I do not own Glee. BTW I'm sorry in advance because as of last month school started up again. It's online school, but I may not have as much work time as I used to. Don't worry, I'll make time to make this story good for you.
Mr. Schue's humming in his office going through some assignments before hearing a knock on his door and seeing Sam and Blaine.
"Hey, you wanted to see us Mr. Schue?" Blaine said.
"Yeah. Have a seat guys."
"Um, I just want to let you know that even though I've kind of, like, checked out of school since I'm not going to college, I'm totally committed to Glee Club, you know." Sam informs.
"Well, I am going to college, but I am also committed to Glee Club." Blaine said.
"Yeah! And I've had Artie and Blaine drilling me, like, nonstop on the rights and lefts of the choreography."
"I arranged some online booty camps with Jake, Kitty and Bree over the weekend so we could be sure we all remember the moves."
"Guys, you don't have to prove yourselves to me." Mr. Schue pauses to take a breath. "Finn transformed this club when he joined up. He wasn't just a male lead, he was the captain of the football team. He was the coolest kid in school. I mean, a real dude, you know? He was our secret weapon at those competitions. Other schools might have had their version of a Rachel or a Kurt, but no one had a Finn."
"Yeah, he... he made it seem pretty cool." Sam complimented.
"When he recruited you, he wasn't just looking for another voice in here. He was looking for someone to take his place after he graduated. Someone to help lead all of these wonderful misfits."
"I'm not Finn, Mr. Shue. Finn was, like, a real leader, you know?" He said.
Will stares at him. And so are you. And I'm gonna need you to be that guy when we get to L.A. The kids want you to be that guy. They're all waiting for you to see yourself the way they see you. The new kids love you, and so do the older ones. And Blaine, I need you to be a co-captain. You were appointed New Rachel for a reason. Rachel wasn't just there to have all the solos, but to get everyone motivated. To get everyone to do better so they can have the spotlight. I'm sure that everything is gonna be fine once we get there. But if the time comes, and you both need to step up, I'm gonna be counting on you to get it done." After he said that Sam and Blaine looked at each other thinking, maybe they could do this. They are going to make Finn proud, and they are gonna win nationals for him.
Tina enters from the choir room and turns to Mr. Schue. "They're here." She refers to the special guests who will be joining them in their trip to L.A. ... Finn's parents!
Burt Hummel and Carole Hudson-Hummel enter the room and everyone claps while the seniors walk towards them for a hug.
Burt started talking. "We just wanted to come in and say that, uh, Finn really cared about you guys. More than you know."
Carole follows up. "Finn always said that winning nationals was the greatest accomplishment of his life. But I honestly believe that coaching you guys to winning would have meant even more to him."
"Now, now we're not saying go out there and win it for Finn. That wasn't his style. Um, what Finn would have said was this is the time of your lives right now. You're never gonna forget it, and in a moment, it's all gonna be over."
"So no sad faces. No regrets. Just go out there and have a blast, and, you know, it'll be okay if you won the damn thing." They laugh at that.
"And the best part about it is that Burt and Carole have agreed to come with us as chaperones." Cheering erupts from them with excitement. "But I think before we go, we need a little mood music to send us off. Brad?" Brad nods and starts playing his piano.
(Randy Newman's "I Love L.A." playing)
Will:
Hate New York City
It's cold and it's damp
And all the people dress like monkeys
Let's leave Chicago to the Eskimos
That town's a little bit too rugged
For you and me, bad girl
{Will does a little playful flirting with Carole for theatricality's sake before nudging for Blaine to take over.}
Blaine:
Rollin' down Imperial Highway
With a big nasty red-head at my side
{Artie rolls in to join in.}
Artie:
Santa Ana winds blowin' hot from the north
And we were born to ride
{Suddenly everyone is already in L.A. on a bus with sunglasses on their faces. Bree and Kitty are even wearing casual clothing for this trip.}
Blaine:
From the South Bay to the Valley
From the West Side to the East Side
Blaine with Artie:
Everybody, very happy
Cause the sun is shining all the time
Blaine with New Directions (New Directions):
Looks like another perfect day
I love L.A. (Na-na-na-nana, na-na-na-na-nana-nana)
We love it (Na-na-na-nana, na-na-na-na-nana-nana) (Artie: Yeah!)
(Artie: I love L.A.) (Na-na-na-nana, na-na-na-na-nana-nana) (Artie: Woo-hoo)
We love it (Na-na-na-nana, na-na-na-na-nana-nana) (Artie: Yeah, yeah)
We love it
{They make a stop for lunch. Jake, Blaine and Sam get hot dogs for everyone and Unique, Marley, Kitty and Sugar take a photo at a hot dog themed carnival face hole}
Sam:
I love L.A.
Jake (New Directions):
I love L.A. (Oooh)
I love L.A. (We love it)
Jake (New Directions):
I love L.A., yeah (We love it)
Oh whoa (Oh, oh, oh, L.A.)
Blaine (Jake):
I love L.A. (Oh woah)
Blaine and Jake with New Directions:
We love it!
They were at a hotel booking rooms but Will was having trouble getting them for some reason.
"Don't look now, but I think some famous people just came in!" Kitty told Unique excited. Unique turned to see who it was, and it was revealed to be Mercedes Jones, Matt Rutherford and Noah Puckerman walking in the room in Fancy-wear. They did look famous. Wonder what happened.
"Even better! It's Mercedes Jones! And Matt and Puck." Once Unique said that Jake turned to walk to his brother.
"Hey dude!" Jake said to his brother and they had a bro-hug.
"Hey there half-bro with the afro."
"I was hoping you'd make it!" Tina said as she hugged Mercedes.
"Are you crazy? I wouldn't miss this for the world."
"Ooh, I heard that you got a record contract because either Usher, Kelly Clarkson or Michael Jackson's daddy bought your album in a 7-Eleven parking lot." Unique said, basically explaining her origin story.
Mercedes prepared to tell the tale. "I was selling my CD Hell 2 the No in a parking lot with Matt. Now, I ain't gonna lie, business was wack. But then this Mexican lady bought one. I think she felt sorry for me. Turns out, that Mexican angel on earth was the housekeeper to Kanye West. She gave it to Kanye, who gave it to Kim, and she gave it to Ryan Seacrest, who gave it to Sony Records.. the Sony Records. Next thing I know, I'm sipping Perrier with a bunch of rich dudes. And in exchange for writing six songs for the artists in Sony, I got my own album deal. And I'm talking all the perks, all the P&A that you can muster and two music videos that they have to pay for. And if it sells,"
"And it will." Matt added.
She chuckles. "I don't have to do a lame follow-up Christmas album."
"And I get to be a dancer/background singer in her music videos." Matt mentions.
"And I can say that my movie Pool boy hero, was a spectacular success. After Kitty helped me with the spelling errors I took it to Hollywood and everyone loved it. It was released last month and I'm rolling in it."
"You're welcome." Kitty said.
"Thanks. So are you single?"
Joe holds her close. "She's spoken for dude."
"Ah, gotcha." Puck said.
Artie stops them"Hold up. Is that dog alive?"
"Oh, it's a faux-huahua." Mercedes explained.
"Like a fake Chihuahua?" Sugar asks.
"Yeah."
"Okay. When did this become a thing and why wasn't I aware of it?!" Sugar said causing a laugh to come from everyone.
"Mr. Shue, Mercedes is here with Puck and Matt!" Tina said.
"Oh, hey, Mercedes. Hey Puck. Hey Matt." Mr. Schue said before turning to the receptionist immediately.
"What's up with him?" Matt asks.
"Oh he's just having trouble getting us rooms." Marley explained.
"Oh, my God, that's them." Blaine said surprised and they all turned to see who he was talking about.
"Who?" Everyone asked.
"Do you seriously have no idea who that is? Do none of you read the show choir blogs?" He said disaprovingly.
"No, Blaine, we don't. None of us read the show choir blogs. Just you." Kitty said rushed.
Bree sighs. "Blaine just tell us who they are already." She said.
"That's Throat explosion. And that's their leader, Jean-Baptiste." He turns to Sam. "Jean-Baptiste was born in Quebec to acrobatic parents. He trained with Cirque du Soleil before emigrating to Fort Wayne where he used his French-Canadian circus stylings to turn the entire show choir world upside down."
Jean-Baptiste walks to the New Directions to greet them. "Bonjour! You must be the New Directions. And you... must be Blaine." He goes all up in Blaine's face scaring him.
"H-how did you know my name?" He asked.
"Show choir blogs." Jean-Baptiste said as if it was obvious surprising everyone.
Sam cuts in to introduce himself "I'm, you know, I'm Sam Evans, and me and Blaine are the leaders of the New Directions. And, you know, I know you guys are all really good and stuff, but that's just gonna get us out of our comfort zones and send us over the top." He challenged.
"Well, it was really great to meet you, Sam. Best of luck, New Directions. We really can't wait to see your set. And crush you like a bug." He stares at Blaine to inspire fear "Bye!"
He walks away with his team with pride leaving everyone with their thoughts.
Blaine turned to them. "That was tense."
Mercedes goes to hug Tina. "Oh, I wouldn't miss this show choir high school drama." Tina chuckles. "Come on, tell me all about it." And they all walked to get those rooms except for Sam and Blaine who are stuck thinking about what just happened.
"Like a bug. That was good. He was right here in my face." Blaine mentioned gesturing to his face.
"Why didn't I think of that?" Sam said feeling ashamed as he walks away.
Blaine follows him. "He smells like a winner." He whispers.
Ryder was talking with Unique when suddenly they reached Marley's door. He stopped and Unique noticed and turned to him.
"You want to talk to her?" Unique said slightly disappointed.
"It's not what you think. I've been seeing her facebook page and she wrote undecided as her job."
"I thought she wanted to be a singer."
"Exactly, I need to know what's going on."
"No... we need to know what's going on." Ryder raises his eyebrow at her. "She's my friend too, Ryder. My best friend. I would do anything for her."
Ryder smiles at her. "Thanks Unique." They take each other's hand and Unique knocks on Marley's door.
"Hey, Marley, it's Unique and Ryder. Can we come in for a minute?" After a few seconds Marley opens the door.
"Hi." Ryder said.
"Hi." Marley greets back.
"Can we talk to you?" He said.
Marley opens the door for them. "You can come in."
"Okay. Look, you and me are never gonna happen. And like, I've accepted that. And we're both dating people now, and I'm happy with Unique. But that doesn't mean I don't care about you. Or that I don't occasionally look at your Facebook page to check your status."
"I'm with Jake, and it's going to stay that way." She said as she sits on her bed.
"No Marley, he's about where you put what your job in. It used to say, "Singer/Songwriter," now it just says "Undecided." Is something wrong? Talk to us Marley." Unique said and Marley looks down at her feet before facing them to explain.
"I entered my songs into this contest." She said.
"Okay. Did you lose then?" Unique asks.
"Worse. I didn't hear back at all. And I took that as... I don't know... a wake-up call." Marley explained.
"Oh, come on. That's only one dumb contest." Ryder tried to convince.
"Actually, I've entered a bunch of contests, Ryder." This news shocked them. How many people rejected Marley? "Anyway, what's so wrong with joining Accounting Club when we get back?"
Ryder chuckles as Rynique both go to sit next to Marley at both sides.
"Uh... I'll tell you one thing. I think, uh, Accounting Club interferes with Glee Club." Ryder mentions but Marley's silence speaks volumes.
"Marley, are you planning on quitting Glee Club?" Unique said in shock.
"I didn't want to let anyone down. So I decided to wait till after nationals. And since this is going to be my swan song, I just want it to be fun. So, please, don't tell anyone. Not even Jake."
"Jake doesn't know yet? He's your boyfriend." Unique said.
"I know, but I need him to be happy, and I want to be here happy with him until nationals is over. Then I'll tell him. So please, don't."
Ryder stares for a moment before nodding and tapping her shoulder. "Take care Marley." He gets up to leave and turns to Unique.
When Unique gets up she turns to Marley. "Don't give up on your dreams over some contests. You're stronger than that." She said as she takes Ryder's hand and they leave Marley's room.
"Well that was sad." Ryder said jokingly.
"Yeah." She said.
"...Well, I'm going to bed. I'll catch you later." He pecks her cheek and goes to leave but Unique grabs his hand tighter.
"Umm actually... I was hoping we could share a bed. Together."
"Wait are you saying to want to sleep together?"
"Well... not like that. We haven't really reached that point yet and I don't want to stop being a virgin any time soon but... I was thinking we could have a time to bond as a couple, and maybe get a little closer. Even if it's literally." Ryder stands in shock and Unique starts to panic. "Of course, if you don't want to that's fine. We could try some other time, it's okay. I-"
"Uni- Unique. It's okay. I'd be honored. Plus, Rory and Sugar are doing that too anyways so not that big of a deal." He said and they kissed and walked to their bedroom before being stopped by Blaine.
"Hey guys, stop what you're doing. We're gonna sneak to the nationals stage. Tonight!" The couple looks to each other with raised eyebrows before Unique turns to Blaine.
"What?"
Voice over:
What Mr. Schue said earlier really got to me. Because to hear that Finn wanted me to replace him really has me fired up you know? But another part of me didn't see it that way. I wasn't sure if I was the same person Finn saw that day. So... I decided to try something to convince me and everyone that I am that same guy.
"Here goes." Sam said to a mirror in the bathroom as he pulls out a bottle of lemon juice a pair of scissors and a comb. He undoes his pony tail and picks up his scissors and gets to work.
Unique walks with the group to the stage. "Are you sure we should be doing this? I mean, if we get caught..." She said before being pushed by Tina.
"Oh, just go!" She said.
"Trust me, when I was in the Warblers, sneaking onto stage the night before a show was tradition. We had other traditions, but I can't really speak of them." Blaine explains.
"We're not doing anything wrong. We're just, you know, getting a feel for the layout of the stage. We're gonna be back here anyway." Jake said.
"Good point."
"So should we sing a song or hold hands or say a prayer or something? Because if I'm being honest, this ghost light's kind of freaking me out."
"Oh yeah. I'm totally down for a prayer." Joe said.
Suddenly Sam enters the stage with a surprise. "Hey guys." Everyone turns to him and sees his Bleach Blonde Bieber hair.
"Wow Sam. That hair sure brings back memories." Tina said.
"Wow, and I thought I was rocking the Bieber." Ryder complimented.
"Yeah I wanted to do something to remind myself what Finn saw in me. All right, everybody, circle up. I have another surprise." He said and everyone went in a circle. "Finn Hudson made us a promise at the beginning of the year: that we were all going back to nationals together. Even when we lost sectionals, which was totally not Marley's fault, Finn told us that it wasn't over. He said that we'd be right here, together. Now, maybe you're thinking, "Finn isn't here." Well, he is. I made sure of it." He pulls out the Finn Hudson plaque and turns to Harmony and Bree. "And I know that some of you didn't know Finn Hudson, but if he did he would have loved you just as much as he loved us." He said causing them to smile at the plaque.
"Well, well! Les Directions Nouveau!" Jean-Baptiste yells as he enters the room from the door outside the stage. "Uh, apparently, we had the same plan for an illegal midnight rehearsal.
"We?" You're alone." Blaine pointed out.
"Am I?" He said as Throat explosion enters the room from stage left and right. "Existentially, yes, Blaine. Perhaps. We are all alone. But tonight, tonight, this stage belongs to us from midnight until dawn. You see, I called in a few show choir favors. So, we'll just give you three minutes to gather your feelings and leave." He points to the exit.
Some guy points at the plaque. "Who is that? Your spirit guide?" He insults Finn.
Jean-Baptiste stares at the guy with disapproval. "Dolph, enough. Have some respect." He turns to Sam apologetically. "Look, everyone knows you're that show choir. And everyone knows it's been a very rough year for you. And now everyone is just waiting and watching..." He turns to Blaine all up in his face again. "you." "Tonight, you have our condolences, New Directions. But let's just be very, very clear. Tomorrow, you will not have our mercy, pity or restraint. We are Throat explosion. Expect us!" He said as he walks to the top of the stage stands. "Seven, eight!" And all his teammates took their places while the New Directions walk away.
Burt finishes tying Sam's bow tie.
"How'd you learn to do that?" Sam asks.
"Have you met my son Kurt?" Burt said sarcastically.
Tina who is sitting on the bed of the apartment room takes a moment to think about this competition. "I cannot believe this is our last competition. I am not ready for this to end."
Sam looks panicked. "Do not start crying again." He said cautiously.
"I'm not gonna cry. It's just that some of my best memories from Glee - are these competitions."
"Yeah, well, you know what? That's why guys love playing sports so much. It's not so much about the winning and the losing. It's about going to war with your buddies. You know? The camaraderie." Burt explained.
"That's right. That's why you see a bunch of 50-year-old men humping around a softball field or playing flag football. They're trying to recreate that feeling they're never gonna get back." Sam said offending Burt.
"Oh, my God, yes! That's it. Ugh. It's so depressing. I can't believe this is our last competition. My life's gonna be so empty from now on." Tina said lying down on bed depressed.
"At least you get to have one." Carole said bitterly. She notices the shocked faces. "Oh, my God. I can't believe I said that. I am so sorry."
"No. It's okay. I'm sorry. That was totally insensitive of me."
"Tina always does this." Sam whispers to Tina who is offended by her boyfriends words. "Sorry babe, but you know it's true."
"No, no, no. It's fine, honey, really. You didn't do anything wrong." Carole insists.
"You know what, guys? Why don't you go? And, uh, you go practice or something, and I'll have Carole finish up the sewing, and I'll drop the dress by your room, okay?" Burt said as he pushed Sam and Tina outside to talk to Carole alone... but we're not here for that so...
Ryder is coming out of the bathroom finding Unique sitting in bed all ready to go while Jake is reading a magazine shirtless.
"Dude, come on. Get dressed. We got to be down there in 15 minutes." Ryder said.
"All right, don't blow your head up. I'm going, I'm going." Jake gets up to get a shirt.
"Listen, man, I'm not supposed to say anything, but, uh, Marley's quitting Glee Club when we get back."
"Ryder!" Unique said.
"Sorry. But he has to know." He defends.
"Wait, why?" Jake asks.
"She sent her songs out to some stupid contests and never heard back, so now she thinks it's the universe trying to tell her to give it all up.
Jake sighs. "That's crazy. Why didn't she tell me?"
"She said she wanted you to be happy while we were here. She sent me a few of her songs though, and they're awesome. I was thinking if we could find someone out here in L.A., you know, someone... someone real who could tell her they're good." Ryder explained.
"Sure, I got CeeLo on speed dial." Jake said sarcastically.
Unique stands up. "Hold up boys. Unique's got an idea. Instead of going out looking for Kanye, let's just find Mercedes. She's about to be a celebrity and we know her so of course she'll help us."
"Oh my gosh Unique that's genius!" Ryder congratulated.
"Well, you know me. Always spitting facts." Unique said.
"Alright let's head down and we can call her later." Jake said and after he was ready they headed down for the bus to nationals.
They enter the bus and see Sam searching for something.
"What's wrong?" Blaine asks when he sees Sam.
"Finn's plaque, it's missing."
"Don't panic. I'm sure it's here somewhere." Blaine tries to help but Sam starts feeling worse.
"It's not in here. I put it right here. It's gone." Sam said as he looks outside and sees throat explosion. He makes a realization and runs outside to yell at Jean-Baptiste.
"Give it back!" He said.
"Give what back? Your talent? Because you obviously left that in Ohio." Jean-Baptiste said just before getting a high five from Dolph.
"All right, just give us the plaque back." Blaine said ignoring the insult.
"Gentlemen, let's get serious. You've got zero chance of winning. You lost your sectionals. So you're only here on a technicality. And everyone knows all your decent singers graduated. And a little piece of wood with a picture of a guy on it isn't gonna change..." He's interruptted when Sam shoves him.
"You're a tool, man!" Sam yells. "Come on!"
"Okay, break a leg." Jean-Baptiste said sarcastically.
"Sam, just let it go. They're just trying to psych us out; they're being idiots. We got to get our game faces on and win this thing, okay?" Blaine comforts Sam and he calms down and goes back in the bus.
"Okay, guys, look. The plaque doesn't matter. You know why? Because I believe with all my heart that Finn is here. He's right here with us, right now. And he's holding all our hands, and he's telling us, "The show must go all over the place." And when we're up there onstage, he's gonna be sitting right next to Mr. Shue cheering us on. And when we win our second nationals trophy, he's gonna be cheering us on even louder. All right? So let's do this! Let's go!" Everyone cheers for Sam's speech.
Nationals...
"A reminder from the City of Angels! The 405 Freeway is closed for repairs this month. Also the subways isn't working and bus service has been canceled due to snipers. Also if you try to walk, people will look at you weird. Also watch out for terrorists." The announcer voice that is somehow there for every competition says as Mercedes, Puck, and Matt enter the auditorium to see their friends. The girls were wearing Black dresses with pink lining and black shoes. The boys were wearing White button-up shirt under a white tuxedo jacket with a black bowtie and a rose, black pants and black shoes. "And now let's meet our judges!"
"Please welcome living legend and Academy Award winner, Miss Marlee Matlin!"
The crowd cheers as Marlee Matlin walks onto the stage and does sign language for "I love you"
Give a warm hand for entertainment icon and Emmy Award winner, Jackée!
They cheer again for Jackée as she bows before speaking.
"But you all can just call me Jackée." Everyone loved her. Especially Unique, who apparently idolizes her.
"A round of applause for the inventor of the fitness craze that's sweeping the nation, Prancercise, Joanna Rohrback!"
Joanna enters the stage and dances through the stage while jumping.
"And now from Oklahoma City, The Amazonians!"
(The Go-Go's "Vacation" playing)
The Amazonians:
Da da, dad'n-da da, dad'n-da, dad'n-da da
Amazonian Girl:
Can't seem to get my mind off of you
Back here at home there's nothin' to do, ooh
Amazonian Girl (The Amazonians)
I see I was wrong (See I was wrong)
And I'm not so strong (I'm not so strong)
I should've known all along
That time would tell
(Ooooh) Two weeks without you and I
Amazonian Girl with The Amazonians (The Amazonians):
Still haven't gotten over you yet
Vacation, all I ever wanted
Vacation, had to get away
Vacation, meant to be spent alone (Meant to be spent alone) (Spent alone, oh)
Vacation, all I ever wanted
Vacation, had to get away
Vacation, meant to be spent alone (Meant to be spent alone, oah)
The Amazonians (and Amazonian Girl):
Vacation (All I ever wanted) (The Amazonians: All I ever wanted)
Vacation (Had to get away) (The Amazonians: Get away)
Vacation, meant to be spent alone (The Amazonians: Meant to be spent alone)
Amazonian Girl with The Amazonians:
Vacation, meant to be spent (The Amazonians: alone)
Vacation, meant to be spent alone
(applause)
Blaine was amazed at their performance. "Huh. Okay, a Belinda Carlisle triple medley is impressive, but it's not that great. We're still safe."
The announcer announces the next group. "And now, from Fort Wayne, Indiana, please welcome Throat explosion!" This is it. Their biggest rivals are now going to sing.
(Styx's "Mr. Roboto" playing)
Throat Explosion:
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto
Mata au hima de
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto
Himitsu wo shiri tai
Jean (Throat Explosion):
You're wondering who I am (Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
Machine or mannequin (Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
With parts made in Japan (Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
Jean with Throat Explosion:
I am the modern man
Jean (Throat Explosion):
(Oh oh) I've got a secret
I've been hiding (Oh oh) under my skin
(Oh oh) I'm just a man who needed someone
(Oh oh) And somewhere to hide
To keep me alive (Woah!),
Jean with Throat Explosion (Throat Explosion):
Just keep me alive
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo (domo, Roboto!)
Domo (domo, Roboto!)
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto
Domo (domo, Roboto!)
Domo (domo, Roboto!)
Thank you, thank you, thank you (Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto)
I want to thank you (Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto)
Please, thank you, oh... (Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto)
The time has come at last (Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
Jean (Throat Explosion):
To throw away this mask (Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
Now everyone can see (Secret, secret, I've got a secret)
Jean with Throat Explosion (Throat Explosion):
My true identity... (Oh oh!)
Yeah!
Throat Explosion:
Lately I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be (Jean: Oh)
Jean with Throat Explosion:
Baby, I've been, I've been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting stars
Jean:
Like a swinging vine
Swinging my heart across the line
And in my face is flashing signs
Seek it out and ye shall find
Jean with Throat Explosion:
Old, but I'm not that old
Young, but I'm not that bold
And I don't think the world is sold
I'm just doing what we're told
I feel something so right
Doing the wrong thing
And I feel something so wrong
Doing the right thing
I could lie, could lie, could lie
Jean (Throat Explosion):
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive! (Ooh ooh ooh...)
Throat Explosion:
Lately I've been, I've been losing sleep
Jean with Throat Explosion:
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I've been, I've been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting stars
Throat Explosion:
Lately I've been, (Jean: Oh!) I've been losing sleep
Jean with Throat Explosion:
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I've been, I've been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting (Throat Explosion: stars!)
Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons I've learned
Take that money
Watch it burn
Throat Explosion:
Sink in the river (Jean: Woah woah woah woah!)
The lessons I've learned
Take that money
Watch it burn (Jean: Ooh!)
Sink in the river
The lessons I learned (Jean: Ooh!)
Take that money
Watch it burn
Jean and Throat Explosion:
We'll be, we'll be counting stars!
Everyone cheers as Throat Explosion prepares their final number.
Jean:
I stand here waiting
For you to bang the gong
To crash the critic saying,
"Is it right or is it wrong?"
If only fame had an IV baby
Could I bear (Bear, bear)
Being away from you
I've found the vein, put it in here
{Some members role a cage to the middle of the stage and throws Dolph inside.}
Dolph:
I live for the applause, applause, applause
I live for the applause-plause
Live for the applause-plause
Live for the
Way that you cheer and scream for me
The applause, applause, applause
{They let him out and they start dancing}
Throat Explosion Girl with Throat Explosion:
Give me that thing that I love (Jean: I'll turn the lights on)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch (Jean: Make it real loud)
Give me that thing that I love (Jean: I'll turn the lights on)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch (Jean: Make it real loud)
Throat Explosion:
A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E (Dolph: Make it real loud)
A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E (Dolph and Throat Explosion Girl: Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch)
A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E (Dolph: Make it real loud)
A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E (Dolph and Throat Explosion Girl: Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch)
Dolph:
Now!
{They all go down and ascend in slow motion.}
Throat Explosion Girl with Throat Explosion (Dolph):
Touch, touch (Ooo-ooo!)
Touch, touch now, (Oh woa-woa-woah!)
(Oh woa-woa-woah!) Now, now, now, now, (Oh woa-woa-woa-woah!)
Now, now, now, now
{They then do a stage walk while clapping.}
Jean:
I live for the applause, applause, applause
I live for the applause-plause
Live for the applause-plause
Live for the way that you cheer and scream for me
Jean and Throat Explosion Girl (Dolph):
The applause (The applause!)
Applause, applause (Yeah!)
Throat Explosion Girl with Throat Explosion:
Give me that thing that I love (Jean: I'll turn the lights on)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch (Oh whoa! Woah!) (Jean: Make it real loud)
Give me that thing that I love (Give me, give me, yeah!) (Jean: I'll turn the lights on)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch (Put 'em up, oh!) (Jean: Make it real loud)
Throat Explosion (Dolph):
A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E (Jean: Make it real loud) (Ooh!)
A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E (Throat Explosion Girl: Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch) (Jean: Make it real loud!)
A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E (Jean: Make it real loud) (Oh whoa! Oh whoa!)
A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E (Throat Explosion Girl: Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch) (Oh whoa, ooh!)
Throat Explosion:
A-R-T-P-O-P
(bell dings)
Rory stares at them in shock until Sugar grabs his arm. "Nervous?" She asks.
"Uh Yeah. I've never been featured in a competition before. Mostly just background singing, and the pressure of having to top people with explosion in their name is unbearable."
"Hey, don't worry. I was the same back in Sectionals last year."
"Weren't you a back-up singer back then."
"Yeah but I got to say "What" the whole time right?" They chuckle.
"Any advice?"
"Don't focus on the crowd. Focus on one person. Focus on someone you really care about the approval of." Sugar smiles at him and he feels a lot more confident thanks to her.
"Thank you Sugar. You make the irony of singing a song about America a lot less noticable." She laughs at his jab and they kiss passionately for a moment before walking backstage hand in hand.
The Announcer starts an intermission. "Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats." Sam looks from under the stage curtain for Burt and Carole who he can't see. "Three minutes until showtime."
Sam gets up to tell them. "They aren't here."
"Well, if they were coming, they'd be here by now, so..." Will reasoned.
"I can't believe I said all that stuff in front of her." Tina said ashamed.
Blaine comforts her. "Oh, it's cool, Tina. You can't help it." He said, though it's not exactly a compliment.
"They're with us in spirit. Just like Finn. Let's bring it in." They gather for their traditional show circle and the coach's speech. "Okay. We're not like the other teams here. We don't have the big budget or the... the giant pool of students to choose from. We're also different from these teams because we didn't come here to win. We came here to sing and dance our hearts out..."
"Oh, that's horse poop, Schuester." Carole said as she and Burt enter backstage and wave at them. "We were halfway down to laguana before Burt convinced me to turn around."
"I never said a word." Burt added.
"Oh, you didn't have to. None of you did. I could hear Finn's voice in my head. "This is nationals, Mom. I coached those kids. You leave them and you're leaving me." You guys are his legacy. Which means I don't want to hear any garbage about doing your best or giving it the old college try. Go out there and wipe the floor with the other teams!"
"Wipe it!" Burt said.
"Yes! Yeah. You guys are the reigning national champions. Okay? Get out there and show them how it's done."
"Perfectly said. Hands in, everyone." They put their hands in the center and bend down.
"AAAAmazing!" They all say as they raise their hands to the sky.
"And now, raise the roof for last year's national champions, from Lima, Ohio, The New Directions!"
(Boston's "More Than a Feeling" playing)
Blaine:
I looked out this morning and the sun was gone
Turned on some music to start my day
I lost myself in a familiar song
Tina with Blaine:
I closed my eyes and I slipped away
Blaine (New Directions):
It's more than a feeling (More than a feeling)
Tina (with Blaine):
When I hear that old song they (used to play) (New Directions: More than a feeling)
Blaine and Tina (New Directions):
(Blaine: And) I begin dreaming (More than a feeling)
Tina (and Blaine):
'Til I see Marianne (walk away)
Blaine (with Tina and New Directions):
I see my Marianne (walking away, hey)
When I'm tired and thinking cold
Blaine with Tina:
I hide in my music, forget the day
Blaine (with New Directions):
And dream of a girl I used to know
(I closed my eyes and she slipped away)
{They all start doing lifts and spins in pairs}
Blaine and Tina with New Directions (New Directions):
(She slipped away) She slipped away
Blaine (New Directions):
It's more than a feeling (More than a feeling)
Tina (and Blaine):
When I hear that old song they (used to play) (New Directions: More than a feeling)
Blaine and Tina (New Directions):
(Blaine: And) I begin dreaming (More than a feeling)
Tina (and Blaine) with New Directions:
'Til I see Marianne (walk away)
Blaine with New Directions:
More than a feeling
(crowd cheering)
(Neil Diamond's "America" playing)
Artie:
Far
We've been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star
Rory with Kitty:
Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream
{The girls all step forward to dance.}
Kitty with New Directions (New Directions):
On the boats and on the planes
They're coming to America (They're coming to America)
Kitty with Unique and New Directions:
Never looking back again
They're coming to America
{The boys stand forward to dance while the girls dance on the stands}
Joe (and Kitty with New Directions):
Home (New Directions: Home)
(To a new and a shiny place)
Make our bed and we'll say our grace
(Freedom's light burning warm)
Freedom's light burning warm
New Directions:
Freedom's light burning warm
{They all join together}
Ryder with New Directions (Unique):
Everywhere around the world (Everywhere)
They're coming to America (They're coming to America)
Joe with New Directions (Unique):
Every time that (and Unique: flag's unfurled)
They're coming to America (Ooh)
Jake (and Sugar) with New Directions:
(Got a dream to take them there)
They're coming to America
(Got a dream they've come to share)
They're coming to America
Rory and Bree with New Directions:
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
Harmony and Rory with New Directions (Unique):
Today (Artie: We're coming) (We're coming)
Today (Today) (Artie: Ooh)
Today (Today) (Artie: We're comin', ooh)
Today (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah) (Kitty with New Directions: Today)
Rory (Harmony with New Directions):
They're coming to America (Unique: They're coming to America) (Today)
They're coming to America (Marley and Kitty with New Directions: Today)
They're coming to America (Unique: America) (Today)
They're coming to America (Unique and Marley: Today, woah) (Today)
(U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" playing)
Carole turns to Burt from the audience. "This was Finn's favorite song." She sobs softly. "They're singing all of his favorite songs."
Sam:
I have climbed highest mountains
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you
{Finn walks down the halls of McKinley with a smile}
Blaine with Sam (Blaine):
I have run, I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
(These city walls)
Only to be with you
{Flashback to Rumours Week where we see Finn hugging Sam after doing 'Don't Stop'}
Blaine and Sam with Artie and New Directions (Tina):
But I still (But I still) (and Tina: Haven't found)
What I'm looking for (What I'm looking for)
{Finn walks down the halls with his parents in the Justice of peace court trying to get married to Rachel}
But I still (But I still) (and Tina: Haven't found)
What I'm looking for (What I'm looking for)
{Finn does a trustfall in Ballads week and lands of Mike and Brittany while singing 'lean on me'}
{Back in reality the Seniors join together in the center}
Blaine with Tina (Artie):
I believe in the kingdom come (I believe, oh)
Then all the colors will bleed into one (Bleed into one)
Bleed into one (Ooh, yeah)
{Finn singing Can't Fight this Feeling in the shower. The first time he ever sang in McKinley just before joining Glee club}
Blaine (Tina):
But yes, I'm still running (Yes, I'm still running) (Artie: Yes, I'm still running)
Sam (Artie):
You broke the bonds and you loosed the chains
Carried the cross and, oh, my shame
Oh, my shame (Ooh)
You know I believe it (I believe it)
(New Directions: You know I believe) (Mh, I believe it)
{Finn guides Artie after saving him from the football team. He is also seen hugging Will after finding out Quinn was pregnant}
Blaine with New Directions (Artie):
But I still haven't found (Still haven't found)
What I'm looking for (Yeah, yeah, hey)
But I still haven't found (No, no, yeah)
What I'm looking for (Oh, no, no, no)
But I still (Blaine: Still) haven't found
What I'm looking for (Blaine: What I'm looking for) (What I'm looking for)
{Regionals 2011 when they all sang Loser Like me and dipped confetti from slushie cups. Also when they got their first place nationals trophy a year later}
New Directions (Blaine and Tina):
But I still (But I still) (and Blaine and Tina: Haven't found) (Artie: Ooh)
What I'm looking for (Sam: What I'm looking for) (Blaine, Sam, and Tina: Looking for)
Artie, Blaine, Sam, and Tina with New Directions (Tina):
(Artie, Blaine, and Sam: But I still) (But I still) haven't found (Artie: Haven't found)
What I'm looking for
Sam raises red drumsticks to represent Finn Hudson and his drumming skills.
The crowd goes wild and the New Directions stay in that pose for 10 seconds before the curtain falls and they all run back stage to celebrate.
"That was incredible!" Will congratulates them. Uh, wait. Uh, where's Sam?" They all point behind him and he finds Sam sitting down upset. "Hey. You okay?"
Sam nods and stands. "I did my best, Mr. Shue." He said and gets pulled into a hug by Will.
"Hey, you did great." He said and Tina joins in.
"I'm so proud of you Sam." She said inspiring hope in his heart as he kisses Tina's forehead.
"Thank you so much Tina."
Marley leans on a railing outside alone until she hears footsteps and turns to see one Mercedes Jones standing before her.
"Three minutes." She said.
"Sorry?" Marley asks.
"The next time one of your songs gets rejected, you can throw yourself a pity party for exactly three minutes. And then you need to haul your ass up and start writing another one. 'Cause your songs are really good." Mercedes said walking towards her. "And I don't care that a bunch of yahoos rejected them. They're stupid and they're wrong, and they're gonna be sorry someday."
She continued. "I know about rejection. I lost almost every single solo to Rachel Berry in high school. I got dumped by my first record label. I even got dumped by Sam Evans." She pauses. "No, wait. I dumped him. Twice." She said and they laugh together. "You are loaded to the gills with talent. And someday soon, I'm gonna be hitting you up for songs."
"Thank you." Marley replies. "How'd you get them?"
"Couple of birdies."
"...Ryder?"
"And Jake. You know, those guys, they really care about you. That don't mean you should date them." Mercedes mentioned.
"Oh, too late for that. I've been dating Jake for almost a year." They share another laugh.
"Don't ever give up on your dreams, Marley Rose. You're too good." She pulls Marley in for a hug which she accepts. They then walk back to the stage to hear the final judging. When Marley comes to the stage she sees there's only 4 teams left including the New Directions and Throat Explosion. She walks and stands between Jake, and Kitty, holding both their hands.
Jack Jason announces the winner while Marlee Matlin signs. "And in fourth place... from Lake Tahoe, Vicious Harmony!"
They applaud the team but are relieved that they're at least in the top 3. But they didn't come for top 3. They came to win this thing for Finn.
"And third place goes to... our bronze beauties, The Amazonians!" Jackée announces. They applaud again.
It's down to the New Directions and Throat Explosion. This is it. One final announcement that decides whether they win and keep their title, or have a short lived championship, and disappoint themselves.
Jackee continues. "And now the pivotal moment is here."
She steps back for Joanna Rohrback. "For there can only be one champion show choir per nation."
Jackee opens the envelope to announce who wins and who loses. "Second place goes to..."
She reveals the winner. "New Directions! Which means the winner of the National Show Choir Championship is Throat explosion!" The crowd goes wild for Throat Explosion, while Will, and the New Directions stare in disappointment. They came for only one thing... to win for Finn. And they failed. They were so close, but in the end, they weren't good enough to beat Throat Explosion.
Sam places the returned plaque back in its place. They returned to Lima where they received a package from Throat Explosion to find Finn's plaque. They also had a written apology from Jean-Baptiste.
"So Jean-Baptiste mailed it here?" Blaine asked.
"Yeah, he said that when he found out one of the people on his team stole it, he was furious. Then he apologized and said that he made sure that the thief was kicked off the team." Sam explained.
"Huh. A bully with a moral code." Never before seen. Except when Sebastian dedicated the Warblers performance to Karofsky. That was nice.
"Alright, guys, time to put our new trophy in the case." Will said carrying the trophy into the choir room.
"I've always found that second place trophies are just a lasting reminder that you didn't win." Artie said, depressingly.
Will points at him. "Hey, there were 16 teams in that competition. We beat 14 of the best show choirs in the country!"
Sam hugs Carole. "I'm sorry we let him down."
Carole stares at him. "Let who down? Finn?"
Blaine who is also depressed answers. "We just really wanted to win this one for him, and for you."
Ryder shrugs. "We had a plan that we were gonna call you up on stage and give you the trophy to keep."
Kitty shakes her head. "It's not right."
Jake who's sitting down looked at Carole. "This is not how the story was supposed to end."
"We should've won. For ourselves and for Finn." Rory added.
"You're right. Oh, it would have burned Finn to have lost to those guys. All we would have heard for months was how the judges had robbed you or how you were so much better than them." Carole said.
"But then he would have stood up and he would have told you that even though some of you had never been in a show choir before this year, you still stood tall against the best of the best." Burt added. "And you know what? Even though Finn didn't have the best voice or the best rhythm or the best throwing arm, he always brought out the best in himself and in others, and the great thing about him is he always managed to find a way to feel like he'd won."
"I was really proud of you guys up there. Hearing those songs was so healing for me. And... I don't know... I saw how much he meant to you. So, win or lose, he lives in you guys." They all smile but they hear sobbing. They turn and see Sugar.
"I'm sorry I'm sorr... that was just so beautiful!" She said and they pulled her into a group hug. They stay like that until Will pulls back.
"Okay, guys. Let's put this trophy where it belongs." He lifts it and puts it next to the other nationals trophy.
"A second place showing is superior to when Finn decided to make out with Rachel onstage and we ended up in 12th." Artie mentions.
"You know what? What happened today wasn't so bad. Besides, we can always try again next year. Wait until you hear about some ideas Kitty, Rory, Sugar and I have cooked." Joe said. But before Will could say anything Becky walks into the choir room.
"Principal Sue wants to see you, Schuester." She said and they all stand in suspence until Becky walks away saying "Dead man walking." Will then walks the halls to face his fate.
Will waits for Sue to be through with her meeting with Roz Washington, who just won her Cheerios national championship at first place.
He turns to Becky. "Are they almost done?"
Becky leans forward and speaks the only way she knows how. "She'll get to you when she gets to you, loser." Like a jerk.
"I... second place is not losing. It's like winning a silver medal in the Olympics."
"Sure, if there was an Olympic event in being totally gay." Okay... that's just rude. And barring homophobic.
"Whoa. Just like my date with John Salley." Roz chuckles. "Well, bye, all. If you need me over the summer, you can reach me at my beach cottage in Saint-Tropez." She turns to Will. "But there ain't no phones." She raises her eyebrows and chuckles.
"Come on in, William." Sue signals him to come in. Will has a short stand off with Sue... though she's sitting so it's a sit-stand off.
"I bet you're hoping for a last-minute reprieve and that I'll say something about how your plucky band of pinhead minstrels overcame so much to get where they did and how second place is actually an achievement." Sue said.
"I... I can't say I wasn't secretly hoping you would consider it." Will said with hope.
"Well, I have considered it. More than you know. But I just can't. In the words of ex-Principal Figgins, my hands are tied." She quotes. "I'm the principal now, William, and my job is concerned with the health of the entire school, not just the fiefdoms that I like. And I do like you, William. That's why I'm so mean to you." Then she must like him a lot. "That being said, the Cheerios! stay because they won. So does the debate team, the football team, the girls soccer team and mock U.N." She lists. "However, diving, academic decathlon, actual decathlon and, yes, the glee club need to go."
Will struggles to speak. "Should I fight? Sh... should I make a speech about the arts or... or how much this club means to me personally?"
"No, no. Save that for your wife." She stands up to sit next to him. "It'd probably turn her on. That won't make any difference here. So this is really it. What's gonna happen to the choir room?"
"Well, it's prime real estate. I'll probably turn it into two classrooms. And since we won't be needing the band anymore to play everything from obscure Broadway to Queen at a moment's notice, probably sell off their equipment and buy some computers." Sue looks to Will Schuester to cheer him up for one. "Butt chin up, Schuester. Look where you were four years ago when you started this thing. You've got a national championship trophy from last year in that case and a bunch of other loser trophies standing with it. You and your team have done phenomenally well, and you did it with the world's greatest nemesis playing her best game against you. You didn't lose, William. The game is just over." He looks to her before standing up and shaking her hand one last time before walking away sad.
It's over.
STARRING:
Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester
Darren Criss as Blaine Anderson
Chord Overstreet as Sam Evans
Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina Cohen-Chang
Kevin McHale as Artie Abrams
Vanessa Lengies as Sugar Motta
Damian McGinty as Rory Flanagan
Samuel Larsen as Joe Hart
Alex Newell as Unique Adams
Melissa Benoist as Marley Rose
Jacob Artist as Jake Puckerman
Blake Jenner as Ryder Lynn
Becca Tobin as Kitty Wilde
Erinn Westbrook as Bree Westbrook
Lindsay Pearce as Harmony Pearce
GUEST STARRING:
Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester
Lauren Potter as Becky Jackson
Thank you so much for reading this chapter. I'm kind of disappointed with how this went but don't worry. This isn't the end. Just because I haven't wrote anything for the New Yorkers doesn't mean I had no intention of writing for them at all. After episode 13 is done I'm taking them straight to New York City. But this isn't the end for the others either. I'm bringing the sophomores in to join the newly reformed New Directions in season 6.
This includes:
Marley Rose
Jake Puckerman
Ryder Lynn
Kitty Wilde
and Bree Westbrook
Sadly that means Rory Flanagan, Joe Hart, Sugar Motta, Unique Adams and even Harmony Pearce are left out. But don't worry, I have a special plan in mind for her.
Drift out