Marcia Makes A Comeback
"HIYA!" Marcia yelled, chopping a board in half.
"Whooo! Go, Marcia! Show that board who's boss!" Star said
"Great work! See you next week! Class dismissed!" Sensei Brantley said
Marcia walked off to the sidelines where Star handed her a towel.
"Thanks for coming to my class today Star," Marcia said
"You were awesome! The way you smashed that board with your face! So cool," Star said
As the two girls chatted the door to the studio was slammed open making everyone look to see who had entered.
Standing in the doorway was a rather tall woman with tan skin. She had high cheekbones and an upturned nose. Her eyes were green, sharp, and calculating. She had brown hair up in a tight high bun. For some reason, she was wearing a white fur coat even though it was almost 90 degrees outside.
"Madame Rosebud," Sensei Brantley said lowly narrowing his eyes at the woman.
"Brantley," Madame Rosebud said narrowing her eyes at the man.
"Madame Rosebud," Marcia said eyes wide looking at the woman.
"Who?" Star said
"YAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Sensei Brantley yelled launching himself at the woman.
Madame Rosebud stood unmoving as the older male ran at her. Sensei Brantley got face to face with the Madame Rosebud as the two glowered at each other.
"What are you doing in my dojo studio?" Sensei Brantley asked
Madame Rosebud pulled her face away from Sensei Brantley's and gave a scoff turning her nose up, "You call this a studio? Look at these conditions. Sub par equipment, dirty conditions, and even worse inadequate teachers."
"Uh...I'm the only teacher," Sensei Brantley said
"Exactly," Madame Rosebud said with a smirk.
Sensei Brantley let out a growl and frowned at the woman.
"Madame Rosebud! What are you doing here?" Marcia asked walking over.
"Marcia Diaz, just the young woman I've been looking for," Madame Rosebud said, "Such a shame to see such talent go to waste in a place such as this."
"Hey!" Sensei Brantley said pointing a finger at Madame Rosebud.
"Mrs. Diaz I need you to come with me," Madame Rosebud said
"Marcia's not going anywhere especially with you," Sensei Brantley said
"Marcia was mine before you sunk your wicked Kungfu talons into her," Madame Rosebud said
"Marcia made her choice and she chose the ways of Karate!" Sensei Brantley said
The two adults started arguing back and forth as Star and Marcia watched.
"What….is going on?" Star asked Marcia.
"Oh, it's kind of an old and long story," Marcia said
"Why is that woman wearing that fur coat?" Star asked
"It's because her soul is as cold as ice," Sensei Brantley said looking at the teen girls.
"Enough of your childish taunts and banter. Mrs. Diaz, I need you it is urgent," Madame Rosebud said
"How urgent?" Marcia asked
Madame Rosebud narrowed her eyes, "Samuel."
Marcia gasped putting her hands on her cheeks.
"What is going on?!" Star said
"It was a long time ago. Actually, it was about six years ago. You see before I started karate I was actually a dancer-"
"*GASP* Marcia you danced!" Star said interrupting the story.
Star, Marcia, Madame Rosebud, and Sensei Brantley were all back at Marcia's house sitting in the living room.
"Star! Don't interrupt the flashback!"
"Sorry!"
"Now where was I. Six years ago I was a dancer, apart of Madame Rosebud's professional team. I did it all ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, except tap, can't do tap the constant tapping noises gave me anxiety. I'd won every competition with either by myself or with my partner Samuel, we were called Tiger Duo. Never before had people see two kids dance with such passion and fire."
"Wait wait wait…..how come I've never heard of this before?" Star said interrupting the story.
"Star there's like a bazillion dancer trophies behind you," Marcia said pointing behind Star.
Star looked behind her to see a large trophy case filled with dancing trophies.
"Ohh…" Star said
"Look let's just make this quick. I was Madame Rosebud's top student but then Sensei Brantley came for a visit to Madame Rosebud's studio and did some karate and I fell in love with it. So after the last competition I quit dancing and started taking karate," Marcia said, "That's kind of why Sensei Brantley and Madame Rosebud argue. Well, they argued a lot before, this just added fuel to the fire."
"So why does Madame Rosebud need you now?" Star asked
"I shall fill this in," Madame Rosebud said standing up, "You see every year the international young adolescent dance championship is held here in Echo Creek and every year a student of Madame Rosebud's Excellent School of Dancing is always a winner, but this year it's different. For the past six years with Mrs. Diaz's absence, the competition has been won by her former partner Samuel and a random girl of his choosing, but this year is different. I made a grand spectacular dance for Samuel and his partner one that would blow away the judges. Then out of nowhere, he says he's quitting! I felt heart broken! Almost as bad as when my sweet Marcia fell prey to the carnivorous claws of Brantley-"
"Hey!"
"But my heartache soon turned to rage as I discovered that Samuel did not quit dancing but switched over to a new Studio!" Madame Rosebud said
Marcia gasped her mouth wide, "Don't tell me!"
"Yes! He joined the Sunny Remix Dance Studio! He took the beautiful dance that I gave him and brought it over to that studio! Now I have no dance or dancer for the upcoming competition. My studio has won that Championship for twenty years and I refuse to let that come to an end. Marcia, I need you to rejoin the studio and win that competition," Madame Rosebud said
Marcia got a thoughtful look on her face thinking it over.
"Diaz," Sensei Brantley said standing up, "As much as I disagree and hate this woman," Sensei Brantley said glaring at Madame Rosebud who glared back, "There is one thing I can't stand and that a traitor. Go forth and win!"
"Yes, Sensei!" Marcia said bowing to Sensei Brantley, "Madame Rosebud you've got yourself a dancer! When is the competition?" Marcia asked
"In three days," Madame Rosebud said
"What!?"
Marcia was now in Madame Rosebud's dance studio wearing a black leotard with a skirt and pink tights. Her hair was up in a high bun. Star was sitting off the side watching.
"Marcia it has been years since you've last danced so we must retrain your mind and body. Since we have only three days we must do this the crash course way. Now let's see how your flexibility is," Madame Rosebud said she walks over to Marcia and puts a hand on the girl's shoulder then grabs Marcia's left ankle, she then brings Marcia's leg up so that her heel is touching the back of her head. Madame Rosebud then bends Marcia's leg forward till her knee is touching her nose. Next Madame Rosebud puts both hands on Marcia's shoulders then forces the girl down into a full straddle on the ground, then grabs Marcia's hand pulling her forward so her face touches the ground.
"Wow Marcia, I didn't know you were so flexible," Star said
"Me either," Marcia strained out.
"Hmmmm...you still have most of your flexibility but you'll need to stretch extra to get ready," Madame Rosebud said, "Now I've prepared a spectacular dance for you, a wonderful solo piece that you would have performed if you had not been swayed by that brute Brantley-
"Hey!"
Everyone looks over to see Sensei Brantley sitting in the corner eating a bag of potato chips.
"And you are here why?" Madame Rosebud said
"As soon as Marcia's done I'm taking the girl back. I won't let her fall under you again," Sensei Brantley said before throwing a chip in his mouth.
"We get started now!" Madame Rosebud said clapping her hands.
DANCE TIME
Marcia was at a dance bar practicing some basic exercises. She brought her foot up going into a scorpion position.
Marcia was in the middle of the room doing turns. As she finished a turn Madame Rosebud spun her finger signaling Marcia to do it again. Marcia kept turning and turning as Sensei Brantley and Star watched the two eventually becoming dizzy.
Marcia was doing leaps across the room, well over obstacles set up by Madame Rosebud. Marcia was sweating as the woman had set up sharp objects forcing Marcia to do perfect leaps or she'd get poked with a shiny sharp object.
Star, Madame Rosebud, and Marcia were looking over swatches of fabric picking out what would be best for Marcia's costume.
Sweat dripped down Marcia's brow as she danced her routine. Marcia ends in a pose huffing and breathing heavily. Star and Sensei Brantley were staring amazed. Madame Rosebud smiled nodding her head.
"She's ready."
"Wow look at all the sparkly costumes," Star said looking around amazed.
"The outfits are a part of the competition. You gotta stand out when you step out on that stage make people remember you," Marcia said
Marcia and Star were walking around the dance competition as Madame Rosebud went to register Marcia. Marcia was in her regular clothing as she held her costume in a garment bag. Star was pulling behind her a large makeup trunk and a sign that said 'Go, Marcia!'.
"Well well...if it isn't little Marcia."
"Samuel…." Marcia said glaring.
"Looks like someone came out of retirement," Samuel said
"I didn't retire I just chose another after school activity," Marcia said
"Haha, face it Marcia. You quit because you got scared. You knew that I was gonna break off our partnership so you fled. It was always me who carried the Tiger Duo together," Samuel said
Marcia let out an offended gasp along with Star, "One I did not know you were going to break up our duo. Two I almost forgot how much of a jerk you were, thanks for reminding me. Three, I carried the Tiger Duo name, you kept sickling your feet and couldn't do proper lifts. And Four, you're going down!"
"Yeah dooooooown," Star said appearing behind Marcia. She brought up her 'Go Marcia' sign and used her wand to add to the bottom of the sign 'Beat Samuel!', "doooooooooooooooooown."
"A little blush here. Some mascara and a little color for the lips," Star said finishing Marcia's makeup, "Done!" Star brings out a mirror showing Marcia.
"It's perfect Star," Marcia said
"Why thank you, Marcia," Star said, "Now go out there and beat that hunky jerk."
"I will," Marcia said
There was a loud applause as Samuel and his partner took bows on the stage. Samuel smiled and hip bumped his partner pushing the girl behind him as he bowed some more. Marcia rolled her eyes watching the guy. Samuel walked off stage passing by Marcia.
"Good luck Diaz," Samuel said
Marcia just looks away crossing her arms.
"Coming up next to the stage is Marcia Diaz!"
Marcia took a deep breath pulling a hood over her head, "Here we go."
"Whooo yeah go, Marcia! Whooo!" Star shouted waving her sign around. Madame Rosebud reaches up and grabs Star by the collar of her dress and pulls her down into her seat.
The audience quiets down as a figure wearing a red cloak walks out onto the stage.
Slowly piano music started to play and a soft voice sang as the cloaked figure got into second position.
Everybody's got a thing
But some don't know how to handle it
The figure did a slow double attitude turn ending the turn with their back leg in an arabesque.
Always reaching out in vain
Just taking the things not worth having
The figure brought their foot back down and bent backwards going into a bent leg handstand. Then they slowly brought their legs down in a perfect handstand straddle.
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
The figure slowly brought their legs down then went into three pirouettes before ending in a développé. Everyone was entranced by the figure as they danced on the stage, their movements so fluid and graceful it was enchanting to watch.
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
When you check it out
As the music started to slow down the figure got into a croise derriere.
They say your style of life's a drag
And that you must go other places
Just don't you feel too bad
When you get fooled by smiling faces
As the beat dropped the figure did a tour jete and in the air whipped off their red cloak revealing Marcia in all her glory. The crowd clapped and cheered as Marcia's dance picked up, everyone marveling at the girl. Marcia's outfit was a scarlet leotard that had a collar around the neck and lace sleeves. The back of it was cut open in a deep-v fashion. Marcia's hair was pulled up into a braided bun with a rose clipped on off to the side.
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, baby
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
When you check it out
As the note of the vocals was held Marcia went into a series of chaine turns going into a split leap.
Everybody needs a change
A chance to check out the new
But you're the only one to sees
The changes you take yourself through
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Marcia does a passe double turn into a pas de cheval setting her up for a firebird leap.
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, thing
Marcia did series of complicated steps sequences as she glided across the stage. Then she did a fanning tuck jump.
Pa-pa-p, pa-pa-pa-pa
Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
Pa-pa-p, pa-pa-pa-pa
Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
Marcia spun till she was the edge of the stage once she was at the very edge Marcia went into a series of backflips back into the middle of the stage. The crowd cheered really getting into Marcia's performance, some people were even clapping to the beat of the song.
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
When you check it out
Marcia did an aerial leap going into a fish flop. In the middle of her trick, she held her position and slowly brought her legs down going out of her roll and standing back up.
Oh don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
'Cause I'll be standing, I'll be standing by you
Oh oh don't you worry 'bout a thing
As the last note of the song held out, Marcia went into a series of fouettés causing the crowd to cheer louder. Marcia smiled as she did a barrel turn onto the ground ending with one leg out and the other bent crossed over, leaning back on one arm and the other up in the air.
Marcia breathed heavily and her chest heaved as the crowd applauded and clapped. Star stood up jumping up and down cheering the loudest. She brought out her wand and cast a spell sending a wave of roses towards the stage.
Marcia smiled and bowed but then she gasped as she brought her head back up. Before she could let out a scream Marcia was buried under a mountain of roses. The audience stopped cheering as they now looked at the stage, the only one still clapping was Star.
"Now that we have the stage clear."
A janitor grumbled as he swept a pile of rose petals outside.
"We can now move onto to the award ceremony."
Marcia sat excitedly on stage as the announcer started to announce scores and hand out trophies to the winners.
"In first place for couples contemporary is Samuel and Courtney with their dance the Lovers Tangle."
The crowd clapped as Courtney walked over to graciously take the award, but before her hands could even touch the trophy Samuel hip checks her out of the way almost knocking her off the stage. He greedily took the trophy kissing it.
Marcia let out a groan rolling her eyes as her hand rested on her trophy from winning her category. Award after award was given out until only one was left.
"Now, for the final award the overall high score of the competition and the champion of the International Young Adolescent Dance Championship. With a score of 95.6 is….."
Everyone waited with baited breath. Sensei Brantley, Star, and Madame Rosebud were on the edges of their seats. Samuel had a cocky grin as he started to stand up ready accept the award.
"Is Marcia Diaz!"
Marcia cheered and jumped up running over to the center of the stage. She passed by Samuel who was frozen mouth wide open with his eyes just as wide. Sensei Brantley and Star jumped up cheering happily giving each other a high-five. Madame Rosebud stood up clapping with a gentle smile on her face.
Marcia was handed a large gold trophy and a crown was put on her head. She gave the crowd a deep bow before holding the trophy up in the air.
As Marcia walked off stage carrying her large trophy she passed by the still gaping Samuel and closed his mouth with her hand smirking the whole time. Once she was off the stage Marcia was greeted with a bouquet of white roses.
"You did wonderful Marcia," A family voice said
Marcia looked up and her face slightly flushed seeing Jax was the one presenting her with flowers.
"Jax….what are you doing here?" Marcia asked
"Well, a little bird told me that a beautiful girl was going to be dancing here so I couldn't miss that," Jax said making Marcia's blush grew darker, "I have to say the way you dance is indescribable by words. You were truly the most elegant one on stage."
"T-Thank you," Marcia said
Jaz let out a chuckle tucking one of the white roses into Marcia's hair right next to her red one.
"Marcia! Marcia! Marcia!"
Marcia turned around hearing her name being called out. She saw Star, Sensei Brantley, and Madame Rosebud walking over to her. Marcia turned around about to say something to Jax but the boy was gone.
Marcia smiled as her new trophy sat in the middle of her living room. She stood next to Star ad each girl had a plate in their hands containing a slice of cake. Marcia's parents were throwing a small congratulation party in honor of Marcia's win.
"You were great out there Marcia!" Star said
"Thanks but, I couldn't have done it without you guys helping me," Marcia said
"Now that you've once again tasted victory young Marcia, perhaps you'd-"
"No!" Sensei Brantley yelled jumping in front of Madame Rosebud, "Marcia is coming back to my dojo."
Madame Rosebud scoffed, "Such talent being wasted in your dump."
Sensei Brantley growled glaring at Madame Rosebud, then the two adults started to bicker which quickly turned into yelling and name-calling.
"Why do they argue so much?" Star said
"Something happened between them when they were little. They're cousins you know," Marcia said
"What?" Star said