Fanfic / A Dramatic Ridonculous Race

A Dramatic Ridonculous Race is a Total Drama fanfiction written by The Legendary Dragon Reaper. It is the first of two sequels to A BFG's World Tour, having The Ridonculous Race occur during Chris' year in prison between Revenge of the Island and All Stars, with even more Total Drama alumni participating than in canon.

The fic was completed on February 2023.

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This fanfiction contains examples of:

• Adaptational Context Change: Devin's breakup with his girlfriend, Shelly, still happens over the phone in "The Shawshank Ridonction" but with almost entirely different circumstances and results. Instead of Devin being told that Shelly apparently broke up with him sometime ago, he is threatened by her that she will break up with him unless he ends his friendship with Carrie; not willing to do that, Devin decides to go through with the breakup over the phone and doesn't go through several stages of heartbreak afterwards.
• Adaptational Early Appearance: As a result of The Ridonculous Race now occurring before Pahkitew Island, Leonard now makes his debut two seasons earlier than in canon. However, this does not prevent him and Tammy from becoming the first contestants eliminated.
• Adaptational Nice Guy:
  • Downplayed with Don. He was already a miles-less sadistic host than Chris was in canon, but some of his more apathetic and Deadpan Snarker moments towards the contestants are removed here. One example being upon the Father and Son team being eliminated, rather than talking down to them for interrupting him and leaving what he was going to say a mystery, here he tells them that the contract they signed mentions the show will cover the bill so Dwayne can afford to get his Embarrassing Tattoo removed.
  • Also downplayed with Jacques. While he still goes along with Josee's plans of sabotage and engages in manipulation and subterfuge himself, he's far more toned down in doing so compared to her.
  • Lightning goes through Character Development during his time in the race with Cameron. He admits he actually hates doing sports now due to the constant pressure to be the best by his father and get him to notice him. He ends up letting go of his grudge towards Cameron and befriending him. In canon, Lightning never had any of this development and remained a Jerk Jock.
  • Also downplayed with Rock. While he's already a nice guy, here he actually listens to Carrie venting about her feelings for Devin and giving her advice during the plane ride to Beijing (despite still wanting Devin's peanuts, but only because he didn't eat earlier.)
• Adapted Out:
  • The Police Cadets and Daters/Haters do not compete and are replaced by the Performers (Trent and Leshawna) and Brains & Brawn (Cameron and Lightning). Geoff's partner Brody is also replaced by Bridgette, although dialogue mentioning him confirms he and MacArthur do still exist in this universe.
  • In a Call-Forward example, Word of God confirmed at the end of A BFG's World Tour that the Total Drama competitors competing in this version of The Ridonculous Race will not compete in All Stars, meaning canon competitors Cameron and Lightning will not appear in From CIT to All Star.
• Ascended Extra: Rock and Spud manage to last longer than they did in canon, as do Crimson and Ennui.
• Back for the Finale: In addition to the other eliminated teams appearing at the finish line with Don to watch the end of the race as in canon, DJ, Duncan, Courtney, Cody, Gwen, and Izzy all appear in the finale alongside the Best Friends, Reality TV Pros, Sisters, and other two finalist teams to watch Geoff's proposal.
• Brick Joke: In Transylvania, it's revealed that Emma doesn't believe that Kitty met DJ before. When he confirms it in the finale, Kitty tells Emma she told her so.
• Continuity Nod: Several references are made both to the original fic and Total Drama in general:
  • During their introductory appearance, both Leshawna and Trent mention their appearances in Total Drama World Tour. While Trent never competed in World Tour, in A BFG's World Tour, he made an appearance in "Niagara Brawls" helping out with the challenge.
  • During the episodes in Paris and Hawaii, both the Reality TV Pros and Surfers respectively bring up the events that occurred in those locations during World Tour.
  • Cameron's reason for wanting to help out Lightning with his Freudian Excuse stems from watching Lightning's video message from his pops during the Revenge of the Island finale. When he brings it up with the Surfers at one point, Geoff encourages him to keep on trying to help Lightning, bringing up his Acquired Situational Narcissism when hosting the Aftermath during Action.
  • During "A Tisket, a Casket, Gonna Blow a Gasket," Kitty takes a selfie with Geoff and Bridgette, saying that she now has personally met three Total Drama members, referencing her encounter with DJ during "Planes, Trains, and Hot Air Mobiles." Emma apparently doesn't believe that it actually happened.
  • The baby seal that attacks Spud in "I Love Ridonc and Roll" is revealed here to be the same one that tormented DJ throughout World Tour.
    Trent: Are you kidding me? How the hell did that thing get all the way out here?
    Leshawna: Dude, we're talking about a baby seal that went all the way from the Yukon to Paris, then from Paris to Africa, and then from Africa to the Mexican border, all of which was on a spree of rage and vengeance against DJ before he tackled that Latino (bleep) Alejandro into the sea. Do you really think it's that much of a stretch that it could make it all the way out here?
  • In the first episode of Total Drama Island, it's mentioned that Chris appeared on a figure skating show where a pair of figure skaters ended up falling flat on their faces. In "The Shawshank Ridonction," Jacques and Josee reveal they were the figure skaters in question and threaten to leave the Performers in the prison unless they admit Chris caused their accident to happen on purpose.
    • In the same episode, Trent warns Leshawna not to get impulsive and use the boomerang recklessly by reminding her of what she did in "Search and Do Not Destroy".
      Leshawna: When has me jumping the gun screwed anyone else over? (Trent just gives her a dull look and points at himself.) Oh. Right. (Bleep).
  • During "Down and Outback", Bridgette mentions she's not comfortable with rabbits now after her encounter with them back on the island. Don mentions that same episode earlier.
  • In the Arctic Circle episode, Cameron and Lightning make reference to the final challenge in their season.
  • At the beginning of "How Deep Is Your Love?", Leshawna references how she was screwed over by Chris the last time she was in the final five.
  • Also in "How Deep Is Your Love?", Bridgette says she doesn't like Russia. Geoff thinks it's because of when Blaineley stranded her there, but she reveals it's actually because Russia is where she landed after she was eliminated for what happened in the Yukon.
  • In "Bahamarama", the Performers are both reminded of the treasure hunt episode in Island when they read the tip for the first challenge, which they both don't have fond memories of for different reasons (Trent got eliminated because of Heather and Chris blew up Leshawna's trailer with a cannon).
• Cutting Off the Branches: In Lightning and Cameron's introduction, it's mentioned that Cameron won ROTI in this verse.
• Earn Your Happy Ending: Just like in the previous story, both potential winning teams have this in effect:
  • "Official" Ending: After being screwed over back in Total Drama (Leshawana being cut out thanks to manipulation by others and Trent's feelings for Gwen getting in the way of winning), Trent and Leshawana end up finally winning a season.
  • "Alternate" Ending: After all the tests their relationship has been through from Geoff's "Captain Hollywood" phase hosting the Aftermath in Action to Bridgette's near-infidelity with Alejandro in World Tour, Geoff and Bridgette get engaged and now have a million dollars to boot.
• Elopement: During "Hello and Dubai", Owen tells Kitty that he and Izzy ended up eloping during a trip to Vegas with Noah the previous year.
• Foreshadowing:
  • When Trent recognizes Josee having a panic attack due to claustrophobia when they're in the Geelong Prison in Australia, he mentions not only dating Gwen, who has a canonical fear of being buried alive, but also having an online pen pal from the continent named Jasmine (future Pahkitew Island contestant) who's claustrophobic like them.
  • After coming in first in Hawaii, Geoff offhandedly mentions to Bridgette they might get married if they win. Sure enough, he ends up proposing to her in the finale.
• For Want Of A Nail:
  • In "Mediterranean Homesick Blues", Father and Son aren't penalized because Dwayne doesn't read the travel tip prematurely; as such, they take first place.
  • While the Adversity Twins are still eliminated in Finland, it isn't because Emma sabotages Mickey; rather, Kitty kisses him to make him lose.
  • The Reality TV Pros place first in "My Way or Zimbabwe".
  • In "Down and Outback", the Ice Dancers end up in second place and thanks to Don checking the instant replay to see who arrived at the Carpet of Completion first, the Rockers aren't eliminated alongside the Stepbrothers.
  • In Las Vegas, Devin agrees to do the magic show right off the bat and since Geoff doesn't waste time repeating the dune buggy bonanza, the Surfers take first place.
• Freudian Excuse: According to Jacques, Josee used to genuinely love skating only to grow more competitive over the years. Losing in the Olympics just made her snap and become obsessed with winning.
• Hidden Depths: Kitty has just as much issues with relationships as Emma, as she considers every guy back home to be a cliché for sticking to the status quo. She falls for Mickey because he's nice and genuine.
• In Spite of a Nail: Despite all the changes caused by A BFG's World Tour, the events of Revenge of the Island seem to have played out exactly as in canon.
• Leaning on the Fourth Wall: During the All In in "Little Bull on the Prairie", Dwayne notes the pots of pork and beans are cartoonishly large. Later, Noah sarcastically rips on Owen's words of encouragement by saying their lives are not like cartoons.
• Noodle Incident:
  • According to Geoff, he once compared Bridgette to a girl one of his brothers used to date and she promptly beat him with her surfboard.
  • Geoff and his friends also tried to find homes for dogs by putting them in a movie with Tom Cruise.
  • Dwayne once had a mustache but his wife made him get rid of it.
  • Turns out Don also has a grudge against Chris for stealing his girlfriend back in college.
  • Geoff once farted at Bridgette's family reunion. According to her, her mom's still mad at him about it.
• The Nose Knows: Apparently, Trent has trained his nose to block off smells and recognize certain ones. He says he had to do it to survive sleeping in the same quarters as Owen.
• Not So Above It All: Don might be a lot more professional of a host than Chris, but even he can't resist taking a potshot at him and Total Drama at points, such as calling out Chris for being a sadist and stealing his college girlfriend.
• Not the Fall That Kills You…: This is discussed in "How Deep Is Your Love?" when Leshawna drops Trent down the seven mile hole, but stops him before he hits the ground. Although Trent is unharmed, it is said he was very lucky and that he still could have potentially died from this, with several people referencing the infamous The Night Gwen Stacy Died storyline which involved the titular character's death occurring from a sudden stop.
• Once Done, Never Forgotten: Every time Leshawna starts displaying signs of overcompetitiveness, Trent will bring up the time she tried to run down Heather with an ATV.
• Rage Quit: In "How Deep Is Your Love?" after Leshawna drops Trent down the seven mile hole, Trent finally reaches the end of his patience with her and refuses to continue, declaring he quits the race. Though it is subverted when they arrive in Last Place anyway and Don reveals it is a non-elimination round, giving Trent the opportunity to still quit if he wants or remain in the race and he decides to stay.
• Related in the Adaptation: Bridgette and Carrie are revealed to be sisters here, likely a reference to the two of them sharing the same voice actress.
• Resolved Noodle Incident: In A BFG's World Tour, Gwen was shown to be on friendly terms with Crimson and Ennui, although no details were given about how they knew each other. When Trent asks about their relationship here, Ennui explains that Gwen was the one who inspired them to become goths in the first place, although they're a lot more hardcore about it than her.
• Running Gag:
  • People commenting they're pushing the ratings of this family show.
  • Don asking if anything can be added to the Carpet of Completion while he waits.
  • Cameron bringing up his time on Total Drama and Trent remembering his accident in "X-Treme Torture" along with Leshawna trying to run over Heather with Chef's ATV in the Island special.
  • Spud saying the Rockers are killing a challenge after dully asking what's going on.
• Secret-Keeper: Geoff brings Carrie in on his plan to propose to her sister at the end of the Race during "El Burro Supremo".
• Shout-Out:
  • Like in the first fic, the characters have a tendency to say "Crapbaskets" whenever the appropriate situation arises.
  • The Tennis Menace is now called a Dalek, even saying "Participate" at times.
  • During the Finland and Darjeeling episodes, Crimson and Ennui emphasize that Goths "don't sweat, we simmer."
  • Josee paraphrases Scarface (1983) during "The Shawshank Ridonction" after getting a Boomerang from the Don Box.
    Josee: [F]irst you get the gold, then you get your hands on the Boomerang, and then you get the POWER!
  • Don mentions one episode of Generator Rex which included a Killer Rabbit.
  • The Goths mention they are fans of the MCU and Tom Hiddleston, which influenced their decision to name their pet rabbit Loki.
  • When the Stepbrothers are eliminated, they decide to hug it out Drake & Josh style.
  • Apparently, Spud's the younger brother of the guy who plays Eddie from Stranger Things.
  • When Geoff sees the narwhals destroying the plane wheels, he says he thought all narwhals were nice like in that Christmas movie with Will Ferrell.
  • Kitty mentions trying to play the entire Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm series in one week. Jacques also performs a Talk no Jutsu with Josee.
  • At the beginning of the finale, Don refers to New York City as the home of, "depending on the form of entertainment you prefer, either a series of superheroes with high tech armor, super soldiers, gamma radiated strength or a magic hammer that can summon lightning, or a group of teenage mutant turtles with ninja training that live in the sewer with a giant rat." He later encounters a group of talking penguins trying to get out of the city.
  • Also in the finale, Don tells Josee no language on earth would have a word for how little he cares about her opinion on the finalists.
• Take That!:
  • Noah says that anyone who ships him with Cody is crazy.
  • Several shots are taken at Teen Titans Go!.
  • When the bus arrives in Iceland, Rock says it's time to clear out faster than a One Direction concert.
  • On the plane ride to Beijing, Rock also takes a jab at Hot Wheels: Battle Force 5.
  • When Noah sees the Goths bonding with their bunny, he snarks that's a better love story than The Twilight Saga, not that it was any good.
  • When speaking about Will Ferrell, Geoff and Don wonder how a great actor like that moved onto stuff like Step Brothers.
  • As Jacques and Josee are failing the dune buggy challenge, Jacques says this is more ridiculous then when Disney bought the The Simpsons, only for her to point out he once said it stopped being good like a decade ago.
  • Leshawna mentions that she watched the Pirates of the Caribbean movies because of Johnny Depp. She only likes the first one though, the sequels are all bad.
  • Bridgette is also a fan of One Piece, although she mentions the pacing could be a bit better. Don also adds that the treasure hunt will be a lot shorter than an average arc in that series.
• Villain Has a Point: On the way to Siberia, Jacques tells Josee they need to eliminate teams that are bigger than the Performers due to their teamwork and strengths, namely Cameron and Lightning. They succeed in doing so by using the Boomerang on them.
• Vomit Discretion Shot: After Owen lets out a fart in "Little Bull on the Prairie", Bridgette takes a moment to vomit out the window.
• Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: Trent mentions he's not good with heights now after he got injured during the extreme sports challenge during the first season of Total Drama.
• Xanatos Gambit: Invoked by Noah regarding his and Emma's agreement to officially become a couple once one of their teams is out of the race.
  Noah: I guess I just finally realized how much of a win-win situation this race has turned out to be for yours truly. The second either us or the Sisters get kicked off the race, I get to go out with the hottest girl alive. If we win the race, then I win, if we get kicked off the race then I still win.
• You Remind Me of X:
  • This is what triggers the rivalry between the Performers and the Ice Dancers (at least on Leshawna's end), as Josee's Alpha Bitch attitude reminds her of Heather. Later, after the latter team attempts to play mind games on Cameron and Lightning, the two of them compare the Ice Dancers to Scott as well.
  • Devin compares Spud to Eddie from Stranger Things, which Bridgette agrees with. Spud then reveals that Joseph Quinn is his older brother, so it's a Strong Family Resemblance.

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