Maze of Our Lives!

'''The final five compete in another sudden-death challenge. One contestant is still heartbroken over the loss of her love interest. Another contestant is tired of always living up to expectations, and decides to throw the challenge, much to another contestant's displeasure. In the end, one contestant wins the whole challenge.'''



Plot
"Last time on Total Drama: Battle of the Sexes, the final six competed in a sudden death triathlon! It was fairly simple! A thirty kilometer swim to grab a boat, and then a leg around the island! From there they would race to the other side of the island! In the end, Rose won the challenge and Josiah was instantly eliminated! As a consolation, Rose decided to take Jennifer to the Winner's Cottage with her! Today's challenge will follow a similar route, where the contestants will have to fight to survive! Nine contestants down, five losers still in the game and four episodes left! It's bound to be an exciting adventure!"

Rose and Jennifer were sitting in the living room of the winner's cottage.

They were deep in conversation.

The two girls were sitting with tubs of ice cream and bags of chips surrounding them.

The TV was on the WifeTime Channel.

"I just- I just don't know how I'm going to be able to hold on. Emotionally, I mean." Jennifer said, "I mean the challenge are fine. It's just the thought of not being with Josiah is-"

"Relax. You can make it through. You have me and Cor." Rose reassured.

Jennifer smiled, "T-thanks."

"No problem." Rose said.

Jennifer shrugged.

"I'm probably being eliminated next anyways." Jennifer sighed.

"What? Why do you say that?" Rose asked.

"Well, Romulus is ruthless. He's obviously going to make it to the final four. Dutch is clinging onto Romulus, so he is too. Corey is such a nice guy, so they'll probably not going to eliminate him. And you're just so... perfect! You're obviously going to make it to the final two!" Jennifer pointed out, "The only thing I had going for me was Josiah. And now that he's gone-"

"Don't say that!" Rose said, "And don't count on me getting to the finale. I mean, you have no idea how hard it is."

"How hard what is?" Jennifer asked.

"Nevermind." Rose sighed.

Jennifer shrugged and continued to watch the TV.

Rose sighed, eating a chip.

'''Rose Confessional: No one understands. They just don't get it! It's like- Ugh! I hate this! I hate being perfect- I hate always- Ugh!'''

Corey was still asleep in his shelter.

Romulus and Dutch were watching him.

"How far do you think he can go without his precious Rose?" Dutch asked.

"Who knows? He doesn't seem to be a powerhouse. He hasn't really done anything all season. It'd be better to take him to the final three over Jennifer. I mean she's already won one of the single challenges, and not to mention she's in emotional turmoil. She'd do anything to make Josiah happy." Romulus said.

Dutch shrugged.

"I say we get rid of Rose first. Then we can get rid of Jennifer. Then Corey." Romulus said.

"And then it'll be you and me costing to the finale." Dutch laughed

Romulus smiled.

'''Romulus Confessional: As if. I'll be eliminating Rose first. Then Jennifer. And then Dutch. I'll be taking Corey to the finale with me, because I know for a fact I can beat that idiotic peon. *smirks devilishly*'''

Corey yawned sitting up.

Romulus' eyes bulged and he sat back down, acting as if he were asleep.

Dutch feigned tiredness.

His eyes were narrow and his lips were slightly puckered out.

"Hey." Corey yawned.

"Hi." Dutch sighed.

Romulus yawned and sat up.

"Ugh." Romulus yawned, "What time is it?"

"Who knows." Corey asked, "I haven't seen a clock in such a long time."

"I'm surprised that Chris hasn't bother us by now." Romulus sighed.

"Contestants! Please meet in the arena in five!" Chris announced over the intercom.

"Speak of the devil." Dutch said.

The contestants walked in the forest, making their way for the arena.

"Hey!" Rose said to Corey as they met up.

"Hi! How was the cottage?" Corey asked.

"It was great!" Rose said, "Jennifer and I had a real heart to heart this morning."

"How's she doing?" Corey asked, glancing backwards.

Behind them, and behind Dutch and Romulus, Jennifer was trudging behind everyone else.

Her hands were in her pockets and she was looking at the ground.

"She said she was fine, but I don't believe it." Rose said.

Corey shrugged.

"I'm sure she'll be fine in time." Corey said.

Rose shrugged.

The final five reached the arena.

Their eyes widened.

"What is that?" Romulus asked.

On the arena floor, was a maze of hedges and walls.

"This is your challenge!" Chris announced.

"A garden?" Dutch asked.

"Nope! It's a maze!" Chris said.

The contestants walked down towards the maze.

"What's this all about?" Corey asked.

"Kind of you to ask!" Chris said, "So here's the jist! Your challenge? Get from one end of the maze to the other. Simple, right?"

"Yeah." Dutch said.

"Wrong!" Chris said.

"Huh?" Jennifer asked.

"It's not just a straight-forward maze! There are three sections! The beginning, the middle, and the end!" Chris said.

"Aren't those three sections a part of everything?" Rose asked.

"Shush." Chris said, "The beginning, the plain hedge, will feature traps and dangerous wild animals on the loose! Be careful! If you manage to survive that, you make it to Section Two! That's the part adorned with brick wall. It'll be a game of hide and seek! Cardboard Cutouts of your friends will rise and fall. Your mission? You have to encounter everyone who was eliminated in order. If, let's say, Josiah pops up when you were looking for Feline, you have to start that section over again!"

"How is that even Hide and See-" Romulus began.

"Shut up!" Chris said.

Romulus closed his mouth.

"Section Three, the part with the metal walls, is a bit more fun. And by fun, I mean good for ratings!" Chris said, "Your task is to make it through that part of the maze as fast as you can. But be careful! In that part of the maze, your enemies will be lurking! The HaskSok! Mrs. Crabsmith! Sr. Gregory! They'll all be there, waiting for you! If you manage to make it out alive you win! And let me be clear so no one is confused this time. If you finish last, you will go home! No elimination ceremony! No marshmallows! No bonfire!"

The contestants gasped.

"Two in a row? You have to be kidding!" Corey said.

"Nope!" Chris laughed. "Are you guys ready?"

The contestants got in running position.

"Ready? Set? Go!" Chris announced.

The final five ran into the maze.

In front of them were five different paths.

"Choose your path." A deep voice rang.

Rose ran for the path in the middle.

Corey shrugged and ran for the path to the left.

Romulus took the path to the right.

Jennifer took the path between the left and the middle.

Dutch took the path between the right and the middle.

Rose was careful not to make too much noise.

She looked left and right, hoping to not come in contact with any animals.

Rose was about to take a step forward, but stopped herself.

Something felt off.

Rose took her sweater off and dropped it in front of her.

The ground disappeared, revealing a giant hole in the ground.

Rose laughed.

"Think I was going to fall for that, did you?" Rose asked.

She walked backwards and took a deep breath.

She then took off running and jumped over the hole.

She landed on the other side with ease.

"Perfect Ten." Rose sighed.

She walked off, leaving behind her jacket.

She didn't need it anymore.

Romulus was walking in the maze, without a care in the world.

He was casually strolling.

That's when he heard a roar.

"What was that?" Romulus asked himself.

He turned around.

And that's when he saw it.

It was big.

It was furry.

It was a vicious, ferocious lion.

"Oh crap." Romulus breathed.

The lion bolted after Romulus.

Romulus screamed and began to run, afraid of being the lion's next meal.

'''Romulus Confessional: A lion? Are you kidding me? How am I supposed to out run a lion?!'''

Romulus looked down as he ran.

And he saw his salvation.

The one thing that would save him from this vicious big cat.

Romulus jumped over the next on the ground.

He rolled onto the ground.

"Ow!" Romulus cried.

The lion was just about to pounce.

Just before he could jump into the air, he was snagged up by the net.

The lion roared again.

"Woo-hoo!" Romulus cheered. "Take that, you overgrown cat!"

The lion growled.

Romulus scattered.

Dutch walked through the maze.

He stood at a crossroads.

Left or Right?

This question could determine whether he won the challenge or was sent home.

Dutch decided not to put so much depth into it and went left.

He took a step forward.

The hedges began to close in on him.

"Agh!" Dutch cried.

He ran backwards, just to find that the passage he used to get there didn't exist anymore.

Dutch turned around.

His eyes were wide with fear.

He narrowed his eyes, looking down the path to the left.

There it was.

The brick wall that signified Section Two!

Dutch cheered.

"Take that!" Dutch laughed, running for the path to the left.

But the wall of hedge blocked his path.

"Crap!" Dutch cried.

He looked to his right, seeing that passage was still slightly available.

He slipped into it just before it could close off.

He took a deep breath and looked behind him.

It was all hedge.

"So it looks like there's no going back." Dutch said.

Jennifer walked forward, looking left and right.

She continued to walk, until she stepped on a button that was implanted on the floor.

At that point, five blades swung like pendulums.

'''Jennifer Confessional: Really? Blades? No way is this actually happening!'''

Jennifer looked at the blades, trying to deduce a pattern.

The first blade swung left when the third did as well.

The second and fourth both swung right at the same time.

The third and the sixth blades swung at random times.

Jennifer took a deep, shaky breath.

"This is for Josiah." She told herself.

Jennifer waited for the first blade to swing left.

She ran past it.

She counted the seconds.

Jennifer dove past the second.

The third.

The fourth.

Jennifer ran forward at the wrong moment at that point.

The blade came hurdling toward her.

Jennifer screamed and dove to the floor.

The sound of the blade was sickening.

Jennifer crawled under the blade and inspected herself.

Then she gasped.

Not far from her sat most of her hair.

Her strawberry blonde locks.

Chopped off.

She screamed a blood-curddling scream.

Then she stopped.

'''Jennifer Confessional: I feel like it happened at the perfect time. My long hair, I guess you could say, symbolized by innocence and my dependence on Josiah. Now that that's gone, my short hair symbolizes my independence and strength.'''

Jennifer stood up.

She looked at the final blade.

Jennifer took a deep breath and ran past it.

She then walked off, determined to win this challenge.

Corey was lost.

Sure, he was in Section Two.

But he was still lost.

Corey took a step forward.

A cardboard cutout sprang from the ground.

Corey dove out of it's line of vision.

It was Kennedy.

Corey smiled and got up.

A bell went off.

Corey cheered.

He kept on walking forward, looking around.

Then he saw the crossroad.

Either go right or left.

Which way was the right way?

Corey sighed.

"Here goes nothing." Corey said, taking the path on the left.

There, he was met with yet another standee.

He hit the floor.

Hard.

"Oof!" Corey said.

Above him, he saw Feline.

Wrong.

Corey stayed down.

The standee slid down and Corey stood up.

Rose was walking around the second section.

She continued to walk silently.

Rose stopped in her tracks.

'''Rose Confessional: My mom trained me to notice small abnormalities in the sound patters. *sighs*'''

Rose sighed and leaned against a wall.

Huck popped out of the ground.

Rose rolled her eyes and spun in front of the standee.

A bell went off.

Rose passed the standee and continued to walk.

That's when she saw her.

"Jennifer!" Rose waved.

"Hey, Rose!" Jennifer called.

Rose jogged over to Jennifer, sliding under the cutout of Chris McLean.

"Whoa! How did you know that was going to be there?" Jennifer asked.

"You know." Rose said, shrugging.

"Perfect." Rose and Jennifer said in unison.

"I still don't see why you don't like it. I mean, you can do anything right the first time! Unlike all of us, who have to try multiple times to get something right." Jennifer said.

"Wait!" Rose stopped, "Did you get a haircut?"

Jennifer rolled her eyes, "Don't bring it up. An encounter with the blade trap."

Rose cringed.

The walked together in silence.

Rose stopped and pulled Jennifer to the wall.

"Ouch! What was that about?" Jennifer asked.

Titus popped up from the ground.

"Oh, goody! I need him!" Jennifer said.

She jumped in front of the standee.

A bell rung.

Jennifer clapped as the standee sank back into the floor.

The two girls walked off.

Romulus walked around.

A standee rose up from the ground, catching him off guard.

He dove to the floor.

It was Feline,.

Romulus' eyes widened.

He stood up just as the standee was going down.

"What?! No! That's not fair!" Romulus shouted. "I stood in front of it!"

Romulus rolled his eyes and stepped over the standee slot.

"You're right! Sorry!" Chris said over the intercom.

"Huh?" Romulus asked.

The standee rose again, hitting Romulus straight in the crotch.

His eyes widened and filled with tears and he was raised into the air.

"Owww..." He said in a high-pitched voice.

Romulus was cowering when he saw it.

Straight in front of him.

More or less.

The exit.

After the third section.

He could easily make it.

Dutch was wandering the third section, having just finished the first.

It seemed pretty straight-forward.

He hadn't seen one of his enemies.

Maybe Chris was lying.

Lying to make things more "interesting".

"Ook!" Said a voice.

Dutch looked behind him and screamed.

Five HaskSok men stood there, looking vicious and bloodthirsty.

Dutch began to run, not looking back.

He took a sharp left.

He continued to run until he got tired.

He looked passed his shoulder.

There was no one there.

"Huh?" Dutch asked himself.

Dutch kept on walking forward.

And that's when he saw the most disgusting thing he had seen in his life.

Mrs. Crabsmith.

She hadn't seen him though.

Dutch edged back away and ran off.

Dutch Confessional: *Shivers*

Corey was looking around section three, hoping to find either Jennifer or Rose.

What he didn't plan on finding was Chef dressed as a Colonial Ghost.

Chef growled at Corey and chased after him.

Corey's eyes widened and he ran away.

"Agh!" Corey cried, "Go away!"

He could hear Chef's heavy boots hit the ground.

With every twist and turn Corey took.

Chef followed.

"Leave me alone!" Corey cried.

"Sorry, kid! It's the job!" Chef said as he ran.

Corey continued to run, until he ran into Romulus.

The two bumped heads.

"Ow! Watch where you're going!" Romulus spat.

"It's- it's!" Corey began.

"It's what? Stop studdering, you freak." Romulus spat.

Corey got up and ran off.

"What's your problem?!" Romulus asked.

He turned and he saw it.

Chef in a horrible-fitting costume.

Romulus Confessional: That's enough to give anyone nightmares.

Jennifer and Rose were walking through the maze, no troubles as of yet.

"I don't see why Chris said this would be the most daring part of the challenge." Jennifer said, "We haven't ran into anything."

"Don't be too sure." Rang a familiar voice.

"Crabmeat." Rose and Jennifer said in unison.

Crabsmith laughed.

She was in a wrestling uniform, her legs far apart.

"Rose! Look, it's the exit!" Jennifer said, pointing past Crabsmith.

It was true.

Behind the big hulk of evil woman stood the exit.

"And the only way to get to it is to get past me." Crabsmith bellowed.

Rose rolled her eyes and walked forward.

"Oh, you're stepping up to the challenge? Don't be disappointing if you can-" Crabsmith said.

With one flick of the wrist, Rose brought Crabsmith down.

Jennifer clapped.

'''Rose Confessional: My mom made me take Karate as well. Said if I didn't get a black belt she would kick me out.'''

"Go." Rose said, her face void of emotion, "I'm waiting for Corey."

"Okay!" Jennifer said, starting to run off.

"Jennifer?" Rose asked.

Jennifer stopped and turned, "Yeah?"

Rose ran to Jennifer, hugging her tightly.

"Thank you for being such a great friend." Rose said.

Jennifer smiled, unsure what this was all about.

"Um, okay." She said, laughing, "Don't wait too long, okay? See ya on the other side!"

She ran off and exited the maze.

"I don't think you will." Rose said, turning around and walking deeper into the maze.

"Jennifer wins the challenge!" Chris announced over the PA System, "Now let's just see who goes home!"

At that point, Dutch ran out of the maze.

"What is wrong with you?!" Dutch asked Chris, "I almost died twice!"

"But you didn't!" Chris laughed.

Dutch rolled his eyes.

"Two of the final four are set! Let's see who else makes it!" Chris said.

Jennifer was anxious.

She was hoping either Corey or Rose or both would exit the maze next.

Romulus ran for the exit, jumping over the body of Crabsmith.

He looked back, seeing Rose standing there.

Romulus raised an eyebrow.

'''Romulus Confessional: What was she doing? She could have easily won!'''

Romulus ran for the exit and left the maze.

At that point, Corey jogged by.

"Rose?!" Corey asked, worried. "What are you doing here?!"

"I came back to say-" Rose began.

"Don't you know that either you and me is getting eliminated now?" Corey asked.

"I do." Rose said, taking Corey's hand.

The two walked for the exit.

"Then why-" Corey began.

"I waited here. I got here first but I waited." Rose said.

"What?! Why?" Corey asked.

The two stood just inches away from the exit.

"You know, who cares. You go. I'll be happy to-" Corey began.

"No. You're crossing that finish line." Rose said.

"No, I'm not." Corey began, "You deserve it-"

"I'm tired of this, Cor." Rose said.

"Tired of competing for a million dollars?" Corey asked.

"No!" Rose said.

At this point all of her emotions came flooding out.

"Of always having to live up to expectations! Everyone excepts me to win! Everyone expects me to be the best! I can't do it anymore! It makes me scared, It gives me anxiety! I just can't do it!" Rose began. "I can't fail here because everyone is so sure I'm going to win the game! I can't fail at home or else it'll break my mom's heart!"

"But-" Corey began.

"I stayed behind to lose." Rose said, "And I also stayed behind to just say: Goodbye, love."

"No, Rose-" Corey began.

Rose began to kiss Corey.

Corey kissed back, completely unaware that Rose had been inching them towards the end of the maze.

Corey stood just outside.

Rose was still inside.

"Corey! You get a spot in the final four!" Chris said, "Surprisingly, Rose is out!"

"What?!" Jennifer, Dutch, and Romulus asked.

Rose smiled.

"Finally." She said to herself.

She took off her headband and threw it on the floor.

Her hair cascaded past her face.

"I failed." She said to herself, gitty.

"Huh?" Jennifer asked.

"I failed." Rose said, "I failed!"

She ran to Jennifer and hugged her.

The helicopter arrived and Rose ran to the rope ladder.

She grabbed on and waved.

"Bye!" Rose said, waving.

Something about her was different.

She expelled a different energy.

The final four waved goodbye.

Rose looked off into the skies, excited to see what path her life would take next.

"Well that was a shocking twist! Come back next time to see more drama unfold in Total Drama: Battle of the Sexes!"