"Alvin & the Chipmunks: An End Has a Start"

Fan fiction by Vilsy...

Author's general greeting and warning:

Hello! I am back from another huge hiatus from fanfiction dot net. I know most of you would like to kill me because I am INCAPABLE of finishing a story. So I am going to warn you right now… I post my stories as I go along and sometimes my creative mind hits a wall like a speeding car and I just can't start up again on the same subject. I suppose you could say I go through phases, and sometimes I can't finish a story before that phase… phases out. But believe me: I give it my all while my all is there to give! And I hope you'll still enjoy what I have to share. Have heart if you were into my other works, I may yet go back to them! Thanks as always for reading!

Disclaimer type stuff: I make no claim to "Alvin and the Chipmunks" or any related characters, names, etc. They are property of Bagdasarian Productions, Inc. c/o Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. and Janice Karman as far as I am aware, and this is just a non-commercial textual tribute to their grandness.

I adore "The Chipmunks" and have recently revisited their greatness. I came back to to read some fics based on them and was shocked to see there are barely 40 of them. After reading several of the stories I thought I'd help contribute to the strong but seemingly small fandom by starting a fic of my own. Thanks to all you other awesome fans for keeping the spirit of these characters alive and inspiring me to do the same! Sorry if this turns out too angsty; I've tried to keep everyone in character as best I can.

Summary: Alvin, Simon, and Theodore Seville are approaching high school age. Their father, Dave, is worried for their development outside of being international music stars and has to make a grave decision about his career and theirs. How will the boys take it?

Random Note: I don't recall who, if anyone, is the Chipette's manager. I'm not even sure if they are in the same situation as the Chipmunks themselves as far as musical career. If anyone would like to educate me on this, please feel free! For now, I've dubbed Dave their manager along with his own boys. Now finally you may start reading!

"You're ruining my life, Dave. Ruining it!"

"Alvin..."

"Simon! Theodore? Say something already!"

"Alvin."

"You CAN'T agree to this! Have you guys lost your minds?"

"AAALLLLVVVVIIIN!"

Simon and Theodore sat close together on the far end of the couch, distancing themselves from their hysterical brother. They found themselves in their usual formation in the living room when there was a serious discussion to be had. They remained silent as their father passed down his judgment.

"Sit down, Alvin!" Dave's unwavering voice commanded. "Right now!"

Alvin Seville clenched his fists and dropped down onto his rear end in reluctant obedience. He was rounding 14 years of age and had grown considerably taller, but still had the bad habit of standing on the couch cushions as he did when he was younger. Sometimes Dave had even caught him standing on the coffee table, sneakers and all. There were a lot of things that were excusable when he was 3 foot nothing, but now the boy had to mind his weight—and his attitude.

Dave heaved a heavy sigh as he stood in his living room, looking his three sons over. Alvin was livid and quivering, and just waiting for the next chance to protest. Simon, tall and lanky, was sitting silently in deep reflection. Theodore, taller and more robust than he had been as a lad, yet still just as timid and soft-spoken, sank back into the couch pillows.

"Look, boys," the weary yet resolute man finally said. "I'm really sorry, but I believe this is for your own good." He aimed a well-timed evil eye at Alvin who had opened his mouth to retort. "Our contract is about to expire with the record company and I feel it best if we didn't renew it."

"But DAVE!"

Dave began pacing side to side, ignoring Alvin's pleas as he recited his long-practiced speech. "They've been jerking us around for a while now, and frankly sales haven't been real good lately to compensate."

"Dave-"

"The court date is coming up for the suit for the royalties for those two songs they haven't given me a penny for."

"Dave..."

"Plus if we renew under the terms they're stipulating, they're just going to take us for another ride."

"We can just find another-"

Dave was doing a monumentally good job at blocking out Alvin's interruptions, as he was determined to get his points across before entering another screaming match with his crimson-clad son.

"You're getting older now, and you'll be in high school come September. I'm just afraid that your grades will start to suffer-" He watched as Alvin crossed his arms and Simon shot him a sort of smug grin. "-more so than they already have." He addressed them all but the accusation was really only directed at Alvin.

"School? Who cares about school! We're famous!"

Dave slumped into his slumping armchair and massaged his temples with a thumb and forefinger. "Alvin..."

The boy sprung off the couch and to his feet, his oversized turtleneck finally seemed to fit him these days. "Dave! Don't we get any say in this? I mean, it is our group! Right guys?"

Simon and Theodore just gazed at him with noncommittal looks on their faces.

"This is a free country! We live in a democracy! I have my rights! I claim the first amendment!"

"All right, all right, Alvin. I value all of your opinions, you know that. You've certainly voiced yours, Alvin. What about you, Simon?"

For the first time in almost an hour, Simon spoke. "Well, Dave. Alvin, Theodore." He stood up and removed his glasses from his nose and drew them close to his chest. Alvin turned and glared at him with fists clenched as if awaiting his brother's no doubt clever argument against Dave's tyranny. Simon busied himself with polishing his spectacles on his shirt. "I see no reason to make any fuss over our current situation. As I understand it, we've one last set of shows before the end of the summer and the termination of our contract. That should be a decent last hurrah so to speak." Alvin's left eye twitched. "I've reviewed our past contracts and the paperwork regarding Dave's lawsuit, and I'm ashamed to think that we've been hoodwinked so badly and that our talents have been exploited." Theodore fiddled his fingers together and Alvin seemed a few steps behind with translating Simon's statement in his own head. "Thus, in my honest opinion, a break from the industry could prove beneficial, and could help to deviate from any further abuse from greedy benefactors-" He chuckled, though the joke was only for himself as usual, "-or malefactors as the case has proven to be."

Dave cracked a solemn smile and shook his head, admiring his studious son's shrewd understanding of almost anything thrown his way. "I agree, Simon, but how does it really make you feel? You know, about recording and your performances?"

Simon returned his glasses to his face abruptly. "I've had a lot of fun, Dave, but I really want to study." Alvin looked like he was about to explode. "Like you said, I'm afraid my grades will suffer." Simon's grades never so much as wavered from straight A's let alone "suffered". But Dave understood that Simon's passion had been more and more drawn towards academics and his unending pursuit of knowledge. He seemed less and less enthusiastic about spending time in the studio or schlepping around on tour busses for weeks on end.

"All right Simon, thank you. Theodore?"

Alvin's mouth opened wide and his balled fists balled even tighter, but Dave's warning eye made him back down. His portly little brother stood up from the couch as Simon sat back down. Theodore held his arms behind his back and looked ruefully at Alvin before focusing back down at his feet.

"Go on, Theodore," Dave encouraged. "What do you think about all this?"

"W-well. I-uh..."

Alvin couldn't hold it in any longer. Theodore's naiveté had always been susceptible to his cunning deception and trickery. If he could at least sway Theodore from the madness that had apparently consumed Simon's mind, he'd have a 2 against 2 vote. It was better to even things out than to lose completely.

"Come on, Theodore," Alvin said quickly before Dave could silence him. "We're the Chipmunks! How could we break up... the Chipmunks!? That would be like... not being brothers anymore!"

"Alvin, let him speak, will you?" Dave groaned, continuing to rub his head.

Theodore gasped and looked over to Alvin with a dire expression on his face. He wasn't sure if Alvin was making a threat or if their brotherhood would really be brought into question if their musical group disbanded. Theodore valued the relationship he had with his brothers quite deeply. "Well I-"

"Be honest, Theodore," Dave coaxed, hoping to undo the damage Alvin had undoubtedly caused.

"Yeah, Theodore," Simon chimed, giving a disapproving look to Alvin. "Honest."

"W-well," Theodore continued to stutter while his gaze returned to the carpet below his sneakers. "It's really sad. I'm really sad."

"See? You made Theodore sad, Dave. How could you?"

"Alvin..."

"I mean I'm sad because, I feel like... like a quitter."

"What?"

"Don't say that, Theodore," Dave said as he sat up straighter in his armchair.

"No, it's true, Dave. I don't wanna go on long tours anymore! I-I mean I like singing... but... I wanted to..."

"To what?" Dave asked, trying to coax any hidden interests Theodore may have wanted to pursue.

"Well I..." His blue eyes shifted to Alvin who regarded him like a pet owner about to beat his dog with a newspaper. "I want to be a chef!" Theodore lifted his arms dramatically as he blurted this out, and then quickly recoiled into a ball of self-consciousness.

Simon gave a knowing smile and Dave chuckled warmly. Alvin was the only one who thought his little brother was speaking in tongues. "Theodore! You can't be serious!"

"But I..."

"You're gonna throw a life of fame, popularity, and girls away to bake cookies!?"

Theodore looked like he might cry; he knew when he finally confessed his dream Alvin would probably react this way. "B-but Alvin..." His voice grew almost inaudible. "Those are all the things you get... not me..."

"Alvin-" came Dave's voice.

"Alvin..." Simon began.

"What!?"

"Theodore's opinion is just as valid as yours, and you should support your brother's feelings."

"If my opinion's so valid," Alvin spat in practically a growl, "how come none of you are supporting me!?"

Awkward silence ensued, until Dave finally shook his head and stood up. "I'm sorry, Alvin. I've made up my mind. Based on our situation with record company, the work and time I'll have to put forth during this lawsuit, and all of your input, I think it best if we take a hiatus."

"Nooo!" Alvin wailed, falling to his knees for effect.

"I've already mentioned this to Ms. Miller," Dave continued, turning to gaze thoughtfully out of the window to the afternoon sky. "I've invited her and the girls over for dinner tonight, and I'm going to tell them the news."

"News? What news?" Alvin suddenly sputtered in a maniacal sort of way.

Dave turned and began walking towards the foyer. "That this will be our last summer, and that I'm retiring as their manager."

"Nooo! Dave, you'll break their hearts!" Alvin was crawling towards Dave like a grief stricken widow.

"Since when did Alvin disapprove of heart-breaking?" Simon muttered to Theodore who had sat back down sheepishly.

Dave stopped and looked down at his son who was kneeling at his feet with hands clenched as if in prayer. "Please Dave! Don't do this to me! I want to keep performing! It's not fair!"

Dave's heart was the one that broke as he watched this agonizing display. He'd seen Alvin in this position countless times before but usually over more trivial matters, like begging to go see a rated R movie or to stay up later to play a new video game. The decision he was making was anything but an easy one. He knew how much it all meant to Alvin, but he was doing this for the greater good.

"Get cleaned up for dinner, boys. Ms. Miller and the girls will be over in an hour or so, and I need help with the vegetables." He used this dismissive instruction to evade Alvin's anguished pleas, but instead the boy threw himself at Dave's leg and clung to it like a terrified cat.

"No Dave! Please! Don't do this to me!" he cried, squeezing his father's shin in a manner that reminded Dave of a much younger Alvin prior to being taken to the dentist.

"Alvin… please," Dave managed to breath, the sternness in his voice faltering.

Simon slid off of the couch and padded across the carpet to the foyer, placing his hands on Alvin's shoulders. "Come on, Alvin. Dave needs to start dinner."

"Get your hands offa me, traitor!" Alvin spat, clinging obstinately to Dave's leg and wrenching his shoulders from Simon's grip.

Theodore quickly hopped off of the couch and joined Simon. He knew a fraternal fight brewing when he saw one. "C-come on, Alvin. Let's go upstairs. Here, I-I'll help you." By "help" Theodore really meant "remove you forcefully from our father's appendage and drag you up the stairs." He and Simon did just that, Alvin kicking and screaming in tow.

Dave felt beside himself as he ran his fingers through his thick black hair. "Gees… I knew he'd take it hard. Am I doing the right thing…?" Shaking his head in defeat, he turned and entered the kitchen. "I hope the girls take it better…"