The Great Ones watched from their balcony, sitting in silver chairs and sipping from cups. The two bands met in the center of the field, minus one Clarinet. Art, Reb, and Harp stood sternly in front of their band of misfits. Sal, Lute, and Ette quickly finished organizing the first platoon. Suddenly, the whistle blew from the Head Great One and the drum lines ceased their overlapping cadences. The battle was about to begin.
First was a group performance. There would be no notes, but strategic marching style and of course, a drum line's beat. It was all apart of the unit competition, the first days. As tradition, the defending band would go first. Tap started the tap off with two brief slaps. Then the tenors fiddled a run of notes. The woodwinds stepped forward and the drum majors directed to keep beat. A horn ripple ran through the clarinets and they formed a curving ring. The flutes snapped up to playing position and the flutes began a rotating box. The trumpets would finish their angular visual before combining the rest of the brass line. It was all very sleek, sharp, and quiet. Most of all, it was very clean.
Harp pulled from her cloak a silver mace. Spinning it once, the band took intricate positions on the field. The Bandopians watched in awe as they proceeded to jazz run in a twisting, spinning circle. Jazz muttered curses under his breath as he watched a tuba pass gracefully between two trombones. Suddenly, they stopped on a heavy bass note. With a horn flash and each trumpet spinning their trumpets into place, they snapped into parade hess, forming a perfect diagonal. Sal's head dropped. Ette let out a deep sigh. Their artistic visuals and perfected style was out of their league. Their instruments may be fixed with tape and string, but they were true athletes. The Shadows had won the band division.
On came the guard. Sabe led the girls into a mad fire of swords and rifles, flags and other various props. It was a magnificent display. Sabe even managed to throw five spins and a perfect snapped catch. The flag's double throws were tighter than air. As soon as the last body movement was made, Silken let out a bright cheer of excitement. The girls couldn't wait to congratulate themselves afterwards. Of course, the Shadows' guard wasn't half as good. Although the Bandopians used the Shadows' flags, they were superior to any other of their kind. The Great Ones paused, shocked at how quick the results presented themselves. Whispering to one another, the Head One declared a draw. The Bandopians sighed deeply and the Shadows seemed to be uneasy with relief. The Shadows quickly dispersed back to their camps and the Bandopians immediately turned to why they didn't when the marching segment.
From inside the cage, Reid sighed, wondering when he was to be let free. He was promised a trial, but he was given none.