The Hotrocks
Eddy was backstage at the Hotrocks wiping the sweat of his forehead.
"It's sweaty as hell in here" Branch commented in the heat, as Poppy admitted it did feel somewhat refreshing, wishing they could enjoy their time. Eddy looked at them stating there was still the matter that he did not have a band.
"I Can barely play Guitar, I just learned, I am not qualified to play for such a crowd" He commented, as the door opened revealing Alex Greatmane, glancing at the group in his usual tone, smiling at his brother.
"Look at the bright side, you always wanted to preform on a stage. and if you please the crowd, their may be a spot in my band... as the new Rhythm Guitarist" Greatmane said uncapping a bottle of water taking a sip as Eddy sat silent on the couch.
"You're not gonna wear that on stage, the whole black thing is so outdated and brutish, Glam is Elegant, Beautiful and Refined, I'd recommend some tight vinyl pants, maybe a beast print tank" Alex joked, trying to imagine his brother dressed in glam as he tossed him a bag, landing in Eddy's lap, commenting how eager he was to see the show before leaving them room
Eddy looked nervous reaching into the brown paper bag pulling up a bright green tank with pink beast spots printing on it as both he and Barb looked at it in disgust, commenting how tacky it was, grabbing the edge of his Black Shirt as Barb smacked him across the face.
"I Can't believe you're actually doing this, giving up on the rebellion and submitting to the bright neon douche" she replied with a sense of mild betrayal as Eddy looked down, reminding her that Alex kept his end of the bargain by sending the rest of the group home as he was tired of fighting his brother.
"I Chose to stay behind because I believed that Rock Music had a future...I thought you did too" Barb admitted, clearly hurt about this as the 5 sat in the backstage area. as Eddy looked at Branch and Twiggy.
"You two are reasonable, I'm doing the right thing...right?" Eddy asked, believing that since Alex kept his end of the deal Eddy had to join the Glam side of the Pop-Rock Trolls as they were just silent.
"You may not be able to to anything about this, but I can" Barb answered as Eddy asked what she meant before getting a punch to the face, sending him down of the floor The trio of Pop trolls gasped at the unconscious Eddy.
"Sorry but there is been a change in lineup" Barb commented, grabbing her 'Axe of Rock' and heading to the stage. She looked back at the Pop Trolls telling them she had to do this as they could only try to understand. The audience was expecting Eddy to open up the show but little did they know on the other side of that curtain was the former Rock Queen, plugging her guitar into the amp.
The Curtains open as the audience was in shock she the purple troll, guitar slung and strumming a power chord.
"Are you ready to ROCK, VOLCANO CITY!" Barb screamed into the standing mic. Greatmane lounging in his chair, spit out his champagne, The trolls lounging in the springs just looked at the stage confused, there was some mild chatter but the audience was dead silent, something that has never happened to her.
"Didn't you hear me, we're bring back Rock, let me see those horns" Barb requested from the audience who wasn't participating. As the sounds of footsteps were heard the audience parted like the red sea for their King, Greatmane approached the stage not the least bit amused, Metalhead behind him, carrying a guitar case.
"What is the meaning up the public display" Greatmane demanded, on stage standing opposite of Barb, the two sharing a cold glare as he pinched the bridge of his nose frustrated. telling her they had a deal and Eddy would pay if he went back on it. as Barb explained what happened
"Actually... Eddy is backstage, knocked out and- Let me guess" Greatmane interrupted.
"You thought you would just come out on stage, start playing and the crowd would instantly get behind you and they would what... topple me" Greatmane asked sarcastically as Barb reflected, admitting it was a dumb thought.
"Well, yeah... I couldn't just do nothing, YOU RUINED ROCK, now it's all about pretty faces, bright colors and stage moves" Barb declared as Greatmane scowled at her.
"Me, I ruined Rock. No, Rock died with King Axel, Gods rest his soul and it was buried the day the Edward Left. Backstage Eddy was rubbing his face, asking what happened before remembering the punch.
"What where's Barb" Eddy asked shaking his head as Poppy and Twiggy filled him in, telling him about her attempt to win the crowd over as Eddy shook his head, running out to the stage, this was his problem and if anything happened to her he would not let it down. peeking out from the side of the stage he saw the two, just talking. things were heated but still, just talking.
"Barb my dear, do you know the hardest part of being a leader, it is the responsibility of doing what is best for the people, when Pop Fell, we opened our borders to them with welcoming arms, we evolved together, we coexist. Now you on the other hand, act like a child" Greatmane explained as Barb looked at him.
"What did you just say?" Barb growled as Greatmane's expression did not change, as he reveals he read about her.
"You really think you're a 'good' queen. You, the girl who planned a whole tour to destroy all other genres of music just because she didn't like them, that is the definition of selfish. you're just spoiled" Greatmane continued as he ordered her off the stage.
"Alex, that's enough!" Eddy called out, walking from the side stage, looking at the two. not flinching and fed up with this whole rivalry.
"Who are you to speak of being spoiled, you live in luxury, in you're giant castle, with personal chefs, and trainers and servants, you drink champagne and sleep with numerous women, yeah Dad died and it sucked, and yeah I left home, but that does not justify the way you act to everyone" Eddy said mad and standing up to his brother.
"Oh says, the traitor, you ran away and abandoned the City, the Throne and Me, your own brother, how can you lecture me on selfishness" Greatmane replied as Eddy sighed, taking a deep breath.
"I'm sorry Alex, really. the whole event made me angry and focused on revenge. I thought pushing everything away was the answer but I can see I was wrong, I never should've left you to clean up the mess" Eddy apologized getting on his knees surprising both Alex and Barb.
"Can you please forgive me" Eddy begged, genuinely sorry for what he did as Greatmane sighed, looking at them. admitting he could not just forget what Eddy did to him. Eddy saying he was tired of fighting as Alex looked at him.
"Screw you, you think you can just apologize and what, we hug it out like the brothers we are" Greatmane replied as Eddy shook his head, saying that he hoped to settle things peacefully but now seeing he no choice but to use alternate methods.
"Alex, I Challenge you to Music-battle. Volcano City Law sates any Rock troll can challenge the sitting leader to a music battle for the throne" Eddy replied as Alex scoffed, of course he knew the laws.
"You, who's never touched an instrument against me, and if I win, you're banished from Volcano City forever, bring me my axe" Greatmane snapped his fingers as Metalhead opened the case pulling out a white guitar, imbedded with gemstones and golden edges, handing it to the King.
"I'm not you opponent, she is" Eddy said referencing Barb who looked at him, confident in her skills as Greatmane looked at him, asking if Eddy was really gonna have someone else fight his battle for him. Eddy smiled asking Alex if that was Okay.
"You're not scared of losing a Guitar Battle to a girl are you" Eddy asked, using Alex's ego against him as Barb cackled. smiling at the change to upstage this guy
"I Accept, you'll see I'm not just a pretty face" Alex said running his fingers down his guitar neck, playing a tasty lick
A/N It Looks like peace will not work here. the glove or should I say 'Pick' has the thrown and the two leaders of Rock Music are are square it off with a Guitar Duel, things are gonna get real 'Crossroads' next chapter
