Elimination Ceremony 8

"Welcome, welcome.... welcome everyone." Peng said slowly. "We are about to have the 8th elimination ceremony... of the season... any minute now..." he looked at his watch and shook his head disapprovingly.

The 7 nervous faces looked around. They were puzzled, not only did they wonder why Peng was stalling, but also why they were at the ceremony later than usual.

"...So I hope everyone had an interesting valentines day..." Peng said followed by a sigh.

Mat busted through the doors accross the deck and trampled his way towards the crowd, "SORRY I'M LATE EVERYBODY!!" he yelled.

"I apologize... Let's now get down to business." Peng said as Mat crouched down to catch his breath. "Sadly, only 6 of you guys will continue to compete as a contestant in CPSkool Forever. I know the wait is agonizing, so I won't make you guys squirm an longer. Andre, as challenge winner, you are safe." Peng said.

Andre nodded as if he were accepting his victory in the challenge. Lewis turned around at Andre and winked."

"Lewis, you too are safe from elimination." Peng said behind a smile.

A few of the contestants clapped, Spoil rolled her eyes, and Lewis grinned. His success in almost winning the challenge made him very deserving to stay in the competition.

"Bumble, Andy, and Wii... you guys, as always, are safe this week." The 3 of them were not as nervous as one would expect, they've actually dodged the chopping block every single week in this competition.

"Drake... Spoil... sadly one of you will not remain in the competition with us." Peng said.

Spoil looked like she was about to smother in anxiety. She knew that she was going to be picked off just like the 2 previous girls... She wiped the sweat from her forehead and looked straight at Mat... she planned on being eliminated with dignity.

Drake too looked visibly nervous. He has been on the chopping block more than any contestant in the season, could this finally be the end of the road for him? Would his old team-mates vote him off?

"One of you got a single vote... and the other got 6." Peng said with a nervous glance at both of them. He breathed in deeply.

Sand and GK were nearly out of their seats, trying to catch every word as it was said.

Mat's feeling of embarrassment from being late was replaced by a sad feeling deep down. Drake and Spoil were both his friends and both have fought very hard in the competition.

Drake.

or Spoil.

One stays, one goes.

Drake sighed heavily because every second that passed was excruciating.

Spoil clutched her flippers together, prepared to accept her defeat.

...

"Drake... I am sorry but you got the most votes... and will be leaving us." Peng said.

Spoil could not contain her shock... She had counted herself out before her game even ended... She was in the top 6.

There was silence for nearly 30 seconds... nobody knew what to say. But Drake broke it as he whelped, nobody knew what to do to make him feel comforted. He didn't know what to think...

Mat climbed on the stage, grabbed the mic, and said "Drake, listen to me. You have done very well this season... just take a look around... notice the 6 penguins sitting around you... you made it pretty far! 7th place is not at all a failure, it is easily an accomplishment! In our history some very memorable players have taken this spot... Their names are Hedgehog 14 and Penny Mickey."

Drake took in Mat's words... They were reassuring but still did not change the fact that his adventure was over. He exchanged hugs with each of the penguins on board, slowly went down to his room, and packed his bags. When he walked out onto the pool deck he took a notice of the especially brighter sunset sky.

The helicopter landed on the ship, and Drake climbed on board. Peng and Mat both had a word with him just moments before it lifted off the deck and flew off into the distance.

The contestants waved good-bye... and said nothing.

_______________________________________

Drake, you join Lion and Powder as the 3rd member of the CPSkool Forever Jury! You will have partial responsibility for choosing the winner. See ya in the finals! We hope you enjoyed this experience and I truly hope you have no regrets. Be proud of yourself!

Any last words for our dear friend?

-Matbolabc