Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Amazing Digital Circus, 7:13 PM.

within a hall of doors, two people stand. A tall purple rabbit, and a smaller girl donning a jester outfit. They stand besides one of the doors, one showing the crossed out picture of a frog.

Pomni: "Sooo.... What's this about, again?"

Jax: "Well, I know how seriously you're taking this place. Never an excuse to relax, always looking around the place, haven't just adapted yet."

Pomni: "Thanks, Jax-"

Jax: "And so, I found something to help you take your mind off of things, even for a little bit."

and so, the rabbit produces a golden key from his pockets. Did he have pockets? Didn't matter, the door's open now.

within the unlit bedroom, one thing came into sight first. A simple computer, it's screen creating the only light within.

Pomni: "Did you.... Manage to connect to the-"

Jax: "It's not that, look over there."

he took her attention to the side, right where a simple bowl sat. A bowl filled with an unconfirmed substance, that was simple to decipher.

Pomni: ".... Is that a bowl of cocaine?"

Jax: "Exactly."

Pomni: ".... Sure, [HONK] it."

and so, she approached the bowl. Jax reached out for some needles he had set up, prepared to let all worries melt away....

.... Before a force struck him on the back of the head, cleanly knocking him out.

the improv CECU show.

???, 1:57 PM.

feeling his body on the cold floor, the rabbit slowly began coming back to his senses.

he slowly rubbed his eyes, trying to see what was in front of him. He was immediately faced with an unknown figure, staring down at him.

A random Japanese dude.

Krow: "Aha, it appears the jackrabbit has finally left his state of slumber!"

Jax: ".... Who?"

Krow: "Don't know me? No worries, you'll have plenty of time to know my name well."

Jax: "Is this a new adventure, or something? Don't think Caine would give us a dude as ugly as you to follow around."

Krow: "Who is this, 'Caine', you speak of-?"

suddenly, a similarly random Japanese woman leans by his side.

IC-313n: "Sounds irrelevant, let's get to what truly matters!"

Krow: "Ah, that's right, my dear sister. From now on, you will know me as, 'Krow', master of the dark elements! And my dearest, IC-313n (pronounced Ice-Len, apparently)."

Jax: ".... Freak. Where the heck are we?"

the avatar pushed himself off the ground, taking in the scene. They appear to be on some stage, almost like somewhere a game-show would take place. 

and also, there's a crowd around them.

first up, we've got a white goat in a green robe.

Ralsei: "Oh, has he finally gotten up?"

second, a stick figure with a police hat.

Johnny Panzer: "It seems we're all accounted for now."

here we have a chair with arms, but no legs.

Subway Seat: "Are we finally getting started?"

Jax: "What's everyone talking about?"

a shiny blue moth floats by his side.

Luna: "The competition, remember?"

Jax: "The, huh?"

a flat-paper mushroom in an explorer outfit and a hardback book appear confused at his words.

Professor Toad: "I thought we were all on the same page, didn't everyone sign up?"

Book: "Right, everyone signed up, you were there."

Jax: "... Huh!?"

a random girl seems intriguing.

Artist: "Maybe you're having a strange episode and can't remember. Sounds oddly inspiring...."

while a man in a suit with a phone for a head doesn't appear impressed, not like his face is all too expressive.

Steven Stevenson: "I think he's just going mad."

child robot.

Balloon Boy: "Hello?"

and a blue man.

Oxob: "...."

he didn't appear too interested, adjusting somethings on his arms.

Johnny: "Right, all fourteen, accounted for!"

Subway Seat: "Fourteen? I only count-"

Hatsune Mario: "oho hello."

Subway Seat: ".... Hi."

a brief silence filled the scene, everyone but Jax understanding what they were here for. Until, voices sprang out, three figures standing nearby, shadowed out.

??? (1): "It seems everyone is eager to begin!"

??? (2): "I'm so glad you all decided to join us!"

??? (3): "yeh."

Luna: "Ah, I was wondering when our hosts would appear."

Krow: "Care to make your presence clear?"

they approach, becoming simple to see.

a sun-face.

Lanino: "The weather...."

a cloud-face.

Elnina: "Always sticks...."

and a shining star.

The Original       Starwalker: "togeter."

Lanino: "So glad to have you all here!"

Elnina: "Now, we can begin-"

Jax: "Stop."

the rabbit stood in front of his fellow competitors, a scowl across his face.

Jax: "What the heck is going on here? Everyone's saying I'm going insane, but I'm sure that I got knocked out and brought here."

Elnina: ".... What gave you that impression? You signed up here, we have the contract on hand."

Starwalker:  the contracts are laying across its body, somehow readable and not pierced through.

Jax: ".... You know what, sure, I'll play along. What are we doing here?"

Lanino: "Ah, that's simple!"

they poke upwards, directing someone off camera. Two stands are placed on opposite sides of the room.

Elnina: "Your first goal is to get into two teams of seven! Take your place near these stands."

immediately, the two present that already know each other make a beeline for the left side.

Krow: "To anyone that wishes to join our group, you must prove yourself worthy!"

IC-313n: "We would never partner up with someone's who couldn't pull their weight!"

Subway Seat: "Aw, I kinda wanted to get to know them..."

aware of his physical ineptitude, the seat scooches over to the stand on the right.

someone decided to follow him over.

Subway Seat: "Oh, hello!"

Oxob: "...."

they're still quiet, blankly looking down at the object.

as for the left side, someone decided to show their strength.

Johnny: "Good evening, gentlemen, I'm joining this side now-"

Krow: "We do not accept you here."

Johnny: "Huh- excuse me? I'm top of the line in my district, you don't think I'm good enough!?"

Krow: "You seem like you try to implore nothing but brute force, while believing you're always on the right. We don't want someone like that standing near us, isn't that right?"

IC-313n: "Completely right!"

Johnny: "Ugh... wasn't interested anyway."

the cop stomps on over to the right, the two there not being all too pleased with his presence either. At the same time, a seemingly weaker option walks towards the left.

Ralsei: "Hello? I'd like to say-"

Krow: "Alright, you're allowed to stay. I get quality vibes from you."

Ralsei: "Huh.... Thank you."

the left gains its third member, while the right side has been getting fuller by the minute.

Steven: "Would rather stay away, they remind me of some shitty employees back in the day."

Balloon Boy: "Hi!"

and, on the opposite side.

Krow: "You certain about these ancients you follow so closely, little creature?"

Professor Toad: "Never been more sure! Following them has been my life's goal!"

Krow: "Very well, then.... I suppose you could stay."

Ralsei: "If you want to explain it all in detail, I'm always free to listen."

IC-313n: "Psssh, dearest brother.... If we wish to be complete sooner, we better pick out the stronger members before the others are able to."

Krow: "Smart as always! How about you, piece of literature?"

Book: "Huh? Well, I guess it'd be nice to join, seeing as I am a-"

Krow: "Perfect! Now, as for that girl-"

Artist: "I refuse."

IC-313n: "Excuse us!?"

Artist: "Seeing how everything is shaking up, it feels far more interesting for me to go against you. So, I shall oppose your faction for the rest of our time in this competition."

she makes her way to the right, upsetting the self entitled leaders of the other group. Only a few remain outside a group.

Luna: "Hm.... I think it'd be better to avoid being below the two overbearing presences."

she's choosing the right, if that didn't make it clear.

unbeknownstly, this filled up one of the two sides.

Lanino: "It seems the teams are already complete! Everyone left, head to the left side."

Jax: "Are you kidding me-"

Krow: "Hold on a second! I need two people in particular to fill up our group...."

Hatsune Mario: "popipo."

Balloon Boy: "Ahahahaha!"

Ralsei: ".... Is he not already on-"

in the blink of an eye, Balloon Boy has moved to the left side, alongside the Italian vocaloid.

Elnina: "Alright, this works out."

Lanino: "Before your first contest, does anyone have any questions?"

Luna: "Right, could we name our team?"

Subway Seat: "Oh, we should be the-!"

Starwalker: "teams names piss me off.

i am the original starwalker."

Elnina: "Alright, no more delays! Let's get the competition started!"

---

(challenge will be uploaded later today).

Chapter Text

Susiezilla Minigame stage - 2:12 PM.

Lanino: "For the very first challenge....”

Elnina: "You will have to....”

Starwalker: "beat the shit

out of each other.”

Jax: "Oh, I can get behind this....”

Elnina: "One member from each team will go on stage at a time, and they'll try to knock each other down!”

Lanino: "The team with the most wins by the end wins, the other is forced to send someone home!”

Elnina: "Any questions?”

Balloon Boy: “Ahahahaha!”

Lanino: ".... Is that, like-”

Book vs Johnny Panzer.

immediately, the officer produced his gun .

Book: "Woah! As a user guide to police powers and procedures, I can say you're not allowed to use your weapon like that!”

Johnny: "This isn't regulated, we just need to fight each other.”

Book: "Still, you're setting an awful example!”

Johnny: "Oh, please, I'm the top of the line for officers around my district. All of them would do this.”

for some reason, a flag begins waving in the background, as the sound of a bald eagle is heard.

that same bald eagle bites into Book, dragging her away into the sky.

Lanino: ".... Do we count that?”

the eagle hits the ceiling, dropping its capture. Book lands on her side.

Elnina: "Alright, it's settled.”

Hatsune Mario vs Subway Seat.

Hatsune Mario: "it's a me.”

Subway Seat: ".... I don't think I'm built for this. If you'd just let me-”

without legs, they attempt to lift themself off the ground and towards their opponent. They immediately faceplant, or in other words, go down.

Balloon Boy vs Jax.

Jax has a double barrel shotgun.

Jax: "Hey, everyone! In today's episode of 'Poach Everything', I'm gonna shoot a child in the head!”

Balloon Boy: "Hello-?”

the simple shot blows his head clean off.

Jax hops on all fours, and chomps the body for no reason.

.... Except, he rises with cracks in his teeth.

Jax: "GAH- [HONK], THAT'S REAL METAL!?"

this is what you get for attempted cannibalism, kids.

determination in his eyes, Oxob’s fists begin sparking with electricity.

the professor holds his shovel closely, prepared to respond.

and soon enough, Oxob rushes in. The researcher attempts to block the blow, but the volts travel up the metal object, and into his body. It's rather ineffective, however, catching the fighter by surprise.

now with a little space, the shovel digs into the ground, sprouting a set of large coins to fly towards his opponent.

on reaction, he's able to punch one of the coins out of his way, but cannot block the others, sending him back. This is capitalized on, as the shovel strikes him above the head.

without any distance, however, he's able to grasp the mushroom by his sides, as he puts more electrical power into his body.

.... Anticlimacticly, the force ends up tearing his body apart. The electricity still did nothing, by the way. Paper is an insulator, but it's also paper.

Ralsei vs Steven.

Steven:

“My name is-”

have you ever seen a battle in Deltarune? Imagine that's happening. Have you not seen it? Imagine they're standing separately for now, Ralsei getting several options to pick from.

-Spells (is that the name i kinda forgot).

-Steven Stevenson - 0%.

-R Action.

Ralsei suggested ideas to help Freddy Fazbenders in the long run!

25% spared!

it's kinda hard to explain this if you don't know Deltarune, but imagine a heart moving around a box. And imagine it's dodging legal paper, because that's Steven's attack.

Ralsei takes a few points of damage.

-R Action.

Ralsei called the guy "Scott Cawthon"!

+50% spared!

here's this next attack, the heart has to reach the springs in a small amount of time.

Oh, looks like it missed one. No matter, I'm sure that won't hurt too much-

Ralsei became a pile of fluff.

.... Where did the heart come from, anyway?

Krow vs Artist.

Krow: "Aha.... You're challenging me so early?”

Artist: "Precisely. There's no reason to waste time."

do they remember that this is part of the challenge?

Artist: "I believe your defeat will inspire my next line of artwork.”

Krow: "You did not just say that....”

Krow: "Have at me!”

Artist: "Have at me!”

as completely regular humans, if I remember correctly, a rather childish slap fight ensues.

eventually, Krow trips over himself. How climatic.

Starwalker: "these fights are    pissing me off.”

Elnina: "It appears team two is winning 1 to 4....”

Lanino: "Huh, this is no way to make a good beginning....”

Elnina: "... Last round for all the marbles?”

Lanino: "Last round for all the marbles.”

Johnny: "Are you KIDDING-”

IC-313n vs Luna.

somehow, the moth found herself an oversized scythe. Despite the weapon, she doesn't appear all too invested in her bout.

Luna: "Alright, let's do this.”

IC-313n: "Heh, I see how it is. If everyone's relying on me, I see no reason to hold back....”

.... Her body begins to twist around.

Luna appears caught off guard, before focusing again.

suddenly, a cold wing blows fiercely, as meteors begins falling from the sky.

Lanino: "We're in a building, how-?”

IC-313n: "Have at me!"

distorted, the cube lunges forwards. As a meteor gets close to her, her body gets lost in a small whirlwind of her own creation, sucking in several meteors, which fuse into a single object. S he throws the thing forwards, with little effort.

swinging her weapon forwards, the large meteor is put to a stop, but isn't destroyed.

this gives IC-313n a chance to run up, swinging her now clawed hands at the smaller creature from the back.

while one slash connects, Luna’s able to pull her scythe from the rock, clashing against the claw.

both sides attempt to put as much force as they can, but the weaker arm holding the claw appears to be slowly tearing off....

.... Good things there's two. Another slash connects against the bug, throwing them both out of their struggle, and throwing Luna off rhythm.

she tries her best to focus back up, clutching her weapon and putting her focus back on her opponent.

.... The smile on her face is confusing, making Luna stop in place for just a second longer.

just enough time to be crushed by a meteor.

Starwalker: "much better.”

Elnina: "And with our final bout finished, the left team is victorious!”

Krow: "Just how I expected....”

Jax: "This actually sucks.”

voting is over.

Chapter Text

Main Stage - 3:43 PM.

a soft piano melody plays.

Lanino: "It's.... Elimination time!"

Elnina:  she's applauding intensely.

Starwalker:  despite not doing anything, more applause is heard.

In front of the three, Team Two sits by, waiting for the results.

Oh, and Luna's still dead.

Lanino: "Shit, that's right. Can we get a ReviveMint?"

a random ShadowGuy steps up, spritzing some mint on the dead bug. She stirs, standing once again.

Luna: "Augh...."

Elnina: "Alright, no time for small talk, it's elimination time!"

Lanino: "Out of all seven of you, only three received none of our eleven votes!"

Starwalker: "winners get a lemon."

half of a lemon hits Steven in the head. It would've gotten in his eyes, if he had any.

a lemon is thrown at Luna. She catches it, but isn't too interested in doing anything with it.

Artist also managed to catch it. We don't know what she plans to do with it.

Lanino: "The rest of you must've done something to upset our viewers!"

Jax: "Are their really only eleven?"

Starwalker: "you're     only eleven."

Jax: "What does that even-"

Elnina: "Next safe, with only a single vote against them...."

the lemon goes past Oxob. He doesn't appear bothered.

Lanino: "Every other vote went to one of you three! What do you think of that?"

Johnny: "Of course, no one appreciates my work."

Subway Seat: "Aw...."

Jax: "Saw it coming, really."

Elnina: "Now, safe with two votes...."

half of a lemon hits Jax's head. He also decided to store it.

Lanino: "One of you is about to go out."

Johnny:  angered foot tapping.

Subway Seat: nervous shuffling.

Lanino: "No further audie, my bright skies, let us reveal the votes."

drumroll or something....

Johnny - 4 votes.

Subway Seat - 4 votes.

Starwalker: "oh. oh that's a tie. oh that's a tie in the first elimination."

Subway Seat: "Oh.... How do we decide this?"

Johnny: "Clearly, a revote would be the fairest. Bring every voter back, have them-"

Starwalker: "beat the shit out of each other."

Johnny: "The huh-"

Johnny vs Subway Seat.

with everyone standing to the side, they stare back at each other.

of course, the officer didn't hesitate for a second. His pistol is drawn. It's being aimed as we speak.

there's no hope. In the seconds that remain, Subway Seat could only look at his surroundings in desperation.

a pebble layed by his side. Nothing else to do but to throw it.

his arm was weak, untrained.

accepting his loss, Subway Seat shuts his eyes.

.....

Johnny lays dead, his skull cracked open.

Subway Seat: ".... Holy fuck-"

(challenge will be uploaded soon).

Chapter Text

Green Room - 4:05.

Luna: "Is this not the break room? Why have you brought us here?"

Lanino: "A broad space felt fitting for your next challenge. Which is...."

Starwalker: " "

Elnina: ".... To draw a blank!"

beat.

Subway Seat: ".... I don't get it."

Team 2 - 1 out of 6.

Book: "Huh? Is the challenge to be clueless about the challenge?"

Lanino: "That would work, yes."

Elnina: "But now that you know, you need to find other ways."

Professor Toad: "This is really strange...."

Chapter Text

Main Stage - 6:20 PM.

....

Book: "Aw, no melody for us?"

Lanino: "Someone ate my piano."

Elnina: "Whatever the case, this elimination will be much faster. Only three of you got any votes!"

Krow: "I must've made some mistakes in my choices...."

IC-313n: "No, it's the viewers who are wrong!"

Krow: "Right, that makes far more sense."

Starwalker: "winners get a leg."

a simple chicken leg is tossed towards Krow. He doesn't bother to eat it.

some kind of plastic leg lands next to Ralsei. It gets added to his ARMORs.

a book is tossed towards Professor Toad.. It's about legs. He stores it.

that's. That's just a human leg. IC-313n's keeping it.

Lanino: "Final three! Do you wonder what you did wrong?"

Book: "I don't really get it...."

Balloon Boy: "Ahahahaha!"

hatsunemario: 

Elnina: "With only one vote, next safe is...."

Book gets another plastic leg, this one's a skeleton. She doesn't know what to do with it.

Starwalker: "this final two pisses me off.

i'm the original starwalker."

Lanino: "I don't think there's a reason to make this dramatic, with two votes to the loser's five...."

a GMOD model of a leg hits Hatsune Mario, making them ragdoll out of their seat.

Elnina: "Balloon Boy, you have been eliminated."

Balloon Boy: "Hello? Hi! Ahahahaha-!"

he is thrown into the dumpster outside.

--

the room is really not at all important this time - 6:40 PM.

Chapter Text

Main Stage - 7:00 PM.

Chapter Text

Main Stage but less big - 8:00.

Elnina: "Welcome to your third elimination, second team."

Steven: "Yeah, we get it."

Subway Seat: "Hey, I thought there were three of you."

Elnina: "Oh, Lanino had to take an important call, he'll be back for the challenge. As long as I have my star shining by my side, it's all fine and dandy."

Starwalker: "heck yeah."

Luna: "Is this your first time bringing up your relationship?"

Elnina: "Hosting comes first, flirting is for later. Had to learn that...."

flashy flashy, backy backy.....

Mr. Ant Tenna: "Would you stop poking each other's behinds with your blinkers, we are LIVE!"

un-flashback.

Elnina: "Anyhow, we received eleven votes. Only one of you came out without a single one."

Starwalker: "Winners get an e ."

Jax received a wooden depiction of the letter E.

Jax: "Man, finally."

Elnina: "Two of you only got one vote, one of you is safe with four, and with five, one of you will go home. Safe are...."

an E for Luna...

and an E to the head for Steven.

Steven: "Ow-"

Elnina: "Here are our final two!"

Artist: "I understand, I happen to let the team down in their time of need."

Subway Seat: "And I can't really help out much...."

Elnina: "The last one safe.... Is-"

suddenly, a random worker appears.

Pippins: "Miss Elnina! We have an important update!"

Elnina: "Oh, what's going on?"

Sa sa sa sa sa, whispers, whispers....

Elnina: "Hmhm, mhhm...."

Starwalker: "Holy smokes."

Elnina: "I see.... Alright, there's been an issue with the votes. In truth, one of you recieved four illegitimate votes, and is safe with only one."

Artist: "They must've been so desperate to get rid of one of us...."

Elnina: "No worries, we shall do all we can to avoid something like this in the future."

Subway Seat: ".... So, who's out?"

Starwalker: "you."

Subway Seat: "Aw...."

11th - Subway Seat.

--

Green Room - 8:25.

Lanino: "Sorry for being late, it was just-"

Elnina: "I already explained it, don't worry."

Krow: "May we get to the challenge? I've been itching to defeat the other team once again."

Starwalker: "be patient for once fuck face."

IC-313n: "Hell did you just say about-!?"

Elnina: "Stop, we don't want to get heated. Let's just explain the challenge."

Lanino: "It's a rather simple game, of hide and seek."

Ralsei: "So, all we have to hide from you?"

Starwalker: "no."

Ralsei: "Then-"

the lights shut off. Once they turn back on, the three hosts are completely gone.

Ralsei: "Ah, I understand."

Professor Toad: "Alright, no time to waste, team!"

Chapter Text

Main Stage - 9:03 PM.

Krow: "Our second time up.... Do you all even understand what that means?"

Professor Toad: "We tried our best, but got outclassed?"

IC-313n: "There's no way for us to get outclassed, we have failed."

Ralsei: "Don't say that, we aren't perfect. We did the best we could-"

Krow: "I made this team as perfect as possible, yet we still lost. Shame on us. Shame."

Hatsune Mario: "Arivederchi...."

Lanino: "Alright, you're all done commenting-"

Book: "But I didn't say anything-"

Lanino: "-So, we can begin the elimination!"

Elnina: "It seems only two of you were spared from the eight votes we received."

Starwalker: "winners get a dinner."

a convenience store sandwich ends up in the hands of Ralsei.

Ralsei: ".... Are you sure this a dinner?"

Starwalker: "yeh.*

a random can gets given to Krow.

Elnina: "Two of you only received a single vote this time, one received two, and the last is eliminated with four."

Book: "I- don't really get what we did wrong."

Lanino: "That does remind we, I believe we asked for reasons from a subset of viewers, right?"

Elnina: "That we did. How about we read one for each of you?"

Krow: "They better explain...."

IC-313n: "Right!"

Lanino: "We shall start with you, then.... How was your name pronounced?"

Starwalker: "up icing my len until my cube is interned."

Lanino: "Right. A reason for you reads 'I don't like her and Krow, I think they have incest, idk but I think they do, also, idk IC and Krow, but I know the other four'."

Krow: ".... Ew. We do not engage in that."

Elnina: "It was the only vote for her, you can calm down."

she gets some meat. Raw.

Lanino: "As for the professor, 'His first instinct was to dig, that was kinda stupid'."

Chapter Text

Main Stage - 10:13 PM.

beat.

Lanino: ".... Nothing to say before we start this time?"

Krow: "What's the need? It was all thanks to dumb luck, there's nothing to say."

Elnina: "Alright, then. We received six votes, one of-"

IC-313n: "Only six? Seem the viewer base is falling off. Maybe-"

Starwalker: "shut yo bitch ass up."

IC-313n: ".... Asshole."

Lanino: "One of you is safe with no votes, one with only one, one with two, and our last is eliminated with three."

Starwalker: "winners get a cup."

a little plastic cup ends up in the hands of Ralsei.

Ralsei:  ".... I don't understand, I've never gotten a vote."

Professor Toad: "Heh, guess the viewers must really like you."

Ralsei: "I haven't done anything to deserve it, I really don't understand."

Krow: "Don't throw yourself a pity party, we have an elimination to celebrate."

Professor Toad: "Celebrate?"

Krow: "That's right, my friend. I always knew you were our teams' weakest link. Without your presence, we will be far more successful."

Professor Toad: "Hey! That's seriously unneeded."

IC-313n: "But not underserved!"

Elnina: "Could we please calm down? We shouldn't start fighting out of nowhere."

Krow: "It was a long time coming. Since the very beginning-"

Lanino: "Alright, enough of that! Let's see who's eliminated already."

Elnina: "Safe with only a single vote, we have...."

IC takes the glass cup with pride.

Krow: "Goodbye, my friend."

he puts his hand out, prepared to take his prize.

....

a cup bounced off the head of the Professor, hitting the ground and shattering. 

Professor Toad: "Ow-"

Krow: "..... You're kidding me."

Starwalker: "you just lost the game."

Krow: ".... I have nothing to say. To everyone watching this, you just made a huge mistake."

Elnina: "Please don't send death threats to the viewers."

Krow: "This is no empty threat, trust me. You will regret this."

9th - Krow.

Main Stage - 10:30 PM.

a large slot machine sits in the middle of the room, only two slots in the middle of it, a lever begging to be pulled right on its side.

Artist: "Are you doing exactly the same challenge again?"

Jax: "Can't we sleep first?"

Elnina: "No, and no. Before we get to the challenge, we have a few things to say."

Starwalker: "your teams were pissing me off."

Lanino: "So, they're no more! Welcome to the merge."

Professor Toad: "Huh? Not at the final seven?"

Elnina: "We needed an even number for this challenge."

Lanino: "Which is...."

Starwalker: "YAECER 6: One Day Fiancé."

Elnina: "This machine right here will sort you into groups of two. You'll have to go through three activities designed to make you grow close, your typical sappy romantic affair. In the end, whichever pair got along the best will be safe."

Lanino: "And just for the sake of it, each pair will consist of a member from each team. Have you understood?"

beat.

outcry.

IC-313n: "Are you kidding me!?"

Professor Toad: "This doesn't feel right...."

Luna: "I already have a girlfriend."

Artist: "Never expected you three to sink to emotional manipulation."

Ralsei: "I'm not sure we can agree to do this...."

Elnina: "Hey, you all did sign the agreements."

Steven: "The language used was incredibly vague."

Jax: "I didn't sign sh[HONK]!"

Lanino: "Regardless of complaints, this is happening now! So, let's spin for our first pair."

Professor Toad and Luna.

Luna: "There's no way this'll work out."

Elnina: "Doesn't have to end in romance, you just need to get along."

Lanino: "Alright, next spin."

IC-313n and Artist.

IC-313n: "Did you need to kick me while I'm down?"

Artist: "Hm...."

Elnina: "Lucky number three is...."

Ralsei and Jax.

Jax: "I am not doing this."

Ralsei: "I don't think we have a choice."

Lanino: "Of course, that leaves us with-"

Steven and Hatsune Mario.

Steven: "You're fucking kidding me."

Hatsune Mario: "triiiiple jump."

Starwalker: "it's time for the."

Green Room, 10:35 PM.

four tables have been set up, housing each pair for their first task, a simple date with a drink served.

starting off where we started, we have-

Luna: "...."

Professor Toad: ".... So, how are we going about this?"

Luna: "They just want us to get along, I guess."

Professor Toad: "You're more experienced with dates, right? Could you lead?"

Luna: "It'd be a massive disservice to Spectra to compare this to being with her."

Professor Toad: "Hey...."

Luna: "Apologies, but I really don't think this can work. I really doubt we have anything in common."

Professor Toad: "We can't know unless we give it a try! So, for example, ancient artifacts?"

Luna: ".... That sounds interesting, actually. Which do you know?"

Professor Toad: "Oh, just let me get started!"

we won't, cut to another table.

Jax is just just sitting back, legs on the table and everything.

Ralsei: "Come on, at least give it a shot."

Jax: "Nope, not dealing with this."

Ralsei: "This could help you out in the long run, once you're done with me, you've got a better idea of how you could make more real friends-"

Jax: "I don't want friends. End of story."

Ralsei: ".... I see."

neat, things are going great over there. How are these guys over here doing?

Hatsune Mario: "Mario, number one! Woohoo!"

Steven: "Please kill me."

nifty. Last table up, and they're staring pretty intensely back at each other.

IC-313n: "If you expect me to be nice to you for any reason, you will find yourself to be severely mistaken, you understand, right?"

Artist: "I know, I know, my rejection was rather uncalled for. And, to be honest, I do regret my actions. I've been looking for an excuse to talk to you for a while now."

IC-313n: "What, for me? To mock me? To-"

Artist: "No, I hold no ill will when I say this. But, from observing you for afar, I believe I know your big issue. You simply don't understand how to express yourself."

IC-313n: "Excuse me?"

Artist: "You never got a chance to develop your own unique style, simply copying off your own brother. But that's not your true calling. You have yet to notice, leaving you unable to stray away from this path you find yourself in."

IC-313n: ".... Keh, as if."

Artist: "You hold no actual rebuttal, of course. But I know, somewhere deep down inside of yourself, you just wish to share what you really feel, in your own way."

IC-313n: "Nothing you say makes any sense, of course."

Artist: "Eventually, your denial won't be able to hold up anymore."

those were some nice interactions. Time for the drinks. A bartender is here, walking to one of the tables.

Ramb: "Good day, luv, what would you like?”

Jax: "Gimme a burger, or something."

Ramb: "Oh, luv, we only serve drinks around here."

Jax: "I asked for a burger, and you're getting me one."

Ramb: "Alright, then. What about you?"

Ralsei: "I don't want anything, thank you."

he just shrugs, walking off to the next table. 

Ramb: "Anything I can get you?"

IC-313n: "I don't need any of that, try and sell to someone else!"

Artist: "I'll take some tea. Any works, the sensation of it is what truly matters."

IC-313n: "Weirdo...."

listed that down, time for the next table. 

Ramb: "What could I offer you, luvs?"

Professor Toad: "Do you guys have any Turtle Tea? Heard some good things about it."

Luna: "Suppose I'll try as well, why not?"

simple, clean. He walks to the final table. 

Ramb: "What drink could I get for you, luv?"

Steven: "As much beer as you can without getting fired."

he returns to his station, and quickly makes those drinks ordered from him. He also gets a convenience store hamburger for Jax.

a bit of time passes, and everyone's already got their drinks in hand. Wonder how everyone's doing now.

IC-313n: ".... Why are you holding the cup like that?"

Artist: "For the sake of expressing myself."

IC-313n: "Wow, you're just pathetic."

Jax is simply eating his burger in silence.

Ralsei: ".... Could we-?"

Jax: "No."

Ralsei: "Alright, then."

these two appear to be playing cards.

Hatsune Mario: "Do you have any.... Bowserzs?"

Steven: "Go fish."

Hatsune Mario: "Come here, fishy fishy, heeeeere!"

Professor Toad has been yapping for minutes on end, incredibly slowly thanks to the tea he got.

at least Luna seems intrigued.

eventually, this leads up to- 

Guitarist Stage - 10:50 PM.

Lanino: "Welcome to the second portion! You simple have to stand up on the stage, and dance together!"

Starwalker: "it's hosted by us."

Elnina: "Dear, I believe they understood that."

Starwalker: "just making sure."

Hatsune Mario already busting a move.

Steven: "I think they said it needed to be together."

it's not stopping.

Steven: "Not like I'm complaining."

Ralsei: ".... Would you like to try?"

Jax: "What does it look like?"

Ralsei: "Like you're not trying to win. Even if you don't like me, you should at least try and win the challenge."

Jax: "I don't care about this show. The prize is probably useless to me, plus, everything was fine back home."

Ralsei: "That sounds to be like it wasn't."

Jax: "Shut up."

Artist: "Ah, maybe this could be your calling. Dancing is an art, as you know. While I'm no expert on it, I know that-"

IC-313n: "Oh, my God, will you just shut up! I'm not dealing with you, don't you understand that already?"

Artist: "Ah, fair enough."

and then there's the last two.

look at them, actually dancing together. It's pretty nice, pretty calming.

Lanino: "Huh, there isn't exactly much to judge, is there?"

Elnina: "None the matter, we already have a great impression of how they're doing. Just one more thing left to go."

Main Stage - 11:03 PM.

"kiss each other."

Jax: "You did not just make that the final step of the challenge."

Ralsei: ".... I respect your decision to refrain."

Luna: "Right, I'm definitely not comfortable with this...."

Professor Toad: "Don't worry, I won't make you."

Steven: "Do we really-"

suddenly, the Italian Vocaloid grabbed onto Steven's shoulders, giving him a passionate kiss on the phone head.

Steven: "WHAT THE HELL-!?"

Artist: "...."

IC-313n: ".... I don't want to lose the challenge."

Artist: "Very well."

the two of them kissed.

Lanino: "And with that, our challenge is over. And I believe it's not a hard choice."

Elnina: "While we did claim only one group would be safe, four of you accomplished our challenge so well, we'll have to award two pairs safety."

Lanino: "So, for showing interest and encouragement in each other, never arguing with each other, and making solid progress...."

Starwalker: "the moth. 

the mushroom. 

the phone.

the thingy.

four safe people once ruled over this earth or something i forgot the avatar quote."

Jax: ".... Whatever."

Ralsei: "...."

IC-313n: "That fucking kiss was for nothing."

Artist: "I can only hope my words resonated, even if only a little bit."

great work dumb dumb you missed voting.

Chapter Text

Green Room - 10:33 AM.

finally, everyone had gotten a chance to sleep before continuing the competition. While half of the competition was sitting around the main stage, the other half sat here. two of them rested across from each other, early morning drinks in hand.

Luna: "-And that's how it all went down."

Professor Toad: "Wow.... Glad it all turned out okay in the end."

Luna: "That I agree with."

pause. Sip, sippy.

Professor Toad: ".... Sooo, who do you think is getting out?"

Luna: "Couldn't say for sure. I'd assume whoever did the worst, I wasn't paying too much attention to the rest last challenge."

Professor Toad: "Me neither. It's weird, even though we're like, a decent ways through, it feels like I haven't gotten to know anyone."

Luna: "I suppose this just isn't the best place to build a decent relationship."

Professor Toad: "Worked for us, though. I'd love to visit once the competition is over."

Luna: "The sentiment is shared."

Steven: "At least things worked out for someone."

Professor Toad: "Huh-? Hey, it's pretty rude to interrupt, you know."

Steven: "What do you want me to do, go have a nice chat with that thing?"

Hatsune Mario: "New, Super Mario Brothers! Wii-he!"

Luna: "And here I was thinking you had gotten along."

Steven: "I can tolerate it, maybe, but not for too long."

Professor Toad: "Looks like the results weren't that close after all, maybe you shouldn't have been safe."

Starwalker: "hindsight is pissing me off.

Luna: ".... Aren't you supposed to be doing the challenge right now?"

Starwalker: "i'm your adult supervision."

Steven: "I am over 40."

           —

Main Stage - 10:34.

Lanino: "Welcome to the very first merge elimination, everyone!"

IC-313n: "Thanks for the reassurance, jerks."

Jax: "What's that guy doing here?"

Ramb: "Just wanted to watch from up closer, luv. This whole deal got me interested."

Elnina: "Anyway, only one of you is safe without any votes. One is safe with one, one with two, and the other recieved three, and must say goodbye to this game."

Lanino: "First safe, we have...."

Ramb hands Artist a drink, signaling her safety. 

Ramb: "Here you go, lass, just for you."

Artist: "I thought of a good catching technique for nothing, it seems." 

she sighs to herself, before looking back at those still in danger, concern notable on her face.

Elnina: "With only a single vote, we have-"

a drink is handed to Jax as well. He throws it over his shoulder, smashing the glass.

Ramb: "Oi, what was that for? I know you're not happy to stay, but at least hold some respect."

Jax: "Never said I wanted to get out, I just didn't want to deal with that [BOOP]."

Lanino: "Fair, to be honest."

Elnina: "So, final two."

IC-313n: she seems rather annoyed.

his expression is harder to read.

Lanino: "Suppose there's no need to delay. Last safe, is..."

Ralsei takes the glass. 

Ralsei: "Oh, I see...."

IC-313n: "Of fucking course, that's how it ends."

clearly rather upset, she gets up. 

IC-313n: "No use raging about it, I guess."

Artist: ".... My apologies-"

IC-313n: "No, no, you're fine. I kinda needed that speech, to be honest. If anything, it sucks that I can't actually go anywhere with it."

Artist: "Just because your time here is over, it doesn't mean your chances are over. Don't fall back into it, please."

IC-313n: ".... I'll try my hardest."

Ralsei: "Goodbye, then."

Jax: "...."

8th - IC-313n.

Cooking Channel Room - 11:05.

Luna: "Are we doing a cooking challenge?"

Starwalker: "cooking challenge."

Elnina: "The concept is simple enough, right? Cooking stations for everyone, whatever each of you make will be judged by us."

Ramb: "Can't wait to see what all of you have got in store, luvs."

Jax: "Alright, let's get to it."

soon enough, everyone had headed to their respective station, looking over what they've got to cook with.

Steven: "Alright, if it works for the kiddos, it'll probably work for them. Just think of how the employees did it, and do it better." 

he fires up the oven, ready to serve cheap pizza place food to the hosts.

Hatsune Mario: "Why are you talking to yourself like an insane person?"

Steven: ".... Leave me alone."

Hatsune Mario: "Okie, dokie!"

Ralsei: "Hm, hm, hm...." 

this man's already almost got something done. Seems efficient, wonder how it'll work out for him.

Professor Toad: ".... So, are you good at cooking? I usually just go out and buy premade food, easier to get while travelling."

Luna: "I'm not the best at this either, but I'll see what we can do."

Professor Toad: "Perfect, let's give it our all-!" 

something hits him on the head, clocking his helmet down. 

Professor Toad: "-Ow! Who-?"

he's lightly knocked over by another thrown object.

Jax: "Now that's a home-run, let's go!" 

he's started to throw the things he's been given to use in cooking, rather than actually cooking.

Luna: "Hey, what's the big idea here-?"

he chucks a bag of flour at her, as it pops and goes all over her face.

Luna: “Gah!”

Steven: ".... The hell are you up to?"

Jax: "I'm just having some fun! It's just a game, I might as well enjoy myself."

Ralsei: "Could we please not do this? Let's just do the challenge as-"

Jax immediately heads to his station, taking an item that Ralsei had already finished preparing.

Jax: "Food fight, everybody!"

Hatsune Mario: "Oh, yeah!"

they start throwing vegetables everywhere.

Professor Toad: "Oh, Vellumentals, this can't be good!"

Luna: "No, this is ending now!"

she whips out her scythe. Only to get clocked in the head by an entire dish, knocking her onto the ground.

things have immediately gotten out of hand, most trying desperately to stop Jax's wild act, while Hatsune Mario just escalates the situation further.

then, we have her, standing off to the side. Her eyes are wide, as she looks back at this scuffle. 

Artist: ".... The mess, the chaos, the disarray. Personalities clashing with each other, no sense of harmony. And yet, it's all so perfect. Perfectly encapsulating the contest. Such different people, thrown into such random tasks. It all blows over in a cloud of mania. It's just...."

 with her hands, she sketches something on a piece of paper. She's not even looking at what she's doing, still staring at the unfolding fight.

back to the middle of the brawl.

Jax: "Hah! Nice miss, fungi-"

he's interrupted, as Steven delivers a punch straight to his face. 

Steven: "Would you stop this shit right now-!"

with a dark look in his eyes, he grabbed a frying pan and struck the phone guy in the chest, knocking him to the ground.

Steven: ".... Ow...."

Jax: "...."

he looks down at the man. Then looks back at his surroundings with a clearer head. An oven got knocked over, and is laying by a gas canister. Most people take notice, and stop in their tracks.

Minigame Doors - 11:13.

as everyone around tries desperately to stop the fire, a Zapper pulls the last of the contestants' bodies from the wreckage. Revive dust is sprinkled atop all of them. They blink back to life.

Elnina: ".... You set it all on fire. We gave you a simple challenge, and you went and destroyed everything."

Steven: "Look, it was his fault-!"

Ralsei: "No, no, let's not do this. We messed up. I can only hope you can forgive us."

Professor Toad: "...."

Luna: "...." 

the both of them are glaring at Jax, but choose to not say anything.

Jax: "...." 

nothing from his jaws either.

Artist: "...." 

she quickly checks herself. The sketch she made was recovered as well. 

she breathes a massive sigh of relief.

Hatsune Mario: "mama miba."

Lanino: "Alright, then. For this, you're all up for elimination."

Starwalker: "who let broskis cook."

you missed voting buddy.

Chapter Text

Main Stage - 11:56.

a chilling tension fills the room.

Lanino: "So, I hope everyone can recall the recent incident that has led you all here."

Jax: "It's been less than an hour, how-"

Steven: "Dude, stop it."

Elnina: "Well, we certainly recall. And we do have to say...."

Lanino: "How could you be so ruthless!?"

waterfalls of tears come from both of his eyes.

Elnina: "How could you be so careless!?"

waterfalls of tears come from her eyes.

Starwalker: "i'm stunned       and appalled."

the original starwalker.

Luna: "The floor's getting all wet-"

the hosts lock back in. 

Elnina: "Regardless, this elimination will be rather simple."

Lanino: "Only three of you got any votes, it seems."

Starwalker: "winners get nothing."

Professor Toad: "Wait, then how can we tell-?" 

he receives nothing. 

Professor Toad: ".... Huh."

Luna receives nothing as well, sighing in relief.

nothing for Artist.

and nothing for Steven.

Jax: "Really? Pretty sure at least some of the blame could go to him for this."

Ralsei: "I- don't think that makes sense."

Jax: "'I dON'T THINk thAT mAkeS SEnsE', that's you."

Lanino: ".... Okay. Alright, then, let's make this simple."

Elnina: "Eliminated with four votes, while the others only got one each...."

Starwalker: "mario dies tonight."

Hatsune Mario: "Oh-ho, no! Game over...."

7th - Hatsune Mario.

Artist: "Alright, then. By what time will the challenge be happening? I've gotten a good understanding, just making sure."

Elnina: "Well, about that."

Lanino: "There will be a challenge happening soon, it just won't involve anyone here."

Professor Toad: "Huh? What's it about, then?"

Lanino: "You'll find out soon enough! For now, just sit back and wait."

Jax: "Cool."

the contestants leave the scene.

–

Green Room - 12:10.

an awkward silence fills the room.

Ralsei: ".... So. Final six."

Luna: "Final six...."

Professor Toad: "Final six!"

Jax: "Whoop de doo, or whatever...."

Artist: "It's getting pretty close to the end, yet it still feels like none of us really know each other."

Ralsei: "I guess we do have the chance to change that now, without a challenge in the way."

Professor Toad: "So.... Phone man, why did you choose to join?"

Steven: "The company wanted me in, said it would be a good way to advertise."

Luna: "Company?"

Jax: "Terrible advertisement, if that's the reaction."

Steven: "Can't you recognise me? I'm a Phone Guy, those are synonymous with the brand."

Artist: "If you need to be familiar with the brand to understand the advert, that makes for a rather poor advert."

Steven: ".... Crap."

Professor Toad: "Who are you working for, then?"

Steven: "Freddy Fazbenders' Pepperoni-"

he was cut off, as Jax erupted into laughter.

Luna: "Is that really the name?"

Steven: "Look, I'm not that much of a fan either."

Artist: "Even I can't comprehend the choice...."

Steven: ".... Alright, you. Why did you get on this show?"

Artist: "Well, I was going through a pretty big art block at the time. Nothing was speaking to me, and I barely had the motivation to eat, let alone create. Then, the promotional material for this show crossed my eye. Such an opportunity could leave me with the perfect experience to inspire more art pieces, and I'm proud to say it's lived up to my expectations."

Luna: "That's good to hear. I was mostly talked into this by my partner, to be fully honest."

Professor Toad: "After not much was left to explore back home, I thought to try this out. To find something to do, pretty much."

Ralsei: "I-"

Jax: "And I don't know how the heck I got here."

Steven: "Yes, we've heard it a few times."

Jax: "Doesn't make it less true! Anyway, what are those guys doing without us now? Screwing around? Setting up the next big fun adventure?"

Professor Toad: "Not really sure, to be honest. I'm sure they'll tell us once we get back to things."

Cowboy Minigame Room - 12:12.

one big target stood, as a few people we used to know stare towards it.

Johnny Panzer: "Come on, Johnny.... You rose up the ranks no problem, your father was so proud of you, you can't let something like this be your downfall...."

Balloon Boy: "Hello?"

Oxob stared blankly, hands dripping with energy.

Subway Seat: "Alright, here we go, I got it...."

Book: "No problem, all's going be alright...."

Krow: "Pssh, as if this could pose a threat. With us back together, nothing can-"

notably, IC-313n is standing relatively far from her brother.

Krow: ".... Huh."

Elnina: "Welcome back, all of you!"

Lanino: "As you've already heard, this is your opportunity to get back into the game. But, it won't be that simple."

Elnina: "We've set up this challenge for you all, and it's for more than simply getting you reintroduced to our audience."

Starwalker: "shoot the circle. miss and you're not just a loser you're stupid."

Elnina: "Exactly! If you can successfully shoot at the target, you'll get a chance to be voted back in."

Lanino: "But if you miss, you'll be guaranteed to stay eliminated. Is that understood?"

Krow: "Very correct, let us get started!"

Starwalker: "patience        young grasshopper."

Krow: "Don't call me that-"

Book: "H-hey, wait! I thought you said we had a chance to rejoin at the final seven. If my math is right, shouldn't there be one more person here?"

Lanino: "Ah, right. There is one more eliminated contestant, but we decided against letting them participate. There's more than one reason for that, but I can guess you wish to start the challenge already?"

Elnina: "Let's begin, in reverse order, from the first to be eliminated!"

Johnny: ".... Alright." 

he steps up first. A weapon to shoot is laid out in front of him, but he just takes the gun he already has.

Johnny: ".... For the good of everyone!" 

he fires.

Elnina: "And it looks like that's a direct hit."

Johnny: "Let's go!" 

he pumps up his arms in celebration. This causes his gun to discharge another bullet upwards. 

Johnny: "Oh, shit-!" 

he quickly turns the safety on, the bullet harmlessly landing.

Lanino: "Please be careful with that. Anyhow, next up...."

Balloon Boy: "Hi!"

 .... It's not stepping up.

Starwalker: "go."

Balloon Boy: "Hello?"

Starwalker: "do a gun gun."

Balloon Boy: "Ahahahaha!"

Elnina: ".... I don't think this'll work out."

Lanino: "Right, he's not returning. Next up!"

with a glare in his eyes, he steps forwards.

he takes a breath, before punching forwards. The electrical energy released notably makes the target shake.

Elnina: ".... Does that count?"

Lanino: "The target was hit with something, I guess."

Starwalker: "watt are we thinking."

Elnina: "Let's- sure, let's count that. Following that up, we have...."

Subway Seat starts to slide up to the free weapon.

.... 

he gets there.

Subway Seat: ".... So, how does this thing work?"

"You, uh, have to pull the trigger to fire."

Subway Seat: "Trigger? Like, this thing-?" 

he hits the trigger, missing completely.

Subway Seat: "Oh, whoops."

Lanino: "You can go again, if you-"

he's pulling himself away.

.... 

he gets back to his original spot.

Elnina: "Alright, next up."

she carefully holds the gun. 

Book: "I'm no firearms manual, but let's see..."

with a tight hold, she fires.

Lanino: ".... Ah, that's a narrow miss."

Elnina: "You hate to see it."

Book: "You really do...." 

she steps away, letting the next shooter take center stage.

Krow: "The losing streak ends here, however."

Johnny: "Two people isn't much of a streak-"

Krow: "Shut your mouth, I'm about to shoot."

taking the gun, he looks back at the other eliminated contestants, one in particular.

she gives a deadpan stare in return.

a stare which he takes as reassurance.

he closes his eyes, and spins the gun around in his hand.

Subway Seat: "What's he doing?"

Book: "Oh, that can't be good-"

Krow: "Witness me!" 

without opening his eyes, he fires.

It missed horribly.

Krow: ".... What!?" 

he stares at the crowd again, this time, noticeably enraged. 

Krow: "What the hell, sister!? You didn't act out your part!"

Elnina: "What's going on?"

IC-313n: "I never agreed to this plan of yours, brother."

Krow: "We had it all fleshed out, we-"

IC-313n: "Care to step away? I'm last up, and we don't want to stall this out."

Krow: "You little bitch-!"

Starwalker: "dude stop it."

Krow: "I- You- she-!"

Elnina: "Seriously, move out of the way."

Krow: "...." 

he steps away, pouting.

without much to say, she takes the stage. 

IC-313n: "Nice, and simple...." 

she simply takes the gun laid out for her, and carefully aims. And fires.

Lanino: ".... And we end it with a hit!"

Elnina: "So, the three of you will get a chance to return to the game!"

Subway Seat: "Good luck, everybody!"

he holsters his gun, looking pretty serious. 

Johnny: "Make the right choice, viewer."

with a similar glare, his arms stay crossed.

Oxob:  "...."

she seems a bit more relaxed, mildly sighing.

IC-313n: "Do what's best, all of you."

i can't believe you missed voting.

Chapter Text

Main Stage - 13:22.

a silence surrounded the three candidates.

while they all held separate feelings, they were choosing to keep them to themselves.

not doing so would be rude, of course.

the hosts stand in front of them, prepared to begin the ceremony. However, behind them stood-

Luna: "Ah, so this is what it was about."

Professor Toad: "Well, we didn't know most of you for long, it'll be nice getting a second chance."

Ralsei: "Agreed!"

Steven: "Yup. Cool."

Jax: "How did the cop make it on here? Slip Starboy a fifty?"

Johnny: "Hey!"

Elnina: "Please, don't start fighting like this."

Starwalker: "it'd take at least fifty four."

Lanino: "Alright, anyway. Today, you three will see who gets the chance to rejoin our game!"

Johnny: "Right, we got that."

Oxob's still quiet, of course.

while IC-313n just stares back at those six behind the hosts. One in particular.

Artist stares back. Anticipating.

Elnina: ".... But, there's a little more to this that we didn't tell any of you about!"

Ralsei: "Huh?"

Lanino: "We came to an agreement, our little competition was feeling a little short. No issue with any of it, just going a bit too quickly."

Elnina: "So, therefore-"

Starwalker: "the power of two."

Lanino: "Two of you will be coming back to the competition."

Johnny: ".... Huh."

Oxob: "...."

IC-313n: "...."

Jax: "If the cop loses this, you all owe me ten bucks."

Johnny: "You-!"

Lanino: "Anyways!"

Elnina: "No reason to delay much further."

a wave of tension flows through the three.

Lanino: "So, the one who won't be coming back...."

Johnny starts going pale from anticipation.

Oxob stays fully serious.

IC-313n is hard to read.

Elnina: "With only a single vote in their favour.... We're sorry, Oxob."

he sighs. As he-

Johnny: "YES! Yes, let's go!" 

he jumps out of his seat, arms pumped up.

a beat of silence passes, as almost everyone stares at him.

IC-313n: "Dude...."

Steven: "Really, man?"

Luna: "That's just needless."

Johnny: ".... Hey, I worked hard for this, I deserved it!"

Jax: "You got out first, dude."

Johnny: "Sh-shut up!"

Elnina: "Anyways, IC-313n received two votes, while Johnny got three. Welcome back to the game."

she stands without much of a word, but offers a bit of a sympathetic look to the one who didn't make it back.

he appears upset, but accepting. And so, he leaves.

IC-313n: ".... I'm just glad to have my chance."

Artist smiles back, a quiet showing.

Jax: "Twenty bucks says the cop is going out again immediately."

Johnny: "You piece of-!"

XXth - Johnny Panzer and IC-313n.

Green Room - 14:35.

a single table has been set up, two chairs on both sides. On one side, someone's already sat down.

Luna: ".... What are they doing here?"

Hatsune Mario: "That's-a one book for Mario!"

Lanino: "Since I assume tensions are still high, we decided to bring them back, to be a part of this challenge."

Jax: "And this'll solve the issue, how?"

Starwalker: "by forcing you to be nice for      once in your life."

Elnina: "The challenge is simple. We'll call out each of your names one by one, and you'll go out there, sit beside Hatsune Mario, and do whatever. If they like it, you're safe."

Ralsei: "Huh. What would they like?"

Steven: "I have no idea."

Lanino: "Figuring it out is integral to the challenge! Let's hope you're able to."

Johnny: "Wouldn't that be unfair to those going first? They can't scope what-"

Jax: "Okay, cool, shut it, the game isn't fair and you just have to deal with that."

Johnny: "Wha-!?"

Elnina: "Enough discussions, please.... Alright, in alphabetical order. Artist, if you'd please start off."

Artist: "Very well, then."

the artist takes a seat, as a bit of tension fills the room. She takes a deep breath, preparing her words carefully.

Artist: ".... Hatsune Mario, wasn't it? We may not have had much time together, but it feels like I can understand you. Your words, your actions, your determination. It's all so interesting, so inspiring. You hold no fear in being who you truly are. And for that, I must-"

Hatsune Mario: "Hhhoooonk, schniuu...."

Artist: ".... Did you just snore at me?"

Artist is - not safe.

Artist: ".... Oh, well. Art is subjective, after all." 

she steps off the chair, taking it rather well.

Lanino: "Coming up second, one of our rejoiners, IC-313n, please."

she quietly sits right by the Italian vocaloid, staring back into their eyes.

Hatsune Mario: "Hello, little stylus!"

IC-313n: "...." 

from behind her back, she produces a simple flower.

Hatsune Mario: "Wonder-full!"

IC-313n is - safe.

she smiles, and returns to the crowd.

Artist: "After seeing how words didn't go well, you chose to give a gift. Very clever."

IC-313n: "Learned from the best, after all."

Jax: "Yeah, whatever, me next."

Starwalker: "no one said you were next."

Jax: "Then say it."

Starwalker: "you were next."

he gives a fancy strut, then sits down. 

Jax: "You're ugly, and you suck."

Hatsune Mario: "Yummy!"

Jax is - safe.

Jax: "What."

Professor Toad: "That's- pretty weird."

Elnina: "Don't judge what they think is best, I guess."

Jax: "Eh, we take those." 

he just steps back.

Lanino: "Now, our next rejoiner gets to head up."

Johnny: "Right...." 

he takes a deep breath, psyching himself up. He barely steps towards the chair, before-

Hatsune Mario: "No, ho ho!"

Johnny is - not safe.

Johnny: ".... WHAT!?"

Lanino: "Looks like they-"

Johnny: "I genuinely did nothing! It didn't give me a single chance, what was that!?"

Jax: "Heh, looks like it understands common decency."

Johnny: ".... No, I get what's happening."

Luna: "What are you trying to say?"

Johnny: "The game's rigged, isn't it?"

Lanino: "I can assure you, we didn't-"

Johnny: "Don't pretend now, it all matches up! In the first challenge, you made it match point out of nowhere, so my team could lose. Then, in the rejoin, you made it two people because you didn't want it to just be me rejoining! And now, this!"

Steven: "Dude, it could just be that that thing hates you."

Johnny: "No, no! You're rigging the game, you're ruining it, you won't-"

Starwalker: "stop."

Johnny: "You're-!"

Starwalker: "shut up."

Johnny: "At least address this!"

Elnina: ".... Luna is up next."

Johnny: ".... God, damn you."

very awkwardly, she takes a seat. 

Luna: "So, uh. We, haven't had the chance to talk much, but, you're interesting. Is there anything you'd like me to say, anything you'd like to hear, or-"

Hatsune Mario: "Thank-a you so much, for playing my game."

Luna is - safe.

Luna: ".... Okay, I did not expect that to work."

Johnny: "That- that's just the same thing the Artist did! Except it hit a different result!"

Steven: "I don't think we should question the thing."

Lanino: "Now then, Professor, go on."

he goes up as Luna returns. 

Professor Toad: "So, you kinda remind me of someone. I think I'll try to see if you enjoy something I know he does." 

he reaches into his bag, pulling out a hammer, which he hands over. 

Professor Toad: "For swinging, and hitting stuff with, you know."

Hatsune Mario: "Okie-dokie."

he proceeds to hit Professor Toad on the head with it.

Professor Toad: "Ow!"

Professor Toad is - not safe.

Professor Toad: "Aw, jeez...."

Luna: "Ouch...."

Lanino: "With that, last two left. Ralsei, if you'd please."

Ralsei: "On it." 

the mushroom walks off, he takes his place. 

Ralsei: "...." 

and he seems to be contemplating this one. Thinking hard of what to say, or what to do.

Ralsei: "...." 

he just smiles.

Hatsune Mario: "That's-a so nice!"

Ralsei is - safe.

and with that, he walks back.

Elnina: "Last one up, you know what to do."

Steven: "Yup, uh huh."

he calmly walks over, and takes a seat. 

Steven: ".... You wanna, kiss again or something?"

Hatsune Mario: "you tasted like metal and broken dreams so never get close to me ever again."

Steven is - not safe.

Steven: "Damnit, Fazbenders."

Lanino: "It looks like that's the end of things. Hatsune Mario, you may leave."

they phase through the floor and into the backrooms.

Elnina: "Any last words before we close things off?"

Johnny: "You already know-"

Starwalker: "does literally anyone else have words."

Jax: "No."

Starwalker: "okay."

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