Total Drama Genesis

Years ago, Total Drama was cancelled, but left it's mark by starting the trend of teen reality shows. Now, the new holders of the rights to Total Drama set out to cash in on the craze by making a reboot of the popular franchise, with an 'American' version of the show! Three struggling actors host in America's capital of Washington, D.C. where twenty-two teens compete for two million dollars along fame and fortune. Who will win the show? Who will lose? And will the show be a success or the last cliffnote in Total Drama's history...

Staff
Rhonda- Hostess

Jenny- Co-hostess

Toby - Co-host

Contestants
Aiden- The American Patriot

Bethany- The All Star

Cynthia- The Sociopath

Diamonique- The Scatterbrain

Easton- The Older Twin

Frannie- The Circus Act

Griswold- The Lineman

Hayden- The Big Brother

Ignacio- Mr. Fanservice

Jasper- Some Nobody

Kalino- The Slacker

Lita- The Knockout

Melissa- The Sweetheart

Ness- The Jinx

Pascal- The Pop Star

Riley- The Bro

Seraphina- The Psychic

Tessa- The Big Shot

Vance- The Rodeo Champ

Weston- The Younger Twin

Xidorn- The Straight Shooter

Zipporah- The Token Goth

Chapter 1 Total Drama Goes to Washington (Part One)
"No, no over there!”

“I put it over there earlier!”

“Then you’ll have no trouble putting it there again!”

An old woman glanced up from her magazine. She had only been in Washington for a few days and yet she had gotten use to the busy nature of the metro stations. But scurrying around the plaza were camera crews, grips, gaffers, makeup artists, and other such ‘behind the scene’ workers. Two young ones were arguing about where to place a bundle of balloons, while others hung a banner.

“What’s happening here?” the old woman asked herself

The girl sitting next to her looked up from her scripts. “Didn’t you hear? This station is the premiere of a reality show!”

“Reality show?” the old woman replied. “Which one?”

“Total Drama,” the girl replied.

The old woman tilted her head in confusion. “Total Drama… is it one of those teen reality shows networks keep trying to pass off?”

The girl squirmed a little. “Well, kind of. It was a popular show in Canada that had a cult following in the US. It basically started the trend of teenage reality shows.”

“Oh yes!” the old woman recalled. “I remember watching a few of those early seasons. Whatever happened to that show?”

The girl scowled. “Budget issues, lawsuits, a big drop in ratings, failed merchandise…it all ended up leading the network to cancel it. An American corporation bought it and tried to revive it but that plan had issues, never got on air and was cancelled…again.”

“So why is it back now?” the old woman inquired.

“Well it’s like you said,” the girl replied, “a lot of networks are making reality shows starring teenagers, all trying to mimic Total Drama. Despite all of its later seasons flaws, the original was still a huge success. The corporation still had the rights and its head is a huge fan of the show, so they’re trying to reboot it. They’re calling it an American version of Total Drama.”

“I might just have to watch it,” the old woman said. “Is that old host returning? I remember him being real handsome.”

“No,” the girl replied, “he left the franchise after a health scare to pursue his acting career. Then he did some bad movies and afterwards…disappeared. Some say he went to jail for some illegal scam, while others say he ran away with his big, burly assistant to a private island. Some insist he died a long time ago.”

“Well that's a darn shame,” the woman stated. “Who is the new host?”

The girl smiled and peered into the old woman’s magazine. She flipped a few pages before she stopped, and pointed at picture. The picture was a young woman, the magazine said eighteen but she could pass for younger. She was simple, with brunette hair and hazel eyes dressed in a purple hoodie and average jeans.

“Hmm,” the old woman said, "she seems rather plain and frumpy to actually host a big TV show, don’t you think?”

“Rhonda!” a voice called. “Get it over here, the show’s about to start.

The young girl stood up and scowled at the old lady. “Thanks for that.”

Rhonda walked up to the mass of balloons where a boy and girl about Rhonda’s age argued.

The girl was a petite, short youth with a freckled face and a slightly pointed noise. She wore a lime green shirt underneath a worn out pair of overalls that she coordinated with high top purple sneakers, which lit up when she walked or stomped her feet. Her orange ponytail bobbed from side to side as she shook her head.

In contrast, the boy was rather tall, though his hunching posture made it less noticeable. His face seemed to have a frown permanently carved into it. He dressed in a plain gray sweatshirt covered in woodchips and jeans stained with grease spots. His baby blue eyes were hardly noticeable due to the heavy dark circles surrounding them.

“I’m here,” Rhonda stated. “How long till the show starts?”

“Oh it started three minutes ago!” the redhead replied. “We’ve been filming you talking to the old broad over there.”

“What!” Rhonda exclaimed. “Why didn’t you call me?”

“We were on break,” the blonde said.

“Union laws,” the redhead added.

“Remind me of why you two idiots are here again?” Rhonda sighed.

“Because we’re your only friends not from the Internet and you couldn’t get anyone else,” the redhead replied. “Remember?”

“We’re still filming,” the blonde stated.

Rhonda turned to a cameraman and forced a smile. “Hello. And welcome, to…Total Drama Genesis.”

The camera panned up to the banner, which read Total Drama Genesis in blue letters.

Rhonda nodded. “I’m your host Rhonda and these two knuckleheads are my co-hosts, Jenny and Toby. You might recognize us three from our sketch comedy or our Youtube videos.”

“Probably not though,” Jenny admitted.

“But we’re also big fans of reality television,” Rhonda continued. “And we’re here in Washington, D.C. to bring you the return of one of reality TV’s biggest darlings; Total Drama! Like the original, twenty-two teens will compete on our show. They’ll live together in close quarters, duke it out in intense challenges and vote off one another in ceremonies until only two are left to compete for the grand prize; now two million dollars! Who will be able to conquer the toughest, grossest, intensest competition ever? Let’s find out!"

A loud screech echoed through th subway. A subway halted to a stop at the gates, releasing a stampede of travelers into the station.

“We’ll be meeting our cast of contestants at this station,” Rhonda explains. “They’ll be getting off the subway at any-“

The hostess was interrupted by a basketball to the face, which knocked her down onto the pavement.

“That must be one of our contestants now.”

“I’m so sorry about that,” a voice called out.

A tall woman jogged up to the hosts. She was a somewhat muscular girl of African American descent, and towered over the hosts at over six feet tall. Her jet-black hair was cut in a bob and sported a red sweatband that matched the sweatbands on her wrists and the red striped sneakers on her feet. Her red jersey was numbered with a '1' that matched her red shorts.

The basketball bounced on the jockette's left finger, who spun it while she helped Rhonda off the ground. The athlete carried all her luggage in a single Harlem Globetrotter brand duffle bag on her right shoulder.

“Are you alright?” the athlete asked.

“Fine,” Rhonda replied, “the only thing hurt was my pride. Anyway, it’s nice to have you on the show Bethany.”

Bethany blushed. “Again, I’m sorry about that. I should’ve held on to the ball better.”

“It’s cool,” Rhonda said. “I see you came in your uniform.”

“Yeah,” Bethany replied, “it’s for the best shot-put team ever, the Shelbyville Lady Canaries!”

Bethany laughed. “I figured this was going to be a tough competition, so I should dress for it. It's going to be tough, right?”

Rhonda smirked. “Oh, you have no idea.”

Bethany smiled back. “I was hoping you'd say something like that.”

"I see our next contestant,” Toby stated.

The camera scanned the horizon and focused in on the middle of a crowd, where sky blue hair stood out a mile away. As the crowd dispersed, it turned out to be a thin Asian boy, who smiled wide.

The camera zoomed in on his black sweatshirt that featured a deformed sea monster howling at the moon, with the words ‘Part Of Your World’ printed at the top in pink cursive. The man's purple jeans were held up by rainbow suspenders decorated with buttons of memes. On his back was a panda pack, while he carried an instrument case in one hand and a camera case in the other.

“Welcome Xidorn,” Rhonda said.

Xidorn sat his stuff down and shook Rhonda’s hand. “Thanks, it’s a pleasure to be here.”

"Hey cool instrument case," Bethany said.

“Thanks” Xidorn replied, " play the french horn. I see you're a Harlem Globetrotters fan."

Bethany blushed. "Uh...well, kind of yeah. Mostly my dad is..."

“So how was the metro Xidorn?” Rhonda asked.

“To be honest,” Xidorn admitted,“It was…uncomfortable; some of the people on there…made me anxious.”

“Really?” Rhonda questioned. “How so?”

“To be honest,” Xidorn admitted. “It was just this one person in the corner who…oh my god. They followed me…”

“Who?”

Xidorn started to shake. “Bethany…behind you…”

Bethany raised an eyebrow. “What do you…”

Bethany froze as she felt a deep breath exhale on her neck. Slowly, she turned around. There was no one.

Xidorn shook even more. “Where did…”

The two contestants turned around in a fright as they heard a clang. Even the hosts spun around as a new contestant dropped their stuff off.

“That’s the person,” Xidorn whispered, “from the subway.”

Standing in front of them was girl. She looked mostly normal; she was of average height and wore a school uniform that consisted of a buttoned, white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a dark blue skirt and black flats. Yet her hair was naturally white and matched her pale skin. Her face was expressionless and her grey eyes showed no emotion at all. The woman carried a nondescript black bag.

Rhonda shook. “Oh hello Cynthia.. uh long have you been here?”

She stared back.

“So nice to meet you Cynthia,” Bethany greeted as she took deep breaths and Xidorn cowered behind her.

Cynthia said nothing.

We were just talking about what we like to do," Bethany said. "I umm…play sports, and well Xidorn plays…uh French horn. What did you do?”

Cynthia unzipped her backpack. The contestants peered inside to see a chainsaw, knives, a can of gasoline and a group of black trash bags.

“Oh god,” Bethany whispered.

Another subway pulled to a stop. The contestants and hosts walked ahead to try and see through the crowd. When they step backed…Cynthia was gone. In her place was shards of broken glass arranged into a eye.

"Are you okay Xidorn?” Bethany asked.

“Honestly,” Xidorn admitted, “I peed myself a little.”

“Same,” Rhonda stated. “Uh… I mean here come our next contestants.”

Dashing forward were two twins. They were kind of muscular and yet kind of skinny but tall. The twins were black and and their hair was shaved. Their shorts were grey as were their sneakers. The only difference between the two was one wore a green sweatshirt with a yellow spiral while the other wore a yellow sweatshirt with a green spiral.

“Hi,” the first twin greeted. “This is my brother Weston.”

“And this is my brother Easton,” the other twin added.

“A pleasure to have you two here,” Rhonda said. “So, why did you two decide to join the show?”

“Well I always wanted to compete on a reality show,” Eaton stated. “And Weston thought…”

“It’d be fun if we competed together,” Weston finished. “And together…”

“We’re going to kick butt!” the twins shouted in unison.

“I’m already confused as to who is who,” Rhonda whispered to Toby.

“You do know we're right here?” Easton asked. “And we…

But before Weston could finish their thought, the next subway pulled up. Unlike before however, the crowd quietly started to part as someone marched through it.

“Wait a minute,” Bethany said, “isn’t that the gymnast who a gold medal at the last Summer Olympics?”

“The one on all the talk shows?” Xidorn added.

Rhonda nodded. “This is Tessa.”

Tessa strutted forward Tessa had long, light brunette hair in a ponytail and dark, green eyes. Except for the gold medal she hung around her neck, Tessa dressed like a normal girl, wearing a green flowerily shirt, white pants and brown boots. Upon seeing the other contestants, Tessa scrunched her nose.

“Tessa it’s great to have you here,” Rhonda welcomed.

Tessa didn’t replying, as studied the faces of the current contestants.

“Wow, I can’t believe we’re meeting a celebrity!” Easton said.

“Me either!” Weston added.

“It’s honor to meet you,” Bethany said. “I’m Bethany, I'm an athlete too.”

“Really?” Tessa replied.

“Well not like you,” Bethany said. “Wow, I feel like this competition just got a whole lot more serious.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea,” Tessa stated. “I am not one of those competitive ‘jock’ types, unlike…certain people.”

“Oh…okay,” Bethany said.

“So, why are you here?” Easton asked.

“Yeah,” Weston added.

“I wanted to,” Tessa said, "what’s it to you?”

“Just curious is all,” Easton replied.

Tessa glared at the contestants, who backed away.

“I’m surrounded by a bunch of meatheads,” Tessa whispered as she rolled her eyes.

Another subway arrived. The crowd rushed out yet people start falling down like dominos. Pushing her way to the front was a short and plump African American girl. She dressed in a silvery sequin top, apple bottom brand jeans and fur ugg boots, with a raspberry beret on her head and dangly, gold hoop earrings. She sported a brunette weave with blond highlights. Her arms were laced with shopping bags and in her hand she held a fast food bag.

"Hey lady,” she said to Rhonda, in a slow yet deep voice. “I’m looking for that Total Drama show. You seen it?”

Rhonda pointed up as the camera zoomed out to the banner.

“So they’re upstairs?” the girl asked.

“We’re right here Diamonique,” Rhonda sighed.

“Woah, how did you know my name?” Diamonique asked.

“I’m the host of the show,” Rhonda replied.

Okay,” Diamonique said, “but how did you know my name?”

Rhonda facepalmed. “Why do you have some many bags?”

"I took an early flight so I could go shopping,” Diamonqiue admitted. “I even got some tacos!”

“Did you enjoy the subway?” Rhonda asked.

“Eh, it was fine breakfast but I think it’s better as a lunch place,” Diamonqiue replied. “By the way, do you or do you not know where that Total Drama show is?”

A hearty laugh rings out through the metro station. Behind Diamonique was a large man, almost as tall as Bethany and as wide as Diamonqiue. He wore a red football varisety jacket, cargo pants and sneakers. He had a bit of a stubble on his chin to match his brown hair.

He patted Diamonique on the back while he laughed, almost knocking the girl over.

“You’re a riot,” the boy laughed.

“Nice to have you here Griswold,” Rhonda stated.

“My name’s Diamonique,” the ditz stated.

“How did you get a name like that?” Griswold asked.

“My parents let me rename myself for a birthday,” Diamonique replied. “So I named myself after my birthstone and Monique, the chick from Kim Possible.”

“Well that show is amazing," Griswold replied. "And I was actually born in April too!”

“April?” Diamonqiue asked. “I was born in September.”

Griswold laughed again as he marched on. Diamonqiue shrugged, walked away and began eating another taco.

“I see I’m not the only athlete,” Bethany stated.

“Well I’ve got to represent my primo team after we became state champions this year!” Griswold announced. “Go Bulldogs!”

“Same!” Bethany cheered, as she and Griswold high fived.

“Great,” Tessa mumbled to herself, “another cocky jock.”

Rhonda looked for the next subway, when Toby tapped her shoulder. He pointed to the stairs, were entering was a young man carrying a large backpack. He was jogging down the steps and beamed with a smile. He had blonde hair, blue eyes and somewhat muscular build. He wore an American flag t-shirt, a red baseball cap and a pair of long military camo pants.

He marched up to Rhonda, and then saluted her. “Good day mam’.”

“Hey Aiden,” Rhonda greeted. “Welcome to the show!”

Aiden nodded and marched over to the others.

“Why didn’t you take the subway?” Xidorn asked.

“Oh I’ve lived in Washington D.C. my whole life,” Aiden bragged. “I would have been here sooner but I had to go see all of nation’s monuments…and cry at the symbolism and majesty of them.”

“Okay...” Xidorn replied, “but don't you live here?”

“Yeah,” Aiden stated, “That’s just what I do every morning.”

“It's good to be proud of your country," Rhond said. “I’m actually very happy to be in this state of Washington, at my nation’s capital.”

“Rhonda you do know that Washington D.C. isn’t in the state of Washington, right?” Aiden questioned.

“WHAT?” Rhonda asked. “I thought it was like New York City in New York. What state are we in?”

"We aren’t in a state,” Aiden replied. “We’re in the district of Columbia.”

Rhonda’s eye twitched in annoyance. “So the United States capital isn’t even a state? That’s kind of stupid.”

“I think it works,” Aiden said. “Washington acts as neutral ground for the other states.”

“We should’ve named our capital after our first president,” Diamonique stated.

“You mean George Washington?” Toby questioned.

"Who the heck is that guy!” Diamonqiue asked.

Jenny pointed. “Oh, oh I can see our next victim approaching!”

Everyone looked and saw as the newest arrival, a girl, approached the growing mass of teens, and raised her eyebrows at the group.

“Seraphina,” Rhonda stated to the girl. “How’s it going girl?”

“Alright,” the new arrival replied.

Seraphina was of average height for a girl her age. Her skin was somewhat pale and coordinated rather well with her long, dark auburn hair and somewhat squinty hazel eyes.

Draped over her shoulders and lavender tee, was a wool shawl. She wore simple blue jeans and white sneakers with a lavender stripe. She looked nice but didn’t seem too outstanding. On her shirt in white letters was the phrase, ‘Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.’

“So are you excited to be here?” Rhonda asked.

Seraphina shrugged. “I guess.”

A few brief seconds passed. Seraphina raised her eyebrows and walked into the mass of contestants.

“Nice to meet you Seraphina," Xidorn said.

“Hey,” Seraphina replied. “Right back at you.”

Xidorn held out his hand and Seraphina reached to shake it, but dropped her bag. It opened and out spilled an archaic set of cards all over the platform. Seraphina immediately reached down and began scoping them up.

“Let me help you dude,” Griswold said, as he and others tried to help pick them up.

What are those?” Tessa asked, not moving.

“There called none of your business,” Seraphina replied.

“Aren’t these tarot cards?” Griswold asked as he picked up a few.

“Don’t you know that’s stuff mumbo jumbo?” Tessa stated.

Seraphina rolled her eyes. “I had no idea, but thank God you informed me.”

“Cool!” Easton said, picking up a card.

“Yeah cool,” Weston added.

“Are you a psychic?” Easton asked.

Seraphina sighed. “Yeah, but it’s not a big deal.”

“It’s not,” Tessa stated, “it’s sad; I’ll have you know that I don’t support who-blah like that.”

“I care deeply,” Seraphina replied as she collected her cards.

“Hey guys, let's stay cool,” Aiden stated.

"I’m just using my right to free speech,” Tessa snapped back. “It’s an amendment and you can’t respond with telling me I shouldn’t.”

“Actually while we do have a right to free speech people do have a right to respond negatively,” Aiden said. “So while we can say whatever we want, we also can be held to those consequences and-“

“-Shut it!” Tessa screamed.

“Fine,” Seraphina stated. “If she wants to use her free speech, so will I; you’re a ****ing *****.

Griswold walked into the middle of the two girls. “Hey dudettes; let’s all take a chill pill and talk this out.”

Tessa scoffed and sulked off.

Seraphina rolled her eyes and walked to the back of the group.

“Or not,” Griswold mumbled to himself. “That works too.”

Another subway arrived. One of the last to leave was a short girl, with dirty blonde hair. The youth was dressed in a brown sweatshirt and boots and a black skirt and leggings. Her left hand and arm was completely bandaged.

She glanced to the sides as if crossing the street. Walking forward, she saw the banner and waved at everyone…before tripping and tumbling forward into a waste bin. Trying to crawl out, she tipped it over and busted her chin on the floor.

“Ow,” the girl stated.

“Ouch,” Griswold said. “Bogus.”

“She’s probably just faking it for attention,” Tessa grumbled.

Immediately, another passenger from the subway, a light blue eyed boy, rushed over. The young man was tall and muscular, with curly strawberry blonde hair. He wore a light blue plaid shirt, with the top buttons undone, and matching jeans.

The man grabbed the youth's hand and helped pull her up. “Are you alright kid?”

The girl blushed and nodded.

“Nice to see you Ness and Hayden,” Rhonda said to the girl and man respectively.

“Thanks,” Hayden replied, “I’m pumped. Now Ness, are you sure you not hurt? That was quite a fall.”

“It’s okay, it tends to happen,” Ness admitted.

“Where is your luggage Ness?” Rhonda asked.

Ness blushed. “Well a homeless guy kind of…sort of…punched and stole all of my stuff. But it’s not important; I’m just really, really excited to be here.”

“Well we’re excited to have you,” Rhonda reassured.

The next subway arrived but the first passenger off wasn’t a person; it was lemur. Jumping atop people’s heads, it landed on the camera and titled it to back to the subway exit.

Passengers were knocked out of the door as someone unicycled out. It was clown; a purple haired girl dressed in a colorful outfit, complete with a flower pinned onto her chest. The clown wore big red shoes, a big red nose on her face and even had her face powdered and painted in clown makeup. The clown summersaulted off the unicycle, performing a split right in front of Rhonda. Most of the contestants and hosts clapped as the clown bowed.

"Put it there!" the clown said to Rhonda.

Rhonda shook the clown's hand, only to be shocked.

The clown snorted and held her hands up to her face, only to shock herself. "Sorry but what can I say, I have an electric personality."

Everyone groaned.

Rhonda exhaled smoke. "Wonderful to see you Frannie."

“Great to be here Rhonnie,” Frannie said. “Do you mind if I can you Rhonnie? I’m calling you Rhonnie. Or what about Rhonda Stoppable? Or Rhondonalido? Rhon-Rhon? Nope, going to back to Rhonnie.”

The lemur wheeled over the unicycle, now draped in Frannie’s bags. The lemur jumped upon Frannie’s shoulder, which she petted.

“What is that?” Tessa asked.

“I’m a clown,” Frannie replied. “I thought that was obvious...”

“On your shoulder,” Tessa grunted.

“Ohh,” Frannie replied. “This is Ziba. She’s my pet lemur, though some say I’m more her pet, am I right Ziba?”

The lemur rolled her eyes.

“That was awesommmmme,” a hazy voice stated.

Walking over now was a tall, extremely skinny guy of Pacific Islander descent. His eyes seemed to always be closed and he wore an unbuttoned Hawaiian t-shirt and cargo shorts. His black hair was cut short and he had grown a soul patch. He carried hardly any luggage or bags.

“Here comes Kalino now,” Rhonda stated.

“You were all like woosh and I was like ‘huhhhh’ and then I was like ‘woahhhh’,” Kalino described. “And that I was all…’huhhhh’ again.”

“I didn’t know we had a poet,” Seraphina stated.

Somewhere in the station a person gasped. People turned their heads as a white horse charged down the stairs.

“Hi ho Tinfoil!” the rider yelled as the horse leapt over the contestants and landed in front of Rhonda.

The horse neighed and it threw its head back, letting its mane dance in the wind. The horse’s rider tossed his white cowboy hat back and waved it around.

Jumping down was a short lad, though he seemed taller with the heels on his silver spurred boats. White and silver seemed to be his signature colors as his suit was white and adorned with silver tassels and finishes. His belt was the only expectation, an oversized gold champion’s belt.

Under his white hat was messy red hair and under his nose was a matching curly mustache. He turned to the contestants, winked one of his dark green eyes and flashed a smile (revealing a missing front tooth).

“Wonderful entrance Vance,” Rhonda stated.

Vance tipped his hat over his face and leaned against a pillar. “Aw shoot, it’s just what I do everyday.” His voice sounded more redneck than southern.

Rhonda grimaced. “Be careful…”

“Oh don’t worry little lady,” Vance said. “I’m an expert.”

“You’re leaning against wet paint,” Rhonda said.

Vance leapt up and blushed, throwing off his now cow print jacket.

“Bro that’s a sweet horse,” Griswold said. “That you’re deputy or something?”

“Oh I got no clue who this here horse is,” Vance replied as he took off his luggage. “I just found ‘em and took ‘em for a ride.”

Vance slapped the horse’s rear end, which sent it charging up the stairs into the streets.

A ringing noise went off as the next subway arrived.

“That’s my phone,” Toby stated. “I’ll be right back.”

As Toby stepped away, the passengers exited. One particular passenger moonwalked out of the metro however. Flipping around and striking a pose, he noticed the camera and waved. He was a young man about average height with some Asian heritage. His black hair was in a swished bowl cut style (like a boy band member) and under an orange knit cap. He was somewhat muscular, as his blue wife beater showed, and wore designer jeans and name brand white sneakers. His blue eyes seemed to be made of sparkles.

Jogging over, the boy took Rhonda’s hand and shook it. “Yipee Skippy! I made it!"

“I’m glad you’re so enthusiastic Pascal,” Rhonda replied.

“I’ve been a big fan of Total Drama since back in the day,” Pascal stated. “It’s why I started doing reality shows!”

“Well we’re happy to have one of the most popular show jumpers on the reboot,” Rhonda stated.

Pascal rubbed the back of his head. “Thanks. It’s like I always say, believe to achieve!"

“Wasn’t that your first single?” Rhonda asked.

Pascal nodded. “Top of the charts for two weeks straight. But I’m not here to focus on my successful career, I’m here to focus on the show. I believed I’d get on Total Drama, and now I achieved it! And if we all believe, with all of our hearts, we can achieve.”

He took his luggage and joined the contestants as Rhonda shed a few tears.

“Hmm,” Seraphina said to herself, as Pascal passed by.

Kalino sniffed the air. “Woah, does anyone smell…cookies?”

Walking in from the steps was a young lady with somewhat dark features, carrying a ceramic plate wrapped in tinfoil. She was a little short, and had her curly black hair done in short pigtails tied with pink ribbons. Likewise, her light pink shirt had a darker pink Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon on it. She also wore jeans and sneakers. She flashed a large smile. Her only luggage was a duffel bag.

“Nice to see you Melissa,” Rhonda greeted.

“Hi Ms. Rhonda,” Melissa greeted. “I apologize for being so tardy. There was some kind of serious traffic accident, something involving a horse…”

Vance whistled innocently, except he didn’t know how to whistle so he more or less spat everywhere.

“But it’s not that poor pony’s fault I’m delayed,” Melissa admitted. “You see I wanted to bake cookies for everyone!”

The mass of teens swarmed Melissa, each taking a heart shaped cookie.

“I hope it’s all right I made snicker-doodles,” Melissa stated. “I love them because they have such a funny name, though every cookie is unique and special in its own way!”

Tessa refused a cookie. “Oh, how clever of you to try and win over everyone for the competition.”

“Or maybe Melissa is just a nice person,” Bethany defended.

“Unlike some of us here,” Seraphina added.

“Competition?” Melissa asked.

“Melissa was a late addition to the show,” Rhonda clarified. “As in, we were desperate to fill an open spot during the last two days. She lives in Washington and was nice enough to help some struggling crew members after dropping some paperwork, so we gave her a spot.”

“I’m just glad I was able to help someone in need,” Melissa said.

“And I thought these cookies were sugary,” Seraphina stated.

“You’re a local?” Aiden questioned.

“Oh I’ve only been living here a week now,” Melissa confessed. “And though it different from small-town Wisconsin, there’s something magical about living in your great nation’s beautiful capital.”

Aiden’s smile widened. “Gee wiz, that’s exactly how I feel! I’ve lived here my whole life, so you know if you ever want tour I’d be happy to give one to you.”

Melissa blushed. “I’d love that.”

“America sure is a fine place,” Tessa said, “if you’re blind.”

“WOAH NOW,” Aiden stated. “Now I’ll be the first to admit that America has made a lot of mistakes that aren’t acknowledged enough and we still have some issues. But we do have certain liberties you won’t find in a lot of nations and have done a lot of good for a relatively young nation.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Melissa added. “Didn’t you represent the US in the Olympics?”

"That doesn’t make me ignorant,” Tessa stated. “Maybe you’ve just been living too cozy to be aware of what’s actually going on.”

Before anyone could say more, Tessa sulked off again.

“That’s funny,” Jenny said, “I thought that last subway would have more contestants.”

“It did,” a voice said. “I’ve been trying to talk to the staff but no one’s been paying attention to me.”

The hostesses turned to see some guy standing behind them. He was um…there. Had some luggage and brown hair or something. He wore some shoes, and pants and a shirt with some stripes I think.

“Who are you?” Jenny asked. “I mean I didn’t actually look at who the contestants were though.”

“I’m Jasper,” that guy said.

"I don’t remember a Casper,” Rhonda admitted. “And I’ve been studying the cast for weeks so…”

An intern rushed over and whispered in the hostesses’ ear.

Rhonda blushed. “Oh right, Jasper! I apologize; it’s been a stressful day.”

“It’s fine,” Jason Jasper said, “I-“

“-Wait!” Jenny interrupted, “Isn’t that the guy with the famous brother that was in his audition tape before me and Toby lost it? You know, the guy we thought was auditioning?”

Rhonda elbowed Jenny.

“It’s fine,” J ake Jasper sighed, walking to the other contestants. “I’m just glad to be here.”

Toby walked back over to his co-hosts, closing his flip phone. “Apparently one of the interns wordly informed me that Ignacio is on the upcoming subway.”

Rhonda and several interns squealed, while the cameraman fainting.

Who is Ignacio?” Xidorn questioned.

Rhonda swooned. “Only one of the most attractive people ever!”

Rhonda pulled out a photo of her pocket. On it was a tall, handsome man of Hispanic heritage. He had a serious expression, and was staring off in the distance with his caramel eyes. He was wearing no clothes, except a tight pair of black briefs. He had well developed pecks and a twelve pack.

“Dang!” Frannie exclaimed. “I’d eat off a body like that! I’d be a lot better than most of the bodies I eat off…”

“I’ve never met him personally…” Rhonda admitted.

“Yet you carry a photo of him?” Seraphina asked.

Rhonda turned red and shoved the photo away. “What…no this was uh…I was holding this for um…Toby!”

“But Toby already has his own photo!” Jenny yelled as her sidekick blushed.

“And you don’t?” Diamonique asked.

“Do I look like I have cooties?” Jenny replied.

“Yes,” Toby said.

“YOUR MOM!” Jenny yelled.

Everyone hushed and turned, as a subway pulled in. As people exited the metro, a teenager with luggage walked over to the banner and…was a goth chick.

“Hey you’re not a sexy man in underwear!” Diamonique yelled.

“Perceptive,” Seraphina stated.

“Hey Zipporah,” Rhonda greeted.

Standing there was an average sized lady who seemed to have some Asian heritage. She looked like your stereotypical goth; lots of black eyeliner, pale face, black nails and long, flowing black hair. Her clothes were all black; a long dress, heeled boots, and a hairband.

Zipporah looked around and sighed. “Let me guess, I’m the goth one. Aren’t I?”

“Well I wouldn’t say that,” Rhonda replied.

“I would!” Jenny shouted.

“Great,” Zipporah replied, "just another reason to hate the false 'Hollywood notion' believing, mainstream, image obsessed business known as television.”

Zipporah sighed again as she took her black bags with her and walked away.

Suddenly, the cameraman pointed and squealed, “I see him!”

Emerging from the crowd was another teen with luggage. And he looked like Ignacio…somewhat. He had a full-grown beard around his face, and his hair done in a ‘man bun’. He wore large sweatpants, a long sleeved red hoodie and big hiker boots. He walked over and blushed at the many eyes upon him.

“That’s not a sexy man in underwear either!” Diamonique shouted. “Could someone just strip for me, please?”

Very, very slowly Kalino started to take off his shirt. “Surrrreee. I’ll take any chance to be in my birthday suit.”

“Bro, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Griswold stated.

“Hey Ignacio,” Rhonda greeted.

“Did I do something wrong?” Ignacio asked.

“To be honest,” Xidorn admitted. “I was kind of hoping you’d be shirtless or something.”

Ignacio looked down at the floor, where Rhonda’s picture of him laid. He became even redder.

“Don’t uh…pay attention to those,” Ignacio stated quietly. “I…um…I’m just a normal guy.”

Ignacio dashed off into the back of the crowd.

“Maybe we shouldn’t have taken the agency’s word on him,” Rhonda whispered.

Rhonda was interrupted by a grinding noise. But it wasn’t a subway; a skater grinded down on the rails of the exit. Reaching the end, the skater did a double flip before landing in front of Rhonda. The skater stomped on the board, sending it flying, which she caught in her hands. Her luggage slipped down the rail as the contestants cheered.

“Nice entrance Riley,” Rhonda said.

“Thanks bro,” Riley replied.

Riley was a tall teen that was somewhat lanky yet also muscular. She had Asian and Hispanic features. Her black hair was long…on her right side, while her head was completely shaved on her left side. She had several piercings; two for each ear along with gauges, a stud in her nose, a piercing in her belly button, and a piercing on her lip. Her outfit was...unique; green gator shoes, zebra stripe pajama pants, a red grandpa sweater with the sleeves cut off and the midriff burnt off, a fur faux fox skin cut into a vest over that, and a wolf hat over her noggin.

“I was taking a subway,” Riley said. “But this dude triple dogged dared me to skate over here, and I do not back down on dares. Random dude, if you’re watching this, you so owe me five dollars!”

“Well we’re just glad you’re here,” Rhonda stated.

“I would’ve been here sooner,” Riley stated. “But there was a major accident on the streets; cars piled for blocks, firemen putting out burning buildings, a school bus of children going to the hospital in critical condition. Apparently a horse caused it or something…”

Vance ‘whistled’ even harder.

“Cool outfit bro,” Griswold stated.

“Thanks,” Riley replied. “I wanted to look fancy, so me and my bros went on a spree; it cost twenty whole bucks.”

“Dude that’s a lot,” Griswold stated.

“That’s what I’m saying Broseph!” Riley replied.

Another subway pulled in.

"That should be our last contestant,” Rhonda announced. “Who would be…”

Few patrons exited the car, one a teenage girl who pulled luggage. If Ignacio was Mr. Fanservice, then anyone could tell who was Ms. Fanservice; she had flowing black hair, violet eyes, long legs, was rather curvy and was the most well developed of the cast. She was of African American descent, and dressed nicely, with a designer purple scarf that matched her eyes, a yellow midriff with a purple heart, brown boots and light purple shorts on.

"…Lita,” Rhonda said.

“Present,” the girl replied and waved. “Hey y’all. I hope I’m not too late.”

“You’re right on time,” Rhonda said.

Lita smiled. “Good to hear.”

Lita walked over and stopped at a jaw dropped Weston, raising an eyebrow and closing his jaw.

“Careful honey,” Lita said, “you might catch bugs if you leave your mouth hanging out.”

“Hehe,” Weston giggled and fell back on Easton.

Tessa rolled her eyes at the new arrival.

“Well now that we’re all here,” Rhonda said. “Allow us to take you to your quarters!”

"I only count twenty one of us,” Griswold said.

“Oh she’s here,” Xidorn warned. “Somewhere…watching…waiting…”

“Yeah, she’ll catch up,” Rhonda said.

Rhonda marched towards the stairs, and the contestants followed in behind her. Rhonda breathed in deeply.

“This is going great,” Rhonda thought. “''It’ll be a hit I’m sure of it…it has to be, it’s the only thing left that can save our careers. I mean sure Washington D.C. isn’t the ideal survival location and the network has no faith it and only making it because they’re contractually obligated to…but that doesn’t mean it won’t work, right? RIGHT? Oh, please give me a sign, any sign that…”''

Rhonda walked right into a stop sign. She fell back and bumped her head. Opening her eyes, she shrieked as standing over her was…Cynthia. Rhonda jumped up and backed away from Cynthia, as did the other contestants.

Cynthia carried a black umbrella, which she opened and held over her head. At that second, the rain began to pour and drenched the contestants. Lightning crackled across the sky. The wind tore through the streets.

Rhonda looked up at the sky. “I meant a good sign…”

Chapter 2 Total Drama Goes to Washington (Part Two)
A bus with the initials T.D.G. pulled up to the side of the road and opened the door.

“Everyone hurry inside,” Rhonda declared. “Two to a seat!”

Rhonda took over driving as the contestants piled in.

“Hey Melissa!” Aiden called. “I saved you a seat; you can have the window.”

“Thank you so much Aiden,” Melissa replied. “But…no one’s sitting with that poor dear in the back.”

Everyone froze and looked back, where Cynthia had taken the back seat, staring.

“Really?” Easton asked.

“Yeah, really?” Weston said, sitting next to his brother.

“Oh sure she seems a little odd,” Melissa admitted. “But deep down, aren’t we all odd? After all, we are all humans.”

Everyone turned back to see Cynthia take a knife out of her bag and cast a stare at all of them.

“I’m not so sure about that,” Seraphina said, as she took the closest open seat, next to Griswold.

"I do want to sit next to you,” Melissa said to Aiden. “But I just can’t leave someone isolated and lonely. What’s more scary than not having a friend?”

“Being murdered in the back of a bus,” Seraphina suggested.

“I’ll remember you fondly,” Aiden said, as Melissa left.

Ignacio walked towards the back of the bus as the other contestants stared.

Frannie popped up from her seat. “Would you look at that? I have an open seat! Oh, Ignacio I didn’t see you there…right in front of me. Do you a need seat?”

“Uh…”

“Of course you can sit with me!” Frannie stated.

“Actually Ignacio is sitting with me,” Diamonique stated, grabbing the man by his arm. “He asked me to save him a seat.”

“I did?” Ignacio asked.

“Yes,” Diamonique replied, “With your eyes!”

Frannie’s lemur, Ziba jumped onto Ignacio and rubbed her tail against his face.

“Well my lemur’s already left her scent on him,” Frannie stated.

Diamonique rubbed her face against Ignacio. “Well I’ve left my scent on him!”

Ignacio pointed. “Hey look…it’s a…a distraction!“

“Where?” Frannie asked, looking forward.

“I don’t see it,” Diamonique asked.

Ignacio sat Ziba down and ran. He stopped at the next open seat, Tessa’s.

“Hey,” Ignacio said. “Would it uh-“

“Save it,” Tessa stated. “It’s not available for you, pretty boy.”

Ignacio sighed and walked on.

Lita stepped on the bus and walked back to Tessa’s.

“Hey,” Lita said, “do you mind if I sit here?”

Tessa spread her legs out to take the whole seat. “I do.”

“There aren’t any more open seats,” Lita said.

“Well then you should’ve got on the bus sooner,” Tessa replied. “Instead of fooling around.”

“Excuse me?” Lita asked.

“Did I stutter?” Tessa replied.

“Alright little girl, do you have a problem?” Lita shouted back.

“I's just rather not sit next to a streetwalker,” Tessa replied. “I believe girls should dress decently, as though they have class…even if they don’t.”

“Well I believe people should act decent,” Lita said. “As though they have class, which you don’t. Now move your legs, before I move them for you.”

“Now you’re going to resort to violence?” Tessa questioned. “Real classy.”

Lita punched the back of the bus seat, leaving a hole in it. “You’re about to see how much class I have!”

“Everyone please hurry to a seat,” Rhonda said.

“Lita,” Hayden called, “me and Aiden can make room, come up here.”

“You sure?” Lita asked. “I hate to-“

"-Forget about it,” Hayden said as Aiden nodded.

The doors closed and Rhonda started to drive through the rainstorm.

“Thanks for the seat,” Lita said.

“No biggie,” Hayden replied.

“Don’t take what she said personally,” Bethany said from her and Xidorn's seat. “She’s been a grump since she got here.”

“What’s her deal?” Lita asked.

“No clue,” Hayden replied.

“Have you guys seen any of her interviews on TV?” Xidorn asked.

Lita blushed a little. “No, my family doesn’t…watch a lot of TV.”

“I heard they were controversial,” Aiden admitted. “But wowie kazowie, I never assumed anyone would be that way on the show right off the bat. Especially an American athlete!”

Hayden patted Aiden’s back. “Sometimes people can surprise in the worst ways.”

“Agreed,” Xidorn said. “I don’t like to spread rumors, but this all the truth; in interviews she’s said nothing but horrible things about most of her fellow athletes and even other celebrities. She claims some bullied her.”

“Maybe she’s had a rough life,” Lita said. “Doesn’t excuse her behavior, but I should talk to her again.”

“Good luck,” Hayden replied.

At the same time, Pascal told Diamonqiue, Kalino and Frannie a tale from his previous reality show.

“And that’s how I solved the puzzle and saved my team from elimination,” Pascal said. "Again."

“Wow,” Frannie said.

“Man I’m not even surprised,” Kalino stated. “You’re like my favorite show jumper out there.”

“Show jumper?” Seraphina quietly asked herself, eavesdropping from her far away seat.

“Never heard of a show jumper?” Griswold asked.

“I don’t really care for reality television,” Seraphina admitted.

“Show jumping is the new trend,” Griswold explained. “Basically, this show’s original version caused a number of other reality shows to form. This has lead to people making a career out of appearing on reality TV.”

“A career?” Seraphina questioned.

Griswold nodded. “It’s outrageous! These dudes keep auditioning for reality shows to show off their talent and get managers, became famous and get some sponsorship deals or just win prize money like it’s a paycheck.”

“Do you recognize that guy?” Seraphina whispered.

Griswold scratched his chin. “That dude? Uh…oh yeah! Dude’s like crazy famous; he won some Voice/American Idol rip off. Then he used that to go on some other shows. Never really watched them, but he corners the market on tank top commercials.”

“How do you know so much about reality TV?” Seraphina asked.

“Reality shows are all the rage at my school after our school’s old quarterback appeared on one,” Griswold stated. “It’s become a football tradition to apply to reality shows, like the whole team wearing prom dresses for spirit week.”

“Okay…” Seraphina replied.

“Since I’ve answered your questions,” Griswold started. “You think you can I ask you something?”

“Sure, I think you could pull off a prom dress,” Seraphina replied.

“I already know that,” Griswold bragged. “I’ve been told I have pretty cheekbones. But I wanted to see if you’d use those tarot cards to give me a prediction.”

Seraphina turned away. “Do you believe in psychic powers?”

Griswold shrugged. “I don’t know; I didn’t believe in luck till I find out the legend of my team’s lucky jockstrap and saw it in action.”

“I'm going to regret asking this but…lucky jockstrap?” Seraphina questioned.

Yeah,” Griswold said, “it works on and off the field. I won every school raffle when I wore it. My football bros let me take it; if we get on the same team I’ll let you borrow it.”

“I’ll pass,” Seraphina replied.

“Anyway the point is,” Griswold went on, “I never thought psychics were real but I should find out first.”

“I guess I can give you a reading sometime,” Seraphina replied. “But only because your cheekbones are so pretty.”

Griswold fist pounded the air and laughed another hearty laugh.

Seraphina stared at Pascal, as he was finished another story.

Soon the weather got so worse the contestants couldn’t see out, but the bus eventually stopped.

“Well we’re here,” Rhonda said. “The five-star hotel you’ll all be staying for the next indeterminable amount of days.”

“Oh no, not a hotel,” Zipporah said. “How tough can this show get?”

“Right?” Diamonqiue screamed. “I mean what will the continental breakfast be like?”

The contestants exited the bus and froze. A skyscraper that towered above the sky stood before them, black and worn down yet evoking an image of a mansion. The window ledges were decorated with gargoyles with their hands held out, as if beckoning the contestants to join them. Surrounding it was a rusted, pointy gate that swung open in tune with the thunder cracks.

Zipporah gasped. “It’s…so beautiful…”

“Dude, I thought you said this was a five star hotel?” Riley asked.

“It is,” Rhonda said. “This in the historic Pentagram Hotel!”

“What happened to this place?” Hayden asked.

Oh you know,” Rhonda said, “the usual; tough economy, poor location choice, the owner and designer turned out to be a serial killer who used the secret catacombs he built in the hotel to murder people…that kind of stuff.”

Lita shivered.

“You okay?” Griswold asked.

“I just…hate serial killers,” Lita said. She noticed Cynthia staring at her and turned away.

“It looks run down,” Hayden said. “Are you sure everyone will be safe here?”

“Well after they caught the owner and shut the place down,” Rhonda explained. “They did further investigations to find out who all was murdered...and never finished, some saying the ghosts of the victims and the serial killer scared them out…and still haunt the hotel now.”

Zipporah smiled and shed a tear.

“But don’t worry,” Rhonda said. “This place has been bought by an enterprise that are repairing it and making a fun, family friendly tourist attraction!”

Zipproah immediately frowned. “Every moment of happiness I have, life beats away into nothingness.”

“That’s the spirit!” Rhonda cheered. “Now I’m sure we all want to get unpacked…”

Jenny and Toby stepped out, holding a basket.

“So, boys and girls are going to get in line,” Rhonda clarified. “And draw a room key to see where you’ll stay…and find out who your roommate is! Everyone has a roommate; the genders are uneven, so a boy and a girl will share a room. Oh, and feel free to use the confessional!”

“Where is it?” Easton asked.

“Yeah, where?” Weston added.

“It’s the cursed broken elevator,” Rhonda said. “We’ll have lunch in ten minutes. Be there; it’s required.”

“It’s about time,” Diamonique stated, finishing another taco. “I’m starved!”

As the contestants rushed on, Lita stopped Tessa.

“Look, can we talk?” Lita asked.

“As if,” Tessa replied.

“Listen I’m sorry for overreacting earlier,” Lita said. “I’m not here to make enemies. So do you think we can just move on, forgot about this and be friendly?”

“Forgot about you bullying me?” Tessa asked.

“You insulted me first,” Lita clarified. “When I was trying to take a seat. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Can we not have bad blood between us?”

“If you think I’m going to allow you to push me around, you’re dumber than you look,” Tessa stated.

“Fine then,” Lita replied, “I tried to be nice. But if you’d rather have your head up your *** than please go ahead. I’m not going to take your crap. Just hope we aren’t on the same team ***** cause I will cast my vote against you. That’s a promise.”

Lita flipped the bird and walked off.

Bethany entered the closed elevator and pressed a close door button. She sat down on the purple cushion inside.

“This is actually very comfortable for a cursed elevator,” Bethany said. “Anyway, I’m pumped to be here! I’ve never really thought about being on a reality show, but I want to challenge myself. I’m a little worried about my parents watching but…”

“I’ve always dreamed of winning this show,” Pascal said. “And I’m going to make sure that dream comes true. How? Simple; I’m going to introduce some real strategy to this show. First thing I need to do is make a secret alliance to control the votes and make it easy to win over everyone in the finale. Reality show finales almost always depend upon getting support from other contestants.”

“I’m a glass half full kind of guy,” Kalino stated. “Some might complain we’re staying in a haunted hotel, but I say we’re staying in a hotel for free! Some might say we have to scramble and work hard and stuff to make sure we aren’t eliminated. But I say I just got to sit back and wait till the right moment until… man it’s really uncomfortable in here!”

Kalino flipped up the seat cushions and out fell what looked like a golden flash-drive.

“Cool,” Kalino said, stuffing it in his shirt pocket. “I found a good luck charm…”

"Well,” Joaquin  Jasper said. “I-“

“Yeah, I don’t really want to be here,” Zipporah said. “My parents signed me up for this stupid show. It sucks. They suck. All you people watching suck. A lot.”

Seraphina read her key card as she reached her door. “The sixth floor, room sixty six; 666.”

She unlocked her door and saw Tessa sitting on one of the beds.

“The number of the beast,” Seraphina said.

“You're joking if you think I’m going to share a room with you,” Tessa said.

“I’m hoping this is just a joke,” Seraphina replied. “But I doubt it…”

“I joined this show because I wanted to get away from the world for a while,” Tessa said. “I wanted to meet people who were outsiders like me, be in a judgment free zone. Instead, I get treated the same as always by the ‘popular’ snobs. I know most of them are talking bad about me behind my back, already defining me for what they’ve seen on TV. And then they verbally attack me for no good reason. Well just wait and see; one by one I’m going to take them all down…”

At the same time, Easton and Weston had arrived at their room.

“657,” Easton cheered. “Must be our lucky number!”

“Yeah, it must be!” Weston said.

Weston put in his card. The automatic lock spat his key back out.

“What?” Weston asked.

“Let me see,” Easton said, taking his card. “Bro, this says 654!”

“But that means,” Weston realized. “We’re…in separate rooms! We can’t be in separate rooms!”

“Hey it’ll be alright,” Easton said. “Your room is right across from me. You’ll be fine, right?”

“Yeah, yeah it’ll be alright,” Weston agreed. “Your room is right across from mine, so I’ll be fine. You’re right.”

“I’m going to unpack,” Easton said. “I’ll be back out in five minutes. You go unpack.”

“Okay,” Weston agreed. “Hey bro?”

“Yeah,” Easton replied.

“I love you,” Weston said.

“It’s just five minutes,” Easton said.

Weston hugged his brother.

Easton sighed and used his key. “Five minutes.”

“I’ll be ready in four,” Weston shouted, as Easton closed the door.

“Howdy!” Vance shouted. “Hope you don’t mind, but I did beat you here so I took the left bed.”

“It’s fine,” Easton replied.

“Something getting your gumption partner?” Vance asked.

“I just had to leave my brother,” Easton said.

“Well that’s a darn shame,” Vance said. “If I hadn’t already unpacked I’d offer to switch with him.”

“No,” Easton replied, “I mean it’s just a room.”

Vance shrugged. “Whatever. Now I hope you don’t mind, but the women tend to be on me like a chicken on a June bug, so I might be having some late night make-out sessions. So just try not to be awkward during it, alright?”

“Uh, I’ll try,” Easton replied.

At the same time, Weston had unlocked his room.

“S’up Broadie,” Riley greeted. “Looks like we’re bunking together.”

Weston sighed. “Cool.”

“Everything okay?” Riley asked. “Not afraid I’ve got cooties are ya?”

“No,” Weston said, “I grabbed the wrong key. It was suppose to be me and my brother sharing a room.”

“Aw dude that sucks hardcore,” Riley said. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s no biggie,” Weston replied. “It’s like Easton said, it’ll be alright.”

Riley put her arm around Weston’s shoulder. “Well I’m not your brother, but if you need somebody I’m here for you.”

Weston sighed. “Thanks.”

Melissa reached her door and put in her key. Inside her room sat Cynthia, sharpening her knives.

Melissa dropped her bags...and ran over to glomp Cynthia. “We're roommates? Oh, I was hoping we would be! This is going to be so much fun!”

Cynthia doesn’t look up, intensely focusing on her blades.

At the same time, Bethany exited her dorm and saw Pascal standing outside.

“Hey Bethany!" Pascal greeted. "Do you mind if we talked for an teeny weeny moment?"

“Not at all,” Bethany said. “Wait, we’re you waiting for me…how did you know this was-“

“Yipee Skippy!” Pascal interrupted, as bounced down the hall.

Bethany followed the singer, and entered a dorm. Inside were Kalino and Vance. Pascal slammed the door shut.

“What’s going on?” Bethany asked.

“Well me and my roommate and my new bestie Kalino were talking,” Pascal said. “And we thought this game is going to get extra super duper serious soon, right?”

Bethany smirked. "I hope so."

“Darn tootin,” Vance said.

"So I decided that maybe I should do something extra super duper serious myself,” Pascal explained. “Such as…form an alliance.”

“A who?” Vance asked.

“We all agree to vote together and not vote each other off,” Pascal said. “That way we can get far in the game together and protect our bestest interests.”

“Why us?” Bethany asked.

“I want someone to win whose good,” Pascal said. “Too many times, villains form alliances and target deserving people. I say we form a good guy alliance! Besides, working together we can keep our team strong and safe.”

“I guess that makes sense,” Bethany said. “But don’t you think it’s a bit early.”

“The early worm gets the bird,” Vance said. “I say we do while we can.”

“Mannnnn it sounds fine to me,” Kalino said. “As long as I can invite a friend or so in it.”

“The more friends the better!” Pascal said. “Just…wait till we get our feet settled.”

“I don’t know,” Bethany replied.

“Duuuude I thought you’d want to be in a good guy alliance Bethany,” Kalino said. “I mean, I figured you’d want to avoid some sneak targeting you for being good at challenges, so you could compete. I must’ve been thinking wrong...”

“I hope someone wouldn’t do that so early,” Bethany said. “Okay, let’s do it.”

“Now remember," Pascal said, "let’s keep it a secret, just to avoid people targeting us and to spare feelings; there’s a lot of people who can join us, I just wanted to start small.”

“Well I don’t know about y’all but I could go for some grub,” Vance said as he strutted away.

“Saaaaaammmmmeee,” Kalino said.

“My alliance plan worked perfectly!” Pascal cheered. “Yipee Skippy! With Vance and Bethany I have two big targets to hide behind at the merge when they start voting off threats. And the only way Kalino could be a more ideal scapegoat is if he grew an udder. It’s a win-win-win situation!”

At the same time…

“Give me back my tarot cards,” Seraphina shouted. “They're in my great, great grandmother’s box.”

“If you want your hoodoo voodoo crap,” Tessa said, “go get it.”

Tessa tossed the box outside of the room. Seraphina chased after it and caught it before it hit the floor. Her other luggage was tossed outside and the door slammed behind her.

Seraphina jiggled the knob but it wouldn’t budge.

“Let me back in there you ***hat!” Seraphina screamed.

“Sorry this room is taken,” Tessa shouted.

“I know you and your big fat ego can take up a whole room,” Seraphina replied. “But I have to sleep somewhere.”

“That’s not my problem,” Tessa said.

Seraphina started to kick the door.

“Honey, are you alright?”

Seraphina turned around to see Lita watching.

“Just peachy,” Seraphina replied, turning away.

“What happened?” Lita asked.

“My roommate is the devil,” Seraphina said. “Otherwise known as Tessa, and has locked me out.”

Lita picked up Seraphina’s luggage. “Come on sweetie.”

“To where?” Seraphina asked.

“My room,” Lita replied.

Lita walked towards the beginning of the hall and opened her door as Seraphina followed.

“Hey Ness,” Lita said. “I’m back.”

“Hey Lita,” Ness replied, leaving their bathroom. “And, oh hey...Seraphina. What’s going on?”

“Tessa forced Seraphina out,” Lita explained. “I was hoping, if it was okay with you, that Seraphina could stay here.”

“How awful,” Ness said. “It’s no problem with me, if Seraphina’s cool with it.”

“You don’t have to share a room with me,” Seraphina said.

“I know,” Lita replied.

“Then why offer?” Seraphina asked.

“Cause I don’t want you sleeping on the floor,” Lita said.

“I’m sure if I complain to Rhonda she’ll force Tessa to let me in,” Seraphina said.

“So you can room with someone who treats you so badly,” Lita said. “I’d take the floor over that.”

“Well thanks,” Seraphina said. “I’d like to crash here, but it’ll be just for a little while. I promise. I’ll take the floor.”

“Gurl please,” Lita said. “Now you go and make yourself comfy on that bed over there.”

“We could rotate who sleeps where,” Ness suggested. “Or maybe we could share the beds, put them together to make a super bed. Kind of like a sleepover.”

“Whatever’s fine with me,” Seraphina said.

“That sounds like a lot of fun,” Lita said. “Let’s do it!”

Ness clapped. “This’ll be so cool!”

Soon, the contestants gathered in the cafeteria, a dim room lit by the candelabras on the tables.

“Welcome to lunch contestants,” Rhonda said. “Please note we only have one cup for each of you.”

Rhonda pointed to the two stacks of cup outside the lunch lines; outside the left line were red cups while blue cups were stacked outside the right line.

“Again, everyone gets one cup and one cup only,” Rhonda clarified. “Now please enjoy your lunch.”

The contestants went through the line, grabbing a cup and finding places to sit.

Melissa exited the line and saw Aiden waving.

“Thanks so much for saving a seat for me,” Melissa said.

“It was my pleasure,” Aiden replied.

“So how’s your room?” Melissa asked.

“Fine,” Aiden said. “I’m rooming with Hayden and he seems like the bees knees. How’s your room?”

“Wonderful!” Melissa replied. “They really went out with the atmosphere; my room started to ooze a mysterious liquid and I still don’t know what it is!”

Hayden sat down. “Is it fine if I sit with you two?”

“The more the merrier,” Melissa said. “Aiden was just telling me you and him were roommatess.”

“Yeah,” Hayden said, “he’s a pretty cool roommate. For a dork.”

Aiden chuckled. “Aw jeez, right back at you.”

“I’m the oldest one here,” Hayden said. “Which is fine; I’m happy to be able to be here for these younger kids. Take my roommate for example; sweet guy but he’s a little innocent and dopey. He needs someome to look out for him. And I’m happy to be that someone, offer him a little guidance. We all need that sometimes.”

“Who are you rooming with Melissa?” Hayden asked.

“I was lucky enough to room with Cynthia,” Melissa stated.

Aiden spat his drink all over Hayden.

“Sorry pal,” Aiden apologized.

“No, that was a proper reaction,” Hayden replied. “And Cynthia? Has she even spoken a word to you?”

“Well no,” Melissa replied, “she’s more of a strong-silent type. I invited her to sit with us, but I don’t think she will.”

At another table, Bethany and Xidorn cheered as Griswold and Riley chugged soda.

Griswold slammed his red cup down and belched. “Beat that!”

Riley sat her red cup down, cleared her throat…and burped so hard her glass shattered.

“Consider yourself roasted Bro-B-Q,” Riley replied.

Bethany and Xidorn clapped as Griswold bowed his head in defeat.

“Oh hey Lita!” Bethany called. “You want to sit over here?”

“Sure,” Lita replies. “Is it cool if my roomies join us?”

“Heck yeah!” Griswold said. “We’re having a party over here.”

Lita and Ness started to walk over.

“Gurl I cannot not believe this lunch!” Lita said. “They have my fav; cheese fries!”

“Yeah,” Ness agreed. “They have my favorite too; fried clams. I haven’t had them in forever and-“

Ness slipped and face planted on the ground, as her clams split on the floor.

“Oh,” Ness said. “That’s okay, I wasn’t really that hungry anyway.”

Lita helped Ness up. “Nonsense, you can have mine.”

“Really?” Ness asked. “Sure,” Lita replied. “Beside I’m going to get seconds; we can go together.”

Seraphina exited the lunch line as her roommates sat down.

“Hey Seraphina,” Ness called. “We have a seat for you!”

“Okay…” Seraphina replied, going to the table.

Soon all the contestants had started lunch, some even finished.

Ignacio sat by himself where he picked at his food.

“Um pardon,” Lita said, behind him. “I was just wonderin’ if-”

Ignacio sighed. “-No I will not take off my shirt or flex or let you pet my…’man bun’. Can I just please eat my lunch?”

“Excuse me?” Lita replied. “Don’t get a fat head with me! I just wanted to see if you was going to eat them cheese fries ‘cause the lunch line is out and you aren’t eating them. What, just because you get paid for stripping half naked in front of a camera you assume girls are just thirsty for you? That’s just rude! I don’t even want your cheese fries now. I hope you choke on them.”

“I have a temper,” Lita admitted. “I know it and I try to control it. But I cannot stand people who think they’re so great they can treat others badly. I should be use to dealing with people like that but…ooo! I don’t care who you, how you look or what you have; you’re just a jerk if you act like that makes you better. And I’m not afraid to fight you; verbally or physically.”

“I really shot myself in foot there,” Ignacio said. "Some of the other girls and guys were inquiring about such things and it made me rather uncomfortable...still that wasn't the way to act..."

As the contestants finished eating, Rhonda entered.

“I hope you’ve all enjoyed the lunch,” Rhonda said. “Because you’re going to need it for your first challenge. This challenge will test everything; your social skills, strength, intelligence, accuracy, courage, balance, creativity, vigor, speed, leadership, endurance and teamwork. And the winners of today’s challenge will receive an extra special reward!”

“What are the teams?” Hayden questioned.

“Oh you’ve already chosen your teams,” Rhonda stated.

Everyone looked at each.

“Indirectly I mean,” Rhonda teased. “You see, for each of you there-“

“-Was a cup from the lunch line,” Kalino said. “Eleven red, eleven blue; each half of how many of us are here. Based on what cup we picked, we picked our teams.”

“Yeah,” Rhonda said. “How’d you know?”

“I just realized it duuuuude,” Kalino admitted. “I was wondering what was up with cup stuff.”

“Well if you have a red cup stand to my left, blue to my right,” Rhonda stated.

The contestants reluctantly got up.

Rhonda turned to her right. “Bethany, Weston, Melissa, Diamonique, Kalino, Aiden, Vance, Cynthia, Xidorn, Hayden and Frannie you are…the Molting Eagles!”

A symbol of a naked eagle trying to cover himself with a few remaining feathers appeared over their heads.

Rhonda turned to her left. “That means that Griswold, Zipporah, Ness, Riley, Ignacio, Tessa, Pascal, Lita, Easton, Seraphina and Jasper are now…the Fizzling Fireworks!”

A symbol of an exhausted cartoon firework coughing smoke and few sparks appeared over their heads.

“But me and Easton aren’t on the same team!” Weston complained.

“So sad, too bad, no do overs,” Rhonda stated.

Pascal forced a smile. “How could I forget? An alliance is the way to control the game…unless your alliance is all on the opposite team! Now I need an entirely new plan! But that's okay; I can handle this. When life hands you lemons, thank life with a smile. SO THANKS LIFE. THANKS. A LOT!”

“Now,” Rhonda says. “The first part of your challenge is to get to Lincoln Memorial while staying ahead of the obstacles.”

“Obstacles?” Hayden asked.

Rhonda snapped her fingers. Two crates fell from the ceiling, shaking and echoing screams. Out of the crates came, a rhino, a lion, a tiger, a bear (oh my), a shark, a murder of crows, a mass of scarabs, a chainsaw welding maniac, a chicken, Jenny and Toby on an ATV, a grandma, an animatronic dinosaur, a hipster, a monster truck, a komodo dragon, a mouse, a skunk, a vulture, a large tortoise, a girl scout, a wooly mammoth beaver, a wildebeest stampede and the Brady Bunch.

“Ah yes,” Hayden replied, “those obstacles. Well, thank you for clearing that up and, EVERYONE RUN! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!”

The contestants bolted out as the ‘obstacles’ chased after them.

Later, the T.D.G. bus pulls up to the Lincoln Memorial and Rhonda exited.

“Ha,” Rhonda laughed, “they weren’t expecting that.”

“I know I right,” Diamonique agreed. “Care for a fry?”

"No thanks Diamonique,” Rhonda replied.

Rhonda smirked to herself. Then she turned around to see Diamonique, Melissa, Cynthia, and Frannie.

“What?” Rhonda asked. “How did, but you…”

“Please don't be upset Ms. Rhonda,” Melissa said. “Diamonique was kind enough to haul a taxi for us.”

“It just seemed like the easiet thing to do,” Diamonique admitted. “We got here a while ago but you weren’t here, so we went to Mickey D’s.”

“After becoming roommates,” Frannie said, “me and Diamonique realized we’d do better working together than against each other. Especially since we are the two hottest girls here.”

Meanwhile, the rest of the contestants raced towards the Memorial.

“What a glorious day!” Jenny cheered as she held a tranquilizer gun. “Get ready Toby, this’ll be all over soon.”

Suddenly, one of the vultures swooped in and carried Jenny and Toby off.

“That was soon,” Toby said, “good work Jenny.”

“YOUR MOM!” Jenny screamed.

At the same time, the scarabs swarmed after Ness.

Ness screamed, before tripping over a penny and face planting on the concrete.

The scarabs began to bite her, until someone picked her.

“Don’t give up now!” the person said.

Ness grabbed their neck, as the person carried her on their back.

“I’ve had a fear of scarabs ever since I was five and a mass of them escaped from the zoo and bit me so hard they put me in the hospital,” Ness explained. “It wasn’t the worst field trip though. Thank goodness I was rescued from them now. At the time, I was thinking some prince must have saved me. Maybe that singer on my team…heehee…”

Eventually, all the contestants reached the Lincoln Memorial.

“We’re here,” Ness’ savior said.

“Thank you for saving me,” Ness said, kissing their cheek.

“Uh…”

Ness opened her eyes to see her savior was Bethany.

“Oh,” Ness said. “You can leave back at the scarabs.”

“Forget it about,” Bethany laughed as she set Ness down, “We’re just lucky nobody got hurt.”

The two turned around to see citizens being terrorized by the obstacles, running for their lives.

“Oops,” Rhonda said, “we should have had a plan to rangle them back up…”

“So who won this here challenge?” Vance asked.

“The Eagles arrived first, so they win an advantage for the next part of the challenge,” Rhonda said.

The Eagles cheered.

“Consider that your baptism into the world of Total Drama,” Rhonda stated. “Now that you’ve been initiated, let’s see what you all are made of…”

Rhonda moved to the top of the Lincoln Memorial steps, as a crowd began gathering.

“For the next challenge you’ll be performing elven labors,” Rhonda stated. “One person from each team will each compete in one challenge. The winner scores a point. The team with the most points at the end wins. As an advantage for winning the race, the Eagles start with one point.”

The crowd became bigger and bigger.

“Anyone notice a lot of these people are wearing ‘I Love Total Drama’ shirts,” Seraphina stated.

Rhonda nodded. “For your first labor, one member must deliver a speech to these hardcore fans of why your team should win the challenge. Then, they’ll vote which team wins this labor. Teams, pick your speaker.”

“Let’s let huddle up team,” Hayden said.

The Eagles formed a circle.

"Who here feels like they’re good at public speaking?” Hayden asked.

“I feel I could do it,” Aiden said.

“I think you could do it,” Hayden said, “but only one person can do one challenge. You’ve got a lot of physical strength Aiden, so I say we save you for another challenge.”

“Huh,” Aiden replied, “I didn’t think of it like that.”

Xidorn raised his hand. “I can do it. I think I can go up there, speak from the heart and win them over.”

“I like your honesty bud,” Hayden replied, “Go for it.”

Bethany patted Xidorn on the back as the huddle dispersed.

The Fireworks were having their own meeting.

“I’m going to go for it!” Pascal cheered. “I could even do a song for them!”

“Sounds righteous brah,” Griswold said.

“Actually,” Seraphina said. “I’d like to do it.”

“Well I think we’ve already decided Seraphina,” Pascal said.

“I must not have been here for the vote,” Seraphina replied.

“You can do the next one!” Pascal beamed. “I’m sure you’d do extra super duper at it!

“Or I could do 'extra super duper' at this one if you’d give me a chance,” Seraphina said.

“Don’t let this hurt your feelings,” Pascal said. “But I don’t know if you have the right…’oomph’ for this challenge.”

"You just want to get out of doing it as soon as possible,” Tessa stated.

“First and most importantly,” Seraphina said. “shut up Tessa. Second, I don’t think it’s smart to let our most experienced player do a speaking challenge. Third, I know I can do this. Let me do this instead of waiting and having me end up competiting in the body builder challenge.”

Pascal sighed. “Seraphina I just don’t-“

“-Vote me off,” Seraphina stated. “If I lose this challenge and our team loses today, you can vote me off first.”

“Gurl’s got kahunas,” Lita says. “I say let her do it!”

“She brings up some good points,” Ness added. “And…I believe Seraphina can do it. And if I believe it, she can achieve it.”

“When you put it like that,” Pascal replied, “then let’s do it!”

Rhonda held her arms out to the crowd. “Now, let the eleven, or more, labors begin...”

Chapter 3 Total Drama Goes to Washington (Part Three)
The crowd cheered as the two representatives got on the steps; Xidorn stood behind a podium.

“To be honest,” Xidorn admitted, "our teams have only been formed for a short while. Yet I can say with one hundred percent certainty my team is the better team. The Eagles are filled with people who get along; we’re already a fine-tuned machine.”

“I don’t believe the same can be said for the Fireworks,” Xidorn went on. “Just look at the way an Eagle used their smarts to bring over a third of our team to first place. We’re stronger, not just as players, but also in what makes a team important; teamwork. It’s why I’m happy to be an Eagle.”

The fans cheered. Seraphina  took the podium.

“My opponent made a good speech,” Seraphina stated. “And I’m not going to lie; I agree with him. My team is more dysfunctional; people are already strategizing, flirting and fighting. Lots of fighting, mostly between girls.”

Everyone stared at her.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Seraphina said, “we can take the Eagles, but they’re all best friends over there; good for them. But if I wanted to watch a show about best friends I’d watch Disney Junior. Reality shows aren’t about tolerance; they’re about scandals, alliances and catfights. It’s how they get ratings. The Eagles themselves admit they don’t have that."

The fans shuffled awkwardly in the audience.

“So vote the Eagles,” Seraphina said, “and enjoy the fascinating story of the people who were winning and kept winning. Or vote the underdogs and give us an equal chance; not like the show has the word ‘drama’ in the title or anything. Ultimately there’s no pressure; it’ll only affect the opening and future ratings of the last ditch attempt to reboot and save your favorite show.”

The audience murmured amongst themselves and started to vote.

Rhonda appeared behind the podium. “The results are in,” the hostess announced, “and the winners are…The Fireworks!”

“Wow,” Xidorn said, “I guess your speech was better.”

“Eh,” Seraphina replied, “or people are just inherently selfish. You speech was really nice for something on the spot.”

“I meant everything I said in that speech,” Xidorn stated.

“Really?” Seraphina said. “You’re not lying?”

“I don’t believe in lying,” Xidorn said. “I haven’t told a lie since the third grade.”

“Wow,” Seraphina said,“I wish I could be that honest.”

“You speak your mind,” Xidorn said. “You seem pretty honest to me.”

“Thanks,” Seraphina replied. “And…uh, good luck.”

“You too,” Xidorn said. “I hope to compete against you again.”

The Fireworks cheered as Seraphina walked over.

“You pwned it!” Riley cheered.

"I was nervous at first," Lita said. "But you slayed it honey!"

Seraphina blushed. “Whatever…I mean, I couldn’t have done it without you guys anyway. So yeah…go Fireworks.”

“I don’t like people,” Seraphina said. “Like, at all. They’re gross and annoying. I don’t even like my own mother. I’m not a people-person and I’m not a positive person. …Yet I have to admit, some of these people are nice. And I appreciate that and I want to be nice back to them. It’s weird.”

As for the next challenge,” Rhonda said, “the only clue I can give is that you should consider weight.”

“What is that suppose to mean?” Easton asked.

“Wait,” Seraphina whispered, “remember that speech Rhonda made before the challenge; she said we’d need a lot of things.”

“Ooh,” Riley replied, “like we’d need social skills, as we did in the last challenge.”

So that means according to Rhonda’s speech,” Pascal said, “we need strength for the next challenge.”

All the Fireworks turned to Griswold.

Griswold smirked and stepped forward. “I got this!”

“I’ll give it my best,” Aiden  stated. "For the Eagles and for our Founding Fathers! And for our founding mothers! And our current congress, judges, senators, DMV workers-"

"Shush," Rhonda hushed and snapped her fingers; interns wheeled out two weight benches.

“You two must lift weights,” Rhonda stated, “and we’ll add ten pounds until someone can’t lift anymore. Jenny and Toby, watch over them."

The two co-hosts nodded.

While they complete that task,” Rhonda said, “We’ll do two labors at once! The first challenge is tricky while the other is a shot in the dark.”

Pascal volunteered for the first challenge, along with Diamonique. Easton and Bethany volunteered for the second.

“Good luck Easton!”  Weston cheered. “You got this!”

Vance flicked Weston’s ear. “Don’t wish him luck, he’s on the opposite team you nitwit!”

“It’s fine,” Bethany said. “It’s his brother, you don’t want your brother to fail. Besides, I don't need luck.”

Soon, Rhonda brought Pascal and Diamonique to their task. Rhonda clapped and a picture of Washington’s skyline was shown.

“See this picture?” Rhonda asked.

Rhonda flicked the picture and it fell to pieces.

“You’ll have to rebuild it from memory out of one thousand pieces,” Rhonda said as interns laid out a large frame and bags of puzzle pieces.

“What?” Diamonique complained. “I thought this was going to be a trick or treating challenge!”

“Oh well,” Rhonda replied. “Now, go!”

Next, Bethany and Easton were presented with their tasks.

“I hope you like shot put,” Rhonda said.

Bethany fist pumped. “You know I do!”

“Good,” Rhonda replied, “because for this challenge you’ll have to throw a shot put ball on a target from behind the white line.”

Rhonda pointed several feet away to a target.

“Each of you will try to aim your shot put ball and land in the center,” Rhonda said. “Whoever is closest wins. I’ll give you a moment to figure out your aim.”

“Too easy,” Bethany said.

“Oops,” Rhonda said, “forgot to mention one little thing; you have to wear blindfolds.”

Interns came behind them and blindfolded them.

“Begin!” Rhonda announced.

Easton spun and tossed his ball while Bethany stepped back and released hers.

THUD

“Did I hit it?” Easton asked. “Did I hit it?”

“You hit something,” Riley replied.

“More like someone,” Seraphina said.

Easton removed his blindfold and cringed; Ness had taken a shot put to the face.

“How bad is it?” Ness asked.

Ooh,” Bethany said, as she removed her blindfold. “Well…”

You look amazing,” Zipporah stated as she pulled out a hand mirror and handed it to Ness.

Ness's jaw dropped as saw she had a black eye and bloody nose.

“I’m so sorry Ness,” Easton apologized.

Ness coughed up a little blood. “It’s fine; I was actually expecting a least a bloody lip.”

“Well,” Rhonda said, “Ness’ face is not at the center. However Bethany’s shot put is.”

Bethany turns to see her shot put was dead center.

“WOO-HOO!” Bethany cheered. “Er…sorry. Hope you feel better Ness.”

“No really it’s fine,” Ness replied.

“It was a good try bro,” Weston yelled.

Easton blushed. “Thanks pal…"

Soon Griswold and Aiden rejoined their teams; Griswold had won to no one’s surprise, as he did weightlift daily.

Rhonda walked forward, rattling chains.

“These chains are your next clue,” Rhonda said, “as they’ll be used for the challenge…”

Hayden had gotten the Eagles huddled together again.

“Team,” Hayden said, “I think I’m beginning to notice a pattern; all the challenges are based off of Rhonda’s speech, about what would be tested.”

“Gee willikers!” Aiden replied. “Xidorn’s challenge required social skills, mine required strength…

“That means Diamonique’s challenge requires intelligence,” Kalino stated.

“We’ll focus on that later,” Hayden said. “But now we now the trick of this challenge.”

“After we’ve lost our lead,” Vance added.

“Sure we’re tied,” Hayden said, “but we still have a chance to turn this around. We aren’t going to give up now when things are looking rough, are we?”

“No sir,” Aiden replied as other Eagles nodded.

“Glad to hear it,” Hayden said. “Now if memory serves this next challenge is a test of courage. Who thinks they can-“

"-Times up!” Rhonda announced. “Let’s start this challenge. Fireworks, whose going for you?”

Ignacio stepped up.

“And for the Eagles?”

Hayden blushed. “Well, it looks like-“

“-Me.”

The Eagles parted and shook in fear; Cynthia stepped up.

“I’m already scared,” Ignacio whispered.

Rhonda laughed and squirmed. “For this challenge, you will enter a coffin. We’ll chain your coffins together and shut out all light. Inside the coffin is a red button; press it and you’ll be able to leave the coffin but lose the challenge. Though, we’ll give you good incentive to want to leave…”

Soon the two were in the coffins and chained together.

“Sure it’s dark,” Ignacio said to himself, “and as humans we have an instinctive phobia of darkness; the darkness contains unknown threats. But I know what’s in the interior of this space.”

Suddenly the coffin jolted up.

“Though I don’t know about the exterior,” Ignacio admitted.

Ignacio began to tip left and right.

Hisss….

“Oh no,” Ignacio said, “snakes. I hate snakes.”

Ignacio shivered as a snake crawled up his pants leg, while another moved down his shirt.

“They most have stored these reptiles in a undisclosed compartment,” Ignacio said. “Still, no reason to freak out.”

Sssss….Kkkk….ahhhh…

Ignacio slammed the button at the animalistic screams. The model shifted down. As soon as Ignacio heard the chains removed, he sprung out and removed his shirt to release the snake, revealing his pecs that glistened in sweat.

Most of the contestants stared, though Hayden blushed and turned his head, Frannie panted, Xidorn and Riley drooled a little bit while Rhonda drooled puddles.

“Dude you’re so hot,” Easton said.

Ignacio blushed and threw back on his shirt, igniting several ‘awws’ from the contestants. Ignacio turned to see a crane behind the coffins.

The Eagles win the challenge,” Rhonda announced while drying her some of her drool.

“Cynthia,” Melissa called, “Cynthia, are you okay in there?”

“S…sorry everyone,” Igancio stated. “I…uh…I…the slicing sounds just freaked me out too much and I…uh…yeah.”

“Slicing sounds?” Rhonda asked. “We didn’t add any sound effects.”

Melissa pried open Cynthia’s coffin and screamed as cut up pieces of a snake splattered out. Cythina stood expressionless and covered in blood, holding the other snake by the neck next to her knife. She froze for a second, before slicing its head off.

“Oh my,” Melissa said. “Cynthia you…you…you accidentally split snake blood on your nice shirt, poor dear. I saw a washroom back at the hotel. I’d be happy to clean them up when we get back."

Cynthia dangled the snake’s corpse and nodded.

“I feel awful about the challenge,” Ignacio admitted. “And I feel worse I couldn’t apologize right. Everyone was just staring at me…. Whenever I take off my shirt, or anything like that, most people flip out. My manager says it’s a ‘power’ I have, as though looking at me can drive people insane. But of course that’s scientifically impossible. It just feels like it sometimes. The worst part is I’m very afraid of attention…and I am aware of the irony of that statement.”

Cynthia dropped the snake corpse on the confessional’s camera.

Meanwhile, Pascal quickly slid puzzle pieces in his frame.

“Yippie Skippy! That makes seven hundred pieces solved!” Pascal cheered.

“Great job,” Diamonique said as she turned a page in a magazine.

“I can do it!” Pascal said.

“I believe in you,” Diamonqiue yawned.

“Thanks!” Pascal replied. “I’m going to win this thing!”

“Well…I’m not so sure about that,” Diamonique said.

Pascal froze, then turned to Diamonique, whose puzzle was complete.

“What but…you and how but…when?” Pascal asked.

“The interns aren’t sure if it took two minutes or one,” Diamonique replied. “I would’ve told you but you were working so…I didn’t want to be rude.”

Pascal’s smiled widely as his eye twitched.

“Yeah, I won the puzzle,” Diamonqiue stated. “I actually have an IQ of 180 last time I took the test. My personal psychologist says despite my poor memory, I still could be able to do sciencey stuff and go to Harvard and junk if I worked harder, but working hard is like…hardwork.”

Over at the teams, Ness and Frannie stood on platforms raised high in the air. The platforms connected to another raised platform by a thin wire. Under the platforms were a net.

“Wait, why I am here?” Ness said.

“That is the age old question,” Frannie stated, “but the meaning of life we can only determine for ourselves.”

“No I meant what am I doing here,” Ness said.

“Oh,” Frannie replied, “well when a mommy and daddy love each other very much, or are bored, they…”

“No time for that,” Rhonda yelled. “First one to the end wins!”

Frannie flipped out on to the wire. Ness looked down and gulped. She stepped out onto the wire…that snapped and sent Ness plummeting.

“What?” Rhonda asked. “That wire could hold an elephant!”

“That’s not fair,” Easton said, “her equipment is faulty. Ness should be given a do-over!”

“Cool with me,” Frannie stated.

“Alright, let’s do this again,” Rhonda stated.

Soon, the two girls started over. As Ness started out on the wire, a crow flew up to her and landed on her hair.

“Oh,” Ness said, “what a sweet little birdie.”

Suddenly, a murder of crows swarmed Ness. They lifted her up and off the wire.

“You want another do-over?” Frannie asked.

“Ahhhh!” Ness screamed. “There pecking out my eyes! HELP!”

"Is that a yes?” Frannie asked.

So, they started again. As Ness walked out onto the platform, two paper airplanes flew into her eyes and knocked her off…

They started again. Ness stepped out, when a falling air conditioner knocked her on the head and off the wire…

They started again. Suddenly, a gorilla that escaped from the zoo jumped onto the wire, grabbed Ness and started to climb the nearest building…

They started again. Ness shook but dipped her toe out on to the wire. She froze, and looked around for a minute.

“Phew,” Ness sighed.

The platform then collapsed under her.

“Overall we did the challenge thirteen times before Frannie got to the end,” Ness said.

Suddenly, the murder of crows busted into the confessional and attacked Ness again.

At the same time, Zipporah and Kalino worked on a separate task.

“You two had to draw a poster that showed why your team was amazing,” Rhonda said. “Let’s see what you got Kalino.”

Kalino turned his poster around; He drew his team riding on Penguins and dressed in gold.

"We were suppose to be riding Eagles but I can only draw pengiuns," Kalino stated. "I also used smelly markers, with each smell symbolizing something different. We smell like victory...and lemon."

“Nice,” Rhonda said, “expect…why do I have a giraffe’s neck!?”

"I was trying to capture the spirit of your neck,” Kalino replied.

Rhonda frowned. “Zipporah.”

Zipporah revealed her poster; in it several people exploded into bloody chunks.

“I took a symbolic approach with my art,” Zipporah stated. “Here all of the world’s evils have exploded in a firework, symbolizing they are their own downfall; dictators, politicians, criminals, celebrities, my parents, etc. But the fireworks are fizzled, signifying the lack of justice in the real world.”

“Wait,” Rhonda said, “Am I one of those people blowing up?”

“That person is a symbol of television and media’s false, perpetuating views,” Zipporah replied. “Any similar look to an actual person is completely coincidental.”

“My name is written next to it!” Rhonda shouted.

"It’s called taking artistic liberties,” Zipporah said.

“While Zipporah’s work is horribly disturbing,” Rhonda said, “I enjoy the symbolism. So the Fireworks win.”

“Yay, a pointless victory,” Zipporah said.

At the next challenge, the contestants gathered outside of a wrestling ring, where a cage was suspended in the air.

“I’ll be honest about this one,” Rhonda said. “It’s a steel cage match! First one to knock their opponent unconscious wins!”

The Eagles huddled together.

“Dang,” Bethany said, “if I’d have know we’d wrestle in a cage I would have waited for this challenge.”

“Nonsense,” Vance stated, “that’s plum ridiculous.”

“What?” Bethany replied. “Why?”

“It’s not a lady’s place to fight,” Vance said. “You’d chip a nail. ”

Bethany rolled her eyes. “I don’t care to argue with you.”

“Yeah, let’s talk about this later,” Hayden said. “Does anyone have wrestling experience?”

“Well shoot,” Vance said, “I uh…wrestled hogs all the time on the… farm I totally lived at. And I ride bulls for a living. I’ll do it.”

The Fireworks huddled together as well.

“I got this!” Lita stated. “I’m a boxer; my right hook kills.”

“Aw man,” Riley said, “I wanted to try; I’m on the wrestling team. Rock, paper, scissors you for it?”

“Neither of you should do it,” Tessa stated. “It’s not lady-like behavior.”

“Some would say the same about participating in any sport,” Seraphina said. “Like I don’t know, the Olympics?”

“That’s completely different,” Tessa replied. “Some sports are male and female, and some things girls and guys shouldn’t do. It’s about class; girls that wrestle are completely indecent and don’t care about how they should act.”

“You bet I don’t!” Riley replied, “But Lita’s going to do; and she’s going to win.”

“You know it!” Lita said, as she stepped into the cage.

Vance raised his eyebrow as the cage rose in the air.

“Go!” Rhonda shouted.

“I’d just like to state,” Tessa announced, “That I do not condone this act and believe we shouldn’t even be participating in this.”

“I’d just like to state,” Seraphina mocked, “That no one gives a **** Tessa.”

“I’m not going to fight a girl,” Vance said.

“Good,” Lita replied, “then this fight will be easy.”

Lita charged forward and tackled Vance into the cage. Lita grabbed and twisted his arm.

“Agh!” Vance grunted, as he pushed Lita off. “Fine then, I’ll fight ya!”

“Prove it cowboy!” Lita teased.

Vance charged forward…and ran right into Lita’s fist, hitting him on the ground. He recoiled in pain as Lita backed up, ran forward, jumped and…

“Elbow drop!” Lita screamed.

“Have mercy,” Vance whimpered.

After dropping him, Lita put Vance in a chokehold. “WOO! Sorry honey, but mama needs that win.”

Lita released Vance…before she knocked him out with a punch.

The Fireworks cheered as Lita blew kisses.

“You weren’t kidding about that right hook,” Riley said.

“Ooh,” Xidorn winced, “you think he’s okay?”

Bethany smirked. “No, I think he chipped a nail.”

Soon, the team’s gathered outside of a maze interns constructed.

“First you each must select someone to compete in the next challenge, no clues,” Rhonda said, “and at the same time, someone will do the next trial with our interns’ project.”

“It’s the speed challenge,” Griswold recalled.

“Me and my brother are on the track team,” Easton said. “He’ll probably do this portion of the challenge for his team.”

“Don’t worry dude,” Griswold said. “I’m sure your bro will be fine.”

“I might as well do it,” Tessa stated, “part of my Olympic training involves distance running and sprints.”

“I can do the maze then,” Riley said.

Weston and Tessa were chosen for the first challenge, and were lead away. Hayden and Riley stepped up for the next challenge.

“Our interns have finished the maze,” Rhonda said. “However, you two won’t be going in. Instead, you’ll be standing on platforms and giving commands via headset to Jenny or Toby, who’ll be in the maze blindfolded. First to get their person out, wins.”

Hayden and Riley took their places and began.

“Alright Jenny,” Hayden said, “take a right.”

“Just one question,” Jenny said, “which way is right again?”

“Well,” Hayden said. “turn…turn…there go forward! Great job. Now turn again…”

“You’re doing good man,” Riley said. “Now hold on, I need to make my fingers into Ls to know my left or right. You ever to do that…”

“Straight forward for about teen feet till you get to a wall,” Hayden said, “so be careful.”

“I’ve actually explored a lot of mazes,” Jenny said. “Usually I-“

“-Jenny I’d love to talk with you,” Hayden said, “but I need to win this challenge, so let’s talk later, I promise. Now turn…”

“…And that’s how I crashed my moped,” Riley said. “You don’t talk much Toby, what’s your story?”

“I don’t care about anything,” Toby replied.

“That’s chill brotato chip,” Riley stated. “There’s a lot of stress in the world, gives people a heart attack everyday.”

“Hayden has won!” Rhonda announced.

“Whoops,” Riley said.

Hayden hugged Jenny. “Thank you Jenny, you did wonderful.”

“I always do,” Jenny replied.

The contestants gathered outside of the Lincoln Memorial again. Tessa and Weston walked in.

“I’m sorry you guys,” Weston said. “It was close…but she beat me in the last second.”

“It’s fine Weston,” Bethany said. “You did your best.”

“Exactly,” Hayden said, “and we appreciate it; that’s all we can ask for.”

Weston nodded, but turned his head to the Fireworks, seeing his brother high-five Griswold.

“Now it’s time for the final event,” Rhonda said. “The Eagles lead by a point, but this event could decide it. You’ve all realized the trick behind these challenges, so you know this is an endurance event. Only one person on each team hasn’t gone…”

“That’s me,” Melissa stated.

“Wait, whose are last member?” Ness asked.

“That’s me,” that one guy said.

“Oh hey man, when did you get here?” Griswold asked.

“I’ve been here the whole time,” Jonas Jasper said.

“Jenny, Toby,” Rhonda said. “Would you care to show them what the endurance test is?”

Jenny snickered as the interns carried over covered bowls and Toby pulled out a blender.

“We’ve prepared a special recipe for you,” Jenny said. “A special juice containing locally grown cockroaches, organic pigeon poopy, old man sweat, just born maggots…and black licorice!”

The contestants gasped in horror.

Weston fainted on Cynthia. “Black licorice; The horror! Won’t someone think of the children!”

“I actually really like black licorice,” Ness said.

Jenny pressed a button on the blender. “Each turn, you’ll drink a small glass of this. Person who throws up or gives up first loses.”

“You can do this Melissa,”Aiden cheered.

Melissa held back a gag. “I’m sorry, I’ll try but I don’t have a strong stomach.”

“How’s your stomach dude?” Griswold asked.

“Average,” Jasper replied.

Toby sat out little glasses as Jenny poured out the concoction.

Jasper stared at Melissa as he suddenly chugged a whole glass. He twitched but slammed the glass on the table.

“Tasty,” Jasper coughed.

Melissa’s eyes grew wide as she ran over to a trashcan and heaved in it.

The Fireworks cheered.

“And with that,” Rhonda said. “we have…a tie; six trial wins for the Fireworks, five for the Eagles plus their point lead.”

“So now what?” Seraphina asked.

“Now,” Rhonda replied, “you’ll do the final test. Don’t you remember last thing I mentioned in that speech? Teamwork. This will be a water challenge, cause we need to show some skin, so we went through your luggage and stole your swimsuits…it’s not as creepy as it sounds. Oh, and by the way Ness; we were able to find your stuff.”

Ness gasped and nearly broke down into tears as Lita patted her on the back.

Ness looked down towards the floor. “I’ve brought disaster as soon as I was born… I’m bad luck. Yet I’m chosen to be on one of the most popular reality shows of all time? I thought my luck might be changing if I was here. And it is; Total Drama might just be my good luck charm.”

The contestants changed into their swimsuits, except for…

“Kalino!” Rhonda shouted. “Why are you naked?”

Kalino shrugged, his lower region pixelated. “It took so much offer to get my clothes off, imagine how much it would take to put more on.”

“Whatever,” Rhonda sighed. “For the final challenge, you and your team will race back to the hotel. You can take a greased toboggan down a giant slip and slide maze! You’ll have to navigate from the Lincoln Memorial all the way to the finish line back at the hotel. However you won’t be going alone…”

Jenny walked over to the Eagles carrying a box as Toby did the same for the Fireworks.

Hayden opened the box and a featherless eagle chick popped its head out and screeched. Riley found an old, damaged firework in her team’s box.

“Poor baby,” Melissa said as she took the eagle chick into her hands.

“Each team must cross the finish line with their team’s mascot,” Rhonda clarified. “Now…GO!”

The teams dashed off.

“Aiden stand on the back of the toboggan,” Hayden stated. “You know Washington best, you’ll be our guide.”

Aiden saluted as the Eagles took off.

“Hurry up, we’re losing!” Tessa yelled as the Fireworks started.

“Oops I forgot to mention the obstacles on the course,” Rhonda snickered with her co-hosts.

Soon, the Eagles dashed down the streets.

“Nice job everyone,” Hayden said.

“Woo!” Bethany cheered. “We are all killing it!”

“We aren’t too far off,” Aiden said. “In five or ten minutes we’ll be there!”

The Fireworks however…

“We’re slowing down!” Pascal announced as the Fireworks tilted from side to side.

“Thanks captain obvious,” Tessa replied.

“Wait, haven’t we pasted Independence Avenue already?” Ness asked.

“Three times actually,” Zipporah said.

At the same time, the Eagles passed another street corner.

“We’re faster than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking competition!” Vance yelled.

“Is that fast?” Bethany asked.

“Oh jeepers,” Aiden yelled, “a brick wall straight ahead!”

“Left!”

The Eagles titled left and cheered as they swerved away from the wall.

As for the Fireworks…

“Brick wall!” Seraphina shouted. “We need to tilt-“

“Left!”

“Right!”

The Fireworks tilted…and crashed into the wall first face.

“Wow,” Zipporah said spinning, “our teamwork is so good we can stir into a wall. Go Fireworks.”

Seraphina looked up to see a street sign that read Independence Avenue.

“Ugh!” Seraphina sighed. “That’s it, taxi!”

“What are you doing?” Tessa asked.

“Rhonda said we could use the slip and slide,” Tessa answered as she hauled a taxi. “Not that we had to. Take us to the Pentagon Hotel.”

“And step on it please!” Pascal shouted as he entered the taxi.

Later, the Eagles soared down the street.

“I see it!” Melissa cheered. “The hotel is just down the road!”

“And them darn Fireworks ain’t nowhere to be seen,” Vance added.

Honk!

“Is that taxi riding us?” Xidorn asked.

In the taxi, the Fireworks crammed into the back.

“Oh driver,” Pascal said, “could you pretty, pretty, please run those children off the road? Please, with cinnamon and love on top?”

The taxi rammed into the toboggan.

“What the ****!” Xidorn shouted. “It’s the Fireworks! They can’t do that…can they?”

Bethany smirked. “Everybody, hold your ground and don’t let them pass; if they want to play rough, we’ll play rough! Go Eagles!”

“Go Eagles!” the team shouted as they swerved to the left and blocked the taxi.

Jenny, Toby and Rhonda watched from the finish line.

“I say we give this race an explosive ending,” Jenny chuckled as she pressed a red button.

“Right!” Hayden yelled, as the Eagles blocked the taxi again.

Beep…beep…beep…

Aiden’s eyes grew wide. “Um, does anyone else hear that…”

Tessa rolled down the window and stuck out her arm as the taxi tried to butt its way in next to the sled.

“Yeah,” Frannie replied. “It sounds like…”

An explosion went off, causing both teams to spin out of control and the taxi to lite on fire. Tessa grabbed Melissa’s pigtail, yanking it as the explosion went off and causing the sweetheart to drop her team’s mascot…right before they crossed the finish line.

The taxi crossed the finish line right after…and crashed into the side of the building.

“We did it!” Weston cheered.

“If by it you mean lose,” Jenny said. “Then yes you did.”

“Since the Eagles didn’t carry their mascot across the finish line,” Rhonda said, “the Fireworks win by default!”

Riley was the last one to stumble out of the taxi, still in the wall. “Woo! Default is the best fault to have.”

Griswold’s eyes grew wide. “Riley, where is the firew-“

Suddenly, the firework went off and the taxi blew up into a smoldering heap.

“Eh,” Rhonda said, “we’ll fix it later.”

“This isn’t fair!” Xidon stated. “They took a taxi!”

Rhonda beamed. “I was hoping someone would catch my loophole! Nice Fireworks.”

Xidorn frowned. “Well I saw Tessa attack Melissa and force the eagle chick out of her hands.”

“There wasn’t a rule against it,” Tessa stated.

“This is true,” Rhonda said. “There was a rule against not having your mascot.”

Hayden grabbed Xidorn’s shoulder. “Give it up bud, her minds set; we’re voting off someone tonight.

Jenny smirked. “Uh oh Hayden…”

If you remember,” Rhonda said, “I said the winners of the first challenge get an extra special reward!”

“Oh goody goody good!” Pascal cheered.

“Aw jeez, they get that while we vote off one of our own,” Aiden sighed.

“Not exactly,” Rhonda said, “you see the Fireworks’ reward is…they’ll vote off the first member of your team tonight!”

A few of the Eagles (and Fireworks) gasped.

“What?” Xidorn said. “That’s completely unfair!”

“Sorry, those are the breaks kid,” Rhonda replied. “We’ll vote in two hours; Fireworks I’d discuss this amongst yourselves and Eagles…it wouldn’t be a bad idea pack your bags, just in case.”

The Eagles were silent and didn’t move as the Fireworks left, no longer cheering.

Later, Diamonique sat down for a meal in the cafeteria and noticed Frannie biting Ziba’s nails.

“Are you worried?” Frannie asked.

“Nah, this food seems edible enough,” Diamonique replied.

“I meant about the votes,” Frannie said. “We both won our challenges…we could be the first ones voted out.”

“It’s not us Frannie,” Diamonique replied. “They’ll go for the more obvious type, the ones that look stronger than us. We’re too silly.”

“Huh…I guess that’s another perk of being a comedic relief character,” Frannie said.

“Okay, sure,” Diamonique said. “On the other hand, that’s the same reason we could be targeted at a future vote. People we’ll underestimate us.”

“You think?” Frannie asked.

They do me at least,” Diamonique replied. “Most people have my whole life.”

“So what should we do?” Frannie asked.

“We got to try and show our stuff at challenges, “ Diamonique said. “And we need to make friends, form alliances, get people to like us, trust us, then vote with us.”

“Well,” Frannie said, “I’m happy to know there is someone I can trust here.”

Diamonique smiled. “Right back at ya’ girl.”

Soon, the Fireworks gathered together in Lita, Ness and Seraphina’s room.

“Where’s Tessa?” Easton asked.

“Dudette refused to meet in this room,” Riley replied, rolling his eyes.

“I’m kind of uncomfortable about this whole thing,” Griswold admitted. “Feels…really mean.”

“Maybe we should just ask the Eagles who’d they vote for,” Ness suggested.

“You guys we have a golden goose right here,” Pascal stated. “This is our reward that we earned and we need to use it! It’s part of the game.”

“I kind of agree with Pascal,” Seraphina admitted. “If we hadn’t gotten lucky the Eagles would be doing the same to us. They nearly beat us, so we need to make them weaker.”

Pascal nodded. “Whose the first person on the Eagles you think of when you think of a threat?”

Everyone was quiet for a second.

“Bethany,” Easton admitted.

“What?” Griswold stated.

"She is a big physical threat,” Ignacio said.

“But she saved me from the scarabs!” Ness defended. “She doesn’t deserve that…”

“My first thought was Hayden,” Seraphina admitted. “He’s become their leader after all.”

“And that Brofessor’s strong too,” Riley added.

“Are we not going to mention Cynthia?” Lita asked. “She killed at the challenge…literally. I don’t think I’d want to go against her in a challenge…or even just keep her around long.”

“Even I find her eerie,” Zipporah admitted.

“Everyone,” Pascal said, “We all don’t have to write down the same name, but I think we all know who needs to go…”

At the same time, Xidorn walked down the hall. He stopped when he heard crying. He turned and opened a closet to find Bethany.

“Hey,” Xidorn said, “you okay?”

Bethany looked away and wiped her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. I’m sorry.”

“What do you have to be sorry about?” Xidorn replied.

“I don’t know,” Bethany replied. “I just didn’t want anyone to see me cry. My mom and dad always say only losers cry.”

“Then I’m a pretty big loser,” Xidorn replied. “I cry all the time; heck every time I see a rainbow I cry.”

Bethany giggled. “It’s just…I should have tried harder out there today.”

“You tried your best,” Xidorn said.

"My best wasn’t good enough,” Bethany said. “I’m worried…it could be me going home.”

“You don’t deserve to go home,” Xidorn said. “I…I don’t want you to go home. I know I can’t change it, but I honestly don’t believe it will be you.”

“You never lie,” Bethany replied.

“Exactly,” Xidorn said.

Bethany sighed and sat down. “It’s just…to be the first one out…I feel like you can never live that down. My parents wouldn’t let me forget it…”

“What is up with your parents?” Xidorn asked, sitting next to her. “I’m sorry but to be honest they’re bugging me.”

“Okay,” Bethany said. “Don’t tell anyone but the truth is…my entire family are professional athletes.”

"All of them?” Xidorn asked.

Bethany nodded. “My mom’s a champion tennis player, my brother’s on an NFL team and my dad is a Harlem Globetrotter. They put a lot of pressure on me; they don’t even think shot put is a real sport!”

“Have they lifted one of those things?” Xidorn replied.

Bethany laughed. “Psh, not enough. They just expect first place out of me…and I might get last.”

Xidorn hugged Bethany. “I think you’re a winner.”

Bethany sniffed. “Thanks.”

At the same time, Aiden and Hayden were unpacking in their rooms.

“I’m worried,” Aiden admitted.

“Hey,” Hayden replied, “don’t be. You’re going to be just fine pal.”

“I think I will,” Aiden said. “I mean I lost the challenge. I’m worried about you.”

Hayden froze. “Me? You think I’d be up for elimination?”

“If I had to vote one of us off,” Aiden said, “you’d be high on the list.”

Hayden gulped, but shook himself. “Hey, I’ll be fine bud. Let’s not waste time worrying about it; it’s out of here hands now. We got to stay strong team, keep our chins up. Can you do that?”

Aiden smiled and nodded. “Will do sir!”

Aiden dashed off as Hayden watched and smiled. But as soon as Aiden was gone, Hayden sighed and fell on the bed.

In Melissa and Cynthia’s room, Cynthia polished her knives as Melissa entered carrying clothes.

“You’re clothes are all nice and tidy,” Melissa said.

Cynthia nodded, not looking up.

Melissa set them on a dresser and looked in the mirror. She sighed.

Cynthia sat her knives down.

Melissa nodded. “I understand we have to vote someone off. But its one thing to be able to vote off one of your own then leaving it in someone else’s hands. It could be someone who doesn’t deserve it, like Aiden or Hayden or Xidorn or Bethany or Weston or Diamonique or Vance or Frannie or Kalino or…”

Cynthia stared.

“Everyone tried today,” Melissa replied. “It’s not fair for them to go. But I was deadweight out there. Maybe I should just volunteer to leave.”

“You’re being an idiot,” Cynthia said. “You tried too. Sometimes, people lose.”

“Thank you Cynthia,” Melissa replied. “I’m going to do a little baking. Care for anything?”

Cynthia shook her head, and began sharpening her knives again.

“Okay,” Melissa replied. “And…thanks again for listening Cynthia.”

Cynthia didn’t look up from her knife.

“It could be me tonight,” Bethany said. “I do have my alliance and I talked to Pascal who said he was steering the vote away from me. I can’t give up; I’m not a quitter. I’ve just got to keep my head held high.”

“Aiden is right,” Hayden said, “I might be going home tonight; which would suck. The other team hardly knows me…not sure if that’s a good or bad thing. I’d hate to leave my team high and dry like this…I just hope it’s not me tonight.”

Cynthia stabbed a knife in the wall, turned to the camera…and then the screen went to static.

All the contestants followed Rhonda.

Rhonda opened a door. “Welcome everyone to the Hotel’s…Haunted Internet Café!”

The contestants stepped into a well-lit, average looking Internet Café’.

"Yeah…it was new edition,” Rhonda admitted. “But you don’t want to be here, because here is where our elimination ceremonies take place.”

Rhonda pointed to a booth in the corner.

“Using the voting booth in the corner,” Rhonda explained, “you’ll use the computer and select the Total Drama Genesis application. “

Zipporah frowned.

You’ll be uploaded to your page,” Rhonda continued, “where you’ll see a section marked ‘teammates. You’ll click on the icon of the person you want to cast a vote against,” Rhonda said. “If their icon is ‘gold’ however, then their ‘status’ is invincible and their icon is not clickable meaning they’ve won invincibility.”

“This all sounds like a product tie-in,” Zipporah stated.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Rhonda replied. “And for viewers at home, you can go online and buy your own version as an app for your smartphone!”

“However you turds can save yourself even if you don’t have invincibility,” Jenny teased.

Rhonda nodded. “Well hidden in this hotel are three flash drives, which you can connect to the computer before votes are cast. This can allow you to grant ‘secret immunity’ to someone, including yourself, and cancel out all their votes.”

“The first two are team exclusive,” Toby explained, “red for the Fireworks and blue for the Eagles. Only a member from that team can use that flash drive at an elimination ceremony.”

“But,” Rhonda said, “the golden flash drive can be used by anyone at any elimination ceremony! It’s the ultimate lifesaver and yet the most well hidden of all the flash drives! It may never, ever even be found…”

Kalino chuckled as he held up the golden flash drive. “Sure Rhonda, sure.”

For this elimination ceremony, all Fireworks will be able to vote for the Eagles,” Rhonda explained. “ Now, let’s get to it.”

The Fireworks nodded, and one by one went into the booth...

Zipporah cast her vote for Cynthia. “It's not that I'm scared of you or anything, you're just good in challenges. Just, don't tell Cynthia I said that.”

Riley cast her vote for Hayden. “Sorry man, I’m sure your cool and you have my respect for beating me in that challenge. Heck, if you made it to the finals I’d probably vote for you. Which is why I’m voting for you know. See ya Broda.”

Easton cast his vote for Bethany. “You’re a threat, plain and simple. Sorry it has to be this way.”

Seraphina cast her vote. “As long as it isn’t me.”

Pascal cast his vote. “I’ve decided out everyone, I want you gone the most. You’re simply to big a threat to myself and I can’t have you stopping my plans for winning. I won't sugar coat it; I’m enjoying I’ll be able to make you the first one sent home. Better luck next time...if they ever invite you back.”

“All the votes have been,” Rhonda announced from behind a podium. “When I call your name, you will receive a cup of coffee, signifying your safety…for now. The person who does not get a coffee will be eliminated, forced to leave exit the Revolving Doors of Shame, and leave on the Public Transportation of Losers. And you can’t comeback. EVER.”

The Eagles eyed the Fireworks, who sat and looked the other way.

“The first coffee goes to…Diamonique.”

Diamonique smirked and caught her cup.

“Kalino. Frannie. Weston.”

The three smiled; Weston winked at his brother.

“Xidorn…Vance…Melissa…”

Only Melissa failed to smile at catching her coffee.

“Aiden...”

Aiden sighed.

“The rest of you all received votes,” Rhonda announced. “Bethany, you’re a physical strongly and have friends on both teams. Hayden, you’ve taken the leadership position easily. And Cynthia…”

Cynthia stared.

Rhonda yelped. “Um…yeah. However, one of you received the majority of the votes. The last two coffee cups go to…”

“…Cynthia and Hayden. Bethany, you’re out.”

Bethany stood up and sighed. “Good luck you guys.”

Bethany didn’t look back and exited the Revolving Doors of Shame.

“Well,” Rhonda said, “I suggest you all get a goodnight’s rest; it only gets harder from here.”

Chapter 4 Sweet Dreams (Aren't Made Of This)
Melissa slumped into her room; Cynthia wasn’t anywhere to be found.

“Maybe some reading will cheer me up,” Melissa said as she approached the bookshelf. “Let’s see…Sweeny Todd, Hannibal Rising, To Serve Man…ooh a cookbook!”

Melissa removed the book…and the bookshelf slid away to reveal a secret passage.

“How thoughtful!” Melissa exclaimed as she entered the passage.

Later at midnight, Pascal exited his room and tiptoed down the hallway.

“Now if I were a flashdrive where would I hide?” Pascal whispered. “Maybe, at the bottom of a potted plant?”

Pascal turned towards a potted plant and started using his hands to dig.

“Pascal?”

Pascal turned around to see Seraphina.

“Oh Seraphina,” Pascal said, “how funny to see you here…at the hotel we’re all staying at. Wait, what are you doing up?”

“I can't sleep,” Seraphina replied. “I thought a walk might help. What are you doing?”

“Me?” Pascal asked. “Well I…had to tinkle! Yeah, but Kalino fell asleep in the bathroom so I used the bathroom downstairs. And then I dropped my contact…in this pot. Oh look there it is!”

Pascal slapped some dirt against face.

“Okie dokie,” Pascal replied. “Well I better go catch some Zs.Great work today, so glad we’re teammates, bye!”

Pascal dashed off as Seraphina raised his eyebrow. She walked down to another floor but stopped when she heard a scream. She turned to see Xidorn watching an old movie in a TV room. She noticed hair dyes sitting out on a table.

“Hey,” Seraphina said. “You changing hair colors?”

“Oh hey,” Xidorn said, “Yeah I thought I might add some red streaks to my hair.”

“I don’t know I kind of like you better as a bluehead,” Seraphina replied. “Why red?”

“For Bethany,” Xidorn said.

“Oh,” Seraphina replied.

“I know it seems silly,” Xidorn said, “but she was a good friend. I don’t think she deserved to be first out.”

Seraphina looked to the ground. “I’m sorry she went home.”

“I don’t blame you,” Xidorn admitted. “It’s just the nature of reality shows.”

“When you say it like that…then why are you here?” Seraphina asked.

“I know it sounds silly,” Xidorn replied, “but I want to try and win being an honest and nice person. It is kind of like life; its going to throw the worst it can at me, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try to be the best I can be. I might have to fight, but its worth fighting for you know?”

“I guess I don’t think of life like that,” Seraphina admitted.

A wolf howled on the TV.

“So,” Seraphina said, “what are you watching?”

“Werewolf Shotgun Wedding,” Xidorn replied. “It’s this old monster movie about a werewolf who tries to find a bride. The ending is a twist, but I won’t spoil-“

“-Oh yeah,” Seraphina said, “when the werewolf marries the heroine she turns into an even greater monster; a naggy wife.”

“You’ve seen it?” Xidorn asked.

“I enjoy Z-movies,” Seraphina replied. “What about you?”

“I love them!” Xidorn said. “I mean it’s fascinating to see what directors try to do with a limited budget. And these movies do have a place in history, there the inspiration for a lot of modern directors like Guillermo Del Toro and Quentin Tarantino.”

Seraphina giggled. “I just like hammy actors and bad stunts.”

“You want to watch it with me?” Xidorn asked.

Seraphina nodded and sat next to him on the couch.

The next morning, Lita, Ness, Vance, Aiden, Hayden and Griswold walked to the mess hall.

“Ooh,” Ness exclaimed, “what is this wonderful smell?”

“Smells like pastries,” Griswold said.

“I wouldn’t mind that,” Lita admitted.

Griswold chuckled. “I was just about to say the same thing.”

Lita winked. “Great minds think alike.”

Griswold blushed.

“Good morning everyone!” Melissa greeted from the serving hatch. “I hope you all had dreams as sweet as you are.”

“Melissa?” Aiden asked. “What are you doing in the kitchen?”

“Well the funniest thing happened,” Melissa explained. “I discovered secret passage from my room to the kitchen. I even got to take a cute little detour through an abandoned meat locker.”

“So why are you baking?” Hayden asked.

“Don’t complain!” Vance explained as he ate cake with his bare hands.

“I was a bit sad after that elimination ceremony last night,” Melissa admitted. “Baking helps me feel better, so I did a little bit last night.”

Aiden opened the door to the kitchen, which released a tidal wave of pastries that drowned the contestants.

Melissa blushed. “Well maybe more than a little. I was thinking I’d hand out most of them to the poor and homeless today.”

Vance doggy paddled through the pool of pastries. “Eh, they could buy their own desserts.”

A bell dinged.

Melissa clapped. “Ooh, my newest treats are done. Would you all care to try some?”

Melissa returned with a tray of cupcakes.

“I made pupcakes,” Melissa said. “They’re cupcakes that look like puppies.”

“I’ll try a chocolate,” Aiden stated.

“Those are the chocolate labradoodles,” Melissa explained.

“I’ll take a fluffy one,” Ness said.

“Those are walnut wire-poos,” Melissa said. “You aren’t allergic to walnuts, are you?”

“Not that I know of,” Ness replied as she bit in to the cupcake.

Five minutes later, Ness sat in a stretcher that was loaded into an ambulance by emergency workers.

“I guess I am allergic to walnuts,” Ness wheezed as she burst into more hives.

Lita entered the back of the ambulance. “I’ll go with you Ness, incase you need any help.”

“I’m so, so sorry Ness!” Melissa said as the ambulance drove off.

“Don’t put yourself down Melissa,” Aiden said. “Hey, I was thinking I could help you pack the pastries and we could give them out together while I gave you a tour of Washington.”

Melissa yawned. “Ooh that’d be splendid. I’d love to if its not too much trouble.”

“Not in the least,” Aiden replied.

“Sorry bud,” Hayden said, “but your play date will have to wait. Melissa has been baking all night, haven’t you?”

Melissa nodded.

“You know sleep deprivation is very serious,” Hayden stated. “Not to mention you’re still growing at your age, you need at least eight hours of rapid eye movement sleep.”

“I guess it wouldn’t hurt to take a nap,” Melissa said.

Hayden picked Melissa up and threw her over his shoulder. “Come on kid, lets get you tucked in.”

“I thank you for the concern,” Melissa said, “but you don’t have to car-“

“-I’m doing this because I care,” Hayden interrupted. “Now try and get a head start on your sleep.”

Later, Ignacio panted as he ran through the halls of the hotel. Ignacio froze as he came to a dead end. On the wall hung a faded portrait…whose eyes moved and followed Ignacio.

“Ignacio…come out, come out wherever you are!”

The model shook as he tried to open doors, only to find them locked.

"Oh Iggy!” Frannie called from the next hallway over. “You can’t hid, Diamonique has your scent.”

Diamonique sniffed the ground like a bloodhound. “You smell like a dirty ox, it is strangely attractive.”

Ignacio opened a door, ran inside, slammed and locked it shut.

“We made you something Iggy!” Frannie yelled. “It’s a bell necklace and not at all an attempt to hear your every movement so we can stalk you.”

“Darn,” Diamonique said, “the trail ends cold.”

Ignacio sighed but heard a door open. He turned around to see Riley walking out only, topless with her lower half wrapped in a towel. Ignacio turned red and stared.

Riley flashed a peace sign. “S’up dude?”

Ignacio turned away. “I’m so sorry! I…I didn’t…I was-“

“-I heard your fangirls,” Riley replied as she started to dress. “I’d hide too.”

“Thanks,” Ignacio replied, “but I didn’t mean…you without…I’m not a pervert!”

Riley laughed. “Chill Broseph Stalin, its not like I haven’t seen you shirtless. Besides, I figure everybody here has seen boobs, intentional or not.”

Ignacio nodded. “You aren’t wanting-”

“-Nah,” Riley said, “you’re fine don’t get me wrong, but you’re not my usual type. I like my men like I like my energy drinks, freaky.”

“Okay…” Ignacio replied.

“If you want to come with,” Riley said, “me, Gris Bear and the Twinners are going out for some ‘broritos’.”

“Oh, uh…” Ignacio replied, “that sounds fun, sure.”

Outside in the hallway, Frannie and Diamonique gave up their search and went to the cafeteria as the eyes in the portrait watched them leave…

…Until Frannie back flipped to the portrait and poked the eyes out.

Rhonda recoiled in pain inside a secret room.

“It is rude to stare,” Jenny said, as she and Toby entered.

"Hey,” Rhonda said, “have the ratings come back yet?”

Toby nodded.

“And?” Rhonda asked.

“They were fine,” Toby replied.

“Fine?” Rhonda asked. “We have an hour and a half premiere of the return of a legendary television show, and the ratings are…fine?”

“Yeah, what part didn’t you understand?” Toby asked.

Rhonda slumped in her chair. “What now?”

“Give up and admit we’ll never succeed in life?” Jenny suggested.

“There must be something we can do!” Rhonda shouted.

“Well,” Jenny said, “we need to get people talking about it. Let’s stir up the doo-doo with these goody two shoes! Let’s manufacture some drama; for example we could reveal to Aiden that Melissa-”

“-We aren’t forcing drama,” Rhonda interrupted. “The point of a reality show is to capture the reality of people reacting and adapting to the challenges and situation of the game.”

“Oh yeah,” Jenny stated, “what about twists?”

“Twists are built in a reality show’s DNA,” Rhonda answered. “There’s a difference between changing the gameplay and forcing a conflict between people.”

“It would get people talking if we revealed that about Melissa,” Jenny pointed out. “It would come out at some point anyway.”

“That's not what I want people talking about,” Rhonda replied. “I know it’d come out, but it needs to happen at its own pace. If we force it, we’ll focus too much on it and it wouldn’t play out if it happened gradually.”

“Everyone knows the big dogs of reality TV makes up the drama to tell a story,” Jenny replied. “We’d be doing the same thing.”

“I’m not a fan of that approach in other shows,” Rhonda replied. “It ruins people’s chances in the game and it’s dishonest to our audience. We’d be selling out.”

“So you’re a fan of not being employed?” Jenny asked. “I get it Rhonda, you want reality shows to be real. But that isn’t how reality shows are anymore; if they even were that way to start with! They meddle in others’ lives for their entertainment and people expect it. Heck they want it!”

Rhonda shifted her eyes. “Toby…what do you think?”

“Do it,” Toby stated.

“Dang it you’re suppose to be my good angel Toby!” Rhonda shouted.

“I don’t really give a **** what happens,” Toby said.

Jenny batted her eyelashes. “It’s either your integrity or keeping your career, your favorite childhood show and not having to admit to your friends, family and yourself you couldn’t make it big and your dreams will never come true.”

“Why do I keep you around?” Rhonda sighed.

“Because I’m right,” Jenny said, “and cute as a kitten!”

"A dead kitten on the side of the road,” Toby said.

"YOUR MOM!" Jenny yelled.

In the library, Zipporah read. She heard a dragging noise and turned to the doorway, where she saw Cynthia carry a full trashbag through the hallways.

"I've been reading journal entries made by the owner of the hotel," Zipporah explained. "Its been great inspiration for my poetry. And so has been living in the same place as Cynthia. She's hardcore...and I don't know how to feel about it..."

Cynthia opened the trashbag and pulled out packed desserts.

"Cynthia is such a good friend!" Melissa exclaimed. "She helped Aiden and I give pastries to the needy. I cannot understand why people distrust her, just because she's different. Every has their own talent that makes them special; for some it’s a sport, some its making art and for Cynthia its her ability to wield weapons and hurt other living things. Its not our place to judge."

At the same time, Griswold and Easton walked out to the lobby.

“Hey thanks for inviting me out for burritos,” Easton said.

“Don’t mention it man,” Griswold said. “We’re teammates now, that’s what we do.”

Easton nodded. “Yeah. I guess this is a team trip…sorry my brother is tagging along.”

“I don’t mind,” Griswold replied. “Riley rooms with him and if he’s anything like you than he’s a cool dude.”

Easton smiled.

Just then, Weston tripped out of the staircase and fall face down in front of the two.

“Sick wipeout dude,” Griswold said.

“You okay Weston?” Easton asked.

Weston jumped up and glomped his twin. “Of course, now that I’m with my best friend.”

Riley and Ignacio, his hood up, exited the staircase.

“Hey,” Riley said, “Ignacio’s joining our brohemin rhapsody. Hope that’s cool.”

Griswold high-fived Ignacio. “Heck yeah! Nice to have you here!”

At the same time, Tessa marched down in the halls and ran into Xidorn.

“Sorry,” Xidorn said, looking for his glasses.

Tessa stood up and handed Xidorn his glasses. “No harm, no foul.”

Xidorn looked up to see Tesssa and frowned.

“Do you have a problem?” Tessa asked.

“To be honest yes,” Xidorn replied.

“Let me guess,” Tessa said, “you’ve seen my interviews.”

“Yes,” Xidorn replied, “but that’s not it. I’ve heard you’ve been talking smack about Bethany since she left.”

“You wouldn’t understand,” Tessa replied, “you’ve never been bullied.”

“I wear rainbow suspenders to a public high school,” Xidorn replied. “I’ve been bullied.”

“Then why are you upset I sent some dumb jock home?” Tessa asked.

“Bethany wasn’t dumb,” Xidorn replied. “And she never said a mean thing to you.”

She was being fake,” Tessa said. “People like her talk crap about others when they aren’t saying it to your face.”

“If the pot isn’t calling the kettle black,” Xidorn replied.

“You don’t know anything about me!” Tessa yelled.

“Did you know anything about Bethany?” Xidorn asked. “Did you ever have a full conversation with her? No, you didn’t. What gives you the authority to judge and not anyone else?”

“You’re just another person trying to get in with the cool people,” Tessa said. “And to do that you’re just using me as a stepping stone. I’ve seen it; people have done it to me before. I’ll tell you know they won’t respect you no matter what you do.”

“The same way you don’t respect anyone no matter how they try and talk to you?” Xidorn asked.

“We’re both outsiders you know,” Tessa reasoned.

“I admit to not fitting in,” Xidorn said, “but I’m not like you; I don’t bottle my hate.”

Tessa opened her mouth but Xidorn turned away and left her alone to her thoughts.

Later, Ignacio, Easton, Weston, Riley and Griswold sat in Burrito Queen, as the customers stared at Ignacio.

“Wow,” Weston said holding up a jar, “they sure have a whole lot of peppers.”

Griswold finished a third burrito. “Hey Riley, I dare you to chug that whole glass of peppers. If you do, I’ll pay you-“

Riley slammed down the empty jar. “Done.”

“Dang,” Easton said, “how is your mouth...”

“…not on fire?” Weston finished.

“What can I say,” Riley replied. “I’m so cool, spicy foods don’t affect me.”

"You have my respect dude,” Griswold said. “I’ll buy you another burrito.”

“Nah man I’m stuffed,” Riley replied.

"Well, I'm going to have another,” Griswold said, “I think I’m going to try benching more, build up my muscle. I don’t want to get to flabby."

"I wouldn't be worried about that," Easton said. “You’re basically a brick house.”

“Except without pigs living in you,” Weston added.

Griswold chuckled. "Thanks. I know, I shouldn't worry. Truth is though, before high school I was shrimpy."

The others laughed.

"No, I'm serious," Griswold said. "I don't even know if I'd reach Riley's leg."

"Dude, really?" Riley asked.

Griswold nodded. "I was shorter than five feet. Then puberty hit me."

"No way," Weston replied. "When is puberty going to hit me?"

"It already has Weston," Easton whispered.

"I can fathom that explanation," Ignacio replied. "I did not receive as much...attention before puberty."

"I wish puberty worked that way for me," Riley said. "Instead, my body just became awkward.”

The next day, Ness returned to her hotel room.

“Hey,” Seraphina greeted, “how did it go?”

“Well I’ll never be able to eat walnuts,” Ness said. “But the good news is that they were able to stop the allergic reaction.”

Ness entered, wearing a neck brace. “Unfortunately some wild horse ran into the ambulance. Long story short, my neck is sprained. But only for a few days.”

Lita entered with a a pureed drink. “Here you go honey, the doctors say you’ll have to drink your food for the next few days until your neck is healed. In the meantime, if you need anything just ask.”

“Same for me as well,” Seraphina said.

That night, the contestants were gathered in the cafeteria.

“Contestants I am proud to say you’ve made it through your first few days,” Rhonda said. “Tomorrow you will begin your challenge early. For now though, we want to celebrate you making it this far. Which is why, we’ve prepared a feast!”

Out of nowhere, the candelabras on the tables lite up and revealed platters of food.

“Please enjoy to your hearts content!” Rhonda said. “You’ll need to eat up to finish the challenge tomorrow.”

Quickly, the contestants began to dine and only a few ate very little. In a few hours, the teens had cleaned their plates and sat quietly amongst themselves.

“Is everyone full?” Rhonda asked.

“So much mannnnnnnn,” Kalino replied.

“Good,” Rhonda replied, “then lets begin the challenge!”

Everyone suddenly seemed more awake, except for Kalino.

“You said the challenge was going to be tomorrow,” Easton reminded.

“Not to mention most of you guys should be in bed,” Hayden said. “Right now it is-“

“-midnight,” Rhonda interrupted. “Making it the next day. I told you we’d start early.”

The contestants moved into the hotel lobby.

“Welcome contestants to what we like to call the Awake-A-Thon 2.0,” Rhonda announced. “Simply put the team that falls asleep first loses, so stay awake as long as possible to win.”

“Wait,” Griswold said, “if the challenge was to stay awake as long as possible, how would eating help us win the challenge?”

“Would help you finish the challenge,” Rhonda corrected. “You finish the challenge by falling asleep.”

“Now slow the roll of your crazy train Rhonda,” Hayden stated. “This is a highly dangerous and inappropriate challenge. Are you aware that sleep deprivation can cause? Allow me to remind you; haullications, weakening of the immune system...”

“How much older is that guy?” Ness whispered to Lita.

“Oh you all won’t be up for more than a few hours,” Rhonda interrupted. “We put some ground up sleeping pills in your food. And if you really have such a problem with it, you can always forfeit the challenge.”

Hayden pouted and sat back down.

“Now if everyone is done interrupting me,” Rhonda said.

“Wait I want to interrupt you too!” Frannie shouted.

Rhonda glared. “The rules for the challenge are simple; Fizzled Fireworks on the left side and the Molted Eagles to the right. No team intermingling; its troubling for the readers.”

“Readers?” Ignacio asked.

“Second you can’t leave the lobby unless you have my permission,” Rhonda stated. “So if you got to go, hold it. And don’t make a mess in this lobby.”

“Too late,” Kalino whispered.

“We’ll have designated times for you to leave the bathroom,” Rhonda added. “If you leave without permission you’re disqualified from this challenge. Now, lets get started.”

The teams slumped to their places. As the Eagles moved, Diamonique fell on her knees.

“Come on,” Frannie said helping her up, “you’re not out yet.”

"I’m going to hold on as long as I can,” Diamonique stated.

“It sounds like we need to get pumped,” Frannie said. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”

Diamonique smirked. “DANCE IT OFF!”

Diamonique jumped up and started to twerk as Frannie started Russian squat dancing.

The Fireworks tried a different strategy…

“I was thinking,” Griswold said, “we should all gather around together and try to keep each other awake. Plus, it’d be a great way to get to know each other and become stronger as a team.”

“Wow,” Zipporah said, “sit around sharing personal stories and singing Kumbaya songs with you guys? As tempting as that offer is, I think I’d rather talk to the painting with the shifting eyes.”

Tessa also refused the offer while the rest of the Fireworks gathered around.

“So what know?” Ignacio asked.

“Seraphina still owes me a tarot card reading,” Griswold stated. “If you’re interested.

Seraphina shifted her eyes. “Okay, I’ll give you a quick reading. But if you aren’t happy with the fortune its not my fault.”

Seraphina pulled a deck of cards and began shuffling them.

“How much do you charge for a reading?” Easton asked.

“I haven’t charged anyone for a long time,” Seraphina replied.

Seraphina sat down and flipped over a card, showing a man standing between two women.

“The Lovers card,” Seraphina stated. "It means you’re going to have a face a decision soon, and you’ll have to make a choice between two paths.”

Next, Ness asked for her fortune. Seraphina flipped over a card that showed the grim reaper.

“I’m not even surprised,” Ness sighed.

“Hold on,” Seraphina said, “Death means change in tarot cards.”

“You mean,” Ness said, “like maybe my luck changing for the better?”

Seraphina smiled. “That’s what I think.”

Next Pascal drew a card. It was a tower struck by lightning and toppling over.

“Does that mean something good in tarot cards?” Pascal asked.

“Uh…yeah,” Seraphina replied.

“How many of these do you do a month?” Easton asked.

“I don’t do but a few a year,” Seraphina stated.

"Why?” Griswold asked.

Seraphina sighed. “I don’t know…people react negatively to when they get a fortunate they don’t like or don’t see the exact thing they wanted to see. My powers don’t come with a user manual. I’m just trying to use them to help people…”

“Which is why you stopped charging for them?” Lita guessed.

Seraphina blushed and nodded.

Over at the Eagles, Frannie flipped onto her hands.

Whenever I need a quick wakeup I just stand on my hands,” Frannie said. “And let the blood slowly rush to my head.”

“I’ll try it,” Diamonique said.

She took off her beret, revealing the usually hidden top of her forehead…and a scar there. Diamonique tied her a hair up in a bun, revealing a few more scars on the sides of her head.

“Ooh Diamonique,” Frannie said, “those are rough scars.”

Diamonique sat on her head. “Huh?

Frannie pointed to her forehead.

"Oh,” Diamonique replied, “I forgot I had those on my head.”

Hayden started at Diamonique. “Interesting… those marks are approximately at the frontal and temporal lobes of your brain.”

“So what of it,” Diamonique replied. “You’ve never a scar on somebody’s head before?”

“No, no,” Frannie replied. “Er…yes? I mean, sorry to make a deal out of it.”

“There’s nothing wrong with being concerned about a teammate,” Hayden stated.

“Maybe you should be concerned about your nose,” Diamonique said. “Don’t want to get it hurt sticking it in other people’s business.”

Hayden rolled his eyes and walked away. “Alright fine, be childish.”

Diamonique blew a raspberry before she tipped over and fell on her face.

Aiden followed his roommate. “Zowie wowie Hayden, how did you know the parts of her brain?”

“I’m going for my psychology major,” Hayden replied.

“Oh,” Aiden said. “So why’d you point that out to Diamonique?”

“I was curious to see if she knew,” Hayden stated. “And she did.”

"How do you know?” Aiden asked.

Hayden cleared his throat. “Her overprotective reaction made it clear she’s sensitive about the subject and from that I can deduce that she knows what I’ve theorized.”

“Which is?” Aiden asked.

“Keep up buddy,” Hayden replied, “those marks likely indicate her frontal and temporal lobe are damaged.”

“You mean…Diamonique has brain damage of some kind?” Aiden asked.

Hayden nodded slowly. “Yes bud. The point is, the frontal and temporal lobes are both related to the brain’s function of memory.”

“Why ask her about it?" Aiden said.

“I’m simply concerned for her,” Hayden replied. “I don’t want the poor kid having issues and not being able to express them. After the challenge we’ll have a talk.”

Thirty minutes later the scores were tied at nine. Pascal entertained the Fireworks with another tale...

“…And that’s how I saved my team from elimination,” Pascal finished.

“Wow, that was even better the fifth we’ve heard it,” Seraphina yawned.

“Man you killed that show,” Riley said. “How did you not win?”

Pascal’s eye twitched. “I ask myself that everyday. But I don’t dwell on-”

“-Oh yeah that girl wowed the other contestants with her final speech,” Griswold recalled. “What was her name…Amanda Picklestein!”

Pascal cringed.

“Oh man I loved her!” Griswold shouted. “She was my pick to win…uh, no offense.”

“HA,” Pascal laughed, “HA, HA. None taken, I could hardly care less about that old show, even though it’s the farthest I’ve ever made on a reality show but whose counting?”

“I don’t use the word hate,” Pascal stated. “I don’t even use dislike. It’s not in my vocabulary, like ‘quitting’, ‘tone it down’ or ‘rutabaga’. So when it comes to…Amanda Picklestein…I don’t hate her.”

Pascal smile widened as his eye twitched. “I despise Amanda Pickelstein with every bone and fiber in my body! She’s the grossest, crankiest, cross-eyed, ugliest, smelliest, sick, stupidest, scaly, shriveled, big headed, bug swallowing, repulsive, fanged, wart-ridden, psychotic, infested, omnivorous, ratchet, repugnant, repulsive abomination of a person I’ve ever had to breathe the same air as! And I’m not fond of her either.”

How is your neck doing, sweetie,” Lita asked Ness.

“Alright,” Ness replied. “The good news is I haven’t been able to eat the same amount of food as anyone else. And it’s so uncomfortable I’m not falling asleep too easy.”

Lita yawned. “You holding up alright Seraphina?”

“Yeah,” Seraphina replied, “I have insomnia, so I don’t fall asleep so easily.”

“Hey Lita, can we talk in private for a minute?”

The girls turned to see Ignacio standing over them.

“Fine,” Lita replied as she followed Ignacio to the corner.

“I just wanted to apologize,” Ignacio said, “for what I said the other day to you. It was out of line.”

Lita smiled. “Thank you. I want to apologize too; I shouldn’t have blown up on you. I’m trying to curb my temper.”

“You were in your right to,” Ignacio said. “To assume that you were only interested in my looks…I was being a Neanderthal.”

“Well I’ve now seen how Frannie and Diamonique stick to you,” Lita replied. “So I understand how you’d get that way. Besides, I’ve dated a couple of models before and I kind of assumed you were stuck up like them.”

“I can understand that,” Ignacio replied. “I’ve met a lot of stuck up models. The truth is, I don’t even want to be a model! I’m just doing to help support my family.”

Lita put her hand on Ignacio’s shoulder. “Well, you’re a very sweet guy. I appreciate you coming to apologize to me. Friends?”

Ignacio smiled and nodded. “Friends.”

At the Eagles side, Frannie yawned and scowled at the sleeping Ziba on her shoulder.

"I don’t have enough life left in me Fran,” Diamonique stated with bags under her eyes. “I’m going out for the count.”

“No!” Frannie yelled. “Come on lets dance or, or we could stand on our heads again!”

“Wouldn’t want you to look at my scars anymore,” Diamonique replied.

Frannie sniffled. “I said I was sorry.”

“No I’m sorry,” Diamonique replied, “I just... I got some scars on my body Frannie, worse than those. A lot.”

“Oh Diamonique,” Frannie sighed.

“It’s alright,” Diamonique replied. “I don't need any pity. I’m just a little sensitive and the truth is…that I do have some brain damage.”

Frannie hugged Diamonique.

“I got them when I was young,” Diamonique answered. “When people see them or find out…they just have another reason to look down on me. I’m just tired of. So tired…”

“There’s nobody here I think higher of than you Diamonique,” Frannie said.

Frannie turned to see Diamonqiue already asleep. Frannie placed Ziba on her beret stood up and frowned.

“Hey Frannie,” Kalino called, “come here.”

Frannie walked over. “What’s up?”

“My partner’s asleep,” Kalino explained, pointing to a snoring Vance. “Your partner’s asleep, and I could use a laugh. You want to try and help keep each other awake?”

Frannie smiled and sat down. “Sure. So, what do you call a person who talks in someone else’s sleep?”

“A teacher,” Kalino replied.

Frannie laughed.

Soon a whole hour had passed.

Griswold turned to see Lita had fallen asleep and was shivering. He took off his varsity jacket and spread on top of her like a blanket. Riley watched and smiled to herself.

Over at the Eagles, Cynthia, Aiden, Melissa, Hayden, Frannie, Kalino and Xidorn were still awake. The male Eagles had just returned from the restroom.

“Alright lady Eagles may head to the bathroom,” Rhonda announced.

“I’ll be right back,” Melissa said as she left.

“Gee whiz,” Aiden sighed, “Melissa sure is amazing.”

Rhonda gulped and nodded. “Yeah, I’m glad we had her as a last minute addition. Besides being so sweet I’m glad that we could have the first Muslim contestant in the show’s history. Don't you think Aiden?”

“Wait…what?” Aiden asked.

Rhonda nodded. “We also have the show’s first open LGBTQ contestant as well.”

“Who is that?” Aiden asked.

“Well I’m pan,” Xidorn said.

“You’re attracted to pans?” Aiden asked.

“It means I’m attracted to people of all genders,” Xidorn replied. “And I’m transgender.”

“You are?” Rhonda asked. “Since when?”

Xidorn stared.

“I just mean it wasn’t on your application,” Rhonda said.

“Because your only gender options were male and female,” Xidorn replied. “Besides transgender isn’t my gender; I identify as male. You weren’t ever aware of this?”

“I was talking about Hayden being gay,” Rhonda explained.

“You’re gay?” Aiden asked.

“Yeah,” Hayden said, “is that a problem?”

“But we share a room,” Aiden replied.

“Please stop,” Hayden replied glaring.

“Jenny and Toby how come the medical examiners didn’t inform us Xidorn was transgender?” Rhonda asked.

“We had to cut expenses,” Jenny explained. “So the medical exams got reduced budgets.”

How reduced?” Rhonda asked.

The scene changed to Xidorn sitting in a doctor’s office. Jenny and Toby stormed in.

“Aren’t you two a little young to be doctors?” Xidorn asked.

“Not according to the degrees we printed offline,” Jenny replied. “Now are you healthy?”

“Yes,” Xidorn replied.

“Whelp, good enough for me,” Jenny said as she left.

The scene returned to Rhonda glaring at her cohorts.

“Did I miss anything?” Melissa asked as she walked back in.

“Melissa is it true?” Aiden asked. “Is it true your Muslim?”

“Yes,” Melissa replied. “Why?”

“How can you be Muslim?” Aiden asked.

Melissa frowned. “Excuse me?”

“I just mean,” Aiden started to say, “your just…”

“What?” Melissa asked.

“You’re so American,” Aiden replied.

“My family has been legal and loyal American citizens for three generations,” Melissa stated. “But I guess because I believe in Islam I can’t be American then, huh?”

“I didn’t say that,” Aiden replied. “But I mean…well…”

Melissa started to cry. “I know what you mean, you…you…”

Melisssa ran away in tears. Cynthia followed after her.

Everyone turned to stare at Aiden who sat away in the corner, covering his face with his cap. Soon things died back down. Frannie and Kalino contiuned to talk.

“-So I put lobsters down her pants,” Kalino finished as Frannie laughed.

“I guess you could say she was crabby,” Frannie joked. “Wait…dang it that joke doesn’t work.”

“It was still hilarious man,” Kalino said. “Man I wish I could have a latte now, even one of those pumpkin spice ones.

Frannie giggled. Kalino smirked. "You know Frannie, I like how chill you are.”

“Right back at you,” Frannie replied. “I wish I could always be that calm.”

“You’re not?” Kalino asked.

“I just have a lot on my mind,” Frannie said. “I’m on this show so I can win the money and keep my family circus open.”

“That’s so righteous,” Kalino said, “I just joined to tick off my sister.”

“How bad is your sister?” Frannie asked.

“She’s so stiff and wooden if you threw her into the ocean she’d float,” Kalino replied. “She brings homework with her to the beach, instead of trying to surf.”

“Let me guess,” Frannie said. “You’re from-“

“-Yeah Nebraska,” Kalino replied. “I know, it’s the accent.”

Frannie snickered. “You’re real cool Kalino. Hey, you should join me and Diamonique’s alliance!”

“That sounds soooooo sweet man,” Kalino replied.

“Yeah Diamonique came up with it,” Frannie replied. “She’s a master strategist.”

“I’d love to hook my chain with you guys,” Kalino said. “So…how do you think you’ll vote off...”

Two hours later and most everyone was still asleep. Tessa, Ness and Seraphina stayed awake for the Fireworks while Kalino and Frannie were awake for the Eagles.

“Congrats to the five of you who are left standing,” Rhonda said.

Tessa and Frannie immediately collapsed into sleep.

“Or three,” Rhonda said. “However one of you can win. Who will it be?”

Seraphina and Ness slapped each others face to try and stay awake while Kalino sat there twiddling his thumbs.

Seraphina tipped over and closed her eyes.

“And we’re down to one member from each team,” Rhonda announced. “Who knows who will win this final, ultimate battle to-“

Kalino snored loudly.

“-And it looks like Ness wins it for the Fireworks!” Rhonda cheered.

“Hooray,” Ness sighed before falling to the ground.

“Someone wake the Eagles up and tell them they’ll be voting someone off in ten,” Rhonda announced.

Kalino sprung up instantly and shrugged.

Later the Molting Eagles sat at the Internet Café, all with bags under their eyes.

“Look on the bright side,” Rhonda said. “At least you’ll get to vote tonight.”

“Yay,” Xidorn ‘cheered’.

Diamonique cast her vote for Aiden. “Since Frannie and I rode with Cynthia and Melissa in the taxi at the first challenge, we’ve all been tight. We have the numbers, now we just needed to wait until somebody screwed up and painted a big target on their back. Sorry Aiden, that was you.”

Vance cast his vote. “A good point was made to me today, which was that you could be a future liability in challenges. And I want to win challenges. Sorry partner, but the buck stops here.”

Vance tried to spit but his saliva hung from his lips.

"The votes have been casted,” Rhonda said. “I have nine pumpkin spice coffee lattes. The one of you who doesn’t receive a coffee will be eliminated tonight and never comeback. EVER. Unlike last time, the first coffee cups are for Cynthia and Hayden.”

The two caught their coffees.

“Melissa…Frannie…Xidorn…”

The three caught their lattes and tried drinking them to stay awake.

“Vance…Weston…”

Weston grabbed his cup but accidentally dropped it.

“And the next coffee cup goes to…Aiden.”

Kalino and Diamonique eyes grew wide as did Aiden’s, who barely caught his cup.

“The last coffee goes to…”

“…Kalino. You’re done Diamonique.”

Diamonique stood up and turned to meet the eyes of her teammates.

“Whatever, I’m too fabulous for this anyway!” Diamonique announced and stormed off.

She stopped and turned back to look at Frannie. “Thanks girl, for believing in me.”

Kalino sipped his latte. “Sucks about Diamonique mannnnnn… Aiden’s foot in the mouth syndrome and muscles make him useful for now, and I’d rather keep him than a master strategist. That’s why I convinced the others that Diamonique would likely be a challenge liability. Sorry D, there’s only room for one alliance on the Eagles. Oh and don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Frannie..."

Kalino took another sip of his latte. “Mmmmmmmm man they weren’t kidding about that pumpkin spice stuff.”

Chapter 5 Sweat, Sweat Revenge
The next day, most of the Fizzled Fireworks celebrated their latest win in Seraphina, Lita, and Ness’ room.

“Woo!” Pascal cheered, wobbling and holding a soda. “The fireworks blast off to victory again.”

Pascal toppled over onto Ness, who no longer wore her brace.

“And it’s all thanks to this superstar!” Pascal hiccupped.

Ness blushed deep red and hyperventilated. “Well…we all tried our best. But thanks Pascal, it means a lot, since you are so hot…a musician.”

“Duh,” Pascal replied as slid to the floor.

Lita and Seraphina prepared more snacks.

“Hasn’t he only had one cherry cola?” Lita asked.

“He hasn’t even finished it,” Seraphina replied, walking off.

Griswold walked in. “Alright, mini pizza bagels are done.”

“Thanks sugar,” Lita replied. “You know, you didn’t have to help us with the snacks.”

“It was my idea to throw a party,” Griswold replied.

“And we offered to host us in our room,” Lita countered.

“It just didn’t seem like the right thing to do,” Griswold stated.

“Well I appreciate it,” Lita replied and smiled.

“Hehehe,” Griswold snorted, before he blushed and dashed off.

“I’m awful with girls,” Griswold admitted. “No one was ever interested in me when I was a shorter and no one seemed to be at my new school…so I’ve never learned how to flirt. I’ve tried Internet searching it…but the advice has been…use cheesy one-liners, write poetry, wiggling my eyebrows, even making dolphin calls! Is that how you flirt, with dolphin calls and everyone just knows that but me?”

Seraphina walked back over. “Well, looks like we have another meeting in your room.”

“It’s your room too dear,” Lita replied. “I’m sorry, just say the word and we can wrap this up anytime.”

“No I was just…making an observation,” Seraphina said. “Thanks though…”

Lita smiled. “Of course. By the way, where did you get shawl? It looks so cute.”

“Eh, I kind of have the fashion sense of a sixth grader,” Seraphina stated. “But um…thanks. It was from my great, great grandmother. I um…like your scarf thing.”

“Thanks girl,” Lita replied. “It was actually a gift from last ex.”

“I’ve never really had female friends,” Seraphina admitted. “Or friends in general; I just didn’t want any. I don’t know any kind of ‘girl code’ or anything, so I’m kind of worried I’m offending Lita or Ness some of the times. They’re actually really nice. Lita is like a mom, not my mom but an actually maternal one.”

Riley crushed a soda can against her head. “Hey Easton, where’s your other half?”

“Weston?” Easton asked. “Oh…well he doesn’t know about this.”

“Oh crap,” Riley replied. “I didn’t even think to tell him, I thought you would have.”

“Well this was just between the Fireworks,” Easton replied. “It didn’t seem right to invite him.”

“Dude no one has a problem with it,” Riley replied.

"It’s not just that,” Easton admitted. “Weston…he’s got to fend for himself. I mean, how would it look to his team if all he does is tag along with the other team? He’d be voted out.”

“Hey man,” Griswold said, “I’m sensing…some other issues here. Do you want to talk about it?”

Easton blushed. “It’s not a really big thing…”

“This is a judgment free zone,” Griswold stated.

“I love my bro,” Easton stated. “I just, I want some time apart from a while. I joined this show because I wanted to see more of the world outside of my town. I want new experiences…but when my brother heard he had to join me.”

Easton sighed. “Weston is just…dependent. And well, nothing’s wrong with him but he’s just not all together upstairs. He doesn’t think things through, and it ends falling to my responsibility to take care of him. I don’t really mind…but it feels like my parents treat him more special than me because he’s off.”

Lita nodded.

“Its hard to put into words,” Easton went on. “It’s like I have to make sacrifices for him and well…”

“He gets more love than you,” Lita finished.

“Yeah,” Easton said. “Does that make me a horrible person for feeling that way?”

“I don’t know,” Lita replied. “I understand though…my little brother…well it’s not important but I understand you.”

“I have little sisters,” Griswold stated. “It’s not exactly the same thing as twin, but I think everyone feels that way around their siblings sometimes.”

Easton nodded. “I don’t know…I still love him. Yet when you’re a twin everyone acts like you’re just clones. Weston and me are similar, but I think we need our own identities. Truth is, I’ve already been offered a scholarship for my math major.”

“That’s superb,” Ignacio stated. “You must be quite adroit.”

Easton blushed. “Yeah, thanks. I haven’t told Weston yet; going means we’ll be apart and he doesn’t really have plans for the future. I’m worried he won’t be able to hold his own.”

“Dude I had no idea,” Riley stated.

“Please don’t tell him what I said,” Easton asked.

“My lips are sealed,” Riley replied as the others nodded.

“For what its worth I think you’re right about some time apart,” Griswold said.

The next morning, Kalino strolled through the cafeteria while reading a paper.

"Horoscopes," Kalino stated. "You will have great accomplishments today."

Kalino looked up to see Frannie, who had made a frowning face out of her eggs and bacon.

“Fran the Wooman,” Kalino stated. “How you holding up?”

Frannie face planted into her breakfast and sobbed.

“I’ll take that as bad,” Kalino said.

Frannie lifted her head. “I’m just so upset that Diamonique is gone. I can’t even think of a joke.”

“Here’s a joke,” Kalino said. “What does a clown tell during breakfast times?”

“What?” Frannie asked.

“Yolks,” Kalino joked, as he rubbed some eggs off Frannie’s face.

“Thanks for trying,” Frannie stated. “I just don’t understand why Diamonique went home.”

“Yeahhhh,” Kalino stated. “It’s a total mystery I don’t understand…but I’ve been talking to the others and I don’t think they’ll vote you off.”

“Really?” Frannie asked. “I hope so. At least I know I can trust you Kalino.”

Kalino shrugged. “I’m just a trustworthy guy mannnnnnnn.”

Later, Aiden dragged his feel slowly to his room; he used his card. Hayden frowned as he saw him.

“Hey,” Aiden whispered.

“So are we going to talk?” Hayden asked. “Or are you going to keep avoiding me? I know you’ve been sleeping in the other hotel rooms instead of here.”

Aiden looked down. “You didn’t ever check me out did you?”

“You don’t check out every girl do you?” Hayden asked.

Aiden blushed. "No."

“I have a boyfriend anyway,” Hayden added. “I’m just so ticked off bud.”

“I’m sorry,” Aiden replied. “I don’t a lot about gay people nor really been around any-”

“-It’s not that you’re uncomfortable,” Hayden interrupted. “I try to follow Carl Roger’s belief of unconditional positive regard; respecting and accepting others as who they are. I honestly don’t care if you don’t like or support gay people as long as you don’t express it to me.”

“Then…what?” Aiden asked.

“The way you acted,” Hayden shot back. “We were pals until you find out I’m gay, and know I’m suddenly a different person?”

“You never mentioned it,” Aiden replied.

“What, am I just suppose to state my sexuality to everyone I meet?” Hayden asked. “I’ve never hid it, but I don’t make a big deal about it. It shouldn’t be a big deal."

Aiden hugged Hayden. “I’m sorry, I should have considered how you feel. Can we, can we still be buds?”

Hayden chuckled and gave Aiden a nuggy. “Yeah, we’re still buds. But I’m not the only one you need to say sorry to. I’m worried about Melissa.”

Aiden nodded. “I know and I am too. I want to talk to her…but I don’t know what to say yet.”

“I’ll help you if you need it,” Hayden replied.

“Thanks,” Aiden said. “I might…but I also want it to come from me.”

Later, Weston walked through the lobby, where a TV on a cart was placed.

“Weston…”

Weston froze and turned to the TV, which showed Easton talking in front of his team.

“Weston is just…dependent… he’s just not all together upstairs,” Easton ‘said’. “He doesn’t think things through, and it ends falling to my responsibility to take care of him. It’s like I have to make sacrifices for him… Truth is, I’ve already been offered a scholarship for my math major… going means we’ll be apart and he doesn’t really have plans for the future.”

Weston stared at the TV, which turned to static.

Rhonda awkwardly ran up to the TV. “Oh no, how did this TV I didn’t leave in this exact place get here? I hope it didn’t not on purpose accidentally show certain footage that was totally not edited together. Weston, did you see anything?”

Weston looked down, before running off in tears.

Rhonda grimaced but wheeled the TV away. Soon, she returned to the monitoring room where Jenny and Toby sat.

“Guys, I feel a little guilty,” Rhonda said. “I think I may have hurt Weston’s feelings. How were the ratings for last episode?”

“Alright,” Toby said on his smart phone. “But a lot of people have been watching it online and talking about it.”

Rhonda smiled. “Yay!”

“Mostly about Aiden,” Toby added.

Rhonda frowned. “Well, at least the plan worked.”

“The plan didn’t work!” Jenny shouted. “It actually hurt Hayden’s feelings, and I like him more than most of the people here. Present company included.”

“It was your idea,” Rhonda replied. “What are they saying Toby?”

“Some people really dislike him for it,” Toby stated. “Some agree with him. A few people have even sent death threats to his family, according to his stepmother’s social media.”

Rhonda sighed. “I…I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

The next day, the teams gathered in the lobby.

"It’s that time again,” Rhonda announced, “challenge time! To celebrate the upcoming game, we’ll be doing sport themed challenges!”

"Aw man!” Griswold cheered. “This is going to be sweet!”

“What game is coming up?” Xidorn asked.

“You know,” Rhonda said, “the…sport that people watch.”

“Another attempt at a tie-in for cheap cash,” Zipporah stated. “What a surprise."

“Anyway,” Rhonda said, “for this challenge you’ll compete in up to five different sports. We’ve taken the liberty of totally randomly selecting who does what. You’ll be in pairs of two, except the last challenge will have three people. ”

“But we don’t have as many members as the Fireworks,” Xidorn pointed out.

“You shouldn’t have sucked so much,” Jenny teased.

“Two people will go again for your team,” Rhonda explained. “Now, we’ll need a change of scenery for the first sport…”

The contestants moved to a new hotel and entered a dome that contained an artificial beach.

"Welcome to the Paradise Beach Hotel," Rhonda announced, "One of the several hotels run and owned by our home company. I thought about hosting the show here, but the Pentagon seemed like a better fit."

"That's the first smart thing I've ever heard you say," Zipporah said. "Who wrote it for you?"

"Our first challenge is for the sport of water skiing!" Rhonda announced. "One person will steer a speedboat through a course of buoys, while the other will water ski and collect flags. Then you'll reach a dock, switch roles and continue down the course. Whoever collects the most flags wins; For the Molting Eagles, Vance will drive first and Hayden will ski."

"You think you can handle it bud?" Hayden asked.

"Don't call me bud," Vance replied. "And of course I can, water skiing is just like rodeo."

"In a completely different way," Hayden added.

"On the Fizzled Fireworks," Rhonda continued, "Riley will drive and Zipporah will ski."

"We're the dream team!" Riley wooed as she tried to chest bump Zipporah but knocked her to the ground.

"More like a nightmare," Zipporah sighed. "And not the good kind."

In a few minutes, the pairs went off.

“Try not to get distracted staring at me,” Vance yelled.

“Just because I’m gay doesn’t mean I’m attracted to every guy,” Hayden replied.

“I know that,” Vance said. “But everyone’s attracted to me. I’m not every guy; I’m a champion.”

Vance then ran into a buoy.

“Aw yeah,” Riley cheered. “This ocean breeze is amazing. Are you feelin it Z?”

Zipporah flopped about like a dead fish. “I’m feelin it.”

Vance crashed into another buoy. “I tell you Hayden, your driving is catawampus!”

“Right, it’s my fault,” Hayden replied. “You’re just protecting your own feelings-“

“Cut out your doctor talk!” Vance shouted. “I’ve collected a few durn flags after all!”

“Only because you crashed into all of those!” Hayden shot back.

“NO HANDS!” Riley screamed as her boat drove past the Eagle’s.

“AHHHH!” Zipporah screamed.

Hayden parked into the dock and switched roles with Vance.

“You think you can steer this thing?” Hayden asked.

“You do know who you’re talking to right?” Vance asked.

Vance backed the boat into the dock, causing it to sink.

“I do,” Hayden replied.

“WOOOOOO!” Riley shouted as her boat crashed into Vance’s.

few minutes later, the four teens washed up on the shore.

Griswold ran forward. “Are you okay Riley?”

“Wow Brono Somebrody,” Riley said. “That was an amazing wipeout!”

“I’m fine by the way,” Zipporah stated.

“Does anyone actually have any flags left?” Rhonda asked.

Vance smiled, revealing a flag caught between the gap of his missing tooth.

“Well I guess the Eagles win,” Rhonda stated. “Now for the next challenge, it’ll be Easton and Griswold against Melissa and Weston in a game of beach volleyball! First pair to score three points wins.”

“Randomly selected,” Easton said, “yeah right!

In a few seconds, the pairs were in front of the net.

“Hey good luck bro,” Easton said.

Weston glared. “I guess you’ll have to take care of me in this too, huh?”

“What?” Easton asked.

Melissa sighed and looked over at Aiden who stared at her.

“I admit that what Aiden said really hurt my feelings,” Melissa stated. “Maybe I’m just being selfish, but that is my religion. I’m trying to not let it get me down. I need to stay positive for my team; when I’m doing a challenge I need to have a tummy full of sunshine tickles…but instead my stomach is churning in crying clouds.”

Toby blew a whistle; Griswold served the ball and it swung over the net. Weston ran forward and bounced the ball. Easton ran up and knocked it back over. Weston tried to hit it, but it landed on the sand.

“Give me some bro!” Griswold stated as he and Easton fist pumped.

Weston threw the volleyball at Easton’s head.

“Your serve,” Weston stated.

Easton handed the ball to Griswold, who served it. It smacked Weston in the face and bounced back over the fence.

“Weston sure can take a lot of pain,” Hayden stated.

Cynthia nodded.

Easton shot it over but Melissa bounced it back. Griswold hit it back strong and scored point.

Great job Griswold!” Lita cheered.

“That’s what I’m talking about Griz Bear!” Riley shouted.

Griswold giggled and blushed. He didn’t even notice Weston threw the volleyball at him, which landed in Griswold’s pompadour.

Weston sighed and took off his shirt, noticeably having some scars on his body.

“I’ve got a couple of scars here and there,” Weston admitted. “Its from climbing trees, jumping off cliffs, playing in briar patches, stuff like that. Maybe Easton’s right, maybe I do just do crazy things without thinking.”

Griswold served it, Melissa hit it, Easton hit it, then Weston jumped and slammed back over and scored a point.

Melissa and Weston high-fived, then Weston blew a raspberry at his brother.

“Is there a problem?” Easton asked.

“I’m not the one with the problem,” Weston replied.

“What?” Easton asked. “Man, you’re acting really dumb!”

“Isn’t that how I always act?” Weston said.

“Are you keeping something from me?” Easton asked.

“Like you are?” Weston replied. “I heard; about the scholarship.”

Easton’s eyes grew wide. “Weston, I-“

“-Didn’t think I should know,” Weston interrupted. “I heard it, I heard everything else you said about me. If you don’t really want to have a brother then fine; you’re no longer my brother.”

Weston jumped up spiked the ball, but Easton shot it back over and scored a point.”

“The Fireworks score a victory!” Rhonda announced.

The twins glared at each other.

The scene changed to inside an ice rink.

“Our next challenge will be the Canadian sport of choice,” Rhonda stated. “Hockey! One member will serve as a goalie while the other will have to hit the puck in the goal! First team to score two points wins! For the Eagles, Frannie and Xidorn; Xidorn will be goalie. For the Fireworks, Tessa will try to score while the goalie will be…um…uh…”

Rhonda pulled out a piece of paper. “Jasper?”

Some guy sighed and stepped forward.

“I thought his name was Jeffrey,” Griswold whispered.

“I thought our other teammate was Julie,” Seraphina admitted.

“Wait, is he on our team?” Pascal asked. “Did he just debut?”

A few minutes later, the four got in their positions on the rink. Tessa skated out and performed a perfect figure eight.

Aiden cowered nervously from the sidelines.

“My best friend is an ice skater at the Olympics,” Tessa stated. “She’s my only friend; everyone else is just quick to judge me or be snobs on look down on me. I’m thinking I might try to do ice skating in the future.

“Begin!” Rhonda announced.

“Go Frannie!” Kalino cheers as he eats a banana.

“For Diamonique!” Frannie screamed as she swung.

The puck moved a millimeter. Tessa then twirled through, stole the puck and made a winning goal. “****!” Frannie cursed.

Tessa started to slide the puck. Frannie sped forward, but Tessa danced around her.

“Puck this,” Frannie shouted, as she back flipped in front of Tessa and stole the puck. She skated to the goal and slammed it in, but Jackson Jasper blocked it.

“Guess you could say I’m on thin ice,” Frannie joked.

“The ice isn’t that thin,” Juan Jasper replied.

Tessa started to skate back over. Frannie slammed the puck and made a goal.

“That was for the Canadians!” Frannie cheered.

Frannie returned to her side, is given the puck and started to skate.

Tessa skated forward. Kalino yawned as he threw a banana peel on the ice, which caused Tessa to slip and fall. Frannie slammed the puck and made another goal.

“And with that the Eagles have reclaimed the lead!” Rhonda announced.

Tessa growled and snapped her hockey stick.

“I guess you could say she needs to…chill,” Frannie joked.

“Haha,” Kalino laughed. “Good one mannnnn.”

“I don’t get it,” Kalino admitted.

The scene changed to what seemed like an old opera house.

“This is the Pentagram’s theatre,” Rhonda stated. “Where Ness and Ignacio will perform for the Fireworks, while the Eagles will again have Xidorn and Vance.”

“It’s like the Phantom of the Opera will come and kidnap right now,” Zipporah sighed before frowning. “What mainstream, strength obsessed self-esteem ruining event you call entertainment are you going to have here?”

“This sport will be,” Rhonda said, “interpretive dance!”

“What?” Vance asked. “Dancing ain't no sport!”

"Wikipedia said it was,” Rhonda replied. “And interpretive dancing is dancing. So, you and your partner will have to perform an on the spot routine to our panel of judges; Jenny and Toby. They’ll pick the winners of the challenge. Eagles, you’re up.”

A spotlight shone on Vance and Xidorn as everyone else stepped away.

“Bust a move!” Rhonda yelled, as classical music plays.

Both teens blushed and tried to move about. Vance eventually settled on doing the monkey while Xidorn tried to do the sprinkler.

In the audience, the teams watched and cringed.

Aiden moved over to Melissa. Cynthia, who sat next to her, pulled out a knife.

“I just want to talk,” Aiden said. “Can we talk alone, Melissa?”

“Okay,” Melissa replied.

Melissa and Aiden snuck over to a corner. Cynthia didn’t lower her knife.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry,” Aiden admitted.

“Thank you,” Melissa said but turned away.

“I mean it,” Aiden said, “I know my comments were out of line. I admit I do have a problem with Muslims. The truth is…my dad and stepmom are soldiers, they met while stationed in the Middle East. And my mom was in the Middle East too; she was a medic before…she was killed by terrorist attack when I was just a toddler.”

“Oh,” Melissa replied. “I had no idea Aiden…I’m so sorry.”

Aiden wiped a tear away. “No, you don’t have anything to be sorry about. That doesn’t excuse my actions, I just wanted to try and explain why.”

Melissa sighed. “I understand. I know there are awful people out there who do things in the name of being a Muslim. But not a single person represents a whole; the Christians who protested those soldiers’ funerals don’t represent every Christian after all. I’m just…hurt you’d think I could be someone like that.”

I know,” Aiden said, “I didn't really, but I just was confused. I have some biases, but I know they can’t all be right; you’re proof they’re wrong. I want to move past this, I want to be more aware, I want us to be friends again…and more than anything I don’t want you to feel bad. Golly, you’re the sweetest person I’ve ever met; you shouldn’t feel bad.”

Melissa hugged Aiden. “I’d love to be friends again.”

Aiden hugged her back and started to tear up. “Thank you.”

Meanwhile on stage Vance switched it up to doing the chicken dance, while Xidorn pantomimed throwing chicken feed. Vance tripped and tried to play it off, as he scooted his butt across the stage like a dog. The music cut off as Xidorn and Vance sighed in relief.

“Judges?” Rhonda asked.

“It was an interesting take on the Star Wars prequels,” Jenny replied.

“I thought their dance was about the Cuban Missile Crisis,” Toby said.

“It sounds like it’ll be hard to beat,” Rhonda stated. “Ness and Ignacio you’re up.”

Ness and Ignacio awkwardly took the stage. The music started and the two started imitating ballet as they moved across the stage. Ness twirled, only for her shoe to fly off. The shoe flew into the air, knocking and shaking the stage lights, which looked rather loose.

Ness gulped as she looked up. Toby coughed and Ness blushed as she started to hop on one foot and dance again. Ignacio imitated a mime, trapping himself in a box.

Griswold covered his eyes. “I can’t look.”

Suddenly, a stage light fell and conked Ness on the head.

“Err…derp,” Ness giggled as she fell about.

“Oh god, Ness is on fire,” Riley stated.

“She’s doing that good?” Griswold asked.

“No, she’s literally on fire,” Easton yelled as Griswold put his hands down.

The stage light had burst into flames, and had spread to Ness’ jacket, who herself was completely out of it.

Ignacio ran backstage and grabbed an extinguisher. He held it out but Ness stumbled against him, causing the model to accidentally shot it off. The extinguisher bounced off wall to wall. It ricocheted into Rhonda’s forehead, knocking her out and bounced straight up into the rest of the stage lights. They fell, preceded to explode and burst into flames.

The extinguisher then knocked down a hook holding a sand bag. The sandbag fell on Ness’ foot…while the extinguisher proceeded to bounce into Ness, knocking her off stage as it ran out of fuel. Ignacio tried to help Ness, distracting him from the hook, which hooked itself on Ignacio’s pants and shirt. As Ignacio moved forward the hook ripped off his clothes, leaving him stark naked on the stage. Ignacio blushed and froze.

“Now that’s what I call hot,” Frannie joked while drooling.

“EW GROSS NAKED PEOPLE!” Jenny screamed as she ran away. Toby meanwhile fainted.

“So, did we win or…” Pascal asked.

Later, the teams were at a roller skating rink.

“Well that wasn’t a total disaster,” Rhonda stated. “And the judges ultimately decided to crown the Fireworks the winners.”

“Only because you ended up hurting Rhonda,” Jenny added.

“Since we conveniently tied,” Rhonda stated, “we go to the final challenge! The three competitors yet to compete, step up!”

Lita, Seraphina and Pascal walk forward for the Fizzled Fireworks. Aiden, Cynthia and Kalino come forward for the Molting Eagles.

“This challenge will be a roller derby challenge!” Rhonda announced.

“What’s roller derby?” Lita asked.

“It’s basically roller skating with punching,” Rhonda replied. “For this challenge, you have to race around the course. First skater to circle all the way around wins it for their team. You are allowed to push, punch and other such violence to stay ahead. And you might have to…”

Soon, the contestants got on their gear and made their way to the starting line.

“Can you guys skate?” Pascal asked.

Seraphina tripped and face planted. “No.”

Jenny, Toby and Rhonda sat in announcer’s booth. “On your mark, get set, get ready…go!”

The group skated off; Aiden struggled while Kalino slowly inched along.

“Now let’s add some obstacles,” Rhonda giggled as she pressed a button.

Suddenly, gates opened and large roller skating thugs charged out at the contestants.

“Eep!” Aiden squealed as he ran backwards as the thugs chased him.

"Eep!” the thugs exclaimed running the other way.

Cynthia skated after them.

A thug sneaked behind Lita…and got a punch to the face.

“Wee!” Pascal exclaimed as he lead some thugs in twirling around.

“Wee,” Seraphina stated as some thugs tossed her around.

“Leave her alone punks!” Lita yelled as she grabbed Seraphina. A thug tried to grab her, only to get an uppercut to the chin.

“I like this sport,” Lita admitted as she noticed the blood on her knuckles.

“You’re tough Lita,” Seraphina said.

“Trust me, you have to be in my neighborhood,” Lita said as she put Seraphina down. “Hey, where are you creeps going? I’m not done making you cry!”

“This is getting intense,” Rhonda said. “And it is the climax of the challenge…quick, play the edgiest music we have the rights to!”

Toby nodded and played a track.

“Mmmbop, ba dubi dop, ba do bop…”

“I said edgy!” Rhonda stated.

“This is the edgiest song we could afford,” Toby replied.

Rhonda slumped to the floor, got in the fetal position and began to cry to herself.

The thugs skated back into the gates and slammed them shut. Cynthia had the lead, with Pascal, Lita and Seraphina together in the back.

“I have a plan to win,” Pascal stated.

“Will it work?” Seraphina asked.

“I saw it on a children’s television show,” Pascal replied. “That means its full proof!”

Seraphina face palmed.

“We’ll form a chain,” Pascal explained. “In the middle will be the lightest skater; as we skate around the corner, that person will be flung forward and propelled by our inertia to finish line.”

“Does that even make sense?” Seraphina asked.

“It doesn’t not make sense,” Pascal replied.

“We’re out of options,” Lita stated. “Everybody chain up!”

“Well whose going to be in the middle?” Seraphina asked.

Lita and Pascal look at Seraphina, before each grabbed one of her arms.

“I had to ask,” Seraphina sighed, as Lita and Pascal threw her.

Seraphina screamed but soared past Cynthia.

“Wow,” Seraphina said, “I’m actual-“

“-Hey there.”

“Oof!”

Seraphina tripped over a lying down Kalino, and fell on her face. Cynthia skated past her and completed a lap.

“And for once the Eagles actually win!” Rhonda announced from the booth. “We’ll see you tonight Fireworks.”

“I knew I wasn’t going to win,” Kalino admitted. “So if you can’t beat them, have them join you in losing. I waited at the finish line, took a power nap and helped win the challenge. My horoscope was on point today.”

“The Eagles actually won something!” Rhonda cheered. “Be seeing you at elimination tonight Fireworks…”

Later in the Pentagram, Pascal knocked on room 666.

Tessa opened the door and glared. “What do you want?”

Hey, hey, hey!” Pascal said as he forced his way into the room. “You did awesome sauce at the challenge today and it made me think, hey we should form an alliance!”

“Save it,” Tessa replied. “I wouldn’t want to form an alliance with an egotistical, know it all celebrity.”

“Well isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black,” Pascal said.

“Huh?” Tessa asked.

“I was just saying that’s too bad,” Pascal replied. “I mean that’s fine, I guess then when Lita or Seraphina suggest voting you off today I won’t convince them otherwise.”

Tessa sighed. “They’d all follow them, wouldn’t they?”

“Not if I don’t change their minds,” Pascal teased.

“Fine,” Tessa groaned, “I’ll form an alliance with you…but you backstab me and you’ll regret it.”

“I was wondering,” Pascal said, “I can’t count on that whole Good Guys alliance, so who is going to be my goat now? And then I heard Tessa baaing. I mean, nobody likes her so she’d be the ideal candidate to take to the final two! All I have to do is keep her from being voted off and that can’t be hard, right? Right?”

“I don’t trust Pascal,” Tessa said. “He’s just another popular creep who thinks he can use me to help him get ahead. Which is why the first chance I get, I’ll send him home.”

“Alright then,” Tessa said, “who are you going to vote off?”

Pascal smirked. “Well…”

Later in another room...

“Justin?” Griswold asked. “Whose that?”

“I think he means Jojo,” Riley said. “You know he has brown hair and…brown hair.”

“Why would we send home Jamal instead of Tessa?” Seraphina asked.

“Well Tessa is more useful in challenges than Johnny,” Pascal answered. “I mean, Tessa won her trial and the first challenge, stayed awake long in the sleeping challenge and was a great skater this time. At the moment, it would just be in the team’s best interests to keep a power player than a nobody.”

“Tessa isn’t really into having a team,” Seraphina stated.

“And do you remember Jeremy being a big part of the team?” Pascal asked.

“Pascal does bring up a good point,” Easton admitted.

“Tessa has been nothing but horrible to all of us,” Lita reminded.

“Maybe if we give her time she’ll change,” Pascal said.

“She’s had plenty of time,” Seraphina replied.

“I don’t want to keep Tessa,” Griswold admitted. “But she is useful in challenges and I’d like to win more…if she promises to be a better team player.”

“I think I can get her to promise that,” Pascal replied.

“He did stuff in challenges,” Lita defended. “I think..”

“Let’s take some time and think about this,” Griswold said. “Pascal, you can talk to Tessa. We’ll meet up again and make a final decision.”

Soon after, Seraphina, Lita and Ness chilled in the hall.

“I’ve already made up mind,” Lita stated. “I’m voting for Tessa.”

“Okay,” Seraphina stated, “I don’t want to…but I think its in our best interests to agree with the others in who to vote off, even if it isn’t Tessa.”

"What?” Lita asked. “I thought you disliked her more than I do?”

“Oh I despise her,” Seraphina said. “She should be going home. But if we go against the entire team at our first elimination ceremony, it’ll cause a divide.”

“That would mean voting off…um Jasper?” Lita asked. “And he doesn’t deserve that.”

“I’m not saying he does,” Seraphina said. “But we’re close as a team now, if we go against it we’ll get in trouble. It’s him, or us.”

“I think I have to agree with Seraphina,” Ness admitted. “If Tessa doesn’t improve, we can vote her off next.”

Lita sighed. “Fine.”

Later however, Lita knocked on a door.

Jimmy Jasper answered the door. “Oh I’m sorry, Ignacio isn’t in.”

“I’m not here to speak to him,” Lita said. “It’s Jasper, right?”

“Yes,” Jasper replied. “Yes, it is.”

“I just wanted to tell you…” Lita said.

Later, the Fizzled Fireworks were in the internet café.

“Well this is technically not your first elimination ceremony Fireworks,” Rhonda said. “You all have voted once already, so before we begin does anyone have anything they’d like to say?”

Julio Jasper stood up. “Look, I’ve heard rumors that I’m going home. I just wanted to say to all of you that I-“

“Alright no one has anything to say,” Rhonda said. “Let’s get to the vote!”

Jasper sighed.

Soon the votes were cast.

“I have ten coffee cups,” Rhonda said. “The one of you who doesn’t receive a coffee will be eliminated tonight and never comeback. EVER. The first coffee cup goes to…Ness.”

Ness tried to catch her coffee, but accidentally dropped it on the floor.

“Ignacio…Pascal…Seraphina…”

The three caught their cups.

“Easton…Riley…Griswold…”

The three caught their cups.

“Lita…and Zipporah.”

Zipporah swatted her coffee away.

“And the last coffee cup goes to…” “-Oh cut the crap,” Tessa stated. “We all know how this is going to end.”

“Spoil the fun,” Rhonda whined as she tossed Tessa her cup. “Sorry…uh…Jocasta …but you’re going home.”

Jasper nodded and exited through the Revolving Doors of Shame.

Later Jenny, Toby and Rhonda were alone in the café.

“You know I feel bad for that guy,” Rhonda stated.

“What for?” Jenny asked.

“Well,” Rhonda said, “I guess because we never really gave him a chance. We never gave him any focus.”

“So?” Jenny replied.

“Why cast someone if you don’t plan on using them?” Rhonda asked. “If you’re just going to neglect them the background until they’re sent home?”

“Hey somebody has to be the early out,” Jenny replied. “Might as well make them unimportant. Hey, maybe someday someone will notice him.”

Lita sat in the voting booth with her legs crossed. “Everyone else is going to vote Jasper. Tessa came done and did promise to be nicer…she didn’t apologize of course and she barely talked to us. She’s not the one who deserves a second chance; that’s Jasper. So I’m voting Tessa. My team won’t be the wiser about it, and it just doesn’t feel right voting off that poor boy.”

Elimination Table
KEY:
 * This contestant was on the Molting Eagles.
 * This contestant was on the Fizzled Fireworks.
 * Won the challenge.
 * There was no elimination ceremony this chapter, so they were in no danger.
 * Did not win, but was safe at elimination.
 * Was in the bottom at elimination, but not eliminated.
 * Had immunity at elimination through some means beyond winning the challenge.
 * Was voted off the show.
 * Was eliminated automatically through a challenge.
 * Was tied in the bottom and had to do a tiebreaker challenge.
 * Was voted off due to a special voting procedure.

Trivia
General
 * Since I started my first story I had started planning or coming up with characters for this story, about four to five years ago even before Total Drama: Revenge of The Island. A lot of last minute changes have been made however.
 * Originally this story was going to be a sequel to Total Drama What The Heck? and would've featured Chris as a host as well. The original title to go with it would've been Total Drama: Oh My God.
 * The title of Total Drama Genesis was chosen because Genesis means 'the formation of something' and this seaon is the formation of my new canon and in-story the new version of Total Drama.
 * Very early on, this story was originally going to be about a murder mystery going on at the same time of the show. This was inspired by the show Bones, which takes place in Washington, which is ultimately why Washington is the setting. This was scrapped very soon because I wanted a story more focused on the contestants and the competition. Washington ended up staying as the setting for plot reasons.
 * There were several scrapped/alternate versions of characters planned for the story including, The Awkward Sweetheart, The Lovey Dovey Girlfriend, The Lovey Dovey Boyfriend, The Lightning Jock, The Cold Strategist, The Child Prodigy, The Pokemon Fanatic, The Creepy Girl, The Fire Eater, The Girl In Mad Love, The Mysterious Guy, The Ex Clown, The Master Villain, The Actress, The Comic Lover, The Magical Girl Parody, The Swimsuit Model, The Television Critic, The Cool Kitty, The Introvert, The Extrovert,  The Country Boy, The Boy and His Dog and The Most Popular Girl In School. They were scrapped for various reasons.
 * I had tried to make this cast more racially diverse, since I felt my previous casts had been predomiantly white or were until I changed characters' races. I also wanted this cast to at least some LGBTQ representation, as I realized it was somewhat lacking on the wiki.

Chapter 1 Chapter 2
 * The title is a reference to Mr. Smith Goes To Washington.
 * Credit goes to Zac and Dyna for grammar fixes along with suggesstions on how to improve flow and jokes <3
 * Since Total Drama has split first episodes into two parts, I decided to split my into three so I could have enough time for everything I wanted. I felt like a lot of premires of other shows, such as Survivor, are longer than usual (about 3 TD episodes in length) as well so it wouldn't be a problem.
 * The story was designed to be able to read without a strong knowledge of Total Drama, which is why a lot of the opening gives some backstory on the show. The exact fate of Total Drama is left ambigious because I wasn't sure if it was going to be in the same canon as Total Drama What The Heck? and if not I didn't want to name a specific last season of TD, since it would become outdated when a new season of TD starts.
 * Griswold and Seraphina's scene was originally going to happen in the first chapter but was switched to the second chapter for length.
 * I imagine Rhonda choose the Pentagram as where the competition would take place to make up for not being able to host at a 'more exotic' location...along with it being owned by the same company that runs the network making it cheap and free advertising.
 * I had cut confessionals from Weston and Melissa, along with another Kalino, for the sake of length. They didn’t add much that wasn’t too funny, obvious or addressed.
 * The full list of roomates are;
 * Aiden and Hayden
 * Bethany and Zipporah
 * Cynthia and Melissa
 * Diamonique and Frannie
 * Easton and Vance
 * Griswold and Xidorn
 * Ignacio and Jasper
 * Kalino and Pascal
 * Lita and Ness (later joined with Seraphina)
 * Riley and Weston
 * Tessa and Seraphina (with Seraphina kicked out)


 * Initially, Bethany was Weston’s roommate but I changed it to Riley because I felt like she didn’t have enough focus in the first two chapters. Griswold was intitially Easton's roommate but was changed to Vance because Vance would've been funnier


 * Another cut scene was Melissa offering Zipporah a seat, and Zipporah hard core ignoring it.
 * Kalino's noticing of the cups was meant to be a hint that he was smarter than he seemed, along with how he convinces Bethany to join the alliance and him finding the flash drive.
 * Originally, The intial Fizzled Fireworks were the Molting Eagles. The Molting Eagles didn't have a name for a long time, as I wanted something that sounded crummy but American based. The closest I had settled on was 'The Rotten Apple Pies' but I didn't like how long it was along with being changed for plot reasons (see Chapter 3 Trivia).

Chapter 3
 * Intially, I was going to base all of the show's challenges on Rhonda's speech like the labors were. I scrapped that when I found it limiting my ideas.
 * Griswold and Aiden had a scene while doing their challenge which would've revealed Jenny and Toby kept the vulture that kidnapped them as a pet but it was cut for time.
 * Originally, the final labor was going to force the contestants to have to unlock a crate containing their team's mascot. The crate would have had eleven locks (one for each team member), whose keys would be hidden amongst a hundred placed in crab traps hidden at the bottom of a pool. Teams would dive in and have to find them. Some scenes, like Ness actually opening one and Igancio's swim suit getting torn while trapped in a crab trap, were planned. It was cut for time.
 * The Fireworks were always planned to be losing but win in an 'unfair' way such as;
 * With the scrapped challenge idea, the Eagles would've finished while the Fireworks would stll have seven locks left. The Fireworks would realize Rhonda said they 'could' use the keys but didn't have to, so they busted the locks off instead.
 * When the Fireworks name was The Molting Eagles, the current Eagles would have had a name based off apples or apple pie and a mascot that was a gross apple pie. They'd lose because the Eagles would have their mascot, a featherless eagle, eat the apple pie and since the apples didn't have a mascot, they'd lose.
 * Finally the Fireworks were going to scare the Eagles mascot, a featherless eagle, away which wouldn't happen to them because they had an inanimate object as a mascot. Long story short, this is why the team names are what they are.
 * The idea the winning team would vote off a member of the losing team was thought of before the idea was used in Sprinklemist's now cancelled story Total Deception Island and in canon's Total Drama All Stars.
 * Though not mentioned in story, if both teams had failed to bring their mascots Rhonda would have made it a double elimination where each team would vote off the first member of the other team's group.
 * Bethany was always planned to be the first out.
 * The votes were;
 * Bethany: Easton, Igancio, Tessa, Seraphina, Pascal, Jasper,
 * Hayden; Riley, Ness, Griswold,
 * Cynthia; Lita, Zipporah,

Chapter 4
 * The title is a reference to the song Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) by the Eurythmics.
 * There were several cut scenes, though most were saved for later chapters. The only scene that wasn't happened during the feast. Toby would realize Jenny wasn't giving sleeping pills to the Eagles because of her friendship with Hayden, so he did the the same for the Fireworks due to his friendship with Riley. Both would secretly add extra sleeping pills to the other's food. I cut it for length and because I felt Jenny and Toby had enough focus this chapter.
 * I was hesitant to reveal Melissa being Muslim and Aiden's reaction given some of the recent events, but I decided to go ahead with the plot since I had planned it from the start.
 * The votes were;
 * Aiden; Cynthia, Melissa, Diamonique, Frannie
 * Diamonique; Kalino, Vance, Aiden, Xidorn, Weston, Hayden
 * While Aiden should have been in the bottom two for recieving more votes, Rhonda had Kalino in there to add dramatic effect.

Chapter 5 Chapter 6
 * Credit goes to Reddy for the chapter name <3
 * Credit goes to Dyna for the chapter name <3