Charlotte King's POV:

That was one hell of a performance!

They have managed to not only salvage the day, but also make it a good one!

Nicola, Rina and I are on our feet immediately, and even Silvan joins us, without a trace of hesitation or reluctance!

Silvan is the first to speak, "Well, before we tell you about your performance, why don't you perform your second song?", a smile lingering on his lips.

They nod at us and at each other.

"Wait, which is your second song?" Rina asks.

"Titanium by David Guetta featuring Sia." Jade replies.

Whoa! That's a little harder to shine in, 'cause it's been covered so many times...

"Go ahead." Nicola says.

"Fair warning though; it's different from the original..." says Elyssa.

A genuine smile crosses my lips as I say, "Oooh, can't wait!"

They smile and start off.

This time, they're all on the stage from the get go.

Elyssa starts the opening beats of 'Titanium', and it's almost time for the vocals when Cole and Zöe pop in with entirely different beats.

"Sounds like 'Bulletproof'," Rina says in my ear, and I nod.

She's right, these beats sound like the ones from La Roux's 'Bulletproof'.

This time, Emmett starts on the vocals, but there's also Zöe with something else...

"You shout it out, (I'm burning bridges) 

But I can't hear a word you say (Shore to shore) 

I'm talking loud, not saying much (I break away from something more) 

I'm criticized but all your bullets ricochet (Something more, more, more)

You shoot me down, but I get up (I won't let you turn around and tell me I'm too proud) " 

Jade takes over, and Cole sings something else along with what she sings...

"I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose (Been there, done that) 

Fire away, fire away (Messed around) 

Ricochet, you take your aim (I'm having fun) 

Fire away, fire away (Don't put me down) 

You shoot me down but I won't fall (This time, baby, I'll be) 

I am titanium (Bulletproof) 

You shoot me down but I won't fall (This time, baby, I'll be) 

I am titanium (Bulletproof)" 

Lillian takes over now, with Elyssa accompanying her...

"Cut me down (I'll never let you sweep me off my feet) 

But it's you who'll have further to fall (never, never) 

Ghost town and haunted love (Tick, tick, tick, tick on the watch) 

Raise your voice, sticks and stones may break my bones (There are certain things that should be left unsaid)

I'm talking loud not saying much (Life's too short for me to stop)" 

Jake picks up next, Kristen accompanying him...

"I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose (Been there, done that) 

Fire away, fire away (Messed around) 

Ricochet, you take your aim (I'm having fun) 

Fire away, fire away (Don't put me down) 

You shoot me down but I won't fall (This time, baby, I'll be) 

I am titanium (Bulletproof) 

You shoot me down but I won't fall (This time, baby, I'll be) 

I am titanium (Bulletproof) 

I am titanium (Bulletproof) 

I am titanium (Bulletproof)" 

Zöe and Elyssa now sing together, alternating low and high notes, while the others keep a harmony going...

"Stone-hard, machine gun

Firing at the ones who run

Stone-hard as bulletproof glass"

Now, they all slow down, singing slowly but soulfully, each one in a different note.

The lowest seems to be Jake and Elyssa, and the highest Kristen and Zöe...

"You shoot me down but I won't fall

I am titanium

You shoot me down but I won't fall

I am titanium

You shoot me down but I won't fall

I am titanium"

Now everyone sings 'Titanium' together at the normal speed and Zöe and Elyssa sing 'Bulletproof'.

"You shoot me down but I won't fall (This time, baby, I'll be)

I am titanium (Bulletproof)

I am titanium (Bulletproof)

You shoot me down but I won't fall (This time, baby, I'll be) 

I am titanium (Bulletproof) 

You shoot me down but I won't fall (This time, baby, I'll be)

I am titanium (Bulletproof) " 

That is a clever performance!

Again, we're all on our feet...

We've got some words of appreciation for them!

- - - - - - -

It's time for us to inform the aspiring participants who're making it through to the next round...

All 40 of them climb on to the stage, standing with their teams.

We have already discussed this now, and we're prepared...

I quickly glance around to see that the supergroup is Team Five.

I inwardly smile and turn to Rina, who nods.

Nicola clears his throat, and there's now pin-drop silence.

Many are clearly nervous.

Oliver picks up and says, "Now, it's result time. The judges have made their decision..."

Cassie continues, "And now we will find out! Judges, take it away!"

We laugh, and then Silvan starts, "Like we told you yesterday, we can take forward only 20 of you..."

"As much as we'd like to take all of you forward, we can't do that" Nicola quips.

"Five from each category have made it through to the next round..." Rina says.

"This was a very difficult decision to take, so please bear with us," I add, making Silvan glare at me.

"Sorry!" I mouth.

Silvan continues, "Team One, step forward..."

- - - - - - -

"Team Five, step forward..." I say. 

All of them step forward, clearly anxious now...

"The count till now shows that there are two spots in Charlotte's category and one each in Rina's, Nicola's and my category...." says Silvan.

"And, here, there are two groups, one girl, one boy and one over...." says Nicola.

Rina says, "So, I guess what we're trying to tell is that you're all through to the next round, all five acts in Team Five!"

I add, "You were the best team today, Team Five!"

All of them are overjoyed.

They hug and high-five each other and mouth 'Thank you' to us.

I can't help giving a full-out smile at the sight of their excitement.

After they calm down and walk to the back of the stage, standing in their respective categories, Elyssa and Emmett still linked by their hands.

We beckon forward the 20 unlucky hopefuls who did not make it through.

"We're sorry, guys..." Rina says.

"You did do well, just not enough..." Silvan continues.

"But, most of all, don't let this be the end to your dreams!" I add.

"Thank you for auditioning, guys!" Nicola ends.

After they walk out, we beckon forward the 20 moving on.

Oliver says, "Good job, guys! You've made it through, and now, the competition really begins! Every week, there will be 2 eliminations, and there will be a theme every week."

"You will be preparing and performing, with help from your coach. Your performances will determine who's leaving, so give it your all..." Cassie adds.

"Good luck, guys!" they end and walk off the stage...

- - - - - - -

Elyssa Sparks' POV:

Oh. My. God!

I can't believe this (well, I can, since we had prepared well)!

No one in our team messed up, and the result was stunning!

We had recorded our performance, so we watched it later, and it was amazing!!!

Well, I'm using too many exclamation marks!

Anyways, Em and I have been holding each other's hand since they announced the result, and are still walking home the same way...

We reach home, and I open the door with my free hand and we step in.

We hug each other, and finally release our hands when we reach the kitchen for dinner.

Massaging the circulation back into my hands, I watch as Em talks to the others.

How lucky I am to have a brother like Em!

- - - - - - - 

A.N.:

Check out both of these amazing songs!

'Titanium'

'Bulletproof'

- - - - - - -