As everyone was making their way to the back of the stage where the musicians were practicing, you managed to take a look at the plaza and everyone in it. Everyone was having a good time dancing to the music, selling t-shirts, and even setting off some fireworks. All the while cheering and having the time of their afterlife. It really made you want to join in on the fun.

The stage lit up with some fireworks before the hostess walked out on stage with a microphone. "Bienvenidos a todos! Who's ready for some música?" The hostess asked, receiving cheering from the crowd. "It's a battle of the bands, amigos. The winner gets to play for the maestro himself, Ernesto de la Cruz... at his fiesta tonight!" The hostess said as she pointed to a tall tower some distance away. "That's our ticket, muchacho." Hector said to Miguel. So they're trying to get to Ernesto. "Let the competition begin!"

Many different competitors went onto the stage, and their performances ranged from pretty good to eh. You guys were currently behind the stage with the remaining competitors. "So, what are you gonna play, Miguel?" You asked. "Definitely Remember Me." Miguel answered with confidence. Before he could play a single note, Hector took the guitar from him. "No! Not that one. No." Hector said. "Come on. It's his most popular song!" Miguel said. Hector groaned. "It's too popular." Hector said. Everyone looked at the rest of the competitors to see them singing a rendition of Remember Me. "He does have a point. You have to stand out if you want to win." Oswald said. Miguel stammered as he thought of a different song to play. "What about Poco Loco?" Miguel asked. "Epa! Now that's a song!" Hector approved. "De la Cruzcito? You're on standby. Los Chachalacos, you're up next." The manager said as a band made their way to the stage.

The band started to play on the stage and you had to admit, their performance was actually pretty good. Miguel watched nervously before sitting down. "You always this nervous before a performance?" Hector asked. "I don't know." Miguel sighed. "I've never performed before." Miguel admitted. "What!?" You all exclaimed. "I thought you said you were a musician!" You said. "I am! I mean, I will be. Once I win." Miguel said. "Ay!" Hector muttered as Oswald slapped his forehead. "That's your plan? No. You have to win. Your life literally depends on you winning. And you've never done this before! I'll go up there." Hector said as he tried to take the guitar, but Miguel moved it away.

"No! I need to do this." Miguel said. "Why?" Oswald asked. "If I can't go out and play one song, how can I call myself a musician?" Miguel said. "Why does it matter to you?" You asked. "Because I don't just want to get de la Cruz's blessing... I need to prove that I'm worthy of it." Miguel answered. Blessing? Why a blessing? "Oh, that's such a sweet sentiment... at such a bad time!" Hector said as he dig his face into his hands. "Do you understand this blessing thing?" You quietly asked Oswald. "No clue." Oswald answered.

Hector groaned before pulling himself together. "Okay! Okay. You want to perform? Then you got to perform! First, you have to loosen up. Shake off those nerves." Hector said before he shook his body, even popping his head off until it landed back on his neck. Miguel shook his hands as he leaned back a bit. "Now give me your best grito." You, Oswald, and Miguel gave a look of confusion. "My best grito?" Miguel asked. "Come on, yell! Belt it out." Hector said before whooping loudly, giving his best grito. "Ah, it feels good." Hector said. You were curious and tried it out as well, copying how Hector sounding. "Yeah! You've got it, Y/N! Okay, now you." Hector said before looking at Miguel. There was silence until Miguel began to whoop, but it was weak and sounded extremely off. Oswald covered his big ears as you and Hector cringed at the sound. Even Dante hated the sound, hiding behind Hector. "Oh, come on, kid." Hector exasperated.

You looked into the stage and saw that Los Chachalacos had just finished their performance. The crowd was cheering as the band exited the stage. "De la Cruzcito, you're on now!" The manger said. Miguel started to walk to the stage, but he was zone out and in his head. "Miguel, look at me. Hey, look at me." Hector snapped his fingers in front of Miguel to get him out of his head. "You can do this." Hector said. "Don't worry, Miguel. You've got this." You said. "We know you can do it." Oswald said. "Grab their attention and don't let it go. Make them listen, chamaco. You've got this." Hector encouraged as Miguel walked onto the stage. "De la Cruzcito!" The hostess announced before leaving the stage.

You three cheered from the side as Miguel walked up to the microphone. The crowd cheered for him until they all stopped to listen to his performance. However, Miguel exhaled nervously as he took a step back. "What's he doing? Why isn't he playing?" Hector asked. "I think he's having stage fright." You said. "Bring back the singing dogs!" A random lady in the crowd shouted. Miguel's breathing got faster as he looked at you, Oswald, Hector, and Dante for help. "Take a deep breath, and give out your best grito." You whispered. Miguel managed to catch what you were saying and faced the crowd. He took a deep breath and gave out his best grito, which was much better than last time. Some people in the crowd cheered before Miguel started playing.

(Miguel)
What color is the sky?

Ay mi amor, ay mi amor

You tell me that it's red

Ay mi amor, ay mi amor

Where should I put my shoes?

Ay mi amor, ay mi amor

You say put them on your head

Ay mi amor, ay mi amor

You make me un poco loco

Un poqui-ti-ti-to loco

The way you keep me guessing

I'm nodding and I'm yes-ing

I'll count it as a blessing

That I'm only un poco loco

As Miguel was singing the song, you tapped your foot along as you slowly started to recognize the song. "I know this song..." Oswald turned to you. "What did you say?" Oswald asked. "I know this song... I actually know this song." You said. "But we just got to this world. How can you know this song? Unless..." Oswald gasped in realization. "Unless it's a memory." You stared at Oswald in bewilderment. A memory? No way! "I can't believe it. I actually remember something! Maybe I really can get my memories back after all!" You said excitedly as you quickly hugged Oswald before letting him go.

Dante grabbed Hector's sleeve and started to drag him onto the stage. "No! No! No!" Hector said, but it was already too late. Once he realized he was on the stage next to Miguel, he started to tap dance to the music with his feet, making the crowd cheer. "Not bad for a dead guy!" Miguel said. "Not so bad yourself, gordito! Eso!" Hector then turned to look at you. "Join us, kid!" Hector said. You shrugged with a smile and got on stage as well, causing the crowd and Oswald to cheer even more. You made your way to Hector and the two of you started to dance together while Miguel continued to play. "Sing with us, Y/N!" Hector said. You smiled as you started the next verse.

(Y/N)
The loco that you make me

It is just un poco crazy

(Hector)
The sense that you're not making

(Miguel)
The liberties you're taking

(All)
Leaves my cabeza shaking

You're just un poco loco

All three of you turned in unison until you all whooped in front of the microphone. Even Oswald joined in from the sidelines along with Dante, who howled instead.

(All)
Un poqui-ti-ti-ti-ti-ti-ti-ti-ti-ti-to loco

You all finished the song, everyone going crazy and loving the performance. We've definitely won. "Hey! You did good! I'm proud of you." Hector said to Miguel before turning to you. "And you were also great! You really took me by surprise! You did such a great job." Hector said. You smiled brightly at the validation. Even though you met him not that long ago, his words effected you in a positive way.

You and Hector cheered with the crowd until Miguel grabbed onto both of you and dragged you off the stage. "Woah! What's going on?" You asked. "We got to get out of here!" Miguel said. "What? Are you crazy!? We're about to win this thing." Hector said. Oswald soon joined your side. "What's happening?" He asked. "I don't know." You answered. The hostess went onto the stage with a worried expression on her face. "Damas y caballeros, I have an emergency announcement. Please be on the lookout for a living boy. Answers to the name of Miguel." At that, you, Oswald, and Hector stopped to hear the rest of the announcement. "Earlier tonight he ran away from his family. They just want to send him back to the Land of the Living." The hostess finished.

Living boy? Miguel is an actual living person? "Wait, wait." Hector pulled his hand back from Miguel, causing Miguel to let go of your hand. "You said de la Cruz was your only family. The only person who would send you home." Hector said. "And what did she mean by living boy? Are you actually not a skeleton?" You asked. "I-I'm not a skeleton. I'm actually living. I just have paint on my face to make me look like a skeleton. And I do have other family, but-." Miguel didn't get to finish. "You could have taken my photo back this whole time?" Hector asked. "And they're your family. Why would you run away from them?" Oswald asked. "Because they hate music! I need a musician's blessing before sunrise." Miguel answered. "Why before sunrise?" You asked. Miguel pulled up his sleeve to show his arm turning from flesh to bones. Both you and Oswald gasped. So that's what Hector meant when he said his life depended on him winning.

"You lied to me!" Hector accused. "Oh, you're one to talk." Miguel retorted. "Look at me. I'm being forgotten, Miguel. I don't even know if I'm gonna last the night. I'm not gonna miss my one chance to cross that bridge because you want to live out some stupid musical fantasy." Hector said. Being forgotten? "Everyone calm down!" Oswald tried to intervene, but both Hector and Miguel ignored him. "It's not stupid!" Miguel said. "Miguel. I know you want to live out your dream, but you're slowly losing your life." You said. Hector grabbed Miguel's hand and started to drag him to the crowd. "I'm taking you to your family." Hector said. "Let go of me!" Miguel said as he pulled back. "You'll thank me later." Hector said as Miguel freed himself. "You don't want to help me. You only care about yourself!" Miguel took out a photo from his pocket and tossed it away. Hector panicked as he chased after the photo. "Keep your dumb photo. Stay away from me! All of you!" Miguel said as he walked away.

You and Oswald were about to chase after Miguel when there was screaming in the crowd. The two of you quickly ran to the crowd to see a bunch of Heartless attacking people. Everyone was running away in a panic as you and Oswald took your stance. "Just perfect..."