Chapter one: Turn up The Love
Jake's POV
All of us are back in studio A, and where celebrating our Regionals win! We are dancing to timeless by penny on Mars. I went on the dance floor first as everyone was clapping. It feels amazing to be Regionals winners. We've had a little bit of a break and we're all just coming back to the studio all excited and getting ready for Nationals.
Izzy's POV
After Jake, it was my turn. I started to do my dance, while everyone was clapping. Has a team right now I feel like where a strong team except for the whole John and stormy situation.
Owlette's POV
Bart and I were dancing together and everyone was clapping. Winning regionals last year, was amazing but winning it with Bart, made it a million times better.
Bart's POV
Right now, my relationship with Owlette couldn't be going better. Hope you've been together for quite a bit now, so it's going great.
John's POV
Looking back this season, has definitely been a bumpy ride I guess. But you know, Nationals is coming up erm...I have pride I'm going to...move forward erm...it's hard.
Stormy's POV
As I was dancing, everyone else was clapping and cheering. I love my team with all my heart and we have what it takes to win Nationals.
Finn's POV
As I was next to dance, everyone was clapping for me and cheering. I am definitely ready for Nationals. I might have to work on my technique a bit but...I got the flash down.
Pirate Princess's POV
It was now my turn to dance, and everyone was clapping and cheering for me.
I feel so great about my team right now, we're connecting in such a different way. Because now, we have that Regionals win under our belts. And it's so great to have everyone together soaking in that amazing moment.
Lisa's POV
As I was the last person to dance, everyone else was clapping for me and cheering. I never been to Nationals before so I don't really know what to expect. And I'm so excited!
That's when we all got together and finished the dancing in a pose smiling pose.
Stormy's POV
After our awesome dance, I want to go get a drink for me and Cubby. Yeah after talking to cubby for a while once the team and I got back from celebrating winning Regionals, I literally had to apologize to him multiple times for him to convince me to let me be his girlfriend again. After Cubby thought about it, I had to give him the puppy dog eyes. Hey finally cave in and said yes I will be your boyfriend again. But he also gave me a warning as well. And that warning was if I ever go to John ever again we're through. And he meant it which I understood.
"Here I go my handsome boyfriend!" I exclaimed while handing Cubby his drink to him.
"Here's to winning Regionals!" I announced.
Cubby's POV
"I know, it's too bad that he just can't shut down, but this place is really nice!" I said.
"I kind of like it better to be honest." Stormy told us.
"Yeah, I totally agree with you Stormy." I answered.
Urban Culture is this new place that moved in after Peter's cafeteria moved.
Jake's POV
You can listen to records, you can get juice, and you can buy clothes.
"I know Izzy an't going to stop buying clothes in this place." I told them.
"I'm sorry Jake what did you say about me?" Izzy wanted to know.
"Uh, I said that your beautiful and sweet." I lied.
It's more of an Urban store.
Cubby's POV
"Yeah, I can't wait to go to Nationals woohoo!" I exclaimed with excitement.
"Yeah me too!" Stormy said.
"But I am more excited because I can't wait to go with you Stormy. To be honest with you I was so lonely, without you." I said.
"How are we going to tell everyone about us?" I wanted to know.
We just got back together, and we're really close. And I'm ready to be able to talk to people about it.
"Honestly, I don't..I don't know if we should just quit yet. What do you think my cute adorable handsome cubby?" Stormy exclaimed.
"Yeah, sounds good." I answered.
"So you mean, like our little secret?" Stormy asked.
"Yeah, that's correct it's a good secret to have." I told her as stormy smiled and we let go of our hands.
Bart's POV
As we were having a party in Studio A to celebrate winning regionals, everyone was talking and having a good time. Everyone from Troupe B, Troupe J and Troupe A, is all here to celebrate.
That's when I decided to stand up next to my girlfriend Owlette, and started to have a conversation with her.
"What's up what's up? What did you do this weekend?" I wanted to know for my cute adorable owl girl.
"Um not much...just hung around." Owlette told me.
That's when I started to catch Catboy staring at my girl.
"Hey, do you ever notice that catboy looks at you a lot Owlette?" I wanted to know as she clears her throat and she looks at Catboy.
"No, no, I haven't even really noticed that at all hehe." Owlette exclaimed.
"Okay..." I said as I was now getting suspicious on what was going on between these two.
Catboy, is from Troupe B. I know that both of them had a thing a while back. But that was a while back so she just needs to get over him, fast.
"Ah, I wouldn't worry about it." Owlette exclaimed.
Cubby's POV
Once I walked in Studio A smiling, I looked around and saw everyone.
"Yo, Cubby!" Finn said.
"Hey!" I answered.
"Hey, man!" Finn exclaimed as we did a handshake.
Art came over as we did the same handshake, as well.
"Hey!" I told him.
"Doesn't this guy look good man! You're walking!" Finn said.
"That's crazy." Bart exclaimed.
"I know isn't that great?" I wanted to know.
"Yeah, nice!" Bart answered.
"No, the surgery went awesome I have totally healed! I can do anything I've been practicing too." I explained.
"Good to hear." Bart exclaimed.
"It's really strong too almost stronger than my other ankle. It's stronger than a lot of other people's ankles." I explained even further.
"The doctor said not to worry at all so I might take it a little easy, but I'm not going to worry about it like I did before. He is going to be happy about it because it's just so much stronger." I told them.
"why you keep talking about your ankle? We get it you're healthy you're good." Finn exclaimed.
"Yeah." Bart said.
"Awesome yeah!" Finn exclaimed.
"Yeah well, I guess you haven't noticed that there's 11 of us in troop a and they only need 10 dancers for Nationals so who do you thinks not going to go?" I asked.
"Oh yeah, good point Cubby." Bart said.
"Yeah that's true." Finn said.
"Yeah but my ankle feels good so..." I told them.
"Yeah well you know what? My ankle feels good too." Finn said.
"Yeah same here." Bart exclaimed.
Finn's POV
Yeah, yours too? Call, so we're all on the same page?" I asked.
"We're all good ankles are all good." Cubby told us.
"All right yeah cool." I answered.
Stormy's POV
I wanted to talk to Cubby, so I walked over to him so we can talk.
I know that the both of us hasn't told anyone and that way I want to keep it.
""Hey, Cubby, so let's keep our relationship on the down-low." I told him.
"Yeah for sure." Cubby answered.
"Okay." I said.
"You wants some drinks?" Cubby asked.
"Aww, yeah, that's so sweet of you Cubby." I exclaimed.
John's POV
As I walked into the Party, entering the party there's really...well there's one thought on his mind and that's he's cool calm and collected.
"Hi, Bart and Finn." I exclaimed.
"What's up?" Bart wanted to know.
"Hey, John." Finn said.
"Hi, Cubby and Stormy." I exclaimed as I carried on walking.
I then just stood by the punch and just waved. I didn't want people to think I couldn't handle it because I'm fine, I'm fine.
Lisa's POV
As Troupe J, Ben, Sam are having a pirouette spin-off, I was catching up with my bestie Owlette.
"Hey girl, so how are you doing on your relationship, with Bart Simpson?" I asked.
"Oh fantastic, but I still can't help it but think about what Catboy said to me last year when you were at Regionals." Owlette exclaimed as I started to look over and saw Ben and Sam having their pirouette-off.
"Hey, Ben! You, and me are you ready?" I wanted to know.
"I am going to try and go easy on you, Ben. Don't start crying to your girlfriend." I told him.
"Oh, please, Lisa you're going down." Ben said.
"Ooh." Owlette exclaimed.
"Don't you have a boyfriend to meet up with?" I asked.
"Filtering feathers i gotta go, bye. Good luck Lisa." Owlette told me as she left.
Cuz I know what it is like to be a J-Trouper but Ben's got to learn the hard way.
"One, two, three!" I exclaimed as we started to have our pirouette off. And to my surprise, Ben won.
"Oh, oh, oh..." Everyone said.
Hey to be fair, I was going easy on Ben anyway.
"I mean I am in a dress." I told them.
"Yeah, that's your excuse?" Finn wanted to know.
"You know what Finn? We'll talk later." I told him.
Peter's POV
"Peter I really got to talk to you like right now." Red Jessica said.
"Okay." I answered.
"Okay?" Red Jessica said.
"Okay, Red Jessica what is it?" I wanted to know.
John's POV
"Excuse me, excuse me, hey everybody! May I have your attention please?" I as everyone turned their attention to me.
"I am so sorry to interrupt you all I just have a quick announcement." I said as they all came forward.
"All right, Cubby, and Stormy stand up." I told the two as they stood up from their chairs.
"Let's go! Don't keep everybody waiting." I said.
"All right some of you may think stormy and I are dating. But we're not." I explained as everyone was shocked.
"Wait a minute, so if you and Stormy aren't dating, then who is dating stormy?" Bart exclaimed while raising his hand.
"Surprise! She's back to dating Cubby again." I told everyone as they were now confused and a bit awkward.
"So you know I just wanted to tell everyone that because I wanted you all to find out at the right time." I explained further.
"Not the wrong time." I exclaimed to Cubby as I pat him on the arm, making him spill his drink in the process as all of the boys started laughing at cubby.
"Oh Stormy, let's have a friendly handshake oh come on." I said as I shook her hand.
"No hard feelings between us." I told her.
"How about a round of applause for the happy couple?" I said as everyone clapped awkwardly.
"The happiest couple The Never Dance has ever seen." I exclaimed.
"No back to the party! Whoo! Okay!" I exclaimed about everyone started to murmur with each other.
Bart's POV
"Okay, that took John about 1 minute and 26 seconds for him to start drama." Finn exclaimed.
"No dude, actually if you think about it man stormy actually started the drama." I told him.
John's POV
As I was standing by the punch smiling, Owlette walks over to me.
"John? John, are you okay?" Owlette asked.
"Yeah, of course why wouldn't I be?" I wanted to know.
"Because of what happened." Owlette exclaimed.
"It's just humiliating, I just don't want to talk about it." I answered.
"John, I mean when did this even happen?" Owlette asked.
"It happened at Regionals ha..." I answered.
"Regionals?" Owlette exclaimed.
"Yup, but you know what? It's fine. I'm fine. There's nothing I can do and I'm just moving on okay?" I told her.
"Okay...okay, but just know that I'm here for you okay?" Owlette exclaimed.
"Thank you, thank you Owlette." I thanked her with a big hug.
"You're welcome, John." Owlette answered.
Catboy's POV
"Hey, Gekko can you man the table for me please?" I asked.
"Yeah, no worries." Gekko said as I was walking towards Owlette.
"Hey, Pirate Princess, how's my face?" I asked.
"Horrible." Pirate Princess answered.
"Ugh." I said as I smiled.
Once I started to approach Owlette, she was talking to Bart as I then tapped her shoulder.
"Hey." I said as she turned around to face my blue eyes.
"Oh, hey, Catboy what's up?" Owlette exclaimed.
"How's it going?" I asked.
"Just standing here." Owlette answered.
"So...did you think about what I told you at Regionals?" I wanted to know her answer.
"What did you exactly tell me at Regionals?" Owlette exclaimed.
"Oh my God? Really you don't remember? You guys just won Regionals last year, and you don't remember what I said to you?" I asked.
"No, no what did you tell me?" Owlette wanted to know while she was drinking her punch.
"I told you that I love you." I repeated what I said to her last year at regionals as she was choking.
"hmmm mm-mm." Owlette exclaimed.
"And I still really mean what I said." I told her.
"Yeah, erm... erm.." Owlette." Started to comprehend on what I said.
"What do you think?" I asked.
"Erm..." Owlette exclaimed.
As I tried to touch her arm, she started to shrug my hand off her arm.
"Yeah erm... erm...I think...I think you'll be fine." Owlette told me.
Bart's POV
Hey, Owlette!" I said.
"Hey boyfriend." Owlette exclaimed as we shared a kiss.
"Hey listen, do you want to by any chance to get something to eat? I'm kind of hungry." I asked.
"Now that you mentioned it, I'm starving as well. Let's go grab something to eat together my lovely handsome boyfriend." Owlette answered as I took her hand in mine as we walk to the buffet.
Catboy's POV
"Goodbye Owlette." I said as a tear was coming down my cheek while Gekko came running towards my side and hugged me.
Peter's POV
"And I've been doing some thinking about my position here Anthony never again studio, and I feel personally that..." Red Jessica is going to explain but I cut her off.
"Sorry I really have to deal with this love triangle, later okay?" I told her.
"Yeah later." I heard Red Jessica as I walked out.
"John, Stormy and Cubby my office now!" I told the three.
Once Cubby Stormy and John followed me into my office, I started to speak to them.
"Listen, we're going to Nationals this year okay? Nationals. That's serious business, text a lot of work and a lot of teamwork. And what you guys have just done has risked all of that. Do you have anything to say to yourself?" I asked.
"We're sorry we're just following our hearts." Stormy said as John started to snort.
"I'm sorry." Cubby responded.
"Mm-hmm." John exclaimed while smirking.
"Excuse me peter, but I seen no reason why anyone should be affected but me. And I'm fine." John told me.
"John, of course you're not fine." I said.
"Peter, you know me I'm practical." John exclaimed.
"I need you all to promise me that we are going to put this behind us." I told them.
"I promise." Stormy answered.
"Cubby do you promise?" I wanted to know.
"Of course Peter, I promise." Cubby responded.
"John do you promise me as well?" I asked.
"Sure I promise." John said.
"Good, now that we're all in agreement I want you guys to go out and enjoy whatever is left of this party and then we have Regionals pictures afterwards." I said.
Thanks Peter!" They all said as they left.
Stormy's POV
It's not up to Peter to control our lives. We're allowed to do whatever else they want as long as it doesn't affect the team.
Izzy's POV
As we were getting out Regionals pictures taken with our trophy, Peter started to speak.
"Okay, perfect!" Peter exclaimed.
"You've got loads of film in there? We're good?" Peter asked as he got into the picture with us.
"All right everyone say Nationals!" Peter announced.
"Nationals!" We all shouted as our photo was taken with our big shiny trophy.
"Jake, you better not kiss our trophy." I told him as everyone looked at my boyfriend.
"Oh come on, you guys think I was really going to do...? I wasn't actually going to kiss the trophy." Jake told us.
Owlette's POV
"So, Owlette how are doing?" Bart asked as I kissed his cheek.
"Good. Especially, when I am with you." I told him as he blushed.
"Ooh, Owlette and Bart sitting in a tree k i s s i n g!" We heard Jake sing.
"JAKE, GET OVER HERE?!" We heard Izzy's voice.
"Coming my love." Jake exclaimed as he ran off.
Izzy's POV
"What did I tell you about making fun of people?" I asked my boyfriend.
"You didn't say anything about me making fun of people." Jake said.
"Guys, if you're going to argue please go do it any other room." Cubby responded.
"Stay out of this Cubby." Jake told him.
"Oh yeah that's perfect, yup..." Peter told the photographer as he was looking at our photo.
We then saw Marina walk into the studio all of a sudden.
The room went silent, as she was fully inside the studio as we all look at her.
Once Marina walked in my jaw dropped like a Cannon bolt.
"What's she doing here? I don't even trust her here." I asked.
"Marina, what are you doing here?" Owlette exclaimed.
"Yeah, I want to know the same question. What are you doing here, you creep?" I asked the same thing.
"I'm here to audition." Marina answered as we were all confused by what she meant.
Jake's POV
"Marina, you can't be serious about... We're not even holding auditions." I exclaimed
"But, you guys won Regionals." Marina told us.
Marina's POV
That means that between Regionals and Nationals you guys, are allowed tp change up your dance team. Usually dancer from other studios that last Regionals try to get on a winning team." I explained.
"Marina, you are making this up." Jake told me.
"Actually, and I can't believe I have to say this Jake but she's not lying nor she's not making this up." Izzy exclaimed.
"Every Studio has done it, called "The challenge." Izzy said.
"I'm sorry, but it's called the who what now?" Jake asked while raising one eyebrow up in confusion.
"The challenge" and at Mer Dance we called it "The Winnowing." I told him.
"Winnowing - when you separate the wheat from the chaff." Finn said.
"What?" Bart exclaimed.
"Uh, Finn not now." Jake told him as he stood back.
"Izzy, this is a real thing?" Jake said.
"Yes it's a REAL thing, Mr." Izzy exclaimed.
"Note to self, never get on Izzy's bad side.
"See?" I said.
"Regardless, the Never Dance has our team, and you're not on it." Izzy told me as she walked over to me.
"Okay, okay, but you guys need me." I said as I then left studio A.
Izzy's POV
"Need her? Goodbye." I said.
"We need her?" Jake asked.
"Uh, NO!" I screamed as Jake fell to the ground.
"Although then again, the challenge aside from that home remaining thing is kind of intriguing. I think I would be open to it." I told myself.
Peter's POV
As Red Jessica walked into my office, I started to speak.
"Ahh, Red Jessica, I am sorry for not being able to talk to you. It's just been a crazy day and those crazy kids." I told her.
"Hey, hey, I understand big celebration." Red Jessica answered.
"Anyway, yes." I said.
"And that's very important right now." Red Jessica exclaimed.
"Yeah." I responded.
"But, I've been meaning to tell you something...erm...I've been offered a new job." Red Jessica said as I was not expecting that news to come out of her mouth.
"What?" I asked.
"I'm taking a co-owner position at Molly Ballerina Academy." Red Jessica told me.
I, I, I, I just couldn't believe it, that Red Jessica is leaving. She's been with The Never Dance before so long and the fact that after we just won regionals
"Red jessica, we need you for nationals, we can't do this without you." I told her.
"Peter, you have to understand that if The Never Dance loses I won't be as markable." Red Jessica explained.
Red Jessica's POV
"I just wish you weren't going." Peter exclaimed with his head down in sadness.
"But other than that, I'm happy for you. And I know you'll do great." Peter said.
"Hugzies?" I asked.
"Hugzies, you want hugzies?" Peter exclaimed.
"Come on Peter Pan, hugzies come here." I told him as we gave each others hugzies.
"But erm do me a favor, I don't want to talk to the kids about it right now. If you could do that that'd be great." I explained further.
"Of course, of course Red Jessica." Peter answered
"All right." I said.
"I'll see you out, I guess." Peter told me.
"Yup." I answered.
Jake's POV
"So, what do you guys think about The Challenge?" Lisa asked.
"The challenge? Pfft." Finn exclaimed.
"The Challenge, I'm not worried about The Challenge." Bart told her.
"Hey, you want to see a challenge? Hold my fedora." Finn said as I
Lisa holds it.
"Hold it." Bart said.
"Hold it!" Finn yelled.
"I'm holding it?!" Lisa screamed at the boys while Finn did a backflip.
"Mmmm..." Bart said.
"Casual." Lisa exclaimed.
"Casual, yeah just casually." Finn told her.
"I mean...I'll I'll work on my backflip." Lisa told the boys.
"Yeah." Finn said.
"Yeah." Lisa answered.
Izzy's POV
As I pulled Jake aside I started to speak to him.
"Hey, Jake listen. About The Challenge, I think we should do it." I told him.
Jake knows Troupe A is going to change and he doesn't know it he's up to doing it.
"You know if we do do The Challenge, that there's a really good possibility that Marina will make it, right?" Jake asked.
"No. As a co-Captain, we judge." I explained.
"There's no way Marina's going to make it in, Jake." I said.
"True." Jake respond.
"Look, The Never Dance deserves the title at Nationals. By doing The Challenge, The Never Dance will become the strongest studio." I explained.
"Okay!" Jake answered.
"Good, thank you for listening to me Jake." I said.
"Hey no problem my love." Jake replied.