...

"W-Woah... This is the semi finale..." Vintage looked surprised at this news. "Uh. Yeah? We know." Lighter chuckled at Cappy "Hey, if we win this it wouldn't matter who wins! We'll be good!" Cappy's eyes lit up "You're right!" Cali smirked "Don't get your hopes up." Vintage cleared his throat "All 3 of you ready?" The three gave him an affirming nod. "Good."

"Today's challenge is inspired by our first ever challenge!" Vintage pointed at the 3 pillars from the first challenge. "Remember those?" Cappy looked up at them "Uh yeah. We remember them." "Your challenge is to climb up them! The last person to do so will be eliminated!" Cappy stared at Vintage "...Is this a fucking joke?" "Hu-" "I HAVE NO ARMS!" Vintage stared down at the short object. "You'll figure it out! You've made it this far!" Cappy gave Vintage the death glare of his life before turning around. "Alright lets-" Cappy noticed Cali already sprinting towards the pillars. With a squeak he ran towards Lighter and climbed into his shoulder "Go go go! Come on! We gotta go!"

Cali:
Calligraphy pen immediately started using his claws to climb the pillar. The brown wood splintered around his claws. Poking at the surrounding skin. It was a little painful, but his goal was set. And he wouldn't stop until he reached the top of this pillar.

Lighter & Cappy:
"Alright! My plan is I'll get to the top than toss you to your side so we both get in! Got it?" "Yeah! Let's do this!" He put Cappy on his head and started climbing. immediately his paws started to hurt. "Ow! Splinter!" "You okay?" "Yeah... I'll be fine."

Vintage stared up at them playing the game. Quickly realizing this wouldn't be too fun to watch as it was, ya know. Just 3 objects climbing a wooden pillar. When suddenly he heard ruffling to his left. He was... Confused. There shouldn't be anyone on this island besides himself and the others. "It's probably just a animal..." He muttered to himself. But the sound didn't die down. So with a sign he decided to go check it out. Just to be safe. He walked to the foliage and pulled some leaves aside. Much to his surprise Spork was there! Picking berries. "Spork!?" Spork looked over at Vintage "Oh! Hey Vinnie! Long time no seen!" Vintage stared at him in shock. "Have you... Been on the island...? The whole time?" "Yeah! You remember that rundown pizza place? I turned it into a Café! You wanna stop by?" At first, Vintage was upset. Spork never had permission to turn it into a Café! This was a crime! But also he was dreadfully curious... How on earth did he get ovet HP's death so quickly...? He was broken when they died... And now he's perfectly fine. "Uh, yeah sure. Just give a second."

"Contestants! I'm going out, I'll check the footage when I get back to see who won." Lighter looked over his shoulder "Huh?" Cappy yapped "Lighter! Quick! Keep going!" Lighter yelped and started climbing faster.

Vintage:
Vintage followed Spork through the forest until finally arriving at a large Café with a pink sign reading "Spork & HP Café!" Oh, this didn't seem very healthy... "Uh, Spork-" "Come inside!" Spork didn't seem to hear Vontagr as he happily led him inside. Surprisingly, there was quite a few objects inside which was strange since this was on an island in the middle of nowhere. Spork hopped over the Counter. "So what can I get ya?" Vintage sighed "Just a black roast, thanks." " 'course!" Spork called out into the kitchen "Hey HP! Can we get 1 Black Roast!" "Yep! On the way." Vintage paused for a moment, confused. The voice that responded to Spork was scarily familiar. But with an echo-y, almost ghost like tone that made his spine crawl. "...Who was that?" "It was HP! You remember them right?" Vintage looked at Spork with pure concern. "Spork... Hypnosis Pendant died, remember? They fell off a cliff. They're gone."

Back at the game:
Things were getting intense. Lighter knew Calligraphy Pen was stronger. And possibly more determined. Plus he had a headstart. He thought hard about it. He knew that while yes, he was faster, stronger and had actual arms Cappy had the best chances. He was a genius, he was determined, he was brave. He knew Cappy would be willing to throw away the game for him. He knew what he'd have to do once he got to the top.

Back at the Café:
"Spork, i- I'm kinda worried... You stayed on the island even after HP died, you made a café with their name and now you're... You're talking to "them"? This can't be healthy. Who's actually over there? The fact they're feeding into this is honestly pretty bad too." Spork stared at Vintage for a moment in surprise. Before finally processing it. "We... Never told you huh? HP! Cm'ere!" Vintage stared in shock as a ghostly HP floated out of the kitchen. Half their face was cracked out with bloodstains around it. They were transparent with their remaining eye a ghostly blue. "Yep, their a ghost! We don't know how, they had a pal come by who confirmed it seemed to be something magic with the island or something. I don't know I didn't really get it, heh." Vintage stared in shock. But when he processed it his shock turned to fear. "So... Anyone who died on the island would... Become a ghost...? Even... If it was, say... In a volcano?" He noticed Spork looked shocked at his words but he pushed it down. "What? No! I-I mean, we haven't seen any othet ghosts spawn here! And the ghosts can't leave!" Vintage was slightly off-put by his worried tone, but pushed it down. After all, why would Spork lie about this? "Alright, I... Was just being sure." Spork noticed HP hand him a coffee "Thanks HP, here Vinnie! On the house!" "Oh, thanks! Have a great night!" "You too!" Spork watched as Vintage leaved and disappeared behind the foliage. Once he was gone he noticed something. "BL? Soapstone! We need your help out here!"

Back in the game:
Lighter was nearing the top. Cali accidently slowed down after getting a splinter in his paw. But now he was back. And Lighter remembered his plan. And once he got to the top, instead of placing himself he placed Cappy, just as Calligraphy Pen touched the top. Cappy stared at Lighter "Woah woah wh-" he noticed Cali was now at the top. He stared down at Lighter. "...Light?" Lighter smiled "I know you'll win caps. Your the bravest dude I know!" Vintage came back just as he saw this "Oh! Looks like Caps and Cali won! Good, I was worried I'd mess up the footage going to look back at it, heh." ... "Where'd you get that coffee?"

Everyone stood before the elimination portal. Lighter let out a sigh as the green light hit his face. "Alright Lighter, looks like your light has run out!" Lighter chuckled at his joke and looked back at Cappy. He was avoiding eye contact. But Lighter could see the outline of tears prickling in his eyes. Lighter put his paw to Cappy's face and led it to look up at him. "Cappy... I... You and Bottle changed my life, so much. I love you both more than words can say, the reason I decided you should win is cause, well... You have the best chance. Sure, I'm faster and have arms... But... You're brave, smart, determined and genuinely amazing. Even if you don't win you'll do amazing. And me and bottle will be waiting for you, okay?" Cappy stared into Lighters eyes for a moment before smiling back. "Yeah... I'll do my best." Lighter gave him a peck on the lips. Flustered the Bottle cap. "I know you will." He stood up and walked towards the portal. Before walking in he looked behind him. Cappy was still flustered, vintage had walked back so he could look at Lighter leave, and Calis face was unreadable. He didn't look sad but he didn't look joyous either. Lighter waved goodbye "Bye guys! See you on the other side!" "B-Bye lighter! Tell Bottle I said bye!" "Later Lights! See you in the finale!" "...Later Lighter." Lighter took a deep breath. Before walking through the green portal.