Battling The Vegan Stereotype

And then Scott slammed his bass on Todd's face. Hey, that rhymed!

"I think it's time to end this volume." Scott said as he slung his bass over his shoulder and prepared to play.

"Oh, it's on, Pilgrim. You're going down..." Todd grimaced as he made his own bass levitate toward him. "...Vegan style."

- Bass Battle: Fight! -

Todd began with an incredible bass solo, playing a tune that was almost impossible to match. His bass literally began to glow with every note he played.

"Uh-oh." Wallace said, and you saw that Scott was quite worried, as well.

"That's right, Pilgrim... I actually know how to play bass!" Todd smirked as he also shot another beam of green energy at Scott.

Scott was sent skidding along the ground, and crashed onto the stage. "If you're so good at bass, why are you still zapping me with psychic powers, you chode?" Scott questioned in anger.

"Envy, are you alright?" You asked after you got up, running over to her.

"Don't touch me!" Envy shouted, pushing you back.

"Okay, okay." You raised your arms up and backed off.

"I hate you." Envy grumbled. "...but, thanks."

"Anytime." You smiled. "Now, back to business."

You ran over to help Scott up and take on Todd. However, it seemed you weren't the only one helping. "We'll also help even the odds a little, Pilgrim!" Luke exclaimed as he and his boys joined.

"Huh? The Boys? And Crash? How?" Scott questioned.

"Our constant rehearsing finally paid off in the form of an advanced technique." Luke began explaining. "We now have the ability to manipulate pure soundwaves through hard work and willpower alone!"

"Are you sure you're not just Sound Conduits?" You asked. "I could use the addition to my arsenal."

"I don't know, maybe!" Luke answered.

"You and your boys are nothing to me!" Todd scoffed. as he began to play his bass again, shooting multiple green energy beams at the band.

"Steady, boys!" Luke commanded.

"I'll help!" You said as you made a neon wall that merged with the sound shield, protecting the boys and you from Todd's attacks.

"We can turn it back on him! Get ready to make your move, Pilgrim!" Luke ordered.

"Go get 'em, Scott!" You cheered, giving him a thumbs up.

Scott nodded, rushing right at Todd. "Now!" Luke exclaimed as he, the boys, and you deflected the beam right back at Todd.

Todd smirked, as he managed to reflect the beam with his own bass. Hitting Scott with it and making the sound shield begin to fail. "It's no good! His bass power is too powerful!" Luke exclaimed before everyone was sent flying backward.

"The reverb is hurting my soul!" An audience member groaned.

"He tossed 'em aside like a used nappy! All hail Tood Ingram!" Another exclaimed.

"Alright. Enough." You said, charging up a neon beam. "Bring it."

"My pleasure." Todd snarked, playing his bass and firing a beam of vegan energy toward you as you fired your neon beam.

- Beam Clash! Push it Back! -

A beam of green and a beam of blue and purple clashed. Both sides were pushing it with all they got, and the exchange went back and forward again and again. The impact of these energies colliding sent shockwaves of power all around the palace.

"Hrrrgh!" You grunted, trying your best to overpower him. "Come... on...!"

"Come on, Y/N! Spin the joystick!" Scott shouted, trying to support you. "Mash circle!"

"I'm... trying...!" You exclaimed as sweat dropped down your forehead.

Todd was also putting in effort. But you could tell his fingers were getting tired from playing bass for such a long period. He was giving it his al playing more aggressively and faster than ever, and it seemed your beam was being pushed back.

"You're good, Rowe. But you're not Vegan good." Todd smirked.

"Girls, help them!" Matthew exclaimed as he snapped his fingers and summoned the Demon Hipster Chicks.

"Go Y/N! Go Y/N!" All four DHCs chanted as they began to give you a boost in power via some form of pyrokinetic energy.

"It's... working!" You exclaimed as your beam began to grow in power and size, pushing back Todd's.

"What?!" Todd shouted, playing the bass even harder, but to no avail.

"My turn." Lucas said, taking out his skateboard and performing a flip kick to Todd's head, knocking him off his feet.

Thus, Todd's beam lost its target, and your DHCs-powered neon beam hit him with full force, sending him flying backward. His bass was done for, as it was disintegrated to bits and pieces.

"Oh, man." You panted, trying to catch your breath.

"You good?" Lucas asked, and you nodded.

"Thanks, by the way." You replied. "The both of you."

"Don't mention it." Matthew smiled, helping you up.

"I always wanted to do that, anyway." Lucas smirked.

"Freeze!" A voice shouted, and all eyes fell on some dud3 in sunglasses, making finger guns. "Vegan Police! Todd Ingram, you're under arrest for veganity violation!"

"What'd I do? What authority do you represent?!" Todd shouted. "You can't do this! I didn't do anything! You can't prove anything! I'm a rock star!"

"We have it on record that 12:27pm this afternoon you did knowingly consume a restricted food item." The other Vegan police officer said, holding up a notepad.

"Gelato, bitch." The first said.

"What? It... it wasn't me!" Todd denied, trying to get out of the situation as he was cornered.

"Hang on, are you saying gelato isn't vegan?" Envy gasped.

"It contains milk & eggs, ma'am." The first officer said.

"...is chicken parmesan vegan?" Envy questioned.

"Is it?" The second officer asked.

"I'm not sure. Isn't a 'parmesan' like a rodent or something?" The first wondered.

"You lied to me!" Envy shouted as she began hitting Todd before walking away in disappointment.

"The rules are simple, Todd." The second officer explained.

"No vegan diet, no vegan powers, bitch." The first finished.

Well, wasn't this just a lovely ending? But wait... something didn't feel quite right here. If you remembered correctly... That's it! This is your chance to possibly be on good terms with Todd! What to do next?

- Speak up

You know something about the Ristorante's gelato recipe that could save Todd. You don't like the guy, but he's not deserving of this fate. He learned that just because he's a rock star, doesn't mean he can break the rules. You'll have to hammer in that lesson even further and give him a second shot at being a better person.

- Do nothing

Let him be punished. He's a douche, and he deserved this. Plus, who knows what would happen if he kept his powers. If his powers get taken away, good. I'll make things easier for you. There's no honor in kicking someone while they're down, but eh. You're not above that.

"Wait!" You exclaimed, stopping the officers and stepping in front of Todd.

"Yeah, what is it?" One of the officers asked.

"Gelato, if made the right way, can be vegan." You explained.

"How so? It has milk & eggs, like ice cream." Another officer asked.

"Oh yeah, and what kind of milk did Todd's gelato have?" You questioned.

The officers looked at one another, then over at their notes, and then back at you. "We... overlooked that part." They said in unison.

"Yeah, I know the Ristorante makes their gelatos with soy milk because it's cheaper for them than normal dairy." You told them. "You can even ask the chef yourself."

"Then how do you explain the eggs?" The first officer asked.

"Easy. Gelato needs to have a smooth texture, and eggs help provide that. But, it's not the only thing that can provide that texture. And I believe there are other egg alternatives. For example, I'm pretty sure aquafaba would do the trick. And it's funny, because that's exactly what they put in there." You explained.

The officers were in shock. They looked through their notes and the evidence again, and it seemed your explanation checked out. "Looks like the records are in error." Officer one said.

"Well, I guess we owe you an apology, Ingram. You're free to go." The other said. And both officers left the premises with no questions.

"And case closed." You smiled.

"What... was that all about?" Todd asked, looking confused.

"You're welcome." You answered.

"What?! No, I didn't need your- I would've said- I could've-" Todd stammered, before regaining his composure. "I don't owe you anything. You think I'm a chump? I'm not some charity case you can feel good about."

"Todd. Listen." You sighed. "You were a jerk. You were arrogant, self-centered, and insensitive. Look what that brought you. If I didn't step in, your powers were donion rings."

"But I- I-" Todd began to speak, before going quiet.

"But you what, Todd?" You asked, raising an eyebrow. "You can't even admit you needed my help. Look, I'm not trying to make you feel bad. I'm just saying, I helped you because it was the right thing to do. Not because you're a rock star."

"And let me make it clear, I did not save you just because of that. I hate that you were a dick. But you know why I helped? Because I have the heart to be a decent person. And I know you do, too." You continued. "So, why don't you use that for once, and just say 'thank you'?"

"..." Todd was quiet. He looked as if he was pondering about what you said. He didn't want to look like a loser, and he didn't want to be vulnerable, but he was in no position to argue, either.

Everything you said was true, and Todd knew that. It was his pride that kept him from saying something, and even he knew that was wrong. It was a matter of dignity versus morality. And he knew that if he was to go down the right path, he had to make the right decision.

"Thanks." He finally spoke. "You didn't have to do that."

"Yes, I did. And don't forget that." You replied. "You're better than this, Todd. Be better. You're a rock star, so be a good one."

"You made the right choice, Ingram." Matthew said, standing to your left.

"Get the cockiness out the way." Lucas said, standing to your right.

"I'll help you through the start of the way." You added, giving Todd a stern yet sympathetic look. "It'll take time, patience, and effort. But I know you have all of those things if you're a vegan, or am I wrong?"

"Heh, you're not wrong." Todd answered.

"Then I know you can do it." You smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder. "So, what'll it be?"

"I'm still a rock star, and I'm gonna show the world..." Todd started, a small smirk on his face. "...just how great of a vegan rock star I can be."

"Atta boy." Lucas cheered, clapping Todd on the back.

"Well, it's settled then." Matthew smiled. "You're a miracle worker, Wyenn."

"I try my best." You chuckled, before turning to Scott, Kim, and Stephen. "Now, we've got a show to blow this place up with. I need to refill on neon, and then it's time to party."

"Right, it's what we came here to do in the first place." Stephen nodded.

"I'm pumped! Let's get out there, guys." Scott grinned, pumping his fist in the air.

"Yeah, let's show those bitches how to party!" Kim exclaimed.

+ Good Karma!

- RANK UP! -

- Champion

Congratulations, you have stepped further into the path to become...

A True Hero

And so, you refilled on neon, and then it was back to the stage to party. The night was yours, and you were all ready to enjoy it. And as was tradition, Kim started off the night with an iconic...

"WE ARE SEX BOB-BOM! ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!"

The party was on. The crowd was going wild. The lights were flashing thanks to you. It was everything you dreamed and more. And the whole night, you all gave it your all, and the crowd loved every minute of it.

Your light shows were a massive highlight, no pun intended. Masking neon projections all across the walls, ceiling, and floor, along with the stage, all while also keeping up with the tempo, and sometimes the lyrics. It was no wonder the people were going insane.

You even sneaked a gesture to Stephen, which just screamed "you hear that? That's the sound of the crowd loving us." He did in fact, and gave you a thumbs up. You could hear the comments of the crowd...

"Oh my god! I hope they have a CD! And the singer was hot!"

"Ew, you think so? The one behind the lights is much better."

"They're sure no Clash at Demonhead, that's for sure." - Monique

"I like the colors! So cool!" - Sandra

"Did you like it?"

"With a show like this? I don't even need to think about it! Hell yeah!"

"They probably don't suck, not with a light show like that. But the levels were horrible. Also, Todd Ingram is a dick, and he isn't that hot. Yes he is." - Joseph

"You know what? Maybe this place isn't so bad. I still kinda hate this bar, so no quitting on Monday for me." - The Bartender

However, one in particular stuck out to you...

"Any thoughts on tonight's events?" The one recording the entire event, namely the reporter, asked a dude in glasses, sipping a beer.

"No comment." The man replied, shooting you and Scott a glare before walking away and throwing away his bottle.

You and Scott looked at one another. It was clear you both had a mutual unease about that guy.

But, no need to worry now. Tonight was your night, and nothing would ruin it. You and Scott shared a smile, and it was back to business.