Another Random Object Show: S1E22 "A Burning Pile"

The Plains were silent for once in about 2 weeks. Birds chirped and sang, wind blew, and flowers laid motionless.

The Gourd had prepared a picnic table, and was in the process of preparing a Penultimate Dinner. He began to watch the others interact.

Question Mark monitored Mime and Sunny, while Cuby and David signed to each other, creating stories and ways of information sortion.

The Gourd rang a bell, hithering the Final 5. “Finals. I have prepared for you 5 a supper containing Steak, Chicken, Pork, and, if you're not into meats, Pies, Gummy Candies, and Lettuce.” He states. “...I will be back.” The Gourd now disappears, constructing a new building.

“GUMMIESSS!! :D” Sunny cheers, now going for the Gummy Sharks, sharing with Mime some Gummy Worms and Bears.

“...they’re having fun… that's wonderful.” Question Mark told Cuby and David. David would sign, leading to Cuby adding onto it. “...well yes, but they're just that. Kids. They find joy in the most simple of things.” She says, looking at the children. “...besides, whatever our next challenge is will determine that one of us is cut short of a victory.” She stated. Cuby and David looked at each other, and nodded before sitting at The Picnic Table.

After a few moments of rest and energy, The Gourd returned.

“We’re in the final stretch… don't mess up now.” He said, now encouraging the final 5.

He snapped his fingers, summoning all 6 of them to A Greenhouse, then gave them 10 packets of seeds.

“These are Miliflower seeds. Before Question Mark asks, Miliflower seeds are the seeds of a type of flower known as a Miliflower.” He says. “Miliflowers are named for their incredibly short lifespan and reproduction cycle. When a Miliflower is planted, it blooms into a medium-large flower that quickly releases spores, pollen and seeds, then sits until being destroyed. They come in a variety of colors but always have around 4 - 10 petals, no more, no less, than JUST that.” He states. “...your goal will be to plant as many Miliflowers as possible. The person with the LEAST miliflowers will be our 5th Placer, and our final eliminated contestant.” He states. “Do you have any questions?”

Cuby, David, Mime, Question Mark and Sunny all stand and stare. This is it. This… will determine everything.

“...then it is my pleasure… that I announce that after this, The Finale shall happen, and the four who make it shall be tested one last time.” He now finishes his speech. “LET THE PENULTIMATE CHALLENGE BEGIN!” He claps.

Mime immediately tore open its bag, spilling the Miliflower seeds all over his mound. David and Cuby did the same, but were much more cautious, pushing Miliflower seeds back onto each other's mounds.

Question Mark carefully planted each and every Miliflower with much care, eventually creating a canvas.

She looked over, however, and began realizing Sunny’s Flowers were burning— he had been too excited to realize the intense sunlight coming off of him had begun to burn the flowers.

She looked around as she planted the last seed.

Cuby had 7.1 Million Flowers, David had 9.5 Million Flowers, Mime had 7.8 Million, she had 10 Million flowers, but Sunny only had… 1.5 Million Flowers, and dropping. Question Mark looked over dreadfully and considered her options.

…she had made a promise. She knew what it was, and she had promised it.

She heard her in her head as the clock struck 30 seconds to finalization.

“Promise me you’ll protect him.” Moony had asked Question Mark just before her elimination. “Promise me that he’ll make it, just like I said.” 

Question Mark now grabbed Sunny’s Hand gently, with only 10 seconds on the clock to do what she needed to do. “What are you doing??” Sunny asked Question Mark. 5 seconds remained as she replied— “I’m keeping a promise.” She replied.

0. The clock had now struck 0. The flowers now pulsated a pastel baby blue as The Gourd froze their current states. “The 30 Minutes is up. Let's see what has been done.” He said. “...” He sighs, deeply inhaling. “...I will now pass by each garden, and count the flowers to the best of my ability.”

The Gourd now summoned a root system to be underneath the mounds of soil that the Miliflowers were planted upon, screens hanging above all of the gardens began to tick upwards.

“Question Mark, why did you…?” Sunny asked, getting cut off. “...you’ll see, again, I’m keeping a promise, Sunny.” Question Mark stated. “...what… IS the promise you’re keeping?” Sunny asked.

“Results are in! The first person who will ABSOLUTELY go to the finale is…” He now unveiled the highest score. “Sunny, with 15 million Miliflowers.” He said. “...I… I won! Wowee! :D Question Mark, we’re going to Final 4!” Sunny excitedly exclaimed. “...don't be sure, buddy.” Question Mark said, confusing Sunny.

“The next person going to The Finale… is David Stix! With and astounding 10 million miliflowers!” The Gourd annouced, leading to David high-fiving Cuby. “and thanks to David, Cuby’s going with him! Cuby, you got 8 million miliflowers!” Cuby now jumped and did a backflip, before rolling on one of corners and kneeling over in pain.

“Eesh… but the final person going to The Finals…” The Gourd said, now unveiling the lowest scores. “is…” The Gourd slowly unveiled the screens as Sunny began to drop his smile, seeing the results. “MIME! WITH 6 MILLION MILIFLOWERS!” The Gourd annouced triamphuntly.

“...wait.. but that means…” Sunny somberly said.

“THE MASQUERADE w INS, YEAAAHHHH!!” Mime scream-gurgled. “...but it also means…” Sunny replied to Mime, looking over at Question Mark.

“..wHATTTT??? WHHHAAAAATTTTTTT???” Mime said, utterly confused. “...Question Mark, why did you…?” Sunny asked, mourning Question Mark’s decison.

“I ran a good game, Sunny.” She said. “but even I couldn't hold up, and unfortunately, this is just where I get off.” Question Mark says. “...but… you said to keep pushing, no matter what… that even when things get tough, you gotta keep going…” he said. “...well… I did say that. So I suppose I lied about my reason.” She sighed. “...if anything, remember that promise I said I’d keep?” Question Mark said.

“...yeah..! …what was it?” Sunny asked. “...Moony told me to keep you safe, no matter what. She never told me to sacrifice my spot in the game for you, but…” she nodded. “...I made sure YOU got to The Finales, just like you wanted.” She smiles. “Go get them tiger.” She pats Sunny’s shoulder.

“QUESTION MARK!  With just 750,000 Miliflowers, YOU are the 5th placer.” The Gourd states.

“...and I’m ready.” Question Mark sighs as she is turned into a piece of paper with a question mark on it. “YOU 4! YOU ARE THE FINALISTS!” The Gourd excitedly announced, giggling while running in place. “GET REST! GET REST! I wanna make sure the finale is PERFECT!!” He now sent the four on their way, as the sun loomed over The Plains one last time.

END.

AROS was written by TheWiseGuest.

FIN.

“...QUINN!” Exclaimation Mark, well, exclaimed. “...I’m so sorry you didn't make it.” He sighed. “..you fought a good battle.” Moony told her. “...wait, if mom’s here, where’s House?” Period now realized. “House quit the show, he ran away to be with Penta.” Question Mark said. “...Sunny’s made it.” Moony softly gasps. “...I’m so glad for him…!” Question Mark nodded. “This is sweet, but can we go to Space now?” Period says. “...ofcourse!” Question Mark says, taking The Shooting Star from Exclamation Mark. “...honors?” She gave it to Moony. “...I wish to go to The Moon.” The Shooting Star now disintegrates into dust, forming a portal to The Moon, leaving The Inbetween empty.

wise.