Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

August 31st, 2012, 12:35pm

The party was everything he'd expected it to be- annoying.

Chris had put this together as a farewell for this season's contestants. After weeks of abject torture at the hands of mutant wildlife and a sadistic host it was almost a relief to be out of the running for the million. For most, at least.

Scott had despised the luxurious hotel they'd been staying at. Surrounded by his fellow losers with not a friend in sight it had been absolute misery, wallowing in his loss and waiting for the day he could get back home, where nobody had it out for him. At least he'd had the excuse of his injuries to avoid showing his face in the common areas, spending most of his time recovering in his room.

But this was the exception. The producers had insisted he attend at least the parting speech as this was going to be used as bonus footage for the season, and they needed the full cast together.

Scott stood at the back, leaning on his crutches, scowling at the host with the one eye that wasn't covered in bandages.

"Friends, losers, one and all, it brings me a deep sadness to say that this season has officially come to an end." Chris proclaimed from atop the stage where a podium was set up.

"Finally." said Anne Maria, filing her nails.

"What a releif." Sighed Brick.

"You suck!" shouted Jo.

"As I was saying-" Chris glowered into the crowd "I wanted to commend you all for your valiant efforts at what has definitely been the most dangerous season of Total Drama yet. Free marshmallows!" he cheered as Chef shot a series of marshmallows out of what looked like a bazooka. The cast cried out, dodging the projectiles as best they could "Ahaha, anyway, what a season, right? We had mutant wildlife, zany challenges, Scott got mauled by a shark-" some of the cast turned to give him nasty looks. Scott glared right back "But now the last episode has aired and youre all off the hook. Come on, gang, what were your highlights of the season? Let's start with our winner this year. Cameron, stage is yours."

The small boy looked startled to be called out, but quickly got over it, thinking "Well," he smiled "I got to experience a lot of things I've never done before. Swimming, treasure hunting, fighting mutant plants. I even got to make some friends!" he said enthusiastically. He stood between Zoey and Mike, and took one of each of their hands in his own "Not to mention I won a million dollars. University of Toronto here I come!"

"Making friends was definitely the highlight for me." Zoey smiled at him warmly before turning to face Chris "That, and I finally learned to stand up for myself."

"And I got to meet the coolest girl in the world." Mike added, melting as he looked at her. She smiled bashfully and they exchanged a short but sweet kiss above Cameron's head. Scott gagged.

"I got to demonstrate my skills and serve my team." Brick declared proudly.

"I got a modelling deal out of it. The fashion world loves my new look!" Dakota exclaimed, posing in all her bright orange eight foot glory.

"I got to clean up the beach?" Dawn chimed in, shrugging.

"Lightning won!"

"No, you sha-didn't." Chris scolded "Next!"

"Uhh, I got to participate on Canadas hottest TV show, and didn't even get voted out first!" Sam said, and then turned to the mutant girl next to him "And I can't beleive I not only found the girl of my dreams, but she actually wants to date me."

"Aww!" Dakota blushed, pulling her much smaller boyfriend into a hug.

"I didn't get anything out of this. The whole thing sucked." Scott griped, smacking the ground with his crutches.

Chris tutted at him "Somebody sounds like a sore loser. These are supposed to be highlights, people!"

"No, I'm with dirt boy on this one." Anne Maria crossed her arms "This show is stupid and lame."

"Yeah, screw highlights, this whole thing was a disaster!" Jo marched towards the stage, pointing an accusatory finger up at Chris "The stuff we went through was nothing like the other seasons! We could have died! Your legal team better be good, Mclean, cause I can guarantee you'll be hearing from my lawyer!"

The crowd stirred in agreement, getting rowdy, and Chris started to look nervous "And on that note, we're calling it a show! Boat is to your left. Goodnight, everybody!" he threw a smoke bomb to the groud, engulfing them all in a great big cloud that induced coughing from the group. When the smoke dissapated he was gone.

"What a joke! Get back here, Mclean!" Jo exclaimed in anger.

"You heard him, maggots. Boats to your left! Get! I said, get!" Chef yelled at them, firing more marshmallows as he did. 

The group ran under fire, grumbling as they did so "I hate this stupid show!" Anne Maria shouted.

Scott was the last to arrive to the boat, due to his current condition "Little help?" he asked as he batted away a marshmallow with one crutch. Brick and Lightning came forward to haul him over the side, a little less carefully than would have been appreciated "Oof!" He landed on his ass, broken leg sore from the fall, and decided to remain sat on the deck floor. Easier than trying to stand, he didn't exactly have his sea legs available at the moment.

The boat sped off, bouncing across the waves and causing most people to grab hold of the rail.

"Oh my god, I'm so glad it's over." Zoey said, relieved.

"Yeah, lets just hope we survive the boat trip home." Mike replied, looking seasick.

Scott rolled his eyes, scoffing. Mike snapped his head around "What?" he demanded.

"Nothing." the other picked at his bandages "Just not much of a challenge to survive a stupid boat ride, after everything we've been through."

Mike frowned "Says you. What if we capsized, huh? What would you do then? Hope the cast on your leg floats?"

He glared "No. Obviously I would swim back to shore."

"Swim back to shore? How? You couldn't even get into the boat by yourself."

"How about you mind your own business, freak."

"How about I throw you overboard so the sharks can go back to using you as a chew toy?"

"Chew toy?" Scott exclaimed. Enraged, he grabbed one of his crutches and threw it hard at Mike, who ducked, and it went clean over the side of the boat.

They looked at each other for a moment, Mike unimpressed "Nice one, asshole."

"Fuck you."

"Men," Brick intervened, voice raised "Are we going to spend the whole journey arguing? I don't think anybody here wants to hear it."

"Can it, brick-for-brains, you're not the captain of this boat, or the captain of anything for that matter." Jo crossed her arms "The shows over. No reason to be civil. I say let them argue."

"Friends, have we not had enough drama for one summer? Let's not further damage ourselves for the sake of petty squabbling." Dawn interjected.

"Oh great, now creepy nature girl is gonna preach to us." Anne Maria griped.

The cast devolved into all out arguing, grievances being aired and fingers being pointed in all directions. Jo went as far as to shove Brick so hard he nearly toppled overboard.

"Hey! Take it easy!" Dakotazoid stomped her foot, shaking the boat and everyone in it. That shut them up. The group fell into uneasy silence, most everyone involved embarrassed to some degree.

"You all suck." Scott deadpanned. Nobody bothered to reply.

He couldn't wait to never see them again.