A/N
HEYYYY! Sorry it has been such a long time since I updated this story. I got caught up in the Star Wars fever and all my attention went to those fics. But now I'm back and ready to keep plugging at this story.
Before we begin I have a little rant that I want to go on and feel free to skip it, but I have to get it off my chest. I have gotten a couple reviews on this story about how annoying the Beca character is in this story. How she doesn't match up with the canon and something like this should have never happened. Now, I'm not upset with those reviews, I love all reviews and I read each and every single one of them. What I have noticed is that other authors get very discouraged by this and second guess their work. The thing with Fanfiction writing is that it is supposed to be different from the canon. This is what one person would want to see the characters act like, and they shouldn't be punished because of that. People complain about this story, but others have only praise for BecaXChloe stories. Like I said, I don't take your reviews personally, but that is totally not matching up to the canon at all. Beca never swung that way and I think that it is wrong to write about. But the only thing I do about it is one: don't comment on how not real it is; and two: stop reading the story. If I don't like a story, it's not the authors fault, but it's just not my taste. It's theirs and I can respect all opinions. So, I hope that didn't offend anyone and if you have a comment on this, DM me or leave it in the reviews. All I do warn is that you do not curse. I just find that over the top and mean and will not hesitate to remove that review.
Whew, sorry about that rant. Just needed to get something off my chest. Well, without further interruption, enjoy the next chapter!
Chapter 10
It had been a long and hard week of training for the battle rounds for Beca. The first two acts seemed to have nailed their songs and were ready for their shows. Crystal and Susan were due to go on tonight, along with one team of the other mentors as well. Beca knew that tonight was going to be tough, she was going to have to cut one of her team members for the first time, and she didn't want to. She had become really attached to these people. But she was confident that the other mentors would use their saves on her team members, they were all that good.
Chloe had come a long way since the first run as well. She had really gotten into the dancing and the rapping was better, still not the best, but getting better. Nate was also on top of his game as well, and Beca knew that it would probably be the toughest decision of the competition for her. She was currently lying on the couch in her house, eyes closed, and just thinking. Jesse had a movie going, she didn't know which one, she kinda zoned out. Her feet were currently in his lap and he was giving her a foot rub. Her feet had started aching more as of late, but Jesse was always there for her.
Beca groaned in pleasure as Jesse started working out a really sore spot in her foot and Jesse laughed at that. Beca opened her eyes to see the complete adulation in his eyes as he looked at her. She gave him a smile and laid back down.
"What movie are you watching?" Beca asked absently, still in complete bliss.
"A new one I found with Drew Barrymore in it," Jesse said. "You would think with my impressive collection that I would have seen this already, but I haven't. It's called Whip It. Roller Derby film, centered in Texas around Austin. Its got Kristen Wiig and Jimmy Fallon in it."
"Sounds interesting," Beca mumbled, almost falling asleep.
"Hey don't go sleeping on me now," Jesse prodded, poking her foot. "You have to get ready in an hour to leave for the show tonight."
"You can't tell a pregnant woman what to do," Beca protested.
"I can when she will get angry when I let her sleep for too long before going out," Jesse said and Beca pouted.
Jesse only smiled at that and turned his eyes back to the movie on the screen. Beca rolled her eyes at him and tried to kick him with her foot. Jesse still had a tight grip on her feet, so her kick didn't get far. Jesse chuckled and eventually Beca smiled. She turned her attention back to the movie and tried to pick up the plot.
Two Hours Later
Beca stood backstage with the other mentors, having a casual conversation with them. They were waiting for their introductions for them to take their seat. None of them would be performing tonight, instead Beca had asked if Idina would be interested and she agreed. She would be singing Defying Gravity, which was one of Beca's favorite Broadway songs. The list wasn't very long because Broadway wasn't really her thing, but it was on it.
"So Team Beca," Adam said, bringing Beca out of her deep thoughts. "What have you got planned for us tonight."
"Oh," Beca said with an innocent smile. "Something unorthodox I suppose."
"Look at that," Blake said. "Swanson has got a trick up her sleeve."
"Oh yeah," Beca said, "you won't see it coming."
The rest of the judges laughed and then the music came on for the introductions. As the boys moved towards the stage, Beca walked over to Idina, who was about to walk on stage.
"Hey," Beca said. "Thanks for singing tonight."
"It's no problem," Idina said. "I love singing. Especially to show these kids how it is really done."
Beca smiled at Idina and gave her a big hug. "You know," Beca said. "We haven't done an album deal yet. You interested?"
"I'll have to think about it," Idina said. "Maybe after you are done with this show for the season and you get under your feet with your baby coming."
"Sounds like a plan," Beca said.
"We welcome all the mentors to the stage for this day of battle rounds," the announcer said in the background and Beca turned to walk towards the stage and called out a "Good luck," over her shoulder.
Beca walked out onto the big stage and started waving to the cheering crowd. She walked over to some small girls on the side of the stage who were holding up pens and various CD covers. She signed them and gave them both high fives. She made her way around the crowd and finally sat down in her chair.
"Singing tonight will be a very successful broadway and movie star," the announcer said. "Performing Defying Gravity, from the musical Wicked. Idina Menzel!"
The crowd went insane as the lights went down and the music began playing. Idina appeared on stage and began singing.
(Song to listen to: Defying Gravity, tweaked Wicked version)
Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by
The rules of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes
And leap…
The music started picking up and Idina started to move about the stage, showing how singing and performing were done in perfect sync.
t's time to try defying gravity
I think I'll try defying gravity
And you can't pull me down
I'm through accepting limits
Cuz someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But till I try I'll never know
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love, I guess I've lost
Well if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost
I'd sooner buy defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity
And you can't pull me down!
She was singing an abridged version, so the music really picked up and she started the big finish that made this song one of the most famous broadway songs there ever was.
So if you care to find me
Look to the Western sky!
As someone told me lately
Everyone deserves the chance to fly
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who ground me
Take a message back from me!
Tell them how I am defying gravity
I'm flying high, defying gravity
And soon I'll match them in renown
And nobody in all of Oz
No Wizard that there is or was
Is ever gonna bring me down!
She held the last note and the crowd went absolutely insane. Beca stood up and applauded her, as did the other judges. Idina bowed as she tried to catch her breath. Beca knew that the most incredible thing about Idina was that she had asthma. It was incredible that she was able to sing that well, with a breathing problem. Idina walked off the stage and the judges sat back down, waiting for the crowd to die down. When it finally did, Adam began talking about what they had in store for the next few nights.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," he said. "Welcome to the battle rounds."
The crowd cheered as the battle round graphic came up on the screen.
"Now," Adam began to explain the battle round (or at least how it is going to work in my book). "Each mentor will bring out two teammates, each night, for the next four shows. They will perform with each other on a song that their mentor has picked out for them, with their task that they are looking for. At the end of the song, that mentor will judge them on their performance and choose which singer stays on their team and which one gets cut. Now don't fear for your favorite contestants, if they do get cut, the other three mentors have two saves, which will allow that singer back into the competition, under the mentor that saved them. Now, for the moment you all have been waiting for, the first singers are up from Team Swanson!"
The crowd cheered as the lights went down and a pre recorded bit started playing to give the two singers time to get on stage.
It started out on an interview with Beca, explaining what she chose for her team members.
"Well," Beca began. "I wanted to do something unorthodox, because this is my first year and I feel that this aspect is often the most underlooked in the competition. So, all the songs I have picked for my students are common party songs, with a lot of choreography in it, but enough singing to show off their voice. These songs have rapping, singing, and a lot of dance breaks."
The camera shifted to her and Idina, watching Crystal and Susan.
"Idina was an obvious choice for being a guest mentor," a voice over of Beca said. "On Broadway and Movie, presentation is just as important as singing. I feel as concerts and music videos can sometimes make or break a CD, and maybe even a career. Look at Michael Jackson for example. Sure he was a great singer and his songs were awesome, but he made his name famous with dance. When you think about Michael Jackson songs, you think of Thriller, and that music video. Just famous for that."
The camera shifted from the whole group to just close ups of Susan and Crystal.
"Susan and Crystal brought a lot of energy to this song," Beca said. "Which is great because, this song requires a lot of energy. They were really timid to move around a lot at first, but as they got more comfortable with the song and the lyrics, the dancing just came natural to them.
The camera showed and dance move that Crystal pulled off that made everyone in the studio laugh and the camera closed in on Beca.
"You guys are in for a treat tonight," Beca said. "I don't know how I am going to pick between these two amazing girls."
The lights came back on the stage and Crystal and Susan were in the middle of the stage, decked out in all pink clothing.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," the announcer said. "Performing from Team Swanson, Crystal and Susan singing Raise Your Glass by Pink."
The crowd went wild as the announcement was made. The intro started up and the crowd quieted. Susan and Crystal smiled at each other and did a complicated handshake that surprised Beca. They had never rehearsed that, and moreover, they were battling against each other. Beca smiled because it seemed like this show had made lifelong friends. The song got to the part where the singing began, and Crystal took the first part.
(Music to Listen to: Raise Your Glass by Pink)
Crystal: Right, right, turn off the lights
We're gonna lose our minds tonight
What's the deal, yo?
Susan: I love when it's all too much
5 a.m. turn the radio up
Where's the rock 'n roll?
Crystal: Party crasher,
Susan: Panty snatcher
Crystal: Call me up if you're a gangsta
Susan: Don't be fancy, just get dancy
Crystal: Why so serious?
Both: So raise your glass if you are wrong
Crystal: In all the right ways, all my underdogs
Susan: We will never be, never be
Both: anything but loud
Crystal: And nitty, gritty, dirty, little freaks
Susan: Won't you come on and come on and
Both: Raise your glass!
Crystal: Just come on and come on and
Both: Raise your glass!
Susan: Slam, slam, oh hot damn
What part of a party don't you understand?
Wish you'd just freak out
Crystal: Can't stop, coming in hot
I should be locked up right on the spot
It's so on right now
Susan: Party crasher,
Crystal: Panty snatcher
Susan: Call me up if you're a gangsta
Crystal: Don't be fancy, just get dancy
Susan: Why so serious?
Both: So raise your glass if you are wrong
Susan: In all the right ways, all my underdogs
Crystal: We will never be, never be
Both: anything but loud
Susan: And nitty, gritty, dirty, little freaks
Crystal: Won't you come on and come on and
Both: Raise your glass!
Susan: Just come on and come on and
Both: Raise your glass!
Crystal: Won't you come on and come on and
Both: Raise your glass!
Susan: Just come on and come on and
Both: Raise your glass!
Crystal: So if you're too school for cool
Susan: And you're treated like a fool
Crystal: You can choose to let it go
Susan: We can always, we can always party on our own
Both: So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways, all my underdogs
We will never be, never be anything but loud
And nitty, gritty, dirty, little freaks
So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways, all my underdogs
We will never be, never be anything but loud
And nitty, gritty, dirty, little freaks
Crystal: Won't you come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Susan: Just come on and come on and
Both: Raise your glass!
Crystal: Won't you come on and come on and
Both: Raise your glass for me!
Susan: Just come on and come on and
Both: Raise your glass for me!
Crystal: For me
After the last note was over, the crowd immediately went crazy. Susan and Crystal both bowed to the crowd and then gave each other a giant hug. They were laughing and looked like they had the best time of their lives. Beca clapped for them as she went over the notes she made in her head. The vocals were good for both of them. Crystal stuttered on some of the spoken lines and Susan was pitchy at times but all were fixable and not worth cutting. They also both showed extreme energy and danced around with the perfect mix of clean and PG-13 dancing for this obvious drinking song. The one thing that Beca saw is that Crystal seemed to follow Susan a little, like take some cues from her and feed off her energy.
"Wow," Usher said. "You girls were on fire. I loved every bit of that performance."
"Absolutely," Adam said. "Great energy all around. Beca, now it's time for you to decide."
Beca looked at the girls with eager faces and smiled both at them.
"This is such a difficult decision," Beca said. "You both had outstanding energy and I had so much fun helping you with this song. Your singing was great. Crystal you did stutter on some of the spoken parts and Susan, you were a little pitchy at times, but none of that matters. The one thing that made my final decision was so small because you both did such a great job."
Beca took a deep breath and looked at the two girls.
"I want you to know that I love you both and I hate to have to do this," Beca said. "Susan."
Beca looked over to Susan whose eyes went wide.
"Congratulations," Beca said. "You will be staying with me till the next round."
The crowd cheered and Susan and Crystal hugged each other. When they finished they turned around to face the mentors.
"Crystal," Beca said. "I noticed that in some places you seemed to take some small cues from Susan on what you should do. It's not a huge deal when you are doing a duet, but this is a solo artist competition in the long run, and Susan displayed more of the leader, so that is why I had to cut you."
"I understand," Crystal said. "Thank you so much for the opportunity."
The crowd cheered at this and Beca nodded to her. Beca then turned around to the other mentors around her.
"Anyone want to save her?" Beca asked.
Immediately, three hands went to the save button and Beca smiled. Her team was the best, and they would all be making it.
A/N
There it is, the latest installment
First round of the battle rounds is over and Susan edges out Crystal to stay on team Beca, but Crystal is soon adopted to another team to fight another day
I do want to say that it is probably going to get confusing keeping all of the names in order, which is why I will be providing an entire roster the next chapter for reference, including names for the other team members. I can also create a bracket that I will post to my twitter, which can be found on my profile page, if you guys want it. Let me know in the reviews. If you want it. I will update it after every round
Songs:
Defying Gravity- from Wicked
Raise Your Glass- by Pink
As always I do not own any of the characters
Reviews, likes, and follows are always appreciated