Alternate Battle for Dream Island

ABFDI 20a: Botany Protagonist

"Cake at Stake."

Quick and disappointing walk, time for Cake at Stake. Hooray. After the *absolute* spectacle that was the previous contest, everyone was just incredibly keen on going home; fortunately for them, however, it seems as if the Announcer shared the same thoughts.

"Hello everyone, again." The speaker box began. "I have other things to attend to at the moment, so let us just make things quick." He'd quickly turn around to face everyone for a moment or two. "For those of you that forgot, we have now gotten ridden of the points; everyone will be up for elimination, with the exception of those that win immunity during the contests." He'd then turn to face four specific contestants. "Barf Bag, Pen, Pin, and Teardrop. The four of you won immunity this time around, so all of you are safe." Cake was given out appropriately. "For the other four of you, on the other hand, you are not safe. Since there are no longer any points, the voting will now be in alphabetical order; Barf Bag, you are going first."

Barf Bag rolled her eyes. "Well, uh..." She'd look at everyone before her. "Well, Leafy didn't take it well when I voted for her last time; I wanna show that it was just a fluke, a misunderstanding." "Really?" Leafy raised an eyebrow. "Is it?" "I'll, uh..." The bag scratched her head. "Vote for... him?" She'd point to Tennis Ball; there'd be quite a few gasps in response. "What? That's crazy!" Pin was shocked. "Unbelievable!" Leafy shared similar sentiments. "It's because he's armless, isn't he? Well, I'll have you know that he's *very* capable despite that!" "What? No." Barfy glared at her. "I'm *very* aware about him, actually." She then turned her attention to the ball in question, who was similarly flabbergasted. "How could you?" TB asked. "I thought we were friends?" "Friends?" The bag full of vomit raised an eyebrow. "Do *friends* really come in suddenly and ask you about all sorts of personal stuff out of nowhere? Here's another question for you: where did *you* grow up?"

"Oh... Oh noio..." Bubble frowned. "Oi... Oi don't know who to vote for! Oi don't wanna vote for anyone!" Leafy looked at her, unamused. "Well, you seemed pretty confident about your decision last time, weren't you?" She'd remark. "Huh?" Bubble raised an eyebrow. "I've done *nothing* but be nice and kind to you, and yet you're more than willing to just throw all of that away over... nothing." "Leafy, it wasn't loike that!" Bubble interjected. "Oi-" "Just go ahead, *Bub*." The leaf continued. "You've already made it clear that you rejected my offers of friendship; there's no need to pretend." The bubble frowned. "But... But Oi..." She felt rather conflicted; she knew deep down that it wasn't the right thing to do, and yet... She felt like Leafy would be even *more* angry if she didn't do it. It was just... *Ugh*. What's with *everything* today? What's with everything for the past while now? It can't just be her, right? Surely the world has just stopped making sense? "Alrogiht, foine. Oi'm voting for you." Leafy simply scoffed in response, looking away. "Likewise." She'd finally mutter after a little bit.

Pen stared at the two of them for a bit before awkwardly looking away. "Well..." He'd roll his eyes. "Taco, was that little... incident, just a mistake? A misunderstanding?" The foodstuff hesitated on answering for a good while, unsure of what to say; Pin had put quite a few ideas on her head. When she finally felt confident enough to answer, the writing utensil would continue just as she began to open her mouth. "Alright. Whatever." He'd shake his head. "I have to vote for *someone*, and everyone else is..." He'd shrug. "I'll vote for Taco." The consumable one let out a deep sigh, and that was that.

Taco's gaze then turned towards Pin, who would remain just as silent as she was; they'd just exchange looks at each other for a long, uncomfortable time, unsure of how to react. "Well, we were bound to reach *that* point, I suppose." She'd remark. "We were gonna get there eventually, even if it felt like it'd take forever. There just *isn't* any good option here. I don't want *any* of you guys to go. There has to be a sacrifice." She let out a deep sigh; she'd give Taco one final look, a bit more stern the previous few. "Bubble, you've always been a valuable member of the team." She'd continue. "You were there from the very start, and though you were fragile in so many ways, you were still able to shine through despite everything." Another sigh. "But it can only get you so far; things are only gonna get even *more* tense from here on out, now that Dream Island seems to actually be within reach. Given what I've seen from you, given how you've become so distant..." She hesitated for a moment. "I just don't think you're up to the task. You've clearly reached your breaking point. I may have contributed a little to that, and I sincerely apologize." One more sigh, for good measure. "This'll probably sting yet again, but know that I did it so that you didn't have to experience so much pain. You won't have to deal with any of this, and you'll get to be with your friends again. Your *actual* friends." A long, awkward pause. "Bubble, you can do *so* much more than you think. Than *anyone* thinks. Always remember that."