Long Time Coming

**Long Time Coming** is the ninth episode of *The Challenge: The Duel*.

## Story

 Following the dramatic elimination, everyone returned to the mansion. They were greeted by alcohol and a cake congratulating them on reaching the halfway point of the game. They sat around and ate the cake, discussing how far they’ve all come. They were all four eliminations away from running the final. Troy sat by Shona and asked how she was holding up with Zack gone. She said she was just utterly disgusted with Kit’s behaviour and that she hoped she could win the money for Zack. A little tipsy, Maria butted into the conversation and said she thinks that what Kit did was epic and that Zack was a whimp for not participating in the elimination. Shona looked at her with disgust and said Zack was being a gentlemen. Maria clapped back saying he was being a baby. The two went back and forth, fighting about the elimination. Frasier and Troy pulled Shona back away from Maria as things escalated. As Shona was escorted out, Maria screamed that Shona’s just mad Zack’s as big of a pussy as she was, and claimed she remembered Episode 2. Once Shona left, Ezra and Tye both busted out laughing with Maria. Tye said she was a badass for going off like that. Maria shrugged and said that someone needed to say it.

 Lenny and Nori both cracked open a beer and sat with each other by the chess table and chilled. They talked about the elimination and agreed that while it would’ve been cool of Zack to still compete, that Kit sort of had it coming to her after taking that big of risk and choosing Zack. Nori expressed concern for her winning chances. She said that she still hadn’t won anything since her elimination and when she looked at girls like Lenny, Maria, and Neisha, that she wondered if she even had a chance. Lenny patted her on the leg and said she had a great chance, and that she wouldn’t be here if she didn’t have one. Nori thanked her and said that she would love to win just to be able to rub it in Monica Sharma’s face. Lenny smirked and said that she thinks Monica might already be a bit preoccupied with Arianna and Noah. The two laughed.

 Cameron was sat outside by the bonfire. Cleo saw him and stopped by, she asked if she could join. He scooted over and made room. She asked if everything was okay. He admitted that he was missing Katie. Cameron knew things were weird but that she had been one of his only friends in the house and that without her, he felt really lonely other than whenever he’s with Ezra. Cleo sighed and said that she didn’t support what him and Katie did to Zion in any way, but that she understood. She told a few funny stories about her and Katie. Cameron shared some as well and the two bonded over missing her. He asked Cleo if she thought Katie would even agknowledge he existed after everything was over. Cleo shrugged and said it wasn’t up to her or him to decide, and it was in Katie’s corner. He thanked her for hanging out with him, and she said it was nice finally getting to know what was behind the mask he puts up.

 Boherty, Jake, and Kaliegh were wrapping up leftover pieces of cake to stock away in the fridge. Boherty said she felt really bad for what she did to Kit. Jake assured her that she did what was best for her and that’s what counts. Kaliegh agreed and said Kit would’ve done the same thing if roles were reversed. Boherty sighed and said she at least had this new alliance. Peppily, she stated that she thought they’d go on to be the best alliance ever. Jake and Kaliegh chuckled and agreed. Neisha and Owen strategized for the upcoming week. They agreed that Ezra and Maria were the biggest threats from the other side and needed to be their primary targets. Owen said he didn’t feel too concerned about being dragged in but Neisha was really worried, especially if Cameron and Kaliegh ended up at the bottom of a safety chain. She said that Kaliegh was after her full force and she wouldn’t mind seeing Kaliegh leave either.

 The next day, the teams meet TJ outside for the daily challenge. The challenge was titled “Smuggle Run”. Teams carry a heavy cylindrical capsule on their shoulders and complete a five-mile race. Along the way, they must use their capsule to climb over a wall and solve a magic hexagon puzzle before reaching the finish line. The first team to cross the finish line wins. Everyone gets prepared and on the sound of TJ’s blowhorn, the challenge begun. As the teams ran to complete the race, there were two clear front runners. These being Ezra and Maria, as well as Frasier and Neisha. Nori and Troy ran at a steady pace, holding third place. Lenny and Melvin were struggling but managing to keep up, with Lenny holding most of the weight and pleading for Melvin to take some of it too. The two leading teams began to run out of steam as they hadn’t conserved their energy, this opened the door for Nori and Troy who started closing the gap. Eventually, the end was near and Nori and Troy decided to hone in all of their energy and start sprinting now. They made it there first got to work on the puzzle. Nori took the lead and started making quick progress. Frasier and Neisha were next to arrive, followed by Ezra and Maria. The three teams worked on the puzzle when eventually, Nori called for TJ and he blew his horn, announcing Nori and Troy as the winners of the daily challenge.

 After the challenge, Nori and Troy meet with Frasier and Lenny in Nori’s bedroom to discuss what to do. Lenny tells them to save her and Melvin for the last pick of the alliance in case Melvin pulls a fast one like Kit did. Frasier says that Ezra and Maria should definitely be top priority in terms of targets. Neisha and Shona walked in, hoping to get something from Neisha’s bag when they saw everyone. They happily joined the conversation. Shona was completely on board for the Ezra and Maria plan. Neisha did plant some seeds that they should watch out for Cameron and Kaliegh because they’re big threats too. This mostly falls on deaf ears though. Ezra and Melvin discussed the safety chain. Ezra asked if Melvin had heard anything from Lenny but Melvin said they kept it pretty vague with one another. Ezra said if he gets put into elimination, he’d probably challenge either Owen and Shona for being the weakest team, or Frasier and Neisha if he wanted to challenge a strong team. He assured Melvin that no matter what, he wouldn’t challenge him and Lenny. After Ezra left, Melvin smirked and noted that Lenny’s plan is working. Cleo and Jake prepared each other for the safety chain. They both shared concerns since they didn’t know how it would end. They agreed that the best case scenario would probably be Ezra and Maria going in since they’d have the best odds of winning no matter who they’re against. They settle that if they get thrown in, they’d probably challenge Owen and Shona, seeing them as the easier beat. Ezra and Maria talk with Cameron and ask if he can save them if he gets picked in the safety chain to which he agrees. Maria starts getting frazzled, feeling like they’re going to be targeted. Ezra and Cameron try to calm her down. Ezra reassures her that even if they get thrown in, they can win any elimination that comes their way.

 The cast joins TJ on the field for the safety chain ceremony. He invites Nori and Troy to the front and asks them to kick things off. They nod and opt to select Frasier and Neisha with their first pick, inviting them to the front. Thinking back to the alliance chat, Frasier and Neisha then choose to save Owen and Shona with their next pick. Owen and Shona thank them and head to the front. They then save Lenny and Melvin with their next pick. Lenny and Melvin move to the front and whisper to one another about who to pick next. Eventually they settled on Boherty and Tye. As a thank you gesture for picking them the week prior, Boherty and Tye choose to save Jake and Cleo. TJ reminds the pair that whoever between Ezra & Maria and Cameron & Kaliegh that they don’t pick will go into the elimination and drag someone with them. Cleo and Jake look at each other and nod, thinking back to their original conversation. Jake states that they’re doing this because they know the other pair have the best shot at winning the elimination, and with that, save Cameron and Kaliegh. TJ asks Ezra and Maria to step to the front and reveal who they’re challenging. They discuss it together for a moment, heavily deciding between Owen & Shona and Frasier & Neisha. Eventually, Maria said that she was finally going to give Shona the elimination she’d promised Maria earlier on. They challenged Owen and Shona for the elimination. Shona shook her head and called the move weak. Ezra smirked and noted, “so you agree, you’re weak?” Owen told Shona to ignore them and the two moved to the front. TJ ushered everyone else back to the bleachers and welcomed the two pairs to prepare for the duel.

 The teams gather at the bleachers to spectate the elimination. Neisha noted to Frasier and Troy that this was both Maria and Shona’s third elimination and whoever won would have three wins under their belt, so stakes were high. Just then, smoke appeared from the arena as both teams walked in. TJ explained the rules of “Down to the Wire”. Each team begins handcuffed to a pole attached to an obstacle course. They must maneuver the pole through the course to collect a key before returning to the start and unlocking themselves. The first team to unlock themselves and pull the lever wins. On the sound of his blownhorn, the challenge begun. The teams begun rushing through the obstacle course. Communication proved key and both teams had good communication. They each make really steady progress and move closer and closer towards the key. TJ noted that it was neck and neck. Eventually Owen and Shona reached the key and Owen picked it up. Not to long after, Ezra and Maria also reached it with Ezra grabbing it. About halfway through the course, Owen and Shona seemed to be leading and about to win. Ezra and Maria tried their best to catchup but before they knew it Owen and Shona had reached the end of the obstacle course. When Owen went to unlock the handcuffs, he realized the key wasn’t in his hands anymore. He informed Shona and she freaked out. The pair rushed back into the obstacle course to try and find where Owen had dropped it. This opened the door wide open for Ezra and Maria. They rushed out and unlocked themselves as Ezra still had the key. They removed the handcuffs and TJ blew his horn to declare Ezra and Maria as the winners of the elimination. Shona facepalmed as production came over to unlock her and Owen. TJ congratulated Ezra and Maria and gestured for them to go onto the bleachers. Without even acknowledging Owen and Shona, they ran up. Shona shook her head and called them out on poor sportsmanship. Maria rolled her eyes and told Shona to go back to her man and cry about to him since that’s one of his favorite hobbies. TJ cut off the fight and thanked Owen and Shona for competing but informed them that they had to leave. Owen profusely apologized to Shona but she was too angry to listen or respond. They both stormed off.

## Safety Chain

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