A/N: Since the last one was short, here's a surprise update :D
Here's the epic conclusion to the preliminary rounds! DSM vs the Bellas. Beca vs Kommissar.
Which one will end up on top?
I don't own pitch perfect.
Beca was feeling amazing. The Bellas were putting up a good fight. Heck, if she was honest and cared to admit it, the Bellas dominated the last round. But she wouldn't say that out loud. She didn't want to jinx it.
The groups had a few minutes to regroup, rehydrate, and rest while on stage as the host consulted with the judges regarding the rules for the lighting round and escorted the other finalists off the stage. Beca was thankful that at the very least the teams were kept apart. She had Rhian prep her the previous night on how to deal with the enchantingly intimidating tall, gorgeous, specimen leader of DSM. The very someone who never dared avert her gaze away from Beca while they faced off on stage. The last thing she wanted was make a fool of herself again. That, and make Chloe mad, and dare she even say, jealous?
Chloe found it amusing the night before that all she could do was practice insults, at least there was that. Beca wished they could have had the chance to have a proper talk over the past few nights, but with Aubrey having the Bellas go through riff-off drills, and endless ex-co-captains' meetings with her, Emily, and Chloe, Beca was just tired.
The moment her head hit the pillow she was off to dreamland, as it was the case the last five years. Because Beca could only ever sleep when she was exhausted. She wasn't lying to Chloe a few days ago. It just wasn't the same not having her lying right next to Beca. There was a reason why she kept her laptop next to her, mixing software already opened and ready for whenever Beca wakes up and have a hard time getting some sleep again.
They'll have the chance for that talk. Beca was just happy that when she would wake up in the morning, from a full night's sleep, she got to see Chloe next to her.
"What are you smiling about, Shawshank?" Amy asked with a knowing look. "Thinking of something good?" she followed up, wiggling her brows before stealing a glance at Chloe who was busy talking with Jessica and Ashley. Beca wasn't sure why Amy was acting weird but she was thankful to be saved from having to answer Amy's question when the hosts returned to the stage. Talking to Chloe was one thing, telling her friends how she felt about Chloe was another. She wasn't sure how'd they take it, especially since it may seem to come a little out of nowhere.
Jules from the Filharmonic hyped up the crowd before proceeding to explain the rules. The lightning round will have a category chosen by the judges. A timer will be set for the round, like previous rounds. As established, a team must match their competition's harmonies to cut in with a song of their own. But, since it was a lightning round, there was a twist.
Neither the Bellas nor DSM can stop singing.
The Bellas looked at each other confused, even members of DSM weren't sure what they meant. This was a riff-off after all.
Joe stepped up, providing the explanation. "Once a team starts singing with their choice of song, there always has to be at least one member of their team who will perform adlibs, back-ups, or just quickly adopt to the ever changing melodies. The goal is to match the rhythm and keep the melody, the entire thing has to sound pleasant and silky smooth to the ears."
"Sounds like that's right up our alley," Chloe whispered to Beca. "Guess you can say it's our specialty."
Beca chuckled in response. Chloe wasn't lying, but there had to be more to it.
"If a team has all of their members stop singing," Trace then said. "Then they lose."
"If a team fails to jump in and not participate, or if they let their opponent end the song early – which they can do this round – then they lose," VJ added.
"In other words," Niko said, "each team must be ready to jump in and keep the mashed-up riff-off going until the timer ends the round."
To demonstrate, the Filharmonic sang songs by Imagine Dragons. They split into three groups, Jules was by himself, VJ and Niko paired up, while Trace and Joe formed the other team. They kept cutting each other off by matching harmonies, but each pair and Jules always sung, either throwing in an adlib from their song or maintaining the remixed melodies. The end result was a glorious mash-up medley of "Whatever it takes", "Believer", and "Thunder."
The teams were given three minutes to strategize. The Bellas all huddled together. Aubrey asked Ashley, Jessica, and Lilly, who typically carried the beats and the harmonies that blended all their voices together into one sweet melody, to never stop singing. She had confidence in their skill to quickly adopt to the changes. The Bellas all agreed that whoever had an idea first would just jump in with a song, and the rest would quickly follow the lead. They can't let themselves be dominated by DSM.
"So, are you all ready?" Jules asked, after the three minutes were up. When both teams resumed their positions, the Filharmonic revealed their category.
"Acapella Rhapsody!"
Queen, Beca instantly thought. The category title wasn't even present in the wheel of musical categories from earlier, it was probably reserved for the lightning round. That's why the challenge for this round was to not stop singing. To produce the most eargasmic acapella rhapsody in honor of Queen.
Beca glanced at the screen on stage, timer was set at 7 minutes flat – seven full minutes of either aca-heaven or aca-hell. She saw the Kommissar ready to start. Beca wanted to jump in before she did to kick things off – she was not going to let Luisa take control of this – but Aubrey beat her to it, pulling Stacie in for a duet. Jessica and Ashley were quick to provide the back-up they needed.
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
Beca grabbed Lilly, getting an idea, one quickly enacted upon. This was a special riff-off mash-up after all.
Buddy, you're a boy, make a big noise
Playing in the street, gonna be a big man someday
You got mud on your face, you big disgrace
Kicking your can all over the place, singin'
The rest of the Bellas picked up on what she had in mind. Beca exchanged knowing looks with her friends, each of them nodding to confirm what they were all thinking.
We will, we will rock you
We will, we will rock you
Ohhhhh
We will, we will rock you
We will, we will rock you
Chloe and Flo picked up on where Stacie and Aubrey left off with the other song.
Somebody to love
Find me somebody to love
Somebody to love
Just as DSM tried to cut in, some of their members blending harmonies with Jessica and Ashley while Pieter belted out a line from one of their selected songs.
Mama, oooh
Luisa jumping in with their second choice, fighting Beca and the Bellas with their same trademark style of acapella mash-ups.
We are the champions my friend
Mama, oooh
But Beca wasn't going to just buckle down and bend over to Luisa.
Buddy, you're a young man, hard man
Shouting in the street, gonna take on the world someday
You got blood on your face, you big disgrace
Waving your banner all over the place
Resulting in a clash of songs between the Bellas and DSM.
Mama, oooh
Can anybody (can anybody) find me
With a little more push from their fearless leader, DSM managed to take over the lead, reducing the Bellas to just Flo, Jessica, Ashley, and Lilly singing, trying to help keep the Bellas afloat by throwing adlibs here and there.
We are the champions, my friends
(oh, find me love)
And we'll keep on fighting till the end
(oh, find me love)
Beca gathered the rest of the Bellas, her favorite group of nerds coming up with ways to stop DSM from completely dominating the lightning round. Aubrey was the first to break free from their huddle, updating Ashley and Jessica of their battle plans in a hushed tone.
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions of the World
This allowed for a smooth transition for Emily as she jumped in to take the lead for the next song they had in mind.
I'm a shooting star leaping through the sky
Like a tiger defying the laws of gravity
I'm a racing car passing by like Lady Godiva
I'm gonna go, go, go
There's no stopping me
I'm burnin' through the sky, yeah
200 degrees
That's why they call me Mister Fahrenheit
I'm travelling at the speed of light
I wanna make a supersonic man out of you
The Bellas backed up their youngest member, taking over center stage and pushing DSM back. They were giving it their all.
Don't stop me now
I'm having such a good time
I'm having a ball
(Don't stop me now)
If you wanna have a good time just give me a call
(Don't stop me now)
'Cause I'm having a good time
(Don't stop me now)
Yes, I'm havin' a good time
I don't want to stop at all
But DSM found the perfect opening, and Pieter jumped in with a bit of theatricality to pick up on a song they tried earlier.
I'm just a poor boy and nobody loves me
The Bellas were once again kept to blending their harmonies with DSM, looking for openings where they can jump in and try to steal back the main spotlight. DSM weren't going to give up without a fight though, with Luisa leading the rest of their cavalry to back up her right-hand man.
He's just a poor boy from a poor family
Spare him his life from this monstrosity
Easy come easy go - will you let me go
Bismillah! No - we will not let you go - let him go
Bismillah! We will not let you go - let him go
Bismillah! We will not let you go - let me go
Will not let you go - let me go (never)
Never let you go - let me go
Never let me go – ooo
No, no, no, no, no, no, no -
Oh mama mia, mama mia, mama mia let me go
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me
For me
For me
DSM tried to stir the contest to an early close, giving Beca all the motivation she needed to produce the best acapella mash-up of her life. She pulled Chloe along with her, signaling to the rest of the Bellas to come join her.
Mama, oooh
Nothing really matters
Anyone can see
Beca quickly let Ashley, Jessica, and Lilly know what she was planning, the two already weaving in the beats of the song she planned to start singing once more, to allow for that silky smooth transition that the judges were looking for.
Nothing really matters
Nothing really matters
To me
The Bellas jumped in perfectly to bring back the song that Aubrey and Stacie started with, this time with Beca taking the lead, Aubrey and Stacie being her main back-up.
Ooh, each morning I get up I die a little
Can barely stand on my feet
(Take a look at yourself) Take a look in the mirror and cry (and cry)
Lord, what you're doing to me (yeah yeah)
I have spent all my years in believing you
But I just can't get no relief, Lord!
Somebody (somebody) ooh somebody (somebody)
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
Chloe then takes the solo.
Find me somebody to love
Stacie joined her for a duet as they repeated the line.
Find me somebody to love
Then Aubrey.
Find me somebody to love
Emily added a fourth voice to the next lyrical line.
Find me somebody to love
Then Amy, who starts clapping along to the song.
Find me somebody to love
Next was Flo, following Amy's lead.
Find me somebody to love
And then Cynthia Rose.
Find me somebody to love
Lilly maintained the beats while Jessica and Ashley kept the melody as Beca once again took over.
Can anybody find me somebody to love?
Oh, to love
Emily decided join Beca by picking up her song from earlier as well, with Flo backing her up.
Don't stop me now (Don't stop me now)
But DSM was done being in the background. They were no means the back-up. Luisa took the lead with Pieter to try and get back in the game.
Nothing really matters, nothing really matters to me
Mama, oooh
Chloe was quick to respond, not allowing them to have the final note. Behind her, Jessica, Ashley, Lilly, and the core of DSM produced the most harmonious melodies to keep things fresh and free-flowing between the songs.
Find me somebody to love
Luisa tried to insist. They were going to take over.
We are the champions, my friend
But Chloe doubled down on her efforts. And of course Beca joined her with the fight. She wasn't going to let Chloe fight back the she-devil that won't quit all by herself.
Find me somebody to love (Find me somebody to love)
Anybody find me
The Bellas and DSM maintained the mixed harmonies as Luisa manages to add one more line to their perfectly combined mix.
Nothing really matters, nothing really matters to me
And just like that, time was up.
It was a draw.
Of course it's a draw, the rules were clear, although Chloe thought that the Bellas should have totally won.
Oh well, at least we didn't lose, Chloe thought to herself.
The audience erupted in applause and cheers. Even their hosts who were hanging back behind the teams had a look of pure awe on their faces, clapping at the excellence that both the Bellas and DSM displayed. Both teams put out a performance that would make even Freddie Mercury proud.
Jules ran over to the where the judges were to confirm how they would proceed. With no sole winner, some details still needed to be clarified. In the meantime, the rest of the Filharmonic repeated their schpill about the special edition of the Worlds, the incredibly generous sponsors, and the charities that would be helped by their ticket purchases. When Jules returned, he confirmed that the lightning round indeed ended with a draw but that doesn't mean that the prizes and perks were going to be split.
"We'll just have to have a round two," Jules said, "but alas, dear friends, not here."
The Bellas all exchanged looks of confusion. DSM were more intrigued by what he meant.
"The Halloween Bash, where the supposed winner of the riff-offs would perform, would become the Bellas and DSM's next battleground," he announced. "Details of the special round 2 match-up will be revealed over time, the winner of that round will earn the prizes and perks set for the riff-off champion. An additional prize will be set in exchange of the Halloween performance."
The Filharmonic wrapped up their hosting duties as the teams were asked to exit their respective sides of the stage. The Bellas were a little disappointed they didn't secure the win just yet, but they were looking forward to the next round in a few months' time. Chloe felt the same, although she was a bit happy too. If the Bellas had won this round, it might take more than just a few months to see Beca again, with the finals set in the early spring of the following year. With an event in the middle where they need to compete and not just practice songs to perform, there would be more video calls and scheduled visits. She could see Beca more, and have a good excuse of securing her time.
Was it selfish? Yes.
But damn it, she hasn't seen Beca in what felt like forever, and even when they were in the same room together, Beca was constantly ushered away by other people who missed her, or are excited to meet her. Case in point, the moment they stepped backstage, she was flooded by all the other teams, members of Final Frequency taking the lead.
Most of the Bellas proceeded to their waiting room, chatting about the riff-offs and celebration plans that can't be too crazy because most of them were going back to their everyday routine the next day, with flights out of LA already booked. Chloe decided to hang around, watching Beca sign autographs and take pictures with her fans, something Chloe was still trying to get used too.
She told herself before, she wasn't going to hold Beca back and that she would set her free – since she wasn't hers to begin with – and let her shine. Chloe just didn't realize how hard it was going to be to share her with the world.
As the crowd of acapella teams thinned out, Chloe saw the fearless leader of DSM make her way towards where Beca was. Chloe was quick to her feet to reach Beca as well. She knew that Beca had been preparing for this moment, but when it came to the Kommissar, anything can happen.
Thankfully, Rhian reached Luisa before the leader of DSM could even reach Beca. She came close though, stopping short only a few feet away.
Chloe took this chance to save Beca, Rhian handling the DSM she-wolf with a line about Beca needing rest but that she appreciates all her fans equally, that she would get a chance to talk to Beca later on, considering they were all heading to the finals, and reminded Luisa that Beca has social media accounts to follow – ones that Rhian had a hand in running, as she recalled Beca explaining to her when they caught up, to help carefully curate Beca's public image over the years. Chloe couldn't help but laugh a little as she heard it, pulling Beca away. Rhian was definitely good. If only she wasn't cold and aloof to the Bellas, especially Chloe.
But Chloe shrugged it off for now. "So, special after party at the house of the one and only Beca Mitchell?" she asked Beca.
Beca laughed. "Where else?"
Chloe beamed, updating Beca where the girls had gone to, daring to reach out and hold Beca's hand. To her delight, Beca was quick to interlace their fingers as they walked back to the Bellas' waiting room, already drawing up plans for the next round.
Chloe smiled. She missed performing with the Bellas, talking to Beca about set-lists, practice, all of it. But mostly, she just missed sharing these moments with Beca.
Life at Barden, and even in New York with Beca, had been a special kind of dream – one she lost with one rash decision after another after the USO tour. Chloe hoped she could fix her mistakes and turn that dream into reality once more, all from this chance that she was given.
A/N Pt 2: Well, at least the Bellas didn't lose for once, yeah? The extension of their challenge should come soon (it's gonna be a spooky chapter or two), but we'll get a bit of break from the competition in the next one.
Mash-ups mentioned and Medley's performed are in the playlist and are listed below. Seriously, check both out, especially the Queen one. You won't be disappointed.
Imagine Dragons Mash-Up (by Sam Tsui): Believer/Thunder/Whatever it Takes
Queen Acapella Mash-up Medley (by Jared Halley): We Will Rock You, We are the Champions, Don't Stop Me Know, Bohemian Rhapsody, Somebody to Love
Playlist in the link below
www dot youtube dot com slash playlist?list=PLEbWZQ6nwYXxFjX9z3vft3leEz7dN9K_5