I got a vision I see in my head
A melody buried deep into my soul
They call us crazy, we cuttin' the edge
I'm lockin' the future and lettin' it go
This is a callin' that's higher
The time I decided our stories are gonna be told
This is when legends are born, we pavin' the road
The future that favors the bold
Break the rules, break the laws
This is the moment we change it all
Break the rules, break the laws
This is the moment we change it all
Yeah, greatness
Yeah, it feels like greatness
Woo, greatness
Yeah, it feels like greatness
Legendary in the makin'
Reach out and we take it
'Bout to emerge, we on the verge
And it feels like greatness
Fireworks and pyrotechnics suddenly explode lighting up the arena, as the jumbotron plays an exciting video cut of all the Inter-High events that had taken place across the country. The top teams that had made it this far, heavily featuring who they believed to be the stars of the team, and heroes who had been invited or accepted into top schools as the crowd roared with approval.
Rod Remington who was waving his hands with music and bopping along to the music, before the cameras pan to him on the stage as the smoke clears from the pyrotechnic show. "Welcome everyone to Paradise Nevada! We're here at the Allegiant Stadium to a sold out crowd! 65,000 people have gathered here today to celebrate the 34th annual National Inter-High!" Rod grins he could barely himself over the roar of the crowds, which he scans. Thousands of people had jammed into the building, and he knew there were hundreds if not thousands outside tailgating. This had become an event. "I could stand here telling you about what a historic day this is, I could blather on about what we're going to see! But I think that we'll be talking about these nationals for years to come! And as your master of ceremony, and all the pomp and circumstance that I can manage, let the opening ceremonies begin! So we can find out who will become this year's champion!"
The crowd roars in approval as he steps aside as the music swells in the speakers and the song continues. He could feel it, live monsters, they never would have dared to pull off a stunt like this. He understood the need, and after Charlie's insane performance last year where she pushed Charlotte Flair to the brink, the Commission needed to make sure that the ratings were just as high as last years final. It was a shame that Charlie had turned down her invitation to sit and discuss the event, and the rumors about live monster drills. He was sure an interview with her would have done amazing numbers and he'd have his pick of jobs after this.
She hadn't even spoken out about it publicly her lawyers and team had, informing the public in no uncertain terms that she didn't approve of the methods and calling it a ratings grabbing stunt. Using even stronger language that by doing this that the games had become nothing more than gladiatorial combat which would end in disaster.
No one of course had listened to the wet-behind-the ears rookie, as Brainwave and Homelander had called her insisting that it had been tested and was safe. Live Monsters would only be used in the final round, on the third and final day, after the weaker teams had been eliminated. And he was certain that the top teams could handle it.
~ O ~
For the first time Figgins could only smile with absolute pride as he watched McKinley's band take center stage as they marched out of the tunnel, the coordination on point and their brand new uniforms which was well worth it as they shined under the bright lights. The cheerios sans Quinn were doing an elaborate routine as he highlighted their school and everything he had accomplished as the principal. He was going to make McKinley the premier destination and he expected hundreds of new students vying to join the Titans. All the Titans would have to do is march to the middle of the field where Santana would take her seat on the throne that Quinn had constructed for her.
He pumped his hands to the music as he watched the tumbling and impressive gymnastics from the Cheerios under Sue's watchful eye. For the first time it hadn't cost him anything to get Sue to agree to join the Titans by letting them use her Cheerios. Frannie and Beiste hadn't cared about the opening ceremony as they had simply focused on making sure that the team was ready, so giving Sue control of it with the caveat that this event was meant to highlight the Titans but also act as a recruitment tool for the school had been easy.
If there was one thing that Sue knew more than anything it was how to put on a show and his pleased smile only grew as the crowd roared with approval at the showing, it was like the superbowl performance to get the crowd hyped and as the reigning champions they needed to make a statement that they weren't the underdogs, that even without Charlie they were the odds on favorite to win.
"Cue Ice Queen," Sue muttered into her microphone, narrowing her eyes slightly. Her Cheerios were at least several inches off, this was why she needed Quinn to be there at nationals, to her it looked sloppy. To the untrained masses it probably looked like they were doing an excellent job. Cheerleading was dangerous, sloppiness led to injuries which was why she expected military precision from her Cheerios. Bree simply didn't have what it took to get the girls ready and on time, but at least no one had gotten injured yet but there would be hell to pay once they got back to Lima.
Quinn rolls her eyes at the nickname but doesn't hesitate to walk out of the tunnel, as the crowd continues to simply lose it's mind and she inhales before she begins to create, she had a perfect image in her mind as she recreates the massive Atlas statue from New York City, except in her statue he was kneeling she finishes just as the music shifts and you hear the heavy drumline from the band. She quickly turns to the middle of the field and creates a throne with an intricate staircase, out was straight out of frozen, she takes a step back and admires her work knowing that Santana was probably going to burn it all to the ground. She takes a step back joining the drumline as she creates an ice crown before letting it fall into a portal that opens up just below her hands and shakes her head. She does turn to make sure she can see Rachel and she can't help but wave to her as the Titans exit the tunnel with Santana leading the pack.
The message was clear, McKinley Titans were kingmakers, they carried the weight of the world on their shoulders and it was finally time for Santana to take her throne. The lights and the jumbotron flicker, the signal scrambling before it plunges the audience in darkness for a moment as the sound of thunder above their heads causes even Santana to pause and look up.
The roof wasn't retractable but it was see through and it appeared to be a bright sunny day and the crowd suddenly begins to go absolutely nuts causing everyone to look up at the throne where Charlie who had informed the press that she wouldn't be attending the event was standing there looking positively stunning in a navy blue and silver suit, the ice crown on her head and a walking cane in her hand standing tall above all. The crowd cheered her name loudly, screaming it for the world to hear. She looked resplendent in her outfit and she flashes a warm smile down at Santana who has frozen in place as the rest of the team, a surprised look on her face. She turns to look at the team who have suddenly bowed down to her pledging their allegiance as they had done last year to Charlie. Before Santana can recover Charlie is beside her, offering her arm and escorting her to the throne.
"I thought you weren't coming?" Santana whispers to Charlie without looking at her.
"I wasn't, but Rachel sent me this overbearing text about how I should make this special for you and anoint you for the world to see. Or something, and I really like getting dressed up also Summit is boring as fuck, it was either this or getting into a dick measuring contest with a Russian." Charlie whispers back.
Santana raised a brow at the comment as they reach the top of the staircase and Charlie picks the crown off her head and holds it in her hands before dropping it into a portal and pulling out golden laurels and she nods to Santana who looks utterly surprised by this and barely has the wherewithal to bow her head just a bit so Charlie can place the laurel on her head.
Charlie's lips twitch upward as Santana takes her seat on the throne and she bows as Santana extends her hand and she can't help but press her lips to the offered hand ignoring the crowds who have simply lost their minds at this display. She straightens up and makes her way down the stairs to join the Titans who are now standing, as she stands in front of them, her cane in front of her she raises it and taps the cane twice causing the audience to quickly silence as she opens her mouth to speak. The world was watching and hanging onto her every word as her blue and silver suit suddenly morphs into Titan red and gold, so she matches her former team. "In war, victory."
She didn't raise her voice, there was a calmness and intensity to the simple phrase but the Titans nod and cheer as Charlie turns and looks up at Santana who is still seated on the ice throne. The moment stretches for a second before she finally drops to a knee in front of Santana and bows her head, placing a hand on her chest as the rest of the Titans immediately follow suit, pledging their allegiance to Santana who for once is at an utter loss for words. The lights suddenly flicker on as the music begins to play, the drumline playing before Santana motions for her team to rise and Charlie steps to the side so the cameras can focus on the rest of the team her suit turning back to blue and silver as she steps into a portal leaving them to the appreciation of the audience. She had done her part, and now the team and the crowds were firmly behind Santana. She really did need to get back to class now, even if it was utterly boring.
~ O ~
"You know, I was pretty sure you said that we'd at least have a few years to make plenty of money before we could slow down and retire," Bayley commented looking over at Sasha who looked utterly amused by the events.
Sasha shrugged if Charlie was out there that meant they weren't putting their bodies on the line, "She's the new shiny object, she's got insane favorability ratings, her merchandise is being pumped out like crazy. She's managed to drag Edna Mode out of retirement, she's the return to the classical superhero, all this while being rather antagonistic to the media. The fact that the media is not a fan and tries to find little things to criticize her about, and her team of independent PR and boutique law firms where she is one the few clients that they have, and she's been set up for success. I predicted that her family would get her the very best representation, her family's lawyers nearly raked us over the coals for what happened in New York, what I didn't expect is her growth. I thought it would be a few years before she could even be considered in the same breath as The Utopian, but people are already calling for her to take her place."
"She's a teenage brat, the newest shiniest toy for the public to fawn over," Homelander spoke up, his voice cold.
"Enough," The Utopian spoke, silencing the group who had gathered to watch in the comfort of their VIP box, "She deserves it, and in a few years when we retire, she will be leading all of you."
Brainwave immediately turned to look at his brother, "What?"
"Dad?" Paragon stated looking at his father in shock, he had always assumed that when his father was ready to retire, he would take his place.
"The Union will still be yours, but my seat as the leader of the American contingent of heroes will go to her. It was always meant to go to the strongest hero of all of us and while Artemis and I never actually fought over the title, she never wanted it, I wonder how that fight would have gone. If you want the seat then you should challenge her on your own merit, as she did. She's not depending on the past for glory she's set on forging her own destiny and with her morals and they may be stricter than mine. I've been at this for nearly 120 years, it's almost time for me to hang up my boots, maybe start teaching the new generation."
"So you're just going to hand it to her?" Brainwave sneers. "A literal child?"
Sheldon frowned and looked at the rest of the group, "The strongest sits at the head of the table, that was always what was decided. And while my age may be catching up to me, I am still the strongest. If you want to prove yourself if you want my seat. Then challenge me for it, knowing that she's just around the corner. As she gets more experience, as she gains more popularity—"
"The world needs you! It needs a member of this family to lead it into the future," Brandon snaps.
A disappointed look crossed Sheldon's face for a moment, "You're not ready—"
"I'm nearly ten years her senior, you mean to tell me that teenage girl is more ready than I am?"
"Your father isn't saying that you'll never be ready—" Lady Liberty snaps at him.
"This is bullshit," Brandon spits angrily. "She's going to ruin everything you built, to give the Union to your rival's granddaughter?"
"I'm not giving her control of the Union, and I'm not giving her the seat, she's made it clear she's taking it, whether I want her to or not, and I know that when she comes I won't have the energy to battle her and fight it out. She's already the number one hero in the country and after our darkest day she's trending worldwide. Japan, Paris, London, Jakarta, Cairo, she fought for hours, stopping monsters and saving people. The people called for her and she arrived, and she did this all without killing people, she aimed to suppress where she could and only destroyed mindless monsters. We don't have to like it, but it will happen and we need to have a peaceful transition of power."
Homelander stood up and glared at The Utopian for a moment, his eyes glowing a bright red, but when The Utopian didn't flinch at his tantrum before he turned and stormed out. Stan had insisted that they not interfere with the competition but he wouldn't let this slight stand. He'd show all of them.
~ O ~
"Letting Sue design our entrances wasn't the worst that we've had. I know it was your idea Quinn, thanks." Santana said sincerely.
"She's really good at the pomp and circumstance and if there's anything she loves more than showing off the Cheerios, and an international stage? We just needed to make sure she didn't murder anyone. Though I assume she's going to punish the team for a sloppy performance."
"That was sloppy?" Rachel questions moving so she can link her hand with Quinn, "I thought they looked really good."
"Good is the enemy of perfection," Quinn muttered and rubbed her eyes, "That's how Sue sees it anyway."
"That's how Frannie sees it," Santana reminded Quinn who shrugged.
"We're Fabray's and as our mom said if you're going to do anything to make it look effortless, we have an image to uphold," Quinn smirked as Santana rolled her eyes. She's about to make a comment when PVA turns the corner and the two teams come face to face. "Dani," Quinn greets her tone cold as she immediately puts a protective arm around Rachel. She had never trusted Dani, sure they had been friends since they were in diapers. Like Santana she wasn't quite sure what her twin had seen in Dani that made her think that dating her was a good idea, because Dani had always been a clout chaser.
Dani flicked her eyes over at Quinn for a moment and grins, "Lucy."
Rachel's eyes narrowed as Quinn freezes, she had never asked why Quinn insisted on going on her middle name, "You really should refer to her by her title Quinn, second place."
"I'm pretty sure that title belongs to Santana," Dani lets out a laugh as she smiles at Santana who immediately scowled, "I'm joking, but going to the second best school Santana? I hear you didn't even show up for the Summit tryout."
Santana shrugged, deciding she wasn't going to play this game with Dani and motions for her team to head back to their locker room, so they could go over some last minute plays and she could give a rousing speech. "Dani, I really don't have time to waste and I know that if I go to Summit while Charlie's at Summit, I'd waste an entire year because they'll be focused on preparing Charlie. I know Frannie and I trust her, I'm stronger than I've ever been and if you hope for a repeat of last year—"
Quinn suddenly raised her hands, chilling the air around Santana and Dani freezing the strings that Dani had tried to manipulate onto Santana, causing them to appear in the air. Charlie had given her a heads up that Dani might pull something like this and since most people couldn't sense Dani's strings let alone see them, and given Dani's craftiness it was probably for the best that they treat Dani like the threat she was. "Oh dear, I'm pretty sure that what you're doing is against the rules Dani, now what happens if we tell the commission?"
Santana took a few steps back away from the strings and glared at Dani, she hadn't felt anything and it was just as Charlie had said, Dani saw her as a threat and was trying to take her out. "I'm not sure if you're upset that I'm better than you, or that Charlie clearly loves me far more than she ever loved you, honestly this is sort of embarrassing for you Dani. You look like the jealous ex, and the thing is Charlie and I aren't even together anymore, which makes you sort of pathetic." The Titans chuckle as Dani's cheeks flush in anger and humiliation. "You should probably hurry up and do your third rate entrance, because this year PVA isn't even going to place. And that's a promise. Let's move out." Santana barked at the team, stepping past PVA and walking past Dani with her head held high, immediately lighting herself on fire to prevent Dani from latching her strings onto her body again.
Quinn flashed a smirk at Dani, stopping beside her and leaning in, "Charlie may have forgiven you for breaking her heart, but I haven't. Neither has Frannie or Brittany, watch yourself and keep those strings to your fucking self or I will crush you despite any protest my dear sweet simple twin might have. Understood?" Quinn didn't bother to wait for a response as Rachel tugged her along.
"She's not worth your time, but it is very attractive when you're super protective over your family," Rachel whispered to her.
"Yeah?"
Rachel flushed and nodded, causing Quinn to grin.