A/N: Thank you to all who have read the last chapter and story all together. Anyway, enough talk for I've kept you guys waiting long enough. here's Chapter 25. All rights go to their respective owners. Without further adu, let's go!
Chapter 25: The Shot Heard Round the World
At Ian's estate, little Theodore was starting to stir after a night of trying to keep his worst dreams away, but it was far from easy to do so. He yawned while stretching his little bones from the night before as he looked around realizing he was alright and that the nightmares as they usually were, weren't real.
"Uhh...What a dream..." He moaned to himself which soon afterward upon hearing his voice, he heard another voice in the hallway.
"Where's my money maker?!" The voice called out from the distance which snapped Theodore from his fantasy.
"It's no dream..." Theodore soon remembered as Ian begin to strut in Theodore's custom made bedroom, fit for any wealthy human; much less a eight inch chipmunk.
"Rise and shine Theo, you've got a big day ahead of you." Ian proudly "in his own mind" proclaimed to his green clad employer which Theodore didn't understand.
"What big day?" He wondered while still wiping the sleep from his eyes, looking up as best he could as the sun shined through the window. Ian was more than happy to explain his intentions.
"Well, Uncle Ian has set you up for a talk show interview for the whole country to see today." The announcment did nothing but put fear into his client's body, making him tremble at his words.
"An interview?" Theodore stuttered out.
"That's right," Ian responded back to him with a big grin on his face. With the look on Ian's face, Theodore knew that there was bigger intentions for this to happen, sure enough he was right. "and let's just say Theo; this'll be your first test to see where your loyalty is to me."
"Great..." A weak and single word which came from Theodore. He didn't know what the evil intentions were, but he knew one thing for sure, that it was going to be terrible.
XXX
Back home, the kids had just gotten done breakfast and most of them had gone off to do their own thing. Eleanor on the other hand decided to just stay at the table to ponder, besides food was a key componant of her day. Eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a few snacks along the way, plus food reminded her of Theodore also. She had become the prime example of Food for Thought per say, though she never knew what that meant. She began to look over in the seat that her friend would sit in and recall the times he made her laugh; at times without even trying. She visioned a time when Theodore had a humongous ice cream dessert in front of him eating it like he hadn't eaten in weeks, perhaps months.
"Oh Boy! I can't get enough of all this stuff." Theodore said to himself as the others looked on in shock, Brittany in disgust wondering how someone could just pig out without a care in the world. He continued eating until Dave gave him a word of concern.
"Theodore...you need to watch what you eat."Dave warned him, hoping that he wouldn't get a tummyache, something he was known to get when he got carried away snacking.
"Awe, but Dave..."Theodore whined in innocence. Dave though shook his head and wouldn't take any pouty face Theodore would conjure up. Indeed Theodore tried, but Dave was ready for.
"No buts, please just watch what you eat. Don't get carried away on those sweets."Dave repeated again with a point of a finger as he soon walked away.
"Okay Dave." Theodore accepted his fate and did what his dad said and began watching his food on his spoon, and then proceeded to shove it into his mouth. "Mmm, watching the food is a lot better anyway." He responded which actually made Brittany smile and chuckle, though she tried to hide it of course. Alvin and the others had no problem laughing quietly to make sure Dave didn't overhear them.
*END VISION*
Theodore's sense of humor always cheered Eleanor up. She knew it was why they were made for each other, but then at the same always made her feel bad about the past month. She knew Theodore was right about what he said, there was nothing wrong with saying that he should home with them, but it was too late for her to realize that.
XXX
In downtown LA, a TV interview studio was beginning to fill with fans awaiting to see Theodore for an inpromptu interview made by Ian Hawke. Nearly every seat was filling up rapidly with more fans out the door awaiting to be seat. Theodore used his lack of size to be able to look out in the studio to see all the people gathering putting extreme dread in him. This was what he'd become, a megastar with people looking like they would give up an arm or a leg to meet him, or see him.
"There...sure are a lot of people out there." As the nervousness in Theodore body began to take over as Ian walked up behind him.
"...All waiting to hear what Hollywood's newest star has to say to the world." Ian finished Theodore's sentence which made the chipmunk swallow the saliva in his mouth. Ian then proceeded to pull out a slip of paper with writing on it and then knelt down to his client. "And just in case you're not sure what to say, I made a list of things for you to say when you're out there."
But this wasn't any normal piece of paper, it was exactly what Theodore had hoped it wouldn't be. Ian's first test was going on national TV and embarrassing his friends and family with false statements and beliefs. All he could do was shake his head in denial.
"What!? No...I won't say any of this...they...they'll never forgive me." He then looked up and soon saw a stern look on Ian's face which made him realize that this was no joke, nor was Ian joking about the threat he made. "I mean...this is a...wonderful list of...insults to say." Theodore gave in to.
"Just think Theodore...you're going to insult your friends and family to protect them. And if a single word out of your chubby cheeks sounds untrue, well...you know what's gonna happen. Have fun out there." Ian bolded stated as he straighted his suit and then walked off leaving Theodore to gaze at the sheet more and more. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place now left to ponder his thoughts, or if there was even anything he could do.
"What am I gonna do?" Theodore thought to himself aloud just as he heard the host of the show.
"And now introducing Hollywood's new top star, from right here in LA; Chipmunk Star, Theodore Seville!" The crowd erupted in cheers as they awaited him. In a split second, he had to shake it off and put on a smile.
"I'm sorry guys." Theodore said to himself and proceeded to run out for his much dreaded talk.
XXX
Completely unaware of the ongoing problem, Alvin was lying on the couch thinking something to do to pass the time. He figured with their singing careers almost over, if he couldn't find things to do in his spare time, he was in store for some long days on his horizon. He saw the remote and realized that their groundment of no TV without supervision was over and he was now free to watch what he wished.
"Wonder what's on TV?" Alvin pondered as he picked up the remote, turned the TV on and started surfing through stations. "Seen it...seen it...seen it." His voice more drone with every responce, his boredom returned. But just as soon as he was about to come to the last couple stations, his eyes froze on someone on the screen that looked fimilar, but that only that, but family familar.
"It's been great to be here so far." The familar face answered to his responder.
"Theodore?" Alvin questioned as his eyes were now glued to the station as he sat back to see what the deal was.
"We've been fun and games so far, but I heard that you were willing to be very open about what has happened since your rise to fame." The host asked the green clad chipmunk which made like a connection between both Theodore and Alvin worried at the same time.
"That's right..." Theodore stated bringing an "ooh" from the crowd.
"Uh oh..." Alvin said staring at the TV as he knew something was up. He knew Theodore more than anyone, and he knew Theodore would never have agreed to speak out on anything unless he was told to...or made to.
"So how have your friends and family reacted to your boom of success?" The first question to be asked, already Alvin was sweating more than Theodore was, and he wasn't even in front of hundreds of people in a studio, much less with millions watching live. Theodore looked like he was thinking about what to say and looked over to the host for his answer as he put on a frown.
"Well, even though they acted like they were happy for me, deep down they never really believed in what I could do; and they all became really jealous of me when it happened. Especially Alvin..." His responce gathered awes from the crowd. Alvin like being shot out of a cannon jumped up on his feet with his jaw open.
"What!? What are you talking about Theo?" Alvin sternly responded to Theodore's responce, though knowing he was obviously speaking at a TV monitor.
"It was always about him, all the time; which I never had a problem with, but then Dave said we weren't going to do concerts anymore...that was before the song I made became so popular. I got one shining moment, and it was one too many for Alvin. There were times Alvin acted like a big jerk." He finished the question.
"Huh?" Alvin continued to just gaze at the screen dumbfounded.
"Who's that on the screen Alvin?" Just as a voice called from the hallway. It was Brittany, along with Simon and Jeanette behind her as they walked in also.
"What?" Alvin flinched as he quickly changed to another station out of instinct. "Oh nothing...just uh...weather report...yeah that's it." With his straight on the fly answer. None of them were buying that con job for a second though, even though they couldn't see exactly what was on screen.
"Alvin, you're fibbing. Gimme the remote." Simon called to him as he jumped on the couch.
"No..." Alvin quickly rebutted back trying to tuck the remote under his arm. Simon took offense to Alvin's stubbornness and tried to grab and snatch it from as the took started pulling on the remote like it was a game of Tug of War. Brittany and Jeanette just stared at the two shaking their heads.
"Do we ever fight like this Jeanette?" Brittany asked still looking up at the exchange between the two brothers.
"I don't think so." She answered looking at the same quarrel her sister was as Simon and Alvin started wrestling each other to grab the remote.
"Thank god." Brittany said with a sigh of relief. Meanwhile Simon was still going at as he had Alvin pinned to the couch base trying to pry the remote from Alvin's hands.
"Let go Alvin! You've had it all morning." Simon demanded as he pulled as hard as he could until he flew back with the remote in hand as he landed in the backseat cushion.
"No!" Alvin whined as Simon guarded the remote as he looked to change the channel back.
"Come on Alvin...what was so bad that you went to that extent trying to hide." Simon question to Alvin as he hit the channel down button and quickly saw Theodore's face on screen.
"...and Simon and Jeanette..." "Nerd Alert!" They all heard Theodore say mid sentence as he held up his pointer finger and thumb on his forehead like an "L" meaning "Loser".
"Uh..." Simon slurred out as he dropped the remote in shock as they all looked on at the atrocity.
"That..." Alvin pointed to answering Simon's question as Theodore was midway into another question. "Simon was always trying to protect me, like I was still a baby. I wished he would just let me be me."
"Uh...what!?" The befuddled Simon questioned the remark.
"That's what I said." Alvin responded indirectly to Simon's comment as they continued to look on.
"Dave! You might wanna come see this." Simon called out to Dave who was in the other room pertaining to business.
"Not now boys, I'm kinda busy right now." Dave answered from another room thinking it was something not really nessecary to see at the moment, but the kids disagreed.
"This really can't wait Dave." Brittany followed up which soon they heard the footsteps of Dave approaching the living room.
"Alright guys, what's so important." Dave entered with a phone in hand.
"This!" They all said in unison pointing at the screen.
"...And 'CRASH'! Alvin goofed up again! Totally wrecked Grandpa Seville's car." Theodore mocked on screen smashing his paw into his other paw making a splating sound.
"Ahh...Theodore!" Dave said in shock. "I gotta call you back." Dave clicked a button and dropped the phone heading to the TV with the others.
"Can you believe him? He's not even telling it right..." Alvin tried to lighten the mood, but only getting Brittany covering his mouth for his troubles.
"Zip it and listen." Brittany warned Alvin to his face as they both looked over again.
"Hey guys! I heard some comotion, what's going on?" The voice of Eleanor was heard as soon the final one of them walked in seeing what was on screen as the rest looked over to her and back to the screen in amazement, but not in a good way.
"So moving onto a more gentle subject," The host began again to start another question.
"Theodore?" Eleanor noticed and wondered.
"...how about any relationship you might be in right now. Any feelings you might share with anyone." The question finished. Theodore looked down at his feet and then back up to answer.
"Well, there's only one chipmunk in the world that's important to me right now." Theodore gave with great pride which Eleanor became found of.
"Awe Theodore..." Eleanor sweetly said.
"Me." He finished. (Quiet) You could the sound of glass shatter in the distance per say.
"Theodore?" Eleanor shockly wondered what had just been spoken.
"What...did he...say?" Jeanette asked aloud to them all.
"So to everyone out there...I'm available!" Theodore then announced to the whole world which got a huge reaction from the live crowd, but in the house of the Seville's.
"Theodore...how could you!?" Eleanor moaned as she ran off to their bedroom as fast as she could, her heart broken.
"Eleanor!" Brittany called out to her sister but to no avail, she paused and then looked back in anger back at the TV. "What is your brother doing?" She questioned to Alvin with almost pure venom in her voice and with a look that could turn someone to stone.
"I don't know." Alvin responded weakly which she turned to him now to get answers from him.
"And you tried to hide this? Why would you not want us to see this?" Brittany demanded in question form, which Alvin couldn't give an answer to. Suddenly, their attention turned to yet another remark Theodore just made on screen.
"And Alvin, oh you wouldn't believe the things he says about Brittany." Theodore said chuckling as Brittany looked on as Alvin gazed into the screen as the others looked on also.
"Alvin...what is he talking about?" Looking over at him with the corner of her eyes.
"How should I know." Alvin again cluelessly denied.
"About who would ever wanna be friends with a drama queen like her." Brittany's eyes squinted over to Alvin's direction as Alvin was clueless at Theodore's comments, as he was in the entire interview.
"What? I never said that Brit!" Alvin pleaded with her. But just then they heard Theodore on the screen again.
"Hey bro, you owe me five bucks for saying I would never tell her." Theodore waved into the camera with an innocent smile on his face. Brittany's blood began to boil as she grabbed Alvin by his shirt.
"I trusted you Alvin!" Brittany yelled to him as she ran off into their bedroom, Alvin tried to follow, but she slammed the door on him.
"Brittany, you gotta believe me! I didn't say any of that stuff!" Alvin called to her, but she gave no answer. Everything that he did for her, thrown out the window by words said by his brother, Alvin looked back over at the TV screen as the others looked on as Alvin just tried to bottle in his feelings, but the emotions were getting the better of him as he started to shake until...
"THEODORE!" He screamed out at the top of his lungs and followed stomping on the floor almost as if trying to cause pain to it as he stomped off. Dave and the others knew they just had to let Alvin let it out. They were all shocked to what they had heard their young sibling say as why would say all of this for the world to hear. Why? Alvin then ran off out of sight as Simon and Jeanette tried to find him, leaving only Dave in the living room with utter confusion. But then Theodore was then asked a question that pertained to Dave himself which turned his attention back to the screen.
"What about the one who takes care of you, Dave? Do you feel any resentment towards him as well?" The host asked once more. Theodore looked up at the screen and then back to the host, which caught Dave's eye.
"No..." Theodore stopped, but then took a deep breath and continued. "I always wanted to think that he cared about us equal, but I did always feel that he did much more things for Alvin than me. Like he was trying to hold me back or something."
Dave had heard enough and turned off the TV. Dave could tell by Theodore's responce that something wasn't right; Theodore would have never said anything like that. And he was going to get to the bottom of it and stop it, once and for all.
There is Chapter 25, things are getting interesting now. Dave sences a problem and the kids are all shell-shocked. What will happen next time, we'll see together. Until then, thanks for reading! :)