Featured songs:
Excerpts from
1. "Cool Kids" by Echosmith
2. "Go" by the McClain Sisters
3. "Lucky" by Britney Spears
A crowd of hundreds of thousands, plus millions across the galaxy streaming live from their homes cheered as the lights came up on stage in the Rocker Stadium, the biggest concert venue in the Republic. This was perhaps the biggest benefit concert of any performer's career! Thus, Esther Sitala was determined to get this introduction perfect.
"What up, everybody?" Esther smiled and waved as the crowd cheered. And she wasn't alone either.
"For those of you who don't know me, I'm Esther Sitala, and this is my little sister Memoria."
"Hello," smiled the younger princess.
"We're both so happy all of you could turn out here for this big benefit concert." Esther continued.
"As you may know," said Memoria. "We have a series of musical acts planned for tonight, and we'll be receiving money not only from your donations, but the more you cheer, the more money we receive from some anonymous donors. So be sure to cheer nice and loud. All donations we collect will go into building a new school for orphans, as well as buying new school supplies for the orphans, as well as underprivileged schools across the Galaxy. In short, a charity known as the All Star School Foundation Fund."
"So, can we count on all of you cheer extra loud tonight?"
The crowd cheered.
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you that time. I said, can we count on all of you cheer extra loud tonight?"
And the crowd cheered louder.
"That's more like it!" Esther said. "As many of you know, one of our musical acts will be starring none other than Inter-Galactic superstar Count Crescendo. But before he performs, we're going to do an incredible new type of show. But before that, we'd first like to introduce a very special opening act as a new band will make their debut tonight. You know most of the members... all the way from Naboo, please welcome, the children of Solaris' royal family."
The stage went dark, and lights came on to reveal The Skywalker-Jinn children. Together, they stood as a band with Boba on lead guitar, Gabby on keyboard, Omega on the drums, and Lamenta playing the bass.
"Hello, everyone." Boba said. "I'm Boba, these are my sisters Omega and Gabriella, and our cousin Lamenta. And together, we are..."
And the kids all said together... "The Sky-Jinns!"
Gabby then took a turn to speak.
"For our debut tonight, we're going to sing a very special song about feeling different from the rest." She said. "As you know, we're princesses and princes, so some may think our lives our super perfect, but the truth is, we're just like other kids... and sometimes... we feel different and unsure of ourselves."
"The truth is," said Lamenta. "We're all different, and we should be proud of that. This song is gonna be called 'Cool Kids.'"
Omega tapped her drumsticks and counted.
"One, two, three, four!"
And the song began.
Boba:
She sees them walking in a straight line
That's not really her style
Lamenta:
And they all got the same heartbeat
But hers is falling behind
Lamenta & Boba:
Nothing in this world could ever bring them down
Gabby:
Yeah, they're invincible
And she's just in the background
Omega:
And she says
All:
I wish that I could be like the cool kids
'Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in
I wish that I could be like the cool kids
Like the cool kids
While the children were performing, everyone else was getting ready backstage.
Tech, of course, took on working behind the scenes, as did Crosshair. Teatra didn't hesitate to take on working as a stage manager to ensure everything ran smoothly. The royal family all gathered as many bands and singers as they could who hadn't had their voices stolen yet. Fiesta got her brothers to come to perform, all four Mareheart cousins came together to perform, even some of the Jedi agreed to perform and help backstage.
The plan was simple: perform a show with lots of powerful voices to lure Crescenda to them. Once she came in to steal a powerful voice, they would catch her in the act, trap her, and steal her conch to free all the stolen voices. But, they had to ensure the show ran smoothly and do everything they could to avoid arousing suspicion.
"Mariposa, you and the little ones make sure you're all winged up and ready to go on cue." Teatra instructed, walking backstage, headset on and running. "Myra, a little more contouring on the makeup. Anakin, how are we doing on your end?"
"Well, Kara's having a bit of a wardrobe malfunction, Obi-Wan has a case of the jitters, and I'm having a bit of trouble with my bike." Anakin said over the comm. "And R2 and Threepio are arguing over mixing tunes again."
Teatra sighed. It was times like this she was reminded that she didn't know if being a crew member was more stressful than being a performer. She contacted Caroline and told her all that needed to be addressed.
"Ms. Susy. How are we with the choreography?" Teatra asked, coming into one of the areas, where Susy was guiding some of the younglings through a dance routine and making sure they were warmed up for dancing.
"Teatra," said Garrett, coming in. "We may have a problem with Qui-Gon's props."
"Crosshair! Props, Qui-Gon, now!" Teatra called over the headset.
"I'm on it." said Crosshair.
"Caroline, tell the Cabello Caballos to be ready to go on, and the Marehearts after them." Teatra instructed. "Tech, I need you to do a final check on the demo for the Marehearts' music."
"Understood." Tech said.
"Wow," said Buttercup, pulling a cart of costumes. "Teatra sure knows how to take charge, doesn't she?"
"I wonder how she gets when she's part of the cast," said Comedia, picking up some extra wires.
"Comedia, do you have the cables?" Ki-Adi called.
"Coming, Dad."
At Teatra's command, the other performers immediately got to their dressing rooms or side stage to enter for the next act. Everyone was urged to get their costumes, makeup, stretching, and voices prepped for the biggest performances of their lives.
Carmine was feeling particularly worried as he sat in his dressing room all dressed up as Count Crescendo. He looked at himself in the beautiful galaxy themed outfit that was made for him; it looked even better when he magically changed his hair to a midnight blue and pink streaked style to match with it. It was a last-minute change for Count Crescendo's performance to go last, and there had been basically no time for anyone to rehearse as they had to change to whole show to create a trap for Crescenda so they could save everyone's voices.
Carmine was nervous; more nervous than he'd ever been in his entire life; he didn't even think he was anywhere near this nervous when he performed on Coruscant's Got Talent! He started to worry. What if he didn't get his voice back? What if no one got their voice back? What if he was doomed to never talk or sing again? Carmine's voice was his everything, the very source of his ability to express himself.
For the longest time, his voice would always get really small when he talked to new people or when he performed. But when he was on stage as Count Crescendo, his true voice came out loud and proud; no hesitation, no regrets, just letting it all out. But now, without a voice, he wouldn't be able to sing to his daughters, say 'I love you' to his wife, and no one would hear him laugh anymore. Carmine couldn't imagine not being able to speak or sing anymore, but he couldn't think that way now. He had to prepare for this show, and part of his preparations was to read a new book Garrett assigned him to read about sirens and vocal magic.
The Sky-Jinns finished their song, and the crowd cheered loud for the royal children's wonderful song. The kids all took a bow.
"Wow, just look at that!" Esther smiled. "They may be small, but they've got big voices! Am I right?"
The crowd cheered once more.
"Next up, we've got a great act from out of town. As in out in the countryside. Please give a warm welcome to the Cabello Caballos."
The crowd cheered once more as the country pony band came on stage to perform a song and dance routine to Cotton Eye Joe.
While that act was going on, everyone else continued to prepare the other performers and sets backstage.
Among the four-legged cast and crew members, young Comedia Evermare-Mundi was putting together some costume props and accessories. While she looked through the different masks, hats, and boas there were to put on, she started to think more about her newfound Force abilities.
Comedia started to think to herself, maybe now she could practice again, since she had time. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"Okay, Comedia. You can do this." she whispered to herself. "Don't overthink it."
Comedia concentrated and lay down, as she'd seen some of the Jedi sitting down to practice levitation and/or meditation. She kept her eyes closed and focused on the objects in front of her. A blue fedora started to vibrate and slowly lift itself off the floor as Comedia concentrated, and slowly it made its way towards the alicorn until she opened her eyes again, and felt it land on her head.
Comedia whinnied happily and started jumping around, confetti bursting from her horn.
"I did it! I used the Force!" Comedia cheered.
"Comedia! What's all the commotion?" Ki-Adi said.
"I used the Force, Daddy!" Comedia said, happily. "I made this hat float with the Force."
Ki-Adi almost didn't believe it, but when Comedia made it float again and made it land on her hoof, he was so proud of her for making progress. It was actually a big improvement, though to some, it might've looked small.
"That is wonderful, Comedia. See? You will get better with practice and determination like that. I am so proud of you."
Comedia giggled. Ki-Adi would never know just how much it meant to her to hear him voice his pride in her.
"Comedia," said Teatra over the headset.
"Standing by." Comedia responded.
"We need the bike helmets for Act 3, pronto."
"Props coming."
Comedia got three motorcycle helmets for the next act and started to walk with her father to the dressing rooms.
Kara, Obi-Wan and Anakin got the finishing touches on their costumes and soon got onto their motorbikes on stage to perform their song. Meanwhile, Comedia had a lot on her mind regarding her Jedi training.
"You think I'll ever be ready for a lightsaber?" Comedia asked, getting back to work.
"In time, dear." Ki-Adi said. "You must be patient with your abilities. Someday, I believe you will make a fine Jedi Master. It is hard, but not impossible."
"What were you like when you started out?"
"Well, believe it or not, I started out a little late myself. I actually didn't arrive at the Temple until I was four years old. At first, the Council then was hesitant because similar to Anakin, I was older than most Jedi admitted into the order, as most started out as infants."
While the next act went on and the crew prepared for the next one, Ki-Adi told Comedia the full backstory he believed she needed to hear.
Comedia could hardly believe it when Ki-Adi told her his story about how he remembered bits and pieces of his earlier life; he had two loving parents, sisters, and eventually he did have biological daughters with several wives, but back then it was more complicated. He didn't like to talk about it, but his family used to be targeted by raiders, and he felt a need to protect him just as his parents did him; being the only son in his family, and male birth rate on Planet Cerea being so low, there was a lot of pressure to be careful who he trusted and to being a good father to his own children. So, when he lost his biological daughters and his wives, he blamed himself for not being able to protect them. So, when Queen Reigna came to choose Council members to grant horses to, and she pointed her horn to Master Mundi, he felt surprised, but also worried.
The way Queen Reigna put it, when the Equinary chose someone to match with an equine, it was much like adopting a child, in some respects. When a horse and his or her new rider bonded, they became a family and took care of each other. But since a majority of matches were young horses, including those who got matched with grownups, there was a bit of pressure, at least from the Cerean Jedi's perspective, to being a good guardian. And when the horse he was matched with seemed equally hesitant to follow through when she arrived, in a surprising twist in made him realize that he needed to forget about pressure and take the second chance to being a parent.
To Comedia's great surprise, her adoptive father had recently looked to see about the whereabouts of his parents and sisters. He was equally surprised, but also held hints of delight to learn his parents were still alive, and so was his sister Droe. But, he hadn't contacted them or gone to visit them.
"Why not?" she asked.
"Well, there are reasons. Mostly, I suppose... I feel afraid of the outcome." Ki-Adi said, helping Comedia fix her mane for her costume. "I feel uncertain if they will recognize me, seeing as I am no longer as young as I was the last time they'd seen me."
"What about me?" Comedia said. "You never thought they'd like to know they have another granddaughter?"
"Well, I confess they might be a bit surprised if I told them my daughter is an alicorn princess, but I would assume they would love you as well. Although, I'm not sure how you feel about farms."
"I'm a horse, I was literally born to be around farms." Comedia said. "I'd fit in better on a farm ten times more than I ever did in some fancy, frou-frou mansion."
Ki-Adi chuckled at that last bit; ever since he'd known Comedia, she always had a unique way of looking at things, especially not needing all the finer things to make herself happy.
"What did I do to deserve you?" Ki-Adi said, petting Comedia's muzzle. "I only hope whichever stallion has won your heart is as deserving."
"Dad!" Comedia sighed. "Not this again."
"Well, Comedia... I know you are turning fifteen soon, but you do need to understand I only want what's best for you. And I know you are an intelligent mare, but there are those who would seek to take advantage of you, and I just want to be sure whoever seeks your heart will be someone who will take care of you when you are all grown up, and heaven forbid, I'm no longer around."
"Well, my boyfriend isn't a bad boy. He's a good stallion. You know that I know what bad stallions are like. I used to live with one, so I know how a good boyfriend isn't supposed to act."
"I am only stating, I might feel better about your being in a relationship if I knew who exactly you are dating."
Comedia sighed. "If it'll get everyone out of my mane about it, fine. My boyfriend is-"
"Comedia, it's almost your turn!" Hunter said.
"Coming!" Comedia said, and she rushed to get ready for her time on stage.
Very soon, the three Jedi were at the big finish of their performance.
Obi-Wan:
I feel it in the air tonight
I'm seeing the light
In the dark ignited
And no one's stopping me now
I'm living my dream
And you're all invited!
Anakin:
I don't see red lights, I just see "Go"
I don't do stop signs, I don't hear "No"
Jump and don't look down
That's how you fly
There's no turning back now
It's win or you die
Kara:
Don't be scared just
Go [16x]
Don't think about it
Go [16x]
All:
Go where you go
Go where you go
Go where you go
Go where you go
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go
The crowd cheered once more very loudly as the three royals took their bows and stepped off stage for the next act to be announced.
"Isn't that just lovely, Memoria?" said Esther. "When siblings come together to sing their hearts out?"
"That, it is, big sis." Memoria smiled. "Just like we're in this together. Speaking of which, our next performance features two sisters, both of whom came from a rather dysfunctional royal family that drove the two of them apart. But happily, these two sisters have made amends and have come together to sing a song about how as high class as their lives seemed, there was more hiding behind the pearly smiles and gold crowns."
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage, Lady Emeraldi and Princess Comedia Evermare."
Lights shined as Emeraldi and Comedia entered from opposite ends of the stage, Emeraldi in a sparkling gold dress, Comedia in a purple sequine dress.
The two sisters nuzzled each other, amid the aww's from the crowd, and they stepped up to the microphones as the music began to play.
Comedia:
This is a story about a girl named Lucky
Early morning, she wakes up
Knock, knock, knock on the door
Emeraldi:
It's time for make-up, perfect smile
It's you they're all waiting for
They go
Comedia:
Isn't she lovely, this royal lady horse?
Emeraldi
And they say
Both:
She's so lucky, she's a star
But she cry, cry, cries in her lonely heart, thinking
If there's nothing missing in my life
Then why do these tears come at night?
Comedia:
Lost in an image, in a dream
But there's no one there to wake her up
Both:
And the world is spinning, and she keeps on winning
But tell me what happens when it stops?
Emeraldi:
They go
Both:
Isn't she lovely, this royal unicorn?
Emeraldi:
And they say
Both:
She's so lucky, she's a star
But she cry, cry, cries in her lonely heart, thinking
If there's nothing missing in my life
Then why do these tears come at night? (Oh)
The performance was going so beautifully, until...
Emeraldi and Comedia quickly stopped as they both fell under a trance by some other singing that entered the room. And the next thing they knew, both of them found themselves vocalizing a different tune.
Ah-Ah-Aaahhh-Ah-Ah-Aaahhhh-Ah-Ah-Aaahhhh-Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah-Aaahhhh
And then some type of magic surrounded the two sisters that reached into both of their throats and took their voices right out, sending both sisters collapsing to the floor, everyone gasping!