Brynn woke to the sound of cheering. Not just any cheering. Not like that fake studio cheer in family sitcoms, or the buzz of the crowd at a football stadium, but real, rabid, froth inducing fan cheers.
The former knight snapped to, remembering where she was and what had just happened. Maybe that had been a dream. But it couldn't be, as she was still lying in the stone dressing room, where she had heard Hanso's insane offer (and seen Hanso's insanely wonderful smile) and probably blacked out. A faint twinge of disappointment rose in her as she realized that none of the band members had bothered to pick her up and at least deposit her on that lovely plush couch in the room. Then the revulsion came. Ugh, why would I want them to? Sensible Brynn thought.
Because they're Flip Side! Your IDOLS! Fangirl Brynn retorted.
Nobody should lay a hand on me, not even Flip Side. I was a knight, and might end up hurting them, what with my training and all, Sensible Brynn explained.
Your training was so meagre, you had to forge your grades, and that's why you're a FORMER knight of Brightvale, Fangirl Brynn countered. Not to mention that you already knew Hanso from before...
Shut up, Sensible Brynn said, and kept quiet.
Shaking off the conflicting feelings, Brynn listened and looked around. The rabid cheering had gotten even louder, as if amplified on a giant Grundoez GLS speaker. She could also hear Hanso speaking. She moved over to a small gap in the curtains that hid the room from the stage and watched.
"Now, before we have to go-"
Before we go? Brynn had missed the whole concert!
"We would like you to welcome a special friend of ours onto the stage." Hanso turned and winked at her as if he had known she was there all along, and beckoned. Brynn followed, like a puppet on a string.
"Please welcome my old comrade, Brynneth!" The crowd oohed and aahed at Hanso's statement, and many fangirls down there were beginning to look displeased.
"Okay, now I know what you're all thinking. Who is this fine young Kougra, and what is she doing here? Well, let's just say that Brynn and I know each other from some time back, and I haven't seen her in a while, so I invited her onstage to sing with us!" A few fangirls raised their "MARRY ME, ROGUE" placards frantically and some even started throwing their limited edition Rogue plushies at him.
"Please, there's no need for this fuss." Hanso smiled another Insta FanGirl smile and played Mr Suave, a role he was all too well accustomed to in his years of being a thief. "Now, Brynn, what would you like to sing?"
"Sub-Zero," Brynn said excitedly. "That's my current favourite from you guys."
"Well then, Sub-Zero it is!" Animal and Pickpocket began to set the background for the ditty, and Brynn was given a separate microphone.
Better not screw this up now, both the sensible part and the fangirl part of Brynn thought. It's my only chance.
She opened her mouth and began to sing.
"Beware, Rogue, you've got a rival in your friend there!"
-Resonance (Maraquan Based Music Critics)
"Sub-Zero: instant hit. And we're not talking about Flip Side's version."
-Tyrannia's Mossy Stone
"Our mine shaft rocked with the beats during the encore of Sub-Zero."
-The Cave, Kreludor's Mine Shaft Musicians
"Even Count Von Roo would have gotten out of his coffin early to listen to Flip Side's new and improved Sub-Zero!"
-All Knighters, on Meridell's Late Night Show
"I regretted not buying a ticket earlier for the concert once I saw that lovely Kougra and heard her even lovelier voice."
-My Dad's Laptop, your friendly student critic from the VSS
"Three words: Mister Coconut approves."
-The Last Word With Mr. Coconut, Haunted Woods' Late Late Late Night Podcast
"The last song should be retitled, as sub-zero was hardly the reaction that the audience and us at Steamy gave it."
-Steamy, Moltara's Music Critics
"Our very own homegrown talent is finally making a name for herself among Meridell's stars."
-Brightvale Beats
Neopian Billboard Top 10
10. Mouldy Cheese - Chomby and the Fungus Balls
9. Alegrundo - Lady Grundo
8. Under The Sea - Isca the Aisha
7. Grargghlblargh - The Evil Fuzzles
6. Master Thief - Flip Side
5. I'm Blue(remix) - Blue Kacheek Group
4. All The Right Shapes - Sinsi the Ixi
3. Mine - Pteri Swift
2. Meridellian Girls - Illusen
1. Sub-Zero - Flip Side...erm, sorry, we mean Brynn
