Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Sonic the Hedgehog characters.
"Are you ready to get this Talent Show started?" Julian shouted into the microphone walking onto the stage as everybody cheered. "As per usual, I'm your host Julian the Hedgehog and I'm ready to see this happen so let's do it then!" Julian smiled as everybody continued to cheer. "First up we have some dope hip-hop freshmen dancers. Give it up for The Fresh Crew!" He said as a group of freshmen took the stage. Everybody else was backstage getting ready for their big performances.
"I really don't want to sing this song." Lauren murmured nervously as she paced in front of the guys. Each of them were wearing all white outfits and Roddy, Andrew, and Hydro just let Lauren pace because she had been doing this all morning.
"Don't worry, you'll do fine." Andrew told her.
"But it's a really hard song. That note at the end? I'm not sure about this." Lauren mumbled and Hydro sighed. He stood up and walked over to her before kissing her. Roddy rolled his eyes and pulled them away from each other.
"What? I was trying to calm her down." Hydro said innocently and Roddy crossed his arms.
"Not like that! Any longer than that and you would've left her completely dazed." Roddy told him. He and Hydro started to argue and Andrew sighed while he watched and twirled his drumstick.
"Stop fighting. We need to focus." Andrew muttered in a bored tone.
"Wow, you're so convincing." Lauren muttered sarcastically and Andrew shrugged his shoulders. They heard the music stop and applause follow shortly after. One of the stage managers approached them telling them they were next and Lauren's heart started pounding against her chest.
"All right, all right, let's give it up for The FreshCrew!" Julian walked out as everybody cheered while the dancers left the stage. "Now, let's give it up for one of the Homecoming favorites, Bold & Pure!" Julian announced as they took to the stage where their instruments had been set up. Lauren stood in front of the microphone and looked out to the whole school in front of her. She turned to look at Hydro who gave her a reassuring smile.
What the audience couldn't see were the small piles of powdered paint all over the stage. Lauren smiled when the lights went out as murmurs of confusion could be heard throughout the crowd. Roddy started to play his guitar in a catchy, upbeat rhythm while Hydro provided bass. Lauren grabbed the microphone and a black light shined on them, making their white clothes almost fluorescent. Lauren began to sing while Andrew joined Roddy and Hydro on drums.
Right, right, turn off the lights
We're gonna lose our minds tonight
What's the deal, yo?
I love when it's all too much
5 a.m. turn the radio up
Where's the rock 'n roll?
Party crasher, panty snatcher
Call me up if you're a gangsta
Don't be fancy, just get dancy
Why so serious?
Lauren and Hydro surrounded theirs and Roddy's feet in water boots while a stage manager in all black poured powdered paint onto some of Andrew's drums when he paused his playing at the end of the verse. Lauren surrounded his sticks in water while Roddy and Hydro dropped out when she finished the first verse along with Andrew. When they came back in with high energy into the chorus they all stomped—or in Andrew's case slammed his sticks on his drums—on the piles of powdered paint. Creating large vibrant and colorful splashes surprising and amazing everyone in the audience.
So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways, all my underdogs
We will never be, never be anything but loud
And nitty, gritty, dirty, little freaks
Won't you come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Just come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Everybody got onto their feet while they cheered and danced to their song. Colorful water flew around the stage, splashing onto their clothes and their instruments. The black light made the colors just that much more effervescent. Hydro started to provide back-up vocals for Lauren as she started the second verse.
Slam, slam, oh hot damn
What part of a party don't you understand?
Wish you'd just freak out
(Freak out already)
Can't stop, coming in hot
I should be locked up right on the spot
It's so on right now
(It's so frickin' on right now)
Party crasher, panty snatcher
Call me up if you're a gangsta
Don't be fancy, just get dancy
Why so serious?
So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways, all my underdogs
We will never be, never be anything but loud
And nitty, gritty, dirty, little freaks
Won't you come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Just come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Won't you come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Just come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Lauren was jumping up and down around the stage while tossing fistfuls of some of the still dried powdered paint onto the guys' instruments and the colorful water flew off while they played. Off stage, the guys of The Dark Matrix were watching intently. They noticed the crowd going crazy and rocking out to their fun and catchy song.
"Oh, they're good." Shade muttered and Shawn nodded.
"We have to be better." Bolt said with a sharp tone of determination. Flash was staring blankly ahead of him at a wall. "Flash!" Bolt exclaimed startling him and he looked over to Bolt.
"Huh?" He asked and Bolt slapped his hand on his forehead.
"Why do you keep blanking out on us?" Bolt asked and Flash bounced his leg nervously.
"I'm just…I'm nervous. Their song is so fun!" Flash whined and Bolt sighed.
"We're going to win. We got the Homecoming win and we'll get this one." Bolt told him and Flash frowned while nervously watching Bold & Pure. The guys slowed down the upbeat rhythm while Lauren went into the bridge. She swirled some of the colors in the air above them while everybody watched in awe and wonder.
So if you're too school for cool
And you're treated like a fool
(You're treated like a fool)
You can choose to let it go
We can always, we can always party on our own
Lauren sang the first line of the chorus while Andrew wailed on his drums and she paused with a cheeky quip before singing the note she had been dreading perfectly. Hydro sent a colorful mist out towards the audience and they all went wild as Lauren sang and danced around stage with the guys rocking out on their instruments.
So raise your—oh, crap
So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways, all my underdogs
We will never be, never be anything but loud
And nitty, gritty, dirty, little freaks
So raise your glass if you are wrong
In all the right ways, all my underdogs
We will never be, never be anything but loud
And nitty, gritty, dirty, little freaks
Won't you come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Just come on and come on and
Raise your glass!
Won't you come on and come on and
Raise your glass for me!
Just come on and come on and
Raise your glass—
For me
The band finished and the crowd went wild applauding and cheering for them. The normal lights turned back on and everybody cheered louder when they saw them splattered with different colors. They all took their bow before Hydro and Lauren dried and cleaned off the stage.
"Damn! They were amazing!" Shawn exclaimed as Lauren, Roddy, Andrew, and Hydro walked backstage.
"Top that." Lauren smirked and Shawn glared at his sister. Julian walked back on stage while Shade, Shawn, Flash, and Bolt got ready to take the stage next.
"Whoa! Never thought you'd see that, huh? Give them another round of applause!" Julian exclaimed as the crowd cheered again. "Up next we have the winners of the Homecoming Battle of the Bands! Let's hear it for, The Dark Matrix!" He shouted and everybody clapped excitedly. Flash started to do breathing exercises to calm himself down as the rest of the band walked onto stage. Everybody was a little confused not see Flash there, especially when the band started to play and Shade and Boltstarted to sing. Shawn was in the back getting the audience to start a rhythmic clapping.
Tonight we are victorious
Champagne pouring over us
All my friends we're glorious
Tonight we are victorious
Flash's voice was suddenly heard over the speakers as he impressively held out a note. The doors to the entrance of the auditorium, that was located in the back behind the audience, suddenly burst open to Flash with a microphone in his hand and still holding out that note. He started making his way towards the stage while singing the verse and interacting with the audience. He kissed Ivy on the cheek, sang a line while sitting in Midnight's lap (who laughed at her son's antics), and high-fiving or dancing with people in the crowd.
Double bubble disco queen headed to the guillotine
Skin as cool as Steve McQueen, let me be your killer king
It hurts until it stops, we will love until it's not
I'm a killing spree in white, eyes like broken Christmas lights
My touch is black and poisonous
And nothing like my punch-drunk kiss
I know you need it, do you feel it
Drink the water, drink the wine
Oh we gotta turn up the crazy
Livin' like a washed-up celebrity
Shooting fireworks like it's the Fourth of July
Until we feel alright
Until we feel alright
Flash flipped onto the stage and landed perfectly in front of his microphone stand. He threw his microphone into the air as sparks flew from it making everyone in the audience cheer and gave the tech people a heart attack. He caught it in his hand and placed it on the stand and started into the next verse, not yet going into the chorus.
I'm like a scarf trick, it's all up the sleeve
I taste like magic, waves that swallow quick and deep
Throw the bait, catch the shark, bleed the water red
Fifty words for murder and I'm every one of them
My touch is black and poisonous
And nothing like my punch-drunk kiss
I know you need it, do you feel it
Drink the water, drink the wine
Oh we gotta turn up the crazy
Livin' like a washed-up celebrity
Shooting fireworks like it's the Fourth of July
During the last line of the verse and before the chorus began, Flash and Bolt shot fireworks above them, making sure they were tame enough to not hurt anyone, but also impressive enough to make the audience go crazy at the spectacle.
Tonight we are victorious
Champagne pouring over us
All my friends we're glorious
Tonight we are victorious
Tonight we are victorious
Champagne pouring over us
All my friends we're glorious
Tonight we are victorious
"Wow, they're so sure that they're going to win that they're singing a song about winning." Roddy muttered and Lauren rolled her eyes.
"I still say our performance was the best. I mean we had a whole color and water show and they just have a few fireworks." She said and Roddy shrugged. Shade pulled out, what appeared to be two Chaos Emeralds and tossed them both into the air. Flash blasted them with electricity making them explode and shower the audience with crystals and sparkles. Shadow gasped and clutched his hand over his heart.
"Don't worry, it's fake." Reese told him and Shadow immediately sighed in relief.
Oh we gotta turn up the crazy
Livin' like a washed-up celebrity
Shooting fireworks like it's the Fourth of July
Until we feel alright
Until we feel alright
Tonight we are victorious
Champagne pouring over us
All my friends we're glorious
Tonight we are victorious
The Dark Matrix finished and everybody in the audience got onto their feet and cheered for them. They bowed and waved out to the people in the audience while the members of Absolute Fire watched off stage.
"Okay, I'm officially nervous." Topaz muttered.
"Ours will be better." AJ said confidently. Shawn, Bolt, and Shade walked passed them with cocky smiles on their face while Flash fought to stay conscious and not pass out like he did at Homecoming.
"Hopefully." Topaz sighed as they got ready to take stage.
"Well wasn't that something?" Julian smiled as he walked out and everybody cheered. "Next up we have another Homecoming favorite, let me hear you give it up for Absolute Fire!" Julian yelled as everybody cheered. Topaz, Lazarus, AJ, and Derek walked out and Topaz smiled warily towards the audience. She tried to get out of the band because Derek was better and could sing now, but they liked her better for lead singer. It's hard when you're overruled to get what you want. Before they started to even play, they started a rhythm by clapping, stomping, and snapping and shortly the audience caught on and started doing it. Once it looked like the audience had the hang of it and was going to continue, Lazarus started to play a melody on an acoustic guitar. Topaz brought the microphone onto to her lips and started to sing.
So this is what you meant
When you said that you were spent
And now it's time to build from the bottom of the pit
Right to the top
Don't hold back
Packing my bags and giving the academy a rain-check
I don't ever wanna let you down
I don't ever wanna leave this town
'Cause after all
This city never sleeps at night
While Topaz sang she started to walk forward until she was completely off the stage and now walking in the air. Derek and AJ soon joined in on their instruments while Topaz floated up higher and sang to the audience below her. A rumbling could be heard and suddenly a large rock platform came floating into the arena. Topaz turned to face her fellow band-mates and put AJ and his drums onto the rock he brought in before having Derek and Lazarus join her in the air. AJ floated himself off the stage and everybody was cheering and staring up at them.
It's time to begin, isn't it?
I get a little bit bigger but then I'll admit
I'm just the same as I was
Now don't you understand
That I'm never changing who I am
So this is where you fell
And I am left to sell
The path to heaven runs through miles of clouded hell
Right to the top
Don't look back
Turning to rags and giving the commodities a rain-check
I don't ever wanna let you down
I don't ever wanna leave this town
'Cause after all
This city never sleeps at night
It's time to begin, isn't it?
I get a little bit bigger but then I'll admit
I'm just the same as I was
Now don't you understand
That I'm never changing who I am
"So they're floating in the air, big deal." Bolt scoffed watching backstage with the rest of his band.
"Topaz is a really good singer though." Shade muttered and Bolt glared at him. "I'm just saying." He said holding his hands up innocently. They started to play a little slower while Topaz belted out the bridge.
This road never looked so lonely
This house doesn't burn down slowly
To ashes, to ashes
It's time to begin, isn't it?
I get a little bit bigger but then I'll admit
I'm just the same as I was
Now don't you understand
That I'm never changing who I am
The band stopped playing their instruments while Topaz sang the chorus acapella, impressing everybody with her amazing voice. Silver and Blaze watched proudly as did Amber and Onyx. Bold & Pure weren't the only ones with paint because while Topaz was singing, Derek pulled out some frozen paintballs filled with different colors of powdered paint and glitter. When they started to play again, Derek exploded the paintballs showering colorful dust and glitter, but Topaz formed a force-field over the audience so the audience didn't get messed up. The audience did have nice visual though of the paint and glitter landing on the force-field and creating a nice mural.
It's time to begin, isn't it?
I get a little bit bigger but then I'll admit
I'm just the same as I was
Now don't you understand
That I'm never changing who I am
The band finished and everybody cheered despite not really seeing them through the paint and glitter above them. However, they started cheering louder when Topaz spelt out their band name in the colors. They all floated back onto the stage and Topaz got rid of the mess before they took their bow.
"Damn! That's all I got to say. Give them around of applause!" Julian smiled while they walked off stage to the sounds of the audience cheering for them. The Talent Show continued with dances, more bands, and solo singers while everybody nervously waited for the results. Once the show ended, Julian called everybody out onto stage to announce the winner.
"Okay, I have the results. Third place is," Julian paused. "Absolute Fire!" Julian exclaimed and they were all happy to at least place. This was after all, Topaz's second time singing and she didn't have any jealous fuel to fire her up this time. They all walked up to Julian, accepting their third place trophy.
"Thank you!" Topaz said into the microphone as the audience clapped for them.
"Second place is," Julian paused again and Lauren was starting to get annoyed with the dramatic paused. "The Dark Matrix!" He announced.
"What?" They gasped in outrage and Lauren smirked while she stared at Shade. They reluctantly got their second place trophy and muttered out a quick thank you.
"We need to teach those boys not to be such sore losers." Static murmured to Spark who stared at him incredulously.
"You're one to talk." Spark snorted and Static glared at him.
"And finally, first place goes to," Julian paused looking at the contestants and Lauren held Hydro's hand tightly. "Bold & Pure!" He exclaimed and they all cheered and hugged each other happily. The audience gave them a standing ovation while the rest of the contestants clapped for them and congratulated them. Julian ended the show and everybody walked backstage to pack up their things.
"So, what are you going to do for your music video?" Shade asked as Lauren slung her backpack over her shoulder. She turned to look at Andrew, Roddy, and Hydro sharing a secret smile with them.
"I think I have an idea." Lauren shrugged.
After two weeks of recording and filming, everyone gathered at the Romaro House to watch the final product. Conner looked exhausted, but happy while the parents and children gathered around the large screen in the theater room.
"I'm so excited!" Lauren smiled.
"Play it Conner!" Flash exclaimed as Conner started to set it up.
"What did you guys do your video on anyways?" Alchemy asked and Conner smirked.
"Just watch." He said and pushed play.
The scene faded in to a small hiking path and a steady cheerful beat started as Lauren, Hydro, Roddy, and Andrew appeared by walking through two trees. Lauren was leading them and they were wearing various outfits, but all had a similar theme of summer by the lake with loose flannels, ripped shorts and jeans, swimsuits, and tank tops. Lauren smiled at the camera as she started to sing as it cut between shots of them hiking the path and playing their instruments on a cliff overlooking some mountains and the forest.
Can you feel it?
Now it's coming back
We can steal it
If we bridge this gap,
I can see you
Through the curtains of the waterfall
At the word "waterfall," the parents and non-band people were surprised to see Topaz, Lazarus, AJ, and Derek appear in the video. Topaz started to sing with Lauren while the guys from both bands followed behind them and either danced or just smiled and nodded their heads to the beat. The cuts were now switching between them walking together, Bold & Pure performing on the cliff, and Absolute Fire performing on a series of rocks that were stacked in a stair-like formation.
When I lost it,
Yeah you held my hand,
But I tossed it,
Didn't understand,
You were waiting,
As I dove into the waterfall
Again, at the word "waterfall," Flash joined in on the singing while he, Shade, Bolt, and Shawn joined the group on their hike. The camera zoomed out to see them at the top of a waterfall with a crystal clear lake underneath them. There was a small montage of them laughing, having fun, and changing into their swimsuits. The Dark Matrix was now added into the cuts with them performing in a meadow with tall, green grass and the forest behind them. When the chorus started Topaz, Lauren, and Flash all sang together while it showed everyone taking turns jumping off the waterfall. It ranged from people holding the camera while they took the jump, shots of them hitting the water or taking the jump, or popping their heads out the water.
So say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Can you feel my love?
Bombs away,
Bombs away,
Bombs away.
Can you feel my love?
Bombs away,
Bombs away,
Bombs away,
Say Geronimo!
The music video continued with the different shots of the bands performing in their locations and having fun at the waterfall. Flash and Topaz sang with Lauren, but Lauren had her share of solos while the guys had fun playing their instruments.
Well we rushed it,
Moving way too fast
That we crushed it,
But it's in the past
We can make this leap,
Through the curtains of the waterfall
So Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Can you feel my love?
Bombs away,
Bombs away,
Bombs away.
Can you feel my love?
Bombs away,
Bombs away,
Bombs away
There was a small shot of the sun setting and when the bridge came it showed The Dark Matrix now on the cliff while Flash held the microphone in his hands and sang into the camera that was zoomed in on his upper body.
Well I'm just a boy,
With a broken toy,
All lost and coy,
The camera slowly started to zoom out to show Topaz and Lauren next to Flash as they all sang together. The camera continued to zoom out showing all the bands performing together on the cliff. There were cuts of them huddled around the fire, goofing off and making s'mores. The solos for the bridge were split between Flash and Lauren, and Topaz was all but happy to let them have it.
At the curtains of the waterfall
So it's here I stand,
As a broken man,
But I've found my friend,
At the curtains of the waterfall
Now I'm falling down,
Through the crashing sound
And you've come around,
At the curtains of the waterfall
And you rushed to me,
And it sets us free.
So I fall to my knees,
At the curtains of the waterfall
So Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
The music video ended on a shot of all of their backs as they sat around the fire before panning up to show the star-filled sky. The music video ended and everybody clapped and congratulated Conner on a job well done.
"That was the best!" Flash exclaimed.
"How did you guys pull this off when it's still winter?" Reese asked.
"Uh hello," Lauren rolled her eyes. "Super powers." She said and everybody laughed. Everyone was back in school on Monday and Conner approached Julian who was at his locker.
"Hey," Julian greeted closing his locker.
"Hey, did you hear about the new girl?" Conner asked closing his camera and putting it in his backpack.
"New girl?" Julian asked looking at Conner. "Hmm? I smell new meat." He smirked as Conner rolled his eyes. "She a senior?" He asked.
"Yeah, I think she's in our AP Bio class." Conner shrugged and Julian smiled as big as the Cheshire Cat. "God, can't you keep it in your pants for a minute?" Conner asked as Julian rolled his eyes. The bell rang and Julian looked at his watch before sighing. Only two periods to get through before he could see this new girl for himself. Unfortunately for Conner, that came a lot quicker than he had hoped. Julian looked like a dog who had smelled some bacon as he looked around for the girl as they both sat in their AP Bio class.
"Will you relax?" Conner asked.
"I can't wait." Julian pouted crossing his arms. His eyes brightened when he saw a girl walk into their class. She was a cream-colored hedgehog with brown quills that ended at the middle of her back. They were slightly wavy, with them curling inward at the ends. Her eyes were light brown with an almost gold-like sparkle to them. She was wearing a royal blue Henley shirt with quarter sleeves and white camisole underneath. She had khaki skinny pants on with white Converse sneakers. She turned and made eye contact with Julian and it felt like someone knocked all the air out of him. Conner's eyes flickered between the two as Julian just gaped at her and she handed a slip to the teacher.
"Class, this is Isabella Sanders." The teacher said.
"Please call me Izzy." She smiled and Julian's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.
'Holy Jesus! She is the most amazing girl I've ever seen. She's not just hot. She's drop-dead gorgeous!' Julian thought as he kept staring at her.
"Julian, you're leaving a puddle of drool on your desk." Conner muttered. Julian looked down to see nothing on his desk and Conner snickered. He punched Conner's arm, but that only made him laugh more. After class Julian immediately went to talk to Izzy. However, as soon as he got close to her, the words got stuck in his throat and Izzy just stared at him confused.
"Is there something you want?" She asked snapping Julian back to reality.
"I was wondering since you're new and all, if you need help getting around the school?" Julian asked leaning on the locker next to hers and flashing his signature smile.
"Wow," Izzy drawled and Julian's smile widened. "You actually think you can get me that easily?" She asked and the smiled dropped off Julian's face.
"Listen, I know exactly what kind of guy you are. Football player, that thinks he can win every single girl out there. I'm going to tell you once and I'm not going to repeat myself so you better listen. I'm not one of your little girlfriends and I don't plan to be. Got it?" She asked with a sweet smile on her face. Julian stuttered and stared at her wide-eyed and she took that as her cue to leave. He just watched as she walked out, still not really believing she had rejected him outright.
"Damn, did I just witness you getting rejected?" Conner asked and Julian turned to glare at him.
"Did I just hear that correctly?" Renegade asked as he approached them. He had been passing by on the way to his next class when he heard Conner say that Julian got rejected.
"Julian being rejected? Yes, you did." Conner smirked and Julian glared at both of them.
"Don't you guys worry. She'll love me before you know it." Julian told them confidently before turning on his heel and walking away.
"I bet that he doesn't even come close." Conner told Renegade who shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, I'm not sure about that. I think it's possible." He said and Conner turned to face him.
"Let's make this interesting then," Conner smirked as Renegade raised his eyebrow. "I bet he won't even come close to getting with her before we graduate." He said pointing to himself and in the direction where Julian had walked away
"What happens if I win?" Renegade asked.
"I'll pay you 200 dollars." Conner grinned crossing his arms over his chest.
"Deal." He said as he and Conner shook hands. Alana was showing her new friend Izzy—who she had met in her Stats class—around school when Lauren ran into her.
"Alana!" Lauren yelled as Alana looked at Lauren running towards her "Alana, Alana, Alana!" Lauren exclaimed before bouncing to a stop right in front of her.
"What?" Alana laughed.
"I got an A on my Chemistry test!" Lauren exclaimed holding the test in front of Alana's face.
"That's it?" Alana asked as Lauren nodded. "That's great!" She smiled and Lauren hugged her. "Oh! Lauren this is my new friend, Izzy." Alana introduced.
"Hi," Izzy smiled.
"Hey!" Lauren greeted cheerily. "I'm Lauren Romaro, but you already know that. And based on what you just witnessed, I'm guessing you think I'm crazy?" She said and Izzy laughed.
"Just a little." Izzy said pinching her thumb and index finger close together.
"Well, I'm not crazy. I just have crazy ideas." Lauren smirked and Alana agreed.
"I think we'll get along fine then." Izzy grinned.
"Welcome to CMHS." Lauren smiled swinging her arm over Izzy's shoulders.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Alana muttered before following them down the hall.
(A/N): Song List:
Bold & Pure: "Raise Your Glass"—Pink
The Dark Matrix: "Victorious"—Panic! At The Disco
Absolute Fire: "It's Time"—Imagine Dragons
Everybody: "Geronimo"—Sheppard