On August 19th, people were preparing for a talent show as Jitro was signing up with his team.

Bill sighed as this talent show would be on his birthday and his parents wouldn't be around

"I entered us in it. The Cosmic buddies will win for sure." Savannah says.

"You did what?! I got things to do." Jason says.

"You're just backstage." Savannah says.

"Nope. Not happening." Chalice says, not entering.

"Come on, love, even Mugman is entering." Oliver says

Chalice thinks, then agrees. "I'll enter with you." She says to Oliver.

Luke agrees to enter with Molly as they had a routine planned.

"We can do this." Luke says as they start their practice session.

The cosmic buddies were practicing as they were in sync. Their adventures helped them build good chemistry, so it was easy for them to finally bond. It took some time, but now they're a well oiled machine. Even the twins stopped fighting.

Lucy checked on Griffin.

"October will be the best month for Halloween, but before Halloween is your half-birthday." Lucy says. Griffin babbles.

"And I'll plan your very first birthday. Wanna see Oliver and Luke's birthday party plans?" Lucy asked, having planned it all by herself. Griffin giggles.

On the day of the talent show

A boy named Sal came in and saw Luke and waved before walking off weirdly.

"I'm excited! Together we can win. Nothing can stop us!" Savannah says. "But if Luke's feelings get hurt, we will help him. That goes for if we don't win as well."

"Agreed." Brandy says.

The host came on stage.

"Hello, Greendale!" he says. "And welcome to the 3rd Annual Summer Talent Spectacular! This year, in the way of awards, we will have some honorable mentions, 3rd place, 2nd place, 1st place, and a BEST IN SHOW award. So, without further ado, let's bring out our first contestant!"

Sal soon came on stage and performed really well.

Backstage, Luke was changing into his Seymour Krelborn outfit.

"You got this." Ronnie Anne says.

"I sure hope so." Luke says nervously.

The others were there and waiting.

"Coming up next is Chalice and Oliver Fox!" The host says.

Chalice and Oliver do their dance to "Proud Mary" by Tina Turner, wowing the crowd with every step and move they make.

The cosmic buddies watch.

"You clowns are in this. You always try and get involved in basically everything." Jitro says as Jason crosses his arms.

"Coming up next is the cosmic buddies!" The host says as some people cheer.

For thier performance they chose to do a stage act

Some men in costume ran upstage as Alem tuber lifted Chrissy, who kicked one as the song "Blinding Lights" plays in the background.

The cosmic buddies fight in sync as the fans loved this. There were moves like a double kick, double arm drag, and a triple superkick.

They soon finish as people cheer while Sal looks down, really nervous and upset. Luke takes notice and decides to see if he can be of any help.

"Ladies and gentlemen, that was a unique performance!" the host says.

Luke walks up to Sal. "Are you okay?" He asked.

Sal looks at him. "No, it's okay. Don't bother with me." Sal says.

"Nonsense. I'm here to see you. As a person who shares a special need, I want to be of service." Luke says to Sal.

"How'd you know?" he asked.

"Word travels fast. So, what was your talent?" Luke asks curiously.

"Playing guitar, and that was sadly my last performance." he says and remembers when it all began as he talks to Luke.

Flashback 1: His old friends dared him to eat 39 hamburgers, giving him a stroke.

Flashback 2: Sal walked alone as his old friends wanted to beat him up. A green blur rushed by them, sending them spinning as the 6 year old Sal gasped and smiled a bit.

"Aside from you and that Brandy kid, no one has bothered to help me or be my friend. No one understands me and casts me aside." he says.

"I understand you. And you are a wonderful guitarist. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. My autism used to hinder my talent, and I had to deal with haters left and right. But now, I don't let that slow me down." Luke says.

Sal smiled at Luke.

"Ladies and gentlemen, up next is Luke Huntington and Molly McGee!" The host says.

The couple appears on a "Skid Row- Back Alley" themed set, dressed as Seymour and Audrey. They begin performing their rendition of "Suddenly Seymour" from Little Shop Of Horrors, one of Luke's favorite musicals.

Sal was in awe of Luke's talent, watching every minute of the performance.

The girls screamed as Luke finished with Molly.

"That was simply amazing and mesmerizing! Coming up next is last year's champ, Jitro " the host says.

Jitro took out a harp and began playing it so beautifully some girls teared up in joy as some blushed and fell over.

Jitro played for 30 minutes before finishing.

"Darn that Jitro…" Alem tuber thought.

"Now that was incredible. Well done by the former champion!" The host says.

Savannah sees Jason walking off as she and Jason spot Sal.

"Hi, um, who's Luke's new friend?" Savannah asked as Jason thought.

"I have no clue." he says.

"Oh, he's the kid I save like every 3 months." Alem tuber says as Sal had some bad luck, always getting involved in some scary stuff. Angry Luigi did have to save him a few times, but they were not aware he had a stroke.

"Hi. I'm Sal and I turn 13 next month." he says.

The scores were tallied.

3rd place went to Oliver and Chalice. 2nd place went to Sal, who was smiling and grateful to place somewhere in this show.

"And 1st place…" the host says.

"It's clearly me." Jitro says.

Jason looked down.

"We lost." Brandy thought.

"There is no way I could win…" Luke says sadly.

"Goes to this guy." The host says pointing at a mystery person as it takes off her mask, revealing Gemma.

"WHAT?! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!" Luke says before leaving the show venue.

Lucy felt bad. Gemma feels guilty for entering as she just did it for fun.

"I've been robbed! My streak!" Jitro says

"Ha!" Alem tuber says.

Lucy finds Luke. "Hey, it's okay. You may have lost, but sometimes losing is a good thing. Think of Luan. She fell to the bottom a lot but it made for such a good motivation story I know you can climb back up." Lucy says as Ronnie Anne comes in.

"Yeah, plus it will be sweeter winning America's Next Hitmaker." Ronnie Anne says.

"Let's go to the movies. We have a surprise for you." Charity says, trying to cheer Luke up.

Luke sighs and silently follows Charity.

At the theater, Luke's movie was out. He was silent the entire time, not wanting to speak anymore. He felt like he was talentless and worthless.

Bill was celebrating his birthday, but not in a big way.

"Are we jokes?" Brandy asked.

"Yeah." A fan says as she wanted Luke to win.

Meanwhile, Cuphead and Mugman set up a celebration for Chalice since she got 3rd place. Chalice smiled at this.

After the movie, Luke didn't feel like smiling. He didn't even force a smile on his face. While it was a nice surprise, it didn't cheer him up. If anything, it made him feel worse.

"Sorry…" Lucy says.

Luke looks down. "I'm talentless, worthless, and washed-up!" Luke sobbed.

"Sweetie….there, there….none of that is true…" Charity says.

Luke wailed against Charity. "I'LL NEVER WIN ANYTHING AGAIN!" He sobbed harder.

Days passed until it was the last day of summer. Luke refused to even leave the house on those days.

"We need to get your stuff for school." Luan tells Luke.

"I can't show my face there anymore." Luke says. "I won't show my face ANYWHERE!"

"One loss won't affect your life. You do want to enter America's Next Hitmaker, right?" Luan asked.

Luke sadly nodded. "I've lost more than once, Luan!" He shouted. "This isn't my only loss!"

"Still, you can't let them control who you are." Lisa says.

"You're Luke Huntington! You will get back on your feet!" Tina says as everyone leaves to get school supplies, leaving Luke, Luan, Lucy, and Griffin.

Luke got his supplies from Charity a week prior to today, so he didn't want to go shopping, anyway.

When school started in September, Luke entered Greendale High School with a hood covering his head and face.

People walked by, looking sorry for him.

He entered his first class, and wasn't planning to speak to anyone except his teachers.

Class went by like usual with ice breaker questions, but Luke was allowed to stay silent as he got special treatment. There was an ice breaker question Luke answered, however.

"What is your favorite song?" A kid asked Luke.

Luke listed off all his favorite songs as the kid was surprised.

Luke went to practice that day with Oliver. Luke focused on cheerleading during this practice, not saying much of anything.

Brandy chose to not talk as he was shy.

After school, Luke went to his room and watched the first video in a new video series by Sheryl Stallings called "Make Confidence Your Leader!" as he ate a bowl of frozen yogurt and fruit.

The cosmic buddies had defeated a bunch of guards and found Wild Card Willy.

"Ha, Wild Card Willy, you're done!" Alem tuber says

"We got this…" Emila says.

"Come and meet your doom!" Wild Card Willy says before Oliver came, stealing the spotlight and knocking him out as the fans cheered for him.

Alem tuber crossed his arms.

Meanwhile, Leni goes to comfort Luke. Luke was now doing his Sheryl Stallings cheerleading exercises.

"Cheerleaders aren't fear-leaders. Cheerleaders aren't fear-leaders…" Luke says as he exercises.

"That is good." Leni says, hoping Luke will get better.