chapter 3: an epic intro, a rap and a rock ballad
3 WEEKS LATER
The three weeks passed quickly. Zuma and his rapper friend worked very hard to get the words straight (there was a lot). Rubble finally settled on a DJ act for himself, and he couldn't wait to get some exposure. Rocky was all ready to go. Chase and Skye worked naturally well together, and had an underrated chemistry. But Everest and Marshall went above and beyond. They practiced almost every chance the two had time (which wasn't a lot), and most of it was on the choreography. They believed that dance was the deal-breaker between a gold metal and not much to show.
The show was held at the spacious park that Adventure Bay had, with a giant stage and audience room to work with. There were 5 judges; Mayor Goodway, Cap'n Turbot, Francois, Mr. Porter and Katie. Of course, Ryder was the emcee, with the opening act for all the pups to begin the event. 7 PM. The stage was set. All the pups gathered backstage together, ready for the big time as Ryder began the show, spotlight on him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our first ever PAW Patrol Musical Karaoke Talent Show! This will be the very first time that they will be competing against one another for a gold medal! But first, the pups will combine to perform an opening act that is sure to be the dynamite we need to get this show going!"
As the pups heard the muffled cheering backstage, they huddled together. "You guys ready for this?" Marshall asked. The pups silently nodded with smiles. The dalmatian walked silently to center stage. A screen displaying the lyrics to each of their acts was visible way in the back of the crowd. The spotlight was on him. The instrumental started.
Cause I-I-I'm in the stars tonight,
so watch me bring the fire and set the night alight
Marshall felt a little groove in his step.
Shoes on, got up in the morn'
Cup of milk, let's rock and roll
King Kong, kick the drum on and on like a rolling stone
Sing song when I'm walkin' on
Jump up to the top Lebron
Ding dong, call me on my phone
Ice tea and a game of ping pong
Rubble dance-walked onto the stage while singing his part.
This is gettin' heavy
Can you hear the bass boom, I'm ready
Life is sweet as honey
Yeah, this beat cha-ching like money, huh
The two sung together.
Disco overload, I'm into that, I'm good to go
I'm diamond, you know I glow up
The bulldog struck a pose. Hey, so let's go
The dalmatian took over as the two began to dance.
Cause I-I-I'm in the stars tonight
So watch me bring the fire, set the night alight
Shinin' through the city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up like dynamite, woah
Chase walked smoothly onto the stage, much to the admiration of the crowd. He began to sing, with the dalmatian and bulldog occasionally backing him up.
Bring a friend, join the crowd
Whoever wanna come along
Word up, talk the talk
Just move like we off the wall
Day or night the sky's alight
So we dance to the break of dawn
Rocky appeared next to the gang out of nowhere, and sang his lines.
Ladies and gentlemen, I got the medicine
So you should keep your eyes on the ball
Zuma waltzed onto the stage for a rap section. Everyone began to clap along.
This is getting heavy
Can you hear the bass boom, I'm ready
Life is sweet as honey
Yeah, this beat cha-ching like money
Skye ran up to Chase from backstage, and they began to sing together.
Disco overload, I'm into that, I'm good to go
I'm diamond, you know I glow up
The bulldog broke the silence. Let's go
It was the dally's turn to strike once again.
Cause I-I-I'm in the stars tonight
So watch me bring the fire, set the night alight
Shinin' through the city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up like dynamite
Marshall continued to sing and dance while everyone watched in awe. The young canine was something to behold.
Dy-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na, na-na, life is dynamite
Dy-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na, na-na, life is dynamite
Shining through the city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up like dynamite, whoa
Marshall started the bridge, only to let Skye take over.
Dy-na-na-na, na-na, na-na, ayy
Dy-na-na-na, na-na, na-na, ayy
Dy-na-na-na, na-na, na-na, ayy
Light it up like dynamite
Everyone began to sing the rest of the bridge.
Dy-na-na-na, na-na, na-na, ayy
Dy-na-na-na, na-na, na-na, ayy
Dy-na-na-na, na-na, na-na, ayy
Light it up like dynamite
Everest slowly walked onto the stage as she began to sing for the first time.
Cause I, I, I'm in the stars tonight
So watch me bring the fire and set the night alight
Marshall stood next to her and started to sing.
Shinin' through the city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up like dynamite
As the dalmatian started to sing in falsetto and the key changed, Skye and Everest continued without him.
'Cause I, I, I'm in the stars tonight
So watch me bring the fire and set the night alight
Rubble joined in with a solo of his own.
Shinin' through the city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up like dynamite
Rubble took over falsetto duties while Marshall joined back in.
Dyn-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, life is dynamite
Dyn-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na, life is dynamite
Everyone joined in for the big finish.
Shinin' through the city with a little funk and soul
So I'ma light it up like dynamite, woah-oh-oh
The dogs all hit a pose as some backlighting came on, indicating the song was done. The crowd roared with excitement, ready for what was to come. All the canines hustled backstage to re-energize. The first act was coming on fast. After a minute, Zuma ran further in the backstage, much to everyone's confusion. He came back with a surprise.
"Guess who's helping me with my act, dudes." The canine bragged. Standing next to him was a red-headed 12-year old who looked more like an extreme sports junkie than a fellow musician.
"Daring Danny X?" The pups questioned with surprise. The teen smiled.
"In the flesh. This is gonna be an extremely cool rap, my friends. It's gonna be cool." Both were wearing snapback hats backwards and wearing 90's inspired gangsta attire, ready to show the world. Ryder walked back on to the stage, with the spotlight on him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, for our first real act of the night, Zuma and his friend Daring Danny X will give you a song to make you remember their names!" The crowd cheered as the spotlight remained on. The instrumental started. The chocolate lab walked calmly to the spotlight.
"You READY?!" Zuma shouted. The crowd responded with fervor. "LET'S GO!" As the beat dropped, the crowd exploded. Zuma began to dance, while Danny ran onto the stage. The two were side by side.
"For those of you who wanna know what we're all about, it's like this y'all, cmon!" The chocolate lab prophesied. The two began to rap together.
This is ten percent luck
Twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure
Fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!
Zuma began to walk among the front of the stage, while spitting some bars.
He doesn't need his name up in lights
He just wants to be heard whether it's the beat or the mic
He feels so unlike everybody else, alone
In spite of the fact that some people still think that they know him
The pups backstage were in awe of how talented Zuma was as a rapper. They loved what they saw, as they vibed along with the song.
But screw 'em, he knows the code, it's not about the salary
It's about reality and making some noise
Making a story, making sure his clique stays up
That means when he puts it down, Tak's pickin' it up
Daring Danny X shocked the crowd and picked up the mantle with his own flames.
Who the hell is he anyway, he never really talks much
Never concerned with status but still leavin' them starstruck
Humbled through opportunities given despite the fact
That many misjudge him because he makes a livin' from writing raps
The pups were in shock again. Their mouths were agape as the redheaded teen pulled it off without messing up a single word.
Put it together himself, now the picture connects
Never asking for someone's help, or to get some respect
He's only focused on what he wrote; his will is beyond reach
And now it all unfolds, the skill of an artist
The two ganged up on the front of stage, hitting familiar rap poses as they continued to set the record straight.
This is twenty percent skill, eighty percent fear
Be a hundred percent clear 'cause Ryu is ill
Who would've thought that he'd be the one to set the west in flames
Then heard him wreckin' with The Crystal Method, Name Of The Game
Came back, dropped Megadef, took 'em to church
I like bleach, man, Ryu had the stupidest verse
This dude is the truth, now everybody be givin' him guest spots
His stock's through the roof; I heard he screwin' with S-Dot
Zuma and Danny vibed on the stage, much to the delight of the crowd.
This is ten percent luck
Twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure
Fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!
Zuma took back the rapping responsibilities as Danny hyped the crowd up.
They call him Ryu he's sick, and he's spittin' fire and Mike
Got him out the dryer he's hot, found him in Fort Minor with Tak
What a nihilist porcupine; he's a prick; he's a cock
The type women want to be with and rappers hope he get shot
Eight years in the makin' patiently waitin' to blow
Now the record with Shinoda's takin' over the globe
He's got a partner in crime; his stuff is equally dope
You won't believe the kind of stuff that comes out of this kid's throat
The mantle passed back to Danny, as the chocolate lab stood silently to take a breather.
He's not your every day on the block
He knows how to work with what he's got
Makin' his way to the top
He often gets a comment on his name
People keep asking him was it given at birth
Or does it stand for an acronym?
No, he's livin' proof that he rockin' the booth
He'll get you buzzin' quicker than a shot of vodka with juice
Him and his crew are known around as one of the best
Dedicated to what they do and give a hundred percent
Zuma took it back, fully energized now. He looked up to the sky, pondering aloud as he spit.
Forget Mike, nobody really knows how or why he works so hard
It seems like he's never got time
Because he writes every note and he writes every line
And I've seen him at work when that light goes on in his mind
It's like a design is written in his head every time
Before he even touches a key or speaks in a rhyme
And those motherfuckers he runs with, the kids that he signed
Ridiculous, without even trying, how do they do it?
Zuma and Danny came back for a big reprise.
This is ten percent luck
Twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure
Fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to remember the name
The two sang the same lyrics again, although they were running out of breath. As they finished the last "percent", the chocolate lab finished the lyrics with hyping the crowd one last time.
Yeah, Fort Minor!
M-Shinoda, Styles of Beyond!
Ryu, Takbir, Machine Shop!
The instrumental finished as the boy and the canine hit the arms-folded rap pose and the backlight came on. The crowd erupted with approval as the two waved to the crowd.
"Thank you! You guys are lit!" The lab shouted as he walked off stage. Zuma was hyped up by his friends, while Danny walked out of the backstage in peace. Still, he got congratulated for his efforts. Zuma lied down on the floor, breathing heavily from exhaustion. The next act was coming upon them fast. As usual, Ryder came onto the stage to announce the next act.
"For the second act of our show, Rocky will preach to us. He feels it coming in the air tonight. And he's gonna bring that feeling full circle for all of you!" The crowd cheered. Then, silence.
As the instrumental started, a shrill guitar riff was heard. An echo. Thirty seconds into the song, the mixed breed slowly walked onto the stage. He took his time, slowly making his way to center stage. He closed his eyes, and started to sing in a strange, quiet and timid voice, but still well enough to be heard.
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
And I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
Can you feel it coming in the air tonight? Oh Lord, oh Lord
Rocky finally opened his eyes, and stood as a statue, yet he was not intimidated as the large crowd looked on.
Well, if you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand
I've seen your face before, my friend, but I don't know if you know who I am
Well, I was there and I saw what you did, I saw it with my own two eyes
So you can wipe off that grin, I know where you've been
It's all been a pack of lies
The mixed breed stood strong as he continued with vigilance.
And I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well, I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well, I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord, oh Lord
The mix finally found his emotional range, and he began to display it with crescendos and abrupt pauses.
Well, I remember, I remember, don't worry, how could I ever forget?
It's the first time, the last time we ever met
Rocky continued to sing with pride. At the same time, a drumset was wheeled onto the stage almost without a sound.
But I know the reason why you keep your silence up, no, you don't fool me
The singular spotlight that shone on the entire stage focused on Rocky making his way to the drumset. Everyone was surprised and watching with great anticipation.
What hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows
Rocky sat on the drum stool and gathered the drumsticks.
It's no stranger to you and me
He executed the drum solo to perfection. The pups were in awe and celebrated backstage. The crowd thunderously cheered as he continued to sing and smack the drums at the same time.
I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord
Well, I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord
The mix executed another drum solo-arguably better than the last-as he continued to sing. He sang harder and louder than he ever had in his life.
And I've been waiting for this moment for all my life, oh Lord
I can feel it in the air tonight, oh Lord, oh Lord, oh Lord
Well, I've been waiting for this moment all my life, oh Lord, oh Lord
The song eventually faded out, and the backlight came on. The crowd applauded as Rocky hoisted his drumsticks with his two paws in triumph. "Thank you." He said calmly as he exited the stage. The mix was congratulated by his friends waiting backstage.
Here's the songs that were used in this chapter. I don't own any of these.
Group Intro: Dynamite by BTS (This was so fun to write for me. This song is a vibe.)
Zuma Ft. Daring Danny X: Remember the Name by Fort Minor. (I always feel that Zuma likes hip hop/rap. It might be just me.)
Rocky: In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins (I feel that Rocky has a good taste in 80s music. I try to be diverse with all their music tastes.)
