Endurance Argentina [v2]

[Cruise meerkat Youssy]

Hey everyone! A looong time ago I began writing an Endurance story called Endurance Argentina. I'm currently in the serious planning stages for a different Endurance story, but I kept thinking about my old Endurance Argentina story and wanted to finish it, as well as rewrite what I had written so it was... better written. Lol. So I'm going to be rewriting Endurance Argentina as practice for future stories. I'm going to write as I go, so I will try to get episodes up in a timely manner but it will depend on how much time I have. Also, if you search back you can find the original thread but read at your risk because it contains spoilers. Without further adieu, here's Endurance Argentina v2.

[Cruise meerkat Youssy]

Episode One

JD Roth is shown standing in the middle of a grassy plain surrounded by lush forest
JD: For six seasons, teenagers from around the country have fought, strategized, formed friendships, and persevered for the chance to call themselves an Endurance champion. Six teams have earned that right - and now, Endurance is back to look for the seventh.

*A wide shot of a group of teenagers marching on the plain in the direction of JD*
JD: This year, we’re taking Endurance to a first of its kind - South America. These twenty teens - hand-picked from all over the country - will be competing in the rugged yet beautiful landscape of Argentina. Which two will rise above the competition and prove that they have the greatest endurance?

*the camera zooms in on the teens, who are walking slowly in zig zag lines with their packs on*
Domonique: I’m Domonique, 14, and I’m from Mount Vernon, Georgia.
Chelsea: Chelsea, 14… Manchester, New Hampshire.
Vincent: My name’s Vincent, I’m 15, and I’m from Monticello, Utah.
Deandre: Deandre, 14, from Houston, Texas. I think I have what it takes to win! I play quarterback in football so I’m strong, and I also make really good grades and I’m really smart. I would say that I could win blindfolded!

Ana: Ana, 13, Arabi, Louisiana.
Corey: I’m Corey! 14 years old, from Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Jaylen: Jaylen, Annapolis, Maryland, 15 years old.
Kyrina: My name is Kyrina, I’m 14, and I’m from Pensacola, Florida. I’m athletic, I’m strong, and I’m tough. I am not a girly girl. I can and I will backstab people to win. I am the Endurance champion.

Elias: Elias, 15 years old, Phoenix, Arizona.
Carmen: I’m 14-year-old Carmen from Omaha, Nebraska.
Alicia: Alicia, 14, from Westerly, Rhode Island.
Chris: Chris, 15, Grants, New Mexico. I’m very competitive, but I’ll stay true to my friends as long as they don’t give me the Samadhi or send me to the Temple of Fate.

Richard: Richard, 13, Staten Island, New York.
Mallory: Mallory, 13 years old, and I’m from Seneca, Oregon.
Chad: My name is Chad, 15, from Allen Park, Michigan.
Cheyenne: Cheyenne, 15, from Cheyenne, Wyoming. My strategy is to make as many friends as possible. I want to win but I also want to have a good time while I’m here.

Eric: Eric, 15 years old, live in Washington, D.C.
Ray: Ray, 15, Rochester, New York.
Francesca: Francesca, 13, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Rosemary: Rosemary, 13, Rapid City, South Dakota. I just turned thirteen, so I’m probably the youngest one here. I may feel out of place with the older kids, but I know I can overcome that.

*the cast finally arrives to JD and they fan out into a semicircle around him to hear him speak*
JD: Hi everyone, and welcome to Endurance: Argentina! I think you guys enjoyed that long trek out here, right?
*some mixed responses among the cast, mostly chuckles. Ana shakes her head, while Chad gives a thumbs up*
JD: Let’s go see where you guys will be living for the next three weeks.
*they walk off towards the huts*

*JD and the cast arrive at the huts, two wooden structures situated on the plain near the forest. Surrounding the huts are various amenities like benches and hammocks, and a small creek runs behind the huts*
JD: This is going to be you guys’ home for the next few weeks. They’re quite cozy - no electricity, no running water, and sturdy, wooden beds.
*a few of the kids groan*
JD: And look over there. *they turn to look at where he’s pointing* Those are the piece poles. In order to win the grand prize and become an Endurance champion, you will need to collect all 14 pieces. And not only that, but you will need to embody every single one of the qualities represented by those pieces. Now that- *points to an ominous looking structure in the distance* -is the Temple of Fate. Trust me, you don’t want to go there. Because two teams will go up… but only one will return.
*most of the kids have a scared expression on their face*
JD: Now, for those of you who are fans of Endurance, can anyone tell me what happens next?
Domonique: *ominously* The Right to Stay.
JD: That’s right, Domonique. Twenty of you have made the journey out here to Argentina, but only fourteen will survive to become an official Endurance player. Later on today, we are going to have a challenge where three guys and three girls will be going home on their very first day. But for now, I’ll let you guys get settled in. See you all later for your first challenge. *jogs off*
--
Francesca: “The walk up to the huts was kinda hard. It was really uneven terrain and everything was kind of…. wet from the dew, or the humidity, or something. And everyone was just looking around judging each other. But then we got to the camp and it was better.”

Corey: “The camp is, like, well… it ain’t much! But I like it because it’s so different. It’s just something to get used to.”

Carmen (Confessional): “Yay, I have the first confessional! *does a little dance* Anyway it’s so pretty here in Argentina and even though it’s going to be tough I think I’m going to love it. And it’s just the first day but we’re all starting to get to know each other already, which is just great!”
--
*scene cuts to the guys’ hut, where most of the guys are hanging out and talking, while Elias and Richard sit outside and talk quietly to each other*
Vincent: Dude, I’m not going home! This hut is awesome.
Eric: Yeah, me neither. Whatever it is they’re gonna have to bring my body out in a stretcher before I lose.
Deandre: Wait y’all, which girls do you think are going to stay or go home?
Ray: I don’t know… Carmen seems tough *some nods of affirmation*, I don’t know about Ana or Rosemary. They both don’t seem very strong.
Chris: I hope I get partnered with whoever does best in the Right to Stay. I guess we’ll see kinda soon.
Chad: I’m so excited, man. It would suck to lose.
Deandre: What do y’all think about them? *gestures outside to Elias and Richard*
Vincent: They make me nervous. I wish they’d talk to everyone more instead of just each other.
--
Jaylen: “Some of the guys have noticed that Elias and Richard tend to stick to themselves mostly. It makes them nervous. They think it’s a strategy or something. But they’re probably just not as outgoing as everyone, so they could surprise people in the challenge.”
--
*the scene changes to the girls hut where everyone is hanging out and getting to know each other*
Domonique: This is soooo cool, I can’t believe I’m really on Endurance! *high fives Carmen*
Carmen: High five for being on the best show ever! *everyone laughs*
Ana: I just… I don’t know about the beds… or those toilets. It seems so hard. I’ve never done anything like this.
Mallory: *hugs Ana* It’s okay! We’re all here for each other. We’ll help you through it.
Ana: Thanks…
Mallory: I mean it! Like, I’m from a tiny, tiny town. So living in a little cabin like this isn’t too different for me. Trust me, it’s not so bad.
Ana: If you say so, I can try. *chuckles nervously*
Francesca: So, Rosemary, you just turned thirteen?
Rosemary: Yep. Two days ago.
Alicia: Wait, didn’t you say you were in ninth grade?
Rosemary: Yes… I skipped a grade.
Alicia: Oh my God, you must be so smart!
Rosemary: *smiles shyly* I get that sometimes.
--
Chelsea: “I think the competition is so intimidating. Everyone seems so strong or so smart or so funny or just so awesome in their own way. I don’t want to see any of us go home, really.”
--
*the scene changes to Carmen and Cheyenne sitting in a hammock together while Deandre, Eric, and Ray sit next to them. They speak in hushed voices.*
Ray: I think that us five are the coolest people here, so far.
Eric: Yeah, totally.
Ray: If we do all make it through the Right to Stay, I think we should team up.
Carmen: I like that. We can all be partners and work together!
Deandre: Well, there’s three guys and two girls right here, so we gotta find another girl.
Carmen: *looks at Cheyenne* What about Francesca? When all the girls were in the hut together I really liked her. She seems so friendly and strong. *Cheyenne nods in agreement*
Eric: Good with me.
Ray: Sounds fine.
Deandre: Francesca it is!
*they all put their hands together in solidarity*
--
Cheyenne (Confessional): “We haven’t even, like, done the first challenge and there’s already an alliance. Me, Carmen, Deandre, Ray, and… Eric? Yeah, Eric. We all made an alliance because we get along the best. But that was three guys and only two girls, so we needed another girl, so me and Carmen asked Francesca. And she said yes. So hopefully all six of us make it through, and then I’ll be set!”
--
*the scene changes. The cast walks up the JD standing on the grassy banks of a large lake. In the middle of the lake are ten tall poles with two thin bars on either side of the pole. The cast looks out to the contraptions, looking intimidated*
JD: Hi, everyone! Looking a little less enthusiastic than when I left you guys this morning. Corey, how has the first day been?
Corey: Oh, just swell, JD! *everyone laughs* We all just… hangin’ out… chillin’ in the huts and such. It’s kinda rude that you’re gonna send some people home.
*JD laughs then turns to Kyrina*
JD: Kyrina, how ready are you for this Right to Stay?
Kyrina: *with a confident neck roll* JD, I was born for this.
JD: Wow, confident! *Kyrina looks pleased* Rosemary, how about you?
Rosemary: Well… I don’t really know. I’m going to try my best and just imagine the Endurance pieces. So hopefully that’ll help me stay.
JD: That sounds like a very good strategy. Well, everyone, welcome to your first challenge on Endurance Argentina: the Right to Stay. If you look out into the water, you will see ten poles that are about twenty feet high in the air. Sticking out from either side of the pole are two thin bars. These bars are only four inches long and two inches wide. Really, really small. Your goal is to stand on those bars and balance yourself for as long as possible. The first three guys and the first three girls to lose their balance and fall into the water will be eliminated. Are you guys ready?
*some enthusiastic “yeahs!” as well as some apprehensive nods*
JD: Let’s get y’all up there - ladies first.

*scene changes to all ten girls about to begin the challenge*
JD: Alright, on the count of three, step out into position. 3...2....1...Go!
*all the girls step out onto the bars*
Mallory: Woah, this is really hard! *holds her arms out as she sways a little, trying to balance*
Cheyenne: Hang on, everyone!
Domonique: We’re not hanging, we’re standing!
Cheyenne: Whatever! Just… don’t fall!
*Alicia has her eyes squeezed tightly shut and her teeth gritted*
Alicia: I’m… so… scared… of… heights…
*Chelsea, standing on the pole next to Alicia’s, overhears her*
Chelsea: (quietly) You’re okay, Alicia. Just hold on for a few minutes… you can do it.
*Alicia gives a tiny thumbs up to show she heard Chelsea but doesn’t move a muscle*

JD: Almost 45 seconds, girls! Keep it up!
*Alicia grits her teeth even more, Domonique readjusts her weight, Mallory continues to sway…*
*SPLASH*

JD: Oh, Mallory is the first girl out! Two more to go!
*Mallory slaps the water and begins to head to shore*
JD: These girls look tough!
*the guys call out from the shore*
Ray: Good job, Cheyenne!! Keep it up!!
Chad: Let’s go, Domonique!!
Vincent: Look at Kyrina. She looks tough.
*Kyrina is standing with her hands on her hips in a power stance, her gaze focused steadily ahead*

*suddenly, Domonique calls out*
Domonique: Ah! Ah! *she tips over precariously to her left side but is able to regain her balance*
JD: Domonique had a close call, she almost fell but regained her balance, and- OH!
*SPLASH*

JD: Looks like Ana is our second girl out! Ana is in the water. Good job, Ana, you held your balance for two minutes on those bars.
*Ana disappointedly makes her way to shore*

*three minutes later*
JD: Five minutes, these girls have been up there. Good job, girls! Keep hanging on!
Domonique: Someone fall already!
Carmen: No kidding!
JD: It’s getting harder and harder to stay on as their muscles begin to ache. Who can last through the pain and keep their balance to become an official Endurance player?
*Alicia begins to shake a little bit*
*Domonique continuously shifts her weight back and forth*
*Rosemary tries to crouch a little bit to lower her center of gravity*
*Francesca’s hair starts blowing in the wind and gets caught in her face, disorienting her*
Jaylen: Someone’s gonna fall soon.
Chris: I see it happening too.
JD: Lots of movement up there… Alicia and Domonique seem to be struggling the most, but it’s still anyone’s game. And- oh!
*SPLASH*
JD: That’s it! Alicia is in the water! It’s Mallory, it’s Ana, it’s Alicia. Those three girls are going home. Everyone else, congratulations! You guys are the official seven girls of Endurance Argentina!
*the girls cheer loudly and then fall into the water, hugging each other*
--
Mallory: (crying) “I was so nervous for the Right to Stay, but I thought I could do it. But then I saw the challenge and I knew I wasn’t going to stay. (sobs) I wish I didn’t fall.”

Ana: I’m sad I didn’t make it, but everything happens for a reason. It’s not every day you get dropped off in a foreign country with 19 strangers. I’m happy while it lasted.”

Alicia: (bitter yet disappointed) “I really wanted to prove myself. I tried to overcome my fear, but it just didn’t work out. My body was shaking, and then next thing you know… splash.”
--
*the scene changes. The girls are wrapped in towels sitting on the bank while the guys are now at the top of the contraption, ready to begin the challenge*
JD: We have our seven official girls of Endurance, but now it’s the guys’ turn. Everyone ready?
*a chorus of “yeahs!”*
JD: Alright, 3...2...1...go!
*the guys all make their way out onto the bars*
Domonique: Go, Chad! Wooooo!!!
JD: Domonique clearly has a favorite! You guys have been up there for one minute!
Suddenly, out of nowhere…
*SPLASH*

JD: Oh! The first guy down is Richard! Richard lasted one minute.
*Richard stands up and disappointedly makes his way to the shore*
Cheyenne: Aww, good try Richard!
Ray: Man, this is gonna take too long!
*Ray begins to bounce up and down a little bit. Then, after a few seconds he gains confidence and starts to bounce up and down more vigorously*
Vincent: (to Ray’s left) Dude, Ray, stop it.
Eric: (to Ray’s right) Yeah, Ray! Stop! *holds his arms out to balance himself*
*Ray stops for a moment but then bounces one more time*
“WOAH!”
*SPLASH*

JD: Oh! Ray’s bouncing threw Vincent off and he lost his balance!
*Vincent slaps the water aggressively and moves toward land*
JD: Two minutes into this competition and Richard and Vincent have both dropped. One more guy is going to be eliminated. Hang on, everyone!
Francesca: I can’t look! *covers her eyes*

JD: It has now been five minutes they’ve been up there!
Chad: Dude this is taking way too long.
*Chad begins to bounce up and down like Ray did*
Corey: Stop bouncing!
*Ray sees Chad start to bounce and he bounces too*
Corey: Seriously stop it!
*most of the guys are having trouble balancing with the bouncing*
JD: Chad and Ray are trying to knock someone out of this competition!
…
*SPLASH*

JD: Oh! Corey lost his balance and fell. And just like that, we have our remaining official players of Endurance.
*as Corey makes his way to shore, the other guys jump in and high five each other*
--
Richard: “I am the youngest and smallest guy here, so people probably thought I was going to go home. I hoped the Right to Stay would be something more mental but I have bad balance and bad luck.”

Vincent: “One of those spots belonged to me. I am not one of the weakest guys by any means. It was stupid and thoughtless of Ray to do that. I hope he’s the first team eliminated… karma’s a snitch!”

Corey: “I was doing too good until both Ray and Chad started bouncing like that. I was in between the both of them and it just ruined my whole balance. I wish I was still in the game, man!”
--
*the scene changes to the fourteen players standing around JD on the bank*
JD: Congratulations! I am looking at the fourteen official players of Endurance Argentina!
*everyone claps*
JD: Tonight, get some rest and celebrate your accomplishments. But don’t forget that tomorrow is one of the most important missions of this entire game - the partner mission. Get to know your fellow competitors and figure out who you want - and don’t want - as a partner. It might help if you let people know your thoughts as well because just because you want someone as your partner, doesn’t necessarily mean you will get them. That’s all I have for you today. Good night!
*the cast excitedly starts walking back towards their huts, beginning to chatter amongst themselves*

NEXT TIME ON ENDURANCE
The decision of who to partner up with stirs up drama in the huts
New alliances begin to form
And a partner mission twist leaves everyone shocked

[crystalclearhawaii]

This is so cool!

[kwdrewfan]

YAASSSS BRYAN!!! Comin' in hot with an Endurance story!!
I want to file an official complaint, though. About halfway through that chapter I decided that Corey was my favorite. AND THEN YOU BOOTED HIM. Bring him back, pls? 

The alliance before the game even starts, omg. It's surprising and yet it's not. Crazy how that happens!
 

Apr 9, 2019 23:07:09 GMT -5 Cruise meerkat Youssy said:

JD: Wow, confident! *Kyrina looks pleased* Rosemary, how about you?
Rosemary: Well… I don’t really know. I’m going to try my best and just imagine the Endurance pieces. So hopefully that’ll help me stay.
JD: That sounds like a very good strategy.

THIS ALSO CRACKED ME UP BECAUSE LIKE ?? It sounds JUST like the kind of random, nonsensical thing I could envision a real contestant saying and JD just being like...... yeah... good strategy.
I'm REALLY sorry if that's not what you were going for haha, but it sounded confusing to my brain and so that's what I pictured 

I'm interested to see Kyrina's confidence moving forward, and Domonique seems like she'll be a character. I can't wait to see what unfolds!

[Cruise meerkat Youssy]

That’s exactly what I imagined LOL I was trying to get the essence of a 13 year old... sorry any 13 year olds.... but sometimes y’all dont make the most sense LOL

And I actually liked Corey too!! Like I knew he (and all the other RTS eliminees) was going home but I wanted to give him some personality and now I’m like dang... I kinda liked them all...

[Cruise meerkat Youssy]

Episode Two

JD Roth approaches the cabins
JD: Hey, everyone! Come out here for a second.
*the cast files out of the huts, looking tired but excited. They take seats around JD*
JD: Big day yesterday. I’m sure it was tough saying goodbye to your fellow competitors, but you’ve made it through one night as an official Endurance player. Elias, how does it feel?
Elias: It feels great, honestly. I feel like some people underestimated me, or thought I was a geek or whatever… And I kind of am, but I want to show that I can compete too.
JD: Well, congratulations, you made it through that challenge. Now, all of you face another important challenge. Possibly the most important one in this entire game. That’s right… today, we are choosing partners.
*some of the contestants smile while others look nervous*
JD: Domonique, if you could have anyone as your partner, who would you choose?
Domonique: *smiles widely* Chad!
*Chad smiles too*
JD: Why Chad?
Domonique: He is my best friend here. We talk all the time. I just know that we would work so well together.
Chad: Same here.
Domonique: See, I’m not crazy!
*everyone laughs*
JD: Well, that was easy! How about you, Chris? Anyone you have in mind?
Chris: I want someone really tough.
JD: And you don’t know who that would be?
Chris: Um… I dunno, a lot of them are tough.
JD: Fair enough. Well, everyone, later today we will determine who your partner will be for the rest of Endurance. Here’s a little hint: I suggest you let everyone know who you want your partner to be and what color you guys would like. Have a good day and see you guys later.
JD walks off as the cast begins to chatter
--
Chelsea (confessional): “Today… we’re choosing partners. And I think… it’s just gonna be a mess. Honestly. Getting fourteen people to agree on something is never going to happen. So feelings are probably going to be hurt.”

Jaylen: “After JD talked to us in the morning, we all got together and started talking about who should be partners, which went…” *shrugs*
--
in the guys hut
Deandre: Okay, we should go around right now and say who we want! I want Carmen.
Ray: I want Cheyenne.
Eric: I want Francesca.
Elias: I think I want Chelsea.
Chris: I want Kyrina. And we all know Chad wants Domonique.
Chad: Dude, you really want Kyrina? None of the girls even like her.
Chris: Would that even matter? She’s the toughest one here. We’d just dominate everyone.
Chad: I’m just saying! I’m just trying to look out for you.
Ray: I feel like this is pretty easy. I don’t think there’s gonna be that much drama over partners.

meanwhile, in the girls hut….
*everyone is chatting away with each other but not talking to the entire group*
*Domonique is talking to Francesca*
Domonique: Okay, so if you could pick any of the guys who would you pick?
Francesca: I think Eric or Ray. I don’t know… they seem strong. But also I’m not too picky. I feel like I can work with anyone.
Domonique: I feel like the only person I don’t want is, like, Elias. Like we just wouldn’t be a good match. But what if you get to choose my partner?
Francesca: *laughs* Yes, I know… you want Chad. I know!
Domonique: I only want Chad!
Francesca: I think we all know that, girl.
Domonique: Oh my God, I’m so nervous. I better get Chad. I think we should make a list. And it should start with me and Chad. But we do need to make a list so that everybody knows what’s going on.
*Francesca nods*
Domonique: Hey! HEY EVERYONE! We need to talk about the partners as a group!
*everyone quiets down and looks at Domonique*
Domonique: Okay, so… I want Chad!
*Kyrina rolls her eyes*
--
Kyrina: “If I have to hear one more thing about Chad I’m going to hurl Domonique into that dirty lake!”
--
Carmen: Let’s just go around and say who we want and then we can work from there. Kyrina, who do you want?
Kyrina: It’s really none of your business.
Carmen: Um… literally it is.
Kyrina: If I don’t want y’all to know who I want as my partner, then that’s it.
Cheyenne: But… if you don’t tell us, someone is going to choose your partner for you and you may not get who you want.
Kyrina: I don’t want people messing things up. When people know information, they use it against you.
Carmen: But.... we still have to know who you want as your partner.
Kyrina: I just said that you don’t.
Carmen: OKAY, ANYWAY… moving on-
Kyrina: Okay, don’t have an attitude with me.
Carmen: You literally just had an attitude with me.
Kyrina: YOU have had an attitude with ME since the day we got here. So don’t even start.
Carmen: YOU are starting!
Kyrina: It doesn’t even matter who starts- *she gets up* -cause I am ENDING!
*she storms out the hut*
Domonique: Okay… what was that?
Chelsea: ...I have no idea.
Carmen: She is literally psycho.
Rosemary: *quietly, from the corner* I have an idea? For the partners?
Cheyenne: What’s your idea, Rosemary?
Rosemary: What if everyone, even the guys, makes a list with their first, second, and third choice. And then I can go through them and make a list that matches everyone with their choices?
Francesca: That actually sounds like a really good idea! I’ll go tell the guys and we can get that started.
*the scene changes to various contestants with pencils in their hand, looking thoughtful and pensive*
--
Cheyenne: “After Kyrina’s outburst, Rosemary had a really good idea that everyone makes a list of who they want, like a ranking or whatever. And then she can match people up based on who they wrote down. And everyone actually trusts Rosemary to do it because she’s really smart. So she can do all the thinking and make this list or whatever.”

Domonique (confessional) “Okay, so my list, I wrote down Chad, Chad, and Chad. And I also wrote down Purple team because that’s my favorite color. So I’m gonna be on Purple team with Chad.”

Jaylen (confessional): “So for my, like, ranking I put Francesca first, then Cheyenne, then Carmen.”

Deandre (confessional): “My list says Carmen, then Francesca, then Cheyenne, because they’re all in my alliance. But I hope I get Carmen cause she’s bomb.”

Elias (confessional): “My first choice is Chelsea because she’s thoughtful and mature. Then I put down Cheyenne because she’s outgoing and fit. Then I put Francesca because she’s just a sweetheart and no one would want to vote her off.”

Ray (confessional): “I put Francesca, Cheyenne, and Carmen. I do want Francesca but the main thing that needs to happen is that the three girls get paired with Deandre, Eric, and me cause we all have an alliance. If that gets screwed up, then… we’re gonna have to figure something else out.”
--
*scene shows Rosemary sitting on a wooden bunk with a bunch of pieces of paper scattered around her. Chelsea sits nearby*
Rosemary: Okay, so this is everyone… except Kyrina? Did she not do one?
Chelsea: She’s… off sulking somewhere, I think. *shrugs*
Rosemary: Well… I’ll just do my best to fit her in somewhere.
*a time lapse of Rosemary moving pieces of paper around and switching things here and there until finally…*
--
Rosemary (confessional): “I finally made this list. And this list is the best thing I could do. So everyone just needs to remember it for the mission:

Francesca & Ray
Rosemary & Jaylen
Carmen & Deandre
Kyrina & Chris
Cheyenne & Eric
Chelsea & Elias
Domonique & Chad”
--
*scene changes to people hanging out around the cabins. Copies of the list have obviously been distributed, as everyone is reading it and talking about it.*
Carmen: I’m actually so happy with this list. *winks at Cheyenne*
Cheyenne: *winks back* Yeah, I feel like everyone might actually be happy with their partner.
Rosemary: *chuckles quietly* I did my best…

Kyrina: Dude, I’m with Chris?! Stoked!
Chad: So that’s who you want? I heard you wouldn’t tell any of the girls.
Kyrina: Duh, I don’t trust them.
Chad: Well you’re lucky he wants a tough partner.
Kyrina: Oh, boy, he’s lucky that he’s gonna get a tough partner.
*Chad laughs*
Chad: Well, you should know then that Chris and I are bunk mates and we decided we want to start an alliance with each other.
Kyrina: That’s cool with me.
Chad: Alright, awesome. You know, you’re not that difficult to get along with.
Kyrina: Yeah, when I’m not surrounded by arrogance...

Chelsea: I’m just feeling a little worried…
Elias: Why is that?
Chelsea: I just feel like that was too easy. Everyone just kind of fit together. It’s never that easy.
Elias: I know what you mean…
*they ponder for a few moments*
Elias: What color do you want?
Chelsea: I think I want Yellow.
Elias: You know, Yellow’s never won Endurance before.
Chelsea: Well, we can be the first. *smiles*
Elias: I like the way you think! ...I just hope we aren’t forgetting anything.
Chelsea: Yeah, me neither.

*scene changes again, as JD Roth walks up the huts*
JD: Hey guys, c’mon and follow me over here!
*he leads the cast a little bit aways through a small grove of trees to a nearby small clearing with benches made of long rocks placed there*
JD: This right here is going to be known as “The Clearing”. This is where we will have important meetings, like to determine who will get the Samadhi or be sent to the Temple of Fate.
*Domonique shudders and grabs onto Chad*
JD: I’d say that determining our partners for the game is pretty important, wouldn’t you all say?
*the cast nods*
JD: Only this season… there is NOT going to a partner mission.
*everyone’s jaw drops as they process what JD just said*
Deandre: Wait, what?
JD: That’s right. We will not be having a mission to determine the partners this season. You guys are going to determine the partners… by voting.
*everyone’s jaws drop again*
JD: As I begin to pass out these leather scrolls and markers- *he passes them out as he continues to speak* -I am going to give you guys a color and you guys are going to write down which guy and which girl you want to be on that team.
*some people’s eyes grow wide*
Carmen: (whispering) We forgot to decide on colors…
JD: The guy and the girl that get the most votes will end up on that color team. I hope you guys know exactly who you want as a partner and which color you guys want to be on.
*the cast has a varied mix of expressions ranging from panic to nervousness to sick to their stomach*

JD: Let’s begin… please vote for the guy and the girl you want to be on the BLUE team.
Carmen’s scroll shows CARMEN/DEANDRE
JD: Please write down who you want to be on the RED team.
Rosemary’s scroll shows DOMONIQUE & CHAD
JD: Please write down who you want to be on the YELLOW team.
Ray’s scroll shows CHRIS AND CHELSEA
JD: Please write down who you want to be on the GREEN team.
Kyrina’s scroll shows FRANCESCA - RAY
JD: Please write down who you want to be on the ORANGE team.
Deandre’s scroll shows ELIAS / KYRINA
JD: Please write down who you want to be on the PURPLE team.
Francesca’s scroll shows DOMONIQUE AND CHAD
JD: And, lastly… please write down who you want to be on the GRAY team.
Domonique’s scroll shows CHRIS/KYRINA
JD: *smiles* Alright, well that wasn’t so difficult! If you all pass your scrolls to me, I will tally up these votes and then we will find out the seven official teams of Endurance!
Domonique: This has got to be a joke…

*JD returns a moment later, having tallied the votes*
JD: All the votes are in, and I bet you guys are anxious to see these results.
Cheyenne: Yes, JD!

JD: Alright, well let’s begin. The boy on the blue team is… DEANDRE. You can go take a stand on that blue triangle over there.
*Deandre stands up and walks over to the blue triangle, looking calm but slightly nervous*
JD: Deandre, your partner on the blue team is… CARMEN.
Carmen: Yay! *smiles and runs over to Deandre, and they hug*
Eric: Okay, that one worked out.
JD: It looks like it did. Carmen, were you hoping for Deandre as your partner?
Carmen: Yes, I got nervous with the voting that it wouldn’t happen but… it did! Woo!
*Kyrina rolls her eyes*
JD: Alright, let’s get to the next team. The boy on the green team is… ERIC.
*Eric takes his place on the green triangle*
JD: Eric, your partner for Endurance: Argentina will be… FRANCESCA
*Francesca looks a little flustered yet happy as she joins Eric. Carmen and Deandre look happy too*
JD: Is this what you guys expected?
Eric: It isn’t, I was supposed to be with Cheyenne, but Francesca is gonna be a great partner any way.
JD: And that’s exactly what Endurance is all about. Let’s get onto the next team. The girl on the red team is… DOMONIQUE.
*Domonique’s mouth drops open as she slowly walks to the red triangle*
JD: What’s wrong, Domonique?
Domonique: I was supposed to be on purple team! I don’t look cute in red!
JD: Well.... hopefully your partner will help you through that.
*Domonique nods, looking at Chad*
JD: Domonique, your partner on the red team is… JAYLEN.
Domonique: Oh my God, no!!!
*everyone looks shocked*
Jaylen: Um…
*he slowly gets up and walks toward Domonique, who has started crying*
*Jaylen awkwardly puts an arm around the obviously distraught Domonique*
JD: Domonique, I know you wanted Chad as your partner, but for better or worse, Jaylen is your partner now. This is something that you guys can work together and you can learn how to persevere and keep moving forward in this game, okay?
*Domonique just nods as she continues to sob*

JD: Alright, the next team is going to be orange. The guy on the orange team is… ELIAS.
*Elias looks nervous as he walks to the orange triangle*
JD: Elias, what are you thinking?
Elias: I’m thinking we really messed up, JD. We didn’t start thinking about colors until too late. So this whole partner thing is probably going to be a mess.
JD: An honest man. Elias, your partner is… KYRINA.
*Kyrina’s face drops immediately, then changes to one of vexation*
JD: Kyrina, you can join Elias on the orange triangle.
Kyrina: Okay.
*she gets up and walks over to Elias, who looks a little comically scared as she approaches. She doesn’t greet him and just stands next to him without interacting*

JD: Our next team is going to be the yellow team. CHELSEA, why don’t you take your spot on the yellow triangle?
*Chelsea walks over*
JD: Chelsea, who are you hoping for as your partner?
Chelsea: Well, I was hoping for Elias, but now… I don’t know.
JD: Well, Chelsea, your partner is going to be CHAD.
*Chelsea looks happy but Chad looks downtrodden as he walks over to her. The camera shows Domonique who is still crying*

JD: Now we are down to our last four people. Only the purple and the gray teams left. I can tell you that CHEYENNE, you are on the purple team, putting ROSEMARY on the gray team. But who are your partners?
*Ray makes eye contact with Cheyenne, crossing his fingers*
JD: RAY, why don’t you take a spot on………… the purple triangle with Cheyenne. Leaving CHRIS to go on the Gray triangle with Rosemary.
Ray: Yes! *runs over and joins Cheyenne*
Cheyenne: Purple, baby! *they hug*
*Chris looks a bit annoyed as he walks over to Rosemary. She smiles at him awkwardly and he curtly nods back to her*

JD: Alright, we now have the seven official teams of Endurance: Argentina! Take a good look at the person standing next to you. This is the one other person besides yourself that you will have to rely on the most to get you through this game. For better or worse, they’ll be by your side for every mission, every hard decision… and every Temple of Fate. Even if they weren’t your first choice, get to know them, learn how to communicate and work with them, and hopefully you’ll find success in this game. Now, let’s follow me back over towards your cabins.

*scene changes as the group stands in front of the piece poles*
JD: You guys know about these, right? These are the fourteen official pieces of Endurance. They are Commitment, Courage, Discipline, Leadership, Luck, Perseverance, Strength, Heart, Knowledge, Trust, Ingenuity, Teamwork, Friendship, and Karma. To become an Endurance champion, you will need to be in possession of all fourteen of these. We’re going to start you guys off with a little gift: every team is going to receive one piece right here, right now.

Orange team, why don’t you come up here and get the strength piece. Kyrina, you have the physical strength, but you guys will need to rely on your mental and emotional strength as well.

Blue team, you guys will get the Commitment piece. Here you go, Carmen. You guys will need to be committed to each other and committed to helping each other make it through this game.
*Carmen smiles at Deandre*

Purple team, I’m going to give you guys the Teamwork piece. Time and time again, we see the teamwork is the key to success in Endurance. I think you guys have what it takes.
*Ray nods*

Gray team, here is the Ingenuity piece. It takes a lot of creativity and ingenuity to do something like coming up with a list of partners, Rosemary. Hopefully you guys can continue to display that ingenuity throughout the competition.

Green team, you guys will get Heart. It took a lot of heart to get through these first couple days, and you’ll need a lot more to keep going.

Yellow team, you will have the Discipline piece. Discipline is an integral part of Endurance, from the physical discipline to excel in missions to the mental discipline to know when and how to strategize.

And, lastly, Red team. I’m going to give you guys Perseverance. You guys may not have gotten the partners you originally wanted, but the beauty of Endurance is that you will hopefully learn to persevere through that and be able work with each other. Good luck.

Everyone, it’s time to hang up your first piece.
*all the teams work together to hang up their first piece near the bottom of the pole*

JD: Now, with all of that out the way, I bet you guys are wondering what the grand prize for this season is?
Francesca: Um, yeah!
JD: Well, this season the grand prize trip is… a trip to the Philippines! There, you guys will get to stay in a luxury villa on the beautiful white sand beaches, canoe through underground rivers and caves, go snorkeling with whale sharks in pristine blue water, and more - all sponsored by Cruise Meerkat Youssy cruises.
*everyone claps and cheers, looking super excited*
JD: That’s all I got for you today. See you guys later!
*he jogs off and the cast, donned in their new team colors, starts to walk back towards the cabins*
--
Eric: “Now that we’re in teams, the game is about to get a whole lot more interesting.”

NEXT TIME ON ENDURANCE
Some partners begin to learn how to work together, while others fall apart
The first Endurance mission is a test to the newly formed teams
And the first Samadhi of the season causes drama in the cabins
---
BLUE: Carmen & Deandre - Commitment
GREEN: Francesca & Eric - Heart
RED: Domonique & Jaylen - Perseverance
ORANGE: Kyrina & Elias - Strength
YELLOW: Chelsea & Chad - Discipline
GRAY: Rosemary & Chris - Ingenuity
PURPLE: Cheyenne & Ray - Teamwork

[kwdrewfan]

I LAUGHED OUT LOUD at so many parts in that chapter, omg. Domonique's obsession with "CHAD CHAD CHAD" and freaking...
"Who do want as a partner?"
"It's none of your business."
"Um... it literally is."
I DIED. Like what even lmaaao

Uggh, the teams I didn't care about all got their partners lol but I wanted ELIAS & CHELSEA!! I love them both so far! But if Elias is with Kyrina... it's going to be hard to root for my boy lol. Makes me think of Nicole & Demian, especially since they're on Orange.

The twist of VOTING on teams was sOOOO good! I've never seen anything like that before, but I think it's an awesome twist!! And with all these mixed-up partnerships, it will be very interesting getting to see who sinks & who swims.

And despite her nonsensical thing about the pyramid pieces last episode hahaha, I also really like Rosemary. She seems sweet and sensible... for the most part. Lol

[Cruise meerkat Youssy]

Sorry for the delay! It'll probably be... maybe another week or so until the next episode. I've been on vacation, and this weekend I'm moving. Will write as soon as I can!

[Cruise meerkat Youssy]

Endurance: Argentina is back! ...@dk


Episode Three

the episode opens with a scene of Domonique, Chad, and Kyrina - all donned in their new team colors - sitting in the huts talking
Domonique: Dude I really cannot believe that these votes got so screwed up! Chad, you and I were set. Like, set. Like, we were gonna win. Like…
Chad: I know, it sucks. I’d rather have either of you guys over Chelsea.
Domonique: Chelsea’s nice! I like her!
Chad: Yeah, but I haven’t said one word to her. We are literally opposites.
A different scene flashes for a moment: Chelsea playing Solitaire by herself in the other hut
Domonique: Oh my God, speaking of opposites, I’m with Jaylen. Like, Jaylen. Like, do any of the guys even talk to him?
Chad: Um… I think he and Elias are friends?
*Kyrina huffs*
Domonique: Oh my God, and you have Elias. That’s the craziest one to me. Like you guys are too different.
Kyrina: I mean, the dude’s nice and all, but seriously? Come on. I hope there’s a partner switch or something because I don’t think I can win with him.
Domonique: I think we should make an alliance. Like, the Red, Yellow, and Orange teams. Like, we could really team up and, like, win.
Kyrina: I mean, I’m down. I think Elias wouldn’t mind. He likes Chelsea and Jaylen… I think.
Chad: Yeah, for sure. Let’s do it.
--
Carmen (confessional): “So… the partner mission, well I can’t really say it’s a mission, but for the partner thingy, everything got screwed up. The only team that actually got who they wanted was me and Deandre, so go us! But then Purple and Green got partners that were, like, in the alliance we have or whatever so that was okay. So we all like our partners. But… there’s a lot of people who don’t.”

Cheyenne: “There has been some drama about partners, I think Red team has some issues because Domonique is still crying that she didn’t get Chad. And then, the Yellow, Orange, and Gray teams are just really random people together. None of them got the partners they want. But the good thing is that Blue, Green, and Purple are all really strong and that’s my alliance so I think we’re going to run this thing. Hopefully.”

Domonique: “So like, I am still really upset that I didn’t get Chad as my partner but I’m getting used to it a little bit. We are still best friends, like besties *giggles*, and now we have an alliance so that’s all good. I’m just worried about Jaylen because I don’t think he’s very popular or he has many friends and also, like, is he even strong at missions? But, I have to talk to him and I have to try to, like, work things out because we’re partners now.”
--
*Chelsea approaches Chad who is standing around outside the cabins. He absentmindedly plays with a stick, not making eye contact while she talks to him*
Chelsea: Chad, can I talk to you?
Chad: Huh? Hey.
Chelsea:: I was talking to Domonique and she said we have an alliance with Red and Orange…
Chad: Oh, yeah. We talked about it earlier.
Chelsea: You should also talk to your partner before you agree to make any alliances…
Chad: Oh, you’re not cool with it?
Chelsea: No, no, I am. It’s just… *she trails off*
Chad: Okay, cool. See you later. *he walks into the cabin and she just stands there, watching him leave*
--
Chelsea: “Chad really… isn’t making this partnership work. All he cares about is being with Domonique and being with Chris. He needs to step up and try to work with me, but he’s just being so immature about the whole thing. It’s like… we’re partners now, we need to actually talk. It frustrates me but I don’t know what to do.”
--
*the scene changes to JD trotting up to the cabins*
JD: Hey, everybody! Let’s come out here.
*the cast gathers from various places around the area and they all sit down in front of the cabins with JD*
JD: Hey, guys. Big day today. Today is your very first mission as partners. I hope you’ve been getting to know your partner a little bit and finding out each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
*Carmen and Deandre smile at each other, while Chelsea bites her lip*
JD: Domonique, last time I saw you, you were not happy with your partner to say the least. Have you come around to being with Jaylen?
Domonique: Yes, a little bit. Like I still love Chad, but Jaylen is nice. We just have to talk more.
*Jaylen speaks up*
Jaylen: I don’t hold it against her. I know she really wanted Chad. I think we’ll be able to work together and figure it out.
JD: Later on, we will have our very first Endurance mission. Up for grabs is going to be this - *he lifts up a pyramid piece* - the Luck piece, and also… the ever-dreaded Samadhi.
*Ray grimaces*
JD: This is an important mission so try your best. I’ll see you all in just a little bit.
*some of the cast call out “Bye JD!” as he gets up and walks away*

*near the hammocks, the Blue, Green, and Purple teams are hanging out and chatting*
Cheyenne: I’m just super happy that everything worked out.
Francesca: We really got lucky!
Ray: I mean… there was more than that.
*Francesca looks at him quizzically*
Ray: I definitely messed up some of the other teams on purpose.
*he, Deandre, and Eric high five*
Deandre: Yeah, Ray came to us before and said we should mess up the teams for everyone else. And it worked. I didn’t want them to get the partners they wanted, only us.
*Francesca frowns a bit, but Carmen and Cheyenne are smiling*
Cheyenne: Oh my God, partner, you’re so smart!
Ray: *blushing* Oh, you know, you know.
Eric: So, if we win who should we give the Samadhi to?
Carmen: We need to give the Samadhi to either Orange or Red. Psycho Kyrina is on Orange and she is gonna try to target us probably. And Red has a lot of friends. They’re like the ringleader. Domonique is friends with Chad, who is friends with Chris, and then Jaylen is friends with Elias. So if we get rid of Red, then we knock out any type of alliance with the other teams.
Ray: Good. Cause I want to be the only alliance.
Deandre: My partner is such a smart little strategy queen. *puts an arm around Carmen and she laughs*

*The scene changes to the seven teams approaching JD on the bank of the lake that their RTS was played on. In the water, there is a contraption which is a wide beam about 15 feet in the air, with several rope ladders hanging down from it. On the beam there is a row of platforms which are numbered one through fourteen.*
JD: Hey guys, welcome to your first Endurance mission! The winner of this mission will get the Luck piece and take the lead with two pieces to everyone else’s one. And, more importantly, they will also get control of that dreaded Samadhi, which they can use to handicap any other team in the next Temple mission. Today’s mission is called Fate Falls. When I say go, all fourteen of you will swim out as fast as you can to those rope ladders in the lake. Then you will climb the ladders onto that tall beam and try to get on the lowest number platform. The faster you get up those ladders, the lower number you can get. It’s important that you go for the lowest number, because once everyone is standing on a platform, I will pull out a bag with a bunch of coins in it. The coins each have a number from one through fourteen on them. There is one #1 coin, two number #2 coins, and so on. One at a time, I will pull a coin from the bag. If I pull the number that you are standing on, the platform below you will drop and you will fall into the water and be out of this challenge. So, obviously, the people with the lowest numbers will have the highest chance of winning. Let’s get ready to begin.

JD: Okay, for the Luck piece and control of the Samadhi. On your marks, get set… go!
*everyone immediately sprints out to the water and starts swimming*
JD: It looks like Chad, Deandre, and Kyrina are out in the lead right now! Meanwhile Chelsea, Rosemary, and Elias are starting to lag behind. Keep it up, everyone!
Soon, the first people begin arriving at the rope ladders and start to climb up, which requires a lot of upper body strength. Everyone looks tired, already winded from the swim.
JD: Kyrina and Chad are pulling out ahead on these rope ladders. Both of them want to get that first position. Which one can pull it off?
A close up shot of Kyrina grunting and pulling herself onto the platform, with Chad right behind her on a rope ladder a few feet away. Both make a sprint for the number one platform.
JD: And… it looks like Kyrina is first! She gets the number one spot. Good job, Kyrina. Chad is on number two, and it looks like Deandre is on number three. And everyone else is starting to climb up those rope ladders now.
Most of the cast has now made it to the rope ladders and begun climbing. The scene focuses on Francesca holding onto the bottom rung, with Eric swimming around behind her.
Francesca: Eric, help me! I can’t climb up the ladder!
Eric: I gotcha!
*Eric positions himself under Francesca and starts to physically push her up the ladder. As she begins to climb up a few rungs, he starts climbing up beneath her, physically coaxing her along*
JD: Looks like Green team is using teamwork to get through this mission - Eric helping Francesca up that ladder. And trust me, it is no easy task to get up there after swimming all the way out there. It’s a tradeoff - get yourself up to the platform quicker and hope you get a good spot or help out your partner and hope you both end up with decent spots. Let’s see if it pays off for them.
The spots on the platform begin filling up. Cheyenne, Carmen, Ray, Jaylen, and Chris all take their respective spots. Francesca and Eric take their spots as well. Some people are lagging behind.
JD: Elias, Chelsea, and Rosemary are climbing up now. Domonique is still struggling in the water.
Domonique is splashing around, her head bobbing over and under the surface. Every time she surfaces she gasps loudly. She is kicking and thrashing a lot, but not moving very far.
Jaylen: C’mon Domonique! You can do it! Don’t give up! *under his breath* I didn’t know she couldn’t swim!
Elias makes it to the platform, followed soon by Chelsea and Rosemary. Domonique finally makes it to the rope ladder and begins slowly climbing up. After a few minutes, she too makes it onto the platform, winded.

1- Kyrina
2- Chad
3- Deandre
4- Cheyenne
5- Carmen
6- Ray
7- Jaylen
8- Chris
9- Francesca
10- Eric
11- Elias
12- Chelsea
13- Rosemary
14- Domonique

The scene changes with everyone standing expectantly on their platform. JD addresses them from the shore.
JD: Alright, everyone! You’ve done your best, but the rest is now up to fate. I will be pulling coins from this bag. Remember, you don’t want your number to be pulled. If I do pull your number, then the platform beneath you will drop out and you will fall into the water and out of this challenge. Let’s begin!
JD: First number is… seven!
*the platform under Jaylen immediately drops and he yells ‘Woah!’ for a split second as he falls into the water with a loud splash. Domonique looks disappointed*
JD: Next number is… thirteen!
*Rosemary’s platform drops out and she falls into the water*
A montage of JD calling numbers and people falling into the water ensues. “Six!” “Nine!” “Two!” “Five!” “Ten!” “Eight!” “Four!” as Ray, Francesca, Chad, Carmen, Eric, Chris, and Cheyenne fall into the water*
JD: Okay, here’s where we stand: Purple, Gray, Blue, and Green are all out of the challenge. Domonique is holding it down for Red team, Chelsea is holding it down for Yellow team, and both Orange team members are still in this!
Kyrina: Woo, go Orange!

1- Kyrina
2- Chad
3- Deandre
4- Cheyenne
5- Carmen
6- Ray
7- Jaylen
8- Chris
9- Francesca
10- Eric
11- Elias
12- Chelsea
13- Rosemary
14- Domonique

JD: Here’s what I find interesting: Kyrina is still hanging on with that number one spot, but the other three players still in this all struggled the most in this challenge. Fate can really impact your position in the game. Let’s see who has the luck to go all the way. The next number is… Number one!
*Kyrina falls*
JD: Wow, and just like that, the best performer in this mission is out, leaving three of the people who had the least chance of winning. The next number is… twelve!
*Chelsea yelps as her platform drops and she falls*
JD: Okay, it all comes down to this! Elias for the orange team or Domonique for the red team. Domonique got last in the mission but that may have actually been a good thing in the end. We’ll see who gets lucky on this last pull. Remember, you don’t want to have your number pulled. Whichever number I do not pull will win this mission for their team. Let’s go… the next number is…
(cue a commercial break! haha)
Fourteen!
*Domonique falls as Elias cheers and Kyrina cheers from the shore*
Elias: YES! GO ORANGE! *fist pumps*

Scene changes to all the teams standing on shore alongside JD
JD: Great mission everyone. I bet a lot of people didn’t think that Orange would win today. Just yesterday it seemed like Kyrina wouldn’t even look at you, Elias, but I bet now she’s glad that you’re her partner.
*Kyrina smiles appreciatively*
JD: I’m gonna give you this to hang up - *he hands them the Luck piece* - and you also get control of this - *he holds up the Samadhi*. I don’t need your decision now - you have all afternoon to think about who you want to handicap in the next Temple mission. Good job, and I’ll see you all later.
--
The scene changes to show Kyrina and Elias hanging up the Luck piece on their piece pole.
--
Kyrina: “Oh yeah, Orange team won the mission today! Really thanks to Elias even though I beat everyone in the first part of the mission. And NO ONE thought Orange would win but we proved everyone wrong so now everyone has to suck up to us.”

Carmen (confessional): “Ugh, I’m literally just so…. disappointed that Orange won. Like, basically Blue team is screwed because me and Kyrina do not get along.”

Ray: “It’s fair to say that some teams are more worried than others. Kyrina and Elias have their friends on the beach, and it’s not Purple, Blue, or Green teams, so yeah I’m worried because that’s my team and the other teams I’m aligned with.”
--
The scene changes to show a group of the cast hanging out in one of the huts, talking to the Orange team.
Chris: Dude, congrats guys, that’s so crazy.
Kyrina: Thanks, Chris. *she flashes a smile at him*
Chris: You better be happy that you have this dude as your partner! *pats Elias on the back*
Kyrina: *laughs* He did good today. He chose the right platform.
Elias: Yeah, and Kyrina smoked all of you.
*everyone laughs*
Elias: I think it has brought us closer together.
Kyrina: Yeah, now that I know we can win. And we have the lead and the Samadhi so everyone better be making deals with us!
Rosemary: Do you know who you’re giving the Samadhi to yet?
*Kyrina and Elias shoot a glance at each other*
Kyrina: No, not really. Not yet.
Elias: We’d better go talk about it…
Kyrina: See you guys later.
*they walk out of the hut*

The scene then changes to show Carmen and Cheyenne behind a hut, talking to Chelsea in hushed voices.
Carmen: Chelsea, you have to help me. Please! I’ll never vote you off or send you to Temple.
Chelsea: What do you want me to do?
Carmen: You have to talk to Kyrina and Elias and try to get them to not give Blue the Samadhi. Kyrina seriously hates me and I don’t want to go home for personal reasons.
Cheyenne: Yeah, cause it should be about strategy. Not about personal reasons.
Chelsea: I mean… I don’t really know what I can do…
Cheyenne: Just, like, try to talk to Orange and tell them maybe give the Samadhi to a different team besides Blue or Purple or Green. And try to think strategically instead of voting off people you don’t like.
Carmen: Right! You’re still friends with Elias, right? Please just do us this one favor and we promise we’ll never send you to Temple.
Chelsea: Well… I can give it a shot, I guess…
Carmen: *relieved* Thank you!
*Cheyenne hugs Chelsea*
--
Carmen: “Cheyenne and I really tried to convince Chelsea to talk to Orange and not give us the Samadhi. I don’t think it’s really lying because I did say I wouldn’t send her to Temple and I don’t really think we want to send Yellow anyway, but you have to play the game and I know Orange wouldn’t listen to me if I tried to talk to them. So you have to work with what you have.”
--
The scene once again changes to focus on the Red team, who are sitting by themselves on a hammock near the huts.
Domonique: I’m so sorry, Jaylen, like, I really did so bad. I can’t stop being upset about it.
Jaylen: It’s okay. You actually almost won!
Domonique: Yeah but, like, I did so bad. Like, sooo bad, and I really haven’t been a good partner.
Jaylen: Aw, don’t say that. You have been a good partner.
Domonique: No, cause, like, I keep wanting to hang out with Chad all the time and I do love Chad. He’s, like, such a great friend, but he’s not my partner, I should be hanging out with you. And also, like, not sucking at the missions.
Jaylen: It’s okay to hang out with Chad! Just as long as we can communicate about stuff and we’re in this together.
Domonique: Yeah… I think that I needed to get a different partner than what I wanted. To learn how to, like, endure and whatever. And you’re such a good partner because you listen and you respect me, or whatever. Even when I suck at swimming.
Jaylen: Well… thanks for that. Just, in the future, we have to just work together better in the missions. If there’s something you’re not good at then I can help you, and vice versa.
Domonique: Yeah, totally!
*they hug*
--
Jaylen: “I am a little bit worried because Domonique did so bad in the first Endurance mission, but my job isn’t to bring that up and dwell on the past. I want to work with her to look in the future and figure out how to be a better team.”

Domonique: “Jaylen and I, we’ve really just been, like, talking through everything and he’s been such an amazing partner. I’m glad that we ended up together because if we didn’t then I wouldn’t have gotten to know him, really.”
--
The scene shifts to Kyrina and Elias talking in the forest, and Chelsea walking up to them.
Chelsea: Hey, they said you’d be out here.
Elias: What’s up, Chelsea?
Chelsea: So… Carmen and Cheyenne talked to me earlier.
*Kyrina raises an eyebrow*
Elias: Go on…
Chelsea: Um… so basically, they just wanted me to talk to you and ask you to not to give them the Samadhi, to give it to Red or Gray. And they wouldn’t send you to Temple or give you the Samadhi.
Kyrina: They really told you that? Like, really had the audacity?
Chelsea: Um… yes?
Kyrina: What the- like, I’m just shocked. First of all - *her voice starts to raise* - the fact that they couldn’t even come to me themselves and talk about it! Like, they’re such cowards!
*Chelsea and Elias both stand back and watch as Kyrina starts to rant*
Kyrina: Like why are they going to send you on their mission?! Second of all, what a bunch of LIARS! They can’t keep everyone safe! All these promises they’re making are just lies because they would totally give Orange the Samadhi if they won. That’s so stupid. I really can’t believe this! I literally want them off this beach so badly. I want to get rid of them myself. Thinking they can run this game, well too bad, because ORANGE won the mission, baby! We have the power! We have two pieces and we have the Samadhi and no one is safe, especially the Blue and Purple and Green teams! Buh bye!
*silence for a few moments*
Chelsea: I… was just passing on a message.
Kyrina: Oh, I know, you’re fine. Don’t worry, Yellow’s safe.
Chelsea: ...Okay. Good luck you guys.
*Chelsea walks off and Kyrina and Elias start to talk strategy again*
Kyrina: So now we’re definitely giving the Samadhi to Blue.
Elias: Uh…
Kyrina: What?
Elias: I’m just trying to think strategically. I don’t want to make so many enemies. Having Blue as an enemy means we also have Purple and Green too. I was thinking we give it to, like… Gray?
Kyrina: Dude. You’ve got to be kidding me.
Elias: No, I’m serious. If we give it to Gray, they’re probably not going to win very many missions and they’re not going to cause a bunch of teams to come after us.
Kyrina: Remember when I was supposed to be partners with Chris? He and Chad have an alliance. So Gray and Yellow would be after us.
Elias: Chelsea and I won’t vote for each other. Just think about it, okay? I don’t want to make enemies this early in the game.
Kyrina: Blue already is our enemy.
Elias: But just think about this as a peace offering. If we don’t give it to Blue, we can cash in on their promise. I really think Gray is the best option here.
Kyrina: I really want to give it to Blue still… but I’ll think about it.
--
Elias: “Kyrina has such a temper and she’s already making enemies in the game, which is why I want to play things lowkey right now so we don’t make a bigger target on our back. Kyrina and I play two different games but we’re going to have to come together and make a decision.”
--
The scene changes to the seven teams filing into the Clearing, a nearby small clearing with benches made of long rocks placed there, and taking seats. JD waits for them.
JD: Hey, everyone! Welcome back to the Clearing. In just a little bit, we’re going to find out which team will be the first to receive the dreaded Samadhi.
*Kyrina smirks*
JD: But, first, I have some questions I wanna ask you guys. Rosemary, was it surprising that the Orange team won today?
Rosemary: Um… most people thought it was really surprising, but I didn’t. The mission was a lot of luck and they must have had a lot of luck. That’s why they have the Luck piece.
JD: They certainly did earn that piece today. Eric, are there any alliances going on in the game right now?
Eric: *laughs* Uh, JD… there probably are. There’s always alliances in Endurance.
JD: Care to elaborate on that, Eric?
Eric: Well, naturally some people like hanging out more and may be better friends and those can kind of turn into alliances.
JD: Fair enough. Let’s turn the attention to the Orange team. Kyrina, what was it like to win today?
Kyrina: It was great! We got the lead and all the teams had to suck up to us. I loved it.
*Carmen rolls her eyes*
Elias: I think it also made us have to talk to each other and figure things out. We’re very different but we’re starting to work on that common ground.
JD: That’s great to hear. Now, Carmen, when Kyrina was talking, I can’t help but notice that you rolled your eyes a little bit. Why is that?
Carmen: Because she’s so full of herself! She didn’t even win. Elias won. And just this morning she didn’t even want him as her partner!
Kyrina: Well, now he’s my partner and now we’ve talked to each other and gotten to know each other so we’re good now. And Orange is winning and Blue isn’t. So there’s that.
JD: Chris, is it like this all the time between these two?
Chris: *laughs* Pretty much, whenever they do talk.
JD: Alright, well now’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Orange, why don’t you tell us who you are giving the Samadhi to.
Elias: Well, believe it or not, it actually was a really tough decision, but at the end of the day we decided to give it to…
the Blue team.
*Deandre just frowns while Carmen looks angry*
JD: Alright, Blue, stand up and get the Samadhi and come stand over here by this rock.
*they stand up and Carmen snatches the Samadhi from Elias’ hands and walk over to JD*
JD: Go ahead and smash it against that rock to find out what’s inside.
Carmen: You do it. *hands it to Deandre*
*Deandre slams it violently against the rock and it bursts open*
JD: Alright, Deandre, can you tell me what’s inside?
Deandre: It’s a statue of a man.
JD: And what is that man doing?
Deandre: *twirls the statue for a few seconds* Um… I don’t know?
JD: He’s sitting, and that represents how you guys will be sitting out in tomorrow’s Temple mission. Blue team will not be able to participate.
*Carmen’s mouth drops open and Deandre’s eyebrows narrow angrily*
JD: It doesn’t mean you’re going to Temple, you just can’t win the mission. Everyone else, head on back to the huts. I’ll see you tomorrow for your first Temple mission, where someone will be going home. Good night!
--
Carmen: “What a horrible thing to do! All they had to do was give it to Red or Gray and they would’ve been safe, but now we’re coming for them!”

Deandre: “Elias said it was a ‘really tough decision’, that’s just bs. Orange is going down.”
--
NEXT TIME ON ENDURANCE
One player decides to take a vengeance on their competitors
The first Temple mission tests everyone’s teamwork, as some conquer while others fall
And a calculated plot puts one team in a sticky situation
--
BLUE: Carmen & Deandre - Commitment
GREEN: Francesca & Eric - Heart
RED: Domonique & Jaylen - Perseverance
ORANGE: Kyrina & Elias - Strength, Luck
YELLOW: Chelsea & Chad - Discipline
GRAY: Rosemary & Chris - Ingenuity
PURPLE: Cheyenne & Ray - Teamwork

[crystalclearhawaii]

Love this! The mission is so cool, and I can't wait to see what happens next, especially between Orange and Blue!

[kwdrewfan]

Your dialogue is freakin fantastic. Love it. It really sounds like a bunch of awkward teenagers talking   and Rosemary, at it again with the random nonsense comments lolol.

JAYLEN AND ELIAS ARE SO SWEET!!!! Kyrina actually isn't bad, either, until something upsets her and then she just goes insane lmao. I also enjoyed the juxtaposition between Jaylen & Domonique's attitudes towards each other! Like Jaylen was super sweet about it but you could tell he was waay more reserved/uncertain about her, while Domonique was just like "YAS I LOVE JAYLEN BEST PARTNER EVAR". Also lol @ Domonique being Michelle 2.0 at the start of that mission

I'm really getting into this, Bryan! Can't wait for another chapter!

[Cruise meerkat Youssy]

It may be a few days until the next episode. Sorry for the delays. My house flooded a week ago and I'm just now getting life back to semi-normal and having a little free time.

[Cruise meerkat Youssy]

Without further adieu, here's a very dramatic episode to make up for the wait...

Episode Four

Francesca (Confessional): *smiles a little* “The huts are pretty divided right now. There’s really two big alliances: Blue, Green, and Purple, and then Red, Yellow, and Orange, with Gray kind of in the middle. And since Orange won and gave Blue the Samadhi there’s been… some tension. It makes things a little uncomfortable.”
--
Blue, Green, and Purple are sitting outside near the hammocks. None of the other teams are anywhere to be seen.
Carmen: I’m telling you guys, y’all have to win for us.
Cheyenne: We’re going to, Carmen! I promise you are not going home tonight. I can’t let you leeeeave!
Deandre: Dude, I’m still so mad. Like we don’t even get to compete, man… That’s the annoying thing. They knew we’d win because we’re, like, the best team.
Ray: Dude, don’t worry about it. Green or Purple is gonna win anyway. The other teams aren’t even that strong.
Francesca: *pipes up* It’s just time to get our heads in the game!
Ray: Well, my head’s been in the game since it started.
Deandre: Yeah, same here. And that’s the annoying thing. Some other teams aren’t.
Cheyenne: Most of them aren’t, I don’t think. It’s so annoying, actually. Like, we all try our hardest and then there’s teams like Gray or Red that are just here.
Ray: They’re not winning anything. You can’t tell me Red is going to win a mission.
Cheyenne: Exactly!
Deandre: When I tell y’all that y’all are saying everything that’s been running through my head… It’s only fair that one of us wins. None of us can go home tonight.
Carmen: Please try your hardest guys! I don’t want to home!
Eric: Look, Orange got lucky but now that we’re gonna get some missions based on skill, our alliance is probably gonna win every single mission from now on.
Deandre: Preach, dude. I’m gonna go grab my water bottle.
Deandre gets up and goes inside the boys’ hut, where Elias and Jaylen are talking.
--
Elias: “It is a good strategic move to apologize to a team you handicapped, but I really just wanted to apologize to Blue because I do feel bad. It’s hard to target another team when you know that everyone just wants to stay for this amazing experience.”
--
Elias looks up and sees Deandre walking in.
Elias: Hey, Deandre.
*Deandre looks up irritatedly*
Elias: I just wanted to say sorry for, you know, giving you the Samadhi. It wasn’t personal-
Deandre: Dude, yes it was, so don’t even try to lie to me right now because that’s gonna make me even more mad. You’re all quiet and play the ‘Oh, I’m just a computer geek’ card, but I see right through it, Elias. You’re a snake. Just know that I’m on to you. And you will be the next team to leave this game.
*Elias looks taken aback and stutters for a moment before speaking*
Elias: Uh- Well… I was just trying to apologize-
Deandre: Save it! I don’t care! I don’t want your apology. You gave the Samadhi to Blue so now you gotta pay for your actions! It’s done, man.
Elias: ...See you at the Temple mission.
Deandre: ‘See you at the Temple mission?’ Really?
*Elias nods*
Deandre: You a whole fool out here. That’s so whack. Have fun at Temple tonight.
*Deandre grabs his water bottle and walks out*
Jaylen: Uh… I can’t believe you just had sass with Deandre.
Elias: Yeah, me neither!
--
The scene changes to show Cheyenne walking into the confessional.
--
Cheyenne (Confessional): I am… so fed up right now. The game is so heated. My best friends are the Blue and Green teams, and any team that tries to go against us needs to go. It’s like, we have the Red team which has to be the worst team in Endurance history. Domonique sucks at everything and she only wants to be here because Chad is here. Then there’s Orange, and Kyrina is so psycho! She needs therapy! And then there’s the Yellow team, Chad doesn’t even talk to Chelsea. I think he’s said maybe three words to her since the partner mission. Now you can’t tell me they deserve to win. And like none of them deserve to win- oh yeah, there’s Gray team too, who even are they? It makes me SO MAD that all of them are doing NOTHING and think they deserve to stay over the Blue, Purple, and Green teams who are actually strong and get along with their partners. I came to Argentina wanting to be friends with everyone, but I have my friends and that’s Blue and Green teams. It’s really no more Ms. Nice Girl anymore, I’m ready to send people home!”
--
Cheyenne exits the confessional to Ray and Eric standing there.
Eric: Whatcha doing in there for so long?
Cheyenne: I had stuff to get off my chest! *smiles*
Ray: Look, whatever helps you win later!
Cheyenne: Oh yeah! Boom! Purple high five! *they high five*

The scene shifts to show the same scene, but the camera angle is focused on Chelsea and Rosemary as they sit a distance away looking at Eric, Cheyenne, and Ray.
Rosemary: Can I tell you something?
Chelsea: Yes, of course.
Rosemary: Oh my God, I’m so nervous. *blushes and puts her chin in her hands*
Chelsea: Oh my goodness, what is it Rosemary?
Rosemary: Aaah, never mind! I can’t say it.
Chelsea: Just tell me! ...Do you have a crush on someone?
*Rosemary shyly nods*
Chelsea: ...Is it… *looks over again* ...Eric?
Rosemary: Oh, yes, it is! *puts her face in her hands*
Chelsea: *giggles* Geez, it’s not the end of the world, calm down. Why do you like him?
Rosemary: I don’t know. He’s so cute. And he has a nice voice.
Chelsea: You should go talk to him later. Have you even talked?
Rosemary: Um… he asked me what my name was once.
Chelsea: Go talk to him! I’ll be so upset if you don’t.
Rosemary: Oh, no! I can’t! What do I even say to him? ...Or, okay, maybe I will. I don’t know!
*they laugh*
--
Rosemary: “I like talking to Chelsea because she’s my best friend here. Everyone kind of treats me like a young person but she treats me like a regular person, like we’re the same age. And I just feel like I can tell her anything.”
--
The seven teams are shown walking out to a flat, grassy plain with six long, smooth wooden poles laying on the ground.
JD: Hey guys! How are you guys today?
*various affirmative responses are heard*
JD: Good to hear. Today’s Temple mission is something I like to call ‘Balance of Power’. Out there, you see six long wooden poles in that field. As you can see, these poles are very smooth and not very wide. The goal of this mission is to make it from one end of the pole to the other with your teammate. Sounds easy, right?
*a few of the cast nods*
JD: But it’s not as simple as it sounds.
Ray: C’mon, JD!
JD: *laughs* To move along these poles, you and your partner will have to switch places back and forth, all the while balancing yourselves because if anyone touches the ground, they have to start over. It’s up to you guys to decide the best strategy for this mission, but remember that the only way to move is to switch places with your partner over and over until you make it to the end. Blue team, since you received the Samadhi yesterday, you guys will not be able to compete in this mission. Doesn’t mean you’re going to Temple, just means you can’t save yourself. Everyone else ready?
*cast nods*
JD: Alright, let’s get into position.

JD: For control over the game, get ready in 3...2...1… go!
The teams begin to talk to each other and start to move. Several different strategies emerge.
Francesca crawls precariously through Eric’s legs.
Ray tries to jump around Cheyenne but he misses and hits the ground, and purple team starts over.
Domonique is clinging onto Jaylen but doesn’t seem to be moving much.
Kyrina seems to be getting frustrated with Elias.
Kyrina: Elias, hold my hands! Stop moving! STOP! Listen to me!
Elias: You won’t hold still!
Kyrina: I’m trying to balance! You keep throwing me off! Just STOP!
*Elias is holding precariously onto Kyrina but their squirming causes him to lose his balance and he steps off.
Kyrina: Oh my God, ughhhh!
JD: This mission takes a lot of ingenuity and a lot of teamwork. It’s all about finding the best strategy for your team.
Chelsea and Chad are working well together and have a strategy of stepping over each other.
Chelsea: Can you bend over a little bit more?
Chad: Sorry. *crouches even further* Got all those big muscles, ya know?
Chelsea: *smiles a little* Yeah, sure. *steps cautiously over Chad*
JD: It looks like Green is in the lead, followed closely by Yellow, and then Gray!
Francesca and Eric’s strategy consists of them crawling between each other’s legs. It’s a tight squeeze, but they’re communicating well.
Eric: It’s no fair that you’re so tiny and can just shimmy right through and it’s so hard for me! *laughs*
Francesca: I’m trying! Hold on, let me try this!
Francesca stands on one foot and holds her other leg almost perpendicular to her body, leaving more room for Eric to pass. He does so with ease.
Eric: That’s what I’m talking about! Woo!
Chris and Rosemary are doing pretty well with their strategy of clinging onto each other and shuffling their feet around to maneuver the other person past them.
Chris: Good job, Rosemary- woah, woah woah-
*Rosemary almost loses her balance and falls backward but Chris grabs onto her tightly and stabilizes her.*
Rosemary: Oh my God! Thank you, Chris!
JD: Right now, it’s Green team, followed closely by Yellow, and then Gray. It seems like it’s up for grabs between these teams. Red team is a little ways behind but starting to get the hang of it. Meanwhile, Orange and Purple are just struggling.
Cheyenne: Dude, I’m the tallest girl here, this is impossible.
Ray: Let’s just try to copy them.
Cheyenne: I don’t know what to do! I’m too tall!
Ray: Look, turn around. Look at Gray team, let’s do what they’re doing.
Kyrina: No, Elias, dude, you’re not listening!
Elias: Kyrina I have to balance too! You’re taking up all the room!
Kyrina: Hold on to me- stop! You’re pushing me!
Elias: What do you want me to do?
Kyrina: Listen to me!
Elias: I really don’t want to do this. If you’re going to keep yelling at me like this, I’m just going to give up.
Kyrina: Fine, give up then. I don’t care.
Elias: Okay. Orange team is out!
JD: Orange team has forfeited the mission. Elias and Kyrina just could not figure it out. Take your seats next to the Blue team, guys.
*Carmen and Deandre giggle to each other. Kyrina shoots them a glare as she walks over.*
The other teams continue working. Green still has the lead but Yellow and Gray are right behind. Purple has caught up to Red, but both teams are still moving steadily. Suddenly- THUMP!
Domonique: Ow!!
JD: Oh, Domonique just fell! But, she kept her feet off the ground so Red team does not have to start over.
Domonique: That hurt my booty!!
Jaylen: *laughs and helps up Domonique*
Chelsea tries to take a step over Chad, but he doesn’t crouch down all the way and as she tries to step over him, she loses her balance on the other side and her foot briefly touches the ground.
JD: Yellow team! Chelsea, your foot touched the ground! You have to start over!
Chelsea: Wait, what?
Chad: Oh my God, c’mon Chelsea.
*they run back to the beginning to try to start over…*
JD: It looks like it’s now a race between Green and Gray. Who is going to pull it off?
Green is still doing their method of crawling through each other’s legs, while Chris is practically throwing Rosemary around him each time, which has gained a lot of ground. It’s very close between the two teams.
Eric: Can you lift your leg a little higher?
Francesca: Um, not really? *wobbles a little bit but regains her balance*
Chris: Hold on, I’m stuck right here. I can’t jump around you.
Rosemary: Can you maybe, uh, like get around me another way?
One team suddenly figures it out and both team members jump off the other end of the pole, cheering loudly and hugging…


JD: Oh, that’s it, we have a winner! The Green team has just won this challenge! C’mon over here, guys.
Francesca: Wooo!
JD: Good job, everyone, that was a close mission. Green team, you guys did great together and communicated and kept your cool. You guys are safe from Temple tonight and also get to decide which two teams will take that long journey up to the Temple of Fate. You don’t have to tell me now, I’ll ask for your decisions later. Good job.
*Green team hugs*
--
Ray: “The mission today was really hard. Purple team just could not figure it out. I was keeping my cool but my partner Cheyenne was getting frustrated. But at least we weren’t the Orange team. That was crazy.”

Carmen: “I couldn’t be happier that Green team won!! They’re my friends so my team is safe and some karma is going to be dished out.”
--
Elias and Jaylen are hanging out near the huts, talking quietly and stacking up rocks.
Jaylen: Why’d you quit in the mission today, dude?
Elias: I didn’t want to, but Kyrina just wouldn’t listen.
Jaylen: It sucks that you two got along yesterday and now you’re not.
Elias: I know. I was really just bluffing at first with quitting but she wouldn’t stop yelling, so I decided to just take us out of that situation. I hope people don’t think I’m a quitter now.
Jaylen: I don’t think so. At least, not from what I’ve heard. You definitely might go to Temple now, though.
Elias: I know. And I have to talk to Kyrina eventually about trying to convince Green not to send us.
Just then, their tower of rocks falls down.

Meanwhile, the Blue, Purple, and Green teams are in the girls’ hut, celebrating.
Carmen: I literally love you guys, like that was such a great win.
Francesca: *blushing a little* Thanks… we just worked well together!
*Eric puts his arm around Francesca*
Carmen: Who are you guys gonna send to Temple? Can you please send Orange? That would literally make my whole life. *laughs*
Francesca: I don’t know yet… It’s going to be hard. *looks up at Eric*
Eric: We do have to talk about it more.
Just then, Deandre and Ray exchange a sneaky glance.
Ray: Deandre and I have an idea that could help our entire alliance.
Deandre: It’s probably the most devious plan in Endurance history.
*Eric’s eyebrows go up, while Francesca’s tilt in concern*
Eric: I’m interested…

The scene changes to later in the day. The sun is high in the sky as Deandre and Ray approach Domonique in the girls’ hut.
Deandre: Hey Domonique.
Ray: What’s up, girl?
Domonique: *a little suspiciously* Uh… hey guys. What’s up?
Ray: We were just talking to some of our friends and we basically have a proposition for you. Well, you and the Red team.
Deandre: We really like y’all, and we want y’all to stick around. Unfortunately, you’re friends with some teams we’d rather send home.
Domonique: And what does that mean?
Ray: Basically, we have a deal for you.
Deandre: We really want Red team in our alliance. If you’re completely loyal to us, we will be completely loyal to you. We will never send Red team to Temple or give them the Samadhi if you decide to be in our alliance. But if you’d rather stay in your current alliance… we’re going to have to send you home.
Domonique: I’m- um…. I’m not in- I’m not in alliance with anyone…
Ray: So Red team will join us? And we’ll get rid of the other teams?
Domonique: I mean… I’m friends with them though…
Deandre: Domonique. You need to think about this. You either join our alliance and have an automatic ticket to the final four, or you go to Temple every time until you’re gone. What’s the smart choice?
Domonique: Okay, you’re right. We’ll join your alliance. I’ll… tell Jaylen about it.
Ray: Thanks, Dom. I knew we could count on you.
Deandre: You did the right thing. Welcome to the final four.
--
Domonique (Confessional): “Oh my God, I’m literally freaking out! Deandre and Ray basically said they’d vote me off if I didn’t make an alliance with them! And like of course I didn’t want to go home so I said yes. But all my friends are on the other teams. I hate this!”

Deandre: “I basically wanted Red on our side because they’re the central figures in the dynamics of the other four teams. Jaylen is friends with Elias, while Domonique is friends with Chad, who is friends with Chris. So if we take Red out of that equation, the other teams will fall apart.”

Francesca: “Ray and Deandre, who are in my alliance, kind of made this whole plan to get Red on our side but it made me feel weird… Like, that’s basically forcing them to betray their friends. I don’t know. *shrugs* I have to talk to Eric more about it.”
--
The scene changes to Green and Gray out by the hammocks.
Francesca: Well first, congrats on almost winning today, guys! Y’all did so good.
Chris: Thanks… wish we would have won.
Eric: I just wanted to talk to you guys because we haven’t talked strategy much at all, and we want to just make the best choice. Like, Chris, you and I were friends at first but we haven’t hung out much and we’ve never really talked at all, Rosemary.
*Rosemary blushes and giggles, but Eric keeps going*
Eric: I just wanna know, like, where you guys’ heads are at in the game?
Chris: Well, like… for me, I’m friends with Chad so Yellow is pretty much my dudes. And I think Rosemary and Chelsea are best friends too or something.
*Rosemary nods*
Eric: Rosemary, what about you?
Rosemary: Oh- Um… Yeah… They’re like… Um- Yeah, I love Chelsea. And you guys are cool too.
*Eric gives her a little bit of a funny look*
*Rosemary giggles again*
Eric: If we don’t send you guys, would y’all not send us if you win?
Chris: Yeah, dude. Totally. That’d be wicked bomb if we didn’t go Temple.
Rosemary: Yeah, we’ll never send you!!
Eric: Alright, awesome. Glad we could talk.

Some of the guys are hanging out in the boys’ hut when suddenly a loud banging is heard through the walls.
Chad: What the heck is that?!
They run outside to investigate and find Cheyenne with a large stick hitting the outside of the hut, screaming a little bit with each whack.
Chad: Cheyenne, what the heck?!
Ray: What are you doing?! Put that down!
Cheyenne’s demeanor changes when she notices the guys approaching. She becomes friendly instead of angry.
Cheyenne: Oh, hey guys. Sorry, I’m just venting.
Jaylen: Can you, like… not be so aggressive?
Cheyenne: It’s so good, though! Just like beating something with this stick calms me down.
Chad: If you wanna vent, just go like… scream at the confessional or something. I like this hut, please don’t destroy it!
Ray: Is everything alright?
Cheyenne: I just… We should’ve done better in the mission today and it frustrated me. I’m sorry.
Ray: No more sticks. We’re hiding them all now.
Cheyenne: *laughs* Okay, you don’t have to be THAT dramatic. I’m fine.
--
Cheyenne: "Sometimes I want to vent and I appreciate the boys for being concerned but I'm stressed out and I needed to do something about it. I'm not hurting anyone."

Kyrina: “I’m realizing that I basically screwed myself over a little bit by fighting with the Blue team. Now that Green won, they’re probably gonna send me but I’m gonna try to talk to them.”
--
Kyrina approaches a group of kids hanging out.
Kyrina: Hey, Eric and Francesca, can we talk?
*Carmen, in the group, looks at her disdainfully*
Francesca: Yeah, Kyrina, let’s go over here!
*Eric frowns a bit as he follows Francesca and Kyrina a little ways away*
Kyrina: I know that Orange team is probably on your target list but I just wanted to say that I like you guys and didn’t want to come after y’all.
Eric: Yeah, sorry, Kyrina, I’m not buying it.
Kyrina: Uh, what?!
Eric: You’ve just been rude and malicious this entire time. You hate Blue and they’re my friends, so of course you’d want to come after Green team.
Kyrina: I just told you that I don’t!
Eric: I’m not really believing you. Look, I know you don’t want to go to Temple but you’ve brought certain things upon yourself.
Kyrina: Eric-
Eric: I don’t want to argue. I’m just being honest. Francesca and I haven’t decided yet who’s going… but it’s probably going to be Orange.
*Eric walks away. Francesca gives a weak smile and shrugs at Kyrina before following him back*

The teams are shown filtering into the Clearing, where JD waits for them, and taking them.
JD: Hello everybody. I’d like to say congratulations on completing your first Temple mission and especially to the Green team - you guys won.
Eric: *nods and smiles* Yeah, we did.
JD: I wanna talk a little bit about the challenge. We had some teams that were doing great, and some that weren’t doing well at all… Elias, you’re avoiding my eyes here. Wanna talk about what the challenge was like for Orange?
Elias: Well, basically… we couldn’t get on the same page. And since Kyrina couldn’t respect me, I just decided to take us out of it instead of suffer through it.
*Kyrina rolls her eyes*
JD: Kyrina, why are you rolling your eyes? What’s your perspective?
Kyrina: I was telling him exactly what to do and he wouldn’t listen to me.
Elias: You weren’t listening to me, though. I was trying to communicate and you wouldn’t listen to what I was saying.
Kyrina: Because you wouldn’t listen to what I was saying!
Elias: I was trying to meet you in the middle, but you just kept yelling. That’s not communication, that’s disrespect.
JD: Well said, Elias. Hopefully, you two can work things out and work on your communication, otherwise the rest of this game is going to very difficult.
*Elias nods solemnly while Kyrina is quiet for once*
JD: Let’s move things over to Purple team. You guys didn’t do so hot today either.
Cheyenne: *laughs* Yeah, we didn’t.
Ray: Well, I would say Cheyenne was the one who kind of made us lose. I love her, but she was getting too frustrated, and it affected us in the mission and it affected her back at camp.
*Cheyenne frowns a little bit*
JD: What happened, Ray?
Ray: Cheyenne just had to let off some steam but she didn’t do it in, uh, a very good way, but it’s okay cause I’m her partner and I’m here for her. We’re gonna do better next time.
JD: I think Orange team could learn a thing or two from your communication, Ray. Let’s move things over to the winners, Green team. Eric, last time we were here at the Clearing, I asked if there were any alliances. Do you think there are now?
Eric: Well, I mean… yeah, it’s not a secret any more. There’s a lot of alliances. And they’re messy.
JD: What do you mean?
Eric: This team’s friends with that team, who has an alliance with that team, who hates the first team… it’s just a mess. And it made things harder to decide, about who to send to Temple, I mean.
JD: And what did you guys base your decision on today?
Eric: Uh… alliances.
JD: Well, let’s find out how those alliances came into play. Green team, which two teams are you sending to the Temple of Fate?
Francesca: Um… We talked about it and decided that the two teams we’re sending are…
Orange…
and…
Yellow. We’re really sorry, guys.
JD: Alright. Orange team, Yellow team, tonight you guys will be taking that long journey to the Temple of Fate, where only one team will return. Pack your bags, say your goodbyes, we leave at sunset. I’ll see you then.
--
Kyrina: “I’m really more angry than anything. I did nothing to the Green team to deserve this and they decided to try to get me out. If I come back, I’m coming for them!”
--
Kyrina and Chelsea are packing their bags in the girls’ hut while the other girls hang out around them.
Kyrina: Dude, Francesca, y’all messed up. Blue and Green are done. DONE.
Francesca: I’m sorry Kyrina… and Chelsea. It was really hard. I hate having to vote people off.
Kyrina: Well, just know that Green or Blue is not winning this game. Period. Especially if I come back. Y’all need to be scared.
*Carmen rolls her eyes*
Carmen: Calm down.
Kyrina: I can be mad if I want! Let me be mad! Sheesh.

Jaylen and Elias have their bags packed and are shown doing an elaborate, fun handshake.
Jaylen: You better not leave me tonight, man.
Elias: I sure hope not!
Jaylen: I can’t live with all these crazy people! You’re the only other sane one!
*they laugh*
--
Jaylen: “Elias is definitely my best friend here, and I would be upset to see him go. Even though Orange is team is dysfunctional, that’s MY dysfunctional best friend and his partner.”
--
Rosemary and Chelsea, with her bags packed, are shown hugging.
Rosemary: Chelsea, I don’t want you to leave!!
Chelsea: Aww, it’s okay… I hope Yellow comes back.
Rosemary: Just follow your heart, okay? At Temple?
Chelsea: *smiles* Okay, you got it.

Domonique is latched onto Chad, crying.
Chad: Shh, Domonique… it’s okay!
Domonique: *gibberish covered up by her sobs and her face in Chad’s shirt*
Chad: ...Okay, I have no idea what you said, but it’s all gonna work out okay.
Domonique: *tearfully* I just don’t want you or Kyrina to go home!! It’s not fair!
Chad: Just give me a hug.
*they embrace*
Chad: It’s 50/50. You know that whoever comes back will work with you to make sure the right teams make it to the end.
*Domonique nods*

Everyone is saying their goodbyes now, as Chelsea, Chad, Kyrina, and Elias gather their pieces from the piece poles and start the trek up to the Temple of Fate. Shots of them walking through the Argentinian rainforest are interspersed with snippets of interviews.
--
Chad: “I’ve only been here for a few days and it’s already been life changing, getting to meet everyone and rough it in the wilderness and compete in the challenges. I love everything about this experience and it’s too soon to leave.”

Kyrina: “It’s not my time to go! I’m the strongest girl here. The game is ugly, and I just hope I don’t go home.”

Chelsea: “I have a lot left to show people… That I can endure anything that’s thrown at me. Hopefully that includes the Temple of Fate.”

Elias: “It’s certainly been a roller coaster for me. From surviving the Right to Stay, to getting ‘psycho Kyrina’ as my partner, then winning the first Endurance mission, then being sent to the first Temple. If I come back, I want to work on this teamwork and try to win. And if I go, I had a blast. I hate roller coasters but this one was worth it.”
--
Yellow and Orange arrive at the Temple of Fate and take their place on opposite sides.
JD: Yellow team, Orange team, welcome to the Temple of Fate. I know that none of you guys wanted to be here tonight, but unfortunately only one team will return. In front of you there are three cauldrons. One contains fire, one contains water, and the other contains wood. Your goal is to outsmart your opponent by choosing the dominant element. You’ll write down your choice on a piece of bamboo and hand it to me, and then I’ll drop it into the burning cauldron. Remember, wood floats on water, water puts out the fire, and fire burns the wood. Whichever team can outsmart their opponent two times will be the team that returns back to the huts. The other team will leave Argentina forever. Everyone ready?
*they nod*
JD: Go ahead and pick up your first rock.
Kyrina: (whispering) I think we should do water.
Elias: (whispering) Water?
*Kyrina nods*
Elias: (whispering) Go ahead and write it.
*Kyrina writes the word WATER on the bamboo and then covers it up*
JD: Okay, orange. *grabs their bamboo* Okay, yellow. *grabs their bamboo and drops both into the burning cauldron* Now let’s find out, who has the dominant element.

Orange: WATER
Yellow: WOOD

Chad: Yes!
*Kyrina shuts her eyes*
JD: Orange, you chose water. Yellow, you chose wood. Wood floats on water, that’s one win for Yellow. One more, and you’re headed back down to your friends. Orange, you need this win to stay in the game. Go ahead and pick up your next piece.

Chad: (whispering) I think they’re going to pick fire.
Chelsea: (whispering) Really? I see them picking water again…
Chad: (whispering) No, they’re gonna pick fire. Oh shoot, or what if they pick wood?
Chelsea: (whispering) What do you want to do?
*they look at each other uncertainly for a moment, and then Chad begins writing*
JD: Alright, Orange team. *takes their bamboo* And Yellow team. *takes their bamboo and drops both into the burning cauldon* Remember, Orange, you need this one to stay in the game. Will the dominant element please rise now.

Orange: WOOD
Yellow: WATER

*Kyrina jumps up and down and grabs Elias’ hand, while Chelsea covers her mouth with her hands*
JD: Exact opposites this time. Orange, you chose wood, Yellow, you chose water, wood floats on water again, that’s one win for Orange. We’re tied. Whoever wins this next round is going back to the game. Whoever doesn’t, is leaving for good. Go ahead and choose your next element.

Kyrina: (whispering) I just… I don’t know. What do you think?
*Elias shrugs*
Kyrina: (whispering) I don’t want to choose wrong…
Elias: (whispering) What if we choose fire, since our color is orange?
Kyrina: (whispering) That’s what I was thinking, but… what if we choose wrong?
*they look at each other uncertainly for a moment, and then Kyrina begins to write down an element*
JD: Alright, Yellow team. *grabs their bamboo* And Orange team. *grabs their bamboo and tosses both into the burning cauldron* For the last time, will the dominant element please rise now.
*Chelsea squeezes her eyes shut as Chad grips her hand. Kyrina and Elias have their arms around each other*

Orange: FIRE
Yellow: WATER

Chelsea: Oh my God…
Chad: Yes! Yes, yes yes!
*they hug tightly*
JD: Congratulations, Yellow team, you did it! Water puts out the fire. You guys are returning back to the game. Orange team, I’m sorry to say that this ends your time here in Argentina. You guys made a huge impact on the game and I’m sure your friends will miss you very much. Go ahead and grab your things.
*Kyrina begins to cry as she grabs her bags, and Elias puts a comforting arm around her*
Elias: Bye, guys… good luck.
Chad: We’ll miss you guys. See ya.
*Orange stands in front of the burning cauldron and fades away*

JD: Well, Yellow team, you guys did it! You guys are still in the game and going for the prize of Endurance champions. Grab your things and head back down to the huts, I’m sure you’ll have some people very eager to see you.

The other five teams are sitting around a campfire, eagerly waiting to see who has returned from Temple. Two outlines are seen running in from a distance.
Ray: Oh my God, they’re here!
*the Yellow team comes into focus as they run into the light*
Chris: It’s Yellooooow! My dude, Chad!
*Chad runs in and they embrace. Domonique piles on, and suddenly it’s a group hug with all twelve kids*
--
NEXT TIME ON ENDURANCE
Cheyenne lets loose, causing trouble for Ray
Red team struggles to define their spot in the game
And one team gets a whole lot of power
--
BLUE: Carmen & Deandre - Commitment
GREEN: Francesca & Eric - Heart
RED: Domonique & Jaylen - Perseverance
YELLOW: Chelsea & Chad - Discipline
GRAY: Rosemary & Chris - Ingenuity
PURPLE: Cheyenne & Ray - Teamwork
ORANGE: Kyrina & Elias - Strength, Luck

[crystalclearhawaii]

Woah, what a dramatic episode! Kinda crazy to see Orange off so soon. That being said, I kinda felt they would have a target on them.

[kwdrewfan]

Elias they were clearly kinda stinking as a team, though, so I guess it's a fair elimination... though I would've rather seen Yellow leave. What would Domonique do without Chad around???

Jaylen continues to be my favorite player, like what a sweet boy. Definitely not a fan of Blue or Purple. Lol @ Rosemary's crush, that's cute and awkward at the same time

[Cruise meerkat Youssy]

Blah, sorry for the delay... Life is really determined to, like, not let me write this story LOL. I am determined to not abandon it but things keep popping up (most recently I lost my glasses so I can’t even SEE) BUT NEW EPISODE COMING WHEN I GET NEW GLASSES LOL