"Welcome back to the season premiere of The Ridonculous Race," Don welcomed as he stood with Niagara Falls behind him, "Before the break, the twenty teams began their race for one million dollars, so let's get down to the action."

--------

With Don's narration completed, the cameras turned their view back to the twenty teams, currently running through downtown Niagara Falls in search for the Don Boxes. After a few minutes, it was less of a race and more of 'follow the leader', with the Freerunners being the leading team. Before long, the teams reached the legendary Niagara Falls, where the Freerunners grabbed the first tip from one of the five Don Boxes.

"It's an Either/Or," Kailer revealed as he read the Travel Tip, "Ride or Run."

"For today's Either/Or, teams have the option to either wait in line for a boat and take a slow ride under the falls for their next tip, or they can travel north four kilometers, run a quarter mile down the White Water Walk, and climb the stairs to get their next tip."- Don

"Run," Kailer & Ariton stated simultaneously as they took off towards the street.

"I mean, we're freerunners; it'd be an embarrassment if we didn't choose the 'run' option."- Ariton

"We can run, right?" Joseph noted as him and Reynold ran away from the falls.

"Well, it's either we waste energy, or we sit down," Lilliana noted, "I guess we're-"

"We're running!" Olivia declared as she pulled Lilliana with her as she ran.

"Woah! Why would you want to waste energy?" Lilliana asked, confused.

"Taxi!" Joseph called out, successfully getting a taxi to pull up to them.

"Hey, mind if we join you guys?" Olivia asked after running up to him.

"We don't mind," Joseph agreed, smiling.

"C'mon dude, get in!" Reynold called out as he hopped into the front seat.

"Ladies first," Joseph insisted as he opened the back door.

"Thanks," Olivia thanked as she shoved Lilliana into the far left seat, "C'mon Joseph, sit next to me."

~~~~~~~~

"You are not being subtle at all."- Lilliana

"What are you talking about? There's nothing to be subtle about." *blushes*- Olivia

"Yeah....sure....."- Lilliana

~~~~~~~~

"While the YouTubers decide to carpool together, twelve of the teams decide to take their chances with the ride under the falls."- Don

"How are we in the lead?" Kaden asked.

"Beats me," Maddie remarked as she looked back at the Rappers, Online Writers. Faraway Friends, Gamers, Family Friends, Poker Players, Chef Co-Workers, Cheerful Moms, Married Farmers, Asian Grocers, and Trivia Teammates following them.

"Stop!" Kaden shouted as him and Maddie narrowly missed crashing into the civilians in line for the boat.

"Wow, that was clo-!" Maddie began before being accidentally tackled by the Chef Co-Workers, Rappers and Asian Grocers.

"Sorry," Jason apologized.

"Ouch..." Vincent muttered, wincing at the pile-up.

"Maybe we should switch to the run," Courtney proposed.

"Nah, this'll be much faster," Vanessa assured.

~~~~~~~~

"I get that I'm the youngest person in this race, but I don't think that it puts us at a disadvantage. If anything, I should have more energy than the other competitors."- Courtney

"It's not just about energy, it's about focus. Sometimes we need to just calm down and focus on what's in front of us."- Vanessa

"Hey, I didn't crash into anything yet, right?"- Courtney

~~~~~~~~

"C'mon now, you alright?" Sasha asked as she helped Maddie to her feet.

"Yeah, I'm good, thanks," Maddie answered.

"How long do you think this line will last?" Hitoshi asked as he helped Kaden off the ground.

"I'd like to think that this would be faster than the other option," Kaden admitted, "I mean, we don't have to waste time driving four kilometers when we can just walk fifty feet."

--------

Not all people agreed with Kaden's logic. For the handful that knew about the popularity of Niagara Falls, they knew that the line for the boat ride under the falls could last quite long, and for eight teams, they decided that driving a short distance and going for a run would be more time-efficient. This would also give some teams a chance to get to know each other and perhaps create an alliance.

"Alright, get in!" Amalia ordered as Daniel leapt into the backseat, "Driver, we need to get to White Water Walk as soon as possible."

"Wait!" Aiden shouted as he ran up to the passenger's side window, "Can we carpool?"

"Uh....sure!" Amalia agreed.

"Hop in," Daniel allowed as he opened the rear door.

"Thanks!" Ariana thanked as her and Aiden took their seats, "White Water Walk, please."

"That's the plan," Amalia assured as the car began moving.

"Can I just say something?" Aiden asked, "I'm really happy that you two got together. You two seem perfect for each other."

"I'll admit it: I'm a Total Drama fan. And simply the chance to meet Daniel & Amalia, let alone compete against them, is an honour in itself. This might be fate telling me to make a move."- Aiden

"Thanks," Amalia thanked.

"Y'know, us four might not get another chance at something like this for a while," Aiden began, "I think it would be beneficial for all of us if we made some sort of alliance."

"I'm always down for an alliance," Daniel agreed, "You guys seem cool."

~~~~~~~~

"This is where my ability to read people comes in handy: Ariana & Aiden seem to be pretty genuine people. They don't want to screw us over; they're just siblings who want to experience a trip around the world and have fun while doing it. I wouldn't mind hanging with them."- Daniel

"I agree: after all, we're probably the biggest threats because we're fresh off of placing high on the last Total Drama season. We could use a few allies."- Amalia

~~~~~~~~

"So how does this alliance work?" Ariana asked, "Are we gonna help each other in challenges?"

"Yeah, that's about right," Daniel confirmed, "And if we're given an advantage, we've got to use it in the best interest of the alliance."

"Like if either one of us has a boomerang," Amalia added.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Aiden admitted.

~~~~~~~~

"I'm pretty excited for this alliance. I mean, with someone here that we can trust, it gives us a sense of security."- Ariana

"And not to mention: we'll be working alongside two of the biggest faces of reality competition! This is awesome!"- Aiden

"Calm down, bro. Let's just get through the first round before we get too excited."- Ariana

~~~~~~~~

But this wasn't the only instance of alliance-forming going on amongst the teams. In another one of the taxis, the YouTube Brothers and the YouTube Sisters were busy trying to form an alliance. With them pursuing the same career as YouTubers, it made bonding a little bit easier for them.

"This is a really good idea!" Olivia noted happily.

"I mean, how awesome would it be if two teams of YouTubers made it to the end?" Reynold noted, "This would look so good for us!"

"After all, we get along with each other pretty well," Joseph pointed out, "You guys are cool."

"Th-thanks..." Olivia thanked, "Y-you guys are cool too."

~~~~~~~~

"I think that being in an alliance with them is good for us."- Olivia

"Of course you do." *rolls eyes*- Lilliana

"What's that supposed to mean?"- Olivia

"Y'know, because you love-"- Lilliana

"Their videos! Yes, of course, I love their videos. Hehe..."- Olivia

"It's gonna be a long race..."- Lilliana

~~~~~~~~

"Thanks," Joseph thanked, "So, looking at the other teams, who do you think is our biggest competition?"

"My eyes are on the Freerunners," Lilliana admitted, "They're the whole package."

"Yeah. I mean, they have Kailer Vierra on their team. THE Kailer Vierra," Reynold noted, "He's got it all."

"The four of us may be YouTubers, but if there's any sort of celebrity on this show, Kailer Vierra is the closest by far. He's been on several different television shows, he's been on tour all around the world, he does YouTube on the side, all while holding down a job as an accountant. You'd be crazy to not be scared of him."- Reynold

"If you ask me, I really think that the Poker Players can be dangerous," Joseph admitted, "Poker players can naturally lie, deceive, and fight. It's their job."

"I doubt that they're gonna try hard," Lilliana remarked, "I mean, they've probably already won millions of dollars before. Why would they need more money?"

--------

Whether you wanted to admit it or not, everyone was here to win the money. It may not be their primary goal, but it was definitely a thought in everyone's minds. Even if you were rich like Hitoshi & Sasha, money wouldn't hurt them if they chose to use it wisely. And as poker players, they knew how to manage their money as well as increase their chances of winning.

"Should we do it now?" Sasha asked as she stood on the top deck of the boat.

"Absolutely," Hitoshi confirmed as the two of them walked over to Kaden & Maddie, who were also on the top deck of the boat, "Hey, mind if we talk for a bit?"

"Umm..."Kaden muttered as he turned to Maddie for an answer, before turning back to face Hitoshi, "Sure. What's up?"

"My partner and I were hoping that we can make an agreement with you two," Sasha revealed, "We don't want to go home early, and neither do you two."

~~~~~~~~

"This race is like a poker tournament: it's a marathon of different obstacles and challenges. And from experience, it's better if there are less people coming after you."- Hitoshi

"The Acapella-ists seem like people like us, except we're not in love with each other. Ew. But we need competent people with us; they don't seem to want to fool around, so they could help us out."- Sasha

~~~~~~~~

"'Ay yo," Za-Wink interjected as he walked over to Kaden, "We got a talk with him first."

"We did?" Kaden asked, confused.

"He's with us," The Core declared, joining her partner.

"We saw all of the biographies on the show's website; The Acapella-ists are the only team with as much respect for music as us. We've got to get them with us."- The Core

"Look, the only one I'm with is my girlfriend," Kaden insisted as he walked back over to Maddie.

"Why do y'all want us so bad?" Maddie asked, confused.

"I'm just gonna clear the field: do you all want an alliance with us?" Kaden asked.

"No duh," The Core agreed.

"If you two are willing, I'm down with making a 'superteam' alliance," Kaden proposed, "After all, it makes it easier for all of us."

"Um....Kaden?" Maddie whispered, "Are you sure-"

"Listen," Kaden ordered as he began whispering in Maddie's ear.

"Oh, okay!" Maddie agreed, smiling.

~~~~~~~~

"These guys are showing their cards pretty early; they're probably trying to be the strategists of this game. We can agree with them, but we don't have to go through with it."- Kaden

"We don't want to get caught in a bad place, so we'll keep 'em happy for as long as we need to."- Maddie

~~~~~~~~

"We could be the superteam that makes it all the way to the final three," Kaden noted, "That'd be cool, right?"

"We need to agree that we're not gonna stab each other in the back though," The Core reminded, "No funny business."

"Exactly," Sasha agreed, "We can't afford to betray each other."

~~~~~~~~

"We also can't afford to keep someone if they slow us down. We'll agree with them now, but if we get into a tight spot, we're not afraid to cut them loose."- Sasha

"It's like poker: cut your losses and move on."- Hitoshi

~~~~~~~~

"I think we're good," Hitoshi admitted.

"It's official: we're an alliance," Kaden concluded.

"We need a cool name," Za-Wink insisted.

"We'll do that later," Sasha assured as she turned to look ahead of the boat, "We're getting closer to the falls."

"Come on!" Maddie ordered as the three teams ran towards the bow of the boat.

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"While twelve of the teams get closer to their next tip, the remaining teams have arrived at the White Water Walk and must now sprint to their next tip."- Don

"Double time!" Amalia ordered as her, Daniel, Ariana, and Aiden continued running down the boardwalk.

"Good to see that we can all fun fast," Daniel noted.

"We go for runs every other day back home," Ariana admitted, "This is nothing."

"Hey, are we in the lead?" Aiden asked, "'Cause I don't see anyone else."

"We might be," Amalia replied, "We've just got to keep going."

"Hey, there's the tower!" Daniel shouted, pointing ahead of them, "The Don Box must be up top!"

"Move!" Kailer shouted as he jumped from the top of the tower, landing in front of the quartet, "Sorry!"

"Just be careful, man," Daniel suggested as Kailer ran past them.

"Hey guys!" Ariton greeted as he ran past the group of four, "See ya', Tight-Line!"

"See ya', Air-Time!" Daniel replied.

"Air-Time?" Amalia asked, confused.

"I'll explain it later, come on!" Daniel ordered as the four of them made their way to the top of the tower, "Now let's see what it says."

"Head back down to the entrance and take a cab to Niagara International Airport," Amalia read, "Then book two seats on the next flight to Tokyo, Japan."

"There are four flights headed to Tokyo, Japan, each departing half-an-hour apart. Teams who leave on the first flight have the distinct advantage of arriving first. Teams on the last flight should probably start packing their bags."- Don

"Let's go!" Ariana ordered as the four of them headed down the tower.

"Hello!" Aaron greeted as him and Darren ran past them.

"This way!" Olivia remarked as the YouTube Sisters and YouTube brothers passed them.

"We've gotta hurry if we're gonna get on the first flight!" Daniel noted as the four of them continued running.

--------

"C'mon now!" Sasha ushered as she pulled Hitoshi towards a cab, "Time waits for no one!"

"Shotgun!" Za-Wink declared as he dove into the first seat.

"Move!" The Core ordered as she moved into the far left seat.

"How do you open this?" Hitoshi asked as he tugged on the back seat.

"Like this," Kaden explained as he pulled on a lever and moved the seat aside, "Let's go!"

"Good, we're all here," Hitoshi noted as him, Maddie, and Kaden moved into the far back seats.

"But we're still behind," Sasha revealed as she saw the Family Fans and the Faraway Friends get into a cab and ride away, "Driver: we need to get to Niagara International Airport."

"And step on it," Kaden added as the driver began driving.

"While several of the teams are on their way to the airport, some teams are still stuck trying to get to their next tip."- Don

"Hold on, Ellie!" Cassie requested, breathing hard, "I need a break!"

"Come on! We haven't been running for that long!" Ellie claimed.

"Says the girl that does Track & Field," Cassie noted as she knelt on the ground for rest.

"Anyways, we can't afford to rest!" Ellie insisted, "We've got to go!"

"No one's near us," Cassie assured, "And after all, this is called the White Water Walk."

"Sorry!" Darren apologized as he ran around the Same Namers.

"Hey Ellie!" Aaron greeted as he jumped over Cassie.

"Hey Aaron!" Ellie replied as she watched the Hockey Teammates run away, "Come on now, Cassie!"

"Ugh...fine..." Cassie agreed as Ellie helped her to her feet.

"Hey girls!" Betty greeted as she ran over to them with Tristan, "Is this the right way?"

"I think so," Ellie admitted, "Let's go."

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"With some teams falling behind, a handful of teams make it to the airport and begin booking their seats."- Don

"File in!" Amalia ordered as her, Daniel, Ariana, and Aiden ran over to the booking desk, "Sir, we're with The Ridonculous Race, and we need four tickets on the next flight to Tokyo, Japan."

"Of course. May I see your passports please?" the worker requested, resulting in the quartet handing over their passports, "Lucky for you guys, you're on the first flight."

"Yes!" Aiden cheered as the quartet went in for a group hug, "This is awesome!"

"Are we the first two teams to arrive?" Daniel asked to the worker.

"No; these two other guys came by a few minutes earlier," the worker answered.

"Probably Kailer & Ariton," Daniel rationalized.

"Here are your tickets," the worker declared as he gave the quartet their tickets and passports.

"One by one, the teams reach the airport and get their flights booked. Flight 1 will carry the Freerunners, the TD Lovers, the Siblings, the YouTuber Brothers, and the YouTuber Sisters. Flight 2 will carry the Poker Players, the Rappers, the Acapella-ists, the Faraway Friends, and the Family Fans. Flight 3 will carry the Same Namers, the Trivia Teammates, the Chef Co-Workers, the Asian Grocers, and the Hockey Teammates. And Flight 4 will carry the Cheerful Moms, the Online Writers, the Gamers, the Models, and the Married Farmers. While fifteen teams are left to wait at the airport, Flight 1 sets its course for Tokyo, Japan, carrying the first five teams with it."- Don

"This is relaxing, ain't it?" Amalia asked, talking to Daniel.

"Yep, this is nice," Daniel agreed.

"Hey man," Ariton called out as he walked up to Daniel, "Mind if we talk for a bit?"

"Uh....sure," Daniel agreed as he got up from his seat and followed Ariton to the back of the plane.

"What's that all about?" Aiden asked, being across the aisle from Amalia.

"They're friends," Amalia answered before looking out the window.

"Dude! You didn't tell me that you signed up for this too!" Ariton remarked, "Why didn't you tell us?!"

"It's because he wants to compete with Amalia instead of us," Kailer answered, "But that's not a bad thing; we respect your decision."

"Thank you; you're spot on," Daniel confirmed, "I kinda wanted it to be a surprise too."

~~~~~~~~

"For those of you wondering at home, the three of us make up three-quarters of the parkour/freerunning group Lavenderia Technicale."- Kailer

"We competed against seven other teams and ended up winning two-hundred thousand dollars!"- Ariton

"Even though the likelihood of a parkour challenge popping up is very low, I think that our experience in doing a heavily physical sport will help us out. Not to mention, we all have a first degree black belt in Tang Soo Do martial arts as well."- Daniel

~~~~~~~~

"Look, we come in here with a bond that none of the other teams have with each other," Kailer noted, "How about an alliance between our two teams?"

"I'm down," Daniel agreed.

"Perfect; Lavenderia Technicale is back, sans Kavan," Ariton remarked, "Is Amalia super strong?"

"She's stronger then me," Daniel admitted, laughing soon after.

"But that's not saying much," Kailer joked, causing the three of them to laugh loudly.

"Looks like those guys are having a lot of fun," Lilliana noted from her seat.

"Yeah..." Olivia muttered as she stared blankly across the aisle.

"What're you-?" Lilliana asked before taking a look at what her partner was doing, "Come on; you literally couldn't make it more obvious."

"I can't help it..." Olivia insisted as she continued to stare at Joseph, who was sleeping, "He looks so cute when he sleeps..."

"Okay, you need to stop," Lilliana ordered as she pulled Olivia's head towards her, "We didn't come in here to get boyfriends; we came here to win. Got it?"

"Alright..." Olivia agreed reluctantly.

~~~~~~~~

"I'll admit it: I have a crush on Joseph. I've watched all of his and his brother's videos, and I've always wanted to meet them. So the fact that all four of us are in an alliance together is amazing!"- Olivia

"And this is what I deal with everyday. Olivia, I get that you like him, but we can't let him distract you from the true goal: winning a million dollars."- Lilliana

"I know...but I can't help but realize that the person that I have a crush on is five feet away from me!"- Olivia

"Ugh...."- *throws head into her arms*- Lilliana

~~~~~~~~

"With the race underway and the teams finally starting to interact with each other, there's no telling how the rest of the race will pan out. Who will win the first leg of the race? And who will arrive last at the first Chill Zone? Keep watching and find out after the break on: The Ridonculous Race." *winks*- Don

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A/N: I just want to let you guys know that the production for the first few chapters will be a bit slower than usual because I still have to figure out how I want to write the story. With the competition format different from Total Drama, I still have to figure out how to translate some of the in-competition elements into writing. For example, when broadcast, The Ridonculous Race relies a lot more on quick jump-cuts than Total Drama, which is difficult to put into writing without it being too choppy. I'll try my best to publish chapters when I can. Either way, thanks for reading!