"Since we have quite a lot of teams to get through, let's get started right away. F-Class (1) and (2), decide which groups will go first and get up here." MC Ryan Leary smiled at the contestants wearing Neon Orange and Black T-shirts.
Two people quickly had a rock, paper, scissors battle, and when one person won, half of them sat down while the rest moved to the center of the open space.
They group slowly got into the right position after scrambling around and glanced at the MC.
"It looks like 'F-Class (1)' is ready. Cue the music~" Mc Ryan Leary winked at one of the staff members, and they quickly started the music.
A strong bass beat with trumpets sounded out, and the 11 members of the F-class team began to dance, while a tan boy with a buzz cut stepped forward and began to rap….
Badly.
He stuttered a couple of times but then froze as he forgot the remaining words.
For about 20 seconds straight, he just stood there staring at the judges while his teammates attempted to dance the choreography behind him.
He only started moving when the beat changed slightly in preparation for the first verse.
As he was trying to rotate to the back, he crashed into a pale boy with a long fringe, who fell over, which then caused a domino effect that took the whole team down.
It was briefly noisy as the boys scrambled to get back up, and by the time they got back in the right positions, the song was halfway over.
The rest of the performance proceeded much the same way, with the team members crashing into each other, forgetting their lyrics, and standing there mute, or freezing when they couldn't remember the choreography.
By the end of it, all the judges had a frown on their faces, and even MC Ryan's expression was wavering a bit.
Although it was a harsh thought, Ari was just glad that with their performance, his team would no longer be at the very bottom.
His slightly nervous heart became relaxed and his pulse slowed as he took a deep breath.
Once the music stopped, the MC paused to clear his throat before speaking.
"Thank you to the F-Class (1) for going first. Judges, what are your thoughts? Why don't we start with dance trainer Jaywalk, who mentored them? What do you think?"
Jaywalk was dressed in a name brand matching pant and jacket set with a black bucket hat over his face. His lean, taped fingers tapped the table top before he began speaking.
"I think it's a mess. Jaywalk replied bluntly as he scanned the F-class group with cold eyes, "The choreography and formations look unmemorized, and you're clearly lacking energy on top of it. It looks to me that you guys haven't been practicing hard enough, like you really want this. You'll need to put in a lot of work to fix this by the end of the week."
"Ooof, harsh words from trainer Jaywalk. On the Vocal side, what do you think, trainer Larry? You coached some of the team members, am I right?"
Larry Jackson who was dressed in a snazzy purple suit with white sneakers sighed while tapping his stubble. The diamond encrusted watch on his wrist flashed with a blinding light before he began to speak.
"That's correct, and I agree with what Jaywalk said. Not only was this a mess, but it's a mockery of the wonderful choreography that trainer Kim Young-woo made. Vocally, I'm questioning whether any of these contestants know how to actually sing, because this was absolutely miserable to listen to. If I could, I would send the entire team home."
At Larry Jackson's even harsher words, everybody audibly gasped, and the F-class team members looked like they were about to cry.
"Oh, I'm sure he didn't mean that. He's just saying that to push you guys to work harder." The MC quickly tried to cover up before turning to the rap trainer, who was dressed simply in black jeans, chunky boots, an oversized black long-sleeved shirt with an orange vest over it. He had a black and orange beanie on as well, with different flashy jewelry than he wore last time.
"X-Ponent, would you like to close us out?"
"My advice to the little homies would be to get back in the studio and practice your as*es off. You won't always have weeks or months to prepare for something, so you need to put everything you have to work hard when opportunity strikes. And on stage when mistakes happen, you all need to use initiative to fix the issue so the audience doesn't notice. Like when my man with the short hair froze up, one of you should have immediately filled in instead of looking like some deer. I hope for a better performance at the end of the week."
X-ponent put his microphone down as he finished speaking and the MC Ryan Leary took over.
"Thank you X-ponent. Like he said, practice makes better so I hope your practices go well in the future."
Once the MC finished speaking, a staff member rolled a posterboard attached to a stand and placed it by the judges.
The poster board had a pyramid split into 4 horizontal levels with multi-colored tape blocking off words beside it.
Larry Jackson who was the closest to the pyramid picked up a laminated sheet that said 'F-Class (1)' and pinned it to the lowest level of the pyramid.
"Alrighty. Since our judges are done, lets move on the F-Class (2)'. Good luck on your performance gentlemen."
The second F class scrambled up, hustling to get in their positions.
Soon the music started and they began performing, and although it was almost as bad as the previous teams performance, it seemed that they had taken X-ponents words to heart because whenever it was silent for a second, others would try to fill in.
It created a chaotic jumbled sound but showed their sincere effort at listening.
Of course the judges feedback was still harsh but the atmosphere was slightly less rough than the previous team.
Once the feedback was done, Larry Jackson put the label 'F-Class (2)' onto the lowest rung of the pyramid right next to F-Class (2).
Ari briefly wondered what it was for but then his attention was drawn to the MC who began talking once more.
"D-Class, please decide which team is going first."
"We are!" Ian confidently said.
"No we are!" Caleb replied while glaring at his former friend. He was still offended that Ian had chosen him when selecting those he wanted on his team.
For the first time since he interacted with the boy, Ari looked at Caleb with a pleased expression.
For once the boy had said something smart.
It would be much better to go now so that they could be compared with a horrible team because, on the off chance that the other D team did well, they would be mercilessly roasted by the judges.
Ari could already see Larry Jackson salivating and giving his group a devious smile and he began cheering for Caleb to win the rock paper sciscors battle.
"Oooooo, both teams are raring to go! There's only one way to decide this! We have to use the ancient strategic battle methods of our forefathers. Rock paper sciscors. Gentlemen, please come forward and Start. Your. Engines!!!"
Both Ian and Caleb swaggered forward to the cheers of the contestants.
Both Jelissa and Selena seemed to get into it and they started drumming on the table until the two people were in front.
"Contestant Ian. Any words before the battle of your life."
"I'm going to win." Ian confidently boasted while the MC patted his back.
"Ohhh the confidence! I like that! Contestant Caleb, are you going to let him get away with those words?"
"Of course not! I'm going to win!" Caleb pounded his chest while looking around as if he were a king.
A bit embarrassed for him, Ari turned lowered his head and clapped appropriately.
"Okay. When I say shoot, you both release. Best out of three wins. Let's go!"
"Rock Paper Scissors shoot!" the MC shouted and both boys fist quickly extended.
Ian had Paper and Caleb had Rock.
"First win goes to Ian. He only needs one more round to go before it's game over. Can he do it? Let's find out."
"Rock Paper Scissors shoot!!!"
Ian had Scissors this time while Caleb had Rock.
"Woooooah!!!!! Caleb ties the game! This is the final round, let's gooo~~!"
"Rock! Paper! Scissors! Shooooooot!"
Both boys threw their fists out with a hint of desperation.
Once their hands were exposed, the contests began cheering while some groaned in misery.
"And the winner issss"