-previously-

"We shall be watching you perform the given piece. And shall be judging you based on the lyrics as well as your dancing. We'll be calling up three people at a time. Please come inside once your names are called."

.......

"I've seen others try and step out of boundaries with their own ideas. And I can firmly assure you: that does NOT end well."

......

"...the people rise up every day to prove to their oppressors and the government that they will never be silenced! And that includes me! I will keep fighting for my beliefs despite being alone in this crazy world! I may be alone, but I'm stronger than people like you think me to be!"

——————————

-The following day-

Me and the guys were walking down the hall. I thought back to yesterday and when Kalim dragged me over for food at Scarabia. Deuce and the others followed to make sure I was okay, after what happened at Pomefiore, and my little breakdown. I assured them that I was over it, but the other part of me argued that it was far from over. If the headmaster found out about Me and Vil's fallout, there'll be hell to pay. And I've already got more on my plate than I can handle...but as long as I don't have to see that narcissistic ass's face for a while, then I should be okay.

"Ugh, can't believe I got a homework increase from Trein when he caught me napping..." Ace whined.

"He must be putting us under a hypnosis spell just to put more work on our backs..." Grim muttered.

"Actaully, Rubber bands help me. When I start to feel myself doze off, I just snap it against my wrist." Deuce offered.

"Yea, no, that just says you're being a bit of a masochist..." I frowned.

"Yea, why even go that far?" Ace shot his comrade a weird look. "Anyway, isn't today when the chosen people are called for the VDC?"

"It'll be the lunch break soon, and no word..." Grim looks at the clock.

"If it's mellow as of now, maybe we weren't chosen?" Deuce inputs.

"Outright rejected....much like me..." I frowned, feeling sadness rise up. But I felt Deuce squeeze my shoulder as a comforting gesture.

"Hey, whether or not you were chosen, you're still an awesome dancer in our eyes." he assured. I felt a small smile creep up on my face.

"Thanks..." I reply. But then-

Sheeeeew-Fwip!

"UWAAAAAH!"

"JESUS!!!!"

"What the-what the hell was that?!"

"I felt it graze my nose!!!"

I tried to get myself back up as the idiot braincells tried to recover from the near heart-attacks. I looked around till I spotted something peculiar.

"It's that arrow! In the wall!" I pointed at the pierced wall and clambored to it.

"Huh?! An arrow?! Is someone tryna kill us?!" Grim shook.

"No way! There can't be an assassin!...hold on. There's a paper with it!" Ace moved forward.

"Read it! And then let's find the perp!" Deuce balled his hands angrily. I didn't hesitate to whack the back of his head. He recoiled in pain, choking back a yelp.

"This is no time to throw hands, you idiot!!!" I shouted.

"She's right, dude. You gotta stop that. Okay, let's see...." Ace untied the small twine rope wrapped around the letter and the shaft of the arrow together and unscrolled the parchment paper, reading aloud:

'Thank you for participating in the Vocal and Dance Championship. After a small discussion, Ace Trappola and Deuce Spade, the mentioned, have both passed. We request that you head to Pomefiore's ballroom after classes have ended.'

"Huh?"

"Wait..we passed?"

A thick silence hung in the air. And-

"EEEEEEEEEEEH?!"

"Assolutamente no!" I shouted and ripped away the letter, reading it over and over to confirm it. These two dunderheads actually made it?! The fuck is wrong with you, universe?!

"I-if it says we passed, does that mean we're a part of the group?!" Deuce was flabbergasted.

"What else, dude?! That means no work from Riddle!!!" Ace started jumping up and down like a lunatic.

"Fgnna...what about me?! After all the stops I pulled yesterday?!" Grim whined.

"No, wait, hold up. There's more I didnt see." Ace took the letter back and scanned the backside, seeing an additional scripture scrawled onto it.

'P.S: we also request for Charlotte Luchessi of the Ramshackle Dorm. We have news for you. Please come to Pomefiore along with the mentioned above.'

"Wait, what?!" I asked, completely caught off. "They want me as well?! After what I pulled yesterday?! No fucking way! I'm not going and you can't force me!" I crossed my arms and started strutting down the hall.

"Wait, Charlie!" I heard Deuce behind me.

"No! You can't make me, and that's final!!!"

Sheeeeew-Fwip!

I screamed as I felt another arrow brush past me. I hit my back against the wall, but recoiled and slid to the ground in pain.

"Charlie!!!" Deuce ran up and I saw him kneel beside me. "Ugh, another arrow?!"

"What's that one say now?' I mumbled as Deuce helped me up.

Ace untied the paper and read:

'P.P.S: You have to come. It's required. No exceptions.'

"Oh, come on!! Why am I even wanted?!" I asked with exasperation. "I totally bombed yesterday, despite what everyone says!"

"Maybe it's your chance to make amends with Vil?" Ace guessed. I felt myself getting pissy now.

"Pfft. Yea, right! After what I spat out at him, he'll forgvie me when pigs fly!"

"Charlie, c'mon, be reasonable." Deuce calmed me down. "You and Vil-senpai did have a fallout yesterday, but maybe after a while, he's reconsidered your skills. If you just hear him out, maybe you'll be more likely to be added in the show. Just listen to what he has to say, and if you want it, take it. If you don't, he'll probably respect your decision. But either way, if he says for you to be present, then we'll stick by you if anything happens."

I let his words sink in. and thought back to what Lilia said....

"You did what you thought was best in your heart, and you stood up for your beliefs in freedom of expression. That shows you're a strong-willed person. But defying others and their rules can come with consequences. Vil will likely have the headmaster involved in this brouhaha. And being that you two are dorm leaders, it will get even more fluctuating. It'll be detrimental to say the least, unless you atone for your words."

Maybe they're right... maybe it wouldn't hurt to hear them out.

"Okay..." I relented. 'But if anything happens, I will withdraw."

"Good." Deuce smiled. "Then, let's head to Pomefiore when the bell rings." He keeps an arm around me as we head down the hall.

"Fgnnaa.....there goes my tuna can dream...!"

———————————

Once the bell rang, the guys and I made our way through the Mirror Hall and to Pomefiore. I almost tried to run for it, but Deuce caught me and hauled me over his shoulder, as I kept screaming profanities at him, hitting his back all the while. He relented and let me go, and I calmed down after.

No matter how many times we cross through, I always feel mezmirized by the "castle" that is the dorm house.

"So, if we were selected as a part of the team...guess all that work has paid off." Deuce mumbled.

"Totally." Ace agrees.

"Grrrr, can't believe I got overshadowed by you two idiots!" Grim grunted, still upset.

"Hey, guys!" A bright voice shouts. I look away to see Kalim and Jamil up ahead and approaching us.

"Kalim! Jamil!" I smiled lightly.

"Why are you here?" Grim asks.

"We passed the audition." Jamil answered. "Same to you?"

"Hell yeah!" Ace sang.

"I guess you guys stood out in the competition then! Congrats!" Kalim smiles. But he sends me an apologetic one. "Sorry that you didn't make it, Charlie. But you're still a beautiful dancer in my eyes."

"Grazie." I smiled back.

"I'm the only one who didn't make it! Why?...." Grim whined. Okay, he needs to shut up about that.

"Grim, be quiet. This isn't about you." I shushed.

"Hey!" he shouts back offended.

"It probably made things difficult for Vil to include you in the team...." I heard Jamil whisper.

"Don't be so down, Grim! Here! Have some crackers!" Kalim rips open a small pouch of the breaded treat.

"Shit, not that crap again...thanks, but no!" Grim declined shakily, having war flashbacks.

"You there! The five people and creature! Halt!" Someone interrupts. We look up and see a few students in the same telltale indigo robes approach us.

"Oh, what now?" I sighed exasperated.

"You must be the ones who passed the VDC auditions." the second claims.

"Yep! We got called in by Vil. We have to see him, so could you move please?" Kalim asks.

"Hmm....sorry but no!" the first claims and draws his pen. "We're not letting you pass that easily!"

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

"Those who can display virtue in beauty and strength are allowed to cross into Pomefiore." the second follows suit. He rips off his glove and threw it. "Pick up the glove I just threw!"

"Huh? He threw his glove...why?"

"Kalim, don't get off track, get ready for a fight!"

Immediately, the guys threw themselves forward and the four plus Grim vs two battle was on. They had struggled in the beginning, but I threw in a few small enchantments to help then gain the upper hand.

"Not bad at all...."

"Don't think you're through...the road to beauty is more treacherous..."

The two fell to the ground, exhausted.

"What's with them? Attacking us like that?"

"Who cares? Let's go or it's too late!"

We ran up the stairs and through the doors into the lounge as fast as possible. Only to be met with two more dormies.

"You're the ones who passed, right?"

"You might've overthrown the ones at the gates, but your challenge is not done here!"

"He's right. Don't think you're getting past us easily!"

"What the hell?! They're the ones who invited us!!!"

"Yea, none of this makes any sense!"

Nonetheless the battle raged on. At one point, Deuce nearly lost his pen and was about to get crushed, but I threw myself in last minute and sucker-punched the bitch right across the face before he could make his move. He fell, the side of his face starting to form small bruises.

"It seems to be the end....how tragic..."

"I'm proud to have fought alongside you til the end...."

And they fell dramatically like the others.

"Oi! Stop acting like you're in a stage show! You're the ones who started it!" Ace spat.

Deuce furrowed his eyebrows, "Man...not only Hunt-senpai, nearly others speak in strange dialects. Is this what the mirror meant by-"

"It's only a difference between values and sense of beauty." Jamil sighed.

"This school is just full of crazy people! And it's awesome!" Kalim smiled.

"More like weirdos, but whatevs..." I sighed, nudging the guy I just punched with the toe of my boot and he laid there lifeless.

"There they are!" Another voice screams as they ran from down the hall.

"In the dorm's name, we'll stop you!"

"Fgnna! This just won't end if we keep at this!"

The two newcomers ran for us, but I forced them back with the Treble Defender spell, creating a transparently mystic wall of blue that blocked them off from us. Attack after attack, they tried to storm down the barricade.

"Let's just get to the ballroom before the wall shatters!" I shouted at them and we took off, leaving them in the dust.

The gilded doors were right in front of us as we pushed ourselves through with a loud bang.

"Finally...we made it!" Deuce puffed air into his lungs from the long run.

"Ugh...why'd we have to suffer like that?!" Ace stumbled to his knees, tired.

"It's because you're part of the group now."

We all turned to the doors to see Vil, Rook and Epel walk through.

"Crap! Still too bright!" Grim recoiled at the sparkles.

"None of you had dropped out thus far, so you've passed today's test." Vil walks forward.

"Vil, what was the meaning of all that?" Kalim gave him a weird look.

"It's no rhyme or reason. Just a small warmup." The blonde answers. "That was already done through the guards I put before you, no? We'll begin now. So listen up: we are the representatives for Night Raven, and are aiming for the top spot at the Vocal and Dance Championship. I dont want members that can stay at the basics level. This battle has merely begun. Starting today, I will not allow any slip ups! It'll be strict training regimes from here on out, so be ready!"

"Uh...I don't really get it, but sure!"

"Hey, guys, this feels pretty darn familiar." Ace whispered to us. "Remember how Riddle was back then?"

"Both houses were based upon two Queens." Deuce whispered back. "But this seems like it's the status quo here..."

"Roi du Poissons, you've given your all since the start." Rook followed. "Everyone is astounded and left speechless by your mesmerizing beauty! To all whom have passed, we congratulate you! Bravo, Ace, Deuce, Kalim, Jamil and Epel. Along with Vil and I, the seven of us will be a force to be reckoned with! Until the day arrives, it's an honor to have you. Go, Monseius Himeringo, say your greetings." He nudged Epel forward, who bowed to us.

"Epel, it's nice to meet all of you!" He said quickly before shying away.

"Hey, hold up, you!" Grim strutted forward. "You left the two of us out! Why'd you call Charlie here and leave ME out of the callbacks?!"

"I shall explain, since I'm that gracious!"

Oh for fuck's sake....

"AAAAAAAH! Headmaster, stop scaring us like that!! You'll gimme a heart attack!" Grim shrieked, throwing his small body in my arms.

"Apologies, I never meant to do that..." he waved off. "The reason I called Miss Luchessi here along with her friends is rather simple: we've four weeks left til the event. So for the time being, I offer the Ramshackle Dorm as your training camp!"

"TRAINING CAMP?!"

"Yea, what nutcase decided this!? I don't agree to this!!!" I shouted.

"With all due respect, headmaster, why bother with a training camp when we have our own housing?" Jamil intervened.

"It's a good way to gain teamwork." The birdman answered. "You're all from different towns, grades, dorms as well as cultures. If you all stay together, the trust and understanding between one another will build!"

"He's right." Vil nodded. "To make teams work, most music groups live under the same roof."

"I would've let Pomefiore be the ones to provide, but it might make the other students feel out of place. So, the best alternative was the Ramshackle dorm as neutral ground! It's the best way to be yourselves without the natural pressure!"

"But it's so sudden..." Deuce frets.

"Yea, now I feel like dropping out all of a sudden..." Ace mutters.

"Training with other dorms sounds amazing!" Kalim supports. "But are you sure it's okay for Jamil and I to leave Scarabia? Who's going to run things?"

"It's alright. As your headmaster, I'll watch over things while you're gone." Crowley reassured. "Since I'm very generous! You must work your way to the top to knock out the competition!"

"Now, hold up, beak-face!" Grim sneered. "Charlie nor me were chosen as part of the group! Why should we even bother with the likes of you?!"

"And...pardon my language, sir, but....COUNT ME THE FUCK OUT AS WELL!" I join, equally pissed.

"Miss Luchessi!"

"I'm sticking to what I say, sir!" I override him. "There's plenty of reasons why I'm not getting involved! First off: This is housing you gave to me, and me specifically! My house, my rules! And Second: I know you're gonna bring up the squabble Vil and I had yesterday, but the last thing I'd want out of this is to work with that narcissistic prick 24/7!" I point at the mentioned prick for emphasis.

" 'Narcississtic prick'?" Vil glowered at me. I do the same.

"Yea, I said that! What are YOU gonna do about it? Fight me? Oh, I'm REAL scared of you, fuckin !" His eyes widened at that part.

"You little-!" he started to move to me in a fast stride, but Crowley held out an arm in front before he could make more advancement to me.

"That is enough!" He scowled. "This is exactly why I said we should host the training camp. Not only for the bond between the group, but you two as well! You're both working together!"

"What?!" Vil and I shrieked together. "Work with him/her?! Stop copying me!!"

"Headmaster, we saw what went down yesterday between the two and frankly, why would you even bother with this if Charlie and Vil-senpai are just going to buttheads for four weeks?" Deuce stepped in.

"Because not only have I heard from a little bird about the fight, but because these two are dorm leaders. You've images to uphold!" Crowley frowns. "Ugh, I knew you had a fiery spirit, Miss Luchessi, but this is too much! Besides, even if you allow the camp to happen, something great may come out of it."

"What are you saying?" I eyed him skeptically.

"If the team wins, both Rook and I will hand over the money to you and the Ramshackle dorm." Vil, now calm, answered.

"Fgnna?!" Grim gaped

I backed away a bit. "And pray tell why would you even do this?"

"I've zero interest in the reward."

"It is only natural for me to support Vil in any way that I can." Rook joined his classmate.

"So, by dividing the five million by seven again, if we get twice the received amount from one person times two that means it'll be..." Grim started muttering.

"1.42 million. Exactly." Jamil answered.

"Fgnna! That means I can get my tuna as dreamt!!"

"All you have to do is be a team player and provide rooming for the seven people. Yet I guess your answer is set in stone. If you agreed, We may've used a portion of the money to renovate the dorm in any way you see fit. Ha....oh well. Forget this ever happened." Crowley shrugged.

"Grrrr...He's guilt-tripping us again!!" Grim gritted his teeth. "Charlie! What'll we do!??"

I already knew what I had in mind of doing when this should've happened.

"There's something I wish to add to the deal." I step up, poised and refined. "...I...also want my own coveted spot in the competition."

"WHAAAAA?!" The guys screamed. Crowley looked at me like I had just stabbed him in the back.

"Luchessi! You can't possibly be-"

"Serious? You bet I am, sir! Serious as a shark attack!" I stood taller. "I want to be solo for my performance. My own song and dance number!"

"But you aren't on the roster!" Ace intervened. "Wait...Are you!!?"