X Johnson

***X*** was the Lone Survivor of Essential Survivor: Japan

## Japan

Every winner has their own story. Our three previous winners were all in the majority for most of their game. So having a mostly-minority winner in X was definitely a shock to people. But X winning only proves further that no matter what position you’re in, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.

At the pre-swap Wakai, X’s social game was doing him favors, yet allowing him to be under-the-radar. Already having connections with half of the tribe within minutes of arrival, X was included in a 5-person alliance run by the infamous Zent. After losing the first challenge, the alliance couldn’t decide whether to vote for Vincent for Brett for generally the same reason. So they turned to X so he could spin a wheel and randomize the target. But as he already had a connection with Vincent beforehand, he rigged the wheel to land on Brett. Ensuring he went home without anyone suspecting a darn thing. At the next Tribal, X had wanted to boot Vincent due to his lackluster performance in challenges. But when Zachary threw out Theo’s name, he helped Theo blindside Zachary. Giving X more things to put on his resume.

During the swap, X was at a level playing field as with everyone else. Looking at the 4-4 split in numbers, he quickly began to work on flipping a Furui to the Wakai. But while doing so, he noticed that Deca was being awkwardly shady around him. As if he was trying to get information, his actions play a major role in the next tribal Council X attends. Before the challenge, an alliance was made with himself, Jack and Josiah named ‘anti-deca’. And you guessed it, Jack and Josiah completely trashed Deca to X. And due to Deca;is shady behavior, X wasn’t opposed to believing them. So when the Wakai had gone to Tribal, Deca was obviously the target for OG Wakai. And with selfish intentions in mind, it caused Jack and Josiah to flip. And in return, a cross-breed alliance of Jack, Geo, X, and Josiah was quickly formed. Too bad it was never used.

Now we’ve finally hit the merge, and as with most people’s intentions, X took a backseat. He got extremely lucky during the Cheren vote when the Double J’s flipped to his side. But at the Final 10, things finally went downhill FAST. Knowing they were extremely down in numbers, the OG Wakai needed a plan to get some Furui to flip. So as Theo gunned HARD for Josiah, X and Geo went and campaigned for Ace and Kamen to flip. And for a while, it looked like they got through to them!... then Theo was voted out 6-4.

At the Final 9, Jay won immunity, and with there being clear tribal lines, that either X or Geo was the target. But Geo’s idol managed to throw and wrench in Furui’s plans. Wakai’s plan was to make Geo act sad and defeated so he could garner all the votes, so when he played his idol, the 3 Wakai could decide the vote, and that vote was Jack. Next round, X wanted to flip and make a new majority. He began to get very ‘move-hungry’, which fueled his annoyance when the stigma of Geo allowed yet another Wakai to be taken out, in this case, Geo.

Come the Final 7, and things weren’t looking too hot at all. For starters, Jay and X were the last two Wakai left in the whole game. With the Furui 5 looking like they’d just pagong them. Then, once the whole tribal line fiasco has dropped and they decide to boot Josiah, he goes ahead and wins immunity. Flushing that plan down the drain. Thankfully, Enrique was a clear second threat, so all six votes went to him. But as with Tribal, anything can happen. Enrique played an idol on himself, nullifying all 6 votes. And instead of taking out a Wakai, he took out Luke.

Now we’re at 6 and X has gotten into probably the best position he’s been in all season. Right smack dab in the middle of 2 duos with Jay. As his fellow Wakai won another individual immunity, X had a tough decision to make. Him and Jay could either side with the threats in Josiah and Enrique. Or side with the stronger duo in Ace and Kamen. Intelligently, he sided with Acemen, taking out Josiah while flushing out Enrique’s final idol. At 5, it seemed like Enrique would be the next target to go. But when he won immunity, the plans switched yet again to Kamen. The only issue was that he had to try and flip Enrique to their side for a majority. And the answers he was getting from both Enrique and Ace weren’t calming his nerves. But that’s because they knew something he didn't. Kamen had an idol, and made Ace try to get as many votes on him as possible to negate them. So by Jay and X wasting their votes, Ace attempted to cause distrust in Enrique and X by throwing a vote his way. And it worked to an extent. Nonetheless, Jay was idoled out in a 2\*-2-1 vote. Leaving X as the final Wakai standing.

At the Final Four, X felt as if it was do-or-die for immunity. If he loses, he loses the whole game. So when the challenge was announced he went completely ham on it. Unfortunately, Enrique did as well which caused an impromptu tie between them. A tiebreaker question was announced and X lost by a very small margin. Adding insult to injury. But things looked up, Enrique realized Kamen’s threat level, agreeing to vote for him with X. So the trick was convincing Ace. Or that’s what X thought. Ace had been wanting to backstab Kamen for a while now and seeing this as the final vote left. He took the opportunity.

Now, after all of the odds were stacked against him, X made the Final Tribal Council. And surprisingly, X was looking pretty good in the jurors eyes. Ace was essentially out of the question for being ‘Kamen’s #2’ so that leaves X and Enrique. And for having an overall better FTC performance. X got the win in a close 5-3-0 vote.