SURVIVOR WASTELAND RUMBLE: DAYS 23-25 (PART II)

ALI BABA TRIBE: DAY  25

The recent storm had finally passed leaving dust and ruin its wake. Ronda, Pearl and Mayuki were busy fixing the camp area cleaning it of dust and debris.

As Ronda was starting to finally make some headway on the campfire a small ball of green energy appeared before her. She gasped as a wormhole opened in front of her and out of the hole Hansel, Helena and Jazz walked back into the camp.

“Oh dear!” Hansel gasped “what a terrible mess!”

“Ack!” Ronda yelped falling over and causing a few small rocks to lift off the air from her impact “Don’t do that!”

“Sorry Ronda.” Helena sighed “cRaZy warped us back here without a care.”

Jazz brushed her shoulders of dirt and looked around. She spotted Pearl who looked right at the tan woman.

“Where’s Levi and Pen?” she asked.

“Getting the mail.” Pearl said pointing that way. Jazz brushed past Hansel and went up the trail to find Levi.

“So…” Helena started.

“We’re f***ed.” Pearl said with a sigh.

“I thought you’d say that.” Helena shook her head. “Let me guess…Levi?”

“Yeah…”

“Ah…damn it.” Helena gripped the bridge of her nose.

”Sure enough my suspicions come true and Levi found the vote steal which makes my job way harder. I need to regroup and have one of us win the challenge that way we can have some kind of advantage come Tribal.”

Back with Levi and Penelope the older man was showing the cat his VOTE STEAL.

“This is so freaking amazing!” Penelope giggled twirling in place “And you just walked away with this in front of them?”

“They were in front of the exit, I found the thing anyway there was nothing they could say or do about it.” Levi smirked “I will admit I was pretty nervous they were going to catch on and find me before it was too late.”

“That’s why I allied with you, you might be a badass, but you’re slow as molasses in the search department.” Pen giggled.

“Hey I braved a freaking sandstorm for this thing. You have no room to talk.”

“Pfft whatever.” Pen pouted playfully.

”Levi is such a badass!” Penelope laughed “He legit braved a storm and found the advantage the alliance so desperately needed! Now we have a guaranteed vote off!” For once I’m actually excited to get to a vote!”

“Alright enough.” Levi shushed her “Let’s see what our mail says today.” He popped the box open and found a long cylindrical stick he curiously held it and realized it had one phrase.

HOLD ON

“Well that doesn’t sound remotely fun.” Said Levi with a sigh.

“I’ll probably do fine.” Penelope said “We have the vote steal what else should we worry about?” asked the cat.

Just then Jazz came barging in looking miffed.

“They’re coing after me tonight.” Jazz called stepping up.

“Oh!” Penelope gasped in surprise “When did you get here?”

“Do you have that vote steal or not?” Jazz ignored Penelope.

“Good morning to you too Jazz.” Levi said sarcastically.
“Save the dry wit old man.” Jazz stepped closer she spotted the Vote steal in his hand and sighed “Well that’s good to see.” She sighed.

“You have votes coming your way eh?” asked Levi.

“Yeah…which only makes me wonder did either of you spill anything?” she pointed at both Levi and Penelope.

“Whoa easy there!” Pen stepped up “We haven’t done anything!”

“What about that stupid idiot Brody?” Jazz growled “You guys know if he knows anything he wont be able to stop himself from blabbering to everyone!”

Levi already started walking away “Brody’s been hanging out by the garage all day he says he wants to drive next and he’s not going to take no for an answer. Aside from that nothing else happened now calm down and come with me.” Levi ordered leaving the two women behind.

Penelope shrugged her kitty shoulders and chased after her ally. Jazz simmered in her place for a moment before finally chasing after them.

”I have an alliance breathing down my neck and an alliance of misfits to keep in control.” Levi explained looking sour over Jazz’s comments “The last thing I need is a paranoid woman on my back. We have the vote steal, this should be a simple maneuver all we must do is target whoever doesn’t win and we should be solid. Otherwise if I hear or see one more crazy thing I might snap.”

The players were now getting ready for their next challenge. Hansel was marching towards the truck when he looked over at Levi, and Penelope. He noticed neither of them were looking at him.

He kept soldiering on when he spotted Helena who stood by the garage looking worried.

“I say, I would think Levi, and Penelope would be a little cheerier today.” He frowned. “What with having a vote steal and all…”

“They’re upset that they don’t have a guaranteed victory today.”  Helena said looking back behind Hansel. “We have a majority, but they have a vote steal. Tonight is going to be a gamble.”

“Helena…” Hansel frowned.

“Er…sorry.” Helena sighed “We haven’t even gotten to the challenge yet and already I’m worrying over the vote.” She chuckled.

“I see…” the man sighed.

”I must win today!” Hansel said determined “I must win for Briggs and for my alliance so that we may have a chance to take down the opposing alliance. This will not be a day of regrets…it will be a day of triumph.”

On the trail Jazz and Mayuki looked at one another as they approached the garage. Some terse words were shared.

“It doesn’t matter what you might be planning, you guys are going down tonight.” Mayuki said cracking her knuckles.”

“Do you have any idea how many rodents I’ve barbequed in my day?” Jazz said glaring back at the rabbit “Back off.” The tan skinned woman left a now riled up Mayuki behind her. Before Mayuki could go for the jugular Ronda put a large hand on her shoulder.

“Now now save it for later the big showdown is coming and we need to be at our best!” the goron pointed out. With a long drawn out sigh Mayuki complied.

”Ronda is right, if I want to really prove myself today I better do it with a win.” Mayuki said with a smirk “Jazz wont know what hit her!”

Everyone gathered into the truck and realized Brody was napping in the drivers seat.

“Hey dingus.” Pearl said slapping the side of the truck waking him up “Drive.”

Brody leaped in place so intensely had he not been seat belted down he might have burst through the metallic hood. He looked around and grinned “Hell yeah! Let’s go!”

The players began driving when Pearl leaned into Levi and asked him something.

“Does he even know you have the vote steal yet?” she asked.

“Shhh…” Levi shushed clearly indicating Brody had no idea yet. “We may be against each other but I don’t want to have to hear him act like a cocky prick all day.”

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE

The Ali Baba tribe haphazardly drove into the challenge area with a sloppy parking job to boot. cRaZy watched Brody leap from the car and ran right to the mat with an exuberance that was unmatched.

“Well someone had their coffee today.” cRaZy chuckled.

Eventually the players all gathered around cRaZy and the green haired man began to speak once again.

“Welcome one and all to the immunity challenge, first off I’ll be taking the necklace back from you Hansel.” cRaZy wandered over to Hansel who sadly gave him the necklace back. “Immunity is back up for grabs, for todays challenge all nine of you will be hanging upside down on a series of rungs above the lake. There are three rungs but every 20 minutes you will go down a single rung. The rungs will get more and more narrow for you guys as the challenge goes and if you fall in the water you’re out. Last one hanging wins immunity and makes it to the final eight, ready to go?” Everyone cheered and looked pumped for the challenge. “Alright let’s draw for spots and get started.

LATER

Everyone was set up in their positions some looking more natural on the rung than others. Once everyone was hanging cRaZy commented once again.

“Ready…GO!” cRaZy announced.

The players were hanging in place holding on to their rungs as tightly as possible. Unfortunatley Ronda slipped and fell off first.

Splashing down into the water.

SPLOOSH!

“Whoa and Ronda cannot hang in there.” cRaZy commented “She’s out first.” cRaZy shook his head.

“Sorry…” Ronda whimpered crawling out of the water dripping wet.

“haha!” Brody laughed before letting go of the rung and accidentally slipping off the rung. “ah crap!” he fell in belly first slapping down on the water.

“And Brody not to be outdone belly flops into elimination.” cRaZy smirked.

“Ugh….” Brody gurgled lake water and climbed out of the water shaking his head.
“Now we are down to seven.” cRaZy smirked.

20 MINUTES LATER

The remaining players were surprisingly hanging on when cRaZy called out to them. “Alright guys it’s time to transition. Remember should you fall down you’ll be eliminated.”

The players all made a collective gulp as they transitioned to the second lowest rung. As they transitioned however a few people tumbled into the water. Levi splashed down, followed by Pearl and then surprisingly Penelope.

“With that three people fail the transition.” cRaZy pointed out.

“Damn that sucked.” Pearl shook her head.

“Ugh.” Penelope hissed “My fur is getting all wet and stinky.”

“Hurry up I want to get out of the pool.” Levi said floating in place waiting for the girls to get out.

The final four players hanging onto the rungs were Helena, Hansel, Jazz and Mayuki. These four were sweating bullets above the water their sweat dripping down like a leaky faucet into a bathtub.

“Everyone’s been silent but they are hanging true, who will be the next to fall?” cRaZy asked.

Hansel looked to be in immense discomfort as he gripped his rung extra tightly. Helena as well looked anxious as she held onto the rungs. Jazz and Mayuki however were totally calm neither looking at all discomforted by the positions they were in.

20 MINUTES LATER

“Okay guys get ready to transition to the final spot….ready…go!” The girls easily transitioned to the next rungs without issue. Hansel however looked like he was suffering from a leg cramp.

“Ah…” Hansel winced he tried to get circulation back into his massive thighs…but unfortunatley he slipped off and fell in.

“OH!” Brody gasped “He’s out!”

“No goff chet.” Pearl sighed.

Helena gasped and upon seeing Hansel fall in she also tumbled down into the water.

“Helena is out as well!” cRaZy commented.

“No…” Ronda frowned.

The challenge has now come down to two rivals.” cRaZy leaned in smiling “Jazz versus Mayuki two women who have made it clear they don’t like one another are battling it out for a win. Who will have bragging rights over the other?” asked cRaZy.

“You’re going down you mannish marauder” Mayuki glared.

“F*** off you bucktoothed freak.” Jazz cringed holding on.

“Ooooh boy…” cRaZy shook his head.

20 MINUTES LATER

Both women hanging on the most narrow of rungs groaned as they were unable to let go. Eventually cRaZy stepped up and crossed his arms “Alright we are going to increase the difficulty, you girls now are only allowed to hang onto the rungs with your legs.”

Both women went wide eyed but then narrowed them.

They let go of their arms and hung upside down.

“This is going to get disorienting really quick.” CRaZy called “Who has more willpower?”

The rivals silently hung in place cringing and grunting trying to hang on. The heat was unbearable today and both women’s abdomens felt like they were on fire. Jazz and MAyuki glared at one another eyes bloodshot and veins throbbing.

Finally after an additional ten minutes of hanging about…

Jazz fell in.

SPLASH!

“I WON! YES!” Mayuki cheered before slipping in herself.

“Mayuki is the winner!” cRaZy called.

“YES!” cheered Hansel and Pearl “That was so close!”

“Damn it.” Penelope gripped her nose.

“Ah crap…” Brody groaned.

Jazz pulled out of the water first looking bitter about the whole losing to Mayuki. Mayuki skipped out of the water and went straight to cRaZy who awaited her.

“Congratulations May, you won the challenge meaning you are safe from the vote tonight

“It couldn’t come at a better time!” Mayuki giggled once the necklace was adorned.

“Indeed, as for the rest of you.” cRaZy started “eight people ae up for elimination one of them will become the second member of the jury and I am looking forward to seeing how this plays out. You can all head back to camp see you tonight.”

The players nodded and went back to the car Mayuki hopping up and down victoriously. Jazz looked increasingly more nervous as her and her tribe went back to the car.


ALI BABA TRIBE: LATE DAY 25

”I WON!” Mayuki cheered “I finally beat Jazz at something and for such a big vote! I am going to wear this necklace proudly and let Helena take the reins for the night! I cannot wait to get another victory over that alliance of traitors!”

The day had started out somewhat tolerable, but now the winds were beginning to pick up once again. Helena was speaking with her four allies as they were getting ready for the Tribal Council.

“This vote is a crucial moment in the game.” Helena pointed out “We need to remember who we are voting for.” She looked about “I will give you guys the high sign for who to vote for once we start the vote.”

“Sounds good.” Pearl agreed “We have no idea who has an idol over there.”

“You really think one of them has an idol?” Ronda gulped.

“Those guys? Hell yeah.” Pearl nodded “They are cutthroats and opportunists one of them has one count on it!”

”Tonight we have to navigate between two major issues.” Pearl pointed out “Those being a vote steal and a hidden immunity idol. I hope whoever we pick doesn’t have that second idol because I know the vote steal is coming into the mix tonight…let’s just hope it all works out in the end.”

Hansel was now talking with Helena looking very nervous. “I say…who do you think will get a vote for them?”

“I have my suspicions.” Helena sighed pulling her idol out of her pocket “I would like to think I know for sure, but even I cannot predict the unpredictable.”

“I see.” Hansel nodded scratching his head “Good fortune to you then.” Hansel bowed before stepping away.

”It has come down to this.” Hansel said with a sigh “I am in the mix for elimination tonight…I won’t be afraid and I will make it my mission to survive somehow.”

Back with Levi, Brody Penelope, and Jazz the conversation was slightly more tense.

“So we have it right?” Brody asked nervously.

“Yes.” Levi nodded.

“Wha? Really oh thank you God!” Brody said praising the sky. “Alright see you tonight then!” he skipped away back to the garage awkwardly.

“Well…that was easier than I thought.” Penelope chuckled.

“Simpletons usually are.” Levi pointed out. “Now with him done…”

Jazz stormed into the area and crossed her arms she then pulled her idol out of her pocket and showed it off to Penelope.

“This is mine!” she said holding the brown air freshener.

“Whoa!” Penelope gasped “You found that on Ordos?” she bawked.

“Yeah, it was like the second week or so.” Jazz growled “I’m bringing this thing with me tonight and if I sense any screw ups tonight I’m playing it for myself. So right now tell me who is getting the vote so I can go get ready.” She growled.

“Alright.”  Levi sighed stepping up to her.

”I’m not pulling any punches tonight.” Jazz said “I’m going to let everyone here know I have an idol tonight so they best not cross me. If I see them play the idol against someone we voted for I’m going totally playing mine in retaliation.”

Levi and Penelope watched Jazz leave the area. The ex champ leaned on his cane shaking his head.

“You okay?” asked the cat.

“Yeah…look I need to think.” He said stepping away “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Okay…” Penelope nodded before leaving the older man to his thoughts.

”I needed to get away from the grind.” Levi elaborated “I wanted to just sit down and not think about the game for a bit. I know tonight is going to be one of the most intense votes in the games history and who knows what might happen should one of them have the other tribe’s idol…right now I need to just breathe.”

As Levi took his walk away from the area he spotted Helena sitting alone on the log by the treemail spot. She spotted him and surprisingly smiled.

“Room for one more?” asked Levi.

“Squeeze on in.” Helena said scooching over. The two sat on the log they always did.

”Levi and I shared a moment of quiet today before the vote…” Helena sighed “As much as I wish he didn’t flip I do not hate the man. He’s playing what he thinks is his best interest and there’s no convincing otherwise…so we just sat there and recollected our last couple of days together. It’s unfortunate it came down to this.” She gripped her yellow air freshener idol shaking her head.

Both players remained quiet watching the sun set over the horizon the winds were picking up as usual in this environment.

“Storms coming…” Levi muttered.

“That it is old friend…that it is…” Helena nodded.

TRIBAL COUNCIL: NIGHT 25

The Pink truck came zooming through the nasty windy night of the wasteland carrying the final nine players. The tribe navigated the vehicle graveyard outside of the Citadel and the draw bridge opened wide for them to pull up.

cRaZy acknowledged an approaching figure. “We will now bring in the jury.” cRaZy motioned to a side entrance where a familiar figure strolled in. “Briggs who was voted out of the previous Tribal Council.”

Briggs aside from looking a lot cleaner and well fed, was wearing a blue bandanna axross his forehead. The dragon waved at Hansel who waved back. When Briggs noticed he was vulnerable however he went stone faced.

“Briggs is here only to observe no one will be speaking to him, he is here to gather information to help himself make his million-dollar decision.

Before cRaZy could say something else, Jazz stood up and pulled her idol out of her pocket and glared at everyone. Several faces registered a shocked emotion including Brody.

“Whoa when did you get that!?” asked the ginger. He was ignored and Jazz spoke up.

“Before we started I just wanted everyone to know tonight I’m not going anywhere capiche?” she said flaunting the idol around near Mayuki’s face.

“Bitch.” Mayuki muttered. Jazz took her seat and crossed her arms.

“Wow…” Briggs said in amazement.

“Well…” cRaZy laughed “I got to admit I don’t think I’ve had a Tribal Council start from 100 at the very top! Jazz, since you clearly feel in danger why are you showing your idol?”

“Because cRaZy this game is killing me mentally right now. I want to be safe and if it means showing off that I have an ace in the hole then that’s exactly what I’m doing. Right now all I want to do is have Levi lay his vote steal and we get rid of one of the other alliance.”

“Levi, did Jazz just reveal you have found the vote steal?” asked cRaZy wide eyed.

“That’s right…..this is mine.” He then shook his head “It’s come down to this we only have four people in my alliance and we need one more. It’s a guaranteed success tonight should this play out this way.”

“Ronda, in a normal situation an alliance of five always out votes an alliance of four. With this vote steal do you feel this will be your alliances undoing?”

“I don’t want to believe it but it is beginning to look that way.” Ronda twiddled her fingers “I mean it isn’t against any rules as this vote steal is playable this season…however I do feel it is a bit of a cheap shot.”

“Same goes for me double.” Pearl pointed out “The only reason we have to worry about anything tonight is because of this damn vote steal.”

“Yeah, f*** that vote steal.” Briggs muttered.

“Hansel you won immunity last time and now you’re vulnerable, is there any chance you might be thinking it’s your time?

“Well I don’t want to think like that.” Hansel chuckled “I am an optimist yes, but I can also tell when things are inevitable…” The knight shook his head “Regardless I have faith.”

“Let’s see how well that works out for you.”  Jazz said crossly.

“Would you shut it already?” Mayuki glared.

“Stuff it.” Jazz flipped the rabbit off.

“Hey chill.” cRaZy said hands up. “Helena, with the odds against your alliance is there any sort of advice you can imbue your allies?”

“I can’t.” Helena shook her head “This vote is statistically stacked against my friends and I tonight, we have almost zero chance of survival and I know the only thing I can pray for is if one of them flips.”

“Levi, Helena says she hopes one of you flips….do you think that might happen?”

After a pause in time Levi adjusted himself in his seat and looked at Helena.

“I’m going to take one of your votes and I’m going to use it against you.” Helena stared angrily “There’s NOTHING you can do about it.” he said holding the vote steal. He then looked at Jazz, Pen, and Brody “You know what to do guys.” He said sounding somber.

“Got it.” Penelope gulped.

“O-okay.” Brody nodded.

Jazz nodded as well eyes closed.

Helena looked about the group her allies seemed worried however she looked over at Jazz and with a hand touched her right cheek. The rest of her allies nodded and looked back at cRaZy with a new confidence.

“Ooooh man.” Briggs bit his nails.

“Alright before we get to the vote, Mayuki you have the necklace, any chance of giving it to someone else?”

“No thank you.” She shook her head.

“Welp alrighty then…it’s time to vote.” cRaZy said with a nod “Let’s begin.” Before he could instruct who to vote Levi stood up.

“I wish to vote first.” Levi said standing up. “I’m playing the vote steal.” He said determined. Everyone leaned in to hear his choice.

“Alright, Levi is playing his vote steal. Whose vote are you taking for yourself?” asked cRaZy.

After a long pause Levi pointed at Hansel. “His.” The older man nodded. Hansel deflated in his seat and glanced about the area. Everyone in his alliance shook their heads.

“NO!” Briggs mouthed in silent horror.

“Playing for keeps huh?” Pearl growled.

“Alright, Hansel will not vote tonight. Levi you have two votes go ahead and cast them.

Levi made his way up the steps clicking his cane as he walked. The older man took his votes and wrote down his targets name. He looked to the camera and frowned “I’m sorry it came down to this…farewell.” He voted and headed back to the others.

Next was Pearl she made her way up the steps and angrily wrote her targets name down “Get lost.” She said voting and going back down.

Mayuki was next she ran up the steps and voted for her target. She held the vote up shrugged and then put it in the urn. “You screwed us one time too many.” She went back down.

Next was Penelope she reached the urn and voted for her target “You played a good game, but not good enough.” She voted and headed back to the others.

Jazz was next she cracked her knuckles before showing the vote off “As much as I respect you, you need to get out now.” She finished her vote and rejoined the group.

Ronda lumbered up the steps and wiped her brow of sweat “This…this is so nerve racking.” She sighed voting for her target and waving goodbye.

Helena was next she made it to the urn and voted for her target she looked up at the camera and with a long sigh folded her vote and put it in the urn. “Time to play the odds.” She gulped walking back down.

Finally, Brody he reached the urn and then after a moment looked at the camera “Wait…who am I voting for?” he asked worried “Uh…” he then looked back down at the others from the top of the tower then after a moment he remembered and spelled the name wrong “Heh…okay that would have been bad.” He then went back down nervously.

Once Brody returned cRaZy snapped his finger and Burt began unwinding the drawbridge behind the host. “I’ll tally the votes.” cRaZy smirked walking up the steps.

Jazz took her necklace and held it in her hand looking over the other players.

Hansel was shaking his head as his allies comforted him with pats on the back.

Levi and Helena shared a glance before turning away.

cRaZy returned with the urn and glanced at the entire group. He scanned the players and from what he saw everyone looked tense or nervous no one looked confident. Jazz clung to her idol in her fist while levi tapped his foot impatiently.

Pearl was glancing about the players and noticed Brody was doing the exact same thing as her both were sweating bullets. Ronda just hid her face shaking her head, Mayuki growled under her breath she popped her knuckles. Penelope held her paw and put it on Levi’s arm trying to gauge how he was feeling, the older man stayed silent narrowed eyes on the urn. Hansel seemed to have his bag on his shoulder at this point he was ready to meet his fate now that his vote was stolen…

Helena however….leaped to her feet and pulled her idol from her pocket.

“NOT THIS TIME.” She said defiantly to Levi. The older man went wide eyed at the sight of her idol. Jazz gripped hers even tighter glaring daggers at the elf woman and then looking to Mayuki who stuck her tongue out at her. Brody outright collapsed from shock and might have been passed out. Penelope dug her arm into Levi’s arms and looked fearfully up at him.

“YES!” Briggs cheered clapping his hands in joy. Helena’s side was a look of relief. Aside from May (Taunting Jazz), Hansel cupped two hands over his mouth in amazement while Ronda and Pearl both side in relief and clapped Hansel on the back respectively.

Helena walked right over to cRaZy and took one look at Levi who glared back. She then looked to Jazz who was gripping her idol so hard you’d think the poor ornament would shatter in her hands. Helena then said to cRaZy….

“Hansel.” She smirked walking back to the others triumphantly. Aside from the relief on Hansel’s face the rest of her allies cheered for her it was a great play by Helena as she finally took her seat back with the rest of her peers. cRaZy cleared his throat and explained the rules again.

“The rules state whoever plays a hidden idol the person with the highest number of votes will be null and void for the round, also making them safe on any revote. This is indeed a hidden immunity idol so all votes for Hansel are not going to count.”

“Let’s see that vote steal work now!” Mayuki giggled. As everyone was settling down now Helena kept her smile on she then looked to Jazz.

Jazz still looked shocked by that play her eyes were wide….but her teeth no longer seemed to be gritted any longer she looked back at Helena then the rest of the tribe then cRaZy…Helena however then noticed Levi was now looking back up…but this time the biggest smile was adorned on his face. Levi was now looking to Jazz who slowly put her idol back in her pocket. Levi nodded in approval.

“That was interesting, please continue cRaZy.” The old man said with a renewed confidence that sent a ripple of panic into Helena, and her allies.

“Oh crap baskets…” Briggs mumbled pulling his mane in fear. Helena became bewildered by Levi’s statement and then it slowly dawned on her…the miscalculation she had just made.

“All right…I’ll read the votes.” cRaZy said popping the urn open.

“First vote…Levi.” cRaZy read.

“HA!” Levi laughed putting a hand over his eyes.

“Why is he laughing….?” Hansel grimaced.

“Levi….that’s two.” cRaZy read.

“I have got to admit, I haven’t been this excited in a long time!” Levi announced gripping his cane in adulation. “You guys are quite good!”

Jazz looked amazed she wasn’t the target after all she looked about the council shocked.

“What!?” Pearl gasped sweat trickling down her brow.

“After all look what’s happened now!” Levi pointed out.

“Third vote….Levi.” cRaZy continued.

“You guys have proven that this game can still be as unpredictable as ever! I love that about competition!” Levi mused.

“Levi…” Ronda said shaking in her seat.

“….Levi, that’s four votes for Levi. No votes for anyone else.”

Levi finally regained some composure and then looked back up this time at Helena and his smile was now wider than ever.

“You truly were a great opponent.”

Helena looked wide eyed at Levi and then her vision refocused to that of her allies. She heard cRaZy reading off a name on a card that was no longer Levi’s. She had to do something quickly before everything she had worked up to was taken away from her. She looked to Hansel first and noticed his pupils shrunk and his mouth was agape sweat coming down his face. Mayuki was gripping her fist in anger grinding her teeth looking away. The look of relief on Jazz’s and Penelope’s faces startled Helena more than she expected Brody was still reeling from all the idols and yelling as he seemed to not even be on the same plane of consciousness as her. Pearl and Ronda were looking directly at Helena now both of them fighting back the urge to cry.

Helena looked back at cRaZy as he finished reading a fourth vote for a player whom she couldn’t hear whose name it belonged to…

The last vote however was loud enough…..
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…..“The tenth person voted out of Survivor Wasteland Rumble, and the second member of our jury….HELENA. “That’s five to four, clearly the vote steal was used correctly on this vote Helena, tonight is your night…you need to bring me your torch.”

Helena shook her head and for the first time the calm and collected elf was speechless. She slowly stood up and shrugged her shoulders in defeat as her allies hugged as she passed them by. “I tried guys….forgive me.” she sighed sliding the torch into the slot.

“Helena, the tribe has spoken.” cRaZy snuffed her torch and the extinguishing torch theme blared gloomily up above. “Time for you to go.” He moved to the left for her to exit. Helena took one last look at her allies and tipped her hat, she then went through the exit and down the long torch lit walk until her figure disappeared in the darkness.

Briggs looked angry that had happened he shook his head in disapointment.

cRaZy turned back to the final eight and nodded his head “Two gambles were made, but only one of them was successful, with that said with only one last idol left at an even man playing field the game is far from over for either side. You can head back to camp, goodnight.”

Hansel shook his head as he went back to the car he felt guilty for Helena’s elimination….she played her idol to save him…it was a desperation move…and for that she was voted out. Pearl looked rather miffed by the results as she took her seat in the back of the truck trying to think what to do now. Ronda of course fumbled her way up the back as well twiddling her fingers a tear in her eye. Mayuki and Jazz glared at one another before Mayuki turned to the truck without a word.

Levi looked over at Penelope and Jazz who nodded in approval and congratulated one another with hand waves. Brody was finally awake again looking dumbfounded that Helena was gone. Jazz nodded one last time and started to get going.

“What just happened?” Brody asked wide eyed.

“We won the night.” Penelope smiled “That’s a relief.” Levi then stood up and shook his head.

“We aren’t out of the woods yet….tonight we won, but now we kicked a hornets nest….it all depends what SHE does.” He bobbed his head over to Jazz who was now taking her seat in the front starting the engine.

Penelope and Brody nervously glanced at one another and gulped in nervousness. The road to victory is an arduous and mainly unfair campaign…full of twists and holes easy for one to fall in and never recover.

“Wow…” Helena said shaking her head “After all that planning and counter planning I was voted out and I wasted my idol. Levi has proven that he’s playing harder than anyone thus far. I want to say my alliance still has a chance, but knowing Jazz has an idol in her pocket at this point I am skeptical. For now all I can do is sit and watch and tip my hat to Levi, he got me good.”

HELENA: Brody, Jazz, Levi(x2), and Penelope.

LEVI: Helena, Mayuki, Ronda and Pearl

HANSEL: VOTE STOLEN

A/N: HELENA

Helena was the standard strategist with smatterings of a good player, but she really underestimated a few people and now she got blindsided. I wanted to make the view she was capable of great game play thanks to the Vandal and Nora eliminations, but once she got comfy she lost.

Helena was originally going to be a much more negative character having only aligned with Pearl and Ronda out of necessity as opposed to genuine friendship, and during the last episode she was supposed to vote with Levi to eliminate Briggs in an insane 4-3-2-1 Vote, which I will get to when the journal for the finale is posted.

In the end, Helena was a good player, but when facing down the opposition and a vote steal from one of the most cunning strategists left in the game she was bound to fall. Now that she’s gone the forces are tied up four to four, how will this next round go?