Chapter 8

Well…

There is still a tie between two choices in my poll. Would anyone care to vote? I'd save me the trouble of choosing whoever the hell I want and it'd give you guys a measure of control. (like the natural sado-masochist control freaks you people are.)

No really, vote. You have two days people, get moving!


Dim blue lights glowed all around a lone chipmunk. He stood on a stool, watching flashes of information streak across his vision then disappearing. A machine behind the chipmunk hummed slowly and softly, breaking the silence that permeated the room.

Tiny bright lights pooled out of the machine, gathering together to form an image. The image then rose, flying past the others and straight into sight. The figure cocked his head for a moment, taking in the information. With a curt nod the lights dispersed, erasing the image from existence.

"File 2015 dash RMP dash TS." the figure declared. For a moment, everything stood still. The tiny lights swirled in the air, converging into the image of a graveyard. The scene was one of an early summer morning. Two blue birds remained frozen in place, chasing one another across a field of calm green. White, crisp gravestones stood perfectly in place where at the end of a row a small welcome sign greeted visitors.

"So this is Redwood Memorial Park… Zoom in on sector D and play." The image flickered for a moment before shifting to another. This one was a video of a very small coffin being lowered into the ground. Crying noted the sorrow of those present, but the chipmunk couldn't see the people who were crying. Curiosity overcame him and he gave another command.

"Pause and shift down."

The image flickered and a red exclamation point popped in and out of existence. Anger flashed across the unfamiliar face as the image refused to move.

"Shift down!"

Again the red exclamation point appeared, refusing the figure's demands. The chipmunk grunted in frustration and looked at the image with a careful eye. He couldn't see the name on the tombstone, though a single "e" poked out from the top of the image. Below it the tombstone read "Savior, Brother, Friend". This was the key to the future? This was the climax of a five year long struggle?

"Doesn't seem to be too important. Who could possibly be so special that their funeral service became a file? I'm probably just thinking about this too hard."

He shrugged and called out for the next file.


The sound of a power drill rang through the air. Sam jumped up in fright, sending the device in his hands sailing through the air.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

The little machine crashed into the ground. Bits and pieces were sent flying. Sam was forced to duck as a screw came right for him. It collided against the stone wall and disappeared behind the shelf where the techie stood. His garage was a sanctuary, a sacred place for him and his machines of doom. Everyone knew not to enter it. Anyone who tried usually suffered at the hands of his many traps.

Sam couldn't believe his bad luck. "I was working on that thing for weeks!"

An arrogant voice called out from the garage door. "Your problem, not mine nerd."

The voice was coming from the far end of the garage, blocked from view by a pale blue counter. It jutted out from the wall for easier access to tools. But now it was an obstacle that blocked the chipmunk's view. That voice… It can't be her. She wouldn't dare. Soft giggles pierced the silence and anger flashed across the chipmunk's face. Oh how I hate that voice. Maybe if I-

"Don't try it." Sam scratched his head. The voice was female, and only Percy could read minds. Whoever this chipmunk was, she was bluffing. There was no way she could possibly know his secret escape tunnel.

Screw it, I don't take orders from nobody… except Percy. Sometimes… Whatever! The tech-savvy chipmunk looked at his dirty, torn tie with fondness. This was his good luck charm. That evil witch couldn't stop him! He'd dash across the garage floor, zigzagging through the maze of disregarded tools and machines. Then he'd hurtle through the air and straight into his emergency exit hatch.

This plan could not fail!

Sam leapt from the counter. This felt glorious! Nothing could stop him now… Is that the floor? His instant collision gave the answer. He lay still for a minute, paralyzed from the pain. "This hurts…"

"Wow kid that's some bad luck right there. Heh, wouldn't want to be you right now." Sam's eyes narrowed. He knew that vile, disgusting voice anywhere.

"Get the fuck out Hex!" Sam swore again as he felt the bruising swell. "This is my bread and butter. You've desecrated my bread and butter!" He added, pointing at the swelling on his forehead.

"Woah, relax kid. Settle down. I'm just passing a message on."

"The fuck you are! Just get out before I-"

"Before you what? Get pissy and run to Percy like a big baby? As if I gave a damn. Now listen to the damn message." She smirked in triumph. He glared in defeat.

"Fine. What's the message."

The chipette resolved to savor this for a bit longer. It was a rare treat to experience the pain of others. Especially Sam's. It felt, magnificent and satisfying to say the least. "Look behind you. "

Sam looked upon the heap of junk that once was the maroon van he was forced to drive. The auto had seen better days, that was for sure. It was one thing to suddenly see a broken down van appear behind you. It was an entirely different thing to see a broken van appear behind you when the only entrance was much too small and the only exit was much too loud for it to have appeared without notice.

That thought terrified him.

"We need it in prime condition by tonight."

"Are you telling me that I have to rebuild this piece of crap?"

"No, Percy is. Oh and I call doing the paintjob." Hex leapt from the shelf, dropping to Sam's side in a flourish. "Aww, don't look so down. At least you get to name it."

Sam perked up at that. He would come up with a name so stunning, so absolutely amazing and thrilling that it would be a name cautiously spoken for fear that he would drive it through the wall like that kool-aid man on the T.V.

"Oh yeah…" he whispered quietly. Hex showed no signs of hearing him. "Lets name it Sam's Vehicular Awesome Thing of Doom."

"No."

"How about The Greatest-"

"No."

The techie's shoulders slumped over. Hex stared blankly in return, her arms crossed. "I guess we'll call it-"

"No."

"But I didn't even-"

"No."

His glare met her expressionless face. "Ok, Hex. What do you want to name it?"

"The Queen Victoria." She responded simply. Sam jerked back in surprise, then glared in disgust.

"Oh hellllll no. We are not-"

"Yes we are."

"No. You said I cou-"

"No I didn't." Her face remained expressionless. The lie was obvious to both chipmunks. Hex found it hard to care. "We will name it The Queen Victoria, you will put the van back in pristine condition, and then you will drive the Chipmunks and the Chipettes home. Is that clear?" Her fearsome countenance told the techie turned mechanic that this was not up for discussion.

"Y-yeah. Fine."

"Now get to work. I've got an appointment with a certain someone."


Simon was angry. No that was an understatement. He was absolutely furious. How dare Percy call him a traitor and a coward? How dare he make all of those accusations and pass himself off as some omniscient god? The blue-clad chipmunk's quiet fury expressed an aura of oppressive hate. Simon could barely hear the pleading voices of his brothers asking him to wait up. He ignored it for now. They didn't need to see him like this.

In his anger he rushed out of the clinic and started off in a random direction. The clinic was at the center of the city, where many of the tree-shaped buildings' branches converged. "Easier to get help if someone's in trouble…" he mused. Then his thoughts returned to the source of his anger: Percy.

Simon couldn't help but seethe even more at the older chipmunk. It was because of him that Simon had lost control, twice! His words had been so… true. That caught the bespectacled chipmunk off guard. He thought Percy was right? Never… and yet…

Simon could do nothing but rage against Percy internally.

The raging chipmunk whirled around to face his brothers. They jumped in surprise and a bit in fear. Theodore could never remember seeing his older brother like this. Alvin remembered though. Three years ago. He still had the scars, inside and out.

"Bro… are you okay? Listen, Percy was a bit of a jerk-"

"A BIT? No, he was a narcissistic, arrogant, lying, egotistical ass. I don't want to see his face ever again or so help me I'll…" Theodore's soft green eyes tore at Simon's anger. He had to be an example for his younger brother. The kind Alvin could never, and would never be. Yet here he was, flying off the handle.

"Si, calm down man. Look we're going home, okay? Percy told us to head down to the car." Alvin pleaded. Simon's resolve broke then.

"Alright… lets get out of this hell."


Several hours later…

The Chipettes had spent at least an hour looking for their guide. The clinic was utterly empty, and when they returned to the chamber that Percy had talked to them in, he was gone. Brittany was a bit glad at that. What changed to make Percy so… wrong? He used to be nice, kind, gentle. He was their stalwart guardian and their faithful friend but now…

"We've looked everywhere Brittany. I doubt that whoever was supposed to take us home is still here." Jeanette called from the floor.

Eleanor gave a tired sigh from her plush, miniature chair. "Yeah Brit, this place is bare. I didn't even see the doctor anywhere."

Brittany was about to give a sarcastic retort when something hit her. "Wait. What's the one place we haven't looked."

The other two girls looked to one another, coming to a realization. "The patient's rooms!" The three called out.

"Alright girls, you go wait for Alvin to come back with his brother while I check on the patients."


Hex reached out for her sister's hand, gripping it tightly. Her sister had become so light, so pale… Where was her cheerful enthusiasm, her brutish competitiveness, her-

"Excuse me miss?"

Deep obsidian eyes, wrought with pain met curious sky blue ones. The two were stuck firmly in place, neither able to break the silence. Brittany really didn't know what to say. Words escaped her, seeing another watch her sister suffer in silence. The Chipette prayed to never have to experience such pain.

After minutes had passed the Chipette finally spoke up. "Is Vex your sister?"

"Yeah… She is."

Brittany noted how similar the two looked. Almost twins really, except for the color of their fur. That made them distinct, different. The pink-clad chipette briefly entertained the idea of her and her sisters being triplets.

It was a horrifying thought.

In Hex's mind however, there was deep guilt and regret. If only she had switched places with her manipulative sister. Hex would have gladly given up her tail if it meant saving her sister from this trauma.. She was so smart and nice and… she deserved better than this.

"Well, I guess I better take you guys to the car now. Sam's had enough time to screw around." Hex squeezed her sisters hand one more time. "Be strong Vex. Come back to us whenever your ready…"


Sam was flipping the fuck out.

Or rather, he was tearing his hair out in complete frustration. He'd gotten the damnable car up to speed but the thing didn't want to start. Hex was late by a few hours, giving him just enough time to buff out the scratches, switch out the battery, change the headlights, and every other damn problem the car had. But the engine was still shot to hell.

Then he had to spend time fixing the hydraulic lift so that the car could get out into the road. Needless to say that was a big waste of his time when all he had to do was refill the tanks with hydraulic fluid. Then his lucky tie was torn into two by the van's engine.

This entire job was sucking. Hard.

"Cmon baby, let me hear you purr for daddy. I know you want to. Please? For me?" He whispered to the car affectionately. This was his last resort, his secret weapon. No machine could possibly resist his manly charm.

But this was apparently no ordinary machine. Sam pushed the key to the ignition but the battered vehicle still refused to start. "Will you start already you crappy excuse for a van! I don't have time for this, Hex will-'

"Will what?"

The six chipmunks plus Hex stood in the backseat, giving him a strange looks. Sam gave them a nervous smile. When did they get in? He didn't even hear the door open.

"Is there a problem Sam?"

Sam's thoughts began racing at her icy stare. Uh oh…, I can see that look in her eye. Oh no… not the whip! Anything but the damn whip! For the love of God start you piece of-

The engine roared to life instantly and Sam shook with joy. That was not an experience he wanted to have again. When Hex didn't get her way, she made sure that everyone around her suffered because of it.

He still had the scars.

"Ladies and Gentlemen this is your captain speaking. We will be approaching the runway in just a minute so strap yourselves-"

"Just GO!"

Sam dropped to the comfortable driver's seat. His Talent wasn't easy to use, but it was the only way any of them could drive human vehicles. The techie felt the pull of the engine, the energy of the oil, the power of the battery. His normally black eyes glowed green and the hydraulic lift rose. The ceiling parted, revealing hundreds of stars shining brilliantly through the pitch black darkness around them.

They rose outside of the building above the garage, the motel's barely functional sign visible to all. The van's slow ascent finished on the other side of the motel, hidden from direct view.

"Alright guys, here we go!" The car sped off onto the road. The other chipmunks flailed about, scrambling to put on their seatbelts. Hex seemed to keep her balance anyway.

"Hey, isn't L.A. in the other direction?"

"Right."


Meanwhile…

Ian Hawke burned with jealousy. The plush top level office, the hot secretary holding all of his calls, the money. All of it should've been his! He immediately hated this John Holstein guy. The man had taken him across this maze of a building, no doubt showing off. But the man had promised him vengeance on those dirty singing rats… That was enough to earn his tolerance, for now.

"Mr. Hawke, right this way." John opened a crystal glass door to a roomy conference room. "We have much to discuss."

Ian noticed the sparkling wall fountain and the comfortable leather seats. He sat on one, immediately feeling the relaxing effect. Even his chairs at Jett Records weren't this comfortable. Whoever this guy worked for, they must have paid well.

"You said over the phone that you would help me with my Chipmunk problem, Mr. Holstein is it?"

"Please, call me John. And yes that was me over the phone. We at the Institute have a proposition to make. "

"What kind of proposition?" Ian asked cautiously. This much of a welcome for a guy living in a crappy one-bedroom apartment? Something was up. The balding man propped his legs up on the table and reclined his chair. Oh yeah, this was good…

"You see Mr. Hawke we share… similar goals. You want your old life back in your hands, correct? Well we can help you with that. Our crack legal team has discovered a clause in your contract that will serve us both well." John let the information sink in before continuing. "As it stands, the Chipettes owe you at least 50 million dollars in cash according to your contract. Alone, your chances of winning a legal battle with Jett Records and the Seville family is nil. With our resources however…

Anything is possible."

Ian reserved his joy. His money, his fame, his status, all returning to him. But there was one thing that Ian couldn't wrap his head around. "What do you get out of this?"

John leaned back into his chair. What would he get out of this? He didn't know why the Institute was doing this. If anything, they should've spent the money on his next few engagements. But John wouldn't question those in charge, just yet. "I'm just a face, a liaison if you will. My superiors would rather not be seen by face or given any attention because of our actions. As for what they want… I really don't know. All you need to do is meet with our legal team where they'll brief you, then show up in court. Simple right?"

Ian truly didn't buy it. This was all too good to be true. Ian would eventually realize that this offer was in fact, too good to be true far too late to stop the Institute. And he would pay in blood for his naivety and greed.

"Are you ready to change your life around Mr. Hawke?"

Ian grinned evilly. Oh yes, he was quite ready. "Sign me up John."


End Chapter 8

Finally finished this chapter. Special thanks to Victory's Raconteur for your awesome review.

Head over to my poll my faithful readers, and vote. Despite what you see here, the character(s) who get the most votes will be receiving powers. In fact, every chipmunk will get them. Which power they get and how powerful it is will be dependant on the reviews I get. Suggest some if you'd like. Depending on how interesting and not mainstream it is it may get into the story and you will be given credit for the idea.

In addition, when the first act of this story is completed which should be when the Chipmunks and the Chipettes all discover their powers, I'll be doing a complete revision of this story in it's entirety. You guys may want to watch out for that. Then ill take a week or so to give myself new ideas and refresh the mind.

Believe it or not a ton of my story is done on the spot as I write. If the plot or the grammer seems choppy, its because I stuck ideas and characters in at random. Thanks to all who reviewed this story, most notably Amon23. His faithful reviewing of this story helped keep it alive, especially when I sort of lost interest around chapter 4. Thanks buddy.