The Chipmunk Tour Saga, Book IV:

"Wildcat Spirits Forever!"

Chapter 3

Aboard the Astro Megaship, as the Chipmunks and Chipettes got into their costumes, Lilo sat on the Bridge and watched on the view screen as the students and faculty filed into Wildcat Stadium. The doors slid open, revealing Keoni and Gordo.

"I look stupid," Keoni said, referring to his costume. Lilo could not help but giggle at Keoni. "Yeah, you do look a little silly in that getup," she said. "But, Jason suggested this setup for today's concert." "Yeah, Keoni," Gordo said. "And since 'Chairman' Archer beat your ass in that game of foosball last night, he made you a lowly horseman."

"Now, see here, Gordo," Keoni said. "I may have lost to Jason last night, but tonight, when I beat him in that new TNA Impact game, the shoe will be on the other foot."

"Attention, all tour personnel," D.E.C.A.'s voice said, "Report to your designated positions. Show-time in ten minutes."

"You heard the lady," Lilo said. "Let's do this." Lilo stood from the command chair and followed Keoni and Gordo off the Bridge.

A few moments later, out on the field, a fanfare sounded on the P.A. system. Keoni and Gordo were the first into the stadium on horseback. Then, as the fanfare segued into a piece of music chosen by Lilo for the entrance of "Chairman" Archer, Jason entered on a fine white steed.

As Jason stepped onto the stage, a platform with a single yellow bell pepper on it rose onto the stage. "If memory serves me right, this is the home of..." Jason began as he picked up the bell pepper. Then, with hand and pepper extended, he finished with: "...the East High Wildcats!"

At that, the audience cheered. For sheer exuberance, Jason repeated "East High Wildcats!" before biting into the bell pepper.

As his entrance music faded, Jason swallowed the bite of bell pepper, then smiled at the crowd. "How's East High doin' today?" he said. The crowd clapped. "Glad to hear it," Jason said. "In case you don't recognize me, my name is Jason Archer, and I am the host of Jason's Jam-Time, as well as The Price is Right. But, for this day, it is my honor to introduce two of the best musical groups in the world."

"And so," Jason said, turning to a bank of screens near where he stood, "let me call them forth. I summon the Chipmunks and Chipettes!" The screens lit up as a new piece of music began. On the screens were the images of the Chipmunks and Chipettes.

They rose onto stage, behind their customary instruments. Then, five more screens around the stage lit up. Two of them were filled with the images of Johnny and Lilo and her hula dance troupe. The other three were filled by a red silk curtain, obscuring what laid beneath.

Jason spoke again. "Joining them on stage today are our staff keyboardist, Mr. Johnny Five, and our back-up dancers, Lilo Pelekai and the Kolkua Hula Masters," he said as Johnny rolled off his platform and up to a nearby keyboard set-up.

Out in the audience, Donny and Tiara were wondering what was going on, so Melissa clarified, "Jason Archer must be a fan of Iron Chef," she said. Jimmie nodded. "Exactly," he responded. "This opening ritual is similar to the 'Yomigaeru' ritual at the beginning of every episode."

"Or in other words," Melissa finished, "the 'come to life' ritual."

The ascension music faded. Then, yet another new piece of music began. "And now, the moment you've all been waiting for," Jason said. "I am sure you've all heard the rumors that three former Wildcats will be participating in this concert. I now call them and the newest member of the SFM Records family forth. I summon the Honorary Wildcats and Ms. K!"

The curtain images fell away from their screens as the so-called "Iron Chef March" began, revealing the images of Kelsi, Troy and Gabriella, and a girl with black hair-blond streaks. The four newcomers rose into the stadium. "First," Jason began, "the chief arranger of the Chipmunk Adventure 20th Anniversary World Tour, Ms. Kelsi Nielsen!" Kelsi waved to the crowd before making her way to a piano near Johnny Five's keyboard.

"Next, they are back at East High and stepping on the road to marriage together today, Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez!" Jason said in introduction. Troy bowed, while Gabriella curtsied. "And finally," Jason began, "we welcome a prime example of the old adage 'When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.' Please welcome for the first time as a member of the SFM Records family, actress-singer-songwriter...Kylie!"

Kylie smiled, then bowed to the audience. "And now, let the concert begin!" Jason said before leaving the stage. Alvin stepped forward to his microphone. "Let's hit 'em with a little 'Diamond Dolls,' girls," Alvin said.

The concert flew by fast, until it was time for the final song. "Ladies and gentlemen of East High School, on behalf of myself and everyone on this stage, I'd like to thank you for allowing us to perform for you today. Now, we'd like to perform our newest single. Or rather, our soon-to-be-married Honorary Wildcats would like to perform it," Alvin said. "Troy, Gabriella, if you please..."

Troy and Gabriella stepped over to the microphones vacated by Alvin and Brittany as Kelsi began a new arrangement she created exclusively for the East High concert. As the song came to an end, Jimmie and Melissa stood and applauded the hard work put forth by all involved individuals. The rest of the audience followed suit.

On the Astro Megaship, after the concert ended, Gabriella led Kylie onto the Bridge. "And this, Kylie, is the Bridge, where all of our operations are conducted from," Gabriella said. "This is an amazing ship you have here, Gabriella," Kylie said. "I am honored to be here."

Lilo turned in the command chair. "Kylie," Lilo said. "there is something you should know." Lilo proceeded to explain to Kylie how "Watch Me Shine" helped save the galaxy.

"My god," Kylie whispered. "My song did that?" "Yes," Gabriella said. "I should know; I sung it to deactivate Leroy." Lilo turned to Johnny. "Johnny, send a subspace message to Turo, U.G.F. DiploComm Channel 6-3-Beta-7-Zeta," Lilo commanded. "Yes, Ambassador," Johnny said, before tapping a few keys.

UNITED GALACTIC FEDERATION CENTRAL COMMAND

PLANET TURO

Khandravex looked up from her PADD (Personal Access Display Device) when the comm sounded. "Yes?" she said. "Grand Councilwoman, there is an incoming transmission on DiploComm Channel 6-3-Beta-7-Zeta," the voice on the other end of the channel said. "Put it through," Khandravex said. "Yes, ma'am," the officer said.

A monitor flared into life, bearing the image of Lilo. "Ambassador Pelekai," Khandravex said. "To what do I own the pleasure of this call?" "Some news, Madam Councilwoman," Lilo said. "During the recent Hero's Cross awards ceremony, we left out an honoree who deserves as much credit as any of us."

Lilo gestured for Kylie to enter the frame. "Madam Councilwoman, may I introduce the singer whose song 'Watch Me Shine' was the cut-off switch in the enhanced Leroy: Kylie Styles," Lilo said. "Kylie, this is Khandravex, Grand Councilwoman of the United Galactic Federation."

Khandravex nodded. "I read the reports Ambassador Pelekai made on you, Miss Styles. I am honored to put a face to the name," she said. Kylie curtsied to Khandravex. "Thank you, Madam Councilwoman," Kylie said. "To tell you the truth, I was shocked when Lilo informed me of how my song helped save the galaxy."

"But," Kylie added, "I am honored that I had a part in saving the world I love so much." "Kylie, I will arrive on Earth within 15 of your hours to give you your reward. Khandravex, out." Khandravex tapped a control to close the channel, then tapped another control. "Captain Gantu, this is the Grand Councilwoman. I wish to leave for Earth aboard Enterprise within the hour," she said.

"We will be ready for your arrival," Gantu said. "Enterprise, out."

After Khandravex closed the channel, Kylie turned to Gabriella. "So, the Grand Councilwoman is coming here to Earth to give me some kind of reward," Kylie said. "Exactly," Gabriella said. "Most likely, one of these."

Gabriella reached into her pocket and pulled out a medallion. On it was engraved:

"To GABRIELLA MONTEZ, for services above and beyond

the call of duty in defense of the United Galactic Federation."

"Yours will have your name on it, of course," Gabriella said. "It is called the Hero's Cross, the Federation's highest honor." Gabriella gestured to the Bridge crew-Lilo, Johnny, Lizzie and Jason. "With the current exception of yourself, everyone on this tour-except my fellow Honorary Wildcats-has one."

"Thanks for the tour, Gabriella," Kylie said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to rest. Wanna be nice and fresh when the Grand Councilwoman arrives." "Of course," Gabriella said. Kylie left the Bridge.

As Kylie left, Alvin came on the Bridge.

"Gabriella, you and Troy did a great job today," Alvin said. "Thanks, Alvin. Coming from you, that means a whole lot," Gabriella said. "Alvin," Lilo said as she got out of the command chair, "we're going to have a visitor today."

"Oh, yeah? Who?" Alvin said. "Grand Councilwoman Khandravex," Lilo said. "She's going to give Kylie the Hero's Cross."

"We're going to have to have everyone on the tour assembled and ready by the time she gets here," Alvin said. "D.E.C.A., if you would?" "Acknowledged, Alvin," D.E.C.A. said.

TWIN PINES RESORT

150 MILES OUTSIDE ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

Troy walked into the room where he met Gabriella the first time. It had not changed at all in the time since that fateful night. He could still feel the warmth of the fireplace. He could still hear the music from the karaoke party that was going on that night.

A voice from behind him startled Troy out of his reverie. "So this is where it all began, isn't it, Troy?"

Troy wheeled around and saw Chad. "Yeah, Chad. This is where Gabriella and I first met. It was right over there--"Troy gestured to the center of the room. "--where the emcee of the karaoke party put me and Gaby together to sing 'Start of Something New,'" Troy finished.

A beeping came from Troy's right wrist. "Attention, all Chipmunk Adventure tour personnel. This is D.E.C.A. Prepare to teleport back to the Megaship. U.G.F. Grand Councilwoman Khandravex is en route to Earth. Alvin requests all tour personnel be on board when she arrives."

"This is Troy, D.E.C.A.," Troy said. "Two to transport from these coordinates." Troy and Chad dissolved in the white sparkle of the Megaship's teleportation system.

Back aboard the Megaship, Kelsi was preparing to resume her test of a holo-program Simon had developed. Ryan was with her. "D.E.C.A., advance us to time index 56 minutes, 57 seconds. Switch to Objective Mode," Kelsi said.

As the setting appeared, Ryan turned to Kelsi. "What does Objective Mode mean?" he asked. "The characters in the program will not notice our presence as long as the program is set to run in Objective," Kelsi said.

The holographic ground under Kelsi and Ryan's feet began to rumble Near where Kelsi and Ryan stood, a black-haired, pointy-eared woman in a red and white jacket was sleeping. The rumbling woke her up, sending the woman to her feet. The woman looked over to where Kelsi and Ryan were standing. But all the woman saw was a young man with hair and ears like her own. The young man was writhing in pain.

As lightning flashed and thunder roared around her, the woman said something in a foreign language. Kelsi looked at Ryan and said, "Saavik said, 'So it has come.'" Ryan was confused. "What has come?" Ryan asked. "And how do you know about all this?" "Answer 1:You'll see. And second, I've seen this movie before many times," Kelsi said as the woman who Kelsi identified as Saavik walked over to the young man, who was in intense pain.

Saavik attempted to describe the problem to the young man. "It is called Pon farr," Saavik said. Then, in her foreign language, she said something which Kelsi translated as "Will you trust me?" Then, to Ryan, Kelsi described what came next.

"As you may or may not be aware, Ryan, I am a Trekker, and all Trekkers know what Saavik and Spock are doing. This is the Vulcan equivalent to what we call foreplay. Most, if not all, of the ceremonies in Vulcan culture revolve around touching or hand-related gestures."

Ryan turned to Kelsi, a shocked expression on his face. "'Foreplay?' So Saavik and Spock are about to..." "Yes," Kelsi said. "Although there are some things a PG-rated movie cannot show." Before the setting cut to another scene, Kelsi smiled. "D.E.C.A., pause program and remove characters Saavik and Spock," Kelsi commanded. The characters dissolved into holographic mists.

Then, Kelsi commanded, "D.E.C.A., replicate the costumes worn by Saavik and Spock in the scene just viewed. Replicate to our specifications."

As soon as the costumes were replicated, Ryan looked at Kelsi. He had finally connected the dots. "Kelsi, are you sure you want to do this?" Ryan asked. "I mean, you're only a virgin once." Kelsi smiled as she began to unbutton her Chipmunk Adventure tour jacket. "There were times when I wished Jason and I would do it, but now that I realize it, you were the one that I had always wanted to give my most precious gift to," Kelsi said. "So yeah, Ryan, I'm sure. I have never been more sure of anything in my life."

"I'll be right back," Ryan said. "I need to go get some protection. D.E.C.A., exit." The exit doors appeared and opened.

As Ryan ran to the land vehicle deployment bay, he ran into Theodore and Eleanor. "Hey, Ryan, where are you going?" Eleanor asked. "I have to go to the store and grab a few things for me and Kelsi," Ryan said.

"So you and Kelsi are going to..." Eleanor started to say before Ryan cut her off. "Yes," Ryan said. "I am." "Well, hurry back," Theodore said. "Alvin wants everyone on the tour ready for when Khandravex arrives."

Ryan nodded at Theodore and Eleanor as the doors to the land vehicle deployment bay closed in front of him. Eleanor then turned to Theodore, her hand extended. Theodore sighed, then reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He then put fifty dollars in Eleanor's hand.

As Theodore walked away from where Eleanor stood, he could hear Eleanor call out to him, "It was a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Seville!"

Khandravex arrives next time...

:TBC: