Endurance: Koror Palau

[amplify26]

I agree with y'all on Amy. She seems like a ball of fire.

[kwdrewfan]

I'm sorry I basically went MIA this past week!! I'm working on posting the new chapter now, and hopefully after that I should be back on schedule.

[kwdrewfan]

Immediately the final 4 teams are shown walking up to the Flatlands. As soon as they see a series of giant 14ft. walls, some of their jaws drop and they start to whisper excitedly.
They come to a stop in front of JD.
He grins: “Good afternoon. I see you’ve already noticed your challenge for today; it’s called Flag Maze. Inside those walls is a gigantic maze that you and your partner will have to navigate while tied together at the waist. Scattered throughout the maze there are 4 team-colored flags for each of you; you’ll have to find all of your flags and bring them back out here, one at a time, to place on your team’s stand. First team to collect and bring back all of their flags wins the Temple mission, immunity from the Temple of Fate, and the power to send two other teams up. Blue team; (camera shows Erin & Patrick) since Orange gave you an advantage in this challenge, you only need to bring back 3 flags in order to win.”
The Blue team nods.
JD places his hands on his hips: “Alright. Go ahead and get ready everyone.”
Before the challenge starts, the camera shows Orange team; a production assistant instructs Jackson to step into a loop of rope, which is then brought up to his waist and tightened. He looks over at Cassie from across the short length of knotted rope between them and laughs.
Jackson: “This is amazing!”
Cassie nods and giggles back.
A bit of a time jump later and all the teams are lined up at the start of the maze.
JD: “Okay everyone, on your mark… get set… GO!”
And they’re off!
Almost immediately Patrick and Erin nearly trip over each other and have to grab hold of the wall to steady themselves.
Erin: “Shoot! We can do this!”
The Orange team comes to a four-way intersection, and Cassie points left.
Jackson: (under his breath) “Okay, we’ve gone right, right, left. Right right left.”
Amy: (points) “Straight! Straight straight! There’s one!”
They approach a board that’s nailed into the wall, where 4 different colored flags protrude. Robert picks out the red one.
Robert: “Got it!”
The Gray team stops in the middle of an intersection to look around.
Kennedy: “Do you have any idea where we are?”
Ace takes a moment, then frowns: “…No. Let’s keep going straight.”
Cassie: (pointing) “Ooh, Jackson, are those flags?”
Jackson: “Yeah, yeah I think so!”
The Red team reaches the entrance to the maze and places the first flag in their stand.
JD: “Red team has their first flag!”
Camera shows Cassie removing the orange flag from the board: “Okay, go!”
She and Jackson take off in the direction they came from.
Erin: “Patrick, we’ve just been against the wall the whole time. Let’s turn here.”
Patrick: “No, no, there’s gotta be one out here. Trust me.”
Erin tries to reach out towards the gap in the right wall: “I really think we should turn…”
Patrick: “We’ll come back for it. I promise.”
Back at the maze entrance…
JD: “Here comes Orange with their first flag!”
The Orange team places their flag and starts back into the maze.
Kennedy looks up in surprise: “How the heck do two teams already have a flag back…?”
Ace trudges forward: “I don’t know, but let’s keep moving. I think I see something up here.”
The Blue team finds a board with flags in the back corner of the maze.
Patrick: “Ahhh, yeah baby!”
He pulls it out and they start heading for the entrance.
Robert & Amy, who are right in the center of the maze, find another flag board.
JD: “It sounds like both the Blue and Red teams have found a flag! Who will get here first?”
The Orange team is passing by another intersection, when Jackson taps on Cassie’s arm.
Jackson: “Cassie, over there!”
He points to a flag board that’s missing a Red flag, as it is the first one that the Red team found. They start running towards it and Jackson pulls out their flag, just as the Red team arrives back at the entrance.
JD: “Here comes Red with their second flag. And there’s Blue right behind them!”
Erin and Patrick jog out of the maze as the Red team starts to head back in.
Camera shows Kennedy letting out a laugh while turning a corner with Ace: “We’re doing so bad!”
Ace also laughs a little, rubbing his face with his hand: “I knoow.”
Time Elapsed: 8 mins 57 secs… 58… 59…
JD: “You guys have been going for nine minutes now! Keep it up, it’s about to get a lot harder to keep your energy going.”
Team Standings – Blue: 1/3 Gray: 0/4 Red: 2/4 Orange: 1/4
Cassie: “Where are we? This isn’t where… we’ve never been here before.”
Jackson: “I know… let me think…”
Kennedy points down a hallway at a flag board: “ACE!!”
Ace can’t help giggling as they jog towards their first flag. He pulls it out, brandishing it to his partner with an over-excited “Yaaay!”
Patrick sounds a little out of breath: “Erin, where did you say you wanted to turn?”
Erin: “It doesn’t matter now, but I think it was.. (she points) I think it was that one.”
Patrick claps his hands together and bounces a little: “Alright, let’s go.”
Amy points over her shoulder: “Robert, I’m almost positive there’s one back there.”
Robert furrows his brows in confusion: “Why –? How do you know?”
Amy: “I don’t know, just come with me!!”
The Orange team finally finds their way back to the maze entrance and they place their second flag.
JD: “Orange just got another flag. And here’s Gray with their first! (the Gray team puts their first flag in the gray stand) Everybody’s doing a nice job.”
Time Elapsed: 13 mins 31 secs… 32… 33…
The Red team approaches the same board Blue found in the back corner of the maze.
Amy jumps up & down as they start towards it: “I TOLD YOU! And I know how to get back from here. Let’s move.”
Patrick yanks another blue flag out of its board; he & Erin then take off down the hallway they came from.
The Gray team has pretty much slowed to walking. Ace adjusts the rope around his waist: “This is insane. We’ve been in here forever and we’ve only come across ONE board.”
Kennedy: “We must be going in circles or something.”
Red and Blue dart out of the maze at the same time, though Blue gets their flag placed first. But Red is right behind!
JD: “This is a pretty close race; Blue team, who had an advantage in this challenge to start with, versus Red, who’ve been flying through this maze.”
Team Standings – Blue: 2/3 Gray: 1/4 Red: 3/4 Orange: 2/4
Camera shows the Gray team finally find another flag board, and then Orange does the same.
JD: “Gray and Orange are each on their way back with another flag, but they’ll have a lot of catching up to do if they want to overtake the Red & Blue teams.”
Amy: “Uuggh! Where haven’t we looked?”
Robert points down a hallway to the left: “That way?”
They jog off in that direction and meanwhile, Blue is on the other end of the maze.
Patrick: “You realize that we have to win this, right?”
Erin pants and nods: “Yeah.”
Jackson and Cassie arrive at a wall.
Jackson: “Dead end. Turn around!”
The Red team rounds a corner…
Amy: “YES! YES, Robert, there it is!!”
They run over to the flag and JD announces: “It looks like the Red team has their final flag! But can they make it back in time before Blue finds theirs?”
Patrick smacks the wall in the midst of running down a long corridor: “Dang it! We’ve gotta do this!”
Ace gives Kennedy a half-hearted low-five: “We’re out. Come on, let’s go back.”
Kennedy follows him to the start of the maze, where they exit just behind the Red team. Robert slips their final flag into place…
JD: “Red team! Wins the challenge, and the power to send two teams to the Temple of Fate!”
Amy screams, leaping to hug Robert so that her feet aren’t even on the ground.
Ace and Kennedy come up behind them, clapping, before the shot skips ahead to when JD is standing next to the Red team in front of all the other kids.
JD: “Congratulations to the Red team for finally winning a mission on their own; you won when you really needed to! Now you’ve got a very big decision to make. (he gestures towards the three other teams) You can only save one team over there from going to the Temple of Fate, so choose wisely; you won’t want to make the wrong decision this one. I’ll see you all at sunset.”
JD jogs away from the group as the kids start to congratulate Red on their win.

A few shots of the beach and cabins are shown before the camera settles in on Amy and Robert, sitting across from each other in the grass surrounding the huts.
Amy reaches up for a double high-five with her partner and then locks their fingers together: “We’re in the final 3!!!”
Robert smiles a little awkwardly, albeit widely, and looks down at the ground: “I know, I’m so excited! I can’t believe it.”
Int. Robert: “When Amy first picked me as her partner, I never thought we would make it this far. I may not always agree with her or how she handles things, but what I thought was a curse actually turned out to be a really, really good thing for me.”
Amy sits up on her knees, tossing her hair over her shoulder: “Okay, so here’s what I’m thinking; we send Blue and Gray. –”
Robert: “Gray? You want to send Gray?”
Amy holds up her hand: “– Yes, listen to me; I want to send Gray because they’re a strong team. After this round there is no more choosing who to send to Temple. There can’t be, I mean there’s only 3 teams left. Right? Doesn’t that make sense?”
Robert: “Yeah…”
Amy: “So we don’t have to worry about retaliation. I’m here to win. And to do that we need to get rid of our strongest competitors.”
There’s a pause.
Robert: “…I hear you, Amy, but I feel bad about it.”
Amy makes a face: “Why do you feel bad?”
Robert: “Because! We’ve technically been in an alliance with Gray for a long time, and they haven’t done anything to hurt OUR game –”
Amy: “Because they never had the chance.”
Robert: “– And I would rather be in the finals with them than with Orange or Blue.”
Amy: “Well I would rather be in the finals with anybody than not at all.”
Robert sits back: “I don’t know… I need to think about it.”
Amy looks away from him, rolling her eyes. She stands and tugs at her shirt: “Okay. That’s fine.”
Conf. Amy: “I don’t know what’s gotten into him. Suddenly he’s all ‘oh, let’s stay loyal to the Gray team!’, when I know very well that if given the opportunity, Gray team would have dropped us like (she snaps) that! (cut) I want to win. And getting rid of either Gray or Blue is our ticket to doing that.”

Robert sits next to Ace and Kennedy on the steps to the front porch of the cabins.
Robert: (he keeps his voice low) “So… Amy really wants to send you guys. With Blue.”
Ace looks over at Kennedy: “Agh. I told you they would.”
Kennedy keeps her eyes trained on Robert: “But you don’t want to?”
Robert: “No, not really.. since Leo left I’m the closest with you guys, and you haven’t done anything to hurt us this whole game, so. I just don’t like.. not repaying people, you know?”
Ace squeezes Robert’s shoulder: “Thanks, man. That really means a lot.”
Kennedy: “Do you think you can talk her out of it?”
Robert: “I don’t know. I’m trying. I’m reminding her that… you know… you’re the only team that won’t give us the samadhi next round, and.. stuff like that. (he looks up at the piece poles) She’s just so unpredictable. I don’t know if she’s gonna swing with it or not.”
Ace: “Yeah..”
Kennedy stretches: “I hope she does.”
Ace: “Me too. I don’t want to go to Temple.”

Camera closes in on the Blue and Orange teams sitting together on the beach.
Patrick tugs at a piece of twine in his fingers: “Well. Whoever ends up going up tonight, I think we need to agree right now to give our pieces to each other.”
Jackson: “Oh, that’s already decided. You guys are definitely getting our pieces.”
Cassie: “Even if you don’t go up and we do, they’re all – they’re still going to you.”
Erin laughs a bit: “Riiight. No, we’re definitely going. We’re like, a lock to go up.”
Jackson shrugs: “Unless Amy totally loses her mind or something.. (he starts to chuckle intermittently) and sends.. us.. and Gray.”
Patrick rolls his eyes with a grin.
Erin: “Yeah, cause that’s gonna happen. Amy hates me.”
Cassie: “I thought you guys settled that?”
Erin: “We did, sort of. I mean… we did, but… not really.” (she chuckles dryly)
Int. Erin: “Red team is going to send two teams up to Temple tonight, and I’m feeling pretty sure that Patrick and I are going. Again. Between being one of the stronger teams –”
B&W shot of the Blue team winning in ‘Hot Potato’.
V.O. Erin: “– And the whole.. blowout between me and Amy –”
B&W shot of Erin & Amy on the beach… “I don’t know what I did to make you hate me!!” “I never said that I hate you!! I’M JUST TRYING TO PLAY THE GAME!”
Int. Erin: “I just… (she slowly shakes her head) I really think we’re going tonight.”
Int. Jackson: “Blue is pretty much for sure going to the Temple of Fate tonight, which really stinks because they’re Orange’s closest ally at this point. But there’s a very good chance that we could be going, too, so either way it’s – even if Gray goes, there’s definitely going to be a loss.”

The Blue, Orange and Gray teams are shown sitting on the front porch steps while Red stands with JD.
JD: “Alright, it’s about that time again; Red team, you won the last mission which means that you guys are safe from going to the Temple of Fate. You’ve had all afternoon to decide who isn’t safe, so let’s hear it; what is your final decision?”
Amy crosses her arms and shoots a pointed glance up at Robert, waiting for him to announce it.
He draws in a breath: “We’re really sorry, guys, but we’ve chosen to send……”
Camera closes in on the Orange, Blue and Gray teams individually, each teen on the edge of their seat…
Robert: “……the Blue and Orange teams.”
First we see Blue’s unsurprised but dejected faces, and Cassie covering her mouth with her hand. Then the camera switches to the Gray team, where Kennedy gasps in surprise and grabs Ace’s knee.
JD: “Orange team… Blue team… I’ll see you both in a few hours at the Temple of Fate, where one of you will be leaving the game forever. Go ahead and pack your things & say your goodbyes.”
While the rest of the kids are standing up, Patrick sarcastically lifts his eyebrows at Erin: “What a shock!”
Ace pats his friend’s shoulders as he passes, going to join the others who are filing into the huts.

Amy is hanging onto a bedpost next to where Cassie silently packs her bag.
Amy: “You know I wanted to send Gray instead of you guys.”
Cassie looks up at her: “Really? Why?”
Amy: “Because they’re strong! I pushed for Robert to get rid of them, but. He didn’t want to do that.”
Cassie awkwardly resumes her packing: “Oh. Well.. thanks, Amy.”
Kennedy watches this from the corner of the room, chewing absently on her lower lip.
In the boys’ hut, Patrick finishes zipping up his bag and tosses it over his shoulder. He makes his way over to where Jackson is stuffing his spare Endurance shirt into his pack.
Patrick holds out a hand: “You and me, man. I hate for it to end this way.”
Jackson claps his hand into Patrick’s and gives him a half-hug: “Yeah, this wasn’t supposed to happen. But may the best man win!”
Patrick laughs and ducks outside: “Oh yeah. Bring it onnn.”
The contestants’ interviews are played intermittently between shots of the kids hugging goodbye at the cabins, Orange & Blue grabbing their pyramid pieces, and making the long trip to Temple.
V.O. Jackson: “Well, this is our second time going to Temple; the first time worked out for us, but now it’s us versus Blue, and I don’t think any of us ever wanted that to happen. So we’ll see how it goes.”
V.O. Cassie: “Going to the Temple is a little scary, so I’m not happy about being sent up again. Especially against the Blue team. But… it’s a game, after all, and I really hope that Jackson and I can come back!”
V.O. Patrick: “Whoever goes home tonight, it’s gonna be a bummer for the other team – I’m close with Jackson, and I know Erin is good friends with Cassie, so. I’ll miss them, but I’m definitely hoping that victory will be on the Blue team’s side tonight.”
V.O. Erin: “I really want to win at Temple, but if I don’t I’ll be happy for Orange. And I hope they would feel the same way about us. But… Endurance has been such an awesome thing for me, for sure, so I’m glad for that.”
The teams walk up to the Temple of Fate moments after the sun has vanished from the sky.
Orange team selects the right side of the Temple, and Blue settles in on the left.
JD: “Welcome back, both of you… to the Temple of Fate. In front of you are three cauldrons; one contains water, one contains fire, and the other contains wood. You’ll pick up a rock and write down one of the three elements, and I will then throw your selections into the burning kettle. The elements will rise, we’ll reset and go again until one team wins at least 2 out of 3 rounds. Remember; fire burns wood, wood floats on water, and water puts out the fire. (he nods) Go ahead and grab your first rock.”
Both teams do so and turn their backs on the other.
Erin pulls off the lid to their marker and taps it thoughtfully on her chin: “I’m really feeling… fire?”
Patrick shrugs and gives Erin a serious look: “If that’s what you think is best.”
Erin: “I don’t know, though! We could also go for wood…”
Across the Temple…
Jackson: “If you’re feeling water, then let’s choose water. That’s what we did last time.”
Cassie looks at him for a moment, but she begins writing down the word ‘water’ on their rock.
JD collects their rocks: “Blue team… Orange team. I will now drop your selections into the burning kettle. (he steps forward and tosses them into the flames, shortly returning to his normal spot and observing both teams) Who has the dominant element?”
……………………………
Orange: Water
Blue: Wood
Erin’s mouth forms into an ‘O’ and she hugs Patrick in relief. The Orange team fixes their solemn stares on JD.
JD: “Blue, you chose wood; Orange, you chose water. Wood floats on water, that’s one win for the Blue team. (he turns to the Orange team) Orange, you have to win this next round to stay in the game. Go & grab your next rock, guys.”
Jackson does so as Cassie removes the lid from their marker.
Cassie: “Okay, it’s okay. We can still do this.”
Jackson nods: “Mhmm. Do you want to choose water again?”
Cassie contemplates this, marker tip touching their rock, but she doesn’t write anything down yet.
Erin looks up at her partner: “What are you thinking? Fire this time?”
Patrick glances across the Temple at the Orange team: “I don’t know. Maybe. Is that what you want?”
Erin: (giggling a bit, but visibly exasperated) “I don’t know! Stop asking me!”
Camera shows the Orange team’s rock with ‘Water’ written across it. Cassie turns it over in her hand.
JD steps over and takes their rock: “Alright, Orange team. (he approaches Blue, who is just now finishing up; Patrick gives him their rock) Blue. I will now drop your selections into the burning kettle before me. (he tosses the rocks into the fire) Now. Will the dominant element please rise now?”
…………………………….
Orange: Water
Blue: Fire
Cassie: “Oh my gosh!” (she hugs Jackson)
JD: “Orange team chose water; Blue chose fire. Water puts out the fire, and that’s the win Orange team needed to still have a fighting chance in this game. (he places his hands on his hips, turning to both teams) The next team to score a point will be returning to the game, and the other – will be leaving the island forever. (camera shows Erin & Patrick nod solemnly) Go ahead and pick up another rock.”
Cassie turns to her partner: “I really have no idea this time. You pick.”
Patrick hands Erin their final rock, leaning in to whisper: “Water.”
Erin: “Are you sure?”
Patrick nods: “Yep. Just do it.”
Erin begins to write down a ‘W’…
JD collects the Orange rock from Jackson: “Okay, Orange team. (he takes Blue team’s rock with a nod) Blue team. (JD tosses both rocks into the burning kettle; Cassie loops her arm through Jackson’s and watches anxiously) Will the elements chosen… please rise now?”
……………………….…
Orange: Fire
Blue: Water
Jackson rubs at the back of his neck and Cassie closes her eyes in disappointment. The Blue team hollers and leaps to hug each other!
JD: “Blue team, you picked water; Orange, you picked fire. Water puts out the fire, and that means Blue team – you’re still in it! (camera shows Erin & Patrick nodding and smiling widely) Orange team. –”
Shot of the Orange team with crestfallen expressions, Cassie’s arm draped across Jackson’s shoulders.
V.O. JD: “ – I’m sorry to say, you guys have just been eliminated from the game. But you two, being the smallest AND the youngest team, managed to make it all the way to the final 4 –”
JD: “ – and if that isn’t an accomplishment, I don’t know what is. You guys truly have a lot of heart. (he nods) Go grab your things & say goodbye to the Blue team.”
They do so and head across the Temple to hug Erin and Patrick.
Jackson: “Go win for us, guys.”
Erin: “We’re going to try! Love you guys!!”
Cassie’s eyes are turning glassy in the next shot: “Love you too!”
They go stand behind the fiery kettle.
3, 2, 1… The Orange Team disappears behind the flames.
JD: “As hard as I’m sure it is to see your close friends go home, the good news is; you guys are still in the game! Now head on back to camp. I’m sure the others will be excited to see who is returning.”
As they’re heading out, Patrick calls over his shoulder: “You rock, JD!”
JD laughs as they make their exit.

Back at camp, the Gray and Red teams sit around a fire, eager to see who is coming back from Temple…
As they run into view, Patrick yells out: “WE’RE BACK AGAIN, BABY!”
Ace stands up and claps for them; everybody else looks at least relatively excited to see the Blue team, except for Amy, who claps very slowly but feigns enthusiasm as she hugs Erin and Patrick.
The teams then file into the cabins for the night, excited to see what the final 3 would bring.

---

"Next time on Endurance! -"
"We're down to the final 3 teams! Red, Gray, and Blue..."
Alternating shots of the aforementioned teams as their color is spoken.
"And the stakes are becoming higher than ever, now that the contestants are so close to the end..."
JD speaks at The Ledge: "The two teams who don’t win tomorrow’s mission will automatically be sent up to Temple. So if there was ever a time for your team to win, this would definitely be it."
"...But there may be another small twist or two."
JD sits on the front porch of the cabins with the kids: "Do you remember when I said that Friendship was going to be an important theme this season? ...Well, you’re about to find out why that is."

---

The Red Team - Robert & Amy - Commitment, Strength, Ingenuity, Discipline
The Blue Team - Patrick & Erin - Trust, Teamwork
The Gray Team - Ace & Kennedy - Leadership, Perseverance, Friendship
The Orange Team - Jackson & Cassie - Heart, Courage, Knowledge
The Yellow Team - Leo & Serena
The Green Team - Chris & Anna
The Purple Team - Logan & Lydia

[amplify26]

Great! Congratulations to Red for their win (at last!)

I honestly can't wait for the finale.

[Cruise meerkat Youssy]

JACKSON/CASSIE </3333 I don't really like Blue team tbh... I'm Red or Gray all the way

[kwdrewfan]

The remaining kids are shown exiting the cabins and sitting on either side of JD on the porch steps.
JD: “Wow. Here we are. We’re down to the final 3 teams; Red, Blue, and Gray. You three have survived the Right to Stay, choosing partners, 4 eliminations, and have outlasted a total of 14 other contestants. You certainly have a lot to be proud of. Now, before we get to reading the Orange team’s letter (he holds it up for all to see) …I have a surprise for you guys.”
The players all look around at each other, some nervous and others excited.
Erin covers her mouth: “Oh no…”
JD: “Do you remember when I said that Friendship was going to be an important theme this season? (Ace, Kennedy and Erin nod) Well, you’re about to find out why that is.”
From the bottom of the stack of pyramid pieces on the ground, most of which were left behind by the Orange team, JD pulls up & reveals the Karma piece: “Since the start of this competition, after each team was eliminated, we asked everyone who their closest friends were here on Koror; which team, given the opportunity, would they want to gain an advantage in the final three. –”
Camera shows varying shots of Amy, Robert, Patrick and Kennedy staring at JD in surprise.
V.O. JD: “– Whichever team has received the most votes will get to add the Karma pyramid piece to their collection. (shot changes and he looks around at the kids) Are you ready to hear the results?”
Group: “Yeah…”
JD: “Alright. Blue team; you got…………… (camera closes in on Patrick & Erin’s anxious faces) ………2 votes.” (flashbacks show Jackson and Cassie voting for the Blue team)
Patrick glances over at Erin, both looking very unsure as to whether or not this is a good result.
JD: “Red team. You got…………… (camera shows Amy chewing nervously at her thumbnail, while Robert jumps his knee up & down) ………3 votes.” (flashbacks show Lydia, Serena and Leo voting for the Red team)
Amy immediately wraps her arms around Robert’s shoulders and gives him an excited hug!
JD: “That means Blue team, (camera changes to a disheartened Blue team) you will not be receiving the advantage of the Karma piece; it will be going to either Gray or Red. Gray team, (he turns to Ace & Kennedy, both of whom look very nervous) it all comes down to you guys. Were the friendships you made strong enough to win you the advantage over the Red team?”
Kennedy draws in her lip and looks over at Ace, squeezing his hand in anticipation.
JD: “Gray team. You got……………………… 1 vote.” (flashback shows Chris voting for the Gray team)
Kennedy lifts her eyebrows in disappointment and looks at Ace, mouthing to him: “Only 1?”
The Red team hugs again from their seats.
JD: “That means congratulations, Red team, your friendships with the eliminated teams have given you an advantage in this competition! (he passes the piece over to Robert) I’ll go ahead and give you this to hang up in a minute, but first, I’d like to read the note Orange team left behind.”
JD looks over at Patrick, who grins.
JD: “Patrick, would you do us the honors?”
Patrick accepts the letter and unfolds it: “Why certainly…
To the FINAL THREE teams!,
Congratulations on making it so far! We hope you miss us as much as we already miss all of you. To the Red team; our mortal enemies! Just kidding. We like you guys for the most part, just ended up on the wrong side of the alliances. Gray team; we are still upset that you weren’t totally honest with us, but there are no hard feelings as we consider you our friends. And lastly, the Blue team; some of our closest friends and loyal allies to the end! Our 3 pieces are yours.
Have a blast, everybody!
– The Orange team, Jackson and Cassie”
A smile spreads across Patrick’s face as he rolls up the note and looks over at their host, who takes the scroll from him.
JD: “Alright, Blue team! Orange’s three pieces – Heart, Courage, and Knowledge – are yours now. Go hang them up on your pole over there; Red, you can take up your Karma piece as well.”
Erin and Patrick gladly carry their new pyramid pieces and walk alongside the Red team up to the pillars. Gray looks on awkwardly as Red adds one more piece to their collection, and the Blue pole extends all the way to 5. Both teams return shortly to the porch steps.
JD: “Now the Red and Blue teams are tied for the lead with 5 pieces each; Gray team, you guys have 3. (he gives the remaining teams a sweeping glance) Your very last Endurance mission is today. There’s only one more piece up for grabs; the Luck piece. It will be given to the winner of today’s mission, along with the final samadhi of the season.”
Ace: (there’s a light grin on his face) “A bad samadhi, right?”
JD grins back: “A bad samadhi, that’s right. So go prepare for your next challenge, and I’ll meet you all tonight.. at the Temple of Fate.”
Suddenly the kids’ faces grow shocked, and Kennedy asks: “Wait.. what..?”
JD: “That’s right, your next Endurance mission will take place at the Temple of Fate. Tonight. You’ll learn more about what your mission is once you get there… so I’ll see you guys later.”
JD gets up to leave, and the contestants begin chatting in intrigue and confusion.

All 6 players are shown hanging out inside of the boys’ cabin.
Erin: “What do you guys think we’re doing tonight at the Temple?”
Robert shrugs from his spot next to Amy: “I don’t know…”
Amy: “I don’t know, either, and it’s driving me crazy! Why the Temple?”
Shot changes to a close-up of Ace: “It’s supposed to be a luck-based thing, too… I mean, I’m assuming, since it’s for the Luck piece.”
Patrick gives a defeated, half-hearted smile: “Great. I have terrible luck.”
Erin whacks him on the arm: “Patrick!”
Ace: “Well hey, you made it this far, didn’t you? You’ve survived Temple twice now.”
Patrick: “Yeah. You’re right, you’re right.”
Kennedy loops an arm around one of the bedposts: “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what the challenge is…”
The final shot of this scene is Erin looking up at Kennedy in slow motion and nodding in agreement.

There is a time-lapse showing the sun high in the sky, until it dips down below the horizon and the island is enveloped in darkness. We then see the teams making their way up to the Temple of Fate, where JD greets them from behind a large circular ‘playing board’ that appears etched into the stone floor. The three teams stand in a line across from JD.
JD: “Everyone. Welcome to your final Endurance mission of the season. I’m sure you’re all wondering how this game is played.”
Group: (some of them nod) “Yeah..”
JD: “If you look down, you’ll see a large circle which will be acting as your game board. There’s a starting space for all three teams, and extending from each starting space are five subsequent squares; your goal is to make it past all five squares until you’ve arrived at the center of the circle, where the samadhi and the Luck pyramid piece await you. To make it there and ultimately win the mission, you’ll have to answer a series of trivia questions about your time here on Endurance; some of these you may already know the answers to if your memory serves, but others will test your knowledge of the friends you’ve made in order to come up with the right answer. There’s also one more twist. (he holds up a small brown sack and reaches inside, bringing out a flat stone that is painted blue) Each of you will have a bag containing 6 stones, just like this one; 4 of them will be painted in your own team color, and the other two will be the colors of your opposing teams. If you draw your own color, you’ll have the opportunity to answer a trivia question, thus moving your team one space further in the circle; if you pull out one of the other two colors, then the question goes to that team, and they will answer the question instead. As the piece you’re playing for suggests, this game is all about luck – but it will also test your knowledge of the game and your fellow contestants as well. (he nods to the group) Is everyone ready to play?”
The teams all agree and select a starting space; Blue on the left, Red in the middle, and Gray on the right side of the circle. JD stands at the back with a set of index cards in his hand.
JD: “Alright, we held a random draw to determine which team gets to go first, and Gray, that team is you. Go ahead and grab your first rock.”
Kennedy looks at Ace, who nudges her on encouragingly, before she reaches her hand into their bag. She pulls out…………… a rock that is painted Blue.
Kennedy smacks her forehead, but the camera then switches over to a visibly pleased Erin.
JD: “Ohh! On the first draw, too. I’m sorry, Gray team, the first question goes over to Blue. Blue team, your question is: which team was the last to receive their starting pyramid piece?”
Patrick looks unsure, but Erin leans up to discuss: “Was it.. – it was either.. Red or Yellow…”
Patrick turns to JD: “…Yellow team?”
JD: “That is incorrect. The answer was Red. Blue team, you did not answer that question correctly, but you have another chance to move forward because it's your turn.”
Erin dips her arm into their bag, quickly retrieving……………… a rock that is painted Blue.
She smiles up at Patrick & drops the rock back into their bag as JD reads out their next question: “Alright… who was the first girl to fall during the Right to Stay mission?"
Erin leans up to whisper something to Patrick, who furrows his eyebrows for a moment, but then nods agreeably: “Was it Laurel?”
JD: “Incorrect; the answer was Rachel. Stay where you are, Blue team. (he turns to the Red team) Red; you’re up next. Go ahead & draw your first rock.”
Robert holds open their bag and extends it to Amy, a mild grin on his face as his teammate fervently swishes her arm around inside. Finally she draws out…………… a rock that is painted Red.
She briefly smiles up at Robert before dropping the stone back into their bag.
JD: “Okay, here we go Red: which item at the Endurance Auction was the only one to be withdrawn?”
Robert bends to whisper something to Amy, who nods at JD with confidence: “Partner switch.”
JD: “…That is correct. Take your first step into the circle.”
They move up to the first square in their path, and JD turns to the Gray team: “Gray, it’s your turn again. Please draw your next rock.”
Kennedy takes the bag from Ace and holds it out to him: “You do it this time.”
Ace reaches in with his eyes closed, moments later pulling out…………… a rock that is painted Gray.
Kennedy: “Aah, thank goodness!”
JD: “Gray team: which eliminated player was the only one to vote for Gray to receive the Karma piece?”
Kennedy’s jaw drops and she turns to Ace, with whom she goes over all of their options.
Ace: “Jackson and Cassie would have voted for Blue, I think. Yellow voted for Red… –”
Kennedy: “And Purple woulda voted between Yellow and Red.. so… Green? Which one?”
They talk it over for a few more seconds, and the camera flips between shots of the other two teams waiting with baited breath.
Finally Ace looks back at JD: “…was it… Chris? From the Green team?”
JD: “That is correct. (Ace & Kennedy sigh in relief) You may now take your first step into the circle… and we officially have a game.”
There’s a collage of the teams drawing rocks, & overhead shots of them moving forward into the circle. When we catch up to real time, Red only has 1 more space until they reach the end; Gray & Blue are both only one square behind.
JD: “We’ve been going for a while now… there have been a lot of missed questions, but all 3 teams are in it to win it, and anyone could at this point. Blue team, you’re next; please draw another rock.”
This time Erin holds out their bag and Patrick reaches in, shortly retracting his arm to reveal…………… a rock that is painted Gray.
Patrick lets his body swing backwards a bit: “Aww man!”
JD & the camera turn to the Gray team, where Kennedy clasps her hands with a hopeful expression.
JD: “Congratulations, Gray team, here’s your next question: in your first Endurance mission, Hot Potato, which team was the first to take the lead?”
Ace and Kennedy turn to each other, and Kennedy runs her fingers through her hair: “That was so long ago…”
Ace: “I know it was between Red and Blue, for most of it, but I think Orange did well, too…?”
Kennedy bites her lip, shaking her head in defeat.
Finally Ace turns back to JD, shrugging his shoulders: “Orange.”
JD: “That is correct! (cut to Ace widening his eyes, pleasantly surprised that they got it right) Gray team, go ahead and advance one more space in the circle.”
Ace and Kennedy take a step forward, now on their last square, just like Red is on theirs.
JD: “Since that was Blue team’s turn, Red; are you ready to draw your next rock?”
They both nod, and Robert holds out the bag to Amy once again.
She reaches in and pulls out……………… a rock that is painted Red.
JD: “Okay. This could be it for you guys; if you answer this question correctly, you will win the Endurance mission and the power of the samadhi. If not, then we’ll keep playing. (shot shows a jittery Amy and Robert standing together) Red team. Your question is: out of all the missions so far, Endurance and Temple; which is the only one that I did not announce the name of?”
Amy briefly drops her jaw before rolling her eyes and turning to her partner: “Are you kidding me?”
They talk it over, trying to name all of the missions, but have a hard time remembering a few of them.
Robert: “What do you want to say…? I mean, if the mission doesn’t have a name then how can.. we… (he pauses, a look of realization creeping onto his face, before he looks at Amy with eagerness) What about the Superteams?”
Without another word, Amy whirls her head around to face JD: “The Superteam mission?”
The silence that follows is almost unbearable.
JD: “That is………………………………… the correct answer, which means Red team – (Robert and Amy jump onto the center tile of the circle, the latter letting out a small victory screech) you guys have just won the mission, and the samadhi!”
Amy picks up the samadhi from its pedestal and lifts it triumphantly into the air, while Robert pumps his fist with excitement. There’s a brief shot of the Blue team, who numbly look on with disappointment.
JD joins the Red team in the middle of the circle: “You guys are on a roll! Now it’s up to you to make a decision regarding the samadhi; and the final pyramid piece – the Luck piece, here you go Robert (he hands him the piece) – is now in play. You guys have until tomorrow evening to decide what you want to do with the samadhi, so I’ll be seeing you all then.”
Camera zooms out to a birds-eye view of the Temple as JD makes his exit.

The Red team approaches their pillar, Luck piece in hand, where Robert bends down and pats it into place. He straightens up and gives his partner a short hug around her shoulders.
Int. Robert: “So we won the last Endurance mission, which is actually the last Endurance mission, so that gave us another piece and the samadhi. –”
Cut to a shot of Amy and Robert trudging away from the piece poles.
V.O. Robert: “– We’re in the lead now, we have six pieces; but I’m not really looking forward to having to give out the samadhi. That’s never.. really.. been my favorite part of the game.”

The next morning, Amy and Robert are shown walking towards the cove down by the beach.
Amy: “Okay. So we only have two teams to choose from, we’re in the final three, and I think it’s pretty clear who we need to give it to.”
Robert: “…Who?”
Amy thumps the side of her head, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world: “Gray!”
A reluctant grin slides onto Robert’s face: “I knew you were gonna say them.”
Amy: “Well, it makes the most sense. Blue hasn’t won anything in, like, ages. I don’t even know why people call them a ‘strong team’ or whatever. Gray is way more of a threat than they are at this point.”
Shot changes and Amy is now facing Robert, holding onto his arm and swinging with it a little: “I gave in last time. Please give the thing to Gray, Robert. Please please please.”
Robert: “Maybe! I don’t know yet…”
Amy: (whispering) “You want to win, don’t you?”
Robert: “…Yeah…”
Amy: (still whispered, but aggressively) “THEN GIVE IT TO GRAY.”
Robert: “Okay, I wanna talk to them first! Can I talk to them? Before we decide for sure?”
Amy shifts her weight and tries to tame her hair, in spite of the wind: “…I don’t see why that should matter, but fine. Whatever.”
Robert: “Thank you, Amy.”
He starts off in search of the Gray team, but his partner remains at the cove’s entrance, watching him go with her hands in her back pockets.
V.O. Amy: “Honestly I’m really tired of Robert’s whole… ‘faithful’ act to the Gray team. –”
Int. Amy: “– I mean. I like them too, but they’re our competition! We can’t just sit here and lie to ourselves and say that Blue is more dangerous than them, when they’re clearly not! And they haven’t been for a long time. –”
Slo-mo shot of Amy sweeping her hair up into a ponytail as she walks away from the camera, in the general direction of the boardwalk.
V.O. Amy: “– So I just need Robert to.. get his head out of the sand & come through for me on this one.”

Camera shows a few nature slides, including one of a salt water crocodile not too far off from the bay.
Int. Ace: “I kinda had a feeling, after the mission, that Amy would be gunning for us to receive the samadhi – so when Robert came to me about it, I really wasn’t surprised.”
Robert and Ace are walking away from the trees behind the huts, both of their eyes fixed on the ground.
Robert: “Amy really wants to give it to you, dude.”
Ace: “Yeah, I figured as much – (he looks up for a second) here, we need to find Kennedy. I want her to know what’s going on.”
Int. Ace: “Do I want to get the samadhi? (he makes a face) No! In fact, heck no. But I’m starting to run out of ideas on how exactly we can talk our way out of things anymore.”
They find Kennedy inside the girls’ cabin, so they all settle down on the floor.
Robert takes in a deep breath, eyes darting between his two friends: (slowly) “I just need to know… like… if we give the samadhi to you, are you going to be… okay with that?”
Ace: “…No.” (he dryly chuckles)
Kennedy bumps her partner’s shoulder with her own, but her downcast eyes give away that she feels the same.
There’s a long silence.
Robert: “…I’m sorry, guys.”
Kennedy: “You act like it’s already done.. like.. are you sure you can’t change her mind?”
Robert shrugs: “I can try. But I mean… she’s pretty adamant about it. And she already didn’t send you guys to Temple when she wanted to…”
Kennedy bites her lip with a relenting nod: “Yeah…”
The camera angle changes to a slightly overhead view; Kennedy shifts her position: “Well. You didn’t think you could convince her last time but you did. Maybe there’s still hope.”
Robert lets out a dubious huff of a laugh and pulls himself up: “Maybe. We’ll see what I can do.”
Int. Robert: “The biggest debate of Endurance has always been strategy, versus loyalty. And it all comes down to what’s ultimately going to work out for you & your team; but if I can get away with keeping up both ends, of strategy and loyalty – then that will always be my first choice.”
As Robert leaves the cabin, Ace shoots a worried glance at Kennedy: “I don’t think there’s anything we can do.”
Kennedy frowns: “I don’t, either. (there’s a pause, before she speaks again in what’s barely above a whisper) I hate this.”
Ace: “Me too.”
Int. Kennedy: “For the first time in this whole game, I feel powerless. Totally and completely powerless. There’s really nothing Ace and I can say to change Amy’s mind, so our fate is 100% in Robert’s hands right now. (she grits her teeth and crosses her fingers) Here’s hoping he can save us!”

The Blue team sits in the confessional booth, both radiating with an anxious energy.
Patrick: “So, uh, we’re about to head down.. to find out who’s getting the samadhi. It’s either got to be us or Gray.”
Erin: “Yeah, and we haven’t heard anything all day so we’re not… really… taking that as a good sign for us.”
Patrick looks over at her: “Or maybe it is.”
She pauses and looks back at him, shrugging her shoulders: “Maybe. I don’t know.”
Patrick: “We normally hear something from someone. But uh. Yeah, so… (he draws his lips together with nervous, widened eyes) …Here we go!”

The 3 teams are shown making the short journey to The Ledge, where they promptly take their seats and wait for JD to begin speaking.
JD: “Welcome back to The Ledge, for the very last time during your stay here. (camera shows Kennedy, who pokes her lip out at this announcement, followed by Erin & Patrick, both of whom look a little nostalgic) Red team won the Endurance mission, which means they’re in possession of the all-powerful samadhi. Now, since we’re so far into the competition; I have a proposition for you, Red team.”
Amy perks up with interest and Robert watches the host expectantly.
JD: “Often on the old show, around the final 3 we would give the winning team the option to actually remove the samadhi from the game, making it a fair fight for everyone in tomorrow’s Temple mission. (he nods at them, grinning slightly) That’s what I’m going to offer you guys; right here, right now. You can either choose to resume as we would in any normal round, and give the samadhi to either the Blue team or the Gray team; or you can throw this disadvantage out of the game entirely. It is up to you.”
Robert’s eyes widen and he turns to Amy, whispering things the other contestants cannot quite hear.
JD: “I’ll give you guys a couple of minutes to talk it over.”
Amy: (whispered) “No! We can’t –”
She leans closer to her teammate, who continues debating with her in a hushed voice… until finally, he nods in resignation and passes the samadhi to Amy.
JD lifts his eyebrows: “Amy?”
She tosses it between her hands, eyes locked on JD: “We’re still giving it to another team.”
JD: “Are you sure?”
They both nod, although Amy looks more pleased with this decision than Robert. Patrick turns his head towards Erin, raising one eyebrow and being met with a tight, uncertain grimace.
JD: “Alright. You’ve decided to keep the samadhi in the game, so now the only question is: who is it going to?”
Amy doesn’t hesitate to answer, holding it out in front of her: “Gray.”
Ace and Kennedy immediately look at each other; it’s clear that they both were expecting it.
JD: “Gray team. (he gestures) Come on up.”
Kennedy takes the samadhi from Amy, making her way up to the rock where JD is standing. Once there, she and Ace both place their hands on the samadhi and count down together from 3, before letting the breakable pot smash against the surface in front of them. Ace bends down to pick up the item that fell out, unraveling it and handing one end to Kennedy; spread between them is a sizeable length of rope.
JD: “What you’re holding onto right now is 10 feet of rope, which will have a negative effect on tomorrow’s mission for you guys. (he pauses, then turns to the other two teams) It’s going to be your final Temple mission, and for one team… the end of your experience here on Endurance. The two teams who don’t win tomorrow’s mission will automatically be sent up to Temple. So if there was ever a time for your team to win, this would definitely be it. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
JD nods at the six remaining players as they stand up and file towards the rock staircase leading back to the cabins.

---

"Next time on Endurance! -"
"There's only one episode left before the epic finale..."
Aerial shot of the kids hovering over what looks like team-colored rafts at the lake's shore, followed by Robert & Amy vigorously tugging at a rope.
"And nervous tensions are building higher than ever before..."
A confessional of Kennedy's: "It’s literally our last chance to secure ourselves a place in the finals, and I.. am.. shaking!"
Shot shows a hug between Erin & Kennedy with an emotional voiceover of Amy's: "It’s just hitting me how badly I want to win."
"Who will be the last team eliminated on Endurance: Koror Palau?"
A dramatic time lapse heads into the Temple of Fate, before switching shots & closing out on an overhead view.

---

The Red Team - Robert & Amy - Commitment, Strength, Ingenuity, Discipline, Karma, Luck
The Blue Team - Patrick & Erin - Trust, Teamwork, Heart, Courage, Knowledge
The Gray Team - Ace & Kennedy - Leadership, Perseverance, Friendship
The Orange Team - Jackson & Cassie
The Yellow Team - Leo & Serena
The Green Team - Chris & Anna
The Purple Team - Logan & Lydia

[amplify26]

Pretty good episode!

The twist: At least nobody got zero votes, so that means all the teams were liked, to some extent. (Don't blow the advantage, Red Team!)

The challenge: What a shocking twist! Curiously, it reminded me on how on the final episode of the Amazing Race, the final three teams would to a challenge of sorts based on their adventures and the people who they met. And the Temple of Fate...wow.

The Samadhi: Amy reminded me, a little bit, of Daniela insisting on giving the Samadhi to Green (even though the characters and circumstances are really different.) That being said, Amy is justified with her decision, especially because it's the final three and you can't save anyone anymore.

This is bound to get interesting!

[Cruise meerkat Youssy]

Amy is so ruthless <3 lmfao I loooove her. I lowkey hope she wins although I wouldn't mind Gray team winning. Like Blue hasn't done anything WRONG... I just don't like them LMFAO

I FREAKING LOVED THIS MISSION!!!

[kwdrewfan]

Fun fact; this mission actually came from a dream I had once where I was in the final 3 on Endurance! I remember it took place at the Temple of Fate, and it was at night, and it was so incredibly epic & atmospheric I knew I had to include it in this story.

[kwdrewfan]

Camera shows Patrick joining his partner, who leans against the railing on the boardwalk.
He comes to a stop next to Erin: “How glad are you we didn’t get the samadhi?”
Erin grins and leans back in relief: “Soo glad!”
Int. Erin: “I honestly thought that the Red team was going to give the samadhi to me and Patrick, so when they announced that it was going to Gray instead, I was like –! (she makes a faux shocked face) It was so great, though! –”
Shot of Patrick & Erin sharing a fist bump before heading back down the boardwalk.
V.O. Erin: “– The Blue team has gotten a lot of.. bad things thrown at us, especially lately, –”
Int. Erin: (nodding) “– so the break is nice.”

Kennedy is shown reading a book on one of the benches near the cabins, when Amy stops by and takes a seat next to her.
Int. Amy: “I decided to do some damage control with the Gray team, because… even though we’re pretty much at the end of the game here, I don’t want them be upset with me or anything.”
Shot shows Kennedy watching Amy with mild intensity.
Amy: “So… you know that giving you the samadhi was a strategy move, right?”
Kennedy nods: “I know.”
Amy: “Okay. I mean, you guys are pretty beast in most of the challenges, so we couldn’t risk it.. at this stage… like, everybody needs to win for themselves right now. (she pauses, and the shot changes to a close-up of her face) Are you mad at me?”
Kennedy rubs at her arm: “I mean… I don’t know, I wouldn’t say I’m mad; not at y’all, you’re doing what you have to. I think it’s – you know this is the first, like, really bad thing that’s happened to us –”
Amy nods: “Right.”
Kennedy: “– for pretty much this whole thing. And I just hate that it’s so late in the game, you know? I feel like now is the time we need to be slaying, not getting our first samadhi.”
Amy looks a little unsure of how to respond to this comment, so she just shrugs her shoulders, looking down at her hands: “Yeah. Well, that’s how it goes sometimes…”
Conf. Kennedy: “I’m very, very nervous for the final Temple mission today. It’s literally our last chance to secure ourselves a place in the finals, and I.. am.. shaking! (cut) Basically, if we don’t win this one, we’re going up to Temple and then it’s likely that we’ll go home. And I’m… so hoping that doesn’t happen.”

The camera finds Ace and Patrick walking up to the porch of the cabins.
Ace: “Hey! Come on out, y’all. It’s about that time again.”
Kennedy, from inside the girls’ cabin, peers out the window with a grin before turning to Erin: “Uh oh.”
Erin giggles, eagerly standing up: “Yesss, I love it when they do this!”
Int. Kennedy: “So every now and then, some of the boys will get together and work on, like – a skit, or a comedy routine, (a slow grin starts to break out across her face) and… then they perform it for us, and it always goes horribly wrong!”
Shot shows a flashback to a previous routine, where Ace is reaching out towards Leo: “Hand me the mystical seashell……”
Only Leo can’t find their prop, so instead he scrambles to grab anything at all and hands him a playing card. Ace looks down at the card for a moment, shrugging: “Okay, the mystical king of spades. That works too.”
Int. Patrick: (grinning widely) “It’s just something a lot of us decided to do for fun, it’s not really a big deal or anything – just a couple of guys.. (he starts chuckling, before it melts into a full-on laugh) making ourselves look really stupid…”
Ace and Patrick are playing rock, paper, scissors as if at the Temple: “Rock, paper, scissors, shoot –”
Ace comes up with the win, and Patrick immediately sinks to his knees in over-the-top anger: “AGHH!”
Amy, who is sitting on the ground, looks on with a soft grin & roll of her eyes: “…You guys are insane.”
Conf. Amy: “…I do kind of love it, though. (as she leans forward to turn the camera off, she lifts a finger to her lips with an amused smile) Sssshh.”

The final six players line up in front of JD at the lake where Hit and Hang took place, their next mission awaiting their arrival.
JD addresses the group: “How are you guys feeling today?”
Group: “Good!”
JD: “Alright, glad to hear it. (he points to the water’s edge) If you’ll see here, there is a series of large square team-colored pieces for each of you. These pieces all have protruding shapes & latches, just like a jigsaw puzzle, and when aligned properly, they will interlock with each other to create one solid surface. Once you’ve assembled this, it serves as a raft; you and your partner will stand on it and travel across the lake, pulling yourselves along with a rope that’s extended next to you. Eventually you’re going to find a stand, and on that stand is another surprise challenge for you; after you’ve successfully entered the right combination, your flag will be released and you can make your way back to where we’re standing now. First team to make it back with their flag will be advancing to the Endurance Finale; the two losing teams will go up to the Temple of Fate, where one of you will be sent home mere days away from being crowned Endurance Champions.”
Erin nervously bites her lower lip and goes for a low fist-bump with Patrick.
JD: “Gray, since you guys got a disadvantage in this challenge, your flag is 10 feet farther away than anyone else’s.”
Kennedy and Ace nod silently in understanding.
JD nods back at them: “Alright, let’s go.”
Everyone gets into position.
JD calls out: “Remember, this is for safety – a guaranteed spot in the final 2! On your mark… get set… GO!”
All three teams rush over to their raft pieces, scattered at the shore of the lake. Erin picks up a piece and drops it, conveniently right next to its match.
Patrick: “Oh, oh Erin! Look! Those two!” (he points for her to connect them while he grabs another)
Erin latches them together: “Ooh, you’re right.”
JD: “Blue team, already with a match!”
At this announcement, Amy sharply looks up: “What the heck? Blue team sucks at puzzles!”
The teams continue working for a few minutes, everybody making decent progress.
JD: “This could be a fairly close game – Blue team has a slight lead, but both Red and Gray are not too far behind them.”
Amy latches two pieces together and casts a glance at Blue’s raft again, growling in frustration.
Amy: “Ugh, how are they doing so good?!”
Robert drops a piece next to her: “Stop – don’t worry about them, Amy. Focus.”
The Gray team connects a few more pieces of their raft.
JD: “It looks like Gray is starting to catch up with Blue; but will they be able to overcome their 10-foot disadvantage?”
Robert tosses a square to his partner: “Here, take that one – we only have like 4 pieces left.”
Amy: “What do you want me to do with it? I don’t know where it goes.”
Robert: “Right there!” (he points at a piece on the ground in front of Amy)
Erin circles her & Patrick’s raft, which is only missing one piece.
She lowers their final piece that’s in her hands: “What the –? Where does this one go?”
Patrick: “I don’t know…”
Kennedy latches the Gray team’s last piece into place: “Yes! Go go go!”
They push off their raft, nearly losing balance, and try to evenly distribute their weight before one of them falls into the lake.
JD: “And the Gray team just took the lead – oh, but Blue now has their raft built!”
Amy smacks the unfinished red raft with her hand: “Are you kidding me?!”
The Gray team, having finally figured out a system, tug at their rope and watch over their shoulders as Blue sets off behind them.
Kennedy: “Hurry! We have to keep moving!”
Robert: “Amy, look, this is the last one – (he slaps the center piece into place) – okay, we got it!”
JD: “Now the Red team is off! I can tell this is going to be a very close race!”
Amy barely manages to grab onto their raft as they push off the shore, and moments later, Robert helps pull her up.
JD: “The Blue team is absolutely powering their way across the lake and have nearly caught up with Gray…!”
Ace: “Shoot.. keep going, Kennedy.”
Gray speeds up a little and manages to maintain their lead for a bit longer, but eventually, Erin and Patrick pass them and arrive at their stand.
Patrick examines it, running his fingers across a series of multicolored buttons: “What do we do?”
While Blue looks at their stand, the Red and Gray teams arrive at theirs at almost exactly the same time.
Kennedy finds a sentence, in small lettering, carved just above the buttons on their stand. She reads it out: “Many friends have left, disappearing behind flame; enter the right order, and win the game.”
Ace is very enthusiastic with his suggestion: “Order of elimination!”
Robert and Amy go over the eliminated teams in their heads, talking through it together while Robert slowly punches in the order: “Purple.. Green.. then…”
Kennedy: “…Yellow, Orange!” (they hear a click, and Ace reaches up to grab their flag, which slides out with ease)
JD: “Gray team has their flag! (camera shows Amy grabbing the Red flag) Red has theirs, too!”
While these two teams start back to shore, Erin presses the Orange button on their stand and reaches up to take the Blue flag. It releases.
JD: “Now Blue is heading back, too; this could be anyone’s game!”
Amy is viciously pulling at their rope, calling to Robert over her shoulder: “We have to make it!!! Keep going!! We can do this!!”
Kennedy starts slowing down: “Augh, my arms…”
Ace: “I know, I know. Mine too.”
The Blue team tears across the water until they’ve just about caught up with Red.
Erin: “Come on! We’re almost there!!”
JD: “It looks like the Gray team’s samadhi may have ultimately gotten the best of them. This is coming down between the Red team, and the Blue team…… but who will make it back first?”
Both teams are pulling at their ropes with all their strength, but the camera’s front-facing angle doesn’t reveal whether or not one of them is in the lead.
JD: “They’re so close… but it looks like –”
Finally the camera changes to an overhead, where Blue team’s raft hits the shore first. They climb off, waving their flag in the air, before literally collapsing into a heap on the ground.
JD: “– Blue team wins!”
Erin and Patrick are laughing and screaming for joy, scrambling to hug each other as best they can in their excited frenzy. Erin finally makes it to her feet, pulling her partner up beside her & they hug once again. The Red team’s raft touches shore soon after, where we see Robert looking absolutely crushed and Amy even more so.
The Gray team continues pulling at their rope, only about 4 feet behind now.
JD: “Blue team, come on over here!”
There’s a time jump to when Erin & Patrick are standing next to JD with the other two teams nearby.
JD places a hand on Patrick’s shoulder: “Congratulations, Blue team, you guys are now guaranteed a spot in the Endurance finale! (Blue team hugs again, before the camera changes to show Gray & Red) Gray team. Red team. You know what this means. The four of you will be making the long journey to the Temple of Fate, tonight, where one team will be leaving the competition forever.”
Kennedy chews on her lower lip and stares at the ground; Ace is watching JD with a serious expression.
JD: “So go pack your things, say goodbye to the Blue team, and enjoy what could be your last few hours here in Koror. (he nods with sympathy for the two teams) I’ll see you guys at sunset.”
As JD leaves, the Temple-bound kids go to hug Erin & Patrick, though it’s clear that Amy is struggling to do so.

Erin comes up to Kennedy, who is packing her bag in the girls’ cabin. They exchange a tearful hug.
Erin: “I don’t want you guys to leave! I hope you come back!”
Kennedy: “Awww, I do too!”
Amy, who is only a few feet away on the other side of the room, pointedly looks up at this, but resumes her packing without a word.
Conf. Amy: (her eyes look a little glassy) “You know, I’m not even really angry anymore. About anything. I’m just sad, because – (she looks up, almost in resignation, and begins blinking rapidly to fight the tears) …it’s just hitting me how badly I want to win.”
Kennedy holds out a dark red tank top to Amy: “Hey, this is yours, isn’t it?”
Amy nods and takes it, sitting perfectly still for a moment while surveying the cabin.
Amy: “I don’t want to leave.”
Kennedy looks over her shoulder in surprise, giving Amy a sad smile: “I know. I hate that anyone has to.”
In the boys’ cabin, Patrick is sprawled out on an upper bunk watching his friends pack their bags.
Patrick’s voice sounds a bit drowsy: “I’m sorry to see one of y’all go. We’ve been hanging out together for a long time now. It’s tough.”
Robert looks up at him and nods: “Yeah, I know. (he turns to extend a hand to Ace) Hey, good luck!”
Ace accepts it and gives him a half-hug: “Good luck to you, too, man.”
Patrick hops down from the bunk and forces the other boys into a group hug, his voice with a slight joking tone: “Awww! I’m gonna miss this, you guys!”
Outside the cabins, the Blue team says their final goodbyes to Red and Gray. Ace & Kennedy wave to them as they walk down to their piece pole, and the players’ interviews are heard while the two teams journey off to the Temple of Fate.
V.O. Kennedy: “If Ace and I go home tonight, I’m going to be disappointed because we’re so close to winning – I mean, final 3 is an accomplishment, no doubt; but I want to come back so bad. Being in the final 2 with the Blue team would be absolutely amazing.”
V.O. Ace: “Endurance has definitely, inarguably been one of the greatest times of my life. I kinda can’t believe we’re going up to the Temple for the first time. I’m definitely nervous going in, but obviously I’m really hoping that we’re able to come out on top.”
V.O. Amy: “It’s so crazy to think about the fact that Endurance – this whole thing – could be coming to an end tonight. I don’t want to think about it. (she chuckles a bit, sadly) I just… want to come back.”
V.O. Robert: “I’m not really sure what to say, other than I’ve had an amazing time and met some amazing people – but we’re so close to the end, I can’t imagine going home right now. That would be the worst thing.”
The two teams arrive at the Temple of Fate and choose a side; Red team on the left, Gray on the right.
JD nods in greeting: “Welcome, everyone, to the Temple of Fate. This is both of your first time here; and I must say, I’m impressed that two out of the final three teams managed to avoid coming here for most of the game. (camera shows the Gray team, who look deathly nervous, but smile slightly at this acknowledgement) What you have in front of you here are three cauldrons; one contains water, one contains fire, and the other contains wood. You’ll each pick a rock from behind you and write down one of these elements, then hand them to me to throw into the burning kettle. It’s like a game of rock, paper, scissors, so you want to choose the dominant element for 2 out of 3 rounds. Fire burns the wood, wood floats on water, and water puts out the fire. At the end of each round, the chosen elements will rise in front of you, we’ll announce the winner, and play again until one team is able to return to the game to compete in the Endurance finale alongside the Blue team. (the camera cuts to Ace & Kennedy) Gray team; at the Endurance Auction, you guys won an advantage that allows you guys an automatic one-round win here at the Temple, meaning you only need to choose the dominant element one time instead of two to stay in the game. This is your first and last chance to use this advantage; would you like to do that?”
Ace nods, reaching into his bag and removing the piece of parchment with wood, water and fire illustrated on its rough surface. He hands it over to JD, who holds it up for everyone to see.
JD: “Alright. With this, the Gray team already has one round under their belt, meaning Red team; (camera shows a visibly unhappy Amy) you’ll have to win two rounds in a row in order to make it back to camp. Go ahead and pick up your first rock.”
They do, and the camera first focuses in on the Red team.
Robert shrugs a bit: “Any ideas?”
Amy: “…No. I don’t want to pick.”
Across the Temple, Kennedy appears to be very confident: “I say we go water.”
Ace looks at her seriously: “You’re sure?”
Kennedy nods: “Yes. I’m – I’m really feeling it.”
The Red team turns around to give JD their rock, which he collects, before accepting the Gray team’s rock as well. He tosses them both into the fire in front of him and takes a step back.
JD: “Who has… the dominant element?”
…………………………………………
Red: Wood
Gray: Water
Amy: “OH GOD, YES!” (she leaps to give Robert a hug, both of them giggling in happiness)
JD: “Red team chose wood… Gray team chose water… wood floats on water, that’s one win for Red. And with that, we’re at one win for each of you; it is crucial to win this next round or else you and your teammate will be eliminated from the game. Go ahead and grab your next rock.”
Amy yanks off the lid to their marker while Robert fetches a new rock.
Amy: “Okay, okay, okay, let’s think…”
Robert: “It’s basically rock, paper, scissors. We just have to pick something.”
Amy looks at him sharply: “It’s more than just rock, paper, scissors!”
Meanwhile, Ace leans closer to Kennedy and whispers: “Water again?”
She bites her lip, contemplating, before nodding cautiously: “Yeah. That sounds fine to me.”
This time JD takes the Gray team’s rock first while Red is still debating.
Amy: (frantically) “Just write something down!”
The camera cuts to Robert turning around & handing the red rock to JD.
JD: “Thanks, Robert. (he tosses both stones into the fire, before returning to his spot and giving the two teams a sweeping glance) Will the dominant element… please rise now?”
……………………………………………
Red: Water
Gray: Water
Ace: (laughing a bit) “Ohhh! Shoot!”
JD: “Wow! Gray team, Red team; you both chose water. No one wins this round. We’ll have to play again. (he makes a gesture) Pick up your next rock, everybody.”
Amy nods, shaking out her hands as Robert grabs yet another rock.
Amy: “Ohh my God, we’re so close.”
Ace looks down at their rock in concentration: “Do you think they would predict that we’d pick water three times in a row?”
Kennedy shoots a worried glance at Red across the Temple: “I’m not sure… what are our other options?”
Ace manages to let out a chuckle as his teammate turns back to him: “Wood or fire.”
Kennedy: (smiling) “Well, yeah, I know that…”
Robert: “…You don’t think they would choose water again, do you?”
Amy thinks for a moment, her eyes frozen on a random spot in the corner: “I’m not sure. They might.”
Robert: “Then do you want to go with water? (he tilts his head to one side) I mean.. I would rather tie again than lose..”
Amy: “Yes, but do we actually think they’re going to choose water again?”
Robert looks at her for a minute, before placing the tip of their marker on their rock.
JD collects the Gray team’s rock: “Thank you, Gray.”
JD makes his way over to Red, who have just finished writing down their selection. He takes their rock: “And Red. (he throws the rocks into the fire) Now let’s see, possibly for the last time… who has the dominant element?”
Amy wraps her arms around one of Robert’s, anxiously moving her knees back and forth. The hesitation this time feels longer than usual…
……………………………………………
Red: Water
Gray: Water
Amy takes an annoyed step back: “Uggh!”
Robert: “You’ve got to be kidding me!”
JD: “And just like that; Red team, Gray team, you both chose water – again! (he gives an amused smile and places his hands on his hips) What is going on here? Is there some kinda plan that I don’t know about? (Kennedy, though it’s clear how stressed she is, huffs out a loud laugh) In all seriousness; if you guys go ahead and grab one more rock, this could very well be the last decision you ever make here on Endurance.”
Ace: “Or maybe not…!”
JD grins: “Or maybe not. We’ll see.”
Kennedy laughs and picks up their fourth rock as Ace removes the cap to their marker. They huddle together to discuss their decision.
Ace: “I don’t know, do you wanna go for water.. for the fourth time..?”
Kennedy: “I don’t know… we could…”
Ace: “That doesn’t sound very confident.”
Kennedy: “Of course I’m not confident! We have a 50-50 chance of going home!”
Amy takes their new rock from Robert: “They’re going to pick water again. I think.”
Robert: “Um, okay… are you sure?”
Amy: “I said ‘I think’. I can’t be sure. (she goes to write on their rock, but stops herself) …I don’t knoow, what should we do?”
Eventually, JD collects both teams’ final rocks and tosses them into the burning kettle, returning once more to look at the four terrified teenagers.
JD: “Let’s see, who has the dominant element?”
………………………………………………
Red: Wood
Gray: Fire
Ace immediately grabs his head with his hands before enveloping his partner in a hug: “YES!!”
Kennedy jumps up & down in his arms, squealing in excitement and disbelief!
Amy, however, buries her face in Robert’s chest and he wraps his arms around her shoulders.
JD: “Red team chose wood… Gray team chose fire. Fire burns the wood, which means the Gray team is heading back into the game to compete for the title of Endurance Champions! (JD turns to the crestfallen Red team) Red team. I have to say, you guys were some of the strongest, most determined players I have ever seen; you both have so much to be proud of. You’ve played an incredible game. And the Endurance Finale is not going to be the same without you.”
Amy finally turns her head to the side, cheeks stained with tears, and nods slowly with the tiniest of smiles. She pulls away from her partner to wipe at her eyes.
Robert: “Thanks, JD.”
JD looks at them regretfully: “You know what to do.”
Amy & Robert grab their pieces, their bags, and meet the Gray team in the middle of the Temple to exchange last hugs. Amy smiles a bit as she and Robert finally make their way over to the fiery kettle.
3, 2, 1… The Red Team disappears behind the flames.
Camera switches to show Gray back on their side of the Temple, arms locked together, watching JD with eager faces.
JD: “Gray team, congratulations – you’ve defeated the Temple of Fate and have officially made it to the finals! Go on & grab your things, and head back to camp. I’m sure the Blue team will be excited to see who is returning.”
Ace flashes JD a thumbs-up as he and Kennedy exit the Temple.

When the Gray team arrives through the trees back at camp, Patrick yells out: “YEEAH!! GRAAYY!!”
Erin cheers excitedly and runs to hug Kennedy as the boys clap each other on the back. They gather together for one final group hug, chanting “Final Two! Final Two!” before they all head into the cabins.

---

"Next time, on the season finale of Endurance! -"
"The final two teams will battle it out for the pieces the Red team left behind...!"
Varied shots of both Gray & Blue tugging on different ropes in the Flatlands.
"Then they'll head out to the Temple of Fate, where one team will be crowned Endurance Champions..."
Both teams are shown making the journey to Temple, then coming to a stop on either side of a long table.
"Who will win it all? Find out, on the season finale of Endurance: Koror Palau!"
A close-up of each team, looking absolutely terrified, followed by a shot of the table in front of them where two silver pyramids stand. They begin to flip over... but the camera cuts off before the result is revealed.

---

The Blue Team - Patrick & Erin - Trust, Teamwork, Heart, Courage, Knowledge
The Gray Team - Ace & Kennedy - Leadership, Perseverance, Friendship
The Red Team - Robert & Amy - Commitment, Strength, Ingenuity, Discipline, Karma, Luck
The Orange Team - Jackson & Cassie
The Yellow Team - Leo & Serena
The Green Team - Chris & Anna
The Purple Team - Logan & Lydia

[amplify26]

Great mission! And that final bonding moment before Gray and Red go up to Temple, that was so touching. Not to mention, both Gray and Red choosing Water. Reminded me of how J.D. went, "it's almost as if you could read each others minds".

And there's a similarity to the old show: the fan-favorite team has been eliminated in the final three! Darn, I would've liked to see Red in the finale. But upwards and onwards!

[Cruise meerkat Youssy]

NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! RED AMY MY LOVE </3

Gray team better win this entire thing!!

[kwdrewfan]

May 28, 2016 21:53:20 GMT -5 amplify26 said:

And there's a similarity to the old show: the fan-favorite team has been eliminated in the final three! Darn, I would've liked to see Red in the finale. But upwards and onwards!

I'm glad you noticed that! It was actually very much intentional. The Red team's fate was sealed since before I even started writing.

Also, I'm sorry to prolong the anticipation but I'm going out of town this weekend so the finale will have to be postponed until next Saturday!

[kwdrewfan]

The Gray team sits on the front porch steps to the cabins, their eyes locked on the piece poles a few feet away.
Ace’s voice drifts a little: “We only have three of those pieces…”
Kennedy: “I know. We have to win most of the other ones today.”
Int. Kennedy: “It’s really important that Ace and I are able to do well in the final challenge coming up, because right now we’re behind by two pieces –”
B&W shot of the piece poles; the Gray team’s 3 pieces and the Blue team’s 5 have a brief glow effect.
V.O. Kennedy: “– and at the end of the day, whoever has them all is going to win. So we’re definitely going to try our best, and… –”
Int. Kennedy: “– hopefully we’ll be able to go into Final Temple with the advantage!”

JD is shown approaching the cabins: “Hey, you guys in there?”
Erin, Patrick, Ace & Kennedy file out of their huts and sit around JD on the porch.
He surveys the group: “Take a look around you. (they do so) Pretty empty, right? That’s because you four have made it to the Endurance finale. You’ve managed to outlast 16 other contestants, win enough missions to keep you alive in this game, and survive the Temple of Fate to make it to where you are right now. I would be patting myself on the back right now if I were you.”
Patrick grins cheekily and actually pats himself on the back. The others laugh a little.
JD: “Now. Sitting in front of me are the 6 pieces that Red team left behind; but because this is the finale, we’re doing things a little differently. The Red team did not leave their pieces to you guys because you are going to go head-to-head in a challenge and earn them yourselves.”
Erin lifts her eyebrows, but appears to be content with this announcement.
JD: “But before we get to that this afternoon, I want you all to spend some time reflecting on your long journey here on Endurance, and enjoying your last day in Koror. (he nods) I’ll see you all later at the Flatlands for your very last challenge.”
JD heads out as the kids stand up.

The camera settles in on the four remaining players – the only remaining players – sitting in a line on the beach. Everyone looks very nostalgic.
Patrick tosses a flat stone into the ocean: “I can’t believe this is it.”
Erin: “I know, I’m like – where is everyone?”
Kennedy: “Me too. It’s so lonely.”
Conf. Ace: “Now that there are only four of us left, it feels… really weird. Without everyone else here. (cut) Erin and Patrick are great, and I’m so glad they’re here with us in the finals; it’s just, comparatively, you know – there’s almost like a gaping hole.”
Back on the beach, Patrick turns to Kennedy: “Who do you miss the most?”
Immediately she grins, bending over and covering her face: “I don’t know!! Everybody! I miss everybody.”
Erin: “I really miss Cassie. She was, like, my best friend.”
Patrick: “Yeeah & Jackson was my dude!”
Ace nods in agreement: “Yeah, I really miss the Orange team. And Robert, too.”
Kennedy perks up, hitting Ace’s arm in agreement: “Yesss! He’s so funny in such an unexpected way!”
A small grin forms on Patrick’s face: “…What about Amy?”
There’s a moment of dead silence… before everybody cracks up.
Kennedy: “No, I miss her, too!! You kinda can’t not miss Amy.”
Ace is still chuckling: “I know. Her presence is always, like, so commanding. So it’s really sad now that that’s gone.”
Int. Erin: “We all went down to the beach this morning and were just reminiscing about the game, and all our friends that we miss, and it was – it was sad! –”
B&W collage of all 14 players over the course of Endurance hanging out, laughing, and just generally having a good time together.
V.O. Erin: “– It really made me realize how attached I’ve grown to everyone here, and how long it’s been since I’ve seen some of them. I can’t believe how far we’ve come since the first day, when we all hardly knew each other.”
V.O. Patrick: “I’m really missing… Jackson and Logan in particular. And everyone, really; I was good friends with everybody, and I hope I’m able to stay in touch with some of them after this.”
Shot goes back to the kids on the beach, where they’re just beginning to stand up and head back to the cabins.
Kennedy: “So what do you think our last challenge is going to be? For the pieces?”
The players’ four silhouettes are shown walking away from the camera down the beach.
Patrick: “I dunno, but I hope it’s not another puzzle. I stink at puzzles.”
Erin and Ace laugh.

A few hours later at the Flatlands, many long ropes can be seen running all along the large grassy field. The Gray & Blue teams come to a stop next to JD.
JD: “Welcome, everyone, to the last mission you will ever play on Endurance. (camera briefly cuts to Kennedy, who pokes her lip out) Out in the field you’ll find a series of ropes, the ends of which have been buried underground. What you want to do is pick up one of these ropes, and keep following it until you finally get to the buried end; at this point, you’ll have to tug and tug until you manage to release a hollow triangle. Inside of this container you’ll find either one of the Red team’s 6 pyramid pieces… or nothing at all. After you’ve found a piece, one member of both teams will have small team-colored flags attached to your waist, which you will then use to mark your territory… as it were. (all four contestants laugh a little, as does JD) There are 10 ropes in total, meaning 4 of them are decoys. I’m going to give you both a map marking the approximate starting locations of every rope. (he looks around at the kids) Are you guys ready?”
Group: “Yeah!”
JD: “Alright, let’s get started.”
Camera briefly shows the Gray team looking over their map, followed by Blue.
JD: “Okay, this is your last chance to collect more pyramid pieces before Final Temple; you definitely want to have as many as you can get! On your mark… get set… GO!”
The Blue team starts off to the left, while Gray runs right.
JD: “It looks like the teams are going in opposite directions…”
Erin and Patrick are running, running, running; until they come to the end of a frayed rope. They both pick it up and begin following it.
JD: “And the Blue team finds their first rope!”
At the other end of the field, the Gray team is heading for the farthest rope.
Ace checks their map while running: “It’s – it’s right up here, shouldn’t be much further.”
Blue team tugs at their rope until a large triangular shape is lifted through the dirt; they remove the top cover…
Patrick: “Augh, come on, man!”
JD: “Oh! Right off the bat, the Blue team comes up with nothing.”
Ace & Kennedy are following the farthest rope on the right. When they come to the end, and release their triangle…
JD: “It looks like Gray has just found the Strength piece!”
Ace rips off one of the flags from his belt and plants it in the dirt next to the piece.
Erin looks over their map: “Why didn’t we start at the edge and work our way in? Where do you want to go next?”
Patrick points: “Then let’s go to the edge. Work our way in.”
Ace & Kennedy are already on their next rope.
JD: “Gray team is getting close to their second triangle… will it be another piece or just a red herring?”
The camera is a little shaky when it shows Kennedy lifting the triangle’s lid: “Yes! Yes, Ingenuity!”
An overhead shot reveals that Erin & Patrick are still jogging across the field.
JD: “Blue has some time to make up for; it looks like they’re going for the farthest rope away.”
They finally get to the start of the rope and follow it to where it disappears into the ground. They tug…
Erin lifts the top: “Oh, thank God!”
The Discipline piece awaits them. Patrick plants a flag.
JD: “Blue team just got their first piece!”
Ace pants: “Kennedy, let’s skip a few and come back. They’ll have to run further when they run out.”
Kennedy: “What?”
Ace: “When they run out of ropes on their side –”
Kennedy: “Ohh, oh, got it! Let’s go!”
JD: “Both teams are running like the wind. There are 3 pieces left; who will finish this challenge with the advantage?”
Blue is shown following another rope until they eventually dig up the Karma piece.
Patrick pumps a fist in the air: “Nailed it!” (he plants another flag)
Erin: “Yesss, only two more!”
Gray finds a rope. They follow it and pull the triangle up from the ground…………… it is empty.
Kennedy: “Dang.”
Ace: “It’s okay, let’s just go to the next one.”
JD: “Gray team just found another triangle, but it was empty – and Blue is working on one now!”
Erin & Patrick reach the end of their rope; Erin releases the triangle and lifts the top…
Erin: “Ugh, are you kidding me?!”
JD: “Ohhh! Blue comes up empty, too! (a wide shot of both teams is displayed) Both teams are moving fast to their final triangles, so it looks like one more piece will be going to each…”
Gray team comes up with the Luck piece.
Blue comes up with Commitment.
JD: “That’s it! Game over!”
We skip forward a bit, to where the Gray and Blue teams are standing exhausted in front of JD.
JD: “That was a good fight you guys gave! And both of you have earned some pieces; Blue, the Discipline, Karma and Commitment pieces are now yours. That brings your total up to 8. And Gray team, you’ve added Strength, Ingenuity and Luck; you now have 6 pieces. That means Blue team will be going into the final game with the advantage, but it doesn’t mean that Gray is out of the running. I’m going to meet you guys in just a bit to give you something you’ll need for tonight, but in the meantime, you can go on back to your cabins and soak in your last afternoon in Palau.”
The kids nod as JD jogs out, and they head back to camp.

A few shots of the beach, lake, and wildlife are shown before we see all four remaining players sitting together in the confessional booth.
Ace adjusts the camera and sits back with everyone else: “So… as our ‘final farewell’, I guess, we were wanting to do one last group confessional… and just basically talk about our favorite part of Endurance. So. (he leans over to look at Patrick at the opposite end of the bench) Patrick?”
Patrick: “Yeah, I’ve loved this whole experience! But I think my favorite part was… me and Erin winning our first mission, way back weeks ago.”
B&W shot of the Blue team winning in Hot Potato, before the camera goes back to the confessional.
Erin: “Yeah, that was great! Ahh… but my favorite part was definitely the people. Just in general, because I – just about everyone I met here is, like, hopefully a friend for life now. (she starts nodding) So that was awesome.”
Kennedy nods: “That’s what I was gonna say. The friends are my favorite part.” (she looks at Ace)
Ace: “Uhh – yeah, the friends, of course! But it’s also really beautiful here, with the beach and the mountains and.. I’m going to miss waking up to all of that.”
Kennedy lights up: “Ohhh, I also loved winning at Temple!”
Ace: “Yesss, of course, that was an amazing feeling, too!”
Patrick & Erin nod and express their agreement.

The kids are shown huddled around JD on the front porch of the cabins. There are some items sitting at JD’s feet.
JD: “Well guys, you’ve reached the homestretch. Endurance is nearly over, and you four are the only ones who have been here to experience it all. Now before you go up to Temple tonight, I’m going to give you these – (he places two stacks of small silver triangles on his lap) – they are miniature replicas of the pyramid pieces that are on each of your pillars. So for the Blue team – (he hands them to Erin & Patrick as he speaks) Teamwork, Heart, Trust, Knowledge, Courage, Discipline, Commitment, and Karma. And for Gray – Strength, Perseverance, Friendship, Luck, Ingenuity, and Leadership.”
He sits back as the players look over these: “You will be using these pieces in the Endurance finale tonight. But before then, I have something else for you guys.”
He reaches down and picks up four brown sacks, handing them out to the contestants according to their names written across the front. He instructs them to open the small bags.
Inside of each is a necklace with an impossibly green piece of rock dangling from the center.
JD: “These necklaces are made of authentic limestone, naturally & carefully harvested from the reefs here in Koror. On them, if you look in the middle – (a close-up shot of Kennedy’s necklace as she gently rubs her thumb over its surface) – there is a circle painted in the color of your team, outlined by the color of the other final 2 team. These necklaces were handmade especially for the four of you, meaning that you guys are the only people in the world who have anything like it.”
Erin: “Oh, woow!”
Ace grins: “That’s awesome.”
JD: “So. I hope you guys enjoy this gift from us at Endurance, and keep it with you for the rest of your lives to remind you of your time here. (he pauses, looking between the two teams) Now – the four of you only have a few hours left until sunset, when you will meet me up at the Temple of Fate and battle it out for the title of Endurance Champions.”
Patrick grins widely and claps his hands a few times between his knees.
JD: “So enjoy the rest of your time at the cabins, make sure you’ve got everything packed; and I’ll be seeing you all later.”
JD exits and the kids all come together for a group hug.

The camera fades into a shot of the kids carrying their mini pyramid pieces beyond the piece poles, each of them still wearing their necklaces & their packs strapped on their backs.
Int. Erin: “It’s so insane to think that this whole thing is coming to a close. I mean, feel like I’ve been here for a lifetime, but somehow that’s still not long enough! –”
The kids trudge across the fields and make their way down to the beach.
V.O. Erin: “– Everything about Endurance has been absolutely incredible, and… it’s so hard to believe that I’ve made it to the end, and.. this is it.”
They climb into two rowboats and begin across the ocean to the Temple.
V.O. Ace: “I… honestly just feel so blessed to have been here, to have made it this far – and I’m just hoping for the best for me & Kennedy, of course. But whatever happens, this has easily been the coolest experience of my life. So I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
Both teams arrive at the Temple of Fate, which is set up a little differently this time; a long table stretches across the center of the floor, on top of which are 3 small silver pyramids.
Erin & Patrick come to a stop on the left side of the table, while Gray takes their place on the right.
JD greets them from the end of the table: “Welcome to the final showdown of this entire game; where both of the teams before me will battle it out for the grand prize trip and the title of Endurance champions. You’ve gone through so much to get here, and whether you win or lose, just remember how far you’ve come since arriving on Koror that very first day along with sixteen other hopefuls. And you’re the ones who are left standing here. (Patrick bites his lower lip, grinning, and nods) Alright, here’s how this works. In front of you you’ll see there are three silver pyramid shapes on the table; underneath one of them, is a golden pyramid. Your goal is to find the golden pyramid. The team with the least amount of pieces will go first, placing their pieces strategically on the board to cover as many or as little spaces as you like, only making sure that there’s at least one space available for the other team. The opposing team will then have to fill in the blanks with their own pieces. After this has been done, I’ll begin flipping the pyramids over until we’ve found the golden pyramid, and whichever team’s piece is in front of it will get to collect all the pieces on the board. A new pyramid will be added at the end of every round, making it harder as we go. The first team to end up with all 14 pieces will be crowned champions of Endurance: Koror Palau.”
Shot shows Ace & Kennedy, both of whom are rubbing their lips together, fidgeting, and just generally looking nervous. Across from them, Erin nods in understanding and Patrick jumps in place a few times.
JD: “Alright, Gray team, since you have the least amount of pieces you will get to go first. You can put down one or two of your pieces wherever you choose, so long as there is at least one empty space for the Blue team.”
Kennedy bites her lower lip and looks at Ace: “Do you wanna do two…?”
He shrugs, surveying the table: “There are only three, we could probably just put down one…”
Kennedy: “Okay… (she puts a piece down) What about there?”
Ace nods and looks at JD.
JD: “Alright, Blue team, go ahead and cover the other two spaces.”
[▲] [▲] [▲]
JD: “Now… who has the Gold Pyramid?”
[▲] [▲] [▲]
Ace looks uncomfortable about their decision, but there’s a hopeful gleam in Kennedy’s eyes…
[▲] [▲] [▲]














[▲] [▲] [▲]
Erin lets out a sigh of relief and leans away from the table: “Yes!”
JD: “Okay, Blue team; go ahead and pick up all three pieces on the board.” (they do so)
Team Standings – Blue: 9 | Gray: 5
JD: “Gray team… it’s your turn again. But this time, we’re adding another pyramid.”
A fourth pyramid is flipped over as Ace and Kennedy lean in to discuss their options.
Kennedy: “Two this time? I think we should do two.”
Ace agrees, so he places one of their pieces while Kennedy places the other. Blue fills in the gaps.
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
JD: “Okay. Let’s find out who has the Gold Pyramid.”
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Erin chews on her thumbnail, while Patrick nervously rocks from side to side…
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Erin: (whispered) “Oh, come on…”
JD: “This is it. Which team has the Golden Pyramid?”
There’s an excruciatingly long pause…
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]














[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Patrick: “WHOO!” (he pumps his fist downward, and everyone laughs at his outburst)
Team Standings – Blue: 11 | Gray: 3
JD: “Blue team, you add two more pieces to your collection, and that brings you up to 11 out of 14. Gray team – (he turns to Ace & Kennedy, both of whom look like they’re panicking a bit internally) you’re getting down to the wire already. Only three pieces left, and we’re adding yet another pyramid to the board.” (a fifth pyramid rises)
Kennedy draws in her lower lip and turns to her partner.
Ace: “We could go for all three and hope for the best.”
Kennedy: “I knoww, but then we’re out.. if it’s under one of the other two…”
Finally they come to a decision, and Blue then fills in the blank spots.
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
JD: “Gray team. What’s that final piece you’re holding onto there?”
Ace & Kennedy: “Friendship.”
Kennedy: “You said this season was about friendship, so we’re hoping there’s some value to that!” (she giggles a little bit)
JD nods with a grin: “We’ll see if that works out for you guys. Blue team, are you ready to reveal the location of the Gold Pyramid?”
They both nod: “Oh yeah.”
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]

[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Kennedy wraps her arms around one of Ace’s as they both look on with anxiety; across from them, Erin & Patrick can’t keep still.
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]














[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Kennedy: “Aahhh!” (she releases her partner’s arm to share a double high-five with him)
Team Standings – Blue: 8 | Gray: 6
JD: “And the Gray team picks up their first win, taking with them 3 of Blue team’s pieces! (he pauses to survey the two teams) …Well. We’re right back where we started. Which means Gray team, you’re still 2 pieces behind, so it is once again your turn.”
Kennedy: “Okay, okay; what do you want to do?”
Ace looks over the 6 silver pyramids on the table in front of them: “I’m thinking… three?”
Kennedy: “Yeah… that sounds good…”
They lock in their choices and Blue fills the rest of the board.
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]

[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]

[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
JD looks between the Gray and Blue teams: “Who has… the Golden Pyramid?”
Erin keeps her lips pulled into a thin line and is grasping Patrick’s hand, terrified to see the result…
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]














[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Ace: “We got it!” (he throws an arm around Kennedy)
Team Standings – Blue: 5 | Gray: 9
JD: “Gray team is on a roll now. Blue, do you think you can come back?”
Patrick & Erin look a little disheartened, but Patrick nods his head with confidence.
Patrick: “Yeah. We can.”
JD: “I’m glad to hear it, because now it’s your turn. Choose wherever you’d like to place your pieces.”
Erin hovers one of their pieces over the board: “I’m liking the middle.”
Patrick: “Middle? Okay. How many?”
Erin: “……Three?”
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
JD: “Alright. Here we go.”
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]

[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Erin shakes out her hand – the one that isn’t holding Patrick’s. Patrick appears very stoic, but his nerves are pretty clear regardless…
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Kennedy: “Ohh…” (she hides her face behind Ace’s shoulder)
JD: “Let’s see. Who has the Gold Pyramid?”
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]














[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Erin: “Noo!”
Kennedy: “Yess!”
Team Standings: Blue: 2 | Gray: 12
JD: “Alright, this is the closest to Endurance champions we’ve gotten so far – Gray team, you only need two more pieces to win the entire game. (Ace tries to suppress a giddy smile, but fails miserably) Blue team –”
Camera shows Erin & Patrick; Erin is cradling her head in her hand with frustration, and Patrick stares unwaveringly at the host.
JD: “– You guys have gotta make a huge turnaround if you want to win this. We’re now up to the maximum amount of eight pyramids on the board – and the game is in your hands, Blue.”
Erin turns to her partner, shuffling their final two pieces – Strength and Trust – back and forth in her hands.
Erin: (whispering) “I hate this. I hate this so much.”
Patrick: “Do you think we should.. like, put all our eggs in one basket? Or save one piece for another round?”
Erin shakes her head fervently: “I don’t – I don’t know! Ugh… I think we should save one.”
Patrick: “Okay… how abouuut… this one?”
He sets it on the table, and Erin nods through the tears that are just beginning to pool in her eyes.
As Gray team claims the rest of the pyramids, Patrick circles his arms around his partner: “Heyy, it’s okay. It ain’t over yet.”
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
JD: “Alright. Who has the Gold Pyramid?”
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]

[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Erin tries to watch, though her head is somewhat buried into Patrick’s chest. Kennedy reaches out to lock her pinky finger with Ace’s…
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Patrick lets go of Erin and allows his hands fall onto the back of his head, hardly able to watch. Erin taps their only remaining piece against her chin, and the Gray team bounces up & down a few times…
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]














[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Ace: “YES!” (he lets out a long breath, setting his hands on the edge of the table)
Kennedy starts clearing the board, and Erin hands their Trust piece to Patrick. She looks utterly resigned.
Team Standings – Blue: 1 | Gray: 13
JD: “It’s all come down to this. Blue team… you must find the exact location of the Golden Pyramid, or the Gray team will be crowned Endurance champions.” (camera flips over to Gray, who look excited and hopeful but also nervous for their friends)
Patrick nods slowly and looks down at the board again, waving their final piece – Trust – over it.
Erin: “I don’t – I don’t know what to do anymore. We can only cover one out of eight, that’s like impossible.”
Patrick looks at her seriously, whispering: “It’s not impossible.”
She turns away, holding her head and shaking it slowly back and forth. Patrick looks over the board one more time, finally selecting a space. Gray team covers the rest.
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
JD glances between the two teams: “Okay. Is everybody ready?”
Ace & Kennedy nod with uncertainty, linking their arms together.
Patrick: “Yeah.”
Erin: “No…”
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Erin covers her face with her hands, leaving only a small slit between her fingers to see through.
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Ace: “Oh man…”
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Kennedy, Ace and Erin let out deep breaths and lean away from the table.
JD: “It all comes down to this… Blue team; if the Gold Pyramid is underneath your piece – the Trust piece – you guys will take a commanding lead in this game. If not, then Gray; you guys will win the title of Endurance Champions.”
Kennedy looks over at her partner with a facial expression full of nerves, yet also brimming with hope and eagerness.
Erin props her elbow on Patrick’s shoulder and rests her fist against her mouth.
JD: “Who has… the Golden Pyramid?”
There is a very long hesitation……
[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]




























[▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲] [▲]
Ace’s mouth forms into an ‘O’: “OHHH MY –”
Kennedy screeches as they hug each other tightly!
JD: “GRAY TEAM – CONGRATULATIONS! You guys have just WON Endurance: Koror Palau!!”
Still hugging, they twist back & forth in excitement and laugh before the camera turns over to the Blue team. They look noticeably dejected, especially Erin.
JD: “Erin, Patrick – you guys made it so far in this competition; you made it to the finale! You were a strong team from the start, regarded as a threat by many of the others, and there was a good reason for that. You’ve endured a lot, and both clearly deserved to make it this far.”
Both Blue team members nod at JD.
Erin: (her voice is quiet and cracking a little) “Thanks, JD.”
JD: “Now, Gray team! –”
Ace and Kennedy, who are now standing side-by-side, watch happily as JD hands them a large cardboard collage from International Expeditions.
JD: “Your prize, hosted by International Expeditions, is a 10-day vacation to the beautiful island of Maui. There you will be treated to an all-expenses-paid stay in one of the finest resorts in all of Hawaii, with plenty of opportunities to explore the island and wildlife which resides there.”
Kennedy shakes her head with a smile: “That’s.. amazing…!”
JD grins at them: “Well; congratulations, you guys! Let’s hear it for the Gray team, the new Endurance champions!”
Ace & Kennedy cheer!

Int. Kennedy: “Oh my God, I can’t believe WE WON, I’m – (she holds up her hand) – I’m still shaking! (cut) Coming on Endurance was definitely the best decision of my life! I’m so excited to – to have gotten to be a part of this, to have met Ace… oh my gosh. I’m so excited right now. I can’t believe it.”
Int. Ace: “I feel amazing! I thought I could do well in this game, but I never would have dreamed I would win! (cut) I’m so thankful for Kennedy, I couldn’t have done it without her – um, I’m really glad I get to go on this trip with her, and just… wow. This is amazing. I’m still taking it all in.”
We see a series of flashbacks; Ace & Kennedy being the last team formed, winning Tangleball, talking and laughing with the other teams, getting lost during Flag Maze, their near-elimination in the final 3, hugging after they were announced Endurance champs, and finally, one last promotional shot of the Gray team in front of the ocean.

The camera fades out… and the season is over.

---

The Gray Team - Ace & Kennedy - Leadership, Perseverance, Friendship, Trust, Teamwork, Heart, Courage, Knowledge, Commitment, Strength, Ingenuity, Discipline, Karma, Luck
The Blue Team - Patrick & Erin
The Red Team - Robert & Amy
The Orange Team - Jackson & Cassie
The Yellow Team - Leo & Serena
The Green Team - Chris & Anna
The Purple Team - Logan & Lydia

[amplify26]

Congratulations to the Gray Team for winning it all! They were an awesome team and I feel like they deserved it fully!
(Insert fact that compared to the "old show", the Gray Team didn't get eliminated first haha)

What I would've liked to see is a more flip-flop game at Temple, though I did appreciate you taking Gray to the brink of elimination and back again.
I liked the group confessional, and the necklace, though it reminded me on E2, there were similar gifts, except it also showed the teams which were eliminated. Not to be persnickety, but that would've also been a nice tribute.

Anyways, congrats to you for finishing such a story! Maybe write an epilogue reunion special?

[Cruise meerkat Youssy]

WAIT I'M REALLY CRYING LIKE ACTUAL TEARS RN I HATE THIS BUT I LOVE IT I'M SOOOOOOO HAPPY THAT THEY WON!!!!! WOW THIS WAS SUCH AN AMAZING SERIES I LOVE ALL THESE FICTIONAL PEOPLE SO MUCH WTF