CHAPTER 4
The auditorium had filled up fast with people expecting a good show, and the New Directions were as excited as ever. No one was sure why Zane hadn't shown up, so Coach Beiste stood in for him as the Glee club's temporary director. The New Directions watched as Vance, Blaine, and the Music Masters entered to go to their greenroom, while the Tipton High Comets from Tennessee went to their own. The New Directions had drawn slot number three, allowing the Music Masters to perform first.
"Vance, this wasn't a good idea. The fact that you stole the New Directions' setlist to use it as our own is just below you", said Blaine.
"Relax, okay? I know it was in your good conscience to tell them about the drugs, but at least creating a new setlist will be the least of their worries."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm saying that tonight, the stage is going to be bursting with talent", Vance said cryptically, and he left to apply make-up, but Blaine realized what he meant after seeing him take a small device out of his pocket, and rushed off to find Coach Beiste. He eventually found her directing the jazz band to their positions, and quickly went up to her.
"Coach, the Music Masters have planted explosives in the stage", Blaine panted, and she took him aside so no one else could hear them.
"What did you just say?"
"Vance plans to sabotage the New Directions' performance using explosives hidden in the stage, and he copied their setlist. I know his mindset, and it doesn't look good."
"Okay, I'll call in the cops. They'll detain them."
"No, I'll stop Vance from going through with it. I don't want him thinking that he's been made."
"Blaine, you're talking about allowing someone to commit a terrorist act. I can't allow that to happen."
"I'm not going to allow him to do anything. Trust me, I've got this", said Blaine, and he rushed back to the greenroom before Coach Beiste could object further. She sighed heavily and went to the New Directions' makeup area to get their attention.
"Bad news, guys: the Music Masters have copied your setlist and are going first."
"But that's crap!" Becky shouted.
"What are we going to do now? We don't have any other songs planned", said Amanda.
"Elvis Presley has written plenty of crowd-friendly songs. If they want to play with fire, then they're going to get burned", said Sam.
"He's right, just because we don't have a planned setlist doesn't mean we can't create another one", said Tina.
"We wiggled out of it three years ago, and we can do it again", said Matt.
"Okay, so what do you suggest we do?" asked Emily.
"We'll stick with the choreography. We need at least three songs to sing. Ray will stay with the jazz band and help out with the piano", said Artie.
"Our original setlist consisted of Devil In Disguise, Always On My Mind, and Don't Be Cruel", said Alexander.
"How about we start off with Blue Suede Shoes?" said Sugar.
"Sounds like a good start. We can work our way into a mash-up as well", said Artie.
"Jailhouse Rock is always a crowd-pleaser", said Hannah.
"Okay, let's mash that up with Hound Dog", said Sam.
"What are we going to do for a closing number?" asked Joe.
"We can try out Burning Love", said Tina.
"Okay, we've got our setlist. I'll send it up to the judges, and fill them in as to what's going on", said Coach Beiste, and as the others went back to their makeup, she pulled Alexander aside.
"Blaine informed me that the Music Masters laced the stage with explosives to sabotage your performance."
"Does he know for sure?"
"He seemed pretty sure. Now that you know, is there any way you can use these explosives to your advantage?"
"You can count on me, Coach", said Alexander, and he went to straighten his uniform, while Coach Beiste went to the judges to tell them of the change in the setlist.
INTERLUDE
Rory and Sugar were coming back to the auditorium from a quick drink of water until they saw Brittany pacing up and down the hall anxiously.
"Britt, are you okay?" asked Sugar.
"No, no, I am not okay. I've done something terrible."
"What happened? What's wrong?" said Rory, stopping her pacing.
"Zane tried to molest me again, and I killed him."
Rory and Sugar froze solid at this news, only able to stare incredulously.
"What are you talking about? You couldn't have killed him", said Rory.
"No, I did. I definitely did. I smashed a paperweight into his face, and he fell backwards through the window of Mr. Schue's office. I stuffed him in that janitor's closet that hasn't been used in like centuries and I cleaned up the glass, and now I don't know what to do."
"Britt, you have to call the police", said Sugar.
"Okay, I know you said you have Asperger's, but can you at least try to think before you talk?"
"No, she's right. If you tell them that it was justifiable homicide, then you'll be fine for a little while", said Rory.
"But it wasn't a homicide, it was an accident!"
"He was trying to grope you. Therefore it's justified. After we're finished with Regionals, you need to talk to the police. We'll back you up", said Rory.
"I'll back you up too", said Sue, who had appeared out of nowhere.
"Coach Sylvester, I…"
"Brittany, don't even begin. First off, you have to remember that I have a huge amount of this school bugged and wired, and secondly, you have to remember that I am here for you. I'll take care of it, I promise. Now, you kids get back in there. You have a competition to win", said Sue, and they went back to their greenroom. Sue headed for the disused janitor's closet and opened it to reveal Zane's lifeless body crumpled in the corner. Albeit disgusted and horrified, Sue donned gloves and a mask and dragged him out.
INTERLUDE
The New Directions watched angrily as the Music Masters performed "Devil In Disguise", with Blaine singing most of it spitefully to Vance, who seemed to get the message. They moved into "Always On My Mind", with several other members receiving solos, and they finished with "Don't Be Cruel", earning them enthusiastic applause from the audience and the judges. As they left the stage, Vance shot a smug glare at the New Directions to intimidate them.
The Tipton High Comets performed next, using "Communication Breakdown" and "Tangerine" by Led Zeppelin, bringing the audience to tears and earning them approving nods and applause from the judges. The New Directions went up to the stage, with Alexander eyeing it carefully. He looked up to the Music Masters, where Blaine was watching Vance carefully. Vance had a hungry look in his eyes, like a predator ready to pounce on its prey.
"Vance, I'm telling you, you can't do this to them. These are innocent people, and yet you want to blow them up?"
"It won't be so much that it will kill them, but it will send them a message that they are in the wrong business."
"You're pure evil."
"No, I'm just determined to get ahead. If that costs me my relationship with you, then so be it. Go back to your wimp boyfriend, if you can", Vance sneered at him, and Blaine, angry and hurt, left the auditorium to find a way to the stage.
The New Directions took their places on the stage, and Tina, Alexander, Artie, and Brittany led them through "Blue Suede Shoes". Alexander kept his eyes on Vance, who was holding a small device in his hands, poising his finger over a button. Alexander timed most of his moves with Vance pushing the button, so as to make it seem that he was conjuring fake explosions to wow the crowd as well as protect the New Directions. By the time, the New Directions finished, over half of the explosives had been wasted, much to Vance's frustration.
"Alexander, what's going on?" asked Emily.
"No time to explain", Alexander whispered back, and he and Tina stepped back to allow Rory, Becky, Abigail, and Matt lead them through the mash-up of "Jailhouse Rock" and "Hound Dog", with Alexander nullifying several more explosives to protect the New Directions. In addition, he used the smoke that was being kicked up to enhance the performance further. Up in the seats, Vance was fuming at the failure of his plan, as there was only one explosive left. The audience was on its feet in excitement, and the judges were clearly impressed by what they were seeing.
Elated by their success, the New Directions finished their performance with "Burning Love", ending up at the edge of the stage to give their final bows, and Vance pushed the button a final time, but Alexander timed it so that their performance went out with a colorful bang. The audience was in a frenzy over the New Directions, but Vance smashed his device to the ground in frustration. The New Directions left the stage to see Blaine waiting for them with a big smile on his face.
"Well done, guys. Congratulations."
"Aren't you supposed to be with your group?" asked Tina.
"I'm coming back to the New Directions. This is where I belong", said Blaine, and they all came in for a big group hug.
INTERLUDE
The three teams were lined up on the stage, awaiting the arrival of the award presenter. Blaine was glaring across at Vance, who was not making eye contact with him. The presenter, who to the New Directions' surprise was Rod Remington, and the judges finally came out and addressed the audience.
"We've had a lot of fantastic musical numbers today, all paying homage to two of the greatest artists ever known. We are now here to see who will go on to the Nationals, and who will not", said Rod, and he pulled out a second-place envelope and opened it.
"We've got this in the bag", Sam whispered to Tina.
"In second place, the Tipton High Comets!" Rod shouted, and the judges presented them with a large trophy, and they backed away cheering, and the New Directions and the Music Masters moved closer together.
"If we don't win, I am so going after this guy", said Brittany, and Coach Beiste shushed her.
"And your winners of this year's Regionals competition are…"
Both groups watched anxiously as Rod pulled the card out of the envelope. The New Directions were even more anxious, as they did not want to end up tied with the Music Masters again for Nationals. Rod read the card and smiled and addressed the audience.
"From Lima, Ohio, the New Directions! Congratulations, you're going to Nationals in Hollywood!" Rod shouted happily, and the New Directions cheered and celebrated as their trophy was presented to them. Confetti rained from the ceiling and covered them, and Vance took this opportunity to move to attack them, but Blaine punched him to the stage.
"Not bad for a gay kid, huh?" Blaine said smugly, and the Music Masters left the stage in disgrace. Upon disappearing behind the curtain, they were suddenly faced with police.
"Members of the Music Masters, you are under arrest for breaking and entering, illegal possession of drugs, underage possession of drugs, use of explosives in a public area, attempted murder, and theft. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you…" the officers said as they cuffed each and every one of them, and they continued to read them their Miranda rights as they led them out of the building.