Fight or Flight

"Fight or Flight"

Season	Survivor: Vietnam - Rivals
Author	User:SimBrotherCo
Episode Number	11/13
Date Uploaded	November 14, 2016
Episode Chronology
Previous	The Turning Point
Next	Blurred Battle Lines

Fight or Flight is the eleventh episode of Survivor: Vietnam - Rivals.

Challenges[]

Reward Challenge: Touchy Subjects
Answer questions about the players in the game, then try and guess the answers most commonly given for the same questions. For every correct answer, a player is allowed to chop one of three ropes. Last person standing wins.
Reward:An Overnight stay at a private villa
Winner: Francesca Hogi

Immunity Challenge: Get a Grip
The castaways must hang onto a pole as long as they can. The last person left hanging without touching the ground wins.
Winner: Marissa Peterson

Previously on Survivor...[]

After Shii Ann and Pete flipped the game on it's head, they agreed to work together going forward, putting them in the ultimate swing vote position. However, Shii Ann's other allies wanted answers as to why she flipped, planting seeds of doubt for Aras and Francesca regarding Shii Ann's loyalty going forward. At the reward challenge, Aras won love from home in the form a video from home. Aras chose to take Shii Ann with them and the two bonded over the messages from their messages from. While Shii Ann appreciated the gesture, nothing would keep her from staying neutral for as long as she could. Back at camp, Tony became wary of Shii Ann's relationships, worrying he made a mistake in choosing to save her at the Tribal Council before, causing him to irritate his ally and confidant Marissa after he proposed to the group the eliminate Shii Ann and Marissa's close friend and ally in Yau-Man. Recognizing they were in a similar position Shii Ann and Marissa agreed to work together going forward to look out for one another instead of taking the other one out of the game, while there the two agreed to target at the next Tribal Council. At the immunity challenge, Aras continued his winning streak, winning his second immunity and third challenge in a row! Worried that Aras foiling their plan may jeopardize his position, Tony continued to push for Yau-Man to go, much to the annoyance of ally Marissa. Seeing an opportunity to secure another vote Francesca reassured Marissa of her loyalty to her and gave her another option to consider in blindsiding Tony. Recognizing Tony's double-handedness would soon cost her an ally or the game Marissa went to Shii Ann to convince her to flip, but Shii Ann had other plans in mind, she wanted to go with the hated guys to the end to ensure herself the win. Torn between her old alliance and her fears about Tony, it was Marissa who became the swing vote. In the end, she sided with Francesca and blindsided her ally in Tony. 6 are left, who will be voted out tonight?

Story[]

Day 31[]

Pete Yurkowski and Shii Ann Huang sat by the fire, their faces burning up, much like the embers directly below them. Their clear path to the end of the game had gone up in flames last night when at the last minute Marissa Peterson decided to flip her vote, blindsiding Tony and both of them. Now, they sat ready for answers, some explanation as to why they found themselves on the outs this morning when they were so sure they had the game in their hands before.

“Un-f**king believable,” Pete said, shaking his head.

“Once a snake, always a snake, huh?” Shii Ann whispered.

“She’s off her rocker. If she thinks this makes her some kind of big power player, then she’s got another thing coming,” Pete said, the shrill sound of his voice, growing angrier with every syllable.

“	Marissa is just so impulsive, I mean this is what she does. She gets it in her head that she’s making some big move and changing the game, when in reality she just looks like an idiot for flipping on her alliance every chance she gets to hurt her own position in the game and the people she’s working with. This broad is out of her god damn mind, and I just can’t believe this bitch is probably going to make it further than I am out here…it’s just sad, for me, mostly.	”
–Pete Yurkowski

“Speak of the devil,” Shii Ann said, looking up, motioning her head toward the young woman who had just walked over to where they were sitting.

“	Marissa out deviled even the Shii Devil. I have to say I’m surprised and a little impressed she had the nerve to make such a big move. It’s just a shame it was the wrong one for her. You mess with the Shii Devil, you get the horns.	”
–Shii Ann Huang

Marissa Peterson had tried to avoid being in the middle of camp for as long as possible this morning, but that all had to end now. The longer she waited, she knew the longer they could stew and plot against her, and she’d come too far to let that happen again.

“Oh Marissa, what a surprise. You’re just full of surprises aren’t you, much like the one you pulled last night,” Pete said, sporting a smug grin on his face, dripping more sarcasm with each and every word.

Shii Ann just sneared and giggled at Pete’s remarks.

Marissa rolled her eyes, not wanting to deal with this.

“Pull yourself together,” the college student whispered to herself. She knew this conversation would be important if she wanted any chance of keeping Pete and Shii Ann as potential allies moving forward.

“Care to share what went on in that head of yours last night, or are we just going to assume there was nothing there like we all have before?” Pete said, raising his eyebrow, laughing at himself for being so snarky with the young girl.

“Of course I have an explanation,” Marissa said.

“Well let’s hear it then,” Shii Ann, said, ready to move things along.

“Ok, look, we can all sit here and mourn Tony like he was the greatest person and ally to ever exist, but that’s not true. We all know what a snake that guy was! He was constantly lying and deceiving every one of us out here and we knew it. I took action and I got rid of him, because I KNOW he wasn’t going to be loyal to us. He plays this game by his rules, not ours,” Marissa said, passion spewing from her lips with each word she spoke.

“There were four of us and three of him, what exactly was he going to do? Flip and align with Aras?” Pete asked cynically.

“You’re a smart player, Pete, I’m a smart player, he wasn’t going to let us get to the end…” Marissa began.

“So I’m not a smart player?” Shii Ann asked, smiling smugly, knowing she was riling up the young college student.

“I mean, I just think Tony would want to keep you around longer than he would Pete or I, which tells you how disloyal his ass was cause we’ve been with him since the beginning.” Marissa explained.

“I have,” Pete said, putting emphasis on the I.

“Fuck you, Pete, I have too.” Marissa fired back.

“Really? That’s how you’re going to play this right now?” Pete said, acting coy.

“Don’t come for me, and I won’t come for you, that’s what I’m saying,” Marissa protested.

Shii Ann silently giggled to herself at how flustered Marissa had become.

“So what? You just had a gut feeling that Tony couldn’t be trusted, so you flipped?” Pete asked. “Is that what I’m supposed to believe?” He said, tilting his head to the side in a mocking manner.

“You can believe whatever the hell you want, but let me tell you this. It wasn’t a tie the night Andrea went home. It was 3-1. It was Tony’s idea that we flip on Andrea to separate you two. He wanted you in his pocket and made me take the blame to keep the alliance together. I was freaking the f**k out, because I knew you didn’t trust me and it was putting my game in a shitty place. So, there you go,” Marissa said, throwing her hands up in the air, having said all she could say.

“Come on now,” Shii Ann said, rolling her eyes at the young girl’s ridiculous claim.

“It’s true!” Marissa insisted.

“Francesca! Can you please back me up on this?” Marissa said, calling out to the lawyer.

“What’s up?” Francesca said, walking over to join the conversation.

“What was the vote count when Andrea went home? Who voted for who?” Marissa asked.

“Well, Andrea voted for me, then the other three of us all voted for her. It was a pretty straightforward vote,” Franecsca said.

“See?” Marissa asked.

“Oh yeah, I’m sure the person you saved last night would be completely honest even if it hindered your game,” Shii Ann said, raising an eyebrow.

“I mean, she’s telling the truth. Maybe if you took her word at face value instead of questioning everything she says, she would’ve voted with you last night,” Francesca said sassily, shrugging her shoulders.

“Whatever,” Shii Ann said, rolling her eyes.

“I’m going to finish preparing food,” Francesca said, patting Marissa on the shoulder as she walked back toward the fire.

“	Walking into that toxic conversation was all sorts of uncomfortable. It’s pretty clear that Pete and Shii Ann don’t exactly have the most…tactful approach to making allies. Which might explain why they’ve been on the outs this entire game, haha! But hey, I saw they were messing up and I took advantage of it, which is why Marissa is on my side now, and my alliance is still together.	”
–Francesca Hogi

“You all can believe whatever you want, but that’s what I have to say,” Marissa said.

“I think we just need to cool down, thanks for the feedback,” Pete said, trying to break the tension.

Shii Ann smiled insincerely and waved as Marissa began to walk in the opposite direction from where they were sitting.

“That girl is an emotional, emotional player,” Shii Ann said shaking her head.

“Tell me about it,” Pete said.

“	Marissa really screwed me over last night. She’s done that a lot, and she claims that Tony has done the same, but to be honest, I don’t really care if that’s true or not. The fact of the matter is, if Tony was still here, I wouldn’t have to be scrambling right now. I’m going to have to hustle if I wanna stay here – I’m in fight or flight mode right now. It’s go time.	”
–Pete Yurkowski

“So, how the hell are we going to get ourselves out of this one?” Shii Ann said, still shaking her head back and forth, frustrated with the position she found herself in.

“I mean, there’s really only one way we can do it,” Pete said half-heartedly.

“Marissa and Yau-Man?” Shii Ann asked.

Pete nodded.

“I know we’re pissed at her right now, but we’ve really got to suck it up and try and get her back on our side. I mean, she’s playing for 4th place over there anyway. It’s in her best interest to work with us,” Pete said.

“Plus, she and I both have a Yau-Man connection. If I can just convince her that connection means anything to me and that I really want to go to the end with her, I think she might flip again. She’s flaky, that works in our favor now,” Shii Ann grinned.

“Let’s take a quick break from being the bad guys and put our best smiles on, shall we?” Pete snickered.

“Shii Devil is going to conceal her horns, just for a little bit,” Shii Ann grinned.

“We just have to make sure Aras doesn’t win shit. We can’t have him eating, we can’t have him making more connections, and we sure as hell don’t need him winning immunity,” Pete said seriously.

“Him not having immunity is more important than either one of us winning immunity, honestly,” Shii Ann admitted.

“Plus, if he’s not here, we have a much better chance of winning,” Pete said.

Shii Ann nodded.

“So, let’s do it,” Shii Ann grinned.

“	If there’s one thing anyone knows about the Shii Devil, it’s that she never gives up. I will nag everyone up and down this beach if it means staying here until the end. The game is heating up and I’m ready to go.	”
–Shii Ann Huang

Francesca Hogi and Marissa Peterson stood around the fire trying to keep warm after a cold, dark morning in Vietnam. The two huddled close together to keep warm and keep strategy talk close to the vest.

“I really appreciate you looking out for me last night, know I’m not going to let you down,” Francesca said reassuringly.

“It’s good to hear that,” Marissa said, shivering from both the cold and her nerves.

“So, how exactly do you see things playing out from here?” Marissa asked cautiously.

“Well, I see Pete and Shii Ann going out in the next two rounds, then I think we have to do whatever is best to get ourselves to the end,” Francesca said.

“You’re not at all worried about someone who is such a threat like Aras getting so close to the end?” Marissa asked.

Francesca tightened her lip, meditating on the young college student’s words.

“I think if he’s winning immunity, the people we’re trying to get rid of aren’t. He’s only human, he can’t win every challenge,” Francesca said optimistically.

“But if anyone could…” Marissa said hesitantly.

“I hear you, but it’s not going to be the biggest factor. The thing that’s most important is that I’m with you,” Francesca said, trying to assuage Marissa’s worries.

“I mean, I get it, it just makes me scared, because I know you all have such a tight bond. Maybe I’m just being paranoid, but it freaks me out,” Marissa admitted, clutching her arms against herself slightly tighter.

“Well, I think I have a tight bond with you too. We have been working together for some time now. It’s easier said than done, but you have to trust that I think going to the end with you is best for both of us, so that’s what needs to be done,” Francesca smiled.

“Ok,” Marissa said, slowly exhaling, rubbing her hands together to keep warm as she did so.

“	I made a big move last night. I blindsided freaking Tony, which is amazing. The thing is…in making such a big move, I’m in big trouble if my alliance with Francesca doesn’t shake out. A good deal of my game is in her hands, because she can turn on me at any time and just stick with her original group. I don’t have any reason to doubt her, but when your this close to the game, anyone can cut anyone if it means getting to the end in winning. Shoot, I did it yesterday.	”
–Marissa Peterson

“	Marissa is definitely someone who is my ally, not necessarily someone who is allies with everyone in my group, which is invaluable at this stage in the game. It all comes down to the relationships you built with people, because the more you have the easier it’s going to be to get through these last few days. I don’t know exactly who it’s best for me to go forward with, but I know I need options. When you’re out of options is when you find yourself out of this game.	”
–Francesca Hogi

Shii Ann Huang and Yau-Man Chan were not on the same page. The bond they had formed early in the game was clearly meaningful to them, but strategy and alliances as of recent continued to put them on opposite sides of the votes, but both sought to change that…the only issue was which side was best for the both of them.

“	Yau-Man and I have a very close relationship. He’s a great guy. The thing is, he really needs to open his eyes and realizes being loyal Yau-Man isn’t going to get him much further, he has a much better chance going with my plan, so that’s why I intend to tell him.	”
–Shii Ann Huang

Yau-Man and Shii Ann decided to take advantage of a small passing in the dark storm hovering over them to see if they could catch a fish or two for lunch that day. Yau-Man gathered the paddles and pushed the boat to shore, while Shii Ann put on her shoes and jacket before venturing out to the boat to begin paddling off.

The two rowed for quite some time before they were a comfortable distance away from camp. Yau-Man and Shii Ann cast out their lines and waited…and waited…and waited. And while they waited, the talking ensued.

“Shii Ann, what do you think you are getting out of aligning with someone like Pete? You don’t even like him and it is putting you on the outside,” Yau-Man said, trying to steer his friend in the right direction.

Shii Ann smirked and shook her head no.

“Yau-Man, at this point, I don’t think who I ‘like’ can even be a factor at this point. Pete isn’t likable, that’s just it. People like Aras and Francesca…those are likable people, those are smart people, and if we let them get to the end of this game, they’re going to win,” Shii Ann said.

“Pete is just unnecessary to your plan. Aligning with him makes you appear less trustworthy, where if you and I moved forward without him, it would be much easier for us to get to the end. Pete is very sneaky and could screw you over. Remember, he played a big part in screwing over his partner R.C.,” Yau-Man reminded her.

“So did I,” Shii Ann insisted.

Yau-Man nodded.

“It’s not about what Pete has done. He has no options left. He can’t go to the end with Francesca or Aras. Just like we can’t, we’re all in this together and the time to strike is right now,” Shii Ann insisted.

“I do not think that we need Pete to do this. I trust you and I do not think Pete is necessary,” Yau-Man disagreed. “I want to trust you, but I fear your loyalty to Pete is more than it is to anybody else. You have stuck by him through several votes now.”

“Pete is useful for my game now, and I think he is for yours too. Make no mistake though, Yau-Man, I’m still incredibly loyal to you too,” Shii Ann smiled.

“I trust you Shii Ann, but I don’t trust him,” Yau-Man reaffirmed.

Shii Ann forced a smile and nodded.

“	Yau-Man is very hung up on this loyalty thing. I think part of him still wants to be a role model and a hero, but I’m not out here for that. I’m out here to win a lot of money and I’ll do whatever it takes to get that. If it means I have to work with some part-time model frat boy and vote out some nice people. If at the end of the day, I have a fat check in my pocket, it’ll all be worth it.	”
–Shii Ann Huang

“	Shii Ann is a great friend to me out here. She is someone I do not think would betray me, but I do fear that her alliegence to Pete is putting a target on her...and on me as well, because of how close we are. She is seen as very unloyal and untrustworthy which has kept her out of the loop. If she doesn’t change her mind soon, she could be replaced and that would be very bad for my plans here…and hers’ too because it would be her game at risk.	”
–Yau-Man Chan

Plans for the future would have to be set aside, but the pecking order would be very much in mind as it was time for the Reward Challenge.

“Come on in guys,” Jeff Probst called out as the final six walked in and marched to the mat.

Today’s challenge was the infamous “Touchy Subjects” challenge. Castaways would be asked to answer survey questions about their fellow tribemates. Then, they will be asked the same questions, but will answer how they feel the majority of their tribemates answered. For each correct answer, castaways will get to chop a rope of another tribe member. Once a castaway’s rope has received three chops, their rope will release a device which will smash their idol. Today’s reward was a doozy. The winner would be taken to a private villa, where they would stay the night, be treated to a fresh change of clothes, a shower, all the food they can eat, and a beautiful bed to sleep in.

“First question,” Jeff Probst began. “Who never shuts up?”

The castaways nervously giggled and looked around as they fidgeted to find the answer they were looking for. They answered as follows: Aras- Shii Ann
Francesca – Shii Ann
Marissa – Shii Ann
Pete – Marissa
Shii Ann – Marissa
Yau-Man – Pete

“The majority of you said…Shii Ann, never shuts up!”

“Surprise, surprise,” Shii Ann said sarcastically, smiling and shaking her head as she did so.

Aras, Francesca, and Marissa one by one knocked Pete out of the challenge, making him the first one eliminated.

“Pete, just like that, one question in and is out of this challenge!” Jeff Probst announced.

“Real subtle, guys,” Pete shook his head.

“Typical,” Shii Ann smiled.

“How exactly is this typical?” Aras asked, confused by the executive’s remark.

“I mean, you knock out the one guy on the other side without thinking about what happens next. Not all of you are going to win this challenge, or this game,” Shii Ann observed.

“Well, there’s a lot of game left to be played, today and in days to come. Who is to say what’s right and wrong,” Aras retorted.

“That sounds like something someone on the top would say,” Shii Ann grinned.

“That sounds like something someone on the bottom would say,” Aras said, mimicking her head motions as he gave it back to her.

Shii Ann rolled her eyes, and looked forward to move on with the challenge.

“Alright then…” Jeff Probst began. “Who would you trust with your life?” Jeff Probst asked.

Aras – Yau-Man
Francesca – Yau-Man
Marissa – Yau-Man
Shii Ann – Yau-Man
Yau-Man – Yau-Man

“The correct answer was, Yau-Man, everybody gets it right! Everybody gets a chop!” Jeff announced.

Aras went first and quickly took a shot at Shii Ann after the scuffle they just had.

Francesca followed suit.

Marissa walked over, slowly waltzing her way over to Shii Ann’s rope…

“Marissa…you know they all don’t need the food…” Shii Ann whined.

“Sorry,” Marissa grimaced, right before chopping the rope, crushing Shii Ann’s idol and her chance at winning reward.

“And with that, Shii Ann is out of the challenge, but she is not done. She gets to make one chop and hurt someone’s chances of winning reward before she goes out,” Jeff announced.

“It’d be nice for someone else to be able to win…and eat something,” Shii Ann said, swiftly marching over to Aras’s rope and giving it a firm chop.

“Ouch!” Aras said mockingly.

Shii Ann rolled her eyes.

“Join the club,” Pete said, sliding over on the losers’ bench to make room for Shii Ann. Yau-Man was next to take a chop. “Maybe just so someone else can win,” Yau-Man said sheepishly, before chopping Aras’s rope.

“Aw man,” Aras said, gritting his teeth as he lost another bit of rope.

“Francesca, Marissa, and Yau-Man all have 3 ropes left, Aras just has 1,” Jeff announced.

“Next question…Who is the biggest poser?”

Aras – Shii Ann
Francesca – Pete
Marissa – Pete
Yau-Man – Aras

“The correct answer is…Pete,” Jeff Probst said. “Marissa and Francesca each get a shot.

“Let’s even things up a bit,” Francesca said, going to give Yau-Man a whack.

“I would, but I really want to win this one,” Marissa said, jokingly pointing at Aras with the machete.

“Damn you,” Aras said, half-jokingly.

WHACK

Aras’s idol was crushed. And with that, the challenge was down to three.

“Next question, Who is under the false assumption that they are smart?” Jeff asked.

Francesca – Pete
Marissa – Shii Ann
Yau-Man – Pete

“The correct answer is…Pete!” Jeff announced.

Francesca was up again, she took a whack at Marissa this time for the sake of keeping things even.

Yau-Man wasn’t affected though, he took a whack at Francesca for hitting him last time.

With that everyone was down to two ropes.

“Next Question, Who does the most for the tribe?” Jeff asked.

Francesca – Yau-Man
Marissa – Yau-Man
Yau-Man – Aras

“The correct answer is…Yau-Man! Fran and Marissa both get a chop!” Jeff Probst announced.

“Marissa, I’ll make you a deal. I won’t hit you if you don’t hit me,” Francesca said, giving a swift chop to Yau-Man’s rope.

Marissa, wanting to stay in the game and stay loyal followed suit, sending her close friend and ally, Yau-Man out of the game.

“Sorry Yau-Man,” Marissa said.

“It’s ok, it is my fault for doing so badly with these questions,” Yau-Man smiled.

“With that we are down to two,” Jeff said. “Moving on, Who would you most want to see pose nude?” Jeff asked.

Francesca – Aras
Marissa – Aras

“Aras is correct, both of you can chop the other’s rope. Now we have a challenge,” Jeff smiled.

“Ok, this could be for reward…here we go…Who has surprised you the most athletically?”

Francesca – Marissa
Marissa – Yau-Man

“One of you has it right, the other does not. The correct answer is…MARISSA! Which means, FRANCESCA WINS REWARD!” Jeff Probst cried out.

Francesca smiled and quietly cheered in celebration.

“Francesca, you’re going to go to an amazing villa, have a great time. It would be a shame for you to experience it alone. So, you can choose to take somebody with you, who is it going to be?” Jeff asked.

“Well, if it weren’t for this person, I would’ve gone home last night, so I’m going to choose Marissa,” Francesca smiled.

“Oh my gosh,” Marissa said, excitedly running over to hug Francesca. “Thank you so, so, so much!”

“Alright Francesca, two would be great, but three is a party. Choose one more person to join you!” Jeff said.

“Aras,” Francesca smiled.

Aras collapsed his face into his hands.

“Franny, thank you so much!” Aras said, the appreciation ringing in his voice.

Shii Ann just smiled and shook her head as the three going on reward began gushing.

“Aras, Francesca, Marissa, the helicopter is waiting for you, go head on out!” Jeff said.

The three winners stood with their hair and loose-fitting clothing blowing in the wind as the chopper landed on the beach which they resided. One by one they piled into the helicopter, put on their headsets and took off around the island of Vietnam.

“This is so amazing,” Marissa said, grinning from ear to ear.

“Fran, you really deserved this one. Thank you for everything,” Aras said, giving his ally a friendly peck on the cheek.

“I feel like I’m queen for a day,” Francesca teased.

“	Winning my very first individual challenge today felt so amazing. Not only did it feel good to win, but it really cemented my position within my own alliance. Marissa needed to know I was loyal to her and Aras needed to eat if he wants to keep winning these challenges. I need this group to stay together, they trust me…I need to get them to trust each other. Or just keep threats like Aras safe so they have no choice but to trust me. It’s a risky game, but you have to get a little risky if you want to win big. We’re All-Stars and this game is almost over. Go big or go home!	”
–Francesca Hogi

The three touched down right outside a gorgeous villa. A beautiful full-scale pool on the landscape, with the sun shining down on a beautiful patio with three fresh mimosas with strawberries awaited them.

“Oh my gosh, could that be what I think it is?” Francesca squealed.

“I think so,” Marissa said, jumping up and down.

“I say we take advantage while we can,” Aras smiled.

“Shall we do a toast?” Marissa asked.

“Yes! Let’s have our champion today lead it off,” Aras suggested.

“Wow, pressure,” Francesca said sarcastically, laughing at her own joke.

Aras and Marissa laughed along.

“Here is to doing what we said we would do, for fighting our way here amidst rivals and friends alike, and to sticking around here as long as we possibly can!” Francesca said, raising her mimosa glass.

“Cheers!” All three shouted.

“Ok, I don’t know about you guys, but I am ready to be clean,” Francesca said, quickly finishing her glass.

“I am all about that!” Aras said.

The three walked inside to the beautifully furnished villa and went to their respective bathrooms to disrobe and clean themselves off.

“	You don’t really realize just how filthy you are until you step in a shower after 31 days. I like to think I’m a pretty clean guy, or at least ‘island clean’ you know? But when I saw the copious amounts of dirt just begin to wash off me in that shower, it was really a wake-up call to just how disgusting I’ve become out here. Which was equally terrifying, but rejuvenating in knowing that I was showering all those troubles away, it was fantastic.	”
–Aras Baskauskas

After their shower, the three castaways slipped into fresh robes and headed out to the patio to enjoy a delightfully prepared meal together. On the patio there was a fresh roast, potatoes, salad, copious amounts of fresh fruit and vegitables and an array of desserts including cakes, cookies, brownies, and little chocolates.

“This is everything I have been craving out here, thank you so much!” Marissa said, hugging Francesca for taking her.

“You deserve it,” Francesca laughed. “To the victors go the spoils!”

“	Francesca taking me on reward was definitely some reassurance I needed it felt good to feel like I was part of the in-crowd. Then again, what else was she going to do? Part of me desperately wants to believe whatever group I’m part of is loyal and legit this time, but every time I thought that was the case…that’s when the rug was pulled out from under me.	”
–Marissa Peterson

“Aras there are potatoes! I know you have to be so excited,” Francesca laughed.

Aras scooped several helpings of potatoes onto his plate before anything else.

“I’m in heaven, HEAVEN!” the yoga instructor shouted.

Francesca giggled.

“It’s all for you, good sir,” she teased.

“No more King Aras talk, please,” Aras said, tensing up, but laughing at the joke of his friend.

“You two are too much,” Marissa laughed.

“	Don’t get me wrong – the reward, the food, it was amazing, but…the company…it was revealing to say the least. Aras and Francesca are super close. They are tighter than anyone else I’ve seen on this island, they just vibe off each other like the rest of us just can’t. And that’s exactly what I’m afraid of! Cause if Fran is too close to Aras, then she’s not going to be able to take him out when we need to! If we keep letting him win, he’s going to win, it’s that simple. I’m all for being in the numbers…unless those numbers hurt my chance of winning! I’m really not feeling this group right now!	”
–Marissa Peterson

Back at camp, Shii Ann Huang was continuing her quest to get Yau-Man in the good graces of model Pete Yurkowski. She pulled Pete aside as sunset was beginning to fall on how he was going to play into her plan.

“So, how was your talk with Yau earlier?” Pete asked.

“Not great,” Shii Ann said bluntly.

“You say that like it’s my fault,” Pete snorted.

Shii Ann stared at him unamused.

“C’mon, what?” Pete asked.

“He doesn’t trust you. He thinks you’re a big snake. You have to change his perception. I can only say and do so much, he’s got to sense it from you,” Shii Ann said.

“Turn on the charm, is what you’re saying?” Pete grinned.

“If that’s what you call it,” Shii Ann said, rolling her eyes.

“Lighten up,” Pete said.

“There’s a million dollars on the line. I’ll lighten up when I’m back in the majority,” Shii Ann said coldly.

“Ok,” Pete said. “So what do I do?”

“He’s over there preparing dinner right now. I suggest you help him, talk with him, engage, see if he’ll hear you out,” Shii Ann said.

“I’m on it,” Pete said, putting on his model grin, and walking over to the fire.

“	Aras and Francesca are a powerful duo out here. The two of them have been controlling a lot of votes and they have a lot of friends in this game, which is exactly why it is in Yau-Man’s best interest to flip. However, he doesn’t trust Pete, so instead of me begging non-stop, Pete needs to go to him and prove he can be loyal and not that much of a tool bag. Can he do it? I don’t know, we’ll have to wait and see!	”
–Shii Ann Huang

“	It’s pretty crucial that I convince Yau-Man that I’m somebody he can work with moving forward. We both want to win and to do that we’re going to have to get rid of some big threats. So, to do that I intend on letting him know that I’m the real deal and we can go very far together.	”
–Pete Yurkowski

“Mind if I give you a hand?” Pete said, extending a helping hand to the teacher who was proportioning out the rice to put in the pot to be prepared for dinner.

“That would be very helpful, thank you,” Yau-Man smiled.

“My pleasure,” Pete said.

The two slowly began to prepare the rice and soon enough it was coming to a boil. Pete stirred the pot, literally and metaphorically as he reached out to further engage with Yau-Man.

“I just wanted to let you know, when they said you were the hardest worker today, I think that really shows. You really help keep this camp afloat, and I’m really grateful you’re here to do that,” Pete smiled.

“Well thank you, I grew up in Borneo and I had a very hard work-ethic engrained in me. This isn’t so foreign to me really. I know how to do a lot out here, so it is just very natural that I take over and do these things,” Yau-Man smiled.

“Well, you shouldn’t have to do it alone. You’re working too hard, I’m always here to help when you need it. It just sucks you’re here eating rice with Shii Ann and I when you could be feasting like a king,” Pete said, trying to twist the knife.

“It was a hard decision for Francesca, I understand her choices,” Yau-Man said.

“The thing is though…Aras has gone one every reward so far. You haven’t been at all. I don’t understand why they always want Aras eating, but you get left out. That would concern me if I were you. It sounds like that’s the core group,” Pete insisted.

“I know Aras is good in the challenges and I think that’s why,” Yau-Man said.

“Anyone can come up with any reason to take someone on reward. I think who goes says more than why they go,” Pete suggested.

Yau-Man said nothing and nodded. He knew Pete had made a great point.

The rice had been cooked at this point and the two men had called Shii Ann over to have dinner together.

“Pete helped cook dinner? Wow, that’s so nice of you Pete,” Shii Ann said, trying to be subtle, but not accomplishing the act.

“Just doing my part,” Pete smiled.

“Pete was a big help, I really appreciated it,” Yau-Man said.

“I’m sorry it couldn’t be more. If by some miracle I had won today, the three of us would be sitting in that villa, eating the way we should be,” Pete said.

“Me too,” Shii Ann said. “Honestly, I can’t think of two better people to be sitting at the end with.”

“Definitely,” Pete smiled.

Yau-Man sat pensively, trying to process the new information he was given.

“What are your honest thoughts on getting rid of Aras next, should he lose, Yau-Man?” Pete asked.

Yau-Man sighed.

“Aras is a good friend. I think he works hard and is a very nice man. Voting him out would be difficult, especially since he has been so loyal to me, while others have tried to vote me out on many occasions,” Yau-Man admitted.

“I hear you, but at this point in the game. There’s only so much time left before he could just keep winning and winning and winning. Doesn’t that concern you a bit?” Pete asked.

“He has won 3 out 5 challenges so far, and he’s been close in nearly all of them,” Shii Ann pointed out.

Yau-Man nodded.

“He is a big threat, a lot of us are,” Yau-Man said.

“Some threats are easier to eliminate than others though. Everyone wants Pete and I out, Yau-Man, you know that. We talked about it. Not everyone wants Aras out, and Aras can win immunities like nobody’s business. You only have so many shots to take him out and if he loses, we need to take advantage of it,” Shii Ann said passionately.

“I promise, if you were to vote with us, never again would I write your name down. You saw how loyal I was to Andrea, to Tony, and I’m offering that same loyalty to you both,” Pete said.

“If the three of us can convince Marissa to switch over, we could seriously do it. Then it would be us three at the final 3, and whoever wins immunity can do what they feel is best for them and their own game.” Shii Ann smiled.

“So, what do you think?” Pete asked.

“I need time to think. There is a lot on my mind and I just need to weigh it out,” Yau-Man admitted.

“Take your time,” Shii Ann smiled.

“	I know Yau-Man pretty well, and I’m really starting to see the wheels turn in his head. I think he sees that he can either be loyal or be in a winning position, and I know he wants to win.	”
–Shii Ann Huang

“	Aras is a good ally, but a big threat. I think being left behind on reward again and again does make me nervous of where I stand in this tribe. Shii Ann and I have a strong bond and I want to honor that. I want to be there for her, but I do worry that Pete could take me out of the game. I just need to side with the people who are more inclined to keep me. If you are in this game, if people want to keep you in this game. That is how you win. That will be the side I have to go with. I just do not know what side that is yet.	”
–Yau-Man Chan

Day 32[]

Aras Baskauskas poured a fresh pot of coffee into two mugs - One for him, and one for his closest ally Francesca Hogi. The two had been used to getting up a little earlier and for better or worse that followed them onto reward. The two walked out onto the balcony to enjoy the morning breeze, a comfortable chair, and a steaming mug of coffee to wake them up.

“How’d you sleep?” Aras asked.

“Like a baby. It was certainly the best sleep I’ve had since I was out here,” Francesca said, grinning from ear to ear. “How about you?”

“Really great,” Aras said, taking a sip of his coffee.

“Good,” Francesca grinned. “Be sure you grab some more to eat before we leave today. You have to keep winning. Everyone is really nervous about you,” the lawyer advised cautiously.

“Is it that bad?” Aras asked sheepishly.

Francesca nodded her head yes.

“Great,” Aras said, nervously shaking his head, and playing with his hair.

“Don’t get too frustrated. That’s not going to be helpful,” Francesca said firmly.

“It’s just annoying that I’ve been a good and loyal ally to people, but it doesn’t matter at all if I happen to lose a challenge. You know?” Aras vented.

Francesca nodded and listened along.

“I hear you, but it’ll be worth it. We’re one vote away from having an unbreakable majority. Yau-Man isn’t going anywhere and if Marissa is solid, we’ll be fine. It’s just we’re better off if you have immunity,” Francesca advised.

“Well, I’ll give it my best as always,” Aras smiled.

“Just keep being the good friend and ally you are, that’s how people are going to stay loyal to you. Don’t underestimate the power of friendship,” Francesca said.

“I’m a winner, you were voted out first TWICE and you’re giving me advice?” Aras teased.

“I’m sorry, which one of us is in danger of getting voted out next Tribal Council?” Francesca teased back.

“Low blow!” Aras shouted.

Francesca just giggled and shook her head.

“	There’s a lot of pressure on me to win every immunity challenge from here on out. I’m a huge challenge threat and if I’m vulnerable I know just how easy it might be for someone to take a shot at me. I just have to keep staying true to my alliances and doing what I said I’m going to do and hope that my allies see that regardless of how much I’m winning, I’m with them.	”
–Aras Baskauskas

Marissa Peterson walked out onto the patio, interrupting the banter. “Morning you two,” she grinned.

“Hey,” they both said, turning around to greet her.

“Is that coffee I smell?” Marissa asked, still rubbing her eyes, trying to wake up.

“Yeah, I just brewed a pot, it’s right on the table inside, help yourself!” Aras smiled.

“Aras, you’re a saint!” Marissa said, rushing inside to get coffee.

“Look at you working that social game,” Francesca teased.

Aras smiled and just coyly shrugged.

Marissa watched the two continue to joke around as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

“	Watching Aras and Francesca really makes me nervous. This morning it seems like they had been outside chatting for quite a while. That pot of coffee wasn’t hot. I want to trust Francesca, and I want to believe I made the right decision last Tribal Council, but the longer I’m here the more I worry that I could be on the outside of this group, which would mean all my scrambling, all my hard work would be for nothing and I just can’t let that happen. I can’t.	”
–Marissa Peterson

The three of them returned to camp later that morning, where they were greeted by the other three members of Vang seated around the fire.

“Welcome home,” Yau-Man said, offering each of his friends and allies a hug.

“Thank you,” Francesca giggled, reciprocating the hug from her ally.

“How was your night?” Aras asked.

“Uneventful,” Shii Ann said passively.

“How was the villa? Was it all jazzed up and shit?” Pete asked.

“It was dope,” Marissa confirmed.

Pete smiled and nodded.

“You all smell so clean. I feel uncomfortable just bringing my stench close to any of you,” Shii Ann laughed to herself.

Marissa flipped her hair and giggled.

“Have you all eaten yet?” Aras asked.

Yau-Man shook his head no.

“We’re a little tired of rice, I was thinking we could go clamming at some point today,” Yau-Man said.

“I’d be happy to give you a hand if you want,” Aras smiled.

Yau-Man smiled and nodded.

“	After coming back from the reward, I wanted to touch base with Yau-Man and make sure we were on the same page. The numbers at this point in the game are tight. There are four of us and two of them and if even one person flips, I could be in big trouble. So it’s important I check in to see where Yau-Man was out.	”
–Aras Baskauskas

“How were things back here?” Aras said venturing out onto the rocks to find the shells.

“It was very tense. Those two are very motivated to stay,” Yau-Man said nervously.

“Did my name come up at all?” Aras asked.

Yau-Man nodded yes, wading into a shallow pool of water to scan the water for clams.

“What’d they say?” Aras asked.

“That you were a big threat to win the immunity necklace and we may not have many chances to get rid of you. So they want to get you as soon as they can,” Yau-Man admitted.

“Oh great,” Aras said, hanging his head.

“I’m sure this can be very nerve wracking for you, but know you have never given me a reason to doubt your loyalty,” Yau-Man smiled.

“Yau-Man, I really appreciate that. Know that means the world to me. I’ve been with you since the very beginning and I mean that. Just know, as long as we’re in this game, I will never write your name down,” Aras said, extending his hand.

“You have a deal,” Yau-Man smiled, shaking his hand.

“What’s your take on things right now as far as the other two go?” Aras asked, placing a few small clams to the side for them to take back with them.

“I think Shii Ann is still very loyal, she is just being misled by Pete. He is the leader of this alliance and I think if we can vote him out, we will have much more sway over Shii Ann’s vote,” Yau-Man smiled.

“Plus, that’s one less threat to win immunity for me,” Aras said.

“Exactly,” Yau-Man smiled and nodded. “Are you doing ok?”

“Much better, thank you,” Aras said, nodding to show his appreciation.

“Let’s go make some food,” Yau-Man said, fast-walking back to the beach.

“What are you doing?” Aras laughed.

“Faster we get there, faster we eat!” Yau-Man said, grinning with a maniacal look in his eye.

“	Aras trusts me a lot. I wish it was enough to go on reward, but he has put his faith that I will stay loyal to the alliance we made at the very beginning. I want to honor his loyalty and that of my friends and the best way I can do that is get rid of Pete. If Pete is gone then I will have a strong relationship with all the other players which will make it easy for me to get to the final two this time.	”
–Yau-Man Chan

The two gentlemen carried their clams in bundles to the fire to prepare for dinner.

“Those look delicious,” Shii Ann said.

“They should be ready soon,” Yau-Man smiled.

“I’m excited for clams,” Marissa cheered.

“They’ll be coming right up,” Aras said.

Shii Ann and Marissa went to lay down in the shelter while they waited for dinner to be prepared and served for them – making it the perfect time to feed their minds as well as their bodies, information was key, and at this point both ladies needed to know where the other’s head was at “So,” Marissa said, speaking in a hushed whisper...”the deal you and I made a couple days ago, is that like, completely over now?” Marissa whispered sheepishly.

“Not necessarily,” Shii Ann said, her even smirk returning to her face, as she raised an eyebrow at the young college student. “What’s on your mind?”

“What do you think the pecking order of this tribe is…assuming things stayed the same?” Marissa asked.

“Well, Pete and I are the next two, then it’s you, then it’s Yau-Man. Aras and Francesca are going to make it to the end together,” Shii Ann said bluntly.

“You think they’d take Yau to three?” Marissa asked.

“You’re stronger than he is. Plain and simple,” Shii Ann said, affirming her initial suspicion.

“I’m just so damn worried about those two riding it to the end together. They are inseparable. They’re so smart. They’re so damn nice and they have a great game going,” Marissa shook her head back and forth.

“It sounds like you’re ready to make a move,” Shii Ann grinned.

“I have no issue making moves in this game, you know that,” Marissa said.

“Well, let’s make a move to actually put you in power, then,” Shii Ann smiled. “If You and Yau-Man vote with Pete and I tomorrow, then we could take control of this game. You and I would have a real say in who goes home next, and who goes after that. It’s completely up to us.”

“I like the sound of that,” Marissa smiled.

“Plus, if Aras is gone, you have a much better shot at immunity,” Shii Ann said, her grin growing wider and wider by the minute.

“That’s very true,” Marissa said, becoming more and more intrigued by this idea. “I really would be happy with getting Aras’s ass out of here. He’s just too damn good.”

“We can seriously make it happen. All we need is Yau-Man’s vote, we already have three,” Shii Ann said.

“And you’re with me?” Marissa asked.

“Oh yeah, that jury is going to give Yau-Man and Pete all the credit if we get to the end with them. We have to stick together, you better believe it,” Shii Ann reassured her.

“That’s exactly what I needed to hear,” Marissa said, exhaling, for what felt like the first time in a few days.

“We just have to make sure Yau-Man is on board. He’s very flakey. You know how much his loyalty to his friends means to him. It’s going to be a tough sell, but if you and I are both on board, I think we really could make this happen,” Shii Ann said, spilling the raw truth.

“Let’s go, I’m ready to go!” Marissa said, trying to contain her excitement in a whisper.

“	Aras and Francesca are great people, but I’m just so scared where I stand going to the end with them. At the end of the day, I can go far with them, but can I win? I’m starving, I’m exhausted, I’ve worked so hard to get here and if I can’t win with them, I can’t play with them. Shii Ann and I have had a rocky past, but we’ve been trying to get on the same page, and if we could, we could take over this game and actually stand a chance to win this thing. So what’s stopping me at this point? I can’t be afraid to play anymore.	”
–Marissa Peterson

“	Marissa came to me and I think she’s seen the light. Aras and Francesca are thick as thieves, that duo is never getting broken up unless someone breaks them up. We have three people willing to vote Aras out. One more and this game totally changes. Don’t count the Shii Devil out yet folks, she’s going in for the kill!	”
–Shii Ann Huang

The six remaining castaways sat around enjoying a small meal of clams. They were going to need all the strength they need for the upcoming immunity challenge today.

“Come on in guys!” Jeff Probst called out. It was time for the immunity challenge, and it was more important to win now than ever. Today’s challenge, castaways would use their hands and feet to cling on to small rungs of a pole where they must hang on for as long as they can. Once a castaway hits the ground, they’re out. Last castaway remaining on their pole, wins immunity, guaranteed a one in five shot a million bucks!

“SURVIVORS READY? GO!”

“The six castaways began gripping the pole to the best of their ability. The game was on, the pain was only going to get worse.

The girls, most of whom had smaller feet began to wedge their feet into the small divet into the pole, as well as Yau-Man, given his much smaller frame. While Pete and Aras were gripping onto the pole with their bruiting biceps; Pete focused on using his arms, while Aras tied his feet together around the pole to reduce the strength on his arms.

Thirty minutes in the pain started to set in. Pete began climbing down the pole to find a better grip, while Francesca had slowly worked her way down to the lower rungs as her feet were beginning to sting.

“My feet are so numb right now,” Francesca said, taking turns shifting her feet back and forth to let them free.

Yau-Man, Shii Ann and Marissa still held strong at the top of the pole, showing little signs of movement. Aras continued his stance, despite shaking every once and a while.

Another thirty minutes passed before Francesca bowed out of the challenge taking a seat on the bench. Aras began to shake more and more, as did Pete, his biceps beginning to give out, forcing him to rely on his feet, moving him to the bottom of the pole.

Eighteen minutes later, Pete’s feet could no longer withstand the pain of the tiny wedge into the pole he very quickly dropped. Four were left.

Shii Ann, Yau-Man and Marissa held very steady, while Aras began to shake more and more.

“Hold strong everyone,” Francesca said, mainly trying to encourage her friend to hold steady.

Another hour and a half passed, Aras slid down the pole further, just two rungs from the bottom pole. Shii Ann and Marissa held strong, while Yau-Man was beginning to shake as well. Out of nowhere, Yau-man extended one foot of the pole, causing him to lose his footing and sharply slide down to the bottom.

“Ouch!” Pete cried from the bench.

Yau-Man was out of the challenge.

“Do not worry! This is what happens, when you do not have control of your center of gravity! It is very important to keep that in mind when adjusting your position,” Yau-Man explained to the rest of the castaways.

Francesca and Pete laughed and slid down to offer him a seat on the bench.

It was down to three – Shii Ann and Marissa who still remained at the very top, with little sign of movement, while Aras was struggling to hang on much longer.

The castaways had been standing there for four hours. Aras was gassed out, sweat was dripping down his face, the veins in his muscles were incredibly distinct, he squirmed every few seconds, trying to find a comfortable position, but the more he moved, the more energy he seemed to exert.

“AHHH!” Aras shouted, trying to relieve some pain through screaming.

Shii Ann smiled, she knew it was only a matter of time.

“You’re doing amazing, Aras,” Francesca cheered from the sidelines. “Stay strong!”

“AHHH!” Aras let out another scream, but unfortunately it was his last.

Aras had dropped.

Someone new was going to win immunity tonight. It was down to Marissa and Shii Ann, neither of whom showed much struggle.

“What are we gonna do Shii?” Marissa asked.

“I’m flexible,” Shii Ann said, as she coyly wrapped her feet around the pole, then unwrapped them, trying to show off.

“I’ve still got fight left in me,” Marissa insisted.

“I do too,” Shii Ann smiled.

“I really want this,” Marissa said, raising her eyebrow to Shii Ann.

“I do too,” Shii Ann said.

“I just need to feel safe in this game,” Marissa said, trying to emphasize the importance that she be safe this round.

“I hear you,” Shii Ann said, fully understanding what she meant.

“So?” Marissa said, growing impatient, her feet starting to grow more agonizingly painful, causing her to grip the pole harder.

“What’s a Shii Devil to do?” Shii Ann whispered to herself. If she let Marissa win she could cement her trust, but if she held on, she could win immunity, she could actually be safe.

Shii Ann slowly began to climb down the pole, she wasn’t sure what she was going to do, but she would have to decide.

“It just all hit me,” Shii Ann said, trying to play it off like she was struggling.

“Four hours of this is no f**king joke,” Marissa said, slowly inching her way down.

“Am I going home tonight?” Shii Ann asked, looking to Marissa and to the rest of the castaways on the bench.

“You’re good, trust me,” Marissa said, urging her allies to back her up.

“Shii, you’re fine,” Francesca smiled.

“I got you,” Marissa mouthed to Shii Ann.

Shii Ann smiled and dropped to the ground, that was it.

“JUST LIKE THAT, MARISSA WINS IMMUNITY!”

“YES!” Marissa jumped up and down and cheered as she walked over to Jeff to receive the necklace.

“	After being so paranoid about everything the past couple of days, it was so reassuring to just get this immunity and know that no matter what happens tomorrow night. I still have three more days to fix it. Also, knowing I have it…and some people don’t…that gives me a whole lot more to think about!	”
–Marissa Peterson

The six remaining castaways returned to camp, Marissa and Shii Ann hugged it out for lasting so long and fighting it out until the end.

“I’m just going to lay here the rest of the day. I am done,” Marissa said, plopping herself down in the shelter and laying down.

Aras Baskauskas, however, was not that comfortable. It was the first time he had been vulnerable to be voted out since Day 6 and he was feeling the pressure now more than ever. If there was ever a time for him to be in danger, it was now.

“	I’m really nervous about tomorrow’s vote. For the first time in a long time, I don’t have immunity. I think it’s late enough in the game where people realize I’m a big threat and there proably aren’t going to be many more times to get rid of me which is really scary. I’m lucky in that I have an alliance, which feasibly could keep me safe tonight. But will they? I don’t know. That’s the thing, just because people say they’re going to keep you, doesn’t mean anything.	”
–Aras Baskauskas

Aras crawled into the shelter where the four members of the “in” alliance were meeting up after the challenge to confirm their plan for tonight. It was very important for Aras to know that he was going to be safe given his vulnerable position at tonight’s tribal council.

“So, what’s our take on the vote tomorrow?” Aras asked, getting nervous about the upcoming vote.

“Well, there’s still four of us, and Marissa is immune, so we should be good,” Francesca said, looking directly at Aras to try and ground him.

“All of us have worked together at some point or another except Pete. I think it would be smartest for us to vote him out and have one of us five win the game. We have worked very hard and I think we deserve it,” Yau-Man said.

“I totally agree, plus Pete is a big threat in any kind of challenge,” Aras agreed.

“I’m totally ok with Pete,” Francesca said.

“Plus he’s such an asshole about everything anyway, good riddance,” Marissa added on, expressing her disgust of Pete.

“	Pete is the biggest obstacle to me reaching the end game. If he is gone, I will have a lot of options to get to the end and many of my friends will be the most loyal to me, which creates many paths to the end for me. That is what I want, so I will have to fight for that even if it may upset my friend Shii Ann.	”
–Yau-Man Chan

“So Pete is tonight, that’s the plan?” Aras asked.

“Yep,” Francesca said.

“Alright can we just shake and agree that’s what we’re going to do?” Aras asked.

“Absolutely, I’m with everyone,” Francesca said.

“Me too,” Yau-Man chimed in after.

“Me as well,” Marissa said, last, still unsure about making such a promise.

“	I’m in an awkward spot. Aras certainly expects my loyalty, but he’s a huge threat. There aren’t going to be many chances to get rid of him and now is my chance to do exactly that. I don’t know how much longer I can justify keeping him here…I feel like my hand was forced and I had to give my word. Am I sure that’s what I want to do though? Hell no. Hell F**king no.	”
–Marissa Peterson

“	It’s so important everyone is on the same page with voting out Pete tomorrow. I’m very much aware my name is being thrown out there. I’m very much aware that Pete and Shii Ann are going to be campaigning hard to get me out, and I know that I’ve played a game that makes me a target for this sort of thing. It’s going to be a long 24 hours…I really don’t know if I’m going to make it. All I can do is keep doing what I’ve been doing.	”
–Aras Baskauskas

Day 33[]

Marissa Peterson hastened her way through the Vietnamese jungle, she had to act fast and be unseen, because she was going to meet up to discuss a plan that was very much against what her alliance wanted. The thought of taking out Aras had been weighing on her mind for quite some time. So, early the next morning, Marissa went out to meet Shii Ann and Pete to talk about the plan.

“Are we good?” Marissa said, looking around to make sure they hadn’t been spotted.

“I think we’re ok,” Pete said confidently.

“Good, let’s try and make this quick,” Shii Ann smiled.

“So, Aras?” Marissa asked.

“Duh,” Pete said.

“It’s not who we vote for, it’s how are we going to get Yau-Man to side with us?” Marissa asked.

“Well, that’s not my job, you two have the relationship with him, not me,” Pete said.

“I hate to validate him for being a lazy piece of shit, but he’s right,” Marissa said, rolling her eyes.

Shii Ann nodded.

“	The beauty of my game is I don’t have to go out of my way to make things happen. I don’t scramble or act all paranoid and obsessive. That gets you voted out. I stay cool, calm under pressure and let the people who want to make moves work it out, because when things go right, I’ll still be here, when things go wrong, they’ll be taking the fall for me. That’s exactly how it should be!	”
–Pete Yurkowski

“I mean no offense, but he trusts me more than you at this point just with voting. So I think It’s best that I try and convince him,” Marissa said.

Shii Ann nodded.

“I’ve been working like crazy to get him to realize he’s in trouble, but he hasn’t been receptive, so by all means go for it,” Shii Ann smiled.

“I’ll let you know how it goes,” Marissa said.

“If he isn’t budging let me know and I’ll back you up. It might help if we both let him know we’re with him and we’re down to do this,” Shii Ann added.

“Look at you girls working together,” Pete teased.

“Just say thank you and shut your mouth,” Marissa said, annoyed with the young model’s snark.

Pete threw his hands up and slowly backed away from the girls.

“I’ll go take care of that,” Marissa smiled.

“	It is so important that I get Yau-Man to vote with Pete, Shii Ann, and myself tonight. We need a solid majority to make this plan happen and if Yau-Man isn’t on board, we’re going to rocks which could send a really good ally of mine home instead of a threat like Aras…or even Pete.	”
–Marissa Peterson

Marissa Peterson emerged from the jungle alone, wanting to make sure she kept her distance from Shii Ann and Pete who hung back. Marissa walked over and found Yau-Man Chan feeding the fire, trying to make sure it would last through the morning and into the afternoon.

“Would you like to go for a walk?” Marissa asked.

Yau-Man smiled and nodded.

“Let me throw this stick on the fire, and we’ll be able to go,” Yau-Man said, doing exactly as he said and walking over to Marissa.

“How are you this morning?” Marissa asked as they began walking down the beach toward the ocean line.

“I’m doing very well, thank you. Today is a big day, soon there will only be five of us,” Yau-Man cheered.

“I am very happy with that, I can’t believe I’ve made it so far,” Marissa smiled.

“I am incredibly proud of you. You have been playing such a smart, strong game. You really showed everyone that you are much more than what they thought,” Yau-Man said sincerely.

Marissa faintly smiled, “Thank you,” Marissa said softly, truly touched by her friend and ally’s words. “You too Yau-Man, I know you’re sort of a pro at this, but you are older than anyone out here and you have kicked some serious ass – not just the challenges, but the game too.”

“Thank you,” Yau-Man said sweetly.

“That being said, where do you feel you stand right now?” Marissa asked.

“I think you and I are in a great position. We are nobody’s target and that is a great spot to be in,” Yau-Man smiled.

“I definitely agree. I feel like we’re right in the middle,” Marissa said.

“Exactly,” Yau-Man said, eagerly nodding along.

“So, here’s the thing though. If we want to ride the middle and get to the end, we can’t have Aras be here to win all these challenges. Him and Francesca could ride this all the way out to the end,” Marissa said concerned.

“I understand that you are worried, Aras is a very strong player,” Yau-Man said, trying to validate the student’s thoughts.

“Exactly. Which is why I think it would be best if we went with Shii Ann and Pete and voted him out tonight,” Marissa insisted.

Yau-Man paused. Stopped, then turn around and began walking the other way, back toward the camp. “The thing is, we do not need Pete to do that. Aras is not as big of a threat as you think he is. He is a threat, but he isn’t unbeatable,” Yau-Man said.

“He lasted four hours in that challenge today,” Marissa protested.

“You outlasted him,” Yau-Man said.

“That’s not a guarantee in the future though. I don’t know how many chances we’ll get. We have a shot, we should take it now!” Marissa pleaded.

Yau-Man was silent, he just stood thinking.

“What do you say?” An exasperated Marissa said.

“I do not think we need Pete for this plan. I do not trust Pete to be loyal to you or to me. Pete is also very strong,” Yau-Man said.

“Pete hasn’t won anything!” Marissa said.

“Because Aras is here,” Yau-Man pointed out.

“Pete is easy to beat, Aras isn’t. Aras is smart, Pete isn’t,” Marissa continued to insist.

“I think both will have to go at some point. I trust you and am telling you this. Do not make a move too early. Timing is very important,” Yau-Man advised his young ally.

“Timing is important, and I’d rather take my shot now and do it then to never get another shot,” Marissa said.

“	Marissa is a very smart girl, but she is very young. She wants to make the big move again and show just how powerful she can be and she wants to make the game exciting. However, big isn’t always good. Aras is loyal, if Aras wins he will keep her safe. Pete could turn on her at anytime, she cannot trust him. If you keep people you cannot trust, that is dangerous. Especially after you make a big move to keep them.	”
–Yau-Man Chan

The two began walking back to camp when Shii Ann caught sight of the two walking back. Marissa shot a glance at Shii Ann motioning for her to come down as soon as she could. Yau-Man was not on board with their plan and it was going to take a group effort to get them to work together.

“Hello you two, what’s going on?” Shii Ann asked.

“We’re just talking about the vote tonight,” Marissa said, raising an eyebrow.

“What’re you all thinking?” Shii Ann asked.

“I was just saying how this might be a good time for us to use Pete to get rid of Aras,” Marissa said.

“I agree,” Shii Ann said.

“We’re both on the same page with this, Yau-Man,” Marissa said, smiling and showing solidarity with the attorney.

“We can take control of this game tonight,” Shii Ann insisted.

“We don’t need Pete to do that,” Yau-Man said.

“We don’t need Aras here to be in control either though,” Shii Ann said.

“We have a chance to take out our BIGGEST threat in the game. I just think we should really think about it. We might not have many more chances,” Marissa added.

“You have to have faith that we will. Patience is a virtue,” Yau-Man advised.

“I’ve been patient. It’s Day 33, there isn’t much time left. There aren’t many votes left. Do you want to run the risk of him winning his way to the end?” Shii Ann asked.

“Mathematically that’s improbable. What is more probable is that Pete may try and turn against me or Marissa or maybe even you at some point should we keep him. He is a wildcard who has no loyalty to anyone of us,” Yau-Man insisted.

“Yau-Man, please. I don’t trust Aras either, the only person he cares about out here is himself…and Franny because she’s doing whatever she can to help him get to the end. He doesn’t care about us either,” Marissa insisted.

“When has Aras ever saved any of us?” Shii Ann asked.

“Your very first Tribal Council,” Yau-Man said.

“That was you though,” Shii Ann said.

“Aras was loyal to you,” Yau-Man insisted. “When was Pete? He threatened you!”

“He saved me too though. I very well could’ve gone home, but he looked out for me. He doesn’t screw his allies over. R.C. wasn’t his ally, that was his rival, there’s a difference,” Shii Ann insisted.

“Aras didn’t even screw over his rival.” Yau-Man said.

“Yau-Man, please, we need to do this. Pete can go next for all I care, I just want to see Aras go,” Marissa pleaded.

“I will think about it,” Yau-Man said. “Though, I do not think it is best for our games. I want us to do well. I just do not know if this is the path we should take for us to succeed in this game.”

“	Yau-Man is really hesitant about making this move. Trust and loyalty are really nice things to have, but out here, we’re playing for a lot of money and it’s way too close to the end of the game to let someone being your friend affect your chance at winning a million dollars. Yau-Man has to realize he’s going to have to do it at some point or another. We need to take this shot!	”
–Shii Ann Huang

“	Marissa and Shii Ann are very passionate about voting Aras out which worries me. Aras is a loyal ally and number on our side. There is a right place and time to do everything and I hope they will see that. I want what is best for them, I want what is best for me. What’s best for us is to vote out Pete tonight…but if it’s about loyalty, and sticking together…maybe it might be best that I vote for Aras.	”
–Yau-Man Chan

Aras Baskauskas was watching the scrambling happening from afar. He’d awoken from the shelter not too long ago and from the moment he opened his eyes he could not stop looking at the action going down on the beach. The scrambling was happening, he knew what it looked like and he wasn’t apart of it. The fear of him having his torch snuffed tonight was becoming more real.

“	I wake up and what do I see? Shii Ann down on the beach talking very passionately with Marissa and Yau-Man. If they flip, my chances of staying here are over. This is everything I worried about. I’ve been living in this safety bubble wearing the necklace for so long, but now the game is really real for me and I have to put a stop to the scrambling before it puts a stop to me.	”
–Aras Baskauskas

Aras emerged out of the shelter and very quickly began pacing around the beach, wondering what the best course of action for him might be.

He looked over to Pete who was grinning over by the fire.

“What’s up?” Aras asked, trying to see if he could suss any information out of him.

“Just relaxing, having fun,” Pete said slyly, knowing his calm demeanor was only increasing the paranoia of the yoga instructor.

Aras took a deep breath, trying to ground himself.

“Do you know anything about what’s going on down there?” Aras asked, his tone more serious than he’s ever been.

“Oh yeah, they’re talking about getting rid of you,” Pete said bluntly, smiling directly at Aras as he did so.

“Seriously?” Aras said the paranoia and worry growing on his face by the second.

“Yeah, you’re going home,” Pete snickered.

Aras shook his head and walked away, he had to find Francesca. They had to do something!

“Happy scrambling,” Pete said, laying back and laughing at the paranoia he just caused.

“	Aras is worried. That dude woke up and he hasn’t taken a single breath. He’s freaked out and that freaks everyone out. So what am I going to do? I’m going to feed the fire, I’m going to tell him exactly what he’s afraid of hearing, because that’s going to drive him crazy. The crazier he gets, the more desperate he looks, which just makes them want to get rid of him even more. Me? I’m cool, I’m chill, I’m easy to work with.	”
–Pete Yurkowski

“	Pete basically confirmed everything I was afraid of in the most smug way possible. It just makes me sick to think my game could be over before someone that arrogant. This isn’t over though. I still have time to change things. I have to talk to Franny, we need to make a plan, and see if somehow, someway, I can turn this around. I’m not going down without a fight. I’ve got too much riding on this.	”
–Aras Baskauskas

Aras ran to the shady spot on the other side of the shelter where Francesca was attempting to cool off after going on a water run this morning.

“Fran?” Aras said apprehensively.

“What’s up?” Fran asked.

“It’s happening. Yau and Marissa might be flipping,” Aras blurted out.

“What? How do you know this? What’s happening,” Francesca said, immediately standing up.

“They’re down by the water talking to Shii Ann right now. I walked by Pete and he was like ‘Oh yeah, we’re all voting to get rid of you tonight.’”

“He’s such an ass. Are you sure he’s not just getting in your head though?” Francesca asked.

“Fran, I know I’m paranoid as all hell right now, but I’m confident they’re at least considering it,” Aras said.

“Then we need to go break that up together,” Francesca said.

“Let’s go,” Aras said, pacing down the beach toward their allies.

“	I don’t really consider myself an incredibly aggressive person, but my blood is just boiling right now. I’ve never really felt like my life was on the line in this game like I do now. The pressure is really on and I’m willing to do whatever and say whatever in order to get through this vote. I’m ready to play and I’m going to play hard.	”
–Aras Baskauskas

“Hey guys,” Aras said, trying to put a smile on for his alliance.

“Great,” Marissa muttered to Shii Ann, turning away to roll her eyes.

“Yau-Man and Marissa, do you mind if we talk to you for a second?” Francesca asked sweetly.

Yau-Man smiled and nodded.

“Sure,” Marissa said, trying not to sound too bitter.

“Have fun with your little alliance chat, y’all,” Shii Ann smiled, walking away.

“What’s up?” Marissa asked.

“Forgive me, I’m just a little paranoid about the vote tonight, and I just wanted to know if Shii Ann brought my name up?” Aras asked, clearly expressing concern for his own safety.

“I mean, she was throwing out a lot of scenarios,” Marissa said, avoiding eye contact, trying not to explicitly lie.

“She was, but do not worry Aras, we support you,” Yau-Man smiled, trying to coerce Marissa back into the alliance.

Marissa gritted her teeth, trying to force that into a smile.

“Please, guys, just know I am absolutely loyal to this group. I want this to be the final four, and I really want us all to have a shot at this. You’re all great people and I will fight for this group. I know I win a lot of challenges, but I’m winning so people can’t win and I know that’s scary, but I’ve really put myself out there for this group, because I want us all to get there,” Aras pleaded.

“Aras, you’ve done so much for us. I’m happy to stand by you tonight,” Francesca smiled.

“I agree,” Yau-Man said, smiling and looking to Marissa.

“Yeah, me three,” Marissa chimed in.

“	I’ve said all that needs to be said at this point, I’ve spoken my peace and given all I can give. If I go at this point, it’s just a matter of being too threatening. There’s nothing I can do to change that…I’ll either go home or go forward and I’ll be even more threatening. If this isn’t the end for me, it’s going to be the end for everyone else.	”
–Aras Baskauskas

Yau-Man Chan and Marissa Peterson met one last time before Tribal Council. They were going to try and get on the same page one last time.

“So, what are you thinking?” Marissa asked apprehensively.

“I think it’s best we wait,” Yau-Man said.

“Yau,” Marissa shouted, exasperated by this continuous advice.

“It’s best for all of us. Shii Ann too, I promise,” Yau-Man said.

“He is going to win if he stays here,” Marissa protested.

“Believe you can beat him again. We can, you just have to believe,” Yau-Man insisted.

“Yau-Man, I just want to make the easiest path for myself to the end and I think this is it,” Marissa said.

“I want that too, it’s just the path we disagree on,” Yau-Man said calmly.

“What do we do? What do we do?” Marissa said, first to Yau-Man, then to herself.

“	Tonight is a very important vote, because whoever is still here will define the end game. I hope the people I have put my trust in and have put their trust in me are here so it can be easiest for me to move forward. It is a very selfish game here and I want to make sure my allies are safe at all costs.	”
–Yau-Man Chan

“	I’m so confused, frustrated and paranoid…and I have immunity around my neck! Aras is a HUGE threat, not just in challenges, but this whole game. He’s so good at it, he’s got great alliances. He’s so great even Yau-Man won’t turn on him even though it’s in his best interest to. So, what do I do? Do I just lay down and let him stay and trust Yau and Franny will take care of me? Or do I stand up and fight and try and force something to happen? I just want this money, I want to win, I want to redeem myself and prove something to me. I just want to do what’s best for me to get that money…I just wish it was easier to see what that was.	”
–Marissa Peterson

It was judgement day. Two alpha males had been courting votes for days on end and it was time to see who was going to survive tonight’s tribal council. One by one castaways went to vote. Not one person confident of what the outcome might be.

“Once the votes are read the decision is final, person voted out will be asked to leave the Tribal Council Area immediately. I’ll read the votes.”

“First vote…”

“Pete,” Aras was hoping the model would regret his cocky attitude.

“Aras,” Pete was firing back, he wasn’t going down without a fight.

“Pete,” Francesca stood by her closest friend and ally.

“Aras,” Shii Ann did the same with her ally.

“That’s 2 votes Aras, 2 votes Pete, 2 votes left.”

“Next vote…”

“Pete,” Yau-Man stayed true to his alliance and his ideals…it all came down to Marissa.

“Last vote…”

“Aras,” Marissa had flipped.

Francesca and Aras shook their head in disappointment at the results.

Pete and Shii Ann smiled a smug grin to one another upon seeing the last vote.

“We have a tie,” Jeff Probst announced.

The two castaways who received votes would not vote. The remaining four castaways would vote again. Before the vote both Aras and Pete would be given a chance to speak their peace as to why they should stay. If the vote was still tied after the vote, they would go to rocks, and one of the four votes would go home.

Pete was up first…

“One of us won two immunities in a row and has been safe for a long-ass time in this game, the other is me. I think you all can make the right decision,” Pete said bluntly. Short and sweet.

Aras was next… “Ok, well, Marissa, I understand what you did…trust me. I really do, I understand that. However, I want you to know in doing this you cannot trust Pete. He blatantly through you under the bus this morning, and I mean that. So, when I came down to the beach today, it was because he TOLD ME that you were flipping and you were plotting against me down there. He spoiled your plan just to watch me squirm. That guy isn’t looking out for you. He isn’t loyal and he’s still the snake you knew before. I know it’s hard for you to switch, but you didn’t know what happened. I should’ve told you and if you flip, then know that I won’t hold this against you. Let’s just move forward please,” Aras pleaded passionately.

“Did you tell him that?” Marissa asked bluntly, confronting Pete.

“That doesn’t sound like me does it?” Pete said, unable to wash the smirk from his face.

“It sounds exactly like you. So own it, or roll out,” Marissa snapped.

“You were strategizing in broad day light. He saw it with his own eyes. I didn’t say anything,” Pete denied.

Marissa raised her eyebrow.

“Seriously,” Pete said.

“Ugh,” Marissa said rolling her eyes.

It was time to vote. It was up to Marissa to decide what she was going to do. Did Pete throw her under the bus? Was it worth switching her vote again because of it? What was she going to do?

“I’ll go tally the votes again…”

“First vote…”

“Pete,” Francesca stayed true to her ally.

“Aras,” Shii Ann did the same.

“Pete,” Yau-Man stayed true to his ally, hoping Marissa would follow suit…

“Last vote…”

“11th Person Voted out of Survivor: Vietnam – Rivals and the fourth member of our jury…”

“Pete,” Marissa had flipped once again. She knew Pete’s word wasn’t good and that was a deal breaker.

“So flaky,” Pete snickered to Marissa, grabbing his torch and walking over to Jeff.

“Pete, the tribe has spoken. It’s time for you to go.”

Pete was gone. An alliance that had once stood strong together and vowed to take over the game had made it to the final five, but it wasn’t the solid, loyal, together final five they had intended it to be. Alliances were all over the place. Loyalties had been broken, mended, broken again and mended again, but on the path to the end, many more friendships were going to have to be broken.

Tribal Council[]

Tribal Council 11 Vang
First Vote (Tie)		Revote (Aras & Pete ineligible to vote)
Voted Against	Voter	Voted Against	Voter
Pete (3 votes)	Aras, Francesca,& Yau-Man	Pete (3 votes)	Franacesca, Marissa, & Yau-Man
Aras (3 votes)	Marissa, Pete, & Shii Ann	Aras (1 vote)	Shii Ann
ELIMINATED: Pete Yurkowski