A/N: Okay, our favorite part of the movie was the Riff-Off so we've tried to keep it as close to the original as possible. We hope you enjoy.
BeChloeIsLegit and RJRMovieFan do not own Pitch Perfect or any of their characters.
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Pitch Perfect 3: Bechloe is Legit
Chapter 6 - Let's Get Ready to Riff-Off
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"Good afternoon, Bellas, I'm Captain Chicago Walp and I will be your escort for the next ten days. Welcome to Rota, Spain, ladies."
Captain Chicago Walp. Beca already dislikes the man, and thinks his name is stupid. He's standing there like some alpha male wearing aviator shades, as if he's Tom Cruise. It's not helping that Beca notices the way Chloe is looking at GI Joe over there.
He introduces the African American officer standing just behind and to the side. Beca thinks the man's name is Zeke. She has to wonder what's up with the names of these soldiers. Doesn't anyone have a normal name?
Currently the Captain America wannabe is telling the Bellas something but Beca can't understand a word he's saying. A jet airplane is warming up its engines not a hundred feet away and the sound is washing away everything else.
The jet finally pulls away, and the sound subsides.
"... if you don't follow these instructions exactly as told over the next ten days, you could die."
The Bellas all look at each other in alarm. Chicago takes off his aviator shades, grins, and says, "I'm just kidding. You all are in safe hands. Zeke and I will be accompanying you on this European tour and providing security."
The Bellas all let out a sigh of relief.
"Okay, they're setting up the stage for your show inside. I was thinking we would show you around, introduce you to the other-"
"So, this is first base," Fat Amy says. "Will we be going to second base with you guys? And then to third base?" Fat Amy's look leaves no room for misinterpretation.
Chicago chokes on Fat Amy's blunt suggestion, unsure how to answer. Zeke is quick to answer, "That's a firm no for me."
Fat Amy doesn't pay any attention to the two officers' answers. She turns to Beca and asks, "What comes after third base?"
Beca can't help answering, "If anyone knows it's you Amy."
"Alright, ummm, if you ladies want to follow us inside," Chicago stutters out, clearly thrown off his game by the boisterous Aussie. Fat Amy seems to sense this, and continues to make comments solely to fluster the young officer.
Beca follows the Bellas, allowing everyone to walk past her. In the background she still hears this Chicago character speaking, though Beca's really not paying attention. He's telling the Bellas something about their schedule and seventeen hundred.
"Seventeen hundred?" Chloe asks as a follow-up question, "Is that like… after night?"
Chicago smiles at Chloe and clarifies by saying, "It's five o'clock p.m."
Beca rolls her eyes, wondering why he couldn't just say five o'clock in the first place. And what's with that creepy smile he gave Chloe? I guess he thinks he was being charming.
Stepping aside, Chicago suggests they all go inside the hanger to meet the other groups before rehearsal. He leads the Bellas into a huge cavernous hanger. He continues talking, and Beca begins to suspect that he's one of those people who are always talking. Of course Chloe is paying rapt attention to the Captain, which makes Beca want to listen even less.
Currently he's telling them that the space is usually used to hold aircraft, but points to the center, where there are a multitude of people milling about. Most are in uniform, but a good deal are in civilian clothes, with the majority of those working on or around the large stage.
"On the tour we have three bands," Chicago says as he gestures to a group of people holding instruments. "Hey guys, come over and meet the new group."
Directly in front of the Bellas is a quartet of four very attractive women, three of whom are holding guitars, the fourth, drumsticks. They are sitting on a stage shipping box, in a haughty bored with the world manner. Beca's instantly on guard, as they have 'Mean Girls' written all over them.
To the Bellas left, sitting with their legs dangling over the stage is what Beca takes for a rockabilly group. "Up there, ladies, we have Saddle Up," Chicago supplies. The men all either nod or give a little salute.
Pointing in the opposite direction Chicago says, "That's Young Sparrow and DJ Dragon Nutz."
Both men give a wave; one stepping forward, "Ladies, I'm Young Sparrow, and this is my main man DJ Dragon Nutz. Don't mind him, on the stage he's the man, but off, he's a bit quiet."
Lily is completely enraptured by DJ Dragon Nutz. She whispers, "Hello, is it me you're looking for?" No one seems to hear, save for the DJ who returns her look.
Not noticing this interchange, Chicago points to the group directly in front of the Bellas, the 'Mean Girls'. "And this is Evermoist."
A beautiful woman with a badass look that Beca finds herself appreciating speaks up, "Hello, I'm Calamity, this is Serenity," she points to the beautiful woman sitting to her left with mocha colored skin and bleach blonde hair styled in a tight faux mohawk. Calamity then points to the woman to her immediate right, "this is Charity," the indicated woman holds up her drumsticks. Calamity then points to the last woman of the group, "and that's Veracity." That woman lifts her head from looking at her bass guitar, giving a nod, and then refocusing on her finger placement.
Fat Amy, being Fat Amy, jumps in, "Wow! If I was to join your band, I could be Obesity."
Chicago chokes on the statement and walks away to talk to Zeke. The women of Evermoist don't look amused.
Aubrey decides it's a good time to make their introductions, "Hi-hello; uh, we're the Bellas formerly of Barden University, and currently," she looks behind her at her teammates and says, "of life."
Serenity is the first to speak. "You guys just sing other people's songs, right?" The condescension is just dripping from her voice.
"Oh my God," says Chloe shocked at this question.
"Umm, we sing covers of popular top 40 hits, but we do so without the benefit of instruments." Beca smiles as in her head she hears Aubrey's implied "you bitch."
"So you're like Karaoke singers," snarks Serenity.
Chloe asks offended, "What?"
"No!" Aubrey answers emphatically. "We do sing originals. We won Worlds using an original, written by Emily."
The youngest Bella isn't expecting to be put on the spot. She automatically defers, saying, "Well, it was just that one time, but I don't even write anymore." All in an effort to undersell herself.
Aubrey gives the younger woman a glare, "Who's side are you on, Emily?"
The women of Evermoist notice the dissension, and continue needling them. "Didn't you end up on this tour because your daddy pulled some strings?"
Aubrey sputters, "What? No!"
"Guys, just stop," Emily says. "They don't want to share the shine of the spotlight, so they're just trying to intimidate us."
Cynthia Rose looks at Emily and asks, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Emily looks back at her and asks, "What are you thinking?"
"A riff-off!," shouts Fat Amy.
The Bellas all begin to chatter excitedly among themselves about doing a riff-off.
Emily, caught off-guard by this sudden suggestion, mumbles, "That's not what I was thinking…" but she's too insecure to take charge.
Gail, who along with John have managed to get all their equipment into the hanger, and are now just twenty feet away, perks up when she hears the words, 'riff-off'. "Wait! YES! A riff-off! RIFF-OFF!" John and Gail scramble to get their equipment out and setup.
"What's a riff-off?," Calamity asks.
"A riff-off is a little game we like to play to keep up our skills. It requires teamwork, singing ability, and musical knowledge," answers Chloe.
"We'll show you," adds Aubrey. "The category is 'party music'. Lily, can you give us a beat?"
Lily moves out between the two groups of women, and starts beatboxing. It's impressive the sounds she's able to make, and she definitely catches the eye of of DJ Dragon Nutz. Aubrey and Chloe pick up the beat and tempo, best friends perfectly in sync as they start singing.
I'm coming up so you'd better get this party started
Ashley and Jessica providing the backup echo (I'm coming up, I'm coming), while the rest of the Bellas begin singing.
I'm coming up so you...
Aubrey holds up her hand and switches song in mid sentence.
You dare look back
Just keep your eyes on me
The Bellas transition to 'Shut Up and Dance' without a moment's hesitation. They are all very thankful that Aubrey had incorporated mini-riff-offs into her training schedule.
I said you're holding back
She said shut up and dance with me...
Beca then slides in next to Aubrey, touching her arm as she picks up with a new song.
Me that toot toot
Lemme give you that beep beep
The Bellas singing has begun to attract the attention of the men and women who are working throughout the hanger, with many stopping to just watch. One of these is sitting over with DJ Khaled. He had already taken notice of the Bellas singing, but his interest is piqued even more as he watches Beca sing and do a little move in front of the other young women singing.
Running her hands through my 'fro
Bouncing on 24s
While they say on the radio it's...
Chloe is enjoying the show Beca is putting on. For a woman who complained nonstop her freshman year about dancing, she really gets into it when performing. As Chloe watches, Cynthia Rose steps up to Beca and joins her in singing R. Kelly's 'Ignition'.
It's the remix to ignition
Hot and fresh out the kitchen
Mama rolling
It's Fat Amy who cuts to another song, affecting a very deep, 1920's Speakeasy sound.
Rolling in my 6-4.
Ashley and Jessica provide backup vocals, (Bha-Dha-Bha) She nods to the other Bellas.
With all my Bellas singing
She nods to the other Bellas as they provide backup. Emily jumps in with the chorus, her voice a perfect accompaniment for the sound Fat Amy is delivering,
Swing down sweet chariot stop and
Let me ride
Amy gives her boobs a good squeeze as she provides a (Hell yeah), and winks at Chicago and Zeke. Chicago turns red.
Swing down sweet chariot stop and (Let me ride)
Let me RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE
Fat Amy shouts out the final line, throwing her arms in the air, as she drags out the final word; holding the last note while flipping-off Evermoist.
DJ Khaled hear's Fat Amy's stretched out note and looks to the ceiling, "Is that feedback?"
The bearded young man next to him shakes his head no, but continues to watch Beca intently.
"So you sing," says Serenity, not showing even a modicum of being impressed.
"Well it's more than that," replies Chloe. "We take a theme of music and we begin to sing. The next group that comes in has to match the last word sung, all the while keeping the tempo, pitch, and rhythm going."
A small smile grows on Beca's face as she listens to Chloe explain the intricacies of a riff-off. She uses the examples just provided by the Bellas, to make her point. The redhead's explanation is quick and full of passion. Beca can hear the love of music the redhead still maintains. If there is one thing Beca has always loved about her best friend is how passionate Chloe gets about all things music.
The other three bands appear to get the gist of what Chloe is explaining. It's a credit to the redhead's improved ability to explain things clearly and directly while keeping everyone's attention. Beca can see that she's becoming a truly great teacher.
"So you sing," Serenity says again. Still affecting the mean girl attitude.
Aubrey ignores the derision, "Let's try another round, you can join in. This time," she looks at Chloe, and an idea comes to her. She says confidently, "Artists you didn't know were Jewish."
The members of Evermoist begin to move immediately, Calamity having whispered something. Saddle Up all remain seated on the stage, but huddle among themselves as they begin to whisper between one another. Young Sparrow picks up a microphone and meanders over, ready to join the Riff-Off.
Beca has to give it to Aubrey and Chloe, they had enticed the other groups with the challenge of the riff-off; that's for sure.
Calamity remains on the storage box as the rest of her mates jump behind, and roll her over till she's directly in front of the Bellas. The drummer, Charity, begins to beatbox, and she's really good, while Veracity provides harmonization, and even before the box has come to a complete halt the lead sexy siren has begun singing.
I wish that I could fly
So very high
Into the sky (Yeah)
Calamity's acapella rendition of Lenny Kravitz's 'Fly Away' shows that the woman has talent.
Just like a dragonfly
I want to
I want to
I want to get away
I wanna fly away (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
I...
Saddle Up's lead singer cuts in, he's really intrigued by the concept and knows he can jump in with Maroon 5's 'One More Night'.
I stopped using my head, using my head
Let it all go
The Saddle Up member holding the fiddle begins singing the echo refrain.
(Let it all go)
Got you stuck on my body, on my body
Like a tattoo (Like a tattoo)
And now I'm feeling stupid, feeling stupid
Coming back to you
Young Sparrow begins singing into his microphone he's carrying, joining in on this surprise jam session.
Call me any day or night
Call me
Evermoist sing backup for the Hip Hop artist, (Call me!). Aubrey points out, "You're Not on the same team!" Young Sparrow doesn't miss a beat.
On the line, call me, call me, any, any time
Call me (Call me)
Oh love
It's Chloe who comes up with a song to get the Bellas back into the riff off.
LOVE me harder
Chloe's move does not go unnoticed by Chicago, who to this point has really been enjoying the impromptu performance. He had definitely noticed the redhead out on the tarmac. Who wouldn't, besides the hair, she's just really beautiful. Now seeing her sing, he thinks he's falling in love.
And if you really need me
You gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta, got to love me harder
Gotta love me harder
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Beca is enraptured by the sheer look of joy on Chloe's face, as she really begins to get into the song with all the Bellas providing vocals.
Love me, love me, love me
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Harder, harder, harder
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Yeah
A bald soldier standing about twenty feet from the Bellas cuts in.
If I were a boy
The Bellas are shocked at this intrusion. Aubrey points out, "You're not even a part of this contest." The soldier keeps singing though, being joined by a half dozen men and women in uniform who start providing backup vocals.
Even just for a day
I'd roll out of bed in the morning
And throw on what I wanted and go
"Okay," says Aubrey out loud, bringing that riff session to an end. She looks around at the other bands and the Bellas and says, "That was…" she pauses, but concedes, "good. How about something easier." Looking very proud she says, "Let's say, 'Zombie Apocalypse'."
"We still need that sound check with the instruments," yells a man sitting at the mixing board.
The members of Evermoist look at each other, they share a sly smile, and then quickly make their way up onto the stage, joining Saddle Up. Calamity takes position at the center microphone stand, as the rest of Evermoist take their usual positions on the stage. With a wink at Aubrey, Calamity starts singing.
Another head hangs lowly
Child is slowly taken
The Evermoist drummer, Charity, brings her sticks down, the sound of the drum like a shot. Chloe speaks up, "You can't use instruments. We like to keep it strictly oral."
And the violence, caused such silence
Who are we mistaken?
Calamity and Serenity begin playing their guitars, while Veracity lays down the bass. Aubrey speaks up, "We try to keep the focus on the singing, the voices." Evermoist ignores this and really begin to play the Cranberrie's 'Zombie'.
With their tanks, and their bombs
And their bombs, and their guns
In your head, in your head they are crying
In your head, in your head Zombie, zombie, zombie-ie-ie
Saddle Up jumps in, suddenly blending their playing with Evermoist's. The fiddle player blending his sound with the all female rock group's. The lead singer for Saddle Up joins Calamity, gives her a look, to which Calamity nods, and steps back. Without missing a beat the Saddle Up lead man begins singing
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone
Saddle Up take over the playing, as Evermoist fade out. The transition is flawless, you would have thought the groups had rehearsed this. Beca notes that DJ Dragon Nutz is layering in a sound in the background, but she doesn't recognize it at first.
What doesn't kill you makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone
Young Sparrow jumps in again, as his partner DJ Dragon Nutz works his turntables.
I'd catch a grenade for you
Evermoist sings backup.
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Throw my hand on a blade for you (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Jump in front of a train for you (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
You know I'd do anything for you (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Beca is thinking as fast as she can, trying to determine a song that can fit into a Zombie category, while fitting the tempo. An idea pops into her head, and she immediately sings.
But I'm only HUMAN
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Over at DJ Khaled's dressing table the young man takes off his sunglasses and really watches Beca singing. He subtly sits up straighter as he listens to her music.
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
And I'm o-
Serenity kneels down on the stage just above Beca, and strums her guitar letting the note play. Aubrey is shocked at the rudeness of this act, "What's that?" Serenity strums another note in answer, and then starts shredding it. The lead guitar of Saddle Up joins in, as DJ Dragon Nutz again layers in another sound.
The lead singer of Saddle Up begins singing.
So wake me up when it's all over
Calamity sings backup.
(Zombie-ie-ie)
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself
I didn't know I was lost
It's now Saddle Up, Evermoist, and Young Sparrow singing, with all the instruments playing.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
Wake me up when it's all over (Zombie-ie-ie)
When I'm wiser and I'm older
"Is it weird that everyone else is better at the one thing that we do than we are at that thing?," Beca asks looking around at the bands playing together on stage.
"What do we do?," asks Flo.
"I think we should just go," Beca says.
All this time I was finding myself
You know I'd catch a grenade for you
"We should go," answers Aubrey.
"I agree," seconds Emily. With that, the Bellas all gather their suitcases and walk away, looking dejected. The three other groups singing up on the stage don't even seem to notice that the Bellas are slinking away.
I didn't know I was lost (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Gail is giddy as she asks, "Are you getting this? It's perfect!"
John continues to videotape all of it, zooming in on the sad dejected faces of the Bellas as they walk by. "That's right folks, the Bellas do what they always do when things get tough. They run away."
A/N: So that was the Riff-Off. We hope we did it justice.
Songs in the Riff-Off:
Pink "Get The Party Started"
Walk the Moon "Shut Up and Dance"
R. Kelly "Ignition (Remix)"
Dr. Dre "Let Me Ride"
Lenny Kravitz "Fly Away"
Maroon 5 "One More Night"
Blondie "Call Me"
Ariana Grande & The Weekend "Love Me Harder"
Beyoncé "If I Were A Boy"
Cranberries "Zombie"
Avicii "Wake Me Up"
Bruno Mars "Grenade"
Christina Perri "Human"