Alternate Battle for Dream Island

ABFDI 9c: Nightmare

Everyone screamed the moment the Announcer showed up.

"People, quiet down." The speaker box demanded. "It's almost time for the next contest; but before that, there are two things." "Well?" Eraser folded his arms. "What *are* those things?" "Funny that you're the one who asked that." The machine remarked. "The first thing has to do with you. Your team, that is." Coiny and Pencil then raised their eyebrows. "As you may have noticed, all your teams differ in size. The Squishy Cherries have four members; the Squashy Grapes have one more and Another Name has one less." "Well, no need to rub it in." Coiny replied. "I already get reminded of Pencil's failures plenty." Pencil glared at him. "As a result, I have decided one of the Grapes will be moving to Another Name. That way, each team will have four members." "What? That's crazy!" Pin exclaimed. "Shush." The Announcer interjected." Your team does not even have anything to do with it." He'd then turn to the team that *did* have something to do with it. "Squashy Grapes, choose a member of your team to switch to Another Name." "Huh?" Pencil frowned. "We don't get to choose?" "Be quiet." The speaker box interjected.

"Aww." Leafy frowned. "I *really* didn't want to say goodbye to any of you again, but I mean... It doesn't have to be!" "Yeah." Match nodded. "I mean, it's just, like, switching to another team; none of us are getting, like, eliminated or anything." "Given what I've heard about them?" Pen quipped. "You might as *well* be eliminated." "Well, if it was *completely* up to me, I'd be the one to go." Leafy continued. "I don't wanna ruin any of the beautiful friendships that have blossomed because of my careful and benevolent leadership!" The rest of the Grapes raised eyebrows at her, but the leaf didn't think too much of it. "But seeing as I *am* the team leader, I don't think it would be that acceptable." "Well, actually, you could." The Announcer suddenly chimed in. "If you want to, that is."

Awkward silence.

"Match, what about you?" Leafy asked. "I've seen you be sad about Pencil for so long, this could be your chance to patch things up!" Match sighed, glancing at the writing utensil in question, who was busy bickering with the rest of the Namers about the wonders of a new teammate. "Like, I *did* consider it." She'd remark. "But, on second thought, I think I'd rather, like, stay put." "Oh?" Leafy's eyes lit up. "Why's that?" "Well, I got to thinking about, like, what you've been saying." Match explained. "You said that this competition is, like, a great way for us to finally realize the benefits of friendship. And that, like, the only way that can really set in is if we're made to, like, struggle." Pen frowned, eavesdropping. "Since *when* did she say that?" He'd ask nobody in particular. "Did I miss something?" Ice Cube, who was just there, would shake her head. "I thought it was pretty weird; like, no offense." Match continued. "But after talking to her, and seeing how she's, like, still being stubborn? I think I get it." She'd then drag Leafy, Ice Cube, and Teardrop together. "Besides, we're, like, a *team* now, right? I still miss Pence-Pence, but I'd also miss you guys." Teardrop desperately tried to get away, but Match was just holding on tight. "Well, that's sweet of you!" Leafy exclaimed.

"That just leaves..." She'd turn to Pen. "Look, uh..." Leafy and Pen would exchange awkward glances. "I know what I said, and I know what happened." The leaf continued. "But considering the opportunity... I mean, Eraser's right there..." Pen sighed. "Yeah. Yeah." He'd glance at Another Name. "No offense, but I never really did feel like I fit in here." He'd remark. "But we tried our best, didn't we?" Leafy awkwardly chuckled. "Yeah. Yeah. Of course." Pen nodded. "I'll switch; that makes things easier for all of us." "So, that settles it." The Announcer announced. "Pen switches to Another Name; now we have three teams of four."

Pen walked on over to Another Name, wanting to get settled in immediately. "...Hey." He'd awkwardly wave at them. "Hey." Pencil would wave back. "Hey! It's Pen!" Coiny exclaimed. "He's a pretty cool guy; don't really know him all that well, but considering the alternatives, I'd-" "PEN!" Eraser was, rather surprisingly, the most ecstatic one out of all of them; he'd run up to the writing utensil. "Glad you made the best choice, bud." He'd continue. "We're one step closer to getting the gang back together!" "Oh?" Pen frowned. "I mean, not that I'm upset, or anything. But given what's happened..." Eraser scoffed. "You kidding?" He'd ask. "You're gonna let stuff in the past get in the way of things? We're on the same team now, the same page!" He'd jump. "With our combined brains and brawn, we can *totally* win Dream Island for sure!" Pen raised an eyebrow. "Erasers don't have brains, right?" Eraser groaned. "Dude, c'mon." He'd fold his arms. "You with me or not?" Pen was still pretty uneasy about it, but this was the predicament he now found himself in; gotta go with the flow. "...With. Of course." "Alright!" Eraser exclaimed; they'd then do an awkward fist bump, resulting in a bunch of nervous laughter.