PREVIOUSLY: The New Directions went to their benefactor, Michael Baxter, with their concerns on what they found out. That so far former warblers, Sebastian, and Hunter, and a former Vocal Adrenaline and big hitter, Jesse St. James were involved in the Western European team. They brought it to the attention of Mr Baxter, and their concern that he had made a bet with his brother. Having to tell the truth, he said he did make a bet with his brother Rick, but it was more that he was being harassed to make it. Now with everything out in the open, they want to know more. So Michael now has to ring his brother, and find out some more information.
How will they take the information that is about to be given to them? Will they even be able to handle it.
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And now the continuation.
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CHAPTER 45 - DEALING WITH THE PAST (AGAIN)
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"Fine," said Michael walking around his desk and grabbing his phone.
The whole of the New Directions crowded further into Michael's office, as Michael dialed a number on his phone, and placed it on speaker. He then placed the phone in the middle of his desk.
It took three lots of calling before his brother, Rick, finally answered.
"You are really persistent today, aren't you brother?" came Rick's voice
"Cut the crap Rick," replied Michael "Tell me what you are playing at."
"Crap?" asked Rick who sounded like he was smiling "What the heck has gotten into you?"
"When were you going to tell me what you were up to?"
"Why are you being so cryptic today, brother? It's not like you!"
"Do I have to spell it out," said Michael getting frustrated
"I think you are going to have to. Someone's got a bee in their bonnet."
"I have found out through some sources that you have put together a team choc full of my New Directions opponents. Opponents who had performed against them in the past!"
There was a deadly silence on the other end of the phone.
"So I take it from that silence, that it's true then, Rick," stated Michael
"How... How did you find out?" came the reply
"Like I said I have my sources. Sources within the New Directions."
"Damn it!" Rick was heard saying
"What were you trying to achieve?" asked Michael going onto the attack "That you were hoping that we didn't hear anything, and when we made it all the way through to the Worlds, and we WILL, that when the New Directions saw who one of their opponents were, they would instantly get inside their heads, and cause them to lose! Is that what you were hoping for?"
"Well your New Directions are very fragile," came Rick's reply "Especially those Berry and Jones women, it wouldn't take much to break them, from what I've been told."
Finn was about to reaction, he was about to defend his wife, no one speaks ill of his wife or friend like that, no one, it took all that Quinn, Blaine, and Kurt had to stop Finn from talking. In the end, Rachel walked up to him, and gave him a massive hug, to subdue him further.
"Did I say the wrong thing about your precious New Directions," laughed Rick when Michael hadn't responded because of the others subduing Finn, "No wonder you were so gullible after I forced you into doing that bet. I still think my team full of opponents of yours will beat them hands down."
Santana was about to open her mouth but Brittany pulled her back, and Michael held up his hand to stop everyone else from reacting. He had proven his point. Rick was the one who had forced him into doing a bet, and it was Rick who was behind bringing all of their opponents together to try and put them off, and he virtually made it sound like he detested the New Directions.
"So tell me Rick," said Michael looking at how hurt his idols were "Are you still hands off with your group?"
"Of course," came Rick's reply "I'm not a pansy like you who needs to be hands on, even though you got your idol show choir manager Schuester. Why do you bother to show up and support them, I will never know. You're obsessiveness with them is really unhealthy. That's why I have my own assistants working with the group, because then I can liaise with the group through them. They sort stuff out for the group. Whatever they need I hand the money over. Whoever we had needed I would help to pay to get. And I did get some great people. People who could virtually beat your New Directions with ease, and could easily by themselves. It's just what it is. It's what's best for business."
Rachel was about to open her mouth but decided it was best for Michael to keep getting more information out of his unsuspecting brother.
"That has always been your downfall," replied Michael "You treat stuff like this as business opportunities, whereas I treat this kind of thing, as a hobby, or in this case, as a way to bring my idols back together and help them to what they really deserved. To be World Champions."
"You are so naive, Mikey," replied Rick "Jack's made a mistake with you. Mollycoddling you growing up, allowing you to disappear into that Show Choir World, to follow those idiots, the New Directions, when you should have been focusing on the business world."
This was getting personal, but Michael didn't mind, as it was showing the New Directions what it was like dealing with some members of his family, and the difference between him and his brother when it came to running a group.
"Actually, Rick," said Michael "It was Mum and Dad who pushed me in that direction. Jack was holding off on me because of what happened with you."
"Hey, leave that out of it," snapped Rick "I was just learning. You got what you wanted. We'll see how the precious New Directions handle the fact that their old nemesis's will be seeing them at the World's, that's if they get that far, if the worry about them all of the time."
"Just before I let you go," said Michael "Can you tell me who you've acquired in that team of yours?"
"Why?"
"Because I'm just intrigued on who you managed to pull into your little world of always wanting to beat me."
There was silence on the other end of the phone, as Rick seemed to be contemplating the request.
"If you won't tell me," continued Michael "I'll just rick Jack, and get him to tell me, you know I would!"
"You're a pest like that," replied Rick "Always a pest. Jack's in Australia at the moment dealing with the Show Choir Competition there. It's probably early morning there."
"I'll still ring him."
"Yeah you would too... Wait a bloody second."
Rick placed him on hold. On hold music came blaring over the phone.
"This is so intense," said Brittany out of the blue
"This is what it's like dealing with the money bag family," said Santana "Dealing with rich men and their egos."
"At least we know where we stand with Mr Baxter," said Rachel "He has our best interests at heart."
"To a degree," replied Santana
"Give him a break, Santana," said Kurt "He's show how loyal he is."
Suddenly the music stopped. Michael held up a finger to his mouth. Everyone stayed silent again.
"Are you sure you want this list brother?" came Rick's voice again
"I'm positive," replied Michael
"Are you going to give it to your precious babies?"
"I might do," said Michael winking at the New Directions "Or I might just keep it from them."
"Well they're you team, do whatever you want."
"I will, the list please Rick."
Rick could be heard sighing.
"Three former Warblers... Sebastian Smythe, Hunter Clarington, and Skylar. Both Sebastian and Hunter hated the fact that Blaine Anderson defected to the dark side, that was their words. The third one Skyklar, resented the fact that the Warblers had to join the New Directions for a little while after their school had burned down. They never quite got the respect that they deserved at that point in time."
Blaine rolled his eyes.
"Next, is one of of my biggest coupes," continued Rick who sounded like the smile had returned to his face "Former Vocal Adrenaline, Jesse St. James. Wasn't he Berry's partner for a little while?"
Finn placed his hand on Rachel's shoulder.
"That's beside the point," replied Michael looking at both Finn and Rachel
"I don't think so," replied Rick "When I approached him, he was hesitant, after I persuaded him with money he was happy to come across to the dark side. He felt if Berry was weak, then he could get inside her head, like he had done before.
Finn was getting angry again, but again like before Rachel kept him calm, but only just.
"Moving on," said Michael rolling his eyes
"Clint was an easy one to recruit, apparently he had a run in with William Schuester, which forced Schuester to walk away from Vocal Adrenaline. That shows you Will Schuester walks away from a job when the going gets tough. No wonder he returned to the New Directions. He babies them."
Michael looked across at Will, who had his eyes closed, and was trying to stay calm.
"Moving on," said Michael "I count 5 people, all males. You need 12."
"I have that amount, brother, and maybe a few extra," came Rick's reply "Let me get there."
"I haven't got all day, Rick."
"If you're such a big fan of the New Directions, do you remember a team called Throat Explosion?"
Michael looked at Blaine, Tina, Artie, Sam, Kitty, and Jake. They all remembered the group all too well.
"If I remember right," said Michael looking at the 6 New Directions who were nodding their heads in remembrance "They won Nationals the year after the New Directions first won."
"That's the one," replied Rick "When I approached Jean Baptiste, their Captain at the time, he jumped at the chance to try and get another win against the New Directions."
"Great," said Sam without realizing where he was and after he did, he quickly put his hand to his mouth
"Sorry what was that?" came Rick's puzzled voice
"I said, great," said Michael covering up the mistake quickly "I know how much he single handily helped Throat Explosion, beat the New Directions."
"Which is what my research came up with," replied Rick oblivious to the mistake caused by Sam
"That's now 6 males," said Michael "Any females?"
"Hold on," replied Rick "Let's finish off the males. Miss Berry would bee familiar with this guy as well as she was with Jesse. In fact I think Mr Hudson would be also familiar with this guy as well."
"Rick. Rachel is now married to Finn Hudson, her name has changed to Hudson. I told you that. Give her some respect."
"I don't care, Mikey," came the reply "Do you want to know or not?"
"By all means, continue!"
"Miss Berry's first year NYADA, she met Brody Weston, later on that year he met Finn Hudson's fists. He put his tail between his legs and scurried away. When I caught up with him, he was really happy too come on board to get revenge."
Michael looked at Rachel, and Finn, them seemed to be getting some of the rough hits. Santana had called Finn to New York to sort Brody out, so she knew what Brody was like. She was giving both Finn and Rachel a hug.
"Are you still there brother?" came Rick's voice "Do you want me to stop? Have you had enough?"
Michael sighed "No I need to know the rest. That's 7 guys. Surely you don't have an all male group?"
"I'm not that stupid," replied Rick "If you thought that the list of males were impressive, wait until I hit you with the females that I bought. Let's start where we left off with Brody Weston."
Rachel dropped her head, she had a fair idea with what was about to come. Who was about to be announce. She actually slumped to her knees.
"Hurry up," said Michael
"She was Berry's 1st year Dance Instructor at NYADA. Ad actually gave her hell I hear," started Rick "When I sat down with her, she really jumped at the chance to do this. Her name is..."
"Cassandra July," said Rachel under her breath
"Cassandra July," finished off Rick
"What are you trying to do Rick?" asked Michael "Are you trying to mess with Mrs Hudson's head, and Mr Hudson's as well. By forcing them to deal with July, Weston and St. Clair?"
"That's exactly what I'm doing brother," came the reply "Berry's fragile state will push her over the edge, should she even try to compete, and as for the other guys, it'll bring back bad memories for the rest of the team.
Rachel looked like she was starting to hyperventilate, Finn had, had enough, he helped Rachel to her feet, and escorted her out of the office, and once back in the corridor, helped Rachel to start breathing in the fresher air.
"Can we move on please," asked Michael
"The next four women have all been a part of other groups that have been beaten by the New Directions, but they want to exact revenge on them with a better group, and now they have that chance. They are; Harmony, Frida Romero, Beatrice McClaine, and Giselle. Giselle, actually was with Jesse when they won Nationals that first year of the New Directions. So she knows how to beat them."
Michael sighed again. Those 4 women were all good singers in their own right, and well get them together, and they would be great as team.
"Only two to go," continued Rick "Have you heard enough yet bro? Do you concede defeat yet?"
"No," replied Michael "I believe in my team. 100 percent. Just tell me the last two names, so I can sort this out."
"All in good time, brother," said Rick who seemed to be gloating thinking that he now had the upper hand "These two women have special links to your Group Director, William Schuester. He knows them all too well."
Michael looked at Will, who seemed to know what was coming.
"Just get their names out," said Michael
"When I sat down with these two women, they didn't want to double cross Schuester and his babies, but I offered them more money than the others, because they were so desperate for it, and told them there would more heading their way should they win the Worlds, and especially the New Directions. They really had no choice but to sing. So they are if you haven't already guessed; Holly Holiday, and April Rhodes."
Will dropped his head and shook his head in disappointment, and disbelief.
"So there that's my team," replied Rick "I know they can beat your New Directions idols at Worlds."
"That's enough," came Rachel's voice from out in the corridor. She had heard the announcement of Holly and April from out there. Her breaking point had been reached "I've had enough."
"Who's that Michael?" asked Rick
"I'LL TELL YOU WHO IT IS!" yelled Rachel walking back into the office, with a murderous look on her face, everyone parted like the red sea for her "This is Mrs Rachel Hudson, not BERRY, not RACHEL BERRY, but MRS RACHEL HUDSON. I may have been fragile these last few months, but that's my issue, and no one else's business.
"I'll tell you something Rick, you may have built a team to mess with our heads, and make us think that we have no chance, but we have every damn chance to win the Worlds. It was a smart move on your part to try and go down that path. I'm sure I can speak for everyone here to say, yes, we are rocked by the fact that we have to face our old adversaries, and yes we have to face the ghosts of our past, but by the time we get to the Worlds, we'll be ready for them, and won't give a flying fuck about them.
"We will use that as motivation, to wipe the floor clean with you and your team stacked with so called stars. The only stars around her are myself, Mercedes Jones, and the rest of the New Directions. The New Directions will become stars of the Worlds. when we will be crowned WORLD CHAMPIONS OF SHOW CHOIR."
"Wow," said Santana "Now that's the old Rachel, welcome back Mrs Rachel Hudson."
Everyone cheered. Rachel smiled and held her baby bump.
"Michael," came Rick's voice
"Yes, brother?" smiled Michael
"They were all listening the entire time?"
"Do you not think that you could keep the secret the entire year?" asked Michael "A little word of mouth is always dangerous. You should know that, it is business after all. Besides they put one and one together, and came up with two. Then they put two and two together, and forced me to ring you."
"You guys think you are smart enough to win the Worlds?" asked Rich "Then think again. You may have found out early on, which is a kind of a shame, but this will only make my team even more hungry to beat you guys."
"You may have won this round," started Rachel "By surprising us with the faces of our past but overall WE WILL WIN the game."
"I beg to differ," said Rick
"You can beg all you want," said Will "It won't help you at all. Michael I think we've heard enough from your brother."
Michael smiled "The New Directions have spoken, Ricky."
Michael grabbed his phone and hung up.
"That felt good.
Finn walked through everyone to get to his wife.
"Are you okay Rach?"
"I'm fine Finn. I thought it was about time I stopped feeling sorry for myself and help our team out. I am Co-Captain after all. I may not be able to sing yet, but I am working on it."
"I'm just so proud of you for dealing with Mr Baxter's brother," smiled Finn
"Thank you, smiled Rachel
Finn and Rachel kissed.
"We're all proud of you, Rachel," said Quinn
Everyone moved in and gave Rachel a massive group hug
"Watch the baby," laughed Rachel from within the middle of the hug
"I just want to say something," said Will "Before we let Mr Baxter have his office back."
"Is this going to be a famous Schuester pep talk?" asked Santana
"I wouldn't be giving it if I didn't think you guys needed it, Santana."
"Well go for it then, Mr Schue," said Quinn
Everyone was quiet. Will looked at the floor thinking of where to start.
"Tonight we found out that should we get to the Worlds, and I have no doubt that we won't not get there, we will be facing the ghosts of our pasts. Whether it be former Warblers, Vocal Adrenaline's, Throat Explosion, or anyone who has competed against us in the past, or whether it's people who want to hand out revenge to some of us who they feel have been doubled crossed by us in the past. Consider it as a compliment, that they all think like that.
"Now we can either take this news two way. We will be facing people from our past that were brought together like us to win the Worlds. If we play their mind games we will lose to them. Do we want to go down that road? Do we want to roll over and let them win? That's not in our nature.
"Or do we want to do what we do best? I'd prefers to do that as I know all of you would prefer to do it too. So let's not worry about them from this point forward. We know of 1 team of 3 who we will be meeting at Worlds, should we get that far. Let us focus on our own jobs, and let them worry about that we now know about them.
"We are in this together, and together we stand tall and strong. Together we are the New Directions. Now let's move on form what we have found out, and move on in the right direction, and that's by not looking back into our past, but moving forwards into the future. Let's start by coming together for the Show Choir Circle."
Will stepped forward and placed his hand out. Michael was the next one to do the same, followed by Rachel, and Finn, then Kurt, and Blaine, and then Sam, Mercedes, Santana, and Brittany, then Artie, Kitty, and Jake, followed lastly by Puck, Quinn, Tina, and Mike.
"Together," started Will "We are..."
"AMAZING," shouted everyone else moving their hands up in the air.
"Awesome pep talk again, Mr Schue," smiled Rachel
"Thank you, Rachel," said Will looking out into the corridor and seeing Emma smiling back at him.
Emma had turned up two minutes prior and had heard all of Will's pep talk.
"is everyone okay now?" asked Michael "We know now, who we are going to face at Worlds, WHEN we get that far, so we have plenty of time to prepare. If it's okay with you all can I please have my office back so Mr Schuester and I can finish viewing videos unless some of you want to stay back, and observe, and then ruin whatever's left of your free night."
"NO!" said everyone together
"Then I guess, it's good night," smiled Michael
Everyone started to leave the office.
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And there we have it, we now know who their opponents on who are also trying to make it to the Worlds. How will this really effect each member of the team? Are they really okay with it? Only time will tell.