CHAPTER 6: Surprise?

John's POV

*RING RING RING *

'Hmmm!, oh what the hell?'

My slumber was cut short with the sound of the phone ringing. I left my bed to get the phone but Humphrey beat me to it. I decided to head back to bed when he stopped me.

"John! Phone."

"Yeah yeah I got it." I say as he hands me the phone.

"Hello?"

"Well good morning sunshine, hope I didn't wake you 2 up now."

"Oh good morning Commander Davis. How can I help you?"

"Well I would've called last night but I was rather caught up with some work and other phone calls. I decided to wait until this morning."

"Ok, so what's up?"

"Well I received a letter from a 'Master Shifu' yesterday evening along with a pamphlet. I decided to photocopy and send it to you by mail. It should be sent by now."

I went to check the mailbox and sure enough an envelope with my name on it was in the box. I take it back inside and open it up.

"You may wanna read that thing out loud so Rogers can hear it too."

"Ok sir, lemme first put you on speaker phone real quick." I say as I put the phone down so I can put her on speaker so I can read out the letter.

"Alright it says;

'Dear Soldiers From Hell (original band name i know)

I am writing to you today to say I am pleased upon hearing that the band accepts the invitation of performing at the Jade Palace this coming Saturday. I know it is going to be a very stressful day for everyone participating for the event. That is why I am inviting you not only to show up the Friday before the event to set up all of your equipment, but also if you feel like doing so, you each have the option of also spending the night at the Palace as well. There will be more than enough room for accommodating each of you. I hope to see all of you on Friday.

With best regards on behalf of the Furious 5, Master Oogway

Master Shifu.'

"Now before anyone starts protesting. I am aware of the fact that 2 of your bandmates, Kate and Lilly Dunn, are not there for both the setup/rehearsal day but also for the day of the event. I had already contacted them personally last night. They were of course rather disappointed for not being able to make it but, they both told me to tell you that they do NOT want you to back out of this. This is the biggest opportunity for you guys to have one hell of a show. So please on behalf of your 2 sisters Captain, DO NOT BACK OUT."

"Oh don't worry Commander, I already was aware of all this. I had spoken with Master Viper yesterday in person. I had a feeling you were to call since I gave proper instructions to have them send you a letter."

"Well thank you Captain. You did the right thing. Now I'm gonna have to let you both go. I have a meeting to attend to."

"Thanks Commander" I say.

After I hang up the phone. Humphrey looks at me wide eyed.

"SO, WHEN THE HELL WERE YOU GONNA TELL US?!"

"Umm….Surprise?"

Humphrey then pounces and proceeds to bearhug me. I thought he was mad, but judging by the sound of him screaming of joy. I assumed he was just as stoked as I was.

"We need to tell the boys."

"Dude first of all, OW! WARN ME NEXT TIME, and secondly give me a minute so I can wake up."

20 minutes and after a well needed breakfast, me and Humphrey head over to Garth and Hutch's place. They along with Lilly and Heather, live right next door. So it was a short minute walk over to their place.

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

Within 10 seconds, the door opens up.

"Oh hey John, Coyote, what's up?" Garth said.

"Not much Barf." Humphrey said whilst flipping Garth off.

"I'm just playing Humphrey, don't twist that tail of yours man."

"Nah it's all good man, blame John for the rude awakening."

"Now how the fuck was I supposed to know he would call?"

We proceed to walk inside. Hutch and Heather were already in the kitchen eating breakfast.

"Oh hey guys."

"Hey Heather." I reply

"What's shaking today?" Hutch asks.

We told them the news and well, things were amped up to 11.

"WHAT?!"

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"

"GET OUT!" Heather, just like Elaine from Seinfeld, pushes me to the floor.

"Yep, we got the all clear from both Viper, but Commander Davis as well." Humphrey said.

"And Garth before you mention, yes we are aware Lilly won't be able to make the show. However she along with Kate both said that they wanted us to continue on and do the show. Davis talked to them yesterday." I added.

"Well we need to prepare a setlist, how long do we have to perform?" Hutch asks.

"I don't know, lemme see if the pamphlet says anything."

I take out the pamphlet and look for our time slot. Didn't take me long to find it.

"Got it. It says from 1-2 pm. So we have an hour long set list to think of."

"Well in that case let's work on that shall we?" Garth requested.

For the next hour we tossed ideas left and right for a setlist until finally settling on an 8 song setlist which consisted of the following songs (feel free to check them out, they are bangers)

Pantera-10's (intro song played on PA)

Alter Bridge-Addicted to Pain

KSE-The End of Heartache

Pantera-It Makes Them Disappear

MH-Clenching the Fists of Dissent

MH-This is The End

MH-Locust

BFMV-Waking the Demon.

With this setlist, it really helped out Humphrey, Hutch and Garth since they don't have to change guitars/bass since all of the songs will be in one tuning. Therefore they only needed to bring one instrument. As for me well, can't really do that with the drums now can you.

So with the setlist done, I decided to give Roman a quick call to see if he would like to help out on Friday and Saturday.

"Hello, O'hare's Music Emporium, Roman speaking."

"Hey it's the jumpy brit."

"Oh fuck off John."

"Hahaha. How ya doin buddy?"

"Same old same old."

"Hey listen, I'm wanting to ask you something. You don't have to say yes but, I have a feeling you will."

"Okay what is it?"

"How would you like to help us set up our equipment on Friday and be my drum tech for the Dragon Warrior ceremony Saturday?"

"Wait, are you for real John?"

"Yessir I am."

"You bet your arse I would. Of course I will."

"So it's settled. We will give you a call when we leave for the Palace on Friday."

"Sure thing mate."

"Alrighty then take care Roman."

"You too John."

Well, it was settled. Me and my boys are about to embark on a journey that none of us ever thought would even be possible. Boy, this was gonna be fun.