Fire's A Fickle Thing

Fire's A Fickle Thing is the final episode of Survivor: Mozambique - Island of Advantages.

Story
Jeff: Welcome to the season finale of Survivor: Mozambique - Island of Advantages! We are live in Los Angeles for tonight’s two-hour season finale! He is greeted by cheering and applause from the live studio audience. Jeff: Tonight, one of the final six remaining castaways will win a million dollars and be crowned the winner of Survivor: Mozambique, followed immediately by our live reunion show, where we’ll have all 20 castaways who were on the show out on stage to ask them questions. More cheering and applause ensues. Jeff: This season, we started out with 20 castaways, and now there are only 6 left! Markus, Annabeth, Percy, Trixie, Carter and Reyna!
 * Survivor is an arduous journey, where castaways have to battle the elements of Mother Nature, the social politics of the game, and each other, to fight over 39 days for a million dollars and the prized title of Sole Survivor!


 * This season, the Waya tribe has dominated, sending home 6 of the 10 original Qamea before the merge.

A montage is shown of Enid, Ethan, Albert, Axel, Summer and Marisa getting their torches snuffed.


 * On the new merged tribe, Nicholas rose to power fast, forming a strong majority alliance, leaving a ragtag group of outcasts to fend for themselves on the bottom.


 * But his overplaying caught up to him, and he was dethroned.


 * From the ashes of Nicholas’ reign emerged Wanda, who sought to eliminate the next biggest threat in Markus. But with the help of Nicholas’ ally Annabeth, Markus struck first.


 * On her own and with all her allies on the jury, Reyna put the target onto Carter, hoping to get him sent home over her. Carter won immunity, throwing a wrench into her plans.


 * Forced to change tactics, Reyna put the target onto Carter’s closest ally Christine instead, and used Percy’s grudge against her to fuel the blindside.


 * At Tribal Council, Carter and Christine stayed loyal to their alliance, but for Markus, Annabeth and Percy, it was a much different story.

Jeff: Christine. That’s three votes Christine.

Christine: Wooow, guys…

Reyna winks at the jury. Carter looks disappointed, shaking his head.


 * Markus, Annabeth and Percy teamed up with Reyna to take out Carter’s closest ally, leaving him and Trixie in the dark.

Trixie: [muttering] Unbelievable…

Jeff: Christine, the tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch]


 * And now...only six remain.

Night 34
When the six remaining castaways get back to camp, Carter already looks dejected, shaking his head sadly as he unslings his bag from his shoulder and tosses it into the shelter.

Carter: Color me surprised, guys. I really thought we had something going there…

Markus shrugs at him apologetically, patting him on the back.

Markus: Sorry. You get it. We had to make a game move.

Carter: I just don’t understand it. Why her?

Annabeth: It’s nothing personal, it’s just...you two are too tight of a pair.

Carter: Really?

Annabeth: Yeah, dude...everyone sees it.

Carter makes an unhappy sighing noise from the back of his throat, scratching at his hair.

"vantagem"

- Tribal Council suuucked...I haven’t had such a bad Tribal since...well, since Charlie got eliminated. Every Tribal other than that has gone my way, but tonight, I just lost my closest ally and it...it feels worse, knowing that she only got voted out because they thought me and Christine were too close? I admit, we made all our moves together, we always discussed strategies together...I wouldn’t even be here in the game right now if it weren’t for her, to be honest. So I can see why they thought to take her out to make me vulnerable. But the thing is, I thought I had trust with Markus and Annabeth. And they totally stabbed me in the back. It’s nothing new from Annabeth, she’s already betrayed me before. I suppose fool me once, shame on you...fool me twice, shame on me.

Carter: I thought we’d agreed on a fair fight.

Markus: This game...changes everyday, Carter, I suppose. We just didn’t think you and Christine would have honored that deal once we got down to six.

Carter: And you needed Reyna around to have a bigger target than yourself...I get it.

Annabeth: Don’t be mad…

Carter: [holds up hands] No, no, I’m not mad. Really. I guess I’m still just trying to process it. [laughing]

"vantagem"

- Knowing that the others banded together just to take out my closest ally because I had immunity...it definitely makes me feel more insecure about exactly where I stand in this game. Am I now considered a bigger target than Reyna? Are they going to save her again and get rid of me at the next vote, or are we still making her the first priority? I can no longer know if what Markus and Annabeth feed me is the truth, or just more honeyed lies. Whatever happens...fact is, I’m alone now. I don’t have anyone I can say I trust, without a doubt, because she just got a ticket to the jury. I’m going to have to trust myself now, and trust me to get my own butt to that Final Tribal Council, because clearly, Markus and Annabeth don’t have me in their plans to get that far.

Markus, Annabeth and Percy meet up in the darkness, away from listening ears.

Percy: That felt good.

Markus: Yeah?

Percy: Yeah.

"vantagem"

- Y-Y’know, I had...no problem writing Christine’s name down. If anything, it made me feel good. I’ve been wrestling with my guilt over Zoe’s demise for a while now, and I know it was my fault. I was being stupid. That being said, taking down Christine is the only way I can sort of...make amends for it. So yeah, I’m glad I was part of the blindside to get her out. I know it’s petty, but I think everyone already knows that I uh...that I make emotional decisions. [laughs nervously]

Annabeth: What happens now? Carter’s upset, for sure.

Markus: Well, if we had voted him out tonight, we would’ve had to come back and deal with the same backlash from Christine. So this is just a small change, but nothing else.

Annabeth: But who goes home next?

Markus: I guess either Reyna or Carter, right? They’re the biggest threats left.

Annabeth: I suppose, as long as they don’t get any other ideas.

"vantagem"

- We blindsided Christine, and it was a bold play, but also, this does pose a problem because now, we have Reyna and Carter both still in the game, and they’re both strong players. Carter could win immunity again, and Reyna...well, she’s dangerous just for making it this far. One of the two has to go next, that’s for sure. My only worry is that people will take shots at Markus first, and I need Markus in the game because not only is he my closest ally now, but he is my shield in this game and my route to the end. So I need to make certain that either Reyna or Carter is the next one voted out. Trixie is a problem, mainly because she’s always so stubborn in wanting Markus gone, though she’s never had much success in getting it done. So she won’t be easy to convince. I just hope Reyna and Carter stay on the chopping block, and we can get one of them out next.

Day 35
The next morning, Carter is sitting in the sand and staring out pensively at the sunrise. Trixie walks over, pulling her jacket around her.

Trixie: Can I sit down?

Carter: Sure, yeah.

She plops down into the sand next to him.

Trixie: I just wanted to say I don’t appreciate being left out of the vote last night.

Carter: Hey, I’m sorry. But clearly, I wasn’t very much in the loop either.

Trixie: I don’t understand. Why me? Why split the votes with me?

Carter: I guess...it’s because everyone else could afford to lose you. Sorry.

Trixie doesn’t look pleased with his answer.

Trixie: I don’t appreciate being on the wrong end of the vote.

Carter: Well, we were both bamboozled pretty bad last night. Either way, I’m sorry. Really, I am. And you were right. We should’ve taken out Markus. I regret not listening to you.

"vantagem"

- I was pretty annoyed with Carter for voting for me the other night, but he ended up losing his closest ally Christine anyway, so in a way, he got his just desserts swift enough. But it really annoys me more that Markus was able to turn the tables on us so completely, and even though I said to them - to Carter and Christine - that it was our time to take him out, they didn’t listen, and now? Look at where trusting Markus has gotten them. They should know by now he’s a player. He and Annabeth have no issue backstabbing whoever they have to to get ahead, and he’s building up a really strong reputation with the jury as the frontrunner for the victory. Markus cannot remain in this game any longer.

Trixie: I’m still mad at you, but I’m willing to swallow my pride for now and put that aside. Because it would be so stupid of us not to take this shot at Markus next.

Carter: Oh, I know. I have no qualms against it this time. I’m totally on board.

Trixie: Good. Because then, we only need two more votes, max, to get the advantage. If we pull in Reyna and then Percy…

Carter: It’s perfect.

"vantagem"

- Right now, I don’t know who I can trust to get me to the end of the game. Trixie wouldn’t have been my first choice...or my second...or my third...or a choice at all, if I’m being honest. But beggars can’t be choosers, you know? And right now, I’m a beggar. Even if I don’t trust her, I’m going to have to because I really don’t have any other choice. I need to either win the next immunity challenge or keep the target on someone else in the game, someone who I can push as a bigger threat than I am. With Christine gone, I am completely exposed and vulnerable right now, so I need to lay low, keep my head down, and hope the tides turn against another player besides me.

Later in the day, Carter is taking a walk with Reyna.

Carter: I just hope you know I got no hard feelings to you for the move. I get it, you were on the bottom, you were feeling desperate...going after me or Christine was the next best thing you could’ve done.

Reyna: I know.

Carter: I just feel stupid, you know...I really bought into the whole loyalty scheme that Markus and Beth were selling me but in the end, it was for nothing.

Reyna: I’m sorry. But now you know where their loyalties truly lie - with each other.

Carter: Yeah. You’re right.

Reyna: When we go back to Tribal Council, it’s best that one of them needs to go.

Carter: Oh, absolutely. Markus has really filled in Nicholas’ shoes now. He’s controlling who goes home. So he needs to go, or we’ll both be on the chopping block one after the other.

Reyna: Who do we pull in? Trixie?

Carter: Trixie will be on board, no problem. It’s Percy we need to work on.

Reyna chews on this.

"vantagem"

- Getting Christine out has really helped freed up options in this game for me, because now, I’ve caused a rift between Carter, and Markus and Annabeth, who have really blossomed out as a duo as of late. I’ve created a conflict of interest. Now that Carter no longer trusts the two, it’s prime time to have him make a move, and that’s music to my ears because I need him, and Trixie and Percy, if I’m going to get Markus out of here, and he has become the biggest obstacle in my path to the million dollars. As long as Markus does not win the next individual immunity challenge, I’m positive that he will be the one going home.

Day 36
Jeff: Come on in, guys!

In walk the Final Six. Jeff beams at them.

Jeff: Ready to get to today’s challenge? First things first, Carter, I will take it back.

Carter: Hopefully not for long, Jeff?

Jeff: Win it again, and we’ll see.

Carter: Heh, sounds good.

Jeff takes the necklace back.

Jeff: For today's challenge, you will be balancing a platform at the end of a long rope. You must move back and forth between your station and the platform to stack letter tiles onto your platform, spelling the word "IMMUNE". If you lose balance of your platform and your tiles fall, you must start over. First person to stack the word "IMMUNE" successfully...wins immunity, guaranteed a spot in the Final Five, putting themselves one step closer to the Final Tribal Council. In addition, the winner gets to send another person to visit the Island of Advantages for the LAST time this season. That person will get one final chance to play for advantages on the Island, but they will miss out on strategizing today and only rejoin the tribe AT Tribal Council. You cannot send yourself.

Annabeth's jaw drops. Reyna whistles, hands on her hips.

Jeff: Worth playing for? We’ll get started.

Everyone takes their places at their stations by their letter tiles.

Jeff: Six letter tiles...to spell one word. Immunity at the Final Six on the line, more valuable than ever...Survivors, ready? ...Go!

The six of them each grab their first tile and begin heading out. Everyone has the letter “E” except for Trixie, who grabbed the letter “I”.

Jeff: The key to this challenge is about balance. Can you balance your letters and stack them correctly so they don’t fall? Can you keep your station balanced on that rope? Can you balance between moving faster than your competition, but slow and steady enough that your tiles don’t tip over?

Everyone reaches their stations fast and place their first letter tiles, and move back fast too.

Jeff: With only one letter tile on your station, this will be easy. But as the tiles start to pile up, the danger of dropping them grows…

Everyone grabs their second tiles and heads back out.

Jeff: This challenge is a metaphor for this game. How do you balance your social and strategic game enough, that you’ve made enough moves to win the game but not too much that you come off as too big a threat?

Everyone places their second tile. Trixie puts down her “M” on top of her “I”, then hesitates and frowns, before cursing.

Jeff: Seems like Trixie has finally realized her mistake. Everyone else was spelling it correctly but she tried to spell “IMMUNE” backwards.

Trixie: [censored] this.

Trixie grabs her two tiles and begins racing back to the start.

Jeff: Trixie has to start over. Big blunder right out of the gate for Trixie…

Trixie: [snorts] Another metaphor for the game, Jeff?

Jeff: It is if you say it is. Trixie, has to start over. Everyone else, still working…

Everyone but Trixie is now placing their third tiles, and now people are moving a little more carefully, heading back to get their fourth tiles, keeping their eyes on their tiles and their hands carefully sliding back on their ropes.

The camera cuts to a slackjawed look of concentration on Reyna’s face, and then to sweat dripping down Carter’s brow.

Markus, Annabeth and Reyna get their fourth tiles first, as Carter and Percy are still inching their way back from their ropes to their tiles.

Trixie is busy putting her second tile back on the station, correctly spelling the word this time.

Jeff: It is Markus, Annabeth and Reyna all in the lead, each moving at their own pace and just waiting, anticipating...for another player to drop it all. Carter moving slowly, trying to catch up. Percy, still in this. Trixie, trying to make up some time…

Markus places his fourth tile down and begins heading back for his fifth. Just behind him, Reyna puts her fifth down, and Annabeth right after her.

Carter is moving to his station but it tips over and his three tiles fall. He curses and rushes to pick them back up.

Jeff: Carter drops, that’s gonna cost him some time…

Percy: Ahhh!

Percy cries out as he watches his tiles tip over.

Jeff: Percy drops too…

Percy: Come on…

Markus is moving out with his fifth tile now; the girls right behind him. Trixie is working steadily and has caught up, placing her fourth tile down.

Jeff: Markus down to two tiles left…

Markus places his fifth letter down, and begins inching his way back down the rope to get his letter “I”.

Reyna puts her final “M” on top of her stack too. Annabeth is following suit, and winces a little as her tower of tiles wobbles gently, but steadies.

Jeff: Markus in the lead, heading back for his sixth and final tile...the letter “I”. Reyna and Annabeth, hot on his heels…

Trixie is grabbing her final “M” and is heading out to her station. Meanwhile, Markus has made it back and, never taking his eyes off his tower of tiles, reaches a hand behind him to feel for his final tile. His hand paws at the table but cannot find his tile. Glancing back for a split second, he reaches back and grab it but the mistake costs him.

His tiles wobble and half of his stack falls to the floor.

Jeff: No! Markus drops right as he was getting his final tile!

Markus looks pissed off but runs to retrieve his tiles.

Jeff: We are down to a close race between Reyna and Annabeth!

Reyna has her final tile squished between her chin and her neck and is moving forward slowly, one step at a time, moving down her rope. Annabeth is clutching her tile in one hand but still maneuvering the rope. Her stack teeters a little and she flinches, but steadies her station.

Jeff: Trixie returns for her sixth tile. She has caught up after a devastating mistake at the start!

Trixie is indeed back at her station and is reaching behind her for her final tile. Grabbing it, she inches forward slowly, trying to catch up with Reyna and Annabeth.

Reyna places her sixth and final letter tile. Steadying her stack, ensuring her word is spelled correctly, she lets go and begins to inch back to her station, holding onto her rope with both hands, her tongue peeking out between her teeth as she grits them with intense focus.

Jeff: Reyna is in the lead, and heading back!

Annabeth places her final tile too, ignoring Reyna moving back alongside her. Keeping her tower steady, she takes a deep breath and begins inching back.

Jeff: Annabeth right on Reyna’s tail! Will she risk moving a bit faster to catch up with Reyna, or will she hope for Reyna’s blocks to fall? This is going to be a close finish! Reyna, just seconds faster than Annabeth!

Trixie is placing her sixth block down too, and now begins moving back as well, glancing out of the corner of her eye at the other two girls.

Jeff: Trixie is in it too! All three girls on an agonizingly slow race to the finish line, as the boys are completely out of it.

Percy is just standing and watching now. Carter is not giving up, placing his fourth block down. Markus winces as he drops his stack of three tiles, his lead completely evaporated.

Reyna is moving back slowly still, eyes firmly on her tower of tiles. She is only a few steps away from her station, and finishing this challenge.

Her eyes never wavering off her tower, she continues to inch back and…

Her tower leans over a little too much on her station, and even as she tries to readjust, it is too late and five of the six blocks fall off.

Jeff: NO! Reyna drops!

So startled, Trixie tries to move back a bit faster and her stack topples over too.

Trixie: [censored]!

Jeff: Trixie falls too!

Reyna groans in disappointment as she rushes to pick up her tiles but she knows it’s over.

Annabeth has not taken her eyes off her tower despite both her competition dropping beside her. She inches one foot back onto her station…

Jeff: Annabeth is now in the lead! She needs to get both feet onto her station to win immunity.

Annabeth gingerly moves her second foot back, her breathing shaky but eyes never leaving her tower. Her hands slowly inch back on the rope, keeping her tower dangerously close to dropping but still aloft, as she plants both feet now squarely on her station.

Jeff: ...And she does it! Annabeth wins immunity!

Annabeth shrieks with glee, dropping her station triumphantly and leaping for joy, jumping up and down and into Markus’ arms as he comes over to envelope her in a congratulatory hug.

Carter looks on with defeat. Reyna is pressing her hand against her forehead, scowling at the floor in disbelief.

Everyone takes their place on their mat again.

Jeff: Annabeth, come on up!

An excited Annabeth runs up to Jeff, and he puts the necklace on her as the others clap.

Jeff: Annabeth, safe at Tribal Council tonight. As for the rest of you, one of you will become the next person voted out and the eighth member of the jury. This close to the end, you do not want it to be you. Before you go, however...Annabeth, as you know, you have one final, big decision to make. Who are you sending to the Island of Advantages for the last time this season?

Annabeth glances nervously at the group. Markus notices her eyeing him up and shrugs.

Annabeth: Markus. I’m sending you, buddy.

Markus: ‘Kay.

Jeff: Markus, you will be the last visitor to the Island of Advantages. You know the drill. Head on down and the boat will pick you up.

Markus: You got it.

He grabs his things and waves goodbye to the others. Carter smirks and waves, unsurprised. Trixie rolls her eyes.

Jeff: As for the five of you, head on back to camp. I will see you, and Markus, at Tribal Council tonight.

He pats Annabeth on the back and they prepare to leave. The camera focuses on Annabeth.

"vantagem"

- I won my second individual immunity today, which is great, but what also worked out in my favor was that I got to have the final decision on who to send to the Island of Advantages for the last time, and I chose Markus. While it’s risky not having him around to help strategize with me, I think it’s also more important to ensure none of the other four get an advantage at the Island instead, that might make it harder for me and Markus to vote one of them out tonight. So Markus had to be the one to go.

Meanwhile, at the Island of Advantages…

The boat pulls up and deposits Markus on the Island for his final visit. He steps onto the sand with a sigh and stares around him.

"vantagem"

- The last time I was on the Island of Advantages was...all the way back on Day Nine. And who would’ve thought I’d be back here, on Day Thirty-Six? It’s crazy how much game I’ve had to play since the first time I arrived here, and now I’m back once again. It’s also pretty fitting that I had to make the first decision on who to exile here, that first day...and now, for our final visit, I was the one chosen to be exiled here, for the last time.

Markus arrives at the familiar wall of urns.

Markus: There it is. Huh. Significantly less urns than before, all things considered.

He looks over the puzzle instructions again.

Markus: Same old, same old. Welp...let’s hope I get a good one this time.

Markus flips the hourglass over and works on his puzzles. He finishes one fast, and then a second one within the time limit.

Markus: For the last time this season, I’m gonna be going for an advantage.

He smashes open two urns at the same time, and only one advantage pops out.

Markus: And...it’s a hidden immunity idol!

"vantagem"

- The Island gave me a hidden immunity idol the first time, and it’s given me one again. This Island has been good to me, and I’ve reaped well from its pool of goodies. So when I walk into Tribal Council tonight, at least I know I have some sort of protection. I think getting this one final treat from the Island is the perfect way to close out the theme for this season. Goodbye, Island of Advantages. [laughing]

Markus kisses his idol as he leans back in the makeshift shelter to rest.

Back at camp…

The remaining five have returned to their shelter and are dumping their belongings.

Reyna hugs Annabeth.

Reyna: Congrats. That was a hard fought victory.

Annabeth: Thanks, honey.

Carter: Good job, Beth.

Percy: Yeah, nice job.

"vantagem"

- Winning individual immunity for the second time, especially at a crucial stage in the game like this...it feels pretty sweet. [laughing] And I know that Carter and Reyna both really felt they needed it, so to have been able to beat them both and pull this out only made the deal that much sweeter. I’m thinking, now that I’m safe, I’m not afraid to pull my weight a little in deciding what’s going to happen at tonight’s Tribal Council.

Annabeth pulls Percy aside to go walk with him in the forest.

Annabeth: Here’s the thing for tonight…

Percy: Right?

Annabeth: It’s gotta be one of either Carter or Reyna, without question.

Percy: Yup.

Annabeth: It should’ve been Carter last time, so it can be him this time. My only deal is, do you think Reyna might be the bigger threat?

Percy: I mean, to me...they’re both equal in terms of their threat level. They both have people on the jury who’d vote for them, they’ve both played s-solid games, I mean…

Annabeth: Here’s my concern. I think Carter is far more likely to win the next immunity challenge than Reyna is, especially if it’s something really physical.

Percy: I guess you’re right...

Annabeth: If you, me, Markus and Trixie split the votes, we can ensure one of them goes home even if an idol gets played.

"vantagem"

- Annabeth wants to split the votes between Carter and Reyna. It makes sense because they both have a strong say to the million dollars, but I don’t know if I really want to still be doing whatever Markus and Annabeth want of me. With the end of the game so close at hand, I really think I need to start thinking about who I want to go to the end with. Trixie is one of those people, and I think Annabeth might be the other. Markus...he’s not really in my ideal Final Three.

Off by themselves, Carter notices Annabeth’s and Percy’s absence and nudges Reyna, who is sitting next to him in the shelter.

Carter: Tonight...Markus?

Reyna: What if he gets an idol from the Island?

Carter: Does it look like we have any other option? It’s either one of us, or him.

Reyna: Fine. ...Let’s do it.

"vantagem"

- Markus didn’t win immunity, which is perfect. What does worry me is that he could be getting any manner of goodies at the Island of Advantages, and it would totally screw our plans for the evening up. So we’re going to need a contingency plan in case things go awry. Unfortunately, Annabeth is also immune, so if the two of them are safe...that means one of the four of us would have to be the backup plan, and I really doubt anyone would want to name Trixie or Percy the backup just because neither of them are exactly in prime position to snatch up the win at the end of all this. If I don’t want to be the secondary target, then it’s going to have to be Carter.

Reyna meets up with Annabeth at the well.

Reyna: Hey. So I think we all agree that...Carter has to go?

Annabeth: Yeah. Totally.

Reyna: He’s much more likely to win the next immunity than you and I. I think you know that as well.

Annabeth: Right, of course. He’s got to go.

Reyna: Okay.

There is an awkward silence for a bit that stretches between the two women. Annabeth is toying with a lock of her red hair and staring at the ground, not meeting Reyna’s eyes.

Annabeth: Are you, like, worried he might have an idol?

Reyna: I don’t think he would. He never visited the Island of Advantages the whole game.

Annabeth: Right…

"vantagem"

- Reyna says Carter would never have an idol or some sort of advantage because he never visited the Island of Advantages. But that’s not really true. I mean, I never went to the Island either, but I got the Legacy Advantage from Summer, who willed it to me on the very first day. So it is possible the get advantages without having visited the place, and I do remember Christine visited the Island once before. So maybe she did get an advantage, and Carter does have one? There really is no way to say.

At the same time, Reyna is eyeing Annabeth as the latter leaves down another path.

"vantagem"

- Annabeth thinks you can only get advantages if you visit the Island of Advantages, which is sorta true. I did visit the Island and I did get an advantage from it: my Vote Steal. But I also got an advantage from it that I never had to go to the Island to get, and that’s my very own Legacy Advantage, which was willed to me by Wanda, who got it from Leroy. It’s passed hands more than once and tonight is the last time to use it. Therefore, I know I’m safe tonight. I can’t guarantee, however, that Markus won’t have some sort of idol or similar ace up his sleeve to save himself again, so I need to be careful.

Returning to camp, Annabeth pulls Trixie aside momentarily and whispers to her.

Annabeth: We good on the plan?

Trixie: What, splitting between Reyna and Carter?

Annabeth: Yeah. You and Percy do Carter.

On the other side of the beach, Reyna is talking with Percy, who is collecting clams.

Reyna: And so you and Trixie will vote for Markus too?

Percy: Yeah. H-He’s too big of a threat. If he has to go, he’s got to go, y-yeah?

Reyna: Okay. Good.

"vantagem"

- Tonight, the vote is going one of two ways. Either Markus goes home, or he somehow saves himself, and hopefully then, Carter will be the backup option to send to the jury. I’m going to play my Legacy Advantage tonight...it works just like an individual immunity which means that I’m safe. But safety would be so much sweeter if I knew I was using it to take out my biggest competition in the game.

Annabeth, meanwhile, is getting ready for Tribal, putting her necklace on and patting it affectionately.

"vantagem"

- With individual immunity around my neck, I know I’m in the Final Five. I don’t have to worry about being sent home tonight. But I still have Summer’s Legacy Advantage, and I’ve carried it with me this deep into the game from Day One. I don’t need it, and I can’t use it on myself while I’m immune, so...I don’t know what I’m going to do with it. It can’t be used like a hidden immunity idol so...what, is it like a souvenir now? I don’t know really how I’m going to use it to my advantage but I’m going to find some way to make sure Summer’s little gift isn’t in vain. Tribal is going to be interesting tonight, and I just hope everything goes in my favor. [laughing]

The sun rapidly sets, and soon, five of the Final Six have waltzed into Tribal Council.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in Markus, returning from the final trip to the Island of Advantages.

Markus comes in, smiling at the others.

Markus: Hey, guys.

Annabeth: Welcome back.

He sits with them.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in the members of our jury. Becky, Leroy, Nicholas, Zoe, Wanda, Jacobiah and Christine, voted out at the last Tribal Council.

Christine walks in in a tight silver dress that shows off her shapely thighs. She smiles winningly at Carter, who smiles back. Annabeth gives her an apologetic smile. Christine’s smile quickly dissipates into an impassive expression.

Jeff: Alright. Markus, I’ll cut straight to it. Final Six...that’s huge.

Markus: It is. But it’d be so much sweeter if it was Final Three.

Jeff: With only six of you left, I can imagine it’s only getting harder and harder to survive the vote each time. And yet, one of you will still be running out of luck here, tonight.

Markus: Yeah, I think as the numbers get even smaller, it really gets harder and harder to hide behind other players. Eventually, you’re going to get dragged out into the spotlight. And I think it’s the really great players who can survive even with their head underneath the guillotine.

Jeff: Carter, let’s talk about the fallout of the last Tribal Council. Clearly, it was a blindside.

Carter: Yeap.

Christine flashes him a sad smile.

Jeff: What was the reaction when you got back to camp?

Carter: Uh, I was really gutted, you know. I thought I had trust with certain people...turns out they were all much more willing to stab me in the back than I ever was to them. It’s like...this whole game, I’ve been constantly stabbed in the back by the people I thought I could trust. First it was during the Charlie vote, then the Nicholas vote, and then as you saw last vote too. I’ve been nothing but loyal to the people I pledged my allegiance too and time and time again, I’ve seen it bite me in the ass that I was too loyal to people who were...far more willing to cut my throat than I ever was to them.

Jacobiah glances at Leroy and nods. Leroy shrugs.

Jeff: Reyna, on the other hand, you were very outspoken at the last Tribal Council that you felt you were in danger. You stayed. Christine didn’t.

Christine raises an eyebrow at Reyna, who speaks up.

Reyna: Yeah, and it was more of a...I was desperate and needed to make a move to stay in the game. When you’re at the stage of the game that I was in, and knowing that I was going home otherwise...you know, you’ll do anything to stay another three days, and that was what I had to do. I just had to convince people to make a move with me. Some people said no...some people said yes. That tells you all you need to know.

Jeff: All you need to know about what?

Reyna: About who’s playing the game more cutthroat than others.

Markus glances at Annabeth, who turns back to look at him. Carter smirks at them.

Jeff: But Reyna, with the game already at this point in the game and there being only six players left, people are going to have to start playing cutthroat. That is to be expected, correct?

Reyna: Oh, yeah...definitely.

Jeff: So, let me ask a question. With the exception of Annabeth, who has immunity, who here does not feel safe tonight?

Everyone but Trixie and Annabeth raises their hands. Carter laughs and Reyna smirks. Percy looks nervous. Trixie looks like she doesn’t care.

Jeff: Trixie, you’re not nervous.

Trixie: No I’m not, Jeff. I know what’s going to happen tonight and nothing’s going to change my mind on it.

Jeff: Is that so?

Markus casts Annabeth a look, and when she raises an eyebrow, he beckons her closer and whispers into her ear.

Markus: [whispering to Annabeth] Who are we voting tonight?

A couple jury members notice the movement.

Annabeth begins whispering something back to him. Reyna raises an eyebrow at the pair.

Trixie: I mean, I think I’ve made my stance pretty clear for a while now that certain people are threats and need to go. I see no reason to repeat myself. If people are finally willing to make a move, then let’s make a move. I’m not going to waste my breath.

Annabeth nods at Markus and leans back after whispering.

Jeff: Now, Markus, you have the interesting dilemma in that you spent today on the final visit to the Island of Advantages. Meaning...you didn’t get a chance to strategize.

Markus: You’re right, I did not. I am about as clueless as you can get about what’s going to happen here tonight, I think. [laughing]

Jeff: In that case, it’s clear why you’re worried you might be the one going home.

Markus: For sure, although I would’ve raised my hand regardless. I didn’t miss Trixie’s comment just now. She’s right about big threats being in the game and I think most people see me as one of them and they’re going to take shots at me again, just like they’ve done before, again and again.

Wanda looks sour on the jury. Nicholas looks puzzled.

Jeff: Then, having not had the day to strategize, how do you ensure you’re safe for tonight’s vote?

Markus: Well, I suppose I’ll have to start strategizing...now. [laughing]

Without warning, Markus leans over and grabs Carter by the shoulder, pulling a surprised Carter over to whisper into his ear. Trixie frowns, whirling around to stare. Percy looks bewildered.

Annabeth chuckles to herself, slapping a hand to her forehead, eyes widening.

Jeff: Wow.

Carter is now whispering back to Markus.

Jeff: Reyna, does seeing that concern you?

Reyna: Of course. You never know what’s going to happen and what plans are being made that you’re in the dark of.

Carter nods at Markus as Markus sits back in his seat.

Reyna: ...But I’m choosing to trust in what I believe to be the plan here tonight.

Jeff: Alright. Well, it is time to find out exactly whose plan is the real one in place...and whose isn’t. It is time to vote. Percy, you’re-

Annabeth: Actually, Jeff.

Everyone turns to stare at Annabeth, confused. Even Markus looks puzzled.

Annabeth: Before we vote, there’s something I want to do.

Reyna frowns.

Jeff: The floor is yours.

Annabeth: Reyna made a comment earlier about people playing cutthroat, and I agree with that. I think at this stage of the game, it shouldn’t be unexpected to expect the unexpected and I’m about to do something pretty unexpected right now.

On the jury, people looks surprised.

Wanda: [whispering] What is she doing?

Christine: [whispering] What…?

Christine casts Jacobiah a confused look, laughing nervously. Leroy has his mouth slightly parted, and is thumbing his goatee.

Annabeth: You see, I know that there are moves and countermoves going to be made at this Tribal Council, and I’d be foolish to let them happen without an intervention. I am willing to risk my own position in the game to take a gamble, and I’m hoping it pays off, to ensure that the people who spoke of trust to me...can really be trusted.

Christine looks skeptical, and scoffs a little.

Annabeth: And so…[nervous laughter] this is all just a very...very roundabout way of saying that I would like to make a bold move tonight and give up my individual immunity necklace.

Jaws drop on the jury. Zoe looks scandalized. Nicholas is putting his head in his hands. Jacobiah looks lost.

Becky: [whispering] Oh my gosh…

Leroy: [whispering] What the [censored]?

Trixie has an incredulous look on her face, as if she is unsure if she wants to laugh or cry.

Carter swallows. Reyna looks unhappy, sitting up straighter in her seat and crossing her legs.

Jeff: Very well. Who would you like to give up your individual immunity necklace to?

Annabeth: I would like to give up individual immunity...to Markus.

Markus himself looks taken aback. The jury is reacting appropriately as Annabeth unclips her necklace and hands it to Markus, who sheepishly puts it on.

Markus: You sure?

Annabeth: I’m sure. Trust me on this.

Reyna is biting her nails, glancing at the jurors. Carter is running a hand through his blonde hair, groaning.

Trixie is rolling her eyes with a heavy sigh.

Annabeth smiles as she focuses back on Jeff.

Jeff: Wow.

Annabeth: Yeah. [giggling]

Jeff: Markus, you are now...safe. You cannot receive votes. How does that feel?

Markus: I’m...stunned. [laughing] But wow...this definitely feels like it came at the right time, to be honest.

Reyna does not look pleased. Pursing her lips, she abruptly gets up. Everyone continues to look surprised, and even more so as their eyes follow her, watching as she kneels down by Annabeth’s seat and begins whispering into her ear.

Carter: [laughing] What the hell is going on?

Annabeth is now whispering back in Reyna’s ear as the others watch. Trixie looks like the whole scene is personally affronting her.

Jeff: Annabeth and Reyna now, still whispering to one another…

Carter glances at the jury, nervous.

Christine shakes her head at him, hiding a grin behind her hand.

Annabeth now beckons Trixie and Percy over, and is huddling with them, whispering. Reyna now approaches Markus and is whispering in his ear. Carter is sitting by himself, looking forlorn, an eyebrow raised.

Jeff: Carter, this is getting pretty crazy.

Carter: Oh yeah.

Jeff: How do you keep track of who’s talking to who?

Carter: I don’t know, it’s getting pretty chaotic, to be honest, and oh-

Reyna: Sorry.

Reyna is now whispering in Carter’s ear and Carter laughs apologetically at Jeff. Markus is now whispering to Percy and Trixie with Annabeth.

Markus: [whispering] ...split the vote…

Trixie: [whispering] Yeah, but I can’t trust you. I can’t trust you, I can’t work with you.

Annabeth: [whispering] We need to do this.

Trixie: [whispering] No, it’s what YOU need. Not me. Why should I help you? Why?

Percy is grabbing fistfuls of his hair and staring up at the sky, looking stressed and hyperventilating.

Carter: [whispering to Reyna] Okay, okay.

Reyna: [whispering to Carter] Got it? It’s better for both of us, I promise.

Carter: [whispering] Okay.

Markus: [whispering to Trixie] We have to do this.

Trixie: ...Fine. Whatever.

Everyone sits back down.

Jeff: Wow.

Annabeth: Yeah…[laughing]...pretty crazy.

Reyna: You give up one immunity necklace and look at what happens.

Markus smiles and shakes his head.

Jeff: This has definitely been one of the crazier Tribals this season and I cannot wait to see what unfolds. It is time to vote. Percy, you’re up.

Percy throws his hands in the air with a helpless splutter as he gets up, shaking his head all the way to the voting booth. The jurors are whispering amongst themselves, laughing and chuckling.

Annabeth flashes them a cocky smirk as the camera fades away to the players getting up to vote, one after the other.

Carter gets to the booth, shaking his head at the camera, making a funny face.

Carter: [whispering] These people are crazy. [chuckling]

The camera fades away to Markus staring at the ground, necklace prominent around his neck.

The camera cuts to Trixie walking to the booth, then to Markus slipping in his vote…

At last, Annabeth gets to the booth and uncaps the pen. The camera cuts to Carter and Reyna sitting next to one another, before fading away to Annabeth returning.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

He leaves. Carter watches him go. Reyna is biting her lip, glancing up at the jurors with worry written all over her face. Markus takes a deep breath, looking calm in spite of everything.

Jeff returns.

Jeff: If anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you want to play it, now would be the last time to do so.

Trixie looks on over at Markus, resting her chin on her hand. Markus exhales smoothly through his teeth. Carter glances at him out of the corner of his eye. Annabeth sits up straighter and smiles.

Annabeth: Jeff.

Trixie’s eyes widens as she turns to her. Reyna looks on ludicrously as Annabeth begins digging around in her bag.

A couple jury members laugh out loud at this as Annabeth gets up.

Nicholas: [whispering] What in the world…?

Zoe: [whispering] No way…

Annabeth: So this isn’t exactly a hidden immunity idol, but...this is a Legacy Advantage that I was gifted on Day One, by Summer.

Markus registers surprise on his face at Summer’s name.

Annabeth: She willed me this advantage after she was sent to the Island of Advantages on the first day, and I have kept it with me this long. It works as a regular Individual Immunity but not as an idol, and that is why I am going to play it tonight, on myself, at the Final Six, which is the last time for me to do so.

She hands the Legacy Advantage over to Jeff, who accepts it.

Leroy whistles, watching her, as Annabeth returns to her seat.

Jeff: Annabeth is telling the truth. This is, in fact, a Legacy Advantage. Any votes cast for Annabeth will not count.

Annabeth smiles, satisfied.

Reyna: Jeff.

Zoe: [whispering] Holy [censored].

Wanda smiles knowingly and winks as Reyna gets to her feet. Annabeth turns to look, mildly surprised. Markus’ mouth is open. Percy is hiding his face behind his hands.

Reyna: I’d like to give you a little something too.

She walks over to him. Carter sputters, shaking his head profusely.

Carter: You guys are nuts.

Leroy is chuckling to himself, watching with interest.

Reyna: I actually, believe it or not, have my own little...Legacy Advantage here. It was willed to me by Wanda, who was willed it by Leroy. And tonight, I am going to play it for myself as it is the last time I can do so.

She hands the parchment to Jeff.

Trixie licks her lips anxiously. Percy is still covering his face and shaking his head, quivering in his seat.

Markus runs a hand over his beard.

Markus: Damn.

Annabeth: Nice, girl.

Reyna sits back down.

Jeff: This is ALSO a Legacy Advantage. Any votes cast for Reyna will ALSO not count.

Christine: Wow…

Reyna nods confidently.

Carter is smiling, enjoying the show.

Jeff: With that said and done, I will now read the votes.

He opens up the urn. Markus is chuckling and Annabeth is laughing too, and he shakes his head at her.

Jeff: First vote...Annabeth. Does not count.

Annabeth swallows and smiles, nodding to herself.

Jeff: Reyna. Does not count.

Reyna smiles slightly, the whites of her teeth showing. Carter glances at the back of her head worriedly.

The jurors’ head turn in unison as Jeff pulls out the next vote.

Jeff: Annabeth. Does not count.

Annabeth nods again, eyes wide, pressing her fingers to her lips, nostrils flaring.

Jeff: Reyna. Does not count.

Reyna’s mouth twitches as she leans to the side, watching the jury.

Wanda is clasping her hands in front of her face, lines etched into her skin with anticipation. The other jurors are on the edges of their seats. Markus narrows his eyes, taking a deep breath.

Jeff pulls out the fifth vote.

Jeff: Carter. That’s one vote Carter, one vote left. (1-0)

Carter grins, nodding with his hands in his pockets, disappointed but not surprised.

Markus casts him an apologetic grimace. Annabeth is nodding at the floor, eyes peeking up at the votes as if scared to see them. Percy glances at Carter and back to Jeff.

On the jury, Christine deflates, looking crestfallen. Carter shakes his head at her, still grinning.

Jeff: Fifteenth person voted out and the eighth member of our jury...Carter. You need to bring me your torch. (Final Tally: 2-0-0)

Carter chuckles, already slinging his bag over his shoulder, reaching out to grab Markus by the shoulder.

Carter: Good job, ladies. Good job, everyone.

Annabeth: Bye, Carter…

Markus: You did good, man. We’re gonna miss you.

Reyna: Sorry, Carter.

Carter: It’s all good. [laughing]

Percy: You did awesome, Carter…

Carter: You guys and your advantages…[chuckling]

Carter walks on over and plants his torch down in front of Probst.

Jeff: Carter…

Carter: [nodding] Yep.

Jeff: The tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch]

Carter laughs goodnaturedly as Jeff puts out his fire.

Jeff: Time for you to go.

Carter: Alright.

He turns around briefly and flashes the other five a peace sign.

Carter: See y’all! Kick ass.

Markus: Bye, Carter.

Annabeth: We love you, Carter.

Percy waves sadly goodbye. Trixie rolls her eyes, smirking to herself.

Jeff: Well, tonight, there were, as it was said earlier, plenty of moves and countermoves being made, as everyone scrambled to keep themselves and their allies safe. And at the end of the day, you five were the ones who made it out alive. For the first time ever this entire season, we now have more original Qamea in the game than original Waya.

Markus laughs at this. Trixie looks smug. Percy’s eyes are darting about and he looks antsy. Reyna is watching them, the fire casting shadows over her worried face, looking lost in her own thoughts.

Jeff: With the end of the game only a couple days away, the competition is only going to get harder and more vicious from here. Grab your bags and head back to camp. Goodnight.

Final Words: Juror #8
Carter: I almost had it! [laughs] Taken out at the Final Six...man, that’s gonna stink for a while. I was so close! [laughs] But this game...it’s [censored] crazy, man, like...all those idols and advantages and everything, I mean...I never even went to the dumb Island this whole game and them and their crazy advantages are the reason I’m out. But I got so much love for this game...and I can’t think of a crazier Tribal or a more poetic way for me to go out. I’m proud of the game I played, and I know I was a true contender in the end, so maybe...that’s enough solace for me.

Night 36
The Final Five return to camp from a crazy Tribal Council.

Markus: What a night that was.

Percy: Th-That was one for the books for sure.

Reyna chuckles a little, shaking her head at Annabeth as the latter is putting down her torch.

Reyna: You sly minx, you…

Annabeth: Legacy Advantage buddies! [giggling]

"vantagem"

- I thought I was the only person in the game in possession of a Legacy Advantage. Turns out, Annabeth had one too. And even though it can only be played on the owner, she somehow used it to save Markus from elimination...again. It’s fine by me because Carter went home, and he was a threat in his own right. But this puts Markus one step closer to the end and I don’t know if any of us are going to be able to beat him in this game.

Markus: That was...intense.

Percy: Y-Yeah, you’re telling me…

Annabeth: That was fun though, right? [laughing] I was almost breathless doing it.

"vantagem"

- I’m speechless. Somehow, not only did I get Annabeth to send me to the Island of Advantages, but now she even gave up individual immunity to me and used her advantage in the same night, and in a crazy intense Tribal Council...Carter went home. Carter was a big threat anyway, so we made good use of this vote to send home a player who would’ve been a problem in upcoming challenges. So, really...it all worked out as planned. After that move, there’s no way I can’t stay loyal to Annabeth. She has been nothing but loyal to me thus far and I intend to return the favor. Because of her, I got to hold onto my little idol that I got from the Island as its final surprise, which I was going to use tonight to save myself if need be. But now, I get to keep this little baby for one more vote, which all but guarantees I will be in the Final Four, and get to battle it out with the three remaining contestants for that final Immunity Challenge. I am now closer to the end than I could ever have imagined at the start of this game, or at the merge, because I really thought I was a goner and I’d be following all my Qamea allies out the door. Look at me now…[laughing] it’s an unpredictable game for sure.

Percy: What even happened? [laughing]

Annabeth: Yeah, I wanna know who voted for me.

Reyna: I voted for you.

Annabeth: Okay. Who else?

None of them raise their hands. Trixie is already sitting in the shelter, busy dusting sand off the sole of her right foot.

Markus: Carter, I suppose.

Percy: We voted for Carter; Trixie and I.

Markus: We had to vote for you, Reyna. Things got pretty crazy.

Reyna: I understand.

"vantagem"

- Traditionally, people who give up individual immunity on Survivor...it doesn’t always work out for them. But in my case, I knew I had my bases covered. And I am shaking, because I think I made a great move. [squealing] You have no idea how long I’ve waited, since I got that Legacy Advantage, thinking that I was going to be able to use it to do something big, and it only took thirty-five or so days for it to finally come to fruition! Finally being able to hand my Legacy Advantage to Jeff and acknowledge this secret that I’ve kept for almost the entire game so far and that I still made it to the stage of the game I needed to to be able to use it...it was such a great feeling. I drew the votes onto me like I’d planned, and even though it would’ve been nice to get Reyna out as well, getting Carter out of the game serves its purpose just as well, because we just needed one of the two out tonight, and Carter was definitely the bigger challenge threat.

Later, down on the beach, Markus and Annabeth are hugging.

Markus: I owe you one. Really. I know that was to help your game too, but I’m grateful, truly.

Annabeth: Hey, don’t even worry about it. It’s us to the end, right? Us against the world.

Markus: [laughing] Right. Of course. The two of us, we can only trust each other.

Annabeth: I’ve got your back.

She extends a fist and he bumps it and they sit together and stare out into the darkness, listening to the sound of the ocean waves.

Annabeth: I’ll take you to the end if you take me.

Markus: I couldn’t turn my back on you, not after that.

Annabeth: You better not. You’d lose the game without me. [laughing]

Back in the shelter, while Reyna is staring into the fire and Percy tosses a couple sticks and twigs into the roaring flames, Trixie is laying back in bed, looking pissed off.

"vantagem"

- In the end, Markus evaded elimination...again. He keeps getting away from the boot, over and over, and it’s...sickening. How many times must these other idiots let themselves take the fall for him until they learn that it’s time for him to go? It is frustrating, playing with these people. Annabeth thinks her big move was something huge or whatever the [censored] but like...it was idiotic. She just tried to die on her sword for her own personal puppeteer, and he is her puppeteer, let’s face it. That’s how everyone sees her. That’s how I see her, anyway. I think it’s pathetic, how she moves from one puppeteer to another, and she’s clueless to their perception of her. But she can’t keep protecting him. Markus won’t get away a second time. We need to get him out or we might as well all quit the game now and hand him the damn million.

Day 37
Jeff: Come on in, guys!

In walk the Final Five, boarding a wooden station out in the middle of the ocean from a boat. Annabeth is beaming.

Percy: Wow…

The five of them are out in the water, staring out at six stations of bags spread across the large obstacle course, with six different bridges leading off in different directions.

Markus: This is a gorgeous challenge.

Annabeth: You’re telling me.

Reyna smiles.

Jeff: Welcome to your next immunity challenge. Before we begin, Markus, you gotta give it back.

Annabeth pretends to pout.

Annabeth: Aw, but it was mine.

Jeff: Exactly. It was yours. But not anymore.

He takes the necklace back from Markus.

Annabeth: It’ll be mine today.

Trixie makes a face.

Jeff: Bold words. We’ll see if that becomes true.

Annabeth giggles.

Jeff: For today’s challenge, you will race out to six different stations to get a bag of puzzle pieces. To bring your puzzle pieces back to your puzzle station, you will need to cross each station’s respective obstacle course. Once back at your stations, you must solve a complicated puzzle. First person to solve their puzzle wins individual immunity, guaranteed a spot in the Final Four and a 25% chance of winning the million dollars and the title of Sole Survivor. Losers, a date with me at Tribal Council where one of you will become the ninth member of our jury. We started this game with 20 people and we’re now down to only a quarter of you left. The stakes have never been higher. Ready to get to it? We’ll get started.

Soon, everyone takes their places and are ready to race.

Jeff: Survivors ready? Go!

The five of them begin racing out.

Jeff: There are six different stations and you have to collect bags from each and every one of them.

Markus is heading out to a station with a series of ropes dangling from the ceiling. Percy is heading to a station with a platform bridge. Reyna is going to a station with a spider’s web tunnel. Annabeth and Trixie both head to the same station with a rope crawl.

Everyone has their bags and are heading through their stations. Annabeth heads out on hers first, as Trixie tries to crawl along behind her, both making the ropes shake.

Markus makes it through his station first, dumps his bag of pieces and heads out for his second.

Reyna gets back right behind him, dumping her pieces and heading back out.

Jeff: Markus in the lead, Reyna right on his tail!

Annabeth shudders as the rope shakes violently beneath her, with Trixie crawling right behind her feet.

Annabeth: Ahh! Trixie, stop! You’re shaking it!

Trixie: Well, [censored] move faster then.

Annabeth finally climbs back up onto the platform. Percy gets to his platform too and both dump their bags.

Jeff: Trixie, in last!

Trixie: Yeah, thanks.

Trixie finally gets back up on the platform and dumps her bag, heading back out.

Markus is through his second station now, with his second bag. So is Reyna, running back out.

Jeff: Markus with two bags...Reyna also with two bags…

Annabeth is now doing the net crawl, and she yelps as Trixie jumps onto the net right behind her, causing both to bounce up and down.

Annabeth: Yah!

Jeff: Annabeth and Trixie, once again on the same station…

Annabeth: Trixie, go away!

Trixie: I swear, this is a coincidence.

The nasty smirk on Trixie’s face says otherwise.

Jeff: Trixie has not left Annabeth’s side once this whole challenge, they have completed every station together…

Annabeth climbs onto the platform, Trixie right behind, and both dump their bags and head on out. Percy, too, has returned with his second bag, out of breath.

Jeff: Markus and Reyna returning with their third bags!

Markus is heading out to do the rope crawl. Reyna is on the net crawl. The others are running to their different stations. For the first time, Annabeth and Trixie are on different stations. Percy is now following behind Reyna.

Jeff: Everyone rushing about to their different stations, colliding with one another!

The camera cuts to a wide shot of the challenge being played out in the water from overhead, and cuts back down.

Jeff: Markus returning with his fifth bag, heading out for his sixth and final one! Reyna, right on his tail, also with five bags! There’s Annabeth returning with her fourth, Trixie with her fourth, and Percy with his fourth!

Markus is still in the lead and on his final station, a platform bridge, clutching the bag of puzzle pieces he needs in one hand. Reyna is attempting her final station too, and Trixie is right behind her with her fifth bag.

Annabeth is rushing through her station with her fifth bag and makes it out.

Jeff: Annabeth going for her sixth and final bag! She said she wanted to win individual immunity for the second time in a row, can she do it?

Markus makes it onto the platform and runs to his puzzle station, dumping out his final bag of puzzle pieces.

Jeff: Markus is back with all his bags of puzzle pieces! Start working on your puzzle, Markus!

Reyna is back too, and so is Percy. She dumps her pieces and begins opening up bags, as Percy heads out for his sixth, just as Trixie arrives with her fifth.

Jeff: Reyna and Markus both can start working on their puzzles. Annabeth, Trixie and Percy all scrambling for their final bags!

Markus has his pieces scattered across his table, staring at them all and breathlessly moving them around, trying to find pieces to fill in the edges of his puzzles. Reyna is staring at them all analytically while still keeping her hands busy, moving pieces around.

Jeff: Thirty-seven days out here in Mozambique and your mind starts to wander. You’ve all been fighting for so long in the wilderness and suffering from all sorts of external conditions...the hunger, the mental stress, the social politics of it all all catching up to you. It’s amazing how difficult a puzzle can seem when you’re this deep into such a complicated and taxing game.

Markus bites his lip, hissing through his teeth as he studies his pieces.

Reyna is moving pieces around quickly.

Jeff: Reyna looking like she has something, does she have it?

Markus is moving pieces too now.

Jeff: Annabeth is back with all her puzzle pieces, she can start working on it now!

Annabeth has indeed returned with her sixth and final bag of puzzle pieces. Trixie and Percy are catching up behind her.

Jeff: Percy is back! Trixie is back! Everyone, start working on your puzzles!

Sure enough, all five castaways are now working on their puzzles, shifting pieces around on the board.

Jeff: Reyna working solidly. Markus, lead starting to dissipate…

Markus looks frazzled as he moves pieces around his table, his puzzle not making much progress.

Jeff: Annabeth putting pieces together…

Annabeth fits another piece in...and then another…

Jeff: It is Reyna in the lead, putting pieces in, Annabeth putting pieces in- Annabeth and Reyna are neck-and-neck right now, it is a close race!

Sure enough, Reyna is putting pieces in as fast as she can, her puzzle quickly taking shape, but Annabeth is not far behind, moving around her station quickly.

Jeff: Percy falling out of it, Trixie falling out of it…

Percy is scratching his head, staring at his scattered pieces, befuddled. Trixie lets out a frustrated groan, slamming her table.

Jeff: Reyna with only a few pieces left!

Reyna is moving faster and faster now, not even acknowledging the people around her. Annabeth doesn’t look her way either, focused entirely on her puzzle.

Jeff: This could come down to the wire!

Reyna is putting in her final few pieces. Annabeth is getting close to catching up.

Markus: Come on, Annabeth, come on.

Jeff: Reyna with three pieces left!

Reyna puts in one puzzle piece.

Jeff: Annabeth with three pieces left!

Annabeth rotates one piece, trying to shove it into a hole, but it won’t go in.

Jeff: Reyna with two pieces left! Reyna on her last puzzle piece and…!

Reyna inserts her final pieces and slams her hand down on them, fitting them in completely.

Reyna: Jeff!

Jeff: Reyna thinks she has it...

Jeff comes over to check.

Annabeth inserts her final pieces too and breathlessly turns to look as Jeff inspects Reyna’s puzzle.

Jeff: ...And she’s got it! Reyna, wins immunity!

Reyna brings her hands up to her face, overjoyed, shoulders shaking as she takes a step back from her puzzle.

Percy looks disappointed, watching her. Annabeth stares defeatedly at her finished puzzle.

Annabeth: So close…

Markus: Good job.

He holds up a hand and Reyna high fives him, smiling to herself.

Everyone returns to the main mat.

Jeff: Reyna, come on over.

Reyna walks on over, smiling modestly, and the others clap as Jeff puts the necklace around her.

Jeff: Reyna, safe from Tribal Council tonight. As for the rest of you...Markus, Annabeth, Trixie and Percy...one of you will become the sixteenth person voted out of this game and the ninth member of our jury. This close to the end...you do not want to go home now. I’ll see you tonight at Tribal.

He pats Reyna on the back and everyone gets ready to leave.

The Final Five return to the Vantagem camp.

Annabeth: Good job, Rey-Rey.

Reyna: Thank you.

"vantagem"

- This is my second individual immunity, but it came at the perfect time. With this around my neck, I know that I’ll be competing in the Final Four and in the Final Immunity Challenge, and that means I am that much closer to the Final Tribal Council. So I feel totally...over the moon right about now. [laughing] Winning this took a huge load off my shoulders and I feel so great today, I can’t stop smiling.

Markus nudges Annabeth.

Markus: Wanna take a walk?

Annabeth: Course.

They leave. Trixie watches them go with narrowed eyes, then turns back to Reyna and Percy, who are milling around camp.

Trixie: It’s no question, right? He has to go.

Percy: I’m w-with you there.

Reyna: There is no other name I’m writing down tonight other than his.

Percy: W-What if he pulls out an idol?

Trixie: I will literally scream. I will physically get up...and choke him out. With my two bare hands.

Percy giggles nervously, as if unsure whether to take her at face value.

Trixie: I just can’t deal with being near him anymore. If he doesn’t go home tonight, like, something is seriously wrong with the world.

"vantagem"

- I am only going to be writing down Markus’ name tonight. There is no one else I would rather see go home at this point. He’s a real cat with nine lives in this game. He has survived more Tribal Councils than he has had any business surviving, so...I’m done with him. Too many people have taken the fall in his place and I’m not willing to let history repeat itself. Let him go home and...we’re done here. I can finally take this weight off my shoulders.

Annabeth and Markus are walking down the beach.

Annabeth: This is bad. You know they’re all gonna be voting for you, right?

Markus: I’m aware of that. But I’m not afraid.

He turns to face her.

Markus: I have a hidden immunity idol.

Annabeth: You do? Oh, thank goodness. [laughing] You have no idea how glad I am to here you say that.

Markus: Now my only fear is that they might vote for you instead to try and throw me off…

Annabeth: You think so?

Markus: They know I’ve been to the Island. Like, I just went there yesterday. If they suspect I have an idol, they could vote for you and then you’ll be the one going to jury. I don’t want that.

Annabeth: But what if you play your idol for me and then they still vote for you?

Markus: That’s the thing. I can’t know for sure.

Annabeth: Okay, never mind that a moment. Let’s say you play your idol for yourself and they vote for you. Who do we vote for then?

Markus bites his lip.

Markus: I don’t know, I guess Percy?

Percy is eating coconut happily by the fire.

Markus: He’s likeable. No one has a grudge against Percy. He’s harmless.

Annabeth: You really think idoling him out is the best idea? He’s not much of a threat in this game.

Markus: Then what, Trixie?

Annabeth: Yeah, she’s even less likely to win the game than he is.

The camera cuts to Trixie sitting in the sand, arms wrapped around her legs, scowling out at the sky.

Annabeth: Well, we gotta choose one of them to put our votes on.

Markus stops to think.

"vantagem"

- I have a hidden immunity idol in my bag. It’s the last gift that the Island of Advantages has given me in this game, and with it, I can basically choose who goes home, provided that I’m right and the votes really are coming onto me. With Reyna having immunity, the only options would be Trixie and Percy. Not to be mean, but I don’t really think either of them are going to win this game. They’re both weaker players, strategically and physically and do not pose much of a threat. So it’s like...I’m trying to decide which of two weak players to cut loose, and there’s not a lot of options. Percy...sweet kid, and I’ve always had a soft spot for him since the start of this game, even though he’s burned me multiple times. Trixie...she and I have had such an up-and-down relationship in this game, we’ve tried to work together and sometimes we have voted together, but she’s always made it clear there’s no love lost between us. It’s honestly close between the two, who would be the best to take out now, because they’re both kind of equal in terms of...why should I get rid of them? That being said, I believe Reyna is my biggest opponent in the game at this point and so I think I need to keep in the player who’s more likely to help me beat her in the Final Immunity Challenge.

Annabeth: Well, I’ll go talk to them, and I’ll try to suss out whether they’re voting for you or for me. And hopefully, tonight, you’ll play the idol correctly and we’ll send home the right person.

Markus: Okay.

Annabeth: And hopefully we’ll both be here tomorrow? [giggling]

Markus: [chuckles] Hopefully.

They fist bump and Annabeth heads off in a different direction as Markus watches.

Annabeth meets with Reyna back at camp.

Annabeth: What’s the vote tonight? I’m not dumb. Are you guys going to go for Markus?

Reyna glances away before turning back.

Reyna: It’s just...there’s no other option. Like, he will beat us all at the end. You have to see that.

Annabeth: I do.

Reyna: Like, there’s no other way. I think even he knows it.

Annabeth: Maybe.

Reyna: You don’t think he has an idol?

Annabeth: I don’t know. I don’t think he does. He would’ve told me if he did.

"vantagem"

- Annabeth has been, for a while now, very close with Markus. She gave up individual immunity to save him last night. Therefore, it’s fishy that now she wants to know if Markus is going home or not. It definitely feels like she’s trying to, you know, get a read of the room to figure out if she’s the target or if he is. If Markus has an idol, then that would mean me, Trixie and Percy would have to have a change of plans, switch the target on over to Annabeth instead and take out his tightest alliance member. But if not...we could have just given up the best opportunity we might’ve had in this game to vote off the biggest threat, and...that’s just not right to me. Because I know...if Markus or Annabeth win that last immunity...I’ll be the one they send to the jury next.

Time passes, and next, Reyna is shown sitting with Markus in the grass.

Markus: Here’s my pitch.

Reyna: I’m listening.

Markus: If I go home tonight...tomorrow, you’re going to be the biggest target. It’s clear. And what happens if you don’t win that final immunity?

Reyna: I go home.

Markus: You go home, yes. I know that we’re each other’s biggest threats at this point in time, but if we take each other out one after the other tonight, then...there’s a chance neither of us make it to the end. But if we’re both here tomorrow, we each have options on what to do, regardless of who wins the final immunity.

Reyna: Unless you win it or I win it.

Markus: Yes, but do you fancy your chances in that challenge tomorrow knowing you’re the sole biggest threat left in the game?

Reyna: What, so you want me to vote out Trixie or Percy? Because I know you won’t want me to vote out Annabeth, and yet if she’s in the game with you tomorrow, that’s another person you can count on to keep you in until the Final Tribal Council. You’d have a better shot of making it to the end.

Markus: I’m telling you, it’d be a mistake to vote me off because you need me. You really do. I needed you last time and that’s why I voted Christine off with you. Now I’m telling you you need to do this. You need to keep me in or you’ll be the one to go.

"vantagem"

- Markus’ pitch is that he needs to be in the game, otherwise if I lose the Final Immunity Challenge next, I’ll instantly be the one to go, whereas there’s still a chance I’d stay if he was in the game and lost the final challenge as well, as he’d be the bigger threat than me. This is all his roundabout way of saying...it’s not to my benefit to vote him off. But I also think it’d be dumb...so incredibly dumb...to keep Markus in the game. I may not be as gungho as Trixie in wanting him gone but I have known for a long time now that he is a big threat and it’s been said over and over he’ll win if he makes it to the end. He’s a very strong player and what am I, if I keep him in and not take the chance to lop his head off? I want to win Survivor. I don’t want to make a mistake and keep him in, and lose a million dollars because I let him fill my head with honeyed words and bad ideas.

Reyna and Markus get up and leave after they finish talking.

"vantagem"

- I did my best to sell a pitch to Reyna, because I need to cover all my bases. I want her to believe that she needs me in the game if she wants to make it to the end. And Reyna is a very strategic player. I’m hoping that she considers it, but even if she doesn’t, I know I’ll still survive if I play my idol on myself. My only worry is that they’ll target Annabeth instead, and she’s my closest ally in this game. I have to keep her in.

Reyna walks through camp, lost in her own little world, as Percy watches her pace up and down with curiosity.

"vantagem"

- I think as of now, my biggest fear is I’ll make a mistake in who we decide to vote tonight. Markus may very well have an idol and if he does...we need to vote for Annabeth instead. I found her shady earlier...she was clearly trying to get a sense of who we were voting tonight when she came up to chat. If Markus pulls out an idol and we vote for him, he has his pick of Trixie or Percy to send home and I don’t need both him and Annabeth in that final Immunity Challenge because that just makes the odds that much harder for me to win it. I feel that if I make a mistake tonight, and I mean a HUGE mistake...it would be a monumental error for me if I chose the wrong person between the two for me, Trixie and Percy to put our votes on tonight, and an idol came out to play and [censored] this whole plan up. I don’t know, it’s just a whole lot to take in and mull over all at once.

Clouds pass overhead, while in the meantime, Markus is talking with Percy, who is resting in the hammock.

Markus: Hey. You can be honest, it’s okay. But...I wanted to know if you’re voting for me tonight.

Percy is silent.

Markus: It’s the Final Five. You can just tell me.

Percy: I-I can’t tell you everything. What if you have an idol?

Markus: So you’re voting for me.

Percy: I-I didn’t say that. C’mon, Markus, don’t be like that…

Markus: I guess there’s not much to do to change your mind?

Percy: I mean...you’re the biggest player left on this beach and there’s only five of us. There’s no one else to turn to, especially with Reyna immune. I need to vote off the big players or I’m not going to have much of a resume. You and Annabeth are the next biggest players still in the game.

Percy bites his lip, clearly in a lot of distress over this, as Markus stares back at him.

"vantagem"

- It’s plain to see that Percy’s feeling desperate now. He knows he’s not done a whole lot in this game thus far and knows he needs to vote out a big target or he’ll never have anything to say for himself at the end. But as we were talking, he pointed out me and Annabeth were the next biggest threats with Reyna immune and that got me thinking...I’ve been so torn up over having to decide who I’d vote out between him and Trixie because they’re both not strong targets, but then I realized...as horrid as it sounds, there is one more person I could target, and it’s my very own ally: Annabeth.

The camera cuts to Annabeth walking with Trixie in the forest, glancing over her shoulder as they talk.

"vantagem"

- It sounds absolutely dreadful to even consider it, but she has been making moves, subtle and flashy, and it’s definitely making her out to be a player. She’s not as outspoken as me or Reyna or even Nicholas was but she’s been playing smart, she’s kept her cards close and she is definitely more likely to win than both Trixie and Percy. She might actually be more difficult to take on in the finals than I initially believed. And if that’s the case...maybe tonight, to save myself, I need to let her go rather than go for one of Trixie and Percy, who, let’s be real, are not winning themselves any favor with the members of the jury. I might need to vote off Annabeth, who’s been real with me for so long, and even gave up her safety for me the other night. Granted, she was safe anyway, but...actions speak louder than words and it was a bold choice. She cemented her place as a solid ally of mine and that’s how we all see and know her. To betray her like this would be cold and it would be against who I am as a person and might even make me lose points, not just with her but with the jury...but it’d be another big move I’d be making and it’d be more respected than just voting off Trixie or Percy.

Annabeth approaches Markus that night as the sun starts to set.

Annabeth: From what I’ve heard, I’m pretty certain the vote’s still you. There’s always a small percentage chance they are voting for me though, so…

Markus: I’ll think it over and I’ll decide who to use my idol on tonight.

Annabeth: Is there still a chance you’d play it on me? [laughing] I’m a little scared now.

Markus: I promise I’ll use it on you if I believe you’re the one getting the votes.

Annabeth: Okay. I trust you.

The look in Markus’ eyes looks torn as Annabeth turns around to pack her bags.

"vantagem"

- I’m playing a game of chess right now...trying to keep all my pieces on the board is rougher than I imagined. Annabeth is better to vote off than Trixie and Percy. But she’s my ally - more than that, she’s my friend. I could lose so much if I voted her off because there are many reasons I need her still. There’s a lot to consider heading into tonight’s Tribal Council but it’s safe to say that whoever I play my idol on and whoever’s name I write down tonight...both of them are going to be crucial, crucial decisions.

The sky turns to black and the Vantagem five arrive at Tribal Council.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in the members of our jury. Becky, Leroy, Nicholas, Zoe, Wanda, Jacobiah, Christine and Carter, voted out at the last Tribal Council.

Carter walks in in a tank top, bermudas and with a straw hat as well, looking laidback and at ease. He sticks his tongue out and flashes the Final Five a rock sign, and Markus laughs. Annabeth smiles sweetly at him and Carter nods.

Jeff: Reyna, first of all. Congrats on immunity. You said you felt you needed it…

Reyna: And I did, thank you, Jeff.

Jeff: Came at the right time.

Reyna: Came at the perfect time. Only time it could be more perfect would be tomorrow night, and I’m hoping I walk in here wearing that around my neck too.

Jeff: On the other hand, Annabeth, it must not feel good to have been only a couple seconds away from victory.

Annabeth: I know. There’s definitely a sense of, like...I had it in my hands and I let it slip away and I was so close to the end. But, you know...it is what it is. She earned it through a tough fight.

Jeff: Did you think you needed it, then? Especially after your move last Tribal, to give up immunity to Markus?

Annabeth: I think I was more concerned with making sure that...Reyna didn’t win it.

Wanda turns her eyes up to the sky. Reyna smiles at her reaction.

Jeff: Reyna, Annabeth is being very public with her intentions here. By all means and purposes, it seems you would’ve been the one voted out tonight, if she got her way.

Reyna: That’s what she says. It doesn’t necessarily mean that would’ve been the truth. But regardless of if that’s how it would’ve panned out or not, I’m just thankful that for tonight, I’m safe, and tomorrow, I’ll be here to fight for the necklace for the last time this season.

Jeff: Markus, with Reyna now immune, where does the tribe go from here? There’s only four of you left to be voted out tonight. One of the four of you has to go home and become the ninth member of our jury. How do you decide who that person should be and how do you ensure that it’s not you?

Markus: It’s a balancing act, Jeff.

Trixie makes a face. Carter is laughing quietly on the jury.

Markus: At this point, I’m aware that...everyone is eyeing me up as this big frontrunner for the million. And I know that Reyna herself is also viewed as a pretty big threat. My pitch was that...once I’m gone, she’ll be next in line. For one of us to make it to Day 39, it’d be to our benefit to keep each other around, and have a fair fight in the immunity challenge tomorrow. Because if I go, and she loses, she’s out of this game for sure. At least, if we’re both still in tomorrow, and we both lose, we both still stand a chance at arguing that the other person is the bigger threat. After all, it’s not like chances are high we’ll both be in the Final Three, so Reyna’s big concern that I’m the biggest threat in the game and might be hard to beat at the end shouldn’t matter as much, because I don’t think both of us will be sitting together at the end.

Jeff: Reyna, Markus does have a point. Unless you’re worried about how you’d do sitting next to Markus at the end, then his status as a threat in this game to win shouldn’t matter as much to you if you’re viewed as an equal threat.

Reyna: Jeff, there are multiple reasons I consider Markus a threat and it’s not just because he would have a strong case at the finish. Markus is also one part of a pair with Annabeth. The two of them are taking each other to the end so that’s two people who won’t be taking me along with them. Also, Markus would be harder to beat in the final challenge tomorrow.

Markus: Why do you say that? I’ve never won an immunity challenge, not one. You’re sitting there with Trixie, who’s won one, and Annabeth here has won twice. What makes me more of a threat in challenges than them?

Trixie raises an eyebrow.

Reyna: I’m just saying that if you win the challenge tomorrow, it would be much harder to convince you to keep me in the game.

Markus: Why?

Reyna: Because you see me as your biggest threat just as I see you as mine. We would just get in each other’s way.

Markus snorts, but he is smiling.

Markus: Okay. Interesting, alright.

Jeff: Trixie, you appear pretty removed from this discussion so far, strategically. Is this vote going to border on strategy for you or is it more personal?

Trixie: Lucky for me, Jeff, my strategic and personal reasons for who I’m voting for tonight align perfectly. Therefore, as long as all goes according to plan tonight, I am at peace with whose name I’m writing down on that parchment when we all go to vote.

Markus shrugs.

Markus: So she’s voting for me.

Trixie: I didn’t say that.

Markus: [laughs] Who else could you possibly mean?

Trixie: I don’t know, but I didn’t say your name. Don’t put your words into my mouth, how ‘bout that?

Zoe’s jaw drops. Leroy is snickering quietly in the corner.

Markus: Okay, Trixie.

Trixie: Don’t act like you know everything, Markus, it’s not a good look for you.

Annabeth rolls her eyes with a heavy sigh.

Jeff: Annabeth, what about you? Having given up immunity to Markus at the last Tribal, it’s clear you two have been working together. Does that affect your vote tonight?

Annabeth: I think everyone on the tribe knows that me and Markus have gotten quite close. That being said, tonight, I am voting in what I believe to be the smartest way for me. I’m not wavering on that.

Markus frowns a little at that.

Jeff: Alright. Well, it is time to vote. Trixie, you’re up.

Trixie claps her hands together once and gets up, sauntering over to the voting booth.

The jury is a sea of amused faces as they watch Trixie go. Wanda smirks and shakes her head disapprovingly as Trixie passes by.

"vantagem"

- This move has been in the making for far...far...too long. Go home...PLEASE.

Trixie scoffs and folds her vote with a bit more forcefulness than needed.

The camera cuts to Markus resting his chin on his fists, staring into space, and fades away as Annabeth walks to the booth.

Percy is shown slipping his vote into the urn, then Reyna gets to the booth and uncaps the pen.

Finally, Markus gets to the booth. He uncaps the pen and exhales sharply, as if psyching himself up, before putting the tip of his pen to paper.

The camera cuts to Annabeth glancing away, worry reflected in her dark eyes, and then to Trixie closing her eyes and swallowing.

Markus eventually returns.

Jeff: I’ll go tally the votes.

Jeff leaves. Reyna watches him go, looking solemn.

Trixie has a smug look on her face, and she peeks over at Markus, who has a serious look on his face.

Jeff returns. Percy gulps, watching him nervously.

Jeff: If anyone has the hidden immunity idol and you would like to play it, now would be the LAST time to do so.

The jury is watching with rapt attention.

Trixie looks confident, sitting up straighter. Reyna swallows, glancing at Markus.

Markus stares at the floor, before looking up and nodding at Jeff.

Markus: Jeff.

Trixie’s head whips around, and her eyes grow alarmed. Percy looks nonplussed, mouth open, as he stares in confusion.

Markus: As it turns out…[removing idol from shoe] I do have one last ace up my sleeve.

Trixie: What the [censored]!

Trixie looks furious as Markus gets up, glancing almost nervously at her, and walks over to Jeff with his idol. On the jury, people are reacting, laughing and grabbing the shoulders or arms of the person nearest them, all sharing in the fun and spectacle.

Markus: Jeff, I’m playing this…

Annabeth squints her eyes at him as he turns to gauge the others’ reactions. Percy’s mouth is agape.

Trixie scowls.

Markus: ...I’m playing it for myself.

He hands Jeff the idol.

Trixie: You gotta be [censored] kidding me.

Reyna shakes her head grimly, biting her lip, as Markus returns to his seat, nodding at Annabeth, who is grinning at the jury. Nicholas is chuckling and shakes his head at her.

Jeff: This is indeed a hidden immunity idol. Any votes cast for Markus...will not count.

Trixie curses again, arms crossed and rolling her eyes.

Jeff: I’ll read the votes.

He opens the urn.

Trixie: This is [censored] unbelievable.

Markus casts a scared look back at her over his shoulder, before turning back to face Jeff.

Reyna has an incredulous smile on her face as she shakes her head at the antics on display.

Jeff: First vote...Markus. Does not count.

Markus nods slowly, glancing at the jurors. Leroy looks amazed. Carter is smiling slightly, excited.

Jeff: Markus. Does not count.

Trixie: I don’t [censored] believe this.

Trixie looks like she is watching a horror movie unfold before her, helpless to prevent it. Annabeth purses her lips in anticipation.

Jeff: Markus. Does not count.

Christine: [whispering] Wow…

Becky has her hands pressed to her mouth and her eyes are gleaming at Markus.

Percy looks almost scared, hiding his face behind his hands once more.

Jeff takes out the next vote. Annabeth is exhaling, her breath shuddering in her throat. Markus glances at her, licks his lips once, then glances back at the votes.

Jeff: ...Trixie. That’s one vote Trixie. (1-0)

Trixie: Oh, you are [censored] the [censored] outta me…

Trixie is breathless with disbelief, watching the votes being read.

Nicholas looks awed. Christine is stunned but delighted.

Trixie glares over at Markus, who doesn’t break eye contact with her. Reyna shrugs at her apologetically.

Trixie: I can’t [censored] believe this, I can’t [censored] believe…

Jeff: Sixteenth person voted out and the ninth member of our jury...Trixie. You need to bring me your torch. (Final Tally: 2-0)

Trixie: How the [censored]? How?

Still shaking her head almost comically now, Trixie snatches up her bags and turns to leave. Markus has his eyes wide and looks almost afraid to smile, tentatively hiding it behind his hands. Annabeth is smiling to herself, shaking her head and looking down at the floor.

Reyna swallows, watching solemnly as Trixie carries her torch over to Jeff and slams it down before him.

Jeff: Trixie…

Trixie rolls her eyes dramatically, right in front of Jeff.

Jeff: The tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch]

Markus licks his lips, watching as Trixie’s flame is reduced to smoke.

Jeff: Time for you to go.

Trixie turns around one last time.

Trixie: Ugh.

She turns back and leaves.

Trixie: Unfrigginbelievable…pfft...

Markus shares a look with Annabeth. Percy looks bewildered, mouth still open like he has forgotten to close it, staring reproachfully at Annabeth, who coolly runs one hand through her hair, looking unrepentantly pleased with herself.

Carter glances at Jacobiah.

Carter: [whispering] I’m gonna have to sit next to her at the finale.

Jacobiah: [chuckling] Good luck.

Reyna smirks at Markus and Annabeth.

Reyna: Good job.

Markus laughs, grabbing Annabeth’s shoulder and squeezing it comfortingly, as the latter laughs too and pats his hand.

Jeff: Even this late in the game, moves are still being made and the game continues to be shaken up to the very end. And now...it’s just one final stretch left. Tomorrow, one of you will have guaranteed yourself a spot in the Final Three and at the Final Tribal Council. Have some rest tonight, because you will need it for your final immunity challenge. Head on back to camp, goodnight.

Final Words: Juror #9
Trixie: How…[throws hands up in air] How does Markus [censored] do this...every time? How? I’ve wanted him gone for so long, since frikkin’ Day Two, and I should’ve had it! I should’ve sent him home the very first week, and yet he’s survived again, and again, and again, and even now when I had him on the ropes, he still bounced back! I [censored] hate him, man, this is [censored] unbelievable. Whatever! ...I played my [censored] heart out and I don’t regret a damn thing. People can hate me...whatever. I still got to play Survivor. They can hate me all they want. I still played this damn game. I may not have been able to take Markus down but I hope I was a thorn in his side for long enough.

Day 38
Jeff: Come on in, guys!

The Final Four enter the scene for their Final Immunity Challenge of the season.

Jeff: Ready to get to today’s Final Immunity Challenge?

Markus whoops and claps. Annabeth is jumping up and down on the balls of her feet, ecstatic. Reyna appears cool and collected, nodding.

Percy: N-Never thought I’d make it this far, Jeff. [chuckling]

Jeff: First things first, Reyna, for the last time, I will be taking it back.

He takes the necklace back from Reyna.

Jeff: For the final time this season, immunity...is back up for grabs. For today’s challenge, you will be spinning a handle around, releasing a bag of puzzle pieces, which will make you dizzy. With those puzzle pieces, you must cross a balance beam. Fall off, and you have to start over. Once across the beam, you will reach a narrow table, with a gong at the end. You must slide all your puzzle pieces from one end of the table to the other, where they will fall out of a chute on the other side. If you hear the gong sound, it means your puzzle pieces hit the gong at the other end and have successfully fallen through the chute. Once you’ve slid all your pieces across, you can transport as many of them at a time as you think you can carry on a machete, and cross three seesaws. After you’ve made it through the seesaws with all your puzzle pieces, you must use those pieces to solve a word puzzle. First person to solve their word puzzle...wins the final Individual Immunity necklace of the season. Big stakes...for a big reward.

Annabeth nods, pressing her fingertips to her mouth, looking grim. Reyna squints at Jeff, mouth twitching.

Jeff: Oh, and not only that...there is a twist. As this season is all about advantages, our final immunity challenge today comes with a caveat. The winner will be presented with a choice to make at Tribal Council. I’ll elaborate more on the twist once the challenge is over.

Markus whistles.

Jeff: Ready to get to it?

Annabeth: Yes!

Markus: You bet.

Percy: Oh, I’m so nervous…

Jeff: We’ll get started.

The four of them are on their mats, grabbing their handles and bracing themselves to start spinning.

Jeff: Alright, this is our final immunity challenge of the season. This is for all the marbles! Safety at Tribal Council and a guaranteed spot at the Final Tribal Council tomorrow night, to plead your case for a million dollars to the jury! This is what you covet most in this game, this is what you’ve been fighting for, this is what the last thirty-eight days have been building up to! You do not want to waste it all here, today. Survivors ready? ...GO!

And everyone is off, spinning around their handles like tops.

Jeff: Wow! Markus is whirling around his handle.

Sure enough, Markus is spinning so fast and aggressively he is kicking up a tornado of sand.

Reyna is tilting her head back, causing her braids to whip around behind her like a rope.

Annabeth is swinging around her handle, her hair flying along like a cape. Percy is struggling to spin alongside them.

Markus gets his handle free first and stumbles back onto the sand, his bag of puzzle pieces dropping to the floor.

Jeff: Markus has his puzzle pieces free!

Reyna releases her bag too and staggers about, holding out a hand to try and steady herself.

Markus is slowly getting to his feet, his head spinning, clutching his forehead with one hand and reaching out for his bag of puzzle pieces with the other.

Jeff: Markus and Reyna, heading for their balance beams…

Markus puts one foot on his beam and immediately steps back off, shaking his head and groaning.

Markus: Nope...ugh…

Reyna gingerly puts a foot on the balance beam and tries to get up but quickly slips off again.

Reyna: Oof!

Annabeth releases her bag and rushes to grab it, breathing out loud to stop her dizziness.

Percy accidentally trips and lets go of his handle, tumbling around on the floor and getting sand all over himself and in his hair and eyes.

Percy: Ah!

Jeff: Everyone getting giddy!

Markus is attempting the beam again. Putting one shaky foot on the beam, he takes a breath and slowly gets up on it, walking forward fast but keeping himself balanced with both hands outstretched, the bag dangling from his right.

He gets off the balance beam at the end and rushes to his table.

Jeff: Markus is through the balance beam!

Reyna is walking across the beam now too and quickly hops off the other end, rushing to her own table.

Jeff: Reyna is through! Markus and Reyna, both getting ready to start sliding their pieces across the table!

Annabeth puts a tentative foot on her beam and gets up, hurriedly walking across.

Jeff: Annabeth is through!

Percy is grunting and groaning as he continues to struggle with his handle. At last he spins it through and collapses onto the sand, moaning.

Jeff: Percy has his bag free! Start moving, Percy, let’s go!

Percy: Ungh…

Crawling on the floor on all fours like a drunkard, Percy moves to pick up his bag as Annabeth crosses her beam and runs to her table.

Markus is sliding piece after piece across the table in rapid succession, hitting the gong and eliciting a smashing sound one after the other.

Jeff: Markus firing those puzzle pieces out with no hesitation! Markus has yet to win an immunity challenge this season, will he win this most crucial one of the season yet?

Reyna is also firing off pieces but a few of them fall short. She rushes to grab those that only flew down half the length of the table and starts sliding them again.

Percy: Oh boy…

Percy can barely get one foot up on the beam, plopping back down into the sand and clutching his head.

Percy: C’mon, Percy…

Jeff: Percy having trouble even stepping onto the balance beam…

Annabeth is sliding pieces now too, her red hair falling down her shoulders, eyes blazing with fire.

Markus slides his last few pieces across and rushes to grab the last two that didn’t make it all the way down the table.

Jeff: Markus is close to sliding all his pieces across…

Reyna has six left and is sliding them down the table as fast and as precisely as she can.

Markus slides both pieces down one after the other with two satisfying gong sounds.

Jeff: Markus is through! Start transporting your puzzle pieces to the other side!

Markus hurries to collect his pieces. Meanwhile, Percy is finally getting both feet on the beam but jumps off, still unsteady.

Jeff: Percy, falling out of it…

Percy: Damn it!

Percy looks incredibly frustrated.

Reyna slides her last piece through and hits the gong.

Jeff: Reyna is through as well!

Markus is now supporting about half his pieces on his machete blade, and gingerly puts his first foot on the first seesaw, preparing to step up on it.

Jeff: Markus, attempting the first seesaw…

Reyna is doing the same, moving less pieces than Markus.

Markus reaches the middle of the seesaw and it teeters. As it does so, he lurches to the side and drops a few puzzle pieces!

Jeff: No, Markus drops. Gotta go back, Markus!

Reyna is slowly making her way across her first seesaw as Markus scrambles back. She begins walking to her second one, still steadying her machete and her pieces.

Jeff: Reyna in the lead right now…

Annabeth sends her last few pieces through her table and rushes to grab them.

Percy is almost at the very end of his balance beam but stumbles off with a hard fall.

Jeff: Percy, so close!

Markus is attempting the first seesaw again, with a couple less pieces than before.

Reyna is through her second seesaw and now moves to her third.

Jeff: Reyna increasing her lead…

She begins walking across it. Markus makes it through his first seesaw as well, tongue sticking out through his teeth.

Reyna gets through her last seesaw.

Jeff: You’re good, Reyna!

She hurriedly dumps her pieces at her table and runs back for more pieces.

Jeff: It is Reyna in first, Markus right behind. Annabeth still in it, Percy desperately trying to catch up…

Annabeth is attempting her first seesaw now too, with a small amount of pieces only.

Markus makes it through his second seesaw with his pieces, wobbling a little as he walks to his third, eyes never off his machete.

Reyna is back in the course, with a bunch of pieces on her machete.

Jeff: Percy finally through his balance beam! Let’s go, Percy! Thirty-eight days and you do not want to go home tonight!

Percy is finally at his table and, breathless and panting, he hurries to open his bag and get to sliding his pieces.

Jeff: Annabeth through with her puzzle pieces! Markus is through!

Markus and Annabeth both dump their pieces and run back to grab more.

Jeff: Reyna, Markus and Annabeth all transporting pieces across!

Reyna dumps her second pile and runs back for her last few pieces. Annabeth is teetering on her second seesaw, with a few more pieces than before, moving slowly but steady. Markus is going slightly faster but still maintaining balance.

Percy is sliding pieces across at a rapid fire pace, looking frustrated with himself.

Markus catches up to Annabeth and both get to the other side at the same time, dumping their pieces.

Jeff: Markus and Annabeth running back for their last few pieces, as Reyna heads across with her last few pieces…!

Reyna is teetering on the second seesaw with her remaining pieces. Markus gets onto his first seesaw with his few remaining ones. Annabeth has more on her machete than both of them but is trying to catch up.

Percy is running back and forth, having not slid all his pieces across. Collecting those in the middle of his table, he rushes back to start sliding again.

Jeff: Reyna almost at the end…

Reyna gets across her third and final seesaw and runs to her station.

Jeff: Reyna has all her pieces, she can start working on her word puzzle!

Markus gets across too and runs to his station, as Reyna begins arranging her letter tiles on her table to get a good look at all of them.

Jeff: Markus is through too!

Annabeth: Damn it!

Annabeth drops a couple pieces.

Jeff: Annabeth drops! She’s got to go back! It’s gonna cost her time…

Annabeth snatches up her fallen pieces and runs back to start again.

Markus and Reyna are both moving their letter tiles around, studying them.

Jeff: You are spelling a phrase. This is going to be the most important word puzzle you’ve ever done in your life. What phrase on Survivor could you be spelling right now, on Day 38, one day away from the Final Tribal Council?

Percy finishes sliding his pieces and grabs them, rushing to start stacking them on his machete.

Annabeth is still attempting her seesaw, and she drops again.

Annabeth: What the…

Jeff: Annabeth, starting to lose steam…

Reyna moves a couple tiles around, thinking hard. Markus is touching all his tiles, muttering incomprehensibly under his breath, brow furrowed.

Jeff: You’re one day away from the Final Tribal Council, and all you need to survive to see it is that immunity necklace…

The camera cuts to a montage of Annabeth traversing the seesaw, Reyna thinking quietly, Markus moving tiles around and Percy stumbling on his seesaw over and over again, dropping letter tiles.

Eventually, fifteen minutes have passed.

Jeff: Annabeth finally across!

Annabeth has made it across to the other side and is now planting her remaining tiles on the table with the rest of her stack.

Markus is biting his lip, running one hand over his tiles as if trying to pluck the answer out of thin air. Reyna is staring at her tiles, her forehead creased in concentration, as if the gears are slowly turning in her head.

Suddenly, Markus has a burst of inspiration and begins to pick up the pace, moving tiles around on his board.

Jeff: Markus, thinks he has something…

Reyna glances over, licking her lips. She turns back to her table, pauses, and then quickly begins rearranging pieces together.

Jeff: Reyna moving pieces around too. This could come down to the wire!

Markus is moving tiles. Reyna is moving tiles. Both are rapidly moving letter tiles around on their table, as quickly as they can.

Jeff: Who’s gonna spell out their phrase first?

Annabeth helplessly glances to the pair of them. Reyna is slamming pieces in as fast as she can. Markus is moving fast too, his hands a messy blur as he scrambles to pick up tiles and put them where he wants them.

Markus: Jeff!

Markus steps back from his table, hands raised, and Reyna glances over worriedly. Jeff runs over.

Jeff: “LIVE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY”...That is it! Markus, wins his first and the most important, final immunity!

Markus’ shoulders sag with relief and he slams his table, hunching over it, body shaking.

Markus: No way…

Jeff: Safe at Tribal Council, and guaranteed a spot at the Final Tribal Council, where he will plead his case for the million dollars in front of the jury…

Reyna can only look over in weary defeat, as a breathless Annabeth runs over to hug Markus from the back.

Annabeth: Good job.

Markus: I don’t believe it…

Percy finally crosses his seesaw, letting his machete and tiles drop to the floor, chuckling humorlessly to himself.

Percy: That was not a fun challenge.

The four of them return to the tribe mat.

Jeff: Markus, come on over.

Markus walks over, smiling nervously. The other three clap for him begrudgingly, as Jeff puts the necklace on Markus’ neck.

Jeff: Markus, congratulations. You are now part of the Final Three. How does it feel?

Markus: Surreal, honestly. It’s just surreal, knowing that...it’s been a long thirty-eight days, and to know that I’ll be at the end tomorrow, it’s...it’s just unreal. I still can’t believe it, even now.

Reyna looks sad.

Jeff: Reyna, Annabeth, Percy...unfortunately for you three, your safety is not guaranteed, and one of you...will become the tenth and final member of our jury tonight. Before I let you go, I believe I mentioned at the start that there would be a twist tonight.

Reyna looks up, hopeful and curious. Annabeth raises an eyebrow, pressing her fingertips to her lips.

Percy shakes his head, laughing.

Percy: What twist?

Jeff: Tonight, Markus, you will have a big decision to make. Because tonight, as part of a new twist for this season only, you will be choosing one person from the other three players to take with you to the end. In doing so, you will pit the remaining two players to face off in a firemaking challenge, to earn their spot in the Final Three alongside you and whoever it was that you chose.

Annabeth’s jaw drops theatrically. Reyna frowns. Percy claps his hand to his forehead.

Markus: Wow. Really?

Jeff: You got a lot of thinking to do. I’ll see you all at Tribal.

He pats Markus on the back and they all prepare to leave.

The camera focuses on Annabeth.

"vantagem"

- When I hear about this new twist, I was shook. Like...this means two of the three of us are going to have to fight for their lives tonight to make fire, and whoever loses is going to end up on the jury. Even so close to the end of the game, Survivor is still throwing us all for a loop. I don’t want to risk my game going up in flames because of this, so I need to make sure that Markus picks me to take with him to the end and that I’m not going to end up having to fight for my life, literally, at tonight’s Tribal Council.

The Final Four return to camp. Markus hangs up his immunity necklace.

Annabeth: Congrats, Markus!

Reyna: Good job…

Percy: Yeah, that was awesome.

Markus: Thanks, guys.

"vantagem"

- I can’t believe it. I’ve actually made it to the Final Tribal Council. I’ve won the final Individual Immunity of this season and I’m going to plead my case to the jury for why I deserve to win this game. Only three people out of all twenty of us on the cast are getting this opportunity and having clawed and scraped my way to this point after a long, arduous, stressful journey...it’s like the storm clouds have parted inside my head. It’s indescribable, it’s the best feeling in the world. [laughing]

Down by the beach, out of earshot of Reyna and Percy, Annabeth lets out a loud squeal and tackles Markus in a hug.

Annabeth: We’re in the Final Three! [laughing]

Markus: Yes, we are. [chuckling]

They part and keep walking, Annabeth glancing at him out of the corner of her eye in concern as they do so.

Annabeth: You...are picking me to go to the end with you, right?

Markus: Of course you know I want you with me at the end. I owe you that much, and I made you a promise.

Annabeth: Okay, good. That means…

Markus: That’d mean I’m putting Reyna and Percy up against each other to make fire.

Annabeth looks troubled.

Annabeth: Are you good with that?

Markus bites his lip, looking conflicted.

"vantagem"

- Markus pulled a really weird face when I asked him if he was fine with making Reyna and Percy make fire. And that’s not good. If he thinks that he’s got a better shot if he puts me into that firemaking challenge...I could be toast. I don’t like that, at all.

Markus: Thing is, if Percy and Reyna go up against each other...Percy will lose. That’s for sure.

Annabeth: Yeah...totally.

Markus: And I don’t want to sit next to Reyna at the Final Three. I know you don’t want that either.

Annabeth: No, I don’t.

Markus: So...it’s tough.

Annabeth: But I mean...your only other option w-would be to put me in there against Reyna, isn’t it?

Annabeth’s voice rises to a crescendo, starting to sound a little hysterical.

Markus: Like, we need Reyna to go home tonight.

Annabeth stares at him.

Markus: How confident are you at making fire?

Annabeth: Not at all. Don’t make me do it, because I will lose.

Markus: I think Percy will lose too.

"vantagem"

- This twist definitely is the cause of some anxiety, because...Reyna is a tough competitor to beat. I guarantee you that at this very moment, she’s out there in the woods somewhere, practising how to make fire. And I need to send one of my other two competitors into that challenge to try and beat her. Do I want to send Annabeth? No, because she and I are close and I promised her I’d take her to the end. Do I want to send Percy? No, because he’d most likely lose. It’s either...I betray Annabeth’s trust and potentially make myself a villain in the jury’s eyes by stabbing her in the back after she begged me not to put her into fire...or I spend the rest of the day training Percy for this final battle.

Markus and Annabeth are shown with Percy in the forest, standing over him as the latter crouches down on the ground with a flint and steel, and a bunch of dry leaves.

Percy: So what do you want me to do?

Markus: We’re gonna work on your firemaking skills.

Percy: Y-You want m-me to go up against Reyna then?

Annabeth: You can do it, Perce. I know you can.

Percy pouts, looking unhappily at her.

Percy: I don’t know if I can do it. I haven’t made fire at all this whole month…

Annabeth: Well, it’s time to start learning.

"vantagem"

- Percy’s supposed to be the ultimate Survivor superfan. What Survivor superfan doesn’t learn how to make fire both before you’re on the show and WHILE you’re on it? I was really pissed off at him because our games are on the line here. He needs to beat Reyna tonight.

Markus gently crouches down beside Percy and talks him through the process of making fire.

Meanwhile, off by herself in another section of the forest, Reyna herself is working on building a fire of her own.

She glances up and over the camera to check if anyone else is approaching before returning to her work. Tendrils of smoke begin to rise into the air over her face.

"vantagem"

- Hearing that tonight’s vote comes down to a challenge on who can make fire...it’s like one final blessing from the Survivor gods, who have really been quite mean to me this whole game. I’ve been down on my luck for a while now but this could be a final lucky stroke for me. If I can beat whoever Markus sends to challenge me in making fire...I could still be here in this game tomorrow, on Day 39. And I did not fight and scrape my way here for the last thirty-eight days, to give up and lose now, not when there’s a final unexpected chance to save myself. I’m going to go all in tonight. Nothing is going to stop me from practising fire for the rest of the day. I will literally squat down here in the forest and make countless fires, enough to burn the whole forest down, until I know I’m ready and prepared for that final challenge tonight.

The camera cuts back and forth between a montage of Percy learning how to make fire from Markus, and Reyna hard at work.

Percy eventually groans and tosses his flint down after yet another unsuccessful attempt.

Percy: I don’t know if I can do it, guys…

Annabeth clearly rolls her eyes behind him, frustrated.

Percy: I’m sorry…

Markus looks hesitant.

Markus: Just keep trying. I’ll help you.

"vantagem"

- I haven’t really bothered making fire much. I never thought I’d end up in a firemaking challenge, and now I suppose I’m kinda paying the price for it. I must be some superfan, coming onto Survivor a-and even now, I still can’t make fire. [sinks head in hands] I am going to be so humiliated tonight if I can’t do this. I never imagined my game might actually be on the line over this. How am I possibly going to be able to beat Reyna?

Percy: Markus, don’t make me go make fire against her. I won’t be able to do it.

Markus grimaces.

Annabeth: Well, I’m not doing it. You have to do it. You can do it, Percy, I know you can.

{{quote|vantagem|I’ve got Percy talking in one ear and Annabeth yapping away in the next. I know Percy’s scared. The kid thinks he’s got no shot. But I don’t want to send Annabeth in either. Unless I went into that challenge myself, and took on Reyna. I might be able to beat her. But do I really want to do that? Giving up immunity and a confirmed spot in the Final Three just to ensure Reyna goes home...she might be my biggest competitor but that doesn’t mean I’ll definitely lose to her. But if I go up against her in making fire, she could beat me. Fire’s a fickle thing, it obeys no master. I know I’ll make it tomorrow. Giving that up to go against Reyna in an unpredictable challenge is such a huge risk.|Markus}

Markus: Just keep trying, Percy. We’ll stay here with you all day.

Percy sighs.

Percy: Okay…

Hours pass, and as the sun starts to set, smoke is finally rising from Percy’s pile.

Markus: Yeah, you got it. Just keep feeding the fire and don’t let it go out...you got this tonight, alright?

Percy: I’ll try…

"vantagem"

- Percy finally made fire, but...I still don’t have a lot of confidence in his ability. Annabeth would do better than him, and I know I probably would too. I have no clue how strong Reyna is at making fire, though. And I don’t want to risk me or Annabeth going home tonight. Annabeth would be heartbroken. And me? If I gave up immunity and went to the jury tonight, I’d be one of the stupidest players to ever play this game, for sure. ...I don’t know if that’s the risk worth taking. But can I count on Percy to pull this out? That really is the question…

The sky goes to black, as the Final Four grab their belongings and arrive at Tribal Council for the final elimination of the season.

Jeff: We’ll now bring in the members of our jury. Becky, Leroy, Nicholas, Zoe, Wanda, Jacobiah, Christine, Carter and Trixie voted out at the last Tribal Council.

Trixie walks in in a light blue sundress, perhaps ironically, with a large straw hat with a sunflower on it. Markus looks positively baffled and Trixie smirks at the players, a snarky look on her face.

Markus smirks back confidently. Annabeth rolls her eyes with a sly smile on her face.

Jeff: So, Markus. First off, congratulations. With that necklace around your neck, you know you’ll be here tomorrow and get the opportunity to plead your case to the jury for why you deserve the million dollars.

Markus: Yes. Thank you.

Jeff: But also, tonight, you’ve been saddled with a big decision. You have to choose one of your fellow three competitors to take with you to the Final Three, leaving the other two to battle it out in a firemaking challenge.

Becky looks surprised. Leroy whistles, looking excited.

Markus: That’s right.

Jeff: Let’s not beat around the bush. Reyna, did you make a pitch to Markus today?

Reyna: No, I didn’t. I spent the whole day practising fire.

Percy pales.

Jeff: No pitch at all?

Reyna: Nope. I know I’ll be making fire tonight, Jeff. It’s my last shot at saving myself.

Wanda looks worried, cupping her cheeks.

Jeff: Annabeth, what about you?

Annabeth: I did make a pitch to Markus, yes. I’ve had his back for a while now. He wouldn’t have made it this far without me. And so I’m hoping he rewards what I’ve done for him and keeps me safe, because I really want to make it to that Final Three, I did not come all the way out here to end up on the damn jury. It would break my heart to be cut loose so soon.

Christine looks on sourly.

Jeff: Percy?

Percy: I-I mean, I don’t want to leave the game right at the v-very end, either, you know? Like, I mean, I’d be heartbroken too...and I feel like out of everyone here, I’m both the least likely to win at fire...and the least likely to win the game, period. So...I don’t think I should be going into the challenge tonight. I think Markus should take me to the end.

Markus looks down.

Percy shrugs, a little sadly.

Jeff: Percy, so you’re saying...you won’t stand a chance beating Reyna but you also won’t stand a chance at winning...so there’s no reason to put you at risk of going home by challenging Reyna.

Percy: Yes.

Jeff: Markus, that’s a pretty impassioned plea from Percy. Both those reasons he stated, if you believe them, are good reasons for you not to take him with you to the end. Am I right in assuming it’s between him and Annabeth tonight?

Markus: Most likely.

Jeff: Then what’s your criteria on who you’re taking with you and who you’re sending into the firemaking challenge?

Markus: It’s tough. Obviously they’ve both given me good pitches, both two very different pitches. And at the end of the day, I’m just trying to weigh them both in my mind and decide which decision would benefit me more when I’m sitting here tomorrow night, facing the jury.

Jeff: Who do you believe would have the better shot against Reyna, then?

Reyna glances curiously at Markus.

Markus: I...I don’t know how to answer the question.

Jeff: Well, what do you mean? It’s a simple question. It’s either Annabeth, or Percy. Who has the better shot?

Markus: I…

Markus sighs, looking conflicted. Percy raises an eyebrow. Annabeth looks worried.

Markus: I think they both have an equal shot. I’ve been training Percy the whole day, so…

Jeff: So it sounds to me like you’ve already made up your mind, then, that you’re going to send Percy in to face Reyna after training him the whole day.

Percy looks frightened, face pale.

Markus: ...Yeah. I suppose you’re right. So I have made up my mind.

Jeff: Then that’s your decision? You’re going to take Annabeth with you to the end.

Markus: Yes. I am.

Annabeth’s face breaks out into a relieved grin and she nods her thanks to Markus.

Annabeth: Thank you.

Markus: Of course.

Percy grimaces, his head drooping down with disappointment. Reyna looks mildly surprised and shrugs at the jury. Wanda looks excited. Zoe’s face is stony.

Jeff: Okay. Markus has come to a decision. Annabeth, you are now in the Final Three.

Annabeth: Yay…[laughs]

Leroy snorts, arms crossed.

Jeff: That means that Percy, Reyna...you two will be battling it out to make fire.

Trixie shakes her head, looking snide.

Carter: [whispering] Oh boy…

Jeff: Percy, that can’t be fun news to hear.

Percy: I guess maybe he thinks I’m prepared after all the practice today? I don’t feel particularly prepared, but what can I do? I don’t have a say tonight anyway.

Markus looks guilty.

Markus: I just couldn’t send Annabeth in there. Not after all the loyalty she’s shown me. It was a hard decision, but I stand by it.

Nicholas nods in agreement. Christine looks on skeptically.

Jeff: Alright. Percy, Reyna, come on up here. We’ll get you guys started.

Soon, Percy and Reyna are seated behind their firemaking stations. Percy looks heavily concerned, glancing reproachfully at Markus and Annabeth. Markus nods at him.

Annabeth: [whispering] You got this.

Percy shakes his head, smiling sadly.

Jeff: Alright. Percy, Reyna, you have both been given the same amount of firemaking supplies. The rules are simple. Make a fire high enough to burn the rope, and raise your flag. Do that, you stay in the game and earn your spot in the Final Three. Lose, and you’re out. Both of you ready?

Percy nods, unable to speak. Reyna nods solemnly, all business.

Jeff: Go.

The two grab their supplies and get to work.

The jury watches with rapt attention as both players begin striking their flint, trying to get a fire going.

Reyna is working solidly, eyes focused on her pile of tinder. Percy looks more white and nervous but is concentrating intently on his work. Markus watches them, the tension evident in his shoulders.

Jeff: After spending 38 days in this game, you should know how to make fire by now. Making fire to boil water...cook food, and stay warm...Not knowing how to make a fire on Day 38 could be your downfall…

The camera cuts to Percy striking his flint relentlessly, before fading away to a montage of everyone watching as Percy and Reyna continue to work, striking away at their flints over and over again.

Finally, the camera fades back to them still working on their fires.

Jeff: It has been at least ten minutes...still no spark from either Percy or Reyna…

On the jury, Wanda is resting her head on her hand, mildly concerned. Carter yawns, leaning back in his seat, propping up his hands behind his head. Leroy is shaking his leg, playing with his lower lip.

Markus swallows, fidgeting in his seat, quietly watching.

Suddenly, a spark flies out from Reyna’s flint and hits her tinder. A small tendril of smoke starts to rise.

Jeff: Reyna thinks she has something…

She bends over her tinder and blows on the flames. They start to grow and the smoke gets thicker.

Jeff: Reyna getting something going!

Wanda looks excited, eyes shining and mouth open in awe. Percy glances over, worried reflected in his eyes, sweat forming on his brow.

Reyna adds more twigs and tinder ot her fire, tending diligently to it.

Jeff: Reyna’s flame is only growing bigger...and bigger…

Within a matter of seconds, Reyna’s fire is taking stronger shape, while Percy frantically and fruitlessly strikes away at his flint, to no avail.

Jeff: You have to keep your fire going even after you get one started. If it goes out, you have to start over, and losing steam could be all you need to lose the game…

Reyna continues adding wood to her fire, blowing on it from the side as it rises higher and higher, the tips of her flames now starting to lick at her rope.

Jeff: Reyna’s fire edging closer and closer to her rope. That rope is starting to burn…

Both players’ knuckles are raw and red now, but neither look close to giving up. Percy looks more and more desperate, tongue between his teeth. Reyna continues to add to her fire and it continues to rise…

Her rope starts to singe, slowly burning until it finally snaps, releasing her flag.

Jeff: And she does it. Reyna, wins at fire and stays in the game, making it to the Final Three!

Reyna swallows, looking quietly pleased with herself, and even as a few of the jurors clap for her, she moves over to hug Percy, who sadly falls into her embrace.

Reyna: I’m sorry…

Percy: It’s okay…[sniff] You deserved it.

Markus is rubbing his temples, looking worried. Annabeth bites her lip, concern flashing across her face when she watches Percy.

The two firemaking competitors take their seats again and Markus pats Percy on the back, as Annabeth reaches out for his thigh.

Jeff: Reyna, congratulations. You have earned your spot in the Final Three and will be here tomorrow, on Day 39, to plead your case to the jury alongside your fellow two finalists.

Reyna breaks out into a wide, confident smile now.

Reyna: Thank you, Jeff.

Jeff: Now, Percy…

Percy looks downcast, eyes already red and blotchy, staring up at Probst.

Jeff: As a self-proclaimed Survivor superfan yourself...what does it feel like to lose the game this close to the end?

Percy: I mean...I’m not surprised. I had a feeling...if I went up against Reyna in making fire, I was never gonna win. [laughing sadly]

Markus looks concerned at this.

Percy: But I suppose in the end, I wasn’t winning this game anyway. That softens the blow a bit. But as a superfan...it hurts to not make it all the way to the end of the game. It especially hurts to lose right before the Final Tribal Council. Not making fire was my downfall, and...I can really only blame myself for that.

Jeff: Despite coming up short like this...was this all worth it?

Percy: Absolutely.

Annabeth nods empathetically.

Percy: I may not have played the strongest game and I’ve struggled a lot, emotionally [laughs] but uh...yeah, I wouldn’t have traded this for the world. This experience is something truly rare, once-in-a-lifetime and to have even gotten to come out here, to play this amazing social game and to even meet you, Jeff, and participate in challenges and Tribal Councils, i-it’s...it’s nothing short of insane and I just…[sighs] I just can’t come up with the words to convey how much this whole…[chokes] this whole crazy, awesome adventure meant to me. This was a dream I had since I was a kid and I’m just...eternally grateful that I got to have this experience. I’ve made countless great memories, good or bad, that I will cherish for the rest of my life. And I’m gonna walk out of here with my head held high for it.

Zoe licks her lips, looking a little teary herself, as she sits and watches Percy talk.

Jeff: Percy, you become the seventeenth person voted out and the tenth and final member of our jury. You need to bring me your torch.

Percy: Gotcha.

Markus: You did great, Percy.

Annabeth: Love you, Percy.

Percy: I [chokes] I love you too, guys.

Reyna smiles as Percy goes to get his torch.

Markus gets up to give Percy a hug before he goes.

Markus: I’m sorry, buddy.

Percy: [laughing] Don’t be. You did awesome.

The jury watches as Percy sets his torch down.

Jeff: Percy.

Percy: I’ve only dreamed of this moment, like, my whole life.

The camera cuts to Annabeth laughing and Markus grinning.

Jeff: The tribe has spoken. [snuffs torch]

Percy smiles sadly as Jeff snuffs his torch.

Jeff: Time for you to go.

Percy: [sniffing] O-Okay...

He turns and shakily waves goodbye.

Percy: Byeee, guys…

Annabeth: [blows kiss] Goodbye, Perce.

Markus: See you, buddy.

Percy walks off into the night. Zoe is watching him go, shaking her head. Wanda shares a look of glee with Reyna, who winks back, grinning.

Jeff: Markus...Annabeth...and Reyna. Congratulations. You have made it to the Final Three.

All three of them are smiling. Markus reaches out and takes both their hands. Annabeth squeals excitedly.

Jeff: Tomorrow night, you will give your pitch to the jury - ten people, including Percy, who you had a hand in voting out of this game - on why you deserve the million dollars and the title of Sole Survivor that goes with it. Go back to camp and get some sleep. You’re going to need it.

Final Words: Juror #10
Percy: This game has been the ultimate rollercoaster of emotions, for me, to put it lightly. If I’d been voted out Day Three, or Day Six, I don’t think I would have been able to have such a crazy, life-changing experience a-and...and this really has changed my life. This experience taught me so many things...so many crazy, insane lessons about myself and the people around me that [laughing] that maybe...is almost just as worth is as the million dollars. Almost! I wish I had that money more. [laughing] But that’s okay. As much as I hate being out this close to the end, I’m just so...so grateful that I even had this opportunity at all. I will cherish this journey that I had for the rest of my life.