Noah Jutila stood near the front, his heart pounding in his chest. He could hardly believe his fortune, standing so close to the stage, and even more, with Margo Gru, the intelligent and caring eldest daughter of Gru. The crowd pulsated around them, anticipation hanging thick in the air as Beck took the stage, ready to rock the audience with his hit song *Wow* from *Colors*.
As the music built up, Margo turned to Noah with a soft smile. Before he could react, she leaned in and gently kissed him on the cheek. Noah's face turned bright red, his heart pounding even harder. Then, she did it again, this time on the lips. Overwhelmed by the unexpected affection, Noah let out an embarrassed squeak and buried his face in his hands, his body trembling with joy.
Nearby, Shrek and Darth Vader were taking in the concert in their own way. Shrek, in his usual swamp attire, bobbed his head to the beat, though his massive green hands were crossed with irritation. Darth Vader, ever the brooding presence, stood still, his mechanical breathing syncing with the bassline. As Beck transitioned into *Wow*, the energy soared, but then Beck blurted, "Man, Shrek is ugly and hateful!" The audience burst into laughter, pointing and snickering at the ogre.
Shrek's expression darkened as he pushed through the crowd. "Oi, ya think it’s funny, do ya?" he growled, his voice dripping with anger. "Laughin’ at me like I’m some kinda joke?" Darth Vader, sensing the disturbance, turned his helmet toward the ogre. "I find your lack of respect… disturbing," he intoned. Meanwhile, Noah, still flustered from Margo's kiss, peeked through his fingers just in time to see Shrek grab Beck’s microphone stand and snap it in half like a twig.
Security rushed forward, but Margo stepped up to Shrek and placed a hand on his arm. "Shrek, ignore them. You’re more than what people say about you," she said softly. Shrek hesitated, his breathing slowing as he looked down at her, then at Noah, who still looked like he might pass out from sheer bliss. With a sigh, Shrek released the broken microphone stand. "Alright, lass," he muttered. "But I won’t forget this."
Shrek shot one last glare at Beck, who nodded nervously, now sweating bullets. Darth Vader merely crossed his arms. "Impressive. Most impressive." The concert continued, the music flowing once more, though the atmosphere had shifted. Noah, still glowing from Margo's affection, held her hand, and together, they watched as Shrek and Vader disappeared into the night—one with a simmering grudge, the other with an ever-present darkness.
