Alternate Battle for Dream Island

ABFDI 22a: Don't Push Your Luck

After an indeterminate amount of time, the Speaker Box showed up for the thing that always happens.

"Hey, uh, Announcer thing?" Pen immediately interjected. "So, uh, all that stuff that just happened was *crazy*, right?" The machine remained completely silent; awkward tension filled the air. Barf Bag shuddered. "i think the less is said about *that*, the better." She remarked. "Definitely." Taco agreed. "Suddenly having *everyone* knock on my door, break it down, and start feasting on my flesh was, uh... *not* good." "Yeah, I suppose." The writing utensil nodded. "But still; that's bound to have caused *something*, right? Is anything gonna change after all that?" "No. Absolutely not." The Announcer finally answered. "Though that dumb Golf Ball will take a more secondary role due to her incapability to host anything, nothing will change in terms of the core Battle for Dream Island experience. The plan is proceeding as planned." Ellipsis. "Uh..." Leafy raised a hand. "What plan are you-" "Time for Cake at Stake."

Short, uneventful walk. Having now realized that the last time they went down this path, they had just nearly avoided certain death... That was something. It made them remember the all-too-important question that everyone *swears* they'll get around to, but always find something or other to distract themselves with. Either the competition itself, or something to get away from the trouble of competition. Once more, for the 2,763rd time: *Why* are they still putting up with all this nonsense? Why Battle for Dream Island? What's so amazing and spectacular about that dumb island that it's got everyone at each other's throats? They've had to make friends, break friendships, jump through hoops, and *barely* survive all sorts of horrific events and obstacles just for a mere *chance* to get it. There's six of them left now, soon to be five; *far* closer than ever, and yet seemingly still so far. After all, someone had rejoined just the other week. Who's to say that that isn't gonna happen again? Or some other inconvenience that prolongs the end by just that *tiny* bit further? How much more can they tolerate until they crack and give way? How long will the nightmare end? When will the dreams begin? Why can't they just

They're there now. They're there again. "Let's get straight into it." The Announcer ordered. "I have business to take care of." "And what business is that, exactly?" Leafy asked; Pen judgmentally stared at her. "You really think that machine is gonna give you *any* answer?" The leaf frowned. "Well, it's worth a shot, isn't it?" "People. Calm down." The speaker box interjected. "Get voting."

Barf Bag sighed. "I don't know what's with you, Leafy." She remarked. "You pride yourself in being so kind and nice to everybody, and yet I don't feel so welcome." "What? Nonsense!" Leafy immediately defended herself. "I've helped you out a few times! Remember what happened during the last Cake at Stake?" "Remember what you *said* during the last Cake at Stake?" The bag replied. "I get it. I smell bad. It's in the name. I've had the same old song and dance 2,763 times by now." She'd grumble. "You didn't even think for just a second that that meant *anything* to me? That it could maybe hurt?" "Wha?" Leafy tried to keep herself calm and collected. "Well, of course! I just thought, you know... You were already used to it! That it's just a given at this point! I mean, you haven't done anything about it-" "I wasn't able to." Barfy replied. "And I was made fun of countless times for it. Half the things they said weren't even true." She'd sigh. "I wasn't sure on who to vote for all these previous times, but now I'm feeling pretty certain; Leafy, you gotta go."

Leafy, along with everyone else, would remain quiet for an awkward amount of time; the leaf would breathe in and out, inhale then exhale. Oxygen into carbon dioxide. Then back into her to turn it back into oxygen. She wanted to do so many things; *so* so many. But no. Not now. Maybe not ever.

"Fine, then." The leaf scoffed. "If that's how you want to do things, then so be it! I tried so hard to be charitable and polite, and what do I get for it? Why should I spend all my time and effort on something that doesn't give me anything back?" She'd fall silent again, just for a little bit. "But I'm a believer in second chances." She'd remark. "I'm not gonna vote for you; I've got business to attend to." She'd then glare at Pen. "As for me, I've been getting mixed signals from *you*." She'd continue. "What's going on? Are we friends, or are we not? Every other thing you're doing seems to go completely against everything you've ever said to me." The writing utensil sighed. "We *are* friends." He'd try to explain himself. "Always have. But, like, you'd know better than any of us what this competition's trying to do. It's doing everything it can to push us against each other. To make us compete. You know... Battle for Dream Island." "Still." The leaf interrupted. "I'm not the only other competitor, am I? You have everyone else to contend with, and yet you always seem to end up bumping into me." Pen sighed. "Leafy, I *swear*-" "I don't like someone that's indecisive." The green one continued. "You're either with me, or against; and if you keep on switching sides, I can only assume..." She'd do the exact opposite of her intended purpose. "I *always* don't like doing this." She'd remark. "I'm voting for you."