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bellatrixobsessed1 · 4 years ago

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From Chin To Yon Rah (Part 11)

“How’d things go last night?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? How can you not know?”

“I don’t really have any other dates that I can compare it to, Hajime.”

“Well did he make you laugh and smile?”

“He did.” But he also reminded her of just why she doesn’t particularly deserve to laugh and smile. She wonders if Hajime would reprimand her for turning his son down. Even if he wouldn’t, she isn’t sure that she should. She can’t imagine that there is a line of people waiting to shower her with affection. She is almost certain that she wouldn’t take well to it anyhow. She isn’t the sort for hugs and kisses and tender touches. It is quite hard to imagine herself on the receiving end of it. She can already picture her cheeks growing red and she loathes the very idea of being left a flustered mess.

“But?” Hajime prompts.

She shrugs and slaps her hands against her thighs. “But then he told me about how his wife died. That kind of ruins the mood, wouldn’t you say?”

Hajime rolls his eyes, “sounds like Seukhyun. He doesn’t exactly know how to choose dinner conversations. I’d wager that he’s just about as...socially confused as you are.”

“Is that how Atsu’s mother died? Did those soldiers kill her too?”

He glances into the other room where Atsu leaps off of his bed with Bao, The Magnificent Mole in hand. He drops the stuffed badger-mole into Caihong’s lap. “I thought that his name was Mud Muncher!” The girl declares. Satisfied that the boy is fully engrossed, Hajime turns back to her. “No. She was killed by the Fire Nation. After our own soldiers left they told the enemy soldiers exactly where to find us. I told Atsu that she just got sick…”

“Have you ever met a good soldier, Hajime?”

“Personally, no.” He replies. “But I’m sure that there are some out there.”

Azula responds with a bitter sniff.

“You don’t think so?”

“I don’t. They fight for what they think is best and then they find out that, that thing is actually the worst. And then they realize that they are monsters. Of course, most of them knew it all along. Nobody joins the military unless they want to kill someone.”

“Do you…” he looks into the other room. Atsu has fastened one of Caihong’s dolls to Bao. “Do you want to go for a walk?”

She nods her head towards the children.

“Atsu, Caihong!” They look up. “Rikka and I are going for a quick walk, stay out of trouble or I’ll go right to old man Hajime!”

“Don’t worry dad, Bao the Magnificent Mole has Avatar powers, he can defend the whole house from evil Fire Lord Bonsai!”

“Do you mean, Ozai?” Azula asks.

He shakes his head, “nope, I mean Bonsai! Fire Lord Bonsai is an evil bonsai tree that can talk and its leaves are on fire--except the fire is purple---and Avatar Mao is the world’s last hope because…” he sucks in a deep breath, “...because if he doesn’t stop Bonsai then Bonsai will use Roku’s comet to destroy the lion-turtle!”

“Also Ba Sing Se, Bonsai is going to burn Ba Sing Se if Mao can’t stop him.” Caihong adds.

Azula nods. “If you say so.”

“And! And! And also Fire Lord Bonsai has a son that’s a cabbage named Leaf and he’s the prince.” He holds up a leaf, “this is…”

“Leaf?” Hajime guesses.

“Mmmhmm!”

“Come on, Hajime.” She tugs at the man’s arm before Atsu can introduce any other offensive caricatures.

“You and Cai behave.” He waits for the children to nod before following Azula outside. “We were saying…”

“There are no good soldiers Hajime. It doesn’t matter what side of the war they are on. The winning side simply looks less evil because they are painted well. But they’re all…”

“You were a soldier, weren’t you?” Azula swallows. She feels his hand cup around her own. “Let’s walk by the riverside, it’s quieter there.”

He doesn’t speak to her again until they come to a stop on a rickety bridge. “I know that you like being right but I disagree with you. Sure, there are people who join the war over power and bloodlust but some people join the military because they have no choice. Some folks need money, some were forced into it, and some want to protect loved ones. What was your reason?”

Azula thinks for a moment. It certainly wasn’t a matter of money and really she had no one to protect. She didn’t feel particularly forced, she’d rather enjoyed it and she thinks that she would enjoy it still--to feel the thrill of a conquest, a rush of adrenaline, a feeling of worth and accomplishment. “Power.”

“Power?” Hajime asks.

She nods. “I don’t know why you are surprised.”

He seems to study her for a long time. “Why did you want power?”

She furrows her brows.

“I’ve come to observe that most people who want power want it because they feel weak.”

But she had, had all of the power in the world in riches and in bending.

“So why did you want it?”

“I…” She looks off. Off to where the river leads, curling into a tangle of pine. Catkins and tallgrasses bob in the breeze. And yet, even with all of this clarity, she can’t seem to think of a reason why she would have wanted more power. She supposes that, that is just it; she never wanted it for herself, she wanted it so that she could turn it over to her father.

“I think that soldiers are a bit different in the Fire Nation. It seems like, over there, some people were raised on war and never knew any different.” He pauses to chuck a stone into the river. It lands with a plop and stirred up ringlets on the surface. A dragonfly launches itself out of the grasses. “I guess it isn’t so different in the Earth Kingdom. They make it sound glorious, and good and so you start to think that it is…”

Azula stares at the backs of her hands, feels the breeze fluttering her hair against her neck.

“I don’t think that you wanted power, usually people can say exactly why they want it.”

“To give it to my father.”

He nods. “So...love then?”

“What?”

“You wanted power so that you could give it to someone you loved? He was too weak to get it for himself so…”

“He wasn’t weak. He was the most powerful man I knew. He wanted more of it so I was going to get it for him.”

“Okay, he wasn’t weak.” Hajime nods. He is quiet for the longest time. And several times he opens his mouth as if to say something but closes it once more as if thinking better of doing so. She watches a count of six birds swoop down to take drinks before he finally says, “It sounds like you were one of the people who was raised on war. I don’t think that a good father would want his daughter to go to war for him.”

“My father was a good father.” Her stomach sinks even as she says it. He was such a good father that he left her behind. Strangely that probably was the best thing that he could have done for her. It weighs on her so heavily that she finds herself practically slumping over the bridge.

“You didn’t go to war for power. You went to war for love, to show it or to earn it. Or maybe both.”

Love…

He cups his hand over hers. “Maybe it led to bad things but at least you can say that you had one of the best reasons to become a soldier.”

If only that was it. If only that was the whole truth. If only glory and fear had no part of why she’d done so. If only she had just been a simple soldier. “I’m not what you think I am.”

He chuckles. “Who says that I’ve leapt to any conclusions about you?”

“It isn’t a matter of saying it, it’s a matter of implying.”

“I don’t have any solid ideas of who you are but I know what you aren’t.”

“Oh?”

He tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I know that you’re not a bad person, Rikka.”

Rikka is not a bad person. He can’t soundly say the same for Azula. She opens her mouth and it very nearly comes out. She very nearly tells him just who he is dealing with.

“The people in this village only say good things about you. A lot of them are more open to firebenders because of you. Maybe you think that you’re a bad person, but you’re not.” His hand slides off her hers. “We should probably check on Atsu and Caihong.”

She nods. “Yes, that would be a good idea.”

That day she learns that she might not be a monster.

.oOo.

She hates to admit it but she likes Sokka’s laugh. It isn’t charming. It isn’t elegant. It isn’t a pleasant sound, he snorts. But it is genuine, pure, and unapologetic happiness. The sort of laugh she hasn’t heard since listening in on Atsu and Caihong’s play. She holds the Bao against her stomach, absently stroking his head as she waits for Sokka to finish laughing.

“So you’re telling me that this Atsu kid sees me as a boomerang and he thinks that you’re a…”

“The color blue.” She nods. “Anything that he can find that is blue. He had bits and pieces of information but he had it all mixed up and so instead of blue fire, Fire Lord Bonsai’s daughter is just blue. Anything blue.”

“And ‘Roku’s’ comet was a…”

“Flaming cabbage sent by a very vengeful merchant, yes.”

“Oh man, that kid’s a genius. He outta write for the Ember Island players.” He wipes a tear from his eyes. “Maybe you can introduce me to him one day.”

She squeezes the badger-mole and shakes her head. She is glad that his eyes are still closed with laughter. She campuses herself before he looks up.

“Sorry, I know that I promised not to ask any questions after your story but I really just needed some clarification.”

“Those questions were superficial, I didn’t mind answering them. Your turn.”

“Alright, so do you want to hear about the time when we took Zuko to the Water Tribes for some penguin sledding and he got swarmed by them or…”

“Yes. I want to hear that one.”

“Or…”

“I want to hear the Zuko penguin story.” Azula says firmly.

.oOo.

He supposes that he will have to save the, Zuko stuck in a coconut tree for a day when she isn’t so stubbornly refusing the possibility of a funnier Zuko mishap story. She stares at him expectantly, drumming her fingers upon the badger-mole.

“So it was an anniversary present from me to Suki. I decided that it would be fun to take her to the tribes because she always wanted to see a penguin in person. It was great we got all snuggly and cozy, we had these really warm fur blankets and this fire going. There was a blizzard outside so Katara and Zuko and the others were stuck with Hakoda at Bato’s place. Suki and I had some alone time.” He winks. “She pecked me on the cheek and...”

“Spare me the details, Sokka. The only pecking that I would like to hear about involves Zuzu and penguins.”

He flushes. “Right, well after Suki and I got our alone time we decided to take a group trip to the penguin caves. Aang wanted to go penguin sledding again, he said that he could beat Zuko down the hillside. And you know how Zuko gets, ‘I’m going to beat the Avatar in a penguin race, for honor!’ So he went after the largest penguin. Those things are bigger than you think!”

Azula takes a sip of tea, “are they now?”

He nods. “Pretty sure there was one that is bigger than you. I guess that’s not saying much because…”

She fixes him with a deadpan stare and a quirked brow.

“Because...those penguins are massive, not because you’re really small.” He hears her inhale through her nose and snickers. “So Zuko finds the largest penguin that he could find and just leaps on. But that penguin was a mother and it was meal time so all of the chicks just waddle on up but Zuko is in the way. I think that they thought that he was their mother because they were trying to get food from him.”

“Did they get it?”

Sokka shakes his head. “Not from Zuko. Katara had to run all the way back to the village to get buckets of krill to lure them off of Zuko. He was picking feathers out of his hair for days.”

“That does sound like Zuzu. But usually it’s the turtle-ducks.” She gives a one armed shrug. “I guess that he has an affinity for creatures with beaks.”

“Thanks for sharing the badger-mole story.”

She toys with the sash of her nightgown. “I’m...glad that you enjoyed it.”

He grins, though it isn’t particularly the story that he enjoyed--granted her certainly did enjoy that well enough--what he enjoyed was hearing it from her. Was seeing the soft smile on her lips. Was noticing and observing the way her eyes seemed to light up when she made mention of the boy. It was comforting. Comforting and reassuring somehow.

“Does it make you feel better?” He asks.

She tilts her head.

“To talk about moments that made you happy.”

She works a muscle in her jaw, “I suppose that it helps a little, yes.”

“Maybe all of us can get together and…”

“No.” Azula murmurs. “Not yet. I don’t want to share these things with Zuzu yet, he’ll be...overbearing. TyLee gets too sappy and Mai isn’t interested in hearing me go on about some kid.”

“He’s not just some kid.” Sokka says immediately. “I can tell.” Azula tenses and he lifts his hands. “Don’t worry, I’m not asking questions. But it isn’t a bad thing, you know, to show people that you’ve got feelings and that you care about other people.”

She reclines in the chair, props her head against her arm and drapes the other over her belly. She seems to stare off at nothing at all. “Perhaps.”

“Think about it!” He insists. “Servants and guards have been approaching you more. They aren’t scared of you. I know that Mai and TyLee say that you have a thing for being all scary and intimidating but you don’t need to be anymore because…”

“The war has been over for years.” Her eyes don’t leave that distant spot, wherever it is. “I know.”

.oOo.

“Then why do you still have so many walls up?”

Because she is afraid.

“If you think that we won’t like you for being yourself, it’s not true. We have met all sorts of weirdos that we love. Like those swamp guys, you met them! They’re weird and we like them!”

“The more you talk the deeper you dig.” She rolls her eyes. But he isn’t entirely off in his assumptions.

“You took a lot of walls down for me today,” he continues. “Believe it or not, I liked it. I liked the little glimpse that I saw.”

Her tummy flutters. “Yes well I’m not ready for that.”

“Not ready to let people know that you’re a human being?”

Not ready to let people see her, all of her. Not ready for them to get attached to her and care for her. She isn’t even ready for the possibility. She certainly isn’t ready to let people love her. Not the way Hajime did. Cherishable or not she isn’t ready to feel again what Hajime had made her feel. Not with someone who isn’t Hajime.

#Avatar The Last Airbender #Azula #Sokka #Sokkla #Fanfiction

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survivorwildwest · 4 years ago

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Episode 12 - Us and Our Friends

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a jackrabbit finds comfort in some tallgrass.

Ken has woken early and made his way to the town’s campfire. He surveys the campfire and the boulders they’d been using as seats, then the shadows of the few buildings in town and the sun.

“Why are you staring at the sun,” Kass asks as she walks up behind him.

“I’m not. I’m just... checking something,” he says as he turns to her and removes his hand from his brow.

“What are you checking?”

“I’m working on something.”

“That much I gathered.”

He puts his hands firm around the only boulder in the shade. He drops his hips and presses his chest forward as he pushes the boulder from its place. As he tries to move the boulder to its side, the force of his chest pushing forward pops open the top couple buttons of his shirt. The strenuous and sweaty work makes his shirt stick to his back. Once the boulder is sufficiently horizontal, Ken stands up and wipes the beads of sweat from his forehead and removes his shirt. He bends down again and slides his hands under the boulder. His heels dig into the sand as he begins to roll the boulder. The waist of his pants remains stiff, giving just a glimpse of his ass, as he slowly lunges through the sand. Once Ken feels the boulder has been moved far enough from the fire, he turns around to see Lauren approaching from the saloon.

“Good morning, Ken,” she calls.

“Good morning, Lauren,” he says, “I’ll be right back.”

Lauren takes a seat next to Kass and asks, “enjoying the show?”

“I’m certainly not complaining,” she says.

Ken returns shortly after carrying what he’s been building. He places it where the shaded boulder had been.

“I built a bench for us,” he tells them.

“What, when, how,” Kass asks.

“The last few days. We had all these leftover tools and supplies and, you know, I always need something to keep my hands occupied.”

“That much I’ve gathered,” Kass jokes, looking at Lauren.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a tortoise reaches for a flower with his beak.

Colby appears with the day’s tree mail.

“Weight?” Wendy guesses.

“I guess,” Colby says.

At high noon, the final eight meet Jeff in front of the day’s reward challenge. As always, he’s full of smiles standing next to his clydesdale.

“For today’s reward challenge, you will be divided into two teams. Each team will, together, hold a board over their head. Over each person’s head will be a bucket of water. Each bucket weighs one quarter your starting weight. Your hand will be attached to a disc keeping the water in the bucket. If you drop your hand, your bucket will empty and you’ll be out, leaving your teammates to carry your weight. Last team standing wins. Want to know what you’re playing for?”

They all yip and they all yeehaw.

“The winning team will take a trip to a movie theater for a viewing of an American classic set right here in the old west! We’re talking popcorn, soda… air-conditioning and of course... the traditional beans. Worth playing for?”

They all yip and they all yee and darn tootin do they all haw.

“Alright,” Jeff says, “We'll do a schoolyard pick for teams.”

Jeff passes a bag of two black and six white rocks around. They reveal and Jeff announces, “Kass and Jerri, captains once again.”

The two women count one-two-three-shoot to decide who goes first. Jerri’s paper covers Kass’ rock this time. She picks Colby first. Kass takes Ken. Jerri calls Michaela’s name. Kass says Lauren’s. Jerri looks at Wendy, whose smile is so big her whole body vibrates, then to Bi. Jerri drops her head and calls for Bi. Wendy drops her smile and joins Kass’ team.

The two teams stand on platforms set to each of their heights so their buckets can remain level. Jerri takes the first position for the orange team. Standing next to her in the second position is Michaela. Taking the third position is Colby. Bi, standing on the tallest platform of the challenge, takes the end.

Kass takes the first position for the teal team. Ken and Lauren stand in the second and third positions. Wendy rounds them out in the fourth position. Once everyone on their platform, Jeff calls for the challenge to start.

Both teams start strong, unwavering in their support and balance. Jeff begins his narration, “This is a challenge of balance, you don’t want your bucket to tip, but also of trust. If you trust your teammates enough to hold the weight, you can drop out... Eventually, your arms are gonna get sore and you’re gonna try to fight the urge to drop out but maybe you should. If you can communicate, the weight won’t be too much to bear.”

After a few minutes, everyone has closed their eyes and fallen completely silent. Kass eventually speaks up, “How are you guys feeling?”

“I’m good,” Ken tells her.

“I’m good,” Lauren says.

“I’m fine,” Wendy says, her eyes still closed.

“Okay, I’m gonna drop,” Kass says.

“Okay, do it slowly,” Lauren says.

Kass removes her hands from the handles and drops her arms to her sides. The water splashes over her and she exhales “aaaahhh!”

“Feel good,” Jeff asks.

“Oh, I’d recommend they all drop out.”

After another ten minutes, Jerri asks her team how they’re feeling. Michaela gives a simple, “yeah.” Bi says, “You’re good.” Jerri lets her bucket shower her with water and she joins Kass on the bench.

After an hour and ten minutes, Wendy says, “Will you guys be okay if I step out? I feel like I’m gonna pass out.”

“Yeah, go ahead,” Lauren says.

Wendy turns her face upward and drops her hand to take a shower.

“How’s that,” Jeff asks.

“Amazing,” she says.

Bi snarls at the wet Wendy as she walks past.

“Jealous, Bi?”

“It does look nice,” Bi responds.

“You can drop out,” Michaela says. “We’ve got this.”

“No, I’m alright. I’m good.”

“Michaela and Bi negotiating going down to two people,” Jeff narrates, “Ken and Lauren doing the work of four people. Colby, meanwhile, hasn’t said a word this whole challenge. Are you not a fan of my questioning Colby?”

“Don’t need it,” he says without opening his eyes.

“Alright,” Jeff says, “message received.”

“Ken,” Lauren says.

“Yeah?”

“I think I’m gonna…”

“It's okay. I can take it.”

“No, I mean--” she says as she faints and drops her disc.

Ken and Jeff both rush over to make sure she’s okay. The medical team rushes in to check on her. They determine she’s going to be fine. She just passed out. When she comes to, she sees Ken and feels his hand in hers.

“Are you okay,” he asks.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Did we lose?”

“Yeah,” Ken laughs, “I think so.”

“Aw, damn. I really wanted to go see a movie with you.”

“We can go some other time,” he promises.

“I’d like that,” she says as she places an ice pack on her forehead. “Oh, I didn’t even get to feel the water splash on me!”

“Is the ice nice?”

“The ice is nice, yes. Thank you.”

“Of course,” he says.

Jeff turns to the orange team to let them know they’ve won. They all let the water splash over them but with less enthusiasm than they’d hoped for after seeing Lauren pass out.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a trailing four o’clock shakes in the breeze.

Jerri, Colby, Michaela, and Bi ride their horses to a large marquee with pink and green neon lights, alerting anyone within a mile of this dusty, old movie palace. They tie their horses outside the theater and walk in. They take in the scent of the warm film and the popping corn. They each grab a bucket of popcorn and various other treats and drinks. Colby and Jerri take two seats next to each other in the back of the theater, spreading their snacks in the seats around them. Bi and Michaela take the seats in the next row and do the same.

From above, the projector illuminates. The warmth emanating from the bulb is a comfort from the shock of the theater’s air conditioning. The increasing flip of the film roll starting is heard and on the screen before them, they see “Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat Lumière No. 653.” appear in white text on a black screen.

“Oh,” Colby says, “This is that movie where everyone was afraid the train was coming at them.”

The film plays and the screen fades to black, but the whirring of the projector continues. Fireworks burst over a castle, a lamp hops across the screen, then a red car says, “This is Agent Leland Turbo.”

“What is this,” Michaela asks.

Then the title card appears on screen, “Cars 2.”

Everyone bursts into laughter. Colby falls back and raises his knees as he laughs. He slaps his knee, forgetting he’d rested something there, as one does in a movie theater. His hand gets hot and sticky and wet, “Ah,” he shouts as he jumps up from his seat.

Michaela turns around and, seeing the mess Colby’s made yells, “Ha! Colby’s eatin beans!”

Everyone laughs at him as he runs off to the bathroom to clean up.

When he returns, he takes the seat next to Jerri that is not covered in beans. Jerri whispers softly to him, not to interrupt the antics of Lightning McQueen and Mater, “You know we have beans at camp. Why’d you go for the beans?”

“I don’t know, I just like beans. I don’t really like sweets like that,” Colby also whispers, giving John Lassatter’s vision the respect it deserves.

“Aren’t you farting a lot,” Bi turns around and whispers.

“Honestly, no. I haven’t once.”

“What,” Jerri asks, surprised but still whispering.

“I haven’t been able to fart once since this started.”

“That’s weird,” Bi whispers.

“Are you okay,” Jerri whispers.

“What are y’all whispering about,” Michaela asks at full volume.

“We just didn’t want to interrupt the movie,” Jerri explains.

“I don’t give a shit about this movie,” Michaela says, “What’s going on?”

“Colby can’t fart,” Bi tells her.

“Bi,” Colby protests.

“What about all those beans you been eating,” Michaela asks.

“Nothing,” Colby tells her.

“Do you feel sick,” Michaela asks.

“No, I just can’t fart.”

“So, you’re just eating beans for the fun of it,” Bi asks.

“Col-beans,” Michaela calls him.

“Colbeans,” Jerri and Bi both laugh-shout.

Colby just smiles and appreciates they’re all having a good time, despite it being at his expense.

“You know we’re just joshin you, Colbeans,” Michaela says.

“Yes, I am a veteran in this,” he says, looking over at a grinning Jerri.

“You know we love you, buddy,” Jerri tells him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I know,” Colby says, gently resting his hand atop Jerri’s and for a moment they gaze at one another.

“So,” Michaela says, “Should we talk about the final four?”

“I’d be happy with this four,” Bi says.

“I’m on board,” Jerri says.

“Absolutely,” Colby agrees, “I guess the next question is, who are we targeting next tribal?”

“Well, it seems Lauren’s the glue over there,” Bi says.

“Ken’ll be mad,” Michaela says.

“Ken will get over it, then he’ll come running back to us. Wendy and Kass aren’t going to comfort him. We use him to take out Kass, then Wendy, then we take him out and voila we’re the Final Four,” Bi says, putting her hand in the center of the four of them.

“Makes sense to me,” Michaela says, putting her hand on Bi’s.

“Sure,” Jerri says, placing her hand atop Michaela’s.

“Should we come up with a name,” Colby asks, putting his hand in.

“The McQueens,” Bi says, overhearing Mater cheer for his friend Lightning McQueen as he leads the pack around a bend in a canyon.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a river digs away at the land for years on end.

Back in town, Ken and Lauren sit together on the bench he built. Wendy sits on the next closest boulder. Kass pokes an ember with a long stick around the fire.

“So, who’s the next target, Lauren,” Kass asks without making eye contact.

“Oh, I’m not in charge...”

“You’ve got a captive audience right here if you want to present anything,” Kass tells her.

Everyone looks at her expectantly.

She sits up straight and says, “Okay, what about… Colby?”

“Big move,” Ken says.

“But, we could do it. The four of us stay strong. They can put their votes on whoever, as long as they don’t play an idol or anything--”

“What if Colby wins immunity,” Kass asks.

“Then we put all our votes on Jerri.”

“I don’t want to vote for Jerri,” Wendy argues.

“Okay,” Lauren thinks it over, “Bi? Is anyone close with Bi?”

“I’m not worried about her,” Kass says.

“She’s smart,” Lauren says.

“She’s not a jury threat,” Kass explains.

“Ken,” Lauren says, turning her attention toward him, “Would you vote for Michaela?”

“Michaela and I… are close...”

“It might be our only option,” Lauren says, “You need to take her out before she takes you out.”

“I don’t think she’d do that.”

“Are you sure,” Kass asks, “She’s gotten awful close to Colby.”

Ken tilts his head back and forth as he considers Kass and Lauren’s proposal.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a cactus’ bloom wilts under the ceaseless sun.

The McQueens return to town after their viewing of Cars 2. Michaela follows Ken into the saloon. Ken sits at the piano and slowly plays a single note over and over as he droops his head over the keys.

“What’s going on, bud,” Michaela asks, taking a nearby seat.

“They’re coming after you.”

“Who?”

“Lauren and Kass.”

“Are you gonna vote with Lauren?”

“I don’t know. Who are you guys targeting?”

Michaela drops her head in a similar way and says, “Lauren.”

“Aw, man. What?”

“Bi thinks she’s the glue between y’all.”

“Bi thinks she can just take out whoever she wants.”

“What do you think of this? Me, you, and Lauren, plus Jerri and Colby take out Bi right now.”

Ken nods his head back and forth as he thinks it over.

“She’s gonna take everyone out one by one until she makes it to the end. We take her out right now, Kass after that, then Wendy, then it’s us and our friends in the Final Five. We just gotta stay strong.”

“I like the sound of that.”

In a talking head, Ken says, “You know, Michaela’s a smart girl. So, that’s the problem... She’s a huge threat... Good at competitions... She’s a smart chick… It’s a tough game. It’s a really tough game.”

The next morning, Colby hikes through the Mojave Desert with Jerri and Michaela to collect Tree Mail.

“I know we just made a Final Four deal with Bi,” Michaela says, “but I can’t trust her after her taking out Wardog like that.”

“Sure,” Colby says, “That makes sense.”

“You talk to Ken already?”

“Yeah, he’s on board.”

“Let’s hope she doesn’t win immunity,” Colby says.

“Yeah, it’s about time you won one yourself,” Jerri says, slapping Colby’s back.

“I’ll say. It’s been 20 years since I last won one,” Colby says.

“Oh, it’s only been about 9 days for me,” Jerri teases.

“Yeah, it’s been like eleven or twelve for me,” Michaela piles on, “but for real, I need it tonight. They’re coming for me.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a rock teeters on the edge of a cliff.

When they return to camp, Michaela stands beside and just behind Colby as he reads the Tree Mail to the tribe around the morning fire.

“Robbery,” Michaela finishes.

Colby assumes the same rhyme and points a finger gun at Michaela.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a train track stretches across miles.

The final eight meet Jeff outside the train station. Jeff wears a conductor’s cap & overalls as he explains the challenge to them.

“This challenge is called The Eight Train Robbery. Each of you will be carrying a sack with you. First, you will have to untie and unlock a briefcase. The key is somewhere inside the train station. Once your briefcase is opened, you are free to take as much cash from it as you want. But, you’ll want to be quick because a train will be coming to town five minutes after the challenge starts. The train will be refueled with coal while stationed here. You have until the engine is filled to get onto the open box car before the train leaves. If the train leaves before you get on, you’re out. Inside the box car, you will find a chest with your name on it. It is locked with a combination lock. Figure out the combination and collect the chest’s contents. Then, climb the ladder. On top of the box car, you will find a dummy that is half your starting weight. Throw the dummy off the top of the train. Once the first person throws their dummy off the train, the train will slow to a stop and the conductor will unlatch the engine from the rest of the train. You have until the engine is completely removed to get your dummy off the top. If you can’t do it in time, you’re out. The rest of you will have the opportunity to run through the train and collect as much cash as you can before the engine leaves again. The first four people on the engine will move on to the next round. The engine will drop them with four horses. They will then race to the finish line. The first three people across the finish line will have their money counted. Whoever collected, and held onto, the most money throughout the challenge, wins immunity and has a one in SEVEN shot at winning this game. I’ll give you a minute to strategize and we’ll get started.”

The final eight contestants stand in front of eight dummies wearing a vest over a puffy white shirt inside the station. The dummy’s ankles are tied together and his hands are tied behind his back. In the dummy’s hands, behind his back, he’s holding a briefcase. Jeff calls for the challenge to begin. They begin untying the knots. Colby drops his dummy on the ground to get a better angle on the knots. The rest of the tribe follows suit after its proved successful. Colby is the first to untie, followed closely by Wendy, then Bi. Colby checks the ankles, but sees nothing. Finally, he notices a box hanging next to the door. He rushes over and reaches inside to find the key with his name. He returns to his dummy, where he left his briefcase. Meanwhile, Wendy and Bi both brought their briefcases with them while retrieving their keys. As soon as hers is open, Bi flips the suitcase over her sack. Bills fly everywhere, many of them not making it into her bag. She doesn’t seem to care as the train is already refueling.

Colby runs into the box car and finds the chest with his name. It’s locked with a combination. He looks around the boxcar for four digits anywhere. Next to him arrives Bi. She sees the combination lock, then immediately looks in her sack. She pulls out a handful of bills and notices they all show the same scene: Pocahontas marrying John Rolfe. Each bill was printed in 1865. Bi inputs 1-8-6-5 and it opens. Inside the chest is more cash. Bi tips the chest into her sack and rushes to the ladder, climbing to the top. Wendy implements a similar strategy. Meanwhile, Colby is taking his time to make sure he gets as much cash as he can before he has to leave. He successfully transfers all the bills that had been carefully placed in the briefcase into his sack.

Meanwhile, Ken, Michaela, Lauren, Jerri and Kass have all begun unlocking their chests when the train begins to slow. Colby has made his way to the top, where he sees Wendy and Bi have both thrown their weight off the top. Colby does the same. Michaela, Jerri and Kass shake as much cash as they can into their sacks and head to the top of the train. Ken and Lauren remain in the boxcar alone as the train slows to a walking speed.

“You need to win this,” Ken says.

“What?”

“They’re gunning for you. Take my money.”

“What? No! You keep it. You can still win this.”

“You’ll have more than anyone else if you take mine,” he says, handing her his open briefcase.

She opens her sack and together they pour all their cash into her burlap sack. She rushes to the ladder and throws her dummy off the roof just as the conductor removes the train from the engine.

The remaining competitors line up behind the caboose. Wearing a conductor’s uniform, Jeff holds his arm in the air and announces, “Survivors ready? Go!”

They rush into the caboose and look around for hidden cash. Bi is the first to realize there’s nothing to find in the caboose and runs into the next car. Colby is quick behind her, followed by everyone else soon after.

In the next car, they find more dummies. Each of them wearing fancy tuxedos and gowns. Those in tuxedos smoke cigars. Those in gowns clutch their rhinestones. Bi opens a purse and dumps its contents into her sack. Colby reaches inside a tuxedo and pulls out a money clip. Kass finds a wallet. Michaela finds a purse with some cash. Wendy runs past and into the next car where she has first dibs of all the dummies. She grabs some cash from various pockets before her competition runs in. She runs off into the next car while everyone searches the dummies for any remaining cash.

Bi is the first, after Wendy, to the next car. Then, Colby, who is followed closely by Jerri. They all rummage through the dummies when Kass and Michaela join them. They all turn their attention to the engine 50 yards ahead. Bi is already almost there. Wendy is nearly halfway. Everyone else races for the final two spots on the engine.

Bi is the first to the engine. Wendy climbs aboard shortly thereafter. Colby takes the third spot. The three of them look over the back of the engine to see Michaela outpacing Jerri, but behind either of them is Lauren. She takes long, quick strides and passes Kass, then Jerri, then, despite being the last out of the train, she passes Michaela and claims the fourth and final spot on the engine. The conductor blows the whistle and the engine moves forward.

The engine stops where four horses wait. Colby, Lauren, Bi, and Wendy take their places in line with their horses. Jeff raises his arm and says, “Survivors ready? Go!”

The four horses are off! Bi takes a quick lead but Colby is determined behind her. He’s sure to not overwhelm his horse and keeps a steady pace. Wendy is close behind, giving her horse clear direction. Lauren falls behind. Her long legs make for an awkward fit on the horse’s back so it's hard to control. Colby’s pacing has worked out and he’s now directly behind Bi and her horse. He drops his shoulders slowly and presses his spurs into his horse’s sides. The horse giddies up and takes first place with just 30 yards remaining. As the finish line draws nearer, he hears the trots of another horse approaching. He quickly glances behind him and sees Wendy and her horse sprinting ahead. They are gaining speed faster than Colby and his horse can. Wendy passes them by and crosses the finish line first. Colby is next to cross soon after, followed closely by Bi. A few seconds later, Lauren crosses the finish line fourth and is eliminated.

The tribe meets again in the train station where Bi, Colby, and Wendy count the money they collected. Bi pulls out all her money, totaling “Ten Thousand and Eighty One dollars,” Jeff tells them.

Wendy empties her sack to the tune of “Twelve Thousand, Four Hundred Eleven Dollars.”

Everyone is shocked and applauds. Bi and Kass both side eye Colby as he looks around nervously. He giggles, certain he hasn’t beaten Wendy for a third time in a row.

“Twelve Thousand, Four Hundred And…” Jeff pauses, “Eighteen Dollars. Colby wins immunity!”

“Oh, man,” Colby says, “you had me going there, Jeff.”

“Congratulations, Colby,” Jeff says as he places the bandolier over Colby’s shoulder.

“Well done,” Michaela says.

Colby points a finger gun at her, winks, and fires.

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a tortoise takes a step.

Back in town, Colby places the bandolier over the bar. He pours himself a whiskey as everyone congratulates him. Bi and Kass take a seat at the bar.

“She almost won again, Colbster,” Kass says.

“Wendy,” he asks.

“That would have been three in a row,” Kass says.

“How long has it been since you won one of those,” Bi asks, nodding up to the bandolier over his shoulder.

“Twenty Years.”

“So, I was like twelve years old the last time you won.”

“Okay, yes, Colby’s old now. What’s your point,” he asks.

“If we don’t take out Wendy now, what’s to stop her from getting to the end and winning. Isn’t that what you did?”

“I did more than just win immunity challenges, Kass.”

“Like, what?”

“I formed strong bonds with the people in the game.”

“You mean like Wendy’s doing,” Kass asks.

Wendy sits on the bench in the shade and plays with an ember in the fire when Ken and Lauren approach and take a seat next to her.

“Hey, Wendy,” Lauren says.

“Hey guys,” Wendy says.

“We’re all still on board for Michaela, right,” Lauren asks.

“Well,” Ken says, “What about Bi?”

“Michaela’s too smart, man,” Lauren says, “We have to take her out now. Before she expects it.”

Somewhere in the Mojave Desert, a ringtail cat crawls across some rocks.

As the moon illuminates the night sky, the final eight ride their horses to tribal council. Jeff approaches the campfire on his clydesdale, followed by the jury on their five akhal-tekes. They align their horses behind the remaining tribe members in a star shape. Jeff begins by asking Colby, “Colby, how long has it been since you’ve held individual immunity at tribal council?”

“Twenty years, Jeff. And I had been on quite the run then.”

“Five in a row,” Kass reminds them.

“That’s gotta be helpful, knowing you're safe so many tribals in a row,” Jeff says.

“Oh sure. Going on an immunity run is incredibly helpful, but that also means there’s a bigger target on you when you’re not immune. It’s a real double-edged sword.”

“Wendy,” Jeff says, “This is the first time you’re not immune in a few tribal councils. Does what Colby said make you nervous for tonight?”

“Oh, nooo. I understand where Colby is coming from, but I think I’ve built enough quality friendships that they don’t want to see me go!”

Jeff doesn’t respond with a followup question. Instead, he just smiles, appreciating Wendy’s exuberance.

“Everybody loves, Wendy, Jeff,” Kass says. “It would be silly to get rid of her.”

“Lauren,” Jeff says, “You made it pretty far in the immunity challenge.”

“I would have won if I’d crossed the finish line in time.”

“You had collected more money?”

“Yeah, Ken helped me a bit in the beginning.”

“Last I heard,” Jeff says, “You two were just friends? Is that still the case?”

“I mean,” Lauren coyly says, “What is a ‘friend’ on Survivor?”

“That’s a good question,” Jeff asks, “What is a friend on Survivor?”

“I think we’re all friends,” Wendy says. “I hope, at least.”

“A friend is someone you can trust implicitly,” Michaela says “in and out of the game.”

“Do you feel there are people in this game you can trust implicitly,” Jeff asks.

“How long have you been doin this show,” Michaela jokes, then, “But really, I do. At least, I hope so. This game, ultimately, is about building relationships.”

“Alright, with that, it is time to vote. Kass, you’re up first.”

Kass makes her way into the cave and casts her vote for Wendy. When she returns to the tribe, Ken makes his way inside, then, Colby. Jerri casts and shows her vote for Bi. Michaela follows her. Bi casts her vote. Lauren casts her vote for Michaela. Wendy makes her vote. Jeff tells them he’ll go tally the votes. When he returns, he says, “If anyone has the hidden immunity idol, and you want to play it, now would be the time to do so.”

Michaela looks around her fellow tribe members, then back to Jeff, who reads the first vote. “Michaela,” he announces. Her head drops.

“Michaela,” Jeff continues.

Michaela looks around, trying to deduce the author of the votes. Jeff reads the third vote, “Michaela.”

Ken’s head drops. Michaela’s brow furrows.

“Bi,” Jeff continues, “Bi, Wendy.”

Wendy’s head darts around as Kass grins.

“Wendy.”

Bi grins and looks over at Colby, who adjusts his hat as he looks at the sand.

Jeff reads the eighth vote, “Wendy.”

“What?!” Jerri and Michaela simultaneously yell, turning to Colby.

“We’re tied. We will revote. Wendy and Michaela will not vote,” Jeff says. He passes the urn to Colby who brings it back into the cave. Colby casts his vote, followed by the other five voters. Jeff tallies the votes and returns to the campfire.

“I’ll read the votes,” he says, “Wendy, Michaela, Wendy, Michaela, We’re Tied. Two votes each.”

Michaela bounces her knee as she stares down Jeff. Wendy grabs Jerri’s hand.

“Wendy,” Jeff reads.

Wendy clutches Jerri’s hand tighter. Jerri wraps her other hand around Wendy’s wrist and runs her thumb over her skin. Michaela has turned her attention to Colby. She stares at him with untrusting, yet hopeful, eyes.

Jeff opens the final vote, “Thirteenth person voted out of Survivor: Wild West and sixth member of the jury, Wendy.”

Jerri hugs Wendy tight as she says goodbye. Wendy grabs her torch and makes her way to Jeff.

“Wendy,” he says, “the tribe has spoken.”

She hugs him and says, “I’m just happy to get to go to Ponderosa this time!”

He laughs and says, “It’s time for you to go.”

Wendy rides her quarter horse toward the horizon as the final seven get back on their horses and head back to town.

“We didn’t need to do all that,” Michaela tells Colby as she gets on her horse.

“I’m sorry.” Colby says genuinely.

“Yeah,” Michaela says, riding off.

Michaela and Jerri voted for Bi on the first vote. Lauren, Ken and Wendy voted for Michaela on the first vote. Bi, Kass and Colby voted for Wendy on the first vote. On the revote, Jerri switched her vote to Wendy.

Read Episode 13 here

#michaela bradshaw #Jerri Manthey #wendy diaz #bi nguyen #ken mcnickle #Lauren O'Connell #colby donaldson #kass mcquillen #survivor #survivor wild west #edge of extinction #david vs goliath #millennials vs gen x #the australian outback

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