Experiment V
Hello everyone! Here is the talent show, things are officially starting to kick in for Alex so without further ado, Enjoy!
Chapter 7
After a week of practicing, it was finally the night of the talent show which, come to find out, is the opening day for Family week 'Oh joy…family' I thought bitterly as I put on my leather jacket, completing my rocker look consisting of a light grey shirt, black jeans, black shoes, and my black headphones around my neck. 'Thank Oum these are cordless…well…best get this show started' I thought as I left my room and made my way to the Auditorium. As I walked across a courtyard, I saw that Doc was standing ten feet in front of me, looking straight at me with a look of despair in her eyes "Hello V" she greeted flatly, her words stinging my heart 'Damn, this can't be good' I thought as I started to inch closer to her but she seemed to flinch and back away slightly until suddenly I saw a shadow walking out from underneath the shading of the tree and into the moonlight.
"Good Evening, Theodicus" the person said and immediately, I could tell it was the last man I'd ever want to see at Beacon, Siegfried Schnee; Head of the Schnee Dust Company. I slightly ground my teeth in annoyance as I stared down the white themed man. "What the hell are you doing here?" I asked, holding back my urge to punch the narcissistic man "I am here to see my daughter perform as well as speak to you over a manner concerning your mission" he said in his usual cold, condescending tone. "What is it about my mission? Are you here to tell me to protect your precious little angel?" I asked sarcastically, earning a low growl from the man "Weiss is fully capable of taking care of herself…I am here to tell you that due to the fact that you have accumulated too much time in retrieving your target, you are hereby forced to complete your mission tonight or you and these…people you call your friends will face the consequences of the Black Snow" he said as he glared at me, his hollow blue eyes staring into my black one's as I thought of my current situation.
"I refuse…" I said sternly, shocking the man but his shock quickly turned to anger "What did you say?" he asked through bared teeth "I refuse" I repeated as I continued to glare into his eyes. Eventually, he broke the eye contact and I simply started to walk to the auditorium until I stopped to look over at Doc who just looked down at her feet, as if she didn't want to be here between me and the Schnee Bastard "Come on, Doc" I said, getting her attention but she seemed to hesitate before finally walking up to me and we walked to the Auditorium, leaving Siegfried by himself.
Once I made it inside, I saw that the talent show had already started and Team CRDL with that brown haired bunny girl just left the stage with the audience applauding. "Mr. Smith!" I heard a female voice yell, suddenly turning around, I saw Goodwitch standing there tapping her foot impatiently "Make your way backstage…please" she said in annoyance and I did as I was told. As I walked towards backstage, I passed a soldier carrying a large container of some sort towards the front of the school. I shrugged it off and continued on my way.
I made it back stage and saw that Weiss just went on stage and the entire lighting of the place changed so that Weiss was illuminated solely on stage and I saw that she was wearing a white gown that went to her ankles with white high heels and her hair done in its usual style. She took a deep breath and a piano began to play a soft melody:
Mirror, tell me something, tell me who's the loneliest of all?
Suddenly violins began to swell in unison and Weiss started again:
Mirror, tell me something, tell me who's the loneliest of all?
Fear of what's inside of me, tell me can a heart be turned to stone?
The violins dropped out and the piano began to play by itself with the violins in the background for a minute and then Weiss started singing again but with her head up, looking at the audience and from the look in her eyes, I could tell that she was feeling immense sadness as the song progressed:
Mirror, tell me something, tell me who's the loneliest of all?
Fear of what's inside of me, tell me can a heart be turned to stone?
Again the piano played with the violins in the background but this time, there was a pause before the piano began hitting one note while Weiss did one thing I didn't expect from her; she hit a high note and held it and slowly came down with it before the instruments kicked in and she held the note again but then went back into the song:
Mirror, mirror what's behind you?
Save me from the things I see!
I can keep it from the world,
Why won't you let me hide from me?
Mirror, mirror, tell me something, who's the loneliest of all?
For a third time, there was a break and the instruments took over and there was a rest and again, Weiss held her note and it warmed my heart because I knew the point of the song and why everyone usually cried when they heard it:
Mirror, mirror what's behind you?
Save me from the things I see!
I can keep it from the world,
Why won't you let me hide from me?
Mirror, mirror, tell me something, who's the loneliest of all?
I'm the loneliest of a~ll
The piano finished as Weiss held her note and when she finished, the audience gave her a standing ovation and I couldn't help but smile. Once Weiss was off the stage, an announcer said that Ruby would be performing next 'By herself?!' I screamed in my head as I saw said scythe-wielder walk on stage wearing red flats, a sparkling red dress that looks like it's a party dress and she had on a light amount of make-up. "She looks nice…" I said to no one in particular "No thanks to me" I heard a voice behind me, turning around, I saw Weiss but she gave me a gesture that meant look on stage and I did just that.
Baby, it's time to make up your mind.
I think that tonight is when our stars align.
Honey, it's time to leave the doubt behind.
Take my hand 'cause you and I are gonna shine.
I heard Weiss gasp in shock behind me as she uttered 'I didn't know Ruby could sing…' and I smirked as Ruby continued the song:
I was cold in the dark, it was empty in my life;
From the outside it looked so bright.
But nothing felt right…to me.
Like a sky with no sun.
Like a night that has no day.
My heart was eclipsed by the dark
Then something changed.
I saw a little ray of light come through
The tiniest of sparks came into view
And then, You made me hope again.
Suddenly I realized that Blake was on an electric keyboard, playing some chords, Nora was on drums and Yang on a bass guitar, all of them playing the rhythm in sync while Ren simply waited:
I've been watching you, helping you
Wishing that you'd see
That the girl you've been waiting so long could be me.
Now-I've never been in love
But I think this is it;
It might be seem like a school girl crush
But I have to admit.
Yang then joined her for a short duet part:
I wanna take a chance and make you see.
I think that you're the one who'll rescue me.
This time
You're finally gonna see you should be mine.
It went back to just Ruby:
Baby, it's time to make up your mind.
I think that tonight is when our stars align.
Honey, it's time to leave the doubt behind.
Take my hand 'cause you and I are gonna shine.
I won't need any dreams
It's all there if you're by my side.
Every moment's enough.
And you take me to paradise.
When I needed a hero you knew it,
And you were there
And I'm scared but I'll open my heart up
I'm ready to dare.
I looked over to the four musicians to notice that Ren was playing a violin and Yang somehow switched to an electric guitar and rejoined Ruby and it was still sounding good:
I know I never felt quite like this before
I never really knew what love was for;
I dreamed but never did believe.
Ruby then went back to solo:
Baby, it's time to make up your mind.
I think that tonight is when our stars align.
Honey, it's time to leave the doubt behind.
Take my hand 'cause you and I are gonna,
Light the sky until it's dawn and
Baby, you and I are gonna shine.
Ruby's performance ended, she got the same crowd reaction and in that moment, I knew that I was next and after seeing the last two performances, I knew I couldn't top that but I had to try. "And now, for our final performance for the night…please welcome, Alex Smith" the announcer said as I looked across the stage to see Jaune, who was wearing a black tank top with black jeans, shoes and a chain on the front of the pants while Phyrra wore a mini leather jacket with a black tank top, tight black pants and black high heels. I smiled as the stage finished getting set up for us and then we walked onto stage.
Once I got on stage, I saw not only that the place was packed but also there were monitors so I could see myself and immediately I felt a twinge of fear but I shrugged it off as we all took our positions; Phyrra on the drums, Jaune on the back up electric near the amp and I was in the front on lead guitar and vocals.
I gave a count off and suddenly I started playing rifts while Phyrra started hitting the base drum in the same rhythm and I started:
The Secret Side of me
I never let you see
I keep it cage but I can't control it
So stay away from me the beast is ugly
I feel the rage and I can't control it
'So far…so good' I thought as I sang and I felt my adrenaline start to build as well as a burning feeling behind my eyes but I shrugged it off just as Phyrra started to play.
It's scrating on the walls
In the closet, in the halls
It comes awake and I can't control it
Hiding under my bed
In my body, in my head
Why won't somebody come and save me from this?
Make it end!
And exactly on que, Jaune kicked off the amp and started playing his part, causing the audience to start going wild:
I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a Monster!
I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a Monster!
I, I feel like a Monster!
I, I feel like a Monster!
It went back to just my and Phyrra playing but the audience was still excited:
My secret side I keep
Hide under lock and key
I keep it caged but I can't control it
Cause if I let him out, He'll tear me up and break me down
On that part, the burning got worse but I still ignored it:
Why won't somebody come and save me from this?
Make it end!
Just as before, Jaune kicked off the amp and the audiences cheers were getting louder:
I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a Monster!
I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a Monster!
I, I feel like a Monster!
I, I feel like a Monster!
It's hiding in the dark
Its teeth are razor sharp
There's no escape from me
It wants my soul
It wants my heart
No one can hear me scream
Maybe it's just a dream
Or maybe it's inside of me!
I closed my eyes because the burning was getting to be too much:
Stop this Monster!
It was only me playing now:
I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I
I shot my eyes open and yelled:
Feel like a Monster!
Jaune and Phyrra joined back in:
I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a Monster!
I feel it deep within
It's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a Monster!
I'm gonna lose control
Here's something radical
I must confess that I feel like a Monster!
I, I feel like a Monster!
I, I feel like a Monster!
I, I feel like a Monster!
I, I feel like a Monster!
The song ended and I looked ahead, catching a glimpse of myself and I saw that my eyes changed to a crimson red and the pupil was slitted vertically but they soon turned back to normal and the audience gave a deafening applause as the three of us left the stage and went to our waiting area. Once I entered, I was immediately tackled by Ruby as she said "You guys were so awesome!" "Yeah dude, I didn't even know you could sing!" I heard Yang say as I got Ruby off of me and then I looked around the room, noticing that everyone else was in the room except Cardin and the bunny girl "Uh…excuse me a moment" I said as I left the room and immediately went to search for the missing two students.
In that moment, I smelled something 'Salt water…' I thought as I started to follow the smell. After a few twists and turns in the corridors, I noticed the smell was coming from a storage room. I listened carefully "P-please Cardin…S-stop" I heard a female voice say followed by the sound of skin connecting to skin followed by Cardin saying "Shut your mouth, I'll do whatever I want" I didn't listen after that, instead I slowly opened the door and swiftly slid inside. I instantly saw the situation; Cardin had the bunny girl tied to a steel pipe and her top seemed to have been cut open somehow and the girl seemed to have bruises on her torso and some of her legs.
I started to sneak up behind Cardin but just as I was about to knock him out, he swung and his elbow connected with my jaw, dazing me and causing me to stumble backwards "You didn't think I heard that door open?" He asked as I got up "Let her go Cardin" I said venomously "Not until I've had my fun with her" He retorted as he smirked evilly at me but I glared at him and rushed up to him, delivering a powerful punch to his ribs, causing him to double over in pain and I sent a knee into his chin, sending him flying back and landing unconscious.
I made my way over to the girl and untied her. She fell to the floor and immediately covered her chest and turning away from me with her face completely red and I felt my face grow hot but I kept a level head for the most part. "T-Thank…you" I heard her mumble, making me smirk "What's your name?" I asked "…Velvet Scarletina" she answered without turning to face me. I took off my jacket and put it over her; she accepted it as I stood up and offered her a hand.
Once I helped her up and introduced myself, I escorted her out of the room and to the waiting room and on the way, I decided to try and talk to her so that she could get her mind off of what had just happened and it worked. We made it back to the room and Velvet decided on the way there to zip up the jacket so that her chest was covered.
"Alex! Where did you go?!" Weiss asked me as we entered the room but before I could answer, I was rushed out of the room and to the stage for the winner to be announced. I made to the stage and stood with Jaune and Phyrra "Now for the moment of truth…in third place: Ms. Ruby Rose!" the announcer proclaimed, earning a toothy grin from Ruby, who curtsied, and the announcer got the audience to calm down and went back to the awards "In second place…" he started as he opened the envelope and from his expression, I could tell he didn't expect the outcome but I started to step forward knowing it was me "Second place: Ms. Weiss Schnee" he said almost making causing me to stumble backwards slightly in shock as I looked over to Weiss who simply accepted her place stepped forward "Which means Mr. Alex Smith is in first place!" the announcer said excitedly as I stepped forward with a huge grin on my face.
With the talent show over and me receiving a week of no classes that I can use anytime I want, I now was in a common room waiting for everyone's family to arrive and I couldn't help but feel a little depressed knowing that no one would be showing up for me, especially considering what tomorrow was gonna be. I suddenly felt a hand grabbed my shoulder, looking over I saw that it was Siegfried who's expression read that he was incredibly annoyed. I stood to meet his gaze "Do not assume that because you attend this academy or that my daughter and her…comrades do not know who, or should I properly say what, you are that you will escape me and my wrath" he said as he turned on his heel and left the room.
I stood there, clenching and unclenching my fists 'I fucking hate that man!' I screamed in my head and I suddenly realized that everyone came back and I was greeted with a blonde haired man with silver eyes, studying me with a look of astonishment while Ruby and Yang standing on either side of him "Hey Alex, this is our dad, Taiyang Xiao Long" Ruby said as said man continued to stare me down.
Well things are starting to kick up guys…and gals…so continue reading and until next time stay tuned readers!