SURVIVOR WASTELAND RUMBLE: DAYS 15-17 (PART2)

GOBI TRIBE: DAY 17

The yellow tribe was celebrating their newfound trinkets this morning with great joy. Pearl of course was describing all the new things as heavenly….so much so she was singing about it.

“Heaven, I'm in heaven,
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we're out together dancing, cheek to cheek” Pearl sang laying lazily in the bed one leg extended against the cave roof as she lay happy to have a bed.

”This morning I got probably the best sleep this entire game!” said the tattoo artist energized and spunky “Honestly with all these new things here from the raid I feel nothing is going to stop us from crushing it at the challenge today,  I never thought I’d say this but BRING ON THE NEXT CHALLENGE!”

Helena and Levi were seen migrating to the mail drop off point.

“The next vote is for Briggs obviously.” Levi said as they waited by the drop off zone.

“Indeed.” Helena said with a nod “I don’t have any good feelings about Briggs making it to the merge.”

“I know he’s going to come for me when he gets the chance.” Levi said scratching his beard “I just want to make sure you and the girls stick with me at the very least to the final four.”

”As much as my back has gotten better from sleeping on an actual mattress the one thing that is kept on my mind is Briggs and what he might do at a merge.” Levi pointed out “The dragon has been surviving mainly because of our immunity streak and I know things will only get more complicated should he make it to the merge entirely.”

”Levi and I know the game is only getting more drastic as of late.” Helena said with a air of caution “as a detective I’m always wondering who the top suspect will eventually be, and Briggs does have most of the big signs pointing towards him as a potential flipper. Right now though I’m going to keep my ear to the ground and listen and watch what might go down.”

Back at the shelter Briggs was pacing back and forth as Ronda and Pearl watched. Pearl still in bed.

“Would you relax Briggs?” Pearl asked leaning on her elbows laying down “The challenge will get here when it gets here.”

“I think I have every right to be anxious.” Briggs admitted with a frown “I don’t want to get voted off next you know?”

“Well neither do we, but we aren’t losing our minds over it.” Said Pearl.

“Easy for you guys to say!” Briggs said arms crossed “I’m the one in the minority.” This caused Pearl and Ronda to wince at his statement. Briggs stopped  his rant and he groaned “Now I remember why I’m in the bottom to begin with.”

”I have a really big temper and I wish I could curb it better.” Briggs groaned hitting his fist to his forehead. “I get paranoid about upcoming challenges and tribal councils all the time since Vandal and Nora were sent packing, and I don’t think I can outlast Levi in an argument for survival. All I can do is win challenges. Those are all I’ve got.”

As Briggs apologized Helena and Levi finally returned with their letter, Helena was carrying a long pole and revealed it had writing on it.

“We’ve got mail guys!” Levi said walking into the camp eyeing Briggs before taking a seat.

“It says “Working together can reap benefits todays challenge will be about communication and stumbling the opponents.” Helena read.

“Stumbling opponents huh?”  Briggs wondered. “What do you think it could mean?”

“Well whatever it means, we will also need to work together, so let’s keep the train running here alright?” asked Levi.

“Yes sir!” Ronda saluted the Pokemon master.

”Today we have a challenge that will require us to work together and stumble our opponents.” Ronda said clenching her fist determined “I am going to make sure my team is the one that prevails. I love my family, and I don’t intend to lose any of them tonight.”

ORDOS TRIBE: DAY 17

Ordos tribe was another story, the seven players on the brown tribe finished reading the letter Jazz looking not so enthusiastic about the whole ordeal.

”Todays challenge seems to rely on teamwork from what we read.” Jazz said looking really unmoved by the letter “I mean, it’s a nice thought that we can work together like we did earlier, but thinking about who is targeting who all day makes me not really into the whole ‘working together’ thing.” She said with an eye roll.

“Well, let’s get some water in our canteens and get going.” Jazz said walking out of the center of the tribe.

As the tribe began to get out of the center of the campground when Hansel stepped up.

“Now just a moment everyone!” Hansel blurted out. The tribe stopped what they were doing and looked back to see Hansel standing proudly with the brown Ordos flag.

“We mustn’t lose faith in each other!” The blonde began “Listen and here how we will conquer the Gobi Tribe!”

”I knew my tribe was feeling down, so I tried to remind everyone about how good we had it back then winning challenges and dominating the game together.” Hansel elaborated “I know we can win again I can feel it in my biceps and I will make sure that we finally get back on track!

”So out of nowhere Hansel gets on a log with the flag like he’s a super hero or something and begins giving us a big talking to about friendship and working together…or something…I wasn’t paying much attention honestly.” Brody admitted in the confessional.

As he finished his impassioned speech Hansel waved the flag proudly “So how about we go and make them pay for stealing from us!” he cheered. He looked around wide eyed and happy his bright eyes shining brightly. However…the reactions his speech elicited were not what he expected.

Brody and Penelope fell asleep during his speech. Jazz looked bored, Bleuth just rolled his eyes and began walking to the garage. Mayuki was the only one who looked like he did any effect on but even she looked a little nervous that his speech went on deaf ears. Oliver was just frowning and stood up from his spot.

“Let’s go guys.” Oliver sighed patting Hansel on the back walking towards the garage following Bleuth.

Jazz knocked Brody on the head with her knuckle waking him up he and Penelope got off their bench groggily and walked to the car. Mayuki frowned as she walked over to Hansel.

“Come on, let’s get going.” She said trying to comfort Hansel. Hansel looked deflated when he realized no one cared about what he was saying.

As Hansel leaped into the back Oliver came around and took Mayuki by her hand “I have some news for you, we might need to talk later.” He said urgently.

Mayuki looks back at Oliver and then glances at Bleuth who was taking a seat comfortably in the front seat of the truck. Mayuki looked back at Oliver and began shaking her head.

IMMUNITY: DAY 17

The two trucks finally came driving through the desert and they came across cRaZy standing near two blockades. Once all 12 players came down from their vehicles and cRaZy began speaking.

“Welcome to the Immunity challenge guys, first off I’ll take immunity back from Ordos.” cRaZy marched to brown truck and Oliver reluctantly handed the idol back to cRaZy. “So before we begin I must ask, Gobi how’s the bed?” asked the green haired youth with a grin.

“Oh thank god for that win!” Pearl laughed “I mean winning that challenge improved our camp life tenfold.”

“Ordos how’s that sound?” cRaZy asked.

“All that matters is Immunity.” Hansel cut in “I say we play and see just how much they are benefitting from that bed.”

Everyone looked impressed by the boldness of Hansel as he gripped the tribe flag. cRaZy just chuckled and motioned to the challenge

“Well, then let’s get started!” For immunity, The tribes are going to use bundles of planks, sticks, and ropes scattered around the challenge area. You will have ten minutes to use these items to build a blockade of the other tribe's tunnel. The tribes would then race to tear apart the other tribe's blockade of their own tunnel and get all the members of their tribe through to the other side. Where the winning tribe will win immunity and another few nights of safety. Sound good?” asked the host.

Everyone nodded and looked on in anticipation

“Ordos, who are you sitting out for the challenge we need two people.”

“Myself, and Penelope.” Bleuth raised his hand calmly. The remaining Ordos members seemed fine with the choice of sit outs.

“alright let’s get started.” cRaZy motioned them to their positions.

LATER

All ten competitors were standing at attention their tunnels barren, but soon to be stuffed to the brim with wooden blockades. cRaZy cleared his throat and raised his hands.

“For immunity and a chance to stay around a little while longer, Survivors Ready….” The castaways tensed as he held his hands up. “….GO!”

In a flash everyone competing ran back ward over dunes and mud pits all in the hopes of dragging their lumber out of the mud and the muck.

“Everyone’s running into the mud pits to grab their bundles of lumber and rope that’s where most of their work will be.”

Hansel leaped literally into the mud and almost landed on top of the lumber. The athletic man unclipped it and waited for his team. Briggs did likewise and unclipped his bundle. Hansel and Briggs glanced back at each other and then went right to work lugging the lumber back.

“You guys only have ten minutes to make a solid enough barricade in the other tribe’s tunnel you have to work together to construct something that will hold them off long enough for you to get through your own.”

Eventually the players managed to lug their lumber to the tunnels and Hansel instructed where to put them.

“Let’s make sure they cannot even break through the front!” Hansel pointed out “Focus all efforts on the front.”

“Whatever you say blondie!” Brody said sliding lumber in.

“Mayuki, Oliver come with me we are going to get the mid-section!” Hansel said leaping over to the middle portion and he started plugging the tunnel up in the middle.

Oliver fumbled a bit with the ropes but he managed to begin binding the pules down.

Back over at Gobi’s sabotage Helena and Ronda werefilling in the middle portion. Levi was instructing them the plan. “We need to make sure all of them or a good portion of them are trapped in the middle so they are clogged up, keep working the inner tube and make it a bitch for them to crawl out, block that exit!”
Briggs and Pearl were handling the exit way shoving in all sorts of lumber in jagged patterns.

“This is going to be the worst case of claustrophobia ever!” Ronda gulped.

“As long as we win it’ll be worth it!” Helena exclaimed.

The players were nearing the end of the countdown as they filled in their last few beams and bound the ropes.

“Okay, we are counting down in 10 seconds!”

Everyone was frantically shoving pieces every which way making sure that no one could break through their obstacles.

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1- TIME! Everyone get into position for the run!” cRaZy instructed. The players did as told and cRaZy noticed the two opposite styles of barricade. “It would appear that the Ordos tribe put a lot of emphasis on the front, and the back, while Gobi worked more on the middle and back, let’s see just which strategy will pay off the most here.”

The five players on each side glared at their barricaded tunnels and got into a ready position.

“Alright let’s see who will make it to the other side first….in 3, 2, 1….GO!” cRaZy announced.

The players ran for their tunnels Gobi studied their front and Levi backed away “Ronda, Briggs give this the old one-two!” Levi instructed.

“Roger that!” Briggs leaped into action and began throwing beams out of the way.

Hansel ushered the Ordos tribe into their tunnel leading the way “Let’s go we’ve got this!” Hansel cheered diving headfirst into the tunnel avoiding cross beams and rope.

“Are you sure you tied the ropes properly?” asked Jazz to Brody.

“Ha! They’ll need a miracle to get through that front.” Brody  pointed…only to see Ronda and Briggs furiously throwing the wooden beams out of the way and then jumping right in. “Oh crap! Gogogogogogo!” Brody yelped pushing himself in. Jazz just cringed and followed after him

Hansel was trying to get rid of beams near the middle section but he was getting stuffed by mayuki, and Oliver and now Brody.

“I need room to navigate my arms!” Hansel yelled doing all he could to get the beams out of the way.

“Back up Brody!” Mayuki yelped trying to shoo him away with her foot.

“What’s the hold up!?” Brody called “Quit kicking my face will ya!”

Gobi made significantly more progress as Briggs was leading the tribe through the tunnel he did hit a slight roadblock at the end however.

“Okay gimme a minute guys!” he called as he used his sharp claws to start tearing the ropes holding the planks apart.

“They really put a lot of wood there!” Pearl frowned trying to move a few stray boards out of the way for Ronda.

Both tribes were now nearing the end zones of their respective tunnels. Hansel was working feverishly on the last few boards. Briggs however was faster as the dragon managed to punch his fist through the back.

“Almost there!” Briggs then using his scaley body slammed into the weak boards until finally they came undone and he spilled out onto the dirt.

“BRIGGS IS OUT, GOBI HAS A FEW MORE MEMBERS TO GO!” cRaZy called.

“Come on Ordos!” Penelope called “You gotta hurry!”

Hansel managed to finally get his upper half out just to see Helena and Pearl getting dragged out by Briggs. Hansel pulled harder and finally began to get out. “Give me a push!” the blonde called.

The members of ordos all gave Hansel a push and he did get further out…however his cape he wore was now choking him n one of the beams.

“URRK!” Hansel gasped catching his lungs, no one could hear his gargle because they kept trying to push him out.

“Come on big guy you can make it!” Oliver encouraged shoving harder. Hansel’s eyes began to water as he did the only thing he knew he needed to do.

He grabbed the cape strings and hastily untied them and managed to free his windpipe once again.

“*GASP*” Hansel breathed again and finally slid out.

“Hansel loses his cape, but he’s free to start hauling people out if he can! Will they make up the ground?” cRaZy asked.

The Blonde knight with his remaining strength grabbed Oliver by the wrist and yanked him out of the tunnel, he then did likewise for Mayuki!

“Hurry Ronda!” Levi hollered as he finally managed to get out.

Ronda’s tribe cheered for her as she tried to break free of the final few barriers she curled into a ball andtook a quick breather.

“Ronda, what are you doing!?” Briggs asked in shock as he tried to pull her out “They’re gaining!”

Back at Ordos Hansel managed to pull Jazz out of the tunnel all that remained was Brody and he was nearly halfway out.

“Hansel is so close to pulling everyone free will Ordos finally get their first win in almost a week?”

It was then Ronda flexed her massive Goron arms and using her big feet pushed herself forward and smashed through the remaining barricade in an explosion of debris!

Briggs fell over as Ronda tumbled forward into Helena, Levi, and Pearl. Hansel only watched as Briggs stumbled back to his tribe and collapsed on the heap along with them.

“GOBI WINS IMMUNITY IN A NARROW MARGIN!” cRaZy called.

The Yellow Tribe celebrated exasperatedly in their place hugging each other and breathing deeply.

Hansel pulled brody out and saw the red head had the remnants of Hansel’s ruined and shredded cape on his head.

“Thanks a lot jerkules!” Brody threw the cape on the ground and stormed back to the others. Hansel saw the last gift from Stephanie was now a ruined pile of fabric.

“Damn, that was close.” Penelope frowned.

“Indeed, he really needed to win today.” Bleuth smirked.

LATER

Everyone was now standing at attention Gobi looking proud of themselves.

“Congratulations Gobi, you’re winning streak continues!” cRaZy presented the idol to the yellow team and Ronda held it in midair happy. “You guys can head back to camp you’ve got the night off!”

“Try to get rid of Brody would ya?” Pearl asked pointing at the redhead and getting into the truck. Brody flipped her off.

Briggs entered the truck last and looked over at Hansel the knight and the dragon locked eyes again. The two shared a moment of silence…Briggs knew something bad was going to happen tonight and he raised a fist to his chest and knocked it to his heart.

Hansel studied the dragon and did likewise. It appeared there was…a report between the two now. Something Hansel didn’t expect to happen this entire game.

”Hansel really brought the best out of me today.” Briggs commented in his confessional. “Honestly, I hope he and I can maybe…I don’t know be friends after this? Is that how these things work?” The dragon thought for a moment shrugging his shoulders “Perhaps…”

As the yellow truck drove into the distance cRaZy shook his head at the Brown tribe.

“As for you guys, unfortunately your losing streak continues, I shall see you all at Tribal Council where the seventh person will be voted out of the game. See you in a few hours.”

The losing tribe got back into their vehicle disappointed by the loss. Hansel flopped down last feeling around his neck where his cape used to be.

Oliver whispered in Mayuki’s ear the bunny looked upset by what he said to her.

ORDOS TRIBE: LATE DAY 17

The brown tribe was getting ready for their trip to Tribal Council Penelope and Jazz on the roof overlooking the sun setting. Bleuth was confirming their votes.

“That’s the plan are you ready to see it through?” the Raksasha asked.

“Yeah, it is what it is.” Jazz nodded.

“It will be a shame, I did like him.” Penelope frowned “But ah well money talks.”

“Good, see you at Tribal Council. Brody and I are going to speak with Oliver when he gets here.”

The Panther disappeared in a puff of purple smoke leaving the women alone.

“So, do you have any objections to our target?” asked Jazz.

“Not really.” Penelope licked her paw. “I find letting someone else do the driving is far more convenient.”

“I guess you have a point there.” Jazz said leaning over the building “I’m just hoping no one has any last-minute changes.”

“He sorts of had it coming when I think about it?” Penelope thought aloud. “What do you think?”

Jazz shrugged “As long as it isn’t me I’m good.”

”Tonight we have a tribal council to go to and I am pretty neutral about the whole thing.” Jazz sighed “I know who to vote for and why we’re doing it….I just kind of wish it was someone else, but as far as I know the majority rules right now and I’m going to stick with them.”

Oliver and Mayuki and Hansel were standing in the garage together Hansel looking very downcast by the whole ordeal.

“Who do you want gone tonight?” asked Oliver to Hansel.

“Brody.” Hansel said without any pause “He doesn’t deserve to be here after the way he treats all of us.”

“I agree, I’ll do my best to finagle something maybe they might vote him out.” Oliver shrugged.

“Thanks Oliver.” Hansel bowed and stepped out of the garage.

”I trust my allies with my life out here.” Hansel swore in his confessional “Oliver, and Mayuki are good people, and they have my back…I can only pray we find out who to flip. If we can pull this off than I can finally know for sure that morals do win out in the end. Just need to have faith.”

Oliver and Mayuki were now all alone in the garage. Mayuki was shaking her head in dismay.

“Now tell me again…” she said looking down at her feet.

“I am voting for Hansel tonight.” Oliver said stoically.

“You cannot be serious?” she frowned. Oliver nodded his head. “WE CAN’T JUST VOTE HIM OUT!” May cried.

“Open your eyes May!” Oliver said with an edge of pain in his voice “We are in the minority right now, Hansel is the biggest threat on this tribe and the only way to appease the majority is to offer him up.”

“What would make you think this will help us?” Mayuki said teary eyed “What good is backstabbing a friend.”

“It’ll keep me in the game longer!” Oliver said just as serious. “I am on thin ice on this tribe as is and I feel the only way the two of us can move forward together is if we appease the masses for right now.”

“Oliver, we can politic to the others maybe we can vote Brody out or maybe Jazz! She started all of this!”

“Bleuth told me it’s already decided.” Oliver frowned “Hansel is the top target for the night and he said if I vote along with him he’d keep you and I over Jazz next round.” He said seriously.

“You…are you serious?” she asked.

“Jazz is on borrowed time as is and Bleuth wants her gone sooner rather than later. But for now he wants to get rid of Hansel first.” Oliver sighed “Regardless of what happens just know I won’t allow you to get voted out.” He said earnestly “I just want you to know what I am doing, and if you want any shot of outlasting Jazz you and I need to vote off Hansel tonight.”

Mayuki looked like she was about to vomit as Oliver explained the plan.

Midway through Oliver just stopped and shook his head “No…we..” the look of hope in Mayuki’s eyes flashed but briefly before Oliver looked back at the bunny. “No…we have to do this.” He sighed.

”Tonight I told Mayuki the plan, Bleuth told me he intends to vote Hansel out tonight and in doing that he said Jazz would be the next to go. I don’t have a lot of confidence in Bleuth or anyone else in the tribe for that matter, but I do know I can trust Mayuki, she’s got to vote with us tonight…or else our future as allies will be in jeopardy.”

”Oliver just dropped a bomb on me tonight…and…I…I- I don’t know what to do!” Mayuki said tears in her eyes “I’ve never betrayed someone before…and I’ve never had the chance to better my dojo with money either. Do I conform to the others and vote Hansel out because it’s inevitable, or do I stand up for what I believe in? I…I’m so confused.”
 
Back with Bleuth and Brody the Raksasha and Philadelphian were inside the shelter in one of the dining booths together. Oliver stepped inside the building and took a seat on the opposite side of the booth.

Bleuth raised a backward mandible out to Oliver and grinned “Do we have a deal….?”

Oliver gazed at it very cautiously. He looked back at the Panther man and his lackey who were all smiles in front of him.

Back by the garage again Hansel was waiting for the others to show up. Jazz and Penelope came strolling through the camp not even looking at Hansel as they passed him by.

Hansel looked back over to see Bleuth, Brody, and Oliver joining in Bleuth gave Hansel a nod before stepping into the vehicle. Oliver did as well and gave him a thumbs up before walking into the truck as well.

Mayuki came down last into the garage she noticed Hansel looking at her with a puppy dog like innocence. After a brief moment she smiled at him and flashed a peace sign.

This cheered Hansel up quite a bit.

TRIBAL COUNCIL: ORDOS TRIBE – NIGHT 17

The brown tribe was once again driving straight for the Citadel that was Tribal Council. The Brown truck navigated the vehicular boneyard that surrounded the citadel, the sight of the spikey walls and blazing torches gave the already imposing base a more nefarious guise.

The sandstorm raging around the players was causing the skies to blaze in a strange crimson colors that caused the area to be almost incapable of being navigated, however once back inside the Tribal Council area cRaZy began the night.

“So, it’s safe to say you guys have been on a bit of a rough patch lately. Jazz what do you credit this sudden number of losses to?”

“Probably a simple momentum shift.” Jazz explained “It’s honestly the perfect storm of B.S. and challenge losses all rolled into one.

“When you say B.S., you mean?”

“Camp life. No one here really enjoys the company of each other and it causes moral to crash.”

“Maybe had you not flipped on us last time we would be a little cheerier!” Mayuki snapped at the tan skinned woman. Everyone looked back at the bunny and shuddered in their seats.

“Right, and maybe had you guys just told me who to actually vote for instead of testing my loyalty like that I’d have a reason to WANT to do what you told me to do.” Jazz rolled her eyes “Listen Mayuki your word out here means nothing okay it’s a tough game for tough people and if you cannot get over the fact you might have to hurt feelings out here then you might as well quit or something.”

“Shut up!” Mayuki shook her head trying to hide her frustration.

“Oliver, has this been happening all three days?” cRaZy asked.

“Yes, mainly when they are in the same area together though.” Oliver pointed out “Last tribal council Jazz was supposed to vote for Bleuth, but she didn’t and now we are here. I was responsible with Steph for making Jazz flip on my alliance.”

“So you blame yourself for the events of the last Tribal?”

“Yeah, had we just trusted Jazz liked she wanted us to I’m sure things would have turned a lot differently but that’s not the case and we only have our lessons we learned from the outcomes to help us now.”

“Brody, you were in hot water tonight, are you afraid that you might be up for elimination tonight?” asked cRaZy.

“Honestly I have no idea how I got here.” The red head laughed “I won by a fluke chance but I’ll take it! It’s like Jazz said earlier the game is crazy and wild and I’m the wild card in this deck!” Brody grinned “I may surprise you even more!”

“Do you feel vulnerable or not you dork?” cRaZy asked eyes narrowed “Answer my questions.”

“Oh…uh…yeah I feel safe!” Brody grinned. Brody then took a swig of water from a canteen.

“Hansel, you have been fighting for this tribe and wear your Ordos pride on your sleeve do you honestly think at this point you can truly get back into the swing of things?”

“YES!” Hansel said back to his big smile “I know we can bounce back and I will lay it all on the line tonight! We need to unify and be rid of the cancerous cur named Sir Brody!” Hansel pointed at Brody who spat his water canteen.

“Oh I’m the target eh?” asked Brody glaring at the blonde knight “Even though this bodacious bald woman flipped?” he pointed at Jazz. “Ya know I was really trying to behave tonight, but now I might just vote for you!”

“Oh please I’d love to see you try!” Hansel challenged. “You shall be the one who awakens rudely to the reality you see before you!”

Before Brody coult retort, Penelope slapped the red head on the back of the head “Knock it off you fool!”

“No, this guy has been on my case for days now I want to vote for him!” Brody pointed out. Bleuth then sent Brody an icy glare at caused the red head to stop. Brody sat back down and shook his head in annoyance “Ugh, this is so dumb.”

cRaZy just blew a breath of relief before going to Bleuth.

“Bleuth if alliances are staying strong as they are appearing to be who would be the target now that you and your guys are in the drivers seat?”

“We go for the main man.” Bleuth said with a nod “It’s nothing personal it’s just the game. We need to remind ourselves who the big threat is, someone charismatic and willing to fight to their last breath.”

Hansel puffed his chest out a little bit looking back to Mayuki nervously. She pat him on the back gently giving him a very comforting nod.

“We shall see…” Hansel said with a knuckle crack.

The Tribal Council was silent now as cRaZy looked the crowd over.

“Well….if no one has any more to say let’s get to the vote. Jazz you are up.”

Jazz just closed her eyes and a vein throbbed in her head. When she was told to go vote she got up and ran for the steps not even looking back. She reached the urn and began writing her targets name down. She silently folded it up and headed back down to the others.

Next was Penelope. She made her way to the booth and wrote the target on her parchment. Shaking her head “This tribe needs to take a chill pill.” She thought a loud as she voted.

Next voter was Brody he marched up the steps and wrote for his target. “Heh, I cannot wait to see the look on your face!” he folded his vote up and walked back down.

Next was Hansel the blonde knight voted for Brody and showed it to the camera “I believe in my allies, you will be sent home and everything will go back to normal.” He voted and headed back down.

The Raksasha named Bleuth appeared at the voting table and using his backward hand wrote the name of his target. “I now have no competition left. Good night sweet prince.” He  strolled down the tower and took his seat smiling confidently.

Next voter was Oliver the Canadian teenager revealed his vote with a heaviness “I hope Mayuki took my advice…Hansel…I’m sorry it had to come to this. Ihope you’ll understand.” He folded his vote and went back down.

Mayuki was the final voter tears in her eyes as she reached the urn she took the pen and shook visibly “I want to vote for Jazz…” she said shaking her head. She inhaled and exhaled a few times and after a moment of clarity she took the pen, wrote her targets name down…and headed back to the others tears in her eyes.

Once the sad bunny returned cRaZy nodded “I’ll tally the votes.” He went to retrieve them.

“Oh dear, lady Mayuki what are you so sad for?” asked Hansel wiping her face. Mayuki just gently put his hands down and hid her face. Oliver tipped his cap down as well trying to remain quiet. Jazz noticed how devastated everyone on the opposing alliance looked and shook her head.

cRaZy finally returned just as the gate opened unveiling the raging storm behind him a gust of air blowing through the area causing the castaways to clutch themselves to avoid granules of sand.

“If anybody ahs a hidden immunity idol and they want to play it now is the time to do so.” He ordered.

No one stood up. Hansel glanced at Oliver who glanced back both men shook their heads. Mayuki held her breath eyes closed. Jazz looked on neutrally as she crossed her arms. Brody just smiled. Bleuth and Penelope looked at the tribe a hint of caution on their feline features. Jazz just shook her head and waited for the host to read the votes.

“Okay once the votes are read the decision is final the person voted out will be asked to leave the tribal Council area immediately I’ll read the votes.

The area became silent.

“First vote….Brody.” cRaZy read. Brody rolled his eyes.

“Pfft.” Brody brushed it off.

Hansel looked satisfied that his vote was read first tonight as he put his hands on his hips in triumph.

“Hansel, that’s one vote Hansel.” Hansel just grimaced at the vote for his name and Mayuki just held her face.

“Chin up it’s only one vote so far.” The optimistic knight whispered.

“Oh Han…” Mayuki began to have tears.

“Hansel, that’s two votes for Hansel.” Hansel grimaced as he looked at Bleuth who smirked back.

“There are plenty of votes left!” Hansel said determined. Focused so much that the votes would eventually have to change names.

Oliver just shook his head he glanced at the tribe and noticed Brody snickering and Bleuth looking proud of the way the vote was going. Jazz and Penelope shared a quick glance with each other not it appeared they weren’t expecting that. Oliver noticed their looks but assumed it was just to play it up. Mayuki was wiping her eyes now unhappy with the proceedings. The Canadian knew he did the right thing. Poor Hansel…
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“…..Oliver.” cRaZy read. This caused Hansel, and Mayuki to look up eyes widened in utter delirium. Oliver’s expression changed from sad to complete shock.

“What!?” Hansel asked in disbelief.

“Oh my gosh!” Mayuki said even more crestfallen. Oliver just sat their mouth agape.

“Oliver, we are tied two votes Hansel, two votes Oliver.” cRaZy read.

“Bleuth what is this!?” Mayuki cried.

“I made my move.” The panther man grinned crookedly. Oliver began to twitch at the thought of what that implied.

“Oliver….that’s three votes Oliver, two votes Hansel and one vote Jazz only one vote is left.” cRaZy said pulling the last vote out.

Oliver then had a rush of memories to earlier this Tribal…Brody was riled up and said somethings he didn’t catch onto quick enough.

”I wanna vote you off!” those words rang in Oliver’s ears loudly.

Hansel was doing the math on his fingers and looked right at Oliver a look of utter horror on his face. Oliver himself glared darkly at Bleuth who kept snickering. Oliver glanced back up at Hansel’s eyes and saw for the first time Hansel was visibly terrified. Oliver then just closed his eyes and shook his head at himself.

…

And Oliver thought…why was Hansel so frightened? At least he was still in the game….

“…..Seventh person voted out of Survivor Wasteland Rumble, OLIVER” cRaZy unveiled the final vote with a frown. “Oliver, you need to bring me your torch.”


Oliver solemnly nodded his head and arose from his seat Mayuki and Hansel were watching him leave now and the look of fear on their faces was something that would etch into his memory for a long time to come.

Mayuki looked back and forth between Hansel and Oliver neither speaking. Oliver pulled his torch from his slot and before Hansel could say anything Oliver just raised a hand up.

The silence was deafening as Oliver with a single tear drop rolled down his cheek he slowly put his torch in front of cRaZy, he wasn’t allowing any of Bleuth or his cronies to get the satisfaction of snickering in his face.

cRaZy raised the snuffer “Oliver, the tribe has spoken.” He snuffed the flames of the teenager and stepped aside. “Time for you to go.”

Oliver was far too ashamed of himself to look back at his friends. Mayuki for dragging her into his stupid mess, and Hansel for betraying him. Oliver stepped into the darkness of the night the wild raging behind him like an infernal monster consuming yet another miscreant who couldn’t figure out how to properly save themselves from the clutches of the extinguishing of a torch.

Hansel watched Oliver stepping away his own eyes watering ever so slightly the sound of the world around him seemed to have switched off for a moment or so. Hansel could see movement of cRaZy’s lips explaining something or making another philosophical jib. Hansel didn’t notice his tribe members standing up and taking their torches back to the truck, nor did he hear cRaZy call his name for the third time.

“Hansel!” cRaZy called. The knight finally shook off the effect of betrayal and looked up at the green haired host. “Hey fella…everyone’s waiting for you…” he pointed out.

Hansel turned and looked at the truck. He saw faces of disloyalty and greed, he saw the faces of those he knew were manipulators and thieves…however he realized something as he slowly walked to the truck…he was nowhere near their caliber. All his moralizing and virtues…meant nothing here….and now he knew without a shadow of a doubt that was the absolute truth.

Worthless.

”Hansel, I want to apologize for turning on you like that.” The canadian sighed in his confessional. “I…I deserved this elimination. The first reality show I ever played I was eliminated early for not being tough enough and here I am voted off for trying to play harder. I guess if I can give any caution to future players it’s just don’t follow whatever I did, I’m clearly not meant to win a game like this. Oh and Bleuth, kindly go back to hell.” He sighed and shook his head.

VOTING RESULTS

OLIVER – Bleuth, Brody, Jazz and Penelope
HANSEL – Mayuki, and Oliver
BRODY – Hansel

AUTHORS NOTE: OLIVER

This episode drained me by the end of it, but I think it’ll only help show the unpredictability of the game and how no one is safe.

Oliver was another character I had in mind for a while. Someone who ticks every single box of success and is willing to finally play hard just to get further only to be brutally blindsided. I loved writing the episode and showing the level of desperation he was willing to go to and how he wasn’t over the top about it. He’s out now though…not even on the jury and now we approach the endzone of the Pre-merge what might happen now?

tO THOSE WHO ENJOYED Ollie, just know this was decided since the start he'd be a shock boot and I hope maybe he might find use elsewhere because i did genuinely enjoy writing for him.