DISCLAIMER:

Hello, chapter 33 is here. What will happen on Cody and Ella Date? And who was the mysterious person that called Trent? Find the answers to these and more questions here on War of the Bands.

And if you like the story, let me know marking it as a favorite. Or ff you feel fancy, write a review with your thoughts about the story so far. Now before starting, let me reply to the past week reviews.

WhatTheHeck23: Thanks for the comments. I hope when you reach this chapter, I have less errors.

Total Drama belongs to Fresh TV, Corus Corporation, their creators, and associates companies. Any song used on this fic belongs to their original creators.


What is love

It was Friday. The week was a long one, and the band members were thinking about what happened during it while waiting. Justin (with Eva sitting next to him in front of the van) looked at them with a worried expression. The usually noisy bunch seemed to be lost each one on his own thoughts.


Duncan was watching over B while the silent man looked out of the van's window. The delinquent was thinking about what he found out this week about him. Playing with his spring knife as he remembered the events of that day.

It was Tuesday, Duncan stormed out of home after having a quarrel with his parents. He went to hang at the Animal shelter as usual, but instead of Zoey, he found in the door a creepy Asian boy dressed in a black suit.

"Hello, Mister Duncan," said the kid.

The delinquent ignored him, he was not kind enough to greet all his fans.

The kid glare at him, "I say HELLO. I was looking for you, mister Duncan. I have some information that you can found interesting."

Duncan rolled his eyes, "I don't know what you are selling, but I don't want it, and I don't care, so beat it, kid."

The kid's eye began to twitch, he still didn't know how her sister convinced him of doing this (oh yes, she blackmailed him), but he just wanted to end this as soon as possible.

"I don't want your money. Only look at this, please," said the kid, pulling out his mobile. Duncan tried to ignore it, but he snatched the phone from the kid's hand after getting a glimpse of the image.

"HEY, GIVE IT BACK!" shouted the kid. The punk sent the image to his phone and then delete his number and the image from the creepy boy's phone, throwing it back at him as soon as he ended.

"Beat it, kid," said Duncan as he went back to his bike. After watching that image, he needed to visit someone.

"Wait, this conversation isn't over," shouted the kid, humiliated by Duncan's arrogant attitude.

"I said beat it, kid, I don't care what you want to tell me, I'll go and ask the source," said Duncan before speeding out of there.

The kid stomped his feet and yelled at the delinquent. This job sucked more each day. Even if the suit was cool, it didn't make up for all the troubles.

B was in his room, he tried to call Alejandro, but the Spaniard didn't answer the phone. The silent mas was tired. Maybe he should go and confess everything? Yes, he'll probably end in jail, but there would be no more problems for the band.

Just then, he heard the doorbell ringing. B went down the stairs, opened the door, and found Duncan out there. It was strange. None of his bandmates had crashed on his house before. Everyone always called before coming, anyway it was Duncan, so maybe he was just bored.

But just after opening the door, Duncan rushed inside and pushed him against the wall, pressing his arm against B's neck.

"Bumblebee, tell me what's the meaning of this," said Duncan shoving his mobile on B's face.

The big man got angry, he even grabbed one of his inventions from under his coat, but after looking at the photo, he decided to not use it. After all, it was his own fault.

The photo was from his dinner with Alejandro some weeks ago. Damian, the creepy kid, decided to give it to Duncan after B rejected his proposal the last week.

"Tell me Bumblebee, do you know this bastard?" asked Duncan, B nodded.

"Why you didn't say anything?" the delinquent put more pressure on B's neck, but the drummer was too heavy to keep him pinned against the wall.

B looked at Duncan's eyes and then pointed at his room with a movement of his head.

"Ok, I follow you. I hope for your own good that it's a good story," said Duncan walking behind him.

The silent man went to his room with Duncan walking behind him. He gave him his yearbook, some diaries of his old club, and a notebook full of newspaper clips.

Duncan read all the material. He learned more about B that afternoon than in the past 7 weeks.

"So this bastard was your best friend?" asked Duncan, scratching the piercing on his eyebrow.

B sighed and nodded, Alejandro was more like a brother than a friend.

"So you then had a problem, I imagine is about the last clipping, the one about Sony," asked Duncan.

The silent man looked out of the window, nodding.

"Well, Bumblebee, now I have an idea of what happened. If this comes to light you're under deep water," said Duncan putting a hand in the silent man's shoulder.

"But don't worry, I'm on your side, and if everything turns for the worse we'll support you," Duncan smirked.

B was moved. He really needed to hear that. He thanked Duncan in his heart. Maybe he wasn't as bad as he seemed?

"But really? Your name is Beverly! Hahaha, now I know why do you want that everyone calls you B. Hahaha, Beverly is soooooo Canadian," Duncan was laughing so hard that he was crying.

The silent man then realized that he was wrong. Duncan was really as bad as he seemed.


As B was lost in his thoughts and Duncan was scowling while springing his blade for the nth time, Trent looked worried. He was resting on the seat, wanting to tell his friends what he discovered, but he decided to wait until they were all together.

It was Wednesday, the show's crew had already filmed the interview for next Friday's episode, And Everyone went to their homes. Trent left Ella before going to meet the person who called him the past Saturday.

Trent went back to his home, left his mother's Honda in the garage, and went into a red golf waiting for him. After greeting the driver, they went away toward El Sporto restaurant, a sport-themed family restaurant.

"And tell me Sam, why all this secrecy? I don't think Cody would be mad about us having this meeting," said Trent, raising an eyebrow.

"Sorry, Trent, the person we are meeting asked to don't meet Cody. And you are the only one on the band I trust enough to ask it this ehehe," said Sam, laughing, "also I think Cody will have mixed feelings about it."

Trent sighed. He never liked to do things behind his friends' backs.

At last, they arrived at the restaurant, the person they'll be meeting was already there, so the three sat together.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for meeting with me, Mr. Hauser, Mr. Smith. I'm forever on your debt," said the woman, bowing her head.

She was tall, of tanned complexion, with short purple hair and black eyes, wearing a long gray coat and green jeans. Her expression was serious, with sad eyes and the corners of her mouth drawn-down.

"Don't worry, Miss?" said Trent, looking at her eyes.

"Neumman, Sierra Neumman," replied the woman, her voice much lower than Trent expected.

"Miss Sierra, Sam here said that you wanted to meet me," said Trent trying to be polite, but after what Cody said about her, he was cautious.

Sierra made a sad smile. "Yes indeed. Thanks you, mister Hauser, for arranging this meeting."

"Ehehe don't worry, you were quite insistent," said Sam, still not sure if it was a good idea meeting with her, "also you now use your hair shorter, it suits you."

"Thanks, Mr. Hauser, is part of my atonement for what I did. To be honest, I always looked at my work as some kind of game. I never thought about the pain and suffering I was inflicting upon those people," said Sierra, her eyes full of tears.

The waiter put a coffee, a green tea, and a milkshake for Trent, Sierra, and Sam, then they continued with the conversation.

"I'm glad you're trying to make amends, so I imagine that calling us here is part of your atonement," said the musician, taking a sip of his coffee.

Sierra looked sadly at her own reflection on the tea before answering."That's right Mr. Smith, you are as perceptive as the rumors said."

"Don't dwell so much in the past. I find admirable that you're trying to change and try to make up for all the damage you cause, and please call me Trent. When you call me Mr. Smith I think you are talking about my father," said Trent smiling.

Sierra took a deep breath, trying to not cry, and replied, "Thank you Trent, I hope someday you and your band can forgive me."

Sam was drinking his milkshake as he listened to the conversation. He was a little uncomfortable with the heartful scene, but it was obvious she was a different person from the one he met two weeks ago.

"Well Sierra, what's that important information you want to share with us?" asked Sam, adjusting his glasses.

The purple-haired girl looked around nervously and then leaned toward them, "this's very important. It's about the war of the bands."

"Ah! if it's about Nuevo Mundo records we already know,Ehehe," said Sam in a loud voice, breaking the atmosphere.

"NO Mr. Hauser! it doesn't have to do anything with my client," said Sierra scowling at the gamer, "it's more important than that."

"Please Sierra, tell us, what did you find out?" asked Trent, her word make him nervous. What could be more important than that.

"Well, the other day, I tried to sneak into the TDB to watch the show, and I got lost. Walking around dthe floor I found Kelly Thomson, you know who she's, and she was talking with one of the judges-

Trent was still thinking about the conversation in the restaurant. Sam doubted if all that Sierra said was true. But if it was true, not only Taylor from Devil's Muse was her daughter, but the promoter also bought one of the judges to favor Devil's Muse during the competition.


Cody was looking out of the window toward Ella's house. He had a goofy smile on his face, touching his cheek, remembering last night's date.

The plan was that he and Ella would meet to see a movie on the Gigantoplex, a movie theater near the center. He arrived early to look at the billboard and choose the movie.

The bassist had already planned the date. He was looking at the billboard for a romantic flick( all girls love romantic flicks.) After the movie he will take her to a nice and bit expensive Italian restaurant that he used to frequent with the Drama Brothers. And finally, he will give her a present he bought. It was not the most expensive, but it was perfect, he only hoped she liked it.

Ella came 10 minutes earlier than planned. She was wearing her pink dress with her lucky ribbon. The Fairie Princess blushed when she saw him, as it was the first time she went to the movies with a boy, and this time she was sure it was a date from the start.

Cody was wearing a yellow sweater and black pants and had his hair groomed slick back. He waggled his eyebrows and made finger guns at her.

"Hello, Ella, you are early?" said Cody smiling.

Ella chuckled, "Hello, Cody, you look so handsome today. I am flattered."

"I know, babe," he replied, winking, trying to dissimulate how happy he was for the compliment, "What movie do you want to watch? Maybe 'Crazy Rich Asians' or 'To All the Boys I loved Before.'"

But Ella's eyes went to an animated movie, "What about this, Little princess, such a delightful name," said Ella looking with tender eyes at the poster.

"Ok, your wish is my command," said Cody, and bought 2 tickets for the children's movie, two sodas, and a big bucket of popcorn.

Cody was happy to see Ella so excited, even if he didn't want to watch the movie. The singer watched fascinated the whole film. It was about a young princess who went lost at birth and raised on a distant land as a servant, and her father, who searched for her for 12 years. The film was a little melodramatic for Cody, but Ella watched it intensely, crying at the final scene. Cody hugged her trying to comfort her, even if the scene was not that moving.

But after leaving the theater, Ella recovered her usual positive attitude.

"It was such a lovely movie, don't you think Cody?" asked Ella, twirling and humming the main song of the film.

"Yes, it was enjoyable," replied Cody smiling, "So would you like to go get dinner?"

"Of course! There is someplace I want to take you," said Ella, smiling tenderly.

So instead of the fancy Italian dinner, he ended in a little Quebecois Restaurant named Petite Maison. It was not fancy, but at least it was clean and didn't have too many customers.

"Well, it's cozy," said Cody, trying to dissimulate his disappointment.

"My grandma found it when we moved from Montreal, it has a great pouding chômeur[1], I will pick it as my dessert. You should try it," said Ella, her eyes sparkling.

Cody ordered two sodas, two tourtière[2], and two pouding chômeur. While dining, Ella was talking excitedly about the movie.

"You really liked the movie, right? You resemble Princess Sara a lot," said Cody smiling. It was heartwarming seeing Ella so happy.

Ella chuckled, "When I was a kid, I always dreamed that one day my parents would come back home and we will live together like a family in a castle. It sounds a little silly, but I always was my father's little princess."

Cody was shocked, so shocked he stopped thinking and asked automatically, "You don't live with your parents?"

"My parents died in a car accident when I was 6, so I was living with my grandparents in Montreal. But when Pépé died 3 years ago, my grandma wanted to move away. It was too painful for her to live in the old house. So we moved to Toronto," Ella looked a little flustered. She only talked about this with her closest friends, and it felt natural telling Cody.

Cody couldn't believe that Ella, the joyous and gullible Ella, had such a tragic past. And she never complained or even mentioned it. She seemed delicate but was strong, maybe stronger than him. There was no way he could be so positive if he loses his parents. Without noticing it, Cody began to cry.

"Cody, are you crying? Sorry it was not my intention-" asked Ella, worried, but Cody take her hand and interrupted.

"Thank you, Ella, for sharing that with me. I'm not sad, just happy for having the chance of knowing you better," said Cody smiling.

"No Cody, please, I am the one that is grateful for knowing you. You gave me a stage to sing, a lovely band who loves to make music and even the chance to sort my feelings with Dave and Sky. I am sure it was my fairy Godmother who sent you in my life," said Ella with teary eyes.

They then began to laugh at the awkward situation. Both were happy and grateful, but for some reason they were also crying. The old woman that worked as a waiter gave them some curious glares before serving them their desserts.

"You know Ella, this night has been wonderful. I never expected it to go like this. It was better than I could imagine," said Cody, eating his pudding chômeur.

Ella blushed, taking a small bite of her dessert. "Oh, I am so glad. I was so afraid that I was a boring date, only talking about music and princess."

"Of course not!" Said Cody, flustering, "Ella, you're lovely as you are. I have a blast dining with you and I would be happy if we can go out again some other time."

Ella thought about Duncan and Trent, she was not sure of her feelings, but she wanted to be honest with him. "Cody, I was also delighted with this date, but I am confused. There is so much happening in my life right now, that I-"

"Sheeesh! Ella, calm down. You don't have to answer right now. I would be happy to wait," said Cody, knowing precisely what she was thinking, "but even if you don't choose me, please accept this."

Cody took out from his jacket a little red box and gave it to Ella.

"Cody, thank you, but I cannot accept it," said Ella, not wanting to take his gift until she straightened out her feeling.

"Ella, please, at least accept it as a token of our first date together, even if it's the last. I'll always be your friend, so please accept it," said Cody holding her hands over the box.

Ella nodded and opened the box. Inside was a beautiful pair of hairclips with a big red apple. Ella's face brightened.

"They are so beautiful. I love them! Thanks to Cody, I will treasure them always," said Ella, with a big smile on her face.

Cody smiled. The present was a big success. The time passed and the conversation became less serious but still engaging. Cody talked about his parents and their works and Ella about her grandmother. They end the date knowing each other better,

After they ended dining, Cody took Ella to her house. They walked all the way under a beautiful sky full of stars.

"Thanks, Cody, it was such a delightful and joyful night," said Ella, after opening her house door.

"No Ella, I should be the one-" but before Cody ended his sentence, Ella stept forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"À demain[3]," said Ella, blushing like a tomato as she entered her house.

Cody stood there, with a goofy smile on his face touching his cheek.


Time passed, and Ella was late, Justin impatient went down the van to look for her. Her band members were still lost in their thoughts.

At least until Justin came back 5 minutes later, jumping on the car and honking the horn, starling everyone.

"Guys, this is serious. Ella's missing," said Justin, in an upset tone.


[1] pouding chômeur: a typical dessert of Quebec area, basically it's cake batter onto which a hot syrup or caramel is poured before baking, so the cake rises through the caramel.

[2]tourtière: Another traditional Canadian recipe, similar to a meat pie. Montreal version is made with finely ground pork only, and cinnamon and clove as condiments.

[3] À demain = Literally see you tomorrow

Pépé: Grandad in French


And just hours before the semifinals Ella is missing. What happened to her? And what will happen with the show? Find out in the next chapter of War of the Bands.

For this chapter I tried to play with the narrative and made a flashback episode. In which all the action already passed and the protagonist just remembered it. So it could end on a cliffhanger. Did it work? Or was it better to use the usual style?

And as always, thanks for reading and I hope you like it