Author's Notes: Here you go, chapter seven!
Disclaimer: All characters are not my original creation.
Chapter 7: The BanHammer
Matt and Gabumon observed the Tamers' practising at the Wolves' Lair for two weeks, trying to pinpoint the sound of the band.
They first tried playing contemporary punk and alternative rock, which turned out to be major strength for the Tamers. However, Matt believed there were usually too many punk bands at BandBlitz.
So then they made the Tamers way into heavy and hardcore rock, which was a genre they were also pretty good at performing, but not as well as punk rock. Those practices were Ryo's favourite, because hardcore rock was his favourite kind of music.
After that, they ventured into metal and progressive rock. For a drummer as inexperienced as Takato, a genre that utilizes extremely fast drum beats was a challenge (although playing metal was an excuse for Takato to drum loudly, which he enjoyed).
Days after, the band tried playing pop rock and electro-pop. Rika enjoyed those practices, as evident to Matt and Gabumon from her dancing and twirling during rehearsals. Henry enjoyed the pop rock genre too, because it allowed him to experiment on the keyboard.
When the Tamers weren't practising, they would be eating pizza while Matt told them stories about his performances. Other times, he would approach the Tamers for some one-on-one advice. For instance, he showed Takato how to perform different kinds of beats and drum rolls, as well as how to set up a drum kit. Another time, Ryo how to hook pedals up to his amp. Henry learned how to adjust the settings on a synthesizer, and how to play the rock organ. And Matt taught Rika how to look active on stage, without running out of breath while singing.
And over those two weeks, Tamers invited Kenta, Kazu, and Jeri to practices. Kenta and Kazu were thrilled to help, so Matt taught them how to set up, assemble, and pack up the instruments; a tiring yet important responsibility. Jeri was also happy to assist the band. She provided the group with her cooking, which Gabumon started to like more than Pizza Samurai. Jeri would also mend Takato's hands, which were always blistered from drumming to hard (obviously, Jeri and Takato enjoyed those moments).
And after the second week of practice, the group decided to take a break with a small party. That afternoon, they ate some Pizza Samurai, some pastries from the Matsuki's bakery brought by Takato, and some sandwiches from Mr. Katou's restaurant brought by Jeri.
"Well you've all been working hard," Matt was happy to announce, "and I am deeply proud of everyone's progress." The Tamers smiled in response. They enjoyed rehearsing, even Henry, who didn't mind being sidetracked from studying (although he still studied a lot).
"I'm especially thankful for Jeri, Kenta and Kazu, who dedicated their time to help the band in small, yet significant ways." Matt continued. Jeri and Kenta blushed modestly, unlike Kazu who folded his arms in an expression of pride and self-glorification.
"In one week BandBlitz will begin, but before that we'll have to go through the final and most important step of preparation." Matt said and paused.
"Are we going to have some kind of... show?" Kazu asked.
"Yeah, are we going to play somewhere to get some hype?" Ryo agreed.
"Are we going to trash the headquarters of another band?" Rika guessed.
"Haha, that's not we're going to do guys." Matt said. "We'll meet tomorrow at the Wolves' Lair for lunch. Afterwards we'll have to go... shopping."
...
"Shopping?" Rika cried. It turned out that her, Ryo, Takato, Henry, and Matt were heading to a clothing store owned by Matt's friend to pick out performing outfits.
"As much as I hate to break it to you," Matt explained, "It's important for the band to look separate from the crowd and from different bands. It's also a way of scaring opponents. We need people to look at you and believe you're the fiercest band in BandBlitz."
Ryo gave a sigh of submission. As much as he was scarred by weekends of shopping with his mom, he hoped that shopping today would be less embarrassing. Henry and Takato wouldn't mind at all if Matt said it was imperative for them to dress right. Rika however, was fuming. Like Ryo, she spent too many weekends shopping with her mom. Rika wished she were with Jeri, Kenta, and Kazu who were sent by Matt on some important errand, or with Gabumon back at the Lair performing maintenance on the instruments.
They eventually got to the store that Matt's friend owned, called "Tachee".
"Isn't a tachi a kind of katana that the samurai used?" Henry commented.
"Haha, it is. But my friend who owns the place meant a different 'tachi'." Matt noted.
"What kind of 'tachi'?" Henry asked.
"Herself!" Matt noted.
Matt then led them inside shop to the checkout desk, where they met a girl who looked older than Matt. Her hair was dyed pink, and she was humming to the music that was playing in the store; Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne.
"Hey Mimi." Matt greeted.
The girl Mimi turned to face Matt. "Oh hey Matt!" Mimi replied. It was apparent from her greeting to the Tamers that Mimi was the perky-ditsy type.
"Guys, I would like you to meet Mimi Tachikawa, an old friend of mine. Mimi, meet the band!" Matt introduced.
"So you're the band Matt keeps blabbering about! You're looking for stage clothes to wear, right?" Mimi said. She sounded like she was talking to ten-year-olds rather than teenagers.
"Yes ma'am." Ryo said.
"Well aren't you the cutest thing!" Mimi said, pinching Ryo's cheeks lightly. Rika doubted whether Mimi was any different from her mom. And everyone else finally understood why Rika kept complaining about going shopping with her mom.
"Okay kiddies, here is how this will work. I'll pick some clothes for you one-by-one, and you decide what you like best." Mimi explained.
The Tamers gave a nod.
"Well then, let's start with the lady!" Mimi said gleefully, mentioning Rika.
"When this is done, I'll make sure Matt pays..." Rika swore to herself.
...
As Rika shopped with Mimi, she discovered Mimi was a little more lenient with picking out clothes than her mom. For instance, they both agreed the best choice for pants were black jeans. However, Rika was against Mimi's preference for slim-fit jeans.
"I don't understand why you don't like wearing fitted jeans." Mimi complained, "There's nothing wrong with looking fabulous while being a tomboy. I do it all the time!" Mimi giggled.
Mimi then picked out a shirt and a pair of shoes for Rika, and Rika went to the changing stall at the back to try the clothes on.
When Rika was done, Mimi called out, "Hey boys, come and see Rika!" The guys went from the front of the store to the back where Mimi and Rika were, and Mimi had them take their seats on some benches by the changing stalls.
"Okay Rika, they're ready. You can come out now." Mimi called, excited.
"Ugh, do I have to show them?" the boys heard Rika complain from the changing stall.
"Of course! Don't worry, you look fine!" Mimi replied.
Rika then pulled the curtains from her changing stall. Rika was wearing the black slim-fit jeans that Mimi picked out. The top that Rika was wearing was a fitted t-shirt. All around the t-shirt was a printed design of the moon's craters. For shoes, Rika wore a pair of low-top, black sneakers.
The tamers were all astonished. "Whoa there hot mama!" Ryo complimented. Rika blushed. "Yeah Rika, you look amazing!" Takato agreed. Henry nodded and smiled his approval.
"It looks great." Matt said. "But for a rocker, you're missing something important."
"Oh my goodness, I can't believe I forgot!" Mimi cried. Mimi then ran to the front of the store to get the final item.
She came back with a plain, waist-length leather jacket. "Every rocker needs a black leather jacket!" Mimi explained, and gave the jacket to Rika. Rika tried it on, and then checked her appearance in the mirror nearby.
"Now you look like the perfect frontwoman." Matt said assuringly. Ryo, Henry, and Takato agreed that the jacket added a fierce edge to Rika's appearance.
Rika smiled. "So maybe shopping isn't that bad." She thought to herself.
Mimi then went around the store with Takato. Takato wasn't picky about clothes, so Mimi chose for him. She started by selecting a pair of black straight jeans, and a red t-shirt. She then picked out a black waistcoat to compliment the t-shirt. For shoes, Matt picked out low-top sneakers like Rika's, so that Takato could bend his ankles freely while drumming.
After Takato was Henry. Just like Takato, Henry wasn't so sure what he wanted to wear. And so, Mimi just picked an outfit for him, which turned out to be similar to Matt's attire; a pair of black straight jeans, a white v-neck t-shirt with a print of a black & white archery target on the front, a dark brown blazer, and some high-top sneakers.
Finally, it was Ryo's turn. Mimi had the most fun dressing up Ryo, which was apparent because Mimi had Ryo try seven different outfits, when the rest of the Tamers needed only two outfit changes each. As well, the group could hear Mimi cry from the back:
"That doesn't work, here's another shirt. Take off the shirt you're wearing. Take it off!" Rika couldn't help but giggle.
After seven outfit changes, Ryo finished with a navy blue military-style dress shirt complete with two breast pockets and shoulder straps, which Ryo preferred to keep sleeves-rolled-up. For pants, Ryo wore a pair of black straight jeans held on by black suspenders (Mimi thought they made him look sophisticated). For shoes Ryo wore high-top sneakers similar to Henry's.
The complete time for shopping took an hour. Afterwards, the group along with Mimi sat at the back, talking about BandBlitz. They were waiting for Jeri, Kenta, and Kazu, who came back from their errand a little later.
"Hey guys, did you do what I asked you to do?" Matt greeted.
"Yes we did!" Jeri said, happily.
"What did you ask them to do?" Takato asked.
"I asked them to think of names for the band." Matt revealed. Jeri, Kenta, and Kazu smiled proudly. The other four Tamers stared at them, jealous of the fact that they didn't have to spend their time trying on clothes.
"So let's hear it." Matt asked.
"After brainstorming, we each picked one name we liked." Kenta explained.
"Yes. I chose the name... Koala Kingdom!" Jeri said, gleefully.
"Well... all in favour?" Matt asked, motioning the Tamers to raise their hands if they were in agreement. Jeri and Mimi were the only ones to vote in favour. "Unfortunately Jeri, Koala Kingdom isn't really a good name for a rock band." Rika said, trying to be easy on her.
"Nonsense, that name is perfect, Jeri!" Mimi assured. Jeri smiled, "At least one person liked my name!" she thought to herself.
Then Kazu revealed his pick, "Haha, and then my choice was... Mega Ion Cannon Blaster."
Matt then held a vote, this time it was only Kazu and Takato that held their hands up. Ryo commented this time, "As cool as that name is, it sounds... over-compensating." Rika and Mimi nodded their heads in agreement.
Kenta was the last to go, "Then I picked the name... BanHammer."
"All in favour?" Matt asked. Kenta raised his hand. After a few seconds, Rika raised her hand as well, then Henry, Takato, Ryo, and then everyone.
"BanHammer" Matt relished the name, "Quirky, yet taunting...!" Matt then stood up on one of the benches in the shop. He said in a dramatic emcee voice, "Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for... The BanHammer!"
The rest of Tamers cheered in excitement.
To Be Continued...
Author's Note: Well that was hard to write. I had Rika's outfit originally planned out in my head (a mix between Karen-O, Emily Haines, and Alison Mosshart), but the guys were a bit more difficult to think of. I was on Wikipedia, looking up different kinds of shirts, suits and vests. In the end, I hope the fashion-researching was worth it :P. As for Mimi, who wouldn't want to go shopping with someone like her! Feel free to comment, and send in any song suggestions or band names as always. :D
Next Chapter: TBD :O
