DISCLAIMER:

Because it's Valentine's Day, I decide to make something special, so I write my first one-shot, it is not exactly a romantic fic, but I like the result.

The fic is very different than my other works, first is in first person POV, not third person. For that reason, it is an unreliable narrator.

Also a BIG HUG to my Editor, who give me this wonderful cover for my story, and other BIG HUG to Kika-Ila, the great artist who made the cover, you people are great, many thanks for this.

Total Drama belongs to Fresh TV and his creators and distributors. I don't own anything from the properties used in this fic.

I miss you

Another ship, another island, the same rotten show as always, whatever, itֹ's better than my time on the pen. The breeze blowing on my face refreshes me, making my smoke taste better. After the 'incident' with McLean's cottage, I was accused of mischief, and thanks to my lawyer spent only 6 months in the big house. I would love to see McLean's face after they release me.

But even if the crown set me free, I'm contractually forced to participate in this season. Not that I care, even if I was not obligated, I would come.

And here I am, I look around the boat, it's me and some lame pretty boy, he had a dirty blond pompadour and dresses like McLean if he was younger and a hipster. A full boat for only two campers, what a waste of fuel and money, just as always.

I finish my smoke and throw the butt into the lake. It's supposed to be my last until I go out of the island, as it's forbidden to smoke on TV. I try to don't think about it and focus on my objective, the real reason I came back to this mess, Princess.

During my months in jail, I had time to think, a lot of time to think, and I realize all the damage I did her, well I don't realize it alone, but I realize it, she became so bitter and vindictive, she was nothing like the uptight CIT I knew in that summer 3 years ago, and that is another of my crimes, the worst one.

So here I am, I will confront my past and help us reach closure. I sound like Gwen, but I come back for her, to help her heal. I met with Gwen some months ago, and we got closure, I need to do the same with princess if both want to keep going.

I see the harbor and lift the black sack with my crap over my shoulder, as we came closer, I hear the despiteful and happy voice of McLean, it's time to make my entrance.

"And next for the favorites team, out of jail, bulkier and ruder, our resident delinquent, Duncan!" said McLean smiling, as he opens his arms to hug me.

"Don't even think so," I reply, glaring at him.

"Someone became bitter in jail, eh? Don't try to hard to be the bad boy, now go and meet with your teammates," McLean said, pointing at the other side of the harbor.

"Bite me," I said as I go with my 'team.'

I was surprised, my 4 teammates were Beth, Alejandro, Cameron, and Zoey, what the hell Total Drama? There are no more people to call? I hate Al and never talk with Cameron, at least Zoey is a friendly face.

And Beth, well I haven't seen her in years, she now uses the hair longer, a green blouse with long sleeves, her pink trousers and one of those modern sports glasses, but she still acts as always, smiling happily and enthusiastic.

"Duncan, I am so happy you made it!" She shouts and jumps on me, I drop my sack and hug her. Can someone remind me when we became close friends?

"Yo Beth, it's been a while," I reply, a bit more coldly that I intended. Zoey also runs to my side and greet me.

Then I see the other team, "What with the freak show?" I say absent-minded, I didn't know anyone, there was a military guy dressed in camouflage pants and a tank top, two blonde twin cheerleaders and a short guy with a big head and purple hair. Scratch what I said, I prefer Total Drama inviting the same people over and over than open auditions to new ones.

"Hello Duncan," say Zoey "they are the fans team, Brick is a friend from our generation who will help them, the rest are members of the 3rd generation, or at least that was what Chris said," Zoey smiles, she hasn't changed, tender, kind, and a little klutz, why is she answering my rhetorical question?

"Oh, and nice tattoos," she adds, looking at my arms.

While in the big house, there is not much to do, so I began to make these flame tattoos on my arms, and after I was released, I finished them.

"Pretty cool, eh? I make them myself," I said, smirking, the redhead and the farm girl smile back at me listening to my story, maybe it will be a good team.

"Please, shut up, I am trying to run a show here," said McLean trying to introduce the next victim.

I shrug, I can always tell them the story of my tattoos at another time, so I go and stand near Alejandro. He greets me, calling me bromigo or something. I nod but don't pay much attention to what he says.

I'm trying to play cool and look disinterested, but honestly, I am nervous, Courtney was not here, what if she is not in the show? Why the heck I am here? Gwen, this plan of yours of coming back to fix things with someone else competing on the season has more holes than a salt shaker. I need a smoke now but is forbidden, this will be a long day.

The victims were coming one after another, the pretty boy that was in the boat is part of the other team, his name is Topher. For our team the next member is Heather, (really?) she ignores me, but also ignores Alejandro, trouble in paradise? Whatever, I don't care, I have enough with my own problems.

The next one in the freak show team is TALL, what the hell? Does she really is younger than me? Her name is Jasmine but it's more like Jasilla, and the next one in my team is Sha-Loud. It seems that they are bringing back every one of my past teammates, except the ones I want to be here.

Now for the rival team comes a pretty normal, maybe a little short, native-Canadian girl, nice body, definitely a sportswoman, her name is Sky, after she was Mike, I can't stop glaring at him, the guy is smiling sheepishly and looking to Zoey. I heard Mal disappeared, and I don't buy it, but Zoey is my friend, so I will only watch him, at least for now.

As I was glaring at spikey hair, McLean introduce another member of the freak show, he looks like a stoner, disheveled hair, some beard, thin, orange vest, green torque, you usually don't look twice at this kind on the street.

But something I learn in jail is to observe, and this guy was alert ALL the time, never letting his guard down as if he was afraid of something. He is paranoic, or dangerous, or maybe both. Or perhaps I am the paranoic, and he is just a stoner, whatever. I didn't catch his name

"These 2 teams will be competing to win 1,000,000 dollars in the new season of Total Drama, Tyranny of the Masses!" said McLean in a theatrical and loud voice.

Did I say a long day? It will be 8 long weeks! I came back only to talk with Princess, and surprise, this is the only freaking season she is not in. Fuck my luck.

"But Owen and Gwen are not here," said Beth raising a hand.

"Why the weird goth should be here?" asked Heather frowning. I was also curious, it would be nice to see Gwen here.

"Because if you look carefully, our team is formed by the winners and runner ups of the first 5 seasons, except Owen And Gwen," said Beth, and she's right. How is that she always pay attention to these useless details?

"Ok, silence, let me explain all about this season before asking questions," said McLean scowling at Beth.

"As Beth said, team A is the Favorite Foxes. They are our beloved winners of the firsts seasons. Team B is the Fan Ferrets, a team formed by the best of the newbies in season 6 with the help of a FAN favorite of a previous season," said McLean with his stupid grin and walking near to a monitor.

"And as you hear I make emphasis on the FAN part because this season the theme is Fans vs. Favorites, our loved and loyal fans will be part of this season, their voice will be heard, and they will have more importance in the season than ever, they are the masters. Therefore this season is Tyranny of the Masses," explained McLean enjoying himself.

I feel my jaw drop, and was not the only one, every one of us was surprised, this is the most stupid idea he ever had.

"But Chris, there are millions of fans out there. It would be a monumental task to hear all of their opinions, even for you," said Topher, even for you, really? Talk about ass-kissing.

"Hehehe, that's true Topher, but that's the reason why we will use this," McLean presses a remote on his hand, and on the monitor appear a big computer in a room.

"Campers, this is the Drama Awesome Machine, or DAM as we fondly call it. DAM will receive all the input from our fans and process it to tell us what is what they want," said McLean raising his hands, the jerk love to put a show of everything.

"It also controls all the aspects on the Island, so don't think about hacking the island computer and trying to blow it up again," said McLean with a menacing smile and looking at me.

What? I only blow up his fancy mansion, oh and also that mountain, ok, damn, maybe I got used to blowing things during the past seasons, whatever, he can look at me.

"And exactly how will this DAM intervene on the game?" asks Alejandro stroking his chin, it's been only 2 minutes since McLean talks about the computer and he is already thinking how to take advantage of it.

"Good question Alejandro, first of all, DAM will help us to complete the teams," said McLean, NOW he has my attention, "this baby has taken all the input from the fans for the last month, and we will add 4 more members in each team.

"For the Foxes, we will include 4 fan favorites from the previous seasons, for the Ferrets, we will include 4 new campers from our loving fans who are watching the show, these 8 are already selected and are here ready to join their teams. So let's introduce them," said McLean as a new boat was stopping at the dock.

For the first time in this ridiculous season, McLean words bright my day, now I only hope those fans out there love Princess, is she a fan favorite? A bossy, whiny, obnoxious, uptight, and hot girl is fan-favorite material? I hope she is, but anyway I will find it right now.

"And the first fan favorite is the Codster, Cody," said McLean, and then from the boat came the nerd, smiling and smug walking as always. I hear he had a lot of fans on the internet, so it makes sense he is here.

"Hello everyone, ladies," said Cody with a player smile, waggling his eyebrows, then he stops looking for someone "Hey? I don't see Gwen here."

"STOP ASKING FOR GWEN!" shout McLean, scowling, "Let's continue."

"Now the next of our favorites, our former C.I.T now L.I.T, Courtney," said McLean as Princess go down from the boat, walking slowly with a cold expression on her face.

Bingo, I always love how she looks, but this time she is 20% more gorgeous, only because I was sure she was not on the show. I look at her eyes, and she looks back at me, I am smirking before I realize it, and then she . . . blanks me.

Of course, she blanks me, how could I forget about it? It's Princess, she can hold a grudge longer than anyone, talking with her will be hard, let alone that she listen, but this is what I wanted so there is no escape. She stands at the farthest point from me, next to Heather.

"The next one is her hotness herself, Lindsay," McLean continues as the dumb blond goes out of the boat.

"Hi Kyle," said Lindsay waving while walking with her luggage, then she drops her suitcase and run toward Beth, hugging her, "Oh my gosh, Beth, how are you doing?"

Wow, he really is taking back everyone, and, do I looked as sweet and sentimental hugging Beth as they seem now? Because if I looked like that, I need to punch myself in the face, sorry I mean, punch myself hard in the face.

"And last but not least, the creepy psychic, Dawn," said McLean looking at a small blonde girl, the smaller of all the campers, she comes out from the boat with a suitcase, walking with such ease that she seems floating.

That's not fair, they get the giant, and we get the midget, yes we are the favorites, but McLean is clearly helping the underdogs.

"Greeting, fellow teammates, nice to meet you," said shorty, scratch what I said, they had the giant, but we have the polite midget, now everything is all right.

"And joining the fans are this 4 newcomers: first is Jay, the 1440 flip,"

The guy is a blonde, blue-eyed guy with a blue torque, long untucked white t-shirt with a hawk skull, blue cargo pants, and a piercing on the lip. He goes down the boat skating and glaring at us, with a smug smile on his face.

I hate his type, they are so full of themselves, and what with the skateboard Tony Hawk? This is a lousy island.

"And also Charlotte, the e-sporter," continued McLean.

A smiling, black girl with black dreadlocks in a ponytail comes next, she wears a black and violet T-shirt with an icon of 'Team Conquerors,' red capris, and sandals. She waves at both teams and shows a cold and relaxed expression.

Are these really fans of the show? When I think of fans Sierra mug comes to my mind, they look more like rejects from other seasons that McLean put to fill numbers.

"The mysterious wrestler and favorite of the children, Dramaman."

The next is a tanned man with a faceless wrestler mask in red and yellow colors, he has an athletic build and is shorter than me, he wears a white tank top with the TD logo, yellow pants, and red motorcycle boots, he jumps from the boat crossing the gap to the pier, and making a pose as he lands.

Ok, I laugh, yes sorry I couldn't help it, this must score top in the freakshow score tied with the giant woman and big-headed ugly gnome, I know I look like a jerk but come on, is a masked wrestler. And now I am sure these are NOT fans of the show.

"And the last one is Lilly, the tree hugger," said Mclean presenting the fourth and last member of the new teammates.

A curvaceous young woman, as short as the athlete, with long red hair and big blue eyes wearing a white shirt with green borders, a green skirt that reaches under the knees and sandals, she seems nervous and looks like a child lost in a mall. She strolls to her team.

Really where does Mclean get these guys? I know some people criticize my hair, but these are the worst team I ever see, and I have been in 4 seasons of this circus.

"Well campers, now that the teams are completed, there are some new rules, you have cabins, but what you eat and other amenities are decided by your popularity rank, not on which team wins the challenges," said McLean, some people gasp, I don't care.

"And as this is the 7th season, DAM will be making some changes, first, on 7 challenges you will not have an elimination vote, DAM will eliminate the least popular of you who is on the loser team," said McLean with a sadistic smile, of course almost all gasped, me included, this is not gonna be fun.

"Second, 7 of the challenges will be selected by DAM based on suggestions made by the fans. Third, there will be 2 teams shuffles between the more popular fan and the least popular favorite."

"Finally, there are 3 Chris immunity Idols hidden on the island. But if you are the most popular camper at the moment of your elimination, don't worry, you are safe, but only 1 time per camper, and only for the first 7 campers eliminated in this fashion or until we get to the best 7.

"So this time you have to win and also have to appeal to the public. And don't get full of yourselves, even if you have the best breakfast you could be eliminated after the challenge, because your ranking is changing all the time as DAM receive new information," explain McLean, I hate how much he is enjoying this show.

"Wait, old man, we noobs are at a disadvantage. We can't be as popular as the classic edition," said Charlotte scowling.

"Hey, I am only in my early 30s, and don't worry about it, DAM will compensate the votes so the show is as fair as a reality show can be," said McLean laughing at his own joke, "this computer not only counts, it gives handicap based on the number of votes, and seasons you participated."

"A small side note, beware of the animals, to make this a wildlife sanctuary the island is now populated with REAL animals, that is our small effort to make this a better world, really, nothing to do with demands or taxes" added McLean.

"Those are some wonderful news," said our team midget. I can't believe someone cares about any of that crap, but why McLean explained it like that? Whatever, we will find out the hard way probably.

"So that's all, we have the first challenge tomorrow, so go ahead, talk with your teammates and prepare to be judged by the viewers, This is Total Drama: Tyranny of the masses," said McLean posing to the camera, then he sends us to our cabins.

We began to pick our stuff, Alejandro and Beth tried to talk to me, but I avoid them politely (well, not politely, but I was in a rush) and I go after Princess, who is walking ahead to her cabin, going faster as I come closer, she will not do it easy for me.

I run between the trees and jump in front of her, blocking her path, trying to look her at the eyes, it works because she at least speaks to me.

"What do you want?" she said coldly.

"I need to talk with you, alone," I said, trying to sound confident and not nervous.

"We don't have anything to talk about," she responds, pushing past me, I knew it would be hard, but I can't lose my cool.

I run and block her path again, I make an effort to not smirk.

"It's important, listen to me, after this, if you want, we will never talk again," I look at her eyes, she avoids looking at me, a bad sign.

"Just empty promises," she passed me again, I'm losing my cool, she is stubborn as always, but I will not get angry or shout. I walk in front of her a third time.

"Courtney please, I'm serious, meet me at 10 at the campsite, I will be waiting for you," this time she looks into my eyes, she is thinking about it.

"No, Duncan, wait forever, I will not meet with you," is her answer.

"I will be waiting for you," I said and walk toward my cabin.

"Didn't you hear me, I will NOT MEET WITH YOU!" she yells, now all the others are looking at us.

"I hear you, and I will be waiting," I reply, she then turns and goes with her suitcase to her cabin. I think there is a 50/50 she will come tonight, scratch that more like a 40/60 she will come. This will be much harder than I thought.

I enter the Foxes boys cabin, is a dump as the previous ones, there the other 5 have already settled, there are 4 bunks and lucky me, one of the bottom beds is free, I throw my sack there, Mike greet me timidly, and I try to answer politely, but instead sound cold-hearted. Note to self, work politeness.

I go out to walk while waiting, there is almost nobody out here, so I have enough time to look at the island, it's like the other one for sure, even the trees look the same. After a while, I only see that crazy masked guy and the stoner. As our meeting hour comes close, I stroll to the campfire.

It's 10:00 pm, I am waiting at the campsite, sitting on one stump, ignoring the cameras I put a cigarette in my mouth and start smoking, there is only me after all, is a cold night, and the campfire was blazing, a perfect night for waiting.

Time passes, slowly I start to remember the past, I was so obsessed with being the bad boy, the rebel, now I know better, I am just me, good or bad I am only Duncan, and that's is enough, fuck you rest of the world. I don't care what anyone thinks anymore, I had my crazy youth, and I make mistakes, but I don't regret anything.

That was a big fat lie, I repent of a lot of things, but as my lawyer said, there is no way to change the past, but you can change your future or something like that.

While you are in prison, you know who is there for you and who is not, who is a poser and who is the real deal. I was visited by Ma, my siblings, and also by DJ and Owen, and receive letters of Geoff, Zoey, and Malibu. It was the letter from Malibu who put on perspective all my past with Princess, beware of the nice ones, she put some serious thoughts in that letter, even said what I did to her was my worst crime.

I know Courtney is not perfect, I know better than anyone, she was uptight, possessive, obsessed with winning at any cost and had a superiority complex, but she didn't have trust issues, was not as vindicative (I like that word, Malibu put it on her letter a lot, it mean vengeful), and maybe it's my fault. Ok, it was all my fault I should have broken with her before dating Gwen, but then again, why I didn't break with her?

Well, I was planning to talk with her so when they contacted me about the 7th season, it was the perfect opportunity, and I came with this idea to gain her forgiveness, it's not a good idea, and I couldn't discuss it with anyone but is all I got, so I will try it, and if it fails, well, I don't have any fricking idea what I will do next if it fails.

It's late, the campfire is cozy, I look at the flames dancing, I play with the piercing in my tongue to not fall asleep, it's already 1:00 a.m., it seems like Princess is not coming tonight. I throw another cigarette's butt into the fire and stand to go back to my cabin. But just as I raise my eyes, she was there.

She is wearing her usual attire, grey top over a white shirt, and olive capris, the fire is reflected in her dark eyes, looking at me emotionless, I stand up forcing myself to look in her eyes and not smirk.

"Let's finish quickly with this, if it is about an alliance, forget it," she said straight to the point, same old Courtney.

"No, is not about the game, I call you to tell you that I'm sorry," FOOL, what was that Duncan? I get nervous and spill it right away, I essay this conversation so many times, and I ruin it in the first line.

"What?" she said with a shocked expression, it will be my only chance.

"I'm really sorry," I repeat, there goes nothing.

"I heard that. Exactly for what reason are you apologizing?" Princess said, I don't know if she is angry or not, but at least she is listening.

"I'm apologizing for everything, I was a dick with you, I cheated on you, ignored your feelings, and never tried to talk or apologize with you about it. I'm truly sorry, please forgive me,"

"Why? That does not make any sense, why now?" she is trembling, her hands closing on fists, I keep talking.

"Because after going to prison, real prison, I look at me in the mirror and don't like the reflection. You didn't deserve to be hurt like that."

"You, you…" she said, her voice cracking, "you are lying, after all this time you think I will believe you, NO, I cannot forgive you, Duncan, I cannot trust you," her eyes are full of hate, not that I don't deserve it, time to enact my plan.

"I understand you don't trust me, but let me try to make amends and repair some of the damage, I will give you the million dollars," now I smirk.

"You will what?" she asks, shocked.

"I will make you win this competition," I extend my hand at her, yes my plan is helping her win, as stupid as it sounds, she always wished to win.

For a moment, she seems to think about it, but I underestimate her anger, and she explodes.

"You are crazy, I will never forgive you, and I am not coming back with a lying, cheater and backstabber scum like you, even for one million or one billion," Princess shouts, she is trying to not cry, or at least she is making the same face she used to have when she was about to cry years ago.

And that hurt, I try to not show it, I was prepared for this, and I deserve it, maybe I hoped we could go back together if this went right. I was mistaken, but I will not give up on the closure thing, I try to remain composed and don't raise my voice.

"Pri- Courtney, don't get the wrong idea, my intention was not going back together. I only want for you and me be at peace and remember our relationship as a happy moment, not a mistake. Let's bury the hatchet, I don't want to fight with you every time we see each other."

"Think about it, even if you don't forgive me I will make you the winner," as I say it I began to walk to her, I need to pass her to go to the cabins, she is furious.

"I hate everything about you. You always do whatever you want, not caring about what other people think or feel. You don't care about me, you only want to be forgiven," now she is crying, her fists trembling.

"That may be true in the past, but right now I know what I am doing, and for whom, after winning this we will not talk again if it's what you want," I said it, now I only need to wait for her answer, I have to think what will be my-

It happens so fast I couldn't react, I feel her fist in my face and hear a loud sound as she connects with my cheek, the world goes upside down as I fall to the ground before feeling any pain, with the familiar taste of rusted iron in my mouth, I feel dizzy, and it began to hurts.

I can't see her, but she is still crying, I hear her sobs while I try to recover and raise my head.

"Why, why, you are a jerk, a scum, an egoistic delinquent who only thinks about himself. You cannot come back and pretend to be a better person, you cannot come back and feign that you care, that you want to mend the damage, because if you do then I … I…" she falls on her knees, crying.

I sit on the ground, right now, I don't have any idea of what is happening.

"Sorry Princess, I didn't want for this to happen, I didn't want to hurt you, really if I could go back, I would do everything differently, but I can't, I can only change what I will do from now on, I'm sorry, I'm sorry for taking so long," I said it as I hug her, the only thing I want to do is comfort her.

"Don't touch me, Duncan, if you touch me I-" she keeps crying, embraces me crying, I grab her head and let her cry until she is satisfied. Then we stay there, hugging at each other in silence.

"I miss you, ogre," she tells me, almost a whisper.

"I miss you too, princess," I answer.

Then we pull back from each other, stand and walk to the cabins, before parting she speak to me one last time.

"I still can't forgive you, or trust you," she said, without looking at me.

"Oh? I'm sure one day you will," I replied, smirking.

Like this ended the first night of the Tyranny of the Masses, I don't know if she will forgive me or not, but after this night, at least there is hope, I will make my best effort and then it's on Courtney, because if she doesn't want to forgive me, I deserve it, but at least I did all I could. Whatever, I decided to make her win, and nothing will stand on my way. Yes, this is a rotten show, but I'm glad I came back.

Author Notes:

Since I began to write, I wished to make a Gwent story, and a Duncney story, I am already writing my Gwent story, so I decide to make the Duncney as a one-shot.

And here it is, what I try was to make a story of forgiveness instead of a classic love story, and also I wanted it to be in a Total Drama season, but as I was developing the story, I try to flesh out the season, and this is the result.

Now about Tyranny of the Masses, I decide to write the entire season, so if you feel like it give it a chance.

As always, thanks for reading and I hope you like it.