This is my fictional ending to Season 4, so it takes place around May of 2013. I only own the characters you don't recognize. Enjoy!
Going Out With a Bang
"Nationals is right around the corner, guys! We need to buckle down and give it our all if we want to make the top ten." Mr. Schuester strode into the choir room and grabbed a marker.
"This year's theme is-"
He turned to face the Glee Club and was met with solemn silence. He took in their glum looks and asked, "What's going on? You guys aren't fighting again, are you?"
No one said anything. Tina just sighed. Kitty rolled her eyes and settled back into her chair. "I know you're not a math teacher, but you can still count, right? Why should we bother practicing if we don't even have enough members to compete?"
Mr. Schue frowned. "I know it was hard having Britney leave, but I'm sure if you ask around-"
"We're short three members, Mr. Schue. There's no way we'll find enough people to sing with us in the next two weeks," Artie said sadly. Tina sighed again.
"Didn't Sugar say she'd come to competitions, even if she couldn't make it to every rehearsal?" Mr. Schue asked.
Artie shook his head. "Her super rich Dad transferred her to a boarding school in California to give her a more 'structured upbringing.'"
"And Joe-"
"-Is building houses for tsunami victims in the Philippines," Jake said, crossing his arms. "We're screwed."
"Don't give up yet, guys," Mr. Schue said, turning to the whiteboard. "This school is teeming with hidden talent. If we look hard enough, I'm sure we can track down enough people to get us to Nationals."
He wrote New Recruits on the whiteboard and turned to face them once again. "Keep brainstorming song ideas, but first, find us some new members." He grinned. "And be sure to mention that Nationals is in Los Angeles this year."
~GleeGleeGlee~
Artie, Tina, Blaine, and Sam made their way to lunch the next day, wincing at each defaced flier they passed in the hallway.
"Why does Mr. Shue insist on putting up fliers? It's always a disaster," Tina groaned. "They should have just mentioned it during the morning announcements so everyone could have a nice laugh and move on. It would have been just as effective and far less humiliating."
"You'd think someone would want to come chill in LA with us," Sam said glumly as he shouldered open the cafeteria door, holding it open for Artie and the others.
"The jerks at this school would blow us off even if the competition was on Pandora," Artie replied as he rolled by.
Blaine gave Sam's shoulder a squeeze at the crestfallen look on his friend's face. "Do you know if Kitty went and talked to the other cheerleaders yet?" he asked Artie as they lined up to get their lunches.
Artie grimaced. "I haven't asked her yet, but I could hear their mocking laughter from halfway across campus."
Tina picked up her tray and followed the others to their usual table. "I heard one girl laughed so hard she dislocated her shoulder."
Sam slammed his fist down on the table, but gently, so he didn't knock over anyone's drinks. "It can't end this way. We'll think of something, we always do! Someone in this school will agree to come with us, and we're gonna find them."
Blaine nodded. "I'm with Sam. We have to stay positive. If we put our heads together we'll come up with an answer. If Kurt and Rachel were here," he said, grinning, "they'd suggest tricking random students into coming with us. They'd tell them it was a trip to see OneRepublic at the Rose Bowl or something."
Artie tapped his chin thoughtfully as the others laughed. "It's good to have a Plan B," he said with a smile. "And if all else fails, I might be able to blackmail some guys in my Physics class."
Blaine shook his head, smiling ruefully. "The sad truth of the matter is, hostages don't have very good stage presence. If this is going to work, we're going to need at least three willing volunteers."
Tina patted his hand. "Don't hold your breath."
~GleeGleeGlee~
"Hey, Artie, wait up!"
Artie stopped and spun around, grinning. "What up, Stan?"
The tall, gangly Junior skidded to a stop and smiled down at him. "You got a second?"
"Yeah, walk with me."
As they continued down the hallway, Stan said, "Saw you in the front row at the final band concert. We were all glad you could make it, I thought we sounded pretty good."
Artie nodded. "You guys were great, as always." He added, "Look, I'm sorry about dropping out of Jazz Band this year, but with Glee, and A/V Club, and creating my film portfolio…" Stan held up a hand, his eyes kind.
"Hey, we get it, you've got a lot going on. No need to bring on a Senior Year Meltdown."
"That's no excuse to ditch you guys," Artie said softly, the guilt clear in his voice. "I haven't really hung out with the band since Joanie's Christmas party."
"That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about. Not the Christmas party," he amended, "although I really hope you deleted those pictures like you promised. I mean, hanging out. The gang's meeting up at the Lima Bean after school, and wanted to know if you'd like to come with."
Artie smiled at that. "I'll be there, sans compromising party pictures. Have a latte waiting for me. Extra sugar."
Stan laughed and clapped him on the back, then jogged off down the hall.
Marley shoved her History textbook in her locker and turned to find a pale, petite girl standing right at her shoulder, dark eyes watching her expectantly.
"Oh! Uh…hi!"
"You're Marley Rose, aren't you?"
"Ummm…yes?"
"I want to talk to you about this Glee Club thing, on behalf of the McKinley Textile Alliance."
"Really? Wait, the what?"
The girl rolled her eyes and said, "The MTA wants to learn more about this choir trip; some of our members are interested in going. I'm Taylor, by the way. What time does your club meet?"
"Tomorrow at three. You're welcome to-"
"We'll be there. I'll go tell the others. Thanks!" She turned on her heel and strode away. Marley gave a small wave at her retreating figure. Hoping she hadn't just made a terrible mistake, Marley continued on her way, occasionally glancing over her shoulder, this time ready for another ambush.
Artie spotted the group from Jazz Band at a table in the corner of the Lima Bean, and grinned at the sight of the extra cup by Stan's.
"You know I was just kidding about the latte, right?"
The others laughed and made a space so he could join them. They caught him up on the band's past year: knocking some sense into the freshman guitarists and horn players, a hilariously epic performance at McKinley's annual Custodian Appreciation Luncheon, Austin finally growing his hair long enough to pull it back in a ponytail. Joanie tugged his ponytail teasingly, then shook back her own blond curls.
"We're really happy for you and your choir Artie; a National competition is a huge deal, so even though it means we're seeing less of you, we're glad you and the Glee kids get one last chance to compete." She bit her lip, and Leo started nervously tapping the table, dark fingers drumming against the faded wood. "We've been wanting to congratulate you, but it's been hard to say anything without getting all mopey."
"What she means to say," Leo said in his soft voice, "is that we're still bummed out about our own trip getting cancelled."
Artie looked up sharply. "This seems like a pretty important part of your yearly recap to leave out. What happened?"
Austin sighed. "We were supposed to go to Jazz Fest in Minneapolis this January, but Principal Sylvester cancelled our trip 'in deference to the Polar Vortex.'"
"We had all of the money raised and everything!" Stan threw up his hands, nearly knocking over his mocha in the process.
Joanie took Stan's flailing hand in hers and turned back to Artie. "Clubs like ours only have enough pull to organize a trip every other year, so that was the last chance for us. And Leo's graduating in a few weeks…"
"We were ready to throw the world's largest pity party," said Stan, "when we noticed this gracing our school's hallowed halls."
Austin held up a crumpled flyer.
Artie gaped at him, then slowly began to smile. "Wait…"
"If you guys are seriously letting anyone with a pulse join up and head to California-"
Joanie elbowed him in the ribs and shot him a look. He grinned apologetically and turned back to Artie, a hopeful look on his face.
"Can we come with?"
Artie stared. After several seconds of silence, waiting for the laughter to start, he looked at each of them in turn and asked, "Are you serious?"
"Totally!" Stan clapped him on the shoulder. "Come on, man, it'll be fun!"
Artie scratched his head and asked hesitantly, "Can any of you sing?"
Stan leaned forward. "We're jazz musicians," he said seriously. "We'll improvise."
The others groaned. Stan held up his hands in defeat as his friends pelted him with napkins. "Okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I couldn't resist." He grinned at Artie. "Joanie's got a nice voice, and we've all got good rhythm, and if your club doesn't like us just put us on the back row. What've you got to lose?"
Artie smiled. "You guys rock." Holding up his latte, he cried, "We're going to Los Angeles!" As his friends cheered and raised their cups, Artie thought, we might really pull this off.
~GleeGleeGlee~
Eager to share his good news, Artie burst into Glee rehearsal the next day with a huge smile on his face. "Guess who found us enough members to compete at Nationals?" He gestured dramatically at the four jazz musicians filing in slowly behind him. As Joanie waved shyly at the club, Artie faced the room and realized the crowd was larger than usual. "Who are these guys?"
Mr. Schue came over to greet their newest guests, saying, "Jake found a couple guys from the basketball team to who were willing to join us. Chad was just explaining…" he gestured for Jake to continue. The blond to Jake's left spoke up.
"I was supposed to go to L.A. with my family and some friends this summer, but my Dad said I couldn't go because I got a C in English. Freakin' Nazi." He pointed to the tall brunet on his left. "When I told the guys after practice, Jake told us that your music club was going, too, and I could tell my Dad it was for school or whatever. Then Todd said he'd come with me if I wanted to join up."
"Solidarity, man," Todd said with a nod. They bumped fists.
"I'm telling my Dad it's for extra credit. Then I'll do a bonus essay or two to make it look legit. He even says he'll do some fundraising for us, if some of the money can go to the Lima Volunteer Fire Department."
Mr. Schue nodded carefully. "Well, whatever the reason, we're glad you're here. Artie, why don't you introduce us to your friends?" After further introductions were made and everyone found seats, Mr. Schue clapped his hands and said, "Congratulations, guys! You rounded up enough new members to get us to Nationals!" As everyone cheered, he made his way to the white board. "Now, let's talk about song suggestions."
Marley timidly raised her hand. "Uh, Mr. Schue? This might not be everyone. You see-"
The door burst open, and a cheerful, chattering group burst in, with Taylor in the lead. "This looks like the place!" She turned to Mr. Schue and smiled. "We're here to learn about the trip to California." Mr. Schue tried to mask his shock by gesturing to the remaining empty seats. Everyone turned to look at Marley.
"So, Taylor found me in the hall and said her group might be interested in joining, and I told her-"
Tina spun in her chair to look at Taylor. "Wait, aren't you the President of the Knitting Club?"
Taylor scowled. "We are the McKinley Textile Alliance, thank you," she said indignantly as the others stifled their laughter. "We may not have our own room or go to fancy competitions, but after merging with the Crochet Society last semester, we became the third largest club at this school, so you might show us some respect." She gestured grandly at the students behind her, four girls and a bored-looking guy dressed all in black.
One of the basketball guys, Chad, squinted into the crowd and said, "Damian? From Geometry? What are you doing with the Knitting Brigade?"
The guy hunched his shoulders. "My Mom made me take up weaving to help me 'channel my anger' or whatever. May as well get a trip to L.A. out of it."
Chad raised an eyebrow. "Angry weaving?"
Damian shrugged. "It works."
"So, how many people do we have now?" Sam asked, looking nervous as the girls from the McKinley Textile Alliance fought for the open seat beside him.
As Blaine worked out a rough count of the room, Tina turned to Artie and smiled. "Nationals better watch out. They'll never know what hit them."
And there is Part 1! Thanks so much for taking the time to read my story. I have some other short Glee works on my page, including A Shot at Redemption and Perchance to Dream (this story is a sort-of follow up to that one, but there's no need to read them in order). Part 2 is about 2/3 finished, and should be up by the end of the weekend.
Up Next: picking out what to sing, special guest appearances by the Warblers and some of our favorite former Gleeks, and a Nationals competition no one will ever forget. Stay tuned!