The Masked Glee Singer Chapter 1: Group A Intro Week, a glee fanfic

A/N Another Collaboration with KurtandBlaineGleek, AKA Klainedreams34, AKA darcangell23, AKA dreamcatcher. This takes place around Masked Singer's third season. It is the result of my Coauthor and I laughing our heads off at the judges constantly guessing Darren Criss for numerous contestants one season, when it was quite obvious to those of us who actually have ears that there was no way any of them was our Darren. Also, the idea that Ken Jeong was a Judge on Masked Singer, and Played Brittany's Dad just couldn't be passed up.

Reviews always welcome!

...

THE MASKED GLEE SINGER

-GROUP A INTRO WEEK-

"Welcome to week one of the all new season of The Masked Singer! This week, Group A gets a shot to show you what they can do! Say hello to The Unicorn!"

"Everyone should know that I'm here to take this competition by storm! I'm a competitor as fierce as the horn on my head!"

"The Tire!"

"I never thought I would ever do something like this. I'm not really known for my singing, except that one time when I danced to Single Ladies…"

"The Wolf!"

"I'm doing this to prove to myself that I really am as strong on the frontline of a stage as I think. I'm not really the type to want to be in the spotlight."

"The Dagger!"

"The competition better watch out, this dagger is razor sharp, and ready to poke, poke, poke you!"

"The Gavel!"

"Order, order in the competition! I'm here to set everyone else straight and keep the backup on track!"

"And The Cheetah!"

"This Cheetah is not only fast, but deadly. My claws are sharp, and my words even sharper. Did I mention I have razor blades in my fur?"

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, welcome your host, Nick Cannon!"

The audience cheered and roared with applause as the fashionable host entered the stage, wearing a deep purple suit, with sparkly shoes. His face was partially covered by a diamond encrusted Mardi Gra mask. He was surrounded by four men in black, who acted like secret service men.

"Thank you! Welcome to the season premiere of Hollywood's greatest costume party, The Masked Singer!" He paused as the audience cheered again. "As you know, each week our masked celebrities will be competing to remain anonymous until the finale, but one by one, they will be unmasked. Let's meet the lead detectives in this musical who sung it. First up is three time Grammy award winner, two time Emmy winner, and Golden Globe nominated singer/songwriter and actor, Blaine Anderson!"

The crowd cheered even louder as Blaine stood and waved to them, before taking his seat once more.

"Next up, she's the dean of one of the most prestigious performing arts schools in the country, and a world renowned teacher of fine tuning and musical pitch! Please put your hands together for Carmen Tibideaux!"

Applause rang out again as the distinctive looking woman stood and waved to the audience, her ever present turban a deep purple for opening night.

"Our next judge is a Tony nominated performer, and current chairman of the National Show Choir Committee, Will Schuester!"

Will stood and waved to the crowd, who clapped appropriately, if not exactly as enthusiastically as they had for the others.

"And finally, we're not sure what he's known for, and is really probably just here for comic relief, laugh your socks off, it's Pierce Pierce!"

The audience cheered again, chanting, "Pierce, Pierce!"

Nick was smiling and laughing a bit at the audience's enthusiasm for Pierce. "Pierce," he addressed the judge. "Why do you think you're so popular?"

Pierce shrugged. "You know, I don't know Nick. I guess it must just be my charming good looks, you know."

The audience laughed again, cheering for their second favorite judge.

Nick grinned and turned to look at Blaine. "Blaine, what do you think we can expect from this season?"

Blaine gave his dazzling smile. "As usual, I'm expecting to be totally confounded by whoever is in the masks, but I am also hoping to be wowed by the talent hidden beneath those masks."

Nick nodded his head. "Is your husband in the audience tonight as usual?" he asked.

Blaine glanced around. "He should be. Oh there he is!" He waved at Kurt who blew him a kiss as the camera panned over to him. "Love you, Kurt!"

"Love you too!" Kurt called back and the audience awed.

"You know," Pierce said. "They had the second best wedding after my daughter's. I was there."

"Um, your daughter got married at the same time as us. It was literally a double wedding," Blaine said.

"But she's my daughter. You're not," Pierce replied, as though that made it make more sense.

Nick was laughing along with the audience and he turned to face them. "Okay, tonight you'll get to meet the first group of singers for this season. Say hello to Group A. The Unicorn, The Tire, The Wolf, The Dagger, The Gavel, and The Cheetah!" The audience burst into more cheers and applause. "First up, here are some scandalous clues about The Unicorn."

A video clip began playing, with the first image being a flowered meadow, and the Unicorn sitting primly on a picnic blanket. "I love picnics," she said. "Especially at night." The sun fell out of the sky to be replaced by a moon. "Everyone in the great beyond can hear you better at night. But I've never really been much of a night mare. Early to bed, early to rise. You can't be lazy when your day is crazy. But that's how I like my life, jam packed and chock-full of everything I need to do. This unicorn is definitely one of a kind and she's always on the go. And my favorite way to start the day is with a healthy smoothie." She pulled a smoothie out of her picnic basket. There was a gold star on the glass. "It keeps me strong for the thing I do best!"

The audience clapped as the video clip ended, and Nick smiled into the camera again. "Make some noise for The Unicorn!"

A horse headed woman in a long white and gold ball gown, swept on to the stage, her glittery gold horn casting rainbow reflections as the light hit it just right. Music began to play, and the fans began to clap as they recognized the song.

Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

I think I did it again

I made you believe we're more than just friends

Oh baby

It might seem like a crush

But it doesn't mean that I'm serious

'Cause to lose all my senses

That is just so typically me

Oh baby, baby

I think I did it again

I made you believe we're more than just friends

Oh baby

It might seem like a crush

But it doesn't mean that I'm serious

'Cause to lose all my senses

That is just so typically me

Oh baby, baby

Oops, I did it again to your heart

Got lost in this game, oh baby

Oops, you think that I'm sent from above

I'm not that innocent

Oops, I did it again

I played with your heart, got lost in the game

Oh baby, baby

Oops, you think I'm in love

That I'm sent from above

I'm not that innocent

Oops, I did it again

I played with your heart, got lost in the game

Oh baby, baby

Oops, you think I'm in love

That I'm sent from above

I'm not that innocent

The audience cheered their approval, and The Unicorn joined Nick in front of the panel of judges. "Give it up for The Unicorn!" Nick called and the audience cheered louder. "Carmen, what do you think of The Unicorn's performance?"

"You have a very distinctive tone, one that I'm almost certain I've heard before. I feel like maybe you are someone I might have worked with before. But I can't exactly peg who," Carmen said.

"Will, what are your thoughts?" Nick asked.

"I agree, I definitely think I've worked with you before, although your voice seems more mature, I believe. I'm not sure that was the best song choice for you, but you performed it well! Good job."

Nick glanced to the judge on the far left. "What about you, Blaine?"

Blaine offered a sly smile. "I'm pretty sure I know exactly who you were from the moment you pulled the smoothie out in the clue package. I noticed the cup had a gold star on it, and there's only one person I know who symbolizes herself with a gold star. And your voice fits, but maybe it's because in reality I see this person almost every single day. So, I think it's Rachel Berry."

The audience all oohed and awed at that.

Nick looked at The Unicorn. "Well, Unicorn, it seems like some of the judges think they may know you. Care to give them a little hint as to your secret identity?"

"Well," the scrambled voice of the Unicorn came out childish and trill. "I have auditioned for one of you, twice!"

"Oh, panel, does that tell you anything?"

"You know," Will started, "Rachel isn't the only one who uses the gold star as a symbol. Shelby Corcoran does that too."

"Isn't that Rachel's biological mother?" Carmen asked.

Before Will could reply, Pierce jumped in, leaning over the table and throwing his arms wide. "You're all wrong! This is about hidden talents and that's why I think this is Nancy Pelosi!" The audience was a mix of boos and laughs. "She's a gold star in her own right and she does have busy busy days. Nancy Pelosi, welcome to the Masked Singer!"

"Well," Nick said, "For now you can keep your head on and head back to the lair, but if you come in last at the end of the show, we'll find out if Speaker of The House Nancy Pelosi has graced our stage!"

The unicorn flounced off stage, waving as she went.

"Up next, we'll see if our second masked singer can pick up some tred. Let's check out these clues for The Tire!"

This video clip opened inside what appeared to be a conference hall, decked out in red, white, and blue bunting and balloons. The Tire, who looked fairly normal in his blue suit with the tiny American Flag pinned to the lapel, until you looked at the large black donut shape on his head, stood behind a podium. "My fellow Americans. That's how you're supposed to start these things, right? I tell you, I never thought that I would ever make this big of a difference in the world. But I learned a lot of things from the most surprising person. My little tire. Growing up wasn't the easiest where we lived, but no one taught me more about being strong and making a difference than my little tire did. And there was no better platform to do it than on the biggest stage in America. It says a lot when a tire gets the right to do more than just driving people around."

Blaine was taking notes on the video, as Nick called The Tire to the stage.

The person in The Tire disguise made their way awkwardly on stage, and Will leaned into Carmen to murmur, "They definitely don't look comfortable on stage. Not a professional performer, I think."

The music for a sentimental classic began to play, and the masked singer began to sing. Their voice wasn't as strong as many of the other contestants in the past, but it was surprisingly smoothe.

And now, the end is near

And so I face the final curtain

My friends, I'll say it clear

I'll state my case of which I'm certain

I've lived a life that's full

I traveled each and every highway

But more, much more than this

I did it my way

Regrets, I've had a few

But then again, too few to mention

I did what I had to do

And saw it through without exemption

I planned each chartered course

Each careful step along the byway

But more, much more than this

I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew

When I bit off more than I could chew

But through it all, when there was doubt

I ate it up and spit it out

I faced it all and I stood tall

And did it my way

I've loved, laughed and cried

I've had my fill, my share of losing

And now, as tears subside

I find it all so amusing

To think I did all that

And may I say, not in a shy way

Oh no, no, not me

I did it my way

For what is a man, what has he got

If not himself then he has not

To say all the things he truly feels

And not the words of one who kneels

The record shows, I took the blows

But I did it my way

The vocals weren't perfect, but the crowd seemed to be enchanted by the performance, and gave The Tire a standing ovation.

Blaine chanced a glance at Kurt, the latter of which had his face buried in his hands, which was really all the confirmation Blaine needed to know he and Kurt might just be on the same page.

"Come on over here Tire," Nick said, gesturing with his arm. "Blaine, any words for our friend The Tire?"

Blaine smiled. "Well, first off, I just want to say how courageous it was for you to get up there and do this. We could tell you were nervous. It's very obvious you aren't a professional performer, but you did really well."

"Thank you," the masked person said. "That's a great honor, coming from you."

"No, sir, it's an honor to have you here tonight," Blaine replied, giving Kurt a small smirk. "I'm pretty sure I know who you are, but I think I'll wait for my fellow judges to guess first."

"Wise words for The Tire there Pierce?" Nick asked, turning to the judge on the opposite end of the table.

Pierce's eyes were round as saucers for a moment. "Wise words? Caput, dribble, barbaresque, pursuit. And yes, it's trivial."

The audience let out a few confused giggles and claps.

"Madame Tibideaux, Any thoughts?" Nick queried the only female judge.

"I think Blaine is right when he says you're not a professional performer. Given all the stuff about America in your package, my best guess is that you're known for a political position. You're not the strongest singer I've ever heard, but I think that with a little work, you could have some potential. As for who you are, well, I think the political pool right now is too wide to wager."

Nick patted The Tire on the shoulder, "Sometimes it's the sentiment that really matters, not necessarily the talent. Would you like to offer our judges a clue as to who is hiding under the mask?"

The Tire hesitated a moment. "One of you has eaten dinner at my table."

The audience looked around, curiously and Blaine again glanced up at Kurt, who was shaking his head and looking around as though he expected to see someone specific in the audience.

"Will, does that give you any clues?" Nick asked.

"Other than you might know one of us on a more personal level, not really. Going on a political standpoint, I was thinking of someone like Robert Addock. Politics wasn't necessarily his chosen career and he's very close to his daughter."

The audience oohed and awed and nodded their heads.

"He's from LA though," Blaine put in. "Tire's package said where they lived wasn't the easiest place for his child to grow up in." Blaine shrugged. "LA would be a great place for a young girl to grow up in, I think. But I can think of someone from my home state who knows how hard it can be for a kid who is a bit different than their peers to grow up in a relatively small town. I think this could be him, although I'll wait to see if he makes it through to the next round to name them."

The Tire gave a little bow towards the judges, and was escorted off the stage, as the audience cheered and clapped.

"The Tire, ladies and gentlemen!" Nick said, clapping himself. "Up next, he'll huff, he'll puff, and he'll try to blow us all away with his singing. Let's hear it for The Wolf!"

The next video clip opened with The Wolf seated in a chair, surrounded by computer monitors, with a guitar behind him. "I'm not the kind of person who has found it easy to get noticed. When I was younger, I didn't want to be noticed. We moved around a lot and I was always trying my best to blend in, despite the fact that some people would say I stick out like a sore thumb." He picked up a pair of chunky headphones and put them on his furry ears. "In front of a camera was the only place I felt comfortable being me. At least then I could just focus the angle on my face. Being here now, people might say I'm just a sheep in wolf's clothing, but I'm going to prove that my howl will make a mark."

"Welcome to the stage, The Wolf!" Nick said, and the crowds began to cheer. The cheers got louder as familiar music began to play.

Mustang Sally, think you better slow your mustang down

You been running all over the town now

Oh! I guess I'll have to put your flat feet on the ground

All you want to do is ride around Sally, ride, Sally, ride

One of these early mornings, oh, you gonna be wiping your weeping eyes

I bought you a brand new mustang 'bout nineteen sixty five

Now you come around signifying a woman, you don't want to let me ride

Mustang Sally, think you better slow your mustang down

You been running all over the town now

Oh! I guess I'll have to put your flat feet on the ground

All you want to do is ride around Sally, ride, Sally, ride

The audience had jumped to their feet and were dancing and singing along by the end of the first chorus, and were screaming and cheering by the end of the song.

"Let's hear it for The Wolf!" Nick called, gesturing for the performer to join him, the ever present grin on his face. "Will, what are your thoughts for this Wolf here?"

"Wow," Will said with a laugh. "I don't think there's really much to say about that performance. It was flawless. And I don't know why you're so shy about standing out, because you will be going places."

Pierce was raising his hand and Nick gave him a funny look. "What is it, Pierce?" the host asked.

"I just wanted to make sure; I have pigs at home. You're not going to blow their house down, are you?"

The Wolf put its paws to its face and shook its head. It probably would have rolled its eyes if it were capable of doing so. That didn't stop Kurt and several other audience members from doing so.

"Why do you have pigs at home?" Nick asked in confusion.

"When we cleared out the barn for the wedding, they had to live somewhere," Pierce said.

Blaine was gawking at him in disbelief. And to everyone's surprise, it was Kurt who yelled out a reply.

"That wasn't an active barn! I should know! I'm the one who was in charge of setting everything up!"

The audience roared in laughter at Kurt's outburst.

Nick tried to regain control of the show, turning to Madame Tibideaux. "Carmen, my lovely dear, what did you think of The Wolf's charms?"

Carmen straightened her turban and looked at The Wolf, with a rather impressed smile. "Young man," she started, because she truly thought he was a young man. "I think you have a future ahead of you as a performer. Perhaps not on a Broadway stage, but there's always more room for musicians in this world."

The audience roared their approval, cheering and chanting, "Wolf, Wolf, Wolf!"

Nick clapped the masked man on the back. "They all love The Wolf. How about a clue to the future superstar biding his time under the mask?"

The Wolf glanced up at the judges. "If it weren't for one of your spouses, I would never have found the courage to even consider this. I would have hidden myself away in my wolf den back in high school."

Whispers and gasps befell the crowd, all of them wondering what that could mean and several people glanced in Kurt's direction.

Nick turned to Blaine. "Mr. Anderson, any guesses?"

Blaine laughed. "Honestly, I think you're probably the first person I'm not sure about so far. There is a familiarity in your voice, but I've heard so many people and helped so many people in my time, I can't quite place it. But I do agree with Carmen that you're destined for stardom."

"I know exactly who this is!" Pierce shouted out. "You're ME!"

Nick just laughed off Pierce's proclamation, turning back to The Wolf. "Well, for now your identity is safe, so why don't you head back to the lair and relax. One more time, ladies and gentlemen, let's have a round of applause for The Wolf!"

Head held a little higher than before, The Wolf waved and blew kisses to the audience as he was escorted backstage.

"Our next performer isn't silent, but is very deadly. Give it up for The Dagger!"

"The Dagger?" Blaine muttered, just before the video clip started playing.

They were blinded by pink as it opened to a dagger in a pink suit lounging on a chaise, a feather boa around their neck. "You had better be quick to respond because this dagger will poke you in more ways than one." He chuckled. "I've had my ups and downs and dismissals. Apparently some people haven't found me very appealing. But that's why I'm doing this. It's time to make a comeback and show all the naysayers why they never should have told me no. I was lucky enough that I didn't exactly fall by the wayside. In my down time, I have a decent side gig that helps me get chronic with the dough. So watch out world, you're about to be poked by The Dagger."

Even Nick looked a bit skeptical as he turned back to the camera. "Well, there you have it. Make some noise for The Dagger!"

The audience began clapping as a very familiar song began to play, and as the mysterious Dagger made their way on stage. It wasn't too far into the song before they began to look at each other with very definitive 'What the hell is this?' looks on their faces.

She's into superstitions black cats and voodoo dolls

I feel a premonition that girl's gonna make me fall

She's into new sensations new kicks in the candle light

She's got a new addiction for every day and night

She'll make you take your clothes off and go dancing in the rain

She'll make you live her crazy life but she'll take away your pain

Like a bullet to your brain

Come on!

Upside, inside out she's living la vida loca

She'll push and pull you down, living la vida loca

Her lips are devil-red and her skin's the color mocha

She will wear you out living la vida loca

Come on!

Upside, inside out she's living la vida loca

She'll push and pull you down, living la vida loca

Her lips are devil-red and her skin's the color mocha

She will wear you out living la vida loca

Come on!

Living la vida loca

Come on!

She's living la vida loca

Come on!

La vida loca

There was a polite smattering of applause from the crowd when the song ended, but it appeared to be more out of relief of the torture being over than anything else.

"What a creep," Blaine whispered to Carmen.

"Mmhm," was her reply, accompanied by one of her famous side eyes at her fellow judge. "Where the hell did they find this guy?"

Blaine shook his head, "I have no idea. But I think the better question is, what is he threatening them with?" he asked.

Nick cleared his throat. "Well, that was certainly an unforgettable performance. Will, what do you think?"

Will cleared his throat, opened his mouth, closed it again, cleared his throat once more, and just shook his head, incapable of speech.

Nick looked slightly nervous for a moment, but even he didn't want to pretend there was something good about The Dagger. He turned to look at Blaine, who would likely be the most polite about it, but before he could say anything, Kurt's voice was heard again.

"We're all thinking it, so I'll just sum it up for everyone. Mr. Dagger, whoever you are, you're a bloody creep!"

The audience laughed nervously, but seemed to agree with Kurt.

Nick decided to just move things along. "Well, would you like to offer a clue to...whatever this was?"

To his credit, The Dagger seemed undeterred by the less than ideal attention and he held his head high. "One of you stole my job."

Another awkward moment ensued as both Will and Blaine looked uncomfortable at this statement. Nick, ever the gracious host, once again moved things along. "The Dagger, everyone. For now his identity will be a well kept secret, but, if at the end of the show, he receives the fewest votes, he will be beheaded."

Even Pierce was looking uncomfortable down at his end of the table, and a glance at the other three judges suggested they were all on the same page about getting the creepy guy out.

Nick drew a breath and resolved to just move on, hoping to get past the awkwardness. "The second to last singer of the night to grace our stage, here's all you ever wanted to know about The Gavel!"

The video opened in what seemed to be a courtroom. There was a flag with the seal of the state of Massachusetts standing in a corner. A Blazer was thrown casually over the back of a chair. An empty birdcage sat on the corner of the judicial bench. "Some people might say, I'm not really in the limelight. Well, maybe at the bottom. But once you climb to the higher places, those that reign supreme, you're nearly certain to be a household name. But being on Masked Singer is a chance for me to touch base with the passions of my teenage years. I was in charge back then, too. The world might be surprised because not a lot of people in my profession have this kind of talent." He banged a gavel on the table in front of him. "Competition is now in session. All rise for the future winner."

The lights on the stage came up, showing The Gavel with a pair of drumsticks in his hands. Rather than waiting for a soundtrack to play like most of the other contestants, he began pounding out a rhythm on various items set out around him. After a moment he began singing and dancing to the beat as he continued the drumming.

Today 4 you

Tomorrow for me

Today 4 you

Tomorrow for me

It was my lucky day today

On Avenue A

When a lady in a limousine

Drove my way

She said "Darling be a dear

Haven't slept in a year

I need your help

To make my neighbor's yappy dog disappear"

"This Akita, Evita, just won't shut up

I believe if you play nonstop that pup

Will breathe its very last

High strung breath

I'm certain that cur

Will bark itself to death"

Today 4 you

Tomorrow for me

Today 4 you

Tomorrow for me

After an hour

Evita in all her glory

On the window ledge

Of that 23rd story

Like Thelma and Louise did

When they got the blues

Swan dove into

The courtyard of the Gracie Mews

Today 4 you

Tomorrow for me

Today 4 you

Tomorrow for me

Sing it!

Today 4 you

Tomorrow 4 me

Today 4 you

Tomorrow 4 me

I said today 4 you

Tomorrow 4 me

Today 4 you

Tomorrow 4 me

The audience was once again stunned by a performance, but this time in a good way, and they cheered and whistled as the song came to an end.

"Clap a beat for The Gavel!" Nick called out, as the masked hammer came and stood beside him. "Blaine," Nick said, turning to the panel. "How do you feel about this performance?"

Blaine laughed. "That was amazing, but this time I am positive I know who this is! There's only one person I can think of who loves his gavel more than his wife, and who can move like that without missing a beat!" Blaine glanced at Kurt once again. "All rise for Supreme Court Nominee, Wes Montgomery!" The crowd looked at each other in awe, and cheered.

Kurt was nodding his head, because he had to agree with his husband. Who else would choose to be a giant gavel?

Nick chuckled lightly and looked over at Pierce, who looked frightened. "Something wrong, Pierce?" the host asked.

"I know, I know, I still owe money on that parking ticket! I swear I'm going to pay it. Please don't send me to jail!"

The audience laughed loudly once more, the atmosphere much more lively now that the previous act had virtually been forgotten. Nick laughed as well as he turned his attention to the other judges. "Will, do you concur with Blaine's assessment?"

"I must say that I don't really know much about court judges," Will said. "But it's obvious he's on his way up, so I'm sure your name must be in the news frequently. The only one I can recall seeing is Wes Montgomery. So I'm going to go with Blaine on this one."

"Carmen, what say you, one judge to another possible judge?" Nick asked.

"Well," The dean said, "I don't have a gavel to finalize things, but you sir can definitely be a judge in more than one profession."

"High praise indeed," Nick said. "Mr. Gavel, have you a clue for us?"

The Masked man raised his mic slowly. "I was once one of your bosses."

"Aren't you everyone's boss?" Pierce asked.

As the audience giggled at Pierce's comment, Nick shook The Gavel's hand. "We'll see The Gavel again shortly when the votes are in, but for now, there is only one performance left. Let's study this clip for any clues we can find about The Cheetah!"

The video clip opened on a football field, with a stadium full of fans. "I can never forget my roots, but on this field was not where I learned how to be loud. I grew up in the toughest part of town, and I've never been soft spoken. Apparently, I've been insulting people since before I could talk. But this siren has a voice and a powerful message to share. And there are more ways than just looking hot and spelling out words on the field." She picked up a couple of pom poms. "Back when I first got into my other favorite type of performing, I didn't want anyone to know. So I shunned it on the outside. But if not for that part of my life, I wouldn't be who I am today!"

"Ladies and gentleman, The Cheetah!" Nick said, and music thrummed through the studio.

Como puede ser verdad

Last night I dreamt of San Pedro

Just like I'd never gone, I knew the song

A young girl with eyes like the desert

It all seems like yesterday, not far away

Tropical the island breeze

All of nature wild and free

This is where I long to be

La isla bonita

And when the samba played

The sun would set so high

Ring through my ears and sting my eyes

Your Spanish lullaby

I fell in love with San Pedro

Warm wind carried on the sea, he called to me

Te dijo te amo

I prayed that the days would last

They went so fast

I want to be where the sun warms the sky

When it's time for siesta you can watch them go by

Beautiful faces, no cares in this world

Where a girl loves a boy, and a boy loves a girl

Tropical the island breeze

All of nature wild and free

This is where I long to be

La isla bonita

And when the samba played

The sun would set so high

Ring through my ears and sting my eyes

Your Spanish lullaby

La la la la la la la

Te dijo te amo

La la la la la la la

El dijo que te ama

More cheers erupted from the audience as the song came to an end. Even Kurt appeared to have tears in his eyes at the beautiful melody.

"Let's hear it again for The Cheetah!" Nick exclaimed, smiling at the masked woman. He turned to look at the panel. "Carmen, any sage advice for Miss Cheetah here?"

Carmen looked at The Cheetah contemplatively for a moment before speaking. "Stop hiding behind a mask, and I'm not just talking about here on this stage. I see within you a very great talent, but I also see the fear of failure you try to hide behind your sarcasm and claws. Step up and let the Cheetah out of the cage you keep her in."

Nick, always the smiler, turned to Pierce. "Pierce, what do you say?"

Pierce looked at her with tears in his own eyes. "You know, you have the kind of voice that if my daughter wasn't married, she would fall in love with," he said.

Nick laughed. "I hope your daughter's wife doesn't hear you saying that. Blaine?"

"It's so weird how many people tonight feel like they're someone I know on a real deep personal level. Cheetah, you have a stunning voice. One that reminds me of a friend of mine who I think sometimes exudes more confidence than she actually feels. Carmen is right, stop locking yourself in a cage."

Nick discreetly wiped moisture from the corner of his eye, turning to the masked contestant beside him. "What clue would you like to share with the judges tonight?"

There was a sniffing sound into the mic. "Sorry," The Cheetah said. "Um...One of you shares something of significance with me."

Nick looked up at the judges once again. "Will, does that clue have any meaning for you?"

"Other than giving everyone more reason to cry?" he asked. "Cheetah, you have a beautiful voice and I think you just need to be more confident about opening up yourself. I've trained a few people in their early days that had that issue."

"Thank You, Cheetah," Nick said. "Now it's time to find out which of our mystery performers will keep their masks on, and which one will be unmasked." As he spoke the other contestants returned to the stage. "Judges, and audience, it's time to cast your vote. Which of these six celebrities gave your favorite performance this evening?"

Quiet befell the studio for the next few moments as everyone voted for their favorite performers.

"This is always the hardest part," Blaine remarked.

Once the votes were counted, Nick addressed the camera and audience once more. "The votes are in, and the performer who will be unmasked and leave the competition is…" he paused for a dramatic moment, before continuing. "The Dagger."

It wasn't easy for the crowd to hide their relief. But at the same time, they might have all been just a little scared about who was under that mask.

"I don't suppose he can just leave without showing us who he is," Kurt called out to laughter from the audience.

Nick laughed as well. "The rest of you may keep your masks on and head back to the lair and chill. Dagger, why don't you come on over here?" The last part was said in a tone of voice that clearly said 'not too close.'

The Dagger moved forward as the rest of the performers made their way off-stage. Nick stood beside The Dagger and turned to the panel. "Before we reveal who is under the mask, we need to know your final guesses. Blaine?"

"Um. I have no clue. Maybe Richard Simmons?"

"Okay," Nick said. "Carmen, how about you?"

"The only one I can think of is the freshman I once kicked out of my class for failing to learn the assigned piece in the forty-eight hours provided. I can't remember his name though. I'll go with Richard Simmons as well."

"Will? What's your guess?" Nick said.

Will had a sick feeling he knew exactly who this person was, but didn't want to admit it. "I have to go with Richard Simmons."

"Wow," Nick said. "Everyone thinks the same. Okay, Pierce, do you agree?"

Pierce shook his head. "I know exactly who this is!" he said, standing up and slamming his palm flat on the table. "Based on the fact that you're a dagger and you're creepy and you're probably out for blood, I am one hundred percent certain that you are Michael Myers."

Nick shook his head. "Michael Myers is a fictional character."

"No, he's not! He voiced Shrek and played Austin Powers!" Pierce protested.

Nick rolled his eyes, but decided to go with it. "Whatever. It's time to reveal your true identity, Dagger. Take off the mask!"

Instead of the traditional chant of 'take it off,' the audience started chanting, "Keep it on! Keep it on!"

As the unconventional chant continued, The Dagger pretended to struggle getting the mask off for a few moments, stretching it out. Eventually, Nick braved the danger and yanked the mask off. The chanting stopped abruptly, and everyone looked on in confusion, not sure who the man was that was revealed. "Who the hell is that?" several people asked.

Will frowned. "I know who he is. He's not famous at all, just likes to blackmail his way into the spotlight. His name is Sandy Ryerson and he was fired from the school we both worked at for inappropriate touching."

The man in The Dagger costume glared at him. "You took my job, William!" he shouted.

"You lost the job because you couldn't keep your hands to yourself, and you traumatized the students!" Will shouted back. Nick was waving discreetly for security before a fight could break out.

"Well, there you have it folks, our first performer unmasked. Stay tuned for scenes from our next episode!"

Just as they were getting to the point where they would normally let the unmasked performer sing them out, the screen went blank to viewers with a message of technical difficulties.