The stage was set. There were 600 people in the audience. There were 9 judges. The real battle began now and Cheshire was feeling very conflicted. She watched as the introduction played across the stage and the fans screamed. She tried but lost count of how many girls had which boys name on a sign or screen. She could only hope that everything would be easier than the last couple eliminations though deep down she knew that wouldn't happen. Hyolyn had long ago grabbed Chess's hand to try and comfort the conflicting emotions in her soft grin. Cheshire was actually impressed with her ability to sense the discomfort that Chess had. On her left Mad Clown had taken to simply resting his hand on the back of her chair and rubbing her back every now and again. Chess wished Giri could have been here. It was going to be months before she saw him again though. His promotions were just coming to an end and with the success of RI5E's album that had come out almost a month prior after only a few weeks of recording, Chess was going to be very busy soon. This was the last thing she was set to film before she had a two day break to pack and prepare for their first world tour. And that meant while Giri and the boys that made it into the final group were recording she would be in Europe, or the States, or even South America or Canada. She wasn't sure she couldn't handle the separation this time. It was going to take a lot of will power that she wasn't sure would survive this show.

Just as Chess was sure she was going to lose her sanity they finally introduced the trainees, spoke about how the voting would work and began to set up for the first performance. Hyungwon, Jooheon, and I.M were first and as happy as Chess was that Jooheon and I.M were on a team she wasn't happy that they were first. She wished they had been last so she could have focused on that while watching the others perform should it be unsatisfactory causing her to not be able to criticize but nope. They were first. At least it would be a good performance.

Chess had not ever in he life felt as unprepared as she did for the amazing opening that they had prepared. The stage looked amazing as it exploded in light and Jooheon owned the stage like always. His familiar flow was accentuated perfectly by Hyungwon's low timbre. She couldn't stop moving. She bobbed her head and swayed not knowing how to process all the awesome sights they had going for them. Then I.M was on the stage. His voice sounded better than usual if that was possible. He was hyped and Chess couldn't contain it anymore. She stood and started dancing along. She watched as Jooheon, I.M and Hyungwon made a show of watching her like they had planned it from the beginning causing her to drop to a crouch laughing at herself. These boys really did know her too well. Their stage was amazing none the less and she couldn't have been happier for them as they ended their song with the crowd screaming for more.

After Junggigo, Rhymer and Hyolyn had their say K. Will looked expectantly at Cheshire. He quirked an eyebrow when she didn't immediately reach for the mic which made her smile awkwardly at him and bow her head before reaching for her mic.

"I loved it," Cheshire giggled nervously as the other judges chuckled at her immediate praise. "I wasn't honestly going to say anything. I felt like the fact that you caught me dancing along just kind of gave away how I felt. I've honestly never been more proud in my life. I feel like I have gotten to be a part of history simply by being a judge on this show but now I think that I'm just lucky to have been able to meet and get to know such amazing people as yourselves. You put on an amazing show and I hope you're proud of yourselves."

"You're not going to comment on their english this time?" Mad Clown had to chuckle at her lack of usual commentary.

"Well now that you mention it they did very well on their english. And thanks Mad Clown I was trying to not be known only for my critiques on the boys' english," Chess sent him a playful glare and smirk only to have all the judges and the fans laugh. It was good to feel the light hearted atmosphere that had come just from this one performance.

The judges continued on for a while before sending the boys back to the greenrooms, though the didn't leave before sending various heart hand signs to Chess who responded with her trademark double heart. The time between groups passed quickly and before she knew it Wonho, Seokwon and Kihyun were taking their places on the stage. Chess remained seated the whold time, not because it wasn't good but becuase she was in shock. It was so ridiculously y. She could hardly look at the boys and she knew her cheeks were burning. She couldn't look away though, the boys demanded attention. Their body rolls were out of this world and their breakdown made her heart flutter. They were just so damn y. Where the hell had this appeal come from? She was on the verge of passing out from lack of oxygen reaching her brain when they finally reached the end of their stage.

"Cheshire let's hear your thoughts," K. Will's voice sounded like it was miles away but she picked up the mic none the less never taking her eyes off the boys.

"Wow... That was amazing... It was ungodly y..." Cheshire saw the confused looks on the boys faces and figured out what was wrong. She was unknowingly speaking english. She blushed clapping a hand to and dropping her head to land on her knee before looking back up. "Mianhe! I couldn't get my brain to work. You guys just.... uggghhhh... I don't think I know the appropriate words in korean for this.... So ridiculously, sinfully, beyond y... Where? When? How? What happened to you guys? You've never done a stage like this before! I just can't even function right now. I just... Wow.... When did you get appeal? Good english though..."

The judges all laughed at how flustered Chess was but she couldn't help it. This was crazy. She couldn't even really hear the other judges comments as she just kept having memories of the dance flash in her mind. She needed a drink. Something stronger than Monster too. It wasn't long before the boys were sent backstage again and she could finally breathe correctly again. She waved her hand in front of her face trying to cool down her burning cheeks but it did little good. Luckily before too long Shownu, Minhyuk and #Gun were getting into position and Chess could finally focus on something other than that god forsaken performance earlier.

Their stage was sweet seeming. It started with some beautiful vocals and some cute dancing on Shownu's part. Chess couldn't help but bob her head up and down and clap along until the beat dropped and #Gun started his rap. She was dancing in her seat this time but couldn't help but feel a gummy smile stretch across her face. It was all just so cute! They were all looking like adorable school boys and it just made Chess feel like she was watching her younger brothers at a talent show, just more professional. The judges took their time talking about how well they had performed making sure to tell them how cute they were. Finally Chess just took it upon herself to pick up her mic.

"Before it's brought up again for me, yes your english was perfect," Cheshire earned a small laugh from the judges, the boys and the fans. "This was a really cute stage and I'm very impressed with how you managed to make that rap cute #Gun. I had a lot of fun watching it and I am so proud of you. You've grown so much as performers and I am so happy that I got to know you all."

Chess could feel herself getting close to an emotional level and put down her mic so that she couldn't make herself cry. Shownu raised his arms above his head making a heart at her and she just chuckled at his cute attempt to make her laugh.  The boys were sent to get ready for the final performance and Chess could feel how nervous she was getting now. It was going to be another 15 minutes before the performances were done and another hour before they would be eliminating the final two. It was almost over but the anxiety that Chess was feeling wouldn't go away. No matter how she tried she would never be mentally prepared enough for this.

The boys were in position. The music dropped and it was amazing to watch. They were sharp and they were clean. Their vocals were amazing. Their raps hit hard. They were as perfect as she could have ever asked them to be. She watched the ten boys that she had started out honestly not expecting anything from become ten talented and amazingly y men right in front of her. They were everything she had ever wanted to see from a boy group and she couldn't believe it was over. Chess couldn't hold it anymore conflicting tears escaped from her eyes. They were beautiful and she was so proud of them but she was also just so devastated that two were going to be leaving. When K. Will asked for opinions he started on the opposite side of the judges line than Chess was on and she was thankful. She needed time to get herself together. Though by the time her turn came around she was almost more of a mess.

"You guys are beautiful. You put on an amazing show. You had fun. You don't regret the music and I'm sure you can tell the music definitely doesn't regret you. Mian," She apologized for the almost sob that left her. "I can't imagine that I could ever be more proud of a group of people in my entire life and honestly I'm already upset because I don't know how we're going to eliminate two of you. We, the judges and the fans, have the hardest vote of the show right now because you have all been perfect. You looked like you've been debuted for years and I can't express how amazing you all are."

Cheshire put down her mic and held her head in her hand. She wasn't going to make it through this without a breakdown and she realized that just now. Soon enough though the fans were sent to vote and the judges deliberated while the boys sat in the greenroom. The votes were almost unanimous and the final eliminations were set. When the boys were called to the stage Chess was already fighting tears again. When had she turned into such a baby? She didn't know but these boys were breaking down walls she hadn't honestly known she had and that made losing two of them that much harder.

K. Will began calling names. First was Jooheon followed swiftly by Shownu then Kihyun then Hyungwon then Wonho then I.M. I.M looked like he was about to fall out but the last announcement broke Cheshire's resolve. The tears were falling with no barriers. She couldn't have stopped them if she tried. Minhyuk looked so conflicted. He was so happy to hear his name obviously but so sad that Seokwon and #Gun had failed. Sobs wracked Chess's body watching the two left break and watching the debuting trainees try to keep their eyes dry. It hurt her heart so much.When #Gun and Seokwon left the stage the judges were given the chance to speak and Cheshire wanted to go last. She wanted to be the last official words that they heard in this as selfish as that sounded. When she finally picked up her mic she had a big smile on her face and sad eyes. She was so proud of them but so sad for the others.

"I want you all to remember that you deserve this. Don't ever, EVER doubt yourselves. Every last one of you has made me so irrevocably proud," It was hard to talk around the lump in . "You will do amazing things that much I know... There's not one of you that I am not happy to see still standing on that stage... No matter how you started or even when you deserve this and I could never have asked for more than what you gave us... While its sad to see the other two go and I know that it's going to weigh on your hearts, I want you to always remember to be happy about what you've done here..."

With that it was over. The judges went down to the stage to congradulate the winners and Chess stood back until the boys were all free. Still crying she went up to the boys and just smiled with the tears flowing from her eyes. Jooheon and I.M were the first to rush her but the other boys swiftly followed engulging her in a group hug. She couldn't help but laugh as the seven guys started bouncing up and down around her. 

"Yah! No more tears! We made it!" Shownu was the source of the shout that made giggles bubble out of Cheshire's mouth.

"Yah! I'm still older than you Pabo!" Chess lightly smacked Shownu's arm before they all broke into a laughing fit. Somethings would never change and she hoped this was one of them. She looked at all the boys faces surrounding her.

Cheshire had officially met Monsta X.

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A/N I'm sorry if this is repetitive or boring I just couldn't help how it happened. If it's badly written it's probably because I was crying the entire time I wrote it and I couldn't help it honestly... I hope it's still enjoyable enough though.... As always Thank You for Reading! Kamsamnida!