The advertisement seemed to stare at JD as he stood in front of the information stall at the market, having just gotten off of his shift. His back ached, and every muscle seemed to scream at him to go home after the long day of moving and fetching for the people who had stalls there. But he couldn't seem to get himself to move as the words swirled around the advertisement, three of them standing out to him. Band and prize money holding him in place. He quickly checked the date for when the event would be held, and it was in two weeks.

Realizing he had time to put all of it together seemed to snap him out of his trance and he grabbed a copy before running home as fast as he could. Prize money, they needed the money and if he could get it maybe Grandma wouldn't have to worry about going back to work to pay off the medical bills. She had only broken her hip a few months before and had been stressing about how to pay that off on top of everything else that needed to be paid for with her five grandsons counting on her.

John Dory had been pulling extra shifts but there were only so many that anyone would let a fourteen year old take. The need for work had also gotten to Spruce as he started carrying things around the hospital for the nurses. They had complimented how strong his purple haired brother was and had paid him for the help in moving supplies but refused to hire him. JD dreaded having to tell his brother not to apply for a job in the market, to just focus on his schooling and being a teen.

Hitting the door to the family pod JD was relieved to see Lily helping Floyd with his homework. Both turned to see him gasping for air, "John!"

Quickly Lily got up to have him lean on her as she got him to the chair."Is everything alright?" Grandma was calling from her bedroom.

Lily took a deep breath before calling back, "It's fine Grandma Rosie." Motioning for Floyd to get JD some water, "John just banged in here and startled me."

Having caught enough of his breath to speak, JD called, "Everything's fine Grandma." He was still clutching the ad, "I was just excited to get home." Floyd had brought over the water and Lily was about to move out of the way but JD grabbed her hand, holding her in place.

Seeing the determination on his face Lily turned to Floyd, "Could you please go see if this idiot woke up baby blue?" Floyd nodded, still startled and left the room. Lily looked at John, "Now, what really brought you in here like a bergan was chasing you?" He was still catching his breath, but held out the ad. She gave him a questioning look before taking and reading it, "Do you know what this says?"

Swallowing, he spoke again, "Not all of it."

Lily only gave a nod before reading out loud, "Battle of the Bands." Going on to read off the requirements, places, and how to apply before reading out the different cash prizes at the end. Looking at him, "Are you thinking of applying?" He nodded, then pointed at the cash prizes. Putting the ad down on the table in front of the couch they were sitting on, "This needs a band, who are you planning on getting for it?"

This was another reason some people didn't think they could be friends, Lily thought through things when JD just jumped in. Looking at her he was stumped for a moment before he heard his brothers singing to Baby Branch, "A family band." Seeing her confusion, "My brothers and I can do it."

Seeing the concern in her eyes, "Johnny…"

"Lily we are barely staying afloat with the bills," he was almost pleading with her to understand, "this money could help keep us going."

The yellow teen bit her lip, thinking it over before answering, "They need to be on board, you can't push it on them." He nodded happily, "And performances will need to be when I am available to look after baby blue, at least until Grandma Rosie is better."

JD hugged her, "You are the absolute best." Lily returned the hug with her head buried in his shoulder to hide the nerves this new plan brought out. A few more minutes went by before the two went to the boys bedroom to talk it over with the others. Soon the family band was a go, and practices decided.