof enough that he was being a good father?
"Of course, sweetheart," he replied, his voice smooth, practiced in reassurance. "Don't you worry about a thing. I'll write a check—five hundred thousand should convince them you're worth their time. And I'll call a few producers I know in the business. You'll have your spotlight before the week is out."
There was silence on the other end for a heartbeat, then a shriek of delight so sharp it filled the sterile office with a burst of life. "Oh my gosh, Daddy, I love you! You're the best, the best!"
His lips curved into a proud smile, the kind he reserved only for her. He straightened in his chair, suddenly energized, as though that one sentence could erase the weight of every report on his desk. "I love you too, princess," he answered softly, though she had already hung up in her rush of excitement.
The phone clicked silent. Papers still covered the desk, and the city still stretched endlessly outside, but he didn't mind. He sat there for a moment, basking in the glow of her words, repeating them silently to himself. Another day, another smile from his daughter. That was all that mattered. That was love, wasn't it?
With a satisfied sigh, he picked up his pen and bent once more to his endless work, his heart lighter, utterly oblivious to the fact that what she wanted wasn't his money but his time.
.
.
.
Dakota's bedroom was less a place to sleep and more a shrine to glitter and extravagance. A velvet canopy draped over her bed like the set of a music video, gold-framed mirrors reflected her from every angle, and scattered across the carpet were designer shopping bags, unopened gifts, and a wardrobe of shoes lined up like soldiers in parade formation. The air smelled faintly of perfume—several at once—because she had sprayed them until the room itself seemed to sparkle.
The moment her father's voice promised the half-million check and a few phone calls to producers, she had let out a shriek so loud her maid downstairs nearly dropped a tray of champagne glasses. Now, phone clutched in one manicured hand, she twirled across the room in giddy celebration, her blonde hair bouncing like a commercial in motion.
"Total Drama Aftermath!" she squealed, tumbling onto her bed and rolling through the satin pillows. "Daddy, you are the best!" She pressed the phone to her chest as though it were a crown, kicking her heels up toward the glittering chandelier overhead.
Then, with sudden focus, she scrambled upright and pulled a pink notepad toward her vanity mirror, grabbing a gold pen. "Okay, so they said to write a letter about why I should replace Duncan in the pointing game. Easy." Her reflection smirked back at her, perfect hair framing her face. She scribbled the first line in bold curls of ink:
Dear Aftermath… How am I better than Duncan?
Her pen paused, tapping her chin in mock thought before she laughed aloud. "Because Duncan can't buy half the show!" she declared triumphantly. She underlined it three times with a flourish, then added, "And I am ready to be famous." Signed, Dakota Milton.
Sliding the check for five hundred thousand dollars into an envelope with the letter, she spritzed it once with her perfume and sealed it with a glittery lipstick kiss. Holding it high, she twirled once more before tossing it dramatically onto her desk.
"There," she whispered to her reflection, winking. "Why write essays when you can write checks?"
Outside her window, the city stretched vast and uncaring, but inside that gilded bedroom, Dakota's laughter rang out like she had already won. To her, this wasn't just a letter. It was a declaration: her moment had arrived, and the world was finally going to see her shine.
"YOU CAN'T DO THAT; IT'S AGAINST THE CONTRACT." Jane shouted through the telephone, while Courtney waited for Junior to finish another homework assignment over literature and grammar, since it was her responsibility to take care of Junior since his mom was chewing out his father after finding out what they did. While Duncan was in the hot tub in the same bedroom. But still, Sky saw her older sister shouting angrily on the telephone; something must have happened. "SO THAT'S IT? AND WHAT ABOUT THE TRUE CONTESTANT? IF THE VIEWERS FIND OUT, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS…"
"Is she going to be alright?" Sky turned into Dawn, who was reading tarot cards, and probably from the look on her face, the moonchild clearly didn't want to read the mind of someone at that moment.
"I hope so. Her aura is glowing in red colour, which is quite rare. Seeing a yellow aura change colour like that, she must be really furious for that." Dawn explained as she could see Crimson and Enui were reading their books. While nobody touched the big bag of letters waiting to be read by Duncan and Courtney to decide which person they are going to be part of the pointing game.
"So you guys admit we can have an extra because of this." Jane said as she sighed in exasperation. Which means she hesitantly had to accept the circumstances. "I will tell them both, but in case something comes to bite our ass, know you will get in touch with our lawyer… Good day, sir… I SAID GOOD DAY!"
And with that, Jane turned off the telephone and groaned a few times. While she then saw everyone staring at the adult of the area throwing a fit, she decided to sigh…
"Duncan, Courtney, we have to talk… We got a call from the producers…" Jane said as the bad boy and the C.I.T. girl host turned their heads in the direction of Jane and weren't sure what was going to happen.
.
.
.
"Wait, wait… is that for real? They literally wanted us to accept the letter and choose this girl, just because she paid her way in?" Duncan said in disbelief, as Junior blinked a few times.
"Isn't that cheating?" Junior asked Sky, who nodded her head at him.
"At least the good news is, they know this would cause bad repercussions towards the show, so they decided to let us do a legit selection of one more, so that means instead of one, we will have two more people on the pointing game." Jane said, as she felt exhausted from dealing with the bullcrap of the producers. And looking at Courtney, who was still in disbelief.
"Still, that's by far one terrible way of being part. I mean, buying their way out just to be part of the show? Why would they even do that?" Courtney asked in disbelief, as then she felt someone pulling her shirt, and by her peripheral view, she saw Dawn holding a letter…
"I think it's more about her wanting to be an artist and famous than actually gathering money." Dawn answered the question as the group stared at her from what she was holding in her hands… "This is the letter of the person the producers may want to work with us."
"This better be a good reason for why I should let this girl be part of the show… Dakota. I already hate her name." Duncan said as he took the envelope and started to open it… until his eyes went wide open and stared at the paper check on it… "Aaaaaand she's my favourite now."
"WHAT?!" Courtney stared in disbelief as she took the envelope from the grips of her boyfriend. "I can't believe you are so superficial like that. How was a paycheck able to buy you?"
Until she saw the value of half a million dollars, and she had her eyes wide open in surprise… It was just easy like that.
The others looked at them in surprise, and Courtney didn't even know what to say…
"If you don't mind." Then Dawn's voice clearly made the hosts snap their thoughts as they stared at the petite girl who looked sheepish and yet serene… "Mother Nature told me she was the same girl who gave me the treehouse when I needed somewhere to stay… And I believe in the universal Karma. And I must pay for her kindness."
"Do you know her?" Sky asked in curiosity as the blonde girl shook her head. "But you s-"
"I didn't meet her personally, but I think Mother Nature let the courses of fate guide our paths in such a way, and I am grateful for having a place to stay, which led to the events of how we met each other…" Dawn commented as Duncan and Courtney stared at her in disbelief. "Maybe giving her a chance wouldn't be a bad idea."
"Okay, as much as I find this weird, I think the letter itself is very appealing." Duncan commented as he looked at Dawn with his arms crossed. "Are you sure you want to vouch for her in such a situation?"
"I can read her aura to see if her feelings are genuine from what Mother Nature told me, or in case you wanted to scare her like you're thinking right now, I can do the voodoo hippie stuff to scare her away." Dawn said as she raised her eyebrow, which Duncan responded to by showing her the middle finger.
"Really? Voodoo hippie stuff?" Courtney asked in amusement as she saw her boyfriend scoffing.
"I'm sure at least one of us from our group now has voodoo." Duncan said as Junior, Ennui, Dawn, and Sky nodded their heads.
"Crimson," the group said in unison as they stared at the goth girl still reading her book.
"I neither assume nor deny the statement." Crimson said as she continued to read her book.
"So what's going to happen now?" Junior asked as Sky nodded her head.
"I have to agree with Junior. Will you two actually accept the offer?" Sky asked as she saw her sister lyingon the floor… "Jane?"
"We have to take the deal, because this was a request of the producers, saying since the first episode got satisfying results of the ratings, they wouldn't interfere with the choices we are having at this moment; they are more likely promising it will be the only favour they will ask of us. And we can hold them for that." Jane said as she knew it would be a headache waiting to happen. Which, thankfully for Courtney and Duncan, they aren't the ones having to deal with the annoying producers.
"Okay, remind me to use part of the check to pay a bonus for Jane." Courtney whispered as she saw the adult actually having a breakdown, at which Duncan crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.
"I would have offered her a metal bat to beat the crap out of the producers, but your idea also sounds reasonable." Duncan commented as he crossed his arms with a smirk on his face. "Should we also pay the others as well?"
"I think it would be for the best. We have a contract with them, and I prefer to die than actually pull up Chris on them." Courtney said as Duncan nodded his head. Since both of them could share finely 50 thousand dollars for each of them, while they would take the remaining 200 thousand for themselves. While the producers would also use a good part of more money for the budget.
"Which now leaves us to the actual winner of the contestant… I think we should start reading the letters…" Sky commented as the bags of letters really looked way more intimidating since now each of them must carefully choose the winner to be part of Total Drama Aftermath. They probably have a few more days until they decide the winner…
"Well, I finished my homework. I will be watching the pay-per-view, since today it's the new episode…" Junior said as Courtney and Duncan paused, in the same way as everyone who was in the suite planning about the new member of their show.
"Today is the new challenge day. Maybe we should check the letters when there is something boring happening." Duncan suggested as he quickly sat nearby Junior, who deserved a good rest from doing annoying studies with one of the hosts.
"I just finished reading my book…" Crimson said as she stared at Ennui, who was sitting nearby Junior and staring at the television. "You all are going to watch the pay-per-view instead of watching the edited episode?"
"Yep." Junior said as he sat nearby as he looked at a few bunches of letters. "Do you guys want some help?"
"Not at all, Junior; since you are still a child, I kind of doubt you will actually want to read all the crap letters of people trying to impress us. It will get boring soon, but hey, if I find something worth some laughs, I will share." Duncan said as he grabbed a few, as he then looked at the television screen. "Hey, can you raise up the volume of the TV?"
While Courtney and Sky stared at the situation in complete disbelief, Jane was still recovering from the stressful time dealing with the surprising request of the producers. While Ennui and Crimson don't seem to care about those events.
While Dawn… She couldn't help but stare at the letter she saw in Courtney's hands, belonging to Dakota, and then from one pile, there was another letter, clearly giving some good vibrations and a good feeling that she knew Mother Nature was hinting it would be a good opportunity for someone…
It would be a secret; she would wait until the right time and ask Courtney and Duncan's opinion about it… But now, she was curious about what the episode would be about… What would be…
"Alien Invasion Genre." Chef Hatchet came to explain the new genre challenge aimed at the duo. Which this time Izzy was the one trying to attack Ezekiel with a version of the fence stance, while Ezekiel parried a wood sword. Which made both of them pause. "What the hell are you both doing?"
"Practicing for MVPA points when it comes to the animation genre." Ezekiel explained as Chef stared at them both in surprise. "You never know if it can happen, so I was aiming to make one of the most awesome combat scenes I had in mind for so long. It's about two half-siblings who were children of a god who became a king, and both children had different destinies that would face gods and save their king in different kingdoms and circumstances. And for that we would clash a few times."
"..." Chef Hatchet blinked as he then stared at Izzy, who smiled in kind.
"When he said the female half-sister would have her own badass moments, I was all for it. While I just have to shout a few words and do some jumps and use some steel threads as we pretend it's silk." Izzy said as much; she learned from Ezekiel that it belongs to a game from the future. She was now very interested in how they would train in such techniques and be able to drive people crazy from their techniques.
"Okay, I think I heard a lot of crazy ideas from you both. You two should stop training for now and focus on the genre of today…" Chef said as both stopped what they were doing. Even though Ezekiel hadn't released his weights yet, he was slowly developing more and more with time. And Chef could see the boy getting into more of a shape. While the others may see him in his shirts and jacket, Chef saw the boy progressing in the training day and night, and as much as the bodybuilder brat was crazy, she was right; the boy was slowly getting stronger to the point Chef felt his punches hit like a train. And he would be stupid to have to spar against him again. "And as you can see, your team just lost on the last challenge, but somehow I got a bad feeling they are starting to get suspicious of us…"
"Oh no, so that means we need to approach our next move carefully." Izzy usually would joke around, but since they were part of the alliance with Chef, any suspicion they would get was bad news.
"Probably it was since your team won too many challenges before, and I'm not talking about the Monster Crash and the Zombie Genre challenge; I mean, since Izzy's acting and the Noir Challenge, your team got 2 victories in a row, which is not always a good sign. Thankfully, the prison genre challenge and that bunch of weirdo crazy guys managed to eliminate one of your own by luck." Chef explained as he showed the fact as Izzy and Ezekiel nodded their heads. There was a pattern happening.
"We need to find a way to make sure to change the pattern." Ezekiel understood the reasoning behind Chef's worries. Since Killer Grips are gathering a lot of victories, the last defeat was a victory by luck done by the Screaming Gophers, and Cody was the one who lost by luck… which means they need to make sure to do something different and unexpected.
"Well, I have a plan." Izzy said as she showed a good smile, at which both Ezekiel and Chef raised their eyebrows…
And with that, the plan was in motion.
"Last time in Total Drama Action, things got way beyond out of control, since new guests appeared to cause the huge chaos around the show." Chris made the introduction as a few members of Jackass appeared as a flashback, revealing the funniest moments revealed on the show. "Mixing Jackass and prison-themed movies proved that it was an impossible and crazy combination. People cursed, vomited, screamed in pain, and some even went to the hospital… But the legendary moments belonging to Killer Grips were outshined by Owen and his ability to drink whatever disgusting thing was in front of him. But still at the end of the race, Killer Grips had to eliminate one of the boys, and by using Jackass style, Cody was the unfortunate one who got a tennis ball on his kiwis… And with that, nobody knows what happened to him to be so happy on his departure, but I know something awful happened to my trailer. 10 interns had to clean up everything on there. I don't know what it is, but someone is going to pay for that when I find out."
"CHRIS, CAN YOU CONTINUE THE SHOW?" Chef's voice appeared in the background, which made the host snap from his thoughts.
"Right, today we are going to have something special ready for them… Who's going to win? Who's going to lose? Let's find out on this new amazing episode of TOTAL DRAMA ACTION!"
(Arts and Crafts Tent)
As the morning once again happened, the group sitting on their respective seats and having their routine once again made it usual as people got used to that. Lindsay once saidit was kind of hard for her to get used to waking up without saying good morning to Beth and Heather when she was at home. But now the group were once again sleeping like they always would, especially since they always had their new routine of mostly waking up between 5 and 6 a.m. every morning. Chris clearly showed how annoying it was; they just developed their routine.
But not without some sacrifices, usually for Heather, Lindsay, and even Beth, who sometimes wanted to follow their example. They would just do whatever they needed to do on the day of the challenge, and they would wake up, eat, and then have a beauty sleep after that, and then resume their days for the rest of the day.
But still, 2 days off and 1 day of challenge—it's kind of developing anxiety towards some contestants. But each of them finds their own way to cope with their stress.
And as much as Noah hates to admit, his time working, reading, and fixing the grammar mistakes really takes all the boring parts of his afternoon. Even as he passed the time dealing and having a friendship with Owen, still it got to be a bit too much sometimes, and since he had already read all the books he brought with him… His work really had been a good way for him to leave the stress behind while he just read the draft and then fixed the grammar and punctuation.
The cons are… His friend and boss Ezekiel is a freaking workaholic… the pros… It's that he always had something new to read… He swears he had no idea how Ezekiel managed to create a chapter faster and faster… Usually he passed weeks to write something solid… But now? It feels like he's managing to write a chapter in a day. Which was terrifying. But also he won't get bored…
Which leads to the situation he was in…
"So okay, I understand, Ben, it's a child, but what's his obsession with these cards named the Zodiac Saints?" Noah commented as he realized that during a few chapters, which was something in regard to Ben being a total fanboy of it. "I saw it in a pattern in the way you described how Ben was trying to get the collection of bronze, silver, and golden cards of the said saints. And knowing you, it's something you are planning to add in the future."
"Yep…" Ezekiel said, "While Noah was doing the review on chapter 6 of Ben 10…" While on his hand he was doing some craft with 2 pairs of hollow wood balls, a sack of beans, glue, and 2 cords… "I'm still annoyed you and Izzy managed to convince me to make 2 books of each generation I planned to do with them. Which means I'm going to need to fulfill a lot of information, so I decided to add something I have been creating, and I'm so proud of adding it to the book."
"It doesn't need to be smart to realize you are adding the zodiac signs on it, but I'm actually surprised Granpa Max is more encouraging Ben to actually learn more about the zodiacs because of that." Noah commented as he saw Ezekiel smirking like a cat who ate the canary.
"Grandpa Max needed to find a way to pass the time with his grandkids, and while being an alien and saving the world was good for Ben while travelling through the United States. It's a good thing Max actually has something he could talk with Ben about when it comes to the Zodiac." Ezekiel explained as Noah raised his eyebrow at him. "Ben is the proudest Capricorn boy you could ever see…"
"What's so good when it comes to Capricorn?" Noah scoffed as soon as he saw Sadie sitting nearby.
"Did someone say Capricorn? Katie is a Capricorn, which I think totally fits her style. Since she's practical and has a lot to work for when she is ambitious." Sadie said as Ezekiel gave a smug look to Noah, who just groaned.
"I should have known…" Noah said in frustration… until Ezekiel, who was doing his crafting, took a sketchbook nearby his seat. And gave to Noah, opened on the page he wanted the bookworm to see… Noah raised his eyebrow until he could see a drawing of a spiked black-haired man wearing armour that was coloured like it was pure gold. With the marked name on the top. "El Cid, the Golden Saint of Capricorn."
"And the reason for why Ben always wanted to be a hero." Ezekiel said as Noah looked at his friend in disbelief. "In the future you will understand why, anyway, Sadie. How's Katie?"
Sadie hesitated as she gave a small smile.
"She had been holding up just fine; I saw her sighing a few times since Cody just left, but she's holding up a lot better than most of us expected." Sadie explained that as many would try to ask what Katie had done with her boyfriend while they were alone, Katie would simply giggle and just dismiss their question. But seeing her trying to cheer up for a while is a good thing. "I wish I could be in the Killer Grips to give more support during the challenges. But I cannot do that."
"Just being her best friend when the challenge is over is the best you can do, Sadie; no need to stress about it… You must focus on staying on the show as long as you can." Ezekiel instructed as he saw Trent, Harold, and Justin coming to sit nearby them. That was kind of odd.
"I know that it may be a bit too crazy, but I just want to ask if you guys like the idea." Trent suggested, as Justin and Harold looked at each other…
"Look, Trent, I know you are a great guy and a good friend. While I can have a nice voice to sing a little. I don't know how to play an instrument." Justin refused as he simply smiled and made a motion with his body. "I am an eye-candy, and I wish I could be an ear-candy as well, but it would take years and a lot of effort to sing songs and practice to actually make it work. And as much as I hate to admit it. I have to know my limits, so I'm not a good actor."
"Not a good actor" would be a compliment. Noah said rhetorically, "Which way did he go down?" when Sadie gave a small slap on his side. While she still couldn't control her strength.
"Oops, sorry Noah." Sadie said as she wanted to give a small slap for him to not talk like that in front of Justin, but she exaggerated.
"Sometimes I ask the universe why they let Eva train you… but I prefer to not, because I may not like the answer." Noah said, as Justin couldn't help but chuckle.
"Still, I appreciate the support, Sadie." The tan model smiled as Sadie giggled from the reaction, and Ezekiel could swear he was seeing them both slowly getting out of their shells and passing their time together… But then Justin decided to continue. "But yeah, I'm not an actor. I'm more of a model…"
"I have to agree with him, Trent. As much as we started to have some good friendships around. And you liked my beatbox. I'm more thinking of trying to develop something on my own." Harold also refused the offer, which made Ezekiel, Noah, and even Sadie look at them curiously. "Courtney suggested I keep my mind open for opportunities, so I won't refuse completely; I just want to find out if I have more ideas on what I could be doing in my future."
"I understand. But thank you guys for listening to me. It was worth a shot." Trent said he couldn't blame the duo, since he also planned on thinking about what to do in the future.
"What was that all about?" Which surprised everyone into seeing Katie, Gwen, and Owen deciding to sit with the group, which once was 2 different teams being separated but now looked like the group was more reunited just to see how things were going.
"I was asking the guys if they were interested in doing a boy-band group when the season was over." Trent asked as he noticed the stares of the group on him. "Yeah, I know, but we kinda needed to think about our future when the season was over. So I wanted to see if the guys wanted to try that."
"Well, you could try to be an indie singer and soloist." Gwen suggested, as Ezekiel shrugged, while he nodded his head in agreement. "I mean, you have talent, but I don't think the others would be thinking of the same idea as you."
"Harsh, but true." Trent said he was glad Gwen once again started to talk to him; while things weren't the same as they were in the last season, she was at least on more amiable terms with him, since now they were more acquaintances and possibly friends, as long as he leaves his stupid mistakes behind and focuses on the future. "But yeah, I was thinking of trying solo, but I thought I'd have more people and see if working together would be nice."
"Fair enough," Harold nodded his head as Owen was enjoying the good breakfast Chef Hatchet was giving to everyone. "Katie, how are you?"
"I'm doing fine." Katie said weakly, as she gave a small smile. "I still miss him, but I'm sure he's going to be fine."
"Well, it was an awful way of elimination; it happened on the last challenge, but I'm sure Duncan is envious that we were able to meet the Jackass crew a few days ago." Ezekiel, who was still crafting something, joked as the group of girls giggled at his honest remark.
"I'm sure even my brother is shouting in disbelief at seeing the episode and everything we went through." Gwen smiled as she could see her brother Cody already complaining to everyone about how unfair life was. Which once again she saw Noah writing down the notes of the other chapter, and once again frustration appeared on her face. "Still writing chapters without a break, Ezekiel?
"You aren't seeing me with a book or a laptop right now, Gwen." Ezekiel remarked as he was deeply concentrated on his craft.
"What are you making on there, little Zeek?" Owen tilted his head as he saw Ezekiel placing tiny raw beans inside of a few hollow wooden balls. Then Trent turned his head and saw something very familiar on it.
"Wait, are you crafting a Kashaka?" Trent asked as Ezekiel nodded his head… But then the duo looked at everyone staring at them.
"Kashaka?" Gwen, Owen, Justin, Katie, and Sadie asked at the same time.
"It's an instrument." Noah answered as Harold nodded his head.
"An African instrument used to make…" Harold, who was about to give the long explanation, got himself to pause… as he could see the group staring at him. "It's a percussion instrument."
"Oh." And with that, the people who didn't have deep knowledge of music could understand so easily what it was…
"I didn't know you could craft that?" Trent commented in surprise, as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"It's an easy instrument to do it. I kind of need to find something to go well in case I want to sing and don't use the harmonica." Ezekiel explained, as he could see Trent's face and Harold's face looking at him in surprise. "What?"
"Never mind." The duo said as Ezekiel simply rolled his eyes and continued on his craft.
"But hey, if you want to learn about music, I can give some points on how to play some instruments. I brought my guitar, and Harold has his keyboard. We can help you to play a few chords and help you out." Trent offered, as it would be a good way to pass the time and have more things to talk about with his teammates and develop a better friendship. Since he felt it was the right thing to do since Cody wasn't there, and he kind of wanted to have more people to talk to and chill with.
"Well, thank yo-" Ezekiel was about to refuse since he had already hired someone to be his musician on the books he was developing when suddenly a hand covered his mouth immediately, which made him stare at Gwen, who immediately smiled.
"He would love it." Gwen said as she ignored the glares the homeschooled boy gave to her. "The more hobbies he has, the better it would be for him to ignore his writing for a while. I- EWWWWWW."
Gwen shuddered as she looked at the saliva on the palm of her hand.
"You didn't give me a choice, Gwen," Ezekiel said as he wanted to refuse, but again Gwen, with stubbornness, placed the same hand again to cover his mouth… "Thhmh igchhh mooooh."
"Call whatever you want, Zeke, but it's for your own good." Gwen said as Ezekiel crossed his arms, which Harold snickered at, while Trent looked at Justin, who shrugged. Owen also looked nervous. "Don't worry, it's an internal joke from all of our group of friends."
*WHOPISH*
Harold did the whipsound, which Katie, Sadie, and Gwen chuckled at, while Noah snickered, but then he saw Ezekiel's glare at him, which promised payback… And Noah never liked when Ezekiel showed that look. Which means it would be more work for him.
Harold, on the other hand, could laugh, since Ezekiel wouldn't catch him… right?
And Ezekiel was making a list of what would be the best revenge he would give to his best friends…
.
.
.
"Oh, it's this one about the boy who can transform himself into an alien and use that to be a superhero," Sadie pointed out as she recalled the day when Ezekiel created the first chapter, as Katie could see Ezekiel wearing the same jacket she made for him while showing the same palette of colours of the young boy who grew up from the arts he gave to her.
"Yep, Ben 10, it's going to be a long ride for this book, since it will be a total of 6 books I was planning to make. 2 books of Ben being a kid. 2 books of him being a teenager and 2 books of him being an adult." Ezekiel gave the explanation of how he had in mind the whole chronology when it came to the young hero. While he avoided the idea of creating Omniverse since he dismissed it as canon, and deep inside of his heart, it ended with Ultimate Alien or even jumping on the idea of going straight to Ben 10,000's new adventures. It wasn't too hard to imagine a good epilogue for the hero after he finishes the best generations of the youngest hero.
"I'm surprised at how you managed to make so many different ideas into different books. You already did 3 books, which would be successful, and yet you came to write even more?" Gwen still looked in disbelief, but she couldn't deny the art she had in her hands. "And I have to confess this art looks like a Japanese art style, while you are combining it with the 12 zodiac signs, which is beyond everything I've ever seen, and I'm curious about what you planned for Taurus."
"I thought your birthday was at Halloween since we celebrated at your home?" Harold asked, as he could see Trent also raising his eyebrows, as he didn't know she had a birthday before the new season of Total Drama Action.
"Well, I was born in May, but since my grandma always celebrated her birthday on Halloween, I took that as tradition since we both would have the same birthday party on the same day of the year." Gwen said as she then looked in surprise at another art piece done by Ezekiel. This one was a bulked and matured man with long white hair, and the armour made of gold clearly showed that strength was without doubt his biggest strength. "Taurus Rasgado, the first Aldebaran."
"Aldebaran?" Justin asked in curiosity, since he was also from Taurus, and since it was his sign, he could see the art done. "Wow, not going to lie, I loved his long white hair; I don't know about the unibrow though."
"Thanks." Ezekiel accepted the compliment. Which he decided to explain what it was about. "Aldebaran is the brightest star of the Taurus constellation. Which means the strongest of its constellation, and when it comes to the strongest part of the bull, you know it's about the raw physical strength, which means the most agile in speed and the strongest punch comes from him."
"Let me see…" Harold gave a look and couldn't help but whistle as he saw the manly face of the saint of Taurus and showed how important it was to his mighty attack. "This looks like the art style of anime or manga. I have to say, this has great potential."
"Yep. And it's an internal lore inside of Ben 10, since Ben Tennyson really loved that show, and he learned a lot about constellations and stars because of it and had a very important value on how much he was proud of his zodiac hero." Ezekiel once commented, as he could see the group was more curious and yet interested to know what more could be shared… "So, who wants to see what I have in mind when it comes to your sign?"
Seeing Noah, Owen, Katie, Sadie, and Harold raising their hands, he smiled as he decided to show the drawings he did of the golden saints from Lost Canvas, an anime that had a lot of impact on him as a child, combined with Saint Seiya. But focusing more on Lost Canvas, since it had a well-elaborated story until the final arc, where he could leave it open, just because it's more focused on the Ben 10 universe, and he had some interesting ideas on what to do.
And he was glad to see his friends admiring and having theories on why he was making this some sort of big deal for Ben 10… Little did they know it was essential for Benjamin Tennyson's development as not only a boy but also a hero as well.
.
"Well, I will go to the bathroom, and I will be on my way; nature calls." Owen, who was happy to listen to the group talking, suddenly felt tremors inside of his stomach as he quickly got up and started going in the direction of the next toilet as quickly as possible…
Then, in the next minute, Harold sighed in disgust.
"This is the last time, this is the last time, this is the last time." Harold said as a mantra to himself while he took from his pocket a pair of rubber gloves and looked at the group staring at him. "I will be back in a few minutes. Or half an hour in case Owen takes too long."
Justin and Trent blinked a few times, while Gwen, Katie, and Sadie flinched.
"Good luck, and don't forget the mask this time." Noah sarcastically commented as he was aware of what Harold was about to do.
"And don't forget to wash your hands when you do that." Ezekiel said as well, and Harold grudgingly walked away from the group. As Trent and Justin looked at the group around them. "Man, I have to confess, Harold really loves his cousin to torture himself to do all this insanity."
"Is Harold still angry with Beth after what she did on the I Triple Dog Dare You challenge?" Katie asked unsure, while Ezekiel, Sadie, and Gwen had no idea what to say. Since it was clear Beth had been avoiding Harold a few times, and with good reason. Harold was pissed when all the efforts he made on the last season were wasted when Beth gave the dare of Owen eating the science project from his cousin.
"Is there something we should be aware of?" Justin asked as Sadie made a motion that he doesn't want to know. "Okay…"
"What do you guys think will be the next challenge?" Trent asked as he looked at both Gwen and Katie, who simply shrugged at his question. "I hope we get some horror movie genre."
"Huh. I never thought you were the type who likes horror." Gwen raises her eyebrows as she notices Ezekiel, who was also finishing the final touches of his 'instrument,' as Trent explained. "Talking about horror, how's Courage the Cowardly Dog? Bridgette said you created a lead female for Courage."
"Females actually." Ezekiel commented as it made the whole group pause. "I'm still trying to figure out who's going to be the main girl who he will be with in the end, but I'm sure each of the female cast will be horrifying and yet wholesome in the way I have in mind."
"Also, from what I remember, you didn't release the chapters where Chris told us about the Wake-a-thon," Katie pointed out, to which Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Some chapters I left as a draft because I wanted to add more details in the future. Chris really helped me when making the references on the challenges, one in Wake-a-thon and the other at Brunch of Disgustingness," Ezekiel commented as everyone had their eyes wide open. "The Boiled Broccoli sequence of three was what I wrote in one of the chapters, and I have a better image of how awful it was… it will help me to rewrite the scene with more details."
"See? I told you guys broccoli was evil." Trent commented, horrified, as he proved his point as Ezekiel simply shrugged.
"Depends on the tastes of the villain, anyway. I'm into focusing more on adding a lot of feelings, and my focus is on making people break down and cry like a baby." Ezekiel said proudly and with a good smile on his face, which clearly made the whole group around him stare at him.
"Of course you would. Since the last chapter of Adventure Time, I'm sure you have a glass to drink the tears of all your readers." Noah scoffed as he continued to check the draft. "You made my goth sister release tears from reading the past of the Ice King."
"You have a goth sister?" Gwen, Trent, and even Owen, who just got back from his time in the bathroom, asked in unison.
Noah simply groaned and glared at Ezekiel, who just whistled.
"Wow, making a goth cry reading a book? Then I did a pretty good job then. But yeah, I like writing wholesome stories, but sad stories about characters? That's where I love to see how many people take them to their heart and live with their experiences with them. Finita La Comedia." Ezekiel said as Katie and Sadie looked at each other… unsure if they were really interested in reading Ezekiel's book. "With a whole lot of happy tears as well."
And just like that, the girls are convinced.
"Wow…" Owen said as Trent nodded his head. "I'm usually not into books, but little Zeek makes it look easy."
"HA!" Noah laughs in disbelief. Surprising the group. "He's a monster or a machine, because he doesn't know when to stop."
"Noah…" Ezekiel simply rolled his eyes as even he felt his eyes twitching. "How much do you want to be quiet and focus on your work?"
"10 thousand, and I won't say anything until I get done." Noah didn't even think twice, as even Sadie, who was starting to drink orange juice, suddenly spat, which thankfully landed in the spot where Harold would be.
"You know what? I'm not even sure why I even asked that." Ezekiel rolled his eyes and continued to look at his friends. "Well, about the genre movies challenge. I think medieval, fantasy world, or even animation; I have an advantage."
"Of course you would. You practically do mock training with wooden swords or even use plastic knives to practice combat. And let's not forget you are a writer who also does art drawings all the time. Which I bet you can bring from your crazy box of mind all the ideas that will help your team to win the challenge." The bookworm wouldn't even negate, since Trent nodded his head.
"Yeah, you kind of came with the whole package, and if that were possible, I think on musicals I could also give some help." Trent said as the group simply looked at the boy. "What?"
"Nothing." The group dismissed.
"Well, anything that has food on it. I will be sure to eat it… as long as it isn't something dangerous like your creations, Zeke," Owen said nervously as even Noah, Trent, and Sadie paled from remembering the last time Ezekiel created something so horrifying.
"Don't even bring that up." Noah quickly shushed Owen by placing both his hands over his mouth, as Ezekiel simply looked at them as he tilted his head. "You are a sadist, and you promised me you wouldn't tell what was on television, since I don't want my sister to find out."
"Fair enough." Ezekiel shrugged, as he could see Sadie looking fearful at him. "In the prank war everything is fair."
"How can you have so many crazy ideas that would lead to potential cruelty and call that pranks?" Trent said as he looked at Katie; Gwen and Owen knew it was best to not ask about it.
"If you think that was bad… I was proclaimed the King of Pranks for a reason… there was one legendary prank that was rumoured on the farms around the community I lived in, a prank so cruel, so sadistic, even your friends who just heard about it would pale in fear from hearing how it was done… Nobody knew how the corncob prank was done, and it was an urban legend over the communities around farms nearby my home…" Ezekiel explained, as he could see Gwen, Trent, Owen, Noah, Sadie, and even Harold, who just returned from taking Owen's sample, looked at Ezekiel like they had seen a ghost, and they couldn't help but be relieved that awful prank wasn't discovered… "Until I found out…"
And then panic returned tenfold.
"Be grateful I wasn't that cruel, Noah. Because I swear to everything, the corncob prank is something that even terrifies me. I wouldn't wish it even on my worst enemies." Ezekiel said, as the group gulped, knowing Ezekiel wasn't kidding. As it sounded like something that nobody wanted to even understand how Ezekiel found out. "So yeah, I think I earned my title as King of Pranks."
"Ezekiel," Owen said as he looked at the boy trembling. "I am afraid of you. No offence."
"Well, Owen, don't worry, I'm your friend." Ezekiel said with a smile, as he even got up and gave a few taps on his back. "And you're awesome, so don't worry about me pranking you. But saying you are afraid of me is also wise; always be wary of the unexpected people, the wildcards. You never know how we can get you off guard. Take Harold, for example."
"And now you want to deflect the attention to me?" Harold asked in disbelief, as Gwen couldn't help but shrug.
"He's not wrong. When I first saw you, Harold, no offence, but you looked very creepy," Gwen went for brutal honesty on the nerd ginger, who simply shrugged.
"None taken. I heard worse." Harold said as the group returned to their activities.
.
.
After an hour, everyone from the cast went to have their morning breakfast; Izzy, Heather, Beth, and Lindsay sat together from the group who were nearby Ezekiel. Izzy gave a smile and a hidden thumbs up, which Ezekiel smiled wide at, since there was something he asked Izzy to do. Something that would be amazing.
"You know… I didn't know you have grey eyes." Then Ezekiel was surprised to hear Justin being the one commenting. The group stared at him. "I thought hazel or amber would look way more stylish on your clothing colour palette."
"Oh, oh, I can see that." Lindsay said as she looked on, "How would it fit with the amber or hazel colour? It would fit with the green jacket." "Or maybe green eyes would also look nice. Or in case you have contact lenses, you can add yellow, purple, or even pink; it would be nice to use that as a combination of your colours."
"Yeah, I can see that." Justin smiled as Ezekiel saw Justin staring at him weirdly but recalled he wasn't the first person who said that… and coincidentally, a similar person with another soul. Coincidence? Maybe or maybe not.
"Yeah… I was thinking about maybe buying colourful contact lenses to make it more awesome in some MVPA scenes I planned to do around here." Ezekiel commented as he saw the group of his friends staring at him in surprise but also in disbelief.
But before anyone could even retort to that…
Chris walked into the craft services tent wearing a pair of sunglasses along with a red beret and matching ascot, and in his hand was a green backpack.
"Good morning, everyone!" Chris announced as he pulled out a movie clipper. "And welcome to another day of Total. Drama. Action!" Chris snapped the clipper at the end.
"Didn't you do that when the Zombie genre challenge happened?" Heather raised her eyebrows as Chris smirked at her.
"Yes," Chris nodded without hesitation. "Yes, I did."
"Fair enough," Heather shrugged, as she wasn't surprised to see Chris using the same material as before. "So are we going to use the same genre twice?"
"Not at all." Chris chuckled as he gave a look to everyone. "Today's movie genre…Aliens!" Chris immediately revealed the genre for today, causing quite a few of the contestants to get excited; it looks like Aliens was a popular genre for some people. "Our unpaid interns have been hard at work finding out what makes a good alien movie successful. Chef?"
Chef who was now making his own breakfast and seeing for the first time a purple drink inside of a bottle with writing on it. 'Rainbow Pegasus Juice Mix,' which the military man stared at as he remembered what usually came from the most usual cliches.
"You got three basic things," Chef listed off with a disinterested tone as he walked nearby to one of the tables and got ready to eat his breakfast. "Aliens want to take over the earth and start making lots of baby aliens. People fight back. Then the military's called in."
"Today's challenge: find an alien egg and return it to home base before Mama Alien finds you! The first person of the team who manages to bring the egg safe to the safe point wins the challenge." Chris continued as he could see a few contestants excited, while some looked even disappointed.
"Really? From all the ideal ideas for the alien genre, you literally took 'The Alien' from the literal movie?" Ezekiel commented as Chris smirked at him.
"Well, it's a classic; what would be a better idea than that?" Chris asked, which made Ezekiel decide to show his cinephilic side once again.
"MIB, Predator, The thing… to be honest, I suggested the video game idea for Cody based on the Thing movie, and it would have been a way more awesome challenge if it was 10 people." Ezekiel commented as Chris blinked a few times, and everyone who knew about what he was talking about remembered the conversation.
"Ohhhh," said the former Killer Bass members, as Chris had no freaking idea what they were talking about.
"Well. I like horror movies, but I'm not an expert on the Alien genre." Trent was honest, as he saw Ezekiel clearly knowing a lot of movies, and indeed he showed that he knows.
"...Maybe I should have added more interns and made them watch even more movies." Chris commented in frustration.
"Chris, get the chopper." Ezekiel said as he gave the quote from Predator, and seeing Ezekiel being a cinephile like him made Chris smirk.
"Dillan, you son of a *beep*," Chris commented, as he was satisfied to see people eager to participate. "I'm so glad you knew the quotes of the best movies of the alien genre."
"I'm going to blend up those no-good aliens and have them for breakfast!" Gwen quoted, speaking in a deep voice, which surprised Chris.
"Alien chunks? Gwen, I see great potential in you." Chris complimented her as Gwen smirked into talking about her favourite movie.
"Meh. 7/10" Then, like a vinyl scratch, Ezekiel made Gwen and Chris pause, and they stared at Ezekiel like he had lost his mind.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 7 OF 10? IT'S THE BEST CANADIAN ALIEN MOVIE EVER!" Chris and Gwen shouted in disbelief, as Ezekiel simply gave a comment…
"I am a farmer boy." Ezekiel simply said that, and at that moment, both Gwen and Chris realized what he meant and flinched… Because as much as that movie was great, there was only one cliché that, of course, Ezekiel wouldn't like. "Yeah… the movie is great. But the way they portrayed the cliche of farmers as the bunch of idiots who had their cows abducted, and when they think we are the first test subjects of aliens… yeaaaaahhhh, it really makes me not add it to my favourite list."
"THANK YOU." Beth shouted, as she herself hated that movie. "I got mocked a few times because of the scene where the farm girl had to dress herself as a pig to make her not be abducted, and they still did it… Yeah, it will never be on my favourite movie list."
"Errr…" Gwen realized that she may have opened a can of worms, but then Ezekiel simply rolled his eyes.
"Hey, it's fine that you love that movie and it's your favourite. It's a great movie, but some scenes really annoy me, but still some scenes are nice." Ezekiel was honest since it was the first time he realized that some movies made in the Total Drama Universe, also in 6teen, were all Canadian movies, which makes sense since other countries of the world may have never heard about them before. "How many times have you watched that movie? 15 times?"
"27 times…" Gwen commented as she looked away, but then she was surprised to see Ezekiel giving a thumbs up.
"Nice, it means it's really your favourite." Ezekiel said as he respected her choice of movie.
"Duuuuude, I watched that movie 15 times." Jude raised his hand to give a high five to the goth girl, and she happily did it.
Confession – Gwen
"I love the scene in Alien Chunks where they turn the aliens into fruity blended drinks." Gwen took her fangirling to the confessional as she reached into her shirt and revealed a necklace that had a little charm of a blender attached to it. "I even have the necklace."
"Yo Chris," DJ spoke up as he raised his hand as he was trying to guess what probably would be the challenge. "You got some laser-shooting monster playing Mama Alien?"
"Not quite," Chris smirked before pointing towards the kitchen area. Walking back into the room were both MacArthur and Sanders… Both are wearing a green, blue, and pink combination in their alien costumes. And their expressions told everyone how they felt about wearing it. "You call that slime? Make-up! More slime over here!"
Immediately a bucket of slime was dumped onto their heads.
"I hate my life…" Sanders said as MacArthur simply rolled her eyes.
"You call that slime? Just because it's green? It should have been way more disgusting than that. And I asked for acid, but nobody wants to help us." MacArthur complained, as Chris simply shrugged.
"Sorry, but the medical interns said acid would be too dangerous, and they aren't trained to deal with acid until 2 weeks," Chris said, and for the first time, the contestants were actually glad they had medical orientations, and that was great enough for them to participate without being that much hurt.
"I'm so glad that wasn't me." Chef Hatchet commented as he calmly gave another look at the purple drink he had since the young farm boy used his kitchen, and with a single shrug, he took a sip… But then he started to drink more and more and more… until in the end the bottle was empty…
And his eyes slowly went wide open as his pupils dilated… colourful, he saw the air around him as he felt his own head flying to the sky by having a turbo made of rainbows making him go to space until he saw many air jets following him. It was pure awesome adrenaline, as everything was colourful, all the happiness in the world. Just for the next second his entire head went down on the treasure of purple liquid…
He found the inner peace and the great happiness…
.
.
.
"Is Chef alright?" Beth asked Izzy, who suddenly saw Chef staring at nothing; for the next minute, he was tripping into something way beyond their comprehension.
"Yep, he's fine." Izzy said, while she isn't too sure. She recalled when Ezekiel said he created that drink for Chef, knowing he would probably love the drink he just made. But to see Chef actually staring at nothing like that? It means it was something really, really good. "I don't know what he had, but I kind of want some for me. I will ask Ezekiel to make some for me."
"Wait, Ezekiel was the one who did that to him?" Heather asked as she stared at Chef who's face got a bigger smile. "Okay, I don't even want to know what he did to make that happen."
"Now then, here are your GPS devices, complete with maps of the film lot." Chris then opened the backpack he had and tossed a few GPSs to some of the teens. "Find the alien eggs. But be careful—because today you're all on the cadets' menu."
"Hehehehe…" MacArthur smirked evilly as Sanders facepalmed.
"Why did I have to sign the contract?" She asked herself a rhetorical question that many contestants may have done since season 1.
Confession - Ezekiel
"I asked Chris to give me a few minutes to go to the bathroom before we start the challenge. Since he didn't have an idea of what I have been planning for so long…" Ezekiel commented as he took out his green jacket, and to the surprise of everyone, he even took out his shirt, but from the corner, he started to grab different clothing from the makeup confession booth. "There's something the interns may not realize in some important movies and books about aliens… There's only one way to keep strong and powerful aliens in check…"
And by wearing a bow tie and a fez… Ezekiel smiled at the camera.
"By bringing an even stronger alien against them." Ezekiel said it was a great way to make the challenge more interesting as he smirked. "This is going to be fun for everyone."
And so all the contestants followed their GPS to a set that didn't look too out of place for an alien movie. Metal everywhere, pipes lining up the walls, narrow hallways, everyone's footsteps echoing throughout. It created a rather tense atmosphere for all the teens.
"Oh! Oh! Everyone should follow me! I know so much about aliens!" Izzy bragged as she pointed to her neck. "I've been abducted loads of times! The aliens even put a tracking device in my neck!"
"Does it hurt?" Harold asked as he looked down Izzy's neck to find the tracking device she spoke about.
"Only when I hiccup," Izzy stated before letting out a quick hiccup, causing a shocking sound to come from her. "Ow!"
"Well, you can lead the way, but first off… I have a question… what the hell are you wearing?" Heather commented as she pointed at Ezekiel, who, to the surprise of everyone, did something that nobody expected, not even Izzy, who also got her mouth wide open in shock when he first appeared.
Ezekiel was wearing a Victorian-style frock coat with a tweed waistcoat, a red bow tie, a shirt, high-waisted trousers, and a fez on his head.
"I have to say, I loved the combination." Katie gushed as she saw Ezekiel wearing a completely different style of clothing that nobody had thought of before.
"It's for the alien-genre theme." Ezekiel said as he touched his bow tie. And he knew who was the right person to appear in that kind of challenge.
"Yeah, I kind of understand that. But a bow tie and what is that hat?" Bridgette couldn't help but ask, to which Ezekiel simply smirked.
"It's a fez. Bow ties and fezzes are cool." Ezekiel did his best 11th doctor impression with a British accent, since nobody knew about his existence yet. So that means he could use that to gain a lot of MVPA points with the Whoovians, so that's why he was making a great impression.
"Hmmm… you should lower your tone more and make it more soft and yet deep." Lindsay already guessed Ezekiel was talking British, but she helped him to fix his British accent. "But I have to admit, it's a great combination. Now I kind of wanted to see if you can try a few more combinations with it."
"Thanks, Lindsay." Ezekiel thanked the young blonde, and the groups continued their challenge.
As the group of now 19 walked forward, they passed by a metal door that gave everyone goosebumps as they looked towards it.
"Ooooh, do you feel that?" Leshawna shivered, being the first one to speak up about the door. "It feels like there's something in there as cold as ice. With no soul."
.
.
.
And behind the door was none other than Chris, who was keeping an eye on everyone through a series of monitors.
"Thanks!" Chris laughed before pressing a button on the console connected to the monitors. Ready to once more make the lives of the contestants a nightmare. "Now take that!"
And in the next second steam erupted from various pipes along the way, creating a thick steam cloud no one could see through. Which Harold had to jump on the arms of his girlfriend, Leshawna, at which time Harold smiled sheepishly at her, and the ghetto girl sighed and rolled her eyes.
Confession - Leshawna
"I have already told Harold many times that I wanted to keep things going by slowing down, but it seems that always falls on deaf ears. I know he can't get over the lusciousness that is Leshawna… but I think I need to try another approach." The ghetto girl said as she looked exasperated from the situation, but then she recalled one piece of advice she got from the start of the show and one from the last episode of the first season. "Maybe I should listen and try out asking for help."
"Ezekiel?" That was the only time the boy dressed casually turned his head and saw Leshawna of all people approaching him. While she could see Harold daydreaming and talking with his friends. She needed to ask for help. "Can I lend your ear for a second?"
"Sure." Ezekiel said with a smile, as both continued their path, even with groups going in the same direction, they couldn't help but see the labouring was about to start soon. And from the way Leshawna was being discrete, he knew it was something important. "So what's it about?"
"Harold…" Leshawna then gave a comment, which the young boy paused… and she continued. "She's a great guy, I know… but sometimes he's…"
"Too much?" Ezekiel, as it was enough to make the girl stare at him in surprise. "He's rushing things, and it's making you uncomfortable, right?"
"Yeah, it is." Leshawna nodded her head. "Can you help?"
"Sure, I know Harold is a great friend, and he has a lot of qualities, and trust me, you didn't see him at his worst. Me, Duncan, and Courtney had been helping him to improve himself a lot," Ezekiel said with a good smile, which indeed made Leshawna smile from the support the boy was giving. "Leave it to me; I'm going to talk to him now…"
"Thanks." Leshawna thanked her, as she then saw Bridgette giving a thumbs up to her, which was indeed the good thing she felt she had done.
And with a strong clap. Echoed in the halls, it made everyone stop moving as they stared at Ezekiel, who took a deep breath.
"Alright Killer Bass Grips, Formation D25. Formation D25." Ezekiel commented, and at that moment, while a few members of the Killer Grips had no idea what Ezekiel had said, all the former members of Killer Bass paused.
"For real? Right now?" Harold asked as Tyler tilted his head.
"Someone needs to protect my girl; isn't that risky?" Tyler said as he pointed to Lindsay.
"We have Izzy; don't worry about us." Bridgette knew the reason why Ezekiel wanted to use that formation, and since he was the last pillar of Killer Bass, she was going to support her friend and leader until the end. And with Izzy on her team, she knew they would be fine.
"Yeah, I don't mind either." Gwen nodded her head. As she took a coin from her pocket. Flipped the coin in the air. "Choose,"
"Heads." Ezekiel said, as in the next moment, like right now, the coin landed on heads. And Ezekiel, satisfied with the results, gave a thumbs up. "Alright. Good luck, girls."
And with that, after seeing the two paths leading up and down.
"We are going up. Come on, Trent, Harold, and Tyler. Let's go!" Ezekiel started to run as Harold, Tyler, and Trent, who had no idea what was going on, started to run after him.
Which everyone of the remaining members, sans the former Killer Bass members, in confusion.
"What was that?" Heather was the first to ask, to which Gwen simply commented.
"D25 was the formation of separating both boys and girls; it's used as a way to make them the primary target to make us find the real eggs, or in case they want to have a boy-talk right now." Gwen explained, while DJ and Geoff nodded their heads.
"We would have gone with them, but we aren't on the same team anymore." Geoff commented as DJ gave a thumbs up.
"If it was Ezekiel who did that, then there must be something important to talk about." DJ said, as Leshawna blinked a few times.
Confession - Leshawna
"Damn, I didn't know that little shrimp actually could lead his team like the palm of his hand. Man, that was an up game right there." Leshawna whistled, impressed. "I hope Harold doesn't continue his stubbornness when I have the talk with him…"
As the boys went ahead, they were holding a GPS to track them in the right direction, knowing the plan was to avoid getting caught but also to be ready in case they find the eggs and quickly win the challenge.
But also there was another reason for that…
"Alright, spit it out." Tyler commented as he followed Ezekiel, and on time, not just him, but Harold and Trent also paused, and the quartet of boys got into the secret meeting. "We are right here. What's the issue for the boy's talk?"
"Boy's talk?" Trent blinked as Harold crossed his arms.
"Yeah, it usually would be Duncan who would call a meeting like that; it's the first time I saw you doing something like that. What's the issue?" Harold commented as Ezekiel sighed…
"Harold…" Ezekiel said, as he knew it would be quite annoying to deal with that, but he knew his friend long enough to know what may have happened. "You're rushing things too quickly with Leshawna."
"What? No, I'm not." Harold said as he then saw Ezekiel crossing his arms.
"Harold, you are one of my best friends. But Leshawna herself said to me, "You are being too attached to her." And she wants things to go slower. Way slower." Ezekiel commented as Harold felt his shoulders slumber.
"No… she couldn't do that." Harold said as he was upset and in denial, at which Ezekiel sighed again.
"It's okay, dude; you just need to make things go slower now. She isn't mad; she just wants some trust and time for her to enjoy herself, and you get your own time for you as well." Ezekiel said as he gave a few pats on his back as a way to comfort his friend. "You two have your own fun, but I think she wants fewer haikus and for you to be around more and enjoy your hobbies. When was the last time you played with a yoyo, nunchucks, or even practiced with the lightsaber you bought?"
"It had been quite some time, to be honest. I actually had been talking a lot with her about the plans I had in the future with her." Harold said sheepishly, and seeing his friends' and teammates' facepalms, he finally understood the message.
"Harold, come on. Even I wasn't that much with Lindsay." Tyler said in disbelief as Harold looked sheepish.
"I mean, you had a good intention at heart, but you should know when to take things slowly." Trent also decided to give some sort of advice; he saw Ezekiel pausing as he then stared at the guitarist in disbelief. "What?"
"Trent… You are a good guy; I know that… But I'm going to give you the biggest insult around the farms nearby my home." Ezekiel said, as even and elegant as he was… He didn't mince his words and decided to speak the truth. "You're a Mordecai."
"OH *BEEP*" Then it was the immediate reaction caused by both Tyler and Harold that made all their worries, to which Trent simply tilted his head in confusion.
"What was that supposed to mean?" Trent asked as he saw Ezekiel looking unfazed, while Harold and Tyler looked like they sucked in a cold breath. That was supposed to be a big insult around Killer Bass, and he isn't sure if he should ask what that was about or not.
As the remaining girls from the Killer Grips and the rest of the group of the Screaming Gophers went into the bottom level. Which Heather couldn't help but frown over what she was seeing on her GPS.
"How come we're the only dots on the screen? Where are the bodyguards in alien costumes?" Heather said in frustration, to which Lindsay and Beth shrugged. And they looked at Izzy, who was still guiding the group.
"Probably using something to hide their presence from the GPS." Izzy explained since she thought it was obvious. "Chris said we use the GPS to find the eggs, and it's not that difficult to hide presence from GPS; my parents and I did that a lot of times."
"Sometimes I forget you were an expert on the military." Owen sheepishly commented as Izzy smiled in kind. And Noah, who also had some few suspicions over that.
"Which is kind of strange, not seeing any of them at this moment; it wouldn't take a genius to see they were waiting for the right moment to strike." Noah said as he was still around his little circle of friends before they would be separated because of the challenge.
"Which I find strange as to why we couldn't separate between groups as well." Sadie suggested as the group stared at her. "Having more people looking around, we would have more chances of finding the eggs around."
"I was thinking about that." Gwen reluctantly commented as she decided to explain the situation. "However, it would be for the best we separate into groups at the time if either Sanders or MacArthur comes after us. The idea is to use this labyrinth in our favour. So in case they would come, we would separate and scatter, which would be the best way for us to find the eggs. We just need 1 of us to bring one of the eggs to win."
"That sounds like a solid plan." As much as Heather hesitated to even be around the enemy group, she knew it would be pointless to divide the group, and even so, the person who was supposed to be the smartest of their team decided to separate the boys from the girls.
"Why did Ezekiel decide to have a boy's talk?" Owen asked in curiosity to his team, of whom Sadie, Katie, and Gwen passed a second with a good guess. While Bridgette and Geoff suddenly aren't around the group anymore.
"I guess he had his reasons." Katie commented as she thought for a few seconds.
"Maybe he's finally going to call Trent, Mordecai." Izzy then, from the side, made everyone pause, and all the remaining former Killer Bass paused and even sucked in cold air…
"*Beep*" That was something; Katie let it out, surprising everyone who had never seen her cursing like that before. "I forgot, and it made so much sense."
Gwen, who had been part of their group of friends, knew about it. She couldn't even help but agree.
"Okay, okay, I'm confused. What the heck does a person named Mordecai have to do with this?" Beth asked as she stared at the group and even Izzy, who seemed to know about it. While Noah also had been friends with Ezekiel. Doesn't seem to have a clue.
"Well, there was an insult across the farms around where Ezekiel and his family live." Gwen explained as she recalled how sometimes the group asked about what interesting facts were happening where Ezekiel lives; he always told some interesting things, some of which were even absurd, as much as they were serious. "It's quite a long story, but from what I remember, Mordecai is the symbol of someone doing stupid things while they have a crush or even doing something they never should at the worst time possible in a relationship."
"Okay, I'm also starting to get confused…" Justin said as he looked at Sadie, who also felt uncomfortable. "What did a person do to the name himself as an insult?"
"Wellllll…" Sadie said as she decided to retell what happened one time about a person named Mordecai and what he did in a marriage.
Confession - Justin
"..." Justin stared at the camera, and his eyes were twitching. "Okay, I know that people can use text messages to break up with people… But breaking up by doing a speech at a friend's marriage? That was way too low. If someone would have done that to my aunt's marriage, I would have been *beep* for weeks. I hope you get lonely for life, *beep*, Mordecai."
"Okay, there was a quote once said by Ezekiel: 'Not many Mordecais are a Mordecai, but any man can be a Mordecai.' Please, don't be a Mordecai." DJ once commented that he himself could have seen the signs of where there would be a red flag for a boy going wrongly into a relationship.
"Damn, a countryside marriage being messed up like that is horrible." Beth commented as she recalled that she was also a farmer, and she understood how important a marriage like that was. "One boy named Timmoty, who also had a girlfriend, made 3 employees work on his shift around the farm while he went to visit his girlfriend, and he accidentally broke his friend's arm because of jealousy of the girl passing more time with his friend."
"Yep. I remember a few boys doing some Mordecai stuff on the school too. One to the point left his friend in the middle of the road while he went to deliver the blouse of his ex-girlfriend on the other side of Canada." Katie also commented about one of the things that happened between boys, and to the point. The groups stared at her in disbelief.
"Okay, now I understand why Ezekiel was bringing that up. But why, Trent?" Jude commented as the whole group of friends, Izzy, Gwen, Noah, Katie, Sadie, and DJ, gave a look at Jude, at which point the blonde skater snapped his finger. "Ohhhh, yeah, makes sense. Last season."
Which means the group couldn't guess what the boys of the Killer Grips were doing at that moment.
"I know I was bad, but I wasn't that bad." Trent argued as he saw Ezekiel still unfazed by him. "I would never take my relationship problems and expose the girl in the marriage of a friend; that was bullcrap, and you know it."
"Huh, you never know… Trent, being honest with you. I may never have had a relationship before, and even I know that you need to be more aware of things around you, dude." Ezekiel commented as a way to warn him. "Trust me, I know you are doing better, and believe me, you are doing a wonderful job. But still, before going to have a relationship with someone. You still need to not make the same stupid mistakes you did on the last season."
"Like forgetting someone having the worst nightmare of their lives while you think about making the punishment of the others worse." Harold commented that he didn't forget the grudge the Killer Bass had with Trent; even as such, they all forgave him. "That was something that a girl wouldn't forget so easily."
"Or force the girlfriend of another person to eat piss. Dude, you made a girl eat piss, and not because she's my girlfriend. I know that if you mess with a girl, she will share with all her friends. I know how terrible karma comes up when you become gossips of girls who were the friends who you made angry." Tyler said as he even raised his arms in disbelief. "I have a grandmother who went to the USA, and she got cheated by her husband with one of his clients, one rich writer, and then she passed the whole year destroying everything from him. She exploded her house, sent my uncle and aunt to him and the lover he had, and then she opened a company to help women in need of employment, and then she used all those women as an army to expose him for tax evasion and taking money from all his clients, and destroyed his relationship with the lover, and destroyed his career, and he's still in jail to this day."
"..." Trent paled, as he never thought someone would be so cruel and brutal as to make the life of the person a whole hell.
"Isn't that the plot of She's the Devil?" Ezekiel asked, at which Tyler blinked in surprise.
"Yeah, she sold the rights to her story to make a movie of that." Tyler nodded his head, which made Harold turn his head to Ezekiel in surprise. "I'm surprised you recognized the movie; it didn't have good success in the USA."
"Trust me, it's a classic in Brazil. Many people love that movie," Ezekiel commented, which made the trio of boys stare at him in surprise. "Around the community of farms, there's a Brazilian neighbour around, married to a Portuguese woman, so when they come to Harvest Festival, they always talk about their cultures. I heard about this being one of his favourite movies since it doesn't stop playing in the afternoon movie session."
"Huh, that's actually interesting to know." Tyler commented with a good smile on his face. "My grandmother would have loved to hear her story was a success somewhere."
"Well… Okay, I understand. But come on guys…" Trent said as he was hurt from everything that was said. "I know I have been bad in the last season, and I know my mistake, but don't you guys see I'm trying my best?"
"Yes, you are." The trio said as each of them nodded their heads.
"Which is the reason we are giving you this feedback." Harold explained as Ezekiel followed suit.
"Just be sure to not be Mordecai anymore; you messed up before, so all you can do is improve. You saw the path of things you should never do, and do the right thing." Ezekiel explained, as he even offered his hand for a handshake. "That's why I called for this meeting. Because we are really doing our best, and you shouldn't be alone in the circle of friends. So that's why we are here."
"Yeah, if Ezekiel gives you a harsh truth, it's because he really means well." Tyler nodded his head and smiled at Trent. "And even though we aren't Killer Bass anymore, we are still Killer Grips, so yeah, new team, new chance."
"Yep, and even though I was kind of sad that I have to slow down things, I understand. So I think we can try to have a guys' night in a few days." Harold said as he suggested the idea, to which Tyler gave a thumbs up.
"Sounds like a nice idea." Ezekiel commented as Trent couldn't help but smile more.
"Thanks, guys, this really would be nice." And with that, the group of guitarists, a homeschooled boy, a jock, and a nerd with awesome skills did what was the right thing, giving a nice boy's talk.
Soon, they heard the stepping of someone coming from ahead of them.
"Guys, I think they are coming." Trent said as he said, he was surprised to see MacArthur dressed as an alien walking after them while holding a slime gun.
"Alright boys, the show is over. And I have a new toy to play with you all." MacArthur said as she smirked even as her alien costume looked ridiculous.
"What are we going to do?" Tyler commented in panic as indeed it showed they managed to drag one of the cadets in their direction… But then a sound of something turning on made him pause, and he stared in surprise at Harold holding a lightsaber.
"In alien movies, the ones who would always cause the defeats of aliens would always be the ones who were experts in lightsabers. And nothing is better than having a lightsaber in an Alien-genre theme." Harold smirked as he then saw Ezekiel taking something from inside his pocket from his overcoat. A red liquid mixed with green. And from his other pocket, a screwdriver?
Ezekiel smiled as he could see the confused face of MacArthur, already aiming a gun at him.
"Alright, boy, I know you do some crazy things like stink bombs. Show your hands where I can see them, and nobody gets hurt." MacArthur said with authority, but Ezekiel simply smiled widely.
"A Jedi, a Time Lord, and a Xenomorph found themselves in a battle…" Ezekiel happily thought about what would be the most chaotic and yet awesome crossover that would clearly be a blockbuster if it weren't for the fact that movie directors and companies are really annoying when it comes to copyright infringement. "Who would be the strongest aliens fighting among themselves?"
He couldn't lie; he would have loved to read a good Doctor Who, Star Wars, and Alien triple crossover in fanfics and movies.
"Let me tell you something: is this world important? There are 6 billion people living here; is that important?" Ezekiel, with a British accent, made MacArthur tilt her head, but before she could say something. Ezekiel interrupted her. "I have a better question for you: is this world a threat to your species? I mean, you guys had invaded the world, and possibly there were a lot of powerful creations made by your world. Is this world a thread for your species?"
"No?" MacArthur asked which Ezekiel tipped his fez.
"Are people of this world guilty of any crime done for any crime against your world?" Ezekiel once again said in a British tone, and both Tyler and Trent had no idea what was going on. While Harold had his eyes closed as a way to try to reenact an old Jedi ready to strike. Moving his lightsaber slowly as a peaceful way, but still menacingly at the bodyguard dressed as an alien.
"No… I don't think so." MacArthur said but still aimed her slime gun at them.
"OKAY, one more, just one more." Ezekiel said as he fixed his bow tie while pointing one finger while holding his vial. "Is this world protected?"
"..." The silence was what MacArthur gave as Ezekiel smirked.
"Because you're not the first to have to come here. Oh, there have been so many… And what you've got to ask is… what happened to them?" Ezekiel's question somehow made MacArthur slowly open her eyes wide as Ezekiel slowly walked to her. "Hello… basically…run."
And with that, Ezekiel threw the vial in the air, which Harold immediately used the lightsaber on and threw in the direction of the slime gun coming from the bodyguard, who jumped away from it.
"Hey, watch out!" MacArthur shouted, but Harold didn't even reply; he simply ran away with Ezekiel, Trent, and Tyler, while the bodyguard didn't know why they did that… But suddenly she realized one thing… the sound of a glass cracking… and a cheetah roar made her stare at the ceiling. "Oh *beep*."
And it was enough to make a big red foam go down all over across her body…
"Ahhh, it burns, it burns." Which the bodyguard realizes that… Cheetah Chug, Mentos, and hot sauce was a terrifying foam combination. "WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU ALL, YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT. AHHHHHH."
"This, this is gold." Chris said as he clapped at seeing a scene of pure sci-fi material. "A reference to Alien, Doctor Who, and Star Wars? That's going to create a lot of MVPA points for all of them."
Chris would always be a happy host whenever he would see good acting and good improv in specific scenes; he even thought of willingly being part of some of the scenes when there was a good opportunity for that. Because they really made it look like fun. But he still needs to be professional. So his focus must be making the challenge as hard as possible.
"Well, now it's time to use the good part of the budget of this challenge… Chef, prepare our surprise item for our contestants while I check how the others from Killer Grips and Screaming Gophers are now dealing with Sanders." Chris smirked as he was ready to use his new remote control, but he was waiting for the right time… since he was enjoying a good challenge.
"Sure thing, Chris." Chef Hatchet commented with a cheerful tone, which immediately made Chris pause and turn his head as he saw the military man humming happily and excited for the rest of the day…
"What the heck?" Chris raised his eyebrow… But then he saw the screams of some members of the other teams. "Never mind, let's see how the Sanders are doing."
Confession - Gwen
"I wasn't worried about the security, alien costumes or not," Gwen said with a good smile of confidence. "I mean, I played until top 4 on the last season. I know exactly what I am doing."
As for the rest of the group, the more they walked, the more they realized strange noises were happening around them. It was the sound of slop sucking, mixed with wet noises, and even slight moans that made it strange for Gwen, Izzy, Owen, and Noah, who paused whenever they were doing something.
"Did you hear that?" Noah asked as it made DJ jumpy from the sudden question. "Whoa, big guy, you don't need to be all that anxious."
"Sorry," DJ apologized, as he was still gulping and trying to look calm, but from the situation, he was feeling with his teammates and friends. That challenge was really under his skin. "I know that we are being followed by Sanders and MacArthur, but somehow this was exactly how I imagined it whenever an alien invasion happened in Ezekiel's books."
"Luckily for Tyler, it wasn't the chicken of outer space." Gwen joked. Which Noah, DJ, Katie, Sadie, and even Izzy chuckled at while Lindsay pouted.
"Hey, that wasn't nice." Lindsay commented as she knew about her boyfriend's fear, which made the group of friends chuckle even more.
"We know, and Ezekiel made sure that we ourselves would have fear of alien chickens as well." DJ commented, which made the young blonde girl blink in surprise.
"How did a book make you guys have a fear of chicken?" Leshawna asked as she raised her eyebrow.
"It's not just any chicken; it's the chicken out of the world. It's the first Courage Villain of the book. And it's an alien whose eggs, if you eat them, transform you into chicken monsters… And when Courage defeated it, it transformed into a headless roasted chicken." Gwen explained as it clearly made the group behind her stare in surprise.
"Let's not forget that chicken also was alive and tried to…" Izzy continued as she made a motion of slicing the head with a finger. "Take their heads and make use of them for him. While using a plunger to take their heads off."
"I remember Tyler avoided seeing a plunger for 5 days when Ezekiel told that story to him." Noah commented as the group laughed from seeing how Ezekiel created some creepy aliens while still having the slopping sounds coming around. "I don't know why, but these sounds are so familiar."
"Yeah, and I don't know, but that makes me even more annoyed because I know I heard this sound from somewhere." Gwen replied as the group stared at each other for a few seconds.
"Hey… Jude, wasn't Geoff with you?" Beth realized as she noticed someone was missing, looking at the blonde skater who had been walking around with Owen, who suddenly blinked a few times.
"Dude, I didn't see him for a while. Also, I don't see Bridgette around here as well…" Jude was sincere as suddenly everyone just stopped… as it didn't take a few more seconds since they looked left and right to see if they could find any of them.
Until the sounds of sloppy kisses were the signal of why everyone was so familiar with and so annoyed by it. At which moment everyone started groaning again.
"I swear. They couldn't take a break?" Heather facepalmed as she looked at that moment of ridiculousness. "We are in the middle of the challenge."
"Every time." Katie and Sadie said in unison, with both girls giving a facepalm, as they love their friends, but Geoff and Bridgette have a problem.
"I swear," Gwen said as she took her anti-horny spray. "I'm going to empty this bottle on them. I swear."
"They were smart this time." DJ said as he looked around and couldn't find a trace of them. "They hid away from us. Just for the sake of making out."
"Well, I would say they were dead weight right away. I'm literally going to vote out this blonde clumsy girl on the first opportunity." Heather commented as Izzy immediately paused. While many of the group disliked the ruthlessness of Heather, even as the former Killer Bass… they had to admit, this couple had been reaching the limit of their patience.
"But what if it happens to be a surfing genre theme?" Izzy said as she pointed out a good point.
"Oh oh oh, I would love to have a beach-theme challenge." Lindsay clapped her hands. To which Heather simply rolled her eyes.
"Someone has to lose today, girls. And in case we lose, we need to think carefully about who to vote out." Heather raised the point; she rolled her eyes as she even looked at the twins' BBF. "Even her geek boyfriend knew how to control her."
"Okay, while I thank you for the compliment you gave to my boyfriend, Bridgette is a great person and has a lot of qualities that helped us on the other challenges." Katie defended as the sound of moans and giggles in the background clearly objected to her defence… "But we are going to make sure she will focus more on the challenges the time we see her."
That was a promise, but still, there are people already thinking, in case they lose, who they should be voting off.
And when they think things couldn't get any worse… They soon then went near the corner; they just found the duo who had been kissing without stopping.
Which at the time Gwen was about to use the anti-horny spray. Until the sounds of the GPS started to beep without stopping.
"DANGER, DANGER, DANGER." The sounds of the alarms were enough to make everyone turn their faces at each other.
"Okay, that's it." Heather said in apprehension. "Let's get out here."
"But which way do we go?" Justin asked, as even as they wanted to leave the challenge, the place looked exactly like a labyrinth.
"What do you mean, 'Do we go?'" Heather said as she glared at the model, "We aren't teams; it's team vs. team. Find your own way to get out."
And before anyone could say anything else… suddenly Justin was blasted on his chest. As the blast covered his entire body with slime.
"Ohhh," Justin went down on the floor, which made everyone jump in their places… "I was hit."
"JUSTIN." Sadie, Katie, Beth, and all the remaining members of the Screaming Gophers shouted on seeing the beautiful model on the floor.
As they looked in the direction of who shot the model. They stared at the cadet who was dressed in an alien costume. This time with more thirst for taking down the contestants than the time she was on the Zombie Genre Challenge.
"One down… And I'm just warming up." Sanders said as she aimed the slime gun at them.
"RUN!" DJ screamed, and as the groups became so chaotic, they were separated immediately. Some members went to the north, others to the east, and others to the west. And some even went down to try to escape from the grasp of the alien cadet who wanted to make sure to shoot everyone.
The challenge has officially begun.
Harold was glad to have bought 2 lightsabers since he had thrown one of them; he used the other to cut a distance between the straight path on the overfloor.
"This will be enough to buy us some time." Harold commented as Trent and Tyler kept looking on the GPS. "Are we on the right path?"
"Yes, it says the eggs are in the boil room, which will take a while until we get there. But what the heck was that?" Trent said as he felt it was indeed a close call, for being attacked by MacArthur like that really made him feel nervous. But then he looked at Ezekiel and Harold already acting different.
"We needed to do some good acting and have some awesome moments to gain more MVPA points, Trent." Ezekiel explained as Harold nodded his head.
"The more points we could get, the more perks would be nice for us to use. Also, as a sci-fi lover, I always wanted to do some amazing scenes using my mad skills." Harold commented as he gave thumbs up to his friend.
"Okay, I have to say it was nice and all." Tyler commented as he could see the duo already in action, but slowly he raised his trembling finger. "But I don't think MacArthur liked the play that much."
Both the nerd and the writer tilted their heads until they heard heavy stomps as they soon felt tremors coming from the other side. MacArthur was furious, with bloodshot eyes from the hot sauce and Cheetah chug… And she was in a berserk state, ready to jump from the fence.
"I did a long distance; there's no way she can cross it." Harold said, as he took a step back… But seeing she was getting distance to jump, he turned his head to Ezekiel, who was already in running motion.
"NIGERUNDAYOOOOOOOOO," Ezekiel said as he started to run in panic. Harold, who learned Japanese, knew what those words meant.
"YEAH, IT MAKES SENSE." Harold immediately started to run in panic as well. Tyler and Trent had no idea what that was. But the motion and the panic in their voices. Clearly mean one thing.
RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!
Which was the smartest plan ever made.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Wonderful, absolute comedy." Chris laughed as he was enjoying how things were going from both sides… But still he had one more trick up his sleeve. "And if they think things couldn't get any worse… Ah ah ah… It's time for me to use the good budget of this challenge for us… Let's see these beautiful babies in attack. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
And with a remote control in hand, he knew it was the time to give a good swarm of aliens to the contestants… If they want the eggs, then they are going to have a terrible surprise when they find them.
Justin got his eyes opened as he felt his whole body covered in slime.
"Ohhh, my body is covered in slime." The Hawaiian-Canadian boy felt slightly disgusted, or it was his poor attempt at acting, but still he took out his shirt as his theme music played, showing his sex appeal to the public as his muscles covered in goo and slime clearly made Justin have his own way to gather his MVPA points. Even as cringy and annoying as it would be for the boys. The girls didn't care; they loved their fan service done by Justin. Until suddenly Justin heard a strange sound… little metal tips, which made him blink. "Huh? What was that?"
Needless to say, in a few more seconds… the young model would be surprised in the most horrifying way…
.
.
"Hmm, I can't stop being on your lips, Bridge." Geoff said as he missed so much being in the arms of his girlfriend, and the young blond girl couldn't help but moan and giggle as well.
"I missed you so much, Geoff." Bridgette smiled as she used her hands over his chest, and the more they kissed.
Not realizing someone was staring at them in disbelief.
"Seriously? You guys had been doing that even when I stayed here for 2 minutes?" Sanders commented that she couldn't believe what she was seeing; she thought the contestants weren't being serious about this duo being so dragged into their own world. "You know what? Screw this."
The sound of the slime gun being reloaded made both Bridgette and Geoff pause as they slowly turned their faces at the alien-dressed security guard. And smiled sheepishly at her.
*SPLAT*
Which the good shot was enough to make the couple be all covered on the floor.
"Good, 3 down. I need to keep up my pace and see if I can take everyone out." Sanders said as she immediately ran in the direction she knew it was the eggs, while looking on her GPS, trying to find the nearby targets. Since she had targeted as many of the contestants as possible. If she manages to score more than MacArthur, then she wouldn't need to dress herself with the dress on the Gilded Chris ceremony.
While on the floor. Both Geoff and Bridgette looked at themselves, all covered in purple goo.
"Ewww…" Bridgette clearly disliked the idea of being covered in slime, which Geoff himself used his hand to clean up on his face. "Maybe we lost track of the time while we were kissing again, Geoff."
"Well, it wasn't the weirdest thing that happened to me, but I couldn't help. I really missed you, Bridge." Geoff said as he gave the love eyes to his girlfriend. Who couldn't help but do the same?
"Yeah, me too…" Bridgette smiled as they both once again were about to kiss each other. But something unexpected stopped them from moving.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," A humiliating high-pitched scream made them stop… As they looked at each other and realized one thing… maybe the challenge wasn't as simple as they thought.
"Maybe it should be for the best we continue this outside; I want to get out now that we are out, Geoff." The surfer girl commented as she could see they aren't on the right time for that and helped her boyfriend to get up. The duo suddenly felt a slight sound approaching. "What's that?"
"I don't know… but it sounds strange." Geoff answered as the little tips of metal started to be louder and louder… Until both watched what would be mechanical machines resembling the baby aliens from the movie, which were mechanical and had sharp blades on the legs and ways to make it pinch the skin and hurt the time they would be struck on the faces of their victims. "Err… Geoff?"
"Don't move…" Geoff said calmly as he used his body as a shield to protect Bridgette. "They can't see us if we don't move."
"I think that's T-Rex Geoff." Bridgette commented as the animatronic aliens didn't even mind what they were saying… And they all jumped to attack them. "AHHHHH HMMMMMM."
"BRIDG HMMMM…" Geoff screamed for his girlfriend, but he also was attacked by the baby alien robot. Which both couples tried to take off the little robots from their faces, but it was pointless, since the sharp attachments on their claws made it hurt when they connected to their faces… And worst of all… a tube from their inside connected directly to their mouths, through which they injected a dark green and blue liquid inside of their mouths… which they had no other option but to gulp…
And after that… the mini robots deactivated and went down like they had fulfilled their purposes while the rest of the dozens went to hunt down the remaining contestants, leaving 2 traumatized teenagers.
"*Cough* Cough What was that?" Bridgette said as her face showed tears from the horrifying experience she had, and even as her face showed part of the liquid that was inserted inside of her.
Geoff tried to vomit, but that didn't work.
"I don't know…" He sounded hoarse, as he himself coughed from the horrible experience he had. But he started to lick the liquid on the corner of his mouth. "But the taste of this was not bad… Maybe we should be going now. I don't want to be here anymore."
"Right… At least the worst just passed." Bridgette said as she cleaned up her tears and smiled in kindness to her boyfriend…
*MUMBLES*
Until the sound of their stomachs sounded loud, and slowly their facial expressions changed, since something catastrophic was happening at that moment… They developed an urgent need…
To go to the bathroom…
"Ahhhh, natural laxatives, nothing like a family recipe to make a good cleaning up of the intestine with a good natural smoothie made by Jerd McLean. One drink of this beauty and goodbye constipation for the next hour." Chris said as he was smiling at seeing Bridgette and Geoff running in panic while holding their stomachs, trying their best to leave the set as quickly as possible and do their necessities.
While he looked outside and was ready with dozens of communal bathrooms waiting for his victims to take their humiliation drink, he would pass the next hour laughing at the contestants.
"Man, I love alien movies. Hahahaha." Chris said as he grabbed the popcorn and continued to watch the next victims.
Owen could admit he was glad he wasn't alone on the challenge, since he was following the group of Sadie, Leshawna, and Jude. They have gone into a path going east, following Gwen and the others, but later they went to another path to separate the group and make the team have more chance of winning.
Gwen's group went further on east, while they decided to go south. Which indeed the path of the labouring had been more chaotic. Metal walls, pipes going everywhere, and the neon in the halls.
At least they are still striving to find the alien eggs.
"Okay, does anyone know where we are?" Sadie asked nervously while they looked on the GPS. Since they are still confused on the map of the labyrinth.
"Well, dude and dudettes, I think we should go on that way." Jude suggested as he pointed into one of the rooms.
"How can you be sure?" Leshawna raised her eyebrow as she then heard the sounds of metal tips reaching her ears… The mechanical sound really sounds creepy.
"Because there's something coming from behind us." Jude commented as he pointed back, at which moment Sadie, Leshawna, and Owen paused and slowly looked behind…
Mechanical machines resembling facehuggers slowly approaching them.
"You know what? That's good enough for me." Leshawna said as she immediately paled.
"RUUUUUN." Sadie shouted as immediately she went after Jude, while Leshawna and Owen started to follow them.
"Saint Donut Pancake, run for your lives." Owen shouted as he himself felt running in panic.
While the robotic aliens screeched and went after them.
"CHRIS, ARE THOSE SOME OF YOUR SICK TRICKS?" Leshawna screamed in disbelief and rage, while she didn't want to get caught.
"Why yes, Leshawna. It's one I used a good part of the budget of the challenge on. And I don't regret it. It's worth every cent of it. HAHAHAHAHAHA." Chris, who had been watching the monitors from his secret room. Imagining how more victims will be caught over his beautiful little robots he was using on the episode. With all the publicity, the ads, and the merchandise they got from the season before, they are now allowed to go beyond extreme with more budget in their hands. And more money in his pocket.
To say Trent wasn't in a panic was an understatement. Since a crazy bodyguard dressed as an alien who looked beyond pissed wanted to skin them alive, it was a reasonable reason to panic. And he was sure he would never let Harold and Ezekiel live that down if they got captured because they separated themselves from their group.
But still they simply ignored the GPS; they went simply straight, then turned left, right, and right again until they found themselves hiding from the chubby cadet who was hunting down their group.
"Okay, I think she wouldn't find us; we just need to find the others." Tyler commented as the group of boys clearly felt their breath catching up.
"But how? This place is like a maze, and their dots are really far away. The best we can do is to run around and avoid contact with MacArthur as much as we can." Harold suggested what would be the best idea he could give.
"We are the distraction and the bait, guys, which means while we are here, our friends are probably nearby the target. We are doing our best to make sure MacArthur doesn't go after them, so that's a victory for us. All we have to do is have more faith in them." Ezekiel said while he was looking across the walls, looking for something important… while he was giving the support for the boys, but even so much they would want to be happy. They are still uncomfortable with the challenge.
"But still I want to return alive and without a scratch, Ezekiel." Trent said his opinion as even Harold and Tyler nodded their heads.
"Are we in a dead end?" Tyler gulped, as he didn't like the sounds of stomps happening around or the steam happening around the pipes. "Don't we have a path around here?"
"Well, being honest, on the GPS it says we have something around the walls that would lead us straight into the laundry area." Ezekiel commented as he slowly was knocking the parts of the wall until he noticed a different sound. "Found it."
And calmly Ezekiel opened what would be the entrance of the laundry surprisingly, it would be enough for every one of them to jump on there and go downstairs.
"Okay, I'm not going to ask why they have a laundry chute here, but isn't that crazy? We aren't that despairing." Trent said as he raised his arms in disbelief… until suddenly the group of boys paused… and slowly heard something terrifying…
Metal tips, slowly approaching them. As they slowly turned their heads in the direction of the sound, they noticed the tiny robots, resembling facehuggers, from a distance, like a swarm of insects walking in their direction.
"Facehuggers. They really wanted to do something similar to the Alien franchise, not going to lie. They really expended their money wisely to make this challenge realistic." Ezekiel commented as even he looked afraid. He then looked at Trent and Tyler. "Who's going first?"
And without thinking twice, Trent immediately jumped straight to the laundry chute, followed by Tyler, who didn't look back.
"Harold, go." Ezekiel said as he was with the door opened. But to his surprise, Harold simply took off his shirt. "What are you doing?"
"Go, you must, Ezekiel. Able to neutralize acid blood from these creatures, to fight these creatures we need someone experienced, and lightsabers are, and as long as I, a Jedi, am still far stronger than these creatures, I am… Yes, hmmm." Harold said as he used his best impression of Yoda, and using his two hands over his lightsaber, he wasn't going to give up without a fight.
Ezekiel clearly wanted to help his friend… But sadly, he was more prepared to fight the big aliens as a cadet, but against those robots? He would do the best he can and run while gathering the right sources to fight them.
"Be strong, Harold." Ezekiel said, as he calmly got inside and closed the entrance of the laundry chute… He fell with Trent and Tyler on the laundry chute system, which is a giant slide that would bring everyone outside of the labyrinth…
Harold remained on guard, watching the little robots slowly staring at him. Facehuggers, about which he had debated with Scarlett about the possibilities of fighting them. And even theories on how to counterattack him.
"Obviously the best way to fight against them would be to have mechanical armour with strength enough to break their exoskeleton with 2 megatons of force. 75 percent of survivors are able to protect the neck and the face." Scarlett's voice could be heard from inside of his mind. As Harold simply rolled his eyes.
"Just admit you have a crush on the Iron Man armour, Scarlett, and let me concentrate." Harold mumbled as his eyes stared at the mini robots in front of him… His face was sweating from both anxiety and excitement and nervousness… The Alien Xenomorph was one of the most dangerous and feared types of aliens ever made in the movies. And he doesn't want to be bred by them.
And as the sweat came from the tip of his nose, slowly dropped, like in slow motion, at the time it would hit the floor. It would start everything.
A second looked like a minute, until a drop of sweat finally reached the floor. And just like he predicted, the animatronics jumped straight on him.
Harold turned his body and used the momentum to use his lightsaber; the first one who jumped on him was sliced and on the ground. Oil and batteries showing the insides, and a liquid—Harold didn't want to find out what it was.
3 more jumped, and with a quick motion, a karate chop was enough to launch one on the ground, as he immediately gave a ballet turn, and with his lightsaber in the other hand, he cut the second. And as the third went straight to his face. Harold raised both his arms and the direction of his face. As he used his two hands to hold the tube coming out from that mechanical facehugger.
The blades on the legs of the robot were pinching the arms and shoulder of the younger nerd. But he didn't care, as he was still with his lightsaber in hand, and with the press of his thumb, he deactivated it. Just for gritting his teeth, he switched the side of it and pressed the button again; just the heat of the light trespassed the robotic body, and once again, the creature fell…
Still with the dozens staring at the nerd waiting for their turn. Harold didn't look afraid; he ignored the scratches on his body as he had a reverse grip on his lightsaber. And stared at the robots of facehuggers, and with a serious face, he made a motion with the hand for them to come at him.
If he was going to be taken, then he was going to die fighting.
Heather couldn't help but say she was hating the day already, since the bad start of part of his team getting separated to have a 'boys talk,' then there was the one member of the team that preferred to be kissing non-stop in the middle of the challenge, and now the only members remaining on her team were Lindsay, Izzy, and Katie. Which she had to say she didn't like much at all.
Sure, they were on the right track, since they decided to follow into another direction that would lead to the cauldrons. It would be annoying for them all to be on the same path, but still. She felt the anxiety of how they need a plan.
Of course she could trust Izzy, or whatever name she had been using at the moment, but somehow she noticed the little ginger looked a bit off. She knew she was planning something big, but Izzy is just as unpredictable as she is a mastermind and crazy at the same time.
But at least Izzy is with them, so that means, as was expected, in case one of those annoying bodyguards ridiculously dressed as 5-rate budget aliens, Izzy could engage in a fight with them, which would be nice to buy time for her, Lindsay, and the tan girl, Katie, to flee from the combat and try to escape.
"Alright, we are almost there. Just go straight and then turn right, and we will reach the eggs." Izzy led until suddenly she paused.
"What's wrong?" Lindsay asked in concern as the ginger turned her back and pushed Lindsay. "Woah."
And Lindsay just saw the blast of slime passing across her, which for a little spot almost hit her. Which even Heather and Katie took a step back from. And stared at the dressed alien, Sanders appearing.
"Almost got them." Sanders commented as she was aiming her slime gun at them. And reloading the weapon, ready to attack. "I'm not going to waste another shot."
"What are we going to do?" Katie said as she was about to step away, just then seeing something approaching from another direction. "What's that?"
Heather stared for a while, and she isn't an expert on sci-fi movies, but she knows about those things because of scenes appearing on the television.
"Something *beep* terrible," Heather commented as she looked at Izzy, who was staring at her surroundings.
"Hehehe…" Izzy gave her sinister smile, as odd as it can be… Heather felt comfortable with it. It was like a reassuring of a wild beast and a crazy military man, and yet… Izzy felt so secure that she knew she would be fighting for a war. And from nowhere. She grabbed a paintball and a giant gun.
"Where did she get that?" Katie asked Lindsay, who simply shrugged.
"You think your paintball gun will be enough to go against me and the swarm of robots full of laxatives to give you all a long time in the bathroom?" Sanders commented as she reloaded her slime gun and aimed at Izzy…
"Heh…fun… I love this game." Izzy said with a smile as, from nowhere, another giant paintball gun was in her other hand… Which surprised everyone into seeing Izzy was well armed against the aliens. "So we are going to play then?"
Heather had her eyes wide open, in the same way as Lindsay and Katie, from seeing Izzy also ready for whatever they are going to send to her… Izzy turned her head and gave a wink to the trio.
"Okay, sorry for being repetitive or even rude… But where the beep did Izzy get those paintball guns?" Katie insisted on the question, to which Lindsay simply shrugged again.
"I think it's just Izzy, and we shouldn't think about it." Lindsay said, as she even looked at her conscience duo of angel and devil, who were just as confused as she was, and for the sake of her not having headaches, she preferred to just go with the flow. But a good opportunity had come to those three, and she wasn't going to waste it. "We are going to leave them to you, E-Scope."
"Thanks for your help." Katie thanked her as she followed the blonde girl, since she knew Izzy would be the one protecting them as they found the right path. "Please be safe."
"Just go." Izzy said lazily as she gave a glance to Heather, who nodded her head.
"Alright, we'll have you two have it." Heather said as she went after the girls, being the last source of protection from the mission.
A few robots tried to go after them but got shot by one of the big paintballs Izzy shot at them. While she looked in full concentration towards Sanders.
"You don't know who you are messing with, girl." Sanders narrowed her eyes as she aimed clearly in the direction of Izzy…
A standoff call… ready to happen.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" The sounds around the laundry chute system could be heard from most parts outside of the movie set, and it didn't take more than a few minutes until the impact of the Killer Grips Boys reached the bottom of what would be the dirty and sweaty clothes and costumes.
"Ugh… I don't know what's worse… the smell or the pain in my back? I think I heard a snap." Tyler commented that he was used to getting accidents from life and its curveballs; it gets annoying as well since whenever he does something, it always ends up with him hurting himself.
"Is everyone alright?" Trent, who knew the smell was bad but nothing unbearable, since reasons were named after the boy who created the worst stink bombs, was able to get out of the mound of dirty clothes from the laundry.
"I'm fine, and it seems we managed to get the distraction good enough for our team. I just hope they manage to capture the egg." Ezekiel replied as he himself got out of the mount, while he managed to save his fez hat, and looking where they are now… One thing was obvious. "It seems we are out of the movie set."
"So that means we are out of the game?" Tyler asked as he stretched himself, while he couldn't help but be nervous. "I would lie if I said I would be eager to return to the movie set. I'm not aware of sci-fi movies, but I know those little things would give me nightmares."
"Hey, they aren't that bad, but I think I also have to agree with you. Maybe we should step out of the rest of the challenge." Trent said as he hoped Ezekiel wouldn't say something to change their minds.
"To be honest, I'm glad you guys wanted to step out. Because we all did our best to bring MacArthur away from the girls, all that was left was Sanders, whom I think Izzy could take care of. If you guys want to rest and stay with Chris, you guys are free to do it… But, do…not…suggest…anything to him…did you hear me?" Ezekiel was happy to see Tyler and Trent taking a break from the challenge, but one thing that he never wanted to see again was Trent opening his big mouth and deciding to mess up more with his friends.
"Okay, okay, I will be quiet." Trent raised his hands and promised he wouldn't suggest anything to Chris… until one thought appeared in his mind. "Wait… you're going to return on there?"
"They need a backup, and Harold was stalling time for the facehugger robots… So in case Izzy, Katie, Lindsay, and Heather need help. I'm going to help them." Ezekiel said as he decided to prepare himself and even touched his bow tie.
"Dude, that's beyond crazy. How are you sure where they are? And how are you going to reach there on time?" Tyler asked his friend with expectations, and he couldn't help but look at his friend in confusion at the time he saw Ezekiel smiling at him.
"You can trust me…" Ezekiel said, as he couldn't help but use the last trick on his sleeve. "I have a way…"
.
.
.
While Trent and Tyler were resting in the Craft and Service's tent, Ezekiel really was going to do the crazy idea he had… a reference.
"Are you sure about that, Ezekiel?" Chef Hatchet asked in genuine worry… Since the time he drank what would be the best juice of his life, he clearly felt more comfortable staying around and supporting more the annoying brats that he was once so angry about. But now, since he trained Ezekiel for many days with Izzy… Both saw what Izzy had planned for so long…
She really understood what Ezekiel wanted so much to do as he dressed himself as the Doctor… and with a little time she had, both the military cook and the homeschooled writer had no freaking idea how she did it…
But there it was… a police box all painted in blue, while around it was tied to a catapult.
"I have no idea, but to be honest, that would be one of the best days of my life." Ezekiel commented as he brought a camera with him inside of the blue box, in which one lever was connected to the catapult. "Please tell me it's aimed at the right place."
"You tell me; you were the one who aimed it." Chef said as he was giving more step backs… Not sure if the boy just lost his mind. But one thing was sure, the public will give a lot more MVPA points just for that. "Are you ready?"
Ezekiel simply smiled, knowing that he himself was holding the camera and all he had to do was to connect it while making sure it would have a good view… And say the magical words…
By preparing his bow tie and placing the fez on his head… he isn't going to lie… This was going to be epic.
"GERONIMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" By pressing the lever up front. Ezekiel shouts the words he always wanted to say as a representation of one of his favourite Doctors.
The catapult used all its force to launch the police box, with one big fan of the Time Lord.
Noah couldn't help but be surprised that he was in the right group. He had to confess that usually he wouldn't expend most of his time with Gwen, DJ, and Beth since they are the Playa Del Losers, but seeing that they were the group that seemed to be the one that probably had no chance of winning, here they are.
Staring at the map, which clearly would lead to the eggs. And from seeing the metal door full of the lights of traffic lights and the beeps across the metal room, indeed the creation between absurd sci-fi and low budget appeared in some aspects of the challenge.
Which at the time the group opened together the Cauldron room, everyone was overwhelmed with the green eggs lying in the section under them.
Their colours resembled what would be the dinosaurs' eggs from the movies, which Noah probably could have guessed it would be the same, but now, they had the edge; they had a chance of winning.
"WOHOOOO, WE WON." DJ shouted happily, as he was excited to see they were the first group to manage to reach the eggs.
"If things were that easy, big guy. But no, our work isn't done yet. We need to take out somehow and bring at least one of those eggs to the safety zone." Noah rolled his eyes as he explained the rules again.
And Gwen smiled at her group… She was going to bring them to the victory. While she wondered how the other members of her team were doing. The feed cut to static chaos somewhere deeper in the labyrinth.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Sparks flickered along the dripping pipes overhead, casting harsh shadows on Leshawna and Sadie, both pressed against the wall and shrieking as Jude and Owen thrashed on the floor. The facehugger-bots clung with awful precision—needle legs pinching skin, tubes forcing toward their mouths—every scrape and hiss echoing like something straight out of a midnight horror flick. Jude clawed at the metallic limbs, babbling surfer prayers through clenched teeth, while Owen spun in blind panic, rolling from wall to wall with the bot stuck square on his face.
The soundscape was all wrong—metal tips clattering like a thousand scissors, alarms shrieking from the GPS, and the girls' voices cutting through with raw terror. For a moment, it was a perfect parody of every "crew gets slaughtered" scene Hollywood ever filmed.
And then the stomps began. Heavy, deliberate, shaking the set like the arrival of something too big to stop. The girls' screams hitched as a new silhouette filled the corridor: MacArthur, her uniform shredded, her eyes glowing bloodshot from rage and hot sauce, slime gun cradled like a pulse rifle. For one dreadful second, she looked less like a cadet in costume and more like the alien queen herself, stalking fresh prey.
Leshawna and Sadie barely had time to lock eyes in shared panic before SPLAT—SPLAT. Twin streams of purple slime hammered them against the wall, their shrieks muffled under layers of sticky goo as they slid down into a trembling heap. Jude and Owen froze mid-flail, just long enough to realize that the new nightmare had only made things worse.
The camera lingered on the four of them tangled together in goo, sparks, and robotic claws, the horror atmosphere undercut by the sheer absurdity of the tableau—like a low-budget Alien knockoff where the monsters and the soldiers were equally insane.
Cut back to Chris in the control room, laughing so hard he almost choked on his popcorn. While in the background Harold, Geoff, Justin, and Bridgette were at the communal bathrooms still doing their business after taking powerful laxatives.
"I'm sure they are fine." Gwen shrugged, not realizing the dangers her team was facing.
Izzy was having a great time; since the times she was abducted as a child or the times when she was in the military, she knew she was born to fight aliens… or help them to conquer the world, whatever would be the first to give the best offer.
But still, she had to give it to Sanders; she was able to keep up with her for a few minutes. Usually she likes to play with the rookies, and with the little robots jumping on her and trying to insert a tube in her mouth, without a dirty thought on her mind. She was impressed by how much budget Chris was willing to use to make the challenge as chaotic and fun as it would be.
Splashes of slime, robots destroyed with precision of fist and kicks—Izzy was doing a lot of collateral damage for Chris, but still she was having the funniest day of her life.
"Alright girl, you had your fun, but this is taking too much time." Sanders said as she threw one facehugger in the direction of the younger ginger, who simply gave a backflip. Which Sanders was aiming straight at her… "Now I got you…"
*BOOOOOOOOM*
Sadly for her aim, the tremors of the movie set trembled after she jumped and saw the impact of what would be a police box? The police box looked mostly cracked from the impact, but thankfully the metal material of the fake movie set was so poorly made that object was able to make a hole through the wall…
"What the…" Sanders mumbled as suddenly the door opened… revealing Ezekiel bruised and dizzy.
"Whoa… That was the craziest thing I ever did in my life." Ezekiel said as he was hyped, as he suddenly touched his chest. "Okay, new lungs… oh, nice colour… Teeth… all of them right here, but I think I would have liked them to be whiter… hair…" Ezekiel was doing a pre-examination on himself as he took a look at his hair… "Brown? Oh come on… I always wanted to be ginger… But okay, let's see… Oh… hello… and… run."
Ezekiel simply said as he took a vial from his pocket and showed it on his hands to Sanders, who immediately sweated from the idea that that boy is always bad news. Since her loss against him in the Zombie Genre challenge, she didn't want to take another fight and humiliation like that.
"You know what? Screw this. I don't get paid too much to fight you two. I will be after the others." And with that the cadet knew she was in a losing battle, and she did what would be the smartest thing… She whistled, which brought the attention of the facehuggers. "Scatter and find the others. It's not worth it."
And with Sanders fleeing from combat, Ezekiel waited patiently until the last member of the aliens was out… Ezekiel went down like a sack of potatoes.
"Zeke." Izzy said as she immediately went to help him to sit right, while she looked at him like he lost his mind. "How the heck did you come here?"
Ezekiel knew Izzy was just acting… since she was the one who helped to bring the catapult and was able to ensure the material of the police box was resistant enough to pass through the wall of the movie set.
"It's quite a long story, and you wouldn't believe what happened." Ezekiel said weakly, seeing Izzy giggling in the same way—spontaneously and sincerely… He couldn't help but chuckle as well…
They are sure this was going to bring a new record on the MVPA point system…
Until the group suddenly heard the biggest shriek and lament scream of their lives… To the point, something really, really bad happened…
"Did you hear that?" Izzy asked as she looked at Ezekiel, who flinched.
"I felt that." Ezekiel said as he knew something terrible must have happened. And he isn't sure what is going to happen.
But what was it? Nobody knows, but from what they could guess, it came from the opposite side of where Sanders went… Which wonder, whose scream was that?
"What was that?! Where are the guts? The gore?!" Chris commented in disbelief as he saw one of his employees simply leaving Ezekiel and Izzy, and as much as the combat was looking fantastic, it needed a climax, and that end of the fight wasn't what he wanted… "I'll fix it."
And with that, Chris was about to give a surprise for a final act for the survivors on the challenge; with a new camouflage cap, he was going to militarize them…
"I really should wear camo more often." Chris commented that he was liking the style of clothes he was using at the moment; it fits the theme… But at the time he was about to give an ending for the challenge. Suddenly a shriek loud enough made him pause and stare at the camera… "What was that?"
And by checking the cameras, he decided to rewind for a few minutes one camera in particular… and he didn't imagine he had struck gold with it.
The metallic corridors seemed endless, each one tighter and hotter than the last. Heather, Lindsay, and Katie sprinted side by side, shoes slapping against the steel flooring, every breath a ragged gasp. Behind them, the swarm of robotic facehuggers skittered in a frenzied pack, their claws scraping sparks from the walls, their tubes twitching hungrily with each lunge.
"They're—they're not stopping!" Katie's voice cracked from exhaustion.
"Neither are we!" Heather barked, forcing herself forward despite the burn in her legs. Her hair whipped wildly as she ran, the silky black strands sticking to her sweat-soaked cheeks.
The three of them burst into a wider chamber, their relief turning to dread almost instantly. The floor ahead dipped into a shallow pool, the water rippling black and cold under dim neon lights. Pipes dripped steadily into the pool, filling the room with a metallic stench. Worse still, there were no doors, no ladders, and no catwalks. Just walls.
"A dead end?!" Lindsay squeaked, clutching Katie's hand in terror.
"Of course it's a dead end. This is Chris's idea of a joke. And I'm tired of those jokes." Heather spun on her heel, chest rising and falling like she'd run a marathon. She glared at the advancing swarm, her teeth clenched.
"So what do we do? They're right there!" Lindsay whined, pointing helplessly toward the water.
Heather took a sharp breath, eyes flicking to the pool, then to the bots, then back. She narrowed her gaze and gave a sharp toss of her head, her ponytail slapping against her back.
"We can use their own momentum against them. Using that to our advantage," Heather suggested an idea. Since she saw the slight pattern of the things jumping at them, she knew she could use that in her favour.
"Momentum?" Katie blinked nervously. While she understood the meaning of her words. But she was still having a hard time believing it. "Did you lose your mind?"
"It's our only way." Heather raised her hands like a ballet dancer about to perform. Since she saw the ginger nerd doing something similar on the last season, it was worth trying it. "Follow my lead, and don't get in my way."
The first wave of facehuggers launched themselves across the room. Metal legs clattered against the walls as they arced toward the girls, their tubes thrusting forward.
Heather darted sideways, every movement sharp and precise. One robot soared past her head, missing by inches, and splashed into the water with a hiss. Another leapt for her shoulder—she spun, ducked, and slapped it with the heel of her palm, redirecting its path straight into the pool. Sparks danced across the surface as the bots thrashed and shorted out, blue arcs illuminating the chamber like lightning.
Katie and Lindsay shrieked from the sidelines, hopping in place like they wanted to help but couldn't get near.
Heather kept moving, her instincts razor sharp. Each dodge was calculated, each flick of her arm meant to turn the machines' fury against them, by doing a spin and leading some of them in the direction of the pool with her feet. Her hair spun around her like a whip as she pivoted, and for a moment she almost looked graceful—like some unholy mix of ballerina and survivor.
One by one, the bots plunged into the water, sizzling and sparking as their systems drowned. The air grew thick with the acrid stench of burning circuits. Heather landed from a final spin, sweat dripping down her temple, her chest heaving.
She glanced at the pool, watching the last few machines sink beneath the surface, their red eyes flickering out. A smirk tugged at her lips.
"And with that, those stupid robots are over." Heather bowed as Lindsay clapped happily while Katie's jaw dropped. But still Heather felt a bit of her body sore. "Ugh… I should have done stretches before doing this stupid challenge… But still, she tossed her hair back proudly, her smirk widening. For a fleeting second, victory tasted sweet.
*Click-clatter.*
The sound froze Heather mid-smirk. Her eyes darted to the shadows. One survivor.
The lone facehugger-bot launched with a metallic screech, its claws glinting. Heather gasped and stepped back—only for her stiletto heel to snap with a sickening crack. She stumbled, arms flailing, and before she could recover, the robot tangled itself in her hair.
"AHHHHHHH! GET IT OFF!" Heather screamed, thrashing violently as the machine clawed and twisted in her locks. Her long black hair coiled around the bot's legs like a rope, trapping her as much as it trapped itself.
Lindsay and Katie lunged to help, shrieking in panic. "Hold still, hold still!" Katie cried, tugging helplessly at Heather's hair. Lindsay tried to pry the bot off, but every tug only made it thrash harder.
The machine's claws whirred and sliced as it convulsed, its programming gone haywire. Sparks showered down as it spun, and with a final screech, the blades slashed through the strands binding it.
*SHRRRIPPP!*
Heather froze. A curtain of black hair fluttered to the ground, severed clean from the left side of her head.
The robot collapsed lifeless into the pool, its mission fulfilled.
For a moment, silence reigned.
Lindsay and Katie gasped in unison, hands over their mouths as they stared at Heather. The right side of her hair still hung long and glossy. The left side… gone. Jagged tufts stuck out unevenly above her ear, exposing her scalp.
Heather's breath came in shallow pants. She stared at the wet strands floating in the water, her face pale, her body trembling. Her hand rose shakily to the bare side of her head.
"No… no no no no no…" Her voice cracked, growing shrill. Her eyes widened in horror.
And then it came—the scream.
A raw, piercing shriek that shook the chamber to its core. It wasn't fear. It wasn't pain. It was despair. The sound of someone watching their pride, their beauty, and their entire identity shatter on the floor in an instant.
"MY HAIRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" Heather's voice ripped through the labyrinth, echoing down every corridor like a siren of misery.
Lindsay and Katie flinched, hands clapped to their ears. The robotic swarm elsewhere in the maze even seemed to pause, as if the scream short-circuited their programming.
Somewhere, far away in the control room, Chris burst out laughing so hard he almost fell on the floor.
"Ohhh, this is GOLD! Forget the budget, this scream alone is worth the season!" Chris laughed, as he knew this was going to be a moment Heather won't ever forget.
Back in the chamber, Heather sank to her knees, clutching the uneven remains of her hair, sobbing and wailing. Lindsay crouched beside her, whispering, "It's okay, it's okay, everything is okay…" Katie nodded, tears in her eyes. But nothing could soften the despair Heather poured into the endless echoes of her scream. Cries of despair and sadness…
The sound carried through the maze, reaching Izzy and Ezekiel and reaching Gwen and her group, chilling everyone who heard it. A female scream of pure loss, leaving no doubt: something catastrophic had happened.
Half of Heather's hair was gone.
Confession - Lindsay
"How could that happen? Heather loves her hair more than anything since the season before. If you saw how much product and care she put into her hair, just for some accident like that to happen?" Lindsay said as she herself touched her precious blonde hair with a careful look. Hoping that he never would touch her golden hair. "My worst fear became even worse. Not only do I fear ugly haircuts, but seeing part of my hair destroyed like that? That's evil."
Confession - Heather.
"*Sniffs*" Heather covered her head with a blanket as she tried to hold back her tears while she hugged her knees with such a pathetic and sad look.
"What was that?" Beth said as she felt some awful feeling, like something bad had happened with her best friends.
"I don't know, and I don't want to be here to find out. Quick, put me down." Gwen said as she instructed DJ to catch her, and she, upside down, was doing her best to grab one of the alien eggs. But those eggshells were so breakable that it really caused frustration for her. "UGH, ever heard about plastic props?"
"They did, but they weren't going to use it." Noah could guess that since they are in the reality show, of course things would be as shitty as possible.
"Come on, Gwen, you can do it." Beth cheered as the goth girl calmly touched the eggs, and one by one she grabbed one for Noah, one for Beth, one for DJ, and one for herself. Since it would need to grab them and bring them with patience and precision. It took a lot longer than they expected…
Which unfortunately was enough for someone to reach them… Which was by the sound of the door opening. DJ saw Sanders opening the metal door. And ready with the slime gun, ready to shoot at them…
"You let your whole squad down, and at the time you all get into the elimination cut, I will speak the truth. Maybe that will make you motivated to never let your squad down ever again…"
DJ remembered those words every time he went to sleep, about how they meant the importance of loyalty, friendship… As he simply gave the egg to Beth, who blinked in surprise.
"What are you doing?" Beth asked as DJ simply opened his arms.
"Go, run. I will hold her off." DJ said he was going to use what he has as an advantage: his big size and big heart.
"DJ." Gwen tried to argue, but immediately DJ turned his head.
"GO!" DJ said as he turned his face at Sanders, who was already preparing to shoot at them. "The things I do for love… AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
And with a big roar, DJ charged straight to the metal door.
"Give me a big smile, big guy." Sanders said as she immediately shot the slime blast towards the Jamaican brick wall; however, her eyes went wide open as she saw DJ was tanking all the blasts and still charging at her…
Which was enough for Gwen, Noah, and Beth to escape… Leaving the boy alone and taking Sanders outside of the metal door with him… Which at the time he managed to take them both out…
He slowly blinked as he saw the robotic facehuggers ready to charge at him.
"Well… AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM." DJ couldn't help but accept his fear, as he was attacked by the first facehugger, and with that, he sacrificed himself for his team to leave the place safely.
The trio of Screaming Gophers were able to escape the labyrinth; as they finally managed to get out from the movie set, they were caught over part of the Western movie set, but still it was nice to have more space to breathe… Or, that's what they thought.
The sounds of a helicopter were heard, forcing the trio to stop as they saw Chris flying above them on a helicopter…that had bombs attached to it.
"Attention, civilians! The military is here to protect you now! Unfortunately, we can't let you leave with any alien eggs." Chris announced through a megaphone, making everyone stare at the host, who was piloting a helicopter.
"What do you mean? You said the winner would be the one bringing the egg to the safety zone." Beth said loudly, as she couldn't understand why Chris had been contradictory.
"It's the government, Beth; they lied. They always lie in alien movies." Noah sighed in exasperation, since he should have known about it. Of course Chris would have plotted something like that.
"Hehehe, that's true." Chris said over the megaphone as he then glanced at Beth. "And right… I did, haha." Chris grinned as he pressed a button, causing the bombs to be released from the helicopter!
"PROTECT YOURSELVES." Beth shouted as the trio started to see the falling explosives and quickly took cover before the bombs hit the ground and-
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!*
The bombs immediately went off as they hit the ground, a mushroom cloud of green slime forming as every bit of the town set was covered in green slime. The splash of the explosion was so big that it even managed to cover part of the helicopter with green slime.
"Whoo. Glad I don't have to clean it up." Looking down from his helicopter after lowering his window, knowing the interns will be having a lot of work to do, which for him he would enjoy seeing them working to the bone. It was worth every single penny.
Once it was over, Chris went to go land his helicopter somewhere safe, and he jumped with his parachute, while the trio miraculously managed to save not one, but three eggs with them. Since Noah and Gwen used the barrels to hide themselves, while Beth had entered one of the saloons to escape from the explosion.
"Well, at least we can say everything was- wait… where's my necklace?" Gwen, who was relieved that things were going fine, suddenly felt something was off; her lucky necklace wasn't around her neck.
"You mean this one?" Noah immediately gave the metal blender necklace, which surprised the goth girl. "Found it on the floor after we jumped from the explosion. Was almost slipping on the grate; if we stayed 2 minutes longer without going after it, it would have been gonzo."
Confession - Noah
"Sure, I got Gwen's necklace; trust me, it happened with one of my sisters. Since she got the necklace of Edward Vampire from Vampires of Melancolia. She threw a fit when the necklace went to the toilet…" The bookworm was reading and editing one of the drafts written by his employer, not even looking at the camera as he shared his experience of the past. To the point he even looked at the camera. "We had to unclog 35 bathrooms from the neighbourhood and use the plunger to the point our arms got numb…"
To the point, Noah gave a pause and gave an exasperated sigh.
"Since that day I swore to myself I would always be checking if there would be jewels, necklaces, bracelets, or whatever important stuff would be nearby falling areas like grates, fissures, toilets, and even sinks… Because letting one of those things fall on the sewer is a headache I don't want to get involved in again…"
Gwen genuinely smiled at the bookworm and gave a small hug.
"Thanks a lot, Noah. That was my lucky charm." Gwen said as the boy simply rolled his eyes.
"Of course it is… I'm sure you and one of my sisters would really love to have some talk." Noah said sarcastically as he looked up and saw Chris coming after them.
"And that's how I saw a good ending for a challenge, guys. Drama, action, terror, and comedy are all the events happening over this challenge. And still, like a massacre happening over a few movies. Screaming Gophers once again managed to do the unbelievable." Chris narrated as he saw Beth coming out of the fake saloon with the egg in her arms. "You three from the Gophers managed to grab not one, but three eggs. While all the members of the Killer Grips didn't even reach the Cauldron Room. And with that, I declare. The victory of the Gophers."
"WOHOOOOO." The trio started to celebrate… until they heard something horrifying.
"That's what I will say if I see at least one of you actually reaching the safety zone." Chris said as he walked towards the door, and at the time it opened, Sanders and MacArthur were already using their alien costumes, and the dozens of facehugger robots started to pass over the wall… "Well, Gophers, if I were you. I would start running right now."
Gwen, Beth, and Noah paled as they saw the slime guns and even the robots ready to go after them.
Confession - Gwen
"*BEEEEEP*..."
Confession - Noah
"...you…"
Confession - Beth
"...Chris,"
Confession - Chris.
"Wow… Rude." The host of the show commented as he crossed his arms, knowing the trio who were now responsible to take the eggs; each of them said the same sentence, while he swore he was doing what was the best for the sake of entertainment. "Sometimes I think they are ungrateful for everything nice I do for them."
To say the trio had used every ounce of their strength just to stagger into the safety zone would have been an understatement. Gwen, Noah, and Beth stumbled across the line where the contestants' trailers loomed, clutching the fragile alien eggs like holy relics, their legs wobbling, their lungs on fire. Each step was an act of pure stubbornness.
Noah collapsed to his knees the moment they were safe, his hair plastered to his forehead. "I have never… in my entire life… run that much," he wheezed.
Beth bent over with her hands on her knees, her chest rising and falling like she'd finished a marathon. Gwen leaned against the fence, her knuckles white as she refused to let go of the egg even after victory was certain.
Around them, the safety zone was eerily sparse. Trent and Tyler were sprawled on the grass catching their breath. Katie and Lindsay whispered nervously in the corner, while Heather sat stiffly with a blanket wrapped around her head like a mourning widow, eyes burning but refusing to show her face. Izzy lounged on top of an equipment crate, looking far too cheerful for someone who'd just fought robots, while Ezekiel sat nearby with glazed eyes and a bruise forming under one cheek, clearly battered but alive.
The silence of exhaustion hung over them until Chris's slow clap cut through like a blade.
"Well, well, well," Chris drawled, stepping into view with his trademark smirk. He clapped harder, as if mocking the very effort it took for anyone to survive. "It seems we have our winners: the Screaming Gaffers. Two victories in a row. You guys are on fire!"
The cheer that might have followed was smothered by the exhausted, glaring faces of Gwen, Noah, and Beth. Their expressions screamed murder, but Chris either didn't notice or—more likely—just didn't care.
"I know I'm going to regret asking," Noah said flatly, one eyebrow arched. "But… what happened to the others?"
"Oh?" Chris chuckled, eyes twinkling with cruelty. "Well, since you asked…"
He gestured grandly toward the row of squat, ugly buildings to the side of the trailers. From within, noises began to filter out—sounds that drained the colour from the grips' and gaffers' faces.
"Uggggghhh, pleeease… Take it out of meeeee!" Sadie's wails mixed with a series of wet splatters, groans, and fart noises that echoed through the set like a symphony of suffering. The noises grew louder, punctuated by Justin's, DJ's, and Bridgette's whimpering; Harold's, Leshawna's, Owen's, and Geoff's dramatic moans; and Jude's weak, "Dude, this is not cool…"
Chris grinned as his surviving contestants recoiled in disgust, some stepping back involuntarily. "Behold: nine communal bathrooms for nine contestants who, tragically, had the displeasure of sampling facehugger goo… A family recipe of yours truly. Let's just say it doubles as a natural laxative."
Inside the row of stalls, Harold, DJ, Sadie, Justin, Leshawna, Owen, Jude, Bridgette, Jude, and Geoff were trapped in their private porcelain nightmares.
"The effects should keep them occupied for about… oh…" Chris checked his watch. "…two hours. Plenty of time to make sure we don't have to see their faces for a while."
Beth gagged audibly. Katie and Lindsay looked like they might faint. Even Gwen winced, which was rare for her.
"Yay…" Noah muttered, the sarcasm so dry it cracked in the air. A few others echoed him half-heartedly.
"For the Gaffers, you all will have a nice movie session of the aliens sci-fi genre with the right to have good popcorn made by the chef."
"cool…" Some members of the Gaffers who survived one of the worst challenges of their lives didn't look excited; they sarcastically replied.
"Well, critics, you guys know that in alien invasion movies, it's not about rewards and prestige, but the fact that you guys survived the worst; it's always a bittersweet ending for alien genre movies. I'm just giving you all a reward because you guys did a good episode." Chris this time said in a serious voice, which in fact surprised the others.
"As for you Killer Grips—you know the drill. One of you is about to go home. Meet me at the Gilded Chris Ceremony, and prepare for the elimination of one of you." Chris spun on his heel toward the other team, his smile sharp.
The Grips exchanged nervous, weary glances. After everything they'd endured—the slime, the robots, the chaos—it somehow felt even crueller that the night would end not with relief… but with betrayal. And some of them already have a name in mind.
The Arts and Crafts Tent had never felt so heavy. Normally the chatter of contestants filled the air, bouncing off the canvas walls with the energy of camp life. On that afternoon, though, exhaustion ruled. Every chair was filled with slumped shoulders, every table crowded with pale faces still recovering from the worst challenge so far.
The scent of roasted chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, and crisp green beans wafted across the tent like a cruel trick. The survivors of both teams found themselves chewing quietly, almost in disbelief. After days of mystery slop and Chef's infamous "experiments," this meal tasted like something from an actual restaurant. Tender meat. Hot bread. Even dessert.
Heather sat wrapped in a blanket on the table, her posture stiff, her eyes darting suspiciously whenever anyone so much as glanced her way. Not even her sharp tongue made an appearance—her silence said enough. She kept one hand pressed against the left side of her head, where her hair used to fall in perfect glossy strands. Beth, sitting across from her, couldn't stop staring. The horror on her face grew each time she imagined what her best friend had endured, and it left her twisting her hands in her lap, whispering soft apologies Heather refused to acknowledge.
Lindsay, Izzy, and Katie flanked Heather like bodyguards, offering quiet words of reassurance that sounded more hopeful than convincing. Lindsay stroked Heather's blanket-covered shoulder every few minutes, repeating, "It's still pretty, it's still pretty, you're still Heather," while Katie nodded furiously in agreement.
Across the table, Trent and Tyler sat in grim silence, their bowls of food untouched. Both wore the hollow-eyed stare of people who had seen too much chaos for one day. Tyler tapped his spoon absently against the edge of his plate, a nervous tic that grated on Trent's nerves but was easier to endure than more screaming. They really dodged a bullet when they got into the Laundry Chute System, but still, seeing their team like that was horrible, even seeing how Lindsay felt heartache because of Heather.
He wanted to give some reassuring words, since it happened a few times with his family, but he wasn't crazy enough to test his luck by going in their direction. He didn't want to get either good or bad karma from it. It would be for the best if he doesn't get hurt because of that. So he will enjoy the silence…
Ezekiel hunched over his tray, poking at his meal without saying a word. He looked bruised and battered, his usual comments gone. For him, silence said everything—the boy who had gone catapulting through a wall inside a fake police box wasn't in the mood for jokes. He collected as many MVPA points as he could, and he knew their team lost; he was sure the public was going to enjoy the elimination of the episode. But still, he hated seeing someone of his team go… now that he started to have more interaction with them…
But at the time Ezekiel decided to give a try to Chef's food and focus on preparing himself for the Gilded Chris ceremony… Suddenly his eyes went wide open in surprise.
The food was good. Really good. Too good.
Beth swallowed a bite, guilt flickering across her face.
"I don't… I don't understand. Why would he give us this now?" Beth asked, as it seems the survivors of both teams got a well-deserved meal. Since Gwen, Noah, Lindsay, and even Izzy received what would be the best quality of food.
And strange was the fact Chef Hatchet went to sit with them to eat the food as well…
"Well, I just feel in the mood to make something nice for you all; I usually don't care. But seeing you all having to deal with aliens with laxatives? Yeah, I decided to give a bone to all of you." Chef Hatchet commented as he sounded less serious but calm enough to surprise everyone on there.
To the point, even Izzy stared at him in disbelief and in surprise… She couldn't help but sit nearby Ezekiel.
"Pegasus Rainbow Juice Mix?" Izzy whispered to Ezekiel, who nodded his head to her. Which the ginger girl couldn't help but whistle. "I thought it was a joke when you said it could make Chef mood change for the better."
"Told ya. Eh." Ezekiel said, and then he covered his mouth, and Izzy raised her eyebrow at him.
"Nice accent." Izzy smirked while she saw her homeschooled friend roll his eyes.
"Har har har." The boy simply scoffed, as he then felt something around his pocket… Calmly he placed one hand and noticed it was a paper, which probably Izzy was the one who gave it to him. He saw her smile and knew it was a crazy plan… but one that would work successfully.
Even as the tensions would remain until that night.
"Bananas, rice, applesauce, toast. Food good with fibres after the crazy challenges you all got this morning," Chef said as he placed each tray carefully in front of the contestants who had spent countless hours chained to the bathrooms. His voice carried an unusual solemnity, his posture less harsh drill sergeant and more concerned medic. The unexpected seriousness caught everyone off guard. "Eat slow. Take it carefully. And drink a lot of water."
"Okay… thanks," Sadie murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Her gratitude sounded hollow from exhaustion; her face looked drained, her body empty after the endless torture in the stalls.
She wasn't the only one. Leshawna's strong frame sagged in fatigue, Jude dragged his feet with every step, and even Owen shuffled rather than bounded, his usual energy reduced to a quiet hunger. They all followed Sadie's lead and sat down at the first table they could find.
Sadie looked across at the redhead scribbling into her crossword book.
Izzy shrugged without looking up, the gesture casual and permissive. Sadie dropped into the seat with a sigh of relief, the others following her. "I heard our team won."
"Yep," Izzy replied, humming absently as she hunted for her next word. Her voice was flat, almost bored, like victory and near-death carried equal weight. "Katie's fine, if you were wondering."
"That I know. Thank you for protecting her." Sadie's lips curved weakly into a smile. Her hands trembled as she lifted her fork, but the moment she took a bite, her eyes widened. "Wow… this food is actually… good."
"Chef's in a good mood today," Izzy said, flipping a page, tone matter-of-fact. "Better enjoy it while it lasts."
The others dug in, Leshawna muttering under her breath but eating gratefully, Owen moaning happily at every bite, and Jude too tired to do more than push food into his mouth with mechanical rhythm. Even Justin appeared, weary and silent, focusing on his plate and muttering something about a shower.
Then Harold emerged. His posture was stiff, his walk unsteady, but his eyes scanned the tent with the sharpness of someone who had seen too much. He spotted Leshawna among the group, their gazes meeting for a fleeting second. She gave him a small nod—respect, acknowledgment—but Harold lowered his head and kept walking, choosing a seat by himself on the far side. Izzy smirked faintly.
"Soon I'll join Harold," she said without looking up. "He did a lot in this challenge. Guy deserves a pat on the back."
"That's nice of you." Justin commented as he raised his eyebrows at her but preferred to focus on eating his food and trying to take a shower to refresh after the crazy challenge he had in the morning.
Izzy just smiled and went back to filling squares.
.
.
.
DJ, Geoff, and Bridgette dragged themselves forward in line. Their stomachs were still delicate, but hunger overruled nausea. Bridgette looked almost grateful at the sight of vegetarian options on her tray. For once, she and Geoff weren't clinging to each other, just leaning in quiet misery.
DJ hesitated, staring at Chef. The words caught in his throat, but Chef raised a hand, stopping him.
"Err…" DJ wanted to say something, but Chef raised his hand…
"You didn't let your team down," Chef said, his tone firm but—shockingly—kind. "You did what a good comrade, and better yet, what a friend, should do. Good job. Keep it up."
DJ's chest seized, his eyes stinging. He wanted to cry from the relief, but Chef tilted his head sharply.
"Don't cry on camera," Chef warned, softer now. "Go eat, shower, and then enjoy the movie. Popcorn's on me tonight. You earned it."
DJ nodded hard, his throat tight. He followed Geoff and Bridgette to the table, sitting down with the faintest smile of pride breaking through his exhaustion.
And with the group finally reaching their table… DJ could see the group of his team enjoying their meal; even as simple as it was, it felt good for him to get a nice meal just for once…
For a short while, peace returned. Forks clinked, the survivors chewed in silence, and Owen even managed to break into a smile.
"Well, the challenge was something else." Geoff commented that even as terrible and disgusting as the challenge was, at least everything ended well.
"Say for yourself, I never passed that much in the bathroom more than I did today. I felt like my organs were left behind." Leshawna said that even as she enjoyed the food, the traumatizing experience of aliens attacking them would be marked on their minds, and even their time in the bathroom was something that she preferred to forget.
"Duuude…" Jude was mumbling, and after he ate, he preferred to have his head lying on the table, since he would use that time to rest before watching the movies as the rewards of his team.
"Hey, I know that things have gone horribly. But at least everything is over, and we don't have to do the Alien Challenge ever again. Also, we got this nice food prepared by Chef today. So it's a win for all of us." Owen with his optimism, which Sadie couldn't help but nod her head at.
"Well, I think it went nicely, even as I and Geoff couldn't help but be together…" Bridgette said as she couldn't help but approach her boyfriend to give another kiss…
"Bridgette, you are going to be voted out tonight." Until a comment appeared like thunder, and immediately everyone who was eating at that moment paused… as Izzy, who was still doing her crosswords, said casually.
"What?" Bridgette's head whipped toward her, eyes wide.
"The Killer Grips had enough, to the point either of the teams who would lose, either you or Geoff, would be voted off. You two had always been kissing each other, even on the challenges, to the point that you are simply wasting your time and our time right here, so if you don't want the money, then just get out." Izzy said with a smile on her face, at which Bridgette's face blanched and then flushed red.
"That's not true! I want to win this show just like everyone else!" Her voice cracked, carrying across the tent. She glanced desperately around, but the silence was unbearable—no one defended her nor even Geoff. Not Sadie, not Leshawna, not even Owen. Even Harold paused mid-bite from across the tent, staring at her but saying nothing.
"Then you aren't showing… do you know why the others from Killer Grips and Screaming Gaffers aren't here? It's because they wanted me to be the messenger. We are done. Either you or Geoff is going to be eliminated. And your only option Bridgette is to use the MVPA gift box to save yourself, have some nice luck to save your skin, or accept your defeat." The silence stretched, suffocating. Bridgette trembled, her hand gripping Geoff's arm. He tried to speak but faltered, caught between loyalty and the weight of Izzy's truth.
Izzy stood, tucking her puzzle under her arm, her boots thumping against the floor as she left. "I'll be with Harold," she added lazily. "He's been alone, and he deserves better company. You two? Enjoy your last hours together. Or, if you're lucky, find someone else to target." She tossed a salute over her shoulder. "Good luck."
Her laughter echoed faintly as she disappeared toward Harold's corner.
Bridgette stared at her untouched food, heart hammering, the taste of defeat becoming more bitter, and her hope turning into ash. She sat frozen, Izzy's words echoing in her skull like a death sentence. Around her, the silence grew unbearable—not one voice rose in her defence. The other members of her team weren't there: Heather, Lindsay, Tyler, Ezekiel, Trent, and Katie. No one was there; they left, with Izzy being the messenger while proving the point that she was going to be eliminated.
Harold didn't even defend her, since the boy preferred to be in silence.
No one spoke up.
For Bridgette, it was worse than shouting. Worse than insults. The silence meant agreement.
Her throat tightened. She turned to Geoff, desperate.
"Geoff… Say something. Tell them I'm not—"
"Yeah, we didn't do that m-"
"Geoff, you are my friend, and a good friend indeed… but I don't want to hear it from you." Sadie said, immediately shocking Bridgette and Geoff from that moment. "You forgot you were supposed to be the first one to be eliminated with Courtney? But somehow Duncan was eliminated because of the gift box?"
Geoff flinched when Sadie of all people said those harsh words. Even Justin was surprised to hear Sadie say that.
"Okay, look, guys. I know Geoff and Bridgette had been distracted so much around the challenge they simply couldn't compete on the show, but we shouldn't be giving them the cold shoulder." DJ said "specifically," to which Sadie simply raised both hands.
"I'm not giving them a cold shoulder. I'm just saying what we all have been thinking all this time. Bridgette did nicely on the Noire Challenge but always comes back to this. Always the kissing." Sadie said as she pointed out the facts. "You two are my good friends, but couldn't you two just not do that in the challenges?"
"..." Both Bridgette and Geoff remained quiet…
Her mind spun. The MVPA gift box. That was one option. A gamble, but better than nothing. But if she wasted her points and it didn't save her… She'd be gone.
Which meant she needed backup. Someone on her team who still had sway. Someone stubborn enough to hear her out.
Bridgette clenched her fists, fighting the sting of tears. She hated the idea, but she knew the truth: if she wanted to stay in the game, she'd have only one hope, and she hoped he would listen to her.
The cliffs overlooking camp were quiet that evening, the lake below catching the last traces of dying light. Normally the spot was a sanctuary—a hideout the Killer Grips used to escape Chris's ever-present cameras—but now it felt more like a confessional.
Ezekiel sat on the edge, hunched over his laptop, tapping out notes no one else would see. His hoodie was streaked with dirt, his arm bruised from the chaos of the challenge, and his posture tired but steady. For once, the cameras weren't watching. He'd found the blind spot, the rare place where privacy actually existed.
Bridgette's footsteps crunched over the gravel as she approached, her body tense, her face pale with stress. She hesitated before speaking, clutching her arms as if she were bracing for a wave.
"You… want me to vote on E-Skope?" Ezekiel's voice was low, incredulous. He didn't even look at her at first, just kept his eyes on the screen. "Why would I do that?"
"Please," Bridgette begged, the word tumbling out before she could stop it. She stepped closer, her voice cracking. "I need your help. She told me I should choose a gift box to save myself. And—" she swallowed, fighting the shame bubbling in her chest, "—I was hoping I could count on you to… maybe… vote for someone else instead."
Ezekiel finally looked at her, his expression unreadable, eyes shadowed under his bangs. He said nothing, but the weight of his silence made Bridgette's knees weak.
"She sounded… off." Bridgette's voice was trembling now. "I don't know if she was hinting that she wants out, or if she was just playing with me, but… it feels like she's daring me. Like she's saying it's between her and me." Her hands were wrung together, twisting her hoodie sleeves into knots. "Please, Zeke… I know you and Izzy spend a lot of time together. I know how close you are. But I… I can't just give up."
Still nothing. Ezekiel just stared at her, his face a mix of bruised empathy and exhaustion.
Bridgette's throat tightened. She could hear how selfish she sounded, but the words wouldn't stop.
"I know I've been distracted. Geoff and I… we haven't been helping. And I know that's on me. But I swear, I want to focus now. I want to prove I belong here. Please—"
Her voice broke. She dropped her gaze, ashamed, tears stinging her eyes.
Ezekiel remained quiet, as his usual expression of empathy was actually mixed with tiredness, and even the events showed he was bruised, and their defeat looked terrible, even after their loss on the challenge prior to that…
Bridgette knew that she was asking something she won't forgive herself for in the future, but she needed to continue on with the game… and she knows she was doing a bad thing…
For a long, unbearable moment, Ezekiel said nothing. He closed his laptop with a soft click and stood, his shadow falling over Bridgette.
"You've got one chance," he said finally, his tone flat but heavy with meaning. "One. Pray your luck holds."
Bridgette's breath hitched. Relief and guilt crashed together as she nodded rapidly, a tear slipping down her cheek.
"Thank you," she whispered. But relief wasn't comfort. As she stood there, heart racing, she already knew the weight of what she was about to do. She knew she would be trying to take a shot in the dark. And depending on the gift box, it could make a lot of difference; maybe she could use something to swap votes, or even have more votes, or even something unpredictable to save herself, while she would vote off Izzy.
And she was guilty about what she was about to do, since she knew Izzy was actually one important member of the team, and she didn't want to vote for Heather because Heather lost her hair and she had already suffered enough. If Lindsay was eliminated, Tyler wouldn't speak with her for a long time. Trent is really trying his best to prove himself… She didn't want to vote off members of Killer Bass because that would clearly damage their friendship, and that would be a low blow even for her.
While Izzy and Ezekiel are the most mature of the group, she knew they would understand. But that doesn't mean she wouldn't feel bad. But it was all she had.
(Dramatic Awards Ceremony)
As soon as the camera showed the lights going for the stage, the stage lights moved as scenes of Chris's best moments of Total Drama Island, Chris smiling, and Chris having his best poses closed in until his images faded as it showed the master prize of the moment, the Gilded Chris. With special effects of fireworks happening, which would impress anyone watching the television.
And with that, Chris walked towards the stage, dressed in his elegant light blue suit and red bow tie, as all the Killer Grips contestants were sitting on the stands in front of the stage. Some are anxious about the events of the night, while others just want the day to end. Heather still had a blanket on her hair; Harold and Bridgette looked at her but decided to focus on the game. Until Chris came to present himself for the event.
"Killer Grips, while the last time you all didn't have a chance to use your MVPA points, this time we have a surprise for all of you…" Chris said with a good smirk, which would always mean bad news for everyone… "Since the events of a show…which I think was a terrible segment of our show…still, what they do is valuable to all of you…"
Ezekiel wondered if Chris was talking badly of Total Drama Aftermath and wondered how the episode created by Courtney and Duncan went, but still the others looked at each other in confusion about the reason for that.
"Well, to summarize, Eva and Cody used their MVPA points to give a huge surprise to all of you." Chris explained as the group blinked in surprise, learning that former contestants did something outside of the game. "Eva transferred all her 8500 MVPA points to Katie, since that would give her a chance to buy something interesting on the eliminations."
"WHAT?" The Killer Grips blinked in surprise, never realizing that could happen when you were eliminated, and 8500 points? We're actually enough to buy some things…
"And Cody, he decided to help you all; by using his points, he bought the highlights of the most expensive gift box he could. So that means from now on, you all will know the price and what that gift box would do on the votes." Chris also gave another huge bomb, which clearly caught everyone by surprise. "And I have to say, you all got lucky, because check out your devices.
And just like he said… everyone took a look…
…
"WHAT?!" And with that, the Killer Grips discovered one thing that would always forever show the powers of gift boxes.
"Exactly. For 34,000 MVPA points, you can erase all the votes against you." Chris smirked evilly as the group stared in surprise and horror at what a powerful gift box could do. "This shows how important MVPA points are, and it's a lesson that you always should be focusing on improving your acting skills all this time. Which, I have to confess, some of you really did a great job, while others could have done a lot better."
"So that means each of these actually has something that would make our lives easier?" Heather asked, perplexed, as she never realized that actually was a great thing that could turn the tables every time. And she looked on at how Ezekiel, Izzy, Cody, Katie, Harold a few times, and Lindsay and Tyler—everyone—could have done a good amount of points and made things interesting for them.
"Yep. Now, you got the gesture, so that's why I expect better of you all on the next challenges. Make the viewers and the ratings grow up, guys; the more you do, the better the accommodations for you all." Chris was incentivized, as MacArthur and Sanders appeared dressed in their iconic pink dresses, while hating their jobs all the time. "Alright, no further ado… You guys must vote on who should be eliminated tonight, while some can use the gift boxes to buy something nice. Be wise and expend wisely, everyone. You all can only buy 1 gift box."
Bridgette remained in silence, and she never thought she had such good luck… She had 34500 points; it was on the limit, and yet she managed through it… She wondered if it was because of the Alice Angel song she did or the time she passed with Ezekiel and the guys while doing their iconic scenes of acting like family. Or the fact she kissed Geoff many times…
She didn't know, but that was indeed her only chance… And the young surfer heard the sounds of surprising gasps from Harold, Katie giving a squeal of excitement, and even Izzy or Kaleidoscope giving a giggle of something.
"Oh, I'm sure this will be a good help for us on the next challenge; oh, nobody will expect that." Izzy's comment really made Bridgette's heart sink.
"Sorry, Izzy, I'm really sorry." Bridgette pressed the Giftbox and used the vote she had to vote on the only person she thought was right… She gave a glance at Ezekiel, who didn't look at her…
The next minute came like an eternity, but Chris was happy to see Chef appearing once again with his suit.
"Look who just came tonight." Chris raised his eyebrow to Chef who didn't seem to be annoyed by his sarcastic remark.
"Sorry I was late; I had to make sure the popcorn was nice. By the way, my paycheck didn't come. Did you deliver it?" Chef asked as Chris immediately sweated…
"They are in the mail." Chris said, as Chef simply nodded his head.
"Okay, I will try to talk with the box office tomorrow then." Chef said with so much calm that Chris literally blinked a few times… wondering what happened to Chef, but then the cook himself decided to talk. "Anyway, do you mind if I tell the others what they did wrong?"
"Suit yourself?" Chris took a step back, allowing the man to continue his work.
"Bridgette." Chef said in a solemn tone, which made the blonde girl flinch. "At the time of the challenge, instead of helping your team to survive through the labyrinth, you were distracted by your boyfriend, to the point that you 2 were the easiest target for Sanders. "Love is nice, but you forgot that you have your friends needing you, and you left them to survive the whole challenge by themselves."
"Sorry…" Bridgette commented.
"Ezekiel." Chef pointed the finger, and the homeschooled boy blinked in surprise. "You showed leadership towards your team; however, neither of your team managed to reach the Cauldron Room, making the bait strategy useless since MacArthur got to other contestants of the show. Talk between boys is nice, but you all should be doing that outside of the challenge."
"Yeah… my bad." Ezekiel commented that he thinks things shouldn't have gone that terribly.
"Izzy."
"Kaleidoscope." Izzy corrected her, but the cook simply ignored her. "I changed my name legally."
"Fine… Kaleidoscope. You did your best to protect your friends and team, but instead of reaching the cauldron room, they were led into the water tank reservoir." Chef pointed out the fact, which made Izzy flinch. "I don't blame you because they got in a panic and went into a different path than you instructed, but next time you should have someone who actually can focus on reading the map as well… Am I clear?"
"Yes, sir." Izzy saluted like a soldier, and Bridgette still felt guilty from what's about to happen.
"All of you made your votes. Who will be? Who will be cast off from the set?" Chris said with a solemn look, making every person of the Killer Grips stare at Bridgette who flinched and looked nervous, hoping it would work…
Chris decided to take the gilded statues of his image made with chocolate. While Chef started to play the drumroll in excitement. And the cadets were rolling their eyes, and one of their hands was doing jazz hands. Until the machine that caught the votes printed it straight for Chris to take it…
Remember, if you get a Gilded Chris, you get to stay, because, rather suitably, the Gilded Chris represents the lustre of fame and immortal greatness. Haha." Chris gave a small joke, as he decided it was already time to end such a wonderful episode. "And the Gilded Chrises go to… Trent."
The guitarist was surprised as he smiled into getting the golden statue made of chocolate.
"Harold, Lindsay, Heather." Chris threw the golden statues towards the members, while Heather carefully, still with her head covered, took her prize… Chris then looked at the other members. "Tyler, Ezekiel, Katie…"
And one by one, each of them got their respective prizes, which left them staring at Izzy and Bridgette.
"And now… only two nominees left." Chris commented as Heather simply rolled her eyes.
"Can you just give the Gildeg Chris to E-Scope and we get over with this?" Heather said, annoyed, as she wanted to sleep quickly and be away from the cameras as soon as possible.
"Well, that's where you are wrong, Heather." Chris said with a sadistic smile. "It seems someone used her gift box to erase all the votes against her… Isn't that right, Bridgette?"
"What?" And like a bomb drop, many people who had clearly voted for Bridgette looked pale at that moment.
"And the loser is…Izzy!" Chris said as his information was shocking to many people, except for Izzy and Ezekiel, who hid their looks from the cameras.
"I'm not going anywhere. That's not my name!" Izzy said as she crossed her arms and stared at Chris, annoyed.
Chris looked at her in disbelief, and even to the point he stared at Chef and the cadets.
"I have to confess, this girl is committed to the name change." Sanders whistled while Chef nodded his head.
"If it was changed by law, there was nothing else we could do." Chef said as he agreed with the idea that the girl really likes kaleidoscopes.
"Can I get a pen over here?" Chris said annoyingly as he started to write on the paper. "It says "E-Scope" now, okay?!"
And with that, Izzy controlled herself to not smirk. With the point, she started to walk on the Lame-O-Sine.
"And remember, you can never come back. Ever!" Chris said annoyingly as he was about to press the button to call security. Ezekiel also followed Izzy straight to the place.
"Don't need to call the security; I will take her on the Lame-O-Sine." Ezekiel said as he could see Chris looking at him in disbelief. "Won't need long. Promise."
"Fine…" Chris said, as Ezekiel nodded his head and Izzy smiled as the duo walked nearby to the limousine and got ready for her elimination.
"It had been a good time," Izzy commented as she and Ezekiel were nearby the car, ready to take her away.
"Yep. Can you do me a favour?" Ezekiel asked, to which Izzy simply smiled.
"Don't worry, I got you." Izzy said as she even smirked and gave a hug to him, to which Ezekiel gave a few taps on her back and smiled sadly. "Oh, by the way…" Izzy gave a sly smirk as she started to whisper something in his ear… And then she saw his entire face blushing, which made her smirk even further. "Thanks for always having my back, Zeke… *smooch*. Good luck."
And to the surprise of everyone, even Ezekiel, nobody expected the ginger girl to give a kiss on his cheek and even say something that would surely make the hormones inside of his body act crazy… To the point, she once again gave the small giggle. And looked at everyone.
"DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME, GUYS… I LEFT A SURPRISE TO ALL OF YOU ON THE NEXT CHALLENGE BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA." And with that, Izzy closed the Lame-O-Sine, which started to drive away… "You will see my star on the walk of them, mark my words."
And with that… the episode was over as the director said, "Cut…" and everyone got up in their places; many ignored Bridgette or even glared for what she did… They saw Ezekiel staring in the direction of where the Lame-o-sine carried away Izzy, and he was in complete silence.
"Ezekiel…" Bridgette wanted to say something, but she saw Ezekiel raising his hand… And turning his head to her, it pained her to see Ezekiel staring at her, not in anger. But in complete and pure disappointment.
"I will go to write my other books. I don't want to be disturbed." Ezekiel passed by her and even gave a small pause… "You will be voted out on the next challenge in case we lose; you and Geoff got too dependent on each other, and you became worse than what Katie and Sadie had on last season… Take it as my one and only warning. Stop kissing Geoff, or you both get eliminated. We aren't here to play couples; we are here to try to achieve our dreams and future careers after this show is over. And if you don't have other dreams than simply making out with Geoff, then you shouldn't be taking the place of people who wanted so much to be in your place and help them to create a career for themselves."
Bridgette felt the painful sharp words on her heart and felt the pang of pain… and the tears on her face couldn't save her from the guilt, and even as she knew that she had hurt her friend, since she always suspected Ezekiel had a crush on Izzy, she still did it because she thought Izzy had already achieved her dreams…
She simply nodded…
"Talk to me only when you want to be serious on this show and not waste the time of everyone." Ezekiel, with that, started to walk as he passed between his group of friends. "I'm going to write my book. I don't want to be disturbed."
And with that, Ezekiel left, and everyone who witnessed the situation was… Even Chris had to whistle from the dramatic effect that appeared.
"Did the pay-per-view get that?" Chris asked as he sighed in relief when the camera crew gave him a thumbs up. "Man, I love this job…"
Bridgette released a few tears as she saw the members of Killer Grips staring at her, some in disappointment, and some even glared at her. But they all decided to leave her alone with the shameful act she just did. She just bought herself time; next time she wouldn't be lucky, and in that case she would lose…
They are now going to put pressure on her since they lost one of their most valuable players.
Harold had lived through long days before. Today made them all look like they were on vacation. He had burned through one of his rare gift boxes, knowing he might regret it tomorrow. He'd had to endure a "boys' talk" with his friends, slow down on things with his girlfriend, choke down laxatives from facehuggers, and fight harder than he thought possible against facehuggers and chaos—all that effort only for his team to lose anyway.
Now the Gaffers were celebrating in their movie lounge with popcorn, while his team of Killer Grips wanted nothing more than a shower and twelve hours of unconsciousness.
Harold had just changed into his pyjamas, toothbrush ready in hand, when a knock rattled the trailer door.
"What was that?" Trent cracked one eye open.
"Not me, man. I'm done." Tyler, already flopped facedown on his mattress, groaned.
With a sigh heavy enough to fill the room, Harold shuffled to the door. He pulled it open—and blinked in surprise.
Heather stood there, swaddled in a blanket, her head bowed. Beside her, Lindsay's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, while Katie looked at Harold like he was their only hope in the world.
"Harold, we need your help," Katie pleaded, her voice desperate. "I know you've had a long day, but Heather really, really needs you."
"I can't believe you two talked me into this." Heather grunted from under her blanket.
"What's this about?" Harold rubbed his temple, utterly confused.
"It's… her hair. Please. It's an emergency." Katie swallowed, her voice small.
Memories of Playa del Losers came rushing back. The day he trimmed Ezekiel's hair as a favour from the Killer Bass, then Katie asked, then Sadie, then Eva, then Leshawna, then suddenly every girl on the Playa wanted a Harold haircut. What started as a favour turned into a nightmare: endless requests, back-to-back critiques, no sleep, and scissors haunting his dreams.
He had sworn never again.
"…I said I was done with this," Harold muttered, already stepping back.
"Please, Harold," Katie begged, clasping her hands together. "You're the only one who can fix it. You're amazing at this, even if you don't want to admit it. Heather really needs you."
Heather met his eyes, and for once, there was no arrogance, no bite—just quiet panic. "I… can't walk around like this," she whispered, shoulders slumped. Slowly, hesitantly, she lowered the blanket, revealing the jagged, shredded wreck left by the facehugger's blades.
Harold froze. His eyes widened. Knowing that indeed "terrible" and "monstrous" would be the right words to describe what happened to the left side of Heather's hair…
And then, without another word, he muttered what would be the most relieving thing the girls would hear.
"…I'll grab my stuff."
"Yes!" Katie squealed, clapping both hands over her mouth. "I mean—oops—thank you, Harold."
.
.
.
The confession booth was empty for the night, the bulbs around the mirrors still glowing in harsh yellow light. Normally, this was where makeup artists worked before interviews. Tonight, it had been converted into a battlefield.
Harold entered with his old suitcase, the one he swore he'd never open again. He set it down with a heavy thud, clicking it open to reveal scissors, combs, sprays, and mysterious gadgets that made Lindsay and Katie glance at each other nervously.
"Make sure nobody comes in," Harold instructed firmly, his tone uncharacteristically sharp. "No distractions. I need concentration. Total silence."
Katie nodded quickly. Lindsay squeezed Heather's hand.
"Fine, I didn't want to talk to you anyway—" Heather muttered, but stopped when Harold's glare cut into her.
"You don't get it," Harold said, his voice steady but heavy. "This isn't just a bad cut. This is disaster territory. A nightmare job. The kind of thing that would make even the Steve Camp of Hairstyle and Young Talents call it quits."
Heather's mouth snapped shut. For once, she didn't argue.
"Do you want me to save your hair or not?" Harold asked flatly.
"…please," Heather whispered, eyes dropping to the floor.
Harold gave a single, grave nod.
"Good. Because this won't be quick. I'm going to spend hours awake, fixing what those robots destroyed. With the right work, I can make it beautiful again. You want that, or not?"
Heather swallowed hard, then nodded. Her hands trembled slightly against the blanket.
"Alright then," Harold said. He looked from Heather to Katie to Lindsay, his voice softening for the first time. "You're my teammate. Lindsay's my bro Tyler's girl. Katie believes in me. That makes this my responsibility. When I finish… it won't just be a haircut." He clicked his scissors once, the metallic sound ringing like a starting bell. "It'll be my masterpiece."
Heather shut her eyes, whispering anxiously, "Just please… save my hair."
Harold draped the blanket around her neck like a cape. The lights hummed overhead. The mirror reflected the tension in all their faces.
And then the first strand fell to the floor.
The long night had begun.
The hallway outside the confession booth felt like a hospital waiting room that had been stripped bare. Katie and Lindsay sat on the floor, knees tucked to their chests, the fluorescent lights overhead humming as minutes stretched into hours. The door to the booth was closed tight, Harold's shadow occasionally flickering past the gap underneath as the sound of scissors, combs, and sprays filled the air like surgical instruments in use.
Neither girl spoke much. Every so often Katie whispered, "He's got this… he's got this…" as if she were convincing herself as much as Lindsay. Lindsay wrung her hands together, tears clinging to the corners of her eyes. To them, Heather wasn't just their friend—she was Heather, the girl who prided herself on her flawless appearance, her poise, and her sharp beauty. If her hair were beyond saving, it would break her in ways a challenge never could.
Hours dragged on. The night deepened, stars pricking through the fabric of the sky outside the tent. Other campers had gone quiet, the camp falling into uneasy rest. Still, Katie and Lindsay remained in their vigil, eyes locked on that closed door, listening to every muted snip and sigh. It felt less like a makeover and more like open-heart surgery.
Finally, the door creaked open. Harold stepped out first, his eyes bloodshot, his hands trembling from fatigue but steady in pride. "It's done," he muttered, sounding more like a surgeon delivering a miracle than a hairdresser.
Katie and Lindsay shot to their feet. "Heather?" Katie's voice cracked.
Heather stepped out slowly, still clutching the blanket around her shoulders. For a breathless moment, she hesitated, then let it fall.
The light caught her new hair, and Katie gasped so loudly it echoed.
The left side of her head was completely shaved, smooth and precise, the sharpness giving her a raw, daring edge. But Harold hadn't left her unbalanced—he had poured all his skill into the right side, crafting a cascade of sleek, dark layers that tumbled dramatically down, styled to perfection. At the tips, faint blonde highlights glimmered, subtle yet striking, giving the whole design a luminous contrast, as though firelight flickered through her strands. The longer layers of her hair swept dramatically over, silky and dark, with streaks of blonde threaded into the tips—subtle but brilliant, glowing against the darker crown like golden fire under moonlight. It was bold, asymmetrical, and fashion-forward in a way none of them expected.
Lindsay clapped both hands over her mouth, tears spilling freely. Katie's eyes went wide with awe. "Oh my gosh… It's a miracle," she whispered.
Heather stared at her reflection in the mirror propped up by the wall. For a long moment, she said nothing, her fingers trembling as they brushed through the highlighted strands. Her lips quivered, her eyes watering until tears finally rolled down her cheeks.
But these weren't tears of humiliation. They were tears of overwhelming relief.
Heather broke down, covering her face as she cried openly, shoulders shaking. "It's… it's perfect," she whispered between sobs. "It's still me… it's still me."
Katie and Lindsay rushed to her sides, hugging her tightly, both crying now too, though theirs were tears of joy. To them, it wasn't just a hairstyle. It was proof their friend had been saved.
Harold leaned against the doorframe, exhausted but smiling faintly. He'd sworn never to do this again. But looking at Heather's tearful relief and at Katie and Lindsay's joy, he knew this wasn't just another haircut.
This was his masterpiece.
But before he could even go… Heather didn't care for a moment and hugged the nerd and placed him between her bosoms.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you." Heather squealed happily, as the nerd couldn't help but be quiet. He was too tired to even think of something… He let the girl celebrate…
And the young nerd just wanted to sleep.
But with this new act… the fans won't stop seeing this iconic moment on the Pay-Per-View, marking once again one treasured moment around the fans…
Just for the chaos in the future to happen once again.
Like every Total Drama episode…
Chapter 72: Ice Guys Finish Last: Cold Runnings
Chapter Text
Author's Note:
HAPPY KIDS DAY EVERYONE.
For in my country today is what we celebrate the kids day, where it would be a perfect time to pass with the children of the family, like your sons, daughters, nicies and nephews, a day where kids would demand expensive toys for them to enjoy playing with the family, or a good will of the people to buy toys to give to children who never had oportunity to have one in their lives. We celebrate that as a way we prepare the kids for Christmass and they enjoy the good will of heart and enjoy the day of the year that everyone can be children again, so play tag, and seek with your friends. Be a kid once more, and enjoy everything great of being a child again...
Anyway, with that in mind, the next chapter will be my interlude as my own way to give the Kid's day celebration, so in the next chapter, there will be shocking revelations, lore that many was curious about it, some funny jokes, and even some wholesome scenes, I hope you guys are ready for this wonderful chapter. I'm sure everyone will have a lot of fun...
And I hope you guys enjoyed the new fanfic I created, with the original chapters Ezekiel would create for his own books, since it would reveal more details of some chapters in the future. Anyway, have a nice reading. And Happy Kids day.
Also I want to give special thanks for Darklord331 to edit the whole chapter. This user clearly helped me in case of editing the chapter since mostly my time I passed doing it would take long hours of my day, and Darklord331 offered his help to edit the chapter while I was answering the reviews. Thank you so much.
The trip from the movie studio back to town had been quite exhausting. However, everything still went according to plan. Izzy had checked every corner of the Lame-o-sine for any sort of camera, and she found one where she could see it, which she didn't do many exciting things, since it wouldn't be worth mentioning on Pay-Per-View.
Which now Izzy had been trying to keep her mind in practice. All the plans she had formed while she and Ezekiel had a strategy, one that not even Chef Hatchet knew about it. The original past-future plan she learned from her other-self thanks to Ezekiel.
And Chris made it too easy for her. Now, reaching under her grass bracelet, she looked bored at the window, while one of her eyes looked down at the pendrive under her bracelet. One with all the documents from all the books Ezekiel made, and even the notebooks and edited by both Ezekiel and Noah. And looking at the calendar… she never thought it was 16th of November already.
Time flew during all those days she had fun with her friends and Ezekiel. Or the idea of being 2 days off instead of 3, it made her time training and talking with her best friend Ezekiel shorter than before…
Best-friend… that was a word that Izzy or temporarially E-scope sarcastically thought about it. It felt like she was lying to herself. Since the time she saw the granny and great-granny Hatchet, she would have been lying if she didn't remember a time she wasn't smiling when both Ezekiel and her were working together.
It had been so crazy, but it was like they indeed were a power-duo, while Duncan and Courtney could have been a power-couple like Batman and Catwoman, she and Ezekiel looked what would be the healthy variation of Harley Quinn and Joker, but Ezekiel said he wasn't a fan of neither DC nor Marvel in either comics and movies.
Which when he said, they are themselves, it kinda felt touching, since Izzy and Ezekiel really feel like they shared the same braincell, which as absurd and crazy it was, or even silly as it can be. They did have a lot of fun acting like crazy and weirdos… it felt so much fun, but when it came to being serious, she knew they would need to drop their crazy act and be serious to solve the problems. Which she waited the opportunity to get out from the show and help him.
While Ezekiel was doing his writing, she wasn't doing nothing, she did some calculations on how much Ezekiel had on money, and she remembered one objective Ezekiel wanted so much to accomplish.
Not only buying Playa Del Losers… Ezekiel wanted so much to buy Wawanakwa Island. Take a trip to other countries and study about coffee… She isn't sure why Ezekiel wanted to do that, but a part of her had a good guess about why he was doing it… He wanted to save the island. And she isn't sure what was happening backstage while they were on the season 2. But it seems Ezekiel had been trying to work to the bone to make him raise enough money to have an offer.
Which she hesitated many times about letting him borrow some money to make the offer, but Ezekiel would completely refuse, as he wanted to do it with the work of his hands. Since it was a stupid patriarch pride or whatever. Which Izzy all could do is to help him get in the call with the publishers now she was outside, and probably wondering that at start of 2008 Ezekiel would release his books and go across the world to study about coffee…
She heard a few times about how Ezekiel talked about Peru and Brazil like it was familiar to him, like he admired it more than any person who wanted to visit United States… And Izzy wasn't stupid. She felt that maybe. Ezekiel from the future had a house in both places and loved to live on those countries, which made her ask her parents if those places were that good. Since she had never been to South America before, she was trained to be prepared for such an occasion in the future.
She remembered Ezekiel telling that in the future they would go across the whole world in the season 3, which she couldn't help but be excited… So many things Ezekiel revealed about her and the others… which one thing that made Izzy had a concern… was the fact Ezekiel didn't tell about himself. About his future-self.
Many facts happening across made Izzy theorize that Ezekiel was either a number 1 fan of the show and knew about everything from outside perspective… Or the most concrete theory… Ezekiel was there when the seasons happened, in all seasons, but still… it was strange about Ezekiel never talked about himself from the future, about what he had accomplished on that time.
Was he a soldier like her and her family? Because as crazy as it sounds, Ezekiel had a composure of military, like if he had a member of his family who served. Whoever it was strange, she doesn't know if he from military or something similar. And she was sure her parents and even Chef Hatchet noticed, Ezekiel had the military obedience of a soldier, and doesn't complain much, which was mature of his part. But still something calling for attention.
Or the fact Ezekiel was a scientist like her, she had no clue on how Ezekiel created El Mongo and La Muerte, or all the types of pranks he developed by himself, it felt like he studied chemistry since childhood, and had a great talent like that.
But still, when Izzy tried to talk about the future and Ezekiel at the same sentence. Ezekiel showed nothing but shame, deflection, and anger, which was not anger about him, but an anger that seemed to suggest the whole world had wronged him in some way. She saw like it was just a second, but that silence, was a secret Ezekiel would hold tight with his life. And she knew it was a shitstorm, and she recalled on how her life was destroyed by the mistakes of life, which she wondered, how bad was Ezekiel's life from the future to the point he would never share to her, his right hand person.
But still, she was a great person; she knew it was for the best if she remained silent and accepted that he wasn't going to tell her until he wanted. So she accepted it as a fact. But she wondered what made him so ashamed to never told about himself of the future.
.
.
.
"Ugh, finally." Izzy said as she was freed from the cameras inside of the Lame-O-Sine, and now she could continue her plans for the future, since now she did phase 1 of her plan. Prevent her losing to the challenge it was her strongest skill, and she wanted to shove to Duncan's face that she managed to be a better actress than he would ever be in both futures. But she decided to focus on the other part. She needed to take care of her factory, and then call the publishers of Ezekiel. She could ask their lawyer to write an email with the archives for the publisher prepare the contract for Ezekiel to sign the soon as possible. While she would be focusing into planning her return. "Now I just need to change my name back, and then my masterplan will works."
"Remind me again to beat the crap of the person who signed Kaleidoscope as a good name to be registered." And a familiar voice made Izzy freezes, as she slowly turned her head, to see a long haired woman, wearing darkshades on the night, a green beret, orange lipstick, and black overcoat, while she was reading the newspaper.
"Mom." Izzy said as she immediately to hug the former spy, but suddenly paused, as she tried to look around. "Is it safe?"
"Yep, managed to ask Wade to block the radio and signals around this area, so he technically created a blackout for 2 more hours." Shego answered, which she could snicker from imagining the look of the faces and the complaints of the neighboors who are around the area where Izzy was dropped. "It was kinda hard to track down the driver of the limousine, and I managed to change the address where I wanted him to drop you."
"Wow, you did a lot of work." Izzy said, as she finally hugged one of her moms. And smiled at seeing her mom relaxed and with a better look on her face. "It seems you have been enjoying your freedom."
"Yep. The resort your boytoy bought was wonderful, I managed to wrap it out a jacuzzi for good areas. Made my spot with a great suite for me to watch the episodes in a good plasma screen television." Shego explained what had been happening around as she worked as a boat driver for the visitors or people who came to see the boy, while she was incognito for a while. She knew she would make a nice place for her to stay in case someone needed to take care of the resort. "While they are doing a great service on there. Painting the rooms, adding new furniture, I have to say I'm impressed."
Which she found hilarious at seeing her little girl blushing.
"Boytoy? I mean, I know I tease him a lot, but we didn't haven't gotten that far." Izzy said as she laughed nervously.
"How many times you had masturbated thinking on him?" Shego asked which Izzy's face clearly turned scarlet.
"MOM, I don't want to talk about that." Izzy hissed, as she looked around, trying to prevent from anyone to actually see her in that state. "And I wasn't that bad."
"Izzy, my daughter… You should check the Pay-Per-View a few times, and then come to me to repeat that." Shego smirked, as she saw her daughter pouting at her. And even as she teased her own daughter, she couldn't help but give a warm smile. "The young farmer really shows he has a lot of secrets, and still holds his feelings on his sleeve, I can see why you like him so much."
"Aww mom, do you really have to say that?" Izzy tried to look away from the red scarllet face, but she couldn't help but wonder. "If-"
"Don't think, just do it Izzy," Shego said as she tapped the orange-haired girl as she rolled her eyes. "Think on the ifs always would be a waste of time, and our family doesn't waste time, we use the time as the way as we want. So let's go change your name, and then I'm taking you to the hotel you will be staying with the other contestants."
"Do I have to be there all the time?" Izzy asked as she didn't know about that. Which she saw her mom showed the keys of a car.
"Not at all, I will fullfill the details to you while I will drive you to there." Shego explained as she helped her daughter to take the luggages, and wanted to had a good mom and daughter time, before the smartesses of Kim and Ron would try to reach Izzy at the hotel.
With a giggle, Izzy already felt home again, until it was the right time to return on the show. She just hoped her team would be fine while she was out… But knowing Ezekiel, she knew he will try his best to make everything works.
The night across the movie studio had been nothing that a very uncomfortable silence over the Killer Grips. Nobody uttered a single word to Bridgette, since they knew what she did, and they knew that she was in a big trouble now. And for each of the group it was a good reason.
Trent was mad to Bridgette because while her kissing with Geoff had been annoying, the person who was eliminated was one of the people who had the biggest sinergy over the group. Since E-scope or Izzy or whatever she calls herself, was part of the team that could work together with Lindsay and Heather, it was hard to find someone willing to work so well with Heather, but also she worked fine with anyone on the group. Like with Ezekiel they already created ideas on how to make more MVPA points for their team, and how they worked together to win the challenges.
Heather is angry with Bridgette becaused a good part of her hair was destroyed, and as much she had mixed feelings with Izzy, everyone knew Bridgette was supposed to be the one eliminated that night.
Lindsay and Katie were more worried about Heather's hair and distress than actually care about Bridgette's feeling, but the look in their eyes were clear. They were so done with Bridgette and Geoff. To the point Katie said that she and Cody weren't 1/10 of annoyance that both Geoff and Bridgette had been.
Tyler and Harold as the same way as Ezekiel… they were disappointed to Bridgette, to the point they expected more of her, and yet she fumbled because she wanted to expend more time with Geoff, they knew she preferred to trade her team to stay with Geoff, and it pained the blonde girl so much, that she went to bed and cry until she sleeps.
Outside, Heather was having an emergency operation done by Harold, while Lindsay and Katie were patiently waiting for the possible salvation of the queen's bee hair.
Trent, on the other hand, decided to go to the top of the mountain, where the Killer Grips usually had a secret spot for recording extra scenes and gathering more MVPA points, and a spot that only a few would use. Which just for the chagrin of the team, it was obvious that Bridgette had used that spot to be with Geoff a few times.
But going throught that area, he would enjoy to relax a bit, enjoy the annoying rest that he and his team deserved. As even as lost they seemed, they would have 2 more days to rest, and then another challenge. Which after dealing with the Alien Genre challenge, he isn't eager to know what would be the next theme of the challenge.
It was strange that Trent wanted the day to be over with, but somehow he wasn't interested to go at the trailer and sleep. He just wanted to appreciate the night.
Which to his surprise, he wasn't the only one appreciating something… since the sound of an harmonica aired through his ears… a song slow, and yet strong, yet emotional… And walking around the corner, he saw nobody other than Ezekiel playing the harmonica.
"Hey, that's quite nice." Trent complimented, as Ezekiel simply ignored and finished to write something. Which Trent looked a bit weirded out, but he could understand the reason of why Ezekiel was so quiet. "Do you mind if I sit here?"
"Suit yourself." Ezekiel shrugged, as Trent gulped into seeing the big height from where Ezekiel was sitting, and decided to do the same. Which Ezekiel continued to write something, and Trent couldn't help but ask.
"How are you holding up?" Trent asked as he could see Ezekiel rolling his eyes.
"The same as you Trent," Ezekiel replied, as he could see the boy being quiet. "Today's challenge sucked, but we are already used to it, it's not the end of the world, we just need to win more challenges than before."
Trent closed his mouth, as he never thought Ezekiel would be so realistic and yet shown that he didn't seem to mind, but Trent knew Ezekiel was not happy with the situation. Which lead the guitarist think about something.
"Couldn't sleep too?" Trent tried to come with another way to change the topic, as he heard the roar of a cheetah appearing nearby him, and saw Ezekiel drinking his cheetah chug.
"I don't plan to sleep tonight." Ezekiel said as he quickly continued to do something on the notebook, not knowing if was a drawing or another chapter he was creating. But still Trent couldn't help but admire the boy who kept writing and doesn't stop working.
"Man, I wished I have your commitment when it comes about work. You made it look so simple while you pass hours and hours working on your books and art." Trent confessed, as he never found someone so eager to work than Ezekiel. "But I sometimes get worried about you being a workaholic."
"I am a workaholic." Ezekiel's answer was something Trent didn't expect, just like that, the homeschooled boy clearly admitted straightly to the point. "Working is a good way on how I cope with everything happening around."
Trent remained quiet… as he couldn't help but wish he could do something. He wanted to give a try and teach Ezekiel a few tips, but it was clear Ezekiel wasn't in the mood for learning something. And Trent was too tired to think on how teach something… He just wanted to do something to make his night better. Get some laughs of it…
Which staring at the sets they had across the mountain… Trent suddenly had one interesting in mind.
"Hey, drop the pencil." Trent said, as he knew the look from Ezekiel was like asking if he had lost his mind. "We have two sets and equipment here, why not we do something to make us have some laughs? We do some MVPA scenes around here. Just you and me."
"That sounded despaired." Ezekiel commented which Trent rolled his eyes.
"Hey, you're the writer around here, I'm sure you can do hilarious moments for us to replicate, and I can try some scenes to make the jokes funny. I mean, we are just doing for the sake of doing, and in case we don't get a lot of points that would be on me." Trent suggested, which he could see Ezekiel raising his eyebrow at him… And he hoped the homeschooled boy would had some laughs after everything.
Thankfully for him, Ezekiel simply shrugged.
"Fine, I think we can pull up something to distract our minds." Ezekiel commented as he closed the notebook, and approached at one of the sets. "I think I have some ideas to try out. But I'm not sure you are the right guy."
"Hey, it's better than nothing." Trent commented, and feeling relieved, as he was able to reach the boy who was part of his team.
"Again." Chef commanded as Ezekiel gave an 1,2 over the punching bag he brought over the watertower. Which had been a good way to distract their minds over the events of the last day. Izzy's plan clearly worked, and they had 2 lose streak, and now it was the time for the Killer Grips to give a comeback. "I heard from Chris the new challenge will be another elimination challenge, and your team already got too much on the plate. So I decided to give you tomorrow a day off, for rest your body and be prepared for what's coming."
"Thanks, I really appreciate the help you are giving to me Chef." Ezekiel said as he was focusing a good part of his energy, while still showing a bit of tiredness for not sleeping since the day before, he had been doing his own type of training, and working on his books while he still had the chance. Izzy went to release an email to his publishers. "I will be waiting for my call with the publishers, and then I will ask my lawyer to hand me the contract while I can sign it. My books will be probably released in January, or possibly February in case I wanted to wait the best time to release more books after the show."
"You have been working non-stop, Ezekiel. As a military, I appreciate your insistence for improvement, however, I cannot let you reach burnout. We still need to find a way to cover-up a strategy on how to maintain you at the game." Chef said in both concern and seriousness. "My suggestion is for you to keep doing the good work, and focus into getting more and more MVPA points but also doing well to make your team win."
"Roger." Ezekiel said, as he continued to punch the punchbag, until he was sure he would enjoy a day off and on the next day go straightly to the challenge. "I'm sure with these days off, nothing weird would happen."
.
.
.
Which at the afternoon had a circle of the people staring around a table. Most of them looked in awe and shock at something they had never thought they would see before.
"So I really wanted a hair extension, but since my parents thought it was too expensive for that, I took a pair of scissors and cut my mom's hair." Heather commented as Katie, Sadie, Beth and Lindsay stared the queen bee in horror. While Harold was drinking a cup of coffee. "That's how much it means to me my hair. You have no idea how much you helped me."
"It's no problem, however I think you need to have more carefulness when it comes on this show. Accidents like that happens, and I really recommend you wear an helmet or make a hairbun and cover it with a bennie." Harold commented as he saw Heather hissing at him. "Hey. Like my friend and bro Ezekiel said, this show may try to hurt us in a way we don't expect. And your hair was caught on the crossfire. You just need to make sure to protect your hair next time."
"But I don't want to wear a stupid helmet nor a bennie. You know how my reputation is going to be damage?" Heather whinned which was quite surprise for everyone into seeing Heather actually acting like that. And Harold rolling his eyes.
"Your reputation or your hair, it's your choice. Gosh," Harold said as he drank the black coffee as he needed caffeine for dealing with the haircut for the whole night.
"Maybe Harold has a point Heather," Katie said as she caught the attention of the duo. "Harold really made an exception for you yesterday because it was an emergency, so let's not push our luck on that."
"I agreed. When we did that on the playa del losers, he really didn't want to do hair cuts for this long. And my mom always taught me and my sister. We never should anger the one who can cut our hair." Sadie joined the group, since Katie revealed all the situation, and the chubby-strong best friend managed to bring snacks from the girl's trailer, which Harold was enjoying a cookie while drinking coffee.
"And what I suppose to do?" Heather said in exhasperation at Beth who was still staring at her. "Beth? What are you looking for?"
"Your hair." Beth said as Heather paused, and gave a small smile. "It looks incredible, Harold really did a great job, it felt like you got into a salon and changed by choice."
Heather remained quiet, but she understood on how it was important. She loved her hair, it was a fact, so having the idea of choosing it to protect, even as she would look stupid for a while. It would be a payment she would have.
"Fine. I will do it." Heather sighed in frustration. Which Harold nodded his head.
"At least you can have more safety and don't need to be distracted when your hair could be hurt by blades like from what I heard." Harold nodded his head. While he looked at everyone staring at them. "Hey guys, what's up?"
Which each member from both Killer Grips and Screaming Gaphers, had no idea on how to answer at the nerd and the others who had been around in the inner circle talking about the cares of the hair.
.
.
.
"Did you actually do that hair, Harold?" Gwen asked as she was still surprised into seeing Heather's hair stylish as the way as it looks. "It looked like it took hours of work for that. How did you managed to work that overnight?"
"By not sleeping, Gwen, I thought it was obvious." Harold said as he vented his frustrations as he felt drained from all the work he did. Which by looking at Gwen raising her eyebrows at him, she could see the plea on his eyes. "Gwen, please don't ask me to do your hair. I beg you."
"Wow, it really got his mind." Gwen crossed her arms in amusement as she saw Ezekiel walking away from the group and sitting at a table alone. "What's up with Ezekiel?"
"..." At that moment, Katie, Harold, Lindsay, and Heather paused, just as Trent and Tyler, who were eating lunch, paused their movement in mid-air. The Killer Grips were avoiding to answer the question.
"Well, I better prepare my lunch, I'm sure E-Scope will somehow find a way to catch my bread while I would be distracted from work." Noah rolled his eyes, not noticing the group twitching from the mention of the team member eliminated.
Gwen raised her eyebrow as she wasn't sure on why the group suddenly got in silence…
That until Bridgette appeared on the Craft and Service Tent… and her presence alone, created a tension in the air.
"Hey Bridge, it's nice to see you… here…" Geoff was greeting his girlfriend, suddenly saw Heather, Lindsay, Katie, Beth, Harold, Tyler and Trent of all people take their plates and go out… they really got out from the Craft and Service Tent. And as much Geoff wasn't bright, he knew when something was very wrong when it comes about people avoiding…
Bridgette remained quiet as she lowered her head and didn't look in the faces of her group. And she decided to go take her food.
"Alright, I know when something is fishy, and seeing everyone avoiding the blondy girl like she was a disease sounds low." Leshawna commented as Sadie just crossed her arms.
"I'm not surprised," Sadie said as much she was nice and a good friend, she knew Bridgette messed up badly.
"I don't follow, what Bridgette made for the group to be so mad with her?" Gwen titled her head, until suddenly a snark comment came from far.
"Okay I know it's a prank, stop pulling around Izzy is not here, I know she will jump and try to make some surprise jumps just to make edgy with all my time." Noah said as he didn't believe from the boy who remained serious and continued to type his computer alone.
"She's gone Noah," Ezekiel sharp voice, made Gwen's eyes wide open, as she stared at Bridgette who looked away.
"Pff, yeah, right. I mean, who would be stupid to literally vote one of the strongest team members?" Noah said as a remark of stupidity, clearly giving a jab for his team mates, which Justin, Owen, Geoff and Jude gulped from remembering they voted off Eva.
Bridgette decided to eat her food in silence, while Gwen stared at her friend…
She did it.
"I'm not going to say neither who, nor how Noah…" Ezekiel said as he closed his laptop. "But we are tired of the same cycle over and over again, and the next challenge, the Killer Grips will go do or die. And if a member decides to slack off, then it's out."
Ezekiel said in sharp tone, that clearly Bridgette flinched, as she gulped a sniff. Which Geoff tried to comfort his girlfriend.
"GEOFF." Ezekiel shouted, which clearly made all the Screaming Gaphers jump. "Last chance, take this serious, or you and Bridgette will be the next on the Lame-O-Sine. This is my final warning. No anti-horny spray, no naggs, no shouting… this is an ultimatum… I'm too tired for this crap."
Ezekiel of all people said, as Geoff felt hurt from seeing one of his best friends being so angry like that. It was like the time Ezekiel was angry with Trent over how the situation had ended. And from seeing Bridgette crying on his shoulders. He knew, both he and his girlfriend screwed up…
And those 2 days, will be the hardest they will have.
"Last Time, on Total Drama Action, 18 teenagers, 1 spooky film lot, a whole bunch of alien animatronics facehuggers and eggs, in a world, were MacArthur and Sanders wore alien costumes. Only the strong team would survive. Or the team who could adapt the situation better." Chris narrated as it showed the highlight scenes from the show, Harold and Ezekiel wearing gadgets from another franchise, facehuggers attacking everyone. "A hair destroyed, leaving Heather in despair… hahahaha, nice." Chris showed when a few claws of the animatronics managed to make Heather half bald. Making him screetch like an harpy. "In the end the team of Screaming Gaphers shared a wholesome victory… while the Killer Grips had to deal with the elimination of one of their contestants who didn't actually put an effort on participating on the challenge, but preferred to remain on the lover's arms."
The video sharing the scene where Bridgette and Geoff were kissing but was caught by Sanders slime gun, and later caught by the facehuggers, making them suffer a terrifying diarrhea.
"A pair of lovers were the subject and objective of the elimination for the Killer Grips." Chris narrated as he smirked evilly with the drama. "Then as an act of despair, Bridgette managed to convince the only member of her team to not vote off her, Ezekiel, and to vote on the person who would be the unpredictable wildcard but also his right hand person, Izzy uh Kaleydoescope. And with that breaking the dynamic of the duo of chaos, but not without a strong backlash, for choosing the giftbox to clean her votes, Bridgette was able to survive for another challenge…" Chris narrated as it showed the looks of anger of her teammates, and Ezekiel staying alone with Izzy while she was going away from the Lame-o-sine. "But will she be able to survive this long? Will she get herself together and starts to play the game for real? Will she threw everything she did to kiss the lips of her boyfriend? Winter has come today, and get ready to see the cast S-C-O-R-E some issues. On this exciting episode of TOTAL DRAMA ACTION."
2 days had passed in a blink. Harold, Heather and the others who didn't had sleep during the haircut emergency finally could fix their internal clock and having the right time to sleep.
And sadly after those 2 days of peace… Chef Hatchet returned on his usual rude self.
"Can you give him another of his juices Ezekiel?" Noah whined as he saw the food went back on his worst version of itself.
"I don't know why he rejected my idea to participate and help on the kitchen, I did fine yesterday, but it seems his mood had changed;" DJ looked dejected, as he saw Chef being very supportive to him after the Alien-Genre challenge, but then he returned to be rude with everyone, which he did his best to not cry when he kicked him from the kitchen, literally kicking him. "Ezekiel, please, you need to do him the juice again."
"Nope. Not going to do it." Ezekiel said, as he continued to type on his laptop. While Owen was sitting nearby, enjoying his own meal, it didn't matter if the food was good or horrible; the big boy would always eat it with gusto. And Ezekiel could see his friends glaring at him. "I don't want him to get too addicted to it, if we give him every day it would make the Pegasus Rainbow Juice Mix the same effect on him. So to make it work, I created a boundaries with him. To make sure he wouldn't get his job damaged, I did an agreement with him. Once per week."
"Once per week?" Both Noah, Owen and DJ asked in surprise, as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"To make sure we at least we would have a nice weekened, we give to him on Friday, and we can enjoy Friday, Saturday and Sunday." Ezekiel explained that it was sincere, as nobody wanted to be messed on the weekends, so having a deal with Chef Hatchet, although it was grudgingly accepted. Ezekiel wanted Chef's Hatchet job still be accepted by the producers, if he soften up a lot, the producers would call it wrong. "He hated to admit, but it was reasonable, we cannot have him lose his job can we?"
"Well-" Noah was about to admit, but Ezekiel interrupted him.
"Noah, he's E-scope commander; I'm sure that's what she would want for him." Ezekiel interrupted as he continued to type… which Noah and DJ looked in silence. While even Owen had to pause from eating, as he recalled of Izzy.
"I'm also sad she's gone. She's a great friend." Owen admitted, which Ezekiel nodded his head, and as much their interaction hadn't been much, Ezekiel wanted to pass a bit of time with the Screaming Gapher Boys.
"Sorry to hear what happened to her Zeke." DJ said as he could see his friend really missed Izzy, since he would usually wait for the right moment and let Izzy appear to do something weird, just to gather more MVPA points or drive them insane for the sake of fun. And they saw Ezekiel and Izzy passed a great time together.
"DJ, as a friend, can I confess something to you?" Ezekiel said as he continued to type his laptop. Knowing his friend was eager to listen. "I hate when people says they are sorry for a thing they didn't do. Like when someone of the family dies, I preffer to listen 'my condolences', than hearing a person they are sorry for that happens. If you want to apologize, it must be for something you done, okay? If you are feeling for something, you just can say, man that sucks, and that's awful that happens. I would appreciate the feeling better…"
"Oh… okay, sorry for that. I mean-"
"Nah, this time you apologized because you did, so not problem DJ, you know now, and I'm sorry for venting out on you like that, but I really dislikes when someone say those words." Ezekiel said as he looked at his Jamaican friend. "We have thousands of words on dictionary, and we could even say in French as well, we have a lot of words that could express our feelings better, than saying I'm sorry for a thing you didn't do directly."
"Apologies must have a meaning to you huh?" Noah commented as he could see Ezekiel nodding his head. "From what I can say, E-Scope hates liars, but you hate apologies with no meaning."
"Yep." Ezekiel nodded his head, which he saw Owen flinching from his comment. "You already apologized Owen, and you already got punishment enough, you are a great guy, and I'm sure DJ taught you well."
"Yeah, but still, I would be lying if I said I'm not afraid of you… no offense." Owen said as Ezekiel simply shrugged.
"None taken, but hey, I'm not going to lie we are having a great time right here, talking while I'm concluding this chapter." Ezekiel said as he finished to save the document. "Alright, that's fair for a chapter I wanted so much to write… Here, Noah."
"OH COME ON." Noah said as he faceslammed on the table. Which Ezekiel chuckled from the reaction.
"Well, just 2 more weeks Noah, 2 more weeks." Ezekiel said as Noah raised his eyebrow inquiring what he meant. "The payday."
"Oh… well, let me check right this instant." Noah said as he quickly eat his words and gave a look on the chapter on the screen. "Ben 10 chapter: Benwolf?"
"It's for the second volume of the book, but I was so inspired to create this chapter. Because I had an epiphany, something that I always wanted to make over that episode." Ezekiel said as he looked at Noah who looked at him in disbelief. "In my sketchbook I have someone perfect for the whole in Mexico… a Saturday."
"What was that supposed to mean?" Noah tilted his head in confusion. Which made Ezekiel had a cathartic smile on his face.
"A canon change of Kai never existed, and making an introduction of something way better for 10 years old Ben Tenisson… a friend." Ezekiel smiled, and as much he wanted to make Kevin Levin to be part of the cast young, he couldn't do it… Because he had something more interesting for Kevin later. And some changes of canon would be good for him. Since he could make some great changes for the development of that boy who deserved better from the season 1.
"... you just got an idea for another book on this chapter, didn't you?" Noah asked rethorically, which Ezekiel simply scoffed.
"Why are you so criptidy about it?" Ezekiel commented, which Noah clearly threw his hands in the air.
"WHAT KIND OF PUN IS IT?" Noah said in outrage, which made Ezekiel chuckles even more. And saw DJ staring at him in confusion as well. "Okay, I swear, my sister would have a field day with you having a pun contest."
"I think I will just pass listening the aliens idea for a while, since the last challenge." DJ said as Ezekiel nodded his head. Which Jude also came to sit nearby the group.
"Hey guys what are you guys talking?" The cheerful and happy blonde boy came as he sat on his seat, staring at Noah almost having an aneurysm.
"Well, Noah said I'm trying to say I'm not good with puns," Ezekiel said as he took a few pages of paper, and making something that he always wanted to do. "Well I have a funny pirate story when I played pirates with my ma and pa."
.
.
.
At the time, Gwen and Trent were walking towards the Craft and Service Tent, and there was no animosity or tension in the air. Although they had some tension in the last season, they seemed to have found a more comfortable atmosphere, as the groups were sitting together with their respective groups.
"How's Ezekiel?" That until Gwen decided to ask Trent how her friend feeling on that moment.
"Overworking himself from writing again, but yesterday I managed to distract him with some videos me and him recorded, I'm sure that would get MVPA points for us." Trent casually commented, as he knew that his chances with Gwen were over, at least he could be is amenable with her, and friendly since they had the same friend in common.
"That's good… wait, why are you guys so focused on MVPA points if you don't mind me asking?" Gwen decided to ask, which Trent looked left and right…
"Trust me, the MVPA points means way more than your team thinks. When I finally bought my first giftbox a few days ago, it was crazy. I cannot tell you what it was, but it really helped me, I needed it." Trent confessed, as he was sure that when time comes, Screaming Gaphers will understand how much points that would mean to the team… "Good luck on today's challenge…"
"Thanks…" Gwen said… as she couldn't help but call. "Hey Trent…"
"Yeah?" Trent turned his back to see the goth girl.
"Take care of them okay? They are great friends of mine." Gwen asked, as the guitarist nodded his head.
"I understand. But know it's not easy." Trent said, as he looked at craft and service tent… "0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. Let's go."
Confession - Trent
"I know 9 is my lucky number, and I'm trying to avoid being overobsessive with it, but I decided to at least use it as my mantra… whenever I need to concentrate. I will count to 0 throught 9. It's like counting from 1 to 10, it's the same quantity of numbers, but I liked my way." Trent said, as he simply decided to be honest with himself and with the viewers. "Now that E-scope is not on our team, I may need to work way harder and try to fullfil the hole of the sinergy. And I know I'm really frustrated it was Bridgette who should have gone, but what's done is done… but I'm sure the Killer Grips will do their best to win this challenge. And I'm not sure why, but I saw Tyler smirking around the whole morning. Something big is coming.
Which at the time Gwen and Trent got there, they simply paused from something they didn't expect.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." The laughs over the Craft and Service Tent clearly showed Ezekiel giving a good stand-up story for Owen, DJ and Jude, while Noah was face-slamming his head on the table.
"Then my pa came to the kitchen on the other day dressed as a pirate and asked me for a gumdrop. So I said to him. 'Why would you want gum that's been dropped?'"
"AHAHAHAHAHAHA"
"Ughhhhh. Someone Kill me."
"'Pa, I said, wouldn't you rather have a candy potato?'" Ezekiel replied as he could see Owen and Jude very eager to listen the rest of the story, while Tyler and Lindsay just appeared with Heather and Beth who wanted to see what Ezekiel was talking about. "Then my pa asked 'Candy of Sweet Potato?' And I said. 'Well, it's sweet potato."
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA," Owen and DJ roared in laughter, as Noah grunted as he recalled that if he isn't sure who was the worst, his father, his sister, or his friend.
Beth gave a giggle, Heather rolled her eyes, and Lindsay looked confused. Trent chuckled as he decided to sit nearby and see the story still being told. Gwen raised her eyebrow curious about what was happening.
"Then my pa got angry and asked me to go walk on the plank in the mud with the pigs." Ezekiel narrated the story while sharing a good joke. "I shouted for him, 'Don't you think you are a little overboard? And then my pa said 'No, you are!'"
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA," Owen wheezed, as Tyler himself cracked from listening to the joke. Lindsay giggled while many could see that she had no idea on what was happening but everyone was laughing. Heather and Noah grunted from the pun jokes. Beth laughed with DJ as well. Jude almost spat the drink before laughing.
"Can someone end this?" Noah asked as he wanted so much to focus on the editing, but the more puns happened the more he lost the concentration.
"Then my ma came to say if I had a last request before jumping on the mud. And I said, Yeah… could you at least make it choco-lot better and turn it into pudding?" Ezekiel grinned as he timed the punchline like he was on a comedy stage.
The entire tent erupted with laughter again—Owen nearly fell off his chair clutching his stomach, DJ slapped the table so hard cups rattled, Jude wheezed through a soda spray, and even Beth covered her mouth trying not to snort.
Meanwhile, Noah groaned and dragged both hands down his face as if praying for the any antity to strike him with a thunder or make the earth itself to swallow him whole, Heather muttered something under her breath about "crimes against comedy," and Lindsay clapped cheerfully even though her expression said she still didn't get it.
"That's stupid, puns are for idiots." Heather said as she suddenly got a slap from her face, which came from Noah. "What th-."
"I hate puns as much as you do, but nobody insults the members of my family who use them a lot." Noah said grudgingly.
"Well, Heather, I have one good joke for you then. I know that usually a good joke for your perspective is when you get to make fun of someone, so say there's a lady in a big bad hat." Ezekiel said as Lindsay blinked her eyes.
"There's a lady in a big, red hat." Lindsay repeated, which Ezekiel blinked in surprise.
"Really? Where? Where's the lady? Where?' And just like a fool, Ezekiel genuinely turned his head back and tried to look for the lady he said. Which that moment, Heather wheezed as she now got caught by one of Ezekiel's joke, and even the others who were there also started to laugh loudly from the joke. While Ezekiel was puporsly making fun of himself.
And the joke was fantastic, as it clearly made the contestants laugh on their seats.
Which it was all laughing and happiness…
Until the duo of the kissers finally came… And then like all the volume just turned it down… and all remained was silence.
Bridgette wasn't looking good, she was with her eyes red, and used a blue hoodie to cover her whole head… Geoff, tried to say hello to everyone, but they simply shrugged or replied shortly before the silence returned.
Because the pressure was there, and depending on the challenge, it would be their last chance to prove themselves.
It was a tension time… specially with the others also going to take their breakfast, before the next challenge happens.
.
.
.
The mess hall buzzed with chatter and the metallic clink of breakfast trays, a rare calm before whatever fresh insanity Chris had planned. Most campers were already half-dreading, half-hoping for his signature chaos—because on this island, expecting the unexpected was the only safe bet.
Then, out of nowhere, an organ began to play.
The first eerie note rolled through the air like a ghost waking from its grave, making nearly everyone freeze mid-bite. Organ songs usually meant something awful: horror themes, vampires, dramatic nonsense—classic Chris. But this melody was... different.
Tyler's eyes widened before his whole face cracked into an uncontrollable grin. The tune shifted into a bold, triumphant rhythm, and he suddenly leapt to his feet, pointing toward the tent's speakers like he'd just seen the Stanley Cup descend from heaven.
It was a Let's Go Team 2 played in Organ… one recognized song for him and his family.
Every head turned toward him, and then to the sound's source—Chef Hatchet sitting on the kitchen playing the organ, not even knowing where the heck it came that wore a black-and-white referee shirt stretched tight across his chest, a whistle cord bouncing on his neck.
Before anyone could ask questions, the tent flaps burst open.
Two figures in full hockey gear came tumbling out in a chaotic blur of padding and fists, rolling across the grass like a human tumbleweed. Plates clattered. Juice spilled. Half the campers jumped from their seats.
"BOYAAHHH! FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!" Tyler yelled, pounding the table like an arena drum. His voice was pure adrenaline.
Lindsay blinked once, then twice, and—deciding that cheering was clearly the correct response—joined in at full volume, shaking her fists like a cheerleader gone feral. "FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!"
"What the hell is going on?" Leshawna demanded, leaning forward as one of the masked players managed to trap the other in a brutal headlock. "I knew hockey was violent, but this is an absurd."
The smaller player slapped the ground and yelped through the helmet.
The group gasped when the voice turned out to belong to none other than Sanders, struggling beneath the solid bulk of her partner.
MacArthur finally released her grip, sitting triumphantly on Sanders' back like she'd just won gold. She popped off her helmet, tossing her hair back with a grin that screamed zero remorse.
"You need to train more, Sanders," MacArthur said with casual confidence, flexing one arm as if she were demonstrating for an infomercial. "That was glutes training 101."
Sanders groaned into the dirt, muttering something about 'abuse of authority' as both bodyguards stood, masks off, staring at the wide-eyed campers—who were still trying to process that the brawl had just been a warm-up act.
Until a loud, sputtering rumble echoed across the outside of the Craft and Service's Tent, slicing through the morning chatter like a chainsaw through silence. The air vibrated with the sound of an approaching engine — slow, powerful, and oddly ceremonial.
Before anyone could piece together what was happening, a massive Zamboni passed through the area of the Craft and Service Tent. A blinding cloud of frost sprayed from the exhaust pipe, and at the wheel, of course, sat the one man who could turn breakfast into a spectacle, nobody other than Chris McLean.
He was dressed like an overpaid ski instructor who'd lost his way to Aspen: thick white parka lined with fake fur, designer goggles perched on his forehead, and gloves that matched his perfectly color-coordinated scarf. His smile, smug as ever, gleamed brighter than the sun reflecting off the metal hood of the Zamboni.
Chris yanked the handbrake with flair, sending a dramatic hiss of vapor into the air before standing on the seat as if addressing a royal court.
"Hello players! Charge for the victory." he declared, his voice booming through a cheap megaphone decorated with a snowflake sticker. "Hope you've all enjoyed your last moments of warmth and dignity, because today's forecast calls for sub-zero suffering!"
Many of them blinked as they stared at Chris in surprise.
"If Jen sees this scene in 2020 she would have PTSD for the worst lost of Maple Leafs from entire history, a zamboni would be the nightmare of their lives." Ezekiel thought as he stared in amusement, recalling one of the iconic youtube videos ever created when it comes about the Leafs.
"Dude, so we are going to have a hockey theme movie?" Jude asked as Chris shook his head.
"Nice try. But nope…to our next cinematic masterpiece—" Chris explained as he started to get used to Jude since he had a nice voice, spreading his arms dramatically, as he gave indication for Chef to continue playing the organ, and both MacArthur and Sanders takes off their equipment. Allowing the suspenseful organ music to resume in the background, "—the Winter Sports Movie Challenge!"
"Winter sports?" Bridgette asked in surprise, as Chris nodded his head.
"Shoudln't just be sports?" Leshawna asked, which Chris simply shrugged.
"Well to be honest, it was on my list of if I should be adding on the challenge or not, however, someone used the giftbox from the last elimination to decides the next genre challenge. Which means we can have 2 variations of the same genre movie." Chris explained, as the contestants looked at each other, wondering who could be the person who did it… Not seeing Tyler smiling proud of himself.
Confession - Tyler
"My team lost twice in a row, so I decided to choose the genre movie I guarantee my team would win." Tyler said proudly, as he was happy with the decision he just came. "I paid almost all my points for that, but it worths it every penny. And with me as a jock of the team, I won't let them down."
"Oh great, so that means we are going to have 2 sports genre-movies." Noah said sarcastically, which Ezekiel raised his eyebrow.
"Noah, be sincere, do you have some repulse of sports because one of your siblings?" Ezekiel asked that since Noah explained about his family and from knowing the cartoons of his world, he could see that there was at least one sister who was good at sports. And by seeing Noah flipping the middle finger, it answered the question. "No more questions, your honour."
"Wait, so that means depending on which giftbox we can use our points, we can actually decide the next genre movie?" Gwen asked in surprise, as Trent hummed in understanding. As the goth stared at the Killer Grips, and then it came to her mind on what Trent said, the giftboxes were a big deal.
"You got that right Gwen, however, you guys must try to figure out how much it would cost, and cannot reveal the value to your friends. It would be against the contract." Chris reforced once again the powers of the gift boxes. "That's why MVPA points should be a must in your lives.
"Well, at least we can have a bigger advantage." Justin said with optimism. "We have 2 members more than Killer Grips, so we have better chances…"
Which now, Chris gave a feral and malevolent smirk.
"Okay, I don't like when Chris does this face." Leshawna said, as Beth stared at Heather who also understand something.
"When Chris looks like that, it's because something terrible just happened." Beth said as a confirmation for Heather and Lindsay… however… his feral smirk wasn't aimed at them.
"Oh yeah Justin… about that…" Chris said, as the group heard the sound of footsteps. "E-Scope as an eliminated she still used her giftbox, and oh boy, I never thought I was so excited to see this one in action…"
"What do you mean by-" Justin was about to ask, but then when he saw… he paled, like legit paled as his skin almost got white…
Eva with a winter jacket, a pin with a logo of Killer Grips, and a pair of eyes that promised nothing more than pain and pain and pain…
Owen froze… as the sound of farts and piss could be heard, which Ezekiel and Harold gave space for the big aloof boy.
Jude's mouth got wide open… as he himself started to sweat.
Geoff's eyes shrank, as he could see that his heartbeats were growing faster, and in that only moment, he actually forgot he was kissing Bridgette before… it was like his instincts are telling for him to run away to survive.
"Is this for real?" Leshawna asked in disbelief, as she glared at Chris. "Didn't you say they would never come back?"
"I'm not participating on this show as contestant." Eva rebuted, as she looked bored from the ghetto girl.
"Like Eva had said… E-skope used her giftbox to bring Eva for the challenge and pass the 2 days off with the team before she returns to the city." Chris explained as the teams looked in surprise, disbelief, and for the Killer Grips, the biggest hope they could ever get. "And looking by the pin over her jacket, Eva was hired to be a member of Killer Grips team for this time… So I'm going to leave you all have a few minutes to be in touch, and I want you all to meet me in Studio 3."
Confession - Heather.
"E-Scope, you're the best." Heather said as she crossed her arms in complete satisfaction, as her long black and hilighted hair showed how the queen bee appreciated the help of the mastermind military girl even after her defeat.
Confession - Trent
"YES! WE GOT EVA, WE GOT EVA." Trent cheered loudly as he was very hyped… "We got Eva in a sport's challenge, we have a chance, we actually have a chance. Iz- E-Scope, you're the MVP even after elimination"
Confession - Bridgette.
"Oh no… I think Eva is really furious with Geoff, I hope he's going to be fine." Bridgette as even her exhausted face looked, she was very concerned about her boyfriend. "But I'm glad to see her again…"
Confession - Gwen
"*Beep*, okay, now I understand why this thing about MVPA is serious, and I'm not sure if my team has many points, but things are getting serious right now." The Goth girl confessed as she could see from the screen the look of the challenge ahead. "And I have one thing to say… Eva is very very very *beep* with Geoff, Jude, Owen and Justin. I never saw her that angry… I think she's still mad with them eliminating her.
Eva remained quiet, staring at the Screaming Gaphers, her former team… Sadie, DJ and Gwen went to see Eva and give a hug on the girl who just left the show.
"Nice to see you here." Sadie quickly hugged the bodybuilder who rolled her eyes, but with a small smile decided to give a hug back. "Things had been kinda crazy without you here."
"I saw it." Eva said as she gave a handshake to DJ, followed by a hug from the giant heart of the Jamaican. "I looked at my contract, and I can tell some good things that happened outside of the show if you guys want to."
"That's something I would like to hear." Gwen said as she looked at the pin of the other team. "I know how it feels like to be chosen on the other team. And it was quite ironic, to see you selected on the other team."
"Tell me about it." Eva said as she gave a glance on the other members of the team. Noah who probably preferred to stay working on Ezekiel book. Beth, who was with Heather, got a new haircut, which she had to confess she was surprised Harold actually put a lot of effort into fixing for her. And the backstabers who probably voted on her. She saw one looking defiantly at her, while the others cowardly avoided eye-contact. "After the challenge we can talk about it. Now, I'm going to reunite with my team."
And with that, Eva gave another glance on the Screaming Gaphers table, and went directly to sit with the Killer Grips.
"It's awesome to see you here Eva." Tyler commented as he raised his hand to give a high five, and Eva simply did the small gesture and gave the boy what he wanted. She saw Trent giving his hand to give a handshake which she nodded her head and gave a firm handshake on him. Making him wince.
"Ouch… still, I agreed. You came on the right time." Trent said as he felt his hand still with the slight pain of the strong grip of the iron woman.
"I don't know which one of the team choose the winter-sport genre movie, but gotta to admit, there wasn't a better timing than now." Eva commented as Katie looked at her. "Cody asked me to tell you his fine, and to keep strong."
"Did you see Cody?" Katie asked in hopefulness, as she even had her eyes watering.
"Yes, he's with Courtney and Duncan. But he got in big trouble from his family." Eva said as the group of Killer Grips who were there looked at her in surprise. "His aunt called him from United States saying he should have called them when he got home after the season 1, or when he was at your house… Also, his mom was on a cruise with his father and little brother when they received the report that Cody was missing. Needlessly to say his mother was angry."
"Oof." Ezekiel commented as Katie flinched, from also looking sheepishly for that situation.
"Yeah… maybe I should have reminded him of that." Katie said sheepishly. Which Eva nodded her head.
"He now had to call his aunts every day from now on, until the show is over." Eva commented as Heather simply scoffed, while Trent smiled into seeing the strongest member being part of their team. "I'm going to stay here for a few days before I return to home."
"Alright, later we can talk about what happened outside, because I'm curious how was things outside…" Harold said, as Tyler nodded his head with a grin on his face.
"How's Courtney and Duncan by the way?" Bridgette came to talk with Eva, but suddenly she frozen, when the bodybuilder gave her a glare. Making her flinches.
"I don't condone your way to remain in the game, but I'm not going to stay here and lose a challenge because of you… I want to defeat the Screaming Gaphers as much as anyone here today…We will talk to you later." Eva said that she wasn't giving a request, but the group knew she was mad with Bridgette for what she had done in the last episode.
Bridgette felt like a punch in her gut, as she gulped from what Eva had told to her. She wasn't going to let her do any mistakes, and she was going to make sure the Killer Grips are going to win. Since she felt the huge responsibility, she wanted to prove herself to her team that she still was able to help, but seeing Eva staring at her angrily, she knew that it was going to be hard if everyone thinks she was going to be the reason the team would lose.
Eva didn't care… as she stared at Ezekiel, who was mostly staring at Noah still reading what had been written on the laptop. From what the bodybuilder had checked, most people had ignored Ezekiel's hands — which, while they looked normal to anyone else, carried rough calluses that told a quiet story of discipline. It made her nod once in satisfaction. He had been keeping up with his training of boxing and even doing small exercises as she instructed.
"Ezekiel… weights." Her tone left no room for questions.
Ezekiel sighed, pulling back the sleeves of his long jacket. The soft sound of the fabric filled the space as he lifted his arms, showing the two thick sand-filled bands strapped to his wrists, which looked absurdly chunky, even from seeing the perspective, it was like they forgot Ezekiel had been wearing those large wrist weights. Their faded labels read 50 kg, the numbers half-peeled from months of wear.
"You've been walking around with those this whole time?" Heather leaned forward, with her eyebrows raised and arms crossed.
"Oh, now it makes sense…" Lindsay blinked. "No wonder he never waves back fast, it's like—" she twirled her hands, "—slow-motion waving!"
Eva ignored them, opening the Velcro with deliberate care. The sound was sharp, the release heavier than it looked. She set both bands on the table, and the wooden surface shuddered. Ezekiel exhaled, shoulders finally dropping as if the air itself became lighter around him.
"Ahhh," Ezekiel moaned as he felt his arms way lighter than before.
"Dude… fifty kilos each? That's, like, a whole gym on your arms." Tyler let out a low whistle.
"Don't be so dramatic Tyler." Eva said, as she raised her eyebrow at him. "Half of this was enough to make you lose on the arm wrestling."
"HEY! Not cool." Tyler said as some of the group chuckled from the jock weakness when it comes about actual strength.
"So we're gonna see Ezekiel without his weights now?" Harold asked hopefully, but his grin faltered when Eva's expression didn't change.
From her luggage she drew out two polished rings, metal gleaming even in the tent's dim light. The group leaned closer; the soft clink they made sounded expensive.
"My father got a sponsor wanting to test new materials made with tungsten," Eva said matter-of-factly, adjusting the cuffs in her palms. "I asked him to craft four bracelets with full density. Each one weighs fifty kilograms. Smaller. Cleaner." She turned her wrist to show the matching one she wore herself. "They're comfortable—but just as heavy. So you'll still be using them."
"That's—scientifically ridiculous." Harold's jaw dropped as he wanted to protest. "The density of…"
"Harold, key words." Katie and Eva said in unison that made Harold shut his mouth and careful find the right words.
"It would be very expensive to make these, and almost impossible to wear it all the time." Harold told the point, which Eva simply shrugged.
"It's going to be the main material for my trainings in MMA, and impossible looks like a challenge to me." Eva replied as Harold raised his finger, but imediatelly was in silence.
"Well, that was awesome…" Trent gave a half-smile and a little sweat. "And terrifying."
"Guess we'll have to reinforce the keyboard, huh?" Noah finally looked up from the laptop, muttering.
"It's not going to be weights on my fingers Noah, they are still on the same weight." Ezekiel replied as he retrieved his laptop, and he couldn't help but look at those weights, realizing how Eva had really wanted to give them to him as a sign of her faith in his training.
"He's really okay with that?" Katie covered a nervous laugh with her hand. As she remembered on how Sadie said Ezekiel may have lost his mind whenever Eva came to him and changed his training and he just simply accepted it… or maybe she was jealous that Ezekiel was wise enough to not argue with Eva, since in the end would just make the punishments of their training harder… Which Katie was grateful that she never asked Eva to actually train her.
Ezekiel just nodded, quiet pride flickering in his eyes as Eva fastened the new cuffs around his wrists. The metal settled with a faint click, sleek and unforgiving.
"That's dedication, bro!" Tyler said as he was in awe on how Ezekiel simply accepted the gift done by Eva, and clearly showing that he was ready to take everything to make himself stronger.
"Discipline," Eva corrected flatly.
The tent fell silent again; only the soft clink of tungsten broke the air. Ezekiel flexed his fingers once, then rested them lightly on the keyboard. The movement was steadier than before, and it was way more comfortable for him to write. He didn't feel sore in his wrist like he did when he had to do weird positions to write something. Around him, everyone traded glances—some impressed, some intimidated, all aware that whatever came next, Eva had just raised the bar.
She gave a glance at Owen who was trembling on his place horrified. And she looked at him like a dinosaur ready to devour a chubby prey… Her eyes promised that his turn would come if he mess up someday… And he quickly farted again…
"Ewww," Beth, Katie and Lindsay said as they gave a few steps away, while Heather hissed in disgust and went on the other side of the table…
"Ankle weights, now." Eva commanded, her tone slicing through the tent. She reached into her suitcase again, and the zipper rasped like the start of another drill. Which Ezekiel raised his two legs, with a big chunk sand weight again with the 50kg written on it… And while Eva brought to Ezekiel really caught the attention of the team.
From inside, the dull glint of forged metal caught the overhead light — a pair of dense, twin-segmented cuffs, compact yet unmistakably heavy. Each one looked like something crafted in a forge rather than a factory, with smooth cylindrical contours and matte green plating that covered the solid metal core beneath.
"She came packed for war, bro." Tyler leaned over the table, eyes wide. "Are you going to give that to him?"
"Awww look at this, the colors fits with him so well. They look so nice, those look like tiny space boots." Lindsay clapped her hands as she stared at Eva. "Are they also comfortable?"
Eva nodded her head.
"Those are definitely not regulation equipment…" Harold, half-curious and half-terrified, pushed his glasses up and whispered.
"Who cares?" Noah asked, as he knew he shouldn't have been surprised by that. "You are literally are giving a meaning at superhero training. Sometimes things are just meant to be in movies and comics, Eva."
Eva ignored the jab, lifting the cuffs so the light slid over the metal like water. Two polished rivets held each segment together with mechanical precision, giving them an engineered feel rather than anything resembling training gear. They weren't soft or padded like Ezekiel's old sand-filled ones. These were pure tungsten — refined, balanced, the kind of weight that didn't shift or bend, only demanded respect. Even the faint clink they made against each other sounded expensive, deliberate, almost ceremonial.
"You do realize most people bring souvenirs, not equipment of torture right?" Heather raised a brow, crossing her arms.
"These ankle weights are also made by tungsten," Eva didn't flinch. Running a thumb along the seamless join between the plates before handing them to Ezekiel. "The density keeps them compact. You can wear them under boots or long pants. You'll need them for the winter sports challenge. You cannot wear shorts most of the time."
Ezekiel blinked, but he couldn't help but smile to his friend.
"Thanks Eva, that's so thoughtful of you…"
"And now I brought a new vest for you." Eva's lips curved into the faintest smirk while interrupting him.
"And there it is." Ezekiel groaned under his breath. As he knew he once again had to accept his training getting more and more difficult with the time.
"Wait—there's more?" Tyler and Owen who had remained in silence said in unison, which everyone from the Killer Grips then stared at Owen who was sweating buckets.
"We'll add this after today's challenge," Eva said, pulling a folded black vest from the bottom of her bag. Metal glimmered faintly beneath the fabric padding. "It's adjustable—twenty-five to a hundred kilograms."
"That's not a vest, that's a portable funeral." Noah muttered until he got a slap on the back of his head by Eva. "Ouch, hey, I'm just telling the truth."
"Does it come in pink?" Lindsay squinted but also curious.
"Do you really want to try?" Beth asked.
"Oh no, heck no. I'm just curious that someday Sadie would also be wearing one." Lindsay said as imediatelly Katie paled.
"Oh yeah… now I feel worried about her." Katie said as her best friend could feel panic at the time she would find Eva bringing weights for her as well.
"Her training isn't about weights. So I didn't bring it for her." Eva said as she could see the relieved look from Katie. "But I'm also going to have a talk with her in another hour."
"Oh no…" And then her relief turned into fear and concern for her best friend.
"You're trying to kill me, aren't you?" Ezekiel said as he looked at her in exasperation.
Eva gave a slow smirk that said everything and nothing.
"You'll start at twenty-five kilos for a week, then fifty, then seventy-five. In two or three weeks, you'll reach a hundred." Eva explained as she told the little homeschooled boy the progress of his training. Giving the instructions and conditions of his training. "You'll move slower, and you'll stay slower. I don't want you to run unless is really necessary, so in case you need to run, this vest is the only weight I want you to take off."
"Okay, that's seems fair." Ezekiel said, as he got relieved from Eva saying he could at least take the weight vest, since he knew it could be very uncomfortable to use in the future.
The metal caught the light one last time as Eva set the vest aside. For a few seconds no one spoke — only the low hum of the ice machine outside filled the silence. Around the table, eyes met, glances traded, and unspoken thoughts hung in the cold air: whatever came next, the boy with the weights was no longer the same one who had entered the game.
While this happened, Eva gave a glance at Owen who was trembling on his place in panic… She raised her palm indicating 5 fingers… which meant one thing… 5 times the training, and 5 times the weight.
If Eva wasn't going to train Ezekiel to death… she was going to do that to them… It was a promise of torture, which Owen could feel his face panic and then in an act of despair… he fainted.
Thud*
The loud sound of Owen fainting surprised everyone, which the only ones who were the most terrified, was the boys from the Screaming Gaffers who voted Eva off… They aren't sure on what happened, but they saw Eva giving weights to Ezekiel, and their faces paled…
Eva ignored the commotion of Owen fainting… And she gave a glance at the others.
"I need to place my things on the girl's trailer, who wants to help me to set up." Eva asked around, and all the Killer Grip girls stared at each other, not sure who would volunteer…
And that happened before the challenge really started.
The first door opened over the trailers, were the well fancy and luxury girl's trailer door, the crunch of boots on gravel broke the silence, followed by the faint rustle of insulated fabric and zippers tugged tight.
The Killer Grips were the ones who in fact obeyed the warnings and instruction, bundled and wary. Since a lesson learned from Boney Island still clung to the memory like frost that never quite melted of a few groups who suffered the consequences on the last trip on there. 3 people with cold, and 1 with pneumonia after not taking care of the cold.
Heather stepped out ahead, her dark coat trimmed with silver-grey fur at the collar, hair tied high to keep from whipping in the wind. Beth followed close, smaller beneath her oversized parka, the lenses of her glasses catching a brief shimmer of light. Lindsay was nearly swallowed by layers of pink and white wool, mittens oversized and hat tipped too far to one side, but she looked blissfully content to be warm. Katie adjusted her earmuffs with both hands while she was glad that she managed to make a winter jacket on her own, pink and black, as the same way she designed one for her best friend Sadie… her steps light but cautious as she scanned the horizon, already bracing for whatever "winter sports" meant this time.
Eva closed the line with her duffel slung over one shoulder, her expression unreadable beneath the fur-lined hood; her boots hit the ground with deliberate weight. Bridgette as the last female member of the team also got prepared as she herself wore a winter jacket in case it would snow in Ontario. They would always be prepared in case of something unexpected like that happens.
On the boys' trailer the Killer Grips members also got what they needed. Tyler and Trent trudged behind with energy but less grace, the thick jackets making their strides stiff and awkward. Tyler was glad to have bought a red and black sport winter jacket. While Trent he wore a good white and black winter jacket just for case it would be cold someday, he was lucky that he brought 2 types of it, one for slight cold and other for extreme colds.
Harold wore a long hem of his navy winter jacket brushing his knees fumbled with his gloves as his breath slowly as he was preparing himself for what was about to happen, Ezekiel came after them, the long hem of his 15000 membrane green snowboard jacket he bought at Penalty Box, he was sure Jen and the Penalty Box team would like to use it as a way to advertise more in case this jacket would work. Wearing his mother's winter hat, a scarf tucked snugly under his chin; the faint hiss of his weighted cuffs gave his movements a muted rhythm.
And if the Screaming Gaffers had any common sense, they also would have prepared themselves for a situation like that.
.
.
.
Which Eva raised her eyebrow for seeing an act of stupidity happening in front of her… Jude was with his only clothes he brought with him, and he didn't have a winter clothing, Geoff on the other hand seemed to have forgotten on his house while he seemed completely fine since he said it wouldn't be that bad… Leshawna didn't brought a winter clothing as well, since she brought the same clothing and commited the same mistake of the last season, having more variety of clothes.
Justin simply didn't go to the boys' trailer to change clothes, since he thought the production wouldn't actually bring cold on the group of contestants. Which Sadie said it was for the best if he could at least give a try, but he simply dismissed her, which Sadie simply pouted and sighed…
Gwen stepped out next, her dark gray jacket catching faint golden highlights from the sun. Black faux-fur lining framed her face, a blue-streaked beanie pulled snug over her hair. She kept her hands in the deep side pockets of the coat, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp.
Sadie emerged wearing the twin of Katie's handmade jacket she got on Christmass, its pink seams catching in the morning glow, paired with soft earmuffs and clean snow boots that looked almost too new for real wear.
DJ followed, his large olive-green parka slightly unzipped to reveal a thick wool sweater beneath, and on his back there was the flag of Jamaica as a way to remind the country where her momma said she bought on Canada since it looked so well on him. His gloves hung loosely from one hand, and his easy calm made the whole outfit seem practical rather than bulky.
Noah was last, fitted neatly in a dark teal jacket with reinforced stitching, a soft charcoal scarf tucked under his chin. A gray beanie sat slightly crooked over his hair, and in his right hand he carried a thermos, steam faintly curling from its lid as if to prove he'd prepared better than most.
Under the bright sky, the two teams couldn't have looked more different. The Killer Grips stood like a winter expedition group lost in a summer morning, layers and fur reflecting the sunlight. The Screaming Gaffers, by contrast, looked casual and underdressed, squinting in the glare as if the challenge would be nothing more than a quick game inside a studio.
And yet, they forgot who they are thinking about.
By the time they crossed into the shadow of Studio 3, the sunlight was behind them, and the first brush of artificial cold kissed their faces. The faint hum of compressors and the sharp scent of frost met them like a wall, a warning that whatever Chris had prepared, the real chill was just beginning. And the regrets of the members of Screaming Gaffers who didn't paid attention on the warnings.
The interior of Studio 3 swallowed them whole, the sudden brightness forcing their eyes to adjust. Floodlights mounted along the catwalks threw down harsh, sterile beams that bounced off the slick surface of the rink below. The entire studio had been transformed into a parody of a hockey arena — vast, glittering, and unmistakably unsafe.
A mist of cold vapor drifted through the air, tinted blue by the lights. Beneath it stretched a patchwork rink that could never have existed anywhere else. Ice and soap intertwined across the ground, blending into one another until the surface looked alive — shifting, glimmering, unpredictable. Wherever the industrial ice machine exhaled its mechanical breath, jagged frost sprawled outward like veins, while foamy bubbles burst lazily across the borders of the rink, leaving trails of glistening residue.
The air smelled faintly of detergent and burnt electricity. Every few seconds the machine hissed, scattering another fine mist of crushed ice that sparkled under the spotlights before settling into the layer of slippery foam. The boards surrounding the rink were uneven, a mismatched collage of plywood panels and re-painted movie set props; in places, bright yellow caution tape had been looped halfheartedly to suggest professionalism.
Up above, camera cranes hummed as their lenses tracked movement automatically, sweeping across the arena like curious vultures. Near the far wall, the Total Drama Action logo had been reimagined in frosted letters, half-melted already under the heat of the lights.
Chef Hatchet stood near the penalty box, his referee whistle catching the light whenever he moved. The faint rhythm of his boots echoed over the ice as he tested the stability of the rink with the heel of his foot, leaving behind deep, uneven prints. Every few seconds, a slow roll of the Zamboni's engine purred from behind the bleachers, as if waiting for its cue.
The Killer Grips hesitated at the threshold. Their breaths came out in thin white streams that twisted upward toward the catwalks. The sound of their steps — cautious, crunching, deliberate — echoed back at them, joining the hum of the lights and the low whir of the ice machine in a strange mechanical symphony.
Somewhere above, a burst of falling frost cascaded down from a vent, scattering across their hair and shoulders like snow that had forgotten how to behave. The faint vibration of speakers crackled to life, followed by the familiar, smug rhythm of an approaching theme — the organ version of Let's Go Team 2 returning like a taunt.
The group moved forward, shadows stretching over the frosted boards, the vastness of the studio turning every movement into theater. For a moment, no one spoke. The soundscape of motors, mist, and distant music said everything that needed saying: this wasn't a sports arena. It was a film set dressed as a winter trap — another of Chris McLean's cinematic disasters waiting to happen.
The air around the trailers filled with the sound of movement: boots crunching, fabric swishing, the creak of straps and zippers drawn tight. Clouds of breath drifted upward, fading into the washed-out blue above the set. Beyond the trailers, Studio 3 loomed — a cavern of steel and frost, its roof haloed by faint artificial snow spilling from vents like a brewing storm.
The two teams converged on the same path, their paces slowing as the temperature dropped. The prepared walked steady, shoulders squared against the chill. The uncertain ones began to shiver before they even reached the building. By the time the cast crossed into the shadow of the studio doors, the difference between caution and arrogance showed clearly in the way they carried themselves — one group moving with the quiet discipline of survivors, the other already regretting their doubt.
Inside, the faint echo of ice machines rumbled like distant thunder, promising that whatever waited beyond those doors, it would not be warm.
Which the members of Screaming Gaffers who forgot to dress themselves or weren't able because of the lack of clothing, felt shivers of the cold clearly attacking them directly.
Owen was the first to gasp, his sleeveless maple-leaf shirt and shorts offering no protection at all. The temperature drop hit him like a slap, and he wrapped his enormous arms around himself, shivering so hard that his belly quivered beneath the thin fabric.
"Phrooooo—Chris wasn't kidding when he-he-he said it was gonna be winter sports!" he blurted, trying to laugh, though the sound trembled right out of his teeth.
Justin, Geoff immediately regretted for wearing their usual clothing on that moment. Jude and Leshawna also got hit by the cold winds coming from the combination of arconditioners, thermostat on -30 C degree, and Snow Machines blowing on the corners to make it even colder.
Beside him, Geoff's confidence vanished with the first icy gust. His open pink shirt fluttered helplessly against his bare chest as goosebumps spread like wildfire across his skin. The sandals slapped against the frost, his toes already turning pink from exposure. He tried to grin through the pain, rubbing his arms with numb hands.
"Dude… I can actually feel my abs freezing into ice cubes," he muttered between shaky chuckles.
Justin, standing a few steps behind, clenched his jaw in visible disbelief. His fitted olive shirt did little to protect him, and the cold made his sculpted muscles twitch involuntarily. Frost formed on his dark hair as he crossed his arms tight over his chest, trying to preserve at least the illusion of composure.
"How," Justin said through a shaky breath, "were we supposed to know he'd actually turn the whole studio into a freezer?"
"I warned you, humph." Sadie said as she ignored his disbelief look, as she walked ahead, knowing she was right.
"Heh, now I'm curious about what would be colder for you now, this place, or the cold shoulder Sadie gave to you." Noah said with a smirt on his face, and walked ahead, in the direction nearby the ring. Leaving a dumbfounded Justin staring at them.
Not far away, Leshawna stomped once, her sandals squeaking against the rink as a sharp hiss escaped her lips.
"Uh-uh, this is not right," she growled, her yellow top no match for the minus-thirty nightmare swirling around them. The printed oranges across her chest looked mocking now — bright summer fruit in the middle of a snowstorm. She rubbed her arms furiously and shot a glare around fierce enough to melt steel, if not ice. "Some of us didn't pack no winter coats in our luggage, genius!"
Even Jude, usually too laid-back to notice much of anything, had gone stiff from the cold. His layered T-shirt and long sleeves offered only a bit of resistance before the wind seeped in through every thread. He hunched his shoulders and blew warm air into his cupped hands.
"Whoa, total bummer vibes, dude… my bones are like, rattling," he mumbled, his breath misting in uneven clouds.
Across the rink, Chris McLean glided into view — perfectly dressed for the occasion in a stylish black parka with fur trim, hockey stick slung over one shoulder. His skates sliced across the surface with practiced ease, each move accompanied by the faint squeal of blades on ice. He looked right at home amid the chaos.
"Everyone!" he announced, voice echoing through the metal rafters. "I hope you're thrilled for today's first challenge…" His grin widened, teeth flashing under the spotlights. "Hockey!"
The cameras zoomed in automatically as he leaned on the stick, scanning the shivering contestants one by one.
"What happened to your outfits? Didn't I specifically tell you to bring winter gear?" His eyebrows arched when he noticed the half-frozen Gaffers.
Owen sneezed so loudly it startled one of the camera cranes.
"Bro, you said it was winter sports, not Siberian death camp!" Geoff raised his hand weakly, half-laughing.
"Semantics." Chris rolled his eyes.
"This isn't fair, man! It's like, minus thirty!" Justin tried to reclaim a bit of dignity, though his voice still shook.
"Exactly!" Chris replied cheerfully, skating a tight circle. "That's called immersion, Justin. You're welcome."
Leshawna folded her arms with visible fury. "You're lucky I can't throw this cold right back at you!"
"Not my problem, anyway." Chris just winked, letting her words dissolve into the chill. He tapped the ice with the end of his hockey stick, a sharp crack echoing across the rink. "Now—let's talk rules!"
Chris's hockey stick clicked twice against the frozen surface, the sharp crack echoing like a countdown. The cameras zoomed in, catching the glint in his eyes — that special mix of sadism and showmanship that meant someone was about to regret signing their contract.
"Alright, ice monkeys," he said, voice bouncing through the loudspeakers, "today's game is simple — at least for me." His grin widened as the echo lingered. "We're playing 3-on-3 hockey. One goalie, one defender, one center attacker for each team. The trio who scores three points first wins the category for their team!"
He spun his hockey stick like a baton before pointing it toward the stands. "Sounds easy, right? Well, let's remember — this isn't real ice. It's a beautiful blend of industrial frost, dish soap, and shattered dreams!"
A few contestants groaned audibly. The mist rising from the rink thickened as snow machines exhaled another wave of icy vapor, covering the boards in glittering frost.
The Killer Grips exchanged knowing looks — they were layered, insulated, ready. The Screaming Gaffers, on the other hand, looked like they were standing in a freezer wearing beach clothes.
Owen's teeth chattered so loudly that Jude's elbow shook with each vibration.
"I think my toes are gone, dude," Jude muttered. Geoff tried to laugh but only managed a trembling smirk. But then the duo were thrown a big sport bag making them both fall on the cold floor…
"Which I recommend you from Screaming Gaffers who didn't brought a winter clothing to decide which one will wear this hockey gear to participate. Because it would be for the best the less members of your group to get cold the better, and you made easy since you won't need to take a jacket off, just wear the hockey uniform…" Chris clapped his hands, as the duo of Screaming Gaffers felt the weight of the equipment, while Owen, Justin and Leshawna stared at Chris in disbelief. The host looked on the Killer Grips "Okay, Killer Grips, you choose your trio! Take off the winter clothes and wear the hockey gear. You've got 10 minutes before Chef drops the puck, and trust me…" He lowered his voice just enough to make it dangerous. "…this puck isn't rubber."
A heavy thud from the penalty box made everyone look. Chef Hatchet stood there holding what looked like a frozen coconut shell painted black and white — the "puck." He smirked as it let out a faint crack when it hit the edge of the box.
The contestants quickly scrambled into chaotic circles of debate and panic.
"I'm so cold. But I'm not crazy enough to get into a hockey match, I saw what the bodyguards did before, and if you think I'm crazy enough to participate on that? Nuh huh, I'm not going." Leshawna said, as even as cold she was feeling on that moment. It was better than breaking a bone. Only an idiot would offer himself for-
"I will be the center attacker. Since me and my best-friend Brodie played hockey on the most crazy rules. So I think I got this." Geoff said happily, as Leshawna blinked slowly, and mentally sighing.
"I will be the goalie." Owen said as he really wanted to wear something warm for him on that moment. "I'm big enough to fill the whole goal, I'm sure they couldn't hit me, I mean, it may hurt, but I can hold it."
"That's great guys. And as much I want to get some warm. My face isn't for sports with contact like that." Justin refused, as even as the cold was painful for him, he knew it would be for the best into letting another person to be on his place. "How about you Jude? Do you think you can be a defender?"
"Well, I'm usually more into skate, dude… but I can give some hockey pass, since I played with Jonesy and Wyatt a few times." Jude shrugged. As the trio knew who would be the members to respresentate the Screaming Gaffers.
.
.
.
"I'm going to be the defender." Eva said firstly, which made the whole group stares at her in surprise. "Chris told about the positions, but even defenders can make goals on the ring, so I'm the best into giving protection against the offensive."
"That makes sense, does anyone else wants to participate?" Heather looks around as he then saw Tyler raising his hand. "Oh no, you're not going to be-"
"I want to be the goalie." Tyler said, as immediately everyone blinked in surprise. "Sports are my thing, but I'm sure I can take all the goals, trust me on this guys. I can take it."
"I thought he was going to say he wanted to be the center-attacker ouch." Harold was commenting until Katie gave an elbow on his stomach.
"Well, you better not screw this up Tyler, we already have the Dodgeball experience where you got a lot of screw up on there." Heather said as she saw Lindsay pouting angrily at her. "Don't start Lindsay, he sucked on that episode, and got Eva's wrath on it."
"Don't remind me about it… but come on, trust me on this… in hockey, it's the most painful thing I have is being the goalie… but I guarantee… I'm good at hockey." Tyler bumped his chest a few times, which some of the boys looked at each other. And then everyone stared at Eva.
"Fine." She shrugged, since she was going to be the one being the first line of defense. "Just make sure to catch a few goals, but don't worry, I will give you cover."
"Thanks Eva." Tyler smiled. As he looked around the group. "Hey Ezekiel, how about you being the attacker?"
"I know roller-skater, not ice-skater, I would have problems into skying around." Ezekiel said as he even raised his two arms, showing the weights. "And the floor is even more slippery than before, so it would be way harder…"
"I-"
"Harold is a good ice-skatter, but for using strength to shot a puck to the goal? Sorry Harold, but no." Tyler commented, which Harold just narrowed his eyes.
"I just wanted to say I think someone who actually played hockey before should try to participate…" Harold narrowed his eyes, as Tyler smiled sheepishly.
"Well, I can give a try. I played when I was a child, but I can try to guide it to the goal, or give a pass and Eva can give a shot." Trent suggested, as the groups nodded their heads in agreement.
While Bridgette was in silence and looking away… But then when she turned her face, she almost jumped into seeing Eva staring at her. And she isn't sure why she was looking at her, but she sweat for something. Possibly a bad feeling.
The rink had gone eerily quiet. Mist drifted low across the surface, glowing faintly under the blue floodlights as both trios stepped into position. The boards creaked with the low groan of frozen wood; every breath shimmered like smoke.
For the Screaming Gaffers, the hockey gear felt like salvation.
"See? Not so bad! Little slippery, but we got this, bros!" Geoff rolled his shoulders, tapping his stick against the ice with a confident grin.
"Warm and safe! For once, I feel like the hero of a sports movie!" Owen, bundled under the padded goalie uniform, spread his arms wide. The heavy gloves made him look like a human snowplow.
"Yeah, dude, this is chill—well, actually, it's freezing—but we'll totally rock this. Just gotta stay steady, pass the puck, and not, like, die." Jude chuckled nervously, adjusting the oversized helmet that kept tilting over his eyes.
Their laughter echoed briefly—half relief, half adrenaline. Even Justin cracked a small smirk from the sidelines. For the first time since the cold hit, optimism flickered.
Then the door to the Killer Grips' bench slammed open.
A wave of frost followed Eva as she stepped onto the rink, her movements deliberate, shoulders squared, eyes gleaming beneath her helmet. The floodlights caught the sharp lines of her armor and the faint vapor rising from her breath. She looked like she belonged there — not as a contestant, but as a predator entering her territory.
The air changed.
Geoff's grin faltered mid-breath. Owen's confident stance wilted like wet cardboard. Jude muttered something that might have been a prayer.
Eva planted her skates on the center line, stretching her neck side to side until a faint pop echoed through the studio. Her eyes swept over them — slow, assessing, merciless.
Her mouth curved into the faintest smirk. She raised one eyebrow.
"...Oh no," Geoff whispered, his voice cracking as he leaned toward Jude. "Ohhh no no no no. Why is she here? Ohh… right, she's now part of the other team, I forgot about it…"
"Dude…" Jude swallowed hard, fog spilling from his mouth. "We're, like… already ghosts."
"Can we forfeit before the whistle, or is that, like, illegal?" Owen clutched his stick tighter, the metal creaking under his grip.
Gwen, Beth and Sadie had their eyes wide open in surprise, as they saw Tyler and Trent going after Eva, but the MVP of the sports since last season, the Iron Woman herself came to play…
"They are dead." Beth commented unamused, as Gwen nodded her head.
"Yep, it was nice to met them while it lasted." Gwen agreed, as Sadie nodded her head in sadness.
"I feel sorry about Bridgette, she's going to watch her boyfriend going mercilessly massacrated." Sadie said as Justin was also pale into seeing Eva getting inside of the ice ring.
Confession - Justin
"Ahhh, my beauty, always saving me from the troubles of imminent dangers, sometimes being beautiful makes us value and be overprotective of the possible dangers about it. Whenever someone asked me to try any martial art or even going to do radical sports like bungee jump or zipline, I always refuse because of possible dangers that could meant to my beautiful face." Justin said as he looked at himself at the mirror. Even as he looked a bit colder and trembling, he was still looking beutiful. "Who said vanity couldn't save lives? It saved mine."
Confession - Eva
"It seems Christmas came early this year…" Eva commented with still in full hockey gear, the faint hum of the rink audible in the background. Her smirk deepened as she leaned closer to the lens. A low chuckle escaped her, sharp as ice breaking. "...Nice."
Eva didn't even need to speak — the sound of her skates carving the ice as she advanced toward center said everything.
Somewhere above, Chris's laughter echoed through the speakers, mixing with the faint hiss of the snow machines.
"Looks like the Gaffers are thrilled to meet their competition! Remember, folks — first to three points wins, or first to break emotionally… whichever comes first!" Chris commented as he looked at Chef who nodded his head. "Alright everyone. Aaaaand… Action."
Chef raised his whistle. The studio seemed to hold its breath.
Eva tilted her head slightly toward the Gaffers, her grin razor-thin.
The whistle screamed through the cold air.
The puck dropped. And nobody moved…
"GO TRENT GO." Until Heather, Katie and Lindsay shouted as Ezekiel whistled and Harold clapped his hands to make the guitarist start to skate across the 'puck'. Making him blinks, as if the noise snapped him out of hypnosis.
"Right, right—GOING!" Trent muttered, pushing off the line. His skates screeched against the soapy ice, arms flailing for balance as he lurched toward the puck. The cold air stung his lungs, every breath visible in jagged bursts.
"C'mon, c'mon, we need to already start winning!" Behind him, Tyler crouched low in the goal, tapping his stick anxiously against the ground.
Across the rink, Geoff's eyes widened as realization hit.
"Wait—wait, he's moving!" he blurted. "Jude, block him! Block him before he—"
Too late.
Trent slid across the slick surface, momentum carrying him faster than intended. His skate clipped a patch of soap, sending him gliding forward in an almost elegant drift. The puck bounced off the boards and spun directly into his path like destiny itself.
He gritted his teeth, lined up the shot, and swung. The stick connected with a crack that echoed through the whole studio.
The puck flew — a white blur slicing through the mist — straight toward the Gaffers' goal.
"Oh, frosty fudge…" Owen's eyes widened behind his helmet.
He threw himself sideways in a panic dive. The puck slammed into his stomach pad with a dull thud, bounced off, and rolled lazily toward the edge of the goal line… before stopping just short.
The crowd of onlookers gasped.
"Oooh, what a save! Owen's stomach stops the first goal of the match! Somewhere, a buffet table just cried in sympathy!" Chris's voice burst over the loudspeakers, dripping with delight.
"I can't tell if I blocked it… or if it just froze to me." Owen groaned from the ice.
The air crackled with tension. Mist coiled near the rink's surface as both teams scrambled for control of the puck.
Owen still lay half-slumped in front of the goal, wheezing under his gear, while Jude skated in hesitant circles, trying to regain footing. Geoff, though—he saw the puck drifting toward him, spinning gently across the soapy ice. His grin returned, confident, cocky, reckless.
"There it is! Right in the sweet spot!" Geoff yelled, lowering his stick. "Time for some ice magic, baby!"
The tip of his hockey stick brushed the puck—just barely.
And then everything went white.
A boom of contact shook the boards, echoing across the studio like thunder. One moment Geoff was standing, the next he was airborne — limbs flailing, the world a blur of blue light and shattered snow mist. The audience of interns collectively gasped as his body slammed against the corner boards, bounced once, and tumbled over the rim of the rink like a ragdoll on a bad amusement ride.
"GEOFF." And the shreak of panic from Bridgette made him realizes on how serious it was.
Eva, the cause of the chaos, didn't even slow down. She skated straight through the aftermath, shoulders squared, exhaling through her nose like a steam engine. Her eyes never left the puck.
Geoff, meanwhile, groaned from the other side of the barrier. The world spun in dizzy circles above him. For a second, the lights looked like little halos flickering in rhythm.
"Did… did anybody… get the number of that train?" he slurred, one hand weakly raised.
"Dude… that was the train." Owen peered from his goal position, blinking through the helmet fog. He póinted at Eva who got the puck and waited for Geoff to get up.
Geoff tried to smile, but the expression froze mid-way. Something in his mouth felt wrong — too sharp, too cold. When he licked his teeth, his tongue caught on an edge.
"Oh man… tell me that's gum," he muttered. It wasn't. Between his front teeth, a small triangular fissure gleamed under the spotlights — a perfect chipped gap. When he spoke again, air whistled through it, producing an accidental fweeeeee with every "s."Woaahhhhh, fweee so that fweee means that fweee every time I fweee talks, I whistle fweee at the same time? Awesome!"
Which the worries of some groups, ended with facepalms of some, and the chuckle and giggles of others. Only Geoff who would find a situation of being tackled on the ice ring and breaking his tooth an interesting story to share in the future.
Confession - Geoff
"It's fweee not the first fweee time I broke fweee my teeth, fweee my bro Brody's cousin is a fweee dentist, fweee I'm sure she can fweee fix it when I get fweee home." Geoff said while he was still wincing in slight pain. "I'm sure Eva fweee will take it easy on me fweee now that I broke my teeth, right?"
Confession - Geoff - 10 minutes later
"Ouch ouch ouch… fweee ouch fweee ouch…" Geoff covered in bruises and even with all his body sore from pain, showed the poor fool, that Eva wasn't done with him… "Yeah fweee, she's still mad fweee with the fweee elimination."
Brutality, was the synonyms on what happened on that time. Eva was mercilessly as she locked eyes on the puck and claimed it like a predator reclaiming stolen prey. Her skates slashed through the ice, scattering soap and frost in her wake.
Across the rink, Owen barely had time to lift his stick.
"Hey, uh—guys? Time out? Truce? Hug break?" Owen asked in hopefulness, after seeing Eva staring at him…
No answer. Just the low growl of Eva's breath through her helmet vents. She shifted her weight, twisted her torso, and fired. The sound was monstrous. The puck — that solid, frozen coconut — rocketed across the rink like a cannonball, slicing through the mist and leaving a faint white trail behind it.
Everyone braced.
The puck hit Owen.
Dead center.
Lower than center.
A collective gasp erupted from both teams as the poor boy's body jolted like a shockwave had gone through it. The supposed "crotch protector" cracked with a brittle snap, and Owen let out a sound that could only be described as part scream, part squeak, part spiritual departure.
His knees buckled. His stick fell. And the massive goalie collapsed backward in slow motion, the sound echoing like a tree falling in a frozen forest.
The entire studio froze in horror. Even the camera cranes seemed to pause mid-pan.
"Ohhh, my baby boy!" Leshawna clutched her chest.
Geoff, still dizzy against the boards, managed to croak, "Owen…fweee bro… blink twice fweee if you're still in this fweee dimension."
"Dude, I felt that in my soul." Jude winced so hard his helmet tilted sideways.
Meanwhile, Eva barely broke stride. Calm, composed, ruthless — she glided forward, following the same puck as it rolled lazily toward the unconscious goalie's legs. She didn't even need to shoot again. With a single effortless nudge, she guided it across the goal line and came to a smooth stop.
Silence.
Then Chef's whistle cut through the air like a guillotine.
Chris raised his hand, voice dripping with mock enthusiasm.
"One point for the Killer Grips!"
A delayed groan rippled through the Screaming Gaffers as Owen rolled slightly to the side, one hand weakly raised in surrender.
"Yay, Eva! That was, like… totally a bullseye!" From the stands, Lindsay cheered,
While Beth who was on the other side flinched.
"More like… a full sigh." Beth said as she felt the pain coming from Owen, but seeing that Eva was playing as a way to punish Owen, Jude and Geoff, she even gulped in fear and was thankful that she didn't do something stupid like voting on Eva.
"Remind me never to get on her bad side again." Even Heather smirked, shaking her head.
Confession - Ezekiel
"And you guys ask me why I never complain about Eva's training…" Ezekiel said in exasperation. As even himself would never be stupid to go against Eva in a sport that would use body tackle like that. "It's easier to accept and do it without complain. I'm not suicidal, but I'm not stupid as well… so it's better to accept while she's being kind yet… but still I would be lying if I'm not feeling pity for Jude, Geoff and Owen… that's going to be a brutal challenge for them."
"And somewhere out there, an entire generation of male viewers just crossed their legs." Chris leaned toward the nearest camera, whispering conspiratorially. "Alright, it's 1 to 0 for Killer Grips."
"Can we fweee throw away the fweee match?" Geoff said with a sweat on his face, but Chris shook his head.
"Not at all. And just for the sake of sportsmanship, you guys start with the puck now." Chris said as the trio of Screaming Gaphers palled. "And start the match again."
And Chef used the whistle once again, and Geoff didn't even had the time to move, he simply just touched the puck with his hockey stick. And Eva once again furiously bodytackled him. Making going on the floor.
Jude then saw the puck slowly going to his direction, and Eva slowly turning her head at him, and the young boy tried to move away, but he somehow managed to touch the puck with the stick again… And when he less expected. Eva body tackled him as well. Making the blonde boy go down and groaning.
Confession - Eva
"People forget that hockey's just applied physics." Stared at the camera in a bored tone, as the future images would explain her point…
Her voice carried over a slow-motion replay of Geoff's earlier collision—his body launching backward as her shoulder connected, snow and soap exploding like confetti.
"Speed…"
Another shot: Eva accelerating down the rink, skates biting into the ice, vapor streaming behind her.
"…times velocity…"
Cut to Jude turning just in time to see her coming. The moment froze on his horrified face—then impact. He spun mid-air, landing flat, stick bouncing away.
"…multiplied by weight."
The camera followed her relentless stride toward Owen, who was just starting to stand again. The soundtrack dropped to a single bass note as she drove forward, the boards shaking.
"Plus grip."
Slow motion showed her hip-check sending the massive goalie sprawling backward into his own net, the goal light flickering red as Chef blew the whistle again.
Back to Eva in the booth—calm, almost serene.
"Equals that."
Montage Continues
Quick, brutal flashes filled the screen:
— Geoff sliding face-first into the corner boards.
— Jude spinning like a pinwheel, his stick flying into the air.
— Owen falling a second time, the goalpost shaking.
Chef's whistle shrieked repeatedly while Chris's gleeful narration overlapped:
"AND THAT'S ANOTHER ONE!" Chris cheers as he couldn't help but narrate the game. "Someone call an exorcist for those Gaffers—Eva's possessed!"
Confession - Eva
"Yeah, that…" Now the confessional returned for real. Eva rested the stick across her lap, a small, self-satisfied smile ghosting across her face. "Justin got lucky he wasn't out there today… but luck?" She shrugged lightly. "That runs out."
"Should we be doing something?" Trent asked at Tyler who was on the goal, wincing for every impact done by Eva…
"Well, I think we should wait for Eva let it out her anger, and then we can focus on the game." Tyler shrugged, as they could see Eva stretching herself…
"Well that was a good warm up." And then both Trent and Tyler looked at each other… Not sure if that's a good thing.
"Alright, Grips. Eva used the limits of usages of body tackle the opposite team… she's going to be on the penalty box for 10 minutes of punishment." Chris then said those words, as Eva simply stoped to glare towards the referees. "Don't look at me like that, Eva, you know mostly of hockey rules, a brawling like that would make you punished. I just remembered to apply those rules now."
Which then every contestants, from both Killer Grips and Screaming Gaffers looked at him unphased, because it was obviously a lie.
"Anyway, go to the time box Eva." Chris commanded as he clapped his hands.
Eva's eyes swept across the rink, pausing briefly on the three broken Gaffers still scattered across the ice. Geoff was trying to breathe without whistling, Jude was face-down in a soap puddle, and Owen looked like he was reconsidering his entire diet.
With a low sigh, Eva finally turned and skated toward the penalty box, every step sharp and controlled. The timer above her head flicked to life: 10:00… 9:59… 9:58…
"Alright, now it's time for the games commence." Chris leaned on the announcer's desk as he whistled to the match to continue.
He looked back toward the rink.
Three unmoving bodies.
No sound except soft groaning.
"…Okay, maybe after a quick intermission." Chris corrected himself as Chef blew the whistle half-heartedly, his tone suggesting pure pity.
A few seconds checking how was the players, while both members of Killer Grips and Screaming Gaffers were watching from the sidelines outside of the ring but still in the cold. Chris came to their direction to explain the situation.
"Well," Chris said in solenmety, "we'll call this a period break—you know, to give our Gaffers a chance to reassemble their skeletons! We'll resume once Eva's penalty's halfway over. That's thirty minutes, everyone. Good thing we've got Pay-Per-View scenes and we can edit it on today's episode to release to night. We can splice this mess into something resembling a sport later."
The contestants began peeling off toward the exit.
"Great," Justin muttered, shivering as he peeled off his gloves. "I'm getting my blouse. I'm done freezing for this." He bolted for the doors before Chris could stop him.
"I'm with you, sugar," Leshawna added, following close behind. "Either I find some sunshine or a blanket, because I am not sticking around to catch hypothermia from watching folks get body-checked into next week."
They left the arena, the heavy doors closing behind them with a metallic clang that echoed down the frosted hallways. Even Tyler, Trent, and Eva stepped outside to catch a little sunlight—thin, white rays cutting through the industrial skylights—hoping to thaw the chill biting at their skin before returning to the rink.
Inside, the cold lingered. Frost clung to the boards, mist curling upward from the ice as Bridgette, Ezekiel, Harold, Gwen, and DJ stared at the trio still suffering from what could only be described as the Eva Effect.
"Ow… fweee… I think my ribs are doing Morse code," Geoff groaned, his breath fogging against the floor. Every word made a high-pitched whistle escape between his chipped teeth. Bridgette immediately knelt beside him, brushing stray frost from his hair as she examined him with worried hands.
"Still… alive, dude." Jude lifted a trembling hand from where he lay sprawled out on the slick surface, the words coming out between shallow breaths. Ezekiel and Harold stepped carefully over the ice and helped him up, their movements slow and cautious as if touching something fragile that could shatter from one wrong move.
Owen didn't move at all. He lay flat, his hockey gear rising and falling in sluggish rhythm. A faint whimper echoed through the cavernous studio — long, mournful, like a wounded walrus calling for rescue. The sound bounced against the metal beams until it dissolved into silence.
No one had enough strength left to move him. It would take minutes before anyone could even try.
"That's not right," Bridgette said softly, brushing Geoff's shoulder as she turned to look at the others. "Isn't Eva going way overboard with this?"
"Yes and no, she is attacking, but she wasn't breaking the rules." Harold explained, which made Bridgette stares at him in surprise. "It's all about position. If she'd been the center attacker, it would've been a foul. But as the defender? She's within limits. She's just using every loophole in the book, specially if Chris created that book of rules."
"So she's basically using defense as an excuse to body tackle them into submission?" Bridgette asked, as she could see Eva doing that just for the sake of winning.
"She practically wanted to incapaciate them, just to make Trent has more chances of winning." Harold started as obvious, while DJ gulped in fear.
"I'm so glad I wasn't the one who angered her," DJ gulped audibly, his voice trembling when he finally spoke. "I'm just… glad it's not me out there. I don't think I'd survive one of those hits."
Ezekiel lowered himself onto the low wall by the benches, exhaling a faint cloud of mist as he watched the wreckage of what was once his friends.
"That's why I always said Eva holds a big grudge, and Geoff, Jude, you guys really fumbled the ball for listening Justin, because betraying Eva and voting her off without a reasoning really makes her give you a death sentence." Ezekiel said as he sat nearby. Making the boys winced, their faces reflecting both pain and regret."Well, the good thing is we aren't in a boxing or MMA fight, or you all would be dead."
"Please don't joke Ezekiel." Geoff begged, his eyes fixed on his friend with a serious expression.
"You see me laughing now?" Ezekiel retorted, as he looked at Geoff. "I know that it may sound what I am going to say… You've got about ten minutes while she's in the penalty box. Try to make those count. Score three goals before she comes back—or she's just gonna crush you again."
The words hung in the freezing air like visible steam.
"I know it sounds crazy," Gwen chimed in, stepping closer, "but why don't you just throw the match? Seriously—score on your own goal. End it early. Save yourselves."
The trio blinked, each expression slowly shifting from confusion… to dawning horror… to mutual realization. The idea had never even crossed their minds. Their eyes widened at once, all three letting out the same defeated groan that rolled across the empty rink like thunder.
"Well, you guys better try to do that on the last resort. Like when it's the last goal, because if Chris finds out you did that on the second goal, he would make it null if you guys do that again. So do that in the last score, it would be most logical and helpful." Ezekiel said, as it was sure the match was painful for the trio.
The silence that followed was thick with both humiliation and cold air. Geoff's whistling breath was the only sound.
"Guess… fweee… we'll plan for that," Geoff murmured weakly.
"Man, If I knew Eva would have come back, I would have never listen to Justin." Jude rested his helmet on his knee and muttered, "I just hope to survive…"
"Amem." Owen said weakly as he himself prayed for maybe not do something stupid in front of Eva, since now she certainly is going to give him nightmares. "...You guys realize that only one of us won't receive her training after getting the 1 million dollars prize, right?"
"..." Geoff, and Jude stared at each other, as he looked at Owen on what he was thinking. Owen didn't reply, but clearly on his mind one thing was serious.
On that elimination, it was going to be one of them… with Justin included, one of those 4 who voted on Eva, they were going to be thrown to her as prey to a dinosaur.
"You guys are going to be okay?" Eva asked as she drank from a water bottle, looking at both Trent and Tyler who still were using their gear. "I could have crushed them more, but I think it would be too much, and I still want them to get my training regime. And having broken bones sucks, I know by experience."
"Don't worry Eva, I know I may be clumsy, and I get hurt most of the time when I try to do many sports…" Tyler said in confident, which Eva raised her eyebrow to him. "But one thing I can get confidence of, I'm the best goalie from my whole school. I was the goalie when it comes about soccer, hockey, and I'm even the captain of the volleyball team of my school."
"You're not kidding." Eva said, crossing her arm, and she could see Tyler nodding his head. "Okay, I will trust you, but you know what in stake on this challenge, your team already lost 2 members, and even if Bridgette is on verge of elimination because of the last challenge, you guys should give her a final chance before doing the elimination."
"Yeah, we know." Trent said as he nodded his head, and as much he never had much interaction with Eva, it was nice to see how was the other side of the bodybuilder, she was the definition of a beast but also a careful guardian, she you in pain but also makes you grown, which that's why Ezekiel says it was for the best to not give her a reason to take you on radar.
"Good… Tyler," Eva said as she could see the jock tilting his head at her. "In case we win this challenge, I have a favor to ask you and Ezekiel."
And that time both Trent and Tyler looked at each other, not sure on what she was planning.
Everyone returned to the Studio 3. The trio, who had once been down lamenting their pain, now managed to find a more comfortable way to get up and start playing again. With their 10 minutes, they had two options: win the game quickly or lose it dramatically, with no way for Chris to nullify their defeat.
If they stays too long, Eva would return and their nightmare would start once again.
"Alright, everyone! The countdown's over! Eva's still in the box, but the game resumes now —" Chris said as Chef whistled and dropped the puck back on the ice and soap ring, "Two-vs-three! Let's see if the Killer Grips can hold the net while their strongest player chills for nine minutes and 55 seconds!"
Tyler cracked his neck and slapped his gloves together, determination gleaming in his eyes.
Trent gripped his stick tighter, skating into position beside him.
The game was now on.
The puck hit the ice with a sharp clack, spinning in a small halo of soap bubbles. The faint hum of the arena deepened again, cameras swiveling to track the motion.
Jude, still sore from Eva's earlier "warm-up session," wobbled slightly on his skates but pushed forward anyway. Every glide sent a jolt through his bruised ribs, yet determination—or maybe pure survival instinct—kept him moving. He hunched low, eyes fixed on the puck, the faint hiss of air whistling through his teeth.
"Alright, let's… let's keep it mellow, dudes…" he muttered under his breath, trying not to think about the last time he saw someone charging him at forty kilometers an hour.
He scooped the puck smoothly and began skating toward center. Trent closed in fast from the left, stick low and posture tight, but Jude curved away just in time, kicking up a fine spray of frost and detergent foam. The boards rattled under the echo of blades carving into ice.
From the sidelines, Ezekiel leaned forward, arms resting on the rail. Something about the look in Tyler's eyes gave him a strange chill—not fear, exactly, but recognition.
Jude's pass left his stick with a soft crack, arcing neatly toward Geoff. The blond surfer caught it in stride, spinning once to line up the goal. His teeth flashed in a grin that looked equal parts confidence and payback.
"Oh yeah, time for redemption!" Geoff shouted, pulling the stick back.
Across the rink, Tyler crouched low in front of the net, his gloves poised, his breath steady. "I got this," he whispered to himself, focused, ready—
Whack!
The sound was deafening. The puck rocketed off Geoff's stick like a bullet—spinning, screeching, cutting through the air in a perfect straight line.
There was just enough time for everyone to realize exactly where it was heading.
Straight. Toward. Tyler's. Face.
The crowd collectively gasped. Trent's voice cracked into a helpless yell. "TYLER, MOVE!"
Too late.
The puck met the face of the jock with a coconut clang that echoed through the entire studio, followed by a shower of snow-like ice chips. Tyler's head snapped backward, his body folding into the goal like a deflating tent. And slowly the puck moved away from the goal.
"Oof, sorry Tyler, bro." Geoff winced as he took the puck and gave himself a more distance. "Let me try again."
Whack!
And when Geoff was able to hit the puck once again, his eyes went wide open as Tyler slowly raised his body on the goal, with his head and face back up again. Just for the puck met his face with a coconut clang that echoed through the entire studio… again.
"What the…" Geoff saw the puck slowly going away from the goal, so instead of going to use strength to launch the puck again, he will be gently and move the puck inside the net, knowing Tyler would be probably knocked out from the 2 pucks hitting his face.
But at the time Geoff was about to hit the puck with his stick, Tyler's body also was sliding on the ice and snow and his head and face now covered with bruises and black bump in the forehead, it was really nearby the puck, which at the time Geoff hit the puck, it actually he hit Tyler on his face… again with a stick now.
From the sidelines, Ezekiel blinked twice, jaw slack.
"Oh no… no way. This… this can't be happening." Ezekiel's mind had a dejavu, it was hilarious into seeing it, and yet somehow inside of his imagination… it made even funnier. 2 voices.
"2 Wonderful Saves, and 2 definitely concussions…" "LET'S GO BACK TO SCOTT STERLING, THE MAN, THE MITH, THE LEGEND. THREE PERFECT BLOCKS, BY STERLING WITH HIS CATLIKE FACE REFLEX."
"HE HAS LOOKED DEATH IN THE EYE AND SAID, TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT, TO WHICH DEATH REPLIES BY PUNCHING HIM ON THE FACE, OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN."
In Ezekiel's imagination, the commentators roared to life, their voices overlaying the slow-motion replay playing in his head. And he imagined Tyler having his face crushed over and over again. Jude tried to use the puck to beat strongly on the net, but he made the puck do a curver spin and hit on the wall just for later when Tyler got up trembling, the puck had hit him on the face all over again.
"STOP, STOP, HE'S ALREADY DEAD." Beth shouted in dismay, as everyone winced on Tyler's effect happening, not mattering how the boys were trying to score on the goal. Somehow it always would lead to Tyler's face.
Chris's laughter broke through the moment, echoing over the group.
"Ohhhh! Did you see that hit? Straight to the kisser! Let's get that in slow motion!"
The cameras instantly obeyed. The same clip replayed at quarter speed—Tyler's face getting hit, not once, not twice, not trice, but 6 times, while in some scenes his arms flailing like a deflated balloon—set to exaggerated choir music and sparkly freeze frames.
"Man's got a face made of steel—or stupidity. Hard to tell which!" Chef added by shaking his head.
.
.
.
The next several minutes looked less like hockey and more like a physics experiment sponsored by bad luck. Every time Jude or Geoff managed a shot, the puck found one destination only—Tyler's face.
Whack. Clang. Thunk. Repeat.
At one point Chris actually set a timer on the jumbotron titled "FACIAL IMPACT COUNT." Each ding made the audience roar louder. By the sixth, the counter had run out of digits.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Chef announced through the mic, voice trembling with laughter, "we are witnessing the invention of a new sport: Facial Defense Hockey!"
Tyler, bruised and dizzy, still refused to fall. His nose was swollen, one eyebrow split open, a red trickle staining the inside of his mask. Yet every time the puck screamed toward him, some reflex—heroic or stupid—pulled him back into position.
"Block low! No, high! No, just duck—wait, don't duck—oh come on!" Trent kept skating frantic circles in front of him, shouting advice no one could follow.
"He's unstoppable… or un-concussable. Same thing." Ezekiel half-laughed, half-cringed from the bench, whispering to himself. In his imagination, the British commentators were weeping with pride:
"Nine minutes of unbroken valor!"
"Truly, the face that launched a thousand bruises!"
By now Jude and Geoff looked like they'd aged ten years. Their shots slowed, their balance faltered, and every time the puck rebounded off Tyler's helmet, they flinched before it even hit.
Geoff bent over his stick, panting. "Dude, I can't… I can't hit him again. I'm starting to feel bad."
"Same, bro," Jude wheezed. "It's like punching a puppy made of metal."
Chris cupped his hands over the loudspeaker. "You can't stop now! The audience paid for pain!"
The scoreboard clock blinked: 1 minute remaining.
Tyler staggered upright, swaying slightly but raising his gloves in a final stance. "I'm good! I can see two of every puck—means I can block twice as many!"
"I think he's actually transcending stupidity. Or he's too injuried to think." Even Chris blinked. While Chef Hatchet simply shrugged.
Jude tried one last desperate slap shot. The puck skimmed wide, missing the net and rolling into Trent's reach. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the music of chaos paused.
"My turn." Trent's eyes sharpened.
He lunged forward, skates slicing through the soap-frost. Geoff and Jude tried to chase but their legs protested, their bodies too battered and tired. The puck glided smooth beneath Trent's stick as he sped down the rink.
Across the ice, Owen braced himself in goal. His legs trembled under his own weight.
"I'm ready!" he shouted, then instantly regretted it.
Trent feinted left, then pushed the puck right between Owen's skates. Instinctively, Owen tried to drop into a heroic goalie split—
—and instantly screamed.
Every nerve in his body betrayed him as his knees buckled the wrong way. The puck slid gently underneath him, spinning once before kissing the back of the net with a satisfying clack.
Chris exploded over the microphone.
"AND THE KILLER GRIPS SCORE! TWO–ZERO!"
The arena lights flared. The cameras caught Trent sliding on his knees across the rink, arms raised, soap and snow spraying in glittering arcs.
Near the net, Tyler finally gave out. His balance wavered, knees buckling before he toppled forward like a toppled statue of courage—his stick clattering beside him. Even as he fell, his gloved hand twitched reflexively, reaching toward the empty goal line, as if his body still refused to stop protecting it.
Silence stretched for a beat. The hum of the compressors filled the air again, steady and low.
From the benches, the Killer Grips clapped on their effort.
"And that…" Ezekiel pressed his palms together, half-salute, half-prayer. He murmured, "…is how legends are reborn."
Tyler didn't move. The camera panned to his face—every bruise and scrape visible through the cracked mesh of his helmet, a constellation of purple and red battle scars. His breath fogged faintly through the gap, and even in unconsciousness, he looked proud.
Up in the penalty box, Eva had been watching the whole time. She leaned back in her seat, one elbow resting casually against the glass. A smirk, slow and razor-sharp, pulled at her lips.
"Not bad, Tyler," she murmured to herself, voice low and impressed. "He wasn't lying when he said he'd catch all the shots…"
Her gaze drifted upward. The digital timer above her flickered, numbers flashing before landing on 0:00.
Eva stood.
With a hiss of hydraulics, the penalty box door slid open. She stepped out, the bright arena light catching her eyes—cold, focused, dangerous.
"I'm back," she said, smiling like a shark surfacing.
A collective scream ripped across the rink.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Owen, Jude, and Geoff shouted in unison, their panic echoing like an alarm siren.
Even Trent—mid-celebration—froze mid-slide, his cheer dying in his throat.
Eva's boots crunched against the frost as she stepped onto the ice, shoulders rolling with slow precision. The sound of cracking joints filled the quiet.
"Next round!"
Chef, utterly unfazed, blew his whistle and tossed the puck back onto the rink.
"Ohhh, this is going to be good." Chris's grin widened from his announcer booth.
"I'm going to end this game quick now…" Eva rolled her neck, exhaling slowly.
Her voice was calm—too calm.
Then she began taking off her gloves.
The Gaffers froze. Every eye followed her hands as she unclipped the heavy metal cuffs from her wrists.
Clink.
The weights hit the ice.
A spiderweb crack spread beneath her feet.
Another weight. Clink.
The second impact made the ice groan, a low creaking rumble that made Owen whimper audibly.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Both screamed, skating backward in blind terror.
"Bro, she's cracking the rink. She's gonna crack us!" Jude's eyes widened to saucers. Jude snatched up the puck, panic overriding logic, and hurled it toward Geoff. "TAKE IT!"
"WHY?!" Geoff screamed in panic.
"BECAUSE SHE'S LOOKING AT ME!" Jude pointed out as Eva simply was staring at them both.
Without hesitation, Geoff swung his stick like a man trying to banish a ghost. The puck shot across the rink at ridiculous speed—not toward the Killer Grips' goal, but directly toward their own.
Across the rink, Owen took one look at Eva charging and shrieked.
"I SURRENDER!" He jumped clear of the net, diving headfirst into the snowbank by the boards and covering his head.
The puck glided gracefully, perfectly centered, right into the Gaffers' goal with a solid, almost polite clack.
Silence.
Eva blinked once.
Trent blinked twice.
Every Gaffer froze in stunned disbelief.
Even Chris, for the first time that season, was completely speechless. His mouth hung open as he looked at the replay monitor.
"…Did they just… score on themselves?"
Chef stared for a moment, then shrugged. He lifted the whistle to his lips and blew, crisp and final.
Tweet!
Goal.
The scoreboard updated automatically.
KILLER GRIPS – 3 SCREAMING GAFFERS – 0.
The studio erupted—not with cheers, but with confused laughter and scattered applause from the interns and the bodyguards watching from the sidelines. It was both hilarious and humiliating from their point of view.
"Well, that was anticlimactic. And here I thought Eva was about to show us the full horror of her training regime and really end the episode with fireworks." Chris rubbed the bridge of his nose, chuckling despite himself. He leaned toward the camera, smirk never fading. "But hey—who am I to complain? The numbers don't lie! The winners of our first challenge are… the Killer Grips!"
The Grips' section exploded into noise.
"YEAH! WOOHOO! GREAT JOB, TEAM! GO EVA, WOOHOO!"
Lindsay jumped up and down, Katie waved her mittens, and even Tyler threw his helmet in the air. The cameras panned across their ecstatic faces, glitter cannons firing again for no reason whatsoever. Courtesy from the interns and from the security guards MacArthur and Sanders.
Eva blinked slowly, her expression flat. The applause echoed around her like white noise. She sighed, folded her arms.
"Whatever." She muttered because she knew. She knew the trio had thrown the match. Out of pure fear, not strategy. It wasn't the glorious finish she'd envisioned—not the power-play she'd been ready to unleash. Still, a win was a win. One more challenge down, one step closer to her personal satisfaction. She turned her head toward the collapsed form of Tyler, still lying unconscious near the goal. For just a second, a tiny flicker of respect crossed her eyes. "Not bad, goalie boy,"
Then she looked back toward Chris, who was already striking a fake victory pose for the camera, and rolled her eyes.
"Was that the most expensive slow-motion edit in Total Drama history? Maybe. Was it worth it? Absolutely. I'm already calling it: the Tyler's perfect goaling highlight reel!" Chris commented to Chef who simply shrugged.
Cut back to Tyler in the med bay, surrounded by bandages, his face swollen but smiling proudly. Looking for his team. Specially Eva.
"See? I told you I would do it," he mumbled through a split lip. "Didn't let a single puck through. Still I wished they wouldn't have made it with coconut, it hurts way more than a normal puck."
"Your style of goalie is very unorthodox, but I'm not going to complain it. Good job." Eva commented as Tyler closed his eyes. To take a little nap. "So who's going to take him on the med bay?"
"I think the new interns from the medical area are going to do that." Trent explained, as they saw a group of boys and girls taking a stretcher with them.
"And how about the other boys?" Bridgette asked, as she then saw the trio of Jude, Geoff, and Owen also got their medical attention. "Okay, that's better."
"Okay, I know we all should be celebrating, since we now won the first challenge, doesn't mean it's not over." Heather said as she pointed the obvious as Harold and Ezekiel nodded their heads. "We already know Tyler probably is going to be out of the next challenge. I don't know if that's all the unluck was the reason of our victory, but we shouldn't relax because of that."
"Which now leaves us on the second challenge of movie sports." Harold pointed out, as Lindsay blinked.
"Which sports still have around?" Lindsay asked, as Katie thought about it.
"Figure Skating, Speed Ice Skating, Curling…" Katie remembered some she and her mom liked to watch on the television.
"Snowboard, Ski jump, ski racing," Bridgette also explained some, which Harold also told.
"Ludge, Bobsled, it can be practically anything." Harold finished, as the group passed around the frozen area.
"Pff, I'm sure if Chris would use something low budget, he would make something crazy and absurd like, making the cliff we uses our movie sets into a snow mountain for us to slide down or something stupid like that." Heather crossed her arms…
.
.
.
She blinked as her mouth got wide open…
"We are going to take a trip by helicopter everyone… because as this episode, we are going to no other place than Calgary, Alberta, one of the places where it happened the Winsport Olympics. Where also one of the greatest movies of winter sports ever made was recorded on there, but also the olympics who also happened on there.." Chris said, giving a thumbs-up as everyone stared at him in surprise. "Which it would have taken 30 hours to go there by bus, and since my time is short and we need all the recordings for the rest of the day. We will take the helicopter which will take only 8-10 hours to go there."
Everyone was taken aback by Chris, as they saw six helicopters ready to transport the groups directly to the next challenge.
"Y-yo-you mean we are going to take these to cross Canada? You mean we are going to fly on them?" Owen trembled as everyone stared at the big boy, who crouched himself. "No, no no, please anything but fly."
"And Owen got attacked by his phobia again." Ezekiel commented, as Heather was about to roll her eyes, but he interrupted. "Don't forget that was the reason of why he lost on the I triple dog dare you challenge."
Heather raised her finger, but then remained quiet, she wasn't going to complain the reason of why she and Lindsay won the challenge on the last season, they really suffered enough,
"Ugh, I don't want to deal with this, can someone put him inside of the helicopter already?" Chris said as Owen imediatelly was hit by dozens of tranquil darts… and on that moment, the big oaf was down… Sleeping like a rock. "Does anyone else has fear of flights?"
"Nah, E-scope isn't here." Beth commented, but then Noah rolled his eyes.
"She isn't afraid of flight, she used that as a way to have an easy point on the challenge on the last season;" Noah rebuted, as made Beth look at him in surprise.
"Really? What is she really afraid off?" Beth asked, as Noah looked at Ezekiel.
"He is the only person who knows it." Noah commented, as he looked at Chris with his eyebrows raised. "So with Geoff, Jude and Leshawna and Owen still without the winter jackets."
"I'm sure they will get it when we arrive on there." Chris commented as he raised his eyebrows. "Alright, I think we already lost too much time. The Pay-Per-View service will be dehactivated but the records of the trip will be shown tomorrow. Each helicopter will have 3 cameras to record the trip and we will edit and release it tomorrow. And if someone else decides to give a comment it will also receive tranquil darts, we are behind the schedule."
And groups of people were getting inside of each helicopter, as even Tyler who was wearing an icepack on his face, it would help the lumps across his face and head.
Which it would lead them to their next destination. And something that made them actually excited.
They are going into an olympic park, where it was done the Olympics of 1988. How Chris managed that, or how much it was for that trip? Nobody knows, but even Eva couldn't help but be excited to get inside of the helicopter and enjoy the trip with her friends and team.
To say Beth, Harold, and Ezekiel were hyped for flying in a helicopter was an understatement. Since they had never flown in one before, passing the time watching from the window was a clear testament to how awesome it was.
Justin, Gwen and Sadie were sitting with them looking in amusement. While Sadie was simply with her arms crossed.
"Look Sadie, I'm sorry for not listen to you, but I didn't think Chris would actually make a whole ice ring with ice machines across the challenge for us." Justin insisted, as Sadie simply raised her eyebrow.
"Repeat what you said slowly…" Sadie said, as Justin blinked a few times and proceed to repeat the words…
"Oh… yeah, I should have known… it was Chris…" Justin facepalmed, which he looked at the boys on the window. "Ezekiel, Harold, can you help me out here?"
"Sorry, I never had a girlfriend before Justin, you're on your own." Ezekiel commented which that time Sadie and Justin simply blushed.
"Wait… Me and her? Me and him?" Both blushed, as quickly they looked away.
"You two didn't become a couple yet?" Harold asked in surprise. "I thought you two were already a thing since you two passed most of the time with each other."
"Well we pass…"
"So why didn't you confessed to her yet? I mean, Brady just confessed to me on the third day we met each other by cellphone." Beth said as Justin raised his finger to say about her imaginary boyfriend. But he was interrupted.
"Beth, I think your boyfriend just went too quickly and went on the love at the first sight, usually it would take weeks if not months to start to be in a relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend." Ezekiel explained, as he firmly believed and pressed the foot down as he was quoting her boyfriend was real.
"I have to give that one to Ezekiel, Beth, you should be careful towards people who rushed in a relationship like that." Gwen affirmated, which Beth nodded her head.
"Yeah, I know, Heather also said for me to be careful, but still give a try." Beth said sheepishly. Which Justin looked at them but suddenly Beth remembered of one thing. "Oh right. I made some friendship bracelets as a way to make good-friendship in case the show is over. I already did for Lindsay and for Heather, here's your Gwen, Justin, Sadie."
Harold and Ezekiel blinked as they saw Gwen getting one with black, midnight blue and dark clover colors. Justin got a good combination of red, white, blue and yellow colors, Sadie got a good pink and black combination.
"Awww, thanks Beth." Sadie said as she enjoyed as Gwen and Justin also got surprised from seeing the friendship bracelets.
"I had passed mostly of the days off making these, and I had to be trying to figure out how the colors would fit you all well." Beth said as the group of Screaming Gaffers gave a kind smile at her. "Also, I'm still having problems into trying to figure out Heather's color to combine with her tone of skin."
"Well, I would try something that would fit with the colors of underwear." Harold chuckled, which Gwen kicked his chin. "Ouch, I was joking."
"Nah, that wouldn't work, since she doesn't use any…" Beth commented as she was distracted… but then she just realized the silence around… "What?"
Which just for her luck, the person responsible of the camera recording that scene was talking with the pilot and forgot to focus on recording the group… Because the time if the public finds out Heather is every day in full commando, it would make her never wants to leave her house when the show is over.
But that secret was well marked around the group on that moment… Specially the boys who saw one of them actually having too much accidental touch from that a person who was always in full commando.
Eight hours later, just as Chris had promised with that smug precision of his, the helicopter began its descent toward the rolling whiteness below. Through the fogged windows, the group could finally make out the glittering expanse of snow stretching across the horizon — Calgary, Alberta — one of Canada's crown jewels of winter and the birthplace of legends.
As the chopper blades slowed, the view opened to the sprawling slopes of the Canada Olympic Park. The sun glared against the endless white, making the air itself shimmer with cold brilliance. Chairlifts crisscrossed the mountainside like mechanical veins, carrying clusters of bundled skiers up toward the ridges, where Olympic-caliber jumps loomed like frozen monuments of ambition.
Skiers and snowboarders of every skill level dotted the base — children clumsily wobbling on their first descent, instructors shouting from behind mirrored goggles, and thrill-seekers slicing down the runs with effortless grace. Off to one side, banners flapped against the wind near the ski jump towers, their concrete silhouettes standing tall from the 1988 Games — relics of glory now repurposed for training and tourism alike.
The crisp scent of pine and cold metal filled the air, mingling with the faint sound of laughter and the rhythmic hum of ski lifts. Beyond the crowd, the modern lodges reflected sunlight off their glass walls, offering warmth, hot cocoa, and the faint comfort of civilization before the real challenge began.
The park wasn't just a winter resort — it was a living museum of adrenaline, history, and spectacle. And as the group stepped onto the powdery ground, boots crunching over the snow, the realization sank in: this wasn't just another Total Drama set. This was the birthplace of champions — and their next arena.
Each of the contestants of the show couldn't help but be impressed at seeing on the wonderful view…
"Alright everyone, follow me, because this challenge is going to be nothing more than a pure adrenaline and team work…" Chris commented as everyone looked at each other. "You will understand when we reach on that peak."
The contestants exchanged wary glances. The echo of a maintenance sled whooshing down the track cut through the air, the sound so sharp it made a few of them flinch.
Ahead of them, twisting like a silver serpent under the sun, lay the WinSport Bobsleigh and Luge Track — a masterpiece of ice and engineering that had once carried Olympians to glory and near-death alike.
The track carved its way down the slope in a mesmerizing series of bends, dips, and turns, encased by steel railings and sheets of blue weather-guard that glimmered faintly under the light. From where they stood, the start zone loomed like a gateway to madness — the kind of place where one mistake meant tumbling through history in the worst possible way. The total stretch, nearly 1,500 meters long, coiled around the hill and vanished behind the snow-dusted treeline, only to reappear far below at the finishing compound, where staff bustled and a camera drone hovered lazily above the ice.
The group began the climb up the frosty path, their boots crunching against packed snow. The higher they went, the clearer the view became — the sprawling track below looked even more intimidating from above, every curve sculpted with surgical precision. The 'Heart Attack Curve', as one of the crew called it, curved almost vertically before straightening into a 270-degree twist that funneled racers into the final descent.
From this vantage, the Olympic Park spread wide across the horizon: ski slopes on one side alive with tourists, the bobsleigh course on the other — cold, silent, waiting. The biting wind carried the faint smell of ice polish and metal oil, and somewhere far below, the laughter of tourists mixed with the grinding hum of the refrigeration systems that kept the track frozen solid even under the midday sun.
Whatever Chris had planned, it wasn't just another simple challenge. This was a monument to risk itself — and every contestant knew it.
Ezekiel followed the group, as he appreciated and looked everywhere… as he remembered before… this place had a strong meaning for him…
"Right there, Paçoca." Ezekiel glanced in the direction, as his mind was opened, at one corner of the track, near the border. "This was the place were me and Joshua and I stayed on the Winter Olympics of 88, I was still taking a break from the Air Force and got a few tickets to see the Olympics, so I invited your father to watch with me, and we both knew History was going to be made…"
Ezekiel recalled as he saw a few mirages of two guys on the border…
"Actually, different than the movie, the actual team of bobsleeders from Jamaica were military from their country, but still the impact was still the same." The voice of the man was something he missed so much… Joshua's voice, his father from the life he had before coming to Total Drama world… "Whenever I used as a way to teach history about sports, I always recommend to watch Cool Runnings, since it was my favorite."
"Of course you would say that…" The other man, Ezekiel recalled from his memories, was his uncle Jacob, whose voice still rang in his ears… "Trust me when I say this boys, when you two get older enough, we will take you both over there, just to listen everything me and Joshua had been doing on that time."
"Really dad?" Then a childish voice, clearly made Ezekiel flinches… something that he clearly forgot a long time ago… and the now he recalled, the effects of the tea. Clearly would bring things that he missed, and things he wished to don't remember… "Did you hear that, Paçoca? We are going to Alaska."
Ezekiel, felt it… a nickname that he didn't have hear for years… and still, he couldn't help but smiles, from listening his voice again…
"That was on Canada, Richard…" Joshua corrected… which now Ezekiel remembered the chuckle, and the idea of an old cousin, pouting was what made the moment so beautiful, and heartfelt…
"Ezekiel, why are you taking so long?" Then a voice made the boy snaps from his thoughts. And see Trent and Bridgette staring at him in surprise.
"Are you crying?" Bridgette asked, as Ezekiel, sniffed.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Ezekiel said, as it made both stares at him. He didn't want to tell about what he just felt or saw on that moment. But one thought had crossed his mind. "This place is marked as history of sports on this place, specially on this bobsled slide track.
"... hah, it seems you really understood." Then Chris' voice made, Bridgette, Trent and Ezekiel stares at him in surprise. "Usually I would be really mad for seeing you all taking so long. But as cinefilist, and a good apreciator of sports movies, I know which movies you are talking about Ezekiel… and to say this place isn't inspiring and you couldn't shed a tear, I would have been called heartless."
"Indeed." Ezekiel nodded his head, "I'm already going, we cannot take too long."
"That's I wanted to hear, now, go on." Chris said, as he himself stayed on behind for a few more seconds, and thinking exactly on the point of Ezekiel.
As the homeschooledboy, the surfer, and the guitarist rushed their steps, since they were on behind…
As Ezekiel, Bridgette, and Trent hurried to catch up with the others, the host lingered a moment longer at the rail, staring down the track where ice glistened like glass veins across the mountain. For all his showmanship, Chris couldn't help but admit to himself — the kid had a point.
Some places didn't just hold history.
They remembered it.
.
.
.
The wind sharpened as the contestants reached the top platform of the WinSport bobsled track. The climb had left several of them panting, their breath forming pale clouds that vanished into the thin, frigid air. From up there, the entire Olympic Park unfolded beneath them — the steep runs, the twisting ice channel, the skeletal frame of ski lifts crawling slowly across the skyline.
Chris stood dead center on the platform, perched on a raised slab of ice-polished concrete, his parka open just enough to show he didn't feel the cold like the others. Behind him, two bobsleds gleamed beneath the sun — one painted 3 shades of green with the Screaming Gaffers' logo, the other red and gold for the Killer Grips. Both looked fast, lethal, and absolutely unforgiving.
On either side of the platform, the two teams lined up in parallel rows — the Killer Grips on the left, bundled and restless, and the Screaming Gaffers on the right, huddled close for warmth but flashing competitive grins across the divide.
The people who didn't have jacket, they got access of the winter clothing from the shop on the same Olympic Park. However, they had to buy the clothing with their own money, so Chris made sure to send the bill for their families to pay.
"Alright, everyone!" Chris clapped his gloved hands together, voice amplified by a mic clipped to his coat. "Welcome to one of the most iconic locations in all of Canada — the WinSport Olympic Park, home to the 1988 Winter Games!"
The wind howled for a second, tugging at his scarf. Chris waited for dramatic silence before pacing between the teams, his boots crunching over the ice with deliberate rhythm.
"Now, on the second challenge," he continued, voice dipping into that familiar blend of menace and showmanship, "is inspired by one of the most unforgettable stories in Olympic history… and one of my favorite winter sports movies of all time." He turned with a smirk, gesturing to the curving track below. "A bobsled race."
A few gasps and mutters rippled through the contestants — some curious, others visibly terrified as they followed his gesture toward the narrow chute of frozen death curling down the mountain.
Chris's grin widened.
"The rules are simple — and before anyone complains, yes, I do mean simple. Each team will send three players per run. One driver, one brakeman, and one pusher but also… let's call them the 'stability ballast.'" He paused as a few nervous laughs broke out.
He spun dramatically, pointing down the length of the track.
"Each sled will have one single attempt to make it all the way from the start to the finish line. The clock doesn't lie. The team that crosses in the fastest time wins this round — and takes the second challenge of the competition." He stopped pacing, letting the tension build as the wind carried his words across the ridge. "Oh — and before you ask, yes, the track is real ice. Yes, it's nearly fifteen hundred meters long. And yes… crashes are not only possible — they're also lethal,"
A few contestants exchanged panicked looks, while others couldn't hide their thrill. From the far side, the sound of blades scraping over ice echoed faintly as one of the tech crew members adjusted a practice sled near the starting gate.
Chris turned toward the camera drone with a wink.
"So! Pick your teams wisely. The faster you go, the better your chances — but remember, this challenge isn't just about speed." His tone dropped to a teasing whisper. "It's about teamwork, coordination… and staying alive till the bottom."
The drone zoomed in on the stunned faces — a mix of dread, excitement, and disbelief — as Chris clapped his hands once more, loud and sharp.
"You've got five minutes to strategize! After that… we go live and it will be show time." Chris commented as he left.
"Okay, I know that many of you are not interested or really scared into going on the bobsled, so I decided to be the pusher, so who is up into going on bobsled with me?" Trent asked, as he looked at the group who seemed in silence. Until he saw Eva and Ezekiel giving a step forward.
"You guys need someone strong and quick to push the bobsled, someone to be the pilot, and someone to be the brake of the bobsled." Eva commented as she then saw Ezekiel on her side. "If you are going to be the pusher, then I can be the braker" As she looked at Ezekiel who nodded his head.
"I will be the pilot." Ezekiel commented as he also wanted to be the pilot for the challenge. And knowing how the challenge would be, he couldn't help but to be excited. On the olympic park and do a bobsled? It was a chance that he never thought he would have on his life.
"Well, I would say you are a bunch of crazy people, but seeing that I don't want to hurt myself over this stupid and dangerous sport. I would say go for it and good luck everyone." Heather said as she incentivized, to the point Ezekiel and Eva rolled her eyes.
But before they would say anything. Suddenly a shout caught their attention.
"OH NO, NO WAY, I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT." DJ's voice screamed in fear and outrage. Which the Killer Grips stared on the other side. Seeing the group looking exasperated on him.
"Come on DJ, you are the strongest boy here, and with Sadie being on the braker, a pusher like you could be a great help." Justin commented, as DJ simply stepped back.
"OH No, no no no no, I'm not doing it, I don't care if we will lose, I'm out here." DJ said as he quickly walked away… before anyone could even try to catch him or call him out.
"What's the commotion over there?" Heather asked, as Leshawna simply shook her head while Gwen decided to explain the situation.
"We already have Sadie as a braker, and Noah as pilot…"
"Against my will," The bookworm interrupted which then got an elbow on his side. "Dammit."
"But we need someone to be the pusher, and DJ was the only one who can push the bobsled with Sadie easily." Gwen finished, as the group of Killer Grips blinked but accepted the explanation. "Now without him, it may be hard to find someone willing to push it, since Justin doesn't want to be part of the challenge."
"I have a contract with a model agency stating that I'm forbidden to go into challenges that would require damaging my face and head… And I'm not willing to place myself into dying." Justin said, as Leshawna rolled her eyes.
"You're lucky you are handsome, because if was me I would have forced you to do that." Leshawna said, as the group of Killer Grips still isn't sure on what to say…
But they didn't know, that one of their members are missing…
Confession - Ezekiel
"DJ is not participating on the bobsled challenge? Not in my watch." Ezekiel said to the camera, as he wasn't going to accept that.
DJ who had been walking downstairs to leave the area…
"Just where do you think you're going?" Suddenly heard a voice from behind, surprising him. Ezekiel was standing there, arms crossed, staring at him. "Your team is right there."
"Hey Ezekiel, and no, I'm not going there," DJ said, shaking his head quickly, fear written all over his face. "I don't wanna get into that dangerous sport, man. You heard Chris — that thing's lethal and cruel!" He swallowed hard, stepping back from the wind. "I've got common sense, and I don't wanna die for a sport!"
But one fact was still remaining — one DJ hadn't even realized yet.
"DJ…" Ezekiel's tone shifted, firm and cold as the mountain air. "You're Jamaican."
DJ blinked a few times, as he raised his eyebrow at him.
"Yeah, I am." DJ commented, but then Ezekiel shook his head.
"DJ… you're Jamaican." Ezekiel repeated he was with his arms crossed…
"Yes, I know." DJ frowned as he wanted to know where Ezekiel wanted to go with this…
"DJ… you're Jamaican." Ezekiel gave even more emphasis.
"Yes, I am, so what?" DJ asked in frustration… but then he saw Ezekiel giving a step forward…
"Then let me ask you a few things…" Then Ezekiel's eyes sharpened, his voice gaining rhythm, like a teacher about to strike with the easiest question in the world."Which country has the fastest athletes on sprint in comparison to the whole world?"
"Jamaica." DJ said slowly with his arms crossed. Making Ezekiel giving a step further.
"Which country is known for being the peak of atletism when it comes about racing?" Ezekiel gave another question.
"Jamaica." DJ lowered his arms, as he answered his friend's question.
"Which country came from thousands of kilometers away from home to a country that they never had an opportunity to see snow before?" Ezekiel made another question.
"Jamaica." DJ repeated with more determination now.
"Which people had to suffer racism, were against all the ods just to prove they want to be a bobsled team?" Ezekiel now was pressing further, but he could see DJ was now answering his own fear with something that could make DJ stronger. Inspirational patriotism.
"JAMAICA." DJ shouted as now he was understanding on where Ezekiel was going.
"Which people gained international recognition for it's unlike participation in the Winter Olympics with bobsled team, and became one of the most inspiring underdog story? With racism agains them, poor conditions of training in comparison to Sweden and Canada? And even if they suffered an accident they walked towards the finish line with their heads up?"
"MY PEOPLE." DJ shouted louder, now starting to understand.
"Which country showed one of the best movies of winter sports ever made, if not the best one of bobsled team who became the inspiration of thousands on the new generation to try bobsled?"
"JAMAICA." DJ said sa he was now hyped.
"Then who are you?" Ezekiel roared as he looked straightly at DJ in the eye. "A person who just want to throw away the only chance of proving to not only Jamaica but to the whole world that Jamaica if didn't had that accident they would have at least reached a bronze medal and gain even more respect on the whole world. Are you a quitter or are you a *BEEEEEEEP* JAMAICAN?!"
"I AM A *BEEEEEEEEEP* JAMAICAN!" DJ shouted as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"I'm going to be the pilot of my team, and we lost on the bobsled last season because I got my pneumonia, but we could have won on the who you can trust episode, because you were my duo, and you are my friend, so for the respect of yourself, respect of your family, and for the whole country who you proudly wears a flag on your jacket." Ezekiel said as he pointed on the jacket. "IT'S YOUR CHANCE TO PROVE YOUR MOTHER COUNTRY DESERVES A FREAKING OLYMPIC MEDAL, SO LET'S *BEEEEEEEEEEP* GOOOOOOO!"
"*BEEP* YEAHHHHHHHHH!" DJ threw his fist in the air like he was very hype up for the challenge.
Confession - Ezekiel
"Cool Runnings will always be my favorite sport's movie of all time, not only winter sports, but actually for the sports genre it's my favorite." Ezekiel said as he stared at the camera. "Letting DJ quit a challenge like that would be the biggest insult not only against my team, but to the bobsled team who deserved all the praises they can get. I don't want to win if DJ doesn't want to participate, I want to make this race to be legendary, like epic just like the movies."
"I'm in."
DJ's voice broke through the murmuring wind like the crack of turned, startled by the sudden firmness in his tone. The same man who'd been trembling minutes earlier now stood tall at the edge of the slope, his breath visible in the cold air. His hands were balled into fists at his sides, and his eyes carried a fire that hadn't been there before.
"I'm in," he repeated, lower this time, but with the kind of quiet confidence that didn't need to shout twice. "Let's go."
The Screaming Gaffers stared at him as if they'd just watched him age five years in ten seconds. Gwen blinked in disbelief, brushing a lock of black hair from her face as Justin used his fists to clean his eyes to confirm what he was seeing. Beth's jaw hung open slightly, her mittened hands gripping the front of her coat.
"Sugar, what happened to you?" Leshawna asked after a long pause, voice laced with surprise and amusement. She stepped closer, planting a hand on her hip, her tone half teasing, half impressed. "You were gone for what — two minutes? Now you comin' back talkin' like you just joined the national team!"
"Dude, you were, like, ready to faint earlier!" Owen nodded rapidly, as he himself was sure DJ would have quit from the challenge.
"Yeah," Geoff added, squinting. "Now you're all serious and intense. What happened down there? You drink rocket fuel or something?"
DJ didn't answer right away. He just smiled faintly, eyes flicking toward the track — the long, coiling run of ice stretching down the mountain like a frozen beast waiting to test them. The determination in his gaze was pure and heavy, as if he'd remembered something sacred.
"It doesn't matter," DJ said finally, his tone steady as the wind howled around them. "We already have a team now."
Noah blinked as he looked far away and saw Ezekiel walking on the area where his team were.
Across the platform, the sound of boots crunching against packed snow drew their attention. Ezekiel had reappeared near his team, walking in his usual calm, quiet stride, his hood pulled slightly over his face to block the wind. His expression was unreadable — but for a split second, his gaze flickered toward DJ. Nothing more than a look, so quick that it vanished as soon as it appeared.
"Where were you?" Bridgette asked curiously as Ezekiel approached, her tone in concern.
"I went to the bathroom," Ezekiel said flatly, tightening one of his gloves without breaking stride. The Killer Grips stared in mild disbelief. He shrugged, adjusting his hood. "Better to take a wiss now," he added calmly, "because it's not gonna be a good idea holding it while sliding down a frozen tunnel at high speed."
"Nah, I'm good." Trent said as Eva agreed by nodding her head.
And just like that, the teams were formed. Eva, Trent and Ezekiel representing the Killer Grips, while on the Screaming Gaffers, Sadie, DJ and Noah.
"Grips, Gaffers, the preparations for the bobsled race are ready." Chris's voice echoed across the icy platform, sharp and confident, the wind carrying his words over the metallic hum of the track's refrigeration. "Grips, since your last victory put you in the lead, you guys are going first."
Ezekiel, Eva, and Trent nodded firmly, their expressions mixing focus and pressure. "Your helmets are inside the bobsled," Chris continued, gesturing toward the gleaming steel sled already positioned on the launch strip. "So you better get in position. The rest of you — stay on that side."
The others quickly stepped back toward the safety zone, the cold air biting at their cheeks. Katie clasped her hands together. "Good luck, guys!" she called out brightly. Lindsay waved enthusiastically, her scarf fluttering in the wind. Harold raised a thumbs-up, his voice cracking slightly, "Show 'em how it's done!"
Heather, arms crossed, rolled her eyes but said nothing, her expression unreadable under her sunglasses. Nearby, Tyler sat on the bench with an ice pack pressed to his face, his nose still red from the last mishap, mumbling, "Go get 'em… or something…"
From the Screaming Gaffers' side, DJ raised a hand in solidarity, his earlier energy still glowing through. Gwen nodded quietly in respect, while Owen and Leshawna shouted a mix of encouragement and advice that were mostly lost in the wind.
The three from Killer Grips approached their bobsled slowly — each step echoing on the frozen concrete, each breath fogging up the sharp winter air. The sled gleamed under the sunlight, polished silver with streaks of blue and black, their team emblem marked across the front nose like a shield.
"Okay," Trent murmured, rubbing his gloved hands together nervously. "We need to win this race — just one more victory and this whole challenge is ours." His voice trembled slightly as he tried to psych himself up, his boots crunching against the icy platform.
Ezekiel and Eva were already focused, checking their stations. The helmets clicked into place beside them, and the faint vibration from the refrigeration pipes beneath the track made the ground hum under their feet.
Trent exhaled sharply, muttering under his breath, "0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9…" — counting quietly as a way to steady himself.
Both Ezekiel and Eva glanced at him — raised eyebrows, no judgment — and then returned to focus. The tension was real, but nobody spoke.
Chris started walking along the side of the track, his parka flapping against the cold wind. A few interns followed, gripping clipboards and headsets, helping guide the sled into final position. The metallic squeak of the runners touching the ice filled the air.
"Alright, Killer Grips," Chris called out, standing a few meters back with his signature smirk. "You get one chance. Try to reach the finish line as fast as possible… and remember — if you crash, at least make it entertaining!"
He lifted his stopwatch, the reflection of the ice dancing across his sunglasses. "Aaaaaand… Action!"
The interns stepped aside, giving the trio a clear path. The countdown began in silence, only the whistling of wind filling the air.
"Okay, guys…" Eva crouched low, both hands gripping the sled's handles. "On three."
Ezekiel and Trent nodded, eyes locked ahead.
"1… 2… 3!"
The sound of boots hitting the ice burst through the air — thud, thud, thud — as the trio pushed the bobsled forward with full strength. The sled slid onto the track like a bullet, its polished runners scraping clean against the frozen lane.
Ezekiel was the first to jump in, grabbing the front handles and lowering himself into the pilot's position. The wind hit his face, his breath misting the inside of the helmet. Trent dove next, tucking in tight behind him, and Eva followed last, her gloved hands slamming the rear latch closed as she sealed the tail.
In a blur of silver and speed, the bobsled shot down the track. The first curve came fast, carving a spray of frost into the air as the sled locked into the channel. The hum of friction grew louder — a metallic heartbeat echoing through the ice.
Chris immediately started the timer, his thumb pressing the button in sync with their first push. He raised his walkie-talkie to his mouth.
"When they hit the finish line, call it in," he ordered, his voice crisp.
"Roger that," Sanders replied over the radio, the faint static barely masking her excitement. She and MacArthur stood further down the slope, bundled in bright jackets, already tracking the motion sensors on their end.
The sled continued its descent — faster, smoother, with every second becoming a test of control versus chaos.
"Now this," And as Chris watched the streak of green vanish into the next curve, the corner of his mouth lifted. he muttered under his breath, stopwatch ticking, "is good television."
The sound of the countdown faded into the howl of the wind as the sled launched down the track.
Eva, Trent, and Ezekiel were no longer running — they were flying.
The metallic runners screeched, sparks of frost scattering behind them as gravity seized control. The push-off was clean — perfectly timed — and the bobsled curved into the first dip with ruthless speed.
Inside the sled, the world narrowed into vibration and blur. The walls of the track shot past in streaks of silver and blue. Ezekiel's gloved hands locked around the steering handles, his shoulders tense but steady, his entire focus centered on the curving horizon ahead. The roar of friction drowned out everything — even his own heartbeat.
"Hold on tight!" Ezekiel shouted, his voice echoing through the helmets.
Trent swallowed hard, his breathing sharp and uneven. He'd been counting under his breath again — "seven, eight, nine—" — but the numbers vanished when the first turn hit. His head jerked sideways, helmet thudding against the inner rim as g-forces pressed down like a weight. "Okay, okay, okay—whoa!"
Eva's hand shot forward from behind, grabbing the stabilizing bar. Her movements were precise, soldier-like, every muscle locked for control. "Keep straight! Don't flinch!" she barked, her tone sharp but composed.
"I got it!" Ezekiel gritted his teeth, shifting his weight just before the next curve. The sled tilted — dangerously close to the wall — then leveled again with a spray of ice shooting across their visors.
Outside, the Killer Grips' fans cheered, the metallic echo of the sled rushing past them. Chris stood with the stopwatch ready, following the line of the sled as it vanished around the next bend. "Perfect entry into curve three!" he shouted into his walkie-talkie, grinning.
Sanders' voice crackled through the speaker. "Confirmed! Passing checkpoint one clean — speed holding steady!"
The next slope came faster than anyone expected. Inside the sled, Trent squeezed his knees tight, his back trembling from the sheer pressure. He could feel the ice vibrating through the frame, every second turning into a rush of instinct and sound.
"This is insane!" he yelled over the roar.
"Focus!" Eva shouted, leaning with them as the sled hit a steep drop.
The world outside the sled tilted, then blurred — the track looping downward like a white serpent. Ezekiel's eyes tracked every curve, every shadow. He adjusted the steering cables, feeling the pull through the gloves, reacting before his mind could even register the motion.
"Coming up — double turn!" he warned.
The sled dived into a low right curve, then immediately flipped into a left — two sharp transitions that tested every ounce of balance they had. Trent's shoulder slammed against the wall, his teeth clenched, while Eva braced her legs, her body absorbing most of the shock.
But Ezekiel held the line — perfect, smooth, steady.
The sled roared out of the curve and into open descent. For a few seconds, everything felt almost calm — like sliding on glass beneath a bright Canadian sun. The air slicing through the vents sounded almost like applause.
Then came the "Heartbreaker."
The curve towered ahead like an icy canyon wall. Ezekiel's pulse quickened; he leaned in early, steering just before the curve's incline. The sled hit it at full velocity — the vibration rattled through every joint. Trent screamed something that got lost to the wind.
Eva's voice cut through again — unwavering. "Hold steady! Don't overcorrect!"
Ezekiel did exactly that — trusting instinct. The sled skimmed the wall, the runners humming like an angry hornet, and then burst free into the long straight stretch that marked the final seconds of their run.
Outside, the spectators roared as the bobsled came into view again, streaking past the observation curve. Snow exploded behind it like powder from a cannon.
The interns were presenting their reports to Chris, while every member of both teams marveled at the impressive yet daunting experience of tackling such a crazy challenge.
Ezekiel gritted his teeth, leaning low into the wind, every muscle in his arms screaming from the vibration. His vision blurred from the speed. Trent was shouting — something about not dying — while Eva's voice carried one last order: "Push it, Zeke! All the way through!"
The sled shot through the finish gate in a flash of light and sound. CLANG!
The world snapped back into silence. The echo of their passing lingered in the air for several seconds before the cheer broke through.
Which at the time they passed at the crossed line, MacArthur already clicked the button of the walkie talkie.
"They crossed the finish line boss."
"And Time." Chris clicked the stopwatch — his grin wide as the time flashed. "One minute and twenty-five seconds!" he shouted, raising the timer high. "That's the mark to beat, people!"
"WOHOOOOO, YEAH, THAT WAS CRAZY." Harold, Tyler, and Katie celebrated as it really showed how fast they were. Which was indeed a good time. And the best part everyone was safe in the end.
"Wow, I was worried, it was very dangerous." Bridgette said in relief, as Lindsay clapped, while Heather gave polite claps as well.
"Now let's see if the Gaffers can beat up the time?" Chris commented as he knew it would be a good chance of the Gaffers to tie, or it would be a good victory for the Killer Grips.
"We survived… hehehe, we survived." Trent let out a shaky laugh as the sled came to a full stop near the base of the track. His whole body still vibrated from the run, his hands trembling as he unbuckled his harness. "Okay, yeah, that's it. I can officially cross off 'do a crazy Olympic sport' from my bucket list. If they ever ask me to do that again, I'm refusing straight away."
Ezekiel leaned forward, still catching his breath, his visor fogged from the heat inside the helmet. The vibration was still echoing through his arms like static.
"Yeah," he said with a small chuckle, "it's too dangerous and risky, but… I'm glad I got to experience it once. I'm sure this episode's gonna make a good story for us to tell someday — families, friends… maybe even grandkids if we live long enough."
He laughed quietly at his own words, the relief clear in his tone. It had been thrilling, but one ride was enough for a lifetime.
"Ditto," Eva replied simply, her voice steady but her breathing heavy from the strain. "This sport's brutal if you do it more than once. But for a single run?" She gave a small nod, her expression almost satisfied. "It was worth it."
She unclipped her harness and stood first, stretching her shoulders with a loud exhale. Steam rose from the heat trapped under her suit. Trent followed after, wobbling slightly before finding his balance, while Ezekiel pushed himself out last, brushing frost from his sleeves.
The three stood beside the sled for a moment, the cold wind rushing around them as if even the mountain was catching its breath. The sound of the next crew preparing up top echoed faintly from above — metal scraping, voices shouting orders.
"Should we check what our time was?" Eva asked, adjusting her gloves.
"One minute and twenty-five seconds!" MacArthur shouted from the timing post, her voice ringing through the frosted air.
The trio turned toward her as she gave a thumbs-up from behind her clipboard. "Not bad for first-timers!" she added with a grin.
Ezekiel lifted his helmet, letting the freezing air hit his sweat-damp hair. Trent did the same, running a hand through his messy bangs with visible relief. For the first time in a while, they could breathe normally.
"Well, at least we tried," Trent said after a long sigh, he glanced at both of them, a faint, grateful smile crossing his face. "Let's hope that's enough to keep us safe this round. I'm ready to go back to the trailer, wrap myself in five blankets, and never touch ice again."
"You'll survive." Eva gave a quiet snort.
Ezekiel smirked faintly, shaking his head as the interns approached to help pull the sled away. The scraping of metal against snow filled the space as the three stepped aside, watching their bobsled being wheeled off for inspection.
The cold wind bit at their faces again, but this time it didn't sting — it felt earned. They'd made it down the track in one piece.
Now, all that was left… was to see if anyone else could do the same.
The sound of the wind never stopped at the top of the track — it howled through the scaffolding and banners like a warning.
Up there, the Screaming Gaffers were already waiting near their bobsled, the black-and-yellow paint glinting under the afternoon sun. Steam rose from its metal runners, still being polished by interns, and the frost on the helmets reflected the light like glass.
DJ stood closest to the sled, his hands pressed together as if in silent prayer. The earlier burst of confidence that Ezekiel had reignited in him was still there — but now, standing on the edge of the run, even pride couldn't fully drown out the nerves creeping back.
"Alright," Chris called out, his voice echoing over the speakers positioned along the slope. "We've seen the Killer Grips hit a one minute, twenty-five second run! So, Gaffers — let's see if you've got what it takes to dethrone them, or if you're about to give our audience another beautiful crash montage!"
A few interns clapped sarcastically. Leshawna, Geoff, and the others leaned over the side rails, their breath fogging the air as they watched from above.
DJ exhaled slowly. "Alright, okay, okay, I can do this." He straightened his helmet, muttering to himself. "My ancestors did this… my people made history… I got this…"
Noah stood behind him, flipping through a laminated set of instructions like a bored teacher grading papers. "You know, it's funny," he said dryly, "this diagram says the safest thing to do in a crash is to 'relax.' Which feels like terrible advice when you're going eighty miles an hour on a block of ice."
"Don't say that!" Sadie squeaked from behind, clutching her helmet tightly. "You're going to jinx it!"
"I'm just being realistic," Noah muttered. "If we survive this, I'm adding it to my résumé under 'miraculous experiences.'"
DJ ignored them both, gripping the edge of the sled like it was a lifeline. "Okay, listen up," he said, his tone serious now. "We do this as a team — no fear, no hesitation. We go down strong, we represent Jamaica, and we finish like champions."
Noah raised an eyebrow. "Represent Jamaica? Dude, we're not even—"
"Doesn't matter!" DJ interrupted, his voice rising with conviction. "We channel the spirit, okay?"
Sadie nodded rapidly, even though she didn't fully understand. "Okay! Channeling!"
Chris was about to say something but to his surprise DJ glared at him.
"Don't… even… dare…" DJ said as Chris raised his palms and walked away… But then he prepared himself. "Alright guys, I was afraid first, but this is means so much to me, so you guys are ready?"
"Ready." Sadie said as Noah rolled his eyes.
"Yes. ready…"
"Okay… you will know when to start running… just follow me…" DJ closed his eyes… as he recalled that bobsled really is a sport that was a representation of the chamaradee and light spirit of Jamaica… "Feel the rhythm…"
Both Sadie and Noah crouched, as DJ continued.
"Feel the rhyme…" The trio did the same thing. "Get on up… it's bobsled time."
The trio did what would be the recreation of one of the best chants of the bobsled movie…
"GO, COOL RUNNINGS." DJ roared as both Sadie and Noah pushed and prepared themselves to get inside… And having two strong people managed to push even quickier to gain more speed…"Let's go!"
He sprinted first — legs pumping, each boot digging against the slick surface. Behind him, Sadie pushed with surprising strength, while Noah guided the sled forward, his hands steady on the bars. The steel runners shrieked against the ice as speed built — faster, faster — until the sled seemed to float.
"Now!" Noah called sharply.
They jumped in one after another — Noah first, folding into the front cockpit, hands instantly gripping the steering rings. DJ dove right behind him, his weight hitting the center with precision. Sadie tumbled last, landing perfectly in the rear seat, one hand braced, the other reaching instinctively toward the brake handle she wouldn't dare touch yet.
And then — gravity claimed them.
The sled dropped. The sound was deafening. The vibration turned to a constant growl that rattled through their bones. Frost and cold light blurred together as the track curved away beneath them.
"Easy!" Noah barked, his voice low and controlled, his knuckles tightening on the steering grips.
"I'm steady!" DJ yelled back, leaning slightly to match the sled's tilt, keeping their balance centered. His strength acted as a counterweight every time the curve threatened to pull them too far.
"Ahhh—why is it so fast?!" Sadie screamed from the back, gripping her sides.
"Because it's supposed to be!" Noah snapped, eyes locked on the line ahead.
The first turn hit. The sled slammed into it like a hammer striking steel — sparks of frost shooting from beneath. Noah twisted the steering rings precisely, carving a perfect angle into the ice. DJ shifted his shoulders, body instinctively matching the lean. The vibration rippled through his chest, but the line held smooth.
Outside, the wind howled down the mountain. The other contestants leaned forward from the spectator rails, watching the streak of yellow-and-black blur past. Chris grinned, stopwatch in hand. "Oh, now this is good!"
The next section came faster — a brutal double curve that tested every nerve.
"Coming up!" Noah warned.
"I see it!" DJ replied, pressing lower, steadying his breathing.
The sled hit the right curve first — DJ leaned into it just as Noah turned the rings, the runners biting perfectly into the ice. The second curve snapped back left — Sadie screamed again, but held tight, her weight keeping the back grounded. The sled shot out of the turn smooth, alive, and faster than before.
"Clean exit!" Sander's voice rang through Chris's radio.
"Keep it!" Chris barked.
The final stretch loomed — the "Heartbreaker." A long, winding descent that punished any mistake. Noah's breathing slowed. His world had shrunk into the tunnel of ice ahead. Every turn, every vibration — he could feel the track now, guiding him like instinct.
"Come on," DJ muttered from behind, voice half-prayer, half-command. "Hold it, man. You've got it."
Sadie was silent now — terrified, but locked in.
The sled dipped into the final curve, skimming dangerously close to the rim. The G-force pressed them all down. DJ clenched his teeth, muscles straining to keep their weight balanced. Noah's eyes didn't blink — just one last shift, one last push.
They shot out of the curve like a bullet. The world blurred into white and silver light as they streaked toward the finish.
"Now, Noah!" DJ shouted.
"Already on it!"
The sled crossed the finish gate with a heavy CLANG, ice exploding in a mist behind them.
Which left them pass the finish line and Sadie using everything she could to break the bobsled…
MacArthur who was still on the walkie talkies, pressed the button.
"Boss, they crossed the finish line…" MacArthur said as she waited for her boss to confirm.
"1 minute and 17 seconds. The victory of this round goes to Screaming Gaffers." Chris' shouted through the walkie talkie, which made DJ, Sadie raises their fists in the air in happiness, while Noah simply rolled himself off the bobsled and remained on the floor.
"Never again… never never again."
Confession - Noah
"No Nynn Jr. I'm never going to do that again. Nuh uh, not a chance, one time is already too many." Noah said as he deadpanned on the camera. He could clearly see his older sister being a pain in the ass, wanting to know more about what it was like to be in such an ice coffin.
Confession - DJ
"I did that for my ancestors, and for my family who is at Jamaica, guys, we are the best." DJ said with a proud smile, as he never thought he would have such strength. "Now if you excuse me, I'm going to faint. Ahhhhh." And just like that, DJ fainted from passing out too much fear and adrenaline at the same time.
Confession - Sadie
"It was so great to get a victory for the team? And best of all I won against Eva, can you believe it? And in a sport, that's like a personal victory to me…" Sadie said happily until she realized what she said. "Wait, she isn't going to see that, right? Okay I need to take off this camera,"
With the Screaming Gaffers cheering wildly for their trio of bobsledders who had somehow survived that blur of ice and speed, Chris clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. The echo cut through the cold air, and gradually, both teams returned to their places near the track, still buzzing from adrenaline and relief.
"Alright, everyone," Chris began, pacing in front of them like a show host who already knew the next twist, "it looks like each team has earned one point so far. Which means…" He paused dramatically, drawing out the suspense as the cameras panned across both teams' faces. "We've got ourselves a tie. And the only way to settle a tie in the Winter Olympics…"
He grinned, spreading his arms wide. "Is with one final medal-deciding challenge!"
The two teams exchanged glances — some anxious, some excited. The possibilities flickered in everyone's minds: curling, skiing, snowboarding, even figure skating. Nobody wanted to guess out loud and jinx it.
"DJ, Sadie, Noah, Trent, Eva, Ezekiel," Chris continued, spinning on his heel to point at each one of them. "You six already took part in the last challenge, so you're out for this one."
"Really?" Sadie gasped, eyes wide, while Eva crossed her arms in open irritation. Trent let out a breath of pure relief — his muscles still aching from earlier — and Ezekiel, standing quietly at the edge, gave a small, wistful nod. He'd hoped to do more; the competitive spark hadn't left him yet.
"I'm not complaining," Noah said flatly, lifting his helmet off and shaking his hair out.
"Same here," DJ added, rubbing his arms. "Man, I got my fill of near-death experiences for the day."
"Okay… so if those six are sitting out, what kind of sport are we talking about this time?" Gwen tilted her head, suspicious. Her tone was cautious — she could already feel a bad twist coming.
"I agree with the goth," Heather said, arms crossed tightly, her voice edged with impatience. "What's next, McLean? Because I'm really hoping it's not another 'let's almost die on ice' challenge."
"Wow, you all are tense. Look, I'd love to drag you back to the studio for another chaotic, over-the-top finale, but…" Chris chuckled, pacing dramatically before the group. He stopped, his grin fading into a surprisingly serious expression. The contestants traded confused looks. "…we already flew eight hours to get here," he said. "By the time we're back, it'll be night. So, we're ending things here and now. The final event—my choice."
The group went quiet. The sound of the wind filled the gap.
"Lindsay, Heather, Bridgette, Katie, and Harold — you five sat out the last two challenges. Congratulations, you're up next." Chris pointed toward the Killer Grips first.
"All of us?" Lindsay blinked, startled.
"Yup. All five." Chris nodded. He turned to the Screaming Gaffers. "And for your team — Beth, Leshawna, Gwen, and Justin. You didn't compete earlier either. To even things out…"
"Geoff, you're in." His grin returned — the one that always meant trouble. Making the party boy freezes.
"Me?! Fweee—why me?" Geoff asked after the suddenly call.
Chris rolled his eyes. "Because Owen's still out cold from the tranquilizers, and it was either you or Jude. I picked you because your girlfriend is on the opposite team."
A ripple of gasps and smirks spread across both teams. Geoff's face went red; Bridgette's stomach dropped.
"Call it drama milking," Chris added with a smirk, "but don't act like you didn't see it coming."
A long, awkward silence followed — everyone side-eyeing Geoff and Bridgette, who were trying and failing not to look at each other.
"Now," Chris said, clapping once more, "follow me. Let's make this finale one to remember."
Both teams started to move, boots crunching over the snow as they trailed behind him. The wind carried the sound of the track still humming in the distance — the ghost of the race that had just ended — while Bridgette and Geoff exchanged a nervous glance that said everything without words.
Whatever the final challenge was…
It wasn't just about medals anymore.
Confession – Jude
"Dude, it's gonna be rough for Geoff, man. Isn't it, like, super awkward to go against your girlfriend in a challenge?" Jude leaned toward the camera, eyes half-lidded, like he was still processing the thought in real time. "I mean, both Bridgette and Geoff are my bro and sista here. And, like, Zeke too — I should totally hang with him later, maybe tell him to chill more… that guy's been working so hard, dude."
He paused, staring off somewhere past the camera.
"What was I talkin' about again? Oh, yeah — the whole Bridgette-and-Geoff thing. They've been kissing nonstop, dude. Like, the couple on the mall-food-court-make-out-level nonstop." He made a vague hand motion. "Guess that's why everyone's all, 'We gotta eliminate them!' but, like… harsh vibes, man."
A long beat of silence followed. The only sound was the quiet buzz of the studio light overhead. Then Jude blinked.
"Oh… I totally forgot to tell my boss I'm on this reality show." His face fell slowly, realization catching up. "Does that mean I'm fired?" He sighed, shoulders slumping. "Bummer. Man, I wish Jen, Nikki, and Caitlin were here. They'd totally explain what's goin' on with everyone losing it over Geoff and Bridgette."
The drive from the bobsled track had taken nearly thirty-five minutes, winding through Calgary's cold urban sprawl until the vans finally pulled into the wide parking lot of another monumental arena.
When the doors opened, the chill of the afternoon air poured in — clean, sharp, and echoing faintly with the sound of skates gliding somewhere in the distance.
The group stepped out, bundled in their coats, staring in silent awe at the building's massive glass front. Through the windows, the light of the setting sun spilled across an endless expanse of polished white ice.
Chris was the first to step forward, arms stretched out with showman flair. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome… to the Olympic Oval!" His voice carried proudly through the open space as cameras panned across the facility. "Built for the 1988 Winter Olympics right here in Calgary, and still one of the fastest speed-skating tracks in the world!"
The contestants followed him inside, their boots squeaking faintly against the concrete until they reached the inner railing — and there it was: a vast loop of pristine, glimmering ice surrounded by the deep-blue barrier walls, lit from above by hundreds of bright overhead lights.
The air was colder here, controlled and perfect, and the faint scent of clean ice filled the space. Every footstep echoed.
"Oh my gosh, it's so shiny!" Lindsay's eyes sparkled as she pressed her hands to the railing.
"That's because this place uses one of the most precise refrigeration systems in all of North America! The ice temperature is regulated by a network of glycol coils beneath—" Harold adjusted his glasses as he sniffed, wide-eyed.
"Harold, key words!" Katie and Sadie said together, both waving their hands in unison.
Harold blinked, froze mid-lecture, then sighed as if switching gears in his brain.
"It's fast because science," he said simply, nodding with quiet pride.
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh," Lindsay and Katie said in unison, as Sadie nodded her head.
"Now I can understand…" Sadie said as she wondered. "I didn't know science would make this thing beautiful."
"Ice is beautiful, but it not careful, it can be dangerous just like fire." Ezekiel explained as the group looked at him in surprise. "There's a reason it's called ice burn."
"Ahhh," Lindsay, Katie and Sadie realized what he meant, as Harold nodded his head…
"So we are here in a place which make history." Heather rolled her eyes. As Chris nodded his head.
"Yeah, yeah," Heather interrupted, flicking her hair. "We get it, nerd. We're standing on history."
Chris clapped once, his grin wide and theatrical. "Exactly, Heather! You're standing where Olympians once bled, sweat, and froze their butts off for glory! And now… it's your turn!"
Both teams exchanged wary looks.
"Alright, here's how this final tiebreaker's going down!" Chris announced, walking along the edge of the track. "Each team will race in a speed-skating relay. One full lap per skater — five racers per team."
He gestured toward the interns setting up colored batons on a table. "When the first skater completes a lap, they'll hand off this baton to the next teammate. Fastest total time after all five laps wins the challenge… and the tiebreaker!"
"Wait—so, like, we have to skate and pass something?" Katie's eyes widened.
"Exactly! Think of it as… ice track and field, but colder and way more humiliating when you fall." Chris smiled wickedly.
A ripple of nervous laughter spread through the group.
"Alright, here are the lineups!" Chris continued, pointing from one side to the other. "Killer Grips — Lindsay, Heather, Bridgette, Katie, and Harold. You're skating in that order. Screaming Gaffers — Beth, Leshawna, Gwen, Justin, and Geoff. You'll go in that order too."
The camera zoomed in as Geoff froze mid-grin, realizing what that meant. Bridgette glanced across the rink at him — the faintest flicker of worry and competitiveness in her eyes.
"Yup!" Chris continued cheerfully, "Boyfriend versus girlfriend in the anchor lap. Don't pretend you didn't see that twist coming."
"Man, Chris really loves playing Cupid with a death wish." DJ let out a low whistle from the sidelines.
"Honestly, I'm just waiting for someone to faceplant in high definition." Noah leaned back against the railing, unimpressed.
"You've all got one baton, five skaters, one icy track, and one shot at glory. And just to make it fun — if the baton drops, the next skater has to wait until it's picked up before they can start. So don't fumble." Chris ignored them, pacing dramatically in front of the two teams.
"Oh, this is on." Leshawna cracked her knuckles.
"Please. You're looking at the queen of balance. This'll be over before your first lap's even halfway done." Heather scoffed. As something Heather could brag about it, as much she isn't an ice skatter, she was still the best among her siblings, as she even used a few practices of doing figure skating, she at least know how to balance herself and go fast on ice ring.
"Killer Grips to the left lane, Screaming Gaffers to the right! Skates are prepped, timers are set, cameras are rolling — and remember: teamwork, precision, and not falling on your face!" Chris grinned and gestured toward the starting line, where two interns placed down bright red and blue markers for each team.
The two teams slid to their respective sides, testing their blades on the ice. Lindsay fidgeted nervously beside Beth at the start line, each gripping their team's baton. The arena was so quiet now that the hum of the lights and the faint scratch of steel on ice were the only sounds.
Confession - Beth
"Chris placed me to race against my best friends, what am I going to do? I cannot pretend to lose the race, or my team would eliminate me, but also I wanted their team to win because they already lost 2 team members and Geoff and Bridgette had been on the nerves of everyone." Beth looked conflicted, but she didn't want to make herself into being eliminated. "I'm sure Lindsay would be upset if I throw the match away… so I just need to take a whole turn and don't drop the baton."
Chris raised his hand, his grin cutting across the cold air.
"On my mark…"
The lights over the track blinked from red to yellow.
"…get set…"
Every skater crouched low, eyes locked forward, muscles ready.
"…GO!"
A sharp whistle echoed through the Oval. Both Lindsay and Beth exploded forward, blades slicing the ice in smooth, powerful strides as the final challenge of the Winter Special began.
Or as that would everyone would think about it…
But on the first second both Beth and Lindsay went down with their bodies on the ice ring. To the point everyone winced from the embarrassment headstart…
Chris blinked a few times…
"Does anyone here knows how to ice skate?" Chris asked as he looked at the group who seemed nervous, while Heather, Harold, Katie and Gwen were the ones who actually knew how to uses ice skate… "Great… alright, fine, change of plans, whoever doesn't know how to use ice skates, can use your shoes, just try to not make this more embarrassing than it is…"
That made the members who didn't know how to race look sheepishly… but grateful to take off the ice skaters.
Confession - Harold
"It's a risky strategy, changing the ice skatters to shoes can help better on their walk, but they aren't faster than actual ice skates." Harold commented as he explained how things goes. "But still… not ice skating officially on the sacred place of winter olympics feels like an insult."
"Alright, no more complains. right?" Chris asked as the group now nodded their heads. Even as it sounded a bit unfair, there was nothing they could do, but race over the long ice ring… "Remember one lap and give the batton to your partner… now…"
Beth and Lindsay prepared themselves.
"On my mark…"
The lights over the track blinked from red to yellow.
"…get set…"
Lindsay and Beth firmed their foots on the ice ring…
"…GO!"
A sharp whistle echoed through the Oval.
Making Lindsay and Beth had to run and slide over the field, it was slippery, and they struggled to maintain their balance. Although it was better than trying the actual ice skates, it still took them almost a whole minute to give a lap across the ice ring.
Lindsay stumbled toward the end of the first lap, arms flailing like a penguin on rollerblades. The crowd of contestants cheered anyway — not because she was fast, but because she somehow hadn't broken her nose.
"Go, Lindsay, gooo!" Katie yelled, bouncing on the sidelines.
Beth wasn't far behind — knees pumping, sneakers squeaking with every frantic step. She nearly slipped at the curve, letting out a terrified squeal before managing to steady herself with the baton stretched out in both hands like it was a lifeline.
"Come on, Beth! Channel that inner curling spirit!" Leshawna shouted.
By the time both girls reached their teammates, the audience — a mix of interns and eliminated contestants — had already started laughing and clapping to a rhythm that wasn't quite Olympic but definitely Total Drama.
"Your turn, Heather. GO!" Lindsay slapped the baton into Heather's hand. With on the next second, Heather with her half elegant hair flipped on the side, she was on the game on.
Confession - Heather.
"If those Gaffers think they would get 3 victories in a row? They are completely mistaken, sometimes I should thank my mom to pay me intuition on ice skating for a sub-training for ballet…but those were the worst 2 weeks of my life." Heather said as she narrowed her eyes. "It's time for them realize that we aren't going to take another loss because of those kissy kissy couple."
She snatched the baton and took off, her skates slicing perfectly through the ice. Even Chris raised his eyebrows as she carved smooth arcs across the straightaway.
"Finally," he said into his mic. "Someone who doesn't look like they're running from a goose."
Meanwhile, Beth tagged Leshawna, who immediately threw her skates aside.
"Nope, not today, Prom-Queen Satan!" she shouted, sprinting in her boots instead. Her heavy steps thudded against the ice, raw power over precision. Which was a good way to compensate the speed, however… "Woah…"
She was still having a few slipperies. While Heather was focused, not giving a look on the back, to the point when Leshawna had reached of the ice ring, Heather already passed the lap, and Heather pushed through, sharp and fast, tagging Harold by barely tossing the baton before sliding into the barrier wall.
"Nice one!" Harold shouted, catching it mid-air and launching into a rhythmically perfect glide. His technique was almost professional — knees low, posture ideal, arms balanced like a martial artist. "Good luck on your turn Gwen…"
"And there he goes." Chris commented in excitement as Gwen sighed, knowing they are in a terrible disadvantage… She would need to go fast and try to reach Harold… But he was already on the half of the field.
And when Harold had finished his lap and threw to Katie… they were with 3 laps done, and would need only 2 more…
By the final curve, Harold was slightly ahead — until he tripped over a tiny divot in the ice, flailed dramatically, and recovered just in time to finish. The crowd gasped, then erupted into applause.
He slid the baton to Katie, who was practically vibrating with excitement.
"Woo! My turn!" Katie squealed, bolting forward — and immediately losing one shoe. "Oh nooo!"
"Oh come on, turn back and place your foot on." Heather called, as Katie went back to make sure to make it not loose. "I can't believe that."
Leshawna, panting, handed the baton to Gwen with a wink.
"Alright goth girl, show 'em how it's done." Leshawna said, as Gwen knew she had to race against Katie.
Which the goth sighed, but speed up, they were already 1 lap late.
"And it seems the Screaming Gaffers had at least one member who knows how to ice skate, and here comes Katie who was running back on her 2 shoes, oh look at that, she's using her shoes to slide as well, impractical but smart." Chris narrated, as Gwen ignored the voices, as she knew she was getting ahead of Katie, but still they had a long run…
Across the rink, Gwen tagged Justin, who accepted the baton like he was on a runway. He adjusted his hair before skating off, looking flawless for exactly four seconds before the first curve sent him crashing into the sidewall.
"Beautiful form," Noah commented from the sidelines. "If the event was called 'Faceplant in Style,' he'd have gold."
"I'm fine…" Justin said as he looked at his palms. "I didn't hurt much of my body."
"OH COME ON." Tyler shouted as unfairness on how he always would end up in worse injures when he got an acident like that…
Katie finished her chaotic lap by sliding chest-first to the line, which she was happily to give the batton to her… But then her eyes went wide open.
"Go, Bridge, go!" Lindsay cheered as she then looked at the side… but then her face turned into a frown.
"I can't believe it… seriously? Right now?" Gwen and Heather said in unisson. As they saw the same thing all over again…
Bridgette and Geoff were making out again…
.
.
.
2 minutes ago…
"It seems that this is the end." Geoff commented as Bridgette nodded her head. "Man, we really let everyone mad with us."
"Yeah, it kinda hurts, but they were right, we have done our sharing of kisses, and we simply ignored why we were here at the first place." Bridgette commented in sadness. "The worst part was seeing they are really disappointed in us, like they knew we couldn't help ourselves…"
"Yeah… do you think we lost ourselves in comparison when we started on the show?" Geoff asked as he may have recalled the good times he was with the boys and did some good stories, maybe it was the time he was without passing with Duncan, Harold, Ezekiel and Tyler made him give him a break… but still passing the time with Jude and skating with him and doing some tricks were neat…
"I think so…" Bridgette said with her head down. "What I did on the last elimination really made me heard some hurtful words, not in anger, but in disappointment, and if we don't play this challenge serious, then… it will be one of us…"
"Well, if I'm going tonight, then it would be with at least a good luck kiss…" Geoff said as he saw his girlfriend crossing her arms. "Come on, it's just one good luck kiss."
Bridgette gave a side glance, but couldn't help but smile.
"One good luck kiss wouldn't be a problem…" Bridgette commented, as the duo went to making out again…
.
.
.
"ARE YOU *BEEEEEP* KIDDING ME?" Mostly the members of The Killer Grips and the Screaming Gaffers shouted together, as their shouts made both Geoff and Bridgette freezes, and then make apart sa everyone was staring at them. With Ezekiel shaking his head in disappointment.
"Hey guys…" Geoff said sheepishly, as they aren't giving any of it. "It's just a good luck kiss…"
"I don't even want to know. Here. GO!" Katie said as she placed the batton to Bridgette, and walked toward Geoff. "You listened to all of us, we told you many times for you both to focus, Ezekiel said for you two take serious, but you still kept kissing while all of us had to do all the hardwork? My boyfriend was eliminated two challenges ago, E-scope was eliminated last challenge, and you two still kisses like nothing matter? I'm sick of stomach because of you, if you-"
The harsh words from the tan girl hit like a punch, but then Katie suddenly stopped, which caught Geoff off guard with a look of surprise. Her face went pale.
"Katie?" Geoff blinked, taking a half-step forward. "Are you—"
BLURGH!
A horrible sound followed by instant chaos. Geoff froze in horror, staring down at his coat — now covered.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" Katie's eyes went wide, hands over her mouth. She blurted out, stumbling backward. "Sorry! I didn't— I think—"
"GEOFF!" Bridgette yelped, starting to rush back toward him.
"DON'T COME BACK!" Heather barked from across the rink, pointing furiously. "FINISH THE RACE NOW!"
Lindsay gagged, taking several steps away. "Oh my gosh, that's so gross but also kinda tragic!"
The Screaming Gaffers hurried over, half-worried, half-disgusted.
"Are you okay?" Leshawna asked, crouching beside Katie.
"Yeah… I think I ate something bad this morning," Katie murmured, wiping her mouth with trembling hands. "Maybe breakfast — the food's today was worse than a few days ago, and I didn't get used to it. And— uh oh— I think I've got the flu."
"Fantastic," Gwen sighed, pulling off her gloves to help. "Then you shouldn't be anywhere near this ice. Go rest with the others before you puke again."
"'Kay…" Katie whispered weakly as Leshawna, Beth, and Lindsay guided her off the rink.
"Here, man. Sanitation protocol!" Harold jogged over, holding a stack of paper towels like a first-aid kit.
"Thanks…" Geoff groaned, wiping at his jacket while the cold air and the smell made everyone else scatter for distance.
Justin's skates scraped to a shaky stop near the exchange line, his hair perfectly flipped back despite the crash he'd just survived. He held out the baton, panting, expecting Geoff to grab it instantly.
"Alright, dude, you're up—wait, what's going on here?" Justin blinked as Geoff just stood there, wiping his sleeve with a pile of crumpled paper towels.
Harold looked up from his crouched position beside him, expression deadly serious. "Katie puked on him."
Justin froze mid-reach. His eyes widened, then narrowed with immediate disgust. "She what?"
"Full-on projectile," Harold clarified in a tone that was way too calm for what he'd just witnessed. "Right across the chest. She's got the flu, man. Flu city."
Justin's mouth fell open slightly, his nose wrinkling. He looked down at Geoff's jacket, then at his own immaculate hands. "Yeahhhh… no. No way am I touching anything or anyone that's been in contact with… that."
"Justin!" Gwen snapped from behind, skating in to watch the hand-off delay stretch longer by the second. "Just pass him the stupid baton!"
"Yeahhhhhh, nooo." " Justin said flatly, holding the baton out at arm's length like Geoff was radioactive. "I have standards, This skin's a registered trademark, okay? You think I'm risking a breakout over bodily fluids?"
"..." Gwen blinked twice, speechless. "You've got to be kidding me—"
But before she could finish, everyone's attention snapped away at once.
Across the rink, Bridgette had officially begun her "lap," if it could be called that.
She wasn't skating.
She was… improvising.
One socked foot forward, then a half-slide, half-crawl.
Her arms flailed like a malfunctioning windmill as she tried to push off the ice with her palms. Every movement squeaked, her expression a wild mix of panic and determination.
"Oh my gosh, she's, like, swimming on the ice!" Lindsay gasped, covering her mouth.
"I can't believe this…" Heather facepalmed so hard the sound echoed. "This is painful to watch."
"And it seems Bridgette's attempting a revolutionary new technique I like to call… desperate floundering! Truly inspiring!" Even Chris couldn't resist commentating, voice booming through the speakers.
Geoff turned toward her, torn between pride, horror, and wanting to just melt into the rink.
He glanced back at Justin, still holding the baton like it was a treasure, and then at Gwen, who looked seconds from committing violence.
"Dude, come on," Geoff pleaded, still wiping his coat with a towel. "Just give me the baton! I'll wash my hands after!"
"Not until you de-contaminate. I don't want vomit particles on my cuticles!"
Justin took a step back, clutching the baton to his chest.
"JUSTIN!" Gwen shouted, her patience snapping. "If you don't pass that thing right now, she's gonna finish her lap before you even start!"
They all turned again—Bridgette was somehow making progress, sliding forward on her knees now, face locked in comical determination. Her hair whipped around her shoulders as she shouted, "I'm—still—racing!" before promptly spinning out in a small circle and collapsing into a heap of giggles and exhaustion.
The camera panned between Justin's horrified face, Gwen's rising fury, and Geoff's conflicted grimace—
a triangle of chaos that perfectly summed up Total Drama's version of teamwork.
The argument kept circling like the cold air in the Oval — Gwen shouting, Justin refusing, Geoff trapped between them as seconds bled away.
Across the rink, Bridgette was still struggling, her breath fogging in the air, her knees slipping on the ice as she tried again and again to push forward. Every stumble made Geoff's chest twist tighter.
He could hear Chris's voice somewhere above, still tossing sarcastic comments through the loudspeakers — but the sound faded into static.
All Geoff could see was Bridgette — shaking, tired, but still trying.
Still believing they could win together.
She's gonna get eliminated because of me…
The thought hit like a hammer.
Gwen's voice snapped in front of him again. "Geoff, move! Either take the baton or—"
He didn't hear the rest. His body just moved on instinct.
"CONDOR!"
The word ripped through the arena like a thunderclap.
Every head turned.
The sound echoed against the glass and steel, sharp enough to freeze even Chris mid-sentence.
Bridgette stopped mid-slide, staring across the rink with wide eyes.
Heather's jaw dropped.
DJ's hands slipped from his cup of cocoa.
Even Ezekiel blinked in disbelief.
Wait… did he just—?" Leshawna whispered.
"Yup," Harold said softly. "He pulled a Condor."
The interns traded confused looks. Only a few of the veterans truly understood what that word meant — the one sacred clause from the Island days: the right to tap out, to take elimination by choice, no vote needed.
Geoff's breath came out in clouds. His voice trembled when he spoke again, quieter this time, but steady.
"She fweeee doesn't deserve to go out fweee like that," he said, mostly to himself as he whistled throught his words. "Not after everything I fweee did wrong. If someone's leaving tonight, it's me."
The silence that followed was deafening.
Bridgette shook her head from across the rink, her voice cracking. "Geoff, no— you can't! You can't just give up!"
He smiled — a small, tired, guilty smile. "I'm not giving up, babe. I'm just owning up."
"Well, I'll be… folks, that's official. Geoff just invoked the Condor clause. Meaning—" Chris finally lowered his mic, the grin gone for once. "He wants to be eliminated on the votes tonight… to be honest that's a relief, because I was sure to regret into making those two on the final lap, it was very anti-climatic race, but that actually helped greatly."
Bridgette had stopped moving completely now. Her eyes shimmered, her arms limp at her sides. The cold didn't even matter anymore; she just stood there in disbelief, watching Geoff straighten up, shoulders heavy but proud.
The others looked on — Lindsay sniffling softly, DJ lowering his hat, Ezekiel bowing his head in quiet respect.
Even Heather, for once, said nothing.
Chris cleared his throat, forcing a faint grin back into his voice.
"Well then, for once I was so happy to hear the Condor word again. Let's end this race right now," Chris commented as he looked happily at the Killer Grips. "Killer Grips, you all got the victory. Which I have an incredible prize for all of you."
The Killer Grips didn't felt better since they findout Geoff wanted to simply just quit the reality show like that.
"You all are invited on my birthday party After-Tomorrow." Chris said with all the pride as he was giving them the best prize of all time, which the groups stared at him in disbelief, but as before someone would even complain about it. Chris finished. "Which we will be staying on Château Lake Louise for 5 days."
The reaction was instantaneous — Lindsay screamed, Katie and Heather cheered, Harold started dancing, while Ezekiel, and Bridgette's mouth went wide open in shock. Even Eva was impressed over such a prize, even Tyler and Trent gave hi-five, since the boy who choose the genre-movie, he was glad on the decision he just made. With the interns scrambled to fire confetti cannons.
And then the hell broke loose.
While the Killer Grips were celebrating. Chris gave a look on the Screaming Gaffers.
"Gaffers, I'm not going to lie, it would have been a great victory for you all, but you all should have expected that to happen someday. To be honest, I was surprised by Geoff being able to stay in the game so far." Chris commented as the Screaming Gaffers were already with a sour mood, and with Chris adding salt on their injuries, it really was something he would do. "Alright then! Killer Grips, start packing your winter gear for the resort. Gaffers, help Geoff gather his things — he's got an elimination ceremony tonight!"
The announcement landed like a cold gust through the arena. The Grips half-heartedly celebrated; the Gaffers sank into frustration, disappointment, and silent resentment.
Somewhere in that mix — Bridgette's soft voice broke through the noise, barely above a whisper.
"…He didn't lose. He just… loved too much." Bridgette commented, as she herself knew that she should have done better… But now, she had to accept she must continue the game without him.
The ten-hour flight back felt endless.
The cold still clung to their clothes, the silence heavier than the wind that hummed through the helicopter's metal frame. Exhaustion had swallowed everyone whole—heads resting against windows, shoulders leaning together, a mess of tangled blankets and fogged breath. The rhythmic thrum of the rotors became a lullaby, numbing thought and memory alike.
By the time they reached the movie studio, the gray dawn had already begun to fade into another night. Floodlights burned over the tarmac, casting long shadows on the ground as the cast stumbled out one by one. No one spoke; even Chris was too tired to sound smug. The clock on the hangar wall read 1:47 a.m. — barely time to breathe before the elimination ceremony that was scheduled at two.
They moved slowly through the familiar maze of trailers and stage sets, everything half-lit and echoing. The Killer Grips helped the Screaming Gaffers pack Geoff's belongings — his new winter jacket, the old stetson hat, a few keepsakes that still smelled faintly of the beach. His suitcases closed, the sound sharp in the quiet. Somewhere in the background, a few interns were already setting up lights for the next shoot, their chatter low and distant.
Owen sat slumped on a folding chair nearby, eyes half-lidded and mouth slightly open. The tranquilizer darts had left him in a daze, his snores occasionally breaking the silence like distant thunder. Every few minutes, DJ or Leshawna would adjust a blanket over him so he wouldn't drool on himself again.
Bridgette stood apart from the group, hands deep in her coat pockets, her hair still carrying the scent of winter air. Geoff approached without a word, his footsteps slow, measured. When he stopped in front of her, neither looked at the other for a long moment.
Then, quietly, he pulled her into a hug. She pressed her face into his chest, breathing in the warmth she knew she'd miss. He kissed her forehead gently, a silent apology, a promise, and a farewell all in one.
When he stepped back, she didn't follow.
He gathered his bags, slung it over his shoulder, and walked in the direction of the Gilded Chris Ceremony Hall. With the other members of the Screaming Gaffers after him. The others watched in silence — some from fatigue, others from respect.
No speeches, no laughter, no drama this time.
Just the quiet crunch of footsteps against gravel and the distant sound of the helicopter's blades starting to turn again.
The night swallowed it all.
And the Killer Grips must prepare themselves for the trip.
The Ceremony Hall
The flashback of good scenes from Total Drama appeared as always, showcasing a standout moment featuring Chris, the show's host. This included Chris smiling, laughing, and delivering some of the episode's best moments. As it showed the logo of Total Drama and the Gilded Chris Awards.
At the end of the transaction, Chef was dressed in his social shirt, and MacArthur and Sanders snoring on their places still wearing their usual pink dresses. Chris yawned as the trip from Calgary really took a lot of him.
"Gaffers as much I wanted to null the effect of the Condor effect, and say you all have the right of choose who you will all vote, my birthday is coming, so as new rule after using the Condor contingency word, the person who chooses condor will nulls the right of everyone using the MVPA points to buy giftboxes, and all the options of choosing will remain to only 2. Hmmm, okay. Geoff vs Beth."
"What? Why me?" Beth asked in surprise and disbelief.
"To give some example and drama, and I don't have in mind to choose another person to make the votes interesting. We all know who's going to be voted off." Chris said as he rolled his eyes from the dark circles on his eyes. Which he then looked at Chef. "Do you want to say something?"
"Yeah… Geoff, you're self-sacrifice was a good demonstration on how much you cared for love, and makes people even like me to believe on the power of love crap that we always heard in movies and in books. But you all wouldn't have reached to this point if you 2 actually worked hard on the challenges ago and focused more on the competition instead of relationship." Chef was precise and while pointing out a good thing Geoff did, that doesn't change that both prejudiced their chances on the game. "Justin, as much you could have helped your team to reach on that point, you didn't participate on the first challenge for fear of Eva, and then you didn't help your team because you got fear of vomit."
"That's not fear? I just care of my skin that's all." Justin complained, as Chef rolled his eyes.
"Wait, I could have chosen between Geoff and Justin? Well, whatever, too tired for this, Geoff vs Beth, your time to vote." Chris dismissed, as everyone stared in disbelief at Chris. But they obeyed… They couldn't open the giftboxes. But they were only able to select the person they wanted to vote off… With the drumls being lazely played, as the machine printed the results. "Alright… ywannn. Okay, Geoff, it's official, you gotta go."
"Well fweeee, I kinda expected that… Thanks fweee guys for fweeee everything." Geoff said as he hugged his friends, gave a fist bump to Jude, and smiled sadly to those who tiredly waved back at him… And he gave a wave for Chef and Chris who ignored him, and the party boy calmly walked towards the Lame-O-Sine… just for later freezes, at the person who was beside the door…
Eva… with a few lugages by her side.
"Hey…" Geoff tried to start a conversation, but Eva opened the door for him. "Oh thanks."
"You did well, you made an act of self-sacrifice because you cared by Bridgette, and with that you got my respect." Eva helped Geoff to place his luggage inside of the Lame-o-sine.
"Thanks." Geoff said, as maybe she would have give him another chance.
But then she grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him nearby her face.
"So you better enjoy these 2 days, because when I get back, you're as mine…" Eva said which terrified Geoff, and then he felt a heavy weight on his arms, which was weights, which made his pupils shrink. "I think you and these weights are going to be very intimate with eachother. Because, you won't cry like a crybaby like the last season, I guarantee that you will cry by another reason…" Eva smiled sly and deviously, like Geoff isn't sure if she was threatening him or flirting with him, but knowing on his arms now having weights? He felt horrified. "Have a nice trip, Geoff… I'm sure have a wonderful schedule exercises, just for you."
And with that Geoff didn't have time to scream, he was pushed on the lame-o-sine with more weights above him… And with a quick shut on the door.
The lame-o-sine traveled back to the civilization, where the party boy whistler was now going back home. But not before feeling himself terrified that he's Eva first victim.
Bridgette cried with her head buried in the pillow. Many of her friends had taken their belongings to catch a helicopter trip, but she wanted to stay behind. She couldn't bring herself to celebrate her team's victory, knowing it was partly her fault they hadYes lost several times.
SPLASH*
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" Until Bridgette shouted by a waterbucket to splash across her face. "WHAT THE HELL?"
"Get up." And to her surprise, it was Ezekiel and Tyler who threw the water on her face.
"What's the meaning of this?" Bridgette asked in outrage.
"Rising and shine!" Tyler commented as his face was mostly complete back, and Ezekiel said with his face with a smirk.
"It's butt-whipping time." Ezekiel said, as Bridgette had no idea on what's going on… until she felt something on her arms, and legs… And when she looked it, she felt her spine shivers. "My first weights I had on the Playa Del Losers, 5 kilograms, and we have a whole training program just for you."
"What?" Bridgette asked horrified. Until another voice made her pales.
"I asked them both to give you a training while I would be away." Eva's voice made Bridgette stares at her in panic. "If you're going to cry because you miss Geoff, it's because you aren't working out enough, so you and him will be doing exercises and focus into making yourselves more ready over the challenges."
"We don't want you to take all the blame and simply give up anymore. So we want you to get more focused and better." Tyler said as he was with the papers on his face. "Eva made a good plan for me and Zeke take you all the mornings and help you to train your mind and body for the next challenges."
"What?" Bridgette asked in panic.
"And training on ice, with opportunity to learn snowboard and ski? That's a great chance for training on snow, let's go Bridgette, we got all your stuff ready." Ezekiel said, as Bridgette looked they took everything… and they were the last ones on the female trailer.
"What?" Bridgette felt herself trembling in panic.
"Let's go, the trip is going to happen soon." Eva said as she carried Bridgette.
"HELP, SOMEBODY HELP." Bridgette screamed as neither Eva, Tyler, nor Ezekiel are going to save her. Which now she regretted for eliminating Izzy… she was now on the focus on her friends and she was going to train just like Sadie and Ezekiel. She was now on her internal suffering.
Just like any total drama episode.
Chapter 73: Interlude Action 4- Kids Day & Bomb Lore
Chapter Text
Author's note:
Hello everyone, just came here to release this chapter as special of Kid's day of my country, so get ready to have some fun, learn some important lore, stories and facts about some characters. But also enjoying a good interlude, it took a while, and may be shorter than most of my chapters, but I think it's worth it.
I want to give big thanks to Darklord331 who had been helping me to edit this chapter before releasing it, he had been helping the progress over the pre-reading and giving some editings over the chapter of Reality Collides, so a big thanks to him.
Also I want to say thank you guys so much for making Reality Collides to reach one important aspect of Total Drama genre on fanfiction. My friends know very well how much writing of this fanfic means to me and I reached in a high that I never thought I was able to. And now we reached guys, thank you so much. We did it.
Furthermore. I want to talk to you guys about something.
It warms my heart into seeing how Reality Collides became inspiration for such good fanfics in regard to S.I of characters, which seeing Oberon doing Memories of Justin, I have to say he's doing an amazing work. Keep doing the great job.
But also I have a few other fanfics that I'm also want to share with you guys, fanfics that has great potential that need a bit more of recognizement. So I want you guys to give a try, and give a nice review saying your thoughts about their fanfic after reading, and also say I send my regards. I want this fandom to work together to have a nice time reading new fanfics.
Which fanfics are:
Total drama- Bookworm journay (It's a Total Drama S.I. focused on Noah, which shows a good construction of scenes, good details in first person, but also differently than most fanfics, this one brings the details of what would be if Total Drama Island was actually an IRL world, since it brings more potential psycological character developments in the perspective of Noah.) jon9051 really did a wonderful job writing that fanfic, and I'm totally saying it. Go for it dude, it's on my fav lists, with Oberon as well.
Total Dragon Island (Gotta to confess, this was a crossover fanfic I never thought I would love so much to read, since I love the good comedy of the classic OG Dragon Ball, when Goku was a kid, but with the timeskip of Goku being a teenager was a very interesting and fun crossover which on the first chapter which is only one until now, made me laugh and excited to read more in the future. Hopefully the writer Doodleboy565 is going to use the OG cast with addition of only 2 characters of the Dragon Ball OG, but still it was a plot that I totally could see it working. So if you guys like crossover fanfics, and you like dragon ball, and total drama, you guys should check it out.)
Total Drama: Black Swan (Should shout out a friend of mine, AxalFlameHart and Dakcat, those two work like machines, and they have hundreds of ideas per day, which what's crazy is the plots of S.I fanfics they have been thinking for a long time. I'm sure you guys are going to enjoy this fanfic. Me, I'm not fan of O.C characters, but Trevor is the character I like him being screwed over so much, I laugh with the few jokes, and I think you guys should be checking a few chapters and give your thoughts about the chance into giving a try, but if you don't like O.C's like me, I understand, but I'm sure whose would give a chance for this fanfic, will enjoy the good scenes happening on there.)
Now I want you all to have fun reading this chapter. have fun. XD
To say Victoria had to give another travel to another state just for the sake of doing the preparations for another encounter of the Mother's meeting of the Killer Bass members… with now the inclusion of the members of Killer Grips mothers, was something that wasn't on her list.
But it was easier said than to be done, but nothing Victoria hadn't planned before. Since with the helps of everyone trying to find a schedule, it seems it was clear the preparations would be concluded at one week. Which was a good time to gather ideas about where it would be best to go, whether they should go to the spa again, or have a social gathering with food like they did the first time.
Since coming to talk with Sheila about the ideas of what they plan to do in the future, or even talk about how Courtney and Duncan have been working of their new job as hosts, Victory could say the path her daughter was doing was indeed a good way on the long term, since with that possibility of having good ratings but not going too far, she already gathered a lot of funs who usually had come to visit her house and school about to ask an autograph, which was kinda hard to tell them Courtney wasn't on their home since she was now passing her time on the fancy hotel doing the preparations for the next episode.
But that doesn't mean Courtney can't come to have a visit on her own house. Which, while the young new host was taking care of her sister, her father was working, and Victoria was crossing another state just to talk about the mother of her future son-in-law. She was expecting many things…
But not seeing a few police cars surrounding the house of Duncan's family, while the Victoria saw no other than Sheila with her arms crossed as for the first time Courtney's mom could see, was instead of being the kind and supportive woman who always had a good kind of heart and smile, she showed nothing more of indifference and coldness when she was staring at a man wearing Dark navy or black tunic jacket, Gold-trimmed epaulettes with insignia , Rank insignia on shoulders and sleeves, Sam Browne belt , Medals and ribbons on the chest…
Victoria who was a lawyer could clearly see that it was the Chief of Police staring at Sheila with not only anger, but also despair.
"You don't understand the situation Rush, if you don't help with this investigation, then I will do everything to throw your reputation on the mud, and you will never have the right to do any investigation ever again, you won't ever become detective-" The chief of police said angrily as it was clear the blonde woman simply raised her palm.
"I don't think you understand the memo from 13 years ago, Jim… I said after that day, you all lost the best detective Canada could ever offer, and don't need to tell me for me to losing my profession of a detective. She died that night when you prefer to lick the boots of your so precious council leader. I gave you my badge and my gun to you." Sheila simply stated coldly, as Victoria never thought to hear that woman really showing emotional control, but as the same way she could see in her eyes that she was giving the Chief of Police 10 minutes to get his stuff and get the fuck out of her propriety.
"COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE BEING KILLED WITH THEIR FAMILIES, ONE BY ONE, AND WE NEED YOU, AND STILL, YOU REFUSES JUST FOR ONE DOG?" Jim screamed in anger as Sheila's eyes twitched as she gritted her teeth. "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY? I'M SORRY? IT'S JUST A DOG!"
And on that second, Victoria for the first time, she saw Sheila's eyes look in deep hatred. As she stared at the woman who was writing down everything was said on that time…
"…" Sheila remained quiet, but with a glare she refused to let her show her anger. "He's a Rush… and if you have any idea on how that night destroyed my family and my hopes of the detective department of Canada, you would curse the night you didn't let me to sends those motherfuckers on the jail… Jim, as my former Chief of command… I'm with all my respect will say this… Fuck you, fuck your department, fuck your hopes, fuck your dreams, fuck your family, fuck everything that makes you wakes up in the morning. And fuck your bootlicker desire to be a whore to want attention of every time since those 13 years…"
And by each cursing Sheila had said the woman would write a fine which Sheila took it one by one, for every time she cursed the Chief of Police… And still kept talking.
Which made the Chief of Police tremble and grow redder with every word the blonde said, to the point. Sheila simply stated.
"And like I said, Canada lost the best detective that could have solved any investigation… Sheila Rush Detective Star died that night since you and the council chief protected those sickened bastards. And go on, try to make my work worse. Try to damage my reputation, my family is part of most of the department of police anyway, try to transfer me to any part of the area for traffic law, I love that job, it's way better to deal with people who pass the limit of speed, than actually believe there was some good in Justice… but thanks to that night, there wasn't." Sheila said, with a sarcastic laugh and cynical tone, that the Chief of Police Jim's face turned purple with anger. "Now, you all passed most of the time trying to be difficult and invading my propriety. As a good employee who worked for you before, I'm going to give you only one warning. Get the fuck out of my propriety."
Which Victoria stared at the Chief of Police so angry and with bloodshot eyes, and with that stomped his way out, within 5 minutes all the police cars followed as the tan mother stared at the blonde woman with nothing more than anger, and sadness… And turning herself back home with a door shut.
.
.
.
"I'm so sorry for appear in such inconvenient time." Victoria commented as she sat on the kitchen with the patriarch of the family Rush, the man who prepared coffee for not only himself, but for a blonde and a ginger haired detectives who had been deadly quiet after seeing such terrible timing happening.
"It's fine," Clover commented as she could see on how the day had been such catastrophic proportions. "I'm just glad Martin and Alex took Jaxon and Cole with them because it would have been way worse if they were here."
"To say Chief of Police Jim had the balls to come here after all the events happening with her, I would say he was really despaired." Sam deduced as the aged father sat on the chair with a sigh on his face.
"It doesn't matter his reasons, there was nothing he could do to make Sheila returns to work as detective. And to be honest, I don't care of what's going to happen to the council either." The patriarch commented as Victoria could see the whole house became suddenly in silence. A very uncomfortable silence. Until Mathew gave a gulp on his cup of coffee. "In the legal system, can we hire you as our lawyer in case the Chief of Police decides to put some blame on us? We are going to stay home the whole day, so we are developing an alibi for in case things get sour."
"I can try to call someone from my office to give support to all of you. But, I may need to hear about what happened." Victoria would need to use their reliability as a way for her to know that she was part of the alibi, which means that she needed to hear the cause of such hassle.
But even saying those words, clearly made the whole area tense, even as something that the trio who were drinking their cup of coffee clearly were uncomfortable into telling about what happened.
Until a voice came.
"May 9th of 1994," Sheila commented as the group stared at the blonde woman came to sit on the table. "I was in a very important case of drug trafficking happening across the Canada on that time. It was a slow day, since I was over a case of Kidnapping of an 8 years old girl 3 days before this very investigation."
Sheila commented as her voice commented as a narrative, which Victoria nodded her head slowly as she listened about one day that it changed the life of the whole family… especially a boy who know became a part of the reality show.
"I was tired, didn't have much time of rest after a successful solution of the case I did before, but I still returned for home just to grab someone…" Sheila commented as she showed a picture of a German Shepherd sitting by a well dressed detective Sheila on it. "Petey had been my partner since I had him as a puppy and I trained him on many of my cases which I would require his tracking skills. He was my best friend and a very important member of my family. So when I was returning home, I saw Petey on the street running after my car… Which I thought he escaped from the door just to see me…"
"…"
"This information is very important for you to get in mind for later." Mathew commented as Victoria nodded her head, and waited for Sheila to continue her story.
"It was supposed to be a single drug search across the area around Toronto, in and out, so I decided to take Petey with me for the investigation just like every day of work…" Sheila commented as she didn't have her usual cheerful tone, but a more serious and somber look on her face. "What was supposed to be a search it took half of the day for me to find out a group operation which was kinda easy to catch… but there was the time I left Petey for about 3 hours…"
"…" And Victoria saw on the look on their faces, those 3 hours were something that clearly would hunt that woman for the rest of her life… "What just happened?"
"The location was over a private area, where it looked semi-abandoned, it was still with many layers and floors to try to track down where the evidence was… It sure took longer than I expected, until I managed to gather enough proof to be able to catch the group doing trafficking … right on the spot, managed to apprehend 4 of them, and call for backup to arrest them." Sheila explained, as she then showed the shadow over her face. "And while I was doing operation above, I didn't another group doing something on downfloors… a group of 3 teenagers,"
Victoria noted that as soon Sheila said teenagers, there was venom in her voice. Which it was strange that nobody else wanted to say something else, it was like Sheila decided to give the crude and horrible event that lead to that moment.
"When the operation was done," she began, her voice even, almost mechanical, "I wrote my report. It was routine procedure. Four suspects apprehended. Narcotics secured. And I called for backup."
The faint hum of the refrigerator filled the pause that followed. Victoria could see the reflection of the coffee cup trembling near Sheila's fingertips — not from fear, but from exhaustion buried too long.
"When it was the time to give one final perimeter check, I whistled for Petey to return… he always followed my whistle, and the first thing I noticed, was the lack of barks, which was something indicating something was wrong… he always barked when he couldn't reach me after my whistle." Sheila commented as she drew a breath — slow, controlled, too deliberate to be natural.
Victoria didn't dare interrupt. The Rush family sat like statues — only Mathew's quiet, rhythmic tapping on the table hinted that anyone in the room was still breathing.
"I checked the backyard, then the garage," Sheila said, the tempo of her words steady like a testimony. "I even looked under the porch. Then I came into the kitchen."
Her lips tightened slightly. "There were footprints — muddy, small. Teenagers. I thought it were from the group I captured for the narcs. But then I followed them across the floor. And then I saw the sink."
She paused, eyes unfocused — as if her mind was back in that kitchen, reliving the sterile clarity of horror.
"There were blood marks on the rim. Not much — wiped, but not professionally. The pattern was wrong for human injury. I could tell by the texture. No arterial spray, just surface staining. I remember thinking, maybe it's from the butcher shop next door… until I noticed the meat cutter on the counter. Still damp."
A silence so heavy filled the room that even the clock seemed to stop ticking.
Sheila took a deep breath that shivered halfway down her throat. "The pressure cooker was still warm. Metallic smell mixed with garlic and… fat. You never forget that smell. My training told me to catalog, to photograph, to process the scene. But my stomach…" she trailed off, shaking her head once, eyes distant. "My stomach already knew."
Her voice dropped to a whisper that barely left her lips. "In the corner of the sink, there was his collar. The one with the spikes and the brass tag that said Petey. He'd scratched it up on our first chase together."
Sheila's eyes didn't water. They just… dimmed, the same way old photographs fade under sunlight. "My knees gave out. I tried to stay upright, but I couldn't. The floor was cold. I saw pieces — bones. Some too small, some clean. I knew which ones were his. I'd studied animal skeletal structures for years."
Her words carried the cold cadence of a report again — precise, technical, but hollowed out. "There were also other bones. Birds. Rabbits. Cats, Turtles, Snakes… But his were different. Stronger femurs. Shorter radius… and when I checked over the bowls on the table… The evidence was clear…. They ate him."
For a few seconds, nobody breathed.
Mathew moved first, reaching across the table to lay a large, trembling hand on Sheila's shoulder. He didn't speak — just rubbed his thumb in a slow, grounding circle against her arm.
Victoria felt herself sick on the stomach, her face paled, as she never though to hear such words before… And now she was disgusted, and wanted to vomit.
Sheila continued, her tone somehow even colder — the numbness of someone who'd rebuilt walls for thirteen years and never let them crack.
"I didn't scream. I didn't call anyone. I just sat there until I heard the sounds of something happening on the basement… they were brewing alcohol on there, laughing and enjoying like nothing had happened… And when I arrested them, they laughed."
Her hands unclasped, flattening on the table. "They were council members' sons. Fifteen, sixteen, seventeen years old. One of them said it was 'a nice meal.' That they wanted to 'see how fast the dog could run before he stopped.'"
Her voice hardened — not rising, just sharpening like broken glass. "When I brought them in, Jim — my Chief back then — told me to let them go. Said they were protected. Said we'd 'lose our funding' if I filed charges."
"YOU LOST YOUR FUCKING MIND?!" Sheila screeched with both her hands on the table. "YOU REALLY WANT ME TO RELEASE THEM? AFTER WHAT THEY DID?"
"Not only that, but to formally apologize for your behaviour." Jim commented with a serious look on his face. Which made her face crack in pure anger. "I know, I know you have your anger, and Petey was one of our own. I am also disgusted by what they did, but our hands are tied. The council is the only support we have, and we cannot lose our funding. We need to take it…"
"…" Sheila looked at Jim, and for the time she looked at him, all the members of the Toronto Police Department went quiet, as they were staring at Sheila who clearly had something broken on her…
"You have to release and give the formal apologies, because we already have too much work to do." Jim said as suddenly the sounds of something metallic went over his table. And stared at Sheila in complete disbelief. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to say this once Jim… If I don't have those motherfuckers on the penitentiary right on this instant, then you can take off my badge and my weapon. Because they killed one of our own, they ate one of our own… And yet you prefer to say they have impunity?" Sheila said quietly, but deep in her eyes, she wasn't kidding, she was giving an ultimatum…
"…" Jim trembled in anger…but with his defiance look, he took her badge and gun…
And Sheila already knew… she didn't shout, she didn't slap him… she simply took posture, and gave a walk on the door.
"Canada just lost the best detective they would ever find… because I'm never going to work as detective ever again Jim… because you killed her, at the same night Petey was murdered… I hope you stay happy by licking their balls. Goodbye, you fucking asshole." Sheila said, as she didn't look back… she didn't hear the screams and roars of anger from the Chief of Police…
Which at the time she was driving back home…she had to pause midway…
Just to let herself cry…
"How am I going to tell this to my children?" Sheila asked to herself as she cried and screamed as she just lost a son, which technically she indeed lost… her loyal partner, her dog, her family member. And the killers were released like nothing just happened.
Victoria got her lips trembling, as she never thought on how horrible experience the mother who was in front of her, ended her career in such tragic way.
"When I got back home, Duncan, Jaxon were crying because Petey had run away from home on that morning…" Sheila explained, as Mathew decided to finish the tale.
"We let them believe that was the truth, because we don't want to have Petey's honor and memory being trashed away… what are we supposed to say to our children the criminals who ate him were released and we as police force couldn't do anything about it?" Mathew said as he sighed in sadness and in disappointment. "That night, completely changed our family… it was our rock bottom, I asked to be discharged since I needed to help Sheila to take care of the family… Martin asked for a transfer to United States, because when he heard about what happened, he was the only one who wanted to kill those boys, but he decided to be far away as possible… Diana was the remaining detectives of her side of family who remained working on Canada…"
"And from the boys, Cole was still too young to understand what happened, Jaxon cried all night… but it was Duncan who took the worst of it, he thought it was his fault for Petey have been run away from home." Sheila commented as she still told as she shook her head in sadness. Even dared to look on Victoria's eyes as daring her to say something. "I always fullfiled his dreams of becoming a detective and a police officer just like our family, but when the event like this happened, and years later getting inside of a crime scene? I knew that he would never would join the law department in our country… call me enabler, tell me I was too soft on Duncan and because of me Duncan was in the juvenile… I don't care, I thank God every single day he didn't know the truth… because I don't want to imagine what Duncan could be when he finds out what happened to Petey…"
"…" Victoria remained quiet, as it clearly showed how serious that case was… and even as Duncan was rude and delinquent to cause a lot of problems… an story like that could make anyone get outraged by how the law of Canada worked in such way…
"That's why we made a pact." Sam commented as she looked over the man who was drinking his coffee. "We swore to never talk about Petey in front of Duncan, nor his siblings."
"I will never forgive someone who would tell about what happened." Sheila commented as she looked at Mathew with a sad smile. "We almost went on divorce because of how cathastrophical that month had been for us… but we found a way to workout… when we found out children also lost their pets… Mathew started to write something, which became a catchy song…"
"While it was a bit embarrassing about what we did… Banana's and Cheese really saved our marriage and our family from the struggles we had over that year…" Mathew commented as Victoria now learned the true story about the origins of the famous duo of singers who sing children songs… "And since we told Courtney about the responsibility of knowing about him. Can you please promise us, that you would never tell our children about this story?"
Victoria remained quiet, but the look on her face already said too much… nobody deserved to know what happened with the pet of the family…
It was for the best if Duncan, Jaxon and Cole would have Petey alive in their memories and heart instead of being in memory of disgusting boys who did such cruelty with the animals.
Over a very known farm, where orange trees would come with a lot of time and preparations, as the same ways as some other fruits such as apples and lemons, a man calmly walked as he calmly carried a basket with him… Which for the same man, on his own monotony, he felt that routine so many times.
"Behind on the third tree of my left, and little girl, you better get down from up there, just because the lemon tree is big, doesn't mean you should be getting up to the top, not matter how many leaves you try to hide yourself, you are still there.
"Awwwww, how did you find me?" The girl who left from behind the tree to be a mischievous little girl in orange and blonde hair… While getting down from the other tree, the other girl who seemed to be on the same look as the girl, shared her pouting face.
"I told you going behind an orange tree was too obvious, but how did he find me up on the tree? I was even trying to use leaves as my camouflage." The other girl complained, as the farmer continued to carry the orange for the day.
"You all may have all the military training as whatever your siblings and your parents may have… but when it comes about Hide and Seek, I know all the sports from this farm." Curtis commented as he then gave an orange for each girl. "If you knew where the secret spots from this farm were, it would take a whole day to figure them out."
"Oh, nice, we can look for them later." One of the girls said, as the other nodded her head.
"Better take breakfast first, my wife is doing something for us with your dad. And you don't want to see him looking for you right now, don't you?" Curtis commented as the both girls remained quiet and nodded their heads. "Good, let's take this basket to them, and we can return playing Hide and Seek later."
"Okay." The twins said in unisson as it was clearly for the time they have breakfast.
.
.
.
"I have to confess, I never in my life thought I would see such strange situation happening across your lives," Martha commented as she could see the couple of veterans of the Canadian military simply shrugging off from the story they just told them. "I'm deeply sure Lord is against the idea of polygamy."
"I understand that, but we cannot hide the fact King David had a lot of spouses, as the same way our ancestor Jacob who also had a few spouses as well, and to be honest, I agree with the concept of doing it for the sake of lust is an awful sin, for me just happened by accident and the situation happened that I don't want to fight against the law because divorce is also a sin," Ron commented as Martha nodded her head in understanding. "But even I'm not very aware or always connected with my family's religion, I still workout to make sure it wouldn't be that disgraceful for our family."
"That's something I can understand," Martha commented as she gave tea for Kim who drank while she enjoyed the pancakes. "I cannot judge since in bible said the same way I judge the others I would be judged that way, so it's the best I follow the steps of our savior and understand from your point of view."
"It's kinda strange to see all of us started to only talk about our children, but then we started talking about our religions, which I'm surprised you are protestant." Kim commented as Martha nodded her head.
"We are a very religious farmers over this community, but even people like us make some mistakes." Martha commented as she could see the curious glance over the couple. "But, still thank you for accepting the invitation of the reunion of Killer Grip's Mothers with a few of our other friends from who were the Killer Bass Mothers as well, ah, it would have been nicer if all the team were together into a single team."
"Why not Total Drama Mothers?" Kim asked, as Martha simply shrugged.
"We are still thinking about the names, usually it's done by Courtney's mom since she was nice to prepare the reunion with us." The farmer matriarch explained as she also became one of the mothers who had prepared over the situation they were… "It was kinda strange for days I thought something like that would never happened if wasn't by our children…"
"Which makes you think that wasn't even suppose to happen right?" Ron commented as he gave a nod for the woman who clearly nodded her head. "I admit, sometimes it was hard to imagine what Izzy can be doing in the future, from growing up with our family and with the squad were Chef Hatchet gave the training. Izzy was always a constant, going for her big dreams. And even followed the steps of her mom."
"To the point of going beyond and almost burning our house from doing fire batons inside house." Kim commented as Martha giggled since she recognized from the video application from the ginger who did twice. "But now, becoming a CEO of a Mapple Syrup factory with beaver bottles, and now aiming for becoming a movie star, sometimes I think Izzy desired to dream big because she wanted us to experience such dreams as well…"
"I know how do you feel…" Martha commented as she enjoyed the pancakes she had made, specially from the same beaver bottle that she got as a gift by mail by someone, probably from the owner of the company who wanted to give as a gift for all the friends and their families of her friends that she had… Which Martha let it out even a small chuckle. "To be honest, Ezekiel had been our pride and joy, knowing that he always looked over the future, about what he could do to help me and Curtis over the farm, and when he found time, he always focused into studying, reading constantly just to be enough to start writing his own books. Fantasy, but every one of them giving a deep meaning behind each chapter, some concepts made me think about my beliefs who once I thought they were right… and even as if they were right, I should approach the conflicts into a better perspective and show respect, and guidance for those who needed it…"
"Your boy must have passed years of watching constantly movies for him to be so used into talking of movies with the host, and know how to deal with each challenge of the show." Ron deduced, but then he saw Martha's face shadow, and with that slight hesitation… it was sure she wasn't agreeing.
"You were one of those mothers." Kim commented as Martha sighed and shook her head.
"I was one of the mothers who forbid Ezekiel almost hist entire life from watching any movie, since I always said they would give a bad message and they wouldn't be a good example for him to follow, and would control his mind… as a way I religiously made him always focus on his studies, I wanted him to not be taken over the movies constant distractions and made him being brainwashed by it…" Martha commented as she could see the silence over the duo who were looking at her…
"What made you change your mind?" Kim asked a question, as Martha remained calm…
"Since that day…" Was the only answer that she gave to the couple.
When it comes the times you question your own faith? When it's the time where you ask yourself if everything you did was right? When was the time you simply stop and look at yourself in the mirror and realizes that you were doing a mistake?
Martha asked herself since that day, when she usually was a very stubborn and strick parent as she always wanted what was the best for her son, even as she wanted to make sure television or its influence wouldn't be able to control the mind of her son, and wanted him to be smart just like his aunt.
She knew the sacrifices she did with him, since she feared that her son would try to go to somewhere where her best friend wanted to go, she feared Ezekiel someday would want to leave her farm, and wouldn't come back… just like her best friend and sister-in-law did.
She made him always read books, from start from bottom, word by word, she knew he was always a boy who was lazy, trying to avoid his studies to whatever it wouldn't be when it comes about linguistics. But still she wanted her son to show that he was smarter than everyone of the family.
But still holding like a jailed animal, she didn't want him to see how the society was cruel, was ruthless, and was painful when it comes about people killing each other by nothing…
She didn't want Ezekiel to became like Robin, she was sure to teach him everything he needed on the farm… And protect him from the outside world… But that day…
When Curtis slammed the door opened, and on his arms, her boy covered in mud and blood, and simply wasn't waking up…
She felt herself on her knees…
Hours had passed like it had been days. Every second of it was a torture.
"Lord, please, forgive me for every mistake, please, save him, plese I beg you, give him a chance to live, I just want my boy back." Martha cried as she was on her knees, hopping that her son would wake up. While deep inside of her, her faith was being tested…
As her husband was also sitting nearby with his eyes closed…
They were strict parents, but they loved their son more than anything in the world.
And when in the next hour, her son opened his eyes, she never thought she would be so happy to see her son slowly waking up… But what broke them both…
"Why? Am I still alive?" Ezekiel asked, as on that second, it shattered as the other words clearly must make no sense, but still it hurts like he felt he was cursed. "Why of all people, why am I me? Lord…why? Why am I me?"
And then her son closed his eyes again… which that question, destroyed the hearts of both of them… With questions in regard of what they have done, to make their son to hate his own life… Not realizing that question was what it made so much sense in the future, and how completely changed their lives forever…
Another day…
The boy woke up, refused to look at himself at the mirror… but stared at the mother and the father who were nearby of his bed and refused to go… As the same way, the mother stared at her son…
He changed… but still… it was him.
Martha on the next day stared at the boy completely in silence covered in his blanket… and was about to ask if he did finish his homework… but when she saw over the table, it was completely done, the book, still closed. History, Chemistry and Literature? Done in less than an hour…
But he refused to get up from his bed…
And Martha when she comes to see her boy sleeping, she heard the nightmares he had…
"Mãe… por favor, me perdoe… eu não irei mais poder te ver (Mom…please, forgive me… I won't be able to see you anymore)… Father, I'm sorry I won't be able to go to college… I shouldn't have taken that train… Please don't divorce, it's not your fault, my death wasn't your fault…" Ezekiel rumbled from his bed and pillow, and Martha released a few tears, as she hugged him on his sleep…
"I don't know what happened to you Ezekiel, but I will always be here…" Martha commented as she whispered. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry me and your pa didn't see it, for being to restrict on you… I don't know what's going on… but I will always be your mother, not matter of what happened…"
And since that night… Martha looked at herself in the mirror, staring on how things had lead to that way…
When she was a child, she was adventurous, she was well spirit, she always were curious about everything. As even Curtis smiled more, they were really happy into trying new things, but then when Robin have died… they simply became colder, secluded, tried to avoid any sort of interaction with the outside, because they feared everything…
But then their son got attacked by the same seclusion they tried to protect him from, if the time he go outside, what the world will do to him?
It felt like a warning… a hint that something must be done…
"Just let the boy watch television…" Curtis said, as he saw the look of disbelief from Martha. "But still we will be watching everything he will watch. At least the television cannot kill him like we didn't pay attention on him for a few minutes."
"Curtis, it's not your fault." Martha commented as the husband clearly slammed his fist on the table.
"I should have made it clear to not make holes underground hill, it was a miracle I got to hear his screams through the dirt…" Curtis commented as even had been a very rigid, and couldn't find the right words to say, it was sure that he couldn't take a single night of sleep. Since it clearly had affected him…
And with that thought in mind… they just hoped something could change…
.
.
.
"This is stupid, I mean you could be the one using the remot control to choose the channel, how do you think he would be the one having the remote control to choose a movie, he never saw one." Curtis commented as Martha simply looked unsure while she prepared dinner…
"You never saw him taking the remote control for once, why not give him a chance?" Martha rolled her eyes, as she gave a plate for her husband, and went to give to the boy who was just sitting on the sofa and staring at the television. "Did you find something nice?"
"Ma, I think there's a movie called the Prince of Egipt, I think it's a good movie for us to watch, then after that there would be a trilogy named shrek and it seems to be like a cartoon, I think it would be great for us." Ezekiel commented as he sounded hopeful for let them both to let him watch it…
"Well, as long it isn't something horrible, you're the one with the remote control today." Martha commented as she looked at her husband who rolled his eyes.
"Okay, but if I don't like a second of it, I will be out." Curtis said in grunt…
Not realizing Curtis would be crying over 4 movies. One thing that Martha would hold as blackmail material for all her life.
.
.
.
"Did you finish your homework?" Curtis commented as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"Yep." Ezekiel said as he helped the father to water the trees, and help to carry the basket of oranges. "Hey pa…"
"Hmm…"
"Do you believe in second chances?" Ezekiel asked, as he could see the man simply stopping his work, but slowly staring at the boy.
"I have begged for Lord for a second chance in many years of my life, son… and for the first time, Lord was kind enough to give me it at least once…" Curtis commented as he saw the boy who had stayed with them for weeks, even pratically a month, and seeing the boy acting in such mature way, helping out his family, doing his studies. But still the same essence was there, the boy knew about his family, about who are them. Even as he became uncomfortable to talk to them… And both him and his wife noticed.
"... Pa. I have something to tell you." Ezekiel commented but then the father simply shook his head.
"We know…" Curtis simply commented as the boy stopped. Which the farmer simply stared at the boy. "But just know this… we care for you, we worry about you, because we love you… whatever secrets you have inside of you. Know, it's not relevant to us… just promise, we are not to lose you, okay?"
"... I promise." Ezekiel released a few tears, as the farmer gave a hug, which the boy needed so much.
"Some sorts of cultures are so confuse, especially when it comes about talking about religions in regard of reincarnations." Ezekiel commented as he finished reading another history book, and one in regard of philosophy. Which while he was reading and doing his homework on the table, Martha and Curtis gave a glance at each other.
"Do you actually believe in such things?" Martha asked as she was very against into actually having those books, since they were a very religious family, but to her relief. She saw Ezekiel shaking his head with all determination.
"No way, eh. I will never believe in reincarnation, being reborn as a baby or other creature and start life all over again forever? No, Lord, please if I die take me to the heaven." Ezekiel commented as Curtis started to chuckled. "No, seriously."
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA." This was enough for make the father laughs hard, and shows that boy was more happy to continue faithful on his religion, than actually believing in such other religions. Which showed he was raised right.
Not mattering for the farmers, if the future was chaotic as their son had said to them, they knew Ezekiel was going to fix it for them, and honestly, they have faith on him.
Those 2 years, were exactly what it made them have proof enough, that they can trust on their son, and they knew he was doing the right thing…
Even if it didn't, that wouldn't change anything, they cared about Ezekiel. As they always have.
"Martha, brought some fruits for the breakfast." Curtis appeared as he was followed by the twins who had been following him.
"I told you we should have brought our camouflage kit," Lizzy commented as Mizzy rolled her eyes.
"You're just complaining because you couldn't improvise a better camouflage from where you were." The twin sister snapped back, as the old farmer walked towards his wife.
"Playing Hide-and-Seek?" Martha asked, as Ron and Kim raised their eyebrows, which the old farmer simply grunted.
"Very agile kids, got one of the top of the lemon tree. Still they aren't used around the farm, and with me having the experience, it was still easy to spot them on." Curtis commented, as he then grabbed from his pocket the bunch of 5 naked mole rats, who were tied into a rope. "Also, I recommend these guys to stay away from the Apple tree, there will be a festival next month, and the apple pie contest will count on our apples."
"Wow, you got all of the Rufus squad?" Ron commented as he looked surprised from seeing some of them looking satisfied from probably eating something. "I hope they didn't cause much damage."
"It's alright, I gave them a few fruits, and they seemed fine for being captured." Curtis commented as he placed them over the table. "I'm just glad they didn't triggered the trap."
"Oh that would have been terrible." Martha commented as she could see the couple staring at them. "Ezekiel had planted El Mongo and La Muerte traps across the area of the farm, usually to expel vermins from coming around our trees, and while they are extremely effective. We don't want to have our trees smelling terrible for weeks."
"Ohhh," Both Kim and Ron commented as they recalled that one powerful stink bomb was created on that very farm.
"I still think it was better just to give poison for them, I think it would have been less cruel." Curtis commented as Martha slapped his shoulder while she rolled her eyes.
"Both still would hurt, and don't be dramatic, the El Mongo and La Muerte never killed any of them, but sure send them to our neighboors, and they won't ever come back." Martha commented as she defended the cause of the stink bomb.
"You said just because you never triggered those by acident." Curtis complained, as the matriarch simply smiled cheeky at him. Which Kim smiled at Ron, who simply pouted at her.
"I think that's indeed a start of a good friendship." Kim commented, as she could see that maybe being part of meeting the other mother's from the friends of her daughter sounds promising. While she was curious on how Shego would react into meeting some of them as well...
The sounds of panting coming from the snow being stepped on, the sweat coming from Bridgette's face, as her chest was clearly feeling the exhaustion over a simply sprint that she had been doing for a whole hour. And that didn't come about a third of what Eva's torture, yeah she said torture because no way someone would be willing to refuse into saying it wasn't torture.
And yet Ezekiel was simply whistling like he was a masochist, even with all the weights he carried on him, he seemed to be enjoying the view, as the same way Eva was behind her.
"DON'T YOU DARE TO STOP. ONLY 10 METTERS TO GO." Eva shouted as Bridgette screamed and ran, now feeling she was in an eternal nightmare. "The less time you repeat the process, less likely you will caught into doing clumsiness… And I guarantee when I finish with you, you won't be slippering away."
"CAN'T YOU JUST CHILL?" Bridgette screamed as she she then saw the face of Eva staring at her… Which then made herself regret those words.
"... Ezekiel you can go, and find Tyler on the resort, try to ask them to see if we can have some hot chocolatte after we done here." Eva called for Ezekiel, who just nodded his head and gave a thumbs up… Which after a few seconds in silence, she stared at the weights Bridgette was holding, the same sack where Ezekiel did when he was doing his treatment of pneumonia. And then looked at young surfer with a serious face and crossed arms. "When was the last time you actually gave some exercises?"
"Well, I surf." Bridgette said as she was glad that she just gave a stop, but then she saw Eva staring at her, and looked at her down. "You are clearly using that as an excuse to torture anyone you are angry off,"
"Torture?" Eva scoffed, as she then stared down at Bridgette. "Ezekiel by himself was able to carry a weight of a trailer mostly on his own, and Sadie was able to lose pounds and cover them as muscles. They are stronger, faster, with more resistance and stamina than they ever had, compared to when they started in the first season. What they did in those 5 weeks, made more than enough than what you and Geoff had done for those all seasons." Eva said as Bridgette was about to say something but Eva already gave a step further. "Your future, ever thought about it?"
"..." Bridgette then shut up, knowing that Eva could say with all her words, clearly hit her on her ego and gut.
"Courtney and Duncan became hosts of the reality show, and they were putting a lot of work and thought about everything, Cody when he got on the hotel, he said in television that his plans was to accept to become apprentice of one of companies who would teach him how to create games and make sure he would be doing all the ideas we gave to him, E-Scope already is a CEO of a maple sap factory, which she is probably thinking about how to run it, and you saw that she also plans to become an actress…" Eva commented as one by one, Bridgette remained quiet, as she could understand what Eva was saying. "I got a call from my idol, my hero saying she wants to meet me, because I was someone I should be an example and show that we as girls, could and will become badassess, and there's Geoff and you…"
Bridgette got quiet, as Eva simply stared down at the blonde girl.
"Let me honest, Bridge, you and Geoff had done nothing about the opportunities that were given to you when it comes about what you two would do after this show ends." Eva commented as she pointed out for a few things. "When you got eliminated on the last season, Geoff simply became a cry baby, as the same way Katie got destroyed when Sadie was eliminated. You two became overdependent of each other. And this was supposed to be your season. Think about your dreams, your plans, think about the future you would like to tell your family and be proud of saying, it was because of this show my life turned out for better."
"But it did…" Bridgette commented as Eva raised her eyebrow. "If wasn't for you, I would still have fear of being lost on the wood."
"That's one point. And now what?" Eva gave the question, which Bridgette opened her mouth. "Being in a relationship can be both an advantage but also a burden, specially when it ended as the same way as it did. Let's get real Bridgette, you made Ezekiel votes on Izzy even knowing it should have been you." And that statement made her immediately to shut up. "Your team doesn't trust you. You took off one of their strongest players, and the worst part, it's a backstabbing, just like Geoff did it to me."
"But-"
"Do you think that didn't hurt me?" Eva said as this time she said in not just anger, but in deep betrayal on her voice. "We are still Killer Bass, friends, we should have eachother' backs for each moment, and I could have expected from Justin, from fucking Leshawna, and even Owen, fuck, even Jude who was a newbie I gave him a pass… but Geoff? He was supposed to at least ask me how I would feel about it."
Bridgette's heart sank… as for the first time, Eva said, not only in anger, but she was hurt, even showing that she was the iron woman…
"I was eliminated twice by injuries, and I had a chance to show the world I still have more in me, to show that as Iron Woman I could get at the top 3, heck for me being on the Final three of the season would have a good way to say I gave my best." Eva pointed her thumb at her, but then she refused to release a tear. "And then by some sort of gimmick, I was eliminated, by being voted out… and the worst part, for someone who didn't take the challenges as serious as he should. Don't you think that hurts me? To see they aren't taking the challenges seriously? While for me I would have given my blood, sweat and tears for these challenges, to show that I still have it, I still got it."
"..." Bridgette remained quiet, as she look down in shame.
"Bridgette, as a friend, I understand you wanted to be with Geoff a few more days, but as my own person, I saw what you did with Izzy and Ezekiel a backstabbing, to the point it was sure I felt his pain when he talked to you and Geoff," Eva commented as the blonde girl who was now staring at the cold snow, could understand the harsh truth. "If you want to hurt your team, just like your boyfriend did to me. Then whatever, but I wanted to tell you, if you really want to think about your future, take everything seriously, just like Ezekiel and Sadie are doing. Then you are going to take my training, but you will also pass more time with your friends, as you should… Now, I'm going to take a hot chocolate and I will do some working out. I'm sure Ezekiel will be doing some snowboarding classes, and ice skatting for today. And you… should be thinking about how close your team was thinking into eliminating you if wasn't for Geoff calling Condor."
"..." Bridgette released a few tears.
"Also, be careful into crying on this cold, it's a not a good idea." And with that, Eva simply started to do her jogging…
While the surfer, stared at herself, looking on the track she did with mountain… and now, the rest she took for talking with Eva, she had preferred to not even stopped to complain, because now the weight on her chest was way more than the weights over her arms and legs.
Since now, she had no one else, but herself to call stupid, since she didn't take her life and opportunities seriously. And she felt the worst friend who ever existed.
"It's a lot harder running on snow," Ezekiel commented as he saw the breath of his air while Tyler gave him a hot towel. "How's the recovery Tyler?"
"Doing fine," Tyler said, his face, which had been swollen before, diminishing completely, and the only remaining was the nasal band Tyler had on his face, which Ezekiel had to confess looked awesome on him, but since Tyler wasn't a fighter, it wouldn't work so well. But at least it would fit as style. "So what's the plans for today?"
"Learning snowboarding, and later Ice Skating," Ezekiel said as Tyler was surprised as he saw Ezekiel so energetic to do everything. "I cannot waste time, I always wanted to try snowboard before, and since I bought the equipment before, it was the first time we ever had the chance, so why not to give a try?"
"Well, I can teach you a bit of skating, but I'm sure Harold can give way more tips;" Tyler commented as he still remembered the comment Ezekiel gave. "Just to tell the truth, Ice Skatting is indeed harder than roller skating, so be prepared to fall a few times."
"Yeah, I thought about it. But hey, at least we have the reward, I mean, we are in a resort like that, enjoying the snow day, man, I'm sure the Screaming Gaffers must be feeling pretty bored on the Movie Set Studio." Ezekiel commented as Tyler smiled. But then, Ezekiel raised his eyebrow… "You were the one who choose the genre movie, aren't you?"
"Yep… and I'm so happy we won." Tyler commented, as Ezekiel nodded his head.
"We got lucky, but we still need to focus into also winning the other challenges. The first challenge really went great because of you and Eva, but after a few days, Eva won't stay on our team, so we need to focus into winning the next genre movie." Ezekiel pointed out as Tyler nodded his head. "But we can discuss about what possibly can be the next challenge later. Let's ask the room service for some hot cocoas, and wait for Eva and Bridgette for we talk as team reunion."
"Ay ay, Pillar of Killer Grips Captain," Tyler gave a mock salute, which Ezekiel rolled his eyes, but with a smile on his face.
.
.
.
The view beyond the frosted window looked like a dream sculpted from ice and silence. Château Lake Louise stood proud at the edge of the frozen lake, its towers glowing gold against the pale blue sky, the air outside crisp and clear enough to make each breath sting in the lungs. The snow blanketing the pines shimmered faintly under the morning light, and each branch carried its own crown of frost, bending just enough to whisper under the weight.
The grand lobby where Ezekiel and Tyler sat was the very definition of comfort after exhaustion — tall windows framed by heavy red curtains, chandeliers glowing with honeyed light, and a vast stone fireplace that filled the air with the scent of cedar and melted wax. Every few minutes, a log crackled and sent a flurry of sparks dancing upward, casting fleeting reflections across the polished floor. Plush leather chairs surrounded the fire, and thick carpets softened every footstep, muffling the sounds of guests passing by in winter coats and scarves.
Outside, the world looked endless — the frozen lake stretching toward the distant mountains, each one capped with snow so pure it almost hurt to look at. Tiny dots moved along the lake's edge, guests trying out the freshly opened ice rink, their laughter faintly echoing through the valley. The resort staff had already begun carving small ice sculptures near the entrance, delicate wings and swirls catching the sunlight like glass.
A faint hum of life filled the air — the clinking of cups, the murmur of distant conversation, and the soothing notes of piano music coming from the lounge. The warmth made Ezekiel's cheeks flush as he let the towel rest over his head. The contrast between the biting cold outside and the gentle heat inside was intoxicating; he could still feel the memory of snow biting at his boots, even as the rich smell of cocoa and vanilla drifted from the bar.
Across the room, the main windows framed the lake perfectly. The surface had frozen solid overnight, and the morning light turned it into a vast mirror reflecting the mountains and the faint pink hue of the dawn sky. Every now and then, snowflakes drifted lazily down — slow, almost hypnotic — melting before they could touch the window.
Tyler leaned back on the couch, glancing toward the lobby's arched ceiling and the intricate patterns of gold molding and pine garlands being hung by the staff. "Man, this place feels unreal," he muttered under his breath, eyes following a chandelier that glittered like captured sunlight. "Like, we're not even on the same planet anymore. Is this how rich feels like?"
"Yeah, maybe." Ezekiel smiled faintly, watching as the firelight flickered across the glass of their mugs. "Yeah… kinda makes you forget about all the stressing of the challenge, huh?"
For a moment, neither of them spoke — just the rhythmic crackle of the fire and the distant sound of blades scraping ice outside. Beyond those great windows, the world was white, wild, and vast, but here inside the Château, everything felt suspended — safe, glowing, and strangely peaceful.
The walls whispered with history — photographs of mountaineers, explorers, and old guests framed the corridors like frozen memories. Somewhere deeper in the resort, the spa pools steamed beneath high stone arches, and the faint scent of eucalyptus floated in the air. Every corner of the place carried its own kind of story — a postcard brought to life, a sanctuary carved into the wilderness.
And yet, for all its calm, the resort seemed alive — the mountains outside breathing cold mist, the frozen lake creaking like glass, and the golden lights of the Château pulsing softly against the gathering dusk. It was the kind of place that made even silence feel like music — a reward earned, a moment of stillness before the chaos of another challenge.
It was still early into their first hours at the resort — the quiet calm after chaos. The Killer Grips had only just arrived, and the exhaustion of a ten-hour helicopter flight still hung heavy in the air. The chill outside had been sharp enough to cut through every layer of clothing, but once they stepped into the Château, the world changed — heat, comfort, and silence wrapped around them like a blanket. Most of the team had surrendered to their fatigue, scattered across their rooms and already sinking into sleep by the time the clock struck two in the afternoon.
Only a few remained awake. Eva had wasted no time. Even with the journey still fresh in their bones, she had dragged Bridgette straight into her training schedule, turning the powdery snow outside into a private gym. Her voice carried across the cold like a drill sergeant's echo, while Bridgette's panting and the crunch of her boots on ice filled the open air. It wasn't malice, just purpose — the kind that left no room for excuses.
Meanwhile, back in the warmth of the main lobby, Ezekiel and Tyler had claimed one of the leather couches near the great fireplace. Steam curled gently from their mugs as they took slow sips of hot chocolate — thick, sweet, and perfect against the memory of the cold. A second pair of cups sat waiting on the tray beside them, already ordered for Eva and Bridgette for when they finally finished their session.
The atmosphere around them had shifted; it was the kind of quiet that came with luxury — hushed conversations, faint piano music from the corner of the lounge, and the distant crackle of logs being turned in the fire. For a moment, the whole world seemed reduced to soft light, the scent of cocoa, and the muffled footsteps of resort guests gliding past the snow-dusted windows.
Upstairs, the others had begun to stir. One by one, the Killer Grips started waking to the realization of where they were — Trent, blinking sleep from his eyes as he pulled back the curtains to see the lake glowing white beneath the mountain's shadow. Lindsay, wrapped in a fur blanket, gasped at the sight of the frozen surface shimmering like glass. Heather, brushing out her hair in front of the mirror, allowed herself a rare moment of calm before noticing the faint scent of pine drifting through the room. Harold, notebook in hand, was already making comparisons between this resort and every training camp he'd ever read about. And Katie, smiling sleepily, pressed her hands to the window and whispered something about how it looked like a dream she didn't want to wake from.
From their vantage point in the lounge, Ezekiel and Tyler could see the first signs of life returning to the team. Figures moved past the lobby staircase — yawning, stretching, adjusting robes and slippers. The storm of travel fatigue was lifting, replaced by the wonder that came from truly realizing where they were: a real mountain resort, hidden deep within the Rockies, wrapped in snow and silence, with nothing but time to rest, breathe, and recover.
Ezekiel leaned back, his breath fogging faintly against the mug. "Guess everyone's finally waking up," he said with a quiet chuckle, glancing toward the hall where the others began to appear, one after another.
"Can't blame them. Ten hours on a chopper? I'd be hibernating too." Tyler grinned, still holding his cup with both hands.
The two exchanged an amused glance, the kind that carried a shared sense of victory — not just for winning the challenge, but for earning this peace. Outside, the snow kept falling in lazy spirals, and the mountains stood unmoving, like silent guardians watching over their well-earned reward.
.
.
.
"I hate to admit, but if that's what it takes for us as a reward? Then I will be glad to wish Chris happy birthday." Heather commented since she felt pleased for having a full reward and be treated as a queen as she deserved.
And the other members of her team also could feel the same sensation, even as Bridgette felt exhausted, with sweat on her face, and Eva drinking a well made hot chocolate, it felt surreal from whatever they ever had before.
Since they have been there enjoying their relaxing time with people of class, it wasn't a lie to say they were sometimes recognized by fans, and even got to give a few autographs and take pictures with their fans. It had been a wonderful experience of them being famous. And they are going to enjoy every single second of it.
"Sometimes he can be the worst type of person, but cannot lie when he gives the best rewards when it comes about himself." Trent agreed as Lindsay blinked a few times.
"Does that mean we should give him a gift?" Lindsay asked aloud, as immediately the group stopped, and passed a few seconds in silence. "I mean, if was my birthday I would also like to have someone giving me a gift."
"Lindsay, you are a great friend, but do you really think we should be doing something crazy as give a birthday gift for Chris of all people?" Heather commented as she rolled her eyes, which Katie couldn't help but think about it.
"Hmmm, I don't know. I mean, he said we could stay here for 5 days instead of being here until the end of his birthday just for later we return on the movie studio. Also, I think it wouldn't be bad into giving him something from us." Katie commented as some members of the Killer Grips couldn't help but accept the good point, but even so there was a question left in mind.
"Even if we are going to give a gift for him, what would we give? I mean, what Chris possibly would want?" Bridgette asked as Ezekiel thought about it.
"Actually is not that hard." Ezekiel commented as the group stared at him. "Chris is an megalomaniac, so whenever you want to give a gift for him, just give himself that would be a portrait of how he views himself. Like a macho man version of himself picture, or even doing an ice sculpture of him."
"..." The group remained quiet… but in a point that they couldn't help but think of it.
"This idea is so stupid, that it actually could 100% work. But where do we find people to do ice sculptures?" Heather commented, as it didn't pass a second.
"Hey guys, do you guys want an ice sculpture? I'm doing an offer of 80% discount for tourists, so I'm sure you guys would like it." Then from nowhere, a man offered his services of ice sculptor, which everyone remained in silence, but then stared at Heather.
"Not a word…" Heather said, as at least the group got a few ideas on what they could plan for the host birthday. "But how are we going to pay for the him, since we don't have money with us."
"..." Then the group stared at Ezekiel who passed a few seconds blinking. Before the homeschooled boy sighed. "Alright, I will make him a check, but you guys will own me for that."
"Deal." The group commented, as Heather was more hesitant, while it wasn't a favor, but still she disliked the idea of owning that boy specially something. But it was better than nothing.
"Well, I will call my ma and pa before doing some snowboard lessons." Ezekiel then said the words, which immediately the whole Killer Grips froze, which the boy just left the area.
"What do you mean he would call, aren't we forbidden from calling anyone outside of the show?" Heather asked, as Trent passed a few seconds thinking about it…
"We are… as long we aren't seen at the television doing it… or being recorded on it… which means…" Trent then realized on Ezekiel's strategy. They were in a reward time, there wasn't microphones, nor cameras, which means, they are in a loop hole. "Well, I'm going at my room, I'm going to call my parents."
"Oh my daddy is going to love to know where I am right now." Lindsay said as she followed him, and Harold followed, and then every single member of the team would use that as a good opportunity to call their parents. Since they clearly couldn't deny they are homesick. Or at least call for someone they care.
They are there for 5 days. So they would use those 5 days wiselly, to give some calls.
To say the crazy morning over the Mall on Toronto had been exhausting for Jen Masterson, that would have been the understanding of the century, not that she had to complain about it, opposite to that, she was grateful that she was able to help her friend Ezekiel to choose the best winter jacket he could be using as for snowboard practices, but to see on the next day Penalty Box having a lot of fans coming to the store to check if there was the same winter jacket shows how much Total Drama had influenced over the Canada.
And she was happy to have given some recommendations for the homeschooled boy, it feels like when she talked about snowboard, he believed in her as she was an expecialist on the subject, and that clearly made her day.
Which she got a lot of people asking about the materials about how warm was the jacket, and if was enough to do a lot radical sports, which she explained the cast of Total Drama could have used it on other occasions, but she was sure they were warm over the challenge that happened.
But still, she understood on what Wyatt had said to her, Jude was without any winter jacket, and until he managed to get one on the second challenge, he had to take the worst type of challenge, being attacked by Eva as the first challenge, which she couldn't help but see Jonesy saying he would never let himself to play hockey against someone like Eva. Since he didn't want to be like Geoff Whistler… he published the nickname on the Total Drama forum, and ironically it stuck on the servers.
But Jonesy, once more, decided to go overboard with the new job. Since he got the mall's new announcer job, he was now calling for all the girls to come near the security office to show their lingerie for him to review and critique.
She never thought she would have been so much humiliated into hearing Jonesy being so shameless like that, and with the new stress of the work. She wanted to give a piece of her mind to that boy. But she needed to wait, until it was the right moment to see the group of friends on their favorite spot.
.
.
.
When she got there, she saw Caitlin slamming her face on the balcony a few times. While Wyatt and Nikki looked in amusement of how another day of work for the young blond girl had been.
"Another bad client?" Jen asked in concern, but she then heard Nikki snickering.
"Another boy who got lemonade drop on him, and Caitlin made even more awkward." Nikki explained as the girl mumbled a few frustrating words over the napkins she had slammed her face on.
"Wow, you really needed it." Wyatt commented as he once again sat with the few papers over the table. "Also, I think you girls should be ready for what I have in hands." Wyatt revealed as the group blinked and saw a few envelops on their hands. "This is for you, for you, for you, one for Jude, one for me, and one for Jonesy."
"Is that what I think it is?" Nikki asked as she saw Wyatt nodding his head. "Awesome, the aptitude tests, let me see what is it… YES, YES, A travel writer, I always wanted to work with that."
"Oh, let me see mine. Ohhhhh a retail specialist? I can see it happening, seeling all the good products and specially with fashion, I imagine I could be doing a wonderful job with that." Caitlin said as she clapped her hands happily.
"Well, maybe in the future when I get out from Kaki Barn, you can take my job. I'm so glad in the future I would be away from that terrible job." Nikkie said with a good smile on her face.
"Let me see mine. Please please please please please… YES! Two careers, both rock! Olympic snowboarder or running my own snowboard gear company." Jen said as she was very happy. Which she also got a very satisfied experience. "And with all the clients asking me about the jacket from yesterday, I was so happy to give my opinions on the snowboard equipment for it."
"Well, I would also be careful about Olympic Snowboarder, since yesterday episode of Total Drama, when they really went on the Winter Olympics genre, it was pretty professional and hardcore." Wyatt also told the point, as the group gulped from seeing Jude being crashed by Eva. "Are you sure Eva forgave him?"
"Well, she gave him a chance, and all we have to do it's wait for him to use his chance to get his package with what we send on mail. But still he needed more help. Did you get any an intern information Wyatt? Anything?" Caitlin asked, as the black boy looked left and right.
"Well… don't tell anybody, but I once was talking with one of the Izzy's twins, and trust me, they are children, but they know how to edit videos on the internet, which was kinda absurd how well they use it to release the videos on Total Drama Forum. But yeah, I heard about one giftbox that could be a wildcard that could only be used by only one member of the team. The first who buy it would take it." Wyatt explained as the group of friends stared at him. "I wrote it down how much points it would need to buy that giftbox. I just hope he would figure out and use it immediately since it was his best chance."
Before anyone could ask him what the giftbox would do, suddenly they saw Jonesy walking in their direction.
"Hey guys, what's up?" Jonesy smiled, but then saw Jen staring at him furiously.
"Do you have any idea on what I have to pass to be here, Jonesy?" Jen said annoyed, as she was so stressed with the idea of Jonesy once again causing confusion. But then she just sighed. "You know what? Nevermind, here, take your aptitude test result."
"Pass." With Jonesy raising his palm and immediately refusing it, made Jen completely stare at him in disbelief. "Why? So I can get depressed about some lousy office job? No thanks. Later."
Which Jen and the group stared at Jonesy to leave, and on that moment, Jen couldn't help but be curious about the letter given to Jonesy… and after reading the words. Floral Designer? Oh that was very rich.
"Hehehe, good call Jonesy." Jen giggled, as Nikki and Caitlin got curious and on that point they couldn't help but giggle from seeing how terrible Jonesy would have done on that job. "And how about you Wyatt?"
"Food critic. Which is awesome! I get to eat anywhere I like and get someone else to pay the bill!" Wyatt explained but he then gave a gulp of his drink. "But still I'm on contract to help Ezekiel to make his audiobook, and trust me on this, I have been working all the weekend to have some songs that would fit the narrative of Steven Universe, and this week I need to also do some good work on Courage the Cowardly dog. So while I'm still working for a friend, I will see if my musical career will works first, and if it doesn't work, I can try becoming food critic."
"Which is a very solid idea, having contacts is always a good idea, and Ezekiel really gave a good opportunity for us to think ahead about our future. And now with Jude being also part of Total Drama cast, we have a few friends as famous, so we must focus and remember we don't have to let it get over our heads, they are still our friends." Jen explained as Nikki simply rolled her eyes.
"Yes mom, did you also trained that on the mirror while you have to sell all those winter jackets from Penalty Box?" Nikki commented as Caitling giggled while Jen blushed.
"I mean, they are our friends, but we also shouldn't be slacking off if our friends are giving us an opportunity to try to reach our dreams." Jen commented as Caitlin giggled.
"Well, Killer Grips are still going to have a good field trip on Château Lake Louise. I once went there when I was a child, and it was one of the best places I went. My daddy once told me when I graduate from highschool if I keep doing the amazing work here, he can take all of us to go there to ski." Caitlin gave the comment which immediately Nikki, Jen and Wyatt stared at her in surprise. "What? I think it would be the best gift we would have when we finish highschool."
"You know Caitlin, sometimes I forget your parent's are rich." Nikki commented as the girl wearing a lemon hat smiled sheepishly.
"Well, I still have to pay my dad's credit card, but as much I hate to admit, I couldn't stop thinking about what to do with my life if I wouldn't be with you guys." Caitlin commented, as Nikki simply smirked.
"Well, you would be working on the Kaki Barn, that's for sure. You know, when I get my final days, I will give this as an evaluation letter, saying you have experience, since I was on that nightmare, I'm sure it would be dream for you." Nikki commented as Caitlin immediately hugged her friend.
"You are the best Nikki. So what would be the first place you would write as a travel writer?" Caitlin asked as the purple haired girl simply shrugged.
"You know, I have no idea yet, for me I'm still stuck with the Kaki Barn until I have money to travel, but after that, I will find a way or some opportunity to cross across the around the world and do some travel notes for it." Nikki commented as Wyatt gave a high five…
And the group stared at the final letter.
"What do you guys think it would be Jude's Aptitude job?" Jen commented as Nikki simply opened the letter and started to read.
"Hmmm, interesting. It says here Jude would be a product spokesmodel." Nikki said as she simply rolled her eyes with a good smirk on her face. "Funny is that I could see him accepting while asking hismelf what that job would do."
"Well, maybe famous television star wasn't on the options of the aptitude test." Caitlin commented, as Jen couldn't help but giggle.
"If we got this letter a year ago. I would have loved to see how it would have been our reaction." Jen commented, as the group simply stared in silence. "Weird for me to say this, but I miss Jude."
"Yeah…"
"Same…"
"It's kinda weird we must keep working on here, while continue to worry about him at the same time." Wyatt commented, as the group couldn't help but move on.
As Jen was about to comment something when suddenly she heard her flip phone calling, which made her titls her head.
"Hello?" Jen asked as suddenly she heard a few muffled words, until her eyes went wide open in disbelief as she bluthered in surprise. "EZEKIEL?"
"What?!" Wyatt and Caitlin said in surprised unison as they were nearby to listen Jen talking.
"Aren't you supposed to be on the reward of the challenge? How did you got a call here?" Jen asked as she and the group of faces could hear the boy's muffled words from the winter resort.
"They didn't say we couldn't call from here, so we are enjoying our time to call everyone, I already called my parents, I'm mostly curious how is it going with everyone? How is everyone?" Ezekiel asked as Jen couldn't help but smile.
"We got panic attack from seeing Eva attacking Jude, but it seems that he's fine, but still sucks that his team lose, but Geoff had it comming. But everyone here is fine, we just got our aptude test results, and you are talking to a future Olympic snowboarder or future owner of snowboard gear company."
"That's actually really really hand right now," Ezekiel's voice said, as Jen raised her eyebrow. "You remember I bought the snowboard gear, board and jacket from Penalty Box? I may need some beginner tips because I want to learn snowboard and I will start doing it in a hour. Can you give me some lessons?"
"Like right now? By telephone?" Jen asked as she stared at the flip phone in disbelief.
"I know we may have some instructor around here, but I want to start with a good impression, any good tip for a beginner snowboard would be helpful from a friend, and since you knew a lot of snowboard, you are the first person who came in my mind to ask that." Ezekiel commented as Jen imediatelly blushed on the telephone.
"Wow, that was smooth." Wyatt commented as he heard the comment as he saw Jen show the middle finger to him. "I mean, just give the basic tips, and you were already going to be doing your function."
"Alright Ezekiel, I think the best first thing you should understand is, knowing how to walk around and slide with only with your front foot on the snowboard, while your free foot will be used to walk and slide on the middle in loose." Jen instructed, as she could hear the confusion tone from his humming.
"Aren't supposed to be the two foots on the snowboard?" Ezekiel question was valid, but since Jen knew it was coming from a beginner.
"Trust me, you're going to thank me later, you need to get comfortable into knowing the use of the free foot to walk and slide with it, also when you do it, use all your body weight on the free foot, since that way the snowboard wouldn't slide away from you." Jen explained as she could hear the boy humming as he was learning. "With this it will be easier for when you get in and out from the chairlift."
"Oh, so that's why… okay makes sense." Ezekiel hummed in understanding, as Jen smiled proudly. "Okay, I won't force up more than I should, this is the basic tip, so I will use this to get comfortable with the idea and ask the instructor later, but this will be enough for me to practice for the day. Do you have more tips?"
"Yes, I have 3 more, 1. Point your front arm in the direction you want to go. This will keep your shoulders stacked over your knees, giving you much better control and smoother turns. 2. Put more weight on your front leg than you think you should, especially when initiating a turn. This keeps you from spinning out and falling on your butt… And lastly, Go as fast as you can while still feeling somewhat in control. This will help you to make wider, cleaner turns, and it makes you less likely to catch an edge." Jen then gave more instructions, which she could hear the boy repeating it as a way he was scribing down the notes. Which made her smile. "Learning snowboarding requires days, Ezekiel, but I'm glad you know about it, practice is important but safety and carefulness is a must."
"Yeah, that's what I plan to do, I want to have fun but not being careless, but thank you Jen, you are life saver." Ezekiel's comment really made her day.
"Not problem, that's what friends are for." Jen commented as she looked at her friends looking in amusement at her. "Also can you do us a favor?"
"Sure." Ezekiel commented as Jen smiled at the group of friends.
"Can you tell Jude we have a package for him? And for him to use the giftbox for him to take it from us?" Jen smiled, as she could hear the boy humming in agreement. "Also, if you don't mind, can you tell him that his Aptude Test results? We want him to check with us what he got."
"Sure, no problem. Still, tell Wyatt he's doing a great job, I hope he's enjoying his work." Ezekiel commented, as Jen looked at Wyatt, but then she got a smirk on her face.
"Oh, he is working a lot, but he had been doing a few slip us." Jen said as she could see Caitlin giggling, while Nikki had an amused look, as she could see Wyatt slowly having his eyes wide open.
"Jen," The black boy who was drinking his coffee suddenly froze as he could see the girl smiling and he could feel like he wasn't liking what she was doing.
"He was very depressed that a few days ago his ex-girlfriend was walking around with the coffee girl." She was snitching on him for his boss. "So he passed the whole day- HEY GIVE ME THAT."
"Bye Ezekiel, have fun on the Winter Resort, talk to you later." Wyatt took the flip-phone and immediately turned off, as he looked at her friend who crossed her arms. "Not cool."
"You kind had it coming, from how you acted a few days ago." Nikki commented, as Wyatt simply sighed.
"I will go back to work." Wyatt said, as he didn't want to deal with snitch friends like that.
Even as they have now their objectives, hopes and dreams. And now it was their will power and hardwork that would take them longer in the future.
To be honest, Noah wasn't sure how he was feeling at the moment. Sure not getting the reward of staying into a 5 days resort in a fancy hotel was a bummer, but in comparison that they could have goten worst conditions, or at least he could have hurt himself into doing those crazy challenges, he must say he was very happy on where he was.
Specially since Chef Hatchet also got a few days off from the show, and DJ and Sadie now were working themselves on the kitchen to make some good meal for them, which was kinda a nice contrast from anything Chef would give to them daily unless Chef would drink whatever juice Ezekiel created for him. And he couldn't lie, he would have preferred Chef would be a constant of niceness just for them to have some actual food to eat daily.
But having DJ and Sadie making their food was actually also another victory they could have, sure they lost a challenge and Geoff finally would receive the worst kind of tortures reserved for him. Did he have seen that coming? Of course, Noah was smart enough that everyone who decided to vote on Eva was fated to die by torture or training regiment of whatever she desires.
But him? He would enjoy those 5 days to actually continue his work, and actually take a break for once or twice after reading Ezekiel's projects for once or twice.
"Times like this make me want to have more books to read, or whatever would be good to distract myself." Noah simply commented, as he continued reading his work… And he was on the point that even if God forbids, he was homesick and missing his sisters and brother, to be honest, in comparison than the chaos at home, the chaos of Total Drama had been way more dangerous, and he hated to admit, but he was feeling himself almost caught on the routine. "At playa del losers we had a lot of options of things to do… but now? I hate to admit but this routine is slowly killing me, heck, I am to the point I missing anyone, heck even Nori of all my siblings."
Which Noah couldn't help but sigh, but then after another second… it was like his sixth sense related to one of his siblings twitched on him…
"What's on your mind Gwen?" Noah closed the notebook of the notes he gave, as on the next second, Gwen was about to sigh. Which made her freeze.
"How did you know it was me?" Gwen said as she simply sat down and she was about to sigh, but Noah didn't even look at her, but already guessed it was her.
"You wouldn't believe it, but I have a goth twin sister, and she always would appear by surprise and without trying she would scare everyone, all that by simply sighing." Noah explained, as he was at least happy to have taken off the monotonous time of his mind, and he was happy to have at least a little break. Which he could see in Gwen's amusement. "It took me years, but funny enough I am the only one of the family who was able to spot Nucy appearing before anyone else knows."
"Huh, I didn't know you have a twin sister, and specially a goth girl, maybe that's why you always have this sarcastic tone around you?" Gwen asked in curiosity, which Noah simply shrugged.
"I'm the 9th child of my family, and Nucy is just a few seconds older than me, but still, I'm on the point being sarcastic and the smartest of the family is the way we would describe our noisy family." Noah commented as he could see Gwen staring at him in surprise. "Yep, and if you think being of family of 9 siblings are chaotic. Imagine 7 of them being girls, and only me and my brother being the only boys our parents have."
"Wow…" Gwen's only response, was enough to see Noah nodding his head.
"Yep. To the point of life I mostly longed for boredom… and now that I got it, it feels kind of disappointing." Noah confessed, as Gwen couldn't help but nod her head.
"I know how you feel, kinda missed the time talking with my friends on the Aquarium, and while we were there, we usually be doing our hobbies on there, but since with this new team, it's kinda…" Gwen commented as she couldn't help but vent her discomfort, but she was surprised into seeing Noah nodding his head.
"Hard to adapt with the others since you were never around them much." Noah commented as he understood perfectly how Gwen felt. "Maybe that's why you passed your time on the Killer Grips table with me and the others, because we usually have something to talk to them mostly."
"Yeah… I mean, Beth is nice, but I kinda don't know how to have a conversation with her since she is mostly with Heather and Lindsay, Leshawna? I mean I could feel we have a few talk here and there, but nothing I would call her my friend and talk about everything with her. To be honest Geoff, DJ and Sadie are the only ones I could actually come up with something to talk." Gwen commented as she looked bored as well. "Where are DJ and Sadie by the way?"
"Baking ice sandwiches and rosted marshmallows." Noah commented as Gwen blinked in surprise. "Yeah, I think since we were the only people smart enough to actually bring winter jackets, the freeze wasn't what made us caught cold. Which for Leshawna she has nothing else to do than stay in bed and watch television on the luxurious trailer you girls got."
"I'm just surprised Justin, Owen and Jude weren't with cold as well, but still I think getting caught by Eva's anger would make them have more common sense from now on." Gwen said with her arms crossed, as the bookworm nodded his head as well.
"You can say that again." Noah commented as he then he saw Owen and Jude slowly walking nearby the table, with their bodies sore and their faces still twitching in pain. While Beth also walked nearby with a few bracelets she had been making for the team. "Well, talking about the devil. What's the lesson you guys learned?"
"Never make Eva angry…" Jude commented as Owen nodded his head.
"Never ever ever and ever." Owen said as Noah and Gwen nodded in amusement.
"Good boys, at least now when after she is done with you both, she may not make things worse for you all." Noah said as he was sure he could see their paled faces, and even having nightmares into seeing her from now on.
"Bumer…" Jude said in disappointment, as he couldn't help but lay his cheek on the hand, while laying on the table. He looked the same sadness as the group around. "Dude, it sucks Geoff had to go, he was like the only boy I had a good time talking,"
"Well, sometime he had it coming." Noah simply rolled his eyes, as he decided to open the notebook and give once again another try on the work. "You guys should be always focused on the challenges and not being kissed by the girl into every single challenge. Take it from me, being eliminated for doing nothing sucks, specially when the other puts the blames on you… and before you ask, the difference between me and Geoff was the fact I was sabotaged, and he had the choice, many times…"
Gwen had raised her finger, but seeing Noah giving the point, she lowered it, as she couldn't help but also feel bored.
"Hey guys, it's not time for we fight, I mean, at least Geoff can enjoy a good time at home… before… you know… Eva…" Owen who tried to be optimistic but then realized on how Geoff may gonna suffer in the future. He couldn't help but gulp. "Is it too late for me to have an heart attack?"
"20 more pounds and you may have a chance. But I think at the time she sees you do that, she is going to make it even worse for you." Noah commented, as Owen deflated…
"Hey, it's not that bad, I'm sure as long you all do your best, we can focus on these worries when we get on the merge, until then she may even forget about it." Beth said optimistically, as Noah and Gwen looked at each other.
"Sorry about this Beth, but Eva is the type of girl who can holds a long grudge," Gwen commented, as it clearly made her smile faltered, and look at Owen worried.
"Well, at least, we still have each other." Owen commented as he looked at Jude who gave a small smile. "Hey, don't be like that, you are Screaming Gaffer just like me, so we are friends here, all of us are friends here. Right guys?"
Noah raised his eyebrow, while Beth smiled widely and nodded her head enthusiastically. Gwen looked at the bookworm, but she couldn't help but giggle.
"Yeah, we are your friends, Owen." Gwen commented, but then she added. "But I'm not going to beg for Eva to change her mind." And seeing the hope of the boy going down again, she couldn't help but smile. "But you know what? DJ and Sadie are cooking something nice for us, so this will cheer you up."
"Oh, that's great." Owen said, in relief, as he then saw Beth giving bracelet made with beads, made in turquoise color, with yellow. "What's that?"
"I made friendship bracelets for our team," Beth said happy, as she gave one for Noah which was with the same colors of his sweater. And for Jude she made with black, white, yellow and red." This one is yours, Jude."
"Nice, dude." The skater said as he was now wearing the bracelet, but he couldn't but look at Noah who was just finishing the notes of his notebook. "So which book are you doing now?"
"Courage the Cowardly Dog. And this one, DJ and Bridgette will totally want to see it." Noah commented as Gwen raised her eyebrow in interest. "This is something you may want to take a look as well."
Gwen tilted her head, but she then gave a look at the title. Courage the Cowardly Dog in The Angel made of Ink.
Which sounded very curious on where Ezekiel was planning to go with the book, now that she was bored. She may check with Noah the project of her friend. But now she could use it as something to find a new hobby on what to do.
They still have days before the Killer Grips return from the trip, so they may have a lot of time to plan and enjoy their time together.
.
.
.
"So now you are giving him the cold shoulder?" DJ asked as he was finishing to bake the cookie dough, while the girl who was between a chubby but also well fit girl who was stearing the ice cream paste over the bucket.
"Just a little bit, Justin is so nice, and so handsome, but sometimes when there was things in relation of this show, it seems he wasn't even taking serious." Sadie commented as she could see her brick wall with a golden heart friend nodding his head at her.
"I feel bad for Geoff, but not going to lie, he had it coming." DJ said as Sadie still couldn't believe her ears when she found out Justin had organized a coup to send Eva home, which if she knew about that idea, she would have done everything to make him change his mind, because she was an example of why Eva was ruthless…
"I know I'm not smart like many of our friends, but I was the first one who would have warned to never angers Eva or make her want to train you, as much she helped me to be in shape. I still have nightmares of me doing one more set of exercises." Sadie said as she shivered from the thoughts about her hellish training. "I'm not Ezekiel, that boy really freaks me out when he does Eva's working out regime."
"Was it that bad? I mean, Ezekiel mostly is wearing weights and going slow most of the time." DJ asked in confusion, but seeing the deadpan from Sadie, he couldn't help but gulp.
"Do you want to ask Eva her training regime?" Sadie asked as immediately the brick wall of a boy shook his head immediately in panic. "That's what I thought. Anyway, how's the dough for the sandwiches?"
"They are looking amazing, I will start making the marshmallow while we let the ice cream being done." DJ liked the change of subject, as the duo continued to bake something to help their minds, and their friends from the lose they got. And having the kitchen for themselves was sort of a blessing in disguise, since now they could cook and have better food than actually eating the crap of the show. As long they would clean up everything afterwards.
To say the cruise overseas had been exhaustive, really, really exhaustive, Beverly and James had been in such chaotic cruises because while in one hand they had a good part to enjoy their vacations they passed so many months planning.
With the report of Cody Emmet Anderson being kidnapped clearly made they throw away their vacation throw the window, and they had in panic mode for many days. All of this because their son forgot to call one of them when he decided to stay at his girlfriend's house.
Girlfriend and Cody in a same sentence usually would come with the words, doesn't have on it, but that was because Cody was very prone of his emotional hormones on the time, he was on the phase he was being known of being the little pervert of the age, which clearly was uncomfortable of the girls of his school, or even when the family got some reports of the teachers saying he had been very prone of doing some awkward moments at school.
But to see the actual reality show was able to make him actually have a girlfriend? And not make foal of himself too much on television. It was a blessing in disguise.
But still, Cody was grounded, oh he sure was, because they had to worry about him so much they created a ruckus to have the control of the television remote control of one of the cruises, they had to change of cruises, pay hundreds of thousands for their tickets to be in another cruise, just to keep up to Cody just to check if he's alright.
Which made both parents exhausted, to the point they wanted to have nothing more than to sleep on their mansion for days. Then they would give a call to Cody again, and then chew his ear for a few more hours, before give a hug on him for all the worries he gave to them.
Zack on the other hand… he had the best vacations of his whole life, he was in 2 cruises, had a lot of fun on the pools, played tag with everyone, and then he was on the television, and he even saw a girl who was able to read minds, she was awesome. Just like his brother, he isn't sure why his parents are saying he's grounded. But he was sure Cody must have messed up badly to see them so angry at him.
"One car Beverly." James commented as he sighed on defeat.
"Always trust on mother's instincts Mr. he's going to be in a boyband, I know his kind so much that he wants to be a boyband at the moment he gets out from that lame reality show." Beverly commented as the father grumbled annoyed from the fact the matriarch of Anderson family had the right of being smug. "I think Charlotte is right over there."
And just like said, the brown haired woman who had been waiting for the family finally arrive from the cruise.
A good hug between sisters, and a lovable kiss from her nephew, Charlotte already missed the good family, and a normal glance at the man who clearly had an exhaustive trip from the cruise. It wouldn't need long until the woman help them to place their luggage on the car.
Which they would need for another hour of driving before they could have a good rest, they wouldn't take long until Charlotte already have much to talk about it.
"Cody has calling me every night, if you are wondering, following the grounding to the T." Charlotte commented as both parents huffed as they were sure the boy would keep grounded. "Still, Cody really got a lot to change, to the point Lynda and I have been keeping talking about it on the weekends, oh yeah, Lynda had been non-stop analizing the show, it seems she got addicted on the reality shows."
"Of course she would," James complained, as one of his sister-in-laws would be to the point of being a house-wife, she would find a hobby into something watching television, it would either be soap-operas, or reality shows, and just like he predicted, Lynda at least kept notes on the show for him to ask around what else Cody did and if he should be ashamed or proud of what would be his mess ups.
"Oh yeah, the Killer Grips Mother gathering is going to happen in a few days, so it's good for you to come Beverly, because you might meet Katie's mom," Charlotte commented as the husband and wife stared at her in confusion.
"Isn't that too early for that?"
"How did you know about this event?"
"Well, since the event of Cody's disappearing, for a fact of keeping in tracks, Duncan's parents as the same with Courtney's parents kept in touch with me and Lynda, oh yeah, Lynda also meet Duncan's uncle who was on United States, but to keep in track, they said they were gathering all the mom's from the Killer Grips, as the same way the did with the Mothers of Killer Bass, and they are going to make a meeting, which would be an encounter to talk and meet each other." Charlotte explained as she could see the couple staring at them. "It was either you or me, but now that you are here, Mickey and Jay may not need to worry about coming with me."
"You were planning to bring your children?" James asked as the mother simply shrugged.
"I don't wanted them to freakout at home, and they would find a good opportunity to meet someone of their age, but knowing them it would be too chaotic, but it was a good kick for them to try to see life in another perspective." Charlotte commented as she as fan of Total Drama Island as well, she hoped it would bring hopes for her children to understand it was okay to risk themselves, and be prepared of the chaotic world they lives. Which by seeing the show clearly was traumatizing. But good enough for them being inspired.
"I have no say in this?" Beverly said, as she clearly just wanted to have a good few days of sleeping before going back at work.
"Sorry sister, rules of famous people, once they become famous, now your life is going to be around with its popularity," Charlotte commented as she could see her sister sighing in exasperation. "Just stay nearby to Courtney's mom and Duncan's mom, and they would help you throught the whole thing."
"Great…" Beverly said in exasperation, which she gave a glance at her husband, who clearly looked away.
"Well, I'm just glad it wasn't me." James commented, as he was celebrating his rest…
"I want a ferrari." Then his smile faded, as Beverly was still petty over her husband singing victory before the time… And then he couldn't help but blame himself further as he slammed his head on the window.
"Oh I like this game." Zack commented as he saw his father kept slamming his head over the window, counting the times before his headache appear or the window cracks, whatever it would come first. "2,3,4,5…"
"Did I heard this right?" Martha commented as she was talking on the telephone with no other than her son who was enjoying the reward given by the last challenge, as the matriarch of the family seeing Curtis talking with Izzy's parents while the twin girls have seen to be looking at a few papers from Ezekiel's bedroom, and even reading a few notes and drafts her boy have left on the house. Martha talked to her son as she got a surprise call from him in Alberta in the Winter Resort.
"Yep, had enjoyed the snowboard class, and the instructor even said I keep up and learn quickly, but I'm not going to overwork myself since tonight we will be at Chris' birthday party, and I'm surprised that I heard Izzy's parents are over there, ma, did they give the reason of the sudden visit?" Ezekiel asked, as Martha couldn't help but sigh…
"Well, nothing you should worry about son, but that's a good thing they came here, since me and the other mothers are going to do another gathering of the Killer Bass Mothers… with now with adding the mothers from the Killer Grips." Martha explained as she could her son humming on the other side. Knowing that it wasn't a big secret, since all the mothers got a contact with each other. "But now that you are calling me, actually that gives a good idea. Can you help your ma here?"
"What do you need?" Ezekiel asked, as the matriarch of the farm smiled, knowing her son wouldn't have a problem with it…
.
.
.
"What you are saying is… you want us to call our mothers and tell there's going to be a reunion gathering on the same day." Trent commented slowly, as Lindsay and Heather also were in disbelief on what Ezekiel had said.
"Which our mothers have anything better to do than appearing to any event." Heather commented as both her and Ezekiel knew it was a complete lie.
"And no offense Ezekiel, but I'm sure Lindsay's parents hate my parents and specially myself." Trent commented also raising another good point.
Which before Lindsay could say, Ezekiel already went further.
"Hey, it's a social encounter, which was a good way to exchange contacts with the friends we have done during the show. That's how we were able to get protection for Cody when Sierra did that crazy misisng report, and Lindsay herself is seeing you are actually trying your best to not make things worse between your families, and Lindsay has a heart of gold, so she can forgive you if you don't mess up like that ever again." Ezekiel pointed out as everyone stared at Lindsay, who just shrugged.
"He's right… and I was going to say that maybe my mom is in vacation break since we are almost at the end of the year, so that means she can be around, and she can meet your mother Heather, and also meet Tyler's mom, and then all my friends's moms." Lindsay said as she found a delighting idea, which Heather dropped a bit of her guard. "I would say for them to give a try."
"Hmmm, I don't know, are you sure your parents aren't going to freakout when they see his parents? I mean that boy is completely weirdo, nobody sane would have done what he did to you…" Heather asked as she pointed at Trent who rolled his eyes.
"I'm right here." Trent commented as Heather simply showed her middle finger. "And okay, I know I have screwed up a lot on the last season, but everyone makes mistakes."
Which Ezekiel sighed… knowing this conversation would take hours until they finally get into a consensus… All of that for their mothers to meet.
The faint scrape of blades echoed across the frozen lake, soft and rhythmic beneath the muffled sound of falling snow. Harold stood near the rink's edge, his glasses fogging slightly as he pointed toward Ezekiel, who was already gripping the wall with the hesitant determination of someone caught between pride and self-preservation. Their breaths curled into white ghosts that vanished into the crisp air.
"Alright, Ezekiel," Harold began, his voice firm but patient, hands gesturing like a coach giving a tactical briefing. "Ice skating isn't the same as roller skating. The principles are similar, sure, but ice skates are way harder when it comes to keeping your balance. So—" he crouched slightly, demonstrating the pose, "—you've gotta keep a lower stance. On roller skates, it's stay low. On ice skates, it's stay lower. You bend your knees, lean a little forward, and let the blades do the glide for you, not your shoes."
Ezekiel listened intently, shifting his weight from one blade to the other, testing the fragile feel of steel against ice. The cold seeped through the laces of his skates, a sharp bite that made him more alert than ever. His reflection wavered beneath him, blurred by frost and the faint mist rising from the lake's surface.
"Also," Harold continued, gliding backward with surprising grace, "when you're just starting, use the wall. Don't try to walk right into the center unless you like falling in front of people who will definitely remember it forever." He smirked, spinning lightly on one foot before stopping beside him again. "Once your balance feels natural, then you can start moving off the edge. Tiny pushes. No rushing."
Ezekiel nodded, jaw tightening with quiet focus. "Hmm…" he murmured, trying not to overthink every twitch of muscle in his legs. His hands trembled slightly as he let go of the railing, gliding forward just enough to feel the pull of gravity and fear mixing together. It was strange — the surface looked solid and steady from afar, but once he was on it, it felt alive, shifting beneath him like thin glass.
"Not bad, dude," Harold said, skating in a slow circle around him. "See? You've got a good center of gravity. Probably comes from all that farm work — balance on muddy ground, right? Same idea, but colder."
Ezekiel gave a soft chuckle through the nerves, his breath puffing into the air like smoke. He wasn't about to admit it, but the sight of Bridgette slipping and flailing during the last challenge still haunted him a bit — the kind of embarrassment he didn't want to repeat. If she had struggled, he wasn't taking any chances. Still, a small spark of pride flickered inside him at the thought that maybe, with enough practice, he'd be able to help her next time instead of just watching from the sidelines.
Which, funny enough…
.
.
.
The peaceful rhythm of gliding skates was suddenly shattered by a shrill, echoing scream.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Heads turned across the rink as Bridgette's voice pierced through the crisp winter air, drawing both laughter and sympathetic winces from nearby skaters. There she was — flat on her back in the middle of the ice rink — cheeks flushed red from cold and embarrassment while Eva stood over her like a drill sergeant in snow boots.
Eva exhaled through her nose, arms crossed, her expression unreadable but faintly amused. "Twenty more, Bridgette."
The surfer girl groaned, clutching her sides as she forced herself back into position, her breath coming out in visible puffs. Around them, several resort guests paused to watch; a few tourists giggled, while members of their own team tried not to make it too obvious they were entertained. The fact that Bridgette's sit-ups were happening right in the middle of a skating rink — surrounded by gliding strangers and clicking cameras— didn't exactly help her pride.
"I still don't see why we have to do this here," Bridgette protested, voice trembling from both exertion and humiliation. "You said it's to help me learn how to keep grip on the snow, but come on, Eva — this is stupid!"
The sound of her voice bounced off the frozen lake, swallowed quickly by the open air. She slipped again, landing awkwardly on her elbows, a squeak escaping her lips as a nearby kid whizzed by on skates, staring at her like she was part of the entertainment.
Eva crouched down slightly, her gaze sharp but not cruel. "If you watched yourself during the last challenge," she said, tone cool as the ice beneath them, "you'd be slapping your own face right now." She offered a gloved hand to pull Bridgette back up — and when the surfer took it, Eva's grip was steady and unyielding. "Alright, crybaby. Fine. I'll do the push-ups with you if you need a better example."
Bridgette blinked, caught between gratitude and disbelief, her breath puffing in uneven clouds. "I'm not even sure if I should thank you… or curse you for being this annoying."
"Then you're doing something right," Eva replied flatly, dropping to the ice beside her without hesitation. The movement was effortless — precise — her form perfect even on the slick surface.
Bridgette, meanwhile, couldn't help but glance around at the small crowd that had gathered — some of their own teammates skating nearby, trying not to laugh too hard. She felt her ears burn hotter than her cheeks. Why does everyone think I'm clumsy? she thought, gritting her teeth as she started another sit-up. I'm not that bad… right?
But as she rose halfway through the motion, her boot slipped again with a muffled squeal, sending her flailing onto her back.
Eva didn't say a word this time — just stared down at her, lips twitching like she was fighting back a smirk. "Nineteen more."
Which made Bridgette groaning since this would be a current nightmare for her.
.
.
.
Heather had to admit it — she was in her element. The cold didn't bite her; it performed for her. The mirror-smooth ice beneath her blades reflected every twirl and flourish, and for once, she didn't need a camera crew or confession booth to remind her how good she looked. Years of ballet had taught her grace and posture, and when her parents had finally given in to her endless complaining and paid for a figure-skating instructor, she'd mastered this, too.
Now, under the crisp alpine sunlight, her skates whispered across the rink with confidence. She gathered momentum, spun into a clean triple loop, and landed perfectly — not a wobble, not a sound. The audience of teammates nearby broke into spontaneous applause. Lindsay cheered the loudest, clapping her mittens together like a proud stage mom, while Tyler gave a loud whistle of appreciation.
Heather smirked, skating backward and flicking her hair over her shoulder. Of course they're impressed. Who wouldn't be? It was her stage, her spotlight — until the soft swoosh of another pair of skates stole the rhythm.
She turned just in time to see Harold — the self-proclaimed nerd of their group — gliding past her with surprising precision. He picked up speed, launched into a triple axel, landed cleanly, and followed immediately with a triple loop, his scarf fluttering behind him like a victory banner. When he finished, he struck a small bow, adjusting his glasses with theatrical flair.
The rink went silent for half a second, then erupted into astonished applause.
"WOAHHH!" Tyler shouted, nearly dropping his cocoa.
"Go Harold!" Lindsay squealed, bouncing on her skates. Even Ezekiel gave a whistle, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
Harold took it all in stride, skating a lazy circle while speaking like an Olympic commentator who'd just reviewed his own highlight reel. "Thank you, thank you. As you can see, figure skating requires discipline, training, technique, and—most importantly—style."
Heather's eye twitched. "Style?" she repeated under her breath, glaring daggers at him. The audacity.
Harold continued, clearly enjoying his captive audience. "For example, the one-hand Biellmann spin," he declared, holding one hand to his glasses with a grin.
Heather's scoff cut through the cold air like a blade. "Ha! You're not flexible enough to pull off a Biellmann spin."
Harold turned to her, eyebrow raised with quiet confidence. "Watch. And learn."
He shifted his weight, took a deep breath, and then—astonishingly—arched backward, grabbing his skate blade with one hand and pulling it over his head into a surprisingly clean Biellmann spin, the kind that would've made his instructor—or his chiropractor—nervous.
Heather's jaw tightened. No. Absolutely not. He's not taking this from me.
"As if," she snapped, skating forward with the kind of determination that could break glass. "Let me show you how it's really done."
The small crowd gasped, phones out, as both of them spun into their Biellmanns at once — twin blurs of color and motion, pride and physics colliding mid-spin. For one glorious second, it looked impressive. Then reality struck.
Their trajectories crossed.
Thunk!
Both slammed shoulder-first, spinning out of control and tumbling across the ice in a chaotic tangle of limbs and momentum. The sound of their impact echoed through the rink, followed by collective gasps from the spectators.
Heather blinked rapidly, trying to get her bearings, the world still spinning around her. "Ugh… what the—?" she groaned, rubbing her head. Then she realized she wasn't on the ice. She was sitting on something… or rather, someone.
The muffled sound beneath her was unmistakably human.
"What the…" Heather froze, looking down. Which she was sitting on his face. Which the time she got up, she saw him… or rather, what was left of him — his glasses crooked, eyes glazed over, and his face as red as Lindsay's winter coat. He didn't move. He didn't breathe. The only sign of life was the thin line of blood slowly trailing from his nose.
Lindsay's horrified gasp broke the silence. "Oh my gosh! He's bleeding!"
Heather scrambled up so fast she nearly slipped again. "It wasn't my fault! It was—It was an accident! He was in my way!"
Ezekiel, already jogging over with Tyler, crouched beside the dazed Harold. "Yeah, we can tell," he muttered, pressing a handkerchief to Harold's nose. "We'll get him to the resort's clinic. He'll be fine."
"Ugh, whatever," Heather crossed her arms, trying to regain what was left of her dignity. "Maybe next time he'll learn not to get in my—"
Harold let out a dreamy sigh mid-stretcher. "So… soft…"
Ezekiel snorted before quickly covering his mouth.
"Are you sure he's okay?" Lindsay, ever the sweetheart, looked genuinely worried.
"Yeah, he'll live. Might just need a cold pack and… maybe a reality check. You two just enjoy the rink. Chris's party starts in a few hours anyway." Ezekiel commented as Tyler was already helping Harold off the ice.
"Are you sure?" Lindsay asked worridly, but seeing Ezekiel dismissing her, she sighed in relief.
"I will give them support, see you later babe." Tyler commented as he calmly skated towards his blonde bombshell girlfriend and gave her a kiss. Which after a few seconds later, Heather scoffed, but with a better relief, but she coudln't help but mutter.
"Weirdoes." Heather said as she continued to show Lindsay how Figure Skating was a big deal.
.
.
.
"I see the paradise…" Harold mumbled faintly, his head resting against the cushioned arm of the couch inside the resort's clinic. His eyes were half-open, dazed but oddly blissful, as if the time he was under Heather had transported him to another plane of existence. A soft and muffling kind of existence.
"Yeah, I can imagine what you're talking about." Ezekiel didn't even have to ask what he meant. He exhaled through his nose, arms crossed as he gave a deadpan look.
"So, soft." Harold sighed dreamily, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. "It feels… so much different this time…"
"Okay, that's enough," Ezekiel said with a flat tone, brushing a hand down his face. "You're getting addicted to this. I don't know if it's destiny or dumb luck that keeps making those accidents happen, but don't you dare let it turn into a fetish, man."
Tyler, crouched beside the bed, waved a small bottle of smelling salts near Harold's nose, trying to revive him.
"It's kinda weird," he said with a grin, "this is, what, the fifth time that's happened to you? But it's the first one that made you bleed."
Harold only muttered something incoherent and smiled wider, like he was savoring the memory.
"Yeah, and I wouldn't be surprised," Ezekiel sighed, resting his elbows on his knees. he said dryly. "Especially after what Beth told us about Heather."
"Wait, what did she tell you?" That immediately got Tyler's attention. His eyebrows shot up as he leaned closer.
"Tyler, you're a great friend… but you suck at keeping secrets." Ezekiel glanced up, smirk tugging at his lips.
"What? No, I don't!" Tyler's eyes went wide in protest.
Ezekiel just stared at him blankly, the silence more convincing than any argument.
"You totally do," Harold mumbled without even opening his eyes, voice weak but confident. "Remember the pact where you snitched on Ezekiel?"
"That only happened, once, and I panicked." Tyler groaned. "You guys act like I'm some kind of blabbermouth or something."
"Tyler, you literally can't keep a surprise for more than ten minutes." Ezekiel raised a brow.
"Of course I can do that more than 10 minutes…" Tyler looked down, muttering under his breath, "Okay… maybe twenty."
"See? That's exactly what I mean." Ezekiel rolled his eyes, though a faint smile broke through.
The sound of snow gently tapping the clinic window filled the pause that followed. Warm orange light from the fireplace flickered across Harold's bandaged nose, softening the edges of the scene. The air smelled faintly of antiseptic, cocoa, and winter pine from the garlands lining the hall.
Harold let out a quiet groan, pressing the bridge of his nose. "Still worth it," he murmured to himself.
Ezekiel glanced his way, half amused, half concerned. He didn't have to ask what Harold meant — the look on his face said it all. Whatever bizarre satisfaction the nerd got from these "accidents," it was something Ezekiel didn't even want to try to understand.
Still, beneath the teasing, there was a flicker of thought he couldn't quite shake. Harold might laugh now, but facing Leshawna again after something like this… that was going to be awkward. Painfully awkward.
Ezekiel leaned back in his chair, watching as Tyler and a nurse tried to prop Harold upright. "Man," he muttered quietly, "I just hope you're mature enough not to let that mess you up in the next challenge."
Harold didn't respond — just gave a faint thumbs-up before dozing off again, a goofy grin still plastered across his face.
"Yeah," Ezekiel sighed, shaking his head with a chuckle. "That's what I was afraid of."
If the Killer Grips could describe Chris McLean's birthday party in a single word, expensive would have been the first that came to mind—egomaniacal a very close second.
The ballroom of Château Lake Louise had been transformed into something out of a billionaire's fever dream: walls draped in black silk, floors polished to the reflection of a mirror, and a red carpet so thick it could have buried an economy car. Towering banners of Chris's smiling face hung from the ceiling like propaganda for a very glamorous dictatorship. And everywhere—literally everywhere—there were statues of him. Bronze, steel, and gold, each one capturing a different heroic pose: Chris laughing, Chris holding a microphone aloft like a gladiator, Chris reclining on a throne made of eliminated contestants.
Producers, executives, and lawyers crowded the room, glittering with self-importance and sponsorship pins. Reality-TV royalty mingled like living Easter eggs: Jeff Probst from Survivor laughing politely near the buffet, Phil Keoghan from The Amazing Race discussing "drama arcs" with a producer, and Ryan Seacrest smiling like a man paid by the minute. Even Chef Hatchet, terrifyingly well-groomed and actually wearing a suit, stood near the punch bowl looking more bodyguard than cook. A few shell-shocked interns—some recognizable from earlier seasons—floated nervously between tables, trying to stay invisible while carrying trays of shrimp cocktails that probably cost more than their monthly rent.
There were no ice sculptures this time—which was good enough to see Chris overjoyed of Killer Grips' gift— which that didn't stop Chris from sniffling theatrically as he admired a gleaming ice sculpture of mid-flex, muscles exaggerated to superhero proportions. The guests clapped, a few snapping photos, while Chris dabbed at his eyes with a napkin monogrammed with his initials. "They got my biceps exactly right," he whispered, voice trembling with mock emotion.
The spread was obscene: pyramids of shrimp balanced beside crystal bowls of tomato juice flown in from Italy, fountains of molten chocolate, and towers of tiny mugs filled with the richest cocoa the resort could brew. Even Owen—wherever he was in the world—would have dropped to his knees in reverence at the sight of that buffet.
Between clusters of high-profile guests, a few vaguely familiar faces appeared—underground Canadian actors, extras from Chris's Badminton movie, and a few alumni of his bizarre talking-cat film project. It was clear that if Chris McLean loved two things in life, they were himself and his cats.
Ezekiel lingered at the edge of the crowd, half-amused, half-concerned by the display. He caught sight of a man in a yellow raincoat with a long ginger beard—the unmistakable Jerd McLean—leaning casually against a pillar with a drink in hand. Next to him stood an older woman, her dark hair streaked with gray, eyes sharp behind wire-rimmed glasses. She had the kind of presence that silenced rooms: kind, but dangerous if provoked. A cane rested at her side, and Ezekiel didn't doubt for a second that she could knock a producer unconscious with it if sufficiently irritated.
He didn't need confirmation. Every instinct screamed that was Chris's mother.
He did what any sane person would do: pretended he hadn't seen them and drifted toward the nearest safe zone—somewhere between the dessert table and Chef Hatchet's line of sight.
From there, the scene played out like a surreal dream. Chris, basking in attention, gave a toast so long it might've qualified as a hostage monologue, thanking himself for "redefining Canadian television" while a montage of his "greatest moments" played on giant screens around the room. His laugh echoed through the chandeliers, bouncing off marble and ego alike.
For the Killer Grips, the spectacle was both impressive and deeply unsettling. They couldn't deny Chris's popularity—clearly the man had connections, sponsors, and enough self-confidence to power a city—but none of them would've called him the celebrity of Canada. And maybe that was the strangest comfort of all: realizing that somewhere, out there, the world still had limits even if Chris didn't.
Still, the question lingered among them like an expensive perfume: how much of this party came from their challenge budget? The statues? The catering? The imported fireworks rumored to ignite later? Probably all of it.
But for now, they smiled, they drank, they ate. The music swelled; snow fell outside the tall windows; and for one evening, luxury drowned out suspicion. Whatever sins funded the night, they were paid for in laughter and exhaustion.
And as the chandeliers glowed gold over a hundred reflections of Chris McLean's face, the Killer Grips decided one thing was certain—if Heaven existed for reality hosts, it probably looked exactly like this ballroom.
Yet, they couldn't help but enjoy their staying… Well, most of them.
.
.
.
The air around the helipad shimmered with cold, a silver mist rising from the snow as the sun began to sink behind the mountains. The faint rumble of the helicopter blades echoed through the valley — steady, rhythmic, and final. It was that particular kind of wind that carried both excitement and melancholy, the kind that smelled faintly of jet fuel, pine, and goodbyes.
"Are you sure you're gonna be fine?" Katie asked, her voice half-swallowed by the hum of the rotors. She pressed a hand to her uneasy stomach, her expression drowsy and regretful. "Sorry… I think I ate too much shrimp cocktail. And that lobster looked amazing."
Eva gave a short laugh, warm but knowing. "Don't worry. I get it," she said, adjusting the strap of her duffel bag across her shoulder. Her breath steamed in the freezing air as she leaned forward, pulling Katie into a quick but firm hug — the kind that carried more comfort than her words ever could. "I'll tell Cody you miss him."
"Please do that," Katie murmured, her tone softening with worry. "And… keep an eye on him, okay?"
Eva exhaled through her nose, the smallest trace of a smirk tugging at her lips. "If I kept a closer eye on him, he'd probably end up with pinkeye," she muttered dryly.
Katie giggled, a sleepy laugh that cut through the cold.
"Don't worry," Eva continued, adjusting her gloves and standing straighter. "He's safe. The hotel's got good security. And with Duncan and Courtney watching him, I doubt anyone's stupid enough to start trouble."
"That makes me feel better…" Katie said, pressing a hand over her mouth as a quiet burp slipped out. She turned away quickly, embarrassed, then caught sight of Ezekiel, Harold, Tyler, and Trent hauling Eva's luggage toward the waiting chopper. The boys' breath fogged in the cold, their voices overlapping with laughter and good-natured complaints.
"And don't worry about Bridgette," Katie added between giggles. "I'm sure Ezekiel and Tyler will keep her on track."
"They'd better," Eva replied, her expression hardening slightly before softening again. "She's a good player. She just needs her head in the game." Her eyes drifted toward the horizon — calm, yet thoughtful. "Make sure she remembers who she is and what she's capable of."
Katie nodded firmly. "I promise." Then, with a teasing grin, she added, "Hey, Eva — please don't break Geoff. Even when he's an idiot, he's still our idiot."
Eva blinked, then chuckled under her breath. "I'll try… but I'm not making promises."
Katie laughed again, and even Eva couldn't hold back a small grin.
"As much as I'd love to stay here another few days, I already turned down the offer," Eva said, glancing toward the helicopter as the pilot waved her in. "Geoff needs to understand what's waiting for him — and I trust you and the others to keep things steady here. Do me a favor…"
"Keep an eye on everyone. Got it." Katie raised a playful hand in salute. Eva shook her head, smirking at the gesture. Which the tan girl couldn't help but say it. "And tell Courtney and Duncan I said hi — and that I loved hearing about their show. Especially that new cast lineup. It must've been hard not to tell Ezekiel that Sky and Dawn were there,"
"Oh, trust me," Eva said with a small smirk. "He'd have lost his mind."
"And with E-Scope joining the lineup too," Katie added, "I can only imagine how the next Aftermath episode's gonna be."
Eva rolled her eyes, amused. "I'll ask someone to record the episodes for you." She turned toward the group of boys waiting by the chopper, her duffel slung across her shoulder. "Now listen up," she called out, her voice rising above the whirring blades. "Keep strong, stay focused, and don't waste this opportunity. Every win counts."
Tyler grinned. "You got it."
Trent nodded. "We won't let you down."
Ezekiel gave a small salute. "Take a safe trip, Eva."
Harold simply raised a thumbs-up, his nose still faintly red from the accident earlier.
Eva's eyes lingered on them for a moment longer, her expression softening as she took in the sight of her team — the unlikely mix of weirdos, underdogs, and heart-driven fighters she'd somehow grown to respect. Even Bridgette, standing off to the side, gave a quiet wave and a hopeful smile.
Eva returned it.
And then, without another word, she stepped into the helicopter, the door sealing behind her with a metallic thud. The rotor's pitch rose, snow whipping in circles around the helipad like a miniature blizzard. Katie shielded her face with her hands, hair whipping wildly, watching as the chopper lifted into the pale sky — the roar of its blades fading into the distance until only the whisper of wind remained.
The others stood there for a moment longer, gazing at the empty sky, each lost in their own thoughts. The second day at the resort had come to an end — peaceful, surreal, and strangely quiet without her.
They still had three more days to enjoy their reward, but for Eva… her next mission was already waiting. Somewhere far from the serenity of Lake Louise, a certain party boy was about to learn what true fear — and accountability — really meant.
Omake:
"It's been 15 years since our show aired, and we're back where all began," Chris voice could be heard as the camera showed the view of a waterfall, and then a crab walking nearby to a seagull just for on the next second being devoured by it. "This abandoned summer camp in Muskoka Canada, back to run down cabins, hungry bears, hungrier bugs…"
And at the time Chris made the introduction, it showed a view of an island, and from that island looking similar to the first episode aired decades ago, and then a view of an angry bear, just for later being caught into a giant spiderweb with hungrier spiders ready to eat it.
"The stinky out house, where contestants confess their secrets," Chris showed the same confession booth where now a giant fly was reading the newspaper and letting out a fart, as it was being interrupted on it's private time. A cave where it showed a well modified and taken care place, where the old flag of Killer Bass with the names of the old members remained on there, but it was coated in glass and steel, which showed how much precious that flag must remain on that place. "The same Aquarium…"
"And of course, Chef's disgusting food." And it showed a good face of Chef Hatchet while it showed all the terrifying creations he made around the seasons, with a seal mark of approval with a smile on his face.
"Today 16 new contestants arrive, and battle to be the last one standing and win 1 million dollars," Chris said as it showed the money raining over him, until he looked around. "Someone is going to pick this up right?"
And when he thought nobody was looking, he decided to take one band of money and place inside of his pocket.
"But winning won't be easy," Chris said as he pointed his finger to the camera. "This isn't just a reboot, it's a reboot to the face."
"Crazier challenges," Chris said as one intern was using a motorcycle with a time-bomb on it, then the next intern was carrying an anvil in the rope bridge above a river made of lava. "And a writer team made by angry monkeys who want nothing more than to see Humanity fall,"
Then the video showed monkeys angrily smashing the buttons of the computer, while one of the monkeys pressed the red button with an angry look just to show they want destruction, and by pressing the button the missiles were launched, not caring on who would be their victims.
"I'm your host, Chris McLean, and this is… TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND." Chris said as the close of the camera took him, showing a very beautiful picture of the Island Wawanakwa back again for the action.
"Cut." Then the cameraman said as immediately Chris smirked with all his teeth.
"Ah, it's good to be back." Chris said as he never though that he would be so happy to be back in action, and then suddenly he felt someone touching his shoulder, just to turn around and see someone offering a cup of coffee.
"It is, isn't it?" The man said as Chris smirked from seeing that person. A messed brown-hair but still elegant as a way to could be owner of a business, a Van Dike that could describe maturity, with also the man who was wearing the outfit of a social business owner, but still casual as it showed that he was nothing more like rich and yet a person who just was enjoying his vacations of life. "I never thought I would see a reboot of the show, but now that I think about it, the nostalgia really hit me… we kinda needed Total Drama Island again, life was getting too bored these days."
"Ahahahahaha, that's what I always say." Chris nodded his head, as he gave a look on the man in front of him, and differently from the person who was before, many years had happened, and the changes clearly showed for the man himself, and even like that, he looked almost on the same height as the host of the show. "I have no idea on how you managed to make a river made of full lava, but that's the best modification you ever did on this island."
"It was Dawn who managed to talk with Mother Nature and find the right place to let all the magma get on the part of the island without damaging the earth, thankfully nobody was hurt." The man said, as he was drinking a good cup of coffee. "I made sure that all the cabins would have a little renew but still having the same feeling as I had when I got my first step on this island, and the confession both, nobody touched that thing during decades, Dawn told me the wood got so much exposed in terribles smells and farts that its got petrified. Trust me, Izzy tried to even explode the confession both, and it didn't even scratch it. Sky tried to use a hammer, and didn't believe on how the strong wood it was."
"Oh do tell?" Chris chuckled as he saw the person talking about the island in nostalgia. "Thank you for letting me to use this island again Ezekiel."
"What can I say? You are a good friend." Ezekiel replied, as he saw Chris drinking the cup of coffee with gusto, "As long they don't touch the coffee farm on Southwest, or mess up with the Aquarium, everything is going to be fine."
"Of course you would say that." The host rolled his eyes, as he enjoyed the good view of the same place. "Humph, it's kinda of strange that I feel so happy to return on this place."
"Probably to torture new contestants, or people who never thought of reading the contract." Ezekiel shrugged which from that instant, clearly got a laugh from the devil host himself.
"That's true, man, I missed that feeling. You know that you cannot participate on the show as a contestant." Chris said which immediately let it out a sigh of relief from the boy.
"And thank God and Mother Nature for that, I don't think I would be able to do all that crazy shit again Hahahaha," Ezekiel laughed, as he even tap the back of Chris. "I'm a father of 9 kids, for me that's enough drama and chaos on daily basis."
"Aren't that true?" Chris said as both laughed, from seeing the cameraman and the producers around waking and preparing for the next part of the show. "Still, thanks for letting us to use this island again."
"Hey, it's a tradition, you used here on season 1, used on the Revenge of the Island, used here on All Stars, it need to repeat the cycle." Ezekiel said as he simply shrugged. As both walked to where the next scene would happens, the once known as Dock of Shame for Chris, but to Ezekiel and his family they changed the name for playground of the children. "Dawn already talked with the sharks, telling for them to try to act menacingly for the cameras, but in case they see you and Chef, they won't attack you. Just like they aren't doing with me and the kids. The other campers thought, they still will get bitten but not lethally, just enough to go at the hospital."
"Man, sometimes I love that creep girl," Chris said, as Ezekiel rolled his eyes, since he always called her that, but it became a way for him to be fondly of Ezekiel's wives. "Is there a chance of Sky, Izzy or any of you and the kids to appear on the recording?"
"Nah, my parents took them to stay on their farm for a while, and they also could visit their other grandparents and aunts and uncles while the show is happening, they will be out until the end of the season, I don't want them to intervene you and Chef going too hard into fucking them up." Ezekiel commented as Chris once again laughed from the news.
"So you and your wives have the whole house for you now…" Chris smirked, as the boy simply ignored him.
"Don't you have a show to record?" Ezekiel said nonchalantly, which Chris chuckled once again. "But to answer your question, no. Me and my ladies will be at Playa Del Losers since Duncan and Courtney are there to host the Aftermath of the episode, but me and the girls will be at our penthouse on there. So mostly we are going to be watching the show by the plasma screen TVs on there."
"Well then. Enjoy the free pay-per-view Zeke, and the trip on Playa Del Losers," Chris called as Ezekiel rolled his eyes. But then Chris decided to smirk with one thing in mind. "You know that you and the girls are more than welcome to let the challenges spicier and interesting for the contestants, specially since you know who is going to be here."
"Yeah, I kinda figured and we already knew by Mother Nature some interesting new campers are coming. Say hello for my goddaughter for me will yah, eh?" Ezekiel said as he was slowly walking away.
"Hey, I didn't hear a no." Chris called as he was already liking on what he was suggesting.
"I didn't say it. And you know that's enough answer for you." And just like Chris predicted, the man didn't deny the idea of he was suggesting, so it was going to be a very interesting season. "Will check the farm, and visit you and Chef, probably Izzy will demands that I bring them as well, so you already know the answer."
"And that's why you all are my favorite campers." Chris said as he was cackling madly, which the man rolled his eyes once again. And with that Ezekiel waved his hand from far away, which Chris once more stared at the island once more. "Ah, it's good to be back."

Pages Navigation
Castor_Raiden on Chapter 1 Wed 04 Sep 2024 01:54AM UTC
Comment Actions
CaioCoia on Chapter 1 Wed 04 Sep 2024 02:38AM UTC
Comment Actions
Omnitheist27 on Chapter 1 Fri 03 Jan 2025 03:05AM UTC
Comment Actions
Danieldog365 on Chapter 1 Sun 30 Mar 2025 04:11PM UTC
Comment Actions
Jordan_lancershire on Chapter 1 Sun 27 Apr 2025 12:04AM UTC
Comment Actions
Castor_Raiden on Chapter 2 Wed 04 Sep 2024 02:01AM UTC
Comment Actions
CaioCoia on Chapter 2 Wed 04 Sep 2024 02:39AM UTC
Comment Actions
Danieldog365 on Chapter 2 Sun 30 Mar 2025 04:32PM UTC
Comment Actions
nightmaster000 on Chapter 3 Fri 12 Apr 2024 03:06AM UTC
Comment Actions
CaioCoia on Chapter 3 Thu 27 Jun 2024 03:23PM UTC
Comment Actions
Danieldog365 on Chapter 3 Sun 30 Mar 2025 05:12PM UTC
Comment Actions
Red comet0 (Guest) on Chapter 3 Fri 12 Apr 2024 09:27AM UTC
Comment Actions
CaioCoia on Chapter 3 Thu 27 Jun 2024 03:22PM UTC
Comment Actions
Polymus1 on Chapter 5 Wed 01 May 2024 11:12PM UTC
Comment Actions
CaioCoia on Chapter 5 Thu 27 Jun 2024 03:22PM UTC
Comment Actions
Orlixani on Chapter 5 Thu 27 Jun 2024 10:40AM UTC
Comment Actions
CaioCoia on Chapter 5 Thu 27 Jun 2024 03:21PM UTC
Comment Actions
Danieldog365 on Chapter 5 Sun 30 Mar 2025 05:45PM UTC
Last Edited Sun 30 Mar 2025 05:45PM UTC
Comment Actions
nightmaster000 on Chapter 6 Thu 27 Jun 2024 05:27PM UTC
Comment Actions
CaioCoia on Chapter 6 Thu 27 Jun 2024 05:53PM UTC
Comment Actions
Danieldog365 on Chapter 6 Sun 30 Mar 2025 05:48PM UTC
Comment Actions
Danieldog365 on Chapter 6 Sun 30 Mar 2025 05:54PM UTC
Comment Actions
nightmaster000 on Chapter 7 Thu 27 Jun 2024 06:38PM UTC
Comment Actions
CaioCoia on Chapter 7 Thu 27 Jun 2024 06:59PM UTC
Comment Actions
nightmaster000 on Chapter 8 Thu 27 Jun 2024 07:02PM UTC
Comment Actions
nightmaster000 on Chapter 9 Thu 27 Jun 2024 07:19PM UTC
Comment Actions
Danieldog365 on Chapter 9 Sun 30 Mar 2025 06:48PM UTC
Comment Actions
Danieldog365 on Chapter 9 Sun 30 Mar 2025 06:45PM UTC
Comment Actions
Danieldog365 on Chapter 9 Sun 30 Mar 2025 07:01PM UTC
Comment Actions
nightmaster000 on Chapter 10 Thu 27 Jun 2024 07:37PM UTC
Comment Actions
Pages Navigation