I have no excuse for my tardiness. I'm sorry. When I was reading the reviews, it was noted that I was finishing the story because of lack of response from the readers. Though this was a factor, it was not the main reason. I am finishing this story because the interest on my half has finished. When I started writing, I had whole scenes flowing in my head. Now days it takes major will power (which, when it comes to self discipline, I don't have much of) to get behind the computer and type up this story. So here it is, not great but good enough.
The town was abuzz with excitement. Hotels were checking in tourists who had come for Arachnophobia. Motels were giving keys to music lovers who had come for Spartoi. Every student in the high school was waiting with baited breath for the event.
Free crouched on the roof, hammering the last nail in the first make-shift stage. He had another two hours before he needed them finished but the construction was taking longer than he had thought it would. He contemplated taking a break and going down stairs, but thought better of it. Medusa had Maka working the front. Both women wanted the stage set up quickly.
Sighing, he set back to work. Just under him, hanging out the second floor ceiling, Kidd was setting up one of the many amps out the window. Patty was taping down extension cords that made it into the hallway. Star was hauling his drum set, piece by piece, up the two stairwells. Soul and Liz were making rounds, talking to the neighbors. In two hours, the street would be flooded with people and noise. It had been Maka's idea to warn and talk to the other storeowners. That way there wouldn't be anyone complaining about the noise. When they finished, Liz and Maka would be making their way to the police station to inform them of the concert.
An hour before the show everything was falling into place. Two platforms had been made to sit on either side of the roof. An amp leaned out of every window. The desert weather looked clear as a bell. All the necessary adults had been informed. The microphones had been checked for Spartoi. All that was left was for Madness to appear and set up.
They didn't disappoint. The four band members trailed in, Eruka following. They set up quickly and efficiently, Eruka and Asura throwing Spartoi sneers every chance they got. By this time, the building had been filled. People were beginning to climb the fire escape and fill the streets.
Maka went to the roof's edge and looked over. She could see fellow students from school and people she had never seen in Death City before. An indistinguishable shiver made its way through her spine. Suddenly a heavy leather jacket fell on her shoulders.
"Don't want you getting cold feet, do we?"
Maka rolled her eyes at Soul, "Thanks. Is everything ready?"
Soul looked behind him. Kidd and Star were waiting, tuning and idly playing notes. Madness was just finishing preparing their instruments. "Seems like it."
"I'll go get Medusa."
When she made it to the stairwell, a manicured hand pulled her pigtail through an open door. Suddenly, Maka was toe to toe with Eruka, a snarl gracing the other girl's face.
"Hello, Rat," the frog obsessed girl sneered. "Thought I'd give you one last warning. Madness will destroy you, Asura is going to destroy Spartoi."
"I'll believe it when I see it."
There must have been something in Maka's eyes because, instead of retaliating, Eruka pushed the shorter girl into the wall and took her leave. Maka tightened a pigtail and continued to the first story of the café.
"Medusa, we're almost ready. You should probably get ready, you have to do announcements in a few minutes."
The blonde café owner nodded. She ran her fingers through her hair a few times then began walking up to the roof. Free was just finishing hooking up the microphone, when she makes her way to center stage.
Turning to her, he says, "Everything's hooked up, they should be able to hear you down the block."
She nods, walking up to the mic she begins, "Hello everyone!"
There is a loud roar in return. Medusa laughs at their eager response. "Glad to see everyone excited. Okay, this is how it's going to go: Madness will start us out, then Spartoi will play a song. By the end, you will have heard four songs by each of them. When it's all over, I will come back up here, and you the audience will give your vote."
Eruka stood off to the side of the Madness stage and snickered. The bass player with pink hair looked nervous and was hiding behind the burly guitarist. The guitarist bashed the scrawny boy on the head with a white, fingerless gloved hand. Arachne sat back, waiting to start the cue, looking smug and ready. Asura took the stage.
Taking the mic in his hand, he addressed the audience in the street, "Hello… people, I wanted to say a few things before we began. As you know, we… are Madness. But! You can not have the idea of madness without some sense of reason, correct? I've been doing some thinking, and I realized something; when all is said and done, this world is an unknowable place. On the surface, all appears rational, orderly. But what lies beyond that thin veneer of reason? Stability and reality? Or chaos and madness? What are we really made of in the end? Is there truly any meaning to the lives we lead? Life is an unsolvable mystery with any number of twists and turns awaiting us. And that's enough to fill any soul with terror. [that last bit was paraphrased from the manga/anime] Spartoi, our opponents, are the embodiment of reason, therefore they hold fear. We have let go of fear. And embraced Madness."
A shadow fell over his eyes, leaving a sick smile behind. The large guitarist laughed gruffly, but the pink haired band member moved closer to Asura. He whispered just loud enough to be caught by the microphone, "I don't know how to deal with being on a roof. I can't deal with an audience."
"Just play your stupid bass, Crona," this came from the bigger man.
"I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH IT!"
Asura held up a hand, "I've got this, Ragnarok." He then came close to Crona, speaking into his ear. When he was finished, Arachne began the count off.
"One, two, One two three four!"
They all jumped into the song, but Crona took to action. He moved with jerky erratic motions, never missing a beat and playing loud.
[You're Going Down by Sick Puppies]
Define your meaning of war It's been a long time coming Define your meaning of fun It's been a long time coming This is hardly worth fighting for It'll be a long time coming One of us is going down One of us is going down
To me it's what we do when we're bored
I feel the heat comin' off of the blacktop
And it makes me want it more
Because I'm hyped up out of control
If it's a fight, I'm ready to go
I wouldn't put my money on the other guy
If you know what I know that I know
And the table's turned around
'Cause one of us is going
One of us is going down
I'm not running,
It's a little different now
'Cause one of us is going
One of us is going down
To me it's when we're getting it done
[The explicit version: "Is it fuckin', druggin' or guns"]
I feel the heat comin' off of the blacktop
So get ready for another one
Let's take a trip down memory lane
(Do you remember me?)
The words circling in my brain
(And what you did to me)
You can treat this like another all the same
But don't cry like a bitch when you feel the pain
And the table's turned around
'Cause one of us is going
One of us is going down
I'm not running,
It's a little different now
'Cause one of us is going
One of us is going down
But it's the little petty shit that I can't ignore
With my fist in your face, and your face on the floor
[The explicit version: "When my fist hits your face and your face hits the floor"]
But you got the message now
'Cause I was never going
Yeah, you're the one that's going down
I'm not running,
It's a little different now
'Cause one of us is going
One of us is going down
When they had finished, Asura sent an evil smile toward Kidd. The audience showed their appreciation by creating as much noise as they could muster. Before Spartoi could return a song, the microphone was snatched up by Eruka. "The one to go down tonight will be you Maka. Your little band doesn't stand a chance!"
"Argh!" Maka stomped her feet, throwing her hands in the air, "Why do you hate me? What could I have done?"
Eruka's eyes blazed. "You, you little sewer rat, you wrecked my family!" By now she had moved away from the microphone, and was screaming directly at Maka. "Your slut of a father ripped my family apart."
"And you've been tormenting me ever since! I am not my father."
Eruka pursed her lips, "The apple never falls far from the tree."
Maka clenched her teeth, and took the stage. She waved to Black Star to begin.
[Why Do You Hate Me? By Marmozets]
[A few of the lyrics (changing 'boy' to 'girl' and such) have been changed to work with the story. Maka: Bold, Black Star (screamo): Italics]
Why do you hate me?
Take my money! Yo Girl! here we go again! Why do you, hate me so much?! Take my legs and tongue! Why do you, hate me so much?! Why do you hate me? Why do you hate me? Why do you hate me so much?! Every little word you say
Take my heart and soul!
Break, my boundaries and take like robbery, taken, taken everything
Take my sickness!
Take my lips and pins!
You have planned
is there anything you see you haven't taken from me?
Do you still wanna stay?
I ask the same thing everyday
Why do you hate me? Why do you hate me?
I'm confused with every little you say
Do you feel like a fool
I hate every little word you say
Every little word you say
so I can't talk or run!
Burn my body and take like robbery, taken, taken everything
Take my Harley!
Break like love despair!
You're an empty vessel
is there anything you see you haven't taken from me?
I'm confused at every little you say
do you feel like a fool
I hate every little word you say
Every little word you say
Why do you hate me so much?!
I'm confused with every little word you say
do you like a fool
I hate every little word you say
I'm confused at every little word you say
Do you feel like a fool?
I hate every little word you say
why do you hate me so much?!
I'm confused with every little word you say
Do you feel like a fool
I hate every little word you say
Every little word you say
Every little word you say...
Every little word you say
Huffing and puffing, they finished the song. Maka didn't do screaming herself that often, but this was special. When the song was finished, she smiled. Turing to the audience, she spoke, "If you haven't figured it out, we're Spartoi. Thanks for coming everyone!"
Applause filled the street. Maka did a little curtsy in return. Soul smiled from behind her, uncaring of the crowd or other band. The albino was just happy to be playing music. His red gazed moved from his girlfriend to Kidd. He was scratching. He would scratch eight times on one arm then repeat to the other. He was about to go into an episode, Soul knew. Quickly he signaled Liz to the stage.
She saw the problem instantly, and pulled the symmetry crazed boy off the stage before he could flip out. After asking what was the matter, Soul heard Kidd respond, "Look at his things, Liz. Look at his things! He has an extra guitar just sitting there. He doesn't even play guitar. It's making everything asymmetrical…"
The distraught boy continued, listing everything wrong with the roof, all the time scratching at his arms. On the other raised stage, Asura smiled knowing his brother had finally noticed.
Addressing the crowd, the older brother spoke, "Seems my brother is having some trouble adjusting to the setting. I've got just the song."
Crona moved to the electric piano set up on the stage, and began a creepy melody.
[Monsters by Sick Puppies]
Somewhere inside this closet I know the reason you're running scared Your skin is crawling on you I know the reason you're running scared Say good-bye You're dying now I know the reason you're running scared
Your whole life exists
An evil little secret
That keeps you so nervous
You're boarding up your windows
In fetal on the floor
But what you're keeping out is on the wrong side of the door
I met the monster inside your head
You never know the feeling of being alive
It's not enough, it never stops coming
It's not enough, so take a breath, say good-bye
The shadows on the ground
And now the room is spinning
Oh god what was that sound
The fear is paralyzing
Trapped here inside yourself
Your will to live is dying, is dying
You're dying
I met the monster inside your head
You never know the feeling of being yourself
It's not enough, it never stops coming
It's not enough, so take a breath, say good-bye
Dying now
I met the monster inside your head
You never know the feeling of being alive
It's not enough, it never stops coming
It's not enough, so take a breath, say good-bye
As the bass grew, Kidd became more distraught. Liz steadied his hands from the scratching. She whispered several lines as Asura cackled into the microphone.
"If you need some time, we still have two more songs," he said sickeningly sweet.
Star jumped from his seat, "Not a chance Creep-skate."
"Someone's a little over eager," Asura sneered.
Black Star rolled his eyes. Maka hopped off the stage, to speak to Liz. They were quickly finished, and Kidd returned to the stage. He gulped as he put the guitar strap over his head and on to his shoulder. That done, he nodded to the group and the song began.
The drums clashed and Kidd put his all into the music. He closed his eyes and head banged with the music, jumping. Then everyone on the street was jumping. Everyone was head banging. Everyone was rocking out. The crowd chanted "I strike back" with the beat of the music.
[Strike Back by We As Human]
You want to push me like I don't mind You think I'm going to back down You are the darkness and I am the light You think I'm going to back down Strike back [x6] The bigger they are, the harder they fall The bigger they are, the harder they fall The bigger they are
You want to break me but not this time
You underestimate the moment you shove
You've got no idea what I'm capable of
No, no you don't
You better think again
I've always said
The bigger they are, the harder they fall
You're going to suffer
Hit me, I'll hit back harder
The bigger you are, the harder you fall
It's your darkest hour
Hit me, I hit you harder
When my back's against the wall
I strike back, I strike back, I strike back
When my back's against the wall
I strike back, I strike back, I strike back
You are the fallen and Heaven don't lie
So, so, so step back you're crossing the line
If I told once I've told you one thousand times
No, no you don't
You better think again
I've always said
The bigger they are, the harder they fall
You're going to suffer
Hit me, I'll hit back harder
The bigger you are, the harder you fall
It's your darkest hour
Hit me, I hit you harder
When my back's against the wall
I strike back, I strike back, I strike back
When my back's against the wall
I strike back, I strike back, I strike back
The bigger they are, the harder they fall
You've got my back against the wall
You've got my back, you're going to fall
You're going to suffer
Hit me, I'll hit back harder
The bigger you are, the harder you fall
It's your darkest hour
Hit me, I hit you harder
I strike back, I strike back, I strike back
The harder they fall
I strike back, I strike back, I strike back
The bigger you are, (the bigger you are) the harder you fall
When my back's against the wall
I strike back, I strike back, I strike back
When my back's against the wall
I strike back, I strike back, I strike back
Asura merely rolled his eyes and jumped into the next song. Crona took the back up.
[Sarcasm by Get Scared]
You've got me shaking from the way you're talking Sticks and stones could break my bones Don't mind us we're just spilling our guts Don't mind us we're just spilling our guts You could be the corpse and I could be the killer You could be the corpse and I could be the killer Don't mind us we're just spilling our guts Don't mind us we're just spilling our guts Failure find me What a cyanide surprise you have left for my eyes Don't mind us we're just spilling our guts Don't mind us we're just spilling our guts Don't mind us we're just spilling our guts Don't mind us we're just spilling our guts
My heart is breaking but there's no use crying
What a cyanide surprise you have left for my eyes
If I had common sense I'd cut myself or curl up and die
But anything you say will only fuel my lungs
If this is love I don't wanna be loved
You pollute the room with a filthy tongue
Watch me choke it down so I can throw it up.
If this is love I don't wanna be hanging by the neck
Before an audience of death.
If I could be the devil, you could be the sinner
You could be the drugs and I could be the dealer
Everything you say is like music to my ears
If I could be the devil, you could be the sinner
You could be the drugs and I could be the dealer
Everything you say is like music to my, music to my ears
If this is love I don't wanna be loved
You pollute the room with a filthy tongue
Watch me choke it down so I can throw it up.
If this is love I don't wanna be hanging by the neck
Before an audience of death
(Before an audience)
To tie me up now
'Cause I'm as bad, as bad as it gets
Failure find me
To hang me up now
By my neck cause I'm a fate worse than death
If I had common sense I'd cut myself or curl up and die
If this is love I don't wanna be loved
You pollute the room with a filthy tongue
Watch me choke it down so I can throw it up
If this is love I don't wanna be hanging by the neck
Before an audience
If this is love I don't wanna be loved
You pollute the room with a filthy tongue
Watch me choke it down so I can
If this is love I don't wanna be hanging by the neck
Before an audience of death
The crowd was jumping and moving with Madness. Their smiles were directed in one direction. Maka went red, her cheeks changing the color of Soul's eyes. They were laughing at Spartoi. Laughing.
She pushed Soul's electric violin into his hands. He got the message. The music began shortly.
[Angel with a Shotgun by The Cab]
(I'm an angel with a shotgun, shotgun, shotgun, Get out your guns, battle's begun, They say before you start a war, I'm an angel with a shotgun, Sometimes to win, you've got to sin, They say before you start a war, I'm an angel with a shotgun, ooooohhhhhhhh, ooooooohhhhh whoa whoa oooh whoa I'm an angel with a shotgun.. I'm an angel with a shotgun, ..and I'm gonna hide, hide, hide my wings tonight. They say before you start a war,
An angel with a shotgun, shotgun, shotgun..)
are you a saint, or a sinner?
If love's a fight, then I shall die,
with my heart on a trigger.
you better know what you're fighting for.
Well baby, you are all that I adore,
if love is what you need, a soldier I will be.
fighting 'til the war's won,
I don't care if heaven won't take me back.
I'll throw away my faith, babe, just to keep you safe.
Don't you know you're everything I have?
..and I, wanna live, not just survive, tonight.
don't mean I'm not a believer.
..and major Tom, will sing along.
Yeah, they still say I'm a dreamer.
you better know what you're fighting for.
Well baby, you are all that I adore,
if love is what you need, a soldier I will be.
fighting 'til the war's won,
I don't care if heaven won't take me back.
I'll throw away my faith, babe, just to keep you safe.
Don't you know you're everything I have?
..and I, wanna live, not just survive, tonight.
fighting 'til the war's won..
I don't care if heaven won't take me back..
fighting til' the war's won,
I don't care if heaven won't take me back.
I'll throw away my faith, babe, just to keep you safe.
Don't you know you're everything I have?
(I'm an angel with a shotgun)
..and I, want to live, not just survive, tonight.
(Live, not just survive)
you better know what you're fighting for.
Well baby, you are all that I adore,
if love is what you need, a soldier I will be.
Maka spent most of the song in the vicinity of Soul. Though not one of their best songs, it was unique to their band and the audience was won over once more. In a passing thought, Maka realized this was quite the fickle crowd.
"Okay guys, we have just two more songs for you. Then you get to decide."
Asura took the stage once more, "We're ready to finish this."
[War Of Change by Thousand Foot Krutch]
It's a truth that in love and war, [Chorus] It creeps in like a thief in the night, [Chorus] This is a warning, like it or not, There's a war going on inside of me tonight (don't be afraid) [x2] Wait, it's just about to break, its more than I can take,
World's collide and hearts get broken,
I want to live like I know I'm dying,
Take up my cross, not be afraid
Is it true what they say, that words are weapons?
And if it is,then everybody best stop steppin',
Cause I got ten in my pocket that'll bend ya locket,
I'm tired of all these rockers sayin' come with me,
Wait, it's just about to break, its more than I can take,
Everything's about to change,
I feel it in my veins, its not going away,
Everything's about to change.
Without a sign, without a warning,
But we are ready and prepared to fight,
Raise up your swords, don't be afraid,
I break down, like a record spinning,
Gotta get up,
So back off,
This is a warning, like it or not,
I'm tired of listenin', I'm warning you, don't try to get up,
Everything's about to change,
I feel it in my veins, its not going away,
Everything's about to change,
It's just about to break, its more than I can take,
Everything's about to change,
I feel it in my veins, its not going away,
Everything's about to change.
The crowd went wild.
Maka moved to the microphone. "Okay everyone. This is the last song. This competition was created to settle differences created by mistrust and hate. Once this song is over, I plan to stop. I'm finished. This one is for Eruka."
[Misery Business by Paramore]
I'm in the business of misery, I waited eight long months, Whoa, I never meant to brag. Second chances they don't ever matter, people never change. Whoa, I never meant to brag I watched his wildest dreams come true Whoa, I never meant to brag Whoa, I never meant to brag
Let's take it from the top.
She's got a body like an hourglass, it's ticking like a clock.
It's a matter of time before we all run out,
When I thought he was mine she caught him by the mouth.
She finally set him free.
I told him I couldn't lie he was the only one for me.
Two weeks we caught on fire,
She's got it out for me,
But I wear the biggest smile.
But I got him where I want him now.
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now.
But God does it feel so good,
'Cause I got him where I want him now.
And if you could then you know you would.
'Cause God it just feels so...
It just feels so good.
Once a whore you're nothing more, I'm sorry, that'll never change.
And about forgiveness, we're both supposed to have exchanged.
I'm sorry honey, but I passed it up, now look this way.
Well there's a million other girls who do it just like you.
Looking as innocent as possible to get to who,
They want and what they like, it's easy if you do it right.
Well I refuse, I refuse, I refuse!
But I got him where I want him now.
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now.
But God does it feel so good,
'Cause I got him where I want him right now.
And if you could then you know you would.
'Cause God it just feels so...
It just feels so good.
Not one of them involving you
Just watch my wildest dreams come true
Not one of them involving...
But I got him where I want him now.
But I got him where I want him now.
Whoa, it was never my intention to brag
To steal it all away from you now.
But God does it feel so good,
'Cause I got him where I want him now.
And if you could then you know you would.
'Cause God it just feels so...
It just feels so good.
And then it was over. Medusa came out to take the tally. All over, it was hard to tell. Madness left in a huff. Spartoi was cheered on to play one last song.
Maka walked to the mic for the last time that night, "We didn't prepare another song for you tonight. I have one more. My mom used to sing it to me when I was little, I hope you enjoy it," a pause, then, "Oh! And most of it is in Japanese, so don't worry about knowing what the lyrics mean."
With that, the band went into Paper Moon [By Tommy Heavenly6]. The crowd swayed with the beat. When it was all said and done, they packed up.
At the end of the night, twenty minutes after midnight, Maka swung her leg over Soul's motorcycle. They went home. And Spartoi continued.
There will not be a sequel. One day I will, I promise, go over this story with a fine toothed comb and a critical eye, but it will be later. This story was originally inspired by Misery Business by Paramore. I love all of you that found this and told me your thoughts, thank you for your reviews and interest.
Good bye- Lily