-BATTLE FOR THE SUPER SIX ROUND TWO-
As the audience roared in eager anticipation, the camera panned around the auditorium. "This week, three more masked contestants compete to keep their heads as we narrow down the competition. Only two can move forward. Will it be The Butterfly, the Sun, or The Unicorn?" The crowd cheered as each of their favorites was named. "Now here is your host, Nick Cannon!"
The eccentric host strode out on the stage dressed in a gem studded multicolored suit, with a matching mask and cane.
"We've got an exciting night ahead of us, with three talented performers battling it out for only two spots in the quarter finals. But first, let us introduce our panel of musical sleuths trying to suss out their identities. First up, he can be a clown or a pain my butt, Pierce Pierce!"
"Well sure, you'll get a pain in your butt if you pierce it," Pierce said. Though his eyes were on the plate of lasagna he had in front of him.
"Pierce, are you eating on the job again?" Nick asked, and then shook his head and moved on. "Up next, she's cultured and refined, Madame Tibideaux!"
Carmen waved politely to the cheering crowd before peeking over her glasses down at Pierce. "You did remember to bring some for the whole class, Mr. Pierce?"
The shorter man looked chagrined. "No, ma'am."
Nick rolled his eyes again. "Next up, he's been in so many shows on Broadway he can't remember the names of half of them. Will Schuester!"
"It's great to be here for another wonderful night of performances, Nick," Will said, nodding his head.
"And last but most certainly not least, he's America's sweetheart, Blaine Anderson!"
Blaine grinned. "Ah shucks, Nick. You make me sound like all that and a bag of chips." He laughed and blew kisses to the crowd.
"Chips?" Pierce. "That's what I forgot! I need chips with my lasagna!"
"So Blaine, have you spoken with your husband since he's been in New York?"
"Oh yes," Blaine replied with a smile. "He's doing great. He sends his love, but he's working really hard. I can't wait to see the show when it's done."
"I'm sure it's going to be amazing. Now let's take a look at some clues to the identity of our first contestant tonight, The Butterfly."
The video opened with The Butterfly standing in a cafeteria. "This show has done wonders for my confidence. I feel like I'm stronger for it. But this place that I'm in right here, represents what it means to work hard for what you have. Growing up, I didn't have a lot. My mom would do so many things to try and help me seem like I fit in with others, but we weren't on the high end of middle class. Cafeterias like this one were where my mom tried to make a living, tried to earn the money to give me everything I ever wanted. But I didn't need anything more in my life than her. And now, I feel like I'm reaching a point where I can give so much back to her for everything that she's ever done for me."
A hush settled over the crowd as The Butterfly stood center-stage, and without musical accompaniment, began to sing.
She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati on a snow white Christmas Eve
Going home to see her mama and her daddy with the baby in the backseat
Fifty miles to go, and she was running low on faith and gasoline
It'd been a long hard year
She had a lot on her mind, and she didn't pay attention
She was going way too fast
Before she knew it she was spinning on a thin black sheet of glass
She saw both their lives flash before her eyes
She didn't even have time to cry
She was so scared
She threw her hands up in the air
As she began the chorus, she was accompanied by a guitar.
Jesus, take the wheel
Take it from my hands
'Cause I can't do this on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
And save me from this road I'm on
Jesus, take the wheel
It was still getting colder when she made it to the shoulder
And the car came to a stop
She cried when she saw that baby in the backseat sleeping like a rock
And for the first time in a long time
She bowed her head to pray
She said, "I'm sorry for the way
I've been living my life
I know I've got to change
So from now on tonight
Jesus, take the wheel
Take it from my hands
'Cause I can't do this on my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
And save me from this road I'm on.
Oh, Jesus, take the wheel
Oh, I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
Save me from this road I'm on
From this road I'm on
From this road I'm on
Jesus, take the wheel
Oh, take it, take it from me
Oh, why, oh
There was a beat of silence, before the loudest roar yet for The Butterfly, erupted throughout the studio. Every single person in the audience was on their feet.
"Wow," Nick said, momentarily speechless. "I think we all just had a religious experience. Carmen, would you agree?"
"Young lady, whoever you are, I think you need to start giving yourself more credit," Carmen said. "That song and Miss. Underwood's other song, Before He Cheats, are two of her most difficult songs to cover. But I think you are most definitely a songwriter first, because the arrangement you came up with was absolutely stunning. So bravo."
The Butterfly covered her face for a moment as she shook her head, emotions overwhelming her. Nick placed a hand on her back. "Will, do you have any thoughts on who this may be?"
"I think after that performance, I definitely do have to agree with Blaine. Especially since in your clue package you mentioned about your mom working in cafeterias. So I have to say this is Marley Rose."
The audience cheered in approval at the guess. "That does make sense. Pierce, what do you have to say about that performance?"
"Keep your hands on the wheel at ten and two and always wear your seatbelt," Pierce said.
The crowd groaned at the attempt at humor, and Nick could only shake his head. "Last week we asked our contestants to paint us a picture of their favorite person. This week, our contestants have stepped up their game and sculpted us a bust of the most important people in their lives. Let's bring out The Butterfly's bust."
The men in black wheeled out a covered sculpture on a table and Nick grinned at The Butterfly as he pulled it off to reveal a sculpture of media and youtube star, Unique Adams.
"She's been my best friend for a long time now and has been there for me in ways only my mom has ever been there for me," The Butterfly said.
The audience applauded and Nick smiled. "That's so sweet. Blaine, does this clue give you any new ideas?"
Blaine shook his head. "No new ideas, no. But I definitely think it reinforces my current ideas so I still say Marley Rose."
"Well. we may find out later tonight if you are correct, but for now, why don't you flit back to the lair as we take a look at this clue package for The Sun."
The package opened with The Sun sitting on a rock. "This competition is really heating up, no pun intended. It is definitely getting more challenging for me. I've always kind of been like a small fish in a large pond. And some people like to forget that great things come in small packages. Either way, I know I'm a shiner, and my six hundred beams all agree. I am the source of their light, obviously. If nothing else, I'm definitely going to grow brighter from this. I'm pretty sure my beam count is going to go up and whatever happens, you will see me out there with an actual record deal."
As the music began, The Sun took the stage to applause.
I've never seen a diamond in the flesh
I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies
And I'm not proud of my address
In a torn up town, no postcode envy
But every song's like
Gold teeth, Grey Goose, trippin' in the bathroom
Bloodstains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room
We don't care
We're driving Cadillacs in our dreams
But everybody's like
Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece
Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash
We don't care
We aren't caught up in your love affair
And we'll never be royals (royals)
It don't run in our blood
That kind of luxe just ain't for us
We crave a different kind of buzz
Let me be your ruler (ruler)
You can call me queen bee
And baby, I'll rule (I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule)
Let me live that fantasy
My friends and I, we've cracked the code
We count our dollars on the train to the party
And everyone who knows us knows
That we're fine with this, we didn't come from money
But every song's like
Gold teeth, Grey Goose, trippin' in the bathroom
Bloodstains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room
We don't care
We're driving Cadillacs in our dreams
But everybody's like
Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece
Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash
We don't care
We aren't caught up in your love affair
And we'll never be royals (royals)
It don't run in our blood
That kind of luxe just ain't for us
We crave a different kind of buzz
Let me be your ruler (ruler)
You can call me queen bee
And baby, I'll rule (I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule)
Let me live that fantasy
Oh
Oh (oh, oh)
We're bigger than we ever dreamed
And I'm in love with being queen
Oh
Oh (oh, oh)
Life is great without a care
We aren't caught up in your love affair
And we'll never be royals (royals)
It don't run in our blood
That kind of luxe just ain't for us
We crave a different kind of buzz
Let me be your ruler (ruler)
You can call me queen bee
And baby, I'll rule (I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule)
Let me live that fantasy
The response was not quite as enthusiastic as usual for The Sun, but still it was decent enough. A few people stood, but most just clapped vigorously.
"Come on over here, Sun, let's see what the panel have to say. Blaine? What do you think?"
"I think your biggest issue with that song is that the natural key is too low for your register. I would have tried to work with the key a little more to pull it up for your specific needs rather than keep it in the original key."
Nick nodded. "Okay. Carmen? Do you agree with that?"
"I do," she said. "You need to be careful when arranging a song. You can't always leave it as is because you're afraid of destroying it. If you want to cover a song, you need to arrange it so it fits you, not arrange yourself so you fit the song."
"Pierce, do you have a straight comment for The Sun tonight?"
Pierce shook his head. "Sorry daddy, none of my comments are straight."
"Neither am I," Blaine replied.
Nick snorted as he tried not to laugh. "I'm sure Kurt can attest to that. Anyway, it's time to bring out The Sun's entry into The Masked Singer art gallery. Men in Black, bring out the sculpture!"
When Nick uncovered the sculpture, everyone was confused to see the sun, rather than an actual person.
"I know this may seem a bit unconventional, but the sun is, has been, and always will be a part of who I am."
"Will, does that help?"
Will seemed to think about it for a moment. "Well, judging by your clue package, you're what some people might call a compact powerhouse. And with the sun reference, that brings a particular young lady to mind. So this could be Sunshine Corazon."
"That's a good guess," Nick said. "We may find out later if you are correct. For now, here are some clues to peruse about The Unicorn."
The video opened with The Unicorn standing in a bedroom. "This is the place where it all started. Where I used to do my videos everyday and post them online." She plopped down on the bed. "Of course, when you're practicing to be a big star, the best microphone you can use is a hairbrush. Though you might want to be more mindful of the neighbors. They tend to not be too happy with the fact that you are trying to become a star. Even if the one lawsuit they filed never did go anywhere. I think my parents either argued their way out of that one, or the judge kind of found it a pointless lawsuit. Anyway, it didn't stop me from finding ways to practice and now, here I am. And I am not going to let anything get in the way of a performance, not even nearly being knocked out last round. That was a fluke."
The Unicorn was greeted with applause as the music began.
Give it your all girl, give it all ya got
Take your chance at a second hand shot.
Say what you want girl,
Do what you do
He's never gonna, gonna make it with you
Pulling petals off a flower trying to get your way
Keep pulling til' it says what you wanna say
Girl, you can pick a field full of daisies
But he'd still be my baby
I know you can hardly wait till I'm away from him
Instinctively, I know what you're thinking
You'll be giving him an open invitation
But my baby won't be taken in
You can pout your cherry lips
Try to tempt him with a sweet kiss
You can flirt your pretty eyes
He ain't got his hands tied
No chains to unlock
So free to do what he wants
He's into what, he's got
He loves me, he loves you not
No matter what you do, he's never gonna be with you
He's into what he's got
He loves me, he loves you not
You're the kind of girl that is always up for do or dare
Only want him just because he's there
Always looking for a new ride
The grass is greener on the other side
You're the kind of girl who's not use to hearing no
All your lovers try to take you where you wanna go
It doesn't matter how hard you try, never gonna get with my guy
No chains to unlock
So free to do what he wants
He's into what, he's got (and that's me)
He loves me, he loves you not
No matter what you do, he is never gonna be with you
He's into what, he's got
He loves me, he loves you not
Doesn't matter what you do, he's never gonna be with you
The crowd was more enthusiastic about The Unicorn's performance but not as much as The Butterfly's.
Nick clapped along with the audience as The Unicorn joined him before the panel. "Good job, Unicorn, don't you agree, Pierce?"
"I want to know why he doesn't love me. Isn't there enough love for everyone?" Pierce asked.
Nick dropped his head, rubbing his temple, before shaking his head and moving on. "Blaine?"
"While I think that was a wonderful performance, I feel like maybe you were holding back just a bit. Like you might still be a little shaken up at making bottom two last time. Don't let things like that shake you. You should let them inspire you to work even harder."
The host nodded. "Good advice, Mr. Anderson. Will, do you agree?"
"Well, if this is who I think it is, I think her biggest issue is accepting that she's not always perfect. And I'm afraid one of the reasons for that is that everyone is afraid to say no to her. So yes, I do agree. And I think this could be Rachel Berry."
"Well, let's see if The Unicorn's artwork changes anyone's mind. Men in Black, bring out the sculpture, please!"
The sculpture was wheeled out and Nick pulled off the cover to reveal a sculpture of Finn Hudson.
"He's the best guy I know. And I'm pretty sure he's made me a better person just by being in my life."
"Well, Carmen? Does that help you out?"
"Only in that I think it's a very unusual couple," Carmen said. "But essentially, I am leaning more towards Miss. Berry too."
"Okay audience, it's time to vote. The two singers with the lowest scores will face off in The Smackdown. Vote now!"
After a few moments to allow the audience and panel to vote, Nick faced the camera once more. "The votes are in, and the singer moving on to the Super Six is…" he paused dramatically. "The Butterfly!"
The audience and the judges burst into applause as they stood for the Masked Singer.
"This means Sun, Unicorn, you are our bottom two, and you will face off right now in The Smackdown!"
Nick moved to center stage as the microphone was lowered from the ceiling. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for a Smackdown! In this corner, her rays are hot enough to boil an egg, The Sun!" The sun came strolling out from the right mouth. "And in this corner, she's been living in a fantasy, The Unicorn!" The Unicorn came out from the left mouth.
"Up first, give it all you got, Unicorn!"
Break it down
Break it down
Break it down
I was scared to death I was losing my mind
Break it down
I couldn't close my eyes I was pacing all night
I think I found the light out the end of the tunnel
I couldn't find the truth I was going under
But I won't hide inside
I gotta get out, gotta get out
Gotta get out, gotta get out
Lonely inside and light the fuse
Light it now, light it now, light it now
And now I will start living today
Today, today I close the door
I got this new beginning and I will fly
I'll fly like a cannonball
Like a cannonball
Like a cannonball
I'll fly, I'll fly, I'll fly like a cannonball
Freedom
I let go of fear and the peace came quickly
Freedom
I was in the dark and then it hit me
I chose suffering and pain in the falling rain
I know, I gotta get out into the world again
But I won't hide inside
I gotta get out, gotta get out
Gotta get out, gotta get out
Lonely inside and light the fuse
Light it now, light it now, light it now
And now I will start living today
Today, today I close the door
I got this new beginning and I will fly
I'll fly like a cannonball
Like a cannonball
Like a cannonball
I'll fly, I'll fly, I'll fly like a cannonball
Like a cannonball
Like a cannonball
I'll fly, I'll fly, I'll fly like a cannonball
The audience burst into applause for The Unicorn, more enthusiastic then they had been for her first performance.
"Good job," Nick said. "I think you took the panel's comments to heart. But let's check out what your opponent has in store."
The Sun took a step forward as she began to sing.
No clouds in my stones
Let it rain, I hydroplane in the bank
Comin' down at the Dow Jones
When the clouds come, we gone
We Rocafella
We fly higher than weather
In G5s or better
You know me
In anticipation for precipitation stack chips for the rainy day
Rain Man is back with little Ms. Sunshine
Rihanna, where you at?
You have my heart, and we'll never be worlds apart
Maybe in magazines, but you'll still be my star
Baby, 'cause in the dark
You can't see shiny cars
And that's when you need me there
With you I'll always share
Because
When the sun shines, we'll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be your friend
Took an oath, I'ma stick it out 'til the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh
Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh
Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh
Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh
These fancy things will never come in between
You're part of my entity, here for infinity
When the world has took its part
When the world has dealt its cards
If the hand is hard, together we'll mend your heart
Because
When the sun shines, we shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be your friend
Took an oath, I'ma stick it out 'til the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh
Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh
Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh
Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh
It's raining, raining
Ooh, baby, it's raining, raining
Baby, come into me
Come into me
It's raining, raining
Ooh, baby, it's raining, raining
You can always come into me
Come into me
It's pouring rain
It's pouring rain
Come into me
Come into me
It's pouring rain
It's pouring rain
Again, the applause was more enthusiastic than The Sun's first performance, but still not quite as great as The Unicorn's had been.
"Well, there you have it. Now it's up to our panel to decide which of these two performers will move on to the Super Six. Do you know who you are voting for, Blaine?"
"I have a pretty good idea," Blaine replied, giving his head a nod. "But I just want to say that no matter what happens, you are both amazing and I want you to know that I'm basing my decision on who I genuinely think has had the best all around run in the competition this far."
"Then cast your votes now, panel."
A moment later, Nick had the results. "The singer joining The Butterfly in the Super six is...The Unicorn!" He paused as the crowd cheered. "This means, The Sun, it is time for you to set. But first we need final guesses from our judges. Carmen, who do you think this is?"
"I think you've done a pretty good job at stumping as all. I'm not really sure who I think you are so I think I'm going to go with Will's guess and say Sunshine Corazon."
"Will, are you sticking with Sunshine?"
Will nodded his head. "Yeah, Nick, I think I am. She feels like the most fitting for all the clues. However, we've had that a lot and still been wrong about it. But I'm confident in my guess being Sunshine."
"Okay. Pierce?"
"You know, maybe Demi Lovato? She was on that show Sunny With A Chance, right? Of course, it would have been better with meatballs."
Nick just let the odd comment slide off and moved on. "Blaine?"
"Yeah, you know Will has a good point about so many people fitting the mold. But I really focus on what you said about the sun always being a part of you so I have to agree with Will and Carmen and say this is Sunshine Corazon."
"Well, it's time to find out. Audience, say it with me...Take it off!"
The audience all started clapping and chanting the familiar chant. "Take it off! Take it off!"
After a brief struggle, and an assist from Nick, the mask came off to reveal…
"Vocal coach and three time National Show Choir Champion, Sunshine Corazon! Give her a hand!"
The audience all stood to applaud her and cheer the short dynamo on.
"What made you decide to come on the show?" Nick asked.
"Well, I've been trying to land that important recording contract for myself, so I thought maybe a little more exposure might help," she said. "Believe it or not, a lot of record execs have a hard time believing my voice really comes out of me."
"Well, now they have proof. Give it up one more time for the artist formerly known as The Sun!"
The credits began to roll as Sunshine began to sing once more.